Luna woke up quickly; she was especially excited for today.

She jumped out of her bed and ran through her library to her shower. She turned the water on to hot, steaming up the room, and thought about what was going to happen today. Ryan had come back, he was alive! Sure, he wasn’t exactly what he was before Asia, but he was alive! He could get better, he could find a new life, he could stay with Luna and Starstep for the rest of his days! She was overcome with joy at his return.

But there was one issue that needed to be discussed; the issue with Discord. Luna hadn’t been aware that Discord was somehow involved with him. How could he have remained hidden from Luna when they were both right next to each other, trying to influence the same person? And what was Discord doing there? Was that how he had escaped from them before, and if so, why did he come back? Was he maybe responsible for Ryan being here?

Luna felt her cheeks grow hot, though not from the hot water. “Was Discord the one who put that idea in Ryan’s head to go after Narendra?” she wondered angrily. “Was he the one who thwarted my attempts to get Ryan to go home, to escape that terrible place?”

She began to grow even more angry. “Why didn’t Ryan find it necessary to tell me that there was another being helping him? Did he not think I would be able to help him enough, did he think I was useless?” Questions began to swirl around her mind, creating a tornado of negativity. “And why wouldn’t he listen to me over Discord?”

That last question. That last one was enough to make her blood boil. “Why did he choose to listen to Discord!?” she shouted.

A moment later, there was a knock on her door. “Princess?” Starstep called. “Are you alright?”

She shook her head. “Yes, Starstep. I am fine.” She took in a deep breath and let it out through clenched teeth. “Though I think Ryan may find himself in a tight spot when I get to him.”

Outside the bathroom, Starstep blinked when he heard that. He had seen the emotional response that she had to Ryan’s return, and how happy she was. He also saw her bitch-slap him across the face for getting himself killed. Maybe she was mad at him; back in the Eighteenth Battalion, when he saw his buds go home, they were often smacked by angry wives or marefriends, who would just as often pull them close right after. It was a fairly common response to seeing a loved one come home from the war.

He swallowed hard; hell hath no fury like a mare’s scorn, especially when that mare can magically tear your balls off. “Luna...” he said trepidatiously. “What are you thinking of about riding the train to Ponyville with Ryan today?”

“I am going to beat him so hard for being so thick-skulled.” she said. “He won’t be able to sit down until Thursday!”

Starstep grimaced at the thought. “Well, then. I guess that I’ll meet you at the station!” He sprinted to the open window and flew out into the sky, eager to get to Ryan to tell him to expect pain.

“Starstep?” Luna asked. She got out of the shower and stuck her head out the door. “Starstep.” Nowhere was he to be found. Luna looked to the window, frustrated, and said, “Oh, you’ll get it too, little stallion. You will.” And she went back in to finish her morning shower.

*************************************************************************************

Ryan and Rarity were sitting at the train station, waiting for the princesses to arrive. They weren’t sure how they felt about taking the train, but neither seemed to object to it. It didn’t leave for some time, so the princesses could wait in the castle, but Rarity and Ryan had been checked out of the Hanoverian already. With nowhere to go and nothing to do, they went to the station and just sat there, waiting.

Rarity yawned, tired from getting up relatively early, but Ryan was fine. As getting up early had always been his prerogative, he was awake and alert, watching for anything that might signify something dangerous. As of yet, there was nothing, though. The sky was its usual shade of light blue, the clouds were being managed by pegasi, ponies waited quietly on benches around the tracks. Birds chirped, luggage was moved around, and no one spoke. It was a perfect picture of peace.

“Ryan!”

Or it had been. “Huh?” he said, looking in the direction of the voice. It was Starstep, flying at a breakneck speed toward him and Rarity. “Starstep?”

The pegasus stallion flared his wings and came to a stop a few feet away from Ryan. “Ryan! I came to warn you about Luna.”

“What about her?” Ryan asked, alarms going off. “Is something wrong with her?”

“Well...” Starstep began, but hesitated continuing. “She’s fine, mostly. She’s really mad, though. Like, blazingly angry.”

Hmmm. “And why would that be? Did you forget to pull out or something?”

Starstep’s face flushed, and he quickly scanned the area. Nopony heard the comment. “No, it’s-”

“So you didn’t pull out. Nice going.”

“Dammit, human, this is serious! She’s angry at you!”

Ryan blinked. This was not the first thing he was expecting to have happen today. He thought that she might get mad at him later for what he was to say, or that she and her sister might see fit to punish him. He was also expecting the girls to be really upset with him, but again, that was supposed to be later. Ryan was taken by surprise; he hated being taken by surprise.

“Why?” Ryan asked tentatively. “What reason could she have right now for being angry at me?”

Starstep shook his head. “I don’t know, really. All I know is that she said she’ll beat you so hard that you won’t be able to sit until Thursday.”

Ryan swallowed hard. “Well.” he said. “That... that doesn’t sound too good.”

“Ya think?”

Ryan turned around and walked back over to the bench he and Rarity had been sitting on, motioning for Starstep to follow him. Together, they say down on either side of Rarity, who was taking up space like a cat on a bed, and each thought about who to proceed. Ryan put his hand to his unshaven chin, pondering his options. Starstep mostly wondered how he would be punished for warning his human friend.

Ryan remembered how Celestia had promised him help back in Ponyville. “Starstep.” he said, catching his companion’s ears. “I bet Celestia will help. And I bet that Luna won’t be too happy knowing that you warned me, so maybe she can save our sorry asses.”

Starstep sighed and shook his head. “No, no, that won’t work. Luna and Celestia are tight; if Luna is reasonably mad about something, Celestia, even if not angry, will join her in whatever quest she had for justice. No, if we ask Celestia for help, we’re more liable to be tied up and given to Luna naked on a silver platter.”

Ryan blinked. “That, was, umm... specific.”

Starstep shrugged like it was nothing. “They’ve done it before. They’ll do it again.”

Now it was Ryan’s turn to sigh. “I see now what it’s like to live under the rule of trolls.”

“What?” He didn’t get it.

“Trolls, you know. People, or I guess ponies, who make it their goal to mess with other people, be it by annoying, embarrassing, or harassing them for the sole purpose of the laughs. I do it to Rarity and the rest of the girls.”

Starstep nodded thoughtfully. “Princess Trollestia and Lusty Luna.”

Again, Ryan blinked at the unexpected phrase. “I’m really not sure that i even want to begin to know where that name came from.” he said. “So please try not to tell me.” Starstep laughed at Ryan’s being perturbed and both just sat on, waiting for whatever was destined to come their way.

**************************************************************************************

Discord was still shocked.

There were no words to describe his lack of understanding.

Luna? Luna had been there, in Asia, trying to help Ryan? Trying to bring him home? It was her that was making it harder for everything to happen how Discord wanted?

He would have been mad, but he knew what his course of action had gotten the boys. Luna was in the right the entire time, and Discord was in the wrong. He couldn’t deny that. But of course, it still didn’t make him feel any better. He hadn’t thought that Luna was actually going into that world. If he had, he would never have gone there. If he had known of her presence, maybe everything would have gone differently.

Luna was in the shower, so to respect her privacy, he didn’t peer inside, as much as he would have liked to. He was eager to see exactly what she and her sister would do when Ryan finally told them the whole truth. He could hear Luna now, grumbling angrily to herself about the boy, so he could tell that she might slap him around for being an ass and following Discord’s way. Though he had no idea how Celestia would react.

He floated his mind’s eye out of Luna’s chambers and went straight for her sister’s room. The nonexistent eye flew right past all the guards and through the doors to her room and looked around. The room was nice, of course, but Celestia was the real beauty in the room. She was off toward the window, looking out thoughtfully.

Discord’s mind’s eye was remaining still behind her, watching to see if it could glean any hint of Celestia’s mindset from its spot. The elder princess stood still at her window, like an abandoned library, starting out in Ponyville’s direction. Was she thinking about how Ryan’s revelation might affect the others? How he might be a danger to the town? How-

“Enjoying the view Discord?” Celestia asked without turning. Discord was taken slightly by surprise. “I hear my guards talking about my behind behind my back. I’m flattered at what they say, but I do have to punish them for taking such a gander every chance they get.”

If Discord could blush, he would have. Dat flank. “I must say that I’m curious to hear what exactly you were doing in Ryan’s world and how you were involved with the deaths of forty humans.” Discord actually killed three, but that wasn’t important to his survival right now. “And I must say that if I find Ryan’s story unsatisfactory, I might have to punish you by actually locking you in stone.”

Alright, Discord had an idea of what she was thinking about it all. She was fine with Ryan and anything he might say. It was Discord that would be in trouble; if Ryan’s story was less than adequate, he would be totally screwed. In a rush, Discord cancelled out his magic and brought his mind’s eye back.

“Hmph. Coward.”

Discord heard that last one, but didn’t pursue it. He valued his family jewels too much to risk an encounter with her.

Instead, he reactivated his mind’s eye on another type of spell and decided to simply watch what was going to happen from the safety of his stone armor.

************************************************************************************

Ryan and Starstep were still sitting on either side of Rarity when there was a flurry of activity coming from about three hundred meters away from the platform. Both man and stallion stood up, already figuring out what was about to come. In between them, Rarity stirred and looked up at both of them, confused.

“What..?”

Ryan smirked. “Well, after last night, we figured you needed some rest, so we left you in between us.” Rarity didn’t catch the meaning and simply nodded, trying to wake herself up.

The man and stallion watched the platform light up at the two regal, taller forms of the princesses began to come into view. Celestia walked at a calm, deliberate pace, smiling at ponies as she walked by them. She giggled at all the attempts to please her, as they were totally unnecessary. Beside her, Luna wore an aggressive scowl that made the two targets of her death glare squirm in fear. They moved back and put Rarity in between them and the angry princess.

They were calmly standing behind the clueless alabaster unicorn mare as the princesses finally reached them. “Ah, Ryan and Starstep. It is good to see you.” Celestia greeted. The males nodded.

Luna was less than friendly. “You.” She said, pointing right at Ryan. “I wish to speak with you.”

Ryan looked to Starstep and then Celestia, both of whom looked elsewhere. Real nice. “Yes, Luna?” Ryan asked, trying to sound calm. “What can I-”

“Why were you listening to Discord?!” she shouted, causing several grovelling ponies to run away. “What, on that terrifying planet you call home, could possibly have made you feel more inclined to listen to him than to me?!”

“I-”

“And why didn’t you listen to anything I said to you? Was I not helpful to you? Did you think I was going to lead you astray? Huh? Well?”

Ryan swallowed hard, trying to formulate a response. “Umm...” He couldn’t think very fast right now. “I don’t-”

“You don’t know? You don’t know! Well, I for one think that what you did was selfish and stupid and reckless and...” And she went on. And on. And on.

At last, the train arrived. “Well, I guess we better-” Starstep tried to say. he stopped, though, for no one could hear him.

“And you didn’t even bother thinking about how much I would miss you! What do you have to say for yourself?”

Ryan looked at her, stunned, then to the others. No one was willing to help him. The train was there and ponies were boarding it. He looked to Starstep again; they both knew that they would have to escape the tirade. The train was their only hope.

“Well... Umm... I guess that... I don’t know?” Luna’s eyes pinched and looked like they would shoot lasers at him. “I would have to say that holyshitlookadistraction!”

Ryan’s hand shot out and went right past Luna’s face. As she turned around to see what his commotion was about, the hand retreated back to its owner and went out of sight. All mares present looked for what had caused the alarm; if Ryan was freaked out by it, it must have been bad. But nothing seemed to be there, except for the usual guard station. Luna looked to the sky, but the pegasi were simply doing their jobs. There was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Ryan, I don’t see-”

The mares all looked around; the males were gone, high-tailed it outta there. Luna frowned, not at them, but that she allowed herself to be tricked like that. Thinking about it, he said “holyshitlookadistraction!” He even said distraction in the sentence, and it went right by all the mares. Now, they were hiding somewhere, likely on the train.

Luna sighed. “Let’s go find them, I suppose.”

The other two nodded. “Let’s.”

On the train, Starstep was looking out the window at the approaching mares. “Not good, man, not good! They’re coming now, we gotta hide!”

Ryan frantically looked around for anything. None of the luggage could take him, though it was big enough for Starstep. That wouldn’t be adequate because odds were that none of the snobby rich ponies would be willing to let some random guy hide in their stuff. Under the seats was too small, neither guy would fit. Their only hope was the luggage compartment up top.

“Up top, move!” Ryan said, climbing up there. Starstep flew up to one and got inside, and as Ryan squirmed his way into his, he couldn’t help but notice the strange looks they were both getting. Just as well. It’s not everyday you see another species climbing into the luggage compartment.

Ryan shut the door to his compartment just as the doors opened to allow the princesses and Rarity to come in. Ryan could hear the shock of the other passengers as they entered, some dropping right to the floor to bow. He couldn’t see anything, of course; it was pitch black in the luggage compartment.

“Hath any of thou seen a human and my guard?” Luna asked in some weird way. “I needeth them to be present.”

No one spoke, so Ryan had no idea what was going on. What he did hear was a large number of ponies getting up and walking around, seemingly leaving and going to another car. The doors opened up, indicating that they were leaving, at least for the time being. Once they were all gone, Ryan could hear the hoofsteps of the three mares advancing slowly through the car. They were slow and deliberate, and with each passing moment, Ryan’s heart rate just got faster. He feared that he might be caught; what made it worse was that he could feel that he was among special ladies’ items.

Off at the other end of the car, Ryan could hear the luggage compartments being opened. From the sounds of the voices that mumbled something each time, it was Rarity and Celestia that were checking. There was a large amount of time between each section being opened, so Ryan thought he might have some time. If he had the time, he could no doubt think up something to-

“AAAAHHHHHHHH!”

Ryan jolted upward and slammed his head into the roof like a rocket. He groaned as he felt his head, checking for bleeding or bumps. Once his head was confirmed alright, he considered what he just heard. It had definitely been Starstep; someone caught him and did something awful to him. Ryan already knew that all three of the mares had the will and ability to cause them extreme pain if the occasion arose; it was enough to bring his breathing to a rapid pace.

He felt scared; he didn’t know where Starstep had hidden, so he had no idea how long he had until massive amounts of pain. He had to think fast; if he could counter them by scaring them when his door opened, he might be saved. He could-

Something was behind him. He could feel it shifting as the train began to move, but this was no bag. His eyes went wide, uselessly in the dark. Slowly, slowly, he turned around. In the dark, he couldn’t see anything; it could be any one of them. WHen he was all the way around, he looked straight forward.

“You can’t get me.” he whispered. He shot his hand forward and met with-

A pile of ladies undergarments, if that even makes sense. Ponies don’t wear clothes, right? No matter. He extricated his hand from the pile and breathed a sigh of relief. There was nopony there, nopony to cause him pain. He let himself fall onto his back and breath freely once again. After a moment, he listened once again for anything of the mares outside; they stopped looking. They must have interrogated Starstep, who in turn must have told them Ryan was elsewhere. What a beast.

Ryan felt victorious. He just had to stay in here until they hit Ponyville. Feeling calm and secure, he cracked the door to his compartment open to get some fresh air. WIth that, there also came light, and he got to see the decorations inside the compartment. Unnecessary, but they looked nice. There were lots of intricate carvings in the wood and interesting pictures painted into them. There were pictures of galaxies, with twinkling stars and everything. Ryan put his hand to it; it was masterfully done. The paint was interesting; it felt like it was somehow wet, yet none of it came off. Ryan traced the painting back to the wall.

The wall was also incredible; it had this massive, glassy looking oval that served as the center of another galaxy, with the big black hole allegedly in the center. Around it, there was a pictogram of a horse’s head, painted into the wall with standard paint. Ryan got closer to it; it looked like it was supposed to be Luna, but it was 2D, so it could have been anyone. he noticed that the top of it was where the majority of the starry wet paint stuff came off of. He gently traced his hands on it, appreciating the artwork to the best of his almost nonexistent ability.

“Boo.”

“FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The guard and human sat indignantly across from the princesses and Rarity.

When Starstep was bagged, Luna had gone in and wrapped her ethereal form around his waist and started to engulf him completely. She had gone places that no man ever wants a woman to go. When she caught Ryan, he flipped a shit, and flailed about inside the compartment, hitting himself on the sides and roof non stop. Ultimately, he fell out and landed on his back, groaning, and when he opened his eyes, he was surrounded by three mares, all of whom looked down at him with looks of grim satisfaction.

Ryan and Starstep were facing away from each other, looking in either direction to the left or right of the princesses. They weren’t mad at each other; far from it. That was just how they were tied up.

The train had just began really going at a better speed and it was rolling along on its way to Ponyville. Outside the window, all could see the passing scenery. it was gorgeous out there. The sun shone, the breeze blew, and nature sang its peaceful tune. Inside the car, it was pretty quiet. The five inhabitants of the car were sitting in two groups, trying to think of ways to defeat the other.

“So what should we do with them?” Rarity asked. They had been talking like this since the males were tied up. “I think it’s something of a waste to simply have them like this and do nothing.”

“I second that.” Luna said. “But only if I exclusively get Starstep. You two can have Ryan.”

The males tried to ignore it. “Come now, sister. They’re both yours; you have to treat them equally, and you’ve given Starstep enough attention lately.” Celestia admonished. “We can take him while you ensure fairness.”

“If I might interject,” Ryan said, ready to counter. “I think I can handle all of you. I was able to push through the brush of Vietnam and Cambodia; I think I can push through the brush of Equestria just as easily.” Ryan was ready to sacrifice himself to rescue his fellow warrior.

The mares paused, but then continued. “I bet Starstep would love some playtime.” Rarity said. “That’s why he shouldn’t get anything. Torment him by making him watch.”

“If you want to torment me,” Starstep interrupted. “You’ll have to leave Ryan alone while you get me. I will make the sacrifice.”

“As will I.” Ryan added. “Nothing you can do will be able to break us. Nothing!” He sounded confident.

Celestia looked at her sister and Rarity, and all three mares nodded. They began to advance upon the males. Silently accepting their fates, Ryan and Starstep held their chins up high and awaited what was destined to come.

“I know what to do.” Luna said.

Ryan shut his eyes. He was afraid of what they were about to do, but he also knew that it would be worse for Starstep, so he decided not to watch.

“Oh no.” he heard Starstep say behind him. Seemingly out of nowhere, the two were shoved in Ryan’s direction toward the wall, crushing Ryan against it. He grunted, but took the brunt of it, knowing that Starstep’s fate was sealed. And what a fate it was.

“Prepare for blueness, my faithful guard.” Ryan could only listen as he heard the motions and the whimpering from behind him.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The train ride was over; everyone got off in a single file line. The princesses and Element of Generosity got of the train with smug looks on their faces, and trotted triumphantly off the platform to where there was a carriage waiting.

Ryan and Starstep got off the train together. Because Starstep had yet to calm down from his harrowing experience, Ryan had to lend him his jacket in an effort to hide all the excitement of the train ride from passersby. He knew that he would wash it when he got back to Rarity’s, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to use chemicals or not.

Silently, they followed the mares to the carriage, already in agreement not to talk about the train ride ever again ever forever. When they got in the carriage and all the luggage was on board, they set off to put everything away. After that was taken care of, Ryan could tell the real story of his life to everypony. He just hoped that he could have time to scout more of the forest before they sent him away.

The mares were sharing stories and laughing during the carriage ride, but the males remained silent. Starstep was trying to hide himself as best he could, though he wasn’t doing a very good job. You never, EVER want to sit next to a guy who can’t seem to hide his excitement when in the presence of females.

They arrived at Rarity’s boutique soon enough, and said mare and Ryan hopped off. “Well, I guess that we’ll all try to meet up at the library. I don’t know where the other ladies are, but I bet we can find them.”

Luna nodded. “Starstep!” He whimpered. Not very guardly. “Go find the other Elements of Harmony.” Her guard nodded and, after tossing Ryan’s jacket to him, which he caught with pinched fingers, flew off as quickly as possible to avoid being seen.

Ryan watched him go. “Man, I am so glad that no one back home could keep up with me. Or that girls ever tried. I don’t think I can beat any of them.” A sad truth, guys.

The carriage went off to the library, leaving Ryan and Rarity with all the bags. The clothes from Fancy Pants were there, which took up most of the space, but thanks to her magic, Rarity was able to pull most of it inside. Ryan took several bags on his arms because, like most of us, he hated making multiple trips. Why go again when you can get it all now?

Once inside, they dropped all of the bags on the floor. “Phew!” Rarity announced dramatically. She never exerted herself; she had magic. “Well, now. I suppose that we’ll bring all this downstairs and I’ll show you your new living quarters.” Ryan was about to become the monster that lives in the basement.

Rarity used her magic to carry Ryan’s things to a door off to the side of the circular room and opened a plain-looking door. “So what have you got for me?” Ryan asked. He hoped that she didn’t go too out of her way for this. Of course, she was the element of generosity. Naturally, that was what she would do.

“I prepared my basement for you.” she said casually. “I didn’t have much time, as it was rather short-notice, and I was quite busy, but I hope it’s to your liking.”

“I’m sure it will be.”

They went down the stairs and into what was to become Ryan’s lair. No doubt he would have to show it to the others, in which case, he would need to label it the Mac Cave. If they didn’t understand, he would explain the concept to them, and when they understood, none of them would be too terribly inclined to go down there for anything that isn’t important. Spike might, and Mac probably wouldn’t care, but those two were fine. They didn’t bug him about stuff.

They hit the bottom of the stairs and Ryan walked out into the middle of the room. There was a nicely made bed on the side opposite the stairs, with a basic metal bed stand. Already, Rarity was setting the sheets on it, giving it a further plain appearance. The walls were bare, but clean, and there was a simple nightstand not too far from the bed. Rarity had placed a small chair over by the corner with a little reading light over it. Overall, and that was all there was, it was a simple, straightforward room.

Ryan took it in quickly. “It’s nice.” he said simply. It would serve his purposes and do no more. That made it perfect.

Rarity smiled as she finished furnishing the bed. “I’m glad you like it. Soon, though, I will need to get you a wardrobe. Can’t just leave all these clothes on the ground, now can we?” Well, Ryan could have, but he feared what Rarity would do to him. He couldn’t imagine what she and the princesses did to Starstep earlier. Or rather, he didn’t want to.

Ryan walked over and sat experimentally on the bed. “Not too soft.” he thought. He could sleep on this easily enough. “That sounds fine.” he said to Rarity. “Whatever you think works best.”

Rarity nodded. “Great. Though since you are living in my home, I might decide to check your room for things that shouldn’t be there every so often.” she said jokingly.

Ryan scratched his chin. “Well, I was wondering how long it would take you to decide that you want to spend some extra time in my bedroom. Of course, with your magic, you might wind up finding yourself cleaning up some stained fabrics, but I’m sure you would find it to be worth it.”

Rarity blushed. “Well, I suppose that you tend to be rather messy.” she said. “Though I guess I shouldn’t be very surprised. You never came off as quick and clean.”

“Well, I’m neither of those things, I can assure you. I tend to spend quite a bit of time messing up my room before I’m done and decide it needs to be cleaned.”

Both of them just looked at each other, then Rarity just shook her head and sighed. Ryan sat back, victorious, and let an awkward silence ensue. Rarity was unsure of how to proceed, and Ryan was happy to sit back and wait. He wasn’t much of a talker anyhow.

“I suppose that we might as well go upstairs since we’re done here for now.” Rarity said. “Luna’s guard will probably come get us, so we can just wait up there.” Ryan nodded to her and followed her up the steps.

Rarity decided that it would be easier if they just sat in the shop area so that Starstep could see them, so they sat around there. Rarity immediately went to work on some outfit, and Ryan just watched as she went about her business.

While Ryan watched, somepony began knocking on the door. It didn’t stop after a minute, and Rarity was distracted with her work, so Ryan got up and opened the door. When he opened it, he scanned the area, searching for whoever knocked on the door. In the air, no one flew, so Starstep wasn’t the one. Eventually, something tugged on Ryan’s leg.

“Hey Ryan!” Sweetie Belle shouted from underneath him. Inwardly, Ryan groaned. “I guess you and Rarity came back today.”

“No.” Ryan said casually. “I left her up in Canterlot. She’s gonna have to walk home.”

Sweetie Belle gasped. Desired effect? “Does that mean I can have ice cream before dinner!?” Evidently, no.

Ryan chuckled and shook his head. “No, I lied. She’s here, and actually, she wants to talk to you about what you did while we were away.”

Sweetie Belle trotted in, confused, and dropped her bag. With a glance at Rarity, she asked, “What do you mean?”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “Oh, come now. We know exactly what you did. And I must say, Rarity was pretty shocked. I had no idea you had it in you, myself.”

Sweetie Belle swallowed hard. “Please, I didn’t mean to! It’s just that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were bullying me, and Rumble came by and told them off, and he helped me up and gave me his cookie, and I hugged him and toldhimthankyouandkissedhischeek!”

Ryan blinked twice. Then he blinked some more. “Wat.” Sweetie Belle looked up at him with fear in her eyes.

“Who told you?” the little filly asked.

“You did. Just now.” When Sweetie Belle realized what he meant, and it took a minute, she groaned and fell to the floor. “No worries. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Sweetie Belle sighed, relieved. “Thanks. If I told Rarity, she would probably tell me to go hide in a dungeon so he could rescue me or something.” Ryan smiled and shook his head, then turned his attention Rarity’s way.

She was running about, doing her thing. “Rarity.” he said. She didn’t notice. “Rarity!”

“Huh? What?” She had been in the zone. Now, she was in the Ryan zone. Nothing gets done in the old Ryan zone. Ask any of his friends.

“Sweetie Belle is skipping school.” he said quickly, running away to the kitchen.

“Am not! We got out early!”

Ryan couldn’t see it, but there seemed to be an explanation and/or argument brewing in the other room. Since they were distracted, Ryan decided to roam the fridge and find something to eat. When he opened the fridge, he could see that there wasn’t much he would be good for; a whole lot of different types of grass. At the bottom, though, he did find normal food; peanut butter, jelly, bread, eggs (baking?), butter, protein substitute, and a number of other things. He grabbed the bread and peanut butter and made himself a sandwich.

A few moments after he finished making it, the talking in the other room stopped. “Ryan.” Rarity said with a tone that made Ryan suspicious. “Could you come here?”

He got up and left the kitchen, sandwich in hand. “Yeah.” he said. “Whaddya need?”

Turns out, nothing was out of the ordinary. Rarity was standing by the door, big hat on her head, waiting. “Starstep is here. Time to explain everything.”

Ryan looked outside. Sure enough, Luna’s personal guard was there. “Alright. Here we go.”

They left the boutique and met up with Starstep, who escorted them silently to the library, where all would be revealed.

Ryan just hoped that it didn’t get him thrown in a dungeon.

Author's Notes:

I had more, namely the meeting in the library, but if I put that in, the chapter would have been much too long, so I'll put it in the next chapter.