Chapter 39 – Distractions

It had been a few days from the visit to Celestia. I had left Twilight a note through Hermes that I was going to Canterlot to meet with her and that it was royal business. Which was enough for Twilight not to ask. From what I could guess was that Celestia used the same set of words with her before and she knew not to ask. After that, I got further into my study of the black books. For a special set of protection, I had magically created a safe that only I could open. I had Rarity and Twilight both try to open it magically and Applejack with brute force. No luck on any front, and even Discord tried his talon at it. No luck, and he couldn't even peek into it much to my own amusement.

That amusement slowly turned into annoyance when Discord started to bug me about what was in the safe. So much so that only my book was about to be out at any time for me to work on. That being said after a few swings of my chaos bat, it got the message across not to piss with me. Granted Fluttershy wasn't too happy when I brought Discord back over to her cottage out cold for the third time, but he needed to be taught a lesson. Don't piss with me when I'm working. I don't think that is too hard of a thing to remember, right?

Regardless, once I was left alone to work I had found out a few things. While I can see the text in an understandable language. My phone can not and neither can I when I'm looking over it through it. The reason this was interesting was when I found out that this book was a lot craftier than I gave it credit. It seems the image that seemed out of place I found during my first day of looking through it. Was only half of it. With both my phone and a quill, ink, and a piece of parchment. I was able to recreate the image in a whole. Sadly it didn't help much expect it showed part of the symbol to what I could guess is the dark one. So not only did somepony have to have someone who can read it, they needed somepony who can't. This gave me an idea that I had to dismiss as even if I did have all of the books, trying to piece it together would take way longer.

“God I miss computers from earth,” I said sagging in my chair as the notes I've made fly into the folder I put together. I ran my right prosthetic through my mane as I tried to figure out what to do next. I needed to step away from this for a little bit and I didn't want to resort back to chaos magic to entertain myself again. After the first time trying to get a better understanding beyond my bare bone basic understanding of it. Twilight had put her hoof down and said no more chaos in the library. I nodded in agreement and popped into the branches of the library. Technically it wasn't in the library, I was just on top of the library. I digress, even I got bored of chaos and wanted to go back to normal. With a few snaps of chaos, I was able to do a few key things. One I changed out my prosthetic was, namely that I used a few of my scales and infused the metal with it. So now my prosthetic could withstand the same temperatures as I could. I gave it an MP3 player with headphone port, and I gave myself a hidden blade that I could use if left unarmed. After that, I had a prosthetic sent to me and with a bit of pushing and pulling. I trapped all of the chaotic magic Discord gave me in the second prosthetic that I also kept in the safe.

I wasn't going to give up a trump card like that if it means protecting those I care about the most. Just even I have my limits when it comes to things. With that, I gave Twilight one last night with me as a satyr that she enjoyed to her and my fullest. After that night I drank the antidote and I returned to my draconic equine form. I have to admit, I missed walking around on my hooves. Don't get me wrong walking on two legs was great and everything, but after almost a year of being a quadruped. You get used to being it all the time and you end up missing it when you aren't it anymore. That and I didn't have to worry about smacking my head on the doors anymore. I stretched out on the bed a little as I wanted to relax my mind from the puzzle at my hooves figuratively. All while Hermes floated around scanning through books to put into his database. My ear twitched a little as I learn the sound of hooves come up the stairs.

“Storm?” Twilight asked from my guessing was the doorway.

“Up here Twilight,” I answered trying to relax.

“Ah, there you are.” She said before I felt the bed shift to the side a little as she joined me on the bed. “I thought you were in the basement still.”

“I had to take a break or I was going to drive myself nuts,” I said before moving the pillow from my eyes. “This mystery is just so aggravating,” I said turning to look at Twilight.

“I know the feeling. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in a problem that you try to stretch what can and can't be done about it. Until you get into the realms of the impossible because you're obsessed with it.”

“Yeah, it's just each time I think I get closer to an answer. Five more questions pop up in its place and it's hard to understand it all. Between trying to translate the text by hoof and getting a better understanding of the bigger picture. It's just...” I let out a sigh.

“It's hard to see the finish line right?” She asked as she moved to lay down next to me.

“Yeah,” I said as I brought her closer to me. She smiled as I placed my foreleg around her. “The problem is this is leading me into doing something I'm not sure I'm prepared for.”

“Oh?” She asked moving to get a better look at me.

“Yeah because I get that it will be a great boon to me, but I'm worried about what could happen.”

“What is it?”

“Returning to earth,” I said and she sat up to look directly at me.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“What's the problem?”

“Well... I'm a little scared of what will happen. Because I promised you that I would take you, Luna wants to go and see it for herself, and well... Lyra's Lyra.” I said moving to sit up as well.

“Why would Lyra be going?”

“It's well... Remember when I talked about how it feels to have your dream within your reach only to be taken from you. This kind of feels like I'm the one doing it. So I had decided that if I did have to go back to earth that she could come as long as she could behave herself. Which much like asking Pinkie to not be Pinkie. It's kind of hard to wrap your head around.”

“I can see that, but Lyra can be a very calm pony.” Twilight tried to defend.

“At times,” I answered.

“Remember when she broke in here after my transformation into a satyr because it was as close to human as she could see,” I answered remembering that night. Having that mare stand over you while you're trying to sleep was outright creepy.

“Yeah, I was kind of surprised how far you threw her,” Twilight said as leaned against me gently.

“Well, it was four in the morning and after a long day. I think I was a little entitled to be shortly fused.”

“I'm not saying you were wrong, but she landed in the Founder's Fountain. That's by Sugar Cube Corner and even for a pony, that is some distance. I don't think even Big Mac and throw a pony that far.” Twilight said.

“Honestly, I could see him being able to. From I was told he was able to drag a house through town.” I said running my claw through my mane.

“But he was under the effects of a love poison,” Twilight said.

“Still...”

“We've kind of devolved from our original conversation.” She said turning to look up at me.

“I know... just. I need to think this through and plan ahead.”

“A stallion after my own heart.” I gently leaned over and kissed Twilight on the cheek. “So what would you like to do to-” Twilight began to say before a knock at our door downstairs cut her off. “I wonder who that could be?” The three of us went downstairs to find Spike had already opened the door for Luna.

“Luna? What brings you all the way down to Ponyville?” I asked.

“A few matters I would like to discuss with Twilight Sparkle and yourself.” She said stepping in.

“Spike if you don't mind getting us some tea,” Twilight asked.

“Can do Twilight.” He said running off into the kitchen. We went over to the sofa and chairs that we set up.

“So... what's up, Luna?” I asked as I wrapped my wing around Twilight.

“First, I wanted to ask what did you and my Sister talk about a few nights ago?” She asked.

“I'm guessing she didn't tell you?”

“She said it was a rather private matter.”

“Than I will have to respect her wish on this. I'm sorry Luna.” I answered a little coldly as I was still pretty sore about that night. Honestly, I wouldn't have been so angry about it if she told me she had the books. I will admit that I didn't think about asking her.

“I figured as much,” Luna said with a sigh.

“Is... everything alright?” Twilight asked.

“My sister has been a little down in the dumps I believe the saying is.”

“It is,” I answered.

“Storm... can you please?” Twilight asked looking up at me with a please say something.

“I'm sorry Twilight, I can't. Both at the fact that it's a rather sore subject that the two of us discussed that night. I won't say more beyond that.” I said giving only a little context. “What were the other matters you wish to talk about?”

“It's about this year's Grand Galloping Gala,” Luna said floating a folder over to me.

“Grand what-what?” I asked a little confused.

“The Grand Galloping Gala is the premier event in Canterlot where a lot of the nobles gather.” Twilight began to explain.

“Sounds like something I would like to avoid,” I said quietly.

“Why?” Twilight said a little surprised.

“Because if the nobles are anything like those I've seen during day and night courts. Then I would lose my mind.” I said.

“While I agree with Storm on this matter. They don't come to us for proposals. Well... business ones have ever.” Luna said and I only face hoofed.

“I know I'm going to regret asking this, but what about the Grand Galloping Gala?”

“My sister and I wish for you to host it this year.”

“Why?!” I asked in shock.

“It was a means as your coming out.” Please don't finish that with 'out of the closet'.

“Coming out?”

“In the royal sense.” I could help but sigh quietly.

“Can I please have context,” I said rubbing the bridge of my muzzle with my claws trying to not lose my shit over being stuck in a place I rather not be.

“A lot of the nobility in Canterlot have parties and gatherings so they come out. More for those that aren't used to the limelight.” Twilight explained.

“So all this for me to be front and center? I'm sorry but I don't get how this all screams a good idea.” I said not really like this.

“A lot of the nobility is worried after all they have heard,” Luna said.

“What have they heard?” I asked maybe a little colder than I should have.

“While some of them worry that you won't be a strong leader after the many attacks you've suffered through. Others think that you are too hard on businesses. Also, some rather nasty rumors that I'm afraid to say Blueblood had started from your confrontations with him.” Luna said with the last one more filled with shame than anything.

“So because I've had the shit kicked out of me, pretty much tell were some of the business owners during my two times during court where to shove it, and Blueblood being petty. I now have to put up with a predicament that I would rather avoid, to begin with. On top of it that I'm supposed to hold it this year, when I don't know thing one about the Gaia to begin with outside it's a big fancy party?” I asked a bit more on the annoyed to the panicked side of things.

“Most of the set up is already done. The only thing left is this year's theme and some of the guests. We have allotted you twenty tickets. Outside yours, the rest of the element bearer, your captain, and Spike of course.” Luna explained.

“Is Hermes going to need a ticket?” I asked.

“Hermes?” Luna asked a little confused. I looked around to find Hermes floating by the stairs hiding behind one of the walls.

“Hermes come here,” I ordered as the little guy gave a scared set of beeps. Before he floated over to us and landed next to me. Which I took my other wing and gently set it against him as I had taken to identify it as a male. “This here is Hermes. He's my personal assistant.”

“What is it... I mean he?” Luna asked looking a little confused.

“He's a byproduct of both harmonious and chaotic magic with a mechanical base for the framework. For a simplified explanation.” I answered gently rubbing my hoof on Hermes casing. Don't ask me why but the little guy enjoys the feeling when either Twilight or I do that. He gave a happy set of beeps as his little monitored had the cartoonish happy face displayed.

“Rather interesting, how does he work?” Luna asked eyes Hermes with interests.

“Well, for the most part, he uses the same technology that is used in most royal sky carriages to keep them afloat. In this case, he's able to use directional turning to fly around. He's able to think and process everything he sees and hears. He's also able to repeat it.” I explained.

“He's also able to repeat it,” Hermes said using my voice just a few moments ago. Luna was taken back at this.

“How did he-?” Luna began to ask.

“He records everything that goes on around him. He's able to take clips and play it back. He also has many other features.” I continued to explain before I turned to Hermes. “Why don't you go help Spike with the tea?”

“Roger Roger,” Hermes said using an old clip from the droids in Star Wars. That was before he flew off into the kitchen.

“He's very... um... interesting, how is he able to think for himself?” Luna asked looking back at me.

“He has a proto-soul as it's guiding C.P.U,” I answered.

“Proto-soul? You didn't use the black book again did you?” Luna asked as she eyes me with supposition.

“Yes I did, but it was only to build what at its core is a fake soul. Twilight, Shadow, and I created it out of pure magic. So no souls were harmed in the making of it. I did use the snapshot spell to create the personality of the proto-soul. Which is like taking a picture of the soul. I used the same three and mixed them together so Hermes would have a unique soul.” I explained as Spike and Hermes came out with two trays. Spike held the tray with what looks like biscuits and Hermes used his spell lenses to hold the Tea and cups in place.

“Is he using spell lenses?” Luna asked noticing the little ports on the sides shining with blue magic.

“Eeyup, we decided on a few simple spells that he could have access too. Telekinesis, light, and a little shield spell just to name a few. Hermes show Luna here some of this spells you can do.” I ordered.

“Roger Roger,” Hermes said before a few of his spell ports began to slide open. He began to give Luna a little light show against the wall to our left. One of them being a projector to show a night sky that he had taken from last night. That was followed by him cutting off the feed and wrapping himself in a blue sphere of magic to protect himself. He continues to float there wrapped within his little bubble.

“Is that all he can do?” Luna asked.

“Not even close,” Twilight said with a smirk. “Hermes combat mode.” Just by Twilight saying that something clicks with Hermes. In a moment his green screen turned red as a spell weaved over the shield. In seconds a dark purple ball was all that could be seen before two red eyes appeared and a blacken jagged mouth appeared on the surface of Hermes' shield. As two other limbs began to appear floating around Hermes. They began to be covered in red as they took the same of some cartoonish boxing gloves.

“That's rather unsettling,” Luna commented.

“Well, it's kind of the point. Hermes is able to shape shields anyway he wants to make a multitude of bodies and weapons he needs. He wraps them in illusions to help give the effect of something otherworldly.” I explained.

“Rather impressive. How strong are his attacks?”

“Enough to dent a standard set of guard armor,” Twilight answered.

“Impressive. What other features doe he has?” Luna said almost a little giddy with it.

“Nothing much well but some medical supplies and a numbing spell lens. Other than that nothing much else. I didn't want to go too complex and most of these happened after the first build.” I explained.

“How did you two ever come up with something like this?” Luna asked and turned to Twilight.

“Mind fielding this one?”

“I will be glad too. This comes about from the talk Storm and I had with Cadence, Shinning, and Gaia. Storm was talking about some of the things he wanted to invent to help pony kind. This here is the first byproduct.” Twilight explained.

“The body idea mostly came from media from earth that I was familiar with. We worked together while Discord was unconscious after our first meeting with him during his rehabilitation process.” I tacked on.

“I heard about that, I wasn't given the details but from what I had heard. It was rather... interesting to say the least.” Luna said.

“That's putting it mildly,” Twilight commented.

“Hermes standby mode,” I ordered as Hermes dropped both all of his spells and floated next to me. “Now back onto what we were talking about before derailing. Am I to assume I have free range on deciding the 'theme' of the Gaia?”

“Yes,” Luna answered.

“Than I want to enlist Rarity's help,” I said as I began to smirk.

“I can agree with that idea,” Luna said.

“Now, what do I need to get done before the Gala. Also, when is the Gala itself?”

“The list of what is left to be done is in the folder there. As for the Gala itself, it is the twenty-second.” She answered.

“That's in two weeks!” I said surprised. “How the fuck am I suppose to...” I stopped for a moment pulling the file over to me to read it over. “I'm supposed to pick out the décor, food, music, staff outfits, and...” I took a moment. “I have to seriously pick out outfits for both you and Celestia? Seriously what the fuck Luna?!” Okay, I had fully stepped into panic mode now. Having this all dropped into my fucking lap with a two-week deadline was seriously way past fucked up.

“We had always done it that way since before my banishment and when I returned. We continued it and last year Cadence hosted it so we had her pick it out. This year it's yours and we wish for you to continue this tradition with us.” Luna said giving that whole puppy dog look that I'm really starting to hate so much.

“Fine, just stop it with that look. Fuck that look should be illegal to use on royalty” I said rubbing the bridge of my muzzle again. “Spike can you go get Rarity. Tell her this is a royal problem that needs her expertise.”

“I, I,” Spike said before zipping off.

“She's getting one hell of a commission for this,” I said sighing.

“We will make sure that Miss Rarity gets it in full,” Luna commented.

“Thank you,” I said running my claws through my mane again before I reached and picked up tea for Twilight and myself. “Before I get myself drowned in gala work. Was there anything else you wanted to talk to both of us about?” You would think red flags would have gone off when I noticed Luna blushing from behind her teacup.

“Yes, there is one other matter I wish to talk about to both of you.” She said before she sat her cup down on the saucer on the table. She got up quietly and walked over until she was in front of the both of us. Before either of us had time to react, Luna leaned forward and kissed Twilight directly on the lips. My eye's shot wide as well as Twilight's. My brain was having a hard time processing this and was kicking back page not found errors to me. What really kicked it for me was after Luna finish kissing Twilight, she leaned over and kissed me.

“Woh,” Shadow said in surprise.

“Your fucking telling me!” I shot back in a mixture of surprise and anger. I don't know which one was winning out. Shadow's comment or Luna kissing me, I will let you figure out which is which. As soon as she pulled back she looked at the both of us with a blush on her face. I know sure as hell both Twilight and I had one blazing across our faces. It was about than Hermes decided to add to this by playing a wolf whistle like the stereotypical hot chick passing some guys who decide to whistle at her.

“I wish to court the both of you.” Luna finally commented.

“What?” I asked as I was trying to process the fact that Luna of all ponies kissed me.

“Are you sure Luna?” Twilight asked still blushing as I notice her hoof reach up to her lips.

“Yes, I'm very sure,” Luna answered.

“I... I don't have a problem with this. What do you think Storm?” Twilight asked and my brain being the titanic idiot that it was just spat out a repeat response.

“What?” I said as my left eye Twitched.

“Storm, Luna wants to court us. As in da-” Twilight tried to explain.

“I know what courting is Twilight. I'm just... kind of in shock here. Don't get me wrong, but why?” I asked.

“I found so many similarities in the both of you that I've been thinking about for a while now.” Luna started looking a little nervous and honestly, she has every right to be. “After my return, I've felt out of place in my own land.”

“That wasn't your fault Luna,” Twilight interjected.

“I know Twilight, but since then I've always felt out of place with no pony to really understand how that felt. When Storm came to Equestria and I had met him for the first time. I found that we both had a lot in common and not just him, but you as well Twilight.”

“With me?” Twilight said with a blush.

“Can I try to field this one for a moment, Luna?” I asked after I could collect myself enough. She looked over to me and nodded after a moment. “From what I can gather and please correct me if I'm wrong. The two of us would know how Luna feels in most regards. We both love the nights' sky that she creates for everypony, we both have seen her dark side and doesn't fear her for it. I've been tainted by it myself so I have a bit more understanding on what it felt for her. We all love magic in one form or another, the thrust for knowledge is ever present in all of us. Plus the fact that we do like to be night owls at times. Especially you Twilight when you go one a study marathon. This leading to the fact that she has a kindred soul with us in one matter or another.”

“That and you two have saved me in one way or another.” She Luna commented.

“Ah... what to run that one by me one more time?” I asked.

“You've both saved me more than once.” She repeated herself.

“Okay, Twilight I understand. That only leaves one question, how the hell did I save you?” I asked.

“It's not on the same level as Twilight Sparkle, you saved me another way.” She started before it looked like her body language deflated a bit. “It was when I tried to separate Shadow from you.” That got me to gulp a bit as I remembered all that followed that attempt. The panic, the fear, and the nightmare. Even though it was a prosthetic, my right foreleg began to shake from the memory of that night. “I'm still very sorry for what I had caused you, but it saved me from doing that to another. It made me want to reexamination before I put anything into action.”

“Luna, look...” I said trying to calm myself. “You don't need to be any more sorry that you had shown. I forgave you for what you did and I appreciate that you were trying to help at the time, I really do. I just don't see it as 'saving' at most its help.” I tried to counter.

“Regardless,” Luna said lightly blushing. “I've been having what I believe ponies know a days call... a crush on the both of you.”

“Why haven't we've noticed it till now?” Twilight asked.

“She's good at hiding it.” I countered.

“I don't see an issue with you trying to court us, Luna.”

“That's where I differ in this, while on a personal level I don't have that much of an issue with it. I just have a more... theological issue. Let me explain, while I don't have an issue with polygamy, I just have a hard time seeing myself in a polygamist relationship.” I began to explain, I watched Luna deflate as I said that.

“How come?” Twilight asked looking at me.

“Well... besides that it's a very frowned upon topic on earth. I could never see it realistically that more than one mare would want to be with me. Most times on earth it was hard to see even one would want to spend time with me. So most times when I was with somepony, I would put my whole heart into that relationship. In most cases, it would end up with my heart broken. Now to be placed in a position that two mares want to be in a relationship with me. Just... kind of hard to wrap my head around, you know?” I said scratching my cheek with a claw.

“But Storm, your not on earth. So you don't have to think as you use too back there.” Twilight tried to defend.

“Twilight... yes I do.” I sighed after that as I placed my hoof back down. “I always will think like I use to because that's how I am. Don't get me wrong, my realm of thinking has expanded from what it used to. It's just at the core everything will always be the same. It's like a rubber band ball. In the center is always going to be this twisted mess of thoughts and feels that make up a being. In this case a human spirit within a drony body. No matter what color, shape, if you use the large bands or even the small ones. I will still be the same mass in the inside. It's comforting in a way really. With every new memory, with every new experience; it's just another band placed on it. Everypony and everyone are just like that.”

“It's an interesting analogy but can you back it up?” Luna asked.

“Yes, if you don't mind me using you as an example?” I asked and she only nodded as she went back to her seat. “From the day you where born and the day now you have a sum of all those experiences. I will admit that overtimes, whys of think may adapt to be more acceptable, but it won't change how you think. You still go by the same base guidelines you always accept from. You go with this over going with that. Generosity over greed, loyalty over selfishness, night over day, and so forth. That is all who you were before being controlled by Nightmare Moon. A being that tried to use what bothered you the most against you. Unfortunately, it won out then, and you had to suffer for what she did. As time passed more layers and layers of memories and experiences continue to wrap around your ball.” As I explained I could see Luna was feeling uncomfortable. Part of me wish I didn't do this to Luna but it was the best example to use. There was still too much missing context to use myself in it. “After Twilight and the rest of the girls released you from Nightmare Moon's grasp. You fell back onto those old ways of thinking. Needing time to adapt to the more modern age of Equestria. Even now you end up falling back on those thoughts because they comfort you in familiarity. I do that myself, I've grown up with depression more than anything in my life. Before Jessica and even after her, as it was part of who I was then-”

“And who you are now.” Luna finished for me.

“Correct.”

“If anypony knows how I feel, it's you Firestorm. It's part of the reason I wanted to do this. Since I returned I've had to have this feeling of being out of place. This is still Equestria as I had left it in a sense.”

“But not the same as it was when you left.”

“Yeah.” Just hearing how dejected Luna sounded just hit me hard in the heartstrings.

“I wouldn't be the first,” I said looking away.

“huh?” Both Luna and Twilight said.

“I'm not the first one that... Grimwand brought over.” They both looked at me surprised. “He tried before, I was just the first complete one that came in the form he wanted. I only know of one other and I haven't seen him in quite some time.”

“Who?” Twilight asked.

“Clawshot, the earth drony I met,” I said as I began to zone out a bit visible. “I don't know how long he was here for. It could be months or years if anypony knows the feeling Luna he does as well.”

“I've met him myself,” Luna commented.

“If it's the pony I think it is then we all have met him,” Twilight added.

“What?” I turned to look in surprise.

“During your storm, he came to us in Canterlot. He was the one that gave us the information we needed to help you.” I took a moment to rub my face as I tried to understand this.

“So he just appeared, no rhyme or reason and he just gave you the details you needed without prompting?” I asked.

“Yeah...” Twilight answered and I simply just eyed her.

“Seriously?”

“Yes...” Twilight answered again a little curious why I was giving her a scrutinizing glance. “Is that a problem?”

“Technically not in the already happen since. It just kind of screams alliterative motive to me. Just willing to give out that information like it was nothing? Not counting that a drony that no pony had seen before then. Waltz right into the castle, right up to the guests or even the princesses rooms, and not one guard stops him or reports an intruder? I'm sorry, but in this case, two plus two is equaling fish here.” I explained.

“But two plus two equals-” Luna started looking confused.

“Four, I know. It's more for an example of how wrong this all screams to me. Look when it comes to Clawshot, something just doesn't add up. Even when I first met him something wasn't right. Knowing that he was a human fill in some of the blanks, but not all of them.” I cut in before my frustration started to get the best of me. “Why does this shit always end up as a big mystery that is going to drive me nuts?”

“Because the plot demands it.” Came the familiar high pitch voice of the pink party pony. I looked around to figure out where the hell she was going to pop out of this time. What I didn't expect was being landed upon from above by her.

“Pinkie where the hell did you come from?” I asked after said pink mare decides to bounce off me and land on all four hooves at once. At this point I have stopped asking how she does the things she does, it's more a why now.

“I came from the ceiling silly.” She said like it was a common occurrence.

“I mean... you know what, screw it. At this point, it's more mood whiplash than anything.” I said rubbing my temple with my left hoof.

“Excuse me everypony, I heard it was an emergency?” Came Rarity's voice from the doorway.

“In here Rarity,” Twilight commented as both Rarity and Spike waltzed right into the room.

“And yeah it's a bit of an emergency as I just had the Gala dropped into my lap,” I said shooting Luna a slightly annoyed look.

“the Gala, you mean the Grand Galloping Gala?” She asked and I only nodded. “Oh my darling, this is going to be your first Gala, isn't it. Oh dear, I see what you mean by an emergency. We must get you a suit ready.” She continued as I felt lifted up into the air magically and almost whisked out of the door. Lucky for me my reaction time was getting better as I stopped myself by extending my legs out to catch them on the frame of the door. Which was enough to pop Rarity's magic and with a plop, I landed on my flank.

“Rarity you need some details as this is going to be more than just a suit.” I got out after rubbing the spot where I landed.

“Oh?” She asked inquisitively.

“Yeah, I get to pick this year's gala theme and-”

“You get to pick the theme, oh darling I know now why you asked for my help.” She said wrapping me in magic again. “We have much to plan, the décor, the guests, the dresses, the suits, food, and so much more. Come darling there isn't a moment to wait!” She said trying to rush me out the door once again. Thinking fast I was able to grab the sigh to the library.

“Rarity wait!” I yelled as I felt the strain from my prosthetic connection plate being almost pulled off.

“But Storm we have so much to do and so little time!” She whined.

“I know but there are a few things of matter to address. Like what about Twilight, Luna, Pinkie, and Spike?” I asked as she continued to try to pry me from the sign.

“Oh dear, I completely forgot.” Rarity said as she continued to yank me. “Would you four be a dear and follow me?” She asked the four inside. That's when my grip lost and I went flying through the air. Unfortunately for Rarity, he didn't have as firm of a grip on me after I went flying. So with a few flaps, I was able to get myself hovering in the air. As I've come to expect that anything pulling me or suddenly hitting me. My right foreleg was back at the library door. Gliding over to the door I was able to pull my embedded leg from the door and reattach it. Not surprisingly Twilight pulled me out of the air and floated me with her as the whole group of us made our way to Rarity's shop. This was going to be a long day, I just know it.

***---***

It was several hours later when the whole group of us found ourselves on the way back to Canterlot. After playing dress up for two hours, mostly picking out Luna's dress. Honestly, who would have thought coming up with a good dress outfit for that mare could be annoying? Don't get me wrong, each choice looked amazing on her. It's just... that mare is picky as hell at times! Seriously, it was this dress doesn't really go well with my eyes, or maybe something in a darker blue. For fuck sake, I thought I was the one to fucking pick these things. How did Celestia stand to go through all this with the gala before? Me, on the other hoof pretty much sat down with Rarity and designed it. I was going with a blue vest with a white undershirt combo. All brought together with a red tie. Honestly, I think I looked pretty dapper in it. Well... after Rarity had most of it magicked together by the time we moved onto Luna.

Speaking of said fussy mare of the night. She was sitting to my right as Twilight was leaning against me from my left with my wing gently wrapped around her. This gave Luna the idea of wrapping the two of us in her wing. Which was much larger than mine. Rarity was on the seat on the other side of the royal train car. It seems that each train must have on royal train car attached to it at all times. Finds out that my many trips to Canterlot, I could be sitting in a private train car made for Cadence, Celestia, Luna, and myself. Honestly, it reminded me much of a small apartment, minus the oven and stuff like that. It had a large bed for overnight trips, the seats sat towards the entry with large windows to see out. My only real issue was that it had a very crystal blue pastel color scheme to the whole place. I'm not saying that it was wrong, just didn't appeal to me with the more muted colors.

As I was saying before Rarity was sitting in the booth across from us with Spike gently fanning her with a large leaf, Pinkie was being the same ball of energy she's normally and bouncing on the bed. Nightling who was now on duty was in her night guard uniform sitting to the other side of Twilight looking like a statue. Seriously it's hard to tell she's even bringing and I was watching for a good twenty minutes before the train started to move, still not even a twitch of a muscle. That mare is too damn good at her job. Just sitting here I was a little lost in thought. Besides the whole mess with the gala, I had to figure out Luna. More if I see myself with two mares, without it becoming a big mess. Truth be told if this was my hand in poker, I'd probably fold before finding out. Which honestly I don't really play enough of it to be any good at it other than playing the bull shitting card all the time. Honestly, if things played out different I could see myself with Luna..., but they didn't. I was with Twilight and that was the most important thing to me. My gaze wondered to Hermes flying around with Pinkie now bouncing about the cabin trying to catch him. It was a little amusing, to say the least as it was a welcome distraction to my thoughts.

“Bit for your thoughts?” Luna asked as it felt like she was looking over to me.

“Can't you already read them?” I asked not really looking at her.

“No, you've been either blocking them or not thinking at all. The former being more likely than the latter.”

“I'm just trying to figure out... us, I suppose would the correct way to state it.” I answered as my gaze slowly shifted to the mountainside as we began to climb it.

“Have you come to a verdict yet?”

“You make it sound like I'm the judge in all this,” I said finally turning so she was in my vision slightly.

“You are for the most part. Twilight gets some say in it as you do since she would be the head mare in the herd.” She commented.

“Yeah, I'm just not sure about it all. It's a lot to take it and not even going into the whole royal aspect to it. I get herds are a thing and royal ones make big news. Just after the whole Silver bit, I just don't want to relive that or have Twilight suffer through that again.” I answered.

“Is that the only reasons?” Luna asked already guessing I wasn't revealing it all.

“No...” I answered with a sigh. “Look I get the reasons why which funny enough is also the problem.”

“I fail to see the humor in it.” She answered as the room seemed to be unusually quiet all of a sudden.

“Remember that my spirit and mind are from a world that has issues with this sort of thing. So I have to go against everything I thought was right from my old world. Which if anypony understands this it's you, Luna.” I said lowering my head as I closed my eyes for a moment.

“I believe you right, being out of place with ways that just seem so familiar and right, just to find out that they are wrong. So you have to break yourself of the habits that you use to find comfort in. It can leave a pony feeling lost and out of place.” Luna said before taking a deep gentle breath. “But it does come to a time that everypony needs change. For good or bad, I was no different and the same goes for you.”

“I know...” I answered quietly as I just... sat there for what felt like ten minutes. “Luna let me ask you something. If and mind you right now it is an if, I agree to try this out. What happens?”

“Well... it's much like dating for anypony else. I try to woe you to the point we get to a more intimate feeling among us and try to take it a step further.” She simply answered.

“And if it successful?”

“We fill out the papers and have an official royal herd. Probably a ball or something to announce it to Equestria and from there, probably marriage.” She answered.

“What if it fails?” I asked not having looked at her since I started this line of questions.

“Than we say we had tried and that is the best anypony can ask of us. Things get a little awkward until the feeling blows over and life goes back to the way they were.” She answers like it was just that simple.

“If I say yes, will you promise not to go overboard with the wooing?”

“I can try my best.” She answered calmly.

“I see...” I said and I think her wing gently twitched as I left my mind to wonder for a while. Part of me wanted to say let's try, which I get it. She's interested in both of us and she is a pretty mare. I won't lie about that fact, even though she is my adopted aunt. Both Celestia and Luna do look good in that male line of thinking kind of way. Which I'm probably not the only one that had that thought, especially for some of the stallions from Equestria. I on the other hoof had to work myself into the whole 'I'm okay with looking at mares that way without freaking out.' It was totally sensible why it took me time. Okay, that thought came out weird... I need to really reel in my thoughts a bit more. Silently I just looked out the window as Hermes came over and floated around us a little beeping a happy little tune. “Truth be told I just don't know.”

“It is a rather big step for you,” Luna commented.

“Among everything else.”

“It will be alright Firestorm.”

“If you say so,” I said as I just closed my eyes and let the motion of the train just give me some peace of mind.

“We will be arriving in a few minutes your highnesses.” Came the voice of I think the conductor.

“Thank you.” Both Luna and I said at the same time. Just as the conductor had told us, we arrived and met with a squad of rough count sixteen guards. Most of the night guards as it was getting later on during the day, that and it was Princess Luna so it made sense. We didn't have any issues trotting through the main streets of Canterlot, a side of a few ponies bowing which at this point was more a side note than anything big. I still didn't like it to be honest, but I could at least pretend that they did it more for Luna than myself. Once at the castle Twilight, Spike, and I went to my room while Rarity went to her guest room. I didn't find out till later that each of the girls has an assigned room set up for them. Since they come to Canterlot rather often for either a special event or something close. As soon as we walked in I was set upon by eight guards. Not in the 'get him for trespassing' kind of way, as in the 'I must speak to you it's rather important' kind of way.

Finds out among the other duties I have to take care of before the Gala. It seems that I need to decide more of my guards. Namely, I need to start with a group of them other than my captain. One thing that I did pick up from my dad who was a military person was some old habits he would push on both my sister and I. “Attention!” I barked out like an old drill instructor. I watched as all at this time I could tell fifteen guards line up in three rows of five. All of them at attention saluting like was the captain. Granted I was a higher rank, but my point still stands. “Now I want one of you to step forward and explain why you all decided to swamp me in my private room about this matter. Instead of going through Captain Nightling, because right now I'm rather annoyed.” I continued rubbing the bridge of my muzzle with my claws. Right about than a very armor clad pony came up, and I want to stress the armor here. I've seen a lot of armors designs, from games to movies. Just dear god this guy was like the pony version of the hulk if made into armor. Even kind of funny that it was painted in the night guard colors with some patina tossed in for good measure. With a snap to his hooves before saluting again.

“Sir, First Lieutenant Iron Clad Swift Blade.” He said giving his name and rank to me. Pretty standard issue from what I remember from the armed forces from earth.

“Good to know, now please get to the point,” I said flatly as Twilight was watching this exchange.

“I'm part of Princess Luna's Royal guard, more specifically the Heavy Hoof Unit.” He continued to talk and not getting to the point.

“The point... please.”

“Right, some of our special unit guards don't see action and after hearing that the Wyvern Guard is now accepting ponies. We have put in an official transfer to join your guard, your highness.” He continued to say and just by his gruff voice, I could see he was getting a little nervous talking to me.

“Okay, I get the official channel bit of this. I just have to ask, when did that suddenly jump to having fifteen guards in my private room to maul me when I first enter my room? Be sure to get to he 'fucking' point.” I said as my eye began to glow red as my patents with everything had damn near broke.

“We thought we would get the official word straight from the... um, ponies mouth?” He said and I almost went off on him.

“So let me get this straight, instead of waiting for me to review the files of the transfers, which mind you I wasn't made aware of until you just told me. You fifteen ponies decide to ambush me with this sudden bit of information and demand a fucking answer out of me?” I said almost too calmly, that when my mane and tail began to light up in flames. “Are you fucking out of your ever loving minds?!” I yelled to the point it was damn near a roar.

“I um... no?” He said stepping back.

“Are you asking me no, or are you telling me that's your answer. Because right now it more feels like your regretting these actions very much and should have waited for this.” I said stepping closer as now all the guards step back.

“We are... not out of our minds.” Iron Clad answered with a gulp at the end.

“Good, now I want all of you out of my private room unless it is really important like the end of Equestria levels of importance. Otherwise, I'm not afraid to make your lives a living hell and no pony Celestia, Luna or divine presence is going to overturn it.” I barked at them before eight of them disappeared thought magic. The four flew out off my balcony, and the last remnants of them, Iron Clad included high tailed it out of my door like the world was about to end. If they continued to push me, it may have for them. “Seriously the nerve of some ponies,” I said after I took a few moments to calm down as well as my mane and tail to revert back.

“Storm... are you alright?” Twilight asked.

“I'm fine Twilight, just a bit angry and annoyed to no end. I just wish-” I was cut off by a knocking at the door. “Oh for fuck sake who is it this time?” I asked swinging the doors wide open to find Nightling standing there at attention. “Oh, hey Nightling,” I said noticing the saddlebags she had on, the armored saddlebags. She snapped a salute and came in before shutting the door behind her.

“We need to talk.” She said coming over to the table in the middle of the room.

“Let me guess, it's involving roughly fifteen ponies wanting to transfer from special units all over the guard into the Wyvern guard who ended up being impatient that they jammed the files down your throat.” I guessed. She looked at me with her mouth opening wide.

“How did you-”

“They were here about a minute before you arrived.” Twilight explained.

“They thought they could just skip directly to me, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred bits. You know the whole deal.” I said coming over to sit down at the table. Twilight joined me on the other side as Nightling flipped open the top of her armored bags and pulled out the files. With a flick of her muzzle, she slid them over to me as I began to look through it. While I was a military child growing up and had picked up quite a few bits of military protocols growing up. I wasn't use to reading military records, and this being the Equestrian equivalent. It was a little off-putting how many of them had over ten pages per file. Don't get me wrong I could see the metals and achievements they did, but it doesn't tell me about the pony themselves. What they believe or what they would do if they had to go against everything they believed in.

They were told to serve and protect royalty. At the core that is understandable, but what if the ones they have to serve turns to be the villains. Do they still hold the same ground or does there morals fight against that. I couldn't help, but be a little twisted in my thoughts. I've had a fascination with twisted thinking. Especially in stories where you always see the hero like the hero till you find out that he was really the villain as the matter of perspective.

“Storm?”

“Huh?” I looked around and noticed I was staring at the cover a file.

“You spaced off for a few minutes. I was getting a little worried.” Twilight said looking at me and I could see the worry painted on her face.

“Sorry, I got caught up by a stray thought.”

“It's happening a little too often, ever since Discord got reformed. You've been spacing off every so often. Are you sure that you're alright?” Twilight asked already putting her hoof on my forehead.

“I'm fine Twilight, I just space off because of my thoughts. I've had this problem since I was a kid.” I explained.

“But you never showed since of this before.” She counted.

“Well most of my time here I was under a mind-altering effect, it goes without saying that I will act a little different than I was before.” I shot back.

“Still... I'm worried Storm.” Twilight said.

“Would it make you feel better if I have Heartshy and a few of the castle doctors do a scan of my brain again?”

“Yes.” She shot back without hesitating.

“Fine, Nightling can you put it through the official channel?” I asked rubbing my face with my hoof.

“Already on it,” Nightling said before she grabbed the pencil and scribbled something. A moment later she got up and went to do the door. “Hey, Sureshot get your flank over here. Official order from the prince.”

“Which one?” Said a male voice from the other side of the door.

“The one that doesn't have a stick up his flank, now get over here.” I could help but snort at that. Twilight was covering her mouth with a hoof. God, did I just get lumped in as the one who isn't stuck up? I don't know if I should sound offended or if I should just lose it and laugh. Ah screw it, I couldn't hold it in any longer.

***---***

“Let me get this straight, you've got both princesses dresses ready?” I asked Rarity after four hours of dealing with paperwork, questioning, and getting a medical checkup. As I expected my brain was working even after Twilight insisted on having three unicorns as well as she does the scans. Heartshy looked over all of the scans and from what he gathered I was fine. A little overstressed but fine health wise. I have ten candidates that I have picked through.

“They are fabulous, are you sure you don't want to see them?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, I trust your work. I mean your doing my suit right now.”

“And it looks quite dashing on him,” Twilight said watching me from the sidelines.

“Okay, okay, I get it. Twilight did you put in the request for the music?” I asked as Rarity was making sure the white suit wouldn't clash with my golden prosthetic or my orange coat.

“I put the request through Princess Celestia. She said that all the arrangements will be dealt with.” She said smiling. I remained silent as I was still pretty sore at Celestia. Through all this, the two of us have remained apart. I think it was both a choice on each other's part. I wasn't sure I was ready to forgive her for how much she restricted information or how much she played those I cared about, but I'm not as so short-sighted about all this. I didn't know Twilight back then, hell I wasn't even around till a few years later. It's just... I never liked to see those I cared about playing in the past, present, and future. That and I may have gone a little overboard with my anger that night, but it was just too much piled on at one time. Stress and emotions are a very strong thing, regardless of who anyone or anypony is. They will still fall to it, princess or otherwise.

My only guess was Celestia wasn't ready to face me as I may have struck a very tender cord with her. With me throwing her choices right into her face like that. It had to sting hard when I involved Luna in as well as Twilight. Two ponies that were very close to her. Don't get me wrong, I know it was a dick move on my part and hindsight of it all. Just... too much, it was just too much at the time, or at least that's what I keep telling myself. I suppose I'm lucky that this stayed between the two of us and that Celestia isn't a spiteful mare. If she was, I probably would have been locked up somewhere and probably knocked out.

“Storm you really should talk to her.” Twilight's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?”

“You should talk to Princess Celestia.” She said and I can see the seniority in her eyes. I could only sigh and look out the window at the dipping sunset.

“I know I should, but I'm just not ready.”

“But...” I knew Twilight was just trying to smooth things over. The kicker in all this is she doesn't know or for that fact not really anypony what we talked about. Outside of the two mages that I had to interrogate.

“I agree with Twilight Sparkle.” Said Luna who walked in with two of her night guards behind her.

“Be that as it may, this is between the two of us.” I countered.

“You haven't seen how my sister has been.” Luna began to plead.

“And you didn't see her that night. You didn't hear what was said.” I was taking some heavy breaths trying to keep calm.

“Firestorm, please just-” Luna began before another visitor cut her off.

“Luna please leave it be.” The rest of them turned to Celestia as I was staring out the window myself. “He is correct, you didn't see or hear what was said that night.”

“Than tell me what you talked about!” Luna demanded.

“Storm...” Celestia said ignoring the request, I only remained silent. “I... I kept Firestorm in the dark about a very important matter.”

“Is this about the black books?” Twilight asked and that was followed by a bit of silence.

“Yes.”

“What about those books?” Luna asked with a slight growl to her voice.

“Do you want to tell them Storm?” Celestia asked.

“She had quite a few books,” I answered.

“How... many?” Twilight asked.

“Close to half,” Celestia answered.

“Close to half!” Twilight and Luna exclaimed.

“And that I'm linked with one.” That got both of them to look wide-eyed at her. I was staring back as I was pretty surprised she openly admit that. She openly admits that she was in the same pot of stew as me. That she was tied to one of these cursed books.

“Why would you get yourself attached to such a vile book?” Luna said in a tone between disgust and anger.

“At the time, I wanted a better understanding of what he was getting into.” She answered.

“As soon as you got into it. It left you with this sense of fear, this feeling of wanting to know more and not even wanting to be anywhere near it.” I said looking at Celestia.

“And knowing that power... that knowledge was in somepony else hooves.” She continued.

“The oldest and strongest emotion of pony kind is fear-” I began.

“And the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” Celestia finished.

“If I may ask, what are you two talking about?” Rarity asked looking at little confused.

“That is a quote from an author from earth named H.P. Lovecraft. He was into horror, things behind one's mind to understand. Much like his tales, those books touch in very dark subjects. Things that ponies who don't understand the true horrors in things.” I began to explain.

“I never want to see a pony see the same thing that I had seen.” Celestia continued.

“The problem is that Grimwand had already been head deep in it. I came in with a different understanding, my world while not as magic based like this. Still housed horrors that I wouldn't wish on anypony. I understand these in a different light than most other ponies. Rarity, Luna you saw the things in my head when you all pulled me out of that nightmare, right?” I asked turning to them as I began to slide my suit off me.

“Those... ghastly...” was all Rarity got out before she shuttered.

“It was like something right out of Tartarus,” Luna added in.

“That's honestly not the worst I've had before. If anypony understands how screwed up a pony could get, it's me. If I wanted to, if I really had the drive to it. I know of ways that even both you and Celestia would be traumatized for at least a lifetime. All while staying into the realm of history from earth.” I said looking directly at Luna. The look on her face told me she could read something in my eyes.

“If... if they are as bad as 'little boy' I don't think I want to know,” Twilight said slowly backing away from me.

“Little boy?” Celestia asked.

“To give you the short version of this. It was a massive turning point in a war, one that caused over one hundred and forty thousand dead in one single strike. One so top secret that even those that flew the bomb itself above the city didn't know until they took it.” As I explained, I watched both Luna and Celestia stare at me. While Luna was still pretty readable as just the thought alone didn't sit well. Celestia was better at holding back the disdained in her look. Her eyes, however, told me enough as I pushed images through our link. Something I more tried to do, as I wasn't sure it worked.

“Is all humans like this?” Celestia asked.

“No, some of us are rather good-natured. Cynical for the most part, but good-natured.”

“How were you so... restrained that night?” Celestia asking a more pointed question. I just looked at her quietly for a few moments, before I tore my gaze from her.

“Honestly... I don't know. While I was so angry with you that I could have punched you or something. I just couldn't bring myself to do that. Either because of your family, or that you could imprison me, or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I am still rather pissed off about what you did and I don't know if I will forgive you any time soon.”

“That's fair.” She said before turning to everypony. “Can you all give us some time alone. I need to speak with him on a personal matter.”

“Of course Princess Celestia.” Rarity said before leaving, Twilight joined her not saying a word with Spike who was watching this whole thing on her back. Luna just looked back and forth between her sister and I. With a nod she left quietly leaving only the two of us in the room. I moved over to the balcony and sat looking out onto Canterlot.

“Storm...” Celestia said slowly coming over to the left of me and sat down with a few feet between us. “I... I'm sorry.”

“Sorry, you hide it from me or sorry you got caught?” I asked with a bit of venom in my voice. If it wasn't noticeable that I kept my tone civil while everypony else was in the room. With it being the two of us, I didn't hold back before. She gave a small sigh and glanced away from me.

“Both.” We sat in silence for a bit longer before a question that was itching the back of my mind came out.

“Why did you tell them?” I asked still not looking at her.

“Why did I tell them about having the books or that I was linked to one?”

“Both.” Once again silence filled the space between the two of us. Okay, is this going to be what we talked going to lead to, more fucking silence? “After you threw what I did to both my sister and Twilight... I've been thinking about everything. It wasn't fair what I did, regardless of the reasons or who told me. As a ruler, I needed to be able to trust my ponies and them to trust me.”

“Tit for tat Celestia, tit or tat.”

“Yes... I'm not perfect-”

“Nothing is.”

“Be that as it may, I hold Twilight close to me in a personal fashion.”

“Well, she is your personal student, from what I understand you don't have many of those.”

“With a few being less than good outcomes.”

“Kind of happens...”

“More than you know.”

“Just... Twilight's different, she was a very special filly growing up.” Please don't tell me you are crushing on Twilight now! I already have to deal with Luna trying to 'court' Twilight and me, and I really don't need Celestia trying to jump on the bandwagon. “I... I always felt like a second mother to her, watching her grow and learn. It just filled my heart seeing her grow up into the mare she is now.”

“I fail to see the point here.”

“I've done stuff I'm not proud of.”

“So has everypony else.”

“Are you going to be snarky the whole time?” She asked turning to look at me.

“And what if I am?”

“Storm, I'm trying to be sincere with my apology.”

“I know.”

“You're not going to accept it are you?”

“Nope.”

“What can I do to make up for this?”

“No.”

“No?”

“Yes, no. You are going getting off of me being pissed at you Celestia.” I said finally get up and looking her dead in the eyes. “You don't get to do the whole 'I rule the nation and I can give you anything to make up for this' bit. You don't get to pay for me to not be angry. You withhold information that could be useful. Not only that it's information that I need to know so I can be prepared. The dark one is still out there and will be coming here. I don't know when and it scares me not knowing that. Topped with now that I can finally think as I use too and for you to pull this shit? I'm sorry but fuck you.” I said getting up into her face waving the bird right at the end.

“You think I don't know this Storm! You think it was easy for me to withhold this from you?”

“Yes! You've been doing it for years. It's part of being a ruler, withhold information because the masses may freak out. All for the 'greater good'. Lies and desperation are tools on your belt Celestia. You don't think I knew about this?” I was breathing hard trying to keep my calm as best I could, which isn't going well.

“Your right.” She said with her eyes closed. “Even with ponies, I consider close to me. I've kept them at hooves length with the tools of being a leader. I've done the same with my sister, after a thousand years it just...”

“Became second nature. Just like putting on a mask really.” I finished off as I slowly landed and went back to my spot to the right of her.

“Correct.”

“Look... I get it, I really do. You were too wrapped up in the whole protect everypony by doing it yourself. All while moving piece where you can to intercept the opponent's pieces. It's just this time you where playing a game that wasn't made for you. One that you didn't have a right to be a player and that bothered you.” I continued quietly.

“After so many years, you just begin to think that you have to do something.” She said in a somber tone.

“And that's the problem. You tried to do everything yourself in your way, but with this game, it wasn't yours so it blew up in your face. Which is why I am angry, the whole reason I'm here was to do something about 'the dark one' and you were forcing me to be handicapped at the beginning. You withheld information that I should have known.” I said as my prosthetic began to grow as my claws were clenched tight making a fist with them.

“Your right, and that's why I want to make it up to you. I've allowed you access to stuff that barely anypony before has. Not even Grimwand had access to a lot of the sealed documents kept away.” Celestia said before floating over a key to me. “This key works on any door and allows you direct access. However, no pony other than you can gain enter the passage. A barrier is in place for just that reason.”

“I can accept that, and I will inform you that I may have to return to earth sooner than I expected,” I said taking it and hiding it within my bags.

“And why is that?”

“Equestria just doesn't have the level of technology that I need. So I'm wanting to go back to earth and bring back what I need. I get that this is going to be a tit for tat bit since both Luna and Twilight want to accompany me on this trip.”

“Luna has been talking about exploring another world, I can only assume this is what she was going on about? Be careful about assuming things Celestia, they can make an ass out of you and me.” I said with a smirk.

“Cheeky.” She commented.

“Yeah, that aside I could only guess. I will also be bringing a four as her name is Lyra Heartstrings from Ponyville.”

“Why her?”

“Wish fulfillment mainly, she-”

“is absent with humans, I know.”

“A few run-ins with the said mare?”

“Five or six times before she tried to break into the archives to find more information. She's still banned, however. If this tones her down then I can agree to this, but in exchange for this. I want access to the technology you plan to bring back.” She counted quietly as her horn began to light up. The two of us watched as she lowered the sun gently as somewhere Luna was raising the moon.

“I can agree to this with one condition.”

“And what is that?”

“That whatever I bring back is to never be used as a weapon or for weapon development.”

“I can agree to that, but I don't have full control of what my... our little ponies decide to do with this technology.” She said catching herself.

“I know, but on a royal side, I don't want any weapons made. Means for defense I can agree with like new armors and devices to help. Just... I don't like death...” I began to rub my prosthetic quietly after that.

“I understand. Are we... good?”

“Were okay, not good... not yet. Look... just give me time, I'm stressed about everything and with this whole Gala thing in my lap. I'm just... overtaxed.”

“I apologize, it was my idea to have you host it. Both as a means to distract you before you burned yourself out with studying those... books and as a means to help quell rumors that have been going around.” She explained.

“Those that I'm too hard on businesses when it came to my two sit-ins during court and that I'm not very protected?”

“Among others, it's more to help put your face out there for everypony to know. You've been on the more hushed side of things royally. Which I wish I could keep you from further, it's just timing has played against us in this.” She explained.

“I figured that being the case, between everything has happened. I more worry the outcome of coming out, no offense that is probably the weirdest thing that has come out of my mouth in a long time.”

“Cadence said the same thing when she had her first coming out party.”

“Your kidding?”

“It was an interesting night and I will admit the most gala can be rather dull. Save for a hoofful I could remember.”

“I heard about Twilight and the girl's first gala together.” From what I could remember it was a train wreck of a night for everypony. Between the animals running wild from Fluttershy, Dash trying to impress the Wonderbolts, Applejack's failed stand outside of a pie I think, and... Blueblood. It just was a mess.

“Good times,” Celestia said with a smile.

“I suppose if you had to go through so many of them you would try to find a way to liven them up.”

“More than you would know, there was this one time when I 'accidentally' ordered the guards to another spot and a few towns ponies got in. It was pretty entertaining to watch some of the 'royals' of Canterlot interact with those from Manehattan and Van Hoover.” She had that devilish smirk on her face as she remembered good times.

“Was this the reason I got a hoofful of tickets to give ponies?”

“... maybe” She smiled.

“Clever.”

“Speaking of 'clever' has Luna talked to you about the-”

“Herd thing... yes.”

“And?”

“Before I think about answering that, why does it matter to you? Outside the whole 'it's my sister bit'?”

“I'm just being cautious about this.” She answered.

“And why are you being cautious about Luna's wanting to date both Twilight and me?” I asked glancing at her.

“It's a big step for all three of you. My sister hasn't tried to form a relationship with anypony since before her banishment. Twilight's only experience with this was just some of the couples around Canterlot, and finally you. I don't know how well you react to these things.” She said calmly.

“If it makes you feel better, I'm not sure about it myself. I worry that I can't give her the same feelings as I do for Twilight and that it only becomes strained between the two of us. Not even going into the fact that it feels weird to me. A guy like me being in a relationship with two mares. If this was earth, that besides the legal ramifications if it got to the point of marriage. I just can't see it happening to me there.” I sat there quietly after my little worry fest.

“If I may be honest?” She asked and I bit back my retort of 'a little late for that', for simply nodding. “I'm a little mixed about her choice.”

“How come?”

“She is her own pony and I respect that, but I worry she may get hurt or make a mistake down the road.”

“So the whole, I'm the overprotective big sister and I don't want to see my little sister defense.”

“To simplify it yes.”

“I get that, but everypony has to learn. Mistake get made and everypony learns from it. So just let Luna be Luna. Be there to catch her when she falls and give comforting words when she needs them. It's all you can really do.” I answer.

“I suppose you are right.”

“Yeah...” I said before went back to staring out into the sky.

“I... I did have one other matter I wish to talk to you about.” I turned to her looking a little curious but a motioned with my hoof to go on. “I have come to a decision about Shadow Storm.”

“And that is?” She took a few moments to compose herself before she told me her answer. One that I wasn't sure I was ready to hear.

-End Of Chapter-