April 29th,2043
Canterlot Marine Barracks mess hall

Sometimes, life can really suck, sometimes it can be totally awesome. And today was that day. For one my way of training the news guards as Marine's and not some push overs was really starting to pay off, each day they were improving by leaps and bounds. Except for one thing, when I'd woken up and gave Kodiak his breakfast, there was a sealed letter that had been slipped under my door. Unlike a normal letter this one had The seals of Celestia and Luna on it. Opening it I quickly read through its contents and lo and behold I was invited to have tea with Celestia at around ten o'clock, and to come in my basic camo uniform, it even said to bring Kodiak with me, and was signed from Celestia.To say I was surprised was an understatement, because in the few weeks since I'd arrived I was able to talk to her a few times but not enough to really know her. So here I was sitting in the Mess with my fellow marines, chatting as if we were just civvies and not soldiers. Some of them were surprised, to learn I'd got the invitation and a few blew it out of proportion, saying that I'd be getting a piece of ass to which I retorted by pulling rank and threatening those who instigated it with scrub duty for the next three months, that guy t them to shut up fast. After that I still had a few hours before I was supposed to meet Celestia, so I had to think of something to do, so what better way to waste some time by going to the firing range. Heading back I grabbed my AR and my 1911 seeing as how it would be in my best interest to get some practice in with it as well seeing that being a soldier you've always have to remain in peak condition, or be the best we can. Making sure I was set, I took off for the range at a leisurely pace saluting Marines and guards as I went with Kodiak a few paces behind me, a dopey smile like look on his face as he trotted with me, with not a care in the world. And at exactly that moment here came Golden Gleam, her arm around another guard a mare to be exact as they walked down the laughing and giggling to what ever it was they thought was hilarious.

"Good morning lieutenant, mind introducing me to your friend?" I asked

"Morning Major, and yes I can, this here is the love of my life, my special somepony. My marefriend, lieutenant Ruby silk" She said, wait marefriend huh never took Golden for being a lesbian, but hey who am I to judge the same thing happens all the time on Earth so guess this is somethin else our worlds have in common.

"No shit, well never took you for a fillyfooler lieutenant" I said still getting over that revelation, which she just looked at me with a look on her face that said 'Are you serious'.

"Well I am so get used to it sir" She said sticking her tongue out at me.

"respect the uniform lieutenant, also what was so funny that you both looked like you're going to die from laughing?" I said

"Oh just something from when I was younger" Ruby said "Trust me its best that it'd stay between me and Golden"

"Fair enough, none of me business anyway" I said "I'll leave you two to do what ever it is you plan on doing"

"WAIT" Ruby Silk screamed "You've got your weapons, can I see you use, huh can I, can I, can I please?"

Oh god the puppy eyes she's giving me are too much, but why the hell not, it wouldn't hurt anyone.

"Eh why not, Might as well, hell bring what ever weapons you've got and we'll compare whose is better" I said "Come on the range be this way"

"Ruby please remember to not fan girl again like last time" Golden said as she and Ruby followed back down to the barracks earning looks of what the hell and cat calls from the marines that where still there,, only what ruby chose as her reply was, well kinda weird, and funny too.

"Whaaaat, I can't help it if I'm a weaponholic, I just can't were ever I see a new awesome weapon I've got to see how it works" Ruby Silk replied "And you know you love me" She emphasized this by planting a kiss on Golden cheek causing her to go beet red, me however I burst out laughing at the display of affection.

"What, it's funny"I said getting a deadpanned look from both of them"Aw screw you both you don't get someone else's humor, come on we're here" I said as I pushed open the door revealing the massive enclosed range because let's be honest an open love fire range in the middle of a populated city has warnings written all over it and accidents just waiting to happen, cause lets be honest who really wants to be out taking a stroll, minding their own business and boom, enter stray bullet and a possible and accidental death. Not the best way to start relations with a new world.

"A few ground rules, number one you will were ear and eye protection. Number two if you've got any ranged weapons, for gods sake keep them pointed away from everyone" I said with irritation even though I was kidding.

"Really? You really think we're that stupid, I mean yes I can get a little to enthusiastic, because I love seeing new weapon but, not as much as I love Golden but really?" Ruby Silk said with an irritated tone, though with her squeaky voice it made her sound like a child.

"Ruby, he's kidding do you really think he'd think that, he been doing this longer than we have and I'm sure he's seen plenty of fighting to back it up " Golden Gleam said which had a strange affect Ruby went from all pouting and what not to completely happy. Talk about confusing as hell, I mean who can do that on a whim. The answer, ponies.

"Well, that's was.... that happened , moving on ladies say hello to my little friend MR. M8A1" I said as I showed it off, which was causing Silk to literally start drooling.

"Sooooo cooool" She said is a trance like state, okay this is really weird I thought aloud in my head.

"Well, pay close attention there will be a quiz after" I said as I grab a fresh mag, slapping it home before select semi-auto and aiming down range.

"Going hot" I said making sure Ruby Silk and Golden both had Eye protection and ear protection on, before letting of eight rounds in quick succession hitting dead center of where the heart would be. A quick flick of the selector switch and I emptied the mag in under two seconds.

"Range is clear" I shouted , before looking over only to see Ruby Silk with a euphoric look on her face

"So.... Awesome" She said before her legs gave out prompting Golden to catch her, leaning her marefriend against the wall.

"Ruby? Ruby RUBY please speak to me?" Golden asked in a frightened voice, shaking Ruby slightly, who suddenly defying reality itself bounced back as if nothing happened.

"THAT IS SO AWESOME" Ruby screamed in a rather painfully high
pitched squeal, which made mine and Golden's ears ring and feel like they were going to start bleeding any second, being able to squeal that loud defies all known science.

"Well, despite the ringing in my ear's I'm glad you liked it" I said "Now it your turn come on so me what you got"

"Oh yes, yes, yes time to show of ma babies" Ruby said as she wiped out two and I do say rather impressive machine pistols, that seemed to match her personality quite. without so much as a warning she started spraying magic propelled bullets down range, with the cheesiest grin on her face. in a fraction of a second the clip in each pistol was empty, while Ruby her self turned around to face us.

"Ta-DA" She said taking a pose that would make most girls d'awww. All I could do was stare in shock and how despite her lack of control managed to reduce a not one but five targets to nothing but saw dust. That rate of fire rivals a freaking mini gun for hell's sake, how she got a hold of, or built a pair of guns that fire at the rate of a mini gun is one of those mysteries I don't want to have answered.

"Okay lieutenant Silk how in the hell did you get weapons that fire hat fast? I asked still dumbfounded at her weapons.

"Major do you really want to know, because when she explained it to me it didn't make and ounce of sense to me" Golden Gleam said to me, if that's the case maybe it's best left as a mystery that doesn't need solving, still I was curious as to what Goldens preferred weapon was.

"So Golden Gleam what ya got up you sleeve?" I asked seeing as how I wanted to know what she was packing. What she had was awesome and kind of scary to look at, for one it was a huge ass scythe that was along as she is tall.

"Dayum, never seen someone wield a scythe before" I said it was then I noticed the chain hooked to the end of the handle did I realize how dangerous it really was.

"This here is Heartbreaker respect Heartbreaker at all times and there won't be any pain" Golden said sarcastically though it still was a bit unnerving to know she carried a huge scythe as a weapon. what made It more terrifying was the reach she had with it. with one swing she was able to decapitate the head on four training dummies. Then she started to swing it around above her head while holding onto the end of the chain, and I might have been cut in half if I'd been standing a half an inch closer.

"Any questions?" Golden asked as she heft her scythe onto her shoulder, giving a firm head shake was my only answer. We chatted for a few more minutes, I even showed my 1911 letting Golden and Ruby see a classic piece of human innovation that so far, has withstood the test of time even though it's considered outdated by todays standards.

See as how our little chat and demonstrations only left me with about a half an hour to meet Celestia I bid me goodbye and headed to were I had to meet her. Her personal bedroom (and that's not a joke for the Internet to enjoy), the thought racing through my mind where not helping me either, I mean here I am about to have tea with a literal god, and its going to be in her own personal place, the rumors that are going to spread cause of this. gathering my courage which I knocked hard on the door three times.

"Just a moment" came the voice of Celestia from the otherside, before the sound of hoof steps was heard and the suddenly flying open. And there she was standing their in a simple white dress, and not a single piece of her regalia on.

"Major, thank you for coming. Please come in, I got so much I want to ask" She said as she beckoned me in, well no turning back now.

"Come on boy" I said to Kodiak who scampered in after to me. Inside he room was really impressive, the floor had her cutie mark etched into the floor, a massive bed was facing to the balcony. The thing looks like it could hold ten ponies people whatever you could think of. Another door opened to what looked like a walk in closet, while next to it was a massive bathroom. Hell she even had her own kitchen and a stair case going to a small study above everything else.

"Please sit, I want this to be as relaxed as possible" Celestia said well shit if that's how its going to be then fine.

"Alright fine, on one condition princess" I said

"Name it" she said

"You get to use my real name and I get to simply call you Celestia, sound fair enough?" I said, the invitation said this was casual so why not treat each other as normal beings and not as a soldier and a princess. She instantly brightened up at this as she more or less sat up straighter in her seat and had a warmer smile.

"I believe,... That this is a wonderful idea, Tea? She asked as she held a teapot in her hands. "Or would you prefer something else or a little stronger?"

"Coffee, Black with some sugar, if you have any" I Said as I sat on the opposite side of the small table she had set up for us. A pot of fresh coffee floated out of her kitchen surrounded by the golden aura of her magic along with a single mug and small shaker of sugar. While it was still held in her magic she poured the cup about 5/6 full and add two firm shakes of sugar too it before levitating it over to me. Reaching for it she ceased the flow of magic as she watched me take a good long gulp of the coffee.

"Damn, that's some good stuff right there Celestia, you might have to get me five tons of whatever type of coffee beans your using" I said with a hearty chuckle, Celestia seeing as how I was enjoying started to giggle seeing as how I seemed to like it.

"*Sigh* Thank mother, I was hoping its to your liking, as for the bean type its, White springs special" She started off "the reason I I asked for you come, is because I wish to get to know you better, perhaps become friends even"

"I had a feeling you might want to do something like this, that and there something about the look on your face that says otherwise" I said

"Drat, I'd had hoped I would be able to hide, the other reason was ai wanted to meet and cuddle your dog" she said to me with a slight blush and a small fit of giggles. Busted but seeing how it got me laughing I thought, you know what screw let's see where fate takes this.

"Bahahahaha ho oh, well I'm glad that's all right I hope-ooof" She was cut off as Kodiak seeing as how Celestia had wanted to cuddle him had taken it upon himself to leap and I mean literally leap onto her chair. She then found her self under attack from his affections, which included licking her face, demanding belly rubs and finally siting on her lap all the while we're both laughing like lunatics.

"Ooooh who's a good puppy whose a good puppy. yes you is, yes you is" She said a s she scratched his belly.

"Really?" I asked since the whole display was very in-princess like but hey this is were we be our selves so there is nothing wrong with it.

"Yes really, I like being able to cuddle with stuff especially since when I first met you I've wanted to cuddle your dog, and Kodiak from what I heard from your newest friend Golden Gleam, that's the name of an island in Alaska correct?" she said man She must really know Golden Gleam well.

"Pretty much yeah, and seeing as how you want to try and be friends we might as well get to know each other a little bit" I said because that's what friends. For me however it would be a great way to connect with her, in the time since I'd arrived on Equus and met her, my feelings and emotions have told me o e single thing. I've fallen in love with a princess, I just hope she feels the same way about me seeing as how she hasn't really had anyone t care for her in eight centuries.

"Hmm interesting, is there about yourselves you wish to share?" She asked as she got Kodiak off her lap and leaned forward in her chair.

"Well where to start, I was Born an raised on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee back on Earth growin up was rather fun, I had a lot of friends, none more so then my best friend Alec Cretney, or as some of the boys call him, The Scotsmen." I said

"Quick question why do they call him the Scotsman?" She asked

"He was originally born in Edinburgh, Scotland so he has that thick accent" I replied which she nodded her head in understanding.

"Growing up through out my middle school and high school years we did pretty much everything together, even getting a bunch of our friends to help out at the family mine" I said

"A mine? your family are miners, that would help explain your well built physic" Celestia said in a slightly seductive voice.

"Hey now don't be getting any idea's, but yeah we're miners and soldiers well on my dads side we are" I said "My Family's been working our mine the good old Rolling Thunder mine for a hundred and twenty years"

"That long? I find that rather intriguing, what do your workers normally mine for, mithril, diamonds or gold?" She asked with enthusiastic curiosity, can't say I blame seeing as how we have some metals that aren't found on Equus and vice versa.

"No we don't really have mithril on Earth what we do mine however is mostly iron, copper, and titanium on a side node when I was twelve I was there with Alec and my dad as we were drilling a new shaft and you won't believe what we found" I said with excitement as the memory started to come back to me.

"What, what was it was it a giant chasm made of cake" She squealed as she bounced in her seat.

"No but that would be awesome. instead when the chamber opened, and we brought up some spot lights, we were astounded to see veins of Silver running through out it". I said "the way the light shined on it, made it look like jewels , it was like we'd stepped into something from a fairy tale"

"How incredible, please continue" She said returning to her attentiveness

"Well what else, I'm the second oldest of four with my Brother Jacob being the oldest, then there's me, our sister Katlynn, and finally our youngest brother Thomas" I said "Growing up we were always trying to be the best we could, helpin others that sort of thing"

"Interesting, but what inspired you to become a Marine?, was is it to follow in the footsteps f your ancestor and to continue the family tradition?" She asked me pausing only a moment to take a sip of tea. "Forgive me if I'm being to intrusive, your the first pun- I mean person whose wanted and acted like a true friend to me since I..... I had to banish Luna" a saddened look took the happy smile away as that terrible memory came to surface. I'd read what had happened and man was it just messed up having to send your sibling into a thousand year imprisonment do tot the fact she wasn't getting the love she wanted, damn that must have been tough. Seeing as how he was about to start crying I quickly got up and slowly pulling from her chair, I wrapped her in a comforting hug as she cried a little on my shoulder. after about two minutes she let out a long sigh.

"Better?" I asked as I wiped away a few remaining tears.

"Y-yes" she said regaining her composer, Before sitting down.

"Now back to your question no, it was not to continue a family tradition. Instead it was due to terrorism" I replied to her earlier question.

"Terrorism?" She said her head slightly tilted, I see what was going on here, since Equestria has had peace for so long Terrorism is practically unheard of here.

"acts of aggression carried out against a group of people or nation by others for a number of reasons" I said "I'd just started my first and only semester of college when at the same time on the same day the cities of New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia were hit with mass suicide bombers and Terrorist fighters that had managed to sneak into the country"

"By my Sun... that's , that's just awful why would anypony do such a thing" She asked through some shaky tears.

"A number of reason, which I don't really want to delve into" I said "But what else about me , I like being outdoors, I going fishing and hunting and well donate the meat from what ever I usually get to those who need, while keeping a bit to make some jerky"

I rambled on a few minutes more going over the other various things I enjoyed, such as music, movies or current vid games and so forth.

"Now that we've gotten me outta the way how about your tell me about you Tia, is it cool if I call you Tia?" I asked

"Of course, as for me, I was born over one thousand twenty six years ago" she said "My Mother Queen Faust along with my Father King Craig rule until Luna and I were 37 and 34"

"What happened?" I asked seeing as how there was mention of her parents in some of the history books I'd skimmed through in the castle library, but even then it was only a select few that even mentioned them. I wonder why that is.

"Well mother and father ended up fighting the evil necromancer Grogar, it... *Drawn out sigh* it was costly in the end Grogar was defeated and his kingdom lost for ever in the Shadow world, but for us, our o-ur d-daddy was destroyed and mother nowhere to be found" She said though a few tears, as she brought up a terrible memory.

"Damn, guess I shouldn't have asked if it was going to be this painful for you" I said apologetically, only she raised a hand to tell me to stop.

"Please Connor, its alright, it happened long ago though when I think about it, it still hurts. At least now I've got my sister back and right now, I may even have a new friend" She said as her expression brightened towards the end of her sentence.

"nice anything else?" I asked

"Well, I like to spend time with children, trying new food items, I may or may not have a severe cake addiction" She said which got me laughing, this whole thing of her explaining what she liked how hard it was when she lost Luna and how happy she was when she returned. Turns out she's a fan of science fiction novels and movies, I might have to show her the entire Star Wars Trilogy maybe she'll like that.

What else?" she said as she pondered for a mere moment "I like classical music, operas visiting the various fairs and markets that go on through the years"

"nice got any pets?" I asked

"Oh yes one moment please" she said before she let loose a single crystal chimed whistle, before silence before said silence was broken by a loud and some what annoying squawk, and not even five seconds later I felt something land on my head and start grinding its claws or talons, those feet things that birds have. next thing I know there's this funny looking bird leaning over my head looking at me. its twitches slightly as it investigates me before pecking me lightly on the nose. that caused me to go cross eyed for a split second before trying to shoo the bird away only for it to remain on my head. Celestia seeing my struggle giggled at me trying to show my mastery over the bird.

"Alright Philomena, that's enough of you pestering dear Connor, get off of his head" She says to which the bird caws and jumps from my head to the table, getting 'Philomena' helps its self to one of the Danishes that Celestia had been snacking on.

"Well that happened, but what in the world kind of birds is that?" I asked as I was still trying to figure out what kind of bird it was, well because there aren't any back home on Earth.
"Phoenix" Celestia said with a cute smile as she reached over and stroke Philomena's head, who in turn nuzzled into her hand.

"Uh Come again, you said Phoenix right" I asked in shock and confusion.

"Yes. I did Philomena has been my pet phoenix for the past seven hundred thirty years, and she has a mischief streak that's just as long." Celestia said trying to hide her laughter from what must be a very fun and colorful history. But then again she would because Phoenix's don't exist back on Earth. We talked a few hours more, telling stories, answering questions we had. Heck one of her Stories was when she and Luna apparently had a prank war when they were fillies, which culminated it half of the ancient castle they grew up in being covered in rainbow paint and filled with soap bubbles, that got me laughing so hard I literally couldn't breath. Turns out even though Luna was imprisoned in the moon, the prank war had resumed when she was cleansed of the nightmare and had forgiven Celestia. Sadly during that long time of waiting she never really had any real friends and her last coltfriend apparently tried to usurp the throne from her, man talk about tough luck However it was then time for me to leave as I was taking over the afternoon session with the new guards and would be stuck with them through out the evening. It was then I chose to make my good bye and exit stage right.

"Goodbye, Celesta, I hope we can do this again some time" I said as I got up from my seat popping my back due to siting for so long, though I was interrupted as I felt her lay a hand on my shoulder and turn me around so that I was facing her. Before I could react she has me is a rather strong hug.

"Thank you.... Thank you for being my first true friend in so long, you have no idea how much this means to me" she says through a few tears, as she holds me tight. I wrap my arms around her waist returning the hug.

"Your welcome Celestia" I said in her ear, we stay there a few seconds more before she lets go.

"Thank you.. again and please call me Tia, if you'd like" she says wiping away the last of her tears, and please when ever you've free time feel free to stop by.

"I will" I say as I close her door behind me.

Celestia's POV

As my door closes I feel so happy, I've I've got my first real friend in forever basically. And he held me in his arms, I felt safe, even secure as he comforted me. I don't want this to ended like it did with Steal Shod, luckily for me Cadence is coming next week, so it looks like we're going to have a chat together maybe Connor might speak to her as well. I think I'll head back to court now, this is going to be marvelous.

Author's Note

Ruby Silk is based off of Ruby rose from the hit internet series RWBY only not as hyper and doesn't have such a strong cookie addiction

Also with the new semester chapters willing take longer at being published because its school. I got to be able to get the education and job I want somehow because in life nothing is free except for the air we breath.
That said I will be working on the next chapter of Star Trek Equestria Rising