“You met Daring Do?” Rainbow asked. “Was she as awesome as you thought?”

“She had her moments. I was a little distracted.” Robert replied, rubbing the side of his head. “Ahuizotl isn't an easy opponent.” he fought valiantly the urge to scratch at the bandages on his back.

“You're telling me.” Rainbow laughed. “Did you guys win?”

“Sort of.” Robert admitted. “Technically we weren't on the same side to start with, and I came out with the prize.”

“You beat Daring Do? Don't believe it.” Rainbow stated.

“I did not beat Daring Do.” Robert acknowledged.

“Told you so.”

“I beat Ahuizotl. He beat Daring Do.” Robert nodded. “Then I beat him and ran away as fast as I could go.”

“You got away from Daring Do?” Rainbow asked.

“For a little while. She tracked me down and we realized we were on the same side. Then we blew the joint and returned the stolen artifacts.” Robert shrugged, and winced. “Almost a piece of cake.”

“Cool. So what's next for the tiger about town? Party with the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow asked, grinning.

“Those dweebs? No thanks.” Robert said. Rainbow's mouth opened and closed.

“D-dweebs?” she managed. “How could you possibly say that?” she glared at him.

“After everything you've told me? How I could I not?” Robert replied, sitting down. “First they don't pay attention to the actions of the cadets they're training, only results. What's more, they wanted to abandon Soarin at the first opportunity, just because he'd had a minor injury.” he snorted. “And that's just as a stunt team.”

“I don't believe this.” Rainbow said, landing, and leveling a stare.

“And their track record against actual threats? I'll give them Nightmare Moon. Twilight and Celestia were the only two who could have predicted that, and only the elements could have stopped them. Discord was the same thing, just flat out out of their class, and they never engaged him anyway. The changelings? Numerous but not invincible and they steamrolled the Wonderbolts like they weren't even trying.” Robert shrugged. “No pony not packing the Crystal Heart had a chance against Sombra, so that doesn't count.” he sighed. “Let's not even mention how easily Spike managed to defeat them. Yes, he was giant size, but he also was completely ground bound. And all they managed to do was annoy him until he trapped them like flies in a jar. Some Elite fliers that have been out done twice by Rarity. A pony who under normal conditions cannot fly and they've been defeated in the air by her. By accident. And she stopped a rampaging dragon, where they failed.”

“I.. I...” Rainbow's brain fought to catch up.

“You want to join them? Go for it. They could use the help. You're loyal, tenacious and an exceptional flier. They need you to improve the team. Me? They fail to impress me.” Robert shrugged, and then winced again.

“I'll... think about what you said.” Rainbow sighed. “I don't know if I agree with all that. But I'll at least consider it.” she turned, then stopped. “If you feel that way about them, then why all the Wonderbolt's stuff for me?”

“Because a good friend doesn't let a little prejudice get in the way of a friend's happiness.” Robert smiled. “Now, I'm going to go find some medical assistance. Royal Guard Medics are not known for their generosity with pain medication.”

“Yeah, they're pretty stingy.” Rainbow laughed, then disappeared in a flash of light. Robert turned and limped through the town square. Zecora was on the other side of town, and he preferred her personal experience with Tigers to the calculations of the hospital, if they could even do anything. Which is how he ran into Lyra and Bon-bon. Not literally, since he was walking, but they still altered course to meet him.

“Hey Robert.” Bon-bon called, and waved a hoof for him to stop before they approached. “What happened to you?”

“A very long story.” he replied evenly. “What can I do for you two fine mares?”

“He's as bad as Cloudkicker.” Lyra laughed.

“No one is as bad as I am.” said the voice of a low flying pegasus, but she continued on without landing, off towards another cloud.

“Anyway, we wanted to invite you to a concert.” Lyra said, after a moment of head shaking.

“Oh? Why me?” Robert asked.

“Lyra's going to be performing her flute piece. The commissioner heard it, and asked her to play it for the debut. She's getting to play in the Canterlot Opera. She'll be opening for her crush.” Bon-bon fluttered her eyes at her marefriend.

“S..stop it!” Lyra said, flushing. “I do not have a crush on Octavia.”

“Your face says differently.” Bon-bon teased. Lyra blushed brighter.

“So when is this concert?” Robert asked, hoping to keep the conversation from getting worse.

“In a couple of days.” Bon-bon replied. “The date is on the tickets.”

“Tickets?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, there's two of them.” Lyra said. “So bring somepony with you.”

“Great, now I've got to pick somepony.” Robert sighed. “This should be fun.”

“If you don't want to go..” Bon-bon began.

“That's just it, I do.” Robert sighed. “The problem is that I've made a fair few friends in town and I've only got one spare ticket.”

“Oh.” she saw the problem. “I could find someone else to take the second ticket?” the cream colored pony offered.

“No, no, I'll figure it out. Thanks for the offer though.” Robert nodded.

“You'll want to wear something though. The bandages might make the nobles faint.” Lyra laughed.

“I'll take that under advisement.” Robert smiled.

“Well, I've got to take her home and pour her into bed...” Bon-bon's comment was interrupted by Lyra plastering herself to her marefriend's lips.

“No pouring necessary if you get in with me.” the slightly tipsy unicorn smiled. Bon-bon appeared to turn into a redhot. Robert took the cue and limped away from them.

The solution presented itself from a rather unexpected source. Zecora was busy treating his wounds, and telling him off for them, while he explained the problem to her and Apple Bloom.

“Why don ya get them all in a room and ask them all at once?” Apple Bloom said. “That way ya don't get any pony mad for asking any pony else first?”

“From the mouths of babes.” Zecora chuckled. “Come idea's worthy of accolades.”

“That was quite the stretch. Aigh.”

“Annoy not the medic. Or you'd regret it.” Zecora said, continuing to dab medicine on the wounds. Apple Bloom coughed.

“Brilliant plan Apple Bloom.” Robert nodded. The filly beamed.

---

Seven ponies gathered into the library, chatting amongst themselves. Derpy knew them all by virtue of being the mailpony, as well as an alternate for the games. Robert was late, even though he'd asked them all to be there at noon. He showed up at a quarter past, bearing lunch, and a rapidly growing black eye.

“Robert, darling, what happened?” Rarity asked, horn glowing as she took the food from him.

“I tripped, and hit my head on a post. It's not the first time it's happened, so I'll be fine.” Robert shrugged.

“Head injuries are a serious matter.” Twilight said.

“Maybe I should get you a crash helmet.” Rainbow offered.

“I'm aware of the severity of head injuries, but since it happened as I was leaving the hospital, I had it thoroughly investigated.” Robert smiled.

“Well then, that jus leaves why you called us all here.” Applejack said, leaning against the wall.

“Yeah, we're all Super Duper Excited to find out!” Pinkie said, bouncing in place.

“Yes, we've very interested.” Came Fluttershy's agreement.

“Does it involve muffins?” Derpy asked.

“Potentially.” Robert said. “So, Bon-bon and Lyra have given me two concert tickets to a classical music concert in Canterlot. I've only got two though, so I can only take one of you.” he held up the tickets.

“Count me out.” Pinkie said. “They don't appreciate my style of decorating.” she coughed.”Plus their meany head Do Not Let This Pony In picture didn't get my good side.” she laughed.

“Sorry, I ain't much for classical music.” Applejack admitted. “Thanks for the offer.”

“Same for me.” Rainbow said. “Way too slow. Now if Vinyl Scratch was playing, there I am, but...” she shrugged.

“I'm volunteering to take care of a rare pet that day.” Fluttershy smiled. “Maybe another time.”

“School Play.” Derpy sighed. “Thanks anyway.”

“I too have a play that day.” Rarity sighed. “And a very important client meeting the following day.”
“Well, I'm free.” Twilight said. “I mean... I'd like to be there, but I think I can see the play then teleport to Canterlot. I know the opera building has a teleport destination and Celestia showed me how to use the safety spell.”

“I'd love you to see me off in the morning.” Rarity admitted. “I could probably use the help getting packed.”

“Hmm...” Twilight considered it. “Shouldn't be a problem.”

“Good, I'd hate to not get to say goodbye.” Rarity smiled.

“Well, that was less... annoying than I thought.” Robert admitted with a laugh. “Rarity, do you think you could do me something up to wear?” Applejack grabbed the door frame.

“I thought you'd NEVER ASK.” Rarity swept him out the door. The others, Derpy included, fell to the ground laughing.

---

“No.” Robert shook his head. Sky Blue was not his color, and he disapproved of ruffles on a personal level.

“Agreed.” Rarity said. “Perhaps something darker.” magic flashed.

“Better, but not quite.” The royal blue was nice, but the tassles didn't work. At all.

“Yes, I quite agree.” she nodded. “This is a surprisingly refreshing challenge.” she seemed to be enjoying herself rather thoroughly. “Ah ha!” Another flash of magic. “Perhaps this will meet your standards.”

A sleek black silk coat that ran to his hips, falling down over his shoulders, held by a chest and belly band. A top hat set on his head.

“Very nice. I'm not sure about the Top hat.” Robert admitted, then considered it. “Ah, I know what's missing.” a flash of orange magic, and a silver monocle sat on one eye, the chain running up to clip to the fur below his ear. “Perfect.”

“Indeed.” Rarity laughed. “I think it will do just fine.” light flashed and first his, then her illusions vanished.

“One thing, do you think you could work these in?” Robert produced a pair of drawings from somewhere. One was of two seven pointed stars, linked by a chains to each other and a five pointed star. The other was three lines across a six-toed tiger foot print.

“Hmm... I think so. Just once each?” Rarity asked. Robert nodded. “Simple enough. I should have it ready in an hour or two. Would you be willing to go find Sweetie Belle and bring her back while I work?”

“Anything for my personal tailor.” he bowed. Rarity smiled. It took him the better part of three hours to locate Sweetie Belle. She was not with the other crusaders, meaning the trail of destruction was significantly smaller. When he finally located here, she was in the park, having a picnic. The scent of burnt peanut butter and jelly was as confusing as it was unmistakable.

“There you are.” Robert said, trotting up. Sweetie gave him an amused look.

“I've been here all day.” she said, waving a hoof. “I prefer my weekends to last.” he snorted with laughter at how much she sounded like her sister with that line.

“Well, Rarity sent me to find you.” Robert said.

“And didn't tell you where I was? Probably didn't remember. Typical Rarity.” she rolled her eyes, ate the last of her char coated sandwich and stood up. Her horn flickered to life, and slowly folded the blanket she'd been laying on. She took a deep breath when she was done, and put it in her basket by hoof. She started to pick it up the same, but Robert coughed.

“Allow me.” an orange glow encompassed the basket, and settled it between his shoulders.

“Why can't I do that.” it wasn't a question, not really, just a statement of a seemingly distant dream.

“Because you've not yet grown into your horn.” Robert replied. “Besides, when I first came to town, you'd have done that all by hoof. Now? Now you were able to fold the blanket with your horn. That's quite the improvement.” he smiled as he lead the way to the Boutique.

“I guess, it's just...” she sighed.

“Can't wait to grow up.” Robert nodded. “I certainly remember that feeling. I say this, as all adults do, and which no young one pays attention to: Growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be.”

“You're right, they all say that.” Sweetie giggled.

“That said, magic is something to develop as much as you can. So, how do you do magic?” he asked. She stared at him.

“Don't you know?” she asked, confusion on her face.

“I know how magic is done, and how I do magic. I'm asking how you do it.” he clarified.

“Oh. I just concentrate on what I want to happen. Like the corners of the blanket moving.” she answered.

“Ah. I see.” Robert said nothing for a couple of minutes. “Try something, the next time you use your horn. Don't worry about the details. Instead of trying to move the corner of the blanket, try putting two pictures in your mind. One of the unfolded blanket and then one of the blanket folded, and let your horn do what you want it to.” he suggested.

“What do you mean?” she asked, less confused now.

“Most ponies I've met, and most of the tigers as well, all try to do things by taking control of magic and making it do things for them the way they want it done. I've never found that to be very good of an idea.” Robert shook his head. “As well to tell the grass to grow the way you want.”

“Or tell the sun to move.” Sweetie said. Robert didn't quite fall for it.

“Yeah... well. She's got the special princess hat thingy.” he waved a paw over his head.

“Crown.” Sweetie supplied.

“Yeah, that.” he nodded. “Gotta listen to them with the special hat thingies. It's part of the rules. Would that cork you please?” he suddenly demanded of a pony to the right.

“I'm drinkin' it.” she protested.

“Don't see why you need to. It's getting me drunk jus' standin' 'ere.” he waved a paw in front of his face. The pony glared at him, and stalked away.

“You okay?” Sweetie asked.

“Yeah. Just have a sensitive nose.” Robert replied, scrubbing at it. He shook his head. “Where were we?”

“Special Hat Thingies.” Sweetie answered.

“Oh, right. Well in her case it's a bit of a special thing. I don't quite understand it, but she's basically helping it stay on the right path. Discord kind of broke it when he was in charge all those years ago.” Robert snorted.

“Couldn't he fix it?” Sweetie asked.

“Not really. He's more of a breaker than a fixer. Besides, then Celestia would be out of a job.” Robert chuckled. “What we were talking about is magic. You've been visualizing all the little interm... steps in the middle. Right?” she nodded.

“That's how everypony tells me to do it.” she acknowledged.

“Then it's lucky for you, that I am not every pony.” Robert chuckled. “I tried doing it that way, and it just wouldn't work. So instead I worked out that the magic will do what you want, as long as you know what you want.”

“Really? It's never worked out for me that way.” Sweetie sighed.

“It does take more conviction than doing it the other way, that much I admit.” Robert nodded. “But try it none the less and see if it works for you.”

“What's 'con-vic-tion'?” she asked after a moment.

“Being sure that what you want to happen is going to happen.” he replied. “Just as I am sure that we are going to step into the Boutique.” he pointed at the door. “As soon as you magic the door open.”

“I don't... oh.” she realized it was meant as a test. She hated tests. Then again, this could be interesting. She looked at the door. It was closed tight and wouldn't budge. She worked through the steps to open it. Walk up, push it open, then closed behind her. No. Closed. Open. Just like that.

“Nice work.” Robert said. She blinked. The door was open.

“It worked?” she seemed surprised.

“Absolutely.” she trotted inside. It had worked, to an extent. She'd moved it a good six inches. But he hadn't wanted to destroy her confidence. He followed her inside, and waited. She pushed it closed. It hung part way.

“I opened it all the way, right?” he nodded. “Why won't it close?”

“Probably burned all your energy opening it.” Robert shrugged. “Happens. You'll get stronger the more you practice and then it won't happen. Not as often anyway.”

“Okay.” she trotted up and pushed it the rest of the way. “But that was a lot better wasn't it?”

“Definitely.”

“Robert? Did you find her?” Rarity called from the other room.

“I wasn't lost!” Sweetie said. Then she sighed. “She never listens.”

“What was that?” Rarity asked, obliviously.

“Nothing.” Sweetie shook her head. “Here I am.”

“So you are. Don't you have work to be doing on your play costumes?” Rarity asked. Sweetie gasped.

“I forgot. Thanks Rarity!” the last shouted as she disappeared upstairs.

“Thank you for finding her.” Rarity said with a smile. “I never know where she goes.” Robert decided not to make a comment. “Follow me, I have your clothes finished.” she led him through the Boutique, and into her sewing room.

There, hanging across two Ponikins back to back, was a black silk shirt with flank length tails. On one shoulder was the three star emblem, and on the other the tiger paw with the lines in it. The tips of each tiger claw, and the point of every star had a small, silver set opal sewn in place. The top hat was not quite the right size, though it fit well enough after she took a pair of scissors to the places where his ears collided with the hat brim.

“You look simply marvelous.” she nodded in satisfaction. “You will be the most dashing spectator at the concert, if I do say so myself.”

“Thank you. What do I owe you?” Robert asked. Rarity waved a hoof.

“Consider it a gift.” she said, shrugging.

“I can't take something this nice as a gift.” he shook his head. “Let me pay you.”

“I will not hear of it. Absolutely not.” she crossed her forelegs. Her horn glowed, holding her up right.

“It's too much.” he shook his head.

“It's perfect. Take it.” she demanded, leveling a look at him.

“I will trade it, one favor for another.” Robert offered. Rarity considered it.

“Deal.” she stuck out a hoof. He shook it.

“Thank you. Now, let me fold this up so I don't ruin it before the concert.”

“Just what I was thinking.” Rarity said, as she levitated a perfectly sized box before him.