Author's Note

This is a story written for my adorable boyfriend Nazo, featuring him and (one of) his adorable husbando(s). He will probably die after reading it. I love you, Nazo. <3

Note that this may diverge from show canon in a number of ways. This is due to a combination of myself lagging behind on keeping up with episodes, ideas that had existed before canon had shattered them, and/or simply not giving a crap. Also, it's anthro, so that comes with its own set of diversions. Regardless, I hope you enjoy.

1: Prologue

Saturday. If Jac were still in school, this would be his favorite day of the week. It still is, albeit for no real reason at this point. Sentimentality, perhaps?

No, Jac was simply too lazy to pick a new day. Why mess with the status quo when the current one works well enough? Besides, any tiny change in Jac's schedule could backfire - he could screw up his sleep schedule again (not that it wasn't already inconsistent beyond belief), or lose motivation for something because it didn't feel like the right time for it, or- gasp! -forget that he changed it.

Jac pushed these silly thoughts aside and returned to his task at hand - anime. One of the few things Jac could always depend on, that would never betray him. That would never bait him with the false hope of freedom and escape from his troubles, only to-

"You've Got Mail!"

Jac jumped in his seat, frightened by the sudden appearance Equestria Online's new e-mail notifications. He groaned and returned the pillows to their rightful place beside him. Ever since Princess Twilight Sparkle was put in charge of Canterlot's technology and research department, the advances had been a peculiar mixture of unthinkably useful and unthinkably annoying - not to mention Twilight's bad habit of pushing out new ideas to the general public without particularly extensive testing first. As it stands, the e-mail notifications could not be muted, and the TV would continuously bleep every minute until the e-mail was read. He didn't have much choice.

With a groan, Jac paused the show barely before the opening theme could start. As his slightly archaic computer would take a hefty few minutes to fully start up, he went to obtain food.

Returning with a bowl of nearly-stale chips, he sat down at his computer and pulled out his keyboard.

SCREEEEEECCH

Jac sighed softly. His keyboard tray deserved to be pounded into scrap metal. Even though today had been going exactly the same as any other day, it was already getting on his nerves. He opened his e-mail.

IMPORTANT: ROYAL SUMMONS
CANTERLOT ROYAL GUARD

You (JAC the PEGASUS, resident of PONYVILLE LAKES), have been selected by the Canterlot Royal Guard to attend a support party at THE CHANGELING KINGDOM to assist with the following tasks:
Miscellaneous

You are to report to your local train station the following MONDAY. Guidance will be provided upon arrival and you will be escorted to your fellow party members on a private train car. Upon arrival to your destination, you will receive further instruction. This summons is not optional, and you may be fined up to 5,000 BITS if your presence is not recorded at the time of departure. You are excused from any work, public service, or other obligations for the duration of your trip, and may not be terminated or penalized by your employer on behalf of your absence.

This expedition will last THREE DAYS, and you will be accompanied by royal guards at all times for your safety.
No dangerous circumstances are expected during this expedition.

Thank you for being a valuable citizen of Equestria. We stand proudly in Her light, casting the rays of sunshine across the world. - Canterlot Royal Guard

Jac quietly turned off his computer. These next few days will probably kill him.