“Who are you?” the new Celestia frowned

“Cellsy?” I tilted my head

“Who, are, you?” she spat, glaring at me

“You know me, I’m Tesla, Rick Hawkins, don’t you remember, you were with me during the creation of the eons” I gulped, audibly

“You cannot be him, and how do you know of such a thing?” she snapped, I changed to eon form “Lies” her horn flared a bright primrose as I was sent flying into the tree behind me, collapsing flat on my face as she trotted toward me, stopping mere feet from me

“Alright, if you won’t listen to me, there’s only one thing I can do, Celestia” I got into a kneeling position after reverting to human form

“And what would that be, human?” she growled

“I surrender” I bowed, placing my hands on the ground beside me, arching my arms outwards in the process

“The rick I would know would never give up, even against impossible odds” she scoffed the changeling sat beside me

“Or maybe I don’t want to hit a loved one” I shrugged

“Tesla…?” she gasped quickly shaking her head “No, it can’t be, he disappeared ages ago, and we’ve yet to find him

“That was an eon ago; I’ve been reborn as another human,” I clenched my fists, if you do not believe me ask someone else, but know that I will not fight you over such an argument”

“Sweet merciful Faust!” she almost screamed, her horn flaring again as I was lifted to my feet, gently placed on the ground “I offer a thousand apologies for hitting you, Tesla”

“Call me Rick” I smiled as she draped a wing around me, pecking my cheek

“Then I shall, Rick, how long have I been gone?”

“A little over an eon” The changeling smirked

“Unless you can transfer the feelings and memories of that other form of yours, keep your trap shut” I snapped

“That I will” she nodded, her horn glowing a bright green colour, as Celestia’s shone in a brilliant primrose aura

“Tesla- Rick I…” Celestia’s sudden smile faltered as she teleported away

“So, who are you?” I turned to face the changeling beside me

“Shattered Glass, at your service, your majesty” the bug-pony bowed

“So be it” I changed to eon form, flying towar4d the castle in the forest as fast as I could go

=-=

“Rick, what’re you doing up at this time of night?” Nyx blinked as I entered the throne room, reverting to human form, walking toward her, quickly bowing

“Can’t sleep” I mumbled

“Allow me to help with that” she cooed, removing her armour, teleporting it away, her horn beginning to glow with a bold blue aura, my vision faded, she caught me as I fell, carrying me elsewhere

-=-

When I awoke, I bolted upright, only to be tackled by a familiar pair of pegasi

“Daddy,” Gracy Gloom and Snowdrop chimed “We missed you!”

“And I you my little grace and Snowflake” I smiled, draping my wings around the pair of ponies as an unfamiliar changeling the size of chrysalis with a navy blue mane and tail, both with holes in them as her legs had holes of the same size and circumference, the being in question also had a pair of cobalt eyes with a purple saddle like structure on her back connecting her wings

“I apologize for my subject’s appalling behaviour, Tesla” the changeling purred “name your request, and it shall be carried out to the letter, milord” she bowed

“Who are you?”

“Queen Metamorphia, ruler of one of the sub-hives of the changeling horde” she hissed with apparent ‘satisfaction’

“You needn’t bow to me, your majesty” I smiled

“You call me  by the phrase ‘your majesty,’ I think you’ve hot it the other way around” she chortled “you’ve been under a sleep spell for the past week, I shouldn’t tell you this yet, but you, due to Chrysalis somewhat ‘divine intervention,’ are the ruler of the changeling horde, we’ve successfully integrated into Equestria as a colony, thanks to your saving Captain Black Beetle,” she continued “we have yet to thank you for that, My king, and so I offer myself as thanks for your consideration and coronation of your new title as our lord and saviour, Emperor Tesla”

“So what, you’re my servant and/or maid now?” I tilted my head

“Nay, I’m your slave, if you so wish, but I can be considered a servant, yes” she licked her lips with her snake-like tongue

“Ok, either I’m dreaming, or I’m going insane” I blinked

“From what I can tell, or have been told, you’re already insane as it is” she laughed

“Touché,” I slowly nodded “Where’re the others?”

“They’re in the city the natives call Canterlot, where you saved Black Beetle from a pain beyond comprehension”

“Boredom,” I hummed

“Slipping into insanity” she frowned, the frown of which then quickly morphed into a glimmer “but more of that at another time, now, however, we- no, you, need to go to Celestia, she’s been worried sick about you, milord”

-=-

And so we went, my friend, Blaze and Kiary quickly catching up with us at the main hall of the castle, clambering onto my back just before I flew in eon form beside Metamorphia and Blackjack toward Canterlot

Once we landed at the mountain city, ‘my family and friends landing beside me-, I reverted to human form

“Rick?” Celestia stared at me as I entered the throne room, my friends, family and Metamorphia stood beside me; launching herself at me, changing to anthro form mid-lunge “Oh thank Faust you’re alright” she draped her arms around my neck

“Celestia,” I blinked

“Hush now, Rick we’ve a bit of catching up to do” she giggled, eventually releasing me from her grip

“Metamorphia tells me that I’ve been given a new title, is it true?” I tilted my head ever-so slightly, Snowdrop once again stationed between my horns, and Kiary and Gracy Gloom perched on either shoulder

“I have insisted that you be a knight to the changelings, but they seem to have insisted otherwise, to make a king of you, Rick” she nickered

“Next thing you’ll be telling us is that Faust mutated the eons and humans of old into changelings” Blaze laughed

“I did” I turned, Faust was stood beside Twilight, her friends, and Spike

“Well then, it appears as though the history lesson’s only continued further” Blaze tutted

“So it does” I nodded, walking with my friends and Blaze passed Faust and the others, marching to the train station, the conductor saluting me as I boarded the train

=-=-=

When I entered the castle in the Crystal Empire, I wandered aimlessly through the many corridors of the complex crystalline structure soon finding what seemed to be a storage room with an oval-shaped mirror with a pale lavender frame

“Should we,” Blaze smirked “we know where it goes, after all”

“Might as well” I walked into the mirror, it’s surface rippling like lake that’d had something thrown into it, Blaze and the others quickly following, my vision fading to black

When I awoke, Blaze and the others were stood around me, Blackjacks mechanical exoskeleton now replaced by pristine snow-white fur, her wings now that of a normal pony’s, as were her eyes, formerly a glowing orange, now a deep crimson shade of red

“Where are we?” Littlepip shook her head

“Canterlot high, the bane of every brony’s existence” I grumbled

“Good one,” Blaze laughed “maybe the base-breaker known as Flash Sentry, or brad, is still here?”

“Are those, ponies?” a group of five humans -who barely resembled Twilight’s friends-, slowly approached Actual talking ponies, the Applejack Lookalike blinked

“That we are” Velvet Remedy held out a hoof

Introductions were swiftly made with little-to-no difficulty

“If it isn’t Rainbow Crash!” a human with blazing, waist-length yellow and red hair with teal eyes, a purple shirt with a red and yellow sun split by a horizontal wavy line through the middle, black jacket, orange skirt with a purple and yellow stripe down either side, and black boots that went up to just below her knees

“And what have we here, a winged, horned human, you’re a freak!” she snapped

“And you’ve nothing better to do with your life that bullying, I can tell here you’re going in life, young lady” I smirked

“Nobody stands up to Sunset Shimmer!” Fluttershy gasped

“Too busy or too nervous?” I winked

“What was that?” Sunset Shimmer glared icy daggers at me

“Yeah, I bet you’re so-called friends or lackeys are the same as you, a group of feral beasts locked in iron cages lashing out at a world they barely know because they’re too scared to actually try anything decent for a change,” I sighed “I have a few pieces of advice for you, little girl, get your education as best you can, get out get a job, get a boyfriend or whatever you want, and get a life, because you certainly get one by aggravating me”, she ran as fast as she could into the nearby building

“How the heck did you do that?” Rainbow Dash stared at me

“Bullies rule in fear and jealousy, take that away and you disarm them, learnt it rather quickly myself” I chuckled “

“Can we still use magic though,” Littlepip’s horn flared a deep green colour as she teleported onto my back, wrapping her arms around my neck as a tall, ‘Celestia’ lookalike marched out of the school, striding toward us alongside Sunset Shimmer

“Sunset Shimmer tells me you’ve been bullying her?” the lookalike frowned

“Yes, but only in defence of myself and my friends” I shrugged

“Explain” she folded her arms, so I did “Interesting, it appears as though we’ve a new student to our school, I believe I can make the arrangements to adjust your sudden appearance..?” she raised an eyebrow

“Tesla, or Teslakana, or just Rick, if you’d prefer” I held out a hand, she quickly shook it

“So be it, Tesla, I do believe you’re due for a science lesson, first door on the right, second floor, just take the stairs to the left” she smiled

“Thank you..?”

“Principal Celestia” she chuckled

==-==

The lessons passed soon enough; and when the school day ended, albeit curiously, I was stood in the ‘playground,’ by the statue, placing my hand in the block that made up its base, my hand phased through as the rippling effect reoccurred, I quickly pulled my hand back, turning around, what appeared to be the whole school’s students that’d attended where stood there, standing there, staring at me in apparent curiosity

“Is it a demon?” one of the students blinked

“Can’t be, it’s got the wrong wings, and there’re four too many wings” a second human corrected the first

“Maybe it’s a fallen angel” a third mumbled

“Dragon slayer” I shook my head, summoning a flame around either hand

“It’s got to be a hidden apparatus creating that fake-fire!” a fourth human frowned I quickly rolled up my sleeves, turning my arms to show that nothing was hidden “I’ll be damned” he whistled

“It’s actual magic!” Rainbow Dash and the four others burst forth to the front of the crowd

“Don’t be ridiculous Rainbow, how could he possibly summon a flame from thin air?”

“She’s right you know?” I smiled

“Magic don’t exist, everyone knows that” she scoffed

“Maybe not in this world, but from the ones I’ve been to it does,” I frowned

“And Ah suppose that’d explain the ponies that’ve been following you all day long, especially that thing” she gestured toward Blaze, who let out an intimidating growl

“And for our final act, Snowdrop, if you will” I gestured toward the statue, the flames around my hands dissipating at once as she leapt through it, followed, of course, by the others, “I bid thee, adieu, good sirs and ladies”

I leapt through the statue-portal, a feint of dizziness taking over me as I blacked out again

When I came round, I bolted upright, only to flinch in pain, which gradually eased

“That was weird” I mumbled

“Tell me about it” Blackjack glanced to her wings “Didn’t know you did theoretical physics, whatever that is” she laughed as I steadily got to my feet, walking with her and the others through the castle

“I watched a lot of science documentaries on my laptop” I shrugged as we entered the throne room, Twilight and her friends alongside Spike and the princesses immediately marched toward us

“Where have you been?” Twilight frowned

“That would be telling” Blaze winked

-=-

“Are you Ok?” Celestia glanced toward me as she teleported us to canterlot

“First I find that humans were mutated into eons, then further mutated into changelings, how do you think I feel?” I snapped

“Though it would explain our ability to change forms” Black Beetle hummed

“Touché” I raised an eyebrow

“Princess Celestia!” a golden yellow unicorn mare with a blazing yellow and red mane ad tail with a red/yellow sun split down the middle in a wavy line burst through the door, galloping to the solar goddesses side, gaping at me in terror

“What is it my faithful student?” Celestia draped a wing around the unicorn, glancing out the window; I noticed it was the dead of night

“I had a nightmare,” the pony, Sunset Shimmer-lookalike shuddered “About a demon with horns, wings and a fiery magic from the deepest pits of tartarus itself

“Pepper’s harmless” I gestured to the succubus stood beside me

“It wasn’t her” she stammered

“I only use my magic when and where I need to,” I blinked “that sounded better in my head”

“And besides, Crystagia’s a dragon, not a demon from hell, right brother?” Blaze smirked

“Exactly” I nodded “Besides, a nightmare every now and then is what reminds people that they’re living”

“Explain” Sunset Shimmer blurted out, quickly biting her lip to silence herself

“I like to sleep,” I began “I like to sleep because I like to dream; dreaming reminds me that I’m still alive”

“Morbid, but otherwise factual to an extent” Luna hummed, glancing toward Blackjack

“I see that Blackjack has her body returned to normal, what manner of magic was used to trigger such a transformation, may I ask?” Celestia raised an eyebrow

“An unknown source of energy, to be frank,” I shrugged “One with powers that far outdo my own”

“And where exactly was this?” she tilted her head slightly

-==-

“You found this, how?” Celestia glanced between me and mirror

“Aimless wandering” I clicked my neck “Besides, the magic resonance in the air was making my stomach turn”

“I remember this” Twilight placed a hoof against the mirrors surface “back when Sunset Shimmer used the crown to get revenge on Princess Celestia”

“She used to be a big meanie!” Pinkie Pie’s expression was a half-frown, half-pout type of look “but then she learned the magic of friendship and what it could do and ever since she’s been one of the nicest ponies I know”

“Meanie’s and bullies never usually learn unless you stand up to ‘em,” Blaze tutted “I fail to see how a few miniature horses could manage such a thing”

“Makes you wonder what Hasbro does in its sleep” I chuckled

“Wouldn’t go there brother, you might accidentally cause someone to be rendered catatonic!” she laughed

“That’s because the Americans are all weak-willed simple, one-track-minded Neanderthals, who think they can solve everything through war and violence and think they can do what they want, E.G Nagasaki and Hiroshima

“And to the one 'artist' who said that he lived in the USA and it was a free country;

if you should ever stumble across my being again, I just wanted you to know that I sincerely apologize for born-and-raised in an at-least-half-decent country known as England, where we can solve our differences through options other than that of violence or war, thank you; FYI USA is a continent, not a country, technically speaking” I chortled

“Informally declaring war again?” Blaze sighed

“As the many denizens of the internet would say,” I rolled my eyes “come at me bro”

“That there’s a risky business,” she guffawed “you sure you can take on their military”

“They see anything that challenges their somewhat anti-social way of life as terrorism, I’ll be perfectly fine so long as they don’t start pissing themselves wondering what we’re going to do” I laughed

“Just be careful” she face-pawed “I know how you get when something irks you like that, Tesla”

“Don’t worry,” I patted her head, standing on her hind legs she stood around half a foot shorter than me “I’ll be fine”

“Says you” she rebuked

“Oh, shut up” I shook my head, rolling my eyes, changing to eon form, my ears twitching as I did so “I do believe we’ve somewhere to be?”

“Magical radar playing up again,” she blinked, I nodded, she leapt on my back, followed by the others, save Blackjack, who galloped beside me as I raced through the castle

=-==-=

I burst through the door to the throne room of the everfree castle, Nyx was lying on her side her eyes flittered open as I approached, my figurative passengers landing beside me as I reverted to human form

“Nyx..!” I placed a gentle hand on her stomach “Are you Ok?”

“I’m…” she slurred, letting out a moan, her eyes rolling into the back of head as something extruded from her lower area, shuddering as it left her body

“Is that…?” Blaze gasped

“Our foal” Nyx murmured, craning her neck, her eyes falling onto the little pony, magically picking it up, magicking up a thick, warm blanket, wrapping it around the foal, handing it to me

“’tis a mare” she nickered “what’ll her name be, my love?”

“Winter Bell” I smiled

“So it shall be,” she smiled “you’re friend, the aptly named ‘Winter,’ left, saying she had to ‘tend to the isles’’’

“That’s Winter” I gave a soft laugh, the filly in my arms staring up at me with a small smile, her deep, gunmetal grey coat, mild indigo and black two-toned mane shimmering in the moonlight, the deep/mild cobalt gemstone in her chest shaped like a twelve-pointed star shining with a soft glow

“A real crystal pony” Blaze simpered, I shot her a glare “sorry”

“Apology accepted, Blaze” Nyx exhaled sharply

“Please don’t tell me there’s another one coming” she chuckled

“No, I am merely exhausted,” Nyx sighed “even for an alicorn, foal-birth is a difficult procedure”

“Are you my little Winter Bell?” I smiled, nuzzling my nose against the foal in my arms’ Winter Bell gave a giggle, as I replaced my nose with a light finger, she batted at it with her hooves “Yes, yes you are,” Winter Belle began to laugh as I tickled her chest, suddenly exhaling a small ball of fire “That was unexpected” I blinked

“Bro, that’s creepy” Blaze shuddered

“I’m just having some quality time with me new daughter, what’s wrong with that?” I tutted, turning my attention back to the foal in my arms “Who’s a little Winter Bell, you,” I smiled, continuing to tickled her chest, “yes you are, you’re my little Winter Belle,” I chuckled

“Tesla, what the hell are you doing?” Blaze stared at me

“Bonding” I smiled, sitting beside Nyx, draping my wings around Winter Belle,, pulling a feather  from my wing, handing it to the filly, draping my wings around her as she held onto the feather,

“Am I interrupting something?” I turned; Celestia was stood there, a small smile upon her face

“Not at all”

“I see we finally proof of your choosing to herd or not” Celestia smiled, standing before me, glancing between me and Winter Bell “she’s adorable, what’s her name?”

“Winter Bell” I smiled

“Cute, truly, I wouldn’t think that night-” I shot her a look “Nyx, would be able to produce such a beauty”

“Am I not still a tiny, ever-so little part of your sister, Celestia?” Nyx smirked “I’ve always been there, creeping around her subconscious’ depths, lurking in the back of her mind, it may be different, but I am still a part of her as she is me”

“As much as I’d like to say otherwise I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do about it” Celestia frowned

“You can be there for her, be by her side when she needs it most; do what you can for her”

“Since when did you become a psychiatrist?” Blaze raised an eyebrow

“Just because I failed once doesn’t mean it has to happen to someone else” I winked

“Well spoken, Rick” Nyx sat beside me, leaning against me “If you choose to go, I will not stop you, I shall take care of Winter Bell in your stead, my love”

“I can’t accept that” I frowned

“Why not?” she blinked

“Because we birthed her together, so we should raise her together, as a family” I grinned

“Usually stallions forget about they’re foals, and move onto other mares, why are you doing otherwise?” she blinked

“I’m not a pony” I smirked, she draped a wing around me, pecking my cheek

“I would be honoured to be in your herd, Milord” she bit her lip

“Just call me Rick,” I simpered “Let’s not go by titles or commendations, just names, Ok?”

“That I will, Rick” she nickered

-=-=-

Eight years had passed, and, somehow, be it luck of the gods (AKA Meridia and/or Azura), or otherwise, Winter Bell remained our little secret said secret was now lying on my back as I gently glided through the everfree forest, Snowdrop upon my head, Scarlet on Blackjacks head, Gracy Gloom rested upon my neck, and the others, Nyx included, walking with me toward Ponyville

“Five quid says they’ll react negatively toward Nyx” Blaze smirked

“Two-thousand says otherwise,” I frowned “They welcomed her once, they can do so again”

“Is that…?” one pony blinked, every pony who I could see stopped, turned to face us, eyes wide in shock-and-awe

“It’s Nyx!” a second cheered “Somepony get Pinkie Pie, we’ve a reason to celebrate!” with a great flash of light and there was an entire party suddenly set up in the middle of town, with banners streamers and balloons set up across various buildings

“All this is, just for me?” Nyx held a hoof to her breastplate

“You’re the Lady of the moon, you deserve at least some credit for your work, Nyx” I pecked her cheek

“You’re too kind” her cheeks flushed a deep, almost beetroot shade of red

“I’m yours as you are mine” I winked

“Are you hiding something?” I turned; Twilight and her friends were stood there, minus Rarity and Spike, who were busy at the table were a large glass bowl of punch was set up, Spike had a wing draped around the alabaster mare, having grown around three feet in the years gone by

“Why would I do that,” I blinked “you’re my Nakama, closer than family, I have nothing to hide from you, Element of Magic”

“The pony on your back proves otherwise,” she raised an eyebrow “who is she?”

“Winter Bell” Blaze grinned, the after-mentioned pony on my back stood up, bowing to Twilight had her friends

“She’s got your mannerisms, that’s fer sure” Applejack laughed

“And she’s got his crystalline chest-piece, as well as his wings” Twilight stared at me “You didn’t…”

“She’s our little Gem” Nyx nuzzled into me

“You betrayed Princess Celestia?” whispered loudly

“I’m a part of his herd” she snapped

“When did this happen?” Twilight frowned

“When we first met, I do believe, I felt my heart set itself aflame with a somewhat seemingly passionate love for my dear Rick,” Nyx smiled “it only escalated from there, once I admitted my love for him, he returned my feelings wholeheartedly, and with great reciprocation, and now, as you can plainly see, we’ve had a foal”

“And you didn’t think of telling Princess Celestia?” Twilight gawked at me

“She was the first to know, having apparently followed me to Nyx” I bit my lip

“When did that happen?” she looked half-appalled, half-gobsmacked

“Around eight years ago” I shrugged; it was then that I noticed that everyone was staring at me, and the music had stopped

“What?” she blared “And Princess Celestia didn’t tell us because why!?”

“You threatened her with the elements, once, I cannot allow the possibility of a second attempt” my eyes narrowed

“And I offer you every apology I can for it,” Twilight flinched, her cheeks turning a mild shade of pink, tears forming in her eyes

“Twilight,” I blinked “you’re…”

“I love you Damnit” she snarled “didn’t I already say it once?” she went on “if I have to tear Equestria apart to get you to see that then so be it, that’s what I’ll do, I just want you to notice me for who I am, not my title or status, but me as a pony, is it that hard?!”

“No, but-”

“Then why?” she screamed “why is it so hard to get your attention for once?” she continued “why can’t I seem to do anything for you, Tesla, I’ve been wondering where you’ve been and what you were up to for the past several years, and it turns out that you’ve got a foal for Faust’s sake, what am I supposed to do?”

“You could’ve asked,” I suggested “As Crystal once stated, and as I will now state, it’s an open relationship, if you want to join, be my guest”

“But just what am I supposed to do?” she cried

“Talk to Celestia about it, then come back to me” I smiled, she teleported away, it took several minutes to pass before the party picked itself up again, the atmosphere being thick enough to be cut with a spoon, figuratively

“You’ve only just worked it out?” Blaze shot an odd glance

“I’m a dumbass” I sighed, lowering myself to the ground, Winter Bell climbing to the ground as I reverted to human form

“Yes, yes you are” she folded her arms “now what’re you going to do, should Celestia choose to visit?”

“We’ll do what’s necessary, hopefully without much heart-rending, if any at all” I hummed “Speaking off unspoken couples, how’re Spike and Rarity?”

“They’re Gettin along fine pardner, it’s Twi Ah'm worried about” Applejack raised an eyebrow

“I can only do so much for a single being, let alone a country, but, however, I feel like this shan’t be a problem for more than a day, if not a week”

“And how’re you supposed to do that?” Rainbow Dash frowned

“I’m going to do something I didn’t think I’d have to do for a long time” I inhaled, and then exhaled

“No,” Blaze gasped “surely you couldn’t mean…!”

“I do,” I sighed, nodding “Time for the secret weapon, Winter Bell, stay here with Nyx, I’ll be back soon”

“Ok Daddy” Winter Bell saluted me -as she’d done for the past three years- as I walked with my friends and family toward the library

“Twilight, are you Ok?” I knocked on the door as I entered the library

“Go away!” Twilight’s voice came from upstairs; I quickly ascended the stairs, knocking on the door “I said go away!”

“I can’t do that until I know you’re Ok” I shook my head “Let’s just talk, I’m sure we can solve the issue eventually

“Ok, but just don’t come in-!” she stopped herself as I opened the door, revealing a room that was -save for the floor, bed and window-, neatly covered in images of what appeared to be both my human and eon forms, on the bed there was a plushie of the latter, stitched right to the finest detail

“I told you not to come in!” she bellowed

“I’ve been a fool” I stared at her, walking into the room, crouching down, sitting cross-legged before her as she glared at me “All this time, and I never noticed what you were trying to tell me,” I quickly pulled her in for a hug, draping both my wings and arms around her tightly, she wrapped her arms around me, placing her head on my shoulder, tears streaming down her muzzle from her bloodshot magenta eyes

“Tesla,” she sniffled “I’m sorry”

“You’ve done nothing that warrants such an apology, so please, say no more, Lady of Magic” I smiled

“I always did find you somewhat attractive, for a human” she giggled as we let one-another go”

“You offer me your apologies, which I decline as I see no need for you to ask them, Miss Sparkle, but in turn, I offer you my heart, or what’s left of it that I can share with you” I glimmered, she lunged forward, pressing her lips against mine, placing her hooves down on my shoulders with enough force to knock me onto my back, gradually parting, staring straight at me, her gaze powerful enough that it felt as though my soul itself had been covered by a warm, fiery blanket of sorts

“I accept your offer, Rick” she giggled

“How cheesy can you get?” I glanced toward the door, my friends and family were stood there; Blaze looked like she was gagging, her gaze shifted toward the bed, then around the rest of the room “What in the actual fuck!?” she burst out laughing

“You don’t mind if she laughs at us?” Twilight glanced between me and Blaze

“Let us have our hearts and love, and let her have her fun and games” I shrugged

“Indeed” she nickered, placing a hoof either side of my head, placing her lips on mine, our tongues briefly danced together before she parted again “I’m never letting you go” she purred

“Have I told you how much I love you recently?” I gleamed

“You may have” Twilight smiled “are all the stallions on your world like you? If they are, we're keeping all of this a secret because there will be fillies lining up for a chance at this”

“I’m one of a kind, Babe” I chuckled

“Good, because I want you all for myself” she smirked

“Good to hear, because I don’t want to end up sharing you with another stallion” I grinned

“What do you mean?” she blinked

“I mean I don't want another pony putting his hooves on my filly. You're mine and I'm keeping you all to myself. Ain't there no other pony taking your place” I draped a wing around her, followed by a gentle arm

“You make me so happy sometimes” Twilight whimpered, tears in her eyes as her voice almost cracked

“Easy” I cooed, letting her rest on my lap “you needn’t cry, Ok?”

“I know” she giggled “I love you Rick”

“And I you, my little gleaming star” I pecked her cheek, stroking her mane, as she unceremoniously rolled onto the floor, landing on her side

“Carry me to heaven…” she mumbled as I gently slung her onto my back, smiling as she wrapped her hooves around my neck

“As you wish, fair maiden” I chuckled, again, carrying her out of the library, my friends and family quickly following

“How did it go?” Rarity stood beside Spike and the others before me as I left the library, I smiled as Twilight perched her head on my shoulder

“Ah’ll be darned, ya‘ll did it in a day” Applejack whistled “so are ya some kind o’ mare whisperer or somethin’?”

“Who’s ever heard of something so strange?” I laughed; Blaze patted my arm, grinning as she stood on her hind legs

“We have no, brother” Blaze smirked

“Blaze, shut up, we don’t need to know” I snapped

“Oh but we do” Rarity insisted “ We simply must hear of what it is that you said or did to change our dear Twilight’s mind so easily!”

“Nothing I’m telling you, Diamond” I winked

“I rest my case” Blaze laughed

“So, that’s how ya‘ll did it” Applejack grinned

“Not exactly” I mumbled

“Yes it was,” Blaze smirked “they were some of the cheesiest lines I’ve ever heard in my life!” she laughed “Where’d you get them from?”

“Im not sure how to answer that,” I blinked “I mostly just think of what might help, given the situation”

“So you do” Twilight giggled, climbing down to the ground

-=-=-

As I entered the library, I saw Twilight, in a human form of sorts., holding tightly onto the plushie of me

“I didn’t think you’d be able to bring that thing out of your room” I laughed, she spun round, staring at me, she placed a hand over her chest

“You nearly gave me a heart attack!” she scorned

“I can only offer my apologies, lady of magic” I quickly bowed

“And your heart,” she winked “Spike’s out gem hunting with Rarity, so he won’t be back for a few hours” she sighed “he’s practically moved in with her these days, I can’t seem to be able to do anything to help him”

“We can only hope,” I shrugged “where wisdom and valour surely fail, all that remains is faith, and it can overcome all”

“Where’re the others?” she grinned

“Blaze is with Snowdrop, Blackjack and Scarlet are with Littlepip and Remedy, and Winter Bell’s with Nyx and Kiary’s with me” I gestured to the growing dragon beside me

“Well, we could play a game, just to pass the time?” Twilight winked

“What kind of game did you have in mind?” I smiled, she beamed

-=-

“How long were we at it?” I panted for breath

“Long enough stud” Twilight nickered, sitting next to me on the sofa, there was a knock at the door, and Spike and Rarity entered

“Morning Spike” I nodded

“You mean afternoon right?” he grinned “I could hear you two all the way on the other end of Ponyville”

“Honestly darling, you really do need to control yourself,” Rarity sighed “as much as we know that you care about Twilight, you can get a bit overzealous”

“We may’ve been a bid loud,” I smirked “But I love her all the same”

“And I you, my little eon” Twilight pecked my cheek

“My little gleaming star” I pecked the tip of her horn

-=-=-

After about a week, I sat back in the sofa in the library, Twilight lying across said sofa, her head in my lap, a small, golden ring visible on her horn, and a silvery one on my ring finger

“Oh how I’ve longed for this day” Twilight whispered, Spike and I shared a glance, I shrugged, he shrugged back, walking upstairs “Just you and me, together, until the end of our days”

“By your word, Maho no Fujin” I nodded

“What’s that mean?” she gave a soft laugh

“It means ‘Lady of Magic’” I smiled

“And you’re my little Hakumei Ryū Kishi” she winked, blinking sitting upright next to me “Rick, I’m ready”

“For what?” I tilted my head

“When we mated, to put it bluntly, you never put your, and this is putting it crudely, ding-a-ling into my fairy-cake, I’m still a virgin, technically, and thus, I’m ready” she explained with a sly grin

=-==-=

“Well that was interesting” I shuddered

“You did well, my little eon” Twilight pecked my cheek “I’ve never felt so happy in my life, even when my parents enrolled me into Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns!”

“I do what I can when I can, Lady Twilight” I smiled

-=-

As my friends, family and I, alongside Twilight, made our way to Lulania’s cavern, I opened the door to said cavern

Lulania was stood at the opposite end

“Do you wish to talk, Rick?” Lulania spoke calmly

“I wish to apologize for how cruel I’ve been toward you” I hummed “

“I accept your apology; not only because of who I am, but also because of the love we shared once, and can do so again” she smiled

“By your word, Tōku-ken Fujin”

“Lady of the distant stars” she nodded “a fitting title for me, thank you; my love”

“Wait, if you two were together, and Celestia, Faust, and Luna are your offspring, so to speak, why are there no recorded legends of either of you?” Blaze raised a paw

“There are a few, in the archives,” Lulania smiled “just say the word, and I shall let Celestia know that Equis is ready for the truth”

“And what, of Nyx?” Snowdrop lay atop my head

“She was, at one point, the being ponies refer to as Nightmare Moon,” Lulania began “back when she was the princess of the night and pure, controlled, darkness, back when Celestia was a tyrant, ruling over Equestria with an iron fist, or, your case, hoof,” she went on “there was little anyone could do to stop her, so we devised a pan, the ponies of old, with the human-turned eons, created the elements of harmony, those of which found themselves compatible with six especially chosen eons, who proceeded to use the elements of harmony against Celestia, who put up her most powerful shielding spells”

“What happened then?” Kiary stared at Lulania

“The shield broke,” Lulania shrugged “the effects of the elements were deflected toward Nyx, who teleported herself to the moon in order to escape, and then Celestia locked her there for a millennia, when the spell faded, Nyx’s mind was awash with thoughts of unbridled, unadulterated rage and revenge, it’s only now that the Nyx of old, the good Nyx, has returned”

“So, Nightmare Moon, is all just a lie?” Twilight blinked

“That is true, Element of magic, and it pains me to say that your princess Celestia is a liar and a fraud, it is Tesla who should be ruler, not her” Lulania frowned “were it not for the Tesla of olds’ reluctance, he would still be king, as he had every right to claim the title, even now, it’s not too late”

“I’m usually chivalrous, but I think we’re about to make an exception” I cracked my knuckles/claws

=-=-=

I burst into the throne room, my friends, family and Twilight’s friends and family marching beside me, Nyx and Winter Bell included along with Lulania, glowering at Celestia

“I see you two have made up, that’s nice” Celestia, apparently oblivious to my ire, smiled

“Yeah, it’s nice to know that one of my friends was locked on the moon for a whole thousand years” I scowled

“You’ve no proof of that” she frowned

“The elements of harmony exist, don’t they?” I spat “and I’m assuming the tree of harmony was made out of hundreds of soul dews also?”

“That it was, my love” Lulania nodded

“So, what was it that made you lie for a millennia about Nyx for the past thousand years?” I snapped

“Mommy was locked on the moon for a thousand years?” Winter Bell hasped

“I’ve no idea how else to say it, so I won’t bother trying to sugar-coat it, nor will I attempt to lie about it, my little rising star” I nodded

“I was young and reckless!” Celestia blurted out

“Bullshit, you’re a billion years old” I snarled

“Is this true?” Luna gasped at her sister

“Stay out of this” Celestia growled

“We see,” she teleported, appearing next to me “Then you may take care of the moon and stars for us, if you so wish, we shall remain by Rick’s side, eternally”

“And, technically, Nyx’s your half-sister” I glanced toward Luna, who stared at me, her gaze shifting around to face the mother of my second daughter

“It’s true, I’m a part of you as you are me, Princess Luna,” Nyx smiled “I shall forever serve you and Rick till th end of Equis, come tartarus or high water”

“You won’t get away with this, guards, remove this vermin from my sight!” Celestia yelled, the guards didn’t budge an inch, only glancing toward her, then smiling at me, winking

“It’d appear as though I just did” I smirked “Step down from the throne, and this will all be over, unless you still have that pride of yours intact”

“I’m not going anywhere” she growled

“Well then, it’d appear we’re at an impasse” I frowned

“Get out of my castle” she snapped

“‘Your’ castle,” I tutted “you only got it because the old ‘me’ was reluctant and handed it to someone he thought he could trust, clearly we were mistaken, Celestia”

“What would be your first order of business, my king?” Lulania smiled

“You could be my queen, Lulania, and Luna and Nyx remain as the diarchs of the night, and let gravity move the sun on its own Nyotei” I winked

“Empress?” she blinked, I nodded “you’re too kind, my king”

-=-

“So if Nyx was sent to the moon, then who’s Luna?” Blaze blinked, I glanced towards Luna, who tilted her head at me

“My little shooting star, that’s what” I smiled

“We are pleased to hear that you love us as you do Nyx, Sir Rick” Luna draped a wing around me

“I’ve no reason to feel otherwise, you and all the others who live in Equestria were lied to for on-thousand years, Lulu, loving you is the least I can do” I smiled as we sat on the hill beside canterlot

“I’m scared Daddy,” Winter Bell sat in my lap, clinging onto me

“What is it, my little winter gem?”

“That Celestia’s going to lock me on the moon if she finds me” she began to cry, tears flowing freely down her muzzle

“I won’t let that happen” I frowned, “I’m a dragon slayer, and I never allow harm to come to my friends, let alone my family, or Nakama, I also know a dragon slayer who ate the flames of a god”

“He did?” she gasped, staring at me

“He did, he combined them with his own, creating a dragon god’s brilliant flame, using the combined flames to beat the god slayer, who, after being on the other end of the attack, was vanquished, once and for all”

“That’s amazing!” she gaped

“Magic” I winked “you yourself have those powers, that of a dragon slayer, you just need to choose an element, Winter Bell”

“What element should I choose?” she blinked

“Whatever element you feel is best suited to you” I smiled

“I’ve been wondering for a while,” she tilted her head, perching herself between my horns, lightly tapping them “you have horns, why is that?”

“I’m one third dragon, one third eon, the rest is human” I smiled, stroking her mane, pecking her forehead

“You’re part dragon, and yet you’re a dragon slayer, how does that work?” she giggled

“I had a gemstone known as a dragon lacrima planted in my being when I gained the abilities of a dragon slayer, that’s just one of the choices I made as a human being, Winter,” I sighed “and now you must make a choice also, do you wish for defensive, offensive, or supportive spells to go with your magic, and what element do you wish to choose?”

“Both offensive and defensive spells,” she gleamed “what elements are there?”

“There’s probably an unlimited number,” I shrugged “ close your eyes and hold out your hoof” she did, holding her hoof out in front of her, facing away from me, closing her eyes “now imagine that there’s a massive amount of energy welling up inside of you, and try and focus it into that hoof” she nodded, a blackish-indigo flame appeared bursting into life around her hoof “Steady now, try to get it to a level you feel you can manage without exhausting yourself,” she nodded again, the flame shrunk a little “now open your eyes” she did just that, opening her eyes, then gasping at the sight of the dark fireball

“What element is that?” Winter Bell gaped

“Shadow-flame,” I whistled “Kage-en no Metsuryū”  

“What element are you?” she turned to face me

“Crystal-based fire” I winked

“How does that work?” she blinked

“I got my dragon slayer magic from a crystalline dragon, one who passed on her abilities to me,” I smiled

“Just like you’re teaching me now?” she giggled

“Basically,” I nodded “although yours is a special case, whereas you’re being taught by a being who’s only dragon in part, and you have a different element, although it’s still fire-based”

“Who’s the original fir dragon slayer?” she simpered

“That’d be Natsu Dragneel,” I beamed “his fire is matched only by his personality, and his love for his Nakama, just try not to annoy him”

“Why not?” she blinked

“If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the guild, it’s to never annoy a dragon slayer, Laxus and Natsu in particular”

“Laxus,” she tilted her head, the fireball still ever-present around her hoof “who’s that?”

“The lightning dragon slayer, and since lightning travels at the speed of one-thousandth of a second and the air around a lightning bolt burns at forty-five-thousand degrees Fahrenheit, I’d say he’s one of the stronger dragon slayers alongside Natsu, Gajeel and I”

“And me also” Blaze smirked, standing beside me

“And you as well,” I sighed “can’t go without the inferno dragon slayer now, can we?”

“I’m certain Ilo’s flame didn’t last that long, Sir Rick” Luna gestured toward the flame that enveloped Winter’s hoof “Could it be that she got thy immeasurable magic level also?”

“Is there something wrong, Princess Luna?” Winter Bell

“Not at all, thine little pony, it’s just occurred that Ilo’s flames didn’t last as long when she first used her magic”

“Just another mystery of the universe, I suppose” Blaze grinned

=-=-=

There was an almighty thundering *BOOM* as an explosion racked through ponyville as I stood on the edge with my friends family and Twilight and her friends, spike

When the dust cleared, everyone present gasped

“What, who, where, why, and how,” I blinked

“Someone’s managed to teleport your entire home into Equestria” Blaze whistled

“Let’s hope it includes the overly-large basement” I bit my lip, walking toward the garage door

“That’s your house, it’s like a mansion!” Twilight gaped, Spike and their friends walking with me as I slipped the key to the garage out of my pocket, opening it

“Let’s just be glad I got it at all” I smiled as the door lifted, revealing a large object hidden by an even larger sheet of tarpaulin, pulling it away, revealing a pristine silver Mercedes

“The Toyota Celica, seventh generation too, am I correct, brother?”

“That is correct I flicked the light switch for the garage lights which flashed on,

“What is it?” Twilight blinked as I opened the door leaning in and unlocking the hood from the dashboard, returning to the others

“It’s a means of locomotion humans use, called a car,” Blaze glimmered “it’s like a train but it can go on any flat surface, for a limited amount of time, depending on the amount of fuel in the tank”

“How’d you get the house though?” Rainbow Dash prodded the hood of the Merc

“I was left this In my grandparents will on the day I turned eighteen, what they didn’t tell me was the basement’s contents

“Why what’s down there?” Twilight asked me excitedly

“Allow me to show you something else first” I smiled, lifting the hood of the Toyota, propping it up with the stand that most if not all cars had/have

“That looks complicated” Twilight whistled

“Did any of the humans in the other world have something like this?” Rarity glanced toward the lavender mare beside me

“Just the one, but it was black, and somewhat different” I closed the hood of the car, locking it again, opening the hatch that led to the basement, Blaze and the others following me down as I flicked the switch next to the doorway, revealing a collection of automobiles

“And your grandparents just left them for you?” Rarity stared at me

“That they did” I walked over to the first vehicle, a Mercedes ‘C220-2013’ the key to each vehicle hung on the loop which also hung on a hook screwed into the wall

“How much is all of this worth?” Twilight’s gaze darted from one car to the next

“This here alone is worth between twenty-six-point-five and thirty-five grand on its own” I unlocked the Merc, patting the hood lightly

“How much,” she gasped “but altogether, that’d be around two million, wouldn’t it?”

“Let’s see,” I walked over to a vehicle covered in a large sheet of cloth, ripping it away, revealing a matte-black vehicle “looks like my grandparents manage to win the euro-millions” I laughed

“That’s a Bugatti Veyron super-sport,” Blaze exclaimed “that on its own is worth one-point-seven million!”  she turned to Twilight “your boyfriend didn’t have anything like that, did he?”

“He wasn’t -and still isn’t-, my boyfriend” Twilight scowled

“If ya say so” she chortled “though it wasn’t the question I asked it’ll do”

“So how in tha hay did ya’ll grandparents end up with all this money?” Applejack nickered

“I’d have to commune with the dead to get that answer” I hummed

“Ah’m sorry” she tipped her hat in what I assumed was respect

“Don’t be” I sighed “it’s not your fault, Jackie”

“How fast can this thing go?” Rainbow Dash sat on the bonnet of the Veyron,

“Fast enough” I smirked

“Four-hundred-and-forty kilometres per hour, I do believe” Blaze grinned

“Not as fast as me though!” Rainbow Dash beamed

“Has anyone actually measured her speed?” Blaze nodded toward the cyan Pegasus

“I don’t think we can, whatever measurement we use ends up breaking

“How primitive” she quipped, rolling her eyes

“Blaze” I snapped

“Sorry” she held up her paws defensively as an alarm went off upstairs

Rushing upstairs, Blaze and the others following me, I found Celestia, Shining Armour and Flash Sentry

“Feel free to make yourselves at home” I rolled my eyes, turning the alarm to the Celica off

“What is this, thing?” Celestia gestured to the road-wise locomotive

“That is a car, humans use it to get from point-A, to point-B, now, would you mind ringing the doorbell the next time you wish to enter my property?” I facepalmed

“‘Your’ property?” she raised an eyebrow

“This is Tesla’s house, though how it got here is beyond even me” Blaze growled

“That’s not possible,” Celestia frowned “you can take an entire building from one world and place it in another without sever repercussions!”  

“Looks like someone already did” Kiary smiled

“I’ll be having a word with Lulania about this” Celestia scowled

“Actually Celestia, I was the one who transported Tesla’s home here” Faust appeared beside the solar goddess

“Why?” Celestia glowered

“He needs a place to stay, does he not?” Faust simpered “he deserves his own place here on Equis, just as much as anypony else does”

“Be that as it may, have you not heard of what transpired not even last week?” she scowled at me

“I have, and I must say that it’s a good thing that it happened, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do what I have yet to do,” Faust exhaled sharply “Celestia, as queen of Equestria, I  hereby strip you of your title, indefinitely”

“I understand” Celestia teleported her jewellery away, turning to face me, I shrugged, she teleported away, followed shortly by Shining Armour as he held onto the Pegasus at his side

“I’ll see you later, milord” Faust winked, teleporting away

As we entered the lounge, Twilight’s gaze shifted toward the large flat-screen Television

“What’s that?” she blinked, pointing toward the source of most humans’ entertainment

“It’s a television,” I smiled

“That’s what you watch programmes on?” she blinked, I nodded “how does it work?” I gestured toward the remote “Interesting” she slowly nodded

As we walked upstairs I heard moaning coming from one of the bedrooms, glancing around me, I noticed that Littlepip wasn’t present; I rushed toward the room, knocking on the door

“Who is it?” Littlepip’s voice echoed from behind the door

“Rick” I smiled, opening the door, Littlepip was sat on the double bed which was positioned against the far wall of the room; her moist hoof slightly staining the duvet covers as she placed it down on the bed

“Sorry” her cheeks flushed a bright, pink tint

“I was going to have to wash the sheets sooner or later anyway” I shrugged, sitting beside her “besides, if you want to do something like that, all you need do is ask”

“Really,” she blinked “you don’t mind?”

“Why would I, I’ve my home returned to me, my friends, family, and loved ones by my side, what more could I ask for?” I smiled again “besides, nothing’s stopped you before, has it my Littlepip?”

“I love you Rick” she cooed, leaning into me, pecking my cheek “And I always will”

“So, what, pray tell, happens next?” Luna smirked

-=--=-

“She had to ask, didn’t she?” Blaze laughed

“That she did” I sighed, tracing a line across the bonnet of the Merc with a finger, a thick layer of dust forming on my fingertip as I lifted it

“Looks like you’ve a lot of work to do, cleaning up these cars” she folded her paws

“That I have, but I’ve also got my subjects to worry about also,” I tilted my head “now I wonder what’s in here” I opened the nearby door that lead away from the garage, revealing a room filled with tonnes of cardboard boxes

“A storage room, big whoop” Blaze waved a dismissive paw

“Is it though?” I hummed “nothing is as it appears to be, no matter how small or precise the change may be”

Opening one of the boxes, I saw that it was filled with packs of cards

“Ok, my grandparents were apparently both impossibly rich and awesome” I blinked, turning toward Blaze “I don’t suppose you want me to open these, Blaze shrugged

I sighed; lifting the box, carrying out to the porch, doing the same with the others, which took about an hour, if not two

“Whatcha got there pardner?” Applejack blinked, trotting toward me “Rainbow and Twilight have been lookin’ for ya’ll ya know?”

“Trust me, this is worth it” Blaze smirked, tearing open one of the boxes, without thumbs, somehow

“A couple-dozen packs o’ cards?” Applejack blinked at the contents of the box

“A few thousand more like” Blaze laughed as Twilight galloped toward me, Rainbow Dash gliding toward me simultaneously “So, what’s the buzz?”

“I passed the wonderbolts entrance exam,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed “Now I’ve got the chance to get into one of their shows if they need a substitute!”

“One can only hope that it gets better from here on,” I smiled “congratulations”

“It was bound to happen eventually, they need someone with my talent in there to show off!” she grinned

“And what news have you to bring me, Twilight?” I gleamed

“I was just wondering where you were, you’re either usually in canterlot or wandering about” Twilight giggled, glancing toward the boxes “what’s in them?”

“Just something I bought out of the storeroom in the basement, I sat, cross-legged, opening one f the packs, reaching in for the nine cards stored within; looking at beach of them in turn through them

“Pyrorex,” Blaze blinked “isn’t that worth a lot?”

“Fetch my rucksack” she did, returning with it momentarily, I switched it on, typing the card number into the search engine

Pyrorex the elemental lord

LVL: 8

ATK: 2800

DEF: 2200

CBLZ-EN040

£24.98

“Twenty-five of your currency, and just for a card,” Twilight blinked “is that a good thing?”

“It shows that it’s rare, so there’s one thing” Blaze patted my back, passing me another pack

Sifting through the contents of the second pack, I found another rarity, of sorts, typing the code into the laptop

“An earthbound immortal,” Blaze blinked

Earthbound immortal Uru

LVL: 10

ATK: 3000

DEF: 3000

SOVR-EN025

£20.42

“Another lucky pull” Blaze whistled

“Alongside the elemental lord and Helios, that’s eighty-five quid total”

“Helios?” she grinned

“An abbreviation of the card you gave me on January, remember?”

“We missed you birthday?” Twilight gasped

“You didn’t” I smiled, tipping a box on its side, emptying it, placing the cards that were currently out into it, the rarer ones stayed in my pocket

“And ya’ll collect these cards fer what reason?” Applejack nickered

“Fun mostly” I shrugged, opening a third pack as Blaze handed it to me, opening one on her own, the two of us sat by the pile of packs of cards “like how some people collect rare items, this is sort of the same thing, but with a card game, strange as it sounds” she laughed

“I got a Volcanic queen” Blaze handed it to me

Volcanic Queen

LVL: 6

ATK: 2500

DEF: 1200

LODT-EN005

£0.05

“That’s not a lot” she hummed “I still like it though” she shrugged, glancing toward me “what’d you get, brother?”

Arcana Force EX- The dark ruler

LVL: 10

ATK: 4000

DEF: 4000

SP13-EN043

£0.98

“Not a lot either, but at least it’s got decent stats” she titled her head, the two of us opening another pack each

“Is this all you’re going to do all day?” Rainbow Dash laughed

“Basically” I nodded, Blaze grinned

“I got an archfiend empress” Blaze passed me the card

Archfiend Empress

LVL: 8

ATK: 2900

DEF: 2100

STBL-EN000

£2.98

“Not bad,” she slowly nodded “whatcha get?”

Gandora the dragon of destruction

LVL: 8

ATK: 0

DEF: 0

SP13-EN041

£0.98

“Gandora huh, sounds like the name of an ancient wizard”

“Grandoa, Gandora, I think kazuki takahashi knows a little more than what he’s letting on” I chuckled

“Seems awfully convenient” she hummed “what if he’s a changeling?”

“Like that’d ever happen” I laughed

“Touché, but there’s always a possibility” she shrugged “Don’t you have a country to run?”

“I hereby surrender my title as king to Faust” I sighed “I didn’t sign up for this, Blaze, honestly”

“Who crapped in your cornflakes?” she chortled

“I don’t eat cereal?” I raised an eyebrow

“What about a daisy sandwich?” Twilight sat beside me

“Humans can’t digest plants that well, so it’d make me somewhat ill” I bit my lip

“Pancakes-” Blaze’s nose suddenly twitched, she passed me the pack she was holding “someone’s using your cooker”

“There’s nobody in there Blaze, at least, there shouldn’t be” I frowned, placing the packs back in the box, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight following me into the house, and from there into the kitchen

“What the fuck?” those were my exact words upon finding Luna in her anthro form wearing an apron over her usual lingerie stood by the oven making pancakes

“We thought thou would like breakfast, and that thou were still asleep” Luna giggled

“I would say this is an invasion of private property, though I don’t think Tesla’s in the mood to care right now” Blaze laughed, glancing toward me “look at you, not even a couple of years here and you have a sub-par mini-mansion and a maid of sorts to keep you company alongside you family, Twilight and the others”

“Dear Blaze we are not…” Luna trailed off, staring into the distance, as if pondering something, before sighing “very well,. We shall act as a housemaid, if only to see what it’s like, Lady Blaze,” she glanced toward me “milord” she bowed quickly

“I’ll be outside” I mumbled, wandering outside, Blaze by my side alongside Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight

“Are you insane?” I whispered loudly, leaning toward Blaze “were we on earth I’d hug the crap out of you”

“So, what’s different?” Blaze shrugged

“She’s a bloody princess, lady of the stars,” I frowned “you can’t simply take advantage of her like that”

“I’m not going to be doing anything of the sort, she’s your maid, not mine” “Blaze whispered

“You cannot do this to me” I snarled

“I just did,” she glanced toward Twilight Rainbow Dash and Applejack, who were busy trying to hide their laughter, Rainbow Dash of whom, failed miserably, she pointed toward the doorway, I turned, Luna was stood there in a French maid outfit with a plate stacked high with pancakes in one hand, and a bottle of syrup in the other

“Breakfast is ready, milord” Luna winked

“Fuck me…” I mumbled as she giggled as I followed her into the kitchen placing the plate down on the table, handing me a knife and fork

“Enjoy, Sir Rick” she nickered

“That I will” I smiled

-=-

“So what did you mean when you said that you’d hug me?” Blaze smirked

“Blaze, you know I’m a dumbass, let’s just let it go, Ok?” I sighed, having placed the empty packs in the bin; and the cards in neat piles in the box

“Nope, I’m not shutting up until you explain what you said” she folded her arms, I did, she pursed her lips, slowly nodding “fair enough, if it’s a thing you humans frequent then who am I to argue?”

“What’re we talking about?” Celestia teleported before me as I sat with Blaze on the front porch

“Blaze has somehow managed to persuade your sister into being a maid, of sorts” I flinched

“I see” she raised an eyebrow toward Blaze, who shrugged, she glanced back toward me “and you’ve had no say in the matter?” Blaze stared at me, a sly grin plastered upon her face that stretched from ear to ear

“Where are you going with this?” I inched backward against the door

“I’m just asking” she shrugged, her horn glowing in a bright primrose aura

“Look, I don’t mind, I just don’t want it to be awkward, which is kind of hard considering it’s my own sister who started it” I raised my hands defensively

“You’re being honest,” she smiled, the smile of which turned to a grin “and I suppose you’d like me to join her?”

“Not at all, I mean maybe, but, what would I need anyone else to do that I can do myself?”

“I can save you a lot of work, for one thing” she flashed her eyebrows at me

“No thank you, she gave me the best puppy-dog eyes she could muster “fine, but that should be illegal for someone as beautiful as you”

“Need I change into anything?” she purred

“I’ve got one doing that as it is, so I don’t think so” I sighed

“I’d rather not know, but I’ve a feeling I’m going to find out anyway” she sighed

“Has Bluebelle shat out the stone I ‘handed’ her?” I grinned

“It would appear as though her stomach acids dissolved it, melding with it in its liquid state,” Celestia raised an eyebrow

“Daddy,” an icy Blue Pegasus filled my vision as Snowdrop hug-tackled me, clinging onto me “I missed you Daddy!”

“And I you Snowy, and I you”

“Daddy,” another Pegasus tackled me alongside an alicorn foal

“We missed you,” Gracy Gloom and Winter Bell clung onto me as Snowdrop perched herself on the back of my head Winter Bell and Gracy Gloom hanging/perching on my shoulders

“I know, I’ve heard such from my little Snowflake, my little saving grace and Winter Bell” I simpered

“I love you Daddy” Snowdrop pecked one of my horns

“I love you too Snowdrop”, I stroked her mane

“No, I love, love, you, if that makes sense” a hush went over the immediate vicinity

“I may love you, but it’s as family, and besides, I don’t screw my relatives” I rolled my eyes

“Indeed” Celestia raised both eyebrows, I tilted my head

“You do realise I’m uploading the events of what happens to me here onto my laptop, right?” I smirked

“I’m aware” she grinned

“That’s an invasion of privacy” I frowned

“Not that you mind, right brother,” Blaze laughed “I mean, you didn’t seem to care the last time”

“That was somewhat different” I grumbled

“Tesla, there’s a humanoid pony in your house acting as a maid, of all things, what’s more is she didn’t even ring the doorbell, she just teleported in, most likely”

“Touché, but you’re the one who talked her into it” I patted her head

“So I am, but I’ve a feeling it’s gonna save you a bit of work” she glimmered, I glared at her “Look, just see how it goes, and if you don’t like wit, well, ask her to leave”

“And if I don’t feel as though I have it in me to do such a thing?” I mumbled

“You’re serious?” I gave her the flattest stare I could muster “Holy hell, Tesla, my dear brother, I didn’t realise you could be so introverted!”

“Call it what you want you’re doing it, not me” I frowned

“And now you’re being somewhat stubborn,” she raised an eyebrow, folding her arms “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“What’re those boxes for?” Celestia gestured toward the pyramid structure that was built from the filled boxes beside the door

“Just a few things I got from the storage room of the basement,” I shrugged

“What’s in them?” she smiled

“Cards” I deadpanned

“Planning a massive party are we?” she smirked

“Not that type of card” I mumbled

“So I see” she opened one of the boxes, levitating a pack from the box “how many of these are there?”

“Fuck all if I know” I shrugged again

“Language, Sir Rick” I glanced behind me, Luna was sat behind me, now no longer wearing neither the outfit nor the apron as she gently placing her hands on my shoulders, massaging them “It is unbefitting of a lord to use such foul language when the matter at hoof needn’t call for it”

-=-=-=-

Come nightmare night I was walking through ponyville, wearing robes, a pitch-black cape and a skull underneath the hood, the skull of which had the horns of a ram, but the fangs of a Smilodon, and to finish the set of attire I’d gotten a scythe, having asked Nyx if she had one, the robes were made by rarity, and enchanted to give of a certain aura and to make it seem as though I was actually hovering, and had the body of the grim reaper himself, I hadn’t explained what they were for to anyone other than Blaze and Snowdrop

There was many-a-pony who avoided me, staring at me in fear as I walked through the town

“I didn’t think it possible to scare anyone this much” Blaze hummed, walking by my family,

“Nay, the mortal hath every right to fear thine impending demise” I spoke in a guttural tone, trying to sound as close to the grim reaper as I could

“Keep at it, bud” she laughed, Kiary perched herself on my shoulder, her scales having been magically dyed a precisely selected blackish-grey with red lining, her eyes magically changed so they appeared to be white fireballs

“That we shall, young mortal” Kiary spoke in dark, malevolent tone that I hadn’t thought possible for a dragon her age, not yet anyhow, she glanced toward me “Did I get that right?” I nodded

“So what’re you going as?” Rainbow Dash hovered down to me on a thundercloud, dressed in a purple/grey uniform with indigo goggles with golden lenses

“Who is acting, knave?” I growled in the same deathly tone, pun intended

“It’s a little obvious it’s you, Tesla” she laughed “just remove the freaky hood and talk to me normally”

“As you wish” I grumbled, revealing the bleached skull underneath my hood, upon seeing it, she gasped, flying away as fast as she could, taking the cloud with her, I replaced the hood back over my head

“Nice work Charon” Snowdrop nickered, I slowly nodded

“And who might though be?”  Luna stood before me

“Lulu” I smiled

“Sir Rick?” she blinked I raised an arm, gesturing for her to lower the volume “Where did thou get our scythe?”

“I asked Nyx for it” I shrugged

“So thou hath” she nickered “And what of thy arm?”

“Magic” I gave her a thumbs-up “this’ll be our little secret, my little shooting star”

“But what are thou dressed as?” she tilted her head

“The human personification of death” I grinned “if ponies fear death then they’ll no longer fear the dark”

“Thy assistance is noted” her cheeks turned a rosy pink tint “Come, let us find something to do in tonight’s most joyous occasion”

“I’d be honoured” I returned to using my guttural tone, moving alongside Luna, approaching a stage where Rarity stood alongside a pony I didn’t recognize

“Ah, Princess Luna,” Rarity bowed graciously, rising to her feet “Have you come to join the costume contest?”

“We shall judge, if though wouldst allow it, but only if Sir Rick competes” Luna covered my back with a wing

“That’s Tesla under there!?” Rarity gasped

“Hello” I gave a small wave

“I suppose we could make a few changes for tonight’s event, but I must insist that you wear something different next year” she sighed

“Will do” I nodded, walking to the backstage

When it was my turn, I seemingly glided onto the stage, wielding the scythe, holding onto it as tight as I could

“So what are you?” the male judge asked, smiling up at me

“Death,” I hissed, slowly pulling myself to my full height, “And thy time has come, stallion”

“W-what?”

I started slowly walking toward him. “Thou hast liveth for far too long. I am here to drag thee down to the dark pits of hell where thou belong”

“You’re… a very good actor-“

“Who is acting, knave?” I growled, halting my movement, my head tilted slightly, as though confused “Do thou think thee still be living? Nay, thou art dead,” I restarted walking to where the three judges stood, the stallion began backing away “run not, There is no escaping thy fate,” my hand lifted to my hood, gradually pulling it back as I said, “Look into my eyes and know only darkness!” with the hood fully back, the skull I had on was visible for all to see

“Thy, time, has, come,” I slowly announced, drawing closer with each word. Finally I stood before him, glaring down with empty eye sockets; he stood, as if transfixed, as I lifted the scythe up with both hands

Without a word, I brought it straight down, and it stopped right in front of his face, held in a dark blue aura

“That is far more than necessary” Luna rolled her eyes as I lifted the scythe to my side, pulling my hood back up, nodding, walking to the backstage area

“I think I just gave someone a heart attack” I chuckled

“Too harsh, Bro, too harsh” Blaze shook her head

“Was it,” I tilted my head again, this time ever-so slightly “mind you, I promised Rarity I’d wear something else next year, and I will”

As they began to announce the winners I let out a stifled yawn

“Does the master of demise now yawn, Sir Rick?” I spun around, Celestia was stood there eyebrows raised

“I thought it’d make for a few laughs” I pouted

“The winner of the winner for the scariest foal is Scootaloo” Rarity exclaimed as Scootaloo walked through the curtain to the stage wearing a cute wolf costume

“What do you ponies define as scary again?” I grinned

“She’s a foal, Rick, don’t be too surprised” Celestia lightly frowned

“Touché” I nodded

“The winner of the cutest costume is Nurse Redheart” Rarity announced as Scootaloo reappeared through the curtain, and Redheart walked passed her wearing a nurse outfit

“Not going there and Blaze knows why” I shuddered

“Yes, yes I do” Blaze laughed

“Explain” she smirked

“The winner for the scariest costume, so to speak, is Charon”

“I’ll let Blaze explain” Rarity seemingly facepalmed as I walked out, walking back in momentarily, medal in hand

“Who’s Charon?” Celestia blinked

“In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman of the dead, for a price, he may carry the souls of the dearly departed across the river Styx and Acheron” I explained

“Seems rather befitting foe someone of your current visage” she smiled “So I hear that you humans have a thing for certain females in certain outfits?”

“Some do, some find it disgusting, others want nothing to do with it either way,” I tilted a skeletal hand

“And what’s your opinion on the matter?” she raised an eyebrow

“I’m half and half, I suppose, I don’t mind it, so long as it doesn’t get taken to an extreme”

“What would you class as extreme?” Luna teleported beside the solar goddess

“Why’re you asking?” I tilted my head the other way

“Why’re thou humans so odd?” she glimmered

“Touché Lulu, touché” I sighed

“Thou didn’t answer our question” she grinned

“And I’ve a feeling I’ll regret it if I do” I rolled my eyes, again

“We won’t be too harsh on thee, we think” she gave a rather dark giggle

“No whips and gags, right Rick-o?” Blaze chortled, I turned around, Twilight and her friends, save Fluttershy were stood there, staring at me in apparent horror, save Rarity

“Hi there” I smiled raising a hand giving them a small wave,

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