(Author's note: The votes are in, I will start doing polls every other chapter so y'all can choose something to happen during the next chapters. Well, let's get this chapter going!)

Chapter Sixteen: Ceremony (Part 1)
4:24 AM

The warmth of the campfire embraced my tired body as I relaxed against a log I had pulled out from the tree line. I had woken up earlier than I expected, I should've known that would happen due to the fact that I went to bed around nine-thirty. I completed most of my morning rituals; the only thing I haven't done yet was to have breakfast. Despite lacking food, I managed to make my way to the stream to bathe without getting killed, shape up my facial hair, and find the most appropriate clothing for the ceremony.

I fed the fire another small log, making the flames crackle in appreciation as the flames touched the bottom of a tin mug with water boiling within.

On my way back from the stream, I found a White Pine tree along the way and collected a generous amount of pine needles. I haven't made any pine needle tea in a rather long time, so the outcome might vary if I managed to fuck up such a simple task.

Once I decided that the water was hot enough, I grabbed a twig and slid it through the handle of the tin mug and brought it down onto a flat rock. I then slid the pine needles into the water and waited for it to brew.

As I pertinently waited, I scanned the tree line of the forest once more; as if I knew something was to come. Even if something was out there, I couldn't see it; the sun had yet to rise.

My mosin-nagant was within an arm's reach; if anything decided to rear it's ugly head around, I would be able to remove it with a well placed shot. Unsurprisingly, my trigger finger is unusually itchy; hopefully a Diamond Dog or a Chupacabra will show up sometime soon.

Despite my adventures in the forest this week, I have yet to see another Chupa. I would occasionally find a trail of prints, pile of scat, or remains of prey; but I still haven't seen any. The Royal Guards are still dealing with them, and even though they're still getting their asses kicked, they continue to send troops. I can't really say that they're being successful; every time I would hear chatter between guards, they'd always say they got overrun.

I shook my head in disappointment at the guard's efforts. I can understand getting overrun by something, but when it happens almost every single confrontation, that's just sad. I assumed that armored horses with wings and magic would solve the problem in a flash, but it appears I assumed wrong again. It's like they haven't even fought before…

One would think that Royal Guards would be able to execute their jobs with precision and integrity; apparently they aren't what I thought they would be.

The scent of the brew alerted me of its readiness. I removed the now-pale green needles from the drink and set them aside. I gently cupped my hands around the hot, tin mug and brought the rim to my mouth. The feeling of the fresh, warm brew made me hum in pleasure as the liquid filled my mouth.

I set the mug down to admire the sunrise coming from the east. The sky was filled with brilliant colors of black, blue, orange, pink, and purple. Things like these reminded me how great it is to be alive and well. I wished I could just sit and relax, and watch the sunrise from horizon to higher and higher into the sky. But all good things must come to an end; I start heading to Ponyville. I grabbed the tricorne hat, placed it upon my head and proceeded to the dirt-bike.

<><><><><><>

I could see both Twilight and Rainbow Dash near the designated patch of trees, waiting for my arrival. I revved up the engine of the dirt-bike to gain their attention as I decrease the distance between us. The pair watched with interest as I increased the speed of the bike, making them wonder what I was going to do.

With ease, I pressed down on the brakes to slow down just a little, I then increased the pressure on the front brakes to the point that the rear tire began to rise as momentum carried to the front. I gripped the bike with my legs to help balance on the front tire. When the bike finally came to a halt, the rear tire went down onto the grass below.

I looked up to the mares I stopped next to. Twilight wore a beaming smile due to my trick, but Rainbow on the other hand tried to look uninterested; the way she eyed my bike said otherwise...

"That was called a stoppie, did you like it?" I asked the mares.

"That was really interesting Isaiah. How did you learn to do something like that on such a machine?" The unicorn questioned.

I shrugged my shoulders. "When I was a kid, I sometimes watched the older men mess around on their bikes. When I saw one of them perform the trick; I intently wanted to do it. I would always wake up early to practice on the crappy bike I had at the time. After hurting myself time after time, I finally managed to figure it out." I turned off the engine to reduce the noise. "Hell, I even remember falling off and skidding into a cactus. That hurt like a son of a bitch!"

I heard Rainbow quietly chuckling at my accident, enjoying the fact that I got hurt several times. In all honesty, some of the crashes were pretty humorous when I didn't get hurt. I did have a handful of accidents that fucked me right up.

Road rash is terrible.

I dismounted the bike and strolled into the patch of trees and hide it within a bush. I lacked any security measurements to protect it, therefore the best thing I could do was hide it away. I would be pretty pissed if someone just stole my bike while I'm away.

How could they even steal it? I know they that they could just steer it, but the ponies lacked any limbs that are capable of grasping the handle bars to control it. Magic couldn't be an option, my possessions are resistant to their magic. Riding? Well, I don't even need to answer.

"So, what's the game plan?" I asked Twilight. I figured that I would need to know what's happening.

Twilight lifted up a scroll. "Nothing much actually. Most of us packed for the trip last night, so all we have to do is gather our luggage and bring it to the train station."

Rainbow Dash let out a huff. "Train? Why can't we just use a chariot, that'll be much faster than that hunk of metal. Hay, by the time I fly to Canterlot, the train will just be leaving the station!"

"We can't use the chariots because of Isaiah's... predicament. We're unsure how the chariot's magic would work if he's on it, so it's best if we just use non-magic powered transportation." Twilight informed, making me feel slightly guilty because they're having to use a slower form of transportation.

"Why can't he just use the train while we fly in the chariots?" The pegasus exclaimed.

I let out a grunt. "Do you even know why you're going to Canterlot?"

She turned around and gave me a nasty look that seemed more amusing that intimidating. "Because the Princesses are treating us a stay at that fancy-schmancy hotel."

I gave Twilight a 'wtf' look. "Did you even tell her why?"

"Before I could even tell her, she shot back up into her house..." She answered, shuffling her hooves sheepishly.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. I then looked down upon Rainbow Dash. "We are going because the Princesses are giving me a medal in honor of my actions a while back. They both thought that y'all would like to go and attend."

Rainbow Dash only gave me a glare. Without saying an apology, she turned around and started walking to what I assumed was the train station.

"There's no need to be a fucking cunt..." I whispered.

I looked over to Twilight, she had a different look on her face.

"I wonder what's wrong?"

I started to wonder too, but apparently found my answer before Twilight could. "I think she's still mad that I owned her in the hospital. And I don't even need to add that we've been bickering between each other since we met."

Twilight let out a sigh and started to follow the rainbow maned mare's path into town, I followed in pursuit.

"You and Rainbow Dash really shouldn't be fighting with each other. It's not healthy."

"Why should I care?" I asked. The idea of fixing things between the mare and I are highly... unlikely.

I walked by Twilight's side throughout Ponyville. We gained the usual stares as always; nothing new. It would only be a matter of time before they can finally stop staring at me.

"I'm not that good looking." I joked to myself.

Twilight and I soon found ourselves in front of the train station. Twilight and her friends were chatting between each other; each of them had some sort of suitcase or luggage bag with them. Rarity on the other hand had at least half a dozen bags with her. Why the hell do they have luggage with them? It's not like they are going to be wearing anything. The tailor didn't even need that many bags; she's packing as if we are leaving for a three-week trip.

I could see some movement within the pile of Rarity's bags, the cases would shuffle and move a couple of inches every few seconds. What could be causing that?

Twilight's friends spotted us trotted up. All but Rainbow Dash greeted us with smiles and good vibe. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and even Fluttershy were giddy with excitement while Dash was just a stick in the mud.

"Are you ready girls?!" Twilight asked her friends, receiving multiple 'yeses' from the mares.

"Ooh, I'm positively thrilled to be in Canterlot once again!" Rarity chimed, eager to travel to the large city.

I once again saw something move within the pile of luggage. With curiousness, I walked over to the cases. When I got closer, they moved again.

"What the hell could be causing this?" I thought to myself.

I stepped onto the platform where the pile was on. I picked out a single large case; by the size and design, it was once of Rarity's large cases. I could hear grunting underneath it, what even was trying to move it was struggling with the weight. I lifted my left leg and used it to knock over the luggage case... to reveal something I wasn't expecting.

On the floor was something that I could only describe as a overgrown purple dinosaur, lizard-thing. The reptile had a pale yellowish-green smooth scales going from his chin, down his body, and to the end of his tail. The rest of it's body was covered in purple scales, rougher that the one greenish colored ones. The creature had green back spines going down his back, starting from the top of it's head to the end of the reptile's tail. The overgrown lizard stared at me with it's large, green reptilian eyes, as if expecting the worst for me. I'm not expert on reptilians, but it appeared to be overweight; chubby to be exact. The lizard had a short, stubby tail protruding from it's back, it gave the creature a more defined 'U' shape to it's body. The last thing to mention were they two odd scales sticking out of it's head like ears. They were much longer than the rest of the scales covering the creatures body, and the color was the same as the scales on it's belly.

When I saw the claws at the end of his hands sticking out, I instantly shot my hand to my sidearm.

"What the fuck are you?" I whispered.

Apparently Twilight heard the confrontation that the creature and I had and trotted up to us.

Before the lavender mare could say anything, I said. "Twilight, care to explain why there's a overgrown gecko trying to steal Rarity's suit case?"

The mare I was talking to let out a small chuckle. "Isaiah, this is spike. He'll be accompanying us to Canterlot too."

"Do they even allow pets on the train?" I asked.

"Hey, I'm not anypony's pet!" I heard a very young, boyish voice exclaimed. I stared down at the lizard; he too was staring back.

"Spike is my assistant, he just about helps me with pretty much anything I do when I need a little help." Twilight informed.

"And I'm not a gecko, I'm a dragon!" Spike annoyingly enlightened.

I rose an eyebrow at him. "Oh, aren't you a little small to be a dragon? Last time I checked, they were supposed to be big and intimidating."

"He's just a baby dragon Isaiah, he'll grow in time." The lavender unicorn said.

"Still, baby dragons are supposed to be bigger." I stated.

The reptile who only came up to my knees let out a annoyed grunt. He looked up at, sizing me up. "So you are the one everypony is talking about."

"Yeah, I guess I am."

Spike just shrugged his shoulders and continued to move Rarity's cases around.

I turned around to the mares to see them talking with each other. Rainbow Dash decided to come out of her grumpy mood and start a conversation with Applejack. I ignored them and walked over to a wooden bench and sat myself down.

I began to tune out the mares and started to doze off. I have a feeling that it would be sometime before the train would arrive to pick us up. I don't really care for the wait, it's not like I'm keen on getting to Canterlot for the ceremony.

The sound of Spike's movement caught my attention as he got closer to me. The way he focussed on me, he was planning to have a chat with me. Being the good-guy I am, I scooted over on the bench to give him enough room to sit. I don't really want to talk to him, but I'll give him the chance.

"So we'll be going to your awards ceremony, that's kinda cool." He said as he climbed onto the wooden bench.

"Eh, I wouldn't say cool."

He turned his focus away from Rarity and looked at me. "Why not?"

"Am not to excited for it. I did something that just about any good person would do."

Spike huffed. "Rescue Royal Guards from Diamond Dogs, do you really thing that anypony could do that? It must've taken some guts to do that all alone! Heck, last time Ponyville had a Diamond Dog problem, Rarity got ponynapped!" He then refocused his attention on the white mare talking amongst her friends. "I remember that day as if it was yesterday..."

"What exactly happened that day?" I asked the so-called dragon.

"To make a long story short. One day Rarity and I were outside of Ponyville looking for gems in a large, muddy open field. All of a sudden, as if it was a flash of light, Rarity was taken away from me. When I told the girls about what happened, we immediately set off to rescue our friend. When we finally managed to make it down into the mine," Spike began to giggle. " we discovered that Rarity managed to turn the tables on them; the Diamond Dogs were working for her!"

While I just sat there confused, Spike was in a fit of laughter.

"How did she turn the tables?"

The reptile managed to calm himself and clear his throat to speak. "She was supposed to find and dig-up gems for them. Since Rarity isn't the type of pony to do any physical work, so when she started to complain, her distressed voice hurt the Diamond Dogs ears. Soon, the dogs began to work for her so she wouldn't complain."

"Geez, I knew that her voice is annoying but not that annoying to the point that it makes the mutts change." I thought to myself.

Spike and I carried on our conversation for a couple more minutes until the train's horn alerted us of it's arrival. The small locomotive slowed down into a stop in front of the wooden platform we stood on. The service ponies on the train opened up the doors to allow the passengers to disembark from the iron horse.

As the ponies left the train, the eyed me with their big, oversized eyes. I could hear whispering between them as they carried their belongings in their grasp. They most likely had never seen something like me before and thought I was some sort of weird creature from the other side of the world.

Applejack trotted up to my side with a train ticket in her mouth.

When I removed it, she told me to follow her. As I was boarding the locomotive, I looked over my shoulder when I heard grunting from behind.

I could see Spike struggling with Rarity's pile of luggage; poor kid was having such a hard time.

The young dragon looked up to me when I stopped right next to him. "If I were you, I would just leave it all behind."

Spike gasped. "Why would I do that?"

"Because she doesn't need all that shit. Why are you even moving all that stuff, they have ponies here who's job is to load and unload luggage." I said.

"Because my wittle spiky-wiky is such a nice wittle gentlecolt!" Rarity exclaimed from behind, using baby talk.

"Ain't that degrading..."

I glanced over to Spike to see him wearing a goofy grin on his scaly face. The look he had on was telling me that something was going on between the two.

I ignored the reptile and focused on the white mare. "What's up with all the fucking bags, it's not like we'll be gone for a damn year."

Rarity tisked. "Isaiah, I must simply look my best when I'll be in the presence of the elite. So it's only acceptable to be properly prepared with the finest materials for the trip."

"Are you aware of the luggage fees?" I asked.

"Oh, I am aware. But it is worth the bits to know that I'll have exactly what I need to look my best!"

I was lost for words at how stupid she is. "You know what? I don't care, go ahead and waste your money." I nodded over to Spike. "At least help the kid. Don't you have magic that you could use to lift it all up?"

She diverted her attention onto Spike, watching as he pushed a rather large make-up bag closer to the train. "I do, but he insisted."

"Wow, what a bitch." I thought in my head.

I grunted. "Fuck it, I'm out."

I walked back to the train and showed the train conductor my ticket. She smiled to me when she returned the ticket with a hole in a squared-off section of the ticket.

The chattering of Twilight's friends directed me towards where I assumed I was supposed to be.

I frowned when I recognized how small the train carts are. My head would bump into the ceiling whenever I tried to stand up tall, the walkway was hard to pass through without bumping into anyone else. I glanced back to the mares to see them almost unaffected to the small cramped space that we are in. As if the lack of space wasn't bad enough, Rarity and Spike had yet to join us within the train cabin.

I managed to make my way towards the back of the passenger car and find myself a place to sit. I slid into the seat and propped my legs onto the seats on the opposite side on me. Thankfully, Twilight bought a special deal where she rented the car all to ourselves; so I didn't have to share with strangers.

I got myself into a comfortable position, lowered the tricorne hat down over my eyes, and set off for a nap.

<><><><><><>

I woke to the sound of the mares chatting between themselves inside the small train car we shared. I fussed, my naps are almost always ended by people of the opposite gender who won't stop talking.

I immediately regretted my movements when I tried to position myself into a proper sitting position, my body ached due to the uncomfortable way I laid on the train car's seats.

The sounds of Twilight's friends filled my ears as I sat, hating every moment of the ride. Why couldn't just make something faster or more comfortable than a train. Trains are nice and all, but they are loud, bumpy, and inefficient; too make it all worse, I shared a small passenger car with miniature horses.

In the corner of my eyes, I could see a small mass of purple and yellowish-green making it's way towards me; Spike was who it was. After being awakened from my nap, talking to someone who had the heart of a seven year-old doesn't seem like something I would want to do.

My inner monologue was ceased when Spike decided to take a seat on the opposite bench of me. I peered down at him, despite the fact that I was sitting down; almost in a laying position, I towered over him. The look he had in his eyes told me he was uneasy, which made me wonder why he would want to come over and bug me.

"What do you want?" I asked, with a small hint of annoyance.

The reptile diverted his eyes towards the passing scenery, avoiding eye contact. "I... just would to you know... talk."

I crossed my arms on my chest. "You have all those mares to talk to. Yet, you decide to talk to me."

Spike managed to look me in the eyes, holding it for a couple of seconds before staring down at the ground. "Well, there's rarely any other guys to talk to. Every time I have the opportunity to talk to one, they mostly ignore me. It gets rather boring to listen to just mares all day... It's not everyday that a new faces strolls into town."

"I wonder why..." I sarcastically thought.

"Well Spike, it seems to be that you'll be talking to mares for a long time at the pace that you're going."

He huffed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"If you're trying to start a conversation, don't give a sob story to who ever you're trying to talk to. For your lack of male companionship, you're shit out'a luck. It seems to be that mares will be the only ones who'll be talking to you for a long time."

We both sat in almost silence; Pinkies chirping was the only thing preventing total quietness inside the passenger car. I glanced over to the dragon who I was talking to, he seemed to be in thought, hopefully thinking about the words I said to him.

"What?" He said.

I resisted the urge to let out an annoyed sigh. I'm pretty sure what I told him was pretty clear.

"Let me dumb it down a little for you." I leaned in close to him, using the table between us to support my body. "I'm saying that you need to get over it. Expand the range of mares that you're talking to. If you're getting bored by them, you are most likely talking to the same mares. Are you?"

"Kinda. The girls," He nodded to the mares sitting behind us. "are the only ones that I can call friends and talk to."

"Boom, there's your problem. You've been talking to the same ponies, all you need to do is talk to others; it isn't that hard," I said.

He threw his claws up in over exaggeration. "Then that leads me to my other problem!"

"Spike, you have it SO much easier than I have it back home. Everyone here is so friendly and nice, it's almost impossible to make friends; I'm sure of it. Shit, back home, it could take weeks just to be deemed acquaintance by someone. Not everyone is so friendly to strangers dude, it's best to not to talk to anyone who hasn't shared the same walls of your colony," I commented, giving some hints of what Dustin was like.

Before Spike or I could say anything else, Applejack decided to join in on our conversation. "Howdy, mind if ah join in y'all conversation?" She asked in her southern twang.

I was glad that it was Applejack to decided to join in rather than the other mares on the train with us. She's the only one who I like.

"We don't mind at all," I scooted over a tad so she could sit next to me. "here, take a seat."

"Thank-ya partner!"

The southern-like mare slid her body onto the booth, getting in more closer than I would like; but I didn't say anything.

"Can't y'all wait? Ah'm so excited to see Canterlot once again, it seems like every time we're here, theres always something about causin' trouble. It's nice ta finally be here without somethin' that poses a mighty threat to Equestria." She then turned to me. "Aren't ya excited Isaiah?"

"About being here, or getting the award?" I asked the orange pony.

"Both."

"I'm not too thrilled about being back in Canterlot. I'm not a fan of huge cities with an equally large population; especially if the general population are stuck-up assholes who are beyond judgmental of an unneeded level. And for the reward, I could care less."

The apple farmer was taken aback. "Naw, really?"

"All true." I finished.

"Oh come on, it isn't that bad!" Spike said, unhappy of my feeling towards the city.

I just rolled my eyes at him, non-verbally telling him that I didn't care.

The mare sitting next to me shifted her body so that she could see past me and out the window. I leaned back further into the seat, allowing her to see the outer-rim of Canterlot.

After a couple of minutes of watching the scenery grow more denser and denser with building and ponies. The buildings, structures, and shops became more and more elegant as we passed by them on the rails. The ponies that we passed appeared to become more sophisticated the deeper we traveled into the capital city.

When I say sophisticated, I mean idiotic. They all looked like clowns, dressed-up in overpriced clothes.

Rarity on the other hand, had different views on the clothing they wore. The mare wouldn't shut-up as the train carried us towards the awaiting train station. She was over excited and very familiar of the fashion of the city. Every so often, she would spot a ponies wearing a specific piece of clothing and inform us about who the makers and or designer was. Rarity sure does know her fashion, too bad it sucks here.

When we passed by a shop that seemed to be a bakery of some sort, Pinkie went all spastic and instantly started babbling about the shop. She claimed that the shop had the 'most fantastically spectacular doughnuts ever!' I've never had a doughnut before, so I couldn't be the judge of that. I've only seen doughnuts in pictures and movies, they always seemed like something that could clog an artery.

I opened up the window and stuck out my head just a tad, not too far was the train station. The train's whistle blew, informing everyone near by of it's presence; as if they couldn't hear the iron horse jugging along on the tracks already.

Spike jumped off the bench that he sat on, and Applejack scooted off so that I could get into the walkway. The others followed suit. The girls began to retrieve their luggage, everyone had at least a bag or two; except Rarity. It seemed that she would have to wait for an extended amount of time for her shit. Apparently, she had so much, the crew would be needed to unload her luggage from a storage car that's all the way at the back of the train. Rainbow Dash had a single duffel bag, it's contents were mostly likely were just a toiletries.

I kinda felt a little awkward, everyone else a had a bag except me. I was aware that I would be staying at the castle or possibly at the hotel that the mares were so anxious about, but hopefully my clothes wouldn't get dirtied up during my stay. If that ever did become true, I'm sure I could wear some bedsheets and pass them off as a toga or something like that. Hell, if I really wanted to, I bet I could get the Princesses to conjure me something decent to wear.

The train slow came to a halt at the station's platform. A member from the train's crew ushered us out of the cabin and onto the platform. The mares and the infant dragon admired the city in wonderment, as if it was a utopia crafted by the gods themselves. The capital was a sight to see, but it couldn't compare to the crumbling, overgrown ruins of Dallas at sunset.

It's odd how that could be so. How a large destroyed megalopolis, slowly losing itself to the sands of time could be more visually appealing than a city that feels like it came out of a fairy-tale.

I'm pretty sure if Canterlot's architects heard me, they'd have a fuss.

Anyway, the mares and I stood on the platform, waiting for Rarity's luggage to moved onto the platform. I huffed in aggravation, why do I have to wait for this damn mare's shit? I could be almost halfway to the castle if I went ahead of them.

I walked over to Twilight. "Twilight, why do we have to wait for her damn luggage? Can't we just go ahead?"

"We'd rather stick together, it'll make the walk over to the hotel more pleasurable. Wouldn't you want to stick by your friend's sides if you're going somewhere?" She asked.

"If they're like ya'll? No." I shot.

The lavender mare looked hurt.

"Look, I don't want to wait around because an individual is holding us back. Sure, I understand the concept of being patient for a friend. But if that single friend is hold everyone back; there's going to be a problem. It isn't fair for the odd someone," I poked my thumb into my chest. "to wait around for someone who's causing such a incisiveness."

"When you put it that way..." Twilight started, but I interrupted.

"I'll see y'all later. Am going to head onto the castle and meet up with the Princesses." I said as I turned around and began to head towards Canterlot castle.

"Wait!" Twilight yelled. I turned around to see what she wanted. "I understand why you don't want to wait for Rarity. I'm fine with you wanting to go to the castle, but I can't let you go all alone in this city, I'm afraid you'll get lost."

"Get lost?" I scuffed. "How could I? The castle is almost impossible to miss." I exclaimed, throwing my hands at the massive structure residing on the mountain.

"Sorry if I insulted you. I'm not aware of your abilities to find a specific place."

I grunted. "Damn Twilight, are you saying that I'm retarded..."

She was taken aback. "No, I'm not saying that you're mentally, or possibly physically challenged. I'm trying to say that the streets around here don't lead straight towards the castle. You'll have to take a specific road from here that'll take you to another, then you would be able to make your way to the castle."

Well that kinda helped. "Thanks for the help now I-"

"Here, let me go with you. I'm still afraid that you will get lost." She interrupted as she nudged me at the leg to follow. "I also would like to see Princess Celestia personally."

I rose an eyebrow at her in curiosity. "Didn't you just go on a small rant about sticking together with friends?"

"Nah, it's fine. Y'all go on ahead, it ain't like anythin' will be happin' any time soon." Applejack said, giving Rarity a dirty look at the same time. The rest of the girls nodded in agreement except Rarity, she just turned her head upwards while letting out a 'humph'. The rest of the mares started giggling, the white unicorn just load out a groan.

"Well then, that settles it. We're leaving, lead the way." I spoke to Twilight.

The lavender mare let out a sigh as she nodded her head towards a street to our left. I followed her in silence as we passed my various shops and ponies. All the buildings we passed were well decorated with multitudes of flowers, ornaments and others things that I couldn't describe. You know that something is fancy when you can't find the right words to associate with it.

The ponies we passed watched us while we made our way around. They'd always stop or slow down, stare, them make a remark about me. Every once in a awhile I would hear what they would say about me. Strange, exotic, unique, ghastly, and even handsome were many of the murmurs I could hear from them. I seriously don't know why they said handsome...

"Well, I am handsome after all..." I joked.

Twilight and I continued to twist and turn around the city streets. Every so often, a pony would wave a hoof at Twilight, which she would return back.

After the fifth wave I said. "Quite the popular one around here ain't ya?"

The mare flicked her purple eyes at me. "No, not really. I know the ponies that waved to me, I used to live here you know?"

"Oh really?" I shrugged my shoulders. "I kinda figured that, after all, you are Princess Celestia's student."

"That's right." She smiled.

A series of questions began to flood my mind, and Twilight just might be that mare to answer them.

"Say Twilight, you've grown up with the Princesses your entire life, right?" I asked.

"Yes, but just Princesses Celestia. Princesses just recently returned from her... banishment." She began to slow her pace. "Haven't I told you about what Princess Luna did?"

"No you haven't, but don't worry, Luna herself personally told me."

Twilight didn't say anything.

"It's a shame that a lovely girl like Luna had to go through something like what she had gone through..." I looked down at Twilight. "All she wanted was a gratification for her night."

"I know. I couldn't think of what she gone through on her time on the moon." Twilight added.

The situation had become depressing. While I did want to talk about the Princesses, I wasn't planning on talking about just Luna and her... past.

"Mind if we slightly change the subject?" I asked Twilight.

"... I don't mind at all."

Okay, second question. "Does that Princesses have anybody that they are close to, friends, family, anything of that sort?"

The mare's face was scrunched up a bit as she thought. She broke the complexion after a brief moment of silence. "I honestly don't know. Besides Cadence, Shining Armor, Blueblood, and I, we are the only ponies they talk to on a personal level. I'm not sure if they talk to anypony else. What makes you ask?"

I wasn't to keen on telling her everything that happened last night. But she wanted an answer, truthfully she might prefer.

"The other day, I invited the Princesses over at my shelter to hangout, surprisingly enough, they took up my offer." Twilight let out a gasp, stopping me for a moment. I gave her an odd look and continued. "After a while, we became kinda close in my opinion, we joked, we played, watched movies, listened to music, basically everything that good friends do together."

"Wow, I would never suspected that from them..." Twilight whispered.

"This is when it gets... strange. When we were saying goodbye, they started getting all... emotional on me. I'm not saying that it upset me; it caught me off guard is all."

"What did you say?"

I started to replay the events in my mind.

The awkward feelings.

The hugs.

The words we exchanged.

The...kisses they gave me.

"I remembered they asked how they could thank me for being so kind to them. Then I said 'by being my friend', that's when they started to get emotional on me.

I glanced down at Twilight, only to find her lost for words. It must be unheard of the Princesses to act the way they did; especially Twilight, she did grow-up with Celestia her whole life. Was that strange to her?

"What happened after that?" She quietly asked.

"Er- I'm not going to say..." I denied.

"Well, this is something I'm going to have to ask the princesses about."

I shook my head. "Oh no you don't! Telling you about some of the things that happened would piss the Princesses off. Even talking about it is pushing it."

"Then why are you asking these questions?" Twilight argued.

"I-I would like to know about the Princesses a little more. That's all." I confessed.

Twilight and I took a left onto a large, open cobblestone road that lead to the gatehouse of the castle.

"If you want some answers, then why not personally ask them your self?"

I huffed. "I would like to hear what others have to say about the Princesses. Honest."

"Bu-" She started.

"You know what? Let's end this conversation." I asserted as the distance between us and the castle dwindled.

<><><><><><>

Twilight and I stood inside the throne room, patiently waiting for the Royal sisters. Twilight appeared to be more excited than I was; after all, Princess Celestia pretty much raised her as if she was her daughter.

The throne room that were inside was different from the last time I was here. The platform where the Princesses would sit had a large altar; kinda like the ones that you'd see at a church. Instead of it having any signs of religious markings or emblems, the altar was a large elegant marble slab, supported by crystal white columns. There were golden outlining on both the edges on the marble slab and the spirals of the column. Decorative patterns were chiseled into the edges of the marble; I couldn't see any fine details, it's too far away to see. A large, rectangular, red piece of silk with golden lace covered the altar long ways; not only to providing good looks, but protecting the altar from scratches too. Two semi-large silver vases were placed at the long ends of the slab, both had an array of blooming flowers within.

My admiration towards the altar was ceased when the doors to the throne room opened to reveal Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They gave Twilight and I friendly smiles as we closed the distance in-between us. Each step I took, I could feel the charismatic air that they carried with them increase.

Before I could say anything, Twilight lurched forward and gave Celestia a tight hug. I only gave the unicorn an odd look as her teacher returned it. I glanced at Luna to see her standing alone, watching me, expecting something.

"Howdy Luna, how's it going?" I greeted.

"So-so, how about you? Is everything well Isaiah?" The dark blue alicorn asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "It's been alright, if I do say so myself."

I looked over at the other sister to say my greetings, but Twilight was still occupying her. The student was still giddily chatting with her mentor avidly. The solar Princess managed to make brief eye-contact with me, she could only give me an apologetic look as I waited for Twilight to calm down. Twilight's behavior reminded me how a dog would act whenever it would be reunited with it's master after a long absence.

Princess Luna cleared her throat, catching Twilight's attention; making her stop.

The unicorn's cheeks blushed when she realized what she was doing. "Oh, sorry. I kinda got a little excited."

"No shit."

"That's quite alright Twilight." Celestia reassured as she focused her rosy-pink eyes on me. "Hello Isaiah, how have you been?" She asked.

"Alright. And you?"

"I'm feeling great, it's not everyday that I get to see my favorite student and human." She cooed, making Twilight nuzzle her leg.

I casually rolled my eyes at her, electing a giggle from her.

Celestia's giggling made me smile, I don't know how, but it mostly does.

I clapped my hands together, gaining the mares attention. "So, anybody care to tell me what's going on today? This talk about the ceremony has been bugging me for the last two days. Not only do I insist not doing it, I'm still in the dark of what needs to be done. I'm assuming that it's going to be a carefully planned event with some lines that need to be said along the way, right?"

"I was about to tell you. Sister, aren't Cadence and Shining Armor waiting to see Twilight?" Luna asked her older sibling.

The white alicorn nodded her head. "That is right my dear sister. Twilight, follow me will you?"

Like a dog, Twilight followed her master.

The absence of the Solar Princess and the unicorn left Luna and I alone in the throne room. I smiled down upon Luna, she smiled back. The Princess began to giggle.

"What's so funny?"

The mare stopped, and smirked at me. Her horn let up in it's bluish hue. I noticed the brim of my hat caught in her magic. Luna then pulled the hat down over my eyes; obscuring my vision of the giggling Princess.

I only shook my head with a light-hearted smile. "Ha-ha, very funny princess..."

I was tempted to do something to her crown; but decided against it. Someone like me, touching the royal regalia would piss her off. Princess Luna's status once again saved her from me.

"Is thou excited for thy ceremony?" She asked, using the Royal We.

Her old speak made me grin. "No, not really. I'm not too thrilled about getting recognition for what I did."

My answer didn't suffice for her. "We apologize that thou is receiving general interest by the Royal Guard and the Canterlot Council. They would like to hear more about thou."

I rolled my eyes. "But, you still insist despite the fact that I don't want to."

"That we do. Fret not my friend, the ceremony will only last for a short time." The Princess said while nudging me with her leg to follow her.

The both of us were heading for the large main entrance of the throne room. When we were a spitting distance away, I broke ahead and opened it for her.

"We thank thee, my little human." She said, obviously trying to mess around with me.

"My little human, really?"

The Princess of the Night cleared her throat. "To answer your original question before Twilight Sparkle and Celestia left. The ceremony will began at twelve. From there, the award ceremony will last for an estimated twenty to thirty minutes. First, we will be introducing thou to those who will be attending, it will be the quickest part but also be one of the most crucial."

"Crucial? Why would that be?" I asked her.

"Because, this will be the first time that Officers of the Canterlot Guard and The Canterlot Counsel will see thou. Very few of them know thou, from what they have learned, they believe that thou are a savage character with a most unusual predicament. As soon as thou step-up to introduce thyself, they'll be silently judging thou from start to end. But listen closely Isaiah, don't let them intimate thou, we assure that thou will be fine." She answered.

"So..." I started. "You're pretty much saying that I shouldn't make a fool out'a myself when I go up to speak?"

"We believe that thou is correct. Now wilt thou let us finish our explanation of the ceremony?" Luna questioned while eyeing me with a slight rise of an eyebrow.

I nodded my head.

"As I was saying. First will be the introduction of thyself. Next, some of the guards who were present will share a few words; only one of the guards that thou rescued will be sharing what they have to say. Then, Celestia and I will award thou with the medal. Not only will this be the most important, it will also be the longest. Tia and I shall give a speech in thou honor for an estimated time of ten minutes. And finally, thou will give an acceptance speech that will need to last for more than three minutes." The Princess informed.

I huffed. "With all of this talk of time requirements and estimations, it's like we're on a schedule or something along the lines of that. All of what you told me sounds like it won't be a problem; except when the guards go and share what they have to say."

"How would that be?"

"When Twilight and some her friends asked what I did that deserved an award, I lied to them. I figured that they'd panic and cause a scene that would land me a bad reputation. They seem so innocent, how would they understand that my decisions were justified? It would be highly unlikely for them to accept what I had done."

Princess Luna slowed down to a stop and brought a hoof up to chin in thought. "Thine lie might of seemed right at the time, but now, it's going be an unsettling reveal to the elements. We can understand why thou would of strayed away from the truth when they asked such a question. But, it would of been wise to wait until my sister and I could explain."

"Wait until you and Celestia could explain? How was I supposed to know or stall them?!" I half-yelled at her in confusion.

"Settle down Isaiah." She advised. "Once the rest of the elements join us before the ceremony, we'll tell them the truth."

I shook my head even though there wasn't a better option. It's going to be a pain in the ass whenever meet each other again in the future. I could care less about what they'd think about me, I'm just worried about if they are going to go around and tell everyone else what I had done. If they do, then I'll be getting the attention that I've been trying to avoid.

The alicorn noticed my mood. "Cheer-up my friend, we've been told that the after ceremony will be quite enjoyable. Not only will thou be able to intermingle will the ponies that will be attending the ceremony, lunch will also be served for everypony to enjoy; in your honor of course."

"What happens when everything is over, I'm I supposed to go with Twilight and her friends to that hotel that they were so anxious to stay at?"

"No, you don't have to if you don't want to."

"I'm assuming that I'm staying over night, right?"

She silently nodded her head. "If you want. We can't keep you here against your will."

The Princess and I found ourselves going up a large staircase leading towards an unknown location. The stairs were like the ones found at the entrance of the castle; low and not too steep like the ones built on earth. Each step was covered in a single large, red stair runner going up and up the incline.

I silently followed the Princess from behind; listening quietly as she talked about what was to come in the upcoming hour. She sounded excited for the ceremony.

I happily listened; I liked the sound of her voice.

Luna continued to lead me up the stairs and into a long, grand hallway with large columns that matches the ones found at the throne room.

"Luna, where are you taking me, shouldn't we be staying at the throne room incase Celestia comes looking for us?"

"Worry not Isaiah," She chimed. "I'm taking thou to our study. Celestia is there, same with the elements, Cadence and Shining Armor are there too."

I looked at her skeptically. "How do you know that?"

"We can sense their magical presence." She confessed.

I let out a low whistle. "Ain't that fancy. It's like spidey senses, but cooler."

Princess Luna gave me a confused look. "Spidy senses? What's that?"

"Er- it's nothing important. It's a superhero reference from my world."

We stood at a golden door with the unreadable language that they call equestrian. The door didn't seem too special; just a large golden door with very little decor along the edges. Behind, I could hear voices within, probably the ponies that Luna had listed not too long ago.

Luna's magical aura engulfed the door and pulled it open to reveal the individuals within. I could feel all of the eyes on me past the doorway. The alicorn of the night's hoof nudged me forward it to the study.

I quickly glazed my eyes over the room. Books, and scrolls lines the shelves that covered the walls. There's probably thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of books within the room that I stood in. A large, unlit fireplace was built between a pair of large bookshelves. The cobblestone chimney rose high along the wall until it ceased at the ceiling. I could see a balcony with a small telescope pointing down at a would be location. The view that I could see was unknown to me, I could only assume that it was the side of the mountain that the castle was built on.

I focused my eyes on the ponies that shared the room with. Princess Celestia was laid down on a large, red cushion with a smile on her face as we made eye contact. Twilight and her friends looked at me with a worried expressions; Celestia must've told them already. They shared the same expressions, some were more expressive than others. Fluttershy hid behind the sky-blue mare who I disliked; shaking uncontrollably. Princess Cadence's expression hinted me of a slightly unnerved mare. I began to wonder if she had already learned of the encounter I had in the caves, earlier than Twilight and her friends. Shining Armor seemed calm and relaxed, he was already acquainted with what I had done and accepted it.

"...Hello." I greeted, unsure of how to take the situation in.

Multiple low, mumbling hellos filled my ears; their voices seemed disturbed at a degree.

I silently made my way into the room. I felt the tension is the air as walked towards the white alicorn.

Princess Luna (much like her sister) was unaffected by the mood. She trotted towards her sister, Celestia scooted over on her large cushion to allow her younger sibling to sit with her. The mare of the night lowered herself down onto the pillow that Celestia now shared with her. The siblings smiled at each other.

"So... I'm assuming you've told them what happened?" I asked the eldest Princess, making her loving smile disappear.

"I have, Isaiah."

I turned to the others who were staring at me. "I know that some of y'all might think of me as an animal; I'm not. I'm sure that none of y'all would understand. All i can say is that my actions were justified."

"Justified?" Princess Cadence asked.

"Some of the things that the Diamond Dogs did are unforgivable, ridding the planet of them was the appropriate thing to do. As I said before; y'all wouldn't understand."

Princess Celestia sensed how the situation wasn't going into anything positive. "I think it's about time that we make our way to the throne room for the ceremony. Isaiah, is it alright if you wait here for a moment while everypony arrives?"

"Sure." I mumbled.

Author's Notes:

Sorry about the wait. I've been pretty lazy for the past couple of weeks. This chapter was supposed to be a single large chapter, but the lack of content out was bothering me. So, I cut the chapter into two parts. I hope that it doesn't upset any of y'all that I did that.

Anyway, I hope y'all like the chapter. Please let me know of any mistakes. I kinda rushed on some parts and neglected them too.

Proofreader/editors...
Tired Old Man
Vrilix