Author's Notes:

New character: Njagi (N-JAH-gee).

Once more a huge thank you to our guest editor, Mocha Star

I left for Canterlot a few days after Jackie and I took our relationship to the next level. I had my monthly meeting with the princesses, our movie night, and a few ideas to talk to them about, just royalty and I. Add to that I had the stuff to do in our main office like meetings with various ponies about the budget, and I had to give a deposition on Spoiled’s attack.

Something I was not looking forward to, that was for sure.

I was going to be here until the weekend since Saturday was the Grand Galloping Gala and Jackie and her friends were coming up for it the day of. Rarity said she would stop by and get my suit ready by making a few last minute adjustments to it. That worried me some, but she hadn't done me wrong yet.

Last night, Cadence had come and I had shown the four princesses 'The Princess Bride'. I figured something light-hearted, fun and romantic would be just the ticket a few days after Hearts and Hooves day.

Cadence and Twilight had bawled the half the time, Luna had seemed quite taken with Inigo, and Celestia had expressed many questions about the Giant played by Andre. Overall it had been quite a fun night full of a rollercoaster of female emotions and lots of tissues.

Speaking of Cadence, the moment she got off the train she had almost tackled me in a hug; squealing at near the top of her voice. It seems the purple dork had told her sister in law what Jackie had told all of the girls about our night, morning, lunch... it was a hell of a Hearts and Hooves day, if ever there was one.

So now love princess was over the moon with joy at hearing that Jackie and I had become lovers.

You try to remain stoic and profesional when you have a five hundred pound plus alicorn acting like a love-smitten school girl dancing and pronking around you, firing questions both inappropriate and shocking about the details in front of everypony you know.

I had also broached an idea I had been mulling over. A concert, held on the eve of the summer sun celebration, in honor of all the guard and military Equestria had. Not just any concert mind you, but one of human music. A kind of flight throughout time, as I had a little music from almost every era -forties up to modern- on one of the SD cards.

Both Celestia and Luna seemed to really like the idea and we'd spent all night after the movie hashing out new concepts for it. It had come down to Celestia wanted ponies to sing the songs so Twilight would work up a spell that could record the music from my phone as it played them from the memory card. Then she'd translate them into the crystal storage various musicians and DJ's used.

Luna came up with the idea that while I would sing a few songs myself, I would not know the songs others would bring up. This way I too could enjoy the surprise and fun of the night. You know, I liked that idea.

It was a neat way for me to bring old experiences to my new home, show respect to the guard, and perhaps remember where I came from to boot.

This morning, however, kind of sucked. I was currently sitting in ‘court’ as Celestia listened to yet another tirade by Blueballs about me. It seems he did this once a week from what I was told.

“And now, that psychopath has put an innocent Diamond Dog in a coma! No trial, no arrest, no attempt to reason or talk to the dog in question. No, he,” pausing the white unicorn looked at the mares around and near him, “forgive my bluntness, but he bashed the poor dog's brains in like the beast he is.”

I really don’t know why Celestia put up with this moron. Then again, he was on my short list and the fact he was clearly playing the buffoon made me suspect him more every day.

Celestia’s face gave away just how much she did not want to deal with this today. “Nephew, the diamond dog in question was holding ten foals hostage. The Rangers did as they had to, protecting lives in the process of doling out justice.”

Blueballs just snorted and stomped his hoof on the ground. “Once again, Auntie, you make excuses for him. You protect that, that, murderer! That monster, and it is, is... inconceivable!”

From my other side I heard a snort before the book princess muttered quietly, but not quietly enough, “You keep using this word, I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Poor Celestia, she had no chance to hold back the snort and guffaw that slipped from her mouth. I, of course, lost it right there. I made no attempt to hide my laughter as I rolled back onto my back, already clutching my sides, trying not to roll around like a kid.

Twilight, however, was blushing red, but already starting to chuckle at her faux pas. Everyone else in the room seemed lost; of course, they were they were not in on the joke.

Celestia closed her mouth, and that left her throat undulating, face trembling as she tried to keep her demeanor intact. A few seconds later she gave a strangled little clear of her throat and forced out, “Prince Blueblood we will look into this, now... court is closed for an undetermined amount of time.”

Thankfully no one stuck around, and Bluenuts gave me his usual dirty look as he walked out. I wanted to give him a smile meant to piss him off more, but I was currently sobbing in laughter, clutching my sides, rolling a bit on the floor as I gasped for breath. “My ribs, oh god I can’t breathe,” between laughing fits.

I don't know why it was so funny to me, but I needed that laugh more than I knew.

The moment the doors to the throne room closed, Celestia lost her battle. She fell over, head almost smashing into Twilights as they both fell on their side, laughing as hard as I was. Twilight collapsed on top of her mentor in laughter.

Hearing the two of them let loose like that, to see Celestia just completely break down into joy. That really made my day.

---

“Shane?” a knock at the door to my room in the castle and the voice of Raven, Celestia's aid came.

“Raven? Come in.”

In walked the unicorn mare, her glasses perched forward on her muzzle as she smiled. “Shane, two ponies would like to see you. In fact, the council members from Zebraca.”

I blinked, that had been the one group missing the day I had met with the whole CoP. I quickly gave a nod. “Sure, that would be fine. What time?”

She chuckled nervously and gestured behind her. “Ranger McDonald, let me introduce council member Njagi and…”

The other I knew very well, and I cut Raven off as I finished for her. “Zecora?” the male was as tall as the average pony stallion yet slim like a runner. I stood quickly and moved toward them anxiously, as I wasn't ready at all for visitors. Boots off and socks exposed, crumbled long sleeve showing, I was probably confusing as all heck to them, but they didn't show it.

Both had warm smiles as Zecora dipped her head. “It is good to see you, my friend, I hope we do not cause your schedule to bend.”

Raven smiled and bowed slightly. “I will leave you three alone, I'll be out here if you need me,” she said as she closed the door. I glanced over at the male and bowed my head respectfully. “An honor to meet you, Njagi,” being very careful to pronounce it as Raven had.

He shook his head. “The honor is mine, Ranger McDonald.”

I blinked and realized he had not spoken in rhyme as Zecora does. I think my confusion showed on my face as both broke into a light, warm laughter.

“Ah, I see you have taken note of how I speak. Among our culture, only the Inyanga talk in riddle and rhyme, it is the tradition that they take an oath to when they choose to walk the path of the spirits.”

I looked at Zecora and smiled. “So that is what you are called? In-Inyanga? That's some kind of shamanic tribe or something?”

She gave me a nod. “That I am, my human friend, but it means far more than a means to an end. We choose to walk the path to the spirit door and as such speak common no more.”

Turning back to look at Njagi once more I gestured further inside. “Please, take a seat. Njagi if you wouldn't mind, please just call me Shane.”

I watched as he waited for Zecora to sit on a floor cushion before he did and then gave me a nod back. “Then I shall, Shane. Zecora has told us a lot of her interactions with you. While I do not like that she risked herself as she did, a filly is safe, and that is what matters.”

Then his ears lowered some, “and I am sorry you were put in place to have to do what you did, even if their leader was evil. Death is something we Zebra deal with in a far different way than the pony kind does. Regardless, it is never easy to take a life.”

I gave a nod back to him then sat back on the reclining chair, so I could face them comfortably. “So, what brings you two calling?”

Zecora spoke up. “Fluttershy, a friend so true, was feeling down and a bit blue. A visit I did provide and then she showed me a book that widened my eyes.”

I had to blink and ponder that before it hit me and I laughed lightly “She showed you the books I gave her for Hearts Warming, the ones of the creatures of the Serengeti from my world?”

Both gave a nod before Njagi spoke back up. “It was our hope we might borrow one or two books and take them back to Zebraca to show our tribal elders and leaders. To show them life is not quite so different between your world and ours. “

"However, Miss Fluttershy asked that we talk to you first, as they were a gift from you and items from your world.”

I gave a soft nod. “Have you asked Twilight, she's a bit protective of books.”

Zecora smiled and nodded her head. “We have asked the Princess of whom you say, in the words of her and that of her mentor's; okay."

"Well then, I see no problem at all with it. So, Zecora, why didn’t you tell me you were on the council?”

She just grinned as did Njagi. “You did not question and it was not my place to mention.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and shook my head as they both chuckled. “Sometimes, Zecora, I think you do things just to see the chaos it brings.” I paused and glanced at her. "I just rhymed."

She just grinned at me. "It is easy to do when you do not think it through."

---

“Let us go over this one more time, Ranger McDonald. You are sure you saw my client, Spoiled Rich, strike Ranger Apple?”

For four fucking hours, I'd had to sit in a room with Spoiled's lawyer Gray Dark, Spoiled Milk herself, Captain Swords, and a secretary taking notes in the corner. I was ready at that point to punch Grey Dark in the face, then kick his child abusing client under her tail as many times as it took to be sure she would never reproduce again.

Speaking of the smug mare, she had said little but her look told quite a bit. She had the cat that ate the canary look, she really believed she was going to get off scot-free.

I brought my hand up and pinched the bridge of my nose and gave a little grumble, not bothering to look at the defense team across the table after they asked a question again, for clarification. “Yes, as I have said five times now, and in my report; that matches Ranger Apple’s report and is again mirrored by Shield Heart’s report.”

Grey Dark waved his forehoof in the air. “And there could be no chance the three of you are in league to tarnish the good name of my client.”

I brought my fist down on the table, hard enough to make all the things on it jump and make every pony in that room flinch. I glared at the unicorn lawyer.

“You mean the good name of the client that struck a child hard enough to cause microfractures around the left orbital bone, a subdural hematoma near her eye that led to swelling that left the poor filly essentially blind on that side?”

Holding up my hand to shut him up and I continued. "The same client whom was observed, and heard, using verbal assaults on other children? That one?”

Grey Dark just snorted. “All alleged. None of that is proven, now is it, human?” He was trying to hide the fact even he had jumped at the sound of my fist on the table.

"Alleged, we have reports from-"

I felt my captain bump my arm. “Shane, relax,” he said, stopping me before I let my emotions take control of me. He looked across the table. “I am calling this done. You have spent the last hour going over the same subjects. The records are done, and you have your deposition, Counselor.”

I stood up, not waiting for Grey Dark to answer, and picked up my hat.

“Very well, Captain Swords, but I have the right to question all of you at a future time.”

Cross gave a derisive snort. “Good day to you, Counselor Dark.”

As we got outside, I noted it was well past noon, and we hadn't eaten.

“Hey, Captain, what do you say we go to the pub, the first ale is on me, and we can grab a burger or something.”

He flicked an ear and gave me a nod. “Let’s hit the Hidden Moon. It should be about shift change for the day guard, it's a good time for me to catch up with old friends.”

He glanced up at me as we walked. “You did good in there Shane, well, other than that last few minutes. Darn, that smarmy butt nugget deserved every word you said.”

I shrugged as I glanced down at my friend and Captain. “Just doing my job, Cap.” We both smiled.

Half an hour later we were walking into the Hidden Moon, and it was like coming home. A professional bar that was known as a hangout for the military and some of the city law enforcement.

This had been my nightly hangout for my first month in Equestria. I knew the guards that came here and played poker with a lot of them.

I knew old Bar Topper the bartender, but I didn’t see him. Instead, there was a brownish earth pony behind the bar, with a very odd zebra striped mane.

Cross and I shared a glance before finding a table. Getting a hello from a few guard in the place as we passed, even the ones that didn't know us.

We sat down and the bartender made his way over to us. “What can I get you gents to drink?”

I looked him over, nothing out of the ordinary, and I didn’t get any weird vibes past the fact something was... off about him. Like, you were looking at a picture of someone who had gone to lengths to hide things about themselves.

He had old eyes, something in them was different than any pony I'd seen yet, and there was something there that reminded me of recognition. Nothing I picked up on was bad, per se. Just something very well hidden.

“Where's Topper?” I asked, keeping my tone casual and polite.

He gave a smile back. “Finally talked the old stallion into taking a vacation. He and his wife are on a five day trip to the Crystal Empire. I'm an old friend of the family, so I offered to cover for him."

I noticed he hesitated around the word old...

"Name's Mocha, and you are Shane McDonald of the Canterlot Rangers, and Equestria’s first human,” he paused, turning his head to Cross and giving a ten thousand bit smile.

“And you, sir, are Captain Cross Swords,” gesturing to an old picture of Cross in his guard armor. “Former Captain of the First Solar Unit, now Canterlot Rangers,” his smile was warm, genuine as can be.

Sure he was keeping his secrets close, but he didn’t seem to be a bad guy. I answered up, “Well nice to meet you, Mocha. I'll have a bottle of SAA Reserve, and if you could ask Gorge to make me a gryphon special?”

He gave a nod and turned to Cross who flicked an ear then said, “About time that old coot took a few days off. Let me have the same drink as the idiot here, but hold the Gryphon special make it a hayburger combo.”

The stripe maned stallion gave a nod. “Sure thing, coming up, gentlecolts,” and trotted off.

Soon as he was out of earshot, Cross looked at me. “Nice enough seeming fella but, something is off. Not bad, I don't think, just... off about him.”

I gave him a nod. “I picked up on it too, but hey, we're on break. If he causes trouble, then we'll think about doing something. 'Til then, he's just another pony hiding something.”

"Aren't we all?" Cross said, causing us both to chuckle.