Chivalry Reborn

Chapter 9:

The Wrong Doppelganger

I stir awake slowly, forcing my eyes open, despite their resistance.

I can feel that my entire body does not want to move, let alone get up. I feel like a sack of crap left under the sun. My right shoulder feels like it’s out of its damned socket, and my legs are sore as all hell, shooting a small ping of pain every few minutes. Oh my god, what did I do last night?

I look around myself slowly. I’m in my living room, chairs are pulled out, and I'm still have my clothes on. That’s everyday, so whatever; what happened yesterday? Why was I asleep sitting up on my couch? I push my body away from the back cushions, working past small aches and pains my body sent to my brain.  “Is it a Monday, today…?” I muttered to myself, slowly stretching my arms.

“Mmmnnn~….”

……That wasn’t my voice was it? My eyes shift to my lips asking them if they just moaned lazily. My lips were clamped shut. Nope, couldn’t be. What the hell made that noise then? My eyes keep moving downward, past my lips, towards my lap. There, resting on its head on my lap, laid a snoozing purple unicorn. My face completely fell at seeing this sight for a moment.

I was JUST about to freak out, when my mind decided that now would be the perfect time for it to remind me. I pause, as I quickly recounted all of yesterday in a mere 5 seconds. Thanks brain, you douchebag. I blink, processing the now present memories. I close my mouth back and just sigh at the slumbering mare.

Okay, I remember why I was sleeping on my couch now, but why is Twilight still here? She could have just left with Celestia, right? I watched her sleep for a moment. A few bags were gathered under her eyes, and some parts of her mane were messy. She had her head resting on my lap, while the rest of her body was curled up slightly. She seemed pretty peaceful sleeping like that. She actually seemed kinda cute, all furled up and silently breathing like that.

….Shit, my leg is cramping up on me.

I need to move my legs; otherwise I’ll be in twice the pain moving about for the entirety of the day. I don’t have a choice; I need to wake up Twilight. I whisper her name quietly, poking her cheek lightly.

“Twilight…?”

Poke

“Mmmn~...” Her right leg moves a little.

“Twiiiiiiiilight~…”

Poke, poke

“Mmmn~..!” Her eyebrows arched downward, shifting her head closer to my stomach.

This is like waking up a little kid. This wasn't working, obviously. Wake up already! I looked around, thinking of someway I can wake her up nicely. I could always use that tactic my mom used on me when I was a toddler. Yeah, like it would work.

A numbing sensation started to take hold of my right leg.

Alright, alright, fine, body! My body and brain are total dicks to one another, I swear.

I slowly lean down to Twilight’s head, stroking her head lightly. I sweetly whisper in her ear, praying that this will make the young mare to get up.

“Twilight~, time to rise and shine sweetie. It’s time for another fun-filled day~”

Her ear twitched, in reaction to my breath hitting her ear.

“Uunnnn~, but I don’t wanna get up yet, Daddy~” Twilight groaned, in a sleepy daze. She reluctantly lifted her head off of my legs, freeing me to get up finally. Wait, Daddy?

“Can I stay in bed for five minutes~?” She sounds exactly like a little kid on a school day.

I blink, looking at Twilight for a moment. A childhood memory dream? I get up, waking up my legs away from complete numbing. Man that was a close call.

“Yeah, well, you can have your five minutes, Twilight,” I spoke in my normal flat tone. “But next time, try to not sleep on my lap.”

She looked at me confused, her half-open purple eyes staring at me. She took a good minute for her to piece together who it was she was looking at. “Winston...?” She asked aloud. Well, someone’s not very used to staying up late.

“Ya-huh,” is all my muttered aloud, as I walked out to the bathroom, scratching my head. A light bulb flicked on to the devious part of my psyche. “But if you insist, go ahead and keep calling me ‘Daddy,’ your choice.”

I turned around about to close the bathroom door, pausing to see her reaction. She stared after me with a blank look on her face. What, no reaction? My mind groaned, disappointed. Then her face flushed bright red before curing back up, hiding her face. There we go! I let out a snicker, closing the door. Early morning pranking: satisfaction guaranteed.

I splash cold water on my face, snapping myself completely out of what’s left of my weariness, tossing my dirty shirt and vest into the clothes hamper.

Okay, First real day in Equestria. I was already thinking, planning out what activities I would do over the course of the day. I guess I’ll talk to Twilight Sparkle for a bit, seeing that she’s right in the next room, then head off to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack did say, she had work for me to do there.

I glance at my wristwatch for the time. It was 7:25AM. Weird, I’d normally be up earlier working on something. But, seeing that I’m stuck on a planet full of ponies, to hell with the old schedule.

I grab a towel off the nearby rack, wiping the drops of water that hung on my skin off by force. Okay, now that I have my plans set, I can just get dressed and-

I paused. I could have sworn I saw pony in that small gap in my towel. Slowly, I lower my washrag, hoping I was just seeing things.

I wasn't, unfortunately.

I stood there, dropping my towel, staring at a pony that stood in the place of my reflection in the mirror.

Annnd now I’m lost again. What the hell could reason this out!?

I blinked, taking in the horses features. It was a male stallion, tall, and sturdy looking. He had a faded gray coat, with a jet black mane, its style looking almost exactly like my own lightly ruffled, spiked forward style; only having long hair, so the tips hang right over his eyes. His bright scarlet eyes were staring at my own brown ones when I looked back up.  I had assumed he was just a unicorn at first, seeing that his horn was clearly on his forehead, but then I noticed his wings closed at his side, their outline barely noticeable within the dark hair.

I was completely stumped. Why was this stallion in my medicine cabinet mirror? I shifted my weight slightly, adjusting my feet to steady myself, still staring at my incorrect reflection. He did just the same in time with me. I blinked. Was it mimicking me? I lifted my hands in front of my face slowly. It raised its hooves at the same rate. Hesitating slightly, I clapped my hands together.

Clap

It was a weird test, but it did what I expected it to. It brought its hooves together and not a sound came out from behind the mirror.

“…”

I wasn't amused. I arched my eyebrow, and it did the same.I twisted my neck to the side,cracking it. The Stallion did the exact same action, matching his movements down to the last instant.

I stared at the copycat again. Was this some kind of prank? I glance behind me. A trick of the eye? Nothing was behind me, but my shower and vanilla –colored curtain. I turn back at the horse.

Ugh.

Growing more irritated, I grabbed the knob on my cabinet and pulled it open. The image of the stallion moved aside, revealing nothing but what I normally had in there: Aspirin, some Tylenol, and a first aid kit. I closed the cabinet back shut, showing once more the mysterious stallion holding the doorknob with his hoof. (How does that even WORK!?)

UGH.

This doesn’t add up! There is no way a horse can be in the mirror, even with magic; but I couldn’t answer this with logic either.

You know what? Forget it. It’ll have to wait until later, when I wasn't just waking up. I pick up the washcloth I dropped, tossing it into the hamper, before opening the door and leaving the bathroom.

I stepped out of the bathroom, stepping across the living room towards my bedroom. I eyed Twilight still curled up on my couch, position not really changed from where I left her. I slowed to a leisurely amble. Looking at her more closely, I could see that she had her head hidden in the cushions, hiding her face from the outside world.

“Hey, Twilight,” I called out to her, as I stepped into my bedroom, flicking on the light switch. My room is just as it was when I left to go on that fateful walk. I ignore the urge to check my mail for jobs, and dig in my closet for a new outfit. “You aren’t asleep again, are you?”

Silence.

She better not be asleep again. I don’t want waste more time waking her a second time.

“If you’re asleep again,” I threatened her in a worrying tone, slipping on a black T-shirt, and changing my dress pants for my old pair of jeans that had a small tear in the knee. “I’m gonna stroke your mane and whisper ‘Daddy’s here for yo-“

“NO!” Twilight yelped, sounding really flustered. “NONONONO, I’m awake! That won’t be needed!”

I poked my head out of my doorway, to make sure she was being honest. She was sitting up now, mane still a mess, the bags under her eyes from earlier seemingly to have disappeared into thin air. Her entire face had a slight red tilt to it, as she stared me down with a defeated glare.

I laughed heartedly, slipping my feet into my trusty Converses. “Good to hear. You’re hard to wake.”

“It’s not normally like that,” she refuted, muttering in embarrassment. She sighed slightly, her horn sparkling, her mane began to press and tidy itself. “I normally would have been asleep a long time ago. But when Princess Celestia gave me orders that included watching over you while you slept, I had to obey.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hit the brakes.

“What.” I flatly said what was in my head.  “Why would she tell you to watch me sleep?”

“She said that you would have telecommunications that no one else could have in your dreams. Slipped a scroll message into your bag, and told me to tell you to only read them when you’re alone. ” She looked to the side having a thought of her own. “You are okay, right?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I’m perfectly fine,” I replied, walking out of my room and back in front of the dining table. Scanning the stand nearby, I found my bag and glasses I left on top of the surface last night.  Just as Twilight said, there was a clean white scroll rolled up in the bag, with one end snuggly pointing out with the royal seal of a sun. I scooped it up, swinging the backpack around me and sliding it onto my back in a fluent motion.

I turned around towards Twilight, grabbing my glasses off the counter with one hand and slipped them over my eyes. If I had to summarize how I felt every time I did that in one word, I would probably go with swag. It just made me feel that damn cool. Twilight just rolled her eyes at my flashy movements, her mane now presentable.

“Alright,” I popped my wrist, looking at Twilight. She was already off the couch and walking towards the door.  “Mind giving me a tour of the town?”

“Gladly,” Twilight smiled, saying that. There a hint of pride in her voice. “It’s my one duties as the favored student of Celestia, after all.”

“And you’re duty to your Daddy.” I slipped in, a smirk spread across my lips, as I opened the door. The light of a new day blasted through the room, making everything must brighter. The sound of birds singing filled the air, as the suns warmth hit my skin full blast. So glad I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt right now.

Twilight’s smile fell hearing this, the blush returning to her cheeks. Her ears fell against her head, while she looked to the side. “Shut up,” she huffed. I love it when I get some good material to tease people with.

She trotted to where I was, head hanging slightly and looking at the side, embarrassment written all over her. I noticed how that compared to Celestia, who could reach my neck in height; Twilight could only reach my waistline when we’re both standing.

“Don’t freak, I won’t tell anypony.” I stepped onto the green grass, walking out into the park that will now be my new home. I turn my head, only to get my face mushed against a gray, warm, soft surface.

Well, that can’t be right.

I instantly backpedaled to my doorway; getting some distance from whatever was is my face. It was a Pegasus. She had yellow crossed eyes, along with blonde mane that was straightened out in front of head and went down the back of her neck.  She had a gray coat, and a symbol of bubbles on her hip. (I really need to ask someone what the heck is with these tattoos.) She was carrying a marine blue bag, which seemed to be filled to almost the brim of its flap. A mailpony, maybe?

She was sucking her lips, literally, resulting in her mouth making very wiggly line that couldn’t be defined as a smile or frown. As she hovered there in front of my house, looking at me with something that can only be described as a “derp,” expression, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had some sort of weird amulet that attracts weird crap to me.

“Muffins?” She had chirped out something completely random.

“Yes?” I asked her as though she never said anything, keeping my face in a calm expression. What *about*   muffins?

“Mi-Mister Winston Flash?” she stuttered slightly, her expression changing from a silly facial expression to one of slight fear, seeming to have switched out of her daydreaming state she was in a second ago.

“Yeah, that’d be me,” I put my right hand into my pocket. I blink, noting her intimidation from my shape. I smiled kindly. “But please, call me Winston. What do you need?”

Her lips formed into a small smile, as she nervously dug into her bag, looking for something. She turned back to face me, holding out a small jet black envelope in front of her. It was stars spread all over the front, and had a seal in the center. The seal didn’t have the sun on it; instead there was a crescent moon. It shined in the sunlight in a slivery gleam.

“I was told to deliver this letter to this house.” The delivery pony said. Her hooves were shaking a little.

I took the parcel from the googly-eyed messenger, nodding at her in appreciation. “Thanks, Miss…?”

“Ditzy Doo,” Her face brightened, hearing a sign to say something outside awkward work talk. “Well, my name is Ditzy Doo, but everypony calls me Derpy Hooves instead.” Gee, I wonder why. “You can call me either one. Oh, and I like muffins.”

I noticed. My douche side shouted that in my head. No, I shouldn’t be rude like that. Despite my urge to just tell her to piss off; she was a good pony who was doing her job. I shouldn’t judge her just because she has abnormal eyes.

“Well, I look forward to seeing you in the morning from now on.“ I waved my hand, smiling still.

She nodded her head quickly, smiling now genuine. She then turned around and fluttered off towards the town, swaying and zipping around slightly in the sky like a bee. I could see her waving back at me, before she get too high to see anymore.

I watch her go, thinking about how I handled that encounter. Not bad. I should be fine talking to these ponies now. I even said anypony without any trouble. I look down at the envelope, wondering who could possibly send me something to me. I just got here, no one should even really know about me other than “That weird thing that sped through town.”

Twilight was watching the whole thing, and was looking up at the darkened letter as well. Her eyes widened slightly, smiling as she seemed to notice something.

“That’s the royal seal of Princess Luna!” She spoke in pleasant surprise. “She never sends letters anywhere!”

“Is that a fact?” I looked over at Twilight, my curiosity piqued. “In that case, let’s see what it says.”

I slipped my finger under the seal, flicking it upward, neatly breaking it. I proceeded to flip the flap open, and pull the letter out, opening that as well. It written in a very dated cursive handwriting, using grammar very similar to that of an old-world queen from the medieval times back on Earth. I sat down, pretzel-legged on the ground, reading it. Twilight looked over my shoulder, reading along.

Greetings Outlander,

We are the Royal Canterlot Princess of the Moon, Princess Luna. We have caught word of your decent from the heavens into the modest village of Ponyville from my sister, Princess Celestia. We are certain that you are adjusting yourself to your new life with the fair villagers there with minimal quarrels.

As for the reason why we haven written this message to be sent into your possession, it is for the purpose of self-invitation. Our elder sister has been speaking of a new heir of the Flares, upon returning from her nightly outing last night. I confess that that manner of title alone makes almost anypony one worthy of my written word. She claims that we have a connection of some manner and hast recommended that we comes to terms with thou as soon as possible.

We shall arrive in Ponyville Library upon nightfall. We anticipate a very interesting meeting.

Ruler of the Moon,

Princess Luna

I blink, closing the letter. First the princess of the sun pops into my house to visit me and makes me have a weird dream, now the princess of the moon wants to meet up tonight. Wow, talk about an instant celebrity.

But still, that name still bothered me. The Flares. Why does that name come up everywhere? The nursery rhyme I heard in my dream replayed itself in the back of my mind. I looked up at the sound of hooves walking around me.

“Don’t worry about it, Winston,” Twilight Sparkle walked ahead of me, smiling brightly. “Princess Luna is just a little…different. She actually very nice.”

“Ya-huh,” I give my stock response, standing back up. I brush the dust off the seat of my pants.  I have a whole day before I go talk to her. “Let’s just get this tour started already.”

“You got it!” Twilight smiled starting to trot down the trail leading to Town Square. “Follow me!”

I follow her lead, ready to really begin my first day in Ponyville.