Chapter 81

Dave stepped out into the warm sunshine and Spike ran past cheering, sliding on his knees as he fist pumped the air. “So what now? Is the wedding soon?” the excited dragon bounced on the spot as he looked up at Dave.

“Well the decorations are should be finished by the time we get back,” Dave rubbed his nose as he looked around the streets of Ponyville. “You guys can go get the others, I have something I just need to grab back at my house.”

Adamas offered a claw to Dave and the human stepped into the large claw. “I’ll get everypony to meet at sugarcube corner and we will wait for your signal.” Spike saluted to Dave, “Should I get Big Mac as well?” the dragon asked as the human nodded.

“I’m gonna get him,” Dave hummed as Adamas brought his arm back slightly. “Anyway, I will call,” Dave waved as Adamas gently threw the human towards his house, Dave flapped his arms uselessly until he landed in the dense leaves of a tree that was only a few meters from the back of his house.

Dave tumbled to the ground but managed to land unharmed, he brushed his coat down until he walked over to the front door. He patted his pockets until he found the small key that allowed him entrance. He groaned as he had to push aside a few pieces of mail and one round package.

“Junk mail? On this world too?” Dave sighed as he walked past and made his way to the stairs. “Wait…” Dave turned to look at the one round package, the only item too large to fit through the thin letterbox.

The package was covered in brown paper, toilet paper, diet leaflets and one large sticker across the front. Dave wandered over and lifted the ball, he scratched his head as he wondered how it managed to get through the door.

“Maybe it was inflated or sent in with magic,” Dave hummed as he began reading the sticker. “To Dave the human, outskirts of Ponyville.” It was the correct address but it still didn’t explain how it made it in. Dave noticed that the sticker also showed the sender’s address, his eyes opened as he read the two words.

America, Earth.

Dave shuddered before he sighed, “Oh very funny Odio.” Dave muttered, “This is really stupid,” he chuckled as he tore away the paper and held a globe made of syrup and pasta. “And not to mention childish.”

Dave threw the globe into the bin as it began to lose its shape and left Dave rubbing his eyes. “I would have thought that Odio would remember I am from England.”

The human hurried upstairs as he rummaged through his shelves full of bits and gems as he found a spare bag and stuffed it with coins. He held onto the strap of the bag as he threw it over his shoulder and wandered back downstairs.

Dave gave the bin a final glance before leaving his house and locking the door. “I swear, Odio is really desperate to do something that random.”

The human groaned as he had to walk the long distance back to the town of Ponyville, he was happy enough having Adamas throw him to his locations but he always had to find the dragon again if he needed another travel option.

Dave walked through the town, pausing occasionally to speak to some of the residents about the upcoming wedding. He managed to exit the other side of Ponyville and was making his way toward Sweet Apple Acres, the large apple trees were a welcome sight as Dave walked in the cool shade.

Granny Smith was sat outside the house on a wooden rocking chair, Big Mac was bringing back some apples when he saw the human walking towards him. “Howdy Dave,” the large red stallion dropped his baskets full of red apples as he turned to speak to his friend.

“Here is your compensation.” Dave handed the bulging bag of bits to Big Mac. He smiled as the stallion’s jaw dropped and he shook his head, attempting to pass the money back.

“Ah can’t,” Big Mac sighed. “We are managing with a few damaged trees, you don’t have to feel guilty.”

Dave took the bag of money back and walked over to Granny Smith. “Excuse me, can I borrow Big Mac for a day or two? This money should cover the work he will be missing.”

Granny Smith narrowed her eyes at Dave and the bag of golden coins. “Now why would you want ‘im?” She asked pointing at Big Mac.

“Well I need my friends to go to my wedding,” Dave chuckled as he glanced over at Big Mac. “The incident in Manehatten made us friends for life.”

Big Mac looked at Granny Smith as she shook the bag of coins and she grew a wide smile. “Sure! I’ll go put these coins in my purse. Have fun Big Mac!”

“Grab something smart,” Dave smiled to Big Mac as the big pony’s expression changed from confused to happy. The stallion ran into the house and quickly returned with a small bag, Dave placed his fingers into his mouth as he whistled loudly.

A loud roar rolled through the trees as Adams appeared in the sky, he had a basket attached to his front claws as he carried all the ponies and Spike. Rainbow Dash and Nox flew around the diamond dragon as they played in the air. Every time the cyan Pegasus almost reached the grey colt he would create a portal that sent her flying out of a different one on the other side of him.

Adamas carefully slowed as he flew over the orchard, lowering his front claws so the large baskets touched the floor. “We improvised with hot air balloon baskets,” the dragon explained as the two baskets full of ponies waved at Dave and Big Mac.

“Good work,” Dave nodded. “I would say ‘this day has been just perfect’ but that would be tempting fate.” He laughed along with his friends before walking over to the baskets and giving Big Mac a boost into the less crowded one. “Hang on, where is Fluttershy?”

A quiet whisper made Dave look into the basket and saw Fluttershy cowering beneath Pinkie’s tail. A yellow hoof pointed at Adamas as she shook in the basket, her fear painfully obvious.

“We have met before,” Adamas sighed as he looked at Dave. “She is afraid of me, but that isn’t important right now.” Dave nodded as he began to climb up Adamas’ arm and towards his large head.

“Hey Dave!” Spike called. “Mind if I it on your shoulder? For old time’s sake?”

Dave held out a hand and Spike jumped to grasp it, quickly climbing onto Dave’s shoulder as Dave climbed onto Adamas’ head. “A dragon on a human on a dragon,” Dave held onto one of Adamas’ horns as he sat down and placed his feet flat to prevent him sliding. “Everypony ready?”

“You know it!” Rainbow Dash smirked as she raced past Dave’s head. “Hey Adamas, wanna race?”

“With these?” Adamas held up the baskets full of ponies. “Maybe later.”

The Pegasus sighed as she continued to fly with Nox ahead of Adamas, the diamond dragon keeping steady so his passengers didn’t get uncomfortable. Spike rested his arm on Dave’s head as he looked around, “I hope I grow wings when I get older.” His eyes moved to Dave’s dragon scale trenchcoat as he noticed a mark on his arm when the wind blew the sleeve out of the way. “What is that Dave? Is that a cutie mark?”

Dave looked at the brand on his arm, “Nah, that’s just the past.”

Meanwhile…

“I can’t believe this,” Matrix muttered to Night Stalker. He was met with silence as both guards stood to attention. Shining Armour smiled as he used his magic to levitate up a medal and pinned it on the pony in front of him.

“This is in recognition of your service as a truly brave citizen of Canterlot,” Shining Armour smiled as Fix It looked at his silver medal and smiled at his two guard friends.

“Thank you sir!” Fix It tapped the medal with his hoof and continued to smile with excitement. “I couldn’t have done it without those two though,” Fix It looked at Matrix and Night Stalker.

Shining Armour looked at the two guards before shrugging, “It was their job.”

“I thought we did well though,” Matrix muttered as he joined Night Stalker in saluting their commanding officer.

“You performed well for a recent recruit,” Shining Armour nodded. “And in recognition of your achievements, you can have a special assignment.”

Night Stalker’s ears stood up as his partner smiled. “What is it sir?”

“Go to the social hall and start putting up decorations,” Shining Armour smiled as they both lost their enthusiasm. “I want it as good as it was for my wedding, so get our public hero to help if you need him to.”

Fix It gulped as he looked at Matrix’s evil smile. Night Stalker even narrowed his eyes slightly that added more fear to the unicorn. He looked at his medal and realized that maybe gloating was best kept for private moments.

Meanwhile…

Odio shooed the servants out of his room as the new bed was finally assembled and the burns had been repaired on the walls and ceiling. He quickly began placing his posters on the wall again, the various video games, animes, movies and occasional pony superstar soon covered the wall in a thick layer of paper.

The fog of hatred whistled happily as he wiped the small specs of dust from his game console and began to hum. “Maybe if I added stuff to the controller or replace the buttons with gems then that might get some more interest.”

“Still working on the wedding present?” Luna smiled as she stood in the open doorway. “I am sure Dave will love it no matter what.”

Odio groaned in agreement, he was overthinking everything as the wedding drew closer. He looked back at one of the few links between him and Dave, his eyes burned dimmer as he looked over to Luna.

“I guess…” Odio’s fog slowed as he thought about the right words to say. “I am just worried that Dave will ignore me more once he has married both of you.”

Luna gained a disheartened look as she walked into the room and looked up to the fog. “Celestia and I wanted you gone, you were continuously trouble but… Dave fought for you and I am… glad that you are around.”

The fog of hatred smiled slightly, “Thanks Luna, do you want to play a game?” Odio parted his fog to allow the princess a view of the stack of games.

“Well…” Luna tapped her hooves against the floor. “I suppose one game of… Fallout was it?”

“Yeah, there is hardly any violence in that one,” Odio lied as he turned the game on and quickly placed the disk into the console. “You get to make your own character and choose what skills you have.”

Luna nodded, “Ok I will try my best to solve every problem with diplomacy.”

“Good luck,” Odio scoffed as he watched Luna use her magic to lift the controller and begin playing, creating a character that looked like her version of her if she was a human. The hair was a very dark purple, her skin was lightly tanned but was very smooth and was flawless.

As Luna began to sit through the loading screen she glanced out the balcony window, the rolling countryside was darker due to a layer of clouds being pulled across the sky by a large squad of weather pegasi from Cloudsdale.

“Was there much damage from the fight?” The alicorn asked as Odio hummed in thought. “I would have imagined Harvest was persistent.”

“Yeah, Dave’s survival instinct was actually a bit extreme,” Odio chuckled as he remembered the fight. “Anyway the only major things are a crater, some broken hedges and a statue covered in blood, they can all be solved with a bit of water and some dirt being moved around.”

Luna sighed, “That is good then, I am glad to hear that no buildings were damaged or anything like that.”

“The fight was clear from anypony so don’t worry,” Odio stared at the screen as Luna began running around the starting town. He noticed her glance at him before looking at the screen, “Fine, ask again.”

“Is there a romance in this game?” Luna smiled innocently as Odio rolled his eyes.

“No there…” Odio paused as a sly thought crept into his mind. “Actually yes… his name is Fisto and he is trapped.”

Luna frowned with determination as she played the game, “Alright, I will save Fisto.” She nodded as she set out on her adventure.

“He will be very… appreciative,” Odio smirked as he placed all his effort into holding back his laughter. “He is the type that just likes to give, you know what I mean?”

“Oh! Before I forget!” The princess of the night paused the game as she removed one of her shoes and pulled out a note. “This is for you,” Luna smirked as she passed it to Odio.

The fog stared suspiciously before opening the letter, “Dear Odio, as my friend and for being knowledgeable in every aspect of everything then I know you can perform any task I allocate to you, from Dave.”

Luna grinned as Odio nodded in agreement, “Turn it over.”

“Huh,” Odio turned the parchment over. “Dear Odio, thank you for agreeing to be the priest for my wedding, I also thank you for spreading your fog across Equestria and making it able for everypony to watch the wedding regardless of location.”

“You are so nice,” Luna smirked as Odio dropped the paper in disbelief.

“That. Mother. Fucker.”