The Strange Happenings of Artanis

Note: Any of the the characters mentioned in the following story are the intellectual property of Hasbro and that of it’s creator Lauren Faust. The use of such characters are meant to be used in a comical fashion. No copyright infringment is intended. Please support the official release.

Now heading to Twilight's place. It's a b-e-a-utiful day. The weather pegasi are incredible in doing what they do. It's just too bad I don't have that in my world. Reverting to type, we arrived at Twi's place. Knocking on the door, the lavender unicorn steps out with saddlebags to match. She looks at the both of us but then stared at me "Isn't that the same outfit you arrived in?" She asks.

I nodded. "Well, it's not like I planned for this to happen. If I did, I would have brought extra." I said with a slight smirk on my face. I knew Twilight was a fairly serious type of pony and, as a result, didn't quite get some jokes or sarcasm. So, I made the extra effort to make sure what I said on some occasions to be a joke. It didn't work some of the time. She blushed at my remark. "Yeah, I am sorry for doing that." She scuffed the floor with a hoof. I reached up and patted her shoulder, indicating it was fine. "To be honest Twi, I'm kinda glad this has happened. My world isn't the most exciting place in my galaxy. Any excitement or distraction is welcome in my book." I gave her a smile, which she returned.

I heard the sound of hoofsteps behind me. I turned to see who it was. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash,and Pinkie Pie all trotted up to the library, all carrying saddlebags of their respective coat colors. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie stared at me in amazement. "Whoa, so humans DO exist!" Pinkie was still staring at me, as if trying to asess me for danger. I gave her a quick smile. "Hi Pinkie Pie. I'm Artanis." She didn't return any sort of response, which I found to be disturbing. Normally, she would be all over a new visitor like rust on a nail. This was a different Pinkie. I shrugged and turned to Twilight. "Ready to head out y'all"? I asked the ponies surrounding me. They all nodded in response, except Pinkie. With that, we all made our way to the train station. Twilight walked beside me and indicated my katana. "Is that nessesary"? I looked down at my blade, then at Twilight, and nodded. "I'd perfer to keep it with me. It's a habit really. If I don't have a blade on me, I feel naked. Defenseless." Fluttershy trotted to catch up with us. "Is it violent where you were?" Fluttershy asked with genuine concern. I glanced at the pegases, and looked forward. "In some places, yes. However, it is illegal to carry something like this around. Which is why I have taken to carrying a knife on me." I patted my left pocket, indicating where my spare blade was. We arrived at the station. The conductor gave me a strange look. We all boarded the train, and we were off. It was a long way to Canterlot, and I marveled at the castle as we approached. De-boarding the train, we all made our way to the castle. We were greeted by a battalion of guards who eyeballed me the most. Trumpets sounded, and the main doors opened to reveal the two alicorn sisters at their thrones.

We approached the thrones with respect. Twilight was on point. She and the others bowed to the Princesses, and I knelt to one knee, as I would have to any other form of royalty. Princess Celestia nodded in return. "My faithful student," she spoke with the same proper tone as in the show, "I see you have brought a new friend along with your other friends. What brings you here today?' Twilight nodded and motioned for me to approach, which I did and kneeled down with the purple unicorn. "You must be the one Twilight mentioned in her letter. May I have your name?" She asked with a smile. I looked up at the two alicorns. Celestia, was just as radiant as they portrayed her on the show. Luna, with her dark blue coat and piercing eyes looked at me with an air of suspicion. "My name is Artanis Jerin, your Highness." I tried to speak with dignity but found I was shaky as I spoke. Celestia seemed to catch on and she smiled. "You needn't be so nervous here Artanis." I gave her the best smile I could muster. "My apologies, it's not everyday I get the chance to meet royalty." She spoke again. "It is alright. Now, perhaps we can now address why-"

Celestia was cut off by an explosion near the perimeter of the castle. We all looked at where it came from to see a couple of Changelings fly through the hole. They quickly looked around and their gaze centered on Luna. They charged toward her with blinding speed. I saw where they were headed and I boosted toward the shrinking space between them and Luna. I unsheathed my blade and slashed at them with one quick motion. They fell to the floor. I struck a guard in front of Luna, in case some more decided to bomb into the hall. Seven more appeared and saw their fallen bretheren. Then they looked at me and flew toward me. I smiled grimly and tightened my grip. I brought my blade up and swung it through an infinity loop as more poured in toward me. Luna ducked behind me, unsure of what to do. Finally, the last one screamed and bombed toward me. Looking up, I slashed at my attacker. Flying past me, he hovered for a moment before landing on the floor with a thud. I re-sheathed my katana, soaked in cyan blood, and turned to Luna, who was still coiled up on the floor. I knelt down in front of her and took one of her hooves in my hand "Are you okay, Princess?" I asked softly. She looked up at me with a grateful look. "Y-Yes, we are, b-brave human. T-Thank you for saving us." She even spoke the same way on the show. I nodded to her and helped her to her hooves. I stepped down off the platform where they both sat, while some of the unicorn guards repaired the wall the Changelings busted in through. Another group took care of the pile of freshly dead Changelings beside the platform.

Celestia seemed taken aback at the performance. I turned to face her. "Now, you were saying Your Highness." She still seemed speechless, but quickly shook it off. "*ahem* Well, first, thank you for saving my sister. I feel as if I should reward you. Name your price, noble Artanis." I thought about it but shook my head. "Maybe later Majesty. For now, lets get to why we're here. Namely, why I'm here." She seemed to stumble for a moment before catching her bearings. "Of course."

-To Be Continued-