My Little Tactics

Chapter Eleven: Consolation Prize.

Celestia had called in a scribe to take notes now and a messenger to deliver a message to those documenting the events in the history books. He was now officially removed from the books. Dustan wouldn’t lie in that it stung just a little bit, but what choice did he have? The douche had moved too well to make sure that there was even a possibility of retaliation, and all for what? A small scorch mark that likely got healed the moment they got out.

With that out of the way the Princess of the Sun smiled to him. “That has now been taken care of but it’s time to talk about your reward.”

For a moment Dustan just blinked dumbly as his brain pieced her statement together. “Wait what? I thought my deeds were erased from history.”

“They have been indeed.” The white Alicorn told him as she swept her wing before her to touch the front of her chest. “However your deeds will live on in the hearts of those you rescued. As such you are entitled so some type of reward.”

One of the scribes moved over to him sliding a piece of parchment to him as he spoke. “That really isn’t necessary Princesses I am sure that-” He stopped what he was saying right away when he seen the number on the parchment. “Well if you are sure, I mean I really could use the money.”

Luna took over speaking once more. “Thou needs not worry about thine compensation and how to carry it either. We will see to it that thou obtains an account for banking over at humble Ponyville.”

“Nice, thank you.” He gave a bow as he said that and a tray of foods and drinks were rolled in.

“Refreshments, just in case we are here for a while.” The sun raiser told him.Some drinks were given out thanks to the server’s levitation. “Next, we have granted a scholar, one Mystic Quandary Magister-In-Training, a sum of bits to explore your magic. Since you are here I would consider it a personal favor if you could demonstrate it in pony or rather person if you could.”

He scratched his head at that considering how to go about it. “Well Princesses, right now I only know two spells. One that can heal wounds to a certain extent and the other can cause a bit of damage using fire.” Looking around he cringed at only seeing what looked like expensive items. “Seeing as I rather not destroy anything and nothing is harmed at the moment I can demonstrate neither.”

The pony in the white armor casually pulled out a dagger and moved over towards Dustan. He wouldn’t lie in that he wanted to go for his sword seeing that but stopped knowing that if either of the princesses wanted to this to happen, then not a force in the world could stop it. The pony merely took off the hoof guard of their left foreleg and ran the dagger across their frog making him wince.

“Thank you my knight.” Celestia said casually before taking a sip of tea. “Dustan would you mind showing us now?”

Giving a nod Dustan looked at the bleeding frog of the pony and admit that must suck as horribly as having a cut on the bottom of his foot would. Taking a moment he pulled at that calm power he felt from before and as such it took a good minute or two for it to respond but he seemed like it was coming easier. If that was truly the case or not he couldn’t tell.

“Life’s refreshing breeze, blow in energy. Cure.” His magic sprang out and started circling the pony who watched the ball of energy leave a trail around them then looked down to watch their cut heal up. “Was that good enough?”

The armored pony nodded and put the hoof guard back on and walked over to their place where Celestia leaned down to listen to their words, words that were too low for Dustan to hear. “Thank you for your report.” Sitting back up, she looked over to him and smiled. “Well Dustan, you have managed to unlock some very old magic, older then even myself or my sister.”

“Ok?” He was honestly confused. Equestria shouldn’t have seen this type of magic ever.

“This type of magic is from one of three old schools of magic, or at least uses the same system as one of them.” As she explained that she lifted her head and lit her horn before an image appeared between them on the table. “Of the three schools two are the most commonly known. Harmonic magic: of which all ponies use and derive their abilities from, even Pegasi and Earth Ponies.” An image of three ponies one each representing the tribes appeared. “This magic revolves around the inner power of ponies working together with the world to achieve feats beyond them.”

“I have already heard that explanation of how harmonic magic works your majesties.” The human knight told them only making the Solar Princess smile.

“That is very good to hear.” Far to the right of the three pony images another image came forth, a chimera like being made up of different parts though stylized to look like the ponies, he knew who this was from the show but said nothing. “The next source of magic is known as Chaotic Magic. This type of magic subverts the will of the world and reality itself by using the owner’s magic to break apart the thaumic field of the world then rearrange it to how they wish. This type of magic always leaves a type of residue that can linger for ages if left alone and tends to drive those that use it mad save for a few instances.”

He took the knowledge in and when the time came he hoped it would provide some helpful insight if Discord managed to find him when he escaped. Dustan also made a mental note to see if there were ways to neutralize the pollution that Discord would make.

His thoughts were interrupted as Celestia continued. “Last of the three is Neutral magic, one that doesn’t work with the thaumic field and one that doesn’t use it either. One that instead creates magic whole cloth from ones inner strength and will to make what they wish happen. That being said because of the ease of use of the other two fields this one has vanished from the knowledge of all that exists currently.”

“The only reason that We know of it is because our teacher Starswirl had an ancestor who was one of the last practitioners of the Neutral way.” The princess of the Night informed.

The light from Celestia’s horn vanished as she looked over to him. “It is true, while spontaneous users of the magic do appear from time to time, rarely has one ever shown the ability to control their power and even rarer are those that understand it.”

It started to make sense now as to why they were excited. “Which makes the reason for you sponsoring Mystic all the more valuable as it is a means to rediscover a lost branch of magic.”

“That is correct.” The pastel princess told him after she sipped her tea. “If we could study your magic and start to understand the process for which it is used, we can even start to branch out and have the other tribes with their own usable magic that can affect the world much like a unicorn can. My hope is that it will bring the tribes closer together as magic has been a source of boons as well as a curse.”

He could honestly see that, unicorns being what they are many might become jealous or lose hope from rising above their station; he had seen it a bit in the hopelessness when Applejack thought he was joking at the hospital. If that is common and ponies believe they are bound to what they are birthed, then that was a shame.

“Speaking of curse.” The Alicorn of the bright burning star in the sky said. “I have been informed via my most prized student that you carry a blade that is considered a cursed weapon in many lands including Equestria. Normally what it is she described would lead to many a being to be banished out right from our lands if not imprisoned, so we wish to hear the full truth from you as well as see the weapon in question.”

Giving a sigh, he had hoped Twilight had not right away blabbed about this to her teacher but better to say it now then hide it and look worse later. Slowly he took the sheathed blade from the side of the chair where he sat it and pulled it from its scabbard. The instant he had done so both knights tensed up and both Princesses looked at the scarlet sword with distain on their faces.

“Back in my lands, we are a people that value our minds and ingenuity along with personal freedom with utmost respect. You know beyond the normal bits that society has, like money and what is owned.” The joke while he thought was well timed didn’t make the situation any less tense. “As such magic is all but unheard of except in stories where I am from to the point where any human today, barring some strange exceptions, will say without a doubt magic doesn’t exist.” Pointing to the sword in question he continued. “That right there, used to be a wooden sword made as a prop.”

“We fail to see the joke of this line unlike thou’s last attempt.” Luna spoke rigidly.

“Oh it’s not a joke Princess.” He picked up the blade and examined it. “I carved it myself. Problem was I met someone who showed me magic was indeed still around and real when he froze me, then manhandled me to a table, took my sword from me and changed it before my eyes.” Running a finger along the edge carefully Dustan took note that its edge still held true. “What was wood became steel, or at least I assume its steel. It sure felt like it when he plunged it into my chest.”

The two knights became even more ridged as both princesses gasped. “But how-”

He cut Celestia off before she could continue and instead finished her thought for her. “Am I still alive?” He shrugged and set the sword down. “Honestly I was going to say more magic. There was another there, dressed similarly to the one who stabbed me. I can only guess that he was the one to save me somehow. Last I seen of him, I was bleeding out as he was asking me to forgive him for what he was about to do even as the blade in my chest was turning red. I am still not sure if it was from where it had stabbed me or if it was actually drinking my blood, but when I woke up it was entirely red and my wound was gone with no scar to even show for it.”

Both of the princesses looked towards one another before Celestia spoke. “We will have to discuss this in private Dustan, meanwhile please enjoy the snacks that have been provided.” Before he could even nod in response or anything, there was a glow from both princesses’ horns and they popped from existence in a teleport.

“I don’t suppose either of you know any good stories while I wait?” Neither knight bothered to move or even speak. “Right, terrific story, glad to hear it.”

Lunch came and went in silence as he had more than a handful of the sandwiches provided as well as a good bit of tea. Dustan was also lucky the private meeting room had a restroom adjacent to it or the maids would likely be rather upset with him when they found the plants already ‘watered’. Overall he was starting to doze off in his seat when the sound of a dual teleport appearing in front of the table startled him awake.

“Sonva-” The sound of a body hitting the ground and a chair clattering not long after rang through the room. “Warn a guy next time alright, or wear bells or something.”

As the human went to pick up the chair his eyes caught the glow of princessey magic surrounding his sword as it was levitated over to them. Both Princesses were silent though the occasional intensifying of their horn glows said something was happening. Dustan knew enough about high company to know when someone was busy intently thinking or examining something you risk yourself if you attempt to bother them. Seeing as these were the most powerful beings in Equestria, he wisely choose to take a seat.

Soon enough the sword was levitated back over to him and set down in front. “It is a rather unique blade indeed.” The guide of the sun told him. “It is indeed cursed sword bent on absorbing vitality, but the curse was twisted in such a way to only act on forces that aren’t its owner and then direct the stolen vitality back to the owner healing him. Such an attempt at twisting is not unheard of but rarely is it ever successfully done.”

“Glad to hear it isn’t a danger.” Dustan told them only to have them look at him curiously.

“Thou art misinformed if thou thinks thine weapon is not a danger.” The former mare on the moon told him. “Should thy choose leave thine sword sheathed in a pony, twould drain them dry.” The night sister looked to her older family and they exchanged a quick look before Luna’s head returned to look at him. “However, mine own sister thinks that thou art responsible enough where thou wouldn’t do such an act and We are inclined to believe her as We also came to the same conclusion.”

Picking up the stained weapon he sheathed it and bowed. “I thank you both for your trust then.”

There was a pop and a stack of papers then appeared in front of both sisters as well as a folder. They opened up the folder first and smiled. “Now then, my student has mentioned your species and has taken some…extensive notes about you.” The Alicorn teacher told him as she patted the stack. “I have gone through it and managed to create a brief summary of what it all says and will soon be submitting it to the Equestrian Biology Branch of studies to have your species officially added to our codex and have it publish the findings of Twilight. Would you mind looking over this folder and seeing if anything is out of place?”

The folder soon floated over to him and he opened up. “Lets see. Human, species classification homo sapiens, yadda, yadda, yadda.” Dustan kept reading finding notes about eating habits, bits of biology, even his senses before he found a note that made him laugh. “Claims that species is technologically superior but has found little in the way of evidence?”

Celestia nodded before chuckling. “That is what Twilight has claimed and I am inclined to agree with her. Your claim that your species has no magic leads me to believe that you are not as ahead as you might think.”

“Very possible, in some ways you likely have us beat since some things that stump us are solved with magic. I am just stating on a purely technological level if you compared one to the other Equestria would be in Human’s dark ages or middle age.”The knight told them only to see a look on their faces that spoke of a lack of understanding. “Around fifteen hundred years ago or so.”

Luna frowned as Celestia look intrigued. “Oh. I had a feeling you might say something like that, I would have let it go and would ask you later to show us some examples however when I was talking with my sister, she used a phrase she had learned recently. ‘Put your bits where your mouth is’ is basically what she wants you to do. These are some equations that came from our neighbors, the Minotaurs, who are more inclined towards building and technology as you say your people are. If you are as advanced as you say you are it should be a simple matter of solving them right? The Minotaur nation has proven our better in many things when it comes to this sort of thing and they say that this is one of their latest equations.”

With that the shorter of the two magicked up some documents in front of Dustan along with a quill and inkwell. “I will do my best.” Looking down at the problems he thought he would have a tough time of this, math was never his personal strong suit in school though he didn’t do bad in it either. The thing was as he was looking at the problem and simply asked. “How is this possible?”

“Ahh We see that thou art stumped.” Luna cried out victoriously.

“No no no I don’t mean that.” Dustan said finding a headache wanting to come to him now as he contemplated what he just discovered. “You have machines that are the equal to appliances from my lands, ones that take a good bit of engineering, you use magic for electricity generation yet you don’t know algebra?”

“Algebra?” Celestia said giving a similar tilt to her head that her sister was currently giving.

“Holy crap you’re not joking!” Dustan held his hands up to cradle his head. “How does your society function, you have all kinds of different things cobbled together. I mean how did you make a batter mixer when you don’t know this?”

“Our Tinkers do the work individually for such inventions.” When the human heard that his eyes bugged out and only one thought came to mind. ‘Oh my god, ponies are gnomes.’

Giving a heavy sigh he slid the paper to them after writing down the answers. “Answers to the three problems on there are X equals twenty three, A squared plus B Squared equals C Squared, and finally the last one is Z equals zero. I literally can do all those in my head princesses.”

The papers were levitated over to the two, he had drawn out his process like he was always told to do in classes so that no teacher thought that he was slacking or cheating. As such he could see both princesses following his process before first Celestia’s eyes widened then Luna’s a minute after hers.

“And you say you can do these problems in your head?” He gave a nod at this. “I take it you were a scholar from your homeland?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at that and shook his head. “No they teach this to everyone where I am from. It’s part of basic education.”

Every pony in the room looked astonished at that, even the two mystery guards shuffled a bit. “Basic…education…this is basic to your people?”

Nodding and chuckling he took a piece of left over paper they had given him if he needed the work room and wrote something on it. “Take a look at this, it’s a calculus problem. That is about as high in math as I got and there are plenty of people that can go above and beyond that. Don’t even get me started on physics or theoretical physics.”

After they took the paper they started looking over it before comically he watched as Luna’s eyes swirled a bit before she shook her head. “Take it away from Our sight sister, surely that type of gibberish is magic meant to inflict Us with head pain.”

There was a pop and the paper and equations vanished before two glasses of water and some pills were brought back and floated both in front of Luna and herself. “You have convinced us Dustan. You managed to supposedly solve problems that are some of the more advanced equations that the Minotaurs have given us, then presented something that is possibly an even greater problem. We will be sending that equation back to our neighbors to see what they make of it.” With that said and done the sisters spoke to each other for a moment in a hushed tone before Celestia spoke again. “Tell us how you arrived in Equestria exactly. You briefly mentioned it when you talked of your sword.”

Sighing and nodding he spoke. He told them of the convention though didn’t say exactly anime or tv instead referring to them as stories. He had been dressed up in armor from one of the ‘stories’ and had carved the sword himself as he went to this gathering with his friend. He mentioned his run in with the merchant as well the double of the merchant. Dustan went on to re-describe the events he told when his carved blade became a Blood Sword.

“Next thing I know I woke up in the White Tail Woods. From there you can hear about how I appeared in Ponyville likely from your students notes if she researched when it was I first appeared.” Was the last thing he said before they nodded.

“Thank you Dustan for both your time and energy. However our time is up and we have duties to get back to. If possible though, we have one last request of you.” Celestia said as it seemed their meeting was coming to a close. “Would you head to the guards post, we were told you have valuable information on the various new monsters that have been appearing in our lands and instruction on such creatures will help save many lives.”

“Sure no problem. Honestly I already got requested to do that from one of the guards. I heard that I will be given room and board for my time here as well that correct?” He asked before seeing Celestia rub her temples with two of her wing feathers.

“It seems we will have to look into having our conversations out of the earshot of some guards from now on or we might have a leak on our hooves. Either way that information is true, we are prepared to house you for as long as you are instructing the guards.” Dustan inwardly winced, he might have just gotten someone in some big trouble it seems.

“Anyways I suppose I will be off, there should be guards outside that can point me the way right?” With a nod he went outside though stopped and looked towards the Alicorn of the night. “Luna.” The addressed princess looked towards him. “Work on your speaking, and possible volume when speaking to normal ponies. The old speaking pattern you are using makes you seem too formal and hard to approach, you may get better personal interactions with ponies if you work on it. Just food for thought.” With that he left the room.

The door to the meeting room closed and then shimmered as the entire room was now under the solar princess’ spell of soundproofing. “See Lulu, I told you that you might wish to look into those instructions sooner or later. Even our none-pony guest there noticed.”

‘Lulu’ gave a harrumph and crossed her forelegs. “We speak just fine sister.”

Giving a giggle she looked towards the two knights at their sides. “Tell us Noble Aurora, what is it you thought of him?”

The white knight to Celestia’s side ‘hmm’ed for a moment before a feminine voice spoke up out of the armor. “Well he is certainly unique. If those equations are correct then he wasn’t lying about how smart he is, though he might be fibbing on how smart his people are.”

“What about thou Regal Gloom? Tell Us what is it thou makes of him.” Luna asked her dark armored knight to her side.

Unlike the other one a masculine voice spoke up from this armor and right away. “He walks with the stance of somepony who has seen combat but has not had any formal training, he is self taught and undisciplined. Those cons out of the way though, his stride is also of a warrior not to be taken lightly regardless of lack of proper training or not. His words and hold on his sword were true; of this I sense no lie both about his tale about the creation of the blade and of his arrival in our lands.”

“Thank you knights, you are free to go back to your respective units now.” Celestia told them seeing them salute before exiting the room. A second shimmer reinforced the first one Celestia put on the room before.

The only difference was it was a darker glow then the solar Alicorn’s magic gave off. “We find the actions of Logistics Trail synonymous with a pile of manure sister!”

She had known this was coming though the volume it came out at made her secretly glad her sister had the foresight to reinforce the soundproofing spell. “I know and I agree sister.”

“Then why has it been allowed to stand?” Luna was fuming as her stance told plenty with her ears back and her wings splayed out.

“Because, as it stands now, the nobles of Canterlot are making him out to be a huge hero. If it was just one or two nobles then this wouldn’t be an issue. However the majority of the more selfish nobility have rallied behind him and are using him as spokespony for their own agendas both good and bad.” The princess got out some more of the medication for a headache and swallowed it. “What is more they are spreading the word to lesser nobility and commoners about his deed making him out to be what looks to be a up and coming national hero. If we were to repeal the act now and have him tried, it would be looked at poorly by our ponies. What is more is we would have the nobility stirred up even worse than when you returned to the throne.”

She saw her sister wince at that. It had been a bit of a struggle to gain the ponies trust in her and she had nearly been overruled in her placement if not for the fact that Celestia had brought up that she herself had never been removed from the roster of ruling parties. It was that legal loop hole that let Luna keep her crown though each and turn some pony was calling for an act that would remove that status or have Luna stand trial to see if she was fit to rule with her current knowledge. It was why her sister had been doing her best to read up on modern laws, practices, and more forgoing her lessons in speech and other areas to compensate for it, driving her to become a recluse for the sake of keeping her title and ruling jointly with her sister.

“This is not a battle we can win Lulu, not by ourselves at least.” Her sister looked intrigued by the words Celestia had used. “Right now, our ponies are only getting the word of those loyal to the defamer. I know of some ponies we can speak to and have them slowly start trickling out the real facts and tidbits. It will be in that way we can subvert what this pony has wrought.”

Giving a satisfied nod Luna smile though it was short lived as a frown quickly returned. “Our question sister, is how such a law came to pass. We remember nothing of it before Our banishment nor have We read up on anything like it since Our return.”

It was the older sisters turn to wince at the question now as she laid her head on the desk in front of her. “That is because it came soon after your banishment.”

The dark blue pony looked almost upset, or was it disappointed, it was hard to tell. “How could thou let such a law pass?”

“You have to understand my sister.” Celestia reached out with her wing and pulled the younger of the two towards her in a hug. “After I was forced to banish you, I was an emotional wreck. During the next hundred years I admit I made questionable choices and mistakes as I fumbled day to day just to function. It wasn’t until later when I heard reports about some of the laws I mindlessly signed into function did I do my best to repeal or amend what I could find. However even to this day I still find some that I have missed or some that are taken advantage of. Again I repeal them when I can, but sometimes it is too late, as in this case when the hornet’s nest has already been stirred up.”

“We art sorry mine sister. We didn’t know what it was thou went through during Our absence.” Celestia could feel tears staining her coat as her little sister snuggled deeply into her fur.

“It is fine Lulu. I know of my failings more than anypony even if others do not see it.” Deciding a change of subject was in order she visibly perked up and smiled. “Tell me, you visited him in his dreams last night did you not? What is it you discovered? We weren’t able to talk about it this morning while planning out the meeting so now is the best time as any while we have a bit of time before I must meet with petitioners for Solar Court.”

While there was no more tears there was a confused look on her sisters face. “The dream of Dustan was…abnormal. We think that he was aware of Our presence but because he was unable to perceive us dismissed it. Such a thing only usually happens with those that have dreams of abnormal lucidity.”

“That in of itself is not an uncommon thing from what I remember you telling us long ago.” Spoke the taller pony.

Shaking her head. “No it normally wouldn’t be except for what the dream itself entailed.” A curious eyebrow was raised despite Celestia’s attempt to resist raising it. “There were suits of armor and robes, ones We assume are of warriors, scholars, and mages of his people. Problem is We recall what he said today about his people not being magically inclined. What is more We perceived that those statues had some kind of importance to him as well as gave off a strange feeling. We can’t be for certain as we have never encountered the like before, but We felt as if those armor stands held…power.”

“Interesting.” There was not really much to add to that as anything she could say would just be empty reassurances. “Well then, make it a point to check in on our guest a bit more often. If that dream comes up again maybe you can deduce the dream and those stands purpose. For now though we must depart, I will see you at dinner sister.”

“Farewell sister, till supper.” With that both Alicorns vanished in their individual magical teleportations.

Sighing as he got back to the room provided for him he laid on the large plush bed after taking a much needed shower. Not that Zecora’s shower was lacking but he always had to crouch in it. With this one, since it was designed for minotaurs, he had no need to do that. He was currently going through his bag and double checking to make sure the contents were undisturbed. Finding everything where it should be he laid down and reflected on what he spent the entire day discussing.

He had been talking to Captain Shining Armor himself, who had come back to Canterlot and was more than happy to hear all about tactics for the new monsters. It seems that many more had shown up then he had assumed in the fact that they had described not only Bombs and Goblins, but various Panther types, Skeletons, Aevis, and Treant. He suspected more as he caught wind of them discussing other things at times when the other tacticians in the room weren’t trying to push an outsider out of the conversation and if what they were whispering was right, he could add Dragons, Hydras, and Minotaurs to the list as well. He sighed and knew that more was around for sure. Hobgoblin being one meaning there was sure to be more and who was to say they were all tactics based.

He shuddered to think about the Weapons from Final Fantasy 7 running around. The other thing that made him shudder was that if his stone was real, were the others in this world as well? It was questions like that one that made sleep hard. Though thanks to the combination of a well made meal, with meat thanks to the chef’s at the castle, a warm shower, a soft bed, and only a bit of tossing and turning, Dustan would find his sweet spot and fall into a dreamless slumber.

The next day saw him answering a few questions from the assembled soldiers about some of the tactics he discussed the other day but except for the few who were older and knew to take advice from one who has fought the battles there we heading into, he could tell most ignored him thinking that he wasn’t qualified to teach a pony anything. He learned later through Shining Armor when the captain heard him sputtering about fools that most of the recruits came from nobility or were commoners who wanted to obtain nobility through noble deeds and that only the vocal and foolish ones wouldn’t listen to him. Dustan hoped he was right otherwise more pony blood would be shed.

The train right at noon back to Ponyville was nothing special, he was once more on the floor as the seats and space available to him were not enough. When he stretched and exited the loading and unloading platform he was strangely happy to be back.

“Oh the horror!” A pony shouted and he just rolled his eyes.

“Hi Roseluck.” He spoke to the fainted pony who rose up rather quickly with a smile.

“Welcome back Dustan.” Honestly her recovery surprised him as did her prank…joke…jank?

“Thanks?” He knew it came out as a question though it didn’t seem to bother the pony at all who giggled and walked away. “Huh…well how about that.” Dustan muttered to himself.

As much as he would LOVE to head back to the hut and just kick back and relax, he had something to take care of. He had been in Ponyville often enough that he knew his way around now and he quickly came to the building he wanted. The thing about the show versus his new reality was that Ponyville was quite a bit bigger then shown. Thus the bank being here when there was none that he was aware of before.

Stepping inside he found his day heading into rough territory as there stood the snooty piece of shit that was Spoiled Rich herself. The pink pony with purple mane was standing in line behind others complaining on how slow the bank of Ponyville was. Seems it was payday around the town and many were coming to deposit their checks or cash them. It took nearly an hour and the whole time Spoiled Rich was berating everypony around that she could see, which thankfully wasn’t him as she never turned around to see who was behind her.

That changed after she was served and started to head out. “Hmm seems they will let any animal into buildings these days.”

For a moment Dustan had to suppress himself as he felt the rise of his destructive magic come out wanting to seek his target and it was only through some calming breathing did he refrain from roasting that upstart arrogant bitch.

“Next please.” Dustan opened his eyes to head towards the bank telling pony, a beige pony with beige mane that had a droning voice that spoke of all business. “I do not believe we have ever served you here before. Are you here to open a bank account?”

“No, I was told one would have been opened for me courtesy of the princesses.” Dustan watched the pony pull out what looked to be a rolladex then found something and went to a filing cabinet. “Everything ok?”

His question fell on deaf ears as the pony continued to search till she came back. “Fill these out please. We do indeed have your new account here as well as a deposit but these forms will make the exchange official.”

Overall the forms weren’t that bad, most could be answered with relative ease, others he had to be cheeky about and fudge some data. Not like they could check back with his homeland to find out if it was true or not.

“Ok with that the exchange has been completed. Would you like to deposit or withdraw.” She asked still in the same monotone that would make Maud Pie proud.

“Withdraw please.” He was given another form and he had to specify the amount, but when done the clerk handed it to another pony who left.

When the pony came back they carried several bags full of bits and the clerk counted them in front of him. “That is all of them, will you be needing anything else sir.”

Looking at how many bags there was he simply said. “Yeah, can someone help me carry them to city hall?”

Ringing a bell turns out there was a pony for that sort of work, a burly stallion bringing a wheel burrow around deposited the bags in it before he bowed. “After you sir.”

The trip to city hall was met with curious ponies watching the bits being moved from one place to the next each wanting to ask a question but was too polite to do so…except for one.

“HEYA DUSTY! What are you doing with all those bits?” The voice and nickname came from only one pony he knew of whom didn’t even give him a chance to answer him before asking more questions. “How was your trip to Canterlot, did you have fun? Me and the girls had fun, we fought a mean scary dragon who Fluttershy scared away by scolding it.”

“I am- wait Fluttershy did what?” Pinkie pronked along side of him as she told him the events that he recognized as Dragonshy. Which now explained the clouds he seen when he left Ponyville. They weren’t clouds but the smoke from the dragon. “I see, sounds like you girls had a time of it.”

“We sure did, you should have seen it Dusty, first the dragon was all big and rawr and Rainbow Dash was all woosh woosh wam, and Fluttershy was all grrr with how she was acting.” The pink party pony did her best to act out everything using every part of her body.

He found himself chuckling at that admittedly adorable antics of the unpredictable pony however it soon came to an end when they found themselves at City Hall. “Alright pinkie I got to go in, so unless you want to join us here is were we split up.”

Pinkie looked like she was about to say something then shook and her eyes went wide. “Oh I am not missing this, I am so going in.”

‘Did…she just have a Pinkie Sense moment?’ It was all he could think as he watched her pronk inside and make him rethink his choice of actions. ‘Well in for a penny in for a pound.’

Heading inside he went to the back room to double check the numbers of the lots he wanted before he came back out and checked the mayor’s door. Seems it was her business hours, perfect. Knocking he heard that mare call out to him to enter.

“Ahh Dustan it is good to see you again. How can I help you?” She went wide eyed however when he simply placed bag after bag of bits on her desk. “What is this?”

“I want to purchase complete land rights and properly of lots EF-Zero One through EF-Twenty Seven. I know they are very low in price cause of what they contain and I know no one owns the rights to them. I checked.”

Mayor Mare looked from the bags up to him, then back down and up again before asking. “Are you insane? You know what that place is, you know why it is vacant why would you want it.”

“Simple, potential. Plus someone might as well make use of it, why not me?” The smile he gave must have convenience her as she went and got some papers for him to sign.

“You are crazy you know that?” She stated as she put her stamp on the approval papers. “This also makes you the largest land owner in history that isn’t a noble. Then again that is a feat that isn’t hard considering what you just bought.”

“Cool, that is neat to know.” Dustan said leaving the bags with her. “Oh I know there is more there then I used, keep the hundred and fifty bits for the town to help any damages that come around, and considering this town, they will.”

Her eyes went wide at that and pulled the bags closer. “Are you sure?” when he nodded she smiled and took them and put them away. “That is very generous of you.”

“I know.” He said but considering what he knew, the funds were more needed there then resting in the bank gathering dust.

As he came out with Pinkie bouncing beside him she had finally had enough and asked. “What property did you buy and why so many of them?”

“Oh not much Pinkie.” The knight told his friend before he grinned. “Just the entirety of the Everfree Forest is all.”

Author's Notes:

WOOOOOO its good to write again. I missed it. Though hopefully I will be able to manage my writing binges a bit better this time so as not to get so worn out like before.

I wanted to thank you all for supporting the series and taking my little break in stride.