A King and His Castle

The Sun was high over the Everfree forest and beads of sweat sat heavy on my brow as fire from my hands burned away the foliage that had began to grow on the castles walls. It had been about a week since Canterlot and I had spent every waking moment on the restoration of the large structure utilizing almost every magic I knew. I had also taken it upon myself to create a clear path to Ponyville, Sweet apple acres, and Flutershys cabin. I put in a request for red carpet and magic glass sealer which had came during day 4 and was perfect for restoring the atmosphere and the stained glass windows. The internal growth of foliage was remedied by some fire and new bricks. The magical torches and candles still worked with the snap of a finger. Surprisingly I spent most of my time repairing doors and the bridge. The finale piece of the puzzle would be arriving from the Crystal Empire this evening so removing extra foliage and creating sculptures was the only thing to keep me busy.

My exposed torso was covered in dirt while my blue jeans where a split blue and brown. I was bare foot as I began imbuing the ground with my magic to scare off the critters of the forest. I was told the squad would be arriving with my requested materials. My military clothes laid in a neat pile on a log next to Selene along with my bags which were busting at the seems from there contents.

I pulled the Sombra sword from the belt on my hip and plunged it into the ground, dark magic pulsed down the blade and a magic circle formed that pushed a section of rock six feet high. I left the sword in place as I pressed a hand to the stone pillar crumbled to resemble a featureless stone golem. "Go check my work around the castle, report back in an hour." The stone creature awkwardly bent at the waist then hobbled off into the patched up castle. All the walls were repaired but the tower that once stood in the middle was still absent. I collapsed in the dirt my wings being smashed beneath my body as I looked up to the clouds.

I had been sleeping in the ruins the entire time I had been back the desire to see everyone was completely absent as even Luna's telepathic attempts were jammed by the fuzz of my own growing magic that was only further increased by the forest which existed as a dark magic nexus. The magic was actually strong enough that I haven't even needed to eat or sleep that much. I'm just a dirty hermit in the woods and honestly I wouldn't have it any other away for a couple more days, distance from everyone allowed me to vent and not accrue anymore worry as my magic and hex danced in a competitive tango that threatened my control to satiate the hex. To use up some excess magic I've been blowing a warm wind through all the trees of the forest all the way to Ponyville, it fills the air with a wonderful smell of fall and is improving my ability to visualize what my wind magic hits as it passes through the forest. It could be my aerial counterpart to vibration detection that my earth magic can do.

The clouds above were disturbed and a blue pegasus emerged and quickly locked on to my location. I rose to my feet and began walking towards the big castle doors. I tapped the top of the Sombra sword as I passed and in a flash of magic two golem rose from the ground looking like night guards. The flyer landed as I opened and shut the large doors. I pressed my back against the wood as Rainbow hollered outside. I herd the smashing of rock and I curiously peaked out to have the Sombra sword come an Inch from my eye.

"Sun get out here we need to talk." I removed myself from my shelter and pulled my sword from the door converting it to a red and black gauntlet on my left arm.

"I'm not in the mood to talk." I could see her face turn red with frustration.

"We understand it's been tough for you with what happened to Spitfire," My eyes began to narrow. "She was important to me too but you cant shut everyone out." I felt the unstable dance of magic make its way through my system and my hex bite down causing massive knee buckling pain, the Sun and moon on my shoulders lost their colors turning grey and the tightening of my chest just continued. Rainbow was soon upon me holding my twitching form in her arms. "What's wrong Sun?!" It couldn't be helped I had finally hit my ceiling.

"Take me to the tree." The pegasus pulled me up and my arm went around her shoulder for balance as we hobbled towards the newly refurbished stone steps that lead down towards the tree of harmony. I could feel my blood vessels dilate and tighten as I was entering magically induced cardiac arrest. The gleaming of the tree of harmony came into my blurred vision. Of course I would die to my own magic, Rainbow set me down with my back to the tree and as soon as the crystal made contact with my back my vision was filled with the many colors of the tree and the pressure faded and was replaced with the rush of adrenaline my heart beat banging in my ears. The pegasus stared at me in shock as at the front of the cave a flash of blue light signaled the arrival of Luna followed by Celestia. The three ponies stared at me as I began to float and glow white. Luna and Celestia looked distressed but I couldn't hear them over the magic, I could see off the crystals in the cave my hair had turned white along with my wings as my eyes shined red and blue. Then the pressure returned and my hair went red and so did my wings, my eyes began to glow green, the power of Draig filled my chest and I could feel the struggle of all my magic to overcome the hex. The trees power seemed to be strengthening my magic, visions of places and things I hadn't seen before flashed in my eyes, a desert filled with soldiers, a castle in a mountain and, a school full of humans with a girl who's hair looked like fire.

There was a pop and I could feel Luna's magic reach out and blend with the tree's and right before all the magic stopped I saw an image of a tall man in black combat armor with a big sword smiling, "Dad." I hit the ground and quickly found nothing had changed besides the fact that I was no longer on deaths door step. I looked up to the ponies, "Am I okay?" Luna looked at me with complete seriousness.

"Yes, but your hex has been rendered half destroyed."

"Why did you two show up so fast?" Luna looked away and Celestia looked down, Rainbow just shrugged. Celestia looked up.

"Your magic signature was the same as your fathers."

"How were you able to feel that in Canterlot?" Luna looked back to me.

"Magical contracts like marriage can allow the individuals to detect each other no matter the distant." Marriage what a scary word. A grin spread across my face for the first time in awhile.

"So you two are like my step moms?" Celestias eyes shot open.

"NO Sun we are not, you are our soldier and that's it!" She huffed and vanished in a flash of white light.

I looked to Luna, "So this isn't awkward at all." Luna turned to Rainbow.

"Did you give him the potion." She just shook her head and pulled out the glowing red bottle.

"Sun, Luna and Twilight cooked this up for you it will turn you into a pony so you can go into town and be yourself without your guilt. It's nightmare night so it would be nice to know your out and about and not spending it alone, we wont know what you look like so you can spend the night with who you wish." She seemed to have lost the anger from earlier and it was replaced with genuine concern for me that I bet was shared with the rest of the group. She tossed me the bottle and flew away before I could say anything. Luna watched the pegasus fly away with a glint of sadness.

"They all miss you terribly, they sent Rainbow because they figured she would be able to make it through talking to you without crying." I had already made up my mind that I would go but that was just extra nails in the coffin.

"What about the castle there's still building the tower and the gear coming from the Crystal empire."

"Me and the Moons will take care of it."

"Will the potion like hurt?" She gave a chuckle.

"No it will be as easy as drinking the potion and growing a horn." Its true unicorns horns where quite small but it still freaked me out.

"Whatever you say Luna," I downed the bottle easily as it tasted like cherry juice, immediately the magic tattoo on my left shoulder disappeared and the one on my right began to spread across my body like an inky black wave, when it finished I was left looking like a gender swapped Luna. I touched my long ears which looked like an elf's and my my horn which slightly poked from my waving blue hair. Luna just stared at me her expression lost in thought, "is everything alright?"

"Yeah, just a curious question try making a fire in your palm." I raised my left palm and with a blue glow a little blue flame appeared. I lost focus as the flame had looked so strange. "Just as I thought your aura is completely different now but your magical ability hasn't been diminished."

"So in dumb people terms?"

"This is a viable disguise for a mission that's coming up." Oh great more work can't wait.

"What should I do tonight for clothes?" She held a hand out and the black shirt with Luna's cutie mark appeared along with black ripped jeans. She poked the white moon on the t shirt and it turned blue.

"These should do."

I nodded, "I fixed the bathroom in the castle so I'm going to go get cleaned up before I go."

"That would be wise Sun." I saluted Luna and began to walk up the steps. "Hey Sun," I turned around to see what was the matter, "I knew your mother I'm sorry I never told you but I know she would be very proud of you." I felt a twinge in my heart for the hurt in Luna's voice.

"I'm happy to hear that, I think it's crazy my Dad had three wives." She gave me a suspicious look.

"Sun you're not thinking of taking on wives any time soon are you?" My face went red.

"I'm leaving Luna." I could hear the thunderous laughter all the way until I shut the large front doors of my castle.

The Royal bathroom

The huge bathroom was more like a pool inside that was furnished with gold and silver trim and showers on the deck of the bath. I was floating in the bath trying to relax in the water which was magically pulled and heated from a underground well. I snapped my fingers and the magical torches went out and the ceiling glowed with a huge star map dotted with millions of stars and numerous identifiable constellations, the water glowed blue due to the crystals that lined the bottom of the bath. This was definitely up there for favorite room in this entire place. I rose from the water and extended my jet black wet wings. I stepped onto the deck of the bath and a blue fire rose from my feet and I was dry in a flash I slid on my clothes and wandered down the staircase and main hall to stand just outside the front door and lift off into the dusk sky.

I felt my pocket was heavy as I flew and placing my hand there was quite a few bits and a note, "Dear Sun the magical suppression magic can be turned off by focusing on that red lizard, after that you can always change to pony mode by focusing on what the form looks like - Dear Luna" I could definitely use this look to try those fancy bakeries in Canterlot, a little grin formed on my face or I could use it to mess with everyone at sugar cube corner. I landed just outside the forest and began my walk into town.

The streets were full of ponies of all ages most in costumes. Decorations lined the streets like fake bats, pumpkins, and scare crows. There was also the pleasant smell of fall and cider that filled the air. I felt light and happy in only a way Ponyville could make me feel.

There were so many recognizable faces that had no idea who I was. A couple minuets in I was beaming with satisfaction as no one came up to talk to me and I got closer and closer to Sugar Cube Corner. The shop was coming into sight and a growing sense of nervousness was building and hit its highest as I stared into the door of the shop. I grasped the handle and immediately started sweating. I opened the door slowly but the bell still rung and the eyes were on me. Mr cake looked up at me.

"You get lost out of towner?" He stared at me intently. I thought of my best Canterlot impression.

"No good sir I was feeling a bit parched that is all." He began to laugh.

"I'm just pulling your leg, where are you from?" I approached the counter and sat down on the spinning seat.

"Canterlot."

"Traveled all this way for our little festival."

"I've herd this town throws quite the lovely parties."

"I'm guessing you've herd about the parties for the towns adopted golden boy then." I looked at him quizzically.

"Golden boy?" It was his turn to look confused.

"You're telling me you've never herd of Sun or I guess Apollo Sun the human night guard, the prince of the humans." I felt a little pride he thought so highly of me. I was shook to the core as Mr.Cake called to someone behind me. "Pinkie this stallion has never herd of your friends coltfriend." I turned around to be mere inches from the pink pony.

"Well Mr, Sunny is a prince who's stolen the hearts of most the elements of harmony and many more mares with his heroic bravado." Heroic Bravdo? "If he shows up tonight I'll introduce you to him." I nodded to the pink mare and before I could respond my heart stopped as I herd the rest of the girls coming from the side room. The whole group was now looking at this strange stallion supposedly from Canterlot. They were all dressed up Pinkie was a zombie, Aj was a librarian, Rarity was a queen, Fluttershy was a vampire a chill ran down my spine, Twilight was a witch, and Rainbow was a wonder bolt. My eyes lingered on the wonderbolt uniform and I stood up from the counter.

"I do remember that Sun guy isn't he the guy that failed to save Spitfire." I blinked and I was held tackled over the counter by the blue flyer. Her eyes had a fire lit in them in a way I had never seen.

"I don't know if that's the word from where your from but he did everything he could to save her." She let go of my shirt and left in a huff. Fluttershy helped me up.

"She must of had a bad day." The yellow vampire nodded.

"Sun wont leave the forest and the animals say he's very sad." I forgot she was in cohorts with the wildlife. I remembered Mr.Cake calling me their coltfriend.

"With so many caring mare friends I'm sure he'll come out of the forest soon." Most of their faces went red except Rarity.

"I would not describe my future top my model as a coltfriend in a romantic capacity purely economic. Speaking of modeling and fashion would you mind telling me were you acquired such a shirt." Rarity found me out!

"I purchased it from the night selection of the Canterlot fashion catalog." She smiled I must look for it when the catalog gets shipped here.

"Well I better get going." Raritys evil smile got bigger.

"What's your name darling?" I smiled back.

"Artemis Moon, and yours?"

"I think you know mine." I said my good byes and made my way out. About .2 seconds after I shut the door I herd a large commotion and that was my que to disappear as queen lose lips definitely spilled the beans. I stepped into an alley and peaked out to see the gang trying to find me in the crowd. I began snickering and went to find the nearest cider stand. It took me a couple minuets to find it but the stall tended by Granny smith was quite popular and took me awhile to get to the front of the line. Before I could say hello Granny Smith glared at me.

"Yer way to young to fool me Sun" I just stared at the mare slightly terrified.

"Just how?" She laughed.

"You walk around like a little kid in a candy shop when yer here." I felt defeated. "It's a good costume unless yer really half pony."

"Wait they can do that?"

"I don't know I'm just an old earth pony." She winked at me and my brain melted as I stared at her like an idiot.

"Well now I need cider." She pushed two of the largest wooden mugs towards me.

"Down it in a thirty seconds and its free." I just smiled and threw both the drinks down the gullet.

"I was joking stupid but I'm impressed." I was now red in the face and I threw up a salute and walked off into the crowd. There was bobbing for apples, face painting, and a lot of scantily dressed mares who were quickly noticing the new addition to the limited stallion population. The usual hands off Sun rule didn't apply to Artemis Moon and the mares were like predators who herded me towards the dancing area. I was passed around more than a smoking stick at a fancy Canterlot salon party. I was dancing with a mare I believe was named Rosebud as a hand was put on my shoulder and I was spun to face a quite drunk yellow vampire. Fuck. Rosebud went to step in between me and Fluttershy but Fluttershy jumped into my arms and hissed at Rosebud who walked away in a huff.

"Don't make me bite you Sun." That means they all know and I'm too drunk to care.

"Where's everyone else at?"

"Looking for you." makes sense to me. The yellow mare looked deep into my eyes as she leaned forward and not so subtly pressed her huge yabos against me. "So what were you saying about being our coltfriend at Sugar Cube." I looked around for any possible save, it's not that I didn't want to I just was kinda scared of the shy mare hating me when she sobered up. By some stroke of luck the world began to shake and deep within the Everfree forrest rose a huge crystal tower.

"I'm sorry Fluttershy my package arrived and I have to go check it out." I opened my wings and with the help of excel I was sent launching through the air. I could see the yellow pegasus begin to follow me but that was the least of my issues as a blue blur missed me by mere inches. Of course the one person I can't out fly in town finds me, I leaned down close to the tree layer hoping she wouldn't dive bomb m, I was wrong as the predator was quickly approaching. I dipped below the tree layer taking a couple branches to the face but was safe for the time being. I raised my hand to start projecting the wind magic forward. I weaved in between the foliage and everything began blurring together as I sped up. I was no where near as fast as Rainbow without excel but I was definitely getting faster. I came shooting out of the trees with an entourage of leaves and came to a break neck stop in front of my castle. I stopped staring up at the huge mass that extended into the sky, on a cloudy day I think the tower would by above the clouds.

Luna and the Moons came out of the front door and joined me in looking up at the tower. "I hope everyone knows it was my idea so my rooms up their."

Crescent chuckled, "Good luck with the stairs Cowboy." I focused on the power of Draig and I was surrounded by a vortex of fire, as it dispersed my normal looks had returned.

"I think I have an announcement to make."

Author's Note

Halloween chapter in February