Character development in games usually occurs when a character overcomes an obstacle, whether that obstacle is physical, mental, or meta-physical. Some game developers often opt out on concrete character development to focus more on gameplay structure and graphics. The worst offender I’ve ever encountered was in Medal of Honor, the 2010 edition. How am I supposed to feel anything for Rabbit, Duece, or Adams if they have neither dialogue nor establishing characteristics? Sometimes the best way to relate is to simply put yourself in their shoes. Find the connection to the actions around them and how it affects you. At least, that’s what I’d like to believe.

Tempest watched worriedly at Jack who seemingly looked…happy for once. None of the half smiles he tend to give her and the princesses when they were alone, Jack for once had a bright and warm smile on his face and it showed. He had a spring in his step, and a certain swagger to his walk. Where ever he got that necklace from, it certainly improved his overall outlook on life.

And that was what worried her. While she certainly liked this side of Jack, where he generally disregarded protocol for her feelings, she can’t help to be paranoid. Tempest steeled herself, adjusting her hair before walking up next to Jack who was talking animatedly with another girl, Twilight Sparkle if she remembered correctly. She was Princess Celestia’s latest apprentice. Tempest always thought that Twilight had a mousy look to her. Her general shyness and her drive to impress Celestia really kept her locked away in the Royal Library.

“And I’m telling you, Twily, you really need to talk with Shiny. He’s keeping something big from you and I keep telling him to tell you.” Jack insisted, his grin honest with concern, but his eyes pulsed with amusement, not that Twilight could tell. Tempest knew Jack long enough to know the difference in how his Changeling eyes were and what they meant.

For example, she observed that whenever his eyes dimmed, it meant that he was either deep in thought or really tired. Most of the time, it was the latter. And when his eyes pulsed like they were now, it usually meant that he was amused by something and usually that meant bad for whatever he was amused with. She nudged Jack with a playful elbow, “If you’re done flirting your highness, we really need to get to the house that was provided for you.”

“I can’t help it,” Jack said with a grin while Twilight blushed and stuttered denials. “She’s quite beautiful and I do enjoy talking with her. But you’re right. The sooner we put our stuff away, the more time we’ll have to enjoy our stay.”

“Been taking rhyming lessons from Zecora?” Twilight teased as she finally got control of herself.

“Oh don’t get me started,” Jack said with a deadpan expression. “Her rhymes and I are soon departed.”

“I think I like this side of you,” Tempest remarked as she dragged Jack away from the giggling Twilight. “But I don’t like to be late.”

“Alright, alright already. Hey Twi, tell AJ I’ll be by later!”

“No problem!” Twilight replied waving goodbye to the two. She smiled softly as she watched Jack from behind. ‘Maybe…’ Twilight thought before shaking her head and banishing those thoughts. ‘No, I have no time for romance. I need to complete my task for Princess Celestia before settling down.’

Meanwhile, Tempest and Jack were silently walking towards their destination. Rather, Tempest was silent. Jack was humming a tune as he took stock of the neighborhood.

“What song is that?” Tempest asked, liking the way it sounded.

“Oh this? Its…well an image song.” Jack replied.

“An Image song? I’ve never heard of that type of song before.” Tempest admitted. “I have a pair of friends who are musicians and they’ve never talked about Image songs before.”

“I would suppose not. It’s a song usually to portrait a character and their actions throughout their journey.” He explained. “The song I was humming is called “Knight of the Wind”. It’s pretty catchy and it can have different impacts depending on how it’s sung.”

“C-can I hear you sing it?”

“Me? Well…alright. Don’t blame me if I sound off key.” Jack said unsure before clearing his throat.
He began singing, his voice carrying throughout the area:

“Hey now…welcome to the great storm…”

“I know…you have waited much too long…”

“And I…I will be your shining star…”

“I’m here…Here to conquer near and far.”

“Like the sword, I’m drawn… into the heat of day…”

“Like a knight, I’ll fight…until the fight is won…”

“In the rage, I’ll slay…each and every, each and every, each and every one…”

“’Till this war is won…”

“And I live…to rule…by the sword…”

“Slashing through the every inch of the power, the power in you…”

“As I sit…As I stand, by the table I command…my kingdom…”

“As the knight…of the wind…”

He ended his song softly, remembering the fun times he would have playing that game. A lot of people disliked the Story Book series of Sonic the Hedgehog, but he enjoyed the retelling of those tales. Tempest stared at Jack with slight tears in her eyes. The way he sung that song. It was so somber, and yet so powerful. It felt powerful and at the same time, he made it sound so vulnerable, made him seem so vulnerable. As if he was a lone knight, standing against the army of darkness with only his sword, his honor, and his will backing him up.

It was those qualities that made Tempest admire the soldiers in her army, and she could tell that Jack carried those qualities, albeit he kept them rather hidden. She could tell that he related to that song more than he liked it. And she loved that about Jack.

Their thoughts were interrupted when they heard clapping. Looking at the source, they saw two mares. The first mare was a white unicorn, not unlike Tempest, with blue hair. Her sunglasses fit perfectly onto her face, obscuring her eyes from the world. She wore a white tee that cut off at the midriff and clung to the side of her shoulders, allowing the world to see that she indeed wore a sports bra. She wore blue jean capris with a blue sequence belt and violet sneakers.

The other mare was a grey earth pony, Jack noted the lack of horn or wings. She had long black hair and violet eyes that pierced into Jack’s causing him to blush slightly. Her slender form was covered by a black turtle neck sweater and dark blue medium skirt that almost went down to her knees. Her black heels shined in the waning sunlight as Jack drunk in the beauty of both mares.

“Tavi! Vinyl! It’s been way too long!” Tempest exclaimed as she hurried over to her friends, leaving Jack stunned. These two were Tempest’s friends?

‘Mein gott, am I forever doomed to be surrounded by such hotness? Wait a minute, what am I saying? This has to be the best thing to ever happen to a guy in the history of ever!’ Jack had to force himself not to fist pump and make a fool out of himself. “Say Tempest,” Jack said interrupting their animated chatter. “I got to go meet with some old friends. Why don’t you just chill out with your friends and I’ll come back later?”

Tempest eyed Jack with a critical look, “What are you up to?”

“I got a few friends in town too, and you ladies look like you have a lot of catching up to do. Don’t need me around for that.” Jack explained with a grin. “Don’t worry, I know my way around and you know I can find you if I really need to.”

Tempest eyed him for a while before sighing, knowing that he’s right…again. “Fine, just check in by nightfall, or I’ll assume the worst and come looking for you.”

“Read you loud and clear. See you ladies later.” Jack gave a small wave before sprouting his wings and taking off.

“So tell us Tempest, who was that guy anyways?” Vinyl asked curious.

“That was the new prince of Cantorlot, the Prince of Seasons, and the lonely King of the Mutocorn, Jack.” Tempest explained causing both Vinyl and Octavia’s eyes to widen. There was a new Prince? And he was here in Ponyville?

While Tempest explained the reason why Jack and her was currently in Ponyville, Jack made an aerial beeline for the Sweet Apple Farms. Landing softly near the gate, he was greeted by the ever stoic Big Mac.

“I see ya finally came back.” Big Mac said with a grin, holding his hand out.

“To be honest, I think they got tired of my attitude and sent me here cause I annoyed them too much.” Jack replied back, taking Big Mac’s hand and shaking it. “It’s good to see ya man. You would not believe how stiff it was in Canterlot.”

“Just like the rumors said.” Big Mac said, his grin turning sly.

“Oh so you get that out here.”

“Eeyup.”

“Greeaat…and let me guess. Applejack and Zecora has heard them too.”

“Eeyup.”

“Well…buck me sideways…” Jack muttered, face-palming. “That’s exactly what I need on my vacation.”

“Trouble follows you. Sometimes trouble get right behind you.”

“…You know, you don’t have to be cryptic. I wouldn’t be much of a changeling if I didn’t sense Applejack right behind me.” Jack looked over his shoulder, Applejack was standing there with her arms cross. “You wear your emotions on your sleeve, y’know. Not a bad trait, but if you want to sneak up on me, you gotta conceal your anger bette-OW!” Jack was interrupted as Applejack grabbed his ear and began dragging him towards the house.

“Well don’t worry partner, you’ll have all the time to sense my emotions while Zecora an’ I get to the bottom of all this talk about you being the Royal Manslut.” Jack groaned as she pulled harder. Just his luck too, it was a Thursday. Zecora would visit on the day he gets hogged tied by Applejack. At least it couldn’t get worst.

“Big sis, whats a manslut?”

‘Buck my life…’ Jack thought as Applejack tried to explain what she meant to her little sister while still holding on to his ear. It just wasn’t fair.

Author's Note

If you haven't guessed it, its a fairly large harem. Each girl has their own reason for wanting to be with Jack, and Tempest happens to like the chivalrous part of Jack that he seems to exude in spades. Celestia isn't part of the Harem, but a friend with benefits. While Jack is still in the "Engagement" phase, he seems to be fair game to a lot of women.