I was sitting up on a small rise next to a large apple tree as the party had eventually begun to wind down. Applejack had told me day one on the farm that every tree had a name. This one was one of her favorites, Sir Appleton. So I sat there in the evening sunlight, watching ponies talk, just simply reflecting on things.

I was absentmindedly rubbing my left arm, feeling over the heavy scars, the few scabs, pondering on magic and what it had given me. So lost in the moment I neglected to hear the pony take a seat next to me. I only became aware of her presence as she started to speak.

“Ya remind me of my brother. Proud, strong, confident, but with a mouth that can get ya in trouble,” the older voice came from the faded mint-coated mare with white mane next to me. I looked over at her, but remained silent for now.

“They never got ta meet their uncle. Real shame, too, would have got along real well with Big Mac,” her ears lay back. I could see a story coming.

“He was always headstrong, but not arrogant, nor cocky. One night he spoke his mind to a couple of gryphons in a bar…” she glanced over at me. I looked her in the eyes and could see the sadness in them. “Didn’t find all of him,” she turned and looked back out across the orchard.

I spoke softly. “I am sorry for your loss, Granny.”

She shook her head. “Like ah said, you remind me of him somethin' powerful. Ya just got more control,” turning back to look right at me.

“Please, Shane,” I think that was the first time she ever said my name. “You watch who ya talk like ya do to. Ah see how AJ and Mac look at you, how Apple Bloom follows you around. It would break their hearts if somethin' like that happened to ya.”

She began to rise to her hooves, albeit slowly. “But ah suspect ya know that already, just don’t let me catch ya cursin' in front of Apple Bloom. Ah won’t tolerate that one bit,” and with that she started down the hill, leaving me to stew in her words.

---

So it went for the next two weeks. I got up, worked a light duty as my arm was still recovering some, spent my free time writing or hanging out with my friends.

At one point, Rarity had asked me if I had any pictures of ‘western’ clothing. I had an old cavender’s catalog and I lent her a few articles of my clothing. What she came back with, well, it really floored me. She'd made me three pairs of genuine canvas jeans, true right down to the rivets. Five nice, heavy button-up long sleeve shirts that were all subtle and not flashy. She, in true nature, refused to let me pay her back, but I did manage to come to an agreement with her into letting me clean the gutters and eves at her shop.

Fluttershy had brought me a ‘house warming’ gift of some smoked fish. Once more, it struck me with surprise that she was not squeamish about it. She also had me over, and I met Harry. Talk about a shock, the big bear was taller than me when standing on his hind legs. It had been a bit intimidating at first. Then I suddenly found myself in a bear hug, literally a bear hug. Turns out he was a pretty relaxed creature once he figured out on his own that I was no threat to his caretaker, or him. About the only creature she had around that gave me the stink eye was a little white rabbit that I am pretty sure I need to watch close.

I did not see a lot of Rainbow Dash, but such is the life of a Wonderbolt, as her friends explained. It's a shame, I liked the arrogant, cocky pegasus. She had style but knew when to not be too all-up in your face. Ponies seemed to underestimate her, other than her friends of course.

Pinkie, well... she was Pinkie. Small doses, and she seemed to have picked up on that. Friendly, happy, outgoing, but she toned it down a bit around me. In turn I'd discovered she had a weakness, and that was having her chin scratched. So, we established an accord of sorts. She didn’t get too bouncy around me, and I gave her chin scratches now and then as a reward.

Twilight was always so busy, much like Rainbow. The life of a princess consumed her day to day time but she always made a point of setting aside some for her friends. That, as it turned out, included me, not just our tri-weekly meeting, but some down time, too.

Applejack, well... that was a matter of some mixed feelings. She and I spent the mornings and afternoons working side by side. We conversed as we worked. I learned about her parents passing, heard her views on events in her life, every day getting to know her better and better. In turn I shared with her pieces about me growing up, about life in general, even some about Shawna and Cassidy. Nothing too deep, but it came up time to time and she never pushed.

I was still not sure how I truly felt. When I looked over at the orange-coated mare I saw a proud, strong country girl. Yet I saw a pony, too, and that conflicted with everything I was ever taught. I knew in my head she wasn’t an animal, that the laws and social stigma about that was quite different here, but... one can’t just change forty some odd years of upbringing.

That said, she did remind me so much of Shawna sometimes. It was a bit scary. Terrifying, even. The way she would smile just so, a look, a comment, even just being quiet and looking out at the trees in a particular way. Despite all the internal struggle about my feelings, more than once I had to look away from her eyes before I started to blush. Damn it, Shane, what the hell have you gotten yourself into?

I was broken out of my internal thoughts by my name being said.

“Shane, Shane! The princesses sent you a letter!”

Jogging down the path from the road into the orchard was a little purple and green-scaled drake. I blinked. What was Spike doing way out here?

“Uh... hey, Spike, what is up?”

He huffed and puffed, holding up a claw to me, a gesture to give him a second to catch his breath. Applejack wandered over as he was bent over, breathing heavily. “Well, howdy there, Spike, what brings ya out to the farm?”

As he caught his breath, he stood back up and held out his other claw, producing a scroll in it. “P-Prin-Princess Celestia sent Shane a letter. Must be important if she sent it by dragonfyre. So I ran all the way here to deliver it,” still trying to catch his breath.

I reached out and took the parchment, making note of the wax seal of Celestia's cutie mark on it atop a red ribbon keeping the paper rolled neatly.

“Thank you, Spike, you are the dude,” I held my closed fist out and down to the little dragon. He only came up to my knee, but I knew from arm wrestling with him, his strength quite nearly matched mine. He bumped his fist into mine.

“No problem, S-Shane. Applejack, could I go to the house and get a drink, perhaps see what Apple Bloom is up to?”

She gave a nod to him. “Why, sure thing, Spike! I bet ya could talk Granny into a slice of apple pie, too. I think she keeps a few bottles of gem sprinkles around just for ya,” a grin appeared on the apple mare’s face.

I laughed watching Spike jump up and take off with a fading “Thank you!”

I then focused on the scroll in my hands, moving a finger down along the edge, breaking the seal carefully and unraveling it, reading to myself as Applejack looked on. I let out a soft exhale and looked up at her.

“I am being summoned before the E.U.P. Command to demonstrate my weapons, then I am to meet with the Council of Peace, and lastly, joy of joys,” I rolled my eyes as AJ shook her head. “I get to meet with the Noble Council.”

She perked her ears. “When?”

I glanced back down at it “Tomorrow, they are sending…” I let the scroll roll back up. “A chariot and an escort, Cortland and Golden have to go, too.”

I heard from a few trees off said a mare’s voice. “Well, buck me sideways, so much for Cort and I getting a day off!”

I shook my head. “Also says I have to bring an advocate, but I cannot choose Twilight,” looking back down at the country mare. “AJ, would you—”

She gave a warm bright smile, and a nod. “Of course ah would. Ah don’t know about havin' to deal with them highfalutin' nobles, but ah guess ah can deal with a day of them for you, sugarcube.”

In a moment of pure spontaneous, good ol' boy, 'here, hold my beer, and watch this' moment, I blurted out as I looked AJ in the eyes.

“Perhaps we can grab dinner together, just us.”

Then the brain kicked in, and it hit me like an oncoming train what I had just said. Seems it hit Applejack, too, as the blonde-maned mare was staring at me with her wide emerald eyes. She slowly gave a nod with a tug of her stetson.

“Sure, we can do that, long as it ain’t one of them places that give you a postage stamp of food and tell ya it’s gourmet.”

I tugged my hat down in response and nodded back. “Sounds good. I should get to packing,” and left before my voice or my eyes gave away just how hard my heart was pounding.

---

Not an hour later, Cortland knocked on the door into my barn room. I glanced up as he poked the door open and saw the look on his face, glaring at him. “Not a damn word, Cort.”

He shook his head as he came in and closed the door. “Shane, you got to tell her! Why you are so hesitant?”

I snorted. “Yeah, that is going to sound great… Oh, AJ, by the way I really am into you, in fact I may very well be falling for you. However, you are a pony and I am a human, and it is taboo among my kind. Of course, then there is the whole I was married and my wife got killed in front of me, so, sorry about that. But, hey, you can deal right?”

He frowned as I stuffed another pair of pants into my bag. “Shane, you are the most thick-headed, stupid, stubborn son of a whorse I have ever met.”

I glanced up at him again and shrugged softly. “It is what it is, Cort, I just... fuck, I don’t know what to do.”

He walked over, lifting one hoof and placing it on my arm as he stared sternly. “Tell her, you idiot. She is the Celestia-damn Element of Honesty for Luna's sake. You think she won’t understand? Won’t find a way to help you both get through this?”

I shook my head in response. “Like she wants a guy like me, when she could have any stallion she wants,” again, trying to destroy any hope, any thoughts I had.

He emanated a grumble. “Luna’s left teat, you are stupid sometimes!” as he turned and trotted out with a slam of the door.

I watched the door for a moment and then sat on the bed. Reaching down to a little box of private stuff under it, I slid it out and opened it up. The only picture of them I had sat on top, and I ran a finger along it it lightly, tracing her long hair.

“Shawna, what the hell do I do? God, I miss you so damn much, and I am tired of being alone. You would have liked her, Shawna. She is so much like you. Of course, she is a pony. I just don’t know what to do, darling. I know, I know. I have to learn to let go, but, how can I?”

Pausing to reach up and wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. “I am so screwed up, Shawna, even if I knew how to let you go and try again. AJ deserves someone far better than me.”

I closed my eyes and shut the box, muttering, “Fuck, just... someone tell me what to do.”

---

I was pretty quiet on the flight up to the castle. Then again, we were in the damn chariots being hauled in the air. I despite flying, I really do. it just ain’t natural! Oddly, that's something else Applejack and I have in common. I quickly put that thought out of my head. I needed my A-game going today.

We soon landed and were greeted by Celestia, who took us almost right away over to the Guard training grounds. I noted they had listened to my suggestions and put up thick log walls on three sides of a small ‘range’ of sorts. Once more, my suggestions were headed and they had set up five pony dummies with old armor on them. Next to them on a log sat five metal milk jugs, and lastly, there were two pegasus dummies sitting on the ground in armor that looked well abused and beat up.

“Celestia, what is to keep ponies, or anyone else from seeing this demonstration, past yourself and, whoever you have invited?”

She smiled some. “We will be casting a sphere of silence around the area and what is known as an obfuscation spell. It will make the shield spell set around the test area, impervious to all but the most powerful scrying spells. Even they will trip my detection spell and tell us someone is trying to observe.”

I gave a low whistle. “You don’t kid around do you?”

Looking over at me, she shook her head. “Not when it comes to a promise to a friend, or the safety of my little ponies.”

As I was opening the strongbox up and taking out the three weapons I had brought, I then glanced up to see all FOUR princesses, flanked by Shining Armor, a number of what I assumed to be generals and other high ranking officials, and a few scientist-looking types.

I decided to perform the demonstration three-gun style, so in order. First I would take out the five armored pony dummies with the rifle, followed by the five milk jugs with my single action, and finally, the two flying dummies and two ground targets. I was told they would be held and ‘flown’ by magic but a direct hit by a crossbow arrow would send them tumbling to the ground.

As I loaded my six gun, a shadow fell over me. Turning to look, I found Luna watching over my shoulder and a few of the military types with her.

“Shane, will you be kind enough to explain the weapon to General Burning Bridge and Flight Admiral Metal Wall, please?”

I turned and dipped my head to the Earth pony and the pegasus. “Gladly, Princess Luna,” always quite careful of where I let the gun point as I turned the cylinder with my fingers and dropped in the fifth round.

“This is called a revolver, or a six-gun. It holds up to six point-four-five long-colt rounds,” pausing to slide one out of the cartridge loop on my belt to show them. The earth pony snorted as I showed them the lead tipped round.

“That little thing purports to be able to kill at a distance? I doubt that can even scratch our armor.”

I glanced at the pegasus, who wasn’t quite as dismissive as he tilted his head and observed. He opened his mouth and spoke in a lighter tone. “You are still adamant about not showing us how to create this t... technology you called it, yes?”

I gave a nod to him, spotting Cortland and Golden over to the side of the field watching and observing. I looked back to him. “Flight Admiral, if I have that right, after this demo, I hope to hear you and the others want to outlaw ever researching weapons such as these.”

I paused then looked down at the gun as I set the cylinder and lowered the hammer on the empty chamber, having only loaded five. “Weapons like this have killed millions of my people, Admiral, you ponies don’t want this.”

Again, the earth pony snorted. “They are just toys, foal toys, not weapons of war,” turning and heading off. The pegasus shook his head and turned as well, following behind.

I shook my head at the actions of the general and picked up the old Winchester. Pushing five rounds into it, and chambering one with a metallic shink and click of the lever. I set it on the station table, then moved over and picked up the old coach gun. Cracking it open with a flick of my wrist I loaded two number four buck shot into it and closed it up, setting it on its station table, making sure it was pointed downrange. Once done, I turned and walked back to the bleachers, glancing around. I did note a faint shimmer in the air, that must be the shield Celestia spoke of.

Giving Shining armor a nod, and the other alicorns a bow, I spoke up.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” and was promptly cut off by a purple princess.

“Mares and gentlecolts, Shane,” correcting me. I rolled my eyes, and noted Cadence covered her muzzle with a hoof to hide her giggle.

“Thank you, Princess Twilight, but as I was saying... Today I have been asked to demonstrate my world's technology as I have with me. I will be doing what is called a three gun competition shoot. The goal is speed and accuracy at each stage. Stage one will be a lever action rifle, shooting this—”

I tugged a long colt out of a loop on my belt and held it up. “I will hit all five dummies before setting the rifle back on the table and running to the second stage. There I will again shoot this round from the handgun on my hip here,” I gestured as I slid the round back in its loop.

“Last, I will move rapidly to the third stage, where I will fire four times, one each at the flying dummies, and once each at the two bow targets set up. At the end of the stage I will set the shotgun down on the table, open, and pull my hands into the air. That is the sign to stop the timer.”

Looking around at the ponies all watching me, I exhaled, not really ever been one to be the center of attention, but I knew just about every one of them here. “Any questions?”

Luna lifted her hoof. “Shall we put a shield up between yourself and the stands, should thy weapons malfunction?”

Once more, the dark army-green stallion huffed. “To protect us from what, Princess, a foal's toy?”

I ignored him and gave a nod. “Perhaps that would be for the best, just in case. Also, they are quite loud, perhaps you could dampen the sound for everypony here?” I saw Twilight get a smug look and I rolled my eyes at her.

Shining Armor returned a nod. “I can adjust the harmonics of my shield spell to do that, Shane,” and offered a genuine smile. I suspect he had seen the reports of the timberwolf attack and understood what was about to happen. Without further comment, I turned and walked back to the table at station one, putting my hands down on the table to each side of the rifle laying on it.

I had worked out with Twilight prior to this a signal to start, and she had something she called a 'timmer spell' that would show in magic numbers in the air the seconds, tenth seconds and hundredth of a second fly by. I gave a nod of my head, and a moment later I heard a buzzer sound.

With muscle memory and reflex I grabbed the rifle up and brought it to my shoulder. Not a moment's hesitation as I fired the first round. The report cracked off, along with a long cloud of white black powder smoke. It had not even finished expanding and I had cycled the old Winchester and moved to the next target. Five cracks, five targets, I dropped the rifle lightly on the table and turned, sprinting for the next table station.

Arriving at it, my right hand flashed down and brought up my six gun. The first round was on its way even before I had the gun fully up and extended, and the only pause was my left hand coming up to fan the hammer. Fifth round down range, I dropped the pistol back into the holster, pausing only to click the safety loop over it as per rules. Again, going on pure muscle memory, I was rushing for the last station.

Snatching up the double barrel coach gun, I saw the two pegasus dummies flying in the air, the bluish one cut right, the gold one cut left. Shouldering the shotgun as my thumb tugged the hammers back. I let the left barrel go, not even watching to see if I hit the darker one, I switched targets to the golden one and dropped the hammer on the right barrel.

Looking down as I cracked the shotgun open, two shells flying out past my shoulder. I jammed my hand into my pocket and tugged out the last two rounds, slamming them in and snapping the shotgun closed. Up to my shoulder once more, I gave the two bow targets one barrel each. Flicking the break lock, the shotgun dropped open as I slammed it onto the table and tossed my hands in the air yelling. “Clear!”

Huffing to catch my breath, I turned, and looked at the bleachers. No pony there spoke, none. Not even the general dared. Each looked shocked, a few like Cadence and Twilight looked more horrified. Even Luna tinted a little green as she sat there, her sister's wing over her now. Speaking of Celestia, her look was easy to read. A mix of sorrow, anger, fear, and understanding all at once.

My eyes dashed to Applejack, who had her hat back, and was looking not at the targets like the others, but at me. Her green eyes wide, sure she had seen me kill the timberwolves, but, this was another level. There was no fear in her expression, but there was a understanding and, perhaps, oddly sorrow that seemed to be for me, not aimed at me.

Finally, Twilight spoke up. It cracked as she addressed, “T-thirty-five point-eight-one-four seconds. H-he was able to wipe out a unit’s worth of targets in... under thirty six seconds.”

Luna spoke up, stumbling into a language that it dawned on me was German-like. “Mein gott, was? Hat seine welt geschaffen?”

A voice filled with contempt spoke up. “So he was able to hit a bunch of targets, that doesn’t mean they would have killed. Heck, we don’t even know if it damaged the armor.”

The pegasus next to the green general snapped out. “Burning, you old fool, look at the pegasus targets! His first shot nearly ripped the head clean off it, and the second removed the dummy's left wing!”

I glanced up at them, seeing the general shrug. “Two out of fourteen. Somepony else would have gotten him.”

I had enough. I spun and walked back to the tables then past them. Walking down the range, I snatched the helmet off one of the guard dummies and marched back at a good clip. Golden and Cortland tensed up. They knew what I was like with a good mad going.

I marched right up to the dark green general and thrust the helmet out at him, my finger through the perfect hole in the back of the neck protector, showing a head shot that would have killed its wearer. Some of the fluff from the dummy still clung to the sharp peeled-out, jagged edges of metal. I just wiggled my finger, then yanked it out and dropped the helmet in front of him.

He picked it up and looked at it, his expression going from smug to a look of horror and realization. Looking from it, to me, back to the helmet again. “It... it punched through magically-enhanced armor like tissue paper.”

Many eyes were on me, including four powerful alicorn princesses. I gave the general a nod and then sighed out. “Now do you understand, General? Do you understand why no one, nopony, should ever have this technology?”

I turned my back to the gathered group and looked out at the range once more. “We humans have created—no, perfectedthe art of killing, of war. We became so good at it, that our kind can kill from miles away without even seeing the enemy target. The guns I showed you today, they are archaic in my world, a bygone era, surpassed and eclipsed by more efficient weapons. We are monsters, General, and I aim to see this technology dies with me. That—” I turned and looked at Celestia, looking right into her eyes sternly.

“That is why I asked for the promise from you, why I don’t want the items studied. I don’t want to be the one responsible for introducing the rapid escalation of war to this world.”

She looked right back into my own eyes, then said just loud enough for all there to hear.

“You have my word, Shane McDonald, they will never be studied by my ponies, or left to fall into the wrong hooves.”