The Man and The Moon

"He's taking it better than you did." Twilight states as we both stare at Joseph, who is currently in the fetal position convinced that this is all just a bad dream.

"No, don't think so."

"He didn't pull a weapon on us."

"Oh, you know my life's story by now."

"Bits and pieces." Crouching down by Joseph, I gently rub his back.

"Common, everything's going to be fine. Probably." Looking at me with a deadpan stare, he exits his fetal position and grabs me by the shoulder.

"Edward, we were transported to a different dimension with talking pastel horses. A prince has vanished from his room in the palace. One of our top men, you, went MIA. No one knows where we are, they can't find us and there's no known way to send us back. So please explain to me how everything is going to be fine."

"Well, as far as I know, Twilight here is searching for a way to send us back, and well it's peaceful here, so far everyone's been nice to me, well almost everyone but the majority has been."

"Okay, one per... Pony is looking for a way to send us back. And yes, Edward we can enjoy a tranquil day on the hillside sipping wine as we sit and relax when my kingdom is out there missing its heir and in the middle of a war." Sighing as I pinch the bridge of my nose trying to think of something to possibly calm him down.

"Joseph, how long ago was it when I went MIA?"

"Three weeks." Grinning as I begin to chuckle, Joseph is left with a confused expression, "What's so funny?"

"It's been three weeks over there, its been months over here. Time moves faster in Equestria than Earth, so that means that we have more time than you originally thought, right?"

"I suppose, but that doesn't change anything."

"I think it does somewhat. Now, let's get you back to the castle because I imagine you're fairly tired." I tell him while helping him off the ground the confused expression still plastered on his face.

"Why do you say that? I'm perfectly fine and wide awake."

"Wait until the tension leaves." Turning to face the direction of the castle I look over to Twilight. "Oh, and I should probably introduce you, Joseph, allow me to present to you, Her royal highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle." His mouth goes agape as his eyes dart between her and my back as I casually walk away.

"P-princess?"

"Oh, yes, that's the title given to us alicorns, with the wings and the horn, basically if you see a pony that looks like me, she's a princess. Though, that's the first time he's addressed me as a princess though." They both begin to follow my lead as they continue their conversation. Trailing slowly Twilight waits until I'm out of ear-shot before leaning closer to Joseph. "So, maybe you can tell me more about Edward and where you guys come from...?"

"Depends on what you want to know."

"Everything."

"What has he told you?"

"That he strongly dislikes his own kind, he gave us a basic understanding of how government works, talked about somepony named Anderson."

"He talked about Anderson? Not even I could get him to do that..."

"Well...? Are you going to tell me?"

"Look, if he want's you to know, he'll tell you. As for the stuff about our government I can answer your questions." His look of confusion returns as he thinks to himself before picking up the pace to catch up to me. "Edward, what's going on?"

"What do you mean Jojo?"

"She just asked if I could tell her about our government, I wanted to say no but I ended up saying yes."

"Oh, yeah, this place makes you more comfortable with talking I've noticed, I can't explain why, but it just makes you lower your guard."

"What do you mean, lower your guard?"

"Makes you more open? More comfortable with things?"

"Like what?"

"Like how I just called you Jojo... You hate that nickname." He opens his mouth to retort my point but stops as he realizes that I'm right. "Now, come on, let's get you comfortable."

---><---

"So, this castle is made entirely of crystal?"

"Yeaup."

"You know, you can answer me more enthusiastically, Edward." Looking over at the prince, I give him a small smile before relaxing on the couch as Twilight is busy having Spike scribe a letter to the princesses.

"Good to see you're out of shock. You're much calmer now than you were earlier."

"I am? Suppose those stories Twilight told me about you were good for something after all." I give a small nod as the sound of something landing disrupts our individual activities, curious as to what it is, I go to open the door as Luna bursts through, knocking me back and causing me to stumble slightly.

"Oh, We do apologize, Edward, We did not expect you to open the door. "

"It's fine, really. So what brings you here?"

"We got word that another human arrived and We wished to meet them." Nodding I move aside revealing Joseph to her as Twilight trots over.

"Princess Luna, I was just about to send a letter to inform you, how'd you know we found him so quickly?"

"Discord physically reacts to extreme levels and changes in magic, he felt whatever spell brought him here and showed me the scene." Trotting over to Joseph Luna grants him a formal bow before rising and meeting his eyes. "Your Highness, would you kindly grant We and our sister an audience? We both would like to discuss your standing here and what we'd require for you to stay within the Equestrian borders." Waiting for his answer she takes to observing him, making points of his body language, as well as his deminer.

"From one royal to another, I believe that that would be the best course of action. After all having a foreign prince just sitting idly in your borders wouldn't set the best impression. When shall I attend this audience?"

"If it's not too much of an inconvenience, We'd like to get it done as soon as possible, so if you could board our chariot we'll be on our way."

"Only if Edward is there to accompany me."

"Yes, of course. He's somepony you know, and it makes seance that having him around would suffice to make you more comfortable with this formal inquiry."

"Then let's be on our way. Come, Edward."

---><---

As we enter the throne room the familiar marble floors and walls sparkle under the morning suns light as I'm met once again with Celestia's scornful gaze, stopping at the base of the stairs I kneel as Joseph continues to stand and Luna takes a seat next to her sister and a third pony, a unicorn who is in similar armor to the morning guards but with the dark tones of the night guard on the trim, her teal mane kept up high in a ponytail as her white coat was trimmed short to keep from gett caught in the armor.

"I must say, this is a lovely castle you have here your majesties."

"Thank you, what is your name?"

"I am Prince Joeseph The Second."

"Alright, Joeseph, my sister and I are surprised that not only one, but two humans found their way to our kingdom from a different dimension. Would you have any ideas as to how that came to be."

"No, I do not. And since we're asking questions, why am I meeting princesses in place of a king?"

"We don't have one. My sister and I are the highest power."

"I see. And who is this other pony sitting here?"

"She is Scarlet Dawn, the captain of the royal guard as well as my personal guard."

"Ah, that means that she's only active during day hours, so tell me, who's Luna's personal guard?"

"Until recently she and her night guards were off duty so there's a vacancy."

"Alright and exactly why are you telling me all of this?"

"Because you are no threat to worry about. Your words carry no weight here, even if you spoke to the lands that we have friction with the chance they'll believe you about my sisters weaker security are slim to none and the odds of them acting on it are even slimmer."

"Some secret weapon I assume?"

"Partly correct. Now, it's time you answer some of my questions."

"I'll have conditions."

"What do you mean, conditions?"

"I'm sorry, your Highness, but unlike you, I don't just go around spilling everything, to someone I don't even know."

"You have no room to negotiate. If you refuse to answer me further I will have you thrown away in the deepest part of the dungeon!"

"That'd be unwise, dear princess."

"So you still refuse."

"It looks that way."

"Arrest him." At her command, the two soldier ponies standing by the door go to tackle Joseph to the ground but to their surprise, they simply phase through him as his form becomes distorted, large voids of smoke where they made contact, as his form returns to normal Scarlet Dawn fires a concussive blast at him causing his entire midsection to be distorted.

"Oh, good I was hoping it'd work on magic blasts too." Walking up the stairs to Celestia, they try again to restrain him, but it's all in vain as he reaches her and gently glides his hand through her mane. "You know, we humans have a saying. 'He who bares his fangs last shall be feared most.'" At that, he returns to his spot at the base of the stairs. "Still think I'm not a threat, princess?"

"What are you? Edward has shown no signs of possessing magic, so why is it you do?!"

"Allow me to re-introduce myself then." Turning back to face her he gives a proper bow. "I am Prince Joseph The Second, more commonly referred to as The Prince of Smoke. You can't touch me, princess, because if you try it'll just pass through me. So, will you listen to my conditions now?"

"Do we have a choice?"

"Of course, but please princess, do make a wise decision." He looks at her in a smug fashion as she visibly strains over this decision, as if she's visualizing everything that could happen if she said either yes or no.

"What are they." Sounding more like a statement instead of a question, her answer is practically given to us.

"Firstly, I want proper lodging that would befit my title." She nods a bit her brow furrowed as if she knows a ridiculous demand is about to be presented to her. "Secondly, I want you to make Edward and I both official citizens with no requirements. And finally." He pauses for a dragged out minute as if to torment the mare before lifting a finger and pointing to Luna. "Edward will be Luna's personal guard." Everyone in the room recoils to the final condition, as Scarlet almost immediately chimes i.

"Don't do it princess, that could put princess Luna in serious danger, there's no telling what he'd do to her!"

"Oh, I think your concerns are missed placed." Interjecting once again, Joseph pulls on my shoulder prompting me to rise and once I do, he gestures to me. "If Miss. Twilight Sparkle is to be believed, he protected her, and two of her friends from a vicious minotaur, and saved four children from four humanoid dogmen, what're they called again Edward?"

"Diamond Dogs."

"Yes, those. Now Edward could've just abandoned them but he didn't, instead, he chose to risk his life for people he barely met beforehand. And I know Luna trusts him so why not let her decide on the final problem while you take care of the other two? If it'd make you feel better, you can send ponies my way to spy on me, I won't lie, or hide anything, they can even rummage through my belongings when I'm not home. I'll even give them liberty to check my bags before and after every trip. That's a fair trade, no?" Looking up at Celestia I can make out a look on her face that screams defeat and pure utter rage at the stranger who bested her in her haste to establish dominance. She quickly recomposes her self, however, before looking at her sister.

"What do you say, Luna, do you trust him?"

"Yes, sister, We do."

"Then it's decided. By next week your lodge will be constructed, you and Edward will become citizens by morn, and as for the guard duty, Edward will go to ponyville, collect his belongings and return here by moonrise."

"Splendid." Turning to face the doorway he begins to walk away, with me following suit and as we exit the castle I begin to speak.

"Never seen you act like that before."

"Edward, if there's one thing father drilled into me, it's how to bring the opposition to its knees. Make them think they're dominant, show them a power that they can't hope to overcome, break their spirit and they'll have no reason but to obey."

"I'm impressed."

"Though I don't really like doing it." He lets out a tired sigh as he continues to walk. "Being demanding is tiring..."

"And here I thought you got over your timid streak."

"Not quite. Baby steps Edward."

"Making a ruler of a nation bend to your will is one hell of a baby step. At least you didn't give away your weakness this time." He shoots me a glare to which I respond with my best shit eating grin before asking. "Do you even know where you're going?" He stops dead in his tracks, looking down he just quietly shakes his head. "Thought so, come one train station is this way." Taking the lead I set a course for the train station with Joseph following behind. "So, why'd you decide to make me her personal guard?"

"Figured since they want to know about humans so badly that forcing them to let you stay in the castle with them would be helpful to that along with the spies I gave them permission to use on me. Not like I'm planning to overthrow them or anything. It's nice to see that there are similarities to Earth though."

"Yeah, there are though they're not nearly as technologically advanced as we are, I personally find that relaxing. More nature, less pollution, and no wars."

"You're pretty fond of this place aren't you?"

"It's peaceful for the majority of the time, everyone's pleasant, it's just, it puts me at ease." He grows quiet as I say that, as do I leaving the sounds of our footsteps and the idle background noise of the city as we make our way to the train station and when it starts to come into view he speaks up again.

"Peaceful as it may be Edward, it's not our home."

"It can be, given we allow it the time to become that. Now come on, let's get our tickets back to Ponyville." He nods, choosing to ignore my remark as we enter the station, gaining strange looks from some of the employees that don't recognize us but luckily the ticket master does.

"How're ya doin'? Not with the princess this time 'round?"

"No, not this time." Handing him the proper amount of bits, he nods and hands me our tickets before bidding us farewell. 'I really gotta thank Twilight for giving me an allowance.' I think to myself as we board the train and wait for it to depart.

We gaze out at the ever-changing landscape, as we snack on the provided food that's actually digestible for humans until Joseph breaks the silence.

"You know, Edward, even with all the praise you give this world, I'll probably never get used to it."

"That's what I thought. Then I spent three months with those six ponies and here I am now. Just give it time, Joseph."

"You know I don't trust easily."

"Neither do I. But you trust me, and that's why I'm telling you to give it time and talk to them."

"Only because it's you telling me."

"They'll grow on you. Just be careful about Pinkie, she gets loud. Also breaks the laws of physics but she's nice once you get past that. Even went out of her way to get me a job... That I'm never going to go to again." Standing, I look to him. "We'll get there in about an hour, I'm going to get some fresh air, be right back." I go to leave before he stops me with a tug on my sleeve.

"Hey, Edward." He looks at me for a solid moment before continuing. "I really am sorry for what father made me do to you." I'm taken slightly aback by his sudden apology, as I look at him I see that his eyes are filled with remorse, I give him a soft smile before ruffling his already messy hair.

"You're fine, Joseph, it's water under the bridge." He smiles at this and gives me a soft nod before letting go of my sleeve, allowing me to go the caboose to get some air. As I'm out there I lean against the railing and look up at the noon sky. 'By this time tomorrow, I'll be guarding Luna' I think to myself as I spot three things in the distance flying from behind Canterlot castle into the mountains. 'Interesting.' Whether it's something real or one of those things only I can see I can't tell due to the distance, the only thing I can tell it's that they have wings and large bodies, making a mental note of it I return to my attempt in relaxation.

I take a deep breath enjoying the fresh air as I watch the scenery and listen to the sound of the train as we draw closer to the town that I've spent the last few months in, and there's no telling how long it'll be until I get the chance to return there. 'I should get them all together and say goodbye.' Having my fill of the moving landscape I return to my seat beside Joseph before the intercom sounds.

"We will be arriving in Ponyville in thirty minutes, Ponyville in thirty minutes."

"Was I really out there for a half hour?"

"Yes, you were."

"Huh..." We ride out the rest of the trip in relative silence, and when we stop we make a B-line towards Twilight's castle. The out of place crystal building comes into view as the noon sun stricks it, adding a celestial glow, I give a long sigh as I enter the building. "We're back!" I call out and as the familiar sound of hooves trotting on the crystal flooring can be heard, it isn't long before we see the mare that I've been living with for the past three months.

"Welcome back, guys. How was your meeting with the princesses?"

"Twilight," I say bluntly, as I look at her, "Can you bring the other five? I have an announcement to make."

"Oh... Well, of course, Edward, give me about five minutes." She trots off after calling Spike to take a letter, after about five minutes she returns with a smile. "Alright, they should be here soon." and as promised they all get there in under ten minutes the first, being Pinkie Pie, who we had to keep from darting off at the sight of a new body in Ponyville followed by Rainbowdash, then Applejack, with Rarity and Fluttershy showing up almost simultaneously.

"Alright, we're all here, whatever is this announcement darling?" Rarity asks with an inquisitive look on her face, at her question the six ponies and one dragon all sit side-by-side in front of me. After clearing my throat I begin to speak.

"Everyone, over the past three months you all have shown me, kindness, generosity, and possibly the most relaxing and fun times I've had in recent memory, however, at an audience between Joseph, and Celestia, and Luna, deals were struck and as a result, I am going to leave Ponyville." The statement leaves them with various expressions, ranging from curious and confused to gasps of disbelief. "I am going to be stationed as Luna's personal guard, effective at nightfall. I apologize for the sudden goodbye, but after this meeting is concluded, I will have to pack and leave for Canterlot." I look over the seven of them their expressions have all become more understanding except for Pinkie who still looks shocked. "Anyway, that's all I have to say, so if you guys want to say anything before I go then, now's the time."

"Well, I'll certainly say, darling, this is quite the shocking development, but I will say you are moving up in the world, becoming Princess Luna's personal guard, why I'm sure the night guard will be better off having you." Rarity chirps as her excitement is clearly plastered on her face with AJ being next.

"She's right, Edward, why, with you being ex-military n' all you'll fit right in. I guarantee it." Fluttershy timidly canters up to me and using her muzzle moves my hand on top of her head almost like a pat.

"Are you going to be alright, Edward...? Going back to military life?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine Fluttershy," Rainbow chimes in flying behind me and gives my shoulder a playful punch, "From what we've heard out military isn't nearly as rough with their soldiers as his was, I mean hell, they sear their logo into their skin, sometimes repeatedly! Nothing we do even compares to that, not to mention all the things he hasn't told us about. But hey, now I have a buddy in the royal guard! Just remember hotshot, you have a friend in the Wonderbolts!"

"What're the Wonderbolts?"

"Military aviation group that puts on performances as well as serve as a defensive taskforce."

"Good to know." She gives me another shot on the shoulder before Pinkie finally gives her two cents"

"Well, I for one always hate seeing friends go, but if its what you want to do then I can't say no. But! Make sure you write Edward Whatever-your-last-name-is! And visit!" Chuckling I pat her on the head.

"Don't worry, Pinkie, I'll write and whenever Luna comes to Ponyville I'm sure I'll see each and every one of you."

"Well, I guess it can't be helped then." Twilight says while getting something out of her desk before pulling out a black short-sleeved shirt and giving it to me. "It's the shirt that got ruined in the fight at the old castle ruins, I had Rarity fix it for you, I was going to give it to you on your birthday, whenever we found out when that was but now is as good a time as any I suppose."

"Thank you, Twilight."

"Oh, Spike also asked her to remake that jacket you're always wearing, with a little more padding for warmth in the colder seasons."

"Anymore clothing related surprises today?"

"No, those two were it."

"Alright, well thank you, everyone, for everything. "Getting all of them in for a group hug, we all share a blissful moment of silence before it's broken by the clock chiming to signal a new hour. "I need to get to packing, it won't take long, after all, I have the clothes on my back and a few knives from Earth, I'll be literally five seconds, and then we can get ready for Joseph's welcome to Ponyville party." Giving a wink to Pinkie I walk up the stairs as I look at the note that fell out of the sky to tell me about Josephs arrival before I hear Pinkie gasp followed by the sound of cannons firing off as Joseph screams and knocks something over.

I return to the ground level with my belt of knives and the tailor-made jacket and shirt in a small bag. Looking over the crowd I see Joeseph has taken to sitting and chatting with Fluttershy, 'I thought those two would get along' I think as I walk past everyone and exit the door only to be stopped by Joseph after following me out.

"Edward."

"Yes, Joseph?"

"The yellow one is really nice."

"Timid yet bold, just like you." Taking his belt off he hands it along with his sword to me. "What's this supposed to be?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm giving you my sword. Since I'm going to be under watch and you guarding someone of importance I figured you should have a weapon suited to doing just that."

"W-well, thank you, Joseph... I don't know what to say."

"Then you can take it and bow to me one last time." I chuckle slightly at this statement, taking his sword I kneel before him. "Now rise" Doing so, I see a mixed expression on his face. "It just hit me, in this world, we're equals aren't we?"

"I'll still come to your beck and call, Joseph."

"I know, Edward. You know, back on Earth I couldn't say this, but here I feel I'm more at liberty to speak my mind. If I had to say, I'd deem you my closest and most trusted friend. I know I could never hope to replace Anderson, but I hope you can find a friend in me as I have you." I don't reply to him, I just give him a hug, one which he hesitantly returns. "We part as friends then."

"Of course we do." Releasing him from the hug, I see slight tears in his eyes accompanied by a gleeful smile. "You really need to stop beating yourself up for something someone else did, Joeseph. And the yellow one, her name is Fluttershy, and I have a feeling you'll be great friends, but I gotta go. bye.

"Godspeed, Edward. Godspeed." And with that goodbye, and the party music growing softer as walk, I make way for the train station that'll lead me to my new home in Canterlot.