“Why are we the ones coming here?”

“Because we drew the short stick.”

My eyes snapped open and my body jumped out of my bed when I heard the voices. As I quickly threw on my boots and cloak I tried to figure out who could it be.

“Well, I don’t see why we have to come here? The creature obviously is from this cursed forest,” one of the voices spoke up, "I say let the thing be." They both sounded young and female, but this one was soft and was laced with boredom. When I finished getting dressed I ran towards the darker part of the room and grabbed my walking stick on the way. "It would seem that Princess Celestia's student scared it off."

Ah, shit my bow!

“Because the Princess ordered us too,” the second voice said tiredly which gave the impression that her partner has been nagging her for a considerable amount of time.

Damn, their too close and I’m not going to risk it. Shit! I’ll have to make do with I got. I just hope I won’t need to fight.

“Nooooo, she ordered Captain Armor too, which he then told the Lt. to grab two volunteers, which lead us to walk through the Everfree Forest finding a possible dangerous creature,” the first one said as the two ponies walked into my room.

They are part of the Royal Guard that much I know for sure from their white coats and gold color armor. One was a unicorn the other a pegasus. The pegasus let out a sigh and shook her head, “You complain too much Gleaming Shield.”

Gleaming let out a snort, “I’m so sorry Blaze,” she said her voice oozing with sarcasm, “I kind of get a little irritable when I travel through a forest full of predators and investigate haunted ruins for a monster that we know nothing about.”

“The castle is not haunted,” Blaze retorted.

While the duo continued to bicker amongst themselves I began to devise Plan C. From what I can gather from Blaze and Gleaming is that Princess Celestia is here, or at least nearby. Which works out for me as now I don’t have to go all the way to Canterlot to talk to her. I just have to figure out how to get her here. It would have to be something that she would know from her time on my world, and if not that then I need to somehow make myself threatening enough so that she deemed it necessary for her to come herself. That...idea could get me into some deep shit. Let's not try that just yet.

Hmm…what to do, what to do. Wait how about...yes. There was one thing that I’ve always wanted to do.

Tusken Raider.

Tusken Raider.

I slammed my walking stick into the ground causing a loud clanging sound to echo around the room.

“Did you hear that?” Blaze said as her wings began to unfurl, her ears standing straight up. Gleaming’s horn began to glow a cobalt blue.

“Yea,” she said as she began to scan. I slowly began to walk forward making sure to drag my walking stick. “The castle not haunted you say huh?”

Clang.

“Not now Gleaming,” Blaze said through gritted teeth as her eyes began to scan the room before they fell on me. “There! In the distance, I think I see something.

That is when I made my move.

I ran forward and jumped on top of a stone pile.

“HARU, HARU HARU, HARRRUU,” I shouted at the top of my lungs while pumping my walking stick above my head.

The two ponies grasped each other and scream while I did my dance.

For good measure, I pulled down my hood and waggled my head around with my tongue was out. That seemed to have got them moving and just to give them a little extra motivation and yelled out in a raspy voice, “FETCH ME THEIR SOULS!!”

After coughing up a lung from that last bit I let out a chuckle as I sat down. “Damn that felt way too good. I hope Celestia doesn't get too mad.”

Celestia sat just at the very edge of the Everfree Forest along with a platoon of her best guards. She had received an urgent letter from her student, Twilight Sparkle, the day before about a strange creature that tried to enter Ponyville. Her student, in fear, shot at the creature which, thankfully, quickly retreated back into the forest instead of retaliating.

Normally she would send one of her Elite Guard to lead in the search instead of coming herself, but the creature she described sounded vaguely like a human. Granted it could have been a Minator but not even the strongest of them dare to live in the Everfree Forest.

Nopony has lived there since she banished Nightmare Moon and abandoned the castle. The forest hadn’t always been this…chaotic. Even though it was the battleground that she and Luna confronted Discord to put an end to his rule. Despite the presence of chaos magic, everything was normal, but during Celestia’s fight against Nightmare Moon, the chaos magic that was dormant in the very soul of the forest awoken. Now nothing but chaos ruled the forest. The magic affected every little thing from the weather to the animals that lived there. Even the plants shifted and morph to a point where they can cause strange effects.

But a human who hasn’t lived in Equestria would know this, even if they were fans of the show.

Sean had shown her the first two episodes of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic to help her out of her depression she was feeling during her stay. Normally she was able to put a better lid on her emotions but there was something about him that made parts of her wall crumble.

A soft smile graced the princess’s lips as she began to remember her time on Earth. A part of her hoped that maybe Sean had changed his mind about coming to Equestria with her, but it’s been years since she came back. So why now…

The sound of two screaming ponies snapped her out of her thoughts and when she looked up she saw that it was the two ponies who were sent to her old home. The captain of her guard, Shining Armor, walked in front of her and headed towards the running ponies. Unlike the regular Royal Guard, Shining’s armor was made of gold and purple plates which made him stand out and show that he was the captain.

“Gleaming Shield, Blazing Glory, report now!” Shining demanded loudly, loud enough to cut through the guard’s screaming. The duo stopped their screams and gallop immediately which caused them to slid on the ground before coming to a stop right in front of the captain. The two of them quickly began speaking incoherently trying to report what they saw.

“ENOUGH!” Shinning yelled silencing the guard once again. “Now, explain to me what has you two running back here like a bunch of foals during Nightmare Night,” he said leveling a glare at the two guards in front of him.

Behind him, Celestia watched with a smile on her face. She was very proud to have such a fine Captain of the Guard. She knew it wasn’t easy for Shining Armor to rise up the in the ranks of the guards considering that he is a stallion. But out all of the candidates he outshined them all, no pun intended, with his skills and personality traits. Being the older brother of her student might have helped a little, and he was certainly good eye candy as well. But alas Cadence has already laid claim to him.

“Captain we’ve found the creature living in the Castle of the Two Sisters,” the unicorn, Gleaming Shield, said as she tried to catch her breath.

“Can you describe what it looks like?” Shining asked more quietly and leveled now that the scouts had calmed down some.

“Well we couldn’t get a good look at it as it seems to have covered itself with some kind of makeshift cloak,” Blazing said finally calming down enough to make a coherent sentence. “But we did get a chance to look at its face when it took off its hood to try and eat our souls, and it looked like some kind of hairless monkey.”

“Almost,” Gleaming chimed in, “there was some hair on the top of its head, and it looked like it had brown curly hair.”

Celestia cocked an eyebrow. ‘Eat their souls?’ she thought before she remembered a particular ‘video game’ that Sean played. Well at least she knows that this ‘creature’ is, in fact, a human, but why would it act like this? As far as she knew humans don’t tend to act like this. Unless of course he or she was trying to chase them away, but why would they do that? Why chase away somepony that can help? Perhaps they do not know where they are.

The princess spoke up, “What do you mean ‘eat your souls’?” she asked wanting to clarify part of this puzzle in front of her.

“While we were running aw-” Blaze began only to be cut off by Gleaming.

“Retreating. While we were retreating we heard it say 'fetch me their souls’,” she said normally before changing her tone to a dark raspy voice for the end.

Now the Princess of the Sun’s heart began to race. ‘Could it be him,’ she thought as she walked next Shining. “What did he do before though? Before he tried to ‘take your souls’.” Celestia asked with her voice showing signs of her excitement and worry. She giggled to herself at the reference and the fun memories of Sean freaking out while playing this game. If this is Sean then that would give answers to some of her questions. He was probably trying to come to Canterlot to see her when he was spotted by her student, and since that didn’t work he tried to communicate using references that only she would know.

Blaze looked at her partner, “Well it kind of made this strange noise with its throat.”

“Yes, while brandishing his staff like this,” Gleaming said as she pumped her front hooves up and down.

A particular scene from a movie she watched popped into her mind. “It is you,” Celestia whispered as she began to walk into the forest, leaving behind a platoon of confused guards.

“Your Highness?” Shining Armor said slowly as Princess Celestia advanced into the Everfree forest.

“Captain, you can send half the platoon back to Canterlot with instructions to tell my maids to prepare for the arrival of a delegate,” Celestia ordered.

“Uh, pardon me your highness but may I ask, do you know this creature?”

“Yes captain,” Celestia said unknown to anyone that she was smiling, “This ‘creature’ is a very dear friend of mine.”

You know what they say about watching boiling water.

It’s true.

Having nothing else to do I decided to boil some water using an old chest piece that I had found lying around.

You know that this is probably really unhealthy.

So is drinking water from a well that’s god knows how old from a bucket that should have long since rotted away and drinking it from the said bucket.

And I’ll laugh at you when you’re spewing you insides everywhere.

You normally do. Jackass.

“God damn it I’m losing my mind!” I exclaimed lifting up my glasses to rub my eyes with my hands.

Shut up bitch you never had your sanity the moment you came talking pony land.

I let out a groan before I kicked my water away from the fire. My irritation is at an all-time high and my mood was not improving at all. I really hope that the guards told Celestia the references that I did, but not as much as I hope that she understood said references. “Fuck my life!” I yelled out as I laid back to look at the ceiling.

My life back home was simple. Well, simpler than what I’m doing now. Sure it had its up and downs but Jesus at least I had my health taken care of. Didn’t have to worry about drinking water, food was always there, and I didn’t have to worry about a goddamn curse that was slowly, sort of, kinda, totally, maybe turning me into a damn pony. I swear to god if start singing and dancing, I’m jumping off the cliff.

I blew a heavy sigh out before getting back up and walking over to the chest piece.

What am I going to do now?

“Hello,” a familiar voice bounced off the walls. I perked up at the sound of Celestia’s voice and I quickly got to my feet to go to the source of the voice when I stop. Doubt began to cloud my mind.

Is this really the Celestia that I know?

The sounds of hooves clopping on the stone ground began to crescendo. My eyes went to the dark area that I had used earlier.

Should I hide?

Should I disappear? Never to be seen?

“Sean?” the cloud in my mind shattered at my name.

“Celestia!” I yelled out as I pulled down my hood.

The hooves began to clop faster as a white alicorn rounded the corner. I watched as Celestia’s eyes widen when she turned her gaze towards me. Without a second thought, the princess galloped towards me and began to nuzzle me. I let out a chuckle as I looped around my arms around her neck. “Jeez it’s only been a few days,” I said with a smile which slowly faded when I felt the pony princess stiffen.

Celestia pulled a little so that her magenta eyes looked into mine, “Sean it’s been fifty years,” she said which stunned me enough to the point that my arms dropped to my side.

“Whoa,” I said bringing up my hand to rub my growing beard, “that’s-” what I was going to say next was drowned out by a gasp. “What?” I asked the Sun Princess who was looking at my cursed hand.

“Oh this,” I gave said hand a wave, “yea apparently I touch something that didn’t agree with me.”

“By the sun! What happened?!” Celestia said as her horn began to glow a golden color and a gold color aura wrapped around my hand.

That when it began.

It was subtle at first but it then grew. Everywhere the aura touched I felt a tingling sensation just before it changed to pins and needles, but then a burning sensation gripped my arm. “IT HURTS!!” I screamed as I tried to pull my arm back away from the feeling of acid as it traveled up my arm and into my chest. Black dots danced across my sight just before I clenched my eyes shut and let out another scream of pain.

Just as soon as it began the sensation stop and I was left to gasp for breath. I stumbled backward and landed on the ground. Celestia began to utter apologizes which were unneeded as I highly doubt that she would hurt me intentionally. With my good arm I pulled my cloak off and Celestia gasped again. I looked at my arm to see why.

Before the only forearm had changed but now my entire arm was blue. I pulled my shirt off to see that part of my chest was blue now. It looked like someone had pulled off the skin of my arm to reveal the blueness underneath as the edges of the transformation. Everything from the elbow down was now covered in fur. It would appear that magic aggravates my condition, and I just so happen to be in a world where magic is freaking everywhere.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

I put my shirt back on before I spoke again. “Well, that happened.”

“You found the orb…” I heard Celestia muttered.

I looked up with a cocked head, “Huh?” I replied.

Suddenly her shocked face turned into a scowl, “Why didn’t you come straight to me when you arrived!” she demanded.

What the fuck?!

I made a face at her that showed the utter confusion I was feeling. “You should not have explored this castle. You have no idea what kind of dangerous artifacts that are here, and look,” Celestia pointed a hoof at a collapsed hallway, “this place is falling apart! You could get hurt.”

“There’s not much that I can do,” I said anger mixed with my tone, “I’m in a dangerous forest full of predators and I’m not about to run gun-ho trying to get to you.” I took a deep breath to let some of my anger dissipate. “Besides I wasn’t even sure that you were the same Celestia that I knew.”

Celestia’s face went from anger to confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Multi-verse,” I said simply, “since I didn’t go with you at the same time you did there was a chance that I could have ended up somewhere else.”

Celestia looked at me before she started giggling, “Oh Sean, don’t be silly I just opened the door. The destination doesn’t change just because I walked through it.”

"Well excuse me I must have skipped that part of the magic lesson," I let out a huff, “but something did change apparently, because you know I’m fifty years behind,” I said crossing my arms. I enjoyed the feeling of my fur gliding across my hand. It had almost like silk feel to it.

Celestia raised an eyebrow at my motions before she smiled and sat down next to the fire. Using her magic she picked up my tossed chest piece and placed it over the fire. “I’m sorry,” she said softly, “I’ve shouldn’t have shouted. But do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

“I can guess,” I said before I sat down next to her. I turned my head towards her and mimicked a high pitch feminine voice complete with a smile, “I’m going to turn into a pretty little pony! Yay!” when I finished I went back to my normal stoic face.

“You do that a little too well,” Celestia commented with a bemused smile. Her horn glowed once more and a pot along with two teacups appeared. The cups floated down to the ground while the pot rested on the chest piece. The pot was black with a wooden handle; while the kettle was simple, the teacups were not. The main body was white with intricate golden swirls that wrapped around the entire cup.

“Bitch it’s because I’m fabulous,” I trilled with a wave of my hand. Celestia just chuckled but I went back to being serious. “Can it be reversed and will I be able to go home?” I asked bluntly to the pony princess. The room was silent except for the crackling of the fire and the low rumble of the water slowly coming to a boil. The silence helped the seed of anxiety inside of me to grow.

Is this change permeant? Will I have to watch as I turned into a pony? Will I be stuck in Equestria, never getting the chance to accomplish my goal nor seeing my family again.

Celestia crossed her front hooves and rested her head on them. After a sigh, she spoke, “I can send you home, but I’ll have to remove the curse first.”

“Yea I don’t think people will apche-aperch-,” I stop talking to take a deep breath to reorder my thoughts, “I think a walking and talking pony might put people off tilt just a tad.”

A slight chuckle came from Celestia just as the pot began to whistle. Without moving Celestia brought the kettle over and poured tea into our cups. My eyes never left the kettle as moved about before it rested next to the fire. I gave a light snort as I picked up my cup, “Magic,” I muttered taken a sip of my tea.

“What was that orb thing anyway?” I asked.

Celestia looked into my eyes then to the fire, “An object from a forgotten time,” she said refusing to elaborate further. I narrowed my eye and frowned. Before I could press her further she spoke up, “As soon as you finish your tea we can head out of the forest.”

She’s hiding something from me. Celestia never told me how she got to my world or why. Every time I brought it up she always dodged the question or answered with a half-ass explanation. Out of respect, I didn't push the subject, but now that I'm here and her being a little shifty about the object that cursed me, I can't help but be a little suspicious. For now, I’ll play your game, Celestia.

Besides, I'm just so glad to see her again.

“What’s the plan then?” I asked.

“Well I'm having the castle staff preparing a room for you as we speak,” Celestia said as she warped away the kettle and took a sip of her cup. “So once we are done with our tea we can head back to Canterlot and get you to settle in.”

I raised an eyebrow at that, “Are sure that’s a good idea? I mean look at how your guards reacted to my presences.”

Celestia looked at me with half-lidded eyes as her muzzle screamed ‘I wonder why.’

“Don’t look at me,” I said with a shrug trying my best to keep from smiling. I knew full well whose fault it was.

“Mmhum,” was the response that was full of sarcasm.

I moved to change to a more crucial subject that needed to be discussed. “The point remains that your ponies won’t react well to my presence,” I said with crossed arms an accusatory glare aimed at the Sun Princess, “and besides I don’t want to mess up the timeline more than you already have.”

“Whatever do you mean?” an ‘innocent’ Celestia said which cause my glare to intensify.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I downed the rest of my tea and set the cup down, “how about SENDING TWILIGHT TO PONYVILLE EARLY!!!” I screamed at her.

“Oh that, no worries,” the princess with nonchalance and a wave of her hoof.

“No worries?! NO WORRIES!!!” I yelled about ready to rip my hair out. “Do you have any idea the damage you may have caused?” I punched the ground in anger, “GODDAMNIT!! I knew I shouldn’t have shown you the show.”

I stood up and began to pace around. My teeth began to clench together and I tapped my head in hopes that some idea or something would come up that would have the answer to this particular issue.

“I don’t know why you are so stressed out?” I looked over to the Princess of the Sun who was watching me with a bemused look. “By sending Twilight early she’ll build an even stronger bond with the other elements wielders.”

I never really understood the hate and frustration that Bronies have against Celestia, but I’m starting to see the light now. “Have you ever heard of the butterfly effect?!” I rounded on her, “What if by sending Twilight early she doesn’t befriends them and tries to, heaven forbid, defeat Nightmare Moon on her own?”

“You need to relax,” Celestia said frustration leaking through her tone. “Nothing has changed. Twilight is still worrying over that prophecy even though I sent her to Ponyville a week early. I still gave her the assignment to check on the preparation for the Summer Sun Celebration. The only thing that has changed is the fact Spike has a crush on Sweetie Belle instead of Rarity.”

“WHAT!?!” I screeched out as I looked at her with my eyes bugged out and my teeth clenched shut.

“Yes I find it adorable too,” the princess cooed.

“Oh my god!!” I screamed out.

“What is it now?” Celestia sighed.

“Spike’s crush on Rarity is significant,” I began as I paced back and forth, “Without that no one will ever know when she gets kidnapped by Diamond Dogs because he wasn’t with her trying to woo her.” I spun around and pointed a finger at her, “and that’s just one instance.”

Celestia took a deep breath and placed a hoof on my shoulder, “Sean you need to calm down,” she said. “I know things are going to change because of this, but maybe things will turn out for the better this way.”

The Princess of the Sun cocked her head to the side as she lifted my head up so that I looked into her eyes, “Have you thought about that?”

Burned out, I let out a sigh and moved back to my spot and sat down. “No,” I said after a short paused, “I’m just worried because there are major threats that are coming and if the girls don’t learn certain lessons or if certain situations don’t happen then maybe something far more terrible may happen.”

Without realizing it I stared at the fire as it burned. The sound of cracking wood along with the natural smell of burning wood was surprisingly calming. I began to reminisce the times when my troop would go out camping, and while my fellow scouts had sometimes made the experience crap, the feeling of being outdoors with nature made up for it. There was a certain vibe that I felt being connected to the environment like that. My worries about the future seemed to melt away as if the flames of the campfire burned it all away. As my mind began to settle the words of Swamiji’s teachings about not getting identified with the situation, began flow through my mind like a river. Before my grandmother, his main devotee, wisdom came to the front.

Think of him when you are in doubt.

Suddenly I felt something warm press itself on my side. I looked over to see that Celestia moved over and sat next to me. “I know,” her soft response was, "it's going to be okay."

With a deep breath, I replied, “But there is nothing I can do about it though so, yea.”

We then took a moment and just sat there and enjoyed each others company. The sounds of the fire and the soft breathing became our background song. I couldn't speak for Celestia but I didn't want to get up or move, hell I didn't want to do anything except stay here and enjoy Celestia's presence.

“Do you still want to stay here?” my pony friend asked.

Alas, life is constantly moving and she is a princess with other responsibilities. No time to cuddle with a schmuck like me. If only things were different.

“Yes, I think it would be for the best, at least for a time.” I picked up one of the books that I scavenged from within the castle, “Perhaps I maybe even be able to find something about this curse,” I said as I waved the book around.

The book became enveloped with a golden aura and my fingers began to tingle like I was touching something that had a small voltage. Quickly I snatched my hand back and wiggled my fingers around. Celestia raised an inquisitive eyebrow before she flipped the book over and showed me the title. “Can you even read?” she asked.

“Of course I can!” I said a little offended.

“…our language,” was the amused response from the princess.

“…maybe…”

With a giggle, which I scowled at, Celestia began to turn the book around before she opened it. She then closed the book and looked like she was contemplating something. After a few more minutes of silence which I tended to the fire, hard to do with a horse using you like a cuddle pillow, Celestia spoke, “Perhaps there is something that you can do that will benefit all of us.”

“Like?”

“I can ask Twilight to research into this matter, but that will have to wait until after the celebration,” Celestia suggested and I tossed the idea around in my head.

It’s not a bad idea. Twilight is studious enough to complete the task in a timely and professional manner. Although there is a risk that the unicorn will overdo the studying especially since Celestia gave the assignment and I don’t want that. Not at the cost of her missing out on friendship lessons, but will it even interfere? Is she even the same Twilight that was portrayed in the show? Ugh! This is making my head hurt.

Alright, for now, I’ll go with the flow and agree to what Celestia has in mind. She is a local and the ruler to boot. “I’m okay with that, but how do I help?” I asked.

“You know where the library is right?” I racked my brain for the memory of the location within the castle. I nodded my head as I vaguely remember where the room was at. “Okay, then you can bring books to Ponyville and deliver them to Twilight. In return, you will be paid.”

"Okay, I’m lost now how does that benefit everyone?" I voiced my confusion which Celestia nodded before she continued. “Well with the bits you earn you can shop for any supplies you may need. At the same time, my little ponies can get used to you little by little.”

I snorted, “Oh yea sure if they're not too busy running into their homes and barring the windows,” I said sarcastically knowing full well how the citizens will treat a creature such as I.

“Give them a chance,” Celestia pleaded

“Alright I’ll give it a shot but I’m not holding my breath.”

Celestia looked around my ‘beautiful and fully functional’ campsite and without another word her horn glowed. In a bright light that blinded me temporally. When I managed to gain back my eyesight I saw that I was surrounded by camping equipment and a large mirror.

The mirror was a full body size with a smooth oak frame. The frame was decorated with gold and silver that were formed into an ivy that wrapped completely around it. On top, a sun made of topaz and a moon made out of onyx rested. “What’s this for?” I said getting up and examining the mirror.

“A way for us to communicate with each other,” Celestia explained. “With a few adjustments on my end, I can also send you things if needed.”

I nodded and looked around to see what else Celestia and summoned with her magic: tarps, what looked like a couple of hundred feet of rope, cooking utensils, etc. Everything I need to survive in the wilderness. With a mutter of thanks, I went over to the items and began to go through them and organized them into different piles all the while taken notes on what I have.

“So when is the Summer Sun Celebration?” I asked putting a pot into my kitchen pile.

“Three days,” Celestia said from behind me. This gave me pause.

“That not too far away,” I stated as I turned towards the pony princess.

Celestia snorted before as she rolled her eyes, “Which is why I would prefer that you stay at the castle where it’s safe.”

“Nowhere is safe, you know that.”

The Sun Princess let out a sigh before she leaned over to nuzzle the side of my face. “Just be safe,” she whispered into my ear. I wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her close.

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

We broke our hug and separated from each other. “While Twilight works on turning you back I’ll work on getting you back home,” Celestia reassured me.

I stood up “Shall we then?” I said with a bow, arms pointing to the exit. The princess smiled before she led the way. I took my place by her side as we made our way through the ruins of the castle.

“So you went all Tusken Raider on my scouts?”

I let out a chuckle before I answered, “Well opportunity was a knocken so I open the door and answered,” I said as I rested my stick on my shoulders, “Besides I had to get your attention somehow.”

“How did you even know I was with them?”

“I overheard your guards talken',” I spoke truthfully, “Honestly I was scared, I didn’t know what to do. I just knew that I had to do something. I didn’t even know it was you until you said my name.”

Celestia gave me another light nuzzle, “Well next time try not to be so…intimidating, my ponies might not react the same way next time.”

My smile became predatory, “Now where is the fun that?” A wing smacked the back of my head.

I pulled up my makeshift hood as we reached the edge of the forest. Our trip was not disturbed by any of the wildlife which I’m going to take an educated guess and say that it’s because of Celestia’s presence.

It seems that even beasts know not to mess with an alicorn.

“So you’ve done fuck all then,” I told the pony princess. Our travel was used to catch up on what’s been going on during the time we were apart. Mostly it was her explaining what’s new. There is not much for me to say considering that it’s been like a day or two for me versus her fifty years.

Safe to say…

…not a whole lot happened.

Being the sole ruler of an entire kingdom doesn’t really give her time to go out and do stuff.

“Not how I would have put it, but yes,” Celestia said with an eye roll.

I shrugged, “Well now that I’m here we're going to change that.”

“Oh~,” she said with amusement in her voice, “And, pray tell, are we going to do.”

“Oh you know," I said as I waved my hand around, "go to town, paint it red or blue, honestly I’m not picky.”

Celestia snorted before she nuzzles me, “I’m sure.”

It wasn’t long before we reached the edge of the Everfree Forest. The sun shined through the cracks of the trees and the world became softer, more vibrant. As we broke through the lines of trees I was able to see Ponyville and Equestria. I wasn’t able to admire it before but this place has a certain beauty to it, a calming peace.

“Sean…” Celestia said with a nudge to my shoulder.

I looked oversee a small bit of concern drawn on her face. With a smile, I slung my arm around and hugged her close to me with an odd version of a nuzzle. “Don’t worry Celestia everything will turn out alright.”

We stayed like that for a moment, a second, a minute, an hour, a day I don’t know but we broke apart and slowly drifted away.

I went back to the forest but something told me that this was a crossroad for me. If I had gone with the princess the future would have changed, but for the best? I don’t know. Would I go back and change it.

Maybe…

“Annnd there,” I said as I tied the last rope that held down the final part of my tent. I adjusted the tent design so that it circled around the fire pit that I had built. Not exactly up to fire safety rules but I figured that this would be better to block out the wind that would sometimes blow through the castle.

My furry arm came up to my forehead to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated during my work. I looked to the sky to see that it was slowly getting darker, the day was ending.

“Well today was productive,” I said to myself trying to get the fire started. It didn’t take long for the flames to catch on the pine needles that I had gathered on my way back to the castle. After the fire was roaring to the sky I took that time to gather something for dinner. I shifted the food I had gathered around. I’ll need to head to Ponyville soon though I can only have apples and berries for so long.

I glanced at the pile of kitchenware that Celestia gave me. “Well I’ll get to practice my cooking,” I muttered as I pulled out two apples. “So let’s see,” I said as I sat down and took a bite of an apple, “I have enough food to last me at least a couple of days…”

But after that, I’ll need to go into town and see if I could get any food from the locals. That is if Twilight has my payment for the books that I’ll bring her. If she doesn’t then who knows what I could do. I guess live off on the land around me a bit longer and make do until I can get paid, but again it will depend if the ponies will do business with me.

I tossed the finished apple core into the fire and watched it burn as I started on the second apple. I paused mid-bite as an idea came to me.

What if I sold some apples? Either to Applejack or the town’s people? It could be another source of income for me or at the very least get the locals to get familiar with me. Yea…that could work. It won’t be much but it’s an idea. The thing is I don't want to mess Applejack's family business. It's their only source of income from what I remember, and their need is a lot more than mine. I guess I could do that tomorrow or the day after depending on what happens.

With a plan in mind, I finished my dinner and set the core to the side for me to harvest the seeds at a later time. I knew that I need to get ready for the Sun Celebration.

Three days…