A Different World

Well, after some much needed emotional release, I was back to my manly self. As much as a technicolored pony could be, that is. That bat, I am so going to ask her for her name at some point, and then I'm going to make sure that she is rewarded for her hard work and diligence.

Hopefully that will keep her from biting my neck. Still don't know if she's a vampire or not, but, why take chances?

Once again, I was at a loss for how to turn a doorknob and knocked on the door for the guards to let me out. They seemed very happy to see me, as did the usual maid and a few other members of the palace staff. Good grief were they camping outside my door?

It was fun to greet them with a hello in my deep voice and watch them swoon. Hopefully they won't get used to it too soon. I need at least five more years of that reaction.

Well, I wanted to see the princesses, as I had a few questions, and was promptly led directly to them.

I had no idea this castle had an observatory. All the more reason to kick myself. I loved observatories. Best two months of hiding I ever spent back on earth. But, why were they in an observatory in the middle of the day?

"Welcome, Sir Selfen," Celestia greeted me with a fond smile. Her sister looked pleased as well. "We were growing worried. Are you well now?"

"Much better, yes," I assured her. "A... little bat helped me get over myself."

Clestia looked confused, but Luna nodded knowingly.

"I thought that might be the case," she said, smirking at her sister. "Please, join us. We wish to hear your thoughts after..."

"After realizing this isn't a dream, and that I really am in magical la-la land?" I finished for her. They both nodded. "Fair enough. My thoughts... let's see. Oh, yeah... what am I supposed to do now?"

I accidentally said that louder than I meant to. The windows rattled a bit. This body had some lungs.

"What do you mean?" Celestia asked, clearing her throat.

"Forgive me," I said, lowering my voice to a reasonable level. "But, for most of my life I have been fighting a nonstop war against an entire world. But, you see, that's it. I dreamed of ruling the world as a child, and came close to making it a reality."

Wow. I must have been saying all the wrong things. The looks they were giving me were quite telling. Time for damage control.

"But, now I'm stuck in a world that... doesn't need conquering, as far as I've seen."

They seemed flattered, almost, by that.

"Well, Equestria is the finest example of peace and harmony in the world," Celestia declared proudly. I believed her. From what I have seen, that is.

Luna just nodded in agreement. Well, that is something.

"I just don't feel like conquering anything," I admitted with a heavy sigh, slumping at the shoulder and sitting down with a plop. Then promptly stood up with a start. The floor was cold against with jewels. Odd, how comfortable I was with being naked. "What do I do now? It's... all I ever knew."

Celestia came up and patted my head gently. "Fear not, we're here to help you. No way are we leaving as fine a stallion as yourself to the wolves."

Huh. They had that expression too. I felt a little better too.

"And, once we are wed we shall bring thee joy until the lofty hours of the night," Luna declared bluntly with the enthusiasm of a thousand little kids in a candy store. Celestia giggled at her display.

Right. I remember Celestia telling me something about a wedding before. But I had just brushed it off as a part of the dream.

"So I don't get a say in any of these proceedings?"

Celestia's eyes opened in realization. "Oh my. In our excitement at your discovery, we neglected to think you might have differing mating rituals."

Luna's face fell like a dud firework. "No bedroom escapades?"

"Now-now, Luna," Celestia chided her softly. "I'm sure we can work something out. Sir Selfen, have we done something to offend you?"

I shook my head. "No. It was to be expected, after all, the males of this world are not like the ones of my world. So it was to be expected that I be at the mercy of your customs and traditions. All I really have to ask is... are you alright with marrying me? A stranger who just appeared out of thin air about a week ago?"

Luna nodded vigorously. "Of course. A male alicorn of your size and stature is a national treasure."

I laughed. "A national treasure? How is that possible?"

"Because your the only one," she explained in a simple method that even I could understand.

"Well that's the wonderful thing about tiggers," I said in bemusement. I don't think they got the reference. No matter. "Considering I have been without love or companionship for so long... I would be all to happy to share a bed with a lady for a while."

"Forever," Luna told me in a matter-of-factly tone that made me chuckle.

"That would be an even more wondrous thing," I told her. Well, it was a magical place who knows how long I might live.

"Although, there is something we must ask you before the day of the wedding," Celestia spoke up, placing a hand on Luna's shoulder to calm her before she tried to jump my bones.

"And what is that?" I asked kindly.

"What did you think of the six mares who we introduced you to at the palace spa?" She asked with a suggestive smile on her face.