Twilight’s confidence was at an all-time low, with the Canterlot Castle’s gate passing under the chariot she and her friends were flying in.

The only thing that kept her from panicking and bolting was that her friends were with her and that the guards which were escorting them off the chariot and to the Princesses weren’t crowding around them.

As Twilight sulked and dreaded what was to come, her five friends continued to talk about the human, with Spike riding on his sister’s back.

“Psh, he sounds more like a pushover.” Rainbow scoffed, “Preeetty sure he’s nothing compared to the incredible Rainbow Dash!” She gave a few loops in the air as she boasted.

“Nuh uh!” Spike protested, “This guy could handle the Night Guards! And he said he sparred with the Royal Guard’s Captain!”

“So?” The technicolor mare countered, flying up close to Spike’s face and touching noses, “How’s that supposed to make him better than me?”

“They’re trained guards?” Spike replied, flinching back at the sudden closeness.

“Well, they’ve never gone up against Nightmare Moon, before have they?” Rainbow backed off a little, but still gave a smug smile as she crossed her hooves, “Yeah they aren’t much.”

The Royal Guards that were escorting them remained silent though privately disapproving of Rainbow’s clearly low opinion of them as a military institution, but the few that were there couldn’t hide the unhappy frowns as the group continued on their way to the throne room. One of which muttered, “And we can tell the Wonderbolts who’s unsuitable for their team.”

Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash caught what the guard said and confronted him, “What’d you just say?!”

The guard met her challenge and said, “I said I could tell the Wonderbolts who’s not suitable to join their team!”

“Oh yeah? Says who, tough guy?”

Another guard immediately stepped in between the two arguing ponies and said roughly, “The one who’s trying to do his job, rather than argue with somepony who occasionally does her job, whereas the guards work twenty-four seven.” The stallion immediately turned on the other guard, who flinched backward a little, “And the one who’s about to assign somepony to latrine duty.”

Rainbow was about to start turning on the other guard before Applejack reined her in with a quick lasso around Rainbow’s barrel, “Settle down now, Dash. Les’ not start rough-housin' with the guards.”

“Pff,” the pegasus scoffed, pulling back a little on the rope around her, “I bet I could take ‘em!”

“Applejack has a point, darling,” Rarity commented, “Just because they didn’t do much when that ghastly villain Nightmare Moon arrived doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable. And it would be exceedingly barbaric of us to start fights in the middle of the Princess’ Castle.”

The technicolor mare gave a pout as she was released from her restraint and followed the group.

When the group turned the corner that led straight to the throne room, they were stopped by a small line of five petitioners, who were muttering to themselves and exhibiting signs of slight nervousness, their eyes occasionally looking toward the door.

Twilight halted and gave an expression of confusion, as the seven friends stopped at the end of the line to wait their turn to see the Princesses along with the other petitioners.

“I suppose we arrived just at the wrong time if the Princesses are still undergoing their royal duties.” Rarity surmised, resulting in some of the mares finding a comfortable spot to sit and wait while the Royal Guards that were escorting them moved up toward the front of the line.

Twilight looked around before trotting to one stallion, a fancy dressed noble, and asked, “Excuse me, sir?”

When the noblestallion turned and looked at her, Twilight asked politely, “Could I ask what’s going on? Why is everypony acting so nervous?”

The stallion looked back and raised a hoof and replied in a conspiratorial whisper, which made Twilight blink in surprise before leaning in closer to hear, “It’s because an argument was heard from behind the doors.”

“What?” Twilight nearly yelled, but reigned herself in enough to an indoor voice, “With who?”

“Clearly,” The stallion stated, his chest puffing out a little in typical pompous fashion, “it was between Princess Celestia and another pony, though nopony here knows who he is or where he is from, but it was a stallion’s voice and it may be this new stranger Princess Celestia has been hiding from us for quite some time now.”

Before Twilight said anything, one of the guards that had gone to the door returned and addressed her, “The Princesses will see you and the other members of your party immediately.”

The noblestallion immediately sputtered in protest as he watched Twilight and the other mares as well as Spike, who was accompanying Twilight follow suit and walked around the small line of ponies who had been waiting longer than them.

Each of the petitioners made sure to give an unhappy glare at the mares as they passed, which made Fluttershy and Twilight wince, not liking the animosity directed toward them and they lowered their heads down, not wanting to see the glares of the ponies who had waited in their queue to petition the princess as they were passed by.

Unbeknownst to every pony in the hall, one guard’s horn quickly flashed green and executed a strong mental suggestion to the Royal Guard that was escorting the six mares and one baby dragon to the door, taking the affected guard’s place and dismissing him to return to his post at the door. He silently opened the door and followed them in, drifting a little behind them as they approached the thrones where both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were sitting.

Twilight flinched as she noticed the look of resentment her mentor had, though she could tell it wasn’t directed at Twilight nor Luna. It still brought up unpleasant memories of when Celestia would look upon her with disappointment.

The look quickly went away as Princess Celestia looked at her and her friends as she said, “It is good to see you again, my student. And you all as well, my little ponies.”

While the six mares gave their respectful bows, the Royal Guard that had escorted them in took position nearby the door, though carefully moving his head so that he could see what was going on more easily.

Twilight was about to speak first, but was immediately interrupted by Rainbow Dash, who quickly flapped up a little off the ground, though she did not fly towards the Princesses, and asked, “So where’s this alien of yours?”

“Rainbow!” Applejack cried out, incensed at her friend’s brash rudeness towards the princess, unhappy that her friend was more than being pushy about seeing the human than she had been even about her qualifications to join an exemplary team like the Wonderbolts.

“What?!” Rainbow protested, “Who wouldn’t be eager to hear and learn about an alien and that it's here in Canterlot?”

Applejack began arguing with Rainbow about talking disrespectfully to the Princesses, while Twilight facehoofed again as Princess Celestia commented, “I did receive your letter about your ... indiscretions regarding highly confidential State secrets.”

This sent Twilight from annoyed at Rainbow’s antics to panic as she sputtered, ‘P-Princess Celestia, I’m so, so, so sorry! We tried to keep it a secret but—”

She was silenced with a raised hoof, “Twilight, I’m not angry at you, or Spike. If anything, it was unfortunate that it was prematurely revealed.” Princess Celestia’s horn lit up and Spike was levitated off his sister’s back, which made him squirm a little before being set down between the mares and the Princesses, “However, I won’t say that I am not disappointed in you, Spike.”

The baby dragon flinched as the Princess continued, admonishing the dragon gently, “You and your sister were trusted to keep our guest’s presence secret until after his formal introduction to Equestria. Though Twilight was able to keep it somewhat secret, you didn’t.”

She looked over to Twilight and said, “As his adopted sibling and his caretaker, Twilight, I recommend that you should suspend Spike from accessing his comics and gems, at least for a few months, and I will have to send a few guards to watch over him for him to understand how serious and important it is, and how serious this is to not reveal something that may cause panic and chaos, and that what he revealed could have instigated a great deal of conflict and issues from our neighboring kingdoms. This kind of secret could lead to our neighbors declaring war upon us and with that war, all of the deaths which accompanies a war.”

Spike immediately gasped, bringing an arm up close to his mouth and recoiled as if he was just struck hard across the face while Twilight asked, “A-and what about me, Princess Celestia?”

Both Princesses Luna and Celestia exchanged looks with each other before Luna replied, “We doth not think thou shouldst endure punishment for what was not thine fault completely. The true fault lies upon us for bringing you here and revealing him to you. Though thine adopted brother didst reveal, tis only small and not as catastrophic as it could hath been. Perhaps we shouldst be thankful that ‘tis only thine fellow bearers that hath learned.”

Twilight looked as if she was about to protest, but Rarity stopped her, “Twilight, I really do think you shouldn’t take their magnanimity for nothing, darling. If they say they are not blaming you, then you really shouldn’t take that lightly.”

It didn’t seem to convince Twilight, but she sighed and gave a meek nod. All the while, Spike was silently mourning and comically crying over his loss, while Pinkie gave a few comforting pats on his shoulder saying, “At least you’re not getting blacklisted, Spikey.”

Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash continued to argue while Pinkie left Spike and said eagerly, “So when do we get to see him?”

Celestia and Luna gave quick looks before Celestia stated, “I’m still unsure whether to let you mares see our visitor, or if he even wants to see you all.”

“Tis surprising he hath not spoken up for himself by now,” Luna muttered, giving a quick glance up.

Pinkie followed Princess Luna’s glance and squealed, “Ooooooh! He’s hidden in a secret place! That’s so spy-ish! Almost like double-oh-seven stuff! Is he like a spy? I know a few spies but they weren’t all these cool spies like the others, they had all these silly little bland hidey-holes that—”

The pink Earth Pony was shortly tuned out as she started going off into a rant, leaving only Fluttershy not doing or saying anything as she was sitting flat on the floor, hiding behind her long mane.

Princess Celestia smiled, though it looked awkward and forced, “Please keep in mind that our visitor comes from a world and culture that is very much different than ours. Not only will his appearance be unlike anything you are likely expecting, but how he thinks and perceives the world will be greatly different than how a native pony of our current era thinks and perceives the world.”

Princess Luna increased her speaking volume so that their hidden guest could plainly hear her, even though he was likely listening to all of the conversations taking place quite easily, “Wilt thou cease thy airs o’ being a strange jackanapes and shew thyself before our comrades and champions, or shalt thy add rudeness upon insult?”

A masculine voice echoed throughout the chamber, while sounding familiar to Twilight, “Jackanapes, Princess Luna? Thou wouldst insult us so? Whyfore ought we obey thy missives when thy rudeness precedes thee? However, that thine comrades and champions not think us to perpetuate thy rudeness with like, we shall deign to show ourselves afore them. Know of a surety ‘tis not due to any missive thine rude and sharp tongue has issued.”

Princess Luna smirked wryly and rolled her eyes at their visitor’s theatrics and muttered, “Stallions,” in a tone of amusement.

“Snark at us and we’ll be inclined to return it, Princess,” the male voice countered, before the curtains above the royal thrones billowed out before parting. A large form flew out from the curtains before gliding gently down to the right of the gathered Bearers, flapping hard once before nearly landing on all four hooves.

Twilight stared at the newcomer in awe as she realized what had appeared was an Alicorn stallion, through his mane and tail didn’t billow or wave about much like Princess Celestia’s and only recently had Princess Luna’s manes begun to billow and wave in the same manner as Celestia’s mane.

The others were in similar states of awe and stunned expressions, with Rarity staring at the stallion with stars in her eyes at the color combination and regal stance he landed in. Rainbow Dash and Applejack both had their jaws drop, and Fluttershy gave a quiet squeak.

Pinkie was being Pinkie when she encountered strangers, surprised and immediately running through ideas of a surprise “Met a stranger” party.

The stallion took a measured step and nearly stumbled, ruining whatever moment he had in revealing himself to the Element Bearers.

Princess Celestia gave a small giggle, “Still unsteady on your hooves?”

“A day’s worth of practice does not equal a lifetime of experience, Princess.” The stallion replied, giving an expectant look all the while.

Rainbow quickly picked up her jaw and gave a small snerk, “Way to ruin the awesome entrance, dude.”

It was then that Twilight recognized his voice and said, “W-wuh? Is that really you?”

“Twi? You know this here stallion?” Applejack asked.

“Well, yes. Though ... why are you a stallion, an ...” Twilight’s eyes widened as the realization hit her. In front of her was an alicorn stallion. An Alicorn. Stallion.

“And we’ve lost Twilight.” The stallion commented, “Are alicorn stallions that unheard of, Princess?”

“You have asked this before, Rising, and the answer still remains the same.” Princess Celestia replied, chiding him.

“Only asking as to make sure.” Rising said as he slowly, and carefully, stepped closer to the Element Bearers.

“Wait,” Twilight stated as she came back from her shock, “when Spike and I first met you, you were human, so does that mean ...”

“We did indeed accept the Princesses offer in the terms of entering Equestria, though ... there were some ... slight complications neither of us expected.” Rising replied as he stopped half-step to correct one of his hooves, which had stepped a little too far from his body.

Princess Celestia couldn’t help but comment, eyebrow raised, “Unintentionally becoming an alicorn stallion is a ”slight complication”?”

“We could try the spell again, as we know a way to undo our physical form, but it’s more than likely, we’ll end up with the same result,” Rising replied, turning his head towards her, “Let’s not go around the mountain, only to end up back at the beginning.”

“Sagacious art thine words and fill’d with wisdom,” Princess Luna retorted.

’Some would question that,’ One of the many voices called within Rising’s mind.

The conversation started to confuse the other mares except for Twilight and Spike, as Applejack asked, “So ... if this isn’ wha’ yer stallion friend looks like Twi’, then whu’d he look like before?”

Twilight bit back her quickly made retort to her friend’s stallionfriend comment as she knew that Applejack didn’t mean it in that way, though it did cause her to pause a few seconds before responding, “Do any of you mares know what a human looks like?”

Both Fluttershy, Rarity shook their heads in slight confusion while Applejack asked, her head tilting a little, “Them ol’ folktales? Granny Smith always said them stories are jus’ that.”

Rainbow gave a small shrug, “Gil’s told me a lil’ about it, but she just says they’re dumb old stories her grandpa kept telling her.”

Only Pinkie gave a form of agreement, as she bounced up and down, “Oh yeah! I know about them! They’ll be focused on by a movie-not-so-movie-sorta-movie and another movie-not-movie-sorta-movie, though both of them are not gonna be liked very much because ponies are soooo much better and the characters there look waaay too thin for parents to like and Faust herself didn’t really like them much so she stepped away from that.”

Everypony except Rising failed to understand what the pink Earth Pony had just said, as the stallion gave a subtle, backward jerk with his head in surprise. Though Rising hadn’t heard of this Faust, he had heard of movies where parents complained about, fanbases of certain franchises complained about, and sometimes even someone of importance in a franchise complained and left.

But this world and the technology he had been told Equestria had wasn’t even remotely close to possessing such a conundrum! ... How would this pony know anything about it?

He didn’t pursue the pink pony’s answer as Twilight said, “Riiight. Ok, so you know the Minotaurs? Two-legged, muscular upper body, five-fingered hands instead of hooves or claws?” When the other mares nodded in agreement, Twilight continued, “Well, think of humans similar to that, except their entire body is hairless except the top of their heads, and their hooves are similar to their hands but more wedge-shaped, the ‘fingers are short and stunted-looking and there is no opposable thumb on the ‘hooves’ and a bony skeletal structure which is overlaid with muscles and flesh instead of keratin.”

When Rainbow Dash and Applejack frowned in confusion, Twilight quickly added, “They’re what our hooves are made out of, a hard form of protein.” This made the two mares give slightly perturbed expressions as she returned to her point, “Anyway, the stallion here--”

“Our name, Twilight, is Rising Dawn, as we annunciated ourselves soon after transforming,” Rising interrupted Twilight.

Twilight froze upon hearing the previously unnamed human had suddenly chosen an Advent Mark Name.

The other ponies looked at each other as Twilight stood completely still aside from the little eye tic which indicated that she was upset or irritated about something.

Rising looked somewhat confusedly at Twilight and the nervous glances the other ponies were giving both Twilight and himself, "Did we miss something?”

Twilight zoomed up to Rising and placed both forehooves on his chest, with her eye tic still occurring, "You gave yourself an Advent Mark Name without any formal announcement or celebration to acknowledge your new name!?"

“A ... what?” Rising asked and raised an eyebrow expressing his blatant confusion.

Behind Rising, both Celestia and Luna quickly looked at each other with worried looks. During their time with Rising, both in human and in equine form, they had completely forgotten to tell Rising about a few of their more important parts of their Equestrian culture, some of which was contained in the library ... which he was still currently under ban as punishment from his incident with Captain Shining Armor ... .

It took exercising her self-control for Princess Celestia not to give a pitiful grimace in front of her student and friends.

Twilight immediately went into a rant, “An Advent Mark is both a rite of passage from foalhood into adulthood, but the law also recognizes the pony who has taken on an Advent Mark Name as a legal adult with all of the rights and responsibilities thereof.” Twilight explained, her mane now looking just a tiny bit frazzled, along with the twitchy eye, “This is why primary schooling contains only those who either do not have a mark, or their mark was so recently acquired that they have not performed the proper procedures to graduate from their primary school.”

“Then, we are to understand that this is an important and extremely significant event in the life of a pony?” Rising inquired, his brow furrowing but still looking as though he hasn’t fully grasped the social and legal significance of this Advent Mark Naming ceremony or process.

“It is one of the most important events in anypony’s life! It isn’t something to be treated as casually as talking to other ponies about the weather today! It is a major social and legal milestone in the life of anypony who has attained their Advent Mark! It’s something that friends and families celebrate once a pony has been inspired to choose a name appropriate to the Advent Mark they attain! There’s not only a formal ceremony which is performed once a pony has chosen a new name, but there are also formal celebrations which are held afterward so that both friends and families might celebrate with the newly Advent Marked pony in this important milestone of their life’s journey!” Twilight shouted, her tone of frustration in her voice as she paced back and forth while informing Rising on this important aspect of pony culture.

“Almost all our friends, and all of our family have long since passed away, we are still unknown to the world at large, and we are collectively old enough to be considered your ancient ancestor had we been born a pony, the petrification not counting.” Rising pointed out with a deadpan.

Twilight’s retort quickly fell silent as the other mares stared at Rising in shocked concern. Twilight quickly apologized with her head down, “S-sorry. I-its ... it just really rubs against our culture to learn of a pony who didn’t hold an Advent Naming Ceremony, or the Advent Naming Celebration, or as the popular slang calls it, ‘cutie~cenara.’ It’s ... a really big shock.” Twilight looked to her other friends for confirmation about being shocked about Rising’s casual treatment of such an important cultural life event for anypony who has gotten their Advent Mark, alongside his announcement that his family and friends were no longer alive.

“F-for instance, there is a mare in Ponyville who, as a pre-Advent Marked filly, went by the name of Sweetie Drops, but once she attained her Advent Mark, she chose the name Bon Bon for herself, and all legal documentation from that point forward recognized her as Bon Bon and not by her pre-Advent Mark name of Sweetie Drops. And as I said before, it also meant that legally she was recognized as an adult by Equestrian law. That means that she would be charged with any crimes as an adult, instead of the minor that she was. She is responsible for paying taxes, and could own property and being gainfully employed. There’s a lot of other things, but hopefully, you’ll get some understanding of the importance of the Advent Mark in anypony’s life.”

“Hmm ... “ Rising mused, pondering on everything which the purple unicorn previously prodigiously pronounced. “So what then? Should we hold this Advent Mark Naming Ceremony and Celebration now, or even at all? Should we do this when we reveal ourselves to Equestria as her prince and after the coronation ceremony, or perhaps before the coronation ceremony? As we’ve previously stated, we had chosen a pony-sounding name soon after the transformation.”

“If we may suggest,” Princess Luna chimed in, turning everypony’s heads to face her, including her sister. Luna quickly flinched at the sudden spotlight before continuing, having spent much of her rule and banishment alone and having little attention even before her ‘vacation’ to the moon, “p-perhaps we may have Rising’s Ceremony at his Coronation? As he is due for an official introduction to Equestria as a whole within two days.”

Celestia was quick to chime in, “A most splendid idea, Luna. Not only will it reduce having to send a second kingdom-wide announcement, but as many ponies will already be in attendance for the coronation ceremony, they’ll not only spread the word about Rising throughout our kingdom, but also feel especially honored that they were there in attendance for Rising’s pre-Advent Mark Naming ceremony and we can include Rising’s pre-Advent Mark Naming celebration with the celebration following his coronation! We’ll save on budgetary expenditures, we’ll already have the logistics and labor in place already, and we’ll save time by including the pre-Advent Mark ceremony and celebration on the same day as Rising’s introduction and coronation ceremony!”

Upon hearing the term ‘Mark’ for the uncounted time, Rising’s eyes blinked as he remembered a certain aspect of the ponies, and quickly swiveled his head around to face his own flank. His sudden action catching the other mares’ attentions and causing them to look over at his flank as well.

The result ended with the group staring at Rising’s blank, yet curiously toned, flank.

Twilight and Princess Celestia blinked a few times in shock while everypony else except Rising and Princess Luna stared at the apparently missing Cutie Mark with curious interest.

“Oh, Faust,” Rarity muttered, “Sweetie Belle and her friends will never give Ponyville peace if they hear of this ...”

“Perhaps thine talents are too broad to truly mark?” Princess Luna pondered, a hoof raised to her chin.

“We suppose that is a fine hypothesis to work from. … Unless you have other humans-turned-ponies we haven’t heard about?” Rising teased, which caused Luna to give a quick raspberry.

“Remind us not ‘t introduce ya’ll to Lyra Heartstrings, she’s more obsessed with human conspiracies than Twi’ is with her books.” Applejack commented.

“Hey!” Twilight cried out in objection. “It’s not an obsession! It’s passion! Passion!”

Various ponies could be heard snickering, announcing just what they thought of Twilight’s rebuttal.

“Also ... this is something we’ve been meaning to ask, but is it normal or socially proper for you ponies to be … ‘naked’?” Rising took a quick peek ‘back there,’ hoping that nothing untoward was showing, now that he no longer wore any pants. Though the afterlife held no meaning for clothing, Rising was in unfamiliar territory.

Most of the mares blushed, with Applejack and Rainbow Dash being the only two who didn’t blush.

“W-well, Rising, ponies generally only wear clothes for fancy occasions, dressing up as fictional characters, occupational roleplay, or important ponies of their historical period, or as a status symbol ... or if they’re going to engage in … err, ‘b-behind closed doors,’ kinds of activities,” Twilight blushed heavily and looked away, feeling embarrassed that she mentioned the latter openly. Fluttershy quickly hid behind her wings after her eyes shamefully roamed to a certain area, eliciting a soft and embarrassed ‘eep’ from her. Rarity’s face and neck was pretty heavily blushed and the prim and proper unicorn looked away in shameful embarrassment. Pinkie Pie was hard to tell if she was blushing, but pronked in place with an excited looking grin, likely due to seeing a stranger she had never seen before. Applejack simply continued to let her eyes roam over the ‘not hard on the eyes at all’ stallion and Rainbow Dash whistled appreciatively.

Once again by this assortment of reactions, Rising was dumbstruck by the situation why his transformation had given him an attracting appearance, and outwardly showed his discomfort by moving his rear legs closer to his body and finally figuring out how to quickly lower his tail. Rarely, if ever, had he or any of the others within the Legion given enough care about their appearance to worry about it.

It was not an often made decision to pretty themselves to make anyone’s heads turn, except for the few who stuck around long enough to fall in love and marriage, but that was just love and the need for close company talking.

But yet here they were, in the form of a stallion that clearly caused the mares to flush and ‘wolf’ whistle.

“You use clothes for sexual activities?” Rising hurriedly and bluntly put the question out, his aim to cause the mares to immediately quit looking at him.

Almost immediately, Rising felt and heard the Legion either staring at him in dumbstruck amazement or facepalming at his impulsive idiocy.

‘And there’s your proof.’

‘... Du. Blöder. Idiot.’

He was met with outstanding success, as everypony except Pinkie Pie immediately looked away and blushed heavily. Pinkie collapsed to the ground, giggling as if she was just told the funniest joke in the world.

Even the Princesses weren’t immune to Rising’s blunt question, as Celestia’s now reddened face proved it.

“Ye-uh ... y-yes,” Twilight stuttered as she lightly scuffed her right forehoof against the tiled flooring in a gesture of embarrassment. Her cheeks still flushed heavily and she looked away from the group, unwilling to show her ruddy embarrassment to those present.“Though i-its really not a-appropriate to talk about it in p-public ... R-Rarity would be far better suited to speak with regarding articles of clothing and the various roles they fulfill within our society. From reasons mundane and common to ... reasons exotic and uncommon.”

“D-dear, please do not put me onto the spotlight of such an inappropriate subject.” Rarity quietly protested, her voice slightly higher than usual.

The room fell into awkward silence as they lost track of their previous conversations, both with Rising naming himself without a proper pre-Advent Mark Naming ceremony or a celebration to celebrate the momentous occasion of being blessed with a name, however common or rare.

“S-so would you like for Rarity to answer your question, or should we move on to the next topic at hoof?” Twilight inquired of the newly minted alicorn stallion.

Rising, seeing that his blunt question had caused discomfiture amongst the group of mares present, and as he suffered criticism and jeering from the Legion, he frowned and turned his head away, refusing to lock eyes with anypony and said hesitantly, “Lets ... not discuss it any further.”

Twilight muttered in a tone of beleaguered exasperation before turning around to her friends and saying, “A-as I was saying b-before, Rising is ... was?” She turned again to look at Rising for confirmation.

“Though we did turn into a stallion, we still retain the mind and presence of a human being, and we have the ability to restore our original body.” Rising gladly corrected, happy to change topics. After noticing that she was still unsure about what was going on, he slowly stepped forward and said, “Perhaps we should take over in explaining?”

“N-no,” Twilight shook her head, recovering from earlier, “I know my friends a little more than you do, so I kinda know how to explain complicated concepts to them.”

Rising relented with a light snort as Twilight returned once more and said, “Well ... Rising used to be one of those humans before he was transformed. And as far as I’ve learned from him, humans were the first living beings before any of us.”

“Technically not true,” Rising interrupted once again, though there was a sly smile on his face this time around as Twilight started to get grumpy, “Though we were the first physically sapient living beings, we were not the first living beings.”

Though Twilight wasn’t very happy with Rising talking over her again! The thought about him saying that humans weren’t the first did give her another topic to ask the stallion.

But for now, she was glaring at him, waiting to see if he was going to interrupt one more time. As she waited, Rising simply looked at her with an innocent smile, which only served to infuriate her further before Twilight finally turned around and almost opened her mouth.

Before she immediately turned around and looked at Rising to check one more time. Still the same innocent smile, and he was still not talking before or over her.

Twilight turned back again slowly before saying, “And, Rising is the Ancient Warrior from the Tomb of the Ancient Warrior.”

“Th’ tomb of the what now?” Applejack asked, “Ain’t never heard of this “tomb” before.”

“Well, that’s because it’s an ancient site which was forgotten about a few years after it was discovered,” Twilight replied, “it was just a small room with unknown languages and pictures around the walls and on the back of a throne that had an armored bipedal statue. It was a pretty big discovery considering that it was so deep in Equestria’s territory. But after a while, everypony just lost interest because there wasn’t anything left to discover and nopony could figure out the text.”

“And you believe this stallion,” Rarity gave a small rotating hock to Rising, “is from this dusty old tomb nopony cares about anymore?”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but giggle, “Way to go reducing his pride, Twi’.”

“I fail to see how inhabiting a room filled with writing which has stumped the world’s best linguists for ages, and the artistry depicting important aspects of a culture which has become so legendary as to become part of our world’s mythology as ‘reducing his pride,’ Rainbow Dash. In fact, I should take great satisfaction, were I him, that these things are so,” Twilight replied hotly, “He is now the only pony in all of existence that could tell any of us what the writing translate—”

“Yeah yeah, whoop-de-doo, he can translate gibberish written on a wall,” Rainbow waved a hoof at Twilight, angering her even more.

“What Ah want t’ know is why Rising isn’t one of these ‘humans’ and now has the body of ’n alicorn stallion an’ why Twi’ and Spike wasn’ supposed to tell anypony that Rising was one of these ‘humans’?” Applejack queried, removing her stetson and scratching the back of her head as she attempted to make sense of the current events in which she found herself privy to. “I don’t know ‘bout ya’ll, but it jus’ seems dishonest to change who ya are, fer whatever reason.”

Rising turned to look at the Princesses, who had been watching the conversations in silence. When he and Princess Celestia locked eyes, she gave a tired sigh before giving a silent nod to him.

He blinked back at her before answering the farmpony, “As we’ve been informed with the Princesses, due to the mythical nature of humankind, more specifically amongst the Minotaurs and in a minor detail to the Griffons and Yaks, it was better to keep our origin a secret to prevent the two races from discovering that something from their mythology inhabited their world. I am given to understand that humans are portrayed in a rather negative way, which has thereby caused a culture of fear to be established regarding these humans of their mythology. They would likely demand that the Princesses prove their continued interest in continuing their good and beneficial relationship with them by either publicly executing us or turning us over to them, after which they would likely carry out their own execution of us due to Humanity’s poor representation in their mythology. As far as Princess Celestia explained to us and as we’ve learned, they seem to be the type that would rather spend all their resources dedicated to eradicating what they perceive as something to be feared, rather than learn the difference between myth and truth.”

“Woow! Talk about party poopers! They probably don’t realize the partying opportunities if they try to get rid of possible new friends! Ooh, ooh! We should totally send letters to these countries and invite them to a friendship school! Then their partying potential can increase and everypony will have fun!” Pinkie Pie pronounced while pronking in anticipatory glee of expanding her already considerable circle of friends.

She stopped pronking for a moment and put a hoof on her chin, “Weeeeeell, it won’t be as fun when Season Eight and episodes twenty-five and six comes around ... Oh well, we know how it all ends!” With that Pinkie returned to smiling and bounced up and down on the spot.

Rising stared at the pink pony in total confusion before looking over to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, only to be met with the two shrugging back at him.

Applejack chuckled and bumped her flank against his. “It’s jus’ Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Don’ think about how she does what she does too much pardner. As we have a sayin’ in Ponyville ‘if Pinkie's-a-twichin', ya’ll better listen.’”

Both Rising and Twilight turned to stare at Applejack before Twilight said, “I’ve no idea what you mean by that, Applejack. But I don’t believe that, there’s nothing that defies reason and logic. I may not know how Pinkie does it, but sooner or later, the mystery of Pinkie’s ability will be explained logically and rationally.”

“I believe we are getting off the topic of the reason for why we have summoned you, little ponies.” Princess Celestia interjected, gaining everypony’s attention.

Princess Celestia cleared her throat before continuing, “You see; I, and Equestria as a kingdom, would greatly appreciate you keeping the knowledge of Rising being a former human being a secret. For you see, our griffin, yak, and minotaur neighbors exhibit a terrible animosity towards these humans and their portrayal in each of their mythologies. The ... failure to do so may lead to our griffin, yak, and minotaur neighbors declaring war upon Equestria, for merely harboring a human and for either keeping his existence a secret from them or protecting them.”

The mares quickly recoiled at the mention of violence, whereas Fluttershy paled and seemingly shrank and Pinkie’s grin vanished, her normally poofy mane slowly deflating. Princess Celestia paused and looked at them with an expression of serious determination, matched with her sister’s own expression hardening, “Neither I nor Luna will not risk my subjects to be harmed because of something which could have been prevented. That is why I cannot stress enough to you all the importance of not telling anypony about Rising’s former form. It is ... also why I have made it so that anypony who tells another soul about Rising’s origin is to ... .”

She looked hesitant and uncomfortable in issuing such a terrible consequence, but after seeing assuring looks from her sister and from Rising, Princess Celestia forced the words out of her mouth, “Is to be charged with treason against the Kingdom of Equestria and treason against the Crown Royals, with all of the legal, social, and punitive consequences thereof.”

Her words impacted both the young mares and dragon as they felt the full weight of what Princess Celestia was saying, more so for Twilight. Now there was definite and serious proof to the young unicorn that if she slipped, there would be a great deal of consequences, beyond just disappointment from her mentor.

Rising decided to chime in, “This was why the Princesses offered to us to transform into a pony, because the alternative was banishing us from Equestria as a whole. Though we had offered a different alternative in solving our racial problems with them, your Princesses apparently wouldn’t be as welcoming for someone who ... ‘eliminated’ the problems rather than worked around them.”

Princess Celestia gave a quick and hot glare at the stallion as he gave the hesitating mention of genocide, though he paid little attention to her response before relaxing into an apologetic and gentle appearance, “I apologize, my little ponies, but the severity surrounding Rising and the mythology surrounding his kind demands severe actions. I must have your word and promise that you will agree and help keep this secret.”

Princess Luna gave a stiff nod, “E’en mine rebellion and return, in which you six hath saved and redeemed me, pales in comparison to the consequences which wouldst occur should this be revealed.”

The mares and dragon turned and looked at each other, clearly showing fear and unease at the thought of terrible consequences if they either failed or didn’t agree. Even Pinkie Pie wasn’t her cheery self anymore, as she was on her flanks and hunched over, her pink colors dulling into a dull grey pink and mane looking combed flat.

Twilight looked at her friends before giving a nod and trotting a little closer to the staircase that led to the Princesses, making the others stare at her as she placed a hoof over her chest.

Before Twilight was able to say anything, Pinkie Pie came up alongside her and said, “I know a promise that can help, Twi-Twi.”

The nickname threw Twilight’s focus off a little while Pinkie’s whispered words tickled her ears, causing her to giggle involuntarily and rotate her ears backward in an attempt to get the ticklish sensation to stop. “But that always hurts whenever I do that! Do we really have to?”

“Princess Celly needs to have complete confidence that this secret will be kept, Twilight. She’s even informed us of just how serious failing to keep it can be. Proclaim the Pinkie Promise, Twilight!” Pinkie requested of her friend.

Rising’s eyebrow immediately raised in curiosity, both in what the pink Earth Pony was talking about, as well as the nickname she made, “Celly?”

While Princess Celestia would’ve demanded Rising not to dare use it, she remained silent and waited for what Pinkie Pie was going on about.

Twilight sighed in defeated resignation before she then uttered an oath which she uttered with utmost sincerity, ever since she’d heard stories about Pinkie’s reaction to those who ended up breaking the Pinkie Promise. “Cross my heart, and hope to fly. And stick a cupcake in my eye. Ow!” Twilight exclaimed, still managing to somehow hurt her eye while performing the motions of her Pinkie promise.

Princess Luna looked towards her sister and then toward Rising, “Art this some modern oathmaking which hath arisen during our absence?”

“I do not know,” Celestia replied. “Twilight? Pinkie Pie? Would you two care to explain, er, this phrasing which you’ve uttered? I’m afraid we don’t understand what it is you’re trying to say.”

Pinkie’s appearance brightened and her mane quickly poofed up as she explained cheerfully, “Oh its the biggest and most important promise you can give to anypony! It’s sooooo important that nopony, and I mean nopony dares to not keep a Pinkie Promise! Isn’t that right, Applejack!?”

Applejack nodded, looking solemn, “‘S true! While Ah’ve never seen what happens if somepony breaks a Pinkie Promise, Ah’ve heard things which would send chills down yer spine! It’s why Ah haven’t broken any o’ mah Pinkie Promises. Ah reckon’ it’s easier to deal with keepin’ mah Pinkie Promises, than whatever Ah’d go through fer not keepin’ ‘em.”

“What happens if someone does break them?” Rising asked, curious as to how or why it seemed so serious to the young mares. He knew how children would consider promises greatly important, but to have a “pinkie promise” be so important that no one has broken them?

Applejack shivered and looked around, “Nopony knows. Ah don’ know what happens, but Ah figure it just ain’t worth whatever happens for breakin’ a Pinkie Promise.”

Pinkie immediately yelled, and suddenly appearing over Rising’s side, who gave a startled jolt over seeing her appear out of nowhere, “And breaking one is like breaking your friend’s trust, and if you break a friend’s trust, then you lose your friends,” She gave a very long and loud gasp before yelling, “Foreveeeer!!!”

Rising blinked at Pinkie, “And ... what kind of ‘broken promises’ would be enough to shatter a pony’s friendship?” He and the Legion could only imagine what these ponies would have thought of the kinds of betrayals they had seen by the backstabbers, liars, and traitors that dotted throughout human history.

Pinkie Pie wrapped herself around Rising’s forelegs as twin fountains of tears gushed from her eyes. “Oh, Risey, it’s too terrible! Don’t become the kind of pony who becomes isolated and alone because of broken promises!” She put her head against his leg and continued, slightly muffled, “It just isn’t worth it!”

Rising’s expression hardened for a moment as he whispered, nearly growling as his eye colors started swirling again, “No. it isn’t ...”

“Then this Pinkie Promise art an oath of utmost earnestness?” Princess Luna queried, wishing to ensure she understood how serious a Pinkie Promise was.

“Yepper-ooni!” Pinkie replied, disappearing from Rising’s side and bouncing at the foot of the stairs, “Nopony gets away with breaking a Pinkie Promise!” She stopped bouncing and gave a serious and hard glare, raising a hoof and moved it in a straight line for emphasis, “No Pony!”

With that, she continued bouncing happily, “I bet those Pinkie Promise breakers would have rather faced the legal consequences of breaking a Pinkie Promise, rather than the punishment they received for breaking their Pinkie Promise!”

“Then if everypony and dragon present swears by this Pinkie Promise, will the promise really be kept?” Princess Celestia inquired of the Element Bearers and of Spike, who was starting to realize just how serious keeping the secrets which Princess Celestia intended to be kept.

Frantic nods from each Element Bearer and Spike responded to Princess Celestia’s inquiry. “Hmm. Very well. Then I require that each pony who has not just made a Pinkie Promise, to make a Pinkie Promise to keep Rising’s origins a secret from anypony who is not presently gathered before us.”

An obedient chorus of ‘cross my heart, and hope to fly. And stick a cupcake in my eye!’ issued forth from each of the Element Bearers’ lips as well as Spike’s, excluding Twilight, who had already Pinkie Promised. Each of the promising mares and dragon followed the verbal promises with the motions required for the Pinkie Promise, though none of them accidentally hit their eyes as Twilight had.

A knock resounded from the rightmost door, “Come in,” Princess Celestia called, acknowledging the unspoken request for entrance to the room which the doors concealed. A page colt quickly entered and cantered over to the Element Bearers, passing along thin platinum cards embossed with an ornate hornwriting.

Princess Celestia explained to the confused mares, “Due to the nature of you having to meet with Rising, and as well as your status as Element Bearers and that the Elements of Harmony are safely kept within Canterlot Castle, I thought it would be better to give you all Royal Train Passes, giving you permission to board any train that travels to Canterlot. That way, none of you need to wait nor delay coming here in short notice. They should also allow you to return to Ponyville with a minimal fee.”

“Minimal fee?” Rising asked, curious as to why a Royalty given train pass would still require money to be spent.

“As much as I would wish to allow them free of any charge, some of the railroad managements had asked for more income, due to the increase in transportation by train and trolley in many of the major cities such as Manehatten, Baltimare, Vanhoover, Applewood and Las Pegasus, in addition to the railways reaching to every other city and town in Equestria. I had accepted to their askance and gave a slight increase and allow a minimum fee of five bits.” Princess Celestia easily explained.

“Oh thank goodness,” Rarity sighed as she accepted the pass, “You would not believe the crowds and lines in Manehatten.”

“Ah wouldn’ know,” Applejack commented, “Ah jus’ trotted there ‘n back as a filly.”

Most of the ponies gave a quick look of amazed curiosity to the farmpony, who looked around and asked, “What?”

“How do we know that this pinkie promise works?” Rising asked, trying to steer the conversation back onto more concerning topics, “Our kind had pinkie promises made by children, but even then they were not considered as serious as you seven make them out to be.”

“Oh, silly Risey!” Pinkie Pie replied, flopping a hoof at him, “Those aren’t Pinkie Promises, they’re mini-Pinkies! They’re just not as big and as important as a Pinkie Promise!”

Rising stared at the pink pony with bewilderment as Applejack simply replied, “‘Is jus’ Pinkie, Risin’, it’s jus’ how she is.”

“Of course ...” Rising muttered, unconvinced in the slightest.

“Happy Chinese New Years!” Pinkie cried, giving a wave in the direction of someone either unseen or nonexistent, as Rising glanced in the same direction as the pink pony.

Most of the ponies present were used to Pinkie’s odd antics and didn’t treat the odd outburst with any more attention than acknowledging that it had happened. Rising raised an eyebrow in query seeing nopony in the direction which Pinkie was waving. He lightly glimpsed into the supernatural and still didn’t see whomever Pinkie was wishing a ‘Happy Chinese New Year.’

Applejack looked between Pinkie and Rising before speaking up, “Like Ah said, it’s jus’ Pinkie bein’ Pinkie Pie. We might not un’nerstand why she does what she does, but it’s like Twilight says about magic. There was a time when natural disasters were attributed to them ‘divine beings.’”

“Which is why it irritates me when somepony uses some blanket claim like, ‘it’s magic,’ to explain something not currently understood by our logic and scientific understanding. Magic adheres to rules and logic. In fact, it would not be incorrect to claim that Magic—”

“Twi’?” Applejack quickly butted in, which did stop Twilight from continuing as she looked over at the farmpony, “Now’s not th’ time.”

Twilight gave a light groan at her friend before sighing and put a hoof to her head, “Well ... since we’re kind of over this whole mess, I may as well introduce you to my friends ... Rising.” She grumbled out his name, still angry and unhappy that he missed an important part of tradition of the Equestrian culture.

Rising snorted through his nose and closed his eyes, not really wanting to deal with Twilight’s attitude regarding steps in culture that he hadn’t known about, given that he had not grown up in the same culture that she and her friends had.

However, Princess Celestia was quicker to the initiative than he was.

“Twilight,” She stated gently.

Twilight turned to look and asked, “Yes, Princess Celestia?”

“Before we start the introductions, you need to know that circumstance and an unfortunate event had ended in preventing Rising from knowing and following most of our traditions and culture. There is still much that he still does not understand. Not too recently, we’ve had to calm him and explain to him how it was possible for us to raise and lower the sun and moon, as during his time they moved through the sky on their own rather than by our magic.”

“I ...” Twilight started to say before pausing and looked down.

After a moment, she looked back up and apologized, this time with remorse, “I’m sorry, Rising. I know that you’re a human who has transformed into a pony body ... . But I’ve never seen anything like you, and seeing you as a stallion, an alicorn at that, I forget that you don’t know our customs and social etiquettes, and ... well, learning that a pony has been Named, without any kind of proper ceremony or celebration taking place, it’s either unheard of or feels that it cheapens the celebration of being Named. Could you forgive me?”

Rising blinked in slight surprise, seeing at how quickly the unicorn went from disgruntled and moderately unhappy to looking deeply ashamed within one reminder from her mentor, “We forgive you. We only ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to learn and understand your society and its etiquettes.”

“In the meantime, Rising,” Princess Celestia said, causing the stallion to turn around, “I will be sending for a servant to fetch the proper books that can help you in learning the important parts of our culture. Hopefully, we will avoid problems such as this in the future.”

Now seemingly satisfied that she was forgiven and that all seemed well, Twilight brightened and quickly moved to introduce her friends to Rising, trying to wrap a hoof around them all in a hug, which they joined in and giving cheery smiles at Rising, “Soooo, these mares are the friends I’ve made during my time in Ponyville!”

“As we can see,” Rising commented in amusement.

Twilight began gesturing with her hoof over to each of her friends, starting first with Pinkie, “This is my friend Pinkie Pie-”

Pinkie zipped up in front of Rising fast enough to startle the stallion and lost balance, falling on his rump, “I’m so excited to meet a new friend! Will you be my friend, Risey? Ooh. I need to fill out your profiling report. What kinds of foods you like. What kinds of parties. What kind of music. What kind of party games! I can’t wait to learn more about you, Risey!”

Rising gave a half-hearted glare to the other giggling mares, as Twilight used her magic to help Rising back up off of the floor.

After he was stable on his hooves, Twilight continued to motion over to each of her friends, starting with Applejack, “The gamboge pony is my friend Applejack-”

“Err ... what’s gam-bow-gue, Twilight?” Applejack asked, completely thrown off by Twilight describing her.

“It’s a shade of orange, Darling,” Rarity explained, with a tone that clearly stated she was used to having ponies ask.

“Oh, well why not jus’ say orange ‘stead of a color tha’ most folk aren’t gonna get?” Applejack inquired.

Twilight gave an unhappy sigh, “Because I know what color your coat is, and I’d rather increase other ponies awareness of colors that aren’t the primary, secondary, or tertiary colors of the color wheel.”

Rising started smirking wryly at the banter between Twilight and her friends as both Celestia and Luna giggled at the exasperated look Twilight was wearing.

“Anyhoo,” Applejack said as she gave a polite one-legged bow to the stallion, “Is a pleasure to meetcha, sir! Sorry if yer feelin’ like a pony sinkin’ in quicksand if yer, er, a more private pony like Fluttershy an’ not th’ social butterfly like Pinkie is.”

“Accustomed is the better word for it,” Rising replied, then giving a slow, polite nod, “but it is a pleasure to have met you.”

“The white mare is my friend, Rarity, and the buttercup-yellow mare is my friend, Fluttershy, and last, but certainly not least, is the blue mare, my friend Rainbow Dash.”

“Well I must say, your coat is intriguing,” Rarity commented, looking over Rising’s appearance again, “I don’t suppose you had any hoof in what your appearance was during this, er ... transformation?”

He shook his head, “We had as much a hand in what happened as a butterfly is in a hurricane.”

“I suppose each has their own luck of the draw, then.” Rarity gave a quick, dramatic sigh as she trotted in a circle around the stallion, “Well I must say, and do forgive me for saying it so blatantly; you barely carry yourself with any poise or grace. Though, being so new to being a pony ...”

She fell silent as she continued to circle and study Rising with a critical eye as Rainbow Dash fluttered closer to his face and stared at him.

Rising took notice of the cyan pegasus and turned to meet her gaze and locked eyes with her, his own expression unimpressed by what he assumed was an attempt at looking tough.

The two continued their staring contest before Rising blew a puff of air at Rainbow, which made her blink first in reaction. When she recovered and rubbed her eyes with a leg, she glared at him hotly while he merely responded with a small, smug grin.

Rainbow gave an ‘I’m watching you’ gesture with her hoof before her tail was pulled on by Applejack, dragging her away from Rising’s face as Twilight added, “Rainbow’s mostly a hothead and the tomcolt mare among us, but she is as loyal as anypony comes.”

“Oh come on, Twi!” Rainbow Dash complained, waving her front hooves at her friend, flapping hard enough to slip out of Applejack’s grip on her tail, “You’re making me look bad! So not cool ...”

“... And she’s a bit of a showboat.” Twilight rubbed the back of her head, while Rainbow Dash hoof-faced and groaned.

“A showboater? Meaning she talks more out of her flank than back it up?” Rising asked with a smile, easily getting a rise out of the cyan pegasus.

The mare was very quick to answer, flying up and bumping her nose against his, “Hey! I can do more than you, that’s for sure!” Rainbow bragged.

“Ooh!” Rising slowly exclaimed, eyes widening, “Is that so? Have you been commanded to level a city, inhabitants and all, down to the last child, disemboweling pregnant mothers and executing the fetuses within their wombs, and loyally obeyed and delivered that command?” He asked with a hard stare.

The room fell silent as the young mares stared at Rising in disturbed frowns, while both Princess Celestia and Luna had their turn of facehoofing. Princess Celestia then explained to the mares, “As I have said before, Rising comes from a very different time and era. An era which was far different than the peaceful life that either of you know.”

“I ...” Twilight hesitated to say, “He has told me some of that, Princess.”

“What, the buck.” Rainbow finally spoke up, “That is messed up, dude!” She pointed at Rising with her hoof for emphasis, “What the buck are you thinking?! T-those kinds of orders is-”

“Was orders that had been commanded by our superiors and higher ups, whom their orders came down from our King. Deviating from those orders was out of the question. After having to deal with one excuse of an insurrection and receiving disobedience from two of his subjects, loyalty was in great demand.” Rising countered.

“But I’d ... But that’s …” Rainbow fell silent, looking conflicted. “... I-I gotta go,” she finished, before flying away from the group.

Twilight and the other mares watched in concern as Rainbow Dash flew away in a hurry, before she turned to look at Rising. He silently watched her friend go, his eyes swirling occasionally.

She chided the stallion, “I don’t think that was necessary, Rising. Or very polite...”

“Perhaps,” Rising admitted, closing his eyes and raising both eyebrows.

“I’m goin’ after ‘er,” Applejack announced, before suddenly running after her friend.

Fluttershy looked torn, her tender heart divided between going after her friend and supporting Rainbow, or staying here with Rising and providing whichever measure of comfort she might give to the morose-looking stallion.

“Go,” Rising encouraged, “She should have her friends to help support her. We have had ourselves and each other for eons upon eons. What trouble would the comforting words from one more for a few moments of comfort and support be unto those such as us?”

Fluttershy took flight, still looking troubled, but deciding that Rainbow needed her and that at least she’d be taking some kind of action, rather than doing nothing while torn in indecision.

“We have long enjoyed peace, and the type of atrocities which you speak of has not been heard of within our borders. You come from a vastly different era and I sha’n’t ask you to reject who you are, or the history which helped to mold you into the pony you are today. But I would ask that you not speak of such gruesome acts in the presence of my subjects,” Princess Celestia commanded.

“Very well.” Rising acquiesced, “Though Twilight has asked of us about our kind’s history. However, we can keep the more gruesome details to a lesser degree.”

“It has been … interesting getting to meet you, Rising. Though I am loathed to chat and run, a dear friend is in distress and my heart compels that I ought to seek her out and support her for now. Though I do hope you do visit my Boutique in Ponyville within the future, as I may have something made for you there. Until next time, Darling,” Rarity said as she too trotted off to try and find wherever Rainbow might have gotten off to.

“I hate to be a party pooper, but Rarity is right. I’m upset that you really upset Dashie.” Pinkie said with a frown at Rising, “I want everypony to laugh and smile and be able to play together. I want my friends to enjoy the life they have, and making them sad or upset is definitely not okay, Risey. I’m still your friend, but Rainbow needs her friends to be there for her right now. So I’ll see you later!” Pinkie turned around and ran after Rarity.

“My friends are right. I should be there for Rainbow Dash. For what kind of friend would I be if I were not there for her when she may want or need me. I’d like to hear more about the Human Era and your thoughts and experiences during it, but it’ll have to wait till later. Until we meet again, Rising,” Twilight reasoned. “Let’s go, Spike!” Twilight turned around and after feeling the weight of her number one assistant on her back, galloped after her other friends in order to find Rainbow Dash.

‘If their era of peace has lasted as long as we’re beginning to understand, then it would explain much. This is an era of peace and not of bloodshed, violence, and war. But will not such peace lead to complacency and stagnation? Will it not lead to entropy and death? Or is such a thing merely a concern of humanity and is not an issue for those who inhabit this present era?’ Rising thought, as he impassively watched the seven depart in haste.

Princess Celestia couldn’t help but say, “Now I wonder just how many friends you had, if you can so easily cast them away with but a question, Rising.”

“We were not trying to cast away friendships, and neither do we throw friends away in such a way,” Rising retorted, “Though perhaps we didn’t expect the pegasus to be conflicted with our question. We knew she would respond negatively, but to come unto doubt?”

The three alicorns fell into silence as time passed before Rising inquired, turning his attention back to the two Equestrian princesses whose company he shared, “We do not suppose that there are any other ponies you wish for us to meet?”

Luna chuckled. “Ye soon art a Prince o’ Equestria and art th’ world’s sole alicorn stallion. We have every confidence that thine audience shalt be sought after, not only by Equestrian political figures and her ‘nobility,’ but her military figures, her citizens, and whatsoever visitor whom might desire to travel to see ye and mayhaps have whatever manner of discourse with ye. Ye can expect very little personal time if not f’r th’ efforts o’ th’ Royal Guard and th’ body’s need f’r slumber.”

“My sister, though her speech is rather archaic to this current era’s Equestrian linguistics, and soon to return to her modern language classes,” Princess Celestia paused to giggle at Luna’s rebuking raspberry, “She speaks the truth and from her own personal experience. But she has her strengths and matters of strength and of martial arts is a benefit to Equestria, her citizens, and her sister.” Celestia smiled and gave an appreciative nod toward her younger sister, who, in embarrassment, scuffed the ground with her forehoof and looked away from her adoring elder sister.

“So what happens now?” Rising inquired, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at the antics of Princess Luna, seeing her behave outside of the professional manner she usually exhibited during the times he had to secretly attend the day court with the Princesses.

“Now, the day simply continues and so too does the appointments both you and Luna have to further your education, both of that which is common knowledge among our citizenry, but of your civic, and political education as well. The time draws ever nearer to the moment when we shall make you known to Equestria and the greater world around her. Your name shall be, not only common knowledge, but also likely much thought upon once you are announced and coronated as a prince of Equestria,” Princess Celestia informed Rising.

“Well, if there is no other matters requiring our immediate attention, I do believe that we still have petitioners waiting to have their petitions made known and if possible, resolved,” Celestia announced.

“We’ll take our leave, then,” Rising said before taking flight in a canter with three full flaps, reaching the hidden alcove quickly, though he had to quickly nose and use his head to move aside the curtains before he would end up tangling up with or tearing a part of the curtains.

Once Celestia was confident that Rising was properly sequestered within the hidden room overlooking the Equestrian throne room, and correcting the few creased spots with her magic, Princess Luna addressed one of the Royal Guards within the room, “Please have Majordomo Forward Bastion resume his post and his duties for the remainder of this session of our conjoined Court.”

The guard nearest to the throne room doors opened one of the doors with his magic and briefly exited the room to execute the commands of his Commander-in-Chief.

Once again, and unbeknownst to everypony, the guard’s green magic flashed again, switching places with a different Royal Guard, subtly inputting directions that he had been given a few moments ago by the Princesses.

The switched guard turned and obediently trotted off to find and retrieve the Majordomo while the other watched for a little before trotting off in a different direction, disappearing around a corner and out of sight.

It would be a minute later, did a guard return with Majordomo Forward Bastion. The guard took his place by the door, all the while Forward Bastion taking his seat and returned to announce the name or names of the next petitioners as well as the reason for which the petitioners had sought an audience with the two Princesses.

“Presenting Viscount Trade Tariff with grievances regarding the modified trade draft regarding the taxation of incoming goods into Equestria!” Forward Bastion announced loudly as the two guards at the throne room doors employed their arcanokinesis to open the doors and admit the pony announced on the petitioner’s docket.

“Your Royal Highnesses,” The stallion stated humbly, giving a polite, but exaggerated bow before the Princesses before standing tall and continuing, “I have come to ask and beseech for you to restore the previously drafted version in which I submitted for your purview and approval! ...” Whatever else was heard outside of the throne room was lost to them as the throne room doors clanged shut, like the finality of the banging of a judge’s gavel when delivering judgment.

Author's Notes:

Told ya it was one chapter split into two.

Well, its finally here. I initially wanted this chapter to be out there just within a week of New Years, but you know how writer blocks go, as well as attention spans in the face of a lot of games I've not tried yet... or completed...

But, I'm determined to see this story from start to finish.