Alex's POV

"Breakfast!"

The ringing of the morning bell sounded out while I had been sleeping in the bed, and it was at a pretty bad time as well, considering that I was working late into the night with Big Macintosh with the broken wheel of the wagon.

Being that it was Applejack making the call to have the most important meal of the day, I slowly open up my eyes to let the light awaken me further. A bit of a groan emerges from my own mouth, but what can you expect when Applejack convinced me to work on the farm with her and the rest of the Apple family? Business, I know.

I began to slip out from under the single bed's covers, and slide my feet onto the wooden planked floor. Wasn't cold itself, but more rather at a normal temperature since of the sun was shining into the room from the open window. I wasn't exactly tired, but even the farm has its own rules of when we all should consider going to get some rest after the long day.

You're wondering to yourself... how did this boy manage to start working at Sweet Apple Acres? To answer your question, AJ (as Brayden nicknames her) approached me sometime after having settled into the house, and offered me the job of working on the farm for decent pay. At first I didn't really know what to say, but Apple Bloom who I guess must have thought I was one of the coolest humans pushed me into saying yes. Can't get over those cute puppy dog eyes she made for me to give in.

I move towards the wardrobe, allowing myself to reach inside and look at all of the clothing that I had to wash yesterday. Rarity made me a few bits of clothing, cause as usual she takes measurements before making them. At first, I was a bit surprised that she would make human clothing... but as I recall, Brayden must have been the start for her doing that. Can't complain about that.

Knowing very well that Apple Bloom could come galloping down the hallway outside and entering the room, I had to be rather quick about changing from my pyjamas to regular clothing. So I took them off in exchange of putting on jeans, a shirt in the color of cyan to remind me of Rainbow Dash, and put on socks.

The sounds of hooves galloping right down the hall were heard by the time that I slip my feet into my slip-on sneakers. My door peeks open, and there's the little sister of AJ peeking in with a very bright smile on her own face.

"Are ya ready fer breakfast Alex?!" She sounds rather excited to see me when she spoke to me. "Ah am! 'Cause pancakes and berries are right on the table and are waitin' fer both us and mah family! Don't wanna miss this one!"

I chuckled to myself when I approached her. "Love that stuff, though it was a dinner option for me while I lived back on Earth."

"Pancakes fer dinner? Quite odd Ah can say." She comments with a giggle from her, opening up the door further for me to get out from the room and join everypony downstairs.

"No, it's not odd at all," I said to her. "On Earth, it can be common at certain restaurants in a place called the United States where me and Brayden grew up together."

"Ah see." Apple Bloom says to me, the tone in her voice possibly studying what I meant. She hasn't been to Earth before, but with what happened I don't really think a filly her age should visit there at the moment... at least until things calm down there.

Both me and her begin to head down the wooden planked steps as the smell of hot smoking pancakes fill in my lungs. My stomach is already rumbling, so I'm already wanted to stuff food into my own mouth. Once setting onto the main floor, the direction turns to the left and we head towards the kitchen.

Applejack was right there, close by the table to set golden-baked pancakes with maple syrup and slices of the fruit they made here on the farm on the plates. Though for the syrup, it was separate so she made it completely a choice if I wanted to have it on my pancakes or not. Butter is also there if I want to place it on top with a knife.

Her green eyes could see both of us coming into the room, placing a bright smile on her face and adjusting her Stetson-like hat. "Good mornin' to both of ya'll!" She greets us. "Alex, ya look to have slept well last night!"

"That I did," I responded to her as I take my seat at the table as to where my plate was. "Working last night as per usual really wore me out and gave me a load of time to drop into sleeping like a rock the second I put myself into bed."

"What time was that at? Probably nine." Granny Smith tells me across from the table.

I smirked for a moment. "Around there, but it was 9:23pm from what I last remember, and good morning Granny Smith."

"Mornin' to ya too Alex. Ah'm hopin' ya enjoy the good day today, cause it ain't supposed ta rain 'til tomorrow mornin'."

"I can be sure of that." My left hand grips onto the silver knife while the other takes the fork.

Applejack takes her seat at the table next to her brother Big Macintosh whom is already settled down to have his breakfast before getting to work on another load of deliveries whether it's fresh apple pies, cider or just apples for the ingredients. With that, I guess it'll be another day of helping him package them in boxes and sending them to the Ponyville grocery stores. For the other shipments to other cities in Equestria, Big Macintosh takes them to the supply station to be marked and then sent on one of the cargo trains at the station to be delivered.

"Guess it'll be another day of work to earn bits, right?"

The gamboge pony just shakes her head. "Nah, not at all sugarcube. Ah think ya've worked hard with Big Macintosh. Ah've talked it over with him, and ya earned a day off today."

"Eeyep." Her brother responds with a happy expression on his face.

I am chewing on a bite of the pancakes while I was listening to both Applejack and Big Mac talking with me. "So fer yer day off, ya can do whatever ya need to do whether it's visitin' a friend or somethin' on that spare time that ya do." She tells me.

Making sure to swallow before I responded to her, I did look a bit relieved as I could take an opportunity to visit Brayden at Twilight's castle and say hello to everypony on the way there. If Dash is flying around, I might as usual try to make her consider taking a bit of this day with me to hang out and get to know one another a little more.

Doubt that Rainbow will want to stay though. The more she shuns away, the more I think she does like me in secret. You never really know... could be true.

"Thank you Applejack, and thank you too Big Mac," I told both of them with the stallion nodding in satisfaction. Even then, I did wonder what everypony was going to be doing today. "So, how's everypony doing? Any plans?"

"Not so much," Apple Bloom is the first to speak out after chewing on some slices of fruit. "Just another day of the Crusaders, and we're probably gonna play pirates with a few of our schoolmates."

I put down the fork and placed my right hand's index and thumb to my own chin as if thinking about something. "Pirates, hm?" I said to her, as I can remember playing that kind of game with my cousins as a kid. "I remember that as a kid."

"Ya do?" Apple Bloom's look on her face was surprised but grows into a smile. "Maybe ya can join us on an adventure!"

"Maybe I could..." I chuckled after gulping down on another pancake. "But, I am going to check up and see how Brayden is doing today at the castle."

The ears of Apple Bloom tilted downward a bit in disappointment. But even so, I should really put on my pirate voice to keep her hopes up since she's playing with her classmates. I slid out of my chair, tying the napkin around my eye to pretend that I was a captain of a pirate ship, moving over towards her.

"Don't worry though ship-mate!" I spoke to her out loud in a mocking pirate tone in my voice and a smile on my face. She looks at me with a smile on her face. "I'm sure all of you will find that treasure, but make sure to stay clear of Davy Jone's Locker! Yarrr!"

She giggles for a moment. "Ah'll make sure of that. A shame ya can't join us though, ya'd make a great pirate captain fer us."

"I know, but there's always next time." I took off the napkin covering my eye when I saw that look on Applejack's face, followed by a smile as she knew about the story that Rarity ended up covering up by saying that she was acting like a pirate when she, Rarity and Pinkie were on a boat trip.

"Ya might wanna think 'bout finishin' yer food there Alex." I can hear the mare across the table suggest to me.

I quickly slid back to my chair and the food on my plate, taking my silverware again. "Right..." From there, I took a set of fruit and began to munch on them.

"So yeah, yer gonna visit Brayden at the castle?" Applejack asked me, taking a sip of her juice after that question.

A nod is made for her to see my answer. "Yes, it's been quite a while since I've hung out with him or seen him, so I might as well catch up." I told her with a smile.

"Ah see," She sounded almost a little quiet when she made her response. By that tone, I could tell something was wrong. "Well, Ah'm hoping ya have a good time with him if he's there."

"Is something wrong?" I asked her, noting the tone of her voice.

She swallows down more fruit before responding. "Ah'll tell ya after breakfast. But fer now, ya should get yer food in that stomach of yers."

Figuring that she made a point, I used the silver knife to carve another piece of one of the last two pancakes drenched with rich syrup, and continued to eat away at this breakfast. Also, note to self to ensure that I wake up earlier to cook omelettes with Applejack one morning. She would love that shit.

Within a few minutes, my plate had already been licked clean. Well, not really cause there is still the maple syrup sticky bits that reside on the plate. Not to worry though, as I only have to place it into the sink so that either Granny Smith or AJ will wash it off later. Possibly Apple Bloom because she would usually have chores after a day with her friends, but I would help her get it done.

"That was the best breakfast I might have ever had in years!" I exclaimed proudly, while Granny finished her last bite of the fruit slice on her plate.

I can hear Applejack speak with me as I gather my plate to bring it to the sink. "Glad ya liked it partner!" She holds a smile on her face, which I know won't last long when she speaks with me.

My plate is placed into the sink with a bit of movement heard between the cutlery and the ceramic that it was made of. Behind me, I can hear almost the same thing, except it is the plate itself being moved off of the kitchen table followed by a few others.

The rays of the sun shine a bit on the plate in the sink to give off a bit of a shine, even in its own dirty state. With that, I turn the tap to turn on the water with a bit of warmth in its temperature so that the syrup slips off from the ceramic.

"Ya don't need to clean yer dish Alex," Applejack says to me, the sound of a chair scooting heard when I turn around. She gets down from the spot she had been sitting at. "If any, it's Granny's turn to clean the dishes today."

"Twas already yer past turn, and Ah'll take it all from here," The olden mare tells me, getting out from her seat and trotting around the table. "It'll be Big Macintosh's turn to do them again tomorrow."

"Ah." I simply state as I am quick to turn off the tap and Applejack's hoof gently touching my back.

"Now c'mon sugarcube, ya wanted to talk privately 'bout Brayden, right?"

I can feel her giving a bit of a friendly push to get me out of the kitchen. Her hoof does feel very gentle especially with all of that force she was giving to me to move on my feet. Both hands rise up to ease her down and assure her that I was right on my way. I can catch in my vision as I move forward, her trotting beside me as we enter the main room again.

Being that we both were out of her own family's earshot, she seemed very quiet when it came to Brayden. My mind keeps asking myself questions: what happened that made her seem that way in the tone of her voice? I'm determined to get an answer from her as she is Brayden's close friend. She's never been one to lose faith in her own friend, especially with all he's done in times of their own trouble.

"So what's wrong?" I asked her. "You seemed... quiet when I brought up Brayden."

Taking only a moment, she manages to find the right words to speak out. "Yeah sugarcube... Ah was... but the reason why Ah was, 'cause of what happened at the Crystal Empire..."

I can notice the sadness in the tone of her voice when she spoke to me, all ears from me on her as she was trying to explain to me.

"King Sombra came back from wherever he came from, and Ah think he touched his horn by accident. He set him free by accident, and Ah know he didn't mean to... so he faced off 'gainst him..."

My hands gently are placed her shoulders, doing all I can to keep her under control. "What happened next?"

"He... he killed him with the Song of Order. He took somepony's life, and without even a trial for the evil ruler of the past. He just did in front of everypony there..." She became speechless, almost choking on her own breath.

Really? I didn't think that Brayden himself would take a pony's life, especially from a dark unicorn king who ruled over and enslaved the crystal ponies. But seriously, she's acting that this is a crime. "Are you serious? I don't see how it's that big of a deal."

"Why would ya say that?" She questions to me. "It's forbidden to slay anypony as part of the law of Equestria, written all back in the day that Equestria had formed."

"He just took out a huge threat to your own lives and practically to all of Equestria. Without his contribution and his execution of the dark king, who knows what could've happened?" I said to her, even if I wasn't there to see it for myself with my own eyes. "Have you thought about that for a moment?"

"Ah... Ah don't know. But Ah was disappointed for that action he made." She tells me.

"So... I guess you and him are no longer friends then..."

"Sugarcube, wait..." She sounds a bit insisting that I hear her out on what she wants to say. Both of her hooves gently are placed onto my chest to stop the assumption there. "Ah don't hate Brayden... Ah never will."

"But you just said-"

"Ah know what Ah said. But Ah really don't want to hate him... he holds a place as one of mah own close friends that Ah can trust." She interrupted as if not wanting to offend.

I look to those green eyes of hers. "Then don't hate him. Just give yourself and the others some time to think it over," I said to him. "When I had my arguments with Brayden sometimes, I would sometimes just take a bit of a break from him when needed to."

She almost seemed to pause for those moments, as her ears were picking up exactly what I was telling her. "Ah..." She gets out at first before maintaining more courage to speak. "...Ah didn't think of that. Maybe it was a little too hard on him for just trottin' away. Maybe yer advice could work, Ah don't know. Ah'll think it over and then talk with him when Ah'm a little more comfortable."

"That's the spirit," I manage to put on a smile. "Speaking of Brayden, have you heard from him?"

She had a look on her face that seemed confused. "Not that Ah know of... maybe speak with Fluttershy at her cottage, she might have a clear idea where he went off to."

I release my hands off from the gamboge pony's shoulders, taking my red hoodie off from the hook on the wall. "She is Brayden's best friend. Maybe she will, maybe not. Guess I'll find out." I said to her, zipping up on the hoodie.

"Ya bet she'll tell ya. If she doesn't have anythin', try Rarity. Maybe Spike or Starlight Glimmer has information if nopony else knows."

I turn towards the front door of the house, walking towards it. "Alright, and I'll see you later Applejack. Work day tomorrow?"

"Eeyep." She responds to me with a smile. "Ah'll see ya later partner."

I gave her one more smile as I exit out of the house and turn towards the arch entrance of Sweet Apple Acres to leave. It wasn't too warm outside, but it wasn't too cold either. Perfect weather here to wear a hoodie.

Nevertheless, I wonder what Fluttershy will say.

"Oh... well, I could never hate Brayden... rejecting my friendship with him would be the last thing that I want to do..." Fluttershy manages to get out, with a sad tone in her quiet voice. "I can understand a bit why he'd want to kill King Sombra..."

My hand was on my face when she explained how she justified him during that entire time, but didn't see the 'good' side of it. I groaned before speaking "You see what I mean? Just because he took a king's life that enslaved the Crystal ponies, doesn't make him bad."

"I- I didn't mean it like that though... I was just a little s-scared by that action he committed. I didn't realize that it was a saving action for all of us..."

Among a few of the animals in her living room, I was seated across from where she was seated; on the couch. I was in a recliner, leaning forward in conversation with her. On the small table is a tray with two cups of warm herbal tea that is meant for both of us to share.

"Oh Alex... I can't believe I was like that before Brayden's own eyes. He must be really afraid of talking to me... thinking I'll run away from him..."

"You won't though. I know him... he'll want to make sure that you are okay." I said to her, reaching for the tea on the tray and taking ahold of my cup.

Fluttershy takes that moment to pause as she gets hers as well to take a sip. "He was there to keep me company when I took him in since the beginning. That's a good memory for me to think of him," She giggles for a moment. "I think he really made me feel a little more comfortable than ever; especially when he placed his hand onto my cheek. He's very nice when he shows his good side."

"Hand on your cheek, hm?" A smirk appears on my face after having had taken a sip of tea. "Seems you might have the... 'hots' for him, don't you?"

She looks confused as if she didn't know what I meant. "Hots?" She asks.

"Let me put it in a bit of more easier terms," I responded to her question when she doesn't know. "I believe you might have a crush on him, and you don't even know it."

Her cheeks began to glow pink. "I... no!" She almost sounds like she is trying to hide something within, looking a bit embarrassed. "I mean, I- I could never fall for my own best friend. It would just seem... wrong, and even if it was... I don't know... he reached his limit on how many mares he can have. He could end up making Twilight angry at him if that was the case."

"Your cheeks are a different color, so I say it might be the truth itself." I chuckled while she is trying her best to hide the blushing on her cheeks.

"I said no, Alex! I don't." She refrains from telling me more behind why she is acting that embarrassed. I mean, there is absolutely nothing wrong with her having a crush on Brayden. Even when I saw him and Fluttershy talking with one another, they seemed to have that close a friendship. I'm not talking as in 'Twilight and him close', but something more that could spark if she opened her mouth about it. "But I did try to tell him, but all of the interruptions got in the way of it... so I thought to myself that I should keep him a close friend like everypony else, as he comes to me the most."

I finished sipping all of the warm liquid out of the teacup and placed it onto the tray, signalling that I was finished with it. "Well, by chance, have you heard from Brayden or seen him? I need to talk with him."

"Oh... I haven't..." She says to me with a slight disappointment in her voice. "I didn't really speak with him since the Crystal Empire visit for a while. If you do see him though, tell him that he should consider visiting me. I... I think I should apologize for how it was all for the sake of keeping all of us safe, and us not realizing it; blind by the law of Equestria."

I groaned softly for a moment, standing up to get out from the recliner and move towards her front door. "Maybe either Rainbow Dash or Rarity knows where he is." I responded, a little annoyed.

"Rainbow isn't around at the moment," The yellow pegasus notifies me. "She went to the Wonderbolt Academy to do training with her team. I think you'll have a better chance with either Pinkie Pie and Rarity."

"Good advice there," I open up the front door to feel the fresh air softly hitting my own face. "Maybe start with the one who makes clothing."

Never did I realize how strong a bunny rabbit could send me flying right out from the door and over the small stream that separated the hill the cottage rested on. I never even noticed Angel there, especially with that glare of his. I swear, I don't even know how Brayden even tolerated him when he lived at the cottage.

By the time I landed straight on my own ass, I began to slowly get up onto my two feet again. I turn to the cottage from where I landed to see that little douchebag raspberry me. Again though, I must keep calm and not show aggression towards any of the small animals. It'd either upset Fluttershy or cause Angel to kick my ass again with his own bunny foot.

"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy sounds a little worried when she was seen at the door. "Are you alright Alex?"

I raise my left hand for a moment with a fake smile. "I'm alright!" I called out to her.

She turns to look at Angel with a bit of a glare on her face. "Angel..." She sounds like she is giving him a harsh warning. I swear that even I could catch that look of guilt on the bunny rabbit's face. I was able to catch Fluttershy waving me goodbye before closing her front door behind her as she goes back into the cottage.

I turn towards the town of Ponyville in the trail to the left. Perhaps Rarity knows how she's feeling and of Brayden's whereabouts.

"Not to worry dear, I can't stay quite cross with Brayden forever. It doesn't mean that I am going to stop talking with him tomorrow," I can hear Rarity assuring me as she is working on the latest design for the Carousel Boutique. Probably one to show to either Hoity Toity or Photo Finish later today. "It's just taking a break from him..."

"By trotting away from him when he just saved your lives from enslavement. By all means, you can think something differently; but you can't sway away from the truth." I told her, my arms crossed and with a look of disappointment on my face.

Her magic is quick on getting a ribbon for the dress and to measure it throughly. "Does this ribbon look well for the dress?" She asked me, as if avoiding what I had said.

"Rarity!" I had to shout at her, giving her a bit of a shock for raising my voice at her to just pay attention to me.

She looks to be a bit impatient, but lets out a bit of a grumble and letting the ribbon set down on the floor next to the display where the dress would be hung as an example. Her blue eyes look to have a bit of a small glare to them as if showing some attitude towards me for interrupting her work.

"I'm trying to tell you that Brayden was in the right."

She speaks to me. "I understand that you think that and I was clearly listening to you. I will talk with Brayden when he gets back from... wherever he went," It was already that indication that she didn't know where he was. "But to pressure me in the middle of doing work is an absolute no-no. Do you think Photo Finish will like to see an unfinished work? Not at all."

"It's nothing to do with dresses," I responded to her even when she turns around with that sarcastic smile on her face when she saw what she was creating. "Brayden's one of your best friends!"

"You already said that three times Alex," She says to me, a tired tone in her voice like she has had it with my bullshit. "I know he is, and for the last time; I'll talk with him when he gets back. But for now, I have a dress to make. Maybe talk to Pinkie or Twilight about that."

She turns around and uses her magic to bring the ribbon over to me for measuring; though I am not a pony... so I am unsure why she would use it for me. "Ah, perfect! This'll go well with the dress. Thank you." She tells me, too distracted by that dress she is working on.

I let out an annoyed groan and had slammed the door out of the Inspiration Room behind me, as it was really no big surprise that Rarity would actually be distracted with her own special talent - causing drama as a second best when she was upset. She wouldn't really be that big at helping me out when issues with fashion came into her line of duty.

On my way down the steps, I can see Ann coming into view as she resided here with the white unicorn herself in a guestroom that can be seen as her own place. I wouldn't go in there though... probably the usual girl stuff there.

"Hey there Alex," She says to me, stopping on the stairs to greet me. I too stop as well, as she was truely part of both mine and Brayden's circle of friends. "Heard you upstairs and I was wondering what was going on?"

It only took a moment for me to respond to her. "I'm actually looking for Brayden. They haven't been talking with him since he took King Sombra's life in order to save the Crystal ponies. Thing is, they are too gullible to realize that he saved the lives of his own best friends. They are getting it, but Rarity is so distracted upstairs that it is almost impossible to deal with her!"

She looked to be in a bit of shock at first, but then understood what I meant. "I don't really see a problem with that."

"Thank you! Someone that understands!" I gave praise to her for actually listening to the whole message behind it. "Also, you've seen him, right?"

Ann thinks about it for a moment. "Well, last time I saw him; I only recall seeing him at the Sugarcube Corner to make a purchase from Sonata Dusk. Other than that, nothing. I'm looking for him as well... I'm a bit worried that something bad came from what it seemed like..."

I move much closer to her even as her voice grew quiet, placing both of my hands onto her arms. "I'm doing all that I can to find him, he couldn't have gone far anyway." My voice was calm when I was talking.

She exhales a sigh. "I hope he's doing okay."

Maybe Pinkie Pie this time, she knows practically where everypony could be in Equestria. He might be doing okay if the pink earth pony knows.

"Brayden you say?" The excited pink earth pony bounces from placing an order for a customer later in the day to pick up at the back below the counter. "I haven't seen him since our visit to the Crystal Empire."

"So you're not mad at him anymore?" I asked her, quite surprised that she wouldn't sound nervous about my questions about him.

She shakes her head with a smile. "Nope," She giggles for a moment before continuing. "I was only afraid by the action he committed. From what you've told me, I was most likely wrong."

"That's exactly what I tried to tell Rarity, but she was too busy working on her dress," The tone in my voice sounded a bit annoyed when I thought of what happened there. "Kept telling that she heard me."

"Oh that's her Alex, don't worry about it," She says in an assuring voice followed by a short giggle. "Even when I was letting her design a dress for me, sometimes she listens to my conversation when she is working."

"Not for me, in that case."

The pink pony reached down in the counter when I had made that statement, grabbing a muffin from behind the glass display. "Oh cheer up Alex! Even Brayden knows that she can be a bit busy. Even he still talks with her while she works with him on a dress... that is, if I normally saw them at the Carousel Boutique. Like with me, she and him are close friends."

"Then why trot away from him?"

She paused for a moment, trying to get out an answer but is unable to. I can only cross my arms and give her this look on my face like I was just waiting for an answer to come from her own mouth. How can she not find a reasonable answer for my simple question? She does raise her hoof like she did have it at one point in the pause but cannot even let out a single word about it.

She finally lowers her head and exhales a sigh. "You are right... I was completely in the wrong and I'm sorry for not realizing that he saved us..."

I knew she wasn't going to cry over this, but she was feeling a bit sad. My tone from being all out investigator turns into being rather calm. "Need a hug?" I offered her.

Accepting the offer, she trots around the counter after having placed the muffin near the cash register for me to take once I was done talking with her. The first move is made when I move my arms gently around her neck as well as feeling her right front hoof move around to my back; giving her a friendly comforting hug.

The hug lasted for a few moments, but we eventually release from the hug. "Thanks Alex..." She says to me. "I... I need to go into the kitchen, and I'll have to talk with him whenever he gets back... which I hope is soon..."

"Don't worry about it Pinkie, if I know him; he'll understand easily." I placed my hand onto her shoulder when she still held the burden of sadness.

A small smile at least appears on the pink pony's face. "You might want to talk to Twilight about him, maybe give her some sense about what was really going on. Ever since he got back to the castle with her, I'm not sure but I think she is refusing to see him eye-to-eye," She said to me, her tone shifting to sounding worried. "I fear that if she keeps doing that to him, it could lead to something worse, ending their marriage."

"Guess she'll be the last stop. I'll ask both Spike and Starlight their thoughts on him and if they're still that disappointed."

She moves behind the counter once again. "Then I suggest getting there right away. She's on an off-day there with Princesses Celestia, Luna and Cadence. Something to do with a meeting about the recent event overseas with the Zebra Kingdom."

"The Zebra Kingdom?"

She nods her head, and pulls out a newspaper that involves them on the headline. "Princess Celestia is making plans of going on diplomatic missions to the other side of Equus to make arrangements on trade and the oncoming threat of 'that place' where Brayden had to go at one point for a mission. He almost got himself killed on the escape."

"Pretty sure he told me about that." I commented.

She hands me the chocolate muffin that I purchased with bits beforehoof and I accept it, taking a bite from it. The taste being just like back at Earth, but twice as delicious. "Thank you Pinkie. I'll see you later."

"Come back to the Sugarcube Corner soon Alex, when you're not too busy. We have plenty of other treats to your taste." She says to me as I was turning around to leave.

Before going out by the swinging doors, I turn around and look at Pinkie herself with those light blue eyes of hers. "You know me. I will be back." I said to her, placing a smile upon my face. With a share of us waving goodbye to one another, I turn back to the small doors and push past them, bringing me into the late-spring weathered Ponyville.

The town itself was filled with the ponyfolk going about their business as per usual, followed a few approaching their friends to give them a hug. None of them being aware of what Brayden had done with King Sombra... as of yet, and hopefully if they do; won't judge him wrongly for the right he made for their own freedom.

Beginning to make my way to Twilight's castle, I can notice those familiar faces as I was passing by. There was Lyra Heartstrings herself, sitting right on a bench with her best friend Bon Bon; happy as ever before when there was no trouble on the streets of Ponyville, nor there was any trouble around to threaten them. Time Turner was also trotting around to Roseluck and talking with her.

Above me is Derpy flying past me to deliver the mail to where she needed to go for the deliverys whether it was just simple letters or a package that was ordered in areas like Vanhoover or Baltimare.

A few of the vendors were right out in the streets, selling the various fruits that could found right about anywhere whether it is bananas, pears or oranges. Not a single sight of meat is found anywhere; but again I did suspect that Equestria would be a vegetarian filled area that bans them and the consumption of them, as ruled by Princess Celestia herself.

No matter though, doesn't bother me.

School fillies trot by me, talking about their day and their plans with their friends. A few of them I recognize like Diamond Tiara, Tender Taps and even Pipsqueak. I think I also caught Button Mash in the distance, but I guess he was too busy as per usual playing on his JoyBoy. I'd be surprised if the JoyBoy was the Equestria version of a Game Boy right back at Earth.

I do know that Brayden brought along his consoles when we travelled in the magic gem of Luna's to get to Equestria. Even brought some of the oldies that he collected over the times of being a young kid. I'd love to see the ponies react to the several video games he has, even if a couple of them are quite objective to their views. Hmmm... I remember that he used to enjoy single-player stories; so that'll most likely be the first he takes out.

Maybe I could show them Call of... nah, too violent for their tastes. So probably something else a little less competitive, especially for Fluttershy. She'd love the video games that have talking animals or involve them.

Twilight's castle was seen coming down the dirt trail out of Ponyville, shining in the sun as per usual. I do miss the Golden Oaks Library a lot just as much as Brayden does, but at least the roots of the tree are in the map room above on the ceiling with all of the memories that Twilight made. The sound of the dirt patting underneath my sneakers could be heard, no sound of wind but the chirping of the birds can be heard.

Sounds of tapping came after the dirt, making my way up on the small steps of crystalline as they detailed below with a tint of gold following it to its great doors. Anypony could enter the castle during the day hours, and anypony was welcomed by her since she held the title of being the Princess of Friendship herself.

Even so, in her spare time when she isn't spending romance time with Brayden or dug happily into her books of course.

The castle itself from down here by its large double doors seems to be huge in comparison to the buildings back at home or in Manehattan. The branches that would resemble the peaceful of what once was a reminder for the library, brought back memories of the first to fourth seasons.

Shouldn't keep myself waiting here at the doors... I move forward, placing my hands onto the golden door on the right.

(Play Theophany - Moon's Tears)

The door creaks open, revealing a bit of light into the already-lit state of the castle itself, looking quite peaceful and quiet on the inside. Not seeing Twilight, her student or Spike in sight just yet when I slip past the open door arch, letting the door close behind me.

My feet move onto a carpet in the hallway of the castle, even as I looked around for a moment. Having visited the castle a few times since I got here, I would have a clear idea where I can find any of them here. Spike's probably working around the castle with Starlight, getting some tasks done around the place during the visit of the other princesses.

Wouldn't want to disturbed the meeting after all. But if in other case, I'll have to put my foot into the meeting and get their attention on that matter. My eyes turn to the faint sound of laughing in the distance to the eastern hall down the castle, getting my instinct to tell me that's where Spike could be since that was him.

The room was quite lit enough by the power of the sunlight outside, even when it was the night time when everypony was asleep. Even then, the lights should dim for all here in the castle to rest easily under the safety of Luna herself guarding the dreams. From what Brayden's told me, Nightmare Moon really loves to visit him a lot in his own dreams. Only in emergencies like nightmares, has Luna had to intervene to keep him calm.

I can hear the talking between both Starlight and the baby dragon becoming much closer by each step that I take. No deciphering on what they were talking about, but I should know that it could be the tasks and studies of friendship that Twilight is teaching her; as well as assignments she has to get done in order to succeed. Now, I don't know her as much as Brayden since he's been in Equestria longer than I have, but maybe I'll get something out of both of them on his whereabouts.

An open door to the left of the hallway grabs my attention, the sight of Spike's small dragon tail in sight when he was briefly there. I move forward, peeking right into the door to see a bedroom with a single bed there. I can tell that Starlight might have taken residence there, whilst doing her studies.

"I'm not so sure though Spike," I can hear Starlight's voice past the door. She sounds a little bit down by the tone of her voice. "There's just that feeling I have... he might not come back. It's been at least a week."

Spike is right there with her, giving her the talk when she needed it just as he would do with Twilight when she was nervous or feeling exactly how Starlight felt. But was this about Brayden having disappeared for days, not to be seen? "I know Brayden since he had taken up a relationship with Twilight. He will always come back when he needs to. It's not like they went through 'that'."

"Hearing news that they would separate-"

"That's only a rumor that I've only heard from the Ponyville Times ever since he was caught flying off from the castle," Spike manages to laugh off what she was about to say. "Don't believe any of that nonsense."

"I'm trying not to believe it, but I just have that feeling sometimes. Even you haven't been right on some occasions. It's just... I miss him being around. It's my fault that I couldn't be there in time to help Brayden and stop him from taking the life of King Sombra."

"What if he was in the right to take his life?" Spike questioned. "I mean, Sombra did try to nearly get me killed when he was after the Crystal Heart on his return."

My left hand turns into a fist, by which I used my knuckles to knock gently on the door to get their attention. It almost sounded like tapping, but it isn't. It is enough for them to stop what they were doing, turning around to see me standing there by the door.

"Hey Alex," Spike is the first to speak to me as I could catch the tired expression on Starlight's face. Her worries probably having given her trouble to sleep at night especially with the bags underneath her eyes. "What brought you here to the castle today?"

"I was going around asking Twilight's friends if they knew where Brayden had exactly gone to. I did get most of the details from your conversation with Starlight, and it is true. He was completely in the right for having slain King Sombra. He saved all of the crystal ponies' lives, and all they treat him like... is complete shit."

Starlight doesn't react to the language that I delivered even though Brayden continues to insist that I try not to use that kind of language anywhere; especially around the young fillies in Ponyville nor the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Last thing I would want is to have Applejack, Rarity or Rainbow Dash in my face when they begin swearing... which I hope isn't the case. Spike however did react a bit on that with a bit of shock.

"Sorry." I was quick to apologize.

"Oh don't worry about it Alex, just be careful what you say next time," Spike tells me with a happy, yet careful tone. "I know I've heard Brayden use that kind of words as well. Even he is trying to control it."

I approached the baby dragon, and looked at him in those green eyes of his. "Figure you might know where Brayden went off to? I'm looking for him."

"Of course I do," He says to me, taking out a letter that had been written to the young dragon himself and offering it to me. "He dropped this off the night that he left. Said he'd be back when that time to think was over."

I take the letter from his small claws and opened up the written parchment, my eyes looking at the black ink before my own eyes. From there, I began to read it:

"Spike,

Once you have read this, I will already be gone on a visit. I figured that a visit to see one of my loves; Coco Pommel will at least cheer me up. Hoping that Twilight and the others will see me eye-to-eye again, and when I come back I do so pray that they will at least talk with me.

Besides Nightmare Moon, you're the only other one who didn't seem to want to walk away from the situation. I mean, I saved the lives of these crystal ponies. They should at least give me some damn respect for that instead of acting like cowards when I took the life of a unicorn who enslaved them. Damn Equestrian law...

Sorry about my language. It's just hard when Twilight is acting this cold after what I did to help... but I understand she and her friends need privacy as well as my own mother and aunt. I feel only a bit empty inside, but again this visit I am on should be able to clear my mind and fill my thoughts with a bit of happiness with my favorite earth pony.

This isn't forever that I will be gone. It'll only be for a while. If I am not back and something bad happens, send me a letter via emergency ribbon and I will come to help no matter where it is.

Brayden"

I rolled up the parchment and handed it back to Spike. "For a while? With the mention of Miss Pommel; I can see that he's flown off to Manehattan himself." I take a look behind me on my back, knowing I couldn't have wings myself like he had them. "Wish I could fly."

"Probably because of his own blood within him, that had given that ability to him," Starlight tells me, the burden lifting but only a bit of it. "After he fought against his own wrath that had corrupted him since ever... he was little with the influence of his bad memories to tackle him. He did not surrender though, and we are still safe."

"That's one positive thing that you could think of him. Think of him mostly for him never giving up and forcing himself on his knees for your enemies."

Starlight's eyes drifted away for a moment to think about that, her eyelids rising slowly with a face that made a bit of a realization. "And that, he'll show a chance for redemption like he did with Nightmare Moon. His friendliness towards all of us counts as well, and sure, even he might not get along well with everypony depending on how they think of him or anypony else that he is helping."

"One way to put it if you ask me."

Starlight pauses for a moment, before exhaling a gasp with a smile on that expression on her face to tell that she had an idea. "I know now! I could totally make him a card to apologize for trotting away from him with everypony else! Thank you Alex!"

I was completely silent, unsure of what to say with even that smile on her face. "But I didn't even suggest a card..." I mumbled silently to myself, hoping she wouldn't hear that.

She trots forward towards both me and Spike, placing one hoof onto Spike himself. Her magic was also channeling through her horn with an aura around me and lifting me off of the ground. That overjoyed expression on her face when she was getting us outside of her private quarters and setting me onto the tiles below.

"I'd really love to say and talk with you all some more, but with that idea you gave me Alex, I better get to work!" Starlight says, shutting the door on both of us for a few brief moments before opening it again. "This is top secret, so no entering and peeking! It'd ruin the surprise for him!" She giggles, and shuts the door again in our faces.

My eyes turn and look at the young baby dragon. "Happened to me many times, even when Twilight wasn't a teacher yet." Spike confessed to me with that face that could tell that he was used to this sort of thing.

"Figures for you," I told him before Twilight came to mind. "So... Twilight?"

His little dragon claw points to the door down the end of the hall that led to the final door in sight straight ahead. "You might want to consider the fact that she's in a meeting with the princesses. Cadence among them, probably to talk about the political matters of Equestria and the situation in Canterlot."

"A situation in Canterlot?"

Spike just shrugs as he didn't live in Canterlot anymore since Twilight hatched him from an egg. "Not sure, something about Prince Blueblood himself making the poor even poorer... something like that. He had almost every pony who wasn't lower class, move into tight places in Canterlot that are almost unsuitable to their living. He's even letting them starve on the streets, with the worst being when it is winter time."

"Wow," I could only say even thinking of that unicorn himself and his arrogance getting into the way of the peace in the city. "That's just really low for Blueblood to do that. An asshole, you can say."

Spike gasped and covered his mouth when he heard me swear again. "Please watch your language!" He warns me once again, sounding very careful.

"Right, sorry." I said to him, raising the both of my hands briefly and then setting them back down. As of the moment, my focus became directed towards the map room doors where the princesses were having their meeting.

"It's okay, just be careful with wordings next time." He tells me, watching as I go to the door and following right behind me. Guess he wanted to figure out how Twilight would react to him talking about Brayden and how I suggested him slaying King Sombra was a good thing for the Crystal Empire.

The closer I got to the doors, the more I can faintly hear the communication between all four of them in the room. My hand is placed onto the hand, giving it a bit of a push forward to get their attention in the room.

A creak was sounded off when I opened it up slightly. The chatting amongst them seemed to stop once that was done, so I guess they might have turned to the door without any awareness that I was right there. "Is somepony there?" I can hear Princess Luna calling out with a calm tone in her voice.

Now being called, I push open the door all the way and can see Twilight, the two sisters and Cadence herself with all eyes on me. Didn't see any shocked expression on their face as they knew that having been Brayden's best male friend back on Earth; they knew I was somepony they could trust, and know that I, Brayden and any other of his trusted friends wouldn't bring harm to anypony.

"Alex?" Twilight questioned when she saw me standing at the door. "I didn't really expect it to be you. What brought you here to the castle today?"

I walk forward into the map room, making approach to the mulberry colored alicorn herself. I glanced briefly at the other three princesses right behind her, still having my eyes focused on her own violet eyes. "I was told that you would be here, and I feel like we need to talk about 'something' important that I talked with your other friends about."

"Important?" Celestia asked with the volume of her voice being low, but still audible to my own ears.

"It involved them, you, the princesses... practically the entire Crystal Empire! Forgive my language, but why the fuck did you trot away from Brayden after what he did?"

The princesses grew silent when I had asked this question. Not one reaction to the curse that I had unveiled in the room, as their thoughts about Brayden are practically processing within their own minds. I just stood there, waiting for their answers to slip out from their mouths.

"He..." Twilight struggles at first to get out, but manages to speak out. "He took the life of somepony. It is a forbidden act in the law of Equestria."

So... it's the exact same fucking answer that I got out from a few of her friends. For crying out loud, I want to snap at her but if Brayden found out about that he'd probably get pissed off and tell me off about it.

"That shouldn't even matter for what he even did. He just saved all of your lives from being enslaved by that dark unicorn king! Why would you even dismiss that as murder when he was completely in the right?!"

"Because it was in the book of law here since the formation of Equestria," Celestia manages to speak out. "He committed the act, and the month of silent treatment from those who witnessed it are the punishment he will rightfully get."

"He's your son, you dumb fuck!" I turned to the ruler of Equestria, pointing a finger right at her after she said that. Princess Luna spreads out her right wing, keeping a blockade between both me and her. "I know, I wasn't there when all of the events were going on because I was with Vinyl Scratch and others; but if you are a mother to him, you wouldn't trot away like that because of it!"

Celestia was in a bit of shock for my language directed at her. "But he- he..." She tries to get out, Luna giving me a bit of a defensive glare.

"But nothing!" I shouted at her. "Pinkie Pie, she's gotten over it and will talk with him when he returns back to Ponyville! I suggest that you would do the same, but you wouldn't because all of you and those who witnessed it are blind by some law enforced long ago! Had the Dragon Queen taken his life, you would all be running since the difference is that she wants to kill all of you!"

"The Dragon Queen? What does she have to do with this?" Cadence asked, most likely unaware of when I was leaving Earth to live here.

I turned towards the Princess of the Crystal Empire. "This ignorance you are showing towards Brayden... that's exactly what she would want. She wants all of you to be divided from him and to create a different image on him! Like he is a monster for taking a monster's life, and you're blind to your own rule. Once you're all divided on him, she'll take it as an opportunity to bring the destruction she vowed she would do," I responded with still anger in my voice when her question was asked. "I've seen him battle her, and she is slightly more powerful and will continue to grow in power unless you give him the support he needs."

All of them were silent once again, but with Luna speaking out and lowering the wing from in front of her sister's chest. "He has told me of his battle, and even as his aunt I believe him. But being that he took his own father's life with the Song of Order..."

"As much as I'm not surprised about that, it shouldn't matter!" I argued back at her. "Keep it up with your ignorance, as you'll see what happens next when you show it towards him for doing a good deed of saving all of you!"

Twilight raises a hoof slightly off of the tiles to get my attention. "I know he's my husband and all, but a fair trial should have at least been given to King Sombra."

"The second he would turn his back on him, the more opportunity that Sombra would have to attack him and possibly kill him while he still could."

Cadence took one step forward. "Still he-"

I groan angrily and slapped my hand onto my head, displaying my annoyance in front of them. "Fuck the Law of Equestria then! That shouldn't even be justified if he is human!"

All four of the princesses gasped right there upon hearing me swear, and even cursing to the law itself for its blasphemy of making Brayden seem cast out. I can't even get the message across to them. They just blew the last straw for me from ignoring everything that I said.

"You know what? If all four of you want to play that game..." I started out low, but raise the volume in my angered voice. "...then fine! You keep sticking by that rule, and keep being blind to that good deed Brayden had done!"

"But Alex-" Celestia tries to speak with me.

I looked at her with a glare, that shocked expression still on her face. Whatever she wanted to say to me, she dropped it from her mind as it could end up bringing in more argument between us.

A sigh exhaled from my lips, and I turn my back on them. "I'm really disappointed in all four of you for not giving Brayden the chance of realization. Seems you just want to ignore the actual truth as AJ told me. Very well."

I walk outside of the map room and turn back one last time at the princesses who seem to hold a bit of guilt on their faces like they finally realized something they did was wrong. Even Twilight herself stopped herself from trying to go after me, only standing there with a saddened expression on her face.

"You scared him off temporarily... but it might not be enough to stop what is yet to come for all of you." I finally turn around, my hand taking ahold of the handle on the door. "By the time you need him, it's already going to be too late... and it'll be all of your fault."

The only last thing I remember before closing the map room door on them was seeing only the shocked expressions of both Luna and Cadence. As for Celestia and Twilight, I won't forget the expressions on their faces... like I struck them with the truth. They by the look on their faces could tell that they had only themselves to blame for what happened.

Where was Nightmare Moon? She'd been absent at that meeting... huh, beats me. Probably back in Canterlot, looking into that observatory at the castle ever since her redemption. Again, I don't really talk with her as she is either with Brayden in his dreams or at the castle doing her own private business and trying to hide from those who still despise her for what she had done.

Goddamnit Brayden, when the fuck will you be back? I have a bad feeling something will happen soon, and that nothing will be done to stop whatever could happen next.

Better put that off of my mind, and should go and see what Vinyl Scratch is up to... some dubstep from her could calm me down.