We were walking for the next meeting after cleaning up from the demonstration. Turns out Luna and Celestia had thought up just about everything including how to track and find every last bit of lead I had shot and pick it up with my help. Some kind of scanning spell Twilight had been working up that let them see the ‘voids’ as it was explained. So, very little chance any of that will fall into the wrong hands, hooves... Damn it, Twilight! Now I keep hearing her correct me in my thoughts, a big fuck you to my brain for adding her voice to my internal conversations.

Applejack was strolling along on my three, we still had not said much to each other since my little... Oh, who are we kidding, I all but asked her out on a date. Part of me worried I went too far, while part was concerned that I was leading her on. Another part of me felt shame for betraying Shawna like that, but... there was that final quarter of me really looking forward to it.

Celestia and Luna walked in front of us, while Twilight, Cortland, and Golden moved behind us. Speaking of, Cort and Golden were armored up, and I had been asked to ‘put a shine on’. So I had on a new button up shirt, changed out to a nice pair of jeans, and wiped down my old cowboy boots. Golden had made comment that I "cleaned up real good for a hick". That of course had earned her a poke in the side that made her snort and laugh.

As a group, we approached a door and stopped. Celestia turned and looked at me. “Shane, please, allow the three of us to go in first and announce you properly. Despite this being a rather casual meeting of world leaders, there are still formalities that must be observed.”

I rolled my eyes and gave a nod. “Eeyup,” making the stetson-wearing mare next to me chuckle some, and Twilight to roll her eyes. I swear to you, that mare is going to go blind if she keeps doing that so hard. I caught her mutter under her breath.

“Two of them, for Faust sake, what did I do to earn this punishment?”

That made Luna snicker some, and I barely heard Cortland trying his hardest to keep his laugh in. I knew my ways frustrated the hell out of her, but her comment was a fond one. She really was pretty darn laid back for an all-powerful magical purple mare.

I glanced back to her and smirked some. “Become an alicorn, they said. It will be fun, they said.”

Twilight broke. A little smile and a light chuckle slipped from her despite the odd look Celestia gave. Luna, on the other hand, seemed to have got it, and joined her smaller co-ruler in light bemusement at my joke.

“Are we done being silly now?” the white alicorn of the sun asked with an arched eyebrow.

I almost lost it as three voices answered her simultaneously. Myself, Luna, and of all the surprises, Twilight all said together, “No.”

As the laughter finally died down, Twilight and Luna gave nods and turned, entering the door as two guards opened it for them. It closed behind them and I glanced at AJ next to me.

“You understand all this formal craaah—er, stuff?”

She shrugged. “More than ah wish I did. A lot less than most do. Bein' the Element of Honesty means ah got to go to a lot of mucky muck events.”

“Thank you again for being willing to come, AJ.” I looked down at her and found myself once more looking into the greenest eyes I had ever seen. Then she smiled. Right then and there, I forgot how to breathe for a moment.

“Sugarcube, ah am right proud to be here with ya, and ah would do it again ifn’s ya needed me to.”

I broke myself away from her gaze and tucked my hat down a bit lower. “It means more than, you know, hearing that.”

I heard behind me Cort clear his throat, but before I could tell him to shut the hell up, the doors opened. Two guards flanked them and held them wide. Standing center was a young-looking pegasus colt, had to be all of twelve perhaps if I had to make a guess. Perhaps a year or two older than Apple Bloom was.

As bid we stepped forward from the light into the darker room. My eyes starting to adjust just as the young pegasus spoke out in a loud, clear voice.

“Introducing for the first time before the Council, Shane McDonald, representing the humans, and his advocate, the Element of Honesty, Lady Applejack Apple of House Apple.”

I took note first of the fact that Cort and Golden had taking up spots flanking AJ and I. Then I looked around the room, and blinked quite a few times. Creatures of myth and legend back on my world stood around, looking back at me.

My eyes set first on a huge imposing form: a bull standing upright, arms crossed, almost a good foot taller than Celestia herself, his deep blue fur exposed by the fact he had no shirt on, marked by long gray streaks I realized were scars. Even his face was strong, but not looking at me with a scowl as I might have thought. Rather he had a thoughtful, intelligent look to his eyes as he seemed to be trying to figure me out. Whatever the case, I was a touch awestruck seeing an actual, living Minotaur.

Standing next to him, I found my eyes shifting to a chimera. The feathers, the beak, the lions form, a gryphon! I could see the claws, the sharp edge of that golden yellowish beak. The way his or her eyes focused on me all seemed to combine to set off the whole ‘predator’ alert in that core of my head. That was however offset by the fact the creature was holding a glass of brandy in one claw.

Looking around more, I saw two creatures that looked very much like deer, standing with another that was a caribou if I didn’t miss my guess. Again studying the room, I noted two pegasi, two unicorns, and two earth ponies. There were a couple of ponies that looked, quite different from the ones I knew.

I then spotted Princess Cadence and Shining Armor standing over near Celestia and Luna. Unsure what to do next, I felt Twilight nudge me in the side. Looking down at her, now just when did she slip in next to me?

“So, I would recommend you and Applejack just mingle, talk, get to know everypony here.” Oh, I was not going to pass this chance up. I leaned down and whispered. “You know, there are a lot of non-ponies in the room, saying anypony is kind of... speciesist don’t you think?”

I watched her grow a wide-eyed look, snap her head, around to look at others then back to me. “D... do you really think so? I never thought of that! Oh, this could be awful. I could have created a international incident!”

I knew I had to calm her down, despite the bemused look being thrown by quite a few here. I guess her reputation as both a scholar and having epic freakouts was well known among those present. I reached out and proceeding to press a finger to her nose, booping her gently. This had a instant effect as she backed up a step, blinking and looking at me with a kind of 'what the hell’ look.

“Twilight, calm down. I was only kidding, and I suspect no one here takes offense,” as I quietly said to her and gestured around with my hand, making note of even the older-looking gryphon and his amused smirk.

She flustered and shuffled her wings a few times then huffed at me and trotted off without any further word, right up to Celestia’s side. I felt AJ nudge, then whisper up to me. “Right handy little idea there, Shane.”

I smirked at her and wiggled my fingers. “See, they are good for more than carrying baskets after all.”

We kicked off things by walking over to where the four alicorns all stood with Shining Armor. I gave him a warm smile and bowed to everyone there respectfully.

“So, Shane, are you prepared to meet others of this world?”

I gave the solar princess a nod. “As ready as I could be, I suppose.”

She turned and gestured. “Princess Cadence and Prince consort Shining Armor, rulers of the Crystal Empire, may I formally introduce to you, Shane McDonald of the human species.”

I gave a slight bow a second time. “A pleasure, your highnesses,” taking note of the warm smiles on both of their faces.

Cadence leaned in and said in a lower tone. “Flurry will be so upset she missed you. She was quite upset when we had to leave.”

I smiled right back. “I wouldn’t mind watching the little tike for a hour or two one day... with some help, of course. I am not really equipped to deal with magic that powerful.”

Both gave a nod and I turned as Celestia gestured. Walking with me, Applejack at my side, but quiet, over to two very tall white ponies. Well, I say pony, but they were nearly Celestia’s size in height, albeit much thinner, and more horse-like.

I eventually learned that they were from a place called Saddle Arabia, and were not quite the same species as the ponies in Equestria. I am not even going to attempt to pronounce their names again, it was difficult enough remembering them with Celestia whispering them in my ear. I was glad I turned out to be not the only one who had that problem and they seemed to be very understanding of it.

I then met ponies from Cloudsdale, Canterlot, Manehattan and then Maretonia pony who was a bit more... blocky, if I had to use a word. Next were two from a place called Stalliongrad... alright, the horse puns really were starting to get to me.

I had the honor of meeting and talking to the two of the deer tribes, learning they were very druid-like in culture. The caribou with them introduced himself and explained their culture was more nomadic but had close ties to the ponies and deer cultures.

I found myself standing before a rather large buffalo, when AJ piped up. “Why, Stomping Hoof! How are y’all doing?”

The great beast before me gave a soft smile. A voice deep, rumbling, but not loud came from him.

“Applejack Apple, it is good to see you, friend. I was only made aware yesterday you were advocating for our newcomer. Little Strongheart will be disappointed she could not be here to see you again.”

Turning to look at me, he dipped his head. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Shane McDonald of the humans. We have been informed of your plight, our shamen have done all the could to find a way home for you. I am... sorry we could not find one.”

I lifted my eyebrow and glanced over at the alabaster mare next to me left side. She smiled some. “It is true, Shane, many here went to their leaders and asked for help. The buffalo tribes were asked by Chief Thunderhoof himself to try and find ways for you to get home.”

Well, that humbled me a bit more to know not only did the ponies try, but many other cultures, people, creatures tried their best, too. All of this for one person. Me.

Turning to look at the shaggy creature before me, finding myself not having to look down too much. “Stomping Hoof, I am humbled and honored by your tribes efforts. Thank you for that.”

He tilted his head and gave a smile. “Sun Princess, you did not lie when you said he knew how to be respectful and honest,” glancing back to Applejack again. “Influence of the apples, I suspect,” and winked at her.

After some exchanges of pleasantries, we moved on to the final two. Both Twilight and Celestia had been trying to give me tips in our moments before, but I held up a hand and said softly. “Let me sink or swim on this one, please.”

I had been sizing up the two creatures the whole time, and I suspect they did the same. Walking over with the small group, I stood before the huge Minotaur and the wide gryphon.

“Iron Fist of Minos, and Gladblade of the Gryphon Empire. May I introduce to you…”

Twilight, who was introducing me, was then cut off by the big blue bull. He got down lower and looked me right in the eyes. I did not flinch back, but rather stood my ground, as he gave a huff. Then a bit of a smile grew on his face.

“No fear do I smell, no tremble do I see, no hesitation do I hear in your words,” he spoke in a voice that was a rumble lower than even the buffalo's was. Then he stood up straight again and offered out his massive hand to me.

I did what I thought would be right, and rather than gripping his hand, I grabbed his wrist. This caught him by surprise going by his face. He looked down at our arms, then up at my eyes as his huge hand closed around my wrist.

“You... honor the old ways, the warrior's grip. You bring much respect to your kind, human. It is my pleasure to meet you.”

We slid our arms back and I turned to the gryphon, who was still sizing me up. I thought about things for a moment, and in a pure guess, I brought my right fist up to my chest, closed, imitating what I had seen in a few television shows.

His eyes grew wide in surprise, then he set his glass down and returned the gesture with his head held high. “A traditional greeting, someone has been coached.”

I shook my head, and cut off anyone else by answering first. “No, sir. In truth, it was a educated guess. A traditional salute from among many early empires of my kind. It was my hope it was proper to give you.”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Celestia and Twilight both beaming warm and bright. The Gryphon before me dipped his head. “A good guess, and one that, as my colleague here said, brings honor with it. You are as truthful as they say, honest. Then again, I see the company you keep. It is said it is very foolish to lie in front of the very avatar of honesty.“

I glanced at Applejack next to me, who gave the big Gryphon a nod. “Was one of the conditions of becoming his host family, he had to uphold the Apple honor,” she glanced up at me, “An' he ain’t disappointed anypony, not once.”

The large bull once more spoke up. “We were all informed of your run in with timberwolves, that you were grievously hurt during the battle. Tell me, human, do you bare scars of that fight?”

I blinked, then without really thinking about it, undid the button of my left shirt cuff and rolled it up, exposing the scars, a few still a little pink. “I did, yes.”

Both the Gryphon and Minotaur studied the scars, and individually nodding. Once more, Iron Fist spoke. “You should bare them open, wear them with pride. It speaks to not only your code of honor, but your prowess in battle,” I saw the Gryphon nod his head in agreement.

“While my kind is a warrior race, the very idea of anyone harming a hatchling is...” he shook his head, not really needing to finish that thought. “We were told of your sacrifice to protect foals not your own. It speaks to what we have been told of you and your ways. I look forward to speaking more to you, Shane McDonald.”

Speaking more? I glanced over at Celestia who had that smile of hers. That smile that said she was working the room and likely had been for ages. Once more I found myself cursing her mentally, the game she played, and the fact she was the grand master of it.

The next few hours were, in fact, rather pleasant. I learned quite a bit about the various races and cultures. I discovered why the council exists and what powers it has and does not have. Turns out they retain the power of their respective leaders to sign treaties, oversee contracts, and negotiate for shipping and manufacturing jobs.

Though, it all had to end, as we were expected for the afternoon session of the Noble Council. Not something I was looking forward to, nor was Applejack by the look of her. Cortland walked over and glanced at his cousin then back to me.

“Shane, I was just informed and asked to bring you up to speed on who will be at this next meeting.”

I glanced at him curiously. “Well, that doesn’t sound ominous or anything, Cort.”

His ears folded back slowly. “House Blueblood, House Dark, and House Trident will all be attending the meeting. That means…”

Applejack cut him off. “The prince, and two of his supportin' houses will be there. Granny warned me about them bad apples.”

I groaned a bit, but then nodded. “Let me guess, I am to be on my best behavior and I am not allowed to glare, tease, or harass that stupid mother fff—” I cut myself off, but not before I got a death glare from two alicorns and an apple mare.

Cort gave me a nod. “Golden and I will be running picket for you, but if’ns one gets through, yes. You are expected to be on your best behavior. Please, Shane, ah know you don’t like him, just... try, okay?”

I gave a long sigh and looked down at the orange cowgirl mare next to me who glanced up at my face and gave a nod.

“Yeah, yeah, alright. No kicking, no name-calling, and no stomping him into a curb. I won’t promise, however, that I will not smack him like the bi—the jerk he is, especially if he starts to mouth off.”

Cortland let off a sigh. “I guess that is as good as ah can expect from you.”