Celestia sat beside me as I was nursing what felt like the mother of all hangovers. I let her take her time to answer not pushing or pressuring her for a response, rather, I sat in silence. Finally she asked me in a calm and even tone, "How did you figure it out?"

I sat running over my train of thought. I was still somewhat wool-headed from the Psychic Chirurgery the royal sisters had performed however, Slowly collecting my thoughts I began to speak, "First...it was the book I found in the archives, it gave me the seed for the train of thought. The descriptions of how to spot someone gifted...or cursed with sorcery."

Celestia nodded, an unreadable look on her face, "Continue."

"After reading things just began to click...my mate and her ability to speak with animals. I understand cutiemark magic lends ponies extraordinary talents at times but the actual ability to speak with animal kind...that isn't a talent. That is a special magic. My people would call it supernatural and that is saying something all things considered."

I paused for breath then continued, "Then I thought of Rainbow Dash, she is an extremely skilled flyer to be sure but the...wake...she leaves behind her when she flies and her ability to rather impressively break the sound barrier...no other flyer can match that. Then add to that she has never been accepted in to the Wonderbolts despite the fact she clearly outclasses them as stunt flyers...that stinks of political maneuvering."

Celestia frowned slightly, "And the others?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose and continued, "From there it was logical deduction. Rarity, a middling talent unicorn from all I can deduce, posses the magical ability to locate precious stones that is so precise that were she to be anything other than the Element of Generosity she could likely devalue every precious stone in Equestria. In my studies of divination magic with Twilight no such spell exists in the books. Believe me, I looked, I wanted to learn it for admittedly selfish reasons."

Celestia nodded and I continued, "Applejack was honestly the most difficult one to peg and had I not witnessed a certain incident I would still doubt she was. It was during Winter Wrap up, a tree laden with snow in the upper branches toppled over and broke across her back."

I paused for effect, "That would have killed any pony I have met including that brother of hers. She just shrugged it off and kept working. That mare is nearly indestructible. I doubt even I could hurt her were we to ever have cause to cross arms."

Celestia sat in silence so I continued.

"Twilight was almost as hard to figure out, she is an alicorn and the element of magic. So how would she stand out? She has raw power, incredible amounts of it. Between being an alicorn, an element, and her cutiemark she is frighteningly powerful. By all accounts she even carried yours, Luna's, and Cadence's magic for a time. But once I thought about it I realized...this amazingly powerful mare...has almost no talent as a spell caster. I have observed her Celestia, she struggles to learn spells. She certainly has the basics down if I am any judge, but anything beyond everyday magic...she seems to have to be on the verge of a mental breakdown to actually pull it off. She essentially imposes her will on reality and forces the magic to work, despite the formulas, spell forms, and other mechanics she has learned."

I took a moment to collect my thoughts once more and noticed barely concealed tears starting to form on her face, "And Pinkie...?" She asked.

I gave a small but friendly chuckle, "She was the easiest of all, that mare is the base definition of a reality bender. I am not sure if her mind operates on a fundamentally different level than ours or if she is really just that...scattered. Regardless, were she to truly bend her power I think she could possibly be one of the most powerful beings in the realm."

We sat in silence again, my headache clearing and Celestia taking a moment to compose herself. We both chuckled a bit when a rather unsightly snoring issued from Luna. "She really did exhaust herself didn't she?"

Celestia smiled, "That she did Bear O'Hara. The type of magic we used to heal the wound to your soul is very old and very exhausting. She is the true master of it between the two of us. I simply provided her additional raw power."

I nodded and smiled at the sleeping Princess making a mental note to in some way show my gratitude.

I turned back to Celestia, "Still...when did you plan to tell them?"

Celestia let out a heavy sigh, "In truth, never. Some of them, like Applejack or Rarity could handle the burden. Rainbow Dash would most certainly be one that brushes with the darkness such power can bring. Darkness you are now well aware of."

I nodded in affirmation as she continued, "Pinkie Pie was and is an unknown variable...I honestly don't know what that silly and wonderful little mare would do if she became aware of the true extent of her power. As for your mate, dear Fluttershy would be terrified. The burden I fear would be too much for her and she may become insular and shut her self away more than she already does."

I could not fault her logic though I felt she did not give these wonderful girls credit for their strength and resolve.

"As for Princess Twilight...Bear it would break her. It would truly and utterly break her to know that despite all her studies, commitment, and fortitude...she simply lacks the actual talent. Without the backing of her element or her sorcerous power she would be a researcher at best. Understanding the theory but being untalented at the application of her passion."

I quietly mulled this over. I considered Twilight a friend, probably my best friend in this world save for my girls. She went to great lengths to teach me to harness and understand my power. I could see her heart breaking knowing that the magic she had was innate rather than a skill she could say she earned. I knew it wouldn't be a matter of pride or hubris, more self worth. She would rather earn something than the fickle finger of fate simply grant it to her.

"Princess...Celestia...If you command I keep this information from them I will and I will do so without complaint. But I think you aren't giving them enough credit for how strong they are...OK maybe not Twilight...but still. I feel like they deserve to know. I will however defer to your experience and wisdom."

Celestia looked at me mildly surprised, "It would seem our magical healing has healed some of your less desirable personality traits."

I shrugged, "Or perhaps just made me aware of them. When you have a few billion souls screaming in your head when you take your bling off," I said holding up my hands with the limiters on them, "sometimes you lose perspective."

Celestia chuckled slightly, "I suppose the same may happen with me as well. For now yes, please keep this information to yourself...but if there is ever dire need they should know I trust you to not hesitate to tell them. But please...only if there is no other choice. They have already faced their darkness when Discord was first released from his prison...they...they shouldn't have to do so again."

I nodded and stood then bowed formally, "As your High Inquisitor my Princess, I vow to keep this state secret."

Celestia taped my forehead with her horn and said formally, "I accept our vow High Inquisitor O'Hara."

We both snorted and laughed, a sleepy voice behind us spoke, "Oh, thou are awake. Good. What did we miss?"

Celestia and I exchanged a sideways glance and both let out a genuine belly laugh.

It was nearing the dinner time when I excused myself from the Princesses and made my way back to the new, and more secure, quarters I shared with my lovely little mate and my little girl. I smiled as I walked thinking how blessed I had been since coming to this world. Yes there had been hardship, sorrow, and other things even less savory to taint the picture. This didn't detract from what I felt truly mattered, I had Fluttershy, she was not Yvette...but I understood deep down it was the same soul. The same soul I have loved since time immemorial. I had Scootaloo, not of my blood but now as much my daughter as if I had fathered her myself. I regret the circumstance that led to her joining our family and could I change it I would...though I must selfishly admit I feel my life might be a little emptier without her. Of course I had a new little one on the way. As much as I wish things had not been as trying for Scoots I will be glad when she has the chance to be a big sister. I know she has it in her to be a wonderful one.

I walked down the hallway in to the secure wing where visiting dignitaries and heads of state were quartered when on official visits. Every ten feet an armored Night Guard stood at attention with heavy pikes griped in their forelegs and stout swords at their sides. I had no doubt more lurked out of sight ready to swoop in and visit swift justice on those seeking to harm the current inhabitants of the wing.

I passed each apartment in turn. I hesitated and almost knocked on Twilight's before deciding I would rather spend my evening with my girls instead of further study.  Moving one more door down I turned the handle on the door and pushed my way in to the rooms I shared with the girls. I was not prepared for the sight before me.

Sitting in the middle of the living area was the was the enemy of man...the Serpent of Eden...Discord...floating sipping tea with my mate while Scootaloo and her friends use him as a jungle gym. I expected the rage to come unbidden yet I felt...calm. The Akashic Record remained mute. No fury, no wrath, no rage, I looked on him and felt...nothing.

Fluttershy saw me and her eyes went wide. With a speed Rainbow Dash would envy she leapt between myself and Discord and flared her wings out taking a low and aggressive stance, "You will not hurt him Bear!" she almost growled.

I stood very still and very quiet looking between my mate who was terrifying me and the traitor of mankind. I took a deep breath and said calmly, "Shy, I am not going to hurt him."

Discord sat just as still as I while Scootaloo in a moment of maturity beyond her years quickly ushered Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to another room. Fluttershy folded her wings to her sides but remained between the Prince of Lies and myself then said in a soft and uncharacteristically cold voice, "How can I believe you...after what I saw you do to that captured unicorn...how can I believe you after how you have been acting?"

My heart was breaking, I knew at some point I would have to face consequence for what they saw me do but I never thought it would be like this. I had to show Fluttershy I was not beyond redemption and maybe I had to show myself the same too. Summoning my courage I forced one foot then the other forward walking past Fluttershy who tried to get between us again. Before she could I raised my right hand and said as calmly as I could manage, "Forgive me, I don't think we were ever properly introduced. I'm Bear O'Hara."

Fluttershy and the Serpent both looked at me as if I had grown a third head. Finally with deliberate care Discord placed his paw in my hand and we shook. "It's...it's nice to meet you...?"

With an exaggerated stage whisper Discord said to Fluttershy, "I thought you said he was on some crazy rampage and had gone psycho?"

Fluttershy backed away slightly...that hurt so much to see, "He...he had...Bear what are you doing? I thought...I thought you wanted to kill him..."

I stood there and hung my head slightly, "Maybe in another life I did...but now...I am starting to understand that forgiveness can be a more powerful force than hate."

I turned to Discord, "You and I need to talk. Man to...whatever you actually are."

Discord nodded and turned to Fluttershy, "My dear Fluttershy, could you leave us while we sort things out...in a civilized manner of course?"

Fluttershy nodded in bewilderment and backed out of the room shutting the door behind her. I turned to Discord, "So, what should I call you? Serpent? Chimera? Prince of Lies? My people have so many names for you."

I stood there alone at last with a being that until a short time ago I would have snuffed out without a thought and I felt nothing, it was like I was meeting a stranger for the first time. In a way I was.

"Umm...Discord is what I usually go by..." he said with a hint of obvious nervousness.

I looked at him and felt something I never thought to feel, pity. "Discord. I won't...I won't hurt you. Not now...not ever...I have...I have let that part of me go, with a little help."

With a snap of his fingers we were sitting on the couch beside each other, "Oh that is marvelous! I am sure we can be the best of friends and Fluttershy will be so delighted!"

Discord exclaimed all this while manifesting a glass of ice cold chocolate milk in my hand, which I drank because I love ice cold chocolate milk, and conjuring t-shirts on each of us that said 'besties' in bold pink letters.

I felt my ire starting to rise and stood ripping the shirt over my head and tossing it in his face, "I said I was not going to hurt you. I didn't say you were my friend."

Discord looked perplexed, "And why not? I brought you to this world after all and reunited you with your soul mate."

I paused, "You said the Princesses sent you to find a champion."

Discord shrugged, "I lied."

It took a supreme effort of will to not unleash my fury on him and try to choke the life from his eyes, "Discord, you are seriously damaging my calm. Tell me in small, precise words, why you brought me to this world before I do something I won't regret...much."

Looking genuinely cowed Discord spoke in what I assume was the most serious manner he had ever done, "I brought you here to save Fluttershy."

I truly didn't know what to make of that, "Explain."

Discord gave another shrug and continued, "It's quite simple really. After Sunbutt decided I could be reformed she made dear Fluttershy my mentor. After a time this old god of chaos felt something in his heart he hadn't felt before...love. Love for someone other than himself."

I sighed while pacing in front of the couch where Discord sat, "That...argh! That doesn't explain why you brought me here!"

Discord looked down and said softly, "I realized that I was selfish to want her to love me in that way. She could spend the rest of her life with me but I couldn't spend the rest of mine with her. So I...looked for someone who could. Her soul mate."

I stopped pacing and took him in calmly. He was sitting with his eyes downcast. His voice carried a note of sincerity. I asked, "So all that about needing a hero...it was a fabrication? Another of your betrayals of truth?"

He nodded, "Mostly...I needed a hero for Fluttershy, someone she could love and be loved by. You were perfect, I just...missed my timing. I was trying to find you in Equestria...instead I wound up in your world...before your soul had departed back to ours."

I looked at him starting to have an inkling of what he meant, "I have been told...the time in the other world...the hear after...whatever doesn't matter but there are rules. Time there is static but the time in the two living worlds is linear. I have to die in the 'now' of one world before I am reborn in the 'now' of the other one. Is that right?"

I admit I was grasping at straws, I was an avid reader of time travel stories and this made the most sense to me based on what I knew of how the worlds worked; I was a customs broker and fallen IT nerd, not an expert in temporal mechanics. Discord simply nodded.

"And because you missed your mark you altered time and I was never born in this world and thus Fluttershy was alone?" I asked.

Another nod.

I sighed and finally said, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions Discord."

I took a seat in an over stuffed chair and after watching Discord mope for a time I asked, "How do we settle this?"

Discord shrugged and sat in silence. I was shaking but I didn't know why. It wasn't rage or fear...but sorrow perhaps? This ancient being of chaos was confessing his sins to me but I couldn't find it in myself to absolve him as I had done with Celestia.

"Discord, I forgive you for any wrong you have personally done to me, including changing my...fate for lack of a better word. I can't forget what you did to my people or absolve you for it. That...that level of betrayal...Discord if it weren't for these damn things on my hands I would probably be out of my mind trying to burn you to ash."

We were interrupted by the door opening and Fluttershy returning. She was trembling with fear and seemed to have something tucked under her wing.

"Oh...g-good you two are just talking. That's good..." she stammered in a soft voice.

Discord looked up and instantly had his cheery demeanor restored, "Ahhh there she is! The lovely Fluttershy! We just had a little man to god chat is all! Everything is right as rain now! He has forgiven me and we can all go about our lives!"

Fluttershy looked to me, "Is...is that true? You have forgiven him?"

I nodded choosing to omit that I only had personally forgiven him, not sought the Record forgiving him as I did with Celestia. He just had too much to atone for.

"And..and you aren't going to try to h-hurt him anymore?" she meekly questioned.

Again I nodded.

I saw Scootaloo peeking around the edge of the door, when she saw she had been noticed she piped up, "PapaBear...does this mean you aren't gonna be all angry anymore."

I choked back tears and nodded, "Yeah Scoots, Celestia and Luna helped me...they helped me forgive myself for some things. I...I won't do bad things anymore like you saw."

Two balls of fur and feathers landed in my lap crying and hugging me. I looked over them to Discord who had a tear in his eye and then vanished with a snap of his fingers. I sat in that overstuffed chair until well past midnight stroking the manes of my girls and by turns apologizing and consoling them for the monster I had unleashed. As we all three drifted in to an exhausted sleep I noticed where Fluttershy had been standing before pouncing me was the box I had given Twilight months ago. Just before I nodded off I saw Tripod quietly take it in his mouth and carry it back to the bedroom. My last thoughts before sleep claimed me were, Good girl Shy, you know what to do with a rabid animal...

A new day dawned and Shy, Scoots, and I ate breakfast as a family. All awkwardness and trepidation from the last few days seemed to have disappeared during a night as the three of us slept in the chair cuddling. I was not naive enough to think all was now well, but I knew we were on the road to mending the trust I had broken. We were in the modestly appointed kitchen of the apartments where I had cooked up a breakfast of hash browns, eggs, toast, grits, and a mess of fried pickles for Shy.

Scootaloo watched Shy with eyes like saucers as she dug in with gusto to a breakfast three times as large as the plates before Scoots and myself.

"Wow MamaShy! You sure are hungry this morning!" exclaimed my little girl.

I chuckled softly as Shy turned beet red with a large slice of toast shoved halfway in her mouth.

"You wanna tell her Shy or should I?" I questioned my mate.

She finished wolfing down her slice of toast and said demurely, "You...you can tell her if you think it's time."

Scoots looked at us both curiously and used the phrase I had taught her, "Whatchu talkin bout Willis?"

I will never regret teaching her that and will forever declare it becomes funnier with each repetition. With a smile I said, "Scoots, MamaShy and I have something very important to tell you."

She raised an eyebrow, "Go on..."

"You are going to be a big sister." I said with smug satisfaction.

"Say what?" came my little girl's incredulous reply.

"I'm having a foal sweetheart." Fluttershy said with a soft smile.

"Wha...how!?"

I started turning a little red, "Um Shy...is Scoots old enough for the birds and the bees talk?"

Shy cocked her head, "You mean the badgers and the breezies talk?"

I nodded. We both looked at our little girl and realized we had some splainin' to do. One very awkward conversation later Scootaloo seemed incredibly grossed out by the mechanics of the situation and very excited that in less than a year she will have a little sibling. Our family fellowship was interrupted by a knock at the door.

I excused myself from the table and opened the door to find five familiar mares, two fillies, and a pair of Night Guards.

"Ladies, fillies, what can I do for you today?"

Twilight smiled enthusiastically, "Bear! Princess Celestia has invited us to the unveiling of Equestria's newest airship!"

"Equestria has airships?" I asked curiously.

"Oh yes darling! They are a most luxurious way to travel!" exclaimed Rarity.

"Them things can also haul a good load of apples. Heck we make a trip to tha Canterlot airship docks once a year, Mac and Me, just to deliver a whole heap of apples to be flown to tha griffon lands. Them cat birds think of them as a delicacy seein' as they don't grow there." Applejack enthusiastically educated me.

I was about to call to Fluttershy and Scootaloo to come join us when my little orange and purple ball of energy bolted between my legs and bounced around her friends, "Girls! Girls! I'm gonna be a big sister!" she shouted with glee.

Five mares locked eyes on me while I sheepishly rubbed the back of my head, "Well...guess that cat is out of the bag..."

Tripod moseyed up beside me and whispered, "That's not a very polite phrase among my kind Master."

"Sorry bud."

Twilight piped up, "You and Fluttershy are having a foal!?"

Pinkie exclaimed, "Your cat can talk!?"

I looked on at the small herd shuffling up to me, "Um...yes...to both..."

A deafening round of "squees" could be heard as I was alternately congratulated and questioned. "Oh oh Bear! Humans are so big! How are they going to get the foal out?" Pinkie demanded.

"Um...the same way it got in?" I said without thinking.

That day I learned how to turn a group of mares red while simultaneously making two stoic guards giggle.

Rainbow Dash hovered over beside me while the girls chattered excitedly among themselves and whispered in my ear, "First, you have no idea of how jealous of you I am. Second I am the Princess Mother, no argument. Third if it is a pegasus I am teaching them to fly, got it?"

I whispered back, "You know you were the top candidate for both positions already right?"

Dash smiled and hoofbumped me. After a few minutes Fluttershy joined us wearing her saddlebags with my backpack in her mouth and Angel in tow.

"What's all this Shy?" I questioned.

"Oh...um...well I heard we were all going out so I thought we could maybe do a little foal shopping too...if you don't mind..." she said softly.

"Of course I don't mind! But I don't know how long this unveiling thing will take. You sure you want to be toting those bags around?" I asked.

"Oh they aren't that heavy...I carried you out of the forest didn't I?" she smiled and batted her eyes at me mischievously.

"Oooooo you got told!" Pinkie exclaimed while spinning her hoof and making me wonder when we wound up in the nineties.

It took about thirty minutes to reach the airship docks from the secure wing of the castle. The whole time the girls peppered Fluttershy with questions about her foal while Scoots and her friends scampered about jabbering excitedly about the new Crusader to be. Twilight let herself fall back until she was walking beside Tripod and myself. "Nervous?"

"Master has had extremely heightened blood pressure, irregular eating habits, and has failed twice to put on matching socks since he found out the Mistress is with foal." Tripod spoke nonchalantly.

I glared at my cat who returned the look with a Cheshire smile.

"As Big Mac would say, Eyuup." I finally replied to Twilight.

That earned a little chuckle from her, "I'm glad you have found a home here among us. I was really worried for a long time that you wouldn't be able to adapt to our way of life."

"Our way's aren't so different Twilight, I think both our worlds want things to be peaceful, simple, and joyful. It's just here there is more opportunity to bring that to fruition." I said.

Twilight nodded, "I figured that was how it was, I have visited a human world before, it wasn't yours but I saw we aren't so different. I just...I saw how your people...or at least you...are closer to their predator side than the other world. I worried...a lot...especially after these last few days."

"Twilight...I did something stupid to cause that." I went on to explain to her, along with everyone else once I noticed they were listening in, how I had inadvertently placed a geas on myself when I used my magic to burn off my tattoo that represented my belief in freedom. In doing so I had committed myself to the false expectation I had that Celestia wanted a weapon and not an ally. It had caused me to stray from the path of righteousness and act coldly and without remorse. I made it clear that I did not believe it excused my actions even though Celestia and Luna had both proclaimed I acted at their behest and with their blessing. I would have to live with the weight of the lives I had so callously taken.

We neared the airship docks and I had my first glimpse of the ship we were there to see. I was a bit perturbed to put it mildly. Hovering over the docks was what looked like two upper decks of a civil war era ironclad that someone had glued bottom to bottom. The upper and lower decks each had four ports with what looked like large bore cannons protruding forth. On the upper and lower fore ends of the vessel sported what appeared to be launch tubes for rockets and on the sloped armor of the forward upper and lower decks were two more large cannons. To the aft the upper deck was a mirror image of the prow with cannons and rockets but below it were a pair of large screw-style propellers. Where a mainmast on a sailing ship would normally be was instead a large pole with the Equestrian flag emblazoned on it. The whole vessel was black iron and brass fittings, menacing even by human standards. Painted in bold white letter on the vessel's prow was one word "Valiant". This wasn't the liner or cargo ship I expected, hovering before me was a ship of war.

Celestia and Luna stood near the boarding ramp with an entourage of night and day guards. I stalked up to Luna trying to calm my fury, "This is NOT what I had in mind when I let you copy information from my tablet Luna!" I shouted in anger.

To her credit she didn't flinch and held out a wing keep her guards at bay, "Calm thy fury Bear O'Hara, tis not what it appears. This mighty vessel had been in dry dock long before I returned to the land. Nay we did not misuse your information. This ship was built during the last war of griffon aggression but never completed. All else, the elemental rockets, the rune cannons, and the rainbow drivers are all Equestrian in origin. Verily the only innovations not our own are the sloped armor we gleaned from thy tablet, the lifting crystals from the Crystal Empire that replaced the gasbag, and teleportation engine we salvaged from the Unicorn airship you yourself downed. Nay Bear O'Hara we have not abused thy good will."

I was mortified...of course with their level of magic and industrialization they could build something like this. They had a standing army, I was a fool to jump to conclusions. I knelt before her, "My Princess please forgive a presumptuous knave for speaking out of turn."

Both Celestia and Luna smiled, "He has indeed calmed much from his healing my dear sister. Go on and forgive him. It is easy to see where he might get the idea from."

Luna gave a soft giggle and to my surprise booped my nose. I stood and looked with embarrassment at my family and friends, "And that ladies, is how you make a fool of yourself in front of three Princesses at once."

A chuckled ran through the group and in short order we were introduced to the ship's captain, Stem Stern. He was an older and haggard looking earth pony with a gray coat and eyes with a short white beard. He wore a peaked cap with an anchor sporting a pair of wing. Around his barrel he sported the pony equivalent of a naval officer's coat with four pips at the neck denoting his rank. On his flank he bore a cutiemark that I swore was an albatross.

Beside him was a smaller crystal mare around Fluttershy's age. She had a light red but not quite pink coat that glistened in the light. A short black mane was pulled in to a neat bun with a peaked cap similar to the captain's sitting on top. She had sparkling emerald eyes and a cutiemark of a compass with the needle replaced by a rose. The pips on her collar, if I read them right, showed her rank as commander. She was introduced as chief navigator and helmspony Compass Rose.

We were invited to board the ship for a tour but asked to stay out of the way of the engineers finishing up her final refits. This seemed more directed at the fillies than anyone. As we boarded Celestia and Luna excused themselves as a runner came to them with a missive indicating the minotaur and griffon ambassadors were about to have a fist fight over the rights to woo one of the castle maids.

"My little ponies, you enjoy the tour of this fine vessel and mind Captain Stern. We should return shortly after dealing with this...", she giggled, "dire diplomatic emergency."

As we took the grand tour I had to admit the ship was impressive...not that I had ever been on a ship, or an airship for that matter. A number of engineers and craftsponies scampered about making last minute upgrades and fittings to the vessel. Captain Stern assured us she was ready for flight and was only missing the crew which was not to report for a few days yet.

Our tour made its way to the bridge where I stood dumbfounded. Throughout the ship I felt like I was in some form of ponified edifice to steampunk sensibilities. Here on the bridge though, here I felt I was in a loving homage to every space opera ever. Glowing magical view screens covered every wall save the forward area which was dominated by a picture window giving a panoramic view of the forward direction of the ship. "Captain Stern, I do believe this room is my heaven." I stated with absolutely no shame.

"Heh, a fan of airships son? Or should I call you High Inquisitor?" replied the Captain in a grandfatherly voice.

"That title means nothing outside of a confrontation with enemies of the state Captain, here, I'm just a passenger in awe of the beautiful machine you command." I sincerely informed him.

While I wandered the bridge oohing and ahhing at the sights. I overheard snippets of conversation.

"Here Princess Twilight, these controls command the golem brains that operate the runecannons. If we channel arcane energy through the orichalum ley matrix of the primary golem brain we can fire the forward cannons with an output of two Megaswirls! When running off their own brains though they only output about point eight Megaswirls."

"Wow that's impressive! I can only blast out one and a half Megaswirls before I start exerting myself. Hey what did you say your name was?"

"Oh me Princess? Ensign Smith, Gungnir Smith...my friends call me Gun Smith..." replied the purple coated pegasus with a blond mane and crossed cannons for a cutiemark.

Twilight chuckled and took a step back from the obviously amorous ensign. "Ohhh kay then...moving on..."

I switched my attention to Dash who was animatedly speaking with Compass Rose, "What does this leveler do?"

"That shunts the full flow of our liquid rainbow reserves to the rainbow drivers. Gives us one heck of a kick when we have the need..."

"...The need for speed!" Rainbow shouted then hoofbumped the navigator.

I settled on to an observation bench with Fluttershy and Scoots and idly scratched both my girls behind the ears. "How are my girls doing?"

"PapaBear this thing is sooo coool! I totally want to pilot an airship someday! Maybe I could event get an airship pilot cutiemark!" My enthusiastic little girl informed me.

Fluttershy simply rested her head on my shoulder and said softly in my ear, "I'm just glade to have you back my love."

I turned and cupped Fluttershy's muzzle and gave her a long and tender kiss. It had been too long since we shared physical affection and I was determined we would make up for lost time.

There was a tinkling then a popping sound followed by a scroll appearing in my lap. It bore the seal of princess Luna. I opened it with curiosity, glanced over the contents and handed it to Captain Stern.

"Well ladies and gentlecolts, it would appear the Princesses are going to take longer with that matter of state than they thought since it appears to have escalated in to an all out food fight between both delegations. Currently Princess Luna appears to have sided with the minotaur delegation and is lobbing heads of lettuce at Princess Celestia." Captain Stern announced to the bridge in his most serious and dour voice.

A round of laughter followed as were comments on the oft legendary prank wars between Celestia and Luna. After a few moments Captain Stern continued. "The Princess has asked us to go ahead and shove off for our shakedown flight without them. This won't be anything too spectacular. Though if all goes well we might open up the rainbow drivers just a bit."

I could see Dash's face light up at the prospect of opening up the rainbow drivers...myself...I still hated flying. The moorings were released and the HMS Valiant left dock for the first time. I sat there holding my girls and watched out the observation window as we took a leisurely arc around the castle and then slowly spiraled over the city until we were effectively orbiting Canterlot Mountain. I had to admit that this was a smooth way to fly and if I could have done this back home I would have traveled more. Home...this was home now. That other world so long ago and far away, it was memory and nothing more. I squeezed Shy's hoof and looked lovingly in to her eyes just in time to see them widen in terror. I turned and saw out the window no less than ten zeppelins bearing the crooked cross flash in to the skies above Canterlot and begin raining down fire and fell wolves.

One zeppelin flashed in to being less than three hundred feet from us. Arcane bolts of lightning began hammering the hull as the ship started shaking. Captain Stern leapt in to action, "Helm! hard to port ninety degrees! Ensign Smith emergency cycle starboard cannons. Fire as soon as you have green runes!"

The ship lurched heavily to the left as the airship in front of us moved in to our right field of view. I looked over to Ensign Smith and saw him intent on a control board as one by one eight runes lit up followed by him slamming his hoof on a large red button that seemed to be the universal sign for 'unleash hell'.

Less than a second later a deep rumbling could be heard in the bowels of the ship as eight bolts of arcane hate slammed in to the enemy zeppelin. The bridge crew let out a loud whoop as the enemy ship started listing heavily and drifting downwards trailing flame the whole way. The revelry was short lived as captain Stern shouted, "Brace for impact!"

Time seemed to slow, outside the forward window I saw a rocket streaking from one of the nine remaining enemy ships heading straight for the bridge. Followed by Captain Stern leaping towards myself and the girls. His weight slammed in to us just as the rocket struck. There was a deafening roar as the window and a chunk of the bridge armor blew outwards. I was vaguely aware of screams of fear and cries of pain. I collected myself and looked first to Scoots then to Shy, Scootaloo was balled up tightly to my side, a few scrapes and scratches but no worse for wear. Fluttershy was almost entirely covered by Captain Stern and that likely saved her as several large chunks of shrapnel protruded from his side. I reached up to wipe blood from my forehead and realized I couldn't see out of my left eye. I would have to worry about that later. For now...now I had to protect my family.

The ship shuddered as another rocket slammed in to the ships armor. I lurched forward and stumbled to the helm where Commander Rose frantically pulled on the steering column to keep us under control. "Commander Rose, the Captain is out of commission, it's up to you to get us out of here!"

She looked at me in abject terror, "Me! But High Inquisitor you outrank me! You should be giving orders!"

Well that's news to me. Running with it I shouted, "Is that teleport engine working?"

"It is but we don't have any destinations in the golem brain!" she shouted back over the deafening roar of the battle and wind.

"Can a unicorn replace the golem brain?" I hastily asked.

"Yes but they would need to know the teleport destination!"

"Twilight!" I called out.

"Ugh my head...Bear your face!" She said with a sick look.

"Never mind me, you are our only hope. I need you to operate the teleport engine. Port us out of here, anywhere!" I called out.

"Oh...OK!" She hesitantly agreed before moving over to helm and placing her hooves on what I presume were the manual control runes.

She was deep in concentration while I looked out the remains of the forward window and saw three zeppelins bearing down on us.

"Any time Twilight...now is preferred!" I choked out.

"I...I'm trying...this is difficult." She cried.

I reached out an placed my hand between her wings and felt her stiffen at the touch. I spoke just loud enough for her to hear me over the noise engulfing us, "I believe in you Twilight. I believe in you."

A serene look came over her face as her eyes lit up with arcane power. In a voice barely audible I heard one word, "Jump."

A bright purple flash engulfed my vision and a sensation of falling took over. Seconds later instead of the chaos of battle outside the shattered window was Castle Friendship.

"You did good kid, you did real good." I said as I ruffled Twilight's mane. She huffed and puffed taking in deep breaths.

"That...that was intense."

I heard muffled crying and turned to see Fluttershy cradling Captain Stern in her forehooves. Scootaloo sat still on the bench looking like she was in shock. The rest of the girls were busily tending to the bridge crew, they themselves seemingly no worse for wear.

I knelt down and took the Captain's hoof in my hands, "You saved my mate and my unborn...I can never repay you..."

Stern weakly turned his head trying to focus his eyes on me, "You...all...national assets...couldn't let you get hurt. Especially this pretty thing of yours."

He coughed weakly then seemed to grab on to a bit of lucidity and I felt his grip tighten on my hand, "Son, I know your title doesn't mean much to you...but you have seen more than my kids on this ship...help them...guide them...the ship is yours...Captain O'Hara..."

I began to panic summoning forth the golden healing light but I found him...empty...there was nothing there to heal...he was gone. Gone to protect me and mine. Fluttershy sobbed softly as I took off my vest and laid it reverently over his head. She looked up at me through her tears and gasped, "Oh Celestia! Bear you eye!"

She took a moment and fished a small mirror from her saddle bags and held it up with a trembling hoof. It would seem I have one less eye now. I was strangely calm at that moment. I channeled my healing magics and the wounds on my face healed over, however my left eye remained milky white. I suppose I should get used to a lack of depth perception.

I turned to Commander Rose, "Commander, please set us down somewhere inconspicuous...or as inconspicuous as a three hundred foot airship can be."

It took only a few minutes for the airship to set down in the shadow of the castle between the town and the woods. During that time there was another pop followed by a scroll landing in my lap. It bore the seal of Princess Celestia. I unrolled the scroll and rubbed my good eye, making sure I read and fully understood what the message meant.

Twilight took herself away from tending to the bridge crew and asked, "What does the letter say? Are the princesses alright? Is Canterlot safe?"

I handed the parchment to Twilight, "It is best they hear it from you, after all...well...read it for yourself."

Twilight silently scanned the letter. I watched her reread it several times, her face showing a range of emotions running the gambit from dread to fury.

"This...this...I'm not ready for this..." Twilight softly spoke.

"Nor am I, but fate rarely comes calling when we are ready. Come now they deserve to know and they deserve to hear it from you." I gently prodded her.

Twilight turned to the assembled ponies in the wrecked bridge and spoke hesitantly. "Ladies and Gentlecolts...as you all know Canterlot has came under siege...Princesses Celestia and Luna managed to get a letter out of before the city shield went up. It was for myself and Bear...but you all deserve to know what it says...the important part anyway."

Twilight levitated the letter before her and began reading, as the words echoed across the room I could feel two sets of hooves, one gripping each hand in fear.

My Loyal Subjects

The forces of King Sombra and what we have come to learn is his "New Unicorn Empire" have launched a cowards attack on Canterlot. Rest assured Canterlot and your Princesses are safe beneath the city shield. However, this good fortune comes at a cost, while our enemy can not get in our army and airships can not get out.

Because of this I, Celestia, Princess of the Sun with the blessing of my sister Luna, Princess of the Moon, do declare Princess Twilight Sparkle as regent of Equestria until such time as the shield may safely come down. Treat her word as our own. Further I name High Inquisitor Bear O'Hara as her general and commander of any Equestrian forces still free and able to fight.

As for the HMS Valiant, the only airship not trapped under the shield, my orders to her captain are simple, bring King Sombra to justice by any means necessary.

My little ponies, make no mistake, this is the gravest threat we have faced in our nation's living memory. As of this day, Equestria is at war.

Signed

Celestia, Princess of the Sun

Luna, Princess of the Moon

The assembled ponies looked about, mixed shock, outrage, and fear evident in their manner. Finally Compass Rose spoke up. "Wha..what does that all mean Princess?"

Twilight looked to me, obviously unsure how to answer. I cleared my throat and she nodded for me to speak, "It means Commander Rose, we do our duty for crown and country. We fight and we keep fighting until the very pillars of heaven shake with out rage."

In the crowded room I heard the beating of hooves one the deck as some of the more veteran crew applauded my words. Twilight moved  closer and spoke softly so as to not be heard by the gathered crew. "Do you have any idea what you are doing?"

I shook my head, "Not in the least."

Next Chapter: 25 - Exodus Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes