Breakfast on the train was simply egg, cheese, and veggie burritos that a servingmare distributed from her cart. No grasses of any kind were in them, thankfully. I ate mine after changing out of my robe and into some regular clothes. It wasn’t bad, but I could probably make a better one. With steak bits, bacon, and tater tots instead of vegetables. That sounded really good.

Less than two hours after we woke up, the train came to a stop. “Viva Las Pegasus, baby. Woo!” Pinkie exclaimed as she bounced off the train. “What’s the plan, Twi?”

“We leave our luggage here and come back later for a 6 PM train. That one’s a 14 hour trip, so we’ll arrive in Canterlot at 8 AM. We will have a sleeping car this time since it’s over 12 hours.”

“I’ll take the luggage to the holding area” Rarity volunteered. “Most of it is mine, after all.”

“Hey, Yang” Applejack called. She had my attention. “Ah want to take you to the track Ah won at on my first try and show you a race.”

“Well, let’s do it” I agreed as I set off with her. “Is that the only thing you want to do with me?”

“That’s all Ah can think of for now.”

“Are these really their names?” The list of names, even for ponies, was a little odd. I was also feeling what I think was a small current of music magic.

“No idea. The racers can give a fake name. Ah didn’t when Ah raced here. This is also the one track where underhooved tricks are allowed during the race.” Knowing Applejack, she probably won fair and square. I followed her to the betting booth. “Ah’ll put twenty bits on Stooge Hand. Name’s Applejack.”

The teller counted the twenty bits Applejack put down. “Twenty for Stooge Hand. Thank you, Ms. Applejack.”

I decided to try my hand. “Ten bits on Beetle Bomb. And I’m Yang Xiao Long.”

“Ten for Beetle Bomb. And obviously, you’re her.”

“Come on, Yang” Applejack said from a sandwich bar that was run more like a normal bar. I knew it was a sandwich bar because there was a sign saying such right over it. “We’ve still got ten minutes before the race, and Ah’m hungry. That burrito on the train wasn’t enough for me. Ah’ll buy.”

My stomach rumbled only a little bit as I joined her. “Sure.” The egg in it was alright, but I needed a bit more protein.

“Ah’d like a peanut butter and apple jam sandwich. Oh, and we’ll take them outside. Yang?”

“Peanut butter, banana, and honey.”

“Coming up” the unicorn mare on the other side said. “Seven bits.”

As the sandwiches were being whipped together and wrapped up, Applejack pulled out nine bits for the mare. Both were done at the same time and we got our sandwiches wrapped in foil. Applejack took the lead to the seats outside. There were already a lot of ponies out here, but we managed to get a pair of seats near the start and finish lines.

Shortly after we finished our delicious sandwiches and just a minute or two before the race was due to start, a trumpet and bells played from the center of the track. A few seconds later, a dog started barking, and then it stopped when something heavy fell somewhere out of my sight.

A violin and songbirds replaced the silence, and it was very nice. Then someone on a small side stage started ringing a cowbell and squeezing a bike horn. I had trouble holding myself together, even as the stage collapsed under them. I felt my music magic acting on its own, but I didn’t really care.

A trumpeter poured a mug of something into his muzzle and began gargling it in what could have been a serenading tune, if not for the fact that it was being gargled. After he was done, the trumpets started up and it was a tune that I recognized: the William Tell Overture. The silence of the crowd was broken when they started cheering. The race was about to begin, and I’ll admit, I was feeling excited. The crowd’s silence returned as the trumpets made a deflating sound.

The announcer took over, as did the violins. “It’s a beautiful day for the race today. Stooge Hand is the favorite today, A. Salt is in the air, Dog Biscuit is three to one, Safety Pin has been scratched, and at twenty to one, Beetle Bomb.”

“Oh no.” At least it was only ten bits I would be losing.

“Now the racers are at the starting line and THERE THEY GO!” The trumpets picked back up, playing the familiar tune, along with a banjo. “Stooge Hand has the lead, Cabbage is second on the rail, Beautiful Linda is third by a length and, uh, Beetle Bomb.”

“Come on, Stooge Hand” Applejack said. At least she still had a chance at winning.

“Around the first turn, Stooge Hand is still in front, Cabbage is second by a head.”

“Cabbage by a head!” I couldn’t help but laugh at the accidental pun.

“Beautiful Linda is third, and uh, Beetle Bomb.

“Into the back stretch, Dog Biscuit is leading the pack, Lady Evelyn is second, very close, Banana is coming up through the bunch.”

“Banana coming up through the bunch!” Even if I lost the ten bits, these puns were worth it.

“And Beetle Bomb. At the half, Stooge Hand is still out in front, Apartment House is second with plenty of room, A. Salt is passing Batter E.”

“Assault and battery!”

“Notary Sojack is fourth, and in last place by ten lengths, I believe it is, yes it is Beetle Bomb. Around the turn, heading for home, Stooge Hand, Dog Biscuit, and Girdle are out in the stretch. Flying Sylvester is third and Mother In Law is nagging in the rear.” I swear I heard a seal. “And now they’re coming down to the wire, and it’s number one, now it’s number two, and it’s very close. It’ll be either a photo finish or an oil painting. And now Louis moves to the left, and Louis is in there slugging, and now it’s a battle, and now they’re tearing hair. There’s hair all over the ring. There’s hair all over the place. I don’t know whose hair it is.” He gasped a couple times. “It’s mine. AND THERE GOES THE WINNER!”

The band kept playing as the racers, now brawling a bit, ran towards the finish. An explosion that kicked up a big dust cloud and a buzzing sound caused the racers to stumble, whinny, and pile up.

“Beetle Bomb.” A triumphant bit finished off the music as the pony, a lanky unicorn that looked like he’d have no business racing here, emerged from the dust cloud.

“Well, Ah’ll be” Applejack said as the music magic wound down. “You won, Yang.”

“Huh?” I was catching my breath from all the nonsense that was in the race that made me laugh. “Wait, what?”

“You’ll be taking home a big bag of bits. Only you and Ah think three others, get the money.”

“Well, I guess I’d better go collect.” I got up and made my way back to the teller booth, still in a bit of disbelief. “What do I get?”

“From the 3000 bit pool, you get 750” the teller said as he produced a small chest.

I really needed to send a letter to Celestia about making a 5 bit coin. The weight of the chest wasn’t much of an issue for me, but it would be for a number of others. “Thank you.”

“Thanks for coming!”

Applejack and I were still in a stunned silence at my winnings as we left. “So, what now?”

“Yang, Applejack!” Twilight called out as she and Pinkie approached us. “Pinkie said something big would happen here. What’s in the chest?”

“750 bits I won from betting on a race. I bet on the guy that was apparently expected to come in last.”

“That’s the big thing!” Pinkie said. “You know what this means?”

“Does it mean I’m buying supper for everyone before we go back?”

“It means you’re-” Pinkie mouthed out what I had just said before she gasped. “You stole the words right out of my mouth.”

“You don’t have to buy us supper, Yang” Twilight assured. “In fact, I can take it to the station and put it with your other things.”

That was a good idea, but I didn’t like the idea of giving the bits up, even if it was Twilight offering. “How about you show me the way? I’d rather not let this out of my sight for now.”

“Fair enough.” I left the earth ponies and followed Twilight towards the station. “So, did you like the race?”

I told Twilight about the race while my music magic felt like it was active. “So, while I do like the fact that I won more than I’ve spent this trip, and the whole thing was kind of funny, I don’t think watching races is my thing.”

“Well, at least you gave it a try, and it was with a friend, so it was better than if you’d gone alone, right?”

“It’s always good to do things with friends.”

A moment later, Twilight walked up to a booth with a stallion behind it. “Just tell him to put it with your stuff.”

I faced the stallion and put the chest on the counter. “Uh, I’m Yang Xiao Long, and could you put this with my suitcase?”

The stallion looked at some paper in front of him. “Of course.” He accepted the chest and took it to the back, and he placed it with what I recognized as my suitcase, which was with all of Rarity’s matching luggage.

“Since we’re leaving later tonight, you don’t have to worry about them charging for storage” Twilight explained. “Anyways, there’s something I want you to see here in Las Pegasus.”

“Lead the way.” At this rate, I’d probably be pulled in another direction before lunch.

We stopped outside a huge building that looked like a repurposed warehouse. “Welcome to the Annual Las Pegasus Amusement Convention Amassment, or ALPACA for short. This is where I found War Time Strategy a few years ago.”

“What’s the cost to get in?” Conventions are not cheap to get in.

“Normally, anywhere from 20-75 bits, but royal privilege allows me and one other in for free, so I can get us in with no problems.”

“And the stuff inside?”

“Gotta pay like anyone else. Let’s go.” Twilight lead me through the crowd and to the entrance. “Admission for Princess Twilight and one other, please.”

“Go on in” the griffon at the entrance said.

I followed Twilight again. “That was really easy.”

“Princess Celestia made a royal decree that all Equestrian Princesses have free admission for themselves and one other at places that charge admission a long time before I was born. She also made sure to include the detail that it is only the admission that’s free. Everything else is normal price.”

“Any idea why she did that?”

“The books I’ve read didn’t say much, but she probably had a really good economist at the time to point out the consequences of her consuming at no cost to her.”

Celestia left the Canterlot carnival in a very Princessly manner with a squad of guards following her, along with her aide, a mare named Branwen. They were pulling a wagon with everything in it that had caught Celestia’s eye, which was a lot of things. They were hauling practically a fifth of all the merchandise that was available, their combined value easily in the thousands of bits.

Celestia herself had been snacking almost non-stop, using her rank and power to get free stuff, just as she’d been doing for centuries. Just as her subjects had been doing for centuries.

Eventually, she arrived at her chambers. “Gentlecolts, you can deposit the items in my study.” With a sharp salute, the guards did as they were told. Celestia and Branwen went in and once the door was closed, Celestia collapsed onto her bed with 110% less grace than normal. “Branwen, how can my little ponies manage to do what we just did? How do you do it?”

Branwen spoke frankly to Celestia. “Well, Princess, most ponies don’t snack constantly for hours at a time, nor do they get things for free. When they do attend, they only have a limited number of bits to spend, a limited amount of time, and a limited amount of things they can carry. They have to budget everything. Also, you ate all the peanuts from one of the peanut sellers.”

“Those things are small.”

“That peanut seller is going back home with nothing but an empty cart. Because of all the peanuts of his that you ate, which was all of them, he may not be able to provide for his family for a while. I’m no economist, but I know that you getting everything for free is not the way to keep Equestria prosperous.

“I suggest that next time you go out like this, bring your bits with you and budget yourself. You won’t get free stuff, but you’ll feel better and so will the ponies.”

Celestia’s stomach protested against a single slightly below prime quality peanut. “Fine. Do what you want.”

“I will.” Branwen used her opportunity to write up a new law stating that Princess Celestia was never to use her royal status to extort free things from anypony. After some consideration, she made the second draft a bit more encompassing, to include any Princess and anyone. She didn’t think there would be more Princesses than Celestia, but it never hurt to make sure. Branwen did make an exception for entrance fees, which could be extended to one other, thinking of herself and future aides.

Satisfied with her work, Branwen began the speedy steps to making it a law. Celestia’s sprees would be put into check at last.

“Or maybe it was a sense of guilt?” I suggested. “Anyways, what are we doing here?”

“Can you keep a secret from Rainbow?”

“Yeah. What’s the secret?”

“She doesn’t know about this convention, and the creators of War Time Strategy are making an announcement here. From what I read, it’s going to be something big.”

I haven’t played much War Time Strategy, but it was a good game. “How big?”

“Game changing. And the announcement’s in fifteen minutes, so we’d better hurry!” Twilight took off towards an archway with the title ‘War Time Strategy’ over it. On the other side was a packed auditorium filled with numerous species, all talking with each other in their seats. “No more seats. Sorry Yang, but I’m going to be hovering for this one.”

As I watched Twilight hover nearby, I caught sight of something: the exposed rafters up in the ceiling. The whole ceiling was full of them. “Hey, Twilight, can you launch me up to the ceiling?”

Twilight looked between me and the rafters a few times. “Sure.”

I didn’t have time to respond before I was sent up by Twilight’s magic. At the top, I wasted no time getting myself onto my improvised sitting location. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was still thick enough for me to not have to constantly balance myself.

Finally, the lights dimmed and everyone grew quiet. Out on the stage came a unicorn and griffon duo, both male and very faintly familiar. “Hello, War Time Strategists” the griffon said. “You’re here to see just what we’re going to release, and trust me, you will be amazed.”

The unicorn took over. He sounded like he had a Japanese accent. “We’re actually doing a dual release. For War Time Strategy, we’re releasing a new rulebook that also includes the much requested Human unit and various other goodies. They’ll be available for sale after this announcement’s over.” An immense uproar of cheers and applause shook the room for what felt like two minutes before it died down.

The griffon wheeled out a stand with a black cloth over what had to be a display case of some kind. “Now that the small news is out of the way, it’s time for the big news: we are releasing a sequel and a new way to play games.” He pulled off the cloth and revealed a green, pink, and silver object. “This is the Gamer Driver. It allows you, through the use of dream magic and some unique crystals, to actually play inside a game, as if you were really there.”

This was looking good. “We’re open to ideas from anyone who wants to make games for the Gamer Driver. Speaking of which, we already have a game in the works for the Gamer Driver.” The unicorn floated something black and clear up from behind the Driver, both of which looked kind of familiar after looking at them for a bit. “These cartridges are called Gashats, and this one has a new game on it: War Time Commander.”

Cheers erupted from the crowd at the revelation of the game. After it died down, one mare at the front asked “How do you play War Time Commander?”

“An excellent question.” As the unicorn spoke, the griffon got the items and began demonstrating. “First off, the Gamer Driver is a belt. Just put it on and it will create the straps. Next, there’s a button on the Gashat that starts it up.”

The button was pressed. “WAR TIME COMMANDER!”

“Yes, it talks, but that’s how you know it’s ready. Besides, it sounds pretty cool. The Gamer Driver has two slots for Gashats, and War Time Commander goes in the right one.”

“GASHATTO! LET’S GAME! SUPER GAME! ULTRA GAME! WHATCHA NAME? WAR TIME COMMANDER.” Lots of flashy effects surrounded the griffon and a layer of magic formed a transparent blue visor over his eyes.

“At this point, you can change various settings for your game, including volume, visuals, and more. We call this stage Level 1. No, we haven’t figured out how to turn off the voice. Once you’re done there, get to a relaxed position and open the Gamer Driver.”

The griffon sat down before opening the device. “GACHAN! LEVEL UP!” He seemed to go to sleep right after.

“This is where the dream magic comes into play. Currently, at Level 2, he’s in the game, partially aware of his surroundings. There are lots of failsafes built in. If someone takes the Gashat out, the Driver will pull him out of the game and to the real world. It can also sense when the user is under an immediate threat and alerts them in a very blatant way. As soon as the driver is closed, whether by the user or someone else, the game will drop back to Level 1.”

The griffon closed the Driver. “GACHON.”

“And when you’re done, just pull out the Gashat and take off the driver.”

“GASHOON.”

“At this point, the game needs some time to recharge itself, usually no more than ten minutes.”

“Can it be played by more than one player?” a different mare asked.

“In its current form, no” the griffon answered, looking not at all like he’d taken a nap, nor in need of one. “We are working on that though, and we will make it clear how to do so in the manual we’re going to include.”

As the announcement went on and questions were answered, I realized that I was witnessing the dawn of video gaming in Equestria. It wasn’t the little steps that had been taken back on Earth over decades, but a singular monumental leap past pixel characters, past tangles of wires, past the controllers, and straight to immersive VR.

It still used a type of cartridge, but it was pretty cool. Besides, there’s something to be said for having games displayed on shelves. And for what it does, the cartridges are fine.

Once the announcement was over, Twilight floated up to me. “Want to talk with them? The griffon and unicorn?”

“You don’t know their names?” I thought Twilight would know something like that.

“Nobody seems to know.”

“Eh, sure, why not?”

After Twilight cleared out an area under me, I slid off my perch and nailed the landing. Twilight landed a lot more softly than I did before leading me to the backstage area. There were already a number of others back there, likely with backstage passes. They were all chatting with the unicorn and griffon duo that were behind War Time Strategy.

Eventually, our turn came up. “Yang Xiao Long, the one and only” the griffon said with respect. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

There’s my fame acting up again. “Likewise.”

“And Princess Twilight Sparkle as well” the unicorn said. “Truly, we are honored by your presence.”

“So, what can we do for you?” the griffon asked.

“Can you share the spellwork of the Gamer Driver and Gashat with me?” Twilight asked before I could ask my question. “I have no idea how I’d use the knowledge, but it would be nice to know.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t reveal that yet” the unicorn said. “Of course, there wouldn’t be anything stopping you from buying the final product and taking it apart.”

“Not even a hin-” Twilight was silenced by my hand holding her muzzle shut.

“So, are you only going to make games for this?” I asked. Twilight stopped trying to talk, so I let go.

“Of course” the griffon said. “It’s a gaming device. What else could it be used for?”

“Twilight, can you leave us, please? I want to talk two on one with them.”

“Why do you want me to leave?” Twilight asked me.

“Let’s just say I’ve got some game changing ideas meant for two pairs of ears, none of which are your own.”

“I just have one more question for them.” I motioned for Twilight to ask away. “If I preorder a bunch of Gamer Drivers and Gashats, can I get a discount?”

“Nope” the griffon said. After Twilight left and the unicorn cast a privacy bubble to mute our conversation, he went on. “So, what’s this idea of yours? Is it for a Gashat?” It sounded like he’d gotten that question a lot.

“Yes” I admitted. “I’m thinking of one that’s kind of a daily utility thing with a calendar, clock, and notepad function, all limited to level 1. Opening the Driver would just make it a bit less obstructive for the wearer.”

“That’s. . . An interesting idea” the unicorn admitted. “Certainly better than the simulated bedroom experience that was suggested earlier.”

“It could synergize with other Gashats as well” the griffon said. “We can utilize the second slot for this. If it’s alone in the first slot, it’s a calendar, clock, and notepad. If there’s a game in the other slot, it could bring up notes for that one.”

“And if you switch them, it could allow you to keep your notes and such visible to you in-game” I added.

After a moment of silence, the unicorn spoke. “Miss Xiao Long, you have given us gold. You will get a portion of the money made from the daily utility Gashat idea. Do you have any other ideas we could use?”

I think I accidentally tied them around my finger. “Not right now.” That was a lie, but I didn’t want to dump my knowledge of video games onto them yet. “Maybe later.”

“You know, we could come visit you” the griffon said. “My youngest sister is actually a waitress at the Carne Den, and she’s had nothing but praise for you in the letters she sends me. I wanted to surprise her by showing up there once, but I think she was off that day.”

“Well, you’re free to visit anytime you want, and if it’s not too busy, I could even spend some time with you. Who’s your sister?”

“Her name’s Glynda.”

Glynda, Glynda. . . “Ah, her. She’s pretty good at what she does. I’ve yet to hear any complaints about her, or anyone working for me, really.” Well, there were the 28 snobby nobles, but they’re an exception. Short of me giving everything up and becoming Blueblood’s maid 24/7 for life, I’m pretty sure there was no way they would like me.

“I’m glad she left the Griffon Empire. It’s been years since I left there, and things were looking bleak for everyone at the time. Last I heard, things were still rather bleak.”

“I’ve heard that too.”

“If I may ask something of you, Miss Xiao Long” the unicorn spoke up.

“Yes?”

“If it’s alright, I would like to learn more about your species sometime. I’d like to know more now, but we have to be somewhere else really soon.”

“Of course. Well, it was a pleasure meeting you both.”

“Likewise.”

The unicorn dispelled the privacy bubble and we went our separate ways. It didn’t take long for me to find the horned and winged earth pony that was Twilight Sparkle. “What did you talk about with them?”

“I’ll tell you when it’s released.” I wasn’t about to leak anything to anyone.

By the time we left the convention, Twilight had purchased the last two copies of the War Time Strategy guidebook with the human units and I bought a very nicely made scarf with my burning heart emblem on it.

Fluttershy met us outside while she was walking somewhere. “Hi Yang, Twilight. Are you having a good time?”

“I’m certainly not complaining” I said. “Heading somewhere?”

“I’m going to the petting zoo.”

“Twilight, I’ll see you later. There are animals that need petting.”

“Huh? Oh, have fun” Twilight said.

“Lead the way, Fluttershy.”

I scratched a tame manticore’s ears until it purred.

I learned that hydra heads can have different personalities.

Timberwolves don’t like me.

I had to be saved from a swarm of adorable kittens that were cuddling up to me like I was a cat magnet.

All in all, I had a good time, and I even donated thirty bits to help keep the petting zoo going. Fluttershy and I left in time to grab a snack before making it to the train station in time to get my luggage and catch our train.