Alex walked with Celestia, himself covered in armor even though he set it to only show his bones. She was surprised when she turned the corner and saw a skeleton.

"Again, that was your own fault." He noted.

"How? You were the one that looked like a skeleton." She said still remembered him laughing at her when she clung to the ceiling.

"Don't act that way, it was the most fun I've had in years... actually it was the only fun I've ever had." He noted dryly.

"You should try having actual fun. I hear it's good for the soul."

"And so is meditating, but you don’t see me keeping my mouth shut for a few years."

"I meditate when I feel stressed. It helps immensely if you can believe it."

"I tried before; I almost ended up with a knife in my jugular."

"You could try again."

"I've tried three times. The first time I almost had my throat cut out. The second time I almost ended up getting blown up and the third time... we'll let's not go into that one."

"You should try the garden, it's perfectly safe."

"That's what I was told at that sauna. All three times."

"Right... So, how has your stay so far been?"

"Pretty good, no one’s tried to kill me; I haven't had to hurt anyone besides Pinkie. The downside is I still don't have my weapons... I feel uncomfortable without them. It sucks."

"How about this, if you promise not to hurt or kill anypony, I will give them back, does that sound fair?"

His ears inside his helmet straightened up and his head snapped to her.

"Are you serious? Please tell me you are."

"I would not lie to you. I see that you truly do not want to harm any of mine or Luna's subjects so you may have them back. If you need to know where they are it's where I used to keep the Elements of Harmony."

He smiled for a brief second before bolting off in the direction of his weapons. She couldn't help but be reminded of Luna when she saw him happy, and when he was his normal self he was much like her.

Alex quickly ran past doors leaving hoof marks in the cracked marble floor and torn carpets. He saw the guards from earlier and stopped while skidding into a wall. They took notice and had their weapons drawn.

"Who goes there?" Asked the one smart enough to stay away.

"I remember you two from earlier. You were the assholes who tried to spear me." Alex said getting the dust off his armor.

"You! What are you doing back here!?" The other guard said pointing his spear at Alex.

"Put that away before you lose an eye. And if you must know, I'm staying with Celestia for the moment."

Both of their jaws dropped before they retained their composure.

Alex Already disappeared, to them atleast. He was actually still in front of them, his armor cloaked and soundproofed on the inside.

He got up and tip-hooved his way away from them snickering inside his helmet.

Once he was a good distance away he uncloaked and trotted the rest of the way to the vault.

Upon sight it made his nose wrinkle. It was jewel encrusted and looked to be made of flimsy wood. And there were so many windows and they weren’t even bullet proof or Plexiglas.

"No wonder they were stolen, this place has horrible security." He muttered going up to the doors.

He grabbed one edge with his hooves and pulled, it came off the hinges and in there he saw it. He saw them.

Every one of his weapons, all the way to his Long Sword to his grenades. His eyes glazed over for a second before stepping inside.

Celestia was in her study quietly filling out the paper work for the tax flaws in the northern region of her and Luna's fair land. Unfortunately, she couldn't quite get any concentration with her granddaughter testing her new spells in the guards training grounds.

There was another explosion followed by cheers and compliments from the guards watching.

Her ink nearly spilled.

There was the explosion that followed the first. And more cheers followed.

She felt her desk shake.

There was another explosion, but this time there was complete silence and... gasps?

She got up and went to her window, looked down and saw an almost blood chilling sight.

There were purple flames going around a lone figure. And he did not look amused.

She flew as fast as her wings could carry her and landed in the training yard. Just as Alex shook off the residual explosion.

"Alright! Who did that!?" He yelled hoofing the ground.

"Alex! What is going on!?" Celestia yelled getting in front of him and her niece.

"Someone thought to take me out with a magic explosive! While I was trying to meditate for the fourth time in my life!"

A young looking female Draconequiss ran over carrying a bat.

"I am so sorry! The wind changed as I hit the ball, you’re not hurt are you?" She asked.

"Ball? I thought someone was hurling grenades at me! And not those cheap ones they let you get away with when you steal contraband."

"Yeah, my dad taught me a new spell so I can enchant baseballs." She said before snapping her fingers making a baseball appear in her paw.

"Let me guess, your dad is Discord?"

"What gave it away? My charming demeanor or my good looks?" She said putting her paw to her chest.

"Your personality. And the whole mix matched creature thing. My names Alexander, you can call me Alex." He said extending his hoof.

"Apollo." She said grabbing his hoof and shaking it.

"So, your dad taught you how to make exploding sports equipment? You would think Celly here would get mad, because isn't this the time you do your taxes for other regions?" He asked Celestia.

"Y-Yes. How did you know when I-"

"I've been watching for years, remember? I know more about this place than you do."

"I would hardly say that. I help rule it."

"And I've had thirteen years to explore it, study it and map it. You won't believe how many defense flaws there are in your land. I'm surprised no one's taken over yet."

"What flaws?"

"How many isolated and open areas there are. They could provide excellent cover for hiding an army or super weapon."

"I assure you we are at peace with every race. We have no need to fear war at the moment."

"Even the Changelings?" He asked with a bit of pride in her reaction.

"N-No... we cannot help but be apart from them."

"Isn't the leader that ugly bug lady who kicked your tail at the wedding with one magical blast?" Apollo asked.

"This conversation is over!" Celestia huffed.

"Hey, we can't win every fight. Although I wouldn't know that. You do though, how does it feel to lose?" He asked putting a hoof to his chin.

"Please don't rub it in."

"I'm really asking! How does it feel to lose at something?"

"Not good, especially when it's your subjects at risk."

"Yeah I heard that's not usually good. Hey Apollo mind if I try the baseball thing out?"

"I doubt you have enough magic to even cause a spark. No offense."

"Are you saying I’m weak?" He asked offended

"Magic wise, yes."

"Alright give me the ball." He growled as he said the words.

She giggled and handed him the ball. He studied it for a few seconds before a strange look came on his face.

"How do I make it explode?" He asked tapping it with his hoof.

"Just put magic into it. It's as simple as cake!"

"Don't you mean pie?"

"No, I meant cake. I know my Celestia loves the stuff. Look, she's blushing from embarrassment."

Celestia's cheeks were a lovely shade of pink and darkening before she flew off.

"Huh, I’ll see you later then!?" Alex called out.

"Yes!" She called back stopping momentarily.

He looked back to Apollo and looked back to the ball. He lowered his horn and started to put as much magic as he could into it. Before long he felt it heat up and when he opened his eyes it turned into a ball of orange flames.

He looked to his side and saw a target. He threw the ball as hard as he could and it went flying straight into the center. It exploded in a massive explosion of energy, shooting out fire bands and small sparks. When it faded what remained was a small sparkling dot where the ball originally hit.

"What is that?" He asked.

Before Apollo could answer it went off. A massive shock wave shook the ground and pushed everyone except for Alex who held tight to the ground, was blown away to the other side of the field. A white ring slashed out knocking even him to the ground and cracking the wall around the target.

"Damn, I think I overdid it." Alex said getting back up.

"That was amazing!" Apollo said happily even if her hair was blown back in a classic cartoon style.

"I guess I am. No need to give me compliments... unless you want to?" He said tilting his head to the side with a small smile.

She laughed that turned into full gut-clenching laughter.

"I like you; you're even funnier than my dad. I should probably not show you how to make storm clouds."

"Apollo Strife! You get your tail over here right now!" Discord yelled before appearing in front of them.

"Yes dad?" She asked confused as to why he was using her full name.

"What have I told you about putting too much magic into the sports equipment?"

"To keep putting more in?"

"Alright so I did, but I didn't think you had that much! You melted the target, the ground and the wall!"

"Actually, that was Alex." She said pointing a talon at him.

"Really? An alicorn had that much magic in him? Now that's impressive." He said before patting Alex on the back.

"Thanks, I'm very proud of my strength. I think it's about time to go to bed too don't you?"

"Yeah, come on Apollo let's go get your brother. Where is he anyway?"

"He said something about going through the maze." Apollo said before laughing with her father.

"I knew he'd find a loophole." discord said before teleporting his son there.

Unfortunately he was also carrying a running chainsaw.

It hit Alex directly on the helmet causing sparks to go flying before the chain broke.

"Awww, my chainsaw broke. Now I have to get a new chain and sharpen it. Oh, hey dad, hey sis." Said the orange colt.

"I'm just going to go to bed before I get blown up again or end up breaking someone else's tools." Alex said before teleporting to Celestia's room.

She was just entering the room when he "popped" into existence right in front of her.

"I see we both have a timed schedule." Alex said before standing next to the bed.

"It was but a coincidence." She said avoiding eye contact.

"Sure, I know how all the women here can’t stay away from me. Including yourself, your highness."

She blushed profusely while working her mouth like a fish out of water.

"If not then I guess you wouldn't mind if I were to just stand here?" He said before positioning himself on her side of the bed.

"N-No, not at all." She managed out before slowly taking off her regalia.

She set them down on the table before slowly sliding into her bed while in the process, accidentally nudging Alex.

"Now, now no need to push." He said.

Her cheeks felt like they were on fire at this point.

"W-What are you talking about?"

"That little nudge you gave me. It's not the first time a lady such as yourself has tried to get me with her."

"I am not trying to do that!" She protested even if her red face was saying otherwise.

"Relax; you’re not the first princess to try that. The first got me to lie down and then while i wasn't looking tried to be-head me."

"Has anypony not tried to kill you?"

"It would have been a painful death. If she had succeeded. I was quick enough to cover it up before the knife came down."

"Wouldn't she have to swing and not stab you if she wanted to be-head you?" She asked.

"I think you misunderstand. She wasn't going for that head... She was going for THAT head." He finished raising his eyebrows before looking down and back up.

She felt her mouth become useless again before she put her head down on the pillow.

"Goodnight." She said as calmly as possible.

"Goodnight, don't let Cinnamon bite." He chuckled at his old memory of her first time trying to sleep on his chest. He then shuddered at the memory as she bit his nose when he rolled over.

He let his armor go into the usual see through state before looking directly at the wall. Celestia on the other hoof, was waiting for him to fall asleep.

She tossed and turned from time to time in her bed. She hadn't done that in a millennium. Was it because there was a colt there next to her? That could explain why she felt so warm between-

"Enough!" She scolded herself quietly. "Why is it he has made me so uncomfortable? Is it because he is a male alicorn? Or is it because... no! He is not even an actual resident of this world. So why am I so attracted to him?" She asked herself uncertain if she used the right words.

She slowly peeked out the corner of her eye and saw him breathing slowly and staring ahead.

She slowly sat up and waved her hoof in front of his face. No reaction.

"Good, now maybe I can see how silly I've been acting. He's nothing but a muscle toned soldier, I have no interests in him." She said proudly before getting out of the bed.

She looked him starlight in the face. He didn't blink he didn't even twitch. She was sure he was sleeping with his eyes open, just like some soldiers on night shift do. Or her own guards at the front gates to the castle. She walked around and examined him.

He was obviously well trained from his muscles, he had quite a few scars to prove it too and his plot was the most muscle toned she couldn't help but stare.

She felt a small amount of drool start to trickle down her chin before she blushed at what she was about to do. She turned around to his face again and waved her hoof in front of him.

No reaction.

Satisfied she went back around.

"You will not be putty in his hooves no more! If I can simply make physical contact without felling awkward then I can talk to him in the eye." She said confidently before sticking out a hoof.

His rear armor was skin tight. She felt every curve, bump and even pulse from his heart. She slowly found herself drooling again before she screamed and hid under the blanket.

"See something you like?" He asked jokingly even though his face was slightly red too.

"I-What-No! I thought you were asleep!?" She stuttered out blushing profusely.

"I don't sleep, remember?"

"I should remember that."

"Yes you should before you go feeling me up again." He chuckled at her red face hiding under the covers. "So you really like me huh?"

"W-What are you talking about?"

"I saw what you did at town, thing with your wings. And as much as you blush around me, the drooling bit and how you don't look me in the eye. I'd say you head over hooves for me, princess."

"I am not!"

"Oh yes you are. I heard what you said the whole time. I will not be putty in his hooves any longer. And why would you go and grab my ass, out of all the places?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"H-How much did you hear?" She asked nervously peeking out from the covers.

"The beginning."

"Why didn't you stop me?"

"I wanted to see how far you would go. Luckily I did stop you before you went lower. That would have been an awkward conversation later."

"Isn't this an awkward conversation?"

"Not really, you’re not the first to grab me. Grab me there yes."

"I-I see... I apologize for intrud-."

"Alright quit it, you like me and I like you that's enough. Now go back to sleep and this time not peeking out the corner of your eye."

"You like me?"

He his eyes and his ears splayed back before he was blushing profusely.

"D-Did I say that? W-What I meant to say was... ugh... we'll crap, I've got nothing."

"What's with the sudden interest?" Now it was her time to mess with him.

"We'll you’re a lot like me, smart, tedious, hardworking, funny and good looking. And since I’m a pony, my feelings started to change over a little. I just liked you as a friend while I was human, but when I saw you on the ground fainted. We'll the light was hitting you in such a way... Ah crap! Now I'm daydreaming! Shit did I say that out loud?"

"Yes, yes you did. Now goodnight."

"Goodnight. And really, don't let Cinnamon bite."

"Alex?"

"Yes supposed to be sleeping princess?"

"Would you care for dinner?"

"Already asking me out. Sure, I don't remember the last date I had. Atleast one that didn't end up with me accidentally getting a fork in my hand."

"Do you have any memories that don't involve pain?"

"I... do not. Wait, I do have a few of some of my friends when I was on the run. I wonder if their alright?"

"You had others with you?"

"Yeah, a bunch of knuckle heads. But the lovable kind. There was Francis the pessimist, Ox the all muscle occasionally brain of the group, Striker and Buster the ex-spies, Jack the pervert, Alex and Alexis the trolls, mason the nerd, Jacob the cleaner, Michael the lazy one, Allis the mecha, White the leader of Jacob, Michael and Mason. Francis leads the rest except for Buster and Striker. And the two guards we picked up later on."

"Are they as strong as you?"

"No, there just version one super soldiers. I could send my hand through their armor before they knew what happened."

"Goodnight Alex, I will see you in the morning."

"Goodnight. Dear."

She felt her cheeks turn into an inferno, before throwing a pillow at him which only made him laugh.

"The ladies can’t resist me."