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Quite a bit later I was finally able to extract myself from the hot and exhausted tangle of limbs and damp fluids. I nudged Rainbow, who had joined in the fun earlier, awake.

"We should get out of here before Applejack pounces me again, I don't think I have anything left to give." I whispered.

"Mmm... I wouldn't mind a treatment like that every day. I think Applejack is nearly done with her heat, though if you visited tomorrow she would enjoy it."

"You would enjoy it too, Rainbow 'Peeps a Lot' Dash." I joked as we slipped out of Zecora's hut.

"What? I was just keeping track of you to make sure you were ok..."

I shook my head with a breathy laugh and scooted a bit closer to her as we walked the path out of the Everfree. This part of the forest didn't seem all too bad, it was actually somewhat inviting. I let out a long yawn as we neared the forests edge.

"Oh geeze... I am going to be dead at this party, and I completely smell like sex..."

"Here, don't tell Pinkie." Rainbow gave me the small vial of the energy-giving, rainbow colored juice she normally kept for sating her. "It should be enough to keep you going for a bit."

The miniature serving did help a little, making me feel significantly less drowsy. "Lets get you in the lake to wash up. The party should be starting in less than an hour."

Although washing up in a lake didn't seem like the best option I went with it. My impression of lakes was one of dirt and muck... But as we approached it, to my surprise, I found it was crystal clear and pristine. Near the shore was something that resembled a reclined pool chair with Twilight in it. She didn't notice our approach and in fact seemed to be asleep.

"How big of a splash can you make?" I looked over to Rainbow asking.

She winked at me as I rounded to the far end to slip into the water. Rainbow took off into the air, going decently high up before curling up and tucking in her wings.

"Cannonball!" She shouted, waking Twilight from her snooze. Twilight opened her eyes just as Rainbow made contact with the water. Twilight's face changed to one of shock as the nicely sized wave crashed over her, leaving her soaked.

Rainbow emerged from the water and gave one quick glance her way before bursting out laughing. Twilight got over her shock quickly and took Rainbow's laughing distraction as an opportunity. She leapt into the water, bringing a nice splash right into Rainbow's face.

Rainbow let out a quick sputter before looking upwards surprised. Twilight giggled a little, saying, "You started it."

"But you just turned it into a splash war!" Rainbow flared out one wing, catching a decent amount of water to throw towards Twilight. I sat back amused as the two went at it. Splash for splash, Rainbow seemed to have the advantage due to the quantity her wings could collect. I worked on scrubbing myself down as they went through their mock fight.

Twilight became tired of Rainbow's consistently large waves and the game slowly changed as magic was added to the equation. Twilight brought up a small wall of water to diffuse Rainbow's attacks, maintaining it in front of her. As long as she kept it between them Rainbow had to try and flick the water over the top. Twilight also began to use her magic to control more water, sending it at her opponent. Soon enough Rainbow was the one loosing, being struck with waves of magically pushed water.

She looked over to me " You got me into this! A little help here?" she sputtered a little as a wave splashed into her mouth.

I concentrated my magic, taking down Twilight's water barrier. "Now!"

Rainbow put a coordinated double wing splash right into Twilight's face. She stopped her magic and shook herself off, blinking the water from her eyes. All of us laughed for a while before Twilight looked to me mischievously asking, "You got her into this?" before dropping a sphere of water she had collected over my head.

Rainbow laughed at my surprise and sent a wave my way too. My alliance with Rainbow officially broken I joined in for an all out three-way war. The fun that ensued lasted for a few more minutes before we all, tiredly crawled from the lake.

We all sun dried, resting on the bank and enjoying the company and laughter of friends. It was so glad to have found this place. And these mares were truly amazing. The sun seeped into my bones, invigorating me and bringing a feeling of restfulness. The energy I felt now was different, but I just passed it off as my body making up for being asleep so long. My thoughts were eventually interrupted by a voice directed at me.

"Oh! Rarity wanted you over to get you ready to see Celestia. She got my news that you woke up and is coming to visit."

I bolted up. Royalty... Crap, I was not ready for this.

"Whoa there, calm down. She's great, you don't have anything to worry about." Rainbow assured me. "And besides, you are currently the talk of Equestria. She is only coming to congratulate you."

~~

And so there I stood, in the town square, dressed up in the outfit Rarity had made complete with Crystal Rose. Celestia's chariot descended as a space was cleared for her. I nervously swallowed as her radiant eyes scanned the hushed crowd, stopping on me as she approached. I quickly lowered my gaze and bowed the way Rarity had taught me.

"I'm flattered, but surely you know by now Rarity that you needn't bow to me, or teach others to do so." Her voice was kind and she smiled as I looked up to see her. She stood a head taller than the rest of the gathered crowd. It would be imposing if not for her old and gentle eyes. But deep in those eyes I could see a spark. One, I felt, that would be better left un-ignited.

"I hear your valiant protection of your friends not only saved Ponyville but also took down a hydra. Quite a feat, If only you could remember how you managed it. When I heard of your power I myself was confused as to how it could be..."

Dr. Whooves, wearing a red fez, poked his head from the crowd. "Wibbly wobbly timey wimey...stuff. You'll understand later." Without another word he headed out into an alleyway.

Princess Celestia's voice took on a slightly berating tone "You get back here Doctor! You can't just reveal that you know everything then strut off like that!" She started off to where he had gone but upon hearing a strange noise she stopped and returned sighing. " That man, he is still the same after all these years..." She muttered to herself.

From a different alleyway Dr. Whooves emerged running up to Celestia. "Have you seen a future version of me around here?"

Celestia rubbed her brow. " I suppose you wouldn't know about what just went on then?" she asked receiving a quizzical head tilt from him. She sighed continuing, "Yes I saw him, and he already left."

"Drat... That bugger stole my fez... I liked that fez." He responded skulking off.

The whole crowd stood silently questioning what was going on. I too was relatively stunned. "Did he just say future me?" I questioned Celestia.

"It's best not to dwell on what the Doctor says, it's a good strategy for staying sane... Oh... In other matters I was given this letter for you." A guard came up with a scroll that I took from him unrolling.

~

Ike of Ponyville,

You have my sincere thanks for keeping my sister Twilight and the town safe from harm. I would like to invite you and the bearers of the elements, on behalf of Princess Cadence, to visit the Crystal Kingdom.

I also have a special proposition for you when you arrive.

Shining Armor

~~

Twilight, who had read over my shoulder, squealed out in delight. "We get to visit my brother and Cadence!"

"A trip back to the Crystal Empire? How lovely!" Rarity chimed in.

Celestia was looking at me strangely, so I handed off the note to Rainbow for her to look at. "Is this visit perhaps for something more?"

"Yes, if you girls would excuse us I would like to speak to Ike privately." I walked with her back to her chariot. "We will be uninterrupted and out of earshot in the air. Guards, take us up for a short flight." The guards did as commanded and we were pulled off the ground while the crowd watched, speculating at what could be going on.

The first few minutes of the ride were silent, but the Princess eventually broke it.

"My original visit was going to be one to send you away..." Celestia blatantly stated. "When you were brought into this world my thoughts immediately flew to the worst possibilities... But hearing of your selfless defense of those who you had befriended quickly changed my mind. Your arrival here, speaks of something more... perhaps it is fate and not just chance that you were... chosen."

I was silent for a minute before responding "I... Don't exactly know what to say... But thank you for reconsidering."

"I am sorry to be demanding of you at this point but when you arrive at the Crystal Kingdom I suggest you take Shining armors offer..."

Her tone told me that 'suggest' was more of a demand.

She continued. "You have a great power within you... I can sense it, dormant but present... I must be certain that you will use it for good. And if Shining Armor can add his approval of your moral character to the list it will help your cause greatly."

"So this is a thank you for helping but I'm not sure I can trust you yet sort of thing?" I asked her.

"Unfortunately, yes... A storm is stirring, and with each sunrise I feel it is coming closer, I cannot take any risks." She stopped to address the guards. "Take us down!" she shouted loud enough for them to hear before looking back to me. "I trust the important details of this conversation will be kept private?"

I nodded at her words as we rolled to a stop on the ground. I put on a brave face and stepped back out into the crowd. I could hear the princess giving orders to her guard but I didn't look back as she took off.

"Wow, she's leaving already?" Twilight asked me approaching. I gave a shrug as I passed by, going through what Celestia had said... I had done what many would consider a heroic feat and she still didn't trust me? And if she had arrived before the Hydra came she would have sent me back to my world somehow? Celestia wasn't as understanding as the girls made her out to be... Or maybe she was just scared of what the foreboding future looming ahead was to bring.

"Are you ok?" Rainbow asked me.

I looked to her before carefully weighing the words I was about to speak. "Celestia didn't say so directly... But she seems afraid of what the future holds..."

"So what is it that she did say?" I was questioned.

"I'm not allowed to answer that."

Rainbow looked as if she was about to respond but then she noticed something over my shoulder...

"Is that what I think it is?!"

I looked behind me to see Big Macintosh pulling a cart loaded with barrels. And wow it looked heavy; I don't think any other pony around could pull that much.

"Ciiiideeeer!" Rainbow practically squealed dashing over to the cart, which Big Mac had just halted. She landed on top of the uppermost barrel and wrapped herself around it. "Mine!" she proceeded to flap her wings in a valiant attempt to take with her. Much to the crowds amusement she only managed to lift the barrel a few inches on one end as she flapped frantically. Making no further progress her flapping soon began to slow, the barrel settling back down with a solid thump.

"I ain't serving any till yeh get down Dash." Big Mac sternly said, unhooking himself from the cart. There was sparse laughter from the crowd of onlookers as she reluctantly removed herself from the barrel. "The first drink should go to Ike anyways." He tapped into one of the barrels and a mug was brought over. "Now this here is the special Apple family brew, perfect fer the occasion."

As I was given the drink I found out quickly what the 'special' meant. The cider was cold and yet I could feel its subtle warmth as the alcoholic content washed through me.

~

I didn't have too much more of the hard cider that night, but most of the events ended up pretty hazy. There were more people in the town than I thought, and it seemed all of them wanted to give some form of thanks. Everyone I knew except Applejack and Zecora were there too.

Rainbow was eventually cut off from the supply of cider... and escorted home because she couldn't fly straight. After a while the party had died down, and it was nearly bed time, so I stumbled off to the library to sleep everything off.

Author's Note:

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