Fallen Eagle

Chapter 25: A Crystal Trip Part 2

TWO chapters in one day? No, this is not an illusion, nor are you traveling through an alternate dimension. *Cue Twilight Zone theme*

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(At the Castle. Cougar's POV)

I gawked like a moron once Shining led us through the beautiful castle and into the throne room. "And I thought Luna's castle was nice," I craned my neck up to look at the high vaulted ceilings. Poor Applebloom had to cling for dear life so she wouldn't fall onto the floor. The throne room also had nice large open bay windows on the sides to see all around the kingdom, a nice touch that I wish I could build.

"Twilight!" Cadence exclaimed from her throne and glided over to our large group with her wings. Shining Armor backed us all away as Twilight and Cadence greeted each other with their personal hoof-shake.

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" The two alicorns shook their butts towards each other and giggled. I groaned and did a face palm.

"I can never un-see what I saw," I murmured. Cadence giggled again and trotted up to me with her fore hoof extended. I smiled and shook her hoof to be polite after what I just said.

"Hello Cougar, I'm so glad you decided to take up our invitation to visit our kingdom!" She greeted me, "I hope our residents weren't too xenophobic about your arrival?" She asked me sweetly.

"Well, they did kind of keep their distance a bit, but no one tried to kill me, so it was fine," I joked.

"And I see you've taken up a passenger?" The pink alicorn giggled yet again as Applebloom propped herself on top of my head with her forelegs. "Hello Applebloom," Cadence said to the yellow pony, "enjoying your view up there?"

"Eeyup, Cougar's as big as a mountain! Ah've got the best view outta anypony here!" She posed like a mountaineer that had just dominated Mt. McKinley. Scootaloo cleared her throat and tapped Applebloom's head.

"I beg to differ Bloom," she stuck her tongue out at Applebloom from Rainbow's grasp.

"Haha, I'm not that big honey," I grabbed Applebloom around her belly and set her on the ground. The filly pouted but trotted over to Applejack who hugged her. Cadence smiled and turned back to her husband.

"On behalf of the both of us, I'd like to welcome all eleven of you to- Spike are you alright brother?" She stopped her introduction speech when she saw Spike with numerous bags on his back as he stood on all fours.

"With my new muscles, of course I'm okay Cadence," Spike boasted, showing off how strong he was now in his new body. Shining Armor's aura engulfed Rarity's bags and lifted them off of Spike's back, setting the luggage down beside the dragon and seamstress unicorn.

"Yeah, Twily told us that you're gonna stay that big from now on Spike," Shining Armor smiled, "at least until you start growing naturally due to age," he added. The purple dragon folded his arms across his chest and nodded.

"Have you made any significant advances with Rarity yet Spike?" Cadence curiously questioned. Spike and Rarity looked at each other and blushed, looking back away from one another. "Just asking," Cadence stuck her tongue out at the two in a teasing fashion. 'You troll,' I thought with a grin.

"Ahem," Rarity coughed, "we are still debating on the impact it will have on our friendship Princess Cadence," she delineated, "I would hate for our solid friendship to turn sour due to a bad relationship." Spike nodded in agreement.

"Understandable," the Princess of Love and the Crystal Empire bowed her head. "Anyways, as I was saying," Cadence got back to her original point, "on behalf of the both of us, we welcome all eleven of you to the Crystal Empire," Cadence announced, "and we hope you enjoy your stay with us," she grinned, sprouting out her multi-colored wings.

"Uh, thanks for the welcome Princess Cadence," Fluttershy spoke up, or as much as she could, "but we know you. You didn't have to give us this big of a welcome," she conceded.

"Oh don't worry about that Fluttershy," Cadence's wing gently stroked the yellow pegasus' mane, "I know we don't have to greet you all like that, but it's best to keep that opening rehearsed for when other dignitaries visit our Empire," she said.

"Okay, that makes sense," I set my duffel bag down; my hand was starting to cramp being in that position. "is there anyplace where we can set our baggage Cadence? My hand is starting to cramp up a bit."

"Our maids and butlers can take care of that for you," Shining Armor cleared his throat. All eleven of us looked behind us to see about a dozen maids and butler unicorns waiting to take our bags.

"That's okay, I can take care of my own bag," I grabbed the bag from the magical grasp of a unicorn maid.

"Uh Cougar, we usually let them take care of that to feel useful," Shining whispered into my ear, "we can take care of a whole bunch of stuff by ourselves, but we don't want to make them feel ineffective," he explained. Nodding my head, I handed back my dark green duffel bag to the unicorn maid who's aura reappeared around it and suspended it mid-air.

"As for your rooms, I can take care of that!" The Pink Alicorn suddenly beamed us away from her impressive throne room. I soon found myself lying in a heap on the floor with Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle lying on top of me. The two ponies got off of me as Cadence appeared above me. "Oops, sorry Cougar," a pink hoof helped me to my feet, "I forgot you're not quite used to that sort of thing," she dusted my shirt off.

"That's all right Cadence," I waved her off, "I'm fine," I assured her. After getting the stars out of my eyes, I scanned the hallway that we were in and saw crystal doors on either side of said hallway. There were also numerous paintings and pictures adorning the hallway, some of Cadence and Shining Armor, others paintings showcased other ponies, probably past leaders of the Empire itself. Busts and statues of ponies filled in the gaps in between the doors and paintings. One set of doors in particular were much larger than the others and had pictures of the prince and princess carved into the center of the doors.

Cadence's magic glowed over the glistening handle of the door next to what I'm guessing was the private chambers for her and Shining Armor. "Cougar, you shall bunk in Captain Flash Sentry's old room," she thrust the door open and practically shoved me inside.

"Shouldn't this be reserved for your new Captain of the Guard?" I asked the princess.

"It should, but the new Captain of our Guard likes to sleep in the same room as his marefriend, so here it lies, empty of an occupant. And since you have had military experience, I felt you deserved this room," she told me. The room was incredible to say the least. A few paintings of warrior ponies adorned the walls as well as torches that shined off of the walls, making the room look even brighter. Even some old antique weapons hung on the ceiling and in weapon racks on the walls.

In the middle of the room was a huge king sized bed sat waiting for someone to sleep in it. A large ruby comforter and dozens of the same colored pillows sat on top of the large mattress. On the wall facing the foot of the bed was a nice marble (surprisingly not crystal) fireplace, though the logs were not aflame as they sat fresh and ready for someone to start a blaze. On the right wall of the room was a wide set of glass French doors that led to a fairly decent sized balcony overlooking the kingdom. A Grandfather clock chimed 7:30 on the wall next to the door.

"So, what do you think Cougar?" Cadence asked me, "is this room nice enough for you?" She pressed on further.

"It's great Cadence," I smiled, "but I've never needed a bed this big before," I jumped and landed backside down on the mattress.

"Well, I am glad you are pleased with it," the alicorn breathed a sigh of relief. "However, maybe you can invite somepony to bunk in your room if you feel the bed is too big?" She winked at me and nudged my ribs, motioning her elbow towards Applejack.

"N-no, that's okay Cadence," I stammered and coughed. I'm more than certain that a blush spread like wildfire across my face.

"Oh you're no fun," she teased me while my duffel bag floated its way over and landed at the foot of the bed. The maid bowed to Cadence and myself, standing next to the bed. "Mayflower here will show the rest of you your rooms," Cadence announced. "I'm going to give Cougar a personal tour of the castle." Twilight's jaw dropped and she dashed over to her sister as I climbed off the bed and rejoined the group.

"Aw, but I have so much I want to talk about sister!" Twilight countered. Wrapping her leg around Twilight's shoulder, Cadence embraced the smaller alicorn with a warming hug.

"And we will have plenty of time catch up on current events Twilight," Cadence promised, "but as for now, Cougar is my invited guest and I would like to give him a personal tour of the castle to make him feel more welcome," she looked back in my direction. "Right now, Mayflower will show you to your rooms and our cooks should have breakfast waiting in the dining room with my Shining Armor."

"Bye Cougar," Applebloom ran up to me and latched herself onto my chest. I wrapped my hands around her and returned the hug. "Ah'll see ya at breakfast!" She called and jumped down to follow the others.

"Save some food for the rest of us AJ!" I joked. The mare hid under her hat and flicked her tail at me, probably their version of the bird.

"Ah don't eat that much food," I heard the pony say as her voice drowned out due to the echo of the hallway and all the ponies leaving the room. I breathed a sigh and turned to the princess still standing in my room. I was a little surprised that she had shut the door instead of escorting me out to take a tour like she had said. Ulterior motives perhaps?

"So Cougar, sit down with me," she sat down on the edge of the bed and tapped the blanket with her hoof. Looking around the room to see if anyone was still watching, I slowly walked back to the bed and sat down next to the pink alicorn. I folded my hands atop my lap while the bed creaked from under our combined weight. "I promise we will get to the tour soon, I just wanted to talk to you about, well you and Applejack," she revealed her plan, folding her left wing over my back. It felt warm, yet odd to have her sitting this close to me with her wing trapping me there. I figured that was something that pegasi and alicorns did only with their intimate lovers.

"Again? I'm sorry to disappoint you Cadence, but I haven't made any progress since our little chat from the Gala your highness," I crossed my arms across my chest. She sighed sadly and shook her head from side to side, holding her face in her hooves.

"That is rather disheartening to hear Cougar, though I am happy to see and hear that you've stopped pitifully denying it," she replied.

"Pitifully? I think that's a little harsh," I opposed. The pony princess rolled her eyes and unfolded her multicolored wing from my back. "I admit I denied it at first, but what's the point Cadence? Do you have any clue how hard this is for me to accept? Back on my world I would be ridiculed and cast down to the level of sodomites for admitting I harbored feelings for an animal." Cadence raised an eyebrow and stood up from the bed.

"In our world to us, you are the animal," she said coldly. That caught me completely off guard to hear that tone of voice from her. "However, you are fairly intelligent, peaceful and reasonable," she tried to comfort me. "To me and all of your friends, they don't give a flying buck that you're not a pony. You've shown them that you are a true friend and you put their lives and feelings ahead of your own."

"So? Take what you just called me, an animal, and if AJ did admit she loved me, which she never will because she's smarter than that, how would you react? How would her friends react? How would society treat her?"

"Equestria, the Griffon Kingdom and the Crystal Empire all have very flexible laws and customs. I'm sure you know of same sex and different species couples. You even support Spike trying to win over Rarity's heart!" She broke through my hypocrisy.

"Yeah, yeah Cadence. I'm friends with Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon in Ponyville. Wonderful mares and very nice to everyone they meet. And yes I support Spike and Rarity together as a couple. But try and see it from my eyes," I put my hand on her back. "Try living in a society for 23 years where having feelings for anything other than your own species, in my case a human, results in not only harassment, ridicule, humiliation and judgement from everyone else, but also jail time and in some countries, the death penalty," I growled the last two words as if I were talking about Satan, but I forged on as her eyes continued to shrink.

"Now keep yourself in my position. Think that you've lived in an entirely new civilization akin to Planet of the Apes, and now after nearly five months, you've developed strong feelings for a native, but not just any native. The native that gave you food, shelter and friendship. Do you have any idea how conflicted my feelings are right now? Apart of me wants to love and cherish Applejack, but another part wants to kill myself for being a sick fuck. It's not all sunshine and rainbows now is it?" I said into her ear. The mare gulped and blinked several times, keeping her gaze peeled to the marble flooring.

"I-I'm sorry Cougar; I had no indication that it was that serious for you," she apologized. "It was wrong for me to judge you like that," she added to her apology. "But would some countries really kill you for that, even if the animal returned the feelings?"

"Let me explain something else Cadence. First off, yes that would result in death for someone. Various religions, including my own religion, frowned upon this as sin, and some religions had no choice but to rid the world of that sin. Second, animals in my world, did not have the ability to speak. They relied more on basic animal instincts and survival to live their lives. They couldn't operate trains or build amazing structures like my species could," I divulged. "And believe me, none had magical powers like you and the unicorns which did not exist in my world, nor did pegasi."

"Wow," was the only word that could be released from her mouth.

"I didn't mean to scare you, but I had to let you know how hard it is for me to accept these feelings Cadence," I gave her a quick hug.

"Understandable now Cougar. But I assure you that once you do let your feelings flow and you tell Applejack, you will feel much better and happier with yourself. And I will not ridicule either of you. If I may say so, you two make an extremely adorable couple," she smiled, trying to lighten up the mood which had turned slightly dark. "I also know that your friends support it on either side, and that includes the Elements of Harmony's younger sisters, Big Mac, Granny Smith and pretty much every other pony you've made friends with." Taking all of this into consideration, I tapped my hands on my legs a few times in a mini drum solo, trying to think.

"Cadence?" I finally said.

"Yes Cougar?" She replied.

"Do you know how Applejack feels about me?" I asked her. She didn't answer my question for a little bit. The ticking of the clock was the only sound keeping us sane from the dangers of silence.

"I am the Princess of Love Cougar," she reminded me, "of course I know how she feels about you," she replied. My heart stopped, the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up and my breath got caught in my throat. "Unfortunately, knowing too much about that can destroy a pony," she sounded a lot like Doc Brown, "and I cannot tell you her feelings. Some things are better left to be discovered on your own," she explained.

"That makes sense I suppose," I pushed myself off the bed and helped her to her own feet. "Now how about that tour?" I grinned at her. The mare smiled back at me and folded her wings back onto her sides.

"We shall get to that posthaste," Cadence returned to her more regal stature. "Eh, but before we do," she slowly opened the door, "what exactly is Planet of the Apes?" She curiously inquired. I chuckled and held the door open for her, allowing her to exit first.

"I'll tell you during the tour how about?" I suggested. She nodded in agreement and we set off for my own private tour of the Crystal Empire castle.

The tour was the best part of the trip so far for me. Cadence took me down and showed me the royal bathhouse for some reason, perhaps she was inviting me to use it even though my bedroom had a private bathroom. She also showed me the workout room for the guards, the watchtower, the racetrack out back for guards to sharpen their speed and agility. I also got to see an auditorium which Cadence told me my friends put on a welcome show for the wrong pony awhile back.

She also told me the story about the Empire's past, including how it was overthrown by an evil unicorn named King Sombra, and how he enslaved every citizen of the kingdom. Luna and Celestia had utilized the Elements of Harmony to defeat him and seal him within the ice of the frozen north, but not before cursing the Empire and sealing it away as well for a millennia. In an ironic twist, it sounded like Captain America's story of being frozen in the ice after defeating the Red Skull.

Cadence also went on to tell me that about a year and a half ago, the Empire reappeared and Celestia chose her and Shining Armor to be the new rulers of the Empire. Unfortunately, the Empire's reappearance had allowed King Sombra to escape his imprisonment as well and attempt to continue his tyrannical ways. But thanks to Spike and Twilight, the Empire was saved from Sombra whom had disintegrated after the battle.

The kitchen was one of my favorite things to see, or smell in this situation, as breakfast was being prepared and the chef's were making a cheese and meat-substitute omelet specifically for me. She literally had to drag me out of the kitchen with her magic as I had attempted to eat the whole thing before everyone else's breakfast was ready. I'm sure it was no match for Granny Smith's breakfast, but I was starving!

"So, are you enjoying the castle so far?" Cadence kept asking me.

"Yes, it's very beautiful," I grazed my hand across a wall. "I'm sort of surprised that it's not cold in here, though I am also glad that the walls aren't see through," I chuckled, "that would be embarrassing."

"And why would that be embarrassing? You should know by now that ponies don't normally wear clothes, even me right now," she pointed out. Had Twilight really not told Cadence about the little incident at the lake? Trust me, I'm glad she didn't, but I was surprised since she basically tells Cadence everything.

"Well, let's just say if I didn't have pants, I'd be arrested for indecency," I explained. Cadence's lips pursed as her cheeks flushed and her eyes looked away.

"Okay, now I understand," she cleared her throat. "Let us continue with the tour. This is the rotunda," she opened the door to a large circular crystal room with dozens of windows.

"And what exactly is it for Cadence?" I stood at the end of the rotunda, looking down at all of the crystal ponies that went about their business. With the sun beaming down through the crystal skylights and the windows around the edges of the rotunda, it was comfortably warm inside the room.

"Oh sometimes I use it to help me think, other times during more political meetings, Shining and I use it to discuss trade routes or treaties with other nations. And whenever we have a Crystal Ball, couples like to dance in here as well," Cadence explained. "Or if Shiny and I are really in the mood, we-" I clamped my hand over her muzzle.

"Yeah, I don't need to hear anymore Cadence," I released my grip on her mouth.

"Very well," she opened the door to her room with her magic. "Only one more stop before we can head off to breakfast," she announced.

"Hey, what's in this room?" I pointed to a door that was partially hiding behind drapes and some furniture. Deviating away from the alicorn, I removed the drapes and furniture that were fairly dusty and put my hand on the door.

"NO!" Cadence roared at me and yanked my hand away. "Do not ever go in that room Cougar," she calmed down, straightening out her disheveled mane. "Sorry, but the magic within that room is far too powerful and dangerous to be known outside of myself, Luna and Celestia," she apologized. My hand was throbbing and I rubbed the soreness away with my other hand.

"Okay, though you didn't have to try and rip my arm out of socket," I replied. Suddenly, we heard the sound of running water and clopping of hooves on the crystal floors. "Applebloom, what's going on?" I asked when the yellow filly zoomed by the two of us. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle joined in as two maids and a butler ran by me and Cadence as well with water rushing by.

"We kinda broke our bathroom sink," Applebloom chuckled before running away from the maids and butler. Cadence and I gave a look to each other before bursting out into laughter.

"I needed a good laugh," Cadence caught her breath. "So, shall we continue along with our tour?" She proposed. My stomach growled loudly, inciting another laugh from Cadence. "Don't worry Cougar, it won't take long, then we can go meet everypony else at breakfast," she advised and teleported us then the water on the floor away. Luckily this time, Cadence caught me before I fell again.

"At least the side effect isn't puking," I shook my head and pushed myself off of Cadence. "So, where are we now?" I asked. From the distance I could see, we were at the tallest point of the castle. I could see as far as the snowcapped mountains of the frozen north beyond the border of the Empire.

"Look behind you, and you shall see the pride of the Crystal Empire Cougar," her soft voice spoke to me. Turning around, I saw the pink alicorn standing beside a giant crystal heart that was spinning between a crystal stalactite and stalagmite. Cadence beamed proudly as she put her hoof on the stalagmite that supported the heart. Little streams of lights shot out of the heart several times, going out of the Empire.

"What's with the heart Cadence?" I questioned.

"The Crystal Heart is what helped defeat King Sombra a year and a half ago Cougar," Cadence replied. "Sombra's soul was dark, evil, cold, violent and selfish. It could not withstand the warmth, love and joy that the heart produces from the crystal ponies in our kingdom. The heart also acts as a defense from attackers," she added. "And when love and friendship is absorbed into the heart, it spreads the same love and friendship all across Equestria," she explained. I put my finger on my chin, taking in all of the information.

"So, what if say Sombra came back, again, and it absorbed all of his evil. Would that spread across Equestria too?" I questioned.

"Unfortunately, yes, which is why we make certain that whatever outsiders get to see the Crystal Heart checks out with Shining Armor and myself. And you're one of the few lucky outsiders that gets to be this close to the heart," she grinned.

"Well, then I thank you for showing me this Cadence," I shook her hoof as my stomach growled again. "Can we get to breakfast now?" I questioned and double checked the time which read 8:30.

"Of course Cougar," Cadence took me within her wing again and transported me from the Crystal Heart tower to the dining room.

"It's about time ya'll got here," Applejack breathed a sigh and began to wolf down her food.

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(Later that day. Cougar's POV)

After breakfast had concluded, Cadence and Shining Armor took all of us down to explore the kingdom a little more. Although everyone else had been here, the trip was for my benefit to see the town and meet other ponies. It was actually a blast to see the stadium where the Equestria Games had been held. The stadium itself looked about the size of two football stadiums, but nowhere near as big as say Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rainbow Dash had raced a few laps around the arena to stretch her wings out a bit and I got to try out what they called an ice arrow. Unfortunately, I had never received any formal archery training and missed the target by a country mile. Spike himself even told me the story of how he saved everypony in attendance from a giant icicle cloud during the games when a pony tripped over his quiver and launched an arrow into a cloud.

Once the Equestria Games Stadium was checked off the list, the Prince and Princess took us to a small diner rather than the kitchen at the castle for lunch. Since it was just a small family owned diner, they didn't have meat substitutes, but that was fine with me. Instead I ordered an egg salad sandwich with regular fries. Cadence insisted that she pay for my meal, but I took out my own bits and practically shoved them into the waitress' apron pocket. Not my smartest idea as she thought I was 'getting fresh' with her and she smacked me across the jaw. "I told her I was sorry," I rubbed my cheek in front of Shining Armor.

"You should have just let Cady pay for your meal," the unicorn held an ice pack to my jaw with his magic. "That mare sure can pack a wallop though right?" He laughed at my pain. Once lunch was done, it was about 2:30 and we were still looking for something to do. As luck would have it, there was a theatre near the diner with a play starting up at 2:45. Having never been to a play before, this piqued my interest enough to where everyone was okay with attending. The play was titled Hinny of the Hills, and judging from the poster in the poster box outside, it was a musical.

"You'll love this play Cougar!" Rarity patted my back while Shining Armor paid for our tickets, "its musical numbers and story lines are so joyous and uplifting. The play also won several Thoroughbred awards when it first came out and has been a sensation for several years!"

"I'm not really big on musicals, but what the hey," I took a seat next to Applejack and Applebloom. Going to see the play was a very good idea in fact as the songs were uplifting and very catchy that I almost didn't want to get out of my seat. I even stood up and applauded once the play was over, prompting everyone else in my row to applaud as well. The Crusaders went absolutely nuts and begged their elder sisters to go try and meet the cast. Giving in, Rarity, Rainbow and Applejack managed to keep their little sisters from rushing the stage in a frenzy. Luckily, Cadence and Shining Armor talked the play director into getting the cast to have a special autograph session for the Crusaders.

Not only did the Crusaders get to meet the cast of the play, the cast itself was pretty interested in talking to me. We talked for a few minutes while the director chatted with Rarity, something about costumes for his next big idea. Finally the theatre owner had to kick us out so the cast could have some downtime before the next showtime. We all found ourselves in the streets of the Crystal Empire at 5:00, still not time for dinner. Cadence on the other hoof, had an idea for all of us. "How would you all like a trip to the spa? My treat of course?" She asked.

"Yeah, no thanks," I refused, crossing my arms.

"Come on Cougar, it's so relaxing to soak in a mud bath and a sauna and have somepony massage your stress away," Fluttershy coaxed me. "Have you never been to a spa before?" She asked.

"No, of course not Fluttershy. Why would I want someone else touching me all over? It's kind of creepy if you ask me," I replied, shaking my head. Applebloom was interested in going to the spa as well and tried to get me with her puppy dog eyes, but I didn't budge an inch. A cyan foreleg wrapped itself around my neck, temporarily cutting off my oxygen. Rainbow Dash squeezed my neck tighter and shook me all around.

"FINALLY!" She cheered, "somepony who speaks the truth. I'm glad you see the truth about those creepy spas Cougar; who wants to have some stranger touching you for a few hours?" She asked the rest of the group.

"Hey, I find it's a really nice way to unwind after a hard day's work moving thousands of books around for mom," Spike defended the spa. I reached up with my hand and removed Rainbow from my neck before I blacked out.

"Spike, not you too!" I sputtered, "I thought you were a guy." Rarity furrowed her eyebrows at me and hmphd.

"The spa is not an endeavor just for females Cougar. Why I've seen plenty of stallions purchase memberships to get discounts on their weekly massages," the seamstress spat at me. I rolled my eyes, sighing sadly.

"More than likely scoping out mares for one night stands or a happy ending," I said sarcastically. Twilight, Rarity and Applejack covered the ears of Spike, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom at my explanation. As for Rainbow, she burst out laughing and fell to the ground, pounding away at the crystal sidewalk with her hoof.

"Is that all your species thinks about Cougar?" Twilight angrily asked, her hooves still around Spike's ears. "Just sex and food huh?"

"Some of us yes, but me, I like to think about sex jokes and keeping in shape," I replied, not really caring that she was mad at me.

"Well don't you know how completely immature it is to talk about that subject in public and how uncomfortable you make everypony?" She asked me, her eyebrows growing angrier by the second. "Maybe you need a little matureness lecture?" A scroll and a feather pen appeared in front of me.

"Now Twilight, Ah know it wasn't very appropriate, but lighten up a little," Applejack somewhat guarded me from the wrath of a boring lecture. Now Twilight was starting to annoy me.

"Something like that is no laughing matter. I had to give Spike 'The Talk' the same night he grew, do you have any idea how awkward that was for the both of us?" The purple alicorn shuddered.

"Twily, just calm down and go with Cadence and your friends to the spa," Shining Armor hugged Twilight, finally shutting her up. Pushing him away, Twilight gave her older brother a pleading look.

"You don't want to go either Shining Armor?" Twilight asked.

"Pfft, no way Twily," the white prince shook his head. His blue mane waved back and forth in front of his eyes. "As a matter of fact, I was going to invite Cougar here to join me in the workout room back at the castle. You up for pumping a little iron Coug?" He turned to me.

"Best damn idea I've heard in the past five minutes, no offense Cadence," I looked back to the pink alicorn princess whom shrugged.

"Eh, everypony has different tastes," she replied.

"Hey, count me in to that action! I could use a good sweat," Rainbow shoved me out of the way, waving her hoof in front of Shining Armor. The unicorn nodded, allowing her to join us.

"Anypony else want to join in?" He asked the rest of the group. I was hoping that AJ or Applebloom would ditch the spa and join us for a sweat breaking workout, but the only one that did ditch the spa was Scootaloo, and that was fine with me. As Scootaloo hopped over and landed on Rainbow's back, the four of us waived goodbye to the others while they entered the spa, leaving us heading back to the castle to get a little exercise.

The four of us soon arrived back at the castle where we were greeted by the two guards standing outside the main castle doors. "Good evening your highness," the guards said in unison, holding the doors open with their magic. Shining thanked them while Scootaloo, Rainbow and myself waved to the duo.

"So Cougar, did your Air Force make you work out a lot?" the prince asked me when we arrived at the private workout room where about half a dozen guards were using the various equipment. Rainbow immediately grabbed a barbell with her wings and began to pump them up. Scootaloo put on a sweatband and began to do pushups with a ten pound weight on her back.

"When I was in training, you bet they did," I grabbed two eighty pound dumbbells and began to alternately pump them. "But after training was over and I was a full-time pilot, it became optional for me, yet I still worked out pretty much all the time I wasn't flying," I replied, controlling my breathing. Shining Armor sat on what appeared to be a rowing machine and began to row, keeping his biceps and pecs rock hard. A few of the guards gave me uncertain looks which I had now become accustomed to, but one of them sneered and trotted over to his prince. He didn't even bother keeping his voice down as I could hear every word he said.

"Your highness, I rarely question the decisions you and your wife make, but are you certain you wish to open our workout room to, uh, outsiders?" He asked the white unicorn. Shining Armor set the rowers on his rowing machine back in their holsters and stared at his guard. "I don't mind the hairless monkey in here, it's just we don't normally open our workout room to anypony besides you and the rest of the guards," he added. I switched pumping up and down with the dumbbells to holding them outwards and hoisting them above my head.

"Corporal," Shining leaned onto the end of the rowing machine, "these are personal friends of mine," his hoof motioned from me to Scootaloo and to Rainbow Dash. "I wanted to loosen up a bit tonight by working out and I personally invited them all to join me since my wife, sister, brother and their friends all decided to go the spa for the evening," Shining told the guard.

"Apologies your highness, but I still maintain that this should stay a private workout room for yourself and the Crystal Empire guards," the Corporal pony firmly stood his ground. I continued to hoist both eighty pound dumbbells above my head, amused at the guard defying Shining Armor's orders.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but they're here to stay and have a nice workout," Shining said grimly to the crystal unicorn. "Any other guards have a problem with my friends here?" he raised his voice. He was met with a resounding, "No Sir!" from the five other guards in the workout room. Smirking, Shining Armor shook his head at his Corporal.

"Just throw the all the rules out why don't you?" The guard grumbled, going back to a punching bag in the corner, punching it extremely hard.

"Yo Scootaloo," I called out, "you want a heavier weight there?" I asked her. She nodded, wriggling out from under the ten pound weight and grabbed a twenty pound weight, putting it on her back and continuing to do pushups.

"How much can you bench Cougar?" Shining Armor resumed utilizing the rowing machine.

"Last I checked, maybe 250 pounds, why?" I quested, pausing my workout. The unicorn motioned with his head to a bench press sitting right next to his rowing machine. His magic surrounded the pin in the workout equipment and inserted it into the 250 pound block.

"Let's see what you got," he winked at me. I set my eighty pound weights onto the rack and walked over to the bench press. "I'll even spot ya," he added with a challenging grin. Taking off my shirt and tossing it into the corner, I laid down on the bench and curled my fingers around the handles that looked to be formed to fit hooves. Grunting, I pushed upwards with all my might, easily moving the 250 pound blocks upwards.

"Got a challenge for me Shiny?" I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Only Cadence can call me that Cougar," Shining's magic pushed downward onto the blocks of weight. I laughed as I easily countered the extra weight and pushed the weight back up. "Alright smart guy, try this on for size," Shining inserted the pin into the 300 pound block.

"Come on Shining, what am I lifting here, parchment?" I teased the prince. Sweat began to drip from my forehead and biceps as my body began to tire out, but I wasn't backing down from the challenge.

"Alright, alright," Shining finally held down the weight blocks permanently. "How about a little spar huh? If you're so tough?" He lifted me up from the bench. "Just a friendly little spar, I promise no injuries," he put green sparring gear onto his head and hooves.

"You sure about this Shining? I was specially trained in hand to hand and up close combat besides flying," I warned the unicorn as I put on orange sparring head gear and gloves. By now, the guards, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo stopped what they were doing for a workout and formed a circle around us. "And no magic, just use your hooves and your wits," I added.

"Wasn't planning on any magic Coug," Shining began to move about in a circle. I raised my fists up, ready to block a punch that came my way.

"Kick his flank Cougar!" Rainbow cheered me on.

"Show 'em what the Crystal Empire is made of sir!" One of the other guards cheered Shining Armor. My eyes locked eyes with the unicorn as we started to move in a circle around each other. I suddenly felt an immense amount of pressure on my cheek as his hoof struck the side of my head, sending me sideways and a shot of saliva spat out of my mouth.

"Gotta keep your guard up Cougar," the pony teased me, wriggling his eyebrows. "Don't keep focused on your opponent's-" he tried to explain how to fight, but I decided to make my move and punched him in the ribs. "OOF!" He exclaimed and nearly fell to his knees.

"Less talking, more fighting," I chortled. "Come on, you're the big bad unicorn and I'm just a human," I jumped around him. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were whooping and hollering for me as the guards where jeering me for hitting their prince.

"Boy, you've got one heck of a punch Cougar," Shining caught his breath and got back into his fighting stance. He then jabbed at my own gut, forcing me to dodge to the left, but he anticipated that move and he hit me in the side of the head again. This time, the guards were cheering. Instead of punching back, I kept my stance and waited for the unicorn to punch again.

"You've gotta have more in the tank than that, Shiny," I pestered Shining Armor again. He growled and tried to punch me again, but I blocked his attack with my own gloves before jabbing my glove into his cheek, sending his own flume of saliva out of his muzzle. "Keep focused Shiny, keep focused. Don't let your anger get the best of you," I danced around him as he tried to punch like crazy.

"I've never lost a hoof fight Cougar," the unicorn tried to talk smack back to me. "If you think I'll lose to you," he once again caught me off guard with his talking and got a shot in under my chin, sending me reeling back into the forelegs of Rainbow Dash.

"Get back out there!" She shoved me back in front of Shining Armor.

"Bring it Shining," I shook the pain off of my chin. The fact that I had already been punched there earlier today from the diner waitress didn't help. But I pushed that into the back of my mind and kept focused on the spar between myself and Twilight's big brother. Rearing my left fist up, Shining got ready to block it, but instead I had my right fist at the ready and punched him in the gut again. His hooves fell from the block he had prepared and I attacked.

"Good shot Cougar! Hit him again!" Scootaloo jumped up and down as I sent a barrage of punches into the side of Shining Armor's headgear and into his chest. He was 'oofing' and grunting a lot from my punches. He then raised his hooves back up to block as I continued my assault like crazy.

"Come on sir, don't give it up yet!" The Corporal pony encouraged his prince. Shining roared and grabbed my shoulder with his left hoof, surprising me enough to where he used his right hoof to take several blows into my ribcage. My body jumped with each shot as he punched me over and over again. My right arm lifted up and laced itself around his neck, trying to push him away from me, but damn this stallion could hold his ground.

"Haha," Shining chortled, "I've got ya now Coug!" He declared. He sent one final shot into my chin, sending me spinning back into the wall which I hit flat with my back. "Are you sure you're the same one who killed two timberwolves?" the stallion joked. I spat some blood out of my mouth onto the floor and cracked my neck.

"If that's what you want pony," I slammed my fists together and ran towards him. I used my left hand to punch his face while using my right hand to uppercut his gut, and this worked. His forelegs flailed to and fro, unable to block my punches at all as I kept pushing him back into his wall. The cheering of Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash and the jeering of the crystal guards were drowned out by my grunting from punching Shining and his grunting from being punched by me. I finally pinned him to the wall, still giving him jabs to the face as his forelegs became useless.

"Okay, okay, I give," Shining sputtered out in between my blows. "You win," he wheezed as I stopped my barrage of punches and helped stand him up.

"Let's sit down Shining, you'll be fine," I said to the stallion. "Hey, get us some water over here!" I barked. Scootaloo saluted me and dashed over to the mini-fridge that was stocked with bottles of water. "Drink some of this," I ordered Shining Armor when I unscrewed the cap. His lips curled around the tip of the bottle and he drank some of the liquid.

"You're one tartarus of a fighter Cougar," the stallion coughed out some of the water.

"Thanks for the opportunity sir," I quickly shared a hug with him.

"I've never faced an opponent like you in a spar," he removed his sparring gear, leaving himself with helmet mane. Though I had a gut feeling that Cadence would like that look. "I don't bruise easily, so Cady won't find out," he stood up and stretched.

"Find out about what Shiny?" Cadence's voice asked. Had we really been working out and sparring for an hour? I guess the fifteen minute walk cut into that. The pink alicorn trotted to her husband and shook her head. "You know how I feel about you sparring like this Shiny," she scolded.

"It was my idea," I lied for the stallion, hoping that Applejack wasn't around to hear that. "I wanted to show him how tough I was and he told me to not hold back," I explained. Cadence looked from me to Shining before nuzzling her husband.

"You killed two timberwolves, so please go easier on my Shiny-Whiny next time Cougar," Cadence said in a baby voice.

"Don't say that around the guards Cady," the white stallion whined, inciting a guffaw from each of us in the workout room. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash stood at my sides in victory as my fans for the moment. I dumped the rest of the water on top of their heads, telling them that they were a little too sweaty. I grabbed my shirt and flung it over my shoulder like a towel as sweat poured off me like a waterfall, making my whole body glisten.

"Cougar, are ya in here?" Applejack asked into the room. Cadence and Shining Armor parted from the doorway to reveal Applejack. She was wearing her mane just like she did at the Gala, except with her normal hat. "Rarity insisted Ah try this look again, Ah just wanted ta shut her up," Applejack rolled her emerald eyes. There was a tapping at the glass window of the workout room, causing me to turn to my left. Rarity was smiling and pointed her hoof towards Applejack, winking in the process. "So Cougar, how'd ya enjoy yer workout?" The orange mare finally approached me.

The stench of sweat and determination left my nostrils as Applejack's scent of apples and cinnamon entered. She looked incredible with her mane in that style, and her emerald eyes shined brilliantly in the lights of the room. "You okay there Cowboy? Ya didn't push yerself too hard didja?" She asked me.

"N-no, just a little sparring session with Shining Armor," I motioned to the unicorn. I could've sworn she stole a glance at my sweaty torso, but I thought I was seeing things as I had just been punched silly by a horse.

"Ya'll look like ya had fun, Ah wish Ah had gone with ya instead Cougar," the mare stood closer to me.

"Yeah well, I still wouldn't have gone to the spa AJ," I replied, wiping the sweat from my forehead. I couldn't tear my gaze away from her face; it was like looking at a face carved by angels, and it belonged to a pony.

"Are ya sure yer okay Cougar? Ya seem a little, out of it," She placed a hoof on my arm. Her hoof felt soft instead of hard like I had expected, but that didn't stop my body from jolting slightly.

"Excuse me your highness," a maid stepped into the room, "I hate to break up your conversation, but dinner is served," she announced.

"Whoo-hee, Ah'm starvin'! C'mon Cougar, let's go grab a bite!" The orange mare led me out of the workout room with the others.

---

(Midnight. Cougar's Room 3rd Person POV)

The human lay on his bed silently as a small fire crackled in his fireplace. A scowl plastered onto his face as he intertwined his fingers together atop his stomach. There was a feeling going on inside of him that he tried to keep down, but it found a way to fight back and make itself known to only him. Cougar tried and tried and tried to go to sleep, but every technique and every sleeping pill didn't help as the sandman evaded him. Dinner had went swimmingly as it was delicious and everypony had enjoyed it. What had him so pissed off was something that happened in the library of the castle where everyone hung out until bed time.

Tossing and turning, Cougar shut his eyes to try get some shut-eye, but all he saw was her. No matter what, his mind always drifted to a certain pony that he knew. Even music couldn't help drown out the thoughts racing through his mind at a thousand miles per hour. He was angry, not too livid, but angry nonetheless at both himself and this certain pony. The clock in his room had stopped chiming, indicating that midnight had arrived along with the promise of a new day. How could he let her get to him like that? He was an Air Force pilot. Physical and mental strength was his bread and butter, but she broke through those barriers as if they were made of graham crackers.

Luna's silvery moon crept though the window of his balcony doors, drenching the room and his bed in a bright hue. Cougar also felt bad that his friends tried to question what was bothering him in the library, but he ignored their offers to help. It shouldn't have been this hard to get her off his mind, but dammit every thought that appeared in his brain, she wasn't too far behind. Groaning, Cougar removed the covers from his bed and swung his legs over the side, scratching his back. He hopped down onto the flooring and his bare feet smacked loudly against the crystal flooring.

He knew that the only way to get this off his chest was to talk to somepony about it; the one pony who could help him was staying in the room at the end of the hallway. Thankful to not be scared of the dark, the human used the flashlight function on his phone to guide him down the narrow passageway in the quietness of night, being sure to avoid the statues so as not to create unnecessary noise. He prayed he wouldn't run into anyone else, especially her; if he did, he didn't know how it would end up. Cougar hadn't really talked about his feelings before with anyone, even his friend Reaper, but he had to make an exception before his brain exploded from conflicting feelings.

"Here goes," Cougar said softly as he raised his hand and softly knocked on the crystal door in front of him. The snoring behind the door stopped as a snort took its place. Fearing that the pony behind the door didn't fall back asleep, Cougar held his breath, waiting to see what would happen. The clopping of hooves on crystal met his eardrums from behind the door as the pony inside the room came closer and closer.

"Eeyup?" Applejack tiredly yawned when she opened the door. "Cougar, what're ya doin' up so late Sugarcube?" She blinked several times, trying to stay awake. The human put his phone in his pocket to not blind the mare.

"Applejack sorry that I woke you, but there's something I need to talk to you about," he admitted to her.

"What do ya mean?" She yawned again. Cougar shuffled his feet atop the crystal floor of the hallway, knowing that if he told Applejack, it could spell disaster for them. "Here, you can come in if ya want ta," she opened the door wider, allowing her friend to walk in and sit down in front of the fire on a couch.

"Are you sure you're not too tired?" He wanted to make sure she was okay.

"Yeah, if one 'o my friends needs somepony to talk to, Ah'm always there," she closed her eyes and rocked back and forth, gently patting the humans' arm. "Now, what's on yer mind Sugarcube?" she propped her chin up with her hoof. He gulped, realizing that he didn't even think of what he wanted to say to her. The human decided to wing it.

"Applejack, this is a personal issue of mine, and it was important that I tell you," he said quietly, putting his hand on her hoof. The mare blushed a bit as his soft hand curled around her hoof. "But I'm a little scared to tell you; I don't know how you'll react or if you'll even want to be my friend," he sadly admitted. This jolted the mare wide awake, sleep was completely gone from her mind.

"What? Why on Celestia's earth would Ah not want ta be yer friend anymore?" Applejack felt a little hurt that Cougar assumed she'd cease being his friend over something he had to say.

"Because I don't know how you'll take what I have to say. It's something that's been eating away at me for several weeks now, and you're the only pony I can trust to tell without freaking out," the human continued.

'Is this really happenin'?' Applejack asked herself mentally as a blush appeared on her cheeks. 'Or is this some kinda sick dream?'

"You can tell me anythin' Sugarcube, Ah promise Ah won't freak out at ya," she replied, still loving the feeling of his hand on her hoof. The distance between them on the couch began to close as they scooted closer and closer.

"It's just something that's hard to admit to somepony close to you, you know?" Cougar asked her, squeezing her hoof tighter.

'Just tell me Cougar, Ah promise Ah'll feel the same way!' Applejack shouted in her mind.

"Eeyup," Applejack responded, gulping hard when the duo was nearly nose to nose. The popping of the fire filled in the gap of temporary silence as Cougar dug deep down and revealed to Applejack what he had been feeling for a long time.

"AJ?" He asked.

"Yeah, Cougar?" Applejack's emerald eyes shined with hope and love, ready to take in Cougar's confession.

"I really, really don't like Twilight," the human admitted.

'COME ON!' Applejack roared inside her mind.

"What did ya say Cougar?" Her mouth luckily didn't sound as angry as her voice inside her head. Cougar moved away from her face, but still held her hoof in his hand for support. "Ya don't like Twilight? But why Sugarcube?" She asked with concern.

"Why? What do you mean why Applejack?" Cougar said, "she's bossy, a know-it-all, has to correct everyone on every little freaking detail, won't leave me alone because I'm choosing to withhold information from you guys, and she never, shuts, up," the human revealed the reasons why he couldn't stand the purple alicorn.

"Come on Cougar," the mare put her other hoof on his arm, "Ah know she seems like that ta some ponies, but she's really a sweetheart once ya get ta know her," Applejack tried to bring down his claims, but Cougar wasn't having any of it.

"I've tried Applejack, but that mare has a pole up her butt about twenty miles long. Does she even know how to loosen up and have fun?" He questioned the farming pony. "I-I-I just can't take her anymore. Every time she goes into her OCD mode and tries to take control of everything, I feel like punching a brick wall." Applejack took into consideration everything Cougar had told her.

"That is surprisin' Cougar, but Ah assure ya that Ah'm not mad at ya," she smiled to really let him know that she wasn't upset. Cougar looked down at her smiling face and smiled back at her. "Everypony has the right ta their opinion, 'n not everypony will like one pony," she added.

"But how will everyone else take this? Won't they think I'm a jerk for not liking Twilight? You all really value friendship and I wouldn't want to ruin anything for you guys," the human worriedly asked.

"Trust me Cougar, they're more understandin' than that. 'N besides, who said we had ta tell anypony else? This can be our little secret," she tiredly laid her head onto his arm and nuzzled it.

"Yeah, I guess I was getting myself worked up over nothing," Cougar laughed. "But she really annoyed the hell out of me in the library with her constant questions that I'm not ready to answer," Cougar said.

"If ya want, Ah can talk ta her 'bout leavin' ya alone 'till you are ready to tell us more 'bout yerself," the mare laid her head down again on his chest, her green eyes looking up at his pale blue ones. She tried in vain not to look disappointed at Cougar just because he didn't say what she wanted him to say.

"That would be nice, thanks Applejack," Cougar wrapped his arms around her body and hugged her.

"It's my pleasure ta help ya Cougar," the mare yawned.

"Sorry for waking you up though," he started to get out from under body, but her foreleg stopped him. Confused, Cougar looked back down at her, staying in place on the couch. "Is everything alright?"

"It's pretty late, ya'll can stay in my room if ya want Cougar," the mare gave him the puppy dog look that had grown accustomed to seeing from Applebloom. The offer surprised him to say the least. Staying in the same room as Applejack? Why that hadn't occurred since that night with the timberwolves.

"Well, if it's okay with you," Cougar replied nervously.

"It sure is," Applejack hugged him tighter.

"Um, do you want me to move so you can get up and back to the bed?" He offered. Applejack was far too comfortable in this position to move even an inch, but she had to give Cougar an explanation so he wouldn't feel like he was doing something wrong. "I'm fine with the couch," he concluded.

"No, Ah'm comfortable like this Cougar, if that's okay with you," Applejack bit her lower lip, unable to look at Cougar's face after she had said that. She was scared she had weirded him out and that she had blown her chances with him.

"You are pretty warm," he chuckled softly, pulling a spare blanket over the two of them. Due to how tired she was, Applejack practically fell asleep immediately. Cougar on the other hand, stayed awake, listening to her rhythmic breathing and taking in how adorable she looked all curled up like this. "AJ, if only I could tell you how I felt about you," a small tear escaped Cougar's eye as he nuzzled her cheek with his. Looking down at her comfortable face, Cougar leaned forward and lightly pressed his lips onto her forehead, not daring to even go near her mouth for fear of waking her up and angering her.

'That's probably the closest I'll ever get,' Cougar thought to himself before succumbing to the sandman finally and allowing his eyelids to close and his head to rest atop Applejack's.

End Chapter 25