Being led through several large flights of stairs, the guard escorting Stanley suddenly stopped at a large glass double door. With a quizzical look toward Stanley the guard spoke in a slightly peeved voice.

"Here is the balcony, human. Mind yourself while in the presence of the Princess. "

"Touchy....huh?" Stanley muttered, with a sardonic tone.

"If I were allowed to usher the capital punishments. I'd have you up in chains, rotting deep down in the Canterlot dungeons right now."

"Oh really now?" Stanley said, as he could only give an inscrutable face at the cruel remark.

"Go on, Get out of my face already human. Your stench is putrid." The guard huffed, giving a look of disdain toward Stanley.

If I didn't have to keep playing 'goodie twoshoes'. This guard would have fist lodged down their throat right now.

Brushing off the harsh words with a calm demeanor, at last on the outside. Stanley entered onto the balcony, pushing both doors open with his hands. As they swung open, Twilight could be made out at the far end of the balcony. She was gazing up at the night time sky all alone.

The balcony on top of the castle, looked to be pretty plain. At least when compared to the rest of the castle's decor. It did have one interesting item. That item, being a golden colored telescope. One that was neatly positioned near the middle of the balcony on one side by the railing. It was nestled securely on a tripod stand. Most likely, it was a movable piece of equipment. That would be taken inside during rainstorms.

Besides that, only a cool night time breeze was present as it tickled Stanley's skin, causing the hair on his arms to stand up. With a deep breath he began to make his way toward Twilight. Each step he took, could be heard vividly. As Tonight, it was just a little too quiet, which for good reason put Stanley on edge. With one final step, he stopped to ponder for a moment only to be shaken up by Twilight's voice.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"It certainly is, Twilight." Stanley answered, gently bending his head backwards to join Twilight as they both gazed up at the night time sky.

"Did you know this is one of the many gifts, that Luna delivers to us every night. Besides her moon." Twilight spoke. Her voice radiant, tender even.

"So I've heard." Stanley answered, moving his gaze to Twilight. In the moon light, the purple alicorn seemed more tantalizing then before. Each member of the Element's seemed to have a subtle charm about them. Twilight was no different.

Turning around Twilight could only smile, as she saw Stanley's green eye, pin pointed on her.

"Isn't it just romantic?" Twilight softly spoke, making a slow stride toward Stanley.

"I can see the connection. But, were not here to gaze up at the stars as two love birds." Stanley said, with calm in his voice.

"True. I did summon you here to demonstrate your magical prowess."

"And that I shall do. So what do you have in mind?" Without hesitation, Twilight quickly spoke.

"Fire ball."

"What?" Stanley said, sounding a bit confused as he didn't catch what she said.

"Preform a basic fire ball spell." Twilight spoke, pronouncing fire ball slowly now, her voice a bit irate.

"Very well." Stanley replied keeping his cool still.

Moving his right hand toward his chest. He shut both his eyes, using his mind to focus and channel his energy. Spontaneously, his eyes now popped back open, as he moved his right hand away from his chest. Pointing it toward the night time sky, a small ball of blue magic could be seen at the base of his palm. It was swirling, as it seemed to condense more tightly with every second before bursting into a red hot ball of fire. Without a second thought, he launched the red hot plasma out of his hand. As it soared high into the night time sky before dissipating into nothing.

Twilight could only smile, looking at the display. Taking a step toward Stanley, she grabbed his left hand with one of her hooves. Holding it up to her face, she examined every last detail, from each little crease of his skin, to every last finger and joint. Letting go of his hand, she held still looking up at Stanley. In the meantime, Stanley could only watch as Twilight performed her inspection of his hand. Twilight was an inquisitive pony after all.

"So Miss detective find anything unusual?" Stanley said breaking the silence.

Twilight with a yearning in her voice now spoke. "Not particularly, Can you only project magic through your hands?" As her face looked unmoved, a bit deadpan even.

"No, If allowed to concentrate for much longer. I can project spells within a close proximity to myself."

In that instant, Twilight's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Interesting, most unicorns can only project magic through their horns. Can you show me? I'm a tad bit skeptic."

Her expression changed as she was wary of Stanley's words. Raising an eyebrow at him showing slight doubt.

"Very well." Stanley said, closing his eyes to focus.

Stepping back from Stanley, Twilight waited in anticipation. Moving a hoof to her muzzle in a thinking gesture. She kept looking at the air in front of Stanley. Fixating her gaze toward a spot in the air where a small blue sparkle could be seen. It wasn't long before this sparkle of blue transformed into a small fireball. A faint glow of red now lit up the area around the two. Hot amber now bursting from the newly spawned fire. Stanley with a slight smile, darted his eyes to see Twilight's reaction. She only seemed mildly amused, which was strange. Twilight before seemed happy to just hear his stories and answers to her questions. Shaking off the weird feeling Stanley continued on.

"Hmm, not bad. You certainly are unique. Not many beings can conjure up spells in 'free space', as I like to call it." Twilight exclaimed, as she walked around Stanley, circling him. Stopping at his right side, she looked up at him again, as his gaze met large purple eyes staring back.

"So? What now?"

Giving a sigh, she broke eye contact. Looking to his side, her gaze was directed toward night sky.

"I saw you teleport earlier, and perform a few body alterations during our 'little' confrontation. So there isn't much more to be seen."

"Unless you obnoxiously power up, and start casting much larger spells. But it's night time, and the citizens of Ponyville deserve a peaceful slumber. So let's hold off on it for now." Twilight finished, as she walked away form him. With a slow trot, she made her way to the railing on one side of the balcony. Her tail batting back and forth in a synchronous rhythm. Not daring enough to caught a glance at her backside, Stanley kept his eye's where they belonged.

One pony already caught me, so sneaking a peek wouldn't be a good idea. Not to mention I already saw enough of Twilight's goodies that one night. Why would I even be interested, I never fucked an alicorn in my many years before while in this land. And I don't plan on starting now either.

"So, Twilight. May I take my leave?" Stanley said calling out to her. She seemed a bit fixated on the night sky, as she didn't even bother to turn around to look his direction. Her hooves just laid on top of the railing, with her body slightly arched upwards. It was a bit eerie, with such an awkward silence now.

"Umm Twilight?" Stanley said, looking toward the lonely mare. His voice was filled to the brim with confusion. In the corner of his eye, the guard from before entered the balcony. Nothing but a twisted looked could be seen on the guard's face as she approached. While at the same time Twilight finally decided to turned around. Twilight only carried a demonic expression, as a wide smile ear to ear appeared on her face.

"What's going on here!?" Stanley said with a bit of panic in his voice. His eyes in a squinting position with his head turning side to side. Unsure of what to make of this situation. A small drop of sweat dripped on his brow, as he licked his champed lips.

"We just couldn't wait seven days, little human. The Hive sent us new orders to reclaim you immediately. Either With or without your consent!" A voice hissed, as it left the guards mouth.

"You fucking changeling scum. What did you do to Twilight!?" Stanley said harshly as he clenched his fist in anger. His eyes narrowed at the Twilight impostor who has been leading him on this whole time.

"She is sound asleep in her bed right now. She didn't feel so well after dinner....but you wouldn't know, since you skipped." The impostor Twilight muttered, in mocking voice.

"It's amazing what a little sleeping powder can do, even to an Alicorn." The guard declared, as she now giggled. Taking her sweet time, as she crept closer to Stanley.

"So, Mellow, Zell. You can drop the disguises. I know it's you two." Stanley spat, as he braced himself to gaze upon their true forms. They were truly grotesque from his memory.

"But I enjoy being the Alicorn Princess!" Zell said jokingly, as a flash of green light blinked over her stolen form. Only to now reveal Zell's true form. The same happened with Mellow, as she followed Zell's lead.

"I'm sure you do, I bet you love the power 'high' you get from it. You diluted maniac." Stanley roared, getting into a defensive posture.

I'm getting sick and tired of this bug duo. They are just like Team Rocket, they show up out of nowhere and fuck things up.

"Tsk, Tsk. Words like that will only gaunter you a harder rutting. Once we drag your sorry hide back to the hive." Mellow's voice sang, as she candidly skipped toward Stanley now. Licking her lips, she gave him a pair of bedrooms eyes.

"Please struggle for us. Beg for us..to..stop...Oh...little...human..." Mellow muttered in a sickly perverse tone. Looking directly at him, she now had Stanley's full attention. Playfully Mellow exposed her solid white fangs out for Stanley to see. Her intimidation didn't work in the slightest, as Stanley only smirked at the lousy tactic.

"Come a little closer Mellow I want a close up those peary whites." Stanley replied hoping she'd take his bait.

"MELLOW....I can handle him. Shove off! As a future hive queen. I have the esteemed glory of breaking this runt." Zell spat at her colleague's advance. Only to follow up with a sigh from Mellow as she stopped dead in her tracks.

Jerking his head back to Zell, Stanley was filled with rage as his body began to tense up.

"I'm a runt now too? Didn't you mentioned befo..." With a sharp chirp, Zell's voice drowned out Stanley's completely with tenacious authority.

"Child's play! You over estimate your abilities human. Your only place in this world is to be a dried up husk. At the forefront of my new hive. With your energy, my brood will pave the way for changeling dominance." Her voice sadistic, as she lunged toward Stanley. Gritting his teeth he readied himself for the up coming attack. Zell could only smirk at his feeble attempt, as she began to cast a spell.

Zell's pair of blue translucent insect wings began to unfolded now. Following up a light green grow at the tip of her horn. Drastically her speed increased nearly tenfold. Not able to counter the sudden missile of a bug pony slingshot-ing toward him. Stanley was now at her mercy. Zell with one of her forehooves struck Stanley across the face with extraordinary force. A small air burst was released from the monumental impact, as hoof and flesh met. Zell with a nefarious smile, flopped her ears up only o be met with the joy of a blood curdling scream.

Hurled through the air, at a blinding speed. Stanley flew over the railing of the balcony. Only to grab on to it, near the last second. Hanging for dear life, Stanley tried to pull himself back up, only to be meet a hoof that came blister down to catch his face. His body this time was flung downward toward one of the various angled roof tops that jutted out form the castle. The area where he thrown over from the balcony was on the backside of the castle. Using what little magic he could muster up at the moment. He made a ball of blue energy to cushion himself.

As his back slammed against the metal shingles of the rooftop. A throbbing pain surged throughout his body as he arched his back upwards holding it in pain. With a few spasm happening now, as he grunted in pain. The oh so familiar taste of iron appear in his mouth, it tasted bitter was usual. Outside on his face a small trail of blood could be seen. It poured out the side of his mouth as it dripped down his jaw. A bit dazed from the sudden rag doll treatment on his body. Stanley managed to get to his feet just barely. Before he could even think, he heard a buzzing above him as it's disturbing sound got louder now. Looking up in panic, with wide eyes. He saw Zell who was already darting toward him at full steam ahead. She had one hoof outward, flying like she was superman as her aim was directly at him.

With a single pass, she slammed into his neck with her shoulder carry him as both her hoof held onto him. Constricting him tightly, he huffed for air while in Zell's grasp intensified. The roughness of her hooves were like sand paper to his skin causing abrasion. Moving his arms in a desperate attempt, he tried to break free. In a struggle for his life, Stanley began to yell frantically as he wildly squirmed. This was irksome to Zell, as she just wanted drop this heavy package to it's doom, but knew she couldn't.

Zell with a quick upward thrust from her wings zoomed back to the balcony. With a loosening of her hooves, she released Stanley from nearly ten meters up. As he began his descent to the ground, he flailed about in a state of panic. Before he came crashing to the floor. Stanley cast another spell to help dwindle the force of impact. As he made contact with the floor he skid a bit until stopping right in front of Mellow. Mellow could only look down at the man before her in pity. Before he could even get back up, his head was promptly stomped into the ground with one of her front hooves. A small thud echoed as his skull bounce off the ground, a an evil laugh could be heard from Mellow. Stanley's forehead at this point had split open, as a small puddle of blood laid under his head.

"Battered and bloody already? But we just started!" Mellow whispered as she bend down to his ear. Only to begin laughing again, as her one hoof rested on his upper back. Using her other hoof, it was used to kicked him on to his side. His outfit now, not even a day old, was filled with scuffs and grime. Mellow like many changelings loved toying with her prey. Using her large yellow eyes, she traced his movements as Stanley tried to push himself back up. Spitting a wad of blood into her face, She pulled pack cursing him, as she moved to wipe her eyes. Jumping back to feet was a jack hammer, He looked at Mellow with pure hatred in his eyes. Stanley's face, cover in blood as it dripped down onto the floor.

"Time to start fighting back!" Stanley screamed, with bitterness in his voice. Clenching both fists tightly, he readied himself. With a loud yell, he stood still in place. As multiple large swirls of blue energy left his body from the center of his body. A slight ting of blue aura could be seen engulfing him. Mellow, just barely able to clean her eyes, was now slightly thrown back by the energy. Landing on almost on her back, she caught herself only to look upon the sight before her. With a drop of her jaw, she could only look on in horror at what Stanley was unleashing. Acting fast, she made a rash decision.

"Oh no you don't!" Mellow bellowed, as she sprang for Stanley, her hoof now extended out like a spear.

That next instinct, Stanley caught the hoof with the base of his hand. Countering the changelings sudden attack Mellow was shaken. With a blistering strength he held onto the hoof tightly. Crushing her hoof with as much force, as he could muster. Magic began to flow to his forearm to amplify his strength even further. Mellow only let out a moan of pain, as she moved her other hoof in an attempt at another strike. It ended up colliding with a small shield, that formed from Stanley's magic barrier he had just finished casting. With his other hand ready, He was posed to strike Mellow. Only to be stopped by a sudden flash from above.

Caught off guard now, a large bolt of energy struck his back. The strong energy bolt ripped through Stanley's small barrier with ease, as the sound of shattering glass erupted filled the area. Making contact with him, it made a sharp hissing sound as it kissed the bare skin on his back. It had utterly vaporizing the back of his shirt as steam simmered of in streaks. Only now leaving a large burn spot on his back. From it's appearance it looked to at least be a second or third degree burn. Wheezing in pain, he hunched forward recoiling from such a vicious strike. Stanley loosing his iron grip on Mellow, allow for her to break her hoof free. Reacting quick with a back flip, she confidently landed on her hooves in front of him once again.

Above him, Zell circled around his epicenter like a vulture ready to pick away at his corpse. As she began to concentrate power, for another attack, her aura looked even large this time. Zell wanted to end this little scuffle once and for all. Licking her lips, the prize was just a spell away. Pointing her horn toward him, as she hoover in place, a large ball of energy began to form. Mellow only stood still, watching Stanley, who was on his hands and knees at this point.

"I call dibs once you've finished with him. He'll be too drained if the others get to him first." Mellow muttered, as she looked up toward Zell with a smile of a psychopath.

Is this it? Today of all days....ugh.....If only I had enough time to power up. DAMN IT!

During the commotion, several guards were already appearing on the seen. As two pegasus, who bore Luna's emblem appeared to face off against Zell. With each flick of her blue wings, she hovered in place. Only to smile seeing that Stanley's back up had arrived.

Calling out to Mellow now, Zell giggled. "Looks like we'll have to hold off for tonight Mellow. Twilight's little entraîneuse of guards are here to break up our little disagreement with Stanley." In an instant both changelings disappeared in a puff of green magic. The guards looked shocked, as they awkwardly searched the area around the balcony for the two infiltrators.

Without a second to spare, Stanley got back up. With a quick nudge of his arm, he moved his left hand behind his back. With a burst of blue energy, a thin blue rectangular shaped object aligned with his back. Conforming now it it's shape it just sat their for a brief second. As the blue aura around his body faded, so did this rectangular shaped object. The area where the burnt spot used to be, was now but a patch of pale white skin. Healing magic was never a hard spell for Stanley to preform. As he personally specialized in utility magic. His infinity for utility magic, meant his other forms of magic were sub-par at best.

Combat magic, was never something Stanley excelled at, even after all the attempts he made to master the craft. It clearly showed in this fight as he was nearly helpless. Even if he could have cast a high level spell, like paralyze for instance. It wouldn't have mattered, as his cast time was too long. And staying vulnerable like that in a fast paced fight was never a good move. Back during his days, serving the alicorn kingdom, he was the person in the party that would buff others and heal them. He rarely was thrown onto the front lines as a direct combatant. This was most likely the reason the alicorns of the past gifted him that suit of armor he's been wearing.

Licking his wounds now, Stanley wiped off the blood from his chin. Looking up toward the sky, the two pegasus from before fluttered down toward him. As the lunar guards dropped down to check on him they were bit speechless at first. They were surprised to see Stanley still in one solid piece.

"You just survived an encounter with a changeling protoqueen! You are lucky to be alive!" One of the guards shouted still in disbelief. The voice sounded feminine to Stanley, as he looked toward the guard.

"I was nearly chewed up and spit out, back there. But we have no time to rejoice. We need to check on Princess Twilight this instant!" Stanley exclaimed, as he gestured for the guards to follow him as they borrowed back into the castle in a hurry. Not wasting a second of precious time, they ran at top speed. Opening Twilight's door now,relieved in the form of a huff could be heard as Twilight was safe and sound on top of her bed. For if anything bad were to happen to Celestia's precious little student. Grave consequences would have been had , if any parties were involved with harming the purple alicorn. Looking toward the cute alicorn who was curled up like cat on top bed only made Stanley smiled.

Thank god they didn't didn't harm her at all. I'd have to get out of dodge if they did. With how things are here, I'd be blamed first if she sustained even an ounce of damage. Luckily those changelings were only after me. Speaking of which.......

.........What does this fucking hive want with me. I'm a nobody. Whats so special about me, is it cause I'm a unique creature? Does my energy get them off...who fucking knows. Just thinking of having Zell or Mellow riding my cock makes feel sick to my stomach.

Almost about to upchuck from the thought, he was snapped out of it by one of the guards. As things have settled down, Stanley wanted a few questions of his answered now. Looking to the guard who mentioned something about a protoqueen from before. Stanley just had to inquire about it, after all he hardly knew a thing about these changelings.

"You said something about a protoqueen earlier?" Stanley mentioned, as he looked to the one guard at his side. Both Stanley and the guards were outside of Twilight's door at this point. With her door firmly closed behind them.

"Oh yes, A changeling protoqueen. The united hives have many precautions in order to keep there survival. They act as replacements just in case a queen falls ill or is killed. Sometimes they can even start their own brood if allowed." The lunar guard answered in a blithe tone.

"They are fairly dangerous, like a hive queen. But thankfully they pack less of a wallop in terms of magic and physical strength. Still, don't ever take them lightly." The other guard spoke finishing off the question, Her eyes gazed over at the battered body of Stanley.

"Are you sure....you aren't hurt?" The guard muttered, in slight concern.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. Shouldn't you guys be more concerned about changelings who infiltrating the castle?" Stanley retorted a bit annoyed at the lack of seriousness cornering the security of the castle.

"Not really, they were after you, not the Princess. Plus we haven't seen changelings this far south in ages. Which begs the question." The lunar guard said stopping mid-sentence before taking a breath to continue on.

"Why are they even after you? Did you steal something from them? Provoke them?"

"Beats the hell out of me. The one who I assume is the protoqueen, kept bantering on about me being a prize for her hive and all that nonsense." Stanley muttered, leaning up again the wall across from Twilight's door in the hallway. As the casual conversation with the guards picked up for the next few minutes. Both Stanley and guards went silent when something could be seen at the far end of the hallway.

Another guard bearing Twilight's crest this time, could be seen helping an earth pony. From the large white hat, making it a tab bit obvious. It had to be the chef for Twilight's castle that was being helped along. As the pair clambered down the hallway. The chef pony could be seen with one hoof drooped over the guards shoulder, as they kept up their pace.

"I found him tied up, inside the kitchen stock pantry. After hearing a muffled voice during my rounds." The guard spoke as she came up to Stanley along with the two pegasus. With a hushed voice, the chef stallion spoke.

"One....second I was preparing dinner, and next thing I know. I wake up in a dark room with my hooves bounded together" The chef muttered, as he continued on.

"It wasn't the first time I found myself tied up in a dark room...but I digress...is the Princess ok?" The stallion finally finished. The stallion sounded genuine regarding his concern, but a bit strange when talking about being tied up. It felt a bit sensual they way he put it.

Does this...stallion like getting tied up. Christ they really do bend the knee to their mare overlords. Regardless..that explains the sleeping powder.

"Thats enough talk, lets get you to the hospital." The guard spoke pushing him along. As those two left, it was just Stanley and the two pegasus once again.

"We have it from here, You can go and get some rest now. In the morning you'll see this place more fortified then ever. After we explain what had happened here to the Princess, that is." The right pegasus spoke extending her wings boastfully at the proposition of having more of her friends on duty with her.

"Very well, good luck you two. And thank you for the rescue back there." Stanley let out with a thankful tone.

"Don't mentioned it, were under orders...to.." As a hoof suddenly extended out to whack the blabbering guard, the pegasus shut up abruptly. The left pegasus now spoke in a manner trying to make Stanley forget what he just heard.

"What my fellow royal guard associate meant to say is. Don't mention it. IT'S OUR DUTY." With the left pegasus putting emphasis on the last part.

"Gotcha'....well I'm off to retire for the night." Stanley spoke with a deadpan expression on his face, as he left the peagsus. Right when he rounded the corner escaping their view, he could hear an argument ensue.

Oh come on, I'm not that stupid. I already had an idea of why these extra guards weren't sent here. They aren't just camped out here for the possible 'Changeling' threat. But instead are here to watch me like a hawk. I'm sure the reports Luna and Celestia will get on my actions will be dull. As for the next few weeks things will be quiet around here. Like I planned on before, I'm trying to stay on the lowdown here. I'm a veteran to magic talking pony land after all, so it should be easy. Unless those bum fuck changelings strike again.....Which they will.

After his final thought, he opened the door to his room. Passing out on the bed, as today was finally over.

Author's Note

Day 2 will go much quicker. As now I will start to time skip a bit. This will help build up the relationships Stanley will have. Things need time to fester in order for the fun to truly start.

Hey I hope you guys all enjoyed! Til' next time.