To Love a Queen

by eragon13666

First published 24th of September, 2014

I thought I loved one pony, but then she showed her true form. Thinking back and remembering our time together, was she acting like who she portrayed herself to be, or was it really her?

UPDATE:

The Remake for the story can be found here! https://www.fimfiction.net/story/448493/connected-worlds

To Love A Queen will NOT be updated at all, for more information please read the following!

https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/797939/why-to-love-a-queen-will-be-redone-and-how-sorry-isnt-enough-came-to-be#comment/4804002

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After a year of treaties and debates since the portal to Equestria appeared, Earthlings and Equestrians can finally live in any world they wish.
Now, with my life being a little bit stressful as of late, I really need a vacation. Maybe it's time to see Equestria for myself. Let's see what happens.

A Break From Earth (edited)

Author's Notes:

I really hope you enjoy this first chapter of this story, and before you say anything, yes the way of writing if very weird I guess but that's because I was tested to see if I could write like the way my mind is!

This chapter of the story was edited by

http://www.fimfiction.net/user/Rain84 And I thank them for such!

​I remembered much of my childhood was filled with memories of my mother telling me, no matter the choices I made, like for example if I were to love a gender that was the same as me; male, or a gender of the other sex or even both, she would still love me. That seemed simple enough to understand when I was a seven year old kid. I mean really, who here reading this now grew up thinking: “Why can’t we all just get along?”.But no, my sexuality is not what this little…journal I guess you could call it, is about, it’s about something else. Allow me to tell you more of myself first, and paint a little picture of what my world is like, so you can better understand it.

See, I always considered my brain to be on FM, when the rest of the world is on AM. I don’t have any mental problems (as far as I know) but I just… See the world a little differently. I talk to myself as if my mind was a journal and my thoughts as its writings. I hope that made sense but if not…eh, too bad. I moved out of my mother’s place after I turned about twenty-two but trust me, I wished I could’ve done it sooner, but having only one job that paid only eight hundred dollars a month, if I was lucky, tended to give a lot less choices in life than I’d liked to have. After some time, luck was at last on my side, as I caught a break getting a second part time job which allowed me to get a rather cheap one bedroom flat. It wasn’t as nice as my old home, I’ll admit, and there were parts of it where I would definitely need to paint and fix up for sure. I didn’t mind though, I finally had someplace to call my own. Mom told me I didn’t have to move out, and really, one hundred dollars a month for rent is a very, very, very good deal, but well…I don’t know. For anyone out there living on their own, you must know the feeling, right? Going out in the world on your own to do things your way, and to say “I did this…I did it,”. The feeling of independence is like no other.

​Hmm, what else can be said about me? I jokingly considered myself a panda. See, on my father’s side, he’s black and Chinese (yes, they exist) while mother was white…get it? black…white?…eh forget it. Having parents who looked like that was the reason for my tanned skin, the kind you get if you stay out in the sun all the time in the summer, not in the way like I was too brown to look like a white boy, but still tan enough. (FYI im not trying to sound racist in any way…this is how my brain works). I’m about six foot, black hair that to me is not too short, nor too long. Hell, when I use to put yellow tips in my hair and spike it up, my high-school nickname was Goku. My eyes are hazel, and I’m rather colorblind. Now I know what you're gonna say, how do I know my skin color blah, blah,blah. I’m not colorblind like a dog! Just…put a dark blue up to me, and I’ll think its purple or yellow looks orange to me. Remember, FM. I love video games, grew up playing Super Mario on the NES and Zelda, hell, I’ve played all the Pokémon games as well, including the ones that stayed in Japan. My birth name is Brandon James Casey. I got my middle name from my uncle, who is also named James. As for my last name, well, all my relatives are Caseys, unless they married and changed their name. I think my grandmother said at one point my first name came from a TV show she liked, I think mom was thinking about naming me Jason at one point too.

​Wow, I’m really going at this and I’m not even at the part where I want to be at, please bear with me, I’ll skip all the boring crap, one sec…hrm, like video games, wish I had shapeshifting powers…talking colorful ponies coming and now we can go through their world and they…wait… you wanna hear that, really? Well, ok then.

​Well…it first happened back in 2012, I wish I could say a huge tear opened, the world was gonna end and…and…ugh who am I kidding, long story short, some unicorn was testing some spell and accidentally broke through universes and made as we call now, The Gate. You know, with the combined minds of the two worlds leaders, you'd think they would think of a better name for the thing than 'The Gate'.

​Anyway, the rulers of a kingdom came through with said unicorn, made sure that they meant no harm and signed some peace treaties. Nowadays, it wasn’t odd when you saw a brightly colored talking pony taking your order at a coffee shop, nor was it odd to see a pony repairing an electric powered stove in their world. See, humans had something that ponies didn’t have and the ponies had something the humans didn’t have, so we did a sort of a trade. Magic could be used as fuel cells, which were much better than wasting fuel or whatever, and it lasted far longer! Ponykind’s means of mass transportations were hot air balloons, and airships so we showed them the wonders of our modern aircrafts. However, anything we gave the ponies and vice-versa had to be tested in the other world, just to see if it worked well in their corresponding worlds. I think right now in their world, all they have of our tech are phones, and TVs, while for us, we got magic-filled gems that could be used for fuel. ANYWAY, now that you got the basics of how this world is, yada yada, I can finally start off where I am now.

See, I never dated a human. Heck, my first ever full on relationship was with a mare, her name was Lyra and I had to cut it off with her since…she kept…ugh….the things she wanted me to do with my hands… I mean we are still friends, I’m glad of that. I mean I like Lyra, she likes some of the things that I do, and I would hate to lose a friendship like hers. Now, see, my current girlfriend, or special somepony, as the ponies would call it…well…she’s a changeling. What’s a changeling? Well, from what I studied, because I did go from world to world at times, the changelings were beings that fed off of the emotions of others. Some ponies used to think that they could only feed off on only love. You're probably asking how they can feed off emotions but don’t ask me, I don’t really know that much either! What I do know is that they can feed off any emotions, love, hate, happiness, it’s just that love is the best for them. It’s like…you eat Mac and Cheese all the time, and then you get sent to a five star restaurant and they fill you with such…wonderful…ngnnn you get the picture! Anyway…so yeah, girlfriend for a while is a changeling…but well…thing is…she’s the changeling queen…Chrysalis.

​“B…Brandon…?”

​I jerked from my train of thought, see, told you…you know, maybe it’s weird that the way I've been thinking to myself is as if someone is reading... eh fuck it, I’ll keep going the way I am thinking. See, me and ‘Nova Star’ as she went by, had been dating for quite a while, almost three months I believe, and then out of the blue, she goes and does…this?!

“Please…say something,”

Looking at her, the changeling queen. Her long blue mane (which had holes in parts of it, mind you) was blowing slightly from the fan in my room. The curtains were drawn to a close, blocking the fading sunlight from coming in. Her…’skin’ was that of a blackish grey hue…to me it looked like a ant body armor…thingy, what was it called? Eh it will come back to me later, but just from looking at it, I could tell it was hard. Her horn was curved…bent, almost twisted in a sense. Her eyes, a mix of green and darker green with pupils elongated like a cat's. Her legs on both front and back also had holes in them, and along her neck and body, lighter grey spots could be seen. If she was standing up fully, on all fours; her head would come eye level to me. We were just a few steps away from each other, as I slowly sat down on the edge of my bed.

“I need a drink…” was all I could say as I stood back up. “Want one…so we can talk?”

​You know…maybe I’ll stop right here.I want to think about something way back. I’m trying to remember how we met, how we spent the last few months together. I know I could do it and it would give me a better judgment call. I was always told to be watchful of changelings, they were vile, evil creatures who would make one fall in love with them, and toss them to the side like broken playthings. Were all my feelings for her up to now…just a result of me being under her spell this whole time? I don’t know, sure she was my second girlfriend and well I…maybe I should just start from the beginning…

(***********************)

​“Ah yes,” I sat in a chair, hands folded along my lap as I looked dead ahead to one of the workers of the transports that carried humans, pony's, and sometimes other creatures through the gate. This would be the first time I would be going through, and from what I heard from friends who went through, it took weeks for those who's first time it was, for a whole array of reasons. See, some creatures couldn’t go through at all, there was something about the make up of their bodies that couldn’t allow them to. I wish I could count myself lucky that I could go through, but just because not all could go through, the ratio of who could was still high. I believe one in every one hundred couldn’t go through for humans because of the magic that the other world had. But for other creatures who had been around magic since birth, one in three hundred.

“So, Mr. Casey,” this worker was a pony, his mane, well…he had no mane, just a long black curly tail. He was an Earth Pony, his body large in size, and the fact he lacked both wings and a horn, proved it. He brought his hoof up, to take off his glasses, using the other hoof to clean it with a cloth…how? I don’t rightly know how, they just…could? “Your blood test results came back in earlier, and they checked out fine. Have you’ve been taking those pills as instructed?”

​“Yes,” I responded. Humans and ponies working together, invented a sort of pill that would allow our bodies to be able to withstand the air pressure and other things of that type of nature from the other world, which were not quite the same as the earth, where I came from. “I’ve taken them, once a day after supper, just as I was told.”

​“Good, good,” he answered looking over at the papers. “And these seizures you told us of…”

​“Seizure-free for three years without any sort of medical items, my doctor…”

​“Yes, she sent it to us in the fax this morning,” he finished off, his brown eyes examining me. “I am grateful you’ve told us this a week ago, if we found this out now…it would’ve been another week wait.”

​“Mama didn’t raise any fool,” I answered pointing at myself in a joking matter as he laughed softly, his chin touching the rather nice top suit he was wearing. “So…am I…”

​“Yes,” he cut me off again, making my eyes drop in a small glare like look…I didn’t like being cut off. “You are hereby free to enter Equestria, congratulations!”. he held his hoof out to me as I took it lightly in my hand, and shook. “But…we'll, we still need to wait to make copies of these files, proving this to be true, make a photo ID that you must keep on yourself at all times. The guards there can, and will throw you back to this side if you don’t have one, and the price is large for wasting time!”. I nodded to this as the pony then spoke once more. “As we wait for these to copy,” he said, taking a rather large stack of papers and gave it to his helper, a human female, who took it with thanks and left. “Mind telling me, why do you want to go to Equestria?”

​“Little bit of a paid vacation, in a sense of the word,”

​“How so?” the pony asked me as I softly chuckled and looked around, before leaning in to whisper.

​“I was one of the lucky few who won the lotto, to win tickets to this…Grand Galloping Gala,” His eyes grew far wider than what I would’ve thought possible. He blinked a few times before nodding his head.

​“Ah yes, it would be a good idea to…wait, you said tickets?”

​“One for myself, and one for a guest, if I so should choose.”

​“You might want to keep that extra ticket nice and hidden…many ponies would love…LOVE to go to the Gala…I went one time…rather boring, but to each their own.”

​See, a few weeks back, the Princesses decided it was time some humans were able to come to the Gala…or whatever. I didn’t really think much about, my luck was never good when it came to things like these. Imagine my surprise when I found out I actually won the lottery! See, the Princesses were inviting the world leaders, but thought it would be also fair if ten other humans that were not part of the government, got a chance to go, so they made a lotto ticket game. Ten random numbers would be called, if a person with the corresponding number didn’t answer, then another number was to be called…I was lucky number three. Since the Gala was in about a week and a half, the Princesses offered the winners to stay in a hotel (that was just done being built last year) at no charge. I found out that the hotel was inside Canterlot, the capital of the other worls, and a place that friends told me was a city filled with rich ponies, though many there were stuck-ups and the such. One told me he had an interesting chat with one named Fancy Pants, who was rather nice and not like anyone else there, well there were a few who were like him, just not at his level. The vacation would be in about three weeks, leaving a lot of time before and after the Gala to take in the sights of this new world.

At last, the papers were copied.I went to a booth, got my ID ready, and grabbed my bag which I then proceded to sling over my shoulder. “I do hope you enjoy your stay in Equestria!” I heard the pony I was just talking with call out. I smiled and gave a short wave. Good man, I’ll have to leave him a tip when I’m on my way back''.

​Walking into another room, I got in line behind five others. I looked ahead and saw it; The Gate. It looked like…well if you’ve ever seen Star Gate? I swear it like they took the same way it was made into this thing. Sure it wasn’t all…wave rippling like in the show. It was just pretty much a hole in the wall! But this hole had some weird stuff going on. It was like looking in a mirror of sorts, I could see the inside of a building, no doubt either the new hotel or even the castle for that matter. I could see two golden armored pony guards, back to us on the other side as many ponies walked past. Soon it was my turn to stand before The Gate. Being slightly nervous, I took a deep breath.From what I heard, the first time was always…weird. Because of how different our worlds are, I would experience this first hand in a moment. With my bag in hand, I took another deep breath…and made my way through.

​Opening my eyes and releasing the breath I held…I felt…nothing, okay the air did have this strange feel to it, but that was it, it felt cleaner, fresher. I heard a cough as I turned, seeing one of the golden guards holding out his hoof toward me…wait…a tip…oh right! I went into my pocket and pulled out my newly made ID card showing I was able to come within Equestria. He looked it over before nodding. “Very good,” his voice was deep and roughed a bit. “At least you follow orders given to you, welcome to Equestria, and I do hope you enjoy your stay.” Huh…rude and nice at the same time, who’d have thought? I gave him my thanks, and then pulled out another slip of paper, I was one of the few…well, the ten who won that number game, and I got to meet with Princess Luna, and Celestia themselves. I’ll admit,two powerful beings standing before you…I could feel a sense of safeness within them. Luna, her gaze a bit hard and soft at the same time, but her older sibling was soft…caring, welcoming. It was as if I could tell her all I knew, and she would if asked to never breathe a word to anyone else. She told us, when we were to come to the hotel known as Hotel United, in honor of both our races becoming new ‘neighbors’. It was one of the few where ponies and humans worked together. Hey, some ponies are better than humans in some stuff, and the other way around.

Holding the paper in my hand, I went up to the front clerk, who was a pure white pony, a ponytail (heh, a ponytail on a pony) that was as yellow as sand…is sand yellow? Eh anyway, his Cutie mark seemed to be a bell, you know, those ones you’d normally see in a hotel? He wore a black top tux, with a relaxed look on his face. “Oh, good afternoon sir,” the way he spoke…sounded British for some reason. “ how may I be of service for you?”

​“Uh, yeah,” I said sliding the paper on the desk toward him. “I was told to give this to the manger when I came here?”

​“Oh, ho, ho!” he chuckled softly as he broke the seal and looked inside. “Yes, you are one of the humans we were waiting for, mister…”

​“Brandon James Casey,”

​“Ah yes,” I forgot to mention he was a unicorn, so a soft white aura came, as a book poofed before him and opened itself. “Ah yes, your name is here, may I remind you, that the Princesses shall gather your bills of staying here and for your food…but please…”

​“I won’t abuse it,” I answered. “I’ll just get what I need, the room, food, water for showering, that’s it.”

​“Thank you,” he gave a small smile at me. “You wouldn’t believe how some of the others have taken advantage of it.” he seemed to scoff for a moment. “Damn humans…always so…er I mean!” he then waved his hooves. “I didn’t mean ALL humans I…uh…”

​“Its okay, its okay I get it!” I chuckled and then said. “Is there also an money exchange thing here?”

​“Ah yes, it’s just over in the side over there,” he gave it a point before saying. “Why don’t you give us your bags and I’ll have somepony take it to your room, its room number six, forty, here is your keycard,” he passed it to me, a symbol of a human and pony ‘bro-hoofing’. “When you are ready, your bags will be on the bed, waiting for you to unpack!”

Giving him my farewells, and watching as a human bellhop, I think that’s what they are called, take my bag and go on his way, I went to the money exchange center, a small little thing, but with, from what I learned, an enchanted safe. Seems the outside was small, but the inside was large. I brought about five hundred dollars, and it seemed each dollar was worth about ten bits from what they were saying. Whoa, five thousand bits, still, this was to last me for three weeks or so. Ether the stuff here was way too much, and I would have to budget like hell, or hope to God that they accept debit here. “Wait…really, two glasses of liquor for a single bit?!” I asked in utter shock, the bar keep, a human, bald like anything, as he cleaned a glass.

​“I was surprised too, man,” he answered with a chuckle as I gave him the bit, and he my two glasses. “I mean really, you should see the prices they have for the food, a three course meal for seven bits,”

​“But it does add up after a while,” I pointed out taking the first sip of my drink as he nodded. After leaving the bar to unpack what I had in the room I was given...well, I found out the room I was given was larger than my bloody one bedroom place! The bed was so large that I could have three people on it, and only cover half of it! (top to bottom wise mind you) I decided to indulge a bit more , maybe a glass or two of drinks. I didn’t want to get hammered here and make a name for myself, and not in a way that I’d be proud of, mind you.

The bar was lively, both humans and ponies mingling with one another. The dance floor had pony couples, human couples, and mix at times; hell, I saw a human male and a griffin for real, mind you, grinding along each other. Every furry’s dream I guess huh? Taking my drink back toward a booth I had, I sat down, leaning along the back plush as I sighed. The dubstep music booming in the background. Heh, for such a classy looking hotel, at least they had good music. I took another soft gulp of my drink, mhmmmm…this tasted rather…good, for a bit I mean.

​“Is this seat taken?”

​I blinked as I lowered my drink, and blinked when I saw a unicorn stand before me. Her coat was that of a soft purple, not as dark as the new Princess Twilight was…maybe a shade lighter. Her large pink eyes locked on to me, as her dark purple mane covered one of her eyes, large eyelashes blinking at me. Was she trying to…hit on me? Big mistake, I don’t get aroused by looks. “No, you can sit if you want,” I saw her blink once more, in shock maybe, either way, she shook her head and came over, watching me with a rather puzzled look. She slowly sat away from me, so we could easily look at one another before I then asked. “Is…something the matter?”

​“Oh, forgive me for staring,” she answered looking down with a soft chuckle. “It’s just…I haven’t met, nor spoken to a human, I just came from Manehattan, and no humans have migrated there yet; so, forgive me for my rudeness,”

​“Oh, it doesn't really bother me,” I answered as she seemed to eye my other unopened drink…course. “ You want?” I asked slowly sliding it toward her. She smiled, flashing her too white teeth to me as she took it with a small nod.

​“Thank you…but what is your…”

​“Name’s Brandon,” I answered as she smiled.

​“Nova Star,” she answered as she popped it off with a pink aura magic. “So what brings you here?”

​“Vacation,” I answered her question as I took another sip. “First one in a few years, and I thought, ‘Eh, why not go to Canterlot,’” I left out the part of the Gala on purpose, remembering what that pony told me if anyone found out of the extra ticket I had.

​“Interesting,” I heard her answered before then saying. “I came from Los Pegasus, ever been there?”

​“Can’t say I have,” I pointed out, waving my bottle lightly before then adding. “First time I’ve been to this world.”

​Talking was what we pretty much did for the next hour or so, she didn’t seem to have a lot to talk about her self, she said she just moved from Los Pegasus, and was using a hotel room until her soon to be finished home in Canterlot was done. She kept giving me this look…well, how do I explain it, it was a flirty-like look in a sense, but as I said before; didn’t effect me at all. She seemed to pick up on this, and when I didn’t seem to express my feelings toward her advances, she seemed slightly pissed…but not at the same time. A very strange mare indeed. “So yeah, have you heard the rumors?” I saw Nova seem to freeze as I heard a female’s voice, I didn’t turn to see who it was, just choose to sit and listen. “Seems the changelings are coming back,”

​“Changelings?” another voice, also female asked with a puzzle like voice.

​“Yeah, those stupid bug-like creatures,” Nova flinched once more as I just raised a brow. “They should all be destroyed, trying to take over Canterlot, such unneeded violence is unbecoming!”

I looked back at Nova once more, seeing her lost, deep in thought before asking.

​“Hey…you okay?”

​“What…oh, yeah just thinking…”

​“About the changelings?” I asked. I knew the stories, as to what had happened and such. And really…I don’t blame them truly attacking the city in such a way.

​We started to talk about of it, keeping it down into a soft whisper that only we could hear each other. I listened to her first as she explained. She felt that the Changelings had a good reason to, that because of all the love Equestria had and other stuff that could easily feed the race of bug-like ponies. “What do you think?” she asked me as I blinked and leaned back, taking the last gulp of my drink before releasing a soft sigh. “I mean, you haven’t stopped me from saying what I had to say, so…maybe you agree with what I had to say?”

​“I can understand, that this Changeling Queen, this...Chrysalis, did what she thought was best for her race. However…I do not like the way she went about it.”

​“What do you mean?”

​“Changelings feed off of emotions right?” she slightly nodded at this. “Love is the best, I mean, the love she was getting from this, Shining Armor, made her as strong, stronger than Celestia herself. That is a great feat, that’s for sure…but she was trying to take over!”

​“For her Changelings,”. Why was she so bent on defending this Changeling Queen? Though she did make some good points.

​“Understandable, but still…if changelings can mask what they are, who they are, why don’t they all just…blend in and gather the emotions and then share what they have among the others? Sure it could be hard and long, but at least they are not trying take over a land that they have no right to. There is always a choice, Nova, and this choice, was a bad one for her. Besides, from what I heard from others, she considered herself to be unbeatable. Being too full of herself, that was what led to her downfall…but that’s just me.” I shrugged again as the pony just watched me, I couldn’t make out what she was thinking…course I’m not a mind reader, but I could easily read people (or in this case ponies) face to face. But she was hard to read. “But…I’ll admit…it was a smart plan, maybe she could’ve gotten away with it.”

​“Perhaps,” Nova answered. “I’m glad she didn’t though! I wouldn’t want anything to happen to our princesses!”

​We parted ways after that; she asked me if she would see me again, and I answered that I would no doubt be staying within Canterlot. She gave me this sweet looking smile that would melt any man’s heart. But as I said, I care not how one looks, simply how they are. And I’ll admit, she did have some…charm to her that I liked. Returning to the main part of the hotel, and going toward the stairs, I climbed up the floors. I never liked using the elevators, sure it was easier than climbing a few floors of stairs, but I just never liked having too many people (or ponies) around me in a small space.

​Moving toward the door that allowed me to my floor, I went toward my door, but stopped as I raised an eyebrow. A small purple and green like dragon was at the front of my door, as he knocked a few times, I went up as I noticed a scroll in his claw before speaking up. “Can I, help you?” he turned to me, his large green eyes locked to mine before asking

​“Are you…uh…” he then lifted up a paper and asked. “Brandon Casey?”

​“Yup,”

​“Oh good, this is for you!” he answered holding the scroll up. “I was on my way back toward the train, and the princess asked me to send these out to the humans that are going to the Gala, so here,” he pressed it toward me as I took it. “Well, I’ll be going, have a nice stay!” he called out as he walked off, me watching him and then looking to the scroll; huh…

​Entering the room, it held a soft lighter than lemon color coat along the walls…it just screamed ‘rich’ room to me. Hell I wouldn’t be able to afford such a room…I bet I couldn’t even afford the bathroom for God sake! I went over to the bed and sat down on the edge, looking at the scroll before opening it, and started to read the words along the paper.

​Greeting fair human from another world: I do believe I speak for myself, Princess Celestia, Princess Cadance, and at last the newly made, Princess Twilight Sparkle… (Hrm, so it was Luna who was writing this letter then, strange.) Though you have won the chance to come to The Grand Galloping Gala, and it is within the next few weeks, I on behalf of Canterlot, do hope you enjoy your stay, or stays.

I understand that you were one of the very few humans to have won the tickets, unlike the world leaders of your world who have been invited. Let it be known by you, that in the following morning, a badge will be taken to your room, stating that you are a guest of us, the Princesses and any and all bills will be sent to us (nice of them…but I’ll pay when I can with my own money). The laws of these lands, are much like your own, though, if you are caught doing any unjust laws, or activities, you shall be sent to your home world at once; for trial, and be banished from Equestria.

​But other than such things, I, like my sister, and Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Candace, wish you a good visit to our fair Kingdom.

Princess Luna of the Night.

​That was a surprise indeed, from what I heard, Celestia was mostly the voice of the royals, I guess Luna here must’ve been starting to slowly work her way up being more open with everyone around her. Still, rolling up the scroll, I placed it on the table, either way, even with their blessing; I still planned to pay for what I wanted, with my own money. Still, I would need a suit. The one I had was slowly becoming too tight around the arms and chest, and I didn’t really think a plain black and white suit would work. I mean, I was one of the very few first humans to be invited to this thing so I had to look good. Still, if watching TV taught me anything, I bet this party was going to be boring, or most of the rich ponies here would be stuck up. I mean, the way some of them carried themselves, I bet their noses are so far up in the air that if it rained, they’d drown!

​Ugh, the one thing I always hated about some rich folks was that they thought they were all high and mighty! There was a story back in my world of Prince Blueblood, seems this prince thought he was far better than everyone else, and I guess this kid, by mistake, got dirt on him. Blue Blood at that point wanted this child jailed and such…over the top much? He wasn’t liked by all, and I think the only thing he liked about our world were the drinks, the clubs, and all those gold diggers after him. He did seem rather…well along with the other rich of the worlds, I’m surprised he hadn’t done any drugs though I give him two weeks tops.

Looking outside, I was shocked to see the sun slowly setting. Looking at my clock, I saw that it was indeed at the hour of twilight. Today went by so fast that I couldn’t even believe it! And then there was that pony I met today…Nova Star.

​Now I know I said I didn’t care for one’s looks, but I had to admit, she was cute…more so than Lyra. And hey, I am not one of those shallow type guys, which I have already said many times! She seems to hold herself well…and she has a odd sense of thinking outside the bound of what many ponies think. Very rare from what I understood. Many humans thought of the ponies as racists in a way…I mean come on, saying everypony. And don’t try and say it’s because of this world, because there are dragons, and griffin's and other creatures than just ponies!

​Either way, I shouldn’t really say anything, if this was what the norm for ponies is, I can accept that, just as long as they are not trying to shove their ways down my throat. Though now…I was getting rather tired, maybe it would be a good idea to just go to bed early and get a fresh start to the morning, and see what this place, and perhaps even what this ‘Ponyville’ had to offer.

Thus, ended my first day, in the magical land of Equestria.

A Day on the Town (edited)

Author's Notes:

I would like to thank /Rain84 for editing this chapter

I was awoken by the sound of an alarm clock that sat beside the dresser. Groaning, my eyes still closed, blankets over my head, I blindly threw my hand down around the area where the clock was. After missing a few times, I managed to shut it off. Blindly reaching for my phone, it's only purpose being a clock, flashlight, camera and stopwatch due to the lack of cell reception in Equestria, I saw that the time was about nine thirty in the morning.

Hmm, I wonder what kind of food they have for breakfast? Sure, lunch is only a few hours away, but whatever. As I sat up in bed, my yawning and stretching popping various joints, I slowly climbed out of the rather large bed in nothing but my boxers and went toward the bathroom for a quick face wash. When I arrived, I tilted my head up, down, left and right, examining the ever-more prominent stubble growing on my face. Not deeming it thick enough for a shave, I simply shrugged before quickly brushing my teeth.

After slipping on a pair of faded blue jeans, which had a few tears in them and a simple black shirt that had the bottom slightly ripped, I made my way toward the door and left satisfy the growing hunger in my gut. I found the dining hall rather easily and noticed that there seemed to be two kitchens, one having a human chef, the other; a pony. Luckily, everyone seemed to be mingling in rather nicely.

However, thinking about how humans and ponies mix together now, working with each other, eating together, creating friendships and relationships, I remembered that it wasn’t always like this. From what I've heard, ponies hate change. They feared it. And now, a whole new world is merely a step away. I’ll admit, it is rather scary, in a way.

I once overheard some humans talking, before I started to sign up to see if I was even eligible to enter Equestria, that ponies were.. racist, in a sense. I'm honestly not sure how to properly explain it, but here's my take on it.

First off, ponies fear anything they can't control; the Everfree Forest as a prime example.. In fact, there were some theories that somehow, maybe hundreds, if not thousands of years ago, a portal opened from Earth, and the Everfree Forest was from our world. I think it's farfetched, but that’s what a lot of humans and ponies are now saying. If anything is not a pony, they think it’s some sort of monster. I mean, when the first human came through and ventured far away from Equestria, he was captured and seen as a monster.

Then, there is the ‘everypony’ crap. I mean, really, does a dragon say that? A gryphon? No. So, in a sense; they are singling others out in the way that we say 'everybody'. We don’t say ‘everyhuman’, do we? No, we don't. As I said before, if this is their custom, I won't go around calling every pony, dragon and griffon a racist. I believe in ‘it takes respect, to get respect’ - as long as anyone here gives me respect of not judging me as a human, then we’re good.

​“Oh, hello there!”

I turned and soon found myself looking down at Nova Star, the unicorn pony looking up at me, with a smile that would, to me; make anyone smile. It was strange, as I was now looking at her, she seemed... different. It was strange, however, it might just be me. Either way, it didn’t matter to me.

​“Hey there, Nova.. was it?”

She smiled and nodded her head as I smiled back. “Nice to see you again, Brandon.” I remembered that last night she told me she was staying here until her home in Canterlot was finished being built. She must be a rich pony if she can afford to live in a hotel such as this until her home is done.

Either way, it was nice to meet another pony who was nice to me. Sure, there was my ex Lyra, and a few ponies back home I knew, but as I said; some of these rich ponies were so... stuck up. Her plate of food looked like pancakes with.. flowers? Bah, I cared little what one ate. When I looked back to her, I noticed something that I didn’t see yesterday: her Cutie Mark. It was... strange. I could’ve sworn there wasn’t one yesterday. Oh well, my mind must be fucking with me.

It looked to be a simple scroll, with that of a writing quill along the top of it. Maybe she's a writer? I don’t know, maybe I’ll ask her one time when I get to know her more; if I can. We found a table and a few chairs, and she sat in front of me. On my plate, I had about two and a half fried eggs, hash browns, bacon strips, and a glass of coffee.

​“So, Nova,” I asked as she sliced her pancakes up using her magic to do so. Her pink eyes looking up to me as she did, her utensils covered in her magical pink aura. “Sleep well?”

​“Oh just splendid,” she answered with a small smile as she took a bite out of her meal, I watched for a moment as I went to eating as well. “And you?”

​“Surprisingly good,” I answered truthfully. “Best night I had in a long time.”

​“That is no doubt because of Princess Luna,” she said as I took a sip of my coffee as I made a ‘hrm?’ sound as she went on. “Princess Luna is the Princess of Dreams, and can enter and change somepony’s dream at will; so I am told. Ever since her return, she not only blankets the world in the darkness of night, but also peaceful slumber for all of her subjects. What of your world? Who lowers and raises the sun and moon?”

​“The Universe,” I half joked before she blinked.

​“They sound... powerful.”

​“No, no, no!” I slightly laughed at her answer as she just looked to me. Her eyes half closed in a bit of anger I believed at the time. “It’s.. ahh.. bear with me as I try to explain what I mean.” she only nodded her head softly as I asked her of such.

For a little over the next half and hour I explained how there wasn’t anyone that lifted and lowered the sun, that it was just the way the world and the orbits of the planets and such worked. She slowly ate her food as I explained more; she even asked me questions of what Equestria and Earth lacked. As soon as the food was done, as I started to clean my cheeks and lips with my cloth before picking up the plates, as well as her own when she was done and took it to where they needed to be dropped off.

​“So, your world doesn’t have Princes, Princesses, Kings or Queens?” she asked.

​“Oh no, they are still there,” I answered, “Just not as they are in this world. It’s hard for me to explain - you're better off just coming to Earth and learning about it one day."

​“No no, it’s understandable,” she answered walking beside me as we left the dining area and walked toward the main lobby. “You may be human, but that does not mean you know everything about human history; just as I do not know everything about pony history. It is kind of boring, if you ask me.”

​“Tell me about it,” I added with a sigh. “I can understand history is important and all, but sometimes...”

​“You want to kick it where it counts?”

​“Bingo.”

​“So what, will you do now?” she asked looking to me as she smiled. “Perhaps we could meet up some other time?”

​“I would like that, Nova. You're fun to talk to.” she seemed to blush at this as she rubbed her mane. Heh; it was rather cute how she did that. However, the way she did that, reminded me of... “I have to go, either way. There's something I have to go and look for.”

​“Oh?” she asked. “Maybe I could help?”

​“Well, I’m looking for a clothing store. I kinda want to see how they could make human clothing, you know?"

​“Hmm...” she then tapped her chin for a moment before then exclaiming. “There is a pony here who works with other clothing designers, his name is Fancy Pants. His shop holds many different clothing designs, and I believed that they started to sell human clothing quite recently. Though... it is rather pricey.”

​“I’ll see what they have to offer.” I told her with a smile. “But, thank you either way.”

​“It was my pleasure, Brandon,” she then reared up on her hind legs and placed her hooves on my chest. I leaned down a bit out of habit when I was dating Lyra, as I was surprised when she kissed my cheek. I blinked a few times as she smiled and simply walked off, and my eyes couldn’t help but eye her flanks.

After commanding my legs to move, I shook my head and made my way out of the hotel. The sun was high in the sky, no doubt noon by now. Again, many of the ponies I saw walking about seemed to have an atmosphere about them that screamed 'snooty'. With their nose held high like that, they would probably drown if it was raining. Either way, with a pocket full of bits and my face clean and a belly full of food, I made my way into the city of Canterlot.

The city was amazing, I’ll give it that much. Shops had their windows open to allow any race that passed by to see what they were selling. The smell of baked goods flew through the air as I passed a place called 'Donut Joe's'. I made a mental note to go there later, as I could use a good donut. Soon I came to a large building that fit the description of what I was looking for.

The front of the rather large store had a rather large window display, one side showing human wear, the other pony wear. Each set of clothing seemed to be that of a different make, as if different ponies, or whoever, made them. I guess this Fancy Pants is the sort that gives ones he thinks have talent in clothing a chance and sells them in this shop to establish a reputation for themselves. Smart man.

Pushing the door open, I swear it was like walking into the hotel all over again. The inside was that of a crystal blue, a rather light, clear blue, mind you. There were dresses and suits, for different races and sizes. If it existed, whatever it was on Equestria, it probably had clothing there. Some sections were marked with names of what could be fashion designers, some with species.

One rather large section held the name Rarity, with the clothing painted in an amazing gold coloring. I am no expert on fashion. To me, as long as the clothing fit, felt nice, and looked good, then it was good enough for me. Hell, the only time I put on anything fancier than jeans and a shirt was for my Uncle’s wedding, when a family passed, or an interview I had. I placed a hand under my chin as I scanned the clothing, most of them being dresses, before I then heard a rather over-the-top gasp from behind me.

​“My word! Just look at how you are dressed!”

I raised an eyebrow without looking at the source of the voice, before turning to look down, to see a unicorn. Fun fact, Canterlot is filled with them.

The unicorn in question, which seemed to shield her eyes for some reason, held that of a rather light gray coat. From far off, I bet she would look white, marshmallow white even. Her mane was that of a dark purple or a moderate indigo styled in curls. Seeing her Cutie Mark (as she STILL shielded her eyes from me) I saw three diamonds. At last, she removed her hoof from her eyes.

As she gazed up at me, her azure eyes were looking right back at me, but she was eying me up and down. “My word, what horrid clothing! Do all humans dress as such? I mean look at you, these ripped and tattered.. Is that a stain on there?”

I blinked as I looked down, not seeing a single stain on anything. “And what are you doing here? A pony or human dressed of the likes of you can no doubt no afford anything from this fine shop!”

​“Excuse me?” I asked, not believing that, before she even knew who I was or what I did for a living, she claimed I couldn’t afforded anything. Okay, maybe not, but still. And just because of how I dressed?

​“What seems to be all the noise out here?” Both me and the annoying unicorn turned at once to the sound of the voice, to see yet another unicorn come out. He was male, that much was identifiable just by the way he looked. His eyes and mane were that of the same shade of azure, his coat a light gray. Perhaps these two were related somehow? He wore a tux, the kind that would have a set of ‘tails’ going along the back. A white shirt underneath with blue seen and a pink bow tie. He had the softest smile on his muzzle as he walked up as I saw a set of three crowns along his flank for his cutie mark. “Oh, a human customer? I rarely have the pleasure of working with you all, welcome to my-”

​“Fancy Pants, how can you claim him to be a customer? I mean just... look at how he keeps himself!” she pointed a hoof at me as I just glared. “I dare say he couldn’t even afford hoof shoes!”

​“I would gladly ask you stop talking about me as if I am not even here!” I answered, glaring at her as she seemed to recoil from my words. “First of all, you don’t even know me, second, what gives you the right to nitpick at what I choose to wear everyday, you overly egotistic unicorn?”

​“What did you just call me?!” she screeched out as her left eye twitched.

​“Oh, you heard me!” I answered back pointing. “I bet you think that just because you can, you can put down anyone you want, just because of how they dress! I do have money and I have come here to ask mister Fancy Pants for help in acquiring a suit to attend the Grand Galloping Gala!”

​“You.. were invited sir?” Fancy Pants asked as I looked back, my gazed soften.

​“Yes,” I answered. “Well, part of a draw made by the princesses. I was one of the lucky ten humans.” I saw the mare look with wide eyes at this as I went on. “So I was-”

​“Oh, you were invited? Well.. if you like-”

​“Hell no,” I looked to her, “The first thing you do is go on about how I dress, and now that you know I am invited to a so-called 'grand' party that only a few are selected to attend, you care? Thanks, but no thanks!" I crossed my arms. “Clothing does not make the one wearing them any more better then what they already are. I came in here simply to see what there was to be sold.”

She and Fancy Pants just looked to me and she gave a small glare before huffing, and with a flick of her mane she turned and walked out, the door slamming behind her as I sighed. Before I could say sorry to the owner, he stopped me.

​“You had all the right to say what you said. Although Rarity is a friend of mine, I really wish she would stop acting as if she was raised like these others high class dolts.”

​“Beg pardon?” I answered with the tilt of my head. I never heard of one high class calling other high classes dolts. “I would think that you-”

​“Would be on her side?” I blinked before he laughed. “Do not worry sir, I am no mind reader. Now, you said you needed a suit for the Gala, correct?”

​“Yes, but it seems you don’t have a lot of suits for humans, Mister..”

​“Just call me Fancy Pants, no ‘misters’ or ‘sirs’.”

​“If will do the same for me, then my name's Brandon Casey, a pleasure.” I held my hand out and he shook it with his hoof.

It was only a matter of time when I found myself stepping onto the train platform in Ponyville. Fancy Pants and I spoke a bit more over some tea. We spoke mainly about the Gala, and he even said himself that it was rather boring, but went all the same. How he convinced me to at least go down and talk to Rarity, to give her one more chance, I have no idea. He has a way with words, I guess.

Ponyville was not large. It was no Canterlot, that was for sure, but it was a nice size overall. It would be a great place to live, seeing how there were many ponies, and a human or two living here, from what I could tell. And the ponies were rather friendly, waving and smiling as I walked past them. I smiled and waved back, before stopping to ask to where I needed to go. I asked a very large pony, whose name was Big Mac, where I could find Rarity's shop. I thanked him, but when I tried to give him a tip, he just smiled and gave me an apple. Best apple I've ever had!

As I made my way down the path and out of the center of the town, it was easy to see that her store was not a main part of Ponyville, as it just stood out like a human. Going up to the door, once more saying to myself how I couldn’t believe that I was going to talk to her after what she said to me, I saw an 'open' sign. I pushed myself inside, the soft sound of a bell rung out from above me. “Coming!” I heard her voice as I closed the door, as I crossed my arms and waited.

I didn’t have to wait long, she came over, seemingly about to say something, but she stopped when she noticed me; our eyes locked.

​“Oh.. Uhm, hello there.” she started slowly as I just nodded. “I don’t believe I caught your name?”

​“Maybe it was because you were ripping on me for the clothing I wear instead of getting to know me.”

​“Well, they were rather dirty. I mean, what sort of... oh.” she stopped when I started to tap my foot on the floor. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?”

When I didn’t answer her, she sighed and waved her hoof over and asked. “Please, make yourself at home.” I raised a brow but did so all the least.

Sitting on a sofa, with her pulling up a chair, she brought a cup of what smelled like tea and passed it to me. I thanked her and waited for her to sit before taking a drink. “I.. I am truly sorry. It seems Canterlot brings out-”

​“You’re not sorry,” I interrupted as she looked at me. “Believe me when I say that I know when someone is sorry, and you are not. Tell me, Rarity, if you had known I was invited to the GGG, would you have said those things?” she looked down and shook her head. “I may have been invited as a raffle winner, but it doesn’t matter either way. Look, you are always entitled to your own thoughts, but I am not from a rich family. Hell, I’m not even on speaking terms with my own mother at the moment.”

​“What..? Why?”

​"Long story. It involves one other person. I will not specify who for their privacy - you'll have to ask them.” She seemed more confused of my unwillingness to speak of that, but I held my ground. “Look, dressing up all pretty and stuff is alright up in Canterlot, but would you say anything like what you did to me here in Ponyville? Besides, ponies don’t even wear clothing in the first place!” she seemed to look away and blush at the truth.

​“Look, I came down here only because Fancy Pants thought it would be a good idea. I’m going to be here for a few weeks, and I plan to come down here a lot, because, well, I had a friend who lived here before.”

​“No humans have-”

​“Pony.”

​“You have pony friends?”

​“Isn’t that just what I said?” I sighed again before standing up. “Look, I just came down to tell you that, you never know what someone is willing to do if you've wronged them. Think of that. Either way, I bid you farewell.” as I turned to leave, I was stopped by the grip of her magic around my lower right arm as she called out.

​"Wait! Would you let me buy you lunch?”

​“Why...?” I slowly rolled the question off as she kicked along the floor a bit.

​"Because you were right... I am sorry for saying such horrid things to you. It is unbecoming of a lady such as myself. So please, allow me the pleasure of at least saying sorry over a nice lunch?”. Before I could even say anything she then offered one more thing. “And.. and, I could design your suit for the Gala? Please, just allow me to show you my better side. Can we start over?"

I had to admit, when it came to trying to right what she did wrong, she was doing a good job at it. When it came to the suit for the Gala, however, I wouldn’t take her up on the offer, but the lunch sounded great, and she was giving me these large, puppy dog eyes. Damn cuteness. “Fine,” I agreed. “As long as I pay for half.”

I swear, it took me nearly half an hour to convince her to let me to pay for half of the lunch. She was so keen on being generous, and if my friend Devon was here, he would no doubt have made a joke of how giving she was. But after the deal of payment was given, and another half an hour to get ready, we were on our way to the café.

Very little was spoken between us, the air still tense about what happened earlier. I never forget when I've been wronged, and it usually, depending on the severity of the situation, took a lot to gain my good side back.

​“Brandon, hey Brandon!” both me and Rarity turned at once, and I smiled at who I saw ran over as I went down on my knee so she could throw her arms about me, a soft nuzzle to my cheek.

​“Lyra! It’s good to see you again!”

Lyra, my first ever real relationship, you know, the one I told you about where we both just ended it. We both realized that we were better off at being just friends. Some may find it strange or idiotic, but I was glad for this. I didn’t want something that I had with Lyra to be tainted. Her coat was a light mint green, her mane a two-tone color of light blue and white, or maybe a very light other color. Her horn, was sticking out of her mane as I softly ran my fingers through the soft hair. “What are you doing here? I thought you had fully moved to my world?”

​“Oh, I did,” she responded as she moved away from me, and back on all fours. “I’m just here visiting my old roomie Bon Bon.”

​“You know Brandon?” both me and Lyra looked back to see Rarity looking at the two of us as Lyra only nodded.

​“Yeah, we use to date a while ago. That's over, but there was nothing wrong with us, it’s just.. well, we both consider ourselves as friends more than a relationship.”

​“Lyra, you know that it wouldn’t have mattered because of what happened...” she looked up at me with large amber like eyes as I heard Rarity cough.

“Excuse me for intruding, but what exactly do you mean?"

My ex-girlfriend decided to join us for lunch, and after she gave Rarity a earful for when she found out the reason why she was paying for my lunch, we were soon sitting down as we waited for our order to arrive. Lyra sat next to me as Rarity from across from us. After removing her hat, she asked. “So... what is it that you meant about something that happened in the past being the reason for your separation?"

​“It wasn’t that,” Lyra told her as I remained silent. “It’s just, I thought it would be easier for Brandon and his mother to patch things up.”

​“Whatever do you mean? What did happened?”

​“I dated Lyra,” I answered as she nodded.

​“Yes, yes, I got that part, but what... oh, OH!” she then looked between us with a wide eye expression as all I could do was nod.

​“See, it happened like this...” I started as I closed my eyes, fingers interlaced with one another as I started to remember what happened.

<<>>

​“Come on Lyra,” I laughed softly turning to look at the pony who was now softly rubbing her mane with her hoof. She was worried, and why shouldn't she be; she was going to see my mother for the first time. “You’re fine, don’t worry too much. You act like you're about to meet the bloody Prime Minister of England.” she only released another short whine as she looked to me, and then the apartment before us. Mom would be on the top floor, so we still had a bit to go, seeing how it was a three floor building.

​“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked me as I sighed and knelt down beside her. “I mean, someponies still think ponies and humans shouldn’t date and... I don’t-”

​“Lyra,” I then stopped her by placing my hand over her muzzle as she looked to me. “My mother isn’t like that. You could have three heads and it wouldn’t matter. As long as you make me happy, and I am treating you right, she has nothing to say about us, alright?” She only smiled softly and nodded before I then made a small joke. “Just don’t talk about your fetish for humans.”

​“I don’t have a fetish!”

​“Says the one who wanted to hold and pet my hand for an hour?” Her horn softly started to glow as I raised my hands up in defect. “Kidding, kidding.” I softly laughed again as she just glared. By this time we had been dating for a few months now, some of my friends told me that the unwritten rule was to wait a year, but I think having a unicorn for a girlfriend throws those rules out of the way; don’t you think?

Walking up the stairs, and knocking on my mother’s door, we waited just a few moments, before the door opened

.

My mother’s hair was brown, I gained my black hair mostly from my father. Her eyes were light brown, and skin slightly pink; her hair reaching a bit below her shoulders, having just gotten a haircut. She held a smile when seeing me, but when she looked to Lyra... I don’t know, it was like the smile went down a small tad. “Brandon, so good to see you,” she smiled as she reach over and held me in a soft embrace, I held her back because I never liked giving hugs to my mother, but something about what was going on with her made me want to. As I said, I was a bit taller then her and the top of her head touched my chin.

​“Hey mom, how’s it going?”

​“Good, good, supper is almost ready. So, uh.. you are Lyra?” she asked looking to my pony girlfriend. Again, that look came over her face. When I told mom that I was dating, I may have left out the part that she was a pony from another world; but that shouldn’t matter... right?

​“Yes, I am Lyra Heartstrings. Nice to meet you."

​“Alice,” she answered. It was rather funny how mom had to shake her hoof with both hands. “Please, come in.”

After walking in and taking off my shoes by the door, the smell of food whiffed through the air. I was glad that Lyra was okay that humans that ate meat. Many ponies thought as humans as monsters for eating meat. But that was only short lived, seeing how they could eat grass and we thought of them as strange. Looking toward the kitchen, I noticed that she took my advice on making salad. The sound of meat sizzling in pans echoed through the house. Lyra was leaning on me as I wrapped an arm about her shoulder as she sighed. I smiled and rubbed her mane softly before I heard her whisper. “I don’t think your mother likes me.”

​“What?” I asked looking to her. “Come on, she's just worried about, that's all.”

​“What do you mean?” she asked as I softly sighed again.

​“You know, I've never had a true relationship before. Either they said I was just a friend, or like a brother to them. Hell, at one point I tried dating a guy.”

​“You’re bi?"

​“Yeah I guess so, but nothing happened really, maybe a few kisses on the lips; but we weren’t 'dating', he was just using me to get back at his ex.”

​“Ouch.”

​“Yeah... So, seeing how you, to me, feel like a real relationship, she’s just worried I’ll be crushed again.”

​“You know I wouldn’t do that unless it was for a good reason right?” she reminded me as I just closed my eyes and softly laughed.

​“I know.. thanks,”

​“Any time. But, uh.. where’s the bathroom?”

​“Down the hall.”

We both jerked and looked behind us to see mom standing there, a small smile on her lips. “Dinner will be ready in about half a hour.”

​“Okay, thank you,” Lyra answered as she jumped off the sofa and trotted off.

I watched her go and she looked back at me with a small smile before closing the door behind her. Feeling the eyes of my mother on me, I turned to look at her. Mom raised both me and my brother on her own. My father, whom I hated, hasn't been seen in ten years, and I really don’t care. My brother’s father, (half brothers I guess) still sees him from time to time, but he lives in Canada so I let than slide on not always seeing him.

Mom was now sitting on her single soft chair, looking at me with a soft gaze, concern written all over her face. “Mom?”

​“I don’t think you should be with that... horse.”

I blinked, rather surprised by the way she said it. Cold, uncaring, hostile. “What?” I asked just to make sure I was hearing right. “And why do you think that I shouldn’t date Lyra?”

​“She's not human, that’s why." she answered quickly.

​“And what about ‘I don’t care who you date'? What happened to that?”

​“I said who, not what.” she pointed out. “Brandon, she is a.. a horse. Why are you dating her anyway? Is it because you think that you're not good enough for your own race or something?”

​“That is way under the belt, mom!” I raised my voice up from what she just told me.

​“Don’t you dare, raise your voice at…”

​“No,” I cut her off as I stood up. “No, you don’t get to make me feel like I’m the bad guy here!” I pointed a finger at her as I watched as she flinched back a bit. “How dare you talk about Lyra like that! I care for her greatly, brought her here to meet you, and you talk behind her back as if she is nothing but an animal!”

​“She is!”

​“No, she is not!” I slashed the air before me with my hand. “She can speak, she is smart, hell, she’s smarter then me, and she gets who I am. She’s the first person that cares about me, other than family!”

​“If you think, for a moment that I will be accepting her-”

​“Oh god forbid that the one person who I care for, you don’t like. Just because she’s a pony, of all things! You’re nothing but a racist!”

​“How.. how dare you!”

​“How dare I?” I repeated. “You tell me I shouldn’t date her just because she is a pony? You have no idea who she is, or what she does! All you care about is how she looks, well news flash, I don’t give two fat shits if she is a pony or not! I care for her as she is, not how she looks!”

​“Brandon?”

We both looked over, seeing Lyra just standing there in the hallway, her eyes widen in shock and small fear before I looked to my mother and then the pony. “Come on, Lyra. We’re leaving.”

​“But... your mother... ”

​“If she is can't accept us dating, then I don’t want to be here another second."

​“Brandon, just listen to-” I cut off my mother again as I put my shoes on and Lyra stood beside me.

​“No, I've listened long enough.” I looked back at her and glared hard at her, I could feel the heat on my cheeks and the fury in my eyes. “Don’t call me, don’t message me, don’t even try and come to my house; because I will not answer to any of them!” after Lyra walked out, I did as well and slammed the door hard.

I just walked, Lyra, not following after me for a moment before catching up, my ears were ringing as what transpired rolled through my mind, over and over again. Once outside, and the cool air hitting my face, I sat down on the stairs, and took a large, heavy breath, my hands shaking.

<<>>

During the telling of the story to Rarity, the food and drinks arrived, and the whole time we ate slowly, as I told the story. Now that I think of it, it was almost a year ago today when that happened. Mom tried to contact me, and I thought that she was trying to say sorry, but no, she kept on defending herself on why she was right. It fueled the flames even more than when we broke up. So, I cut myself off from her and I didn’t even care. I’d told as much to the two mares before me, shocking them even more, Lyra, her head was down even more.

I remembered the next days after that fight, she had tried to break up with me, I asked why, and her same answer was that she wanted me to have a good relationship with my mother. I simply told her, I would, when she accepted who I cared for. “My word...” I looked up as the white unicorn held a hoof to her mouth. “You.. you fought your own mother, the one who gave birth to you... for Lyra?”

​“Of course I did,” I answered with a nod as I turned to look at my ex; she smiled but was looking down all the same. “I cared, and even still do for Lyra. We may just be friends, but I’ll be damned if anyone hates on her just because of what she is, I’ll show them what it means to hate me myself!”

​“I... I am so sorry,” Rarity answered looking down. “You have a heart of true nobility, and I treated you as if you were nothing but a common-”

​“It’s okay,” I cut her off as she looked up. “How about we start over fresh?”

​“I... I would like that very much,” she answered as she held a hoof up towards me as if to shake, but I surprised her as I took it, and placed a soft kiss to the top as she giggled a bit and blushed.

And so, the three of us spoke more as we ate what was left of our meal. Rarity asking mostly questions to Lyra, about how I treated her and all of it was good. Perhaps Fancy Pants was right; maybe it was a good idea that I gave Rarity another chance. Sure, first meetings are always the worst, even more when you start it off such as we did; but still, it could’ve been worse.

​“So... Lyra?” Rarity spoke up after a small pause. “May I ask you something about Brandon here... and promise you wont be offended if I ask?” I saw the two looked to me as I simply shrugged; I really didn’t care what someone said about me. When Lyra nodded Rarity gave me a coy smile as I raised a brow at her.

​“Is it true humans last longer than stallions in bed?" I nearly choked on my own spit when she asked that, and she said it with such ease, as if it was a normal everyday thing to say! My ex girlfriend looked over to me again as a coy smile came to her face before saying.

​“Oh yes, though the first time was rather short. Brandon was a virgin when we started to date.”

​“Oh, and how old was he?”

​“About twenty two just about to turn twenty three. Oh, you should’ve seen him, so worried he couldn’t even get it up.”

​“Lyra!” I hissed softly as she only giggled.

​“Rather big for a human I might add,” she whispered when someone’s head, a yellow pegasus with a pink mane passed by. She seemed to hide behind it when I looked to her. “Sure the first time he ‘popped’ rather quickly but after that first night... ohhh”

​“Lyra!” I whispered harshly again.

​“How long was our record…two hours?”

​“T..two hours and he did not... climax that whole time?” the dress-making pony asked with a wide eye expression. I knew a few guy ponies, or spoke to them when I rarely went to bars. One was so drunk he was saying he lost his mare friend when she left him for a human, because he could only last about five minutes, if lucky; while the human counter part... well, you get the picture. Sure, the ponies were bigger in the junk department, but the humans had much more.. endurance.

​“Oh he did, I did way more, but he just kept making me cum and cum and-”

​“LYRA!” I screeched loudly before throwing my hands over my face. The screeched reminded of when I was reaching that age where my voice would crack. All heads about us turned as I was just blushing, the two mares rolling on the floor, laughing their ass off.. or flanks, in the matter of speaking. “You will pay... dearly for this!” I whispered harshly at her as she only smiled, the smile of a kid that seemed to know, the threat was hollowed.

After their laughter had died down quite a bit, me just fuming in my seat, arms crossed and my cheek hot from the embarrassment of them easily talking about.. that... I ended up paying for the meals, aside from Rarity's protests. I made sure I took the bill, and sure, maybe I was throwing my money about, but I wasn’t planning on doing this all the time! Rarity, after getting my measurements told me she would make me something for the Gala, I was glad Lyra didn’t want to go, so I didn’t have to say no to her, even though I wouldn't, but still..

​“I shall make you something both grand, but also simple for you, Brandon.” She proclaimed as I only smiled. “It seemed only right after all the rude and unlady like things I poorly pushed onto you.”

​“Thank you then, Rarity,” bowing my head slightly. “I do hope we can see each other again.”

​“Well then!” she clapped her hooves together as me and Lyra tilted our heads. “Myself and dear Fluttershy will be having our weekly spa day the day after tomorrow, why don't you and Lyra come?"

​“Oh, I don’t think we should-”

​“Nonsense!” she nearly yelled out. “You paid for lunch, even though I made it quite clear that I would! And I will not take no as a answer, I simply must repay you for what-"

​“Okay, okay,” I held my hand up. “Very well, I shall come. Lyra?”

​"Oh, why not,” she also answered with a small shrug of her shoulders. “Not every day one gets a free spa trip.”

​“So, what will you do for the rest of the day, Brandon?” I made a hum sound as I looked down toward Lyra, smiling softly as she was looking up toward me.

​“Perhaps go back up to Canterlot, see what’s what. I like Ponyville, don’t get me wrong, but I want to see more before the day ends. Besides, I’ll be back in two days time because of Rarity.”

​“That’s good,” she answered looking to me as I smiled down at her. She walked with me toward the train station, sitting next to me on the bench like a human would, but soon, she fell along her side, her head landing along my lap. I smiled, looking down and softly rubbing her mane out of her face. I heard a soft cough, looking up to see a pure black earth pony staring back at us. I frowned, as I said, a lot of humans, and ponies, thought that human/pony or any other race that had the same brain thinking as us, shouldn’t be together. A stay with your own kind of thing. I raised an eyebrow at him, he returned it, and I raised mine higher, before he snorted and walked off. Asshole.

​“I missed this…you know?” I made a hrm sound as I looked down toward the mint green pony laying on my lap. “This... I know we both agreed to be friends and to stay friends but...”

​“I miss it too,” I agreed as she looked up to me. “But, you’re right, I value our friendship too greatly." she only simply nodded her head as she laid back softly along my lap.

​“Sorry about that whole sex thing…”

​“I will get you back for that, Miss Ass Smacker.” she blushed hard at this, as I found out that her love for humans, well, let just say she squeals when you either pull her tail because it’s the hand, or louder when smacking her flanks. But you didn't hear that from me!

​“You have to understand, sex is a rather open topic, and it’s not taboo like how it is in your world!”

​“Sex isn’t taboo, it's just..." I sighed and looked away before chuckling. "You know how it is in our world, sure; I’ll admit that when I was in high school me and my friends joked about sex, but we were very.. self-centered.. Even more so when my friends went into relationships, it became harder for them to joke about sex, for reasons I'm sure you understand." She only giggled at my words as I flicked her ears making her yelp. “Just... don’t go around talking about our sex life, well, our past sex life.”

​“What if I wanted to hook you up? I heard Bon Bon is looking for-”

​“I’m not going to be dating one of your friends, which are both weird and awkward!”

​“How so?”

​“Women talk. A lot.”

This caused her to laugh softly as she kept on lying along my body, my hand softly running along her soft coat, as her eyes closed, softly humming as my fingers rubbed along her chest and belly.

We stayed like this until the rain came. I gave her a goodbye hug, and a promise that I would be back within the next few days. I boarded the train and it left with a loud whistle.

Leaning back along my seat, I heard a cough and opened my eyes, once more seeing the same black earth pony from before. The way he was looking at me... I couldn’t even tell what he was thinking. “Can I help you?”

​“What’s the deal between you and her?” he asked his voice a bit rough and demanding.

​“Who?” I questioned.

​“The green one,” he retorted.

​“We're friends.”

​“Never seen a friend act like that toward another friend.”

​“We used to date.”

​“Used to?"

​“Where is this going?” I demanded, getting rather annoyed now.

​“The train ride will take a while. Why not kill time? We don’t even have to use our names, seeing how I’m just going to be calling you human.”

​“Whatever you say, pony.” he seemed to smirk at this as I rolled my eyes. “So what does it matter if we dated. Got an eye for her?”

​“And why does that matter?”

​“Because she is my friend, so if you hurt her..."

​“Peace, human.” the pony raised a hoof and waved it. “I’m not into her, she's not my type.” I simply crossed my arms and gave him a firm glare, he seemed to look at me more, his eyes along my own, before giving a small huff and looked away for a moment. A great deal of puzzlement written along his face.

He said nothing for a few moments before then asking. “You do know that a lot of ponies and humans think that a human and pony shouldn’t be together; don’t you?”

​“What’s your point?” I asked tilting my head to look at him. “Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've seen a pony and a gryphon kissing, hell a dragon and a pony.. Of course the dragon wasn’t full size, but either way. Different races have been together before.”

​"Your kind scares Ponykind."

​“Oh?” my body fully turned to look toward him as he was simply looking out the window.

​“All those weapons.. all the tech you have... what you have given us.. We have evolved quickly because of this. Dragons have stayed the way they are as they care not of these small things. The Gryphons enjoy this greatly; they love change. But ponies, not so much."

​“There are also many members of different races, your kind included, that wish for the Gate to be closed. Too much is happening to quickly, and many are scared." he turned to look back at me as I looked toward the window, watching what flew past. “What do you think?"

How did I get myself into talking with this pony? I mean, just who is this guy and what gave him the reason to ask me all these questions? Sure, everyone, (or everypony) should be allowed to speak their minds. However, I don’t even know this pony. And the fact that he wouldn’t give me his name is also waving a rather large red flag for me. Truthfully, I wondered why he just didn’t give me a fake name. Though, after thinking about his question, it took me but a moment to think of an answer for him.

​“I’ll admit,” I spoke as his ears perked up, fully turning once more to face me. “Humans, we have built many horrible things that can destroy, kill, and cause war. I will not defend my race for that. And the thought had crossed my mind to move here to get away from all the things I dislike about my world. Maybe we humans giving technology to this world is evolving it quicker than it should, and yes, change can be scary, but also good."

​“The world always needs change, if change didn’t happen, we would be stuck forever in a loop. Ponies, gryphons, and dragons themselves have given us great ways to better help my world, and also the other way around. Besides, this opening of our worlds is still new to both sides, it will take years for anyone to get used to it.” I simply shrugged my shoulders after a moment before saying. “I’m not sure if this answers your question, and frankly I don’t care ether way. I consider the Gate to be a great change. And besides, our world leaders must ALL agree if any new technology is introduced to a world, it must be proven safe before being put into use. With that said, there's no way any of our superweapons would make it through the Gate. And before you ask, what does it matter if a human or pony dates another race?"

​“No matter what, we are all the same. We have the same heart, same blood, and same brains. If two sentient beings can decide they want to express a feeling more than friendship, or any other relationship; let them! It shouldn’t make them an outcast because of such!”

We stared at each other, before the train jerked; stopping at Canterlot. The male pony seemed to smile as he stood up and spoke. “You’ve got an interesting point of view. I’m sure anypony will enjoy having you as a equal, or as a friend. And at some point I do agree with you, but you should also know one other thing, human." he looked back at me, his face a bit blank, but still held power for what he was about to say. “Be sure you know what you're doing. You never know what someone who heavily believes something will do." And with that, he simply left the train.

What the hell was that about? This is what I thought as I stepped off the train, moving out of the way as ponies made their way inside the train. I kept saying what he said over and over again in my head, trying to figure out what he meant, but I couldn’t for the life of me. Was he giving me a warning? Would ponies who think cross-species relationships were wrong get back at me for it? Or was this pony just off his rocker?

Sighing softly, I simply just made my way deeper into the city, not sure what do to. Maybe a nice cup of.. “Help!” I blinked as I shot my head up, looking about, I noticed not a lot of ponies heads looked over as well, did they not hear? Looking over toward a ally way, my eyes grew wide in shock, as there was Nova, curled along the ground as a human towered over her!

This human, was pale, even 'whiter' than me, in a sense. He was completely bald, so much so that the sun shone on his head. He wore a white beater, tattoos covering his arms and neck as he loomed over her. Nova's coat was a mess, she had a black eye, and.. did he..? Without thinking I ran over, even then I knew this guy was a good deal larger then I, in both height and muscle mass, but I had my ways of dealing with thugs. The slapping of my shoes along the ground caused the man to turn, his clear chin pointing to me as I threw a right hook hard to his jaw. I hit him so hard that I think his feet left the ground. Trash that was strewn about, and there was the thud of his body cracking along the ground. Nova looked over to me, a look of surprise and glee as she saw a familiar face. “Brandon! Oh, thank Celestia!” she cried out before she hugged me.

​“Go get some guards, quickly!” I ordered her. She gasped for a quick moment before running, yelling out for help. The man, standing up slowly, rubbing his jaw; he looked to me in shock before saying.

“Hey man,” his voice was almost deep, but a little high as well. “What are you...?”

“Nopony move!” eyes tracked toward behind me, I looked back quickly to see two guards, whom I could tell were the Sun Knights, or the Walking Dawn; Celestia's day shift. Both wearing golden armor from the guards I've saw all around, spears at the ready, one an earth pony, the other a unicorn, grabbed the man with his magic. Nova was standing behind them, as she pointed a hoof at the man.

“That’s him!” she yelled out. ”He attacked me, demanding any bits I had! He tried to drag me away, but luckily my friend got here first!” the bald man seemed to try and say something, but was cut off, as the same magic that held him prevented him from speaking.

“Save your words for your police force,” he hissed before saying. “We shall see if you have any sort of identification back at our HQ, and if not, and even then, you shall be sent back to Earth, charged and fined!”

Struggling, and a muffled scream heard, any ponies that were watching moved out of the way, as the guards took in the crook. I sighed, my hand hurting a bit from the attack before I made a grunting huff as Nova jumped into my arms; nearly pushing me over.

​“Are you sure you will be okay?” I asked her. After Nova gave the guards her version of the story, and also the fact her eye was closed over where the man hit her, they found all the proof they needed to fully exile him from Equestria. With a bag of ice over my hand, to try and bring down the pain, I watched as Nova placed magic over her face, watching as her black eye, slowly returned to normal. Man, I wish I could use magic. It'd really come in handy right about now.

​“Yes, I'm fine,” she seemed to laugh a bit before saying. “You've asked me that a lot, you know.” We were in my room, as it was considerably closer to the front entrance than hers. A few eyes watched us as we made our way inside and up the stairs. She didn’t want others to see her eye. And when did stairs become so taboo that barely anyone knew where they were?

​“Well... I worry.” I simply answered as she seemed to raise a brow.

​“We hardly know each other.”

​“Well, when someone as pretty as you goes and gets mugged, I tend to worry.” The unicorn blushed, not the same blush I've seen before from her, but a bit... darker, maybe.

​“Oh please,” she waved a hoof toward me, as she walked over, a noticeable sway in her hips. I just blinked. You remember when I said I'm a bit weird? Well, when a normal guy sees a women sway her hips they would feel aroused or think of them... never mind. I bet she was trying to do that to make herself more appealing, but it didn’t affect me. Sitting before me, as I sat in a chair, she took my hand in her hooves before looking it over. The red coloration was getting more intense than it was earlier. I think I may have done more then just bruise it. “You’re just saying that,”

​“No, really,” I countered as she looked up toward my eyes. “Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

​“Guess I haven’t found mister lucky yet.. still single.” she then looked up again as she smiled, almost coy like. “What about you?”

​“Me? Well.. uhh.. yeah, I am, but I’m not looking for a relationship yet,”

​“Too bad.. you’re rather handsome for a human.” this caused me to blush softly, the way she smiled at me, the way she was looking at me as she said it. I only gave her a small smile, before seeing and feeling my hand tingle and glow softly in the hue of her magic. I watched as the redness went away, as well as the pain. After only a few seconds, her magic was released as I flexed and moved my hand. “Much better then human doctors, am I right?” I chuckled softly once more.

​“Yeah, much. Thank you, Nova Star.”

​“Well, you did save me.. you should get far more than a simple healing spell.”

​“All I did was punch a dude.” I countered rubbing my hand. “I'm sure anyone would’ve done the same.”

​“Did you see anyone else come to my rescue?” She did have a point, maybe they didn’t hear her, but if they couldn’t, why could I? Was I just closer to her than I thought, or was I able to hear better than a pony can? Either way, I was glad nothing worse happened. “Hey, I know!” she perked up, walking to me and placed her hooves along my knee. “Why don’t I treat you to dinner tomorrow?”

​“Dinner?”

​“Well, yeah! They do have a nice diner in Canterlot; it is a fancy city and all. And besides, the one that I have in mind also has dancing and other such activities."

​“I.. uhm.. can’t dance.”

​“Neither can I.” she released a small fit of the giggles as I too joined her laughter.

​“Alright, but as long as I pay for it.”

​“But.. you-"

​“It doesn't feel right that I'm not paying, so please, allow me.”

The look she gave me, it was that of shock, confusion, before a small bit of happy. “I’ll admit, no one has offered to pay for dinner for me. It would always be me, or half of it, if I was the one who asked for the date.”

​“Date..? Is that...”

​“Oh, nonononono.” she laughed nervously. “This isn’t a date, or... considered one, or.. oh my." she was rather cute when she was flustered.

​“How about two beings who just want to share a dinner?”

​“Yes, that!”

​"How about five?” I offered as she seemed to think on it and nod.

​“Five is good. I’ll meet you there?”

​“I’ll be waiting.”

The Dinner Date (edit)

You know, thinking back on my life, I never truly went steady in a relationship with anyone because I just didn't feel right with them. Could it be I just don’t find my own kind appealing anymore? I've told Lyra about this many times when we were dating. I have dated a few girls I knew, and that one guy; but they were all just using me to get back at someone or to just squeeze money out of me.

Let's say I was somebody who felt that they were born the wrong gender: a man wanting to be a woman. What if there is a part of me like that? What if a part of my brain didn't find my kind appealing? Sure, I know there are furries who I bet are now jumping for joy that they can date a talking pony, gryphon, or dragon. I'm not sure how they could date a dragon, unless they could somehow... no, I don't want to go there.

I admit, this must be a pretty strange thing to be talking about while waiting in line for food, but I think this is the result of a phone call I had earlier.

Instead of the typical wake-up call issued by my alarm clock, it was my phone. This confused me greatly: there hasn't been any cell reception in Equestria, and NOW I'm getting a phone call? They might have finally adapted our cell tower technology to work across worlds. That would explain it.

I yawned as I sat up in bed, rubbing my bare chest and smacking my lips a few times. The vibration buzz and the standard ringtone jingle coming from my phone was still echoing throughout the room. I was a little bit hesitant at first, but when I looked to see who was calling, I nearly dropped the phone in shock.

Mom.

I just stared at the screen, unable to understand why she was calling me. Now that I had reception, I could see she had tried to call a few times while I was staying here. Undoubtedly, the price for phone calls across worlds would be quite high, but I was more surprised at the fact that she was calling me after nearly a year.

I was still mad at her, that much was very clear to her, and she understood that she was not to try and come in contact with me. Didn't stop her from trying... constantly. Honestly, I admit that I was still expecting her to continue calling, even after Lyra and I broke up. The phone stopped ringing and I still sat there and watched it, before it started to ring again. I fought with myself. Should I answered it? Eventually, I did. Tapping the green 'answer' button and placing it up to my ear, I was greeted with her voice before I could even say "Hello."

​“Oh, so now you answer your damn phone?” Wonderful, I can already see what direction this is going in.

​“I’m in Equestria,” I answered her, moving my legs, to the side of the bed, starting to stand up.

​“What?” she asked. “Don’t lie to-”

​“It’s that new world, mom,” I cut her off, I was so not in the mood. “They must’ve just put up the new cell towers. What do you want?”

​“Can’t a mother call her son?” she asked.

​“Can said mother also admit she was wrong with how she acted and what she said?” There was a pause on her end, after a bit and I said “Guess not. Looks like we have nothing more to say to each other.”

​“What am I to say, hmm?” she asked as I listen. “That my own son likes to screw animals?! You know, there is this doctor here who-”

​“Oh, don’t even start!” I yelled. “Are you so out of it that you think there's a doctor that can fix me?! You know what? Fuck you. Call me again and I will call the police and file harassment!" I screamed, hanging up the phone. The urge to chuck my phone into the wall was high, but I restrained myself.. just barely.

After collecting a simple bowl of oatmeal, I made my way to a table. Taking a quick look at my surroundings, there weren't a lot of ponies or humans having breakfast today.

Taking a spoonful, I gulped the food down, not really tasting it. I was in one of those moods, but really, I had every right to be. Nothing had changed between my mother and I in the year and really, I didn’t think it would go back to normal. And for some strange, unknown reason, that didn’t bug me at all. Yes, my mother did raise me and my half brother on her own, but still, this was my life. I was going to live it the way I wanted to! It wasn’t like I was going around killing anyone. I only dated an alien. Okay maybe alien is a little harsh worded, but they are from another world, another universe even, so in that sense of being, could they be considered aliens?

I just placed my spoon along the bowl, groaning softly as I rubbed my eyes, trying to get the sleep out of my system. I should’ve gotten a cup of coffee. “Hello there, Brandon!” I blinked in my hand, seeing how it was coving my eyes, before looking over to my side. Fancy Pants stood there with two cups floating beside him in his magical grasp. “It is a good thing I found you, I was thinking these teas would get cold before I found you, young man!”

​“Fancy Pants?” I questioned as I rubbed my eyes a bit, and he moved, sitting on the chair on the other side of the table. “What are you doing here?” the unicorn pony released a soft chuckle as he placed the cup of tea before me; I cupped it in my hands, feeling the warmth spread along my hands, and up my arms. “I would think you have a home.”

​“Oh I do, I do,” he answered nodding as he took a soft sip of his hot drink. “My wife is having a model shoot here in the grand ball room, and I came to simply pass the time, and have a word with you.”

​“Me?” I questioned as he and I placed our tea down on the table. “What for, if I might ask?"

He once more took a sip of his tea, and paused to think on what he truly wanted to say. “I wanted to thank you for speaking with Rarity yesterday,” he answered as he placed the tea down and me up to take a large gulp. “She sent me a letter nearly at dusk, saying that she was very wrong about you, and learned a lot by having a nice lunch with you and your former marefriend, Lyra Heartstrings,” he looked to me in the eyes for a moment before smiling. “It is nice to see that just because one is not human, you can have a healthy relationship with them.”

​“Humans once thought that just because of the color of our skin that we were different,” I pointed out, rubbing my thumb along the top of my cup. “I don’t care who you are, Fancy - everyone is the same on the inside. If one is evolved enough to have a chat with another being, what’s to say they can't have a relationship greater than just friends?"

​“A great point indeed,” he nodded his head before laughing softly. “How old are you, son?”

​“Twenty three,” I answered. “Almost twenty four.”

​“You’ve got a great deal of wisdom in that head of yours,” I just laughed at this and shook my head side to side.

​“No, no,” I gave a small quick laugh more before saying “I simply have a more open mind, I guess. I see things differently and I try to think outside the box as much as possible. I’m not wise, I just think differently.”

He just gave me a look that told me he was studying me. He then smiled as he leaned backward for a moment before saying. “I have a feeling you and I shall be getting along just swimmingly, Brandon,” he chuckled again before saying “Would you like to meet my wife? It’s not everyday you get to meet with a supermodel now is it?”

​“No,” I agreed. “No, it is not, and I would love to. Perhaps afterwards I could ask you something?”

​“Of course,” he nodded his head before standing. “Shall we?”

The walk from point A to B, was rather short, and not much was said between the two of us, a joke or two, but nothing really. The ball room, to say it was large was an understatement. It was huge. Fancy Pants told me that this ball room was almost the same size as the one that would be holding the Grand Galloping Gala. I tried to think of this room filled with ponies and humans, but found I could not. In the middle, was a normal photo shoot: lights, cameras, some props here and there. Somehow, you could see the white coated mare's her body easily, even though her coat and the wall were the same color. She reminded me of what I heard Luna looked like. In fact, she was very different than other mares I've seen. She looked almost like a princess in body shape, but not size.

Her cutie mark reminded me of the Saints logo, one was large, and two were smaller. A long horn was on head, as her two shade pink mane and tail flowed freely as the fan blew at them. She made a series of poses, her eyes ether closed, winking, or looking dead at the cameras. There would have to be something wrong with me if I didn’t think this mare was hot as hell. But really, why was I getting this vibe that she was more like a trophy wife to Fancy Pants? “Alright, everypony!” the boss called out as the model stopped. “That’s it for today. Fleur Dis Lis, will we be seeing you next week for the Playcolt pictures?” Playcolt.. wait.. oh my god! I think Fancy Pants was seeing me blush before whispering.

​“She likes to show herself off,” he answered. “As long as she is not bedding another stallion, who am I to stop her from using her looks to better her life?”

​“Uh…” was all I could say as he only laughed.

His wife soon came over and the two gave the other a set of kisses and nuzzles. Again, this bloody world and its bloody cuteness! “And, who is this young man, dear?” she asked looking up at me. Pretty much, the pony named Big Mac was nearly five feet tall when on all fours, and he was rather big. Normal earth ponies, from what I was told would be around the four foot eight, unicorns slightly smaller, and pegasi being the smallest when fully grown. Fleur stood a little over Fancy Pants, probably four foot ten, and that's not counting her horn.

​“This is Brandon Casey,” he confirmed as his wife looked from me to him. “He is the one Rarity spoke of in her letter.”

​“Oh, you are the one she gave such a hard time for the clothing you wore?” she asked me as I simply nodded my head. “My husband told me that you two patched it up, correct?”
​
​“Yesterday, during lunch, yes,” I nodded once more. “We spoke with each other and she learned a bit about me. She apologized and even offered to make me a suit for the Grand Galloping Gala.”

​“Well, isn’t that nice of her,” she gave a soft, gentle smile, before her eyes narrowed before walking around me. The clothing I wore was simple. Some black tennis shoes, a grey pair of pants, and a black t-shirt with the Assassin's Creed logo. “Has anypony ever told you that you should go try out for modelling?"

​“Uhh.. a few, yeah,” I admitted with a soft blush. “My grandmother being one, but.. she is my grandmother. I did, just to get her off my back. The one doing the photo shoot asked if I wanted to do more but I said no.”

​“Why is that?” she questioned looking to me.

​“It was for... a Playboy magazine,” they both looked to me, Fancy Pants seem to hold back his laughter as I only sighed and rubbed my eyes. “Go on, laugh it up, Mister No Pants. I mean really, your name is Fancy Pants, so where are your pants?” I didn’t notice until now, but he wore a monocole and when I said that, it popped out, as his face turned to that of shock, before his wife soon started to laugh at him.

After a while, we made our way to Fancy Pants' shop, which doubled as a home. He told me he didn’t make the clothing, he just sold it and gave the large cut to the designer of said clothing. It seemed that he made jewelry. How he came to be a well spoken for pony of Canterlot, I didn’t really ask, nor did I want to know. His wife spoke to me as we went back to their house. She told me that his word would be followed by many. If he disliked anyone, everyone followed his call. It seems that if you know him, your life will be easier. “So, you say that you have a date tonight? And would like my help on finding something to wear?” he spoke as I sat on a chair, and he on the other. His wife was busy was doing something else.

​“I really wouldn’t call it a date.” I admitted as I rubbed my neck a bit. “See, something happened yesterday. I helped Nova out, and she wanted to treat me to dinner. I offered and still plan on paying for the dinner and dancing, even though I can't dance for the life of me!”

​“Sounds to me like a date.”

​“You’re just going to keep calling it a date, aren't you?” he just gave me a smile as I sighed. “Either way, can you help me?” he hummed softly, tapping his chin before smiling.

​“Of course I can,” he spoke up placing a hoof over his chest. “Let us go downstairs, and I shall find you something to wear.”

​“How much?”

​“Oh please, don't worry about it.” he smiled before leaning closer a bit. “We are friends, and friends help each other out, do they not?” What was it with ponies to just give stuff away?

All I could do was blink ever so slowly. He considered me his friend, and we barely knew each other at all. The unicorn, seeming to see my surprised and/or shocked look, said “Whatever, seems to be the matter?”

​“You just said... you consider me a friend?”

​“Yes,” he answered matter-of-factly. “You are a kind young stallion, er.. young ‘man’,” I smiled as he said it. “You didn’t have to go down and allow Lady Rarity a second chance. And yet you did, and you broke her out of the habit of being a 'Canterlot snob', as I like to call it.” he shook his head softly some more before saying. “You are well mannered and the way you speak, I dare say if given the chance, you could do great things. You have a way with words. In fact,” he looked me up and down before nodding his head as I tilted my head toward the side. “Do you happen to be employed anywhere?"

​“Yes, part time, but it pays the bills.”

​“Well!” he clapped his hooves together. “If you ever decide to change jobs, or even move here and are of need of work; come to me!”

​“I... well... thank you,” I looked down a bit before saying. “But, other then all of this, why do you think we are friends? We only met yesterday. No offense.”

Again he only laughed softly, shaking his head before pouring me another cup of tea. “Young man, you must understand something. Friendship here is like breathing, we all need a friend or two, and all it takes is the smallest push!” After filling my cup, near the rim, he did the same to his own before his wife went and sat down beside him, leaning her body along his own. “I can understand, we are two different beings, both born and raised in different worlds; but think, any land can be different. From the Gryphons to the Dragons and so forth. We are born from the same world, and we are different, but still can be friends with each other."

​“Yes... this is true,” I nodded my head before smiling softly, looking up at the couple. “Thank you, and I accept your most welcome gift, as friends.” the unicorn smiled, as his wife was poured a cup as well, the two holding their cups up, before I to did as well. A small toast to new bonds formed, before we all started to drink.

Fancy Pants told me he had only a small bit of human clothing for me to pick from, I was thinking he meant about, oh, ten or so, but no. The bloody pony has about a hundred different sets! First, we had to find a style I would like. I told him something simple, like a tux. He wanted me to try on the type of shirt he wore with the ‘tails’ along the back, but it just looked silly on me.

In the end, I came out with just a simple but elegant suit. It was a black jacket with a black tie, a white, cuffed button up shirt with some gold lining along the sleeves and cuffs, plain black dress pants and black shoes. Smoothing myself out once more, I looked at the mirror and grinned as the two ponies clapped their hooves, Fleur still trying to convince me to model and all I did was laugh it off. She just smiled and said something before I left.

​“I will get you in front of the camera one of these days, Brandon."

​“The kind I saw you doing today, or the kind I overheard?" I just watched as she seemed to smile wider.

​“How do you know if I wasn’t just at the end of 'the one you overheard'?” My brain fizzed before coming up with a response to that. Nope, nope, nope.

With bags in hand, I made my way back to the hotel. A quick check of my phone found out the time was 1:31pm, which meant I still had about three and a half hours before Nova would meet me at my room to go on this... okay, it’s not a date but why do I keep going back into almost calling it a date? I mean, yes she is cute, and I like that she seems to think the way I do, but- “Excuse me sir?” I blinked and turned, looking down to see a small Earth pony looking up at me, he looked about ten, rather cute as he had on a blue cap, a letter folder along the front and wings on it side. He wore a blue vest as well, allowing his white coat to easily been seen. He didn’t have a cutie mark, and his mane was pure blue; as well as his eyes. “Are you Brandon, the human from Earth?” I knelt down before him and smiled with a nod. He had this small cute voice that would make anybody die from cute overload.

​“Yes, but who’s asking?” he smiled before pulling out a small salute before saying.

​“I am a paper-colt!” he said with pride. “I was told to give you this letter from the princess!”

​“The princess?” I repeated as he nodded, patting his vest before lifting his hat off, a closed letter inside as he handed it to me.

​“Yuh-huh, you’re my first job, now just a few dozen more, and I can keep going on learning how to do bigger jobs!” Man, when I was his age, all I cared about was playing Pokémon... eh, I still do.

​“Well here ya go then buddy, you have a bit bag for tips?” he nodded his head as he pulled one out. Slipping my hand in my own, I pulled out ten bits and slipped it in as he smiled with a wide grin. “Have fun.”

​“I will, thank you mister!” and with that, he was gone. Heh, cute kid. But still, what would the princess have to talk to me about?

Going up to my room, and placing the bag along the bed, I sat down in a chair, and opened the letter. It was more of a scroll, with a ribbon tied around it and a small dot of wax covering the knot and an emblem of the sun and a crescent moon inside of it.

​Dear Brandon Casey of Earth,

​I must apologize that during your stay here you had to have such a vile encounter with another human. I was told that you heard the plea of one of my little ponies, when they needed someone to help them in their time of need. Your heart is filled with such nobility that few hold in their hearts.

​I am writing to simply say thank you. Thank you for helping somepony who needed it. Not many humans have such a kindness towards ponies. It is one of the many reasons why this year, we, the Princesses of the Sun, the Moon, Love, and Magic, are inviting humans to this year's Grand Galloping Gala.

​After hearing what you had done from one of my guards who interviewed young Nova Star, I was complied to offer you such a ticket, but was reminded that you were one of the lucky ten who were given a ticket already. But this is not the only reason I have taken the time to write you this letter.. it was also as a warning for both your friend, and perhaps yourself.

​Before the human was to be returned to Earth, I and the three other princesses would decide if he be just charged, or exiled permanantly from Equestria. Entering the room he was being held in, I had a short talk with him. I asked him what could compel him enough to attack a pony. Bits? The thrill of overpowering somepony? Neither were the answers I was looking for, nor was what I was thinking. He told me he was paid by somepony; in fact, it seemed this man was nothing more then an actor. The attack Nova Star suffered was more of a fault of his. He was paid to simply scare her, to see if his acting skills were so great that he could convince somepony he was going to mug them. He meant no harm to her, but what he said to me was that he was indeed paid as well to harm her; even though he claimed it was just a slip. He was never going to harm the young unicorn. I sensed truth in his words, when you have lived as long as I, you tend to pick up ways to see if one is lying, and he was not.

​Before I could ask more, such as, who paid for him to ‘act’ this out, another pony came in, claiming to be a lawyer paid by a source he would not give up, to relieve the human of his hold. In the end, we could only gather that it was just an accident, and let him off with a warning, provided that he paid a small fee of twenty bits. He agreed and left after the payment was given.

​As to why I am telling you this, I worry for this one named Nova. If somepony had paid another to rough her up, even as an act, I worry for who your friend truly is. Has she wronged somepony or someone in the past? Will they return? These are the questions that have crossed my mind, and all I ask is that both you and your friend be safe. You interfered, and I pray that they do not come after you because of this. All I ask is for you talk to your friend and see if she truly knows more.

​On a final note, I would like to ask if, on the night of the Gala, that we could speak, if only for a moment. I would indeed like to meet the noble heart of one that came to another’s need.

Her Highness,
Princess Celestia

I’ll admit, I did not see this coming at all. Someone paid for that person to attack, or make her scared; but for what reason? I was glad that Princess Celestia at least took the time to write to me explaining her concern. I’ve heard nothing but good things about her, but still; in the back of my mind, I would’ve thought she would’ve done nothing to tell me, or Nova of this.

I folded the letter up and slipped it inside my new dress pants to show to Nova later. However, I felt another item within the pocket. Pulling it out, I was surprised to see a piece of folded paper. Unfolding it, it was yet another letter.

For Brandon

​I do hope that you find this before your date with miss Nova Star, I know I’ve already given you so much already, the suit you will be wearing being one of them. But, even if you don’t claim that this is a date, if your relationship with this Nova Star, were to ever blossom into something more, I wish to give you some more help.

​There is both a dance, and dinner building, known as the Moonlight Rays. It is a brand new stop for nearly everypony to go, dine, and have a good time. Normal, the wait list is very large, only very few can easily get in; and lucky for you, you know me.

​As you were dressing, I sent a letter toward the place, and received word back, that all you have to do is state your name, and you shall be let in and your dinner will be on the house. I do hope you have a good time, and please do tell me how it went

Fancy Pants

I said it once and I’ll say it again: what is it with ponies and just giving stuff away?!

It was now close to five, and seeing how I was to be going out tonight, I shaved my chin and jaw line, and lastly along the neck. The only hair along my face was a small patch that covered my chin, and under my nose; a line of hair connecting the two patches of hair to make it look like one. It took me a while tto make sure I was very clean, combing my hair backwards, making it slick, but I didn’t like it, so I tried moving it forward; again, didn’t like it. I decided to go with my normal hairstyle, a wind sweep backwards, but it was cleaner and neater than usual.

Working my socks and pants on, making sure Celestia’s letter was tucked away in my pants, I worked on getting the rest of my new clothing on. Just as I placed the tie about my neck, fidgeting to make it look like Fancy Pants showed me, I heard a knock on the door. “Just a second!” I called out, cursing under my breath as the tie was undone and flopped about my chest. Giving up after a bit and knowing we still had time, I went and opened the door.

Nova Star was standing before me, a soft smile along her lips, her pink eyes looking up at me, and I was breathless. I'm not sure about the name of what she was wearing seeing how I didn’t know if it was called a dress or not, but she wore a necklace, or a collar of some sort, connecting it, along the back, was a long black like dress like item. It covered her whole back, covering her rear and her back legs as well. It seemed to shine in the light. She also wore black shoes along her hooves, a tiny star along the front of each, as well as the one on her neck. Her eyelashes were curved upward, and a darker shade of purple along her eyelids.

I just looked down at her as she kept on smiling up at me, I don’t know what it was about the way she looked, the way her eyes locked along my own. I felt the heat along my cheeks and I couldn’t really say anything at all, as she only giggled softly. “Are you okay, Brandon? Cat got your tongue?” I simply just coughed, holding a fist up to my mouth as she only giggled again as she moved away from the door. “Shall we go? I have been wondering where you were taking me.” I was thinking about that myself. I really will have to thank Fancy Pants, the next time I see him.

​“Well…I’m sure you will be surprised when you see it as well,” I answered with a small smile as I left out of the room, closing and locking it. “Shall we?” she smiled once more and nodded as we left side by side.

To say I was rather worried as many of the ponies watched me and Nova walk together in the streets of Canterlot was an understatement. Many of the snobby ponies who I always saw with their heads up, looked toward us, giving a soft nod as if they knew me. Was it because of the way I was dressed? Did they think I was some rich... ugh, so that’s how it is up here for some of them, huh? I pretended like I didn’t see them, I'd rather not make them think I am something I am not. “Are you okay, Brandon?” I blinked and looked down beside me, seeing Nova Star looking up at me. “You seem troubled.”

​“Huh? Oh, I'm fine.. it's just.." I looked away for a moment, wondering if I should show her the letter now. Deciding it was best, I pulled it out of my pocket and offered it to her. Her magic grasped it and took it from my hands as she read over it quickly. I noticed her eyes grow wide for a moment, before she soon folded it. “Are you okay?” I asked her as she sighed softly. “Look, I don’t judge anyone’s past, if the reason that guy came to you about it...”

​“It's fine,” she answered softly as I looked down. “How about during dinner I’ll tell you?”

​“You sure?”

​“You should know, since you're involved now.”

​It didn’t really take us that long to get to the place where we needed to go. The building was two floors high, maybe the top half could be for relaxing, the bottom for the dancing and eating maybe? I'm not really sure. The logo of the place with the large name of Moonlight Rays was planted across the front, in soft pulsing lights. Everyone that seemed to be going there were very well dressed, even if this place was a club like back home, they be very, very over dressed. There was a long line, but it was going down very quickly, ponies were being asked to leave because, surprise surprise, there was indeed a list, and it seemed many were not invited in. I could see the look of Nova’s face, was she worried that we wouldn’t get in. Either way, when it was our turn, the rather bland pony spoke up while looking at a podium with a small book on it. “Name?” he simply asked.

​“Brandon Casey, Fancy Pants wrote in to-”

​“Ah, yes; we've already got your name on the list,” he simply moved away to allow us in. “Everything tonight is on the house, enjoy your stay.”

Nova, as we sat down to wait for our food, told me of what had happened. It seemed from what she told me, Nova took a husband from another mare. She now knows it was wrong and deeply regrets it, but back then, she claimed, if the stallion wanted her, it was more his fault than her own. It seemed the mare in question at last caught her, and vowed to get back at her. She also explained that now she was worried I would be on the list because I had helped her. I just waved it off, saying it didn’t matter to me, as long as she was alright. As we spoke, I couldn’t help but start to like her more and more. She was smart, that much was known, and she was very open about how she supported humans and other races being together. And she would give me this smile... It just made me smile back. But after a moment she would look away, and for the shortest moment, I saw a look of confusion onto her face. Why was she confused?

It was.. really fun! I’ll admit that much. Even though we couldn’t dance for the life of us, we still had a great time. We drank a bit, maybe a bit too much. Not drunk, but buzzed all the same. So now, walking out of the building a little after nine, having been there three hours, I was a small bit buzzed.
​
​“I had a really good time,” she said, looking up at me as I smiled and looked back down at her. “No, really. I’d be lying if I said many of my last relationships were nothing more then one nights stands, but you.. you listened to what I had to say, you paid attention!”

​“Yeah, well, I never had a father growing up, as I told you,” I shrugged before saying “Even though right now I don’t like my mother, she raised me right.” I sighed again and shook my head. “I’ve seen men treat her wrong at times, simply because they thought they could. I always promised myself I would never be that kind of guy.”

​“You took what you saw growing up, you saw what they did to others, and you didn’t want to become something like that."

​“Pretty much yeah,” I answered truthfully. We made it back to the hotel and went towards the elevator. As we waited for the doors to open, I felt her softly lean along my side and I looked down at her with a smile. As the doors slid open, and we walked in, I pressed the button toward where my floor would be. Seeing how she never told me what room she was in, I decided to go toward my room. Maybe she was on the same floor as me?

We stepped out, there were a few maids going in and out of the hallways, doing their work. They smiled as we passed, before coming toward my door. “I can walk you to your room if you want?” I asked her as she only softly smiled and shook her head.

​“No, it's fine. Do you mind if I come in for a moment?” she asked. “I still wanna talk to you, and at least in there we won’t have to worry about somepony eavsedropping.” I raised a eyebrow at her, wondering what more she could want to talk about, before nodding, pressing the key in the door and slipping inside with her.

After she entered, she sighed as she started to take off her dress, unclipping the collar like piece, allowing the dress to simply fall off her body. “I’ll admit, I hate dressing up, but, I deal with it at times, such as a date like this.”

​“You really think this could count as a date?” I asked her as she looked back with another warm smile.

​“Why not?” she asked. “I only date cute guys anyway,”

​“Bet you say that to all the cute guys you get to go on a dinner date with, huh?”

​“Well, not the ugly ones,” we both looked to each other before laughing as I went and sit on the bed. I took of my tie and tux jacket, leaving me in only my shirt and pants. “So, about this pony you dated... what was her name?”

​“Lyra?” I asked as she nodded in agreement. “What about her?”

She looked toward me as she smiled softly before saying, moving her hips side to side as she walked toward me, taking off her ‘shoes’ off as she did so.”So, you're into ponies huh?” I blinked as my cheeks flushed a bit at the way she was walking. “What did you like about her?”

​“Well, uh..” I chuckled rubbing the back of my head. “Me and her had a lot in common I guess, we both understood each other.” I then said, with a bit of worry in my voice. “And maybe it was because... she wasn’t human.”

​“Oh?” she was close to me now and I could barely feel her breath on me. “What do you mean? Do you not find your own race appealing?”

​“Sounds strange huh?” I answered as she placed her hooves along my knees to lean up a bit, looking into my eyes again, much like when she did when we were at the dinner table. I could’ve sworn for a moment I saw her eyes flash, but it passed the moment I blinked. Was it because I was buzzed, or was it just the lighting itself? “I don’t know. Don’t get me wrong, I would still date humans if I found the right one, but I just feel more open around ponies and other races I guess.” I answered once more truthfully. “Besides, so far, with every time I've tried to date my own kind before The Gate was even made, I’ve always been burned. Either they were just using me, or they only dated me because they felt pity on me.”

I looked away, Lyra was the only one I never spoke about this to. But when looking at Nova, it felt like I could tell her all my worries. “And I really don’t care who you are, be you a dragon, a gryphon, hell, I know Diamonds Dogs are now becoming part of villages to live with others, and they are with others that are not there own.” She seemed to nod at this before I went on. “What I care about is how the the person, or pony, treats me and others. If you are mean and a prick to everyone around you, I won't like you. But if you are kind to those who are kind back, then I will like you. It just depends on your mindset.”

​“So... if I was a human,” she asked looking to me. "and I acted the same way I do now, and you were not dating anypony...”

​“I would give you a chance, yes,” I smiled again before saying. “As I said, Nova; it doesn’t matter to me what you are, it’s your mind and heart I care for.”

She looked back up to me again, her eyes seeming to scan my own again, looking at me with a hint of something. I couldn’t quite place what she was thinking. I didn’t see it coming as she leaned close, and pressed her lips to my own. My eyes were slightly wide as she did so. Her lips were soft to the touch as she kissed me. Her right hoof moving up to hold my cheek, as she pushed herself up, to sit herself between my open legs to get a better ground. My eyes slowly closed as well, My hands drifted to her, one holding her to me and the other on the side of her face as we kissed.

After what seemed like forever, and in reality it was probably just a minute or two, she pulled away, smiling at me as I blushed heavily; her cheeks were also flushed. “How about we give it a shot? Being a couple?”

​“Don’t think you're moving a bit fast, huh?”

​“We don’t have to be a fully fledged couple yet.. We can try it out, see how it goes, and when we think we are both ready, we really get into it.” she then moved closer, nuzzling my neck softly, minding her horn.

​“Uh...” I blushed, my words caught in my throat before speaking. “Yeah... we can do that.” She smiled again, looking up to me before leaning close and kissing me again and throwing my mind into a peaceful bliss.

Spa Day (edited)

The next day came rather quickly after Nova Star fell asleep. I guess she's just the kind of pony that can’t hold in a few drinks, maybe that was why she kissed me last night. Either way, seeing how she fell asleep on the only bed, I tucked her in and went to the sofa to sleep there instead.

Morning came, and I was rudely awoken by the sun's rays hitting my eye. At first, I saw nothing but brightness, followed by the smell of cooked food. This confused me, because there wasn’t a kitchen in the room to allow food to be made.

​"Thank you,” I heard the soft voice of Nova. “Your tip is in the bag as well.” I guess she must’ve stayed the night after all. A small part of me wondered if she would and the other part thought she would just up and leave in the middle of the night if she woke up. I mean, we did drink a bit last night, she more so than me, and maybe what she said was part of her buzzed mind. I guess that since she ordered room service, she was okay with it.

I heard the door softly close, and the sound of squeaky wheels approaching. Sitting up, I saw Nova Star, with an incredibly untamed bed mane. She saw me up as she smiled, still a blush on her face. “I’m sorry I fell asleep on your bed,” she spoke to me as I smiled and waved my hand.

​“No worries, I couldn’t simply carry you to your room. I don’t even know where your room is.”

​“Oh, it’s room 123.” She said with another small smile. “But, lets eat. I ordered eggs, pancakes, and bacon for you. Though, the pancakes see a bit on the small size.” When she lifted up the lid, I could see that she was right, they looked like the sizes of hamburger buns, which gave me an idea. She watched as I placed one pancake along my plate, then putting some fried egg and bacon on it, and another pancake on top of it all. She blinked as I pulled it up like a sandwich and took a bite.

​“Home-made McGriddle."

​“A... what?” she questioned as I laugh softly and took another bite, before lifting my finger, so not to talk with my mouth full. After swallowing, I chuckled and wiped my mouth before answering her confused question.

​“A little something from Earth. Perhaps if you ever come, I’ll treat you to one.”

​“So, what’s the plan for you today?” she asked me as I started to get dressed, going back to my normal everyday clothing. She too, folded her dress from last night, and placed it in a spare bag I had around. She told me she would return it when the next time I would see her, but I said to keep it, I don’t even know why I brought it with me. “Other than just walking about, doing nothing but sightseeing?”

​“I already have plans with Lyra, and that other pony named Rarity,” I explained, having told her about the two last nights, and also about the plan for today. “I’m going to go down to Ponyville and meet up with Lyra before going.”

​“And what if she asks if you're single?” I stopped dressing after putting one shoe on, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. “Well, in a sense, we're dating, right?"

​“Don’t worry, I plan on telling her if she asks me. I don’t want an embarrassing moment of her asking me out if I’m already somewhat-dating you.” I answered as I slipped on my shoe. “Trust me, I’ll explain to her what is going on. And besides, as I told you, we are just friends, so you have nothing to worry about with her trying to ‘steal’ me away. I’m not a cheater." She looked up at me as I slipped my sweater on, zipping the it up halfway, allowing the plain navy blue shirt to be seen. Her eyes looked me up and down before a soft smile crossed over her lips as she nodded.

​“Alright... it’s strange, but I feel like I can trust you.”

​“It’s because it’s true,” I simply answered. “Look, I've seen how crazy and ugly something can be when someone thinks another is single. I might even just tell Lyra when the time is right.. A few days ago, it seemed like she wanted to get back together, but... I'm just not sure." It was going to be hard, that was for sure, but it's better to get it over with now instead of later when it could be much more painful.

​After saying our goodbyes and parting ways, I gave my phone a quick glance as I walked down the stairs. Seeing that I had nothing new, I was about to put it back in my pocket, but then the phone rang in my hand. I looked at the name, and was a bit surprised by the caller, my grandmother’s number popping up, the title being ‘Nanny’. I answered and put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

​“Hi, Brandon. You doing okay?” I sighed softly, her voice was soft and caring. To me, my grandmother was a second mother. I could talk to her about things that I couldn’t talk to my real mother about. She was never the type to judge anyone. Nanny was a kind old woman, in her early sixties, and it was always funny how she was trying to act cool. As to why she was calling me now, I just wouldn’t know. We’ve spoken a few times over the year, and I didn’t tell her about Lyra, nor of what me and mom were going through. I didn’t want this to happen again with my grandmother.

​“Hey, Nanny,” I spoke softly as I made my way toward the main lobby. “How is it going?”

​“Seems much better then what you and your mother have been going through...”

​“She told you, huh?” there was a small pause at the other end as I went up and bought a coffee to go, tipping the pony who was on the counter and giving her a nod. I kinda knew that sooner or later, mom would be ether calling, emailing, or even telling the other members of our family on the choices I made. Considering that nobody else has talked to me about any of this, I guess she never told anyone until now.

As to why? I think that maybe, because I declined her 'offer' to see this supposed doctor, she felt that I wouldn't see the 'light' from her words, so maybe I could see it from another family member. “Yes,” Her voice plucked me from my thoughts. “Sure did.. Brandon, I-"

​“Nanny,” I cut her off. “Please, if you are going to be just like her-”

​“I’m proud of you. So very proud."

What she just said caused me to stop dead in my tracks. I was nearly outside the hotel and moving out of the way of another pony. “What?” I asked as I moved over, away from the door and the path of other ponies, as I heard my grandmother sigh on the other end.

​“She had no right to say the things she said to you. When she called me, she asked... no, more like demanded that I tell you to go to this doctor she was talking about. She said you could never say ‘no’ to me.”

​“Well when you start with the "you don't love me..." stuff...” I answered smiling on my end.

​“Oh hush. And stop smiling, because I know you are!”

​“How did you...?”

​“A grandmother knows,” she answered as she laughed, causing me to facepalm inside my mind. “Besides, I think your mother may be part of that 'group' that’s been all over the news lately.”

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot about them. See, after The Gate was ready to be accessed by the public, there were already ponies and humans who hated the idea. Surprisingly, the other races were okay with the humans. They understood that humans could help them and their kingdoms greatly, but for ponies; many were still afraid of change. For humans, however, it was a revival of the era before and during the Civil Rights Movement. Before I even decided to try and come to Equestria, many ponies had already moved to Earth. They bought land, built homes, made lives for themselves, stuff like that. It didn’t take long for certain "x species Only" places to appear. Stores, neighborhoods, bathrooms, hell, even public transportation.

In retaliation, ponies did it too. It's really saddening to see a bygone age to return, especially when there's a change of species. It seems that you hear more about violence between Humanity and Ponykind on the news these days than you do anything else. The human 'supremacists' in this conflict called themselves ‘The True Humans’, going on to say that ponies were nothing but animals, but no, it wasn’t just the ponies they hated, they hated each of the other species from Equestria as well.

The ponies also formed a group of their own, however they accepted the other species of Equestria into their ranks, if they chose to join. It was rare when a gryphon would be group, and I believe they called themselves 'Harmony'. That shit's one serious oxymoron. How is hating another race just because they're not from your world 'Harmony'?

The entire conflict in itself is absolutely stupid, and the names are just as stupid. I could shit a better name for a human supremacy group than 'The True Humans'. Regardless, there are measures created by the princesses and the world leaders on Earth to keep the violence between the two groups separated completely. Ponies that want to move to Earth have to go through customs. Example; if a Canadian, like myself, wanted visit the United States for a week or so, I would have to go through the paperwork process, passports, all that stuff.

For the process of entering the new worlds, it is longer and more complicated than a 30 minute stop at the border. Then, after all that is done, and if you want to stay in whatever world you choose, you'll need to go through the naturalization process and all that it entails of whatever country you're planning to stay in. If any Equestrian races on Earth are caught performing hate crimes on humans, they will get a fair trial. The same goes for humans in Equestria. It is very rare for the jury in these cases ever have a 50/50 ruling.

​“Brandon?”

​“Huh? Oh, sorry Nanny,” I muttered. “What did you say?”

​“Do you... hate your mother?” she asked as I simply only sighed, not sure how to truthfully answer that.

​“I... I just don’t know, Nanny.” I spoke the truth, I really don't know how to truly feel about my mother. “She said some incredibly crude words to me. She's holding to her views on this. If she is part of that group, that is her choice; but I will say this: if I ever do find out that she's harmed a pony simply because she doesn’t like them, then yes, I will hate her. Because it’s not fair; it’s just not!” I took a small breath before going on. “She always raised me to believe that everyone is the same, that we shouldn’t judge anyone by the color of their skins, that we shouldn't judge anyone by who they like. Well now, we all have to not judge anyone by their skin, fur, feathers, scales, you get the idea.” I sighed. "To answer your question: do I hate my mother? No, but I am incredibly upset with her. But mostly, I'm disappointed in her. Talk about a role switch, huh?”

It was silent on the other end for a moment, before I then heard her release another small sigh. “You’ve grown so much, Brandon,” I heard her say, a small whisper. “I know I keep calling you my little boy, my little sweetheart... but you sounded like a man. A man who has his mind set on what is right. Just know this, Brandon; I’ll be calling the family up myself, and I will explain what your mother is doing. If they don’t like it that you dated a pony, that's their problem. But know this: right now, you have me on your side.”

​“Thanks..” I whispered back before answering. “You have no idea how much that means to me. I just wish I could’ve heard that from my mother.”

We ended the call a little bit after that, after telling her where I would be for the next few weeks, and telling her to also be careful with the calls to Equestria. I mean really, how much do you think the service charge would be for something like that? After hanging up, I turned off my phone to make sure I wouldn't be disturbed and headed towards the train, considering that it was getting very close to being lunch time. around the same time if I remembered right, of the time I told Rarity and Lyra that we would meet up.

Surprisingly, the train was pretty much empty. The conductor even told me that I could go up to first class, he really didn’t care. Hell, if he was offering me first class for free, who am I to say no? The difference between the rest of the train and the first class section is incredible. Sitting down near the middle of the car, I heard a soft chatter behind me.the back of the section of first class, I heard two different voices. They paused for a moment, maybe looking at me, but I didn’t know, I was looking outside the window. And then back to talking. A bit lower. But, because of my really good hearing, even after the train started to move, I still heard what they were talking about.

​“So…did you read the paper today?” a voice, as I said, both were female, this one voice, sounded a bit like she had Rarity accent, but with a hint of French. “It seems another pony and human hate attack, in the human world.”

​“The humans no doubt started it,” I rolled my jaw a bit after hearing the second one, she had the same accent, but much snobbier.

​“No, the paper said that the ponies threw eggs at this little human child, because he was adopted by some ponies and called them his mom and dad,”

​“Well that child had no right, and nor did the ponies who wanted a human for a child. I mean its bad enough that there is one here in our cabin!” she whispered harshly, but I heard it all the same. Oh, so you can say all that, but not to my face, huh?

​“Please ma’am,” the first voice whispered again. “He had done nothing wrong,” I heard a small huff, before a flap of paper. “Well, there was that story today of a human coming to a mare’s aid.” I jerked my head a bit, before smiling from what I heard next. “It seemed a human named Brandon Casey fought off another human who attacked and harmed a pony. I say that humans have hearts, unlike what you claim them to be."

​“Watch your tongue, child.” The second voice hissed. “I know what I believe, the humans are nothing but a speck to us ponies. They don’t have magic and they work in the dirt, ugh!” I heard a small smack, but not a yelp in pain, maybe she hit herself? “And so much violence, why didn’t that human try and talk to the other? They are the same creature, surely with what little sense they have, they could’ve talked it out.” my hands clenched into fists as I heard this pony talk. She reminded me of my mother.

​“You didn’t seem to mind when that human gave you that ten thousand bit bracelet as a gift so you could open your shop in Manehattan.”

​“That was different. At least he had class... for a human. I bet this human here doesn’t even have an education!”

​“Please ma’am..” From that point, I just blocked out the rest of the discussion. It seemed whoever the second voice was, the one that reminded me of a pony version of my mother, must’ve been spitting about humans just because I was there.

​“Well, I shall grab something to parch my throat…excuse Me.” The second voice got up to move, and I moved to from the window side of the seat to the aisle side. I heard the clopping of her hooves, before she yelled and fell into my line of sight. A small part of me wanted her to simply fall and crack her head open, but with quick reflexes and overwhelming influence from my better half, I caught her. She looked up at me, her eyes unblinking as she just couldn’t say anything. I mean, after all the things she said about humans and other things of such, I bet she didn’t think a human would’ve broke her fall. I was sampling going to allow her back to her feet and say nothing, but then an idea came to me.

​“Hi there." I spoke in the calmest and nicest voice I could muster. “Are you alright?"

​“Uh…” the way she was looking at me was priceless. It was a mixture of both confusion and a great deal of shock. I heard a gasp from the nicer pony, as both me and her looked back at her as I helped miss bitch onto all fours. Her hat fell off in the tumble and I picked it up and dusted it off, handing it back to her. She took it ever so slowly before she looked at her ‘friend’ once more. I did as well, and was slightly shocked as I saw my picture on the paper.

What the fuck.

How the hell did my picture get in the paper? Why is it in the paper? WHO took my picture? I knew that ponies had our camera technology, so maybe a pony was near by and took the photo? “Y..yes, I'm fine, thank you so much,” she just looked back at me, as I pretended that I didn’t see the paper before I answered with a small smile.

​“I’m glad, it would've been rather bad, if someone such as you was hurt, I mean, we have so many humans and ponies hating one another. We must do our part to show that not all humans are the same; yes?" I saw her ears flatten a bit as her eyes grew a bit wide. I sat back down and smiled. “Enjoy the rest of your train ride.” was all I said, hearing the clopping of her hooves going back to her seat. I did not hear anything from her at all, either she was whispering so quietly that I couldn’t hear her, or she was just not in the talking mood.

Looking about, I noticed a spare newspaper on the other side. Since there wasn't really anything else to do, I decided to see what was going on. The front cover was talking about something that I really didn’t care about. Flipping the page over, I saw said news article that voice one was talking about.

Human Saves Pony!

​Many ponies of Canterlot are in shock when a human that seemed to come out of nowhere saved a mare a little after noon! The mare in question, who asked not to be named to the public, was cornered and attacked by a vile human who demanded bits from her. Another human supposedly saw this event taking place and rushed to her aid. The hero (seen above, picture taken at the scene by a bystander) was later identified as Brandon Casey. Because of such of an attack, many high class ponies are, once more, demanding the portal be closed for good, some claiming that no good can come from the presence of the humans.

Blah blah blah. It's nothing I haven't heard before. It's a shame that ponies and humans can't understand that we can learn much from each other if we could just work together. Soon, the trained stopped. As I got up from my seat, the two ponies in the back were not moving. Guessing that this isn't their stop, I simply turned and left, going from cabin to cabin, before at last, climbing out of the train. The small village was lively with the many different ponies going back and forth. Some had boxes balanced on their backs, some books, a few with saddlebags, some with nothing at all, and others were just talking. Like before, many of the ponies I passed, waved and said hello, and I returned the greeting. Some didn’t, either just nodding, or giving a small smile. I counted those as greetings.
​
​“Hey, you're Brandon, right?” I blinked and looked back, seeing a pony I’ve only seen in pictures with Lyra. She had a cream coat and a curly dark blue mane with a large pink stripe. Must be Bon Bon. However, that's only a nickname; her real name is Sweetie Drops. She just stood there, looking up at me with her vibrant cyan eyes waiting for my answer. "I know it's you, Lyra showed me some pictures, and we did see you in the paper today.”

​“Then why did you ask me in the first place?” I asked raising my eyebrow. “Let me guess... trying to not look like a creeper?”

​“How did you know?” she asked, before we both started to laugh. “Lyra was right, you do have a sense of humor!”

​“Eh, in the age we all live in, I think we all need a good laugh sometimes."

​“Indeed. Well, if you are looking for Lyra, she's staying at my place. You can tag along if you want, I know you both have a little... date.”

​“It’s not a date, it’s-”

​“Oh keep your flanks on,” she teased. “I just never had the chance to do that when you two were dating.”

​“So... should I call you Sweetie Drops or Bon Bon?” I asked as we walked side by side toward where she was living. I only asked because I didn’t want to call her by her nickname, unless she wanted me to.

​“Bon Bon is fine,” she answered flicking her mane a bit. “Everypony calls me that. And besides, you're friends with Lyra, so you can call me that either way.”

​“I see..” I answered. I looked at her through the corner of my eye. Wait for it... wait for it....

​“So why did you two never get back together?” There it is.

I only softly sighed as we walked at a much slower pace. "It's a complicated situation.

​“Don’t you like her? I mean, you two did date before and-”

​“I’m sure she told you, our friendship is more important than dating. I'd rather not risk what I have with her. And besides, I’m sorta seeing someone else.”

​“Oh.” she said nothing after that as I sighed and said.

​“What brought this up, if I might ask?”

​“It’s just..” she started as she stopped, looking up to me. “Lyra was all happy when she would write back to me telling me how you two were happy, and how you didn’t mind her quite eccentric love for humans.” That reminds me, how did she know anything about humans when they haven't existed in Equestria until recently? "She said nothing but good things about you. She was the happiest I ever thought she would be. And then when you two broke up, even though she said it was for the better, I could see it in her writing, how it affected her.”

​“I’m sorry,” I whispered as she looks up at me. “Maybe if I didn’t take her to go see my mother, maybe if I wasn’t seeing someone right now, I would give it another shot."

​“At least you're a good enough stallion to say that you're seeing somebody else, and not get tied up in a love triangle.”

​“Yeah... No offense, but I don’t need that type of drama in my life; thank you very much.” She laughed at this, before lightly hitting me with her hoof. “You know, she tried to talk to me about you and me hooking up.”

​“Wh-what?!” she squeaked looking back at me as I raised an eyebrow. “Why would she do that?”

​“I don’t know. You didn’t hear that from me though.” She chuckled and nodded.

We soon stopped at what I guessed was her home. Truthfully, the way the building looked reminded me of those homes from Assassin's Creed 2. Walking inside, I had to duck slightly, but as I looked around, the home was rather plain. Nothing really stood out. Pictures of family, a sofa, some chairs, you know the works. The sunlight coming from the window really lit the room up though. “Lyra is in her room, or she was when I left. I’ll go get her. You can sit down if you want.” I only nodded as I sat on the sofa, but to me, the size reminded me of a love seat.

I, thankfully, didn't have to wait very long for Lyra to walk downstairs. She greeted me with a small smile and a wave. Only, I noticed that this smile was different than it was a few days ago. Bon Bon walked down shortly after, and her face was as somber as Lyra's. I assume Bon Bon told her that I was seeing someone to save her the embarrasment. I was going to tell her either way, but I knew it would still be an awkward moment, none the less. "Hey Brandon." She masked her emotions well, but I could see right through her. "Ready to go?"

​“Yeah.” I answered as I stood up. “It was at least nice to meet you, Bon Bon.”

​“You too.” she responded with a curt nod. “Have fun.”

The walk was silent and awkward. It reminded of the time when we returned to my house from the first encounter with my mother. Walking beside Lyra, I occasionally looked down at her through the corner of my eye, and I could see her looking back as well. "So... is she nice?"

​“Yes...” I answered. “Lyra, I-”

​“It’s okay.” she stopped me as she placed a hoof on my leg. “I’m guessing this happened a bit ago?”

​“Kinda, the other night,” I explained and gave her a short run down as to what I meant. “I’m guessing you read the papers yeah?” she nodded confirming what I knew. “She wanted to take me out as a way of saying thank you. It wasn’t really a date, but.. well, at the end, we decided to test the waters, I guess. Kind of like when you and me started.”

​“I see...” it became awkward again as I went back to walking with her, before we both looked up to a voice calling to us.

​“Yoo-hoo, over here you two!”

Rarity, the white unicorn was waving us over. She was wearing a hat which reminded me of a peacock because of all it's vibrant colors. I smiled and waved at her. At least this time I wasn’t thinking of her as the way I did after when we first met. Lyra and I walked over to her. “Well hello darlings, are you ready for your spa day? Brandon, please, I am paying this time.”

​“But four people... er, three ponies and one human, isn’t that quite a lot?”

​“Oh heavens no,” she waved her hoof at me as she chuckled softly. “They have a deal going on right now. Four ponies for the price of two.”

​“You kinda planned that, didn’t you?”

​“Perhaps.” she answered with a large smile before I blinked and laughed.

​“Smooth, Rarity, smooth.” She only gave me a sheepish grin, as shook my head.

The inside of the spa looked like any other sort of spa I had heard about. The lobby was just a small, circular room, barely big enough to hold maybe ten ponies. After we were allowed in, I noticed the floor looked like a typical checkerboard pattern with purple and blue. A large hot tub was set near two folding screens, and then two large pools sat opposite it, two being water and the last a mud bath. The far back looked like a sauna. In the middle were a few of those massage tables. As our small group entered, we saw that there was indeed, one more pony standing in the middle, seemingly waiting, before Rarity called out. “Oh, there you are dear Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy. It took me a moment to remember that I saw her at the café after Lyra and... oh god, that’s why she was blushing! Perhaps she remembered as well, and seeing me caused that moment to return? Regardless, everything about this pegasus screamed cute and cuddly. From her cyan eyes to her butter colored coat and her pink wavy pink mane, I could scoop her up and cuddle her if it was.. socially acceptable. When she turned to the side, her mane's style looked somewhat like a heart.

She kicked her hoof along the ground, her eyes, locked to her hoof before Rarity excused herself and went off toward Fluttershy. “Fluttershy is a very shy pony,” I heard Lyra say as I turned to look down at her. “As if the name didn’t give that away.”

​“It’s...” I started before she then cut me off again.

​“Kinda cute?” I blinked and looked back down at her as Lyra smiled. “You’re not the first to think that.” We looked over to them, “You still like animals?” I blinked, course I did, I use to work at the local animal shelter.

​“Yeah, of course, why?” I asked before she smiled.

​“When she asks what you like, be sure to tell her that. Trust me.” I took her words to heart, before I straightened up when I saw them coming back over to us.

​“Oh.. uh.. hello there.." she spoke in such a soft tender voice, it almost sounded like a whisper. “I’m.. Fluttershy.. Nice to meet you, Mr. Brandon.”

If it wasn't for the fact that I already knew her name, I would've had to have asked her to repeat that. Wait, Mister Brandon? Damn, that made me sound so much older. “Uh, just Brandon is fine.” I told her as she then made a small eep.

​“Oh.. did... did I upset you? I didn’t mean to! I uh-”

​“No, no, no!” I said waving my hands a bit. “I mean, you don’t have to call me ‘mister’.. Just Brandon is fine, uh...” I felt Lyra kick me and I looked to her and saw her giving me a look that said "Go on, talk to her, you fool." I cleared my throat. "So Fluttershy, can I ask you something? What’s your favorite animal?” I swear, it was like something lit up in her eyes when I said this, my eyebrow raising before she then asked me.

​“Oh, you like animals, Brandon?”

​“Yeah,” I answered with a nod. “I use to work at my local animal shelter. It’s where many animals go to, when they need someone to care for them.” She started to hover in the air, coming nearly nose to nose with me, before she nodded her head.

​“Oh yes, we have some around here. Those poor dears, they just need somepony to take care of them."

​“Yeah, that’s why I use to work there. But.. I couldn’t... I just grew so attached to them, that it hurt when they had to go again.” She seemed to nod as I saw the other mares smile before Rarity spoke up.

​“Why don’t we go and enjoy our spa day then?” she asked as me and Fluttershy looked to her. “You two can talk more once we are getting ourselves groomed!”

And so, we did. It was rather funny seeing the yellow mare gush about the absurd amount of different animals that she has cared for over the years. I never really have been to a spa and had the full works. Sure, my mother took me when I was a child, but I was always in the lobby or off to the side playing on my GameBoy Color or just doodling. But this felt rather nice. When that green stuff was placed on my face, cold as it was, it felt... refreshing. When it was removed, my face felt smoother. The massage, ugh, don’t get me started. It was like they knew just where I was tensed the most. When they wanted to go to the hot tub, I explained that I couldn’t, seeing how I couldn’t simply enter the hot tub with my clothing on. Lyra made a joke of me going in nude, making Fluttershy blush and meep, Rarity to softly laugh, and me giving Lyra a one finger salute. The other two didn’t know what that meant, but Lyra did, and she placed her left foreleg, in the nook of her ninety degree right foreleg and pointed the other hoof straight up. It's something we made up together.

After we were done, I was surprised to see that I was there with them for nearly two hours. Rarity made sure to pay for everything while I was busy getting the green stuff off my face. She was dead set on paying for everything, and I did agree to myself a while ago that I would let her, but still, being the male of the group, I still wanted to pay for at least some of it.

​“Well, Rarity,” I said, “I’ll admit, that was... enjoyable.”

​“Just enjoyable?” she repeated as I nodded. “First time at a spa, I’m guessing?”

​“Yes.” I confirmed looking back at the spa. “Might go back again sometime, not really sure.”

​“Well, thank you for allowing me to treat you to this, as well to you Lyra.”

​“And I am glad to have met you Brandon,” Fluttershy spoke looking up at me. “Maybe one day you would like to meet all my little friends?”

​“I would love that.” I responded with a soft smile as she smiled back at me.

Throughout the spa day, she grew more and more open with me, more so when it came to talking to animals. When I told her I would be attending the Gala, she told me that they had many animals at the gardens there; and that once more she would try to see if they would become her friends. It seemed she had this little gift of understanding what they were saying, kinda like Dr. Doolittle. At times, Rarity asked her to stop talking of such things, as she wanted to learn more of myself and wanted to also speak more of our pasts. I back to animals, and

Other than all this, today was a rather good day. Just as I was about to return to the train station, Rarity stopped me. “Brandon, darling, may I ask you a question?”

​“You just did.” I pointed out. She blinked before giving me a not amused look. “Okay, okay, sorry, but what is it?”

​“You wouldn't happen to know any well-known humans of power back in your world?”

​“Define known?” I countered. “As in, do I know who they are, their name and such, or as in known as in, ‘hey lets go out drinking,’ type. Because if it is the second, then no, sorry. Why do you ask?” She sat down along the ground, tapping her hooves together before sighing softly.

​“Lately,” she started. “There have been some foalnapping cases, all about different pony cities. Los Pegasus, Manehattan, Vanhoover, you get the idea.” She looked away for a moment and then said. “There is even now a missing report of a mare and her colt that happened just up in Canterlot.”

​“That’s... really bad.” I agreed as she only nodded. “But why are you asking me-”

​“I was getting to that. It seemed that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have been trying to ask the humans for help in locating them. Of course, sending a human team would help greatly, because of how vast your technology is, but..."

​“The humans don’t want to help?” I asked as Rarity only nodded.

​“The papers are saying that there is not enough proof that it's really a foalnapping, the princesses are saying that it is done by either a single pony, or a small group.. but because of how wide spread the cities are..”

​“I think I get it.” I answered as she looked up to me, my hand under my chin. "Taking your word for it, the cities are very far apart from each other, and I'm guessing that because they are very distanced, they can't believe that it's all related."

​“Correct.” I started to walk away with her, going toward the train station. "But I think the other reason why they don’t want to help is because of how it doesn’t effect them.” It was true, so far, Rarity was telling me only ponies have been taken. I bet the moment a human was kidnapped, or, 'foalnapped', we would be all over it.

​“I really wish that I could help.” I answered looking to her. “Believe me, I wish I could, but I feel ashamed of my own kind because of this. All throughout human history they have gone on to say, ‘let us have peace, let us work together to make a better tomorrow’. And now, when there is a new world, that just gets thrown out the window!” I just shook my head before saying. “Sorry.. Can we just not talk about this?"

Rarity nodded, and we bid our farewells. I got on the train and I sat down in my seat. The soft clank of the train hitting the railing was soft, and somewhat soothing, my eyes slightly closing as I leaned on the window with my head. I barely had my eyes closed for 5 seconds before I heard the sound of an object flopping down beside me. Jerking upward, I looked to my side and blinked as to what I saw.

A small pony child, a filly, was sitting next to me, her coat being that of a deep pink, much like her eyes as she looked up at me with the biggest smile you could think of. But she lacked both a tail and a mane. I tilted my head to the side and noticed that on her head, was a bandanna. “Hello there!” she chimed looking up at me, again smiling all the while. “How are you?”

​“Uhm.. fine,” I answered looking at her and then about. “Are you alone here?”

​“Nah-uh,” she shook her head. “I’m playing hide and seek with my daddy. Well, I am, he's trying to look for me because I sneaked away!”

​“Why?” I asked as she giggled.

​“'Cause it's fun!” she started to go into a fit of giggles before stopping and looking at me as if studying me. “So... are you a human?”

​“Yeah.”

​“Knew it!” she announced plopping down on the seat again. “Daddy said he has human doctor coming over to try and help me. I've never seen a human before."

​“Oh." I laughed slightly before saying. “Well what do you think?”

​“You’re skinny.”

​“What?”
​
​“You're skinny, skinny, skinny, skinny!” she answered in a singsong manner. I looked about again, trying to see if this filly’s father was around, but no I didn’t see anyone. It couldn’t hurt to watch her though.

​“Okay, so, uh," I rubbed my arm a bit as she looked up to me. “Why is a human doctor coming to see you?”

​“Oh, uh... Daddy said something about me having... can.. candy.. canner... something.” In that moment, my heart dropped into the void. I looked over to her and she had a forehoof resting on her chin as she was deep in thought.

​“Cancer?” I asked slowly before she lit up.

​“Yeah, that!”

It was always hard to see someone like this, but even more so when it happened to a child. But yet, this filly here was smiling and beaming, jumping about like nothing was wrong; it was both happy and sad. “Daddy said he tried going to many doctors to see if they could help. They said because he didn’t have the bits, they couldn’t do anything. But a human doctor, he came over, and he decided, after hearing from daddy, that he wanted me to go over to your world and try and help me!” She just gave me another wide smile as I just looked down into her large grin.

I don’t know if she knew fully what this cancer was. It was possible because she was just so young she didn't understand what this fully meant. “Candy?" I heard the voice of a male come from the front of the car. "Candy, where are you?" he called out again. The filly, which I guess was named Candy, smiled as she stood up on the seat and looked over before waving.

​“Hi daddy!” The earth pony sighed as he walked over. Unlike most ponies I have met, I noticed that his coat went down over his hooves, kinda like some people wore pants that covered their shoes a bit, and others had them above the shoes. A brown coat, covered him with a few white spots here and there, his muzzle having the largest white spot. His cutie mark looked to be that of an open book, a bookmark seen hanging off along the side. His eyes were that of a lush green, his mane a jet black, styled to be slightly messy. His tail was short, like most earth ponies I had seen during my stay in Equestria. “I was just talking to the human!” he looked up to me, as I smiled and gave a small wave and a nod of my head before he spoke once more.

​“Candy, you can’t simply run off like that!” he scolded the child as her ears flatten. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

​“I’m sorry daddy. I thought because you looked so down you wanted to play a game.” I watched as his face crunched up a bit, his teeth, biting his bottom lip before sighing softly. I then spoke up.

​“She wasn’t bugging me, sir.” I said, hoping to at least lessen whatever trouble she was going to be in. “We were just talking and you have a wonderful filly.” I then pat her on the head as she playfully swatted at my hand. The stallion looked up to me and then her as he smiled a bit.

​“Yes, well, thank you for watching her... uh..”

​“Brandon,” I said holding my hand out; he placed his hoof in as we shook once. “Nice to meet you, mister..”

​“Marked Spot.” he said. I kinda was getting use to the weird way the ponies named themselves. It was a strange name, but it fit him well. “Candy, would you like a milkshake?” he asked his daughter as she bounced a bit and nodded as he went into his saddle bag, and pulled out a few bits for her. Thanking him, she raced off down to another door, toward the canteen I’m guessing.

​“I’m really sorry if my daughter was bothering you,” the stallion spoke once more as I chuckled waving my hand.

​“Nah, it’s okay.” I resounded “Very happy kid... even with what’s she is going through.."

​“She told you, huh?” he asked as I nodded. Sighing softly he sat on the other side, looking down at the ground. For a father to feel this way, it must’ve been hard. “That little girl is always so happy. You know the doctors said that she had only a year to live?” he then looked up. “That was three years ago. Now it’s just...” he looked down again before once more speaking “I’m sorry, I shouldn't be saying this to you; you don’t even care I bet.”

​“No, no, I don’t mind,” he looked back up to me. “I can’t say I know what you are feeling, but if it means anything, I’m sorry for all the grief you and her must go through."

​“Grief? Her?” he gave a small laugh. “She is almost as happy go lucky as that one pony who threw a birthday party for her. Pinkie Pie, I believe.” He laughed shaking his head once more. “Word of advice, if she ever throws you a birthday party, never say you don't like cake."

​"Why?"

​“Just trust me on that. You don’t want to know.” He gave a visible shudder at that, before saying something about ‘no cupcakes’ to which I couldn’t understand what he meant. “But I swear, she always tries to make me happy. I don’t know if she fully grasps what is happening to her. When she started to lose her mane, she said ‘at least now I don’t have to wash my mane daddy,’ I nearly broke down then and there.” I swallowed strongly as I watched this father tell me about this.

​“What of her mother?" He just looked to me, before looking away once more and said.

​“I'd rather not speak about her mother,” he said, with such a bitter tone in his voice. “She simply left, saying it was too hard for her, that she couldn't deal with it.”

I dropped the talk after that. Soon, the small filly returned with a milkshake on her back. I was surprised how well she was able to keep it from tipping over. She was rather cute, holding the glass with her two front hooves, and slurping out the shake, before at times she would yell loudly holding her head while screaming ‘brain freeze’ leaving me weak on the ground in utter laughter. The train soon stopped, as the father and daughter also left the train with me. Bidding our farewells, we parted ways. "Hey Brandon!” I looked over and Nova was standing before me. “Enjoy your day at the spa?” I chuckled a bit as I pushed my hair back a bit.

​“It went rather well,” I admitted. “First time I’ve been to a spa. I use to go there as a kid because my mother dragged me there, but to be a customer for it? It's rather relaxing. I wouldn’t mind to do it again.”

​“Even if it is only for mares?” she asked as I shrugged.

​“They said the TV show 'Powerpuff Girls' was a show meant for girls, but I sure as well enjoyed it as a kid, and lots of other guys did as well.” She just gave me a look, I knew of course that she didn’t know of what I was talking about, but it didn’t matter really, as I simply shrugged and said. “All I’m saying is, I’ll admit, there are a few things in life I think should just stay within the gender it was made for. But really, some things can be loved by both, so why not?"

​“What about lingerie on men?” was all she said as my eye twitched as I felt my brain shut down just from her saying that.

​“Absolutely not!" I shouted. She just fell over in laughter and I facepalmed so hard that I'd probably have a bruise.

Edited by mugoloo.

The Grand Galloping Gala (edited)

After my spa day with Rarity, Nova and I started to go on more dates. After our third date, we decided that we would be a genuine couple. We literally said to each other 'yup, let's be a couple.' I shit you not, that is what we said. It felt weird being in a relationship again after so long. It had been nearly a year since me and Lyra went our own ways. But still, to say I had a filly-friend (in their terms) felt great.

Even after being here in Equestria for nearly a week and a half, I still had plenty of bits. Hell, I could stay here for a few more days after the Gala if I wanted to. My vacation time from work still had about a week anyways. In the week after the spa trip, a lot had happened. Fancy Pants, Fleur and I always made time to meet up for lunch occasionally, or we simply crossed paths and made plans on the spot.

I found it weird that even though I was a much lower-class person than them, they treated me as if I was equal to them, and as if I was a pony. When it comes to Rarity and Fluttershy, we're still friendly with each other, but we're not really 'friends' per se, more along the line of acquaintances. Fluttershy took some time off to show me all of her little animals, and I had a fantastic time. Never once did I think I would have a bear hug me with a quite literal 'bear hug' after assisting him with a splinter. Try that on Earth, and you'd be dead. Rarity kept boasting about how grand my suit looked. She did admit that she went slightly overboard, but it was still as simple as she could manage.

Tensions between ponies and humans were still as tense as ever with two steps forward and one step back most of the time. The Gryphon Kingdom was now adopting some of the laws that Equestria had revolving around humans, and how they wanted peace with us both. Then, a group of humans in another distant pony city were caught setting a barn on fire. Thankfully, nopony was hurt, but there was thousands of bits in damages. Turns out that they got drunk off their ass and decided to have some 'fun'. They were banned from Equestria and sentenced to five years in prison on Earth for arson.

Of course, the bullshit 'True Humans' were fighting this, saying that the ponies provoked them; and on the flip side, the oxymoron group Harmony claimed that humans were nothing but barbaric primates and should be treated as such by being chained and caged. Thankfully, the other Princesses were now speaking up about this and trying to stop these hate crimes. They even wrote a statement for the paper regarding the conflict.

​

To all of our subjects and to all of those from our neighbouring world that have gone through the time to become part of this kingdom, hear us.

​Anypony caught verbally degrading a human, attacking a human or his property, or performing any other crimes upon humans will be punished as if they did such to other ponies.

​We have sat idly by for too long, and now we shake our heads in shame for what we have allowed many of our subjects to come to: hating a race simply because they are who they are. Many of you wish for The Gate to close. Many of you wish for us, the Princesses, to show the humans who is superior. We say nay.

​First, you all fought amongst yourselves thousands of years ago. Unicorns, thinking they were superior because of their magic. Pegasi, thinking they were better because they could fly. And Earth Ponies thinking they were the most powerful because they had raw strength.

​But look at us now, we all stand united - all three tribes of ponies working together. And though many walk the way of old, they are vastly outnumbered by those who believe we can all be together in peace. But now that a new race has appeared, you all once more return to these damnable ideals.

​Hear us now ponies and humans, who I am humbled that you have decided to call Equestria your home - we will no longer watch these unjust actions be performed! For if we catch wind of these crimes being committed;

WE will be your judge!

Damn, they don't play around, do they?

I decided that I should get up and get out of bed, even though there's almost 12 hours until it starts at seven in the evening. I had to get up, catch a train to Ponyville, get my suit from Rarity, try it on there and wait for her to fix anything she doesn't like, then take it back to the hotel and just... wait. Back home, I would no doubt just put in a game on my 360 and play for those hours until I had to go - but I wasn’t home, and I didn’t bring any sort of games with me for one good reason: I didn’t want to spend all day playing games.

Other than today being the day of the Gala, it seemed everyone around here knew of me being friends with Fancy Pants and Fleur. I didn’t think of it as a big deal at first, but I guess it is really a big deal. One day after I just got out of bed, I left my room and went down to the lobby and then I got swarmed by all of these reporters and paparazzos throwing questions left and right. I was insanely confused, even more when one asked if I was a part of some kink the two of them had.

They were thrown out of the hotel relatively quickly, leaving me there as a solid statue of confusion. Of course, I had a good laugh about it later with them. "It's just one of the many perks of being friends with two very well known ponies." Fancy said. "It should die down after a while; just don't say anything to them: they love to twist your words." I took what he said to heart and reminded myself to never say anything to them. But yet, they continue to come back and just keep asking more questions. I think I even heard something about 'sex candles' once. What the fuck is a sex candle? Is it that thing with the candle-lit bathroom with a soapy tub full of petals? Forget it.

One of the major things I was slightly looking forward to, and also worried about, was the meeting with Princess Celestia. Why did she want to talk to me? Well I kind of knew, but could there be more? I mean, if she just wanted to thank me, the letter was enough. Or perhaps she is trying to make herself look good for the press? No, she doesn’t seem like that type of pony. I guess there was that small part of me that wonders that 'if I didn’t get the tickets, would I go if given the chance?' However, considering that Rarity, Fluttershy and even Fancy Pants said it's an absolute bore, I’m not really sure what will happen. I'm sure that since this is the first Gala after The Gate opened and that all the significant world leaders from Earth will be there, things might be more lively.

I made my way to my door and opened it.. only to be blinded by flashing lights. Oh dear god, here we go again with these damn guys. I was surprised to see that there was a human interviewer this time as well as a lone gryphon.

​“Sir, sir!” I heard one call out, wearing an old style hat with the word, ‘press’ on the side, you know the one from those old cartoons? “Please just a moment of your time to answer some questions regarding Fancy Pant’s love nest!” that question and many more came droning out as I merely groaned. How did they get in here anyway? How did they know where my room was in the first place?!

​“Is it true that you go to their home daily to partake in sexual activities?”
​
​“Are you and Fleur trying to have the first human/pony hybrid!?!” another called out as I just grabbed my hair and walked past while they still threw question after absurd question at me. Up ahead, I saw the elevator open and made a dash for it. I pressed the close door button quickly and slammed the button for the ground floor. This would be the one moment in my life where smoking would probably help me, somehow. And I don't even support smoking.

​“Having fun?” I opened my eyes and saw Nova Star beside me, giggling. She jumped up and kissed me on the cheek. “Well... you have been seeing those two ‘friends’ of yours a lot.”

​“What’s wrong with that?” I defended as she only smiled.

​“Oh nothing, but still; I heard rumors that little miss playcolt wants you to be the first human in their papers... you do have a nice body.” She admitted as I blushed harder and facepalmed with a soft moan of embarrassment.

​“I hate your teasing.”

​“Oh hush,” she playfully slapped my leg with her hoof. “ya love it.”

Our relationship had blossomed rather quickly. I don’t know what it was with me and rushing some relationships, but with Nova, it just felt like we were on the same page. She was fun to be around and I could always just talk to her. She kept hinting about sex and I knew it, but I wanted to hold off for a while, which surprised her greatly. Surprisingly enough, when we agreed we should be a genuine couple that one night in front of her door after our date, she wanted to have sex then and there, saying it would be hot for the maids to clean up our escapade afterwards. However, I stopped her saying that yes, we may be a couple, but I want us to ease into this. Sure, we kissed and cuddled, two nights she stayed in my room for the night, and we shared the bed; but nothing sexual had happened yet. A part of me was rather worried, I’ll admit that. Lyra was the only pony I've ever had sex with. It took us a while to get down what we liked and disliked, so I would have to learn all that over again with Nova. I rather not do something and she hates it and it just ruins the mood. Maybe I was thinking too hard on this, but I was worried.

​“So...” the elevator doors opened with a soft, ding as we exited, “Have your other family members called you back yet?” Thankfully, the lobby was clear of the absurd amount of press and we proceeded out to the street.

​“Yeah.” I confirmed. Like Nanny said, she went on a calling spree, ringing up every family member she could find to see what they thought. The verdict came in, and here's what's funny and sad: my mother is the only one who thinks that what I'm doing is wrong, when everyone else is ushering me on and supporting me. “Pretty much everybody but my mom have my back on this. Some have tried to talk to her and most of them cut ties with her after she held to what she had with me, much to my dismay. I told them not to do that, but.. when my family has their mind set, it's hard to change it."

​“Your whole family is hard headed?” she asked as I just laughed softly.

​“Oh, you have no idea.” I answered with a small shake of my head. “When one of us gets a stupid idea, it's really hard to talk them out of it even when we all disagree!"

​"Give me an example?" she asked.

I thought for a moment before remembering something that happened once. “One of my cousins thought it was a good idea to try and make edible soap.” I looked over at Nova, seeing her face crunch up and her tongue sticking out as she made an ‘ugk’ sound. “Yeah, I know. He started to eat his own soaps, and.. let’s just say he had to get his stomach pumped a few times before his mother threatened to kick him out if he dared to eat soap again.” I shook my head again before smiling. “Though I have to admit, I am lucky for the family I have, even if some of them are old school."

​“What do you mean?”

​“I’ll admit, many of my family members are on my side with this, though, it's more like ‘Do what you want to do, but I don’t want to see you two sucking face’.” she blinked a bit before I said, “They're okay with us." I made air quotes and put heavy emphasis on 'okay'. "But, say you were to meet my family, they would probably ask just to not see us showing any affection around them. This is all still new to them but they are surprisingly supremacists.” There was a small pause, before I heard her laugh softly, looking over to see why she was laughing she then answered.

​“Wow, and I thought you were the odd one in your family. Turns out, they're just as bad as you!" I just rolled my eyes, as I then waved her goodbye, promising to meet later on after everything was done and ready.

The train ride to Ponyville was rather uneventful this time. I think I made have nodded off for a few moments, because when the train stopped at the station in Ponyville, I was jolted awake. The conductor called out that the train would be delayed for about an hour, giving anyone who was going to be late plenty of time to do what they needed to. As I made my way toward the Carousel Boutique (where everything is chic, unique and magnifique), I was waved at by a few ponies. I smiled and waved back - everpony is so much nicer than in Canterlot. I really wish they had an inn here, I would transfer in a heartbeat. What also got me smiling was that I saw that a few human families had moved in. I watched a small brown colt with a weird hat that had a spinning top race over to a young boy that was walking out of his house. The colt pulled a pony version of a GameBoy and they sat down to play.

On my way to Rarity's, I was somewhat worried about how 'over the top' she went. I couldn't really complain, it was free clothing - as long as it didn't have flashing lights or tacky, useless trinkets, it would be great for me. I was about to enter the shop before noticing that a sign reading that her friends should come to the back door and knock, so she would know it was them. I walked around the building and saw the back, which looked more like an alley with all the crates and boxes and trash cans. Regardless, I knocked on the door. "Cooooommmiiiinggggg!"

A few seconds later, she opened the door. “Oh good, you made it! Come in, come in, I’ve been dying to see how you look in this!” She had a curling iron gripped in her magic as she worked on her mane.

​“So how do you think it looks?" I asked, trying to quell the silence.

​“Well, my young human friend,” she spoke looking over at me over her shoulders. “Do you remember when I said you were more like a prince than ‘he-who-must-not-be-named’?” when I nodded my head, she only smiled. “Well, I thought, if I considered you as such, why not wear clothing fit for a prince?” she clapped her hooves a bit before going on. “Ohh, and it’s my first human one too! And for the Gala to boot!” she pointed to the back of the room where there was a small changing room. “It's all in there, go, try it on." I could only laugh as she nudged me with her magic into the changing room. I closed the door and turned around and.. wow.

The shirt was simply white with a quite large collar and cuffs that buttoned up three-quarters of the way up my body. The sleeves were baggy and the buttons were all a very shining silver. My vest was an almost skin-tight black silk that had golden buttons on both sides of the vest with silvery highlights in a small arrow on both sides, and there were some silver-threaded button holes on my shoulders, and around the area where the seams for the sleeves would be was some expanded cloth where a silver strip of metal wrapped around it all. Near the waist of the vest was a belt of sorts with very thin silver metal plating alternating with the black cloth.

There was a belt for my pants, a simple black leather belt, but it was obscured by my vest and the metal belt. (I'm assuming it's some kind of leather look-alike due to the fact that most wildlife is sentient.) My pants were like my vest, nearly skin tight but loose enough to allow free range of movement, in a nice not-quite-silk material. There were two also faux-leather bags that could be attached to my belt and dangled down to my upper thigh. My black (also faux-leather) boots (yeah, boots) came up to my mid-calf and had folded down tops and they tied up along the side. The pants were meant to be tucked into the boots, and there were also a pair of very stretchy, almost pantyhose-like white socks with them. Then, sitting on a hanger next to it all was a black cloak that had silver trimming on the bottom, and also silver buttons on the tips that would attach to my shoulders.

(want to see where I imagined this from? click here.)
(this isn't what Brandon looks like, it's just his outfit)

I was speechless, really. She really went all out with this; I mean, really? A cape? Knowing she wasn’t going to allow me to leave until she saw me wearing the outfit, I decided to put it on. Once the boots were on and I managed to attach the cape, I looked down at myself and into the mirror. Damn, it does look good on me! But you know, looking at myself now, I couldn’t help but think that this suit reminded me of something... I was no doubt once more thinking too hard on this. I spun around seeing how it waved so I wouldn’t hit anyone with it by mistake. Once I thought I got it down just right, I nodded to myself before I heard a knock on the door. “May I come in, to see how it looks?”

​“Sure!” I called out, and the door slowly opened. As she peered her head in, she let out a pleased squeal.

​“Oh my goodness, it looks just so.. right on you!” she clapped her hooves together with a wide smile. “For my first time at making clothing like this for a human, I must say, I did a very dashing job, don’t you think?”

​“Yeah, I’ll admit, a small part of me still think this is a bit over the top,” she then slightly drooped a little bit. “But, don't get me wrong, I love it. My only question is where did you get the idea for this?”

​“Well, I decided to order some magazines and designs from your world, but then I realized that your modern fashion is vastly different from ours. So, after a bit of digging, I found some costume patterns that matched what our fashion looks like. With a little bit of modification and inspiration, well.." she waved a hoof towards me.

​"Rarity, for lack of a better word, this is awesome."

With my clothing for the Gala now folded and placed in a box for protection, Rarity decided to treat me to lunch since her shop was closed and her and her friend's outfits for the Gala were complete. I, of course, managed to convince her to split the bill with me. As we ate, we talked a bit, and it seemed that she and Lyra were spending more time together, and Rarity was thinking of going to Earth to study our fashion firsthand.. err, hoof. I warned her of the dangers, but she only thanked me and smiled. "It's only an idea, darling. But I understand your worry." She seemed to look off as if she was thinking of something before I asked her.

​“Penn- uhh, bit for your thoughts?” she turned back to me as I held a fist under my chin, watching her silently.

​"So you and this Nova Star.. you are a couple now, yes?" Oh boy, where is this going to? I asked myself before she went on "I mean, you like her and she likes you, yes?"

​"Yeah," I nodded before continuing "She's a great pony. We get along great, and truthfully, I want to see where this relationship will go. Why do you ask?"

​“Well, ahh..” she tapped her hooves together nervously “Do you know what the term 'herd' means?”

It took me a moment to rack my brain to try and remember where I heard that term from, when it hit me, and my face flushed a bit. You see, in this world, it seemed that mares vastly outnumbered stallions. If I remember correctly, there was one stallion for every five mares. Sure, there were still monogamous relationships, but 'herds' (apparently their name for polygamy), where one stallion had multiple mares, were more common, but why was she asking me this? “Yeah.” I answered “I know the term. Why?”\

​“Well... have you ever considered maybe... forming one, and having Lyra join in?”

​“Uhm.. Where is this coming from?”

The unicorn mare sighed softly as she looked around, and upon seeing no one was around she looked back to me “Lyra really misses you, Brandon; more than she lets on when around you.” I felt a bump in my throat when I heard this, looking down before the pony answered. “I’m not trying to make you feel guilty!” she exclaimed as I looked up to her before she continued “I’m just saying that.. if you ever did decide to form one, I bet Lyra would be all too happy to have a chance with you again. When she speaks of you, she perks up.” I sighed softly as I looked away before I then offered my insight on this.

​“I’ll be frank, Rarity,” I spoke slowly, as I was going on what was on the top of my head, so I was trying to word it slowly. "I would like nothing more than to be back with Lyra again. I care- no, I still care for her. But I was raised to be faithful to the one you are with. I've seen what a love triangle can do to someone, and it is not pretty.” I saw Rarity nod at in agreement before I then went on. “But.. I don’t know, maybe if I spend more time with Nova, get to know her more, and maybe if the two of them meet, perhaps…” I trailed off; a part of me didn’t even understand where this was coming from. I mean, it’s every guys dream right? To have more then one person to call a lover? But would this be a good idea after I told Nova that Lyra and I were nothing more than friends?

​“That is understandable, darling,” she spoke once more as I looked up to her, meeting her gaze. “Beside, many ponies have lived happy lives with just themselves and another, my mother and father being one, Twilight’s family being another. Herds are not frowned on, but it is not as common as it use to be. Mostly today, many stallions simply offer their... er, sperm to local doctors so when ponies looking to be mothers can go and get it done there. There no shortage when the males are paid rather well too.”

​“How... do you know all of this?” She just smiled sheepishly.

After saying our goodbyes and saying that she would be seeing me at the Gala with the rest of her friends, we parted ways, leaving me to go toward the train station to return to Canterlot. As I was making my way back, I noticed that a group of ponies and humans were setting up poles around the city center. When one of the workers stepped down and motioned for another to do something, I heard a small ping from my phone. I checked it and was surprised to see that there was a new wireless connection available, with no password required. I looked back up and saw the group cheering in celebration.

And that is the sound of progress.

Hours had passed, and it was almost time for Nova to come and meet me in my room so we could go to the Gala together. I explained that I would have to meet up with the princesses at the party because I was one of the guests of honor, as were all other humans in attendance. That, and because of the letter. All she asked was that I didn’t tell her why the human attacked her, and I promised that I wouldn’t.

I had just finished putting on my outfit and getting the feel for it before I heard a knock at my door. When I went to the door and opened it, I saw Nova wearing the same dress as the one she used when we went on that date, and thinking back on it now, I guess I could’ve worn what Fancy gave me, but I knew this would hurt Rarity’s feelings. She looked just like when she was on the date, the same dress, the same makeup, and the same mane style. For some reason however, she looked much more attractive than last time. She took one look at me and her eyes seemed to double in size. "You seem a bit.. over-dressed.."

​“Yeah, I know.” I answered. “It wasn't my idea, though. Rarity made it for me. At least it's only for one night, right?"

​“Quite. Although, it does make you look a little bit like a noble pony."

​“Let’s hope the clothing don’t make me one,” I said. “You dare gaze at me, commoner?!” she got a good laugh at my poor excuse for a British accent. “I say, I should have you locked away!” she laughed as I made more fun of how the nobles acted.

It was about 6:30 when we left the hotel to make our way to the palace, and as we walked I felt the eyes of everypony around us wandering over me, but then I felt Nova move closer to me, and I felt calm. There were times when I was worried that I would mess up something on one of our dates, but whenever I would look at her and see her smile, it all just washed away. All she wanted to do was have fun, and I guess that because she was my second date, I was a little unnerved that I would do something that would scare her off. Today was different, though. I promised myself that I wouldn't worry, and that I would have a good time with her.

As we approached the front gates, I could see that there was a line of people waiting to get in. We took our place at the back of the line, and I could spot a few humans, gryphons and dragons waiting in line as well. The dragons were the largest of them all, a few of them standing at least 9 feet tall, and the shortest probably around 6 feet. I also noticed a few ponies giving the other races nasty looks. When it was our turn in line, a guardspony stopped us.

​"I need to see your tickets, please."

​"But last year they didn't check tickets?" Nova spoke up next to me.

​"Well last year, there weren't hate groups who intended to do harm to others. This is just a precaution." We both nodded and gave him our tickets. He used some magic on it and they both shined blue.

​"What was that?" I asked.

​"Counterfeit check. Over the years, ponies have tried to sneak their way in. This year, Princess Luna charmed all the real tickets so that they would do that when the proper spell is used on them." We nodded and thanked him and we were about to make out way inside before the guard spoke up again.

​"Wait a minute, you are Brandon Casey, correct?"

​"Yes, why?"

​"The princesses have requested your presence tonight, so after a while, a few guards will come collect you. Just thought you should know."

​"Right.. thanks." I nodded, and then we made our way inside.

As we walked inside, the sound of soft classical music permeated the sounds of many people talking. I looked around the large ballroom, and saw that the band was playing on a small stage to the right of the room, and at the back, in front of a long line of large, grand windows was a long table that rose over the rest of the room. In the center of the table were four empty thrones. A purple one adorned with a large star and five smaller white ones, a vibrant pink one with a cyan heart that looked like it was made out of a stone, a large white one with a golden sun, and a very dark blue one with a white crescent moon. I guess the princesses and leaders haven't gotten here yet. In the center of the ballroom, I noticed that on the left side were a couple of humans, closer to the middle were the gryphons and dragons, and the rest of the room were ponies. Considering that humans, gryphons and dragons numbered few, the ponies dominated the room. On the left side of the door was a huge table full of food, and wandering around the room were ponies holding trays of drinks.

Speaking of ponies carrying drinks, one of them came up to Nova and I and offered us a drink. “Sure, why not?” Nova said, taking a glass. “If this place is boring.. well, I can always just drink myself senseless!”
​
​“Oh god.” I muttered with a soft chuckle, before also taking my drink. “Thank you though.” she smiled and bowed before walking off, no doubt to get more of the drinks for the others. “Do you really need to get drunk?” I asked knowing she was joking (I hope), but still I had to ask.

​“Hey, when mares get drunk, nopony cares."

​“Why not?” I asked, really wanting to see her reason for this.

​“Power of the pussy!” if I was drinking at that moment, I would’ve spit that right back out as she only started to laugh loudly. Jesus, it's like she really hasn't had fun in years or something.

A little bit of time passed as I sat with Nova at a few of the tables adorning the room, when I noticed something about this 'Grand Galloping Gala' - It's fucking BORING. Like, seriously, what is there to do for fun around here? You'd think they would have something from our culture in all of this. Some light rock, something, anything, dubstep even! We haven't had a single drink yet, seeing how it was made to be used for the toast, and that was almost ten minutes ago. Nova did get us something else, but it was fruit punch. "I wonder how long it will take for somepony to spike it?" I said.

It wasn't long before the music stopped, and a few seconds later, a loud fanfare (click this) and an anthem sounded out. Every being in the room stopped what they were doing and turned to the large doors. When we saw the four princesses, everyone bowed, I did so as well, as a show of respect, and they began walking down a red carpet in the center of the room that wasn't there before. Then, there was a large gryphon wearing a crown and a regal cape, and a very large dragon with black scales and green spinal spikes. Behind the princesses were.. well, think of every significant Earth leader currently alive. Eh, almost everyone. Not Kim Jong-un or Vladimir Putin. I'd expect something that happened in 'The Interview' to happen if he was here. As the princesses and the leaders sat down, the anthem stopped.

​“Rise, everyone. We are greatly pleased that you could be with us tonight at the 3210th annual Grand Galloping Gala. This year's Gala is special, because tonight, we welcome our new neighbours from another world." she gestured over toward the world leaders. Princess Luna then spoke up.

​"Not only do we have our new neighbours to welcome, we see the faces of dragons and gryphons alike! Even though our races have met and had a rocky start, this show of unity proves that we can all live and coexist with one another!" The sounds of clapping and stomping piped up in as nearly-deafening roar until Celestia held up her hoof.

​"As such, we all have decided that today shall be remembered as a day of unity!" With a flare of magic from her horn, banners all around the room unfurled and rolled down. They were a solid white with a golden trim and had insignias from every kingdom. On the top was a golden horseshoe, below it were two brown flared wings with a red circle, below that was a gout of red and orange flame, and finally was a human fist. "This banner," she pointed out one above her that was far larger than the others, and was adorned with the cutie marks of the princesses "is a symbol. A symbol that even though we are all different, we all strive for one thing: peace. To all of you here today, we hope that you will be shining examples of such a symbol. We hope that this symbol and the meaning behind it will be one that you will guide your race with, be you pony, human, dragon, or gyphon. This day will be known forever as the Day of Unity!" This time, the clapping and stomping was deafening. I gazed up to the banners and I was incredibly happy that such efforts were being made for peace and unity between the races, but I knew that it would be a long time yet before these banners truly showed unity between everyone.

​"TO UNITY!" she called out in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

Everyone picked up their glasses and raised them as we all repeated "To unity!"

After the toast and the introduction to all the leaders, Princess Celestia declared the Gala officially started. I actually checked my watch and saw that it was precisely 7 o'clock, before Nova piped up across the table. “No offense to them, but it’s going to be a long time before any true unification is made.” she said.

I took a sip of my drink and.. hmm, tastes like cider. "I think they did that to show that unity can be achieved. "I think it's a great idea. The dragon overlord is on board, the gryphon king is supporting it, and our leaders are very open to it. Even before all of this, the princesses voiced their idea for peace."

Nova sighed. "I feel as if they only want peace because they actually fear humans.."

​“What?” I was about to ask her what she meant, but stopped when I saw two armor-clad royal guards approaching us.

​"Princess Celestia has requested your presence. Please follow me." said one of them. I shrugged and got up to follow them.

​"Have fun." Nova called out with a small chuckle.

On each side of me, the guardponies escorted me throughout the very large crowd. As we approached the long table, I saw Celestia taking a sip of something, and Luna looking rather bored. Next to Celestia was a small, lavender alicorn with a purple mane that had a pink streak down the middle, and the two seemed to be having a conversation. Next to Luna was a pink alicorn with a multi-colored mane, who also looked rather bored. As we made our way closer, Celestia looked over and gave a soft smile as we approached.

​"Your Highness, we have retrieved Brandon Casey for you." said the guard to my right.

​"Thank you." Celestia's voice was very soft, but it had an overwhelming aura of power and wisdom with it. "You may return to your post." The two guards beside me bowed and left, and I also lowered my head in bowing.

​"Your Majesties." I kept my eyes glued to the ground a bit before I felt a warm sensation on my chin that lifted it up. She was using her magic to lift me to see into her eyes.

​"You are not a subject of ours, young Brandon, you do not need to bow. Please, sit." Her horn glowed and behind me I noticed a chair pop into existence. "Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee, cake? I would suggest the cake."

​"Of course you would, sister." I heard Luna giggle as Celestia only rolled her eyes.

​"Coffee is fine, your-"
​
​"You can just call me Celestia." she stopped me before I could formally address her. "This is my youngest sister, Luna." she motioned next to her.

​"Greetings."

​"This is my niece, Cadance." she motioned past Luna.

​"Good evening."

​"And this is Twilight Sparkle, my former student." she then motioned next to her.

​"Hi there! I was wondering who that belonged to!"

​"H..huh?" I stammered.

​"Your outfit," she pointed out. "I went to Rarity's and saw that in the back one day. She said she was making it for a human that she didn't have the best first impression on. Guess that was you, huh?"

​“Heh, yeah. We started off on the wrong.. uhm, hoof.”

​"It actually looks quite dashing." Luna spoke up.

I looked over to her and noticed something.. familiar about her. "Thanks, speaking of looks, you remind me of someone from back home."

Her eyes lit up "Elizabeth?"

I scanned my brain for a second before I connected the dots. "Yes, actually, how do you about Bioshock?"

​"Oh please," we looked over to see Celestia shaking her head. "How she memorizes everything about these.. 'video games' is astounding. It was bad enough that I had to pull you away from that 'Sky-rim' on that box thing."

​"Pssh, it's called an 'Xbox 360', sister." I cleared my throat and Celestia looked over to me only to be cut off by her sister. "You know of Bioshock, so have you ever played Skyrim, young Brandon?" I looked at the other three as Luna looked at me curiously. I cleared my throat, and..

​“Gruz braan dovahkiin, vir los hin wund fah moro?”

The look the other princesses faces were absolutely priceless. Luna just clapped her hooved giddily and squealed. "Oh my, yes, you do play it! And my quest for glory is going quite wonderful, thank thee!" she and I shared a laugh as I heard Celestia clear her throat.

​“Heh, sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”

​“No, it was rather amusing,” I looked back up to see her smile. “I was greatly surprised when Luna came home with that weird thing. She is very engrossed in it, so much so that it nearly took me dragging her here today to get away from it.”

​“But sister! I was busy fighting for the Dawnguard.. though I wish they made the Nightguard in that game.” I held back my own laughter at this as Celestia only shook her head, muttering her sister’s name under her breath.

​“In any case,” she spoke out once more before poring me a cup of coffee and floating some sugar and milk over. “Thank you, for both coming today and to see us. I trust that the Gala is treating you right?”

​“No offense, but it's rather...”

​“Dull?” she asked as I looked up. “Yes, I guess it is, is it not?” she asked rising her cup to drink. “The Gala has been played out the same for many, many years. Perhaps a change is in order.”

​“Maybe a gaming station?” I asked as Luna seemed to perk at that as I saw Celestia looking at me from the side of her eye as I raised a hand. “Just kidding.”

​“I like this one, Tia,” Luna spoke before asking. “can we keep him?”

​“Eh?” I asked as I saw a twinkle in her older sister eyes.

​“Yes, we could collar him and call him Fluffy.”

I could feel my face draining of all color. "Uh..."

​“A small joke, young human.” a grin spreading across her muzzle. “As to why I have called you here to speak to you,” she returned back to being a princess before closing her eyes. “I would like to thank you personally for stepping in and saving one of our little ponies. You have shown that humans care for ponykind, or some of them at least.” She took another sip as I did as well, the other three watching us. “If I may ask, why did you risk your own safety to help somepony you did not know?”

​“Well, I did know her before this. We met a few times before then, but other than that, I guess I’m a sucker for helping those who need help whenever I can.”

​“A noble heart,” Luna spoke, as she closed her eyes with a nod. “such a rare trait today.”

​“Indeed.” Cadance spoke up for the first time in a while. “I’m sure you and my husband would’ve gotten along rather well if he came today, too bad he had to stay back home.”

​“I'm very curious as to why somepony was after this Nova Star. Do you know?” Celestia asked.

I remembered my promise to her and said "Unfortunately, I do not. It's still a mystery to me this day."

​"Ah. Well, I hope that whoever was after her does not strike again." she said. "So, how do you like Equestria so far?"

​"It's a wonderful place," I answered truthfully. "My old marefriend spoke highly of it, and I always wondered what it was like. Now that I'm here, it's better than she described it. So much better, that I'm thinking of actually staying here." My brief pause gave Celestia a chance to ask a question.
​
​"You used to court a pony?"

​“If I might add,” Twilight cut in as all eyes turned to her. “Rarity, Nova Star, and another pony from Ponyville, Lyra I believe was her name, have been talking a lot lately. I had the chance to have lunch with them the other day, and it seems Brandon here used to date Lyra,” she looked back to me as I blinked. “If I might ask, why did you two stop? Did something happen?” I coughed a bit, looking down as I played with my thumbs a bit.

​"That's... not something.." I stammered.

​“Very well, we shall not go back to such a topic.”

I cleared my throat and regained my composure. "T-thanks. Anyways, Equestria is certainly a place anyone would be lucky to call home.” The princess smiled at this before going on. “I’ll admit, Canterlot ponies can be a bit... snobby, heck, when I went to Ponyville I felt more welcome there than I did here. But other than that, I might go and see the rest of the world."

​“Well,” Celestia spoke once more. “We would be glad to have a human such as you be a subject of our fair kingdom, and for your heroic deeds, I believe some gifts should be awarded.”

​“No, no,” I answered waving my hand. “that won’t be needed; I didn’t help Nova just to-”

​“I understand that,” Celestia answered cutting me off. “but please, it is the least we can do.”

​“Well... alright.” I answered before she smiled and started to speak once more.

​“Let it be known, that from here on out, you shall be invited as a VIP to all future Galas, your name shall be written on the lists of invites, and an extra invite for any guests you should choose to bring.” I blinked; even though I said it was a bore they still wanted to invite me? “Second, if and when you should choose to move here, simply send myself or my sister a letter, and we would happily pay for your home and the moving cost.”

​“W-what?” There goes my composure.. again. “Princess, I can’t possibly-”

​“Please,” she spoke, “you have a noble heart, but if it bothers you, we can make sure that no trail leads to us being the one who paid for it, if that is what is concerning you.” I thought about it for a moment before softly nodding my head before I then asked.

​"I do not want to know what the last gifts would be, instead, may I ask a question that could substitute?"

Celestia nodded softly. "Any question you have will be answered." I sucked in a breath before I continued..

​"Is it true... that Earth isn't helping with the kidnappings?"

A dead silence filled the air around us, even though the Gala was going on in the background. I couldn’t even hear these princesses breathe, much least speak. “I give you my word that I shall not breath a word of what is said about this... but I just want to know: is it true?” I watched as Twilight’s horn flared with a purple aura before a dome appeared around all of us. In that instant, all the sound of the party was gone. I looked behind me and the party was still going on like normal. Soundproofing magic?

​“It is true,” I jerked as I saw the sad look on Celestia’s face as she looked down and shook her head. “The council that deals with cross-world relations wants to help, they really do, but you must understand that at least more than half of them must agree before sending any form of aid to us."

​“They are just covering their own flanks!” Luna said with bitterness to her tone. “They are worried those 'True Humans', as they call themselves, won't vote for them to stay in power! Some want to help, but are too scared of what the outcome will be!”

​“It is a fragile topic, sister.”

​“Fragile?!” she hissed. “A young colt and his mother were kidnapped! Many more are missing, and by Faust, we don't know where they are! The humans could help with their incredible technology, but won't!" she slammed her hooves on the table, causing me to flinch slightly. "We have no leads, no nothing! I have been trying so hard to find their dreams and reach out to them, but they're not there! But nooooo, if a human was taken, they would be demanding that their forces take over just to find that human-"

​"Luna!" Celestia cut her off and she fell silent. “I understand your anger, I understand your sorrow, but you must understand-”

​“I have to agree with Luna. No offense Celestia, but if another human was to be taken, they would be all over it. Both of our presses would have a field day with this topic. I can't even fathom the, and pardon my language, absolute shitstorm that it would cause." My voice was filled with frustration and anger, and I took a breath before continuing. “Believe me, I wish I could help, I really really do. If ​I could somehow make them listen to understand that they're absolute idiots, I'd bitch slap them five ways till Sunday until they saw nothing but reason!" I clenched my fists and barely restrained myself from slamming them into the table. I took a few deep breaths. "This is why I want to move here, you know." They looked on in silent questioning. "Humanity in general, for as long as I can think of, has done nothing but try and take what it wants, whenever it wants, all because they think they can. Look at the state of disrepair our environment is in. Earth is falling apart. Global warming, wars, and nobody is doing anything to stop it. I'm sure you all have your protocols here, but at least you guys are trying to do something right!

All four of the princesses were silent when I finally leaned back in my chair from my tirade. They seemed to muse over my words before Twilight nodded with a smile. “He's right, as long as we do not give up the search for these ponies, there is still a chance to find them!”

We spoke a bit more before I excused myself, thanking them for the chance to speak to them all. They thanked me back, each bidding me a good night, and to at least try and enjoy the party. I make no promises on that. Walking back through the crowds as I pulled out my phone, I was surprised to see that it was a little bit after nine. Shit, was I gone that long? Man, Nova must have been worried or at least tried to find me, right? Looking around, I couldn’t see her anywhere. I even tried to ask a few ponies and people if they had seen her. Many said they didn’t see her at all, some said they saw her at other locations around the party. The last one I met, a gryphon, told me that Nova was last seen outside, perhaps on her way home. Damn, I guess I really have to make it up to her this time.

Making my way outside, I looked around and saw that there were a few ponies sitting in the gardens, but most of everyone was inside, save for a few guards. I went up to one of them and asked if they had seen Nova, and he confirmed that she left, claiming that she went out to find me. I thanked him and went down the streets of Canterlot. Many of the lights were off except for those of the street lights. As I walked, though, I heard the sound of a groan coming from my right. I looked and saw an alley, and a body slightly covered in the shadow of the night. I noticed that this creature wasn't a pony, but that of a dog. Bigger than an Earth dog, this one was almost the size of a bear. I heard a soft whimper as the dog held it's arm. One part of me wanted to get the guards so they could help it, but one part of me wanted to make sure that it was okay before I went to get help. As I walked down the alley slowly, I saw the dog stiffen a bit, and I knelt down before it. “You okay?” I asked before a soft nod was my answer.

​“Yes,” it sounded male. “I is fine, hurt self, bleeding much!”

​“Let me help you up then,” I spoke offering my hand as one paw held onto my hand.

​“Very kind, thank you much, but, must ask,”

​“Ask what?”

​“Does human know, what sucker mean?” I blinked before a damp cloth was thrown onto my face.. it.. kinda smells.. oh, I need to sleep..

As Brandon fell over, another creature appeared down the alley. “Boss said only ponies!”

​“Unicorn best, others use for work! Human work better than pony, hard labor!” The 'hurt' dog laughed softly as he pet Brandon's head.

​“How long think he sleep?” the second voice asked. “Pony knock out for two hours, he not pony, could be longer, shorter?”

​“Then we move quickly!” the first hissed. “Get the cart, cover and quickly run, ponies coming.”

I groaned as I started to wake. Damn, it felt like I was hit by a frying pan and then a train! My hands felt asleep, and as I tried to move them, I couldn't. I quickly found out that they were behind my back and bound together by rope. This caused me to open my eyes fully, jerking and trying to get free, but couldn’t! I quickly took in my surroundings, and the only light in this.. place, was a glowing crystal. As my eyes adjusted, I was shocked at what I saw.

I was in a cage, and even more of them lined the stone walls. They were big enough that I could stand fully, and I was six feet tall. There was about a foot of room above me, and I'd guess enough on the sides for me to do a full turn with my arms extended, and a little bit more. Oh no. These cages around me were occupied. There were a handful of ponies locked up as well, all three types. Looking to my left, I could see a mare crying softly in her sleep, and her messy mane just pushed far enough around that I could see.. oh shit.. the stub of where her horn used to be. “Human is up now!” I looked over, seeing a diamond dog standing there, a smug look on it’s face, wearing what seemed to be a ragged vest, as he only grinned at me. “Good! Boss wants to see you now!”

They Make it so Easy in the Movies ((Edited)

Author's Notes:

A long awaited release of this, ugh, im so sorry for such the long wait, real life came a knocking and i barely had any time to make a update whatsoever!

and the fact this one was getting on my nerves because of this bloody computer of mine crashing and losing everything! this chapter was vastly larger, but because it crashed i lost everything.

at the chapter says, this is also unedited, because im not sure if my editor is still able to work, because it's been so long (If you are reading this leave me a PM) but if anyone is willing to edit this, then go ahead and leave me a comment and tell me if you want! anyway enjoy!

I glared toward the mutt who was talking to me, as I was trapped, hands behind my back, bounded, as well as getting a bit of a rope burn as I rubbed it up and down trying to wiggle out; no effect what so ever. Looking around, the glow of the crystal (now being brighter than I first thought) let me see the whole room. The room, being bathed in the soft blue glow, let me see all around me. There was only one way in and out, and that was where the Diamond Dog was standing, this one, stood a bit taller than me, I could easily tell just from where I was sitting. A tall, bulky body, with his muscle creating defined lines along his body. His fur was that of a light golden hue, but his eyes were all yellow, with black silts…think of Malefor’s eyes from The Legend of Spyro games. A large collar sat along his neck, crystals doting the sides along it, a jet black vest, and finally two pockets filled with gems. There were more cages around the room, I counted twelve in all, half of them held one pony in it, I was part of that half. Five ponies and a human on my side the other half held two ponies each. I couldn’t see well enough to know what type of pony they were. “Human been asleep for hours,” I looked over; it was no secret that these dogs were not the…smartest in the world. They could barely speak English, or whatever ponies here call this type of tongue, sure, there were some who could speak it, but those were the ones that took the time to study it; and they were mostly taught by birth. Most of the other race’s, they just spoke slowly or in a way, as someone who couldn’t speak well enough. “Human up now, can work!”

“The hell are you talking about?” I asked, still a bit groggy from whatever was shot into my neck, possible a spelling drug.

“Human, more hard working then ponies,” he went over to one of the cages that held two ponies in, and kicked it hard, causing what sounded like a small child to call out in fright as the other pony tried to shush him. “Ponies worthless, but need,” he kicked the cage again before I yelled out.

“Hey stop it you fucking asshole!” I tried to get up, it was a bit hard, to say the least, but I did at last, get on my knee and then my feet.

“Watch tongue human!” he took a breath and spat on the ground before chuckling. “You wouldn’t want to anger your new masters!”

I just glared at him, before noticing that my shirt, and cape were gone, allowing only my pants and shoes to be left on and I couldn’t see them around the room, so that was out of the question of me getting it back to shield me from this small cold. Looking about, the room was also…rocky, it was like this place was hand dug of sort; possible was. Looking around myself once more, I started to think to myself…could these, could these be the missing ponies spoken about by the newspapers and also what Rarity told me of? Slavers then, so it would seem. If I remember right, from what I knew of these dogs, is that they mine gems, but from what I also heard, they are rather lazy, Rarity also told me at one point, she was kidnapped by such beings, to find where gems were, and hull them about. That would give reasons as to why they were gather unicorns, but why cut off their horns? I looked about, seeing the ponies that I could see, their mane a mess, their coat even worst and the smell was horrid, but I couldn’t really blame them. “The hell, you won’t be my masters you damn assholes!” I glared as the dog came up to my cage and kicked it, causing me to jerk a bit as I then spat a large amount of spit on him, I wouldn’t steep as to spitting on someone, but seeing how my hands were tied…

“Why you…”

“Enough!” looking over, I saw another Diamond Dog, but this one seemed…different somehow, he looked taller, and wider in muscle mass then the one I was dealing with now, the way he sounded, well, even just saying one word, he sounded like he could speak well enough that he had an education. He bore no collar, like the others I’m assuming did, nor did he wear a vest, but a long black trench coat. These too however were filled with gems. His eyes were still the same as the other though, as the one who I just spat on, glared once more and backed away. This one, seeming to be the leader, walking up, he slightly bent down a bit to get a better look at me, before saying. “He is not, a pony,”

“Others made mistake,” the first one spoke out. “They brought human,”

“After I gave you orders to tell them only ponies…more so unicorns?” he asked looking back.

“I uh…forgot…ugh!” he was slapped across the face hard by the Boss or at least I’m guessing he was.

“You forgot?!” he roared out. “I give you one simply object, ONE! Make sure the captures are just ponies! And what do I get?!” he screamed pointing at me. “A human?! What if our buyers find out of this, no I HAVE to tell them, or else it will be my head on the line!” he then picked up the slapped dog by the collar and threw him to the wall. “Bring our buyers here, I rather this done now, then later!”

“Y…yes Alpha!” the mutt ran off quickly, making soft barking noises as I only chuckled.

“Help is so hard to find now a days?” Alpha, from what I guess is his name, looked to me, his eyes narrowing a bit before a smile spread along his muzzle.

“So it seems,” he mused crossing his arms. “If it means anything to you human, I am sorry, but you do know I can’t let you leave?”

“Least you’re straight up about it…least I know I can still kick your ass when I get out of here!” He chuckled once more and looked away before then looking back at me.

“A lot of fire in you, young one, it is a shame you are on the wrong side; I could use one such as you.” Fire…doubt it, I’m just really…unnerved at what I am seeing here. “If my pack were not as smart as a box of rocks, you would not be here…ether way, an extra body for work is always welcome, thank you for giving us your time.” Cheeky bastard…

“Alpha!” a soft bark was heard before another dog rushed in. “They would like to see the human we capture, they wish to see if one of them, or one of us!” One of us…what did that me?”

“Bring them in then,” he waved his paw without looking back. “I too, wish to see what they think of this one.” I saw the dog nod and rush off again, a few harsh whispers later…two humans walked in.

These humans, I couldn’t see what they looked like, because they were wearing white face masks, you know the one people use when they want to be Slender Man? That’s the type I’m talking about. One was male, that much was seen, the other, was female, showing that of her pushed out chest. I watched carefully as the female human, jerked a bit, as to why, I couldn’t say. They wore suits, working type, or the type you would see mobsters wear, the women, she wore a black skinny jeans and black top, and looking very…I don’t even know how to think of them really. While the man, he wore all white, some black outline, but all black. Their hair was covered, unable to be seen and their eyes or skin were also covered. Nothing of them that I could later tell anyone who they were; were seen. I watched as the man brought up a small tube, black, with a speaker along the top, before speaking, his voice, sounding like well, robotic, a voice masker if I ever saw one. “This is the one, your pack took?”

“See any other humans here ass hole?” I called out as they all turned to me before I smiled.

“Yes, he is the one, Boss,” so…this was their boss huh…why do I feel like I’ve stumble along into a very cheesy villain capture ‘hero’ type thing? “We have yet to use him, in case he is one of yours,”

“He is not,” the human spoke. “He was in the paper, saving one of those lowly ponies,” I even heard the hate in his voice, even when it was mask. “He is a traitor to our race.”

“Rather be a traitor then deal with what you are doing here!” I yelled out trying to push out of my bounds some more. “Why do you want ponies and humans captured huh?!”

“Humans…no, we wouldn’t dare hurt our own,”

“So you have a heart…fucking dick…”

“Those who sides with…beasts, will not be part of…”

“If you say ‘a greater and better world’ I swear to God when I get out I will knock you black and blue!” I was not in the mood, I mean really…would you? The female human leaned over, and whispered something, I couldn’t pick up anything, and it was so soft that I couldn’t.

“Perhaps so,” the male muttered out loud with the voice mask on still. “He is still considered young, perhaps the ponies did use their magic on him.” Another small whisper. “You know I give all the chance to be brought back into the arms of their kind, and I am willing to give him the same chance,” one more whisper. “Perhaps…we shall not speak of that to him if he so agrees.” My eye twitched, wondering what they were speaking of, before the man, this Boss, walked over and knelt down to look at me, as I sat on the far side of the cage. “We can release you, under a few rules,” I stayed still; I didn’t say anything but a part of me, some strange reason, wanted me to listen. “One being rather simply… come and join with us,” really…? He had to say one of the oldest bad guy lines ever in the history of any world huh? ‘Join us or die’ type bull shit…just great. “You do not belong, alongside these…animals, and beside…I don’t think you would want your family harmed would you?” I looked right at him when he said that, I’m not sure if his eyes were one me or not, but I was dead set on looking him down…before I then smiled.

“Go ahead,” I answered seeing both of them flinch slightly at this. “Waste all of your time trying to find my family, because I know my family; they all would never forgive me if I didn’t fight for what I believe…and what I believe is that you sir,” I said before making a sucking sound and spitting right on his mask. Low yes, but did I care, not one bit. “I believe you can go to the nearest drug store, ask them where the lube is, to help you GO FUCK YOURSELF!”

The room was silent, even the small whimpers of cries from whoever was making it, inside their cages; they too, were still with noise. The man slowly stood up, and brought out a cloth, snapping it in the air before softly dabbing the spit from his face, again, dick move on my part, I will admit on that, but I was pissed! He stood fully, looking to me, or I think he was, his face was pointing to where I was, but as I spoke before, I couldn’t see his eyes. “Alpha?” he spoke again, using the voice changer to mask his voice. The large trench coat mutt walked over, before nodding his head. “Keep this one; use him as you see fit, to us, he is no longer a human, just someone who had turned his back to the better race.” I said nothing as I watched him go, Alpha, bowing his head slightly once more, looking back to me with that same grin, before he too left.

I could see a part of an arm outside the only known exit, just standing there, going nothing, the air, still save for the soft whimpers of fear, pain, I was not sure. Looking back over at the unicorn beside me, seeing that indeed, her horn was gone, she was still crying. Why…why did they want their horns, did they just cut them off so they could not wield magic? But wouldn’t they need unicorns to find gems and such? I played with the rope a bit more, trying to wiggle free, but the ropes were on far too tight to get loose. Luckily, they were not tight enough to stop the blood flow to my hands, but, it was still a pain ether way. Moving my arms and legs, I tucked my legs a bit, and brought my arms under and over, allowing me to look at my wrist, bound by these ropes. I could see a hint of a glimmer to the rope, possibly magic, as to what it does, I wouldn’t know. Trying to bite at the rope, seeing if I couldn’t just chew it off, I was greeted to a mild shock, yelling slightly, covering my scream by a tight lip and a loud moan of great pain. It stopped; just as soon as it had started.

Note to self…don’t try and take off the rope.

I don’t know when I fell asleep, but I was jolted awake by the sound of something hitting metal, perhaps something on the cages or something. “Wake up!” a voice snarled, as more bangs were heard. “You work now, get gems!” opening my eyes, and watched as from the door way, a ‘new’ set of ponies came in. Nine in totally, three being unicorns, it seem they still held their horns, not sure about the one that was next to me. Why was her one taken off, or was it always, or before she was taken? The empty cages door’s were opened, as the ponies, dirty, wounds seen along their body, not sure where they came from, but they were herded in, without a word. Just how long…how long have these ponies been here for. I saw a few look up, they saw me, and I was the new face of course. There were no life in those eyes, but with that one blank look, it was like…like they were giving me pity. Here it didn’t matter; I bet if one of every race was here, beaten down to the point where they were like this…it wouldn’t matter.

We would’ve all been the same. More dogs came in, two for each cage, they were large, built; or breed in this case…maybe. To be guard dogs. They reminded me much of the guards at Canterlot, you know, all the same color, seeming to be the same breed, flyers I mean. These guards, well they were brown in fur, the helm, looking like a silver plate, bolts seen going down the middle, holding it together. The same for the chest piece, but with more wielding bolts. Horns jetted from the top of the helm, and the shoulder blades of the armor. As they walked over, their eyes were covered, how they could see was the life of me. Each one held a spear. I swear their paws were so large; it looked like they could easily snap it in two like a twig.

The ponies that just came in, were pushed in the cages, as the door slammed with a heavy thud, I watched as food, a muck of brown like…something. They just ate it, whatever it was, my guess it was all we were getting. The other cell doors opened, as the ponies and colt slowly made their way out, myself, I was still sitting there, watching them. “Get up!” the dog that spoke before sated looking to me. He stood in front of my cage; he too held a spear, well not really a spear, more like a rounded stick. Purpose possibly to poke me if I didn’t listen. Now, I’ve read and seen many shows that knew it would be bad to fight back, with all these odds stacked against me…as much as I wanted to try and fight my way out…I knew I couldn’t win, I was no fighter.

Standing up awkwardly, the rope still around my wrist I made my way out. The dogs watched me, or from what I thought, the guard’s head turned a bit, but that was it. The butt of their spears grinding in the stone; a warning. I just gazed at them from the side of my eye, as the dog looked to me before grinning. “High mighty human…not so high now? Own kind left you here! Ha!”

“You know…if I wasn’t tied, I would’ve bitched smacked you right now,”

“I am not female,”

“Still would’ve bitch smacked you,”

“I am not a female! How can you claim to smack a female, if I am not a female?” give me a knife and I’ll make sure you are not a male… I don’t know why all of these dark thoughts were covering my mind…I guess when you are being held against your will, something short of darkness will come out sooner or later.

I followed after the group, watching as the ponies held their heads down, moving quickly to match the dogs, movement. Exiting out of the room, and down a set of a long hallway, I nearly gasped at what I saw. The main chamber, or what I think was the main chamber, was large. Holes or tunnels were seen going all over the place, crude looking stairs going ether up or down, making floors made out of the stones. I noticed red X’s around the walls all around, pickaxes, shovels, anything that could break stone, beside a jackhammer, or anything that needed power was seen. “Ponies know rule with horn,” I looked at the small runt of a mutt, he seemed to be the boss of this area, possible the smartest…as smart as they can be, beside Alpha. “Use horn other then lift tools, horns break off!” I watched as the mare that shared the cell next to me, seemed to release a soft sob, and that’s when I noticed, another pony, a unicorn stallion, his horn was also gone, but it had a small bump, could it be growing? Didn’t know if that was true or not. Sure I heard about horns being filed, and from what I also heard, if a horn was broken off, it would take years for it to grow back fully, (unless magic was used to quicken the speed) and even longer to tune the magic the way it used to be. “Human,” I just looked at him with my eye. “No funny thing or you get hurt!”

I still was bound, and was given a pickaxe, I was told to just do one thing…well two if you count the second as its own thing, hit the wall with the X and put all gems that’s found in the cart. I wanted to fight, hell, I’m sure anyone that ever thought that when they were a kid, that if something like this would happen to them, that they would fight; right? But I knew…I knew I could only get so far before they caught me and did something to me. The sound of the tools hitting the wall echoed loudly throughout the area, dogs barking orders to the ponies, and when I would steal a glance, I would see that each group, mostly made of three members, had three guards. I looked back to my task, my arms felt heavy; I lost count of how long I worked, moments? Hours? I couldn’t tell. Sweat caked my body, and the dust did as well. I heard the soft sound of crying next to me as I closed my eyes, the foal was next to me, and with who I guess was his mother…but when I looked, I was shocked and who the kid was…the same foal who gave me that letter from the princess! His white coat was a mess, dirt clung to it making almost a dirty grey in a sense, and what really got me to grind my jaws, was that I saw dry blood, his, or someone else, I couldn’t know. He was not wearing the vest or the hat of course, his blue mane, a mess and it seemed to cover mostly the front of his head, but that’s when I saw it, when he moved a bit, I watched as a tip of a horn was seen, before the mare beside him, moved his mane to cover it…she was trying to save him from that fate. His blue eyes looked up to her, as the mare, held for the quickest moment a small smile, I stopped for a moment to watch…something about a mother caring for their child… “Get back to work!” I yelled as I felt the spear hit me in the back of my legs, causing me to fall on my knees, my tool clenching in my hands as I grunted. I’ll be the first to admit, I can’t fight for shit…that guy I hit when after Nova, that was pure luck of surprised on my count…if I were to fight someone…I would not last long.

“Leave him alone!” I heard the child say as the mare held him back once more, looking over as I slowly got up, I noticed that she too was fully white, though her mane were that of black, with a bit of blue in it for lines. Her eyes were a soft brown like color. I could see a horn jerking out of her mane, as the shovel she was using, simply lifted the gems into the cart. The kid must’ve been pushing it. Her Cutie Mark being that of a red heart with wings on either side.

“You will watch your pup pony,” the dog growled threaten. “Or we may find uses for him, for others on their free time,”

“You…sick bastard,” I muttered as the dog only grin and went to hit me again. I grabbed the spear and with my anger I had bottled up, I slammed him to the wall, don’t ask me how I did it, but I did! He was taller than me, as I spoke of before, my head at his chest as I held the spear to his neck, trying to choke him off. I didn’t care what would happen to me at this point, I was just filled with so much rage! Hell I was even growling at this point!

I felt a set of paws grab my arms and drag me back, before yelling loudly as I was punched hard in the gut, causing me to fall on my knees, wheezing softly as my face burned. I felt myself being lifted up once more; I saw the hand wind up for another punch before a voice I hated to hear called out from behind. “That is quite enough,” Alpha. The guard dog lowered his arm, and that’s when I noticed it was the one I was choking good, let him know that even if I’m smaller, I can still beat him…if I’m lucky. “Turn him,” the order down, I was spun around, my arms behind my back as I was forced to stand up, looking at the trench coat wearing dog. “You know human,” he spoke, slipping his paws in his pockets before saying. “Even though my kind isn’t the most…smartest of the races, with the right leader we can have order…and I want order here, such outbursts can really damper such order, don’t you think?”

“Go to hell…” I muttered to him as he only chuckled softly.

“That’s what I like about you humans, that drive, gryphons have it, dragons as well, but they can back it up with their raw power, humans on the other paw. You need your tech…your weapons to make you look any sort of a threat. And yet here you are, attacking my dogs, a raw rage that’s I love to see!”

“Would you believe me that I had a major anger issues growing up?” I asked smiling. “Broke a kid noise with a hockey stick because he stole my chips.”

“Use being the word used here human,”

“Get me mad enough mutt,” I spat out before glaring. “And I’ll show you how much rage I can give!” he only softly laughed again before I then said “I don’t care what you think you can do to me…I will not easily be bent to do what you want!”

“So are you saying…we can’t do anything, we could beat you, and you would not submit?”

“Damn right,” I muttered looking to him as he shook his head before turning, seeming to think before he snapped his paws, and pointed to a guard before him and waved him over. The guard came over at once, as harsh whispers were heard before the guard nodded before moving to the colt, and grabbing him by his neck and lifting him up.

“Silver Arrow!” the mare called out as another guard went and grabbed her, pushing her along the wall as I jerked as Alpha produced a long, thin knife, walking over to the coat who was screaming and crying in fear. He moved even closer before holding his chest to hold him still, before the knife press along his throat.

“And what if…the life of a child was in your hands human?”

I jerked when I saw this, how could it be that nearly two weeks ago I came to this land, for a vacation and the GGG, it was all peaceful…in a way, but now here I was, underground, watching as this damn dog was threaten to harm this child?! How may I ask you?! “This is what is going to happen human,” the dog spoke once more, as the colt only cried softly more, I could see it in his eyes, fear. “We are not going to harm you…oh no, every time you break a rule, all we are going to do is not give you food for that day, but however, this one, of he will get the beatings or whatever we feel is needed. Do you want that on your soul…to know it is because of you, that this child would be in pain?!”

“You…sick bastard,”

“Perhaps,” he admitted shrugging. “But know this human, every pony that is here, every dog, and even you…you are mine. Nothing but slaves, and if I don’t like you…I will get rid of you, now then…do we have an understanding?” I just looked down, waiting just long enough to say.

“Let the kid go…I’ll…you won’t have any more issues with me,”

“Very good human,” I heard a soft thud followed by more crying before he then said. “Take the human to his cell, bound his hands along one of the bars, and give him no food,”

And this was how I spent the first day as a prisoner.

Sitting there, trying to sleep was hard, I’ll tell you that much, but it did give me time to truly think about things; I mean, what else was I to do? The first thing that always came to my mind was my mother, why, I don’t know, I kept replaying over and over again what was said when she found out my girlfriend was a pony. And that’s when I realized something…that’s when I started to noticed more of the hate groups between the ponies and humans. In a sense, I guess I just considered that the world was a good place because my mother so understood, but when I saw her for what she truly was…

I understand now, that the human race has it flaws, any race does. This shouldn’t have been news, that there would be racism when all of this happened, but I was so in my way, of just thinking the major human race were just dicks…did I become one myself? I really don’t know the answer to this, but when I see my other family members, that’s when I remembered that some of them, though they were happy that I was happy, they didn’t want to see me with my pony girlfriend, thinking on this, how could this be any different then what my mother did? Did I let this be okay because they were not in my face telling me I was wrong? Ugh…if I could I would’ve punched the cage around me in my anger. I know that in my mind I planted my race as a bunch of assholes, but well…I know that is not a fact.

We are trying, everyone is ponies, humans, gryphons, dragons, every race is trying to form peace with one another, it will be hard, it will be long, but it seems the humans are trying even harder. We are an alien in this world, just as much they are in our world. Ponies like Nova Star, and humans like me, we can prove that two very different races can get along. The dragons, who didn’t like the ponies at all for some reason, they are trying hard now to form peace with the princesses, and they had been in this world far longer! Everyone is trying…and I believe that this is good enough; this is good enough to keep on fighting no matter what. Maybe I wouldn’t live to be able to see the worlds when everyone is treated as equal, but I’ll be damned if I didn’t try and help.

I’ll tell you, that night, I felt something strong, I did dream, but I couldn’t for the life of me, remember what the dream was, I couldn’t remember if it was good or bad, but I knew it felt different, stranger than normal. But when I woke up, it was because, much like the day before, we were awoken by the sound of one of that dog’s slamming whatever they had toward the cages. I had to wait until they undid the extra rope that held me along the cage, and soon followed afterward; I did have no choice of the matter.

These dogs though, they really couldn’t be considered guards, many of the ponies were talking to one another, I guess trying to do something to keep their spirits up. I over heard one saying that Celestia would come and save us all. In a way, I really hope they were right. I know Nova must be worried greatly about me; I hope she would’ve gone to the guards and explain something. “Excuse me,” after raising my pick one more and slamming it into the wall, a few more gems falling out. I looked over with half closed eyes, to see the colt from yesterday, his mother also watching. “T…thank you,”

“For what?” I asked going back to work.

“You…did save me,”

“All I did was agree to not do anything stupid,” I pointed out. “I’m not about to let my idiotic ideas, getting a child hurt.”

“Either way,” a female voice spoke as I looked back over, seeing his mother’s eyes look to me. “Thank you…”

“You shouldn’t thank me for anything, until we are all safe and out of here…how long have you two been here?”

“Little over two weeks,” she answered. “Some have been captured years ago, others months, we are, as they would say, new meat.” I only hummed my respond to this as I went back to work. I looked about slowly, trying to find something, before I noticed there were three tunnels, all three held a red mark over each one.

“You know what those tunnels are?” I asked as the mother looked over and seemed to nod, that’s when I noticed that her cutie mark seemed to be that of three flowers, not sure what they were so I couldn’t say.

“Exits,” she answered. “One goes straight up, the ladder from what I heard is tall, the other goes out on the side, and I’m not sure about the last one.”

“Could be underground, or inside a mountain, the this place is craved out.” I pointed out, looking about quickly seeing the exits before then offering. “It is rather chilly, so that could be the fact, and if we can at least feel the wind, then at least that is something…”

“What do you mean I can’t see my sister?”

This caused me to stop as I looked over, seeing a new diamond dog I had yet to meet yet yelling up at the Alpha. She was a great deal smaller, maybe half my size from what I could see, her coat, pure white, she wore a black vest and black collar with some spikes along the edges. “Are you questioning my reasons pup?” Alpha asked looking down at the female dog, his arms crossed. “I told you my reason,”

“No, you just said no I couldn’t!” I noticed that her speech was rather good, almost like Alpha’s in a way.

“And that is a good enough reason,” he answered calmly.

“You promised me that if I helped with the last run, the one where that human came in, that I would be able to speak to my baby sister!” she yelled out, her paws shaking with rage. “It’s been nearly half a year since I saw her! She is the only family I have left!”

“And why should I care?” she jerked back as her so called leader said that to her as if she was smacked. “You and your sister were raised by those…ugh, ponies, we saved you, and we are trying to teach you right, she is at Los Pegasus for a reason, they can teach her better then I. she is young…pretty soon she’ll forget about ether you, or her so called pony family.”

“You didn’t save us, you took us! You murdered our family!”

“Enough!” he roared out calling her to shrink back a bit as he glared down at her. “You want to see your sister? Prove to me that you are a dog, not a pony!” and just like that, he turned and left, leaving the female dog standing there, alone. She just looked down, looking on the brink of tears, but she held it back, there was not else she could do. Walking over toward my group a guard then said,

“You pup!” she looked up, jerking a bit. “I’m tired; watch this group as we go to sleep,”

“Both of you are going?” she asked as the other guard yawned.

“Yes, boring work, you do boring work, or we make you do it,” he shoved the spear to her, I swear it was almost bigger than her! “We be back whenever,”

Leaving us with just one small dog, with a spear. She just sighed and then flinched when she saw me, unknown to her I heard the whole thing; maybe everyone else did as well, I didn’t know. The sound of my pick hitting the rocks echoed for a bit before she whispered. “I’m sorry…”

“For what?” was all I said.

“For getting you in this mess,”

“But not the others?”

“I didn’t help to get them here…but I’m sorry for them as well…”

“If you are really sorry…you could get out and tell the princesses about where we are,”

“I…I can’t, I tried that one time but Alpha found out and threaten to harm my sister if I did so again!” I said nothing again, but…I can see why, she was just looking out for her sister.

“You have a name?” I asked her before she nodded and said.

“Zoe…my name is Zoe,”

“I’m…I’m Silver Arrow,” we both looked over seeing the colt say his name as he gave a small smile up at us.

“And I am, Angel Heart,” now that I think of it...why is it that names for ponies are almost always about their Cutie Marks? Oh well, I shouldn’t say anything about it. “I’m sorry about your sister Zoe…”

“W…why are you being nice to me?”

“You really haven’t done anything to us,” Angel spoke as I looked over. “I’ve noticed the way you are around the others, and how you tried to smuggle in food for us all when you can…you’re a kind being Zoe, and you shouldn’t be here.”

“I…I know that,” she whispered but we shut up as she went to attention as a guard walked past. When he was gone she went on. “But…I have to do this for my sister!”

“Some may not understand you’re motives,” Angel whispered as I blended to the background by working, making it look like our group was not talking. “But I understand…I would do anything to keep my Arrow here safe.” Zoe just looked over at her before looking down, sighing softly before I then asked.

“There has to be a way…what about the lock on the cages?” she looked up to me before I whispered. “Can you get me a key?” I asked looking to her as she thought about it and nodded. “Okay, but now there the thing of these ropes, I can get them off without it shocking me…”

“The gems here are magic blockers,” she answered as she looked around quickly before saying. “I have an idea, but it may cause you from getting hurt, can you deal with that?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “But before you do, there are a few things we have to iron out…for one, if we do escape, I want to get everyone out, if we escape, they will just pack up and go right?”

“That’s right, the ponies that are working here is one group…there another small group but I wouldn’t try and save them.”

“Why?”

She released a sigh before saying. “Those ponies…had become pets in a way; they would sooner sell you out so they could be rewarded with food or whatever, then to let you escape.”

“But…we have to help them…” Arrow whispered as I looked back at him and sighed softly but his mother beat me to the punch.

“Sweetie…these ponies, think of them that have been brain washed. They wouldn’t help us, they would help the ones that took us…we can’t trust them,”

“Beside…” I answered “I’m sure if we are quick enough the princesses can come and help them, but right now we have to get out of here.”

“Agreed…” Zoe answered before looking to me. “I’ll help you, under one condition,” looking to her once more as I slowly worked, she then answered. “Help me get my sister back…you’re a human, you must know someone who can help!” oh…I know somepony who can help. I agreed to her terms as she smiled back, thanking me for agreeing. But at that moment, that’s when I was hit hard in the face by the butt of her spear. I didn’t even see it coming as I fell backwards, and felt more punches land on me, I heard Arrow yell out, as some dogs rushed over. My vision was flashing, and I couldn’t feel a lot because of the pain, but I felt enough that something was shoved down my pockets.

“This one tried to attack me,” Zoe growled low as I was lifted up. “Take him back to the cage!”

“The Alpha will want the pony cub to be punished for this,”

“I’ll take him,” Zoe said. “Alpha wants me to prove I can be a dog, I’ll take the pony as mine for the night!” I heard the sound of soft laughing as I was dragged away, soon blacking out.

I didn’t understand why this was happening, why I couldn’t do anything as I was pressed down on the ground, as arms of those white human purest bastards held me down. My face pressed along the side of the ground, as I also heard crying, slowly moving my head up, I gasped loudly as I saw Lyra there, being held by one of those True Humans, as another held a gun to her head. I screamed, but no words escaped, I fought, but I was weak, I somehow saw a smile grow along the face of the one holding the gun, watched as his finger clenched at the trigger before…

“THAT IS ENOUGH!”

I blinked, watching as the area around me flashed a white light, as everyone around me seemed to just fade away, looking up, feeling the grip come off of me, I noticed that the sky was a dark red, but was slowly turning into the blue color of a calm day. What the heck…what just happened? Looking around I heard the clopping of hooves, and turned around and blinked as I saw Princess Luna walk toward me, her eyes were closed, calm, before opening them. Before I could even say anything she grabbed me in a hug as I gasped loudly. “Oh my dear friend! I have found you at last!”

“L…Luna?” I asked in shock before she released me. “What do you mean you found me…and how did I get back on Earth, I thought I was in Canterlot?” indeed, as I looked about, I could see that was I was in a park I grew up around back home, swings, a playground, the grass a lush green. But…looking around I could’ve sworn something was off.

“Peace my human friend,” she spoke looking to me. “You must understand…this is a dream,”

“A…dream?”

“Yes, none of this is real; this is your dream, your mind. Just moments ago it was a nightmare, but, it has been destroyed. Such is the duty of myself…but that is not important right now, where are you?!” where am I…what did that mean, as in, where was I at, as in this moment in this dream or…wait

“I was kidnapped…” I said slowly, not really a question, but at the same time, was. “Diamond Dogs yeah! They are the one that had been doing the kidnapping! I was taking after I left the Gala trying to find Nova!”

“It is as we feared then…” she spoke softly looking away. “Brandon, I need you to stay asleep, luckily, I was able to enter your dreams, humans are much more…different than that of ponies or the other races here. I prayed that you were not beaten, but in a bitter sort of sweet moment…it can help us!”

“How?”

“At this moment,” she spoke walking away as I followed after her. “My sister and I are taking many air ships toward the area. We were wrong about the humans not wanting to help, truly they did…but there were…issues,”

“The True Humans I’m guessing?”

“Yes, how did you know?” she asked stopping to look at me.

“I met two,” I answered, looking down before away. “They are the ones behind this, just as much as those dogs…but there is one helping. I planned on escaping out of my cell and getting the ones I can out as well. It is better if we left soon, that way, there wouldn’t be a hostage like issues going on. If you were to come now, or if they were to catch wind of you knowing where their location are; they could pack up and leave before it is too late!”

“My sister thought as much,” Luna confirmed before going on. “Just please be careful, I wouldn’t want you or anypony for that matter harmed.”

I smiled as I looked up to her before her eyes grew white for a brief moment before saying. “I have your location, we will be there soon, within the hour or so…it was rather close.”

“Wait, before you go, what did you mean about the humans helping?”

“I’ll explain when we meet up in the flesh my young human friend,” was all she said, as the world around me, started to…melt away.

I jerked awake a bit, groaning as I felt some pain where Zoe had hit me, it was only to be for show I know…but damn, for someone as small as her, she can sure pack a punch! My hands this time, quit luckily were not bound to the bars like last night, and now thinking of it, could that strange feeling of a weird sleep last night, could that have been Luna? Either way, I felt something inside my pant pocket, moving my hand slowly, as to not wake the guard, who was snoozing away by the only exit, I felt a gem and a key. Taking the gem, I hiss a bit as I felt it was sharp. Pulling it out slowly, I brought it to the ropes and started to move it back and forth, cutting the rope. Remembering that this gem was supposedly a magic blocker, the last time I messed with the rope, I got a mild shock. Working the gem all the more, I heard the small snap of the rope breaking as I grinned widely. Rubbing my wrists as I pocketed the gem. Going back inside, I pulled out a key that looked like it should’ve been in the 1700’s. Moving to my cell door, I placed it in the lock, and slowly turned it. It clicked, showing it unlocked, the guard jerking, snoring loudly.

Pushing the door slowly open, I looked along the wall, not noticing until now, but there were digging tools here as well. I knew at times that we would no doubt have to fight, the earth ponies could use their body, and unicorns, if strong enough could use their magic; me, I had nothing. Going over to the wall ever so slowly, not wanting to kill someone, even if the fuckers kidnapped me, so I moved away from anything that held a too much sharp edge, such as the pick axe. My hand went over to a rather overly large shovel, the spade looking almost the size of my head, and curved about inside enough that one could hold a lot of dirt inside of it. The handle was metal, as well as the spade, making it feel a bit heavier then what it should have been. Testing the weight and the height, the handle being a bit longer then my arm. Looking over at the guard, I heard him snort, but gasping as he started to wake up, looking about, I knew I had no choice, and slammed the shovel across his face quickly. A loud clang being heard as the dog released a short yelp, before falling over on his side, knocked out cold! Checking the shovel to see if any damage was done to it, I was surprised when there was none at all. Damn, this thing must be built with something that only this world has…that, or these guys just go down rather easily.

Going to the wall once more, I took the keys that were left dangling there, watching as the ponies all got up. I went over to Angel Heart’s cell first, seeing that her son wasn’t there. “Where’s Arrow?” I asked unlocking her cell with one of the many keys on the ring before she answered.

“Zoe took him to her room,” she answered as I went and started to unlock all of the cells with ponies in them. “She showed me where her room was, when we are ready, we can go and get him and leave.”

“I’m not leaving anywhere with that damn human!” looking over, I saw a plain looking unicorn, really, he was just plain, brown coat, brown eyes, his mane and tail black, and his cutie mark was just an open book…latterly, it was an open book. “It’s because of his kind that we are here in the first place!” he hissed softly looking to me, at least this asshole had enough brains to not yell. “If the princesses didn’t feel pity for these low life scums, then we wouldn’t be in this spot! These mutts couldn’t even spell their own names, and then these humans come and then they start to become smart enough to pony nap!”

“Hey there!” another pony called out, an earth pony, this one was all blue, and his fur covered his hoof a bit, his mane a curly black. His cutie mark being that of a hammer and saw. He was buffed, not as large as Big Mac when I met him, but chooses enough. “This human could have easily left us in those cages, but he didn’t, he is not like all humans!”

“Bah, must feel good when your own kind leaves you behind like the dirt you are,” he even spat toward me as I backed away.

“Look,” I answered holding my free hand, which was left, up in a show of me trying to be nice. “I can understand that you are upset and stuff with all that happened…but if we all work together on this…” I was thrown hard to the wall by his magic, a brown mud like aura held me to the wall as I gasped in pain. Being thrown and kept on something would hurt you know.

“That’s enough!” the blue pony called out softly, but with enough voice that he could do without alerting everyone else.

“You think I would help you human?” the unicorn spat as he let me drop, Angel coming to my side to help me up. “Listen up ponies, I know a way out, and if we rush them now, we can save the others and leave! It is the human’s fault we are here, so why should we help the kind of a being who is lesser then us!?” the other looked to the pony speaking, as the blue one that was on my side, also came over and helped me to my feet. I groaned rubbing my chest a bit but nodded to the two, saying that I was fine. It happened so quickly that I didn’t even see the unicorn, and the others that believed him, leave us alone in the holding area.

“That damn unicorn,” the male earth pony muttered softly before saying. “He is going to get us all killed or captured again!” I made my way over, picking up the shovel again that I dropped; likely it didn’t break when I was thrown. “Doesn’t he realize that you are a victim as much as we are?”

“He is no doubt stuck in his way of thinking,” I answered. “He believes all humans are the same…and I don’t blame him really. I don’t understand how long you all had been here, he is just eager to get out of here as anyone,”

“But to attack…”

“Its fine,” I spoke standing up fully. “Let’s just meet up with Zoe, find Silver and get the hell out of…” I was stopped when I heard the sound of yelling, blinking as we looked over toward the exit of the holding area before I then said. “I have a very bad feeling about this now…”

The three of us ran out of the area quickly, shovel still in my hand, as we rushed toward the mining area, to see something that I was at one point, not really surprised at. The ponies, who I just released out, were fighting the dogs that came out at some point. Yes the dogs were vastly bigger, but the thing was, the ponies outnumbered them, and they were pissed! Looking around in shock, trying to at least see if I could find Zoe in all this mess but couldn’t at all, this causing me to worry, as well as Silver’s mother who also seemed to be looking for the one keeping her child safe. “What is he doing?!” turning my head to look at the stallion beside me, we all watched as the unicorn that attacked me, were waving the ponies down a tunnel, possible the way out, when he turned and saw us, I saw this grin plastered along his face, before his magic started to form, and he hit the wall beside him. The area around us started to shake and rumble, not enough to knock anyone off their feet…but enough that the exit to where he was, was now blocked by rocks that had fallen to cover it!

“That fucking…!” I grunted in anger, he was willing to only save who followed him but not anyone else?!

Seemed this escape…was going to be much harder than I thought…

Escaping but not uncut (Unedited)

Author's Notes:

THIS IS UNEDITED so there will be many grammars and spelling mistakes, once the edit is done by a good friend of mine, this will be updated.

We stood in front of one of the known blocked exits that shit eating grin still itched into my brain from that damn unicorn. I wasn’t planning on leaving yet without Zoe or Silver of course, but if that was the shortest exits out of this hell hold…this just meant that we still had a higher chance of being caught! The sound of running footsteps caused me to turn with my shovel held high, ready to attack, but sighed a breath of relief when seeing it was Zoe and Silver. Angle rushed over, hugging her colt and making sure he was alright, as the blue earth pony, got ready to attack Zoe. “Hang on,” I yelled getting between him and her. “She’s with us! If she hadn’t helped me escape none of us would’ve been out of here!”

“But she is a Diamond Dog!” he answered with a glare looking at the one behind me.

“Also raised by ponies,” I pointed out as she looked to me with a surprised look. “Look…uh…”

“Boulder,” fit the bill for sure…he is a large pony.

“Boulder,” I spoke his name. “Look, we don’t have time for this; we gotta get out of here, now!”

“He’s right,” she spoke up as we looked to Zoe. “Look like’s the main exit is gone, how did that happen?”

“A unicorn that seems to hate all humans,” I said quickly. “So it’s ether one or the other tunnel we take.”

“Each is equally large,” the dog answered. “These caves had been here for years, it was only when Alpha came did he make that one tunnel that went straight ahead…before that well…they lead to different exits but, it could take us a while.”

“The princesses are on their way anyway,” I said back as the four looked to me. “Princess Luna came to me in my dream last night; they are to be here within the hour, so let’s get out of here and quickly before anymore come out!” I did a quick look around and said “Zoe, you go with the other dogs,”

“W…what?”

“Listen, the moment Alpha finds you with us, trying to escape, what do you think he will do to your sister?” she bit her lip a bit as I knelt down. “I will give word to the princess about your sister, they can help you get her out, I’m sure of it.”
She looked up to me, seeming thinking before nodding her head, her ears twitching a bit before saying. “Go down one of these tunnels, quickly! More are coming!” I nodded, seeing Boulder, Angel, and lastly Silver run down one tunnel, I turn to follow them before hearing Zoe answered. “I’ll cover this doorway and the other, that’s all I can do right now…I hope you all get out safe!”

“We will,” I told her before almost entering the tunnel. ‘And Zoe…thank you,” she looked back to me, a small smile on her face as she took a pickaxe and went to the tunnel I was entering, and started to whack away at it. I followed the slightly dark tunnel, catching up to the others; just as the light from behind was blocked out.

We had been walking for a while, perhaps ten minutes or so, though some of the gems that were seen all about somehow held light within him, Angel with what little magic she had, made a ball of light. The tunnel was wide enough that we could all walk in a line, side to side. I kept looking backwards; making sure no one we didn’t know was following us, Boulder would jump at each shadow that seemed to come by. At times we stopped, hearing echoes of barks throughout the tunnels. My hand gripping the handle of my shovel all the harder as Boulder, kicked the ground like a bull would. Luckily, the echoes passed leaving me with just one thing on my mind…we were not the only ones in these tunnels. Boulder told me that he had been in this tunnel a few times before, and that he knew that there were rooms were some of the workers stayed. Telling me that these tunnels echoed as a way of talking to one group and another. The fact we haven’t heard any barks behind us, I would think they were trying to find out what the little quake was about. “When I was done here, there were I think…three or five Diamond Dogs station here,” he told me as we lead our small group. This is where most of the gems were found at first, as well as an exit a few miles…I think down this way.”

“Why not just mine here then, and not out there?”

“This tunnel…you could call it, the spine of this mountain, this means that if they were not very careful…a trait not found in most of these damn mutts…well, this whole place could cave in on us.”

“Then why keep any dogs in here then?” I heard Angel ask.

“My guess…to keep anyone from mining in that area.” Boulder spoke again. “No doubt, Alpha gave them orders to guard the area, and attack anypony but him.”

“And if there are guards there…and this is the only exit,” I said slowly, knowing what the answer would be.

“We will have a fight on our hooves,” he confirmed as I gripped the shovel a bit harder.

“So what’s your story?” I asked after we walked a bit down the tunnel some more, man, this tunnel felt like it just went on and on, twists and turns, drops and…it was just so damn crazy! At times we had to help one another to climb up a way, because it looked like they just shot right upward when they were digging. I turned to Boulder, after helping Angel up another steep hill. “I mean your Cutie Mark looks like it has to do with something along the lines of building right?”

“Yes,” he answered. “But you see, my families were miners, hence my name being Boulder, my father was not really happy when my calling was building. This is why I know we need to be safe around here, or else we would risk a cave in!” I nodded at this, looking back as Angel stayed close by toward her son, before I spoke up once more.

“Then lets just get out of here quickly then… what about you, Angel?” the pony jerked as she looked up toward me. “What do you do for a living?” she seemed to look away for but a moment, as if not sure how to answer the question, before then looking back and then started her small tale.

“Well,” she spoke, as we kept walking, luckily there wasn’t a part in this stage of the tunnel that required us to climb up a bit. “I am now, working at a shop, helping ponies and other creatures we don’t have the items on hoof, but we can easily order it for them.”

“Makes sense I guess,” I answered once more before then realizing what she said. “Wait, you said I am now working at a shop…where did you work before that?”

At this, she seemed to stop her words for more then a few seconds, before sighing ever so softly and telling her story once more. “I use to be a servant for Celestia, a high honor mind you, to help make the life of one of the princesses even a little better…however, I…left the job after five years.”

“Why?” I asked. “Pay not good, hours too long?”

“Oh no, no, no…” she spoke shaking her head as she gave a small gentle smile. Now that I noticed, I could see the three ponies looking a bit better then when I first met them…however, how long had we been walking for anyway? “The pay was good, the hours even great…the princess seemed to over pay us a lot of the time, for little things and such…it was just…after four years of working for her, she offered me a job as her nephew’s personally maid.” Her nephew never knew she had one, could it be Princess Luna’s kid…but wouldn’t that mean another Alicorn running about? “Prince Blue Blood was…a hard pony to work with, to say the least…it was after a year of working with him…that, I just decided to quit…I couldn’t…” she looked away, was she ashamed? “This was around the time I was with Silver when I just found out I would be having a foal…so it was a stupid idea for me to quit, but Celestia…she offered and easily gave me a job at the shop I am in now. And she even paid for my bill at the hospital, she is very caring…for everyone.” I liked this princess more and more, in fact I liked all four when I met up with them at the Gala…god how long had that been? I couldn’t even remember.

“I heard rumors,” Boulder spoke up. “That she didn’t want the Gate to stay open at all, that she wanted to be kept hush, hush,”

“What?” Angel spoke up. “How can you say that? Celestia and Luna decided at the same time she wanted peace with the humans?”

“You know how it is with history,” he spoke once more, not bothering to look back. “There had always been good light on her, but never anything bad, so far only Luna with her becoming Nightmare Moon…what I heard, is that it was Luna, who first wanted to form peace, and Celestia fought against it…as to why, I don’t know…?” What…if that was true…then why? As I thought of these questions, a small voice peeped up.

“Maybe…because she was scared?”

We all stopped and looked back at Silver, who looked up at me and said. “I’m sorry Brandon…but well…humans are new to this world right? A race nopony had ever seen before…maybe Princess Celestia was just…scared of what you would do?” he then looked about us and went on. “I know its strange when I keep hearing that we ponies hate change…that we don’t take it well…this is a big step, a new world, latterly a step away? Even a princess could’ve been scared! But Luna…she was forced to accepted a lot of things right? Maybe that’s why she said it first, because she understands that change could be a good thing!” damn…the mind of a child...a wonderful thing is it not?

“Could be right kid,” Boulder spoke once more before stopping and holding his hoof up. “Shh…listen…”

I held the shovel a bit tighter, before hearing an echo of a bark, this one was vastly louder…not even maybe a few feet away, and that’s when I saw it; a turn in the tunnel, and a light being seen. The Earth pony moved up ahead rather slowly, moving low to the ground and took small easy steps as he grew closer and closer to the edge, I looked back and held my hand out, telling Angel and Silver to wait back as they nodded, myself, I moved closer; not seeing them but could well hear them. “You’ve been barking for long time now!” I heard a voice say, a diamond dog of course. “What was with shake, that we can’t get answer back?”

“Cave in?” another spoke as Boulder looked back, I held up two fingers and pointed, he shook his head, I added another one and again he shook. Holding four up he nodded; four dogs in that room. “Ponies stupid enough to make a cave in?” he was right about that, that was for damn sure. I moved back after seeing Boulder was backing away as well, before asking him. “What’s going on?”

“They are just sitting there,” he whispered back toward me. “Four of them, wearing abit more armor then the other dogs. Their heads, chest, and legs are covered, not their hind legs for some reasons.”

“Possible better running movement…” I muttered. “Only exit I’m guessing?”

“Yes…I remember this area, there only one exit, them protecting this area is a two way reason, to stop a cave in…and escapes.” Great…just fucking great…and the way they sounded, the armor part I mean, I knew for a fact that my shovel was not going to do a lot of damage ether way. “We could try simply rushing them,” he pointed out as I looked back at him. “If this is only the way out now, that is open I mean…it could allow those two to escape.” I turned back, looking at Silver and Angel. He was right…what if not all of us could make it out… “And if lucky, I can keep them at least off you as well…”

“What?” I asked looking back at the earth pony. He was looking away from me, before going on.

“I had lived a long life Brandon,” he spoke softly as I knelt down on the ground. “Perhaps I can do at least something to keep those four off you…but well…between you and me, im stronger; I can easily buck those dogs!”

“But to take four at once…”

“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but it can be doable, maybe I can’t beat them, but I can buy at least a little bit of time.”

“I…” I was going to say, that no I couldn’t allow him to do this, to throw his life away for three strangers!”

“It’s fine…I know what you are about to say, why help strangers I barely know,” he then turned once more to look at me, a soft smile on his muzzle. “But…didn’t you do the same for us? By letting us go?” I swallowed hard when he said such words, the look on his face, I could see he was trying to put on a brave face, but he was scared…I could tell.

“You get out of here safe you hear me?” I told him grasping his hoof. “If you do, I’ll take you out for a drink or something!”

“I’ll hold you to that, Brandon,” he smiled softly. “The bit I've seen of you, well, you seem like a good young stallion…now get ready to run, run and don’t even look back you got it!” I nodded as I stood back up and backed away. Looking to my side as Angel no doubt heard what was going on as she had Silver on her back, he holding around her neck tightly.

“Good luck, Boulder,” Angel whispered softly. “And thank you,” he smiled as he gave a bop of his head before taking a deep breath and rushing out.

The sound of a grunt was heard, followed by barking of the dogs. “Pony?!” one voice yelled as the clatter of feet were heard, I waited a few seconds, before hearing a grunt, Boulder before hearing.

“Now!” I turned to the two as I nodded and we rushed out. quickly seeing the other, and only way out as the two ran there quickly, I followed behind, looking over to see four dogs near Bolder, nearly having his back to the wall, I started to slow a bit, the area small but large enough that I could run to get to the other end, I was going to stop, going to fight before he turned and bucked one in the face. “Just go!” he screamed again as the other three covered him. The one that fell to the ground was slowly getting back up, the grunts and yells of pains slowly becoming nothing but echo.

When no one follows you, it means ether one or a few things, one, those dogs were just as stupid as the others. Two, they really didn’t care, three there was something even worst down here waiting for us. Or last, this was a dead end, and we would have to go back ether way. We found a stick later on, Angel, telling me with what little magic she had left, allowed the stick tip to catch on fire with a white glow. All she told me it would light the area, but would not burn; nice. I also learned then, that whatever drink and food, (when they felt nice enough to give them any) could’ve been drugged with some sort of drug that crippled any magic user. The longer they didn’t eat the drug, the more their magic would return. We were lucky enough she was strong enough to even light a stick. Time had little to no hold here…how long had we been walking around in the dark for, truthfully…I couldn’t tell you or anyone. Silver, he had cried a bit at times, worried about Boulder. He kept asking why we left him back there; Angel told him it was his idea; to save us. I didn’t say anything; I couldn’t. You hear stories of people risking their lives for others they barely knew, seen it in movies, on the news. You read it in the papers and books…but when you see it, your heart aches. Even more, when you don’t know what became of them? Is he dead…did he escape and is on his way here now…did he kill them? Could I have done that…could I have risked my life like he did? I just don’t know…and that is what scares me. I always thought in my mind, if something happened that I would do a thing, in a way…but well now, I didn’t know what to do. This was not my mind; this was real life; a matter of life or death now; no doubt on that.

We followed the path a bit more; at times it came down pretty steep I went down first, catching Silver as he slid down, Angel next. Swinging my sit about, seeing the cave all the more, before the sound of soft dripping was heard. Looking up, I felt the drip hit my face and then could see it…light! Too far up for us to climb sure, but there it was, a faint but easy enough to see! “A exit has to be close now!” I exclaimed as the two ponies also looked up. “I mean come on, there a crack there enough to pour in some light, which would mean wherever we are; this part of it is much weaker!”

“But…what about Boulder, we can’t leave him back there,” Silver spoke looking back from where we came from. The echoing clops of my shoes and their hooves heard.

“He will be alright,” his mother spoke ushering him along. “When we get help, the guards will come and put a stop to all of this!” unless the dogs had already packed up and moved by now…

We walked a bit more, no words were exchanged, nothing, just the sounds of our feet on the ground, the crackling of the magical fire, the sounds of rumble all around…wait rumble…? The sound of the rumbling grew louder, and louder, echoing across the hollow like area we were in, the two standing beside me as I had the only sort of light, before the ground started to quack. Large bodies of rocks started to falling, the cracking sound easily heard as Silver screamed out in fear. “Run!” was all I said as the mother and son ran off ahead of me. I followed flow behind, as the ground below us started to split and crack under the weights of everything coming down on it! Why was this happening, was this a normal thing that happened here, these quakes or what? Or could this be the reason no one was following us?! I hate to say it, but I screamed when I felt the air of a rather large stone land so close, I felt the draft of it, my heart pounding deep in my chest! The ground still shaking as the large chunks of stone fell as if from the heavens themselves, even though I knew it was only because we were inside what felt like a large hollowed out area!

The two ran in front of me, myself I was rather slow, but they were indeed faster then myself, I heard Angel call out about something, I didn’t know what, looking up, I then noticed it myself a exit! Just barely seen and it was right there! We all ran quicker, the mother in front, Silver behind her and me behind. We were almost there, until I heard the sound of someone tripping. Angel was still running, and I could see that the colt was the one that fell. Grabbing him, throwing away the troche, and as well as the shovel I picked him up in my arms, nearly falling over myself as I pushed myself harder. Almost there, almost…! “Brandon, Silver!”

Looking toward her, I could see the fear in Angel’s eyes as she was looking up the sky was, or should I say the roof of wherever we were, started to collapse in and one single boulder, coming down on us, rather quickly. You know those stories where people say, things slow down, that you can see everything and yet nothing…that was not true, time didn’t slow down, in fact, it sped up to the point to where, I saw a magical dome come over me and Silver, me hitting the dirt, covering his smaller body with my own. The stone bouncing off the shield followed by the shattering of glass, a pain coming to my back as I felt something dig deep inside of it, luckily to the point where it didn’t hit my spine; before darkness.

“Br…Brandon!” I heard my name being called out, I felt sore all over, even breathing hurt, as my face was pressed down into something hard, and dusty. When I inhaled, I was breathing in dust, and exhaling just caused the dust to fly all about me. “Brandon! Please get up!” I felt someone shaking me, pleading in my ear to move, I wanted to; but couldn’t. A groan was my answer as I opened my eyes, light pouring in as I slowly turned my head, my right cheek pressed to the ground my left face exposed. Where we saw a crack before…well now there was a huge hole now, sunlight, pouring in, as well as the few cracks of smaller less life threatening stones falling from the edges…what the hell…ugh! Pain shot up my back, and I knew my spine wasn’t broken, the fact that I could move my legs and arms, well that was plus, but there was something sticking out of my back, and whenever I moved; oh god did it hurt!

“S…Silver?” I question groaning as I tired to stand but couldn’t without a huge bolt of pain shoot up my body again, which caused me to smash down on the ground.

“P…please you have to help!” I could hear the tears, or chocked up sobs…I couldn’t even think straight much less make sense by this point. I could feel something, blood no doubt dripping down the side of my back, as well as my face. My arms moving under me, groaning as I tried to stand again, this time getting my baring as I reached back, feeling something indeed stuck from my back. It wasn’t long or wide, maybe like a pocket knife deep, or half way…I couldn’t tell. Reaching fully behind, I knew I would rerate this later but…I yanked it out; I howled. Throwing it off to the side without even looking at it, I heard the clanks of it skipping off the ground as I turned over to where I heard the soft sobs of a child…my mind no longer on the pain; for what I saw, could not compare.

Angel was lying under a pile of rocks, her back toward me, as Silver was in front of her, shaking her head trying to move her. All I could see was her upper body and a single arm visible, everything else was covered. I groaned softly, seeing the blood pool from under the pile of stone, the child, shaking her, calling for his mother, but not a noise, or a movement was seen. Looking around again, I could see clearly now indeed there was an exit close by, perhaps not more then five feet away, the light coming from there, dimmed because of the other much brighter sunlight from above being used. So close…so damn close… “B…Brandon!” I looked over, my left arm felt broken, looking down, I groaned and looked away, many cuts were seen coming from it, blood pooling down to my finger tips. I couldn’t see bone, thankfully, but I could see the way my arm was bent…it was bent below the elbow. My right leg, also felt a great pain, looking at it, my pants ripped in some places, my right leg bleeding a bit as well, but it wasn’t broken, but it still hurt like a fucker… limping over slowly, half dragging my leg behind me I fell to my knees holding onto the pile with my good arm so I wouldn’t fall over. Silver looked up to me, his eyes filled with tears as he looked back down to his mother. “Sh…she’s not moving!” he cried shaking her again. “Mom! Mommy please!” I said nothing, as I held my stance on my knees and moved my right hand over toward her neck, my fingers pressed, looking around, trying to find a pulse.

There was none…

My eyes closed, my head bowed down, as I let my hand slip away from her neck, opening my eyes again, to see a crying child before me. My face must’ve told him what he feared; Angel…was gone. He just started to cry loudly, holding onto his mother’s still body. I wanted to hold him, to try and help him through this, and as much as I wanted him to greave…we had to leave now, what if another one of those caves in happened, or shakes…or whatever! Even as I thought of these things within my mind, I slowly felt myself becoming more and more drained; was it because of me losing so much blood? How much blood did I lose? All I know is that as I fell backwards, grunting as the world started to spin; I saw something…something coming down. My eyes slowly closing, as on one side whatever it was, it was blue, the other was white, and as my eyes started to close even more; all that I could hear, was the crying of Silver.

I woke up to the steady sounds of beeps on one side of me, my back, I felt something soft pressed along it, as well along my chest, my body ached still, but not too much…where was I? my first reaction was to bolt up right, did the dogs capture me and Silver again!? The beeping grew faster, more loudly as my breathing increased; I felt something in my arm as I tried to reach to pull it out! “Easy, easy!” I felt a hoof press me on my chest, my eyes snapping out, blinding myself as I groaned. “Mister Casey, please calm down! Everything is alright, you are safe now!” when I gained my eyes back, I looked about quickly, my head still hurting, and looking around like that, made it all the worst. I was in a white room, just pale white, the window covered by a curtain allowing some sunlight to enter. Looking around again this time more slowly, I found myself in what to be a hospital bed, my arm hooked up to a IV I believe, two sets really, one had blood in it, the other some clear stuff that I didn’t know what it was. My arm that wasn’t covered in the tubes I patted my chest, finding myself covered in bandages that ad a bit of red in it. “Cuts may have reopened a bit,” I heard the voice once more, looking over to see a red stallion unicorn. He wore a white coat with a red cross along the chest part…a doctor? Hs mane was that of dirty blond, his eyes a deep brown. When he saw me looking at him, he asked me softly. “How are you feeling?”

“W…water?” my voice was heavy, crackly; it wasn’t my voice that was for sure. He nodded, using his magic to bring a glass over as I took a sip. Groaning as it hurt to go down. “Thanks…” I muttered leaning back on the bed.

“Other then you needing that water…how are you?” he asked again before I responded, at times having to stop to catch my breath.

“Sore…feels like I was hit by a freaking train…”

“Boulders more like it,” the stallion spoke as he went over to the foot of my bed, I was surprised that the bed was large enough to fit me…but I didn’t think too much on it. Could just be they made human like rooms for the humans living here…or was I back on Earth?

“Where…?”

“Canterlot Hospital,” he spoke before I could ask. “Didn’t want to risk sending you over as you were, we never had to send someone through a portal when they were badly hurt, and we didn’t want to test what it would do to you, in such a sate you were.”

“How bad…was I?”

“You could’ve been far worst,” he spoke flipping the pages up and down. “The princesses when they found you, pour a bit…or I mean a lot of magic to heal you on the spot, from what I heard, they had to break your arm again when it didn’t set right. They never did have to heal humans before.”

“What?” I looked down at my arm, seeing that wrapped up as well, not in a case, but bandages as well, a small bit of warmth to it. “W…wait, Silver…?”

“The colt? He is fine, you pretty much took most of the damage when you covered him…however, and it was his mother’s shield that saved both of your lives as well.”

A flash back of what happened in the cave came rushing back, me covering Silver, and me watching a magical shield cover all around us…or what I thought was all of us. I swallowed hard, which caused me to cough.

“She…didn’t make it?” I dare asked as the doctor sighed and shook his head ever so slowly.

“She had been drugged for a long time, whatever the Diamond Dogs were giving them to dim their magic down, well it work…I can only guess what happened to her, was a Emotionally Magical Surge, or EMS for short.” If I was well enough I would’ve said that was kinda how we shorten the name for the Emergency Medical Services, but I didn’t feel much like talking unless I had to. “What that is, well it pretty much what the name says, a high power of emotions, fueling the magic user to make one large magic attack or any type of spell. If she was in full health when she did it, all that would’ve happened, was her being so weak, but well…with her being weak already, and the rocks…” he looked away and sighed. “That poor colt… thank Faust that the princesses were kind enough to give him a room in the castle, until plans are made for him. You know, he and three others guests kept coming in everyday to make sure you were fine,”

“Huh…?”

“Well, one was Princess Luna, she is in fact paying your bill here, Silver Arrow being the second, the first day, he wouldn’t move until he fell asleep, when he was taken to the castle. Your mare friend Nova, and one, Lyra if I got her name right, ether way, everyday those four came to make sure you were alright.”

“How long…have I've been out?”

“Three days,” fuck…didn’t feel like that, really it felt like I just blacked out a moment ago. “Yes, rather shocking yes? Doesn’t feel like that at all?”

“Yeah…god…what happened in there…?”

“I believe I can answer those questions for you,”

We both looked over, my eyes widening a bit as standing in the doorway, was Princess Celestia herself! I had only met her once already; during the Gala…god how many days had passed since that I couldn’t even know anymore, a week? Less? The stallion bowed down at once as the princess raised her hoof telling him to rise. “How is he Doctor?”

“Rather well, better then when he first came here,” he pointed out. “The magic you placed on him on site really helped, and his body is stable, there was that moment when his body went into shock…” the fuck? “But no damage was found, and he seems to remember what happened.”

“I see…does he need your help at the moment?”

“No, do you wish to have some alone time with him?”

“Please, and let nopony enter unless his life is in danger, or I say so.”

“As you wish, just allow me a quick check and I shall be out of your mane.” The princess nodded as she came over, a pillow coming out of the air from her magic, as she sat down on it. Beside my bed as she gazed down at me. Her eyes, they held such kindness, as if a mother would look…I rather not think of mothers right now… After the doctor did his rounds looking over at me and whatever I was hooked up to, he left out the room, the soft click of the door closing, and that was it; I was alone with the Princess of the Sun.

Nether said anything as she looked down at me, my eyes locked on to her for a moment before looking away and looking up, I felt her take a hold of my arm, and look back over. She was holding and checking the bindings, so it seemed. “How is the arm?”

“Warm,” was my answer as she nodded.

“The arm is still healing a small bit; sorry…we had to break it again when the bone grew the wrong…”

“It’s fine…” I took a small pause before then adding. “How is Silver, doing?” talking was becoming easier now. Celestia said nothing at first, ether choosing her words carefully or not sure what to say.

“He didn’t eat for two days, something I can understand why, it was only when Luna asked him, ‘do you think Brandon would want you not to eat?’ did he start again. You seemed to have an impression on him.” She then released a small smile and chuckle. “He kept calling you, Shovel Knight,”

“Oh dear God…” I groaned, but laughed all the same. “They have that game here?”

“Luna was the one that gave him the chance to play it, believe it or not.”

“Still…baffles me how a princess plays video games,”

“And kicks plot, as she puts It.” we shared one more laugh as I groaned.

“Don’t make me laugh…hurts…”

“Yes…sorry, we tried to heal you fully, but we were worried we would do more harm then good, with the little information we had on the human body. Believe me when I say, I have ordered a few medical books on humans, so I may study, so something like this doesn’t happen again.” I said nothing for a small moment before remembering a few things.

“Zoe…the Diamond…”

“Yes,” she stopped me again. “There is a Diamond Dog named Zoe, who claims to have helped you, saying you would ask us about her sister?” I nodded my head as she then said. “Explain,”

So for the next small bit, I told her all I knew, first of Zoe, and the promise I told her if she helped me escape, Celestia, listened, and did not stop me, nor ask any questions until I was fully done. I told her of how it was the True Humans who were behind this, that Alpha was just an underling to their plans, whatever that may have been. That Zoe was raised by ponies and was not like the other mutts at all. I told her of the unicorn that attacked me, and what he did, how Boulder risked his life…now that I think of it… “Boulder…what happened to him?”

“Boulder, the earth pony is fine,” I released a deep sated sigh. “The quake that happened, gave him enough time to escape, in fact, when we came down to find you, Silver, and…his mother, he was rushing up behind.” She closed her eyes and then went on. “He said the same thing about this unicorn as well, and a bit from what he could see of this Zoe character. She has agreed to show us the location, as soon as we agree that we shall pardon her and her sister, and reunite them.”

“Are you…?”

“We shall,” she opened her eyes with a small smile. “You debt is paid Brandon,”

My debt…no it wasn’t, there was still one more, well two; Boulder and Angel Heart. “Silver will be most happy that you are well,” she went on. “However, I still need to speak to him about something…”

“Wait…does he have any family at all? I mean left…?” when I said this, she turned to look at me, her eyes watching mine as she spoke.

“Can you give me your word, that what is said here wont leave this room?” I was confused, but I nodded all the same. “Equestria now has a DNA System, given to us by your race, we can easily match anypony to a family member in case something like what happened to Silver happens. We were worried we would have to go search ever city, town, est., to see if this child has any living family left…well, we found one, his father.”

“But…that is great, isn’t it?” I asked her as Celestia looked back to me. “Or…not?” she sighed again; looking drained or…disappointed really.

“It’s great, at least he has family left…but the thing is, young Brandon…” she looked back to me before saying. “His father is Prince Blue Blood…my nephew.”

It took me a moment for it all to click in, my eyes growing wide, as I remembered what was talked about in the place where we were held captive…that Angel Heart use to work as Celestia servant before going to Blue Blood! “Prince Blue Blood was…a hard pony to work with, to say the least…it was after a year of working with him…that, I just decided to quit…I couldn’t…” I could remember her saying before then remembering another line. “This was around the time I was with Silver when I just found out I would be having a foal…” at that moment, knowing now what she meant…I said only a few words.

“Imma smack a bitch up!”

Healing and Answers (unedited)

The look that Princess Celestia gave me, it was both shock, and perhaps surprised? Maybe because of the choice of words I used when I just found out that the father of Silver Arrow was in fact her nephew. At the moment, I couldn’t even remember if I ever told anyone that well, my father was never in my life. Well, never is a strong word, I know who my father is; I know what he looks like. When I was ten, I had met him for the first time, even though I am considered ‘white’ my father is really black. But his father, from what I was told, was in fact Asian; yeah my DNA is all over the place; maybe that’s why I’m so, as I say, mental unstable. “Beg…your…what?” she asked ever so softly as I blinked and looked back over at her; lost more in my own train of thought.

“Sorry…something I always say when I’m pissed at someone…think of it like a trademark line I say, like super heroes have…but really…are you…”

“We are sure,” she stopped me as I frowned; still hate it when people cut me off. “We ran the test three times, and seeing his age, and when Angel…’left’ the numbers add up. I have yet to speak to my nephew about this, but I plan to very soon. With Silver’s mother…gone, I believe it’s far too soon to throw more information, that he no doubt would like the answer to.”

“One being why didn’t he know who his father was?”

“One of the questions yes.” She confirmed as she sighed shaking her head ever so softly. “You must think I’m a silly princess, you are nothing more then a common folk, I barely know you other then well the feat of brave deed toward your mare friend and now this,” she waved her hoof to me. “And yet I am telling you something I have yet even told Blue Blood.”

“If I may, I feel as if I can tell you a few things as well,” she looked to me as I tried to sit up, I felt a magical grip on me, as I saw her horn glow, helping me to sit up as I smiled. “You just have this aura about you princess, that anyone if they wanted to, could tell you things they couldn’t tell anyone else. Maybe you are telling me these things because for the matter of fact, I am not a pony. And beside, I don’t judge you for what you do; unless you do something extreme like kill hundred of thousands without a reason,” she just blinked. “Just saying.”

“Point taken.” I gave her a small smile, to which she returned.

We spoke for a bit more, until she excused herself, telling me no doubt that her sister and her, great-nephew, (it would take some getting use to from her to say that) would come visit me sooner or later, even more when she would tell them I was awake and well. Bidding her a good day as she left out of my room, I leaned back onto my bed, looking up as I just started to think about what had happened. I mean really…all of this happening while I was on vacation, and even more now, come to find out that the True Humans was behind it all. I wonder what else there was that was happening, that was linked to this group. And I bet the other group, Harmony; I bet they were just having a field day with this. Celestia told me, that within the days I was in my somewhat coma, the pony who attacked me, the very same one that blocked off the exit that would’ve gotten us all to safety, laid claim that it was he who saved everyone, never once speaking of me and what he did; course not. And of course the news, being how they are, took his word as the truth, never brothering to ask the others, ether because they were too shaken up to say anything, about what they went through; or my guess fear that the Diamond Dogs would find them again.

Celestia told me that she would speak to Boulder again, seeing how he was my witness to the attack this unicorn did to me, and if both side claimed the other was lying, she would use a lie detector spell, that would make anyone speak the truth. A spell she hates to use, from what she told me. When asked what she would do, when it came back that this unicorn did in fact attack me, (which duh he did) and blocked off the exit for us, simply because I was human, Boulder, Angel and Silver being with me and placing their lives at risk. She told me simply he would be charged for a hate crime, and also stallion-slaughter, because his action to block us in caused the death of Angel. Did that really seem fair? The hate crime part yes I can understand fully, but…as much as I hated to say it, did the man slaughter charge come into play for this? I was taken out of my train of thought, when a knock came to the door, looking over, I took in a deep breath, as Nova Star, poked her head in.

When her eyes came to me, seeing me watching her, she held a small frown of sort, ether trying to hold back emotions, im not even sure, flowers were held in her mouth as she walked over, seeing a empty vase and slipped them inside, using magic to somehow bring a water like materially to what I would think, to keep the flower fresh. Sitting down on the floor, looking to me, her bottom lip quivering, before jumping up, and pulling me in a strong hug. “H…hurt!” I gasped out loud, still in some pain, but she still hugged me all the same.

“I…I was so worried…” she whimpered in my ear as she still held me all the tighter, only after a few moments did she release me, and place a kiss on my lips. When she pulled away once more, she climbed on the bed, laying beside me as she nudge my arm over her body, her head tucked into the nape of my neck. it was strange…we’ve only been a couple for maybe a few days now, my sense of time messed up for the moment because really…I did go through a lot of shit! My hand, moving down her back, her coat moving with my hand as I spoke softly.

“How are you…?” she looked up to me, as I could see the star of tears in her eyes.

“M…Me?” she spoke. “What about you?! Do you realize you’ve been knocked out for a few days?”

“I am aware of this,” I nodded my head. “Spoke to Princess Celestia for a bit, but really Nova, I’m fine…maybe a bit on the sore side, but it could’ve been far worst.”

“That’s…true,” she agreed as she sighed, simply moving back to laying along side my body, seeming to be content to where she was. My hand, softly rubbing her back up and down again, trying to sooth her worry. I tired to be as still as possible with my words, was I truly alright? Or was I saying that juts to say that, just to say I made it out without a cut on me…well, not cut as in able to see it, but mentally. I don’t know when, but I felt myself go back into a soft sleep, Nova still by my side.

“So…he is really fine?” I heard a voice speak out as I opened my eyes a crack, outside it was dark, must’ve fell back asleep and hours passed by, I didn’t feel Nova on my side, but the voice I heard… “I mean…Nova if what the news said, and even if he was there for a short time…”

“He is fine, Lyra,” Lyra…yeah, I knew she would be here, did Luna and Silver come by when I fell back asleep? Would I meet the night princess in my dreams? Maybe not, maybe she would want to see me in person. “I mean, as fine anypony can be. You saw what he was like the first day here; this is by far an upgrade then what we saw before.

“So true,” my ex marefriend muttered as I head a soft sigh. “You know, he hates hospitals right?”

“Oh?” Nova asked as Lyra gave a small chuckle, I pretended to be asleep, and I really wanted to see the relationship between these two, or hear it I mean. “Why is that?”

“Needles, oh how he hates them, I’m surprised he didn’t freak when he saw the IV in his arm.”

“Maybe he did, and he just didn’t care…lots of stuff had happened to him in the last few days.”

“Yeah…” the lime green unicorn answered before saying. “SO, you heard that Celestia jailed that unicorn that attacked him?”

“Already, I thought there would be a trail?”

“There was,” I heard the next answer come. “She used that truth spell on both Boulder and that heartless bastard. Shimmer Gem, was his name, and was in fact a part of the Harmony group, in fact a rather big time group member. He fired his best worker at his shop of selling gems, simply because he was friends with a human, the nerve.”

“To each, there own.”

“Are you defending him?”

“Of course not!” Nova hissed under her breath. “But we can’t simply force everypony to love one and another. You know how these Canterlot ponies are, looking down on everypony that doesn’t have a shred of class to their name.”

“Well, Fancy Pants and his wife seemed to have taken a liking to Brandon,” Lyra pointed out. “You heard the rumors of them trying for a child?” I nearly coughed from that, but held it back as I smiled in the darkness. Nova laughing softly.

“Seems anything in the news is taken as true…Lyra, can I ask you something, and please, don’t be mad for what I’m about to say.”

“Alright, shoot.”

“Do you love him?”

There was a small pause, not even the sound of breathing; other then my own was heard. “Why?”

“A simply question, answer it.”

“Are you demanding to know, or asking?”

“Both are in the same right now,”

“…yes I do…”

“If you try and take him from me, I’ll…”

“I may love Brandon, Nova,” I heard the venom in Lyra’s voice before she went on. “But I am not about to risk our relationship, simply for a chance to be back with him. If I could go back in time and tell my past self, don’t do it, stay with him. I would do so in a heart beat!” I heard the soft tapping of hoof on a floor, two taps then one hard; Lyra, I knew because she did that when annoyed. “Some say, that when you end a relationship with somepony, that’s it, you can’t be friends anymore, but we proved that wrong…I miss him, I love him, I want him! I can say that to your face and mean it. But that does not mean I am going to try and steal him from you Nova Star.” I heard a deep breath, before she went on. “You are lucky to have a stallion such as him. He is kind, gentle and will do anything to make you smile, yes, we fought at times. There was one time I thought he was cheating on me because he would be a little too friendly with this one mare he worked with at his place of work.” Oh god…I remember that… “He told me simply this, ‘Lyra, if you think I’m cheating with you, if you truly believe that, there’s the door. I’m not going to fight with you for something I didn’t do. I’m kind to all, because it’s my nature. You can say whatever you want about me, but that just show, you don’t trust Me.’ and he just stood there, watching, waiting.” Another pause before she ended her next line. “Brandon is a kind and sweet human, no, a kind and sweet person. He sees the world in a way other people don’t, he rarely hates anyone unless they did anything so wrong that can’t be forgiven.”

“Did you leave?”

“That’s all you got from that?” Lyra asked.

“Hey you started this story, I kinda wanna know.”

“No, I didn’t, but we didn’t speak to one another for a few days, it was more of us cooling down, before we said or did anything to upset the other to much.”

“But let me tell you something Nova,” I was surprised on how much more Lyra was saying. “I’ll be watching you, someone came after you, attacked you, or was trying to threaten you, whatever, and this just proves there is something about you, that you are not sharing. And if you do anything, to bring harm to Brandon…not even the princesses will save you from me.”

“Is that a threat?”

“That’s a promise.”

“Hrm…you’re alright in my books, Lyra…but just know this, I’m not giving him up.”

“That’s good, and I wish your relationship all the best, that doesn’t mean I’m going stop seeing him.”

“And I wouldn’t ask you to, just remember, who his marefriend is.”

I soon fell back to sleep after that, not right away, but fast enough that I didn’t hear anything else after that; if anything more was said afterward. I always knew that Lyra still cared for me…well maybe not known, known, but I knew in the back of my mind. Hell I still care about her, greatly in fact. But with her…I didn’t know it was that much. Sometimes, I would wonder, what if. What if we never broken up, would we still be together, would our relationship had worked? I like to believe so; and I guess I’m just one of the very lucky few, that can have a relationship, with their past lovers. But then there was Nova…we had only known each other not even a two week timeframe and I was already her coltfriend. Was I moving too quickly in a relationship once more? I don’t know, but I have to stop trying to compare the relationship I have now with her, to that of Lyra. I heard stories how people bring their…what’s the word…items from a passed relationship…bags? I don’t know, all I know, is that if I keep bringing up things that myself and Lyra did; I knew it would spell bad news for me and Nova Star.

Morning light, broke through the windows, the sound of birds singing, echoing from the opened window, as a soft morning breezed, made it’s way inside the room. The blanket I was given before, replaced by a much lighter and more…breathable one. I moved my arms a bit, feeling that the IVs and other such things, were removed from my arms, but I was still wrapped up. “Ah, good morning mister Casey,” I turned over, seeing the same doctor as before. “And how are we this morning?”

“Feeling much better,” I answered. “Thank you,”

“Ah, the wonder of magic and also medicine can do wonders t the body,” he spoke back as he went over to look at my charts once more. Were they same, or new, I didn’t know. “We had to be very careful, because we never combined the two on a human before…well, not to the sate you were in last night, or a few days ago I should say. The outcome looks amazing might I add. Though magic can at times be less powerful on humans, such as magical attacks, it seems magical healing, agrees with the human body; or at least on your body. Such an amazing turns of events as well!”

“Wait…I thought magic healed the wounds quickly for everyone,” I answered in a confusion like voice. “Doesn’t it?”

“Oh, no, no, no, no!” he spoke walking over and placed a hoof to my chest, thumping it once as he nodded. “You see, as you may as well know, no two pony are alike, er, humans…I mean, being, yes lets go with that, no two being are alike.” He stood beside my bed as I sat up, not feeling as much pain as I did before. “You see, there are some begins in the worlds that are nearly immune to magic, dragons, can easily shrug off an attack of a normal unicorn. Maybe because they two are magical beings, that we do not know. Dragons don’t wield magic like unicorns can do, but can do some rather amazing things all the same. Humans we found out are rather the same; you must’ve heard the rumors that perhaps in an age in your world, magic did in fact happen there.”

“Yeah, a wizard, mages, witches, the lot, I know of it.”

“Well,” he went on. “You see, as you also know, Pegasus cant fly without magic, even though they don’t use it per say, the air in our world is filled with magic. Yes in your world birds can fly and such, but as you may not have noticed, some Pegasus that can fly, their wings spans just don’t seem to add up to their body weight. And those who could fly here, can’t fly, or can’t fly as well as they can on Earth.” He took a pause before going on. “We were surprised they could fly at all, or that unicorns were not as strong in magic in your world, so we came to terms that perhaps, within the air of your world, there is still lingering magic. Perhaps as the years go by, and more and more magic is cast while on Earth. Ponies, and other magical like items or races, could become stronger and stronger!

“Of course thought,” he still went on…damn this pony can talk. “This is nothing more then just a theory.” A game theory! Sorry had to do it. “Both minds of the worlds are saying maybe within a few decades your world would give gather enough magic, that perhaps humans will be born as magic users!”

“I find that to be rather worrisome to be truthful,” I added my two cents to the talk as he looked to me. “I know that some ponies hate change, believe me I've seen it…just think on how my race would react if one day a child could light fire balls, or float objects! Both amazing and freaked out at the same time. Truthfully I think it is pretty cool, I mean hell, and I always wanted super powers when I was a kid but well…”

“You’re just worried what the outcome could be?”

“Yeah,” I nodded my agreement. “All of this, it’s just so…new. I mean, I’m talking to a freaking pony, if I was to say that to someone back home ten years ago, they would think I was dropped as a baby, or mentally crazy...or both.”

“I go for the both,” I rolled my eyes as he gave a small chuckle. Anyway, to go back to your question. You see, it seems your body, well; it seems to accept the magical force much more easily, the healing type I should mean. The attack, which that pony used on you when you were in that awful place, well it should’ve done more then just push you back.”

“What do you mean?”

“When you came in, and one of our nurses noticed a lingering magical attack on you, it was in fact a forced type magical spell, to attack and break bones; however, all that was on your body was a small burse on it.”

“Could it be because of how weak he was?”

“That, is what we also thought at first, but also remember the princesses had to break your arm a few times to fix it right. I believe, it I may say, when they were healing you, as they would any creature in this world, well, that simply healing spell, increased your bone healing, causing it to deform a bit.”

“So…what does that mean?” I asked as he nodded before then having a glint in his eyes.

“Think of yourself as a magnet of sorts,” he spoke going over to a wall that held two magnets, one side blue, the other red. “Think right now that the red side is a magical forces that can harm you,” he said holding one up, as he kept the other one on the wall. “And the blue one your body.” He pushed the two together, causing the one on the wall, (There was a board there mind you) to move away. “What do you, notice.”

“The force effect of a south and north magnet.”

“Correct, think of your body, and attacking magic, as just that!” he then flipped the one he had in his hoof around. “Now look,” he placed it right on the magnet causing them to stick…wait…I get it!

“I get it,” I muttered. “It’s well, healing magic effects me positively allowing me, when using healing like magic to heal quickly, but other magical attack could weaken it?”

“In a sense yes! Not by a lot, some many, many spells if strong enough can harm you, but your body, can lessen the blow! I say, maybe if we were to test it, I wonder if you could withstand a mind spell…bah, no matter.” He waved his hoof. Lest not worry about something such as this, lets check how you are doing!”

After checking other body parts on me, he then said. “Well, the magical binding on your body seem to be doing their job, I would say by the end of lunch, you will be all right in leaving.”

“Epic,” was all I could say as I smiled. “Anything else I should know about?”

“How about, we have that lunch outside then?”

Both of us looked over toward the door, as I smiled softly as I saw one of the first few ponies I was lucky to consider a friend while staying here in Equestria, Fancy Pants, and his wife; Fleur De Lis. Fleur held flowers in her magical hold, as the two stood by the doorway as the doctor smiled. Excusing him as he left out of the room, pretty much now, all I was doing, was waiting to be discharged. “Hey you two,” I greeted them as I moved to sit up in bed, still hurt, but again, the pain was numbing down to the point I was only wincing slightly. “How’s it going?”

“We could ask you the same thing,” the stallion spoke as his wife placed the flowers within the vase that Nova placed her flowers as well. “How are you holding up young man?”

“Oh…you know, few pains here and there, but I’m here, and fine!” I chuckled softly looking down at myself. “Quite the way to end a vacation huh?”

“Quite,” Fleur answered as the two sat down beside my bed. “The new pressed is just buzzing with the arrest of that pony who attacked you. They even came after us, asking if you were a violent human.” She shook her head softly. “Seems they were trying to find a reason for that pony, to attack you!”

‘That’s the news for ya,” I answered waving my hand. “They try to find a twist into anything, to make an even better story. News flash!” I moved my hand across my face. “Human provoked pony to attacked, who was wrongfully jailed, now suing the princesses! What a load of crock,” this caused the two to chuckle softly. Fleur, holding a hoof over her muzzle, as Fancy Pants, simply lowered his chin. “Anyway, thanks for visiting, guess you heard I’ll be leaving soon?”

“The press did as well, a new nurse let it ‘slip’,” Fancy rolled his hoof a bit, as he said it in the most, ‘yeah she told them to get some extra bit’ like voice. “Face it Brandon, for the next few weeks, you are the center of attention.”

“But what about the others those were there, why not them?”

“Seeing how they were found…just after you were kidnapped…” he answered not having to say the rest to know what he meant.

“Ugh…did humans help?”

“That’s the thing…no, they didn’t.” wait…what?

This caused my eyebrow to rise a bit, what did they mean…? “Again, many humans didn’t believe that ponies were being kidnapped, and then when a human went missing, many just thought you went somewhere else. Of course there were no proof that you were kidnapping…so seeing how they didn’t have proof,”

“They didn’t want to go in gun blazing.” But what did Luna mean when she…ugh, this is all just very confusing! Luna claimed that there were humans helping, and yet, here these two were, saying that was not the case? I sure hopped that I would meet Luna soon.

“Excuse me,” we all looked over, and as if she had radar, or something. Luna, standing at the door as she smiled softly. “I don’t wish to kick you out, but I must speak with my friend alone please.”

“Oh, of course your highness,” Fleur bowed as did her husband. “We were simply making plans with Brandon here for later. How about we wait for you in the waiting area then?” I looked over and nodded ever so softly, as the two left. After the door closed, Luna, the princess of the night sighed softly as she came over to stand beside my bed as she looked to me. Eyeing me closely and then, to my arm and leg before asking.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better,” I answered. “Thank you.” she gave a soft smile before then saying.

“I’m sure you have a lot of questions at the moment, one being of the help I claimed the humans offered; and yet…”

“Yet those two said that the humans didn’t help, yeah that came across as strange, and that was for sure.”

“Indeed.” She agreed before sighing. “Very well, I shall explain what I can.”

It seemed that Luna, in her own guard, held a, in the sense of the word, a elite guard, fifty chosen guards that even her sister knows nothing about, just as the same with Luna doesn’t know her sister chosen ones. It was a sort of system they made to keep them safe, from what I could understand. It would seem, a few weeks back, a few ex soldiers of Earth came over with their families, hearing what was going on, they had a feeling that it was the True Humans behind this. But they couldn’t do anything. Going to the princesses, Celestia declined, saying that there were just not enough proof as of yet, and that it would be foolish if they made their self be known. However Luna, she took them in, made them her guards after finding out of their skills; trackers. “I can not make them public guards,” she pointed out. “Nor could I tell you their names, Celestia doesn’t even know of this and I wish to keep it as such,”

“Why is that?”

“I am…more forward then my sister at times and our guards reflect on this. The Day Guards are more of, to the book, you could say. They want tot get it done, but done right. However my guard, when we know somepony is vile, we take action, we go to their base of doing, and stop them!” she sighed and shook her head. “A little over a week ago, they came back, of pictures of what was going on, on the outside, ponies being herded in from carts, or in chains…at one point a dead pony was taken out. We recovered the body and are now trying to find next of kin.” Fuck… “They hate dhow, the human government wouldn’t help out more, not unless it benefited them, or how they thought.” Luna sighed once more. “The human government, a good chunk of it I should say, wants to help, but again, they are worried about a single threat.”

“True Humans,” I muttered. “And they are the ones behind this, I saw two of them!”

“Yes,” she nodded her head. “I told my sister as much when I left your dreams, this is no longer just a simple hate group, this is so much more.”

We didn’t say anything else on the matter, I got my answer that I wanted and I was fine with that, I really wanted to talk to her about the rumor I heard from Boulder, about how Celestia didn’t want to have peace or try anything with the humans, but I bit my tongue; no, I think it’s best I don’t ask her that. I told her that Celestia told me of Silver’s father, being that of Prince blue Blood, Luna, nodded her head at this. Seemed those two didn’t get along quite well, and when she started to tell me stories of him, I couldn’t well blame her. This Blue Blood sounded like a spoil brat, that everything should be given to him on a silver plate, or else it is not good enough. Of course this was just her own thoughts, I would have to meet him myself (if I ever did) to see for myself.

I then told Luna of my plan, she was more then happy when she found out I was thinking of moving here, and true to her word, when I gave her the word that I would be moving, she sent a letter to her sister about finding me a home. The princess was giggly to say the least, saying how she and I would play so many video games! It was strange, considered to be a friend with one of the royal princesses, even more, how she could control the freaking moon! as soon as lunch came closer and closer, the doctor came in once more to check me out, telling me that I made a full recovery, however to be on the safe side; wanted me to take it easy. I agreed and thank him, and as we left, a letter came to the princess from her magic. “Ah, sister has returned her respond!” no doubt about the home thing. “Hrm…ah yes, it reads as followed…well I’ll give you the short version. Pretty much Celestial has a few homes that are opened, one made for human families. It’s a two bedroom with a basement for it, two floors above ground. If you want it, it is yours, the deed as well!”

“Wait…what?”

“You didn’t think we were joking when we offered you a home? Oh posh Brandon, and besides, I think you need a free home more then ever! And if you will allow me, I shall pay for your moving!”

“P…Princess…”

“Luna…” she stopped as I did too. “Please, just call me Luna, we are friends are we not?” the look she gave me…I don’t know, sadness, upset? And really…she considered me a friend, just like that. Or had she thought of this at the Gala?

“Sorry, Luna,” I answered before sighing. “Thank you for the kind gifts.” She only seemed too smiled softly once more. Before leaving the room, I might add, I was given a set of clothing, seems Fancy Pants thought ahead, and all I was wearing, was a pair of dress shoes, black pants and a white cotton shirt.

True to what I was told, and thought, the moment we came out toward the waiting area, the presses were waiting, rushing toward me, when one noticed me, causing me to groan ever so softly. Seemed they were bugging Fancy and his wife, and now, the reason they were here; was here. I noticed a video camera within the mix this time, as the light was on, me being recorded. I always did hate at times being in the spotlight, and this was no reason to be proud of. “Sir! Mister Casey, Sir!” someone called out as I groaned as flashing lights went about me, Luna tired to help shield me, but she backed away. I knew it would no doubt look bad if she was far too close to me. I didn’t blame her. “What happened, can you spare a few moments for the Equestrain Times!?”

“Is it true that you were used as a sex toy to the Diamond Dogs!?” again with the sex stuff…really?

“What do you have to say about the unicorn going to jail?” I sighed, knowing they would not leave me alone until I answered at least some of their questions, so I decided, to raise my hands up, causing them to settle down.

“I’ll say what needs to be said, but that’s it, alright?” they all seem to agree to this, which I was glad for ether way.

“I’ll start off with this, because I know how the news works, your going to blame all the diamond dogs or other bullshit like that, saying that just because they are Diamond dogs that they couldn’t be trusted. That is not true!” I wanted to really say someone helped us, but I couldn’t risk Zoe’s sister being in trouble. “Just because a group of Diamond Dogs yes kidnapped us, doesn’t mean we should shun a race as a whole, so please, do not blame all of them for this, just the ones who did this. Secondly it wasn’t them in charge, the True Humans were behind these kidnappings!” there were mutters all around as some more questions popped up. “I do not know, nor care why they are doing this, all that matters are that they are, and it’s wrong! As I escaped with a small child and his mother, that mother gave her life to keep me…and her son alive. If it hadn’t been for the True Humans, she would still be alive today!” I looked down, clenching my fists a bit before saying. “I am ashamed right now as well…that I come to find out the human government didn’t help, nor any other race? We are to be under a single banner of Unity, and yet, when nearly fifteen ponies alone I counted go missing…that’s not enough to ay something is wrong?!” I only crossed my arms, taking a deep breath before going on. “This is only what I think alright, everyone has the right to speak what they want, we may hate what some people say, but within the right of any word, we have the right to speak my mind. So let me say this right now. True Humans, you are nothing more then a low down piece of flitch, you think you are all high and mighty, but you are not. And let’s not forget about Harmony ether. Attacking humans simply because they are humans. I can understand that all of this, is a huge change and it’s scary, but this…this is not the way! You don’t like living with humans or ponies or any other race? Then go somewhere else you racists prick!”

“I dear say, Brandon,” my stallion friend spoke as we sat down at a table; the place name escaped me, as I really didn’t care at that point. “I was rather surprised by what you said,”

“Had to be said…really,” I sighed softly and then nodded. “I know the ways the news is, twisting words around to suit their needs, I remember when I was younger; my friend broke a guy arm.” The two gave me a shocked look before I raised my hand. “The news took it way out of contact, my friend is white, and this guy, who happened to be black, was bulling him over and over again. So one day my friend sort of snapped and threw him to the ground so hard, his arm broke. Let’s just say, when the news heard of this, they claimed it was a ‘white on black’ thing. Didn’t get my friend story at all, until the one who got his arm broke, his friend told the news, that he was being a bully for years.” I then added. “The news try as I say, to make something more, they don’t want the whole story at times, just little bit of pieces that could make the story even better!” I then just waved my hand, sighing softly and saying. “Sorry…I’m just so worked up now I guess…”

“No,” Fleur spoke as I turned to look at her. “You have every right to say what you wanted to say. I still can’t believe they took the word of one, and not try to get more information.”

“Ether way,” Fancy went on, as our food came along, salads and soup, as they were placed before us. “It is over, and we are happy to see that you are fine now.” I smiled softly back at them, thanking them with a nod as we started to eat.

“So…if I can ask you,” I started off slowly, not sure how to say this, I didn’t really know if the job offer he gave me was a one time thing, and I didn’t want to make him feel pressured or anything. “About that job offer you told me about before,”

“Yes?” Fancy asked looking up to me. The food we had order, had long sense been consumed, and now, dessert was offered to us, I took a cake, as well as the other two as I started to pick around it a bit. Throughout the whole lunch time, many eyes came over toward us, and I had a feeling it was because of me.

“Is it still opened?”

“Oh? But of course, the spot was made just for you Brandon,” I looked up as he smiled. “Why do you ask?”

“Well…” I said reaching in my pocket to find the letter Luna gave me after myself and the other two started off for our lunch. “The princesses had given me a home here, I’ll be moving to Equestria after I have my filing papers done, and everything moved over, and I will need a steady job so…”

“Of course!” he chuckled clapping his hooves. “But we do need a trail run, a week at most, just to see how you are,”

“Of course,” I agreed with a small nod. Fleur seemed to smile and then leaned over to her husband, and whispered something in his ear, causing him to chuckle.

“Ah, a splendid idea dear,” he gave another chuckle as the white, pink like unicorn leaned back to her seat, a small smile plastered along her muzzle. “There is also another way…for you to be sure to have the job.”

“Oh?” I asked as I reached down to take a bite out of my cake. “What’s that?” I asked before taking it in my mouth.

“Nude photos shoot with my wife.”

I spat the cake out at once, coughing and hitting my chest as the two roared with laughter, a few heads turned over to look at us as I was busy trying to breath. “WHAT?!”

“Oh, we are kidding Brandon!” Fleur giggled again as I glared at her. “But a simple photo op will be just fine, come now Brandon,” she waved her hoof to me. “You look just smashing in those! Cut the hair on your face, a little trim on your mane, and you could pass for a human prince!”

“Doubt it,” I muttered trying to clean up the mess I made.

“I don’t,” she went on. “Please just one!” her eyes grew larger, head turned slightly to the side, her bottom lip…uhhhh…god…no…no! “Just a wittle one?” she asked, her bottom lip quivering.

“I hate you…oh god I hate you…”

“Is that a yes?”

“Hate…you…ugh…”

“It’s a yes!” I placed my face inside my hands, muttering softly all the while as she clapped her hooves like a little school girl. Ugh…damn cuteness…how I hate thy.

Following what the letter sated, finding the road that led closer and closer to the castle, I wanted to see where the place I would be living was. Attached to the letter was in fact a key as well, I still had a few days left, but thought that I would leave tonight after meeting up with Nova and my other friends to tell them what would be happening. Along the way, I in fact ran into Rarity, she had heard from Lyra what had happened and decided to visit me. Or she was until I was discharged. I told her I was fine and that I would be moving here soon. She was surprised when I told her the princesses gave me the home, but didn’t seem too shocked. I told her the address and said that she knew the area, and that when I was all settled in; she would have a surprised for me. Seemed she also gotten her hooves on a cell phone, so after exchanging numbers, we went on our way.

The home was indeed what Luan said, two floors above, and a window down below, just above the ground to what I knew to be the basement. As I said before I was slightly color blind, so now thinking of it, I noticed a lot of buildings were that of white, yellow, purple like or orange. This building being one of many. It was in a shape of a L, the roof that of the purple like colors, and the trimmings or outline, golden yellow. A balcony was seen on the second floor, possible the master bedroom. The place was nice and large, too large for one person such as me, but I welcomed the space. Inside was bare…duh, I could see a fireplace off to the side, and outlet sockets for the power. The letter said I would still have some bills to pay, but I’m sure I could afford that. The echoing steps of my feet covered my ears as I looked around the first floor. The living room was large and open, the kitchen a good size as well. Going up the stairs I found a bathroom, and two bedrooms, I was right; the balcony had the master bedroom connection. I sighed as I stood in the middle of the master bedroom…leaning along the wall as I closed my eyes, still not believing what had happened within the last week and a half. I still hadn’t seen Silver, and was hoping he was okay, nor Boulder. Hopefully I could see him as well…but ether way…I was moving to Equestria…did I think it was the right thing to do? Eh, I think it’s a pretty cool thing, in a way, I’m moving to an alien planet!

Taking one bigger heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and just wondered to myself…what else will happen now?

To Come full Circle (Unedited)

Author's Notes:

There will be Clop in this chapter, just to let you all know. if you think i should not add clop to the story, or as I've seen other writers do it, add the clop part of the story in say another folder that is to hold the clop chapters, let me know.

ether way, enjoy the story!

2 Months Later…
(Clop will be in this chapter you have been warned!)

Nearly two months, that’s how long it had been since the day I decided to move, and start a new life in Equestria, as a human of Canterlot. It didn’t take long, for the papers to be ready, proving that now, not only was I a now living resident of Canterlot, and this world. True to what they said, Princess Celestia and Luna paid for my moving. Sending items through, The Gate, was far easier then that of sending a person through. Luckily nothing was damage, like I thought it would be.

After everything that had happened, everything started to slow down, more and more. New spread of yet another Diamond Dog group that was capturing ponies were found, this one, being the one that held Zoe’s sister. And true to the world of the Sun Princess; because of her help, and offering to give up more locations, the two were sent off, under a witness protection system. I was given a small note from Zoe, that all it said was thank you. I smiled, just her saying that made me feel a bit better. The only thing that was bugging me was that Alpha was not found.

Before seeing the True Humans members, I would’ve thought that Alpha here was the true master mind behind everything, he was smart, and was able to hold a control over the other Diamond dogs, but now that I saw those two…he was just a pawn to be used by the TH. And still, more questions yet to be answered; why. What was the point of all these kidnappings, why were they just making the ponies slave over digging up gems? Was it to prove they were better, a glimpse of what they wanted the whole pony race and other races that were not humans to do to them? No one knew, and frankly, if it didn’t happen to them; seemed like no one really cared.

Rarity, like she said, after I was settled in, and she saw my place, said she had a little surprise for me. And when I came back from work with Fancy, (he gave me the job by the way, but I had yet to do the photo shoot) I was greeted to a dark home, and a yelling of someone saying, or screaming; “Surprised!” I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard this, the lights turning on to see Rarity, Fluttershy, Lyra, and some others I knew, seeming to throw me a house warming party. The one that did the planning, was her friend, Pinkie Pie, who seemed a little on the sugar high level if you ask me. The party lasted a few hours, and let’s just says, even though it was a few days back; I was still finding the slight colorful papers around. As well as my fridge stocked to the brim with cakes and other such treats.

Working with Fancy Pants was rather easy in a sense, I was in charge of greeting the customers and helping them out with whatever they needed. Some customers, ponies mostly mind you, grew weary when they saw me, simple because it seemed they remembered me from the news. I didn’t let it affect my work though; I just held onto a smile and helped them out. Even though as they left I could hear the muttering of saying they knew who I was from the news. I didn’t let it get to me; there was no point of the matter, all they knew of me, were in fact; just because of the news.

Back on Earth, it seemed less and less crimes against the races were happening. More people, ponies, est. started to rally against to stop both groups. Course you had the hate groups that all they did was having their sighs out and ramble on about something that was stupid. But then you had the groups who vastly out number them, who just fought back with their own sighs. A long way to go, I know, but at least there was a start, a good start.

Within the months of me staying here, Nova and I had gone better and better with our relationships, going on dates, and such, or just spending time with one another, it was rather surprising how well we came to enjoy each other more and more, even more to the fact; how much time I spend with Lyra as well. Now I know a woman only has so much to bear before…she starts to think if one is having an afire with someone. Now I am not, I swear this to you…but it does…at times seem like Lyra moved back here, when I did. She moved back in wit her friend Bon Bon, and I can understand because it was because what she said; the risk of the hate crime and such. But still…nah I don’t doubt her, beside it’s her choice. And ether way, I do spend time talking with Rarity and Fluttershy a lot; even Fancy’s wife. They were my friends, and that’s all there was to it. There was also one other thing that happened, a week ago to be on the dot really…something that well, I was glad for.

Nova and I just came back from another date, a simple dinner date, not even one that we had to go out of our way to dress up for really. But did so just because well…eh, I felt like it. All I wore was a simple white collar shirt with a tie, black pants and dress shoes. Once more shaving to allow my chin and jaw line to be smooth. During the whole dinner, I noticed that she was acting...strange, different, like she wanted to get something off her chest, but couldn’t. I could see it in her eyes, as we spoke; she wanted to say something but couldn’t. And let me also point out, we hadn’t had sex yet by this point. In fact a few days back, when I thought we were and I well, felt ready we were…uh…rather into the making out, when she stopped before we could go any more then what we did. I wasn’t upset that’s he didn’t want to, I wasn’t really sure of the reason but I didn’t push her to it. She made a joke about she would make it up to Jr one day, and we just laughed it off. Could that be it? Was she upset because she didn’t want us to have sex? Boy was I wrong…

Making our way toward my home, she would glance at me from time to time, as I unlocked the door and allowed her inside. She would stay at my place every couple of days, why? Well why not, I like her company, and we are in a relationship. As she made her way inside first, me following afterward, I was just about to close the door fully, when my back was pushed into the door, causing it to slam shut! I looked down, as Nova jumped onto me, her arms wrapping about my neck before she kissed me…strongly and deeply. One hand went down at once to hold her rear so she wouldn’t sag down us both. My eyes widen a bit from the kiss, but I soon melted into it. Sliding down onto the ground, as the sound of our lips pressing along each other was heard. Her head turning slightly toward the side, her tongue worming past my lips and into my own. I could still taste the small bit of wine we both had along her flexible muscle. When she pulled back, her fully seated along my lap. She looked down at me, strands of her mane covering her face, her panting softly before saying…or whispering three words down at me. “I love you…”

I just stared at her, my jaw slightly slack from what she said her eyes half closed as she seemed to want to look away, but before she could, I took her cheek in my hand and pulled her back down for another kiss. Hearing her meep, before somehow purring deeply from it, I broke the kiss early before whispering back.

“I love you too, Nova Star.”

And no…nothing happened that night ether, just more cuddling and kissing until we fell asleep.

But other then all of this, life was great, giving my grandmother my new address, she started to send things that other family members wanted me to have, money, or other such items to help me out. And even though I didn’t want to talk to her…mom still hadn’t call me after my grandmother told her what happened to me. I don’t know what hurt more, the fact that I wanted her to call…or the fact that she didn’t call.

A few days after the release from the hospital, I met up with Boulder, he would be returning back to his home of Los Pegasus, seemed he got a job to help out with building a new casino building, and he just so happened to get a job as head management, I didn’t know, but I had a few ideas on who gave him that job. As I promised him, we went out to that drink, , and just had a good time, I got drunk that night, but it felt good, it felt good that for once in a while, I didn’t care about anything…nothing at all; well, until the next morning hangover came. Thank god I didn’t have to work the next day…

Lying down on the sofa, on my back, with a book in hand, I would’ve been watching TV but here in Equestia, there really isn’t anything other then one station then a news one, and really, I don’t like watching the news. A book in hand, a Daring Do book, it reminded me more of a weird character…can’t really remember the name of the guy, eh; holding it in one hand, reading it slowly word for word before the sound of the paper flipping throughout the room. I was going to keep on reading, before then hearing the knocking of my front door. Closing it a bit, I placed it along the table as I yawned out, stretching my back out; before then going to answer it.

I smiled when I answered the door, looking down as I saw little Silver Arrow standing at the doorway, as he looked up and smiled back. I always thought that the ponies here would think it creepy that I would consider a child, a colt I should say; to be a friend of mine. But it’s not really uncommon from what I learned, is that everyone here is rather opened when it comes to children, there wasn’t anything wrong with a kid and an adult talking. And it’s not like I’m doing anything with the kid! I spent as much time as I could with him, he would come over just to hang, or play video games. He would come over, and just talk at times as well. He still felt the pain of his mother’s death, and I mean, who wouldn’t…burying was just a few days ago, and I went there, just to help him through it. In a sense, we formed a bond when we were in that cave.

He looked much better then when I first met him within that hell hold, his coat clean, and his mane cleaned and kept nicely. He even wore a little shirt, a simple black tee-shirt in a sense, in human words. I didn’t hear much about what happened with Blue Blood, he barely spoke about him. Silver told me at times he met him, a few times, but all he got but was a snort and just flat out nothing else; as if he wasn’t there. This just boiled my blood to the point I really wanted to punch this fucker in the face. When I asked, him, why Blue Blood was acting like this, I thinking Silver was told who he really was, well all I got was that Silver said Blue Blood was under house arrest so it seems. I would need to speak to Luna when I get the chance, because I really don’t understand what’s going on here anymore! However, this time, I noticed that Silver had only one guard, usually he had two guards, the little colt saying that Celestia wanted him to feel safe. This guard, I don’t know…just the way she looked at you; made you feel like she was looking into your very soul.

The pony in question, was a bat pony, and let me tell you, I was rather surprised when I heard of this sub class for the flyer ponies…kind of looked bad ass I’ll tell you that. Her coat held the colors of that of dark grey, bat like ears, perking up, and moving on their own. Golden eyes, silt like a cat’s eye, as she just stared, right at me. A patch over her left eye I should say, not sure how it came to be like that, and I frankly wouldn’t want to know. She just kept her eye on me, not saying anything, before the sound of Silver calling out my name caused me to look down. “Hey there Brandon!” he chimed as I smiled looking down at him, kneeling down as I held my hand out, allowing him to slap his hoof on my palm. “How ya doing?”

“Oh same thing, different day,” I answered him. “You?”

“Came to visit you for a bit, wanted to go outside for a while, the castle is nice and all, but I rather like walking outside you know?”

“Yeah, it was nice of the princesses to let you stay until you wanted to find a good home for yourself,” he only nodded at this…man, when would they simply tell him? “Well ether way, how about you come in, want some juice?” again he nodded as he came in, and without me inviting her inside, the bat pony let herself inside as I only frowned. Of course I would’ve let her in, ether way, but still, she could’ve at least waited until I invited her in; god…

Silver went and sat down on the sofa as I smiled to him as I went passed, moving into the kitchen and opening up my fridge, looking in and found some apple juice, the moment I pulled that out and closed the door; I yelped and backed off, as the guard pony was right there. “Holy fuck!” I hissed a whispered at her. “Could you just…not!”

“Forgive me,” she spoke, looking up to me with her golden eyes. But hard to believe it, but you are the first human I've been this close to.”

“Eh?”

“Well, I have seen humans out and about, but I have yet to meet one, face to face; nor one as young as you are.” I only made an ‘uh huh’ sound at this as I turned to get some glasses.

“Want a glass?”

“I don’t need to drink,” was all she answered as again, I said nothing more on that. “My name is Shade.”

“Brandon.”

“I know, the young highness speaks of you quite highly.”

“So you know of him…?”

“It is of no surprised truly,” she went on as I poured the two glasses. “Even though the princesses have yet to tell him, who Blue Blood truly is, they are waiting for the right moment.”

“Hrm,” was all I said back to her and I placed the drink container back into the cold confined of the fridge, before then taking the glasses out to the living room.

I wasn’t surprised to see Silver already on the game, his magical hold, holding the game controller as he played a random game that I had downloaded onto the system. Placing his glass on the table beside him, as he smiled up, I told him me and Shade would be speaking in the other room, and to try and keep the noise down just a tiny bit. He agreed as he went back to playing the game, as I went back into the kitchen, drinking my own drink as Shade looked to me. “You don’t believe in the way the princesses are handling this information?”

“Truthfully? No, I am not,” I answered taking another quick sip. “Silver should be able, and should have the right to know who his father is, no matter how much of a prick he is being of it. How did he react to when they told him that he was the father of Silver?” she seemed to look away for a moment, as if thinking to herself to tell me, or not to. After a moment more, she sighed and said.

“He flat out refused at first,” she answered as I offered her a chair at the table, she took it, as I sat down across from her, her eyes closed for a moment before looking back at me. I swear, every time she was looking at me, it was like she was staring into my very being. “He refused to take ownership of him being the father of young Silver Arrow, even though there was DNA to back up this claim. He told the princesses that anyone could fake DNA.” Really…ugh, how much of an idiot is this guy. “To be fair, I believe he meant along the lines of forging documents to say he was the father of Silver.”

“Would make more sense,” I agreed before then asking. “When did he at last admit to it?”

“Willing…he didn’t, it took Luna to force the information out of him, casting the truth spell on him. And what he said…ugh, a prime example of abusing one power.” When I didn’t say anything, she took this as a way of me wanting her to keep going, and keep going she did. “He said the following, ‘I told my servant that I was in need of a more, personal task done, that I wished to have her in my bed. The mare refused me, the gull, to refuse ME what I wanted. I simply told her that if she wouldn’t get on the bed at once and offer herself to me, that I would make sure that she would never work in Canterlot, or anywhere in Equestria ever again, that I would plant certain…items in her room. She agreed, how it is my fault that the lowly mare got heavy with child by me!’” she took a breath, huffing under her breath, as if the words themselves seemed to be distasteful, to that mark, they were. My hands clenched along the table a bit as I heard her go on once more. “He then responded to, after the shock look of his aunt, Princess Celestia look. ‘Beside, it not rape, she should’ve felt honored that I even wanted to lay with her, nothing more then a common folk, and then she thinks she can come to me, and tell me that the child is mine? How do I know that she was not sleeping with every other male?’”

“That…asshole,” was all I could mutter under my breath, I wanted to say more, but…I don’t know why that I couldn’t. “What happened after that?”

“The Princess of the Sun, was…well, mad would be an understatement. Cut off from the royal funds as well as guards being around him 24/7. All of his money that he would get bi-weekly from his allowance from the princess is now going into a saving toward Silver Arrow. Of course, the young one does not know of this. Also to the fact, the princess stripped him of his power and standing within the castle. Yes, he is still living there in a form of house arrest, but he must do everything himself, the princess even sated that if he wanted money…well,” she gave a soft chuckle. “She threw the morning newspaper at him and said, ‘happy hunting’ and left him there. For once, the Princess of the Sun acted much like Princess Luna; I only wished I had one of those…video cameras you humans seem to have on you at all times.”

“Truthfully…I would’ve thrown the fucker in jail.”

“In that, we can agree on. But Celestia thinks he can be saved, and will only slowly start to give things back to her nephew when he man up and tells Silver himself.”

“When was Blue Blood told of Silver being his kid?”

“Nearly two and a half weeks ago,” I sighed again, before I then heard her ask. “You seem to be quite…into this, do you not like what has happened simply because of how Blue Blood is acting?”

“In a sense…yes, however,” I offered my own side. “I know what it like is to not be wanted by your own father.”

She didn’t say anything when I told her of this, and that’s why I think this hit far more closely to me and why I was making it more of a big deal. She didn’t say anything still, as if waiting for me to say something so I sighed and started to. “My father was never around as I grew up,” I started before then adding. “Hell, I didn’t even know what he looked like until I was ten, when I did meet up with him. I can’t even remember how, I think mom may have found him and they made plans for me to see my family on his side. It was cool; I mean I was happy for the bit. I found out I had another brother, an aunt, a grandmother on his side but well…” I sighed softly. “I don’t know, it was short lived, to say the least.”

“How so?” she asked me as I sighed once more, looking down at my empty glass as I turned it this way and that, before going on with my story.

“For one, he had a drinking problem, for one, and another thing, he was into drugs, weed most likely because I remember the smell rather well.” I placed the glass down on the table again as I crossed my hands a bit before sighing. “Let’s just say, I really don’t want a relationship with him…or my mother at the moment.” Shade said nothing as I finished with my story before I sighed once more.

“So, you feel more connected to this, with Silver, because you had the same thing happen to you?”

“Unlike Silver, I knew he was for a long time, mom showed me pictures and told me why he wasn’t around, but I guess hearing it from him, well; made it at last sink in.” I placed my hand along the table before saying. “I just think…Silver has the right to know now, not wait for the right time, because really, in a way like this; nothing is the right time. There just is…”

She looked to me, seemly to study me for a long while, before a small smile crept over her muzzle. “I must admit,” she spoke standing up. “Had my doubts about you, but I can see that you speak true to your words, the things you say, well, you say what’s on your mind, and you don’t care what others think.”

“Oh I do, it’s just if I don’t like you…you’ll get the full force of me saying it.” this caused her to release a soft chuckle, looking at me once more, before nodding her head ever so softly.

A few more hours passed, after Silver and Shade left to return to the castle, Silver promising that he would visit more often then he did as I only chuckled at this. I think I fell asleep a little bit after that. If I remembered right, it was around…noon, maybe an hour after noon when they came over. And now it was four, when the front door made a knocking sound. Waking up with a snort, or what I thought was a snort, I rubbed my eyes and yawned a bit as I made my way toward the door, thinking it was Silver, I was about to make a joke about it, if it was him, before stopping and looking down, to see Nova there, looking up at me.

The look in her eyes, I couldn’t place it, but I knew what it was, the very same ones she gave me when she told me she loved me; but at the same time, very different. She gave a small smile up at me, as I returned the smile. “Hey there,” she spoke looking at me before asking. “Mind if I come in?”

“Sure,” I answered moving off to the side as she walked in, I closing the door behind me. When I made my way back to the living room I saw her closing the blinds, leaving the room a bit in the dark, but not too much that I couldn’t see her. Turning back to look at me, I could see the worry in both her eyes, and body, she was shaking, as she sat down she started to rubbing her hoof along her mane before saying.

“I…I need to talk to you about something…please sit down.” She was sitting on the only single plush chair in the room, the other one was a three seat sofa (human size I think four ponies could easily sit on this) to which I took a sit on. She was still playing with her mane, looking down as she was taking deep breaths, trying to control whatever emotions she was holding inside. It was both cute, and worrisome.

“Nova…”

“Please…” she spoke again stopping me. “I…I have to say this now, just...let me talk first…please?” this caused more worry to be pushed inside my mind, but I nodded all the same for her as she sighed softly, eyes closed as she took a deep breath; and started to speak.

“I’m…scared alright?” she started as she looked up to me. “Mostly scared of…us…don’t take it the wrong way please, I do love you, and I meant that, when I told you that last week…but that’s the thing, I never had true feelings for anyone…not…not like this.” She looked down again before going on. “The way you are, the kind nature you have, how you really couldn’t give two sweet shits about what anyone says to you…You care about everyone, even when you are sick, you found a way to make sure I was taken care of, because it was me that got you sick!” that was rather funny, I felt like I was going to puke at any moment, her too, but I still found a way to care for her. “And…and that’s what scares me…I love you Brandon, truly I do…and I’m scared to what you will do…if you knew who I am…”

“What do you…” she stopped me once more with a hoof, her eyes closed. Did she mean about her past? About the reason someone sent another person to scare her?

“Say it…” she almost demanded. Looking up to me she said it again. “Please tell me…that you love me.”

“I do love you,” I said without a second thought as I gave her a war, soft smile. “Believe that Nova…believe that I do love you,” she seemed to sigh and smile a bit at this, why did she want to know something she already knew so badly.

“I hope…you still will after this.” She spoke, ever so softly, before her body was covered in a dark green flame, causing me to slightly jump back a bit.

Many things rushed through my mind as I looked at the tall, slim, creature before me. having read many books while I was here, (what I get bored easily at times) and remembering what other ponies, told me about them, I knew what I was looking at; a Changeling. But no, not just any Changeling…Queen Chrysalis, the one who tried to invade Canterlot, years ago.

Looking at her, the Changeling Queen, her long blue mane, which had holes in them, mind you; blew slightly from the fan in my living room. Her ‘skin’ was that of a blackish grey, to me it reminded me much of that of an ant’s body in a sense. Whatever that was called, eh, too much work to try and think of the name. Her long horn, curved slightly at points, bent, twisted in a sense. Her eyes, a mix of green and darker green, pupils silted like a cat. Her long legs, on both her front and back, held holes; along her neck, lighter grey spots were seen. She stood up fully and climbed down her seat, me still sitting on my bed…err I mean sofa, why id I say bed? We were just a few feet away from one another, before I heard her whisper, in a kind of hollow like voice. “B…Brandon, please…say something.”

What could I say; my mind was coming up blanks by this point. Slowly, my hand moved away from the side of the sofa, cupping my right fist in my open left hand. I took a deep breath before then saying as I got up. “I need a drink…want one so we can…talk?”

Wow, full circle, it felt like I was thinking to myself for a long time, but really, that pause I had, that was where I was thinking of our months together. Of when we first met, up to this point. It was strange; to say the least, go through months of thoughts in a matter of moments. Once I was standing up fully, and watched as she looked back down and nodded her head about the drink, her wings, looking kind of like bug wings, maybe dragon fly wings buzzed a bit. Leaving out of the living room, and going into the kitchen. I leaned a bit on the counter, looking down at the floor as I took a huge breath, to say I was shocked, was a understatement, still, she had answers that I needed. Taking out two glasses and opening the fridge, finding some Apple Jack Cider, I took the bottle with me and took it back out in the living room. She found her way back to her seat, as I came back in. sat down in my own and placed the glasses along the table; pouring it nearly to the brim for both of us. A green aura flowed about the glass of her, as she lifted it toward her lip and took a small sip, as I did as well. Leaning back as I took another sip, I released a loud sigh as I opened my eyes, seeing her looking at me. “So…Changeling Queen huh?” I didn’t notice until now, but a small crown was placed on her head. “So…should I call you…your highness or something?” I thought she would laugh, but she didn’t, just looking at me with a blank look. “Trying to…lighten the mood.”

“I know,” she answered. “But I think now is the time to act like adults here.”

“Yes…I guess so,” I took one more small drink before asking. “Before we go on I have to know one thing…is I at this moment, being controlled?”

“No,”

“How can I be sure?”

“Seeing how you asked if you are being controlled…anyone that can even think that, isn’t being controlled.”

“I see…”

“Anything else?”

“Oh you have no idea…”

It was like an extreme case of 20 questions, I would ask her a question and she would answer it. Some answers were short and too the point, others were long and it took a while. She told me how they could take the emotions or feelings from others. That the emotions were like an aura at times that covered the bodies of others. Love though was what they loved, and the best way to gather that, was kissing. One of the questions I asked her was that was she truly Nova Star and that she simply didn’t take over someone body and…got rid of the body… “No,” she answered before a soft smile formed on her lips. “You see…The Nova Star you met on the first day wasn’t me, but another Changeling.”

“Huh?” I blinked as she shook her head and said.

“She is…well one of my oldest members of my Hive. She like many other members has chosen to live within the cities of ponies, gryphons, whatever. I’m sure there are even now, some changelings on your home world, posing as humans.”

“To what gain?”

“You must’ve heard rumors of us,” she spoke waving her hoof. “Creatures that come and steal the love of our victims, making them into our sex slaves or whatever…this is what the public, the ones that don’t know us, think.” She took another deep breath before going on. “Many Changelings, have found love with other members of races, real, pure love. No control no nothing. They are accepted by their chosen mates for whom or what they are. When I heard from this changeling of a human that didn’t care, and said that he couldn’t blame me for trying to take over Canterlot…I was…interested.” She then added. “I never met, nor heard of someone that openly said we were in the right.”

“I never said you were in the right,” I pointed out. “All that I could understand what you did what you did. Why couldn’t you just ask Celestia, you know, make a peace treaty with her?” this caused her to grunt her teeth, which looked sharp mind you, as her magical aura seemed to flare up.

“I tired that nearly two hundred years ago!”

“Two…hundred?” I blink; guess it was true that changelings could live long lives. “So what happened?”

“She feared us of course,” she pointed out. “The only reason she ever made peace treaties with the other races is because she knew them, she knew how they acted, how they were…changelings, and she knew nothing of us.” She seemed to smile a bit. “A bit flattering in a sense, but I had tried to form peace with her. My race wasn’t hungry that much back then, but I knew it was only a matter of time…”

More and more we just simply spoke, she soon moved over to sit next to me, nearly touching my shoulder with her own. Sitting down she was nearly taller then I, so I wondered how tall she would be when standing up. “So…where does this leave us?” she asked after a few more hours of talking. The bottle was now empty as I was leaning back on the sofa, hands rubbing my eyes. “Where does this leave…us now?” good question…that’s for sure…where does this leave us to now…

Thinking long and hard, I thought back once more to our time together…sure our relationship up to this point had been a lie in…that she was, but at the same time; I could understand that…weird I know. After a moment of me thinking, I at last spoke to her with my next question. “Is that it?” I asked her, turning to look at her fully. “Everything you said now, is it true?”

“Yes,” she answered with a small nod and a smile. “I will also admit this…maybe at the start I was just going to use you, but…I then started to get to know you…and then I started to grow feelings for you.” she then gave a small smile and said. “I was even…I even had anger toward the one known as Lyra…she still loves you very much.” I blinked when she said this as she went on. “I believe, if I were to leave the picture, she would do anything to be back with you. The reason I also allow her to be around you so much…”

“Allow?” I asked with a raise of my eyebrow.

“Okay I know how it sounds but bare with me,” I gave a small chuckle but let her keep going. “Well…for the fact that I know you have feelings for her still as well. I understand you two have a past, and I know, there is a part of you, deep inside, that wants to rekindle that.” She was right about that, maybe there was a part of me that wanted to get back together with Lyra… “But that is everything Brandon I swear…I haven’t done anything wrong since the invasion of Canterlot, I've been trying to feed my subjects and without knowing you have helped me. Please believe me when I ay, I don’t want everyone to label us as monsters, and all I ask…is that we try again…please.”

She looked away again, her green eyes looking toward the table as I just soaked in everything she just said, everything she just brought out to the table. I meant what I meant to the first Changeling…that I believed she had every right to try and save her subjects, just that the invasion was wrong. And the way she is now, Nova…or should I mean, Chrysalis…why would she lie to me now, what more could I possible be to her. Looking to her, I placed my hand along her hard armor like cheek, and pulled her closer to me. Her body moving as she gazed into my eyes, as I moved her so she was sitting on my lap. Her head clearly over my own. My hand moving down to the small of her back, just above the tail as my other hand held her cheek…before moving closer and kissing her on her lips. I was willing to give this a try, to see her for what she truly was. Everyone should have a second chance at life, and who was I to keep that from her?

The soft buzzing of wings was heard as I kissed her all the more. That same purr coming from her as she wrapped her arms about me as she tilted her head. Her lips were soft and I could feel the bit of her fangs, but it didn’t bug me much. My hand that held her cheek moved behind her mane, to rub and hold behind her head, deepening our kiss all the more. When we broke apart, and I chuckled as I saw a blush like look along her cheek, I said. “I’m willing to try…Chrysalis.” She smiled once more, eyes half closed as she leaned back down and pressed her lips to my own, as I leaned back on the sofa, her on top, as I held her in a loose embrace.

(The Clop)
After kissing for a bit more, and her soon getting off me, making a joke burp saying I made her very full…it was like nothing really changed between us. Okay sure I was now dating, (well is should say now I know who I was dating) the freaking Changeling Queen. She was still playful as she was as Nova, but now, I knew this was simply how she acted when she ‘let loose’ when addressing her subjects she told me she would have to act like a queen, but was glad that she could just be ‘normal’ with me. I made a joke back saying that a Changeling Queen fell in love with a human, that there was nothing normal about that. And she responded with, as she leaned close and whispered in my ear. “That’s what makes it so exotic.” …ngnnn… I soon found my way up toward the bathroom shower, stripping down to nothing as I started to get my shower ready. Eating the food from Equestria really helped out my body, and the fact I always ran, my body had slimmed down just a bit, but widen out that missing mass with muscles. I could see the start of a four pack come along my gut, as well as my chest slightly poking out more. I still ate meat, but it was a type of fake meat, kind of like how I noticed veggie hot dogs, still tasted like hot dogs ether way. I had no hair on my chest; the fact is that I shave it off whenever I get the chance leaving my body just as bare as my face. And I’m sure as hell not about to explain my package down bellow so don’t even! Once again…why do I think as if someone is reading my thoughts? Eh fuck it. I still had feelings for her, and I still meant what I said when I said, ‘I love you’. It’s just now; I knew who she truly was now.

That had to be hard for her, to come out and tell me who and what she was, when I knew her as another for nearly three months. Again, maybe I was a little piss that she lied about it for so long, but at least she did tell me; that had to count for something, right?

Pushing my head under the water after it was just hot enough that it wasn’t scolding my skin, I sighed as I allowed the water to hit my body and hair, reaching up to wet it and comb my fingers through my black hair. Reaching for the bar of soup, I lathered my hands with the stuff before starting to wash down my body. I soon heard the door opening and seeing within the outlines of my shower door, it was rather steamy because of the showering, but it was easy enough to see that it was Chrysalis. What caused me to yell and cover myself, was that she pushed the door to the side, just enough that I could see her face as she chuckled.

“Really?!” I hissed as she just gave a rather cute little giggle. “I’m trying to shower, get out!”

“What?” she asked batting her green eyes. “I can’t join you?” I gave her a puzzle look as she only grinned all the more. “Come now, Brandon,” she pointed out. “We are a couple are we not, beside, I am rather…well I want to see what you look like without your clothing,” her eyes trailed downward, to where my hands were coving my crouch as I only blushed, already feeling the start of a erection come on at the thought of this. She only looked back up to me, raising a single eyebrow at me, before I gave a small sigh and moved off toward the front of the shower. It was one of those shower only types mind you, but it was large, nearly covering one wall. She only gave me a smile as she slid the door open a bit more before coming in. her crown sitting down by the sink as she closed the door behind her.

The fact that she never saw me naked before, that was the only reason I was embarrassed by this, as I said before we haven’t had sex yet so I wouldn’t know what she would think about my…department so to speak. With my back turned to her as I started to shower once more, I then shuddered as I felt her hooves go along my shoulders, as I felt her press her body to my own from behind. “You know…I always did find you nice and warm,” her face started to nuzzle along my neck, I couldn’t see her, but could still well feel her. Her hooves rubbing along my chest a bit as she kept herself up on her hind legs, using my body to keep her upright. “Not warm as say fur or feather…just warm.”

“Well…” I spoke as her hoof started to rub my chest and move a bit downward. “I have always had a small higher then normal body heat, not enough to get someone worried though.”

“I don’t mind it,” she went on. “Even more when we slept in bed and you were bared chest. I always did like to snuggle up to you.”

“Feel any different when your well…you?”

“Mhm…no, still feel the same.” Chrysalis started to give light kisses along my neck as I sighed softly, even more I released a small moan when I felt her bite my neck lightly. “Seems someone likes to be bitten?”

“Shut up…” I muttered a blush forming on my cheeks, and not because of the shower. I felt her pull me back a few steps, before she came off my back, and moved off into my front. I looked down, just now noticing my hands was not covering me up, and I was in full mode mast. I gulped as she placed a hoof on my chest and pushed me back a few more steps to give her more room before her eyes trailed down to my hard, throbbing penis.

She looked amazing when her mane was wet, it was already straight I know, but somehow seeing her all wet, and even shiny while in the shower water…I don’t know it was just so…hot. She smiled as she looked up to me, her head was bent down a bit, so her eyes were the only thing hat was looking up. I was about to ask her what she was going to do, (I know stupid question) before groaning out loudly as I felt her give my rod a nice slow lick. My hand went and pressed along the wall, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to fall because one I didn’t see that coming; really should’ve though. Causing her to only smile some more, as her eyes closed and went back to licking me. I watched; when my eyes were open at times as her tongue lapped along the underside of my penis, making it wet with more then just the water casting down on top of us. My hand, soon found its way to her head as she opened her eyes to look at me. Giving me another grin before opening it, and taking the tip in her mouth. I sighed and moaned out loudly when she gave a rather strong suck, maybe too loud, but I really didn’t care at that moment. I hadn’t had sex at all, not since I and Lyra broke up.

With my eyes closed as I arched my back a bit, I felt her take more and more of myself into her mouth. Feeling and hearing her release a soft moan that made her mouth vibrate giving me even more please at the feeling. “C…Chrysalis wait…” she was only half way down my penis before stopping, looking up to me as she pulled off with a wet pop before asking.

“What? Don’t you want to do this?”

‘More then anything but uh…” I looked back at the wall as I moved there, and sat down. “I rather not…you know slip.” She only gave me a sly smile as she moved back between my opening legs for her. Lying a bit along her side, her hoof tracing along my cock before I asked. “Are…you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes,” she whispered looking at me, our eyes locked. “And just think, I could be anyone you want…I bet it would be a big turn on if you bedded one of the princesses or…” I placed a hand on her muzzle stopping her from talking as I said.

“I want our first time together…to be you and me.”

She just blushed all the harder as she looked me in my eyes, as if trying to see if I was pulling her leg or not, I wasn’t and she knew this. She went back down on me, her head nearing my rod again as she took it back into her mouth, causing me to moan out softly as I leaned back along the shower wall, my hand once more finding her head as I rubbed her mane ever so softly. I soon felt a soft bump along my groin and when I looked down, my eyes widen as I had saw her taken me all the way inside her mouth?! My left foot twitching ever so softly as she looked up to me, the changeling queen giving me a grin before ever so slowly pulled her mouth back from my cock, and hilting me down her throat again, leaving me in a moaning mess. She looked back up to me, her eyes half closed as she gave another purr causing my back to arch once more, before I gasped as I felt her tongue, long and flexible, wrap about me.

This went on for a few more minuets, her giving me the most amazing blow job I ever gotten before, (crony I know) as I softly moaned out the feeling of bliss. The water slowly started to turn from hot to a slight cold warm, before pulling off of me, and grinning at me. “W…why did you stop?” I said in an almost pleading begging voice. I was at full on hard mode, throbbing in the air with need as she smiled and licked her lips. Not saying anything as she climbed on top of me. I tried to say something, wondering what she was going to do, even though I had a clear idea on what it might be. She stopped me, by pressing her lips to my own again, causing me to groan as she sat down, spearing myself deeply inside of her body.

I gasped out once more, feeling her insides squeezing me rather tightly as she sat down fully onto my lap. My eyes closed as my back was pressed along the wall. Opening my eyes slowly and looking up at her, she was smiling softly down at me, her cheek holding a soft blush as her mane was covering her face a bit as she moved her hoof to move a bit of her mane behind her ear. I looked up at her still my hand moving down to hold her just above her tail as I smiled at her. “I’ll admit…never thought my shower would end like this…” I answered as she giggled softly before saying.

“Do you want to stop?”

“No,” I told her simply as she grinned.

“Good.” I watched as her hip rose up, before pushing back down on my lap. Her eyes closing once more as she leaned back down, her face nestled into my neck as she and I shared a moan of bliss.

The sounds of the water hitting our body, our hips slapping along each other as I stayed still, allowing her to go at her own pace. The soft whimpers of moans escaping her lips as I held her close to my own body. Soon my own hips pushing up to meet her own, as our tempo started to increase. My hands gripping her a bit tightly as I felt the pluses of my penis throbbing inside of her, sending a bit of pre inside of her. Already feeling myself closer and closer before gasping out loudly as I felt her mouth around my neck, biting slightly to the point that it almost broke the skin! My legs twitching every so slightly as I tried to hold myself back before I felt her release my neck and her whispering to my ear. “Go on…let yourself go.” She whispered before kissing me once more on the lips as I moaned deeply and released myself.

Gasping loudly as my body locked up, each wave of cum escaping my member as it entered her body, feeling her milk me as I leaned back along the cold wall my body giving a small twitch with each throb. My eyes opening to see her looking down at me again, her hips rolling and rocking on my body as she rode out my climax.

(Clop end)

After getting out of the shower with her, me still blushing all the while as I started to dry myself off, as Chrysalis did the same using her magic to dry herself off before she then said. “Well that was rather fun,” I only gave her a small chuckling like laugh as we looked at each other. My towel wrapped about my waist as I took another to dry my hair off a bit. “Though I did hear somewhere that humans last longer.”

“Hey, I hadn’t had sex in a long time,” I pointed out trying to defend myself. “And again, I didn’t know I was going to have any…while in the shower!”

“It was a nice surprise, admit it.”

“The surprise came when you told me you were a Changeling.” I answered back. “But you are right; though I have to admit…it did seem kind of…rushed. I mean the same day you tell me that you’re a Changeling, you then…”

“Let me explain,” she spoke as we left out of the bathroom, the sun was starting to set down more and more, becoming darker outside as I made my way toward the bedroom. She was coming in behind me. “Believe me, when we were about to have sex that one time, I really wanted to.”

“Why to eat some lust or something?”

“Oh shush,” she frowned hitting me in the back with her hoof as I chuckled. Going to my dresser to pull out some boxers and slipped one on. “Speaking of…it did taste good.” I only blushed in respond before she went on. “I wanted to because I truly felt, a connection with you. You must understand Brandon; I've been in this life a long time…a very long time. There had been others I have felt feelings for, mostly ponies, but there were the case of a gryphon or two…but well, when they would find out what I was, let’s just say it never ended well. She climbed onto my bed, sitting down on it as she sighed. “When my Changeling told me there was a human who didn’t seem to care about changelings. Or feared them, which this human understood why we did what we did, as I said I was interested. I thought you would be an easy meal, an easy…pet, to keep around.” I raised my eyebrow as she sad this but let her keep on going. “But then I started to get to know you more and more, and I knew I couldn’t do that to you. When we take a victim under our spell, all they care about is making us feel loved, that way we can get the best type of emotions from them. However, this dulls it down…its like adding water to soda, the more you put in it, and it dulls the flavor.”

“So…controlling someone, dulls down the emotions you feed off of?”

“Yes,” she nodded her head in agreement. “I believe I told you, there are Changelings out there that have indeed found true love outside of the Hive, in their true forms. Some within my Hive, me included for a bit, thought it was strange. No offense, but the other races we feed off, well they are just food to us.”

“So,” I started with a tease. “You think of me as just food?”

“At the start us…but not anymore.”

We sat next to each other, my arms behind me as I leaned back along the bed a bit and looked up. “Ether way, as I was saying, if a changeling can gather the love from who they choose, and it’s real love, no magic needed to get it; its far stronger, more…well, more. Using our magic still gives us a lot, but as I said-”

“It’s watered down.” She nodded once more as I nodded back and then I added. “I still have a few questions, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Sure.”

“I’m guessing you don’t have a place to stay, other then this Hive is I right? Or a job for that mater…other then being a Queen.”

“My home, is the Hive, flying it’s only a few hours flight, and well I do have a place, or well, I ‘convince’ the owner of the hotel to give me a room there…I was kind of hoping when I’m not at the Hive, I could stay here.”

“Dating for three months and already trying to move in with me, Nova…err Chrysalis…that might take some time to get use to.” she giggled softly at this but I nodded my head all the while. “Well, we are a couple, so it would only make sense that you would move in with me…how often do you have to g to your Hive?”

“Once a week,” I looked to her and she went on. “I go there to spread the ‘food’ I gathered, and trust me, with the love you given me; I have to go there almost three times a week!”

“I see,” I responded with, really not sure what else to say after that. “One more question, and I understand if you don’t want to answer this.”

“Sure,”

“The first Nova Star…who was she?” Chrysalis seemed to blink for a moment, before a soft chuckle came from her throat as she said.

“Oh, you’re going to get a kick out of this…”

Chrysalis understood that I had to leave after she told me who the first Nova Star was. I still couldn’t believe it, but she was dead set on it, no lying, because there was no reason to lie about it! But not only was it someone I knew…I just had to make sure. It wasn’t too late in the night, and Chrysalis had to leave ether way to go to the Hive, making me feel like what happened was a booty call…what it felt like that! But ether way, I soon found myself out in front of the home of where I had to be…not sure how she would react, but I lifted up my hand and knocked three times. It was only nine in the night, and the lights were still on. When the door opened, I was greeted to Bon Bon, who looked up at me in confusion. “Brandon…what are you doing here?” she asked looking about. “It’s rather late; oh did you miss your train or something.”

“Just came to ask something,” she smiled a bit as she nodded before I then uttered the next line. “So, is the name Bon Bon…or does Nova Star fit you even more?”