The Journals Of A Human

Before I start my coverage of my fifth day in Equestria, I need to say something. Celestia, I saw what you wrote in my journal. I'm so sorry that my actions have hurt you. I'm going to do what I can to make it up to you. To become a man that deserves your love… to become your handsome prince.
Now for my preface. Today was actually an Okay day. It was my actual first day guarding the princesses. But first, I was treated with a dream
--
I woke up in the dream to the sound of a forest, and a lake. The view that I opened my eyes to told me that it was a dream. When I opened my eyes, I saw the sky was a nice shade of pink and orange, created by the setting sun, and I was by a lake surrounded by forest, I saw a small dock going out onto that lake with a boat tied to it, and when I looked around, I saw that I was on a roof of a small shack. Around me there were a few lights strung up, and by the door, there were some speakers, and a mini fridge, and right next to me, there was a few wood carvings, along with the tools for carving. I was about to get up to explore more, but as I stood up, I heard a soft whoosh as a portal of sorts opened, and Princess Luna Stepped through it. as I saw her, I stood at attention and saluted her

“There is no need to salute me in your dreams Johnathan.” She replied. So, I lowered my hand and began to bow, but she also stopped me from doing that “Nor is there need to bow.” She looked around at the area surrounding us “This is a quaint little dream. Unlike the nightmares that I know that you have been having. The ones that you hide from your journal and my sister.”

I walked over to the mini fridge and to my delight, it was filed with drinks, more specifically, mason jars full of moonshine. I took out a jar and opened it up before taking a swig “So what, I’m haunted by my past…not much I can do about that…I take it this dream is another test?”

Lunas horn glowed and the jar floated to her “No, this dream is your own creation, and a way that I could see you under the mask that you hide behind” she took a sniff of the contents before gaging “How can you even stomach this? It smells terrible!” her horn glowed and the mason jars were all replaced with wine “There, that’s better.”

“Not cool Luna. And I can stomach it because I used to make it.” I replied before a more pertinent question came to mind “So then why is my dream not a nightmare?”

Luna walked to the edge of the roof and then looked back to me and smiled “I did not make any alterations, but I might have an idea.” she motioned with her hoof for me to some to her, and as I did, I almost fell on my ass. I saw me, or at least a me frozen mid run with a massive smile on my face, and right behind me, was Celestia. I looked to Luna with a look of shock on my face, and with a flash, I was down on the ground, and I looked up at the roof to see luna smiling. Her horn was flowing, and I already knew what was coming next. With a flash, I found myself running and laughing with a laughing Celestia behind me. “You can’t escape my cuddles!” she shouted, and about five seconds later, I felt myself being held by Celestia's hooves, both front and back, as her wings spread wide and we took to the sky…or at least went back up to the roof. Celestia gently placed me down in a cushion next to the chair I entered the dream in, and she landed gently on top of me, and wrapped her wing around me as she gently nuzzled my face “I love you John.”

I smiled and I kissed her “I love you too my beautiful princess.”

I raised my hand up to run it through her ethereal mane, and as I did, I noticed something, well, two somethings…rings. A ring made of some sort of black metal, possibly gun-metal, rested on my right ring finger. It was nice and simple, with Celestia's Cutie Mark engraved into it on a few places over the ring, and at the base of Celestia's horn, sat a gold ring with engravings similar to that of her necklace, and a small purple gem. It matched her royal attire very well, I was wondering how she got it, but then the lightbulb flicked on in my head as she spoke “You were right my handsome prince, this will be the perfect place to raise a foal.” We were married. My heart exploded as I looked off behind Celestia to see that Luna was sitting there with a very large smile on her face. Her horn flashed and the dream paused. I tried to get up to talk to her, but I was unable to free myself from Celestia’s loving embrace.

“Uhh, Luna, you may have to come to me.”

She walked up “Would you like me to free you?”

“No” I quickly replied “I like this…it feels nice.”

Luna giggled “Have you figured out why this is not a nightmare?”

I shook my head

“Because of my dear sister… Because you love her.” she replied

“I do, but she deserves better than me.”

Luna frowned “Johnathan, why must you deny yourself love? You are seeing this dream because your psyche thinks that this could be your future. Because my sister has started to heal the wounds on your heart. Let her continue to heal you…you may think that you don’t deserve it, but you do, and my sister needs somepony to love as well. You have changed her for the better.”

“How?” I asked

“Eternity is a long time. In our lives, we’ve both done many things that we are not proud of. My sister bares the scars of many battles, but with you, I believe that she can move beyond her past, and so can you….you actually remind me of myself in in that respect.”

“Nightmare moon?” I asked

“Yes, I actually created a being to torture me because of my actions that night. A Tantivis. But I was freed from it by Twilight and her friends. You too, have made one by the looks of it, but yours haunts you while you are awake.”

“My depression.” I replied

“Yes….we all have our own tantivis, but it can be defeated. Just as my sister is defeating yours, and how you are defeating hers.”

“How am I doing that?”

“Johnathan, you are the first man to see my sister for the mare that she really is. You love her because of her, not because of her status. And while my sister has received many a love letter from the nobles, none of them would care enough about her to carry her up Canterlot mountain, or sacrifice their lives for her. My sister, like you, has neglected her heart for the sake of others, but with you that has changed. You two are perfect for each other. You two can heal each other.” Her hoof pointed to the Celestia on top of me “When I look at this, I see my sister is truly happy again. I see she has re-discovered her youth with you. I see how you have healed her, and how she has healed you.”

I sighed “Luna, can I show you something?”

“Yes.”

I focused my mind, and the world became a blank slate.

“What is this?” luna asked

“I'm going to show you how I see myself.” I focused, and a mirror appeared. As I stepped in front of it, Luna saw what was reflected back, the mixed image of a monster made of shadows, bearing a smoking gun, before the shadows peeled away to show a fat, ugly, dumb, beast. “This is how I see myself. On the outside I am violent and a monster. On the inside, I am a fat, ugly, worthless, retarded, waste of oxygen.” I pointed to the left and Celestia appeared. “I see Celestia, as kind, beautiful, loving, and perfect. I see her as deserving better than me.”

Luna frowned “May I show you something as well?”

“Sure.” I replied

Lunas horn glowed and the mirror changed. Celestia appeared, but she looked different. She looked older. Her fur was grayed and I could see scars on her skin. Her mane had lost its ethereal effect, and her hooves…they were covered in blood “This is how my sister sees herself.”

“But she is nothing like that.” I countered

And out of the side, a new version of me stepped in. I looked almost like if prince charming had become an operator. In one hand I held my rifle, and in the other I held a shield. And behind me…stood the old Celestia, cowering behind the man in the mirror “This is how my sister sees you.”

“I…She is nothing like what she thinks she is.” I replied

Lunas horn glowed and the mirror vanished “Then make her see herself the way you do…and let her make you see yourself in the same way that she does.”

“I…...I’ll try.” I replied

“Good.” Luna said with a smile “Because I shall be informing my sister of this dream meeting.” and before I could say anything, the world flashed white and I came to.

When I came to, I felt something soft all over me. I opened my eyes to see that it was none other than Celestia, who was laying on top of me with a large smile on her face, and on her back was a...holy fuck was that a phoenix!? “Did you sleep well Johnathan?”

“Yeah. I haven’t slept this well In ages…..and you know that there is a phoenix on your back right?”

Celestia smiled “Yes I do, John, meet Philomena, Philomena, meet John.” the phoenix was about 4 and a half feet tall, and it looked at me funnily as I spoke

“Uh...Hi?”

Philomena took off from Celestia back and landed on my chest. She looked me over for a few seconds before she stated to nuzzle my chest as Celestia giggled “She likes you.”

I smiled at the sight of the phoenix nuzzling me before she chirped and flew to a perch near the fireplace I lifted up my watch to see what the time was and I saw that it was 0700 “Uhh…Celestia, its 7, shouldn’t we get to work?”

Celestia smiled as she nuzzled my cheek “No, the Knighting Ceremony is today, meaning that all my duties have been put on hold. And the ceremony isn’t until tonight, which means that we’ll have the entire day to prepare.”

I smiled as her soft fur brushed my cheek. It felt good to be loved. “Uhh…shouldn’t I go get dressed?”

I tried to get up, but as I did, Celestia put her wing around me and pulled me back down and on top of her before she put her front hooves around me and held me close “No, not yet.”

“Why?” I asked

“I believe that it may have something to do with the dream that you had last night.” she replied

“Luna already told you?” I asked

“Yes she did.” Celestia replied, which made me look up and place a kiss right on her lips, only this time, instead of breaking the kiss, we went further. As our lips met, and our tongues invaded each others mouths, our love and passion for each other was confirmed. From that moment on, we knew that we were meant to be, and as we continued our kiss, my depression for the first time was no longer in control of me, for the first time in many years, I felt truly happy.

When we broke our kiss I looked Celestia in the eyes. “Celestia, you are kind, beautiful, and amazing. You are the most beautiful thing that I have laid my eyes on. You are not old, and I don’t care about your past. I love you, and I refuse to let you see yourself as anything else.”

Celestia teared up at my words, and she again wrapped her hooves, wings, and even her neck around me, as she began to cry. I just sat there and gently ran my fingers through her mane while I held her. After a few minutes, it felt like she had calmed down, and her breathing had steadied. I gently turned myself around and I saw that Celestia had fallen asleep. I smiled at the fact that I had put her to sleep, and that she had fallen asleep holding me. I gently nuzzled her back, and placed a kiss on her head at the base of her horn, which unfortunately that woke her up. “Huh?...oh, I must have fallen asleep.”

“It's okay Tia, like you said, we’ve got some time.”

Celestia smiled at me and kissed me again “I want you to move in with me.”

“Are you sure?” I asked

“Yes my sunshine, I’m sure…even though you do snore.”

I chuckled “Sorry.”

“Its okay dear, I have on occasion made the tower shake with mine.”

I burst out into laughter and Celestia joined me. When we settled down again, I looked to my watch, it was now 0800 “Uhh tia? I think we should probably start to get ready, or at least get dressed and eat.”

Celestia looked to her clock on the wall and sighed “I suppose that you are right…when is the last time that you had a bath?”

“Uhh…I haven’t had a bath since I was ten, so like 18 years…but I shower every day.”

“Well that is about to change, come along.” Celestia let me go and got up from the bed. I just sat there and waited for her to tell me when it was my turn. But instead of waiting for a bit, I heard the sound of magic, and I felt myself lift up into the air

“Uhh…what's happening?” I opened my eyes to see that Celestia was using her magic to bring me with her

“Were going to take a bath.”

“Together!?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” I asked

“Because I love you, and because I think you’ll like the Royal bathing room” Celestia carried me down the hall for a bit and stopped at a set of double doors. When she opened them, I was greeted by what was basically a pool. It was massive. Big enough for 5 Celestia's to stand next to each other wingtip to wingtip. Celestia gently placed me on the ground and began to remove her royal attire. All the while I was just sitting there, the bath was filled with warm water, like a hot tub, and there was even some bubbles coming from it, and the whole thing was filled by a few fountains.

“Wow.”

Celestia smiled, “I told you would like it, now come on in.”

“But wait, dont you have a decently sized tub in your bathroom?” i asked

Walked over to a closet as she spoke “Yes, but I find this one to be more relaxing, and as you can see, it can function as an indoor pool if the temperature of the water is changed, but I almost never have enough time to use it, so normally I'll use my own tub or shower.”

“Ah I see.” I replied. I placed my own towel down on a chair as tia got into the water. I wasn’t going to get naked, and I was only in boxers, so I slowly walked into the bath and sunk. Celestia gasped, but I quickly swam to the surface “How deep is this thing?” I asked

“About 8 feet, but there are some benches and the middle and sides are only 4 feet deep.”

“I'll have to keep that in mind.” I replied as I swam out to the middle and just laid there, floating on my back. I had closed my eyes, and was just laying there, when I was overtaken by a massive wave of water. When I resurfaced and opened my eyes, I saw that Celestia was not too far from me, and she was doing her best to stifle a laugh. I smiled back at her and before she could do anything else, I sent a wave of my own her way. While it wasn’t as big as hers, it got my message across, ‘this means splash-war’. We smiled at each other for a few seconds, before the room exploded with torrents of water, and a fit of laughter from both me and Celestia.

After maybe ten minutes, we both settled down, and Celestia began to wash herself off. I grabbed a bar of soap and quickly scrubbed myself down and then made my way to the edge of the pool to dry off, unfortunately, Celestia saw me, and before I could react, I was enveloped in her magical grasp, and dragged across the water into her hooves “And just where do you think your going?” she asked, with a bit of a sultry tone

“uhh…to dry off and get dressed?” I replied

“I see…well perhaps you would like to stay and help me?”

“With what?” I asked

She floated a small bar of soap over to me, “My wings dear.”

“Why me?”

“Because I love you…and because I don’t want you to be alone…and because I liked the feeling of your fingers in my mane, so I'm hoping that they will feel equally relaxing on my wings.”

I smiled “I see, well when you put it like that…” I gently used my hands to stretch out her wing, and starting from the wingtip, gently ran my fingers through her feathers. I knew my efforts began to bear fruit when I heard Celestia let out a very long sigh. I smiled, and by the time I had finished both her wings, I thought she had fallen asleep standing up. To see if this was true, I placed a small kiss on her cheek, which seemed to have brought her back to consciousness, but with quite a shock

“NO!!!” I quickly jumped back, fearing I had done something wrong, as Celestia immediately went into a defensive pose with her wings spread and horn glowing. But as she looked around, and then looked to me, her ears went back and she lowered her head and with a flash, she teleported away. I was shocked at this, but I had an idea of what happened, and where she went. So I quickly dried off, and put on some clothes in my room, before retrieving a lockpick from my pack. I went to the door to Celestia's room, and on the other side, I could hear Celestia crying.

I checked the handle on the door, and sure enough it was locked. I wasn’t going to pick it yet, instead I wanted to talk to Celestia. I gently knocked on the door and called out to her “Tia?...you there?...you gave me a little shock back there, everything alright?...you ok?”

She gave her response between sobs, “Go..away.”

I wasn’t going away. So I sighed, and I took my lock picking set out of my pocket. You see, the drivers door on the truck I drive…or used to drive before I came here, had a lock that would sometimes automatically trigger due to its age, so I kept a pic set with me, and even if it didn’t, it's helpful because my dumbass has locked the keys in the car once or twice. In my defense, I was in a rush both times. Anyway, I examined the lock, and brought out a few pieces of the set, and a minute or two later, I heard a soft click. I returned the pics to my pocket, and slowly opened the door. What I saw inside Celestia's room, almost broke my heart. Celestia was laying down, crying. I took off my shoes, and slowly made my way to her, the sound of her sobs masking my footsteps. She didn’t know I was in the room with her until I laid down on the cushion next to her and wrapped my arms around her in a hug. This caused her to look to me, and I could see her eyes were red with tears.

“I told you to leave me be.” she replied as he lowered her head and looked away

“Well I'm not too good at listening, and I can see that your not the only one whos haunted by their past….I’m not going to let you be alone.” I gently cupped my hand around her chin and moved her head to face me before placing a kiss on her lips “I’m going to help you through this…I love you, and I'm not going to let you hurt like this.”

“Jonathan, Ive seen things that would make others die of fear, I've fought many battles, I've fought shadows, I've fought mad men…I've fought and banished my own sister… I have so much blood on my hooves… I have scars from battles long-forgotten…Im just an old tyrant, haunted by her demons.”

“No, you are not a tyrant tia, you are kind, loving, motherly, you would go to the ends of the earth for your ponies, just as I would go to hell and back for you. I am here to help you.” I replied, as I began to run my fingers through her mane again

“Johnathan, I have a darkness inside me, an uncontrollable rage, I let it out once in the shadow war…that wars darkness still haunts me…”

“The war against Sombra?” I asked

“Yes, he used his dark magic to corrupt the ponies of the crystal empire and forced them to fight against equestria. My ponies had taken so many injuries…I lost control of myself….I don’t want to lose you to my dark side.” And she began to sob again. I moved so she could rest her head on my shoulder. As I sat there with my eyes closed,I nuzzled the side of her face while I stroked the back of her neck and mane. Soon I found myself gently singing in the still of the night to her. Once she had regained her composure, I moved to look her in the eyes “You won’t lose me. I too know about shadows. For some time, I lived amongst them. I let them control me, but then I met you, and the light of your love has cast them out, and I will do all I can to do the same for you.”

“But my scars…” she replied

“They won’t go away, but don’t let them be reminders of your failures. Let them remind you of times where you prevailed…times where you saved Equestria. The ponies that lost their lives can’t be brought back, but you can carry on in their memory. They would want you to celebrate peace and harmony. They wouldn’t want you to sit in a room and grieve, they would want you to live, to love, and continue to spread peace and harmony.”

Celestia smiled at me and moved her hooves around me. I was confused for a second, but then she turned onto her side, and pulled me close into her underside to hold me close to her heart as she wrapped her wings around me, and rested her head down my mine as she spoke. “Thank you, my sunshine.”

I put my arms around her, and I held her tight in return “Anything for you my beautiful princess.” I don’t know how long we laid like that, but laying there like that, wrapped in each others arms, and tia holding me close to her, and hearing her heartbeat... It felt good. I felt her love for me, and I’m sure she felt my love for her. Eventually, my watch beeped, and I saw that it was noon. Celestia looked to my watch as well, I was happy to see that she was already looking better.

Celestia giggled “Oh my, it appears we have lost track of time”

“I think it was well spent” as I, both our stomachs growled “…but I think we should probably eat something.”

Celestia chuckled “I agree. I'll have something sent up for us.”

“Shouldn’t we start getting ready as well?” I asked

“The ceremony is not until 5 my dear, don’t worry, we can have lunch and cuddle for an hour and a half before I start getting ready”. Celestia's horn glowed as she penned a letter to some pony, and then with a flash, it was sent away. Five minutes later, there was a knock on the door. “Come in!” she called out, and the double doors opened to reveal two ponies, both pushing carts with covered dished on them. They wheeled them into the room by me and Tia before bowing and leaving. Celestia's horn glowed as both dishes levitated over to a small table, which she then cleared of papers, and sat down by. I followed her and sat down across from her

“So, what for lunch?” I asked

Celestia levitated the covers off the plates to reveal some kind of rice dish with what looked to be tofu and some kind of orange sauce “The chefs prepared us a rice dish with some tofu with a spicy orange sauce and white rice.”

“Looks good.” I replied as I picked up a fork and took a bite “Tastes good as well.”

Celestia smiled as she levitated over some glasses and a water pitcher before she began to eat as well. The smile disappeared from her face once she tried the sauce, and she immediately went for water. I stopped what I was doing and looked to her

“Tia? You ok?”

She took a few more gulps of water “The sauce maybe a little too spicy for my taste, how are you eating it.”

I chuckled “I'm one of those types that puts hot sauce on everything, ergo I'm used to spicy food.”

“Ah, I see.” Celestia poured herself more water as she continued to eat.

As we did, I realized something “Tia, is this a date?”

Celestia smiled at me “I guess it could be, though if it is, I must apologize then for being underdressed for such an occasion.”

“Underdressed? You’re in royal garb, I’m in a t-shirt and shorts, if anything, im the one whose underdressed.” I replied

“Touché” She replied. We continued to eat for a bit, and when we finished our meal, she spoke again “Johnathan, I was serious when I told you I wanted you to move in with me.”

“I know” I replied “I was going to bring my stuff over tomorrow, but I can understand if you want me to wait”

“No, after this morning, my love for you has been affirmed…I need you John…when I’m with you, I see myself as you do. When I’m with you, the shadows are banished from my mind…when I’m with you, I feel like I deserve the love and adoration that you and my little ponies have for me.”

“So then you want me to move in tomorrow?” I asked

A smile appeared on Celestia's face as her horn glowed “No.” there was a flash “I want you to move in now” I looked around to see that She had used her magic to teleport my stuff into her room before leaning over and placing a quick kiss on my cheek. “And now you are.”

Eventually, the time came for me and Celestia to get ready for the Ceremony. I got up, and since I didn’t have to get fully undressed, I just took off my shorts, and I opened up the closet, and the thing was massive, but luckily, my clothes had been hung up on the right side by the opening, and they were relatively easy to spot, as my clothes weren’t designed for a pony. I picked up the hanger with the uniform that rarity made for me, and it looked amazing. The Dress uniform itself was all black, with gold buttons, and and blue appelettes. The buttons and the eppaletes had the main symbol on the equestrian flag (Celestia and Luna flying in a circle around both the sun and moon) on them. The uniform itself was blank aside from that. It also had black pants, with a gold and blue line down the side of the pant leg. I put the uniform on, and picked up my dress shoes and put those on as well. There was no hat or anything, so I was ready to go. I stepped out of the closet and apparently, Celestia was waiting for me with a smile “My, my. Handsome, rugged, strong, AND you clean up nice. It seems I have found myself the perfect stallion-friend”

I smiled at her as I blushed “You flatter me”

“No, I speak the truth” she replied as she kissed me “You are my handsome warrior.” And with that she went into the closet and I went out to the balcony. The view from Celestia's balcony was amazing, it was the second most beautiful thing in my life. I looked to my watch and I saw that it was 3:30, I had an hour and a half until the ceremony. I sat down and lost myself in the view, and as I did I began to think. Celestia deserved better than me. I’m just some idiot from New England who doesn’t belong here…but I love her so much.

I began to speak to myself “But she’s a beautiful princess…and I’m…”

Celestia walked up behind me and put her hooves around me as she cut me off. “Her stallion-friend.” I turned around to face her and I saw that she was wearing some fancy dress. It was red and purple with gold swirls. Not as cute as the dress she wore on our date, this was more formal, but considering today’s event, it was understandable. But still I found myself staring at her, and of course, she saw that and smiled.

She walked up to me, kissed me, and put her wing around me “So shall we make our way down to the throne room?”

“Lets.”

A short walk later, we were in the throne room, and as the door opened, I was greeted by two alicorn mares, Luna, who was in a purple dress, and a pink alicorn that I could only assume to be Princess Cadance, who was wearing a blue dress with her hair done up with…holy shit were those diamonds!?...they were, and next to her was the Captain.

Cadance walked down to me and stopped in front of me and I bowed she motioned for me to rise with her hoof “Please John, there is no need to bow.”

“That seems to be the popular phrase amongst all of you… you must be Princess Cadance. It’s nice to finally meet you without you trying to hide from me.”

That drew a look of surprise from all in the room “But, how did you know?” Cadance asked

“Well as you probably know, I actively participated in Military Simulation for a good part of my life, as well as gone through a few other training courses. So, I’ve learned to look for things that would indicate that I was being watched……and Celestia told me of the tests.”

“Ah, I see, but yes, it is nice to finally talk to you. as you know, I was following you over your first few days here. I wanted to talk to you then, but my presence was required at home again…. but in any case, I’ve been monitoring your heart.”

“Really, I didn’t think I was that likely to have a heart attack.” I joked

Cadance chuckled “Not like that, I was monitoring your love that you felt. And to make sure you weren’t going to be a risk or that you weren’t lying.”

“I know.”

“You were always telling the truth, and your love for Celestia is very pure and powerful. I’d be honored to be there when you two finally exchange vows.”

Both me and Celestia blushed at bit at that, but we smiled. I could tell we were both thinking about a life together. As for me, I again saw a small house on the edge of the nearby lake, with us out on the roof or balcony staring at the stars and holding each other close. Some music playing over the speakers, most likely Sinatra…. maybe even a daughter “Yeah.” I slowly replied

The captain walked up to me and I shook his hoof “So you ready?” he asked

“Yeah, thanks again for the recommendation.”

“Anytime, we’ll have to go out for a drink or something”

“Yeah, I think I’d like that, just as its strong”

“I know what you mean” Shining replied with a smile, “And were also going to have to make sure you can effectively guard the princess.”

The Princesses started to giggle at us, and eventually Celestia cut in “I hate to interrupt, but we do have to get ready for the ceremony. And as for Jonathans training, im sure that I can be his teacher. My sister and I do have combat experience.”

“I think I’d like that.” I replied

With the conversation done, Celestia began to brief us and allow us to rehearse what each of us would do, and eventually time for the ceremony came. Unfortunately, I would be starting outside the throne room until I was queued in, but that was probably for the better, considering that me and the nobles aren’t exactly friends. But I was still able to hear Celestia's voice through the doors.

“Citizens of Equestria and delegates from abroad, I welcome you here to Canterlot today for a momentous occasion, we are gathered here today to welcome a human back into our lands, and to grant him knighthood.”

There was an audible gasp from the audience, and I heard somepony start to protest,

“But your highness-”

Celestia cut him off as she continued, “He has already proven himself to Princess Cadance, My sister, Princess Luna, and Myself. And it is with extreme pleasure that I introduce him to you now.”

The doors opened up and I marched in and up to the throne before the three smiling princesses as ponies, griffins, and yaks began to clap. There were only two groups that weren’t, the nobles, who seemed to be grouped around a flustered and bruised Blueblood, and the Zebras. but that that moment I didn’t care. As I reached the throne, I stopped and saluted the princesses, then assumed the parade rest position as Celestia walked up to me “Johnathan Cormier, do you swear to protect this world and its inhabitants?”

“Yes ma’am.” I replied

Luna walked forward “To watch over it and defend it either night or day?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Cadance stepped forward “To keep love in your heart and let it give you strength.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Both Shining and Celestia stepped forward as Celestia spoke “Kneel please.” I got down on my knee and the captain handed her a sword, which oddly enough, had the punisher skull on the pommel and the hilt. She then took the sword and tapped both of my shoulders with it “You may rise” I stood up and Celestia placed the sword and its scabbard on my back and I turned to face the audience “It is my great pleasure to present to you your newest knight, and the royal families personal guard!” and the crowd erupted in applause, even the nobles lightly clapped. And with that the ceremony turned into a bit of a party…or as much of a party as one can have when you’re at an event like this. Anyway, ponies and delegates went around talking to the princesses or each other, as a quartet started to play some classical music. It wasn’t half bad, but I’m not really a classical guy.

Unfortunately for me, I don’t really like big parties, so I tried to make my way over to the drinks and food, and then off to some corner where I could sit and listen to the music and wait out the night, but unfortunately, I was the center of attention. Ponies, griffins, and yaks all wanted to come up and meet me, hell even a few of the nobles gave it a shot, though one that really stood out was a guy by the name of Fancypants. He was about the same size as the good Captain, only he wore the upper part of what looked to be a suit. He had on old timey handlebar mustache, and in his was a monocle. And contrary to his name, he was very lacking in the pants department, business t he wasn’t an asshole, so I digress.

“Good evening Sir Johnathan.”

I offered my hand for him to shake “Please, just call me John.”

To my surprise, he actually shook it “Not one for formality I presume?”

I chuckled “No, not really, never have been, I mean I can do professionalism when I need to, but I find that formality gets in the way sometimes.”

“Oh I quite understand, but nevertheless, it is still very nice to meet you, unfortunately, your image is not the best amongst the elite, especially after your confrontation with Blueblood. Yes, sadly, he’s been attempting to slander your good name.”

I simply shrugged my shoulders “Meh, to be honest, and pardon my French, I don't really give a fuck about my image. He got what he had coming to him.”

“Ah, I see, and my I ask you something?”

“Sure, shoot.”

“Are you aware of the fact that Celestia may have a…how do I put this…crush on you?”

I smiled “Oh yeah, I know.”

“Oh, how?” he asked

“Because I may or may not be her…how did she put it?...Stallion friend?”

The look on his face was one of complete shock “My word man. Congratulations!”

“Thanks, she actually had me move in with her today.” I replied

“Ah, so the relationship is going well then. Well I wish you the best of luck, and I do say, keep whatever you are doing up, the princess hasn’t been this happy since Luna returned.”

“Really?” I asked

“Yes, and I know I’m not the only one who is happy about this. Just make sure to send me an invite to the wedding.”

“I don’t think were that far in yet, me and here are in love, but I don’t think she'd want to marry me.”

“Oh I beg to differ my good man, but in any case, it was a pleasure to meet you, I shall be walking around and mingling. If you want to talk again old chap, please feel free to find me.”

“Yeah, it was nice to meet you too.” and with that he turned and left. The rest of the night went very similar to that, ponies would come up to me, ask me a few questions and then leave, but one thing that will always stick with me was towards the end of the party, when Tia walked up to me with a Zebra by her side

“Johnathan, I would like you to meet the Kaisar.”

“Good afternoon your highness.” I said as I bowed

“Good afternoon.” he replied in a bit of an exotic accent. He then proceeded to look at me for a bit, before stating “You are the Reaper, you bear his weapons, and even though you don’t have his mark, you are star touched.” He then looked to CeIestia “This has in no way hurt our nation's good standing with each other, but you must understand why I must leave. ” and with that he turned and ran out.

“Well that was nice.” I said sarcastically “So what was that about.”

Celestia looked a little nervous. She pulled me of into a side room and locked the door and cast a spell on it before speaking. “A human warrior, much like yourself, lived here many ages ago, he magically appeared one day in front of the tree of harmony. He was alone and confused, and he was picked up by the Palace guards one day and brought before my father Orbash, and my mother Sunflare. At first, they were not sure what to make of his story. All they knew was that he was armed, and that he could potentially pose a threat. My mother wanted to put him in the dungeon until they could assure that he was not a threat, but my father convinced her that that would make an enemy of him, so they put him up in the castle, gave him the job as a guard, and conducted three trials of his character, the Trial of the sun, the trial of the moon, and the trial of the heart. The Warrior passed all of these tests. And my parents made him their guard. Over the years, they became close friends, and eventually a part of our family. And when my parents gave birth to me and my sister, he vowed to them to keep us safe. And he did, but one day the zebra attacked, they were after him. He defended our family throughout the entire ordeal. He suffered great wounds, but he kept fighting. He worked with our forces to drive off the attack and the zebras dubbed him with the title of “The Reaper”. They told stories of his fighting and believed he was “Star-Touched”. Eventually, he disappeared. And was never heard from again. I think you are that warrior.”

“Well what makes you say that?”

Celestia looked around before whispering in my ear “I will explain this to you tomorrow. It's time that I told you something.”

I nodded my head in agreement “Okay, but we should probably get back to the party before folks start to get the wrong idea.”

“I agree.” Celestia put her wing around me and we walked back into the ballroom. By now the celebration was dying down and ponies were beginning to return to their homes. I looked to my watch, and I saw that it was 2030 (8:30 PM) which would explain the deadness. Half an hour later, Celestia and Luna got up onto the stairs and bid everypony farewell, as the guests all left, and we returned to our quarters. Once we were back in the room, I took the swords and placed them with the rest of my weapons before putting my uniform, pants, and shoes back in the closet. As usual, Celestia was waiting for me on her bed, but she was still in her royal garb

“Everything okay tia?”

“Yes my love, im just very tired…perhaps you could help me?”

“With?”

I saw the devious smile appear on her face “Undressing.”

“Uh…I…uhm...uhh…..heh,”

Celestia giggled at me “Could you take off my royal jewelry?”

“Ah…that makes more sense, sure” I started first with her metallic shoes, which actually didn’t weigh much, considering they were probably made of gold. “Where should I put these?” I asked

“Next to the closet, there’s a place to put them under the mirror” Celestia replied.

I walked over and sure enough, there was a self for me to put them on. I placed the four shoes down and walked back to Celestia, who then lowered her head. “Now my necklace” I lifted her necklace up, and this thing had some heft to it, the things must have been completely solid gold. I lifted it up off her head and gently took her crown off as well. I took both of them over to the mirror and placed them with her shoes before walking back over to her and laying down myself. I let out a sigh of relief as I rested on the bed “That’s better”

Celestia smiled as she wrapped her wing around my shirtless body and pulled me close to her “Yes, much better.” She smiled at me and I smiled back before touching my nose to hers, which earned me a kiss from Celestia.

“I love you Celestia.”

“I love you too John.”

Celestia's still asleep as I’m writing this, but I think it's time for me to call it a night. My princess’s soft embrace is calling to me.