What had been a pleasant afternoon Don was hoping to spend with his favorite pony, was now driving him insane with anxiety. It could not have been told who was more nervous, Twilight, or Don. They both were nervous for different reasons, but it seemed like it was suffocating them both. Twilight was nervous because she wanted the Princess to approve of her newfound love with Don, and Don was nervous because he feared that once the Princess discovered the strange alien was stronger with magic than her best student, she might send him away, and he wouldn’t see Twilight ever again. Although he knew he was stronger with magic than anypony in Equestria, except maybe the Princess, he didn’t dare voice his thoughts. He didn’t want to seem like he was self obsessed, but he could tell just by watching the past few months anypony use magic, they had to struggle with the simplest things. Everypony, except Twilight, she was the only one who seemed to do it as easily as he did. He hid his true talents as much as he could, so as not to overstep any possible boundary what, so, ever.

Twilight dashed around her house frantically packing books into her bag, while Spike gathered her friends to come with them. She wanted to make sure there were as many ponies as it took to speak well of Don and convince the Princess that her new relationship with him was a good one. Once or twice she caught the same look of nervousness on Don’s face, he had more to be nervous about, he had never met the Princess and was therefore subject to her judgment. She almost stopped to comfort him a couple of times, but once she saw Spike with him, she decided he could handle it.

Don had inched his way over to Spike, who was sending the final letter to their friends to come with them, and quietly said “hey Spike, you’ve met the Princess, what should I do, what should I say, do I need to wear something other than my fur, come on buddy help me out, I’ve got nothin”.

Spike looked up at Don, due to current events, he really didn’t like Don as much as he used to, he wanted to make sure Twilight never got hurt by anypony, or creature. That included Don, despite how innocent he seemed, but just in case he really was as nice as he seemed, Spike responded with only half the rudeness he had originally planned. “let’s see, where to begin, well you don’t need to wear clothes, I don’t and I’m fine. You shouldn’t say anything unless she speaks to you, you shouldn’t do anything unless you’re asked to, and when she asks you what you plan to do with this ‘thing’ you and Twilight have now, you’d better convince her and me that you will never hurt Twilight’s feelings”.

Don got the impression Spike no longer liked him as much, but also felt like he should at least justify himself “Spike I will never hurt Twilight, I really do love her, I Pinkie Pie Promise” he crossed his heart with one of his claws, pretended to flutter in the air, and then pretended he was crushing a cupcake against his eye.

Unbelievably, this seemed to satisfy Spike and he said “that’s good, but you better never break a Pinkie Pie Promise, or Pinkie’s gonna kill you”

Don gulped “I’ve gotta remember that” he thought to himself.

After another hour of waiting for the other ponies, they finally set off for Cantterlot. Twilight enchanted a pumpkin to ride them there, which she said she had done once before, and Rarity, who seemed to also have experience with this, asked three stallions to pull their carriage. They seemed reluctant at first, and said something about “last time” but they eventually gave in and strapped themselves on. Once everypony was inside and Spike was on the front seat, Twilight let Don in and pushed him into the seat with her. They took off at an amazing speed, he wondered how Rarity had convinced the boys to go so fast, but he didn’t care enough to ask.
Five minutes into the ride he realized that everypony was staring at him and Twilight. Twilight, however, did not seem to notice, she was rubbing her mane across Don’s fur softly enough that she could tell she was tickling him. Once Don could see them all staring at him, he began to speak, but didn’t get past “umm what-” before everypony in the carriage, except for Twilight, sang all at once “TWILIGHT AND DON SITTING IN A TREE K-I-S-S-I-N-G” once they finished they all burst out laughing.

Spike sounded like he was suffocating from laughter, even Twilight giggled “oh cheer up Don, they’re just teasing” Don smiled, but still felt awkward at the joke.

Rainbow Dash was the first to comment “so come on Don, tell us, we are all interested, what made you choose the egg-head over me” she rolled over laughing at herself, and the others giggled as well.

Don could feel the fur on his face changing color along with him “what do you mean, egg-head, her head doesn’t look like an egg”

Rainbow Dash rolled with laughter “how hard did you hit the ground when you ended up here, you’re really funny Don”

Don looked to Twilight for help, who rolled her eyes at Rainbow Dash “it means I’m well read”.

Don could see that her own admittance seemed embarrassing for her, and flared up slightly “and what is wrong with being an egghead, I think it’s awesome and cool that she knows so much, I wish I was half as smart as her” Twilight relished in his defense of her and softly cuddled her head against his chest. Don seemed to have gotten their attention because they all stopped laughing very fast.

Then Rarity, of all ponies, said “I think it’s absolutely wonderful you love Twilight the way you do. I can tell just by how you react to things, you must care for her very much, I personally am happy for you two darlings”.

Twilight lifted her head from his fur “I just hope the Princess doesn’t object at all”

Pinkie Pie then scooted uncomfortably close to Don and said “oh come on Twilight, what would the Princess have to object about. I mean just look at this handsome hunk of fur, who wouldn’t approve”. She rubbed her hoof really fast in his fur near his pelvis, making his fur and body feel oddly warm.

Having Pinkie that close to him and rubbing her hooves around that particular area, made Don slightly uncomfortable, and it must have shown because Applejack grabbed Pinkie’s mane with her mouth and pulled her back to her seat. “sit Pinkie, can’t you see that fur belongs to Twilight”

Don’s ears and face fur turned bright red, even more so when Twilight stretched across his legs and snuggled against him “oh yes it does” she said sleepily. Don could see the smirk on Rainbow Dash’s face as the fur on his face changed color with his embarrassment.

Spike pretended to gag as he leaned his head inside through his little window. Applejack just sighed “ain’t that just like a boy, you can’t handle any show of feelings” Don raised an eyebrow at her

“that hurts Applejack, I’m a boy, and I openly show most of my feelings”

“you’re an exception Don, your-”

Don never got to hear why he was an exception, because at that moment, Spike’s reason for the continued gagging became apparent, he suddenly spit-fired a letter onto Don’s lap, also singeing some of his fur. Twilight lifted her head from her little nap, magically opened the letter, and proceeded to read it. “Dear my most faithful student, since you are now at the halfway point on your journey here, I’ve decided to bring you the rest of the way with my own magic, and will therefore send your steeds back home. After, however, I give your new friend a test before you arrive, just as a minor first impression you could say, I’ll send it to you quickly. Signed Princess Celestia” after she read the last line, the boys pulling their carriage suddenly vanished in a flash of light.

Spike stuck his head in and said “uhh, girls we have a problem” Spike did not have to explain, from where they were, they could see through their windows the huge cracks and bumps coming up in the road. Spike started to say “what should we-” but before he could finish there was a loud CRUNCH, and the whole world seemed to topple over!

As the carriage flipped Don did not have time to think, he reacted out of instinct. He grabbed Twilight around her waist, and pulled her into a hug, protecting her from harm, then with his free hand surrounded the others in magical shields. He felt the carriage burst apart into pumpkin pieces and they were all thrown out of it! As they were thrown Don pulled Twilight close to him and twisted so that his body hit ground first. As he made contact with the ground, he hit his head against some rocks in the dirt and was instantly out cold!

Don wasn’t sure where he was, he was just aware of somepony shaking him and a immense knotting pain in the back of his head. As he recalled how to open his eyes, he was greeted with a sea of colors and was blurred out for a moment before his eyes readjusted to the light. As his vision started to clear Don realized that Twilight was standing over him, her face covered with dirt as she yelled something. His senses regained their workings and he heard her yelling to the others that he was ok. That however, was not true as he tried to sit up he nearly blacked out again, and he felt a pain in his head that felt like he had been torn in half, it actually felt really familiar, ironically. As he started to fall back over Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy caught him from behind, and held him in a sitting position.

He felt light headed and it hurt to speak “Twilight, how are ya” he said with a faint smile.

Before Twilight could respond, she gasped as Rainbow Dash pulled her hoof away from the back of his head. It was covered in blood, and it was dripping down his fur all over his back. Twilight started to panic, but Spike grabbed her and shook her head to stop her. Twilight then shook her own head, as though extra shaking was needed “ok umm, Rainbow, Fluttershy don’t set him down until I get something to lay him on. Pinkie Pie make sure he doesn’t fall asleep no matter what happens, and Rarity help me find something to wrap around his head so it stops bleeding.

“I’ll help Pinkie keep him awake” Spike voiced, Twilight nodded and went over to where the carriage was to find something for him. He was not able to watch Twilight for long, because Pinkie stepped in his field of vision and began doing everything she could to distract him from falling asleep.

“Hey Don watch me!” she danced around Spike, who seemed nervous at this, then jumped up on his head and did a hoof stand with one hoof, then bounced off, pulled a confetti popper out of nowhere and exploded it in his face. Spike could see the pleading look on Don’s face to make Pinkie stop, and proceeded to push her to the side.

He sat down in front of Don and said “So, tell me, that magic you used to protect us, could you do that all along Don”

Don gave a hesitant nod “yes”

“that’s some pretty strong magic, when the carriage flipped over and threw us out, it never felt like we hit the ground, more like bounced on a trampoline, even Twilight would have had a hard time with that spell, yet you cast it with ease, just how powerful are you?”.

“Spike!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed “ I don’t think now is the best time to be questioning him, who cares how strong he is”

Spike flared up at her “I do, it matters to me, because I can tell he…” he pointed at Don “is hiding something, no pony is that powerful with magic, except the Princess. Twilight could have performed that spell, but she would have had to strain to do it, he barely tried”

“well, he did save us”

Spike just rolled his eyes “I just think there is something wrong with this, and I think the Princess does too, that’s why she called us here, to figure out, what he is”.

“Spike, that is very harsh and mean, you’ve never thought that way about other ponies. What about me, I did things when I was just a filly that had never been done, but you don’t hate me. I think you’re just being too judgmental”

Fluttershy seemed moved by Rainbow “wow Rainbow Dash, I’ve rarely seen you like this, what’s the matter”. Before Rainbow could voice her thoughts, Don groaned, appearing to have not really heard any of what they had said, at least not fully and asked “where’s Applejack”.

As he asked, Rarity and Twilight came within earshot and he heard Rarity yell to him “we sent Applejack to bring somepony to help us as soon as we crashed, with her legs she’s probably already to Cantterlot and is on her way here” Don once again tried to sit up, but this time Twilight, who had closed the distance between them extremely fast for her build, pushed his head back and said “just hold still, this might hurt a bit” he felt Rarity tie the white cloth she had in her mouth around his bleeding head, then Twilight magically removed the blood that was on both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy from holding him. Then she helped Don lean his head down on the dirt and grass and put him in a magical sleep until they could better fix him once they reached Cantterlot. Once she was done she lifted her horn from his head and said “well this just about ruins his day, I had hoped to show him everything from my old home, now we’ll be lucky if we can even get Don to be allowed out of bed.

After about another ten minutes of sitting around and waiting, sounds of Applejack’s return were heard, everypony looked up when they heard Applejack running to them, with the Princess herself flying behind her along with her guards. As soon as Applejack and the Princess made it over, everypony and Spike bowed. The first thing the Princess did was apologize “Twilight Sparkle, I feel as though I owe you an apology, this was not the way I had intended to see you again. When I sent your carriage pullers back home, I was unaware of the fissures that had taken place here recently, now your friend is hurt, and it could have been prevented”. The Princess walked over to Don, lying in the patch of grass, then she lit her horn and awoke him from Twilight’s sleep. The first thing Don did was rub his head in pain and look around for Twilight, but once he realized who was standing over him, he gave the best bow he could muster lying down.

The Princess seemed to already like him for some reason, then she said “I had intended to test you on your loyalty towards Twilight in a matter similar to what you have experienced today, but free of real danger, however it seems fate played its own hand and presented a test for me”. Don wore a confused look that made the Princess smile “I saw what happened when the carriage flipped over, with my magic, because I was intending to bring you to the test point myself, and the thing that caught my eye when I watched your crisis is this. You protected all of your friends in a magical shield, making them all nearly invulnerable to any form of harm, you did this for all of them, except Twilight. You pulled Twilight close to your body and protected her yourself, and now I understand why. At first I thought it odd, but, after seeing your thoughts during that moment, while releasing you from your sleep, I understand now. You doubt in your own magical ability, you pulled Twilight to you because you had no doubt in your mind that you could protect her from all harm yourself, even though your magic was twice as strong, you doubt in your own power, so you physically protected her instead of using magic, which you thought might falter, a trait of true modesty. I also noted how carelessly you were willing to injure yourself when you shielded her, you did not push yourself forward into the dirt because you didn’t want her to turn over and get hurt. You pushed yourself into the rocks and pressed yourself against them to ensure everything happened to you and to no pony else. I have not seen devotion of that kind in a long time, but I also saw how carelessly you did it, as though your own life means nothing to you”.

A slight wince that Don made at this comment confirmed what the Princess said was true, so she continued “you do not give yourself enough credit, young one, your life is worth much, maybe not to you, but most defiantly to your friends and loved ones, remember that and don’t be so quick to take on such a burden alone, you may find that one day you can’t contain it all”. As she ended her speech, the Princess stepped back and said “that is my judgment of him for now. Twilight, you may have found a love worth treasuring, he is very loyal, and other than some unusually strong magic, I see no reason why he should be sent away. I give the approval you are seeking from me, but that is not why I called you all here, and I shall explain that once everypony rests, eats, and is well enough to listen. Come now, I will escort you to Cantterlot, so as to avoid any more incidents” with that she took off and her guards followed behind her, she flew just out of earshot but just enough ahead to lead them.

Twilight and Rarity walked over and picked up Don with magic, he struggled for a moment insisting he could walk himself, but finally conceded to being carried when Rainbow Dash threatened to knock him back out if he didn’t lay still.

The walk to Cantterlot took another hour, since both Twilight and Rarity had to magically carry Don, even though he insisted he could walk by himself, but they never complained once. Once they were in the city, the Princess showed them to the castle where they would all be staying, they were surprised to find that all their beds where in the same room, and it still looked luxurious. Once they had settled, they put Don in a bed and all decided on where they wanted to roam first while they waited for him to fully recover. Everypony went, except Twilight, who insisted on staying with Don until he awoke, and so they left her alone with him and went out to explore Cantterlot.