"In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions."

― Catherine the Great

Karn wasn't entirely sure how long he'd spent in the hayloft with Applejack. She was clearly quite a mess, between the alcohol she had inadvertently stumbled upon and consumed and the sad secret she'd been hiding - that of her love for him. He hoped that it was a case of her being so drunk that contributed to her feeling that way. At any rate, she was now exhausted and presently just seemed to rest against him with her hooves wrapped around him and her head resting on his chest.

'How the fuck do I manage to get into these kinds of fixes?' he thought to himself.

"AJ, you're quite clearly very tired. I think it would be best if I got you to bed so you can sleep off the cider you've had to drink," he offered.

Between her emotional outburst and the effects of the alcohol, she could do little more than offer a slight sniff. "That'd be ... well, ah'd love that very much, Karn. Ahm sorry, you may have ta help me walk since ah .... "

"AJ, you're not walking anywhere. Allow me and excuse my reach," he whispered to her. Gently curling his hands under her hind quarters, he held her against him and stood to his feet. He felt her hooves tighten around him ever so slightly. Making his way down the ladder would prove tricky, so he decided instead to make a leap from the edge of the loft.

"It's going to be easier for me to reach the bottom of the barn if I just jump from here, AJ. Just hold on tightly, I've got you," he instructed. Before she had a chance to question his decision, he had leaped from the top of the barn. Landing feet first, he allowed his legs to fold up and absorb the impact. Having thus reduced the impulse to a non-jarring level, he once more slowly rose to his feet.

"Are you okay there, AJ?" he asked quietly. She didn't utter a word - she felt unable to, feeling the sad combination of guilt, unrequited love and her general embarrassment. She softly nodded her head against his chest. 'I guess no news is good news, given the Goddamn circumstances,' Karn thought angrily. His anger wasn't directed at her - its subject was his own frustration. It'd been pretty stupid on his part to go leaving alcohol sitting around the barn. 'Imagine if any of the fillies had stumbled onto it? When Twilight gets word of this little incident, it's going to be the shit fight of the century,' he fumed. He looked back down at AJ resting her head against his chest. "Alright then, sweetheart. Let's get you inside and into your bed. I think you'll need some time to sleep off my experimental cider," he said softly, in a manner completely at odds with how furious he was about his own imbecility.

Applejack was trying very hard not to enjoy this feeling of closeness she currently had with him. She'd been avoiding even giving the slightest hint of her feelings for him since the day he'd left the hospital - but now with his large, strong hands curled under her, his chin resting gently on her head and the feeling of her face resting against that strong chest of his, she couldn't help but hold him as tightly as she could. He was so understanding and patient with her - she wasn't used to any of these feelings, often finding herself calling it 'romantic nonsense', but God she didn't want him to ever let her go.

Making his way through the now empty farmhouse, he carried Applejack up to her bedroom. Walking to one side of the bed and leaning down so she could lie flat on her mattress, he was unnerved to discover that she simply didn't want to let go of him.

"AJ ... you really need to lie down here and rest."

"Karn ... please stay?"

The pain in his heart escalated. "AJ, I really don't think that's a very good idea. I've already fu- ... well, managed to stuff up things up here badly enough, let's not go adding to our present difficulties," he offered.

"Karn ... " she moaned, the effect of the cider still very much in evidence, "once yer gone, once yer with Fluttershy, ah'll never have the chance to be close to yew like this again. Ah've never been interested in all this ... romantic, touchy stuff, and ahm afraid ah'm not very good at it, but please? Just fer a while? At least until ah fall asleep?"

Karn, still leaning over the bed with the pony he now felt was his charge somehow, reluctantly agreed. Given that he was responsible for her being so plastered, he figured the least he could do was keep her company. He certainly wasn't going to leave anyone who was having their first experience with inebriation go unobserved. He'd seen it kill a few people, usually through aspiration of vomit, and it was never a pretty sight.

"Okay, AJ. I'll lie here with you until you fall asleep. When you're asleep, I'm going to take a seat here and keep an eye on you. I'm still not sure what effect that much alcohol will have on you and I want to make sure you don't get any sicker."

He slid her to the other side of the pony-sized bed, before climbing onto the spare side. To his surprise, she immediately climbed over and on top of him. She slid up onto his chest and raised her head a little to meet his eyes. He'd never imagined her looking so hurt, let alone so intoxicated. She'd always seemed to be the strongest of the group, aside from Rainbow Dash - there was never so much as a hint of bullshit about her. He'd even figured that she would have made an excellent RSM - and pitied anyone who would've had to serve with her after the fact.

"Karn, ahm real sorry, but ah need this ... " she said. Without giving him any kind of an opportunity to argue, she planted her lips onto his and kissed him with a passion that was astoundingly sensual. He was utterly stunned; her lips locked so lovingly to as and she probed his mouth with her tongue. After what seemed like an eternity, she lifted her head again and reconnected her gaze to his.

By this stage, Karn was sporting a mild frown - despite the fact that her surprise kiss had been incredibly pleasant. "Um, AJ ... you really shouldn't be doing this sort of thing. You're drunk for one thing, and for another I'm presently in love with with Fluttershy."

With her tear soaked eyes still fixed on him, she gently slid further down his torso until she was straddling his crotch. Her hind legs spread eagerly across his waist, she felt his incredibly firm, well endowed manhood through his clothing. Her eyes suddenly opened with mild shock. He grit his teeth as he felt her gently rubbing herself against him.

"Gosh darn it, Karn ... ah reckon ah know why they call you the 'club'," she devilishly observed. She began to move her hooves downwards to access the front of his pants, at which point he reached out and grabbed her hooves.

"AJ ... seriously. Listen to me. You are drunk and you are upset. What you want from me is something I could not possibly give you. It isn't that I don't enjoy this attention, but I love Fluttershy. I love her completely and I could never do anything to betray her like this. Given that you're also 'pissed'," he pointed out, which once again made her giggle somewhat, "I really think you need to lie down and try to sleep off the worst of it."

"Karn, ahm sorry. Ah just really ... ah need to couple with you ... "

"You had given me that impression, yes," he observed. "AJ, please think of the consequences? Once you're sober, think of knowing what we would have shared here together and what that would do? How do think that knowledge would affect your friendship with Fluttershy? Imagine what it would do to our own friendship?"

She continued to straddle his waist, her strong thighs gripping his waist. "Ah ... ah'm sorry. Ah jest really needed ta feel you taking me, and as roughly as possible. I guess it's jest that time for me ... "

It didn't take him long to understand what she meant. "AJ, am I right to assume that you are in season as well as drunk?"

She giggled and leant forward, resting her hooves onto the bottom of his rib cage. "Pissed, ya mean?"

He finally managed a smile. "Precisely."

"Ah certainly am, Karn," she smiled. Her eyes were still somewhat red but at least the tears had gone. She looked at him steadily for another moment. "Ah should've told you ah loved you when ah had the chance."

"AJ, please don't focus on that?" he replied, resting his hands on her shoulders.

"Karn, would you at least mind lying here with me while ah sleep fer bit?" she asked softly. "Ah'd like to enjoy just one time with you, even if it don't involve you plunging that dang monster of yours into me an' driving me against the bedhead!" she giggled.

Karn grit his teeth a little and began to feel somewhat irritated that he had to be so honest.

"I would be honored to keep you company, AJ, just please stop saying things like that? The most I can offer you is a cuddle. The bedhead will have to remain unharmed," he whispered, gently patting the free side of the bed. She gently slid off of his thighs and slowly made herself as comfortable as she could on her side. Resting her head on his chest, one hoof lying across his ribs and one hind leg across his abdomen, she snuggled gently up to him.

"Ahm so sorry, Karn. Ah never meant to get into this fix with you," she mumbled into his shirt.

"AJ, I'm putting all of this business down to alcohol and your hormones. I should never have left that cider brewing away in the loft," he said apologetically. Absently, he gently tried to pick some of the pieces of hay from her mane, which she'd accumulated in the barn.

She nestled up to him and rubbed her cheek lovingly against his chest for a moment. "Karn ... if you weren't with Fluttershy ... would you have taken me?"

"Oh, God, AJ, you're an enigma. Strong, hard-faced, tough, resourceful and take-charge. You're also beautiful and generous to boot. I'm afraid to think of what I would have shared here with you," he whispered, before gently kissing her forehead and running his hands gently through her mane.

She looked up at him with her tired eyes. "Fluttershy is one very lucky, pony. Ah reckon she'll have a lot of fun with that club of yours," she smiled softly.

He still found himself stunned at how uninhibited she was. "AJ, I had no idea that you thought about such things, and certainly not so ... graphically."

"Well ... " she said, stifling a yawn. "It's a part of mah mind ah like ta keep under mah hat, so ta speak."

"You're not wearing your hat presently, AJ. Would that also account for your lack of inhibitions?"

"Har, ah reckon so, Karn."

She cuddled closer, gently sliding her hind leg down to his member, teasing him. 'Oh God, AJ. You're a dear friend, but please don't ever go near a drink again,' he thought to himself. He reached down with his left hand, gently curved it around her leg and lifted her up and away from his waist. "No you don't, AJ."

She chuckled. "Jest checkin' ta make sure you were still all there!"

"Trust me, AJ, it's right where I left it," he said coyly.

He took a deep breath and attempted to think of something - anything - other than what the primeval part of his mind wanted to be sharing with her right now. Multiplication tables, quadratics, recounting the names and functions of the cranial nerves, moldy coffee grounds. Anything except her wonderful thighs.

Running his hand gently along her back in the hopes of helping her sleep, he whispered for her to rest. "Go to sleep, AJ. Precedent being the mean spirited thing it is, I have an odd suspicion that after that much alcohol, you're not going to be quite so cheerful when you wake up. You need all the rest you can manage."

Her eyes closed and her breathing slowed. "Ah love you, sugarcube," she whispered, " ... reckon ah always will."

Once she was finally asleep, he decided to wait just a little longer before rising from the bed. He didn't want any sudden movements or rattling of furniture to wake her up. 'You're going to wake up with one hell of a hangover, AJ,' he laughed to himself.

Giving her a half hour of rest, he was able to extricate himself very gently, substituting a pillow in his place. Being aware of other cases he'd witnessed involving a first experience with inebriation, he located a good size bucket, a bowl of cool water, a pitcher of the same and as many towels as he could get away with. Thus prepared, he found himself unwilling to go and locate a pony sized chair - so he contented himself with sitting on a chest near the foot of the bed.

He folded his arms and smiled playfully at her slumbering form. "You love me? ... Well, let's see what you think of me when you wake up."

Karn held back Applejack's mane as she once again heaved into the bucket that he'd made available for her.

"Gark," she managed, finally spitting out the last of her stomach contents. "Karn, ahm ... so sorry about what happened."

He gently eased her back up onto the bed, helping her rest her head back onto the pillow. He'd had the foresight to make sure the blinds were closed so as not to allow the mid-afternoon sun to blind her. As it was, she was all too aware of the room slowly spinning. She felt as if a large number of angry rodents were all madly playing the drums inside her skull. To compound this cacophony, all of them were drumming to different tunes. Her normal orange hue had turned slightly paler. Karn took a moist cloth and wiped her forehead, her cheeks, her neck and then finally her lips before offering her some water to drink. "Here, AJ, sip some water. Try not to gulp it, just sip away at it."

He sat on the side of her bed, washing her down lightly with a cool moist cloth. "Karn ... thank you fer ... well, fer not lettin' me get carried away with you."

He managed a sly smile. "I'm a lot of things, AJ, but I'm not the kind of person to go around taking advantage of ladies who happen to be 'pissed'."

The mention of that word brought on a chuckle from her, which she had to madly suppress as it made her head feel like it was inflating. Resting again, she looked up at him as he took another fresh, cool washcloth and wiped down her chest, barrel, her legs and her hooves. "Karn," she said softly, "you know that ah meant what ah said ... about lovin' you?" He stopped for a moment, looking around to meet her sickly gaze. "Ah meant that. Ah may be in season 'n all, but ah really do love you. Ahm mighty sorry about how ah broke it ta you ... " she turned away from him, looking at the door to her room to avoid eye contact. "Ah dang it, Karn ... ah jest feel so stupid."

"AJ, you don't need to feel stupid. You just happened to consume quite a lot of something that uninhibited you. I will admit that I'm curious to know why on earth you'd have any kind of feelings for me at all?"

She turned back to him once more. "Because you’re strong, you’re funny, you’re great help here on the farm. Because you’re so kind ta folks, because ah know that you have problems that you’re tryin' to deal with. Ah've seen the way you are around Apple Bloom. You’re so charmin' and sweet to her. Ah love you because of the way you think about others. Ah also happen to find you handsome," she smiled sweetly up at him. "Ah love you because ... ahm lying here, mah head's killin' me, ah all but demanded you mate with me earlier on, an' yet you’re here, lookin' after me so kindly. Ah know your sad and have all that 'baggage' that you’re always talkin' about, but you’re a helluva catch. A well hung catch, at that," she smiled. "Ah really do love you, Karn. Ah love Fluttershy too, and well ... ah really do wish the two of you all the best. Ahm sorry, ah jest ... wish it could've been me."

Karn leaned forward and softly kissed her forehead. "AJ, I'm sorry that things couldn't have been different between us. But we are still great friends, aren't we?"

"Ahm countin' on it, sugarcube ... still wish it didn't hurt so much."

"Your headache?"

".... well, that too."

Under the expert watch of Rainbow Dash and the newly sober Applejack, Karn once more made his way down towards the township. Since all six of the ponies, plus of course Spike and himself were a part of this royal summons, the consensus had been to meet at Twilight's house. Once everyone had gathered what they needed, the quest to travel to this mystical Canterlot which Karn had to this point heard so much about yet seen so little, would be able to commence.

The door to Twilight's home was still essentially a splintered mess. The three of them stood there, staring at what was quite obviously a haphazard and rather expedient repair job. A few planks of wood of various types and age had been hastily nailed over the hole, still failing to render it completely air tight. Karn observed the nails that had been hammered halfway into place, the heads bent into various, almost artistic shapes. It gave the clear impression that whomever had managed this quick repair was neither a carpenter nor especially patient.

They stood there for some time, admiring the handy work which seemed to scream 'desperation' and 'rage' at the same time.

Applejack broke the silence.

"What ... in tarnation ... "

Karn looked down to his left, where Rainbow Dash stood, biting her bottom lip. She noticed him looking at her with that silly smirk that she'd come to know so well with all of the antics they'd been involved in together. "Karn! Don't you say anythin'!" she whispered as loudly as she could manage.

"What, Dashie? I didn't say anything! I was just going to comment on the interesting choice of wooden planks that the ... what I assume some kind of woodpecker chose to use in order to cover this mysterious hole here in Twilight's door."

"Karn!"

"What? I was talking about the repair job! One wonders what could have happened to the door. How could somebody bring themselves to inflict such pain and hurt upon a poor, inanimate object? Truly, there is a great mystery here to be solved! What had the door done to deserve such an horrific end?" Rainbow Dash was now glaring at him. Karn didn't mind in the least. He was having far too much fun at her expense - an exercise that the two of them seemed to share quite often. He feigned a sudden look of horror. "What ... what if the door knew something it shouldn't have? What if it owed somebody something of value? Maybe ... maybe it was a lovers quarrel!" He turned dramatically towards the shutters covering a nearby window. "Where were you on the night of this hideous crime, my dear fellow?"

'Karn, this is just one of the reasons ah love you. You kin make me smile jest like that,' Applejack thought to herself.

He turned back towards Rainbow Dash, now sitting there on her hind legs with her arms folded. "What, Dashie? Would you like to knock, or should I ... "

"Oh no you don't, Karn! You do the knockin' this time! I don't want to see anything else go through that door from the outside!"

Applejack was starting to become confused. "Whadda y'all mean this time? What in land sakes happened to tha ... "

"Oh, I'm sure it was just an accident, AJ," chuckled Karn. "Besides, Dashie. You're assuming that whatever made this hole in the entryway did so from the outside! Maybe Twilight attacked the door from within, in a fit of rage over ... "

"A fit of what?" asked Twilight from the other side of the door, suddenly. Clearly the chatter on her doorstep had gotten her attention, negating the need for any of them to try to knock.

"Nothing, Twilight! We were just ... well, trying to decide who would knock on your door."

Twilight creaked open what was left of the gate and invited all three of them inside. "Well, I'm glad it wasn't Rainbow Dash this time," she mumbled.

Applejack looked up at Karn, the desperation to know what the hell was going on all to apparent on her face. "What in Equestria happened here, Karn?"

"AJ, my dear, I am sworn to secrecy. The door ... well, it just knew too much," he stated matter of factly. "That's odd ... I cannot ever recall having had so much fun at the expense of household repairs before."

"Well, just don't go making a habit of it, Karn," implored Twilight.

"Of being amused about broken doors, or the act of breaking them?"

"Ugh. You know what I mean, Karn."

"Yes, Twilight, I do apologize. Of course, I would be deeply honored if you would allow me to fix your badly injured door upon our return? If you don't mind, that is?"

She smiled at him. "Thank you, Karn. I did ... well, try to fix it a little, but I'm afraid I wasn't in the happiest of moods at the time."

"She very nearly used one of your curse words, Karn!" laughed Spike, earning him a grimace from Twilight.

"Ah. I don't mean to be such a bad influence Twilight," apologized Karn. "I do understand the feeling, though, of being in a situation so irritating that you cannot find a word obscene enough within your vocabulary to confront it with."

"Hey, everypony!" came a chipper voice from what was left of the doorway. Pinkie had arrived as well, party cannon and suitcase of God only knows what in tow. "Hey! What happened to your door, Twilight?"

"Nothing, Pinkie, please come on inside," responded Twilight with practiced exacerbation.

"Heya, Clubby!" Pinkie exclaimed, her cheerful voice bringing a grin to his face. "I bet you must be really looking forward to getting to see Canterlot? It's huge and full of the most amazing sights! I'd like to take you on a tour around it, if you have time?"

"I can't make any promises, Pinkie, but I'd certainly take you up on that offer if the opportunity presents itself."

"Hey! Where's Rarity and Fluttershy?" asked Pinkie.

"I suspect Rarity is carrying a considerable load of baggage with her, but I'm not entirely sure what the story with Fluttershy is," said Twilight. She looked around a little concernedly at Karn. A sweet voice from the front of the dwelling put them both physically at ease.

"Um, hello?" Fluttershy asked quietly, somewhat taken aback at the sight of the splintered door. "I wasn't quite sure what had happened ... I mean, Twilight, your door is ... "

"Battened down, awaiting renovation," replied Karn, his heart afire once more at seeing Fluttershy. She shared a loving glance with Karn for a moment. Neither of them was particularly sure how to handle this situation. "You look particularly lovely this morning, if I may say so, Fluttershy?" he ventured. It was a cliché and he felt completely foolish for having said it. He cringed inwardly, just as soon as the superlative managed to escape his lips. ‘Idiot!’ he inwardly exclaimed, ‘get ahold of yourself.’

"Um, thank you, Karn, you're looking rather handsome," she replied, her cheeks reddening a little.

Karn was possibly the only one who completely understood the strange dynamic within the room. He was in love with Fluttershy, and she with him. Twilight knew about this but was not prepared to mention it to anyone and was thus unaware that Applejack knew as well. Karn was well aware that Applejack loved him and that she had no idea Twilight knew about the feelings between he and Fluttershy. Fluttershy of course knew that she loved Karn, but had no idea at all that Twilight and Applejack were already aware of this.

In the middle of this complete shambles stood Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, both blissfully unaware of any of these personal interactions.

'I was never a huge fan of these kinds of board games, and I didn't succeed very well with organic chemistry ... yet, here I am stuck in some kind of agonizing romantic play,' Karn thought to himself.

There was a brief moment of uncomfortable silence between them all, with Applejack looking away from Karn and Fluttershy, Twilight watching Fluttershy and Karn closely, Karn fixing his eyes on Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash sitting there with one eyebrow raised in confusion, and Pinkie just rotating her head madly around all of them in complete bewilderment. "Um, did I miss something? You all seem to be acting a bit funny!" she quipped.

'Oh God, thank you for shattering the ice, Pinkie,' thought Karn, with relief. "No, Pinkie! It's just ... well, the door."

"The door? But it's broken!"

Karn, attempting to lighten the mood, decided that since he was now trapped in some kind of overwrought romantic drama, he may as well play along. "It is?" he spouted in mock consternation. Crossing rapidly to the door once more, he exclaimed "My God! Who would have DONE such a thing!"

"Dang it, Karn, knock it off!" chuckled Rainbow Dash.

"Knock if off? T'was you then, that did this awful deed?" he said, doing his over-dramatic best.

"Ugh, that's it!!" interrupted Twilight. "Enough about the door! Karn, thank you for your kind offer to repair it, I would be eternally grateful! Just, everypony, please. Enough about the door! It is broken, I did a rather poor repair job and that's the last I want to hear about it!"

"Goodness, darling, what happened to your door?" asked Rarity, having finally arrived with what appeared to be a year's worth of clothing behind her.

It had taken some work for them to traverse across the town to Ponyville train station. This side of the town was one that Karn had not actually seen before, so he found some of the buildings and the layout of the streets to be of interest. He automatically appended the roads, stores, houses and interesting locations to the mental map that he had been composing of the town. He made sure to keep step with Fluttershy, keeping as close to her as he could. He fought against the urge to carry her in his arms on their journey, just to feel her close to him again for a while. The two of them shared loving exchanges and some light hearted conversation on their walk, careful not to arouse the suspicions of the others as to their current relationship status.

It was something of a marvel as to how Rarity managed to carry so many bags. It may have just been the three suitcases, but their size hinted at both a quantity and quality of fashionable gear that Karn once more found himself confused by. Being Alsovian, being practical and being used to having to hand only what was necessary, he was carrying everything he needed in the one bag he could find to place his uniforms in - an old hessian sack that he had found in the barn. Much like himself, it was tough, expedient and suited to the task at hand.

Pinkie was naturally her usual bouncy self, and Karn could not help but feel his spirits uplifted. It was a source of curiosity once more that she could have this effect on everyone around her, simply by being there. As logical and rational as he was, he thought of possible reasons behind this effect - and his theories ranged from some form of mass hysteria that caused joy rather than panic, through to something to do with this 'magic' that they often demonstrated. The last seemed unlikely, as she was not a unicorn - she was, like Applejack, an 'earth pony'. The taxonomy itself was entertaining. Not only were they altogether a different species to him, but they were intermingled themselves - unicorns with pegasi, earth ponies and unicorns, the somewhat rare alicorns - Twilight and Princess Celestia being the only two he had met.

This mix of species and very nearly the mixes of genus and family amongst the population was refreshing. So many different creatures, all seemingly living together in harmony. They would have been involved in a bloody civil war by now, in the places he had known before arriving. Twilight noticed the inquisitive look upon his face, as they continued on towards the train station.

"You seem curious about the town today, Karn?"

"Indeed. I had been thinking about the diversity here. So many different creatures, different species ... everything and everyone seems to fit neatly into a place. I mean, consider your cutie marks! You find your talent and earn them and you have your place set for you. This is all very different to where I am from, and thus worth of study."

"Once we return from Canterlot, I think we should really sit down and talk about things like that. Not just your issues, I mean, but about science and such in general! You're always very observant and I'd be really interested to share time with you on subjects like that. Taxonomy, physiology and even astronomy."

"I'd love that very much! May I fix your door first, before we go on to discussions of any other subjects?"

She smirked at him. "Yes please, Karn. I would appreciate having a functioning entryway once more."

"Then it's a deal, princess. Carpentry before collaboration, as it were?"

He glanced around once more to the love of his life, as she walked quietly next to him. He found himself enjoying the simple act of observing her walking - that wonderful tail, her lovely flanks, those endearing cutie marks she bore. He again fought the urge to lift her into his arms. He did feel concerned about her being so quiet.

"Fluttershy, are you doing okay?" he inquired.

"I'm fine, Karn. I guess ... I'm just worried about something."

Now the general sense of worry he carried began to grow thorns. "What's wrong, my lo- ... Fluttershy? Is anything upsetting you?"

"Does it bother you that I don't know as much about ... science and all those other subjects that you and Twilight enjoy?" she quizzed, looking sadly up at him.

"Oh God, no, Fluttershy! Of course that doesn't bother me! I ... well, you know."

She looked away from him with a slight smile on her adorable face. He was enjoying himself again.

"Fluttershy? Is this one of those moments when I ... you know? Need to prove something to you once more?" She chuckled to herself, in that sweet way that made his heart melt and killed the thorns that his earlier worries had metaphorically punctured him with. "I did warn you, Fluttershy. I'm sorry, but I am going to have to prove something to you and I'm going to have to put in extra effort this time!" This was enough to finally make her look up at him, bearing that same lovely smile..

"Oh Karn ... I'm looking forward very much to you ... well, convincing me again. I would love that very ... very much."

"You're a glutton for punishment, Fluttershy. I'm going to prove a certain fact to you in as many ways as I can ... just you wait."

Applejack growled under her breath and looked away. "Ugh. Knock it off, yew two."

"Knock what off?" quizzed Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, it's nothin'. It's just ... ah, well, the way they were talkin' is all."

"... but they were just cutting up? ... Weren't they?" asked Rainbow Dash again, quizzically raising one eyebrow.

"Ah reckon so. Ah guess ah just ain't in the mood fer that kind ah silliness right now."

Karn looked sadly across to Applejack. "AJ ... you know I'm sorry. Are you angry at me?"

"No, Karn, you understand ... ahm jest, well, it still smarts a bit because … " she started, before trailing off.

Everyone else seemed puzzled - Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and even Fluttershy. Something had happened here, and it was deeply curious. Pinkie found herself wondering if she needed her detective get up once more, but was distracted when the train station loomed into view. "There it is!! Wohoo, I love traveling by train and I love it even MORE when we're headed to Canterlot! Oh, Clubby, you're going to LOVE IT!" she squealed, leaping onto him and throwing her forelegs around his neck once more.

"I've heard nothing but great stories about Canterlot, Pinkie!” Karn managed to gasp through Pinkie’s vice-like grip around his neck. “I can honestly say I am looking forward to being there! ... We may get onto the platform sooner though, if you release your hooves from my neck, though?" he implored.

"Oops! Sorry, Clubby! Does it bother you that I hug you like that? You're just so ... HUGGABLE!" she squealed again with excitement.

"I think you're wonderfully huggable, too," whispered Fluttershy sweetly.

"Fluttershy, would you mind at all if I sat next to you on the train? If you don't mind my company, that is?"

"Oh, Karn ... you know I'd like that very much. In fact, I may have to insist on it!" she chuckled. Karn found himself looking forward more to being close to her than to actually arriving at their destination.

They made their way to the platform, where the tickets to Canterlot were purchased from a pony who was somewhat bemused by the ticket requests for all six of the ponies, plus spike and that 'large, human fellow' who had so recently celebrated a birthday. The re-introductions being made once more, the tickets were duly paid for and they waited for a moment on the station platform. From the vantage point of the station, Karn had quite a nice view over the north western side of the township. There didn't seem to be a great many other passengers there that day. Indeed, the platform itself didn't necessarily appear to be designed to hold a large crowd. In his mind, he had almost envisaged the depot as being akin to a transfer depot for soldiers in his own universe.

"Twilight, is it often this quiet here?” asked Karn, the perfexion apparent on his face. “I would have thought a transport station to be a good deal busier than this."

"Not for this time of year. There are no large events being held presently, so aside from the few of us heading to Canterlot, it should be quiet. There'll be a lot of other ponies on the Friendship Express when it arrives."

"The ... Friendship Express?" quizzed Karn. "A very endearing name for a locomotive!"

A distant chuffing noise alerted them of the approach of the train to Canterlot.

Naturally enough, Pinkie became rather excited. "Woo woooooo, here it comes! I love travelling by train, I think you're going to love it too, have you travelled by train much before? Do they have many trains were you're from? I mean I thought they would since where you lived sounds so large and I can't think of ... "

Karn chuckled. "I'm sure I'll enjoy the train ride. I have indeed travelled by train before, there are a good many trains and transports where I am from, and from the feeling of gravity here and the rough triangulation I've been able to perform, I would indeed suspect my home world is very nearly the same size as yours."

"Hah! Thought so!" she exclaimed, bouncing excitedly as the Friendship Express slowly approached the station.

Karn went back to observing the locomotive itself. The train and the carriages were all - much like the rest of the town - highly colorful, adding a degree of cheeriness that he found pleasing. The trains he was used to were usually spray coated grey or olive green and built entirely for practical purposes. They were large engines, designed to haul armor and troops over long distances. There was nothing colorful or pleasant about them - except that being on one meant that you didn't have to march so much. 'Taking a shit off the side of one while it's moving, because you're stuck on one of the trays with a tank on it was always fun, too,' he recollected.

The express slowly puffed its way to halt, with the carriages all neatly aligned to the platform. Once the signal was clear, the doors to the carriages opened. Some ponies disembarked with their baggage at Ponyville, looking at the strange gathering of folks who were waiting to board. The path path being clear, they began to climb on. Much of the particular carriage they were in was empty, so they were able to take seats on either side of the aisle next to each other. After stowing the luggage, Karn took a seat nearest to the window and Fluttershy slid across the seat to be as close to him as she could. They shared a brief loving glance.

Twilight took the seat directly opposite them, with Spike and Rainbow Dash making up their side of the aisle. Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie sat on the opposite side of the aisle. With everyone from Ponyville Station now aboard, there was a whistle from the conductor and the train began to move out of the station. The old fashioned signaling was yet another of those small cultural wonders that caught Karn off guard. Where he'd been, everything ran off electronic track switching and automated lights. You essentially got on or disembarked when the machine told you to. The Friendship Express slowly picked up speed as they began their journey - roughly north-northeast.

Looking out the window and watching the town passing by, Karn suddenly laughed to himself.

"Are you okay, Karn?" asked Twilight.

"Huh, yes, Twilight," he said happily, watching the greenery pass by the window. "I was just thinking about some of the other train journeys I've had over the cycles ... well, 'years', sorry."

She smiled. "It's okay, I think I'm becoming ambidextrous too, as far as chronographic terminology goes."

"I was just about to say 'chronographic terminology'!" he smiled at her. Returning his sight back to the countryside, he paused for another moment. "They used to move us through pre-captured areas in large numbers by trains where we had air superiority."

"Sounds like my kind of job!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

"Well, Dashie, you certainly have the speed for the job. They would lay tracks out to carry large quantities of material. You know, just logistics. They'd ship troops that way as well, cramming us into whatever space was available. So the lucky ones would get a truck, and the rest of us would be outside on the flatbeds."

"Were they carriages like these?" asked Fluttershy.

"Oh God, no. They were just large box cars. No windows, just vents in the roof to help you breathe. They'd leave the doors unlocked and opened for a quick exit, and then they'd cram as many men into them as possible. The rest of us would end up climbing up onto the flatbeds next to the artillery or the tanks. Coron and I used to prefer that, standing outside I mean. The air rushing past. It was easier to ... well, use the restroom too. I can still remember Coron climbing onto the top of this main battle tank, then climbing out across the top of the main gun to the bore evacuator. So he'd be straddling this thing and screaming 'CHAAAAARGE!' and such!"

Fluttershy loved it at times like this, when Karn was so relaxed and happy. "It sounds like the two of you had a lot of fun together!"

"He was a riot at times. He came to within an ace of getting his backside kicked so often. We were back in Alsovia running training exercises once. We were supposed to maintain radio silence during this particular show ... "

"Radio?" asked Twilight.

"... oh, right, you don't use radio here. I'll have to go into those details with you when we get back, too. We can fit it into our schedule, alongside chronographic terminology if you like? At any rate it's a means of communication with no physical connection between where you're speaking from, and whomever is listening. So, we're not supposed to be using it for anything other than emergencies in this exercise. There's nothing happening at all this night. Coron, myself and the rest of our rifle section are sitting in this pit, bored out of our minds. Finally, Coron grabs the handset for the radio and says 'I fucking hate this exercise!' so everyone can hear this. There's this brief moment of radio silence, and then a very angry, very commanding voice crackles over the receiver and asks 'unidentified callsign. PLEASE IDENTIFY'. So we all look back at Coron who is just smirking to himself. He grabs the radio again and responds with 'I don't hate it THAT much'. God, we nearly wet ourselves. He was a funny man."

"Whilst the story is amusing, my dear, I am assuming he must have gotten himself into a good deal of trouble, and on many occasions?" asked Rarity, with a broad grin.

"Oh, my lady. Let's just say that he didn't spend two hundred and fifty cycles as a common private because of his looks."

"It's also interesting that many of your military ranks seem to match ours. At least within the Royal Guard units," noted Twilight, her quill once more being driven in its endless recording of such details. Momentarily he wondered how many of those things she actually went through.

"Twilight ... have you ever thought about using a fountain pen or such instead of a quill? It would last a lot longer. I'm sure you must break those things by the box full!"

She looked up at him, intrigued. "Fountain pen?"

"Oh boy, now you've done it, Karn," chuckled Spike. "If that's a writing instrument, she's going to be using a quill to write about a different kind of quill."

"Har, the point is a good one, Spike! She could be caught in some manner of horrific intellectual recursion! Just wait until I mention quill-less note taking using notebooks that are not made out of paper!"

"Notebooks without pape- ... " started Twilight, before breaking from her academic groove upon realizing what her subject and her assistant were doing. "Ugh! I'm just trying to study and understand you, Karn!"

"I know, Twilight, I'm sorry. I meant no offence. That being said, I can honestly recommend that we discuss a fountain pen for you. I imagine you would have the technology to produce one, and as the nib is made of metal instead of keratin from a feather, they last a very long time."

"That sounds terrific! I shall have to add that to the list of subjects to discuss with you, for when we get back!" she smiled.

"To change the subject, Twilight, this trip will take overnight I gather, bringing us into Canterlot at about this time tomorrow?" asked Karn.

"Yeah, it'd be a lot faster if we just flew!" remarked Rainbow Dash.

"There are some of us, Dashie, that do not have wings," grumbled Rarity. He found it impressive that she was capable of sounding angry, yet graceful simultaneously. Was this something she'd had to learn?

"Pffff. well, at the very least I could've just gone on ahead of you all and met you there!" continued Rainbow Dash.

"But then we would be lacking your company, Dashie," interrupted Karn. "We can't travel by train without that awesomeness of yours."

His attempt at a compliment ran off her like water off Teflon. She laid back in her seat, her forelegs crossed. For the moment at least, it was obvious she wouldn't be very good company - awesome or not.

"Besides," broke in Twilight, "this is a great way for Karn to able to see more of the countryside, rather than just being stuck in Ponyville."

This was certainly true - he'd longed to explore a little and see more of the land to which he'd been brought so surreptitiously. All things here appeared green, fertile, peaceful. His previous train trips had passed by ruins, shell holes, expedient cemeteries and endless processions of men and equipment.

Feeling relaxed and enjoying the expedition thus far, he turned to face Fluttershy.

"Thank you for sharing a seat with me, Fluttershy," he said quietly. It felt so awkward to be trying so hard to keep his feelings for her so hidden from the others. It was apparent from the look in her eyes that she felt the same frustration.

"I love sitting next to you too, Karn."

Without warning, she carefully slid his left arm over her head and nuzzled herself closer to him. By now, even Karn wasn't willing to fight it anymore. Even though his sense of logic and worry about Fluttershy's welfare strongly urged him not to, feeling her snuggled close to him brought the balancing act of his reason closer to impulse than to caution. Unable to stand it anymore, he gently lifted Fluttershy's chin with his right hand and delicately brought her eyes to his. "I cannot fight this battle anymore," he said, surrendering to the surprised look of the pegasus.

Learning forward - throwing what remained of his sensibility to the four winds - he kissed her, affectionately and more than a little intensely.

They were both so completely absorbed with each other by virtue of their passion, that neither of them had realized that every other pony - and spike - had frozen stiff, mouths gaping, and were now staring in shock at the two lovers who were so very earnestly enjoying each other's touch. Neither of them really knew how long they had been kissing for, but each was short of breath when their lips parted.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I couldn't resist any longer."

"Karn, I don't mind at all. I understand."

The relative silence in their carriage, along with the knowledge of what they had just shared in full view of the others, compelled them to look gradually around to their friends.

Karn, clearing his throat, decided to try and explain first. "Well, I guess this means there is some news that we need to fill some of you in on."

Rainbow Dash stopped gaping for a moment. "I'll say! Did you two just ... just ... I mean, you were both ... "

"It's called kissing, Dashie."

"Ugh, I know that, Karn! But you and Fluttershy? You mean ... you're together?"

"We certainly are, Dashie," Karn announced with sincerity.

"But ... my dears, how long has this liaison between the two of you been so ... well, unofficial, for Celestia's sake?" exclaimed Rarity, presently unsure whether to be offended at their brashness, or overjoyed for the two of them.

"That's difficult to explain, my lady. I fell in love with Fluttershy quite a while ago. It took me a long time to finally admit it to any of you, really, until I had to explain my feelings during one of my visits with Twilight. But I had absolutely no idea that Fluttershy felt the same way about me. Until the other night."

"The other ... you mean ... at the party?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"So that's why you left when you did, my dear? To go and find Fluttershy?" interrupted Rarity.

"Well, yes on both counts. Dashie, I most certainly do mean the other night at the rebirth of a birthday party party, " he said, giving Pinkie a smile and a nod of acknowledgement, "and yes my lady, that was exactly why I left when I did, to go looking for Fluttershy. When I found her ... " he began before pausing as Fluttershy looked up nervously at him. "Well, let's just say that the penny dropped and we discovered that in fact we loved each other. Very, very much."

"... 'Penny'?" asked Twilight, quietly.

"Oh. Sorry, yes. It's a unit of currency where I come from, a 'bit' I guess you could say. The expression 'penny dropped' means to, well, suddenly realize the answer to a complex puzzle if you will."

"Ah. I see," intoned Twilight flatly. The cogs of her mind commenced their churning, her cerebral gears crunched and assorted machinery between them whirred. It often worried Karn when he could see these allegorical gears of her mind through her unblinking eyes. He was certain he had now supplied her with enough material for a second thesis, along with a lifetime supply of questions to be delivered verbally and pointedly towards himself.

"So ... you mean ... that all happened at the rebirth of a birthday party party? That really brought the two of you together?" shrieked Pinkie Pie.

"Well ... I guess in many ways, Pinkie, yes it did!"

"Wow weeeee!!! That's so wonderful, two of my favouritest friends falling in love on a really special day like that, after such a fantabulistic party!!" Pinkie leaped over the aisle and threw her hooves around Karn and Fluttershy together, squeezing the air out of both of them. "Oooooooh, I'm just so HAPPY for you two!!!! This is so wonderful, you two make such a lovely couple!"

Karn uttered a rough, gurgling noise.

"What?? OH! AIR! Sorry!!" She released her love-grip on the two of them, and once more Karn could feel the sweet, pleasurable experience of fresh air inflating his lungs.

"Thank you, Pinkie, I'm so glad that you're happy for us."

She bounced her way up and down the aisle, delighted that not only had her plans been so successful, but that in staging the party she had inadvertently brought Fluttershy and Karn together.

The silence from the others present continued, as each of them tried to comes to terms with what was either a shock - for those who had no idea - or a source of embarrassment for the two who had in fact already known.

Rarity was the next to offer her opinion. "Well, darling, whilst I will say that I found the manner of your ... ahem, attention to be uncouth, I will say that I think you do make an adorable, if very odd couple," she finally acquiesced. Her smile signaled that she too had accepted them.

Rainbow Dash was still wide eyed in shock, and thus what she really thought of this surprising situation was difficult to read. "That ... is ... AWESOME!" she smiled, finally. "You mean you two actually told each other that you ... well? And ... it was there, on the night of that party? That's ... just so awesome!"

Applejack, sober this time, was trying to keep herself as calm as possible. She was used to being strong and keeping her emotions well and truly in check. The hurt she felt over her unrequited love for Karn and what she felt was a lost opportunity made it very difficult for her to keep her emotions so tightly under wraps. "Well ... ahm real proud of the two of you. Ah reckon you make a mighty fine couple," she approved. Karn looked over at her sadly, knowing full well how difficult this was for her and feeling guilty and concerned. He caught Applejack's eyes and she could see immediately the implicit question upon his face. Just barely managing to stop her tears, she smiled back at him and nodded, mouthing the words 'ahm okay'.

Spike, of course, thought the entire episode was hilarious. He'd immediately approved of Karn and Fluttershy being a couple, but it was the reactions of the other ponies that had him in stitches. "Har! You should've seen the look on your face, Twilight! I thought you were going to explode, or break your quill! And Rainbow Dash? If your jaw had fallen any further, a bear or something would've moved into your mouth to hibernate!!"

"Hey, that ain't funny!"

"Well, maybe not to you!"

Fluttershy and Karn snuggled together closer than ever on the seat, waiting to find out what Twilight's all important verdict would be. Karn realized that whilst her approval of their situation was not critical, without it he knew Fluttershy would feel hopelessly caught between her friend and himself. A situation he'd wanted to avoid at all possible costs.

"Karn, you promised me that day you told me of your feelings for Fluttershy that you would never hurt her. Is that a promise you think you can keep? Forever?"

"Without question, Twilight."

She slowly smiled and sat back into her chair. "I'm going to have to ask for that to be a Pinkie promise, Karn!"

The remainder of the day passed pleasantly enough. Karn and Fluttershy contented themselves with snuggling on the bench of the cabin, since their kissing had made a few of the others uncomfortable. Karn was feeling at peace and somewhat relaxed for the first time in quite a while. The scenery out the window was indeed lovely, and he noted the gentle elevation to which they were rising as the train continued its somewhat northward trek.

Late into the evening, as the Friendship Express continued on towards the mystical Canterlot, the ponies and Spike had found various places to lie down to get some sleep. This hadn't proved overly difficult, since most of their carriage was empty. The others had thoughtfully left Karn and Fluttershy alone in that one cabin, to spend some time together. It was heaven to spend some time alone together at last, and not feel the need to hide.

Once Fluttershy had finally started to yawn exhaustedly, whilst Karn remained seated where he was and lifted his feet up and onto the far seat. Fluttershy had lain down along the bench, resting her head on his lap. He'd covered her as neatly with a blanket as he could. The only other sound they could hear was that of the engine, snoring from various other parts of the carriage and of course the almost hypnotic clacking of the wheels over the rails.

Karn gently stroked Fluttershy's mane, pausing occasionally to lovingly brush her exposed cheek with the bank of his hand - each time he did so, she would smile and snuggle further into his lap. God, she was magnificent.

"Fluttershy?" he whispered quietly, so as not to disturb the others.

"Mmmm?" she moaned tiredly.

"Sweet dreams."

"Mmmmm," she groaned, in a positive-sounding way. Karn just smiled to himself.

Continuing to stroke her mane, he sat there observing her delicate little smile in the moonlight. Sleep would come eventually, he realized - but he was too engrossed in observing her features for rest to come as yet. 'I've waited centuries to find you, Fluttershy ... I'm not losing another Goddamn second.'

The morning had proven to be busier than Karn would have expected on such a short journey. There was a good deal of fussing over manes, appearances, cleanliness, whatever attire - if any - they had chosen to wear. Rarity was not only focused on her own presentation, but her near maternal instincts towards the others led her to want to make sure everyone else was, in her words, 'able to be seen in public'. She had insisted Karn change into his suit and so some privacy was allotted to him to change. He'd taken the opportunity once more to take a quick bird bath and to shave. After some further adjustments to his dress from the ever resourceful Rarity, she felt satisfied that he would indeed be able to be seen in public, without causing any mass hysteria.

The friendship express ended its day-long run, slowly chuffing to a halt - once more, perfectly in line with the edge of the station platform. In the fuss and excitement aboard the train, he'd not had a chance to observe any of Canterlot as yet, aside from a few glimpses through the window whilst busily involved in not 'looking like some crazed forest beast' as Rarity had lamented earlier. She had implored him to still further efforts to improve his dress sense.

The platform alone hinted at a city of some importance. It's construction was larger than the platform at Ponyville, suggesting the ability to accept longer trains and larger loads. The buildings that formed the train station were of a larger and more ornate design than those where they had boarded. He found himself quite astonished at the city and it's construction, being as it was perched in a manner that felt rather precarious, directly on the side of a mountain. A waterfall on one face of the mountain crashed to a lake outside the city walls, which added to the charm of the place. The city walls, or more accurately the city boundary, did not appear to have been built with a siege in mind, which suggested that peace was either something the citizenry were accustomed to, or hinted at defenses powerful and unseen.

Unlike the surprise that many of the inhabitants of Ponyville had expressed upon seeing him, those living in Canterlot did not appear to be shocked by a human's presence. This suggested the city was a good deal more cosmopolitan.

"Well, my dear? What are your first impressions of Canterlot?" asked Rarity.

He scanned the scene from one side of the station to the other, taking in briefly as much as possible of the city as he could. "My lady, it is certainly beautiful. Nothing whatsoever like I had imagined," he replied. In truth, being a capital and housing the ruling monarchy, he'd expected solid walls, visible defenses and endless lines of soldiers. The fact that this city had none of those things was a pleasant surprise. The architects had even managed to keep as much natural flora within the city as possible - and so trees, rose bushes, water features and well kept grasslands abounded.

They were met on the station platform by what appeared to be a line of armored ponies of the kind he had last seen whilst convalescing in Ponyville hospital. This was something Karn had expected. It was both prudent and logical for there to be a good deal of security surrounding such a summons. Their armor was golden and they were equipped with spears. It took very little study on his part to know that the points would have been sharpened to an edge so keen as to be surgically sharp. The front of their armor bore no crest, rather just a large blue star. Their footwear appeared to be gold, or at least an alloy that gave the impression of their being gold. Their expressions were flat and emotionless, as he would have expected for an escort whilst on duty. He could make out no indication of rank, though, which he found odd.

"Princess Twilight?" asked a large armored stallion at the head of the escort. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna asked us to escort all of you to your chambers at the palace," he invited.

"Thank you, sergeant, we would be delighted!" answered Twilight. Okay, so clearly the lead escort was a sergeant, like himself. The guards formed two columns, one on either side of their charges. Thus protected, the walk through the city towards the palace commenced. They made the journey quietly, each pony and the sole dragon and human of the group taking the chance to look around and admire the capital of Equestria.

The concept of a capital of such astonishing beauty was very much at odds with Karn's Alsovian upbringing. His home country was quite large, but it was comprised of numerous smaller communities centered around clans. There had been a great deal of intermarriage of course (the better to stave off genetic problems), but clan members tended to stay closeby each other. Alsovian culture also held great store in austerity - valuing practical use, function and quality of craftsmanship above anything else. These facets of his own culture made the incredibly colorful, gilded and ornate architecture of this city all the more astounding. His own country of course was a meritocracy, run by a collection of high ranking clan members who formed the single High Council as the governing body. The concept of political parties, such as he'd learnt of in other nations, or systems with elected leaderships were therefore very strange to him.

He was unused to the concept of royalty at all, there having been no such institutions in his home country. There were however other nations and empires that were ruled by hereditary monarchs of one form or another, even so the opulence surrounded by the quite obvious security was a curious concept for him. It was a sight he found himself enjoying, on some odd sociological level.

Their progress through the city was also a refreshing chance to stretch after having been on a train overnight. The air was fresh and crisp, the sun was warm and the sky cloudless. Curious strangers gave greetings in the street, being sure to keep a safe distance from the Royal Guard. Karn noted that the citizens who parted to allow them through did not view the Guard with any degree of terror or awe. It was obvious that such an escort demanded right of way through the city, but clearly authority within this community was not held or commanded at the end of a spear. These were a people were at ease with their leaders - something that made himself feel likewise. Having met Princess Celestia before, he could understand that already, but to see it so obvious amongst her subjects here was very reassuring.

Upon finally reaching the palace, there was a minor ceremony as the members of the Guard stationed at the gateway allowed them entry. The palace was even more opulent than the rest of the city had appeared to be, something Karn had not thought was possible - and yet here it was.

He observed the lines of guards escorting them on either side, noting details in their armor - burnished and polished to the point of being somewhat hard to look upon in the sunlight. Now indoors, the glare from the sun wasn't an issue and he could make out the ornate patterns laid into the armor itself. It was quite clearly the work of very skilled artisans. They marched in perfect unison, obviously well drilled.

He listened to the steady stamping of their steel encased hooves on the ground. He thought of the many marches he'd made over the centuries, the drills from the days so long ago when he was a cadet. Christ, was he ever really a cadet? Slowly, the clanking of the steel began to give way to a softer, duller sound.

This was not the sound of metal upon marble, but that of leather on soft earth.

The clanking of burnished armor gave way to that of various items of field dress - canteens, ammunition pouches. Pouches attached to webbing softly knocked together, the unmistakable slithering of mud on the bottom of combat boots echoed within his mind.

The sound was muffled, but in the present silence he could still make out the rubbing of the material. These soldiers were members of his platoon and they were on escort. The reason for the escort had not been a pleasant one. They had reached the preset location for this particular task. As the men marched in time, Karn shouted the warning "PLATOON .... HALT!" The troops halted on the second step in unison. "LEFT ... FACE!"

Two strong MPs brought out a worn looking adept, still in his field dress. He was disheveled and dirty, his eyes unfocused. He was dragged in front of the rest of the platoon and made to stand roughly, between the two very alert policemen. Karn had been informed that a member of the platoon had refused to carry out the order of an officer, and then discarded his weapon in defiance. He was also aware that this was a capital offense - and as the sergeant and make-do provost for this unit, it was his unfortunate duty to carry out this sentence. As an adept, there was no firing squad for this duty. The execution would be carried out by decapitation - and today the task of accomplishing this beheading was to be Karn's.

It would not be his first. Over so many solar cycles, he had seen so many adepts simply lose the will to continue to live. One could see this feeling of lethargy and apathy overtake them. The illness manifested in small ways at first, until the man would refuse food and water, before finally resigning themselves to death at anyone’s hand. Sometimes, they threw themselves at the enemy. In this instance, they had not.

He turned to view the condemned man, who stood unsteadily before him. It was at this moment that Karn felt his heart die inside him. This was a man he knew well - a man he'd known for many cycles. The two of the were in fact close friends. Karn tried to rein in the shaking he could feel in his hands. He walked slowly towards the man he had been sent to execute, until the two friends stood just a few feet apart.

"Oh Christ, Tolarn ... Why fucking now?" he whispered, frowning painfully at his erstwhile friend. They had served together for fifty cycles - now Karn was to end that service with his own hands?

"Karn ... it's okay. I just can't take it anymore," his friend whispered back. "Honestly, I'm just glad it's you serving out the sentence ... I know how fast you are with your blades. Please ... I'm begging you, Karn, just end this."

"Tolarn ... we're friends," whispered Karn. "Why? Why the fuck would you want to leave us, and in this fucking stupid way?"

"Karn ... I just want to die. Quickly, and cleanly. I don't want to hear the screams or the death rattles anymore. I don't want to see chunks of men spread over the ground, or headless corpses, or maggot filled bodies anymore ... just please end my hell."

Karn stood in front of his poor, demented and utterly broken friend. What the fuck was the purpose of all of this anyway?

After a few seconds silently looking at each other, Karn offered the traditional final words of an Alsovian - the home Country that they shared.

"Embrace death," he whispered.

In the next instant, blades of pure energy exploded from this hands and with the one violent, incredibly powerful slicing action, Tolarn's head flew from his shoulders as his muddied and scarred body collapsed like a broken marionette to the ground.

Karn stood there momentarily viewing the fallen body before him. Releasing his blades of energy, he crossed over to where the head of his friend now lay - face down in the mud, some feet away from the place of execution. His hands trembling, he gently reached over and picked up his former friend's head, lifting its face from the mud and turning it towards his own. Even in death, the horrors that this man had seen seemed to remain fixed in those lifeless eyes. Like photographs, the images of the hell he had experienced were still imprinted there. Why? Why now? What the fuck did you ever do to deserve this?

He slowly pressed his face to that of his now unseeing friend, resting the dead man's forehead against his own. “This wasn't a fucking execution,” he muttered. “This was a fucking suicide.” Pulling the dead man's head back to glare at its eyes, he began to pour out his rage. "You fucking arsehole! Why did you force me to do this to you? I loved you like a Goddamn brother and you forced me to ... to MURDER YOU? You were as a brother to me and you forced me to end your misery like THIS?!?" Tossing the dead man's head to one side, he vomited and collapsed.

"Karn!! KARN?? PLEASE! IT'S OKAY!!!"

Suddenly he found himself lying on a marble floor - though he could not recall why, or where he was. He could smell the stench of bile from his own vomit, which was spread across the glistening marble before him. Where the fuck was he?

"Tolarn, you son of a bitch!" he moaned.

"KARN! Can you hear me? It's okay! We're right here!" a voice seemed to call distantly. Who's voice? Who cared?

"You God damned son of a bitch! WHY?" he tried to scream, the burning pain of his stomach acid still present within his throat.

There was a faint clattering of steel, and his blurred vision could make out several spears aimed in his direction. "The fuck ... the fuck are you waiting for?" he growled. Still only half aware of where he was, or what was happening, he attempted to struggle to his feet. He was cold, diaphoretic, and every muscle in his body seemed to be shaking uncontrollably. Unable to stand, he propped himself weakly onto one hand. "THAT WAS NO EXECUTION, TOLARN! IT WAS FUCKING MURDER!" he screamed.

There were audible gasps from around him, but from whom or what he wasn't sure.

"Karn? It's okay, please try to think? It's me. It's Fluttershy!" The voice was soft and carried compassion. He began to slowly recollect where he was. His vision was merciful enough to allow him to focus on the owner of that sweet voice who now knelt in front of him. As he began to notice her features, he became aware once more of where he was.

"Flut- ... Fluttershy?" he whispered softly, yet even so unable to hide the anguish in his voice.

"Karn, I'm here! Please try to remember? I love you!"

"Fluttershy ... I murdered him! I killed my friend! ... How could you possibly love me or forgive me for the things I've done?" he grimaced.

"Karn, you don't have to do those horrible things anymore! You're sorry for the things you did and for that I will always forgive you!"

"Oh Christ, Fluttershy," he moaned. Standing, she gently cradled his head against her chest and kissed his furrowed brow.

"I am not giving up on you, Karn. I forgive you, and I will always, always love you."

Karn had severe difficulty getting back onto his feet. Given that he was nauseated and had trouble moving, a makeshift stretcher was made for him using a large blanket. With some help rolling him, they were able to raise him and carry him to the visitors quarters where he was to be staying whilst in Canterlot.

"Princess, should we send for the royal doctor?" asked one of the guards.

"No, he's going to be okay. He's just had one of his unpleasant 'turns', or 'flashbacks' as he calls them. I'm sure after some bed rest he will be fine."

"You are sure he is not dangerous? That was a very shocking display from him out there," observed the guard.

"It's happened to him a few times, sergeant, and nopony has been hurt. I'm going to keep a close eye on him here and make sure he's okay. He will be fine in the morning once he has had time to rest."

The guard didn't seem entirely convinced. "Princess, I would recommend allowing us to keep some guards outside this visitor's chamber, just in case."

"That sounds prudent, sergeant, but I'm sure they won't be needed. Thank you. You're dismissed."

He gave a sharp salute, threw Karn a harsh glare and then marched out the door.

Karn lay in the bed, the covers drawn up. He wore an angry expression on his face and glared at the ceiling. His thoughts raced and memories of that horrific execution circled within his mind. It wasn't the only execution he had carried out. It wasn't the bloodiest thing he'd committed during his long service, either. 'Surely now Fluttershy has to know what kind of an animal I am' he thought angrily.

Twilight sat next to him, that damnable quill and her notebook at the ready. Spike sat next to her, somewhat speechless. Fluttershy stood next to Karn on the opposite side of his bed. He felt like a criminal - in fact he considered himself to be such. He avoided eye contact with any of his well wishing caretakers, glaring instead at the marbled, glittering ceiling.

"Karn? Do you mind if we talk for a bit?" Twilight asked gently. Given that he was presently quite angry and upset, she wasn't sure how he would react, so she'd been ready for anything - to use magic to shield them if necessary.

He glared at the formidable structure that formed the roof of the chamber. How could anyone afford to spend such money on something so utterly frivolous? Yes, it was beautiful, but it served no purpose beyond shelter. One may as well make a latrine out of gold.

"No, Twilight. I do not mind if we talk for a bit," he growled. This now felt like a court martial. At any moment he was going to have to admit to things he'd done - and there was no way these ponies could ever possibly accept him after the fact.

"Of course ... you had another flashback."

"No kidding," he snapped.

"Karn, you know I need to ask you what triggered this one? Thus far you've had them whilst walking along a dirt road, whilst studying the place you arrived, while looking at a sunset and today ... what?"

He stared at the ceiling. The waste and opulence of it added a strange hatred to the anger and self disgust he was currently dealing with. "It was the guards, Twilight," he stated angrily. He rolled his head to his left to face her. "The marching. They were marching in time, the sight and sound of soldiers marching like that just ... brought it straight on," he mumbled. He glared at her for a moment before slowly returning his attention to the ceiling.

"You kept screaming about someone called Tolarn."

He felt a sensation akin to a knife being driven into him. He physically spasmed under the bed cover, clenching his fists so hard that the nails began to bite into the flesh of his palms. 'She had to fucking bring his name up, didn't she' he thought furiously.

"Yes. I had a flashback, Twilight, and it involved someone called Tolarn."

"Karn ... what happened? After you collapsed you screamed out that you'd ... well ... "

In one blindingly swift movement, he wrenched his head violently to the left, his eyes afire with rage. "I MURDERED HIM, TWILIGHT!" he raged.

Twilight suddenly jerked backwards and even Spike was stunned. "I don't understand, Karn. What happened? What lead to you thinking these things?"

His furious stare fixed on her, he lay there with his fists clenched for a moment before continuing in a voice that was quiet, his anger but thinly veiled. "Tolarn was from my home Country, so he was an Alsovian just like me. He'd joined our platoon some fifty or so cycles before ... well, he cracked. He was given an order to advance with his section and refused to obey it. He was ordered once again to advance, which he also refused to do. Finally, he threw away his rifle and just lay there."

"So, he disobeyed an order?"

"No, Twilight, he passed the port the wrong direction at the table, YES he refused to obey an order!" His angry sarcasm was so at odds with the person she had come to know. This particular flashback had obviously been an especially painful one. His words hurt her, but she had to put it down to his condition and not take it personally.

"So he disobeyed an order. That's serious but what happened to him for doing that?"

He lay there, staring at her and saying nothing. She began to feel very uncomfortable.

"Twilight, refusing an order is very serious. Throwing away and abandoning your arms is even more serious. The only punishment a field court martial would give in such an instance would be death. Do you understand? As an adept from Alsovia he was granted a somewhat more honorable method of execution. Instead of a firing squad, Twilight, he was sentenced to decapitation."

"Oh no, Karn. You saw your friend being decapitated?"

"Saw it?? Have you not listened to anything I've said, Twilight?" he growled, the frustration in his voice was thick and harsh. "As the sergeant of his platoon, I was the one assigned to kill him!"

Twilight gasped. Now his behavior and his reaction to this particular flashback made sense. "So ... it was you that had to carry out that execution," she realized, speaking softly.

"I had no idea who it was to be executed, I was simply ordered across with my platoon who were there to witness it. They dragged him out - he'd obviously been beaten severely. I asked him why he'd thrown his rifle away, why he'd refused to obey orders. I asked why he'd done so, knowing that it'd be me that would have to execute him. He knew God damn well it would be me!"

"Karn ... I'm sorry."

His anger mixed with confusion. "You're sorry? What the hell have you got to be sorry about, Twilight?"

"I mean, sorry about how you feel, about what you had to do ... it must have been awful to ... "

"I looked into his eyes and I gave him the traditional Alsovian final blessing, if you will. I told him to 'embrace death', and then ... then I took my energy blades and cut through his neck. The cut was clean and rapid. His head flew off his shoulders and landed a few feet away, while his body just ... folded up like an accordion," he recalled. Twilight and Fluttershy both managed a horrified gasp. "I walked over to his head, Twilight. It was face down in the mud, so I picked it up and looked into those lifeless eyes. Even in death I could see the pain, the horror, the recollections of demented men screaming, of the dead, of the dying. Even after he was dead, murdered by my own hand, the abominations were still there, written on his face."

The synopsis of his story complete, he turned his head back to the ceiling.

"Karn ... I really don't know what to say."

"Then it's best not to say anything, Twilight. I murdered my own friend and I murdered him because he was afraid, because he'd had enough."

"Karn, what you did was not murder," stated Twilight.

He continued to stare upwards, seemingly oblivious to what she was saying.

"He did what he wanted to do, Karn. It was his decision, not yours. He knew the consequences when he did those things. He was obviously fully aware of what would happen to him ... and I suspect he wanted his last moment to be with you. I think that he wanted you to end his pain, to free him. Karn, you cannot possibly call that action 'murder'. You carried out the sentence and did what you were told to do. It's tragic that he chose you, as his friend, but I think that he must've wanted a close friend to be the last person he ... well, saw. Before he was gone."

Karn slowly shook his head, his gaze still fixed skywards. "How can you possibly trust me after knowing this? There are so many other things I've done, Twilight. You cannot possibly still want me here after hearing about this story. I killed my friend, Twilight. Not only did I kill him, but I felt angry about it afterwards. I was angry at him for having forced me to do that. How can you know these things about me, Twilight, and not hate me?"

"Karn, the fact that you are this remorseful speaks volumes to me about the kind of human you are. What you did was truly horrible, and I can't hope to even imagine what that was like, but you have such a good conscience. So good in fact, that each time you've had to carry out these acts, it's cut back into you, causing you to feel all this guilt and pain. We do not hate you, Karn. We want to help you. We want to understand and above all we want you to get better."

"Twilight, I cannot understand how you could ever forgive me. Remorseful or no, my conscience is what condemns me."

He turned his head around to the right towards Fluttershy. "Fluttershy ... surely you cannot forgive me or accept me now, knowing just one of the horrific things I've done? How could you possibly love me? If you wanted to change your mind about me, I want you to know I would completely understand."

With tears in her eyes, at odds with the gentle smile she had, she climbed under the bed covers and lay next to him. Sliding up towards the pillow, she kissed the side of his cheek very softly. "Karn, I know what you went through was so horrible ... but I promise, I will not give up on you. I love you, Karn, and I need you. Now it's my turn to prove to you that my love is serious!" she whispered to him. Resting her chin on the top of his head, she curled her forelegs around him so his head was resting on her chest, whilst one of her hind legs lay gently across his abdomen.

She was so warm - her scent reached his nose once more and like an ether it soothed his nerves and released his pain. He unclenched his fists.

"I enjoy the way you alleviate my fears of losing you, Fluttershy," he said flatly. "Twilight here has often suggested that I need someone to talk about my experiences with, to bring them out into the open and free them as it were. I would hate to have to ask you to accept that burden."

"Karn, you are … well, my very special somepony. I know that you have a lot of painful memories you need to share, but I am more than happy to listen. There is nothing you can say that would make me leave you, or make me change my mind. It was you who gave me this same lecture after your ... birthday rebirth of a ... ?"

Karn moaned. "My rebirth of a birthday party party."

"... yes, that party. You comforted me and told me that you loved me just the way I was. Karn, please let me love you just the way you are?"

“Fluttershy, there is so much pain, so much fear, so much horror and regret stuck within my memory. Do you really think you can hear about these things, and yet still forgive me? You are the only reason I am willing to keep living, and I am terrified of losing you."

"Karn," she whispered gently, kissing him once more lovingly on the top of his head, "I know that the things you will share with me will be frightening for me ... but I'm not frightened of you! I want to listen, I want to help you get better ... I need you to be my stallion, Karn."

"Fluttershy?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Have I ever told you that are you a miracle?"

She smiled, closed her eyes and cradled his head against her a little more firmly. "No, Karn, you haven't mentioned that to me."

He inhaled her vanilla scent and allowed himself a sigh. “Then it’s about time I did.”

Finally overcome with fatigue, he slowly slid towards sleep. Fluttershy began to sing the same lullaby she'd sung to him in the hospital. As blessed unconsciousness took hold, his last thought was of her smile and her beautiful voice echoed within this troubled mind.

Fluttershy lay next to him, still cradling him against her as he slept. "Karn, I want you to be my stallion someday. I want to spend the rest of my life with you," she whispered. "I am never going to give up on you."

Twilight was so moved, that she found note taking to be very difficult. "Fluttershy, I gather that ... well, you'll want to sleep next to him tonight?"

"Yes, Twilight, I hope you don't mind?"

"No, Fluttershy. I understand. Spike and I will be sleeping next door and if for any reason at all you need help or if there's a problem, please come and get us?"

"I will, Twilight. I promise I'll take good care of him."

She snuggled further down Karn's side and wrapped her hooves around him tightly. 'You can try as hard as you like, you are not going to scare me off, come what may. I am not going to lose you ... you're mine, and I am going to care for you. Whether you like it or not!' she thought to herself.

Smiling sweetly, she rested her head against him and softly kissed his chest.

The two lovers slept peacefully, as the guards kept watch for the night. The horrors of Karn's mind stayed jailed within the recesses of his memory, as he dreamt once more of Fluttershy. He dreamt of peaceful fields and a cool breeze and of the beautiful, natural sensation of looking into Fluttershy's eyes whilst they made love. He'd not had an intimate dream of this kind involving her before, but it was not one he found at all unpleasant.

But he dreamt of being joined with her - mentally and physically - and he felt whole.

The morning sun shone through the window to Karn's chambers, causing him to slowly waken. Turning to face Fluttershy, he found her awake and watching him.

"Good morning, my adorable little therapist," he mumbled, still half asleep. "I hope you slept well?"

"I slept wonderfully, thank you. I hope you got some rest and had pleasant dreams?"

His smile was particularly warm. "I had the most incredible dream, Fluttershy. I will not go into too many details, but let me just say that it involved you in several rather lovely ways."

'Oh my goodness ... does he mean ... he dreamt of us ...' she thought. "You mean you dreamt about us ... ummm ... "

He chuckled but left any further explanation unspoken. "It was just a dream, my love, but it was lovely," he whispered, his smile broadening further. He reached over and instinctively smoothed her mane. "Even with bed hair, Fluttershy, you’re adorable."

He lifted her gently up onto his chest again as he lay on his back. She lay on top of him, her legs straddling his abdomen and her front hooves around his neck.

"I love spending moments with you like this, Karn," she smiled.

"Fluttershy, have you noticed something about you that's changed?" he asked happily.

"Oh goodness ... did I do something wrong, Karn?"

"No, my love. Have you noticed that you can share eye contact with me now, without blushing and needing to hide your face?"

Her eyes opened a little, expressing mild shock. "Oh my! I ... you're right! I hadn't thought about that. Do you mind?"

"Oh God no, Fluttershy. You have the most incredibly beautiful blue-green eyes," he declared. He gently slid his hand behind her head into her mane and slowly pulled her towards him, meeting her lips. He lived for moments like this. Caressing her mane and gently running his other hand up and down along her back, they once more explored each other's tongues in a long, exceptionally sensual kiss. His hand slid slowly down her back until he found her tail, gently holding it in his grasp. God, she was just ... angelic, divine - almost supernatural as far as his senses were concerned.

Carefully releasing their kiss, she lifted her head up and smiled sweetly. "Umm ... I hope you enjoyed your dream about me."

"Fluttershy ... " he whispered, gently stroking her tail, his smile the personification of sensuality. "I would love nothing more than to nibble your ear whilst I report on my lovely dreamscape experiences ... but I think we should probably rise and prepare to meet with the princesses. Even if I would rather spend eternity with you astride me like this!" He offered her another brief kiss, before sliding his hand again to her flanks and onto her cutie mark. "Thank you once again, Fluttershy."

She gently rubbed a hoof across his cheek. "What for this time?"

"For being so patient with a man who has bouts of lunacy from time to time. For loving me, even with my faults. For being the way you are - for wanting to listen to a broken creature like me."

Still caressing his check, she gave him another loving kiss. "I want to be with you, Karn. Don't ever forget that! I am going to help you get better, and you'll discover something else about me!"

Karn looked at her, a sly smile on his face. "Good heavens, Fluttershy. Something else. What would that be? You're good at card tricks, perhaps?"

Placing her hooves onto both his cheeks, she kissed him firmly. "You'll discover that I am stubborn."

Kissing him once more, she rose from the bed to prepare for the day's events. Karn managed to sit up on the bed, and took a moment to collect his thoughts. He just found himself observing Fluttershy as she got ready to bathe.

Given that the notice was so short, Rarity had acquiesced to the suggestion that Karn wear the same suit of clothes that he'd worn to his rebirth of a birthday party party.

"I'm am sorry, my dear, I wish I'd had time to prepare something far more appropriate for this grand occasion!" Rarity had exclaimed, holding her hoof across her forehead - looking extraordinarily dramatic.

"It's fine, my lady, really. I appreciate everything you've done. I have never owned such a fine set of clothes before in my life."

"Honestly, my dear! I shall have to outfit you ... with some variety at least?"

"You're not fond of my uniform, my lady?"

"My dear, it ... is indeed an interesting design, but to wear the same style of clothes constantly! It becomes garish to the eye. I should like to find colors that accentuate you. Red, black, a dark blue perhaps. I shall insist upon fitting you out with a selection of clothes for the coming season!"

Karn was both amused and very grateful. "Thank you, my lady. I can find no suitable words, nor superlatives I can use to describe your kindness, generosity and your abilities as a couturier. If one may say so, the beauty of your creations matches that of your own," he acknowledged dramatically.

"Karn, my dear, I would do anything whatsoever for a ‘gentleman’ such as yourself," she gushed.

Karn found these moments with Rarity to be a good source of entertainment. Her manner was naturally refined, pristine - and the way she spoke! Whilst it could often be dramatic - it still sang of urbane sophistication. He had never had the opportunity to exercise this kind of chivalry, and he was enjoying himself a great deal. She was beautiful, generous and a skilled artisan. Truly an unknown soul from where he had come from. A new set of clothes, just for one visit - the very idea of such extravagance would have grated on the austere people of his homeland.

Now suitably dressed, he left his chamber and met the others out in the enormous hallway. Naturally they were being escorted by guards. Karn had at least prepared for that, and worked hard to remind himself as to where he was - to keep his presence of mind firmly anchored in the present, in the moment. 'There will be no flashbacks, you bastard. You will act with dignity and honor, like an Alsovian adept should,' he thought heavily.

With an about face, the guards began to escort the eight of them towards the throne room. The height of the hallway and indeed its length were things that Karn found strange. Such cost and such a spectacular use of materials - for little more than show! He knew his father would actually have been deeply offended at this display - he could very nearly hear him now. 'What kind of insanity is this? A roof you cannot reach, and if you could, for what reason? To lay thy hands upon cold stone! Opulence is nothing more than wastefulness, boy. Heed the words of your old father - waste nothing and want for nothing!'.

"How are you doing, Karn? You're not feeling strange again are you?" asked Twilight.

"Not this time. I'm trying to keep focused on meeting the princesses, amongst other things."

"Other things?" she asked. Karn said nothing, just turned to look down at Fluttershy with a devilish smile. "Oh! Okay, I um ... I understand. That would help, too," she stammered, finding herself blushing. She was still getting used to the concept of Karn and Fluttershy being a couple. It was certainly not something she'd expected when she had commenced studying him so long ago. Notes had been dutifully taken though, following the brief chat the night before.

"I had actually also thought of my father," he said suddenly, pricking her interest.

"Your father? What made you think of him so suddenly?"

"Well, I was observing the spectacularly ornate hallway and it's truly incredible dimensions - the marble, the fixtures, the architecture. My father would have found all of this highly inappropriate."

"Highly inappropriate? But the palace is a magnificent building! It's wondrous, colossal, beautiful .... "

"... and wasteful. I agree with you on the points regarding the architecture! I am genuinely impressed! But you must understand that my father was some seven hundred solar cycles old and very ascetic in his outlook. The house we lived in was strong, but not grand. Everything had a reason for being where it was. Anything placed for the purposes of decoration struck him as mindless. But this ... ", he said, waving his hands over his head to indicate the sheer size and ostentatious décor of the hall, "... he would have found ridiculous!" Their throne-ward progress continued for a moment before he spoke again. "The only decoration my father ever allowed, was his Order of Alsovia."

"That sounds fascinating! I gather it was a military award?"

"It was, indeed. The highest possible award for courage under enemy fire. He was awarded it three times, and was recommended for a fourth. The order itself is what we called a 'neck' order, so it was a ribbon and medal hung around the neck. The medal itself would be numbered, and carry the full name and service number of the recipient. Subsequent awards are shown with diamonds attached to the medal itself. So, his award had the two diamonds. Thrice awarded the highest medal for courage that the nation had. It was the only thing I think he ever allowed to be displayed in the house."

"He must have been very proud of that?"

"No, Twilight, it wasn't pride. He had many visitors over the years, as he was one of only five adepts ever awarded the Order three times. Nobody had ever been awarded a fourth, so the fact that he had that fourth recommendation made him a bit of a celebrity!"

"I can imagine!" exclaimed Twilight.

"I asked him once about why he had the award framed and hung on the wall so beautifully, and yet the concept of a painting, or a photo, or even some paint was anathema to him. 'If you seek to be austere, father, why this display of your order' I asked, or words to that effect. His answer was one that shocks me still."

"... Um ... well, what was his answer? If you don't mind my asking?"

"He said, it was not pride nor joy nor pleasure. It was not for celebrity nor the attention and respect of others. He said he placed it on the wall to remind him of the dead. Dead friends, dead combatants, dead strangers. To remind him of the waste, the senseless devastation and the ruin of so many lives. He said he placed it on the wall to remind him of the cost and the misery he'd inflicted, and to remind himself to always be self-denying."

"... I'm not sure I understand?"

"Twilight, he was punishing himself. He was wracked with guilt over what he'd done to be awarded this order so many times. He put his award on display so that each morning on the way out to the farm, and each evening when he returned, he would be reminded of the horrors he had inflicted. He was a strong man! His mind wasn't broken like mine, but with his personal philosophy so opposed to waste and senselessness, and his complete contempt for ignorance and stupidity, the award just personified everything he'd done that he hated. He hung his order on the wall in order to chastise himself, Twilight."

They finally began to approach the entry to the throne room. As the guards prepared to open the doors and introduce the visitors, Karn turned to Twilight. "I notice you didn't write any of that down in that damn notebook of yours," he chuckled.

She gave him a look that suggested she held the trump card. "But I certainly will be taking notes after our meeting here!"

"Twilight ... I almost expected you to poke your tongue out at me that time."

The doors to the throne room opened and she smiled, then quickly stuck her tongue out at him playfully. Karn had to stifle a laugh. She was a harsh teacher and an awfully persistent therapist ... but she had fun moments. Truly among all of those books of hers, there were nuggets of gold.

"Your Majesties, may we introduce the elements of harmony - Princess Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Your Majesties, may we introduce Spike, assistant to Princess Twilight, and Karn Rolltagen, human visitor."

'He spoke my clan name properly!' thought Karn to himself. To hear his clan name spoken, and spoken by such a powerful voice, sent shivers along his spine. 'How did they learn how to pronounce it? None of the ponies I spend time with have ever used that name. It's all very strange,' he mused. With a luxurious looking carpet leading towards two thrones. Upon one sat Princess Celestia, with whom he was acquainted. On the other sat a dark mare, with a curiously dark, blue mane. He'd not met her before, but who knew what was possible in this place. His father's voice echoed briefly in the back of his head, 'what a disgusting waste of fabric - laid across a foolish marble floor and used for nothing but placing your feet upon. It is waste, my boy,'

As they reached the edge of the dais upon which the thrones rested, the ponies present all bowed very lowly, their eyes averted. Karn tried his utmost to appear to be humble before a foreign sovereign - he knelt with his right knee on the carpet and his right arm held horizontally across his chest, in what would have been considered a salute where he was from. Thus knelt, he lowered his head to his chin and remained motionless.

Princess Celestia was the first to speak, and to Karn's surprise the greeting was a warm one. The loud and officious manner in which they had been lead into their presence led him to expect something incredibly formal - yet this was more of a meeting of old friends.

"Ah, Princess Twilight, my faithful student! It is wonderful to see you again!"

"Princess Celestia, it's been too long!"

Karn was moderately stunned to see the larger, majestic Princess Celestia and the smaller alicorn nuzzling each other. Clearly things had become a good deal less formal following the rather extraordinary entry.

"And greetings to you, Karn! You are looking a lot better than when we saw you last," smiled Princess Celestia. The manner and tone of her voice was pleasant - and very cordial. It certainly helped Karn to feel more at ease with what was to him a strange diplomatic situation. Diplomacy was one of the subjects he had not actually read a great deal about.

"Thank you, Majesty. The ... tender care and attention of your subjects has helped me toward a somewhat speedy physical recovery."

"I'm sure it has! I hope you don't mind Twilight keeping a close eye on you and reporting to me about your recovery?"

Finding this out was no great surprise. "Not at all, Majesty. With an unknown entity such as myself loose within your realm, keeping a sharp eye on them would seem ... tactically and logically sound!" He managed as warm a smile as he could.

"Tactically sound, indeed," she beamed. "I must also admit that you have actually met my sister, Princess Luna."

Karn turned to face the strange, dark skinned pony that he'd observed when entering the room. She was slightly smaller than Celestia, but there was pride and dignity in her stance. The voice was strong, it sounded used to command. "We are happy to finally meet with you in person!" she stated.

'Meet me in person ... how else would she have met me? We've not exchanged a word,' thought Karn. "I do apologize, Majesty, but I cannot recall having had any contact with you at all, until today?"

"I am Princess Luna, the dream world is one of my domains! I have watched you in your dreams and observed your thoughts whilst thou hast slept!"

'Watching me ... in my dreams?' he thought. A brief spark of panic stuck him when he thought of what he had just recently dreamt about. "Forgive me, Majesty, but I don't recall seeing you in my dreams?"

"We can shift and meld, so as to avoid being seen," she said firmly.

"Majesty ...did that happen to include ... last night ... by any chance?" asked Karn, a touch nervously.

She stood there with her eyes fixed on his, blinked once or twice and then cleared her throat. "Well. Yes. Since you had arrived in the palace, we wanted to take the opportunity to know more about you. I can say that from what I observed ... ", she cleared her throat again, "... thou certainly do not appear to post any threat unto us here!"

'Well ... there's nothing you can do about it now, just try to stay gracious you idiot,' he thought to himself angrily. "I'm delighted to know that your Majesties are not threatened by me. Certainly such has never my desire, nor any part of my plan. In fact, my plan is what I wished to lay before you during this summons, if you would so honor a stranger in your realm to do so?"

Princess Celestia laughed heartily. "Oh my dear, you do speak so highly! Come Princesses and the bearers of the elements! We have things to discuss privately."

The ante chamber to which the two princesses lead them was certainly well appointed. One of the many servants had prepared a light mid-morning snack for them - mostly greens and vegetables and such, plus some rather sweet smelling tea. Karn was directed to a seat, which to his delight was actually somewhat larger than he'd been used to in Ponyville.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. I do hope that the sofa here is more suitable for your size, Karn?" asked Princess Celestia.

"It is indeed, Majesty, thank you. I have been trying to remind myself to build at least one chair I can carry with me wherever I am in Ponyville. I have something of a fear of breaking someone's chair one day."

She laughed lightly at his comment. "Would you like some tea, Karn? I believe that the lemon tea Fluttershy makes for you is a particular favorite of yours!"

'How does she know these things?' he thought, with a degree of trepidation. 'If she knows about these sorts of minutiae, what else does she know?' "Thank you, Majesty, and yes! I love Fluttershy's lemon tea especially," he agreed. Fluttershy had of course taken a seat next to Karn, although not so close as to be unseemly here amongst the two princesses.

Princess Celestia used her magic to pour him a cup of tea and to hand it to him. "Thank you, Majesty." he managed. The scent of the tea was wonderful. He wasn't sure what it was about lemons and such that always pleased him this way - he could only think it was the scarcity of such fresh produce anywhere near where he'd been stationed.

Princess Luna brought the conversation back towards the purpose of the summons. "We have summoned you here as we wish to seek to clarify a few things," she commanded in that strong voice once more, "and to hear of this suggestion that you say you wish to lay before us."

"Majesty, I am at your service. What may I help clarify?"

"It has come to our attention that thou wishest to stay within Equestria and to live. Is this the case?"

How did they know these things? "Well ... yes, Majesty. In point of fact, that was actually what I was hoping to ask of you, whilst we were here."

The two princesses sipped their tea and studied him for a moment.

"He has been improving a great deal, Princess Celestia," reported Twilight. "Karn, I've been sending daily updates to the princess on your progress and how you've been doing ... I haven't told you about the daily reports because ... well ... "

"It would interfere and almost certainly affect the behavior of the subject being tested," he observed.

"I'm sorry, Karn, I hope knowing that now doesn't upset you?"

"Of course not, Twilight. As I've said before, when you're dealing with an unknown element, that would be prudent. I guess I should even be flattered that I should be shown so much attention! It's not very often I hear about someone writing letters home about me every evening!" he smiled. Even the oddly commanding Princess Luna managed a laugh.

"The main aspect of the summaries that we have received that cause us concern, Karn, are those of your flashbacks," pointed out Princess Celestia. If Karn had been wearing his combat boots, his heart would currently be sitting in the bottom of one of the heels. "Certainly the most recent one, of which we learnt yesterday, occurring here within the palace."

"Yes, Majesty. It was an awful display on my part, and I apologize."

"Karn, " boomed Princess Luna, "it is our concern that you could prove to be a danger to our subjects and not just yourself when you have these episodes. What possible guarantee can you give that you would not cause anypony harm, given that from what we understand, you were momentarily unaware of precisely where you were after yesterdays 'episode'?"

"Majesty, in all truth I cannot give any guarantee. I do not believe I am capable of harming anyone during my flashbacks. In fact, the only thing I have managed to do is injure myself on one occasion."

"Yes. The barn door at Sweet Apple Acres," recalled Princess Celestia.

"Indeed, Majesty. It's impossible for me to see how I would hurt anyone else, only myself. I have so much on my mind that I want to ... bring out into the open, to dispel, to release from my mind. I understand that this will take time and a good deal of empathy and understanding from my carers. But I do earnestly believe that I will improve."

"Karn, where could you possibly stay within Ponyville? Obviously you cannot live permanently at the hospital there, we know very well that it does not have facilities for treating anyone with a chronic condition such as yours."

"Well, Majesties, I had thought of asking your permissions to build a small place of my own somewhere just outside of Ponyville, where I could have peace and be in the way as little as possible. I have a few skills that I wished to pursue in order to earn enough to support myself, as well as to be self sufficient by way of growing my own produce."

Princess Celestia placed her cup back onto the serving tray. She looked up sadly at the human. "Karn, whilst we can conceive of you living in a house of your construction and using the time to heal, the concern we have is not over housing you, but of our subjects being safe from you. We are all well aware of these gifts you have with respect to energy, but it is with the ability to use such energy as a weapon that perturbs us. If you were to have a flashback and to utilize such an ability, the effect could be tragic!"

He nodded his head solemnly - it had been a worry of his own for a long time now. "Yes, Majesty. I understand and agree. If the worst did happen, it could prove catastrophic."

Twilight attempted to come to his aid. "Princess Celestia, he has made so much progress! He's expressed his willingness to seek help from us with respect to his 'flashbacks', and as I've reported to you, he has shown marked improvement!"

"We appreciate your care and concern for him, Twilight, but as you have admitted in your own reports, he is most at ease when he is under the watchful care of one of you. Whilst we appreciate that his sessions with you have thus far proven a benefit to his well being and to our understanding, you cannot be expected to be with him at all times. You have so many duties!" insisted Princess Celestia.

"And as you are such a danger to yourself, Karn, it would be highly improper of us to allow you to live anywhere on thy own! Outside of Ponyville or no!" added Princess Luna.

Karn could only nod his acceptance. These were all valid arguments - there was no way to deny that he could indeed be a danger to himself and others, and that the requirement for his constant supervision would prove to be a burden.

He looked up at Princess Celestia, meeting her saddened gaze with his own. "Majesty ... where would you have me go? Is there somewhere distant you had in mind, where the only danger I would prove to be would be to myself, where I would no longer be a burden for your subjects in Ponyville?"

Twilight interrupted. "Oh Karn, I don't think that there's any suggestion that you leave!!"

"Twilight, I don't wish to be in Ponyville if I am going to a burden for anyone. You have your own duties that you need to focus on. You can't afford to spend your time checking on me every other hour of the day, it wouldn't be fair on you. With my mental state so parlous, I'm obviously too much of a risk to live on my own. Having me leave and be elsewhere seems the only other logical solution!"

"NO!" came a sudden shout, to everyone's complete surprise. That the dissent had been made so abruptly was amazing in itself - being as they were, in royal company. That the aforesaid dissenter was a tearful Fluttershy of all ponies confounded everyone further. All eyes fixed on her, she stood on the sofa next to Karn. "What if ... well, Princess Celestia, you say he would only be allowed to stay in Ponyville if we was always in company of one of the elements of harmony?"

"That is correct, my dear."

"... and that given his condition, he cannot be allowed to live on his own?"

Princess Celestia nodded once more.

"Well, Princess, would it be okay if ... well, if he lived with me? Or, well, I mean stayed with me, in my house?"

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna exchanged thoughtful glances.

Princess Luna turned back to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, you realize the enormity of what you are asking?"

"Yes, Princess!"

"... that you will be responsible for making sure he is not a risk to anypony? That he is safe? To make certain that he meets as often as necessary with Twilight to continue her study of him and to record his improvement?"

"Yes, Princess, I would be more than happy to be responsible for that!"

Princess Celestia turned to Twilight. "This idea does have some merit. Fluttershy is far enough away from the center of town for him not to necessary present an immediate threat if he did have flashbacks, but near enough to you for your continued reports as to his condition. What's more, that would also satisfy our requirement that he be under watch at all times by the elements."

Twilight felt her heart lifted. "Princess Celestia, I think the idea is wonderful!" she exclaimed, before rising from her chair and trotting over to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy - you do realize what's being asked of you? You need to be absolutely sure you are up to this. Do you really think you can be there for him, to watch and make sure he is doing okay?"

"Oh yes, Twilight."

"I don't just mean in ... well, in romantic ways, now Fluttershy. This is serious - he is not well as you know and he has issues that he needs to discuss with someone. Would you be able to be that empathetic ear that we think he needs?"

"I would love to be!"

Karn was the next to ask her if she was ready for the task she had so eagerly volunteered for. "Fluttershy, whilst I am very well physically, as you know from yesterday there a good many things I've done in my past that would be truly horrific for you to hear about. You do understand that if I open up to you and tell you more about my past, you may find yourself confronting aspects of my history and of my nature that you may find hard to bare?"

"Karn ... I would love nothing more in the world than to listen to you, to help you through your terrors, to be there for you when you need me to be!"

"Well ... it seems then, that we have an agreement," smiled Princess Celestia. "What word can you give us, Karn, that you would be willing to be bound by our decisions and by our commands?"

"Majesty!" he exclaimed "I can take the same oath I took upon enlisting for Alsovia - since that world now no longer exists, I believe I am free of that oath to make it here again, for you and Princess Luna? If you would be willing to hear it?"

"We would be delighted to hear this said oath, Karn. We will have to decide whether to accept it after we hear it."

Karn rose to his feet sharply and crossed his right arm horizontally across his chest in what was the standard form of military salute for an Alsovian.

"I promise, upon my life to honor, to serve and to protect unto death the land of Equestria and her rulers, to follow the commands of her rulers whenever they command, and to heed the call of Equestria when she calls. To Equestria and her rulers, I swear my absolute allegiance, even unto death, and to serve and make her proud of me. This I swear, upon my honor, upon my life and to all with whom I serve."

He stood there, holding the salute, completely motionless.

Princess Celestia exchanged another smile with Princess Luna, before turning back to him.

"Karn, we happily accept and intend to fully hold you to your oath!"

Releasing his salute and grinning widely, he took his seat again.

"Well!" exclaimed Twilight. "It seems we may have a new citizen of Equestria with us now!"

Fluttershy threw her arms around him, in a loving embrace which he returned. "Well, Fluttershy, now you're really lumbered with me," he muttered to her.

"You forgot, Karn - I told you I'm stubborn!"

"Oh my love, I'm hoping you won't need to be," he whispered, gently kissing her behind her ear.

Author's Note

"Ubique Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt" - the motto of the Royal Artillery Regiment. Roughly translated, it means "Everywhere That Right And Glory Lead". "Fas" implies divine law, or sacred duty. It is this tightly held scared duty that has brought Karn to his unfortunate situation there in Canterlot. In performing his sacred duty, his ego is destroyed in consequence.

This isn't a case of "boo hoo" (the only feedback I've had so far). He is a broken man. His kindness and caring nature has been twisted through his service, to leave him essentially wracked with a broken mind, a conscience overloaded with what his rational mind now tells him was immoral, or evil. These extreme poles of his psyche are tearing him apart.

His most recent flashback hints at some of the darker things he has had to do whilst in his former universe. This is not a case of his being a 'heel' so much as his sense of guilt. He has been driven to protect the men within his unit, and had now been forced to execute a soldier that he knew personally. His care and concern for all those with whom he has served has then lead him to feel akin to a murderer. Not only could he not save his friend, he was directly responsible for taking his life. This incident is the tip of the iceberg.

I'm enjoying writing - if you do vote this story up or down, or do nothing but read it, PLEASE give me feedback? I am so eager to improve my style and I always appreciate objective criticism.

POST EDIT 2017-06-20:
I tried to remove just a little more of the lovey-dovey dialog and to fix a few minor mistakes. There are some dialog formatting improvements as well.