Celestia ended up dragging Richard to Sugarcube Corner where Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were all waiting. Apparently she had summoned them there when she arrived in Ponyville unexpectedly. Upon arriving inside the bakery, they were immediately assailed by Twilight with her ‘question cannon’.

“Princess Celestia-”

“Twilight, please. I’ve been trying to get you to drop the formalities for months now.” Celestia said. “Just Celestia will do.”

“Ugh. Celestia, what are you doing in Ponyville?” Twilight asked. “I sent you the letter about what happened yesterday and you just sent back a message saying to meet here at noon. What’s the problem? And why’d you bring him? I thought he was still recovering! And you just got out of Tartarus!”

“I was.” Richard deadpanned.

“Oh he’s just fine. My little Dickie is just ridiculously durable.” Celestia cooed as she nuzzled his hair. “I was more concerned about the state of everything else really, and finally seeing my dear Dickie again.”

“It’s nice to see that you still care about me after all these years, Celly.” Richard said as he wrapped an arm around Celestia and hugged her close.

“Of course I do Richard. I never forgot you.” She raised a leg to pull him into her chest as her head hooked behind his neck, the two just quietly enjoying the embrace like the long-lost friends they seemed to be.

“Princess?” Twilight said, ruining the moment the two were sharing. “Is… Is there something going on between you two that we should be aware of?”

“W-well, yes…” Celestia stuttered as she and Richard pulled apart to address the group while the Cakes feverishly set about providing the impromptu tables with all manner of sweets. “Y-you see-.”

“Celestia, please, let me.” Richard said. “Just know that it’s a long story, girls, so just sit back and listen for a bit. It all started about a thousand years ago, before Discord trapped me in the Last Prism. Before I even showed up in Equestria…”

[One Thousand, Fifteen years (or so) ago]

It started out as a normal Saturday for me. I was sitting in front of my computer, playing one of my favorite games: Terraria. I had been attempting to play the game with the constant distraction of my friend constantly messaging me over an interface called Steam about a different game called Dark Souls. He kept saying that I should stop playing the game about crafting, mining, and slaying horrible demons and creatures, and just go for the game that only focussed on slaying things, but I paid it no mind.

I was about to summon the game’s final boss, a creature who resembled Cthulhu called the Moon Lord when I was interrupted by my mother pulling me out of ‘the zone’ to tell me one of my other friends was at the door. Sure enough, when I got to the door, there was standing my old friend Andy. Now, he was there because he said he had an extra ticket to a convention called ‘Minecon’, which was about this three dimensional game called Minecraft. It had the same basic principles as Terraria, but was less combat-centric. Honestly, I never caught on to it, I just agreed to go with him because he kept begging me. The thing was, he didn’t tell me when it was, so when he showed up that day, he told me that he was there to take me and that I should get out of my pajamas and come with him. Of course, my mother forced me to go quickly change and get ready. And while it may seem insignificant, on my way out, I grabbed my laptop computer and a backpack and left.

I didn’t really do much when we got there. I just found a place to sit down and plug in my computer and turned on Terraria. At some point during the convention, I was approached by some shady guy. I didn’t really get a good look at him, but I did hear him ask me to ‘hold onto this for him’ and he handed me what I now know is a perfect replica of a sword known as Star Wraith. Right afterwards, there was a flash of light from my computer and the sword at the same time, and I ended up standing in Celestia’s parents throne room wearing armor essentially made of sunlight and a shield on my left arm and holding Star Wraith in my right hand.

This is where the whole tale of how me and Celestia got together really starts. See, Celestia was in the throne room with her parents when I appeared. We fought. We somehow stalemated. And then we laughed it off like it was nothing. It was the start of something beautiful.

Solaris and Faust took to me quickly, and Celestia was ecstatic to have a real friend for the first time in a long while. But among the sunny family was the ‘black sheep’ so to speak. I noticed her of course and tried to reach out to her, but she wanted to remain a polite distance, so Luna and I only ever became good friends rather than close ones like I wanted.

However, things changed over the 15 years I stayed in Equestria, exploring, discovering things that not even Faust and Solaris knew, and eventually discovering something I never thought I would know.

Love.

Celestia and I, we grew closer continuously. It was like we were drawn to each other naturally. When one was sad, the other comforted, when one was happy, we both were. When she kissed me for the first time. I kissed her right back. I didn’t care that she was a pony, I loved her so much what she was never mattered, she was Celestia, my Sun, my heart’s warmth.

But then. Discord came.

He came from out of nowhere, like that unwanted sneeze in somepony’s face- “Hey!” -and swept across the land with stupidity and randomness his tools of destruction. Fillies and colts got tummy-aches from eating all the candy, buffalo tap-danced everywhere, and the strawberry milk, oh, the horror. -“I was going through a phase!”-

Shut up Discord, anyway, where was I? Oh yes. During all of this, I was currently working with Luna to purge the monstrosity that dared to infest her moon; the Moon Lord, a creature that resembled the Lovecraftian horror Cthulhu.

Luna and I had spent months hunting down Lunar Cultists, who dared to say they revered Luna, but in reality sought the favor of that disgusting parasite that had taken root on her moon. As her friend I fought alongside her, and Celestia came with us as often as she could, since unlike Luna, her parents wanted her to run the country so Luna could remain free to do as she pleased, saying the Moon is a protective presence rather than a guiding one and Luna was too glad to mingle with the populace even if distantly.

Anyhow, the battle was long, and harsh, but eventually the Moon Lord fell, and it was from his corpse that gratuitous amounts of lewt- “Excuse me, but could you-?” -no interrupting! Anyway, among the lewt was the Last Prism. Which brings me to the part where I leave center stage.

When we got back, we were devastated to find the land we loved turned upside-down, sometimes quite literally. We rushed to the castle to find no trace of Solaris or Faust, and upon the thrones laid that snake bastard Discord.- “You WILL tell us what you did with them!” “Okay, I’ll help, but it’s been a long time….” -We faced him with all we had, and while in sheer power I outmatched him, his trickery and the sheerly modular nature of his abilities made fighting him almost impossible.

We retreated, but not until I got a good blow on him with Star Wrath. But he wasn’t through, at least with me. Discord followed us into the Everfree away from the castle discreetly, and he ended up separating us, eventually leading me into the canyon just next to the castle where he trapped me, and sealed me into the Last Prism. With a cruel laugh, he said it was the least I deserved for harming him, and he then had the gall to bury me six-feet under in the nearby cave.

For years I saw nothing, heard nothing. It was so dark, and cold. Only the thoughts of my beloved Celly and dear friend Luna kept me sane, until eventually I saw light, and then the cave, and felt over years that I was growing into something wonderful. I became what would be known by all who found me as the Tree of Harmony. When my aura became strong enough, Celly and Luna snuck past Discord’s wards and found me as I had become, so distraught that they could not help me, they instead wished to let me know they still cared, and etched their cutie marks on my trunk.

I was so touched, I felt so astoundingly loved that even years after practically dying they still cared, that I, well, can’t really describe it too well, but what became known as the Elements of Harmony were borne of me that day, and it was with them that Celly and Luna sealed Discord in stone. But without them, I grew weaker, the Elements had manifested of myself. I’m not too sure what happened over the next millennia other than what happened near me and whenever the elements were used, but time and again, Celly would come to me, and cry upon my trunk, and I was helpless to do anything but watch.

Now though….

Richard kissed Celestia full on the mouth, and she quietly cried tears of joy as she pressed into him as all the girls were crying. Save Dash, Dash doesn’t cry. She releases liquid pride.

“Well, that’s my story” Richard stated as he finally broke off the kiss and held Celestia close. “I hope it answered your question. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a question of my own. Who are all of you?”

“I’m sorry.” Twilight said as she wiped her eyes. “My name is Twilight Sparkle. I’m a former student of Celestia’s. These are my friends.” Twilight motioned to the five ponies gathered around her. “Rainbow Dash.”

“Sup.” Said the prismatic mare as she tried to hide the fact that she had been crying.

“Fluttershy.”

“H-hello.” Said the buttercream mare through her sobs.

“Rarity.”

“Darling... “ The pristine white mare said as she stopped her sobbing for a moment. “Your story is so… so…” She broke down into tears again.

“Pinkie Pie.”

“So sa-ha-had!” Came the sobs of the pink mare that Twilight motioned to.

“And I think you already met Applejack.”

“H-howdy, partner.” Came the orange mare’s hello as she calmed down a bit. “It’s nice to formally meet the feller staying in my house.”

“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Richard said. “I don’t think I’ve really introduced myself properly. My name is Richard, or as Celestia likes to call me, Dickie. Please, I’d like to keep that nickname reserved for her. If you want to call me anything, call me Richard or Dick, alright?” The girls all said their own ‘okays’. “Now, does anyone else have any questions?”

“I do, Dickie. Won’t you come back with me to Canterlot?” Celestia asked before Twilight could say anything. “I’ve been without you for so long, having you back now… I just don’t think I could continue without you nearby. Please, come back with me.”

“I would love to, Celly.” Richard said in a reserved tone. “But…”

“But?” Celestia questioned. “What could be stopping you from joining me?”

“It’s what I found. There are things in this town that I know could cause mass panic, and a ton of damage, let alone deaths.” Richard explained. “I’m sorry, Celestia, but I can’t join you in Canterlot until I’m sure the dangers of Terraria do not come to light again.”

“Again?! But you said once the Moon Lord was vanquished-.”

“That was over 1000 years ago Celly...it seems that the monsters of Terraria have regrouped in the time I’ve been dormant. Just earlier, Plantera, she’s back. I barely evaded her. To my knowledge, she went back to sleep, but I’m not sure how long that’ll last.”

“That monstrosity?! Oh...oh no...you’re right. I can’t risk leaving such things to wander, and you are the only one who can slay the monsters with any ease.” Celestia said dejectedly. “I guess that means you’ll have to stay here, then… But what about your armor? Your other items? Don’t you need them to defeat evils like her?!”

“I do… and we don’t have the materials to make new ones... “ Richard said, letting go of Celestia and pushing out of her grasp. He turned to look at the Draconequus that had a very discontent look on his face. He took out Meowmere and extended it to full length before bringing it up to Discord’s chin, an action that elicited a collective gasp out of everyone. “You’re going to help me find all of the things you took away from me. Understand?”

“Richard! You don’t have to-” Came the protest from Fluttershy who was trying to protect Discord again.

“No, no, it’s alright, Fluttershy.” Discord said. “He has his reasons to be mad with me. She does have a point, however. I’ve given up my old ways, and in light of my recent… betrayal… I’ve given it up even further. You don’t need to threaten me, Richard. I will assist you willingly. And if I may, might I present to you a token of my good will?”

“Fine.” Richard growled. “But no funny business, Discord. You know I can kill you.”

“Don’t worry, nothing wrong here.” Discord said. “Just… don’t hate me for the gift’s drawbacks.”

“What are you-”

Discord snapped his fingers and a flash of light enveloped Richard. When the light died down, there stood Richard, apparently the same, until a loud ‘POMF’ was heard and the light kicked up a bit more. Everyone began staring at Richard, who thanks to Discord’s magic had grown wings that appeared to be made of sunlight. Another ‘pomf’ was heard from Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight, as well as an especially loud ‘pomf’ from Celestia, who’s face had turned from a pristine white to a bright shade of pink. The light died down again a few seconds later as Richard’s wings stopped glowing.

“W-wings?!” Richard screamed in surprise. “Why did you give me wings?! And how the hell did you get the materials for these?! Last I checked-”

“Last you checked, they were part of a game and made of the same material as your armor was.” Discord mocked. “Also last I checked, they could be removed. Those ones on your back? Those are fully biological now. No need to thank me, you’re welcome.”

“I… I… I…” Richard stuttered, unable to wrap his mind around his new appendages.

“Ooooh! Thank you, Discord!” Celestia squealed as she tackled Richard whose brain was still short circuiting. “Of all the things you’ve done over the years, this is one of the better ones!” Celestia looked up at Discord with a serious look in her eyes. “It’s only behind you helping me find my parents. The ones that you ‘misplaced’.”

“R-right.” Discord said, obviously scared of the Matriarch of the Sun. “But just so you know, it has been over 1000 years. They’re just as lost to the four winds as Richard’s lewt. It’ll be an adventure….” Discord’s eyes began to sparkle as his stroked his goatee. “The journey to find the tools to protect the world! To find the lost founders of the land! This is going to be epic!”

“Sounds a bit too much like D&D.” Richard complained. “Never really caught on with that.”

“Oh, don’t be a party pooper. I’ll be back in a jiff, need to pack my bags, so long Fluttershy, I am off on a grand venture!” Discord actually walked out the door like a normal being, and Fluttershy rapidly pranced about before chasing after him, quietly calling out to him.

“Since when does Discord use doors?” Dash asked in bewilderment as Twilight huffed.

“Since it was unexpected.” Twilight grumbled. “Well...we’re still settling down and fixing up after Tirek’s rampaging across the country, so we’ll be busy. But if you’re in town, look us up for any help you may need.”

“Yeah, especially with Twilight crashing at my place since her house got toasted.” Dash commented, getting Twilight to glare at her. “What? It did.”

“A Princess without even a home? Well…I think I can fix that.” Richard said. “If you can just get me some wood, I can make you a house in no time.”

“R-really?” Twilight gasped, her eyes widening in equal parts amazement, excitement and disbelief.

“Yeah, you get me the materials and I’ll make you a house, no problem.” Richard said. “Doesn’t even matter what it’s really made of. I’ve made things out of wood, stone, metal, you name it. In fact, I can get started on in now, if you want.”

“Oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please.” Twilight said as she started giddily bounced around Richard and Celestia. She eventually caught what she was doing and gave an embarrassed smile. “Ahem, I mean, would you please? I can get you the materials right away. And, if it’s not too much trouble, could you put a library in it? I kinda used to live in the town’s library…”

“Yeah, why not.” Richard said. “Now, if Celestia would let me up-”

“Not happening until you say please.”

“Really, Celly?” Richard moaned.

“I’m not moving until you say please.” Celestia responded. “And give me another kiss… and maybe a snuggle later…”

“Ugh, fine. I relent.” Richard said, giving Celestia another kiss. “Celestia, would you please let me up and get off of me?” Celestia contently got up and assisted Richard to his feet. “Thank you. Now, where to, kid?”

Author's Notes:

So that's that! Woo!
You won't believe how hard this was to get to sound right. Hell, I had to get a buddy to help me out, so I hope you guys like it!

Anyways, this is Music Mod, signing off.