The Game: Aether and Mind

'Ya know...' Discord started as his pleasant voice rang through my head, while his semi-transparent form floated next to me and rubbed his chin. His question broke off as he let out a humming.

'Yes?' I asked with a decent interest, filled with both mild annoyance and concern. I stood casually at my room's window, my gaze fixated onto the streets below. Every time I stared at this sight, it made me wonder. Could they really be considered to be just humans with a different skin-suit? Would they one day end up just like Earth? Could I really consider me part of this society, when I could give more shits about combing my hair right than the fate of this world? 'Dumb Fluffy whatever her name was, making me think...' I grumbled silently, ever since this weird-ass mare mentioned all of this prince-y stuff a week ago I have been thinking non-stop. Was it a promotion from a job listed below dirt to the top of the world, or just a new, golden, leash?

'You are probably the weirdest creature I have ever seen, well, of course, next to me needless to say.' Discord said as his form flew in front of my vision, only partially blocking as he released his previously crossed arms and pulled out an equally visible crown before putting it on my head. It was made out of stone, yet one half was covered in gold and gems, the other with an amalgamation of colors.

I slowly rose my eyebrows, I could practically feel the absurdity planted onto my scalp, and it was itching.

'on one hand a blessed colt, yet as uncanny as he can be.' His words echoed through the room as he leaned back, floating on back now while keeping eye contact. 'Perfect in form and power, yet uncaring and bothered as he may be. His actions change the world, sending ripples through the weaves of fate, yet staying unmoved. An idol of order and harmony, yet a beacon of chaos and disorder, but in the core neither both or any. A traitor to the nation, or the countries future hope, mayhaps just bystander after all? Who knows, I certainly don't.' He mused as he slowly landed on the ground before a tremble rushed down his form, body quivering and silhouette shivering. He turned his head away with closed eyes and perked lips, his limbs furiously rubbed against his body. 'This is so exciting, I think you could even top my short-lived reign with you merely existing.'

To quote my personal opinion on the topic of 'fate' and 'destiny,' as well as to voice your current thoughts: It's bullshit. The Game spoke with salt pouring from his tone and anger radiating by his mere presence. My eye blinked audibly, in both surprise and shock.

'You... really earn the title of the weirdest person on this world, but you're just as interesting, even with that really cringy rhyme.' I spoke in my mind with a blank expression, a pit grew in my stomach, not dread or gluttony, just an unusual sensation that made my fur stand upright.

'Well thank you good chap.' Discord said as he suddenly wore an old English cloak with a bowler hat, a glued-on mustache, and a smoking pipe from which bubbles were expelled. ' I also like the little flower trick you pulled, perhaps not as creative as my previous work, but surprisingly created a lot of chaos. Oh well, I can only ponder of our future pranks. Oh! It seems like your 'Mommy' is coming up to get you, we'll talk later. Oh, and brace yourself.' With his words spoken, he vanished in a flash of light.

*Title [Chaos Discple] has been unequiped.*

'Yeah, I too can just wonder what the future will bring.' I thought dryly, grazing the windows view one last look before turning around, it was really odd how naturally I can switch between quadruple and bipedal walking. For a matter of fact, I could nearly walk on two hooves with this body, I just don't because of how oppose this world is to abnormalities, smart racists, it's better in the end... I shook my head and lifted my hoof towards the doorknob, I had no wish to waste this gift on this easy task.

...

'Wait a fucking moment, how the hell does that bastard know how the English-'

Critical Hit: 387!

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, oh my little Star, I'm so sorry!" Princess Celestia apologized again, and again as her form loomed over me, her hooves twitched as if she wished to touch me but abstained, perhaps fearing to make the situation worse. Her look was one of pain and panic, eyes watered slightly as her mouth's arches twitched.

"Ithsss-" A loud crack rang through the nursery as two large plates of my skull shifted and ground against another, my scalp deforming, lifting and sinking, before finally coming back together. "Ochai!" I sputtered quickly, sending a tooth flying and skitter across the ground with a high whistle.

"This... shouldn't be possible, by all means, he should be dead..." A colleague of Gentle, the fuck I know her name, stared at me with eyes so large I wondered how they would not just plop out... Ah, right, plates... Her face was pale, how was that possible with all that fur? She swallowed hard after that short statement, probably to keep the bile down in her body as she stared at me.

My head slowly turned to the right, an infuriatingly sharp grinding rang through my head as I felt several vertebrae rub against one another, the capsule liquid had burst. The nurse was real fucking right, I already looked like I was hit by two car crashes at once. My muzzle was shattered and deformed, half of it hang loosely while many teeth were lost, one of my eyes was crushed by bone plates that shifted. A web of cracks ran across my entire skull, I was sure one or two pieces scratched my brain. My horn was in surprisingly good condition, the tip now resembled more of a meat mallet with wooden shards sticking to the bone. Blood that previously tricked down my head had dried up and stained my coat, I looked like a zombie with a missing face.

"Can't we use analgesics or anything?" Gentle asked meekly, she sat far away from me on a chair, two guards flanking her as she played with her hoofs. It seems like Celestia wanted to surprise me with something, but it ended poorly... Anyways, after Celestia shattered the door with my head, she teleported us right here, and Gentle had to be held down unless she wished to possibly make the situation worse.

"That is a horrible idea." The nurse said as she took her eyes, not off me, an array of bottles and pills, as well as a neat looking collection of crystals, was at her side, awaiting any decrease in my health. "We don't know how he'll react, and we can't risk him having an allergic reaction. If he falls asleep now, it's unlikely he wakes up again." Gentle sank into her chair. Her colleague swallowed hard again, before a sour look crossed her face, she likely tasted bile.

Could you please hold your head upright, I need to fix your spine. The Game asked softly as I felt an incredibly heat rush through my form, I felt no pain, no horror, it just happened. My perks of the Game seemingly only worked in critical situations, instead of always. Yay, I'm a little bit less dead inside, woo-hoo...

I slowly lifted my head, a pressure build-up in my neck, neither pleasant or irksome, but it indeed was an experience I was unsure if I ever wanted to sense again. A horrendous crack rank through the room as I tilted my head back all of a sudden, the pressure I previously fought against left. The strain was not the only thing that left, all sensation was lost for just a moment.

"Careful, Star!" Celestia cried as she supported me with her hooves, gold shoes were taken off or lost on the way here, I knew not. I lost all sensation down my neck; something sharp was torn from my back, and shortly after, I felt the discomfort of my hooves as they were all bent in titled angles.

"I-mhkay," I mumbled as I forced my hoofs down again. I slowly opened my left eye; in the right corner of my vision, I could see the plate's color shift from a ghastly yellow, to a milky white tone, before returning to its original state. "I jhusct feel... w-o-o-z-z-z-y." I chuckled quietly, a 'unique' sensation ran through me, without adrenalin making up like eighty percent of my blood, I could actually focus on the weird feeling of having a broken body without any pain, all the while feeling each blood cells in full motion repairing my flesh and bones.

"Wozy?" Celestia asked with surprise, uncharacteristic of her otherwise calm and collective demeanor. "No pain, twitching, cold?"

"Hmmm..." A gurgling echoed in my throat as I lifted my muzzle into position, making everyone present cringe upon seeing the mess I held up. It was actually quite refreshing to feel alive again. "Nope." I briefly stated, my head turning to the right, but instead of wobbling uncontrollably, it stayed in place. I shifted uncomfortably as I sensed my teeth growing back, all at once, forcefully prying my jaw downwards, before setting my jaw into place with a painful pop.

"As if it never happened..." Gentle mumbled faintly as she stared at me, my eyes shifted to the mirror. The last few centimeters of my horn slowly grew back, like a crystal, millimeter by millimeter.

"I wish my door could do the repair itself like that as well," I spoke loudly with a thoughtful expression. I was well aware that I just went through a most traumatic event, but I honestly did not have the mental energy to spare to make an effort to appear in any way as 'disturbed.' I was already accustomed to it, it didn't shock me, not even unnerved, only a giddily sensation resided in my lungs as I watched my health climb up after a steep fall. This feeling was what really defined living and it was so much more fulfilling than anything else.

"I..." The nurse spoke slowly, composing herself after my comment. "I do believe the Princess will grant you a new door, your highness." I know someone who won't get a Christmas bonus if they continue to call me like that. She turned her head towards Celestia with a concerned expression. "I, I really do not know how to proceed, other than to keep a stern eye on him and observe any strange behavior to see if his brain did receive any damage." Really? Oh right, medieval medicine... Keep them leeches away, I already have one.

"I will try to take your advice, Doctor Horsenround." Princess Celestia said meekly as she slowly gazed down onto my form, her muscles twitched. I sighed and lifted my hooves. Mommy weakly smiled and took me up and into a hug, much weaker than usual.

"Good, while you keep an eye on him, I'll try to find a bone density measurer and a few other tools for the upcoming check-up," Horsenround spoke as she walked away with high pace, only to suddenly halt. "Also, your highness, you need to remember that normal doors are not enchanted. This was hopefully a wake-up call for you."

"Yes... I attempt to do so." The golden princess mumbled into my ear, while my eyes were focused on Gentle, she had a sorrowful look as she occasionally would cross gazes. It was uncomfortable and painful to watch, it also made it so much clearer how instant the great swan was on me being mostly her's alone.

Have you ever heard the saying a mother's love knows no bounds? Well, apparently, it didn't know the meaning of personal space either. The soft, short, and perfect warm fur pressed against mine from left and right as I sat between the legs of the sun given form. Her legs cramped me tightly, not painfully, but if I wished to escape, it would take great wiggling. My back pressed against her belly; she appeared to be incredibly thin from afar, but in truth, there was a healthy amount of fat, and most importantly, she was fucking buff! It was like leaning against a soft mattress that was positioned on a steel plate.

I have returned and was able to reconstruct your brain, it appears as if a particularly long shard managed to drill itself through the outer layer of your brain, affecting your senses, but I managed to reimplant any lost memory by using the backup stored in me. The Game spoke informatively. Weird, I don't feel any different at all, just bit flowery.

'If you can just repair me that easily, can I even die?' I wondered as my head titled from left to right, my vision was hazy as I picked up an unusual smell. It was not the scent that played with my brain, but something inside. It made me feel like home, warmth, comfort, and familiar emotions. I believe the term was... pheromones?

You guess is Correct. We can still die, although mortal injuries that would spell doom for a pony are little threat to us because of your high regenerative capabilities, if this body trespasses a certain level of damage, in other words, reaches 0 health points, we will die, however as long as you still have one health point and are not inflicted with any debuff, you will survive. If it wonders you, Entities Princess Celestia and Gentle Touch are both radiating great amounts of regret. Although, I believe you are aware of that given that you have seen Princess Celestia opening the gates to the location: Throne room, with twenty percent of the usual speed. The Game spoke, to which I nodded slowly. Nothing I knew not, but I liked to talk with someone who was neither licking my hooves or happy to the point I suspect he ingested at least twenty-eight different drugs.

The long room stretched far and wide, at the end was a large double door, two guards stationed for the opening duty, armed with long spears. From there on, ever three meters, another guard was standing along the carpet on both sides, staying five meters away from the red cloth. Their strapped on armor gleamed in the sunlight like their weapons. The room itself was marvelous in its simplicity, it shared the same look of gold and marble, lastly were the windows. Many of them bore ponies in various states and poses. I recognized only a few, but most of them were heroes or other prominent figures of history: Researchers, wizards, warriors, but those that featured the princess stood even more out. Deeds of great were displayed, a few also bore an alicorn of dark blue. Luna.

She stepped over Celly's little line...

A whisper coursed through my skull as I recalled a memory, Discords voice. My eyes darted to a unique panel, it displayed Discord in a pose as malicious as he could be, but perhaps there was more? He seemed like a trickster, webs, and lies, as he played with the mortal folk like marionettes. In my eyes, it was not as evil, but I knew not the full story that led to his nearly thousand-year-long imprisonment. He played with the fates of ponies like with puppies, but in the end, that was what the government did more subtly.

My eyes drifted forward, an old Stallion wearing a fancy suit, a toupee graced his head alongside a monocular. I paid his words no attention as he held a long speech, I could feel Celestia bob her head, yet I knew she cared for his words only for the common courtesy. How? I was on both sides of this exact situation, so many false hopes.

Gentle Touch. My mother leaned her head to the side, resting her head on her hoof. Her eyes were closed as her chest rose and sank to the rhythm of her breathing. Gentle fell asleep long ago, her stress would not leave her, and no means of showing her my perfect health was enough for her to calm down, so Celestia took the courtesy to cast a sleeping spell on her. Of course, she had the blessing of Gentle; she would not just knock out ponies because they annoyed her. Otherwise, the Stallion in front of me would become the star of pony Rapunzel.

Celestia shifted, and a new waved of pheromones was released in the air, my space polluted again as I sank into the soft, yet firm flesh. The Stallion forced his eyes onto Celestia's, not daring to mention the infant that used their goddess as a pillow.

I let out a deep sigh as I left my thought drift, leaving behind my immortal body and mortal worries. This smell woke memories from so long ago, four years I was already stuck here. This world was so different from home, even back then, everything was so pure and childish, it almost made me sick and angry to think how fucked up my old home was compared to this diabetes version of garden Eden. Still, even if it was a craphole, it was one I understood. Sure, childhood was fine and so, can't really complain, it was just plain child stuff but compared everything seemed so mundane. In a good way. Sigh. I still believe that one day I'll just wake up in an asylum, talking to a bunch of toys after the latest drug injected into my lab rat of a body wore off.

"I see, I will inform you of my judgment, Mr. Moneybag. Until then, I wish you a pleasant time." Celestia answered shortly with a nod. The Stallion bowed quickly, not adding anything to her statement, before leaving the room at a slow speed. "Are you sure you're fine, Star?" Celestia spoke with concern as she looked downwards, showing off her dexterous neck. "No pain, no ill feelings? Are perhaps displeased with something? Me, perhaps?"

'Drama Queen!' I thought with a mental roll of my eyes, a dozen 'I'm okay!' were apparently not enough to, I don't know, state that I was not a complete shipwreck!

She nearly killed you, a mortal pony, blessings or not, would've died. She is clearly used to this situation and has no previous experiences to fall back to. She is worried because this may be the first time in many years that she has to be concerned about hurting someone's feelings.

"Mommy, I told you already, I'm fine, and I'm not angry," I spoke firmly with the Game's unpleasant supportive atmosphere in my neck as I attempted to utter these words, not with enough bitterness to make the gold rust. I know that gold doesn't rust Game, I fucking know!

"Are you sure?"

I let out a sigh, swallowing my annoyance, before answering with faked somberness. "Well, my neck is a bit sore, and I'm thirsty, but I'm not angry at you. You did not mean to, and I'm still alive." I spoke while spreading my forehooves before crossing them. I could no longer swallow my true emotions as my careless attitude seeped into words meant to be kind, which in turn soothed worry and stirred regret, likely making the goddess more insisting on reimbursing me for her mistake.

"I see... If there is anything eating you, please just tell me. What you experienced was nothing a colt your age should ever have to go through. I just-" I narrowed my eyes at her, this regret was making my stomach turn. "I see, you're really are just too good-hearted." You have no idea...

A moment of a wait later and a glass bottle filled with fruit-infused sugar water was in my hooves, a cute little straw made out of wheat was a neat little add-on. Everything in this world that contained was incredibly sweet, I tried to eat a cupcake once, and I thought I die because of the sugar content, I'm not talking double chocolate cake, more like a cup of tea with twelve spoons of sugar. And that was still considered to be a 'Healthy alternative.'

This world not only contains a much larger quantity of sugar, but also iron inside of living creatures as well, while salt is much rarer. The Game added, ruining my hopes of eating pretzel sticks.

Large quantities of salt also induce an intoxicating state with painful side effects. Although you are able to consume much higher amounts, this body can only handle so much, and ponies will begin to wonder if you are not a professional drug consumer. Just-just why is this world so fucked up and down?

I closed my eyes while slurping the sweet liquid. Celestia and Gentle are really odd ponies, and seemingly the opposite of another, how fate came up with this joke that they raised this wonderchild is beyond me, but at least they are somewhat decent parents, not as good as ma, but still, this place had its advantages. I was a prince now, meaning I would never have to pay taxes, never have to work, and am set for the rest of my life. Cons are that I was now a prince with a fuck ton of ponies expecting me to guide them along with Celestia to a better tomorrow. That really was not my calling, and I'll probably just ditch the shit and hang my crown on the hook... I just hope that's how it works and that I get to keep my head.

That is not an advisable route.

'Yea yea, probably right, but come on. Me, a prince?' I thought with sadness as I put the staw out of my mouth. I was just a courier, not a manager, or that shit. I am no leader, and I have not interested in pulling those fools down the political clusterfuck I'll create.

John Weaver was a courier, Star Touch can be whatever he wants to be. You are still a child in this world and will learn the string in no time. You have not to succeed; just do your best, and somehow you'll win in this world. You are not alone in mind with me, and your body has enough companionship. Yeah right. A pony kingdom for a human. And that matters how? You are still human, just because you live with ponies, act like them, and befriend does not make you less. You lost your human body, you already separated from society, took no part in enjoying companionship, yet despite furthering the gap between your race and you, still, did you consider yourself human. Race matters not; you are sentient, even when you once were human and now are stuck as a pony. I am a conscious Aether construct that lives inside you, and the ponies have us in their world. It just does not matter, just enjoy yourself between the hard battles against the nightmares.

My mouth hung agape for a moment, eyes focused on the door as I felt a cold wind rush through my teeth. With a click, I shut my mouth like a mechanism and remained silent in my mind. Did it really matter? Was I now more pony than I was human, or was this all just senseless denial? I pushed the question not further as I contained to empty my bottle, ignoring the waves of petitioners for a long time.

"Star?" Yes? "The court will close in a few moments, I wished to know if you had any plans for the day or if you felt tired?" Celestia spoke as she leaned to the side so that I had not to stare upwards.

"Nope, Mom planned nothing for the day, Sugar is doing something with her family, and I'm pretty awake," I answered as I started to levitate the bottle towards the side of the throne. It was bizarre how I could be swearing like a drunk Scott, yet talk so innocently, I hope this persona won't replace me one day. The bottle was quickly snatched out of my magic grasp.

"I see, but could you please refrain yourself from using magic, at least for a day? I feel not comfortable knowing that you could possibly hurt yourself after the injury." Celestia hushed with a worried tone as stared deep into my eyes, damn I knew everything was bigger on her, but those plates gotta be like the size of my head.

"Okay, I'll try to be careful, Mommy," I answered shortly with a tilted tone at the end.

"Oh, already entering your rebellious phase? Oh, I hope I can get my part right. Ehem. Quiet that behavior, as long as life in my country you live by my rules." Celestia mocked vividly as she held on of her hooves to her chest.

I let out a snort, then started to snicker. Celestia joined in with a restrained chuckling. I knew not what took over me, but I began to laugh loudly, bordering a roaring while tears started to build up in my eyes. My throat began to hurt after just a few moments. Oh god, what is happening to me!? This humor was horrible, end my suffering!

"Announcing Lady Silver Soul." A Guard yelled as the high gates opened ever so slowly, just to add a dramatic effect as a mare walked in. Her silver coat gleamed in the light while her grey mane waved through the non-existing wind. Her dress was simple, yet the silver and iron threats were woven into her dress, alongside pale gems that fitted her coat. A long rock that hugged her rump did not stand in her way as she trotted forwards.

'Oh... It's you.' I thought darkly. As I forced my gaze away from Mommy and onto the new commerce. One of Gentle's friends, a nice old lady, once came over and mentioned this name many times in anger. She was responsible for nearly killing me. I narrowed my eyes down to slits as I glared at her, bearing my teeth like an animal, and I regret it not. Screw acting cute, I'll trow you into a horde of nightmares and watch them eat you alive... The Game did not like my idea of Nightmares killing her, but had no problem with me murdering her ass, huh, weird.

Silver Souls stopped in her track, a hint of confusion on her seemingly superior look. "You seem to be angry at me for a certain reason? Should I know how I angered you, your highness?" She spoke without breaking eye contact, not twitching once as she wore her perfect little mask.

'I'll grab you when no one is looking and throw you into the goblin dungeon...' I thought darkly. I froze when I felt a strong hoof on my back, pulling me back slightly.

"I can sense your anger, and it is justified, but please do not get yourself into trouble," Celestia whispered to me, her words fueled my anger only more, but I abstained from pushing the mater further and leaned back. I still gave her a nasty look. "Greetings, miss Silver Soul, may I know whats your purpose in my court today?"

Silver Souls took her gaze off from me and pulled out a scroll inside of an iron tube before levitating it towards Celestia, who took it. "As your highness may already know, the mining operations on mount Chunk have only yielded little minerals and metals. I came to request financial aid to be able to start a new mining operation on the Hummock west to Trottingham."

"I see," Celestia answered shortly as her eyes flew over the contract. "I have noticed a surprisingly low amount of bits that you paid your taxes with. I will have to look into your documents and history of projects to see how the expenses compare to the gains. Once that is done, I can see if or how many bits the treasury can spend on you." She spoke vaguely, no politician would flat out call someones bullshit out, or they might start a war.

'Game, find an error.' I commanded as I stared at the paper, adding my own experience in the mix. I hated this thing in front of me, she had not even a hunch of an idea, even less care for the victims of her laws. At least I don't go around fucking other peoples' lives up.

I found something. The company that is to receive the funding is called the "Silver Soul Minning and Excavation corporation" while the organization that will pay the funding, as well as the taxes for the resources mined, is called the "Silver Soul Minning and Excavation corporation." the dot is only a sixteenth of the other letters' size. It's likely she transfered bits and resources to another account, while no one was loking. The Game stated, just second did it take for a three page long contract with letters the size of ant crap.

'Excelent.' I thought darkly.

"I do not see any error in the contract, I will see what can be done, but I belive-" Celestia started with a smile as she rolled the document into a roll before I cut her off.

"Mommy?" I asked innocently, stretching out each letter, gaining the attention of both ponies, while Celestia was not pleased with my interruption. "Why does one name have a dot and the other not?" Well enough, I could read and write a few months after I could talk, at least they thought so, so this was not out of the order.

"Hmmm?" Celestia asked with surprise as she rolled out the paper again, before pulling a pair of goggles from a compartment from the previously useless armrest. Mommy looked like a grandmother as she took a good look at the company name. "Hmmm, there really does seem to be an error. I'm sure it was entirely unintentionally, but I will take the liberty to check on your previous contracts just in case." Her voice was on edge, a titled tone if you wished as she said with suspicion and well-hidden anger.

"There is no need for that, it was just an error. I will have to fire the new scribe at my company, sad, he seemed to be naturally talented taken given how new he was in his career." Silver Soul treasures with concern and surprise.

"I believe so as well, but I think I can allow myself to take this liberty, my eyes do seem to have become a tad weak," Celestia answered firmly as she rolled the document and put it back into the container, before letting it drop to the floor without care. "That will be all for today, miss Silver Soul. I wish you a pleasant day." The mare did not make eye contact as she retracted the scroll container.

Silver Soul responded with a light bow, yet her clenching jaw could faintly be seen. She jerked forcefully when she saw my stretched out tongue, she did not react but gave me a glare before taking her leave. I did not stop until the door close behind her.

I yelped loudly when I felt a secure grip around pulled me not only up, but also around, forcing my eyes at those of Celestia, yet her little smile lifted my worries. "You are one devious colt." She tried to sound insulting, yet the pride could not be hidden as she praised me, and I could not help but grin at her words. "I'm sure one day you'll make a great prince, but enough of politics for the day, I believe now you truly earned yourself a bit of enjoyment."

"Really? What do you have in mind?"

"It's a surprise."

She was either not good at surprises or knew not the term because shopping was not really a surprise anymore the moment you entered a stall or shop. Of course, what establishment you visit was kind of a secret, but we were going to buy something given that we were currently walking through a densely populated shopping street with expensive shop after another.

"Are you sure that you are alright?" Celestia asked for like the twelfth- huh? What, ahh! Sorry, it's the eleventh time I was just informed by the Game. "It looked excruciating... If you find yourself in pain or fatigue, please inform me immediately."

"Mommy, I told you so already: I'm fine. I did not feel pain at all, it was just a bit woozy, and I am as energetic as a sack of sugar." I said dismissively as I turned my head towards her as she walked next to me.

"I know, but It's my responsibility to worry." Celestia defended her point again, she suddenly put on a smile and waved at a pair of wealthy-looking ponies. Their garnets covered with jewels and gold. The duo waved back, and both parties returned back to normal once they were past another.

'She really needs to take a chill pill, or for a matter of fact, a whole barrel.' I thought grumpily as I rolled my eyes. One store after another ran past. Jewelry, clothing, food, and much more were ignored as we continued our path, making me wonder if she wanted me to choose a location.

The ocean of ponies parted and made way for both of us, a significantly easier task without a patrol following us, or having to push the goliath that was Celestia through the hordes. The ponies bowed, wished us good days to come and complicated that probably were enough to wash away any bad mood a pony could've collected in a decade, this did not count for me because if I heard just another time adorable I looked, I might start to collect ivory.

"You know Star, there is something eaten me," Celestia spoke, her choice of words was perhaps as old as her last stroll outside of the castle that was neither today or a meeting with a politician, as a few ponies stared at her vividly, attempting to find the one attempting to devour their goddess. "You always seem to be... in control." Oh crap, oh shit, of fuck. "Not just today, it's like you are unaffected by emotions. You aren't scared of the dark, you fear no heights, you don't feel pain or are bothered by syringes. Do you feel any negative emotions or senses at all?"

"It's... complicated," I spoke nonchalantly, even if my voice sounded unsure. I slowed my steps down slowly, her speed matched me quickly as I closed the distance. "I know when to feel pain, but I don't feel it. I don't fear the dark because there is nothing to fear, and syringes are just that. I can be angry, but I'm barely ever feeling anything negative. I am just not bothered by the small stuff, and feel nothing at the big, like today." I stared at her the whole time, I did not blink, twitch, quiver, or move a single muscle as I dedicated my entire, unchanging attention towards her.

Celestia stared at me dead in the eyes, only after a few moments after which I did not react, did her mouth's arches arc up shortly, but great at the same time, it was unlike the behavior of a princess, more like a treasure hunter who found his buried chest of gold. The Game informed me that the amount of affection towards me was even more significant than last time. What is this riddle? A shit ton of blessing plus expelling joy and being never negative: Does she want to turn me into a freaking battery?

"That-that's incredible!" Celestia cheered loudly, gaining the attention of all those in the entire street who stared at her with bewilderment. "Oh, I apologize, I didn't mean to be so noisy." The ponies did not question her explanation and moved again as if someone pressed pause and then continued to watch a documentary about waves. Her head leaned closer towards me and said with cheeks bloated with air and a voice that equaled the annoyance of preschool television series. "You become more special by the year, my precious colt."

"I know," I answered unmoved, before suddenly turning towards her with the broadest smile I could muster, she must've been able to see her own reflection in my perfectly pristine teeth. Celestia's full-blown joy slowly chimed down into a kind smile, and we continued to walk to our destination. I kept my head by and my steps large, nearly swinging them forward while a fluffy, tickling sensation enveloped my heart from both outside and inside, a hint of real joy, not like always, prosperously faked happiness, as well a taste of cake laid on my tongue, but I knew not why.

I lifted my head upwards, the sun shone brightly into my face, not burning or cold like the one from home, the sweet air blew through my mane that had already grown long, it was not quite that of a filly, but despite the complaining of a few maids, I enjoyed this well kept long hair. The scent of perfumes, pastry, and fruits, as well as this refined city smell, not oil or gases, but just the combination of mountain wind and the natural scent of ponies, not sweat or musk, more of hay and freshly cut grass. I opened my eyes slowly as I turned my attention to the right, through an opening between stores and stalls I could see a bench with a long staircase leading down, but what mattered more to me was what lied behind. A vast forest stretching further than the mountains on the horizon, a dark aura covering the menacing jungle, and just behind it a bit west from where I stood was a little village that sent shivers down my spine.

"We are almost there, just down the alley," Celestia informed me, knocking me out of my rare, joyful moment in life before my eyes met with the alley. The deep, dark alley with various corners and trash cans.

'Yeeeeaaahhh-no. I'm already batman enough, I don't need to go through this shit too.' I thought with a raised eyebrow, already looking through my spellbooks and thinking, which was the best way to hurt muggers most with least years in prison.

There are no lifeforms, other than rats and other vermin. As a royal, your word will most likely be taken over that of anyone else, and Celestia has invested far too many bits on you for us to reside in the dungeon. Also, any threats towards you will earn attacks the title of criminal and attacks are one way into the dungeon, and if a guard were to intentionally physically hurt you, they can be and will most likely be hanged.

'So that's why those bastards are scared of me, they're worried they shatter my chicken bones!' I thought with an irritated cringe, my cheeks tightened as I suppressed a nasty curse and took a deep breath before following the great white horse.

"You have no reason to be concerned, this path is perfectly safe for the two of us," Celestia spoke as she trotted forward, her first few steps timed to take as much time as possible, before speeding up, disguising it as her waiting for me to catch up. In truth, she waited before half a squadron of invisible guards zipped silently across the rooftops, spying any thread that might come, their power was considerable, at least double the average guard. I might've not been able to see them, but the magic that surrounded their bodies made them look like flying lightbulbs.

"Okay, but I still try not to step into something," I mumbled, her ears twitched and let out a burst of unnecessary laughter.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, once you are an adult I will have your very own regalia made."

'Fuck, I don't want to wear a fucking ton around with me, that gotta start to stink and itch and pinch like hell.'

"So... Mommy, where are we exactly going?" I asked innocently with concern as my eyes drifted towards a rat, eating a huge, bloody bone. Its body was that of pure darkness and sickly green eyes; for a moment, I thought that it was smoking. I jerkingly came to a halt and took a second look. A brown, huge and fat rat sat on a trash can, like a drunken beggar, licking marmalade from a rolling pin. Great, even the fucking rats could afford better food than old me.

'These nightmares are messing with my head, you sure these beasts did not come from the goblin cave?' I asked as I slowly turned my head forward again. The smell of junk and trash was sutled, more like a hint of moldy air and cleaner than most streets I've seen, at least those were no fancy-schmancy Sextillionaires walked.

I am 94.6% confident that no chained nightmare was able to traverse with us, but if it soothes your nerves, we can revisit this dungeon. Mayhaps we are able to find a few previously undiscovered items?

"We are visiting an old friend of mine, but to make you known to him, and vice versa is not the goal of our trip, it is for enjoyment," Celestia said, her head turned towards me with a smile, her eyes pinched shut. It's almost scary how warm she got towards me in the last few days. Previously she gone far out of her way as a princess, but never did she push her duties away to spend time with me on unnecessary events; she also never seriously mentioned anything about my future other than a few jokes and pokes. Did her plans from one month ago contain me being chopped into chunks?

I am not going through this nightmare of calculating that chance, my host. The Game let out a deep sigh, making my brow quiver.

"And that's not because you feel guilty due to my shattered head?" I asked with a rising tone, unbelieving that she just hand out this 'mother and son day.' "You never went with me anywhere before, so why now?"

"Oh, I just lacked the time for that, but I believe I have sorted my millennia-long schedule, and routine out enough to now spend more time with you every day," Celestia answered in denial, however, her sentence's last part was filled with a lot more emotion than I was used from her, less regal and more like a girl throw her first pajama party. I do not why, but I could not help but let out the faintest of smiles.

In front of us, the light dimmed down, the end came near, and vision cleared. The paved stone from below through which moss and dirt pecked, the moldy walls of both sides that no one sane in their mind cleaned in decades, as well as the trash that fearful apprentices and careless employees of the shops surrounding this street thoughtlessly threw in this alley, stopped on a fine line. Beyond which lay a grassy field, a few trees, and branches in an entirely secluded area, clean unlike some of the lower parts of Canterlot with the sky being the only visible scenery other than the backsides of the various building surrounding this gem of tranquility. Through this haven of nature in a city of gold and marble stood a little shoop, no Canterlot charm anywhere to be seen, more of a department store of the old days. The building was large and clean, the deep brown spruce walls and the vermillion brick roof gave off a lumberjack feeling, yet the clean panels, the joyful and carefully crafted sings, posters, and statues that greeted rare customers gave off a welcoming atmosphere, it was homely. I could almost imagine the smell of spruce pine, mountain air, and apple pie if I was honest.

"Now, let's see if he's awake or if he dozed off again, that sleepy featherhead," Celestia mumbled to herself as she shook her head, yet her silly smile, the grin could not be ignored as she walked towards the old shop. I was momentarily frozen by her crass choice of words for someone who spoke like the queen, who still lived when I was abducted from Earth, all the time. Celestia quickly turned around when she noticed my presence growing further. "What, can I not enjoy some 'more simple dialects,' dearest son?" Her voice was pitched up high, but her tone still managed to grumble like an earthquake, a melodic tune, making me wonder just how gorgeous her singing must be to muster something that should be impossible.

"Of course, I'm coming, of course, I'm coming," I spoke twice, to both of these statements, doubling down before trotting towards Celestia, who awaited me, like usual, with a kind smile.

A sense of excitement, childlike joy, fulfilled me as I felt the wind through my mane and coat, seemingly penetrating deep into my chest and heart, making both reach speeds that made me feel like adrenalin coursed through my veins. And yet, while this heavenly, fuzzy sensation empowered me, I could not shake off the feeling of having forgotten something...