Dear Princess Celestia,

Before Merry left he had asked me to send you a letter to welcome him to Canterlot Castle as he was hoping for an audience with you. Of what he wished to speak of I have no idea. He simply told me to let you know. I am concerned for Merry Princess. When he left Ponyville he was wearing a black adamantine breastplate and helmet. Not only that he had a large greatsword over his shoulder. What worries me most is when he told Rainbow Dash of his plan to start a war with the griffins. When he arrives please do your best to talk him out of it and return to Ponyville.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.

P.S. He refused to take the train and wanted to walk, Why is beyond me. He even had Rarity put together an orange cloak for him before he left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today has been a good day for Sam and his family. He finally got the letter from one of Canterlot's restaurants, The Prancing Pony, asking for him to work as the new head chief. They had taken a wagon and filled it to the brim with all of their valuables and other things, then set out.

They had stopped in Ponyville and all the ponies were a lot nicer then he expected and the service at the Inn was impeccable. Some pink mare even threw him and his family a welcome party. He felt like the day couldn’t get any better.

“Hey dad, how much longer until we reach Canterlot?” Sam put his head up in thought.

“I’d say we can get there by tomorrow afternoon. You don’t mind camping do you?” the young grey colt shook his head

“No way, I love camping. I like using my firefly lantern every chance I get.” Sam just laughed as he looked over to his wife Grace.

“I’ll never understand why you colts love camping so much.” Grace sighed “You’ll help keep me safe from all the bugs right Mustang?” The small colt smiled and stuck his chest out

“Of course mom!” Grace just smiled with Sam as they laughed along the way.

After traveling around a bend they could see a figure slowly walking ahead of them wearing an orange cloak. It was nothing like they had seen before. It walked upright like a minotaur but it didn’t have the size and judging by it's head, it had small horns or none at all. It couldn’t of been a diamond dog because it walked completely upright instead of hunched over. The only thing that really worried them was the large sword hilt poking through the orange cloak it had upon its back. It kept a steady pace as it walked. At the current pace it was traveling they would eventually pass it up.

“Dear, maybe we shouldn’t pass that thing, it looks dangerous.” Sam just scoffed

“Don’t worry my love. We’ll just quickly pass it up, besides, would something so dangerous be using a road?” Grace gave a nervous sigh as Mustang jumped in front of Sam.

“What do you think it is dad?” Sam just looked to his son then at the thing wearing the orange cloak in front of them.

“I have no idea son, we might find out if its friendly soon enough.” Mustang just gulped along with his mother. After 15 minutes of walking they eventually were right behind the cloaked figure and Sam had decided to call out to try and get its attention.

“Oy! How are you stranger?” The cloaked figure didn’t turn around or even acknowledge the fact that Sam tried to get it’s attention.

“Sam, honey maybe we should just ignore it, it doesn’t seem to be friendly...” Grace had trotted up next to Sam and was quietly talking to him.

“It seems so. Alright hopefully it wont get mad when we pass it up.” Sam had increased his pace along with Grace while Mustang just sat in the cart on top of all the stuff. When they came up next to the creature in the orange cloak it turned to face them. What they saw under the orange cloak was a hairless flat looking face. It looked like a large ape. What happened next made Sam question wether it was friendly or not. It nodded its head down in greeting and moved over to the side to let them pass easier. After they got ahead of the strange creature they went back to the center of the road and kept their pace going. Mustang jumped off the cart and ran up next to his dad.

“Hey dad, that strange monkey smiled at me.” Sam furrowed his brow.

“We may have misjudged that strange creature. Oh well, no harm no foul right?” Sam just rubbed a hoof on Mustangs head as they went along. “I wonder why it was bobbing its head like that though?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to Twilight’s new spell Merry had decided he would walk all the distances he could listening to music. The music helped get his mind off the past and keep him going. He was currently in the mood for some industrial dance and Eisenfunk - Pong hit the spot. Hopefully it would cheer him up a bit.

After getting directions from Twilight on how to reach Canterlot he left Ponyville. With Spikes ability to instantly transfer letters, there was no way they didn’t know he was coming. After all, he had to figure out how to get to the griffin kingdoms, and figure out which royal family was responsible in the 1st place, assuming there is more then one.

“I’m glad I custom made a spot in my breastplate for my iPod. Don’t wanna risk it getting smashed if its in my pocket when a fight breaks out.” Merry had made a small cloth pocket in the bottom left side of the breastplate for the iPod. His sallet style helmet made it easy to get his earbuds in and out without having to take it off. It reminded him of a combat helmet that the military used, but the sides came down a bit over his ears and back of his neck for some added protection.

Before Merry knew it some ponies pulling a cart had come up next to him. So he bowed his head a bit and moved over to let them pass. The Mare was a blue unicorn and the stallion a dark grey regular pony. As they passed him he noticed a colt on top of the cart, he was a grey Pegasus. Merry smiled at him as thoughts of Scootaloo entered his head. After a few minutes they were long gone and Merry sighed to himself and got back into the music.

An hour has passed since the cart from before passed him. Yet up ahead he saw that same cart on the side of the road with the blue unicorn pony talking to three minotaurs. Merry just shrugged and kept his steady pace. During the transition to a new song he heard some shouting up ahead. Merry squinted his eyes and turned his iPod off. In the distance he could hear the mare shouting to leave her colt alone. Merry quickened his pace.

“Look, all we wanted was your stuff, but you had to go and resist.” The tallest minotaur had his arms crossed as he spoke. The minotaur on his right side was holding the small colt by the neck. The minotaur on the left side was the shortest, and he was just licking his lips.

“Heh, might as well leave your little mare self here with us as well.” The mare just had a disgusted look on her face but gulped as she stepped forward

“Just leave Mustang alone, I wont...” Before she could finish her sentence Merry had stepped up in between them all. Merry placed his hand on the hilt of his greatsword and looked at the minotaur holding the colt by the neck.

“Put the kid down.” Merry just stared at them as they laughed

“Who does this little ape think he is? Don’t you think that toy sword is a bit big on you?” While they were laughing Merry rushed up to the minotaur holding the colt and gripped his wrist. He dropped the colt and fell to his knees gasping for air. Merry was exhaling the whole time the minotaur gasped for air, until the he fell over limp.

“What did you do to Scot?!” The other 2 minotaurs pulled out their weapons as the mare just held on to her colt. Merry saw the stallion from before, he was beaten pretty badly in front of the cart. Merry pulled out the greatsword and held it behind him as he got into a lower stance. When the shortest minotaur rushed, Merry lunged forward turning his body with the greatsword and sliced cleanly though the poor minotaur. Everyone just stood in awe what just happened, the Mare had turned around holding her colt in her arms not wanting to see the violence.

“You, How dare you kill Pete!” The tallest minotaur lowered his head and began to charge at Merry violently turning his head in every direction hoping to gore him. Merry performed a simple upward slash and sliced his face in two. The only one left was the minotaur who had passed out. His name was Scot apparently. Merry gathered up their stuff and tied Scot up before he woke up. The mare and colt had gone over to the Stallion who was on the ground. They were both crying, and Merry just sighed as he walked over to them.

Merry looked down at the stallion, he was still awake but 2 of his legs were obviously broken. The small colt just looked up to Merry and rubbed a tear away.

“Stranger, you can help my dad right? I saw you use magic on that minotaur! Do you have any healing magic?!” Merry just sighed again.

‘Why do kids still hit a soft spot for me.’ “Move aside kid.” Merry walked past the small pony and sat down next to the stallion and placed a hand on his chest.

“What are you doing to my husband?!” Merry just looked at her.

“You’re lucky I have a soft spot for kids lady.” Merry just closed his eyes at her confused look. After awhile the stallions legs went back to their original shape, and he no longer had labored breathing. Merry on the other hand had some blood dribble from his mouth. When he was finished he fell over and coughed up some blood. It would be awhile before he could walk again.

The Mare just witnessed everything unfold before her eyes, the strange creature placed a hand on her husband, and his injuries disappeared, but the creature for some reason was taking damage.

“Oh my Celestia! What happened to you?!?” The mare, colt and the stallion just looked at Merry and realized he now had broken legs and was coughing up blood. Merry just sat up and looked at them

“I just absorbed his injuries, but I’ll be fine, I’m a fast healer. I’ll just need some food...” The colt ran over to the cart and pulled out a basket. He then tossed it down in front of Merry.

“Here! You can eat my lunch stranger! As thanks for helping us out and all.” The small colt just smiled at Merry as he opened up the basket. The Stallion stood up and walked over to Merry.

“Thanks stranger, when we first saw you we figured you didn’t speak equestrian or something. You didn’t look very friendly. But those minotaur bounty hunters were far less friendly. Thanks for the help, names Sam this is Grace and my boy is Mustang. You’re welcome to ride in the cart until you’re feeling better.” Merry just lightly chuckled

“Seeing as how my legs are broken, I guess I cant turn down your offer.” Merry cleared his throat “If ya don’t mind, I could use some help getting up there.” He looked over to the unicorn mare as she began to levitate him on top of the carts pile of stuff with the basket.

‘I would of liked some of those minotaurs to eat, but I don’t wanna freak them out if they are offering a free ride.’

“Thanks a bunch, just call me Merry.” Merry had taken out one of the infamous salad sandwiches and began to eat it, despite its bitter flavor. As they set off Merry raised his repeater crossbow and unloaded 5 bolts into the minotaur that was tied up. The family had continued on their way with the colt Mustang and Merry in the back, unknowing that he had just killed the minotaur they left behind.

‘Glad I made this thing mostly silent, that should make sneaking around a little easier I guess. Assuming I want to sneak around, hehe.’ Merry just laid back in the cart and decided to try and take a nap. Unfortunately for him the small colt felt like being in a talkative mood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile in Ponyville, Twilight was having a ball with the news of 3 dead minotaur body’s that were found on the road leading to Canterlot. A Pegasus mail pony had spotted them in the middle of road with a cart about a mile ahead of them. Of course guards were summoned, and they went to investigate. The conclusion was that they died from the dangerous bounty they were tracking.

Twilight knew otherwise, word was spreading fast and the only ones who knew of the bounty on Merry’s head were the Mane 6 along with the few guards that stayed behind in town after the incident and at request of Princess Celestia. With so many bounty hunter’s roaming the city’s she had increased the number of guards in each town as some added protection.

Twilight was in a rush looking for her friends, and luckily Rainbow Dash was in her usual spot napping on a cloud.

“Rainbow! Have you heard the ‘terrible’ news?” Rainbow Dash just stirred and looked over the edge of her cloud

“I’ve been napping, how could I of heard any news.” Twilight just smiled up at her cloud

“Its about Merry! He defeated 3 minotaurs on the road to Canterlot!” Rainbow sat upright and flew down to Twilight

“What really?! So he’s ok.... even though he’s only been gone for 4 hours, trouble has already found him...”

“But isn't it great?! At least he can fight.” Rainbow Dash just shook her head

“I don’t know Twilight, Griffins are entirely different, At least a minotaur is slow and doesn’t fly. I had a spat with Gilda once awhile back. I’m just glad it wasn’t a death match.” Twilight just raised her brow

“I’m sure its not that bad, Remember him fighting those two griffins?” Rainbow just looked down

“Yeah I do, he ended up with a hole in his stomach. I’m pretty sure Royal Griffins aren’t even taught how to fight, its all instinct...” Twilight suddenly got a frown on her face as she looked up to the sky.

“I pray Celestia can convince him to come back... I don’t want another friend to die because of something as stupid as revenge...” Rainbow Dash just walked up to Twilight and put a wing around her back.

“Hey cheer up, Lets go find everyone else and do something fun yeah? Maybe just celebrate the fact Merry’s still alive at the start of his journey.” Twilight smiled and looked up

“Yeah its just the start, nothing bad ever happens at the start of a story.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Little Mustang had finally finished questioning Merry and by the time he woke from his nap it was starting to get dark out. They had pulled to the side of the road and looked to be setting up camp. Merry checked his legs and everything seemed to be in working order. When he jumped out of the cart he landed on his feet and a light cracking sound was heard, followed by a pleasure filled tingle running along his thigh and shin bones.

‘Well that cant be good, I need to find a good source of calcium so my legs can finish healing.’ Merry stretched his arms and looked around. Mustang was drawing on some nearby rocks with some chalk. ‘Hmm, wasn’t chalk made from a type of calcium? Would that even work? Is eating chalk even safe?’ Merry just shrugged ‘Well here goes nothing’

Merry went up to Mustang who was happy to see Merry up and walking around.

“Wow you do heal fast! Mom said we should probably have taken you back to Ponyville to get you fixed up. But dad said you would be fine because you said so. Said we should just trust our saviors words.” Merry just laughed

“Well I’m not totally fixed up yet, I was wondering if I could get some of your chalk.” Mustang just smiled and hoofed him some chalk

“Yeah sure, did you wanna draw with me? There’s another rock over there.” Mustang had pointed to another large rock nearby when Merry just flipped the blue chalk into his mouth and chewed it up. Mustang turned around to see Merry eating it and just looked at him raising an eyebrow

“Chalk isn’t for eating...” Merry just smiled as the chalk turned the inside of his mouth blue. Mustang started to giggle as Merry’s teeth were all blue. “I told you its not for eating...” Merry swallowed the rest of the chalk and stuck his blue tongue out.

“Yeah I guess you’re right, it tastes pretty bad to boot.” Merry noticed the tingle in his legs was slowly disappearing. ‘Well what do ya know, it actually works. I’ll have to remember to pack some chalk in my 1st aid kit. Chalk without color anyway. I wonder if could buy flavored chalk...’ Merry just sat down next to Mustang trying to figure out what he was drawing. It was really hard to tell.

“What are you drawing anyway Tang?” Mustang turned around

“My names not Tang, its Mustang! And I’m drawing you defeating those meanotaurs that beat up dad.” Merry just nodded his head and watched Mustang finish drawing. He really had no clue it was about anything, it looked like a bunch of scribbles. His talent wouldn’t be for art it would seem. Merry got up and walked over to the stallion and mare who had been setting up the tent the whole time.

“Thank you for your hospitality, but I must be going now.” Sam just huffed

“Come now, you weren’t lying about being a fast healer, but you're just going to leave? Why not stay the night?” Merry shook his head

“I have to head over to Canterlot, and besides those bounty hunter’s are looking for me. I don’t want to risk endangering you or your family. It was just bad luck those 3 from before decided to play highway robbers.” The stallion just looked at Merry along with his wife. They just smiled at each other and nodded.

“Well alright then, If you don’t wanna stay that’s fine with us. Just come by and visit The Pranceing Pony, I’m getting a job there, I’ll get you a free meal as thanks. It’s the whole reason why my family and I are moving to Canterlot.” Merry just smiled.

“Well aright, I’ll see you some other time I guess. If I get a free meal I’ll show up if I can.” Merry waved his goodbyes as he walked off into the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry walked all through the night. It was a pretty uneventful night. The roads of Equestria seemed to be rather safe. He met a few guards along the way and told them he was just a bounty hunter looking for the alien. It was rather odd, Merry didn’t know Pegasus could have bat wings. He ended up having to the pass the time listening to some System of a Down The only band he considered to have nothing but good songs in each album. Therefore, the best way to pass a few hours of walking.

Of course, listening to one of the best bands of all time leads to one singing along to the music and even dancing around. Or in this case, head banging.

Before he knew it the sun was coming up and he had reached the outskirts of Canterlot. All the guards looked at him curiously as he came dancing up to the front gate. One of the guards walked up to Merry before he reached the gate

“Halt! Bounty Hunter’s aren’t allowed into the royal city of Canterlot.” Merry just took his earbuds out and looked at the pony holding a spear up to him

“Huh? Sorry I couldn’t quite hear you. What was it you said?”

“I said, bounty hunter’s are not allowed within the royal city of Canterlot.” Merry just laughed at him and slapped his knee

“Oh don’t worry my good pony, I’m no bounty hunter, I am Princess Celestia and Luna’s future husband, your king if you will. Now if you will kindly let me pass I’ll make my way to the castle.” All the guards just looked at Merry like he was crazy.

“I uh, we don’t believe you. Such a statement is so far out there its most likely to never happen. Not until a male alicorn shows up.” Merry just shrugged and raised his hands up

“Really? You wont believe your future king? Just call your princesses and I’ll show you.” the Guards were starting to become angry

“No such thing will possibly happen you ruffian” Merry just sighed

“What if I said I wasn’t a bounty hunter and I was here to see a friend, would you let me in?” the guards just looked at each other and huffed

“No go huh? What if I...” Merry reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of sand “Give you this handful of SUPER rare sand?” One of the guards looked at the pile and laughed

“That’s just normal sand you fool.” Merry gasped

“WHAT?! I spent 500 Bits on this sand! How DARE that bastard rip me off!” Merry threw the handful of sand into the guards face and ran off. The guard yelled and started to spit the sand out of his mouth.

“Hey come back here!” Merry jumped into a group of bushes and disappeared.

‘Well shit, now I gotta find some other way into town.’ Merry looked around and saw an unguarded area off to the far right, it looked like the train station. Merry made his way and hid in some bushes until a train showed up.He tried to blend into the crowed getting off the train. It didn’t work as he was the only non-pony to get off the damn train. ‘Its cool, just act natural. I was always on the train.’ Merry was confronted by 5 guards almost immediately.

“Halt! Who are you?” Merry just looked around and decided to go the more truthful route for once.

“My name is Merry and I’m from Ponyville, I had Twilight Sparkle send a letter to Princess Celestia to expect my arrival.” The guards visibly calmed down.

“Truly? We have been awaiting the one named Merry since yesterday. The Princesses told us to watch for your arrival and bring you straight to the castle when you were found.” Merry just sighed

‘Well fuck that was easy, Maybe I shouldn’t fuck around so much... Na its too fun. The looks those guards gave me when I said I was gonna be King was priceless.' Merry just saluted the guards and smiled at them

“Good good, Celly did well to inform you of your future king. Now lead the way to my two honey buns.” The guards just looked at him like he was crazy, the same look the ones at the front gate did actually. It made Merry wonder if they were all trained to give that same look.

The guards all huddled together and seemed to be discussing something.

“King? Is this foal serious?”

“Well both princesses did tell every guard to be on the look out for a strange creature named Merry and to give him our upmost hospitality.”

“But really, king? He’s not even a pony, let alone an alicorn...”

“Maybe the princesses just have odd tastes...Or perhaps he is hung like a whale? The princesses are twice the size of your average male pony...” all the guards continue to debate whether what Merry said was indeed true. Merry lost patience and just decided to join their conversation.

“Did you know Luna’s horn tastes like blueberry's?” All the guards gasped and moved back, some even had blushes. “Oh, and Celestia’s is sweet like honey, kind of odd if you ask me. And there this one spot on her left wing that when you...”

“Stop!” most of the guards were breathing heavy with severe blushes on their faces. “Fine, we believe you, lets just take you to the castle...” Merry just laughed and shrugged

“Well alright then guys. Lead the way...but uh, are you sure you don’t wanna know about your princesses sweet spots?” All the guards just shook their heads trying to clear their heads of impure thoughts.

“No Sir Merry, we are fine. Besides knowing of such things will just distract us.” Merry just shrugged

“Alright then your loss. Just thought it would come in handy when you volunteer for guarding her bed chamber door...” One of the guards stumbled over his own hooves

“You aren’t suggesting...”

“Of course I am. Even when I’m king I don’t think I could handle both princesses at the same time. They even told me themselves that the guards at their doors are usually in the room instead of outside it.” Merry just kept his cool as he kept filling the guards heads with impure thoughts of their princesses.

As they walked through the city Merrywas telling them of ‘sweet spots’ and little things they liked. Like how Luna enjoyed the back of her left ear to be rubbed while her horn is being licked, and how the 5th row of feathers on Celestia’s left wing was an odd pleasure spot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celestia was sitting in her throne room going over papers and other business as usual. When all of a sudden the doors opened up. Celestia looked up and saw a grip of guards walk in with a tall creature wearing an orange cloak walking in the middle of them all. Celestia remembered in Twilight's letter that Merry was wearing an orange cloak. Her slight confusion disappeared as a smile grew upon her face.

‘I wonder how long I can keep up this act...’

“Ah, Merry I see you made it to Canterlot safely. I am glad that the bounty hunters along the roads haven’t made things any less safe. I had heard horror stories of them resorting to robbing travelers.” Merry just walked out from the group of guards and approached the throne.

“Yes well, I came upon 3 minotaur’s trying to rob some poor family, so I had to deal with them. You should probably set up mini guard posts along the roads until this whole thing blows over my dear.” Merry stayed at the bottom of the staircase leading up to her throne but removed his hood and brought his cloak back to revel his armor.

“Oh my, was it near Ponyville? I heard the news of 3 minotaurs being slain along that road.” Merry just nodded

“Indeed it was Celly. Now where is Luna? I haven’t seen her for awhile.” Celestia just smiled

“She is asleep in her room. She watches over the night so she sleeps during the day.” Merry just laughed.

“Yes, she is quite something during the night.” Celestia just raised an eyebrow at Merry then looked at her guards. She noticed most of them had light blushes on their faces while they looked at her. She cleared her throat and spoke

“Yes well, you guards are dismissed, and look into setting up temporary guard posts along the roads, as Merry suggested.” All the guards saluted her and ran out of the throne room. “You know Merry, I read Twilights letter and what you’re planning to do exactly. I can’t allow you to travel to the griffin kingdoms on a suicide mission.” Merry just sighed

“So how do you plan to stop me exactly?” Princess Celestia just smiled warmly at him

“By helping you heal the pain in your heart over Scootaloo’s death. Not all griffins are evil you know. We have a few around the castle that I’m sure would make good friends with you.” Merry just laughed

“Oh I know that princess. A coin always has 2 sides, I only want the royal family or families that set this bounty on my head, that in turn led to the bounty hunters that caused the mess. I have no plans for mass genocide... I’ll just dispose of those responsible and those that stand in my way.” Celestia just sighed

“Just stay here at the castle for awhile. If nothing seems to be working, then I shall give you the information you seek. But I will not support you on your mad man’s quest. If they find out I helped you in killing who knows how many of their royalty a war will break out.” Merry just laughed

“I’ll be sure to be such a large thorn, they all forget about you Princess. Besides, if I go to them, then the bounty hunters will most likely leave Equestria, and wouldn’t that be nice?” Celestia just shook her head

“I think you're severely underestimating the griffins fighting potential.” Merry just shrugged and tapped his helmet

“As long as I have my helmet, I’m fairly confident I wont go down easy. Besides I have a couple tricks up my sleeve.” Celestia just shook her head and sighed

“Just stay here with us. Maybe we can help you change your mind. I’m sure if anyone can understand your pain the best, it would be Luna. She has had a troubled past.” Merry just sighed

“Look, I don’t care for your sob stories or anyone else’s. You can do all you want to try and convince me not to go. But I will go, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me...unless you kill me, but hey I don’t think you will.” Celestia sighed yet again.

“Fine, I will have a room arranged for you, in the meantime feel free to wander. It shouldn’t be hard finding you with that bright orange cloak.” Merry just laughed

“I would hope not princess. And I stand out more then other’s with the whole, not being a pony thing.” Merry just laughed as he left the court room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry walked around the castle and boy it was big as hell. He was pretty sure he was walking in circles and decided to just screw around until someone found him or he found someone.

“ECHO! ECHo ECho Echo echo.... PENIS! PENIs PENis PEnis Penis penis...” Merry was about to shout another word down the large hallway when he heard something clear its throat.

“I don’t think shouting such obscene things down a royal hallway will be looked good upon... Are you a new guard perhaps? When did we start hiring non ponies?” Merry turned around and saw a regular pony with a pillow as a cutie mark

‘Good upon? Is this bitch retarded? Or could she just not think of a better word?’ “Ah, I apologize, no I’m not a new guard, I am the princesses future husband. It hasn’t been formally announced yet, but they were planning to do so in a few days once I get settled in. Names Merry by the way.” The pony had a look of shock on her face

“So the rumor of a king the guards are speaking of is true?” Merry just put on a huge smile

“Its no rumor, its true and I’m right here. You know all those Business trips and or royal duties that involve them leaving the castle?” The mare nodded her head with her mouth open a little. “Yeah, its really cause they were going off to see me.” The mare just looked at him, then squealed.

“Oh my gosh! A real king! This hasn’t been heard of since the olden days! Oh I need to tell everyone!” Merry patted her on the head.

“Hey wait a minute, do you guys have a pool or something I can use? As you could tell, I’m bored outta my mind and I got lost.” She smiled and blushed at the contact.

“Oh yes king Merry. Let me take you there right away!” Merry just laughed again and smiled at her.

“Merry is fine and I never got your name.” She blushed again at having forgot her basic manners.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry, my name is Pillow Fluff. I make sure all the beds are made and in 100% working condition so that the maximum levels of sleep are reached.” Merry just narrowed his eyes and smirked.

‘Is this bitch for real?’ “Well alright then Fluff, lead the way to the Pool.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a 10 minute walk and several glances from both guards, other maids and house keeper ponies they reached the pool, it was huge and deep.

“How big is this pool? And it’s indoors as well.” Pillow fluff just nodded.

“Yes it is, it’s the biggest in all of Equestria, its 40 feet long, 30 feet wide and 18 feet deep. The shallow end is about 3 feet deep. I’m not even sure the princesses use the pool at all though...” Merry just laughed

“Well its fine don’t worry about it. So anyway, I’m just gonna hang around here you can go now. I’m just waiting until my room is finished, Celly said she was going to send someone to get me when it was ready.” Fluff bowed her head and ran out of the pool room.

Merry looked around and saw a table with a few chairs near the middle of the pool. So he walked over and stripped down to his boxers leaving all his stuff on the table.

‘I should look into getting a hair cut, its too long now.’ Merry pulled his bangs down until they touched the tip of his nose. ‘Yup way too long.’ Merry sighed and walked over to the pool edge and leaned over to touch it.

‘A heated pool eh? That makes this seem like a giant bath!’ Merry jumped into the pool and sank straight to the bottom. ‘What the fuck?’ Merry looked up and saw the water was about 3 feet above his head. ‘Why did I sink. I’m pretty sure I still have air in my lungs.’ Merry jumped the best he could and struggle swam to the surface and grabbed the ledge pulling himself out of the water.

“So I cant swim anymore or what the fuck? Lets try this again in the shallow end.” Merry walked over to the shallow end of the pool and jumped in, the water only went up to his hips. Merry proceeded to walk to the deeper end of the pool and took a deep breath before the water reached his neck. Apparently he wasn’t floating, and to swim was a huge effort. For some reason he couldn’t stay buoyant without an extreme amount of effort on his part. However it made walking underwater a breeze. It was kinda gay however because Merry enjoyed swimming.

Merry just sighed to himself as he sat on the edge of the pool and flicked his feet around in the water. After a bit he got bored and went over to the table and brought out his iPod. ‘Time for some Linkin Park - Numb.’ Merry laid back on top of the table and used his cloths as a pillow. He spent about 20 minutes listening to Linkin Park until a group of ponies wearing maid outfits walked up to Merry and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Excuse us Sir Merry, but your room is ready. We will take you there when you're ready.” Merry leaped off the table and proceeded to flex as he moved to get his cloths back on. He watched all the maids blush as he made exaggerated movements to get his cloths and armor back on.

“Alright I’m ready, you can show me to my room now.” All the maids nodded and led the way to his room. Merry just followed them with a smug look on his face

“So did you mares enjoy the free show?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry was just in his room laying on his bed relaxing with his iPod playing some more Linkin Park, when a bright flash appeared with Celestia standing in the middle of his room with a discerning glare on her face.

“So it has come to my attention that you are Luna and I’s secret lover that I decided to make public with the idea of marriage. Not only that, apparently I am carrying your foal and Luna is a better lover then me.” Merry just looked at her and laughed

“Oh man, I don’t know where that part with the foal came up, maybe its because your belly is bigger then it should be?” Celestia just scoffed

“So what if I indulge a little to much cake at times... Its just so hard to find time to work it off with so many things happening.” Merry just nodded his head in agreement

“Ah yes the life of a ruler must be hard. Tis a good thing a king is coming along to help lesson your load eh?” Celestia just closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she exhaled she broke into a sly smile

“Yes, Indeed it is. I’m sure Lulu will be thrilled as well. No longer will we have to rule alone. If I remember correctly, you don’t have to sleep is that correct?”

‘Uhh...fuck, I was hoping she would get mad or something...’ “Yes that’s correct, but I don’t remember telling you that...” Celestia just giggled

“Oh I have my ways of knowing things, even if you tell me or not.” Merry just crossed his arms and nodded.

“Well alright then, if we are all in agreement, As King I demand you make me a sandwich. I just hope its made with love from you.” Celestia just gave Merry a glare

“Don’t push your luck. The day is almost out, and Luna will be taking over soon. I am going to visit her and let her know how things are now. Anyway just wait here. Lulu should show up shortly after the moon rises.” With that Celestia’s horn glows a bright yellow and in a flash she disappears again.

‘Fucking god’s can teleport, but they can’t save a life.’ Merry just sighed ‘heh, Never figured she would go along with the rumors I spread though. I hope this isn’t some ploy to make me stay longer. Now what to say when Luna comes in...’ Merry laid back into his bed and sifted through his iPod.

Before he knew it, he came across Bad Company - Feel Like Making Love. ‘I think this is perfect...hehe’ Merry just waited on the bed with his hands behind his head and legs crossed. Waiting for the door to open or Luna to teleport in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna was busy bushing her mane and preparing for the night. She really didn’t enjoy sitting in the throne room all night as no one ever came. The only things she could do were the left overs Celestia didn't finish. But even then she could only decide a few of them before the kingdom began going to sleep. It was rude after all to decide things when everypony was asleep, and night court was mainly created for ‘emergencies’ that never happened. Luna sighed as a bright flash filled her room with her older sister Celestia standing in the middle of her room now.

“Luna I must speak with you before you raise the moon and I lower the sun.” Luna put the brush down and stood up.

“What is it sister? What is happening?” Celestia just smiled

“Something interesting Lulu, it would appear that shortly after Merry arrived...”

“Merry’s here!?” Celestia just cleared her throat

“Yes he is, anyway, he spread some rumors stating that we were both his lovers, I am carrying his foal, your horn taste’s like blueberries, and he is going to be named king after our marriage in about a week after he gets settled in.” Luna’s mouth dropped.

“Wait what?” Luna touched her horn “Blueberries...” Luna gasped “Tia, don’t tell me its true! How could you go to him without me!” Celestia scoffed

“Luna please, stop being such a foal. None of it is true, I told you he was going on a suicide mission after we got that letter from Twilight yesterday. If this foolishness of his continues, he may just stay here instead of going off and getting killed. We cannot allow a one of a kind creature to go off and die due to its own stupidity.” Luna just nodded her head in agreement

“Indeed, and not testing out his magic hands would be a shame...” Celestia cocked an eyebrow

“How did you...” Luna just scoffed

“Oh please sister, I read some of the letters Twilight sends you, but really? She learned the magic of being friends with benefits and Merry’s magic hands...That was the most awkward letter she has ever sent...and most intriguing. She offered far too many details in my opinion.” Celestia just sighed and laughed

“Yes she can be a bit over enthusiastic at times. Anyway, Now that you’re up to speed, lets go do our duty.” Luna just smiled at her sister as they trotted to the balcony to set the sun and raise the moon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry saw it get dark outside and just got a smug look on his face again. About 2 minutes later a bright blue flash appeared and Luna just stood in the middle of his room.

Merry hit Play on his iPod.

“Baby, when I think about you. I think about loove. Darlin, couldn’t live without you and your loove...” Luna just backed up a bit as Merry got up from the bed

“If I had those golden dream’s of my yesterday, I would wrap you, in the heavens, and I feel it dyin, dyin, dyin all the way...” Luna just kept backing away until she up against the wall with a light blush on her face

“Merry I don’t...” Merry just smiled and took a deep breath

“I Feel like Makin, feel like Makin love!!! Feel like Makin Love! Feel like Makin Love! Feel like Maakiing Love to yooou...” Merry whispered the last part into Luna’s ear and saw her blush even harder. Her horn began to glow and she teleported to the other side of the room.

“Well um, Some other time perhaps. We have many things that we need to do.” Merry just sighed

“Did I come on too strong? Or are you just shy?” Luna shook her head

“I uhh, we just don’t have time right now, I have to go finish up what Celestia left for me. You are welcome to join me however. Night court is the easy part of ruling...As Celestia tells me.” Merry just nodded his head

“Yes well If I am to be king soon, I guess I should learn how to do the easy things 1st.” Luna just huffed at Merry.

“It’s not always easy you know...” Merry just smiled as he followed Luna out of his room and to the throne room to begin night court.

Merry walked next to Luna with an arm around her neck. It was rather easy as she was closer to his height and not overly large like Celestia was. Celestia was closer to being a real horse not a pony. Speaking of, Luna was close to a normal pony, while the others were more like mini Shetland ponies. As they both walked many of the guards and maids were giving glances while smiling as they passed. Luna however was a bit flustered because Merry had his arm around her neck.

When they made it to the throne room Luna donned her crown and sat down leaving Merry to stand next to her.

“Scribe, bring me the things that my sister left unfinished.” The scribe nodded and ran off, only to return shortly after with a small pile of papers. He brought them forward and separated it into 3 different piles.

“One of them deal’s with the guards asking for more rations for home away missions. Another is about some guards wanting to transfer to being door guards, with emphasis upon your highness’s bed chambers. And the 3rd deals with an orphanage here in Canterlot.” Merry raised an eyebrow as Luna levitated all three in front of her and read through each one quickly.

“Hmm, triple the amount of rations for the guards...them transferring is a most odd request, but I don’t see why not...” Luna grumbled as she read the one about the orphanage “Didn’t we send a vast amount of bits to this one already?” The scribe brought up a clipboard and looked it over

“Umm, it would seem Celestia sent them 7,000 bits about 4 weeks ago.” Luna read over the document again.

“How many foals does that orphanage have. How could they go through 7 thousand bits in 4 weeks?” Merry just sighed

“Let me see it real quick.” Luna just raised an eyebrow at Merry then levitated it over to Merry who grabbed it and began to read it over.

‘Let’s see here...we formally request yadda yadda yadda for the children, they are in need of new things. Really, things, couldn’t they specify? I smell a scam, what’s the name of this place...The Wayward Foal. Oh yes, that sounds like a place I would love to go adopt a kid from, jesus.’

“Hey Luna baby, Lets go check out this orphanage.” Luna just raised her eyebrows

“And why would we do such an unorthodox thing?” Merry just smiled

“Because I feel like adopting a kid.” Merry just laughed “Na just fucking with ya, been there done that. But I wanna know where 7,000 bits went, I have a strong feeling it didn’t go toward the poor kids.” Luna just tilted her head up in thought

“Scribe, take over night court for me, I will be traveling out with Merry to this orphanage, I too am curious as to how they went through so many bits.” The scribe bowed his head and took his place back at the side of the throne. After Luna got out of it he placed a big crown in the center of the throne.

“I shall watch over your seat while you are away.” Luna nodded her head and walked with Merry to the throne rooms exit. When they walked out the two guards outside looked at Luna.

“You two guards, Come with us. We are traveling into Canterlot to an orphanage called The Wayward Foal.” The two guards saluted and began to follow in suit. Merry looked at them and saw them with bat wings and their eyes even looked like a cats, it was pretty fucking cool.

“Soo Luna, I’ve been wondering why the night guards look like a cross between cats, bats and ponies. Did you guys have some kind of crazy breeding program?” Luna just laughed

“No nonsense, its all an Illusion brought on by their armor and helmets. The enchantment turns a Pegasus’s feather wings into a bats, and the enchantment on the helmet gives the illusion of the cat eyes.” Merry just nodded

“Interesting...Tell me more about enchantments yeah?” Luna spent a good amount of time explaining to Merry all the different kinds of enchantments possible, but only the best of unicorns could do any of them. Having to combine a permanence spell with an aura spell with another spell containing the effect, while affixing it to something.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the orphanage. Merry didn’t realize it, but apparently they had entered the ‘seedy’ side of canterlot. They had passed a restaurant called The Prancing Pony on the way to their destination and Merry remembered that stallion and his family.

‘Maybe I should drop in some time...They seemed open still.’ Merry stopped with Luna and the two guards in front of the orphanage. Merry went up to the door and knocke, they heard a clatter of things fall followed by a male voice shouting through the door.

“I told you, they wont be ready for another 2 hours!” A few more things could be heard falling when the door opened. A large male unicorn with a ragged looking mane opened the door and looked at Merry. “Hey yer not that foal fiddler Brimhat...” The Unicorn stopped dead when he heard the guards behind Merry shift in their armor. Merry turned around to see the guards with an angry face.

“Hey Luna, what exactly is a foal fiddler?” Merry saw Luna grit her teeth as her eyes went white and a gust of wind came from no where. The guards slowly backed away from Luna as the male unicorn dropped his ears and his pupils went to the size of pinpricks.

“THOU DARES TO CONDUCT SUCH FOUL CRIMES WITHIN THE CONFINES OF OUR ROYAL CITY?!” The male Unicorn hunched down low while Luna yelled at him. “THOU SHALL ROT IN A CELL FOR THE REST OF THY LIFE!” at the mention of a jail cell the Unicorn jumped up and ran back inside slamming the door behind him.

“So uh, I’m guessing a foal fiddler is bad? I don’t know a lot of your pony terminology yet.” One of the guards moved forward

“A foal fiddler is a pony who commits sexual acts against foals or underage ponies.” Merry put his hand to his chin and nodded

“Ah, so a pedofile then...” Merry spun around and fireman kicked the door in “Do you guys do public executions?” Merry walked through the broken down door with a smile on his face followed by the two guards and Luna who was hovering behind them.

“COME OUT FROM THINE HIDING PLACE!”

“Hey Lulu honey, why don’t you and the guards search the rooms and gather all the young ones, I’m sure all your yelling has gotten them scared and confused.” Luna settled down and gasped

“You’re right! I forgot about the children in my rage. Guards come with me, we must gather them quickly and take them out of here.” Luna and the guards began to open rooms one after another. Each room only had 1 or 2 colts or fillies. When they got upstairs all the young children were cramped into single bed rooms, it was about 5 per bed. The thing Luna noticed was that all the children had glazed over eyes and empty expressions on their faces.

“Children do not fear any longer, I am princess Luna and these are some of my personal guards, we will keep you safe” Luna gave the children a warm smile as they all looked up at her and the guards. A loud crash was heard followed by some screaming. Shortly after Merry was walking down the stairs dragging the Unicorn by his horn. A small filly was following Merry down the stairs.

“Look what I found in a closet!” Merry lifted the Unicorn by his horn in front of Luna and the guards. Luna’s eyes went wide when she saw the unicorn was missing an eye and his genitals. “You might wanna stop his bleeding if you expect to toss him into a cell.” Luna gritted her teeth and used a light healing spell to prevent him from bleeding out.

“Where did his eye and...member go?” Merry just laughed

“Oh those? I tossed em out the window. He obviously wasn’t using them right.” Merry looked down at all the children and saw the looks of broken souls and glazed over eyes. “Hey kids come with me to this room over here.

“Merry what are you...”

“Don’t worry Lulu, this shouldn’t take long. Watch over this turd pie yeah?” Merry tossed the Unicorn next to Luna and the guards. The kids followed suit into the room after Merry with their heads hung low. Some shuddered as they entered the room. After a few minutes a single colt came out of the room and he smiled at Luna.

“Is it true Princess? Did you come to adopt us all?!” Luna gasped and became flustered

“I uh wha huh?”

“Yeah that nice guy told me that Princess Luna had come to personally adopt us all!” Before Luna could voice her opinion another colt came out followed by a filly.

“ITS TRUE! SHE DID COME!” Luna and the guards just looked at each other as the little colts and filly jumped around them. One after another the children were walking out of the room with the same happy expression’s and excitement at being adopted by the Princess. After all 30 of the fillies and colts were outside of the room Merry came out holding his head.

“My brain...it hurts so much, among other things.” Merry shook his head, took a deep breath and whimpered. Luna just looked at Merry and all the children.

“Merry, what did you do?” Merry just walked up to Luna and quietly whispered into her ear.

“I returned their innocence by taking all of their bad memories and healing their broken bodies.” Merry just rubbed his ass then spoke up so everyone could hear him “Now! Lets go get something to eat in celebration of your new momma, Luna!” Luna blushed and became flustered muttering random words as all the children cheered in unison and bounded around the room. One of the fillies looked over to the Unicorn who had passed out on the floor.

“Hey why is Mr. Peen asleep on the floor?” Merry just laughed and looked at her

“He passed out from sheer joy after hearing that Luna wanted to adopt all of you.” The filly nodded her head.

'None of the kids seemed to care the door was broken down, how odd'

“Yeah, I almost passed out when I saw her out here too.” The filly giggled in excitement and ran out the door following all the other kids. Merry, Luna and the guards were left in the main room, Merry just had a huge smug look on his face.

“Guard take this foul criminal to the dungeon at the castle, and you watch the children outside. And you Merry...” Luna brought up a hoof and touched Merry on the back causing him to leap forward at the contact.

“Ah, sorry about that, I’m just a little jumpy I guess, anyway what did you want?” Luna shrugged off his jumpiness and spoke

“What made you think that taking in 30 of these children was a good idea?” Merry just held his head again and closed an eye.

“They need someplace to go, they sure as fuck are not staying here. And besides the Castle looked like it could use some happy faces around anyway.” Luna just sighed and smiled at the thought of being a mother, she then remembered it was 30 kids and not just one.

She frowned.

Author's Notes:

One Step Closer