Much of the day was as uneventful as one would expect. Everyone that had been affected by the exhaustion seemed to alternate between feeding their sudden pangs of hunger and finding a new place to nap. Every so often the guards would return with another spread of fruits, veggies, or pastries. The snacks came so consistently that there was no need for a proper meal.

However, the bright and cheerful day that they so lackadaisically enjoyed drew closer and closer to an end. Storm clouds cooled the air and accompanied the seasons' pollen with the smell of oncoming rain. It was only by the good fortune of dualing royal figures that covers were located and placed over what would otherwise likely be a leaky roof by the helpful hooves of their royal armored guardians. Then, as the gentle pattering of raindrops padded and drummed around them, the humming of the humans’ energy machine again powered the many devices of their dwelling. Movie night would soon be starting.

"Sorry again about the rainstorm. It wasn't supposed to come until Wednesday," Rainbow Dash apologized.

Applejack sat down on the couch with a bowl full of apple slices. "Oh, don't you go worrying yourself none, Rainbow. The orchard could use a good long drink."

"Speaking of drinks," Sniff called out into the room. "Far be it from me not to be the gentleman that I am. I come bearing gifts, ladies," He declared, setting a six-pack of Not Your Father's Root Beer and another of Henry's Hard Soda.

He went on to explain. "Now this isn't as strong as the shots of liquor you tried for the little toast we had, but this is more for flavor and fun. So you can pick between Root Beer or Hard Soda."

Cerb walked in from the garage. "It's flavored candy water. Girls back home love it."

Sniff nodded approvingly. "They sure do."

Cerb put a hand on Sniff's shoulder. "Almost as much as old Sniffles does."

Benny picked up a DVD case and made his way to the TV. "Alright, everyone. Moving night is about to start."

The movie almost made it out of the jewel case before a knocking came to the door. It caused a moment of confusion since everyone and everypony who was supposed to be in the room was already there, and the guards didn't bother to knock anymore.

"Twilight! Are you in there?" An unfamiliar young voice called out from the outside the front door.

Twilight's ears perked up. "Spike? What's he doing here?"

Another young voice called out, this time it was one they all recognized. "Sis, are you in there? I don't wanna share a hotel room with Granny again tonight."

"Rarity! You didn't come home last night. Is everything alright? Spike said you stayed the night at your new friend's house. When are you coming home?" Sweetie Belle called out.

"Rainbow Dash! You didn't take care of the weather. Is everything okay in there?" Scootaloo added in.

Benny turned to Becky. "Welp, might as well let'em in. Mind getting the door, Becks?"

"Sure thing," She all too happily obliged. "Hold on a sec, cuties."

Benny gave a regretful sigh. "Well, looks like we're going to the backup movie I guess."

Kelly turned to give a confused look. "Back up movie? What were you going put in?"

He held up one of the manliest movie covers ever.

"The Expendables? I thought we were watching Iron Man?" She complained.

"Last minute swap out. Doesn't matter now, though, because now we're going old school," He said with a whimsical tune.

Cheers and giggles raced through the room as the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike made a mad dash to their respective counterparts. After a short exchange of questions being weakly answered to avoid unnecessary details, it came down to an understanding of Kelly was hurt and they stayed the night to help her.

The TV screen changed, and new music started up with the menu screen, and Benny grabbed the attention of the room once again. "Well, me and the guys chose an awesome action flick, but with our new guest arriving, I opted out for a classic I'm sure we can all enjoy."

The menu screen made the movie easy to guess what it was for anyone who was a kid in the late '80s and '90s. The girls cheered, while Chris and Lumberman groaned. Cerb himself just smiled.

"The Princess Bride? Really?" Chris whined.

Cerb raised his beer. "Hell yeah, The Princess Bride. Andre the Giant chucking rocks and sword fights... it's an awesome movie."

Lacking the explanation of what the events of the night were to be, Spike was rightfully confused. "Huh? We can watch movies, here?"

Aside from having to explain that the movie was about a story being read to a sick boy inside the film, they seemed to be able to follow along just fine. Although, it was surprising just how emotionally invested and drawn into the story they became. In many ways, it was not unlike their reactions to the movie when they were young and impressionable. They cheered all of his victories, gasped at the discovery of Westly being alive, and even argued that something was wrong with the movie when Westley ‘mostly’ died. It was rather comical to see them practically mirror Fred Savage's reaction from within the movie.

For such a tame children friendly movie, the ponies were all moved by its ending. Though there was a mixture of opinions of whether it was right or wrong for Inigo Montoya to kill the man who murdered his father, a small debate broke out on when it would have been right or wrong to take a life.

Cerb decided to weigh in on the conversation from leaning up against the couch. "Well, what's more wrong. Taking one life of someone who does evil, or not stopping them so that they can go on to kill more innocent lives?"

The ponies fell silent as they rolled that conundrum over in their mind. They had never been faced with a question of taking a life to stop the loss of other lives. Celestia though, she seemed to be reflecting more than pondering.

"I suppose that where you come from, such a question would require more thought, as it seems that humans can far more easily fall subject to the consequences of death," Celestia finally answered. "However, the dangers we face seldom carry the risk of a pony, or another adversary, to take a life. We ponies are rather durable, actually."

Cerb noded. "Yeah. Big Mac made that pretty clear."

The princess returned a knowing nod. "All life is precious, and every attempt should be made to protect it, be they good or evil."

"And if all else fails?" Cerb asked.

Celestia grinned. "Then I'd make them regret their durability."

Cerb smiled back and raised his beer bottle. "Hey, I'll drink to that."

Catching Cerb off guard, Sweetie Belle leapt up, pouncing on his chest. "Hey! Since this is the last movie, can I have one of the root beers or sodas that you all get to drink?"

Her excitement was so high that it seemed wrong to disappoint her with the only acceptable answer.

"Sorry, but no can do Kido," He answered with a tussle of his hand through her hair.

"Awe, come on. I'll trade ya for another hug? Deal?" She offered, before diving up and wrapping her forelegs around his neck.

"Ack!" Cerb grunted, not expecting the assault around his throat by the overexcited foal.

Rarity looked on, doing all she could not to speak her jealous thoughts of another mare, even if it was her much too younger sister, getting all up on her man. Even Cerb turned to Rarity with a look that pleaded for a way out of this.

"How about a Sunny D?" Benny offered as an alternative.

There was no way Scootaloo was going to miss out on this new treat. "What's a Sunny D?"

Sniff felt the need to oversell this new beverage. "It's only the greatest orange flavored drink ever created! It's so good that we use it to make other drinks taste better. But if you like, we can let you have some without adding anything to it."

Cerb turned back to Sweetie Belle glowing with excitement and only inches from his face. "Okay, Sunny D. That what you want now?"

He might as well have asked her if she wanted presents for Hearts Warming. "Yeah! Let's go! Take me to the Sunny D!"

"Take you?" He asked with a playful laugh. "Okay, ya little hug monster. Hold on tight. I'm getting up."

Like the true little sweetheart she was, she raised a hoof and cheered in victory. "Yay! I'm gonna be the first pony in Ponyville to have pure Sunny D!"

"Hey! I wanna go, too." Scootaloo threw in her request to join.

Sniff dropped down to all fours and offered his back to be mounted by the young filly. "Hey, think we can beat them to the garage and snag the Sunny D first?"

"Like a race? Oh, we're so gonna win," She declared, jumping up on his back and latching on with her forehooves over his shoulders.

Lumberman felt something grasp his leg. He looked down to see Apple Bloom stuck to him. "Lemme guess. You wanna be carried off to the Sunny D, too?"

Applejack tried to reign in her sister. "Apple Bloom, mind your manners, girl."

Before she could dismount, Lumberman reached down and picked her up and sat her atop his shoulders. "If you're half as persistent as your sister, I'm better off just giving in now. Just don't go trying to slap me with your tail while you're up there."

Apple Bloom giggled at such a random request. "Why would I go on an' do a thing like that?"

"I dunno. Apparently not every pony here can control themselves," He teased.

Starlight thought the whole exchange was kind of cute, but couldn't justify the excitement. "Is it really that good of a drink?"

Chris shrugged. "For kids it is. Otherwise, it's a good mixer or a chaser for vodka. You wanna try one?"

She didn't want to be rude, but something about Chris and the comments he made before gave her an uneasy feeling towards him. "Uh, okay?"

"Alright. I'll be right back," He stood up and started making his way past the crowded room of his old and new friends. "Would you like one too, Princess. Being of the sun and all?"

She eyed the oddly flavored root beer she'd been nursing. "Well, if you think it's just as good as this, I'd think I'll be more than happy to give it a try."

Becky stood up and walked over to Rainbow Dash. "Well if no one else is going to get up, I'll start up the next flick." She said before she started coughing.

Her cough didn't start off too problematic. It was first just her clearing her throat, then short coughs, but by the time she got the next disc in she was unable to get a word out between coughs.

Fluttershy perked up, first to help, but then remembering her primary responsibility to them. "Oh, I can't believe I forgot, I brought you something. Please, have a seat dear."

"Are you sure you're not just doing this for attention, Becky," Rainbow Dash jokes, walking her back into the couch. "Cuz I'm already here ya know."

Becky smiled and would have laughed, had she been able to. If anything, trying to laugh only made it worse. At least now she was able to sit and be waited on.

Kelly nudged Becky. "Hey, Becks. Check us out. All us ladies are getting waited on, hand and foot. It's like we're all royalty tonight."

"Ha. If only," Becky managed to say before losing to the coughs again.

Just then, Fluttershy returned with a small sack tied closed and a teapot. "Okay, I put these together, just for you. I hope it helps."

She dumped two tablespoons worth of the mixed herbs and leaves from the sack into the teapot and swirled it around. After reaching the proper dispersion inside, she sat it down on the coffee table.

"Um, Twilight? Could you be a dear and warm this up, please?" She asked her friend. "Not too hot, though."

Twilight was more than happy to oblige. "Oh, sure. I think I can muster that."

A purple hue surrounded the teapot, and the water inside began to bubble and steam. Just like that, an experimental herbal tea was ready for its first attempt at being a home remedy.

Fluttershy poured a cup half full and blew on it before offering it to Becky. "Drink it slowly and inhale its steam. Just the aroma alone can help, but it's a bit more potent when taken like this."

The fragrance of the tea seemed to waft in and out between the scent of something akin to burnt cinnamon. She tried to sip, but the coughing made such a task through a cup a lost cause. After spilling a good portion of the tea on herself, she decided a new approach. She placed the cup down back on the coffee table and coughed leaning over it. Each breath she pulled in after every cough brought in more of the odd smelling brew. And surprisingly, with each breath, she could feel the aching twinge and painful itch in her chest fade.

Slowly, all those uncomfortable pains melted away. She didn't have the full breadth of air she lost in all the years gone by, but the struggle to inhale was gone. All of it gone and vanished without even taking a single sip.

"Well? Did it help?" Fluttershy finally asked, hoping for any semblance of improvement.

Kelly sat up. Her face was flush with tears running down her face. A million thank yous trying to rip their way out of her throat, yet she couldn't find the words to say.

"Oh, no," The humble pegasus fretted, fearing she must have mixed the wrong combination together. "I must not have added enough honey. Or maybe it was not enough foal's-breath. Oh, maybe I should have boiled the Lazililies in buttermilk instead of buttercream. I thought it would have made it come out a lot smoother."

She went to pull back the teacup but had her hooves stop under the grasp of Becky's hands. Fluttershy looked up, worried she'd have to make another apology. No words would be uttered before Becky was pulling the unwitting mare into her arms.

"It doesn't hurt anymore... thank you," Becky hushed under a newly given air of confidence.

Just as soon as Fluttershy realized that her herbal remedy was a success, Becky pulled back from the embrace and was beside herself with excitement. "You don't know what this means to me. I mean, I don't think I'm cured, but this fucking cough, I mean, this annoying cough has been such a hindrance from me doing much of anything. And now... it's just gone."

The bright lights of the electrical lighting had little to match the shine that Fluttershy was reflecting. "I'm so happy for you, Becky. I just tried to put together something that would help as a cough suppressant and maybe numb some of the pain. I would have never imagined it would have worked this well for you."

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash budded her way into the conversation. "If just a cup of tea could help you out this much, who knows what our medicine can do for you."

Cerb and the others carrying their supportive fillies returned carrying little orange bottles. Sniff past them walking to the far side of the room, whispering something to Scootaloo. Cerb and Lumberman stood in front of the crowd, holding the young mares on their shoulders as they sat atop the towering men with suspicious smiles. Even the men wore a smile that warranted caution.

Sweetie Belle was the first to hint towards their shenanigans. "Hey, Rainbow. Guess what we found out in their garage?"

Something was up, and Rainbow Dash could smell a prank from a mile away, as she was now. "What's that?" She asked.

Apple Bloom raised her forearms in the air. "We're the perfect distraction!"

"A distraction from what?" Rainbow Dash asked before the sound of a pop and spring being released yielded a yellow Nerf ball bouncing off her head.

"Ha! Direct hit, short stuff!" Sniff shouted from the far corner of the room.

His announcement drew everyone's attention to him, where they could see Scootaloo resting in Sniff's arms with a Nerf gun and her wing on the trigger.

Rainbow Dash stood up on the couch, shocked to see her number one fan taking such a cheap shot at her. "Hey! What's the big idea Squirt?"

Scootaloo smiled with the gleeful innocence of youth. "I'm sorry, Dashie. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle needed a distraction too."

Granted the Nerf ball didn't hurt, for Rainbow Dash, it was just the idea. "Oh, so just because they needed a distraction, you think you can -" Rainbow Dash realized she was being set up again "you little rat!"

Rainbow Dash turned to see that not just the remaining Crusaders with Nerf guns were drawn, but their human counterparts as well. "Oh... It is-"

Taking too long to try and spout off a classic phrase, she was promptly sprayed with a barrage of foam-tipped darts and Nerf balls. She did her best to duck and dodge the flurry of yellow projectiles before giving up and burying her head in between the cushions, tucking her tail and shielding her body as best she could with her wings.

While random and entirely uncalled for, it certainly was entertaining to the rest of the room. Well worth the delay of the movie and good news from Becky.

Celestia turned to Rainbow Dash's assailants. "Might I ask what brought this about?" She asked with a grin.

Cerb shrugged. "I dunno. We hadn't had a chance to mess with her yet. Plus, these little trouble makers wanted to know how our toys worked. What better way to show them how much fun they can be then by blasting away Speed Horse over there?"

Now no longer under attack, Rainbow Dash popped out from the couch and hovered face to face with Cerb. "Hey, I don't know what kind'uh joke you think this is, but-"

"Hey Rainbow," Sniff called out to her.

"What?" She snapped back.

Sniff pointed up and down from the floor to Rainbow Dash. "You can fly again."

"Huh?" She looked down at the distance between her and the floor as she effortlessly flapped her wings. "Hey! Look everypony! I can fly again!"

Instead of applause or praise, a yellow Nerf ball fired off from Sniff's direction and bounced off her head.

Rainbow Dash turned in midair, gritting her teeth. "Why you little..."

"Um, aren't we going to talk about Becky's cough being gone?" Fluttershy quickly asked, trying to distract Rainbow Dash from likely pummeling Sniff.

The three men turned Becky who comically waived her nervous jazz hands. "... yay?"

Rainbow Dash scowled at the six that had assaulted her. "Yeah. Way to spoil a touching moment."

In response, Sniff fired off another ball that struck her in the right butt cheek.

"That's it!" Rainbow Dash flared up, ready to strike.

Thankfully, Chris finally made his way back to the group, interrupting another potential beating. "Okay, so I got the drinks, but I forgot that we don't have any ice. It should still be good though."

"Oh, I can fix that for you," Twilight offered with her horn already glowing.

The two red plastic cups in his hands started to glow in Twilight's aura, getting colder and colder.

"Hey, hey, hey! Okay! That's good! Holy crap is that cold," Chris warned out loud.

He quickly handed out the drinks to Celestia and Starlight; each cup sloshed with chunks of ice now floating inside. This sight of such a feat inspired a proclamation from Sniff.

"Woah... Twiggles. You can chill drinks with your horn?" He asked aloud what should have been obvious.

She shrugged off the question for being something so trivial to her extensive set of spells and magical abilities. "Well of course," She giggled. "It's just a simple spell that cools water molecules to the point of freezing. It's not that difficult to do."

Sniff pointed to Twilight. "You are officially the greatest party pony in existence."

"What!" Pinkie furiously shouted, ready to pounce.

Now Benny didn't have the depth of knowledge into the ponies like Chris or Becky but remembered enough to know how seriously Pinkie took her parties. So, given that level of dedication, if not obsession, and the friction those two had earlier that morning, he stepped in to save his friend from yet another potential beat down by picking up the pink mare again.

"Becky, for the love of god, start the movie before Sniffles starts a horse riot," He pleaded.

Pinkie pointed angrily at Sniff with her hoof. "You got lucky this time, buster! You cross the line like that again..." Her front bang moved on its own, curling down and running its tip across her throat, warning him not to make the same fatal mistake twice.

After that short exchange, Becky had already started up the movie and unmuted the surround sound. Words faded in and out, all written in the same hues of the morning sunrise to a black backdrop. Then it opened to cartoon animals all making a journey, leading to one of the most iconic Disney opening scenes.

"Oh, so this is about a literal lion king?" Celestia asked.

"Yep. Probably the best movie they ever made," Chris proudly answered.

He leaned over to Starlight, speaking lowly. "You'll love this movie."

Starlight trained her eyes from the TV screen to her orange drink. "Well, I'll never know if I keep getting distracted."

Even if she was being honest, her comment came off rather callous. Or at least it was perceived to be cold enough that Chris didn't try to push a conversation again. In fact, it made him feel as if she didn’t even want him around.

As Rafiki was painting Simba on the wall, Starlight finally took her first sip of the orange drink. "Wow, that's really good Chris," She offered her compliment, though it received no reply.

Not taking her eyes off the movie, she tried to nudge Chris's leg with her elbow but never connected. Finally, she tried to turn her head while keeping her eyes on the screen. "When did you figure out how to make this?"

Her question went unanswered for some reason. Not understanding why he wouldn't reply, she finally turned her eyes to Chris's chair, but sitting there was a random guard.

She could only state the obvious. "You're not Chris."

"No," The guard looked down from the seat. "I'm Helix Ray, and I'm trying to watch the movie if you don't mind."

Was that karma or irony? Whichever of the two it was, it made her wonder if her cold response earlier was the reason Chris was now on the other side of the room and sitting on the floor next to Lumberman and another guard. He was still watching the movie, though didn't have the same awkward smile he usually wore. All the more strange of a character that seemed to make him appear to her.

The rest of the movie went as only could be expected. Nearly every pony in the room clung to whoever was next to them for Mufasa and Simba when they were in danger and cried over the death of the king. Even at Simba and Nala being reunited, you'd swear the ponies were there with the two the way they celebrated along. A few also got a bit glowy eyed and felt the love as well that night; some more than others.

One highlight was Applejack jumping up and screaming, "Yeah! Kick their asses!" at the climactic fight near the end. Only one-upping herself when she inadvertently shouted "Yee-doggy! Fuck'em up!" When Scar was taken down by the hyenas.

It would go without saying, that the ponies were surprised to hear her using the human words so suddenly. Though the humans couldn't help but laugh at her sudden outburst and how quickly she tried to cover her mouth after realizing that she just used the worst curse word the humans used. Lumberman had to shrink down a bit, trying to hide from the blame he rightfully deserved for even teaching her such a word.

However, like all good things, as the movie came to an end, so did the royal visit.

Celestia stood from the couch and thanked the gracious hosts for treating her and so many others to the many new and entertaining accommodations they had to offer.

"By any chance, could I happen to take a few of those Nutty-Buddy Bars with me?" She asked cordially. "They are such an interesting pastry."

Benny didn't know how to respond to such a trivial and common snack food being admired so dearly. "Uh, sure. I'll even toss in a few extras for ya. I'm sure your sister would enjoy one as well."

"Luna?" She responded a bit caught off guard at the prospect of giving up such a delight. "Well, she was stuck back in Canterlot and had to take over my duties... I suppose we could spare one Buddy."

She really didn't want to give up her sweets. "Oh, and I have a little something for all of you as well. Something to help compensate for all the trouble you've gone through since arriving here."

A small chest was carried into the garage, looking not much unlike the one that held the Elements of Harmony was presented at the doorway. Celestia used her magic to lift up the chest and set it down on the kitchen countertop.

Kelly was still sitting on the couch and struggled to see what was going on in the kitchen area. "Hey, what's she giving us?"

Chris leaned in next to her. "It's a chest full of bits. Money compensation and a gift to help us get settled in."

His words caught Starlight's attention. "That's a bit presumptuous, don't you think?"

Back in the kitchen, Celestia pulled back the top of the chest and revealed the mass of bits. "You all just arrived here, and I hope this small gift will help you all get settled in. I'm sure you'll find many goods and services here in Ponyville that will help you stay comfortable and help you with purchasing any items you may need in the meantime."

Proven wrong, Starlight couldn't believe how quick Chris was able to guess what the Princess would do. "How..."

Chris was honestly a bit proud of his knowledge of how this pony world worked. "Well, you read enough stories about this kinda stuff, and you can start to guess how some things turn out."

"Stories?" Starlight questioned. "What kind of stories did you read that let you think she'd give you money?"

It seems that Chris said a bit more than he intended. "Well, you know. Well, I mean, not stories, but fan theories and..."

"How much of a life did you have outside of the show about us?" She asked back, looking displeased with him.

Before he could answer, Applejack punched her in the side.

"Ow," She winced, turning to the suddenly punch-happy horse. "What the hay, AJ?

Applejack didn't mask how upset she was over the comments just made toward Chris. "Could j'uh be a bit more rude to the poor guy? Fer Pete's sake. He knew enough to tell us how to save Kelly. I don't think knowing what kinda gift Celestia would be handing out is too big a stretch for 'em at this point."

"Is everything alright over there, Applejack?" Celestia asked over the crowd, thinking she overheard some arguing.

Chris quickly spoke up, trying to hide the spat the two were having. "Sorry, Princess. We're just trying to figure out what the exchange rate would be for bits to our currency."

"Oh, really?" Celestia actually seemed interested. "Well, if I had more time, I'd love to work out those numbers with you. Ha!" She laughed at the idea. "Working out a currency exchange between two worlds. How often does a Princess have the chance to face a challenge of such economic differences?"

Twilight was filled with a new energy of such a task. "Oh, you're right. Do you mind if I start on that project, Princess?"

Celestia gave a caring nod. "If that's what you wish, Twilight."

Spike groaned. "Arg. Not more research, Twilight. Please. I'll never get a chance to hang out with these cool guys."

Sniff swooped in behind Spike, lowering himself down to his level. "Yeah, Princess. How's poor Spike gonna grow up to be the manly man he needs to be without a strong male role model to influence him?" He mockingly asked, while raising Spike's hands and arms in a flexing pose.

"A strong male influence, huh?" She sounded almost intrigued at the idea. "You have a point there, Sniffy."

She turned to the large man standing next to Sniff. "Mr. Cerb, you have my full permission to be the best strong male influence to Spike, if you don't mind I mean."

"Ooooooh. Burn." Benny slid out, taking a jab at him.

Spike celebrated his small victory. "Alright! Hey, you don't mind do you, Mr. Cerb."

He wasn’t in a position to say no. "Yeah, sure. Why not?"

Spike was thrilled to hear the acceptance. “Awesome! I can't wait. I'm gonna go practice flexing," He gleefully announced, making his way out to the door.

Behind the crowd of others, Sniff discretely called Rainbow Dash over to him. Hesitant as she was, she went to confront her antagonizer from earlier. Mischief was afoot.

Twilight called out to the others. "Okay ladies, I think our new guest here would like to have a night to themselves. We don't need to impose."

The mass of mares begrudgingly gathered what few things they had brought with them, save Rainbow Dash who was still off in the corner having a private conversation with Sniff.

"Can't we stay longer?" Sweetie Belle asked her sister.

Applejack had to give a stern response. "Isn't it a school night?"

Being the youth that she was, she had the perfect logic to persuade her sister. "But we're having so much fun!"

The other CMC's were quick to gather around, hoping that if Applejack said yes, that would start a trend for the others to allow them to stay.

Lumberman ruffled his fingers through the foal's mane. "Maybe another time short stuff. School comes first."

The three foals groaned in response to the disappointment they should have expected, unaware of the threat that was prepping behind them.

"Do it now? Okay," Came the whisper of Rainbow Dash that could softly be off in the corner.

Curious eyes turned to see the sight of Rainbow Dash standing on her hind legs, dual wielding a pair of the Nerf ball guns. "Say hello to my little friends!"

With rapid speed and unprecedented accuracy, Rainbow Dash aimed and fired each gun with both wings while pumping in each new round with her hooves. "Yeah! Payback time! Get some! Get some!"

The CMCs and their counterparts did what they could to shield themselves as a dozen yellow balls delivered some well-deserved justice.

At least they all were having fun with it. They all yelled in excitement, trying to protect themselves and dashed from side to side or shielded themselves.

"Out! Reload!" Rainbow Dash shouted and tossed the guns to her side, signaling Sniff and Becky to hand off two of the dart guns. "No one shoots The Dash and gets away with it. Come'er!"

Rainbow Dash charged forward, taking aim at the CMCs who took refuge behind the two males. Cerb and Lumberman were quick to pick up their partners in crime, protecting them from the flurry of soft suction cup darts.

"Quick! Save the kids!" Cerb shouted, turning Sweetie Belle away from the line of fire.

Lumberman ducked around the corner of the room and hid behind Twilight. "Come with me if you want to live!"

In all the excitement, they forgot that Scootaloo was left defenseless. Her partner was now a turncoat. "Hey! What about me?"

She turned to Sniff, hoping he would come to her aid. "Sniff! What the hay?"

Sniff shrugged his shoulders. "Hey. All is fair in love and Nerf war."

"Reload!" Rainbow Dash called for her last set of arms to be delivered.

"Scoots," Cerb called out. "Come here. I'll protect you."

Scootaloo dashed over with her wings buzzing her along, jumping into Cerbs one free arm. He scooped her up started bouncing from side to side, trying to avoid the mix of balls and darts.

With Lumberman and Apple Bloom out of the fight. It was Cerb now taking the brunt of the abuse. "Ah! It's too much. Time for a pony shield. Protect us Scoots!"

"What!" She yelped, guessing what that was going to mean.

With his large hand, Cerb gripped around her chest and held the young pegasus out in front of him like a living shield.

"Ah! No fair!" She laughed out, as the last dozen or so projectiles riddled her back.

"Ha! Serves you right, traitor!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, all too happy to put her number one fan in the crosshairs for her betrayal.

The last dart was fired, flying just high enough to overshoot Scootaloo and tag Cerb in the forehead. It was the perfect ending to the evening. Some innocent light-hearted fun that also patched up any resentment Rainbow Dash had for being made the target from earlier. Everyone else also seemed to enjoy the little display as well.

Rainbow Dash offered up the last two guns back to Sniff, happy that she accepted his offer. "Heh. Thanks for your help there, Sniff."

He took the guns, glad to see his plan worked. "Hey, I told you it would be fun. Maybe we can do a proper Nerf war some other time."

She liked the sound of that. "Yeah, I'll be around. I'm sure we can work something out. And don't worry about tomorrow. I think after a good night sleep I'll be good to clear the skies for a nice sunny day."

"Yeah, that's the kinda thing I like to hear pony sister," Sniff said, offering up a brofist.

Rainbow Dash returned the offer with a brohoof. "You got it, guy."

Becky reached out and pulled Rainbow Dash up into her lap back on the couch. "Hey, hey now. Sniffles. Get your own pegasus. This one's mine if you haven't noticed."

"What? That's some bull, Becky," He shot back, though he did remember how some of the ponies seemed to gravitate to certain people.

He turned back to Twilight. "Hey, Twiggles."

Fearing what he was about to offer, she replied with some hesitation and clear discontent at the idea suggesting that she become his pony. "Oh, no. What?"

Sniff stood back, slack in his stance. "Can you find me a decent pony to spend some time with out in town? I don't want to be the odd guy out, ya know."

She was beside herself. That was obviously a setup for him to ask her if he could claim her as his, for whatever reason it was they were claiming ponies. She was a princess. She had to be of the top five more sought after ponies in all of Equestria, and even if joking, he would ask her to find him a decent pony for him?

"Excuse me?" Twilight scoffed. "You're not even going to consider a princess?"

Sniff went on to patronize the flustered princess. "Twiggles... please... I said in town. Celestia lives in Claterplot, or whatever. I'm thinking local, ya know."

Snubbed twice, she couldn't believe it. "What!? But I-"

"Hey, you're right," Sniff apologized. "You're busy. I'm new here and haven't even tried looking myself," - he snapped his fingers and pointed at her like he just had a great idea - "Don't worry. I got this."

Twilight's face contorted as she struggled to find the words to set this lost soul straight. Inside her head, she did what she could to rationalize her position. "As awkward as it was to get those compliments from Chris, even he thought I was an attractive pony. No, I mean. That's not what Sniff meant though. He just wants a pony friend like the others have. But he's so rude it's no wonder none of the other girls... No, he was so sweet and funny last night, and he's good with the fillies."

Whatever train wreck of words was going to escape her lips were stopped with a tap on her shoulder from Celestia. She derailed from her thought process to see what her mentor wanted.

"Come now, Twilight. It's clear that he wants to try this out on his own for a while." She instructed her former student, guiding her out towards the front door to an awaiting carriage. "Let us leave him to his thoughts for now, and I can drop you off before I depart home myself."

Leading Twilight out, she stopped short of the doorway and turned back to address Sniff. "Oh, and it's Canterlot, not Claterplot. Although, I have many spare rooms in my castle if Ponyville doesn't prove fruitful for you, Sniffy," She said with a wink and a smile before making her way out.

As she crossed the threshold of the doorway, Benny and Cerb took to each side of Sniff. Starting quietly, and slowly getting louder and louder, they started antagonizing him. "Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!"

"Ladykiller," Cerb jested.

"You're going straight for the top, dawg," Benny joked, jabbing his finger into Sniff's side.

Sniff did his best to play down the jokes. "Hey, guys. Come on. Not in front of the kids."

Sweetie Belle walked up behind the group, making herself known with a gasp. "Do you and Princess Celestia have a crush on each other?" She asked with all the joy a youth her age would have over celebrity gossip.

Apple Bloom piped up, still in Lumberman's arms. "Hey, I thought you had the hots for Pinkie.

"What!" Pinkie shouted.

The hairs on the back of Sniff's neck stood up. "Oh, no."

Without the warning of her approaching hoofs clopping on the floor, Pinkie was up on Sniff's side, one foreleg draped along his lower back and her other hoof rubbing up and down his abdomen. "Oh, Smelly. I never knew you cared."

Sniff quickly picked her up in his arms and forcefully shoved her against Benny, making him reactively bring up his arms and catch her. "Nope. Chris said that before he knew you and Benny Boy were an item. No match up here."

The discarded mare looked up to the ill-prepared Benny, accepting the transaction from one man to the other. "Oh well. This works better for me anyway. BenBen has all the cookies."

Pinkie traced her hoof along Benny's chest, looking up to him with wanting eyes. "My sweet little cookie troll, you fill my tummy with Oreo goodness and share your happy music with me. How could I have ever thought mean old Smelly could replace you."

Benny had to look for an out, and fast. "Hey, you never did find Cerb's lever, ya know."

Cerb made a mad dash to Fluttershy and picked her up before Benny could get all four of Pinkies hooves down to the floor. "Nope."

Desperate to avoid a repeat of events on the hill, he quietly whispered into her ear, "Help me out here."

Caught up in the moment of being wrapped in Cerb's arms once again, she had to quickly put together something, anything, to solidify her claim to him. "Oh, well, um. You see," - She looked around the room for something to inspire her to find the words to keep Pinkie away from her claim on Cerb. Finding Rarity staring onward with a look of shock, anger, and sorrow for not being the one he ran to - "Mr. Cerberus is so much to handle that he needs two ponies. So you'll have to get in line behind me and Rarity to find his lever."

Rarity stepped up, placing herself between Cerb and the pink threat. "Yes. Quite so. If Mr. Cerberus needs help finding or pulling his lever, we'll be there to take care of it."

It took all of three seconds for his six friends to erupt in inappropriate laughter. Some of the ponies giggled, but they laughed at Pinkie getting shut down, not understanding the double entendre.

Pinkie, however, wasn't taking kindly to the prospect of being denied his golem lever. "Hey! That's not funny! I just want to make him get all hard and stony and stuff."

More laughter ensued, forcing Cerb to lower Fluttershy down to the floor. Even he had to laugh at this joke now.

"Benny... with the power of 1,000 suns, I hate you," Cerb laughed out.

"Okay, okay, everyone," Starlight called out to the room. "I think we've taken long enough to leave. Let's get a move on."

Applejack gave her brother a nudge. "Come on, Mac. We got a lot of work to catch up on tomorrow. Best be get'n back so we can get an early start on it in the morn'n."

Unfortunately, Big Mac had it in his head that he was going to stay behind to take care of Kelly. "Oh. Actually, I was thinking about staying here again tonight. You know. In case Kelly needed help getting around."

This was such a kind act, and it really touched Kelly's heart. "Oh, you're so sweet," - she pet his head softly - "but I think I can make it through the night. But maybe we can meet up again tomorrow?"

"Hey," Lumberman joined in the conversation. "I build houses for a living. How about we swing by in the morning? I can help with the repairs so you can get busy with catching up on the farm?"

That did seem like a good idea, but Applejack wasn't about to put them out again. "That's mighty kind of ya to offer, but I-"

"Apple Hat... please," Lumberman cut her off. "Don't make us go through this whole I feel bad having you help us out speel. We get it. You're overly considerate and too stubborn to take a helping hand. Can't we just jump to the part where you give in and say yes?"

She rolled her eyes and huffed. "Geez Louise, yer a right persistent one, ain't ya?"

"That means yes," Big Mac piped up.

"Alright. Morning it is, then, "Kelly confirmed the arrangement.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Rarity trotted up to Cerb with her satchel opening up. "I imagine all of you will be in need of some new clothes while you're here. Especially you, since you lost a shirt the first day you arrived."

Sniff laughed. "Lost a shirt? More like he tore it off like a Chip'N Dales dancer."

Rarity did her best to move past the human reference that she was unfamiliar with. "I'll take your word on it, Mr. Sniff. But, I hope this fits."

With her magic, she pulled out a long-sleeved shirt and raised it up to the man of her dreams. "I had to guess your measurements, so if it fits anything less than perfect, let me know and I'll be sure to tailor it for you."

Curious as to what she came up with on her own, he read the words, "Number 1 in Equestria." It seemed fitting.

"I'm not gonna lie. Even if the shirt doesn't fit, I don't want to give it up. This thing is awesome." He said confidently, before sliding it on.

"Okay, well it's a little tight in the-" His words came to a halt as soon as he lifted his arm to inspect the shirt, causing it to rip from the armpit to waistline. "Oops..."

If the sound of the fabric tearing apart was not as loud as it had been, you might have been able to hear what it sounds like to hear Rarity's dreams shatter. What could be heard was inaudible cracks and tones that failed to convey how embarrassing and soul-crushing it was to see her hard work and dedication fail so abruptly.

"Hey, hey. That's my bad," Cerb started to apologize and remove the torn shirt. "I'm just too big for my own good. And I take it back. You can tailor it for me."

With such a sad sight to see, Fluttershy had to do something to help her wingmare out. "You could always stop by Rarity's boutique, tomorrow. Or... whenever you have time, I mean."

"Or you could just not be a jerk and rip up her gifts in the first place," Benny joked, trying to lighten the mood. "You can be so insensitive." Or maybe it was him getting Cerb back for the cookie kiss.

Kelly decided to join in. "Yeah, Cerb. We were having such a good time. Why'd you have to go and do that?"

"You're setting a bad example, man," Sniff chimed in.

The unwanted attention was making Cerb red in the face. "It was an accident, geez."

Kelly secretly whispered something into Big Mac's ear, which he was kind enough to repeat. "The gentleman thing to do would be to pay for the shirt and treat her out to dinner for all of the emotional dismess."

"Distress," Kelly not so overtly whispered to him.

"Distress, I mean. The emotional distress," he corrected himself.

Cerb was struggling to restrain himself. "Mac, don't listen to her. We're bro's, remember? And don't act so cute Kelly."

Becky took another sip of her tea before joining in on the fun. "Come on now. If you're not going to treat her right, you're not going to have two waifus for much longer, Cerby boy."

Lumberman leaned down wrapping a laxed hug around Applejack and Apple Bloom's necks. "Come on man. These little ponies have been good to us and deserve respect, man."

Cerb honestly did feel bad about ripping the shirt. He turned back to Rarity to make sure she didn't think he did it on purpose. "Rarity, come on. You know it was an accident, right?"

Rarity was lost somewhere between trying to keep up with the jokes and still trying to think about how to fix the shirt or if she'd have to start all over again. "Well, I know that..."

Applejack moved next to Rarity to whisper something in her ear. "Just say Grapes and Olives."

Rarity was too distracted to process what that meant and just repeated it as told. "Grapes and Olives... Grapes and Olives?!"

The trap was set, and Applejack wasted no time tightening the snare. "Ya hear that, Cerb? Rarity wants to go to Grapes and Olives. An while it's a bit too fancy fer my taste, I wouldn't be shooten straight if I didn't say this is the perfect way to say yer sorry."

Time to seal the deal with some emotional manipulation only Benny could formulate. "Dude. Come on. You made her sleep on the floor, tore up her gift, and now you're going to turn her down for a thank you dinner date after Celestia just tossed us a butt load of coin? All in front of her impressionable young sister? Have you no humanity in your heart?"

Welcome to the home of Benjamin Yale. The house where friends lure each other into inappropriate situations with peer pressure and every man, woman, and pony has put Cerb at the center of attention.

"Mr. Cerberus?" Sweetie Belle, lowly spoke up, sounding a bit concerned, if not a little hurt and betrayed. "Did you really make sis sleep on the floor when she was sick?"

Apple Bloom had some thoughts to share. "I don't care who this guy thinks he is. I don't think anyone could make Rarity sleep on the floor."

"But they said he did," Scootaloo pointed out. "Why would his friends lie about doing something so cruel like that?"

Again, all eyes were on Cerb.

"I didn't make anyone sleep on the floor," Cerb cried out, a bit louder than he should have. "Look, just..." - he gently squeezed the bridge of his nose, trying to think - "Miss, Rarity?"

Her heart thumped in her chest hard enough anyone could have seen it physically bulge had they been looking.

With hesitation and the most sincere voice he could muster, he acted in his best interest. "Would you care to join me for dinner at the Grapes and Olives restaurant? My treat, of course. As a thank you for the wonderful gift you made me, and an apology for ripping it on accident?"

"Awe," Kelly and Becky cooed sitting back on the couch.

"That's so sweet," Kelly added.

Becky followed suit. "It's adorable."

As romantically charmed as Rarity was at the idea, she wouldn't dream of exploiting him in such a condition like being emotionally blackmailed by his friends like that. "Oh, Mr. Cerberus. I never expected anything out of this. It was just a kind gesture, and I know the shirt was an accident. I don't want you feeling pressured."

If ever there was a trap that looked like an easy out, this was one that was too obvious for Cerb to fall for. Fearing of course that a rejection would only become more blackmail and running gags throughout the distant future, he was going to make sure the dinner happened.

"Oh, no. Not at all. Believe me. I wanted to do something to thank you" - he turned to address the rest of the room - "before everyone else in the peanut gallery had to ruin the moment. But if dinner is what you would like, I promise to treat you out to it. Because I want to."

The temptation was dragging Rarity out of her proper manors. "Well, if you insist."

"That's a yes!" Of all the ponies, Fluttershy blurted out, suddenly stuck to Rarity's side. "I'll escort her back home, so she's well rested for tomorrow night. Thanks for everything. I hope we can do it again, soon. Have a good night."

Before Rarity could ask what time to meet for dinner, Fluttershy had already dragged her out the front door.

Sweetie Belle hobbled not too far behind, trying to fit her rain boots on. "Hey! Wait for me, sis! Ya can't just ditch me like this! Get back here!"

Big Mac finally stood up. "Well, if it's time to get going, might as well get ta moving."

After a day of pony rides and cozy naps laying with him, Kelly was going to miss having him around. "Oh. I'm sorry you have to walk back home in the rain and can't just stay here."

"Oh, it ain't nothing I haven't done before," Big Mac boasted.

"Hey, Big Macintosh," Apple Bloom spoke up from behind. "Since you gave Miss Kelly a bunch of rides all day, can you give me a piggyback ride home? Pleeeeeease?"

Kelly was taken in by the fillies’ cute little pleas. "Awe. Who could say no to that?"

Apparently, even Big Mac wasn't immune from emotional manipulation. "Hop on, sis."

"Yay!"

Lumberman had overheard the conversation. "Here, I gotcha," he announced, picking her up and sitting her on her brothers back before turning to Big Mac, "So, see ya tomorrow, big man?"

"Eeyup."

"Come on, Scootaloo. Let's get you home, too," Rainbow Dash ordered, pushing the little pegasus along. "And I'll be back first thing in the morning after I take care of the weather if that's all right?"

Becky smiled and nodded. "We'll be here waiting for ya."

As the last few ponies made their way out with Chris and all their able-bodied counterparts seeing them off, Starlight was slow to gather her items next to Kelly and Sniff.

Sniff took notice of who all was with who, and who the fifth wheel was in the group. "Heeeeeeeeeeey... Starlight?" He asked, still trying to learn and remember all their names.

"Yes?" She answered back, sounding content with the events of the night.

A friendly proposition was about to be offered by Sniff. "Hey, I was noticing that it seems like all of us have someone to hang out with except you and Chris. You think maybe you could help him out?"

This was a question she wasn't ready for. "What? Oh, um. Well, you see the thing is-"

Kelly pieced together all of Starlight’s actions and comments she had observed and came to a damning conclusion. "Oh my god, you really don't like Chris, do you?" She bluntly asked.

Was she that transparent, Starlight questioned herself? "What? I didn't say that."

Sniff was a little surprised, this being the first authentic negative face to face encounter with one of these ponies. "Did we miss something? Did he spit on you when we weren't looking?"

"Of course not," She quickly fired back.

"Is it because of the comments about Twilight he made?" Kelly asked.

Starlight was regretting not getting up and leaving with Twilight. "He's just... you know..."

As much as they all had fun ripping on each other, they didn't take kindly to others talking down to their friends, and Sniff was no exception. "No. I don't know." Sniff said with a hint of irritation in his throat.

Starlight had to make a split decision of whether to play dumb and lie or just be honest and be done with it, but her answer fell somewhere in the middle.

"Well, he just comes off as a little creepy to me," She admitted without much shame.

Sniff could understand his friend being called goofy, awkward, or immature, but Chris also held a special place that called for extra protection, and this mare just crossed over that line. "Now hold up, hold up-"

"Leave her alone, Sniff," Chris ordered from behind, causing the three to freeze, fearing he might have overheard their conversation, which he did.

"Hey, Chris," Starlight called over, with no ability to hide her embarrassment. "Did I ever thank you for that drink you made me?"

Chris stared into the room. He didn't look sad or angry. Not even a fake smile crossed his face. It was just blank and empty of emotion, like they were all shut off.

He drew a short breath, calmly exhaled, and started towards the stairs. "No, and don't bother."

His words sounded cold and empty, but there was no mistaking the hurt he was hiding. "Have a good night Starlight. I'm sorry my friends bothered you."

Sniff took off up the stairs after his friend. "Dude, Chris. It's not what you think."

Next to the stairs stood the rest of the group, with Applejack who was kind enough to stay back to wait for Starlight. It was unclear who all was there for how long, but they certainly all caught the last bit that sent Chris away. Not a single one of them were pleased with what they witnessed.

Starlight realizing the weight of her poorly chosen words tried to make amends. "Look, I'm sorry I said that. I don't know why I said it, but maybe if I could just go and apologize-"

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no," Sniff sharply answered as he put himself in front of the path to the staircase. "I already asked you once if you could hang out with him. You don't get to invite yourself after that. "

While Starlight didn't understand the gravity of the situation, or why what she said generated such a response, she had to try to make amends. "Please, I just want to-"

"Starlight," Applejack beckoned through a scowl. "I don't think this is a friendship problem you're needed for."

True or not, that was a low blow that hit much too hard. She bowed her head and exited out to into the rain without another word. The sound of footsteps and hooves clopping followed up behind her but stopped before leaving the doorway. It seemed that Lumberman and Applejack stopped to have one last exchange.

"Thanks, and sorry again there partner."

"It's fine. We'll get it all worked out. But remember, what I told you last night was for you and you alone. So don’t go on blabbing about it. Even if you think it would help, it ain't your place to be telling others about it."

"I understand. See ya tomorrow, Woody. And don't forget to extend the invite, like I asked."

"Later, Apple Hat."

It was clear to Starlight that those two had gotten close enough in the last few days to hold secrets with each other openly. That was interesting, possibly troublesome too. She heard the door close over the sound of the steadily falling rain, followed by splashes in the puddles of approaching hooves.

Applejack wasted no time laying into Starlight. "Wut in the starry painted night sky were you thinking saying something like that in there?"

"I'm sorry AJ," Starlight started to apologize. "I know I shouldn't have said that, but Chris just gives me the creeps."

Applejack had to hear this. "What are you going on about? What's he ever dun to you?

Starlight couldn't exactly put her hoof on it, but she wasn't going to shy away from the topic either. "I don't know exactly what it is about him. He just acts so weird. In one moment he's silent and distant like he wants nothing to do with us, then he either talks about all of our histories like he's been watching us for years or talks about how attractive we are on a one to ten scale."

"Come again?" Applejack thought maybe Chris had admitted that he fell in love with one of the ponies like Lumberman alluded to and that she must have missed it. "What kinda score did he give me?"

"He didn't." - Starlight had to now try and rephrase her statement since he only gave out his rating for one pony - " Okay, he only gave a seven out of ten to Twilight. He didn't rate anypony else."

"He only gave Twilight a seven? Shucks, I'm no beauty pageant judge, but Twilight should definitely be higher than a seven," Applejack tried to rationalize.

"No, he said Twilight was seven as a human, but much higher as a pony?" She tried to bring Applejack up to date without rehashing the whole scene from two days ago.

"How did he get a score for Twilight as a human?" She asked still confusedly since she was never told about that part of the conversation.

Starlight facehoofed in frustration. This was so much harder to explain with Applejack missing out on the embarrassment she watched Twilight go through. "Look. The show about us that Chris and the others watched had another version with a different timeline where Twilight went through a mirror that Starswirl and Celestia made long ago. In the other show, it took Twilight to a different human world. That's what he saw and gave the seven to her for."

"Why'd he only rate Twilight?"

"Because only Twilight and Spike went through. So that's the only pony he saw as a human... and then he was laughed out of the room... Also, Spike was a dog in the human world."

Applejack must have missed a whole lot because she was getting more and more lost with every new detail of information on this. "Okay. This ain't making a lick of sense."

"I know, I know," Starlight confessed.

Even if Applejack wasn't up to date on the odd things he might have said around Starlight, she didn't think it changed what she understood to be Chris's likely mental state. "Forget all the odd things he might have said when I wasn’t around to hear and try to think of it this way. Imagine that after all the terrible times he had growing up that his life didn't get any better. Now imagine he started watching the show about us, and that our world was better than his. That ponies like us were better than the humans he was around, even when he wasn't with his friends. Then, by some twist of fate, he's brought here."

Starlight thought she saw where this was going.

Applejack continued. "But instead of it all being rainbows and sunshine, he finds out one friend might be dying before they can find a way back, another is stabbed and could die before her. And to top it all off, when everything starts to turn around for him, and we all spent the whole day and night relaxing and getting to know each other better, you go off and say that? Even though, of all the ponies he knows, the only one who hasn't taken it upon herself to put aside the time to make sure all of our new guests are taken care of... "

Starlight could see it now. "I didn't thank him for the drink he made me, insulted him, and turned down his friends offer to spend time with him with because I told them he was creepy."

"Starlight..." Applejack was finally ready to try and console her. "I'd be a blind fool to say I didn't know that it's easy to say the wrong thing when you don't know anything about them. Shit-I mean, gosh darn it. You watched me do it and saw the trouble it caused. Not only that, I flat out told you to be nice to 'em. You got to be careful with what you say around these new folks... You really hurt his feelings back there, Sugar Cube."

Such a confession made Applejack realize something else. She was in effect still a bit of a hypocrite. "I know you got it in ya to come back and do the right thing. And I gotta do better the next time we see Trixie again."

"Trixie?" Starlight asked, not seeing the connection.

Applejack had to confess her faults as well. "Yer good friends with Trixie, now. And while, yes, the rest of us have some bad history with her. She has her problems that even I wasn't sensitive to and was downright rude to her myself... We all got room for improvement. Ya know?"

Those kind words, with a touch of honesty, did a good deal to help cheer Starlight back up again. "You're right, AJ. I'll make it up to him and the others tomorrow."

Applejack smiled, happy to see things could be worked out as they did. "This is just a bump in the road. It'll be an easy fix fer sure. Especially after a day like today we had? Shucks. Ain't nothing to worry about."

"I'm sure you're right. Have a good night, AJ."

"You too, Starlight."

Sniff slowly made his way down the stairs. "Well, Chris could have done without that purple wingless bitch talking shit like she did.

"What he say?" Lumberman mournfully asked.

With a less than enthusiastic flop, Sniff sat himself in a recliner. "He said the difference between a woman with two and four legs is that a woman with four legs will run away twice as fast."

Cerb walked in from the garage, setting a six pack down on the coffee table, cracking one open for himself. "Well, if that's the worst thing that happens for a while, all things considered, I think we're finally off to a good start."

Benny sat up and grabbed a beer as he started towards the garage. "Well, I can't argue with that. Kelly's alive. Becky isn't hacking up a lung. We might be rich now. You got a hot date tomorrow with the most fashionable mare in town."

"Yeah, and who's fault is that, asshole?" Cerb asked, tossing a stray nerf ball at Benny's head.

Benny then pointed to Sniff. "Plus this guy is about to move up to the position of a royal consort."

"Like fuck I am, Cookie Kisses," Sniff laughed back.

Rounding the corner of the kitchen, Benny shouted up the stairs. "Powers going off, Chris!"

The gentle humming from the generator choked out and the electrical lights faded. They had used up enough gas for one day. Candlelight, flashlights, and what few smartphones still worked, would make do until morning. But at least now with Chris upstairs, there was enough room for everyone to have a comfortable place to sleep.

Winding down for the night in the low lit room, Sniff wasn't tired enough to fall asleep and decided to keep everyone else awake with him. "So why is no one staying up for watch tonight?"

Cerb rolled over on his mattress. "I think we're past that. The only threats are the dumb fucks with spears and poor leadership."

"I still can't believe the fucker stabbed me," Kelly groaned from the couch.

Becky tapped the backside of the couch. "It's a miracle they were able to save you baby doll. Are you comfy up there?"

Kelly readjusted herself a bit on the couch. "I'm fine. Just can't lay on my right side."

"It's a good thing he didn't stab you in the back. What would happen to your social life?" Sniff sneaked out with a snort and a laugh.

Everyone snickered. They shouldn't have, but that's just how they are.

At least Kelly was well adjusted enough to roll with it. "Pft. Please. I think my normal socially active days won't be a problem for a while here. But you better be careful, Sniffy. Celestia seems like a top, and I don't know how many pounds of horse your hips can handle."

Another batch of laughs in the dark broke out.

Becky added on to the joke. "Don't forget Twilight. She seems like the tsundere type. If she catches you with Celestia, she'll probably sit on your face and call you baka."

Sniff laughed and called for a cease-fire. "Okay, stop. You're grossing me out."

"Yeah, you're all miss reading the situation here," Benny spoke up. "It's Pinkie Pie that's gonna do'em in."

"You're one to talk, Cookie Kisses," Sniff fired back, swatting Benny in the chair with his pillow.

Benny was quick to counter. "Hey, she kissed me over a cookie. She crawled all over you looking for nookie."

The laughs continued as they ganged up on Sniff.

"She was trying to get that nasty ass pancake, fucker," He claimed.

Cerb chuckled. "And you did everything you could to keep her nasty ass on you. You're lucky we stepped in when we did. We don't have a working hose to separate you two horn dogs."

"Hey, Cerb," Sniff was trying to change the target of harassment. "Are you really gonna take Dimond Thighs out to dinner, or you just gonna skip that and take her out to Pound Town for the night."

"Unlike you, I'm a gentleman," Cerb declared. "I don't even kiss on the first date. You, on the other hand, you're already moving in and leaving us behind for the biggest piece of pony ass in the kingdom."

Sniff decided to move to a new target. "Holy shit. Is no one going to bring up Lumberman's boxer bath party with his Apple Horse bed buddy?"

Lumberman wasn't going to let any jokes take him down. "Dude, real talk. Poor girl was so fucked up she couldn’t lift herself into the bathtub, let alone wash herself. And I shared my bed because she was shivering cold after the bath."

"More like shaking in anticipation," Kelly joked.

He could play that game, too. "Oh, that reminds me, Drip. After all the pony rides Mac gave you today, did you return the favor?"

Kelly laughed hard enough for it to hurt. "Okay, I know that was gonna come up sooner or later. But no, Woody. Clearly, I'm in no condition, so obviously I've been a very good girl all day."

"So you gave 'em a rain check. Gotcha," Cerb came back with a quip.

"Hey," Kelly was ready to call it a night. "I'm ready for bed, and I don't want to hear any more shit from you two until you at least limit yourselves to only one pony. Yer all twice as suspect as I'll ever be. Especially you, Sniff. Ya, fuck'n Princess Poacher."

Becky had one last joke to sneak in. "Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, or Rarity. Who wants to make a bet on which one pulls Cerb's lever first?"

Cerb rolled over, facing away from everyone. "Fuck you guys. I'm going to sleep."

Benny smiled and shook his head side to side, laughing on the inside from the crazy shit him and his friends could joke about. "Night, Lever Action."

Cerb tried to sound cute in his reply. "Night, Cookie Kisses."

Lumberman got more comfortable in his bed. "Night, Night, Pony Ride."

Kelly tossed a spare pillow at Lumberman. "Good night, Tub Thumper."

Becky closed her eyes for the night. "Night, Princess Poacher."

Sniff was the last one to sound off. "G'night... uh... Damn it, Becky. You need a fucking nickname."

The flickering light of the one lone candle gave the room a comforting glow for everyone to softly drift away to sleep in. Tomorrow was a promising day. One even Chris would be able to enjoy once he found out what Applejack's offer was.

All was quiet, but Kelly felt compelled to put one last thing out to the group. "I got 20 bits on Fluttershy."

So some things aren't really getting fully realized between everyone and others are having almost all the wrong things interpreted. The humans at this point (aside from Kelly), don't really understand just where the ponies stand with the concept of romance and them. Especially for Chris. Poor bastard can't catch a break. Although, where exactly does he stand in all this? We'll have to explore that more later on.

But anyway. Originally, this chapter was going to have a very different ending that was going to sew a lot of distrust between our new human ambassadors and the ponies, but I thought that would have been way too much in too small of a time period. Instead, they get to have a pretty good night together with their new friends, joke around, and even get a little better insight into how they all view some serious social topics.

Also, what's up with Celestia? If you're familiar with the comics, there was another mirror world where Celestia and Starswirl the bearded created another mirror that brought them to another "mirrored" version of Equestria. She fell in love with the mirrored version of King Sombra who was just as good and wholesome as she was. Unfortunately, crossing over caused like they did created inconsistencies and paradoxes between the two worlds and they had to stop seeing each other. It was heartbreaking, to say the least. So, it's understandable to see Celestia's hesitation with the humans.

Except for that whole part about offering up her castle for Sniff if he can't find a pony of his own in Ponyville. Was that a joke, a legit offer, or might she be looking for a replacement for the good King Sombra? Perhaps this time she thinks she'll be able to let go a lot easier?

It's hard to say, or at least I don't feel like giving away any spoilers. Also, 20 bits on Fluttershy. Any takers?

P.S.
To understand some of the themes about how the ponies will be approaching and reacting to concepts of the human world that are not part of the show their world is based on, I recommend you watch Pleasantville:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120789/?ref_=nm_knf_i4

I will, and have, taken a few liberties with some of the concepts like sex and death within the pony world, but leave them largely miss-understood by them. To the point where they know they exist, but are virtually unfamiliar with them.

Beyond that, the movie is still an amazing film. Well worth the watch.