The train ride up the mountain was spent with most of my body out the carriage window. I got more than my fair share of bugs to my face but I never showed that to Fluttershy, she would think I committed insect genocide. The train emerged from the last tunnel on it's last run to the station, I pulled myself back in when I heard the girls grab their bags off the racking nearby.

“You better grab your bag....Brother!” Rarity giggles. “It sounds so weird saying that.”

“Well get used to it, because your stuck with me now!” I say roughing up Raritys mane as I walk past.

“Ugh! Your so uncouth, you know that!” Rarity states trying to tidy her mane with her hooves.

I laugh grabbing off my bag and handing Fluttershys down to her. She takes it out of my hand with a smile. I stand by the window looking out to the platform as the train pulls up and stops with the trademark squeal of brakes. I start to sweat, Rarity notices my uncomfortable stance.

“John don't be worried, i'm sure you'll be fine.”

“It's not me i'm worried about girls, it's you.” I say without looking down to her.

“Us? Darling, what ever do you mean?”

“I don't want other ponies to shun you two, just because they think i'm some sort of monster.”

“Why would they think that? We have Minotaurs visit Canterlot all the time. I admit some are met with concern over their size but they are all accepted with open hooves, you wait! I bet you'll fit right in.”

“I hope so Rarity, I really do. Or this is going to be one long awkward trip.”

“Besides you have us to vouch for you!” Fluttershy says sitting beside me.

“I know I do, it's just me girls. I’ve always been nervous when visiting a new place, first time jitters I think.”

“Like I said John you'll do fine, besides we may not have need to walk through the city if my message was received.” Rarity says flicking her hair back.

“Message?”

“Yes, last time I was here I stayed at the castle. The princess said if a needed anything to write her a letter, I kind of called in that favour.” Rarity looks at me embarrassed.

“What kind of favour?” I ask as the train door opens.

Rarity was about to respond when we stepped out, only to be cut off by me bumping into a unicorn mare waiting to get on. The mare looks up to me and goes to scream, that is until I offer her my hand.

“I'm so sorry madam, I should have looked where I was going. Here let me help you up.”

“You...Are...!” The mare recoils from my hand.

“My name is John, this is my first time here.”

Several other ponies come over to see what was happening. I look around and see Rarity and Fluttershy trying to shoo them away, only to be ignored.

“Look madam, though I like to stand around as well as anypony but we are creating a scene.”

The mare at my feet looks around but unwilling to meet the eye of any of the ponies standing near by. She turns her gaze back to me and hesitantly reaches for my hand. The mare cringes slightly when her hoof touches my hand but she smiles when nothing happens. I lift her back to her hooves.

“There see that wasn't so bad now was it?” I ask.

“N-No, Your claws felt so soft.” The mare says while blushing. Seriously my fingers are going to get me in trouble one of these days, or maybe in someponys good books. “It was unexpected.”

“Again I am sorry for running into you like that, I hope you can accept my apology.” I put my hand over my chest and give her a little bow.

“There's no harm done and how can I refuse the apology of something so handsome.” The mare covers her mouth with one hoof and quickly runs to the carriage.

I turn around as the train signals it's departure. The mare stops in the door way and turns back. She levitates something out of her attire and throws it to me, it's small piece of paper.

“My names Ember, write me a letter some time!” The unicorn mare smiles as the carriage door closes and the train starts to move off.

“Well, you don't waste time do you!” I turn around to see Rarity grinning at me.

“I have no idea what you're getting at, I ran into her and I helped her up. Besides she was grateful.”

“Grateful enough to give you her address.” Rarity says pointing to the paper in my hand.

I look down at it and low and behold it did have an address written on it, an address in Canterlot too.

“That means nothing.” I say as I turn to a set of double doors labelled exit. “Anyway I don't think Applejack will like this.”

“Oh live a little! This is Canterlot, you can get anything here.” Rarity raises her head to come closer to me. “Anything!” The last bit was creepy, did she really imply that sex is for sale in this city.

“Rarity, what do you mean by anything?” What? I was curious.

“Oh just as it implies darling...Anything!”

“Riiight! Shouldn't we get going to our hotel or something?” I ask.

“Yes, the ponies keep staring at us.” Fluttershy states.

I take the time to look back and some of the ponies are staring at me, not all of us.

“Their staring at me girls not you.” I turn back around following the girls through the double doors. I could still feel the eyes on the back of my neck.

“Are you sure they were staring at you John?” Fluttershy asks.

“Seriously? A large creature nopony has seen before is in their midsts, and you think they are looking at you?” I say, my anger evident.

“I'm sorry I...”

“It's ok Fluttershy, I should have known that I would get stared at being here.”

“You need to relax John, ah I think that's our ride!” Rarity runs off towards a carriage parked outside. I spot two pegasi and one unicorn standing beside it.

The ponies are wearing white and gold lined armour, they must be guard but are they the standered guard or are they royal guard? I exit the station house followed by Fluttershy and get greeted by the unicorn guard.

“Are you John?” The guard says stoically.

“Yes I am.”

“Ah good, then we did not miss you. Your friend Miss Rarity wrote ahead and requested a royal carriage to take you to the castle.”

“The castle, why?” I ask.

“The princesses were adamant that you spend your trip staying in the castle instead of here in the city.”

“Um, ok then. That sounds great.” I state looking down to Fluttershy, who just shrugs.

“Isn't this just a great surprise!” I turn to find Rarity had approached beside us.

“Not much of a surprise Rarity if you wrote ahead and requested this!” I gesture to the carriage. “I don't want the princesses going out of their way to make me feel welcome here.” I see Rarity had dropped her ears and started to look sad. “But I will appreciate the gift, both of them; and anyway staying at the castle might be fun.” Raritys expression changes to smile at me broadly.

“Sir and madams, if you would like to step on board we will get underway.” The unicorn guard says opening the carriage door for me and my companions.

“Thank you. You don't mind if I ask your name, do you?” I ask the guard as I get in and sit down.

“Not at all, my name is Solar Flare.”

“Solar Flare, nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand and the guard doesn't hesitate to shake it. “You shook my hand?”

“The princesses have informed all the castle staff and guard of your arrival, I don't think you will find a pony that doesn't know what or who you are.” Solar Flare replies.

“Well that's good, anything else I should know?” I glare at Rarity.

“No sir, oh wait yes there is one thing. It's for your companions though.”

“Us?” Rarity asks.

“Yes. It seems Prince Shining Armour is visiting the castle today and has heard you ladies will be coming to stay. He would like to meet you upon your arrival.”

“Oh, certainly. It will be nice to see him again.” Rarity answers.

“Prince Shining Armour?” I ask Rarity, my face bearing a look of slight confusion.

“Oh, hasn't Twilight told you about him? He's her brother.”

My head explodes. Twilight said she had a brother but not a prince brother.

“Well she did mention a brother but not that he was a prince!”

“Ah yes, Twilight can leave certain important information out of her explanations.” Rarity replies.

“I think I need to speak to Twilight when I get home.” I say just as Solar Flare appears at the front of the carriage.

“Ok! We are all set. The ride should take no more than several minutes to reach the castle.” guard Flare states.

“Wow, several minutes. You mustn't get a lot of traffic in the city to be that quick.” I say.

“Oh, we're not driving there. We fly.” Solar Flare states while smiling.

Well feck me with a cactus. “Wait! Did you just say fly!?”

“Yes. Why is something wrong?”

“Yeah! I hate heights!” I start to panic.

“Don't worry, the trip won't last long and then you will be on solid ground again.” Guard Flare says grinning. This pony was mocking me, he had to be.

I grip the seat as the carriage lifts off, as it banks to towards the castle in the distance I adjust my sitting position to avoid looking out the window.

“Um, John?” Fluttershy calls to me.

“Yes Fluttershy?” I turn to her.

“Can you um, remove your hand?” She looks down getting me to follow suit.

It seems without knowing it I had grabbed Fluttershy's tail and was squeezing it.

“Sorry Fluttershy, I didn't realise.” I release my hand and place it on the seat next to me.

“It's ok.” Fluttershy seemed to bite her bottom lip as if she was hesitant to ask me something.

“Fluttershy, do you want to ask me something?” I ask.

“It's nothing important but um.” She looks to Rarity and back to me. “I just wanted to know why you are scared of heights?”

“I'm not sure I can answer that, only the fact that I always have. I live by the human saying that 'If god wanted humans to fly he would have given us wings'.”

“Oh, I thought it might have been something I could help with.” Fluttershy states looking down.

“Help me, well I might like to get over it sometime. Considering this change i'm going through, I might reach the clouds more than once during my transformation.” I smile at Fluttershy. “So yeah maybe it is something you can help me with, I would appreciate it.”

“You would? Great! I'll get everything ready when we return to Ponyville.” Fluttershy clops her front hooves together. “It will be so much fun.”

I couldn't help but notice that Fluttershy seemed to enjoy helping others, though everyone says she's the shy one. I try to calm myself as the carriage makes another turn to the right, damn I wish we were there already.

“Ok folks, the castle is just a few short minutes away. I have been asked by Princess Celestia to escort you to your room once we arrive.” Guard Flare turns to me. “And don't worry John, like I said everypony in the castle has been briefed of your arrival so it won't feel too awkward.”

“I hope so! I don't want every eye in the building gazing towards me where ever I go!”

“Hah! Just enjoy it my friend, you never know you might like the attention.”

“I won't doubt that, but it's the unwanted attention I don't like.”

“Unwanted attention?” The guard asks.

“Yeah! From types who resent me being here.”

“You don't have to worry about that, there was only one who resented your stay In the castle.”

“Who?” I ask, now curious.

“Prince Blueblood. I think his words were 'A creature should not stay in the castle! It should stay where it belongs, outside the city where it's rampaging couldn't damage anything'.”

“Rampage? What does he think I am, a dragon?”

“No! But the guys a jerk, every guard knows that. We only follow his orders because he's part of the royal family, if he wasn't then I don't think anypony would care.” Guard Flare looks forward then quickly back to us. “Ah! Looks like the castle is coming up, the landing can be tricky but these guys have done it lots of times.” Solar Flare gestures to the two pegasi pulling the carriage.

I ignore the little voice in my head and look out the carriage window, I spot the ivory and gold towers of the castle rising out of the city like beacons of light. The rays of the sun glinting off them. I can't help but stare in awe as the carriage draws closer.

“Wow, it's beautiful.” I state, almost leaning out the window. I had forgotten I was in a flying carriage as I surveyed the castle itself. I could see the courtyard area of the castle filled with ponies walking back and forth. I could spot the guards standing watch on the many walls and partitions. As the carriage dropped from the sky I saw we were approaching a small platform attached to the side of one of the towers.

The carriage lands with a small bump so carefully I barely felt it. Guard Flare jumps down from the carriage front and proceeds to open the carriage door.

“Ladies and Sir, I welcome you to Canterlot castle.”

“This place never fails to amaze me everytime I see it.” Rarity states leaving the carriage.

“Yes it's very beautiful.” Fluttershy replies following after Rarity.

“Beautiful! That's an understatement! This place is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!” I jump down from the carriage before correcting myself. “Well the second most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” I pull out the photograph of Applejack from the front pocket of my bag and tuck it in my trouser pocket.

Rarity spots me put the photo in my pocket and she smiles. “I never knew you had a photo of Applejack John.”

“Actually, she doesn’t know I have it. Granny smith gave it to me two days ago, I said I never had a picture or memento of her I could carry around. I was just looking for a necklace or ring with an Apple on it, but Granny Smith gave the photo to me straight out of her family picture album.” I pull the picture out and show it to Rarity and Fluttershy who had just walked up to us. “It's from when she turned old enough to inherit the farm, I like her smile in it; it makes me just want to smile too.”

“It does show her feminine side, something you don't see very often from Applejack.”

I nod to Rarity and turn to see Solar Flare waiting patiently, he smiles and trots up to us.

“I f you folks would like, I can show you to your suites.”

“Thank you Guard Flare, we would like that.” Rarity states.

“Yes please.” Fluttershy replies.

“I wouldn't even know where to go anyway.” I just bluntly say.

“Well then if you would like to follow me, it shouldn't take long to reach your rooms.”

I was glad to get indoors, though the ride was without incident. I just liked being on solid ground, it felt good to walk. However I was not prepared for how much more grander the inside of the castle was. As we entered through the door leading of the landing platform, I noticed a smell of jasmine. It was everywhere, but it wasn't over powering just that subtle background aroma. We passed under arches made of what looked like marble, I stared in wonder as we passed stained glass windows depicting battles and events of Equestrias past. I also got some glares myself seeming that not everypony had been told about me. I shrugged them off, they are just being curious after all.

“Are you finding the castle interesting Mr John.” I turn to see a pony smiling at me.

“Yes, from what I have seen the architecture is amazing.” I reply.

“I'm so glad, when the princesses said you were coming I never thought you would be so big.”

“I'm sorry for sounding rude but who are you?” I ask.

“Oh yes sorry, my names Prince Redblood. Prince Blueblood is my brother.” I look the pony over and notice he's not very big but almost average height, I also see he's a unicorn. In true fashion he was wearing something you would expect a prince to wear, a blue jacket underlined with a white shirt. His coat was a dark shade of grey similar to the unicorn royal guards.

“Nice to meet you Prince Redblood, you already know my name.”

“Certainly, I do not shy away from guests of the royal sisters, no matter what they might look like. It might give the wrong message that the royal family doesn't respect it's friends or allies.”

“I wish your brother was more like you, seems like the princesses had to send him on 'vacation'.” I gesture in the air when I say vacation.

“Yes, my brother can be open minded but his mouth seems to activate before his brain.” Redblood chuckles.

“I never met him so I can't judge, but you seem nice enough. At least you haven’t called me monster yet.” I say.

“I would never do that! To call you a monster to your face would go against everything I have been taught, I respect friends of Equestria no matter where they come from.” Redblood looks behind him. I spot a royal guard walking up. “I'm sorry John it seems the appointment I had today has arrived, I hope we can see each other again sometime.”

“I would enjoy that Prince Redblood, I look forward to it.”

“Then until next time John, Celestias light be with you.” Redblood bows. I return the bow.

Prince Redblood turns around and follows the guard away across the floor. I look to the window near where I am standing and see that the picture is of Celestia and Luna banishing some sort of creature with a beam of rainbows. I tilt my head as I realise this must be the time they saved Equestria from a being called discord or was he a creature called a discord, I shrugged as quite frankly I didn't care. I turn to walk after my friends only to run smack into another pony, it was quite the jarring collision as I fell on my ass afterwards. I look across from me as I rub my now painful rump, I see a pony almost as tall as Luna but completely covered in a coat of light pink. Her mane was dark and light shades of stripped pink, her tail matched her mane. I noticed a small crown perched on her head, it was then I realised she wasn't moving and she sported a huge lump on her forehead just under her horn. I checked to see if she had other injuries it was at that time I saw her wings too.

“Huh, she's an alicorn.” I say to myself.

“What happened!” I fling my head around and spot two royal guard running towards me.

“I think she's knocked out, I ran into her quite hard.” I reply.

“You assaulted Princess Cadence!” The first guard says.

“Hey wait a minute! I ran into her as I turned around, I didn't mean it!” I say a slight scowl on my face.

“It doesn't matter you have injured her! You will remain here under arrest.” The second guard replies.

“Say what now!” I shout.

“Calm down sir or we will have to sedate you!” The first guard says.

“Hell no! I'm not being arrested for an accident.” I stand up to my full height.

“Sir if you don't back down I will use force.”

“Fine, I’ll go quietly but i'm telling you it was an accident!”

The first guard binds my hands in magic and the second picks up and carries my bag. Well the day did start well, until this point anyway. I get pulled slightly as the magic binding my hands lifts forward. Great at least now I can say my day is complete.

1. Wake up and have a wonderful debate with Twilight – Check!
2. Have a safe trip to Canterlot and find friendly ponies – Check!
3. Cause a scene and fuck the day royally – Big fucking check!

Author's Notes:

Greetings fellow readers and writers, Here's the next chapter.

Hope you all enjoy it!