Ryuji looked about as he stood in a grey foggy void that seemed like he was standing on top of an endless body of water. His eyes shifted about as he heard whispers upon whispers coming from all directions. He did not know what was going on exactly, but it was starting to worry him. Where was he? And why did everything feel so cold and lonely? It almost felt like he was back in the void. But there weren’t even any corrupted grineer or corpus.

“What is...this place?”

Beats me, kiddo. I am only here because I felt I needed to come and watch over you.”

Said his doppelganger as he approached him from seemingly out of nowhere. Ryuji looked at his copy with an arched brow. He came to ‘watch over him’? That was new. Usually, he liked to cause him trouble or give him warnings. Just as his copy showed up, the whispered started to become clearer. And what they said didn’t exactly help Ryuji feel comfortable.

”Get rid of the agitator. He will derail the plans we have set out for the future…”

“He is a cancer upon our world, he must be removed before things fall apart. He will shift the balance…”

“The other one will surely cause trouble as well. Though not physical, he still resides in the real one…”

Ryuji and his doppelganger looked around for any signs of movement or even life. But all that was there were just whispers in whispers. The copy just laughed and looked over at Ryuji. He had a smug look on his face, knowing full well what was going on.

“You hear that, kiddo? Apparently, you and I don’t fit into the unknown forces’ master plan that governs this world. So it appears that they wish to remove us from it. By what means I am wondering…”

“I...I don’t know. But if they intend to try and remove me by force, I will not go willingly. I like it here.”

“The fact of the matter is you will be removed with any method that will work.And we will not give up until your existence is erased. You bring technology into this world that could undoubtedly turn the tides in future events that shape this world. And we have worked too hard to have you come and ruin all of our hard work. You and your...metal creature will not disrupt the flow of our world. And remember this...the princesses and your new friends will not be there to help you all the time.”

The doppelganger was about to say something to stand up for Ryuji, but he spoke up as he squeezed his right hand into a fist tightly, the material could be heard stretching as he did. The doppelganger turned his head to see a fierce look on his face.

“You are wrong. They will be there when I need them because they are my friends. And even if they can’t get to me. I still have my own abilities and Hydroid. Send whatever you want to try and destroy me. But I will make sure to destroy it first. I am here in this world now and I do not plan on leaving it now that I know I am not welcomed. Besides, that’s how it was in my own world. I ruined a bunch of plans for many people. So, this will be no different.”

Suddenly the sound of hoofsteps echoed through the fog. It sounded like there were at least two figures approaching. Both Ryuji and his doppelganger were now fully on guard and ready for anything.

“Stand your ground, kiddo. I got your back.”

Luckily when he heard the voice of one of them call out his name, his guard lowered a bit until he finally saw Celestia and another alicorn at her side. Ryuji blinked a few times at the new one then looked back at Celestia. It seems like as they approached, the whispers grew quiet on the spot. The dark blue alicorn looked between Ryuji and his doppelganger then back up at her sister.

“Uuh..sister? Are there supposed to be two of them…?”

“Well, technically yes. Though that is a story for another time.”

“Alright kiddo, they are here now, I think you are in good hands. See you around.”

The doppelganger vanished into the fog. Leaving Ryuji along with the princesses and a rather confused feeling as to why he’d even show up to help him. That wasn’t the issue at the moment though. He looks toward the two soon enough to see Celestia walking toward him in a brisk fashion. She kneels in front of him and gently takes his lower jaw into her hands.

“Are you alright, Ryuji…?”

He blinked a few times as he lightly grabbed Celestia’s right arm.Her touch was warm and gentle, and her eyes held a genuine concern for him it seemed. It felt strange but nice to him. He just gives a nod and a light smile.

“I am fine, don’t worry about me. Though when you are told that you will be erased from existence because you don’t fit into the world’s future master plan. It kind of throws you off.”

Celestia’s eyes widen a bit as she looks to her sister who had the same expression. She then turned back to Ryuji and pulled him into her closely. This surprised him a bit but then he looked up at her wondering what was going on.

“Sister, can you change up this dreamscape for us? I don’t think we should stay here much longer. I get the feeling that this place was crafted by….somepony to throw off Ryuji.”

“Of course, sister. I am on it.”

The dreamscape suddenly flashed white. Instantly bringing them to a new one that was in an open meadow with the sky revealing the most beautiful grey and gold colors. It was at the time of twilight, Ryuji’s favorite time of the day. The wind blew through the air at a gentle speed, blowing through Ryuji’s hair as Celestia let him step back a bit. She gazed at him with a worried stare as she had heard what the whispers were saying to him as she traveled through the last dreamscape. Ryuji looked out over the land in the distance to see Ponyville just off where he stood. This must be just on the outer part where the large grassy hills were. The view was breathtaking to be sure. Ryuji just walked a little further away as the wind caressed his form, making the lighter pieces of his armor flow gently as his eyes scanned over the horizon.

“You...heard what they said to me didn’t you? Apparently, I do not belong in this world because I will be foiling their plans. And they will be sending anything after me to make sure it doesn’t happen. I won’t lie…”

He said as he fidgets with his hands a bit. The brave front he puts up all the time seemingly starting to slip. Both Celestia and Luna could sense his fear and nervousness. And it bothered the white alicorn greatly. And she did not know why.

“I...I am scared for my life. Sure, I am a strong warrior, and as myself, I can control the power of the void. But even that has a limit. And if I am caught without Hydroid when they strike…”

He turned to them with a weak smile. Celestia could see the worry in his eyes, however. She approaches him and gently pulls her into her arms as she kneels down in front of him again. Ryuji felt safe when he was in her embrace. He hesitantly wrapped his own arms around her and looked up at her. Seeing her beautiful purple eyes gazing back down at him with protection in them. She shakes her head lightly as she speaks to him with a smile.

“I believe that you are meant for this world, Ryuji. That you were brought here because it was meant to be. Do not let them have you think otherwise. And no matter what, you will never be alone, nor will you face these forces alone. Remember, you have not only Twilight and her friends who have come to really like you. But I will most definitely be there for you as well. I...can’t explain it. But ever since I first laid eyes on you, I felt this protective nature I have for you grow.”

Ryuji continued to gaze up at Celestia with a look of curiosity. She really felt like that towards him.It made him wonder why. He lowers his gaze to the ground for a moment then back up to her.

“Why worry about me? You are one of the rulers of this land. Surely you have better things to worry about than someone like me. Twilight is more of your concern than anyone else in fact. She is your star student after all. And I am still a stranger to this world. That’s why I don’t understand…”

Ryuji was under the impression of the only reason why Celestia even took an interest in him was that he wasn’t a pony. And the fact that he possessed technology that could very well cause great trouble should he be so inclined to turn on her at any moment. He felt like that he was just something for her to use until he was no longer needed. That’s how it was back in his world. Other than the Lotus, no one else really cared for the tenno children because of what they could do. Celestia could see the doubt of her genuine care for the tenno in his eyes. And Luna could feel it coming from him as well.

“Your hesitation to believe the words of my older sister are understandable. She has told me of your trying times you have mentioned from your realm. But I am going to tell you now, she is not that kind of pony. For my crimes, I was banished for over a thousand years. But that was for the good of all. It wasn’t easy for her to do. And even after I had returned to try and resume my horrible agenda, Twilight Sparkle and her friends freed me from the darkness and I was eventually reunited with my sister because she forgave me, As did everypony else. You are a threat. That much my sister and I have agreed on.”

“Luna, that’s enough. He doesn’t need to hear anymore!”

Luna shakes her head.

“If we are to gain each other’s trust, we must be upfront with him just as he has with us, sister. It is better he finds out now than later when it would feel like he had been stabbed in the back. No one wants to feel that. And from what you have told me about him, he has experienced enough of that.”

Luna walks closer to Ryuji. His gaze following her as she then stands in front of him. He could tell she had something that he needed to here before this went on any further. And he was ready to hear it.

“Sister...please…”

“He needs to hear this, Celestia. You know he does.”

“Just tell me. I can handle it.”

“Ever since you came here, we have had agents spying on your, watching your every move. We even had them investigate your aircraft. But we could not find a way to further our study because of...some kind of non-magical barrier. And we have also seen your abilities at first hand. You harness strange powers and even stranger weapons. Both my sister and I immediately saw you as a potential threat. And we still do.”

Ryuji steps back a bit and lowers his head. He felt like all those kind words he had been given were all just lies. Lies to make sure he did not cause any trouble. Not that he had any intent on doing so. But it still made his heart ache a bit.

“However…”

Ryuji lifted his gaze back up to the dark blue alicorn as she said that. He could see a smile form on her muzzle after she said that.

“You have shown that you are not here to bare us any ill will. Nor to any of our subjects. Therefore, it is only fitting that we give you the same level of trust just as you have with us. We also ask that you forgive us. We were only making sure our subjects were safe. And that we meant no disrespect towards you.”

Celestia’s eyes shift back to Ryuji. From the look of him, she thought that he was going to be very upset with all this. His hands were balled into fists and his gaze was downward. But his hands softened and so did his expression. He looked up to both of them and nodded.

“So, we are on the same page then…? No more tricks? No more lies? We will not hide anything from each other anymore?”

“No, no more of that. You have our word. And if it helps you feel any better, the friendships you have begun with Twilight and her friends have all been genuine as well. None of them knew our intent. Now…”

Celestia said as she placed her hands on his shoulders gently.

“What can I do to help you feel better after all this? Anything, you name it.”

Ryuji felt like a burden had been lifted off his shoulders after all this. He felt like finally for once, he could lower his guard after all these years. He suddenly wraps his arms around Celestia’s body and hugs into her. The sudden movement surprising her, but she welcomed it. Even going as far as wrapping her wings around him.

“Just...keep the promise you made to me and the Lotus. I will not rely on you a lot. But even a warrior will need help every now and then.”

Celestia smiled warmly and held him closely like a mother held their child. Even more so when she didn’t want to let him go.

“You have my word,Ryuji. I promise you this here and now.”

Author's Note

Aawww, look at that, we now have a bit of trust between Ryuji and the princesses. Here's hoping that it never shatters.

May the darkness grant you peace.