Fallen Eagle

Chapter 24: A Crystal Trip Part 1

WHOO-HOO! MAN YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! 210 reviews! I'm so thankful for this honor guys, and the fact that I have so many loyal readers warms my heart; I really feel like Jeff Gordon when fans tell me how much they appreciate my story and help me to make it as awesome as it could be. To commemorate 200 reviews in only 24 chapters (a record for me) and 200K+ words (another record) I have a treat for you guys. There's a new episode tomorrow morning, and I have TWO chapters written and will be uploaded simultaneously. Two chapters in one day? That's right, this is for all of you who have stuck by me for so long and for people who have come along later.

Thank you all so much, now how about we reply to some reviews huh?

OBSERVER01: Zombie Cougar? Interesting idea, but that idea has been done to death thanks to all the zombie movies and tv shows. I didn't want the period to be too mean-spirited or depressing.

Sassymouse: Before I reply to your review Sassymouse. *Brings out huge NASCAR Champagne bottle* CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING THE 200TH REVIEWER! *Pops cork and sprays you with champagne* You got diabetes? Well uh, if you read article five, subsection three *Runs away*

KillerWoW: You cannot escape the feels!

mlp brony fifer: I'm happy you enjoyed it. Yes, only me and my therapist knows what's going to happen next. Oop, I've said too much.

uss71832: Okay then. I wouldn't know since I'm a guy and, yeah. Chocolate solves EVERYTHING!

Gardenfairy: Well thank you! With work and my other fanfic, I do feel bad sometimes that I take long to update Fallen Eagle.

SquirtlePWN: I don't blame you for forgetting about him. I don't care if he does come back at all, but I DO know Braeburn is coming back tomorrow in a new CMC episode!

Guest (1): Thanks for the input, but yeah, not happening sorry.

Dixie Darlin: Once I saw the season 5 premiere, I had an idea for what Applebloom and Cougar could do with both Big Mac and Applejack off the farm. Originally, I had Cougar actually go with the Mane 6 and try to rescue them, but I couldn't figure out a legit reason for how Starlight could imprison him.

litestardt: I believe I said spoilers, if I didn't please accept my sincerest of apologies. And I read the trap part in Admiral Ackbar's voice.

Yo Biggest Fan: Drat, I was hoping it would be a surprise. Good call nonetheless

Guest (2): Actually, I never thought about that. I'm thinking that maybe the pads are the same color as her so no one would really notice? Or maybe Cheerilee has some extras on standby for fillies who have gotten their periods just in case.

Everyone please enjoy both Chapters I will ship out today. I only ask that you guys please review BOTH chapters, yeah it's to get more reviews, but it's also easier to get down ideas and feedback from different chapters.

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(A few days later. Cougar's POV)

After that little incident between myself and Applebloom with her first period, we spent the rest of the weekend doing our best to try and forget about the negativity that had taken place. It was easier than I had thought as we did originally what I had planned: Playing catch with apples, sharpening her self defense skills and watching movies on my iPad. Although we had smoothed things out, her words she had spoken to me still hit me square in my heart. "Ah love you Cougar," kept replaying in my mind over and over again. Of course I knew she didn't mean it in a romantic way, but the way she said it had me thinking of her more and more as a little sister each and every day. Thinking harder about it, the month was late September, and I had crashed landed here about mid to late May, four months I had been occupied in Equestria. Four months since I had last seen a person physically in front of me. I couldn't grasp how it felt knowing it had been a third of a year and I was still getting adjusted to living here, but in that time I had made a lot of good friends and made a difference in a few pony's lives. And in four months, I had developed a strong attachment to the pony that first even showed interest in wanting me to live with them.

Speaking of Applejack, when she and the others arrived back late Sunday evening, it was really good to see them. Big Mac came home from his weekend hangout with Spike and Granny Smith returned from making her large quilt. Apparently all the ponies making said quilt forgot that they had made the biggest quilt in Equestria last year right when they were almost done with this one. Not knowing the proper procedure for the breakdown of Applejack's report on her mission, I just followed Big Mac and Applebloom's lead of talking about it at supper. She went on and on about this tiny village where she and her five friends journeyed to solve a problem, only to have their cutie marks ripped from their hindquarters and replaced with an equal sign. The pony that did it was a sweet-talking silver tongued mare named Starlight Glimmer whom brainwashed an entire village to create an army. I guessed that last part as Applejack and her friends couldn't figure out the real reason Starlight had sunken to that level. From AJ's description of the village, it sounded to me like it was a village full of Greg Biffle fans, all cheering on a boring NASCAR driver and agreeing on everything, ugh. Hearing that Applejack lost her 'countryisms' was a tad humorous to me, but I didn't say anything, even when she mentioned how awful it was that she couldn't properly buck her rear legs or speak in 'country talk' as the mare also called the language.

When it was mine and Applebloom's turn to talk about our weekend, we decided to not say anything as Applebloom would tell Applejack later about her first period; it was too soon for me to relive that experience. An experience that I knew I would never have to face again. Though when Applejack did find out about everything and how I helped Applebloom get over it with the help of Lyra and Bon Bon, I got a nice little thank you in the form of another kiss on the cheek. The orange mare kept going on about how scary and frustrating it was for both myself and Applebloom. She also apologized numerous times for putting me through that situation, but I quickly put that to a stop as I explained it was what friends did for each other and I couldn't leave Applebloom frightened and in pain all alone. The only thing I didn't say to Applejack was that Applebloom told me she loved me, and I don't believe Applebloom did either. I think she never realized she had said it.

At the moment however, my mind was elsewhere as I was currently in dreamland. I was lying peacefully on my cot with my NASCAR cap on my face and my arm propped under my head as a second pillow. It was Friday and this was my day to sleep in, especially with how much slower things were with the summer work done and summer business gone as well. As the fall temperatures dropped every day, I began to shut my door at night, though my little shack still became colder every night. Applejack planned to help bring in and construct a wood stove for my shack, and of course I was grateful for that offer. In the backdrop of my dreamland, I could hear the birds outside of Sweet Apple Acres chirping away, preparing to fly south before winter really hit Ponyville hard. I groaned and turned over onto my side to get more comfortable. My red and black cap fell off of my face and landed perfectly onto the floor bottom side down. "WATCH OUT!" a shout shattered my sleep and I jolted up like I was shocked with a taser.

"What's that?!" I held my arms and hands up in a defensive stance, ready to take on whatever was attacking us. CRASH! 'Are we being bombarded?' I thought to myself as I grabbed my hat, a pair of shorts and my shoes to run outside. "Applejack, what happened?" I asked as I dashed outside and saw Big Mac and the mare in question already outside. The brother and sister duo was standing beside a pile of wagons and barrels that were no longer stocked perfectly like Big Mac and I had a few days prior. My feet came to a halt right next to Applejack while we stared at the spot where something or somepony had crash landed by the looks of it. Some dust floating in the air around the pile of wood settled back down as a pony coughed and climbed out of a barrel. A dirty blonde mane, golden crossed eyes and a grey fur coat stared at me in the face as Derpy Hooves stretched after climbing from her barrel.

"Sorry guys!" She apologized and helped put the barrels back into place, "I just don't know what went wrong," the klutzy pony explained and adjusted her mail pony cap.

"Are ya alright there Derpy?" Applejack worriedly questioned the mail carrier. The grey pegasus held her hoof up in front of Applejack's emerald eyes and waved it off. She grinned and reached into her bag, pulling out a few envelopes, magazines and a package.

"I'm as good as a lemon surprise muffin in the morning!" she cheerily brought a yellow and white muffin from her bag to her mouth and ate it in one bite. "Oh and this mail is all for your family Applejack and Big Mac," she attempted to salute the two ponies but accidentally hit her eye. "And how are you doing Cougar?" she turned to me, at least I think she did. "Staying in shape I see," she patted my abs with her hoof.

"Working on a farm will help with that," I chuckled before grabbing a five bit coin from my shorts pocket and placed it onto her hoof. "And that's for you to buy some more muffins Derpy," I scratched behind her ear. She stuck her tongue out and rested her head into my hand. Her rear leg began to kick up and down like a dog.

"Oooh, that's the spot right there!" She urged me to keep scratching.

"Derpy, don'tcha have more mail ta deliver?" Big Mac questioned, seemingly uncomfortable with me scratching Derpy's ear. Gasping and sprouting her wings, Derpy got away from my hand and got into her flight stance.

"Right, thanks Big Mac. I'll see all of you later!" She said her goodbye and took off, slapping me in the face with her wing. "Sorry!" She apologized as she flew away. Shaking my head and rubbing my face where her wing had hit me, I groaned and felt around to make sure I didn't lose any teeth; that little pegasus can pack a wallop with those wings. And between her slapping me and Luna's featherection hitting my jaw, it wasn't outside the realm of probability that I could lose a tooth or two from the wings around here.

"Guess I'd better get used to being slapped," I joked to Applejack and Big Mac. The two ponies had smiles on their faces as they each carried their own fair share of mail from Derpy. "That can be a good alarm clock, though I'm sure your barrels and wagons wouldn't appreciate that," I quickly uprighted a few more before turning back to Applejack and Big Mac.

"You done ran outta there faster than rattle snake bein' chase by a mongoose," the orange mare chuckled and nudged against my leg with her shoulder. "Did ya think we were under attack or somethin'?" She inquired while we three trekked towards the farmhouse.

"I heard somepony say 'watch out' and then there was a huge crash. It could've been an intruder for all I know," I defended my actions.

"Aren't ya a little chilly?" Big Mac pondered, pointing to my exposed torso with the mail he was carrying.

"Nah, my blood pumping from that rush of adrenaline is keeping me warm Mac," I held the kitchen door open for the two. "Mornin' Granny Smith, Bloom," I smiled at the two other Apple family members that were sitting at the table with pancakes and apples on the table. A fresh pot of black roasted coffee was sitting patiently on the counter top near the stove, waiting for someone to get a drink to kickstart their day. "Mail's here by the way," I added, shutting the door when Applejack finally strolled through. She and her brother set down the mail onto the table and Big Mac began roll call for who had mail. Rather than joining the four ponies at the table for mail call, I strolled on over to the coffee pot and poured myself a cup.

"Granny Smith, ya got yerself a letter from Aunt Apple Brown Betty," Big Mac announced, hoofing the letter over to the elderly pony. Granny excitedly cut the edge of the envelope with a pair of scissors and emptied the envelope of its letter. "And fer Applebloom, Earth Pony Racin' Illustrated with Checkered Flag on the cover," the red stallion tossed the magazine over to the yellow filly.

"Oooh, special collector's edition of his 22nd year!" Applebloom flipped open the cover of the magazine to read about Checkered Flag's most recent season. "Oh these idjits still think High Velocity is better than him, not in a million years," she shook her head, stuffing pancake into her mouth as she continued to read.

"Yes! Hoofball Monthly, this'll show Spike Ah know what Ah'm talkin' 'bout when it comes ta Hoofball," he grinned. 'It never changes,' I smiled and sipped my coffee from the counter as I leaned up against it. "As fer Applejack, ya read the paper more than any 'o us," Big Mac rolled the rolled up newspaper over to his sister who gladly took it and removed the red rubber band.

"Anything interesting happening in Canterlot or Ponyville Applejack?" I raised my mug of coffee jokingly.

"It seems Rarity's newest line 'o fashion, yer inspired Military Fashion Squad, was the best sellin' line 'o clothes over the summer," Applejack announced, "Ah don't rightfully care 'bout that, but good fer her," she looked back over at me.

"So, who got the package and who got the last letter?" I swallowed my drink. Big Mac set down his Hoofball magazine and looked at the address and names of the brown box and white envelope with what looked like glitter around the edges.

"Uh, you did Cougar, that's a first," his jaw dropped a little as he scanned his eyes over the pieces of mail. Curiously setting my coffee mug onto the counter and licking my top lip, I fast-walked over to the table and politely grabbed the letter and box from the tabletop.

"The box is from Luna and the letter is from, Cadence?" I flipped the envelope over and back, shocked that Cadence would bother to write a letter to me. "Which should I open first guys?" I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, having not gotten mail in about six or seven months.

"Box, the box. It's more excitin' Cougar!" Applebloom set her magazine down and swallowed a bite of her pancakes. Scanning my eyes around the breakfast table, the other three ponies nodded their heads towards the package I was holding in my left hand. Accepting the decision, I set Cadence's letter onto the table and took a cutlery knife from a drawer and cut the tape off. Opening the flaps, I took out a note card with Luna's writing that had a message for me.

Cougar, I came across these objects during a patrol of the river near Winsome Falls when a filly had a nightmare a few nights ago. Upon examination, at least one of these objects was not created here in Equestria, so I came to the conclusion that they must be yours that you lost many months ago. If they are, enjoy and I'm glad I could be of service.

-Yours Truly, Princess Luna of Equestria.

Setting the note card down, I reached into the box and wrapped my fingers around a handle. Tightening my grip, I pulled my arm back to see I had my combat knife sitting right in my fist. I hadn't seen this since June; it was a nice sight to see, even with the dried tree sap coating the blade. "Luna found my old combat knife, sweet!" I studied it before setting it behind me on the counter.

"The combat knife that ya used against them timberwolves?" Applejack questioned.

"Yep, only now it's covered in dry tree sap," I replied and reached my hand back into the box, having a good idea what was resting inside. My hand froze when my fingers barely touched the cool metallic surface and the smooth wooden surface of my .44 revolver. I had the urge to just take it out and look at it like with the knife, but my hand wouldn't follow the command of my brain signals. The biggest thing running through my mind was would the Apple family be okay with this 'miniature cannon' I had with me? The gun itself didn't scare me at all, but would Applejack or Big Mac be fine with it being on their property?

"Ya gonna show us what it is or are ya gonna stand there with yer hand in the box all day?" Applebloom picked up a tiny piece of pancake and tossed it my way, hitting my arm and withdrawing myself from my thoughts. My fingers finally curled around the handle of the pistol and brought it out for the ponies to see.

"My Smith and Wesson .44 calibre pistol, perfect for self-defense," I announced, holding the weapon in the air.

"Now Ah remember!" Applejack lightly slammed her hoof on the table, "that's what ya used to wound one 'o them timberwolves right?" She asked me. I set the gun down on the table top where I would normally be seated and nodded in reply. I could see from the cylinder that there were still a few bullets left as I recall not firing empty that night. Picking it back up, I unlocked the cylinder and three bullets fell out onto the table.

"Applebloom, you wanted to know what a bullet was right?" I held up one of the bronze projectiles. "This is it, just like a miniature cannon ball, only more pointed," I explained and tossed the bullet towards her. She caught it in her hooves and studied the piece of ammo with amazement.

"Why would ya need a miniature cannon Cougar?" Big Mac asked me, taking a pause from his Hoofball magazine.

"For self defense if I was ever shot down behind enemy lines and ground units would try to capture me," I explained, taking the two bullets from the table and the third one from Applebloom. Holding the three bronze items in the palm of my hand I stuffed them in my pocket and placed the gun on the counter. "I'll, take care of those later," I said and sat down to eat.

"Are ya gonna keep it Cowboy?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, but for the bullets, maybe not. I've only got three and I don't see a reason at all to use them," I cut into a chocolate chip pancake. "Maybe I'll take them apart, dump out the gunpowder and give them to a smelter or whatever for extra bits," I considered.

"Okay, but what'd Princess Cadence write ya fer Cougar?" Granny Smith downed a cup of orange juice. 'Oh Right,' I thought while chewing on my breakfast. Reaching over and grabbing the letter, I ripped off the end of the glittering paper container and dumped out the letter within.

"Would ya look at that border!?" Applebloom said with awe as I unfolded the letter, "talk 'bout fancy!" she referenced the tiny gems and crystals lining the borders of the paper with an official seal of the Crystal Empire at the bottom. Swallowing my bite of chocolate chip pancakes, I cleared my throat to read the letter out loud for the Apple Family.

Dear Cougar, Shining Armor and I had a wonderful time at the Grand Galloping Gala. You were a very humble and gracious host with a fantastic talent for music. We were more than delighted to meet you and enjoyed getting to know you, albeit as much as you wanted us to know. My husband and I had such a great time with you that we would like to personally invite you and all of our friends to the Crystal Empire this weekend for a mini-vacation. If you choose to go, have Spike send me and Shining an RSVP via fire scroll so we can get our crystal castle ready for your stay. We were hoping to welcome you to our personal kingdom to help you learn a little more about Equestrian society. Please respond soon.

-The Prince and Princess of the Crystal Empire: Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza

"How lucky can ya get? A personal invite from Princess Cadence herself ta the Crystal Empire!" Bloom flailed her forelegs around.

"What are ya frettin' 'bout Applebloom?" Applejack began to eat her fifth pancake. "Ya went ta the Crystal Empire fer the Equestria games only about six months ago," she pointed out.

"Ah know, but it was just so pretty there 'n Ah wanted ta go again," the younger pony explained.

"Uh, hate ta break this up, but wasn't this Cougar's letter from the Crystal Empire princess?" Big Mac coughed to get everypony's attention as he bussed his plate and coffee mug over to the sink.

"Oh, right, sorry Cougar," the yellow filly blushed, "what's yer answer gonna be?" she sipped some milk. Folding the letter back up, I put it into my shorts pocket and threw the ripped up end of the envelope into the garbage bin.

"Eh, I'll think about it after breakfast; I'm still pretty hungry," I explained, swirling my pancakes in the brown maple syrup and popping them into my mouth. "What?" I asked Applejack when she gave me a funny look.

"Ya really gotta think 'bout this, even after that lil speech ya gave me 'fore me 'n the girls went off ta that village?" She questioned me.

"It's not that I don't want to go," I replied, "I just want to finish my breakfast first," I dipped the last little slice of pancake in the butter and syrup on my plate. Applejack's confused and frazzled expression morphed into that of understanding.

"Oh, sorry, yer still just hard ta figure out sometimes," she gave a hearty chuckle before belching, "'scuse me," she blushed. I smiled and stood up with my empty plate and grabbed AJ's plate.

"Mind if I bus this for you?" I asked. She shrugged and allowed me to take it to the sink. "Before I give you an answer AJ, how about we visit Twilight and our friends at the castle since it also concerns them?" I suggested. "That and I might want to know a little more about the Crystal Empire," I added, running hot water over the syrup covered plates.

"Uh, sure Ah guess," AJ responded. "They might be up 'n at it by now," she pondered.

"Yeah, well if they're not, tough," I joked and picked Applebloom out of her chair. "come on Applebloom, you're coming too," I set her down and gave her a noogie. The filly giggled and wriggled away from me. "You'll see," I said to Applejack before she could ask why her little sister needed to go.

(At the Castle. Cougar's POV)

Twilight's aura dispersed from the letter as she set it down on the table in the middle of all the thrones. Spike was sitting on the floor next to Twilight's throne, his hand petting her mane and giving her the occasional hug. "Well, this is certainly strange," Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. I was sitting next to Applejack's throne with Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo all peering at the map in front of me.

"What the heck is strange about it Twilight?" I asked.

"That my sister-in-law sent you a letter inviting us all to the Crystal Empire instead of me," she replied sending the letter back to me via teleportation. "Usually she or Shining Armor would send me letters inviting all of us to their castle, or I'd send them a letter inviting them here," she added.

"Like the letter said darling," Rarity cleared her throat, gathering the attention of everyone in the throne room, "Cadence and your brother really took a liking to Cougar and wanted to invite him personally to make him feel more welcome to Equestria, especially the Crystal Empire.," she explained.

"And Cougar did say he wants to learn more about our culture and see what other towns are like," Fluttershy added her two cents. "They're just giving him an opportunity," she smiled in my direction.

"He's been here for almost five months, what else could he have to learn?" Twilight asked Fluttershy.

"The fact that I've been busting my ass to help Applejack and her family on her farm was more important to me," I replied in a 'duh' tone. "I at least know that you guys don't have near the amount of technology I'm used to, you use coins instead of bills and you have a monarchy instead of a democracy," I explained what I knew to Twilight.

"Come on Cougar!" Rainbow completely ignored the debate going on between Twilight and myself, "are you really gonna pass up a free vacay to the Crystal Empire? It's only the best place in Equestria! Right behind Cloudsdale, The Wonderbolts Academy, Ponyville and my house of course," she bragged.

"Soarin's private quarters?" Spike coughed into his fist. Rainbow's cheeks blushed a bright pink as she hid under her hooves from the comment.

"Good one Spike!" Pinkie Pie clutched her stomach in her hooves and laughed her head off. Some whipped cream from her cupcake squirted out of her nose as she tried to contain her laughter.

"Spike! Where did you learn to talk like that?!" Twilight demanded from her son.

"Rainbow," Spike pointed her out with his thumb-claw.

"Although I agree with Twilight darling, it was rather funny," Rarity agreed, suppressing a snicker. Looking down, the Crusaders were giggling up a storm. I guess they either knew about mature jokes before now or they were just beginning to understand them. I was grinning and sniggering at the joke.

"By the way," I steered the conversation back to its original topic, "I wouldn't mind hearing more about the history of Equestria and whatnot, preferably the Wonderbolts," I reiterated Fluttershy's statement. "Anyway, before I accept the invitation or not, could you guys shed a little more light on the Crystal Empire?" I requested. Twilight's eyes fell and she sort of glared at me.

"Really? You want us to tell you more about one of our fellow kingdoms, one that's run by my family might I add, and you still won't even tell us your Celestia damned name!?" The purple alicorn shouted at me. Having been shouted at my entire life by superior officers and fellow airmen, Twilight yelling at me affected me about as much as Fluttershy's normal speaking voice.

"Ya don't have ta yell like that Twilight," Applejack scolded the princess.

"I know that's a little unfair Twilight," I replied softly, "I just like to know a little more about places I'm journeying to besides the name," I folded my hands across my knees. Twilight held her foreleg to her mouth, breathed deeply with her eyes closed and moved her leg back down as she exhaled her breath.

"My apologies Cougar, it's that I've been trying to figure out more about you without more information than you've originally given us; it's been driving me crazy," she said and calmed back down.

"Apology accepted Twilight," I reached over and shook her hoof, mentally rolling my eyes. "How about this, you tell me just one thing about the Crystal Empire and I'll tell you know another thing you don't know about me, I'll even let you ask a question," I proposed to the pony. Her eyes practically exploded to the size of bowling balls as she tried to suppress an excited squeal.

"Oh great, you broke her Coug, nice going," Rainbow kicked back, crossing her rear legs and laying her head back onto her forelegs.

"What'd I do?" I asked curiously as Twilight still looked like she was about to explode.

"She loves questions Cougar," Pinkie picked up an ice cream carton and slurped some ice cream out with her tongue. "Questions about anything really, the weather, history, spells, trivia. Anything to soak up more knowledge into that gigantic brain of hers," I grimaced when Pinkie slurped up practically the whole carton in one gulp. "And speaking of brains, BRAIN FREEEEEEZZZZE!" She clutched her head and shook it back and forth.

"Okay, noted," I raised an eyebrow to Pinkie as she fell onto the floor, still clutching her head. "So Twilight," I leaned my elbow on the table as if we were both about to divulge deadly secrets, "can you tell me what the Crystal Empire is like?" I asked her.

"Well, besides the fact that everypony resident within the kingdom is a crystal pony, besides my BBBFF and my sister-in-law, it's in the Frozen North of Equestria, so if you do decide to go, you might want to consider bundling up nice and warm for the journey. Even in the train it can get really cold on the trip before we arrive," Twilight explained. "Frigid temperatures don't upset you, do they Cougar?" Twilight cocked her head to the side.

"Uh, can we get back to the crystal ponies part?" I asked in disbelief.

"What do you mean Cougar? The crystal ponies are just regular ponies," Fluttershy detailed to me, "unicorns, earth ponies, peagsi and Cadence is the only alicorn in the Crystal Empire."

"Are you saying that they're literally made out of crystals?" I questioned. Yeah it sounds pretty stupid, but after all I've seen so far, ponies made out of actual crystals wouldn't and shouldn't surprise me at all.

"Not at all Cougar," Rarity corrected, "their coats are made of the most fantastic and gorgeous crystal fur coats. They shine so beautifully off Celestia's sun that it almost destroyed me when the effects wore off all of us," Rarity said gloomily. "Luckily when we enter the kingdom, we do turn a shade of glimmering crystal for a short period of time. If only I could find a spell to make it permanent to make myself look more beautiful all of the time," Rarity sighed dreamily.

"I don't think that's possible to make you more beautiful Rarity," Spike scored a few brownie points with the seamstress. I grinned at the dragon's determination to butter himself up to Rarity. The white unicorn giggled and patted the dragon's green spikes atop his head.

"Now if you're talkin' 'bout things bein' made out 'o crystal, that's where the Crystal Empire gets its name from," Applejack looked over to me. "Every buildin' 'n structure is made from crystals. It really is a beautiful sight ta see once yer there," the orange pony smiled. Right as I was about to make my decision, Twilight tapped the top of the table with her hoof to gather my attention. Her face had a twisted smile curling upwards, and it sort of looked like the shit-eating grin of a smart-ass gameshow host.

"Okay Cougar, now would you kindly tell us something else about you?" She rubbed her hooves together, just like she was about to eat a big, juicy sirloin steak, or should I say a salad?

"Sure, I even said you can ask a question," I grinned, "though if I don't like it, I can veto the question," I negotiated with the alicorn. Her face fell into a combination of disappointment and frustration. A tiny growl escaped her mouth, though it was suppressed at the last second so keep it quiet.

"Fine," she said through clenched teeth. The princess took a breath before asking her question, "you said you were shot down during an air battle, correct?" She questioned. I responded with a slight nod, still keeping on my toes for what kind of question she had in mind. "Was this a normal mission, a surprise attack or was your country at war?" She got to her actual question. I swallowed, taking in her question as it reminded me that we were in World War III, at least the start of the war.

"We uh," I began, cracking my knuckles as I clenched my right hand into a fist, "it's a combination of a surprise attack and war," I replied. "Actually, scratch that," I revised my answer, "it was a combination of all three. We were sent on a routine escort mission when we were ambushed over the ocean," I explained.

"And you were at war during all of this?" Rainbow sat back up on her haunches.

"Y-yeah," I said. We all sat in silence as I stood up and leaned against Applejack's throne for support, trying to suppress that day. The orange mare sitting next to me smiled and softly laid her hoof onto my hand and stroked it. Her expression to me read, 'It's okay,' or, 'Ah'm here fer ya.' Closing my eyes and shaking my head, I took my hand from Applejack's hoof.

"Were you in many battles?" Twilight pressed on with further questions. I opened my mouth to politely burst her bubble, but Fluttershy beat me to the punch. Softly waving her hoof in the air, Fluttershy spoke out against Twilight's questioning.

"Um, Cougar only allowed you one question Twilight," she reminded the alicorn, "not that you're intentionally trying to go against his wishes," she tried her best to not piss off Twilight.

"No, it's fine Fluttershy," I waved her off. "I'm still not comfortable with that yet Twilight. The things I had to see will stay with me for a long time; I'm just not ready to talk about the battles I've been in. I know I sound like a wuss, but," I couldn't finish my sentence and shuddered.

"Ah understand Sugarcube," Applejack began to stroke my back, "'n y'all understand too right?" She shot a quick glance to everypony else in the throne room. The other eight ponies and Spike nodded their heads, understanding to listen to Applejack.

"Yer a soldier Cougar," Applebloom hopped up onto my lap, "that's all we need ta hear ta know how much of a good person ya are," she hugged around my torso. "'N Ah know askin' them kind 'o questions is hard fer military ponies," she added. Reaching my hands up, I held Bloom like a dog and scratched her back while nuzzling her cheek with my own.

"Awww, how adorable!" Rarity gushed. I smirked and set the filly back down next to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

"So, what's your answer Cougar?" Twilight cut back to the whole reason AJ, Applebloom and I even came to the castle. "Do you want to go with us to the Crystal Empire tomorrow or not?" All eyes once again turned back to me, waiting for an answer to give to the alicorn.

"You had me when you said the Empire was cold," I chuckled, "haven't seen snow since January when my buds and I were shipped off to Florida," I groaned while standing up from the floor. All the ponies except for the Crusaders began cheering and celebrating.

"Perfect, we'll leave late tonight so we can arrive tomorrow morning and spend the whole day with the greatest pony ever: Cadence!" Twilight hovered in the air with her wings. Stretching my back a bit, I looked down to see Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle all looking sad and depressed at not being invited to go. A lightbulb went off above my head and I bent down to scoop up the three fillies standing below me.

"But!" I exclaimed to get everyone to shut up, "on one condition Twilight. And if that condition isn't met, then I'm not going," I set forth my demands. Twilight lowered herself back down onto the floor and looked up at me. We both stared each other down, just like Clint Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars, only without a theme song or guns. And it certainly wasn't high noon.

"And what would those conditions be Cougar?" Twilight retorted with a squinted right eye, trying to intimidate me. I looked back down at the three fillies in my arms as they stared back at me, confused as to why I was holding them, but they were not complaining at all.

"I'll go only if these three bundles of cuteness get to go as well Twilight," I stated. All three of the fillies in my arms gasped excitedly and wiggled away from me onto the table in the middle of the room. They jumped up and down excitedly in front of Twilight and their sisters, begging them to allow them to tag along. Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack looked at each other and shrugged all at the same time.

"Ah don't see a problem with that," Applejack replied.

"Having my lil sis come along will just make things that much cooler!" Rainbow noogied Scootaloo's head.

"Ooh, Sweetie Belle and I can share some quality time together at the Crystal Empire spa!" The seamstress grabbed Sweetie Belle in a tight hug. "Won't that be fun sister darling?" She asked the filly. Sweetie Belle grimaced yet grinned at the same time, clearly indicating that a day at the spa wasn't really worthy of getting out of bed.

"Sure, anything to spend more time with my big sister!" she hugged Rarity around her neck. Twilight lightly tapped the table again to quiet down all three sets of sisters for her decision on whether or not Sweetie Belle, Applebloom or Scootaloo could go. This struck me as odd since the elder sisters all agreed their little sisters could go. Why should Twilight still have to make a decision on that?

"Of course you three can go," she beamed at the Crusaders. The three fillies jumped and hollered for joy at going to the Crystal Empire again. My gaze cast itself upon a lone clock on the wall of the throne room. The time read 8:53 A.M. and because it was Friday, school was about to start for the kids. Luckily, Applejack saw this as well and let them know about it.

"Oh boy!" She exclaimed, "go on 'n get yer butts ta school ya hear? If yer late, y'all can't go ta the Crystal Empire, now move it!" She ordered just like a drill instructor. Rarity's magic held the castle doors open as the kids scrambled out of said castle, leaving a tiny trail of dust behind them while they galloped their way to school. AJ laughed and sat back calmly into her throne. "That never gets old ta see them run like they got fire on their heels," she chortled.

"So, what time should we leave tonight by train if we're arriving in the morning?" I questioned Twilight. Instantly, a Ponyville train station itinerary appeared with a burst of her magic. Opening up the flaps, her eyes scanned the schedule, looking for a time in which we could leave. "Always prepared eh Twilight?" I joked.

"Well, you already know about triple-checking the double-checked check list Cougar," Spike rolled his green eyes, drumming his claws across the table.

"It looks like we can take an 11:45 P.M. train from Ponyville to the Crystal Empire and arrive at about seven in the morning," Twilight announced. "And the train cars are comfy enough to let us get some sleep so we won't miss a single moment with Cadence and Shining Armor!" She suppressed another squeal, but danced place like a kid holding in his pee.

"Sounds good to us Twilight," Rainbow announced, "I can catch a couple more naps today so I can be refreshed enough to sleep on the train car," she bragged.

"Then Ah guess we'll go home 'n pack fer the weekend, right Cougar?" Applejack lightly nudged my ribs with a wink. Thankfully, packing wasn't a huge chore or deal for me; I've lived out of a duffel bag for the past half year anyways. Just my iPad, phone, a pair of shirts for the two days, a couple pairs of socks and an extra pair of my boxers was all I needed. And I'm sure like at Luna and Celestia's castle, Shining Armor and Cadence's castle had body wash and shampoo for guests.

"Already, on, it!" Pinkie Pie grunted from behind us. All seven of us turned around to see Pinkie Pie hopping up and down on a suitcase that looked ready to burst like a volcano or a doughnut stuffed with too much jelly. "Come on stupid suitcase, you can't beat Pinkie Pie!" the pink mare groaned again, still hopping up and down on the lid. Suddenly, the suitcase exploded, sending confetti and baked goods splattering all over the walls of the throne room. Thanks to my reflexes from flying for seven years, I quickly ducked behind Applejack's throne so I wouldn't get hit.

"Aw, come on now Pinkie!" Applejack shook her hat free of cake frosting and confetti.

"My mane is covered with vanilla frosting! I need a bath, stat!" Rarity shrieked and teleported out of the castle in the blink of an eye. Rainbow shrugged it off and licked all of the frosting from her face, not a care crossed her mind.

"Oh well, I needed to do a little more cleaning around here anyways," Twilight shook herself dry in the same fashion a dog would. Spike immediately produced a dustpan and broom and began to sweep all of Pinkie's mess away.

"Maybe I should get a bigger suitcase?" The party mare had her tongue sticking out while scratching her head. "No, no I've got it!" She exclaimed, "I'll just get a more durable lock!"

"Or maybe you should forget six cakes, four dozen sugar cookies, two gallons of ice cream and a party cannon?" I suggested smugly. Normally Applejack wouldn't appreciate that kind of attitude from me, but she was a little miffed at Pinkie so she let it slide.

"Well, we best get back ta the farm Cougar," Applejack hopped down from her atop her throne. "Shouldn't take too long ta pack, then we can get some more chores done," she explained.

"I'm game for that AJ," I replied, "see you guys tonight!" I called while my friend and I were met with calls of goodbye and see ya from our seven friends. We escorted ourselves out of the castle and back to the farm.

(Train Ride, the next morning. 6:50 Cougar's POV)

'Ugh, damned this hot train car!' I thought while struggling to stay under the sandman's spell. We had indeed boarded the 11:45 train bound for the Crystal Empire and nearly everyone fell asleep within thirty minutes. Rainbow however, fell asleep in about five minutes; her snoring irritated us to the point that Twilight used a spell to lower the volume of the pegasus' voice. Twilight had informed us that after AJ and I left the castle, Spike had sent Cadence and Shining Armor a message with his green fire to let them know of our arrival in the morning. 'Can somepony open the damned window a crack?' The colder temperatures seemed like a hollow dream now that this car felt like a freaking furnace! I jolted awake when the train whistle sounded, acting like an alarm clock for me.

"Mornin' Coug," Applejack's southern twang greeted me as I blinked my eyes and yawned. "Ah take it ya slept well?" She asked me from across my seat. I responded with a nod as I was still a little sleepy and my yawning prevented speech to emit from my mouth. "Isn't that the cutest thing ya ever saw?" The orange pony asked me another question. Confused, I looked down and soon found out what she had meant.

'Now I know why it was so damned hot in here,' I chuckled mentally. Curling up all around me like puppies were the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Sweetie Belle had snuggled up against my side and gotten under my left arm. Scootaloo did the exact same thing, except she had snuggled against my side under my right arm and was mumbling incoherently in her sleep. As for Applebloom, she had latched herself around my torso and nuzzled her head against my chest, snoring softly. I felt like Dr. Alan Grant at the end of Jurassic Park with the two kids cuddling up against him.

"Morning Applejack," I finally was able to talk again. "And yeah, this is pretty adorable," I commented on the Crusaders, "though this is getting a little hot," I admitted, trying to shift around to get cooler air to my skin. Applejack hopped down from her seat, tip toed quietly to the window and opened it a small crack. Instantly my skin felt cooled and refreshed, but not too cold with my three personal heaters surrounding me. "At least these seats are pretty comfy," I leaned back against the soft padding of the bench seat. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity occupied my seat as well while AJ was joined by Fluttershy, Twilight and Spike.

"Eeyup," Applejack sounded just like Big Mac for a split second, "though Ah've been up fer 'bout thirty minutes," she stretched her body and groaned. "Ah wish we had a camera fer this," AJ pointed back to the three files snuggling with me.

"Hey Applejack," I blurted out.

"Yes Cougar?" She replied curiously.

"Did Applebloom," I tried to find the right words, "did she tell you all about our little escapade while you and the others traveled to that village?" I asked her. The mare stretched again and grabbed her hat from the hat rack on the wall next to her.

"She sure did," AJ responded. "'N Ah'm sorry Ah wasn't there ta take care 'o it," she apologized. "But Ah thank ya so much that ya care fer my lil sis enough ta help her through somethin' like that. It's not every day a boy's gotta help a girl with that particular subject," she thanked me.

"No problem Applejack, I wouldn't be much of a friend if I ignored her and let her deal with it herself," I reiterated what I had said before, yet I had forgotten to mention what Lyra and Bon Bon had helped, hence why I was reminding Applejack of the incident. "But you should also thank Lyra and Bon Bon for helping me help Applebloom," I added. "I don't think I could've gotten AB through that without their help." Applejack held her chin in her hoof and leaned back into the back of her chair. Her lips opened and closed several times. I'm guessing she was imitating chewing on a wheat stalk.

"Tell ya what, when we get back, Ah'll bake those two a few pies as a thank you," she suggested. "'N then Ah'll let ya deliver them personally ta Bon Bon's shop. Does that seem like a good idea ta ya?" The mare asked me.

"Yeah actually, do you know what kind of pie they like besides apple pie?" I asked. Applejack nodded in response as the train whistled once again. The train's speed decreased as the steel wheels ground against the metal train tracks. The combination of both noises was enough to wake up every other occupant in the train car.

"Now arriving at, the Crystal Empire!" The train conductor announced over the intercom system.

"CRYSTAL EMPIRE!" The Crusaders hopped away from me and pressed their faces against the glass window as our train pulled up to the station that was clouded by steam from the engine. "It's just as pretty as I remembered it!" Sweetie Belle squealed and did a little dance in front of the window.

"Mmm, I can already smell the train station bakery cinnamon buns!" Pinkie Pie hopped up and down in front of the door, waiting for the all clear to depart the train. I reached up into the overhead bin and handed everyone their respective bags for the trip.

"Hey, what's going on with my voice?!" Rainbow Dash demanded in a whisper, though we all knew she was trying to shout.

"Oops, let me fix that," Twilight laughed and deactivated her volume spell on the pegasus. Rainbow coughed a bit as the spell wore off before shouting with glee.

"WHOO-HOO! I got my voice back baby!" She shouted, rattling a few windows on the train. Spike walked up to Rarity holding his bag and grabbed her personal bags for the weekend.

"Carry your bags milady?" Spike offered in a very cheesy voice. The seamstress cooed and gave Spike a hug as she allowed him to carry all of her bags.

"Of course Spikey-Wikey," Rarity replied while the train conductor allowed us to exit the train. Of course, Rainbow zoomed out of the train and flew up into the air and twirled a few times.

"Oh boy it's good to get out of that train!" She exclaimed and landed back in front of us.

"Ladies and dragons first," I stood behind the group to let them vacate the locomotive. I got a thank you from each of them, mainly a hug from Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle plus an affectionate nuzzle from Fluttershy. Applebloom on the other hand, well she jumped onto my back and wrapped her forelegs around my neck for a better view. Pinkie Pie dashed away and came back with a bagful of cinnamon buns.

"Cinnamon bun anypony?" She offered while munching on three of them. Holding her bags in her magic, Twilight began to look around for either Cadence or Shining Armor to greet us. I didn't hear which one it would be. Twilight groaned and started to tap her hoof whilst staring at the train station clock. Numerous other ponies trotted by as they either entered the train or exited the station itself.

"They should be here by now!" Twilight said impatiently. "We were due to arrive at Seven 'O Clock and it's already 7:03, where are they?" She asked no one. We had all gathered at the station entrance to keep away from the large crowds boarding the mode of transportation. Suddenly, Rarity, Applejack and Applebloom began to giggle at me.

"What? What's so funny?" I asked them.

"Oh Cougar, you look so sophisticated and dapper in crystal," Rarity smirked. Looking at my arms, I was horrified to find them looking like crystals. And I was nearly see through!

"Ugh, get it off me!" I shook my arms wildly in the air. "I hate wearing a tux, how do you think I feel about this?" I asked the giggling ponies. As my skin shimmered brilliantly under the light of Celestia's morning sun, a voice called out to us, and I knew exactly who the owner of that voice was.

"Twily, gang!" Shining Armor waved to us. Twilight squealed loudly and teleported herself over to her big brother, squeezing him tightly in a hug. "Oof, it's good to see you little sis," Armor returned the hug. "Cougar, I see you're enjoying our little crystal side effect," he chuckled.

"Oh yeah, it's what I've always wanted to look like Shining," I retorted before my skin color returned to it's normal peach tone. Applebloom laughed with delight as she clung to my neck so she wouldn't fly off. Twilight released the hug from Shining Armor and gave him a kick in his shin.

"Ow, what was that for Twily?" The unicorn rubbed his leg. Twilight pouted out her lower lip and glowered at her brother.

"You should know big brother," Twilight showed him a clock, "we arrived at seven on the dot and it's already 7:05. You know how I feel about tardiness," she added.

"Well, the more time you waste berating me, the less time you'll have to spend with Cadence Twilight," the prince of the Crystal Empire smirked. Twilight's face brightened up at the mention of her sister and she squealed again.

"Then what are we waiting for?" She asked, clapping her hooves together. Shining led us through the small crowd up to the clear path that led to the crystal castle in the center of the kingdom. Rainbow held her bag and Scootaloo in her forelegs as the duo hovered above us so Scootaloo could get a better view. Sweetie Belle, for once, got to hop aboard Rarity's back so she could get a ride as well.

"Mush Cougar, mush!" Applebloom lightly kicked my shoulder blades with her rear legs.

"Hey, watch it squirt," I laughed and petted one of her legs that was wrapped around my neck. "Well Shining, I do have to say this is beautiful," I had to cover my eyes because of the sun's reflection was so bright off of all the crystal buildings. Everypony that lived here was indeed crystalized and did look pretty sweet, though that look was not for me.

"Thank you Cougar," Shining replied, "Cady and I do our best to make sure every citizen is happy and that our kingdom is clean and healthy," he explained. "Did your Prince and Princess of your country work as hard as us to ensure your fellow citizens' happiness?" He questioned.

"HA!" I replied with a loud laugh. "Good one bro, my country didn't have a prince and princess!" I wiped a tear from my eye.

"Oh, a King and Queen then?" The white unicorn asked me again.

"Uh, no," I stopped laughing, "we had a President that we elected by votes from the citizens," I explained. "Have you guys heard of a president before?" I questioned. Rainbow held Scootaloo upside down by her rear legs so she could look me in the eye.

"Duh, I'm the president of the Rainbow Dash Fan Club Cougar!" She exclaimed. Her face began to turn red from the blood rushing to her head. Rainbow quickly righted her sister so she wouldn't pass out.

"I meant presidents of different countries," I corrected myself.

"Nope, every country still uses monarchies Cougar," Applejack told me.

"Maybe we should try a voting system for leaders!" Pinkie suggested. I waved my hand in front of her, trying to tell her it wasn't a good idea.

"Sorry Pinkie, but why mess with something that's worked for you guys for so long? Don't fix what's not broken, that's a slogan I've lived by for a long time," I explained to my friends.

"Well, it didn't work so well when tyrants like King Sombra were in charge," Fluttershy replied.

"King who?" I asked, having never been told of him before.

"Here, Cady and I will tell you everything once we get to the castle and show you to your rooms," Shining told me. And with that, we entered the main doors to the castle while a pair of crystal guards held the large doors open for us.

End Chapter 24 Part 1

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Again, I want to thank EVERY SINGLE ONE of you for getting past 200 reviews. Stay tuned for Part 2 coming out MUCH sooner than you think...