“So, where were you for the second half of the day before yesterday” Natsu grinned, standing beside Erza, Grey, and Wendy

“Out,” I shrugged “why do you ask?”

“Curiosity” he smirked “What exactly where you doing anyways?”

“What do you mean?”

“We heard screams emanating from the forest; so we were worried someone might be hurt” he raised an eyebrow “That wasn’t you?”

“I do not scream like a raving mad troll having a period” I frowned, he burst into laughter

“So you don’t” he chortled “So, if it wasn’t you, who was it?”

”Who’s to say,” I shrugged

“Maybe your new pony friend, marefriend, whatever the term is” he gave a sly grin

“What makes you say that?” I raised an eyebrow

“The fact that you were ‘out’ as you say, and that you didn’t return until yesterday morning,” he glimmered “and the fact that she seems awfully attached to you, Tesla, one might even think it a little suspicious”

“That depends on what you want to hear” I tilted my head

“I just want to know what you two were doing at that time” he smiled

It was then that Nyx trotted toward me, standing beside me

“Hello Rick,” Nyx smiled, pecking my cheek, draping a wing around me

“Seriously, you two are… together?” Natsu blinked

“Is there a problem?” I hummed

“Not at all, I just find it a little odd for a human to be with an equine” he gleamed

As I was about to retort, an ethereal glow from behind me stopped me

Glancing toward the light, just as it faded, I saw Celestia in her Anthro form, wearing the same dress as before

“Seriously, this is the same Celestia?” Natsu stared at me; I nodded “How can she do such a thing?”

“Genetics,” I began “you see, Pyro, one-billion years ago, humans used to exist here on Equis alongside the current species that inhabit this world, and since they’re compatible, the offspring -be it pony or otherwise-, gains both a human and ‘Anthro’ form, so to speak”

“So, you’re telling us that humans did the ‘you-know-what- with miniature horses an eon ago?” Grey stifled a guffaw

“Essentially,” I nodded

“What’s with the huge sword?” Natsu nodded toward the Daybreaker, which was impaled into the ground beside me

“That’s the Daybreaker” I smirked “Split an Ursa in half it did”

“An Ursa, like the constellation,” Wendy blinked

“Not quite,” Celestia smiled “an ursa is a real, living breather creature, the smallest being about the size of the average house, the largest being the seize of the castle in Canterlot, the smaller variants are known as Ursa Minor’s the larger type is the Ursa Major” she explained, glancing toward me “how did you lose your arm anyways?”

“Ursa’s can use magic, apparently” I gave a sharp exhale “the same spell you use to revert my being to what it is, only limited to limbs, or so it’d seem”

“And then you were sent crashing into the ground, weren’t you, Brother”

“I’m not a god, Blaze, nor do I claim to be that of which would make me godlike,” I shook my head “god means I cannot die, god means that I live forever, god means having to watch everyone I’ve ever cared about grow, live, and die within a geographical heartbeat, god means having to live with that and all the other repercussions that come with the title, and that’s something I don’t want to have to put up with, be it now or in a millennium”

“I never said you were, I was commenting on how strong the Ursa was” she held up her paws defensively

“They’re at least the size of a building, how strong do you want them to be?” I folded my arms

As if to answer her, a thundering roar could be heard as, yet again, an Ursa tore through the treeline, unlike the previous encounters, however, this one was between the smaller size of a Minor, and the gigantic size of a Major

“That’s an Ursa?” Erza eyed the creature up and down as it glared at each of us, the eight-pointed star atop its crown shining with an emerald light as it’s teal fur gave an ‘ominous’ type of aura

“Think we should let lizard-features handle it?” Grey smirked at me

I rolled my eyes, unsheathing the Dawnbreaker, dropping it as I made my way toward the ferocious constellation-turned-animal, giving a slight smile toward the beast

Lowering itself to the ground, the Ursa placed its nose within mere inches of my being, sniffing, as if inspecting me, then opening its mouth and licked me across the face, gently nuzzling into me

I raised an arm, placing a gentle hand on its snout, massaging the bridge of its nose

“Could this perhaps be another side to a creature of the Everfree forest that we’ve yet to witness?” Celestia stared at me

“Perhaps, I glanced toward her, turning back to the Ursa “What is it that you’re here for, Ursa?” the bear responded with a series of growls

“Being in a relationship with a pony is one thing, but an oversized bear, really?” Natsu laughed, The Ursa in question turned its head toward Natsu, giving off a pattern, of sorts, of growls and bark-like noises

“It seems that she thinks the same of all beings like you, Natsu” I chuckled

“How did you translate that?” Erza blinked “you understand animals now, Rick?”

“It’s his element of nature taking effect” Celestia smiled “Having chosen an option other than fighting, Tesla’s seemingly found a way to use his hidden abilities, that of nature and understanding those who thrive alongside it” the Ursa gave a series of grumbles and barks, seemingly smiling toward Celestia

“It would appear that she acknowledges your answer, and you’re being here” I bit my lip

“That’s interesting enough” she nickered, the Ursa replied with another ‘selection’ of grunts and growls, nuzzling into me, before standing up and walking back into the forest

…That did not just happen” Grey burst into a fit of laughter, I, on the other hand, shuddered, as a newfound power coursed through me

“Well that’s new,” I generated a flame in one hand, and around the other, a collection of rocks orbited my palm “earth dragon slayer, maybe?”

“Earth and fire, I told you it would happen!” Blaze chortled “I told you it would, go on; I dare you to say otherwise!”

“Actually it was me who thought of it, you just expanded on the idea, or was it Snowdrop?” I raised an eyebrow

“You actually beat me in an argument!” she cheered mockingly “need I award you with a medal, brother?”

“Say what you will, see if I care” I shrugged, the rocks and flames surrounding my hands fading from view

“So, that’s two elements, three if you count fire” she hummed “I wonder what the next one will be?”

“Who knows?” I clicked my neck, standing beside Nyx and Celestia

==---==

As I awoke the following morning, I looked around the room with a sense of warmth, so to speak

“Good morning, my little Shmoopie” Celestia sat by me, draping a wing around me pecking my cheek

“Good morning, to you as well, my little Sunflower” I smiled

-=-

As I sat in the gardens of the castle, under the shade of a tree with my eyes closed, I felt footsteps, followed by a kick to the stomach

Snapping my eyelids open, I saw a crimson teenage dragon with golden underbelly scales and wings, stood by him was a short, fat, dark brown dragon with gunmetal horns and a cerise dragon with lavender underbelly scales and golden ‘hair,’ a white dragon with light pink wings and underbelly scales alongside a grey dragon with pale green underbelly scales and wings

“What do you want?” I steadily got to my feet, my daughters standing behind me, using me as a shield

“You took me by surprise last we met, freak,” the crimson dragon snapped “it shan’t happen again

“Fine, you lot, me, in the arena, in about, let’s say, twenty minutes?” I smirked, turning to my sister “Blaze, be a dear and get Celestia and the others, Twilight and her friend included as well as spike”

“Will do” Blaze nodded, skirting around the three dragons

=-=

Twenty minutes later, the dragon, his friends and I were stood in the arena with Twilight, her friends –minus Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, my friends and family watching alongside the princesses, Nyx, Grey, Natsu, and Erza

There was a slight silence as the dragon and his friends charged toward me, lashing out with kicks, punches, and even bites

I didn’t even budge, as their fangs shattered against my form as it turned a jet black for an instant, the bones inside their hands cracking on impact

Giving me death-glares, the quintet of dragons leapt back

“Are we done already?” I tilted my head “shame” I bought an arm above my head behind me, bringing it down as it turned a shining charcoal-colour, the stone floor of the arena shattered on contact with the now-armoured fist, the dragons standing opposite me falling a few feet, before collapsing onto their stomachs and/or backsides “Checkmate”

-=-=-

“What was that,” Twilight boomed at me “how did you defend against all those attacks, how are you not bleeding, and more importantly, how in Equestria did you manage to destroy the arena with a single hit!?”

“Magic, of sorts” I grinned as I was being examined by a nurse in the local hospital

“And how does that work,” she snapped “I’ve never seen a type of spell that does that for a pony!

“Probably because it’s not from Equis,” I sighed “and secondly, I lied, it’s not magic, it’s willpower put into a solid form, per se”

“So anypony can use it?” she relented, or at least, her scowl did

“If they had enough willpower, and were properly trained, then most likely, yes” I nodded

“Could you teach me?” she sat beside me on the bed

“You’re in perfect condition, you’re free to go” the nurse winked at me as I stood upright, Twilight and the others walking with me to the castle

“I don’t know, Twi, I really don’t know” I sighed

-=-=-

“You two argue like a married couple y’know that?” Natsu grinned at Twilight and I as we sat beside one another at the dining hall

“Should we?” Twilight giggled

“Nah; let them find out for themselves” I laughed

“Find what out?” he blinked; Grey smirked as Erza smiled “I don’t get it?”

“They’re married, Natsu, how more obvious do you want it to be?” Grey gave a smug grin

“You what,” the flame dragon slayer stared at me, glancing toward Twilight, who perched herself on the back of my head “When did this happen?” I could tell he was trying to stop himself from bursting into a fit of laughter

“Between now and ten years ago” Twilight and I glanced at one another with a smile

“Well then, congratulations are in order, I think” Grey laughed

“Oh fuck you Grey” I mumbled “mind you, if I did, I don’t think your girlfriend would be too impressed with me, would she?” blaze exploded into a torrent of laughter “Would you like some ice for that burn?”

“At least Juvia’s human” he smirked

“And Twilight here’s more decent than most humans I know, not counting my family or the Fairy Tail Guild” I grinned

“How long have you been stuck here again?” he smirked

“Firstly, I’ve been living here for around twenty three years,” I snapped secondly, I could’ve left at any time I wanted, but I chose otherwise, because I give a damn about people other than myself, that’s someone other than myself,” I growled “I guess your heart’s as cold as your magic, Grey, I think you need to chill, pun intended”

“Daddy…?” Snowdrop placed a nervous hoof on my side; I blinked, glancing toward her, quickly shaking my head as Twilight returned to her place beside me, replaced moments later by the icy blue filly

“Her name’s ‘Snowdrop;’ and you have a go at me for being cold?” Grey scowled at me

“Her name might suggest an icy nature, but at least the same can’t be said for her heart” I smiled “

“What’d you say?” he glared icy daggers at me, pun intended (again), pacing a clenched fist against a flattened palm beside him as he stood upright, a cyan-coloured magic circle appearing before his hands

“You think your puny icicles can do much against a dragon god’s flame, boy?” I grinned

“Enough!” Celestia boomed, I glanced toward her, nodded, then continued with my meal

“You take orders from a pony now?” Grey glowered at me his posture unchanged

“I listen to her, and do as she requests, not because I’m her slave, but because I respect her for being who she is;” I swallowed the grape I was eating “that’s another thing I think you need to learn; respect,” I continued “learning about someone and accepting and respecting them for who they are, isn’t that what a friend does, Frey Fullbuster?”

“What’d you know?” he stared at me with unbridled, unadulterated rage

“Apparently, a damn sight more than you, icy-boy” I scoffed

“Knock it off, the both of you,” Erza snapped, I nodded somewhat graciously toward her “you’re acting like children!”

“He started it” Grey huffed

“Case in point” I mumbled, lightly bumping a clenched gist with one of Blaze’s paws as she gave a smug grin

“Looks like someone needs a few lessons in friendship” Twilight rolled her eyes

“Don’t bother,” I sighed “many a brave adventurer and/or wizard have tried that subject, Sparkles, none have succeeded”

“Really, why?” she blinked, glancing toward Grey, then toward me

“I don’t know, I’ve never cared much to ask” I shrugged

“You want to take this outside?” Grey glowered at me, again

“You truly believe that violence is going to achieve anything?” I tilted my head ever-so slightly

“Besides, you saw what he did to those dragons, and who’s to say he can’t do more?” Natsu grinned

“Back off Natsu, this isn’t any of your business” Grey spat

“Clearly the phrase ‘you mess with my Nakama, you mess with me’ dictates otherwise” I hummed “How strange” he stormed off, and out of the room

“Shouldn’t we at least try to help him?” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow

“Let him be,” Erza frowned “he’ll be fine in a few hours, or a couple of days”

“So, what’s his story, his past I mean?” Twilight raised an eyebrow as we sat in a private ‘guestroom’

“His village and family were torn apart by a demon” Erza frowned again, this time toward me “and so he sought out a way to become stronger and thus found Ur”

“What’s ‘Ur’?” Cadance tilted her head

“It’s not what, but who,” I bit my lip “she was, for a time, his mentor, alongside his fellow student, Lyon, until he thought that her teachings were pointless, and so he sought out the demon, attempting to fight it, only to toyed with, until Ur arrived, Lyon attempted the ‘Iced Shell’ spell on Deliora, but was quickly stopped by Ur, as she didn’t want her student to waste his life he’d yet to live, so she cast it herself”

“What does the spell do?” Twilight blinked

“It’s a thick tomb of ice that seals its target away, for eternity,” I mumbled “the only drawback is, you die, as the caster’s body, becomes the iced shell itself, and their will becomes what stops the ice from melting”

“That’s…” Twilight stared at me “that’s unbelievable!”

“It goes further than that,” I sighed “Ur said that the western countries had wizards far more superior in magic than she was, so he went west, and that’s how he wound up in the Guild”

“What sort of magic did she use?” she leant into me

“Ice-make magic,” I explained “Ur’s was so great that some considered her capable of being one of the ten wizard saints; one of the ten strongest wizards in the entire world of magic, and I can respect that”

“Who’re the saints?” she blinked

“They’re the strongest wizards we have,” I smiled “Makarov Dreyar’s one of them, as are Jura and Warrod, Jura’s the fifth strongest, Warrod’s the fourth strongest, Jellal used to be the seventh strongest, Jose used to be the third weakest, they, however, were removed”

“What about the others?” she nuzzled into me

“I don’t know about them yet,” I simpered, “other than the fact that the four strongest members have been described as being so powerful they shouldn’t be considered human”

“And Ur was thought to be capable of joining them?” Celestia smiled, I nodded “she must’ve been strong, both in heart and in magical ability to be given such a title”

“Human…” Twilight muttered

“Hm?” I glanced toward her

“What would it be like, for a dragon slayer to be one of the saints?” she glanced toward me

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it were true” I draped a wing around her

“Seriously, just how many ponies are you stuck with anyway?” Natsu blinked, I turned to Celestia, who smiled, winking at me

“Do changelings; beings that can be whatever or whoever they want, count?” I flinched

“I should think so” Erza laughed

“Then around ten” I declared

“And that’s acceptable here in pony-land?” he chortled

“Due to the male-to-female ratio, apparently” I shuddered

“So, who’s the strongest in the guild then?” Twilight cooed

“That’d either be Laxus, Mirajane, Erza, Gildarts, or Makarov, I know not which” I hummed

“You regard me as one of the strongest?” Erza blinked

“You, Laxus, Gildarts, and Mirajane are all S-class, that in itself says more than enough” I smiled

“Charmed she quickly turned away from me, standing upright “I’ll see you at the guild hall, maybe” and with that she left the room

“I see what you did there, you slick son of a bitch” Blaze smirked

“I didn’t do anything,” I frowned “Are you implying that I’m….” I shuddered

“Is it that hard to accept?” she playfully pouted at me “the so-called ‘Wizard in Armour,’ matched with the gemstone dragon slayer, who’d of thought it?”

“I’m telling you I’m not trying anything!” I rebuked

“So you say, brother, so you say?”

“Never seen Erza act like that before” Natsu blinked “you sure you’re not using some type of charm?”

“I don’t meddle with trinkets, Natsu, I use what I see as ‘proper magic’” I smirked “And besides , so what if we’ve only seen one side to her so far, I think there’s a lesson here;” I beamed “don’t ever judge someone, you don’t know their story or what’s really going on”

“Wise words, young eon” Luna smiled

=-+(-)+-=

As I glided down to ponyville, lowering myself to the ground upon arrival, allowing my passengers to climb/leap to the ground

Reverting to human form I was tackled to the ground my an earthy brown mare

“Rick!” Autumn Heart exclaimed, clinging onto me as I sat upright

“Are you Ok?”

“All the better for seeing you, my love” she walked with me as we made our way toward-and-into our home, sitting beside me on the couch, Snowdrop once again perched upon the back of my head

“So Dear, how was your trip to Canterlot?” she pecked my cheek

“It wasn’t too bad” I shrugged “How’s business at the shop?”

“It’s fairly decent, sold a few clocks, as well and a few other timepieces of sorts, she bought out a bag of bits “this is yours, I believe?”

“Keep it” I smiled “you need it more than I do”

“How much do you have?” she blinked

“Around two million” I whispered

“That’s enough to last several lifetimes!” she gasped “I trust that it’s with the princesses?” I nodded

“A wise move,” she smiled “and Rick,” I glanced toward her “it’s good to have you back”

-=-=-

As I walked out onto the front porch on the next day, I was greeted by the sight of Natsu standing beside an oddity

“Why, the hell, are you nude?” I quickly shut my eyes

“She can’t Requip her armour,” Natsu stifled a laugh, Erza hit him around the back of the head

“You haven’t done anything out of the ordinary have you?” I bit my lip

“Not to my knowledge, no” Erza hummed “I did take a walk through the nearby forest, just to explore though”

“you didn’t happen to walk through any blue flowers did you?” I shuddered

“Now that you mention it, I did come across a type of plant that had pale blue flowers, why?” she placed a hand on my shoulder

“It’s called poison joke, Blaze laughed as she stood beside me “it’ll play what it seems to think as a joke to anyone who touches it, so seeing as you use magic to change your armour, the poison joke has seemingly reversed it” I quickly returned to the lounge, picking up my clockwise jacket, handing it to Erza, who took it, sealing it’s front, I opened one eye, then the other

“Thanks Rick” Erza smiled “Now, how do we cure this apparent ‘joke’?”

“You’d have to ask Twilight,” I sighed, walking with her to the library, knocking on the door

“Why’s she naked, save your jacket of course?” Twilight gave a smug grin toward me as she opened the door

“She uses Requip magic to change her armour, stumbled upon poison joke, and now everytime she tries to do so, she ends up, y’know” I rolled my eyes

“I see,” she giggled “I’ll get the bath running then”

“A bath, that’s the cure?” Erza and I shared a glance, smirking toward Twilight

“Yep, just an ordinary bubble-bath” Twilight blinked “is there a problem, or am I going to have to put you both in there at once?”

“I’d like to think that I have standards, Twilight” I laughed

“That’d be fine”

“What?” I blinked, glancing toward Erza who merely smirked at me

“I think you should go to the lake then, the bathroom’s not big enough for the two of you” Twilight nickered, walking upstairs as we walked into the library, returning a few minutes later with her saddlebags, leading us to the lake, Erza dragging me by the hand as we went

As Erza removed the jacket –my jacket, I quickly closed my eyes as she entered the lake

“What’s the matter, you don’t mind seeing others in the nude, so why her?” Twilight placed her hoof in my hand

“It’s different for humans, what with public indecency and all”

“No one’s going to judge you, Dragon slayer” Erza gave a light chuckle “Don’t worry”

“If you say so,” I slowly opened my eyes, taking in every part of her almost lustrous form

Suddenly, I was shoved into the lake by an unknown force, changing to eon form, I turned to face said force, which came in the form of Rainbow Dash, Erza floated up to her neck in the water

“What in the hay is going on here?” Rainbow Dash laughed

“Erza uses ‘Requip’ magic to alter between sets of armour, and since she walked through poison joke, it’s no longer working” Twilight explained

“Likely story” the cyan Pegasus smirked at me

“Rick’s not a liar” Erza frowned as Twilight levitated a bottle of murky green liquid over to her, Erza quickly applied it to her skin, diving underwater for a moment, surfacing again

“Requip,” Erza declared once she stood on the bank, her body flashed a bright primrose aura as her trademark silver armour and royal blue skirt

“Happy now, Rainbow?” I frowned, changing to my eon form

“Quite,” she gave a sheepish smirk “Sorry for earlier” I smiled, changing to eon form as Littlepip galloped toward us levitating a box all the while

“Hey Littlepip, what’s in the box?” I smiled

“It seems that I came at the perfect time to give you this, Rick,” she smiled with apparent glee, opening the box, tipping it on its side “these are for you, she declared, holding up what looked like…

“Are those… reigns?” Twilight blinked, whereas Rainbow Dash burst into a roaring fit of laughter, with a brief flash of light, littlepip had them attached to me and was holding the handles as she sat on my back

“I said that I wasn’t going to wear anything like this, on any occasion” I frowned, glancing back to her, she telekinetically reached into her saddlebags, lighting out what looked like a soul dew, only filled with what appeared to be sweets of various sorts

“I repeat, I’m not wearing this, ever, Ok?” she replaced the sweets with what looked like a latias plushie “And I’m certainly not going to ask how you got that”

“It was in your rucksack,” she placed the item in question back into her saddlebags, closing them, “now; shall we get a move along?” she lashed the reigns, I barely moved “or should I get Celestia to see what you look like, wearing this?” I quickly moved to the area beside Twilight, leaping from my back to the ground, only to be replaced by Erza, who patted my head, lightly stroking the area around my chin, I, involuntarily, let out a slight coo

“Didn’t know that would happen,” Erza blinked taking the end of one of my ears between an armoured finger and thumb, lightly massaging it, I shuddered, she stopped, scratching the area between my ears, which I leant into, shuddering again as I did so,

“Quite the sensitive being, aren’t you Tesla?” she smiled, gently patting my head, I cooed

“Uh, Erza” Twilight pointed toward the area below me, Erza climbed down, investigating

“Well, that’s new” the wizard in armour patted my side “you really are a sensitive being, aren’t you?” I glanced at the space beneath me; my member was stood out at full length, leaking pre-cum

“I’m so sorry-!” Erza placed a finger to my mouth, hindering any further protests, her form flashing a the same golden aura as before, this time, instead of armour, she was completely nude, save a set of lingerie, forcible turning me on my back, shoving me to the ground,

“You needn’t worry, Dragon slayer,” Erza smirked, removing what little clothing she had, lining herself up with my dick, sliding my length into her entrance, taking round half of it in before she stopped, starting to bound up and down “now you just lie back and let me take care of everything Ok?” she leaned forward, placing her lips on mine…

[)=+-+=(]

“So, what happened?” Natsu grinned barely managing to retain his laughter as I hovered before him, Erza still on my back, wearing her trademark attire, and the reigns still attached

“Wouldn’t you like to know” I frowned, glancing to the grey mare beside me “can we please remove these reigns now?” Littlepip’s horn flared a mild green aura as the reigns appeared beside her “Thank you”

“Seriously though, what happened?” Natsu smirked, glancing toward the wizard in armour “I know that you’ve been thinking about Ricky-o here ever since you two parted ways, but I’m curious as to see what you’ve gotten up to”

“How on Earthland,” Erza blinked as she and I shared a glance

“It’s blatantly obvious when you’re thinking about him,” Natsu laughed, “because your face turns the same colour as your hair, a perfect scarlet colour!” I stared at my current passenger, her face, just like Natsu said, had turned a scarlet shade of red

“That’s not true!” Erza snapped

“I don’t mind,” I smiled toward her “it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been thought of in that manner of speaking, Erza” she gawked at me, blinking, climbing down to the ground, draping a pair of armoured libs around me, embracing me, pecking my cheek

“First Grey and Juvia, and now you and Erza,” Natsu howled with laughter, “Who’s next?”

“You and Lisanna, perhaps,” I shrugged “no offense of course”

“I suppose it could work” he blinked, quickly shaking his head “But you have to start it!”

“She’s your girlfriend, and it’s your relationship not mine” I tutted “Sorry”

“Fine” he grumbled, making his way toward the guild hall

“That’s two relationships you’ve started,” Erza hummed “by the way, when I left the castle, I heard what you said as I made my way out, thank you, Rick” she patted my side with an armoured hand

“It’s the least I can do for a fellow wizard; and guild-mate” I nodded, reverting to human form, Snowdrop quickly perching herself atop the back of my head, Kiary perching herself on one shoulder, and Winter Bell on the other

“So I hear you’ve been up to rather interesting business” I spun around, Cadance was stood there

“Been doing my job for me, have you?” Cadance winked

“Just doing what I can” I smiled

“Indeed, though I should let you know of the events taking place at Rainbow Falls in two days…”

-=-===-=-

Not two days later and Twilight and her friends, alongside my friends, family Erza and I were aboard the train headed for ‘Rainbow Falls’

“Yes, Best day ever!” Pinkie Pie squee’d we're all going to the Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange!” she gasped “and we’re not just going; we're accompanying a princess on official royal duty!” she started to leap up and down on the spot

“Please, it's not that big of a deal,” Twilight sighed “there always has to be a princess at the exchange,” she walked alongside us as we marched toward the exchange; last year was Princess Cadance, this year it's me, it's just a formality, I'm sure none of the other ponies will even notice I'm here” as soon as she said that, a huge crowd of ponies sprang forth from the vendors and merchant stalls

“Wow, look over there, a princess!” one pony gasped

“Oh, this is amazing!” another cheered

“Ah could be wrong, but I think they might've noticed” Applejack nickered

“And look, Sir Rick’s with her!” a third pony gawked, pointing toward me with a rather shaky hoof

“So, this is basically a merchant’s trade?” I tilted my head, gazing down at the lavender mare

“It’s where ponies from all over Equestria come to trade what they have, a princess is required to oversee the trades after all a trade is only possible when both ponies agree and get what they want” Twilight explained with a nod

As spike walked by he stumbled over a pebble, falling onto his front, dropping the comic he was carrying which flew toward a conveniently placed puddle of mud, only to be stopped by a ring of pebbles

“Did I do that?” I blinked, an arm held out as I, bought my hand toward me, the comic hovered toward Spike, carried by the small stones, spike caught the book as I lowered my hand

“Thanks Rick, without this mint-condition comic, I wouldn’t have been able to get another, you have to have one to get one, after all” Spike smiled

“It seems that your new element is that of earth as well as stone, brother” Blaze hummed

“Well, I guess you could say that it, rocks!” I grinned; she face-pawed, Erza stifled a laugh as Twilight let out a giggle

A little later on in the day, I was sat on the edge of the market the Dawnbreaker and the Daybreaker planted into the ground beside me, and my family sat in a circle around me, the group, us included was situated around a book stall, that of which was being run by none other than Twilight herself

“So what’re you doing then?” Rainbow Dash

“Just helping Twilight oversee the events, is suppose” I shrugged

“And you had to bring them with you?” Twilight nodded toward the swords that were impaled into the ground next to me

“I’m just here to supervise,” I held my hands up somewhat defensively “what about you Rainbow?”

“There's a pony here who's got a signed first edition of Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Statue, and I'm gonna get it! I've been able to get first editions of all of the Daring Do books, except this one! Nopony's ever put together a whole set, and I'm gonna be the first! If it hasn't been traded yet... It's the only one in all of Equestria!” Rainbow Dash both exclaimed and explained at once

“So it’s priceless then?” I blinked “normally, if I were to have something that’s the only one like it in the entire country and/or planet, I’d keep it locked away at home”

“But if said pony didn’t want it?” she gestured toward the nearby stall, which was being supervised by a golden-yellow pony with a fiery golden mane with the same outfit as Daring Doo herself, said pony waved over to me with a wink

“The you’d better hurry up, if it’s the only one in the kingdom, I think you’d better get a move along” I smiled “or even better, Blaze, have you got any gems?”

“Sure do!” Blaze almost/borderline-chimed, handing me a basket gems of various sizes, I took one into my mouth, and, to Erza’s apparent surprised, crunched down into it as I tore my crystalline heart out, eating as mangy gems as I could within the shortest amount of time, shuddering as the heart regenerated

“How is it that you’re able to do that?” Erza shuddered

“Magic” I grinned, carrying the heart/chest symbol over to the Daring Doo ‘collector’

“What’s that you’ve got there?” the mare blinked “whatever it is it’s brilliant, it’d go well with my collection of gems!”

“It’s a sacred gem, found only at my home, the Lunar Isles and only there are only three in existence” I smirked

“I’ll trade it for this Daring Doo and ‘Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Statue’ book” she held up the book

“Deal,” I shook her hoof, trading them gem for the book, gliding toward the others

“I believe this belongs to you?” I handed the cyan Pegasus mare the book, Rainbow Dash grabbed it out from my hands

“You traded your heart for a book?” Erza blinked

“Secondary heart, technically speaking” I glimmered “And there’re only three in existence”

“Who’s got the other one?” she blinked

“Celestia” I smiled

“You gave the princess your heart?” she chuckled

“When I said that I’d tear it out and hand it to her if I could, I wasn’t joking” I laughed

“Indeed” Twilight hummed with a somewhat disturbed expression plastered on her face as she began to set the books on the stall

“Hi!” Twilight gleamed as a snow-white filly with a pale/icy-blue mane and tail with lavender eyes reached behind her, pulling out a photograph of Twilight, also passing her a pen Twilight sighed, signing the photo with a look of slight agitation

-=-=-

“So, what’re you going to do, other than supervise?” Blaze patted my back, my response was to bring out a certain set of items, what of which were used in flag-making “Seriously?”

“I might as well do something whilst I’m here,” I shrugged, quickly getting to work on the first flag

When it was completed, I looked up there was a grey Pegasus filly with a golden mane and tail with a snapped quill

“You want me to trade all my books for a broken pen? Alright, fine, you got yourself a-” she was about to bump her hoof with the Pegasus’s only for a pink party pony to stop her

“Stop, what’re you doing!?” Pinkie Pie gasped

“I was trying to get rid of all the books I don't need anymore” Twilight grumbled

“For that?” Pinkie Pie blinked “Do you reaaaaally want that?”

“Well, not really, but I'm running out of library space, so-”

“Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed “I can't believe that almost happened, But luckily, it didn't happen, thanks to me!”

“I don’t see a problem with it, Pinkie,” I began “if Twilight says that she doesn’t need the books, that’s her choice to make, and besides, by doing so -and for a filly, nonetheless, she’ll be passing on the gift of knowledge” I glanced toward the silver filly, who stared at me with an apparent sense of wonder

“I trust you’re going to read these when you get home, little one?” I smiled the filly gave a somewhat gracious nod, bowing to me momentarily “then there isn’t a problem that I can see”

“If you say so” Pinkie hung her head in disappointment as Twilight bumped hooves with the filly

“I don’t think you can carry these by yourself, so they’ll have to remain here until you want to leave, Ok?” Twilight smiled, the filly nodded, skipping of into the other parts of the market

“What’s that you’ve got there?” she turned to face me, I smirked, laying the flag out across the ground “It’s a picture of my friends and the princesses?” she blinked

“And you, Firefly, Galaxia, Nyx, and Faust” I pointed to her and the other alicorns in the picture

“It’s amazing!” she gleamed

“And it’s for sale” I smiled

“I don’t think anypony here has any actual amount of money on them” she hummed as I hovered with a pair of safety pins, pinning it over the sign of her stall

“That’s an amazing piece of work,” on pony exclaimed as a small crowd was eventually drawn to the image

“And probably hoof-made too!” another whistled

“I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it on Equis!” a third cheered

“I don’t think anyone in Equestria has made such fine art!” a fourth pony declared

“What do you want it for?” a fifth pony -a ‘shiny’ unicorn with a cyan coat and a white mane and tail, inquired

“I’m just showing what I can do in terms of art, as if I sell it, there’s going to be one pony who’s going to brag about it to no end, and at least several others who used to be said pony’s friends, and that’s what I don’t want”

“Fair enough” a sixth pony smiled as the crowd slowly dispersed

“I thought you said it was for sale?” Twilight whispered

“Sorry, let me rephrase my previous statement into what I meant to say;” I muttered “I’m giving it to Celestia as an apology, and as a gift”

“That’s awfully sweet of you”

I turned to face the now parted crowd; Celestia was present, and slowly making her way toward me

“Princess Celestia,” Twilight exclaimed with glee “what’re you doing here, if I may ask?”

“I find myself drawn to the event,” Celestia smiled, glancing toward my ‘artwork’ “How long does it take you to make one of these?”

“Anything up to a week, depending on who wants one and when” I bowed quickly

“Interesting,” she smiled “Would you be interested in doing a piece of artwork form Equestria's history?”

“I’ll do what I can” I nodded

“Thank you, and your apology is accepted, on one condition” she raised an eyebrow

“Say the word, Lady of the Sun, and I shall follow the order to the exact letter, your majesty” I bowed

“Try to control yourself” she nickered, magically removing the pins, folding the portrait that was hung on the banner, teleporting it away

“I’ll do what I can, Princess Celestia” I nodded

“Then I’ll see you at Canterlot, rick, she pecked my cheek, winking as she teleported out of view

=-=+(=)+=-=

Two months passed, and I’d both borrowed and returned books to and from the library that were based upon key points of Equestria’s history

“I believe that should do it” I smiled as I finished the last image, that of which portrayed a freeze-gram of the battle of Stalliongrad, the previous image held a similar freeze-frame type of image, only depicting the fall of Prance, and another depicted the origin of Hearth’s Warming Eve, whilst a fourth portrayed the German blitz, though it wasn’t Germany so much as Germaney, I’d also done a fifth -that of which showed Celestia raising the sun in all their divine glory, among others

“Hello Rick, I didn’t expect for you to be here” Twilight walked into the library, allowing me entrance into the literal treehouse

“I’ve a request that I’d like to inquire” I smiled, placing the folded up ‘flags’ on the table

“You’ve made visual representations of key points of Equestria’s history?” she giggled, I nodded “I’d better ask for Celestia then”

“No need, my faithful student” I turned, Celestia was there, smiling as she lifted each of the portraits, carefully unfolding them

“Rick, these are amazing, how long did it take you do make them? Celestia stared at each one as she lined them up on the wall

“Not long, I bit my lip as she unfolded the fifth, lining it up with the rest

“That’s…” she glanced between me and the image in question, the one of which depicted her raising the sun “Thank you,” she changed to her anthro form,, draping her arms around me

“Anything for a friend,” I smiled

“Is that all I am to you?” she gave a somewhat playful pout, tilting her head

“You’re my little sunflower, Cellsy,” I smiled, “you are the guardian, bearer and lady of the sun, that of which cannot, and shall not, be replaced, no matter the circumstance-!”I was cut off by a sudden use of teleportation, one that temporarily blurred my vision

When I could see properly again I glanced behind her

Luna, Cadance, Nyx and Faust were stood between Celestia and the thrones, quickly making their way toward us, standing beside Celestia, the solar alicorn in question magicked up a series of pins, hanging the portraits I’d made, save her one, on the walls

“Those are truly amazing works of art,” Cadance hummed, inspecting each one “could I commission you for one?” Celestia unfolded her one, revealing it to the others

“That’s remarkable!” she exclaimed “and you make these by hoof, err hand?”

“I do” I nodded “what do you want yours to be a picture of, you, friends, family loved ones?”

“I don’t know,” she giggled “surprise me”

“I’ll certainly try,” I simpered “has Celestia shown you the last one I made?”

“You made another?” Nyx blinked, Celestia smiled, teleporting the picture I made at the exchange into view, unfolding it before them

“We believe that that is nothing short of tremendous!” Luna exclaimed with apparent joy/gusto/merriment

“Just think of what you want yours to be and I’ll make it as quickly as I can, ladies of the heart, sun moon and stars, and also that of life” I glanced to each of them in turn

-=-=-=-

Another month passed, and the portraits for the princesses were finally finished

“Ah, Rick,” Cadance nickered as Twilight and Spike stood in the throne room alongside Celestia, Luna, Faust, and Nyx “are they ready yet?” I held out the folded up ‘thread-work’ she took it in each one in her magic, where as she took half, Celestia, took the other half

“What is this?” Cadance blinked, turning her image, which depicted a stardust dragon

“You said to surprise you, so I did” I bit my lip

“We are most grateful for thy work, Sir Rick,” Luna smiled “we believe a payment of sorts is in order”

“Nonsense, I refuse to accept payment for my work, especially to you five” I frowned

“We insist otherwise,” she grinned, I took a mildly sizeable step backward “escape shan’t be an option, human” her horn glowed as the door slammed shut, just as Twilight left

“Right, because you can either seal the exits or teleport,” I rolled my eye “crap, should’ve thought about that before I entered the room”

“Are you saying you’re afraid of us?” Celestia blinked

“Not at all,” I gulped, audibly “I do not fear you, I respect you for both who you are and what you have to put up with, Cellsy”, why would I fear those of whom that I love?”

“Indeed,” Faust smiled “But what will you do now?” she smirked “you’ve no chances of escape without breaking something, and, being an entity of chivalry, you won’t harm us, so, what’ll you do?”

“Alteration magic” I grinned, sitting cross-legged, lightly bumping my fists together, palms facing downward, just above my lap, closing my eyes and thinking of Snowdrop,

After the initial sense of nausea passed, I opened my eyes, upon opening them, I found myself in the library, with my family sat in the main room/lounge

“Daddy,” Snowdrop exclaimed, leaping forth and clinging onto me, pecking one of my horns as she climbed onto the back of my head

“How’d you get there so fast?” Spike blinked “Not even Twilight herself can fly that fast”

“Firstly, I’ve performed my own variant of a ‘sonic rainboom,’” I grinned “secondly, Celestia and Luna sealed the exits, but not the throne room itself”

“You teleported?” he stared at me, both wide-eyed and slack-jawed

“Its basic alteration magic,” I smirked “never miss the chance to pick up a decent spell book when you see one”

“Rick?”

I turned my gaze toward the doorway; Twilight was standing there with a look of pure, unadulterated confusion

“How’d you get here so fast?” Twilight blinked I didn’t see you leave, nor did I notice you flying down here whilst looking through the train window

“Magic” I winked “She sealed the exits, not the room itself”

“You teleported,” she awed at me

“’tis basic-level alteration magic where I’ve been” I shrugged

“It could take a pony anything up to several years to master that type of spell, and you did it in one go, how!?” she marched up to me, sitting beside me on the sofa

“I read,” I gleamed, unslinging my rucksack from my back, setting it on the table, reaching into it, pulling out a series of books, setting them on the table beside the rucksack, closing the rucksack

“What’re those?” Twilight held one the books in her magic

“Spellbooks, mostly combat-based,” I hummed

“I’ll think about it, but if I do get a chance to learn the new spells, will you take the books back, Celestia knows the library’s already borderline-overflowing as is” she gestured around the room, which had small piles of books and scrolls littered around the walls

“It just means that you’re getting your job done, Twilight Sparkle” I smiled

“But it’s getting to the point where I have to work well into the night, as well as far beyond my sleeping hours, and it’s causing me to fall behind schedule!” she complained

“Have you tried talking to her about it, maybe compromise a solution between too much and too little work?” I raised an eyebrow, “it’s either that you’re overworking, or that she’s giving you too much, if that’s the case, just put in a polite request to ask if she can find a slower pace”

“Work a t a slower pace?” she frowned

“You know, work at a pace that’ll both fit you, Celestia, and your busy schedule, if you can’t find one, well the, I’m only trying to help” I flashed a grin

“You’re a genius, you know that,” she laughed, working toward a calendar that hung by a nail on a nearby wall by the dresser “here I was getting frustrated about my overly-busy schedule, and then you magically appear and come up with an easy solution, where have you been all my life” she quickly covered her mouth with a hoof

“Probably on another world, searching for a new home,” I smirked “and I’ve found one, what’s even better is that you’re here in it as well”  she dropped her quill, suddenly stopping halfway  through writing a letter, leaping at me, clinging onto me, , Spike picked the quill and paper, finishing the letter, rolling it up and exhaled emerald-green flame, the ashes of the after-mentioned letter flew out the window, heading toward Canterlot

Within the space of around five minutes, Celestia appeared in room, via teleportation

“I believe you’ve something to ask of em, my faithful student?” Celestia smiled at me, glancing toward Twilight, whose eyes snapped open

Twilight turned in my lap, giving off a weak smile

“I was perhaps wondering if I could work at a slightly slower pace, Princess” Twilight bit her lip

“If by that you mean to slow down the speed of which send your books for studying, then by all means” Celestia smiled

-=-=-

“I’m telling you,” I frowned “Yasuharu Takanashi, who composes the ‘Fairy Tail’ soundtrack, Neil Davidge, Michael Salvatori and Martin O’Donnell, the three of whom compose the Halo series and ‘Halo 4’ soundtracks respectively, eat Daniel Ingram for breakfast and defecate William Anderson” (Yes this is my IRL opinion)

“That’s a bit harsh, dontcha think, brother?” Blaze laughed

“I’m not just being harsh, I’m stating it outright” I grinned as I flew toward  “Daniel Ingram and William Anderson, to my knowledge, have no actual creditable music history, and the MLP series isn’t much to go on, whereas the others have around since the mid nineteen-ninety’s worth of work, and have been up to their ears in the musical art since then”

“But you have to remember, it’s a little kid’s show, it’s not going to have that same heavier, almost-metallic feel to it” she rolled her eyes

“It doesn’t need to for example, have you heard of ‘The Corrs’ song known as ‘Rebel Heart,’ sister?” I smiled as we landed in Canterlot, my family, sans Snowdrop, disembarking, safely landing on the floor of the castle

-=-

“So, what’s this about you using alchemy again?” Crystal frowned as we entered the throne room

“Apparently, the ‘old me,’ used alchemy to send himself to earth, trading his memories powers and abilities for a second chance at life, thus, I was ‘born’ if you could use the word” I explained “though my body may be a couple of hundred years old, in spirit,  I’m a billion years old already”

“So you didn’t break any of the rules of science, or at least, the old you, anyway?” Blaze raised an eyebrow

“If you were to say that life has an equal sentimental value as the memories and knowledge that you gain whilst living; then no, I didn’t break any rules” I smiled

“But you were separated from me,” Celestia gave a light frown

“And that, I have come to regret, if anything” I clenched my fists, taking the newly made set of images from my inventory, holding them out, she took them in her magic, teleporting them elsewhere

“Alchemy in itself, like any form of power, has both a good and bad side, if misused, it can tear a whole country apart, almost literally, but if used properly, and in a controlled environment, it can do amazing things, just like magic” I explained “but unlike magic however, there are rules, the most basic of which is the law of Equivalent exchange, also known as the Equilibrium constant”

“I outlawed it for a reason, Rick, don’t make me go into this” she frowned

“All I’m trying to say is that it’s not the alchemy itself, but the person who utilizes it; I’m not trying to bring back an eon-old argument, Cellsy” I growled “you think I’d want to argue with you, of all my friends, you’re a solar goddess, Celestia, is it now outlawed to treat you like one?” I scowled

“Rick, I’m sorry, I was just trying to avoid a conflict with you” Celestia teleported right before me

You asked me once what it’d be like if you were to one day disappear, now let me ask you a similar question,” I spat “say I went on a rampage, and the only way to stop me was to end my life, what would you do?”

“I…” she stammered “I’d do what’s necessary”

“Wrong answer” I shook my head, turning and walking with my family and Crystal out of the throne room

“What was the right answer?” Crystal blinked

“Try with all your heart and might to bring me back to the realm of the living” I rolled my eyes “put your very soul into every action and word, kick reason to the curb and do the impossible!”

“It’s what any anime fan should know; or at least, anyone who knows my brother” Blaze guffawed

“So it would seem” Crystal hummed as we made our way to the dining hall “are you really alright with Sun-butt acting like that?”

“She can do what she wants,” I shrugged “she’s a princess and the guardian and/or herald as-well-as-lady of the sun”

“You still think that, after what she said?” Blaze stared at me, I raised an eyebrow “right, sarcasm, sorry!”

“It’s alright, not the worst thing to happen is it?” I smiled as we stood before the double doors that led to the dining hall

“I wonder if they’ve fixed that wall yet” Snowdrop giggled

“What wall?” Crystal rolled her eyes, as if she could tell that what was going to be said was going to be somewhat negative

“Luna tried to use the old ‘bucket-of-water-atop-the-ajar-door’ trick on Rick, so he went into the room next to the dining hall, the rest is obvious”

“Shall we see if they’re still there?” Crystal gave a soft laugh

“I’ve a better idea” I smirked, placing my hands together -as if clapping, or praying, then placing them on the double doors, which changed to sliding doors, the walls also altering as bright blue lightning danced around the surrounding area

“Alchemy, I assume?” she grinned

“Quite so,” I opened the door, holding it open, I gestured for her to enter “ladies first?”

“You’re a gem” she laughed as she and the rest of my family entered the dining hall

“And who left this mess here I wonder?” she tutted at the sight of a large puddle of water and several scattered buckets “someone really out to be ashamed of themselves, honestly”

“Some people need to have a priority shift, me-thinks” I hummed

“I know right,” she chortled, “some people have absolutely no sense of either direction or decency” Celestia glared icy daggers at me as she appeared at the doorway

“What did I say about using alchemy?” she snapped

“And what did I say about it not being the art in itself, but rather, the artist?” I rebuked “and you’d do what’s necessary, really?” I scoffed “do I no longer matter to any of your little ponies Celestia, have you grown tired of using me as a figurative pawn in your little ‘chess game of the gods,’ so to speak, you’d do what’s necessary, or rather, what is easy, rather than what is right,” I snarled

“You’d choose the easy option, to merely remove me from existence and your and everyone else’s lives, just think about someone else for a change would you, thin about how many ponies’ hearts would be broken, not to sound arrogant, but you’re just being selfish” I lectured

“It’d be impossible to get you back, the only way you’d still be alive is through your memories!” Celestia yelled at the top of her lungs, tears streaming down her muzzle

“Blaze, what did I just say not ten minutes ago?” I sighed

“‘Kick reason to the curb and do the impossible’?” Blaze tilted her head as she blinked

“Thank you, sister” I smiled

“So what would you have me do?” Celestia frowned

“Do what you can, with the others by your side as you bring me back, or at least try to” I grumbled, turning to blaze, do you not find it ironic, sister, we have a land of magical, flying talking horses who can reform a self-acclaimed ‘God of chaos,’ but they can’t help one single dragon slayer should he descend into somewhat similar chaos?”

“Aye, that’d be most ironic” Blaze nodded

“What do you want from me?” the solar goddess’s voice almost cracked

“If one person isn’t cared about and/or for/of, why should he do the same back?” I tilted my head

“Because that’s not what friendship is” she inhaled, and then exhaled, I raised an eyebrow “What?”

I sighed “look, if you don’t want me to use it unless absolutely necessary, then all you need to do is say” I smiled, faintly

“Then that is how it shall be” she gave a weak smile “now can we change the door back?”

“Nah, I reckon it’s lighter now then it was before” I I grinned

“Finer, but just this once,” she giggled “I don’t want you using it unless somepony asks, or you absolutely have to”

“By your word, Lady of the sun” I smiled

“And I’m also going to forgive you for stealing Luna’s diary” she raised an eyebrow

“Seriously,” Crystal gave an unamused stare toward me

“Prank war gone horribly wrong” I shrugged “I ended up with a fractured arm, several cracked ribs, a somewhat slipped disk”

“Brother, she was about ready to kill you” Blaze frowned “therein lies the stopping point, me-thinks”

“Touché” I nodded

-=-=-

After a couple of days-worth of preparation, I’d set up another prank, having duct-taped an air horn to the wall in which Luna’s bedroom door was attached, quickly turning invisible and flying off

The resulting scream mixed with the siren was somewhat confusing

“What on Earthland was that?” Natsu blinked alongside Erza

“Air horn, most likely” I laughed, I turned around, only to get an armoured hoof to the face

-=-

“I’m starting to believe that Luna doesn’t have a sense of humour” Blaze stifled a laugh

“Shut up” I grumbled

“That depends on what one would class as ‘humour’” Luna frowned

“Human humour” Blaze raised an eyebrow, Luna blinked

“I trust that you’ve learned a valuable lesson from this?” Celestia sighed

“That depends on what one would class as ‘valuable’” I grinned

“Rick, I highly advise not doing that again” Blaze was obviously attempting to hold in what seemed to be quite a lot of laughter, I grinned

()=[-]=()

“Seriously, you’ve done what now?” Blaze cackled with laughter as I glanced around the room; there was nobody there, save me, my friends and family

“I set up a pressure system so that when she steps on the two water bottles just before the bedroom door, she’ll get soaked” I smirked as we made our way through the castle, toward the throne room

Upon opening the door, I found a rather bemused, and rather wet, Luna stood beside a somewhat unimpressed Celestia

“Here’s the next set of artworks” I held out a set of folded up handmade portraits

“How appropriate,” Luna snarled “we were just thinking of a punishment fit for your crime”

“How is a prank a form of crime?” Blaze blinked

“A prank,” Luna’s eye twitched “thou calls a bathtub’s worth of water falling on one’s self upon entering a ‘prank’?”

“Which arm do you want?” I held my arms out by my sides,

“We do not wish bodily harm upon thee, Rick,” she frowned “we merely wish to teach thee not to do it again”

“And what if discord were to pull a prank on you?” I tilted my head ever-so slightly

“He’s the lord of chaos, such actions are necessary for him to exist” she raised an eyebrow “thou wish to cause chaos, like he?”

“You call it chaos, we call it fun” Blaze mumbled, Luna’s horn flared, I darted between the two as three spears appeared beside her, each composed of a pitch black magic energy

“Turn it off or I break it off” I glowered, the spears faded from view, disintegrating into thin air although the glow around her horn didn’t fade

Suddenly, I collapsed to my knees, my body convulsed as blood started leaking from my eyes and nostrils, as I held my head in agony

“Daddy,” Snowdrop cried out, Celestia glanced toward her sister, and then gasped at Luna’s twisted grin

“Luna!” Celestia boomed, I puked blood as the glow around Luna’s horn flashed out of existence “What do you think you’re doing?” she blared as I fell flat on my face, my vision fading to black as Snowdrop leapt to my side, clinging onto me alongside Scootaloo, Winter Bell, and Gracy Gloom

[)+=-=+(]

My vision blurred, I leant over the edge of the bed I was situated and puked into a conveniently placed bucket, wearily wiping my mouth as I stared at the wall, slowly sitting upright, feeling my chest and stomach, breathing slowly, yet heavily

“I’m sorry but he’s not yet awake, you’ll have to come back another time” I heard somepony (someone?) outside the room gibe an elongated sigh “Above all else he’s not physically stable, his insides could fall apart at any moment” upon hearing that, I lay back down on the bed, biting my lip “We’re still working on a spell and/or potion to restore him back to normal, so please, bear with us”

I glanced to the seat beside the bed; Autumn Heart was sat there leaning against the mattress, sound asleep

“Rick?” Autumn Heart gasped as I started to lightly stroke her flowing chocolate brown mane

“Hey,” I smiled

“But the doctors said you wouldn’t be awake for another week!” she gaped

“Apparently my organs could fall apart at any moment” I hummed

“Oh they’re just saying that” she giggled “what they’ve done is nothing short of an amazing miracle at work”

“What’d they do to me?” I blinked

“They said that they were going to infuse your physiology with that of a rubber tree,” she gulped audibly “how’re you feeling, my love?”

“Like shit, to put it frankly” I mumbled

“They said you’d feel somewhat nauseous when you awoke” she had tears clouding her eyes “oh god I was so worried about you!” she broke into a sob, gently holding onto me as I slowly sat upright

“How long was I out?” I pecked the tip of her horn

“Two years” she wept as a pony with a uniform walked into the room

“Sir Rick, we weren’t expecting you to be awake so soon” the nurse, Redheart, as I remembered her from Nightmare Night “you should be about ready to be leave in about a week’s time, milord” she winked

-=-=-

That week didn’t pass as fast as I’d of liked it to, and I didn’t get a single visitor, sans Redheart, who only came into the room to either see how I was or to flirt ‘which, according to her body language, undetectable

As I walked free from the hospital, I was tackled by four familiar ponies

“Daddy,” Snowdrop, Gracy Gloom, Scootaloo and Winter Bell cheered, clinging onto me “

“We missed you Daddy!” Snowdrop cried as she clung onto my front, tears streaming down her muzzle “we thought that you’d…!” she gasped, I draped my wings around her

“Easy Snowdrop, I’m Ok, albeit eventually” I gave a faint smile

“Two years!” she screamed “two years we were waiting for you to heal, those two years didn’t go by quick enough for us” she climbed onto the back of my head, whereas Winter Belle and Gracy Gloom clambered onto my shoulders

-=-=-

“Rick!” Celestia all-but gasped alongside Twilight and her friends as we entered the throne room, Autumn Heart and Blaze standing with Scootaloo upon Blaze’s back

“Rick,” Luna teleported in front of me, Snowdrop, Winter Belle, and Gracy Gloom –quickly as they could, climbed back down to the ground, where they, alongside Scootaloo, huddled behind me

“We do not mean any harm to come to thee, little ones” Luna glanced toward Snowdrop, who let out a frightened ‘eep’

“That’s what you said to me, then you threatened my sister, then you hospitalized me” I growled

“We did not mean to cause any harm, we do not know what came over us” she hung her head

“I’m starting to think that the eons creating the elements of harmony was a bad idea” I mumbled

“But without them, we’d be without someone to watch over the stars” Twilight frowned

“I can think of at least two people” I smirked “Nyx and Lulania, and that’s not counting the Roman, Greek, and Norse gods of course”

“We see,” Luna bit her lip “then we shall serve under thy rule until thou sees fit to deem otherwise” her form changed to that of a smaller one, with pale blue coat and a flowing, royal blue mane and tail as she bowed

“I never said you were useless, Luna,” I sighed, stroking her mane

“Nonetheless, we feel it is our responsibility to see to it for thou to be reward as compensation for our actions” she frowned

“You teach her this sort of thing?” I glanced toward Celestia, who shook her head in response “So be it”

=-=-=

Once we’d entered our house, Luna sat in my lap as I sat on the bed, Autumn Heart sitting beside me

“So how far does this ‘responsibility’ go?” I raised an eyebrow

“We feel as though we owe you thine life, so we shall serve you until the end of our days” Luna hung her head, glancing up at me “would you like us to begin?”

“If you feel as though you’re ready” I smiled

Next Chapter: Chapter XIX; Prototype Estimated time remaining: 8 Hours, 3 Minutes