Hearts and Hooves Day

Hearts and Hooves Day

Chapter 14: Meeting with Cadance

I arrived at the Ponyville Train Station after running away from Dean's place. I was expecting the area not to be overly populated by ponies and to my relief, it wasn't jam packed like yesterday when I went walking with Silver Dollar. I went to the ticket booth and paid 20 bits for a ride to Canterlot and another ride back home to Ponyville. After getting my ticket, I look at a chart next to the rest rooms with the list of trains arriving and departing on time. To my relief, my ride to Canterlot won't arrive until another 15 minutes as it left Apple Loosa some time ago. The only luggage I have with me was my journal that had the notes about the E.V.A.N. Incident and a pencil. I feel as though I want to hide it from anypony or human that will somehow ask me if they can look at. This journal is meant for privacy and meant for researching so I can not have anyone read it.

Looking towards my left of the train depot was a small gift shop that sold greetings cars, little toys (mostly minature trains), books, candy, drinks, and gifts to any customer who is either leaving or arriving in Ponyville after getting off the train. I go inside and paid 5 bits for a King Size Munch Bar, a water bottle, and a carrying case. I opened the carrying case, placed my journal inside of it, and closed up the zipper. I went back to the platform and waited patiently for the next Friendship Express to arrive along with the other waiting passengers or awaiting families ready to reunite with out of town loved ones.

20 minutes go by and finally, the train arrived. I stood back as the doors opened from the passenger cars as several different Earth and Unicorn ponies exit out with their belongings and valuables. I saw an Earth pony stallion went for a hug and kiss to his Unicorn marefriend that happened to be a female Royal Guard returning from boot camp. Cute. There was also two senior ponies, male and female Earth types, coming up to a family of three that were happily waiting for them. Very nice.

Once it was clear that no one nor nopony was in the train, I boarded the third passenger car while showing my ticket to the conductor. Once I got clearance, I sat in the 1st row of seats to the left and took the window seat as usual. I leaned my head against the windshield as I remained seated and waited for the other ponies to board. As I did, more thoughts came to my head about traveling to Canterlot and I can feel the anxiety building up.

Okay, Frank Archer, I thought to myself, What do I need to say Princess Cadance? All right...I can tell her...uh...Daryl is causing problems and...uh...er...don't tell Celestia...NO! Nonono! Don't say that...Uh...Princess Cadance, Daryl is needs to be punished....he's breaking the law...okay now...put him in the dungeon! Yeah, yeah! That could work!

“AAALLLLL ABOARD!” Hollered the train conductor. “Friendship Express leaving on Track #2 to Canterlot. Final Call! Step right up!”

I lifted my head up from the window, sat up straight, and waited for the last passengers to board the train. In a few minutes, with the last remaining riders taking their seats, the conductor gets steps inside the train and instructs the operator that it's time to go. I can feel the locomotive began to pull away underneath my feet as I took one more look of the outside through my window. With sunset approaching, I saw the residents of Ponyville, human and pony, minding their own business or doing some work on the streets or just having a random conversation that I don't even know. I opened the wrapper of my King Size Munch bar and ate it while sipping some water from my water bottle. This is going to be a long ride so in the meantime, a quick snack will help as I try to think on what I have to say to Princess Cadance.

62 miles later, the Friendship Express arrived at the beautiful city of Canterlot. When it stopped at the platform, I was the first one to get up and grab my stuff before anypony can get an opportunity to reach the doors. When I got off, I went to the station's chart of Arrival and Departing times next to the ticket  booth and found out that the next train back to Ponyville leaves at 8:30 PM. The clock above the chart read 6:10 PM, even my watch said that as well.

Mother of Celestia! I'm ten minutes late for the appointment!

I got out of the station and power walked onto the sidewalks of Canterlot while avoiding contact with any posh-like pony I almost bumped into while holding my carrying case tightly. I certainly don't have the patience to stop and talk with anypony or human that resides here as I have important business matters to attend to. If I miss my chance to talk to Cadance, then everything I hoped for in terms of helping Aloe and bringing Daryl to justice is destroyed.

Passing town square and the intersection that leads to Equestrian Gem & Loan, I can see the castle just three blocks away. I'm almost at the home stretch and can clearly see the gates up ahead. Nothing can stop me now!

“FRANK ARCHER!”

Unless it was your boss who happened to be trotting down the opposite end of the sidewalk.

I stopped my power walk and turned my head left to the other side of the street and saw Mr. Gold Bar, along with his wife Madam Moolah, a light lime-colored unicorn with a cutie mark of a pile of golden bits and with a short curly-styled that's mane colored mid-tone brown. They began to trot across the street to my side on the sidewalk as I stood there waiting for them to approach. I know I have to go and I need to excuse myself from the happy couple but from the looks of things, both rich unicorn ponies seem they want to chat with me for a bit. Might as well just let it flow for now.

“How's my No.1 Pawn Broker of All Time doing this evening?” The old stallion complimented.

I smiled back at him and replied nervously. “Errr...I'm good, Mr. Gold Bar and...Hello, Mrs. Madam Moolah. How are you guys?”

“We're doing great, my good boy. Just enjoying our time together and doing some shopping. We were on our way back home to have a nice dinner with our son and his special somepony. Care to join us? We've got plenty of food.”

I politely shook my head. “I wish I can, sir. However, I have an emergency appointment with Princess Cadance at the castle and I'm running late.”

Both unicorns raised their eyebrows in a surprised manner. “You're...going to the castle?”

“Yes. I sent a message last week to the princess about something and I need to go ASAP. I mean, I wish I was available to hang with you but not today. Maybe some other time when I'm not busy.”

The rich stallion tilts his head to the left slightly and nods. “I understand, son. I can't stop you when you have important business matters to tend to, like how I run the pawn shop everyday and I can't be bothered unless I was free. Go ahead right ahead, Frank, and I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning. I'm expecting a lot of sales from you tomorrow!”

“Yes, sir,” I replied back by doing a salute. “Like I always say: tomorrow is another great day at the pawn shop!”

“Attaboy, Frank.” Mr. Gold Bar said after patting my right shoulder and trots away with his wife in tow. Once they were gone, I resume my trek to the castle's front gate.

I approached the gate within minutes after my boss and his wife departed. I can see that it was occupied by two, white pegasi Royal Guards standing near their own guard post and holding their own spears in their right hooves. I took a deep breath and proceeded forward to the gate with my head up high and keeping a tight grip on my carrying bag.

CLING!

The two guards took action by using their spears to crossover each other and block my path. I took a step back, a little startled but not entirely.

“HALT!” Said the guard on the right.

“WHO GOES THERE?!?” Added the left guard.

“Frank Archer,” I answered. “Human #142!”

“Let us see some ID and put your hands up where we can see them!” The right guard ordered.

“Okay, okay! Whatever you say, sir.”

I put my bag down and reached into my pocket to pull out my wallet. I opened it up and found my Equestria Social Security Card in one of the small pockets to the left of my wallet. I pulled it out and present it to the right guard. He looks at it with squinting eyes and read every single word off the laminated plastic.

“Mmmm,” the guard pondered. “Seems legit. Search him, Private Polar Winds and keep your hands up #142!”

“What?” I questioned the right guard for hearing that unexpected order.

“Yes, sir, Lt. Mace.” The Pvt. Saluted as he sets his spear down and trots over to me.

The Pvt. Guard stood on his hind legs and pats my back and sides and finally my legs, hoping to find something out of my place underneath my clothes. What do I have to hide? I got nothing on me expect a bag full of bits and my house keys. I mean, I understand that it's the guards' duties to search guests for anything threatening and for the safety of the royal family but I've been to Canterlot Castle on some occasions, whether it's an important meetup with Celestia or have lunch with her. So the guards should know who I am and let me through. However, I can guess that since Celestia and Luna are away for an R.A.S meeting, their guards are ordered to watch over the kingdom and protect it all costs while their neice, Princess Cadance takes over.

The pegasus takes my carrying bag and opens it. Uh oh! He's going to look at my notes of the E.V.A.N Incident. I turned my hips to the left but Lt. Mace pushes his spear near my chest, preventing me from stopping his fellow guard to do his job.

“What's in that book, Private?” Mace asked while still holding his spear near my chest.

“Nothing but chicken scratch, sir.” He replied back.

I sighed in relief. Thank Celestia he couldn't read my sloppy handwriting.

“He's clean, sir.” Polar Winds concluded as he put my book back in the bag.

“Okay,” I spoke. “May I go now?”

“No you don't!” Lt. Mace denied. “Not without Polar Winds escorting you into the castle grounds. Polar Winds, would you do the honors?”

The Private saluted, grabbed his spear with his teeth, adjust it for his right wing to hold it, and pokes me in the back. “Get going, #142, and keep your hands up!”

I shrugged, grabbed my bag, and kept my hands raised as Lt. Mace opens the gate via a lever near his guard post. The wooden gates ascended from the ground, allowing access to the long road that leads to the castle. I took slow steps in front of Polar Winds until he poked me again with his spear to my back.

“Speed it up, human!” He commanded.

“Alright, damn!” I said in annoyed tone. “What is this? Alcatrot? Geez!”

The both of us began to walk on the long stretch of road to the castle.

Remember I said earlier that I had a humble guess that Celestia and Luna had their guards watch over the palace? Looks like I was right all along. There were guards everywhere, forming a two to three member patrol team! From the Labyrinth, to the Royal Gardens, to the Royal Theater, The armory; everywhere! There were even pegasi guards flying around the castle grounds as to scan the premises down below for any sign of trouble. Not to mention, when these guards saw me approaching the main doors, all of them glared at me like they don't trust me at all and they kept their spears held tightly. I mean, come on! Give me a break!

Polar Winds and I approach the main door and it opened from the inside by two gray, unicorn guards standing near the opening. I took a deep breath and inhaled the sweet, smell of the castle's fresh air as the two of us entered the main hall where the Grand Staircase is presentable. The floors were black and with checkered made out of marble as the flooring was divided by a red carpet that leads to different wings on opposite ends and towards the staircase that leads to the upperfloors of the castle. The walls were decorated with several different banners that show different shapes and patterns that either are diamonds or stars that represents royalty in someway. In the middle of the staircase were three stained glass windows with different designs that represents the Royal Family. On the left was the sun, which represents Princess Celestia, and the one of the right was moon, representing Princess Luna. The middle window, however, was rather a stained painting depicting the Royal Family itself. In the center was Queen Faust sitting on her throne with her two daughters Celestia and Luna as fillies sitting on their haunches. Right next to Faust was Empress Zacherle, the former ruler of Equestria and whom happens to be the mother of Queen Faust and grandmother of Celestia and Luna. She was a white Alicorn with red, reading glasses, a light golden mane/tail, and with a cutie mark of a rainbow with a silhouette of a unicorn. After ruling Equestria and having her daughter Faust take over, Empress Zacherle decided to take spiritual form and become a goddess to watch over the whole planet. Every once a year, there's a festival held in Canterlot where all ponies nationwide come together to worship Zacherle and pay their love and respect as she is their creator and founder of this planet and race. Hell, even the Canterlot Castle gift shop that's adjacent to the main gate had t-shirts saying “I believe in Zacherle” that sold out fast like San Diego Comic Con tickets.

Putting my hands down, I took my eyes away from the staircase and saw the front desk on the right with Raven, a light gray unicorn with a cutie mark of an ink pen and well; and that happens to be Celestia's secretary, sitting behind it while filling out some paperwork. Coming down from the left wing of the castle's first floor was another patrol of guards with spears trotting side by side as they head to the right wing. I took a few steps forward until I got poked again by Polar Wind's spear.

“Here you are #142!” He said. “You may speak with the secretary but no funny business. You can also put your hands down.”

I rubbed my back where the spear nearly pierced my skin. “Certainly, guard. I wouldn't do anything to cause a scene here.”

Pvt. Polar Winds turns around and tells the gray guards near the door to keep an eye on me before leaving. Once he was gone, I approached Raven's desk as she placed her paperwork away in a drawer underneath. Using her magic, she cleans her glasses with a small tissue and looks up at me.

“Oh, hello,” The mare greeted. “May I help you?”

“Yes,” I replied. “I am here to see Princess Cadance. I have an appointment with her at 6 PM but I came in late due to other reasons.”

“Okay. What is your name?”

“Frank Archer.”

Her horn glowed light raspberry as she pulls out a drawer to her right and pulls out a blank sheet of paper. She sets it on the desk and takes a pencil, that was tucked in between her right ear and head, and writes a message while still using her magic.

“...So I told her 'I don't even own cockatrice and I...'...YOU!” An anonymous voice exploded from the stairs above

Raven and I turned our heads to where the voice came from and both of us encountered another member of the Royal Family, Princess Celestia and Luna's nephew Prince Blueblood, a unicorn stallion with a light amber mane and light gray coat and with a cutie mark of a compass rose. He descended down the staircase with two unicorn maids and approaches the desk while looking at me with an angry expression.

“What are you doing here in my castle, human scum?!?” Blueblood demanded.

“Me?” I raised an eyebrow. “I'm here to see your cousin, Blueblood. I'm not here to fi...”

“THAT'S...Prince Blueblood, to you!”

“Yeah, whatever. Look, I'm here for an appointment and I'm not looking for a street fight up here in this castle, Prince. I will leave this place once I have a word with your cousin.”

“Of course you should leave...back to Earth where you disgusting creatures live in a habitat of slaughtering our kind, starting wars, and devouring innocent animals!”

I shook my head in disgust on what he just said. Is he still stuck in the past of bringing up that old argument again and again? If he doesn't like humans, then the least he can do is keep his hatred to himself and don't bring it upon me or any of my friends.

“Look, let me be honest,” I said to Prince Blueblood. “Do you have anything better to do than insult me? Why don't you go screw yourself six ways from Sunday for what I care, Prince Bitchblood?”

The douchebaggery stallion gasped in shock on the words that I threw out at him. His maids and Raven had their jaws dropped while the guards at the door darted their attention towards the possible fight between the prince and I with their eyes wide opened.

“How...HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME?!?” Blueblood exploded by stomping his right hoof so hard on the marble floor that it echoed. “DON'T YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO?!? I AM THE PRINCE OF EQUESTIA! I AM THE NEWPHEW OF PRINCESS CELESTIA! I COULD HAVE YOU EXECUTED BY HANGING OR HAVE A CROSSBOW SQUAD SHOOT ON SITE!!! YOU UNSANITARY, FILTHY HUMAN!”

“Says the prince who disrespected Rarity and whining over that she's in love with a dragon!” I said with my fists balled up and my voice raised. “You can't execute me because YOU are NOT part of the Royal Alicorn Society! You are nothing! You're a douche! You're an assclown! You're a...”

“ENOUGH!”

A young, mare-like voice intervened during my response to Blueblood. The Prince, myself, and everypony turned to the staircase and noticed another royal guest making an appearance. It was a pale, light grayish mulberry coated alicorn mare with a cutie mark of five-pointed sparkles surrounding a six-pointed sparkle. Her mane moderate sapphire blue with sapphire violet and a rose streak with a golden crown covering it. She is Princess Celestia's most faithful student, Princess Twilight Sparkle.

She trots down the steps with a glare towards Prince Blueblood. “Blueblood, what did I tell you about showing respect to our human guest?”

“But...b...but...he started!” The stallion stammered and lied. “He called me a female dog and a clown with such language!”

“Yeah,” I cut in. “And you're being a stereotypical hypocrite for judging me and the humans for doing something we don't!”

“SILENCE, YOU FOOL!”

“Stop it, you two!” Twilight intervened. “Blueblood, please leave Frank alone and go away before I inform Princess Celestia about your recent behavior.”

The young, alicorn princess trotted right in front of me and stood in defense against the immature prince. I looked at Blueblood and crossed my arms while giving him a smirk as a sign of saying that I won this fight. Blueblood stood in awe with his mouth still hanging and his eyes darting left to right to upward and downward rapidly, as trying to find a way to get back Twilight. Try as he can but it seems that he has no shot of fighting back.

“Fine!” He said in a defeated tone. “I'll depart with my maids.”

He turns 180 and motions his head forward for his maids to follow him. As he trots away, he lets out one more speech. “Until then, Frank Archer, when the day comes that you humans destroy our world or harm my subjects, I'll be delighted to send you back to where you belong!”

I unfolded my arms. “That's after I smack your head in with a chair and throw you in a broom closet, nimrod.”

Prince Blueblood lets out a sound of annoyance as he clears the hall and turns left down another hall out of view.

“What's up with him?” I asked Twilight.

Twilight sighs and turns to me, smiling. “Like Rarity once said, 'He's a royal pain!'”

“Royal pain in the ass!” I laughed as I spoke, which led to Twilight Sparkle to laugh along with me. Even Raven, who happened to hear my joke, did the same but I didn't mind it.

“So...Frank” Twilight Sparkle said as she stopped laughing and cleared her throat. “You're hear to see Princess Cadance, right?”

“Yup!” I replied. “I have something very important to discuss with her. Where is she?”

“Oh...about that.” The young princess spoke with a state of anxiety. “She's not here yet?”

“...Huh?”

My sudden mood of being calmed changed to a state of being almost confused. Cadance is not here? After arriving minutes late and being pestered by the Royal Guards and being harassed by a disrespectful prince, I found out that the one I'm supposed to being seeing isn't present? Where did she go this time?

“My apologizes, Frank,” Twilight Sparkle said. “My sister-in-law took a train 5 hours ago to the south of Equestria for a request. Normally, Princess Celestia or Luna would've done it instead of her but since Celestia and Luna won't be back until Friday, Cadance is the only one that could answer all calls whenever a pony and human needs it.”

I lowered my head and shook in disappoint. All that traveling for nothing and I came inside this castle empty handed.

“You want to come with me to the ballroom and meet Pinkie, Rarity, Carrot Cake, Applejack, and Big Mac?” Twilight asked nicely. “I can ask one of the chefs in the kitchen to make you a chocolate chunk brownie.”

I thought for a minute upon that offer and made a decision. I guess a brownie can cheer me up and maybe perhaps I can wait for Cadance while I socialize with the other ponies.

“Okay.” I said to her. “I'll come along.”

“Great! Follow me this way!”

She trots up the stairs as I followed her, not before seeing another three member guard patrol entering from the West Wing and heading towards the East Wing. We got up to the top of the steps and turned right to the upper West Wing, passing the Royal Family painting and stained glass windows. The both of us walked side by side in a long corridor passing the huge dining room, where I remembered that went I first came to Equestria, Princess Celestia and I had dinner where her servants and chefs made the both of us a huge salad meal. I kind of protested that I wanted a cheeseburger or rice and chicken but at that time, the princess of the sun told me that eating meat in front of the ponies is uncomfortable to them.

We passed the next three rooms, the Serving Room, Reading Room, and Billiards Room and took a left to another corridor that leads to the Ball Room, which also has two Libraries, Regular and Private; and the Kitchen. Realizing that it's going to take another three minutes to get to the ballroom, I decided to chat with Twilight and see what's been happening with her.

“Err...where's your brother, Shining Armor?” I asked.

“He's taking charge of the Crystal Empire while Cadance is here in Canterlot. We've been pretty busy as of late.”

“I see. It's really stressful when you think that way.”

“Tell me about it. I've been trying my best to get back to reading and doing my studies about all new types of alicorn magic but with Celestia and Luna away, I can't even take moment to breathe and catch up.”

“Really? Are you still having difficulty on being a princess?”

She cocked an eyebrow at me. “What? No. I'm not having any problems. What makes you say that?”

“Just saying. I remember one time you told me that you had problems on handling royal duties once you became an alicorn. Answering calls for your subjects, helping them out when they need it, filing out paperwork, and other important tasks that had you away from your friends for awhile. I'm pretty sure you manage to find a way to convince Celestia and the Royal Alicorn Society that your friends come first before your position as a princess.”

The alicorn princess nodded her head. “You got one point: my friends are important and they mean the whole world to me. However, being part of the royal family doesn't keep me away from them. I'm still myself as Twilight Sparkle and my job is to study the magic of friendship. As a princess, my responsibilities are for the safety of the ponies, my friends, and humans. I'm also obliged to insure that all laws here in Equestria are followed and that nopony nor no one is against it or our land will have a conflict between the government and the citizens.”

“Hey, I'm not against the government so I have no problems with any said law. I just don't know if I ever became a ruler for a land, I have this much responsibility to handle. It just sounds too much!”

“Oh, is that so? What about the time when you worked as an Asst. Manager for the Pawn Shop on Earth?”

“That's different, Twilight Sparkle! I knew what to do on handling the store on my own just like riding a bicycle blindfolded. It's not like I cried out to my boss and say,” I began to speak in a polish accent to imitate boss on Earth “'Eh...bossman! I need assistance on counting down this drawer and I need to land a deal with an arrogant hothead riding a segway.'”

There was a moment of silence between the both of us after I try my best to tell a joke. Okay, maybe my impersonation of my polish speaking manager was horrible and wasn't funny at all. What I was thinking? Unsurprisingly, the young princess startled to chuckle a bit, even though I can tell that my so called joke wasn't all that funny but moving onto important things, we finally reached the ballroom.

As I stepped inside, I felt as though I was reminded of my past when I first came to Equestria, except it was filled with balloons and a Welcome to Equestria banner. The checkered dance floor seemed like it was moped and waxed earlier before I arrived, the bottom of the stage is decorated with roses, violets, and other types of flowers with heart shaped balloons; chandeliers above had red and pink streamers hanging from the sides, the two alicorn statues in the center, representing Celestia and Luna on opposite ends of the ballroom, were each wrapped in red ribbons; the pillars on all sides of the wall  with red and pink balloons forming arches above the dance floor next to the double sided kitchen doors, and banners above the floor saying words such as Happy Hearts and Hooves Day to Love is in the Air and Welcome Mares, Gentlecolts, and Humans. I have to admit, Pinkie and Rarity did a wonderful job on their part.

“What do you think, Frank?” Twilight asked me. “Isn't it great?”

“Uh...yeah.” I said. “It sure is. It's my first time seeing this.”

“Great. I'll be right back and ask Master Chef is he can make you a brownie while you wait for Cadance.”

I nodded as the princess left my side to go through the double doors on the right wall, which leads to the kitchen. As I was by myself, I took a moment to ponder around at the amazing decorations. I looked at the empty stage in front of me that had a four microphone stands and a grand piano. I could imagine on what would happen this Saturday night on Hearts and Hooves Day. Musical guest artists arriving and playing pop songs first and finish the night off with love songs, followed by the crowning of the King and Queen of Hearts and Hooves Day with a solo dance. In the middle of the ballroom towards the left is a long table that could be used to serve food and drinks for the guests. There's also a fountain that could be used for dripping chocolate, which should be barricaded since Pinkie Pie will most likely dip her head in of it like she did last time when I went to her birthday party months ago. I couldn't eat nor taste the chocolate after seeing that for hours. Down near the right corner of the stage that leads to another double sided door, which leads to the courtyard, is a casino games section. There was a roulette wheel, three craps tables, three blackjack tables, and one poker table. If anything, since I'll be on a Saturday, I sure enough will be doing blackjack since I learned how to play that game countless times on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Thank you, ROCKSTAR!

Just then, the kitchen doors to the right wall near the pillars opened. Out comes a pale, light brownish coated unicorn stallion with a pale, light grayish gold mane and tail; and a cutie mark of two kitchen knives forming an x shape. I recognize that stallion as Master Chef, the head supervisor of the castle's kitchen crew. He was trotting up to me with Twilight following behind as he used his magic to carry a chocolate chunk brownie on a plastic plate for me. Yum! My taste buds are tingling right now!

“FFFFFFRRRRRRRAAAAANNNNKKKKKK!!!”

Oh...nnnnoooo!

I braced for impact as a flying pink missile, that was launched from the kitchen , flew towards my current position. I shielded myself as the pink, hyperactive mare, with a cutie mark of three balloons and fluffy mane and tail, crash landed on me with a giant, hug.

“Franky!” Pinkie said all excited as her arms squeeze my sides tightly as I got up. “IT'S SSSOOOOO GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! DO YOU MISS ME?!?!? HUHHUHHUH?!?!?”

“Pinkie...” I barely managed to say as I can feel my bones being crunched. “...You're...choking...”

“Pinkie Pie!” Twilight yelled. “Let Frank go! Now!”

As soon as Twilight said that, the happy pony releases her tight grip and I began to breath again.

“Sorry, Franky!” Pinkie said. “Did I hurt you that much?”

“Geez, Pinkie!” I ranted. “What did I tell you about pouncing on me like that?”

“Ooo! Ooo! I know the answer: you said that you bruise easily and that you once had a back injury while lifting air conditioners from a loading wagon at work.”

I cocked an eyebrow and wowed in amazement that she remembered that. “Uhhh...yeah. Just...just don't squeeze me like that again. Only do it normally.”

“Pardon my intrusion.” Master Chef spoke. “However, sir Frank Archer, I have your brownie that the Princess requested for me to make for you. Though, I had to make sure that your bloody pink friend here does not devour it because she had consumed half of the desserts I stored in the fridge for Celestia and Luna. Not I got to spend another five hours making the same bucking treats again! Bloody hell, I need a break before I explode like a propane tank.”

I nodded and took the brownie on the plate from him. “Thanks. I'll keep a close eye on Pinkie.”

“Very well, mate. I shall be going back to the kitchen and cook along with Mr. Carrot Cake and assist the Apple Family with their cake recipe.”

“Awww. They don't have time to come and see me?” I complained a little to Master Chef.

“Sorry. If the pink one wasn't so hyper on sugar, the other three would love to spend time with you. We are still cleaning up the messes she made.”

I nodded. “I see. Well, go ahead and do what you got to do.”

“Agreed.” Master Chef said. “Now if you excuse me, I have to go.”

“Thank you, Master Chef.” Twilight Sparkle said. “You may take an hour break in the next 30 minutes and tell Applejack to take over for you.”

Master Chef didn't respond as he trotted back to the kitchen. I look back at my treat and took it in my right hand. I was about to take a bite when I heard more trotting and small footsteps behind my back. I turned my head towards the doorway to the hall when I saw two more of Twilight's friend: her #1 assistant and baby dragon Spike carrying a clipboard while he's accompanied with a white coated mare with a cutie mark of three lozenge diamonds and an indigo mane. It was none other than one of the most prettiest ponies in Equestria, Rarity.

When Rarity saw me, she gasped and squealed in delight. “Frank, Darling! How are you?”

I smiled at her. “I'm doing good, Rarity. How about you?”

She came up to me and extended her left hoof, expecting me to give her a kiss on it. “I'm quite divine, thank you.”

I gently grabbed her hoof and kissed it, right in front of Spike but he didn't seemed to mind. “Hi, Spike. What's been happening?”

“Oh, nothing.” He replied. “Just helping out my sweet Rarity with her decorations and making a checklist of all the things we need for next week's Hearts and Hooves Day.”

“Oh, Really?”

“Yup. According to my clipboard, we still have to decorate the trapezes, the courtyard, the upper floors, the Main Hall; just about everywhere!”

“Wow! That's too much work!”

“I know it's a bit stressful, darling.” Rarity spoke. “However, there's no need to worry about us. We have it all under control...except I haven't ate anything since breakfast and my stomach is in need of food.”

I looked at her and looked at my brownie. Hearing her last words made me feel bad about herself and that I should at least give her a small snack to munch on. I took my brownie and offered it to her. Maybe that will cheer her up.

“Would you like to have my brownie, Rarity?” I asked.

Rarity gasped. “Why, Frank? Ar...Are you...”

“After all that hard work, a lady must settle down and eat.”

The fashionita stares at me for a bit until she looked at my hand that had my brownie. She smiles and uses her magic to take my treat and munch on it with one bite. “Thank you, Frank. That was nice of you.”

“You're welcome.”

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves coming from outside the ballroom to the corridor caught our attention. The ponies and I turned to the doorway to see who could it be that's coming to our location. Standing in the doorway was another royal guard, except it was wearing a lavender-colored armor and his coat was dark gray with bat wings, tufted ears, and cat-like vertical slits for eyes. I recognize this guard as one of Princess Luna's Royal Guards. The guard stood at ease and opened his mouth to speak a few words.

“Mares and human.” He spoke. “Princess Mi Amore Candeza...has arrived.”

He took a few steps away to the left from the doorway and bowed. As he did, two more of Luna guards entered with the Princess of Love, co-ruler of the Crystal Empire, and adoptive niece of Celestia and Luna. Not to mention, the wife of Shining Armor and Sister-in-law of Twilight Sparkle. She was an alicorn with light purple eyes, with a moderate violet and rose mane with golden streaks. Her coat is a pale, light grayish cerise and a cutie mark of a crystal heart. She was none other than Princess Mi Amore Cadenza aka Princess Cadance.

“Frank Archer!” She greeted.

“Princess Cadance.” I stepped forward towards her and bowed, only receiving a little chuckle from her.

“You don't need to bow in front of me, Frank. Only my aunties get bows but here, I would rather have you say 'hello' to me.”

I cleared my throat and stood up. “Well...that's fine with me.”

“I apologize for leaving Canterlot castle earlier.” Cadance said in a guilty tone. “I should've sent a letter to you or a messenger of my early departure to Dodge City. I had to take care of a request from someone.”

“Like I said, that's fine with me, but I really need to talk to you...privately.”

Princess Cadance blinks at me with a blank expression. “About?”

“Can we talk outside in the courtyard?” I suggested.

“Um...sure.” The princess of love replied before turning to Twilight and her friends. “Wait here, everypony. I'll be right back.”

Leaving Twilght Sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, the guards, and Spike behind, the Princess and I headed towards the double doors and I opened to the approaching night sky of the courtyard. With the two of us alone, I closed the doors and went right up in front of her. I just hope that whatever I explained will finally solve this issue.

“So what troubles you?” Cadance asked me.

I took a deep breath and began my explanation. “Princess Cadance, there's a problem going on in Ponyville. I think something has to be done immediately.”

“...Go on.”

“Do you know a human by the name of Daryl Blackburn aka #61?”

She lifts her up to a chin and ponders. “Hmm...yes, I do. Why?”

“Because Daryl Blackburn...I believe...is breaking the Human/Equine Law!”

Cadance's eyes shot wide open in a surprised state. I know for the fact that she was going to be shocked upon hearing this.

“What?!?” Cadance asked, startled. “Wha...what did he do?”

“He is hurting Aloe, he threatened me, and Lotus and Dru Stevens don't believe it.” I continued. “Lotus and Dru said that Daryl is a nice man and I don't buy it.”

“Did you see Daryl harm Aloe with his hands?” Cadance asked me.

“Um...no.” I replied.

“Did he use an object or any kind of weapon on Aloe?”

“...No. He didn't use any weapons.”

“Did he...hire somepony or somebody to hurt her?”

“...No...um...why are you asking me this?”

She cocked an eyebrow and tiled her head in front of me after I questioned her. “I thought you said that Aloe was getting hurt by her boyfriend. Is that right?”

I stood there puzzled but shook it off. “No...I mean...he yelled at her and he threatened me. That's a possible infringement of the Human/Equine Law.”

The alicorn didn't respond but lowered her head and shook in disagreement. Is there a problem on what I said? Am I correct about Daryl's actions?

“Frank,” Cadance sighed. “When you came here to Equestria, you admit that you read word by word of the law. Right?”

I nodded in response.

“Don't tell me you did not remember on what it states on how a human can be punished for causing harm to their special somepony. The only infringements, as it goes, is if a human hurts his pony by the use of hands or weapons. If there is such case, the R.A.S will need physical evidence from you to support your claim, like a photo of a scar or the victim reports to us with her testimony. Once that is claimed, the R.A.S can decide on the punishement that's going to be given to the perpetrator.”

Oh crap! She's right about that! I completely forgot about bringing evidence as it was written. After all this time, I had nothing but experiences and no such way to back anything up. How can I miss that since it's been 4 years of reading that document. Wait! What about the yelling and threats? Does that even count?

“However,” She continued. “The law also read that yelling and threaten from the mouth of a human...without harming a pony or another human with his hands or object....is not an infringement.”

My mouth dropped. “WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? Wha...what do you mean?”

“I meant that Daryl Blackburn...is innocent in this case and nothing shall be done upon me nor the Royal Alicorn Society.”

...You gotta be fucking kidding me!!!!