Convicts Shouldn't Get Second Chances

by Morgan83

First published 24th of October, 2020

He should never have filled that order. Now, he is trapped in a world not his own, in a body his mind was not meant for. Now Orion must navigate his new life with the knowledge of his old one.

He should have never agreed. Sure his life was on the line, such as it was. A single choice lead to events to plant him in a world he barely understands, with rules that make little sense.

And a ruler, who may threaten his very freedom.

Orion wished they would have left him in a cell.

My Very first feature 01-08-2021...thank you all
soo much
Jesus Fuck, another Feature 01-15-2021...thank you....

This story may have sex in it but it will be implied. I doubt very much I will try and write such scenes. I removed the Sex tag merely because of that. It will go back up if I actually commit to such a thing.

Prologue: End

Author's Notes:

This is a little Thanksgiving gift to all of you. This Prologue was actually sitting in my unposted chapters from the very beginning. But at the time, I wasn't very confident in my writing so I never posted it.

Thanks to many of you, I feel I can actually post this. This is a little taste of what I have planned for the end of the story. I hope you all enjoy it.

To be honest with all of you. The first round did not look like this at all. It was very butchered so having the chance to go back through and re-edit the thing was likely for the best before ever posting it.

As Always. Thanks for reading.

Peace.

Oh I actually rewrote this to this song if anyone wants it.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=__Vmi_R6aPg&feature=share

Fuck. He hurt all over. His horn was throbbing painfully, his skull felt like Mike Tyson went ham on it for an hour. Where was he? Trying to lift himself up he discovered his left arm was gone, again. The metal stump looked like it was melted. "How did that happen....oh yeah, lightening."

His hearing had started to return, the sounds of battle, the sounds of people dying filled his head. That's right. There was a literal war going on. Trying to stand he realized his right leg was missing just above the knee. The fur had been burned away revealing a ragged stump, blackened from fire. The femur just poking through at the end. He couldn't feel it. Must have burned the nerve endings out. How did that happen?

Rising to his one good knee he looked about, the dead were everywhere. Griffons, looked like they had been barbecued. Minotaurs had been crushed. Several shamanistic Zebra were scattered among the still living, trying vainly to get the wounded off the battlefield. The air above them all was filled with fighting flights of Pegasus and Griffons. They were tearing each other apart, dropping like stones to lie among the dead.

Then he spotted her. She was slowly trying to get to her hooves. He wasn't going to be able to beat her. Already the wounds in her white fur were sealing themselves up. Arrow heads that had managed to hit her were popping out. She was on her hands and knees like him, shaking her head groggily.

Her head lifted and they both looked at each other. She grinned. Those teeth much like his own now. Her mane was still limp, the magic that overflowed had yet to return to her in full force. But that fiery red was beginning to glow again. Those eyes. Fuck but they were terrifying. Gold iris gleefully stared back at him in a sclera of blacked red.

He had no way of winning now. She was on the up and up while what was left of his magic was barely keeping him together. Shit she could just grow a new appendage it seemed. Her left wing had been sheered off but was already growing back as well.

He couldn't beat this bitch. There had to be something to put her down. Something he had to try.

Could he pull it off?

"I didn't ask if I could live through it. I asked if it would be possible that I could do it. Answer me. Can this be done, by me?

"You have to understand. You will die even trying this. The amount of magic you would need would have to be astronomical. The spell would feed on you till you died which would, if you're lucky, be fast. Knowing your luck it will take a few days. And the agony you will experience will be unlike anything Anypony has ever experienced before." He was pleading with him.

He sighed, "We need a Hail Mary. If I can't put her down she will kill us all eventually. It will be a battle of attrition. One we can not afford. So, we need every option available to us." Taking a deep breath. "Can I learn this spell, Sombra?"

"....Yes, but it will kill you."

"So be it."

"So be it."

Igniting an intense flame from his right hand he used the improvised propulsion to launch himself into Celestia, no Dawnbreaker now, knocking them both down. He had managed to stay on top of her, straddling her torso.

"Well now, maybe I won't just outright kill you after all. If this is what you had been after this entire time." Her voice pissed him off. Everything about her pissed him off. He headbutted her with everything he had in himself. Her head rocked back slamming into the broken cobblestone street.

Somehow they had ended up in Ponyville. Twilight was gonna be pissed he broke her town.

"I like it rough colt, but I am the only one who gets rough. Now what are you going to do, hmmm? Your toys broken, your allies dying. Give it up. You can be my little pet. I promise I won't do anything that will be permanent to you."

He smiled, shit he was missing some teeth. "Yeah, no no. You can go bounce on a cactus. But I don't think your gonna be happy with the results of that. Tell ya what-"

He grabbed her horn and forced another burst of his magic through his still good hand. The high pitched frequency ripped into her skull through her horn. And she screamed, a scream that deafened him, and silenced the battle field. His hand was broken by now. The vibrations had seen to that. Still he grabbed the Hail Mary in his pocket.

It had taken twelve unicorns to make it. They were still unable to fight in this battle.

Slipping it on his horn he grimaced. This was so gonna suck.

Dawnbreaker looked up, her unfocused eyes trying to align themselves on him. "You certainly are full of surprises. But we both know you can't keep....what are you doing? What is that?"

He had never been religious, he was agnostic after all. That was his grandma's shtick.

"Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.

Amen."

She would have been so proud of him.

"You'll kill yourself! You can't contain that much power!"

While he had been saying that prayer he had been charging his final spell, the complex algorithms falling into place almost as if it was just as eager as he to end this. Her eyes were beginning to focus, his was fuzzing out, he knew she didn't know what the spell was. Hell it had only been cast once before.

The pain was staring to eat at him all over.

He smiled.

"So be it."

He touched his horn to hers. And he thought she screamed before.

Anger can be Useful (Edited)

CrACK

3

2

1

The first scream is almost always the shock of the incident. I mean really. Who honestly expects to get hurt on your day to day grind? Boulder Springs certainly didn't expect his day to go from being the big colt on jungle gym, to rolling on the ground clutching his arm. But, well. Here we are.

The second scream is worse in a lot of ways. Often longer and coupled with not just the realization of being hurt, but the pain that accompanies your new reality. And oh what pain Boulder is experiencing today. His forearm was not supposed to be bent that way.

Seeing his arm at such an odd and misshapen angle adds a whole new level of pain and fear to his arguably short life thus far. Afraid to touch the arm's injury, Boulder contented himself with gripping his bicep with the same tenacity one would if their favorite toy was about to be taken away.

And que the screaming.

Star Bright's afternoon was quickly going down as one of the most tedious days she had ever had the misfortune of experiencing. Everything was going right. Kids were behaving. No one got gum stuffed into their manes. Even the bullies, though few, had been unusually quite today. This was an excellent day.

Even the paperwork on Starshine's adoption was actually looking like it was going to go through without the city getting involved and mucking it up for everypony involved. This was a great day. A wonderful day. And it was so Celestia damned BORING!

Looking over her desk she saw the new issue of Mareopolitan, next to her cup of coffee, and she itched to open it up. "No Star. You know what will happen. You'll read one article and the next thing you know it will be 6 in the afternoon and Starshine will be the one to suffer for the delay. Hmm, I am so happy for Starshine. Such a sweet young filly. And she managed to be picked up by a rather well to do herd."

That alone was another surprise. Picking up her coffee and holding the still warm mug in her hand she pondered the fortuitous events that landed Starshine in such a comfortable future. Usually when a colt or filly is adopted its by lonely mares unable to find a herd for themselves. Whether by their position in society or being unable to have children of their own. The fact that Starshine managed to catch the attention of a-

An ear piercing shriek snapped Star Bright out of her musings causing her to spill her coffee all over the nearly complete paperwork. "Bucking Tartarus! Well that's ruined," she reached for towels.

Wiping coffee off her hands with a napkin her employer, and head Mistress of the Orphanarium known as Manehatten's Home for Wayward Foals, Cloudy Sapphire rushed out of her office, "What happened? Was that you?" Even after 3 years of working together Star still found her somehow, warbling yet high pitched, voice grating. Though that wasn't fair of her, Cloudy was quite possibly the sweetest mare in the entire city of Manehatten. But that voice could make dogs howl sometimes. It was likely the reason she had not found a herd of her own.

"No, no. That wasn't me but I fear I will have to start Starshine's adoption papers over again," she dejectedly sighed. Trying her best to dry pat the papers, to see if anything is salvageable.

Cloudy gave Star a deadpan look. "You do realize you can just reverse that rig- no wait, what was that scream? Where did it come from?" The cerulean earth pony mare whipped around, pink mane twirling with her. Going to the windows, she pushed up her horned rim glasses and peered out into the playground, scanning with deep sea green eyes. "I hope it wasn't one of the colts," she whispered worriedly. An institution like hers would suffer if they were tainted with a history of colts being injured.

Star Bright smacked her forehead narrowly avoiding her horn. "Duh, of course. I swear I'd forget I am a Unicorn if my horn wasn't attached to me." Quickly using a spell to clean up, what would have been hours of paperwork, she stood up to walk up behind her now silent employer. She looked out over her bosses shoulder into the playground, and blinked. Hard.

Every foal's head was looking in one direction, most in horror, some without understanding on what was happening. Starshine, the filly with such a bright future, looked to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown as she gazed into the rapidly growing circle of backpedaling foals. Star Bright was having trouble rationalizing what she was seeing."What in the name of Celestia..."

There in the center of the circle were four colts. Two were on the ground. It looked to be Rocky Jester and Boulder Springs. Rocky seemed to have been knocked unconscious with a large bruise forming under his left eye, and blood coming from his lip. Boulder was in far worse shape. Writhing on the ground, Boulder held onto his arm as another wail riped through his throat and battered the still air with his screams."A forearm shouldn't bend like that..."

In front of those two, stood two others. Well one stood, the other was trying desperately to stay on his feet holding onto the arm, whose hand was wrapped around his throat."That Looks like Swift Charge. Ok so who...oh no....NO! Star Bright tore her gaze away as she whipped around, leaving a stunned Cloudy to continue to stare out the second story window, and bolted out the door. Her copper mane trailing behind her as she nearly threw her body down the stairs."Orion please stop don't do this again!" She screamed inside her own mind.

Gripping Swift's throat with inpony strength for a colt of 8, hooves firmly planted, was Orion Falls. A look of sheer rage on his muzzle as he continued to punch Swift's, quickly collapsing, face in with an abandon you don't see outside of those fights in the underground. Swift was holding on with one hand while vainly trying to stop Orion's assault with other. His arm flailing about and losing strength. Suddenly, Swift's battered form was yanked away from the still seething Orion.

Orion made to give chase after the poor colt, seeing red in a tunnel vision that seemed to stretch. He to was snatched up in a red aura of magic. Screaming in frustration, he cast his gaze about looking for the individual who had dared to keep him from his source of anger. He then took notice of Miss Bright, her red furred ears flushed with exertion, copper mane disarrayed by her panicked flight down and out the building. The sunny yellow blouse un-tucked haphazardly from her lime green skirt. Holding Swift's defeated form to her chest as her horn lit up red. It seems she had stopped his assault.

He slowly, very slowly began to calm down. Taking stock of his surroundings, he noticed other fillies and colts turning away in fear from his angered eyes. Trembling, Orion put a shaking hand to his head as he slowly came down off an adrenaline high that promised a hard crash later on.

"What. Do. You. Think. YOU are doing Orion!?" screeched Miss Bright. All trace of her usual bubbly nature gone. The playground was mostly silent, except for a still wailing Boulder. The younger foals, not knowing how to vent their own fear, silently sobbed sitting in the dirt.

Looking through the one way glass, Cloudy watched as Orion sat on the floor in the corner. The chair provided was laying unceremoniously in the corner of the eight by ten room, where Orion hurled it the moment he was forced into the chamber. A dim bare bulb hung from the ceiling giving the room an interrogative feel. The single only other piece of furniture a small table, sat in the center. Undisturbed.

"Did anypony say what happened, did they see what started....this?" Cloudy asked. Not pulling her eyes away from Orion's bent form his knees drawn up, arms draped over his legs, head left to bow between his legs. Orion wasn't an ugly colt. But the black fur and brown mane would not be winning him prizes or adoration by mares as he got older. Not with those eyes of his. Even if he was a Unicorn, not many would, or could, get past those eyes.

"From what Lazy Rain told me it seems that Orion was, again, getting bullied." Star sighed and continued on," This time the colts went after his looks, his teeth mostly. And his....unfortunate diet."

The colts in question that ended up on the wrong end of a beating, two of which were 11and one who is thirteen, were currently being treated for their injuries in Manehatten General. The paramedics that had arrived on scene were stunned at the extensive damage inflicted on the young colts.

"That's all it took? For this colt to beat three other colts into a pulp...? Name calling?!" She seethed in a quiet whisper. She should never have roomed him with Swift Charge. The foal was antagonistic from the beginning.

"No, that was the start. He simply ignored them from what Lazy was telling me." Moving up Star looked into the window at a still immobile Orion. "It was after they boxed him in that Orion lashed out. Honestly, if you ask me, those three had it coming." Cloudy jerked her head about and shot Star a glare." Now now, don't get me wrong. I don't approve of what Orion did. But you gotta admit, Cloudy, it was going to happen sooner or later. Ever since Swift's adoption fell through he has become increasingly hostile. I am just shocked by the level of violence that such a small colt could inflict."

Cloudy pulled her eyes away from the red furred unicorn. " Whether they had it coming or not, this is NOT how a colt should behave. He acts like a damned filly during her first heat." Taking a deep breath to calm her own anger. " We....we can't protect him from this Star. This was bad. The city's Council of Foal Protections has already sent us a letter. They want to take him."

"WHAT!? They can't do that! What are they gonna do? Lock him up till he is of age? And then what.....kick him out? Say good luck? A colt needs more then that! They need love and attention and they will just chew him up and spit him out. All they will do is isolate him in a vain attempt to correct his behavior!" Star was nearly screaming now. She didn't care. Orion, to her, had been the quiet little colt that never bothered anyone. She knew of his tendencies. The whole orphanage did. But he never said an unkind thing to her. The thought of the CFP taking him left a hole in her stomach.

He never interacted with the others. Spent most of his time reading, okay maybe devouring books. Anything he could get his hands on. Including a manual on how propeller driven airships operated, if she wasn't mistaken. Never figured out where he found that one.

He always maintained an aloofness from the other foals that you could see. He never picked up games, never engaged the other foals. But he wasn't a dumb colt. He was very smart. Seemed to know things that a colt his age really shouldn't have known. Though given the fact that he came in from the industrial city of Stalliongrad 2 years ago. There was no telling what he picked up before he was taken off the streets by the non-profit organization, Hooves for Colts.

The organization knew very little about him. Even had to guess at his age when they picked him up from the slums. The most prominent detail about little Orion wasn't that he was a unicorn, or malnourished to the point of starvation. It was the fact that he had canines. Ponies shouldn't have canines. It would have been fine if he was a Batpony. They ate fruit in an unusual way, biting into then draining. But he lacked the wings and had a horn instead. And the fact that he was eating a raw rat when they found him.

Upon further examination it was found that his diet actually required meat. Normal ponies don't eat meat. When he arrived and the CFP found out about his limited history and dietary requirements. They wanted to isolate him immediately. Possibly permanently. One member even had the audacity to recommend teeth fillings to,"make him normal."

Now.....with this? It was outta their hands.She knew it. They couldn't stop it. Unless a miracle happened, Orion was going to the city. And they would do whatever they wanted. "In the best interest of the colt," as they had said. Best interest would be a childhood of near but not quite falling under the legal definition of torture. All to make him sociably complaint to their worldview of what a unicorn colt should be.

"No we can't allow them to take him. That would be just signing him over as a prisoner, Cloudy. There must be something we can do for him...."

"There might be." Cloudy looked back to Star Bright, a calculating look in her eyes. "Canterlot. It may just be the last place we can send him. A fresh start. Since he is a unicorn he can be sponsored by the city and crown to attend Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It's his best bet as the city hasn't filled a form for restrictions on his movements. We need to get him out tonight. I have a friend who runs White's Orphanarium there in the city. She knows of his situation and after the last time offered to take him." Breathing unsteadily she took a sip from her painfully cold mug of coffee," I should have done it immediately then when she offered. Damned me for a foal brained idiot to think the situation would improve."

"We can hire a carriage to fly him. Which one of us will go with him?" Star asked with hope in her voice. She wanted to go with him. The idea of him leaving hurt but she knew he needed to leave as soon as possible. She wanted a chance to be around him as much as possible.

"I'm afraid you will have to stay here, Star. The CFP knows of your attachment to him. It's best they don't catch wind of this before we are across city lines," Cloudy replied moving to the door into the isolation room. Ignoring the look of extreme disappointment on Bright's face. She would have liked to let her take him, but given the nature of the departure she thought it best to do otherwise.

"Okay," Star sighed dejectedly. "Your right but tartarus burn those fools for wanting to do this to him. Does your friend know of his....needs?"

"Gripping the door handle Cloudy looked over her shoulder, "Oh yes she does. She does have Griffon chicks in her orphanage as well so this won't be too far from normal for her. Well, as normal as you can get with this one at least." Squaring her shoulders, Cloudy opened the door and stepped through.

Orion slowly looked up as Head Mistress Cloudy Sapphire entered in to the room. The look in his eyes spoke of his still held anger.

"Orion get up. We are moving you out of the city tonight. You know what will happen if you stay here now." Miss Sapphire spoke in a carefully neutral tone. She had warned him before, after the last incident. Orion could see she was nervous. He knew what was up, he wasn't ignorant. He believed the CFP were going to be the first to breach that door.

"Where?" He asked quietly.

"Canterlot. It's the last safe place we can take you that the CFP can't reach. The won't even bother."

Cloudy spun about," gather your things Orion. We need to leave quickly." Walking out the door without looking back.

Orion sat there. A small smile coming to his lips.

"Anger can be useful," he whispered.

Author's Notes:

WOOOOO

First chapter done. I am feeling oddly stoked about this after spending so much time writing.

As for updates I can give you a tentative once a week. Never know with fluctuating schedules and all that jazz. If you have made it this far I thank you for giving me a shot.

Let me know what you think down below. If you like it YAY. if not tell me why and if it doesn't break the story that is in my head then sorry. But if i can add something in i haven't thought of...then thank you in advance.

The Little Things (Edited)

A tired yawn escaped from Cloudy Sapphires mouth, causing her jaw to crack. "I'd forgotten how long a trip this actually was. Why does Canterlot always seem so close yet the trip seems to drag on and on?" This long trip was the largest reason why Cloudy didn't get to see her high school pal all that much. She felt guilty if all things were considered, she should have been up here long before.

She had been forced to rent an over the land carriage rather then the air one, she learned that the air carriages were only for the day. As the carriage was making it's way out of the city, Panic had set in. The Manehatten police were out on patrol en mass. It seemed like they were waiting for, something, but fortunately her and her charge were not stopped. Orion's reaction was strange, when he saw the police, he flattened himself to the carriage floor. The look on his face was worry, unusual for him. He peeked occasionally over the window, ducking quickly down again.

The moment they left the city limits behind, both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Orion sitting back in his seat, though with a slouch. Though she wondered why he had acted that way. The police had never had a reason to show up at the orphanage during his stay, despite the three fights that he had been apart of. Though this last one did warrant police interference.

Conversation was, stagnant. Orion didn't show any curiosity in why she chose Canterlot for his refugee. Or where in the city they were going. Just quietly staring out the window. The neutrally angry look again on his face. Time for some questions.

"This was really foalish of you Orion," she spoke after an hour of silence. They were well outside the city now. "You went way to far today. Not only have you hurt three colts but two of them are staying overnight till their injuries are healed fully."

Nothing. Then, "Yeah I know."

That was it. All the questions she had, and she knew she wouldn't get an answer to a one. A swift end to that conversation. It was so frustrating when he did that. Those soft spoken words that just seemed to halt any discussion before it began. Though the words themselves were not the reason no further discussion was to be had. No it was the tone. The finality in the way those words were spoken, seemed to always be the closing of any discipline action that could begin.

No it was not frustrating, it was maddening. He did it so often. And it seemed like anything done to make him feel guilty, extra chores, isolation, even at one point the switch. Though doing that made her heart ache. It all, seemed to wash over him. He didn't even cry out at the switching.

Cloudy settled back in her seat, one hoof crossed over the other, and began thinking back to when he first arrived.

"We found him in Stalliongrad of all places. Right in the city's skid row. The locals have a term for it, but good luck pronouncing it. Anyway, there he was in one of the dead end alleys just, oh Celestia," Moonlit Night moved in close for a whisper, " eating a rat, RAW. Most terrifying thing I had ever seen. His muzzle was covered in blood. Looked more like a monster at first glance."

Leaning back the cloudy gray furred mare shuddered in her seat, feathers ruffling a bit in discomfort. Her blue eyes continued to dart back to the before mentioned colt. Sitting in a stool, with a scowl on his face. Moonlit tossed her purple mane to the other side of her neck and grimaced once more looking back at Cloudy. "Yep. Poor colt was so malnourished we thought he was doing, that out of desperation for any kind of food. And with those canines we first thought he was batpony, then immediately dismissed that idea because he has a horn instead of those creepy leathery wings." She shivered. Batponies were not very popular with the populace of Equestria as a whole.

Cloudy, just sat there horrified as she absorbed the gruesome information. "Wait thought? What do you mean thought, Miss Night?"

"Yeah thought. Blood work came back 3 hours later after we picked him up, and let me tell you picking him up was no easy feat either. He fought like a cornered badger. Actually cracked Yellow Strikes in the face breaking his jaw. Craziest thing I had ever seen. He couldn't even help the colt after that. We brought him in to speak to the colt so he wouldn't panic. Heh, we were the ones doing the-"

"Well she certainly likes to ramble on." Cloudy was getting a bit peeved though she tried not to show it. Since Moonlit's arrival she had been nothing but a chatty as she filled out paperwork for the transfer of the unnamed colt.

"Miss Night? Why was he eating meat and what did the blood work say," she interrupted, trying not to sound unkind.

"Oh ponyfeathers sorry I tend to ramble." Cloudy just blinked at her. "Did this mare just swear in front of a foal? Were her manners tossed out to make room for her need to talk?" "Anyway, yes the blood work came back and for the most part everything seemed to be normal. Except for the fact that his blood looks more like it belongs to a griffon chick then to a colt. If it wasn't for the fact that he somehow levitated a box and tossed it at us I would say he was a cursed griffon."

Looking slowly back to the colt, she saw him looking right at her. No fear whatsoever, but anger. "He needs to eat...meat?"That thought set her thoughts to serious worry about the other foals in her charge."What if he bites somepony? What will happen when the foals find out about his, needs." This fueled an even worse thought,"nopony is going to adopt him knowing he eats meat." Thoughts racing even faster the moment she realized that this poor colt will never be picked up by a herd or a mare. Colts were quick to get adopted from the system as colts were more rare to even be orphaned. It was considered a tragedy to ponies that a colt not have herd to guide and protect them. Not to say it never happened as she had 2 colts now, but both had adoptions pending on their cases. Good herd families too.

This colt will never have that happen. He will grow up with no family to call his own. Even worse his options for a herd of his own were slim. Very slim.

"What is his name?" Cutting through the ramblings of Moonlit again. To be fair, she hadn't listening. Most of what she was saying was already in the documents on her desk.

"Oh yeah! The prostitute that informed us of him said his name was Orion. Not sure who named him but the full name is Orion Falls."

Cloudy's lips wanted to curl up in disgust,"A prostitute. Well at least they had the best interest for the foal."

"A prostitute informed you of his location, what did she want in return?" Cloudy didn't mean to focus on the informant. But she couldn't help herself. Her sister was one. Estranged from the family. It was shameful.

If Moonlit noticed the venom in Cloudy's voice she didn't comment. "Oh him? He didn't want much just some food if we could spare it. He was way more concerned for the colt. Apparently a group of pimps was eyeballing him for about a week. According the Stone, the prostitute, they had made two attempts to foalnap him. He fought them off similar to how he nearly got away from us. Gruesome stuff to be honest."

Now it was Cloudy's turn to shudder. "A Stallion Prostitute? That poor pony, no male should have to live a life like that. Not even my sister." This thought was interrupted by a worse one."Sweet Mother of Celestia, they were going to subject him to rape?! We would have never found him. Orion you don't know how lucky you actually are." Shaking her head and pushing thoughts of the poor stallion stuck on the streets, and resettling into her seat, she looked back to Moonlit,"were the authorities notified?"

"Yes, though there is likely nothing to be done about it. Stalliongrad is not a...nice city Miss Sapphire. There will be an attempt, but I doubt anything will actually be done. I'm just glad we got cute little Orion out of there in time," she looks to him warmly. Seeming to ignore the hostile glare coming from him.

Cloudy looked over and really took in his appearance. For a colt that was malnourished as he, he was certainly tall for a estimated 6 year old. No way to know his actual age beyond blood work. Maybe a magical test but that costs too much. His face was typical of most colts his age, might be handsome if that scowl ever went away. His deep brown mane was washed, but you could certainly tell it was his first in months. Those gray eyes of his seemed to bore back at her. "Those are not the eyes of a foal. What have you gone through."

His horn was perhaps, the prettiest thing about him. A recent and rough horn filing showed he had spiral patterns that lazily trailed around them, the horn's size was average for his height and age. That may just catch a mare's eye if he keeps himself well groomed. His ears were a bit long. And swiveled to pick up any noise he seemed to hear.

Sighing to herself she turned back to finish filling out the papers of custody transfer. "So anything you can tell me? Has he spoken much?"

Moonlit laughed. "Spoken? No, no. Yelled obscenities at us, while throwing half the alley at us, oh yes. I will need a dictionary to figure out what most of them mean. That colt does not lack for words. Just lack of manners, politeness, and education more then likely. And where he got a shiv I will never know, but I am so glad I wore my armor that day."

"He STABBED you?!" Cloudy looked back at Orion, and for the first time saw a smile, no, a grin on his face. Those teeth of his was unnerving.

Laughing even more Moonlit responded, " Oh yeah four times no less. Yellow managed to yank the knife away from him but that is when he chucked a crate at Yellow's head, busted his jaw wide open. Colt is surprisingly adept at levitation. Barely managed to get that Null ring on him. Still fought like a Diamond Dog on crystals though. Think the whole operation took three or so hours. And we were in a tiny little alleyway." Shaking her head she grinned ruefully at Orion. "You ever get into the guard I fear our enemies will piss themselves learning of you my little friend."

Orion just went back to glaring. "Going to have to keep an eye on him, no telling if he might manage to make another shiv."

Dotting the last "I" Cloudy held out the folder to Moonlit. "Well that is everything, Miss Night. Is there anything else I should be made aware of?" Secretly hoping that this was all the horror she was going to get out of this colt's story.

Quickly reading over the file Moonlit responded, "Nooope I am all good here the transfer is complete." Both rising from their chairs Moonlit leaned over and shook Cloudy's hand. "Thank you for taking him in for us. Canterlot said they were full up at the moment. Don't know how considering the primarily deal in nothing but unicorns, not that many to begin with. Whatever."

Turning to look at Orion she patted him on the head ruffling his unkempt mane, much to his displeasure as he scowled back her. "Take care of yourself little dude and don't get into too much trouble, okay?"

"Go fuck yourself with a rusty screwdriver you two-bit twat waffle." A stiff, far more mature voice grated out from the colts mouth. Words that no colt or filly has ever spoken before in front of her.

Cloudy just stared. She couldn't believe that he said that. She couldn't even understand half the meaning behind it, but she knew it wasn't good whatever he had said. Moonlit was just roaring with laughter. "I see you still got that strange fiery tongue of yours, colt! But I'd advise you not to say that too often around here." Ruffling his mane some more chuckling she waved a hand at Cloudy in parting as she walked down the hall, hoofs clopping with quick succession. "Oh and expect the CFP to show up to make things awkward soon as this is filed with the city," she called back.

Cloudy was still staring. Orion was scowling at Moonlit's back. His attention however soon shifted to her.

Shaking her head Cloudy Cloudy readjusted her pink mane. "Young colt, that is the first and LAST time you will be speaking in such a way under this roof. You understand me?"

Orion glared back for a moment, then smirked, "Screw you too."

Cloudy was shocked, angry, and bewildered." Wh-where did you learn to speak like that?"

"From Nunya." He responded, still with that smirk.

"Who in Celestia's name is Nunya?!" She knew she shouldn't be getting hysterical. But the situation was turning out to be stranger then she was beginning to believe. The audacity of this colt. To say such a thing to anypony. To say it to Her.

"None ya business that's who," Orion, was chuckling whispering something along the lines of 'classic' and 'too easy.'

Staring her mouth hanging open. Where in Equis did he pick this attitude, this foul mouthed way of speaking. Cloudy, had had it. She marched around her desk, planted herself in front of the colt and snatched him up by his ear. Leaning in close she spoke very quietly into his ear," you will not talk like that again. If you do I will devise some very clever earth pony punishments for you. Do we understand each other?"

Orion in pain and surprised by the boldness of Cloudy just blinked and grumbled what could have been interpreted as an affirmative.

"Good." Dusting her hands off she gestured for him to pick up his small travel bag. it seemed to be stuffed with just the bare necessities for a foal of his age. "Pick up your things. I will take you to the room you will be staying in. You will be living in the same room as Swift Charge. He's a nice young colt and you should be able to get along nicely as long as you behave yourself."

She guided him out of the room and up the stairs.

Adoptions are never easy for foals. Or for those looking to provide a home for one. Even with Princess Celestia's Family First Initiatives, the cities still found a way to mire the road in red tape and fees. But that just made it all the more satisfying when a foal and family managed to get together.

With Orion, nothing was satisfying.

At first Cloudy wanted Orion to get adjusted living in normal society. She sent him off to the local school along with everypony else in the orphanage, and surprisingly, he excelled in his classes. All of them. Complete A student. In fact many of his teachers were recommending him for more advanced classes. History seemed a sticking point for the colt at first but he soon excelled at that as well. Though he kept complaining about 'childish history'. He was convinced that the lessons were not the full truth.

His participation in class was, however, abysmal. He seemed to borderline outright ignore the teachers and their lessons. On the few occasions he would actually invest time in a class, it would be to correct the teachers work on the board in front of the class. He had no tact when it came to calling out what he believed was 'medieval' mathematics. Chemistry was even worse. Causing the pony teaching the class to storm out in frustration. This only added to the mystery of who had educated him. And why had they not given him ANY lessons in proper pony behaviors.

Cloudy couldn't understand why someone would abandon an arguably brilliant child. Was it just his strange diet and attitude? No, maybe just the diet. His attitude must have developed on the streets after all. Regardless, Cloudy filed his impressive academic scores in his records. And wouldn't you know it? He was getting attention.

The problem? Was him himself. Every time he had an interview, it would collapse in 5 mins or less. His attitude was appalling. At first, he would openly mock potential adopters looks, he'd pair it with the most foul language Cloudy had heard this side of the river. Later on, after a stern talking to and not a small amount of punishments, he instead began to use a far more impressive lexicon of words that at first confused the adult ponies that came to see him. They had no idea that he was insulting them at first. But it quickly became obvious to the potential families that he was saying more then was apparent.

In one visit he casually implied that the mares mother was the results of inbred coitus. Anal coitus. At first the mare, one Dusky Shores, a blue maned showmare from Manehatten Performative Arts, didn't realize he had said anything to the effect. Even Cloudy had missed it at first. But as the conversation went on, the mare's brow furrowed in thought and she slowly began to glare angrily at Orion. Whom of which smiled back, teeth flashing. She then proceeded to storm out of the interview room, causing the glass door to shatter, without a backwards glance.

Cloudy stared at the shattered door trying to figure out what had happened. Slowly turning her head to look at a pleased looking colt. "Did you say what I think you said?" The wheels in her mind slowly putting together what he actually had spoken. She was appalled.

"What all I said was I was shocked that she got so far into the arts considering her mingled background of her mother and her brother..." Trailing off with a shrug he just smiled back, like a cat that had gotten the cream.

Punishment, usually devolved into two things, chores , which didn't seem to phase him at all, and isolation, which also didn't bother him in the slightest. Punishing Orion seemed to be a useless endeavor. That was until she accidentally figured out that he hated being embarrassed in front of others.

Words rolled right off him. Nothing verbal seemed to work. However, having him dig a hole and then fill that whole while all the other foals played in the play area seemed to work wonders in his attitude. Useless work got to him. And on top of that, she made sure he didn't use his magic doing it. He hated doing useless labor in front of others. It was a strange thing and he never explained why. Cloudy just shrugged thankful that in worked.

Such was his punishment for his comment to Dusky Shores. He complained, vocally and quite often.

What was his most damning issue was when families and potential adoptees found out about his dietary needs. Some just blinked and walked out. Others would ask 'are you sure' and pointed out that maybe he was faking it. When presented with his full file potentials would usually stammer out an apology and quickly walk out giving a fearful gaze back at Orion. Who was grinning, his teeth flashing in the lowered sunlight. This often got her visits from the CFP.

The CFP from the very beginning had pressured Cloudy, and her subordinate Star, into turning over Orion to them. To them, Orion was clearly faking. Or at worse an aberration that must be corrected. They would likely have cared less if he was a Earth, Pegasus, or even Bat pony. But due to his apparent heritage his teeth and diet were an affront to the Unicorns that run the organization at large.

"Obviously there is something wrong with the foal. No unicorn actually consumes meat. This is obviously a learned behavior that he just needs to be curtailed." Mrs. Backwater said on the very first visit. She was of the mind that Orion had filed his own teeth down to look like fangs to be scary. Utterly dismissing the blood work and examination paperwork that was in his file as 'factually wrong and unverified.' Her plan was to reeducate him. Which meant, if the heavy rumors were to be believed, near brainwashing. The CFP never seemed to actually have foals well being in mind. Only the results of what the wanted out of each one seemed to matter.

"You will sign over his papers to us. We will have him properly examined and then, help him, to what his future should be. Not some meat eating little abomination." At that point she had fixed Orion with a glare that he met with one of his own, with teeth bared at her. Shuddering to herself she turned back to Cloudy with a confident smirk. "So please, sign here and here and I will need your initials here."

No, apparently was not a word Backwater was used to hearing from those she considered beneath her. Also, being told her vaginal area smelled of week old sea cabbage left to rot on a pier seemed to incense her to a whole new level of fury. Orion scrubbed all the floors in the third floor for that. Not that he seemed to care. She did somewhat share the sentiment, but you just didn't say that to anypony. It was raining to hard outside that day to make him carry rocks outside.

Backwater left with vows of forcing Cloudy to sign him over by court order, but thankfully, the courts seemed to be smarter then she was. Or at least costed her more money then she had to spend, either way good news for Cloudy.

Unfortunately the CFP, and by extension Backwater, came by anytime there was a behavioral incident. Now Orion never actually went out of his way to assault anypony. He never spoke out against the other foals. Even helped one or two on occasion with homework. Much to the surprise of Cloudy and the foals he helped.

What got the CFP to come by any chance they got was the fights that targeted him. Most were small and not a huge deal other then little fists flying. But two occasions where Orion crossed a line did come to mind. The most recent being the beating, yes no better way to describe the events of this afternoon, of three older colts by one five years younger, though not much smaller then they.

It all seemed to favor Orion regardless. He seemed to always be the one defending himself. But that wouldn't matter much to the CFP, who would undoubtedly try everything short of outright threats against Cloudy. Threatening to close down the orphanage was often a strategy they would try to apply. Fortunately, again, it never worked.

Coming back from her musings, Cloudy looked over to Orion. Surprised to find him asleep. He was peaceful, shockingly, but that scowl seemed to be permanently etched on his face. It made her chuckle, then frown again. Backwater would be on her doorstep by Morning tomorrow. And she would be furious that he, nor her, were there.

"Now, Backwater has all the arrows she needs to rip him from my care. I will likely get in major trouble for this but I cannot allow her to have him. This poor colt will likely die in her custody from malnorishment. Or be so mentally mangled that he would cease being anything other then an invalid."

She truly believed it too. Backwater was known to be, viscous, to others not aligned with her. And with Orion's disposition she will likely break or outright kill him. The rumors still lingered in Cloudy's mind. Rumors that scared her.

"It must be close to midnight. I am glad I managed to at least rent the over night team." The daylight team would likely have pulled into rest stop hours ago. At the pace the team was making they would arrive in Canterlot by five in the morning. Cloudy contented herself with the fact that Orion was safe for the time being. Safe from the CFP, safe from Backwater. Settling herself in a yawn cracking her jaw, Cloudy fell asleep. Dreaming of better things for Orion.

Orion cracked an eye noticing that Miss Sapphire was steadily snoring away."Sounds like a damn airplane, I think, shit I've forgotten what airplanes sound like. It's only been three fucking years."

Looking out the window again, he contemplated just jumping out the carriage into the night. With as hard as the pull team seemed to be pushing, he figured he could just disappear, and no one would be able to figure out when and where he took off from. No he was a city boy, pony he guessed now, at heart and while smart he didn't have the survival skills to survive out in nature. Not to mention the inconveniences of magic and its ability to sift tracks that were weeks old. Would insure that he was quickly caught. Or so he had read.

He resolved to fix both issues as soon as possible. He knew he was limited, more so now then before. If he ever had to go on the run he would need to know about nature and what to expect out there, in what areas predators roamed. So much easier when your species dominated most of the Eco-sphere of his world. And his knowledge of chemistry would not be much use without resources. Not that knowing what atoms make up water and how physics work isn't useful. But you can't survive a predator attack with just science if you don't have the means to use it.

Orion was angry. Angry at fate, God, the devil, or even the fucking flying spaghetti monster, for dumping him in what amounted, to him, as horse hell. Horsy hell. True he wasn't exactly a respectable individual. But nothing he did warranted him to become a human guinea pig. Federal courts were, and likely still are, utter bullshit. The fact that they not only managed to pin the full blame for that bombing on him, but signed his life away to one of their black operations 'fun' little side projects was a complete an utter abuse of his rights. And the lawyer didn't even amount a defense farther then,'he didn't do it'. Come on! What kind of hackneyed shit was that?

A snarl formed on his lips, just thinking about the day they shoved him through that unstable wormhole made his blood boil.

"Subject 31259, its time to wake up." A soft feminine voice called, "Time for you to rise and great this glorious day!" Doctor Adam Levine Burbidge astrophysicist, direct descendant of Margaret Burbidge, cheerfully called out as the massive door slid back mechanically. Flanked by, of course, his two 'Orderlies'. Though calling either vaguely neanderthal-ic men anything close to medical professionals was pushing the realm of imagination. More like bouncers who took a couple of courses in meat tenderization.

"Subject 31259, come join us. Greet this fine day! Today, is the day we make history!" Burbidge declared The man was always so full of pep and vigor. He always greeted Orion as 'Subject 31259'. Never Orion, or Mr. Thatcher. Just 'Subject 31259'.

"Egotistical, beady eyed, shit sucking fuckhead. Could you for once, FOR ONCE, just use my fucking name?!" Orion rolled off of what could laughably be called a mattress, cardboard would have been softer, and onto the floor Orion shuffled to the door dreading whats coming. Brushing his dark brown hair out of his gray eyes he stopped. That is when his brain fully booted up and he locked eyes with Burbidge. "History? What History? What is going to happen today". He did not whimper. HE did not.

"Why my dear little subject, today is the day you take the next step. For you to egress into the unknown, and further our understanding of our universe, and the ones outside of it!" Turning around with a bit of a flamboyant spin, he gave a flick of his right wrist with a come hither motion, he walked back through the giant metal door and down the hall.

"Oh no."

The come hither was not for Orion to walk. No, no. It was to the 'Orderlies' to bring him. With a punch to his short ribs the two mountains of muscle, tentatively known as Bill and Edwardo, grabbed both arms and dragged Orion out the door hot on the heels of Burbidge. That claimed nothing they did was personal. Orion called shenanigans on that statement.

He was 'escorted' down the all to familiar hallways, no one had yet to mop up what was obvious to his nose, someone's spilled mountain dew on the landing heading further down into the facilities. That's a hazard. That spill had been there for weeks, would no one think of safety?

The fifth door on the right, lead to him being unceremoniously tossed into the 'transference' chamber. Counting what would soon be another bruise, Orion barely hauled himself to his feet before an army of engineers and medical professionals swarmed him. Taking measurements, stripping him of his prison clothes and stuffing him into a very unflattering skin tight suit with all the bells and whistles of attachments. He would have wished for at least a nut cup, this was embarrassing.

The battery of shots, were excruciatingly painful. Orion wanted to oh so badly throw a punch. But two months prior Bill dissuaded him of doing that again. Still worth it. But not as worth it as the days proceeded along.

Burbidge sat in his 'command chair' spouting some nonsense about the future of humanity and the thriving of the American people on new land. You know the typical speech before you rape a country of its natural resources. In this case its for a whole new world. Oh shit that's right. Their going to shove him through a big ass portal today. Fuck.

"Um, excuse me. Doctor Burbidge, sir."Orion did his best to seem concerned for the project. Not himself. Nope .Hard to do with a malnourished 5' 10" frame. "Are you positive today is the day? I was sure there were at least a couple million more tests to be performed. Weren't there?."

Burbidge, annoyed that he was interrupted, just signaled Edwardo. Who promptly smacked him up behind his head knocking him off his feet.

"Your right totally no need for more tests. "Orion wheezed from the floor.

Burbidge began to speak again, then realized the moment passed, and signaled for the technicians to start up the portal. Miffed that Subject 32159 interrupted another of his speeches.

The portal was loud. LOUD. Everyone had hearing protection. Not Orion however. No, Orion got to hear the sweet, sweet joys of an angsty teen 747 turbo jet engine scream itself awake, with a loud speaker. Beautiful.

Orion thought they would take longer to calibrate everything before shoving him to what was no doubt his doom. Nope, they had done all that before waking him. How nice of them. As he was being shoved by Bill toward the slowly stabilizing vortex of black and gold light he called out to Burbidge one last time.

"Hey, Burbidge, I have one last question for ya!"

Signaling for Bill to stop the Doctor waited.

"Are you gay?"

Three technicians stifled giggles, Bill started roaring with laughter, Edwardo was having trouble standing, and Adam Burbidge, astrophysicist, three time winner of the Bruno Rossi Prize, stuttered out in a shrieking voice.

"I h-have a wife!"

"So did Tom Cruise."

Bill shoved him in, trying to breathe.

They should have told him there was going to be some discomfort. It felt like every atom in his body was being torn apart and rearranged. Most notably the pain was strongest, everywhere.

What Orion didn't get to see but would have likely appreciated very much that he wasn't going to die alone, was that a feed back loop was triggered the moment of his body passing through the event horizon of portal. This feedback loop occurred when the intermixing of one universes nature intermingled with another. In this case the completely incompatible energy known as magic, intermingled with a universe of no magic. It created a vast harmonic vibration throughout the entire facility.

Burbidge had a brief thought that something was wrong.

The twin fission reactors fell into a melt down almost immediately. A quick series of failures later, the boom could be seen and heard on the west coast. Even felt in D.C. Utah was a nice place all things told.

Orion hit the ground. Hard. He just laid there. Collecting himself and enjoying the smell of the pungent earth beneath his face. Wow he could really smell that soil. His hands, no, his whole body felt stiff and weird. Everything seemed to be working but it felt like he was covered in a soft sheet. That's nice. But weird. Why is he covered in a sheet.

It was then that he noticed he was also covered in something else. The suit. But it felt way to big for him. Had he shrunk?"Oh please dear God don't let me have shrunk!" For most people 5' 10" was a rather respectable height. Not for Orion. He was vain. He had plans to have that surgery to add as much to his height as he could. Opening his eyes he got nauseous instantly. His vision, while still forward seem to take up more. That's not right. Bringing a hand to his face, his fuzzy long face. Wait. What? Opening his eyes again and attempting to stand up he fell over, still tangled in the suit. Orion cursed as he fought his way out of it. Surprisingly easy given how small he was.

Small. He felt, really small.

His second attempt at standing raised his panic to new fun heights. The moment he got to his feet, he began to tilt over. Looking under himself he noted, "Those are not feet."

His time on the ground was making him feel real acquainted with his new reality. Those are hooves. Why did he have hooves. Joy, at least he still had hands. Sort of. He was missing a digit.

"Okay, so I am a black goat or something. Where are the Satan worshipers when you need em." All joking aside Orion was beginning to panic. Really panic. He was small. And a goat thing. Things were not looking up. No they were looking very down. Running his tongue over his teeth and lips to note what else had changed, he was happy to be surprised that not everything had changed. He still had his beautiful chompers. At least the felt like his teeth. Still had the canines.

The rush of water caught his attention. Deciding to take stock of his environment he found he was next to a small river with a wading pool naturally carved into the side. Seemingly still water occasionally rippled by fish that swam beneath the surface. Looking from the water to the rest of his surroundings he found evergreens and seasonal trees all around him.

Joy. His least favorite. Nature.

Hauling himself to his feet, no, hooves now. Orion did his best to not fall over as he walked closer to the still pool of water. He only fell twice. Progress.

Looking into the water he noted his original assessment of his condition was wrong. He was small. A child for sure. But he wasn't a bipedal goat. Nope he was a tiny tiny horse. Tiny ears rapidly turning to every slight noise he heard. "That's a horn. Why do I have a horn?" Dashing those thoughts aside. Panic later he told himself. He proceeded to quench his unusually dry throat. Bathing his head also helped clear his mind, though he did think about finishing the job and just drowning himself. Briefly. Twice.

Getting out of the forest was not as difficult as he feared. Walking properly gave him a harder time. The path that cut through the forest was a nice cheat. Now he was gazing on a city that was by and large, dirty. It was a gross looking city. Oh look, they are emptying out chamber pots. Lovely.

He had stood there for what seemed like three hours. Just taking in the populace. The structures. The gross. Panic later he kept telling himself.

Night was coming. Night meant dangers he couldn't know of. Panic later.

He walked into the city. More like snuck in. Keeping to the shadows and alleyways as best he could. The stench, dear God the stench.

Shuddering and pulling himself back from his dip into the semi recent past. All it did was remind him that he was small, and stuck in horsey hell. Three years and no sign that he was going to get rescued or that is was a terrible dream. Maybe he was in a coma. Caught in some hit and run and this never happened. Not likely.

"This fucking sucks ass." He had to have said that a thousand times. No less true. It was bullshit.

He rolled over and went back to sleep.

The next day did not greet either of them, or the carriage team, with joy. It was raining as they arrived in Canterlot. The roof had sprung a leak a solid two hours before, soaking both occupants in early spring showers. Not to mention the headaches both bore from the unusual sleeping positions. The team, grumbling and cursing some choice words that Orion memorized, was fighting their way through the mud to finally reach the cobblestone streets of city proper. The road after the main gate was still mud. Most carriages stopped before the cobblestones. Not this poor angry lot.

The three mares and one stallion were in a foul air as they slowly came to a stop at the carriage station. Muttering curses for the weather and for the patrons who had the audacity to hire them when it was going to rain. Not knowing or caring if they knew or not. They didn't care. They were muddy. Sweaty. And not getting paid enough.

Cloudy stepped down stretching as her hoof met the cobblestone walk way. "OH sweet Celestia I think I'll just spring the money to take an airship back."

One of the mares just glared at her, dark thoughts running through her head about stupid ponies and not thinking about others.

Orion stepped out as well, popping his neck violently. The team of pullers, and Cloudy stared at him.

"What?" He glared back at everyone. The headache already making his day worse.

Shaking her head, Cloudy approached the pull team. Handing each, three ten-bit gold coins, thanking them for their swift arrival. This seemed to mollify the group somewhat as their thoughts just turned to blaming the weather teams then their kind patron who gave them such a hefty tip.

"Do any of you know where Lancet Street is? It has been some years since I was last here and I'm afraid I don't remember the way."

The only stallion in the group, a large earth pony, pointed down a side street, "That's Canterway, right there, go down that way and you'll run right into Lancet." Pulling off his harness, " Good luck wherever your going Miss you seemed to be in a big hurry last night."

"And thanks to you and your team I am not longer in such a hurry, you have my thanks again. Orion grab your bag. The sooner we get there the better. Have a wonderful morning," a flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder following hot in pursuit interrupted her. "Well as good as you can have anyway."

What greeted her ears was more grumbling from the team about drunk weather ponies. And surprisingly a laugh from Orion of all ponies. Then again, it was a dark laugh.

Both proceeding down the street with instructions in mind, they had to dodge around hoof traffic as the city began waking up. A splash of mud and water from a carriage was dodged by Orion but not by Cloudy, only seemed to darken her mood and feed her headache.

At Lancet Street she looked both ways before, luck finally with her, spotting White's Orphanarium. Four stories tall and sandwiched between a park and an office building that looked to be getting renovated, the building did not share the name. It was a building made of dark wood paneling with carved wood logs going vertically up. The stone looked new and supported the majority of the building. The gold trimming was a nice touch and it just reeked of wealth.

Looking to Orion just one more time she squared her shoulders and marched toward the building at a quick clop.

The door was open. As it was now seven most of the foals would be at school. Or at the very least getting there. Cloudy and Orion walked in and looked down the lushly furnished hall to the main office. There sat Daisy Evergarden. Her Mane done up in a loose yet elegant bun. Her half rimmed glasses perched on her muzzle as she was reading, what Cloudy hoped was the emergency letter she sent ahead, with her mature face pinched in a tight frown.

Looking up at the sound of hoof steps Daisy first gasped, then smiled at her long time friend. As she stood up adjusting her skirt she took in Cloudy's beleaguered appearance. The her pink mane was wildly unkempt. She wondered if Cloudy had actually slept in her dress. Daisy also noticed a certain notorious colt, she had read about, standing beside her. His neutral glare was the first thing she noticed. The second hand clothes he wore would have to be gotten rid of. No colt or filly would walk this halls looking homeless. He held his duffel bag not by the straps but gripping the bag itself, in one hand. That unnerved her a little.

"Cloudy welcome it has been too long since we last saw each other. I was just reading your letter. I have room here, I can take him in rest your mind on that. But what happened? Things seemed to have been fine this year with our little trouble maker. What changed?

Cloudy looked down at Orion, a tired defeated look on her face as all the stress and worry left her. "It's a long story. And we have been out all night. Sleep in a carriage is never restful." Daisy winced at that. She knew full well how uncomfortable carriages were to sleep in. "Is there someplace we can freshen up maybe get him settled in. I have all the files for the transfer here...I just, need a moment. So does he."

A warm smile crossed Daisy's lips. "Of course come with me...."

Shaking her head Daisy was shocked by the tale. Orion had been settled into his own private room. His bed he made himself surprisingly, and then unceremoniously fell asleep on top of the covers. Daisy had smiled then. He seemed so sweet then.

Now after hearing, a very much cleaned Cloudy, tale, she wasn't so sure having him here was wise at all. "He assaulted three colts in the play yard?"

"Yes, it was in retaliation of them targeting him but, yes. Yes he did. The colts are fine. Bruised up and hopefully learning a lesson." Taking a long sip of her tea she sat back placing the cup on the ornate coffee table. Truly the whole room was lavish. Bright curtains of blue trimmed with gold. Windows with not a bubble at all to grace them. Truly this was a establishment in the wealthiest of cities.

"Still, to break an arm like that. I surprised he can use magic to that degree already...."

"That was not, magic. Apparently he physically snapped Boulder's arm. He is stronger then any Unicorn colt I have met." That statement instilled even more worry into Daisy. What kind of foal can just snap another's arm like that.

"Okay, a worry for another time I suppose. I will not being going back on my word. I only wish we had the room 2 years ago. I would have taken him then." A pause. A sip. "He only gets confrontational physically when others do?" A nod. "Okay well that is some good news then. Most foals here have only their words to bite with." A look at Cloudy raised a question.

"Cloudy, whats with the look something wrong with the tea?"

Grimacing, Cloudy set down the tea and folded her hands together. "No the tea is lovely infact. No its that Orion has an...impressive vocabulary. What I didn't tell you is that he is smart. Extremely smart. Scary even. And he is not afraid to belittle anypony with choice words should he feel like someone is trying to insult him." Picking up her tea Cloudy took a sip holding the warm cup in her hands.

Daisy picked up Orion's file and skimmed through to his academics page. She blinked, read it again. "With this background, how is he that intelligent? I mean no offense but these grades show what could be considered top tier education. For him to have this would mean....what herd would abandon a colt this intelligent and bright?"

"I am not sure Daisy. His mind is so complex and the therapists that spoke with him seemed to think they were speaking to an adult, not a colt." Taking another sip. "He has got to be the biggest enigma I have ever seen. I have never met a foal with his potential and attitude. And he will absolutely not talk of where he came from. Who his family was."

Sighing softly, Daisy set down the file. " Well he may just meet his match soon enough." A quizzical look from Cloudy prompted her next statement. " Princess Celestia has finally picked a protege. Well I say finally, but this was three years ago. The filly is smart. Cleverly so. She absorbs books like you and I would breathe. Top of her class in most anything she touches. If I didn't know her family, I would claim that Celestia was her mother."

The news startled her really. She has no idea that the princess was even taking proteges again. Then again the last one was 20 years ago so she supposed it was time. "That is good to hear. The last one had such potential and then just, poof, gone. And nopony knows what happened to her." Chuckling to herself she had to ask," Is the princess up for another intelligent pony, a colt this time?"

Daisy laughed with her old friend, "No sadly. There has been always only one she has chosen. Though you should hear about her entrance exam for the school...."

Orion woke to Miss Sapphire looking down at him. He blinked waiting for her to begin talking. Sighing she spoke up in a sadden tone. "I have to head back no Orion. Despite it all I will miss you. I know Star is going to miss you even more. But this really is the best. You'll be protected and safe from the CFP here. And with this kind of environment you will likely get into less trouble. Just try and go easy on the insults okay?" Orion could only chuckle at that.

Sitting up and running his hand through his mane he contemplated something, then nodded. Getting up Orion walked over to Cloudy and hugged her.

Cloudy reflexively hugged back but was in shock. He hugged her. He actually hugged her.

"Thanks. I know this shit was not ideal and you really didn't have to go this far but thank you all the same. I never knew many who would go that far for anyone, least of all me. So thank you Miss Sapphire. You got me out of a rough situation I couldn't get myself out of." Finished he stood back letting go. And began to chuckle at the stunned look on her face. "Your gonna catch flies if you don't close your mouth Miss Sapphire."

She shook her head and closed her mouth, smiling warmly at him. "I think this is the first time he has spoken so kindly to me. Still he shouldn't swear. But its the little things. One step at a time."

Giving him one finally hug Cloudy bid him farewell, leaving him to Daisy and to settle into his new life in Canterlot. Maybe just maybe he will find a home here. Daisy couldn't know.

Author's Notes:

Okay so, this one was a bit longer then the last one. I just started typing and bam. 5 hours later i have this hot mess in front of me. I edited as best i could i am sure i missed something. But i think this one came together rather well.

Again if you like what you read please feel free to like. If you have questions comments or concerns please by all means go ahead and right it down below. I will try and answer when I can but lord help me i have no idea if i will be able to.

Again thank you for reading through my little story. Thanks for taking this journey with me.

Peace.

Price of Education (Edited)

Daisy put the last of the files into the package to be shipped to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It should be relatively simple, honestly. With free education programs the Princess sponsored and Lord Fancy Pants cosigned, Orion should have no issue gaining admittance to the school.

It has been four months. Four months of no issues. No fights. No nasty pranks pulled. No, anything really. Orion just seem to be a normal colt. One that mostly stayed inside but normal enough for her. The fact that he was reading everything in the orphanage's private library gave her hope that he would settle in nicely or at least wouldn't make waves about. Her fears from a few months ago seem to be all a bad dream. Though a kernel remained. School was starting. And the upper crusts foals attended the academy that Orion was set to attend.

How would he react to the foals. How would they react to him? Most of her charges that were Unicorns seem to perform just fine in school. But Orion was a special case. His interactions so far with his fellow ponies has been, tentative, at best. Only Golden Trot seemed to stir any ire in him. And he seemed to simply walk away. It seemed he was not interested in repeating the events in Manehatten. That made Daisy breathe a little easier. Fortunately Golden Trot's papers had finally gone through and he was leaving tomorrow. Just before the school year was set to begin. Even better, he wasn't even going to be in the city for some time. He was set to journey to Trottingham with his new family.

Hopefully with this, Orion could establish himself in the school before his return. Thus one roadblock taking care of by itself. As long as he continued to behave. He actually had a few families approach. But it seems like in his previous home, nopony wanted to take on a pony that ate meat.

Orion's penchant, no, need to eat meat, three times a week seems to have worked out well for him diet wise. Though it was a point of contention for many of the foals. Well all but Screaming, but she was not a pony.

Screaming Rush was a Griffon, the only one up for adoption in Canterlot, so she supposed it hardly mattered to the only griffon in her care. She had been here for four years. Sad really, but not unexpected due to the predominately pony population of the city, and most of that was occupied by Unicorns. But good news was on the horizon though Screaming didn't know it. A pair of Griffons has been making some inquires about her. Daisy had high hopes the pair would actually adopt the chick.

Screaming has tried to befriend Orion on more the one occasion the past few months. But other then eating meat together, he largely ignored her as well. At least at first, he seemed to have warmed to her but still never went anywhere with her. She doesn't lack for friends, however, so Daisy isn't so worried by rejection.

Its Orion that has her worried. He seems to outright refuse to speak much to foals his own age. Any attempt made has seen him close the book he was reading, quietly get up, and march back to either his room or the library. It was rude and Daisy wasn't sure how to go about correcting the behavior.

Their interactions have been cordial. His intelligence is readily apparent. Those first few talks were, for the most part, feeling each other out. Or at least it was on her part. Orion seemed to have figured out what she was trying to do early on, and cut right to the chase.

"Listen, I know your trying to be nice while at the time seeing if I am gonna be a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode.""Whats a time bomb?""I will give you three, not quite promises but assurances. One." Holding up his first digit." I will not in anyway seek a conflict voluntarily. I will however, break whoever throws the first punch at me." Raising his second before she could attempt to dissuade him from 'breaking' anypony. " I will not go out of my way to verbally attack anyone here in class or out on the street, should I be able to be let out." Raising his third and last finger. "I will do my best not to besmirch the name of the orphanage in anyway. Granted I won't be the model citizen but I will maintain some level of decorum and civility."

Lowering his hand he looked back to Daisy. " Does this ease some of your fears Miss Evergarden?"

Daisy was a bit stunned to say the least. She was expecting weeks of conversation yet to get to this point. And a little put out. This eight year old little colt had already thought ahead. She wanted promises not, whatever this is. But considering his history she can't truly complain. The fact that he was taking his own initiative to not put her or himself in dire straits made her happy. But she had to ask.

"While I am happy to hear you say that, you have to know I would like to know why. Given your history in Manehatten..." She rest of the statement went unsaid. He smiled.

"Shit that's simple. I know what a mess I made back in that hellhole. After this where do I have to run? Where will I go if this falls through. No. I think I have sabotaged myself enough for one lifetime. Or is it two?" He said that last bit to himself completely befuddling Daisy. "No matter just rest assured I don't want to repeat that performance. Don't get me wrong I refuse to take it on the chin so to speak if any of these slack jawed halfwits wanna tumble. But they will have to hit first. Oh and is there a gym nearby? I'd like to attend."

Taking a moment to process what he said,"What is Hell? And we really have to get his language under control. Though I suppose this is a better deal then I thought i would be able to get from him." Sighing and straightening her back," Very well. I will take this deal of yours. But what do you want with a gym? Your a Unicorn. You have magic. There is no need for you to go and work your body. Anything you want you can do."

I deadpan glare was all she thought she was going to get. "And what happens should magic fail me? Or if it can't be used for whatever reason? A sharp mind must be tempered with the body. Both should be at their peak. I shouldn't limit myself two just one path should I? Done that once before and it ended very badly for me."

She couldn't really argue with him. In fact it lead to some very uncomfortable thoughts in her own mind about magic failing her. But again, some of what he was saying made no sense. "Done that once? He's a colt! Is he referring to his life in Stalliongrad?" He wasn't wrong,however, and his monthly stipend more then covered a membership. So she gave him the location or Iron Wills Gymnasium. And off he went.

"Come on Orion, why won't you come hang with us? You have been inside the library or the gym for months. School is gonna start soon and I won't be seeing you as much anymore!"

This wasn't Screaming's first attempt to pull the ever elusive and reclusive Orion Falls from his self imposed study. Honestly she couldn't understand what drove him to read as much as he did. Or workout as hard either. Though he had seemed to have added a considerable amount of muscle to his eight year old frame. She managed to peek into the gym once to see Orion full on sprinting on the incline tread mill. The looks he was getting from the other patrons ranged from appreciation, to incredulous staring. She herself, found him fascinating. No other colt or filly, or tartarus, a griffon, acted like him. The fact that he actually ate meat along with his veggies only drew more of her attention. He was already strong for his age. And seeing him lift weights left odd feelings in her chest she didn't understand.

Orion for his part was only mildly annoyed. He had expected this from some of them, and her the moment he met her. A carnivore can't just ignore him he supposed. He is an oddity among the ponyfolk.

"Listen Scream," she liked that nickname though she didn't know why, "I study and do all this to better myself. I know to you it looks boring as hell but for me its what I need to do if I am ever to have a future. I am an orphan with NO prospects of getting adopted. I have accepted that. But if I have any chance of making it I have to work my ass off now." Then he dropped his voice into that of a child his age, she hated this voice. "No I can't come out to play. Go have fun but thank you for asking at least. I appreciate it, truly."

Screaming sighed, once again defeated by his stubborn refusal to do anything fun. "You suck Ory." As she walked out the door miffed at another failure to get the colt to have fun.

"Plagiarism! You stole that word from me fluffy tail!" Followed her out the door as the colt inside chuckled. Meanwhile Screaming was trying to figure out what plagiarism meant.

"Struck out again, huh?" Screaming looked at her best friend, Storming Wind, leaning against the wall. Her pink fur and feathers looking freshly cleaned. The amber eyes, focused into the room, holding a little scorn for the ever reading colt. "I am shocked you haven't given up yet. All you two got is meat in common. Whats a bookworm like him going to help you with anyway. He can't fly after all." Screaming scoffed. She didn't see Orion at the gym, and didn't believe her when she described what he was doing there.

Flipping Storming's blue mane into her face she huffed, "He's all by himself all the time. You ponies know its not good for other ponies to be alone for too long. Whats wrong with trying to get him to have fun?" Screaming was frustrated. This had to be the fiftieth time he has rejected her invitation.

Storming just laughed, "Nothing but he is just too, weird. All he does is study. Or runs laps, so you claim. I think I caught him lifting a bunch of books by the straps yesterday. "She could hardly believe what she saw. "He's just so weird. Not to mention the way he talks. If i didn't know any better I'd say you have a crush on him or something." Swatting at Screaming for messing with her mane as the both walked down the hall.

The Griffon blushed heavily, ears turning pink. "W-w-what?! No, no bucking way" More boldly, "I-i just want him to have some fun and not be alone anymore. He's been here for months. Yeah he's younger then us, but he still needs somepony. Hey do you know what plagiarism is?"

"Sounds like a made up word if your asking me," she quickly dismissed the word. "Now come on, we need to go. Or everypony is gonna to have eaten the best flavor!"

"To you chocolate is the best flavor, Storming."

"Duh now come on! I'll race you!"

With that the two flew out the window and down the street. Ruffling more then one mane in passing. Angry glares following them.

"Okay Orion did you pack your lunch. Remember no meat. We want them to get used to you before introducing that quirk to the class."

Orion sighed for what felt like the 8th time that morning. He had his backpack, that he made himself surprising Daisy and several others, He had his lunch, an overwhelmingly bland PBJ sandwich and veggie snacks. At Miss Everga- No Mrs. Evergarden, insisted upon.

He was more then a little surprised to find out she was married, into a rather large herd no less. Second to her sister wife. And had two foals of her own. Well more like almost mares as they were both in their final year of High school.

Anyway, his note books were set. He expected to get his curriculum and books to match upon arriving in class. He was actually looking forward to starting school. Hopefully these courses would not be mind numblingly boring as they were back in Manehatten. Seriously, how had these horses not figured out physics or chemistry yet? They've had their civilization close to 1000 years already. You'd think with that kind of stability, thanks to an immortal princess no less, calling bullshit on that, they would have the economic forward thinking to push forward with technology. No. They were still using steel swords 1000 years later. They better hope he doesn't make a gun mill in the years to come. Everyone was fucked then.

"Listen, Mom, I have my food, books, quills, ink jars, and extras already packed. The way your hovering over me your gonna make me think I got a booger hanging out my damn nose".

A quick swat on the muzzle and a yelp of indignation later he was heading out of the orphanage. Though Mrs. Evergarden did have a smile on her face when he left. Orion had already walked this path three times to be sure he had it down. To be honest, he was shocked at how close he lived to the school. But then again. Looking at where he lived he could reason out that it made sense. Too posh even for him though, but he could wait and bide his time. He had what 10 years to go? Might as well study all he can about this world. This confusing world. He still couldn't get over the strange names. So many used names sounded like descriptors rather then proper names. Hell, the Griffon girl, Screaming Rush. How does that make a name? It's literally an adjective describing an action. Made no sense.

Dodging the varies foot traffic in his musings, and random carriages that seemed to have only one purpose but impede, he made his way to school without really focusing on the shops and sights around him. Not like he hasn't seen it before. Though he was hoping to try that pastry shop on the corner, across the street from the orphanage. Milly's Sunny Baked Goods. Not bad name to be honest, though Orion suspected that Milly might have been a man, stallion.

This was going to be hard. He already was making mistakes with the nomenclature such as the nouns, anypony and everypony. To him they were stupid. It was very exclusionary and he suspected someone high up a long time ago wanted to fuel nationalism by altering the language to exclude others. Who he didn't know but he felt that should be whooped.

A massive sneeze wracked Celestia's body. Unprepared she didn't even have time to cover up her muzzle before the spray hit the Saddle Arabian delegate in the face. "Oh my goodness I am so sorry Ambassador! I don't know where that came from." She quickly levitated a handkerchief to the offended stallion.

"I-it's alright. Maybe your catching a cold your Highness." Trying to clean his face as best he could. Spinning humor on his slight humiliation.

"I haven't had a cold in 800 years my dear Ambassador. This, was as much a surprise for me as it was for you." "Where had that come from". She sniffed rubbing her own nose with another handkerchief.

Without realizing it, the school's massive gate loomed over him, "Huh, that was quick. Now lets see. Who was I suppose to meet up with again. Mr. Shower I think Mrs. Evergarden called him. Hope for his sake his first name isn't Golden.". Looking around the expansive court yard Orion looked for where the new arrivals would be assembled, and swiftly found it. It was pitifully small."Oh boy look at that. Not gonna get singled out at all no siree." Four others stood there. One was picking his nose. In public. His nose. Picking. Gross. Oh God he ate it.

Orion inwardly groaned as he walked over to stand with them. "Please don't let 'gold miner' be my lab partner for any class."

"Name!" Snapping out of his own thoughts Orion looked up to what had to be the ugliest horse he had ever seen.

Nothing was going right for this guy. His nose was crooked and tilted upwards. His eyes seemed to be looking at two different things and yet somehow still focused on him. His mane while combed seemed to have went through a shredder. And was that the hint of a buck tooth he was seeing under there?

"Oh, umm my name is Orion Falls." Looking back at the stallion trying not to laugh.

"Hmm, a yes here you are. You were almost late Mr. Falls. I'd advise you to leave earlier if your going to be this slow in getting to class." Glancing over to the rest of the new arrivals. "Now that we are all here. I am Mr. Shower. I am the introductory councilor for the day but usually you will find me in the chemistry department. You four will be guided to your classes by the best students of last years academics. You will give them respect, and your undivided attention. They have your schedules, and will be with you for the next 3 days to make sure you understand where you are supposed to go. Is that clear?" Nods of acceptance, though Orion just stood there. He did not like Shower. He would not even get a Mr. in his name. "Excellent."

"Worst Snape impression I have ever heard of" Orion did and inward sigh and waited.

"Excellent. Twilight Sparkle, if you, and the others, would kindly pick out your charge and make sure the schedule is handed out I will be going. I trust you can handle yourself?"

The now name filly looked back at Shower," Yes Mr. Shower this will be no problem." She sounded bored with the whole thing. No. She was irritated. Orion suspected she didn't want to be doing this. At all.

"Excellent. Turn in your badges to my office at the end of the day. That is all. Goodbye."

Twilight looked back over the assembled group and started to assign the other assistants to the other new students. Surprisingly, she paired herself with Orion. "Great, I get Miss Doesnt-want-to-be-here."

"Today is a busy day so do not dottle. We have a lot of ground to cover and I don't want to be kept waiting." Oh this is wonderful, she has that stick wedged firmly up her ass. Lovely.

"Bite your tongue my dude. Keep calm. You made some commitments and you damn well better keep them"

He tailed slightly behind her on her left as they walked up the steps leading into the school proper. This place was HUGE. He stopped and stared at the expansive grounds. The building itself looked more like the White House. The pillars were all white with gold scroll work. The supports for the walls were also erected to look more of the same as the pillars. Only they were flat. The walls were brick. Very clean brick. It had to be one of the nicest buildings he has seen.

Still gawking he was rudely pushed forward by nothing. Then he saw Miss Up-tight glaring at him, horn alight in a purple glow. "Do. Not. DOTTLE." she seethed. What in the hell crawled up her snatch and died?

"Okay, okay. Permit a man to look at something he's never seen before and wanted to appreciate. Jesus." He walked forward eyeing the girl more. He was suspecting that she was forced into this role. And she was taking it out on him.

A sharp look."Man? And what is a Jesus?" She was staring him down. Not that she could considering he was at least 5 inches taller then her.

Thinking quickly, "Oh yeah just slang from Stalliongrad, same for the Jesus thing."

Glaring at him for longer then he liked she finally relented, "Fine then. But those better not have been slang for swears. We do not tolerate those in this school. I don't know Stalliongrad schools standards for decorum. But we here have a strict standard for our student body. You will act accordingly. Do I make myself clear?"

Orion, was at a loss for words. On one hand he just wanted to lay into this brat. On the other hand he wanted to maintain the deal he had made with Mrs. Evergarden. Mentally biting his own tongue he responded with a vague positive. Seeming mollified, newly named Miss Jackass walked on, followed closely by Orion.

The inside of the building reminded him of the orphanage as far as decor was concerned. Staying hot on Jackass's heals he walked the halls swiftly taking in as much as he could. He was beginning to see he was tall for a typical Unicorn. The older ones seemed to only hold three or four inches over him. He smiled slightly. It seems like he was on course to have at least one dream realized.

Jackass turned a corner and stopped in front of a door to a classroom that was eerily quiet. That was alarming. Peeking in and slowly walking into the class, he noticed that students where in their seats. All reading the same book. That very book slammed into Orion's chest in a purple glow. "This, is you class on Equish. This should help you correct the poor grammer and nomenclature you seem to posses. I would advise you study closely." Pointing toward the seats Orion took the hint and walked, book in hand, up the five steps and sat down on an empty seat. He was lucky. No one was sitting near him. Then She sat down. "Seriously is she going to be with me all day?"

As if reading his mind, "I am not happy about this either, I am going to fall behind my studies for this. I am...sorry for my attitude. I am not being fair to you. You being new and everything. I'm sorry." Orion just blinked at her. "Where the fuck did the 180 come from?" He just stared at her. Shock clearly etched on his face.

Renamed Miss Up-tight squirmed under his gaze. "I guess its fine. I can understand stress. Just, calm down a bit. Life is to short to take things so seriously all the time. No one gets out alive and to spend all your time angry makes it all the shorter. So, no harm no foul." Thinking, then nodding. "Let's start again." Holding out his hand. "My name is Orion Falls, Orphan Extraordinaire."

Twilight had to do her own blinking, and then followed by panicked thinking. "He's an Orphan?! No wonder he was having a hard time getting to school. And here I thought he was just some slacker! Oh Celestia what do I say now?" Seeing him waiting for her response, she cautiously took his hand. " My name is Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria." She internally cringed.

The colt named Orion, just blinked, stared a bit, then took his hand back. Twilight knew she shouldn't have mentioned her relation to the Princess. She always seemed to just blurt that out. Although, why shouldn't she be a little proud of the fact that she was the Princess's protege. But it always seemed to back fire on her. Everypony who heard that seemed to just, distance themselves from her. Almost immediately.

"Wow. My warden is not only smart, but your also attached to royalty. Nice hustle." She almost missed what he said, she warmed a little to being called smart, but paused, "Hustle? What hustle? Warden?! How am I a warden?" looking back at the pony she noticed he was chuckling. Oh a joke, oh good. He had turned back to his book opening up to read through the opening introduction.

Really looking at the colt she realized he was taller then her. Much in this case. "Is he really the same age as me?" She began to note his features. He was fairly good looking as far as most colts his aged looked. His dark brown mane looked to be in a slight mess but that could have been from the walk over. It cascaded around his head and neck, bit over in front of his ears. The ears themselves were slightly longer then average but certainly not uncommon.

The prettiest thing about him was his horn. The pattern of swirls made her think of water. It was very well kept. A little long like his ears. It was a really nice horn.

His gray eyes gave her a pause though. They seemed, old for a lack of a better word. She had only seen Princess Celestia with eyes like that. The filly didn't know what made eyes look like that.

He was wearing the standard uniform for a student of the academy. A snowy white dress shirt with a dark blue sweater vest with the schools emblem imprinted on the right breast. The slacks were the standard plaid, navy blue with stripes of blue and white. The whole outfit was of course a copy of her's, only she wore a skirt instead of pants.

He sighed, closed his book and leaned back. "So nothing different there I suppose. other then the use of pronouns, and the naming system. Same language." This colt was confusing her more then more. Her need to know was however, overridden by her guilt. It didn't seem nice to pepper him with questions after apologizing for her attitude, maybe later. She chose not to interrogate him, for now.

Mrs. Greenfield walked briskly, "I apologize for being late students, the dean had a last minute meeting for the faculty and it carried for way to long. Oh Miss Sparkle what are you doing here? The way you passed my class last year I did not think you would wish for a remedial course." She smile gently as she said it. Mrs Greenfield was a lovely mare and Twilight had enjoyed herself during her class.

She was a bit of an overweight mare, but not by too much. Having 7 foals will do that to anypony. Her green, eyes always held that bubbly warmth she was known for, but it was offset by the golden mane that was kept tight into a bun. Her bright orange fur was brushed thoroughly, and her uniform was a near replica of the students uniform. Though for teachers they all wore an academic's robe. A sign of their position and achievements.

"No Mrs Greenfield. I am on introductory duty today. Mr. Showers asked for my help, and the Princess thought it a good idea." She indicated to whom she was escorting with a point of her finger.

"Ah yes a Mr..., "looking at the attendance sheet in front of her she read out his name, very slowly. "Ah Mr Orion Falls. Welcome to my classroom Mr. Falls. From what I was told you had gotten very high marks in your classes in Manehatten Preparatory, top of your class correct?"

Nodding casually he responded, "Uh yeah, yeah I did I suppose. Wasn't paying attention." Twlight hadn't realized she was staring at him. "Top of his class?" She couldn't believe it. His attitude. The way he carried himself. None of that showed anything of him being as intelligent as Mrs Greenfield was suggesting.

"Ah yes, that's right your the little colt my sister wife was telling me about. Now I remember." Chuckling to herself her eyes lit up with a bit of mischief. "You better watch your tongue in here Mr Falls, I'll tell me sister on you."

"Ahh, shit." Twilight's eyes bulged, Orion closed his and slapped his forehead just under the horn. "Sorry, sorry force of habit when getting bad news. Really its just ingrained in there now. I will try and curb it as best I can but no promises."

He swore. In front of the teacher. He swore. And he's trying to play it off as if its nothing, and might happen again? Twilight's mind was racing. How could this colt act and speak so unabashedly in front of his teachers?!

"Oh I'm bad news am I? I will let that one slide, Mr Falls. But do not make it a habit. This is your only warning," she said curtly, though the smile stayed on her face.

"Please Mr Falls is my fathers name, wherever he might be right now, call me Orion." He was chuckling now. Where did the colt come from? He mannerisms. She only saw nobles speak and talk like this. He was swapping back and forth from peasant to noble tone far to quickly and easily. "Is he the cast off son of a noble? What did he do to get disowned and thrown out? He's to young to have done much. Who is he?" These questions she feared would pull her away from studies for sure.

"Well Mr Orion why won't you introduce yourself to the class while we have time. Be quick I would very much like to get today's lessons started." She shook her head and went to organizing her desk, shuffling papers and placing them on the lectern.

"Oh, okay. I suppose that would be a good idea." Sliding past a still gaping Twilight he descended the short set of stairs, and walked to the front of the class. "Um, hey everybody. My Name is Orion Falls, in case you hadn't picked that up by now. I just moved here about four months ago, I think, from Manehatten. Yes I am an orphan. Before Manehatten I lived on the streets in Stalliongrad. I don't remember much other then my life on the streets so please don't ask me tedious questions about it. It's not pleasant, and I am sure you really don't wanna know." Making to go he stopped, "Oh yeah, you guys normally here about hobbies about this time. I have only two. Working out at the gym down the road, and reading. Yes I know, I'm a boring guy. Bite me." He walked back to his seat.

The class was silent. The news that he was an orphan was no longer a surprise for Twilight. His living conditions however were. The other students, she knew, were already giving him the stink eye. They didn't like things they felt beneath them. Orion didn't know it. But he had placed a target on his back. He didn't seem to care. A filly named Fancy Breeze, sniffed loudly and turned her head away quickly. He just openly laughed at her shaking his own head. Something about 'rich tards'. "What's a rich tard?"

"That was fun." Orion slid past Twilight once again and sat down. "Lets never do it again shall we?"

He had to do it six more times. Orion was in hell.

Throughout the day, his monitor, warden, jailer, whatever, was getting pleasantly better. Having to repeat the story he had rehearsed twelve times however, was not. Each class had noble kids. And every goddamn one of them had a stick up their asses every time he finished his little story. They would scoff and laugh, one tried to throw a wadded up scroll at him which he saw coming, whipping it back into his would be attackers face with levitation. He was proud of himself. He was getting quite good at it. Twilight, he was begrudgingly calling her by her name, was actually being a decent person.

He managed to stay out of trouble for the most part, except for the retaliation in the form of the wadded up scroll badminton competition he had with the kid. But Twilight pulled him outta the fire on that one remarking how he was just defending himself. Seriously when did this girl turn into a decent human bei-, pony, pony being.

Lunch was nothing to write home about, but when they put what looked like a very fancy pile of hay on his plate he just sneered and put it back. "No thank you that is disgusting." Twilight was stunned. The cook was stunned. The children around him were stunned. He just walked away with the fruit and veggies he had.

He went through the standard litany of classes: English, or Equish to the ponies, Math. Science, a class that in his opinion hadn't owned up to the title. Then onto History, which seemed to exalt only the virtues of ponykind. Orion could read between the lines. The country's past was likely riddled with violence. The Reunification Wars? A quick skim of the book indicated there was more then one. Though no distinction was made. Meaning it was likely a very bloody affair. Nice censorship there nobles. Then it was on to the practical and theoretical Magic classes.

Orion quickly gained a good grasp on concept and execution of magic. His problem arose when he realized many of the kids were stronger then him in magic. Twilight looked on in sympathy as he struggled to make more then three balls of flame in the air before him. Most had ten. Twilight trying to be helpful produced 25. The girl was a freak of nature he was sure. The teacher himself, a Mr Cottonridge who's new name was Dues ex Douchebag, mocked him. Though he veiled it behind snide comments of encouragement. And overly done examples of what he should have been doing.

This all lead to ridicule and derisive comments, under the class's breath. Oh boy, he was going to hurt someone for sure. First his teeth, now he was being made fun of for his lack of magical aptitude. He was sweating hard by the end of the two hour lesson. His head and horn both hurt from the exertion. Though to be far these kids did have longer to use their natural gifts. For Orion, however, outside him using levitation he had no other practice with elements or potion making or, well anything really.

He trudged down the steps of the school completely ignoring Twilight's wave of goodbye. He was mad. But he was also determined to find ways around his seeming lack of skill. Something told him he was missing something. His instincts were often never wrong on this. And he trudged home to the orphanage with determination in his heart.

For Twilight, the day could have gone better. She had made an absolute foal out of herself in the morning being angry at Orion for the wrong reasons. But she felt she redeemed herself for that with trying to be as helpful as possible with the colt from the Equish class on.

He surprised her on more then one occasion. His aptitude for math, science, and history were amazing. She almost felt like she was looking in a mirror. His insistence on misusing pronouns annoyed her but she felt that was just a hold over of where he came from.

Magic class even started off very well. But then the practical application is where he seemed to just, fall apart. Watching him struggle past three fire balls actually broke her heart. When she tried to help, his gawking and further frustration seemed to have only feed off her ability.

She felt bad. He didn't even wave goodbye to her when he left. Just that, determined, mean look on his face that made some of the older students jump out of his way.

She sighed as the carriage stopped before the palace. Maybe the Princess would have something that might help him.

Stepping out she thanked the guards who had brought her back to her home of 3 years. It was nice to think of the soldiers and maids and butlers that worked inside the castle. They often left extra sweets on her pillow if she was lucky. A guilty pleasure to be sure.

She didn't really notice walking through the double doors, her mind racing with thoughts on Orion as her hooves carried her through the now familiar halls with quick practiced steps. The opalescence, the tapestries the gilded walls and drapes, she had seen them all before and no longer payed any mind as she once would have. Still on her thoughts, she gave a half greeting to the guards before pushing her way into the door to Princess Celestia's private study.

The study was a great library. Two stories of books running along both walls in an expansive room, with stairs going up both sides to access the books found no where else on Equis. The two story window was on full display with intricate lead work in framed metal showing the founding of Equestria. A beautiful sight for anyone. And a reminder for others of the weight of her teacher's office. The marble white floor was covered tastefully in the red rugs with an ornate sun pattern in the center. All this was balanced by the stark dark wood, with gold trim, desk that sat in front of the window.

There sat Princess Celestia. First of her name. Ruler of the Sun and Moon. Protector of the Lands of Equestria. Mouth stuffed with cake. To be fair this wasn't the first time Twilight had seen the Princess with cake. Or in such a large size. "Might be a whole cake this time. Something distressing must have happened."

Before Twilight could even say a greeting, Celestia swallowed the mouthful she had and burped. "Oh my dear student. I am surprised to see you back so soon." Looking down at the cake, death by chocolate if Twilight had to guess, and back to her the Princess laughed softly. "Yes it was a bad day. I sneezed directly into the Saddle Arabian Ambassador's face. It was so embarrassing. And I couldn't stop. Through the course of the day when I believed myself safe I would suddenly sneeze again." She shoved another forkful of cake into her maw.

Twilight was giggling, trying not to but failing to do so. It pulled the Princess into the laughter as well. Spewing cake chunks that made her laugh all the harder.

Composing themselves, and magicing the cake detritus away, the Princess regarded Twilight warmly. "So my student, normally I hear you had sequestered yourself in the school library for 2 hours. You being here this early means you must have had as bad a day as I had. Trouble with the classes?"

Sitting down, "No Princess. As you know I was assigned as a guide and an introductory officer for the new students that came in this year..." Twilight began to relate to the events that transpired earlier in the day. Her behavior, her attempt to correct her behavior. And the colt that had dominated her thoughts since Equish class.

Celestia was intrigued. This colt, this Orion, was a bit of a troublemaker for sure. A smart troublemaker. But through the relaying of her faithful student's tale she realized he was more then that. He showed a wisdom most colt's, or any pony his age, didn't have. His origin's broke her heart. She contributed his growing up on the streets to his uncommon smarts. She did not like the fact that her ponies were still abandoning their foals like that even after all the incentives, and family first programs she implemented over the past hundred or so years.

When Twilight spoke of the magic lessons and his lack of application over his amazing grasp of it. She realized what had upset her student so. Indeed, she too found it distressing that anypony was struggling with their inherit abilities.

"I see what has you so upset Twilight. But I posses no magic nor artifact that could help improve his connection. And the great enchanters and artificers of old no longer exist to help him. Those skills were lost countless centuries ago during the Unification Wars. I had not gotten the chance to learn them as I had been trying to keep a nation together during those turbulent times."

Twilight hung her head sadly at the news. Celestia knew her student didn't think it fair, but this was one of the many lessons she must learn if she were to achieve all that Celestia hoped she would. Though she was having trouble getting her to make friends. She spent more time buried in her studies then she did anything else. If she wasn't in the library she was with Celestia, learning of the different applications of the spells she read about. Most she knew her student would never use. but the filly was like a sponge. She soaked up everything and always seemed hungry for more.

Truthfully, Twilight no longer needed classes at the academy. But Celestia felt it important for Twilight's development to attend. Though her constant self isolation in favor a musty old tome was throwing her plans awry. A troublemaker in her own right when it comes to Celestia's plans.

"But this colt." The thought put a small smile on her lips. Just maybe Twilight found herself a friend.

The week past by quickly. Twilight spent the entire week guiding him around and showing him all the facilities. She was only supposed to help for 3 days. She was not truly as bad as she first started out. She was awkward to be sure and seemed to freeze up during conversations, Orion idly wondered if she was a bit autistic anytime she did that, but she would smile sheepishly and carry on.

All in all Orion had no problem with her. Though he did go out his way to stump her on a chemical formula problem. She quickly picked up he knew something about the subject far beyond what the school was able to teach. And she was dogged in her pursuit of what he knew. He dropped bread crumbs, but nothing more. He figured she might just be smart enough to figure it out herself.

When the end of the week came he was relieved. She would no longer be sitting with him, looking over his shoulder. That alone was a reason to celebrate. He bid her farewell on his walk back to the orphanage. Noting that she got into a very fancy carriage, being towed by four guard ponies. Horses pulling horses. He laughed at the thought.

Walking into the door of the orphanage, he walked right into a pair of wings causing the owner of the wings to squawk indignantly and whip around. Apparently a pair of griffons were standing in the hallway. That's when he took notice of Scream, standing there with a duffel bag at her fe- paws.

"I miss something?" Orion talked past the still squawking male griffon.

Screaming ran her claws through he feathers on her head and looked sadly back at him. "I am getting adopted today." Tears were in her eyes. Why was she crying, this is a happy day for her. Or were those happy tears. No, they were sad ones. Shit.

"Well congratulations! You've been here a long time. Its good for you to finally find a home. Shame though, gonna be a lot more quiet without you here." He was trying to put a humorous spin on it. He wasn't good at this. This kinda shit was for other people with normal emotions.

The older griffon female, her feathers on her head and around her eyes a teal green spoke, " Screaming? Who is the chick, a friend of yours?" She looked back curiously to Orion, evaluating him.

"This is Orion, the colt I told you about. He eats meat like us." Still tears. Oh fuck are there MORE? Why the hell was she crying and being all sad and shit?

"Preposterous little one." The male finally spoke up, "No pony eats meat. Their biology can't handle it." Looking at Orion with a mocking sneer. Orion grinned at him, canines flashing in the low light, sneer gone. Look at that. Asshole.

"No he can. He ate with me a lot. Never saw him get sick." She sniffed and smiled sadly. " I am off to Griffonstone Orion, I won't be able to try and get you to hang out with me anymore."

Oh crap, now he had to figure out a way to make it hurt less. He was going to regret this. "Well, you can always write me. I respond better in written form anyway. Space between the lines on straight lined paper. Just address it to here I'll get it." She smiled. Orion still couldn't figure out how griffons smiled. The beaks were not meant to bend like that.

"Y-you'll write me back?" She asked hopefully.

"Yeah, sure I will. You might get a 'sorry can't hang out today.' But I promise I will write to you." He regretted that promise later. Who knew a griffon had that much to talk about.

She laughed and hugged him, it was awkward. Not for her but for him. Griffons were talk critters. She was no exception. He had only hugged one other person in recent memory and that was voluntary. She was stealing a hug. Filthy hug stealer.

She finally let go, sniffling more of her tears and snot, he was sure. They said good bye and take care, you know, the usual pleasantries.

And like that, Screaming Rush was out of his physical life. If not his written one. He had not anticipated her friend latching onto him in desperation at losing a friend. But she was adopted not two weeks later so it was only a moderate hell for him. Storming Wind was not good company as it was. He recognized signs of a bully immediately upon meeting her. zero/ten would not friend.

So life went on for Orion.

He avoided the bullies that sprouted up now and again. They seemed to think he was an easy target, and on days he couldn't avoid them, they learned the hard way that he was no easy meat. Nothing was ever proven.

For the next five years he struggled to make his magic capacity grow. And grow it did. But never to match the rest of the students in class. It was driving him insane. Though Fancy Breeze did say it was likely due to him not getting a jump start on his abilities back in his early years. She could be pleasant after all. Though she was suspect. She had been looking at him weird these last 2 years.

There was another difference between him and the other unicorns in class. It was not normal. Where the other's horns would fully glow when they embraced their magic, Orion's horn did not. It seemed that only the swirling pattern on his horn would be the only thing to actually light up. He thought it was cool. No one else shared this sentiment.

It was unnerving for the teachers apparently. The things he did levitate was always encased in a strange two tone glow. The golden glow seemed to be wrapped in black. He suspected he knew what made his magic look like that. The portal crossing that seemed so distant now. The energy color that haunted his dreams. His magic seemed to swirl with the same colors of that damn portal. A wonderful constant reminder of his fate. Yay.

Examinations showed he wasn't a Shadow Pony. Whatever the hell that was. So life was relatively stagnant.

He didn't get to see much of Twilight, mostly because he avoided her like the plague. She asked WAY too many questions. But he did learn his records were requested not to long after his first week of school was over. No clue who the individual was that asked for them. But he was keeping an eye out.

Truth be told he did not want to be adopted. The strain of trying to perform as a child should would have annoyed him. He was certain he would have snapped. But no request came. No one showed up.

It was in his 5th year of school that he had a break through in his magic. He found an old tome sitting in the back of the school library. The title was, 'Enchantments, and How They can Benefit You.'

A Series Of Unfortunate Events (Edited)

Orion was having a shitty ass day.

It started out so nice to. Which was good. But as always as of late, magic classes had become the bane of his existence. The class itself was fine. Even the other students were not that bad, some even supportive. You know, only after the original mockery was done. Whatever. But his own inability to harness magic in any truly significant way, was starting to drag his spirits down.

His teacher, Mr Cloverleaf, was a decent fellow. Dues ex Douchebag, was 'let go'. Turned out he was having some impropriety with an older male student, on school grounds. Someone may have discovered and reported this elicit behavior. Your welcome Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He was here to serve. Kinda satisfying to see him escorted off grounds. Idiot.

Mr Cloverleaf ended up replacing him and he turned out to be a decent person all around. Though Orion did feel the man may have started to take his lack magical strength, personally. It seemed he was determined to improve his student's ability, come hell or high water. Both hell and high water seemed to be taking their turns killing him.

The exercises, if you wanted to call those lessons as such, were grueling. Separate from the rest of the class Orion would go through his personalized lessons with ease. The sheer volume is what killed him, by the end of each day, he was a sweaty mess. He hurt like he ran a mile with a bag of rocks on his back. And the headaches had became a constant companion.

Leaving class. Grateful of the weekend that had finally arrived, Orion headed to the students showers to clean up and change into a spare set of clothes. Closing the locker and putting a magical lock, which only seemed to incite more pain in his head, he stepped up to one of the shower stalls and peaked in. No one. Good.

Claiming the shower as his own he brought his cleaning kit in to do the usual thing. He was never going to get used to this horse body. Looking down was always so weird for him. Washing his balls wasn't hard, but when it came to the penis however, horse hygiene is weird. One quick shower later, he stepped out, and felt so much better. Only a hint of a headache remained. The mirror caught his eye and he went to it to examine himself. The little vanity he had when he came here seemed to be getting bigger. A small vice in his book.

Staring at his horn, it had gotten longer again. It was black, really black, with those same swirling patterns he had stepped into this world with. His mane was getting long again as well, might have to get it cut soon, if nothing else then to keep the the schools Health and Standards committee at bay. Those guys were ruthless when it came to appearances.

The biggest change over the last five years was his height and muscle mass. He was tall for a colt of thirteen, coming in at what he guessed was nearing five and half feet. He thought maybe it was because of him being originally an older man when he came to this world. His own body just playing catch up with his soul or something. The one to two hours he spent at the gym, now on a daily basis, had gone far into putting lean muscle on his frame. He was no Adonis. Not with his face. But he certainly wasn't like the rest of the student body of his school. Still some baby fat here and there. Not a big deal.

Pleased with his progress, he dressed, grabbed his things and headed out the door.

His plan was to go straight home and then to the gym afterwards, but he decided to make a detour. Figuring a hundredth look through the academy's library might finally yield some answers, though not betting on it, he began to meander around the aisles looking for, well anything at this point. Most of the books he perused was clean and organized, and absolutely useless to his on going problem.

His magic had actually improved. He was now capable of holding four times the magic he wielded when he first started. The problem, was the rest of the class also had improved by similar metrics. So he was stuck in the same position. He wasn't so vain that he believed he deserved to have more then the others, but he wanted to be able to at least match the standard.

His wanderings took him to what appeared to be a rarely used section of the library. It was dusty as hell. Why had no one cleaned this area up. Looking at the books on the shelves he had his own chuckle and knew why no one bothered with this section. This was priceless, it was the catch-all aisle.

'Clean Living for the Soul, how you can go from living in squalor to a warm home.' What in the shit was all this. Self help books? Picking up another, 'Finding That Special Sompony, six steps that will blow his mind.' Laughing his ass off he placed the book back on the shelf. Not really believing what he was seeing. "The horse version of chicken noodle soup for the soul right here, dear God."

Ready for another laugh he pulled out another book from the shelf, already his day was improving. The dusty old book gave him pause however, 'Enchantments, and How They can Benefit You'. "Enchantments? Think we went over that in a lesson though we never covered it fully. Something about it being too rare and ability to bother try teaching." Finding a table, he cracked open the book Orion began to read.

Orion lifted his head back, the muscles stiff from holding the same position for over four hours. The book was fascinating, to say the least. What he thought was going to be nothing but beauty enhancements, turned out to be a bit of an advanced primer on learning how to craft, engrave, and magically imbue spells into objects.

It was brilliant in a lot of ways. He could see how fast he a society could advance with equipment magically forge to function like his world's technology. Many of the common spells could be used by all instead of just unicorns with it.

One of these spells he learned from this book, expanded ones connection to magic. Could it really be done? Could he actually do it? The idea of cheating never bothered him, but at the rate he was going he would die of old age before he was ever equal to others. Why not take a chance and try?

It was then that Orion noticed Mrs Evergarden. Oh shit, how long had he been here.

"Um...Hey Mrs Evergar-" Orion was cut off.

"DON"T, you hey me, Orion! Do you know how worried I was for you?! No one knew where you were. No one seen you leave the school. I didn't know if you were foalnapped, or run over by a cart. You had me worried sick!" By this point she had grabbed him by his ear and dragged him out of his seat. He barely had time to grab the book.

He was getting absolutely no chance to tell her what had happened and why he was tardy. No she was raging. Like a little oddly colored volcano.

He stood over her, not that it mattered to the fired up short mare, she was mad. Did he just think of her as a mare? Great the place was rubbing off on him worse then he thought. A sharp tug on his poor ear brought him back to the present.

"You are grounded Orion, do you hear me? Grounded. You will not go off without telling SOMEPONY what you are doing." She was starting to shriek a little. Orion tuned her out. Focusing just enough to keep from falling over as she tugged him along by the ear. His thoughts drifted back to what he read in the book tightly tucked up under his arm, he started to plan.
This could work. This had to work.

It took 6 days for Orion to be released from prison, a.k.a. his room. Being locked in and not allowed to even read drove him nuts. He couldn't understand it. Punishments never bothered him. Hell, he even got used to Miss Sapphire's useless chore punishments. But Mrs Evergarden always seemed to find a punishment that made him either embarrassed, or bored to tears. Learn something new every day he supposed.

He had to wait till the weekend to enact his plan. Orion had poured over that book relentlessly. Finding two more in the library, 'Enchantments, First Edition' and 'Safety Tips for Beginning Artificers.' All three books had the same author. A Bearded Star. What a name, it brought a funny image to his mind anytime he saw the name.

Those books and the bits he saved were, hopefully, his ticket out of all those exercises. Those lessons were misery incarnate and he was damned if he wouldn't be finally getting out of them. Going to Forager's Smithy was easy. Getting the old Minotaur to sell him anything was hard.

This was his sixth attempt. It had been weeks since he started this mad quest. But the other smithies rejected him outright.

"And what do you need this metal for my young friend. This is your sixth attempt to buy this steel and you have yet to give me an answer that is satisfactory. I will not have you making a weapon to hurt anypony with." His cultured voice always seemed odd coming from what is a mountain of literal flesh. He took up a great majority of the room in his workshop, Orion barely fit in the rest.

Forager was a Minotaur. He was a middle age old man that swung that fifty pound hammer like it was a five ounce toy. His blacken head, horns and forearms, paired well with the rest of the tan fur on his body. The leather apron over his bare chest gave him a savage butcher's look. But the kind set of his face seemed to belay that.

He had been trying to get this old bull to sell him scrap steel for the past two weeks. He had been his first stop, and the man had laughed him away, But Orion wasn't giving up. Two weeks of continued pain from Mr Cloverleaf. He couldn't put up with that for too much longer, it had been three years.

Opening his mouth several times to answer, he stopped. He had been concocting lie after lie to get this lump of muscle to sell him the steel he needed in order to make the band he had read about in the book. And he saw through every single one of them. The less who knew what he was doing the better. But he was going to have to do something, fuck it.

"Well lad seeing as how-" He never finished that sentence.

"My magic connection sucks. Oh I can do most things others unicorns can do but on a much smaller scale. My plan is to make a band that will improve my connection. This would get me the hell outta remedial courses. Nothing has worked in improving my connection or strength, so this is my last shot."

Forager eyed him. Suspicion being pushed away with a smile. "Finally you tell me the truth lad. I had been wondering why you had been so adamant about it. But I didn't realize you were going to attempting making an enchanted item, what a surprise."

Surprised flashed over Orion's face, "You know what Enchantments are?"

"Oh yes, Minos was home to Masterforgers, but we lost the skill somewhere along the way. No one lives that can actually do it anymore. You'd be the first I've heard in a long, long time that has been willing to try. Most consider it an art lost forever. Some seem to think it was a legend at this point." Thinking slowly, nodding. "Lad I'm willing to make you a deal. You can use the metal. Won't even charge you a bit for it. But if you succeed, you must work with me on a project, that has long been overdue. Do we have a deal?"

Orion was slow to respond back. His mind was in overdrive trying to see any downfall to it. Learning that there was no one in the world that could do what he was about to attempt put him in a tricky position.

If the Princess found out he could actually make enchantments, even shitty ones, she would have him on lock down fast. Rulers did that kinda crap. He knew she was not gonna be any different. He would learn how to make enchantments, but at what cost? On the other hand the old minotaur was the only one willing to give him the time of day. He had been to four other smithies in the city, and he was laughed out of them all. Pricks.

"If I agree, can you agree to keep my name out of who helped you? I'm not really comfortable with royalty knowing what I might be able to do." He was looking back, hope in his heart, a frown on his face.

"Aye, I think I can agree to those terms." Relief flooded Orion's face. "The Princess will be upset, of course. But its one project and I won't ask for another anytime in the near future. So your secret will be safe with me. Lad, if you pull this off you'll be the first in...oh eight hundred years to be able to do this. Your secret won't be secret for long. My lips may be sealed but a skill of this sort is hard to hide. And I won't lie and claim it was all myself that fixed it."

Shit. 800 years? Oh boy, the Princess would be thirstin' like a man in hell wanted ice water. Nope stay the course. No more fucking lessons.

"I am willing to take the risk. When can we start?" A smile growing on Orion's face. A smile that would only grow wider into the night.

The first one quite literally blew up in their faces. They had a moments notice before dodging out the way. The damage was superficial. But neither were discouraged, for Orion had managed to get some of his magic into the band, no one had come that close in centuries.

That was more then enough proof to both that it could work. To Forager, it was like watching history being rewritten. The lad had talent shaping the metal. Though, in the old bull's opinion, he cheated. Using magic to heat and form the metal, without ever touching it with tong or hammer. The lad never seemed to want to make anything fancy, just to get it to work was his goal. A smart calf. Dispense with the frivolities until you had your craft down. Even if this didn't work he might just offer him an apprenticeship. He was damn good at keeping the heat just right.

The second attempt melted the band, and somehow the small anvil they were working on. Forager was less then pleased. "What in Tartarus do you think your doing lad!? That was my second best anvil!" Placating the giant was not easy. But the offer of the bits Orion has been offering him earlier did mollify the minotaur somewhat.

They moved onto the better anvil, much to Forager's grumbling. He was starting to think the lad would blow up his whole forge, a prospect that was growing with each failure. The rejected, were left sitting on the table. One had turned to powder.

It wasn't till the 8th time that Orion forged and made a band, the runes were etched slowly into the metal and infused them with his own mana. He was growing tired. The old minotaur could see it. He certainly held out longer then he thought he would. Tough little pony. He was about to call it quits for the lad, when he noticed a smile bloom on his face.

No, a grin. He really did have canines, Forager had not believed him when he told him during the idle conversation they had while waiting for the metal to heat.

The band did not explode. There was a hum, followed by a blinding flash. The band clattered to the floor of the shop. The minotaur and the colt, looked at each other, then Orion leaned over and picked it up.

"It's warm but not unbearable." Slipping it on, by pushing it up until it wrapped around his left bicep, his eyes widened. Then his horn exploded into life. Bright did not describe it. His horn blazed like the Sun itself. "For Celestia's sake lad! Turn it down!" Forager was covering his eyes.

"Oh shit sorry boss!" The blaze went out. Dropping his hand's from his face, Forger could only stare. "Well I'll be Celestia's Uncle. The lad did it. He actually did it!"

There Orion stood. Twenty four balls of flame surrounding him. His face was filled with shock, awe, and joy. Pure joy.

Orion was trying not to panic. He never meant to make it THIS strong. The runes he carved in were a last second whim. A level above what was recommended for beginners. But he had been getting mad, and tired. Mostly mad. Choosing to go a tier higher was something he shouldn't have done. But holy fuck! He would have to be careful and not over do it. The power scared him a little. He could do more then twenty four he was sure of it. He laughed. The balls of flame had dissipated but the glow of the horn never wavered.

His horn was fully lit up. The gold color had a dark cast, but still bright. The black shine that seemed to be apart of his magic surrounded the golden glow. "Finally."

It was thrilling. To hold so much, was humbling. Is this what it felt like to be the rest of the class? Is this what it is like for Twilight?

A hand settled onto his shoulder, "Lad, you made history tonight. There has not been a Forgemaster in eight hundred years. And yet here you stand, I-I am humbled to be here." Odd for the big man to sound so quiet.

"Thank you for giving me the chance , my dude! You were my last hope in trying this." He couldn't keep the excitement from his voice. Or his eyes.

"Aye, but now the real work can begin." Walking over to a work table on the far side of the room he pulled a dusty as hell tarp off a platform, the runes etched into it were of ancient design. Similar to the ones now adorning the metal band around his arm. Orion recognized it immediately for what it truly was from skimming through the book towards the end.

"That's....holy hell, a Teleportation platform....what's wrong with it and why did the Princess give it to you to fix it?"

"Well Orion, this once connected to the old castle in the Everfree from what my Grandfather told me. Princess Celestia wishes it restored so she can visit home again. Or so she told him. Personally, I can see her sending troops through it to secure and explore the land in that cursed forest better myself. But she still wants to see it restored. Problem is I, nor my father and grandfather, can figure it out."

Orion, walked closer and examined every rune. It was largely complicated, but he began to see a pattern. This gate as it was called only let certain individuals use it. As he paced around the object he realized he could read it. The runes seemed to order themselves to his eyes. He began to realize what was wrong as he read further. It was dead. Dead in the sense it had no power. All it needed was a recharge, but it seemed in order to do so there had to be an enchanter on hand to do it.

"It needs a charge, a strong one. Heh, this is actually pretty amazing, the device seems to tell the repairman all he needs to know to fix it. This device is designed to stay powered for roughly two or three hundred years, and then needs to be serviced. Hah! It even has a service tag on it with the company who made it. That's strange. The name of the company matches the name who wrote my books, 'Bearded Star Inc.', huh guy sure got around."

The old minotaur just stared. "You can fix it, lad? Truly!?" Excitement had entered the old bulls heavy voice.

"Well its not like its broke, as I had said before, it just needs a recharge. Or more like a re-connection in this case. Yeah. See the thing about this gate, teleporter, whatever you want to call it, is that it has a connection to the ambient magic in the world. That ambient magic is whats used to power most enchantments. After too many uses or just too much time, that connection gets severed. And a link just needs to reestablish itself. All I have to do is make the connection. And it will charge itself. It'll only work for certain people though. Not you or I."

Thinking back on what he had read from the book, he thought about other enchantment items. They only needed a re-connection. That means any old artifices he might come across he might be able to make work again. This also made him realize an unexplored section of magic. Harmonic frequencies. Something to look into.

Forager was shaking, a smile on his face. "Finally! Lad, me and my family have had this 'gate' for three generations. My grandfather received it. My pa inherited it. Now I am going to be able to give it back. I was sure I was going to have to pass it on to my daughter at some point. Orion, you can come use my shop anytime you please. In fact I would be honored to help you develop this skill further. If you wish to."

"Oh you can bet your ass I want to keep going. I was able to expand my magic tonight by a huge margin. With what I have in my head there is no telling what I might create. Oh and I'll get started on reestablishing the connection. The instructions are printed right inside-" A push to lift up the panel, "here. There it is. Oh this while be easy, a child could do it."

Day Court. Is always dull. Nothing exciting happens. Not since two or three hundred years ago at least. A small scuffle broke out between two mares over a stallion that was, in Celestia's opinion, rather worthless. Looking out at the sea of petitioners, she spotted somepony that surprised her.

She hadn't expected to see Forager today. Or any day for that matter. He was carting in something under a tarp."I wonder what he's found." She straightened and had him approach with a graceful nod. "Note, change the cushion out on the throne. This one has finally given up the fight." Turning her full attention to Forager she notice his happy expression.

Forager had a grin, a big one. Truth be told he had not stopped smiling since last night. His cheeks hurt. A good problem to have he believed. Coming to a stop, he spun the cart around, letting down the kick stand down and gently placed the cart down on it.

"Princess Celestia. It is a pleasure to see you this wonderfully fine day."

"Well someone is having a good morning, tell me Master Forager, what has you in such a good mood today?" Her smile held warmth. As it always did. His enthusiasm was infectious, what had he brought her that had him so happy? Her inquisitive eyes kept shifting to the covered object on the cart. She wondered what it was.

Grinning, Forager spoke the words he had been practicing since last night. " Princess two generations ago you entrusted my family with an object of great importance to you, in the hope that we might get it working again. As the third generation I am proud to give it back. Fully functioning, and in good repair." Stepping aside he grabbed the tarp and pulled it off the gate. A gate she has not seen in more then 200 years. A gate she had sadly forgotten about.

The gasps of the of the older Nobles in the court echoed around the vast room. Celestia's eyes were glued to the gate. She could not believe it. Forager had managed to repair it. She could sense the connection of the gate to the ether. And trace it to its mate deep in the Everfree.

"Master Forager, h-how did you do it?" She could hardly speak. This was one of the last great gifts from Starswirl. Repaired. In front of her. Shining like new. She had approached it, almost in a trance. Running her hands across the cool smooth metal.

"Sadly Princess, I did not repair it." Her eyes darted sharply to him. Swallowing he continued, "A pony, repaired it your Highness. A pony who has the ability to forge enchantments." He had spoken that last quietly. He knew even mentioning it was a pony was risk enough.

The court was a ruckus before, but now it was a circus. Many nobles were hollering to know the name of the pony, others were shouting that it was impossible. Princess Celestia stared into his eyes, eyes that spoke pure truth. Trying to will the information on who this mysterious pony was out of his own mouth, she thought furiously. "An ACTUAL enchanter?! In Canterlot no less, and Right under my nose, the first in so long. I have to secure them immediately!"

"SILENCE." Boomed across the room. The Nobles stopping mid rant. Composing herself, she spoke to the old bull, "Ahem, Master Forager. Who helped you with this? I really do want to know the pony's name that did this. You understand the ramifications of such an individual correct? You have to understand the importance of what they have done." She was in full Princess mode now. She would have her answers. She needed to find this pony.

Forager was sweating, hard. He knew this was coming and knew she would not be pleased. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you, your highness. I swore an oath to them and I am a Minotaur of my word if nothing else."

Gasps. Celestia ignored them. "You promised? Why? Does this pony not know how valuable their ability is?!" She was getting loud, not that she cared. She needed to find this pony.

"They asked me not to. Begged in fact. Something along the lines of 'not wanting to be locked into a gilded cage.' I cannot betray them after they did so much for me and my blood. It would be unfair. And it would break the trust they put into me. I get the feeling they do not trust easily. And to betray them so readily..."

Celestia was not deterred, if respect for her and her throne was not enough perhaps money would be the key to this stallion's lips. "Master Forager, I would pay an obscene amounts of bits to know this pony's name. Name your price."

His eyes bulged in their sockets. He knew with the amount of bits he could ask for, his family for several generations would never have to lift a hammer again. It was all so tempting. "You made an oath, Forager. Don't let greed break your honor."

"I am afraid I cannot, though the offer was sorely tempting. My honor would be nothing if I took such a deal. I am sorry, your Highness. But I will not reveal the name of the pony who assisted me in the restoration of the gate."

Celestia's eyes flash red, to briefly for any to notice. She wanted to howl with rage and rip the knowledge from his head. She almost did it to. But her image would be damaged far to badly. It would take centuries for her ponies to forget this. And she would never truly suppress this piece of history. Somepony somewhere would know. "Damn you, you old bull." She fumed.

Composing herself she looked to Forager, all rage hidden. The mask firmly back in place. " I understand Master Forager. I commend you on your honor to keep such a secret. Thank you for bringing me back my gate. A boon of two hundred thousand bits will be deposited in your account by days end tomorrow. Thank you for your service."

Jet Set, a brash noble, clambered down from the seats, "Princess! This cannot go. He has a duty to you, to tell you who this pony is!" Voices of agreement echoed about the court. "He must tell you. This mystery pony must be found and hired on as the court Enchanter. They must serve royalty." She knew they believed they would have access to this pony. No, no they would not. Once found all requests would go through her personally. Many if not all would be rejected.

Celestia gave Jet Set a practiced exasperated look. " Sir Set, I can no more force him to tell then you can. It is illegal. Master Forager has the same rights as all others of Equestria's citizens, even you. If he was asked to keep it a secret I will not infringe, nor allow any other, on his rights. Though I too yearn to know. In time I expect this pony to come out of the shadows on their own. Patience must be appreciated. And you and others must not hound Master Forager. Leave him to his own work."

Turning back to Forager she spoke, " You have done me, a great service. I thought this ancient artifact would never work again. You have given it new life. Though you had help, that help would never have come had you not found it yourself. Thank you Master Forager. Words cannot be enough."

Forager bowed. and Dismissed himself leaving the cart where it was. Celestia stared at it for a time, her thoughts roiling with her own desires, then resumed Day Court. Her thoughts though, were not on the petitions. But on plans of a future. A future with an enchanter in them. One to power the air fleets of Equestria once more.

Orion was nervous. He suspected Celestia may have some way of pulling his name from the old minotaur's head. She was, apparently, and ancient being with untold levels of magic and knowledge at her disposal. Who knows what the woman could do. No one actually knew how old she was.

He was so happy to hear the news that he would not be pursued by her, at least not openly. Orion suspected going back to the forge might be a bad idea. So he and Forager devised drop off points for when they needed to talk to each other. No names. No identifications to who the messages were for. A good thing to.

Two weeks after the drop off of good news, a band of unidentified guards were seen, tailing poor Forager. Orion thought it might be a good idea to start laying low. Let the old bull get back to business as normal. Besides. Orion had plenty of material to practice with. Forager had practically loaded him down with enough steel to make a suit out of.

In school, he was smart enough not to just go full bore with the magic show. He suffered through another 3 weeks of remedial lessons with Mr Cloverleaf. He was overall happy with the improvements and Orion was just glad it was over. It had been exhausting.

He had two new bands. one made of leather wrapped around his left wrist. The other was similar to the one on his left bicep, only on his right bicep instead. The second band on his arm served the same purpose as the first. A bigger connection to magic. The one on his left wrist however, helped detect approaching bodies. Namely tagged ones. So he knew who was who. It was so much easier to avoid Twilight Sparkle with it.

Twilight, oh surprise of surprises, kept seeking him out over the past 5 years. She occasionally caught him and tied him up in conversations most foul. Meaning his was bored. Such conversations made him wanted to die. Who cared about understanding Starswirl's Fourth Principal of Magic. She could never have a normal talk. Always with the impromptu study session. With the bracelet. It was all the easier to avoid her, school bullies, even carts on the road. He knew when they were coming. Convenient. No more dirty clothes. Fuckos.

This was working grandly till Twilight learned to teleport.

It was a fine March morning. Having just turn fourteen Orion was in good spirits. The students were all filing out of the school. Little cliques were forming up to march home together. Heh, herd mentality. The looks he had been getting lately had unnerved him. At first he thought it was because he chose to walk alone.

Lately, he realize that it was the girls in the halls and in his class, that were beginning to stare at him more. It had been happening over the past year, after he seemed to improve his magic naturally. There was a hunger in those eyes he did not like. He would beat himself later for not realizing what was happening. To be fair he hadn't had a relationship in well over eight years before he turned into a human guinea pig.

But soon he wouldn't have to worry about that. Or so he believed. Apparently him and other colts would be dismissed from classes for a whole month. Something about estrus being upon them. He didn't know, or remember what that was, he had stopped paying attention to most of his classes because he knew all and more then most of his teachers.

Either way. Vacation! A good time to craft uninterrupted. And he had an Idea.

Making his way home, dodging various foot traffic and carts he got in and greeted Mrs Evergarden. She seemed a little jittery. And what the hell was that smell? He had started to smell it at school too.

It was then that she informed him the guard would be taking over for a month for the orphanage. That was normal around this time of year. Orion suspected it was the only way she could get a vacation. Starting to get dizzy, "Seriously what is that smell", Orion dismissed himself to the basement wishing Mrs Evergarden well.

His head cleared as he walked into his little room in the basement. Mrs Evergarden was suspicious, but allowed him to have a private work room down here. It was quiet and full of his books. And the materials that Forager had supplied. He had made all kinds of things. One item, a tube with a hole in the end lit up. The first two times it hadn't worked, but the third produced the flashlight he had been trying to make. He also figured out how to make pens while he was at it.

He used those personally for class. Many questions were asked. None were answered. They could buy them when he had patented them. Quick trip to riches for him bitches.

He was working on trying to make a board float when he heard a very loud pop. Turning around very slowly he saw Twilight Sparkle. In his workroom. Staring at all the items scattered about, eyes getting wider and wider.

Without thinking Orion, pulled magic through both of his bands wrapping his own magic around her horn and trapping her arms and legs together. He put a lot into holding her horn. She was powerful. He knew it. She knew it. He wasn't taking any chances.

"Orion, wha-what are you doing?! What is this? Are those what I think they are?!" Each question made him growl. He was pissed. What in the hell was she thinking? Teleporting here with no prior warning.

"Shut. The. Fuck. Up!" That got her attention. Her mouth agape she stared at him. Tears leaking from her eyes. He was holding her rather tightly. Shit. Loosening the bonds he spoke slowly, trying to think as fast as possible. "Y-you can't tell anyone. Not even your precious Princess. No one can know." She wasn't dumb. He knew she had figured it out, what she was seeing, after seeing the runes on the various objects in the room anyone would.

The tears had stopped. "But this is incredible Orion! Your an enchanter. An Artificer! You have a skill thought lost to the ages! No pony has been able to do this in eight hundred years!" She was getting loud. Fortunately, the guard was a heavy napper.

"Oh I thought about it. But that way lies a gilded cage. I would have no freedom. I would be at the whim of the Princess. The nobles would be clamoring for my skills. Sounds wonderful to some but I want to be able to live my life without someone telling me what to do! You see it as a boon. I see it as a trap. One I will never get away from. No. Thank you but no."

She was staring. Goddamnit if that wasn't the most annoying thing she could do. And that look, aw crap she's got the bit in her teeth and she not going to let this go.

"You fixed Princess Celestia's gate didn't you?" A nod. "You have been doing this awhile?" Another, cautious nod." Do you not understand the dangers of doing all this unsupervised?" That last question went up a few octaves. Might have decent singing voice.

"And who would you propose to teach me? Last I heard the last Artificer died some eight hundred years ago." She opened her mouth, paused, shut it, opened it again, then shut for a final time in a huff. " Exactly. I am very careful in my experiments. I never try anything to big, and I never go for the dangerous spells. Yet. I don't have the confidence to imbue them into anything, and the idea that they might fall into someone's hands that may misuse them makes me nervous. So I won't be dabbling there anytime soon. Besides I am loathed to take risks with my resources. I don't have the money to pony up for the loss if something goes wrong. Its an expensive hobby."

She nodded slowly, mouthing the word hobby with an incredulous look on her face. "Okay. I can understand that. But why not at least tell the Princess? She has offered a huge reward if you came forward. And would you please let me go? I promise I won't run."

Orion did so reluctantly. "I've already told you why Twidle Diddle." She hated that."She would never let me go. Deep down you know it as well as I. So don't pretend otherwise." She did the fish thing again. Then sighed.

"Would it really be so bad?" She gazed around the room. The various things she saw captured her imagination of what they might be. Orion could see the curiosity growing in her eyes.

"I know it would be, I'm to valuable. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but would you really let a resource go? One no other country has? Not to mention the potential for assassinations? No country in this world wants to see Equestria gain more power. I guarantee it." Twilight was looking at him again, bewildered this time.

"What do you mean other countries would try and kill you? Why would they care if Equestria had an enchanter? They may try to bargain for your services if anything." Laughing she added, "and no offense to you Orion, but your not that great, yet."

"For someone so smart you certainly can be dumb, you know that?" Raising a hand to forestall her angry retort, she never did like to be called that. He continued, " You do realize that enchantments can be put into weapons right? I have already figured that out."

Shifting a little he reached behind him and held up a crudely crafted holster, a knife handle sticking out the top. The knife had gold lacing though the steel blade. But not through the handle. A handy loophole he had found out allowed for the safe discharge of the weapon. The it did cost him a lot of the gold bits he had saved up.

"I made this, and enchanted it with a paralytic effect. Do you realize what would happen if the enemy's arrows all had the same effect? Equestria would be fucked. Now put yourself in another sovereign's shoes. They already know how powerful and old Celestia is. Is it really that much of a stretch for them to believe she might conquer more territory for her little ponies if she had this ability at hand? I'd be dead within side a month."

Twilight just stared at him. She was doing a lot of that today. Suddenly there was that smell again. A little different this time but its still there. Lilac? "I'm gonna be so pissed if there is gas leak somewhere and no one told me."

Blinking and coming back to herself, Twilight blushed her ears turning a dark pink. That confused the hell out of Orion. What part of this conversation was embarrassing. Was it because he called her dumb? Now she was stepping closer. And that smell is getting stronger. What the hell.

"Your might be right, I never really thought about it to be honest. I didn't think what Equestria did inside it's own borders effected the world at large." The blush was growing. He was getting concerned because so was the smell. He was starting to get foggy headed. His eyes went very wide. "Oh shit. Estrus. Breeding season." It had clicked. Oh this was bad, very very bad.

"Twilight, I think you need to promise me not to tell anyone and leave."

"Why, its good to have conversations like this. I'm learning so much" She was nearly on top of him now. Her voice was getting husky. Not good. Hesitantly lifting her left arm. He caught it, slowly but firmly pushing it down.

"Not now it isn't. I just realized what I have been smelling and you need to leave. Now. Please?" The pleading look from his eye seemed to snap her out of whatever state she was in and grew very wide.

"I'm a-a I'm, oh buck I am so sorry, Orion I didn't realize what I was....." With a bright flash, she was gone. The smell instantly lessened in the room. Casting a small ventilation spell, Orion shook his head and placed the knife down. He thought he may have had to actually use it. There was no way he was ever going to win a fair fight with that monstrosity of a girl. Last week she performed over 200 spells casts in the span of 3 mins. It was a sight to behold. And terrified him. If she was that strong, how strong was Celestia?

Well that killed his desire to try and make anything from home. His pants were uncomfortably tight. Though he did consider making a gun. He put that thought on the back burner. Pushing his stool back in he walked out and closed the door, locking the room in darkness.

"And I called Twilight dumb...."

Sitting behind two trash cans, Orion peaked out down both sides of the alleyway. It had been almost 2 weeks since Orion's encounter with Twilight in his 'office' and no guards had come to collect him. It was safe to assume he was in the clear. So he had stayed bottled up in his room or in the basement. Working on making walkie talkies. No way to really test them since he couldn't get to Forager's place. That place was buttoned up like Fort Knox. So he had gone out to put one of the walkie talkies, with instructions, into a drop location. He managed, but that's when things started to go, wrong.

The streets were oddly barren. He had asked the guard that was on duty, an older Stallion named Chip, about how bad this was going to get. Chip had informed him dutifully that by the second week the streets would be abandon for the most part. Most mares would lock themselves up. Either with toys or there hands, a lover if they were lucky. The man was a bit perverse all things told. Not that he could fault him none. Orion decided it was worth the risk.

On his was back a wo-, mare, approached him, she was blue furred with a pink mane. She was jittery. Like a crackwhore coming down off a bad high. This was not good sign. That's when he spotted the second and third one. This was really not good.

"Hey there little colt, what are you doing out here. D-don't you know its dangerous to be out during this time of day..week?" She was biting her lip. Hard enough to make her bleed. The second one, a champagne colored mare, spoke up behind him. "Maybe he wanted to learn what grown ups do in the bedroom. Though he is certainly tall for a colt I'll give you that. Might be able to help like a real stallion. Legs look strong enough...." She sounded like she had already considered the ramifications and given them the middle finger.

The third one, a purple mare, just licked her lips. Joy, she seems to have forgotten how to speak. Likely rationalize too.

Orion had been backing himself away into an alley. He knew were it led. So he had no worry about running away from them. The cramps, he hoped, would slow them enough for him to get home.

"Listen ladies, I don't think I am ready for that kinda lesson just yet. I just wanted to drop of a letter and go home. Consider the following actions your about to commit. This would be rape. Under the law. Rape. Of a minor. Let that sink in would you?"

They didn't let it sink in. The chase had been going well on two hours now. He had been caught once and lost his jacket getting away again. So much for cramps slowing these nags down. That and the number had grown from three, to ten. He had a rainbow chasing after him. A zombie, horny rainbow.

The only thing that saved him was the constant infighting among them. But this could not go on forever. Orion couldn't go on forever. Not a single fucking guard had helped him. In fact one of the ones chasing him was a guard. Fuck.

He was getting tired. His legs hurt, he had never ran so much as he did today. Or so fast. He couldn't teleport. That purple bitch could and she was the reason he was almost caught the first time. Oh but Twilight could teleport. And he was just now realizing she was afflicted with the same problem. His blood ran cold. A worry for another time he told himself. Peaking out again for what felt like the twentieth time, Orion made a decision to go for it. He was two blocks from home. Just two blocks he could make it.

Stepping out of the alley, he began to have serious doubts on his ability to make it there. Someone had spread the word about him he was sure. He didn't bother to count. Because they had seen him, and now he was running the opposite way he wanted to go.

Celestia had long ago learned how to tame the desires in her loins. She hadn't been with anypony in centuries. So she had developed a spell that would drastically reduce the effects of her estrus. "Maybe I should teach Twilight this spell. She seems to been having a hard time with it lately. Poor filly."

Two weeks ago, or near enough, Twilight had come back in crying, running right to her room. She wouldn't answer her door and Celestia had thought it best not to bother her for the time being. Let her get through her first true estrus. Then discuss the spell. No sense in letting her student suffer like this another year.

As it was, Celestia's day was quite boring. With Day Court on hiatus for the season there was not much for her to do but read the reports from her agents across her land. She had no worries about invaders. The griffons made that mistake once. They hadn't tried again. Now the species known as hippogriffs lived on the cliffs near the Celestial Sea.

Her musings were broken when a guard ran up to her, a little out of breath likely due to the distance and her own heat cycle going, "Princess w-we have a situation!"

"Somepony actually tried to invade. Unbelievable."

"Speak, tell me what is the emergency?"

Swallowing, Errant Strike looked up, " A colt is being chased through the city. He has managed to avoid the....horde of mares chasing him but that can't last forever. And I do not trust anypony in city patrol to save him. The heat is bad this year, your Highness."

Celestia stomach tried to flip. A colt? Out on his own? Where was his parents, his herd?!

"I understand. I will deal with this personally. You may withdraw, try and knock some sense back into your troops."

A quick salute and Errant was off at a dead run. Good mare that one.

Shaking her head to clear it, Celestia teleported above the city. It did not take her long to spot the mob of mares, nor the lone colt doing remarkably well considering his situation. The colt was all black, with a brown mane and a black horn. Plain looking from this angle. "Did he just punch that mare?"

He had from the look of it. Knocked her out cold to. The poor purple mare was soon trampled by the gaggle of mares still pursuing him. "Time to put a stop to all of this."

She swooped down and nabbed up the colt. She didn't get that far in the air before she received a short punched into the ribs, hard. Dropping her would be passenger he landed on the ground again at a dead sprint. By my mothers mane, that actually hurt!" Trying again she caught him up using magic to restrain his arms. She had gotten well off the ground by the time he chose to plant both feet into her abdomen and kick off. She was stunned. He landed on the roof of a building and skidded off to another before leaping over a chimney pipe.

"The colt doesn't quit. Well that's quite enough of that." Still having a hold of his arms she simply lifted him up, this time through her magic. His language was, pungent. Till he was turned around. Then he was just staring. The pink in his ears beginning to pale.

"OH SHIT!"

He just had to ask if this day was going to get worse. He had finally caught that teleporting bitch on the chin the moment she popped in. A large victory for him considering his situation. When he first got swept up from the ground he didn't think, just punched for the ribs.

He didn't know he had aerial pursuers, and counted himself lucky to be let go so fast. When magic wrapped around his arms he utterly panicked and just kicked as hard as he could. Instinct was driving him. The moment he was picked up again he just started swearing. He was fucked. Literally.

He stopped swearing soon enough. Apparently Celestia wanted a piece of the the boy meat too. There was no way he was escaping her.

She stared at him. Likely for his swearing. Though she didn't seem like the rest now that he was really looking at her. She was friggin' tall. Easily a foot or more taller then Mr Cloverleaf. And he was a big dude. Orion hated to say it, she was gorgeous for a horse queen.

Her hair caught his eyes first. Flowing with an ethereal quality, the colors were, he could only think of the dawn when looking at them. Her magenta eyes were warm and kind. Though they were being overridden by the glare he was receiving. Her hips and breasts would have every man on earth come running. Coupled with her snow white fur, that almost seemed to glow in the sun, and her hour glass figure, she was a stunner for sure.

He couldn't see at his current angel but she likely had an ass to crush the souls and hearts of men. And the white dress that draped her frame did very little to hide her curves. Man she was obsessed with white.

He spoke before thinking, "Holy shit your beautiful..." She blushed, he blushed. And he wanted to hit himself.

"Well thank you my little pony, But I do have questions not pertaining to what you may think of me."

"Aw shit."

He had complimented her. Crudely but he did it. She knew who he was now. She had requested his records sometime ago. And though he has grown considerably since she last looked at his record's pictures, he was still the slightly handsome colt she remembered. But bigger.

He had grown much. He was actually larger then she was expecting. Certainly bigger then most Unicorn colts his age. Her magic around his arms and legs let her know just how heavy he was. The reports on him attending the gym were proven true. No wonder he was able to knock out that mare.

He was still lean, he just had dense muscle from her initial scans of his body. She dismissed the bands around his arms, it was obvious of what they were. Weight lifter bands. Old school to be sure but it was a fashion statement and a practical way of measuring ones grown without trying.

Taking her eyes away from him and noticing the mob was quickly scattering. No pony wanted to be implicated in the attempted rape of a minor. Sighing to herself she resolved to put stricter lock down measures in the future. This kind of thing shouldn't be going on. There was a guardsmare for buck's sake.

"You will come with me, Orion." They teleported.

Lovely, she knew his name, he was fucked.

The teleport blanked his mind a moment, And as he came to find himself seated in the most lavish room he had ever seen. The room was not overly large. But the solid white marble walls, regularly interrupted by equally white pillars with golden scroll work done on them, encased in a room of white only off set by the red carpets with a sun pattern on them. This lady and white. Obsessed is a gentle way of putting it.

He sat on a sofa that was so soft he thought it might have been a cloud. The sofa itself was wood and white. The wood carrying similar gold work that the pillars had. The cushions held gold fringes.

Celestia sat before him, in a chair that shared similarities with the sofa. To be honest she nearly dwarf that seat. Her hands steepled in front of her, her horn alight. Tea cups were being placed before them in a brilliant golden glow. Once everything was set and the tea poured. A basket of biscuits were placed between them.

"Now then, lets talk, Orion."

Author's Notes:

And with that final read and correction, it is ready for your viewing pleasure.

Celestia stans, please don't kill me.

If you liked it thank ya, if you got a comment, by all means drop it below.

11-7-2020

Thanks to Foxsevent for point out a massive amount of grammatical errors I had inadvertently missed. So like what will likely happen to many chapter in this story, the edits hath been completed! Ugh.

Thank you for taking the time to read my little story.

Seriously!? (Edited in Large part to Foxsevent)

Author's Notes:

Well this is a day out early. Mostly because I wanted to take a little break from writing, I have been going pretty hard at it lately and needed a little break. No writers block as of yet but its sure to come one day.

I would like to ask for y'alls opinion on something however.

Would you enjoy this story more if it was a little more broken up? As in more chapters but less words per chapter. I'm cool with either way. But I'd be able to post twice a week as opposed to once. Its up to you guys. Please comment below with your opinion.

Again as always thanks for reading.

Peace.

It had been five minutes since she asked him a question. Celestia was beginning to believe he hadn't heard her. So she asked again.

"Orion," His ears perked up. Oh good she had his attention this time. " Are you the reason Twilight came home crying a couple of weeks ago?"

He stared, looked down, then back up as realization dawned on his face.

She loved to watch ponies think. Each one had a unique way of posturing that no two ever seemed to do the same way. His was adorable, with that baby face of his scrunching up, trying to work out just what to say. Truth be told she already had figured out early on of what happened. Twilight visited him during the start of her heat, something Celestia has warned her about. She got too close and he panicked, and sent her away. Smart on his part.

That was often a normal event sadly. Poor colts no matter how much you warn them often don't know whats going on till the scent fills their heads, then well, they are trapped. The fact that Twilight's clothes were not ruffled when she had come back, spoke volumes on his own self control. He was truly of stronger stuff.

But because of that mistake, the poor filly had kept herself locked up in her room for almost two weeks now.

"She, ahhhh, yeah she kinda, how do I put this...shit she came on to me while she was visiting me and I panicked and got her the hell outta my room before I did something stupid."

Celestia blinked. What under the Sun was 'hell'? And did he really just swear in front of her? Amazing. No pony had spoken like that to her, or in front of, in years. Centuries in fact. Not since Luna. Her heart throbbed painfully at the thought. "Sister I still miss you."

Shaking away her melancholy she looked back at the squirming colt. She knew he was hiding something else. The way he spoke implied more, but she didn't believe she could just pry it out. Her senses were telling her that much. But he seemed to have told her the truth so far with what happened with Twilight.

Truly all she wanted to do was put him on the spot for a little, she didn't often get moments like this. She felt like a mother judging a colt for her daughter. It was a bit thrilling for the elder alicorn, though she never had foals of her own. She decided to let him off the hook. For now.

"Oh I see. Both of you got your first experience of Estrus Season didn't you. It can happen from time to time. But usually its less tame then what you two went through. Most cases involve the colt loosing his head and attempting to go with his instincts." He visibly relaxed, then seized up again as she spoke on. This was so much fun, okay, new tactic.

"You're originally from Stalliongrad, correct?"

"Uh, yeah. I suppose I am. Don't remember much of that hellhole to be honest. I grew up in Manehatten for a bit then came here." He paused and looked at her directly. "I take it you were the one to request my file five years ago so you'd likely know all about the how and why I came here."

Her eyebrows rose. Not just because he used that strange word again but because he knew she had requested his information. "Yeah I know that look. I only knew because Mrs Evergarden left it out on her desk when she had to finalize one of the adoptions of the others. I got curious and peaked. Truth be told I at first thought it was someone trying to adopt me. But now, with you asking, I figured it had to be you. The only reason why is because Twilight said something about me, didn't she?"

Clever. He put two and two together just that fast. And remembered that far back so quickly. A smart colt indeed, her student had not exaggerated. Still, something was off. It was nagging at her. "His face," she had suddenly realized. It was too calm.

He was suddenly too put together, like a mask had been donned. Like her when she had to deal with the public. There was no nervousness now. Only that calm demeanor. "That is interesting."

She wasn't sure what to make of the change in the colt. And 'someone'? The way he spoke seemed to point him out as a foreigner. But Stalliongrad nor Manehatten were outside her realm for him to use that over the other. Though the city state of Stalliongrad was practically independent. So where had he picked up the different pronoun usage. This was all too strange for her to ignore.

Keeping her own mask up she continued. "Well I suppose you would have gotten curious. But I must ask. The way you speak is, odd. 'Someone?' My ponies don't often say that." She knew she was changing subjects too fast. But she wanted to get a reaction out of him. Anything at all really.

If that put him in a panic, he didn't show it in the slightest. Yep, that mask was firmly on and she doubted she could shake it off without, either doing something far outside the norm, or delving into his mind. Something she was loathed to even consider. The pain it would cause would likely scar him for life. And no matter what her instincts were telling her she would not risk that. He was a colt after all. Not a harden criminal.

"Well doesn't it sound rather exclusive when you use pronouns like that? Saying 'anypony' excludes every other race. Its a nice nationalistic touch but I feel it is too much and too obvious. I prefer to speak my way. Honestly, it's easier to just include everyone rather then go out of my way to say it the pony way. I feel like including everyone when I speak is less exclusive to others."

No twitching. No eye movements to indicate a lie. He was being truthful. Or he had the best poker face she had ever seen. A thirteen year old with that kinda control over their emotions was not likely.

He could be a changeling. Loathsome creatures. But his magic showed no green aura, just that odd black and gold coloration the examiners had reported on. Odd but not overly rare, several ponies in her kingdom had two different coloration to their magic. Though that usually matched their eyes.

But no. The mask was there, yet he wasn't lying to her. This unnerved her. Now she realized why the teachers progress reports on him spoke they way they did. He's an enigma. One that refused to crack. She was actually getting frustrated and excited at the challenge at the same time. She reevaluated what she knew of him.

His improvement in his capacity of magic, while not unheard of, was still remarkable for his late stage of development. Most ponies that were having growth issues never improved much after their third year. It was becoming more common in colts as of late. A worrying trend she has noted the last fifty years. He seemed to have gotten lucky in this case.

His improvements did not just jump forward, however, it was a gradual thing. It took months for him to finally come into what the doctors considered his own. So that wasn't suspicious. He was very strong, not anywhere near Twilight but far an away stronger then the others in his class. Cloverleaf did note that he never showed his full strength to anypony else. It was as if he didn't want them to know how much he had improved. Another flag. Colts his age were all about showing off.

While his grades were exemplary, his participation was still lack luster. Better then his transcripts told for Manehatten. But still not normal. Not for one as smart as the reports seem to indicate.

The only class he really seemed to thrive in outside the norm was the science classes. On days they covered chemistry. Some of the concoctions he came up with he already knew what they did. Miss Hearts listed several ingredients in which when mixed, made a chemical that melted clothes. But only as an aerosol. He made that very clear. Proved it too, much to the embarrassment of one, Fancy Breeze. Another flag.

Truthfully she should have had this sit down years ago. But she had been so busy. Setting up a new rail line that ran to Applelosa and the fallout the noble classes had over not levying extra taxes because of the line's construction. And now just recently, looking for the one who fixed her gate to the old castle had consumed much of her limited free time.

That pony would reveal themselves. One way or the other. She had been setting out guards disguised as street toughs to follow Forager for the past few months. She would not risk exposing her regular troops to whomever the enchanter was. No need to show her hand. So far, nothing.

"Yes, I suppose that's more conscientious of you. There is merit to that line of thinking." Time to trip him up. "Honestly, I was merely trying to unite the tribes back during the unification war. To get them to think of themselves as one. It may have gotten away from me by then."

"Hah! I friggin' knew it!" That was it. The mask still there.

"Buck me he is a hard one. I feel as if I am interrogating a spy." Then he threw her for a loop.

"So why did you blush so hard when I called you 'beautiful'? An elder being such as yourself shouldn't get worked up over a little colt complimenting her, should you?" He had a devil's grin. The tone said he knew exactly what he was asking.

She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing would come. What was she to say? That she hadn't had a suitor come calling for over half a millennium? That because some nut cases sprouted up venerating her as a Goddess, her dating pool had dried up? Damn this colt. And whats with that grin. It did not belong on one as young as he the cocky little pony.

"Ah cat got your tongue, your Highness?" Oh he was being smug now. But she had no retort. Well she did but she couldn't engage him like an adult. He was still to young. This was entirely unfair. He was goading her. The brass on this colt, revenge would be hers one day.

Just as she was finally about to speak, to reprimand his way of speaking to her, Twilight burst into the room talking to fast to interrupt.

" Oh Princess I almost did something horrible two weeks ago!" She wailed.

Orion's ears pinned back and he shrank down almost immediately, eyes wide in shock. "I visited Orion at his home after you told me it wouldn't be wise for me visit any colt that day. But he had been avoiding me somehow and I was so frustrated, so I teleported right to him and I was talking to him and getting closer and my heat was getting worse and he was looking dazed and I had no idea what was wrong till he grabbed my hand. Princess I was reaching for him! I was, I was... " She broke down sobbing. With her hands holding her face.

Celestia was in a bit of shock. It's one thing to know. Its another to be bombarded by your student with company present. Especially, if the company in question, was the subject of the confession. A quick look to the colt showed him equally stunned, and nearly sliding off the couch, his eyes wide as they could possibly get.

"While I am, happy that you came to me Twilight, I'm afraid this confession couldn't come at a worse time."

Twilight had dropped her hands a little looking at Celestia with tear ridden eyes, and snot in her palms. She had really been worked up over this it seems. It was then she noticed the room's other occupant. And her eyes got wide.

Orion did something very strange then. Something she would never have seen coming if she had lived a million years. What was expected to be an awkward encounter, turned into a sun blighted circus. He grinned.

"OH THANK GOD, TWILIGHT! YOU CAME JUST IN TIME! PRINCESS CELESTIA WAS JUST ABOUT TO HAVE HER WAY WITH ME!"

"WHAT?!" How, why, when did he come to this conclusion? What would make him even think she would try something like, THAT?

Twilight was of similar mind. "Wha- Orion, why would the Princess even try and do that?" Snot and tears forgotten, whisked away subconsciously with a spell she had learned long ago for such instances. "She's the PRINCESS. She would never do that."

"Right on Twilight, you tell him and set him straight my student". She clearly underestimated him, and his ability to tell a very tall tale with the limited information he had at hand.

"Oh really? Then pray tell, were there any guards outside?" A slow head shake of no from Twilight. Celestia was wondering how he even knew that. "That's because she kidnapped me right off the street! In broad daylight no less! There are witnesses!"

It was at this point Celestia needed to intervene, but the teapot suddenly flipped over leaving her to scramble to dodge then try and focus on cleaning up the mess. The Saddle Arabian rugs were not cheap. He just kept going. That slight glow in his horn fading. "Oh that little...."

"Twilight there were a guardsmares as witnesses..." Twilight had slowly turned to Celestia in horror.

"Oh no Twilight. Don't let this scoundrel of a colt fool you like this." To late of course. Celestia opened her mouth to refute his blatant lies and slander.

"PRINCESS HOW COULD YOU!" With that she teleported to Orion, they both popped out of the sitting room. Leaving Celestia to wonder how it all descended into madness, as she tried desperately to clean the stains out of the carpet. She began to chuckle. "So absurd."

Orion was laughing. Why was he laughing!?

"Orion this is serious! Princess Celestia tried to have her way with you! Why are you laughing?!"

"Because...." He was laughing to hard to respond. " Oh God that was....because...Jesus Christ couldn't have any..... better....Because...I Lied! BWHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHA!" He was laughing harder now. He was on his knees holding onto her skirt trying to stand and failing.

He fell on the floor and clutched his sides as he howled in laughter."Her face! D-did you see her FACE!? She was all like nu uh, she looked like a deer caught in the head lights, and you were all like, 'how could you my princess'! Oh god that is too much!" Twilight was beginning to realize she had been had.

"You....you lied to me? Are you kidding me?!"

Recovering and on his knees again, responding through his fits, "Yeah...hahaaaaaa... had to use you to get out of a grilling by your 'Not Mom'. I think she was about to ask for a stool sample next the way she was digging into me. Had to....hoooo had to get outta there soon."

He had just risen to his feet when he was hit with a deafening scream of outrage.

She seemed to have teleported him into Canterlot Glistening Lake. Neat.

He swam to shore knowing he was lucky just for the outcome. Getting away from Celestia had been a gamble for sure, but she was asking some very unassuming questions. Warning sirens had been going off in his head for most of their 'talk'. His attempt to fluster and turn the tables would have only lasted so long, and he was desperately looking for a way to keep it going. Should have taken some improv classes or something in his human life.

When Twilight burst in on them telling of the events of two weeks ago, he furiously thought about how to use this to his advantage. It hit him like a bag of bricks, and he smiled. He would have owned those improv classes.

Bonus to all this. The spell matrix Twilight used to teleport wasn't hidden like it normally was. Because of this he had compared it to the notes in his head he had seen in the more advanced text books he had 'borrowed' from the other, older students. He now had a working understanding of how the spell functioned. He could teleport. No more running from horny women for this guy.

Getting to shore he gave his new found spell a short test. It worked perfectly. Though he dropped two inches when the spell finished. So a tad bit too high. No matter a bit of practice would have him bouncing about like a pro.

"It's always better to have an up close example when learning these things. Thank you Bookhorse." Feeling ballsy he teleported away . Arriving inside his room, four feet from the floor and upside down. The resulting crash woke Chip from his conked out position on the wall. Not seeing anything, he shrugged, got comfortable and quickly fell back asleep.

Laying in a pained position with his ass up the wall and his head crammed into the floor, Orion groaned. "Okay, so I am going to have to practice this a bit more then I thought. At least I got the destination correct. But the landing, needs work."

Due to the way Celestia had prodded with her questions. Constantly shifting the subject like she had, started to eat at him. The paranoia was natural he supposed. If she was suspicious then her finding that room would be a disaster.

That, and if Twilight could teleport in on him randomly, then it might be wise to mitigate the consequences of future disasters. Such as Celestia teleporting in on him. He was kicking himself for not realizing the full ramifications of what he had done. "Should never have agreed to fix that damn gate."

So he decided to uproot some floorboards in the corner of the orphanage's only library. The wait for everyone to go to sleep was annoying, and avoiding Chip was difficult. For some reason that man came to life at night. He set the boards in a way that would allow him simple access with levitation, and had the added benefit of having a bookshelf placed over the top. Hopefully, he wasn't stupidly too late and she had somehow already figured it out. No way to tell.

Maybe he should see if he couldn't make a mind reading, something. Hell he was grasping at straws. He didn't know the first fucking thing about mind reading or how to navigate the complex thought patterns a mind possessed.

Stuffing the books, notes and the things he had managed to craft into the small space he closed it up, keeping only the walkie talkie with him. Grabbing a random book, he walked out of the library. No Chip, no wandering other orphans looking for water or some other nonsense.

Orion felt, better. A little more assured. But he was going to put a pin in crafting for awhile. It didn't last a month.

It took him 3 weeks to perfect the teleport. Holy hell was it a lot more involved then normal. During that he had figured out a way for multiple teleports. He called it Blinking. He kept it secret to himself for the time being, just in case it wasn't anything new and he was just going to embarrass himself.

This was also about the time when he learned that his greatest creation, had a major flaw. The band of metal around his arm had a half-life. It had evaporated on his last teleport, burning the hell out of his arm. A quick healing spell took care of the burns and lost fur. Another thing he had learned from his ill gotten books.

Further testing showed that the more power he drew through the bands, the faster they decayed. Turning back to the books by Bearded Star, he reasoned out that to have longer lasting enchantments he needed gold and gems. The gold making for a better conductor, and the gems allowing for the re-connection when they fell out of sync. Otherwise everything would eventually burn out the way the steel band did. Shit he was stupid.

"Where the hell am I-" The walkie talkie squawked to life.

"Lad? Hello? Am I using this damnable thing right?!" Sometimes the universe just wants to fuck you in the ass without lube. Other times it takes you out to dinner, shows you a good time, and actually uses the astro glide.

Grabbing his own hand radio he hit the button fast, "Yeah I am reading you loud and clear old man! It's good to hear your voice again. Glad to see you found the radio. What do you think?"

"Orion, this thing is amazing! Could you imagine having one in each home? So everypony could talk to everypony else! Its amazing!" He couldn't help but laugh at the Old Minotaur's childish enthusiasm. And he appreciated how fast he picked up on the ramifications this device brought.

"Yeah I already have something in mind for that. Gonna need WAY more crystals then just these two." He knew he was capitalizing on his peoples work. He didn't care.

"So you couldn't have called at a better time. I need gold and a few gems if ya got any. My left bicep band evaporated on me. Turns out enchantments made in steel have a shelf life the moment they are made. Didn't even know till it burned off the fur on my arm. Should have read the details instead of hitting the highlights. Gold seems to not have that problem, but only so long as gems are in it. So it can be re-tuned easier thus no need for replacements, just reconnect and go."

"Shit lad, gold is easy to come by if you got the bits. I think I can supply you with the gems, but all I got are amethysts at the moment, had a surplus order and I am finding it hard to find a use for em so you can have four."

"That is perfect. Forager, you have once again pulled my ass from the fire!"

As good as his word, the gems and a little bit of extra gold was in the next dead drop out by Canterbury Park. Forager picked a huge ass stone by the lake to hide it all under. Apparently, when him and his wife spent too much time there, those tailing him grew bored and took a nap. Dumbasses.

Orion wasted no time in crafting two new bands. They went very well with his fur, even with the amethyst gems in place. They had to be cut small but still serviceable and he only need one for each band. The problem was when he pulled magic through the bands, the gems lit up like National Lampoon's Christmas.

This was going to be a big problem, fortunately, with an easy solution. It would be tedious to reconnect them to the flow of the ether but having the gems covered in gold meant no glow and all he had to do was peel the gold off and reapply after connection was reestablished.

The last steel band went into the floor boards in the library as well. No sense in just leaving shit out for randos to find. Plus he figured studying it would allow him to better craft enchantments into steel longer. Gold can get hella expensive.

The increase in the magical power was a shock. Gold was a very good conductor of magic, more then he had planned. Who knew, right? Apparently Bearded Star, should have read more of the book before ever starting this. He was repeating himself more and more lately. Might have avoided a whole mess of problems. Self Dumbass. Though he likely wouldn't have met Forager otherwise. The universe tends to unfold as it should.

This did go far in inciting his need to learn more about the effect of magic on materials. Though he was taking notes on the various chemical regents that were available. He would have to be careful however, didn't want to blow himself or anyone of consequence up. Mostly himself. Screw the others.

Just one more year of Jr. High. Or as they call it, Advanced Prep Classes. Then to High School and all the angsty bullshit that comes with it. "Why do I have to go through all this schooling again? Ooooh right, jackass portal dumped me here because jackass scientist wanted to get his ego stroked something fierce. Jackass."

He was talking to, and answering, himself. That was beginning to worry Orion. He might just be going crazy.

The day had started out so well. Classes were going well and he had chosen to have lunch outside to enjoy the fall air. The leaves were just turning, still mostly green, but reds and yellows were starting to make themselves known. For the first time since he arrived he was starting to truly enjoy himself.

He had taken to leaving the bicep bands hidden just outside school in a old potted plant that no one seemed to mess with. He figured if someone did find them they couldn't be traced back to him. Detection spells were only good for the most recent casting. Its been a few weeks since he had forged them.

He patted himself on the back. For once thinking of the consequences. "Wonder how long that will last." He thought ruefully.

It was a good idea considering the sudden increase in guard presence. It was obvious that Celestia was combing the city for him. Lucky she didn't know who she was looking for. But damn she had a lot of soldiers on hand to throw about.

Seemed they were going through the school on a regular basis. He's been checked a dozen times so far. It seemed any suspicion on him was gone as he hadn't been frisked in two weeks.

That bit of good news meant he could start wearing them regularly again.

So the day was going fine. Then one, Golden Trot, had to go and fuck his day to hell and back. No one had told Orion that he had transferred back from Trottingham Preparatory. Wonderful.

"Well look who it is! The meat eating monster orphan!" That had gotten the attention of every pony in the yard. Turning slowly around, he noticed Golden casually walking up. The boy had gotten big. No doubt of that. His blond mane immaculately brushed, same with his light blue fur. It looked like someone had starched the hell out of his uniform.

No lunch in hand. A red flag that told Orion the moron was looking for a fight. Or to make an example. Great. The other ponies were looking at him, then to Orion. They were realizing that the jackass was talking about him. Well this was all nice while it lasted. Maybe Twilight would steer clear now.

"Welp, hadn't had to break any bones since Manehatten. But seriously. I'm an adult. Why the hell am I getting caught up in high school drama bullshit. We're not even in high school yet!" Standing up, Orion knew better then to allow a fight to start with him sitting down. He didn't wait for the rest of the spiel that ass-hat likely rehearsed before coming to school today. Try and mitigate this as much as he could.

"Since your staring at me bud, I'm assuming you are talking to me. What the fuck do you want?" Orion didn't yell or growl. It was a bored tone. Hostile, but bored. Because this shit was boring. He didn't want to be throwing down with an ignorant child. He wanted to eat his lunch and head to his next class.

Golden was about to respond but the swearing threw him off a bit, he blinked and continued on. "Why you of course. Filthy, meat eating orphan." He had friends. Oh boy. More punching bags. He didn't want to do this. This was bullshit.

"Dude, everyone knows I'm an orphan. That's old ass news. Come on its been what? Four, five years? Surely you rehearsed a better insult then that. By the way, your punk ass was an orphan to, ya dingus." Orion was slowly rolling his neck and arms, tensing and relaxing his muscles. He was going to knock this smug fuck's teeth in.

Again Golden just blinked and blushed in embarrassment. None of this was going according to his plan apparently. He opened his mouth to retort, then thought of something, and then just flicked his hand. Orion was not expecting to be trussed up with magic this fast. His horn wrapped in a orange aura. "Okay, may have under estimated this turd burglar." He was using his new lackeys to help him. Pussy. He recognized the skinny one behind him, the blue mane cut short coupled with copper colored fur, Prickly Shower. He had his horn lit up, orange.

Prickly Shower was born with a chip on his shoulder. He lashed out at everything. But then again he shared in his fathers, unique, traits. So that might have explained his attitude. That and he was short as hell. Orion just couldn't get over the fact that someone married, and bore a child, for his father. Talk about using up all your luck. The rate Prickly was going, no girl was ever going to give him the time of day. Let alone a herd. That doesn't explain why he was targe- oh yeah. The meat thing.

Golden Shower, turns out that was his actual name. He laughed his ass off when he found that out. Bismuth, the pony who told him, just stared at him in bewilderment. But it turns out his dad is a pony supremacist. Nazi ponies. That's a thing. He is part of a whole organization with frats and everything. But that hate for other species translated over to the son rather well.

The others, Orion vaguely remembered them, seemed to have the same feelings as they all sneered at him.

Golden Trot had a very smug smile on his face. "Eat it up now because your about to become my whipping boy here in a second." He didn't want to beat up on children. But these are children with magical powers and knew how to use them. Fuck em.

"Oh I am not gonna let such a dangerous predator, like you, roam about any longer. You have endangered the lives of others long enough just being here. Nopony knows how long before you would have caved and bitten into somepony."

Wrenching Orion's mouth open physically he showed off the canines he never really advertised. "See everypony?! I told you. He isn't a pony, just a filthy mixed breed. Some Diamond Dog likely raped his mother to produce him. No, she likely begged for it, willingly. The whorse." Ah, petty your mom's a hoe taunts. This was so tiring.

Orion looked about to see if any teachers were observing, to stop this before it got outta hand. And found Mr. Shower in the window. Smiling of course. Standing next to him stood a tall blond maned stallion. White furred he was smiling to. "I see, so that's how it was going to be."

Switching to a new tactic, "You do realize every teacher knew about these right? They let me stay knowing what they were for. I've never bitten anybody." Grinning teeth flashing in the afternoon light. "Well nobody that didn't deserve it." Might as well use this as a teaching moment. The rest would likely leave him alone after this.

Golden for his part maintained his composure, except for the sudden widening of eyes and a brief look of fear. The rest visibly recoiled. Bummer that they maintained their hold on him. In time.

"So you admit to your carnivorous nature!"

"I also eat vegetables and fruit ya moron. For your education, a person who eats both plants and meat is called an omnivore. Now go collect your gold star, get your little juice box, and fuck off." No need to shout. Fuck for brains was doing that enough for both of them. He had a pair of lungs. And he was still attempting to settle this without a fight.

"Only because you are forced to. Sooner or later you will break, your instincts to eat flesh claiming you. A beast is all you are after all. You will leave this school. Leave this city. Never to return. No creature of such filth as you should ever soil these streets with your presence." He had his hands on his waist now. Oh ho ho, he definitely rehearsed.

"That's a lovely speech, how long did it take you to come up with it? Did daddy help you write it up? Did he rub your butt and say it was more special then all the others he touched?" Orion may have went too far with that.

"You do realize I don't actually care about you or what you say, right? You come in here to make up a boogy man, so you can get to be the big bad hero. But we all know you won't feel fulfilled until a mare has taken a dildo the size of a baseball bat, and crammed it up your ass. You're gonna make your daddy in the window over there so proud." Okay now that was too much, he knew it, and by the expressions on the bystander's faces, they knew it too. He was so done with this shit.

The gasp of shock that echoed around the yard only made Orion smile though.

Golden's eyes had kept getting wider and wider as he went on. Trembling in rage he struck Orion square a crossed the jaw. "Dear God, you even hit like a beta male." Then the rest of his entourage piled on raining punches at him.

This was actually starting to hurt a bit. Trip to the nurses office was likely in his future regardless of the outcome. But it looked like he wasn't going alone. As one, the group seemed to forget all about holding his body still, and he seized upon the opportunity. "Sorry Mrs Evergarden, but I did promise not to strike first after all."

He targeted Prickly first, as he still had his horn on lockdown. The high pitched scream that followed silenced the yard. Prickly stumbled back gripping his shattered muzzle as he fell onto his ass. Golden just stared. The slack-jawed piss drinkers that had joined him on this idiot idea, tried to back up. Orion didn't wait, pulling his magic in he sent out a shockwave that knocked everyone back. Poor Prickly was sent flying to. He was starting to feel a little bad for the Nazi Horse. No, he was a prick. Fuck him too.

The use of that spell was almost too much for him. It hurt his horn and head like hell. Now he had wished he hadn't left those bands in that pot. They would have helped out so so much.

Cracking his neck, he sized up Golden Trot, who was stumbling to his hooves. No grinning or smiling now. The headache of exertion erased that. In a deaden voice he spoke to him,"This is what you wanted. The big bad predator to show his teeth. Hope it was worth it."

Orion rushed him, dodging the half-assed attempt at a magic beam and proceeded to meet fist to face. The blood pumping loudly in his ears, drowning out all else. The rage took over.

Twilight was racing down the halls of the school to warn Orion of the incoming assault by Prince Blueblood's son. She had heard some fillies laughing about it in the bathroom. Fear for him shot down her spine. She had bolted out the door after cleaning herself up. She hoped that she wasn't too late. He could run before it got bad.

Turning a corner she saw Prince Blueblood and Mr. Shower standing before the windows. "Oh no, its already happening!"

It was as she was racing around them, thinking she could still somehow help, that she noticed they were staring slackjawed. Furrowing her brow she looked into the yard. Her legs slowing down, and her jaw slowly dropping.

Orion was using Golden Trot like a flail. Beating the other students who had joined in on the ambush with him. It was bizarre. He was laughing. Teeth flashing in the sun. "Wait, are those....canines? He's a predator?!" The occasional fire of magic at him met a shield that he had somehow learned to use.

Orion whipped about and slung Golden right toward them. The crash and sound of air escaping as Prince Blueblood was struck in the stomach with his own son. They fell into a groaning and coughing heap on the floor. Twilight was on her flank still looking outside. "Was he always that big?"

He stood there, students clearing the yard in a panic. His sweater vest was gone, his shirt torn but still on. His pants seemed to have survived with only mild scuff marks. The muscles under the shirt were tense, hard. He had a split lip. A black eye. And the face he wore made Twilight almost wet herself.

His teeth were bared in a viscous snarl, no more smile. His hands squeezed the air, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His grey eyes were dead, but there was a fire deep inside that threatened to burn her to dust, and he wasn't even looking at her. It was almost like he wasn't there anymore. Replaced with this, monster before her.

She had not realized he had moved before he was in the broken hallway with her. "So fast..." She was terrified. This was not the colt she had been trying to make friends with.

Sure he was aloof and not social at all. But to go from the quiet pony she had first escorted through the school to this. It was too much. To sudden. She scrambled up onto her hooves and backed away.

This caught Orion's attention. His gaze snapped to her and she couldn't help but flinch and break eye contact.

"Ah, Twilight. Go and get Principal Far Sight please. It seems that I let myself go to far. Might want to contact the Princess too. It seems I have broken her nephew as well."

The sound of water splashing on the tile jerked Twilight's attention to Mr Shower. He had soiled himself, standing stock still.

"Oh, and I guess call a clean up crew, too. Seems Mr Shower has pissed himself."

It was all too much for poor Twilight's mind to comprehend. She fled down the hall in quiet terror. Unable to scream, jaws agape anyway.

Celestia sat in her throne. Looking at her nephew and his son. The poor colt had to be wheeled in on a chair. His left arm, and legs both, broken. A long road to recovery for the foal. Blueblood stood hunched over his adopted son. He looked like he had suffered close to the same fate. His arm in a sling, but the doctors assured her it was just a sprain, though his ribs were bruised as well.

Her gaze then shifted from him to Orion, in chains. A lot of chains.

His left eye had swollen shut, so a bandage had been wrapped around it. The lip had been stitched closed. The clothes he wore, were tattered, but miraculously his pants survived what looked to have been a small war. His horn was fitted with a null ring.

There were guards arrayed around him, spears pointed to him. She didn't think that was really all that necessary. But she left the chains and the guards be for now.

"Let me get this straight nephew, Orion, by himself attacked your son out of the blue, and his friends. For no reason whatsoever other then his carnivorous nature had taken a hold of him?"

"Yes he DID!" His whiny high pitched voice had always grated on her. If he wasn't part of the nobility she would have found some way to remove him from her court. Just to be free of that voice. That's why he was regulated to Trottingham. Where had his family's dignity gone. "He was a mad beast. He even attacked me! I think he would have bitten into me had your student not gotten help when she did." A strangely kind look was directed to Twilight, from him. Gratitude was a new thing for Blueblood. It still looked like he was chewing glass.

Twilight for her part was staring at the floor trembling, every now and then she would look at the colt in chains and that trembling would redouble for awhile. "I wonder what she saw."

Looking back to Orion, who had remained calm and quiet the entire time, mask firmly on.

"And you? What do you have to say on all of this?"

The colt went to open his mouth but was interrupted by Blueblood, "Why bother asking that savage what happened. Its obvious that he doesn't have a rational thought in his head. I demand him to be banished to tartarus! NOW!"

"Wow for a subject of the Princess you certainly seem to think you call the shots Blueballs." The guards barely contained their laughter. Indeed even Celestia had to take a moment. Orion was just giving the prince a look, with one eyebrow raised.

"Y-y-you DARE?!" He roared. He was stopped from striking the colt by her on magic.

"Blueblood you will contain yourself. Now. Orion please. Tell me what happened from your view."

The colt looked to the raging prince, then back to her. "Simple. I went to far in the lesson plan. Afraid I may have gone overboard a little. To be fair they were beating my ass something fierce. So, where to begin? I was just eating my lunch..."

The tale he told held too many details to be a lie. That and his eye movements and posture told much. He was bored. This actually meant nothing to him. He knew he was in the right. And as Celestia listened, she knew it too.

But by her sun, this colt was dangerous if the reports and what he said were actually true. The mention of his eating meat, a need she already knew from the files she requested, caused her guards to stiffen. To do all that, without using much magic, she couldn't reason how a pony his age could fight like a seasoned veteran.

The guards around him tightened their grips on the spears, she could see the nervousness in their eyes. Most had never seen active combat. When he got to the part were he used poor Golden Trot like a bludgeon, the mentioned colt paled at the memory, and one of the guards actually stepped back.

Orion had noticed and stopped his story mid sentence. "Hey, hey. Relax my guy. Just don't stick me with your spear and you won't be on the receiving end of something similar. Be cool." This did not ease the guards fears at all. "Oh come on. You have a demi-goddess sitting right there. She could nuke my ass from orbit. There is no way I can fight her. So chill." He turned his attention back to her and began again. Though now she was only half listening.

"Demi-goddess?" She supposed that to many that might be true. Even a little flattering to hear it spoke aloud. But what was a 'nuke' and what did he mean by orbit? Internally shaking her head for questions best left to later, she quickly reviewed what was said. He had finished his tale and was waiting, with that same bored expression.

"Orion, you physically used a student to beat five other students. You threw him through a window into his father. You're not painting yourself in a very good light here."

"You asked for the truth. Not some half-cocked lie. I admit I went to far. But, in my own defense, Blueballs here and Mr Shower watched the whole thing unfold from start to finish, without trying to intervene at all. That is negligent on their parts. They should never have allowed it to become a brawl like it did."

That was new information, Celestia glanced back to Blueballs. Damnit he had her thinking it now. He was sweating. Ah, so it was true. Likely having his son prove himself to him. Seemed like something he would do. Delving into the backdoor she had implanted in Blueblood's mind long ago as to never hurt him, she found the memories she was looking for.

"Mother's light!" She saw everything, the goading he had done to Golden the night before. The smug laughter between him and Shower just before it all came to a head. And the fight. It was more of a slaughter. Those colts stood no chance. Orion had become a monster in front of them.

He had used an intimidate spell. Where had he learned that? She had to laugh to herself. The part where he used that poor colt as a weapon was just too silly to actually be real, and yet there it was. In another time she would likely be howling with laughter.

Pulling her mind back she looked at the assembled group.

"Blueblood you goaded your child into this. To picking a fight, all because of Orion's dietary needs. The colt cannot help what his body requires and you acted far beneath your station. Golden. You should never have listened to your father. I know you want to make him proud but there are certainly better ways then to pick a fight."

Looking over to Orion she magic'd his constraints off. And pushed the guards spears up, holding them so they calmed.

"Orion, you have a knack for getting yourself into trouble -." She was then interrupted.

"Excuse me? I didn't start this. I didn't even go out of my way for this. I was behaving. This big steaming pile of dog shit thought it was a good idea to sic his son on me like some attack dog. I had nothing to do with that thought process lady!"

She stared in shock. The guards didn't know what to do. Blueblood and his son had fainted. He dared to correct her. Her. Ruler of the Sun. High Princess of the nation of Equestria. Her anger swelled before she even realized it.

"You dare speak to me that way?" The words were quiet, whispered death that seemed to carry a wave of heat into the throne room. The kind matriarch of the sun no longer sat on that throne. "You are but a foal, what wisdom do you possess that makes you think you can speak to me in such a fashion?" Any shred of kindness her visage usually held was gone.

She knew her mane had caught fire. This colt had embarrassed her in front of her student, of which she found the humor in, but now he was openly challenging her own judgement. Who did he think he was? Her mind was becoming clouded with anger.

He was sweating, but he was actually glaring back! What was this? He should be terrified of her. She commanded the sun. She has lived thousands of years. Who did he think he was?!

"I know right from wrong, Princess. And you are not being fair by handing any blame to me for defending myself just to placate these two worthless piles of shit. Is this really how you think? That you have to lay blame equally on everyone? Even if the victim never initiated anything?"

She was seething now. The throne was beginning to blacken under her. The new cushion just shy of bursting into flames. Her retainers fleeing her vicinity. The guards had backed up to the double doors. Her student, though she noticed it only later, was staring in stark terror at her. She had backed up behind one of the pillars. Fear in her eyes.

He was questioning her. HER. "No, he's right. I am just shuffling blame among both parties." That sudden thought brought everything back into focus. She slowly brought her anger, her fire back in. The red in her vision receding.

"He disturbs me, that's why I am acting like this. What is more, he reminds me of General Ironwall. That was the only stallion to ever challenge my way of rule. The fact that he too, was right, seems to make me see this colt as him. No, Celestia, just like Ironwall this foal is right as well. Damn."

Taking deep breaths, she steadied herself looking away. "You're right Orion. I-I am sorry. I was thinking of being fair to everypony regardless of what happened." She glanced at him seeing the smile of self satisfaction on his face. "Don't look so smug. But be proud. You are one of two ponies to ever correct me and be right. DO not make the mistake you can open your mouth to correct me whenever you see fit. And you still went to far."

"I can agree with you on that. Honestly, I didn't mean to go as far as I did. But my previous history with Golden... may have had more impact then I thought. Before he was adopted he was a pain in my ass. I know, its no excuse but it is an explanation for what happened." Sweat, but no fear. Just like Ironwill. The resemblance was uncanny. Even the broad jaw. He was quickly growing into a fine stallion.

"As such as you admit that you have taken it too far, you're suspended from school for one month." Orion grimaced but otherwise didn't comment. "You will also be subject to community service during your suspension."

"Awww come on, can you just toss my ass into the dungeon? I'll stay there for the month." She chuckled. He was being funny. And the humor was going far to sooth her bruised ego. When had she gotten so short tempered. It was like she was on a hair trigger these days.

"No, no dungeon for you. Go commit a real crime and I may think about it." She was feeling better. Though admitting she was wrong still stung, almost painfully so. But in a way it was good she supposed. Being right all the time would be boring.

The guards had returned. Not sure what was truly going on. She knew they were going to be gossiping. The colt that stood up to her and won. He didn't know it yet, but he was going to have a legend sprout around him soon enough. "Heh, just like Ironwall."

"Well, I have nothing more for you. Though, Orion have you ever put thought to joining the guard? A pony of your talents would be incredible in the force. I can see you going far."

He roared with laughter, "I knew you'd end up saying that! HELL no, your Highness. No offense intended. Thank you but no. I have trouble with authority as it is. No reason to throw fuel on the fire."

She giggled herself. It was a sudden thought, she never truly believed he would say yes. Though he is young yet, priorities change as one ages. But one more question had popped into her head. A question that had been on her mind for some time now.

"Orion? What is this word you keep using, 'hell?'"

"Oh that's a way easier way to say Tartarus."

She blinked. He had been using that constantly, he had been secretly cursing in front of her. Not much of a secret if he readily told her, but still.

"Don't go teaching your classmates that. I don't need little colts and fillies running around swearing about tartarus."

"Heh, no promises Princess."

She laughed again, "Oh and Orion?" He looked back expectantly before being escorted out. "The null ring stays on during the month of your punishment."

"SERIOUSLY?!"

She just grinned back. Revenge can be as sweet as cake.

The Consequences

He couldn't believe that worked. Orion had wanted to hit himself the moment she flew into a rage.

He had no idea what came over him when he corrected her. It was like his mouth had gone on autopilot determined to get his ass killed. When her hair lit up and that wave of heat had washed over him, he near shit himself right then and there. She had become an entirely different person. And that was no illusion magic. "Where the fuck did the sharp teeth come from?"

The testicular fortitude apparently didn't end there. He stood by his decision. Hell he challenged her on it. "The fuck is wrong with me?" At this point he should have been panicking.

When she suddenly powered down what was likely to his up close and personal conversation with the sun, he had almost sagged in relief. Blueballs and his son were still passed out. The chair the kid had been wheeled in on had melted a little.

The rest, had honestly been a blur. Before to long he was being escorted out the throne room. The guards were nervously looking at Celestia and back to the massive double doors. He could only guess what was going on in their minds. Hell, he was still trying to figure out what was going on in his own mind.

The moment those doors shut every single guard in his escort detail, started running their mouths like there was a race to be won. Fortunately they seemed to be focused on talking to each other then him. His thoughts were still a jumble from all this.

He just shook his head.

Twilight walked sedately behind Princess Celestia as they left the throne room. Her mind a jumble of what she had seen. She was terrified. First, Orion with the beating of those colts. Then, her mentor turning into a whole other pony right in front of her. She had never seen her like that.

They were heading to the royal apartment wing, where their rooms were located. The Princess had wanted to change her dress before meeting any petitioners, as the white and blue trimmed clothes she had donned this morning were black and soot stained.

"I am sorry you had to see me like that, Twilight. Truly I do not know how or why my emotions got away from me today. I am so sorry to have frightened you so." She had not turned her head nor slowed her pace, the tone being one of sorrow.

She couldn't really respond. She made an affirmative noise and kept following behind. Her mind on the moment everything calmed down.

They were both laughing. It was so surreal. Her teacher had gone from this fiery monarch, then right back to the calm motherly figure she had first met. Orion had never even seemed concerned! He stood there arguing back with her. Then with just a few jokes, he had the Princess almost back to her usual jovial self. "What the buck happened?"

While Twilight had been caught in her own mind, her teacher had stopped and turned around to look at her. She simply walked right into her. Before she even attempted to stammer out an apology, she was wrapped in a hug. A tear had fallen on her face.

"I am so sorry, my student. I am so so sorry. You should never have seen me like that. I can only imagine what is going through your mind." She brushed her hand over her mane, quietly sobbing. "I do not truly know what came over me in there. That colt is so frustrating. He was right. Completely. And now all I keep thinking as how I could act so foalish. I was like a foal lashing out." She held Twilight tightly. "Please forgive me."

Smiling softly, and feeling a little better herself, she wrapped her arms about her teacher, hugging her tightly. "I-it's okay Princess. I won't pretend to understand what exactly happened in there, but you have been under a lot of stress lately. Maybe, maybe this was a sign. Maybe you need to relax today?" She wasn't sure what she was exactly suggesting but it seemed right. Her teacher was carrying the burden of ruling a nation, overseeing a school, and teaching her. Not to mention the stress of the earlier events.

"That sounds like a very good idea, Twilight. Come. To our rooms, and then to the royal spa. We will have our cares washed away!" There were still tears, but her Princess held a smiling face.

She knew one thing, she realized that she could never tell her about Orion's hidden talent. She was beginning to see why he wanted to stay hidden. Whatever was happening, he must be kept secret.

To say Mrs Evergarden was upset would be like saying the sky was blue. When he was escorted back in by two royal guards and told that he had been suspend from school for fighting, she had went off like Mt Saint Helens.

Orion thought if she had not been informed about his punishment almost immediately she would likely have devised something to ruin his whole year. He sat in the library as she paced back in forth in a fury. Her pregnancy proceeding her steps. If she was inconvenienced by the bulk she certainly didn't show it.

"You promised me! YOU PROMISED! Why did you fight like that?! Look at you you're a mess. Where is your vest? Do you know how expensive those shirts are!?" She had been going on for the better part of twenty mins. The one royal guard, a Lieutenant named Errant Strikes, sat in a corner looking concerned.

Finally when it seemed to be a break in tirade that was pouring out of the irate short mare, he spoke up. When had he started to call them mares in his own head?

"First, I told you I would not go out of my way to start a fight. I didn't. Second I only told you I would try not to hurt anyone. NO guarantees were made. Given how long this took you'd think you could commend me on my own self control." Nothing he was saying was mollifying her. She was heated.

He looked pleadingly to the Lieutenant.

"While its true that he was involved in the altercation, and largely responsible for both damages to the school and students involved, he did not begin that fight. He was accosted..."

By the time Errant Strikes was done the head mistress of the orphanage was looking at Orion in horror. "You rebuked the Princess...." Fat lot of help the officer was.

"To be fair, I was actually right Celestia even said so." Still more horror. If anything the mention of her name without the royal title seemed to make it worse. She sat there gaping at him like a fish. "Hey she even said so! Anyway, I am suspended from school for a month, oh and the student population knows of my need now."

She blinked at him, "They know of your need...oh. Well, it was only a matter of time. Shame you couldn't keep that under wraps a little more. Still, young colt I cannot believe you. The fact that you not only bested six students, but that you struck royalty, I think I should cancel your gym membership."

"Oh come on! They started it! I only defend myself, besides it was a six on one. What was I supposed to do? Take my beating? Cower and beg them to stop? Fuck. That." It was at that point that Errant had to ask.

"You have said that word twice now. What does 'fuck' mean?" Orion just grinned at her, realization had dawned into her eyes. "You're saying buck. You are swearing constantly with just slight differences in words."

"Well hell and tartarus are not exactly the same sounding there chief. But yes. I am. And you can't stop me, no body can!" He laughed to himself while he just got womanly looks.

"So, do you know where you will be serving your community service?" Mrs Evergarden asked.

"Nope, no ones told me anything yet."

Errant Strikes coughed and spoke up, "I do. Ponyville. More specifically Ponyville's School."

"Ponyville?"

The month of torture sucked. At least at the beginning.

Orion was not lazy enough to use magic for everything. But not being able to practice his burgeoning craft seemed to make the month last all the longer. Though he did managed to compensate some by doing actual planning for the devices he planned to create. If he was being honest with himself, he should have been doing this from the very beginning. The material he wasted could have been saved this way. He was kicking himself for not thinking of it sooner.

He would like to say at least the month of his community service was not too bad, but it seems Celestia had a hand in what he was going to be doing to serve out his term.

She thought it an excellent idea to send him outside the city for the time he was suspended. With that in mind she dropped him in the town of Ponyville. What the fuck kinda name is that?! It's like naming a town back in his world Peopleville. It made no sense. The puns were killing him slowly he was sure.

The hotel he stayed in, if it could honestly be called that. Was a five room affair. He had the one on the end. Furthest from the continental breakfast. The room wasn't bad itself. It consisted of 2 rooms and a bathroom. The entryway opened up into the kitchen and a mini living room with a full set of furniture. The second room had the bedroom, that held a desk as well as the bed itself, and the bathroom was connected to it.

Really it was more like an apartment. Not bad at all.

The place he was serving out his sentence? Ponyville Schoolhouse. So imaginative. Be careful naming the fountain. Wouldn't want to strain anything. Troglodytes.

What he figured was gonna be a simple babysitting job of children started out as hell. The moment Mrs Buttontop left the room, for any reason, the children would turn into little tornadoes of terror. They reminded him of the Tasmanian Devil.

Oh things started out okay when he first arrived. The students seemed well behaved. The set up reminded him of those old western movies where the school Marm taught multiple grades of kids at the same time. Seemed to be the very same set up here. Some small kids no older then 5 or 6 coupled with kids nearly as old as he. Or older as two were the case.

What at first seemed like a well behaved class, turned into little hellions the moment the teacher left. Oh they didn't destroy anything thankfully. They just ran about the room and screamed at the top of their lungs like someone had shot speed directly into their veins. Throwing paper and knocking over things. The two older students were of NO help at all. Brats.

A white furred girl with a deep purple mane, Rarity if he remembered her name right, instantly buried her face in some fashion mag. The other a blonde maned girl with a sun kissed orange fur wearing a flannel shirt and overalls, began her own reading, if you could believe it, of agricultural tips. No help. When asked for help, Rarity straight up ignored him, and Applejack just glared at him telling him to handle his punishment himself. Apparently the locals knew why he was here if not the reason for it. Bitch.

The second week he had had enough of the circus.

The shout of outrage could be heard from the train station. Filthy Rich had just stepped off the train, when the sound had reached his ears. He looked about in panic expecting himself to be under attack. But the attack never came.

Orion stood in the middle of the class glaring at Rarity and Applejack. Silence reigned in the room. Rarity had dropped her magazine, in shock. Applejack glared back. He could see the wheels in her head turning. By her posture she was planning to square up.

He was at his wits end. Giving one more glare he turned back to the mob of children around him.

He pointed to a filly, she looked to be ten or twelve, she was hiding behind her red mane. "Is this what you do for Mrs Buttontop? Acting like you have no two brain cells to stick together?"

"No...." She quietly spoke out.

"Then why oh why do it with me. You're supposed to be good little fillies and colts. Your teacher told me you were some of the best behaved foals she had ever had when I met her. Why act like such little monsters?" He had been softening the tone of his voice the longer he talked. Trying to coax the truth from her.

She didn't say anything, just looked away. He grunted in frustration.

Trying a new tactic, "Whats your name kiddo?"

The little filly finally spoke, giggling. " I'm no goat, I'm Roseluck!"

"Roseluck? That's a cute name. Kiddo is slang for foal." He ruffled her mane getting another giggle from the filly. "I am just trying to be of help to Mrs Buttontop, but I can't do my job if I have to constantly corral you lot. So please, tell me why are you all acting like this." That last he spoke to the entire class.

Roseluck still wouldn't respond, but a colt, Mirror if he remembered correctly, spoke up. "Applejack said you were a bad pony, and that we shouldn't listen to you because you were a bad pony."

Orion's head slowly turned. Applejack had the good graces to look ashamed. "And the truth, shall set you free. You and I, WILL have words later." Turning back to the small crowd of children he smiled.

"Thank you for telling me the truth Mirror. I really appreciate it. I will admit I made a mistake. I am being punished for that mistake by helping you. This is my way of showing I can be a good pony too. But I need all of your help. I can't do this on my own. So please? Help me, help Mrs Buttontop."

Speaking in such a childish way and calling himself a pony was grating as hell. But he needed to get these kids on his side. Then deal with the ramble rouser. Rarity didn't seem to have a hand in this as she seemed to be as shocked as he was. Still, she could have tried to be helpful.

He got a collective nod from the class, and for the first time since his arrival, the kids behaved. It had finally become tolerable. He was so happy, he showed them how to make a baking soda volcanoes. The kids enjoyed making up their own little mountains of fury. Rarity nor Applejack participated. The former shrugging and going back to her magazine, the later glaring daggers at him.

"So let me get this straight. You thought it was okay to whip the foals up in a frenzy because I am, and I quote, ' a low down rotten varmint that ain't gonna change for nopony'. Correct?

A glaring nod was his only confirmation.

"Do you have any idea what I did?"

The response was now a hesitant shake of her head. Uncertainty in her eyes.

So Orion told her, the whole story. No pointing in hiding anything. As he carried on her eyes got bigger and bigger. At the end she was kicking the ground with a hoof. Looking away in shame from his very righteously angry eyes.

"So, you think maybe, just maybe, that I might not be the low down 'varmint' you think I am?" Talking like these people was killing him. It sounded so childish to his ears. This month couldn't end soon enough.

"I'm awful sorry, I jest thought ya was a bad pony. Not werth the effort ta give a chance."

"Okay, two things. Is that honestly how you lot treat others? With suspicion without having the context of the truth? And two, how did you think this, causing the kids to run amok, made you any better then me?"

She blushed, her ears turning red and looking at everything but him. "That's right, squirm." He was enjoying this a little too much.

"I thot ya was jest some criminal out on parole." He blinked. How old did she think he was?

"You do realize I'm like, a year younger then you right?"

He eyes jerked back to his eyes wide in shock. Apparently she didn't. Then again he did tower over her. Looks could be deceiving. "No way! Ya way bigger than I am. How are ya younger then me?"

"Well how, is that I was born after you." A lie but only in the sense he was essentially reborn in this word. "The size is just good eating and clean living. Oh and plenty of exercise."

He had regretted saying that shortly after.

"You hated me. Tell me why and how you convinced me that helping you with your chores was a good idea?" He was tired, sweaty. And still trying to figure out how he got here. "Why in the hell did I make that bet?"

Applejack, looked back with a happy grin, "Well, ya said you were strong, I bet you ta prove it, and you rose ta the challange. That's why yer here!" Well don't feel too pleased with yourself. Wouldn't want to break off being too smug. "Why did I make that bet?"

It was Saturday. Three days after Orion had finally gotten the class to cooperate. There was still the occasional wad of paper thrown, but it was way more manageable then the week before. He was supposed to be sleeping in. But nope, Applejack showed up at the asscrack of dawn to rouse him from his well earned sleep. He should have left the door shut and ignored her. The challenge would never have been issued nor accepted if he had just gotten more sleep.

There she was dressed in the same outfit she wore to school grinning from ear to ear. He knew he should have just slammed the door in her face. But he heard her out, mistake number one.

His second mistake was allowing her to goad him. His vanity on his physical form and it's abilities seemed to have only grown since he started to go to the gym, he was rather proud of what he achieved. Vanity you bitch.

Having a second chance at life starting out really made him appreciate the idea of his own health. His life as a human was spent wasting money on things he didn't need. Food that was of no real help. And women, that he knew was using him as an atm only. So this turn around of his life style really was derived from his past experience.

He achieved nothing. His stamina was shot to shit when it came to the long haul, and now he knew it. He was sweating and had long ago shucked his shirt. He snorted. He felt like an actual damn horse. He had been pulling this cart for the better part of four hours. He had been thinking about new and very crude names for the cart since this morning.

The farm, Sweet Apple Acres, was massive. It had to have covered at least five hundred acres if not more of land. The apple trees seemed to be the main production crop of the farm. But they also supplied the local town with various vegetables; corn and tomatoes taking up the bulk of that.

They had cows. And Orion dashed away any hope of tasting steak again. They talked. Every fucking one of them talked. They stood upright too. And he had finally accepted walking talking horses. He wanted to cry.

They had pigs too. Fortunately they were just pigs. No walking and talking for them. But they were just for getting rid of excess food and making fertilizer. Smart really. Waste of bacon though.

Finally they had loaded it up enough to haul back to the barn. Fuck was the thing heavy. And because it was his ego being put out to the test, it was all for him. Joy.

Rolling the cart into the barn, Applejack and he started to unload the cart. The baskets seemed like feathers after the cart so for him it was done, thankfully, quickly. She stood back admiring the stacks of apple baskets. He knew it was this apple bucking season thing, but couldn't they hire temp workers for this shit.

"Hooo weee that there is a lot of apples. Thank ya kindly, Orion. Never woulda got my chores done today if not fer you." She grinned at him. He stared back incredulous.

"This bitch. Used me. The fuck?!" He was just trying to breathe at this point. No weakness was the mantra he was saying for the last 20 mins. He felt like he would have puked. "Don't let this shithead user see you collapse. You will win this bet."

"Hey you foals its lunch time!" The deep baritone of her father erupted from the front of the barn, causing him to jump out of his skin and her to giggle and ye haw. Seriously, who does that unironically?

The Apples, as a family, seemed like a nice bunch.

He had met her brother, who made him nervous. For all Orion's gains in the gym, this dude was still somehow bigger then him. If this was the NFL someone would have been chomping at the bit to sign him, trained or not.

The man was a muscle. There was no better way to describe it. The fact that him and his dad seemed to drink from the same miracle grow did not surprise him. He stood tall and had rather kind eyes for someone that could bend you into shapes you shouldn't be. Red furred with a dirty blond mane he was the largest of the clan. They called him Big Mac, Big Macintosh in full. He just called him Diesel. Didn't expect them to understand the reference. Still fit.

Mr Macintosh, known as Bright Mac, was much like his red furred son. But shorter. But built much the same. His fur was a soft lemon color, with a red mane that he could spot from miles away. Orion wanted to know who their protein provider was. Likely a man named Genetics, first name You-don't-have-them.

Applejack was built more like her mother. Smaller then her older sibling, but that didn't fool Orion none. The girl was strong. He could see it in the way she hit the trees like it was going out of style. He couldn't really figure out an easier way of getting those apples other than magic, which was still denied to him. So watching her work was a bit fear inspiring.

Her mother, Pear Butter, was likely his favorite of the group. She was warm and kind, didn't tolerate lying none but that's okay. Her mane was a dark peach while her fur was a lighter colored version of a peach. He had made the joke that she was peachy king but no one got it. Oh well. She had a dedication to the job at hand that he didn't see much of in many others. Applejack shared that with her.

Unlike the rest of the family, that wore overalls, she wore a flannel yellow dress. In his opinion she was a true southern belle. Only ever heard of em, never really got to meet one himself. But she fit the bill if there ever had.

The last child of the family was little Applebloom, but she couldn't walk or do anything yet. She did however look so much like her daddy it was a little scary. Though her mane was a little more pink. Cute as a button though.

The last one he had to grin at. Granny Smith was an old mare. Honestly, a mummy looked less dry. But the old bat had fire and spirit. She was the matriarch of the family and Orion could see why. Standing shorter then Applejack, she still commanded the farm like a foreman. Not unkind but firm in what needed to be done.

Her green fur was a far cry from the others. Same with the white mane done up in a bun. however, she did dress much like the others. Only she seemed to have made her overalls into a skirt. Practical if he was being honest.

The announcement of lunch meant the winning of the bet. Though he had no idea what to demand from Applejack as of yet. Still, he won. Ha take that bitch. He stumbled but straightened out immediately, no weakness. He would die when he got back to the hotel. Show no weakness to the enemy. "Oh God, why the fuck did I take that bet?"

The enemy in question, looked upset. But then again she did just lose. Serves her right for waking him up so early. He was beginning to feel this victory was rather hollow.

They all marched into the house, well he shambled like the walking dead. He still won. "Ow."

The two story wooden farm house was rather large, and it was beautiful. The entire home was made of applewood, fitting because you know, apple farm. The inside was all warm and inviting, the outside had the family's history carved in little pictograms on the door and window frames. It was a neat idea honestly.

Latter Granny told him the story of how they came to be, how they, the apples, founded Ponyville. He did not make any jokes. When she began to recite the family tree, he realized just how big the Apple family actually was. Holy Fuck. Did they not know what a condom was? The way she told it, the Apples made up half of Equestria's population on their own.

The table had a spread he didn't think he would see outside of those made for family movies. His mouth watered. Corn, potatoes fried, eggs. Wait, was that, bacon? A closer look reveled that it was actually bacon. He slowly glanced around the table. The family just smiled at him. No. Way.

"Um, is that...bacon?" He had to ask. Surely he was seeing things.

"Why yes it is sonny. AJ told us about ya need ta have a proper diet and all." Granny was smiling. This was okay? he glanced around at the others.

Only the red giant seemed a little uncomfortable at the idea, but he nodded all the same.

"Annnd, this is okay with all of you. An animal had to die for this you know?" More nods. Well shit. "I thank you then, Thought I was going to have to spend a month being a vegetarian down here." He dug in. The bacon was like sex, and there was an orgy in his mouth. He did his best not to moan.

That meal had to be the most satisfying thing he had ever eaten. The nobles could have their, whatever they called that slop. This was the food Orion was sure he would eat till he died if he had the chance.

"Granny I need to raid your cookbook for your recipes. This was, whew, delicious thank you." He had been elbow deep in soap water washing out the dishes the family had used. He offered. He was feeling to good.

Chuckling, Granny wiped down another plate he handed her, "Sorry youngin'. Ya need ta be apart of the family to get access fer that." But she had turned her head to smile at Applejack. He did not miss the meaning of that look.

Thinking quickly, "Then you will be seeing me for Christmas. Oh wait its called Hearth's Warming. You'll be seeing me for Hearth's Warming." She cackled at that.

"You'd come down from that big ol' fancy town jest ta see us?"

"Between you and me Granny, Canterlot can suck a frozen over lemon. Folks up there have their noses so far up into the air, it's buried in their ass." A sudden wack had him yelping. Granny didn't like swearing. And she had quickly picked up what the words he used actually meant. Still she was nodding in agreement about them anyway. A smile on her face.

"Next time I get the soap, a colt your age shouldn't be using such rough language."

"Granny, a colt my age would never have lived on the street before they were six." Granny nodded soberly to that. He had told her. Not about where he really came from but about life growing up in the Orphanage. And the streets of Stalliongrad. It seemed natural to tell the mare. He could tell it tore her up hearing it. But she bore the tale without breaking down like the one therapist did in Manehatten. Seriously how did that dude have a license. Give it to Granny.

All in all it was a good time. He told Applejack that he would think about what to ask for. Since he was coming back in December, apparently Granny was expecting him. He said he would likely have an idea what to ask for then. Truthfully he had no idea.

Orion had only one dealing with the only other student near his age in the class he was helping, no scratched that, serving out his time. Stupid sun horse.

At first Rarity seemed way more self absorbed then anyone one person had any right to be. The dresses she wore seemed to be top of the line and he suspected she came from a very well off family. Turns out he was dead wrong, about the dresses, the family was very well off.

Oh she was a bit pretentious. And that accent she was trying to cultivate, sounded North Atlantic, couldn't be sure. Was absolutely awful. But what caused him to reevaluate her, was that he had found out she was making clothes for the orphanage in town.

Seriously, why is there an orphanage in almost every town? Do kids just sprout from the ground in horse world? Do they rain from the sky?

Rarity had cornered him in the hall going out to the playground. At first, he thought he was going to be assaulted.

"I need your help this afternoon. Dear Applejack said you were strong and more then willing to help out if the reward was good enough." At first he just blinked. He had been thinking of throwing a punch. AJ sold him out. The bitch.

He did not want to do anything with or for the pretentious little shit. But because he had seen AJ regularly hanging out with her, he thought better of telling her to simply fuck off. Oh but it would be so satisfying.

"Ugh fine what the hell do you want oh lady of means?" That got a funny look from her, "Keep in mind I am not cleaning your house. You want a house cleaned you call Consuela."

"I-what? Who is Consuela? No, wait never mind. I think it would be a headache I don't need to add onto my already busy day. Just be here at 3. And please don't be late darling I am really counting on you."

Darling? "....You haven't even bought me dinner yet and your giving me a pet name already?"

What he was expecting was not this. He was loading another box of clothes off the cart and into the orphanage. Turns out, the reason she had her head buried in that fashion mag, was because it had a 'excellent article' on making clothes in masse. She had spent the next three days afterward mass producing a wide array of children's clothes. It was in advance of Hearth's Warming.

Orion was oddly touched. He had never seen this done in the big cities like Canterlot and Manehatten. When he made it big with his pen sales he might just follow suit. Might hire her to coordinate.

The clothes themselves were amazingly well made. Slightly stretchy but with soft durable fabric. She even put in her own business tag on each article. He had to chuckle at that. Seems she was looking to her own future business.

All of this, watching her interact with the headmistress, a Mrs Dollop, and engaging the children with candy and kind words, had cast her in a new light. He still thought she was pretentious. But, he had to admit, she had a generous heart.

When they were done they waved goodbye to the kids, and he grabbed the cart to start pulling it back towards her home. The sun was getting low in the sky so he figured it was closing in on seven in the evening. He looked at her and opened his mouth to ask what was next, and a sour apple sucker was shoved into his mouth. She gave him a dazzling smile, she was looking rather pleased with herself. Then she hugged onto his arm. Now it was awkward.

Getting to her house was no issue. Three stories in the design of one of those Victorian homes he had seen in pictures. Back when he had dreams of owning his own home. It was in various purples. All he could see was she being the one who picked the colors. Her family must be rich hippies.

They were out of town he found out. Which made him extremely nervous when she asked him to come inside. Flashbacks from the mares in Canterlot, and Twilight too, coming to his mind unbidden. When she asked him to strip to his small clothes he tried to leave.

"I am not getting naked for no girl I have known for all of a week." A deep purple aura was wrapped around his waste. But he was making headway to the door pulling her along.

"Darling please stop I only want to get your measurements! I promise there will be no impropriety to be hand tonight!" She was sweating with the effort of trying to stop him from leaving. She had actually held onto the door frame of the living room.

Looking back at her suspiciously, "No funny stuff?"

She grunted with exertion. "No funny stuff I promise, now please, would you come back in and let me measure you."

Orion stopped trying to use her as a pony plow. "Fine fine. Though why do you want my measurements so bad anyway?" He had begun stripping off his clothes leaving only the briefs on. Maybe he could get her to make boxers.

"So I can repay you for your help darling. Now that your un-" She stopped.

Looking up he saw her ears and face flushed red. Oh great another one.

"Applejack certainly wasn't lying, you are....well built for a unicorn. I don't think I have seen another colt like you..." She stood away and used her magic to start taking the measurements she wanted, she did his chest twice. And paused by his bands. "Those look....fetching on you. Gold seems to really suit you."

"Oh? Gold does it for me eh? And do you go undressing all of the guys you meet as well?" He was grinning as her blushed deepened.

"You are very uncouth, you know that?" She was writing everything down on a note pad. But that blush remained.

"Well excuse the orphan for not getting one of them fancy educmacations and what not like all them rich ponies who has that there money they always be slinging about." He was glad AJ wasn't here. He had utterly butchered her accent.

For Rarity's part she just blinked at him, blush gone. "You're an....Orphan?"

"Uh yeah. Though AJ would have told you. She didn't? I didn't exactly keep it a secret."

"I....I am so sorry....what happened? If I may ask I know its not polite..."A finger on her lips silenced her. A-ha! Blush back in full swing. So he told her a rough summary of his life while he got dressed again. The blush had gone away again, but tears seemed to become the new mainstay on her face. Great. Another girl he made cry.

"That is....so...s-o.....sadddddd" She wailed. She really wailed. Full waterworks and falling on the couch and everything. Holy shit she was dramatic. "Y-y-yyyyyyou been all alone since you were five...."She broke down again.

"Jesus Christ lady, this shit didn't even happen to you why are you so worked up?" That didn't slow her tears, not a wit. "Come on Rarity. I'm okay. I may not have a family but I had an excellent opportunity to go to one of the best rated schools in the nation. I'm top of my class. I even know Princess Celestia. Which is bizarre for me, but still I have a good life."

The water works were starting to come to a finality. Then stopped altogether. "You know the Princess?" Her eyes sparkled, then darkened. "And let me guess you see her in your usual garb." It was a statement. His usual garb being a random collared T-shirt and slacks.

"Uh, at least twice now. Though my shirt was pretty ripped up on my second meeting. I was pretty much topless." He looked at her, noticing her aghast expression. He pushed it. "The way she was looking at me I think she has a thing for colts if you know what I'm saying." He winked, and she sputtered and fainted.

Chuckling to himself he draped a blanket over her and left the home, locking the door. Too easy.

The month long torture had finally, come to an end. A guard had been assigned to remove the null ring at the station. Thank God. He was wearing his bands so he levitated the whole family for shits and giggles. Applebloom seemed to be the only one having a grand old time with it.

Granny had whacked him again.

Rarity was there as well. She handed him a package with a smile and a smack. She hadn't forgotten his prank on her that night. Opening the gift he found a full black suit. Gold trim on the cuffs, the right lapel was decorated in a gold swirl pattern that he recognized as his own horn. Intermingled with the swirls were several shades of green as well as some purple. the pants had gold pipping along the seams. With a white under shirt and a black tie that had a similar look to the lapel. "Jesus, she went all out."

"Holy shit she even added diamond cufflinks? Where the hell did she get diamonds from?" He didn't ask.

Her parents were no longer hippies to him. No, she was part of a crime family and he had better watch his step. No concrete wading boots for him thank you.

He thanked her, got a hug from her before he left. Applejack and her whole family mobbed him. It was nice. The town of Ponyville maybe unimaginative. But it was home to some decent people.

He was finally on his way home. Back to classes.Back to honing his hidden craft.

Orion had arrived back inside the orphanage with little fanfare other then a smiling Mrs Evergarden to greet him. Giving her a hug and asking how the baby was. He had found it odd that she was having another kid, considering her last two had graduated last year. Turns out ponies lived to be a 180 on average. Who knew the vegan diet extended life. Not giving up bacon. Nope. Early death for him.

He unpacked and settled into his room. He had wanted to go immediately back down into the basement to start working. But, he didn't. He laid down to reflect on his conversations with AppleJack, and Granny. He really was too angry. Thats what Granny had told him.

He never really allowed the therapists to help him. He just confused them on purpose so they stayed outta his head. His time spent in that sleepy town slowed him down. Made him open up a bit. He felt, good actually. Maybe Celestia sent him down more to relax then as a punishment. He would have to ask her the next time he saw her. But please don't let it be anytime soon.

He had been expecting this. His arrival at school heralded a silence he remembered from the school yard brawl a month prior. He chose to ignore it entirely, his teachers had not bothered to treat him any differently, so he ignored the student body. They knew what he was after all. Some good news came in the form of a lack of guard presence at the school. Though it did beg him to ask were they where when he got jumped.

News had gotten to him that Blueblood and his son had returned to Trottingham. Hoped they rotted there.

The bad news, was he saw Twilight. And Twilight had seen him. Her eyes held terror when she looked at him. "Ah shit." They had looked at each other for what seemed like hours to him, but seconds in reality. She swiftly turned around all but fled down the other hall. She had gotten to see him at his worst. And blinked. Still no guards to scoop him up. So she hadn't said anything about his other more hidden talents. He took it as a win, but it was a hollow one.

Twilight never did come talk to him. He couldn't blame her. He would have likely done the same in her shoes.

For the most part his classes went on. He was excited for the elective of combat magic that was coming next year when he got into high school. Apparently after elementary and jr. high, general education stopped and schools for unicorns seemed to focus exclusively on magical education. No more boring ass lectures on things he already knew. Woo hoo.

A few weeks later, Orion found out his file had another request, from one Baroness Smith. He had an idea who it was. But to find out she was a noble kinda made him pause. Nothing further happened. Mrs Evergarden's hopes were dashed that he might have finally gotten a home. He felt bad for her.

Winter arrived with all the control a society that manipulated the weather on a whim could do. He helped shovel the side walk in front of the orphanage being the only one above ten he figured it was a good idea to do so. His thoughts were elsewhere. He was going to have a real Christmas dinner this year.

Normally he had whatever fare Mrs Evergarden supplied. Which was good, if a little boring day in and day out. This year however, he was headed back to Ponyville. To some good eating. He also had questions for Granny. So his trip was going to be a good one.

He bid Mrs Evergarden goodbye. She looked like she was about to pop. Eleven month gestation period for a child? Earth girls had it easy.

No one was there to greet him at the station, though he did come in a couple of days early. He wanted to help out and surprise them. Him. Volunteering to do labor. This town was rubbing off on him. Whatever.

He arrived at Sweet Apple Acres in the afternoon, and took notice of a black wreath swaying from the entrance gate. It was on the front door of the house. The barn too.

"What the hell?"

Walking up he knocked on the front door. What he expected, was not what he got. Applejack had answered the door. She was wearing black. And had been crying. Turns out Granny was just fine. It was her parents.

A timber wolf attack. That's what claimed them 2 weeks ago. They had been working together to put the last of the trees to bed before winter was scheduled to hit. It was late and hard to see. Applejack was the first to arrive after the screams. She held her mother as she bled out. Her father died protecting her. Orion just stared. The two nicest people he had ever met. Taken. Fuck.

He didn't know what to feel. His heart ached for Applejack and her siblings. For Applebloom, who would never know her parents. For Granny, who now had to carry the burden of raising three kids on her own. Big Mac hadn't been seen much outside of his room. AJ seemed to be the one carrying the chores with Granny.

That all too familiar rage was taking hold of him again. He made sure to show no outward signs. Nothing obvious at least. But not knowing what to feel gave way to the anger and hatred in him. Now with a new target.

Granny watched the young colt seethe in the chair at the dinning room. He was holding it in but she could see the tenseness of his body. She knew that look. Her husband had the same look when justice needed to be served. She sent everypony else to bed for the night, so that she could speak to him. Try to head it off before it consumed him. She hadn't realized how fast he got angry.

"Son, now I a see what ya are thinking. Well unthink it." He looked up at her. Cold gray eyes staring into her orange ones. The rage behind the ice. She had read his file. And of the recent incident on it. He was going to do something foalish and she knew it.

He didn't even give her a chance to argue. "You can't stop me Mrs Smith." Not a good sign, he hadn't called her that since she corrected him about it when they first met.

"You'll getcha self killed going out into them woods tonight. Its cold, and those blasted wolves know that forest better'n you." She realized she was pleading. She knew what was coming. "If ya go an do this, you ain't welcome back here." It was a hard sell. But she had to try something. Teras were beginning to form in her eyes.

"So be it Mrs Smith. It was a pleasure knowing you and your family." He spoke calmly, smiling gently, then teleported out. Granny wept.

Explosions rocked the farm that night. The screams of dying timber wolves rang out in the air. Granny went out once, and found Orion, slaughtering a pack he had lured out into a barren field. Even in the dark, the moon high, she could see blood down his chest, arms, back. It was everywhere. He didn't seem to notice. He was grinning, the teeth she had only glimpsed, on full display in the moonlight.

The wolves died by the dozen that night. She saw it. The sight terrified her. In all her years she had never seen anypony work so violently to kill.

There was no colt there. It was a monster of flesh and hoof carving it's way through an ever growing pile of dead wood.

Granny went quickly back inside, and shut the door. Death was the only thing out there now.

Redheart was groggy as she sipped her cup of coffee. Early morning never agreed with her. Her schooling as a nurse was almost complete. She was doing all the practical work now and the staff in Ponyville General trusted her enough to do most of it by herself.

What greeted her when she walked into the lobby, was not something she was trained to handle. A broken leg or sprain yes. But this was a horror show.

Standing in the middle of the lobby was a stallion, no a colt though he was tall enough. His clothes were torn to shreds and he was covered in bruises, scratches, and bite marks. Blood was everywhere. A green goo seemed to be intermixed with his blood. "What in tartarus had happened?!"

The doctors and surgeons raced past her, getting him onto a stretcher he quickly soaked in more blood.

Those eyes, it was as if he was dead and hadn't realized it yet.

Applejack stared at what greeted her in the early morning light. The explosions last night had woken her and her brother up. But Granny wouldn't let them leave the house to find out what was going on. Orion was no where to be found in the home. Had he gone back to the hotel? Granny didn't answer her. She just shook as she blocked the door from the two siblings.

The morning dawned but nopony but Applebloom got any sleep that night. Her and Big Mac went out the moment the sun was up to find out what had happened. Granny protested but she was too tired to do much.

The killing field. No other term for it, was littered with wood. Wood limbs and body parts of timber wolves. A lot of timber wolves. The ground was pock marked with furrowed ground, craters, and even some of the ground looked to have been dug out and used to crush more wolves.

Big Mac, vomited. He was always a sensitive pony.

Granny refused to answer about what happened. But AJ was no dummy. She could reason it out. But was Orion okay? She headed for the hotel, but the clerk said he had never checked in. She went to Rarity to ask if she had seen him, and to relay the events of yesterday.

Rarity, and turns out half the town were awoken as well that night. But most were to terrified to go outside. The budding fashionista suggested they search the hospital. Aj's heart sank at the idea.

They found him in the ICUl. Her hand to her mouth. He was covered in bandages that had bled through in some places. She asked nurse Redheart what had happened, who had found him. He had apparently walked in without a sound. Covered in blood. She could tell the nurse was frightened. Nopony had ever seen anything like this. Not in Ponyville. He never spoke a word, passed out while still standing. He was listed as anonymous on the paper work. But they had changed it once they found out his name from Applejack.

Rarity just reached over and held his hand. The heart monitor was the only thing in the room that made a sound.

She had learned a message to the guard had been sent to the local garrison, and from there to Canterlot.

Princess Celestia with a retinue of guards and aids marched into the lobby. Applejack had been visiting for the past two days since she found him here with Rarity, was first to see her enter Orion's room. She bowed after a few seconds of stammering.

"Rise my little pony. I take it your name is Applejack?" A slow nod was all she could give. The princess was here. HERE. With her.

"Do you know what happened to this colt?" The Princess seemed to be in a no nonsense mood. Her face was dark and imposing.

She ended up relaying everything. From the moment she met Orion to the moment she found him lying on the bed, covered in bandages. She never could tell a short story. Or lie.

Celestia for her part remained calm. As calm as she could. This morning she had been tidying up, getting ready for another lonely Hearth's Warming Eve, Twilight was spending the season with her family and recently promoted brother, Shining Armor. He had earned the rank of Lieutenant. Though, she may have tipped the balance in his favor. Nothing wrong with a little nepotism.

Errant Strikes had come in after a polite knock and bow, and presented her with the morning news out of her cities. That is when she found out about Orion. She didn't stop to think. She mustered her guard, gathering what ponies that she could and raced over here in a fleet of carriages. Her first stop was the site of the incident on report.

It reminded her to closely of a battle field after the reunification wars. The ground was torn apart, pieces of timber wolves everywhere. Baroness Smith, though she insisted on being called Granny despite her royal titles, spoke of what she saw that night. Celestia could not believe it.

Orion's class was not set to learn basic combat spells till next year. So unless he is a natural, or she suspected more, he was reading what he shouldn't. The teleportation was something new as well. He wasn't supposed to know how to do that but she figured Twilight might have taught him. Though she should not have. Looking back to the land. She ordered the royal examiners to set field spells up to recreate that night. She needed to see, it. To know exactly what happened here.

After a tense but polite exchange with Granny, she left to the hospital. Along the way she had her guards go about asking questions to the local populace about the evening prior.

Now she sat there, in a seat too small for her, listening to Applejack relaying her tale of when she met Orion to now. All while looking at him, laying there unconscious. The doctors spoke to her in hushed tones about the numerous cuts and bruises he had received in his one pony war against the wolves.

His face bore a cut passing over his left eye just missing his horn and under his right eye. That was going to scar if he didn't get the proper treatment.

His fingers on his right hand were mangled, likely chewed buy one of his victims. There were slashes and bites peppering his torso, back and arms.

She couldn't see his legs but the doctors report had said his legs were slashed near to pieces. This was beyond reckless. She was furious at him. Why?

Then she listened as the young filly in the room, holding onto his hand, told of the death of her parents by the wolves. She understood now. Vengeance can consume a pony. She would know since it claimed her many times.

Right then and there she made a decision to not to yell at him. The family obviously meant a great deal to him. She wouldn't even punish him. The wolves did that plenty for her. No, she would do nothing but be grateful that such a promising young colt was alive.

The cracked eyelid. The colt had been awake. For how long. Knowing him since she got here. She might punish him for that. He noticed that she noticed, and gave a nod before closing his eyes. He would be alright.

Celestia thanked the young cow mare for her time and her story. She left the room and spoke to the doctors once more. She had told them he was awake but playing it quiet. To let the young filly leave before heading in with questions. She also left her assistant, Raven, behind to ask some pertinent ones.

Feeling that everything was covered she departed the hospital and flew herself back to the field.

The team had gotten the fields set up and running quickly. After a nod from her, the field activated. There was so much magic thrown about that night it was a clear picture. And she sat on the stump, jaw slowly going slack.

Orion's strategy seemed to boil down two things. Bait and slaughter. Not big in the brains department, but effective against these beasts. He burned them, shot them with magic arrows, ripped them apart barehanded. They fought back. Not gaining much ground.

But as the images, sped up so nopony had to sit in the cold all day, showed them slowly getting the occasional bite in. The claw here. Jumping on his back at one point. Though that ended poorly for the wolf. Instead of grabbing the wolf Orion simply ignited his body. That was a new one she hadn't seen before. The wolf burned to ash before it even had time to sink it's teeth in.

She noticed something then. Orion's range was short. Only ten or so meters. That is not usual for a unicorn. Was he just wanting it up close and personal? No. A fireball fell way short of its intended target. He just couldn't hold the magic long enough to go further out. Was it because he was distracted by the numerous targets? No again. Even when the last tried to run and he had trouble picking them off. A magic beam easily hit however. So maybe as long as its connected to him it can reach a normal distance. But he was stunted in range.

One hurdle beaten, another grew in its place. He wasn't going to have a future as a mobile artillery unit.

However, what he lacked in range was more then covered by sheer physical speed and strength. He crushed heads stomped in rib cages. He even kicked one into a tree. They found the impaled corpse later.

The one thing that kept coming back to her mind was the question: "This is a colt?"

Her guards were having a hard time watching. She really needed to turn the guard around. But nopony had attacked in centuries. As long as she was there they would continue to stagnate.

They played the final moments of the battle at a normal speed. The laughter set chills down her spine. Granny Smith was right. He had become a monster that night.

She thanked the examiners. Had them record the entire battle. She would watch it again later, and many times to come.

Seeing as there was nothing else she could do. Orion was still playing Mr Unconscious. So she posted her personal guards. And sent for her own Physician to start the recovery process. She would ask questions later. But she felt his pain. Losing what you consider family can break a pony. It had obviously done so for him.

But the consequences, there always the consequences.

That night, inside Ponyville General Hospital, Light Stitch was checking in on the pediatric unit. Not many foals were housed in there, but it was good to always keep an eye on them every hour or so. It was only midnight and it was already shaping up to be a drag. This was her third twelve hour shift, and she was beginning about thinking of a new career.

That new mare, Redheart, she could easily take her place.

The scream that tore through the halls from the ICU ward frightened her so badly she landed on her flank. "What in the buck was that?!" The only thing to answer her was more screams. She hit the alarm at the nurses workstation that called the orderlies. Taking off in a sprint she made her way to the ward. There was more then screams. There was shouting coming from room 314. That was the colt, Orion Falls.

The orderlies came in hot on her hooves as they all burst into his room to see the bed flipped over the IV pole ripped apart. The patient was holding one end like a sword screaming in terror. His eyes wild and unfocused, as if he was seeing demons that she could not. The frogs of his hooves were stepping into broken glass, the blood on them meant he had cut himself. It was then that she realized what he was shouting.

"I DIDN'T FUCKING DO IT! I ONLY MADE THE GODDAMN THING!" He took a swing at Torque nearly catching him in the face. In the seconds he swung and missed, Mortar managed to catch the colt around the waist. Just managing to catch the pole from him. The other orderly was quick to help to subdue the colt.

Light ran to the cabinet pulling out a syringe in her shaking hands. She nearly stabbed herself twice as she dipped the needle in the vial of Haloperidol. Tapping a finger against the glass syringe she squeezed to get the air out.

Meanwhile, Orion fought like a wild animal, he had actually managed to toss both orderlies off of him. And sent a straight punch right into Mortar's solar plexus. The stallion went down with a wheeze. He had turned his attention to Torque, who was looking like he was reconsidering his own career.

She took what she believed was her only chance, tackling the hysterical colt she jabbed the needle into his thigh, depressing the plunger into his blood stream. He tossed her the moment she had finished and scrambled back to his hooves.

He was staring wild eyed at her as he grabbed onto her nurse's uniform. "I didn't do it! I was framed, set up by those bastards sitting in those benches! I'M BEING FRAMED! CAN'T YOU ASSHOLES SEE THIS AT ALL?! CAN'T.....you...see...I'm being set...up..." He collapsed onto the ground. His stitches were definitely torn open.

The light was flicked on in the room for the first time since they entered. Blood was everywhere. It had seeped through the bandages, through the hospital gown. It was on the floor, the walls, he had even somehow managed to get some on the ceiling.

Light wanted to help, but she was terrified. She had fallen again on her flank. Though she seemed to miss the glass shattered on the ground. He was still staring at her. Pleading with her for, something. She had no idea what it was.

The two stallions just looked on in confusion. "What the buck was that!" Getting to her hooves she took stock of the room, the two orderlies, and the colt that had just now begun to shut his eyes.

"I need to change careers."

Author's Notes:

Since I am soooo far ahead. I see no reason not to post this one as a friday special. This is the longest chapter I have written to date. This one got a bit more dramatic then the last one.

As always if ya read it and liked it leave a like. If you really liked it leave a comment. If ya hated it or had corrections to my horrible grammer. Please leave a message as well.

Thanks for reading.

Peace

Struggle

Celestia sat alone in her study. Hearth's Warming had come and gone. A lonely time for her to be sure. Another year, decade, century spent alone. Though Twilight had visited her.

That memory brought a smile to her face. Her student really does have a kind heart. Her inability to make friends, however, troubled her. The only one she had any focus on was Orion. Though lately she has not said a word about him. She knew why.

A spell had continued to play the battle of that night nearly a week ago. She had it cast in front of her desk. That colt, looked like more of a stallion that the night. Si Metus Maerens, Overwhelming Fear, or Intimidation. It was an older spell. One that hadn't seen much use since the Second Reunification War.

Most of her ponies that had ever used it, had only a moderate effect. On Orion with his teeth, that grin, it was almost terrifying. She had also figured out why he seemed larger, he had modified the spell. And he was able to cast it on the fly which meant he had practice with it. What other forbidden knowledge had he somehow found that he should not yet know? Or know at all.

In truth, he reminded her much of her student. Though, Twilight listened when told no despite her curiosity. She had sense enough to wait for Celestia to let her know when she was ready for more. Truthfully the way the filly devoured her instructions and understood them made her want to ease off the reigns a little. But, Twilight's ineptitude for making true connections with others was stunting her from the role Celestia intended her to play. Better to play it safe and allow her to grow naturally when she is ready, after all she had nothing but time.

The report on advanced student's books going missing from time to time and then reappearing again gave her an idea where Orion was getting all his knowledge from. "But what is his goal? What does he intend to do with this? What was the point to his rapid advancement? Where had this innate knowledge of science and math come from?" He was clearly more advanced then what his teachers knew, at least when it came to the basic academia. Who had raised him before abandoning him in Stalliongrad with no memory?

That was it. It had to be. He didn't know who dropped him there. Or why. He must be driven for knowledge in order to prepare for his search. Celestia too, wanted to know who would abandon such a foal. The examinations and tests done when he first arrived, showed he was no Shadow Pony. So she breathed easy knowing she had wiped that race out for good. But the more she brewed on it, the more she wanted to perform another battery of tests. Just to be sure.

But his mixed heritage was another question she had no answer. There was no trace of Diamond Dog blood. Or Griffon. She even allowed a comparison to Dragon blood. It came back negative too. And it was too much of a stretch anyway. Dragons, even barely breeding age dragons, were too big for a pony.

The tests showed there is unicorn blood. But there was something else. Some other strain that seemed, magically stagnant. Like it didn't belong. Just who were his parents?

She had began to think he might be a golem. But if he was, then someone had figured out how to stuff a soul into one. Which was improbable. Not to mention how would one go about making it grow like another mortal individual? Then there is the fact that he is not made of inorganic materials.

"Also he would have no magic generation on his-" She shook her head. She was going to far afield in a dead study. Without an enchanter a golem could not even be powered.

She laughed to herself, she was obsessed about this colt as much as she was for the mysterious enchanter that was hidden inside her borders. She WOULD find them. She had idly thought that Orion was the enchanter himself. But seeing as he was struggling with his magic, not just with power but range now. No. That pony didn't know how. Though she wished he did.

That, and she had him tailed for a little while. There was never any indication that he was attempting anything. Most of what he seemed to do was read, and practice various spells behind the orphanage. Daisy Evergarden had provided him a room in the basement for his studies, but when her agent inspected the room he saw nothing but books.

Advanced for sure, but most settled into the either math, or chemical ingredients and their effects. A foal would not have thought ahead to hide anything. Though the idea of him messing with something that might explode did cause her concern. Some of the items on those lists were volatile to each other. But he actually had them marked as such.

Having him frisked at school had been another strategy. She had figured if he had anything that might be what she hoped she would find it then. Nothing. The search in his locker also reveled nothing. So she was ruling him out.

She had found suspicions activity in the dark quarter, and decided to have her agent reallocated there, tracking the possible illegal activity that may be there for the time being.

Thinking of Orion, Twilight's silence on the colt had finally made Celestia ask about him that afternoon when she had visited for Hearth's Warming.

"I haven't heard much about Orion from you Twilight. You two have a little spat?"

The poor filly had jerked in her seat the moment she had mentioned his name. The struggle to form words was readily apparent on her face. The scene in the school's courtyard must have left a deep mental scar on her student. She had yet to tell her about what had happened to him on his second trip down into Ponyville.

"N-no, no fight. J-just been too busy with my own studies. Y-y-eah that's it." Twilight would have to learn to lie eventually. But for now, it served Celestia's needs.

"You filly, are a terrible lair. This is about that fight at the school isn't it?" Her student could only look away. She sighed. "You do understand that Orion was merely defending himself from those colts, right?" A nod but still no eye contact. "I'll tell you a little secret about him that I know...."

An ear flicked toward her, that got her attention. Celestia inwardly smiled.

"You know, he is really rather well built. I got to see him with out his shirt on and for a colt of fourteen, well, he is gonna be one hot to trot stallion when he gets older. As long as he maintains his regiment that is." She got the reaction she wanted. Twilight was furiously blushing, looking everywhere but at her. She chuckled. Ah to be young and have options. "Now that is a bitter thought isn't in you old mare."

In a more serious tone, "Twilight, he used a spell to cast a very intimidating illusion. One that I have only seen one other perform to such great effect. I don't know where he learned it, but he knows it very well. He was likely trying to stop the fight early on with it. But he either hadn't figured out how to cancel the spell out, or got distracted and let the spell linger. Either way most of what you saw was just a mirage." The filly slowly started to look at her, a frown creasing her features.

"All of that was just an illusion spell?" A nod and a warm smile. " Oh good. I will have to apologize to him. I thought those teeth of his were real." The smile dropped.

"I'm afraid that was likely the only real thing that was there. Orion is an omnivore. He is capable of eating both plants and animals." Raising up a hand to forestall her student. "I do not know what his parentage is. His blood work was subjected to magical examination. He is unicorn, but there is something else, something not documented."

"You do not need to fear him however. He really doesn't go out of his way to attack ponies. But it is unfortunate when they come after him. I fear not knowing who his family is has left quite a scar upon his heart. He may act tough, and very smart. But I believe he holds himself from anypony for fear of being hurt. It might be why he avoids you."

Realization dawn on her face. Like with Orion, Celestia just loved watching ponies come to the proper conclusions she had bread crumbed for them. "So, he's never going to bite me? Or hurt me, he just rude to everypony because he's scared?" Another nod, the warm smile back. "Oh Princess, I was so afraid of him! The idea of his teeth just scared me so much, that and the size he had seemed to take on! It was like watching a monster come to life!"

"No he is not monster Twilight. Just a colt who is struggling to find his place in this world. Much like all my little ponies." She grinned. "And whose to say you won't want him to bite into you one day, those teeth during a rut? I can imagine what that would feel like!"

"PRINCESS!?" Celestia just cackled gleefully.

It was a fun moment, she may have been a little inappropriate with her student, but it felt good to let the old mane down once in awhile. She looked back at the paused spell. He stood there with his body alight in flame as the wolf who pounced found that its plan had failed.

"What happened to force anypony to abandon such a promising colt?"

Orion, winced for what felt like the thirtieth time that afternoon. Removing stitches is not as fun as it looks on tv. The tugging on the flesh as each strand came out was uncomfortable and painful. "Look friend, if you do not ease up on the yanking I am going to beat you to death with a bed pan!"

Doctor Heartline seemed like a decent person. But he was old, and slow as shit in winter. And the way he seemed to just yank out the string just at the end, was making him think he was enjoying this too much.

Heartline paled. His yellow fur on his face somehow losing color. Gray was speckled throughout his pale blue mane as it shook as he took a step back. Fear in his eyes.

Orion was struck upside the head with a deep purple aura. Rarity was watching him today as AJ had to help out on the farm. "You will do no such thing! Doctor if you would please, I'm sure you wish to get him out of here as much as he does to leave. And Darling, if you do not behave I will have to be rough."

He just grumbled as Doctor Heartline went back to his work. A bit quicker now as he began to pull out the last of the stitches from his face. He caught distinct words of something about the princess shouldn't be making him deal with common ponies. Stuck up fuck.

No matter what they could do he has scarred for life, physically. Emotionally he was fucked to hell and back, the nightmares returning make sure of that. Those marks had peppered his body, and while it wasn't as bad as it could have been, the one on his face would bore a grim reminder of his inability to think ahead. Especially when he was angry. There goes his modeling career.

He had been watching through the reflection of the mirror on the far wall. The last of the stitches removed, the fur would grow back, but there would be a thin mark of skin that everyone was going to see. Though on further reflection, it made him look like a bad ass. He grinned.

"Well thanks Doc, it has been real but can I please get the fuck outta here now?" Another wack. "And would you stop fucking hitting me?!" Another wack. He glared daggers.

"I am not sure what you are saying but those words you use sound to close to another word I know. No colt your age should be saying. You will act like a civilized stallion and behave." Rarity was grating on him. Just a little.

"First, Your only older then me by like 2 years. Secondly, that's because fuck does mean buck." He saw it coming this time and flicked her horn, canceling out her magic. If he had to wear a null ring she couldn't use her magic either. Cheating bitch.

Rarity just glared then huffed.

Doctor Heartline chose that moment to interrupt, "I have completed my part. Would have been completed if you didn't twitch every time a stitch was pulled. But, I suppose it matters little now, once your done dressing head down to check out and get whatever medication they think you should have. I'm not your doctor. I won't know what that is." He tottered out, grumbling to himself. Orion was tempted to chuck the bed pan at his head anyway.

Another glare from Rarity made him rethink that path of thought. Standing up he began to remove his hospital gown. "No matter what universe, all hospital gowns show everyone's ass." He stopped. Looking at Rarity, "What you want, a free show?" He smiled cheekily.

For her part, she flustered and babbled what was clearly an articulate thought for the ancient ones, but for the modern horse it was indecipherable. She stormed out in a tizzy, still making up unintelligent excuses. Grinning. Ah something he hasn't lost. His humor.

Looking into the mirror in the bathroom he really took in his form since he first arrived. The pink of fresh scars coated his upper torso. "Dear God I really didn't think at all did I?" Rubbing one of the scars, a puckered slash across his abdomen. That one could have been bad. Looking into his face, he cringed a little.

He was never going to be a model. But now he was never gonna win any prizes in the average department. The nasty soon to be scar would get almost covered, but it would still show on his face. No one could look at it and not know exactly what it was. He looked like a convict.

That thought brought something unbidden to his mind. His past incarceration and the reason for it. He hadn't thought about any of it since that morning he was shoved into that fucking portal. All he did for the first year was try and survive, and then life happened so fast for him it had been pushed back into distant memory. That first night after everyone went home, Orion was caught back up to the day of is trial. The nightmares that plagued him during his time in the underground research center, locked in that tiny cell, had returned.

"Oh Jesus, maybe this is my punishment. No, that's stupid. If anything I am having a pretty good time here. Sure I've had to go through puberty again and its a pain, but at least there was no acne."

He was just getting lost in his thoughts. But the guilt, the memories he had all but forgotten was back and seemed there to stay. Shit.

Rarity was pacing back and forth for the last five minutes. "The nerve of him to imply that I would be a lady of such ill refinement is appalling. How dare he!?"

It was more then what he had said to her. She was trying to distract from what really had her upset. Those scars going down the left side of his neck and back. She saw them clearly when the gown opened up. They looked so deep. She knew she was beginning to tear up and forced herself to stop. Pulling out a handkerchief from her clutch she dabbed at her eyes.

"No pony should have gone through this, and he put himself through it on purpose! What was he thinking?!" She knew why he did it. She had heard the explosions that night, many ponies of Ponyville had, and ended outside their homes that night. She could see the clouds above Applejack's home light up in orange, blues and reds. She had thought that her friend had been attacked by and invading force of griffons of all things.

When Applejack had pounded on her door that morning she was relieved. Her best friend was safe.

When she had heard that Orion was in town but missing from her home from last night she grew fearful, but immediately suggested the hospital. The crestfallen look on her friends face told her that was the last place AJ wanted to look.

He was just laying there. Covered in bandages. The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor the only thing making noise in the small hospital room. Applejack had turned immediately to the nurse, a white mare with a pink mane, and began asking as many questions as she could. Rarity could only walk up and grab a hold of his hand. He was so beat up. The bandages across his face and body spoke of what he had done that night. The cow filly in the room told her on the way over what she and he brother had found in their field.

He was so strong looking the last time he was here. Like the world could not touch that confidence in his eyes. Now his broken form sat before her and she could do nothing but bow her head and weep. The arm that wrapped around her just made her cry all the harder turning her into a mess. She knew she had ruined her makeup, but for once she could not bring herself to care.

She turned burying her head into Applejack's shoulder and just cried her heart out. Holding firmly onto his hand.

She had been mumbling to herself and had not heard his room's door open.

"Hey pretty lady, penny for your thoughts?" She snapped out of her musing and stared at him. 'Penny'? She blushed, he had called her pretty. He had his moments.

"I will never understand how or why you speak with those strange idioms. Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's blow this joint. I am hungry as hell." She thought about whacking him again. It likely wouldn't help. It seemed he was refusing to use any manners. A colt from Canterlot should not speak with such callousness.

"Then lets get you checked out dear. We had a bakery open up last year and the cupcakes are to Die for." Just the idea of stuffing one of those heavenly pastries into her mouth made her forget all about the diet she was supposed to be on. Besides, she had been under a tremendous amount of stress this week. She deserved a pick me up.

They had walked to the lobby of the hospital in silence. She looked over to see his face. No smiling, happy go lucky attitude. He was brooding. Heavily so. The news that he had destroyed his first room in fit of night terrors had alarmed her. Walking into room 312 had found him actually strapped to his bed. Apparently that was not the only night he suffer the nightmares.

Redheart had told her personally that he had screamed for three nights in a row. Only the last few days had he been quiet. But the heart monitor showed his heart rate spike constantly during the midnight hours. Rarity feared for him. The scars of fighting the timber wolves was not just on his body, but on his heart and mind as well.

Pushing through the double doors she spotted Applejack at the receptionist's desk, waiting on them obviously. While not expecting her friend for another hour she was happy she was here, but the least she could have done was change her clothes. She was a mess, and was those leaves stuck in her mane. "Oh Celestia, she didn't even bathe did she?"

Getting closer Rarity had confirmation. By Orion's face he could smell the cow filly too.

"Whew AJ you didn't even bother to clean up did ya?" He hugged her, much to the budding fashionista distaste. To hug somepony after they had been in the field all day, she shivered. She just gave a polite nod. Which only seemed to get a chuckle out of the dirty filly.

"Sorry 'bout that Orion. I wanted ta get done as soon as I could and raced over here. I wanted ta be thar when ya got out. and I know how ya feel about dirt Rares. Not that it wouldn't hurt ya none."

"I'm sorry Applejack but if we were meant to roll in the mud and dirt I believe we would have been born as ignorant four legged animals." The cackling laughter brought both fillies attention to him. He was doubled over laughing so hard that the nurse behind the desk was giving him a rather concerned look.

"Oh god...I shit what are the odds....oh god fuck!" Rarity smacked him again though he didn't seem to notice. " I'm sorry....hooooo you wouldn't understand it if i explained it to you guys! Oh shit! I needed that." Still chuckling to himself he went to sign himself out. The two just shared a look.

While Orion dealt with the paper work Rarity and Applejack walked a bit away. Speaking in hushed tones, "So? How's he lookin'? I noticed that scar on his muzzle, it looks a might nasty. Has he had anymore nightmares? Oh, and when is he leaving?" She had fire off the moment they were far enough.

"Applejack, darling slow down please. He is okay for right now. That scar on his face isn't the only one adorning his body, his whole left side down his back has them. Fortunately his hands made a full recovery. Honestly he is lucky to have everything intact from what the nurses have been telling me. The nightmares haven't seemed to make a return, at least not like they were at the beginning." She shuddered. "I couldn't imagine fighting one timber wolf let alone a horde of them. He....it seems he is more withdrawn. Whatever those nightmares are they are plaguing him. I don't believe there is a thing we can do."

The cow filly just looked to Orion, a tear coming to her eye. "I jest can't believe he did what he did. Did it all fer my ma and pa....Rarity, he was so hurt." She sniffed and Rarity handed her the handkerchief she had used earlier to her friend, rubbing her back gently. "A stallion isn't suppose to be fightin' like a mare. He shouldn't have gone out that night. But, I can't be mad at him. I burned those wolves and all I can be is happy that it was done. Am I a bad pony?"

"No, no. Wanting justice is not bad. Especially when its for the family robbed from you, dear. I just wish he hadn't gone out like he did. I cannot imagine what he was thinking. When you told me he was here because of his suspension for fighting I thought you had finally learned to lie properly. Now, after all this? I can believe it. He has a strong sense of justice."

"Granny said the same thing. Right before she told me he was not allowed back. She had told him not to. He chose to ignore her completely. Now....Rares he can never come back to the farm. That's not fair." She was close to tears.

"Shhhh shhh, its okay Applejack. Granny is like you, real stubborn. It will take time but I'm sure she will one day welcome him back. He did what he thought needed to be done. Even if we don't understand it."

They both heard Orion walking back. When they looked to him, he had a look of concern on his face for her friend. "You okay there apple bottom?"

Applejack just laughed, "I'm fine, and when are you gonna tell me what you mean by that nick name."

He shook his head, "Never. You have to figure it out yourself. Your a smart cookie. I'm sure you'll know soon enough." He just smiled back, there was none of the usual devilishness in that smile. Something was truly wrong with him.

Stepping outside found a very unpleasant surprise. The flash of a camera nearly blinded all three as reporters surrounded them, more specifically, him. The two fillies were pushed aside as he was bombarded with questions from multiple ponies. All wearing press tags. Oh shit. Somehow, somewhere, someone leaked what happened in the fields.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Dead silence claimed the road, none of the reporters knew what to do. Stabbing a finger at a random stallion in the group, Orion towered over him as he glared. "What the hell is this about?" His teeth with bare. He did not give a shit.

"Uh...I-I'm Sun Herald. From the Daily Sun. We received a tip that you had been in an altercation with a few timber wolves. And were injured due to it. We wished to bring our readers the news, and well colt, you are the news right now. Canterlot is buzzing with rumors about you as well." The red and orange stallion had maintained his voice but was slowly wilting under his gaze.

Looking at the rest he spoke six words, "You have five questions, choose wisely." He didn't want to give them shit. But knew they would just find a way to harass him and those around him.

These idiots had actually huddled up tossing questions back and forth. He should have told them to fuck off.

Fifteen minutes later they had finally pulled away from one another. A unicorn mare stepped forward. Her sun yellowed mane immaculately brushed. The white fur of her cheeks a little rosy. "I'm with Present Times. My name is Petal Grace. I have been elected to ask you our five questions that you allow."

"Well then lets get on with it. I'm hungry and you lot have already made a shitty day worse." He folded his arms and took up a position on a pillar.

"Okay, first question: The outlandish claim of upwards of a 150 timber wolves, did you actually come that close? Or was the report as crazy as it seemed?"

He thought of how to answer, tell the truth or lie. No, they could likely pull information from public records later. Might as well be honest.

"One hundred and thirty two. I had counted."

They all stared. A stallion in the back, "T-thats impossible! No colt can just fight off a horde of timber wolves!"

"Wanna remove the ring on my horn and you can find out first hand how I did it?" No one took him up on the offer. That shut up Mr Doubting Thomas in the back. "Next." It wasn't a question. The fuse in his head started to shorten.

She took a moment to collect herself. "Is, is it true you stood up to Princess Celestia the day of your suspension?"

"No comment." He wasn't about to add to his trouble.

She looked to object, then saw his face. She swallowed and resumed. "Your public file says your an orphan from Stalliongrad, rumor has it you were found eating a...raw rat. Is this....true?"

Oh boy a fun one. "Yes, I was." Gasps and as one they all seemed to take a step back. "I'm an omnivore, I eat both plants and meat in order to maintain a healthy diet. If you're worried about me suddenly attacking you I wouldn't bother. No amount of seasoning makes the media palatable." He actually received a few chuckles from that."Just because I consume meat in my diet doesn't mean I am suddenly going to turn cannibalistic. It just means I get to enjoy bacon unlike you poor poor plebs." AJ grinned at this.

Chuckling and seeming to feel more at ease she asked their fourth question. "There are talks in the rumor mill that claims you haven't been spoken for by a herd yet. From your academic scores many are considering tendering an invitation. Would you consider joining yourself to one of the elite herds looking for a stallion?"

He gave her a bewildered look. Looking behind the growing crowd he spotted both AJ and Rarity looking worried. He shook his head. "Lady, I am almost fifteen. Why the hell would I want to get into a relationship with anyone. Let alone sign up with a group of them. My education and future career is far more important to me then taking the back seat in some herd. Thank you, but no. They can keep their invitations."

Grumbling from what looked like the gossip group. "Suck my dick you vultures I know your game." More gasps rang out. Rarity looked like she was going to go into seizures. "I'm not apologizing. Back to you Miss Grace."

She had a half smile on her face, apparently no one liked the tabloids. "The last question is about what happened at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Reports claimed you were involved in an altercation with several students. Would you like to comment on it?"

He grinned, "Sure. Why not?"

After snapping a few more photos, Petal Grace and Snap Shot wandered back to the train station in a daze. "That colt can't be real." It was a mantra Snap had been repeating since the interview had ended.

"No, its actually true. I had managed to get an interview with a filly named Fancy Breeze that was at the location when the fight broke out. Everything he said matched up with her statements. I plan on pushing for both stories to be published to our editor tonight. Mark my words, he is going to vanish shortly after graduation." She laughed. "He was not happy, and I get the feeling he doesn't like publicity despite being so candid with us."

Getting the ring removed from his horn again was a pain, if this kept happening he was gonna be on personal terms with the 405th garrison, but not like he could complain about it now. Rarity and AJ had dragged his ass to, what he could safely call, the House of Diabetus. The place looked like death by sugar was a fun past time.

The cupcake he bit into was like biting into fluffy syrup. How could horse people consume this?

Looking across the table he saw the two girls just chowing away on a variety pack of cupcakes. He set his cupcake down and shuddered.

"Way too much sugar for my tastes. Sorry ladies but the pile be yours." Pushing the offensive pastry away he looked to Miss Cake, who had the strangest pink swirl pattern to her mane he had ever seen. She looked like a failed ice cream attempt. "Sorry Miss Cake but this is just too strong for my taste buds. I'm sure its delicious. But unless you have something that backs off on the sugar I'm afraid this will be my only visit."

The poor woman seemed to panic at the thought of losing a potential customer, and rushed behind the counter into the kitchen. The clash of pots and pans echoed throughout the store.

"Orion, that was positively rude! Can you not say it more delicately then that?" Rarity was glaring at him. Applejack held her own disapproving look as she shoveled yet another cupcake into her mouth.

"I could, but its not about sparing her feelings. Its about her maintaining a business that many potential customers can come to. Her taste in pastries cannot be the bar she sets. There will be others like me I promise you that, and rather then let her lose potential clients she can learn from this and back down on the fucking sugar." Nodding he took a drink of his milkshake, which was actually rather delcious, he hummed in approval as he sucked down the banana and chocolate drink. "The Milkshakes however are on point." He said loudly enough to be heard in the kitchen.

The pause of activity told him she had heard. Shortly after she came back out with what looked to be an apple turnover. Sprinkled lightly with sugar. "Thank you for the compliment on my milkshakes dear. Rarity, while I may not like hearing it, he is correct. Though I wish he was a bit more gentle, I will have to serve various ponies with different taste buds. I may just have to slow down on the sugar as he says." Orion was only half listening.

It was indeed an apple turnover, and it was fucking delicious. His moan of approval drew the girls attention. "Oh yeah, now this is the stuff. Oh God, Miss Cake this is so good." The smile that bloomed brought the beauty out of her slightly pudgy face out in full view.

She was more average in the looks department then the mares in Canterlot. But she glided with grace through her establishment that one can appreciate, her hips were rather eye catching. But when she really smiled, her face and the room itself lit up. It was a pleasant thing to see. He couldn't help but smile back.

"Thank you so much hun. I was a little worried, your not the first to complain about the sweetness of my treats. I am worried I won't be able to keep my business open if i don't draw in more customers." The frown didn't belong. She should be smiling.

"Since when did I give a damn about others happiness?" Looking to the baker he made a suggestion. "Why not just use about a third of the sugar. You'll save on the supply side and you can test where everyone's tolerance is. It can give you a good baseline, and allow you to adjust so as not to lose your established customers."

She had taken on a speculative look. "But what about my customers that already like it the way it is?"

"Easy, still make some of your pastries at their level of sweetness. You can put little signs out to say which is what. That way they get what they want and new folks can try without going into a diabetic coma."He was rather proud of himself for the suggestion. Rarity was smiling while Applejack was giving him an appreciative look.

"That, that actually could work. Thank you Mr Falls. I and my coltfriend will definitely give that a shot. We so want this to work out. Its been our dream before we even met." The smile was back, good. A sudden thought had him pulling his pen and a roll of paper out of his coat. He began to write quickly.

"Darling what is that your writing. And what is up with that quill? I've never seen one like that." She was focused more on the pen in his hand then what he was writing.

"This is a pen Rarity. It has the ink inside of it, instead of having to constantly dip into a ink pot, I have it all in one. I won't explain how it works because I am planning on patenting it. This recipe I am writing down is for Crepes, a dish found in F-Prance. Its more of a breakfast food but it can go with just about anything any time of day. It's low on sugar and yet still sweet, and you put filling inside such as fruit with sauce in it. The combinations can vary depending on what you would like to try."

Miss Cakes eyes had began to fill with wonder. Rarity didn't give her a chance to speak. "You know Prench cuisine?!" She seemed to have forgotten the amazing invention he was using. The baker seemed to share the same unspoken question.

"Uh yeah, I do. Not a whole lot but a few recipes here and there. This is one of them." Handing over the list of ingredients and instructions of how to make the confection. "Now it looks complicated but a little practice and you will have something to jump start peoples day without making them feel like Jabba the Hut." Strange looks was all he got. But the baker mare was too busy dancing with joy at the idea of a new recipe. From Prance of all places.

"Thank you so much, Mr Falls!" The hug was soft and comfortable. Yeah, he could see why Carrot had gone for her, she squished just right.

"Heh, your welcome. You put in the effort to try and make me happy, it was the least I could do. I too wish to see you succeed. I expect the next time I am here, that I can eat a horde of those. They are my favorite after all." Thinking and nodding again. "I won't be passing out that recipe to anyone else. You guys will be the sole bakers of that particular dish in the area. She was tearing up. "Aw shit, don't start crying its just food."

Rarity was beaming in her seat, Applejack had somehow finished the entire plate of sugar death. She was looking very satisfied with herself. He was being swung about by Miss Cake. Thank yous were uttered profusely. Good thing her boyfriend wasn't here. She was way to soft in all the right places.

"That was a wonderfully nice thing you did for them Orion. To think your usually so surly, to see this sweet side of you is rather lovely."

"Come on, she was working her ass off to make me happy. Earnest people are the least shitty people. They want people to like them and love what they do. How could I not reward that effort?" He was eating another turnover. Damn these things were so good. "So, I leave tomorrow. What is on the agenda for the rest of the day." Looking up he noticed the day coming to a close. "Or well not. Its getting late, and AJ needs to get back to the farm, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." It was apparent to a blind man that she didn't want to. " I reckon I shoulda been home some time ago. Was jest havin' to much fun hang with ya both. Sorry."

"Why be sorry? You have responsibilities that you can't shirk. And a Granny that hates me at the moment. Believe it or not I understand. You get on home. I'll see you in the morning when I take off?" A sad slow nod. " Hey don't be like that apple bottom. I'll likely show up again. I don't know when, but I will be back."

She hugged him tightly. Chuckling to herself.

They waved her off as she walked down the road past a boarded up shop that was built to look more like one of those rides you find at a kid's park.

"Awww crap. I gotta go rent my hotel room again. I hope they are still open. You people don't seem to have much of a night life here...as in none." Orion made to say his goodbyes to Rarity.

"Nonsense darling. You'll be staying with me tonight. We have a guest bedroom and I'm sure my parents would not mind your presence." She had planned this. He could see it in her smug and self assured expression.

"So I get to see meet your mob family, eh?"

"Mob....family? What, what do you mean by that?!"

"I mean, uh, wait, you're not part of the horse mafia?" The spluttering and gaping shock from her told him no. No she was not. Well, back to her family being really rich hippies.

"Whorse Mafia?! I don't know where you got the idea from, but my family does not dabble in such debauchery. How dare you imply such a thing?!" Oh boy she was heated. Going over it in his head the way she said horse he realized two things. No, three things.

First and foremost, he is in fact a dumbass. Secondly, horse was a slur in their language. How had he not remembered that? Third, it was going to take some serious bullshitting to get out of this. Half the work for that was done thankfully, the walking polygraph test was not here. Applejack seemed to sniff his lies out every single time. Fucking weird.

"First, I did not mean to imply you or your family were prostitutes. Secondly, I....I...shit I don't know Rarity the word popped outta my mouth and I am too tired to really try and bullshit my through it."

"Please, please by the bullshit I am feeding you right now."

The universe tossed him a bone.

"Oh, yes, I can see how exhaustion can make one say things they normally wouldn't. And for your information my herd trades in textiles such as silks and cotton. Flanks Inc. The premier fabric company of the highest class and quality."

Oh shit. Her family, herd, was loaded. And not a mafia.

"Ah so that's where you got the diamonds for my cuff-links." He was still deciding how he wanted to enchant those. "I was so shocked when I saw them, I figured you were some type of mafia."

"No, that's actually my special talent. I can easily find precious stones when I go looking. I found those the day you arrived here and figured that were best given to you. It seemed like fate after all." She had went from indignant to sultry. She was gazing at him through her eyelashes with a look that made him question if he wanted to be in the next thirty yards of her.

"Okay, getting back on subject. I will...stay with you. Mostly due to the fact that I am sure the hotel is closed already. But there are some ground rules. No making that look at me. No contact outside of hugs. And I am sleeping alone." He had read somewhere that sometimes estrus begins early. Not having another Canterlot.

Rarity blushed furiously. He didn't think she realized what she was doing. "I can respect those terms, though darling, did you really think I would try to take advantage of you in such a way?"

"Let me tell you about a young man who got caught up in the hell known as estrus. And the women who chased his ass through the streets...."

She was laughing at him. Rarity had quickly picked up that the story was about him. The realization that he was dumb enough to go out during season just brought gales of laughter from her. Bitch.

"I ca-can't believe you actually did that! To punch that poor mare like that." She just went back into giggles.

"Yeah and a fuck you too. I didn't realize. When I was younger we were practically chained inside the orphanages...." He gave up. She was laughing so hard that she was having trouble getting her key into the lock of the purple monstrosity known as her home.

"Forgive me darling. B-but that story...oh my goodness." Another fit of giggles as she managed to turn the key and open the door. "How unladylike of me. Welcome. Welcome back to my home." She was STILL giggling to herself.

Making her way inside she immediately guided him to a guest bedroom. It was just as garish as the rest of the house. Even the wood was painted purple. Ugly. The bed was soft though. Way to many pillows. "To the floor with thee!"

She stood at the door to his room for the evening. The giggles that had been there were gone. "Can I interest you in a spot of tea? Maybe a lite snack before bed?"

"Naw, besides eating just before you go to sleep is actually not good for you. Recommended to eat about three or four hours before sleep to ensure your body doesn't hold onto the extra calories." She blinked at him. "Oh sorry, its the way Bulk Bicep recommends eating. He is a trainer at Iron Will's Gymnasium in Canterlot. The advice has worked out amazingly for me. The results as you can see speak for themselves." He had been unlacing the collar of his shirt while he spoke, pulling the garment off he turned to Rarity.

She was blushing but hadn't turned away yet. "See? Not much fat, just a comfortable amount that anyone should have when you hit the gym."

She wanted to look away. True she had seen plenty of colts playing in the summer without shirts on, even measured him, but this seem so sinful. His chest was defined just like the last time she had seen it. It seemed he had bulked up just a little more. The abs were there but not overly exposed like she had seen from the magazine her older herd sister, Violet, had had. But his arms. Those certainly looked inviting. She shook herself.

"I see you have kept at it, Orion. I suppose there is merit in that way of dieting. Something I may have to look into, but if you want for nothing, darling, then I am getting ready for bed as well. I am glad to see your okay." She trembled, remembering when they had found him in the hospital.

She was embraced in a hug, when had he moved? "It's okay Rares. I'm fine. Still functioning. Just with a few new decorations.

"That joke is in poor taste. Still...I'm glad to see you're alright." Pushing away with reluctance, she was going to have dreams about this she was sure. "Sleep well. Don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything."

She closed the door silent and walked to her room. AS she undressed she paused and held her self. "That hug felt way to good. Get a grip Rarity. He's just a colt. In a room. Just down the hall." Dressing into her pajamas she threw herself into bed. Slowly falling to sleep in a dream filled with arms that held her tight.

Rarity woke to the sound of something shattering. She had bolted awake in fear. The silence of the house was being disturbed by what she thought were the sounds of a struggle. Orion.

She pulled herself from bed and rushed down the hall to his room. There on the bed was him thrashing in his sleep, whimpers emanating from his mouth. "I...didn't do it. Please...." She couldn't understand what he was saying.

She leapt into his bed and began to brush his mane and neck speaking softly in soothing noises, his thrashing slowly abated. Looking about she saw the table lamp, it was shattered and laying on the floor by the bed. Still stroking his mane she made to slowly rise from the bed, the look on his face stopped her. His face was slowly morphing back into fear.

She laid down next to him, fearing leaving him to his nightmares. "I meant to only dream being in bed with him. Not an actual reality I thought would happen. Oh Orion, what has happened to you?" She adjusted herself into bed for comfort, but before she was too comfy she was swept up into a cuddling hug, those big arms enveloping her small frame.

Now she knew what it was like for all those mares in her romance novels. To feel a big and powerful stallion holding onto them. Celestia, this was better then she had ever hoped to experience.

Snuggling in she smiled as she rested her head on his broad chest. This time, she didn't have to fall asleep imagining.

Advantages

The sun light pierced through the blinds of the still bedroom, blazing into Orion's left eye. "God-fucking-damnit. Celestia, if you actually control the sun, go sit on a cactus without underwear. Bounce a couple of times for good measure."

Shifting to avoid the sun, he noticed a weight on his chest, and left arm. And his left leg as well. "Please tell me she didn't violate the rules." Cracking open his right eye, since his left was being cooked to extra crispy status, he peered at his chest with a quickly forming glare. There Rarity lay, all the fuck over him. Goddamnit. One night. Not even one fucking night.

Looking around for something to bludgeon her to death with he noticed the broken lamp on the floor. "Now how did that... awww shit." He must have knocked it over, thus waking her up. She must have come in here to comfort him and ended up staying. Fucking nightmares. They screwed him again.

Judging how comfortable his left arm was looking wrapped around her waist it seemed, at least to him, he hadn't fought her off but embraced her. "Now all I need is for her-"

The door banged open and there stood the absolutely angriest man he had ever seen. "Aw shit." He was big. Really big. Like how in the hell did he fit in the door big. Oh look, his horn is lighting up. Fuck.

A long ass explanation from Rarity and the almost complete turn around of attitude from her father, Hondo Flanks, things seemed to have reached a tense peace. Having yourself tossed through glass, wood and into a tree is not an alarm clock anyone would want. He was positive there was a branch wedged somewhere in his ass. The glaring father in the room kept him from trying to pry it out.

"I, apologize Mr Falls." He wasn't sorry. "I had not realized my daughter was attempting to comfort you in one of your nightmares, and had fallen asleep there. But you have to understand what it looked like to me." That was not a question.

Hondo was a big man. Must be something in Ponyville's water supply. Where Orion had dwarfed a few, but matched up with many of the stallions of Canterlot. It seemed every single man in this town was massive and on roids. What in the hell were they eating here.

His fur was white as his daughters, but he seemed to just have an unkempt mop of brown mane on his head. The simple clothes he wore reminded him of Applejack's dad of all things. A button up yellow flannel shirt coupled with jeans gave him the suburban dad look, coupled with a farm hand.

The most bizarre thing was he had a mustache. It fit and didn't. He couldn't figure it out. It was beginning to drive him a little crazy.

"Listen Mr Flanks, I didn't even intend to sleep here last night. Your daughter wasn't taking no for an answer. Plus it was nearing eight and I didn't know whether or not the hotel was still going to be open that late on a Saturday. So I took her invitation." Digging into his coin purse he brought out fifty bits and placed them on the coffee table between them. "Here. That's is for the lamp I broke in the night."

A raised eyebrow from the man across from him. "And my window?"

Orion glared back. "Okay, fuck you. You broke that on your own using me. I had nothing to do with your sudden remodeling spree."

Hondo sat back and blinked a few times. The chatter in the kitchen between Rarity, her mother, and her mother's herd sister had stopped.

"What did you just say to me?" The stallion's voice had a dangerous edge.

"I did not stutter big man. That is on you. I'm awake now, if you want to continue where you left off. But I can promise that if I don't take you out. You won't be walking away either." Orion hadn't moved. But he was tense. His mouth was trying to get him killed yet again it seemed.

"Huh, the first colt Rarity has brought home and not balked at me. When can I expect you to being forming your own herd with my daughter?" He said with a grin.

"WHAT?!"

More calmly then he felt, "I'm sorry. I think I still have a stick lodged in my ear. Did you just ask when we were getting hitched?"

Hondo grinned back at him. "Why yes I did son. A colt like you that has the stones to stand up for what he thinks is right is hard to come by these days. I would be a fool to allow one like you slip away."

It was Orion's turn to blink. "Nope. Nu uh. Not getting roped into this." He snatched his bag up from in front of his hooves. "Rarity I'll see you at the station!" He just bewilderingly stared at the grinning stallion. Choosing to just teleport out.

Laughter filled the three story home. Rarity was sitting on a stool in the kitchen blushing with embarrassment.

"Daddy! How could you say that to him!?" She was nearing a panic attack. "Oh what he must think of me now! How can I look him in the eye now?!" She wailed.

Her father just chuckled at her, "You'll see him again. And you better not let this one go. The last one you brought home made me want to beat the seven shades of tartarus into him. The nerve of the brat." The turning of the subject caused him to scowl darkly.

Patting her husband's shoulder soothingly, Cookie Crumble just smiled placatingly. "Honey, the way you tossed that colt off the porch was likely the limit of what you could legally do to him." Hondo just grumbled as he dug into the fridge for something to drink.

Turning back to her daughter, she smiled mischievously. "But to come home and find you cuddling such a fine example of a young stallion was a surprise. Where did you find that one?" She chose to ignore the noise of disgruntlement from her husband.

Rapid Comet grimaced. "Did you see the scar on his face? Obviously our daughter has been drawn to the bad boy type." She was far more judgmental then Cookie, who seemed to find the good in everypony. She pushed her raven black mane from her eyes. "I mean don't get me wrong, I see the appeal and he is handsome enough. But he obviously is not up to any good. I'd advise you all to watch him, if and when he comes back around here."

Rarity chose to speak up in the lull of conversation.

"He's actually a perfect gentlestallion. Though a bit crude in his manner of speech he has gone out of his way to both help me and Applejack. The scar....he earned it. Here in Ponyville."

That got her fathers attention again. "Did you say, earned it? Here? I didn't think he we had street toughs in our town. When did this happen?"

Rarity looked to her family, sighed, then began to tell about the day Orion had come to Ponyville. Before too long she found herself in tears. Finding him like that had been a shock.

"Celestia preserve us. He's only fourteen?" Cookie had just put Sweetie Belle into her crib. Tears dotting her eyes and she looked at her daughter incredulously.

Rapid's wings ruffled in shock. "He fought and killed all those wolves...." No pony doubted the veracity of their daughters claims. She may be prone to some exaggeration. But she prided on herself of telling the truth as much as possible. She was not Applejack, but she still maintained her own honesty.

Hondo was the only one among them with a smile on his face. He had dreams of being a front line solider in the guard. But due to him being a stallion he was denied that status. A denial that still irked him to this day. "I say its amazing! A colt his age being able to do what a platoon of guards mares can't. And to walk to a hospital under his own strength is remarkable."

"No it wasn't daddy." She sniffled blowing her nose politely. "He was so beat up. He looked like he was dying...."

He grew solemn. "I'm sorry sweetie. I forgot about the end result." He pulled his daughter into a hug. "But he is okay now."

She teared up, "No....no he's not. Daddy he has been having terrible nightmares." She began to sob.

Cookie embraced her daughter along with Hondo. "It's okay dear, he will be okay. I would be surprised if he came out of that without any bad dreams at all. He will likely need therapy but he will be okay darling. Now, dry those tears. Wouldn't want him to see you with puffy eyes after all, do you?"

Rarity shook her head as she dabbed her eyes slowly bringing herself under control. Rapid was lost in her own thoughts. Pushing away from the counter she came around stroked her fingers through her herd daughter's mane.

"He does have anger issues. None of you can deny that. Now I remember where I've heard his name before. Hondo, don't tell me you've forgotten what was in the Manehatten Free Press a month ago right?"

The stallion thought back a bit. "About that article on the front page? First off there is no way anypony would attempt to correct the Princess in her judgement. It must have been an error in printing." He chuckled a bit. The idea was absurd to him.

"The article named him, honey. He is the very same colt. Which would explain why he was even here with a null ring on in the first place. He was serving out his suspension here. Which means he did talk back to Celestia herself. He had the brass to attempt to correct the Princess herself. Does that not scream danger?"

Cookie thought for a minute but her husband spoke up. "But in that very same article she admitted him to be correct. So not only does he have a fortitude beyond his age but he has the wisdom to couple with it." Hondo's head was a whirl with ideas of what an intelligent young stallion like Orion could do in his business.

"Is no one listening to me? He's Dangerous." She slowly pronounced the word. "He is prone to rash choices. I mean he baited and killed a bunch of timber wolves just for some twisted idea of revenge! He nearly killed himself! Why am I the only one that sees him as a danger to our daughter? Is it really a stretch to think he might pull Rarity into something that could possibly get her hurt? Or worse, killed?"

"I won't disagree with you that the colt is a bit of a troublemaker. But from what our daughter has told us and what we have seen I don't believe he would put anypony in danger like you fear. If anything he seems more like the go it alone type." Cookie was standing up for him, which put a smile on the face of her oldest.

"Mama Rapid, I know he can come off as...well, crude, selfish, a vagrant at the best of times. But I watched him in class. He listened to every foal in there. Inspired them to look beyond just basic education. Helped me pass out clothes for the children in the orphanage and helped over at the Apple's near every weekend he was here. He has a kind heart. Even if he tries to hide it. Please don't judge him to harshly from appearances."

"He's not a bad pony. Just an odd one that doesn't seem to want to follow the norms. But given where he came from, I can see why." That brought the whole group to a sober silence. The revelation that he is an orphan hit a little hard for the family.

Clapping his hands together, Hondo stood to his hooves. "Well. I think we have talked about him enough for now. I'm hungry. Lets go out to eat I hear there is a new pub and grill in town since last we were in." The family all smiled, even Rapid Comet.

"I think that would be a lovely idea dear." Cookie replied going to pick up her still sleeping foal from her crib.

Orion did not head immediately to the station. He had teleported outside the purple home of Rarity's and began walking toward Sweet Apple Acres. There was one thing he had yet to do.

Trudging alone on the familiar dirt road he stopped before the gate into the farmstead. He could see Granny on the porch. He knew she could see him. He did not approach, just looked at her. Willed what he wanted to her with his eyes. She looked West, towards a massive oak tree. No crops or any such farm fare seemed to be near it. Several graves could be seen surrounding the old tree.

With her unspoken permission he made the climb to the hill of the small cemetery. There was only ten or so graves under the boughs of that old tree. Off to the right was Bright Mac and his wife, Pear Butter, graves. The seemed to have a pretty good spot to greet the sun every morning. Tears came unbidden to his eyes. "Fuck. Shit God damnit I only knew them for a few weeks, why the fuck do I feel this way!" He collapsed to his knees. The not so fresh tilled dirt cushioning his fall.

He wailed. He cursed. He raged against his own soul for getting attached and his mind for not better preparing him for this eventuality. He poured out his heart onto the earth, and collapsed from his own exhaustion.

Applejack was getting herself ready to go to the train station to see off Orion for what likely will be a very long time.

Last night she had pleaded with Granny to let him come back to the farm, but the old mare was firm in her decision. to keep him out.

"He made his choice when I told him not ta. I'm not gonna allow such a reckless colt do as he pleases and not suffer the consequences fer it. If he comes here I will allow him ta visit your ma and pa. But that's it."

Granny had tears in her eyes saying that. They all wanted him to be able to come back. But what was an Apple if not without there word, their honesty.

She had donned her best dress. Her momma had made it for her just last year. It was meant for the cold winters so it was a thick flannel. Red after the family's favorite color. It was starting to get to small for her. It hurt that this was likely the last year she could wear this dress. Maybe she could get Rarity to alter it so she could keep it for another year. She barely stopped herself from crying. "Momma"

She calmly walked down the stairs. She didn't want to rush. Soon he would be gone. She wanted him to stay. He stood by her family and did something few could. Orion had given her closure. Not the kind she thought she was going to get. But it was satisfying to burn the wooden corpses with the soldiers.

Big Mac was again out in the field. Quieter then before. But he too smiled when she caught him looking to that barren field. Another good thing was his return to work. He was just as fast as before and he carried the weight of the farm with him.

Her right ear twitched toward a sound. Somepony was crying. Stepping out on the porch she looked about trying to find its source. Granny was there, sitting her chair her eyes watering. She was looking to where her parents were laid to rest. The weeping was originating there.

A last look at Granny, the old mare had buried her face in her hands. She was no closer to getting over her parents passing then the rest of the family. Yesterday, Applebloom had said momma. She had said it to Applejack. She had broke down that day.

She slowly trod up the hill, each hoof step felt leaded. There he was. Weeping and laying on her parents graves. His fingers had dug shallow furrows into the earth. She heard him then.

"Why.....why why whywhywhy!" He just kept repeating that mantra. Pounding a fist into her father's grave.

She didn't know what to do. Standing there, awkwardly watching as Orion vented and wept openly.

Applejack shook herself and laid down beside him, wrapping her arms around him and added her own tears to his. The tears from both disappearing into the earth.

They stayed like that for a long time. Much longer then either planned to. AJ was the first to move. Picking herself up to a sitting position on the frozen ground. Her hand had gone to his mane to slowly brush through it. It was course and thick. He had not been washing it properly. He stayed where he was, no longer crying but without the energy to move.

She began to softly sing. No words, just the sound of the song her mother would often sing to her when she had had a terrible day. Her tears kept coming but they were slower now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b8_89vlkaI

As she was beginning to come to a stop, he rose and embraced her.

"I'm s-so sorry. I-I should have come sooner. We were off the whole fucking month. I-I c-could have stopped this from ever ha-ppening." He was blaming himself. She smiled, he couldn't have known. Nopony could have. She embraced him back making a soft cooing noise.

"It's alright sugarcube. You couldn't have known this was gunna happen. We have ta accept this. I don't wanna either but we have ta let 'em go." She chuckled to herself. "They really liked ya, ya know? Pa said that despite ya being a unicorn ya was alright in his eyes. Ma....ma was trying to convince me ta..ta ask if ya was looking fer a herd."

He was shaking. No he was laughing softly. "Yeah she would, wouldn't she. Heh she was dropping hints like an anvil on a coyote the day I left.....Aj I miss them. I don't understand. I miss them so much. Never even really got to know them really." His eyes were so blood shot. She pulled a pair of hankies out and handed him one. He smiled and his horn lit up. The only thing to remain on both of them was their strained eyes.

"That's cheating."

"I spared you having to clean snot and tears off them, shut up." They both laughed. His eyes drifted back to the graves in front of them. "I need you to turn around. To not look at what I am about to do."

"Now that's my parents home, ya not gunna desecrate that now are ya?" She was tense. What was he going to do?

"No, no! I would never do that. It will be, my contribution since I couldn't be here to lay them to rest. But you can't see what I'm about to do. Okay? Trust me. And promise me AJ, don't look for what I am about to do afterwards. Please?"

His eyes held an intensity she didn't understand. But she trusted him. "Alright Orion, I trust ya." She slowly turned around getting comfortable. There was a sound like coins clinking together, he was mumbling something as he moved away from her. The crunch of snow indicated that he was going to the big old oak. What was he planning to do?

At first nothing, something that sounded like wood being carved into, then a bright flash. A wave of warmth washed over her. She had never felt such a peace envelope her as she had right this moment. It was if her mother had embraced her from behind. She almost turned around, but she made a promise to him. Whatever he was doing, it was something good. Something right.

The snow rapidly melted. Evaporated as if it was never there. In the snow's place bloomed flowers, hundred of them. All kinds. The grass looked greener then it had in spring. Life just seemed to explode around her. She held fast and didn't turn around.

"You can turn around now." She was just as slow to turn around as she was before. She gasped.

The graveyard was filled with flowers in full bloom. The snow had all melted away in a rough circle around the tree itself. The area itself felt like an early spring had come. There was no sign he had ever done anything to the tree. But the old oak too was in full color. The greens seeming to have been there for weeks. Her parent's graves, were surrounded with Hosta. Bracketing the tombstones was Coral Bell flowers in full bloom. Come up, behind then over were Daylilies. Were the earth had been dug up were purple irises covering the whole site.

"It will last forever. Or near enough. No snow will ever settle here again. I set the spell to twenty meters. You know....room for more one day." She had hardly heard him. Her parents final home bloomed like new spring.

Standing up, she absently brushed off her skirt and full body tackled Orion back into the ground. She knew she was babbling her thank yous and hugging him, but she couldn't stop. She couldn't figure out how to thank him with words, so she did the only thing she could think of. Grabbing his head she kissed him, and in kissing him she injected everything her heart felt in that moment into him.

On instinct alone he kissed back. Not really knowing what or why. Her lips were soft, softer then he actually thought possible. The feeling coming from her seemed to fill him up to bursting. She was thanking him and telling him her feelings all at once. They laid there for a time. Neither one breaking the kiss till she herself came up for air. She was flushed, her ears were a deep crimson, her breath was slightly ragged.

"I...uh-"

Her finger was pressed against his lips.

"Don't sugarcube. I just wanted ta thank ya." He southern drawl was strained. "I didn't know what else ta do, and this seemed to be the best way now that I think on it. Don't ya say anything. Thank ya Orion. Thank ya kindly." She got off him then, dusting herself off and leaning down with a hand to help him up.

He stared at her. How could this girl act so mature about all this when he, the actual adult, was at a loss for what to say and do.

He grabbed her hand and she hoisted him up. He resolved not to say anything about it for the time being. His mind a whirl with confused emotions and thoughts.

"Now let's get a move on. Ya got a train to catch and you shouldn't miss it." She seemed to be resolved to not mention it either. He grabbed his bag, not wanting to say anything stupid he just nodded to her and followed her down the hill. Away from the tree and cemetery.

"Huh, my first kiss in this world." He touched his lips, and smiled.

Granny had waited on the porch. He tears had long since dried. She had wanted to rush up there and comfort the poor colt herself, but AJ seemed to have a similar mind and went herself. She wanted to toss away what she had said. She wanted to welcome him back in with open arms. But she stood by her word.

Her husband often told her before he passed that she was too stubborn. She was beginning to think he was correct.

"What is taking those two foals so long?" It had been well over an hour. She was fixing to go up there and find out what was going on herself. A dark golden light burst forth from the tree just as she was standing up. The wave of warmth washed over her, knocking her back into the chair. Not hard, but enough to firmly plant her in the seat. Looking back to the hill her mouth fell open. The old oak tree had exploded in green, where barren winter branches had been were now verdant green boughs hanging heavy with foliage.

"What in tarnation?" The snow around the hill was gone, replaced with lush green grass and flowers. So many flowers. She slowly got to her hooves, shuffling off the porch and towards the hill. Orion was tailing behind Applejack as they were coming back down. His fingers were touching his lips. A small smile on his face.

Granny knew that look. Bright Mac had the same look on his face when she caught Pear giving him a kiss. Every stallion is the same. She wanted to be angry, but she couldn't help the slight smile that graced her old lips.

"Atta filly. 'Bout time ya done did something about all that."

Out loud she spoke, "Sure took yer time up there AJ, any longer and I might have thought yas was up to something." The filly blushed. Orion didn't even react. Always a hard one to read. Then his ear tips turned a soft pink. "Granny you still got it." She crowed to herself.

They walked on by and out the gate without a word, too embarrassed to say anything. He nodded respectfully to her, she returned in kind. The mystery of what happened to the cemetery drew her from thoughts on the two foals. Every time she made this trip it seemed to her she took longer and longer.

Getting to the top she stared about. The whole hill was in full bloom. She wandered through the fresh grass and flowers. Wondering how this had happened. The graves carried a sort of, wild, arrangement about them. Flowers that seemed to bloom in complimentary colors with others. She smiled it was all so beautiful.

She made her way to the tree. the source of the light she had seen. The dirt at the base behind it was disturbed. Digging a little she found something that confused her, it looked like gold lines of swirling and dancing patterns adorned in the center with a purple gem. Strange writing seemed to have been carved into the gold. Orion had given the family a gift. A great one, but by hiding the evidence meant he did not want it to be found. She smiled as she covered it back up.

Walking to the edge she spotted them both, slowly making their way along the old road towards town. She smiled. He was welcome to her home at anytime.

The walk back to Ponyville was filled with awkward silence. Neither of them were looking at each other. Though they were walking side by side. Orion was still smiling to himself. He felt like a kid again. He knew why but nothing could come of this. He was an adult after all even if he didn't look like it.

AJ just kept brushing her skirt. As if she was seeing dirt that only appeared to her. Her gaze would flick from her skirt to the road and occasionally him. He smiled.

"Heh you were the one to kiss me now you're the one acting all bashful and shit." He would smirk at her causing her to look away again any time he caught her eye.

Before either noticed they were approaching the train station. Rarity was there in a dress, that Orion was sure, beautiful red number. He didn't know he wasn't a fashion expert. Jeans and a shirt were good enough for him. With her was her family. Oh joy round two, Hondo-boogaloo.

He shared a nod with the stallion. Not wanting to cause further awkwardness he looked to the fashionista, who was staring hard at AJ. "What the hell is this about?"

The cow girl had a look of shame on her face. Orion couldn't really figure out what was being left unspoken as they came together.

"Hey Rares, nice dress. You know you didn't have to get all dolled up just to see me off, perfectly comfortable seeing you in the usual." She blushed and smiled shyly.

"Why thank you darling, and this old thing? I thought I would get one last use out of it before I retire it from my wardrobe." She was giving out her best dazzling smile. But when her eyes shifted quickly to Applejack and back at him there was only a little warmth in them.

The wheels in his head finally synced up properly. "Oh, she figured out that pretty friggin' quick. Shit."

Two royal guards stepped out from the eves of the station, saving him from ever trying to salvage this fuck up. They both looked exactly the same. Blue furred and decked out in gold armor with white accents. The only thing to separated them from each other was the one on the left and the one had a green mane, the one on the right an orange mane. Both were unicorns. That wasn't a good sign.

"Orion Falls?" He grimaced, this wasn't looking good, especially when they use his full name. He nodded to them without speaking. "We have been tasked to bring you to the castle. Your ticket will be refunded and you will compensated for the loss of coin for it. Please make your goodbyes to your friends and come with us."

Warning sirens of the nuclear kind were blaring in his brain. This was definitely not a good thing. He thought about bolting. But wasn't sure where to go. Damn, despite everything he had yet to think of a plan for survival if the need arose that he had to go on the run.

"Uh, yeah....sure thing." He turned slowly to the two girls in front of him. "Well. Uh, yeah looks like this is it. Sorry I won't likely see you for awhile." Straightening his face out and mustering up a grin, "Don't you two be getting into no fights now."

Both fillies blushed, Rarity's father chuckled.

He was stuffed into a carriage with an open top. Two pegasus stallions were hooked up to the pull gear, wings fully extended going through a number of stretches. They were going to fly. The unspoken fear.

He hated flying. The idea of suddenly falling to his death in a metal coffin terrified him. He had memorized the various failures a seven-forty-seven could experience to cause an aircraft to fail. For these pegasus, it screamed muscle exhaustion.

Oh sure he understood that they flew everyday all day. But the primal brain in his head said that today was the day they would cramp up. Plummeting him to his death.

"Can we just, walk to Canterlot?" He got stares from all four soldiers. "I'm just worried about them lugging my heavy ass across the sky." He tried to smile. It was sickly and he knew it. Looking about he saw AJ and Rarity giggling to themselves. "Oh yes just laugh it up at my expense. Not like you're the ones that are gonna die."

"Mr Falls it will be alright-"

"-you'll be perfectly fine, the flight is relatively quick."

"The fuck?! They are finishing each other's sentences? What is The Shinning?" He gripped the sides of the cart. A hand gently laid over his left. AJ smiled at him.

"It'll be alright sugarcube. This here is one of tha safest ways ta travel."

"My hooves say they could make it safer just walking." His grip tightened. There was a groan from the gold his hand was wrapped around."

"Really darling, you'll be fine. These fine gentlestallions are trained professionals." The stallion on the left, grape colored with a blond mane, smiled appreciatively at her as he looked her over. Hondo's cough made him gulp and stare straight ahead.

"Yeah, just gonna have disagree with you there anyways Rares. Can we just get on with this."

Burst Cloud was laughing as they unhooked from their harnesses and began to stow the carriage away.

"I can't believe you were checking out a little filly like that Stone! Her dad, oh Celestia her dad was going to skin you had you been alone!" He howled in laughter, barely putting the flight tack up on the hook.

Stone Flight just grumbled to himself.

"Oh come on! With that much makeup and that dress? Tell me you didn't sneak a couple of glances, besides she had to be at least 16." He was busying himself with removing the pull kit from the carriage.

"Oh I did, and she is gonna be a stunner I wouldn't mind chasing, in a few more years. I just wasn't so obvious about it. Besides. Both those fillies were there for the weirdo."

Just mentioning the colt dampened the mood. He had not made a peep the entire flight, but the constant soothing noises coming from both Trip Wire and her sister, Moon Song, seemed to do nothing but pull their attention from the two stallions. Usually during flights with those two couriers there would be heavy flirting between the two pairs. That bucking foal shut that down the entire flight.

Burst knew he was so close to getting in Moon's panties.

He was brought out of his darkening thoughts by Stone.

"Um, dude? Look at this." He was pointing at the left rail of the cart. Upon further inspection he realized what he was looking at.

The hand rail was warped and melted. Looking to the right one that two was in a similar state.

"Let's, never piss that colt off. That is not natural."

Burst could only nod in agreement. He was dumbfounded.

That flight was a new kind of hell.

He had sat stock still the entire flight. Muscles tense, head locked forward. He had never even let go of the death grip. His mind tried to tell him he was okay. His heart had told his mind to go piss up a rope and light itself on fire. They were going to die. Catch fire themselves and die.

Death, had thankfully never came. His heart only said it was a matter of time. Instead of crashing themselves, a carriage would likely crush him instead. Stupid fucking irrational fears.

The twins, who couldn't have more different names, were flanking him on both sides. They had been nice the entire flight. But he couldn't help but feel like he cock blocked the two pegasus giving them a lift. The glares he was receiving seemed to say that with a loud speaker.

So lost in thought, he had not realized they had arrived at their destination. Two guards stood on both sides of the door. A nod from Moon had the one on the left knock on the door, stick his head in. A few words passed between him and the occupant of the room. Turning back he nodded.

"This is where we must-"

"-part Orion Falls. Be safe and-"

"-well."

He just nodded dumbly, the entire time they were attempting to comfort him on the flight they had done that weird bullshit half sentence between them. It had brought him no comfort, in fact in seemed to increase his terror. Stephen King would be so proud.

He walked past the pair and the guards and into the room. The door closed behind him with a soft click.

The room was familiar, though a rug was missing. He wanted to smile but kept the mask up. Celestia was here after all. He was surprised she wasn't alone. A blue maned mare with white fur dressed in an officer uniform was standing at attention besides her chair. The wings were perfectly still. There was also a unicorn mare in a blue business suit. Her blonde mane done up in a bun. The yellow fur immaculately brushed.

"Should I have a lawyer present? I feel like I need one. May I obtain legal counsel before, whatever this is, happens?"

The officer stiffened, which was impressive since she already looked like she had been cast molded into that position. The business mare only chuckled.

"Princess you weren't lying about his wit." She smiled kindly looking at him. "Mr Falls, my name is Fair Heart. I'm a Psychiatrist attached to 405th special combat regiment. I have reviewed the events of the night of your, well, one pony war with the denizens of the Everfree. I also have been granted access to your private files."

Orion was only half listening, trying not to be obvious about it but he was watching Celestia out of the corner of his eye. She had not made any attempt to greet him. No. She sat there, her own mask on as she watched his face. "Ohhhh I am on thin ice here."

"Oh where are my manners. The mare to my left is First Lieutenant Cross Cloud. She is second in charge for the 405th currently." She just glared at him. He had no idea what her deal was. But he wanted to slap the shit out of her. The itch was strong.

"Okay, well under the limited information I am a presented its nice to meet you. That is subject to change depending on what I am about to be ambushed by. I hope you understand." He had decided to play the same game he played with the psychiatrists back in Manehatten. Switching to the same speaking patterns they displayed.

"Oh my, I suppose that's fair." She smiled openly. The look in her eyes held nothing but mirth. Shit, she knows this game. "Now, I won't delve into the distant past right now. I am more concerned about this past week. Your reckless behavior in engaging multiple packs of timber wolves over the course of seven hours, and the subsequent nightmares reported during your stay have me far more interested."

She had been pulling out a note pad an inkwell and quill. She had dipped the tip and looked at him expectantly.

"Okay and?" He had decided to make her work for it. Since she wasn't going to be thrown off by the professional talk let her drag it out of him.

She smiled again, "I see you're not going to be that forth coming as I had hoped" He smiled. " Well, My first question has to be why you did it. So, why? Why go through all that for so little reward."

A valid question. "I wasn't really wanting, nor cared for a reward. It need to be done. Two people died because of them. The family lost parents and placed the pressure of raising three kids on an old mare. I actually have a question." He looked directly at Cross. "How come the 405th, which has a detachment based in Ponyville, never sought to cut the timber wolf population down? Had they bothered to do their jobs I would not have had to go seek justice for a bereaved family."

The Lieutenant glared at him. "It is no business of yours how the-"

"Answer the fucking question." He had cut her off. "You are not going to hide behind that bullshit from me. Your command is responsible for the safety of Ponyville and the outlying farms. I killed well over a hundred that night. Regular patrols and a culling would have drastically reduced the chance of an attack. Yet here we sit, talking about the what but not the why. Answer the question First Lieutenant."

Through his small speech Celestia's eye brows had rose. "Oh don't tell me you didn't even ask. This shit is common sense when your living near a dangerous area." He shouldn't be asking questions, he should be playing it safe. But he was still pissed off and heartbroken over Bright and Pear.

"I-we...who..." She was spluttering. She shut her eyes, breathed deep. Opening them she stared at him. "There was no apparent reason to go patrol the forest outskirts. There had not been an attack in over 220 years on record."

"You didn't patrol, or do your job, because there hadn't been any attacks? Are you kidding me? Thats like saying, 'Oh I'm gonna run down this alleyway into the Rot, there hasn't been a murder in 20 days so I'm not worried.' And your surprised when you get stabbed. Are you fucking mental!?"

The lieutenant could not even respond, she stood there mouth hanging.

"If we can please get back to the subject of you Mr Falls. I understand there was failure on the guards part, but we are not here to discuss that failure. We are here to discuss your actions and the consequences of those actions." Fair Heart was trying to calm the situation.

"You know what no. I'm not going to answer any questions about what I was thinking, why I did it. I'm not going to bother telling anyone here about my dreams. You all get nothing." He sat down and glared. He was being irrational and he did not care. This was all bullshit anyway.

Celestia chose now to speak up in her usual motherly tone. "Orion, we just want to help you. You have put yourself through something traumatic. Surely you can understand the need to address this. Your nightmares may have eased but they are still there. Please, let us help you?"

Last minute he chose to be diplomatic. "Princess, no offense but no. I will deal with this in my own way. If you asked me if I'd do it all again I can flatly tell you, yes. One hundred percent. My mind is my own and neither you nor this shrink are welcome to it. I am well aware you can likely worm your way inside my head. But the damage done will likely leave me damn near a vegetable. This isn't worth the time or effort only to get a no. So please, lets drop it."

The flat refusal of help felt like a slap to the face for her, she had gone through the effort to have Cross Cloud here to apologize for her neglect in keeping him and those of Ponyville safe. Fair Heart had been brought in to evaluate his mental state.

Her first instinct was to get angry at him again. She had been wracking her mind with how to help with his nightmares and he was refusing. If Luna had been here it would have been easy for her to just slip into his dreams. She felt that loss keenly in times like this. The good her sister could do was immense. To fall to that demon, it broke her heart.

She breathed evenly and examined this from his perspective. He was angry. Angry to be put into this situation to be forced to respond to her intentions. He was not acting like her usual ponies who would be grateful for any help from their princess. His refusal to listen or desire help was alien to her.

Here was a colt that did everything for himself. If he wanted something that he could not obtain on his own he would only then ask for assistance. He would only ask, when he determined that he could not get it himself. Or understand. Celestia wanted to smack herself. She had gone about this all wrong. She should have waited till he showed signs of wanting help. Instead she went on ahead and tried to force him through therapy.

He may be a colt. But most colts were submissive when it came to fillies and mares taking the lead. He could be called a lot of things, but submissive was not a trait to describe him.

"Listen, I'm sorry Princess. I think the stress of the past few weeks has gotten to me and I am being to harsh. While I do appreciate the attempt to help me, I really didn't ask for it. So can we just...pretend this didn't happen. I can go home, unpack, sleep for six months?" It seemed he was at least understanding of her efforts.

"I suppose I may have jumped the hill before you were ready to talk about all this. You have gone through something extraordinarily violent. My first instinct when I see something like this is to immediately get my little ponies help. I forget where you have come from, what you have been through. You are most certainly not like my subjects." She sighed and leaned back in her chair, she really needed to consider getting a bigger one if she was going keep using this sitting room.

"Just promise me, that you will seek help if the pressure gets too much. I do not know how you'll handle this. The nightmares that were reported, the first one especially, sounded terrifying. This is not something you can handle for long. So please. Don't wait."

"I make no promises. Just let me get through the next week. I should be alright by then." He smiled and picked his bag back up. "Well your highness. If there is nothing else, I should be getting home."

"There is but it can be discussed later at a better time. Have a good afternoon, Orion."

He sketched a very bad bow. "You too, don't let the politics make you crazy." He grinned and shut the door behind him.

The room was silent for ten seconds.

"Princess! How could you yet him leave like that!? The sheer disrespect he had for you and your station is impossible to ignore! Please your Highness, let me go and throw him in the stockade for awhile!" Cross Cloud was understandably upset but she was being hyperbolic.

"First Lieutenant, while I am grateful that you have my upmost interests in mind I have to point out that Orion and I have had far less pleasant conversation in the past. And while he may never have shown me the deference that many others do, but he wasn't disrespectful of me or my station. He is allowed to hold his opinion. Secondly, the likelihood of throwing him into the stockade might do nothing more then anger him. He actually cares nothing for what the public opinion may think of him."

Cross Cloud slumped her shoulders. "Is there nothing that can be done to reign him in Princess? You've heard some of the rumors by now. The nobles are calling for his arrest, the citizens seem to think he is some kinda joke. And the guards are taking betting odds on how soon before you smite him down. None of this is good for the public image of the throne."

"Actually, I believe it may turn out good in the end." Mrs Heart had finally chosen to speak up. "His closeness with her Highness might make her ponies view her as one of them." She saw the confusion in the Lieutenant's eyes, and chuckled. "Think of it like this: most ponies see Princess Celestia as an untouchable monolith. If they see pleasant interactions outside the court, in public view, this could swing many ponies who look at her as unfriendly."

Celestia was actually giving this some serious thought. On the one hand, she liked the fact that the petitioners over the last few decades had been waning. It gave her more time for her own projects. Not to mention many of their requests were annoying to say the least. Asking for a good harvest blessing. Requesting her to officiate for a wedding. It went on and on. There were government officials. The nobles that controlled those same petitioner's towns, cities, and farmsteads were meant to handle those tasks.

Want a good harvest? Ask the weather ponies to work with you in a schedule to water the crops properly. Want somepony to officiate a wedding? Ask the members of the church of Sol. Want to settle a land rights dispute? Go to the local lord. Really she didn't work this hard to end up having to handle everything anyways. Government bureaucracy was invented for a reason.

On the other hoof, getting public support for projects was difficult. If the common pony saw her as more then a ruler, she could use those that public adoration of her to place pressure on the local ruling lords to back her projects. She could have used this to her advantage when she decided to expand the railway line to Applelosa. The same tactic would have kept the same nobles from complaining about the need for increased taxes.

She could put up with more simpering requests that could be handled by the local government if it meant finally getting her way. She could finally pull the military out of the mire of ineptitude that seemed to claim the majority of the guard.

"You actually bring up a salient point Mrs Heart. You have to admit Lieutenant, if this works out as well as I hope it does, we can finally get the funding to revitalize our military might. For to long has my ponies's forces been stagnant. With public support the nobles will have to bend to the nations needs." Then she thought. "MY needs."

"But what about that colt your Highness? He is largely disrespectful of you." Cross Cloud seemed to be trying anything to get at Orion.

"If you want my professional opinion..." Fair Heart had paused, getting a nod she continued, "Orion's casualness with the Princess can go far in helping her public image. I am no PR agent, but I do believe they would say the same. His attitude in treating her like she is one of the ponies and her seeming acceptance of that would go far in pushing the fact that she is more then a ruler. That she is a mare just like any other."

Celestia nodded herself. Yes this could work out in her favor very well.

Lessons in Math

Author's Notes:

So I attempted to do a whole bit where I could show you how a spell is generally structured in this world. Unfortunately, I can't afford the programs to do what I really want. So I am gonna have to upload the image and do the best at explaining it as I can.

Forgive me.

The image above is for the most part, a standard teleportation matrix.

Now normally, when casted the words and equations invoking the spell structure are not visible. This is due to an old practice among unicorns about hiding ones own way of casting. Its private. Like your choice in whether to wear underwear, or go commando.

The spell is structured when written:

Air Displacement---------------------------------------------------Object Displacement
--------Equation----------------------------------------------------------------Equation--------

---------------------------------Destination Displacement-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------Equation----------------------------------------------

Seems simple enough. But five sub spell matrices inside are to calculate:

Temperature
Detection of Location
Distance to Location
Image of Location
Altitude

The idea is to know where you are, and where you plan to go. Detection of Location will form the frame of the destination in which you are willing to travel. Like a 3D map. It's also considered an auto spell, meaning it's like a spell checker for the rest of the equation. It goes up first and the rest of the matrix field forms around it. Thus it actively corrects any missing or miss-structured equations.

So you don't plant yourself into the earth like an idiot. Being fused to rock and earth I imagine is rather painful. The rest should be self explanatory.

This will be talked about in a classroom setting for a more detailed explanation from this hackneyed attempt. I just wanted to give everyone an Idea of how it all works.

As always, thanks for reading.

Peace.

Orion arrived back to the orphanage with little fanfare, as was normal. What wasn't normal was Chip, the guard, sitting at Mrs Evergarden's desk. Looking bored, and more then a little annoyed.

"Yo Chip, whats the deal? You're usually only here when its horny season. Whats the occasion this time?" He had placed his bags at the foot of the steps leading up to the bedrooms for the few orphans that remained.

"Hey there youngin'!" He was suddenly excited again, coming out of the chair to greet him, and looking up. "Buck me but you get bigger every time I see ya. As for why I am here, well, Ol' Daisy has gone into labor about....oh two hours ago now. The medics took her away in a carriage just about forty-five minutes ago. She was getting antsy about you arriving home, and then bam. Hit her outta no wheres. The herd swooped in not twenty minutes after it began." Chip wasn't exactly sound enthused about it. He was more interested in dirty jokes and fucking.

"Oh shit! That's today?! I thought she wasn't due for another two weeks?"

"HAH! Tell that to them twins she's carryin'! Hey colt where you heading?" He had begun to make his way back to his seat, pausing just before plopping his lard ass into the chair.

"Duh, I am going to the hospital. She's gonna need some support from yours truly." He flashed a grin. Horn lighting up as his bag vanishes. "Besides, shes practically my mom. Gotta give her the family support, ya know? That," he looked about guiltily, "and I want her to know I am okay. She was worried after all. I feel like she started because of me."

Chip smiled back, he actually smiled. "Yeah I suppose that is true. But the baby chooses when to come out not us. I doubt this one was on you. Alright you get on it. They are at the Canterlot Royal Hospital."

"Horse hospitals are bullshit." Orion had arrived to a calm, almost empty lobby. There was nobody in the lounge except for two elderly mares sitting in a corner talking about flowers they were planning to plant the coming spring. Horse care must have been on top of its game not to have people flooding emergency room. Obamacare never pulled that off.

He didn't waste any time asking for what room his not mom was in, though the stallion running the desk eyed him suspiciously.

"Why do you need Daisy Evergarden's room. You don't look like her child. What is your relationship with the patient." The blond maned fuck was being smug and snooty, looking at him with obvious disgust. Well that won't be tolerated.

Reaching over Orion grabbed him by his ear pulling him in close, right over the counter of his station. He smiled making sure his visage was all that this not so smug fuck could see in all his glory. "Its a lot less intimate then you're going to be with this counter if you don't cut the sass. I am an the oldest orphan in her care and she has been practically a mom to me. I wish to be there to show my support to her and her herd. So stop being a bitch, and tell me which room she is in."

With tears in the stallion's eyes he quickly told him and was thanked in the form of being tossed back in his chair. Bolting to the elevators he hit floor three and waited. They can master teleportation but the elevators had to be slow as hell. "Did it just drop?" His stomach lurched.

It wasn't long before he found himself in the delivery room waiting lounge. Staring at, what appeared to be, her rather large family. There had to be over a dozen of them in the room.

Mrs Greenfield was, thankfully, there. "Orion! What are you doing here young stallion. I thought you were still in Ponyville?" She came over and gave him a hug. It had been a couple of years since his last class was with her but he had departed on pretty friendly terms. He had never seen her in casual clothes but the soft blue dress she wore went well with her mane. She had been the one he had told about Mr Cottonridge's affair with that young male student.

"Well teach, I walked into the door to see Chip sitting his lard ass in Mrs Evergarden's seat. When I asked what was up, he told me about her going into labor. Truth be told I would have been here sooner had I not been tied up with the frickin' princess. Instead of taking a train back I got the VIP terror ride back." He chose to ignore her gaping. Did nobody talk shit about their leaders in this world? The needed some good old American culture he swore.

A short stallion stood up and approached them, his coat of fur was black and his mane was green in a comb over that was a poor attempt at covering the slow thinning on his head. His tweed suit was a bit unkempt but if he was who Orion suspected then there was a good reason for that." Sweetheart, who is this colt?" He was looking nervous. He stood well over the poor man.

"Oh my I suppose this is the first time you're meeting him isn't it? Written Script this is Orion Falls." She smiled sweetly gesturing between the two. Orion reached out a hand to shake Written's hand. He was slower to respond. "He's the student I told you about from a few years ago."

Shaking his hand with and smiling slightly he seemed to brighten a bit. "Oh you're the young colt who had trouble minding your language in my wife's class! You...you're bigger then I thought you would be." He let go smiling brightly, nervousness still there, but confidence seemed to be creeping in. "What are they feeding you in that Orphanage? You look more like a stallion....what happened to your face?" Ah, the uncomfortable stare.

He had noticed, and so had Mrs Greenfield. "Ah yeah, that. Heh, I got into a very heated argument with a bunch of timber wolves. I won." The rapid steps of another caused him to look up at another mare. This one much younger, she shared her father's green mane but her fur coat was a peach colored fur. She was wearing a gray business suit and she had a very intense, scrutinizing look, on her face.

"Daddy, this is that colt that was in the papers this morning!" Aw shit. "The one who was hospitalized when he went chasing into the woods after some beasts." She was staring up in awe. Did the family have midgets in their bloodline or something.

"ORION-." She was cut off from further yelling.

A nurse had walked up and grabbed her sleeve, "Ma'am, this is the maternity ward. We would appreciate you keeping your voice down or taking this elsewhere." She walked back behind the reception desk and sat down glaring at the group standing in the middle of the lounge.

They all sat down in a corner, faces ashamed. But that didn't stop Mrs Greenfield. "What were you thinking!?" She whispered harshly. "You could have been killed showing off like that. Look at your poor face." Her hands had wandered over his cuts and still present bruises.

"I was thinking of revenge to be honest. Okay more rage at the moment I chose to bait those fuckos out of their little holes." He gently but firmly moved her hands away from his face. "They killed....some very important people to me. I... I couldn't just sit there and do nothing." Looking into his former teachers eyes. "I would do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is a didn't get more of the fuckers before I ran out of magic."

She had tears in her eyes. His was dry. He had shed his tears on that hill. Her husband had been silent, gawking at him, leaning away. Tears were actually in his eyes. "Why in the blue fuck are you crying, dude?"

"Buck me but you're a tough one. You, wouldn't happen to be looking for a herd by any chance are you?" He assumed she was their daughter judging by her age and similarity to the two parents looking to be on the point of grieving for him. She was giving him an appraising looking. He was just giving her a deadpan glare back at her. "What is with these horses and their absolute need to find breeding partners so fucking fast."

He opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by his former teacher.

"Now, now my dear. He has gone through something rather dramatic. I think that question is best left for later, hmm?" She got a bashful nod in return. But now she was giving him the appraising look. Shit. "Still I must ask. Why are you here?"

He laughed. "Duh I'm here to give moral support to the family and Mrs Evergarden. She's been practically my mom since I got to Canterlot. Why would I not be here?"

"That is, well that is actually rather touching Mr. Falls. I had not realized you and my wife were so close." Written had gotten his tears under control it seemed. "I thought you were just another charge for her."

"Well I've been living there for, like what 6-7 years now? She has made sure I had my lunch packed. My books. Hell she even straightens my clothes out before I leave. She's having kids. Why would I not be here? She's been there for me." That seemed to just make the poor stallion flush with embarrassment.

After his embarrassment, Written, his wife, and their daughter hammered Orion with questions about his life. Mostly Written and Sherbet Greens, her name sounded like an awful ice cream flavor. He answered as best he could without giving too much away. When the subject of him eating meat came up, he smiled gleefully at their daughters sudden lack of interest in him. "Meat, you once again saved my life."

The third wife, stay well away from him. She apparently didn't like him much. That and the 7 kids of various ages seemed to share in the sentiment. Fuck em. Mrs Evergarden's two children were living in Manehatten and wouldn't arrive till tomorrow morning.

During their wait, three big ass mare orderlies and two guard mares entered the waiting room. The not so smug prick from before, once again looking smug, leading the pack.

"There he is ma'am. That was the colt that assaulted me. Please have him arrested." He was smiling gleefully, Orion should have twisted his ear right off. Give him a legit reason to call the cops.

"Orion Falls? Of course it would be you." The closest mare removed her helmet. It was Errant Strikes.

"Hey Lieutenant! Long time no see!" He was grinning, he was soo going to get out of this.

"That's Captain now squirt. Got promoted last month after a slave den bust down in the Rot. I hear you got into a pretty fierce debate with some timber wolves down in Ponyville of all places. Now you're here twisting the ears off interns. Whats up with that?"

He grinned, "oh yeah that. Well their arguments on living were wrong and I kindly laid out my side of the argument. They saw it my way. As for smug McGee over there? He was being a prick. So I screwed his brain in proper like." Looking over the now visibly confused an once again not so smug stallion. "I think I should have tightened that bolt a little tighter. Seems the dumbass came loose."

He knew most of the occupants of the quickly shrinking room were staring, he and Errant were laughing after all.

"I should arrest you, but you weren't lying, a couple of old mares saw the whole thing, I just wanted to confirm my suspicions. But what are you doing in the maternity ward? I believe you are a bit too young to be knocking up fillies just yet."

He laughed again and they both sat down from across one another as he told her what had been going on with him.

"That is, actually rather sweet of you little colt." She was smiling. "Still to come all the way here, from being escorted to the Princess, to the orphanage, and now here. You haven't had time to relax at all." It was nearly five in the evening.

"First, I'm bigger then you Cap, and secondly, I am always sweet. I doubt you could find a nicer dude then me." She snorted derisively. "And third, I stayed a week in a hospital. I don't think I can relax anymore if I wanted to."

"I suppose that's fair." She completely ignored the height shot.

While they had been speaking the three orderlies had left, dragging the intern sputtering out the door. He had caught some grumbling about making him pay for pulling them from their rest period. One made a rather suggestive action that the other two nodded and grinned. The stallion paled.

He did not feel bad for him in the slightest.

Errant's partner, a green recruit named Pale Water, stood ram rod straight in the entrance of the ward. God that must be boring as hell.

The doctor had walked in after a lull in the conversation. It had been 5 hours.

"Mr Word. I am please to announce to you that your wife has giving birth to two healthy colts." A cheer rang out from the family. Orion grinned openly. Twin colts were a rarity in this society.

Both guards mares grinned openly smiling at one another, till the recruit snapped back into position, the captain just shook her head. She nodded silently and pulled her partner out.

"That's wonderful! How is my wife? Is she okay?"

"She is just fine Mr Word. She is resting but ready for some visitors. We do ask that you speak quietly, as both her and the foals need their rest. But everything went amazingly well. One of the easier birthing processes we have gone through here. A small group of visitors can see her at a time."

After that Word and his two wives went in. Then he came back out with the 3rd, the children went in 2 or 3 at a time. Orion just sat there for a little while. "What am I still doing here, she's okay. The babies are okay. Time for my ass to hit the road and head on back home." A yawn cracked his jaw. It was definitely past ten now.

Getting up he made his way towards the elevators.

"Mr Falls?"

Surprised he slowly turned around looking at the doctor from before. "Uh...yeah? Something wrong?"

A small smile came from her. "No sir, just the patient wanted to see you. She is waiting in room 348. Please remember to speak softly."

He was a bit bewildered but followed her down the hall. He soon found himself in front of his caretaker's door. Hesitant to go in. He heard voices coming from inside.

"Are you sure you want to see him? That colt is not exactly a good pony."

"I'm quite positive Autumn. The fact that he showed up here. And waited should tell you what kinda young stallion he is. He's a good colt that's just a bit rough around the edges."

She sounded exhausted. Her voice strained. He snatched a full glass of water with ice off a nearby tray, it was meant for another room, pushing in the door he tried to smile softly as he entered.

"Hey there boss lady. Seems you finally lost all that weight." He softly chuckled.

Written and now the named, Autumn gasped in indignation. But Mrs Evergarden just laughed softly. "Oh yes, I think all the mares will enjoy this weight loss plan." She gratefully accepted the water from his hand and gulped at it with need.

Orion just stared at the two foals in their mobile crib. Both had her fur color, a rusty orange. Their manes were blue with shades of white in them. They truly looked alike. And they were too fucking adorable. He fought the urge to aww. Seriously what the fuck was wrong with him lately.

"They are beautiful Mrs Evergarden. Good job on the baking." Another laugh, she sounded less strained.

"Yes I say they came out perfect. A little early but here they are." He turned around to look at her. She was a mess. Her purple mane was a mess, the bun barely holding the tide of locks away. Her fur covered in a sheen of sweat. She looked like the happiest mare in the world right now. "Huh, so that's what they all mean when they say a woman is glowing after birth."

"Thank you Orion, for coming. When I read the news paper this morning I was so worried." She looked at him, sad eyes taking his scarred up looks. "Oh you poor colt, look at your face. Why did you go out and do that? There was no reason. What could possibly justify you putting your life on the line like that?"

He smiled softly, he was not about to stress her out more by telling her the details. "I'll tell you later. I'm okay. That's all that matters, besides, chicks dig scars. But enough about me. How ya feeling there?"

He would eventually tell her. Just not today. This was a happy time. They spent some time bantering, much to the shock of Written and his other wife. Greenfield just giggled. She was used to him. He remarked on the kids, both unicorns, looked so much like her. She threatened him with babysitting. It was a good time. Orion left before too long. Not wanting to wear her out.

Kissing her hand and giving her a gentle hug he gave her some final congrats and well wishes. Nodding to the rest of the family. He left. His thoughts whirled around his head as he came to terms with the fact that he was changing. maybe not like all the horses around him. But enough to blend in a bit better. The thoughts of new life also made him smile. Life goes on.

He hid a grin as a nurse was yelling at an orderly about some missing water. He had no idea what they were going on about. His shoulders shaking gave away the lie he was not convincing himself of.

The two old mares were still down there. With some inquiries he found out they were waiting on their husband. Taking breaks to come down here while the doctors operated on some spinal issue. Further inquires brought him knowledge of hot chocolate. He bought them two large cups as thank you for standing up for him.

He got a pair of kisses from the ladies.

Walking out he whistled the old Metroid theme song. Making his way home in the snowy winters night.

The return to school gave him a few surprises. The first being Twilight tackle hugging him at the entrance. She cried into his shoulder mumbling half formed apologies. He smiled and patted her head gently trying to ease them both off the ground.

She went near ballistic about his face, the scar was there but not super obvious now. But it might as well have been the end of the world for her. What a spaz.

The second surprise came from the student body in general. He thought they were going to part around him like the red sea for Moses. Instead he got smiles. One of the teachers slapped him on the back. The stallion was part of the physical academics department, a Mr Thunder if he remembered correctly. He nodded to him, congratulating him on what he did. Then asked if he was interested in playing hoofball next year in his primary academic school.

He wanted him to play fucking soccer. Hell no. More politely then he felt he declined saying he wanted to focus on his studies. He thanked him and left the disappointed man in the hall.

This was all way to bizarre. Then he found out why. Included into many news articles about him, was the reasoning behind his war on the timber wolves. It seemed many liked the idea of someone seeking justice from predators. He had somehow become the feel good story of the month. 'Hero Colt Seeks Justice for Slain Ponies', 'Family Rests Easy Knowing Killers Dead.'

All rather dramatic nonsense. But what mattered was Orion was suddenly not public enemy number one for the school anymore. A fact that did not settle well with him. Years of the status quo suddenly being shifted meant his activities would garner more attention. Shit. Double shit.

The shift of the paradigm came with the beginning of lunch. Where he once sat alone, now was surrounded by several girls and a few colts that gave him the willies. Twilight sat with another group, they looked nerdy like her. Any attempt to draw her into their conversation was met with her head in a book. But if looks could kill she would have murdered the entire left side of the cafeteria with the glare she was directing at the ponies that were now flooding his table.

The implications of why she was angry worried him.

This whole thing was unacceptable. In his desperation he found refuge on the roof of the school itself. He melted and burned the snow and ice from the southern tip of the school in line with all the rays of the sun. He bundled up tight and devoured his rapidly cooling meal.

After the 14th time they begged him to tell his 'heroism', that word was starting to make him sick, he had teleported out in a flash. Since then he had chosen to grab his meal and jump to the top of the school at every opportunity. That is where Celestia found him one sunny afternoon. "Aw hell."

"So, hero colt , eh?" Orion nearly fell the fuck off the building.

"Fucking Christ lady! You trying to get me killed!?" His heart had managed to squeeze it's way into his throat. She was laughing her ass off at him.

"Oh my you should see your face! I haven't startled anypony like that in years!" She held onto her stomach.

Regaining his seating he growled at her. "What can I do for you your highness." He almost died, and she was giggling to herself. Venom dripped from his words.

"Oh no need to be so hostile Orion. I was not about to let you fall to your death." She chuckled smiling wickedly. "Maybe let you panic a bit no death for you." She was a troll. Trollestia. He deadpanned glared at the newly named monarch. "Oh fine, your no fun. I actually came to check in on you." She had sat herself in the spot he was startled from, so she was a seat stealer on top of trying to scare him to death. Lovely.

Noticing a crowd of ponies gathering a little ways away below, he frowned. There was more to this then she was letting on. What, he could not know. But she was up to something. He shrugged his shoulders. Suddenly very conscious of the weight of those bands on his arms.

"Your highness, seriously you can't expect me to think this is just a friendly visit. We are not exactly buddies and all that. Did I do something to piss you off, again?"

"She stared at him for a moment. "I keep forgetting you're not like many ponies." She sighed, then smiled. "Very well, I wish to use you Orion." That set the beacons of Gondor ablaze. Apparently she noticed the look of panic racing across his face. "It's nothing bad I promise you. My...image with the common pony is not that great. I am more often seen as a...institution then as the motherly figure I try to project." This was new, she was struggling to articulate what it was she wanted. Then it clicked.

"You want a social beard." Her confused look made him chuckle. "It's slang, for when a stallion who has other then normal sexual preferences has a lady still act with interest to him in order to hide behind it. In your case, you want to appear friendly and one of the people. Thus you need someone to make you seem approachable. I expect this to have a political impact as well."

She was staring at him again. "You would very dangerous in noble society Orion. Yes, that is exactly what I am looking for. Our previous, conversations, have left an impression on the upper class. But I wish for more then just their attention. I want them to see me engage the lowest of the citizens. No offense to you, but you are about as low standing as one can get. This is why I wish to use you. On top of that the common pony will see me for what I have been trying to project all this time."

"This would of course be beneficial to you. Your standing in society would improve drastically. Herds that are forming now would definitely take notice of you if you were rubbing shoulders with the highest of our society." She was laying it on thick, and he was considering letting her finish before refusing. But fuck that.

"No offense princess but, no. Hell no. If you haven't picked up on it, I don't want attention drawn to me. I don't want nobles to mob me with their daughters. The moment I graduate I will be leaving at break neck speed south. I want to see the world and not from the lap of luxury. I get it. You need this, but I certainly don't."

"I-I.....what? You don't want....Why?" She was doing the fish gaping thing. Now he knew where Twilight got it from. "But think of what you could do with those resources of wealth behind you. You shown an amazing aptitude for understanding the natural order of nature, and the application of magic. Why would you not want to use influence to change how pony society sees the world?"

"Actually that is easy. On average most folks are concerned only how to feed their families and retire comfortably. Nobles will only show interest as long as it benefits them, allowing them to easily achieve their goals. Science communities will rejoice at the idea of new discoveries. But it will quickly fade into obscurity because the big dicks of those very communities will likely be mad they didn't come up with it themselves. They will work incredibly hard to squash any discoveries I made till I am as old and bitter as they are."

"No, I will not spend years trying to get their attention only to end up old and bitter."

"I see." She didn't fully see. Mostly because he hadn't told her the truth. Which was his alien ass didn't want anything to do with politicians and the noblese. Too much attention.

"Well, how about this, I can't take you on as a student but it was something I was going to discuss with you the other day. Orion, you have grown beyond many of your classes. Oh there are things you can still learn from the magic classes next year, but in terms of combat magic you...well you outclass anyone in your age group. To be honest, you are likely the most dangerous colt in the school. That is something in itself." She paused, letting him absorb the situation.

"Seeing that you are beyond the normal scope of basic combat courses. I would like to offer you this; be my beard, and I will allow you to train under some of the more advanced combat instructors of the military. Considering you wish to travel, likely without guidance or a herd, this might interest you more."

"Shit, this would actually be very useful." On the one hand he would be very close to her, but the other is actual combat training that involves more then just throwing magic missiles and praying. This was hard, but he knew he was going to take it. Before he could open his mouth she had to sour the pot she had been making. It likely saved him in the end, but he was a bit upset about it.

"I would like, however, for you to allow herds to approach you. Orion, you are immensely strong even with your range limitation. A blood line of your strength coupled with a mare whose family has been known to reach extraordinary range would make an excellent family tree of strength and power."

And she went and ruined it. No way in hell was he going to deal with noble daughters fawning over him. Trying to control him. He didn't want to be making babies the moment he graduated.

"Sorry Princess, but you went and ruined it. No way in hell am I doing that. Sorry but negotiations have fallen through, the countries are still at a ceasefire instead of outright peace." He grinned. He would find other avenues. Damn was this a good opportunity though. "Find someone else to be your beard. Someone more, pliable then myself."

Her face darkened very fast. "You are refusing your princess? Are you sure that's wise?"

"Shit, no. But it would be against my principles of being honest if I lied to you. Wise? No. But I would also like to point out that if you attempt to punish me, well, the common pony is going to notice the highest authority in the land using their office to subjugate, that's a good word, one with the lowest standing in the nation. That is absolutely terrible PR." He grinned. "But that is a choice you'll have to make."

Her glower had changed to a calculated look, eyes flicking back in forth in thought. He didn't think she had to think on the fly like this in quite some time. The way her face contorted when she realized she had overplayed her hand made him feel like he had just orgasmed, it was euphoric.

"You are, correct. I can't very well punish you for not wanting to do something against your will or against the law." She sighed in defeat. "Well, if i can't directly use you in the way I want, I can still get something out of this."

Post orgasm feeling gone."FUCK!"

"I guess. I can't exactly stop you there. Just don't get pissed and smite me when I am less the cordial." This was not going the way he wanted. He wanted her to get pissy and leave for fuck's sake. Maybe he could salvage this and irritate her enough to not think he was worth it.

It didn't work. He would be having tea with her every two weeks. He hated tea. How in the hell had she managed to get him to do this. So there he sat in the Knightsbridge, a section of Canterlot that screamed 'I have more money then you'll ever see in your miserable life.'

The cafe she chose, Silhouette's Dive, was anything but. The establishment was built around the idea that wood and black silks would go well. Turns out it did. The inside had a counter top shaped in a large L. The wood used was a deep mahogany. Behind the counter displayed jars upon jars of different tea spices from all over the world. The black and gray silks hung from the ceiling against the walls, it honestly gave the shop a spooky feel. He liked it.

Someone must have though adding sunset orange to the whole thing was a wonderful idea. To Orion, it just barely worked. The orange trim was tastefully done but it almost seemed to to come off wrong. Celestia loved it. They sat across from one another. The benches following a similar color scheme to the cafe. Same with the rectangular table that separated them.

She had wanted to take her tea outside but the weather ponies had scheduled a storm for that afternoon. The only disappointment she showed was a sigh. Seated in one of the most well lit spots there she perused through the menu as if looking for buried treasure. He hadn't even bothered to look.

"I don't know which one to have, the Tieguanyin sounds good but then Lavender would better help me relax....oh I just don't know what to pick. Orion, your thoughts?"

He glared at her. He was bitter. He hated this. The patrons were staring. Not at her, but at him. He could hear the whispers if not the exact nature of the conversations. The moment she dropped his name, the whispers had begun again, this time with his full name being cast about in hushed voices.

"You're doing this on purpose. Just because I won't agree to your demands. I don't care what tea you pick. This is petty and you know it." He whispered. Barely.

"I don't understand what you are talking about Orion. We are just here to enjoy tea. That's all." She had a coy smile. "This bitch." He could do nothing. She had him over barrel and she was delighting in the torment. Every now and then she would spot a unstallioned herd that would walk through the door, most likely because they heard she was there, and noted how young and healthy they looked.

It was grating. She dragged his ass to this place merely to put him on show. It wasn't the first time but each one felt like a new hell. Let the young and elite of Canterlot ogle him. He knew her game, she was trying to get a herd to notice him. The fact that it seemed to be working, even if only as him knowing her, was making him itch to teleport away. The stares were unnerving.

"Come now Orion, we are merely sharing a spot of tea and some pleasant conversation." The incredulous look from him made her chuckle. "Okay maybe that is more me thing. You certainly seem to be a hot topic among the patrons here today that's for sure."

"That's because they are still trying to figure out how the little orphan colt got into this area of town. Just give em time, they will grow used to me, then bored of me. The status quo will return to equilibrium. Can't wait for that to happen." He grumbled as he watched their waiter approach.

He could be considered handsome wearing a butler outfit with the the cafe's emblem, a mare in silhouette, with his name under it. Mist Storm. His parents had named him Intense Drizzle basically. Jesus horse names were dumb as hell. At least his own was moderately normal.

His silver gray mane was brushed to a gloss, with three individual braids in it. At the end of each braid was a gold trinket in the shape of a cutie mark. He had learned earlier that it was high fashion for stallions in Canterlot to wear the cutie marks of their herd mates in their manes. Touching really.

His deep brown fur had also followed the way of his mane, brushed to a glossy finish. Minus the braids. He had a small chin beard. Orion idly wondered how one might look on him.

"Princess, have you decided on what you would like to partake in this afternoon?" His voice came off cultured, and smooth. His posture was both relaxed and stiff. He clearly had dealt with her before. Okay so maybe she came here more often then he thought. Still could have done tea at the castle then this dog and pony show. But he knew her reasons.

"Yes Mist, I think I will go with the Tieguanyin tea, with a platter of your chocolate scones if you would. Orion, what will you have?" She smiled gently. The waiter turned to him, curiosity and not judgement surprisingly, on his face. He was going to ruin that. He smiled.

"Well shucks princess I don't know. Us orphans don't know what to do with them fancy teas-"

Applejack's ear itched something fierce. Somepony was up to something. She didn't know what, but it felt mean. And a lie to boot. The varmint.

"Young Orion will have the same as me." She had cut him off. She was chuckling softly while she did it. He was rubbing the back of his head. She was unflappable today. Nothing he did was getting to this woman.

Mist just smiled. "I believed as much, I have a young colt at home myself. He is in the same independent phase as well. Insists on embarrassing the herd where ever we go." He chuckled. "His older brother grew out of it. He will too." He turned to look at him. "I'm sure you will grow out of it as well young stallion."

"Tell you what bud, how about you take both hands, fill one up with confidence, the other with shit. Tell me which one fills up faster." Oh now he got to her. She stared aghast at him.

The waiter merely started laughing. "Oh my grandfather used to tell my father that all the time when I was young. I will get your orders out as soon as possible, Princess, Mr Falls." With that he walked away. Talk about unflappable. The man just passed sunbutt in that category.

"Orion!" She fiercely whispered at him. "That was totally uncalled for!"

"So was coming here, yet here we are. Listen I would have likely been less of an ass had this been regularly scheduled at the castle. This is the third time you have dragged me out to a cafe. I know your game Princess. You have forgotten one crucial detail. My compliance to any herd attempting to approach me." He grinned as she glared at him.

Approach him they did. Six times Mrs Evergarden had excitedly knocked on his door, pounded really, telling him about a group of mares in the orphanage's receiving room looking for him. Another hope for her now was he would join a herd to give him all the love and attention he deserved. Just, no. No no nonononononono.

The first time he thought it some grand joke. Which was quickly dashed when the youngest of that herd had rubbed up against him, her tail smacking him lightly across the legs. He was fourteen and these were grown ass mares trying to groom him already. The fuck. He magically threw them out.

By the third call, he had thrown on his ripped clothes from last year and jumped down and started making a bunch of wild animal noises. That sent a whole group running. He wasn't happy with the results. He was getting pissed.

They were taking time away from him his recent point of study, harmonic frequencies. There were no books on it anywhere and he was giving himself headaches trying to figure it out. The vibrations he had managed to make were leaving him with barely the ability to cast magic himself afterwards.

There seemed to be no stopping them either. Every week there seemed to be another group wanting to roll the dice. He never let any of them ask him questions. Just chased them out either verbally or physically. Celestia had admonished him when he threatened to throw sewage at the next group to come by. Mrs Evergarden was heart broken for a week after that fiasco. Wouldn't even talk to him.

Now he sat there, once again on display. It irked him to no end.

"Orion I wish you would give them a chance. You might actually begin to enjoy their company. You never know, one mare might just snag your heart." He wished she would stop this charade.

"Princess, I have no plans to attach myself to anyone. I plan to leave Canterlot the day of graduation. I want to travel the world. I will not allow myself to be tethered by you, or anyone you send my way." Her face had twitched, hard. It looked like she wanted to bite him. "For God's sake, I'm fourteen. I turn fifteen next a couple of months. Why in the hell are you trying to line up herds now? I'm way to young for that shit."

"Orion, I get that you wish to seek out your parents." Parents? She thinks he is hunting for his family, that was actually hilarious to him. "I am even willing to provide resources to that end as I am curious as well. But it is dangerous for a young stallion to out by themselves like that." She had switched to the 'this could happen' argument. "What are you my mother?" She was certainly acting like it. He hoped Mrs Evergarden never picked up lessons. "As to the age you are, many young colts get promised to maturing herds at your age."

Mist had returned with two platters of chocolate scones and two sets of teas. After arranging everything and his well wishes for the meal he departed. "By the way he deserves a damn good tip if he can laugh at one of my jokes." He bit into a scone, swallowed, and set it down never to be touched again. How the fuck do they make that so sweet? Why would they?

He drank the water he had ordered early in the visit. He wasn't touching the tea. Coffee or bust for him.

"I suppose he should considering what a little monster you have been today." She ate an entire scone in one bite. One. Bite. Oh look she is grabbing another. "I'm not sure why your being so irritable today. Granted its raining out but its not that bad."

"Well that might be because I have combat classes today. Have them three times a week as if you don't already know." He knew she was watching him again. He would have to be an idiot not to know she was watching him again. All his little projects were collecting dust under the floor boards. "After this I have if I am lucky twenty minutes to teleport home, change and be at the gym. Since I can't get the whole magical combat in, I figured I could try working magic into the standard self defense and offense classes instead."

He figured he might as well get a jump start on combat as best he could. He wasn't going to be getting much from the school in that regard. Everything seemed to boil down to spray and pray then teleport away. It was silly.

"Now how did you know that I knew what you did on a Saturday afternoon?" She was puzzled. She shoveled another one, whole, into her mouth. Then he noticed she had been taking from his plate. "What a fat ass."

"Well the fact that the same stallion in various, almost comedic disguises, has been following me about from school to the gym and then home was a good indication. At first I wasn't sure, but I managed to get a good look at him twice and realized it was the same dude. When I took two alternative paths, same guy following me." He grinned. "Don't tell me your agents are so few. You? No you likely got thousands of em. Probably didn't think I would notice."

She didn't think he would notice. Often times she had to remind herself he was a cautious and doubtful little colt. Because of that nature he often noticed what most would ignore. She had been looking him over, seeing the changes in his face and body. He was coming on his fifteenth year in May. He was again taller.

The muscle building seemed to have halted into something a little leaner since he had started his combat training. The images on crystal that she had received from her agent following him showed a very formidable figure. One with a knack for avoiding blows, that would have laid him out on the mat. Even when a fist or hoof managed to connect he seemed to just flow with the strike, minimizing the damage. Impressive. She wondered where he learned it from.

What had startled her even more was that in his combat classes he seemed to have figured out how to move about the mat with quick burst of magic. The real shock had been learning it wasn't teleportation. His horn would light up, and he would suddenly be on the other side of his opponent. The agent, had laid claim to golden lightening surrounding him briefly and then he was on the other side of the mat, behind his opponent.

The downside she had begun to notice, was that if he did that more then nine seconds he would be awash with sweat. Visible steam poured off his body, he would look more exhausted then his partner trying to keep up with him. What was he doing that built up so much heat? The spell he was using never showed up on the still images. Just the basic structure. She was impressed, he was attempting to construct a brand new spell. Those were difficult in and of themselves. And he was just fourteen.

The other surprise came when he was at home at the orphanage. He wasn't flying exactly, but he had somehow figured out how to cast magic with his hands. Using flames to propel him across the yard in quick succession. That was different. She had attempted to do it herself, and found she could in fact cast magic through her own. Nothing extravagant. In fact there seemed to be a limit to only the smaller easier cast spells like levitation.

She found she had greater control on the objects she was manipulating that way. She had spent that afternoon rearranging her personal quarters at least five times. It was easy.

Starswirl had mentioned long ago of it being possible to cast spells through the hands. He had even showed her it was possible. She had ignored that in favor of a more old fashion approach based on cultural norms. She had wanted her soldiers and ponies to act with poise when using their own magic. She had inadvertently stunted her own ponies. Foolish. Another reason to find some way to keep him firmly attached to her.

In terms of that she was having very little luck. That dreadful scar had healed. But was still visible. If not for the mild celebrity status he had garnered in Ponyville, and by the papers here in Canterlot, she would have had a much harder time sending the young mares of Canterlot's elite to him. A tactic that seemed to be failing. Mostly because she couldn't impress on the her nobles for much longer considering his method of, declining. He was a vulgar one when he rejected anypony.

"I'm sorry Orion, believe it or not I am concerned for your safety. You don't have a herd of your own to watch over you. Is it too much to wish to have you protected?" He rarely responded to genuine emotion. At least from her. He purposely looked for ulterior motives in her anytime she offered words of wisdom or help.

The flat refusal to remove him from the orphanage and set him up in a small apartment of his own was a big indicator that he didn't trust her at all. Considering their brief history thus far, she could see why. But he didn't even trust her to keep her word on anything. She soon realized it wasn't just her. He regarded everypony that way. It also explained why he had only Twilight as a friend. Even that was tentative at best.

"Princess, come on. I'm not your responsibility. We both know that." He looked at her, an intense look on his face. "You have been watching me for some time now. You've likely be informed of what I have been attempting."

Celestia was taken aback, she didn't think he would actually want to talk about what he was trying to do with some of the spells she had seen him attempting to perform. "Yes. I have." She spoke hesitantly, not wanting to get her hopes up. "I am most curious of a few of them."

He was originally planning to keep things close to the chest about his experiments. But the spell he was tentatively calling Amplification was not working. The magic itself was easy to apply when considering he understood the stresses the cells of the body could take and how to boost their resilience to take on further burdens.

The problem that came was not something he anticipated. Massive heat build up. He had not come up with a way to vent the heat itself. It was too much. After nine seconds he felt like he was in a jungle and the Sahara Desert at the same fucking time. But those few seconds he was fast, unbelievably fast. The spell didn't increase his physical strength as much. True he hit far harder. But it was nothing compared to the sheer speed he got.

The first time he cast it, had made him dizzy as hell. He actually went blind from the speed. And had to stop to re-orientate himself. He remember reading about a beetle that moved so fast that it went blind too. Augmenting his eyes with the spell was no problem, he just added another branch to the main matrix, though even that seemed to only allow for blurred vision. He knew he would figure out that part eventually. Maybe by adding another sub matrix all together.

The heat build up was what worried him. He felt like he would microwave his insides pushing that to far. The problem stemmed from the fact that when he fortified the cells in his body he made them unable to expel heat as rapidly as normal. He thought about just adding a cooling spell to the mix but all he ended up doing was turning sluggish and cold. The math wouldn't allow for the compensation.

So he asked. "What am I doing wrong? The mass of my body has a specific heat threshold that I cannot go beyond. The spell I am trying to work on boosts my body's natural abilities, but in doing so I suffer from overheating as my muscles are working overtime. I have tried different combinations of spells to cool the effect, but they either outright negate the effect or worse knock me out completely." She was staring at him.

"What? I'm sorry Orion I am not sure I understand..." She sat, tea and confections forgotten for the moment, with her hand on her chin. A slight puzzled look on her face as she stared off, eyes darting back and forth in consideration for the problem he had presented her. "You're talking about heat displacement, as if its something that can be shed simply with a spell. I'm afraid you would need a direct outlet for that sort of thing. You are not just talking about about shedding heat either, your invoking a spell to do what the body does naturally overtime."

"Huh... well heat is can be considered a form of energy. The build up has to go somewhere. But with the way the spell locks the cells...."

Celestia was actually overjoyed. He was consulting her. Her. On a subject relating to magic. One on reflection, she actually knew quite a bit about. Considering where her magic came from after all. He was having trouble figuring out how to dissipate the heat build up. Summoning her writing kit she dabbed the quill into the ink and wrote out the heat transfer formula.

ΔU = Q − W.

"As you no doubt have already learned this is the equation for thermodynamics. What we have learned over the years is that heat and energy cannot be dispersed in an enclosed system. Eventually that will lead to the body shutting down because it has no where to send the heat. By solidifying the cells your isolating the heat build up."

Orion was just staring at the scroll with the formula and explanations written on it. He slammed his head into the table. Starling her and Mist who was just returning to check on them.

"You fucking idiot how the hell could you have forgotten that shit." Another slam "Its basic chemistry at its finest! You moron" She stopped him from another slam. Her magic engulfing his head and shoulders. He had attracted a the eyes of the patrons and workers in the establishment. Shock and fear etched on their faces.

"Orion, please control yourself whats wrong?" When she released him he ran a hand through his mane and looked a bit sheepish.

"Sorry, I just....hooo I had forgotten the basic rules. I locked my body down in that state. Now..." He had snatched the paper from her and pulled out...something thicker then her quill but with the same tip. He began to write, and anything he had to say was drowned out. He was writing without dipping into an ink pot. Her horn lit up as she cast the spell for a scan. Did he actually enchant a quill to have endless ink? Was he the enchanter?!

No. The ink was inside the quill itself. Her scan showed that it fed from a canister with a small needle poking into it. Allowing the ink to flow out at a slow rate. Where had he gotten it? There were no enchantments on it at all. In fact, this was a fairly new item judging by the exterior.

"Orion." He had stopped his mutterings, the entire paper covered in equations, she was having trouble trying to figure out where they were going. She shook her head and centered on her original thought. "What, is that in your hand? I don't think I've ever seen a quill like that before."

He looked down at the item in his hand. "Oh this? Heh, this is my meal ticket Princess. I call it a Pen. It holds the ink inside rather then having to constantly dip into an ink pot. With the little switch on the side I can physically separate ink cartridge and the nib from each other. That way I don't have ink bleeding out all over my notes in my back pack." He was smiling proudly.

He had made a device, that was an all in one for writing. "His meal ticket?"

"Are you saying you have that patented already?"

He looked back up from his writing. "Oh yeah. Costed every fucking bit I had at the time but I patented the shit out of it. Also paid extra for the clerk to keep it hidden. Good person that one. Won't tell you who in this case. Don't want no one to harass them after all." Smart.

There were several nobles in the now deathly silent cafe. She could detect several noise amplification spells in the room. They had been listening and now were staring hungrily at his pen. The poor colt was going to have to-

His head whipped about and stared at the nobles with an angry glare. His horn flashed and went quiet. The shrieking from a young stallion had grabbed her attention. Jet Set, she believed his name was. He was barely on his table holding his horn and head. What had he done? The spell he casted was too fast for her to catch.

"Mind your own damn business and keep your ears and horns to yourselves." There was that familiar rage in him. She had noted it from the recording as well as her own interactions. Though she couldn't be too upset. The had broken several social rules, and one state rule listening in as they had. Still.

"Orion that was uncalled for." She shushed him with her magic holding his mouth closed. If she let him talk he would find some way to spin this in his favor. "What they were doing was wrong. But so was, whatever you had done to them. I won't make you apologize because I know better by now. But do not do that again." She would ask him about what spell he had used later. It was almost the end of her schedule tea time with him.

She watched him for a moment as he began to write once more. That strange, pen he called it, gliding smoothly over the scroll like a dance. The equations he was forming, wait, he is coupling physical attacks using the heat to transfer to energy. Pure magical energy.

He might blow his hand off if he does that. "Orion, what you are writing is very dangerous. You could severely damage your hands doing that."

"Huh? Oh that yeah that is not the whole spell." He smirked. "Can't let you see everything I plan. This is just a reminder of where I am going with it more then anything else." Just shy of fifteen, and already hording his ideas and notes like a twenty year researcher. She smiled. She was concerned, but he seemed to have sense enough to know the limit.

Despite everything, his future is bright. If only he would stop being so defensive, and desist from his own self sabotage of potential relationships he might have.

"Welp times up, this was...actually this was far more pleasant then the last time." That had ended in a near shouting match. She was glad it had been interrupted. The image of their Princess screaming at a orphan colt would have been disastrous. His fault that time.

"Yes, I enjoy your company despite the hiccups we may have. This was a pleasant visit I wouldn't mind having again." She smiled. His bows weren't any better but they were not as hesitant as before. It was a start. Maybe with luck he might be a proper pony one day. The meat eating thing still made her pause. He had wanted to go to one of those griffon bistros once. She denied him.

"Well never can tell boss lady. In the meantime enjoy the afternoon of bullshit from the nobles. I hear they are meeting for taxes again." He flashed another grin, those teeth not bothering her now, and teleported right out of the establishment. No manners in that regard.

"He is one odd colt." Mist stood next to her shoulder, with the check.

"Yes he is. I fear his infamy will only grow in that regard." She politely paid, an entire coin purse full of gold bits. "Keep the change. He insisted."

The waiter chuckled, "He's a good colt after all. I suppose I have to stop following him now since he made me. He is too smart. I lost him seven times yesterday. He smiled every time I found him again. I have no idea how he did that. You have another lined up to watch him?"

"No." He had lost Agent Storm too easily and too many times. It would likely not take him all that long to lose another once he figured it out. It was game to him now. Besides the majority of her male agents were all deployed to other towns and cities. Assigning him a mare agent to follow might lead to something worse, with estrus season once again approaching. "No, you have collected enough information on his activities and other then keeping his secrets, and being a social pariah, he has been a normal colt. Have some downtime agent, take your mares out to somewhere nice. You have earned it."

He bowed without another word. It surprised her that Orion had never said anything about their server. She had watched his eyes. Not even a twitch. Maybe she should put forth an effort into him becoming a politician as well. One in her pocket.

She looked down at her discard quill. Still it was nice to teach somepony different then Twilight. She always asked for more knowledge. Orion chose to figure it out for himself. If only he might have arrived a few years earlier, and been less surly. He may have been the student she chose. No, Twilight's potential far outshines his.

"You know on second thought, I lucked out with Twilight."

Stagnant Progress

Orion never poked his head out for the entire estrus season. "Not doing that bullshit again."

Instead with the increase of privacy he went back to his notes on artificing and enchanting. His time spent only drawing up plans and then stuffing them under the floor of the library had paid off.

He had come up with a easy way of dissipating the heat build up in his body when he casted Amplification, but he chose to hide it away for the time being. The ornaments went into his mane, and acted as a sort of heat sink to allow air to pass over them, Even with these however, there was only so much he could take. At current iteration he could last two minutes with the Amplification at moderate power.

He got the idea partly from the Princess herself. The day she got livid at him in the throne room, her hair was acting as a way to dissipate heat build up from her body. Though what she could do was far and away beyond what Orion was capable of. Though from earlier observations, he believed he knew why and just didn't have the resources or power available to him at the moment.

The waiter never showed up again. Celestia obviously knew he had known who he was. But the last two weeks he had not detected him. Which meant that she had given up once again, though he believed it was only because he was prone to getting into trouble that she had him watched, not that she suspected him of anything. No need to do anything stupid regardless.

The leather bracelet was on its fourth iteration, and this one seemed to be lasting far longer then the others.

Orion had been noting each total failure every enchantment he had made thus far. The flashlight, melted through the floor of the basement. He had covered that up with a stack of wooden crates. The leather bracelets he had made, melted like a slimy oil. The first time that had happened had been in class, fortunately during chemistry so he played it off as an accident of the chemical compound he was making.

That one irked him because he had to dispose of perfectly good fluoride toothpaste he was making. It was going to be mint. A vast improvement over the pure baking soda everyone seemed to want to use.

The gun he had managed to make, he stared at for three weeks. Then melted it down to slag. The chemical composition of black powder did not work. At all. Not even a spark. It was as if this world refused to allow for combustible materials. No that was wrong. Nitroglycerin still ignited. But it was only really good as a general explosive. He had to swipe it from the school science lab. He only got one use out of it and that was when he bated the wolves out of the forest the first time.

There was another reason he slagged the gun. He had a nightmare of the firearm falling into the wrong hands. The bang and the sun dying scared the ever loving shit out of him. The moment he woke up he turned the heat up in the makeshift kiln in the basement to as hot as he could and tossed the weapon in.

He would not make another. So he made a bow instead. A recurve bow. One he had caste from metal. The spring he enchanted into the metal allowed for an even harder draw, one he was capable of doing but other then practicing with it drawing the line back and then easing up. He had read somewhere it wasn't wise to just release a taut bow line, rather ease off the tension till it was back to its initial position.

He had no idea how hard the bow was going to hit if and when he might be able to practice fire it. So the arrows were produced with the same durability the bow had. The arrow heads had cut him way to many times. Causing him to have to have to use his admittedly shitty skill of healing. But by the end he had stashed away the bow and 35 arrows in a small cubby hole he had made in the basement concrete wall.

Something had been bothering him immensely. It was during the making and later destruction of the gun he had made that a thought occurred that made him uncomfortable.

For a race of people with magic, they seemed to progress only to the point of achieving a needed desire. Then abruptly stopping all progress in that field. The train, was at best mid to late 1800s, was not that efficient. The engine itself constantly broke down from wear and tear. Often bringing the whole line down for weeks at a time while engineers tried to get it back up and running without actually doing any meaningful repair.

Then there was the power distribution. They had electricity. But it was produced in two ways that he could figure out. One was the hydroelectric damn in Ponyville. Which was an odd development in and of itself. They had built only two turbines for a facility that could house twelve if they had actually tried. They were also pitifully small. The dam was in Ponyville, but it powered Canterlot instead. The locals near the dam seemed to prefer, or at the very least had no choice, the old fashion way of lighting their homes.

It was odd because they had essentially created a turbine. But never thought to use it for anything else other then the dam itself. They didn't bother with air travel as they had pegasus to move from town to town any cargo that needed to be transferred. People the same as well.

There were rumors of a airship fleet that Celestia had mothballed for some reason. No one had seen it in sometime. Or if they did they were sworn to secrecy. Apparently the fleet was as old as the nation itself. Heavy stuff, as Orion could only think of one use for a hidden fleet. War.

The other way they generated electricity was actually rather ingenious, if he did say so himself. Many homes in Canterlot, Ponyville, Manehatten and even Stalliongrad had small power units. A unicorn only had to come by once or twice a month depending on house hold usage to charge, change the fluid in the chamber, or replace the crystal itself.

The power units seemed to be made up of a step up transformer, an isolated chamber with a liquefied copper solution with a crystal suspended in the center of the chamber. At first he wanted to call shenanigans on the idea that ponies had lost the art of enchantments. Then he found out about crystal magic in his seventh year of school.

Apparently while the original crafters of crystal magic had long since vanished in the north, the skill still persisted today. Many had the ability to use the basic skills to use crystals as video recorders, cameras, even vocal diaries. Orion himself was easily capable of using it. The teacher, Mr Cloud Hopper who was not a pegasus, made a joke that if nothing else he had an excellent future in repair. Har har har har har. Fucko.

Still, they advance just enough to accommodate them. Then relied on their own natural abilities to see them further. They, were a stagnant race. Which might bode ill for other races now that he thought about it. If Equestria was not advancing themselves, then other races were likely just as stagnant as they were. There was nothing to copy for their own uses. If the ponies hadn't figured out a problem, then no one else was trying either.

That meant no way to cultivate crops in arid climates without pegasus. No way to power homes without unicorns. No way to grow food with consistency without earth ponies. The globe was completely dependent on pony power in order to live. Which meant Celestia had total control. Even if it wasn't obvious to other nations. Was she purposely doing this? Or was it just because she lacked the imagination to allow for further innovation.

The more he spoke with her he was beginning to realize that it was a likely combination of both. She did not know the possibilities. But she didn't want other nations to advance beyond her. So it was a product of ignorance and purpose at the same time.

But all this lead up to one conclusion. Whether through intention or willful purpose most if not all nations where likely subject to mass starvation at anytime, if even one thing went wrong, a community might see the end. That was a sobering thought. A frightening one that such a being holds that much sway.

Orion smiled. He had just solidified what he was planning to do once he graduated.

He put on the new bracelet, still leather but inside the seemingly innocent tag was a gold disk, a tiny amethyst gem in the center. No more melting leather for him.

He put the other enchanted items away. And began drawing up new blueprints. Not for enchanted items. But for improvements to the first problem. A new steam engine that could properly vent the expelled gases without stressing the system out. Then others. Many others.

Those four weeks had likely been the most productive he had been since first getting into school.

Mrs Evergarden's return to the orphanage was a welcome one. She made a huge fuss over him, getting the full details of what he had done in Ponyville. She was clearly upset, but she wasn't able to yell at him.

With her came spring in full. And school too. He had gotten used to the smiles. The stares made him want to smack them, but they never went beyond that. His time in the cafeteria was still filled with fillies and the occasional colt wanting to sit with him. But it seemed they had given up on the idea of cornering him. Thus, he once again sat alone on a corner table. The status quo once again finding balance. No more cold ass roof tiles for him.

Classes weren't much to pay attention to. It seemed to just be refresher courses at this point. To prepare students for the schools they were going to be divided up according to ability and interests. Orion was set to go to advance classes. Though there was some resistance to that. Once it was known his range was limited to ten or twelve meters, the school didn't want to bother pushing for his advancement.

In fact they were actively getting in his way, by filling out paperwork in his name for other schools. That suddenly stopped after a casual conversation with Celestia over tea. That afternoon she had left with a very dark look on her face.

That Monday he had walked into the main campus. His Jr High school was small by comparison. Apparently not only did high school students attend, but it was where the college course in superior academics occurred.

He signed up personally for his courses. He was getting some rather dark looks from many of the teachers he passed by. It felt, right. Natural. He grinned at everyone, making sure they saw his teeth.

"I was lead to believe you were being transferring to another school Mr. Falls. One back out in Manehatten, if the memo was to be believed." The Principal of this school, Miss Quill, was an all white mare. Her mane and fur both shining in the afternoon light as her eyes bored into him from across the desk of which they both sat next to. She had opted to wear a black mares business suit, no tie.

"Oh you know, folks seemed to want to decide whats best for you without your input and all that nonsense." He smiled lightly. "Its not like I have my own plans and all that, you know?"

She did not share his smile. "I would know considering I did not want you here to begin with. You are trouble. If I had my way I would send you out to work in a mine. That brute strength would be better suited to it. You are not suitable for my school. You would better be-"

Orion hadn't realized he was in her face till she was staring wide eye less then an inches from his own. "Hey hey hey.....fuck you first and foremost. You ignorant sack of shit. I will go out of my way to make your life a living hell." His voice was calm to his own ears. This was a new level of pissed off for him.

Miss Quill eyes nearly bulged out oh her head. He loomed over her. He had managed to push her away from her desk and against the wall without tipping the chair over. "Y-y-y-you can't j-j-j-just-," he silenced her lips with a finger.

"Yes, I can." He sat himself down in her lap, one leg on either side of him. It was uncomfortable, "Do you think your special? That you have rights granted to you that are above others? I can tell you, honestly and for true, that would be a big fat no. You're not special. In fact I took a look at your own scores when you first applied here fifteen years ago. Does it piss you off that some brat from no where out scored the entire professional tenure of this academy when I applied?"

Judging by her eyes she had not. So this was a class issue alone. Not born of jealousy, but of elitism. He had just given her another reason to hate him. Shit.

"Now you can go run and tell the Princess all about what I did here in this personal little interview. You'll find that I care very little about her opinion on me and punishments she might enact. I know she came down on you for trying to bar my way into this school." He adjusted himself, she was too small and sitting in her lap like a stripper was starting to make his back hurt from looking at her at such a painful angle he was sitting in. "If you do somehow, someway manage to get me from coming into this school, I will go to your home, and shit in places that will leave you confused for the rest of your life. I will make things disappear that would normally be impossible. You Will wake up with my piss in your cereal."

He stepped back, standing above her once again, her face had somehow gotten a little whiter. "I don't actually wish to waste my time putting my waste in your home. I want to study. Learn. Possibly impart some knowledge I may figure out in my lessons with the faculty of this school. I seem to have a knack for it, according to the Princess at least."

He walked back behind the desk and sat in his seat.

"How about we start over, I am Orion Falls. I am applying for entrance to this academia in the hope of furthering my understanding of magic and the effects it has in our world. I am applying for Combat Studies 101. Advance Alchemic Theories 103. And Modern Applications of Magic Fields and Their Effects. I know that last one is more of a one off but I am hoping to branch that into Illusion courses the following year." He smiled pleasantly. He felt like beating her with the desk.

She blinked rapidly, color slowly returning. Now a rosy pink of embarrassment.

"I-i." She stopped closed her eyes and composed herself. He could read her lips as she counted to ten. "I will be happy to have you in our school. I am Miss Violet Quill. Principal here at main campus of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns." She was trembling. He had really put the fear of god into her.

He couldn't bring himself to feel sorry, or he thought he couldn't. There was a little worm of, something, wiggling around in his chest. He didn't like it so he ignored it, maybe that donut at Donut Joe's was disagreeing with him. Have to deal with it later.

The rest of the brief meeting was general expectations he would have for school, what was expected of him and conduct. During all of that, that nagging wiggling feeling he had in his chest seemed to grow. Once finished he got up with a small thank you and walked to the door. He paused. Somehow, someway, he felt guilty. That was what that feeling was. He didn't like it.

He turned around and looked at her, her hands were trembling as she was looking down at her desk, trying to organize the mess he had made when he leaped over the piece of furniture at her. "Oh this just sucks, now I feel like shit."

Somewhere along the line Orion had forgotten how big he was compared to most in Canterlot. His years of physical training had left him rather imposing. The scar on his face most certainly would not help in making him less frightening.

"Miss Quill. I have to apologize." She looked up at him, suspicion and fear in her eyes. "I didn't come to this meeting to insult you. Or scare you. I knew you were the one that was blocking my entrance. But you were not the only one and was likely pressured by the other faculty in this school to do so." He slowly walked back to her desk, a pensive look crossing over his face. "I came here hoping to be funny and witty, to smooth over any tensions that may happen. Get you to like me for my stunning and winning personality." She looked like she wanted to smile, a start.

"That obviously didn't work." He ran his hand through his mane, sighing. "I am, prone to anger. I'm not gonna lie about that. But I have no intentions of ever harming students or faculty. Or you. I know I am the odd pony out considering my history. But they way you acted did not warrant my reaction. I was way over line. I am sorry. My frustrations at being unable to move forward have made me short tempered. " He hung his head and sighed heavily. This apologizing thing sucked, feeling guilty as hell sucked even more.

The silence in the room seemed to stretch on. She was looking at her desk and biting her lip. Her hands had stopped their shaking, hopefully a good sign.

"Orion," a pause, "I contributed to this, incident as well. My, up bringing has instilled in me a sense of... superiority. Princess Celestia put me in this position because of my administrative talents. My ability to see past ones current place and what they can be in the future makes me feel entitled in my own opinion of others. I allowed the papers, both memos from others, and the public news color my opinion of you. I did not look at your transcripts and see a colt pushing hard past his limitations. I saw an intruder. I too am sorry."

They looked at each other bashfully. Neither knowing where to go with the unexpected conversation that was born of regret and guilt.

"I would make a request of you Mr Falls." He cocked his head, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "Please don't defecate in my home. I just had all the curtains redone. I fear the stench would never leave them as silk tends to hold on to smells particularly well."

He chuckled, then laughed full throated, holding onto the back of the chair to keep him upright. She was giggling herself. A hand covering her mouth. Definitely not shaking anymore. The whole thing was almost to surreal to be real. "I won't I promise. I will just rearrange the entire house in your sleep instead." That got another polite laugh from her, eyes twinkling in amusement.

He walked out feeling better then when he had gone in. Maybe another donut?

Twilight was pacing back and forth in her room. She had been mulling over this issue for almost a week and it was beginning to make her panic. The issue in question, was that fact that once she graduated from secondary, she was going into full time tutelage with Princess Celestia. A joy and excitement rolled into one to be sure. But that meant she would likely not see Orion but in passing.

What was she going to do?! She had cried four times so far, she had become listless in class the last day, her mind going back to her dilemma. What was she going to do?!

He was on a full scholarship ride to his primary classes. She was never going to those courses as she was already beyond many of them. She would never see him again at this rate.

She began to cry again for the fifth time that day. It first started slowly, as salty tears dripped from her already reddened eyes. Flinging herself into her bed, burying her head into her pillows. She wailed into them. She didn't even hear the click of the door but did feel a weight settle on the bed next to her. A gentle hand running through her mane and down her back.

"Twilight...what is wrong? I don't think I have ever seen you this distraught on anything before. Did something happen at school today?"

Twilight whipped around and buried her head into her teacher's lap. She didn't say anything for awhile, just wept quietly.

Celestia had sat there, with her student's arms about her, head still buried in her lap. What had gotten her this upset? She had been crying for more then an hour.

"Ori-on....." She hiccuped.

Oh what had the menace done now. First Miss Quill and now Twilight? Though he had told her himself of what happened, and she never heard a word of the event from Miss Quill, but she had already sent a letter requesting her presence at her earliest convenience.

"What did Orion do?" Her face that of judgment, her voice the gavel ready to fall.

"N-nothing...he's....I-i-i-i'll never see him, af-after we graduate. H-he's going to h-is school, and....and I'll be here with y-you. Not, not that I am not happy ab-about learning fr-om you. Just...I'll never see him again, and...and and andand it's tearing me apart." She went back to crying new tears into Celestia's lap.

She sat there, mechanically petting her student's head. Her student, was in love with the fool colt. She had thought there was nothing going on other then a friendship between the two. Then her mind turned to what she was trying to do with getting a herd to approach him. All the failures that were slowly mounting up. The frustration, even rage at the herds who allowed themselves to be chased away.

Then her mind went to the fact that for the most part he had nothing but good interactions with Twilight. He even went out of his way to make her happy more often then not. The solution to both her, and to a small extent her students, problem was slapping her in the face. Why hadn't she not thought of this sooner. She didn't need a herd of noble fillies to ensnare him close to her. Who was closer then her own protege.

If she could wrap him around her finger just a little more, he would be as close to Celestia as she could hope. A devilish smile sprouted on her lips. "This could work out nicely indeed."

The final week of school ended in a whisper. It was almost anti-climatic the way it seemed to go. As if next week they would be back in school again. And for some it would, summer classes would be starting up for those who wanted, or needed, the extra credits to pad their academic files.

Orion himself did not need any of that crap. He was happy with his solid 4.1.

It always surprised him, the fact that there was this strange parallel between his former word and this one. He wondered if there might have been some bleeding effect on a spectrum of reality neither side had yet to detect. It was one of those thoughts he often found himself thinking about in the quiet of the night, when he could not find the sleep he needed.

Shaking himself from the thoughts of the existential. He could think more on it on the long train ride ahead.

The morning sun found him inside the train station, he had slipped away from the orphanage early that morning with a note on where he was going. The six am train to Griffonstone came early. He had been putting this trip off for awhile just because it seemed tedious, that and studies were always at the forefront of his mind. Would have again this year, but Screaming had gone and sent him tickets in her last letter. One there, one for the return. He couldn't let her waste her money so here he was, yawning, waiting for the conductor to began taking boarding passes.

He stayed out of direct sunlight for the moment. He was sure if Mrs Evergarden found the letter early she would have the city guard on his ass so fast he would still be spinning. So he wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible.

He hadn't seen Screaming Rush in years, not since he first arrived seven years ago. But without fail she sent two letters a month. She usually wrote about the usual. Wondering how he was, what she was doing, begging him to come see her in the summer.

Truth be told he had thought about it. But he wanted access to the school library and lab during the summer. He couldn't afford to lose the time to figure out which chemicals still functioned like they should, and which did not. There were even several new chemical compositions due to the plant and animal life of the Everfree he found he had no reference for. That was actually exciting.

This year he did not have the excuse. That and he just about exhausted all he could in the library. So he decided a visit to Griffonstone was finally in order. Not to mention that chick made it quite clear that he was coming if she had to come down from the north west and drag his ass back with her.

"Holy shit, shes got to be twenty by now, or near enough. What the hell did she want with me now?"

The fact that she had remained in contact all these years still surprised him. He thought she would get bored after a year, considering her erratic nature when she still lived at the orphanage. He figured she had ADHD the way she acted, constantly flicking from one subject to another. He chuckled to himself, she had seven years to percolate in her weirdness. This was gonna be an experience.

He did have another reason to go. He wanted to see the world outside of Celestia's influence. To see the effects of the policies she has pushed, the economic impact. It would all be very interesting.

He tried reading up on the the nation of Griffonia. Like the people of Ponyville, the griffons were certainly not the most imaginative bunch when it came to naming things. But what he could read, he committed to memory.

They were a prideful race. Patriarchal despite the fact that females outnumber the males three to one. It seemed honor, duty, and a sense of duty to the nation itself drove much of their interactions with one another. They were very combat orientated. At one point some eight hundred years ago they boasted the largest military that had ever been recorded at the time. Fifteen thousand. Seemed laughable to him considering the the US had a standing army of around one point three million soldiers. Still, impressive when compared to the current forces of Equestria at only twelve thousand.

In recent years, Griffonia barely had more then three thousand at any given time, according to the books. Most of those tied up in bandit duty. His forays into the local barracks had yielded a more accurate picture of the nation. The army was likely no more then eleven hundred strong now. The outlier towns and villages were mostly poor. Many in a state of disrepair. It wasn't good.

He sighed, the information had left him depressed.

The blast of the whistle from the train signaled the boarding had begun. Orion climbed in and hid in the back, just in case Celestia decided on a surprise visit. She's done it a couple of times now. More publicity. It was annoying is what it was. Considering he was still sleeping naked in his room the first time it had happened. She pushed the door aside with a loud bang startling his ass right out of the fucking bed. He was on full display for her, Mrs Evergarden, and several guard mares.

He didn't bother getting dressed quickly. The subsequent argument about proper bed clothes and being polite in knocking ended with the next time he would be sure to masturbate when she showed up. Really make sure she got her monies worth. She had stormed off in a huff the guards had been laughing. One gave him a high five, that was a first.

The journey north west was long. Nearly two days with a couple of stops to let the passengers stretch their legs. The further they went, the less ponies and more griffons seemed to occupy the cars. The griffons. They looked like they had scrapped the bottom of their barrels to pull the little bits to afford the line. Many were so poor the clothing they wore was threadbare. The children were what broke his heart the most. They were looking malnourished.

They were moving further into the griffon kingdom proper. The hushed conversations he had managed to overhear seemed to tell the tale he feared. Whole communities were falling apart. Seemed to be going on for centuries.

A young griffon chick was watching him over the bench in front of him. Her eyes were curious, but she looked like she hadn't eaten in a week. Her mother, kept glancing at him too. Most likely trying to figure out what a colt was still doing on the train this far north. Looking back to the child he rummaged into his bag and pulled out the jerky he had brought with him. "Whats a little hunger for me, this kid needs it more then I do."

Glancing around he noticed more griffon chicks watching him. The rustling had drawn their attention, the mother who was with the one the closest watched as well.

"Excuse me ma'am," She blinked. "Could you maybe pass this out to the kids? They look like they haven't seen food in over a week." Her eyes widened as she accepted the package from him. They seemed to bulge out of her head when she saw what was inside. Her eyes darted back to his, He just grinned and pulled his cheek back revealing his canines.

The rest of that trip seemed to breathe some life into the passengers of the last car. Children were laughing, the adults had more life in their eyes then when they had first boarded. The occasional smile he would get from them would brighten his day. Even if it only delayed the inevitable, it was worth it to him. He settled into his seat with a book, 'Principals of Spell Standing'. A dry read to be sure, but the idea behind stances when casting certain spells intrigued him.

Screaming Rush was pacing in front of the station. It had been seven years, what would he look like now? Would he be the same short colt she had met all those years ago? Would he even remember what she looked like? She was so nervous she feared she might begin to molt. Constantly checking for errant feathers. She smoothed her dress what had to have been a thousand times now.

Her guard had tried to calm her nerves but had very little success. She looked at herself in a glass window pane for the tenth time.

Her feathers had been preened to a lustrous shine. The oils she used not only helped with the glossy look but the smell of lavender and field berries hung around her wherever she walked. Around her eyes and ears her feathers had a lovely shade of red, soft and gentle eyes stared back at her from the window. The dark red shirt and black skirt she wore went well with the feathers of her wings that had darkened over the years naturally.

Many males looked at her with a hunger as she was growing up. Her aunt, Gabriele had told her that she was very beautiful, and that she was attracting the attention of many suitors. A smile graced her face, the window showed the same gentle smile she held.

She didn't care about what other griffon males thought. Would Orion find her pretty? Would he like her dress? Were her breasts too big? That last one worried her the most. Growing up she found most of the girls her age were much slimmer. She was tall, but her breasts and hips seemed to develop much more aggressively then the others. She endured teasing till the young drakes took notice. Then she had to endure years of hateful female antagonizing.

That was in the past. She smiled more confidently, then spoiled it by nearly leaping out of her feathers at the sound of a train whistle blast. She smiled in hope, had he actually come?

The train began to unload its passengers. Her heart hurt, there were so many refuges from collapsing communities on the outskirts of the nation. It was a sad story being replayed over and over again. The little chicks in the last car held a different energy, however. The parents seemed to be smiling, eyes brimming with life. The little ones were hanging onto what had to be one of the largest stallions she had ever seen.

He stood at least a head taller then the largest griffon in her fathers household. All black with a rich brown mane that held more then a little orange. There seemed to be a similar colored fur on his chin. He wore a button up shirt of white, with tan colored pants. There was a nasty looking scar across his face, it cut just above his left eye, passing under the horn and below the right. Then she focused on the eyes.

Those same stone gray eyes, that had always been buried in a book so long, now sparkled with mirth as he walked around like a giant hoisting the chicks up, making roaring noises as they squealed in mock terror and laughter.

This was the colt she had left back in Canterlot? What happened to his face? How in tartarus had he gotten so tall!? She marveled at the changes. Then she noticed how he filled out the shirt. "Oh Celestia, he hadn't stopped with the gym." A blush ripped its way onto her face, the way he had stayed glued to his books she figured he would have given up on the idea of working the body at some point.

He had most certainly did not. She hesitantly approached, coughing politely.

A cough caught his attention and he looked up into the blue green eyes of a rather buxom young griffin woman. Grabbing a child from around his neck and gently setting them down he smiled at the newcomer.

"Can I help ya miss?" The blush that was there seemed to increase. "Wait, no it couldn't be her could it?" He looked her over more carefully. The wings had darkened from the deep tan that he had remembered, her eyes and ear tips had a pretty red color makeup applied to them. "Scream? Is that you? Fucking hell you turned into a bombshell holy shit."

Her mouth dropped open. Apparently she was not ready for the tirade of vulgar obscenities that Orion was prepared to dish out at a moments notice. Neither were the parents around him who gasped in shock as one little hatching asked what shit meant. He chuckled over that.

"Ask your mother kiddo." The look he got from the hen was priceless. "What? I am a good guy in action but I never learned to mind my manners in polite society. So still a little savage. So go on. Tell him what shit means." He was grinning teeth flashing in the afternoon light.

The father, was chuckling to himself as he pulled his wife and children away. Shaking his head at Orion. They both waved by to each other as the old rooster began to put up with his mates indignation. "You know if I don't listen closely they really do sound like a couple of chickens arguing in a pen." His own thought had him laughing harder.

The rest of the group dispersed to find somewhere to bed down for the night in hopes of finding work to feed their families tomorrow. They wished him well and he wished them the best, a sad smile on his face. If things didn't change for them soon, the winter would likely take many of their lives. That thought hurt more then he could ever put into words.

Turning back to the now identified Screaming Rush he smiled gently. "Long time no see feather head. How's adopted life?"

She had managed to collect herself, clawed hands clutching at her skirt. "I am doing pretty well book worm. How's orphan life?"

"Eh can't complain to much. But the food is still terrible. You look, well amazing. Clearly rich people food is treating you very well." He grinned as she hit him.

"Are you calling me fat!?" He could tell she was not truly angry. A little indignant but she seemed to absorb his snarky humor in good stride.

"Naw just seems your body really hung onto the food you ate in all the right places." She blushed heavily looking down. A cough caught both their attention to a loan female griffon. Judging by the clothing coupled with a breastplate of steel, and a heavy and slightly curved blade at her hip, he figured her for some type of guard. Like back in Canterlot.

"Uh yes officer? Something we do wrong?" The look he got in response was a bewildered cock to her head and a ruffling of the feathers. He had no idea how to read that. But he was going to go on the assumption that he somehow got that wrong.

"No, Orion." Scream was laughing softly. "That is my personal guard, Gilda Broadwing. She is assigned to my retinue and was chosen to escort me today to meet you and pick you up."

Guard? A retinue? Who the fuck adopted her? Looking between the two women he could only shake his head in wonderment. "So, what? You got adopted by a noble or something?" The blush seemed to fade as she looked away. "Wait, how high up on the food chain are you?" Nothing.

"Sir if I may? Lady Screaming Fairheart is twelfth in line for the the throne of Griffonia." LADY? Twelfth in line?! Wait when did her name become Fairheart?

He stared at her, then back to Screaming. His eyes must have been bugging out of his head. Because she was giggling again.

"So, it turns out my parents were part of the royal line. No one could identify who I was at the time so I became some no pony-" Another cough from the personal guard. "I mean no body. Sometimes I slip up still. Heh. Anyways, I became a no body. I was too young to really remember much about my parents or who I was. But my Uncle found me and brought me back home."

"You, never said shit about this in your letters to me.... The hell Scream this is a pretty big bomb to drop on someone for fuck sake. If I dare ask, who in the hell is your Uncle?"

She looked away again in embarrassment. So Gilda answered for her. "King Bloodbeak Fairheart."

"Wut?"

Apparently Screaming Rush Fairheart, her full name, was the daughter of the King's brother and his wife. Her parents had been Lord and Lady Rush Fairheart. But at the time all Screaming could remember of her last name when she was found was Rush.

An incident on the border between Griffonia and Equestria between the refugees and the her families personal guard resulted in the death of the couple. Truly an accident by all accounts. But in the confusion Scream was picked up by a refugee that crossed the border into ponyland, and through a chain of events, she had ended up in Canterlot with no one to care for her. She was still in shock of her parents death at the time. Eventually the even itself was blocked and she forgot much of who she was.

For years she stayed with Mrs Evergarden's orphanage hoping to get adopted. Till the King's agents eventually traced her back all the way to Canterlot. The two griffons he had encountered with her in the hallway of the orphanage, were in fact the two agents that had found her. With permission from Celestia, they took her home, and the rest is history.

"You're like some fairytale fucking princess." He was still reeling. "No way is that fair. Where in the hell is my crazy noble family looking for my ass?!" It was purely a joke, not that any of the present company would know that.

"Sir, I would ask you to not swear in the presence of the Lady."

"Can it fuck buck. Scream and I both know that's never going to happen. If Celestia can't make me stop what makes you think you can?" The hen guard just glared angrily back at him.

"Wait, Orion, you sound as if you personally know Princess Celestia."

It was his turn to grimace and turn away. They had been walking slowly up a mountain of stairs to get to the castle that sat at the top of the cliff face. His legs were starting to hurt. But she had insisted on showing him all of Griffonstone from the vantage.

"Wait, you actually know the Princess?!"

"Well....funny story."

Screaming was having a difficult time processing what she was hearing. He, in the seven years they had only been writing, had met and yelled at a princess. No not just any princess. THE Princess. He was even having tea with her as if it was normal every couple of weeks.

"Wait, why were you even in front of the Princess to begin with?" That gave her a sheepish explanation on what he had done on a fall afternoon in school.

Her own guard had stopped and just stared at him. How does one even beat someone else with another? It didn't seem possible.

When she asked about the scar on his face, in which she asked if he got it from that fight. He had a new story to tell. And her jaw dropped. Her guard fingered her blade meaningfully. How, how had he managed to killed over a hundred timber wolves. When he got to the reason why he had chose to bait and outright kill the denizens of the Everfree, her heart swelled a little. He went out looking for justice.

She could see Gilda nodding in silent approval, and began resuming the trek up the moment. She was beginning to wish she had taken him up on teleporting the three of them up. Her calves and rear were screaming at her for mercy. Orion seemed fine. Stupid gym pony.

Gilda didn't know what to make of the stallion. Technically he was a colt but with that look, build and if his history is true, his abilities, he was more of a stallion then many of the pretentious jackasses that visit from the land of the ponies. Thus she had decided to fixate in her mind just who and what he was. A stallion.

When she was told what she was going to be doing today, she had set herself for a LONG and boring duty making sure Lady Fairheart would be safe. Instead she found herself enthralled with the tales of his exploits. He was certainly no unicorn she had ever heard of. She wanted to laugh when he spoke of using the child of BlueBlood as a weapon against the others. The image in her head was almost to much to maintain decorum. That and it was Blueblood they were discussing.

When the Lady's questions turned to his scars, and the reason behind them, she grew worried. This stallion willfully engaged in combat with over a hundred timber wolves in a night. On their own ground. And won. The reason behind it filled her with an odd sense of confidence. Should she fall she had no doubt he would be more then enough to defend her Ladyship from any harm. His own honor was no longer in question either. Despite his vulgarity, he had a strong moral compass his majesty would more then appreciate.

Arriving at the castle proper, the portcullis rose at their approach. The courtyard had at least a dozen guards milling about going through their daily routines. All was as it should be. Lady Screaming's retinue had set out two others, both drakes. Their armor polished to a proud shine as they each held their halberds at the ready against their shoulders. They took up positions besides her charge and her guest. The stallion looked about with a speculative glance. His eyes moved about like a veteran of wars. With a nod to the two guards, she broke off to a servants path. After three turns left and one right she found herself in front of the King's study rooms.

She had been ordered to learn of the stallion and report to his majesty the moment they arrived. This was going to be an interesting report. She identified herself to the guard posted in front of the door, was granted entrance. She squared her shoulders and marched in. Interesting report indeed.

Orion had watched Gilda break off after the two male griffons formed up a post about both of them. Drakes, he though they called the males. Stupid, the were at best roosters, he chuckled, or better yet cocks. Bunch of penises running about.

His thoughts drifted back to the hen that had left them. He knew what had happened. Her duty was not just to guard but to report on him, made sense if he thought about it. The King would want to know who was speaking and hanging out with his niece. Holy shit. She was royalty. That just made him cringe inside. How and why was he always getting involved with royalty?

He wanted to climb back on the train and head to Minos or something. But this was his pen pal of seven years. He wasn't about to make her feel terrible just after arriving. So he smiled and made small talk with her, as he scanned the entire castle for escape routes. He also looked for cover on his way up to the structure with them. Never hurts to have as many plans to run as possible.

The castle was spartan for the most part. Oh it had the scrolls, the paintings, the tapestries. Even some stain glass windows depicting ancient victories. The certainly had a lot of those. At this point it seemed a bitter reminder of what they once had. He noticed more and more the corners that no one went to, in disrepair. The kingdom was in a very bad state.

The walk to the stairs had shown him much. The streets seemed to be relatively clean. But it was the alleyways that told the real tale. Filled with trash and the bodies of sleeping refugees and homeless. Hatchlings peering at him from behind their parents. Fuck, that tug on his heart. He regretted forfeiting all his jerky on the train. These kids needed food just as much as the ones he rode in with.

The coughing got his attention. This city was on the verge of an epidemic. With so many sick and poor they were on the verge of losing a large portion of the population to disease. Many of the citizens he passed shared the same coughing as they worked.

He touched the book of notes at his hip. He had read about all this before he hopped on the train. They didn't have grain silos for long term storage. The fishing industry was in shambles the further out into the country it went. Fish didn't last long enough to make it inward farther then a couple of days. The city itself was on the coastline, the people had a magnificent view of the sea. But due to the state of the city, it was the only pretty thing they had.

He had decided to try his little experiment right here in the nation, somewhere. Though access to a King was not what he was expecting. He was hoping that her new father was a rich merchant or something. He had no idea how he was going to sell the ideas to a king. Appealing to his greed would not be enough. This would be an individual motivated by whether or not he had love for his people or power.

Shit, he was going to have to goad another monarch just to see how they ticked. Nothing goaded royalty like being brutally honest. Double shit.

"Here is where you will stay." They were in a long hallway away from the royal wing. Scream had to go and speak with her aunt, so she had departed a little earlier. Leaving him with a guard that had absolutely zero humor. "Curfew is at nine pm. Do not be outside your room by that time. Morning meals are at eight am. Do not be late. Lunch is at noon. Do not be late. Dinner is at six. Do-"

"Yeah don't be late blah blah blah, go and pound a wall." That was getting annoying. He had been glaring at him the entire time he spoke. He didn't need this shit from what was essentially, to him, a mall cop.

The guard made to grab him and he just flowed around his hand. That Gray Blanket, the unicorn he payed for instruction in combat really knew what he was talking about when it came to flowing around a target.

"Don't. You will get hurt, and I will just get into trouble for hospitalizing a guard."

The cock huffed, and left back down the hall. Orion could hear him grumbling about not being paid enough. He opened the door and was presented his temporary room, that looked exactly like the one he stayed in back in Canterlot. The window was even in the same place. But at least it had one hell of a view. He opened it to let in some fresh air as he began putting away his clothes. He would have to figure out the laundry system here to make sure he had clean clothes.

Then he would have to see about whether the castle had a gym that he could use. He was not about to let his time in the gym be wasted, even in Ponyville he had a farm to bust his ass on.

A knock on the open door drew his attention. There Gilda stood. She opened her mouth to speak, but he interrupted her. Confident in what she was about to say.

"He wants to see me already? That was quick." This King didn't waste time. That might bode well.

"Yes." Her eyes had widened a touch. Did she think he was that unobservant? "Come with me, his Majesty will see you in his private study."

"Lead the way oh quiet one." He shut the door as the proceeded down the hall. To meet, a King.

A Fresh Start

The door to the private study didn't look that much out of place from anything else in the castle. Simple, rugged. Built for the purpose of being a door.

Where Celestia's palace overwhelmed with opulence. The castle of the King, Guardian of the Watch, seemed designed specifically for war, the banded thick iron straps that also served as the hinges toward the door jam itself. He liked it. Made more sense to him.

Then again, Canterlot palace was designed to impress. To display wealth and majesty. In and of itself, that was intimidating if you looked at it from the point of another nation leaders.

King Bloodbeak's castle was more utilitarian. Designed for defense.

On the walk over to the private study, Orion had taken note of the battlements. The way the tower was set up with kill slots in the halls and in the walls to the outside. This fortification was designed to be difficult to breach, and make the invaders pay for that in blood and lives every step of the way. This place would not fall so easily.

At the door was two guards, both looked identical to the asshole that guided him to his room. Both clearly shared the same humorless birth as well. Orion made faces when his guide wasn't watching. Nothing.

Gilda announced themselves and their purpose at being summoned. He was told to go in, alone. Oh joy, he was going to meet daddy. The door slammed close behind him with a squeal of the iron hinges, they needed to be lubed something bad.

Orion squared his shoulders, and walked to the center of the room. Heart suddenly picking up speed, it had been occurring a lot lately, since the nightmares had returned. He couldn't stop his eyes nor the rising paranoia from making him take in every detail of the room. Any chance at potential escape. Or a impromptu weapon to be had.

He had done the same when he was tossed into that cell inside the base. Even then he knew it was pointless, but after being locked up with very little light and the voices of those you wronged, he could not help himself. As he couldn't help himself now.

The massive desk in the rear of the room, in front of a wall full of bookcases, caught his eye. It was about the only thing ornate in the whole castle, and even it was heavy looking. A quick glance showed financial documents, many with large red marks and writing on them. Another sign of the kingdoms falling fortunes.

A low, deep voice spoke out from the corner of the room yanking him from his observations, near the windows. He was proud he didn't jump out of his skin.

"Your eyes haven't stopped moving since you walked in here." Bloodbeak Fairheart, who seemed to only embody the first part of his name, stood in the shadows of the room looking out the window. His eyes reflected, looking at him. They had locked eyes almost instantly. "If I didn't know better, I would say you're a veteran."

The first thing he took note of was the very eyes he stared into, golden in color they looked strained, he had been having sleepless nights if he was to guess. His beak seemed to be a fading orange red, giving him a fierce expression even as age waged its war on him. It certainly gave a stark reminder of his name. The feathers themselves that crested his head and neck were also showing signs of graying. The blacks and tans beginning to look faded. They were also thinning. He was under heavy stress indeed.

This could be a good sign. If the he was desperate and tired enough, he might jump on what Orion was offering.

The royal garments had seen better days, military dressed that had still been cleaned and pressed to uniform detail. The gold filigree was only a touch. Much like his castle he chose to dress spartan. No frills. But it was looking worn, the cost must be too great, or his majesty didn't see it as anything other then a waste of money to replace it.

Orion sketched a bow, the same one he gave to Celestia anytime he saw her, which wasn't much of one if he was honest with himself. "Your Majesty."

Bloodbeak turned from the window, never taking his eyes away from him. "Is that how you are taught to greet royalty?" There was more then a little touch of irritation in his voice. It was tight, just like the compression of his beak. Seriously how in the hell did their beaks bend like that?

"If its good enough for Celestia, than it is good enough for you." It was a gamble, but if this man was a nonsense as he suspected, he would ultimately not care. He got a huff of amusement in response. Dry, dry amusement.

"You bow to the Princess of Equestria like that? And she allows you to get away with it?" Coming into the light he got a clear look at the drake before him. The verb actually fit this guy. He was not anywhere near as tall as Orion was, but he was built heavily.

The jacket he wore showed signs of a breastplate recently being there he walked the halls of his own castle armored up, that was disconcerting. He was a bit portly in the mid section but he had expected him to be of a stress eater. Those arms of his, ending in hands of fur and featherless fingers with claws filed to weapon levels of danger, did nothing to make the man look soft.

"I offered her to toss my happy ass in jail. She has yet to do it for whatever reason." He chuckled. Bloodbeak did not share in the chuckle. He had been steadily approaching him, the neck tilting back the closer he got. Clearly every cock in the nation was molded out of the same cast of humorless apathy.

"My niece had told me you were shorter then her. I certainly don't see that in evidence now." Even with his neck craned as it was, he seemed to be looking down at Orion, judging his every movement. Celestia had the same trick, only she seemed to judge his every crime with a look.

That had made him inwardly cringe back in the day. For awhile he believed the rumors true about her being able to see into your very mind with a look.

"Seven years and a lot of miracle grow helps, that and the entire time I spent eating meat for protein and the working in the gym." Before he could react, the old man's clawed hand shot out grabbing him by the mouth drawing him down and prying open his mouth at the same time.

"You would strike a King?" His eyes were still peering into his mouth, Orion's fist just shy of blasting him in the face shaking inches away from his head. With the return of the nightmares he found it difficult to let anyone get near him. He relaxed, and dropped his hand but scowled down at the the ballsy royal.

"Not just you, anyone who grabs at me like that. The last one to do so got used as a weapon." His jaw was released, not bothering to try and adjust it.

Bloodbeak turned around and slowly approached his desk. "So I was informed." He stopped and pulled a packet of papers from the corner, off a mountain of other paper work. "I have heard rumors about you from, sources that shall remain nameless." He began flipping through papers, calling out what he regarded as important. "I will confess, I did not quite believe the stories on you eating actual meat." The unspoken 'till now hung in the air'.

"You appeared in Stalliongrad with no history. Found eating a rat. Raw." He flipped over, Orion chose to remain silent. The eggshells he was now on were very fragile indeed. How long had this guy been watching him, when did he begin?

"In Manehatten, you were involved in several altercations with fledglings your own age. Winning every one, even if you received punishment for their actions against you. At that point you showed," he looked at him then, an eye cocked, "impressive academic scores in all courses. Well beyond your age group." He flipped another paper. "But due to a final altercation in which you hospitalized three colts, you were then moved to Canterlot. The reason was never found out. Though there are rumors."

"In Canterlot, most notably in Celestia's school, you again out performed your age group. A careful look at your scores and points of study showed you nearly on par with her protege of all ponies. Who has since been seen around you regularly." Flip.

"The first time you interacted with the Princess was due to another altercation with a student. One that had sought you out as the papers and eye witnesses reported. In that meeting rumor has it you rebuked her, rebuked her and was proven correct, the subject matter never actually being recorded." Flip.

"You were sent to Ponyville for the punishment of striking Princess Blueblood, with his own son." He smirked at that. A almost unheard chuckle briefly filled the room. Flip.

"There you interacted with the people there, amicably."

Something occurred to Orion. It had been tickling the back of his mind since griffons started getting on the train with him.

The griffons in large part spoke like him. Everyone, someone, no one. All the words he purposely stuck to. They spoke inclusively almost exclusively. "Huh, that is something." Flip.

"During a return trip to visit a family you had grown close with during your first stay, you were involved in another violent event. The family had suffered the loss of the two parents in an attack by timber wolves." Flip. "You chose to systematically bait, lure, and slaughter one hundred and thirty three to their rather destructive deaths." Flip.

"One thirty two."

A look. "No, one thirty three. You had formed a storm cloud above and struck one down trying to run to the forest. I believe I have the recording of that event somewhere." He had agents inside Celestia's nation, inside her very castle walls if had his hands on that. Shit, just how much did he know. "Oh fuck, did he somehow know about the enchanting."

Another thought. "I formed a storm cloud? How?" He knew next to nothing about magic involving weather itself.

"Since that last incident, that had hospitalized you for several days with reoccurring night terrors, you have been relatively quiet. Now, you are here. In my study. Because my niece invited you. Though you had no idea who she really was or her station. And the only thing you could say was, 'No way is that fair. Where in the hell is my crazy noble family looking for my ass.'" He had delivered that the same way he had the rough summary of his life in crazy horse world. Dry, monotone. Just stating the facts.

"Hey, that was a good line. Plus I was a bit weirded out. I just found out my pen pal hadn't bothered to let me know the minor thing that she was part of the royal family. You know, not a big detail." Not even a laugh.

"Yes, I suppose that is true. Just as you never told her of your violent exploits." Touche. "However, I wish to know your plans while being here. Why should I allow someone so closely connected to royalty to roam my lands without a watch set?"

This was not how he had imagined the meeting to go. He expected the whole dad speech- "And what are your intentions with my niece?" Ah there it is.

"My intention is to hang out with her for a month or two and then return home. I haven't seen her since I was a kid, and I did want to see Griffonia itself while I was here. I haven't been to the beach in years, so some swimming is definitely in order."

Bloodbeak returned to the neutral angry expression, "That is all?" His head cocked to the side in a very bird like manner that disturbed Orion. The combination of bird tilt with very human looking eyes was a bit off putting. "You are not here to seek a more, romantic entanglement from her?"

Expected but still left him reeling at the suddenness of it. "Uh yeah, no. I have no plans in actually engaging anyone in that way for quite some time. I have to finish school first then establish myself. Honestly, the mares kinda scare the holy hell out of me back home. They are so herd obsessive its insane. And please do not get me started on Celestia trotting my ass out for the newly formed herds in the city to come ogle at. So yeah. No thank you."

"I had received a report on that. Heh, well Screaming may have other plans Mr Falls. The way she would go on about you to my wife and I, we worried she might attempt to make claim to you the moment she saw you." Now he was laughing. A slight glint to his eye.

"Thus Gilda. Informant and enforcer all in one." A grinning nod, apparently once assured that he didn't intend to take Scream to pound town voluntarily, he became much more amicable. Then he frowned.

"What else do you have planned?" He was moving the paperwork he had on him into a hardwood case it looked like some sort of filing box. "I can't imagine just swimming and touring my broken land will keep you entertained. You must want more."

What Orion wanted to do was toss the book inside the satchel hanging from his body onto the desk. But during the conversation, or more accurately the talking to and recital of his life, he got the distinct impression that words and pretty drawings alone would be the only thing to motivate this man.

There was no way in hell the old buzzard was just going to buy what he was selling. Not without proof. A merchant would have no problem buying as they can sell the idea, a king would want proof. He needed a testing ground. Someplace he could spend the summer. Someplace desperate enough to try his ideas.

"Really, that is actually it your majesty. Screaming had wanted to see me for the longest time. So I plan to spend time with her, do the hanging out I put off with her." He looked down.

He was actually ashamed about that. He constantly put her off for his studies. It made sense to him at the time, the whole purpose behind it was so he could better prepare himself. His grandma enforced the very same thing on him, all was secondary to knowledge. His grandfather taught him survival and how to build what he might need. Anything after that was conditional. They were a rather paranoid couple.

He was, at first trying to survive. No, he was trying to thrive. Everything he had been doing, though often times poorly executed, was to that goal.

In retrospect, he was failing. He drew to much attention to himself way to often, but in the heat of the moment, it always seemed the right course of action. Even now he knew going after those wolves was idiotic. But he never regretted it. They deserved some type of closure, even if he was not banned from Sweet Apple Acres.

But now, those goals altered course. The realization of the disaster of other nations economies, those poor kids on that train, only served to change his plans.

Thankfully, Bloodbeak pulled him from his musings. "Never imagined my nation would become a tourist grounds for foreign ponies. Are you gonna need a stipend to travel about?"

"No I brought my own allowance and budgeted well. I should have no problem paying my own way. I will be happy to pay for whatever I need." He patted his coin purse, one of three he had brought with him. They were massive, Celestia paid wards of the state well. In this case his research showed him just might be able to buy a large town with what he brought. "So no need to be my sugar daddy." He chuckled at his own joke, and was surprised when the King followed suit.

"That is good, for once a foreigner not demanding special treatment. Though, the bits you bring will just be a drop on a nearly dead stream." He grew sober, staring at his desk as his expression became that of a scowl. "No matter at this point. Mr Falls, enjoy your stay in my kingdom. Such as it is. Thank you for your time." He did not get up to shake his hand. There was still a rather large gap of trust between the pair.

Orion figured he knew he was lying. Anyone who spent that much time researching an individual had big trust issues.

"And thank you for being creepy and spying on my entire life your majesty." He chuckled and shut the door behind him before he could respond. He laughed at slapped the guard on the left shoulder. Ignoring the squawk of indignation. "The King looked pretty fucking beat, he may need a drink, a strong one."

Without waiting for a response he proceeded back to his room. He needed to find a map. Then choose a town that would be convenient for his project. Research the hell out of said town, and somehow make his way there. He didn't want to play with peoples lives but he needed to know if his ideas could actually work.

Bloodbeak stared at the door where the stallion had left through. Just as Gilda had said. This was a Stallion, not a colt despite the age. He was also up to something. That something he could not fathom. Orion was clever, with just enough honesty to be believable. He was a born liar, a politician, if he had ever seen one.

Shuffling through the papers on his desk he pulled out several reports on Celestia watching him. Reading over them he began to sort his own thoughts, she was dedicated to watching him off and on. The reasons were always after an incident, either involving him or the city itself.

Those copies his agents had managed to smuggle to him of the two events of major violence he was involved him showed him much. Orion, for all his smiles and jokes, was highly dangerous.

He could see why She was watching him so closely. But there seemed to be more to it. Her reasoning, as in the past when others of his fore bearers watched her, seemed to be erratic. As if her attention could never remain focused long enough. The recent reports coming out of Canterlot showed her scrambling to find an enchanter that had appeared. The very thought made his blood run cold.

An enchanter in her ranks would mean the end of his nation. The ancient air fleets he had heard only stories through his family absolutely terrified him.

He too had agents in the city looking for them. But not to recruit. No. Like many in the past, he intended to have them put to the blade, as regrettable as it was. That whore can't have another avenue of power. She was already crippling his kingdom economically. An enchanter would make it so much worse, thus killing them off seemed to be the only option available.

A habit that every ruler in the known world enacted. They had no choice. May the spirits forgive them.

He was pulled from his dark thoughts as the door squeaked open again, his wife entered the room closing the door behind her, carrying a goblet of what he was hoping to be a very stiff drink.

His wife, Gabriela Fairheart, was still as beautiful as the day they had married. Her feathers still that smokey gray that had caught his eye in his youth, the vibrant golden eyes that seemed to glow in the failing evening light. She had chosen the red makeup and dress, likely in solidarity with Screaming's attempt to get Orion's attention.

The language of colors was ingrained into his citizen's very lives. They announced intentions and moods of his people. Red in his peoples culture was a sign of the amorous, of both love and desire. In this case she was showcasing her desire for a courtship with him.

The red tips of her ears and around her eyes quickened the pulse in his veins. The dress hugged her in just the right places, and it began to stir another area on his body. She was perfect. He gratefully accepted the goblet, a drink made him chirp in approval. Mulled wine with a mixed berry aftertaste. One of the better vintages they had left.

"Thank you my heart, I needed this more then I can put into words." Another sip as he watched her, she was looking over his reports. He chose not to be like the rest of his family line, he never hid anything from her. Choosing instead to let her in, and accept whatever council she had to offer. He often found her to be correct in many approaches to problems he would wrack his mind over. They may just be able to pull a little out of the hole this year. The first in many years since he took up his father's mantel.

"Do not thank me, my dear, thank the young colt. He had told the guard that a certain monarch was in need of refreshment. That guard informed me, and I decided you needed a particular brand of drink tonight." She smiled as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, sitting into his lap to hold him. Something he needed a lot of as of late. "I trust the meeting with him went well? What are my niece's chances?" Right to the gossip. He smiled.

"Your niece? By marriage my dear, I don't think I am entitled to give you anything on that." It was a game they would often play, it relieved the tension in his heart for a time, and often preluded to them not leaving the study for a long while.

She clucked her beak and bit at him in the neck lightly, the night was definitely looking up if she was feeling that feisty. "You know she loves me more then you. Thus, My niece." A weak argument to be sure, but he gave her the mock battle she desired.

"And whose agents, who with their sponsor, worked tirelessly to find her? Hmmm I hadn't heard anything about you recruiting." He smiled, accepting the light slap. A signal she was done with the game but not disappointed in the loss.

"So, will you answer me? Are we gonna have a nephew-in-law in the future?" She had a sparkle in her eye. Bloodbeak hated the idea of dimming that.

"I'm afraid this is one stallion not to be netted by any trap." That sad expression, he despised that. "He doesn't seem to be interested in pony or griffon. He seems completely focused on a future only he seems to see. There is a lot of drive, I just can't see where it leads. He is an enigma. He has ambition, rather admirable."

"Admirable? My little hatchling is gonna have her heart broken while he is here. That is not fair. She had been pinning away for him for years, and now the drake of her desires won't even look at her nest. That is not fair." She crossed her arms and leaned away, but had not left his lap yet.

"My heart, you cannot make anyone fall for another. Unless you are that mare Celestia hides away more often than not. That one breaks rules that should be ironclad." The hidden Princess, many knew of her but not much was known of her. Reports spoke of her taking interest with a new Lieutenant that had been promoted in the Royal Guard. "Besides, it is not fair to force our intentions on him. Besides I am not so sure about a union between those two."

"What do you mean? He seems like a good fledgling, very selfless. Brave too. So what has you so against it?" She had loosened her grip on herself, now slowly stroking his arm.

"Because he lied to my face. I know he did, I just could not call attention to it because I had no substantial proof of it. He is a born politician if I have ever seen one. He is no colt, no he is a stallion and whatever his goals are, they will effect us. I have no idea what he is planning, but there is more then just visiting our niece. I do not like that."

He took another sip from his goblet. "His ambition is dangerous. As you know, Celestia's eyes are on him as well." He though of something. "I just realized something, he speaks like a native of our lands, not as a pony. That is alarming."

"Considering his past, and the reports on his behavior, my concern is more to who could have left him. There is nothing on him before Stalliongrad, no sighting other then that one prostitute, Stone Mark. He claims he just appeared there one morning. Though there are reports of seeing him coming in from the north of the city. But those are as of yet unconfirmed." She sighed pushing the papers back to the center of her husbands desk. "In the end, your agents couldn't find much beyond that."

"Yes, and they couldn't be obvious with their observations. Celestia had one of her own following closely." He thought. "I wish I could have gotten one of them inside that orphanage. He is doing something in the basement. Never got a clear idea as to what, and the agent didn't want to expose our interests."

"Bah! He is here and I have time to ask him questions." He pulled her closer to him rubbing his beak along her own. "Enough of our latest visitor. I believe my time can be better spent with you."

The giggling coming from the room put a smile on both guards faces, their wish for the King to have a good evening, seemed to be coming true.

Celestia's morning was going exceptionally well. By all reports the trouble with the line going out to Appelosa was solved, a few visits to the local buffalo population freed up the path for the rail line to be completed. The buffalo were not truly happy, but once the benefits became apparent they would soon be as happy as her very own ponies.

"Maybe they would see fit to finally move out of those smelly tepees." Truly those 'homes' were not suited for actual living. Yet, the buffalo made due, even seemed happy. "Filthy."

The nobles had fought her for a time, but that little war was over with now. The PR she had built up using Orion, and well placed reporters in her pocket, had allowed her to use public pressure in quieting down the dissenters. Celestia was going to have to send Mrs Heart a gift of some sort. Something expensive.

True, she was now having to deal with more petitioners as of late. But she had managed to make a schedule of sorts so she would not have to be hounded at every waking moment. Just a few hours in the morning, and if she was being completely honest, she was actually rather enjoying herself in that regard. It was nice to solve easy common pony problems.

To add the cherry on the proverbial cake, and he cake last night, she got to try a new type of pancake. Belgium waffles, from the province of Germaneigh. They were delicious, all twelve of them. She had her's piled high with wild berries. Today, was going to be an amazingly wonderful day.

Earlier she sent a few members of her royal guard to retrieve Orion from the White's Orphanage. She had all summer to maneuver her student and him into each others arms. Maybe she would have Candace give her a little hand in that. The filly could use the practice after that last fiasco a couple years ago.

"Oh this is gonna be so much fun, and I get all the benefits, well Twilight will get some herself I suppose." She wiggled in her chair with glee. She took a sip of tea and sighed in contentment. Today, nothing could dampen her mood.

Just then a quiet knock at the dinning room double doors drew her attention. Using her magic she opened the door and spotted her current Captain of the Guard, Broad Blade, standing there nervously. "Now what has him looking so uncomfortable?"

"Come in captain. I was just about to request a fresh cup of tea, would you like one?" Her eyes glanced behind him. She was expecting Orion to pop his head out and say some ridiculous thing. "Have you not gone to get Mr Falls from the orphanage yet?" She smiled pleasantly. The colt may have been playing hard to get and hiding from her.

He saluted, stiffly, eyes widening in panic. "No your highness, I must decline. As to Mr Falls, well....he...he wasn't there." He gulped audibly.

A frown graced her features, that wasn't unusual though. Orion was often doing odd jobs in the city to earn more money, despite the fact that he was getting a monthly stipend to make sure he had enough necessities. He had been doing it since he was ten. But her guard captain was not acting in accordance with his office. Nor with the same cool reserve he normally had. Something was wrong.

"Perhaps he is on one of his courier jobs, have you checked with Master Forager? I understand he was one of those who often employed Mr Fall's services." She took a sip.

"That, that won't be necessary, we know where he is....just can't get to him." His voice had gotten quieter toward the end. Can't get to him? How was that possible?

"I'm afraid I don't understand Captain, if you know where he is, then why not just scoop him up?" She was staring full force at the poor stallion now, her face darkening a touch even if she didn't know it herself.

Captain Broad Blade had trouble meeting her eyes. "It's because two days ago he left a message with Daisy Evergarden, and hopped aboard a train heading to Griffonia, your highness."

The tea left in the cup flash evaporated, the Saddle Arabian porcelain cracking. "I'm sorry, I must not have heard you correctly, he is where now?"

"He appears to be in Griffonia, your highness. Apparently he is visiting a friend, one Screaming Rush. Mrs Evergarden said he had been getting invites from her for several years, and always turned her down. This year however, he took her up on the offer and simply left. He did not get permission from what we have gathered, just left a message on Mrs Evergarden's desk." By the end of his recount he was back to his stoic self, but there was sweat lather on his forehead and neck.

The temperature in the room had noticeably picked up at this point.

Celestia had not realized that her hair had changed until it was too late, willing her body back to normal she quietly spoke. "Thank you Captain. You may go."

Captain Broad Blade quickly shut the doors, and walked swiftly away. A resounding crash reverberated from the room behind him. He did not stop, when the Princess was upset it was best to be elsewhere. His predecessor had told him that she may get truly angry once every few years. Once it took an entire decade before she expressed any anger.

For Blade this was going to be the fifth table the castle coffers were going to have to replace. The fifth this year.

After his meeting with Bloodbeak, Orion had settled into a routine of the next two weeks. In the morning he would rise before the sun. His goal was to keep in as much physical shape as possible while in Griffonia. So the butt crack of dawn found him on the garrison's only training field running laps with a burlap sack full of rocks.

He was amused when a Major Greenquill, master at arms, came marching over, steaming cup of the piss water the griffons called kaf in hand, demanding to know what the tartarus was he doing on His training field.

It almost broke down into a fight between the two at first. The Major had a better idea, and for the next three hours Orion trained with the raw recruits in full battle rattle. Marching, running, going through numerous obstacle courses.

It was hell, and strangely he loved every fucking second of it.

After that three hour period he simply got a nod from Major Greenquill, and was told to report in again tomorrow morning at the same time. He was going to tell him to piss up a rope. But his tired mind told him he might get some training in. Actual combat training. He nodded tiredly and headed back to his room to clean up.

After that, he went and grabbed breakfast from the dinning hall. The look on those guards faces as he scarfed down an entire plate of fried ham and bacon, coupled with six eggs, bread and milk, was priceless. Putting his dishes in a bin he just winked grinned and walked out of the room. What was silence before, the room exploded into conversation when he left.

He caught snippets just before the door shut. It was mostly about him, and the horrible way he ate food. Though a few seemed to remark on the fact that he was eating meat as if it was nothing. He chuckled at the tones used.

His next stop was the library, of which he spent the next two hours pouring over cities and towns of the nation, the geographical makeup of the country itself. He even took a brief trip to the public records in town that he had spotted on the walk up to the castle. Walking be damned he was teleporting.

Screaming found him back in the library, fury etched across her beak.

"Are you bucking kidding me?!" She screeched. Jesus fuck was she loud. She had also slipped back into the pony way of swearing. That got a smile from him.

There she stood, in the door of the library. The librarian, who liked like she was turtling, was hiding behind her desk. Orion just stared at her for a moment trying not to laugh. Then he looked back to his irate friend.

"Okay first off, this is a library. Keep your voice down. Secondly, are you really that surprised? Or are you mad that you got your hopes up thinking I would not be in here. Come on. How many places did you check before you here?" He grinned.

She just huffed. "I went to your room first. Then came here."

"Hahaha, so you knew it was going to happen. I trust you got plans for us today?" A curt nod was what he got in return. "Cool let's go do something fun then." The surprise look almost made him double over. He put all the books and maps he had been looking over back into their places swiftly with simple levitation spells. "What? I came here to hang with you feather head. This is just to pass the time." He grabbed her hand and pulled her from the room.

He had lied, but she didn't need to know that yet.

"So? Where to?"

Screaming had a whole day planned for them, how she thought they were going to get through it all he had no idea. But her flying them, or asking him to just teleport them to certain places, easily quickened the pace. She dragged him to shops that looked like they were on their last legs. A restaurant, whose menus had items crossed out as no longer available.

Every place they went to was a reminder of the nation's failing fortunes. Prices were ridiculous. The clientele few.

"Jesus H. Christ, how in the hell am I going to fix this mess."

It had been a reoccurring thought in his head for most of the day. The amount of people hidden in alleyways was worse then he realized. Nearly half the city was on the streets. Homes boarded up with for sale signs tacked out in front.

Screaming's face often would look stricken with worry when she would see the same things he had seen. She would give herself a shake, and smile. Each time that smile seemed harder to come by. The stress of her eyes made that smile a lie.

At his suggestion they went to the seaside cliffs to relax. For a time, the cares just melted away at the beautiful expanse of the sea. They leaned together as they watched quietly, the ocean battered itself against the cliff's bottoms.

It was an afternoon of reflection for him. Plans pouring over in his mind as he thought furiously on how to go about repair an economy on the verge of collapse. Then spent a few hours just looking over the scenic view before them.

Quiet sniffling pulled his attention from his own thoughts. "I don't want my nation to die...." Orion's head jerked over to Scream, she was crying, tears streaming down her face. He did the only thing he could think of, and hugged her as she broke down completely. He looked over at their shadow, Gilda. She too held unshed tears in her eyes.

"How in the absolute hell am I going to fix this mess." The pressure just increased.

Two weeks.

Two weeks of him pouring over every public report. Every scrap of rumors and hearsay. The entire map of the nation.

Two weeks of him dealing with parties, of greeting the King's extensive family.

Two weeks of being dragged around Griffonstone fighting every instinct to help those in need. To having to ignore children starving.

He had found his target.

Avery. A small town northeast of Griffonstone by one hundred and twenty miles. It was very close to the seaside port of Neighbon, the only city of hippogriffs in the world. That city had an absolutely thriving economy in the fishing industry. Word had it that the land was taken from Equestria and Griffonia. A gift of both nations to give a space for a people neither wanted to accept.

Apparently, three hundred some years ago the griffons had attacked Equestria during the estrus season. Thinking the females would be unable to mount a proper counter offensive. A mistake as their soldiers were taken and thoroughly violated by the mares of the seaboard cities. Resulting in the birth of over two thousand hippogriffs.

No one wanted them, thus they were given a run down seaside town set between both nations. Some soft hearted ponies and griffons, chose to live with them, to raise them and teach them to survive.

Now the city state boasted an impressive fifty-six thousand, mostly of hippogriffs but other members of species existed there too. Their fishing market catered to both the locals and those outside who required fish. The problem was no one had figured out how to preserve fish without magic. So it could never make it too far inland to Griffonia's starving people.

They hadn't even attempted to look for another way to preserve meat goods.

What made the small town of Avery the perfect candidate was its geographical location, and the resources surrounding it. The last census reported a massive deposit of rock salt. Salt, that can be used in preserving meat. Making soap, pottery, the list went on and on. Avery was about to become salt lords of Griffonia.

Another bonus, and something Orion was seeing as more then likely. The report on possible Iron deposits. The census had reported that strange grayish stone found in several locations around the town. He would bet all the bits he had that those grayish stones held Iron inside. With the nation having carbon at hand, he could almost see the amount of carbon steel that would be produced from there in short order.

Another bonus for the little town, flat fields that laid fallow due to no farming equipment. The steel they could produce would easily handle that. Making all the gear they would need.

Honestly he was rather surprised that Avery had gone unnoticed for so long, all that ore and resources was an absolute waste. It was however, perfect for what he wanted to do. Far enough away from the border that Celestia wouldn't realize what was going on till it was far too late.

He smiled. Now to convince Screaming that it would be an amazing idea if they both, with Gilda of course, traveled to Avery for a little vacation on the beach. Which there was none. Not that she likely knew that. Oh, and her ever watchful uncle.

He wanted takesies backsies. He really needed a do over this was all a mistake.

They had to walk, fly, and teleport the entire way there. The small contingent of guards that accompanied them Northeast helped with luggage, but having to teleport twenty-three people to save time as well as the walking, exhausted him. His horn ached, his legs wanted to straight up quit the body.

Screaming had initially resisted the whole idea of leaving the capital. Till Orion bluntly pointed out what they all were seeing and not speaking on. How he just wanted to get away to not see that for awhile. Which pulled at her own guilt of ignoring what was happening. She eventually agreed.

Getting her uncles permission to whisk her away further north could only be accomplished by agreeing to take her entire personal guard. Something he still found as odd considering she was only a niece. Twelfth in line and all that. Speaking of his encounters with the rather expansive royal family, he was genuinely surprised by how down to earth they all were. Many were lords and ladies of provinces of land inside the nation.

Others had done their best to ply their management skills in mercantile businesses. Anything to bring money into the kingdom. The whole family seemed dedicated to saving their kingdom. It was touching.

Many were impressed to see him exercising with the troops as often as he did. The first few nights was parties and story telling. Of which Orion had begrudgingly accepted a role in telling how he got his scars. He pulled a full Heath Ledger. It was great. But he could see why they had so many parties. They were ignoring the travesty on their streets, try as they might to fix it they were merely slowing the boulder down.

Another point in his favor of leaving for a vacation within a vacation.

So here he stood, outside the town of Avery, ragged and pissed off. With a group of equally ragged and pissed off griffons. All of whom was pissed off at him. "Piss off we got here."

The town itself was nothing to speak of. Surprisingly it house just over a thousand griffons. The homes were built in uniform with each other. All log style. If it wasn't for the state of disrepair some of them were in, Orion would have said this place was lovely.

The villagers themselves came to greet them. Their chief, or what later he was told, Burgermeister came to greet them. She was tall for a Griffon hen, nearly eye to eye with him. Broad shoulders and strong looking arms showed this mayor of sorts was no stranger to work. It was actually rather intimidating.

"Hello, I am Grendal Plumage. I am the burgermeister of-," Orion stifled a chuckle and got a glare from the offended bird, "Of Avery. We welcome you to our town, to our nest. If I may ask, to what do we owe the pleasure of a royal visit?"

She was looking to Screaming, who was looking to Orion. He made to look to Gilda, but the tired hen just glared daggers at him.

"Oh heh, that would be my fault. We came here to vacation away from the city. Was hoping you had a couple of cabins to spare so that we could bed down and start fresh in the morning. It has been a LONG three days of walking, flying, teleporting....you know general suckatude of travel." His eyes said there was far more then what was being said, doing his best to hint that he had more to speak on privately. "Please tell me you do, these guys are already pissed at me, no need to make it worse."

The bergermeister cocked her head in that bird way griffons did, a trace of a smile on her beak. "We do, we actually have barracks for the soldiers that have come with you. Though they have no been used in many many years. You will all have to take time to clean them." Her voice was surprisingly soft for one someone so imposing, oddly warm and gentle.

The guards behind him perked up and talked excitedly. Apparently someone saw fit to spare him the wrath of his unwilling traveling companions. He said a small prayer thanking whatever deity was responsible. A small white and yellow butterfly landed on his shoulder.

"We also have a few homes that the rest of you can stay, but I must ask? Why here for a vacation? We have nothing to really draw a crowd to us."

He grinned for the first time in three days since they started their march.

"Why my dear bergermeister to have a chance to really relax. A fresh start on a vacation already in motion."

Grendal looked up from the rather large book of notes to reappraise the fledgling siting in front of her.

She did not know what to make of him. He walked into her town, announced they were on a vacation, and the moment she got him in her office his horn lit up silencing the noise from outside. She suspected he had sound proofed her office, that made her very wary of him.

He then sat down and levitated a thick notebook. Full of manufacturing and extracting ideas for her town, and the resources around them. He said nothing. Every time she asked a question he would nod to the book. As if all the secrets in the world could be answered.

Apparently as far as her small world of the village she presided over, it did have all the answers.

He left her to read for better part of twenty minutes.

"You came here with ulterior motives. Why?" She was shocked at all the ideas to turn her town into a production hub. The fact that a pony was just handing out this information like it was nothing made her suspicious.

He hummed, and put his hands together as he slowly leaned forward. To say she was intimidated by this fledgling was an understatement. The air around him at that moment tickled her flight of fight responses. The fact that he was bigger then her at only the tender age of fifteen made her fear how big he might become. The muscles under his shirt rippled with the movement of his body.

"I came here because as I was coming north on the rail line, I got to see this nation, for what it truly was. I got to see the hardships your people face. I watched as kids no older then five having to be carried onto the train because they were too weak from hunger to stand on their own. Me sharing my meager travel rations might as well have been Hearth's Warming Eve for them."

He leaned back, she was quiet as she hung onto his words, mulling them over in her mind. "In a world of magic, we somehow lack the ability to help those around us. I do not see how that is, but here we are." He looked her in the eyes, his grey ones glistened with moisture. "The day we left Griffonstone, I heard a mother cry out her child's name. I heard the anguish in those screams. I can't sit by and do nothing while the world starves. I believe your people have suffered enough."

He paused. "My goal is to teach you and those under you how to innovate. In those notes are ideas. Ideas that still need to be fleshed out with solid work. Most of which I am ninety-nine percent positive can work."

He affixed her with a soft look, one filled with anguish. "I want to give you, and your people a fresh start."

He had her, and she knew it.

Lies and Only Half Truthes

Screaming slept horribly. The bed was lumpy, the room she got was drafty, so the wind whistling the gaps between the logs of the old musty home. The home itself was poorly maintained due to the fact that the family that previously occupied it left for the capital when food became scarce some years ago.

No one had come in to stuff moss or some type of insulation between the logs since their departure.

So here she lay, the sun peaking over the horizon. The curtainless windows did nothing to shield her from it’s on ending rays of blinding brightness. She hated coming here. She couldn’t understand how Orion had talked her into this insanity.

“Screaming, we need to get the fuck outta here for awhile, don't you think?” Orion had entered her private room’s study earlier that afternoon and had made small talk to which she was finding herself hard to focus on considering the rather fetching outfit he wore was a major distraction for her.

The outfit of this day seemed to have been one of comfort, but it did little to hide the tone muscle under the soft cotton sleeveless tunic. Red was the color of the day, coupled with the dark gray cotton pants that wrapped tightly around his cannons, she couldn’t help but daydream wistfully.

She had noticed that much of his clothing had an ‘R’ etched in cursive that was on a tag with three diamonds, or crystals she could not tell. What she could tell was that most of his clothes were custom work. The distinct feminine tag begged questions that birthed jealous thoughts in her mind. “Just who had made his clothes?”

The idea of another female having already some claim on him often would send her into fits of unnecessary fury. Fury she only displayed away from Orion. She wasn’t sure how well he knew her culture, but she had no desire for him to see that side of her until he was well and truly caught in her net. Jealousy often showed ugly to those who had no idea it was there.

Because her thoughts had been turning, again, to dark imaginings she nearly missed his last statement.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” She blushed. She hadn't meant to ignore what he was saying, and being caught in doing so was more than embarrassing.

“Man I often wonder where your head goes, Scream. I said we need to get outta her. Like leave the city for a while. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of the constant parties, seeing the same sights day in and day out. So I figured, why not go on a vacation within a vacation?”

She mulled it over in her mind. On the one hand she too was tired of seeing the everyday sights she had seen for the last seven years. The increasing poverty only made her want to run away from it all. She wanted to help so badly. But when she asked her uncle to allow her to run programs to reeducate the populace in order to help them find work, he had to painfully explain the kingdom’s coffers could not support much more than shipping in grain from the south east.

She cried that night. Seventeen and she could yet do nothing.

But she was worried about leaving home. Fears of being on her own once again made her hesitant to leave. When she had learned the truth about who she was, and what had happened to her parents, she broke down and sobbed into her uncle’s arms.

Since then, the very idea of stepping outside the city for longer than a day was often too much for her to contemplate. Now here he was, trying to convince her to go.

“I don’t know Orion, I am not sure my uncle will just let us go off on our own. Where would we even go? Back to Canterlot? I haven’t really been back in a very long time. It would be nice to go someplace new though.” He had remained quiet the entire time with a small smile on his lips.

“ I already got someplace picked out. North of us is a town called Avery. It’s on the coast. So what I was thinking is we head up there for a couple of weeks, swim, relax in the woods around it, maybe even take a brief trip to Neighbon, which is only another five miles north of there. Eat some seafood, take in the local atmosphere. Anything is better than seeing the same shit here.”

She had always wanted to go to Neighbon. She heard that the city was bustling with life and festivals. Maybe they could see one in action! She quickly agreed after that.

Her disappointment was immense when she learned they had no beaches in Avery. The land to sea ended at a sheer drop off the cliffs from one-hundred and twenty feet above sea level. There was a beach, about two or three hundred yards off their coast. A sandbar had formed against the jutting rocks out there. But there was no shade to be had. So she and some of her retinue would have to carry their supplies out by hand.

It would have been easier to just teleport them all out there. But Orion, the one that had planned and dragged them all out here, had left early that morning and no one could find him.

She nearly tore her own feathers out in frustration. Where had he gone? And why drag them all the way out here? Surely he knew in advance the area’s geographical disposition. Didn’t he?

“Excuse me, beigermeister, have you seen Orion anywhere? He has been gone for almost two hours and I am beginning to get a little worried.” She was intimidated by the older hen. Her height and experience in life vastly dwarfed her. She commanded by sheer presence alone.

“I’m sorry, my Lady, but he saw me earlier this morning and said something about surveying the land. He took a few of my council with him and they have been gone since.” She smiled softly. “I’m sure your nest-mate will return soon. He has your arms-griffon, Gilda if I remember correctly, with him. He is in good claws.”

Screaming blushed furiously. “He and I are not bound to the nest. He is yet of age.” What she kept to herself is that he hadn’t noticed her attempts to catch his eye. She was failing, spectacularly.

A rye chuckle came from the older hen. “Does he know that? The way you look at him, he would have to be blind not to notice.” The crestfallen look on her face made Grendal frown. “He hasn’t noticed has he. His age is a problem? How old is he?”

“Just turned fifteen in the spring, what?” The beigermeister was laughing.

“You casted your net into the pond full of tadpoles dear. Though you reeled in a rather large one. Still, fledglings his age are often more concerned with boasting and displaying their colors to actually landing in a nest, maybe you are pushing for something not yet ready?”

His disappearance, being out here nearly by herself, the fact that she has gotten nothing in return from him as far as any attraction. Now, this hen was laughing at her. Mocking her attempts to secure her future. She began to cry.

“There there. I’m sorry if I seemed insensitive, truly. I was just surprised you would want for someone so young. But this is more than just him isn’t it?” Using a wing she had guided Screaming to a seat in her office.

Composing herself after a time, she told her. Everything that was bothering her. From the state of the people of Griffonia, to her fears of being useless in her countries attempt to redevelop themselves.

Grendal patted her arms, her wing still wrapped about her. “Well, I can assume he hasn’t told you why you all are really out here then. Well…..”

First, she was shocked. Then angry. After that she went through a litany of emotions that ranged from pride to outright fury at what he was planning and how much he had lied to her and her uncle.

“I see, he is using your town as a testing ground for ideas to...to improve our kingdom over all. He didn’t want to tell my uncle, because he was worried without proof of his ideas working, he would just reject it outright. So he devised this little scheme to improve the lives of one town, while also fleshing out the ideas in this notebook.” The very notebook she now held in her claws. She didn’t know whether she wanted to read more or tear it apart. He used her. Used her! Deceived her uncle, and lied about the reason he really came to see her.

But he was also trying to help, trying to save the very nation she had grown to love despite the failings of it. He was attempting to restore hope, and by the look on the beigermeister’s face, he had. Remembering the looks on the people’s faces here this morning, they knew. He had told her nothing, but the people had already heard.

The old drakes and hens of the village were smiling. A look she had not seen on their faces the night before. The hatchlings were somehow full of energy. He had brought in supplies, explained why they had lugged such a heavy wagon of items no one had seen yet. Didn’t charge them a dime yet he paid it all himself.

He was out, right now, surveying where to plant the crops he had planned. The salt fields, she still couldn’t believe he had known a way to easily preserve meat with salt of all things, he was sizing up for mining.

Orion had planned for all of this, she even figured he knew she would find out. This wasn’t a vacation. He was attempting to save her people. Using her to get away from the capital in order to get out from under Bloodbeak’s eye.

She wanted to laugh. Cry. But mostly she just smiled proudly, he was growing up to be something special.

“Now remember, we are NOT strip mining the place. Too much refuse from the site would likely damage the environment. If you noticed, nothing was really growing there. So we have to be careful and dispose of the non-product away correctly so as to not harm the local environment. Got it?

Nodding heads, and smiling beaks were his response. Orion could hear the quiet murmurings of the council and few tradesmen, or was that tradesgriffons? They were of course in awe of his idea to mine out the salt in the ground. His scans showed that it was big, bigger than what he could easily read.

The wand he had made was still in his pocket, it had pulped itself. He had made it to gauge the depth and width of the potential mine, but it had failed at the fifty yard mark. Still, the scan showed a vast deposit, easily large enough to last several decades if not a couple of centuries. A broad sweeping scan showed him the area had more than a few like it in the area.
These fuckers were going to be loaded.

They were headed back to the village in the early afternoon. Having wanted to get back to report their findings and to make plans to mass produce how to books to go with each shipment of salt. He was leaving most of the logistics in distribution to them. It was their show after all. He was just giving them a much needed push.

Earlier, he had sent back the farmers, with seedlings and how-to books on how to tend the potatoes, carrots, and other temperate climate vegetables that could grow this far north. They were already excitedly talking about how fast the produce could grow.

The masons that had gone with them, of which there were only two, each held a copy of a book showing how to make graineries. The grins on their faces were infectious. He was surprised to find out they were nearly on the verge of figuring out how to make them on their own. They especially liked the idea of the ground ones, as they can store the meat they hunt and fish on their own.

They had no idea how fast these plans were going to accelerate them.

Walking past the rough hewn gate, he stopped. Screaming was standing in front of the cabin she had been given. She had locked eyes with him and, well he couldn’t describe the expression. He wanted to say she was constipated. But a quick look to the mayor of this tiny ass village had told him all he needed to know.

She knew. Likely was told the real reason they were here while he was gone, sooner then what he wanted but not unexpected. The guards around the village that had come with them were straight up glaring daggers at him.

“Well, that isn’t good.”

He didn’t even wait to go somewhere private.

“Yeah, yeah. I lied my ass off. The only way I figured it was going to work. I mean really, Scream, do you honestly think your uncle would have said yes if i would have said, ‘Golly gee sir, I’d really like to go to an out of the way place to run some ideas that may or may not work?’” He crossed his arms. “No I am quite certain he would have glared at me, and shortened my time with you.”

“That doesn’t mean you had to lie to me!” Oh now he knew what that look meant, she was livid. Famous Griffonian temper was arising, he had heard a few rumors about her legendary meltdowns. Not going to happen.

“Ah ah. Do you think you would have outright agreed to come with me? Knowing I was planning this? Would you have kept it from King Bloodbeak?”

“Of course not!” Her hand quickly went to cover her beak eyes wide. Anger can be useful. In this case her emotions prevented her from lying. Orion just gave her a knowing look. “You, you jeopardize the very lives of these people if what your doing doesn’t work!”

“Oh come on, that’s a weak ass argument if I have ever heard of one. By now you all realize what was in those wagons we had all been dragging here. Those were outrageously pricey by the way. That’s also why I am getting the death glares from your guards.”

She sputtered. She was trying to find some way to stay furious at him, but he knew she couldn't. They all knew it. He was right in his planning even if it was a sneaky ass thing to do.

“Why couldn’t you have told me last night?” She had him there, there wasn’t much reason to keep up the ruse once they had arrived.

“To be honest, I didn’t know how to break it to you. You found out far sooner than I wanted, but it wasn’t unexpected. The odds were that if you found out, being as tired and crabby as you were, you’d likely murder me in my sleep. Either that or I was gonna be beaten by your guards with bars of soap in socks, either or.”

He sighed, they had become a soap opera, the villagers looked on in amazement. The guards were surprisingly, chuckling, they were likely embracing the suck at this point.

“This, is a chance to do something meaningful. Not budgeting against the tide. Not hoping that next year someone will come up with a way to bring in the cash to keep your economy afloat. God does not favor the man who does nothing but pray, he helps the one who helps themselves. In this case, I am helping you and yours not fade to nothing.”

“You claimed that this was sanctioned by the king himself.” The quiet way that was spoken, yet carried to every ear in town, made him cringe. “Aww shit.” He had forgotten that particular lie.

“Yeah I did-” He was knocked off his hooves so fast he didn’t realize what had happened. Hitting the ground in a skid, he grabbed the side of his muzzle. He had been hit, hard. The beigermeister stood over him, fury in her eyes.

“You lied to me and my people, our lives are now in your claws and you couldn’t even tell that truth!” Oh yeah, pissed to the max.

He went to stand up, but Grendal pushed him down. Going to stand up again she pushed him, he grabbed her hands, yanked her down and rolled her over till he was on top and she was pinned under him.

Spitting out some blood to the side he grinned, “I let you hit me once, but if you think you are going to just keep pushing me around, I’ll magic your head into your own asshole understand?”

She struggled vainly for a few minutes before finally giving up.

“Now, I am actually sorry I lied. To everyone.” He said that last loudly and looked around, still holding the griffon under him firmly. “Had I thought of a better, more honest way I would have done so. But I have a lot of knowledge. But my social and charismatic skills suck ass.”

He stood up letting Grendal go. She glared at him, but didn’t try and further the conflict. “These ideas will work. I know they will, but I can’t give you a reason as to why. I know that sounds strange as fuck, but it’s true.” One hen glared at him as she placed her hands around her child's ears. “Great, we have a Karen.”

“So you know they work, but can’t tell us how you know.” This bitch wasn’t giving up on this. He was going to have to take a gamble.

“Namely you would not believe me if I told you. Master Grimcrest, by the way epic name, in your professional opinion, what do you think the chances are the crops will grow quickly.”

Being put on the spot Grimcrest nervously licked his beak as his mayor stared at him. “In truth, they will grow fast, much faster than we originally believed. We could have viable crops in as short as two months on many of them. Some even earlier. From what our masons have told me, we can apply the skills from making graineries to our own homes. To shore them up for winter. This can very well be a huge boon to our benefit.”

Orion smiled smugly. Grendal was still angry, but she was no longer looking like she was going to bite nails out of boards.

The less nervous griffon spoke on, “In addition to that, we have already seen the method of preserving fish. A barrel was brought in with the supplies, a barrel that contained almost eight hundred fish. They were packed a month ago by the ledger’s report. They have not rotted. And a little rinse has proven them edible. If this alone is all Master Falls had, I would call this a major improvement.” He had gained confidence in his speech, and his fellow council men had actually gone and hauled the barrel out of a nearby cellar.

The mayor was no longer angry. She had walked up and began sifting through the barrel, inspecting each one. Quiet talk went on between her and the others for a whole thirty minutes.

During that time Screaming had walked over to stand next to Orion.

“I get it, you’re actually trying to help my people. But why? Why couldn’t you tell me? To let me in on the plan from the beginning.” She was quiet, and not because of the debate going on amongst the elders of the village. She had drawn in on herself. She looked so tiny standing there, shoulders hunched, unable or not willing to look at him. “Why?”

“Scream, since day one I was lying. Not that I am not actually happy to see you. Honestly I was excited to spend time with you. But my original plan was to tell, who I believed at the time, your rich adopted family my ideas, to have them sell them without my name being dropped. An idea sold can have powerful ramifications. The mere mention of rumors of those ideas could have flashed through your nation like a storm. But then….”

He sighed, running his hands through his mane.

“Then I saw those people on the train. The little supplies I had on hand I gave freely, and it was if I gave them the world for that one moment. No one, and I mean no one, should live life like that. The fear in the parents eyes. The weeping of that mother on the day we departed to come here. Because your Uncle is actually the King, I couldn’t just say ‘hey these ideas will work’.” He looked over to her. “Do you believe he would have bought what I was selling?”

She was quiet, the council and the mayor were getting a bit louder now. But Orion kept his eyes solely on Scream.

“No…..he would have thrown you out of the castle, likely shipped you back to Canterlot faster than you arrived.” She sighed, and surprisingly leaned her body against his. He caught her gently and wrapped an arm about her. “You chose not to tell me because you couldn’t be sure of how I would react. To be fair, I would have likely run to tell him your ideas myself. Never really realizing that it would upset him.”

“For what little it's worth Scream Queen, I’m sorry. Really. I fucked up out of fear of my plans being exposed early. I had to think hard and fast to pull all this off. If I had more time, I’d likely been able to come up with a better way to include you. As it is now, I have a month and a half, maybe more if I can squeeze it.”

She sighed heavily, everyone seemed to be doing that. But when she went to open her mouth, Grendal and her council marched over. They didn’t seem angry, many had smiles on their faces. She was still frowning but it was far more speculative than before.

“We have come to a decision. You have lied to us. All of us. But you knew we were going to find out about it anyway. That is why you had brought so many supplies. In case this didn’t work you planned to support our winter.” She smiled. “Thank you for considering my peoples needs should you have failed.”

“After looking at several examples, speaking to the handwerkers we, or more appropriately I, have decided to allow you to continue with your projects here.” Orion gave a half smile, he knew the boot was about to drop. “You will however, have to tell me how you know these ideas will work, and where you got them.”

“Absolutely not. As I said, you would not really believe me. No one would. I will be up front on what else I want to try. But the secret to the knowledge in my head is mine alone. You will just have to accept that little fact angry bird.” He chuckled to himself, getting confused looks in attendance. In his head he had already started to debate which angry bird she was, he was settling on Matilda. The white one.

“And should this end our brief partnership?” She had cocked her left eye, not phased by his own quiet laughter.

“Then it ends here. You at least got some ideas, and I may just bounce around to other villages to help where I can in their local economies. I can’t force any of you to accept my terms. Just as you cannot force me to accept yours.” He leaned back against a fence post marking the boundary between two homes. “The choice is, to accept my original plan, now under the knowledge that the nation has no idea what's going on out here. Or send me packing, your move lady.”

Grendal chewed on a claw in thought. The whole village had gotten quiet, the children were even silent as hell. Orion was getting some Children of the Corn vibes with them.

“Fine. I do not like it. But the evidence of you actually trying to help weighs heavily in your favor. However, no more lies. Only the truth now. What else do you plan?”

He smiled, hooked with the same line, only without the bait this time.

“Well. I heard there is a non-griffon group up here. Likes to burrow a lot. That sort of thing.” The glares of the villagers told him much. “I see you have had dealings with them?”

The mayor, and village elders, all spat onto the ground. The fact that the beaks bent the way they did to accommodate the action short circuited his brain. “They can fucking spit? How?!”

“Yes, we have. They came into our village two months ago. Demanding workers to help clear out their tunnels. Filthy beasts had to be chased off. What?” She had noticed the miserable look on his face.

The reports pointed to the evidence of Diamond Dogs in the area. Knowing they were actually here was great, learning that they had been chased out meant the two groups were already going to start out as rocky to begin with. He needed them to get along.

“Well shit, that isn’t going to work.”

“What do you mean? Should we have driven them off?” She looked eager to do so, several of them were.

“No. Fuck no. You need them.” The shocked look from the entire village almost made him break down, almost. “Well you see, they have a skill set you do not have, they have to scavenge everything they can to feed themselves. They have no agricultural capabilities. That’s why they steal constantly. They developed amazing mining skills. But shit all for anything else.”

The perplexed looks he was getting made him explain.

“You all have noticed the plans for a blast forge in the notes I have given you.” A few nods, still with that look of not understanding. “That furnace is for iron ore, the hills are packed with the stuff here.”

He had seen them all over the place, a simple scan showed all he needed to know. He had to use the wand to its near failure in order to find a vein. And holy shit was there a big one. The nation of Griffonia had vast untapped resources. With careful planning and lessons about how to deal with pollution in a constructive way, this nation could rise to prominence in less than five years.

“I still do not understand, Diamond Dogs care for nothing other than gems and crystals, to what possible reason would they want to dig up iron for?”

He just smiled, “Why my dear beigermeister, food.”

Rover yawned heavily, he had been outside under the afternoon sun for over two hours. While the Diamond Dog couldn’t be called intelligent in any sort of way by his fellow dogs, he even knew his brain was cooking in the bronze helmet that he wore on his skull.

Such was his punishment for taking extra scraps during meal time this morning. It just smelled so good and he was soo hungry. He sniffled, he believed life was unfair to him. He never considered that his actions could have left one of the pups hungry, no Rover was not one to understand much beyond orders and his own desires.

He stared at the grassy landscape in stupor, thinking he may just take a nap when he noticed something approaching.

His orders were to chase off griffons, and any beasty that came upon the tunnel to the warren. But what came over the hill was not a beasty, nor a griffon. It was a pony. A unicorn pony. He had no idea what to do. Being unable to think for himself beyond noting it was not who or what he was guarding against he just stood there.

The pony walked right up to him, and Rover had to crane his neck back. This was a tall pony! He had only ever seen a few but none of them were ever that big.

The pony was dressed in a red tunic and gray pants. Under that he could see the solid black fur. The pony’s mane was brown, and he had a little scruff of the same on his chin. But what really drew his gaze was the large swirl pattern horn on his forehead. It reminded him of the pools of water in a cave when he was little. He would splash them and they would make the little ripples in the shallow waters.

“Good day to you my fine friend. I hope the sun hasn’t baked that brain of yours to mush, you look like you’ve been out here awhile.”

The pony had spoke! To him! Rover had no idea what to do, his limited instructions never told him how to deal with a pony coming up and talking to him. What should he do? He thought hard.

Soon enough something interrupted his arguably slow thought process. A, something had been pushed into his view. He blinked, slowly. It was a round tan-ish thing. With a stopper at the top.

“Oh dear God, your brain likely is mush right now. Here, have some water. Just pull the stopper at the top and aim the spout into your mouth.”

Water? Rover was so thirsty, he could definitely use a drink. But how was that holding water? He only lapped his water up in pools inside the caverns in the tunnels dug by his people.

Doing as instructed though he had to be guided to pull the stopper, the Diamond Dog soon found the joys of a bag of water. Guzzling greedily He drank the entire container in one fell swoop.

He shook the bag looking for more and not finding any, he then tossed the bag aside and looked back to the pony, surprised to see him there.

The pony sighed heavily, suddenly there was some type of bag into his hands. “You have got to be fucking with me, I had to pull the dumb one.”

Orion could not believe this shit. He had been watching the den, or warren of the resident Diamond Dog clan for almost a week.

From what the villagers had told him back in Avery, these guys had moved in sometime before the snowfall of last year. Grendal had sent a request for their removal but with the limited resources of the nation they had yet to get a response.

For the most part, the dogs had kept to themselves.

The only time they had interacted with the locals was when the day two months ago were they seemed to demand help in clearing their tunnels. There were no kidnappings, which is usually typical of the mutts.

Diamond Dogs seemed to employ a weak form of slavery. They worked those they took to the bone, but once the job was done for what they wanted they would simply let them go. It was a strange way of running things. That had not happened here with the griffons.

It could be possible that they had more to fear from the griffons as they did the ponies, but it seemed unlikely. The kidnappings often happen at night.

Because of that, Orion felt it was moderately safe to monitor them for a time, to see just how big the pack inside actually was.

That was made more difficult then he hoped. He felt guilty dragging Scream and her soldiers all the way up here, so he opted to spend time with them, as well as help direct work efforts into improving the village.

Many of the village houses were outright being torn down, replaced with a better block foundation, and already new supports were in place to begin building the walls. The fields had been plowed in record time, with a large stream being dug between them for a rudimentary irrigation system being put in place that could be at full capacity by next year's end.

He even managed to spend time with Scream and Gilda. They, and the soldiers with them, had managed to build a little shack on the rocky islet off the coast. Took only two days and a lot of flying.

It was actually a pretty cool place to chill, Orion figured once things were truly underway he could let himself relax and stay out there for a couple of nights.

She was there now, relaxing in the June sun, while he was stuck here dealing with the dumbest fucking individual he had ever met.

Seriously, this mutt’s eyes even blinked out of order.

He sighed again before putting the water bag away.

“Okay bud, let’s try this again shall we? My name is Orion Falls. What’s yours?” He held his breath, hoping against failure.

There was a pause, and then, “My name Rover.” Success! He wasn’t a complete retard.

“Did he just drool all over himself…?” Shaking his head to put the thought away, and vowing to never let him touch anything of his again, “Well it is a pleasure to meet you Rover. I am looking for the man, or woman, in charge of this here pack. Are they in? May I see them?”

The now named Rover just blinked in that stupefied way he did. “They here. No see dem.”

Sweet baby Jesus, he spoke slower than shit moved in winter. “Why can’t I see them? What’s your job out here bud?”

“No see dem, said no thing allowed. I guard. No let beasties or Griffies inside.” He stood up straight, a look of pride on his face at doing his own job.

“May you never breed my friend. I wonder, do you know what neutering is?” He wanted to groan in frustration. This was not how he wanted this to go. But there was something in what he said. He smiled, he did not want to enter by force and this dog just gave him the in.

“Am I a griffon? Do I look like one?”

Rover the Stupid blinked, and gave him a hard look up and down. “No….?”

“So, would that mean that I am barred from entering? Considering I am not a beast nor a griffon I should have access to meet your leader correct? Considering I am not on the list of those to be stopped, yes?”

The dog stared, and then adopted a position that Orion was sure was supposed to be thinking, but he looked like he was going to take a shit with the way he was suddenly concentrating so hard.

He aged while the moron thought, it had to be at least five minutes before he finally got an answer.

“Yes, you can go.” Rover smiled, thinking he was being benevolent.

Well, now for the hard part, but given this guy’s intelligence he thought it likely he would snag that win too.

“Excellent my good friend. I thank you humbly.” This was so not his style. “I do have one request if you would grant it.” He waited for what felt like an hour for the dog to respond with a nod and a tilt to his head. “I do not know the way, would you kindly show me?”

This time it didn’t take him long at all. “Yes, Rover can show way. It dis way, come!” Wow, he was suddenly happy as a pig in slop, if Orion had to guess it was likely the idea of actually getting out of the sun.

Thus he followed him down. As they entered the cave, his horn glowed weakly as he began to actively scan their position. He did not want to get lost while down there, so he began to construct a map in his head of where he was at all time. Just in case negotiations didn’t go as planned.

The tunnel slopped sharply down and to the left at first, and then broadened out in a natural cave. Water was dripping from stalagmites into small pools throughout the moderately sized natural formation.

This is when he got his first sight of a female Diamond Dog. “Jesus Christ they smell fucking terrible, do they not even give themselves tongue baths?!”

The female closest to him was all but naked. Where good Ol’ Rover was dressed in a rusted ass pair of greaves with a cuirass that was being held together with leather in places leather was going to get easily cut, this maybe lady only wore a rotting leather loincloth.

These guys were worse off than the griffons. As he cast his gaze around the room, he spotted some more females and even a few males, all similarly dressed. They were drinking out of the pools of water.

“They know how to at least use armor if not make it. But they can’t even figure out how to make stone cups or something. That can’t be healthy, shit.” This was beginning to paint an entirely different picture for him.

While he had only been able to observe a couple hours out of a day, he got the impression that there were over eighty of them in all. Possibly more, if he were to count children. The marks in the river a mile to the west of them showed some very sad attempts at catching fish.

Now seeing their emaciated frames he was starting to get a better picture on what was wrong.

In books, there were interviews done to understand them. In those sessions it was discovered that Diamond Dogs were constantly infighting with each other. Observations further highlighted that when a pack, or ‘family’ as they were called, lost a fight, they were ejected from the lands they held and had to move on.

That is likely what happened here. Judging by the state they were in, it was likely a bad loss on an already weakened group.

Down they went again. Another chamber. This one branched off into eight halls. They took the third on the right and kept going.

Throughout the little journey they were making, Orion had noticed something. There were a lot of angry glares coming from the others. He expected that, he was an unknown coming into their home. But those looks weren’t directed at him, they were all falling on his guide.

Rover obviously knew too, for as they kept going, he increasingly drew in on himself. The proud posture he once held was gone. In place was a pitiful thing. His eyes were watery, and filled with shame.

“Oh you done fucked up somewhere didn’t you? Would explain why you were on guard detail for three days in a row…” He was actually starting to feel bad for the mutt.

He went to ask what happened when he suddenly stopped.

“Here wait. I go. Tell dem you here.”

Orion was startled, and checked his internal map to see he had a complete scan of his path back to the surface. He sighed in relief and nodded giving the dog a thumbs up. “Yep, I’m cool to wait here bud.”

Rover cocked his head, but never asked the question that was clearly occupying his likely small, small brain.

Pushing back a stone wall, he marched in shutting it behind him. That is when he noticed the two guards looking at him, with heads cocked. How had he not noticed the fuckers before now? The both carried rusted spears, and of all things, long swords. How in the hell did they plan to fight him if it came to that?

His thoughts came to a screeching halt when he heard a loud crash coming from behind the stone door. There was unintelligible shouting, a slam, more shouting.

Now he really felt bad. Hopefully he could improve the poor dog's luck with what he had to say.

More shouting, and then the stone door cracked open, and a chihuahua of all things looked up at him. Anger was clear on his face. “What da hell do you want?!”

Orion blinked. The fucker had a solid New York accent. The way he sounded, he almost thought there was a Diamond Dog Italy out there somewhere.

“I have a proposal that may just benefit the both of us. Well the people I represent. And from what I have seen? You need to take me up on my offer.” He smiled. Showing his teeth.

The midget mutt blinked, looked at his mouth and blinked again in shock. “Yeah, okay. Alright. Come ‘on in. Make yourself at home.” There was a look in his eye, one Orion did not think bode well for him.

Walking in behind him the door slammed close with a boom startling him. Something was slipped over his horn and suddenly the map in his head was gone. The magic was still there but it couldn’t go anywhere.

The blow came out of nowhere, he barely had time to dodge, got a glancing blow to the side of the head instead of the back of it. He sprang to a corner and took stock of his surroundings.

Rover, that poor bastard, was in another corner cowering. In fear.

The little fucker chihuahua was smirking from a little throne he had placed toward his left. Center and to the rear of the room.

The one who took a swing at him was an absolute unit of a dog. Carrying a club the beast was grinning like one who had found a prize.

Orion took a chance to look at his horn, a nullstone ring. His blood ran cold. Of all the places to be, he had no idea that they might have had one.

He didn’t get much more time to contemplate, because Unit was coming for him. He barely managed to dodge the swing from the asshole and bounced over to the cowering mutt.

“Hey, Rover. You didn’t warn me about a possible surprise beat down…” He said in a panicky voice. He only got whimpers in response. The poor guy looked like he got straight up jacked up. The left side of his head was swelling.

He didn’t get a second chance to get out of the way. A loud whack, and blackness.

“Your Majesty, an emissary from Equestria is here.”

Bloodbeak was startled out of his work at the sound of his stewards' voice. He had been up late again and the kaf was certainly doing him no favors in waking him up.

The old bird stood by his King’s desk with a look of utter indifference. The griffon knew that his Steward, Stuart Sunclaw, a good drake. His placid look was a carefully constructed mask to be as unobtrusive as possible.

“What? Celestia sent an emissary? What for?” He was grumpy, and stalling for time so that he could mentally deal with some prissy noble pony from Canterlot.

“He claims he is here on some matter about a colt that came here. Orion Falls if I remember him correctly.” Holding up a clawed hand, “Do not worry m’lord. Nothing was said to him about the hatchling.”

Bloodbeak smiled, as per instructions. No one talked to the ponies about anything without expressed leave to. It was standard to keep the whorse in her castle as blind as possible to the goings on in his nation.

“Thank you Stuart, show him in please, and lock the door behind you.” His steward nodded and turned to his task.

Shortly a tall stallion entered the room. He blinked at the pony. This was an officer in her majesty’s royal guard. The all white pony entered the room at a crisp pace and saluted. That took him for a loop.

Dressed in gold armor that had purple accents, he removed his helmet. A shock of well trimmed mane in three different shades of blue fell to his shoulders.

Before Bloodbeak had a chance to speak, the stallion spoke first.

“Good Afternoon, your majesty. Forgive the sudden arrival. I am here on a mission to ascertain the location of Orion Falls. My name and rank is First Lieutenant Shining Armor, of Her Majesty’s Royal Guard.”

Composing himself he spoke. “Good Afternoon to you Lieutenant Armor. It is a rare occurance to have an officer of another nation on my doorstep. Please, sit.” He gestured to a chair in front of his desk.

“All do respect, sir, but I wish to remain standing. The sooner I locate the colt the sooner I can get out of your mane.” He was ramrod straight. The very image of a soldier. And likely less imaginative as most.

“Very well. To what purpose is there in finding my niece's guest?” He was choosing his words carefully. He did not want to offend Celestia’s goldencolt. The word was that the lieutenant was on the fast track officer program. The Princess was pushing him fast into a position of authority. Of what he did not know.

“Your majesty. Orion Falls left Canterlot without permission from either his guardian, Daisy Evergarden, or Princess Celestia. He is a minor colt. That alone is enough.”

“So she sent a junior officer out to retrieve him? All this for a fledgling?” It made no sense. Sure Orion was unusual. But to be so obvious in concern for what could arguably be a mostly ordinary individual. Why?

Something wasn’t adding up. He had no idea what the Princess was up to, and why the on and off interest into the colt. He knew where he was. As to why he had chosen Avery of all places, dragging his niece with him, he had no idea.

“Best to let this pony chase his tail for a bit.”

“I see. I had no idea that he had left his home without permission. He and my niece, Screaming, left for Arber south east of here. I believe they planned to do some skiing in summer. He wanted to be cool and she wanted to go wherever he went. Such is youth and love.” He smiled.

Lieutenant Armor grimaced. It was apparent that the young officer was hoping for a quick pick up and back to the capital with the pair of them.

“Very well, thank you. I hate to come and go so quickly but it was impressed upon me that I should acquire him as quickly as possible.” He saluted.

Bloodbeak smiled again, and gave a nod in acknowledgement. “I understand, she was never one for waiting on results was she?”

For the first time since he walked into his door, the stallion smiled. A tired smile. “No sir, she most certainly isn’t.”

Pleasantries done, the tired King stood and looked out the window, his mind trying to make sense of what was actually happening.

He observed Shining Armor’s departure.

“A platoon for one hatchling? What are they expecting? Him to fight?” The whole affair spoke of an undercurrent he couldn’t quite figure out. With resolve he called in Stuart, time to get to the bottom of this.

“Just who are you Orion Falls? To warrant an entire platoon for your apparent capture is beyond what I expected from that crone.”

“Yes, sir?” The dry tone of his steward spoke up behind him.

“Inform my personal guard. I am making a trip to Avery. I wish to have all needed supplies ready within three days.”

“At once your majesty.” The drake departed in pursuit of making the necessary preparations.

“Who are you Orion Falls….”

Despair

There was a steady and distant drip echoing in the darkness. Orion coughed. Groaned and tried to roll over. “The fuck happened, ugh my head.”

While he had managed to roll over he was unable to move his arms, or his legs. He was bound.

“Fuck!”

Now he remembered his ill fated meeting with the midget mutt after he had conned an idiot guard. With a sigh he realized he could feel the nullstone still wrapped securely around his horn. He struggled a little more to free his arms or at least sit up right, both of which failed miserably.

The hard stone ground was damp. Fortunately there were no bars, not that it mattered considering they had him tied up in some pretty well maintained rope.

“Shit. I’m stuck here.” He had not wanted to acknowledge that fact. He was an idiot.

He adjusted himself as best he could while mulling over his options. Which were few. The steady drip was his only company.

She watched as her charge angrily, and more than a bit worriedly, paced the floor of the drafty little cabin they were sitting in.

Orion was missing, had been for days. It was obvious why when two days earlier in the week he announced his attempt to pull the Diamond Dogs into his little scheme.

The scheme, as she was calling it, was massively impressive. The ramifications of success out here would mean the very survival of her nation. What self respecting griffon would not want to see that?

Her issue was with his deception, and the knowledge that he was eventually going to get caught in the lies he was telling. She was even angry. For not only was his efforts hidden from the crown, but her charge’s heart was being broken. Even if the young lady had not realized it yet. Gilda could see the signs.

Deep down she knew he had no interest in Screaming. At first she assumed it was just a cultural difference. But during the couple of weeks in which he seemed to almost divide his time flawlessly with what his host wanted to do with his own desires, she noticed the almost sad look whenever she would get touchy with him. He knew. Knew and used that to further his admittedly honorable goals.

She loved and hated him for his actions.

So it was with a conflicted heart that she watched as Screaming seemed about to tear her feathers out with worry over a stallion that doesn’t see her in that regard.

“My Lady.” She had to be delicate, for she knew she had no knowledge when it came to matters concerning military procedures and assessments, and with their small force this would be more than difficult.

“We can not just charge in to rescue young Master Falls. He could be being held anywhere inside the vast tunnels Diamond Dogs typically dig. He might have already been moved for all we know. What we must do right now is consider our options. I have a trio of guards cycling turns to watch the entrances as best they can. While digging is their preferred method, they will likely transfer him over land rather than go that route.”

“Oh so we have to hope they haven’t moved him yet?! So I have to worry that they….they may have just eaten him instead? Or just stand by while they may have already shuffled him off to be sold to the highest bidder!?” She was shrieking, that was to be expected. But this served them nothing.

“My Lady, as of right now, we can only watch. We do not have the forces to storm the halls and caverns that must be down there. My advice is to send our fastest flyer to the capital, to purge this festering boil in our lands. By watching the mongrels we can keep an eye on their activities and update the incoming troops on the situation. This will facilitate a response that will put the least amount of lives on the line, and keep you both safe.”

She knew Screaming hated the idea of holding off, truth be told so did she. She wanted nothing more than to put each and every dog to the blade. She also, along with several others in their troop, wanted a chance to punch Orion right in his muzzle. This was by far the stupidest thing he could have done.

“Oh I’ll be fine. If shit gets too crazy, I’ll just ‘port the hell out. It’s not like they have any mages of their own.” He was standing there with that cocky grin he always had plastered on his face.

A look that Gilda was dreaded seeing on his face. It meant that once again he was gambling with their lives, their people. Currently that smile was being used to placate Screaming as she hung on worriedly to his shirt.

“This is silly Orion. Why not just send one of my soldiers to do it?” She was doing her best to put as much contact on his body as she reasonably could. If the older guard-griffon were to be honest, she found the whole spectacle shameful. Lady Rush was practically throwing herself at him and he was still trying to be gentle in letting her down. “Coward, just tell her honestly.”

“I doubt they know what I am after, or could really even understand what it is they are asking. No offense but they are soldiers. They work well as a unit. But they are likely not trained in economics or infrastructure. Or are you hiding land surveyors in your team Corporal Ironwing?”

How he had found out her rank and last name she had yet to figure out. But the bigger surprise was that he never said her full rank and name in a derisive manner. Though he was holding a smile at the moment.

“No Orion I am not hiding any economists or engineers in my current platoon. I will let you know if I am made aware of any.” She looked back to her soldiers but they were all laughing. They had come to watch her Lady debase herself again.

She hid the scowl on her face when she turned back around, the drakes grumbled as they went back to their duties.

“Well then I guess this will all have to be up to me then.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry your pretty little head Scream, if it gets out of hand I will simply teleport out.”

Something had gone wrong. Something that the young stallion did not think could happen, happened.

Gilda had floated the idea that he was being kept unconscious. That a scuffle had broken out and in the confusion the fool was hit in the head, and now they were keeping him prisoner.

Sergeant Ghostbill had a suggestion that she was now fearing more likely. That Orion had fallen victim to a nullstone ring.

The idea was at first preposterous to her. But the more she thought about it, the more she began to think it made more sense. How the filthy mutts had gotten a hold of one was beyond her.

Equestria was the only place known currently that had the rare mineral to be found. Exclusively controlled by the Crown itself. The purpose of which is to create a way to imprison unicorn convicts without the massive wards that would be needed in order to bind them.

None of this helped. Other than watching there was nothing that they could do. In fact she had to reason with her Ladyship every other hour to not mount a rescue with the paltry forces they had at hand.

Gilda was interrupted from her thoughts.

“Fine, who do we have that is the fastest?” It seemed she had finally seen reason. “ What else can we do?” She bit her claw with worry.

“Specialist Redplume would likely be the fastest that we currently have. He says he can make the trip in a day with no stops. He will have to go armorless, but it means he can stay in the air for far longer.” She paused, “We can also double up on the patrol around the tunnels. Two for each shift. This will give us more coverage and give them less of a chance to make a move we won’t know about.”

Lady Grace Screaming Rush hesitated. Then nodded to herself. “Do it.”

“There’s two up there now boss. Just circlin’ ‘bout. They watching us good that's for sure.”

Barney was pacing back and forth angrily. To the diminutive leader this was getting more complicated than just a quick cash grab.

When that pompous jackass of a pony had walked right into their home, he was pissed. The fool mutt Rover just had to bring trouble into his already failing pack. When he saw the unicorn, he realized they could make some actual money selling him to a more profitable outfit. So he had his personal guard go after him.

He was rather surprised at how long it took Aspen to bring him down. Normally she would easily subdue any opponent she was put up against. The feisty stallion lasted a whole five minutes before she finally got him.

The nullstone ring they had stolen all those years ago, finally had a use. He didn’t have to worry about the little shit escaping. The idea that he could actually help his people get food in their bellies and medicine for their wounds was becoming more of a reality to him. He had smiled at the idea of saving the lives of his pack.

At least it was. Not a day after they had snagged their meal ticket, did those fucking griffons start circling the area. He could only assume they were looking for their captive as they had nothing else of real value.

“Fuckin’ griffons.” He turned to look at Strudel, she had been on tunnel guard this morning. “They found the escape entrance too?” The nod he got redoubled his anger. “FUCK! We can’t exactly ransom this stallion off with these buzzards flappin’ about.”

The need to get rid of this pony was growing all the larger after just two days. He had idly thought of just pushing the bastard out the tunnel entrance hoping they would just take him and go.

His sister threw a wrench into that thought process. It would mean they had no bargaining chip to negotiate with if things got worse. With their luck, it was definitely going to get worse.

Scratching furiously at his collar, the fleas were getting worse, he groaned with frustration.

Then there was his loyal bitch, Aspen. She had somehow taken a shine to the stallion. It was everything he could do to keep her from him. She was under the impression that he was her prize as she managed to beat him, and he had managed to stay away from her for so long.

She wanted pups, and she was not satisfied with the current stock of studs. With that in mind she saw this stallion as the perfect replacement. Barney didn’t know whether to lock her away for awhile, or just let her have at it and get it out of her system.

The heat season was not terrible this year but it still lingered. No Dog bothered to breed, being unable to feed the new pups weighed heavily enough on all of them that they didn’t want to risk one starving to death. Meat was already low, and their attempts to catch fish was laughable.

Finding meat on the pony was a major oddity to the leader. Which prompted questions. Questions that were answered with a very rough examination.

He himself was still in shock to find out that this, Orion, was a meat eater. That had set all the tongues wagging in the den. Judging by the teeth and the jerky that was on him, looking chewed on, it was easily apparent to every mutt of what he was. They just couldn’t figure out how.

They had stripped him of almost everything, except that leather band on his wrist, and the golden bands around his biceps. They had tried everything to get them off. Not wanting to damage the goods he ordered a stop on it. Obviously they were magically bound to him. They would just have to wait till that binding failed.

“Any peep out of da fucking pony?”

“No boss, he awake, but no talkin’. Think he scared of Aspen. Almost got pants off last night.” The guards in the room chuckled at that.

Barney just groaned. If she had not failed to muzzle him, she would likely have been pumped full of pups last night. Even with all the screaming and shouting, they almost didn’t make it in time. She had been in the process of trying to get him hard with his pants around his ankles. He wanted to laugh at the sight.

That pony was babbling something about being ‘too young for the birds and the bees’ while the guards struggled with their own laughter and pulling Aspen off. She had bitten three of them before they finally muzzled her. Maybe the heat was a little worse for her this year. Though it should have ended for her by now.

His sister was with her now, keeping the massive Diamond Dog restrained with words alone. Never could figure out how she did that.

“Ugh, I’m gonna head down and get some answers. There has to be a reason why those feather brains are all over us.” He grabbed his staff, the Cane of Clan Barker, and paced down the tunnel, lost in what he planned to demand of the pony that brought all this trouble down on him.

Orion had not slept since the attack of last night.

The crazy dog was just as bad as the horde of mares that had chased him throughout the city. The difference was, his ‘cell’ had no bars to protect him from Her. The realization that the Diamond Dog that had clubbed him upside the head was female came when she started groping him his first morning there.

The second time he had woken up to tugging on the rope around his legs. He instantly came awake at a tearing sound that had indicated his pants were being torn apart.

He is not proud of it, but he screamed like a little girl. A little girl that had lost all hope in the world.

Fortunately for him the screams had gotten the attention of every dog in the area to come running. He was saved.

Well humiliated more like it, they had come in when she had buried her nose under his sack. The laughter and the cold ass nose just made his embarrassment all the worse.

To add insult to injury he was half mast by the time they got her off him.

Thus he vowed to stay awake for as long as possible.

The sound of paws slapping wet stone pulled him from his panicked thoughts.

“Oh what the hell do you want Fido?” He fairly growled that last bit at the small leader. “I ain’t got a stick for you to play fetch with.”

“No you don’t, well not for me at least, Aspen may like your stick.” The impish smile coming from the chihuahua made him want to bite something. But he couldn’t suppress a shudder at the thought of that big bitch getting more time with him.

“Why is it always me that gets chased by the crazy bitches.”

“What. Do. You. Want.” He did nothing to hide the anger in his voice and eyes. He wanted to punt this yapping beanie baby into a wall.

“Well, since you’re suddenly in a talkin’ mood I figured we could start with why griffons are hovering all over my SUN BLASTED DEN!” The little dog had suddenly gotten very heated and shouted that last.

“What griffons?” He smiled. Orion knew that he should just keep his attitude in check, but seeing the prick angry brought him so much joy given his circumstances.

“The griffons that showed up after you lost the fight. The ones who have suddenly doubled their number in the air to watch our entrance, and or emergency exit. How do they know about that by the way?”

Lost the fight? There was no fight, only an ambush.

“Oh those griffons, well that's easy, I told them where I was going and the basic structure of your tunnels. I managed to scan the surface and found the other entrance that way, as to why they are up there? Come on genius even your pea brain should be able to figure it out.”

The little bastard hit him with the stick he was holding. “You fucker! I can’t even send my people out to forage for food while they are up and about.” He was seething now.

Orion’s horn flared to life but nothing came for the dog, though he still recoiled. “I don’t know why you keep trying. Nothing is getting around that ring you fuckin’ idiot.”

True, while he could still pull magic to him, he couldn’t affect anything. Somehow it even managed to block his hands from emitting any magic at all. It was maddening to know he could hold magic but unable to lash out at his captors.

“Listen. Asshole. If you don’t let me go, this is only going to get so much worse for you. In Avery right now is a troop of twenty soldiers. They are watching now yes, but if you think they haven’t sent a flyer back to the capital you are deluding yourself. Eventually you will have an entire division if not more breathing down your neck. Let. Me. Go.”

With every word the intensity of his horn’s glow got brighter and brighter. A hum began to fill the cavern.

“What makes you think you're in any position to demand anything from me!” The midget was getting just as he heated. “And why in the tartarus would they be concerned over you!?” The stick smacked him again.

“Because it just might be the fact that the twelfth in line of the Griffonia throne came with me to Avery.” He grinned. The hum in the room changed pitch and went higher. One of the guard dogs shook his head as if he had a fly in it. “She likes me. Which means she will go send for her dear uncle, you know, the KING?”

He was letting his mouth run. Trying to impress on them the dire nature of their situation.

Barney just stared at him. Incredulity plastered on his face. Ears wiggling. That’s when Orion noticed the sound, it was coming from him.
“My horn is like a fucking dog whistle. They can’t handle the frequency.”

Many of the guard dogs were now wiggling their heads trying to get rid of a sound that was steadily increasing pitch and decibels. That was interesting.

Lost in his musings on the impact of high frequency sound he was generating he did not see the massive fist that was incoming.

“Fuck, finally.”

The noise coming from the stallion had hurt his ears, and judging by the state of his guards, some of which were holding their own heads with a paw, they had all been affected.

“He knows the king…..oh I have fucked up bad.”

He should never have thought to turn a profit with this fucking pony. Should have gone with the original thought to shuffle his flanks out of his den right then and there. Should have just listened to his sister.

That thought pained him. She had been right. Back in Equestria, just past a place called Ghastly Gorge , they found that massive gem deposit in their tunnels, he should have listened to her then to keep quiet about it.

But no, he had to brag. To tell every passing dog traveler about the wealth they had come into. That, had of course, attracted the attention of another pack.

Pack Sharp Fang immediately moved in and killed many of his able bodied dogs. It was a massacre, they barely got out with the numbers they had. It was a nightmare.

They resolved to travel north instead, but that only invited the wrath of that hateful Princess. They were all nearly arrested but some quick thinking from his sister took them through the badlands.

While they had lost more there, the pack survived.

Sneaking into the kingdom of Griffonia had been an easy affair. He wanted to stop in the foothills of the mountains southwest of the capital, again, his sister advised going further.

Thus they ended up north of a town called Avery.

The original plan called for them to dig up gold and diamonds and trade the meager wealth to the hippogriffs in Neighbon. That didn’t work. Mostly because the location they had chosen to set up to live and work in had nothing but iron in the rock.

That led to another problem as they finally found a vein of gold, they dug for it in all haste. The tunnel collapsed on them. Trapping many of the dogs that were still healthy enough for regular work.

In a desperate move Barney had sent Rover and several others to the town to ask for help. That was a disaster. The griffons had chased them out. By the time they dug out the tunnel again, it was too late. They buried their dead and mourned them.

Now he had led them into another disaster.

His paws had carried him to his sister’s quarters before he had realized it. Opening the decaying leather flap he stepped in, his guards flanking the entrance and waiting.

“Sister.”

Where Barney was tan colored all over and short in comparison with many others, His sister was black all over, and tall. Easily doubling his height. It often surprised him that she was from the same litter as he was.

“How is our guest?” Her amber eyes were warm as they peered back at him, she idly petted Aspen, who had taken up sleeping on the pillows with her, head in her lap.

“An asshole. He didn’t give me much, but I think I fucked us. Again.” He hung his head in defeat. His rule of Clan Barker had been a disaster since his father died. If not for the laws of the pack he would have turned over authority to his sister long ago.

Chuckling she replied, “well that much is apparent dear brother. How badly?” She had a gallows sense of humor. One she had developed over the course of years playing second to her brother.

“Like, oh the army of Griffonia coming down on our heads.” That got her attention. Gone was the warm look, replaced by shock and more than a little fear.

“How?! Why?”

“The how is simple. Apparently this bastard is attached to the King himself. The twelfth in line for the throne has taken an interest in him. Thus the why is even easier. She will want him rescued. If we let him go, then we have no bargaining chip. If we hold onto him, it just might save us from being slaughtered. Tilly, we are so fucked either way.”

He flopped on the pillows with the pair and stared off into space.

“If we bargain for our safety we will still have to leave, how many more will we lose this time? If we let him go….we are dead to a dog. I….I’ve fucked us.” He wept.

The room was filled with the quiet sobs as his sister did her best to sooth her brother’s heart.

The guards outside her door hung their own heads, tears quietly leaking down their muzzles.

Why was fate so cruel to them was a thought that had flashed through everyone of their thoughts in some form or other.

Grim Redplume’s wings burned like fire. He had set a fast pace that he was now regretting.

At first light on the third day Orion had been missing he took to the skies with a water bag, jerky, his short sword, and a tunic and trousers. Clad in nothing else allowed him to soar high with little exertion. But not sleeping and only landing to do nothing much else but shit and piss was taking its toll on his body.

He had wanted to leave yesterday. But Corporal Ironwing had advised waiting till he was well rested. So he left in the morning.

He blamed himself for his own haste. He wanted to get to the capital as fast as possible. He liked the fledgeling. Funny with a snarky sense of humor, Orion had stayed up on occasion to trade jokes and stories with the Specialist.

While many in the company disparage the pony at first, they had quickly come to appreciate the uncommon wisdom he held. More importantly, they came to respect him despite the lies he had laid.

He was attempting to help their people. The very thought brought tears to their eyes, though they were soldiers, thus they hid it as best they could.

Talking with Orion had also helped the Grim decide on what he wanted to do in the future. So he began taking notes of farm layouts. He had already found numerous ways to improve the rough irrigation system that they had put into place.

The pony had actually praised him for that. Taking notes on his own ideas. This had caused the drake to swell with pride.

Now he was desperate to get back as soon as possible.

Looking about to see where he could stop, he slowed and paused in the air.

Coming toward him were a pair of scouts. The red lacquered armor gave them away as the King’s own personal guards. What were they doing way out here?

The rank that he could see from that distance spoke of a captain and a lieutenant. Shaking away the myriad of questions flooding into his brain he descended to the ground and waiting.

The pair of griffons landed with a hasty slam.

Not hesitating he saluted, clawed fist over heart. “Specialist Redplume, one-oh-third scout division, current attachment Lady Grace Screaming Rush.”

The captain saluted back hastily. “At ease Specialist. I’m Captain Goldwing, this is Second Lieutenant Eggo. Currently attached to his Majesty’s Royal Guard. What are you doing this far out soldier?”

“I knew we should have chased those damn dogs out when we first found out.” Redplume stood at the ready, watching as Captain Goldwing fumed about the news.

After telling them the situation, he had stood by waiting for instructions.

“Right. Specialist. You are to return to your platoon immediately. Inform her Ladyship that the King himself is on the way, shouldn’t be more than two days' time before he arrives in Avery.”

The King himself was coming? He wondered as to what prompted his majesty to leave the capital and travel to the tiny town himself. But he didn’t dwell on the thought.

Saluting he took to the air, his wings screaming at him to stop. Once he got to altitude he soared back to the north, finding the air current agreeable. That eased the pressure off his wings. Twenty minutes later he was hit by a thought.

He had not informed the captain of the situation with the town itself. What was going on.

“Oh fuck….”

Bloodbeak soared through the air with his troops. He was not so lazy as to make them haul his feathered ass across the sky for his vanity. No. He would always fly with the griffons under him. He never asked them for anything he would not do himself. Such was the way of his entire bloodline.

He had, however, set a pace he knew would leave many in his troops exhausted by the time they got to their destination. No matter. It was more of a formality that they come with, they would likely have no real use.

A commotion at the front of the spear tip formation drew his attention. Giving his wings a hard flap he surged ahead to find out what was going on. Behind him, two elite troops followed closely behind their liege.

He found Captain Goldwing altering course to fly beside him. The captain gave a quick salute.

“Your Majesty. A situation has occurred.” They way he said that, got his feathers to bristle. Those words in that tone, never a good sign.

“He was kidnapped by WHAT!?” His voice boomed out across the formation, catching the attention of his soldiers.

Listening, he carefully schooled his face to a stern mask once again.

“This stallion had a lot to answer for.”

Gilda Ironwing was startled out of her half sleep from the sounds of shouting.

The light sleep she had managed to get was not enough. Her worry for Orion had dominated her thoughts. In all honesty she liked the presumptuous stallion. He would run his mouth, which got him into more trouble then she could believe. But he had a heart that showed through when he was working.

Crawling out of her bed she glanced at the dirty mirror in her room. She was a mess. Her feathers were in a desperate need to be preened, her eyes looked like they hadn’t seen sleep in a week.

Running her claws through her feathers quickly, she stepped out of her private cabin to find Specialist Redplume swiftly approaching her. Straightening her uniform the best she could she called out to the young drake.

“Specialist I seem to remember giving you orders to the capital. What are you doing here?”

As he explained, relief visibly shook her frame.

The King was coming to Avery. She didn’t care for the reason. Only that this situation would be solved that much sooner.

“Thank you Grim, go get some rest, I need to report this to her Ladyship.”

He nodded, and with purpose now complete, the strength he had held failed him. He stumbled back to the barracks. Clearly he had worn himself out immensely in his flight.

Squaring her shoulders with an energy she hadn’t felt in days she quickly walked to Screaming’s cabin.

A hush had fallen over the assembled villagers. The small army that had landed in the fields outside of their town had already begun erecting tents and defensive fortifications. Grendal had not yet seen the King, but knowing he was there was making her nervous.

She, and the council with her, had acted without the King’s knowledge in letting a foreign agent help in the development of her town. What had once been a sleepy little hamlet had transformed in just a little over two weeks into something different.

Already the fields had been plowed and the channels dug for irrigation. Before he had gone to do whatever he had planned with the filthy mutts, Orion had casted a strange spell that seemed to accelerate the growth of the crops. Projections from the farmers said that the potatoes and beans would be ready within the month at current growth rates.

That had stirred an excitement in her breast that she had not had in years.

Now, her monarch was here. With two full companies sitting on her doorstep. She would have to hope to appeal to his Majesty’s renown caring nature. She only hoped that he would see the benefit of working with the pony.

It seemed impossible, but the crowd at the edge of the village somehow had gotten even quieter.

There was the King. His stern gaze glanced over them all. As one the people bowed to their ruler.

Grendal could feel the sweat drip off her feathers. She could only hope she did the right thing.

When the town first came into view, Bloodbeak could not understand at first what he was seeing.

Huge fields spread out before him, dotting the areas between the fields were sheds, a strange circular short tower, and channels of water. The fields looked freshly planted, but crops were growing as if they had been there for a month.

What had happened in the tiny town of Avery? Were they attempting something new? What had the beigermeister come up with to set up farmland in such a bizarre way.

Typical tracts of farmland were small. Occupied by several families tilling the same soil. Producing just enough to feed them, and maybe sell to market if they were lucky.

Here it was entirely different.

As he marched out from his command with only his personal guards to escort him he was given another shock. There were pigs in pens there. A good many looked pregnant. Where had they gotten pigs from?

Shaking his head he approached the village elders, and their leader. If he remembered correctly her full name was Grendal Rivertail. She looked extremely nervous. Taking in the others, he noticed they all were. That raised more questions. Time for some answers.

“Rise my people, there is no reason to bow, as I have invaded your home instead of the other way around.’ He gave his own bow, one that got a few smiles from the gathered crowd. That was always good. He wanted his people not to fear him.

Looking back to the council and beigermeister he frowned. They were not smiling, in fact they looked like they were ready to run. What had happened?

He flipped through the notes Grendal had given him. She stood by quietly in the corner of her office, she had insisted he occupy her seat. If he was being honest, the seat was far more comfortable than the one in his office.

He had not said much once the truth had come out. He had not shown much on his face either. Though that had taken a herculean effort of will not to. The notes and blueprints before him painted a picture he could almost not comprehend.

The stallion had lied to him. Lied to them all. But not out of some attempt to gain wealth or power. But out of altruism. From a pony. Now he had seen everything. The notebook was packed, page after page, of different ways of keeping fish, storing food, the list went on. Techniques were written down in farming, irrigation that he had never heard of. It was too much.

Orion Falls was an absolute fountain of knowledge. He now realized why Celestia was so obsessed with him.

The pigs he had seen earlier had come in four days ago by freight through Neighbon. They were purchased, at great cost, by the pony himself. Where had he gotten the finances to bring farm animals all the way out there?

The wagons they had taken with them, were not packed full of items for his niece or him, but farm equipment. Plows, hoes, buckets, all manner of farming implements.

Unable to keep the shock from his face any longer he looked at the beigermeister. Her worried look had softened.

“He lied to you and said I approved of this. All of this.” Those weren’t questions. Statements of an unbelievable act of giving he had not seen from a pony in all his life. They never did anything without a motivation for self gain.

“Yes, your Majesty. He did. By the time we learned of the lie we had already seen evidence of the practices working. So we chose to keep going, despite knowing we should have informed you. He had become honest. Saying he was using our town to test and ‘flesh’ out the ideas he had to improve our lives. He had brought more than enough food supplies to keep us fed through the coming winter. So we figured why not?”

Bloodbeak was not often at a loss for words.

Orion had paid for everything. He completely took the responsibility of his people in this town onto himself.

This stallion had a lot to speak of. And answer for.

Tilly stepped lightly down the tunnel halls. Her thoughts on her sleeping brother.

He had cried himself asleep again tonight. This morning there were not two griffons patrolling the lands, but eight. The afternoon showed the same. The red armor made it clear. The King had come.

Her own fists had balled up in fear and pain. They had suffered so much. They had worked so hard to save their pack. Now. Now it looked like the end for the struggling Clan Barker. What was once a mighty family, now numbers only ninety-three.

She walked past small dens of families sleeping, her eyes had long adjusted to the dark she saw the little ones whimpering in their sleep. Many had no fathers anymore since the recent tunnel collapse a couple of months back.

Pain and anguish. Was that all that was left for them?

Her paws had surprisingly taken her to the lone prisoner they had. The stallion, though she suspected he was more of a colt, sat with his back to the wall. Asleep.

She had not bothered to meet him in person before this, he looked exhausted with his clothes torn, bags under his eyes. She regretted all of this.

She had been out when her brother had hatched this idiotic get rich quick scheme. Many Diamond Dog packs only held onto their captives till they couldn’t work no more. But a few, like the clan that had attacked them back in Equestria, kept their slaves till they died.

She could not imagine handing a fate like that to anyone. Least of all this poor colt.

She draped her shawl around him, truly he needed it much more than she.

After all, it is only a matter of time before she, and her brother, and they pack itself, met their end.

“At least we will finally be able to rest.”

Dawn found three hundred pissed off griffons outside their tunnel entrance. Barney swallowed thickly, despair eating away at him in large bites.

He and his sister were peeking out the tunnel, staying in the darkness as much as possible, at the assembled force. He trembled. This was it. His last stupid plan. He had killed them all.

A figure moved among the troops. They parted to make way for an older griffon, his armor black with three large feathers on his left paldron. He had seen pictures. That was the current King of Griffonia. They were well and truly fucked.

His sister squeezed his shoulders. She never once berated him. Never once blamed him for the failures for their people. How again, even now, he wished she had been the one to lead them. How he wished he would have stopped and consulted her before making a decision.

Like his father, he had made gut decisions. Unlike his father, he had no talent to lead. His instincts were all wrong. His sister had gotten those.

He watched as the King approached alone. The confidence the old bird displayed he wished he had.

One last gamble. One last hope. Maybe with only his death, he could preserve his pack. His family.

“Mongrel beast! Leader of this filthy pack of flea bitten bile! Come out and answer the charges of kidnapping and stealing of land not your own. Answer for your crimes against the people of Griffonia, of Equestria.” The King’s voice boomed out making Barney’s teeth rattle.

“Shit, this is it. I don’t wanna die…” He looked back to his sister, fear was in her eyes, but there was an iron core of resolve in there as well. She nodded softly, again squeezing his shoulders once more, and then took position beside him. She would face this with him.

“If only she had led instead of me.”

Stepping out as one of the tunnel into the harsh morning light they slowly approached His Majesty King Bloodbeak.

He opened his mouth to speak once they got within ten paces of him, but was cut off.

“Where is he?” The growl put new fear into him. He almost soiled himself.

“I-in a makeshift cell.” He was actually surprised he could even speak properly. “B-b-before we turn him over to you. I’d like to request some concessions. Not for myself, but for my pack. My sister.”

The large drake didn’t say anything just stared hard at him.

“This was my idea, to kidnap the pony I mean. My sister, nor the rest of the pack were part of the decision to do this. All I wish is for them to have safe passage away.” He swallowed. “I-i-i, I am willing to accept the punishment you wish with no fight as long as you would allow this.”

He really couldn’t demand anything. No one was fooled by that idea.

Barney’s ears were hurting, and he was getting a headache from the stress. Wait. He could hear something, something getting louder and louder. He quickly looked to his sister and she too had a pained look on her face.

Before anyone could say anything else a hollow boom echoed into the air, and the ground heaved under their paws. Falling to his hands and knees he struggled to turn back around as the flood of people that was his pack exploded from the tunnel entrance.

The panicked expressions of mothers and fathers carrying their children as they burst forth from the caverns put a new dread into his bones that he did not think was possible. He looked to his sister finding the same fear etched into her eyes.

He then chanced a look back at the King. The drake was staring in shock into the tunnel entrance.

Turning back he gasped.

What could only be described as black and gold flames seemed to be making its way into the morning sun. Once he realized what he was seeing he just gaped.

Standing inside the miss colored flames was the pony Orion Falls. In his left hand was the neck of Aspen. She wasn’t moving but there was no blood on her. His right hand was a fist, something was in his hand.

Barney looked to the horn, and his blood chilled. The nullstone ring was gone.

Something landed at his paws. Looking down he pissed himself.

The nullstone ring, or what was left of it, was shattered into several pieces. A loud thump drew his eyes back to the scene unfolding before him. Aspen had been tossed at his sister's paws. She was shockingly still breathing.

The voice that came from the stallion was dead, as if the very life from the air had died upon hearing it.

“Hello Barney. I think you and I need to have a little talk.”

Author's Notes:

Hello hello helllloooooo!

It is I, bumbling idiot that can decide on an upload date!

I am moving upload dates to Fridays. The reason is I am better able to organize my weekly schedule this way.

A lot of it is so you guys, at least some of you, have something to look forward to the weekend for!

If you liked this chapter leave a like. Maybe a comment if you like. Or if your feeling really generous, share my....wait this is not Youtube. Shit.

Um, yeah...hey...thanks for reading!

Peace.

Prophecies and Hope

Sunlight filtered in through stained glass, motes floated in the air undisturbed. Sitting at her desk, Twilight was nearing completion of her summer courses. It had been a little over a month since school let out, a school she no longer had to go to but insisted on going to anyways. Much to her surprise, the Princess agreed with her.

As she worked, her mind elsewhere as her subconscious instinctively filled out the paperwork to perfection, she thought about the last year. Of the many thoughts that went through her head, a few stood prominent.

The events that landed Orion in front of her mentor, and the results of that meeting still plagued her. She had never really seen Princess Celestia that angry, or the way she seemed to change, it was mind boggling that anypony could do that.

Him coming back from Ponyville with that frightening scar. The fact that he wouldn’t speak on how he got it. She had to ask her brother about where he even got such a thing. Well she had to ask repeatedly over the winter months till he relented and told her to read a newspaper.

To not want to talk about it she could understand, but it left a stirring in her heart over it. He was so brave, willing to put everything out on the line to see justice done. She admired that.

Her desires drove her to try and get to know him, and in realizing she wouldn’t have time to crushed her. But in her sorrow, the Princess saw fit to extend her stay in school. So that she could be closer to him.

This past month she was supposed to spend time with him, at least that was her plan. But when she went to see him to ask for his plans for the summer she found him gone. Whisked away on another adventure. Into Griffonia of all places.

She supposed he would get along well there. Considering his higher aggression levels. But that threw her plans out the window.

Sure she could likely try hanging out with Moon Dancer and her friends. But she never really felt like part of the group. She often found herself buried in a book, using a location spell to keep from being separated from them.

In truth she struggled to connect with them. They had invited her on numerous outings with them and she had only accepted a few. Deep down she knew she was being a terrible pony, and a worse friend, but she was unable to force herself to do more.

Only Orion seemed to make engagement of any topic worthwhile. As if he was the only one capable of speaking on her level. He often went beyond her understanding on subjects she had only a passing interest in, but his passion for learning made her want to look into those as well.

The fact that, to her, he was good looking even with that scar made it all to clear what her own biology wanted to do. Or was that more her heart?

But over the past month she was slowly realizing there was a gap. No, a chasm, between them. Not just between her and him, but him and everypony else out there. As if he knew some secret the world wasn’t ready for.

The way he spoke, regarded the world at large, and his complete dismissal of authority made him seem aloof to the point of arrogance. But his concern for others showed that not to be the case.

Leaning back in her seat she stretched, the work done, a few pops accompanied her actions. She had been sitting far longer than she thought. Getting up she stretched some more before making her way out her own personal study.

That gave her a giggle every time she thought about it. Her own study, never in her foalhood would she have believed she would have a two story private room. Filled with books of her teacher’s choosing. The giant telescope in the center pointed out a window.

She paused just before the door to the hall, her eyes drawn to a book she had recently picked up. Predictions and Prophecies, Starswirl the Bearded. Her inner fan screamed at the idea of owning a book that THE Starswirl had written.

When she received this particular book she took it upon herself to find out what edition it was. She was soon surprised, and a little disturbed, to find out that this particular book never was produced in masse.

There was only one. One only. She was happy, but deeply bothered by the fact that this book was not common knowledge among the readers of Equestria.

She had not realized she had even picked the book up. Setting it back down she grabbed the door handle, turned, and stepped out closing the heavy door behind her.

Walking down the hall with no real destination in mind other than stretching her legs, she chose at random the path she would take, guards nodding in greeting to her. They were stiff, but not unfriendly. Their job required them to be on alert, no time to make friends. No time for her other than a polite nod.

Her mind was drawn from those thoughts to the book once again. The passages in those pages were written in old Equish. Very old Equish. It made the prophecies difficult to understand. She had trouble even translating them.

“Lo when the Moon is high and all seems lost, one will stand with the heart of six, and so push back against the ichor of a dark malady of a poisoned mind. He too shall stand as her bulwark, her shield.” It seemed simple, but who was to stand with six hearts? Why six? And who was He?

It confused her and she had lost more than a little sleep over it. There was another one that utterly confused her. “He shall lie, lie in his purpose, lie in his goals, none shall stop the changes he shall bring. Breaking the great throne, he shall put it together with bindings of truth.” What in the buck was that supposed to mean?!

She shook her head, dispelling the thoughts. Surprised at where she found herself.

She was outside Princess Celestia’s personal study. Maybe she could ask some questions that had been bothering her about the book, and about other things. Her teacher’s behavior being one of them.

Over the last few weeks, she had been snappish with everypony. Guards, maids, even a few dignitaries. It was totally unlike her normal reserved self. Her mind flashed back to the moment the Princess seemed to change, the way her mane had gone from dawn colors to that of a hot flame. Her eyes, which had frightened her most of all, turning to almost black with the magenta eyes becoming gold.

She was more frightened in that moment then even when Orion had changed. Something about the image spoke to the primal part of her mind. That the Princess was a danger unlike any other.
She couldn’t begin to understand that.

She approached the door, and knocked, the guards not making a noise nor moving a muscle.

Raven Inkwell answered the door. Her bobbed mane looked a little frazzled. “Oh Miss Sparkle. What do you need?”

That was rather short even for the rather brusque mare.

“I was just, wondering if Princess Celestia is available. I have some questions I was hoping she might be able to answer.” She smiled, hoping to placate the secretary if she could.

“She is in, but she is terribly busy at the moment. Would this not be better left till tomorrow? When you are scheduled to have lessons with her.” She didn’t seem to want to be rude, but she must have been as busy as she claimed the Princess was.

“Yes.” She nodded sadly, the smile slipping from her face. “I can understand that. Thank you Miss Inkwell. Sorry to have intruded.” She turned to go, surprised to see the guards themselves looking a little sad for her.

“I’m sorry she could not be available to you Miss Sparkle, I understand how studies sometimes need a direction pointed out. I hope she may answer your questions soon. Goodbye.”

With that, the double doors closed with a quiet slam. Twilight was left only with her worries, and the guards that shared them.

“Why am I here?”

Shining Armor had probably asked that question for the twelfth time that morning. He was cold, his troops were cold. This was supposed to be a simple retrieval. Instead they were left to go from door to door in the town of Arber. Looking for this little shit of a colt.

He had no idea why the Princess was so invested in his retrieval. True, he was a colt thus special consideration was to be made with the gender imbalance of their species. But to mobilize a platoon to get him. He hardly thought him worth that.

They had arrived in Arber this morning. Already wishing he and those under him had packed cold weather gear, the metal against their bare fur was unbearably cold. He had begun by securing lodgings, at an exorbitant price no doubt, and directed the guardsmares and three guardstallions under him to begin patrolling the town.

His hope, which was now dashed, was to find Orion within the day. He had a feeling that he had been had. But he could not see to what purpose the King would lie to him. Thus he did his duty. He was going to make sure he had scoured the town for the colt before returning to Griffonstone and confronting Bloodbeak about his deception.

Before he could knock on the door of the home before him, Corporal Broad Strokes rushed up to him. “Sir!”

Turning he addressed the Corporal.

“What is it Strokes?”

Huffing from his run, which Shining could understand considering his route took him to the other side of the town, he doubled over and took gulping breaths. He needed to consider putting his troops through reconditioning. They were woefully out of shape.

“Sir….sir some griffons had actually seen him and his entourage here in the village.”

He blinked, that was a surprise. He had been almost certain that Bloodbeak had lied to him. He smiled, maybe this could be wrapped up quicker than he had hope.

“Well, out with it soldier where are they?”

“Sir, they were here, but then they discovered the snow in the area was too sticky due to it being summer. Apparently it makes for more difficult skiing and the locals had recommended they move to a higher elevation for better conditions.”

Shining Armor’s hopes sank faster than an anchor. “Where?”

“According to what I and a few others have learned, Oberjoch. A four day journey north east. But considering the mountain weather conditions at the moment, likely eight days.”

Eight bucking days?! This was not good. He would have to expend funds to get cold weather gear, and the locals only sold clothing with animal pelts in them. The very idea of wearing the skin of another animal disgusted him. But they had no choice if the little shit had gone further into the mountain range.

“How many of you have confirmed this?”

“Twelve of us sir. I made sure to ask others before bringing this information to you.” At least Strokes had thought ahead to ask the others. That saved them time.

“Good thinking Corporal, my orders are to round up the others, we will have leave tonight with only a minimum guard on our accommodations. This afternoon we will be getting cold weather gear.” He raised a hand at the disgusted look on Broad Strokes face. “I know I know, I am not happy about it either but we did not pack for this kind of engagement so we must do what we have to. I will not have soldiers falling out due to lack of protection.”

Strokes nodded. “As you say sir, embrace the suck.”

“With any luck we will catch the little shit in, what did you say? Oberjoch? What kinda name is that for a town?”

“No clue sir, but that is where reports confirmed he had gone. I will inform the others.” He saluted, and jogged back into town at a slower pace than he had arrived.

“Please, by Faust let us find this colt in this....whatever town.”

Early morning saw the departure of a troop of ponies from the small town of Arber. The locals smiled with relief. They had bought it. Hook, line and sinker.

In truth they were happy that the ponies had arrived at all. It meant that they were going to get a substantial reward of coin for misdirecting them. By order of their King they were instructed to tell them that some colt had gone further north.

The idea of making them travel further on a ruse made them collectively chuckle. The bonus was they had ended up selling more cold weather gear to outsiders then they had in years. The town would most certainly survive the coming winter this year.

One villager, Gareth Overwing, was laughing the hardest. The look on those whorses faces as they unwilling pulled on the furs that had been sold to them was priceless. Never had he seen more revulsion then he had yesterday.

He smiled at the backs of the retreating force. Good riddance.

Celestia sat before her vanity. Brushing the long multicolored mane with an ornate brush she studied herself in the mirror. She had washed her face of the light amount of makeup she had applied, and what she saw looking back at her made her frown.

She had bags under her eyes. Not enough to be noticeable, but after millennia of uninterrupted ruling she could see them. In truth it was not a surprise. But she felt her alicorn nature should have compensated for this. She sighed.

Her dreams were to blame. More specifically her nightmares. She had been plagued by them for the past fifty years. They seemed to only increase in intensity over the last ten of those years. Dark halls of fire blackened marble, she would run down those constantly, never stopping. Sometimes she would see the sky, and see an eclipse that blanketed the castle in darkness.

Something was always pursuing her down those dark halls. Her instinct to run always consumed her to run, for she had no way to fight whatever it was.

For the millionth time she wished her sister was with her, her dreams might be interpreted then, a solution found and for once she could go to bed without dread.

She shook her head, there were other worries. Always more worries, and her dreams didn’t even rank at the top of those. The explosive anger she had developed was likely another symptom of her lack of good rest. She had broken that dinning hall table at least five times this year. If she didn’t think it was a problem by now, she would never believe it was.

And it was. A major problem. The stress of ruling alone after all these years had finally caught up with her. The colt, Orion, was not making that stress lessen at all.

He frustrated her to no end. Had she not known better she would believe he was orchestrating her downfall all on his own. In reality, everything ended up being circumstantial. While his departure to Griffonia may have been a nice idea, he never let anypony know about it. He just simply left a message and hopped on the train northbound.

She rubbed her temples. Already she could tell that she would awaken with another headache.

Celestia stood and waved a hand, golden magic surrounding it as the drapes were pulled closed by an invisible hand. She did have to smile, the colt was inventive.

Pulling back the covers she removed her nightgown, she never did feel right in sleeping in anything, even on the coldest of nights. A quick glance at her vanity’s mirror showed that her body was still shapely. Her breast hung with no sag, her hips, flank, and thighs firm. The muscle under her fur tensed as she flexed her body in the way those muscled stallions in the magazines did.

“Well, I can say one thing, at least I still have my looks.” She giggled to herself, this was silly, but she needed a laugh. Looking back, she did notice that while she had the marely curves of a thirty something, she found that the muscle she had built during the time of unrest in her kingdom had not faded.

No stallion would wish to go to bed with a mare that could toss them around in bed like a ragdoll. Just another knife in her non-existent dating pool. Though she could largely blame the Church of Sol for that.

She shook her head, her thoughts were already all over the place this evening and she hadn’t even climbed into bed yet. She needed some much needed stress relief. Maybe a vacation?

Laying down and drawing the cool sheets over her she closed her eyes and sighed, already dreading having to rise with the sun tomorrow. Maybe tonight, she would sleep well.

The pounding headache that had developed before bed had flared upon her waking. So bad was it that she had to cast healing spell after healing spell just to lessen its effect on her.

The nightmare she was hoping would leave her alone, didn’t. Of course. Her makeup applied, she looked into the mirror. There sat the High Princess, looking as motherly and kind as she always had. But her eyes looked like they had not seen hope in years.

Ignoring the image that haunted her she glanced through the delivered mail that morning. A missive for building a pool from Lady Jewel was the first to be burned. That mare was as childish as she was tactless. She wanted to use crown funds to expand her estate, knocking down homes for the families of hardworking ponies that kept the city running smoothly.

In truth Celestia found herself wanting to light the socialite on fire, or at least that gaudy travesty she called a home. Needless to say she would not be getting what she wished.

Most of her mail was more of the same. Noble ponies wanting this or that, and expecting her to pay for it.

Every now and then she would get a letter from a foal, those were always so cute. One such letter was in her hands now. Sapphire Song, she was thanking her for helping the plants grow every year. That was too precious. She set the letter aside, she would put it in the room she had set aside for such letters. She had them plastered onto the marble walls.

Getting to the end, she found nothing from the one she wanted to hear from most of all. Shining Armor had reported that Orion had gone south from Griffonstone. Apparently the colt wanted to ski of all things.

Sighing, she picked up Sapphire’s letter and carried it into the private room. She stopped her mouth in gaped in horror.

The room was blackened, the letters having been burned, many so badly that they were illegible. Her mind couldn’t understand how this could have happened. No pony was ever allowed in her, indeed she was the only one who could come and go as her magic was quite literally the key.

She fell to her knees, soot staining the fresh dress. Her hands trembled as she picked up the burnt letters. They fell to ashes in her shaking hands. Who would do something like this. She wept, unable to do anything else.

Clearing her eyes after a time she noticed something scorched into the carpet. Soon. What under her mothers skies could that mean? She wept again. Clutching the only letter to her breast, tears falling and staining the tip of the paper.

For once, it was all too much for the loan monarch. A moan of anguish ripped from her throat.

Twilight greeted the day with a smile. She had slept well and rose with her Princess’s sun.

The evening prior she had resolved to speak with her mentor, she really needed help with that book. The pages written were a confusing mess of old time prophecy that she could hardly make sense of.

So she had gotten an early start and headed toward Princess Celestia’s personal rooms. The guards let her pass without any trouble as they always did.

She was not inside her bedroom, looking around Twilight’s ears turned toward the sound of weeping. That scared her, who could be crying this early inside the Princess’s bedchambers. Stepping forward she heard the weeping coming from a room she had not been allowed to go into.

She hesitated at the door, should she just go in? The cries coming from the partially open door pulled on her heart strings, and she slowly pushed it open.

The room that greeted her had looked like a raging inferno had blasted through it. Burnt paper had littered the ground. There near the center, sat Princess Celestia, weeping and clutching a letter to her chest.

“P-p-princess?” To see her mentor in such a state, she couldn’t comprehend what could bring somepony so powerful to their knees like this.

Celestia turned to look at her student, tears streaking her makeup, her eyes bloodshot. “Twilight, I-” She swallowed thickly, “ I thought I told you to never come in here.” There was no anger in her voice, just a cracking pain, as if she had lost somepony very precious to her.

“I k-know, but I….I heard crying and had to find...you.” She finished lamely. In that time she had approached her monarch, kneeling down in front of her. She smiled.

The surprise came when Twilight was swept up into her arms as she again began crying. Tears fell onto her head. She didn’t know what to do. So she just held on and made soft noises like her mother had done for her when she was a filly, gently petting her back.

“What was in here Princess?”

Celestia had stopped crying sometime ago, but both were quiet as they sat amongst the ashes of letters in the room. She had been quiet for some time, just holding her student in her lap and staring. Staring at the ashes of memories she had saved for terrible days. To remind her why she even bothered at all.

“This, my dear student, was where I kept my hopes and dreams. I would often get letters in the mail from foals all over Equestria. I would keep them here as a reminder of what I was achieving every day.” She softly petted Twilight’s mane.

“Was...was my letter in here?” She nodded. “Oh….”

The filly in her arms, not much of a filly not quite a mare, fidgeted.

“I, I remember what I wrote. I could write you another so you could have it again.” So earnest. Sometimes she forgot how the foal only wanted to make her happy. It had been a long time since she had anypony wish to do that for her.

“I would like that very much, Twilight. Very much indeed.” Looking at the room again she couldn’t stop the dark thoughts that now plagued her, she knew who had done this.

It was her, but how and the why escaped her. The magic signature in this room was strong, but days old. This had not been done last night. But sometime in the past month. What furthered her own confusion was the fact of how her magic was used.

Only during the time of war had she ever manipulated the energies within her in such a violent way. The way she used her magic now was gentle. Mostly to not frighten her ponies. But in this room, her magic had the signature of violence she had not had cause to use in centuries.

How and why had she done this was all she could ask herself.

Aspen woke from sleeping at the foot of Barney’s sister's bed. She had fallen asleep to the quiet weeping of the two siblings.

She did not understand what all the worry was. The chickens were above and they were below, safe. If it had been another pack she would have been far more scared, the last fight between her pack and another cost the lives of her mother and brothers. She was the last of her family now.

That rational thought brought a pain to her heart. She missed her mother’s soothing voice. She missed the rough play of her brothers. She never knew her father, a dog who had wandered through their previous den. A night was all it took to produce her and her brothers.

He had vanished the morning of never knowing his sired pups. She never dwelled on that fact. In truth most thoughts were regulated on what to eat and what Barney had for her to do. Truth be told she always found taking her orders from Tilly to be much easier. But she obeyed, it was easier to obey then think for herself.

Thinking would often cause her pain. It was explained to her that when she was young, and the pack still strong, she had gotten into trouble with soldier ant. The mammoth creatures often broke into the dug tunnels of the Diamond Dogs and preyed on the young if they found them.

In her case she was slammed into the wall several times in an effort to daze the young pup. By the time rescue had come she was never quite the same. Oh she was still happy, but others around her found her without a lack of will for herself.

The only instincts she still carried were to fight, and breed. Of which she chose to ignore what her instincts told her was weak mutts. Those that tried to force their attentions on her often found themselves without a lack of equipment shortly there after. A harsh reminder that while broken, she was massively more powerful then most Diamond Dogs.

Then, the pony came. She was surprised at first when the pony not only avoided all but the glancing blow of the club she wielded, he had managed to avoid her far longer than any dog. It made her excited to find a male so quick and strong. Her instincts claimed him to be the proper one.

Every attempt she had made to get to him had been thwarted by guards, Barney, or Tilly herself.

Now she was alone, and her ears had picked up that most if not all the pack were gathered at the entrance to the tunnels. Her sensitive ears were not picking up the sound of any dog further in the tunnels, where the pony sat bound and restrained.

She smiled in eagerness, now was the time her instincts nearly screamed at her.

Rising from the bed she quickly made her way to the entrance of the den that Tilly and Barney called home. Glancing both ways she sprinted left heading deeper into the tunnels, the scent of her ‘prey’ now firmly caught in her nose.

She almost rounded the corner too quickly. At the end of the tunnel, was Brick. Barney’s faithful. The older dog had been the one to stop her more times in the past than any before him. That would not happen now.

Quietly she crept around the corner, listening intently as the old mutt was quietly speaking to her chosen.

She slowly moved to the other side of the tunnel wall, staying out of the crystal light hung at irregular intervals in the tunnels. She looked to her left and saw her prize. Catching herself from panting, already having given her away on more than one occasion, she slid up behind Brick and smashed his head on the tunnel side as hard as she could.

She did feel bad for that, he had always been kind to her and never tried to force her to breed. Even gave her scraps when she was young, when the pack was lean on food. But he was wearing a helmet so she figured he would be okay.

Thinking about all that hurt her head, any time she thought it would hurt. Shaking her head she smiled widely at her prize.

For his part, the pony sat there gaping in astonishment and more than a little fear.

“Aspen can’t wait to make puppies with you!” She crowed excitedly, with no one to stop them, she could take her time and enjoy this, the burning itch inside her was almost gone. A few days later and it would have all been too late.

She stepped around Brick’s body, the old hound breathing steadily.

The pony’s horn was doing the glowy thing already, she didn’t fear that. The special rock Barney had her slip on his horn seemed to stop his spooky voodoo from touching her, or anyone for that matter. She smiled. “No no little pony, you can’t do that now. Rock stop that.”

Instead of ceasing his attempts at magic, the blaze on his horn seemed to just increase in brightness, and this sound like wind but much higher pierced her ears. It hurt, and that was making her angry.

Shaking her head she decided that dragging this out might not be in her best interest. But the closer she got, the louder the noise got. What she thought would be easy, suddenly wasn’t.

Aspen had no idea how she had ended up on her knees, but her head was in her hands and she was howling at the noise that seemed to only increase in pitch. Under that sound was a rattling noise, she didn’t understand what that was.

Through watery eyes she looked at the pony responsible for her pain and watched as the stone on his horn rattled violently, cracks were appearing on the stone, the blaze of his magic seeping through.

Suddenly her world was sent all topsy turvy. Tumbling rear over head she crashed back first into the wall behind her, upside down. Her eyes slowly blinked the pain away and looked up in surprise. The pony was free, and looking very angry.

As he stood up, the rope that once bound him fell off. So did his pants from her earlier efforts. She grinned, he wasn’t small like many of the mutts within the tribe.

The pony looked down, then back at her. “Okay you little shit, time for you to know what the receiving end of an ass beating looks like.” She never saw him coming.

Orion stepped back from the wall of which he partially buried the dog, Aspen, into. He spat, then thought better and did a quick scan. That hurt, he already had a massive headache from shattering the nullstone ring, doing more with his sensitive horn and mind only seemed to compound the pain. He pushed through.

“Oh shit, I may have broken her brain...fuck. Damn I need to take a shit.”

He be more concerned if she hadn’t been attempting to rape him. Again. He shook his head, he needed new pants, she had trashed his and he was now regretting free balling it on vacation.

Checking on Brick he found that the old dog was going to be fine, just a minor headache when he woke up. He thought, no time for new pants, so using rope and the tattered remains of his pants he made a serviceable loin cloth.

How low he had fallen. A fucking loin cloth. “Man I need to take a shit.”

Dirt fell on his head, and he looked up. The magical explosion must have disturbed the delicate tunnels. He could see several spots sinking down. “Oh shit that’s not good.” Quickly he used his magic scoping up the shattered remains of the ring into his right hand, grabbing Aspen with his left he hoisted Brick on his right shoulder and shuffled down the tunnel.

Using his magic he found his way back to a tunnel he had previously saturated with scanning magic. He grinned as the map he had made in his head quickly reformed pointing his way out. Small miracles. Which was good as the tunnels not too far behind him began collapsing.

“Oh shit fuck!”

He sprinted down the tunnel heading outside. The sound of a milling crowd reaching his ears before he could see them. Rounding a bend in the tunnel he nearly ran headlong into the entire pack of dogs gathered just outside the entrance.

One of the guards just gaped at him. He tossed Brick at the poor dog, reflexively he caught him still staring at Orion.

“Well this is getting us nowhere, these idiots and myself will be caught in the tunnel collapse if they don’t move their collective furry asses.” He smiled having a sudden thought come to mind.

Dropping the tracing spell he created a wall of air around him and Aspen. At the same time, just outside that wall flames of black and gold erupted around them both. Grinning he casted the final spell, though how he could smile with the pounding headache beating down his head was a wonder to him himself, his image had transformed into what he was hoping was a terrifying apparition.

“Boo’”

That seemed to work as the pack, as one, screamed in terror and bolted out the tunnel in a flood of furry bodies and piss. He grinned and dropped the last spell. Keeping the flamewall and the air protecting him and the mutt in his left hand from being harmed.

The two spells he had used separately were of moderate strength. But not much use. But when he combined them he had a defense not many could likely physically get past. The airwall being far more useful of the two as it kept the flames from choking him with fumes and provided him with breathable air. The firewall was set two inches above the ground and attached to the previous spell. Both allowing the air to pass under and feeding the flames.

He was rather proud of that trick.

The pain was getting almost unbearable, better make it quick.

Marching out of the tunnel he stepped into broad daylight and nearly lost control on his magic. Through sheer force and gritted teeth he hung on as his pained eyes landed on a gobsmacked Barney another dog he had only seen once, laying on their backs in terror.

He nearly balked when he saw Bloodbeak. “What in the blue fuck is that asshole doing here. Nothing is ready for him to inspect yet!” This development only spurred his anger on. Blood surging in his ears with the throbbing of his head.

On his approach he tossed the shattered remains of the nullstone ring at the fucko’s feet, paws whatever, and the body of his lap dog to the all white mutt next to him.

“Hello Barney. I think you and I need to have a little talk.”

He would have said more but the dog passed clear the hell out. “Fuck, man I need to take a shit.”

Bloodbeak was in shock, what he thought was going to be a rescue, but it turned into a circus. The stallion that stood before him was wreathed in flame and the dead look on his face spoke of uncompromising anger.

Before he could open his beak, Orion spoke to his commanders, completely ignoring him.

“Hey assholes, make sure that lot that just bolted doesn’t get away. This will have all been for absolute shit if they managed to flee.” His officers to their credit hesitated, looking to their King for guidance. “ Hey assholes! While we are young!” A bolt of magic shot between them impacting the ground. They scrambled to obey in the face of wrath that was this pony.

Bloodbeak bristled, how dare he order his soldiers. Opening his beak once again, magic encircled it and clamped it closed.

“No, you already fucked up enough by marching up here with an army. Scaring these idiots with the theatrics. I have a massive headache and I don’t need to hear your blah blah blah.”

His eyes bulged. No one, not even that whorse Celestia spoke to him like that. But at the same time he didn’t want to incite any more anger out of the stallion. Clearly he was no in a stable mind right now.

Taking in Orion’s appearance he could see why he might be angry. There would be repercussions for his actions here, but Bloodbeak could be patient. The fact that he was trying to save his people gave him a little leeway in his eyes. Not that he was happy about it.

The magic dissipated after a moment, a brief nod and the stallion walked passed him.

“If anyone needs me, I’m going to take a shit.”

“You want me to what?” King Bloodbeak spoke all too quietly. The village lodge was packed full of the villagers of Avery, many with angry looks on their faces at the bold demand. The two Diamond Dog leaders, who were bound and chained before the makeshift throne that was hastily thrown together for this impromptu trail, gaped at him as well.

The dogs looked miserable. The white one, of which Orion learned was named Tilly, all but sobbing in front of them. He was surprised to find her taller than her brother. Coming up to his own chest she was clearly not a chihuahua. Or whatever the hell they called their own breeds.

Aspen was there too, still unconscious. That worried him. If she didn’t waken soon she would likely be dead and no one would blame the dogs for not forgiving him.

“I didn’t stutter your Majesty.” His guards bristled, but a look from him settled them down again.

“You want me to not just spare them, but provide them lodging, food, and a village contract for...mining for me?” The old bird shook his head. Man their feathers were expressive. “And why would I ever want to waste valuable resources on them?”

“Excellent question, and the right one.” Turning he looked at Barney who had been wearing a puzzled question. “Hey midget. Ready to hear my proposal now?” He nodded dumbly that unbelieving look in his eyes.

Orion pulled out a chunk of raw iron ore. “Know what this is? It's Iron ore. I’m sure you’ve come across it before.” Another dumb founded nod. “Excellent. See if you mine this stuff in mass, you might actually be able to EARN a home rather than just sneaking in and taking one. By mining this you can provide for your people food in trade for your services. Are you following me so far?”

He was explaining this in detail not just for the dogs, but for Bloodbeak himself. He blinked, Tilly had stopped crying, her eyes locked on his own, a calculating look in her eye.

She was the brains behind the operation. Where the fuck was she when he first got captured? Both dogs nodded as one.

Shaking his head he looked back to the King. “How long would it take you guys to set up a mine to get all this metal?”

After a hurried conversation with one of his advisors he looked back to Orion. “A few months to survey the land, then another four to five to get the mine up and running proper with the right tools.”

Looking back to Tilly, and not Barney. “How long would it take you? Provided you were given the proper shoring logs to hold up and support the tunnels you would dig?”

She licked her lips. “Two maybe three weeks if we get that as soon as we start looking for a place.” He nodded and turned back to Bloodbeak.

“Employing a species with the natural ability to dig effortlessly will reduce operation costs for you, thus saving lives and equipment. Fully taught to use mine carts and proper mining techniques these Diamond Dogs could become Iron Dogs.”

He turned to the angry mutterings of the villagers. “Oh shut up. You are partly to blame for this mess. While I was in ‘their hotel resort’.” This got a snort of laughter from more than a few guards that was swiftly silenced. “I found out that they came to you for help. Help which you not only refused to give but chased them out of town. Thus twenty-three dogs suffocated to death in a collapsed tunnel network. Your help could have saved lives and built a connection with a people who were merely trying to do the same as you. Survive.”

He was glaring. Didn’t care. He swiveled his glare to the drake sitting on a throne with a speculative look on his face. How did their beaks bend like that?

“You propose that I fund them, feed them, house them, in exchange they produce ore for the two smelters you and the villages have built here? For what? Iron is not that valuable.”

“No, but carbon steel most certainly is.” The gasp from many villagers echoed throughout the room. “All you need is carbon, which is abundant in coal, which is all over the place here. Make coke coal and you can blend that into super heated iron, once done quench and wallah, carbon steel.”

For long moments Bloodbeak just stared into nothing, eyes darting back and forth, but the smile slowly forming over his beak could not be hidden. Orion knew that look. It was a Eureka moment.

“Got your attention now don’t I?”

Actual steel? He could hardly believe his ears. He looked back to the smug pony. He did have his attention. Steel, for his army, for his people, to sell to other nations at cost. The report on his temporary desk reported that the hills in the area were absolutely packed with iron and coal. Not to mention what looked to be some very promising gem locations.

All he had to do was allow the mutts to remain, and work for him, for his people. He ran the numbers in his head again. But it was clear, this would turn the nation's fortunes around in a year. If not less if he played his cards right.

He slowly nodded. “Yes, you do. But I must ask, how do I know these mutts, won’t run the first chance they can get?”

The stallion smiled and looked down at the two leaders of the ragged pack at his mercy. “That's easy, this lot doesn’t have anywhere else they can go. If they leave now they risk most if not all of them dying out. According to a guard I managed to talk to, they have been running from hole to hole, being chased out till they came here. They have no food saved up. Hell they can barely hunt. They will all die out eventually. If they swear loyalty to the throne of Griffonia, they just might survive, maybe even thrive. All they have to do is agree to working for the betterment of not just themselves."

A chill ran through Bloodbeak, Orion was right. “And you, dog. Are you willing to swear to my throne? In return for protection, food and your service to my nation. To send sons and daughters besides my own peoples in order to defend nest and tree? In your case I imagine it would be den and pack. To work hard in exchange for services needed for your own to survive?”

Both dogs looked at each other, the black one nodding to the white one. A shift of power just happened. The white one turned and bowed low, as low as the chains allowed. “If you would accept such an oath from us, we would swear to it. My people, brother, and I are tired of running. Tired of watching our pups die of starvation. Tired of not knowing what the next day would bring. We would so swear to you, and not be Diamond Dogs any longer. We would be Iron Dogs. At the call of you, and your descendants.”

Throughout that little speech, Bloodbeak watched the eyes of his citizens of Avery, many looked guilty, some nodded. Others still held onto some deep seated anger. True his nation had always been at a quiet war with the Diamond Dogs. Back when they once were a nation unto themselves they often fought his people for territory. Often with disastrous results on both sides.

He sat back considering. He knew he was going to agree, the how was his only conundrum. Orion had handed him an opportunity that he or any ruler would be moronic in not taking. He would have to expend resources in education for the mutts, but in just a few short years he could start to pay debts he long since resigned would claim his nation.

To break Celestia’s economic hold, that would be a bigger slap in the face than any invasion.

He smiled broadly. “We will have to make it official. You will have to inform your people of your plan to swear fealty to me. And a formal document will have to be drafted to be signed by each of us. But yes, I think that will be a wonderful start.”

Sitting in the private study of the burgermeister, Orion sat with cider in his hand. He had no idea how the stallion had gotten a hold of the beverage seeing as to the fact that he was still too young to legally drink. Bloodbeak ignored it. He deserved it after all.

It had been nearly a week since the events in the lodge, the town was in a flurry of activity. The Diamond Dogs, no they were Iron Dogs now, had quickly gotten to work once they were properly fed. It was amazing to see them scour the hills and valleys before selecting a location to mine and another to build a new den, as the old one was collapsed in the stallion's rage.

During that time some of them were put to work digging out and creating a tunnel network into the salt fields. The salt that came from just the few days of digging was already more than most had seen in a decade. Again the pony had proven his knowledge, which was well ahead of his own inventors and investigators.

From Neighbon, four-hundred barrels of packed fish were processed here and already set to be shipped to distant towns to shore up food stocks for the coming winter. As far as he was concerned, those barrels were more precious than gold. So he would use his own guards to distribute the precious cargo. Next year in the early spring, seeds would be cultivated and shipped to farming communities with instructions on how to prepare farmland for new crops.

Two Iron Dogs would also travel from village to village that same year to help dig trenches for water supply and till the soil. Bloodbeak was still in a state of shock. His people for the first time in over eight-hundred years, would make a comeback the likes of which never seen in their nation.

“You laid claws on me colt.” He was still sore at the disrespect. But not so mad as he was the day it happened. Deep down he was glad Orion had interrupted him when he did. He would likely have said something very foolish.

“Bullshit, I never physically touched you and I have hands not claws.” He took a sip of his cider and sighed in contentment. No reports had stated he was a secret drinker. To see him enjoying what was considered an acquired taste was confusing.

“Your magic most certainly did, and that in itself is a crime. One usually punished with the minimum of twenty-five years in prison. If not death.” The stallion just gave him a look. He chuckled. “Yeah I would likely not get away with punishing you like that. It would be unpopular amongst my people knowing what you did. That and Celestia would likely not allow me to do it either.”

Looking out the window, to the great Lunar Sea he finally asked the big question.

“Why Orion? Why help me and my people? You stand nothing to gain from this. You want your name stricken from the records of even coming here. The people to swear to silence of you even being here. You will get nothing, not even recognition of your incredible service to them. Why?”

Another sip and a sigh. “Well your Majesty. What would you think the Princess would think if she found out I traveled all the way here, and helped a foreign nation achieve independence of her economic block?”

Bloodbeak blinked. So he had actually considered what might happen to him if she found out. “I see. So you wish to lie by omission to your monarch. By doing so keeping you out of her eye of suspicion.”

“Oh yeah, she would be all over my ass in a second. Madder than hell over it. Best not to rile up someone who can scorch my existence from this reality.” He chuckled to himself.

This pony was playing a very dangerous game. Did he even know the rules? He suspected he knew exactly what he was doing, and that scared him more. A stallion of his age did not act with such motivations. Those his age had no ambition like this. A shudder ran through him. How dangerous was he?

Switching tact. “When you first arrived in my kingdom, what did you think of it?”

Orion was quite a moment, so Bloodbeak took a drink from his ale.

“To be frank it’s a shit hole.” He spat his drink all over the floor. Glaring at him he huffed.

Holding up a hand to forestall his angry tirade he spoke quickly. “Lets face it, your predecessors ran this nation into the ground. Before you, each one threw massive amounts of bits and resources at trying to dislodge Celestia. That was bound to fail. Even you realize that now. Hell you were likely the only one of your line to consider the economic impact such futile attempts were having on your nation.”

He sighed to himself, another swig of ale of which he quickly swallowed, calming his temper. “I see your point. As long as she controls the sun, our very lives will always depend on her.”

Orion laughed so hard he choked. “Fuck no she doesn’t!”

“What do you mean she doesn’t control the sun? There are witness reports of her getting up everyday and raising the sun. Even unicorns have confirmed it. That bitch has us all by the feathers.” He finished sourly.

“It's a nice ruse she has going on I’ll admit. But she doesn’t control a sun that is roughly four-hundred and fifty-thousand miles in radius.” Bloodbeak’s mouth fell open.

“W-what?” He couldn’t speak. How did this pony know the size of the sun itself?

“You heard me, I’m just spitballing for the most part but it's around that size give or take a few thousand or so. No. What she has is a connection to the sun. I suspect it’s the reason for her massive amount of power. She pulls that little ritual everyday. For an entire month I watched how she did it. If anything there seemed to be a siphoning of power.”

She didn’t control the sun? She had been lying to everyone for over a millennium?

“Hold it right there chief big shit. Just because killing her wouldn’t kill everyone doesn’t mean you should try and do it. Mostly because I believe the rumors of her ability of healing. She hasn’t been sick since she took over in Equestria. And she’s at least a thousand years old, though I suspect she is far older. Likely she will catch any agent you send long before they get to her.”

“There is another reason. Out with it.”

“Well, in this delicate stage of recovery, your nation would not handle the war that would follow when you fail.”

Bloodbeak was quiet for a moment, swirling the ale in his mug as he collected his thoughts. “How do I know you're telling the truth?”

Another swig. “You don’t. I can offer no proof other than my observations. But I am highly confident I’m right. That makes it all the more dangerous. My advice is to keep it to yourself for now. If word comes out that she doesn’t control the solar body that is the sun, you can bet she will hunt down the source of that rumor. So keep you and your nation safe. Stay quiet about that one.”

Bloodbeak was contemplative for a long time, he knew it was a long time because the next time he took a drink the ale in his mug was sour and warm.

“What are your plans now, Orion?”

“To actually enjoy what is left of my vacation. Mind if I drag your niece to Neighbon?”

Author's Notes:

Hey Everybody! Just wanted to drop a reminder that I have a Twitter. @RedgraveMorgan
I'll be posting updates on what I plan to do, share art, share other peoples work, that sorta thing. I will credit everyone.

Also, please leave a comment. I actually love hearing from you guys. Let me know how I'm doing. You guys are damn funny XD. I appreciate that.

As always, Thanks for reading.

Peace