"Are you sure you want me staying behind, dearest?" Zecora asked as I once more began stuffing a bag full of now freshly cleaned and dried clothes and toiletries. On one other side of the room, Scarlet was doing the same thing. Zecora watched the two of us as we packed, a look of concern in her gorgeous deep cyan eyes.

I paused what I was doing, stood, and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're pregnant with our child, sweetie," I said tenderly as I placed a hand on her stomach. She placed her hand over mine as I continued. "I'm pretty sure the Deerfolk are a more peaceful race than most, but I want to make sure there's no undue stress placed on you." My expression became more serious. "Besides, I've checked the route to their Citadel, and while we can start by using the trains, the rest of the way we're gonna have to go on foot."

"Those Deerfolk haven't joined the 21st century yet," Scarlet smirked.

I turned to my marefriend. "Equestria hasn't even joined the 21st century, so you've no room to talk," I said with a grin before turning back to Zecora. "I don't want you exerting yourself."

Zecora reached up and placed a finger on my nose briefly. "You're being overprotective, my love," she said. "We Zebras are stronger than that."

"Zecora…" I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Looking into her eyes again, I repeated my plea. "I don't know how this pregnancy is going to affect you. We're two different species. This pregnancy shouldn't even technically be possible."

"Magic is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be…unnatural," Scarlet said with a chuckle before her face softened when she saw me glaring. She paused her packing, flew over, and wrapped her forehooves around my neck. "Jethro, you need to chill, alright? You think you're the only one worried about her? I am too. I know that Twilight and the others are worried too. You saw all the gifts they got for her for that party? They're worried, but they're also excited. But they're also worried about you. You barely stopped by back home and now you have to go back out. The Elements might be okay staying behind, but you know Zecora. She won't give up so easily."

"She is right, beloved," Zecora replied. She spread her wings and enveloped me and Scarlet. "You are my husband now. Scarlet is my herdmate. I worry about you both. I want to be by your side."

I felt the warmth of her feelings spreading through me. The warmth of both of my herdmates love for me and for each other, and for the unborn child in Zecora's womb. I relaxed and hugged her back, arms around her pulling her in tightly. Slowly, however, I pulled away. "I understand," I said, "but I still would feel better if you stayed behind. What about this? I could bring one of those doorway fabrics with me. I'll set one up here and when I arrive at the Citadel, I'll open the door. If the Deerfolk will allow it, of course. Meanwhile, I'll call you every night on Skype."

Zecora simply chuckled and kissed me deeply. "You won't be dissuaded, I can tell. Alright. You'd better keep that promise."

"I will." I smiled warmly at her, giving her a kiss once more.

Zecora kissed back, then gave my back a gentle swat with one of her wings. "Now get packing, my love. You have a long journey ahead of you."

"Speaking of journeys, would you be okay if I called that doctor Healing Note and asked her to give you a checkup?" I asked Zecora.

Zecora gave a small sigh. "I can go to Canterlot, you know?"

I could tell from her tone she was becoming exasperated, so I eased up. I was letting my worries and fears get the better of me, I knew it, but it was hard not to feel that way. "Right, you're right," I said.

"I'll go and visit her while you're away," she promised.

I almost asked if she'd be willing to visit the royal healers, but knew that would be crossing the line. I nodded and zipped up my bag. "Okay, sounds good."

About fifteen minutes later, I was walking up to the train station with my entourage. Zecora was walking us there to see us off, which I was grateful for. I received a few greetings from some of my closer acquaintances throughout the town as well as some questions as to where I was going this time. I gave those who asked a brief summary, and they accepted it, telling me that I'd better come back soon.

When the train station came into view, I almost stopped in surprise. There was a small crowd of Ponies and Anthro Ponies waiting for me at the steps to the platform. The train was already there, the only two cars being the royal passenger coach, a baggage car, and the caboose. I recognized the Anthro Ponies as being the human equivalents of the Mane Six and, to my further surprise, three younger Anthro Ponies who looked like the CMC. Twyla was also there. I hadn't yet met the bespectacled young college student in this form, but aside from her ponytail and glasses she looked identical to how Twilight looked at Christmas when she was in her Anthro form. I also saw two Spikes standing side by side, both looking identical including having wings. Princess Luna was also there, and she was the first to approach me. "Greetings, Sir Jethro. We are pleased to see thee well." She wrapped her wings around me, pulling me into a hug.

I hugged her back before stepping back and saying, "You're slipping into Ye Olde Equestrian," I teased, "but I'm glad to see you too."

She tittered and replied, "That was on purpose," she said. Her smile faded slightly as she continued, "My sister wanted to see you off, but she was unable to escape the dull day that is her Day Court. She does send her warmest wishes. She also says she hopes for you to have a safe and productive journey. As do I."

The sentiment touched my heart as I replied, "Please tell your sister that I wish her well and that I hope to see her again very soon."

Luna nodded. "We shall do so, but I should not keep your other friends waiting."

Luna turned and stepped away as the Mane Six, along with Spike, came up to me. As they all looked up at me, I took in each and every one of them, memorizing their features and their warm but worried smiles. "Hello ladies, and Dragon boy," I quickly added, looking at Spike.

"Seems like yah can't catch a break, can ya?" Applejack said with a wry smile.

"Seems like it," I said, "but hopefully by the end of this month at the very latest things can settle down."

"I hope you stay safe," Fluttershy said with a worried tone, standing on her back hooves and nuzzling my face gently.

"I have four of the best guards with me here, and Scarlet's no slouch, so I'll be fine," I replied, running a hand through Fluttershy's pink mane.

"Scarlet can kick anycreature's ass!" Rainbow Dash said, hovering nearby with a proud smirk on her face, "After all, yours truly trained her to fly and be awesome!"

"You do have enough clothing packed, don't you dear?" Rarity asked.

"I have enough clothes for a good long stay just in case it comes to that," I said.

"Got plenty of sweets to keep up your energy?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes, Ponkers," I replied.

Finally, Twilight came up, a worried look on her own face. "Are you sure we can't come with you? I wouldn't need too much time to pack up."

"Twi, we've talked 'bout this," Applejack said, walking up to her friend and putting a reassuring hoof around her back. "Ah know how much yah care 'bout 'im. Ah care 'bout 'im too, but he's a grown stallion and an Emperor now. He can take care of himself."

"Besides, we have that super-duper awesome surprise we're cooking up for him for when he comes back!" Pinkie exclaimed happily.

I chuckled, reached down, and ran a hand through Twilight's mane affectionately. "Twily, I'll be careful. But if circumstances allow, and if the Deerfolk are okay with it, I'll use the portal doorway so you and the others can come for a visit."

She nodded, then gave my cheek a chaste kiss before stepping back, cheeks red. "Thank you," she said, an embarrassed smile on her muzzle.

I stood back up and looked back at the Anthro Pony-Human hybrids in front of me along with Brandan the Dragon. "It's good to see you guys again," I said, "but how are you covering this back home?"

"Oh, don't worry about that," Twyla said with a reassuring tone, "Brandan and I told our parents that we were going somewhere without any signal, but that we would find a place to call them all through the weekend."

"We're calling it a Friendship Soirée," Trisha said with a smirk. "We're taking the time to get to know each other and become closer as friends."

"And what about Brandan?" I asked, pointing at the other version of Spike who was standing near the Anthro CMC, "won't your parents be suspicious when they learn you've been hanging with only girls?"

"But I'm technically not," Brandan said, pointing at Spike. "I'm spending time with him, aren't I?"

"Touché," I said before turning to the rest. "And the rest of you?"

"I live in an apartment I partly pay for with help from my part time job and my parents," Trisha said, "so I have more freedom."

"Shye and I share an apartment," Dash said, putting an arm around the butter colored Anthro Pegasus, "and our families live in Vancouver Washington so we're fine."

"I'm renting a small apartment above a bakery where I work part time, so I'm okay too," Diane said.

"And yah already know mah story," Jackie said with a chuckle.

"Okay, got it," I said before turning to the Anthro CMC. "I understand why Marigold might be here, but who are the other two?"

"These are my friends Deanne and Anne!" Marigold said, gesturing to the Scootaloo lookalike and the Sweetie Belle lookalike respectively. "I couldn't just not tell them about this place! Anne's a big Pony fan!"

Anne smiled nervously and raised her hand. "Hello, Mister Bethridge," she said politely, "It's nice to meet you."

"Sup, man, I'm Deanne," the Scootaloo lookalike said with a salute.

I looked at them, then back to the other Anthro's. "You six coming here I can understand. I can even understand Marigold, but these three?"

"My aunts know about this place already," Deanne said. "They're friends with Mrs. Smith. They even came by for a little bit."

"I told my parents I'd be going with my big sister Ra-I mean Trish, to the retreat," Anne said.

Nearby, Rarity giggled, looking up at Trisha. "She's already calling you Rarity, darling."

Trisha rolled her eyes, but smiled down at her Pony counterpart. "Your sister almost called me Rarity too."

While Rarity and Trisha talked, Jackie came up and put a strong hand on my shoulder. Looking at me with her green eyes, she said, "We wanted tah come wish ya a safe journey. Ah'm just a farmgal and don't know much 'bout what this world's really like, but if mah counterpart trusts yah tah be safe, then ah trust her. Just come back soon so we can show yah our surprise." With a sudden gesture, Jackie pulled me into a tight hug.

I smiled at this, hugging her back before letting the college farmgirl go. "Thank you, Jackie," I said before turning to everyone else. "Thank you all for coming to see me off."

"We can't just ignore a fellow Crusader when they're on an epic quest!" Scootaloo said.

"Be safe, Jethro," Sweetie Belle said with the most adorable look on her face.

We all said our goodbyes to each other, or at least Scarlet, Mica and I did. Mica and Strawberry Rain, the strawberry red Unicorn mare with light green eyes, were even talking nearby. I briefly caught the young Unicorn give the Lycan male a brief nuzzle before they separated. and soon we were all on the train. The conductor helped us in, and soon we were departing. Scarlet, Mica and I were waving while the other three were sitting on the opposite side, not really doing anything other than sitting. When the train station was out of sight, Scarlet climbed into my lap and formed herself into a Ponyloaf, closing her eyes and leaning against me before falling asleep. We were on our way.

Several hours later, I was sitting in the private car that Princess Celestia had loaned to me for the trip west. We were close approaching the last station where we'd have to disembark and walk Scarlet was still a Ponyloaf on my lap and had been asleep for hours. Gemini, Mica, Scoria and Silica were sitting nearby, the latter two looking out at the passing landscape in awe. Gemini was leaning back with her eyes closed, but I could tell by her stature that she wasn't asleep, instead being a bit more alert. Mica sat across from me, reading a book he'd bought from Ponyville's only bookstore.

Seeing the book brought back a memory of said bookstore which was a large two storied building owned by a Pegasus mare named Notebook Pages. I'd visited it a couple times with Twilight Sparkle and Spike during times whenever a new shipment of books arrived. The bookstore looked like a mix between a Powell's Books and a medieval library. Notebook was an older mare in her late eighties, but because Ponies aged a bit more slowly than humans after they reached adulthood, she looked much younger. She was a white furred mare with light yellow mane and tail, and the tips of her wings were golden. Her cutie mark was of the profile of an open book with one page being turned. I wasn't surprised that Twilight immediately bonded with the older mare.

Coming back to the present, I looked over at the two Dragoness guards. I knew a little bit about them, mostly that they were twins who were some of the best guards in the Imperial Guard, at least according to Gemini's report. Her words were, "For Dragons with no formal training, they're adequate," which I knew was high praise from the Lycan. Both dragons had crimson scales, gold spikes, and pure black horns, each sticking down similar to how Ember's were. The only difference between them were their eye colors. Scoria's eyes were a darker shade of blue while Silica's were a light teal. Their armor was identical, but on their breastplates were small symbols carved in with Aelyssian runes, each matching their names.

I was becoming a bit tired of the silence, so I took a deep breath. "Never seen so much green before, you two?" I asked.

Startled, the two Dragoness guards turned to me.

"Ah, we're not used to seeing that much green," Scoria said.

"The only place in the Dragon Lands-er, sorry, in Aelyssia-that we've visited that has any plant life are the Scale Islands," Silica added.

I thought back to my study on Old Aelyssia's former borders. The Scale Islands rang a bell, and I soon remembered. They were an archipelago of five islands east of the mainland where Virynth Atheos existed. "I remember seeing them on a map once," I said. "What are they like?"

"Well, we only visited the Isle of Scaly when we were there," Scoria said, "but the plants there aren't like anything we've seen here. They're…" she trailed off, apparently trying to think of the words, "…um, how would you describe them, Sil?"

"Well, there are pretty big trees with green leaves like here," Silica said, "but there are also trees with blue leaves, large flowers that are bigger than any I've seen here."

"There's a few mountains there that have the best lava to soak in," Scoria added with a reminiscent smile.

"And there's some ruins there that I think are Aelyssian," Silica concluded, "at least, if what I've seen in Virynth Atheos matches up with what I remember about what the ruins looked like when mother and father took us in."

"In fact, there may be some places that can only be entered by the Emperor, or perhaps even the Dragon Lord-I mean, Emperor's Hand," Scoria said. "There were rooms inside that cave that we couldn't enter, like there was an invisible wall there."

"Hmm, sounds like a place I should visit," I said. "There may be ancient Aelyssian artifacts in there that could help restore Aelyssia to its rightful place on the map. Were there any Dragons living there?"

"No," Silica replied, "none of the islands are inhabited, at least that's what mother and father told us."

"It's a really beautiful island, at least the Isle of Scaly was," Scoria finished.

Mica, who'd been quietly listening in, spoke up. "I had no idea that there was any place in Aelyssia with green. We have the Guardian's Garden back in the Lycan Empire, but that's the only green we have."

"There's a lot about the former Dragon Lands a lot of creatures don't know," Silica said.

"According to some old tales and songs, it was once green and lush like Equestria," Scoria said.

"From what I've learned, you're right," I said in confirmation. "Dragons were actually the first to possess the ability to control the motions of the sun and moon before Ponies."

This caught the attention of the two Dragons and the younger Lycan. "I'd heard that too," Silica said, "but I always thought that was an old Dragon's tale."

"It's a long story," I said as I looked out of the window, noticing that the train was beginning to slow, "but our stop's coming up. We can talk more about the history of Old Aelyssia later. We need to get our things and move."

Immediately, Gemini was up and on her feet. "I'll go start getting our luggage ready," she said before looking down at Mica. "Come on, you're helping."

"Sure thing," Mica said as closed his book and stood, walking through the back door towards the luggage car with his sister.

Looking down at the Pegasus mare in my lap, I gently reached down and began scratching the back of her ear. "Scarlet, time to get up," I said in a singsong tone.

She groaned and one of her back legs began to tremble a bit. "Nnng…that feels so good," she muttered in her sleep.

"Up and at 'em, sleepyhead," I said, giving her a bit more of a nudge.

Scarlet opened one of her eyelids, looking up at me with her crimson eye before looking out of the window. "We're not there yet," she complained as she closed her eye again. "Wake me when we get there."

"Get moving, lazy ass," I said, reaching up and smacking her flank gently but firmly.

Scarlet's eyes shot open wide and she looked over at me with a frown before a smirk crossed her features. "Naughty boy, and in the Royal Coach of all places."

"Oh my God, how horny are you?!"

Ten minutes later, and with each of us carrying our belongings on our backs, we found ourselves in a town located on the edge of the western part of Equestrian territory. In fact, the town was actually called Utmost West. It was smaller than Ponyville, although the architecture was pretty much identical to the architecture of the town I called home. The only difference between Ponyville and Utmost West was a large stone wall that surrounded the town, with another wall surrounding farmland up north.

Our stop in Utmost West was brief, but we did purchase some extra supplies from a local shop owned by a Griffon and Pegasus couple. I was taken aback by this, as I had not seen an interspecies couple like this aside from me and Zecora. I knew there were some hints about such a thing with the potential future Young Six, not to mention Mica's clear infatuation with Strawberry, but in my time in Equestria I hadn't heard of such a thing being common. Sure, Ponies of different tribes would intermarry, but the tribes always called themselves Ponies.

Soon after gathering some food, extra blankets just in case, and some water, we were on our way. The road we found looked ancient, made of some kind of dark gray stones that had been flattened rather well. There were cracks in some and grass grew through said cracks, but the road itself was easy to walk on. Scoria and Silica flew above us, Scoria in front and Silica behind, keeping an eye on the forest to our left and the tall fields of grass to our right. To the northwest I saw massive snowcapped peaks rising into the clouds, while to the east I saw smaller but still snowcapped peaks. I knew the latter were the mountains which held the underground Lycan Empire.

While we walked, I passed the time by talking about the little I knew about ancient Aelyssian history. The two Dragonesses moved closer to the ground while I talked, and Scarlet and Mica clearly listened in. Gemini might not have overtly shown it, but I knew she was listening, mostly from how her ears swiveled back, and from a couple of the questions she actually asked. Most were about more militaristic aspects of Aelyssian history, and she seemed upset that I didn't know much about it. I did tell her that I believed Twilight would know more about that sort of thing, or at least what books held that information, and this seemed to satisfy them.

When I was finished, an idea came to mind. I turned to Gemini and Mica and said, "Say, I don't know too much about the Lycan Empire and its history. Do you two know anything?"

Gemini turned back to me and raised an eyebrow. "Why would you be interested?"

"Just because I had a bad experience there doesn't mean I don't want to learn more about it," I said. "Besides, I'm going to be meeting with your old Empress after my visit with the Deerfolk. It'd be best if I had a basic understanding of your history and culture at the very least."

Gemini's brows furled a bit at this, but then she pointed back at Mica. "He knows more than I would," she said. "He read a lot with our father about ancient history and shit like that."

Mica smiled a bit sheepishly. "She's right, I did," he said, "but I don't know too much."

"Well, tell us what you do know," I said, "even a little information is still information."

And so, with a nod, Mica began. To my surprise, he seemed to know a lot more than he let on. With brief interruptions and corrections from Gemini, he explained that the Lycans had not always lived under the mountain. They hadn't even been known as Lycans. Their ancient name translated into the modern tongue as Diamond Dogs. They had once lived in the forests surrounding the mountain, hunting prey there and living in primitive tribes. Even then, they were prolific diggers, and it helped that the forest they were in was full of gemstones and precious minerals. Each tribe within the forest was constantly at war with one another for food, gems, and strategic watering holes.

Thousands of years ago, however, their Guardian appeared out of the east. None of the Diamond Dogs could recall what he looked like or even what his name was, but while he was young, he was smart. He was captured by one of the smaller tribes, and said tribe was led by the First Empress, Empress Quartz the Glorious. Even back then, the Lycans were a very matriarchal society.

The Guardian, during his imprisonment and duties as the Quartz's servant, began to talk with her about the possibility of uniting each tribe under a common goal. He had noticed the Diamond Dogs' incredibly propensity for digging and that their ability to mine and create sturdy caves in some of the rock formations in the forest was way more advanced than their other primitive technology. Not only that, but their weapons crafting was apparently next level. Slowly, Quartz began to listen, and at some point, the two headed towards the mountains with some of her guards on an expedition to see if there was a way inside the mountain itself. The closer to the mountains one was, the more likely that gems could be found.

Eventually, after a month, the group found a large cave entrance in the northern side of the mountain range. Inside were gems of many different kinds, kinds that even Quartz had never seen. Glowing gems, gems that could help wounds heal faster, and even ores that Quartz believed could be made into even stronger weapons or armor.

There was one brief story that Mica told that caught my attention. Apparently, this Guardian took notice of a strain of ore in one natural passageway and he immediately called it Mythril. I knew from my brief history lesson months earlier that I was not the actual first human to have arrived in this world. That honor belonged to Megan Williams, at least as far as I knew. I did know, however, that Megan had two younger siblings who had come to Ponyland, at least in the cartoons. I filed this nugget of information away in the back of my mind for later.

Mica continued the history lesson after that, explaining how Quartz, upon her return, found that her younger sister had usurped her place despite Quartz's explicit orders not to replace her unless she didn't come back in a year. Here Mica admitted that he didn't quite know much about how things went between both sisters, but he did know that the tribe split apart temporarily until Quartz used some of the Mythril that she'd brought back and had her best blacksmith forge her a short sword made of the material. It helped her defeat her sister, killing her in a ritualistic duel.

Quartz had her now reunited tribe move from their original home into the cave systems where they began mining. The Guardian at that time began calling the Diamond Dogs Lycans instead, and Quartz immediately adapted the name. They built one of the first permanent Lycan settlements in the cave system that would eventually become the Lycan Empire. Quartz, with help from her now advisor and at the time secret lover the Guardian, used the materials in the cave systems to bolster her militia. She wanted to try and unite the other tribes of her people under one banner.

It took years, but eventually thanks to their superior weaponry, the tribe leaders of the biggest tribes in the forest saw that they were no match for this smaller tribe. They met up for a truce, and it was here that Quartz made her biggest challenge. She challenged each and every tribe leader to a match, a match that would leave the last one standing as the leader of the entire population. Quartz won, but barely, and all with that small Mythril sword.

With the now renamed Lycan tribes under her command, she had the now dead tribal leaders buried in a ceremony of respect and remembrance. Their names were remembered in the ancient annals of history according to Mica, but he couldn't remember them. With the number of Lycans in the new cave systems increased by a large number, the creation of the first city of the empire began to be formed.

As the now open lover of their first Empress, the Guardian taught them many different things that he knew, such as the importance of keeping records and keeping history secure. He instilled some of his own beliefs into the brand new culture until his death some one hundred and twenty or so years after the founding of the empire. Quartz died a month later, and tradition said that she was unable to live without her greatest companion. Her daughter, who was born from her first mate before his death, took the mantle of Empress.

The rest, of course, I was aware of somewhat, but Mica filled in some details. The Empire, buried underground, was kept safe from the horrors of Grogar, Eris, Tirek and Sombra. Hundreds of years passed, and scouts found a group of Deerfolk who had settled down in a large valley and had built a large town far north of their borders. The first meeting was rocky at best, but there was a tentative peace until tensions boiled over and a war broke out fifty years after their first meeting. I knew the rest of the story. Celestia and Luna stopped the war and forced a treaty of peace between both nations.

"And since then, there's been a cold war of sorts between you two?" I concluded.

"What's a cold war?" Scoria asked.

"It's a war that's not a war," I began before stopping. I pulled out my phone and googled the term. "Ah, here it is, right from Wikipedia. 'A cold war is a state of conflict between nations that does not involve direct military action but is pursued primarily through economic and political actions, propaganda, acts of espionage or proxy wars waged by surrogates.'" I looked up and saw the blank stares of everyone around me. "Basically, your two nations aren't going into battles, but instead have a conflict through other means."

"That doesn't sound quite right," Mica said, "but it's close."

"We can't exactly do any espionage," Gemini said, "we're not Furchangers."

"We pretty much avoid any contact unless there's no other choice," Mica explained, "just like the Council of Equestria."

"But both nations have a common belief," Gemini added, turning back with a scowl. "We both resent the princesses for what they did to our nations. They had no right!"

"While they had good intentions, you're right, they had no right," I agreed.

She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. She fell back and to my surprise fell into step beside me. "I guess that they didn't want us going to war," she admitted, "but what happened was way worse. I still hate them for what they did, though."

"Hey, at least they acknowledged what they did was wrong," Scarlet said, "doesn't that count for something?"

She let out a soft sigh, looking over at the Pegasus with tired eyes. "Yes, I suppose that's a start…good or bad, I don't know, but it's a start."

We continued walking down the stone road in silence, Gemini on my left and Scarlet on my right. Mica took point on the ground while the two Dragonesses resumed their own guard in the sky. Hours passed without any word. I sometimes flew a bit to give my feet a rest, but mostly kept to the ground, partly to save strength and partly because I didn't want the two Lycans to feel like I was leaving them out.

By the time the sun was reaching the western horizon, we had to stop. Gemini and Mica, who knew the way towards the Deerfolk's borders, said that it was another half day away, so we set up a camp. Scoria started a fire while Scarlet used the doorway portal I brought with us to head back to Ponyville to get something to eat for herself. The rest of us, since we could eat meat, were going to enjoy a stew that Mica was generous enough to offer to make for us. He could have easily gone back home to do it but I to at least see what kind of food was eaten when traveling. I did offer for everyone else to go back home to eat, but aside from Scarlet, the others decided to stick with travel fare.

As Mica was busily roasting some freshly caught rabbits for the stew, Scarlet returned, and following close behind her with the happiest smile on her face was Zecora. I had been helping the twin Dragonesses set up the tent but when I saw my wife, I excused myself and rushed over to her, taking her in my arms and kissing her deeply. She kissed me back and held me close, her eyes sparkling with love. "I missed you so much," I said.

Zecora held me tighter. "I've missed you too, beloved," she said, "but it's only been a day." She gave me a smirk.

I chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, I know, but I still missed you."

We released each other after sharing a few more kisses before she turned and looked around at the landscape. "My my, this is a rather wild looking country," she said.

"The Deerfolk prefer wild country," Mica said.

"Maybe that's why we saw some of them in the Everfree last year," I said, looking to Zecora.

Zecora shrugged, a remarkably human gesture she'd learned from me. "I saw some wandering through the Everfree once or twice when I lived there, but the biggest group was the one you and I saw that morning."

I nodded, then decided to change subjects. I'd been distracted from my worries about Zecora's pregnancy thanks to the history lessons Mica and I had shared, but with her here now, my anxieties resurfaced. However, remembering Scarlet's words to me earlier, I calmed myself with a deep breath, turned back to her, and asked, "How was your day?"

Zecora saw right through me. I knew it immediately judging from her sideways glance towards me before she replied, "I went to Canterlot to see Healing Note. Twilight and Spike came with me, too. That mare is quite the worrywart, as you would say. She's worse than you."

I gave her an apologetic smile. "She does tend to get in her own head sometimes," I said, "and I'm working on my own anxieties."

Her frown softened and she put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it affectionately as she pulled me aside so we could talk in more privacy. Scarlet quickly came and joined us, holding a sandwich in her wings. "The doctor said that in her professional opinion, our foal is coming along nicely. She even gave me a secondary checkup. Apparently, I'm a biological marvel. She did want me to come back for a couple other checkups. I told her that human women's gestation period is nine months and she wanted to see if I kept the Zebra timeframe or now have a more human timeframe." She rubbed her stomach. "I'll be honest, I'd much rather have a nine month pregnancy than an eleven month one."

"Understandable," I said, placing my hand over hers.

"That'd be pretty sweet," Scarlet added, placing her free wing over both of our hands. "I can't wait to be an…auntie? Second mother?"

"Second mother," Zecora said, "although if this were Zebra culture, I'd be called the dam and you would be the mother."

"I think there are still some Pony families with herds who use that term," Scarlet said. "My family didn't, but a couple of others in our village did."

"Would that make me the sire?" I asked.

"You're a sire in another way already," Scarlet teased.

I rolled my eyes, leaned down, and kissed Scarlet deeply. "You are such a goof, and I love you."

"I love you too, you big stud," she said, bumping her flank against my legs before flying up and putting one foreleg around the two of our necks. I reached over and caught her so she could be held up without flying. Zecora did the same. "One big happy family, all of us. This sexy human here, me, and one dynamite smoking hot Zebra here." She leaned over and kissed Zecora's lips, although not as deeply.

Zecora, caught a bit off guard by this, stammered over her words a bit before she said, "That was unexpected."

"Sorry, I won't do it again," Scarlet said before turning back to me, "but I bet it's giving Jethy here some naughty ideas."

I groaned. "If the autumn heat season was missed last year like Twilight said, I'd hate to see a double heat season in you."

Scarlet smiled, then nuzzled my cheek. "But I'll have you to help me, stud," she said.

Zecora laughed softly at this before she gave Scarlet a light smack with one of her wings before letting go. This caused Scarlet to fly up and cling to my back only, wrapping her forelegs around my neck. "You are quite an insatiable mare," she said, "but I still enjoy you being in my hair."

"Just let me know if I ever go too far, alright?" Scarlet said.

"We will," I said, "after all, communication is key in any relationship."

Zecora nodded before she stretched and yawned. "I should get back home soon, but before I go, how was your day, you two?" She listened as we relayed the short version of our trip, the discussions of certain parts of Dragon and Lycan history along with the mentioning of the Isle of Scaly. "Hmm, the Isle of Scaly sounds vaguely familiar," she said after we finished, "I may have read about it in one of my books. I'll look into it tomorrow."

"I'm sure Twilight would be all over it after hearing about this," I said. "Speaking of, where is she? I actually kind of expected her to come here."

"She's out with the other girls having fun for the night with their visiting human counterparts," Zecora said, "and Spike is off with some of his other friends playing their O&O game with Spike's human counterpart Brandan. Or was it bowling tonight…? Anyway, everyone's having a good time."

"I guess it is Sunday, so it's the weekend for the human students," I said. "If you see them, tell them I said hello and that I miss them. I'd call them, but I wouldn't want to disturb them."

"I'm sure they'd understand," Zecora said.

I chuckled. "You're probably right."

"Soup's done!" Mica called out from the fire as he brought out some wooden bowls from his pack.

"I'll head back home now," Zecora said as she leaned in and kissed me deeply. Then, to both my surprise as well as Scarlet's, she grabbed Scarlet's cheeks and planted a big, deep kiss on the Pegasus' lips. She broke away after a few seconds, licking her own lips with a triumphant grin on her face as she turned and headed back to the portal door.

We both stood there, stunned by what had just happened. Finally, Scarlet said with a daze slur, "Zomeone get ze number ov zat truck? Zhe flattened my lipz…"

I broke out laughing as we headed back to our camp.

The stew, while a bit on the plainer side, was still good and filling. I ate with the rest while Scarlet clung to my back and silently ate her sandwich. After we all ate our fill, we went to bed. I slept with Scarlet, spooning with her all night. In the morning, the soup was reheated and we polished it off. After striking camp, we headed out again. Scarlet walked very close to me, and the two of us talked about random things, everything from various Earth cultural references that we enjoyed to things about her Pegasus heritage that she had learned about that she found interesting.

When we stopped at noon to eat a quick bite, Gemini told us that we were about an hour away from the Deerfolk's borders, which was located right where the road entered into a forest. Mica said that there was a large pair of trees on the path that formed an archway. Since Scoria and Silica had already eaten something before we'd stopped, I ordered them to scout the path ahead, but to not get too close to the forest border.

As the remaining four of us ate, I felt a strange pressure building up in my head. I winced a bit, and this was noticed by Scarlet, who was immediately by my side as I massaged my forehead. "Babe? You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm alright," I said as the pressure in my head went away, "I just felt a bit weird for a bit, that's all."

"Apologies, that was probably my doing," a new but familiar voice said from the road.

We all turned to see a very familiar creature standing there. The long neck and twin horns were unmistakable, especially since the creature in front of us was taller than even Celestia. There was silence for a bit before anyone spoke, and when someone did, I was the first. "Miora?"

The Giraffe nodded her head in greeting. "Hello there, your Grace and company. It is agreeable to see you again."

I know that in the letter High Lady Valindra sent said to meet at the end of February originally in Chapter 120, but I changed it to the first of February because I can.

Also, sorry for the delay. I've really gotta get better at focusing on my own stories more. Anyway, enjoy!