To my dearest friends in Equestria,

Please forgive the manner in which this message was sent, but I needed you to know this right away: Dragon Lord Torch set me up. He knew that someone had to touch the Sunsword in order to retrieve it. He might very well invade Equestria very soon, but he is giving me a "final chance" to stop a war. I put the words final chance in quotes because I'm not entirely sure he's being honest, in fact I'm pretty sure he's lying through his rotten blood stained teeth.

He has challenged me to an ancient Dragon duel called a Volrif'nel. Translated, it means Fire Fight. From what I know of it, it's a duel to either the death or surrender, but knowing Torch and having seen him in action, he probably won't surrender.

I'm writing to those of you I consider one of my closest friends a personal letter. Please forgive me if they sound like a last letter. I don't intend to lose to him, but it would give me some peace of mind writing these next few letters. But please don't misunderstand me. I don't write these with the intent that they be the last words I say to you. That would be cliché.

I'll be home as soon as I possibly can, and we will celebrate the holidays as one big, happy mess of friends and family, because that's what every one of you mean to me.

I'll see you all soon.

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Princess Celestia,

From the first time we met, you have been nothing but kind and gracious with me. You welcomed me into your kingdom without a second thought. You offered me shelter and comfort and so much more. I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me. You gave me citizenship and more of a purpose with the knighthood, for which I am forever grateful. It always makes me laugh whenever I hear you swearing like a sailor, too. I will always consider you one of my closest friends, and I look forward to spending some one on one time getting to actually know you better.

Your Friend and Knight,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Princess Luna,

You and I are more alike than you realize. We are both stranger in a land unknown to us, and we both have a deep appreciation for the starry night. We might not have spent as much time together as I would have liked, but any time we did spend I remember with great fondness. I especially am grateful for your help with the nightmare I had. Your kind words are some I will never forget. Even if we don't spend much time together, I will always think of you as one of my closest friends and look forward to our future time spent together.

Your Friend and Knight,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I've always admired your tenacity and love of the pursuit of knowledge. Even if half of the stuff you say is something I don't completely understand, I can always see the passion and drive behind your words. Any time I spend with you is a joy and a privilege and I look forward to spending even more time with you in future days. You are an excellent magic tutor whether you believe it or not. I look forward to the date I have no doubt you've planned down to the last detail.

Your friend, future date and faithful student in the arcane arts,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Applejack,

You've been like a rock in the crazy adventure that's become my life ever since I first arrived in Equestria. Any time I hear that familiar southern twang of yours, it always feels like I'm coming home to a stable family friendly environment. I know that doesn't make sense, and I'm sorry for that, but I mean it as one of my highest forms of compliment. Anytime we talk, I treasure every word passed between us. You've listened to my troubles and I've been privileged to be able to help you with yours. Training with my Earth Pony strength with you as well as working on your farm, even if it's once or twice a week, is always a time I treasure, and I look forward to spending more time like that with you.

Your friend and faithful student in the way of the Earth Pony,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Rainbow Dash,

By now, I'm sure you're all but demanding to come and help me in my fight against Torch, and to hell with the consequences, right? That's one thing I really like about you: your undying loyalty to your friends. Even if you are a slave driver, your training is something I will never forget. It's all thanks to you that I can go flying anytime I want now, and for that I am extremely grateful. Yeah, this letter is sappy, I know, but don't judge me. I look forward to even further training and eventually performing a sonic rainboom with you.

Your friend and faithful student in the aerodynamic arts,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Fluttershy,

Truly, the kindness you possess has been nothing short of overflowing. All the time we spend in quiet enjoyment together during our tea time are some of the most relaxing moments I've ever known since coming here. Your voice is always so soothing even when you get to talking about your own interests. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Eve. The courage you possess is far beyond what you believe you have. I relish the time you and I spend reading manga and manega. When I get back, I am greatly looking forward to the date I have planned for us, and don't worry: it will be quiet and won't involve going someplace crowded.

Your friend and future date,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Rarity,

I always knew you had a generous nature, but even now the amount of work you've put into remastering almost all of my wardrobe for me along with the new clothes you've made for me astounds me. You are ten times, no, a hundred times better than any Canterlot noble or Pony of high class standing. Anytime we spend together discussing human fashion, I can see your passion spring to life, one I envy because I never quite had that passion for anything, or if I do I haven't discovered it yet. Truly, you are a mare of fine taste and exquisite beauty. I look forward to telling you more about Earth fashions.

Your friend and constant wearer of garments,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Pinkie Pie,

Hi, you silly, sexy, goofy mare you. Even while I'm writing this letter, I'm smiling from ear to ear as I remember all the times you've made me smile or laugh, which you do every time I see you. Even when I feel lowest of the low, you never fail to put a smile on my face. And you have some amazing kissing skills too. Anytime we are together, you make me feel energized. My cheeks always hurt after our baking experiments from all the smiling I do. I hope you're ready for the most awesome, splenderific and bestest date ever when I get back!

Your friend and lover of party mare kisses,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Scarlet Dusk,

No matter how horny you get, I can tell that you've learned so much from each Bearer of the Elements. Your loyalty, kindness, generosity, honesty and propensity to make me laugh despite how you do it has only grown since we've met. I love the time we spend together, especially since you're the only Pony who gets my Earth meme humor. Even if you don't have a cutie mark yet, you've undergone a major change since we first met that fateful morning in the house. I hope you're ready for another date, because one of them will take place on the Earth through the Stargate!

Your friend and lover of internet memes,

Jethro Bethridge

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

I know we haven't known each other very long, and our first impressions of the other was terrible, but I wanted to write to you and tell you how glad I am to have met you. I know you've done some horrible things you regret in the past, but even if it doesn't mean much to you, I forgive you for everything you've done. I really look forward to kicking your ass in whatever video game you so choose to challenge me at.

Your (hopeful) friend and fellow gamer,

LordMidnight, AKA Jethro Bethridge

Dear Gemini and Mica Grayfur,

Gemini, I know you and I never really became close, but I want to say I appreciate all you do around the house, and while I am dearly sorry for how you came to this country, I am grateful you are here. I am also very grateful for your intense training. I would be dead if not for your help, even if it was an order I gave you. I do remember my promise to you, and I will endeavor to keep it. I'm sure you're planning out harsher training as you read this, but I will work through it.

Mica, your arrival in Ponyville might not have been planned, but I am really glad you're here. Even if you still kick my ass every time we spar, you're a really fun guy. By the way, I'm glad you've found a new friend with Strawberry Rain. I've heard you a couple times on the phone with her. When she eventually moves to Ponyville, ask her out! Seriously, do it pup!

Your employer and hopeful future friend,

Jethro Bethridge

To my beloved Zecora Mtunga Dawa,

Words and even deeds alone cannot express just how much I love and cherish you. Pretty much from day one, you've been there for me. You've been my very best friend, one I will always cherish and love with all my heart and soul and strength, as the saying goes. Anytime you enter the same room as me, it lights up, and your voice to me is angelic. I could go on and on about every specific detail I love about you, but I only have so much scroll. When I get back, I will personally let you know just what I want to say. I love you so very much, my dearest. Save some of your delicious jollhoof rice for me, would you?

Your lover and dear friend,

Jethro Bethridge

Well, that's that. I would have written more, so much more, but I wanted to talk to you all in Pony about what I want to tell you all. I'll be home as soon as I possibly can, and we will celebrate the holidays as one big, happy mess of friends and family, because that's what every one of you mean to me.

I'll see you all soon.

The Volrif'nel, otherwise known as the Fire Fight, was, according to the definition I'd been given in my head, a one-on-one duel between at least two Dragons. According to Daring Do, it was used before the war between the Fae and Dragons as a means to settle disputes without the loss of too much blood. At the time, according to her, Dragon hatchlings had a very low survival rate, so wars were rare among the Dragons, especially since the last war that Dragons fought nearly rendered their race extinct before finally uniting. At least, that was what she'd heard about in Fillydelphia from a Dragon professor at Hooferson University. Professor Flintstone, she called him. One of the only few Dragons to make a life for himself outside of Dragontown.

Ever since the fall of the last great Dragon civilization centered around Dormog, the Dragons had slowly grown in number, having found many lava fields where they could hatch their young, thus Volrif'nel had not been invoked for a long time and was only ever remembered due to the many plays Dragontown Dragons would put on of their old history.

I was standing on the deck of the Howling Raider, surrounded by many different Phoenixes. We had found a mid-sized lake nearby where we landed the galleon so we wouldn't be wasting precious magic. My temporary pirate hat was hanging against the railing at the helm while the coat had been discarded, draped over the very same railing right next to the hat. The many different Phoenixes were helping to adjust an ancient suit of Dragon armor they'd carried from the ruins. Some were using their wings to temporarily melt the armor then adjusting it to fit me. It was nearing midday, and I could see Torch preparing himself, strapping on some massive metal armor, which didn't make much sense to me seeing as Dragons had scales already. Hestia had disappeared below decks, having been followed by a large flock of Phoenixes as well, but Thalia and Adranus were nearby, giving instructions to the other newcomer Phoenixes.

Daring Do, meanwhile, was looking down at her supplies, checking over every little thing she had on her. While she was doing this, I noted the look of worry on her face, so I called out, "Daring, are you okay?"

She jumped a bit in surprise, then looked over at me. "I'm doing just fine, mister knight," she said. She looked down at her stuff once more. "Just making sure I've got enough to fight if need be. You already took plenty of my paper."

I looked at my phone one final time. Right after I accepted the Volrif'nel, I asked Daring for some paper. Afterwards, I sent off a large number of letters to the princesses, the Mane Six, Zecora, Scarlet, Sunset and even Gemini and Mica then sent them off with Spike's help. However, so far, I hadn't received any reply from any of them.

"I said I'd replace the paper, didn't I?" I replied. "Don't worry, I'm good for it."

"You'd better be," Daring said, then reached into her coat and pulled out a pocketwatch. Opening it, she looked at the time, then looked back at me. "There's one more hour until midday, mister knight. Hope you're ready."

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied. I took the saber that was now leaning against the railing and handed it to her. "Look after the Phoenix Resplendent, would you?"

That got a few looks my way, but none so confused as the one Daring gave me. "I beg your pardon, the what?"

"Phoenix Resplendent. I'm trying to rename this galleon, and that's one of the ideas. I did have a few others. Phoenix's Revenge, Phoenix Rising, Phoenix Ascendent, Queen Anne's Revenge, Black Pearl and other names, so I'm trying them all on for size. Thoughts?"

"I think you have bigger things on your mind than renaming an old flying galleon," she muttered as she grabbed the saber and made her way to the helm.

Beside me, Spike was also being helped into a smaller custom suit of armor which was being molded to fit his diminutive stature. Despite being short, he looked extremely gallant in his armor. Four Phoenixes were just finishing affixing a helmet to his head, his fins fitting perfectly through the small openings. Curious, I looked at Thalia and Adranus. "Where did you two find a suit of armor that would fit Spike?" I asked.

"Squires of the old kingdom once wore these when serving under their knights," Thalia explained. "Sometimes pages as well. A good number of them were the same size as the young hatchling here."

"We were lucky to find one that would fit him," Adranus added. "Then again, we've been living at the old castle for centuries."

After a while, Spike and I were finished being outfitted. The young drake then looked up at me and asked, "Hey, do you think if Rarity saw me, she'd find me handsome and knightly?"

Looking down at him, I grinned. His childish pudge aside, I had no doubt Rarity would find him quite handsome. In reply, I cleared my throat and sang, "A Dragon is the finest creature ever! There's more to him than just guarding treasure! He'll brush your mane, he'll clean your room, he'll harmonize to any tune! Name a time, whatever the weather with Spike "At your service" always better!"

Spike's eyes widened. "Somepony made a song about me?!"

"Oh yes they did," I chuckled, winking at him. "It's called Finest Creatures Ever. I'll let you have a listen sometime. And yes, I think Rarity would call you absolutely handsome."

He blushed. "I hope so."

"Hold on, strike a pose for me," I said, grabbing my phone from where it sat leaning against the deck. I opened up the camera and held it up. "Give me your warrior pose!"

As Spike drew his sword and held it aloft, I took a few images, then took a few selfies with him before standing before him. "You look strong, Spike, but I really hope you never have to use that sword."

He looked at it, a grim expression in his features. He slowly sheathed it and nodded. "I do too," he said.

I nodded, patted him on the back gently then turned back to Thalia and Adranus. "I can't thank you enough for what you've done for us, you two," I replied. "You both and Hestia."

"Yeah…well, when your own mother chews you out for not letting a simple Dragon hatchling in, you tend to become…very terrified," Thalia said, shuddering.

I looked at the Phoenix female over a little bit. "Yeah…you do look a bit like her," I admitted. "Don't know why I didn't see it before."

From behind me, I heard a strange sound coming up the stairs. Thalia turned, her eyes widening a bit, then she chuckled. "Well, I might be her daughter, but I was never able to do what she's doing now."

Curious, I turned, and saw Hestia flying up the stairs, her wings aflame with blue fire. She wasn't even using them, but instead was hovering there. Her eyes had the same color blue to them as well as she floated up to about seven feet above the deck. I leaned down towards Thalia and asked, "What's she up to?"

Thalia put a wing up to my mouth. "Be quiet and you'll see," she replied in a hushed whisper.

I stood back up and watched while the other Phoenixes around me put the finishing touches on my new armor. Hestia looked over at me, then smiled. However, the smile I saw on her face sent shivers down my spine and even more when she said, "Someone's in trouble," in a singsong voice.

Before I could ask what she meant, she landed directly on the deck and spread her wings wider. "Stand back," she commanded, "and stay out of the circle." Instantly, blue flames spread outwards from her wings, slowly moving outward around the deck in a circle. However, the old wood didn't seem to be burning at all. Spike and I watched in awe as the large circle of blue flames spread across the deck, moving out of the way as it approached us. I watched as the two ends began to reach each other, wondering just what was about to happen.

The moment the circle was complete, a blinding light was emitted from the entirety of the circle's area. Spike and I covered our eyes, but the light quickly dimmed. I suddenly heard a very familiar voice calling out, "Thank you for your help, Philomena."

Ah…well, I'm fucked, I thought as I turned towards the source of the voice. There, standing right in the center of the circle, was an extremely pissed Celestia, but she wasn't the only one who had that look in her eyes. Next to her I saw Luna, glaring at me. Both Princesses wore slick and Romanesque style armor, holding their helmets to their side with their magic. Gathered close to them, I saw the Mane Six, Scarlet, Zecora, Sunset Shimmer, Gemini and Mica, the latter two wearing their armor and armed with their normal swords. Each and every one of them had their eyes locked on me. From behind Celestia, I saw two very familiar Phoenixes poke their heads out and look directly at me. The younger one waved her wings. "Hi," she said nervously.

I held up my hand and waved, but that was all that I would get out before Celestia stormed over to me. I stood my ground as she held up her hoof and jabbed at my chest, armor against armor. "You have a lot of explaining to do, my dear knight," she said.

"I don't doubt it," I replied, standing taller.

She glared at me for a few seconds, before slowly her expression softened. She threw her hooves around me, startling me as she pulled me into the tightest hug she'd ever given me. I hugged her back. "Don't you ever scare me like that again," she whispered in my ear.

"I couldn't wait for nightfall," I replied, "so an old-fashioned letter had to do."

Slowly, she released me, looking down at me. "You scared the shit out of me, you know that right?"

I stiffened my jaw. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, but I had to let you know what was going on and wanted to write to each one of you." I looked past her where I saw the others still looking at me. I swallowed a bit nervously when I saw each of them holding a small piece of paper either in their magic, their teeth, their wings or claws. I stepped towards them. "Listen…about those letters-"

"Yer an idiot if you think ah'd just sit back at home all nice an' cozy when one of mah friends is about to go fightin' fer us," Applejack said, a scowl over her normally calm and collected face.

"I did more than just demand to come help, you bastard! I threatened to fly all the way here!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"How could I keep smiling knowing you were about to fight a meanie Dragon?" Pinkie asked, her mane partially deflated.

"Darling, we couldn't just stand back and do nothing," Rarity added.

"FUCK YOU!"

Everyone went silent at that. Gemini, the one who had said it, stepped forward. Even Celestia moved out of the way as the Lycan stormed up to me and put her claws around my neck. Fortunately, I had armor around there so she couldn't do much damage. She was still strong enough, however, to be able to lift me into the air. The pure rage in her teal eyes was inescapable. She barred her teeth at me. "Fuck you, Jethro!" She held up the letter in her free claw. "You think you can write such drivel and get away with it?!" She tossed it aside, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Mica retrieving it. Gemini grabbed my neck with her other free hand, squeezing harder despite the armor protecting me. "You promised me you wouldn't do anything foolish! YOU PROMISED, DAMN IT! And the moment you do, you accept a duel with a Dragon who can end your life with his pinkie claw!?"

She threw me down, sending me sprawling across the deck. I heard shouts of concern from the other mares behind her, but Mica quickly spoke up and said, "She won't hurt him. Just stand back and watch."

I started to sit up, but Gemini was quicker. She grabbed both my wrists and pinned me down hard. Those battle-hardened teal eyes of hers were instantly directly in my face. She was breathing heavily, which was the only sound aside from the water lapping at the ship that anyone could hear. After about half a minute, she slowly calmed down and sat up. "You are insufferable, you know that?"

"You keep reminding me every day," I said with a smile.

"Out of all the creatures I've met in this world, you are such a damned paradox! You make friends with Ponies, for Guardian's sake, but you fight like a Lycan!"

"Well I should, you've been training me," I retorted.

She pointed at me quickly. "Don't get smart with me, whelp! You might be learning faster than any of those former recruits for the Imperial Guard, but you're still just a trainee! And as your trainer, it's my job to make sure you STAY ALIVE!"

From behind her, Scarlet spoke up. "Oh, stop being such a tsundere and tell him how you really feel!"

"Hush!" Mica said.

Gemini ignored them both and pulled me into a sitting position. "The only one who gets to kill you is me, is that understood?"

Mica quickly joined his older sister. "Gem, he doesn't know the customs, so ease up!"

"You don't think I know that?!" she snarled at her brother. "You don't think I know just what to say that will get through this moron's thick skull!?" She whirled on me again, then pulled me close. To my surprise, her face got very red as she said, "You are mine, got it?! I don't care if you are forming a pack, or herd or whatever those pansy Ponies call it! You! Are! MINE!"

My eyes widened in surprise. Was that…was that a confession? I thought. Gemini quickly stood and stormed away, heading portside. She was followed close behind by Mica. Immediately I was surrounded by the rest of the newcomers along with Spike, Daring Do and my new Phoenix friends along with my old ones. I stood, brushed my new armor off, then looked down at each and every Pony there. When I last locked eyes with Zecora, I raised an eyebrow at her. "Was that a confession she just gave me?"

"In her own way, yes," she replied, my letter to her still in her mouth. She slowly removed it, then leaped into my arms, kissing me deeply before she let go. "She and I had a long talk afterwards last night. You'd better talk with her after you win this duel."

Zecora might have been giving me a small confident smile, but even through the armor I could feel her trembling. I held her tighter, then whispered, "I will win. That's a promise."

"You'd better win," she whispered back, "because when you do, I will have such a reward waiting for you when we get back home."

"And here I thought I didn't need any extra incentive," I joked, and received a smack upside the head for my efforts.

"Well, what do we have here?" a loud male voice boomed overhead, which made the smile on my face immediately drop. "Seems we have some unwanted guests."

I slowly put Zecora down, then turned to look up at the massive Dragon who looked down at us. However, before I could say anything, Celestia spread her wings and flew directly towards Torch. Even when she reached him and began to talk, we could all hear her thanks to her using the Royal Canterlot Voice to be heard. "We are invoking the Rit'ovac," Celestia's voice boomed over the surrounding area. "That won't be a problem, will it?"

Torch just grinned. "You realize fully what that means, don't you? You and your precious Ponies down there?"

"We do!"

"What's a Rit'ovac?" Spike asked.

"Roughly translated, it means Right to Watch," I replied.

"Princess Celestia explained it to us," Twilight said. "If there's a Volrif'nel, anydragon who knows one or both of the duelists can invoke Rit'ovac so they can watch and support the duelist. But only in complete silence."

I nodded and looked back up. Celestia was just beginning to descend, while Torch was walking away. When she landed, everyone surrounded her and pelted her with questions. She held up a hoof, silencing them all. "At ease, my little Ponies. The Dragon Lord has agreed to allow us to stay and watch the duel. Just remember the rules. Be silent."

I sighed. "You are all insane…"

"Jethro?"

I looked down at the source of the voice, which happened to be a very worried but beautiful yellow Pegasus mare who had somehow appeared before me. She poked my chest, a sudden serious expression on her face. "Flutters, I-"

"Shh," she said, putting her wing over my mouth for a bit before removing it and continuing. "Thank you for telling us what was happening. I know almost everypony here is angry, but you know we're only angry because we all care about you."

I nodded. "I sent letters because I knew they'd reach you sooner than a Skype call."

She hovered up a bit, then threw her arms around me, her lips locking with mine. I was stunned, but I was soon caught up in the moment and wrapped my own arms around her, kissing the trembling Pegasus back. After about fifteen or so seconds she slowly pulled away. There was a sudden fire in her gorgeous blue eyes as she gently poked my chest. "Promise me something?"

"Anything."

She leaned in, her mouth close to my ear, and uttered the last words I ever expected to hear pass those kind, gentle lips. "Jethro Edward Bethridge, kick that fucking Dragon Lord's ass."