“I didn’t know there was a feeling beyond uncomfortable,” I commented as Luna’s muzzle came closer to my face.

After making her way into the room, Luna had proceeded to shove me into a sitting position on the bedside and placed herself on my lap, removing her regalia in the process.

“But apparently there is…” I finished as I worked on not getting stabbed by her horn.

“Obviously, thou had not been listening to us the other day,” Luna replied as she brushed a hoof against the side of my face with a light smile. “Our first lesson shall be in thine Dreamscape, a place where there will be no worry of harm to yourself and those around.”

“And… the reason you’re on my lap?” I uncomfortably asked as I tried to look at anything but Luna’s glittering blue eyes.

“We have had trouble entering the dreamscape as of late,” Luna voiced with a frown. “It does much to raise our ire, but it is how things are at this time.”

“Right…” I said as I looked over at Fluttershy; the mare sitting nearby as she watched us. “This really doesn’t bother you?”

“No,” Fluttershy simply replied as she stared on with a slightly red face and an odd smile. “Should it?”

I just released a heavy sigh as I turned my attention back to Luna.

“Now then,” Luna said as she pressed her horn against my forehead, the appendage feeling cold to the touch. “Just close your eyes and breath normally.”

“R-right,” I stuttered as I did what she said. The one problem with that was it caused me to briefly focus on my other senses. Like the one that could tell there was something soft and warm pressed firmly in my lap.

“Such a naughty stallion,” Luna whispered into my ear, indicating that she felt something I really wished she hadn’t. “Open your eyes.”

“I am so sorry!” I quickly blurted as I opened my eyes. “I couldn’t help… it… what the?”

When I had opened my eyes, I was no longer in the guest room, but a large field of dead grass.

“How the hell?” I asked while looking at myself and receiving another shock. “I look real again!”

“It is how your mind see’s you,” a voice sounded from beside me, sounding familiar yet held a tone of sadness. “It takes years of training to hide the truth in its entirety in here.”

Looking to my side, I found an animated Nightmare Moon standing beside me instead of Luna.

“What the hell?!” I shouted as I took a step back, looking at the chest high mare. “I thought you were…”

“This is what I truly look like fool,” Nightmare glared, but it was obvious that she was very uncomfortable at the moment.

“That… kinda makes sense,” I replied while looking at the all black mare, drawing a slightly surprised look from the mare. “But if that’s the case, the whole incident from a thousand years ago?”

“You honestly believe my sister would seal me in the moon for a thousand years?” Nigh- Luna said as she looked up at an ash gray sky with no sun to be seen. “Yes, we did fight, and in an act of desperation, my sister called for help by the elements.

“Neither of us expected the elements to do what they did,” Luna growled as she looked to the ground. “It was only thanks to assurance from our mother of my release that Celestia did not destroy the elements. I’m just lucky that it simply felt like a few hours, instead of the silence of one thousand years.”

I was completely floored by what I had just heard as my eyes looked towards my right wrist. While it was bare in the dreamscape, I could still feel my element against my arm.

“I don’t think I feel safe wearing mine anymore,” I idly said, looking towards Luna with a slight bit of worry.

“You have no need to worry of yours, Christopher,” Luna replied, adapting a small smile as she looked at me with her catlike eyes. “Your element was the only one to not assist in my sealing and it was thanks to this that I was imprisoned for only one thousand years. My imprisonment would have been indefinite had it added its strength.”

“Can one element really make that much of a difference?” I asked, a little confused at the revelation.

“It was the only one that took both Celestia and I to control,” Luna replied with a nod. “So, when she called for the help of the elements, courage was the one that did not heed the call.”

“I guess I should remember that,” I replied, nodding absentmindedly while clenching my right hand a few times. “But did you two really fight because you wanted the moon to stay out?”

“That is not something you need to know,” Luna replied with a surprising glare. Her smile having disappeared as she stared at me intently. “For now, ponies can believe what they wish, and that includes you.”

“I was just asking,” I replied with a quick nod, holding my hands out placatingly. “Not my place to be telling anyone about things like that anyways.”

“Yes, now then, we shall go over what we intend to do,” Luna began as she walked around me, her smile returning. As she walked though, I couldn’t help but notice the slight sway she would give as she did.

“Now now, just because we are in a dream , does not give you permission to look without compensation,” Luna chuckled as my eyes snapped to her draconic ones. “Although, we are quite flattered.”

“S-sorry,” I stuttered.

“Now then,” Luna continued. “For the rest of today, we will train on your control here in your dreamscape.”

“Okay…” I said, looking around the large field. While the dead grass was a bit of a letdown, I couldn’t help but marvel at the fact that there was light with no sun. “So, this is my dreamscape?”

“Not entirely,” Luna sighed as she her horn glowed and the grass came alive once again, a few different flowers popping up as well. “Your subconscious is far different than any I have encountered. It seems to have trouble with connecting certain things. So, I used my magic to force it into a stable enough form so that we could train.”

“So, I’m lucid dreaming right now?” I asked.

“In a way, yes,” Luna replied with a fang filled smile. “Here, your imagination is your limit, which in essence, is exactly what your magic will allow you to make real.”

“Cool,” I nodded with a smile while activating my magic. Unlike before, I couldn’t feel the cooling effect on my arm this time, so it took me a few times to get it right. “Will this actually carry over into the real world though?”

“It will help,” Luna said as she looked over my magic with an intrigued eye. “Here, there are no limits to what you can do, while in the waking world, your magic will have a limit to what it can do. Granted it can be increased with training and work, but there is a limit.

“Tomorrow, we will train in the waking world, seeing your limits and ensuring that you have the basics learned to the point where you can continue your studies on your own safely,” Luna continued. “When on your own, I will expect to receive reports on your progress at least once a week. You will come to see that there is a vast difference between a unicorn’s magic and miasma magic.”

“And the next day?” I asked, remembering that there was supposed to be a third day of training with Luna before going back to Ponyville.

“Oh, yes,” Luna purred. “We have set up a bit of a… demonstration for that day.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, raising my brow at the grinning mare.

“Well,” Luna began as she walked up to me, with a very obvious sway in her hips. “We promised our sister that you would have enough control to take on a royal guard.”

“Seriously?” I asked as Luna used me to stand on two hooves, bringing her head down to mine as she stood slightly taller than me in this fashion.

“Yessss,” Luna replied with a smirk as she brought her muzzle to my right ear. “And if you happen to do good, I might be inclined to… reward you.”

With that one word, I felt something against my lips, even though there was nothing there.

“Does that intrigue you?” Luna breathed into my ear as I felt something grind against my crotch. “The quiet one has already given her permission.”

“I-I think… I think I need to talk with Fluttershy about how open she is about all this,” I replied with a slight stutter in my voice and obvious wide eyes.

“For now, that can wait,” Luna said as she dropped back down and tuned to walk away, swaying her rear end far more than she needed to. “Now than, let’s begin.”

“Intriguing,” Luna said as she looked at what I had done.

After she had finished an hour-long explanation on how the miasma was an extension of my mind’s reach and all that crap, we began to work on me forming it into shapes and just working on mental control.

“I always wanted to have claws,” I chuckled as I held up both my arms, now covered in my miasma, shaped to look like large claws. “Can’t get them to solidify though.”

“That will come with training,” Luna replied as she licked her lips. “Now then, would you like to break for lunch?”

“I could go for some food,” I chuckled. While I didn’t actually feel hungry, I knew it was getting later in the waking world and I hadn’t had breakfast yet.

“Very well then,” Luna smiled as she sauntered over to me. Without even stopping, she jumped up and kissed me hard on the lips. The act alone seemed to be the catalyst that woke me up as I suddenly blinked to find myself back in my room, only this time, the mare pressed against my lips was a dark blue instead of black.

“We shall see thou in the hall for lunch,” Luna giggled as she carefully removed herself from my lap, trailing a hoof against my crotch as she did so. I simply watched as she placed her regalia back on and walked out the door, flicking her tail in a way that I could easily see something dripping.

“Wait a minute,” I mumbled, snapping my eyes from the retreating princess to my lap. As expected there was a small damp spot there.

“How did it go?” Fluttershy suddenly asked, reminding me that she was there.

“Uh… good?” I stuttered out while looking over to the mare. She was laying on the other side of the bed with a small tray of food in front of her. “How long were we like that?”

“All morning,” Fluttershy shrugged as she held out a cookie for me. “Cookie?”

“Please,” I said while taking the offered item. I quickly finished the item before deciding on what next to say.

“Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked.

“Did you…” I began with a look of confusion clear on my face. “Did you tell Princess Luna that she could… seduce me?”

“She said it would help with your training,” Fluttershy replied with a red face. “She also said she’s never been with a stallion… so I thought…”

“Fluttershy, we really have to talk about this,” I sighed while standing up. I was still hungry, but I needed to change my pants first.

“What about?” the mare asked as she gave a cute cat like stretch before getting out of the bed.

“About this whole herd thing,” I sighed. “I’m not saying get rid of it or anything, just ask me first before you invite a mare in or try to offer me up to somepony, okay?”

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Fluttershy replied with a frown, reminding me why it was impossible to stay upset or mad with the mare.

“It’s alright,” I sighed after changing my pants. “Come on, let’s go get lunch.”

***

“…and he was actually doing quite well sister,” Luna chuckled as me and Fluttershy entered the dining hall. Like before, there were several guards, Celestia, Luna, Spike and surprisingly, Twilight.

“Hey Twi,” I greeted the mare. “I didn’t know you would be coming.”

“Well, after Spike left with you two, I got kinda lonely at the Library,” Twilight sheepishly replied with a light blush. “So, I thought it would be nice to come here and see the Princess. Probably go see my mom and dad while I’m here too.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Twilight,” Celestia replied with a mischievous look forming on her face. “In fact, why don’t you bring Christopher to meet them.”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Twilight trailed off with a worried look.

“That’s a great idea Princess!” Spike just about shouted as he turned to me. “You think I have an awesome comic collection. Wait until you see Night Light’s.”

“Well, I still have the rest of the day for training,” I said while taking a seat next to the young dragon.

“Now that we have entered thy dreamscape…” Luna suddenly chirped with a smile of her own. “We should be able to access it without problem during the evening.”

“Fine…” Twilight sighed, looking at me with what seemed to be pity. “Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you though.”

“Well,” I sighed, turning to Fluttershy with my own look of trepidation. “That wasn’t ominous at all.”

“Man, I can’t believe Fluttershy had to leave,” I huffed as I walked down the street with Twilight and Spike. Apparently, when Twilight couldn’t tell her exactly how her animals were doing, she got really worried and decided to go back early.

“She said she’ll make it up to you, so quite whining you big foal,” Twilight huffed. She really didn’t seem to like the idea of me meeting her parents.

At least no one had decided to bother us as we walked.

“There it is,” Spike said as he pointed to a large two story white house with a purple shingled roof. It had a nice walkway with flower gardens on each side and a large window showing an empty sitting room on the left side.

“Nice place,” I commented as we walked up to the front door, deciding not to point out that all the surrounding buildings look the same.

“Before I knock, I need you to promise me something,” Twilight said as she turned to me with a serious look. “If my mother offers some of her ‘special’ tea, say no.”

“Uh… why?” I asked, even seeing Spike looking slightly uncomfortable.

“It’ll be kinda obvious,” Spike sighed as Twilight gave the door a few knocks. We stood there for several minutes before we heard someone on the other side of the door.

“Unless you have the thin mints, I don’t want any!” a stallion’s voice called from behind the door.

“Daddy, open the door,” Twilight groaned as her ears fell and another blush filled her cheeks.

“Daddy?” I chuckled as I heard the click of a lock.

“Shut up!” Twilight hissed under her breath before going all smiles as the door opened to reveal Twilight father, Night Light. He had a blue coat with an even darker blue mane and tail and had wide gold eyes.

“Twily!” the stallion cheered before pulling the mare into a big hug. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming, your mother and I would have prepared something.”

“It was just a spur of the moment thing,” Twilight replied as she pulled back from the hug.

“Hey Mr. Light,” Spike said, giving the stallion a hug before allowing him to see me.

“And you are?” Night Light asked as he looked at me with a raised brow and perked ears.

“Daddy, this is Christopher, he’s a human,” Twilight said, introducing me with a barely discernable tone of hesitation.

“Hello,” I said holding out my hand.

“Wait… Christopher?” Night asked as he gave me a hoof shake and gained a growing smile.

“That’s my name, what about it?” I chuckled as Twilight suddenly erupted into a glowing red.

“Why, we get a letter every few days from Twily, talking all about…” Night began with a chuckle, falling silent as a magic glow clamped his muzzle shut.

“I-I think he’s heard enough Daddy,” Twilight stuttered as she quickly pushed the stallion back inside the house, her hair fraying slightly.

“Come on,” Spike chuckled as he led me into the home.

“Nice place,” I said as I crouched through the door.

“Why thank you,” a new voice piped from across the entrance hall. I watched as a mare who looked surprisingly like Twilight, but with a different color scheme of off white and violet, walked into the hall with us.

“I didn’t know you had a younger sister, Twilight,” I joked, knowing fully well that the new mare was in fact her mother, Twilight Velvet.

“Oh, a charmer, are we?” Velvet chuckled as she walked over to me with a sway. “That kind of talk will get you everywhere with me.”

“Mom!?” Twilight snapped in shock, her face glowing redder than a tomato.

“Oh hush, dear, I’m only playing with the… stallion?” Velvet asked while looking at me with a raised brow.

“Technically speaking, yes,” I replied with a nod of my head. “But I’d rather be referred to as a man.”

“Maybe after dinner and some dancing,” Velvet purred, eliciting a groan from Twilight and Spike.

“Dear, this is Christopher,” Light chuckled, apparently having been released from Twilights magic.

“You’re Christopher!?” Velvet suddenly beamed, staring at me with one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. I gave a slight nod as the mare sqweed in happiness.

“Oh, our little Twily has sent us all kinds of letters about you,” Velvet squealed. “It’s so cute how she gushes about you.”

“Really now?” I chuckled as I looked at Twilight. The poor mare looked like she wanted to die as more hairs began to pop.

“To think she would actually bring her herd stallion to meet us so soon,” Velvet sighed wistfully.

“What?!” Both Twilight and me shouted in shock.

“Oh, there’s no need to be embarrassed dear,” Velvet said as she pulled her daughter into a hug. “We don’t care if you’re in a herd.”

“But I’m no-“ Twilight tried to reply.

I would have said something too if I wasn’t busy laughing hysterically.

“We were afraid you didn’t like stallions,” Night Light chuckled, causing my laughter to increase. “Even if said stallion isn’t a pony.”

“Oh, you should see the letters,” Velvet gushed as she magicked one out of thin air. A pair of glasses quickly followed as she cleared her throat and began to read. “he fell asleep reading another history book today.I forgot Fluttershy’s warning and got to close and ended up stuck in his grip for an hour.

“It was nice though. I’m kind of thinking about accepting Flut…”

“Ithinkthatsenough!” Twilight quickly blurted out, taking the letter and eating it while her face glowed redder every second.

“Huh, so the librarian has a crush on the alien,” I chuckled as Twilight began to stutter incoherently around her paper filled mouth. “Sounds like the beginning of a bad porno.”

“Would you like to join us for dinner?” Velvet asked with a flutter of her eyes, her glasses disappearing in a flash.

“As long as there aren’t any flowers or hay, I’m in,” I smiled, giving the mare a grateful nod.

“…and this was little Twily when she was still in diapers,” Velvet cooed as she continued through the foal album. Twilight for her part was sitting in a corner, looking like she was waiting for death.

“Oh my god, she a tubby filly!” I cooed back. Foal Twilight had major pudge and looked fucking adorable.

“Oh, I know,” Velvet whined as she looked at the pictures. “Why did my filly have to grow up?”

“They all do at some point Miss Velvet,” I replied as she continued to show me pictures.

“You know, I wouldn’t be so sad if I could actually get some grandfoals,” Velvet voiced out to no one in particular. Although, it was obvious that she was trying to gourd Twilight.

“Mom! I’m eighteen!” Twilight called back.

“And your brother is taking too long!” Velvet called back. “I swear, if one of you two don’t get me a grandfoal soon, I will not be held responsible for what I do.”

It was at that point that Miss Velvet proceeded to grab my crotch firmly with a hoof.

“What do you say stud?” Velvet asked while squeezing my balls a few times. “I got at least one more foal in me. What do you say to fathering it?”

“Velvet, let the poor colt go,” Light said as he walked back into the room with a tray of drinks. “Its bad conduct.”

“Then are you going to put another one in me?” Velvet asked as she released my crotch and looked at her husband. “You barely survived Twilight’s conception.”

“Dear sweet god…” I groaned out as I got off the couch and moved away from the mare, cradling my irritated balls.

“Okay, they’re both still there,” I groaned as I tried to locate my balls behind my slightly erect dick.

“You. Me. Bed. Five minutes. Be there!” Velvet yelled at her husband before rushing out of the room.

“Honey, what about dinner?” Night Light called back with a groan. When no reply came, the stallion gave a shudder before leaving the room as well.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” the stallion sighed as he left.

What followed were several minutes of squeaks, muffled moans, and a few muffled screams.

“At least they remembered the muffling spell this time,” Spike commented as he walked into the room carrying a large tub of cookies. “Shining Armor stopped bringing friends over after the first time they forgot we had company.”

“Does what just happened have anything to do with her so called ‘special’ tea?” I asked, completely shocked by the events.

“Her special tea is basically an invitation to have sex,” Twilight sighed heavily as her ears dropped along with her posture. “My parents are swingers, or my mom is. Apparently, my dad just likes to watch.”

“What the fuck is wrong with this world?” I asked myself quietly as Velvet trotted back into the room with a smile.

“How is eveypony?” Velvet asked as if nothing had happened.

“Horrible and slightly disgusted,” I mumbled out, doing my best to not look at the older mare. “Pretty sure I’m scarred for life too.”

“Please, you’re a stallion,” Velvet chuckled. “I bet if I offered right now, you’d take me on this couch.”

“I need an adult!” I squeeked out, worried about where this was going.

“Silly colt,” Velvet giggled, smirking at me with half laden eyes. “I am an adult.”

“Mom, please, can we just stop this?” Twilight begged, finally showing signs of life. “Please?”

“Oh fine,” Velvet huffed. “Only because he’s your coltfriend.”

“I’m not-“

“Thank you,” Twilight sighed, preventing me from answering fully. “Now PLEASE go take a shower. I can smell you from here.”

“Oh hush,” Velvet said as she walked out of the room. Only this time she flicked her tail to the side and gave me a wink.

“I wish I hadn’t seen that,” I sighed, rubbing my temples with a free hand.

“You get used to it,” Spike shrugged as he decided to leave the room too.

“No, you really shouldn’t,” I sighed as I took a seat back on the couch.

“Sorry you had to see that,” Twilight said as she took a seat beside me. Before I even realized it, the mare was laying down on my lap and looking up at me with an apologetic smile. “Kind of makes it hard to have friends over.”

“You know what they say,” I chuckled while stroking the mare’s mane. “You can’t choose your parents.”

“Kind of wish you could though,” Twilight blissfully sighed as she pressed further into my hand.

“So, why did you lie to your mom about me being your coltfriend,” I asked.

“Because if I hadn’t, she would have probably taken you right then and there,” Twilight replied with flat ears and a small frown.

“I guess I should thank you for that then,” I chuckled as I began to trail my hand farther down her back.

“I was also… kind of hoping…” Twilight began as her cheeks began to glow again.

“You want to join the herd?” I asked, chuckling though the slight shock. Fluttershy having already admitting to have offered the chance to all of the other elements… and half the town.

I was kind of afraid of going back to Ponyville now…

“If you don’t mind,” Twilight sheepishly replied as her face was red. “I mean, I like spending time with you, and you actually listen to me when I talk about things…”

“Cause they’re actually really interesting topics… most of the time,” I chuckled, earning a small playful shove.

Usually after work, I would go to the library and do some reading. It was mostly to confirm a few suspicions, but I tended to fall asleep whenever I got to board. This resulted in me usually talking to Twilight about whatever she was currently studying. Most of the time it was about a silly little friendship problem, but sometimes it would be about magic or Star Swirl.

“But why would you want to be in a herd, especially one with a strange creature like me?” I questioned.

“You’re not strange,” Twilight chuckled. “You’re just… special.”

“Mama always said I is special,” I replied in a deep voice and a lop-sided grin.

“And such a special colt you are,” Twilight giggled while patting the side of my face.

“So, we’re making jokes now?” I chuckled while shifting my hands to the mare’s sides and began to tickle.

“St-stop! Y-You’re going t-to make me p-pee!” Twilight laughed as she tried to get away.

Fun fact, Ponies are VERY ticklish.

“Then you better hold it,” I deviously chuckled, while continuing my assault. A few minutes later, I stopped, allowing the mare to breath.

“That was mean,” Twilight said as she now lay on her back next to me, staring at me with half laden eyes.

“What are you gonna do about it?” I asked, cocking my brow as I leaned over the mare.

“How about this?” Twilight giggled as her horn lit and she forced my lips to hers for a kiss. My shock quickly evaporated as I leaned further into the kiss, my hands trailing against the mare’s sides.

My hands quickly found the mares flanks, causing her to moan in my mouth. While she was busy exploring my mouth, my hands were marveling over the fact that Twilight had an even softer flank than Fluttershy, bigger than hers too.

“I’m gonna get a grandfoal!” a sudden squeal erupted, shocking the two of us away from each other.

“MOM?!” Twilight snorted with a red face as she quickly moved into a more proper position.

“When’s the wedding?” Velvet asked rapidly, rushing up to us, her eyes wide and her smile large. “No, forget the wedding. Just give me grandfoals!”

“I still think my uncle has more,” I grumbled while playing with the chili in front of me. I was currently complaining because I had just seen Night Light’s comic collection and I’m pretty sure there was enough merchandise in that one room to fund a bank.

“Told you he had a lot,” Spike chuckled, accidently flinging some of his own food at me. “Opps…”

“Twilight Star sounds like a good name for a filly, doesn’t it?” Velvet said as she talked to a completely crestfallen Twilight. “Works for a colt too.”

Right after the mare had caught me and Twilight making out on the couch, she’d been droning on and on about fillies and colts.

“Velvet, dear,” Night Light called, trying his best to draw his wife’s attention. “She’s only just turned eighteen a few months ago, and she’s not even the alpha mare. You know the rules.”

“Then he’ll just have to get to work then,” Velvet replied before turning to me. “Do you need some uterus inducers? I know a pony that can get you some.”

“I’m good…” I replied while placing my spoon down. “Fluttershy is already asking for one so…”

“Wait, Fluttershy wants a foal?” Twilight asked while coming back to life, suddenly more interested in what I was saying.

“Fluttershy… is she the alpha mare?” Velvet asked, looking between me and Twilight.

“Yes, Fluttershy is the alpha mare,” I replied, really not giving a fuck anymore as I let out a sigh. “And she told me this morning, that in two months, when she’s in heat or whatever you ponies call it, she wants to conceive a foal.”

“Well congratulations,” Night Light proclaimed without smiling, raising his glass of milk.

“Night, hush!” Velvet snapped at her husband before she got out of her seat and moved next to me. “What’s wrong dear?”

“…I really…” I began with a heavy sigh. “Everything is moving too fast in a direction I didn’t see coming.

“At first, I agreed to go out with Fluttershy because only an idiot would tell a mare like that no. Then, out of nowhere she wants to start a herd and while I can’t really complain about it, I still can’t help but feel that it is wrong, but something in my head just pushes that aside, telling me that its fine and not to over think it.

“But the real kicker… the real kicker was when she told me earlier today that even though we have only been together for a month, she wants a foal. Even though things like-“

*CRASH*

The chair I was in suddenly gave out, reminding me that I couldn’t reveal the future. But even then, I didn’t bother getting up.

“The princess told me a few weeks ago that you knew more than you led us all to believe,” Twilight replied quietly as her face filled my view. “You may think you know what’s going to happen, but I’ve seen the looks of surprise and confusion on your face. Things are different, so don’t try to focus on what you think is going to happen and instead, look at what’s in front of you and live by that.”

“Twi,” I said, looking up into the mare’s eyes.

“Yes?” She responded with a smile, her bangs only just grazing the top of her eyes.

“You are such a nerd,” I chuckled while actually sitting up, earning an eyeroll and small chuckle from the mare.

“You okay, Chris?” Spike asked me with a worried expression.

“Just a little overwhelmed is all, Spike,” I sighed while looking at the mess of a chair. “Sorry about the chair, I’d explain what happened, but I don’t think you’d understand.”

“It’s not a problem,” Night Light said as his horn began to glow and the chair began to repair it-self.

“Chris,” Velvet called drawing my attention to the dining room entrance. “Would you mind following me to the living room?”

“Uh…I don’t…” I began, a little worried.

“I’m not going to try anything,” Velvet said. “I just want to talk, okay?”

“Right,” I sighed as I followed Velvet into the living room. Both of us taking a seat on the couch when we got there.

“So,” Velvet said as she looked at me. “Ask me whatever you want to know about herds.”

“What?” I asked, shocked by what she said.

“One of the biggest reason you’re having problems with this, is because of your lack of knowledge,” Velvet replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “So, ask away.”

“Oh… okay,” I nodded as I took a moment to think. “Is it common for a mare to want a foal so soon?”

“Yes,” Velvet replied simply. “It’s mostly an instinctual thing. A mare finds a stallion and the best way to keep him is to bear his foal. With colts being born every one in eight, it was a common practice in the old days.”

“And that would actually work?” I asked.

“Not always,” Velvet replied off handedly. “But it tends to work out most of the time.”

“But what if the stallion didn’t want a kid?” I asked back.

“I’m gonna guess that ‘kid’ is your species term for foal,” Velvet said with a slight sigh. “And depending on the time of year, a lot of stallions don’t get a choice.”

“What?!” I asked in shock.

“That’s how it used to be!” Velvet quickly added, noticing my expression. “When a mare goes into heat, they tend to lose a lot of rational thinking and there aren’t many things that can calm them down. Or that used to be the case. Now, there are some spells and potions that do help, but it is still a bad problem in spring.”

“Uh…okay,” I said while thinking of another question. “How many are there usually in herds?”

“I think the legal limit is ten these days,” Velvet said with a slightly confused expression. “Although… I think I have a cousin who has twelve.”

“And that actually works?” I asked trying to think of something like that.

“I don’t see why it shouldn’t?” Velvet replied as she looked at me. “The biggest thing to making a herd work is just being open with everypony and trusting one another.”

“But how can they all handle being in the same house or something?” I quickly asked, thinking about it in my head.

“Oh, I see where you’re confused,” Velvet giggled. “Not all herd mates tend to stay in the same house. They don’t even make houses that big outside of Canterlot and Manehatten these days anyways.”

“Still a bit confused… but I kinda understand,” I nodded with a bit of thinking. I mean, I doubted I had the room to house everyone currently in my herd.

I just realized I’ve been saying ‘my’ herd.

“Oh, are you disappointed?” Velvet giggled. “I bet you were thinking about sleeping in a giant bed of mares, weren’t you?”

“That actually doesn’t sound that comfortable,” I deadpanned.

“You really need to lighten up,” Velvet chuckled. “Now, what else do you want to know?”

“What can you tell me?” I asked, honestly wanting to know more.

“Watch out for mares trying to steal you from your herd,” Velvet replied with a slight frown.

“That happens?” I asked.

“Some mares don’t like being under somepony else,” Velvet replied with an annoyed frown before muttering something to herself.

“Uh… okay,” I said as I watched the mare grumble angrily about something. “Anything else?”

“No having sex with other mares without a herdmates permission,” Velvet sighed as she stopped her grumbling. “And be prepared for some mares to ask for a “donation”.”

“A “donation”?” I asked, feeling slightly worried.

“Some mares don’t want to be in a relationship, herd or prefer to be with mares,” Velvet began to explain. “But they do want to be mothers. So, sometimes they ask for a herd stallion to father a foal for them. Usually from friends and the like.”

“But they need permission from the Alpha mare, don’t they,” I uncomfortably replied as I remembered the instance with Lyra.

“And only after she’s had one first,” Velvet pointed out. “Having a foal with a somepony that isn’t the alpha mare first is likely to destroy the whole herd.”

“Okay…” I sighed honestly floored by what I learned. “Anything else?”

“Again!” Luna shouted as I slumped to the ground in annoyance, the mare looking like she apparently should once again.

“But this is so boring!” I groaned out as my claw arms dissipated. After going to sleep, I quickly found myself back in the field that Luna had created in my subconscious.

Apparently, she made it a semi-permanent thing without telling me, so I was going to be seeing this place… for the rest of my life.

She said that I would be able to change it in time though, so that’s a plus.

“Those claws seem to be the best you can think up right now, so I want you to fully test the limits on what you can do with them,” Luna replied as she sat upon a giant pile of dark blue pillows. “The better you can do it here, the more likely it will carry over correctly in the waking world.”

“Fine…” I groaned out as my arms were wrapped in the miasma again. Unlike this morning though, they now had a magma rock like look to them, a light blue glow emanating from several cracks.

I quickly realized that they looked a lot like Nero’s devil arm from DMC 4; The main difference though being that both my arms were covered and the stone was a bland gray instead of red.

“So, how was your meeting with the Sparkle family?” Luna asked as I threw a punch forward, a smoke like wave rushing from my fist.

“Have you had the chance to meet them?” I asked back.

“No, our sister has advised us against it,” Luna replied with a raised brow. “Why, are they not good hosts?”

“No, they’re actually really nice ponies,” I replied with a shrug. “But… Ms. Velvet can be a bit… forward.”

“How so?” Luna questioned.

“She tried hitting on me, offered to have my foal, proceeded to go and fuck her husband, offered her daughter to me and grabbed my crotch,” I replied with a heavy sigh. “I’m honestly afraid that she’ll try something in my sleep.”

“And what of Ms. Sparkles father?” Luna asked. “Surly he would be against such acts.”

“They’re swingers or something,” I replied with a shrug.

“Yet another thing I will have to learn about,” Luna sighed, her draconic eyes glaring out into the gray sky.

“Yeah, I think its kinda---“ I began, falling short when I began to feel something against my chest.

“What is wrong?” Luna asked as she got up from her seat.

“Something just got into bed with me…” I said as I felt it move against my chest. “I hope to god it’s not Velvet.”

“No, she is asleep,” Luna replied as she seemed to look off into the distance. “In fact, there is currently one resident in the household you reside in that is not in the dreaming world if my guess is correct.”

“Then who is it?” I asked, a little more relived now.

“Why don’t you find out,” Luna chuckled as she lifted up one of her front hooves.

Even though I was dreaming, I still felt my heart catch in my throat as the princess’s leg turned into a hammer as big as a semi-truck.

“Be sure to tell them I say hello!” Luna called as the hammer smashed down onto me.

“HOLY CRAP!” I shouted out as I woke up, throwing whatever was on my chest away.

“Eep!” a quiet voice shrieked as whoever I pushed away fell out of the bed.

“What in the…” I questioned as I moved to look over the bed. I didn’t have to go far to find a slightly comical sight.

Twilight was currently laying in on the ground, trying to remove a small trash can from her head.

“Twilight… what are you doing?” I chuckled as the mare removed the can to reveal her heavily blushing face.

“I just… I was kinda hoping I could sleep… with you,” Twilight replied without looking at me.

“Sleep with me?” I asked in slight confusion, still a little groggy.

“N-not like that!” Twilight quickly replied as she looked at me in embarrassment. “Just to sleep, that’s it!”

“What…uh, yeah sure,” I replied as I moved to the other side of the bed and held the blanket open for her.

“Okay,” Twilight smiled as she crawled in with me. She quickly pressed herself against my chest as I placed the blanket over us. “I thought you would be against this.”

“It’s still really late, so it’s either spend time questioning/worrying or just accept it and go to sleep,” I mumbled out as I began to fall back asleep.

“Well, I kinda forgot something back in Ponyville,” Twilight said as she nuzzled under my chin. It was kinda weird feeling her horn against my cheek.

“Your smarty pants doll?” I replied, pulling the mare against me with a free arm. I had to admit, it was way better going to sleep with a soft warm body with you.

“It’s a little embarrassing, but my brother gave it to me when I was really little,” Twilight began to explain. “I was afraid of the dark and being alone, so he made it for me.”

“He sounds like a good stallion,” I replied, moving my hand up and scratching behind one of the mare’s ears.

“He is…” Twilight replied before falling silent. “But I would recommend staying away from him.”

“Uh… why?” I asked, now almost fully awake.

“Let’s just say our uncle… instilled some worrying beliefs in him,” Twilight sighed with a frown. “Shiny always looked up to him, but he was a bit of a supremacist.”

“Oh…” I said, pretty sure I knew what she meant.

“Doesn’t help that the last potential coltfriend I had he scared away just five minutes after he asked me out,” Twilight grumbled before laying on her back and looking up at the ceiling with a small glare.

“Eh, let him try,” I chuckled. “I aint ‘fraid of no pretty boy pony.”

“That’s still my brother you’re talking about,” Twilight chastised as she smacked my chest with a hoof. But the small smile she had told me she was taking it as a joke. “But I guess we should get to sleep.”

“I’m kinda not tired anymore,” I chuckled back, bopping the mare on the nose.

“Really now?” Twilight giggled as I suddenly felt one of her hoofs grip my ass firmly. “I can think of a few things we could do to pass the time.”

“Like?” I asked, mirroring her actions. If I was being honest, I really liked the feeling of Twilight’s flank.

“Well, I’d like to try some…” Twilight began to reply, her eyes taking a half laden look. “Experiments.”

“On what exactly?” I asked as my hand continued to massage the mare’s flank.

“Biology,” Twilight purred as she gave me a quick kiss. “Perhaps a look into human mating habits?”

“While I would love to…” I began with a heavy sigh, a stray thought coming to mind. “But I’d like to spend some time with you ‘romantically’ first.”

“And ponies say that shivery is dead,” Twilight giggled as she nuzzled into my chest.

“That, and I’m pretty sure your mom both slipped something into your food and is standing outside the door with party poppers and ‘it’s a filly’ balloon,” I chuckled as I continued to grasp Twilights flanks.

“It’s actually ‘it’s a colt’ balloon,” Velvets voice replied from outside the guest room. “My family has a history of having colts first.”

“MOTHER!” Twilight shouted as her horn flashed briefly. A moment later, there was a loud pop outside the room followed by Velvet giving a slight shriek.

“I-I’m okay, don’t worry,” her voice echoed back a few moments later. “Just continue with what you were doing… I’m going to get some ice.”

“Now than,” Luna began as she walked around me in an authoritative way. “For the rest of today, we will be assessing your potential and limits of thy magic in the waking world.”

After having a quick breakfast at Twilight’s family home, Spike, Twilight and I quickly made our way back to the castle.

Once there, Luna quickly brought us to a large dome like room that she explained to be a place where we would work on my magic in the waking world and that the room could withstand most magical mishaps.

“Any questions?” Luna asked me.

“I have a few!” Twilight called from the side of the room where her and Spike sat to observe.

“And they will be answered at another time,” Luna quickly replied to the mare. Apparently, Luna thought Twilight asked too many questions for her own good. “At this time, we are more concerned with our student’s capabilities.”

I just chuckled at the display, finding the slightly disappointed look Twilight gave back cute.

“So, just like in my dreams, right?” I asked while looking at Luna.

“In essence, yes,” Luna nodded. “But as I warned before, thou shall see a difference between here and there.”

“Okay,” I nodded, slightly hesitant. Flicking my wrist, I quickly activated my magic, allowing the cool feeling to envelop my right arm before trying to share it with my left.

After a few moments, I quickly realized what Luna had warned me about. It took far more concentration to share the mist between both arms. The feeling alone causing some trouble.

“Very good,” Luna smiled as I finally got to the point where both arms were covered in the mist. But even then, it was shoddy at best. “You see what we warned thou about, no?”

“Y-yeah,” I replied, almost losing focus. I tried to then shape the mist into the claws, but ended up losing focus entirely in the process.

“Crap…” I muttered as my right arm was the only thing enveloped at mist by that point.

“Calm thy self,” Luna said as she walked over. “As long as you realize the difference, it will be far easier to rectify the problem you face.

“The one who first showed us how to control the miasma told us of a trick,” Luna smirked with an odd look in her eye. “Close your eyes, take a calming breath and envision what you want. Try to imagine how it would feel if it were real.”

“Right… feel,” I hesitantly nodded before closing my eyes. For a few minutes, I simply took calming breath as I began to imagine my arms as the claws from the dreamscape. The slightly sudden feeling of something surrounding both my arms helped to cement the image in my head that something was surrounding my arms.

Before I opened my eyes, I mentally convinced myself of what I wanted to see, allowing the cool feel enveloping my arms help, and with one final breath, I opened my eyes.

“Fuck Yeah!” I shouted as my arms were now like they were in the dreamscape only more colorful and cartoonish.

“And that is the trick to miasma magic,” Luna smiled as I noticed Twilight taking notes. “Miasma is meant to bring illusions into reality, but to do that, one must first be able to convince themselves what is reality.”

“This is way more than just illusion, that’s for sure,” I said as I tapped my arm, resulting in what sounded like two rocks hitting on another.

“Miasma magic can be very powerful or very weak depending on the user,” Luna commented. “If one can truly envision it, than it shall be.”

“And if you can’t even convince yourself, than your as good as dead?” I asked.

“Morbidly speaking, yes,” Luna replied with a slightly uncomfortable look. “Now than, we believe you were able to do several different actions with those arms if we are not mistaken. So, please begin.”

“Right…” I sighed while looking around the slightly barren room as I began to bob to a beat in my head. “Let’s rock!”

“That was just sad,” Spike frowned as he looked at Christopher’s unconscious body. “How long did he last?”

“Nine minutes and 33 seconds, half of which was him trying to get his magic to work in the first place,” Twilight listed off with a shake of her head. “I’m more concerned with Princess Luna though.”

Off to one side of the room stood Luna, a defeated expression on her face as she slowly banged her head against the wall.

“We are doomed…” Luna groaned.

“It’s okay princess, all he needs is some practice,” Spike said as he made his way over to the sulking princess and gave her a reassuring pat on the side. “I’m sure he’ll get stronger!”

“That is not the problem young Spike,” Luna sighed as she looked at him. “We challenged sister to a duel. We were positive that he would be able to stand against a trained guard come tomorrow.

“We were a fool to think he would be strong enough to take on a trained pony so soon,” Luna finished as she looked at the unconscious human.

“Chris is going to what?!” Twilight shouted as she heard what Luna said.

“Tomorrow, Christopher will be facing a pony of Celestia’s choosing to face in combat,” Luna sighed as she walked over to the unicorn. “We got excited over the prospect of a student of our own and believed we could prepare him to face such a challenge in a short time.”

“It can’t be that bad?” Spike asked as he checked Chris over himself. “I mean, does he have to use magic?”

“Yes… yes, he does,” Luna sighed morbidly, before a slight look of realization crossed her face. “But perhaps there is still a chance that we can show our sister who is the better!”

“Uh, what?” Twilight and Spike asked as they watched in confusion as Luna scooped Chris’s unconscious body and rushed off.

“Gah… my head still hurts,” I groaned out as I slowly trudged alongside Luna. I woke up to her carrying me to god knows where with a horrible headache.

“Thy pain shall pass,” Luna replied as she continued forward. “We will admit though, we are highly disappointed with your capabilities in the arcane.”

“What did you expect!?” I just about demanded as my head gave another heavy throb. “Humans don’t do real magic.”

“We are sorry,” Luna replied as she flinched back from my shout. “We just thought that… our offer was enough to incite thou to push further.”

“Offer?” I questioned, honestly having no idea what she was talking about.

“How can thou not remember?” Luna suddenly replied as her face began to glow red. It was a moment later that I remembered what she basically offered the other day.

“O, you mean about-“ I began only to be stopped as Luna quickly placed a covered hoof over my mouth as her eyes looked towards several passing guards.

“If thou values thy life, thou shalt not speak of such things where others can hear,” Luna quietly hissed into my ear. “It is against the law for a pony not of royalty, nobility or high military standards to even think about bedding me or my sister.”

“What kind of dumb ass came up with a law like that?” I asked while trying to ignore the slight taste of dirt that seemed to accompany Luna’s hoof.

“Our father,” Luna quickly replied with a frown and glare. “And you would do well not to insult him as he has been known to be easily angered.”

“Really?” I asked with a chuckle as we continued towards what looked like a large stone barracks with several chimney stacks. “Because I’ve been cursing both him and your mother for bringing me to this place without an explanation and the only problem I’ve had so far is a lack of milk for my cereal in the morning.”

“That… may be a fault of our own,” Luna sheepishly smiled as we stopped outside of two large wooden doors. “We tend to enjoy milk… with our moon pies.”

“Hey, the deal was for the moon pies and some milk, not all my milk,” I replied with a frown. I was actually a little annoyed about this, mostly because I REALLY liked having a glass of milk with every meal, as well as several others throughout the day.

“And should thou win tomorrow,” Luna began before leaning in close to my ear. “We shall personally restock thy milk.”

I couldn’t help but shiver as Luna just about purred the word ‘milk’ in my ear.

“L-let’s talk about that later,” I stuttered back as Luna pulled back with a giggle.

“Yes, we shall,” Luna nodded as she opened the large doors with her magic. It was at the sight of this that another question popped into my head.

“Hey, Luna?” I called as we entered what turned out to be a forge. “Why does your magic look different from mine? I thought you used miasma magic?”

“We do,” Luna replied as several smiths and works stopped what they were doing to bow to Luna and stare at me in confusion. “But through training, we have come to be able to mask is as regular magic. Back in the days of old, it was thought to be a curse to have such magic, so we had to hide it to prevent civil unrest. The same can also said for the form you see before you.”

“Beh, I think the real things cooler,” I said as I activated my magic not noticing the grateful look on Luna’s face. I quickly released it though as it just made the headache worse.

“Good Morning, Princess,” a large earthpony stallion said as he bowed before Luna. He had a charcoal black coat and a short cut, dark brown mane. But the most striking feature was the stallions glowing orange eyes. His cutie mark was of a flame atop an anvil.

“Christopher, this is Fire Breaker, the castles head smith,” Luna introduced as Breaker stood back up and stared at me with a blank expression.

“When they told me that a strange monkey was within the castle, I thought the guard was pulling my mane,” Breaker said without any emotion on his face or in his eyes.

“Hey, I aint no monkey!” I snapped back, knowing an insult when I saw one.

“My apologies then,” Breaker simply replied before looking at Luna. “What can I do for you today your highness?”

“We wish to supply our student with a weapon,” Luna replied with a slightly stern look. It looked like she noticed the insult as well. “As we are sure thou has heard, a competition shall be happening tomorrow and we feel that it would be best if our student had a weapon he could wield as well.”

It was very slight, but in that moment, I saw a look of annoyance pass the stallions face as his gaze quickly locked onto me before returning to the princess.

“Of course princess,” Breaker bowed before turning around. “If you would please follow me, I am sure I can find it something.”

“Bitch…” I grumbled under my breath as me and Luna followed the stallion towards what I believed to be the back of the forge. As we walked, I couldn’t help but look around at some of the work being done.

To one side, I could see several ponies shaping metal into what I believed to be spear tips. While on another, I could see a few hammering out several longer pieces that I believed would later become knives or daggers.

Or perhaps those were for their swords.

“In here please,” Breaker said as he opened the door into what had to be the connecting armory.

All around us were racks and piles of spears, short swords, daggers, armor and several other items I couldn’t immediately identify.

“Tinker, get out here!” Breaker called out. A few moments later, several bangs were heard as a lanky Pegasus quickly rushed over from around a corner. He had light brown fur with several blotches of oil coving his body as well as a long orange mane. His cutie mark actually looked like Tinker Tom’s hat from Fallout 4.

“Y-yes sir?” the stallion asked looking at all of us with wide eyes.

“Get the monkey a weapon,” Breaker grumbled, ignoring the glare I gave him. “Make it from the ‘special’ bin or something.”

“Y-yes sir,” the stallion nodded as he gave a slightly uncomfortable look.

“I’m sorry your highness, but I must be getting back to work,” Breaker said as he left the room, not even bothering to look at me.

“Jackass,” I growled as the door closed behind the stallion.

“S-sorry about him,” Tinker quickly replied to my remark. “He’s apparently been having some problems at home.”

“That still does not excuse his behavior,” Luna replied. “I will be sure to inform the appropriate ponies though that he is having troubles.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Tinker said with a bow before straitening up and looking at me. “Hope you don’t mind me asking, but what are you?”

“I don’t mind, and human,” I said while holding my hand out to the stallion. “Names Christopher, but my friends call me Chris.”

“Tinker, Tinker Tom,” the stallion replied while awkwardly shaking my hand with a hoof.

“Seriously?” I couldn’t help but ask while holding back a laugh.

“Seriously what?” Tinker asked with a confused look.

“Nothing, nothing,” I brushed off, forcing the laughs away with a cough.

“Yes, well, we are still in need of a weapon for my compatriot here,” Luna said as she looked over the decorated walls with a calculating eye.

“R-right,” Tinker nodded before looking behind him for a moment. “If you wouldn’t mind following me out to the front, I can cart the… special bin out for you.”

The way he said ‘special’ sent little red flags off, but I quickly pushed it away as Tinker lead us to what was the actual lobby for the armory, which was empty except for one pony at the moment.

A small yellow unicorn filly sat at a table off to one side of the front counter, coloring in a book. She had an electric blue mane and currently lacked a cutie mark.

“And who do we have here?” Luna asked as she noticed the little filly. The filly looking up and going wide eyed as she noticed Luna.

“This is my daughter, Circuit Spark,” Tinker said as he walked over and gave the shocked filly a nuzzle.

“Well, hello young one,” Luna said as she got closer to the filly and lowered herself down. “What is one such as yourself doing here?”

“Her mother had work to do and ask me to watch her last minute,” Tinker quickly replied. “I was told that it was okay as long as she stayed out here.”

“I see nothing wrong with that,” Luna replied with a kind nod.

“You’re a princess,” the filly finally spoke, her voice quiet as she still stared at the princess in front of her.

“That we are young one,” Luna smiled, apparently enjoying the attention.

“I’ll go get that bin,” Tinker quickly said as Luna began to have a small conversation with the filly.

I simply watched as the stallion wandered off back behind the counter with a sigh of relief.

“Christopher, would you come here for a moment,” Luna called to me as she sat next to the filly.

“Sure, what’s up?” I asked as I walked over to the two.

“We were just telling young, Spark here of thou,” Luna replied as she looked down at the filly.

“Are you really a monkey?” Spark asked with a look of complete innocence.

“Not really, no,” I replied while glaring at Luna. The princess for her part simply looked away with sheepish grin.

“So, what are you?” Spark asked with a confused look on her face.

“Human,” I chuckled, finding the filly cute in her own right.

“What’s a hu-man?” Spark asked.

“What I am,” I chuckled, remembering the old back and forth game my uncle used to play with me when I was younger, bringing a slight tear to my eye.

“Are you okay?” Spark asked after my reply. “You’re crying.”

“Oh, sorry,” I replied wiping the stray tear away. “Just some dust. No need to worry.”

The next few minutes were filled by silence until Tinker came back from behind the weapons counter with a large bin on a cart behind him.

“Here it is,” Tinker sighed as he pulled the bin in front of me. “The ‘special’ bin.”

“What the fu---dge,” I said as I looked down at what was in front of me, only just remembering the filly nearby.

“What is this?” Luna asked as she got up and looked at the bin herself.

Inside were an assortment of different weapons, but the problem was that they all looked vastly different from what I had seen coming in.

“The ‘Special bin’,” Tinker began with a heavy sigh as he took out a small black and blue knife. “An assortment of items that were either denied by the head smith to be put into production or failed apprenticeship applications.”

“Failed apprenticeship applications?” I asked while picking up a guard-less blade. I immediately put it down when I noticed how ALL the weight was somehow centered on the lower grip of it while being the size and look of a typical throwing knife.

“To be accepted as a smith in the castle, one must first be accepted as an apprentice to one who already works here,” Luna explained as she simply glared at the bin. “Most have to prove their abilities at being a smith to be accepted.”

“That’s the gist of it,” Tinker sighed as he returned the knife to the bin.

“How dare that smith recommend something from in… this… thing!” Luna growled. “We will return momentarily!”

Before I could even put in a word edge wise, Luna disappeared in a flash.

“Might as well look at what we got,” I shrugged while looking back into the bin. Tinker stood nearby, watching as I looked over several items, only to put them back as I noticed discrepancies with them.

“Have you handled weapons before?” Tinker asked as I returned another short sword in the bin.

“Yes,” I replied with a sigh. “But nothing you’ve ever held or will see.”

“And what about things like these?” he asked, indicating the weapons in the bin. “You look like you know what you’re doing at least.”

“I have, but only a very little bit,” I replied. “But in my last job, I did work with different types of metal, and even though it’s a little hard to tell, I can see several items here that are mixed with the wrong kind of materials. Hell, half these things are rusting over because of it.”

“That’s actually what gets most applicants kicked out,” Tinker chuckled as I continued to look. After a few more minutes, I heard a small clank and looked down at my side.

“What’s this?” I asked as I noticed an odd black and yellow pipe like thing. Picking it up, I found it slightly heavier then what I expected as well as seeing that it fit my hand while still having an inch or two above and below.

“T-that shouldn’t have been in there…” Tinker suddenly said as he noticed what was in my hand.

“Why?” I asked, actually intrigued by what I had. I knew it had something inside of it, a portion at one end looking like it opened.

“Just another failed experiment…” Tinker sighed.

“You made this?” I asked as I found a small hidden switch. Before he could respond, I pressed it and watched as one end popped open and a single sided blade suddenly popped out, stretching for at least three feet before ending with and audible click. The top of the tube having formed a small hand guard.

“Woah!” I said with a smile, ignoring whatever was going on around me. The blade looked solid and something seemed to compensate its weight so that it wasn’t too tip heavy while not putting all the weight in the handle. Pressing the switch again, I watched as the blade disappeared back into the handle and the opening closed.

“Just something I thought would get me a full apprenticeship,” Tinker sheepishly smiled as he rubbed one of his legs.

“I’m no smith or anything, but this this is way cooler and better than anything else in that bin,” I said while looking the thing over. I tried to figure how he did it, but I doubted I would be able to without taking it apart. “How could this not get you in?”

“Because it can’t be used properly by any of the guard,” Breaker grumbled as he walked into the room with Luna behind him. The princess still looking annoyed. “The switch can’t be properly used by a pony, the blade is too long, it’s apparently segmented so that it would fit, but that just makes weak points and it has several parts that are out of budget for a weapon meant for the guard. So, I failed it.

“The only reason he even works here is because he actually chose some good material combinations as well as made it work.”

“May we see?” Luna asked as she took the handle from me. Everyone watched as Luna looked over the handle before her magic found the switch and released the blade.

“We must admit, this is quite impressive,” Luna voiced as she caused he blade to spring in and out several times before looking at Breaker. “We have used many a blade in our day and we find this one far better than how you seem to see it. A unicorn could easily wield it if one were to simply shorten the blade.”

Breaker simply remained silent, but even I could see that he wanted to voice his opinion.

“Have thou thought of other such innovations?” Luna asked Tinker, causing the stallion to sputter.

“A-a few your highness,” Tinker quickly replied. “B-but nothing that would be of use.”

It was at this point that I felt a small tapping at my leg and looked down to see Spark with a small notebook in her mouth.

“What’s this?” I asked as I took the book.

“It’s my daddy’s notebook,” Spark voiced, drawing everyone’s attention. “He has all kinds of ideas.”

Choosing a page at random, I was shocked to find what looked like a set of armor drawn out of a dark material. Notes littered the two pages I looked at, but I knew enough to notice composite material and epoxy resin mixes when I saw it.

“And here I thought you pony’s weren’t progressing,” I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What are you talking about?” Breaker huffed as I handed Luna the notebook to the page I saw.

“Luna, If that’s what I think it is, I can guaranty that it would help make some damn good items,” I began to explain. “At least a mere fraction of the weight of metal, far cheaper and faster to make, more flexible…”

“And it could be enchanted too,” Tinker giddily added finding his confidence. “I was reading about some things the zebras have been developing and found that some of the chemicals they create are as hard as stone while weighing very little.”

“And it’s also not smithing,” Breaker growled as he glared at the notebook.

“To some people, no,” I replied with a shrug. “To others, it could be considered composite work. It’s used in countless things from lightweight weapons to everyday appliances.”

“We are most impressed,” Luna simply replied as she looked over more of the book, the blade still held in her magic nearby. After a few moments, her eyes lit up as she looked at Tinker.

“Could you fashion us this?” Luna asked as she held out the notebook to be seen. On the pages seemed to be sketches for a self-reloadable crossbow that had, by what the notes said, five shots.

“I-I could,” Tinker smiled brightly. “I’m still working on the drawback mechanism, but I’m close.”

“Very well,” Luna smiled as she gave the book back to the pony before looking at Breaker. “He is to have access to whatever he needs to complete this project as well as his own work station, are we understood?”

“Yes, your highness,” Breaker growled before stomping of.

“We expect good things from you Mr. Tinker,” Luna said as she looked towards the stallion with a smile. “If anypony gives you issue, you may seek us personally.”

“I-I won’t let you down princess,” Tinker replied with a smile as he fought back tears.

“Yay daddy!” Spark cheered as she grabbed her father in a hug.

“Cute,” I chuckled while watching the hug.

“Quite,” Luna giggled as she looked back at me. “Come, let us find thou a weapon.”

“Already got it,” I said as I snatched the handle out of Luna’s magic.

“Art thou sure?” Luna asked with a raised brow. “The smith was not lying when he said it had some weak points.”

“And I think it’s cool, so I’m using it,” I said before looking at Tinker. “If you don’t mind that is.”

“No, no please do,” Tinker said as he looked at me. “It needs a field test anyways.”

“I will be that genie pig then,” I smiled while twirling the handle in my hand a few times. “Oh, this is gonna be fun.”

“So, you mean to tell me,” Luna almost growled as she glared at me, the two of standing outside in a small grassy area. “That you have NO prior experience with swords play?”

“I’ve had some knife training,” I replied sheepishly. “Does that count?”

“NO, IT DOESN’T COUNT!” Luna shouted back in agitation as her eyes flashed briefly to their true nature. “Why would thou take a weapon that thou does not even know how to wield properly?!”

“But look how cool it is,” I meekly replied while releasing the blade.

“Oh, this is going to good,” Celestia said as she walked up to the two of us, Twilight and Spike following close behind her.

“Sister?!” Luna jumped seeing Celestia. “Thou cannot be here! We are teaching our student so that he may trounce thy chosen guard!”

“I already talked to the one who would fight and told them where to be and when,” Celestia replied with a slight chuckle. “I thought I would come and see your progress, but I can tell that it hasn’t been much.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, feeling offended.

“It means that you’re holding that blade like a foal,” Celestia replied curtly. “I’m just amazed that you haven’t cut yourself yet.”

“I’m not going to cut myself…” I groaned out as I retracted the blade, and spinning the tube before pocketing it.

“Impressive,” Celestia remarked.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“Not you, the blade,” Celestia replied with an off handed wave of her hoof. “I actually came here for something else.”

“And what would that be sister?” Luna asked in agitation. “Perhaps thou plan to ridicule our student more before the match.”

“While I would enjoy that, I actually came to talk about what you promised should Christopher lose the match,” Celestia smiled mischievously.

“What do you mean, princess?” Twilight asked after she walked over and nuzzled my side.

Had to keep things low key in the castle with her, or else Shining Armor would find out. Although, I doubted he would do anything.

“If Christopher is to lose tomorrow, Luna must wear a frilly pink dress for a month,” Celestia smiled.

“And if Chris wins?” Spike asked while suppressing his chuckles. He wasn’t the only one either as I started thinking that dropping out would still pay off one way.

“We have yet to come to a decision,” Luna grumbled, her ears falling flat for a moment. “But mark our words sister, it shall be what thou deserve!”

“And that is why I am here,” Celestia replied. “How about I forgo cake for a month?”

“OOOoooooo,” Me, Twilight and Spike said as the realization of that offers importance hit us.

“To offer such a thing,” Luna said as she glared at Celestia, the white mare looking pretty smug at the time. “Thou are planning something and we do not like it.”

“Simply because I know my chosen guard will win with little to no effort,” Celestia smiled.

“Wow, I am literally being insulted left and right today,” I grumbled, gritting my teeth slightly.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way,” Twilight whispered at me. “Now shush.”

“You have until before the match begins to decide Lulu,” Celestia chuckled with a devious grin.

“Actually….” Luna said as an odd look suddenly flashed across her face, slowly morphing into a devious grin. “We believe we know the perfect thing.”

I could only watch as Luna leaned in close to Celestia’s ear and whispered something.

“W-what?!” Celestia shouted, causing several birds and pegasi to jump and fly away in fright. Her entire face was aglow as she stared at Luna in a mix of shock and embarrassment.

“And you must do it for one month,” Luna seemed to add, her smirk only growing.

“Y-you think I won’t?!” Celestia began to stutter, going on the defensive and trying to force a regal look. “Fine, if he should succeed, I will do this. But like I said, my chosen guard is bound to win.”

With that, Celestia quickly turned and left. Her face only glowing redder as she quickly pushed past me.

“Okay, I gotta know what you said,” I chuckled as I continued to watch Celestia’s retreat, having to keep my eyes off her bouncy flank as she rushed away.

“All in due time, my student,” Luna giggled mischievously.

“Who do you think he’s gonna fight?” Spike asked Twilight.

“Maybe its Blueblood,” I chuckled. “I know the guys had it in for me since that little incident.”

“What incident?” Twilight asked as everyone but her began to fight they’re laughter.

“Nay, I doubt the cowered would face thou on such terms,” Luna voiced as she regained control first.

“Better make sure I lock my windows and doors tonight then,” I chuckled.

“W-what if it’s my brother?” Twilight suddenly voiced with a look of worry. “He is the captain of the guard.”

“And I’m sure he has better things to do then mop the floor with my face,” I replied dismissively. “My best bet is that it’s some hot shot up and comer who heard what was going to happen and had a bunch of his friends make him look good.”

“Whomever it may come to be,” Luna said as she fixed me with a stare. “They will still know how to swing a sword.”

“I can swing a sword!” I replied in a huff. “Just because I don’t know the art of sword fighting, doesn’t mean I can’t do it. Countless fighting styles and techniques were learned by doing. Learning is just supposed to set the base for self-improvement.”

“Wise words, yes,” Luna nodded. “But we will still proceed to train you in some of the fundamentals until thou magic stores are appropriately charged for more arcane training.”

“How will I know when that is?” I asked.

“Well, its typically a few hours to get back to at least a comfortable level,” Twilight replied in thought. “But one of the best ways to tell is when the headache goes away.”

“Oh…” I said as I took a moment to think. “How long has it been since I passed out?”

“About two hours,” Spike replied after some thought. “Why?”

“Because that headache went away like an hour ago,” I replied causing the others to look at me in surprise.

“Art thou sure?” Luna asked. “Thou may just not notice it.”

“I’m pretty sure,” I replied with a nod, my head feeling clear and fresh. “I feel fine.”

“You must be absorbing magic from your surroundings,” Twilight theorized. “Your stores must have filled faster because you were with Princess Luna the whole time. She and Princess Celestia are two of the strongest magical sources on the planet.”

“Huh… cool,” I said with a smile.

“Yes, very ‘cool’ as thou put it,” Luna smiled halfheartedly before forcing it into a full grin. “This knowledge should help us prepare for tomorrow.”

“Okay then,” I said with a shrug. “What’s first?”

“You know, you should really chew your food first,” Twilight giggled as she watched me all but inhale the food in front of me.

We had spent the rest of the day training both my magic and my sword knowledge. When I would begin to suffer a migraine, we switched to swords for a time.

“Well, if someone hadn’t gone into an hour-long speech on the development of swords in Equestria, I wouldn’t have missed lunch,” I countered as I held my plate out for more food.

“You didn’t have to listen,” Twilight giggled.

“Can’t help that it was interesting,” I shrugged as another plate of cheese lasagna was placed in front of me by one of the castle servants.

“Then would you mind not chewing with your mouth open,” Celestia groaned from the head of the table. “I’ve asked at least three times.”

“And I listened the first time,” I replied as I scooped a large portion up. “But I can’t help it when it tastes this good.

“My complements to the chef by the way,” I said, turning to one of the awaiting servants. The pony simply nodded with a small smile before walking off.

“Calm thyself sister,” Luna giggled. “Or would thou like us to inform them of thy old eating habits?”

“You will do no such thing!” Celestia snapped as she glared at Luna in annoyance.

This kind of bickering and teasing continued on for a few minutes between the two. The whole act of it causing a small laugh to escape me as it reminded me of the few good times I had with my siblings back home.

“You okay Chris?” Spike quietly asked, not drawing anyone else’s attention.

“Just… just remembering my family,” I quietly replied, absentmindedly patting the top of his head with a free hand.

“I’m sure you’ll see them again one day, Chris,” Spike replied confidently.

“I hope so Spike,” I replied before returning to my food. “I really do.”

“Should’ve known I wouldn’t get any sleep,” I groaned while leaning back in my chair.

After dinner, Twilight took Spike and went back to her family’s house, planning to spend another night there with them.

I on the other hand, decided to stay at the castle for the night. Both because of the match tomorrow and the worry of what kind of ideas Twilight’s mom had come up with to get a grandfoal.

“You know, thou can do just as much complaining back in thy room,” Luna said from her throne, a slightly annoyed look on her face.

“But then there’s no one there to listen or tell me to shut up,” I replied with a shrug, fighting against the grin that wanted to form.

“Oh, I’m sure somepony would respond,” Luna replied with a roll of her eyes. For the past hour, the two of us had sat in an empty throne room, waiting for any practitioners for the night court.

It had been very silent, which I fully expected since Luna only just got back a month ago. This was her second time running the night court, planning on only doing it once a week until it started to really catch on.

Or, she hoped it would catch on.

“I thought you said ponies actually signed up for this?” I asked from the surprisingly soft chair the servants had placed against a nearby wall for me. I apparently wasn’t allowed on the dais where Luna sat for some stupid reason or another.

“They are running late,” Luna replied with certainty. “We understand the… difficulties, of traveling to this castle at a late time.”

“While I understand why you want to do this Luna, I think it’s just a waste of your time and resources,” I sighed.

“Thou would do well to hold thy tongue,” Luna harshly replied, staring at me with teal draconic eyes.

“Your eyes are showing again,” I grumbled out.

“Then stop annoying her,” one of the thestral guards growled. Turns out, they all know what Luna really looks like, as well as several other high-ranking officials if what I was told was true.

“Bah…” I replied with an off handed wave. Turns out, most thestrals are complete dicks if you’re anyone but Princess Luna.

The next ten minutes were spent in silence before another night guard entered the room.

“What does thou need my guard?” Luna asked as the guard made his way closer.

“Captain Vlad has requested the human’s presence in his office, your highness,” The guard replied with a bow.

“Very well, we shall send our student momentarily,” Luna replied, allowing the guard to leave.

“Who’s Captain Vlad?” I asked Luna as the one guard left.

“He is our commander,” one of the nearby guards replied. “While Captain Armor may lead the day guard, Captain Vlad leads us in our nightly duties.”

“Next time, ask before thou answers,” Luna suddenly growled at her guard, still agitated. “He is our student and asked us a question.”

“Y-yes your highness,” the guard quickly replied, shaking in his armor slightly. “I-I apologize for interrupting.”

“It is forgiven,” Luna replied with a smile before looking at me. “Captain Vlad has been the head of my guard for a very long time and is very good at his job. If he wishes to see thou, be sure to make haste.”

“Alright…” I sighed while getting out of my chair and looking at a few of the guards. “Any of you guys mind showing me the way?”

Without a single word, the stallion who had spoken out earlier began to walk out, stopping after a few feet and looking back at me.

“Let’s get this over with…” I groaned out while beginning to follow him. Walking out into the halls, I absentmindedly followed the guard while looking around.

The castle at night was almost completely silent excepted for the faint clicking of armor and hooves. It both frightened and calmed me.

“So, what kinda stallion is Captain Vlad?” I asked while we walked.

“You’ll see,” the guard chuckled as we entered another section of the castle I had yet to see.

“Not ominous at all,” I said as we walked up to a random door. To the side was a small plaque saying something that confused me slightly.

“Vlad T.I. Night Guard Captain?” I read aloud. “What’s the T and I, stand for?”

“You’ll have to ask,” the stallion replied before turning to leave.

“Wow, rude much?” I asked quietly before turning and knocking on the door. Instead of getting a verbal answer, all that happened was the door creaking open slightly.

“Hello?” I carefully called into the room, pushing the door open more. The room itself wasn’t that big, being about half the size of my own living room. A few candles littered around were the only sources of light, just barely revealing an old desk and scattered papers.

“Uh, Captain Vlad, sir?” I called out as I entered the room fully, allowing the door to close quietly behind me. “Is anyone here?”

When I received no reply, I began to worry that I had been tricked and possibly trapped. But when I turned to open the door, I found it unlocked and easily openable with no one outside.

“Okay… I guess I’ll wait,” I told myself while looking back into the room, a little more calm. There was only one chair in the room, but it was behind the desk and didn’t look like it could support me anyways.

I silently stood in the room for several minutes, looking blankly at some of the stray papers on the desk. But like most people, I got curious and looked around a bit more.

On one side of the room were several bookcases with a mass assortment of books, binders, awards and more random papers. On the other side were several weapon racks with spears, swords, daggers and the like. An empty pony armor stand standing next to those.

On the desk though, I noticed a few picture frames, and being the curious cat, I decided to take a look.

Looking over the desk, I found three different images.

The first one showed a blood red Pegasus stallion, with a black mane and deep crimson red eyes standing beside a lovely Pegasus mare with goldenrod fur, a navy blue mane and sparkling turquoise eyes. Both sat under a cloud outcropping, with strangely smug looks on their faces.

The second image showed the same stallion, only this time, he was joined by a jade green stallion just slightly shorter than him. The larger stallion seemed to be shaking the smaller one’s hoof as they stood in the shadow of a large cloud structure that looked completely unfamiliar to me. Both were smiling proudly at one another.

The last one though, caused a cold chill to run up my spine.

It held the same stallion, only this time, he had a bright smile as he held the other pony in the picture caringly. The other pony was a very familiar filly with butterscotch yellow fur and a bright pink mane and a slightly thin frame.

But it was the carved caption was what cause me to suddenly why I was here.

“D-daddy’s little filly…” I stuttered out as I stared at a young filly Fluttershy joyfully hugging the pony that had to be her father. Not the one I remembered from the show.

“That was taken right after she got her cutie mark,” a rough voice calmly said from somewhere behind me.

“Oh shit!” I jumped, tumbling over the desk in fear. Once on the other side, I quickly got back up and looked at the entrance of the room.

“Jumpy one, aren’t you?” a blood red Pegasus asked as he walked into the room, his face blank of all emotion as he stared at me with piercing red eyes. I suddenly found myself completely unable to move, let alone breath, as the stallion walked towards me, his eyes continually locked on mine.

“I’ve been meaning to meet you for quite some time,” the stallion spoke as he walked around the desk. Even in my locked-up state, I could clearly see that he wore an intricate set of night guard armor, more black then blue like the others wore and stood taller than the average stallion.

As he came closer, I suddenly felt my body begin to move without my say so. By the time the stallion had made it to the chair, I was already at the front of the desk at a forced attention stance.

“If you don’t already know,” the stallion began to reply as he took a seat, his eyes still locked onto me. “I am Vlad, captain of the Lunar guard.”

“Good evening,” I was able to grunt out, still not in control of my own body.

“Yes, it is,” Vlad replied, blinking for the first time since he entered. Almost immediately, I felt my body return to my control as I could breathe once again.

“Jesus Christ…” I quietly groaned as I took a few deep breaths.

“Do you know why I wanted to speak with you?” Vlad asked as he took the picture of him and Fluttershy and turned it so I could see it from where I stood.

“W-waffles…” I blundered like an idiot.

“Yes, my little butterfly does make good waffles,” Vlad nodded, still no emotion on his face. “But I didn’t call you here to talk about my daughters cooking skills.”

“I-I’m Christopher!” I suddenly blurted out, holding my hand out.

“Yes, I know,” Vlad replied, ignoring my hand.

“S-so, you’re Fluttershy’s dad?” I asked while pulling my hand back.

“I fathered and raised her,” Vlad nodded. “So, yes.”

“I-its nice to meet you,” I uncomfortably chuckled.

“Why are you so afraid right now?” Vlad suddenly asked. “Have I done anything to cause you to fear me?”

“I-I’m not afraid,” I lied through my teeth. There was something about Vlad that honestly scared the shit out of me.

“You’re a horrible liar,” Vlad replied as he opened a drawer and pulled out two glass cups and a bottle full of brown liquid. “You reek of sweat, your heartrate is elevating by the moment and you’re breathing quite heavily.”

“Oh…” I mumbled, noticing that everything he had said was true.

“Calm down, have a drink,” Vlad said as he pushed a half-filled glass towards me. “All I want to do is talk.”

“Oh, okay,” I said while taking the drink in hand. Without a wasting a second, I downed the drink in its entirety, a horrible burning following close behind.

“And here I thought you wouldn’t do it,” Vlad chuckled, smiling as I fought against the urge to throw the hard drink back up.

It took a few minutes, but when I finally regained my composure, I looked up to see Vlad refilling both glasses, a small smirk on his face.

“So, tell me about yourself,” the stallion said as he took a gulp of his drink. “Tell me about the one who won my butterfly’s heart.”

“Uh… what do you want to know,” I asked, retrieving the glass but only holding it this time.

“Well, first off, I’d like to know what makes a worthless thing like you think he deserves someone as wonderful as my daughter?” Vlad asked, that small smile still on his face.

For several moments, I simply stared at him, both caught off guard and scared for my life.

“I asked you a question,” Vlad growled, his smile turning into a sneer, his irises thinning out and his eyes beginning to slightly glow as he stared at me. “What right do you have to be with my daughter?!”

“I-I don’t!” I quickly blurted out, placing the glass down and held my hands up in a playacting manner. “She asked me out first, I swear!”

“So your saying my daughter asked something like you out?!” Vlad all but shouted, slamming his glass on the table, his eyes still locked on me as a chill began to cover my body. “Did she give you a flower?!”

“Yes!” I suddenly shouted, unable to stop myself as my legs gave out and I fell to my knees, my eyes still locked with his.

“Good,” Vlad suddenly smiled, all the hostility from his eyes suddenly gone and replaced with a look of joy.

“W-what?” I asked, slowly getting back to my feet, a look of complete shock and confusion on my face.

“I’ve always been worried that my little butterfly wouldn’t find someone,” Vlad softly chuckled as he took another drink. “Let alone a human.”

“Uh…” I replied like an idiot.

“So tell me,” Vlad began leaning forward and looking at me. “How is my little butterfly these days? I don’t get much time to see her ever since she moved into Ponyville.”

“She’s… she’s been doing good,” I replied with a simple nod.

“Does she still have that blasted rabbit?” Vlad asked with an aggravated sigh. “Damn thing tried to bite my hoof last time I visited.”

“Yes she does,” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “He tried doing that to me too, so I sent him to bed without a carrot.”

“And that actually worked?” Vlad asked with a mirthful smirk.

“No, I ended up having to tie him up in his blanket and lock him in his little house for the night,” I chuckled. “I told Fluttershy that he had an upset stomach and she believed me.”

“I’m going to have to remember that,” Vlad laughed as he finished his drink. I couldn’t help but join in as the tension in the room slowly faded away.

“I hear you are also forming a herd?” Vlad asked with a raised brow.

“Y-yes,” I replied, becoming slightly uncomfortable again. “Fluttershy wants one and I’m not really going to tell her no.”

“The old me would find that abhorrent,” Vlad sighed as he leaned back. “But when you’ve been around as long as I have…”

“Uhm… what do you mean?” I asked.

“Kid, I’m well over 2000 years old,” Vlad chuckled mirthfully.

I simply stared at him for several moments before laughing myself.

“Right,” I chuckled out. “and the ‘T’ and ‘I’ in your name are for ‘The Impaler’.”

“Oh, so you have heard of me,” Vlad commented his eyes lighting up slightly. “And here I thought that nickname had died out back on earth.”

“Wait, you’re telling the truth?” I asked, suddenly stopping my chuckled and looking at the stallion with a bit more fear than should be humanly possible. I remember looking up some information on the man after seeing a Dracula movie and the man truly was a monster. “B-but you died in the late 1400’s, you even had three sons.”

“Then either your horribly misinformed or you’re not from my earth,” Vlad sighed as he closed his eyes. “I never married nor had any children when I was human and I don’t know what you mean by ‘1400’s’.”

“Did you really impale your enemies and place them on pikes outside your kingdom?” I asked abruptly, intrigued to learn some history from someone who was there, weather it was mine or theirs not mattering.

“Oh yes,” Vlad chuckled as a fang filled smirk suddenly appeared on his face, his eyes still closed. “I remember the days before I arrived here, looking out and seeing my work and knowing my people were safe.”

“How are you still alive though?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Oh, I died several years before I arrived here,” Vlad replied as he opened his eyes. “I truly loved my home and its people, so when my enemy’s threatened them…”

“You made a deal with the devil,” I finished as I instinctively took a step back.

“I died afterword’s, but woke up as something so much more shortly after,” Vlad said as he stared into a nearby candles flame. “I had gained the power to protect my people, but lost so much in the process.

“Where I would once simply dunk my bread in my enemy’s blood, I needed to openly consume it to survive. Where the sun once warmed my body and soul, it now burned like a roaring fire…so much changed.”

The room fell into silence as Vlad stared into the flame, never blinking or diverting his gaze.

I on the other hand, had no idea what I was going to do.

“So, you’re a vampire?” I asked.

“They call it vampony here, but yes,” Vlad shrugged. “Over the years, I’ve learned to change and see things differently. I became the Captain of Luna’s guard when her and Celestia were still young, and about thirty years ago, I met my soul mate while in Cloudsdale.”

“Is she a vampony like your or…?” I asked, finding myself more curious than afraid.

“Not when we met, no,” Vlad said with a small smile. “When she found out though, she simply asked to be a mother first. She was turned shortly after my butterfly turned five.”

“Wait, so Fluttershy’s a daywalker?” I asked as everything about the mare seemed to make so much sense. Her connection to animals, her strength, her natural beauty and her “Stare”. “That explains so much!”

“What the buck’s a ‘daywalker’?” Vlad asked with a confused look before brushing it off and taking another drink.

“This world really likes to throw me for loop,” I said while finishing off my second drink. I didn’t know what it was, but it was beginning to taste pretty good as well as give me that funny spinning feeling.

“That’s life for you,” Vlad replied before filling my glass once again. I simply nodded my head while drinking from the glass again, finishing it off quickly.

“Why ish the rum, alwaysh gone?” I muttered out as my mind became hazy.

“Chris… Chris…” a quiet voice seemed to call out past my pounding head.

“I…need…a…” I tried to reply, recognizing that I was suffering from a hangover instantly.

“What you need to do, is get out of my room,” the voice said, slightly more recognizable but still a mystery to me.

“Electrolytes…” I groaned, my eyes clamped shut as light began to register in them. “It’s what plants need.”

“You’re going to need more than electrolytes if you don’t get out…” the voice growled, now recognizable to the point that I realized who it was.

“Uhg… the sun tyrant has found me,” I groaned out playfully, recognizing Celestia’s voice finally.

“I’ll have you know, that I am widely loved by all my little ponies,” Celestia replied, agitation clear in her voice.

“They love your flank!” I chuckled, still slightly drunk form whatever it was I drank the night before. “All hail, the great flank!”

“LUNA!” Celestia suddenly shouted, almost crushing my brain with its intensity.

“Gah!” I groaned out as a bright flash made it through my eyelids.

“Thank mother, you found him,” Luna’s voice sighed in release. “Where is…”

“Get him out of my closet before I do something I’ll regret,” Celestia growled as I felt the temperature rise slightly.

“I don’t wanna go to school today…” I groaned out like a small child. “All the cool kids are skipping.”

“Get out of my closet and put some damn cloths on!” Celestia suddenly shouted, causing another horrid ringing in my head.

It was at this point that I finally decided to open my eyes, only to close them as the light was too bright to handle.

“Can someone turn the lights down?” I almost begged, slowly bringing my hand to cover my face as a small bout of nausea swept over me.

“It’s actually a little dark in here,” Luna replied, a slight tone of disappointment in her voice.

“Where…what happened?” I forced out, trying my best to focus my mind and remember last night. Everything past the third drink with Vlad was a complete blur.

“Thou got drunk, got into a fight with a passing guard, shouting something about being too sexy for your shirt, stripped naked and then proceeded to disappear, leaving quiet the mess in your wake,” Luna listed off, giggling slightly throughout it.

“And this morning, I wake up to find my room in shambles and you hiding in my closet completely naked!” Celestia growled.

“Oh…” I replied as what they said finally reached my jumbled mind.

Both my hands quickly found my crotch, covering my shame as the words escaped my mouth.

“It gets bigger, I swear!”

“Bwahahahah!” Spike laughed hysterically.

“Its not that funny…” I replied, ashamed of what had happened. Last night was my first time ever being black out drunk and it apparently went horribly.

After the whole debacle in Celestia’s room, I quickly sobered up and got dressed in my cammies before going down for breakfast to find Spike and Twilight there already.

“Wait, wait, wait…” Twilight tried to say, her own laughter barley being contained. “What did he shout as he ran through the castle naked?”

“Someone help! I just escaped Celestia’s chambers!” Luna bellowed out in laughter.

Celestia, for her part, just glared strait death at me. I was positive that if I looked up from the empty plate in front of me, she would incinerate me.

“It was… It was at that point… that he just about disappeared,” Luna wheezed between her laughs. Another round of laughter filled the room, including from several servants and guards.

The only two not laughing were me and Celestia.

“Remind me to dock Captain Vlad’s pay…” Celestia growled under everyone’s laughter.

I still stayed silent as the laughter died down.

“Speaking of whom, where is he?” Luna questioned. “He was not in his office this morning.”

“I don’t know and I don’t care,” Celestia growled as another set of pancakes were placed in front of her. The food barely sitting for a second before Celestia began to eat again.

“Maybe…maybe he went home?” I offered, finally deciding to speak through the embarrassment.

“Captain Vlad lives in the Officers’ quarters most days,” Twilight replied. “His room is right next to my brother’s, so I’ve seen him once or twice.”

“Bet you didn’t know he’s Fluttershy’s dad, though,” I couldn’t help but chuckle out. The completely shocked looks of both Spike and Twilight quickly drew out more laughs from the room, including me this time.

“Actually…” Celestia suddenly said with a raised brow. “Shining Armor didn’t report to me this morning either.”

“Is that a common thing?” I asked, dreading the idea that I may have done something to the guy in my drunken stupor.

“No, its not,” Celestia replied before turning to a nearby guard. “Lt. Iron, have you seen the Captain this morning?”

“No, ma’am,” the stallion replied. “When he didn’t show up for morning briefing, we sent a guard to go find him. He’s yet to return.”

“And none of this worries you?” I asked the guard, shocked by the completely off handed way he spoke of this.

“The Captain is more than able to handle himself in any situation and it would only cause unrest if we ended up sending half the guard looking for him,” the stallion replied.

“I-I’m sure he’s okay,” Twilight worriedly added. “He probably forgot to set his alarm this morning.”

“You ponies have alarm clock’s?” I asked aloud as the dining hall’s room suddenly opened and a single guard rushed in.

“We-we found both Captains your highnesses,” the guard both panted and slightly chuckled.

“Oh, this I gotta see,” I grinned, pulling my phone out of my pocket and turning the camera on.

“Kodak moment!” I quietly chuckled as I took a few quick pictures of what lay in front of us.

The guard had led our group out into the gardens, specifically to one of the fountains.

“How did they get up there?” Spike asked scratching his head at the scene.

“It was probably me,” I chuckled while tacking another pic, ensuring that I was in it as well.

The fountain had three levels that basically over filled each other so that it all cascaded down. Both Shining Armor and Vlad lay passed out in the heist level against one another. Shining armor was in a maid’s uniform while Vlad had a pink dress and matching umbrella. Both also seemed to be waring mascara and lip stick.

“Why would you do that?” Twilight asked, an aghast look on her face.

“I was drunk last night,” I replied, putting my phone back into my pocket. “If they’re still asleep, that probably means that they both were too.”

“I’m sorry, but my brother doesn’t get drunk,” Twilight replied matter of factly, a smug smile on her face. But that quickly disappeared when said stallion suddenly twitched awake and threw up over the side.

“Buck my life,” Shining loudly groaned out after a few final rounds of dry heaving.

“Shut the buck up ya twit, I’m trying to sleep,” Vlad’s harsh voice suddenly replied before the stallion began to push Shining farther away from him. This resulted in Shining falling down to the next level with a loud splash.

“Fuck, I already put my phone away!” I complained as two Pegasus guards flew up and pulled the sputtering stallion out of the second level.

“Where am I? What’s going on?” Shinning asked with a pained look on his face.

“This is what our guards have become…” Celestia groaned as her sister continued to fight back the laughter she had since we arrived.

“Well ma’am you’re late for work,” I chuckled out quickly pulling my phone back out and recording what was happening.

“What the hell happened last night!?” Shining shouted as he finally noticed me.

“Spike did it!” I replied quickly, pointing at the dragon.

“Uhg, I think I drank to much” Shining grumbled as he got onto wobbly hooves. He tried to move forwards, but his hoof got caught on the skirt of the uniform and he fell on his face.

I quickly put my phone back away before moving over and helping the stallion up.

“I’m fine, I’m fine” Shining quickly said as he pushed me away.

“Just take a seat for a moment,” I tried to say.

“I said I’m fine!” Shining shouted, causing several startled gasps from the crowd. “I’ll be good, I just need to clear my head.”

Before anyone could say anything, the stallion turned and left, tearing the dress off with his magic as he walked.

What followed were several moments of silence before Vlad began to laugh hysterically.

“What the fuck happened last night?” I asked looking around, receiving nothing but shrugs and confused looks from everyone.

“You and he got into a bit of a drinking contest last night,” Vlad called down from his perch, still in the pink dress and using the umbrella to shield himself from the sun. “That and you told him your sister was in your herd.”

“You did what?!” Twilight shouted as she looked at me in shock.

“What the fuck did you give me last night?!” I shouted to Vlad, the stallion adapting a devious grin.

“Moonlight whisky,” Vlad replied. “Quiet delicious and very potent and good for getting ponies to speak and act honestly.”

“And the dress?” Celestia groaned as she rubbed the side of her head with a hoof.

“I have no idea,” Vlad shrugged before jumping out of the fountain, looking as sober as possible.

“After a couple glasses, you apparently thought you were invincible and rushed out of my office,” Vlad began as he began to remove the dress, a unicorn guard coming over and ensuring that the umbrella kept him covered.

“You rushed back into the throne room, punched a guard out, shouted “Oh Rah” or something like that and then ran back out and towards the barracks,” Vlad explained.

“And when did my brother get involved?” Twilight asked with a heavy groan of her own.

“Some time later,” Vlad replied. “I lost sight of him for a bit and when I found him again, he and Armor were having a drinking contest, which your brother won by the way.”

“I’m so proud of him…” Twilight grumbled with a disgruntled look.

“The two of you were so dunk that he told you that he was your opponent for today and you told him that you were dating his sister,” Vlad laughed as the unicorn guard seemed to frown at still having to hold the umbrella for the stallion.

“Sister, why would thou choose thy captain for this?” Luna asked with a worried expression.

“Because at the time he seemed like a good choice,” Celestia replied while glaring at me with a new intensity. “And this is also the first that I am hearing of my student’s new relationship.”

“I-it kind of just started,” Twilight replied sheepishly, as she leaned against my side. “Fluttershy asked me a week ago if I wanted to… so I thought, why not? I mean, you wanted me to learn about friendship Princess, and being with somepony romantically is just like that.”

“So, I’m a class assignment now?” I asked in a joking hurt manner.

“Quiet you,” Twilight replied with a playful shove.

“Well, your warrior is now suffering from a hangover, sister,” Luna told Celestia with her own sigh.

“I am so embarrassed…” Twilight sighed as her body sagged.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about, Twilight,” Celestia assured with a calming smile. “Why don’t you and Spike go and prepare for the match while we finish our discussion?”

“Yes, Princess,” Twilight replied before looking up at me. Before anyone could stop her, she quickly hopped up and gave me a kiss on the cheek before rushing off with a slightly glowing face.

“Hey, wait or me!” Spike called as he ran to catch up with Twilight.

“That was cute,” Luna giggled as we watched the two reenter the castle.

“She was a lot more forward the other night,” I commented with my own chuckle. But that quickly tampered off as I felt Celestia’s glare at me once again.

“While I should be commending my student for following her heart,” Celestia began through gritted teeth. “I will leave you with one warning and one warning only.”

“Yeah yeah, don’t hurt her or cause her to cry and that kind of stuff, right?” I waved off, already knowing what she was going to say.

Celestia simply stared at me, her eyes flashing a rose like red for a split second before she stormed off.

“Thou should be careful our student,” Luna commented with a slight smirk. “Our sister will only take so much before she, as they say, snaps.”

“Oh, five bits says she actually enjoys it,” I chuckled. “But lets talk about this fight, now that I know that my opponent will be able to mop the floor with my face.”

“There is no need to worry, my student!” Luna proclaimed as she began to lead the way to god knows where. “This competition is to test thy skill with magic, so we have decided to have a point’s based competition.”

“So, depending on what kinda magic trick I do, I’ll get points for it?” I asked, trying to understand her.

“No, for every time thou hits thy opponent with magic as either the main focus or as an aid, thou shall receive a point,” Luna explained. “The same shall go for Captain Armor and whom so ever amasses fifteen points first, shall be the victor.”

“Well, that sounds better than going at it until one of us keels over,” I shrugged. That info alone did wonders to calm my nerves, seeing as the closest thing to a real fight I’ve ever had was back in boot camp when they made us box in protective gear.

The guy they paired me with ended up having been a professional kick boxer before joining and he apparently blacked out when the instructors gave the ‘go’. It took two drill instructors to pull him off of me before he could actually hurt me.

“While we would like thou to truly battle against a comparable opponent, we realize that thou still has much to learn before then,” Luna sighed, slightly disappointed.

We traveled in silence after that for a few minutes until entering another portion of the castle. This one filled to the brim with guards.

“This is the main guard’s barracks,” Luna answered my unasked question. “There are several fields meant for practice matches here, including the one you and Captain Armor shall be using.”

“So, how big is this going to be?” I asked while looking at some watching guards. Every now and then I noticed a small bag being passed around between a few sets of guards.

“While it was not made truly public, there will most likely be an audience of guards and staff,” Luna replied with a little giggle.

“And you didn’t give me a chance to see my hair stylist?” I chuckled, suddenly a little off put by the knowledge of a crowed.

Luna simply shook her head with a chuckle as we continued through the barracks.

A few minutes later, we left the barracks through a side door out into a large field that had several wooden fenced areas that currently sat empty.

Behind all those was a larger one where several guards were working on setting up seats and bleachers.

“So, this is it?” I asked as we came up to the field. It was about the size of half a football field and was nothing but sand and dirt. But for some reason, all I could do was wonder how a place this big and open existed on a steep mountain.

“Yes, we are disappointed as well,” Luna sighed. “The one at our old castle was far bigger.”

As I looked over the level field, several groups of guards and staff began to take their seats, leaving a large opening in the middle of two bleachers where two larger chairs sat.

“Do thou have everything?” Luna asked me with a raised brow.

“I think,” I replied while digging through the pockets of my cammies. I quickly found my new sword as well as my wallet and phone.

“Want me to watch those for you?” Spike asked, appearing out of nowhere.

“Holy shoit!” I blurted while jumping back, crashing into something behind me.

“Wah!” Twilight called out as I tripped over her and the both of us ended up on the ground.

“Opps…” Spike replied as he looked down at us. “You two okay?”

“I’m good,” I muffled out, somehow ending up directly under Twilight in the fall. I wasn’t complaining though, the mare’s tail smelled like lavender.

“So-sorry,” Twilight stuttered as she quickly got back to her hoofs, and dusting herself off.

“No prob, Twi,” I chuckled while getting back up. Luckily, my things had only fallen a few feet away and Spike had already grabbed them.

“Here you go, Chris,” Spike said as he handed me my sword.

“Thanks,” I said before putting it into a cargo pocket.

“Are you ready, Chris?” Twilight asked me as she looked back at the field. The bleachers had almost been fully filled and Luna had apparently decided to go take her seat as well.

“Nope,” I replied nonchalantly. “But whoever truly is?”

“This isn’t something to joke about,” Twilight pointed out. “My brother is Captain of the guard and he’s very well trained.”

“I’ll figure something out Twi, don’t worry,” I chuckled as Celestia suddenly appeared in a flash of magic in her seat. While she looked happy as she greeted those around her, her gaze quickly went hostile again as she looked towards me.

“Hey, Chris?” Spike called, causing me to look down at him as he held out my phone. “Can I listen to some of your music while you fight?”

“Uh, sure,” I shrugged as I unlocked the phone and loaded the music app. From there, I knew he had it figured out. “Just don’t let anyone else touch it, got it?”

“Got it!” Spike saluted before rushing off towards the princess with my phone and wallet.

“Please, be careful Chris,” Twilight said before turning to leave. “I don’t think Fluttershy would be happy with me if my brother hurt you too bad.”

“I’ll be fine Twilight,” I waved off as the mare quickly went to join Spike and the others.

“You seem pretty confident,” Valiant’s voice echoed from behind me. Looking behind me, I found the mare walking up to me wearing a pair of filled saddlebags. “It’ll take more than dumb luck to beat Shining Armor, even if it’s just a point’s competition.”

“I’ll figure something out,” I chuckled out while looking back at the field. The seats were filled and it looked like we were simply waiting for Shining Armor to show up. “Whats with the bags?”

“I’m not a guard anymore,” Valliant chuckled. “Can’t really stay in the barracks now can I?”

“I guess not,” I chuckled as well. “So, where you heading to?”

“Ponyville, duh,” Valliant replied with a grin. “Or do you believe in long distance relationships.”

“I was just asking,” I mumbled back. “You need a place to stay though? I still got an open room at my place.”

“No, I got a friend I’ll be staying with,” Valiant replied. “She even got me a job on the local police force too.”

“Ponyville has a police force?” I asked seriously, completely caught off guard by that.

“Yeah, but I hear they don’t do much,” she giggled with a devious smirk. “You wouldn’t mind helping a mare stay in shape?”

I simply looked at her for a few moments before the both of use broke out into laughter.

“Well, I have a train to catch,” Valiant said after a few minutes of laughter. “You’ll be back tomorrow right?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow Heart,” I replied with a smile and a nod.

“See ya stud,” Valiant winked before walking off, swaying her flank provocatively the whole time.

Unfortunately, as she walked inside, Shining Armor walked out in his unique purple armor.

“Ma’am, what happened to your uniform?” I joked as the stallion pushed past me, not even bothering to look at me. He simply kept a calm expression as he stepped into the field and proceeded to wait.

Giving myself a second, I proceeded to enter the field as well, making sure to distance myself from Shining Armor.

“Now that both competitors are here, let me explain the challenge,” Celestia began, surprising me by being the announcer. “This is a non-timed event where either Captain Armor or Christopher the human are to accumulate fifteen points. The first to amass these points, wins.

“To gain a point, you must strike your opponent with either magic or with something that used the aid of magic. Anything blocked with magic does not count as a point for either party.”

At this point I noticed Celestia’s horn flash once as a small dome surrounded the field.

“For those of you who don’t know,” the princess began to explain looking towards the crowed. “I have placed a dulling spell over the field so as to prevent serious injuries.”

“Let it also be known that any shots ‘below the belt’, as they say, are not tolerated,” Luna added.

“Yes,” Celestia nodded before turning to look at both me and Shining Armor. “If the two of you would please meet in the middle and shake hoof, we can begin this match.”

“Right…” I sighed reluctantly while moving toward Shining Armor. He still had the same focused look as he did when he first walked in and all it did was unsettle me.

Once we reached the middle, Shining was the first to hold his hoof out, and being the kind of person I was, I leaned down and grabbed it with my right hand and then grabbed just over that with my left.

“Brother!” I greeted while giving the hoof a shake. This action seemed to get a small frown from the stallion before I began to pull away.

Or tried to at least.

“If I win, I want you to stay away from my sister,” Shining almost growled as he seemed to grip my right arm tightly.

“And if I win, you have to spend a week in that maid’s outfit, doing their job,” I replied before jerking my hand away. With that, I began to walk to the other end of the field, activating my magic and focusing on making the ‘devil arms’ as I’ve come to call them.

“On my mark,” Celestia called, raising one hoof once me and Shining were in position, before dropping it. “Begin!”

Allowing the idea and image to form in my mind, I immediately threw my right hand out, watching as an enlarged spectral hand raced toward Shining Armor.

While it was obvious that my action caught him off guard, he still had enough time to side step out of the way.

“You’re going to have to do better than…” Shining, began to say, only to be interrupted when I swung at his head with my left arm while flying past him.

“Christopher, one,” Luna proudly called out. While actually striking Shining with the initial swipe would have been good, I knew it could fail.

So my actual target was one of the wooden posts behind the stallion. I used it as an anchor to pull myself toward the stallion faster than I could have on foot. The only problem with it was that I ended up bashing my side into the post to stop myself.

Before I had a chance to fully correct myself I suddenly found myself weightless once again as I was flung back from where I came.

“Shining Armor, one,” Celestia called out as I crashed back down in a small heap. While the spell Celestia cast helped with the impact, I still ended up breathless.

“Not a bad first strike,” Armor chuckled as he allowed me to stand back up. “But it won’t be happening again.”

I could only groan as a resounding cheer came from the spectators. But I quickly pushed out that they were watching, knowing that it would only cause me to panic.

“Oh, don’t you worry, I got a whole bag of tricks to show you,” I replied with my own confident smile, drawing my lips back so as to reveal my teeth.

Rushing forward, I put everything I could into getting to Shining as fast as possible.

I barely blinked before I found myself just inches from the stallion, and while it was a shock to both of us, I didn’t let it stop me from delivering a right handed uppercut quickly followed by a left handed jab.

“Gah!” Shining grunted as the combo was enough to lift him from the ground and launch him towards the back fence posts.

“Christopher two, Shining Armor one,” Luna stated over several small cheers, mostly those of Spike.

“How was that for ya, pretty boy?” I chuckled out, slightly out of breath. I was still trying to figure out how I got from one side of the field to the other so fast, but I knew that I could just ask afterword’s to find out. “Now what ya got?”

The stallion quickly regained his footing before suddenly disappearing in a flash of magic.

“How about this!” Shining grunted as he instantly reappeared behind me. From there, I felt a quick impact to the back of my right leg, causing me too lose my footing and drop to a knee.

Before I could stand back up, I felt the stallion grab the back of my blouses collar with his magic and quickly flung me back.

“Shining Armor three, Christopher two,” Celestia called out.

Once I landed, I looked up only to be greeted by two magenta spheres that quickly introduced themselves, sending me even farther back.

“Shining Armor five, Christopher two,” Celestia’s voice called out rather smugly if I had to say.

“Just give up already,” Shining Armor called out with a smile as he let me stand back up. “I’m sure you realize that I’m holding back.”

“Shut it candy ass,” I growled back, now annoyed. I quickly raised my arms to go into a combat stance only to find that the devil arms were gone.

“Looks like somepony lost their focus,” Shining chuckled as he sent a wave of magic towards me.

Rolling to the side to dodge, I tried to focus on reapplying the guise. Unfortunately, a quick follow up from Shining’s last attack prevent me from doing that while also pushing me farther away from him.

“Shining Armor six, Christopher two,” Celestia called out. As I recovered from the last strike, I noticed Luna looking slightly annoyed.

“God damn it,” I groaned out while pulling out my sword. Seeing as Shining armor wouldn’t let me reapply the devil arms, I was going to have to go with plan b.

“I hope to god this works,” I prayed while releasing the blade, and holding it out in front of me with both hands.

“Okay, that was kind of cool,” Shining called out from his position, a slight look of amazement in his eyes. “But you do realize that you will have to get close to me to use that, right?”

“I don’t suppose you would just let me come over there and get a couple swings in, would ya?” I asked, putting on a slightly hopeful grin.

“No,” Shining simply replied with his own smile.

“I thought as much,” I sighed while focusing my magic on my blade. I had no idea if what I was about to do would work, but if it did. I would have this match in the bag.

“Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to do something? I actually have a busy day today,” Shining chuckled at me.

“Just shut up already!” I groaned while taking my sword in my right hand and placing the tip just behind me.

“Demon Fang!” I shouted out as I swung the blade into an uppercut and released my hold on the magic in it.

As my blade left the ground, the energy inside it released and continued forward, making it to and striking Shining faster than he could react.

Ignoring the calls and looks of shock from the crowd, I rushed forward, once again flashing in front of the stallion.

“Sword Rain!” I shouted out while stabbing forward with the blade as well as releasing more magic. The effect worked as I hopped as several specter like blades quickly followed behind my initial strike in a short rain of stabs.

“Damn!” Shining grunted as he dodged the initial blade, but ended up getting struck four times by its spectral partners.

“Christopher seven, Shining Armor five,” Luna proudly called out as a cheer from the crowd followed.

“Not bad,” Shining grunted as he blasted me back with a quickly formed shield, earning him another point. “But flashy moves aren’t going to help you win.”

Before I could respond I was quickly blasted from behind from something I hadn’t seen.

“You do realize I’m still holding back, right?” Shining continued as I suddenly found my legs swept out from under me.

Once again I was unable to answer as several magic orbs rushed towards me. One, sticking me in the chest and lifting me into the air and two more following after and smashing me into the ground.

“Shining Armor ten, Christopher seven,” Celestia slightly cringed.

Almost instantly, my body was forced up and into a standing position with my arms held out.

“Now then,” Shining began as he came up to me and looked up at me with a smug smile. “I’m giving you one last chance to give up. What do you say?”

“I’m upgrading the uniform to pink,” I grunted out as I began to push out whatever magic I had in hopes of escaping. Unfortunately, that was a battle I ended up losing as a head ache quickly formed and I lost concentration.

“Nice try, but you’ll need a few years more training to get out of that,” Shining chuckled as he got in two more magic strikes.

I could only grunt in agitation as I glared at the stallion. I had been afraid of ending up in this situation and honestly hoped that it wouldn’t happen. But after a few moments, I noticed my headache slowly disappearing and it reminded me of my trump card.

I could absorb magic.

Even as Shining got another hit in, I began to focus on the strange feeling I had whenever my body came into contact with magic, hoping to increase the draining effect.

“That’s thirteen you know,” Shining chuckled as he stepped in front of me. He simply looked at me with a cocky grin for a few moments before he began to frown.

“What the…” Shining groaned out as his magical hold on me fell as he rubbed his forehead.

Before he could react, I quickly reached out and grabbed his horn, continuing to drain him of his magic.

“My turn,” I smiled before throwing the surprisingly light stallion over my head.

Even before he hit the ground, I was racing towards him, putting more magic into the blade still in my grasp.

“Tiger Blade!” I shouted, keeping the stallion airborne with an uppercut strike, launching myself into the air with him. I quickly followed with a downwards strike slamming him into the ground like he had done to me. Both strikes counting as my blade was coated in magic.

“Damn it,” Shining grunted as he hit the ground. Before I could follow up with another attack, the stallion quickly flashed away, appearing back on his hooves a few feet away.

“I don’t know how you did that, but don’t think it’s over,” Shining growled as he charged at me.

“Demon Fang!” I shouted, swinging my blade up from the ground but not releasing the magic I was putting into it. While this was enough to cause Shining to create a shield, it was not what I really planned on.

Putting as much magic into the blade as I could, I released it, allowing it to fly up into the air at a continues spin. A moment later, I followed behind it, jumping higher than normal as I doded the stallions charge, meting the blade half way and, shockingly, grabbing it by its handle.

“Sky Dragon SlashSky Dragon SlashSky Dragon Slash!” I shouted as I came crashing into the ground, forcing the blade down into the dirt. With that, a giant shock wave escaped the blade, ignoring me and blasting the still nearby stallion several feet away with a violent clash.

“Christopher eleven, Shining Armor thirteen,” Luna called out as I slumped down for a moment. My entire body felt drained as I took a moment to catch my breath. The last attack didn’t have the kind of range I hoped because of how low on magic I was, but it still took more out of me than I thought.

“Buck that hurt,” I heard Shining groan from behind me. Looking back, I saw the stallion get back to his hooves, his mane and visible coat covered in dirt and a small trail of blood coming from a busted lip.

“Plenty where that came from,” I panted as I stood back up. Reaching for my sword, I attempted to pull it up, but a small ‘tink’ sound filled me with slight dread.

“Aw man…” I groaned as looked at my now broken sword. Over half the blade was still embedded into the ground, while the rest was attached to the handle in my hand.

“Oh, tough brake colt,” Shining chuckled as he wiped off his chin with a hoof. “But I think it’s time I ended this.”

Before I could move, Shining blasted me with the largest wave of magic I had felt yet, flinging me across the field.

“Shining Armor fourteen, Christopher eleven,” Celestia called aloud, her eyes watching me tumble across the ground with slight worry as my world began to blur.

Twilight and the others couldn’t help but cringe as they saw Chris’s head make solid contact with one of the fence post with an audible ‘thunk’.

“Oh, that had to hurt,” Spike commented as he held Chris’s phone to the side of his head so that only he could hear the music coming from it.

“Sister, he’s not moving,” Luna worriedly said as she used her magic to secure the humans glasses, which had fallen off in the last attack.

“The spell should have prevented him from getting too hurt,” Celestia replied, still watching Chris.

“Chris, get up!” Twilight shouted at the prone man laying several yards away.

“It’s no use Twi, he’s out cold,” Shining chuckled, drawing everyone’s attention. “Let’s get him to the—“

“BANG!”

“Gah!” Shining Armor cried out as something impacted his chest, visibly cracking the armor he wore and causing the stallion to be pushed back with a heavy cringe.

Startled by the sudden sound, everypony looked back towards Chris, who was now kneeling on one leg, a strange black object held in his hands as he held it against his chin. The front pointed clearly at Shining Armor as he looked through a small telescope attached to the objects top.

With barely a twitch of his finger, the object released a flash and another ‘bang’ before Shining suddenly got hit again, his armor unable to withstand a second strike and fell apart where he stood.

“How did you?” Shining groaned as the strikes had defiantly bruised his ribs. He knew that, had it not been for his armor and Celestia’s spell, he’d have two new breathing holes.

Before he could even register it, a golden shield appeared before him, stopping several more shots from reaching him.

“This match is over,” Celestia suddenly called out, her horn glowing brightly. As she said this, Luna flashed away before appearing behind Chris.

With a quick tap of her horn, the human slumped to the ground. The object in his hands dissipating into smoke as he slipped fully into the dream realm.

The entire field remained silent as everypony watched the unconscious human for several moments.

“That will be all everypony,” Celestia suddenly told the crowd. “Under no circumstances are you to tell anypony or anything what you just saw!”

With quick words of agreement, the stands quickly emptied, leaving the princesses, Spike, Twilight, Shining Armor and the sleeping human as the only inhabitants.

“What… what was that?” Shining Armor asked as he made his way towards the human with a scowl. His chest hurt horribly, but that wasn’t his concern at the moment. The human had been hiding a weapon that tore through his captain’s armor while under a spell from Princess Celestia.

“Something very dangerous,” Celestia replied as she walked over to the stallion to inspect the damage.

“Shining, are you okay?” Twilight asked as she rushed over to her brother as well. She could already see some bruises developing under his fur.

“I’m fine sis,” Shining replied without taking his eyes off of the human.

“Is Chris okay?” Spike asked as he and Princess Luna inspected the sleeping human. Aside from a bit of magical exhaustion and a red bump on his head, he seemed fine.

“He is fine, young Spike,” Luna replied while staring at Chris with a mixture of concern and worry.

“Fine?!” Shining shouted as he moved up to the human. “He just tried to kill me! If I had been wearing a regular guards armor, I would have at least had some broken ribs!”

“Shining, I’m positive Christopher wouldn’t try to hurt you like that,” Twilight said, putting herself between her brother and herd mate.

“Twilight, he’s dangerous,” Shining tried to explain.

“And so are you, Shining!” Twilight replied with a slight frown.

“We apologize for our students actions, Captain Armor,” Luna said as she came up to the stallion. “But it seems that he had blacked out from the force of your last strike at him.”

“If that’s what he does when he blacks out, we can’t let him around other ponies,” Shining quickly replied as he glared at the human.

“His actions are merely due to the circumstances,” Luna replied sternly. “He was wounded, unable to see and knew that he would be attacked. Any creature would lash out to defend themselves at that point.”

“If I had to guess,” Celestia began to add. “What we just saw was a weapon he is probably very familiar with from his world. He was part of their military, so it’s more than possible that he has handled weapons of that caliber. Did he ever show you something like that before sister?”

“No, he has not,” Luna replied.

“I think I saw it before,” Spike said as he held up Chris’s phone. “He showed me some picture of what he looked like before coming here and I think one of them had that thing.”

A few moments later Spike showed a picture of Chris from his world. The colors were dull compared to what everypony was used to, but there was still enough to recognize Christopher’s face.

In the picture, Chris stood outside a strange looking white carriage wearing his cammies, a tan wool hat, black gloves and a large tan like vest. But what stood out the most was the item in his hands. He had the tip pointing at the ground and his hands seemed to be grasping the back end of it, but everypony could recognize it.

“I think he called it a…gun?” Spike offered. “He wouldn’t tell me much, only that every marine trained with it at least once a year.”

“To think that humans could create such a thing,” Shining commented.

“It was probably through necessity,” Twilight replied as she looked closer at the photo. “He once asked me how many wars we’ve had and when I told him that there have only been a few in the past thousand years, he laughed and told me how his had at least four occurring just before he came here.”

“This is not the kind of place where we should be discussing this though,” Luna said as she levitated Chris up in her magic, the human’s limbs dangling as she placed him on her back.

“What are you going to do with him?” Twilight asked.

“He shall rest in our room until he awakens,” Luna replied, hiding a devious smirk behind her mane. “Come tomorrow, he should be well enough to travel home.”

“Captain Armor, you should go to the medical ward,” Celestia replied. “I don’t want to take any chances that you might be more injured than we believe.”

“Yes Princess,” Shining nodded as he began to leave. He didn’t make it far before Twilight rushed after him, worried about his injuries.

“We shall ensure that Chris receives these when he awakens, Spike,” Luna said as she also took Chris’s wallet and Phone from Spike. “Thou should go with young Twilight and Captain Armor.”

“Uh… okay princess Luna,” Spike replied before rushing off himself.

Celestia and Luna stood in the field for a few more moments looking to ensure nopony was around before looking back at each other. Luna smiling smugly, while Celestia glared.

“We win sister,” Luna giggled.

“I don’t know what makes you think that,” Celestia growled.

“We counted at least five impacts to thy shield before we put Chris under a sleep spell,” Luna replied with a grin. “Technically, he won.”

Celestia glared at Luna for a few moments.

“I will get you back for this,” Celestia growled before stomping off.

“Remember sister, one month!” Luna called after her, doing her best to hide her laughs before looking at the passenger on her back with a sultry glance.

“Now to uphold my end of the deal.”

“Why does this always happen?” I groaned out as consciousness began to return to me.

Before opening my eyes, I took stock of what was happening. First was the feeling of a soft bed and blankets under me, meaning that the fight was over.

“I lost the fight didn’t I?” I asked aloud, that small feeling in the back of my mind telling me someone was nearby.

“Technically, thou won,” Luna’s voice whispered in my ear before I felt the bed under me shift.

“What happened?” I asked as I forced my eyes to slowly open. I immediately found myself in a large four poster bed with dark blue and purple drapes, all of which were open, revealing the large room around me.

“Thou ‘blacked out’ after, Captain Armors last attack,” Luna replied drawing my attention to her. Her muzzle was mere inches away from my head, my breath catching in my throat as I saw her.

Behind her, I could see a large open window with a balcony, a newly rising moon off in the distance.

But it wasn’t that sight that caused me to slightly panic, or how the moonlight seemed to make Luna glow.

“Thou has been asleep all day,” Luna giggled as she brought a white laced hoof to my bare chest and began to draw circles.

“We were quite worried,” Luna pouted before slowly bringing her muzzle closer to my face.

“L-Luna… what are you doing?” I asked as she nuzzled the side of my face as she crawled fully onto my chest.

“We are rewarding thou,” Luna breathed as she licked the side of my cheek. “Doest thou not remember our promise?”

“I-I do, its just…” I replied as I brought a hand up to stop her from licking me again. “Kinda thought I would have some time to prepare?”

“Thou have slept all day,” Luna softly wined as she pushed past my hand and gave a soft kiss to my chin. “And we have been waiting a long time for this.”

I was about to ask what she meant when she said that, but was preoccupied by Luna quickly diving in for a deep kiss.

“Perhaps thou would do better remaining silent?” Luna asked as she traveled downward with her kisses.

“B-but what about the match?” I asked as she kissed my chest. “What happened after I passed out? How was I getting to Shining Armor so fast? How-“

“There will be time for that later,” Luna giggled as she moved back up to my face. “All you need to know is that you were quite surprising.”

“O-okay,” I replied as Luna gave me another deep kiss. “But are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Art thou against sleeping with us?” Luna asked in worry. “Have our attempts been too strong?”

“Yes! I mean, No!” I quickly replied as I pushed her back enough to sit up. “I’m… I’m just confused.”

“Then let your teacher help you,” Luna purred as she dived in for a long kiss. As our tongues fought for dominance, I felt the mare drag one of her hooves down my chest towards my crotch.

“What do we have here?” Luna giggled as she looked down to...*Skrt*

Ghost! Ghostfacers!
We face the ghosts when others will not, we're-
Ghost! Ghostfacers!
Stay in the kitchen when the kitchen gets hot!
Ghost! Ghostfacers!
We face the nightmare, we face the dread!
Ghost! Ghostfacers!
We face the faceless--WE FACE THE DEAD!

In the haunted night, looking for the fight of our life
with the after-life!
When you trip and fall, into the super-natur-all
We're who you're gonna call,
cause we face them all!

*Skrt*

Author's Notes:

So, here's another chapter and as you can see... it's a whopper!

Like all the times before, quote the title and here are the answers for all the prior ones:

Chapter One: "Welcome to the World"

-Ovan says this as he meats Haseo from .Hack

Chapter Two: "Good men mean well. We just don't always end up doing well."

-Isaac Clarke says this in Dead Space 3

Chapter Three: "You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?"

-The mask seller in Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask

Chapter Four: "I like shorts! They're comfy and easy to wear!"

-Youngster trainers in the pokemon game series

Chapter Five: "I have an Angel on one shoulder, and a Devil on the other. I'm also deaf in one ear."

-Just a random quote I found... I can't quote it myself

Chapter Six: "Can't find a door, make your own!"

-Edward Elric from the Fullmetal Alchemist series