“You’re forgiven.” I stated simply and was about to help her up when a quick moving blur of blue and black came flying toward me. Dropping my bag I grabbed the fist that was aimed at my face with my left hand turned with the punch spinning her face first into the wall. Holding my attacker there with my elbow I reached into the small of my back under my jacket grabbing my kukri with my right drawing it quickly. I pressed the blade firmly against the back of a rainbow manned pegasus. I could hear the sound of hooves and horns beginning to charge. Letting go with my left hand I quickly snaked it under the mare’s neck and locked her in a choke hold. Spinning around and facing the angry looking group ready to fight my way out if need be. Before Twilight could let the first spell fly Celestia spook in a booming voice.

“STOP THIS AT ONCE!”

I had to quickly pin my ears to my head to keep from going deaf. And all at once the room stops as I held the mare in the choke hold with a blade pressed against the back of her neck. I wasn’t really choking her yet I didn’t need to the instant she felt the blade she stopped squirming. Celestia slowly got back to her hooves rubbing her cheek and her lip was split a small amount of blood staining her chin and dress. Pinkie at that point walked over to her carrying a small bag of some kind offering it to her and looking at me with a shocked expression.

“Thank you Pinkie Pie.” The ailcorn said as she took the bag and placed it against her bruising cheek. I merely watched her and the rest of the group closely. “That was a rather good punch you’re stronger than you look.”

“Could say the same about you.” I let a tiny grin form on my face. “So we all good now?”

“Are you going to release Rainbow Dash unharmed?”

“A little late for that but nothing permanent I think her pride is more wounded than her face but yes provide she sets down like a good little girl for the rest of the evening.”

“Rainbow Dash while I am thankful for your haste to come to my aid I need you to behave yourself understand?”
I heard a faint whimper fallowed by a nod with that I slowly put my blade away and lowered her to the floor placing my now empty hand on her head I released her and gave a firm push forward. Pinkie caught her and Rainbow turned around to give me what I believe she thought to be death glare. To me though she looked more like and angry child that was getting told they wouldn’t be getting supper. The glares from all but Pinkie and Celestia were of similar quality. The little yellow and pink pegasus was the only one that actually came close to a death glare. I looked over to Twilight giving my own glare of disappointment this seemed to break her out of her anger.

“I told you to keep your hot headed friend in check.”

Stomping her hoof she took a step forward. “You had no right to-”

“Twilight Sparkle be calm.” Celestia said raising her hand to quiet the enraged unicorn

“But princess he-”

I couldn’t see her face as Celestia turned to her student but I could feel the glare at her as the angry unicorn wilted to a meek and timid one.

“He foreseen that Rainbow would attack him and gave you instructions to keep that from happening and I imagine for her safety rather than his own. Unless you were exaggerating his combat skills what made you think to not hold her back?” Twilight at that point dropped her head in shame as she scuffed a hoof against the wood floor.

“Actually it was so she didn’t piss me off but your reasoning sounds better.”

Celestia whipped her head around and shot me a “not helping” look.

“So now that all that’s out of the way.” I said trying to sound friendly as I picked up my bag and sat on the couch and placing my sheathed kukri on the arm of the couch with my bag on the floor next to my feet.“Are we ready for a nice civilized chat?”

“Hold on what did you do to Gray Mane?!” Spike pointed a claw at me accusingly.

“Never heard of illusion magic have you?” I said deadpanned.

“You can use illusion magic?” Twilight asked seemingly forgetting her anger as curiosity took over.

“No but I have heavily enchanted gear that works just as well as the real thing, now let’s all just sit down and introduce our selves.”

“And just why should we!? You should be in shackles for attacking the princess!” Rainbow shouted as she flapped her wings rising in the air taking and aggressive stance.

My eyes narrowed at the angry pegasus I was sick of her attitude already. My arm only made a twitch as I moved to reach for my blade again. A golden aura encased her and forcefully slammed her into the cushion of the couch opposite me. A very angry Celestia looked down at her and she noticeably gulped in fright.

“Because I said so.” Her tone was cold leaving no room for argument. “One more outburst like that Rainbow Dash and I can promise you that you’ll know the inside of the castle dungeon.” She then slowly turned to the rest of the group addressing them all. “The same applies to the rest of you, if you can’t be civil to the one that aided ALL of Equestria then you are not the elements I believed you to be.”

The looks of shame that radiated off all of them, except for Pinkie was palatable so was their obvious confusion clearly having never seen her like this. They each quietly began taking seats on the couch with Celestia in the middle Twilight, Spike, Rainbow, and Rarity on her left. While Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Applejack sat on her right.

This was the first time I had a chance to truly take in their appearances. For the most part the six mares I had the conversation with three nights ago did not look different other than the scowls on most of their faces at this time. The white unicorn whose name I had learned was Rarity was wearing an overly fussy dress that clung close to her body in bright red and seemed to shimmer as if made from rubies. There was a slit that went from just above her hooves to nearly her hips on one side. A thin strip of cloth over her right shoulder held up her dress. Fluttershy the yellow Pegasus wore a similar dress except shined as if made of emeralds and holes on the back for her wings. However from her demeanor it appeared that she was uncomfortable wearing the dress. Or at least that’s what I believed she was too busy giving me a glare for me to figure it out. Rainbow Dash the blue Pegasus was wearing the same uniform she had been wearing from three nights before while she was trying to look angry it was obvious she was still frightened by Celestia. Twilight Sparkle was looking at her mentor far more confused than she was angry. Pinkie pie was looking at me wonder and curiosity was apparent in those beautiful blue eyes. Spike was looking angry and hurt apparently from my deception. I felt bad having lied to him but it was a necessary precaution. The farm mare Applejack was eyeing me suspiciously but appeared to be at least willing to listen.

Celestia was holding the bag that Pinkie had offered her earlier up against her cheek and lip again. Her eyes were on me and I could tell she was looking for a reason to turn me into a pile of ash. The odd thing however, she didn’t give off a malicious intent like I was expecting. It was closer to a duty-bond air about her. If that hunch was correct I was pretty sure we could come to an understanding.

“Alright then…who wants to go first?” I asked the group keeping my eyes on them. I was only half surprised when Pinkie nearly leapt off the couch holding her hand up and bouncing on the couch.

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!” I couldn’t help but smile a little at her excitement and raised my hand and motioned for her to calm down.

“Okay oaky go head.” I spoke in a gentle and friendly manner but was still loud enough to be heard over her. “No need to get that excited I’ve got all night if need be.” She broke out in a light blush and sat back down properly and cleared her throat.

“Hi my name is Pinkamina Diane Pie but everypony just calls me Pinkie, I like making friends, baking and eating all kinds of yummy yummy baked goodies, and throwing parties. What about you Mister uhh…..” Her head tilted to the side slightly as mild confusion came across her face. “What can I call you wolfy?”

I chuckled lightly and made eye contact with her, but still watched the group. “Well Miss Pinkie while I’m in Equestria you all can call me “Ro”. Would you mind if I called you I Diane?”

“I don’t mind at all Ro Ro.” She replied happily as she giggled slightly. “But why do you want to call me that?”The way she said Ro Ro made it almost sound like a kid’s name or maybe that of a pet. I pushed that to the back of my mind for the time being though.

“Honestly? Because for me it’s a normal name and I think it’s pretty.” I answered plainly but politely. This earned another blush from her and I caught a few of the other mares glancing between me and her.

“T-Thank you Ro no pony has ever said my middle name was pretty before.”

“You’re welcome then Diane, who’s next?”

“I reckon ya already know ‘bout me seeing as how we met earlier. So I’ll just ask somethin about ya if’in ya’ll don’t mind that is.” Applejack asked it was nice seeing that she was at least tiring to be civil.

“Go ahead.”

“Where ya from exactly?”

“That’s not a clear and easy question Miss Apple. I haven’t had what you’d call a true home since I was sixteen. I’ve traveled from one side of the world to the other and back again. Home for me has been where ever I can lay my bedroll down without getting eaten.”

“All by yourself?” She asked concern in her voice and on the faces of the rest.

“I’d…rather not go into that Miss Apple.” I said unable to hide the melancholy tone in my voice.

“Alright I understand Ro.”

“Wait if you’ve been all over the world how is it you didn’t know how to read Equestrian?” Twilight asked confused. While I didn’t like her general attitude I could however appreciate her sharp mind.

“Who said it was this world I’ve explored?” I smirked as every eye went wide only for it to turn into a scowl as Rainbow let out and aggravated huff.

“You an alien?” She let out a loud raspberry in doubt. “Yea right if you’re an alien than I’m an alicorn.” Rubbing my left temple with my fingers I sighed and dropped into the Elysium tongue.

“Gods if she doesn’t fix that attitude of hers I swear I’m going to find out if pegasus feathers make a good pillow stuffer.”

“Please refrain from doing that she’s just upset about earlier.” Celestia said a slightly stern and saddened look on her face, glances from the rest flying between the two of us.

“Ah I wasn’t excepting someone else to speak a langue that I already knew. That probably would have made our first meeting go a lot smoother than it did.”

“Yes I believe you are right. Again I am deeply sorry about that.”

“I said I forgave you so don’t let it trouble you further. Should I take it that you believe me about being from a different plane?”

“Yes I believe you which plane did you come from?”

“A very different one than this place I’ll explain more about it later but I think they are getting confused.”

“Um…what the hay is going on?” Rainbow asked her wings spread wide intense worry and confusion on her face.

“Oh Ro and I were just talking about how we could’ve had this talk sooner if we had known we could speak the same language. Also that he is in fact form another world.”

“WHAT! NO BUCKING WAY!”The mare shouted making me pin my ears down again.

“Rainbow Dash watch your language there’s royalty present.” The white unicorn said scolding the blue mare.

“And watch the shouting would you I’m gonna go deaf at this rate.”

“If you’re from another world how did you get here?” Twilight asked looking at me with hopeful eyes and the rest of the group seemed to share in her interest.

“You want the long answer or the short one?”

“Long please.” She said with a big smile.

Twilight looked to me and brought a piece parchment and a quill from the desk using her magic. The parchment was placed onto some wooden board with two what looked to be clamps to hold it in place. Taking the quill in her hand she was ready to write.

“Put that away now!” I nearly growled at her. Everyone looked at me with confused fright. Celestia merely raised an eyebrow.

“W-why?” The mare in question stammered looking at me like I just told her to kill her child.

I grabbed my bag my blade and stood up heading for the door. Celestia quickly stood up and approached me and placed a hand on my shoulder I had to fight to keep from punching her again. Her hand radiated a gentle warmth and she spoke gently and her voice was slightly soothing.

“Ro… please don’t leave. Why are you so upset about Twilight taking notes?”

I had to close my eyes and take a few slow breaths to calm myself. The gentle clopping of more hooves approached me and felt another hand on my back. The smell of sugar it told me it was Diane and she was lightly rubbing my back.

“Ro?” Diane asked gently.

I let out a heavy sigh as I spoke looking at the door. “She has no reason to be documenting this, what was supposed to be friendly meeting. Not an academic study.”

“So do you expect us to ask you nothing about how you got here?”

“No not all I just don’t want to be held accountable when she opens a portal to a hostile world.”

“I would never do such a thing I wouldn’t even know how to.” Twilight spoke sounding offended.

“That only means that you would try to do it anyway. I’ve seen your type before all science no philosophy you’ll do anything to get answers.” I look back at hear make no effort to hide my hatred. “There are things that you are far better off not knowing. How to travel the planes is one of them.”

“He is right Twilight there are very dangerous things in the planes. Nightmare Moon was a result of messing with them.”

“Your sister got a little too close to the abyss didn’t she?”

“Yes the creature form that plane possessed Luna and became Nightmare.”

This seemed to get through to her as she put her writing supplies back on her desk.

“Celestia can you bind her from researching this subject?”

“Why do you ask?”

“To be blunt I don’t trust her not to. She has the look of someone that can’t think beyond the knowledge itself not thinking or not caring who she may hurt from using her magic. Take the incident while she was running around three days ago teleporting away and scorching Spike in the process.”

“I didn’t even know I could do that!” Twilight nearly shouted in defense.

“All the more reason to bind you from studying the planes one miss step and you can unleash some unholy terror on the world.” I tensed ready to leave when I felt a gentle squeeze on my shoulder.

“Ro please set down you have my word that she won’t research the planes.” Celestia turned to her student. “Isn’t that right Twilight?”
There was a pause she was thinking about it. That made me ready to leave and make sure she would have an “accident” later then she spoke.

“Princess I promise I will not research the planes. But may I have an explanation as to what they are?”
I grumbled and rubbed both of my temples feeling the headache already coming but sat back down. “Fine I guess I’ll go into more detail. Let’s see will now best way to describe how it works.” I rubbed my chin for a moment returning my blade to the arm of the couch then looked at the group.

“Okay this should be an easy enough explanation. I want you to imagine four large oceans each a different color and equal in size. Now see them as globes of water floating in the air in the same space all connected to each other and separate at the same time. Let’s call these four oceans the foundation from this point on. Within the foundation there are four more smaller oceans. For simplicity’s sake I’ll name them A, B, C, and D. A, B, C, and D are all connected to the foundation but they are also connected to each other. A, B, and C all connected to each other but only C is connected to D so you have to go to C first or going into the foundation. But because A is already connected to C you don’t have to go to B to get there. The foundation however is so much more massive than A, B, C, and D so it’s very easy to get lost in it. Now imagine going through the entire alphabet many times over of oceans and that’s what is known as the planes. An acquaintance of mine knows how to open gate ways between the planes. He opened up a gate way and pushed me through simple right?”

I explained simply but from the looks on everyone’s face expect for Twilight and Celestia they didn’t get it. Rainbow and Applejack looked like their heads were about to explode while Diane looked like she didn’t care.

I sighed slightly in mild frustration that they didn’t get it. “In the long run I guess it won’t matter if you understand or not I’ll be back in my world by the end of next year.”

“Wait you mean you not staying?” Diane asked a fearful and slightly saddened look on her face.

Shaking my head I answered. “No I didn’t want to come here in the first place I was sent here on a forced vacation. He was concerned that I was going to burn myself out with my work. Don’t know why he even cares never had any problem setting me on fire himself.”

“He sets you on fire!” Diane looked horrified at the idea.

“When I was in my 20’s it was nearly a weekly thing for us. Why do you think he just an acquaintance?”

“Why would you allow such a thing to keep happening?” Celestia asked puzzlement and sadness on her face.

“Ever heard the expression “Lesser of two evils.”?” Everyone nodded slowly.

“Kinda what was going on. Either two people threatening and trying to kill me or one person that I knew would kill me or worse.”

“What could be worse than somepony trying to kill you?” Applejack asked adopting a look of sympathy that was somewhat shared by the rest.

“You’re better off not knowing trust me on that.”

Celestia lowered the bag she had been holding placing it in her lap. I could tell the swelling wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. Which made me wonder what is in it but that wasn’t important at the moment.

“I am Princess Ceslestia co ruler of Equestria. Please do not take offence to this mister Ro but, what are you exactly?” Celestia asked as Diane got up and headed to the table with the food filling a tray up with brown-looking lumps.

“Hmm…what am I?....such a simple question without a simple answer. On my world there are many different races much like this one. Humans, Elves, Dwarfs, Halflings, Orcs, Gnomes, Gnolls, the half breeds, and the fey just to name a few. I though, am a half breed half human half werewolf or a shifter as we’re more commonly called.”

“I know what a wolf is but whats a werewolf?” Diane asked returning to her seat.

“Were is a general term for someone stricken with lycanthropy whether it is a disease or cruse is up for debate. Weres either at will or on the light of the full moon undergo a transformation into one of their beastly forms. Weres have two different forms aside from what they were before animal and war. Animal should be pretty obvious in taking the full form of whatever were animal family they are wolf, bear, and rat to name a few. This includes walking on four legs and being otherwise indistinguishable from the regular animal. The war from is in between the two. Take myself for example add a wolf’s muzzle more fur and paws were my feet are and I’d be a werewolf’s war form. While they are transformed, in most cases anyway they become more blood thirsty wanting to hunt, maim, and kill. This is one of the main reasons weres are normally killed on sight. Unfortunately almost anyone can become a were all you have to do is get bitten and live or get the were’s blood mixed with yours. But there are a few that resist the urge and use their gift or curse to do good. Since I’m a shifter I’m right in the middle, a were can hide what they are by not transforming. Shifters do not have this option we always look like this unable to hide what we are…naturally anyway.”

“Hey how do we know you’re not gonna go on some mass killing spree huh?! You as much said you’re a monster!” Rainbow growled and the ailcorn in the room began to turn her head to the mare but I raised my hand to spot her.

“I admit that my heritage does cause some angry and hostile tendencies but you should consider that the only time I have been either has been in retaliation to someone like yourself acting first. Unlike you I know how to control these tendencies. If I’m attacked I WILL defend myself it’s just that simple.”

“Oh yeah! What about the princess!?” She said challenging me.

“If I really wanted to do some damage I wouldn’t have used my fist. Plus that was just payback for her blasting me.” I quipped as I tapped my blade. “Also haven’t you been paying attention we are way past that.”

She huffed and grumbled turning away as Celestia shook her head.

“Well now that that’s been taken care of let’s go back to the previous topic the shifters.”

“Oh yes of course. You said weres can pass on their curse by biting is the same true for shifters?” Celestia asked concerned while Diane began munching on her plate of brown lump-looking treats.

“No worries of that at all the only way shifters can make more shifters is to mate. So you don’t have to worry about me turning any ponies or anything else into half wolf hybrids.” Fluttershy surprisingly spoke up at that point.

“Hold on if your part wolf does that mean you eat…” She gulped looking slightly worried. “meat?”

“Yes.” The group looked ready to scream but I preempted them firmly, loudly and slightly fearfully. “Let me finish!”

They only slightly calmed down Celestia, Diane, and surprisingly Fluttershy looked undisturbed by the fact.

“While I can and have eaten meat and still do on occasion I’m largely vegetarian these days.”

“So you’re an omnivore then that’s rather unusual. Wouldn’t you being a vegetarian cause you health problems?” Celestia asked looking at me puzzled. “Or do you find eating other creatures wrong?”

“To answer your first question yes it did at one point but found a way around it. For the second question provided the creature doesn’t have true sentience I see nothing wrong with eating meat.”

“What do you mean by “true sentience”?”

“On my world there are spells that can allow a person to speak with animals, plants, or anything really just as clearly as we are now. Unless they can communicate under their own power anything is free game to me. After all if magic let you talk to a tree would you cut it down for fire wood? Or break a rock in two if you found out its name was Tom?”

Diane at that point began laughing like mad forcing Applejack to hold her tray as she fell to the ground.

“And…here I said…. I wouldn’t be wall…. breaky!” She gasped in between laughs while rolling around on the floor holding her stomach.

I didn’t have any idea what she was talking about but her laughter made me smile anyway. After what seemed to be a few minutes of her laughing and us just watching with smiles on our faces she got back to her seat reclaiming her tray.

“Okay I’m done carry on.” She said wiping a laughter tear from her eye while resuming to snack.

Celestia and everyone else in the room looked at me questioningly to which I merely shrugged.

“I don’t get it either.”

“Right…” Celestia paused clearly as confused as the rest of us before getting back on topic. “Then why are you largely vegetarian then don’t like the taste?”

“No, meat is rather tasty I refrain from eating it to hide my scent.” I say tapping my nose. “Something I discovered in my time traveling those who eat meat or grains for that matter have much stronger body odor. I have better sense of smell than a human or I’m guessing a pony for that matter. Even if Miss Apple hadn’t told me she worked on an apple farm the smell of them, dirt, and sweat would have.”

“Wait you sayin’ ah smell?” Applejack asked a look of worry crossing her face.

“No offence meant it’s just something my nose picks up on. I didn’t find it unpleasant in the first place. The what smells like gallons of perfume on the other hand.” I say glancing over at Rarity.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked like I had just insulted her.

“You ever spray that stuff right in your nose or got some on your tongue?”

“Well um yes I have why?”

“That’s nearly what I’m going through right now. The only other scent I’m picking up at this point is sugar. You must have a real problem with animals.” At that point Rarity looked over at Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy?” The white unicorn asked worry in her voice.

“Opal does complain about your perfume very often. I just didn’t tell you because I was afraid it would upset you.” She yellow pegasus spoke softly enough that it sounded just barely above a whisper.

“And to be honest which ya Rare I’m havin’ a hard time ignorin’ it myself and I’m over here. Ifin’ Ro’s sniffer is a good as he says it is must be nearly unbearable for him.”

“It is starting to make me dizzy.”

“Hmm… with all of your permission I’d like to cast a spell that will clear the perfume from you.” Celestia offered gently smiling. The group nodded and murmured their agreement.

Celestia’s horn glowed gently as the windows opened as the smell of the perfume cleared away. I took it a deep breath through the nose and enjoyed the clean air actually smiling very slightly. This allowed me to get in their natural scents for the first time. Diane smelled of sugar and…rocks for some reason. Spike smelled faintly of dust, books, and gems. Fluttershy smelled of a variety of animals with the undertone of fresh flowers which is what I expect to be her real scent. Rainbow smelled of sweat and spring rain water probably from the clouds I had watched her sleep on. Twilight smelled of books as well as another scent that I couldn’t place but for some reason I really didn’t like. Rarity’s scent was that of freshly washed linen or maybe silk I couldn’t really tell but it was pleasant. Celestia though her scent was strange it smelled of sugar much like Diane but also the summer wind and power.

“Much better although I wonder as to why you ladies would cover up your natural scent.”
I sniffed the air again and smiled a little more despite that smell coming from Twilight. Then I smelled something else it was much fainter but I knew that smell. I smelled it on Nightmare Moon and Luna it was the scent of the night sky during a cold winter. She wasn’t here though so I took another heavy sniff and found where it was coming form. I had to put its source aside for now wouldn’t be a good idea to bring it up right now.

“You all smell rather nice as it is.” I lied a little Applejack and Celestia both seemed to catch this by raising their eye brows and I quickly glanced at them. Giving them a look that said let it go and they seemed to get it giving me a slight nod. All the other mares blushed and stammered slightly except for Rainbow who let out a huff.

“Thank you Ro.” Rarity started politely. “I am Rarity Gems, and if you don’t think it rude if I asked you your age? I mean you said your acquaintance did horrible things to you in your 20’s but you only look a little older than us. Well except for the Princess of course.”
I couldn’t help but smirk as the others looked at her and the sudden panic that came across her face.

“Well umm.. what I meant to say was is that the Princess looks very good for her age. Not that she doesn’t always look good mind you. Umm I mean I’m sure she’s always been uhh-” Her sweating and rambling was cut off by a gentle giggle form Celestia.

“I understand what you meant Miss Rarity and I took no offence.” Rarity nearly looked like she was about to faint from relief at that point. Rainbow seemed to chuckle slightly at her friends expense.

“To answer your question I assume except for Celestia your all in your early 20’s yes?” They all nod except for Diane.

“I’m only nineteen.”

I chuckle gently at the crumbs of food around her muzzle. “I’m three hundred and thirty.”

Every eye in the room went wide open and all but Celestia went slack jawed. Diane dropped the brown lump she was about to take a bite out of landing on the floor with a soft squishy thud leaving only one on her tray. It was quiet for a long moment then Celestia spoke her eyes returning to their normal size.

“How old did you say you were again? I thought I heard you say three hundred and thirty.”

“Well...three hundred and thirty-six actually, but who keeps track past the two hundreds.”

“YOU’RE THREE HUNDRED YEARS OLD!” Everyone but the alicorn yelled at me (thank the gods) and I had to place my hands over my ears as I pinned them to my skull.

“Arguhg!!.. geeze no need to yell like that my ears were already ringing form Celestia shouting earlier.”

All but Rainbow gave a gentle murmur of apologies which I accepted.

“Is your long life common on your world?”The alicorn asked with what I could only label as hope in her voice.

“Yes and no it really depends. Life spans range from sixty to over a thousand. There is a few that have a limitless life spans but they are very few and far in between.”

“Are you-”

“No and you don’t want to meet the ones that are.” I cut her off it didn’t take much to figure out why she was asking.

“Why not?”

“Let’s just say the ways they achieve their “immortality” are questionable and leave it at. Alright who’s- okay you know what I can’t take it anymore.” I look over at Diane and point to the last brown lump on her tray curiosity finally getting the better of me. “Just what in the abyss are you eating Diane?”She giggled and wiped her muzzle off with a napkin that Rarity floated over with her magic.

“It’s a chocolate cup cake silly Ro Ro.” She smiled at me sweetly as is it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“What’s chocolate? And what is cake?” I asked completely stumped rising an eyebrow.

At that moment I felt a chill run up my spine and Diane’s eyes shot wide open and her pupils became pin pricks. The rest of the group dove behind the couch peeked over the back of it. Rainbow and Rarity yanked Twilight and Spike to join them. I turned to look at Celestia wondering what was going on only for that chill to turn to pure dread panic. Celestia was in no better shape than Diane if anything she was even worse as her mane and tail had completely stopped moving. The panic became terror as they both began to speak other saying the next word in the sentence.

“You’re…” Diane

“saying…” Celestia

“that…you…have…never…in…your… whole… life…. ever… heard… of…. or… eaten…. chocolate… or… cake?”

“Umm….” I paused pinning my ears to my head. “No.”

Celestia’s wings popped out in a threatening manner and Diane’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Before I could even twitch to move I found them on top of me Celestia’s the side of her face buried in my chest. While Diane had grabbed hold of my head and pulled it into those big soft chest pillows making me blush deeply. Each were holding me in a bone crushing hug as I could feel my joints and spine popping in ways I knew weren’t healthy. Pulling my eyes away from Diane’s chest I found that I was looking at the ceiling. I had somehow gotten tackled so quickly I didn’t even register that I ended up on my back. My confusion only grew as I heard what sounded like…crying?

“You poor poor unfortunate colt..”

“To be denied the sweet sweet frosting..”

“The yummy yummy goodness of….

“Flour eggs milk and sugar finely combined and cooked in a slow oven topped with creamy silky icing.”

“Fate most cruel to deprive you of….”

I wasn’t entirely sure how long I laid there as the two of them went on and on about the wondrous “food of the gods” that was cake and chocolate. Thankfully though the death grip they hand on me loosened enough that it didn’t hurt any more. As they went on and on I felt movement I seen five mares looking down at us with a variety of looks. Sympathy from Applejack who took off her hat placing it on her chest closing her eyes bowing her head. If it wasn’t for the ringing still in my ears I could have sworn she said “never had a chance”. Rainbow looked to be just barely able to hold in her laughter as I she kept both hands on her muzzle her wings barely able to keep her in the air. Twilight was looking down at her mentor with a mix shock and…jealousy? Fluttershy and Rarity were sporting gentle blushes on their cheeks as they looked at Diane. Though I could swear I saw the pink manned pegasus wings twitch slightly. I looked up at them with what I hopped was a pleading look. They seemed to get it and they began to clear their throats very loudly. Celestia was the first to recover and once she realized what she had done she blushed and got up. With a glow from her horn the couch was sat up right again. The movement caused Diane to land right in my lap thankfully not on a certain part of my anatomy that had gotten stiff. She finally broke herself out of her crying to look around. Her eyes seem to land on the table with baked goods. Jumping into the air she flew over to the table…. somehow and crying out.

“You need a million CC’s of cake stat!”

While she was messing with the cake I got up popping what bones I could back into place. Looking around my bag was where I left it. Good thing my kukri was in its sheath as it had flown across the room. After retrieving it and returning it to the small of my back I returned to take my seat again. Diane was finish at the table and was walking back to me with a massive slice of what I assumed was cake. I was nearly about to sit down when she tripped on…something I couldn’t see it and the plate with the cake smash right into my face. My nose was filled with a sweet aroma of berries and sugar. It took me far longer than I’d like to admit to understand what had happened. When I did though I could only let out a small sigh and think “Why me?”. A sound akin to breaking glass caught my attention fallowed by crying. I could tell it was Diane and wiping away some cake from my eyes I saw her on the floor crying. But that wasn’t what got my attention no, her mane and tail had gone completely straight. Her hands were covering her face and the rest were glancing between me and her. I stuck my tongue out and licked up some of the cake it was sweet and bready.

“A little messy for me but still tasty.” I said sounding as cheerful as I could. This made Diane look up at me her eyes and gotten blood shot from that short amount of crying.

“Y-you’re not mad at me?” She asked me the pleading her in her voice that made my heart ache a little.

“Why would I be mad this is how you’re supposed to eat cake right?” I smiled down at her as I stuck my tongue out as far as I could getting another big lick of cake. Her frown slowly morphed into a smile and all at once her mane and tail popped back into the curly tangled near mess it had been before. Twilight’s horn glowed as the broken pieces of plate were put in a waste bin. Diane had gotten up and brought over a damp cloth offering it to me a sorrowful look in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry Ro I don’t know wh-” I placed my finger on her lips which still had some cake on it.

“Don’t worry about it.”

She took my finger in her mouth licking the cake off smiling up at me. My ear twitched as I picked up a hushed gasp from Rarity. Fluttershy’s cheeks were pink again and her wings twitched slightly. Pulling my finger form her I grabbed the damp cloth and wiped my hands and face clean. I still had a little cake on my clothes but I could deal with that later. Sitting back down I caught the oddest look I had seen the entirely evening. Celestia was giving me a sly smirk for some reason. I raised a brow wondering what was going on in that head of hers as I sat down.

“Well seeing how that has been taken care of are we ready to continue?”I asked as I sat back down groaning slightly as I popped a few more bones back into place. Everyone nodded in agreement and returned to their seats. But not before Diane brought over another slice of over for me to eat which I accepted. Using the fork I took a proper bite of sliced she had brought me. Much like before sweet and bready a number of flavors that I was completely unfamiliar with. It wasn’t really to my liking as I didn’t really care for sweets, but it wasn’t unpleasant either.

“Thank you Diane.” I said smiling at her gently and making plans to nurse this cake as long as possible. If her no other reason so I wouldn’t offend her. She returned to her seat with a small spring in her step. Once she sat back down it became apparent that there were one member of the group that had been unusually quiet.

“Spike do you have any questions that you wanted to ask?”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you.” Spike let out angrily.

“Still upset I lied earlier huh?” He only let out another huff and turned away.

“I will apologize for lying to you however I will not apologize for feeling it was necessary. On my world I had to go into disguise more times than I care to count. Attacked or shunned on-site any time I entered a town or village just because I was a shifter. Believe me I understand lying is not the best way to make a first impression, but under my circumstances it’s the only way I ever get a chance to make one in the first place.”

He seemed to bow his head as if thinking on the matter and I hoped considering my words carefully.

“You wear shunned?” Fluttershy asked in a very small voice. “Just because you’re a shifter?”

“It’s a human thing what they do not understand they fear and what they fear they often seek to destroy. With how we look and sometimes act I can actually understand it. I can’t say that I like it but I can understand it.” I explained melancholy in my voice as I took another bite of cake.

“Don’t be sad Ro Ro if anypony is mean to you I’ll protect you.” Diane said in a cheery but determined tone.
I could only let out a small chuckle as I smiled again. “I’m sure you will Diane.”

“Of course I will. I protect all my friends.”

“We are friends? You just met me today.” I asked completely confused.

“Well uh duh I’m friends with everypony.”She said with the biggest of smiles.

“Ah I see.” I took another bite of cake wondering about that last part. “So any other questions?”

“Yes actually. Your clothes what kind of material or they made out of? I’ve never seen anything like them before and I have worked with nearly every fabric ever made.” Rarity asked eyeing my clothing curiously.

“All of my clothes made from a mithral and silk weave. Please don’t ask me how it’s done you’d have to talk to an elf.”

“I work with silk all the time but what is mithral?”

“It’s a very special metal that is just as strong as steel but is half the weight. That’s why said not ask how it’s done only the elves know how to weave metal and silk together.”

“You’re wearing metal? May I feel what the texture is like?”

“I don’t see any harm in it.” I stand and walk over and present my arm to the group. They each take a quick feel Rarity’s face falls when she feels the slightly rough texture of my jacket.

“Do you wear this all the time?”

“Usually I know it’s kind of rough but I’ve definitely worn worse. Besides you get used to it especially when you’ve had it for 300 years.”

“Wait silk doesn’t last that long how is it still so new looking?”

“Magical enchantments preserve it.” I stated bluntly as I sat back on the couch.

“Are those the only clothes you have? You do seem to travel light.” She said as she eyed my bag.

“When you’re on the move is much as I am it pays to travel light and no these are not the only clothes I have. These are basically my field close.”

“Well if you’re interested I can make you some more.” She offered kindly.

“I appreciate the offer but I’m going to have to decline. After all I don’t know if I’m going to be allowed to stay in Equestria.” I said as I looked right at Celestia the rest of the group looking to her as well.

“It was because of your actions that you saved my faithful student Twilight, my sister, and help stop Nightmare Moon. Tonight you have proven that you are a decent albeit abrasive person. Therefore I see no issue with you staying in Equestria for the duration of your stay on our world.” She said smiling gently at me. Diane seemed to be overjoyed at this news while the rest seem to accept this with a little hesitation.

“Speaking of your sister how is she? Did she recover just fine?”

“Yes she is doing quite well but still a little weak from what the elements did to her while purging Nightmare Moon.”

“That’s good if possible I would like to meet with her face-to-face sometime in the near future.”

“I don’t see that being a problem but may I ask why?”

“I wanted to apologize for wounding her in the first place. Had I known what was going to happen I wouldn’t have been using my most lethal arrows. I acted on what little information I had and ended up nearly killing her for that I must apologize to her myself.”

“Oh I see she has wanted to see you herself so she can thank you for the part you played in returning her to her true self.”

“All right then where is she?”

“The two of us live at Canterlot Castle on the mountain to the north of here.”

“That close? Well I could be there before sunrise.”

“That would be true if the trains ran at night.”

“What’s a train?”

“You don’t know what a train is? How else would you get to Canterlot so quickly? You don’t look like you can fly.”

“No I can’t fly but I do have a good pair of legs I’ll just run.” I said tapping my heel against the floor.

“You can’t be serious it takes several hours by train to get to Canterlot from Ponyville. There is no way you can get there before dawn running you would tire yourself out long before you made it.”

I let somewhat cocky grin creep onto my face. “Is that a challenge your highness?”

“Your…. your being completely serious aren’t you? You really believe you can run to Canterlot before sunrise.” She asked sounding shocked.

“Of course I do I know what my body is capable of. Here to that mountain. I run that just to get my muscles warmed up in the morning.”

“I don’t see why you feel the need to run it I can very easily teleport you there.”

“I don’t think so Princess while you might be letting me stay in your country that doesn’t mean I trust you enough for something like that. For all I know you might send me into a volcano, the sun, or the moon no offense.”

“I would never do something as underhanded as that.”

“That’s not the only reason though. I know from experience that mixing different kinds of magic can be dangerous. And since nearly everything I own is enchanted in one way or another I’d rather not risk it. I wouldn’t want to lose any of my gear should it react badly.”

“Um….. I just realized something.” Twilight said interrupting our chain of conversation. “You don’t have your bow or quiver with you did you leave them somewhere?”

“No I’ve got both right here.” I said while nudging my bag with my foot.

“Ah hate point this out sugar cube but it don’t look like your bow can fit in there.”

“Looks plenty big enough to me but I suppose I should show you what I’m talking about.” I leaned down after finishing off the cake grabbing my bag and pull out my quiver and set it on the couch. Then I pull out a smaller bag that was covered with mithral chain mail. Opening it up I pull out my compound bow. The looks on everyone’s faces was somewhat priceless seeing as the bag only looked big enough to hold a watermelon. Yet I was holding a 4 foot long compound bow in my hand.

The bow itself was ultimately unimpressive looking aside from the fact it was made from bone. It was stained completely black and fitted with a bayonet that could be used when punching while holding the bow. The added weight of the bayonet helped to stabilize the bow when drawn for long periods. The small strips of silk tied near the string grooves helped to cut back on the distinctive twang when the bowstring was released. It may not have been impressive or flashy but to a true archer it was a work of art. Plus it held a lot of sentimental value to me for a number of reasons.

I held it as I use my free hand to strum the string gently. I noticed it had gotten quiet so I look back to the group. Each of them was looking at me with their jaws wide open even Celestia. That’s when I decided it might be best to explain what a bag of holding was.

“It’s called a bag of holding basically it’s a lot bigger on the inside then it is outside.” I said holding it up slowly. “Everything I currently own is inside of this one bag.”

“How does that work!? I mean seriously how does that even work!?! Please you have to tell me I must know!” Twilight nearly begged and shouted at me.

“Sorry but I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to which I don’t. I’m not a practitioner of magic and I’m not going to let you borrow it to study either. This is the reason why, if the bag is punctured anything that is inside it will be lost forever. Plus it will become nothing more than an ordinary cloth bag. Some reason I should’ve figured it was a bad idea to show you this.” I said halfway between deadpanned and discussed. This made her calm down a little.

“Ro how much can that bag hold?” Celestia asked

“Around 1500 pounds why?”

“May I?” She asked holding out her hand expectantly.

“You want to see how much it weighs don’t you?”

When she nodded slowly I whispered the locking enchantment phrase and stood up walking over to her. Placing the bag in her hand I smirked slightly her hand jerked upward clearly expecting it to be heavier. My smirk grew as she tried to open it only for it to stubbornly remain closed. Everyone crowded around her looking at it in wonder.

“I locked it you really think I wouldn’t take precautions to keep something from being stolen?” Taking the bag back I returned to the couch yet again.

“So that’s where you are keeping your journal and your pen. Wait a moment this afternoon I taught you how to read and write in equestrian. But you were speaking it so fluently and you’re not from this world how?”

“Twilight I know more than two dozen languages learning one more wasn’t that big of a deal. Spoken equestrian is something in the middle of Elvin, sylvan, and the celestial tongue. That made it so that it only took me a few days of overhearing it understand it. The written language however was unlike anything I had ever seen before so I had nothing to compare it to.”

“You speak over two dozen languages!”

“Yes seeing how nearly every sapient race on my world has a language all their own. That’s not counting the different tribal languages I know. In fact when I was a child in school I already knew Elvin, common, and was working on sylvan.”

“Why are you learning so many languages in school?”

“Largely because it was a mixed village elves and humans were living and working side-by-side.”

“What about sylvan?”

“It’s the language of the fey that one was more of a precaution. Fey can be a rather rambunctious lot being able to speak their native tongue and showing lots of respect can keep you from getting into trouble with them.”

“What are the fey?”

“That’s a very complicated question the fey are essentially the chaotic spirits of nature itself.”

“Wait chaotic? Nature isn’t chaotic.”

“Maybe not on this world but let me put it to you this way. My entire world is like the everfree forest.”

“How can you live in such a horrible place!?” Rarity screeched in horror

“It’s not that hard when it’s the only world you know.”

“That’s a very good point.”

“So who raises the sun and the moon?” Twilight asked looking to her mentor.

I shrug. “Beats me and pretty sure there was a God tasked with that or something.”

“What’s a God?”

I face palmed. “You’re basically in the room with one.” I said pointing at Celestia.

“I’m not a God though I just simply raise and lower the sun.”

“Does that mean you are aware of the gods?”

“I know a little.”

“Ah good then that’s one thing I won’t have to explain to your student you will.” I grinned thankfully avoiding that nasty topic. This made

Twilight look at her mentor expectantly.

“I’ll explain it later Twilight.” She said sounding exhausted.

“Oh okay…” Twilight said before breaking out into a yawn. That was soon followed by Spike and Applejack.

“I guess it’s getting late then. I’ll take that as my cue to get out of here then.” I said standing fixing my quiver to my back and securing its buckle over my chest. Then returning my bag of holding to the backpack and placed it over my quiver.
“

Oh you’re leaving already?” Diane asked sounding very disappointed.

“Sorry Diane but I don’t have any place to stay and I’m not going to impose. That reminds me there’s a window I got a pay for.” I reached into my belt and pulled out 10 gold coins and held them out to Diane.

“I hope this covers the cost of the window.”

“Wait these ain’t bits.” She said taking them.

“No those are gold coins.”

“Pinkie may see one of those for a moment?” Celeste he asked holding out her hand.

With a quick nod Diane flipped one in the air toward Celestia. Catching in her magic she studied the coin closely.

“Ro just how many of these do you have?”

“I don’t know a few thousand maybe. Along with a couple dozen platinum bars why?”

“You have platinum!?!” She asked her eyes going wide.

“Yeah what is it really really rare here or something?”

“Yes a single platinum coin is worth over 500 bits. In each of these gold coins is worth at least 50 on their own maybe even more since these are bigger than a bit.”

“So that’s enough for the window right?” I said pointing at the coins in Diane’s hands.

“Yes more than enough.”

“Well all right Diane you can spend whatever is left however you see fit.”

“Oh no I couldn’t I do that.” She protested looking ready to hand them back to me.

“Well either way I’m not going to need them so you can keep them or do whatever you like I insist.”

“Oh thank you Ro.” She then smiled at me and stood up then wrapped her arms around me in a gentle hug nuzzling her face into my chest. “Thank you.”

I was stunned by the sudden display of affection but I wrapped one arm around her and gently patted her mane. “You’re very welcome Diane.” When we broke the hug her cheeks were slightly darker pink than usual. She was also sporting a sweet smile on her muzzle and for some reason wouldn’t look me in the eye. She folded her arms behind her back and scuffed at the floor with her hoof. When I turned back to the rest of the mares in the room they were all looking at me suspiciously.

“Well Celestia I guess I’ll see you at the castle and don’t you go cheating by raising the sun early you hear me?”

“I wouldn’t do that anyway my little ponies would think something was wrong if I did.”She said smugly.

I gave her a quick nod and smiled on the inside before turning to the group again. “Well despite the rocky start I can say it was a pleasure to meet all of you in person. I’ll be seeing you around maybe.”

Holding my bow in my right hand I spoke the command word and it wraps around my forearm folding up the bayonet lying against the back of my hand. As I head out the door I hear hoofsteps approached me from behind I turned and see Diane standing in the doorway.

“Ro will I see you again?”

“Sure I’ll let you know when I get a permanent place to stay.” I flash a quick smile to her as I begin stretching my legs and she smiled back.

Celestia stepped outside and folded her arms under her breasts looking at me slightly amused. “You really do intend to run the entire way there don’t you.”

“I said I would in when I say something I’m going to do it. Oh and before I go, Twilight I want my earring back.”

She turned to head to her desk. “Alright I’ll go get it.”

I nod as I begin bouncing on the balls of my feet warming up my muscles.

“Celestia I’ll see you in a few hours.” I said as I snatched my earring that Twilight floated over to me with her magic making her lose any points she already had with me. Even more so seeing how I already said mixing magic was dangerous. Placing it in my belt pocket I gave the group quick wave before I took off running as fast as I could toward Canterlot.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Seven pairs of pony eyes opened wide as the shifter named Ro took off toward Canterlot moving far faster than anything they had seen aside from a flying Pegasus and even then they couldn’t be sure who was faster.

“Wowie wow look at him go he must be running at least 350 hooves every six seconds!” Diane said excitedly. “I think you better hurry back to the castle princess if you don’t he might beat you back.” She added with a giggle snort.

“I think you might be right Pinkie Pie.” The solar diarch said in utter disbelief. “Well my little ponies it was good to see you all again so soon despite how the evening started I believe this meeting went rather well. Twilight I look forward to reading your next friendship report.”

Her student bowed slightly. “Of course princess.”

With a nod and a smile the alicorn’s horn glowed with a flash and pop teleported back to her castle.

“Well it wasn’t a party but I sure had fun getting to know Ro Ro. What did you guys think of him?”

“I still say he’s a jerk.”

“Oh come on now Rainbow you’re just mad because he got the best of ya.”

“While he is certainly no prince charming he is not completely unpleasant to be around. What do you think Fluttershy?”

“He seemed to really scary to me also sad.”

“Oh you saw that too Fluttershy?”

“uhum” She nodded gently.

“Sad? He seemed angry to me”

“Yeah me too but it was also like he was trying to hide somethin. Not in a bad way but more like he just didn’t want us to know about him.”

“I wish I could’ve asked him more questions, his world and magic seems so fascinating.”

“Well I don’t know bout y’all but I’m mighty tired so I’ll be headin on home wanna walk with me Shy?”

“Thank you Applejack.” The yellow mare replied sweetly.

That seemed to be the cue for the mares to return to their homes each reflecting on the strange being they had met. Some with anger, others with curiosity, and one with fondness.A lonely spider lowered itself down to the shoulder of one mare in particular.

“Multiple oceans existing in the same space together......hmmmmm…..”

Author's Note

Let me be up front right now.

OH MY GOD IT SUCKS WRITING FOR SO MANY CHARACTERS AT THE SAME TIME NEVER EVER AGAIN!

*Takes a deep breath in through nose out the mouth.*

Okay now that that is out of the way. I gotta give mad props to anyone that can handle something like that. I already know I didn’t do the best job of it I tried giving everyone enough time for this chapter. Still looking for and editor please give me a recommendation if you got one on my profile page.

Also sorry this took me so long to get out been distracted with Fallout 4.

I have been sort of wrestling with the idea of writing interlude chapters that will spell out all of Ro’s abilities gear and relevant things about him and his world without spoiling the story. Why do I want to do this? This chapter is why next to nothing got done plot related aside from the obvious.

I’m thinking a professor Pinkie Pie classroom setting with Ro teaching some of the cast and you readers about him and his world. These interlude chapters well be non canon to this story and severe merely as “off screen” exposition with lots of wall breaking, comedy, and techno babble. Or what I try to write as comedy anyway. It is my hope that these chapters will speed up the story a little and have less in the way of big exposition chunks when you merely want to see what will happen next. Also to keep me from pulling a dexus machincan with his gear or powers.

Please please please pretty please with a cherry on top with mocha sprinkles

Vote on my comment below a thumbs up for “Professor Pinkie Pie’s 101 facts about Ro and his world.”
Or a thumbs down for massive chucks of explaining about Ro’s carp in story.

Before you do through please remember this not story about the discovery of his abilities. All of his abilities he already has this story is meant to be about him adjusting.

And thank you all for reading so far despite the flaws and I hope that I’ve done better in this chapter.

Okay one last note im going to write a crossover with Dragon Ball Xenoverse when chapter one is up voting will be over.