If there is one thing that I've often known in life, it is this: if you want something done, then it's best to do it yourself.

Obviously that has been the case for many of my encounters throughout my life. But in many past endeavors, I have been far from successful. In fact, many times I have come away with bruises and broken bones. But no matter the situation, I have often thought about how peer pressure has shaped me to believe that getting help was often the cowards way out. So overtime, I have grown to have some sort of unquenchable pride resting deep within me that kept pushing me to stand on my own.

That ultimately became my weakness in many situations. I was always outmatched, outnumbered, or outwitted. I was headstrong and went into things without much thought, running from point-A and smacking into a brick wall on the way to point-B. I tended not to interact with others because I was always thinking that they were making fun of me at one point. Don't get me wrong, I was always made fun of for being 'weird, awkward, and funny-looking'.

But that was the past. Throughout my going-on ten months of being here, I've had those barriers that once stood between me and the world broken. The walls that prevented me from getting to know others had been breached as I was eventually forced to interact with others. But it wasn't a bad kind of forcing, it was a necessary one. I needed to break out of my shell. Twilight, Pinkie, and the others did that for me. Now I have learned to become dependent on others for many things. I'm still a bit headstrong, but it isn't as bad as it was. I have learned to put much of my pride aside... That is until I'm pushed to a certain degree.

Often, I have reverted back to my once prideful, stubborn, confrontational, jealous, selfish, impatient, semi-manipulative, perverted, angry, white-knighted, passive-aggressive self. I could list the times I took a few steps back, like when I first fought Caramel, my bout with Shining Armor, my ongoing feud with these politicians, and my sex drive... DEFINITELY MY SEX DRIVE.

I've had times when I'd look at a swishing tail for a chance to catch a glimpse of something (prior to Twilight and I becoming an item) and having a few lustful thoughts about some of the girls. Yeah, despite my outward showing of restraint, I was always thinking about the opportunities I had, like how Pinkie danced on me, when Twilight and I shared that one clandestine kiss in the hall after her getting in trouble for grinding on me the night prior, the times I was harassed by Spitfire and Twilight's mom, the moments where I began to interact with...

...I'm starting to trail off here.

Either way, I have done some backtracking. But thankfully it hasn't gotten to a point where it has gotten bad, nor has it affected my relationships with any of the others. In fact, I can say that I have done a great job in keeping most of my relationships harmonious. Much to my knowledge, the only one who seems to have a problem with me is Spike. And that's only because he was jealous over something that wasn't apparently there in the first place.

But all of that aside, I believe that today was one of those times where my pride really stood out. I was pushed by some snobbish politicians to prove my worth, to show them that I could exceed their expectations and show them just how powerful I really was. And it wasn't just any ordinary pride, but rather the pride of my being a human.

...And my pride said 'go at it alone'.

Technically, I could easily finish this changeling hunt on my own. And that's not even me being cocky... okay maybe I am a little cocky. But either way, just give me one more trip to my world and a thousand dollars in hand. I could come back with an assault rifle, several magazines, a few rounds of ammo and two suppressors. I hope Rickey actually sells the latter, as I would definitely need those for the handgun and the rifle.

I'll probably hold off on the sniper rifle until I learn how to properly use it.

When I had informed her that I would attempt to complete the mission on my own, Celestia took a moment to ponder my statements. As she did, a thought came across her mind that caused her to show yet even more uncertainty. She wanted to call Shining Armor down from the north to give me some more insight as to why I shouldn't try doing it on my own.

I tried to convince her that Shining was probably busy with much more important tasks, but she had stated to me. "When it comes to matters of national security, I would believe that he would take that in the highest priority."

She decided to hold an emergency meeting of the matter tomorrow. Since this was a matter of what she called 'grave importance', she took preference that I'd convene with the others before making a decision as brash as the one I had suggested. I also volunteered to inform her of the tools that I would be using to make it as much as an unfair fight for them.

Celestia suggested that I would also speak with Twilight, being that she knew the area. But I had insisted that Zecora would be a more viable choice, considering that she took residence within Everfree. Of course, she insisted that Twilight knew the castle and would be a better guide, also stating that 'a couple that fights together, loves each other longer and will protect one another to the best of their capabilities'.

I get where she was going with this, and also keeping in mind that Twilight would have a desire in going along with me for the sake of being protective. But I wasn't really fond of trying to push us together at this point. Yet she still persisted in seeing me accompanied by her, mainly for romantic reasons. She even brought up how Shining and Cadance's excursions had brought them closer together to the point where they were nearly inseparable, as well as expressing her hopes that we would be the same way.

I'm gonna have to tell her that we're on a break, aren't I?

...Nah, tomorrow. It's been a long day and I need my rest.

The sound of rattling armor could be heard without interruption as one of the smokey-gray unicorn guards walked down the hallway, his horn alight as he scanned the corners and pillars for any intruders. As he passed, he would quickly inspect a few by shining his light around them. As soon as he confirmed that there was nothing there, he left and carried out his watch elsewhere. And once more, his armor rattled as he walked down the hall.

Aside from that one minor disturbance, the halls of Canterlot Castle remained as quiet as ever. Especially in comparison to the bustle and hustle going on through the halls in the middle of the day. Instead, it seemed like everything was quite serene in the sparsely moonlit halls...

Everything save a small shadow coursing it's way through the halls.

A small hooded figure crept along the sides of the walls, trying it's best not to get caught by anyone. As it came close to an intersection, it slowed down and peered around the corners to inspect who was walking down the hall. And upon verifying that its way was clear, the cloaked shadow quickly scampered across and back into the security of the shadows.

Very little could be heard from the creature as it tried to move quietly and cautiously through the halls and corridors of the castle, even traversing stairs with expedience. After making it's way up a flight, the creature found himself in a grandiose hall adorned with portraits and yet even more guards.

This time, it's approach would have to be far-less speedy and ever the more cautious. Time wouldn't be on it's side, as the guards that were already at their posts were just recently sent to relieve the posts of others. So the creature had to be patient before moving along, though it would tap it's foot quietly with anxiety.

Several minutes later, the guards left their posts to engage with another watch group for conversation. Now given an opening, the creature hastily bolted down the hall and towards a door to the far left. The creature looked both ways as it tried to confirm whether or not it was at risk of being discovered. Working quickly, it drew in a deep breath and exhaled on the knob that held the door shut. The immense heat that came from the breath was enough to melt the knob as well as the locks. As the metal dripped towards the ground, the creature extended it's claws to catch the contents, drinking in the evidence of its tampering. In mere seconds, the creature broke past the lock and infiltrated the room.

Closing the door behind itself, the creature proceeded to scan the room for any signs of an inhabitant. But it wouldn't have to look for long, as directly in front of it laid a bed and it's snoring occupant. The arrangement to which the occupant slept was quite unusual, shoes and socks scattered at the foot of the bed while it's feet dangled out haphazardly from underneath the sheets. An arm lifelessly dangled from the side as the occupant's chest rose and fell.

"Sound asleep."

Removing the hood from himself while looking on with satisfaction, Spike quietly approached the bed with eager breath. A simple exhale became as hot as steam while the young drake flexed his claws, looking at the human that slept in the bed. But as he grew close, the human hummed in a low voice while he quickly turned in the bed. The dragon took notice that the human was actually experiencing a bad dream, so he decided to quickly take care of the situation.

"Nnnget... away..." The human murmured in his sleep, causing Spike to flinch.

The human's body finally calmed down enough where it slept silently. The drake crawled to the other side of the bed, grabbing at the sheets for a chance to hide should something go wrong. Spike slithered amongst the bedding, quietly making his way to the human's exposed neck, the extended nape as the human's head hung forwards. Sharp fangs glistened as small strands of saliva bridged the expanding distance of the dragon's maw. Hovering just above his ear, the dragon whispered into his ear.

"You took from me." He hissed with hatred in his voice, letting one of his claws glide onto the human's exposed neck. "And now I'll take from you."

With a quick and soundless intake of air, the dragon posed himself to rip into the human's neck and breathe fire into his very lungs. The human jolted in the bed, still twitching from his dream. Spike paid it no mind as he began to slowly dig his claws into the neck of the human.

My eyes fluttered open as I heard the sound of someone knocking at my door. A creaking sound caused me to quickly sit up and grab my gun from underneath the pillow. "Who's there?" I answered drowsily.

"Nondis, it is I." Spoke the voice that belonged to Princess Luna. "Please get up."

Rising out of my bed, I tried to put on some pants. But before I had noticed it, the blue alicorn was already inside of the room. I looked back to her with surprise as I stared at the door with confusion. "How did you get in here? I thought my door was locked." I said with a yawn.

"Well I find it difficult to see how you could've locked yourself in when the door doesn't have a knob." Luna answered quietly.

Okay, maybe I was just hearing things, but there's no way that she just said that the door didn't have a knob. I distinctively remember turning the knob to gain access to this room, denying it, and sealing away any further access. But when my eyes looked towards the half-open door, I saw confirmation in something that would begin to perplex me. "What the hell? There was one there before."

Luna looked around the room, trying find any further signs of invasion. "It would be safe to believe that your security has been compromised, captain."

Damn, I just got here and I'm already on the hit-list. "This shit makes no sense."

"I was coming in here to converse with you on the matter of your recent nightmares, but it seems that there are far more pressing matters to attend to."

"Fuck, why me?" A question with a variety of answers. It could be that one of the politicians already see me as a threat, but that wouldn't make any sense considering that I haven't done much to piss them off as of yet. It could also be a pony who doesn't take too kindly of me being here, but that's like a rare chance of a thousand to one. But then again, there was the recent matter of the changelings assassinating anyone of high military power.

And an attempt on my life would more than likely stem from that very scenario.

"Security!" Luna called out loudly, causing me to cover my ears.

In the matter of seconds, several guards came rushing towards us, brandishing their weapons. "Your highness?"

"Captain Nondis' room has been infiltrated, or it would be safe to assume that is the case. His door knob has gone missing and his door left ajar as he slept. It would be wise to take into account that this would be a possible attempt made upon his life. I wish you to investigate further into the matter. Give me any clues or pieces of evidence you could find."

"Yes, your highness!" A brown unicorn said as he bowed before the princess of the night. We began to walk away, making our way towards another room. As the guards proceeded their investigation, Luna had turned her attention back to me.

"I am most uncomfortable that you have been placed in such a dangerous situation like this. Obviously, our security still has lapses. I suppose it would fall upon Celestia and I that your safety was not so assured."

"It's all on me." I stated while looking back to the guards hastily trying to gather information. "I should've taken this into account when I came here. It's my job, so I have to take responsibility for it."

"Not true, you had only just arrived and you are considered a guest. This is solely on us."

I really didn't feel like arguing-

"Oi! Stop him!"

Immediately, our ears perked and our bodies acted on their own accord as we ran back towards the room. On our way, we heard the sound of a window shattering. When we had finally arrived back on the scene, we could only see a broken window and a windswept curtain.

"What's going on?" Luna questioned.

"Little bugger snuck from the bed and zipped straight out of the window, he did!" A dark brown pony in armor said as he pointed towards the broken window.

"Send for pegasi to cover the air! I want unicorns at every corner and earth ponies at every gate! Find that assassin and bring him before us alive! He couldn't have gotten far!"

"MA'AM!" They all shouted in unison, scattering to their respective positions. Luna provided some escort to guide me towards her room while she carried on the search for the assassin. And here I was, still trying to piece together how I couldn't have noticed anything that was threatening my life.

...I can't believe I was literally sleeping with death.

Morning came a lot faster than what I was hoping for. I was still groggy from having to wake up at around three in the morning for the reason that I nearly had my shit cut the fuck off. Not to mention the subsequent security protocols I had to endure for the sake of preventing something like that happening a second time. So instead of being sent into a random room, I was immediately given permission to rest within Princess Luna's bedroom. So after being shoved into a bed and sedated─mainly because I couldn't chill out for the life of me─I then succumbed to sleep.

As for why I wasn't exactly in a chill mood, well you try finding out that your assassin was sleeping in your bed right next to you without your knowledge.

Even as I open my eyes, I could feel an unusual stinging sensation on the left side of my neck. I would've assumed that I must've slept wrong if it wasn't for the fact that I felt something dry and crumbly where the ache was located. Scratching a bit, I came to find out that what was on my neck was nothing short of dried blood.

In disbelief, I dropped my arm back to my side. However, it landed on something that seemed to be entirely too warm to be a pillow.

"Ughnnn..."

My eyes shot wide open as I jumped up to attention and looked back over to where my right arm had landed. As I looked over, I couldn't help but to stare at the white alicorn princess quietly sleeping beside me. Though she stirred a bit, due to my arm falling against her side.

I had many questions run through my mind as I watched her resume her sleep. The first question was simple, why was she here with me in Luna's room? I get that they are siblings but still, why would she be sleeping next to me? Why was she still wearing all of her regalia? If anything, she would at least take some of that clunky junk off once in a while. Was it really necessary for her to sleep with that on, and if so then why? Where is Luna, the one who originally took it upon herself to guard me while I slept? Shouldn't she be here instead of her older sister?

Other questions ran through my head but I decided not to entertain them. The one thing I needed to do was to get out of this bed and get ready for the day ahead. Shifting myself out of the bed, I began to take a foot off of the bed.

"Nnngh... Sombra..."

When I looked back, I could already see the golden aura around Celestia's horn beckoning my body to return to the bed. Before I even had a chance to escape, she pulled me in and wrapped her hooves around me. And when I struggled to escape, I found myself cocooned by a huge pair of white wings, closing in all around me. Feathers brushed all over my face as the high princess nuzzled against the back of my neck, murmuring to the figure in her dream.

"I found you... after all this time. Now I'm never letting go, not again."

What is it with sleeping ponies and their instinctual habit of grabbing anything or anyone around them? First it was Twilight, then it was Sunset, and now it's Celestia. These three, students and mentor, were very grabby while dreaming. If anything, she needs a huge hugging pillow.

But then again, Twilight was always grabby towards me in general.

I tried shifting out of her grasp somehow, but instead I had only managed to wiggle myself to where I was facing her. As her wings and hooves shifted, my head was crammed against her golden chest plate. I cringed as she continued to clamp onto me, pressing my face against the purple jewel embedded in her regalia. My cheeks compressed while I struggled to free myself. I had began to notice that the heat radiating off of her was making it significantly harder to breathe. Once more, my attempts to flee from her grasp had ended in outstanding failure, landing me just below her jewel-encrusted chest piece. At the very least, I wasn't at risk of being compacted by the combination of her hooves, wings and jewelry.

But then I had noticed something strange...

Just underneath her plate, I could see a small patch of fur missing. Instantly, I became curious of whether or not she was losing fur or whether it was a spot where her age began to show. Perhaps an unsightly battle scar, or maybe one she had gotten from fighting with Luna over a millennium ago. Either way, I began to entertain myself by slowly lifting up the chest plate to get a better look at what it was.

"Nngh... *gasp*"

As soon as I heard that noise, I knew that it was time for me to stop diddling around. I let go of the enormous chunk of metal, hoping to feign ignorance. But it was apparent that I was discovered when she unwrapped herself from around me, pushing me towards the other side of the bed and quickly climbing to her own side, facing away from me.

I obviously screwed up. "...I'm sorry."

Celestia briskly shook her head, still facing away from me. "No! I was at fault. It was nothing of you..."

I could tell she was lying. No one wakes up like that as soon as something gets grabbed, especially from the deep sleep she experienced. "I know that you're trying to make it seem like-"

"Nothing is your fault." She quickly stated as she stood up from the bed.

"Princess..." I paused for a second, remembering that she had made a request that I wasn't so formal at the times we were alone. "Celly, look... I got curious and snooped. That's ALL on me."

Celestia turned back around slightly, her mane obstructing her eyes. "...If you would, I'd prefer that you'd not do that again."

That sounded very much like an order to me. "Yes, ma'am."

Her foreleg reached upward, clasping onto the golden piece. "There are some things I would rather keep to myself, things that still haunt me."

"I understand."

"What did you see?" She questioned softly, close to a whisper.

Those words, they sounded all-too familiar. I could remember the last time I was asked that, it was the time I was still new to this place. Twilight asked me those exact same words, and of course I saw something that was exotic and unusual for me. I also saw something sexy and tantalizing. But this was a different case, this seemed to be something else entirely. I didn't get a good look at what it was, but I knew that there was fur missing from her coat.

"Well?" She persisted, trying to obtain an answer.

"Your highness..." I couldn't help myself, I knew that I did wrong and that she was upset from it. I just couldn't stop addressing her as my superior rather than my friend. "I... your... is missing there..." I couldn't piece together a response that didn't sound like anything offensive. Instead, my response became broken and disjointed from subject to predicate.

"What is missing?"

"Your... coat..."

For a moment we stood quietly, remaining in the same position for what seemed like half of an eternity. Celestia was the first to move after a while. She turned back around, facing away from me once more as she spoke. "Ah yes... that. It is nothing but a scar from an incident that I would rather forget."

"I won't ask anything else then."

With a few steps forward, she quietly spoke. "Please do not tell Luna. If she were to know, it would only plague her with guilt."

While she walked away, I began to think to myself. "Was she the cause of that scar?" Unfortunately, the thought had transcended past thought itself and manifested into the words that fell from my mouth like a weight landing on loose sand.

"Uguk!" Celestia froze in place as she thought about turning around to face me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud. I just-"

"Your breakfast and I will be waiting for you when you arrive. Please take your time, the royal bath is available to you, there are many scents and oils should you wish to wear or bathe in any, the water is warm and the towels are steamed. I wish you a pleasant morning, sir captain."

Those were the last words I heard from her before she teleported off. I was left alone in the enormous chamber that was Luna's bedroom. I closed my eyes and thought to myself that I had made a huge mistake.

"Another thing." Celestia's voice rang from immediately behind my neck, causing me to jump. "Try not to be so formal or polite around me. It is true that I am slightly flustered from your actions earlier and that I may seem upset by it, but I also asked you to place all of my titles aside. I am nothing for you to fear."

I wanted to look back, but was prevented from doing so by a hug.

"I forgive you for being curious, for asking questions. But please forgive me should I express a desire for you to remain ignorant to my circumstances."

"...Pr... I mean, Celestia-"

"Celly's fine." She quickly answered, brushing herself against me. "I know that I may seem touchy, but you already know that I am often devoid of that privilege."

"Right, sorry."

"Twilight will be here later today, though I am sure that she will have a few choice words should she see you. As for the matters of the occurrence from earlier this morning, we shall talk upon it later. Just know that for now you are in capable and trustworthy hooves."

Well at least she's not completely enraged like I thought she was just a minute ago. But I still feel as if I should tell her about me and Twilight now that I have a chance. At least it would kinda ease her off on pushing us together.

"Um... Celes- I mean, Celly."

"Yes." She asked quietly.

"...Do you think Twilight can be a bit, you know... overbearing?"

The alicorn eased from her hug and walked in front of me to face me. "Why do you ask? Has something gone wrong?"

I clenched my fists as I took a swallow to clear out whatever frogs would come hopping up my throat. "Well, we kinda got into it the day she came back from Canterlot with her wings clipped."

"Am I to assume that she was angry with you over the punishment or the argument you two had before that?"

"It was a mix of both. Either way, with everything as it is now and how fast things are moving... I kinda... well... you know."

"No, I don't." She answered sternly, immediately causing me to feel somewhat intimidated.

"We... kinda put our relationship on hiatus." I could already feel the room heating up. "Ever since the day I came back from a visit to my world, she's been a bit possessive. And with her being the way she was, it was almost as if I couldn't get her to completely trust me when I was alone with anyone else."

Celestia drew a sigh of disappointment as she sat on her haunches. "I see. Twilight is still new to the romantic aspects of friendship, even love magic has proven too potent for her to manifest on her own without consequences. May I ask how these seeds of distrust grew to manifest?"

Stretching my arms into the air, I spoke with a strain in my voice. "Well it started when she crossed over into my world without my knowing. She also caught me hugging with one of my friends back home."

"In your world, yes?"

"Yeah." I confirmed, rotating my right arm and shoulder. "She got angry because she had suspicions that my friend was in love with me."

"Well is she?" Celestia questioned.

"Um, I know that she considered dating me a while back, but that was well over eleven months ago, prior to us getting into it. But even then, dating and love are as different as night and day on my world. We could be dating just for the sex."

"Your relations are not all too different from that of us equines. I understand that much."

"Okay then, but either way she hasn't confessed anything like that. She only said that she would have gladly gotten into a relationship with me had I been the person I am now back then. But this was recently confessed to me, like the day Twilight and I had gotten into our spat."

"I see then..." Celestia seemed to have grown somber as she continued to ask me questions. "So how long did you two know each other?"

"About eight years now. We were friends since high school."

"Oh! Now I understand the case of familiarity. But that still begs the question, what do you feel about her?"

"I'm not gonna lie but when I first heard that she liked the current me, I got a little giddy. I had a crush on her for a while but since I've been here, she hasn't been on my mind nearly as much. In fact, Twilight kinda took over in that department. So again, I got a little giddy when I found out, but I didn't really feel as excited as I would have been should I had never met Twilight in the first place."

Celestia frowned a bit as she looked at me. "So you do have something for her?"

I looked to the air above as I waited for my brain to drop an answer down to my lips. "Eh... I wouldn't say I do. She's one hell of a friend and we got it like this." I held my hand up, crossing my index and middle fingers. But it's been so long since I was away from her, I began to look at our relationship with one another in a more platonic viewpoint. That and she's already in a relationship of her own."

"Okay. So... what else happened between you two, you and Twilight of course?"

Easy, she kicked me out of the room, smiled in my face as she told me goodnight, and broke down crying the moment the door closed. "For the most part, she took it better than I expected. Though I know that she was wearing a brave face, I couldn't help but to be content with it. I just didn't like making her cry, but to know that she held it together for me... It made it a lot easier to remain firm on my stance. Otherwise, I'd be clenching against her in the bed, hoping that the tears would stop falling eventually."

"So she doesn't trust you as much as you'd like?" Celestia summarized.

"That's pretty much it. That and her asking me to marry her quick, fast, in-a-hurry."

"Technically, you would've been able to. I am surprised that you didn't take the opportunity, considering that you were so adamant on showing the world that you were wanting to be with her."

"That's another thing. We were already moving faster than what I would've liked. The marriage thing at the end of the approval process really threw me for a loop. And now that the option is on the table, I guess I wanted to slam the breaks before we'd hit something big. I want us to actually end on good terms, should it all boils down to us actually breaking up."

Celestia closed her eyes as she gave me a solemn nod. "Then in that case, I now have an understanding of what has transpired in the past few days. Though I do hope that you two will do well in your break and find each other once more. I would fear what would happen should you separate yourselves for too long."

I don't see what's the problem. The worst that would happen is that we would probably call it quits after that. "How so?" I inquired, trying to gain a view from her perspective.

"I take it that you've forgotten how a break of significant time warrants signs of an impending severance of your relationship." She answered as she started to make her way out the door.

I already knew just where she was going with that. If I wasn't going to go back to Twilight, then there would be several others of a particular group waiting in line. Needless to say, I'm being pressured no matter the circumstance... and it's only beginning to piss me off. "She'd probably want to talk about it before it would even get to that point. And plus I told her that it would be about two weeks to a month."

Celestia paused in the doorway as she muttered to me "I can understand your decision, but let me remind you that you are at an extreme disadvantage since you two have broken your approval vows-"

"You know, if I can be frank and vulgar with you, I would like to say that this stupid-ass law fails to yield any sort of common sense. If you signed it, then why the blue hell can't you repeal it yourself? You've had over a thousand years to do it, so do something about it."

DUDE! WHAT THE HELL!

Celestia stared at me, completely dumbfounded and slack-jawed while I stared back, looking as if I had shot her in the side while the blood started to drip. With a foul grimace, she growled as she marched back to me. I would've liked to back away, but my legs remained locked in place. So in the matter of a few seconds, I was literally starring at the tip of her horn while she angrily looked back up to me.

"Do you honestly take me for a fool, captain?"

"No, not at all. I'm just questioning how is it possible that you can't repeal a simple document. You have the ability to play dirty and had the powers capable of eliminating every last one of those who ridiculed you."

"I told you, they are dead-"

"And this law still remains. Why? I'm getting my ass hunted down and damn-near assassinated in my sleep since I've found out that these fuckers have the hates for me. And I can tell that it was someone on the inside because a changeling wouldn't have easy access to the floor I slept on, which is the same one you sleep on. And furthermore, changelings don't have sharp horns and neither was I feeling woozy when I had gotten up."

I pulled down the collar of the shirt I was wearing and revealed the still dark-crimson scar on my neck.

"This shit isn't a bite, nor is it a horn. As straight and narrow as it is, that's the indication that a knife was politely resting against my neck. So please forgive me if I may seem a little testy, but I was about a thin layer of skin away from sleeping in my bed for good. Something is not right and I demand answers before I set out to do shit else."

Celestia grabbed me by the front of my shirt and yanked me down to eye level, all while wearing this intense glare on her face. At first she seemed like she was ready to unload on me, but after all of her snarls and teeth-barring, she eased her grip and allowed me to return back to my original height. She took a deep breath and allowed herself to become calm and peaceful. And instead of wearing that deadly glare, she returned to me a look of sympathy.

"I can understand your passionate distaste for this law, as I too have expressed my displeasure in being unable to modify it. Even I have grown impatient with the matter. And my heart ached when I have had to enact a punishment to protect Twilight. If anything, clipping her wings was a much more lenient punishment. But for now, just know that I have taken comfort that you too wish to fight alongside us against this outdated and unjust piece of legislature. As for the news on the assassination attempt, I told you your answers will come later this morning at breakfast. An officer will debrief us on his findings as well as any evidence that may have been located."

After hearing that I would be informed of the circumstances, I finally calmed down. Unfortunately I ended up snapping out again and reverting back to my past, argumentative self. But at least I managed to put myself in check before it all got completely out of hand.

Though I still felt that my concerns were merited for discussion. "I didn't mean to show disrespect, Celly. I'm just angry that I'm only getting answers when the time is deemed 'appropriate'. And it just so happens that those answers leave a lot more questions to be answered."

"And it leaves you still wanting more."

Both Celestia and I turned back around to see Princess Luna standing in a now-open doorway.

"Princess-"

"Luna is fine, Nondis."

I guess the princesses don't like it when their titles come first in these kinds of conversations. "Okay, Luna. I've got a question-"

"My sister was here to provide protection over your dreams while I carried out the investigation. It is a magical ability that both she and I share."

"Well that clears one thing up." I said as looked to Celestia, the white alicorn smiling back at me. "So what's the situation with the assassin?"

"We will inform you at breakfast. But for now, we wish you to carry out your morning rituals. It would be unwise for you to start with a sour and exhausted spirit in contrast to a more focused one." Luna suggested as she and her older sister proceeded happily push me towards their bathroom.

While I was forced into the bathroom, I turned back to Celestia to argue on why I needed answers sooner than later. "Look, I just want-"

"I understand. It was an attempt on your life, yet you are already assigned to an investigation of your own. Leave this matter to Luna and I, we will get to the bottom of this. But in the meantime..."

Immediately, I found myself standing in front of a small swimming pool filled with steamy waters and soap suds piled high. A few bubbles gently floated just above our heads as my toes clenched onto the lip of the enormous tub. I started to try and fight my way out of it as soon as I realized that I was still clothed.

"Hey, wait a min-AH!"

I couldn't even finish my sentence before a white hoof clad in golden slippers forcefully shoved me into the pool. When I had fell in, I was amazed by just how deep it really was. When my head came back out, I could summarize that I was definitely standing in about five feet of water.

...Of course I only managed to find that out while wearing clothes.

"Well what do you know, dearest sister? It appears that Nondis has taken a liking to our private bath." Celestia playfully stated with a coy grin on her face.

"And it would appear that he would be held up significantly by his clothes being wet. I suppose we'll just have to dry them off before he can wear them again, lest he'd catch a cold." Luna added with the same juvenile tone.

Really? That's how you two are gonna be?

"Well you heard Luna," The older sibling said as her magic began to pull my soaking-wet clothes off of my body. "Time to get out of these clothes. No need in carrying on an investigation if you're going to get sick."

"You two are Satan incarnate!" I screamed as the sun princess stripped me out of everything I wore, including my boxers. Thankfully there were enough suds for me to 'wear' for the time being so that I could prevent myself from showing out.

Luna grabbed my clothes as she walked out of the bathroom. "We'll leave you to your privacy. Your clothes will be ready in about thirty minutes."

Celestia, on the other hand, remained inside of the bathroom, staring me down with an unusual look. Immediately, I had felt somewhat afraid of what she had in mind. I already did the math: a naked me, a princess who eagerly stripped me out of my clothes, remaining in the bathroom, giving me a rather devious stare. I've watched too damn much anime to know where exactly where this was headed.

"So... do you like the bath?" Celestia asked as she unfurled her wings. "The waters deep within the mountain have been known to contain magical rejuvenation properties."

I immediately backed away from her just as she started to flap her wings and hover just inches above the water. "Um... shouldn't you be doing princess stuff rather than wasting your time with me?"

She licked her lips as she dropped one of her forelegs onto the water's surface, just enough to skim over it as she slowly hovered over to me. "Oh I'm free for this time block. Unfortunately for you, my block does last for another forty-five minutes." She bit her lower lip as she sped up her pace, almost acting as if she was a shark drawn to blood... my blood. "So that leave enough time for me..." Finally, she flicked the hoof that drug across the water and flicked it at me. "And you."

"Dammit! This is not funny, Celestia! Quit playin'!"

In the blink of one's eye, she flew directly over to me and stared me down face to face. I shook as her muzzle were but a few inches away from mine. Her hooves clasped against my jaw and cheeks, pulling me up to her as she giggled. "First, I told you to call me Celly." Then she gently yanked my head forward, missing her muzzle and pushing towards he ear as she whispered into mine. "And second, this is my sweet revenge for your little outburst. See to it that it never happens again, understood?"

...Wat?

"Enjoy the bath!" She said just a half-second before disappearing in a flash of light. I stood somewhat petrified as I still felt my heart gradually slowing down from my being a inch away from her lips. My cheeks ran red as I had thought about if she had stayed any longer, only imagining that my blushing wouldn't have been the only thing she would have seen. Even now, my body is still showing it's excitement in more ways than one.

And she did that out of revenge... She pulled a bluff and I fell for it.

...Goddammit.

After breakfast, I had to wait a few more hours before Shining came in from the Crystal Empire. Not only that, but Celestia had her own business to attend to prior to our meeting. Thankfully, it seemed like we were going to get things started early without Twilight being around.

I just think it would be awkward for us to be in the same room with her brother while we're in the midst of a break. It sure wouldn't help me on my presentation. But knowing that Cadance had showed up with my box of 'laundry' as I had instructed her to do yesterday, that did help me immensely. And besides, Twilight still hasn't seen me even have a gun, let alone using one. Cadance and Shining caught me holding against a changeling's head, but I never used it in front of them... that is until today.

The meeting I had proposed to Celestia was a second meeting in regards to the tech of my world and how we've applied our skills to weaponry. Of course, I have everything set up accordingly, even borrowing a few sets of armor that were lying around the barracks. Of course to prevent this from being a demonstration that would catch eyes all across the nation, I have only invited those of royal influence. A private room with no windows, no skylights, no cracks in the walls, no senators, no politicians, no media, no friends of any sort.

This was just strictly business.

"NONDIS!!!"

And now for the new order of business: soothing the raging princess of Ponyville.

"First, you left the castle without telling me where you were staying. Second, you left the town without my authorization. Third, you came to Canterlot without my authorization! Fourth, you decided to carry out your stupid investigation without consulting me! And fifth, I HEAR ABOUT YOU NEARLY BEING ASSASSINATED?"

...Yeah, I'm gonna get my ear chewed off today. As I turned around, I could see nothing but a purple and indigo blur charging directly at me from way down the hall. Twilight skidded to a halt just a couple of feet before reaching me.

"Where do you get off on doing things without my explicit permission? You know that this-"

"Is why we're taking a break." I finished calmly and quietly, causing Twilight to stagger on her response. After a short breathing exercise, the purple princess finally lowered her tone appropriate for an indoor environment.

"I... I understand that you want to get things done, but what about your health? How's your shoulder? Did they catch the perpetrator who tried to assassinate-"

"Not right now, they haven't. The only thing they managed to find was a black cloak that was torn to shreds in the sewers just below the castle. I'll get on it when I'm finished with the situation in Everfree."

Twilight took a few more steps towards me as she tried to reach up to me with a hoof. "Still, I want to know about your shoulder-"

"It's fine." I said, politely guiding her hoof away from me.

"But you haven't told me anything about where you're staying at now. If you're a target, then I need to make sure-"

"I'm fine. Believe it or not, the doors at the hotel are a little harder to pick at. And plus there's little chance for my assassin to break in and kill me when there's only one assured way in. Here, there are several escape routes that can be used as infiltration points."

Twilight rolled her eyes at me as she sighed with frustration. After a brief moment of her shaking her head, she grabbed my arm. "Are you sure your shoulder-"

"It's fine!" I stressed for the final time.

"How are you sleeping? Luna told me that you've been dealing with a few nightmares-"

"And that's all they are. I'm fine."

"When did you get that scar on your neck?" She pulled at the collar of my shirt, exposing my recent flesh wound. "Is that from the assassin?"

"Yes..." I answered, my own patience beginning to crumble.

"How was the train ride here, did anything happen along the w-"

"I don't wanna talk about it." I answered flatly, deciding against telling her that I have a thing against trains since the attack a few days ago. "I don't wanna-"

Twilight kissed her teeth at me and stomped her hoof. "I'm just trying to make sure that you're okay!"

"I AM PERF-"

"Twily, stop harassing him." A familiar voice called out from behind me. "You don't do anything but make ponies angry when you harass someone with twenty questions."

Twilight turned to the stallion directly behind me. "But Shining-"

"Nothing... Ease up, kiddo."

With a groan, Twilight stormed off as she made her way further down the hall towards the meeting room. Shining chuckled as she watched his younger sibling trot down the hall. "Twily's always been like that to me. Ever since I joined the guard, she's been expressing her desire to learn more protection and healing spells in addition to her offensive arsenal."

"I'd only wish she could tone it down a bit." I mumbled.

"She cares for you, that's why she's like that. Often times, we'd get into these arguments about who would handle what catastrophe in what area. When I volunteered for the security of the princesses during that whole fiasco with Tirek, she tried to talk me out of it. You should've seen her."

"Let me guess, damn near about to chain you to the flagpole?" I guessed, letting a mental image of Shining struggling while Twilight walked away with a key swirling in her magic.

"No. She was literally sparking out! She had all of the alicorn magic with her at the time, so she'd ended up teleporting from one side of the hall to the other, she'd levitate things against her own will, her mane would even flow like Celestia's. It was kinda frightening to see my little sis go through so much to protect everypony she loves."

I hummed to myself, remembering a conversation she and I had the night we had gotten to know each other. "...Tirek was the one who zapped her old home, right?"

Shining turned his head towards me with surprise. "She told you that much?"

"Yeah-"

"WILL YOU TWO GET YOUR SLOW FLANKS OVER HERE!? CELESTIA AND LUNA ARE WAITING ON US!" Twilight hollered from down the hall.

Shining stifled a laugh while slicking back his mane. "She must be a little rustled over my defending you. She hates it when I get involved with her relationships."

"Yup... Well aware." I could still remember the time he and I were going at it. "Let's get down there before she starts losing her shit."

"Right behind you."

Shining and I quickly made our way down the hall and into the meeting room where there was a few ballistic mannequins standing in the center of the room. One was dressed in chain mail, the other in scale armor, another in plated armor, and one more completely naked. And to the far end of the room was a table containing a series of weapons, many of which were sized down for pony use. I made out a few swords, one of them being as large as a claymore, a few crossbows, a bow with a quiver of arrows, an axe, a spear, a halberd, and a mace. Two different types of shields were also leaning neatly against the wall.

"Wow, I didn't think you guys were bringing your own goods." I noted to Shining Armor.

"Well I just wanted to know how our weapons would stand up to those of the human world." He answered. "After all, we try to make sure that our equipment is up to snuff. No sense in fighting a fair fight after all."

"There's never a sense in fighting fair. Go ask those annoying bastards under the rotunda." A third voice whispered from behind us. "And how are you fairing today, Shining Armor?"

"Better than you, considering where you just came from, Blue." He responded to the blond-haired prince.

"Well I do hope that this demonstration is worth my time. I don't like diddling over mundane affairs, I do enough of that when I'm in the parliament meetings."

"Well considering that Nondis here took on quite a few changelings, I'd say the demonstrations should prove interesting. You should've been there for his first one, where he glossed over the technology of his world. Some pretty mind-blowing stuff."

Blueblood looked at me with curious thoughts running through his head. "If that is the case, would you be willing to share these weapons-"

"No." I answered bluntly, not even thinking it over.

Both princes were taken by my forward response, the blond one staring back at me slack-jawed. "Well, why not?" He asked.

"You'll find out in a minute."

Shining shrugged his shoulders as he began to make his way over to the princesses. Blueblood stood for a quick moment before trotting off. I looked once more to the table and found that there was still one thing that I have yet to see.

"Excuse me." A female voice called from behind me. "But I believe this box of 'dirty laundry' belongs to you."

"Thanks a bunch, Cadance." I said with a subtle nod of the head while grabbing the box. "I owe you one."

"No, I owe you. I should've been here last night. If I was, I would've caught whoever was trying to kill you."

...I'm really trying my best to operate despite that setback. And them constantly bringing it up is not going to help me in the slightest. "I'm fine. That's all that you need to know. I'm alive, I'm breathing, I'm still functional, that's all I need right now."

Cadance smiled as she walked past me. "Spoken like a true guard. Now let's see what your 'dirty laundry' can really do."

With a quick glance to Twilight, I had already began to feel nervous of what she would think of the weapons I was about to present. But I knew I had to explain the reason why a lone-wolf mission would work in my case. In my mind, I'm already trying to piece together my arguments as well as a few opening statements. I gathered my thoughts and and walked before the small gathering of royals.

*sigh* Here goes everything.

"Good morning to all of you, my collective lords. I trust that you are curious as to why I have called you all here."

Busy busy busy busy. I've had more weddings and gigs than meals at this point. Quite a difference when you're up and about. But at least I'm doing what I love and getting paid for it.

Sorry if the pacing seemed a bit sluggish. Distractions made it hard for me to get things going. The next chapter will start a little slow as it picks up right where I left off. However, expect that someone will take the fall for that midnight visit...

...Hopefully.