After the display of power from Alan and the events that came later, Pinkie Pie insisted that Alan be brought to Sugarcube Corner for a welcoming party which he gladly accepted. Martin declined the invite because he had to go say hi to the Apple Family and set an actual date for the ceremony. The rest of the six said they would meet up later after the party. As Martin and AJ walked back to the farm AJ told something to Martin which he was not ready for.

AJ looked at Martin, “just tah warn ya, ah haven’t told the family about us bein a couple.”

Martin stopped, “Uh…why not?”

AJ stared down with a look of embarrassment, “Ah wanted tah do it when you were here.”

Martin clapped his hands together and rubbed them nervously, “this is going to be SO awkward.”

AJ gave a nervous smile as the entered the farm grounds, “Hehe, yeah.”

Martin and AJ walked inside of the house with nervous smiles on their faces as the family greeted them. Applejack told them that she and Martin had an announcement to make which caused everypony to sit down.

Martin cleared his throat, “well…um…”

Applejack gave her best smile, “Me ahn Martin are…seein each other.”

Applebloom tilted her head, “well of course yeh are he’s right here.”

Martin sighed, “What she meant was that she is my special…Somepony.”

The second that was said everypony was silent with wide eyes which caused Martin to put his face in his hands for how blunt he was with it. He looked up when he felt something hugging his leg. He looked down into the smiling face of Applebloom and then at Granny Smith and Big Mac who wore the same expressions.

Applejack turned to Martin, “Told ya they would take it well.”

Martin shook his head, “No you didn’t.”

Applejack turned away quickly looking at the ceiling, “Ah meant to.”

Martin stood up as Big Mac approached him and gave him a calm stare as Martin returned it, soon both guys nodded in respect as Big Mac leaned foreward and spoke in a whisper, “Ya better be good to mah sister. Treat her right and don’t ever break her heart or else ah’ll break you.”

Martin took on a fearful expression as Mac smiled at him and walked outside with the rest of the family leaving AJ and Martin alone.

AJ looked at Martin with concern, “You alright sugercube?”

Martin slowly nodded, “Your brother threatened me with bodily harm if I should ever break you emotionally.”

AJ looked confused at his reaction, “Ah thought you couldn’t get hurt.”

Martin nodded, “I can’t, but you would be surprised what I can live through.”

*

Alan stood in the back of Sugarcube corner as Rainbow held an old and cracked plate in her mouth until Alan yelled, “PULL!”

Rainbow flung the plate into the air as Alan formed a pistol with his thumb and index finger and shot a concentrated bolt through the centre of the plate which exploded into smoking ash. This spectacle was soon followed by hoof stomps of applause.

Mrs. Cake approached Alan with a smile, “Thank you so much for helping us clear out the cabinets of the old dishes.”

Alan smiled, “It’s nothing really…OOH A POT!”

Rainbow smiled as she threw it high into the air, Alan then did a tactical roll and blasted the old pot into oblivion much to Pinkie’s excitement, “NICE SHOT ALAN!”

Alan smiled as he dusted himself off, “Thanks.”

Alan turned his head slightly after seeing something out of the corner of his eye, “Was that a…nah Celestia, Luna and Cadance are the only ones.”

*

An Alicorn with a bright white coat and silver mane was looking at Ponyville’s inhabitants as they walked around with smiles blissfully unaware of anything around them. The bright blue eyes that had white segments softened as the Alicorn took comfort in the scenery around him. Truthfully it was always the little things that made him the happiest be it from the smallest bird or a child at play. The Alicorn then noticed an auburn haired human with a familiar blonde farm pony which caused him to vanish in a flash of white.

*

Martin rounded the side of Sugarcube corner as Alan noticed him and waved which he returned with a smile.

Martin weaved through the crowd of ponies, “Hey dude lets saddle up and head out.”

Alan stared at him, “Where?”

Martin pointed with his thumb at Canterlot which caused Alan to smile, “Seriously?”

Martin nodded as Alan pointed in the direction of the train station which caused Martin to shake his head, “who said anything about the train. We’re taking the fast way.”

Alan grinned as Martin floated into the air which Alan mirrored immediately.

Rainbow flew up to them, “So you two are just going to leave us here then?”

Alan grinned at her playfully, “Are you going to miss my company Dash?”

Rainbow became flustered as Alan patted her on the head mockingly and took off.

Martin shook his head as he looked at AJ, “We’ll be back later.”

AJ nodded, “Don’t be gone to long; we all still have a surprise for ya.”

Martin nodded as he waved over his shoulder before taking off after Alan.

*

Both Alan and Martin were exhilarated as the wind whipped past their faces. Martin had never flew to Canterlot before because he wanted to get the hang of flying first before attempting it lest he crash and burn into the ground. Alan was howling in absolute excitement as he shot through a cloud making a large hole through the center of it.

Martin could feel himself accelerate as he caught up to Alan, “PRETTY AWESOME HUH!”

Alan nodded excitedly as they both sped up, “I WONDER IF WE CAN DO A SONIC BOOM?”

Martin just stared at him, “WON’T WE BE TURNED TO MUSH IF WE TRY THAT!”

Alan shook his head as he did a barrel roll, “DUDE WE AREN’T EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE AT THIS SPEED OR HEIGHT. WHATS STOPPING US!”

Martin nodded slightly, “GOOD POINT, LETS REV IT UP!!”

Alan smiled in exhilaration, “SHIFT INTO TURBO!!”

Both Martin and Alan began to speed up as air resistance began to form in front of them and began to become cones. Soon the cone became narrower and narrower until a quick yet loud bang was heard which left a ring of cloud behind them.

Both humans looked behind themselves and yelled, “WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!”

They then both slowed down sharply upon landing causing a massive gale of wind to fly down the street overturning everypony and various objects. Soon many ponies got up and fixed both humans with annoyed glares as they both nervously smiled and apologised.

Eventually after many more apologies were said they made their way to the castle courtyard. The guards were suspicious of their sudden arrival but relented after Martin informed them of their business there. Soon they were admitted into the throne room which was surprisingly vacant until Princess Celestia entered through a side door with a smile at noticing her guests.

Both humans bowed quickly as Celestia stopped in front of them, “Martin Fairbridges and Alan Washington it’s good to see you again. How have you both been?”

Alan smiled, “Well I’ve managed to get time off from work to further enjoy your amazing kingdom.”

The Princess smiled at this until Martin cleared his throat, “I’ve been pretty well actually and I’m also here about the ceremony.”

The Princess’s nodded, “of course, I assume you are excited for the opportunity. Not many ponies or humans in your case get knighted often.”

Martin nodded, “Yeah I heard. But about the time I may have to postpone it until the spring which is in about a month or so since its winter back home.”

Celestia nodded in understanding, “Take all the time you need to prepare yourself.”

Martin sighed in relief, “Well that was easy.”

Celestia regarded him with slight concern, “Your mind seems elsewhere at the moment.”

Martin looked at the Princess, “I was wondering if I could see Lupe…I mean if it’s not too much trouble.”

Princess Celestia shook her head, “it’s no trouble at all, but she hasn’t spoken much since coming here or coming down for any food. She merely asks that the guards bring her food to the door and the tray is clean the next morning.”

Alan and Martin walked through the halls as the approached the tower used for royal guests and stopped at the door. Princess Celestia offered Alan a chance to tour the palace while Martin chatted with Lupe which Alan accepted without hesitation.

Martin was about to knock until a quiet voice spoke from within, “Come in…”

Martin opened the door and saw Lupe sitting on the window sill wearing a sleeveless white robe and her hair reached down to her waist and was still naturally curly.

She turned her head and smiled softly at Martin, “Hey.”

Martin looked at her, “I like the new look.”

Lupe absently toyed with a bit of her hair, “The princesses did me a favour and grew my hair so I could style it again.”

Martin tilted his head slightly, “Why haven’t you?”

Lupe looked out the window, “no reason to.”

Martin looked at her, “Celestia tells me you don’t come down for anything social. Is it because of…?”

Lupe finished for her, “the Empathy, yes. Being up here is the only relaxation I can have in this world. If even one being gets close enough I feel…everything,” she then clutched her head, “Their pain, anger, happiness, love, anguish and sadness all at once. It’s painful beyond human comprehension and it drives me crazy.”

Martin stepped back, “is it happening now?”

Lupe painfully nodded, “But the bright side out of all of this is I developed something to assist me.”

She looked over at a brush and levitated it over to her open hand which caused Martin to nod, “Telekinesis?
”

Lupe shrugged, “Not sure.”

Martin smiled as he placed a hand on her shoulder which caused her to cringe away as if she just got zapped by a cattle prod and yelled, “DON’T TOUCH ME!”

Martin’s face fell as Lupe stared fearfully at him with a mixture of pain and sorrow, “I’m sorry…please just go.”

Martin nodded as he turned to leave but not before casting a look over his shoulder, “Lupe…you’ll get through this.”

Martin soon met up with both princesses and Alan who all looked at him with concern.

Luna regarded him with concern, “How fairs Lupe?”

Martin then looked to the tower, “She’s fine but...the Lupe I know isn’t in that room.”

*

Lupe sat curled in a ball as she regarded the setting sun for a moment before shedding a single tear.