I woke up the next morning bright and early, well, early enough. I looked to the small clock on the bedside table.

“Seven am.” I mumble as I rise from the bed. I was not surprised to see Applejack had already got up, I looked around for any sign of my marefriend, only to find the en suite bathroom empty. “Applejack, how do you do it?” I ask myself. I swing my legs over the bed and rub my hands down my face, I said before I wasn't an early person. Groaning, I pushed off from the bed and headed for the bathroom.

I put water in the sink and washed my face, for the first time I spotted a beard appearing. This was weird because ever since my last transformation, hair on my face didn't seem to grow. I went months without shaving and not a single hair grew up, I rubbed my right hand over the loose stubble and chuckled.

“Maybe Applejack will like a rough patch.” I laughed to myself.

I took a look at my body and as always it looked magically perfect. I smiled as I went about cleaning my bed hair and brushing my teeth, I got used to my longer hair or should I say 'mane', I started to like it though any attempts to cut it were fruitless considering it grew back almost instantly. I was just coming out of the bathroom as the bedroom door opened, I was glad that I wore pants to bed last night as it was Apple Bloom that appeared.

“Morning big bro!” Apple Bloom squeed.

“Morning Apple Bloom, what's up?” I replied.

“Just saying that mare awoke today, ah think she's nice.”

“You spoke to her?”

“Yep, she comes from Canterlot, guess why we haven't seen her around before.”

“Guess so.” I answer, moving to the wardrobe.

“Well, ah better get back down, breakfast is almost ready.” Apple Bloom states, turning around. “Oh the mare would like ta thank ya personally, whatever that means.” Apple Bloom shrugs and walks out.

I stand thinking and shrug myself, it was too early to really think about anything at the moment. I pull out a pair of nice dress trousers and a white dress shirt, I looked over the shirt and decided to use a dark blue one instead, I was going to represent Princess Luna and dark blue seemed more appropriate. I put on the outfit making sure I didn't damage the fabric, and as always Rarity's magic helped the shirt mould over my wings. I flexed my wings a couple of times to make sure I could move without ripping anything.

When I was satisfied with the result, I put on some new cologne, 'fresh grass sent'. I sniffed the air twice and grinned. The cologne smelt better than I thought it would do, I head to the door and made my way down stairs. When I reached the bottom I got a wolf whistle in response to my arrival.

“Ya seem like ya going to meet some new filly, should ah be worried?” Applejack says, standing in the kitchen.

“After the embraces we have done, not on your life.” I say, approaching her and kissing her on the forehead. “I heard our guest has awoken?” Applejack points to the front porch, I look out the window and see the mare sitting outside. “Guess I’ll go say hello then.”

Applejack grabs my arm, I stop and look back.

“Ah think she went through a lot, ah don't know how much or when but that mare has problems.”

I place my free hand on Applejack's hoof. “I won't ask, I just want to know if she's going to be alright.” I look to the dining table and spot the train tickets I let there last night. “Actually Applejack, I think I know who to give my third ticket to.” Applejack looks at me confused. I gesture to the mare outside.

“Are ya sure, ya haven't spoken ta her yet, how do ya know she will accept?”

“I'm not sure but I sense something about her, don't ask what because I don't know. It's just....something.” I shrug when I couldn't think of anything else to say.

“Well, she spoke a little after waking, she seems fine ta me but ya be careful alright?”

“Jeez Applejack, what's she going to do, attack me?”

“Could do, ah know ah do right now.”

“Save those thoughts for when I get home, you might need them.” I laugh.

Applejack just grins, I roll my eyes and head out onto the front porch. I cough to announce myself, the mare turns to me and smiles.

“You are the one that saved me.” The mare walks up and hugs me, I spot Applejack in the window glaring. “I'm sorry! It's been awhile since anypony cared about me.” The mare says, pulling away.

“I couldn't leave you out there, and besides the stallion chasing you was an asshole!” I reply. The mare looks at me with her head tilted, I facepalm. Of course she doesn't know that curse term. “It means he was a buckhead.” The mare nods. “My I ask? What's your name?” I ask.

“It's Stardust.”

I kneel to be eye level with her and I stick out my hand for her to shake.

“Nice to meet you Stardust, my names John.” Stardust shakes my hand. “I was also wondering, how do you feel?”

“I'm feeling fine, just a little sore now.” Stardust goes to open her wings but winces in pain. “Guess I won't be flying anytime soon.”

“Look Stardust, I know we have just met and I know you might have places to be but I have a spare ticket to the Crystal Empire, and I was wondering if you want to come along?”

“Me? What about your marefriend?”

“Applejack can't come, I have one other pony coming along and I need a second, so would you like too?”

“Again, why me?”

“You look like you need a vacation, and besides if that stallion and his mates come back, I would gladly prevent them from hurting you again.”

“You would do that for me? A mare you don't even know?”

“Why not? If a pony needs my help why shouldn't I help them? And I might get to know you a little better.”

“Why would you want to know about me? I'm nopony important.”

“Everypony is important, even if you don't know it yet.” I say, poking her nose with my finger.

“Who is the other pony? If you don't mind me asking?” Stardust asks, her face still scrunched.

“My sister, Twilight, she lives in Ponyville.”

“Sister? You have a sister that's a pony?” Stardust asks, a look of shock on her face.

“Yeah, why? Does that bother you?” I frown, though I don't know why.

“No! It's just your not a pony, so....?”

“Ah yes, long story not enough time, let's just say I’m not your average tall handsome creature.” Stardust giggles. “Now there's the laugh I was hoping for.” I say, walking over and standing beside Stardust. “Let's just say it took a while for me to some up the courage to ask my new sisters to be my sisters.”

“You and your marefriend seem very close.” Stardust says, turning her head back to watch the sky.

“Close would be an understatement, I would say we are intimate and very much in love.”

“You have intimate relations with your marefriend?”

“Yes, though I might get bucked if I carry on about it.” I whisper.

Stardust sighs. I watch as her ears fold back and her eyes close, Stardust starts to walk away.

“And where do you think your going?” I ask.

“I have took up much of your time already, I shouldn't impose further.” Stardust replies. “Thanks for the help but I can manage from now on.” I move and stand in the way of Stardust, She looks at me with wide eyes. “W-What are Y-You doing?” Stardust recoils slightly like I'm going to attack her.

“I still haven't got a yes or no yet.” I answer, folding my arms. “I have a spare ticket to the Crystal Empire and my offer still stands.”

“I still don't know why you want to take me?”

I frown. “Because you need somepony right now, a friend.” I see Stardust's eyes start to water. “And you can't fly right now, a couple of days in the empire will do wonders, or so I'm told.”

“Wait, you don't know what the empire is like?”

“Nope! Never been. This will be my first time.” I kneel down. “Come with me and my sister, I promise that if anypony comes near you with malicious intent, I'll take care of them. You have my word.”

Stardust looks at me with the expression of deep thought, she opens and closes her mouth several times. Finally Stardust nods and hugs me.

“Thank you.” Stardust sniffles.

“Your welcome, now let me get a few things and we can head off, the train should be arriving in the next half an hour.” I say, returning Stardust's hug. “I won't be long.” I add, pulling away and heading for the farmhouse door.

Me and Stardust had made great time in reaching town, though I did get to know stardust a little better. Stardust was from Canterlot just like Apple Bloom had said, but she came from a more modest background, more middle class like me in my old world. Stardust had worked for most of her life, earning bits to travel and see Equestria. Stardust also told me it was her second night home after a seven month long trip when Weaver and his cronies chased her. I seethed at that, even causing my hands to glow but I sighed and calmed down before I punched something, and I wanted to...Hard!

We both reached Twilights with about eight minutes to spare before the train turns up, I wasn't worried as the station was only just a few minutes away.

“SPIKE! WHERE'S MY SADDLE BAGS!?” Me and stardust stop and stare at the libraries main door. “SPIKE! I SWEAR.....” Twilights tirade was stopped by a stammered reply.

“T-There in the kitchen, you left them there l-last night.” I hear Spike reply.

“Oh! Silly me!” Twilight answers, somewhat calmer.

I reach up to knock on the door, only to have it wrenched open and a purple unicorn lance me in the nuts. I fall over clutching my groin, my teeth grinding in pain.

“Bother! Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!” Twilight bends down to help me. “Are you hurt badly?”

“You didn't puncture anything if that's what you mean?” I gasp out, hesitantly checking my nuts for any long term damage. I slowly stand up, feeling my groin stealthy. “All seems intact.” I state. I look to stardust, she was holding back her merriment with a hoof. “What?” I say to Stardust. “That fucking hurt!”

Twilight now notices my pegasi companion.

“Hello!” Twilight says, holding out her hoof. “My names Twilight, Johns sister, who might you be?”

Stardust looks to me, I nod. “Stardust, I'm new to Ponyville.” I knew Stardust lied but it was better than saying 'I was chased here by crazed stallions bent on rutting me'.

“Welcome to Ponyville Stardust, I hope you find Ponyville a nice place to relax and stay.”

I smile. “Now that pleasantries are out of the way, we have a train to catch.” I state.

“Oh yes right!” Twilight says. “I have my ticket here.”

“And we have ours!” I reply.

“Ours?” Twilight looks to me confused.

“Oh, Stardust is coming to the empire with us, she needs a friend right now and I asked.”

“If it's not any trouble?” Stardust asks.

Twilight waves a hoof. “Of course not! Your more than welcome, anyway that's Johns decision not mine.”

“Yep, and we are going to have fun, the talks won't last long and I also intend to see the empire itself, not just the inside of a meeting hall.” I say, as we all reach the train station. I was happy to see the train hadn't arrived, or to my now rising panic, we might have missed it.

I walk over to the station pony behind the glass. “Excuse me?” I say, the mare looking up at me and smiling.

“Hello sir! How may I help you?”

“I was just wondering if the train to the Crystal Empire has arrived yet?”

The mare laughs. “Good joke sir, that train only leaves from Canterlot, if you want that train you need to head there first.”

My eye twitches. “So? Your saying the train never comes here?”

“No sir, we are only a small station like Appaloosa, it has no reason to come here.” Our conversation is interrupted by a high pitched train horn, me and the station attendant look up the tracks and spot a crystal train hurtling down them. “Or I could be wrong!” The attendant says, pulling her head back in.

The train slows down as it approaches the station, I grit my teeth as it's squealing breaks cause it to stop next to the platform. I dig a finger into my ear, I see Twilight and stardust doing the same.

“That train needs oiling.” I state.

The train carriage in front of us opens and four ponies dressed in crystal armour step out.

“Are you Commander Core and company?” A stallion asks, his armour glinting in the sun.

“Yes.” I reply.

“Good, Princess Cadence has provided use of her private train to speed up your trip to the empire.” The stallion says, bowing and gesturing us to enter.

I whistle. “Wow! This trip might be interesting after all.”