Everyone gasped as they watched us and the sounds of mom and mother were whispered around. However, that would have to wait as both my birth-mother and I slowly lowered to the floor. She was quietly balling and shaking as she wrapped not only her arms but her large wings around me. Right then the world around me didn’t exist. She was so warm. I could even feel it through her Roman-ish type of dress that she wore. I just melted into her and silently cried as well. I was here, I was actually here. My birth-mother is finally holding me again.

“My boy,” she whispered as she held me and rocked me gently, “my precious sunshine boy.”

“I wanted to come and get to know you,” she continued to rock me.

“Just let me hold you, my sunshine boy,” she whispered to me, so I just smiled with a sniff and held her. “It’s dangerous for you here, but I’m glad you came.”

“So am I mother.”

She finally pulled back enough for her to look at me with her soft fur-covered hands holding my cheeks, “But how did you know?”

I smiled, “At first I didn’t. I was having dreams of this woman in a cloak that was holding me and singing to me. However, I couldn’t see her face. Then the first thing that happened was seeing Sunset Shimmer walk into the portal. You can imagine that my mind didn’t take it that well.” I gave out a quick laugh remembering, “Especially after I stuck my hand through it.”

“But.”

“My friends,” I motioned over to Applejack and the others, “their counterparts were there for me. From there we gathered that she must have come from another world. We also knew that she took the crown and from the conversation from Snips and Snails they told us almost everything else. What started me remembering was when I picked up the crown. It was then that I finally saw your face.” I looked up to her putting a hand to her muzzle, “From there everything started unraveling. Then Twilight showed up and we knew what had to be done.”

She kissed my forehead, “Well I’m glad that it was you that helped her.”

Twilight came up and knelt down with the memories that my mom put together for her, “It’s all here Fred, including the letters.”

“What is this Twilight?” she asked.

“Something that your counterpart put together as I grew up with two letters. One for you,” then I looked to Luna, “and one for Aunt Luna.” Luna herself was still looking confused, but slowly walked over and knelt down on the other side from Twilight.

“Sister?” she asked curiously.

“It’s true Lulu,” she smiled rubbing her head against mine, “he’s your nephew, my son.”

I waved to her with a few fingers. “Shall we go through some of my most embarrassing moments?”

Celestia nodded wiping her tears away, “Yes, I would love to, but not here.” She looked up to Twilight, “What of Sunset Shimmer? Is she alright?”

“Yeah don’t worry,” Twilight smiled, “she wants to turn things around and Fred’s girls are looking out for her.”

“That’s good to hear,” she said then took a breath as we helped each other off the floor. Then looked around at everypony, “Cadence? Is there somewhere that we all can talk privately? You might want to bring in Shining Armor as well.”

“Sure,” she said while motioning down the hallway, “we can use my private quarters. It’s large and roomy. We should meet another guard on the way.”

“Alright,” Celestia smiled while keeping an arm and a wing around me, “thank you Cadence.”

While mother and I walked together down the hallway, Twilight was talking with her friends. Hearing those same voices now expressing their doubts and disbelief cut to my heart. However, I’m glad I came anyway if only to get to know my birth-mother. My arm was around her as well as we walked. Mixed emotions were running through me. I had virtually no knowledge about this world and yet I was giddy and excited about finally seeing her.

Sure enough, as we walked down the hallway we met up with one of the guards. Something was itching in my mind about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I still wasn’t sure until Cadence approached the guard.

“Flash Sentry right?” she asked him with her wings extended in regal manner.

He snapped to attention, “Yes your highness, is there something I can do for you?”

I couldn’t help but smile remembering my friend, “Flash,” I whispered.

“You know him son?” she whispered back while Flash and Cadence talked.

“His counterpart is my friend,” I whispered in return, “captain of the guy’s teams and helped a great deal in Twilight getting the crown.” Then I chuckled whispering right into her ear, “His counterpart actually has a huge crush on Twilight even knowing that she’s from here. I filled him in. If he’s anything like his counterpart then he’s a good pony.”

“Stallion dear,” she giggled.

“Ah OK,” I chuckled.

“Did she like him back?” she giggled whispering into my ear.

I just nodded vigorously where she giggled.

“You got it, your highness,” he saluted then took off.

It was then that my mischievous side reared its ugly head as I turned my head to look at Twilight. “You know you could have said hello to him Twilight,” I grinned at her with a wink.

She blushed furiously and growled softly, “Fred.” I just chuckled with my mother. Twilight’s friends got to wondering about what that was all about as we continued down the hallway. So, by the time we got to Cadence’s room Twilight was blushing at the questions that her friends were asking her.

Mother pulled me to a long plush couch as we sat down together. “Would you join us my dear sister?” mother asked Luna. But I was thankful that she did, although she kept a little distance. I could tell that everyone…er everypony was either confused or suspicious. That was to be expected but to actually see it wasn’t doing well for me.

“OK sister,” Luna began, “why don’t you start from the beginning.”

Mother leaned against me, “His name was John Justice. He was brought in as a working slave. Even then I still treated them with decency. After all, they are sentient living, breathing creatures like us. At first, I didn’t think much of him, but then he surprised me. He wasn’t only educated, but he had manners that rivaled even our best nobles. So, over time we got to know each other a little.”

As mother talked I took a minute to look around and I liked that everypony was interested in the story like I was.

“I found,” she continued, “that he had a very intelligent mind and even had a sick sense of humor that rubbed me the wrong way sometimes.”

I gave out a quick laugh, “Well now I know where my humor comes from.”

She laughed as well kissing my head again, “But over the course of about three years, I slowly fell in love with him. I wasn’t sure exactly when or how but suddenly the thought of him leaving terrified me. It was then I knew that I was in love. I was joyous, scared, anxious, giddy, and sometimes terrified all at the same time. I mean me falling in love with a human. A creature that we held in lower regard than ourselves.” She sighed and looked around with pleading eyes, “I took some time for myself to sort things out. I realized then that he showed me that we’ve been wrong all along. He even said that even though what his people did long ago wasn’t right, neither was what we were doing. By doing so, we became just as evil as they. And he was right. He helped me see the light, so to speak, of true friendship and forgiveness.”

“That’s what Fred, your son, showed me,” Twilight smiled as she stepped up to us. “He helped me see that very thing. He with his friends, my friend’s counterparts, standing by me in spite of everything Sunset Shimmer did. Even after she had the crown and turned into a she-demon he was the first one to step into the line of fire.” Twilight reached out her four-fingered fur-covered hand and took mine, “You didn’t do it out of obligation, you did it out of friendship.” Now she leaned in with a smirk, which unnerved me a little, “And by the way,” she tapped my neck, “You earned your ‘Cutie Mark.’”

“Huh?” I wondered while feeling around my neck. I did feel something, but I couldn’t see it. “I felt something from before, but I ignored it.”

Mother was doing her best impression of a supersonic squeal and bouncing on the couch. Quickly she grabbed a hand mirror from a desk with her magic and brought it over. At first, that really shocked me, but then I realized that it was magic. Guess I better get used to things floating around. When I looked I saw a mark on either side of my neck. “A flaming shield,” I said aloud, “cool.”

“How did you?” Rainbow looked on with shock.

“I don’t get it,” Applejack pipped up, “how did you get a cutie mark? I didn’t think humans got them.”

“Normally they don’t AJ,” Twilight smiled then motioned to me, “go ahead.”

I nodded and held up my free hand, which wasn’t around my mother, and ignited it. If mother was a rocket she’d be around the moon right now. Everyone else was shocked. “Yeah,” I laughed quickly, “I was surprised too.”

“Wow,” Pinkie exclaimed, “Can you do different colors? That would be great at parties.”

I had to laugh at that, “Don’t know Pinkie, but you are just as random in this world as you are in the other.”

“Thanks,” she beamed at me.

“Oh which reminds me,” Twilight turned and went back to her bag as I extinguished myself, “I’ve got letters for everypony.” She handed them out to her friends. “Sorry Cadence,” she apologized, “none for you.”

I felt like I had to say something, “Um…Princess Cadence, I’m sure that there’s a Cadence in my world too, but I really don’t know her. Another school and all.”

She took a breath then let it out, “It’s OK, but I think that I would like to get to know you though.”

“I’d like that too,” I smiled.

“Good, then you can just call me Cadence then, considering we are family,” she smiled back.

“Who’s family?” came a male’s voice from the door as I assumed to be Shining Armor walk in.

“Shiny,” both Cadence and Twilight said at the same time and rushed him.

He laughed and hugged them both as they slammed into him, “Whoa hi there.”

“We want you to meet someone,” Cadence said slowly.

“Someone very important,” Twilight chipped in as they both then pulled him toward me.

Confusion is etched on his face as he walked over. I would have stood, but my mother wouldn’t let me go. She had an arm and a wing around me again.

“Shiny,” Twilight motioned to me with a hand, “meet Fred Justice, my friend and Princess Celestia’s son.”

He just shook his head in disbelief, “I’m sorry but what?”

“It’s true Shining Armor,” my mother said with pride, “it’s a long story, but he is my son.” I just waved to him sheepishly.

“I’m sorry, but…wait…,” he seemed to be in thought, “Justice…Justice…Your highness don’t you visit somepony called Justice?”

She nodded sadly, “Yes I do, Fred’s father, but he’s not a pony like I’ve said before, but human.”

“Wait a minute, hang on,” Rainbow spoke up, “if that’s true then why did you keep it a secret all this time?”

“Fear,” she said simply, “I was fearful that if my ponies knew the truth that they might desecrate his grave. I just couldn’t have that. I might have made some progress, but it was still a worry given how my ponies still feel about humans. It was Blueblood that rushed into my throne room.” She turned to me and buried her head into my neck and started crying softly, “It was Blueblood and about five nobles. Fred was already in my arms, so he went to intercept them and told me to take you somewhere safe. He sacrificed himself giving me enough time to take him to my counterpart.”

“Then maybe you could tell me about him,” I whispered.

She looked up to me with teary eyes, but a smile, “I would love to.”

“Question?” Fluttershy asked sheepishly, “Is that why Blueblood and the other nobles aren’t well…nobles anymore?”

“Yes,” mother raised her head, “officially speaking they are not nobles anymore.”

“Then where are they getting their funding from?” I heard Spike ask and in this world, he too was part human and part dragon, though he still looked to be a kid. Barely twelve or so.

“That is something I’ve always wondered about,” my mother mentioned, “which could mean that there’s some type of underground movement. That worries me.”

“Maybe finally exposing my father will help with me and Twilight by your side?” I asked aloud. “And what better way to start than right here with my family and Twilight’s friends?”

“It would help to have Twilight and her friends on board, plus the castle staff and guards of both Canterlot and The Crystal Kingdom. That would sway a lot of the pony populace,” Luna spoke up for the first time. I wanted to hug her right then, but I didn’t. I knew to take it slow. I put out my hand to her.

“Can I call you Aunt Luna?” I asked while she slowly took my hand.

“Why not just Luna for now,” she said shaking my hand, “I do want to get to know you, so why don’t we take it slow.”

I smiled, “Sounds good to me.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll honor my counterpart's wishes,” Rainbow said with a huff.

“Thank you Rainbow Dash,” I said to her with a happy smile.

“There’s just one thing I won’t do,” she continued with everyone looking on with confusion written on their faces. Mine too, until she told us, “I won’t sleep with him.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, although everypony else was just plain confused. “Oh Rainbow,” I said aloud while trying not to laugh, “you just had to tell her that didn’t you?”

“You care to let me in on it then…Fred?” Rainbow asked while exaggerating my name.

I settled down and held up a hand, “It was almost a week ago when I had some questions that mom wouldn’t answer. Well, her human counterpart. So out of frustration, I decided to bunk at Rainbow’s place. I got what I needed off my chest while she listened, had dinner, and then went to bed. I took the guest bedroom alone.” That’s when I grinned from ear to ear, “She came in during the night, snuck in, and climbed in bed with me while I was asleep.” I chuckled remembering her reaction, “You should have seen the look on her face when her parents walked in with a camera and snapped a picture of us. She tried to get the camera away from her mother, but she played keep away saying that it was going into the family’s scrapbook.”

“Yeah, that sounds like something my mom would do here,” Rainbow sighed.

“Then last night was the last time we technically slept together, though it wasn’t anything untoward or anything. She just needed to be close to me.” I took a deep breath to steel myself against her sad face, “We were all at Rainbow’s place again for a sleepover and to discuss what Sunset was doing against Twilight. I woke up to her crying softly in her sleep. She was holding me so tightly I thought that she might rip my shirt. My leaving really hit her hard, so I did what I could to calm her. Kissed her head saying that I’ll miss her and all of them. After saying that and holding her close seemed to calm her down.”

“Yeah well,” Rainbow cleared her throat, “Just don’t expect me to do the same.”

“Oh don’t worry Rainbow,” I chuckled with a wry humorous look, “for all your similarities you are still different in ways as well. And I look forward to getting to know you all.”

“I for one,” Pinkie looked at me with a smile as she walked up to me, “will try and be your friend. My counterpart told me a lot about you. Including that you like to cook.”

“Yeah as a matter of fact I do,” I told her with a smile.

“Then we could get to know each other by cooking together,” she stuck out her hand as I shook it.

“I’d like that,” then I grinned, “have any of you heard of Peanut Butter Pie?”

“Ooh, that sounds delicious,” Pinkie said bouncing in place.

“Indeed,” Luna even smiled, “even I’m intrigued.”

“Thank you, why don’t I cook that tomorrow for either lunch or dinner?”

“Ooh, Ooh that sounds great,” Pinkie cheered then looked at me expectantly and giggling, “perhaps I could have the recipe?”

I chuckled and nodded to her, “Sure, it’s not exactly top secret or anything.”

“Yippee,” Pinkie shouted happily bouncing in place.

“I’ll give it a try too,” Fluttershy said with a shy smile, “if that’s OK that is.”

I nodded at her.

“I will as well,” Rarity told me, but raised a finger to me, “although he’ll have to watch his tongue.”

“Sorry Miss Rarity,” I sheepishly told her, “Sometimes when I’m really pissed I kind of get loose-lipped. I’ll keep it in check.”

“Then I accept, but who designed your outfit darling?”

I smirked to her, “Your counterpart did actually for the dance that was tonight. She did one heck of a good job too I must say.”

She hummed, but nodded looking me over, “Yes, she did didn’t she?”

“I don’t know if I can honor my counterpart’s request,” Applejack just looked at me, which I wasn’t sure if I liked or not, “she asked me to keep you in shape, but she also said that you are the most honest and honorable guy that she knows. But you’re still human.”

“Come on Applejack,” Twilight pleaded, “at least try, he is part pony after all.”

I just sighed quietly thinking that Applejack might be a tough one to get through.

“Well Shiny?” I heard Cadence ask him while he was watching with rapt curiosity.

“Well,” he started while staring at Twilight, who gave him a happy nod. I watched him sigh and stepped up to me offering his hand, “If Twilight says that she’s your friend and equal then I guess that I can try as well.”

I smiled and stood up shaking his hand, “I’d like that. I can’t say that I’ve met your counterpart, but I would like to be your friend as well.”

He just nodded to me as a couple of yawns escaped some mouths, me included.

“Oh darling Twilight you simply must tell us everything,” Rarity chipped in.

Twilight sighed happily, “I want to tell you everything, I do. It’s just that I’m tired of all the dancing and everything.”

“Dancing?” nearly everypony asked at once.

“I’m with Twilight I’m pretty beat myself, with battling with Sunset. Even after being healed by that rainbow,” I said while leaning against my mother.

“That was the Elements of Harmony Fred,” Twilight nodded to me then yawned again.

“Ah OK, felt kind of tingly,” I chuckled as Cadence clapped her hands to get everyone’s…er everypony’s attention.

“Then I think it’s off to bed for all of us,” Cadence said while putting an arm around Shining, “especially for Fred and Twilight. Seems like they’ve been through a lot today.”

I smiled with a nod as both my mother and Luna stood up next to me. My mother put her arm and a wing around me again, “Don’t worry about Fred. I’d like to take care of him myself.”

I smirked to her, “Thought you might.”

“You don’t mind…do you?” she asked with a look of worry on her face. I knew that she was worried that I would reject her somehow.

I just shook my head and leaned into her, “Not at all.”

She smiled as we started toward the door, Luna walking with us. I heard the girls say that they would take care of Twilight themselves, even though they still peppered her some with questions.

Now that I had a chance to look around I was surprised at what this place was made from. “Is this place made of crystals?” I asked with my head on a swivel.

“Yes, it is,” mother told me, “this is the Crystal Empire, one of the oldest in all of Equestria.”

“Wow,” I whispered while we walked, “then where do you and Luna live then?”

“That’s in Canterlot,” Luna volunteered, “about two days journey by train from here. You will see it, Fred, don’t worry. For now, however, it’s time for rest. Everything will be explained in due time.”

“Alright, goodnight Luna,” I smiled to her then was glad to see mother and Luna share what appears to be a nuzzle as they wished each other goodnight as well. Mother was holding the scrapbook in her arm when we walked into what appears to be a large guest room. “Wow,” I whispered in awe while looking around. It really was luxurious. A large four-poster bed complete with a privacy curtain that was partially see-through. To my right, an open archway leading to the bathroom, luxuriously furnished I might add. Elegant dresser was next to the open window with a standalone closet on the other side of said window. “Simple, yet elegant,” I said looking around.

“Yes, this kingdom has a very unique culture all its own,” she said with a smile.

Then something hit me as I slapped my hand to my face, “I don’t have anything to sleep in.”

“Oh don’t worry about that son,” she giggled standing in front of me and wiggling her fingers. “Now let’s see if I can get this right. A little trick that Rarity showed me in cases such as this.” She closed her eyes and snapped her fingers.

Instantly the clothes that I was wearing was on the dresser and I was wearing simple white shorts and shirt. “Wow,” I softly whistled while looking myself over, “neat trick. Fits too.”

She clapped her hands with a squee, “I’m so happy I got it right. Now if you don’t mind,” she walked up putting her hands on my shoulders, “I need to hold you tonight.” I looked up into her eyes, for I was only about half a head shorter than she, “To make sure that you aren’t part of my imagination or something. That you are really and honestly here.”

“I know what you mean mother,” I whispered to her, “It seems all too surreal for me too. Like I’m going to wake up any minute to one of Luna’s tickle morning’s”

She looked at me curiously.

“Oh,” I chuckled, “Sometimes your counterparts would wake me up on school mornings by tickling me and for a few minutes there would be a free for all tickle war.”

She giggled and hugged me tightly before letting go and in a flash, she was wearing a basic nightgown. “Then come to bed my son and let me hold you like I’ve missed holding you. Tomorrow we can go through her scrapbook.”

Now I know what you all are going to say. How could he, he’s a grown man for goodness sakes. My response to that is…*blows raspberries*…she hasn’t seen me in almost two decades, it seems too surreal for both of us, and it’s not like it’s going to be permanent or anything, so don’t judge. For one night, we both need to know that it’s real and not a dream.

In her arms and with her wings wrapped around me I quickly fell asleep in my mother’s warm embrace. Even during our talk in Cadence’s chambers, I could tell that it would get cold at night. However, the cold didn’t bother me because her coat and wings being like a blanket. Moreover, right before sleep grabbed me I heard her sing that lullaby that she sung from my dream memories.

^_^

I really didn’t want to wake up, but for some reason, I had a lot of dreams about my past. Plus I could remember all of the dreams from last night. Mostly from when I was very young, again for some reason.

“Wake up my little sunshine boy,” I heard but tried to ignore and kept faking a snore. I was way too warm and comfortable to wake up now. Or at least I wouldn’t be without a fight that’s for sure.

I mumbled softly about a few more minutes, but then my warmth suddenly went away. Feeling around did no good because not only was mother’s warmth gone but the bedsheet too.

“Oh no you don’t son,” I heard and felt myself being hoisted into the air, “It’s time to wake up because I want you to see something.”

When I opened my eyes and found myself hovering, so I did the manliest thing that I could think of. I yelped like a little girl and curled up in a ball. That’s when she came over and gently put her arms on my shoulders.

“There now,” she said with a giggle, “it’s OK, it’s only magic. It’s no different than a floating plate or a cup.”

I began to relax while looking at her, “Maybe, but remember I haven’t seen a magical floating anything up until about a week ago.”

“And you have to admit that it’s the best way to wake you up,” she giggled then put me down. “Besides,” she continued, “I want you to see me raise the sun.”

OK, that got me shaking my head at her, “Say what now?”

She turned with a giggled walking toward the balcony, “You heard me. I raise the sun and Luna raises the moon.”

I followed her onto the balcony, which so happens to face the east I might add, “Really? I mean the sun and the moon are millions of miles away in space. Humans in the other world have been to the moon. It’s a big chunk of rock in space. The sun is a big ball of gas, or something, burning in space.”

She giggled, walked out onto the balcony, and raised her arms, “If you say so.” I watched as she extended her wings, lifted up her hands, and her horn started glowing brightly. And when the sun indeed started to rise my jaw would have hit the floor if I was in a cartoon. My mouth was hanging open and I was pointing to the sun as it slowly crept over the horizon. I think I made a sound similar to a mouse squeaking, but I’m not sure.

She laughed putting her hands to her muzzle after she turned around and saw my face. “What do you think now my sunshine boy?” she asked me while closing my mouth.

“Wha…you…it rose…huh?” my mind had officially shut down.

“OK now it’s time to get ready for the day,” my mother said, but I was still out of it. In a flash, my clothes changed back into the suit that I was wearing yesterday. It was that which brought me out of my stupor.

“Huh?” I looked down now back in my good suit, “I guess I’ll have to get used to magic around here huh?”

She put an arm and a wing around me, “Yep, and sense you have magic yourself, you’ll need to get trained in it. So, who better to do that but me?”

“Well, that’s true enough.” We walked out of the guest room. “Besides, where are we going anyway?”

“To breakfast silly,” she giggled and kissed my head, “Did you know that Luna also has the natural ability to enter into anypony’s dreams?”

“She can really?”

“Yep,” she said as we met up with Cadence and Shining Armor in the hallway. “Good morning Cadence, Shining Armor.”

“Morning Cadence, Mister Armor,” I greeted as well as they joined us in the hallway.

“Good morning Aunt Celestia, Fred,” Cadence said to us with a wave of her hand.

“Good morning your highness, Fred,” I heard Shining say to us. At least he’s being civil.

“How’d you sleep, Fred?” Cadence asked me while we all turned a corner. Many of the guards were looking at me and not in a friendly way as we walked by.

“Slept great actually.”

“Oh yes,” mother said aloud with a giggle, “He tried to grab my wing and the covers to sleep in, but I wouldn’t let him.” I heard chuckles and giggles as she continued, “But I picked him up in my magic, which he didn’t expect.”

Please no, please don’t tell them.

“What happened?” Cadence asked.

“Well he screamed like a little girl and curled up into a ball,” my mother just had to say it. So what could I do but hang my head in shame? Shining Armor’s laughing didn’t help matters any either.

“Really?” he asked while trying to walk straight and hold his sides at the same time.

“Now Shining,” Cadence admonished, “he’s been living his life without magic. Plus he doesn’t know hardly anything about this world at all so it’s no surprise that he would be even a little afraid of magic.”

My mother giggled, “You should have seen his face when he saw me raise the sun this morning.”

And there goes Shining Armor again.

“SHINY,” Cadence snapped at him, which shut him up very quickly. “Tell us why that’s so surprising to you Fred.”

I took a deep breath, “In the human world, we don’t have magic and so seeing it actually being moved. Well, I mean we’ve been to the moon and back in the human world. But everything moves on its own and always will. Therefore, to see mother actually move the sun was shocking. I mean I have magic and used it in the human world, which I can start to accept, but seeing that put me over the edge a little.”

“Wait, your kind has really physically been to the moon?” Shining Armor asked me with shock.

“Yeah and that was over forty years ago,” I nodded to him. “By technology-wise Equestria is about one hundred and fifty years behind us. However, we rely on technology because we have no magic. Because this world relies on magic there’s no need to rely on fancy technology. I mean you don’t have any televisions, radios, gaming consoles, or movies right?”

They all shook their heads. “I don’t even know what those are,” Cadence looked to me with wonderment.

“Well, perhaps I can tell you about them at breakfast,” I volunteered.

“That would be great son,” mother cheered as we walked into the dining area.

All four of us said our good mornings to everypony as we walked in. Luna was near the head of the table with Twilight and her friends sitting in chairs all around. Cadence took up the very head of the table with me sitting the opposite of Luna. Rainbow sat next to me on one side with my mother on the other.

Rainbow was half asleep while sitting at the table. You know, her eyes were half-open but the mind was still on the pillow sort of thing. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight while thinking how cute she looked being partially slumped over. I got Luna’s attention with a small wave, cupped my hand, and whispered to her, “The human Rainbow Dash wasn’t a morning person either.”

Luna and some others, that heard me, giggled at that.

I thought for a second before taking one of the napkins and rolling it into a cylinder of sorts. Satisfied with it I looked over to the still nearly asleep Rainbow with a grin. Wiggling my eyebrows to the rest of them then grins seeing my target. Her ear closest to me. Carefully I gently rub the tip against her ear while putting a finger to my lips to the others.

She snorts a little with her ear twitching.

Sound sleeper huh?

I grinned wickedly slowly setting the napkin down then wiggling the fingers on one hand. Again with my target in sight I slowly brought my fingers to the very tip of her ear. Taking the tip of her ear within my fingers I rub very gently. I see a couple of the girls try to contain their giggles. A couple putting their fur-covered hands to their muzzles. Luna just raised an eyebrow. While my mother had a look of hesitation.

However, I pressed on and heard Rainbow sigh with a slight moan. Well now, this is interesting. I pressed on going down the ear to gently scratch behind it.

What I had in mind was to wake her up. Because of my slow scratching behind her ear, she sighed, put her arms onto the table, and then laid her head down. She went fully asleep.

“Not what I had in mind,” I looked up to the group and whispered while taking a moment to really feel her hair. It wasn’t like human hair. It was way softer and the colors appeared natural.

“But it worked Fred,” Applejack said sitting on the other side of Rainbow, “I know that look and she won’t wake up for nothing now.”

“You know her hair is extremely soft,” I whispered almost mesmerized by it. Then I looked over to mother, “Is all pony’s hair like that?”

“Yes they are actually,” she giggled then motioned me over.

Scooting my chair over I took her hair, or mane I guess, in my hands. When I ran my fingers through her hair it was just as soft as Rainbows, but I noticed something different.

“Hang on look at this,” I whispered while seeing my fingers leave colorful trails in her hair right where my fingers went through.

I looked up to her as her eyes widened some then leaned down to take a closer look, “Oh my.”

“It’s like I’m painting with the colors of your hair,” I whispered while using one finger to draw a multicolored smiling face in her hair. It was so weird. The trail left by my finger would change colors when it went through the same color, so the trail will always be easily seen.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” mother said in a little awe as she watched. “Lulu come look,” she whispered as Luna walked over to look.

“How’s that possible?” Luna asked while watching my finger painting my mother’s hair.

“I have no idea, but it’s like painting without the mess,” I said with childlike wonderment. While I was messing with that I was also halfway following the conversations around the table.

“He seems to act like a foal sometimes,” AJ whispered to the other girls.

“You have to remember that he didn’t grow up here, but the human world,” Twilight defended, “So it’s no wonder that he knows nothing of this world. And even knowing that he still crossed over knowing that he wouldn’t see his mom, Celestia’s human counterpart, which raised him, for a long time.”

“How did he put Rainbow to sleep with just scratching behind her ears?” Rarity asked in a whisper.

“When I was in the human world Spike turned into a dog and he liked being scratched behind his ears,” Twilight whispered with a giggle, “apparently it’s the same for some ponies as well.” There were some giggles at that, but at this point, my mother asked Luna if I could do the same with her hair, er mane.

I found out that I could and was currently putting some finishing touches on Orion. “Looks like I can do it with yours too Luna,” I said while looking up to her.

Then she gently took my hand and moved it away from her hair, “That’s all well and good, but if you don’t mind Orion doesn’t need any extra appendages.”

I just chuckled softly, “OK Luna,” then lifted my head to see some waiters and waitresses, I think, walk over. “Oh hey I think breakfast is here. Hang on,” I said getting a thought looking to mother, “you’re herbivores right?”

“Yes son,” mother nodded to me with a sad smile, “we are.”

I just sighed and sat back into the chair as a plate was put in front of me, “Well there goes meat for me.” At least it was eggs and hash browns for me.

“Not necessarily,” mother smiled to me, “we know that humans need meat for their diet. And even though we’ve come up with a pill for a dietary supplement we know that sometimes it’s just a need for them. So when you have that need just let me know and we’ll get you something.”

“Thanks, mother,” I smiled back to her glad that she understood. “This looks good though,” I mentioned while looking at my breakfast as everypony else took their seats.

Looking over to Rainbow I saw her sniff the plate. I grinned again and leaned myself over. “Rainbow Dash,” I whispered in her ear in a singsong voice.

She mumbled and sniffed again at her plate. Leaning over I lifted her plate close to her nose, “If you don’t wake up somepony else will eat it all gone.”

As the others started eating she just kept sniffing at it but didn’t truly wake. I hummed putting a finger to my chin then got an idea. Slowly with a grin, I pulled her plate away to the other side of mine. She whined a little but didn’t stir. Leaning in I Whispered again, “Rainbow Dash, did you order fast food?” It was in the same singsong voice as before.

“No,” she mumbled quietly but didn’t really awaken.

“Then you’re in trouble,” I whispered then gently put a hand to one of her shoulders. Then shook her shoulders quickly with almost a loud voice, “Because your eggs are running away with the hash browns. You need to go get them.”

“WHAT?” Rainbow quickly shot up out of her chair spreading and flapping her wings wide, “WHERE?”

I just couldn’t help myself and stood up quickly pointing away from the table, “THERE!”

“Got it,” she announced with a shout and took off.

I smirked and held three fingers up and started counting down, “Three, Two, One.”

In a flash, she was back. And she wasn’t too happy either. It was all I could do to not die laughing.

“You,” she growled to me while now hovering nose to nose with me as the others giggled and chuckled.

“Yep,” I smirked lifting a finger to her nose and bopped it gently, “boop, morning skittles. Glad you’re awake now.”

She rubbed her nose curiously then looked back at me, “That was not…wait…skittles?” Now she was looking at me with more curiosity than anger, as was everypony else.

“Yep, they are a brand of candy in the other world that is colored with every color of the rainbow,” I grinned then leaned in touching my nose with hers. I was surprised when she didn’t back up. “You know what its motto is?”

“What?” she growled a little pressing her nose against mine.

“Taste the Rainbow,” I chuckled then licked her nose and sat down in my chair.

POOMPH

I looked up to her to see her wings have snapped open for some reason. I’ll have to ask mother about that and slid Rainbow’s plate over to her. Others giggled while Rainbow slowly sat down glaring at me.

Her wings still stayed out for a couple of minutes even after she sat down. Not that I was complaining all that much because it gave me an opportunity to take a good look at them. The coats of the ponies here, the wings, and even the horns were all of the same colors. All varieties of different colors.

“So,” Rainbow broke the ice looking over to me while everypony munched on their breakfast, “you’re a prankster huh?”

I nodded sipping my orange juice, “Yeah, whenever the mood strikes.”

“Well, we have some good pranksters ourselves. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and even Luna,” Rainbow said pointing to each one respectively.

“I can see that,” I mentioned while munching on my eggs then smirked at Luna, “Luna’s counterpart just loved to prank mom and I. Especially in the morning before school.”

“Ooh, tell us about it,” Pinkie bounced in her chair.

“Well, mom and Luna would wake me up by tickling me sometimes,” I chuckled while looking between mother and Luna. Luna suddenly smirked but it didn’t last long, but I caught it. Great I just gave her an idea.

“That’s because they must love you so much,” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “it’s also to get back me for the things I did as a kid. Like that time I wondered how far a cassette tape would stretch if unwound.”

“What’s that?” Cadence asked while the others were still munching on breakfast.

“Oh that is a plastic casing that houses a type of very narrow thin ribbon that holds sound,” Twilight volunteered.

“Oh, so how long is it then?” Cadence wondered.

I just chuckled, “From one end of the house to the other.”

“Oh, my,” Fluttershy squeaked as the others laughed.

AJ chuckled, “Sounds like Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Land sakes those three are always getting into some kind of trouble.”

I laughed with a nod, “Yeah, their human counterparts are the same. Always thinking up something crazy to do.”

“Yeah, especially if they try and cook,” Pinkie Pie chipped in with some giggles.

“Although they are doing well in their lessons that they’re taking from me,” Twilight said then brightened up turning to me, “by the way Fred, Celestia.”

Both my mother and I looked at her.

“I was wondering if I could stick around for a bit and maybe do some tests on Fred. Because he’s the only human with magic it could be beneficial for me to study the way his body uses and absorbs magic. It could make teaching him a little easier,”

I was intrigued and raised an eyebrow.

“Interesting,” my mother said thoughtfully, “it might just be useful at that. Would you have the equipment that you would need?”

“I believe that the Canterlot School should have all I need,” Twilight clapped her hands happily.

“Good, then we can leave tomorrow morning,” mother cheered, “I wouldn’t want Cadence to miss out on Fred’s peanut butter pie.”

“I’m so excited to try it tonight,” Cadence smiled.

“In the meantime, I think he could use a good workout,” Rainbow grinned.

“I’ll go to keep Rainbow company,” AJ said simply.

I chuckled nervously and finished my orange juice, “but what about me being human and all would that cause any problems?” I was hoping to get out of it.

“You know that’s a good question,” Cadence smiled then turned to Shining. “Dear, why don’t go with them? That way you can get exercise and watch out for him at the same time.” She said it so innocently that I couldn’t help but think that there’s another meaning being her request.

There must have been because the look that I got from him wasn’t all too friendly, “If I must,” he politely growled.

“Great let’s go,” Rainbow shouted with joy and got up from her chair, as well as AJ. Rainbow came over to my seat and grabbed an arm.

“Are you sure that mother wouldn’t rather spend some time right now?” I blurted out in panic.

“Yes, but that’s OK it’s important that you get to know the Element Bearers here,” she told them while waving to me with a smile, “Besides, now that you’re here we’ll have plenty of time.”

One thought hit me though, “You think that I might get a change of clothes from these nice ones to some workout clothes maybe? I’d really hate to see Rarity’s work all sweaty.”

“That is a good point,” Rarity mused then stood up proceeding to walk around the table, “It won’t be anything worth singing about, but it would do.” She stopped in front of me, lighted her horn, and in one flash my clothes were changed. Looking down, as Rarity did, I was now wearing a basic white t-shirt with white shorts. Both of which have a light material that felt that it would breathe really well. On my feet was what looked to be leather shoes, also white, but was surely not leather but a look-alike or some other like material.

“Thank you Miss Rarity,” I said pleasantly, now happy that my suit wouldn’t be ruined by sweat anymore.

“You’re welcome,” she nodded civilly now returning to her seat.

“You ready now?” AJ grinned at me.

“Uh…no?”

“Great let’s go,” Rainbow proceeded to haul me away.

I just looked to my last hope, Luna, and mouthed “Help Me” to her, but she just smiled and waved as Rainbow carried me off. Looking back Shining Armor had fallen in step behind us and was glaring at me the whole time.

I’m so dead.

Those two pretty much dragged me out of the castle and let me go right when we walked out the two large doors. Why you might ask?

“Alright, time to get your flabby butt moving,” Rainbow demanded.

SMACK

Rainbow just smacked my butt. I looked down at her.

“Yep, we ain't gettin’ any younger,” AJ chipped in and another…

SMACK

From here as well, again right on the rear end. So, I started running. Not at my top speed mind you, but at least they were surprised at how well I was running. Then to my satisfaction, they did the same to Shining. That got me laughing. Of course, that stopped when I saw him running straight for me. Uh oh. I tried to keep him behind me. He doesn’t look too happy.

Now I can handle the girls. Goodness knows I’ve been doing it for years, so their pony counterparts shouldn’t be all that hard to handle. Twilight’s brother, however, well I didn’t like the look he had on his face. He was running at me like a raging bull. It was him that got me motivated, not necessarily the girl’s butt slapping. Although kind of kinky in a way, which I think I’ll poke fun at later.

Shining actually got close enough for us to hear each other.

“Don’t you run away from me,” he yelled at me.

“Listen it wasn’t my idea for you to tag along dangitall,” I yelled back while forcing myself faster.

He came after me.

“But it was your question that got me out here!” he pressed on.

SMACK “Come on. Get the lead out,” Rainbow demanded while I ran for my life from Shining Armor.

“And it was a legitimate one,” I felt my legs starting to burn, as well as my lungs, “Being her son I’m a target now.”

“YOU GOT THAT RIGHT NOW COME HERE.”

Man that guy just doesn’t give up, does he? It was about an hour into my running exercise and sweat was pouring off of me. My long blond hair now stuck to me with sweat. Both my shirt and my shorts were pretty well damp. And with my wheezing starting, I was very quickly running out of steam, even with my magically enhanced body. I had to think quickly before Shining Armor had a chance to get to me. I had to retreat back to the castle and to either Luna, Mother, or Cadence. Either of those three would be able to send him on his way. Although Luna might, just might mind you, rat me out. But that really depended on who I saw first.

My first goal was to get some distance between us and a pole sticking up out of the ground was just my opportunity. He was already starting to get close by the time I was getting near the pole, so I really didn’t have to slow down all that much. He was only about a few feet away with a wide wicked grinning look on his face when I stuck my arm out and grabbed the pole quickly changing directions. Now ninety degrees from my previous course I was now headed directly back to the castle.

Taking a look back I saw the distance greatly increase between Shining Armor and I. Why? Well, he didn’t expect such a drastic and sudden course change. It would give me just enough time to get into the castle and hide somewhere until his anger blew over. Luckily I have a good memory, so I remembered the way to Cadence’s room as it was near the dining hall. As I ran back into the castle, startling many crystal pony guards in the process, I was happy to notice something. The footwear that Rarity had made for me was perfect for running on stone, or in this case crystal. I could turn a corner without sliding around. However, a pony with two hooves, even though anthropomorphic, would have trouble with high-speed turns.

I heard some cursing from Shining Armor as I ran up to Cadence’s room. He must have slipped. I ran into her room slamming the doors behind me before her guards could even blink.

Luckily for me, she was in the room at the time. She was sitting on the bed doing her hair actually when I came in. Her eyes went wide as she saw the state I was in. I didn’t have time for a greeting so quickly ran for the bed to hide underneath.

Have you ever seen a puppy that was scared enough to hide under a bed, but was just a tad bit too big for it? Nevertheless, squeezed in underneath anyway? Let’s just say that fear can be a powerful motivator.

“Goodness me,” she exclaimed standing up, “Fred what’s wrong?”

I shushed her with a loud whisper, “I’m not here and you didn’t see me.” As she came into view I pleaded her with my eyes.

KNOCK KNOCK

“Caddy,” came Shining’s voice from the other side of the door, “it’s me.”

Cadence sat down on the bed right in front of where I was, “Come in dear,” she called out sweetly.

The door nearly slammed open, “Where is he?”

“Who dear?” she asked innocently.

“Fred, that’s who,” he growled.

“Why? Just what did he do to earn your wrath so?” If her voice is any indication then she has her arms over her chest right about now.

“Well?” she asked again when Shining didn’t say anything.

“I didn’t want to go in the first place and then he just kept running from me,” he said curtly.

“Really?” she asked dryly, “That’s what this is all about? By the look of you, he had a right to run from you.”

“He’s just being a coward,” I heard him say. Now my heart was beating in my chest again, but for a different reason.

From where I laid under the bed I could tell that Cadence had stood up from the bed and faced off against her husband, “Now you listen here Shining Armor Sparkle.”

Uh oh, full name, he’s in trouble now.

“Maybe you didn’t hear what Twilight said last night,” she continued in a soft voice that sent chills up and down my spine. “Sunset Shimmer was about to kill Twilight, but he stepped in the way. And from Twilight had told me he was severely injured from Sunset’s attack that could test even you, and he doesn’t have full control over his magic yet, which he’s had for barely a week. Or does that not mean anything to you?”

“I…,” he tried to say something but didn’t.

“Leave,” she commanded softly with a tone that said not to mess with her, “and don’t come back until you’ve got your head on straight.”

He left.

And I breathed a sigh of relief when he did.

The bed lifted off the floor enough so I could crawl out, which I did and slowly stood up. “You alright?” she asked me with concern, “I don’t know what got into him.”

“You got me Cadence, thank you,” I told her and sat down on the bed when she put it back down. “I thought that he would let up after a while but he didn’t.”

“Well I’ll speak to him more, but it looks like they ran you ragged out there,” she cooed over me, “you’re a mess.”

I chuckled lightly looking at her, “I don’t doubt it. My legs feel like Jello right now and my lungs are still burning. And that’s even after this Equestrian magic enhanced my body.”

“Well there’s a private bath here that you can relax and soak,” she mentioned with a smile as she stood up offering me her hand.

Slowly I stood up and took it wondering just where we were headed to.

“Now close your eyes,” she softly suggested, “teleportation can be a little disorienting for the first-timers.”

“Okay,” I did as she said anyway. I felt magic whirl around me and the strangest feeling washed over me, then nothing.

“Alright, you can open them,” she cheered and let go of my hand.

When I opened my eyes I saw a relatively small room that had a good-sized hot tub in it. Hot tub in the center that was steaming with warmth. Easy steps in with benches roundabout with towels waiting on them. The room was about thirty or so feet around that was pure crystal, but I didn’t see any doors. “Not bad,” I said in awe of the place.

“It’s just for the royalty and family,” she said and in a flash, her outfit had changed to a swimsuit.

Me on the other hand I just stepped right on in, I didn’t care if these clothes got wet. Heck, they were wet already anyway, so what was the difference? “Oh yeah that feels much better,” I moaned happily soaking in the relaxing warmth of the hot water.

She giggled and joined me, “I always come here when I need to unwind.”

I sighed laying my head back against the rim of the tub, “I can see why. In the human world, people would pay big bucks to go to a place like this.”

She giggled, “Really? Well, this is a natural hot spring that’s deep underneath.”

I lifted my head to look at her at that, “Really? I guess that explains why there aren’t any doors.”

She shook her head, “Nope you can only come here through teleportation. Which is a great way to keep it within the family considering teleportation can’t be done by everyone. Even then, they have to know that it’s here, to begin with.”

“Thank you so much,” I told her with a wide smile, “just don’t forget about me down here because that is something I can’t do yet.”

She giggled and shook her head, “Don’t worry Fred, I won’t. And don’t worry about Shining Armor either. He can’t do teleport well enough to get down here.”

“That’s good,” I moaned happily, “but I have lots of questions. Like what was the deal with Rainbow’s wings?”

I heard her giggle, “Well for pegasi, and in that particular instance, it’s when they’re in a state of arousal.”

“Arousal? Really?” I wondered, “wonder what she was thinking about?” I guess I can call it a wing boner then.

“Well you did say ‘taste the rainbow,’ she winks.

“Oh well…um…OK,” I clear my throat nervously, “seriously though there are a lot of things that I don’t know. That I’m afraid of doing something wrong or some social faux pas.”

“I understand,” she nodded then turned toward me, “OK then there are some things that you need to know. Erogenous zones for ponies. For earth ponies, it’s pretty much no different than humans. Unicorns have one difference in that the horn and around the base is one. Pegasi it’s between the wing joints is the most sensitive while the wings and wingtips are still sensitive.”

“Wow,” I mentioned softly in thought, “then does that mean that you, Twilight, my mother, and Luna the most sensitive ponies in all of Equestria because you have both wings and a horn?”

She blushed heavily, but giggled, “Funny, didn’t think of it that way, but I guess yes.”

“OK. What about behaviors like kissing a mare’s hand? Because in human past it was simply a means of giving an honorable, and gorgeous, woman respect. At least that’s what it means for me anyway.”

“Well generally speaking it means the same, so I wouldn’t worry too much there,” Cadence thought aloud.

“OK,” I nodded, “Pegasi, you, Twilight, Luna, and my mother all have feathery wings. Do y’all preen them as birds do?”

“Yes actually,” Cadence smiled, extended her wings, and turned her back to me, “OK I’ll give you a little crash course.” I was a little nervous but moved closer to get a better look. At least her swimsuit allowed for her wings. “First off it’s normal for members of the same family to preen each other’s wings. It helps strengthen the bond between members. Now the basic idea of preening is to make sure that all of them are straight and clean. Old ones need to be plucked so new ones can grow.”

“OK,” I nodded and begun to look at the tip, then I stopped, “hang on if your wings are sensitive zones then wouldn’t preening…you know?”

She giggled shaking her head, “not while preening, although there’s nothing preventing a pegasi mare from that during preening. But in our case, you won’t have to worry about it OK?”

“OK,” I nodded and started looking at the feathers one by one starting with the larger ones. Hey, that rhymes. I did notice some feathers crooked and out of place so I began with one wing working toward the middle.

Over the next fifteen minutes or so she gave me a crash course in preening. She did suggest pulling a couple of older feathers, which I did to her expectations. Then it was done.

“Now then why don’t I give you a little shoulder and back massage?” she suggested with a smile.

“Is that OK?” I asked honestly curious.

“Oh yes, don’t worry. Think of it as me preening you without the wings,” she giggled waving a hand.

“Alright,” I told her while turning around. I didn’t know that those fur coated hands would feel that good during a massage. I even told her so while she worked on my back noticing how tense I was.

“You’re tense,” she commented while I sighed pleasantly under her touch, “they really did run you that hard didn’t they?”

“Yeah they did,” I agreed. “I’m going to have to spend time in the library or under a tutor or something,” I mentioned after another minute or two, “in order to get up to speed on this world. I know next to nothing.”

“Well before you delve too deep into it you might want to talk to Luna about it first,” Cadence patted my back then continued massaging it.

“Why?” I wondered while enjoying the hot water and the steam going into my lungs.

“Because she’s a part of it, but she’ll have to tell you that,” Cadence said with some sorrow in her voice.

“OK, I guess I can ask her tonight. She sleeps during the day and up all night right?”

“Yeah because she’s the keeper and watcher of the night,” Cadence mused with a smile. Then she pats my back, “Now how does that feel?”

I sighed rolling my shoulders and stretching my back, “Oh that feels much better thank you.”

“However I can tell you about the history behind the Crystal Empire,” she volunteered.

“Yeah?” turning to her I asked with a smile glad to know something of this world at least.

“Yeah, but why don’t we grab your mother first and head over to the library?” she winked then got out of the pool.

“Alright,” I did the same and walked over to a towel drying myself off while she did the same. My clothes were still a little wet, so I kept the towel around my waist, “Alrighty, I can let the air do the rest.”

She giggled leaving a towel around herself as well, “So will I,” she smiled. “OK close your eyes and hold on,” she told me while taking my hand. I suppose I should finally note that she is about five inches shorter than I am. I really like her though because she has a wonderful personality. I just hope that some of it will spill over into Shining Armor.

Closing my eyes I held on while feeling magic flow through me I heard the soft pop. When I opened my eyes we were back in her chambers again facing her bed. “That’s handy,” I said with a chuckle, “hopefully I’ll be able to pull that off one day. I’ll just wear these for now and keep the towel with me. And I’ll wait outside while you change alright?”

“OK Fred,” she said taking the towel off to get changed.

With a smile, I turned around, took a couple of steps, and walked right into Shining Armor. I noticed his face and only one thought crossed my mind as I frowned down into his face. Crap. In one fluid motion, he grabbed me by magic, picked me up, and flung me toward the door. Luckily for me, however, the door was just far enough away that I could cross my arms to put up my shield before I bashed through it. He threw me with enough force that after going through the door I continued my journey into the far wall creating a very nice imprint on it. It wasn’t on the same level as Sunset was so it didn’t do all that much to me.

“SHINY,” I heard Cadence yell.

“What were you doing with my wife?” he screamed at me as I pried myself from the wall.

I was just dusting myself off after taking down my shield and when I looked up this is what I saw. The two guards by the door looked shocked and then started to lower their spears at me. Shining was just beginning to charge at me with a wild look in his eyes. Cadence was furious at him and yelling at him to stop.

However, Shining Armor was faster than his guards because he was using his magic to speed up. I’m sure he was thinking about slamming me into the wall behind me. Unfortunately for him, I decided to let the laws of physics play in my favor. I just sidestepped him letting him slam himself into the wall. While Shining Armor was groaning making a great first impression on his new friend the wall, the two guards were heading toward me. Thinking quickly I ignited my hands and grabbed their spears just behind the metal point. While they struggled with trying to free themselves I easily disarmed them by burning through the wood. The two sharp metal points landed on the floor with a soft echoing clink on the crystal floor.

“GUARDS, SHINING ARMOR STAND DOWN AT ONCE,” Cadence yelled much too loudly for a normal voice as my ears rang a little from it.

“But your highness he-“ one of the guards tried to speak up but Cadence was having none of it.

“SHUT IT,” she shouted to them, “weren’t you told about Fred being Princess Celestia’s son?”

They looked at me then to her and cringed while shaking their heads.

“Shining Armor didn’t tell that to all the guards here?” she asked wanting confirmation.

“No your highness he didn’t,” they replied now worried about their future in the guard. And with good reason too since the look on her face was pretty much death itself mad. Her head slowly turned to Shining Armor, who, at the moment, was prying himself from the wall. He didn’t get a chance to say or do anything before he was hoisted off the floor by her magic, turned upside down, and floated right up to her face. Her arms were across her chest, her eyes locking onto his, and she was snorting like a raging bull.

Boy, I’m glad I’m not in his shoes right now. I watched, and heard, her command the guards to escort me to my mother’s room. On top of that, she made double sure that they knew who I was and to tell every single guard that they passed the same. Needless to say, they didn’t argue while skittering past her like whooped puppies.

“I’m sorry Fred, but looks like I’ll have to deal with this myself,” Cadence apologized to me.

Normally I’d say something like “Hey no harm was done, it’s OK” however with that look in her eyes? Nope, definitely Nope. I actually wanted to say something like that, but I just didn’t have the words. “I understand,” finally said after not able to think of anything else to say.

“This way sir,” one of the guards motioned for me to follow him, which I did. After about a couple of minutes, and out of earshot of Cadence, one of them wanted to say something. “I’m sorry about earlier Prince Fred,” he said simply while the other shushed him.

“Oh don’t worry about me good guard,” I tried reassuring him, “wasn’t your fault that you didn’t know. Plus, and if you don’t mind, I might have been born into the position of a prince. However, it doesn’t feel right to me to have that title.” They both looked at me in shock at that. “I want to earn that title good guards in everyone’s, or everypony’s, eyes. It’s just who I am. So, if you don’t mind, just call me Fred for now. How about it?”

They looked to each other then came to a silent agreement, “We can do that Sir Fred. We have to add in the sir due to policy and we can respect that you want to earn it. By that alone, you’re better than most nobles in Canterlot.”

“Thanks,” I said softly while my mind immediately went to those nobles who were responsible for my father’s death. Even though I didn’t know them my blood boiled for vengeance. However, I also knew that blind revenge alone did me no good. Though I just couldn’t help the feeling.

Soon we reached my mother’s chambers where I knocked on the door.

“Yes?” she asked from within.

“It’s only me,” I said rather comically. I needed a good laugh at the moment and mother caught on that I was being a little silly, so she played along.

“Me? Oh dear, I don’t know any ‘Me’s’. I know of my son, but not anyone named, ‘Me,’” she humorously shot back at me through the door. I by chance took a glance at one of the guards by the door and I noticed a little curl at the edge of his muzzle in the form of a smirk.

I had to laugh at that, “OK, anyway it’s me Fred and we discussed about going to the library at lunch.”

She laughed on the other side of the door then flung it open with her magic, “Oh come in already you goof.” So, I did right into her open arms. Her wings also wrapped around me as she hugged me. “So,” she continued, “How did your workout go.”

I chuckled, “Too well. But it was Shining Armor who pushed me the most. Remember what he said and the tone that he said it in at lunch?” My mother nodded at me. “Yeah well, he didn’t enjoy it and decided to chase me down. He tried anyway and eventually I was able to allude him enough so I could reach the safety of Cadence’s room.” While I told her the tale she released me from her hug. She also changed my outfit with her magic to another set of plain pants and shirt then began leading me to the library. “Quickly I hid under her bed when I got there, to which she was very surprised to see me. Then soon after Shining Armor comes storming in demanding that she tells him where I am. Needless to say, she didn’t tell him but told him off a little. From there she made a suggestion about using the private hot tub like bath to ease my body from that workout. Which was me running at top speed for about an hour. My feet felt like Jello while my heart and lungs felt like they were on fire.”

My mother chuckled as we walked. “Anyway,” I continued, “she helped me relax and even taught me a few things about preening wings.”

“Oh?”

I nodded, “Even about some areas that are sensitive, so to speak. I didn’t want to do anything wrong, so she filled me in a little. Anyway, after that, we went back to her room where I would wait outside while she changed.” I sighed thinking back as she had a wing and an arm around me, “You know I never even heard him walk in, but right after I turn around I bumped right into him.”

“What did he do?” she asked as we walked up to the doors of the library.

“Well, he grabbed me with his magic and threw me out the door.”

She stopped and turned around to look at me, all over.

“Mother I’m fine,” I held her head, “my protection spell thingy protected me, besides he wasn’t anywhere near the power Sunset had, so it didn’t affect me. Though she’ll have to get another door though.” I opened the door for her and ushered her in, “Anyway, he charged at me using his magic to increase his speed, so I just sidestepped the issue.” I leaned in to whisper to her, “He made a new friend with the wall. Cadence is, suffice it to say, not happy with him and that’s putting it very mildly.”

“Cadence isn’t happy about what Fred?” Twilight asked as she walked up to us.

“Oh hey Twilight, I didn’t know you were here,” I presented my hand to her.

She took it then eyed me with a stern glare, “You still didn’t answer my question, Fred. Why. Is. Cadence. Upset?”

I sighed looking to my mother and she just nodded ever so slightly. “She’s mad at Shining Armor for him throwing me through her bedroom door,” I simply told her.

“WHAT?! Why would he do that?” she asked while also looking me over. You know if this happens more often I’m going to have to start charging something.

“After he ran me down for an hour I was able to allude him long enough to take refuge in Cadence’s room, from there she invited me to the private bath. Where she got me to relax, educate me a little, and then returned to her room. From there she was going to change so I turned around walking straight into him. He grabbed me by his magic and threw me through the door. I’m fine, but Cadence is probably ripping him a new one right about now.”

Both of them looked at me rather funny and I just chuckled, “It’s slang meaning that she’s really extremely angry at him.”

“Oh,” they both responded at the same time.

“Anyway,” I continued, “she was going to come with us and teach me a little about this place, but she’s going to be a little late obviously.”

Twilight clapped her hands excitedly, “Oh well I can tell you what I know, It’ll be fun.” She grabbed my hand and started pulling me somewhere in the large library, “Come on.”

“Oh okay,” I chuckled to her while being practically dragged toward somewhere. She dragged me over to a desk and plopped me right down into the nearest chair.

“OK, now pay attention Fred,” she smiled too big for my liking, but what could I do but pay attention?

“I will, but is holding me down to the chair by magic really necessary?” I wondered while glancing down then up to her.

“Huh?” She glanced down then blushed an apology, “oh sorry, I must have done it out of habit. I tried teaching Rainbow one time and had to tie her down to keep her in her seat, sorry.” She waved a hand as the binds disappeared.

“Thanks,” I told her, “but out of curiosity where are Applejack and Rainbow?”

“You know that’s a good question,” she mused while thinking and looking around while my mother brought up a chair and sat down beside me, “I really don’t know. They’ll turn up I’m sure.”

And that is how my very first official lesson of this world started. I sat there for a good long while, not sure how long while listening to the fascinating tale of the overall history of the Crystal Empire. I didn’t know how much it meant to Twilight to see someone actually enjoying her lecture. Which I did actually and even asked questions. About a couple of hours into it both Rainbow and Applejack came walking in to find me. And the tale of how I escaped from Shining Armor was told once more. Applejack wasn’t sure what to make of it, but Rainbow was quickly on the floor rolling around with laughter and mirth. Soon after Cadence showed up, minus Shining Armor.

“Hey Cadence,” I waved to her as the others also said their greetings, “um…What did you do to Shining Armor?”

“Yeah, what did you do to my brother?” Twilight wondered out of curiosity without any malice in her voice.

“A little heated discussion regarding his actions is all,” she smiled almost pleasantly when she said it. I made a mental note never to cross her as she too joined us. “So what are we doing?”

“Just finishing up on a lecture about the history of the Crystal Empire,” Twilight said with a smile.

“Aww I missed it,” Cadence whined looking a little glum in her chair.

“It’s alright sugarcube,” Applejack consoled her with an arm around her shoulders while sitting on the armrest, “at least you know the history.”

Cadence just smiled while I stood up making all eyes look to me, “Well, it’s nearing dinner time and I have a peanut butter pie to make. So, why don’t I, and whoever wants to watch come with me to the kitchen?”

“I’m game,” Applejack said standing up and looking over to me, “I’d like to see how you make it. Never seen a human cook before.” But the look in her eyes told me, Just don’t get any ideas.

“I will too,” my mother said also standing up smiling to me, “I’d like to see how my son cooks.”

“Great, well let’s be off then,” I began walking out of the library with everyone in tow. Seemed like every one of them was curious about how I cook. Cadence led the way considering that I had no clue where I was going.

It was only a few minutes until we reached the kitchen doors. “I don’t know AJ,” Rainbow spoke up with a disbelieving huff, “I don’t think he can cook at all.”

“Well my dear skittles,” I told her with amusement, “you are about to find out differently.” I went to open the door, but before I did the door got yanked open.

“Alright I’ll get it from storage,” a mare said looking back into the kitchen at another pony. I stood there looking on at the scene with a little confusion but waited it out anyway. The pony that was standing before me had on a typical cooking outfit that I might have seen on a cooking show back in the human world. Her coat was a tan color with white hair slash mane and tail.

The mare behind her, also a cook, was brown coated with a gray mane and tail. Who, right this minute, was looking at me with a little bit of shock. Apparently not accustomed to seeing an “evil” human did the one thing that I fully expected. She screamed and pointed to me.

That in turn, made the mare in front of me turn her head around to look up at me and a second later pretty much did the same thing, “HUMAN.” The mare screamed at me then quickly reached for something just inside the door and off to the side.

“No wait, I’m-” is all I got out because a second later…

BONG

Went the pan on my head.

SLAM. CLICK.

Went the door quickly shutting and locking in front of me.

Rainbow was howling with laughter as she rolled on the floor. My mother quickly had to hold me up because my world was spinning out of control. She was trying not to laugh while Cadence and Twilight walked up to the door to convince the two to open up.

“It’s Cadence,” she called out while knocking on the door while putting up a hand to stop Twilight. Twilight was about to use her magic to force the door open, but Cadence stopped her knowing what she was about to do. “It’s OK,” Cadence called out through the door, “Everything is OK, believe it or not, this human is actually Princess Celestia’s son.”

By this time the world had stopped spinning, but the pain was still there. Damn, that mare sure can sling a pan. Mother had stopped holding me up, but was still there standing beside me when the door suddenly creaked open slightly with the pan wielding mare staring out through the crack. I know that years later down the road I’m going to look back at this and laugh my head off, but for right now it hurts like hell. My mother, AJ, and I just watched as Twilight and Cadence tried to convince the mare that everything was indeed alright.

Finally, my mother had to step up, “Miss Flour, Cadence, and Twilight are telling you the truth.” She motioned to me then continued, “Fred Justice here really is my son and he’s here to cook for us, so please let us in.”

The door opened wider as Miss Flour and the other mare now looked between my mother and I looking confused, “Really?" Everyone nodded. “And he’s going to cook?” It was obvious that they didn’t believe this, but what could they do when faced with three princesses and some of the elements of harmony standing there in front of her. She just sighed, shook her head, and opened up the door stepping aside. “Alright, but it is my kitchen, so I get to watch and make sure that he doesn’t ruin the place,” she said sternly.

“That will be perfectly fine Miss Flour,” Cadence said while everyone...sorry everypony filed inside. I don’t know if I will ever get used to the wording change here.

Anyway, I went to work on the pie, but I won’t go through all the details here it would just bore you. Suffice it to say that everypony, ha I can do it, stayed out of my way. However, for them to stay that way I had to explain what I was doing. Mainly for the two cooks that refused to leave and was completely blown away at the prospect that a human was cooking. As I worked I got curious as to why there weren’t any humans around. That question got asked during Twilight’s lecture. Turned out that this kingdom was gone for a very long time. Just gone, disappeared. So when they reappeared again it was Cadence who took over the education and updating them on what has happened while they were away. Unfortunately, one of those things was about what the humans did. And because of what King Sombra did in the past they readily accepted what they were told about humans. Which, explains their reaction to my cooking.

It was about an hour later when I got done with it and slapped it into the refrigerator, which I found out was magically operated. Naturally. “Alrighty,” I said while looking at them and leaning against the counter by the refrigerator, “now we just wait until it cools off. When that happens it will thicken where we can cut it without it still being partly liquid.” I kept it basic for them while I was anxious to taste it myself considering that all the food here in Equestria was better than the food in the human realm.

“So that’s how you make your peanut butter pie?” AJ asked curiously while I just nodded with a wide smile. All of them, except for the two cooks, was now standing in front of me some of them leaning up against the center island.

“Yep and you can make it too if you want,” I laughed slightly smiling at her with my arms over my chest, “Not like it’s a secret or anything.”

“We’ll see sugarcube, we’ll see. I’ll have to admit though it did smell right good,” AJ admitted making it boost my ego.

Mother looked rather proud of me, “I bet it will be delicious son,” she said with obvious pride in her voice and a gleam in her eye.

“At least everypony will get the chance to try it at dinner in about a couple of hours,” Cadence smiled to everypony. “You think that it will be ready in time?”

I nodded to her, “Yeah, usually we keep it overnight to cool, but to speed up the process I put it in the upper freezer.” That’s when I looked to the two cooks, “If you don’t mind ladies, to move it from the freezer to the refrigerator when the core temperature is around forty to forty-five degrees?”

Miss Flour spoke up, “Alright,” though it was obvious that she, and the other one, was still skeptical. That was OK though because I didn’t mind proving myself.

“Thank you, ladies,” I told them politely with a slight bow of my head.

“Now that the demonstration is done, can I have my kitchen back please?” the other cook asked.

“Of course Miss Flour,” my mother said politely while Cadence began ushering us all out the door.

“I don’t know,” Rainbow said while looking up to me, “I’m still not sure if I believe that he can cook.”

“Even after seeing all that?” I asked while looking down at her while she walked down the hall beside me. Hooves clopped on the stone floor softly while the occasional guard gave me dirty looks while the other’s weren’t looking.

“Hey, anypony can put together a bunch of stuff and call it a pie. It’s not food unless a pony is able to eat it and that it actually tastes good,” she said with a smirk.

I nodded in agreement with her conceding her point, “True enough, true enough. So how about we make a bet there skittles?” At this, all the other soft conversations went quiet as all ears were pointed toward us. Which looked really weird actually considering that was both literal and figurative. All of those pony ears were literally pointed right to us. I always wished that I could do that, but I’m rambling. I was watching her reaction and at first, I thought that she would back down, but then she smirked up at me.

“Alright, you’re on. What’s the bet?”

She looked so smug and sure of herself. I thought of the best thing. I just grinned back down to her, “If I win then I get to take you on seven dates with each date being on a separate day that has to last at a minimum of three hours or more.” To say that she looked shocked was an understatement. Her brain nearly shut down. The look was good on her I had to admit, but I knew that she’d recover and offer something equal to that to me.

She shook her head while the others had equally shocked looks on their faces. Even though I couldn’t see a couple of them I knew they were shocked simply because of body language.

“Alright Fred,” she crossed her arms over her chest and thought, “And If I win then you have to dress up in mare’s dresses and pose for calendar photos.” My jaw just dropped when I heard that. At the same time AJ and Rainbow was sis fisting each other. Well I couldn’t call it bro fisting sense they are girls could I?

I just cleared my throat and looked her square in the eyes, “You’re on,” and shook hands with her. And I couldn’t wait until dinner, which was just about two or so hours away.

Next Chapter: Chapter Six: Peanut Butter Pie, Dreamland, and Leaving for Canterlot Estimated time remaining: 23 Hours