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The next day came rather quickly after Nova Star fell asleep. I guess she's just the kind of pony that can't hold in a few drinks, maybe that was why she kissed me last night. Either way, seeing how she fell asleep on the only bed, I tucked her in and went to the sofa to sleep there instead.

Morning came, and I was rudely awoken by the sun's rays hitting my eye. At first, I saw nothing but brightness, followed by the smell of cooked food. This confused me, because there wasn't a kitchen in the room to allow food to be made.

"Thank you," I heard the soft voice of Nova. "Your tip is in the bag as well." I guess she must've stayed the night after all. A small part of me wondered if she would and the other part thought she would just up and leave in the middle of the night if she woke up. I mean, we did drink a bit last night, she more so than me, and maybe what she said was part of her buzzed mind. I guess that since she ordered room service, she was okay with it.

I heard the door softly close, and the sound of squeaky wheels approaching. Sitting up, I saw Nova Star, with an incredibly untamed bed mane. She saw me up as she smiled, still a blush on her face. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on your bed," she spoke to me as I smiled and waved my hand.

"No worries, I couldn't simply carry you to your room. I don't even know where your room is."

"Oh, it's room 123." She said with another small smile. "But, lets eat. I ordered eggs, pancakes, and bacon for you. Though, the pancakes see a bit on the small size." When she lifted up the lid, I could see that she was right, they looked like the sizes of hamburger buns, which gave me an idea. She watched as I placed one pancake along my plate, then putting some fried egg and bacon on it, and another pancake on top of it all. She blinked as I pulled it up like a sandwich and took a bite.

"Home-made McGriddle."

"A... what?" she questioned as I laugh softly and took another bite, before lifting my finger, so not to talk with my mouth full. After swallowing, I chuckled and wiped my mouth before answering her confused question.

"A little something from Earth. Perhaps if you ever come, I'll treat you to one."

"So, what's the plan for you today?" she asked me as I started to get dressed, going back to my normal everyday clothing. She too, folded her dress from last night, and placed it in a spare bag I had around. She told me she would return it when the next time I would see her, but I said to keep it, I don't even know why I brought it with me. "Other than just walking about, doing nothing but sightseeing?"

"I already have plans with Lyra, and that other pony named Rarity," I explained, having told her about the two last nights, and also about the plan for today. "I'm going to go down to Ponyville and meet up with Lyra before going."

"And what if she asks if you're single?" I stopped dressing after putting one shoe on, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "Well, in a sense, we're dating, right?"

"Don't worry, I plan on telling her if she asks me. I don't want an embarrassing moment of her asking me out if I'm already somewhat-dating you." I answered as I slipped on my shoe. "Trust me, I'll explain to her what is going on. And besides, as I told you, we are just friends, so you have nothing to worry about with her trying to 'steal' me away. I'm not a cheater." She looked up at me as I slipped my sweater on, zipping the it up halfway, allowing the plain navy blue shirt to be seen. Her eyes looked me up and down before a soft smile crossed over her lips as she nodded.

"Alright... it's strange, but I feel like I can trust you."

"It's because it's true," I simply answered. "Look, I've seen how crazy and ugly something can be when someone thinks another is single. I might even just tell Lyra when the time is right.. A few days ago, it seemed like she wanted to get back together, but... I'm just not sure." It was going to be hard, that was for sure, but it's better to get it over with now instead of later when it could be much more painful.

After saying our goodbyes and parting ways, I gave my phone a quick glance as I walked down the stairs. Seeing that I had nothing new, I was about to put it back in my pocket, but then the phone rang in my hand. I looked at the name, and was a bit surprised by the caller, my grandmother's number popping up, the title being 'Nanny'. I answered and put the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"Hi, Brandon. You doing okay?" I sighed softly, her voice was soft and caring. To me, my grandmother was a second mother. I could talk to her about things that I couldn't talk to my real mother about. She was never the type to judge anyone. Nanny was a kind old woman, in her early sixties, and it was always funny how she was trying to act cool. As to why she was calling me now, I just wouldn't know. We've spoken a few times over the year, and I didn't tell her about Lyra, nor of what me and mom were going through. I didn't want this to happen again with my grandmother.

"Hey, Nanny," I spoke softly as I made my way toward the main lobby. "How is it going?"

"Seems much better then what you and your mother have been going through..."

"She told you, huh?" there was a small pause at the other end as I went up and bought a coffee to go, tipping the pony who was on the counter and giving her a nod. I kinda knew that sooner or later, mom would be ether calling, emailing, or even telling the other members of our family on the choices I made. Considering that nobody else has talked to me about any of this, I guess she never told anyone until now.

As to why? I think that maybe, because I declined her 'offer' to see this supposed doctor, she felt that I wouldn't see the 'light' from her words, so maybe I could see it from another family member. "Yes," Her voice plucked me from my thoughts. "Sure did.. Brandon, I-"

"Nanny," I cut her off. "Please, if you are going to be just like her-"

"I'm proud of you. So very proud."

What she just said caused me to stop dead in my tracks. I was nearly outside the hotel and moving out of the way of another pony. "What?" I asked as I moved over, away from the door and the path of other ponies, as I heard my grandmother sigh on the other end.

"She had no right to say the things she said to you. When she called me, she asked... no, more like demanded that I tell you to go to this doctor she was talking about. She said you could never say 'no' to me."

"Well when you start with the "you don't love me..." stuff..." I answered smiling on my end.

"Oh hush. And stop smiling, because I know you are!"

"How did you...?"

"A grandmother knows," she answered as she laughed, causing me to facepalm inside my mind. "Besides, I think your mother may be part of that 'group' that's been all over the news lately."

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot about them. See, after The Gate was ready to be accessed by the public, there were already ponies and humans who hated the idea. Surprisingly, the other races were okay with the humans. They understood that humans could help them and their kingdoms greatly, but for ponies; many were still afraid of change. For humans, however, it was a revival of the era before and during the Civil Rights Movement. Before I even decided to try and come to Equestria, many ponies had already moved to Earth. They bought land, built homes, made lives for themselves, stuff like that. It didn't take long for certain "x species Only" places to appear. Stores, neighborhoods, bathrooms, hell, even public transportation.

In retaliation, ponies did it too. It's really saddening to see a bygone age to return, especially when there's a change of species. It seems that you hear more about violence between Humanity and Ponykind on the news these days than you do anything else. The human 'supremacists' in this conflict called themselves 'The True Humans', going on to say that ponies were nothing but animals, but no, it wasn't just the ponies they hated, they hated each of the other species from Equestria as well.

The ponies also formed a group of their own, however they accepted the other species of Equestria into their ranks, if they chose to join. It was rare when a gryphon would be group, and I believe they called themselves 'Harmony'. That shit's one serious oxymoron. How is hating another race just because they're not from your world 'Harmony'?

The entire conflict in itself is absolutely stupid, and the names are just as stupid. I could shit a better name for a human supremacy group than 'The True Humans'. Regardless, there are measures created by the princesses and the world leaders on Earth to keep the violence between the two groups separated completely. Ponies that want to move to Earth have to go through customs. Example; if a Canadian, like myself, wanted visit the United States for a week or so, I would have to go through the paperwork process, passports, all that stuff.

For the process of entering the new worlds, it is longer and more complicated than a 30 minute stop at the border. Then, after all that is done, and if you want to stay in whatever world you choose, you'll need to go through the naturalization process and all that it entails of whatever country you're planning to stay in. If any Equestrian races on Earth are caught performing hate crimes on humans, they will get a fair trial. The same goes for humans in Equestria. It is very rare for the jury in these cases ever have a 50/50 ruling.

"Brandon?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry Nanny," I muttered. "What did you say?"

"Do you... hate your mother?" she asked as I simply only sighed, not sure how to truthfully answer that.

"I... I just don't know, Nanny." I spoke the truth, I really don't know how to truly feel about my mother. "She said some incredibly crude words to me. She's holding to her views on this. If she is part of that group, that is her choice; but I will say this: if I ever do find out that she's harmed a pony simply because she doesn't like them, then yes, I will hate her. Because it's not fair; it's just not!" I took a small breath before going on. "She always raised me to believe that everyone is the same, that we shouldn't judge anyone by the color of their skins, that we shouldn't judge anyone by who they like. Well now, we all have to not judge anyone by their skin, fur, feathers, scales, you get the idea." I sighed. "To answer your question: do I hate my mother? No, but I am incredibly upset with her. But mostly, I'm disappointed in her. Talk about a role switch, huh?"

It was silent on the other end for a moment, before I then heard her release another small sigh. "You've grown so much, Brandon," I heard her say, a small whisper. "I know I keep calling you my little boy, my little sweetheart... but you sounded like a man. A man who has his mind set on what is right. Just know this, Brandon; I'll be calling the family up myself, and I will explain what your mother is doing. If they don't like it that you dated a pony, that's their problem. But know this: right now, you have me on your side."

"Thanks.." I whispered back before answering. "You have no idea how much that means to me. I just wish I could've heard that from my mother."

We ended the call a little bit after that, after telling her where I would be for the next few weeks, and telling her to also be careful with the calls to Equestria. I mean really, how much do you think the service charge would be for something like that? After hanging up, I turned off my phone to make sure I wouldn't be disturbed and headed towards the train, considering that it was getting very close to being lunch time. around the same time if I remembered right, of the time I told Rarity and Lyra that we would meet up.

Surprisingly, the train was pretty much empty. The conductor even told me that I could go up to first class, he really didn't care. Hell, if he was offering me first class for free, who am I to say no? The difference between the rest of the train and the first class section is incredible. Sitting down near the middle of the car, I heard a soft chatter behind me.the back of the section of first class, I heard two different voices. They paused for a moment, maybe looking at me, but I didn't know, I was looking outside the window. And then back to talking. A bit lower. But, because of my really good hearing, even after the train started to move, I still heard what they were talking about.

"So...did you read the paper today?" a voice, as I said, both were female, this one voice, sounded a bit like she had Rarity accent, but with a hint of French. "It seems another pony and human hate attack, in the human world."

"The humans no doubt started it," I rolled my jaw a bit after hearing the second one, she had the same accent, but much snobbier.

"No, the paper said that the ponies threw eggs at this little human child, because he was adopted by some ponies and called them his mom and dad,"

"Well that child had no right, and nor did the ponies who wanted a human for a child. I mean its bad enough that there is one here in our cabin!" she whispered harshly, but I heard it all the same. Oh, so you can say all that, but not to my face, huh?

"Please ma'am," the first voice whispered again. "He had done nothing wrong," I heard a small huff, before a flap of paper. "Well, there was that story today of a human coming to a mare's aid." I jerked my head a bit, before smiling from what I heard next. "It seemed a human named Brandon Casey fought off another human who attacked and harmed a pony. I say that humans have hearts, unlike what you claim them to be."

"Watch your tongue, child." The second voice hissed. "I know what I believe, the humans are nothing but a speck to us ponies. They don't have magic and they work in the dirt, ugh!" I heard a small smack, but not a yelp in pain, maybe she hit herself? "And so much violence, why didn't that human try and talk to the other? They are the same creature, surely with what little sense they have, they could've talked it out." my hands clenched into fists as I heard this pony talk. She reminded me of my mother.

"You didn't seem to mind when that human gave you that ten thousand bit bracelet as a gift so you could open your shop in Manehattan."

"That was different. At least he had class... for a human. I bet this human here doesn't even have an education!"

"Please ma'am.." From that point, I just blocked out the rest of the discussion. It seemed whoever the second voice was, the one that reminded me of a pony version of my mother, must've been spitting about humans just because I was there.

"Well, I shall grab something to parch my throat...excuse Me." The second voice got up to move, and I moved to from the window side of the seat to the aisle side. I heard the clopping of her hooves, before she yelled and fell into my line of sight. A small part of me wanted her to simply fall and crack her head open, but with quick reflexes and overwhelming influence from my better half, I caught her. She looked up at me, her eyes unblinking as she just couldn't say anything. I mean, after all the things she said about humans and other things of such, I bet she didn't think a human would've broke her fall. I was sampling going to allow her back to her feet and say nothing, but then an idea came to me.

"Hi there." I spoke in the calmest and nicest voice I could muster. "Are you alright?"

"Uh..." the way she was looking at me was priceless. It was a mixture of both confusion and a great deal of shock. I heard a gasp from the nicer pony, as both me and her looked back at her as I helped miss bitch onto all fours. Her hat fell off in the tumble and I picked it up and dusted it off, handing it back to her. She took it ever so slowly before she looked at her 'friend' once more. I did as well, and was slightly shocked as I saw my picture on the paper.

What the fuck.

How the hell did my picture get in the paper? Why is it in the paper? WHO took my picture? I knew that ponies had our camera technology, so maybe a pony was near by and took the photo? "Y..yes, I'm fine, thank you so much," she just looked back at me, as I pretended that I didn't see the paper before I answered with a small smile.

"I'm glad, it would've been rather bad, if someone such as you was hurt, I mean, we have so many humans and ponies hating one another. We must do our part to show that not all humans are the same; yes?" I saw her ears flatten a bit as her eyes grew a bit wide. I sat back down and smiled. "Enjoy the rest of your train ride." was all I said, hearing the clopping of her hooves going back to her seat. I did not hear anything from her at all, either she was whispering so quietly that I couldn't hear her, or she was just not in the talking mood.

Looking about, I noticed a spare newspaper on the other side. Since there wasn't really anything else to do, I decided to see what was going on. The front cover was talking about something that I really didn't care about. Flipping the page over, I saw said news article that voice one was talking about.

Human Saves Pony!

Many ponies of Canterlot are in shock when a human that seemed to come out of nowhere saved a mare a little after noon! The mare in question, who asked not to be named to the public, was cornered and attacked by a vile human who demanded bits from her. Another human supposedly saw this event taking place and rushed to her aid. The hero (seen above, picture taken at the scene by a bystander) was later identified as Brandon Casey. Because of such of an attack, many high class ponies are, once more, demanding the portal be closed for good, some claiming that no good can come from the presence of the humans.

Blah blah blah. It's nothing I haven't heard before. It's a shame that ponies and humans can't understand that we can learn much from each other if we could just work together. Soon, the trained stopped. As I got up from my seat, the two ponies in the back were not moving. Guessing that this isn't their stop, I simply turned and left, going from cabin to cabin, before at last, climbing out of the train. The small village was lively with the many different ponies going back and forth. Some had boxes balanced on their backs, some books, a few with saddlebags, some with nothing at all, and others were just talking. Like before, many of the ponies I passed, waved and said hello, and I returned the greeting. Some didn't, either just nodding, or giving a small smile. I counted those as greetings.

"Hey, you're Brandon, right?" I blinked and looked back, seeing a pony I've only seen in pictures with Lyra. She had a cream coat and a curly dark blue mane with a large pink stripe. Must be Bon Bon. However, that's only a nickname; her real name is Sweetie Drops. She just stood there, looking up at me with her vibrant cyan eyes waiting for my answer. "I know it's you, Lyra showed me some pictures, and we did see you in the paper today."

"Then why did you ask me in the first place?" I asked raising my eyebrow. "Let me guess... trying to not look like a creeper?"

"How did you know?" she asked, before we both started to laugh. "Lyra was right, you do have a sense of humor!"

"Eh, in the age we all live in, I think we all need a good laugh sometimes."

"Indeed. Well, if you are looking for Lyra, she's staying at my place. You can tag along if you want, I know you both have a little... date."

"It's not a date, it's-"

"Oh keep your flanks on," she teased. "I just never had the chance to do that when you two were dating."

"So... should I call you Sweetie Drops or Bon Bon?" I asked as we walked side by side toward where she was living. I only asked because I didn't want to call her by her nickname, unless she wanted me to.

"Bon Bon is fine," she answered flicking her mane a bit. "Everypony calls me that. And besides, you're friends with Lyra, so you can call me that either way."

"I see.." I answered. I looked at her through the corner of my eye. Wait for it... wait for it....

"So why did you two never get back together?" There it is.

I only softly sighed as we walked at a much slower pace. "It's a complicated situation.

"Don't you like her? I mean, you two did date before and-"

"I'm sure she told you, our friendship is more important than dating. I'd rather not risk what I have with her. And besides, I'm sorta seeing someone else."

"Oh." she said nothing after that as I sighed and said.

"What brought this up, if I might ask?"

"It's just.." she started as she stopped, looking up to me. "Lyra was all happy when she would write back to me telling me how you two were happy, and how you didn't mind her quite eccentric love for humans." That reminds me, how did she know anything about humans when they haven't existed in Equestria until recently? "She said nothing but good things about you. She was the happiest I ever thought she would be. And then when you two broke up, even though she said it was for the better, I could see it in her writing, how it affected her."

"I'm sorry," I whispered as she looks up at me. "Maybe if I didn't take her to go see my mother, maybe if I wasn't seeing someone right now, I would give it another shot."

"At least you're a good enough stallion to say that you're seeing somebody else, and not get tied up in a love triangle."

"Yeah... No offense, but I don't need that type of drama in my life; thank you very much." She laughed at this, before lightly hitting me with her hoof. "You know, she tried to talk to me about you and me hooking up."

"Wh-what?!" she squeaked looking back at me as I raised an eyebrow. "Why would she do that?"

"I don't know. You didn't hear that from me though." She chuckled and nodded.

We soon stopped at what I guessed was her home. Truthfully, the way the building looked reminded me of those homes from Assassin's Creed 2. Walking inside, I had to duck slightly, but as I looked around, the home was rather plain. Nothing really stood out. Pictures of family, a sofa, some chairs, you know the works. The sunlight coming from the window really lit the room up though. "Lyra is in her room, or she was when I left. I'll go get her. You can sit down if you want." I only nodded as I sat on the sofa, but to me, the size reminded me of a love seat.

I, thankfully, didn't have to wait very long for Lyra to walk downstairs. She greeted me with a small smile and a wave. Only, I noticed that this smile was different than it was a few days ago. Bon Bon walked down shortly after, and her face was as somber as Lyra's. I assume Bon Bon told her that I was seeing someone to save her the embarrasment. I was going to tell her either way, but I knew it would still be an awkward moment, none the less. "Hey Brandon." She masked her emotions well, but I could see right through her. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." I answered as I stood up. "It was at least nice to meet you, Bon Bon."

"You too." she responded with a curt nod. "Have fun."

The walk was silent and awkward. It reminded of the time when we returned to my house from the first encounter with my mother. Walking beside Lyra, I occasionally looked down at her through the corner of my eye, and I could see her looking back as well. "So... is she nice?"

"Yes..." I answered. "Lyra, I-"

"It's okay." she stopped me as she placed a hoof on my leg. "I'm guessing this happened a bit ago?"

"Kinda, the other night," I explained and gave her a short run down as to what I meant. "I'm guessing you read the papers yeah?" she nodded confirming what I knew. "She wanted to take me out as a way of saying thank you. It wasn't really a date, but.. well, at the end, we decided to test the waters, I guess. Kind of like when you and me started."

"I see..." it became awkward again as I went back to walking with her, before we both looked up to a voice calling to us.

"Yoo-hoo, over here you two!"

Rarity, the white unicorn was waving us over. She was wearing a hat which reminded me of a peacock because of all it's vibrant colors. I smiled and waved at her. At least this time I wasn't thinking of her as the way I did after when we first met. Lyra and I walked over to her. "Well hello darlings, are you ready for your spa day? Brandon, please, I am paying this time."

"But four people... er, three ponies and one human, isn't that quite a lot?"

"Oh heavens no," she waved her hoof at me as she chuckled softly. "They have a deal going on right now. Four ponies for the price of two."

"You kinda planned that, didn't you?"

"Perhaps." she answered with a large smile before I blinked and laughed.

"Smooth, Rarity, smooth." She only gave me a sheepish grin, as shook my head.

The inside of the spa looked like any other sort of spa I had heard about. The lobby was just a small, circular room, barely big enough to hold maybe ten ponies. After we were allowed in, I noticed the floor looked like a typical checkerboard pattern with purple and blue. A large hot tub was set near two folding screens, and then two large pools sat opposite it, two being water and the last a mud bath. The far back looked like a sauna. In the middle were a few of those massage tables. As our small group entered, we saw that there was indeed, one more pony standing in the middle, seemingly waiting, before Rarity called out. "Oh, there you are dear Fluttershy."

Fluttershy. It took me a moment to remember that I saw her at the café after Lyra and... oh god, that's why she was blushing! Perhaps she remembered as well, and seeing me caused that moment to return? Regardless, everything about this pegasus screamed cute and cuddly. From her cyan eyes to her butter colored coat and her pink wavy pink mane, I could scoop her up and cuddle her if it was.. socially acceptable. When she turned to the side, her mane's style looked somewhat like a heart.

She kicked her hoof along the ground, her eyes, locked to her hoof before Rarity excused herself and went off toward Fluttershy. "Fluttershy is a very shy pony," I heard Lyra say as I turned to look down at her. "As if the name didn't give that away."

"It's..." I started before she then cut me off again.

"Kinda cute?" I blinked and looked back down at her as Lyra smiled. "You're not the first to think that." We looked over to them, "You still like animals?" I blinked, course I did, I use to work at the local animal shelter.

"Yeah, of course, why?" I asked before she smiled.

"When she asks what you like, be sure to tell her that. Trust me." I took her words to heart, before I straightened up when I saw them coming back over to us.

"Oh.. uh.. [size=0.75em]hello there..[/size]" she spoke in such a soft tender voice, it almost sounded like a whisper. "I'm.. [size=0.5em]Fluttershy..[/size] Nice to meet you, Mr. Brandon."

If it wasn't for the fact that I already knew her name, I would've had to have asked her to repeat that. Wait, Mister Brandon? Damn, that made me sound so much older. "Uh, just Brandon is fine." I told her as she then made a small eep.

"Oh.. did... did I upset you? I didn't mean to! I uh-"

"No, no, no!" I said waving my hands a bit. "I mean, you don't have to call me 'mister'.. Just Brandon is fine, uh..." I felt Lyra kick me and I looked to her and saw her giving me a look that said "Go on, talk to her, you fool." I cleared my throat. "So Fluttershy, can I ask you something? What's your favorite animal?" I swear, it was like something lit up in her eyes when I said this, my eyebrow raising before she then asked me.

"Oh, you like animals, Brandon?"

"Yeah," I answered with a nod. "I use to work at my local animal shelter. It's where many animals go to, when they need someone to care for them." She started to hover in the air, coming nearly nose to nose with me, before she nodded her head.

"Oh yes, we have some around here. Those poor dears, they just need somepony to take care of them."

"Yeah, that's why I use to work there. But.. I couldn't... I just grew so attached to them, that it hurt when they had to go again." She seemed to nod as I saw the other mares smile before Rarity spoke up.

"Why don't we go and enjoy our spa day then?" she asked as me and Fluttershy looked to her. "You two can talk more once we are getting ourselves groomed!"

And so, we did. It was rather funny seeing the yellow mare gush about the absurd amount of different animals that she has cared for over the years. I never really have been to a spa and had the full works. Sure, my mother took me when I was a child, but I was always in the lobby or off to the side playing on my GameBoy Color or just doodling. But this felt rather nice. When that green stuff was placed on my face, cold as it was, it felt... refreshing. When it was removed, my face felt smoother. The massage, ugh, don't get me started. It was like they knew just where I was tensed the most. When they wanted to go to the hot tub, I explained that I couldn't, seeing how I couldn't simply enter the hot tub with my clothing on. Lyra made a joke of me going in nude, making Fluttershy blush and meep, Rarity to softly laugh, and me giving Lyra a one finger salute. The other two didn't know what that meant, but Lyra did, and she placed her left foreleg, in the nook of her ninety degree right foreleg and pointed the other hoof straight up. It's something we made up together.

After we were done, I was surprised to see that I was there with them for nearly two hours. Rarity made sure to pay for everything while I was busy getting the green stuff off my face. She was dead set on paying for everything, and I did agree to myself a while ago that I would let her, but still, being the male of the group, I still wanted to pay for at least some of it.

"Well, Rarity," I said, "I'll admit, that was... enjoyable."

"Just enjoyable?" she repeated as I nodded. "First time at a spa, I'm guessing?"

"Yes." I confirmed looking back at the spa. "Might go back again sometime, not really sure."

"Well, thank you for allowing me to treat you to this, as well to you Lyra."

"And I am glad to have met you Brandon," Fluttershy spoke looking up at me. "Maybe one day you would like to meet all my little friends?"

"I would love that." I responded with a soft smile as she smiled back at me.

Throughout the spa day, she grew more and more open with me, more so when it came to talking to animals. When I told her I would be attending the Gala, she told me that they had many animals at the gardens there; and that once more she would try to see if they would become her friends. It seemed she had this little gift of understanding what they were saying, kinda like Dr. Doolittle. At times, Rarity asked her to stop talking of such things, as she wanted to learn more of myself and wanted to also speak more of our pasts. I back to animals, and

Other than all this, today was a rather good day. Just as I was about to return to the train station, Rarity stopped me. "Brandon, darling, may I ask you a question?"

"You just did." I pointed out. She blinked before giving me a not amused look. "Okay, okay, sorry, but what is it?"

"You wouldn't happen to know any well-known humans of power back in your world?"

"Define known?" I countered. "As in, do I know who they are, their name and such, or as in known as in, 'hey lets go out drinking,' type. Because if it is the second, then no, sorry. Why do you ask?" She sat down along the ground, tapping her hooves together before sighing softly.

"Lately," she started. "There have been some foalnapping cases, all about different pony cities. Los Pegasus, Manehattan, Vanhoover, you get the idea." She looked away for a moment and then said. "There is even now a missing report of a mare and her colt that happened just up in Canterlot."

"That's... really bad." I agreed as she only nodded. "But why are you asking me-"

"I was getting to that. It seemed that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have been trying to ask the humans for help in locating them. Of course, sending a human team would help greatly, because of how vast your technology is, but..."

"The humans don't want to help?" I asked as Rarity only nodded.

"The papers are saying that there is not enough proof that it's really a foalnapping, the princesses are saying that it is done by either a single pony, or a small group.. but because of how wide spread the cities are.."

"I think I get it." I answered as she looked up to me, my hand under my chin. "Taking your word for it, the cities are very far apart from each other, and I'm guessing that because they are very distanced, they can't believe that it's all related."

"Correct." I started to walk away with her, going toward the train station. "But I think the other reason why they don't want to help is because of how it doesn't effect them." It was true, so far, Rarity was telling me only ponies have been taken. I bet the moment a human was kidnapped, or, 'foalnapped', we would be all over it.

"I really wish that I could help." I answered looking to her. "Believe me, I wish I could, but I feel ashamed of my own kind because of this. All throughout human history they have gone on to say, 'let us have peace, let us work together to make a better tomorrow'. And now, when there is a new world, that just gets thrown out the window!" I just shook my head before saying. "Sorry.. Can we just not talk about this?"

Rarity nodded, and we bid our farewells. I got on the train and I sat down in my seat. The soft clank of the train hitting the railing was soft, and somewhat soothing, my eyes slightly closing as I leaned on the window with my head. I barely had my eyes closed for 5 seconds before I heard the sound of an object flopping down beside me. Jerking upward, I looked to my side and blinked as to what I saw.

A small pony child, a filly, was sitting next to me, her coat being that of a deep pink, much like her eyes as she looked up at me with the biggest smile you could think of. But she lacked both a tail and a mane. I tilted my head to the side and noticed that on her head, was a bandanna. "Hello there!" she chimed looking up at me, again smiling all the while. "How are you?"

"Uhm.. fine," I answered looking at her and then about. "Are you alone here?"

"Nah-uh," she shook her head. "I'm playing hide and seek with my daddy. Well, I am, he's trying to look for me because I sneaked away!"

"Why?" I asked as she giggled.

"'Cause it's fun!" she started to go into a fit of giggles before stopping and looking at me as if studying me. "So... are you a human?"

"Yeah."

"Knew it!" she announced plopping down on the seat again. "Daddy said he has human doctor coming over to try and help me. I've never seen a human before."

"Oh." I laughed slightly before saying. "Well what do you think?"

"You're skinny."

"What?"

"You're skinny, skinny, skinny, skinny!" she answered in a singsong manner. I looked about again, trying to see if this filly's father was around, but no I didn't see anyone. It couldn't hurt to watch her though.

"Okay, so, uh," I rubbed my arm a bit as she looked up to me. "Why is a human doctor coming to see you?"

"Oh, uh... Daddy said something about me having... can.. candy.. canner... something." In that moment, my heart dropped into the void. I looked over to her and she had a forehoof resting on her chin as she was deep in thought.

"Cancer?" I asked slowly before she lit up.

"Yeah, that!"

It was always hard to see someone like this, but even more so when it happened to a child. But yet, this filly here was smiling and beaming, jumping about like nothing was wrong; it was both happy and sad. "Daddy said he tried going to many doctors to see if they could help. They said because he didn't have the bits, they couldn't do anything. But a human doctor, he came over, and he decided, after hearing from daddy, that he wanted me to go over to your world and try and help me!" She just gave me another wide smile as I just looked down into her large grin.

I don't know if she knew fully what this cancer was. It was possible because she was just so young she didn't understand what this fully meant. "Candy?" I heard the voice of a male come from the front of the car. "Candy, where are you?" he called out again. The filly, which I guess was named Candy, smiled as she stood up on the seat and looked over before waving.

"Hi daddy!" The earth pony sighed as he walked over. Unlike most ponies I have met, I noticed that his coat went down over his hooves, kinda like some people wore pants that covered their shoes a bit, and others had them above the shoes. A brown coat, covered him with a few white spots here and there, his muzzle having the largest white spot. His cutie mark looked to be that of an open book, a bookmark seen hanging off along the side. His eyes were that of a lush green, his mane a jet black, styled to be slightly messy. His tail was short, like most earth ponies I had seen during my stay in Equestria. "I was just talking to the human!" he looked up to me, as I smiled and gave a small wave and a nod of my head before he spoke once more.

"Candy, you can't simply run off like that!" he scolded the child as her ears flatten. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"I'm sorry daddy. I thought because you looked so down you wanted to play a game." I watched as his face crunched up a bit, his teeth, biting his bottom lip before sighing softly. I then spoke up.

"She wasn't bugging me, sir." I said, hoping to at least lessen whatever trouble she was going to be in. "We were just talking and you have a wonderful filly." I then pat her on the head as she playfully swatted at my hand. The stallion looked up to me and then her as he smiled a bit.

"Yes, well, thank you for watching her... uh.."

"Brandon," I said holding my hand out; he placed his hoof in as we shook once. "Nice to meet you, mister.."

"Marked Spot." he said. I kinda was getting use to the weird way the ponies named themselves. It was a strange name, but it fit him well. "Candy, would you like a milkshake?" he asked his daughter as she bounced a bit and nodded as he went into his saddle bag, and pulled out a few bits for her. Thanking him, she raced off down to another door, toward the canteen I'm guessing.

"I'm really sorry if my daughter was bothering you," the stallion spoke once more as I chuckled waving my hand.

"Nah, it's okay." I resounded "Very happy kid... even with what's she is going through.."

"She told you, huh?" he asked as I nodded. Sighing softly he sat on the other side, looking down at the ground. For a father to feel this way, it must've been hard. "That little girl is always so happy. You know the doctors said that she had only a year to live?" he then looked up. "That was three years ago. Now it's just..." he looked down again before once more speaking "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be saying this to you; you don't even care I bet."

"No, no, I don't mind," he looked back up to me. "I can't say I know what you are feeling, but if it means anything, I'm sorry for all the grief you and her must go through."

"Grief? Her?" he gave a small laugh. "She is almost as happy go lucky as that one pony who threw a birthday party for her. Pinkie Pie, I believe." He laughed shaking his head once more. "Word of advice, if she ever throws you a birthday party, never say you don't like cake."

"Why?"

"Just trust me on that. You don't want to know." He gave a visible shudder at that, before saying something about 'no cupcakes' to which I couldn't understand what he meant. "But I swear, she always tries to make me happy. I don't know if she fully grasps what is happening to her. When she started to lose her mane, she said 'at least now I don't have to wash my mane daddy,' I nearly broke down then and there." I swallowed strongly as I watched this father tell me about this.

"What of her mother?" He just looked to me, before looking away once more and said.

"I'd rather not speak about her mother," he said, with such a bitter tone in his voice. "She simply left, saying it was too hard for her, that she couldn't deal with it."

I dropped the talk after that. Soon, the small filly returned with a milkshake on her back. I was surprised how well she was able to keep it from tipping over. She was rather cute, holding the glass with her two front hooves, and slurping out the shake, before at times she would yell loudly holding her head while screaming 'brain freeze' leaving me weak on the ground in utter laughter. The train soon stopped, as the father and daughter also left the train with me. Bidding our farewells, we parted ways. "Hey Brandon!" I looked over and Nova was standing before me. "Enjoy your day at the spa?" I chuckled a bit as I pushed my hair back a bit.

"It went rather well," I admitted. "First time I've been to a spa. I use to go there as a kid because my mother dragged me there, but to be a customer for it? It's rather relaxing. I wouldn't mind to do it again."

"Even if it is only for mares?" she asked as I shrugged.

"They said the TV show 'Powerpuff Girls' was a show meant for girls, but I sure as well enjoyed it as a kid, and lots of other guys did as well." She just gave me a look, I knew of course that she didn't know of what I was talking about, but it didn't matter really, as I simply shrugged and said. "All I'm saying is, I'll admit, there are a few things in life I think should just stay within the gender it was made for. But really, some things can be loved by both, so why not?"

"What about lingerie on men?" was all she said as my eye twitched as I felt my brain shut down just from her saying that.

"Absolutely not!" I shouted. She just fell over in laughter and I facepalmed so hard that I'd probably have a bruise.

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Edited by mugoloo.