If anyone has any questions about the Elder Scrolls universe Reman is from, ask me, I've come up with a few interesting things about it.

@#@#@#@#@#@#

As it turns out, leaving a hospital after one has been, for all intents and purposes, dead, is rather difficult. Nevertheless, Princess Celestia had ensured that Reman would be allowed to leave, something that left the lycan immensely grateful.

“Reman, I've been meaning to ask you something.” This was certainly out of the blue, but the Imperial could always humor the Solar Princess. Celestia was looking at the man as though thoroughly confused by something.

“Go ahead, Princess, I'll try not to keep you in the dark about anything.” That wasn't entirely true, there were several things that Reman would never tell her, most of which weren't meant for polite company. He only hoped Celestia's query was appropriate for the streets they now walked through.

“Let's say you kill Hircine and bind part of his power to Equestria, then what? How will you get home afterwords?” Reman stopped dead in his tracks. The Princess raised an excellent question, how was he going to get home? Well, barring the obvious, he wasn't left with many options. At least he had an answer for Celestia's question.

“I suppose I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” The Imperial resumed walking, even as Luna and her sister stopped to look at him. Both Princesses had looks that implied their belief in Reman's insanity. Glade was the first to speak after the awkward silence.

“It is a wonder you've lasted the past four years on your own, you never seem to plan ahead.” Glade knew of his time away from Kvatch, in the time the two had spent alone, the Imperial had vividly described the golden fields and smooth, rolling hill of the Colovian Highlands. Each time, without fail, Reman had sounded at least somewhat saddened by his tales, with good reason.

“I am one lucky man, Glade.” The lycan chuckled at his own joke, which was found to be the exact opposite of funny, as demonstrated by Celestia's serious expression. Even she knew how much misfortune had befallen the Imperial, even if Reman would deny it, but the Princess understood that there must have been some deep seeded sorrow. “Not really, usually someone swoops in and saves my ass at the last second.” The man thought for a moment, as though recalling every time a resident of Nirn had safeguarded his life. Out of nowhere, Reman started laughing.“Come to think of it, that's how I’ve made most of my friends!”

“Bonds forged in fire are the strongest, as they say.” That was Luna's way of compensating for her own inexperience. She felt the need to dispense knowledge whenever appropriate. She had two experienced warriors and an older sibling to compete, the Princess of Night had to make up for it somehow.

“And ponies that try and use a warrior's knowledge look foolish, as I say.” At this, Celestia giggled, enjoying Reman's humor, even at her sister's expense.

“It's about time you started being funny again.” The other two mares had to agree with the Solar Princess, the Imperial was a little gloomy when he wasn't making people laugh. However, the revelation was a blow to the man's ego, was he only here for comedic relief?

“This Shining Armor character, was he at the Festival?” This was important, if the stallion had been present, it may put a strain on his ability to work alongside the Imperial. Reman only asked for that reason, and not because Twilight's dossier hadn't mentioned a brother. Never mind the fact that the Imperial hadn't mentioned either of his own brothers, because he doubted Uriel and Titinius would appreciate being spoken of to magical equines.

“He was in the gazebo I gave my commencement speech from.” Luna gave a speech? Well, it made sense to the Imperial that he have no recollection of it, party has to be started before one can crash it.

“How did he seem afterwords, any particular anger towards me?” It wouldn't be the first time Reman had dealt with angry military officers, he'd punched a legate in the face before. In the Imperial's defense, the guy was giving Reman the stink eye.

“As much as one can expect after seeing his subordinates being ripped to shreds.” Luna now attempted sarcastic humor. She failed to measure up to others who performed and perfected the craft.

“Let me rephrase that.” Reman shot the blue mare a flat look. “Is he going to be angry that I'm near his sister?”

“Without a doubt.” Glade's input was unexpected, but she did have knowledge of the captain's behavior. What kind of dirt could she have on other officers of the Equestrian military. “But I'm certain Princess Cadence will keep him from assaulting you.”

“Is every pony in this country violently irrational when it comes to family?” While it sounded like a joke, the Imperial couldn't have been more serious. Alteration experience gave Reman knowledge of how powerful barrier spells could be, even Restoration's Ward spells were strong in their own right. He'd seen Toldir, the resident Alteration expert at the College of Winterhold, expand a forcefield inside a test cadaver. There were few things that Reman had seen that could measure up to all of the hilarity and gore that he'd seen that day.

“Only the members of my guard, protection if part of their duty.” Celestia seemed pleased with herself, if one judged purely by her response. The little jest was only partially true, but the guard existed mostly for civilian defense, the Princesses could handle almost anything else.

“Take me for example, I'm a werewolf with a terrible disposition.” They all laughed, even as they drew strange looks from passersby, directed at Reman and his alpha female, never the Princesses. It felt good to be able to joke around, the luxury was so rarely enjoyed by any of them. “Princess, isn't the library just around the corner up ahead?”

“Yes, I believe it is.” Indeed it was, the Elements were inside, all six, and each seemed slightly downtrodden, despite the sunny weather. There were two ponies that Reman did not recognize, one was a white Unicorn stallion, likely Shining Armor, and the other was a pink Alicorn, Princess Cadence by the Imperial's best guess. “I suppose you want me to go in first?”

“I think that would be wise.” Few could argue with Reman when his mind was set. Princess Celestia felt that he was correct, this way there were fewer chances for something to start. The monarch sighed before she knocked on the door. The Imperial and his female counterpart hid behind a nearby shrub, this should be a very enjoyable moment.

“Auntie, you're just in time.” Cadence's voice sounded peculiarly young, like a teenager, in a sense. “We arrived only moments ago.”

“Yes, Cadence, it's good to see you, too.” Celestia and Luna both stepped inside, leaving the door open. “Now, girls, I have a very special surprise for you.”

“That we're going to cheer for Reman when he fights Hircine?” Pinkie knew about the plan? How in Oblivion did she garner that information? The Imperial ended up answering his own question, either Shining Armor or Cadence had informed the Elements.

“What Pinkie means is, well, the two of us 're in.” Applejack's voice had lost a portion on its odd twang, but quickly regained the oddly charming quality. “Let's jus' see that monster try somethin'.”

“If Reman needs our assistance, I'm behind him all the way.” Rarity's support was appreciated, and surprising. She didn't seem the type to condone violence outside of duels. “I only regret that my hooves might get dirty.”

“I'm not afraid to hoof to hoof with a god if I have to.” Dash reared onto her hind legs and bobbed as though she were a boxer, taking a few jabs at the air.

“I only hope that Reman and Glade don't get hurt.” Fluttershy didn't stutter, another surprising development. The shy pony was starting to get pumped for the fight, by her standards.

“Princess, I have no doubt that my fellow Elements and I will be of great use in the coming battle.” Has Twilight been reading war history or something? She sounded like she was boosting troop morale with a speech before the day's combat.

“While your enthusiasm is appreciated, that wasn't my reason for returning so early.” Celestia was attempting to build suspense, and Reman was unsure about how that was going to work.

“What is it, Auntie, you look worried.” The Imperial was still getting over Celestia having a niece. Seriously, that was a surprise, like Twilight having a brother, she seemed more like an only child.

“My surprise is right behind me.” The Solar Princess pointed out the door, right at Reman and Glade, who were now standing in the doorway. The Elements were familiar enough with Reman's from to ignore his rather impressive collection of battle scars. Cadence and Shining Armor, however, were both amazed and horrified at the prospect of one being fight so much, some of those looked new, and many accumulated from years of combat. Feeling particularly civil, Reman raised his hand and waved.

“Hello.”