Ray could feel a thumping in his head, coupled with the fact he couldn’t remember last night, he knew he was hungover. He felt well though, his blanket over him, his bed under him. His bed felt… odd however, like it was tattered. Ray could feel someone shift under the blanket, starting to move away, “Margaret, stay in bed…” he said dumbly, trying to get closer.

“Margaret?” Luna’s voice asked, causing Ray’s eyes to snap open. They were in a field, he could remember last night, and he felt… he didn’t want to think about it.

Ray jumped up, wrapping himself with the blanket around his waist, “What the… “He looked at Luna, who was just sitting there, smiling, “Good morning Ray.” she said simply, and began levitating his clothing to him, Ray began quickly putting his clothes on.

When he finished, he looked to Luna, “What hap-” “Who’s Margaret?” Luna asked, cutting him off. Ray thought for a moment, “It doesn’t matter.” he stated, folding the blanket. Luna shook her head, “Was she your partner?” she continued to pry, making Ray groan.

Ray just turned, and walked to the river so he could splash his face. Luna had followed, sitting beside him, “Just tell me, Ray, it’ll help you come to terms with what ever it is.” Ray looked at her, “She’s dead, I’m alive, that's all that matters.” Luna nodded slowly, sighing as she looked at the morning sky, “Well, I need to go to Canterlot to deal with some business; there's some ponies I’d like you to meet.” Luna said, ruffling her wings.

Ray nodded, “Yeah, I’ll go. I need to stop by the farm to grab some things first.” Luna nodded, smiling.

Ray began walking, and Luna followed beside him, “Listen… About last night, that was-” “It’s alright Ray, just don’t talk about it.” Luna said simply, looking straight ahead, her smile still plastered on her face.

Ray nodded slowly, and shrugged. Soon they’d be at the trail, and walking along it to the farm, “I forgot to meet Flim and Flam damn it…” Ray said aloud, realizing he’d forgotten about them. Luna shrugged, “They don’t really matter, do they?” she asked, looking at Ray, “They…” He realized that Luna could help with his business, “Would you like to be business partners Luna?” Ray asked, giving her a dashing smile. Luna nodded, “I thought you’d never ask.” she said, grinning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray opened the front door of the farmhouse, and was greeted by Applebloom jumping at him, “Ray!” she yelled, landing in his arms, takes to his quick catch. Ray smiled, hugging Applebloom tightly, “Hey there, Bloomers.” he said, ruffling her mane, much to her enjoyment.

A cough brought the moment to a screeching halt, and the three of them looked at Applejack, who was sitting in front of the fireplace, judging them.

Ray let out a dry chuckle, and set Applebloom down, patting her head, “Go play with your friend Abby.” he said, and she did, galloping between his legs to go play. Ray and Luna finished entering the building and Ray closed the door. Aj stood, glaring at Ray, “Where in tarnation have you been?!” she yelled. Never lets anything go. Ray thought dryly.

Luna smiled, “You see, we lost track of time last night.” she said, trotting past Aj, heading for the stairs, leaving Aj there, mouth agape. She slowly turned to face Ray, “What does that mean, Ray?” she asked, venom dripping from her tone. Ray shrugged, “We talked about business.” “What kind?” “Oh you know, construction work, helping the foals.” Ray said, smiling as Aj narrowed her eyes.

Aj left the house, shoving past Ray on her way out, “Yer shit is upstairs.” she said, leaving Ray there in shock. That was new... He thought, watching her trot towards town. Shrugging, he left it and went upstairs, going to his room, where Luna was overlooking his notes.

“These are very nice.” Luna said simply, levitating pages to her face, reading each of them, a look of thought on her face. Ray grunted, rubbing the back of his head, “I assume you want me to pack?” he asked, getting a nod, “Yes, you might be staying in Canterlot for the next few days, or weeks, so call those who need to know.” Ray nodded, and looked around, seeing the large crate in the corner.

Walking to it, he noticed it had already been pried open, but shut back, and so, he opened it. Bullets, the crate was full, stocked to the brim. Ray felt giddy, and began to chuckle, getting Luna’s attention, “Is something funny?” she asked sharply, looking back at him, noticing the crate.

“What’s in there?” Luna ask, sounding far calmer, making Ray sigh, “Bullets.” he said, happy. Sitting in front of the crates, he slid the clip out of his PMM, and began reloading them, humming quietly.

Luna sighed, and began packing for Ray, taking mostly his new clothes, “Be sure to tell those that need to know where you’re going.” she said plainly, folding a pair of pants, admiring the stitch work.

Ray nodded, sliding the clip back into his PMM, and placed it in his vest, the spare clip into his left pocket.

Smiling, Ray stood, gave a stretch, and left the room, heading downstairs. Noticing Mac sitting on the couch, he walked over, “Hey, Mac, I’m gonna be heading out to Canterlot for a few days. Was wondering if you wanted to come.” Ray asked, smiling as he patted Mac’s back.

Mac looked to be in thought for a moment, staring at the empty fireplace, “Why?” he asked simply. Ray chuckled, “You’re my friend Mac, and a good one, I need you man.” he said, looking at Mac, trying to be assuring. Mac sighed, nodding as he looked up, giving Ray a smile, “Of course I’ll go wit’ ya.” he said, patting Ray’s side.

Luna coughed from the stairwell, looking at the two, “So we have a travel companion?” she asked, levitating Ray’s trunk, placing it down beside herself. Ray nodded, smiling, “He’s a good guy.” Ray said, grabbing up the phone.

“Operator?... Flim Flam Brother please…” Pause. Click, “Yes?” Flam could be heard saying, “It’s me Ray, I’m gonna be up in Canterlot-” He hung up on Ray.

“Well, I suppose I’ll have a surprise the next time we see each other.” Ray said, receiving a giggle from Luna, making him look back at her, “I’m serious.” she only nodded.

Mac picked up Ray’s trunk and hefted it onto his back, grunting somewhat before getting used to the weight. Ray opened the door, Applebloom was sitting there, about to knock. She went to speak, but noticed Ray’s trunk and how it looked like they were getting ready to leave.

“Are… Are ya leavin’ us?” Applebloom asked, fearful of the answer, then looked at Mac, “And you too brother?!” she was ready to cry. Ray knelt, holding out his arms, and Applebloom rushing into them, hugging him tightly, “Was ah bad?!” she asked, tears beginning to run down her face, “No…” Ray said, rubbing her back, “I’m gonna be back in a few days, I’ll write to you, once I’m where I’ll be staying, then you can send me letters.” Ray said, trying to reassure her.

Mac trotted over, “I’ll do the same sis.” he said, trying to calm her, Luna only watched them, smiling.

Applebloom sniffled, “Ya’ll promise?” she asked, not willing to let go of Ray until she got a yes. Ray kissed her forehead, “Of course… You can even sleep in my room if you want.” he said, smiling at Applebloom, who rubbed her face and smiled, “Alright… ah… Ah love you guys.” she said, hugging both Mac and Ray, smiling happily.

Ray eventually pried himself free, and sighed, “We’ve gotta go make the train Abby. Stop worrying about us, we’ll be back.” Ray said, but it made him feel odd; he shrugged off the feeling.

Luna trotted out past them, “Come along then, Ray, I need to talk to you about some business things.” Ray nodded, following, followed by Mac.

Applebloom waved them off, smiling as she closed the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the train, Ray found himself very bored. Fluttershy had seen him off, and gave him some wrapped fish. Sighing, Ray couldn’t help but chuckle. Fluttershy was one of his only friends, but it was starting to worry him. When she saw him off, she was wearing a cross around her neck. He shuddered. A religious war would probably not get very far with their ruler. He thought grimly.

Luna sat beside him, watching the world go by outside, sighing as she ate some chocolates she bought from a trolley. Ray ate a few, but after the third, a hoof crack against his hand, and he hadn’t tried since, rubbing his knuckles.

Mac was laying on a cot near the back of their train car, snoring quietly. Ray smiled, hoping that maybe he could work Mac into his business. Thinking about it though, Ray really couldn’t believe he could convince Mac it was a good thing.

Sighing, he slumped in his seat, watching the world go by. Wonder how Aj is… Even if she’s a broad. He thought, shifting slightly.

Yawning, Mac rolled over, looking at the two of them, watching, thinking. Ray looked over at him, smiling, “Awake now?” he asked, getting a nod from Mac, “Why’re we goin’ to Canterlot anyway?” he asked, staring at the two of them.

Luna looked at Mac, “To help Ray meet some ponies that could help him.” she said simply, “My sister will be at the station to greet us, so make sure you’re presentable.” she continued, looking at Mac in particular. Ray nodded, “I’m pretty sure that we’re presentable.” he said, smiling as he dusted himself off.

Luna nodded quickly, “Good, we’ll be there soon anyway.” Luna got a look of thought on her face suddenly, scrunching up her face as she looked around. Ray looked at her, “Everything alright?” he asked, raising a brow. Luna nodded, “Oh it’s fine, I just got a strange magical sense for a moment, but I don’t think it was anything.” she said, smiling. Ray nodded, “Mkay.”

After a quiet thirty minutes, the train conductor announced that they’d be stopping in Canterlot soon, and Ray sighed, standing to stretch. Luna did the same, feeling the train slowing down over time, before coming to a complete stop.

Luna shook her head, looking around, “I keep… Nevermind, let’s head out.” she said, leading them off the train.

Standing out the train, shouldered by ten guards, was Celestia, a smile plastered onto her face, and a fake look of joy on her face, “Good day… I…”

Celestia looked around, her horn lighting up as she began to sense for magical residue. When she got to Ray, she stopped, a look of serious thought on her face. Then, something terrifying happened. It contorted, into a look of rage and pure anger. Ray didn’t see the levitating bench coming, as it slammed into his side.

He felt something break, and screamed out in pain as his right arm suddenly felt like it was on fire, wrathing in pain.

Luna screamed something, Mac rushing to Ray to help him, but he could hear through the pain. Seeing was impossible, his vision was swimming and he felt sick, his eyelids heavy.

He felt himself be levitated, and sat on someone back, he assumed Mac’s, and a bumpy ride began, like however he was on was going full speed down a dirt road. The screaming became distant, like a bad memory fading away. What… he couldn’t figure out what was happening, it was all happening so fast.

Bright lights, white walls, yelling, it was all so… Surreal, he couldn’t really tell what to make of it, only that he hurt a great deal.

Finally, he felt a prick in his left arm, and he felt really heavy suddenly. It scared him; he didn’t want to die twice. That would suck.

Just before his vision went dark, he could see a red blob above him, saying something, trying to comfort him, but he couldn’t make it out, “Good… Friend…” Ray said, slipping into the darkness.

Author's Note

I had to force myself to write this chapter, because I just really didn't feel like it. hopefully with the next one, I'll be in a far better mood.

So yeah, Celestia is pretty pissed, which is evident. Luna has some explaining to do, if Celestia is willing to listen. Rya is in big trouble, and has only been in Canterlot for thirty seconds, gotta be a record.

Remember to point out mistakes for me.

Good day.