"Sometimes paranoia's just having all the facts."

-William S. Burroughs

***Edgar's POV***
*Guest Room*

The next morning came and started as most might expect.

You wake up having no idea who or where you are and freak out for about a second, but then as soon as you wake up bit you start to remember what happened right before you went to sleep. In my case it was feeling hungry and sore. I rub away those little eye-boogers you get when you wake up and started to stretch myself, only to realize that I was still bandaged. So after stretching everything but the parts that were bandaged, I lay back down and try to go back to sleep. I knew I probably wasn't going to go back to sleep anytime soon, but I really like the feeling of laying down right when you wake up. It's euphoric.

After about half an hour I decided to get up and out of the harsh rays of sunlight that are plaguing me. They were fine yesterday, but this morning they seem to have made it their mission to ruin the afterglow of waking up. So after I answered the call of nature (which is harder then it sounds when only one hand isn't bound), I started to limp over to the exit. Using the wall as support, I made my way out of the room to see if I can rustle up some food since I haven't eaten any real substance since yesterday morning.

*smack*

...Only to have my face flatten against some invisible force in the doorway, which caused me to fall flat on my ass. After yelling a very choice word(use your imagination), I rubbed my thumping nose and looked back at this unseen wall. I saw some fog from my breath left over on it. It was starting to fade but it was noticeable nonetheless. I reach out for it and eventually my palm flattened against the clear, cool, and smooth surface. When I ascertained that it probably wasn't going to kill me, I gave it a couple knocks.

It was glass alright, but the sound it gave off when I knocked on it suggested it was thick. Like really thick, almost like the kind you would see in an aquarium that kept sharks or dolphins. On the other side of the glass wall appeared to be another glass wall, only this one had a whiter tint and very faint symbols scratched into it. It was so fine, that if I didn't run into any of the glass, I probably wouldn't have noticed any of them. I followed the glass upward and saw that they were bolted to the crystal tree branch...crystal wall column... They were bolted to the pillar that was attached to the wall, or...is that a latch? Is it supposed to move?

I couldn't even fathom how they managed to make this so quickly, nor how they managed to do this while I was sleeping, but that's all the moot point though. Right now, there are so many questions that are much more important than that. Questions like "Why?" and "Who?" were the more dominant ones at the moment. However, there was one question above all others that I just couldn't get out of my head.

"The fuck?!?"

***Trixie's POV***
*Dining hall*

We were currently situated in the dining hall, eating Apple spiced oatmeal like every other pony in here. It as regal as this place was meant to look, it was leaning more towards soup kitchen because of the large cauldrons of varying types of oatmeal. Well, as much variety as you can get when the main ingredient of every single one is apple and oatmeal. The bustling ponies that were either in line for their bowl or currently eating, sitting on the ground pushed this image. It wasn't all bad though as most of them actually seemed genuinely happy, almost as if this was a indoor picnic. Whether it was because they knew everything was going to be alright, or they knew they had to have a positive attitude I couldn't tell. But this sense of community still brightened the mood immensely and eased everyone else's feelings. Even Pinkie Pie, who was currently making foal faces at a pair of giggling twin foals a few tables over the distance, seemed to emanate a feeling of ease. I just wish either she or the ponies at the table I was at could do the same thing for me.

We were all sitting at a corner table of the large crystalline hall. I myself haven't even touched my bowl of oatmeal aside from playing with the apple slice on top. I already felt sick to my stomach after last night and didn't have much of an appetite.

"Ya know, it could just be a REALLY big misunderstanding. You thought Edgar was a dragon too, didn't you Twilight? An Anti-magic dragon sounds pretty spooky. " I heard the annoyingly cheerful voice of Pinkie Pie say, obviously trying to comfort me. She then bit the side of her bowl and lifted her head up, letting the contents of the bowl dump into her gullet. "If any-phing, sheesh probabry awarding him tickish to the Grand Gawwoping Gawa. Iph you shave Ponyviwwe emouph timesh, you get'em imm da maiyl." She tried to say with a mouth still full of oatmeal, oblivious to the judgmental stare of the white Unicorn mare off to her side.

"...Manners, Pinkie darling."

"If he tries anything, I swear I'll pulverize 'em." A voice from above me threatened.

"Um, weren't you just talking about how awesome and brave he was last night."

"Oh come on, that was like ten hours ago! Besides, I was totally playing Nightmare's advocate." The brash tomcolt spoke, before looking off to the side and coughing. "Of course, That's IF he tries anything. Otherwise, I'm super chill with him being here. He beat up changelings and doesn't afraid of anything."

"...Proper Equish, Rainbow darling." Rarity shook her head. "Doesn't it seem a bit odd that all this is happening so suddenly? I mean I know that trouble like this is always a bit-flip away around our group, but something feels wrong about all of this. What if Celestia thinks that the human is a threat? After all, he is a forei- an outsi- oh shoot, he's not from around here."

"You could try using "hero", and his name is Edgar." I chastised, starting to get mildly irritated at the posh unicorn.

Look at her, that two-faced whorse. Just last night she was fluttering her perfect little eyelashes at Edgar, and now she is talking about him like he's some sort of monster. It's outrageous, and those eyelashes are probably fake!

Rarity looked to Twilight, and almost as if they had some silent understanding, they both looked back at me with worried eyes.

"Trixie, I am trying to be objective..." Rarity stopped what she as saying and looked around the room for a second. After a few moments she looked back at me and opened her mouth to speak again, only to close it once more. "There's no easy way to say it, is there?" She asked, turning to Twilight.

"Say what? Sparkle, what's she saying?" I looked at her, begging for an answer. Twilight looked reluctant to answer at first, she glanced over to me and spoke.

"Trixie, if Celestia decides that he is indeed a threat, then you might not see him again." Twilight said solemnly.

"Yea, she'll just banish him back to his tree in the jungle, right?" Pinkie asked. After a bit of silence, I saw hair started to deflate and go limp like a balloon. "...Bu-because she will just banish him back to his home...right?"

"Oh no..." Fluttershy said as she hung her head low. The others soon followed suite as the mood went darker.

I didn't get it, why wouldn't it matter what his name was? It's like they're insinuating that...

No, they can't be serious.

"How could you SAY something like that?!?" I yelled them, slamming my hooves at the table, causing everypony at this table and a few other tables to turn their heads in surprise.

"Darling, I understand you're upset. I really do, but you must calm down." Rarity said in placating manner. "Please. We don't want to make the other ponies worried." She tilted her head toward the other tables, motioning at the ponies sitting there.

I slowly slink back into my seat. I am far from calm right now, but apparently it was enough for the other ponies to stop paying attention.

"This is a bad joke. It has to be. Edgar wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone another pony." I pleaded to the group.

""Wouldn't hurt a fly"?" Applejack butted in incredulously. "Now that's a load of crab apples. Ah don't claim to be the shiniest apple in the bushel, but an army invaded and he killed 'em all! That don't pass the sniff-test, Sugarcube."

"And if Trixie recalls, he saved your little munchkin and this entire town, you inbred!" I shouted at Applejack.

"Care ta' repeat that, sugacube?" Applejack asked, placing her both her hooves on the table in an aggressive stance. I couldn't tell whether or not that was unintentional or because she wanted to brawl, or if she meant to do that to scare me into backing down. Frankly, I didn't care about what any of them thought at this point. Edgar wasn't here to defend himself, so if nopony else was going to stand up for him then I will have to do it. I slipped a large feather out from one of the pockets sewn into my cloaks lining and held it in my magical grasp, causing a wince and wide eyes from Applejack.

"You put that thing away." Applejack said, slowly lowering herself back to her seat.

"You don't know what Edgar is like. None of you do!" I told them flat out.

"And I suppose you know him so much better then us, Missus "met-him-yesterday"?" Rarity brought up.

"I known him for twice as long." I countered.

"Two days then. Like that's sooo much better." She sighed as she shook her head. "Look. We all saw the letter and the way it was worded. The last few times Celestia acted this drastically was when either Discord or Tirek returned. I would argue it may even be worse!"

"I'm sure there is a plausible explanation for all this. After all, Princess Celestia has been around for a very long time and is a very wise ruler. Surely there must be a good reason for wanting this done." Twilight told me, probably hoping to ease my nerves.

It didn't work.

Neither Twilight or I have gotten a wink of restful sleep since the sleepover last night, the bags under our eyes confirmed this. It took Twilight casting a sleeping spell on us both just to get a couple hours of sleep, but even then I had nothing but nightmares.

It was around midnight at the small mansion Twilight called "her room". When first walked in I hardly noticed Applejack teasing Rainbow Dash, or Pinkie passed out cuddling Spike and those three fillies everyone worried about. I was stricken with awe as to how a room this big could fit in the castle. And here I thought Edgar's room was huge. Seriously, it was bonkers how big this room was. To put it in perspective, I noticed a walk-in closet right next to the bathroom door, and the interior of that could probably swallow my caravan when it was it's normal size.

The bucking closet was bigger then my home...

I didn't let myself linger on those thoughts for long and forcibly un-slack jawed myself to maintain some sense of composure.

Anyway, it started out as a blast. We were doing our makeup, we pigged out on ice cream were talking about how our weeks have been, played a version of "truth or dare" mixed with "spin the bottle". All being done while we did our best to avoid talking about what happened earlier today, but there was still a clear tension in the air surrounding the Farm Mare and Twilight. They were smiling as they joined in on our games, but they did not seem to be enjoying each others company as much as they were enjoying the company of everypony else.

Afterwards, Rainbow smacked Twilight with a pillow and things got a little crazy. So after smacking each other around with pillows for a while (I still don't see how Fluttershy could be so brutal with a fluffy sack of feathers), we did a mix of truth or dare and spin the bottle. After everything was done with and everypony decided to turn in for the night, things took a turn for the worst.

***Last night***

Edgar...

Edgar...

While everypony else was asleep, I found myself restless. I just couldn't stop thinking about him. How he kept getting into stupid situations, his infuriating attitude about his near death experience...the stupid way he smiled at me when he told me to go have fun. I know he said that I should go and enjoy myself, but how could I do that when he's left alone all by himself?

*Rustle Rustle*

My ears twitched as I heard some rustling. Curious, I peeked one eye open just to see who it was. I heard the sound of mumbling, and with a sharp breath, a purple princess woke up, leaning up in a startled state before starting to calm down after a few moments later. I guess Twilight couldn't sleep much either as got up, rubbing her eyes as she stretched in the moonlight. Suddenly her horn started glowing as to illuminate her surroundings, scanning the room to see if anypony else was awake, but I guess she didn't notice my eyes slightly opened. It seems as if she was awakened from a nightmare before starting to get up.

What is she doing?

Twilight got up and started to walk over to her desk, yawning all the while. When she got there, she levitated a parchment and quill over to her.

Does she ever stop writing??? I mean, how much paper did she use up earlier? Is that what happened to that old treehouse of hers? She turned it into paper?

It was when I heard her start talking to herself as well that l shut up my inner monologue and I started to pay attention.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight started, using the glow of her horn to Illuminate what is possibly a letter to Princess Celestia. "I know that it is late, or very early for this, and that you are probably busy with making sure Canterlot and the rest of the other cities are safe, but I made a promise to you. I promised you that if I ever discovered something new about the magic of friendship that you would be one of the first ponies to know. I have written to you so many times in the past, with each letter I wrote, the more excited I felt about the next lesson I would learn. This feels like cheating, but I wanted to ask for your help."

"In the aftermath of the attack on Ponyville, I did my duties as optimally and diligently as possible, but with each decision made, it felt as if I had a paraspite sitting on my shoulder, whispering that the decision I just made was going to get somepony hurt."

"I scheduled double guard shifts with Luna's aid, I allotted ration amounts for the coming days in case an aid shipment was delayed. I did headcounts with Mayor Mare to make sure everypony else was still safe and unharmed, but I still felt powerless. Princess Luna told me that I made the only decision that I could when I sealed off the castle, and I believe her. My mind is telling me that it was the only one to be made, but my heart is tearing into me. It makes me sick to my stomach. The "right" decision couldn't have been to abandon my friends."

I started to hear sniffling.

"Applejack's sister was outside that barrier, and I don't think our friendship is going to be the same. I thought Apple Bloom was going to die and still kept the shield up. I would have gladly traded places with Apple Bloom in a heartbeat if I could, but this is a worthless thought since I still kept it up. I know what I ended up choosing... That voice in the back of your head. The one that tells you that you are worthless and everything that you are doing is wrong...Does it ever go away? How do I fight it and still stay "me"? I want you to teach me how to be strong like you. I want to be worthy of the title you passed down onto me. I want to protect everypony, and I don't think I can handle being put in a spot where I have to choose between lives again. What would you have done? Could I have still protected them?" I could see tiny shimmers of liquid falling from Twilight's face and landing on the parchment she was writing on, rubbing her eyes once she saw the few droplets start to stain the scroll.

I could feel a tear coming to my eye as I found it a little harder to breath myself. She is not okay after yesterday, and she is still beating herself up about it.

Come on, coward. Get up and tell her its not her fault. Tell her that she did all she could, and that everything is going to be okay. Do something!

I couldn't muster the will to do such a thing though. What could I even say to make it better?

Twilight paused, and I thought she was going to end it on that depressing note, but then the somber look that was on her face soon faded, as if to distract herself. "Princess Luna has been helping me. Along with her and some newfound friends, we managed to make the best of this situation. Princess Luna brought aid and stability to Ponyville, the two others each helped out in their own way. One of them was the last Unicorn I would have expected to see. Her name is "Trixie", or "The Great and Powerful Trixie", as she would prefer." Twilight chuckled as she shook her head, her voice starting to brighten up. I would like to think that she was doing what I was and reminiscing the times we had together.

Like that one time I enslaved the entire town with a corrupting magic amulet that she had to trick me into taking off? Good times, good times.

"I think I told you about her before. When I first met her, I found her to be both arrogant and infuriating. It wasn't until today that I believed that she is truly making an effort to change herself." She stopped writing for a split second, but then started up again. "A few of my friends in Ponyville lashed out at me because my inability to protect them and my decisions afterword. Some coming from those that were left outside, and some coming from those that were inside the barrier. I even experienced some backlash from my best friends, and though I know it was because they were scared, it hurt because they were all right to do so. Trixie helped bring out my good side, however, and it made dealing with this much easier. She's not perfect by any means, nor was she a pony I wanted to see anytime soon, but I think I needed her yesterday. I didn't realize it until about an hour ago. I know that she's a good pony at heart, and she did more than enough to prove it yesterday. Although she may stumble along the way, I feel that I may have much to learn about friendship from her."

Wow. I don't know what to say except that I felt confused and strangely flattered. Twilight still needs to give herself more credit. She has money, fame, success, and an entire town that loves her despite what she is thinking. She rubs elbows with the Princesses, has incredibly loyal friends, and probably has stallions throwing themselves at her feet. She has everything I don't have and more...How could she ever need somebody like me?

"The other pony was something I certainly did not expect. They're not even a pony. He said he was a "He-you-mahn", which was a creature from a different world! Trixie said he fought off a dragon, which seemed like another tall tale of hers until he fought off the entire changeling army by himself. I was amazed, but I wasn't as surprised after I found out about his unique immunity to magic. Because of this however, we couldn't heal him with normal means. He should be resting right now, and while he definitely looks "out of this world", he seems friendly enough and has this calming nature about him. I don't quite know what it is about him, but Trixie seemed almost attached at the hip while he was answering my questions after only knowing him for a day. Maybe I'm overthinking things, but I'm almost certain that there is more then meets the eye when it comes to him."

Twilight stopped talking for some reason. Taking a small peak, I saw her roll up that parchment whilst tying it, and picking up another fresh clean one.

"I guess I really went off on a tangent there, didn't I? Maybe I'm just tired and rambling on. I guess what I'm trying to say is in the aftermath of that dark hour that I've seen these ponies shine the brightest. They were....they were brighter than me, and maybe through whatever light they have, I thought that I could learn something from them. From all of this, but I just don't see it." She wiped her eyes and looked deep in thought, before speaking again. "What do you think? What was I supposed to learn?" Twilight paused, as if she was awaiting an answer from the sheet of paper, which never came. She then shut her eyes and took a deep breath, holding a hoof to her chest. After about a few seconds passed, she released her breath while extending her foreleg out. Sealing the scroll with a ribbon, she quietly started to tip-hoof over to where the dragon was sleeping.

*Clip-Clop Clip-Clop*

"Spike...Spike" she whispered, trying to gently shake him awake.

The young drake's eyes seemed dazed and confused, half-lidded and on the verge of closing again until Twilight waved the two scrolls in front of him, prompting a tired huff.

"Twiiii~liiiight, can't it wait until tomorrow?" she questioned in an annoyed whine.

Twilight put on the puppy-dog eyes as she lightly shook the two scrolls she had in her magic.

"Please Spike? I promise I won't bug you for the rest of the night or day tomorrow."

A deep sigh came from the drake as he took the scrolls in his claws.

"Gee Twilight, two scrolls?!?" he chuckled, blowing a small ball of fire into them as they disappeared, illuminating the room for a moment. "Alright. Going back to sleep."

"And Spike?"

"Yea, Twilig-ahg!?" Spike said as he turned around and was surprised with a spontaneous snuggle hug, powerless to pry his way out. "Hey, enough already."

"Thanks for sticking around with me all these years." She said sweetly." I know that I can be a pain in the flank sometimes and I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate everything you do."

Ohhhhhhhh, that's so ADORABLE!

Smiling, I closed my eyes and tried to get back to sleep again after that sweet note. It was bittersweet, and I would have plenty of time to talk to Twilight tomorrow anyway. But like my luck so far, that HAD to get ruined.

*𝔹𝕦𝕦𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕡*

"EEP! Spike, what was that for?!?" Twilight jumped, whispering harshly as the smell of burnt hair complemented the whooshing sound that the tail was making.

Ok, Maaaaaaaybe Trixie can stay up a bit longer.

I peeked my eyes open from under the blanket as I saw the last moment of Twilight patting out the smoke from her tail. I had to be careful not to giggle loud enough for them to know I'm awake, but I still smiled a little at the scene that was happening.

"I didn't do it on purpose, Look." Spike said with a sudden alertness, as he pointed at the ground behind her, where an object encased in flames was burning. When the dancing fire finally subsided, a deep ivory colored scroll appeared on the ground in place of the flames. Though, it seemed to lack the care that was put into Twilight's letter. Unlike Twilight's, the ribbon was almost tied on there hastily and without much effort in perfection.

"That was fast." Twilight commented while she levitated the scroll off of the ground and began untying the ribbon.

*𝔹𝕦𝕦𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕣𝕡*

Spike burped out another scroll, only this one seemed was wrapped with blue ribbon. The scroll was made of a very thin paper, and looked very old and discolored. Twilight and Spike looked at each other.

"Gee...twoooo scrolls..." Spike commented as he started turning back toward the scroll on the ground.

Twilight finished unraveling the ribbon around the scroll she currently had in her magical grip and began to peruse it. She froze for a second or two before rereading it again, this time she looked like she was reading it even faster as her eyes quickly darted to the left and right.

"Well, what is it Twilight?" I heard Spike ask.

"Spike, run to the barracks and tell the thestrals and any unicorn who can make a barrier to meet me in the main hall. I have to find Luna." Twilight seemed to cast a spell on the double doors for some reason, then fled out the double doors as she galloped down the halls.

"Twilight, what's going on? You weren't raised in a barn." Spike chided as he ran out to follow her before the pitter patter of his scaled feet stopping to close the door behind him. His voice echoed in the hall. " Come on, you promised I could go back to sleep!"

"Spike, just do it!" Twilight echoed from far off the hallway.

As they rushed hastily out of the room, they neglected to bring the scroll that caused this commotion.

It couldn't be another changeling attack. If it was, then why wouldn't she want to wake up all her other friends? Curious at why she was behaving so drastically, I slowly got out of my sleeping bag and crept over to the table as quietly as a creature with hooves could. While I'm pretty sure this may be illegal, I need to make sure its not anything to do with me. I don't want to have to make a hasty getaway at the last minute unless I have to. So I took the scroll in my magical grasp and began to read through it.

Twilight,

Do not lose sight of that human for a moment. Refrain from physically touching him. Arriving shortly are detailed blueprints of a containment procedure that MUST be used to negate the threat his race's super-magical properties possess. I understand that my sister is also lending her aid over at the moment, and will view this as a somewhat drastic measure. Should she question this, or even try to impede your progress. Stand your ground. You are a princess, this is your castle, and this is of the highest priority right now. If, for some, reason you should fail in convincing her, show her this scroll. Although she might not agree with it immediately, Luna will at least allow you to continue.

I wish I didn't have to put you in this situation, and I wish I could be more descriptive as to my sudden sense of urgency, but this is a matter of utmost secrecy and security. If the creature you described is what I believe it to be, many lives could be in danger.

I will be there tomorrow afternoon, so before you rest for the night, please make sure you place some of the night guard on the task of assembling the said blueprint whilst keeping a close watch over it.

I will see you soon. Until then, please keep yourself safe, my faithful student.

~Princess Celestia

P.S. Luna, this is real. Don't even try to argue with me. You owe me after that Mullen Mouth incident.

P.S.S. Twilight, I am concerned for you and I would like to make time for us to speak about your letter. Please find me when you are free tomorrow. Otherwise, I am sure I will find you sometime tomorrow.

"...Oh Buck." I whispered almost in reflex. As I felt the sudden chill in my spine after reading that, I glanced over toward the other sleeping ponies, then back to the scroll. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I reread it again just to see if this was a joke or if I simply misread it, but there was no mistake.

What is this? What in Tartarus is this? WHAT IS THIS?!?

What did Edgar do to get himself in trouble? Celestia didn't discover that he was lying already, did she? No, there's no way she could have. She wasn't even here to meet him yet. And secondly, what super-magical properties??? Last time we checked, he was anti-magic. Wait...if he's in trouble, what does that make me? I've had my fair share of issues with Ponyville, and since I lead Edgar here, they'll probably see me as an accomplice to whatever they think he was doing.

...We have to get out here. As I started to sneak toward the door, I felt a large burst of wind and bright flash of light behind me.

"I'll even show you the letter." I heard Twilight's voice whisper loudly from behind me as there was a large, papery crinkle sound.

Buck!

I turned around and saw Twilight and Spike, both looking at a very large, dark pony that was reading the scroll. The parchment was blocking her face, but with a horn THAT long peeking over the page and the fact that I don't suffer from short term memory loss, I know that has to be Princess Luna.

Double Buck!

Due to her horn moving from the left and right, I assuming she was shaking her head.

"We are unconvinced." Princess Luna said. "Surely this is a badly thought out jest."

"I don't think Princess Celestia is the type to joke in a time like this. Look, it's her seal." Twilight pointed out with hoof. She was biting her lip in nervousness as she waiting for Luna's answer.

"Of all the foolish, moronic, absolutely..." Princess Luna said, her anger starting to rise. As the tone of her voice started to raise, it stopped all of a sudden as I heard her exhale deeply through her nose. I could have sworn I saw a dark mist coming out from the other side of the parchment. The voice still had anger to it, but sounded almost like a whisper-yell."Why in Tartarus are we wasting resources better spent on securing our township with imprisoning an ally!?!"

They haven't noticed me yet.

I don't know it was the poor lighting of the room, if it was them being distracted with all of this being thrown at them, or if I was just naturally really stealthy, but I figured it would probably be a very good idea if I skedaddled the heck out of the room as slowly and quietly as possible. Putting one hoof behind the other, I backpedaled towards the door of Twilight's room while they were distracted by what they were speaking of.

*Clip-Clop*

Ohhhh, why are hooves so LOUD?

Amazingly enough, none of the ponies seemed to notice that hooves make noise on tile as I made my way to the door...but it looks like the drake just did.

"Uhhh, Twilight?" Spike said, nudging Twilight as he stared at me.

"One second, Spike. This is important." She brushed off, completely oblivious to me making my way out. Whether it is just dumb luck or fate I wasn't going to let the fact that they were that distracted go to waste. "Maybe Celestia knows something we don't. I haven't lived as long as you both have, and you were gone for a thousand years." She tried to reason, almost as if to convince herself more then Luna.

*Clip-Clop Clip-Clop*

Come on, the door is RIGHT THERE!!!!

I was inches away from the door. If I could juuuust reach it...

"Twilight, I Reeeeally think you shoul-"

"Spike, is this really the time? "Twilight whispered in a frustrated tone. As she was now fixating her gaze on him for a few moments before turning back to Princess Luna.

The young drake rolled his eyes and huffed. He looks like he's been through this song and dance before, and turned back toward me. This time however, he raised his claws and...shooed me away, as if to say "carry on".

...

*Clip-Clop Clip-Clop*

After what felt like an eternity of agonizing the tension, I finally place my hoof on the door and get ready to push it open.

"Are you suuuure, Twilight?"

"SPIKE, what is so important that you have to keep interrupting-"

*SSSQUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAK*

I barely even tapped the door to open it before the weight of the door caused it to start to swing open on its own, causing an excruciatingly long squeak of an unoiled door hinge to interrupt all other sounds in the room.

...Are you serious.

Slowly, the other mares in the room started to wake up with yawns and mumbles. The door's high pitch screech was enough to wake them but more importantly, it gained the attention of the two Princesses, as Princess Luna lowered the letter from the front of her face with her magic aura casting a light right at my silhouette. The magic from her horn illuminated her face, showing that she was not amused. She had an annoyed look, and I could have sworn I saw her left-eye twitch. Twilight also seemed a little worried as she looked at me and then shifted her eyes between Luna and I a few times.

...

*SSSQUUEEEEAK*

I tried to continue opening the door faster before but it was stopped by a blue glow of Princess Luna's Magic.

"I have to go to the restroom?" I lied with the vain hope that she would believe me.

"Hold it in." Princess Luna commanded as the door behind me shifted itself closed with an Azure blue glow. A click signified that the door was locked by her. "Let us have small discussion, Miss Lulamoon. Tell us how you have become acquainted with Edgar."

.....Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck

***Edgar's Pov***
*Current time*

"Can I ask where you're taking me?" I asked the guards.

"No."

"Could we at least go grab something to eat?"

"No."

"Please? I'm starving here!"

'No."

"Is "no" the only thing you guys can say?" I asked rhetorically. The male pegasus on my right didn't say anything else after that, and in the back of my mind I gave a little mental cheer that he didn't say no again. On my left however, the Female Thestral that stayed silent and seemed to think about this for moment before smiling a cheeky little grin.

"No."

That did little to help my mood

It isn't every day that I'm being escorted down the hall of a tree castle to either be executed, thrown into a prison, or experimented on. Most would think I am just having an hyperactive imagination and I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, and they are probably right. But when I am getting escorted to an unknown location, for an unknown reason, and all I am getting out of the ten armored ponies that are escorting me are grunts and "no's", I can get pretty freaking worried.

The makeup of the Guards seem to be a mix all the races of ponies that I have seen so far, though with the Pegasi and Earth Ponies the closest to me. They seem to be split half and half on either side of me, with a mixed formation of Solar and Lunar guards.

While their walks are relatively slow, it was clear that they wanted to speed things up as they took very deliberate and calculated steps. They just couldn't cause while I was doing the best I could, it still hurt to walk. That's not to say that I probably couldn't. While I kept feeling dull thumps from each step that felt, the biggest pain and annoyance I felt was from the Bandages that were chaffing me and restricting my movements, and this fucking headache that just won't go away.

Surely they noticed shear amount of bandages Fluttershy put on me. At the very least, they could have got me a walking cane or something to help with this Cancerous Migraine. What would they even give me? An icepack, Advil...Horse Tranquilizers? Eh, the later is seemingly more tempting by the second.

As we made a right turn, my eyes fell upon a white double-door down the hallway. It was big and obvious, so if I had to make a guess, I would have assumed that that is where these guards wanted to take me. I sped my hobbling up, just to get this over with and have a chance to rest my feet. As I suspected, the royal guards with hastened their walk to match me.

This proved to be a very stupid move, as I started to feel dizzy and nauseous, to the point where if I actually ate something this morning, I would have threw it up. My body couldn't keep up with the physical and mental CrossFit that I was putting myself through however, and my left leg buckled and I stared to topple over.

Oh...I guess I'll die then.

I was saved from the incoming deathblow when a thestral guard caught my fall in a very Luna-Like manner, catching me with her side, and using her left wing to wrap around my other side to stop me from sliding over another direction. The other Pegasi on the right gripped my bandages on my right arm with his teeth to try and stabilize me. The rest of the guard squad stopped immediately in their tracks to form a wall both in front and behind me, Half of them facing away and scanning for any possible threats. The other half looking toward my direction to keep an eye on me. One thing that noticed was that whether it be with magic, their teeth, or their hooves, they were prepared to draw the gladius on their sides.

"Careful there, Speedy," Grunted the female bat pony in a playful tone, "If you go too fast, you might end up needing more bandages, and I doubt your mare-friend would like that." Mare-friend?!? As I slowly pushed myself off her back with my free hand, she started to push herself up a little farther to help me, while the Pegasus on the other side started to pull me up too. "Uuuuuup we go!" exclaimed the thestral as I stood up straight. After she seemed sure that I was stable, she motioned with her hooves and we all kept walking toward the double-doors.

"You doing alright, Romeo?" The thestral asked. The bat pony then turned to look at me with a half smile and deep scarlet eyes that I recognized from yesterday.

"Oh hey, you're that chick from yesterday." I thought out loud. There was no mistaking it. She had the same dark azure hair with red highlights peeking from the tips of her hair near the bottom of her helmet, and her piercing Scarlet eyes that seemed to be staring into my soul. "God, I know your name, it's on the tip of my tongue...uuuuuh Ruby?" I guessed.

"I didn't tell you my name." she said with a smug smile "...And I'm not a "chick". I ain't got a beak or back-half of a lion for a behind."

"...Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? What's sooooo crazy!" I guffawed, looking away as I felt heat rise to my cheeks. Feeling stabilized thanks to the help of the royal guards on my sides, I decided to break away from the topics. "Well I think that we spent too much time dilly-dallying, so think its just about time to get a move on." I started to walk forward to the dreaded double-doors in front of me, as did the other guards seeing as I started moving again. All except for the still unnamed thestral guard.

"Nope, bump the breaks," She stated as she raised her hoof, causing all the other guards to stop and stand at attention. She then trotted in front of me, then "about-faced" toward my direction. "You still didn't answer my question." She declared, her eyes and head trailing up and down as if she was sizing me up, sniffing the air around me as she does. "You don't look so hot, Romeo. Your face is flushed and you've been sweating cold this entire walk." With one eyebrow raised in playful suspicion, she started her Sherlock impersonation again. "You doin' alright, hun? You aren't nervous over a tea party with the Princesses, are you? We can go back and take a nap together if it'll make you feel better?" She teased with concern hidden in her teasing.

...

.......

That's where I was going?!?!?

The Pegasus Solar Guard that helped me up sighed in annoyance, and shook his head.

"Need I remind you that that everything is strictly need-to-know, and that we were told not to tell the treasured guest where he was going?" He cautioned, moving his eyebrows in a way that just screamed Take a Hint.

"Oh come on, it's not like our treasured guest wouldn't find out in the next two minutes anyway." She defended. While she did her best try and justify that slip, I could not get over her word choice. "Treasured" is not the choice of word I would have used.

I know that I should try to keep myself grounded and remind myself that this is a real world, with real people and real situations, but I keep thinking back to the stories and fanfictions I have read before. Typically in these stories, whether it is adventure, action, horror, or slice of life, there is something called a Rising action. Usually its connected to relevant incidents that create suspense, interest, and tension in a narrative. If I was to go by that logic, that would mean that the Glass cage I found myself in earlier is connected to the meeting I'm about to have with the Princesses. I doubt they put that there just because it goes so well with the decor, so if it is for some negative reason, I can't help but get even more frightened then I already was. It's not like I could just book it out of here very easily either with all these bandages surrounding my body.

I was suddenly broken out of my thoughts by a voice addressing me.

"...Ah shit, you are spooked..." The female guard said as her smug smile slowly started to fade as her eyes met mine. She looked deep into my eyes, and for a moment I could almost sense a sort of protective aura from her. "Hey~..." she said as she pointed her hoof downwards. I only looked confused as she then pointed at me, then pointed down. I took this as an invitation to get closer to her own eye level, so I leaned down as far as I could without getting nauseous or off-balance. She then put her hoof on my chin and tilted it to make sure that I was looking right at her scarlet orbs, and spoke.

"Relax," she reassured, a smile starting to sprout again. "You're going to be in a room with two of the nicest ponies in Equestria. At least, they're way nicer than I am. If this was a trial, you wouldn't have been sleeping in a better room than us. Myself and my Centurii are stuck in barracks and tents while you got a nice, secure, and snug bedroom in Princess Twilight's castle. Canterlot snobs wish they could have gotten a room with your view." Adopting the smug smile from before, she took her hoof out from under my chin and then proceeded to ruffle my hair with it. "So don't sweat it, nothing bad is going to happen. I promise."

Almost like she practiced this speech in her head, she closed both her eyes, tilted her head slightly, and gave a big toothy grin, of which her fangs that were about a half-inch poked out.

I really wanted to still be worried after that. after all, I didn't want to let my guard down depending on what might happen, considering I'm two for two on "[iDays that I could have died on]". But there was something about the way she said it. How she was so confident that I couldn't help but feel myself ease up quite a bit.

If this was gonna get Game of Throne-sy, it would have happened by now, right? I just gotta go in with a cool head, and show that I am the smart, heroic, and still approachable person they think I am...

Oͫ̎r̝͍̳̹̭͚̄̌ͬ̐́ .̶͕̼̼̎ͥ͐ͭ̃͒.̩̞͇̹̇ͤ̊.̨͎̪ͦ̇ͬ̅̓t̖̿ͨ̂h͎̘̟̜͖̙̮ͥę͉ͪ̌͛ͦ̓͊m̵̝̜.̴̞͓͔̓͋̉.̢̪̰̲̑̋͐̂ͯ̓.̷̌ͥ̈̍.͓͕̬͈̑ͧ ̖̺̜̻͉͕͍͊̂ṯ̱̪͈̲̺͈̌ͦ̊ȓ͓͙̭̣͇̈̕u̳͇͎͓̬͓̱ͭ̉t͗̐̏̚h̬̪̭͚͛.̧̪̞̂̆͊̏͐ͥ.̦͍̓̽͜.̮̮̖̖̥̥̫ͧ̒͋̆ͨ̐

"...What?" I asked out-loud, prompting the unicorn that was standing off to the side of me to speak up.

"Do not worry, Edgar." He spoke in a very business-like tone "I was just asking if I needed to remind our commanding officer that the Princesses are expecting us at any moment?"

"Do I remind you to suck my dick, Flash?" The thestral chick who's name yet alludes me chides back.

"You don't have a dick." another Pegasi of to the side of me noted.

"I do. In fact, I'm stuck foal-sitting an entire squad is full of dicks and assholes who keep trying to tell their acting officer what to do." She grunted with mild annoyance and a commanding tone. "You're all stiffs. Honestly, can't wait to get back my Centurii.

Damn...

"Anyway, if you're feeling up to it, we can head on over now. You're practically already there." The thestral encouraged.

Well, there is no time like the present.

She walked up to the double doors and opened it enough for her to be visible to the ponies inside.

"Your majesties, our Treasured Guest is here." She said, giving a polite bow toward the ponies inside. I soon heard Luna's voice call out.

"We thank thee for thy service, First Centurion. Please send Edgar in posthaste."

The bat pony look my direction, and nodded me toward the room with a smile. I took this as sign that I should start walking in.

"Thanks." I said as I start to walk forward.

"No worries. Good luck in there" the bat pony waved me off. As I was about to enter the doors, I heard her speak once more. "By the way...it's Scarlett."

"I'm sorry?"

"My name. Scarlett." She finally revealed as she started to sashay away, letting her hips move in a way that does not seem to have any decorum you would expect from a royal guard, her tail flicking left and right. Before leaving for good, I see a cool smile as she looks back my direction. A few other Lunar guards followed her in suit, while the rest of the solar guards started to take up posts a small distance away from the double doors I was standing in front of. "See you around, Romeo."

Do they have even have Shakespeare here? Also, why do I feel so lightheaded all of a sudden?

I passed through the double doors to take in my surroundings. This room gave off the impression of a sort of parlor, with the intention of entertaining guests or foreign dignitaries. Sitting in the middle of the room were two couches, each facing each other. In between the two was an ornate coffee table, with some fancy tea and tea accessories to go along with it. On the much larger, chalice silver colored couch sat two Alicorns. One of a pure white coat and prismatic mane, the other darker coated one I already met. Regardless, I could recognize both in a heartbeat.

Celestia, in all her regal glory was sitting on a couch pouring herself some of what I assumed was tea in an adorably pink teacup while Luna had a white souvenir coffee mug of black liquid in a glowing magical aura, with the engraved with the words "No Maidens" with an close-up shot of the top part of her face below the text, looking as if it was pitying who was looking upon the picture. Something just seems surreal about that, any other day I feel that it would lighten the mood. Unfortunately, all that was on my mind was that God-awful music that nobody else can seem to hear playing in the background. Though, there as something wrong with this music. While I admit that for the first hearing it it sounds beautiful, it sounds almost...threatening. At least, the undertones were.

"Ah, so you must be the "infamous" Edgar I've been hearing so much about. Both Twilight and Luna have told me so much about you. Isn't that right, Luna?" She greeted with a warm and friendly smile.

"Hi." I greeted before giving a short bow of my head. I stayed in my spot for a moment or so, not quite sure what to do next. Celestia shook her head and used her hoof to wave me over.

"Oh don't be shy, come over here and take a seat." Celestia beckoned with a motherly smile that promised nothing but grace. "We don't bite."

Being careful not to trip in front of Celestia of all ponies, I waddled my self way over to the adjacent couch.

I noticed that although both the Alicorns looked at me with very attentively, they both had noticeable bags under their eyes. All the while the music started to getting more noticeable.

"Hey, do you guys hear that by any chance?" I asked, hoping that they heard the music. After the two alicorns looked at each other and seemed to strain their ears, they looked back at me.

"I am afraid I am not sure what you are talking about." Celestia told me. "Do you mean the castle staff roaming the halls or the guards that just dropped you off?"

"Eh, must be my imagination." I lied. I was about to answer her, but I decided against it. It will probably end up the same anyway. I would talk about the music, they would look at me like I was crazy, and we would move along like nothing happened until we do the exact same thing a little later.

"...Very well. Would you like some tea, perchance? It's a Goldenbrew maple blend." Celestia offered.

I don't even know what that means, but it sounds fancy. Therefore, it has to be delicious. I nodded, and Celestia poured me a cup and levitated it over to me. Just like when Trixie offered me wine a couple days ago, I quickly snatched it from her magical grasp.

"Heh, sorry. There's a story behind that."

Celestia looked confused for a moment before it hit her.

"Ahhh, that's right. Your magical "immunity"." Celestia clicked her tongue. Her horn started to glow, but after a few moments, it stopped. "Simply remarkable. I don't have any control of that tea cup anymore. That reminds me of why we summoned you here. I do hope you are finding you accommodations suitable."

"I could do less with the whole "SCP" thing you have going on right now, but it's nicer than any hotel I've been to. What's with that, anyway?" I asked her, taking a drink of the maple tea she offered. It tasted kinda like Black tea with an aftertaste of lemon and... sweet maple syrup? "Thaaaaat's weird." I said as I put the cup down. It's wasn't awful, per say. It's just a strange combination.

A strange combination that I wouldn't order if I had the choice.

Celestia chuckled at my reaction.

"You remind me of when I first tried it. The Goldenbrew Maple's leaves make for some of the most interesting flavors of tea. Right before Fall, it expels its unhealthy sap into its leaves as waste, infusing them with its nutrients. Coincidentally, the sap that's unhealthy for it is healthy for adult ponies, and it is really good for waking a pony up for the day." Celestia said, leaning in and giving an almost giddy whisper "... I didn't even have to add any sugar for it to taste as sweet as it does. It's all in the leaves, and its paleo if you are into that sort of thing!"

Luna gave a sigh as she pinched her nose.

"I don't see how you think anypony other than yourself would enjoy that abomination you call a beverage."

"Oh come on Luna, it will catch on eventually. Not to mention the vitamins and minerals in the leaves are essential to a growing mare's health."

"If you grow anymore, we'll have to build a bigger throne for you."

Shots fired!

"You don't need to be jealous Luna. I make this look good." She defended as she pointed at herself. To be fair, she was about as wide as I was, but she didn't look fat. "Besides, It's a gluten-free beverage that can keep you awake when you need it most. It is a superfood!"

"Coffee is the exact same thing." Luna deadpanned. "Only it tastes better. We hath told thee we should have just made more Prench roast."

"We?!? There was nothing stopping you from asking for more to be made. Besides, you always make the coffee is too strong and nigh undrinkable without adding enough sugar or cream to turn it into mud." Celestia said taking another sip of her tea and giving a hum of delight.

"I work for a living, Tia. If my coffee is too strong for you, you clearly never needed the energy boost. Besides, thou art one to speaketh of such things when thy tea is already undrinkable regardless of the copious condiments you infuse in it."

Celestia just deadpanned at Luna for a couple seconds as a magical aura surrounded her teapot, pouring herself another cup."...You're drinking bean water."

"Thou art drinking leaf juice!"

"♫~Bean wateeer~♫"

"Leaf juice!"

"♫~Beeean wateeer~♫"

"Leaf Juice!"

If this was anything like any of online comics or fanfiction that I've read, this would probably go on forever. I wouldn't have minded watching them bicker, and I probably would have thought it was hilarious if that ominous music wasn't going on in the background. At least it got me to focus on more serious matters, like "why was I was locked in a glass cage for a couple hours with little to no contact with anyone?"

"Umm, excuse me?" I interrupted with some regret. I was actually enjoying that. "I don't mean to be rude, but you said you needed me for something?"

"Hopefully not anytime soon." Celestia said a little too quickly before catching herself. "We summoned you here because we wanted to talk."

Trying to brush off the subtle attitude that seemingly came out of nowhere, I questioned her again.

"...You just wanted to talk?" I asked with a little confusion.

"Yes, just talk." Luna said.

"Ummmm, okaaay?" I said mildly awkward and confused. It's amazing really, because you'd think there would be a lot to talk about with the battles and the prisons and the fact that it shouldn't be possible for me to talk with them or anybody else in this place. Really, I at least want to bring up the recent changes to my room (mainly the glass box thing), but that would probably be a little forward if I was just to bring it up outright. I wouldn't want to overstep my bounds or anything, so I decided to play it safe and start with something easy. "So, how's the weather today."

I felt the ghost of Cringemas-past hovering over me, and I know that this was this cliché opener was the best I could come up, though neither princess seemed to mind.

"However we want it to be, but it is rather nice." Celestia mused. "How are you enjoying your time in Equestia? This is likely not the warmest reception that you could have received, but we are glad that you are okay."

"Well, I am a bit hungry. Actually, really hungry. I hadn't had breakfast yet."

Celestia frowned.

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that. We are working on distributing aid among the townsfolk until we get a proper handle on the situation, but I don't believe you were the top priority." Celestia then gave a reassuring smile. "This shouldn't take long, and once we are done, I can send orders to our custodians to bring you something." She took a sip of her tea, then poured herself another cup.

"Now, a little birdie told me that you were not from around here, and that you recently stumbled upon Equestria a couple of days ago..."

"Yeah," I answered, preparing to give most of the story of what has happened thus far in my own words. "I was driving home, listening to some tunes on the radio when suddenly everything went pitch black. Now it would have been strange even if it was nighttime, but I was driving home in the middle of the day. The road started to get bumpy, I kept hearing the cracks of branches as I was driving over them. I thought I had gone off road, so I flipped on my headlights and It was the weirdest thing I ever saw. I saw Trixie battling a d-"

"A dragon," Celestia finished for me. "Yes, we are well aware. Miss Lulamoon has great admiration for that feat, and she appears to be quite the fan of you".

"You spoke with Trixie?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. How much has been happening since I was asleep?

Celestia shook her head.

"I did not speak with her personally, but my sister spoke with her at great lengths in the early hours of the morning. How much do you know about her? Do you know what type of pony she is?" Celestia questioned with a tilted head, as if to gauge my reaction.

That is a weird transition, and I'm getting the feeling that something else going on here. Luckily, what Celestia doesn't know is that I have had a birds-eye view on My Little Pony since a few months after the show came out.

"Why yes, as a matter of fact. She is a traveling magician who helped me find my way here." I told her.

"And did she tell you why she was ran out of this town on numerous occasions?" Celestia interrogated. "...Did she even tell you she was ran out of this town at all, and that she avoided this town?"

"...Because she tried to enslave Ponyville?" I said slowly with an uneasy shrug.

ow, shouldn't have shrugged

Celestia's eyes widened in surprise, though I can't tell if this is her acting or if it was genuine.

"Really?!?" She questioned, eyebrows raised and a shocked face adorning her. "If it were a few hundred years ago, she would have been put to death for that, or worse, she could have been imprisoned in stone and buried somewhere that we could have easily forgotten the location of." She said, just casually dropping that as if she did not give that much thought. Resting her head on one of her hooves, she shook her head. "Thank the heavens nopony was seriously harmed, but she had the means and a motivation to do far worse. You know that she was responsible this and yet you still traveled with her? That is curious, and does not look good for you."

That's not fair! Back in the show, she was being corrupted by the Alicorn Amulet. She held a grudge, but she was not "all-there" that episode either. She sincerely had remorse at the end of the episode.

I almost spoke out to defend her with this fact, but I caught myself. At least I am getting better at that.

"Well she's not a bad pony. On the same night that she met me, Trixie gave me food, water, and a place to sleep. She's even helping me find a way back home. She just came here to apologize about everything she did." I defended, before doing a double take at what she just said. "Wait...what do you mean it doesn't look good for me? What do I have to do with it?"

"I mean, it all seems very strange..." Celestia started. "You were "ripped" from your home and coincidentally showed up during Trixie's life or death encounter. Then, you made your way here with the same mare that, up until recently, had bounties placed on her capture. It is then revealed that this same mare, who my dear student described as being mischievous and really good at conning other ponies into believing her tall tales, suddenly mended all her ways and lends her aid to a creature she had only met only the day before going to Ponyville. They then travel to the town to ask the aid of Princess Twilight, who this con-mare should have every reason to hate, simply to ask to return you home. Cui bono?"

"Ummmm" I ummed, still not sure what she is suggesting.

Cui bono? I think I heard that phrase from my history class before, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is supposed to mean.

"That is not even the half of it. Upon arriving, they find that in a bizarre set of coincidences they arrive the exact moment an attack is going on. The creature that was clearly outnumbered, yet not outmatched and managed to not only defeat the army AND a Changeling Queen, he does it with minimal injuries and, Luna correct me if I'm wrong," Celestia's horn started to glow, and from behind the couch two black splintered pieces of wood started to rise, with the handle being stained in dark green blood. "A wooden sword?"
...

"I'm almost done Edgar. I am recapping these events as they were explained, as I am still have a few questions lingering in the back of my mind...and I am not sure I would like the answers...this is your chance to prove me wrong."

Brows furrowed, Celestia's eyes narrowed as she leaned in.

"One...Why would Trixie risk bringing a creature as strong and fierce as you into Ponyville, to the same town that has humiliated her on multiple occasions? Two...if the changelings were not already attacking Ponyville, how do you think events would have played out if it was just the two of you in Ponyville. Three...Trixie offered to take you to Ponyville to get you home. A logical pony would assume this is some form of repayment for a sort of "life debt" that she might owe you for saving her from that Dragon, but I can't shake the feeling that she offered this because she would have something to gain from you. However, I can't fathom what it could be. It doesn't sound like she benefits from helping you in this situation."

Luna chimed in.

"Cui bono, Edgar? Did Trixie ask anything in exchange for your return home?" Luna asked in suspicion.

I am not the sharpest knife in the crayon box, but are they insinuating that I was brought here to do something terrible? I am just as lost as they are!

I was about to speak, but I was not even able to get a single sound out before I was interrupted by the prime interrogator in this conversation.

"Stop," Celestia interrupted, holding a hoof in front of her with her eyes closed. "Before you start answering these questions, you should know that we can not force you to tell the truth. While we have the power to invoke truth from those we have doubts about, it is based on magic and would not work on one such as you..." She then opened her eyes and stared into me, like a lioness contemplating her meal. " ...But my sister has used this magic on Miss Lulamoon last night."

This sentence caused my heart to sink, then slowly pick up the pace quicker than before. I can almost hear the beating right now. I glanced over at Luna, and she nodded with an neutral expression that I just could not decipher. The motherly vibe I got from watching episodes with Celestia and the adorable view I had of Luna were all gone in this moment, and I can't help but feel more threaten than when I encountered Telsona.

I haven't even done anything wrong. I am just sitting here, and I'm feeling like I am fighting for my life. All they are doing is staring and asking questions!

"We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Trixie Lulamoon was telling us her truth, or what she believed with all her heart to be true, and if you are indeed telling the truth, we should hope to hear similar answers."

"Well...I mean... yea, it sounds really suspicious when you put it like that." I admitted...

Okay, you can do this. Just keep it short and simple.

"Alright. One? I don't know. Two? Twilight would get me in touch with you and Luna. And three...?" I paused while rattling off these answers.

Why has she gone out of her way to help me?

"...She said she was already planning on going to Ponyville to repair her reputation, but I don't think I have anything to do with that. That's her business."

That part is true, and I am rooting for Trixie, but that is mostly because I feel as if I known her for a long time the episodes I have watched and the stories I read. She has been going out of her way to help me, and we even worked together to get into the castle almost without knowing anything about me, apart from my time with her these past two days. When anyone else would probably run away from me or from Ponyville during this attack, she didn't. She showed that she was worried about me plenty of times, but that seems a bit out of character for someone she just met.

Celestia wore a neutral face just the same as Luna had, nodding as I was speaking.

"Okay, and how were you able to fight this "Queen Telsona" with a stick?" She asked, the tension easing in her voice.

"Its not as unlikely as you may think, sister. Against any armored opponent or anything with a thick shell like giant bugs or crabs, A bludgeon like clubs or maces are usually the best weapon to use." She explained. Celestia sighed as she shook her head. Almost as if to prove a point, she tilted it back and forth in Luna's face.

"Lulu, it's a stick, and not even made from a durable hickory at that." Celestia deadpanned. "It's not made for war, and it would have broke before he could any serious damage to a changeling's natural armor, let alone a Queen's chitin."

"Right, it wasn't. Which is why she got stabbed in the eye with the splintered piece." I said confidentially.

"That's not to mention that regular changeling Chitin isn't nearly as strong. If anypony gave a good strike to the temple or the sternum, they should go down relatively fast. It is not unheard of to use an improvised weapon if that is what it takes, isn't that right Edgar?" Luna said, looking at me like I knew both know what we were talking about.

"...Yeeah! Anybody with half a brain should know that!" I said, gaining Luna's approval. Celestia just stared at Luna in disbelief, before turning back to me.

"And what about everything before that? How did you go from encountering her to stabbing her eye out? You seem to be missing some steps, and how you can accomplish that task is beyond my imagination."

A blush crept to my face as I remember her pinning me down and...trying to seduce me.

"I am sorry, but it is a bit difficult to remember. Everything was a bit of a blur. High adrenaline and all that." I lied.

"Celestia, is the minutia really necessary? She is gone right now and Edgar survived." Luna remarked, seemingly trying to change the subject to something else.

"Luu-Naaaa~?" Celestial nagged. With Luna giving an affirmative nod, Celestia rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, I know there are things you aren't telling us, but as I already said, we can't make you tell us." She tool a sip from her cup, and with the teapot surrounded in Celestia's magic, she refilled my cup with tea without me asking. "What about the Melody magic that you have been causing?"

"I'm sorry, the what?" I asked. I heard Trixie say something about that before, but I have no idea what they are talking a-

"Melody magic. You mean you haven't sang with ponies, danced, or heard any form of music come from seemingly out of nowhere? No instances of spontaneous musical numbers to be seen? Both Twilight and Luna were both corroborating this happening yesterday." Celestia questioned with raised eyebrows.

Hold on a second.

"Wait, you know about it? You can hear it too?" I asked, causing the other two heads in the room to turn immediately to me. "What about now? Can you hear the song playing right now?"

Celestia and Luna both looked confused for a moment before their ears started move, almost as if to the invisible violins in the background. Apparently they did hear it because soon their eyebrows raised in shock, Luna's lip giving the slightest quiver as both Alicorn's were half-slack-jawed in disbelief.

"How..."

I could have sworn I heard one of them murmur something, but it was much to quiet for me to hear. They soon looked to each other and enveloped themselves in their own magic auras for a couple seconds, soon having it fade. Soon after, I heard a magical chime around me, and for just a brief moment the room shined brighter for a split-second before dimming back to its original color.

"It's subtle, isn't it...? Yes, we can hear it now." Celestial admitted as she eyeballed me. "Before, we have been hearing it almost constantly as of recently. And it has come about much more recently ever since you've shown up."

"You don't think I'm doing it, are you? I mean I don't even know what the hell this "melody magic" is, but whatever it is I am not doing it."

"What, you expect us to believe that you don't even know you are causing this melody magic?" Celestia interrogated.

"It can't all be him, sister. After all, a tragedy did just happen very recently and our subjects are likely still distraught and emotional." Luna chimed in, almost as if she was playing Devil's advocate.

"I mean sure, I heard the music stuff plenty of times. I seemed to be the only one that heard it a lot of times, and some of it seemed familiar, but I'm not doing it!" I defended, getting a little antsy at her look. It was starting to become more agitated. "Uhhh, what did you just do?"

"That was a sound-proofing spell. Nothing can hear what is being said in this room." Celestia told me.

"Ummm...why?" I ask slowly, since this was starting to make me a little uneasy. It was reminding me of certain shows on HBO.

You know the ones.

"Honestly, it should have been the first thing we have done when you walked in. We don't want anypony getting caught up in whatever influence the melody magic might cause. Additionally, we feel it prudent to stop ponies from spying on our conversations all "Willy-filly". From what I heard, a guard was already spying on a conversation between my sister and you which should have stayed secret." She stirred in a sugar-cube as she into her tea. She then looked up and saw the obvious concern on my face. "Is there something wrong Edgar? You do seem tense."

I HAVE BEEN TENSE EVER SINCE I WALKED INTO THIS FUCKING ROOM! Its honestly starting to feel like that music was there for a good reason, but I can't be bothered to wrap my head around it because of all this pounding headache!

"I'm fine," I lied. Conveniently, my stomach rumbled right at that moment. "I'm...I'm just a little hungry!" I semi-truthed with what I am sure was a convincing light-hearted smile.

"That it? You're hungry?" Celestia asked with a raised eyebrow. I nodded my head energetically. "That's right, you mentioned that earlier."

"I haven't eaten anything since yesterday, and even then all I had was a can of peaches and half a banana." I told her, hoping to try and throw her off my scent.

"Well, that..."Celestia looked like she was gonna tell me to wait again, but then she raised an eyebrow and turned toward Luna. Luna's horn was glowing, and within a few moments Celestia's horn started to glow. Celestia shook her head and looked back with a soften expression? "...that certainly won't do. I wish that I took the care to make myself aware of how little you actually had to eat."

Celestia gracefully got up from her spot on the two Princess's couch, stretching her legs as it seems as if she had been there for quite a while.

"I'll take a short leave of absence to see if I can rustle up some food for us." Celestia looked to Luna then looked at me. "Behave you two... and remember Luna; no tonsil-hockey while I am gone..." after that, she teleported, leaving a flash of light and a slowly fading silhouette made of what looks like glitter.

D...Did she just?

"TIA!" Luna gasped in a flustered manner, a tinge of deep purplish-red blush painting against her face as she embarrassingly glanced between me and the afterimage formally known as "Celestia". I doubt I was faring much better as I felt that tingly buzz you get in your face when you know your blushing. Honestly, it was a bit more refreshing than the unreadable expressions she had earlier, and is a bit of a godsend that I won't take for granted anytime soon.

Luna turned back to me, but when our eyes met we both looked away just as quickly, leaving an air of awkward silence. In the ensuing silence, I was trying to figure out what I was going to say. I couldn't think for anything to say however, so I just resigned to the silence and started to admire the lovely chandelier that was dangling above us. Now that I think about it, I was kind of glad that it was quiet. It was a preferable alternative to Celestia's voice right now.

What the hell was that all about? That was not at all what I imagined Celestia would be like. She looked so much nicer on the show, so why was she being so... so damn bitchy to me? I haven't done anything to her, and I know that I certainly didn't deserve the treatment she was giving me right then and there. She had bitch resting face for most of the time we were talking. What did I do to deserve this interrogation?

*Ploof*

I felt a depression on the couch that I was sitting in, and when I turned I saw Princess Luna sitting right next to me. Well, more like I "looked up" to see Luna sitting next to me. If we were standing she probably would have came up to my chin, though if you counted her horn she was taller. Since we were both sitting down though, she probably towered over me by about half a foot. She was still trying to avoid my gaze like we were doing a little while ago, only this time her tail was flicking back and forth in an almost "tick-tock" rhythm. Eventually the silence was starting get to me, so I started to clear my throat but Luna beat me to it with a sigh.

"We apologize for our sister," Luna groaned as she shook her head whilst facepalming (facehoofing?). "She infuriates us sometimes. Taking any chance she can to embarrass us." Luna cleared her throat, obviously wanting to change the subject. "Edgar. We have been meaning to ask how thy bruises are mending. You seemed to be fairing well with the walking, true?" Luna asked.

Well, if you don't count the time walking here, yea. I'm feeling a bit better now.

"Yea, I think I'm doing alright, though I think I have a killer migraine. I'm still a little sore, but it's the type of sore that you get after going to the gym for a couple hours. I think I might be able to stretch pretty good if it wasn't for these bandages." I said, kind of hoping to get these bandages off of me since they were starting to feel a little constrictive.

"You are probably dehydrated. We are not fans of the tea our sister enjoys, but you must drink something. Would you prefer coffee, or water?"

"No, I'm fine. The tea really isn't that bad once you get used to it." I assured. I just gotta think of the maple syrup taste as a sweetener and pretend I smoked a bowl earlier.

"Very well. I pray thee, allowest me to inspect the dressing of thine injuries?" Luna asked, pointing a hoof at my bandages. I think she wanted to look at the bandages, so after a nod from me, I saw that Luna's horn started to glow for a split second before it faded again. She rolled her eyes and gave a sigh. "That shall take some getting used to." She remarked. She then shifted her body my direction. She leaned in and put two of her hooves on my shoulders to brace herself, and pressed her face against my chest, tilting her head so her horn was pointed safely to the side of my head. Upon touch, her hair went from doing an ethereal wave to just hanging off her head and onto the couch with a slight curl at the ends.

This felt weird.

"Uuuuuuh, Luna? What the heck are you doing?" No answer, though I did feel a couple short, hard scrapes on my bandage. "Luuuuuuna. Luna! You still haven't answered m-GAH, HEY!" I said, flinching as I felt a sharp pinch right under my nipple. Luna's head retreated as her face flushed with embarrassment. "Did you just bite me?!?"

"Our sincerest apologies Edgar, we... haven't used our teeth to grab things since we were but a foal." She justified. Carefully, she leaned in slower and successfully grabbed the tip of one of the bandages and shifted it upwards. "They are still noticeable. Because they are so recent, they will look worse before they look better. You do appear to be healing well, however."

"So I can take these off now?" I asked. My hopes were dashed when she grabbed the bandages again and scooted them up to their original spots.

"Kindness likely would not take too kindly to that. We feel that it may be best if they be kept for time being. Whilst I am not a doctor, we would be surprised if this took longer then two days, or even sooner to heal fully." She said, earning a groan from me. Luna took her hooves off of me and rested on the same couch as me, letting out a sigh. After a couple seconds she spoke again. "We're sorry..."

"Hey, it's not your fault that the changelings attacked yesterday," Or that Applejack is a bit of a cunt.

"It is not that, though we extend our apologies for you having to take part in that as well." Luna corrected, before giving a sigh." We... I never did apologize for what I called you earlier. When you said you didn't see a difference between us and Nightmare Moon, I assumed that you meant that in the worst way. And without thinking ahead, I let my anger and frustration get the best of me. I deemed you a "foreigner", and I know that it was most ignorant of us to do so. Could you find it in thy heart to forgive my transgression?" Luna asked, genuinely sad and concerned about what she was apologizing for.

"But I am a foreigner, so you have nothing to apologize." I told her, slightly confused at her apology.

Luna would have none of it.

"No, don't insult yourself to make me feel better." Luna said, shaking her head at me. "We're over a millennia old, and we should hope to be mature enough to understand when we have wronged somepony."

"But I'm not from around here, so I am foreign." I tried to explain, causing Luna to tilt her head in bewilderment.

"...Edgar, what does being a..." Luna paused, almost hesitant to speak again before she swallowed and started again. "What does being a "foreigner" mean to you?"

"It means you're not from around an area, or not native?" I asked, a little unsure of myself now. I knew what the word meant, dammit! But from the way Luna asked that question, it made me feel like I knew nothing. "Why?"

Luna's eyes widened for just split second in surprise before going back to normal, probably from hearing something she wasn't expecting. Her mouth soon formed into an "o" as she nodded at me in understanding.

"You have no idea what we meant when we called you a "foreigner", do you?" Luna asked rhetorically.

"What? But I just told you what it meant!"

"Yes, but that is the most basic form of the word." Luna told me, earning her a dumbfounded expression. Luna seemed to be in thought for a moment. "Oh, how could we explain this? Thou art taking it very literally, and it has different context when we have used it."

"Yeah?" I said, remembering giggling like a little girl when I first heard my friend call my dog a bitch. To be fair, I was twelve.

"A year after I first returned from banishment, I faced social stigma for a month in Canterlot when I accidentally made the son of noble bawl his eyes out at the Grand Galloping Gala." Luna admitted.

"Now how do you "accidentally" manage to do that?" I asked.

"He looked as if he was having a wondrous time, so I remarked upon his merriment. I told all the nobles how gay he was, and how it made me happy how one could be so gay in a place like Canterlot. Truly, he was the gayest stallion in all of Equestria."

"You spread rumors saying he was gay?" I asked, shocked that Luna would be so blunt.

"Back in my time, gay meant "Carefree" or "Joyous"! I didn't know it meant he was a colt-cuddler now." Luna said as she fidgeted in place. "Besides, they didn't turn out to be rumors, and we had brought them out of the broom closet much too early." Luna said much more quietly.

"Okay, but what's this have to with you calling me a foreigner?" I asked. Luna tapped her forehooves together, as if trying to find the best way to word what she was going to say.

"As you know, it's a word that's often used to describe if something is not from this land, but it's more...aggressive." Luna started to explain. "Instead of simply not having origin in Equestria, it is declaring that something just doesn't belong there. That they're not welcome. It is considered an ugly word and I had used it against you with very little hesitation."

"That is a lot to take out of one word." I commented, trying to wrap my head around this. "And why would a world like that have a meaning like that anyway? I thought this was Equestria, the "Land of Love and Tolerance"."

"You have to understand, nearly everything that that has came from outside Equestria's borders had brought destruction and misfortune unto our land." Luna said, seemingly glaring off into the distance. "Changelings, Tirek, Sirens. The list goes on and on of the terrors Equestria has had to deal with. Is it so hard to believe that us ponies would be so distrusting towards those that they are not familiar with?"

"Well, that explains your sister..."

Luna bowed her head in an apologetic way, before meeting eyes with me.

"Our kingdom has not made a single good impression on you since you had arrived, and it appears now that even we, the rulers, had dishonored you. I beseech thine forgiveness, and urge that thou mustn't judge our sister harshly. For millennia, her golden heart has weathered loneliness and shielded our subjects, and despite the pressures of ruling, she had kept it open for all her subjects. There are few whose hearts can compare, and it reveals itself to be both a blessing and a curse..."

With both of her hooves, she grasped my right hand. They felt smooth and hard, but the gentle pressure she applied made it seem protective.

"It is because she cares so much that she was so harsh in her manner of speaking. She is frightened of the safety of our subjects. We are all frightened right now as not long ago, she had made the mistake of not trusting her student during her niece's wedding, and the changelings almost cost us everything." Luna told me, expressing some form of anxiety. Her eyes seemed glassy, and though there no signs of a tremble in her voice, she gave off the impression of someone trying to keep it together. "Not one month ago, we barely managed to drive Tirek back into the abyss that is Tartarus. Yesterday morning, my sister almost lost this town, the ponies, and those special few that she held in the sacred recesses of her heart, and we would not have known until it was too late. The only reason that this hamlet isn't a graveyard is because of you, a foreign creature... and I shall treasure this gift that you have given us."

"Oh...you're welcome."

Oh god, tell me I'm not starting to tear up. I am a manly man who thinks manly things! I don't cry for anyone other than Hachi.

My fears were confirmed when Luna took one of her hooves and wiped away the not-tears that was forming near my eyes, a smile hint of a sweet smile peaking at the corners of her lips.

"You didn't have to do that," I sniffled. "I wasn't about to cry. It is just dusty in here."

"We shall ensure Princess Sparkle's maids are notified of this complaint". Luna shook her head as if to shake off some thoughts and change the subject. "I am sorry that thou had to hark upon our burdens. We suppose none of us hath been receiving much rest as of late. What of thou, Edgar? Doth thou hast any stories thou sayeth to us of thine homeland? We wish to hear of thine memories of merriment!"

I started to compose myself. "Well, my life was pretty boring until now. I really didn't have any interesting stories about my life that I could tell until a day or two ago...However, I do have a story I think you may like. Let me tell you all about The Dark Knight."

"The Dark Knight?" Her ears perked up.

"Yea! So it all started when this super rich kid's parents walk down..."

Author's Note

I think I am gonna start this story back up again. I hope it hasn't been too long or that the fandom hasn't died out.

BTW, Shout if I am missing anything or if I have any grammatical errors, or if anything simply does not make sense. I am getting back into the swing of things.