The train ride up to the Crystal Empire was long and mostly uneventful. The cool clear morning gave way to a bright sunny afternoon and then a cold but clear day as the train traveled further north. Richard spent most of the time alternating between trying to read a book, and planning exactly what he'd say to Princess Cadance when he eventually arrived. What little time remained was spent walking up and down the aisle of the train to try and calm the butterflies in his stomach, trying to block out the stares and hushed whispers of ponies who'd never seen a human before.

It was early evening by the time the train finally rolled into the station, slowing down and coming to a lurching stop.

"Last stop, Crystal Empire!" Yelled the guard. "I repeat, last stop, Crystal Empire!"

Marking his place in his book, Richard put it away in his bag - a hoof-stitched shoulder strapped satchel made of faux leather, it had been a particularly handy Hearthswarming gift from Rarity - and waited for the rush of other ponies leaving the train to die down before standing up. Not feeling in a particular rush, he just watched and waited as several whole family's retrieved their luggage from the other head racks or from beneath their benches, before following them out into the surprisingly warm early evening.

Staring around in fascinated confusion, Richard couldn't help but notice how the endless tundra they'd been traveling through for the last couple of hours ended in what appeared to be a perfect circle around the city, what he could see of it from the station at any rate.

"Wow, this place is amazing," he gasped under his breath, looking around in wonder.

"I take you've never been here before then?" Richard jumped and looked around to see a pony wearing a porters uniform standing a couple of feet away looking directly at him.

"Who me?" Richard asked somewhat embarrassed.

"Of course you," said the porter. "Who else could I be talking to?"

Richard looked around him at the platform and was amazed to see it already clear, the other ponies who'd departed the train with him having already rushed off.

"I guess no one," replied Richard. "Sorry, I didn't realize everypony else had left already."

The porter chuckled, "It's alright. So, if you don't mind me asking, what brings you to the Crystal Empire? I've not seen the likes of you around here before."

"Umm..." Richard hummed nervously, glancing around him while considering his answer. "Well, I kind of have an 'issue' which I was told Princess Cadance might be able to help me with."

"Ahh, is that so? Well, in that case I'd get a move on if I were you." said the porter as he pulled a fob watch out of his jacket pocket and carefully inspected it. "There's only an hour or so left of Court and there is bound to be a queue."

"Thank you very much," said Richard gratefully. "You wouldn't perhaps know the way to the 'court'?"

"That would be at the royal palace," the porter chuckled. "The large crystal structure in the center of town. Go straight from the train station and you can't miss it. Royal guards should be able to help you from there."

"Thanks again. Hope you have a nice rest of the day," said Richard.

"You too, and good luck. I hope the Princess can solve your problem." replied the guard.

'You and me both,' Thought Richard as he turned his back to the guard and made his way out of the station.

As Richard walked down the main thoroughfare , he couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful the Crystal Empire looked. Everyway he turned, there were beautiful buildings all made out of various types of precious gems, all reflecting the early evening sunlight in a dazzling array of colours. He also found that ponies up here - who all looked like they too were made of crystal - were extremely friendly. Instead of the usually stares, pointing, and whispers he had already been greeted several times and even had a few offers to tours of the city. At any other time perhaps he would have taken them up on their offer, however today he was on a mission.

However, Richard was soon stopped in his tracks by an unexpected sight. There, right in the center of the square in front of the royal palace was a large, crystal statue of Spike. At least it looked like him. Since when did Spike get a statue? And why had he never been told? Thinking it might be a case of mistaken identity, Richard spotted a passing female earth pony guard and flagged her down.

"Excuse me, miss. I'm sorta new around here and I was wondering, could you tell me anything about this statue?" Richard asked while pointing.

"What? You mean the statue of Spike, the Brave and Glorious?" The mare asked and he quickly nodded. "Well, the statue of Spike, the dragon, brave hero of the Crystal Kingdom was built in his honour the second time he saved the kingdom."

"Wait," Richard interrupted, "Spike's a hero and he's saved you twice?"

"Why yes," answered the mare. "The first time he saved the kingdom, he kept the crystal heart safe, ripping it from the claws of the dreaded King Sombra. The second time, he saved a stadium full of ponies from a falling ice cloud during the Equestria Games."

"Wow," exclaimed Richard. "That does sound heroic."

"It sure was," agreed the mare. "I was in the crowd myself, was all I could do not to faint when the pegasi failed to hold it up."

Richard smiled, "Well, thanks for answering my questions, sorry to bother you."

"It's okay, the guard are here to help. Anything else I can do for you?"

"Actually," Richard nodded. "Yes their is, I'm looking for the court, I have something I wanted to discuss with the Princess."

"The royal court of Princess Cadance is in the main chamber," replied the guard. "Just go through the main doors and continue up the stairs. You should eventually reach the main chamber, though there might be a queue and I can't guarantee you'll get to see her today."

"Thanks," Richard bowed slightly. "You've certainly been quite helpful."

"Anytime. Anyway, I have rounds to do, so good luck."

As the guard walked off, Richard turned towards the palace and, following the guards directions, proceeded through the main doorway of the palace.

"Wow!" Richard stood stunned as he came to a sudden halt.

While from outside Richard had thought the palace was beautiful, it was nothing compared to the interior. A marvelous feat of engineering, with many walkways and bridges spanning over and leading off the main corridor into the depths of the palace. There were guards everywhere he looked as well, either standing guard, or going about their business.

Following the corridor up a fight of stairs he assumed were what the guard had mentioned moments ago, he found it turning around to the right and around the corner there was a large set of open, double doors that stretched from floor to ceiling. Considering they were made of what Richard could only guess as solid diamond, they must have weighed a tonne.

Assuming that the massive room beyond filled with guard, and the throne at the far end, meant this was the right place, Richard approached it. Not too fast however, he didn't want to accidentally trigger the guards.

"Excuse me, may I help you?" A bright pink, crystal, pegasus stallion stopped in front of him. Hovering in mid air, he clutched a large open tome in his forehooves.

"Hi," replied Richard. "Actually yes, I was hoping to chat to Cadance - sorry - Princess Cadance. I kind of have a problem I was told she might be able to help with.

"Certainly sir, you're quite fortunate that the court is empty at the moment. In fact I think you might be the last petitioner she'll be seeing today. First however, I need to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?"

Resisting the urge to mention that asking him if it was okay to ask questions was in and of itself a question, Richard simply nodded.

"Excellent," the pegasus exclaimed enthusiastically. "So first, may I ask what your name is, please?"

"Richard, Richard Dastardly Dent."

"That's an interesting name, Mr Dent." The pegasus said with raised eyebrows.

"Ehh," Richard shrugged. "My parents were cartoon fans."

"Right..." the pegasus trailed off. "Anyway, next up, town or country of residence?"

"Ponyville."

"Thank you. And finally, what is your purpose of talking to the Princess?"

"Um..." Richard shifted nervously.

"If you don't feel confident saying, I can just put down personal." said the Pegasus kindly.

"Okay, personal then, please."

"Excellent," the Pegasus closed the book, a beaming smile plastered across his face. "If you could just wait here for me please, I'll go and let the Princess know you're here and I'll be back shortly to collect you."

RIchard waited silently, watching as the pegasus zoomed across the room, apparoaching the throne. Now that he was paying closer attention he could see the pink form of what he'd seen in papers of Princess Cadance, sitting patiently. Although he could have imagined it, he could have sworn a smiled etched it's way onto the Princess's face as the pegasus talked to her and indicated in his direction. Surprisingly instead of the pegasus coming back to escort him, the Princess waved him off and rose from the throne, crossing the room herself.

Standing there, watching Cadance cross the court, a sly smile across her face, Richard was certain he should have been terrified and yet he wasn't. Instead looking at Cadance filled him with a burning sensation that spread from deep within and begun to make him sweat.

Richard didn't have long to deal with it however as soon enough Cadance was standing before him, fixing him with a piercing gaze and humming a musical tune.

"So, might I presume by your name and strange appearance that you're the human my sister has written to me so much about?" she finally asked after several heart stopping seconds.

"Y-yes," Richard mumbled,. "I mean, I guess so. Thought I didn't know Twilight had written to you about me."

"Oh yes, she certainly has," said Cadance, Richard noticing a mischievous glint in her eyes. "She has sent me many a letter about the poor alien who has found themselves so far away from home. Such a sad story. I so desperately wanted to see you when I first heard, but my dear Aunts suggested it would be better to let you acclimatize yourself to Equestria first. It's so great to see you at last."

Richard blinked nervously, beads of sweat dripping into his eyes as the fire within him intensified. "It is?"

"Of course it is," Cadance rose up onto her hind legs and pulled him into a deep hug, which did nothing to help the fire within him. "Like I said, your situation is so sad, and yet you've managed to adjust quite nicely from what I've read."

The beaming smile that grew on her face as she retreated and held him at 'arms' length not only warmed Richard's heart but added even more fuel to the fire.

"So, tell me. What is it that prompted you to take the long journey from sunny Ponyville to the frigid north? I doubt it was just to say hello. Not that I'd mind that of course."

"Well, it's kind of a personal matter..." RIchard started, but Cadance quickly raised a hoof to hush him.

"Say no more, why don't we go and talk about this in private? I'll even bring the drinks."

"Sure," said Richard with a smile. "That sounds lovely, but what about the court?"

"Oh don't you worry about that," Cadance shook her head. "Today's been really quiet and besides, I was planning on seeing only one last pony anyway. Don't see why that pony can't be a human instead. Now follow me, I know somewhere perfect."

Author's Note

So, I was going to make this chapter about 5000 words long, complete with super graphic clop scenes. But decided against it as I want to get back into the habit of updating and not get caught waiting 6 months between updates. Besides, if he lost the bet already it wouldn't be fun.

Still, hope you enjoyed this, and if you have anything you'd want to see, lets see if you can guess what's coming.