The New Normal

by Mythos merger

Rating: mature
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Romance, Original Character, Spike, Comedy, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Anthro, Main 6, Princess Luna
Length: 15662

Welp, always did love building stuff, never thought I'd build stuff from games though...

I never was the most social of guys. Felt too weird to really talk for that long, or even have too many people look at me. As far as I was concerned, I was to be seen and not heard. And that was for the best... Then I wound up in pony land as an amped up Street Samurai. Well screw you too, Murphy.

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Published 2021-07-20 01:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-10-20 03:54:53 UTC

Arrivals and Expectation [edited]

It was an average Saturday, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No weird meteor shower, no impossible weather, no street merchants giving suspiciously low priced, but high-quality goods. There were not even any metaphysical shenanigans apparent, but I answered an email, went to bed, and woke up here.

‘Here’ was, in fact, the only way I could describe this area, aside from boring and white. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t even standing on anything, just floating in place.

That email I got was somewhat odd, I guess. Maybe that has something to do with it?

I mean, I figured it was an extra nerdy version of those ‘Create Your Own Adventures.’ It was called ‘Be one, Embody two,’ and it came with a massive catalog of nerd stuff. To summarize, I got to pick a video game character from a massive list and equip two iconic ‘artifacts’ relating to a game series. Apparently, these would give my character the gear and abilities of that character to some extent, fused with their own abilities. As I said, I figured this was just for roleplay or something, one of those Create Your Own Adventure things! Boy, was I wrong...

I recalled that I had chosen to be a character near and dear to my heart; V from Cyberpunk 2077, specifying that I wanted to be the male cover character, cause I adored the game, and wanted to play as a guy, like me! Then I chose the Artifacts from the list that caught my fancy, namely the Pip-Boy from Fallout, and the Parazon from Warframe. No sooner than I had hit enter, I passed out and woke up here. Like I said, no prior red flags! It seemed that this was just for some game until I came to.

“So… umm… Am I supposed to just float here?” I asked this, for what seemed to be the umpteenth time. Seems whatever this was, a test of my patience was part of it?

“I don’t know what is going on, but could I at least have a body?” I eventually asked, getting beyond fed up with the boredom of this alabaster expanse.

Eventually, a voice then found its way to my empty expanse of white, “Sorry! I’m so sorry! My co-worker thought it would be funny to leave you hanging there for a night, even though it's against protocol! I am so sorry you had to wait so long to get your new body! Rest assured, we will be punishing my hopefully soon-to-be ex-coworker severely!”

Well at least whoever this voice belonged to was sorry, and was being sincerely nice to me, unlike most people where I worked. Fuck you, Jerry. You just kept stealing my donuts and leaving your half-eaten sandwiches in my desk drawers...they always smelled suspiciously of corn and old bacon grease.

“So… I assume I’m getting taken like those guys at that one comic-con?”

The rather flustered young lady, who had suddenly appeared across from me, cleared her throat and gave a soft bow in greeting, “U-um… yes. Although the technical term our company uses is ‘Displaced’. You have been selected t-to be sent to another universe to, basically, live as you see fit. Although personally, with what you chose, I hope you help people… oh! Stop it, Rosie! You’re not supposed to influence the decisions of your charge!”

I chuckled in amusement, her flustered voice sounding kinda cute, “Umm, Rosie was it? You should relax. I appreciate how candid you're being with me, and I also can tell you take your job seriously. So, let’s get to work, hmm? I suppose we have to figure out how those two artifacts will combine, or something?”

Rosie seemed to calm down at this, and was quiet for a moment, “Well, not really. Our company has a very comprehensive system, and while this specific combination has never been fully chosen, enough close matches have been made that we can offer you two choices. Either you get the ability to plant new ‘you’s’ every so often, or we give you custom nanotech cybernetics, basically allowing you to have any combination of cyberware you choose at any given time.”

My smile was growing wider by the minute, and she just kept going!

“Also, there is very little technology to hack in the world we are sending you to. So your ideal cerebral implants for hacking will now run off of arcane energy, effectively making them far more powerful, as you can affect much more with this setup. Simply put, you can now execute your ‘hacks’ as special spells that will occur within the target. Is this making sense?”

I nod and give her a soft, disarming smile in an attempt to ease her mind, “Yes, it is. Basically, I am getting the ability to be my ideal ‘V’ from cyberpunk, but with the stuff from these other two series thrown in?”

Rosie made an uncomfortable sigh, turning her eyes to the side and away from mine, “Well, you just start with the cyberware, crafting schematics, and implants. All of the actual gear will have to be crafted with materials you gather,” At my look of worry, she immediately floundered, “Don’t worry! We will set up special dungeons of sorts for you to gather materials and gain fighting experience!”

I smirk. “Can I bring friends with me?”

Silence reigned for a moment as she seemed to silently converse with someone I could not see for a moment before she replied, “After reminding my employer of your subpar treatment so far, and how courteous you have been despite it, he has said that you may indeed have this bonus!”

I chuckled and gave a thumbs up, smiling happily and leaning back a bit where I stood. Or, floated, in this case, “Well, tell your boss that if he ever wants to knock back a few drinks, he can come by to say hi to me after I get set up, hmm? That invite goes to you too, Rosie!”

Rosie giggled and sighed, “It has been a pleasure, V. Now let’s get you into your new body, hmm?”

I smirked, sliding my hands into my pockets and raising a brow in amusement, “V? Naw. If I’m going to be a product of a CYOA, might as well be original, right? Call me Rex.”

==In Equestria, before the 1st Ever Sonic Rainboom==

I woke up in a classroom. Funnily enough, it seemed I wasn’t getting any official introductions to this world, but at least the place seemed relative- holy shit! Why was there an explosion?! And what’s with this freaky energy I suddenly felt all around me?!

I jumped up and to my feet, before opening the door and booking it to the classroom next door, the waves of energy that pounded against me emanating from it. I covertly snuck in, to see what looked like a young bipedal unicorn girl flipping her ever-loving shit.

Wait, did I just see those two adults become houseplants?! How did- Holy shit! An actual flying, fire breathing, Darwin be damned, Dragon!

I shook myself to clear my head of equal parts nerdy glee and panic before I stuck to the shadows and kept watching. That is until a loose piece of rubble began falling towards the little kid, I saw a guard behind me begin running to save her, but he wasn’t going to be fast enough, so I didn’t even hesitate as I immediately rushed over, shifting to the highest grade Gorilla arms I could equip and every speed-boosting cyberware I could, both sets far stronger than anything in-game by a wide margin, and caught the crumbling stone before it could have crushed the kiddo.

I grunted and tossed the wall to an unoccupied section of the floor. “You okay, squirt?! C’mon, calm down, this magic crap is coming from you ain’t it?! You have gotta reign it in!”

"I- I can't…" She whispered softly, tears flowing from her glowing white eyes, "It's too much…"

"Twilight," A motherly voice called out gently, a regal and stark white winged unicorn woman dressed in a flowing white gown lined with gold and a massive pale rainbow mane that blew in the unseen wind walked up to the girl before she wrapped her wings around her as she knelt down to hold her. "Shh, Twilight. It's alright… you're going to be just fine."

The woman's words soothed "Twilight" enough that the kid's eyes lost the shine and became 'normal' magenta-colored orbs, the huge, gargantuan dragon shrinking down to an adorable hatchling. Slowly holding the kid's head closer to her bosom, the regal lady looked up and whispered a quick "Thank you" just as the potted plants returned to normal ponies.

I smirked and flashed a grin to the princess before the two adult equines, still more than a little disoriented from their time as plants, rushed over to me, the female speaking first while the Princess disappeared in a flashy light show, “Thank you so much, sir, we can’t thank you enough for saving our baby girl! We could see the rubble falling, but well, as plants, well, we couldn’t do much more than watch…”

The father smiled warmly next. “I might not have much to offer that would interest you, but if ever you need a pony in your corner, well, I can say for certain I’ll do all in my power to ensure you’ve got the whole of the Scribe clan ready to help you for this!”

I shook my head, turning down what I assumed to be a highly generous offer. “I didn’t do it for favors, bud. Just saw something bad was about to happen, and I knew I could stop it. All I ask is that you make sure your kiddo is alright, it just doesn’t feel right earning something for what should be common decency.” I then heard one of the guards, the one I outsped, clear their throat.

“Apologies, sire, but the princess said they would like to speak with you. May you please come with me?”

I chuckled as I finally got the chance to put down the rubble. “Lead on, el Capitano.”

The guard in question eyed me with a troubled look on his face before he gestured for Twilight, giving her a reassuring smile as he gestured for her to go down the hall, her running after the princess like a child high on sugar. He then turned to me, his smile vanishing, “Apologies, sire, but I am not a captain. I am merely a fresh recruit to the day guard.” He then sighed, his troubled frown deepening. “And… I am a friend of the elder sibling of the filly you rescued. You have my thanks, and you will certainly have that of Shining Armor’s as well.”

I looked at him as I followed him to the apparent meeting place. “Well, tell her brother that I want to hang out sometime then, the four of us, that includes Twilight. You seem like a decent sort, and a new friend is always a good thing. What’s your name by the way?”

The day guard smiled, overjoyed at my words, “Phalanx, sire, Iron Phalanx… may I ask… why are you so eager to befriend a lowly recruit like me?”

I smirked. “Well Iron,'' I said as we reached what looked like the entryway to a large throne room. “I saw you running to save Twilight too, and I know for a fact you didn’t have the muscle to do what I did. You got a real brass pair there, bud, and I have always respected the kind of people who put others’ safety before theirs.”

I left the dumbfounded Iron Phalanx as I entered the room, apparently a throne room. Twilight was sitting next to the white unicorn pegasus combo lady, and I couldn’t help but smile at how excited she was. “Seems someone got news that they enjoyed, care to spill the beans, little one?”

"Princess Celestia has just asked me to become her personal student!" Twilight shouted in cheer, "Ohhh thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!" She practically exploded before hugging me and then the 'princess'.

"It was the only reasonable course of action to take," Celestia replied softly as she pets Twilight's head, "Your budding magic needs to be tempered and monitored not only for the safety of those around you, but of your own."

I grimaced at the memory of what I later learned was called her Magic surge. “Yeah, kiddo, if she can help you I’d go for it, that blast was dangerous… The last thing anyone wants is to see a child get hurt, and judging from how what I assume to be your parents reacted, “Twilight suddenly looked worried at this, before I gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “They hold no hard feelings, and are just happy you're okay.”

I was lucky that all the implants and special ware I had came with instructions and expertise custom loaded in the firmware, but her? She didn’t have that benefit, so she needed help.

I turned to Celestia as Twilight began to soak up the joy of her achievement and smiled warmly. “So I assume you had something you needed to talk to me about?” I had a few guesses as to what she wanted to ask, namely asking what the hell I was, or maybe how I got here... but it was better to play this close to the vest, so as to keep what was likely to be my host capable and willing to help me.

"There are many questions I wish to ask you," Celestia began as her gaze somehow softened more than it already was, "But I believe the most important would be if you would accept a position by Twilight's side."

I frowned thoughtfully, both caught off guard and wanting her reasoning before I answered. “Well, I gotta admit the squirt reminds me of simpler times… but I gotta ask, why me? I mean, sure, I can keep her safe for sure, but how am I supposed to keep her out of the more negative aspects of the limelight, with some glorified Extra-Terrestrial following her six all the time?”

"OH! You mean an ET, don’t you?" Twilight spoke up, "My dad uses that word in his stories! Are you an alien?"

Celestia chuckled at the child's sense of wonderment before looking back at me, "I do not expect you to follow young Twilight every moment of every day. That would be much too invasive to both of you. Instead, I would like for you to be with her whenever she has a greater need for her magic. What I ask is if you would accompany us to ensure Twilight's safety."

I shrugged, not entirely sure about the kids’ question. “Sure, and yes, I’m sort of an alien, kiddo. I’m just not the planet kind, more like the dimension kind. Heads up, be careful as to what mail you answer.”

Twilight nodded and immediately took out a notebook, writing down the advice I had just given. “Okay! I got it!”

I chuckled, before sighing slightly. “So, from how my implants work, I would do well to get a pet, maybe more akin to a familiar? Yeah, that sounds about right. Sorry, these bits and baubles of mine are kinda…. special.”

"Your magic is undeniably unique, to an extreme degree," Celestia commented, "Would you like to speak more of it over tea?"

I nod grabbing Twilight gently by the shoulder before Celestia could teleport or whatever it was she did last time, “Yeah, but I think the kiddo should know this too, might be a bit scary, knowing what exactly I can do, but she should know that it's all gonna be dedicated to keeping her and hers safe.”

Celestia's smile brightened, and we teleported again in a flash of light.

In the royal garden

I looked around, my seat comfy next to Twilight and Celestia, who were looking at me to start talking, the garden around us breathtaking as I took a deep breath..

“So, first off, I should let you know that my magic is… well, it utilizes very real implants in my body. Apparently, there is no need to worry about them breaking, the same tech that allows me to switch around my cyberware on my arms also allows me to… well, repair myself. Not a perfect fix, takes a bit of energy to do, and matter as well. Basically, eating fuels that ability.”

Before they could reply, I raised a hand in a placating manner. “Please let me tell you in full before making judgments, or comments…”

I thought a moment, before continuing. “I also have special implants that replace organs, like my eyes, Kiroshi optics by base design, but they have been edited, like all of these implants, to run off of mana. I can learn about things just by looking at them, and everything is much slower for me as compared to say, the kiddo here.” I smirked. “My eyes are installing the firmware as of now, but when they finish, I’ll know names before even getting introduced. Not to mention bonus technology, like night vision and thermal as well.”

I then sighed, figuring how to continue from here, this being the most delicate part of the talks. Eventually figuring that honesty would be best “I can also ‘hack’ people. I can see through the eyes of others, and initiate attacks on others without even moving. Like, I can apparently release a paralyzing shock through their nervous system, set them on fire, even take them over, it's some scary stuff… I don’t want to have to, but if need be, I could wipe out a compound of people in a matter of moments, even delaying my hacks to go off after a trigger is set off.”

Next came the second worst part. “I also have a series of schematics locked in my head, increasing in number even as we speak… weapons, armaments, medicines, all sorts of things edited to work here, and integrating with other designs to optimize themselves… weapons that I hope to never need.”

I looked straight into Celestia's eyes, even as my firmware was fully installed. “I swear to you on all I have ever held, or will ever hold dear though, I will only ever strive to keep people safe, and to keep this world as beautiful as this garden.”

"Your honesty, coupled still by your selfless act ensures me that your words ring true," Celestia said calmly as she took a sip of her tea, Twilight, however, looked like she was still trying to wrap her head around everything if her scrunched up muzzle meant anything, "You have had every chance to usurp us, to claim dominance upon all that you see before you and yet… Yet you have not. I pray that should never change as I fear not even I could suppress you."

I raised a brow in amusement. “I can see how strong you are, princess. You could leave me a stain on the floor with ease.” I sighed. “Sure, I could escape my death by overtaking an animal, or a person, but then I’d have to live with myself after.”

"But that's wrong!" Twilight shouted before shrinking in on herself in embarrassment, causing Celestia to giggle before she ruffled her mane.

"Yes, I do believe that is what he wished to convey~"

I smiled warmly. “Exactly kiddo, I might take over someone for a time, if they are doing bad stuff, and I can use them or their eyes to stop it… but I’d never erase them like I’d have to for my survival in a fight with the princess. That is stepping on the toes of gods, thinking that you are so much more important than another that you can take their freedom, their identity, just to survive… I would NEVER do that.”

I then looked at the princess and Twilight. “Now, do you by any chance have birds of prey handy? If I am getting a bird familiar, I might as well go for the obvious best choice.”

"I believe I may have something in my private gardens," Celestia mused as she finished her tea, "Yes… I have exactly what you're looking for."

Before long, Celestia was leading us along a small path, though she was carrying Twilight at this point as the tyke started getting sleepy. Before long, she brought us to the entrance of a fairly large marble building with vines covering the pillars and windows. "This garden has a collection of all manner of beasts from around the world, some harmless, others less so but all very well mannered and respectful."

I smirked as my translation module was fully installed, before I looked to the raven that I noticed was eying me from its perch on the pillar to our northwest. “Greetings, my feathered friend. By any chance, would you be open to a partnership?”

The Raven eyed me curiously. “What does this child of the lost know of partnership? What he seeks is a subservient pet, not a partner.”

I shook my head. “Nay, what I desire is a colleague, a brother in arms, one to whom I can trust with my life, and who can trust in me with the same.”

The raven looked at me in shock. “How do you know the tongue of the free? This secret is closely guarded, barely any of this realm know it… not even the earthen folk of the ponies.”

I smiled as Celestia and Twilight looked at me in confusion, continuing regardless. “My secrets are yours to learn, seeker of truth. If you would join me, I would name thee Thoth, after the scribe of one of the many groups of lost gods that lead my people.”

The Raven seemed to smile. “You know our ways well, tempter, we shall see if you speak truthfully May it be known that if deceit is thine intent, this accord shall be thine last. The accords of the free are not to be taken lightly.”

I smiled and offered my arm as a perch, to which Thoth landed on shortly after. And I felt the magic of our bond made real. “Good. Now, let us be off, much to see, much to learn, ey?”

Thoth eyed me warmly, the magic bonding us seem to have given him the answers he sought. “Twould be my honor, my kin.”

I looked at Celestia and smiled. “I assume you have questions, but just know, I have no idea what I was doing, I just wanted to prove to Thoth here that we were to be partners, not master and servant,” I smirked. “Let us be off, hmm?”

Years later, approaching ponyville

As Twilight approached the town we were to oversee prep at, I smiled, happy to see that those here did not shy from me. It was nice to see that some towns were more open nowadays. I reached through my bond to Thoth, mentally speaking to him. “How is it going with Twilight, is she acting as anticipated?”

Thoth chuckled from his distant perch on Spike's shoulder. “The young one acts as if she knows best, but the seeds of harmony we have fostered yet grow, all it needs is the right influence.”

I smiled as I made my way to the everfree. “Well, those influences are here, from Celestia's intel, nothing for it but to head to the old castle, see if Luna has awoken yet.”

I gradually made my way to the castle, the morning sun just peeking over the horizon, as I focused on the Moon, attempting to make contact with its goddess before it was out of my reach until the next night. “Who seeks our consul? We have not received so much as a prayer in eons. Yet now full contact is to be made? What manner of wretch are you, to seek contact with one fallen as I? Hmm?”

I chuckled. “A friend. I have been working with Celestia to orchestrate your cure from HIS corruption.”

Luna scoffed from within her mindscape. “If thou were to attempt deceit, a better line would be ideal… so we shall deign to at least listen to thy request, what wouldst thou have us do?”

My smile was plain, even as the pain began to manifest from the Nightmare noticing me. “Just try to keep your roomie from killing anypony. That’s all I ask.”

I then broke the connection and made my way to the Golden Oaks Library, where Twily was just touching down. I smiled as I made my greeting “Hi ho, squirt, how went the ride?”

"Frustrating!" Twilight shouted, "The more time we waste the closer we get to certain doom and nopony wants to listen to me!" She sighed as she did her best to calm her frayed nerves while behind her Spike was mouthing out 'Save me,’ "Well, at least you're here, Uncle Rex."

I smirked, heartened by the fact that she still thought of me as such, although it was accompanied by a twinge of regret, that she would be thrust into the unknown soon. “Hey, let’s get to work, take your mind to a brighter place for the time, we both know that even if this nightmare moon jerk comes today, that stressing about stuff you can’t do is pointless.”

I then smirked, remembering a lesson I taught her previously. “Remember the arrows metaphor? Bend just one, and it breaks easily, but get a bunch, and it's a helluva lot tougher. Same works for people, a group can accomplish more.”

The poor mare sighed and gave me a sad smile. "I just wish we could convince other ponies to help us… Well, no use crying over spilled milk! The faster we complete Princess Celestia's tasks, the faster we can get to preparing for the inevitable."

"Can we get breakfast first?" Spike asked with a worried look as his stomach visibly rumbled, "We didn't exactly have time to eat…"

My smirk brightened considerably. “Well, our first stop is the local Apple clan's center of operations. Chances are they’ll let us partake, the Apples are an honest, hardworking folk more often than not, and if we come to check on the food prep, they’ll likely let us sample some.”

I then chuckled at the return of the growling of Spike's belly and tossed him a rather large chunk of semi-translucent Jade with what looked like a swirling storm contained within. “That’s a treat from the Oni territories, a little something called storm jade, supposed to be a highly popular foodstuff for the local Dragons. Even the region's dragon lord Seiryu swears by the stuff.”

I grinned at Spike, seeing that he was, unlike when he was freshly hatched, still minding his nutrition and exercise. Spike was about the size of me now, even though he was still young in dragon years. Turns out that magic surge turbocharged his growth potential.

Chances are that by the time he masters the various magics the dragon folk employ, he’ll be a suitable candidate for the equestrian Dragon lordship, maybe even have a shot at being the sovereign Dragonlord, although I honestly just want the kid to have a good, happy life, no matter what he does.

...Did I mention that I’ve done a few jobs helping with international relations? Turns out some idiot named Blueblood was responsible for it before, made a real dumpster fire of his job, and falsified reports to the extreme. He’s still in jail for what he did to the funds meant for the bolstering of trade with the Diamond Dog Empire, let alone the Oni lands and the Deer nomads… guy was a real shit stain on society.

"Let me set my saddlebags down in the library and we can go on our way," Twilight said as she opened the door to the library which was then followed by a deep inhale and slow exhale, "Oh… my… goodness. You can practically smell the knowledge~"

"Dude, that's creepy," Spike muttered before he threw his new gemstone into his awaiting maw.

Thoth nodded “Quite off-putting, at first, but her oddities are strangely endearing once you grow used to them.”

As I helped Twilight offload her ‘saddle’ bags, even though they were basically just a backpack, I snorted in amusement. “You guys say that, but if it was any other way, would Twilight still be the squirt we all know and love?”

"Uncle Reeeex~" Twilight whined as her face went red, "I'm not a little filly anymore!~"

I shrugged jovially as I led the way to the orchards, while Thoth went for a quick flight to stretch his wings. I then had an idea and asked him to prepare the pegasus mare we were to meet later, Fluttershy I think her name was? She knew Twilight and Spike, but I was an unknown to her, better to nip any discomfort in the bud, as her dossier said she suffered from crippling levels of shyness. Some reassurances from Thoth should help there.

Speaking of prep, I readied my gorilla arm cyberware, wanting to be able to give a strong handshake that will impress our host, as well as still have feeling in my arm. “Steel your arms guys, remember, Apples are vigorous arm shakers.”

Once we were just a few steps from the orchard proper, a strong feminine voice with a southern drawl called out, "Hold there for jus a second, partners!" The voice belonged to an orange mare with brilliant emerald eyes, long flowing hay-colored mane and tail both tied down with red bands and dressed in dirtied work boots, torn jean shorts, and an overly tight white tee shirt spotted with patches of dried dirt.

I smiled brightly as I saw the mare in question. “Well if it ain't Applejack, How are Bright Mac and Pear Butter doing? Are you still working like there’s no tomorrow? Lemme guess, Applebloom has gotten into even more mischief, and Big Mac is busy with the numbers work?”

"Aw shucks, how's a mare s'posed to surprise ya if yer jus gonna keep guardin' us like a watchdog?" Applejack questioned with a playful smile, "Course if y'all are here… well hooow-dy!!~"

She quickly cheered as she spied a now wide-eyed Twilight, the poor lavender mare unprepared for the Apple Clan handshake, "Well if it ain't the Mystery Mare herself! Bout time y'all decided to grace us with yer esteemed presence, princess~ Or should I say Etched Emblem?"

"A-Applejack! I keep telling you not to call me that!~" Twilight whined as she failed miserably at keeping her posture.

"Heh, force a habit, sugar cube."

I looked around, making sure no one heard Aj’s little slip-up. “Okay, Aj, remember, ya can’t go blabbing her pen name, lest people start swarming her, You know how crazy readers can get, remember Dashie? The poor girl practically exploded at the realization of what books Twilight had written. Took a week for her to calm down and stop nerding out.”

AJ winced before she nodded. “My bad, Rex, was so eager to see my friend again, that the fact slipped my mind.”

Applejack then chuckled. “Who’d think you’d become such good friends after all, huh?” She then snickered "Aw shucks, friends shmends! far as I can tell y'all are practically family," Applejack mused before taking a sultry look at Spike, "Well I'll be… y'all are a handsome fella ain't ya?"

"Ah- well- you know- I try to keep in shape- I mean-" The girls only giggled at the flustered dragon.

I then snapped my fingers in realization. “Oh yeah! Dashie will want to have a spar before the summer sun celebration. Do you two mind if I meet up with you later, after? I could use all your help making sure Shy stays comfy with me after. Besides, I wanna hear how Gilda’s doing, and I gotta make sure Rarity is keeping to the funds she was allotted, crazy gal always dips into her personal funds to make sure these events truly shine.”

I waved goodbye to my god-daughter and niece, before fist-bumping Spike. “You keep up the training, and the ladies will notice, what’d I say? Pays off to have such a smart uncle for a sensei, hmm? Oh, and you best treat AJ well if you start dating, else I’ll cut you off from the foreign gems for a month. Unless you're too flustered right now, then we could all three of us spar together and you can try to not eat foot next time.”

"Flustered-me-no way-I don't get flustered-consider her safe as houses- that's the saying right-am I rambling-I'm rambling I'll stop now…" The purple of Spike's scales had darkened considerably by this point as the girls led him away.

I then made my way to the clearing where Spike, Dashie, and I spar often, I took out Inazuma no Okori, my proudest piece, and set it on a nearby stump as I took out my main method of calling Dashie, a large horn made of metal cast into the shape of an earth dragon horn, kinda similar to a ram’s horn but designed equally for goring prey as protecting its skull.

I let it blow after making sure that Dashie did her job and cleared the skies.

As I waited for the sound to reach Dashie, I pulled from my inventory a pair of polished hardwood bokken, one for me, one for her. I sighed happily, proud of the progress Dashie had made.

"You're late!" The brash tomboy yelled from outside the clearing before flying out fist first, her habit of ‘Supermare’ flight still strong. Sky blue coat, brilliant rainbow mane cut short, and a slightly trimmed tail. Boxing tape was wrapped around her knuckles and forearms and she wore a form-fitting tank top and loose workout pants that fluttered with the wind.

I smirked, “Well well, mayhaps the gift I brought should just go to the scrap heap, then? I mean, if you can’t forgive me for making sure your first katana came out perfectly, then I guess you don’t want it?” I tossed Dashie the bokken as I chuckled at her amazed face, even as she instinctively caught the bokken by the handle.

"No way… No way! You didn't! I mean, of course, you did, you just said it but no. Way." Dashie then squee's before tackling me with a hug, "Thank you!"

“Now now, you're the one who earned it, just don’t make me regret making it for you, use it to keep the people around you safe. And don’t worry, it’s not my kind of blade, it’s just a samurai's blade, no fancy stuff.” I got into a combat stance with my Bokken. “Now let’s see how you have improved your reflexes since last time, hmm? We can introduce you to your blade after.”

"Hah! My reflexes are top-notch! I didn't get a black belt for nothing," Dash said with pride as she took a low battle stance, their wood blade pointing downward.

I smiled. “Ah, you took a martial art to compliment your sword training, good, always have a backup plan.” I then struck at her bokken, testing how well she had trained her arms and grip, finding the resulting thwack of wood on wood more than satisfying, no hint of her giving an inch at all.

“You haven’t been napping, you have been taking your training seriously for years, as well as your work. I will be honest, when I started to train you all those years ago, you were a bit of a punk, you had a head full of hot air, and no real skill aside from your speed to back it up.”

I kept fighting, not giving an inch of leeway, nor expecting any, planning out my next strike even as my current one hit. “But you have found great meaning in my teachings, you have tempered your fury with calm, and have sought to better yourself. You have made me proud as a teacher more and more with every lesson.”

"Hey, the results speak for themselves, Master!" Dash said cheerfully, her blade still unwavering as she timed her movements to the vibrations of the wind, blocking my every strike and even managing a few swings of her own. "No way I could have gotten this good on my own!"

“I had fully intended to move onto teaching you how to handle firearms today, but I learned of disturbing news when I allowed a pegasus to attempt the use of an energy weapon for testing last week, the energy pulse from the gun interfered with their flight magic, grounding them for hours. Pair that up with the fact that bullets are not viable for this world's industry, we are kinda in deep shit.”

"Wait, what!? But they're okay, right? Oh, man… I'd hate not being able to fly, even if it was temporary," She said with a bit more worry, though her emotions thankfully had no impact on her performance, her bokken blocking my every hit, and her body dodging my every swing.

“Do not worry, they are well, and I have theories on how to use your weather magic to substitute the normal energy of the guns, then, once I have finalized my tests and found that they are safe to use for you, I will make you a second, new blade, a skycleaver, a daughter blade to my pride, Inazuma No Okori.”

I then switched up my combat style, going from a low to the earth and quick stance to a middle stance focused on defense. I parried dashies swing, disarmed her with a flick of my wrist, and caught her bokken, twirling and stopping in mid-swing with both blades, both crossed right before her midsection.

"Wha- but how did…" A single bead of sweat dripped from her brow as she gulped before sighing as her face lost its bravado instantly.

“Do not be discouraged. Remember, my body is beyond normal mortal limits. The fact that you held me off for so long is worthy of an ovation.” I smirked as I withdrew the Bokken into my inventory, before bringing out Dashies gift, a Katana wrapped in silk. “Now, her name… It came to me as the magic began to flow into it, allowing its enchantments to flare to life. Her name is Sora No Meiyo, which translates to Skies Honor.”

Eyes regaining focus, Dash looked at me with wonder before looking down at her gift. There was a glitter of anticipation in those violet eyes, yet she practiced her patience well.

I quietly unsheathed the blade as I let her look it over, trying to undo the knot without ruining the silk, as I impressed upon her early on how important it was to respect every part of the samurai's truest partner. “I used the strongest metal I could get, Otaktite, metal harvested from the ever-growing metal trees of the Oni lands.”

I smiled warmly before I continued, watching her reverently hold the sword, awe apparent on her face. “I used the forging methods I learned from the Oni to make it so that this blade is worthy of your dedication shown as my student. This blade, blessed by the priests of the Oni origin god Otakemaru, has some serious power. Do NOT misuse it.”

As the silk came off, she would see a blade of rainbow sheened metal, its blade refracting the light so that a rainbow eternally danced along its blade, even as photonegative lightning of the same colors danced within and without.

"Master I… can I truly have this? This metal alone, I learned of the price just a branch of the stuff was worth..." She asked as she looked up with concern evident on her face, "What about the others? I can't just accept this-"

I smirked. “Don’t worry, tonight all the others will find…let's just say conveniently placed... Gifts as well. I’ll let you in on a little secret, The leader of the Oni owes me some serious favors, and these gifts may have rendered us even.”

I then looked at RD, pride as her teacher filling me before I decided to ensure my job as her adoptive father was done as well. “So, are things going well with Gilda? I haven’t had an opportunity to talk with you about your girlfriend as of late.”

RD blushed, her embarrassment evident. “Oh, buck I hate it when you act like that, Master…”

“Hey, I just want to make sure she’s treating you well. I promised your folks I’d take good care of you as your caretaker. And what’d I say about calling me master all the time?” My frown began as I still felt guilty about failing to save them.

RD frowned as well, before blushing and sighing. “Look, d-dad, I know you care, and I love it that you do, it just… it feels weird, calling you anything but my master. I know you’ve been my pops for years now, but I just feel more comfortable calling you by what you are, a master of the blade, and a hero!” She smiled at me, a bashful glow on her cheeks. “You’re my hero, dad.”

I teared up a bit, before hugging RD a bit, and smiling wryly. “That’s touching and all, but it also does not answer my first question.”

RD blanked for a moment before a goofy smile adorned her lips. “W-well… she uh… she proposed.”

I stood there for what must have been a while, my mind firing on all cylinders. “I… Excuse me?”

“Gilda, she wants to marry me, and she wants to… well, she wants your blessing and is hunting for a trophy to give as a tribute in exchange.”

I nodded slowly before a massive, gleeful grin covered my face. “Well, about time she did this! She has been wanting to for a while, hell, I saw her stare at a wedding jewelry store for a straight five minutes last time she visited!”

RD blanked again before she shouted in surprise. “YOU KNEW?!”

I smirked. “It’s my job to know, I am your guardian.” I then returned Inazuma to his place in my inventory and waved for her to follow. “We need to check in on Rarity and Fluttershy. Gotta make sure they aren’t working themselves stupid trying to do their part.” I then paused, thinking a moment before snapping my fingers in realization. “Almost forgot your holster!” I pulled it out and handed it to her to attach to her belt before we got going.

"Knowing those two? It's probably exactly what they're doing," Dashie said with a giggle before sheathing her blade and following me.

Town hall, 20 minutes later

Rarity was going overboard alright, not via over glamorizing, like she did when I first met her but instead using her magic to repair any damage or wear and tear the town hall could have accrued since its last major use, long having finished making the town hall look great... She had recently developed this habit of wanting things to be just as functional and safe as they were fashionable, a great sentiment, but she has been working herself ragged in the process, even in her time off.

I sighed as Twilight, Dashie, and AJ came in behind me, Spike coming in last with a very noticeable blush still on his face as he looked at AJ.

That was… until he saw Rarity was going overboard again, an annoyed and tired look dawning on his face. Namely? A deadpan that would kill in the poker scene now adorned the mug of our favorite purple and green dragon.

"Oh joy, the squishy Marshmallow has it in her head she's, in fact, an unbreakable diamond."

Twilight looked at Spike in shock. “Spike! That was mean! I thought you two were friends!”

"Of course she's my friend," Spike replied with actual worry before steeling his gaze again as he found a ten-foot pole and began poking her in the face, "But she can't exactly be a good friend if the only place we can socialize is her hospital bed."

I smirked and failed to contain my laughter as I whispered to the girls. “They are like siblings, but he knows the best way to get her out of these new funks is to annoy her.”

Now thoroughly annoyed at the dragon, Rarity swatted the pole away with a bit of magic before climbing down, "Oh no, to think I've forced the almighty Newt of Canterlot to fuss over my health for more than two seconds," Rarity snarked. "Shall I fetch the appeasement grubs, or do you still insist on telling us you're a big strong dwagon~"

"I'm five times above your weight class, Rarity," Spike offered as he walked up to the alabaster mare with outstretched arms. The woman was wearing a black business skirt and a white button-up collared shirt, and was truly dwarfed by the dragon. "But I'm willing to let bygones be bygones and hug it out."

"Of course of cour- LOOK BEHIND YOU!" Rarity quickly shouted with palpable fear, causing the large drake to look back in shock just as he yelped. Spike, for all his snark, had been unprepared for the prim woman to tackle him before throwing him back in a suplex… right into a pile of loose fabric. "Hm, I was hoping for a thud at the very least."

Spike broke out laughing, Rarity unable to resist following suit. “Well, it seems you're out of your funk now, huh? Works like a charm~! Now stop making us think your head is full of fluff and come enjoy the festival as you deserve!”

"Ohh… but there's still so much damage left to fix!" Rarity whined as she threw her luxurious purple mane back, "What if something goes wrong and a board cracks under pressure and-"

"Rare?" Applejack spoke up as she latched both hands onto Rarity's shoulders, effectively catching her mid-pace, "Y'all are gonna need fixin' if ya don't stop and smell the apple fritters."

"I… do so love your Clan's pastries…" Rarity relented before stomping the ground, "Oohhh! Fine! I shall indulge in a short break, but only a short one!"

"That's the spirit!" Rainbow cheered as she hooked an arm around Rarity's neck, "Come on, we rest, we unwind, we enjoy ourselves, and then we can go back to bone-breaking work~"

I sighed with an amused grimace. “Or we could just continue to enjoy each other's company…” I sighed in resignation. “Anyway, anyone wanna see me meet Fluttershy? I have a feeling this will be…. awkward...”

By Fluttershy’s cottage, 20 minutes later.

Sweet fuck I was right about it being awkward. Fluttershy wasn’t being shy though, no no, she was questioning me at length for some damn reason. “Umm… Fluttershy?” I eventually interrupted. “What’s with the third degree? Have I wronged you in some way?”

"Wronged me!?" Fluttershy cried, "Are you insane!? What about all the poor defenseless woodland creatures you senselessly take control of!? How heartless can you be to harm those poor birdies, squirrels, mice, rabbits-" The usually reserved mare then went on a tangent as she made a list of every animal she ever came across that acted differently to what they should before her eyes widened in a death glare as she stared into my soul. "Let them go. Now."

I looked at her plainly, the cold look in my eyes hopefully serving as a reminder that I face the danger of death daily. “I cannot do that, I can give you my oath that I have never done more than look through their eyes. So, you say they act differently? That is the determination of purpose. You would be immensely surprised at the amount of zeal and bravery that those little guys can have when you don’t coddle them, it is honestly inspiring, to see how rewarding they find the work we do, to save the lives of the ponies that have taken care of their homes so well for years, to repay that kindness in equal measure… They love it so dearly… would you take that from them?”

Thoth, who had by this time perched on my shoulder, nodded. “To give an example, many of the animals you have seen have taken to the work as a sort of purpose, not dissimilar to your cutie marks.”

Harry, who had retired a few months back, also sat by Fluttershy, speaking in his gruff tones. “They speak true, Shy. I used to work with them, he has never treated a single soul as anything but an equal.”

I then chuckled. “And me, take them over? Never done it. They retain full motor control and agency while I merely hitch a ride, not dissimilar to a bird on a rhinoceros's back, most I have ever done was tilt a bird mid-flight, ensuring a bandit's arrow does not find purchase in the spine of a hawk, or to alert a colleague underground that blast mining shall be taking part near their burrow soon, and they should relocate.”

"But it doesn't excuse the fact you force them into harm's way!" Fluttershy argued as she started to sweat a little as she backed off, her fierce glare replaced by one of confusion.

"Come on, sugar cube. Y'all don't think yer overreacting a lil?" Applejack cut in, "Ah know I was a little spooked when Winona was a bit more active, but she's jus looking' out for the family same way Rex is."

My own gaze hardened. “You accuse me of forcing animals to do what they would rather not? Are you even aware of my process? Every single one of the animals in my network, either Thoth or I have personally questioned if they would be willing to assist. If they say no? We give them food, and head on to the next, If they say yes? We fully inform them of what it entails, and if they still say yes, we give them food, and a home in one of the many sanctuaries I have funded.”

Harry then chuckles. “Never had I thought that you could convince a beehive’s queen to set aside honey for me… those were good days, but my bones are too old now… I should leave the spy work to the spry and the young.”

I smiled at Harry. “And you have earned your rest my friend, while Fluttershy and I may be at odds now, I hope we can see past our differences in time.”

"I'm sorry, I don't think I can ever accept you using our animal friends as mindless tools." Fluttershy said harshly.

"My word, Fluttershy! That was absolutely uncalled for!" Rarity shouted.

"That's not at all what Uncle Rex is doing!" Twilight added with growing outrage.

I growled in anger at what she had insinuated. “I know you mean well, dear, but being accused of what could only be described as mass kidnapping and slavery on an unprecedented scale? You have truly upset and hurt me. I was hoping that you and I could be friends, mayhaps even bond over our mutual understanding of the free tongue. I still hope for this in fact, but right now I need time to myself. I sincerely hope we can come to be friends at a later date, lest I regret my act of generosity to you I committed, knowing how close you and Dashie are.”

I then turned and made my way to Golden Oaks, where the regional networks captain, the animal I trust most in the sector, said Pinkie was…

Oddly enough that little gator was very existential…

POV change; Fluttershy

Harry looked at me disapprovingly. “I am disappointed, little lark… He has been a force of great good for the Free folk.”

"Harry, I know he means well…" I murmured before sighing, getting frustrated at them not understanding. "But I still don't think it's right!"

Angel Bunny then came in and looked at everyone present with a bored, curious expression. “The fuck did I miss? Did somebody finally take a shit on Diamond Tiara's front lawn? Tired of that little Bitch bullying Applebloom,”

AJ grumbles. “I’d like to knock some teeth outta that prissy little filly’s mouth, after how she’s been treating Applebloom and SweetieBelle…”

Harry looked at him in shock. “You…. said something nice about another amidst all the profanity?”

Angel huffed. “Fuck off, okay? That sweet filly helped Rex feed an entire three Hatter be damned burroughs last week, just cause she wanted to be friends with me.”

Harry shrugged. “Well… Shy just made Rex leave after making her views on him known. It seems she sees him as some horrible monster that has been enslaving our kind and forcing them to risk their lives for his benefit.”

Angel was quiet for a minute, maybe two, finally his foot began to tap the floor rapidly with irritation. “Shy… You do realize he is one of the strongest proponents for the Rights of the Freefolk. Right? He is in the process of funding the creation of over THREE nature reserves worldwide, each the size of a small city, in which we Freefolk can actually live without fear of hunters.”

"I'm not going to doubt how powerful, or even how influential he is, but he's just an individual. Where is he even getting his funding from?" I questioned. I mean… there was no way, right?

Angel bunny deadpans. “Job number one, he’s the bodyguard of one Twilight Sparkle of the Scribes clan, also known as Celestia's prized pupil, ergo a high ranking noble. Job number Two, he is the new overseer of foreign relations, after unveiling the corrupt misdeeds of one Prince Blue Blood. And Job number three: He invented Nuka cola, you know, that soda that EVERYONE drinks? He gets 25% of the profits from every bottle sold. Enough said.”

AJ gets a very stern look in her eye. “Hold up… where is the rest goin, partner?”

Angel looks a little uncomfortable. “Well, 25% goes to the upkeep of production… and another 25% has been set for… okay, it was supposed to be a surprise, but he was going to help fix up Ponyville and her neighbors, as he saw that Blueblood was also siphoning upkeep funds from many small villages like ours to line his pocket… Rex has about enough funds saved up to instate an actual town guard here…”

Aj stares harder, making Angel sweat. “And whut else?”

Angel sighs. “He’s also the reason that the Nuka cola corporation has been buying mass quantities of your Clans produce. He just feeds them to his employees, tells them where they can get more too. He has been doing all in his power to help you guys profit. Hell, he’s been gunning to make you a supplier for a few new nuka corp product lines.”

Harry nods uncomfortably. “Erm... Speaking of a town guard, he also hates how vulnerable to monster attacks ponyville is! He was going to ask Celestia to instate a division of guards trained to deal with the Everfree and its beasts, namely to repel them if they are just curious, and only kill them if they try to eat citizens. He was going to offer full funding…”

AJ then starts marching off towards Golden Oaks, a determined look on her face.

Twilight looks worriedly to spike, before running after her. “What are you doing, Applejack?!”

Aj harrumphed. “I’m gonna thank that crafty sonofabitch, then I’m gonna give him an honorary spot in mah family. He ain't jus gonna be yer uncle now, woah nelly no, he’s mine too now, ya hear! Ain't nobody gonna say the Apple clan don’t pay their dues!”

I looked at everyone, even as Angel bunny and Harry went after her, concerned for... him…

I sighed, letting go of my anger. “Maybe I should apologize to him… Angel bunny might have a sailor's mouth, but he never talks up people like that without good reason...” I get up and walk after the others, making my way to Golden Oaks as well.

Rex POV, Golden Oaks Library

It was looking to be a nice party that Pinkie had prepared to welcome Twilight in her official capacity as Ponyville's resident party pony. She had even set up a few creative games based on Twilight's favorite books to read, such as a pin the tail game re-skinned after Daring DO, and an apple-bobbing tub decorated to look like Atlantis from the pony version of Star Gate, simply known as Gatekeepers.

I smiled at Pinkie and gestured to the environment. “Seems the Pinkius Pieicus has struck again!”

Pinkie giggled at the reminder of her 'Scientific' name, "Hehe, I still have the issue her study was published in framed on my wall~"

Before I could reply, AJ came in and pointed to me with a stomp of her hooves and a Fire in her eyes. “Now listen here, Rex! I’m here to tell you that you’ve earned a seat of honor in the Apple clan! I-”

I shook my head “Nope, can’t do it, pumpkin. Gotta think of the effects it would have, I’d be legally required to keep a stricter limit of how my funds from the soda business go into your farm, not to mention you’d then be related to Spike and Twilight.”

The scowling, growling Apple pony released a huff of annoyance as she held her forehead, "You crafty, bleedin heart- y'all planned this."

I nodded. “In this setup, I have the most freedom to secure the Apple clan the requisite funding to truly flourish as the settlers of Equestria should, without a certain sect of unicorn nobles present to make a fuss about favoritism that is not explicitly in their favor.”

"That's a rather… pointed criticism, darling," Rarity murmured.

"No less true," Spike added, "Canterlot politics… what can you do?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, “Kinda the status quo, this is at least not as bad as some facets of the equestrian elite. It’s a small marvel you weren’t invaded before I showed up. Most of your military was a damn joke.”

"Wait…" Twilight murmured softly in thought before looking at Rex, "Didn't you take up a position as a military instructor?"

“...maybe?” I said sheepishly, as everyone present facepalmed. “What? I don’t need sleep, and I delegate most of the business stuff to others, I just make the recipes and such for Nuka Corp, and I do the foreign affairs when the soldiers sleep!”

"Bah! No more work talk!" Pinkie declared, "We're all here to party!"

"Not for another three hours actually," Spike spoke up, earning himself his own set of looks, "What? I keep an itinerary."

I look to spike and gently flick his nose. “No itinerary, we party! We dance!” As everyone started dispersing to address to the festivities, I saw a rather unwelcome sight...namely that of a certain bratty unicorn filly giving Applebloom and SweetieBelle trouble, along with a third filly, a young orange coated pegasus filly that must have moved in recently.

I sighed and forced a smile before walking toward the four fillies, silver spoon noticeably absent. “So, what’s the rub? Why are you bugging these girls today, tin tiara?”

Biting back a snarl and putting on airs, the brat harrumphed and crossed her arms, "My name is Diamond Tiara and all I'm doing is making sure these blank flanks know their place! Not like a freak like you could ever understand of course~"

"Don't you talk about Mister Rex like that!" Applebloom snapped, "Y'all can say what ya want about us, but you best leave him out of this!"

"Or what? Will the overgrown ape start crying?" Tiara replied with a harsh smile.

I then took out a notebook and wrote down a date and time. “Please hand this to your father, scrap-hat. He will be expected to arrive with you in court after the summer sun celebration, as your guardian.”

"Excuse me!?" Tiara shouted, "What's the meaning of this!?" She continued to question as she looked at the note.

I smiled warmly. “Well, scrap trap, you have harassed an equestrian military officer via invoking a racial slur, I have met you on five different occasions, each of which you have made similar comments. Am I wrong?” Diamond Tiara opened her mouth to backpedal, but I stopped her. “No, no I am not. I will be glad to say that I’ll also likely be filing a lawsuit against your father as well, for sabotaging my business partners, one Clan Apple, for approximately ten years worth of profit via price-fixing.”

"That's- what my father has done is quite legal I'll have you know!"

"Is it though?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously.

"I have no idea what's going on," The pegasus filly murmured, "But I'm really glad I'm here today."

"Things'll get better quickly," Applebloom said with a snicker.

"You can't do this!" Tiara shouted as she started to lose her composure, "Do you know how well connected my family is!? Do you understand what will happen to this Kingdom's economy!?"

I nodded. “Indeed, your wealth is entirely familial, none of it going to the rest of clan Goldhoof, a direct violation of Equestrian law that you have been conveniently bypassing for, let’s see, oh, four generations. That, along with several other legal mishaps, is why I have been able to set all the legal groundwork for Nuka Corp to absorb your fathers’ company of barnyard bargains, along with the entirety of clan Goldhoof. Thus allowing the newly forming Bastion clan to officially gain all of those connections as its own. I thank you for making my job easier! Now, off with you, soon to be poor street urchin!”

Flabbergasted, stunned, and quite defeated, Tiara blinked before falling onto her knees in silence as she stared off into space.

"Okay, today can not get any better!" The pegasus cheered.

"Y'all want some apple fritters?" Applebloom asked the energetic girl

"Do I! Ponyville is great!"

I smirked as we made our way to the party Pinkie had planned for everyone.

That is… until Thoth alerted me to a certain Oni needing my attention. I snuck off to the merchant stalls as I whistled a jovial tune, eventually finding my old friend Hoshi no Ko, draining a tankard of Equestrian hard cider like it was water. “The taste is pleasant, I must confess, but the strength of the alcohol leaves much to be desired.”

I smirk as I look around, a plethora of drunken men laying about, snoozing off their hooch as they obviously attempted, and failed, the local bars monthly challenge. “Still the bars champion eh?”

Hoshi startled in place and turned around to see me, her face suddenly beet red, which was odd for a blue oni, let alone one of the merchant's path. “S-sir Rex, I apologize for insulting your nations liquor I-”

I patted her shoulder, her long raven black hair as silky and smooth as ever. “No problem, Hoshi, I prefer Oni made Sake, or Diamond dog whiskey myself.”

Hoshi rubbed the back of her head before nodding. “Y-yes… quite… shall we go over the particulars now, or later?”

I smiled. “Sorry, but it’ll hafta be tomorrow, got some other work that takes precedence.”

Hoshi paused before looking at me cautiously. “As your second in command, I must ask, is this work that will endanger you in any way?”

I shrugged. “Shouldn’t any more than usual.”

Hoshi pinched the bridge of her nose. “You said that when you had to fight a Kraken!”

I smirked. “Well, that was no more dangerous than any other Kraken!”

She froze. Then smacked me upside the head. “Kurutsu ta Baka! Insane and idiotic in equal measure! You need to learn to take caution!”

I shrugged, not really seeing the problem. “How was I supposed to know that Kraken ink was that flammable?”

She tossed a book at my head. “You could have read the book I gave you on the dangers of sea travel, you foolish man!”

I chuckled. “Why with how worked up you're getting, you’d think this would be some new stuff at least… How long has it been since I’ve visited Kyojin Teien?”

She answered immediately, a frown evident on her face. “Three months, two weeks, four days. You are due to meet Shuten Doji next in two weeks, at Canterlot by the way. ”

I smirked as I remembered the old man. “So, he is still looking for a disciple?”

She then snorted in amusement. “Depends, are you still saying no to his offer?”

I guffaw loudly. “Hell yes I still refuse, you think I have that kind of free time? Already going to have to delegate more business management to the clan.”

She sighed. “Then indeed, he is, shall we be off to the celebration? It should be starting soon.”

I then heard a massive crash of thunder as I felt the air cool dramatically, the night quickly rushing in. “oooor… we have work to do.” I looked at Hoshi and smiled. “You keep the townsfolk safe?”

Hoshi huffed and nodded, before shooing me away, her gauntlets already equipped and at the ready..

Golden Oaks library

Twilight was gathered with Pinkie, Rarity, AJ, RD, Fluttershy, and Spike, all of them prepping for a trip into the everfree, judging from the sound of things. “So, when were you going to come to get me?”

"Uncle Rex!?" Twilight shouted in surprise.

"We didn't know where you were," Rarity added quickly.

"Things were way too quick," Applejack continued.

"There wasn't any time," Spike spat out as he shook away the surprise.

Fluttershy looked spooked, but also looked ready to throw hands, Pinkie too.

"Well, you're here now. Let's get going," Rainbow said with quiet anger.

It was then that I noticed a gathering mob outside of the library, some in the crowd even having makeshift weapons. “She knew of the demon that took Celestia! She knew her by name! Take her, so we may find the princess!”

"Perfect," Rainbow spat as she drew her blade, "All this just because Egghead wanted to help-"

I then immediately stepped out of the library, gesturing to RD for her to stay inside. “You need to protect them.”

"But! Haaa… fine! I can't say I don't trust you, Master Rex," Rainbow relented.

I then walked out to meet the mob, a frown adorning my face as I looked to the apparent ringleader of the mob, one filthy rich. Likely as not, he was trying to take advantage of the mob’s fear to put me on the backpedal, and didn’t truly care about any of this… “So, what’s new, Filthy? Aside from your bad parenting and illegal practices costing you your business empire?”

"Who are you to criticize my parenting!?" Filthy shouted as the mob echoed some sort of shout, "And I'll have you know I-"

I cut them off quickly, not letting them finish their crock of shit. “Tutututut! I don’t care what your excuse is, mister Filthy, you are again breaking the law pending legal action according to your previous infractions, namely by inciting civil unrest and rioting. Your legal case will likely be addressed immediately after this whole debacle is over.” I looked at the gathered crowd, some of which were looking doubtful of their leader already. “You were wondering how she knew of this demon, yes? Well, this demon is Celestia's sister, fallen to a corrupting influence magicked by one Grogar the Deathless.”

The obvious reactions quickly set in;

"Celestia has a sister?"

"What no, the princess would have said something?"

"This is some sort of trick."

"Why would the princess hide that?"

"That can't be right."

“Agreed, it is not a pleasant thought, that even gods are fallible, imperfect beings wielding great power is a terrifying concept, but it is true.” I then looked at the pony who called out Twilight. “My dear niece had tried to garner assistance in her endeavor to aid the princess of the night IN HER RECOVERY! Not aiding the demon who holds her body, but the innocent soul that has been forced to watch atrocity after atrocity committed with her own hands. Tell me, would you want to be doomed to that existence? To tear down everything you had worked to build and love so dearly?”

The mob started to mumble amongst themselves, a select few (more than likely paid off by Filthy) did clamor for some bloodshed but we're quickly silenced by the surprisingly mindful and curious.

I smirked. “Well, let’s see, the night staying over long will likely increase the predators’ inherent bloodlust. So I propose you use this militia you have formed to protect the town, maybe see about someone checking on Zecora? She is in the Everfree, and a lot of her defenses against predation and evil spirits might be affected by the disruption of the solar cycle.” I smiled warmly. “I know you are all scared, but this is not the time to turn against your neighbors, this is the time to unify more than ever and protect each other. Because ponies are strongest when they work in harmony.”

"And just what will you be doing during all of this?" Filthy asked condescendingly.

“Me?” I asked knowingly. “I’ll be assisting my niece and her friends as best I can, keeping them as safe as possible while they go to try and save the fallen god from her curse.”

Filthy huffed. “I assume you think that you're some Celestia blessed hero, then? Destined for greatness perhaps?” I saw the intent of his words, to anger me into misspeaking and giving him credibility with the mob he had gathered. “Well, what’s your reply to this, hmm?”

I paused thoughtfully at this remark. “There is no such thing as a hero, just someone with the nerve to do the right thing. Just as there are no real villains, but people who only think they can do the cruel, or wrong thing. Good people do bad, bad people do good. No one is 100% either way, they’d be insane then.”

I then smiled warmly at Filthy. “Here’s hoping you earn back your fortune fair and square, Richie. I would love to see you become a better person… Now, let’s split up and get to doing what we need to do.”

Trials and Tribulations [Edited]

I was making good time with the girls, Spike and Thoth both having stayed behind to guard the town and its surroundings in case of any predators from the everfree getting ideas. We had gone into the forest with relatively little going on so far, albeit there was minute interference from Nightmare Moon, but I could also feel Luna's magic mixed in with those interferences, making each trial and tribulation sent our way to reinforce the girls' friendship. Although, it was disconcerting to see the manticore so easily tamed by Fluttershy’s kindness.

Indeed, everyone was acting the part of their element perfectly, until we got to a ravine that seemed to have the ropes cut recently… something felt… off. “RD, blade at the ready, but can you reconnect the bridge? It feels like whatever corrupted Luna did the same to something here, and that worries me…”

"Good call, Uncle Rex," Twilight commented, "Dark magic is at play… necromancy if I had to guess, though I really hope I'm wrong."

"You got it, boss~" Rainbow replied with a cheeky grin and a mock salute before diving down for the hanging bridge.

As Rainbow Dash lifted up the bridge and began to tie the first rope, she suddenly perked up her ears and looked behind her. “You can come out now, I can hear you!”

As she said this, a magical mist rose up and blocked any sound from me and the girls from reaching her. I sighed and waited at the bridge, the girls looking on nervously. “How can you be so confident? Dashie is in danger!” Fluttershy asked incredulously.

"Ah wouldn't worry bout er'," Applejack spoke up, "Trainin' with those two is like watchin' a pony sprint a marathon."

I smirked. “And because if three opponents freshly formed from shadow magic are enough to stop any of my students, then I have failed as their sensei.”

RD POV

I was surrounded, the dark magic forms of the shadowbolts making the grass wilt beneath them. “Leave them, and you shall be rewarded, Rainbow Dash, with wealth and glory as our masters herald!”

I looked at the leader of this trio and smirked, barely hiding my anger at them even attempting this tactic. I then recalled Rex’s lessons on anger and how it makes a swordspony sloppy, and sighed, using the breathing techniques Rex showed me to keep my temper under control, I smirked. “And if I say no?”

The shadowbolts sneered, barely masking the pain behind their eyes. “Then we shall kill you, and raise you as our pawn!”

I stood there calmly, my anger at their threats soon replaced by a calm fury. “Tell me, do you have names?” I asked.

The shadowbolts scoffed. “What use is a name for a shadow? We are Shadowbolts, no more, no less.”

There, there it was, the last glint of who they were before, struggling against this dark magic. You could see it in their eyes… I have to free them from this… this pain. “I gotta say no, sorry about that...”

The shadowbolts grinned, their inner selves screaming and pounding against their prisons. “Then we shall sup on your flesh, and raise your shadow to serve instead! The honor of servitude is inescapable. None may flee their shadow!”

My smirk became strained as they sent what looked like black feathers after me, which I barely dodged by the skin of my teeth, the feathers lodging into the ground behind me and turning the ground a sickly grey color. I had to be careful, or else I might not walk out of this in one piece…

Time to get serious.

“Shadows give honor?” I asked as I dashed to the front-most enemy, slashing with my blade clean through their head before dazing another foe with a pommel strike, the third quickly taking to the air for an attack from above.

“Your sin is Grievous deceit!” I then exclaimed, dodging a kick from behind, using my blade to catch them in mid-air and slice off their right arm and wing, black ichor flowing from the wound in the place of blood, the liquid falling to the ground below and turning the grass a wispy black.

“Loyalty unsold!” I then took to the air myself, flying behind the two before stabbing downwards with all my might through the eye of the dazed shadowbolt, and through the heart of the crippled one.

As I saw them dissipate, I cleaned my partner with a quick gust of wind from my wings, then sheathed her in her scabbard. “May your souls find rest before the next venture.” I then sighed and went back to re-tie the ropes on the bridge.

Rex POV

I smiled as the bridge rose from the mists, becoming a sturdy means across once more. “See? Dashie did right by us, she ain't the kinda girl to leave her friends in the lurch.”

"WOO! GO DASHIE!!" Pinkie cheered as she practically bounced up and down and held a pair of pom poms.

"Of course, senseless violence," Rarity commented, "I'm sure a certain dragon we know would have lapped this… display up in its depraved entirety."

Flutershy, however, looked horrified, even as the other girls nodded in agreement. “H-how could you praise this? She MURDERED them!”

I then looked Shy in the eyes. “No, she freed them. They were trapped in dark magic copies of who they were, unable to even resist the dark magic making them into bloodthirsty abominations. RD likely saw that they were suffering, and strove to free them.” I sighed sadly before continuing. “Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do, is to let someone rest.”

Pinkie's hair had darkened and straightened out at some point after Shy's outburst, "He's right, actually… if a pony can't feel… or if all they feel is hurt… it's not really a life, is it?"

I then smiled at Pinkie, giving her a tickle to the ribs. “That’s why the world needs gals like you, Pinks. To make the hurt stop, and bring in the fun!”

Pinkie looked up with a bit of surprise at this, smiling softly as her cheeks seemed to burn red, "My gran gran… she was poisoned by a bite from an everfree shutter-snake one day. Living just… stopped being living for her."

Shy fell silent at that, seemingly understanding our words, but not liking the truth in them. She proceeded with the rest of the girls, a frown on her face as she was deep in thought.

It was not long before the pegasus in question flew back, her blade being spun rather playfully before it was sheathed with slow care, "And that takes care of that~"

"Rather brutal, wasn't it darling?" Rarity questioned with a raised brow, the rainbow-maned pony rolling her eyes.

"Aw shucks, don't y'all listen to her none," Applejack dismissed, "Ah've seen her do worse to old mannequins."

I chuckled knowingly. “Not to mention Old Earl, hmm? That old bot takes a helluva beating~!”

Several shouts and hollering ensued;

"Don't y'all bring up that varmint!"

"Hitting him doesn't even get him to shut up!"

"He insulted my sweets!"

"Happy place Twi, happy place!"

"There aren't enough sharpened gemstones in the world!”

"Why was he even made!?"

I snickered as Pinkie, even though a little miffed, was now less focused on the sad memories. “Because You needed someone you could beat senselessly to get a feel for your combat style. Rude or not, he definitely helped your combat skills, am I right?”

As we crossed the bridge, the girls all mumbled a hesitant agreement, and we made our way to the castle in relative silence.

"Uncle Rex? Any ideas on how to proceed?" Twilight asked with a serious and focused tone.

I nodded, looking to the shrine in the center of the room, the dormant Elements of Harmony sitting in their individual places of honor. Oddly enough this world gave each Element a statue instead of there just being one, and each statue depicted what were apparently the first wielders of these elements.

Vamponies, Lycans, Oni, Satyrs, Dryads, and even Kitsune, they all were the chosen wielders of these elements in times long past, their descendants and apostles making statues to honor them, along with their successors.

This was Harmony, so strong here that there was an almost holy aura to this place...

“Each of you, stand in front of a statue, and Twilight, focus on the feeling this place gives you, let it speak to you, through you even.”

Each of the girls took a spot in front of their respective element, and Twilight knelt, a few moments passed before a loud rumble shook the foundation of the old castle, Twilight's eyes beginning to glow with magical overflow. “Spirits of Harmony, we entreat thee, grant us thine blessing…”

The statue of the Oni was the first to move, looking down at Pinkie and smiling warmly. “Child of Laughter, thine goal to see the smiles of thy loved ones hath been reinforced, with a desire to protect the ability to do so. My blessing is given.”

The statue of the Lycan then looked down to RD with a feral grin. “Child of Loyalty. Your Blood burns with a Loyal flame for thine comrades. Your bonds to thine allies are thine strength, never let thy convictions fade. My blessing is given.”

Next was the Satyr, who wryly smirked at AJ “Child a Honesty, ye have the soul of an Honest worker, and an Honest heart, ye tell the truth even when it makes your life harder… My blessing is given.”

Then, the Vampony gave a Graceful smile, her fangs barely showing as she looked upon Rarity. “Child of Generosity, thy goal to give until all prosper is a noble one. My blessing is given.”

After that, the Dryad smiled warmly at Fluttershy. “Child of Kindness, thy bravery in defending your animal friends, and openness to learning of Rex after your first impression…It does this auld timberlings heart a good turn it does... My blessing is given.”

Finally, the Kitsune looked to Twilight with a motherly love apparent. “Child of Magic, thine study of the Arcane almost endangered thy connection to the beauty of working with others, but you overcame this hurdle, and many after, proving to be a true friend. My Blessing is Given.”

I thought this would be it, but instead, the statues all looked to me as they all began to glow. “Child of Man, take care of our descendents. We give you all our blessing, and may you protect the Harmony of these lands!” The statues burst, and glowing orbs flowed into the girls, each one partially taking on features of the statue behind them as Nightmare Moon appeared, a look of shock on her face.

“The Elements, they have fused with you all! Nevermind, I will just have to crush you all into dust along with the Elements!”

I drew a pistol from my side, firing a stun shot right at Nightmare moon, temporarily paralyzing her. “I don’t think so, these girls are my charges, and I won’t let you or anyone else hurt them!”

Nightmare Moon growled. “How is this possible, what sorcery is it that allows you to bind a goddess such as I?!”

I smiled. “Not magic, just some old fashioned technology.” I looked at the girls, them still charging up their Elements. Seems that I was still needed. “Well, let’s see how my magic works on ya, if you want it so bad!”

I then focused on Nightmare, readying several weakening spells to go off in unison with a binding curse chaser, using all of my magical energy in one huge blast of arcane spellwork. After initiating the set, Nightmare’s movements became even more strained. “Curse you, foalish warrior! I will make you bleed!”

I smirked as the girls finally finished charging the spell, the arcane energy surging past me as I chuckled. “Not likely.” And with that, Nightmare Moon was cleansed from Luna, and the darkness of night gave way to day.

Unlike in the show, the girls were all exhausted by the magic they used, them all sweating profusely, too tired to notice their clothes had changed for the time being, even as Celestia was freed from her imprisonment below the castle. “So, should we let the other nations know that we have newfound hybrids of their kind in need of lessons?”

Celestia smiled tiredly, the haunted look in her eyes quickly replaced with an overjoyed expression at seeing Luna free. “Later, now we let them rest, and I reunite with my dearest sister, who-” A fairly quick, but tiny fist connected with Celestia's chin.

"Blind fool!" Luna decried, fists shaking in anger, "I can't believe you didn't immediately smite Grogar where he stood! Ugh… you and your weakness to older stallions… what's with you and the elderly anyway?"

"They're just so cute and adorable with their crinkly little faces and squinty eyes~" Celestia whined.

"I can achieve the same thing in a prolonged bath!" Luna chided.

"What… is happening right now?" Rainbow asked.

"I… I don't know," Rarity murmured, "I am just as lost as you."

"Hey Rexxie?" Pinkie asked, "What did you mean by mixed ancestry?"

I smirked, gesturing to them. “Well, it seems some dormant ancestry has woken up in your bodies, welcome to the life of the multicultural, ladies!”

The group all blinked in unison before several and varied reactions left them

Pinkie was bouncing from corner to corner, cheering excitedly about her newfound ancestral family.

Applejack looked incredibly perplexed and paced in a circle as she tried to comprehend how her family tree went from a mythical beast to ponies.

Twilight, wide-eyed and excited, went a mile a minute as she spoke endlessly of unseen possibilities.

Fluttershy looked thoughtful, though hid a giddy giggle as she inadvertently achieved one of her dreams.

Rainbow looked down at her left hand, clenching and releasing the fist as conviction welled within her heart.

Rarity however… Rarity was sitting on the floor, eyes wide in shock as she held her head.

"Something wrong, sugarcube?" Applejack asked as she walked up to Rarity.

"Everything… it all makes sense now…" Rarity whispered as Applejack grew more worried by the second, "I… I… I. AM. FABULOUS!~" She practically declared as if a mighty warrior standing over a cliff side.

"That's ah… guess that's one take away from ah'll this," Applejack murmured as she backed away.

"As miffed as I am that I didn't get anything, Rarity's ears actually look kinda fluffy now," Spike spoke up, causing everyone to flinch.

"When did you get here!?" Rarity shouted before going pale, "AND WHAT IN HARMONIES NAME HAPPENED TO YOUR SUIT!?"

Spike looked sheepishly away, "I came in with Celestia, she called me telepathically and teleported me in… and I'd just like to say it wasn't my fault!"

All that truly remained of Spike's suit had been a tattered sleeve still attached to a buttoned collar and horribly shredded pants that now looked like shorts.

"Wasn't your, what did you do you mindless drake!?" Rarity questioned, "Throw yourself into a wheat grinder!?"

"Is Rarity always this… loud?" Celestia asked with worry.

"Just with Spike," Rainbow replied, "It's kinda funny how much they act like a married couple."

"Mind repeatin' that?" Applejack asked firmly, eyes squinting into a glare as Rainbow backed away.

I smirked, reviewing the records of the animals that had been observing ponyville, before breaking up the fight. “He’s telling the truth, Spike took a hit from a hydra, spat an acid blast straight for Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. They were hiding together with that new girl Scootaloo, and the hydra found them. Spike beat it to near death, then the Hydra tried to flee and lobbed the acid to buy time. Spike leaped in the way and took it full on.”

"You did that for Sweetie?" Rarity asked softly, surprise in her eyes.

"Ah'm torn between huggin' ya tah death or just plain killin' ya," Applejack said in a mix of anger and worry, "On tha one hand, ya'll saved my sis. On the other…" She then promptly swung a fist down on his head, Spike's head shaking like a bell, "YA COULD HAVE DIED YA BRAINLESS NEWT!"

"Okay okay! I'm sorry!" Spike shouted as he rubbed his head, "Plus, it was no big deal. They were in danger and… and I survived."

"SPIKE!" Twilight shouted as she rushed the dragon, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him repeatedly, "Do you know how dangerous hydra acid is!? How did you even stop it without it melting off half of your body!? Where did it even go?"

After shaking away the vertigo, Spike looked at me and then back to Twilight before looking at me again.

I nodded sagely. “It’s time for them to know what happened when we unlocked your dragon magic.”

"Magic?" Twilight quickly asked as she pulled Spike down and sat on the floor with his head on her lap, "What's this about magic?"

"Uhh… I unlocked some power?" Spike asked more than said as Twilight started to open his eye lids, checked his teeth, ran a finger along his scales, reviewing his every detail for any minute change.

"Explain in detail," Twilight said calmly as she began to tap his spines.

I stepped in, saving Spike from having to talk magic theory with Twilight. “So, you know the fact that every creature in this reality needs magic to function, and that every living thing has a spiritual core of sorts that generates it for them as well as a secondary core for absorption of mana, known as the sun and moon principal due to how the two cores look when observed on the magical spectrum?”

Twilight nodded, looking at Spike's muscle structure. “Yes, what of it?”

I smiled sadly. “Spikes Sun core, the generator, was working at base speed, barely trucking along at what could be called five percent of his potential safe production. So I bumped it up. I gave him the mana that I produced in excess, via a self-made program used with my cyberware to amp up his mana production. I call it an awakening. His power went from five to fifty percent instantly. That’s when he had his growth spurt, two years ago, we have been training up his powers and his control since his actual percentage has gone down, not because his power has decreased, but because his control has doubled. He’s at about thirty five percent capacity at baseline now.”

"And you both failed to contact me about this beforehand because?" Twilight asked as she eyed me critically.

I frowned. “Because if I didn’t, he’d have died from mana deficiency at the age of twenty. Dragons are supposed to live for thousands of years, easy... Twilight, he wouldn’t even live to full adulthood if I didn’t step in… the thought of that happening to my nephew made me panic, you two are like kids to me, I don’t want you to miss out on life for any reason.”

Twilight looked at Spike with regret and worry, the dragon smiling awkwardly and shrugging, "So… what did the awakening do?" Twilight asked.

“Well,” I chuckled. “He became a beefcake for one, for two, he has the ability to absorb, incorporate, and learn techniques for various magical abilities native to creatures inherently, and three, he’s got a healing factor that lets him regenerate from nothing but crushed bones.” My face darkened. “Don’t worry, we made the Ettin that crushed him pay dearly.”

"Spike? Why didn't you ever tell me about this?" Twilight asked with a bit of hurt.

"I didn't want to worry you too much," Spike replied as he slowly rose, "Also, it's kind of hard to just up and say hey, mom. I have regenerative super powers now."

"Oh my gosh," Pinkie whispered before exploding, "SPIKE IS A SUPER HERO!"

I raised an eyebrow at Pinkie, observing her cores for a moment. It was at the same percentage as Spike, now, roughly the same darkness of the moon core as well… “Pinkie, do me a favor, hit a wall, gently. Just a playful slap.”

Pinkie gave a mock salute, tongue sticking out before high fiving the wall… the mass of stone exploding outwards in a sea of gray shrapnel. Looking down at her hand, her skin went pale as her hair straightened out, "I could have high fived somepony with that hand…"

I then looked at RD, and the rest of the girls. “You all have awoken to the blessings of your heritage, that means your faster, stronger, and more magically potent than you have ever been, not only by the margin that a normal genetic heritage activation would allow, but the elements also put you through an extremely improved awakening spell, putting you even with me and Spike after we awoke and trained for two years.”

The girls all looked at Pinkie and the hole that had just been a wall before going pale themselves.

"We need to learn proper control," Twilight spoke calmly.

"Control!? How do we control that!?" Rainbow argued.

"Now now darling, it shouldn't be impossible," Rarity urged.

"So wut? We all just walk on eggshells till then?" Applejack questioned.

I walked to the wall opposite pinkie, this wall made of much harder sturdier rock, as it was unworn by the elements due to its placement, gently clearing my throat to gain their attention. I then knocked a single knuckle against the wall, letting a brief pulse of my max power go to my finger as I did so. The resulting blast made even Celestia pale at the destruction; a few miles of forest flattened past the wall, the trees somehow already regrowing. “So what are we gonna do after the princesses go home? I have a feeling that some… training is in order? Don’t worry, no animals were harmed Fluttershy, I know for a fact. I scanned for the entire time that you were panicking. ”

The girls and dragon went absolutely pale at the mention of training.

"No," Spike whispered.

"You can't do this to us!" Twilight continued.

"Happy place, happy place," Rainbow murmured as she held herself.

"Anything but that! No no no!" Rarity shouted.

"Please don't let it be that, please don't let it be that," Fluttershy pleaded as she held onto Applejack, the farm girl staying quiet as she looked at Pinkie Pie rolling on the floor in a fetal position.

“That’s right, we are training with Old Earl!”

The collective yell of 'NOOOO!!' rocked the foundation of the castle as Celestia and Luna blinked.

"Who or what is an 'Old Earl?" Luna asked.

"This is also the first I heard of this," Celestia added.

I smirked. “Oh… You will learn quite well...After all, I had to offer to bring you along for Shuten Doji to allow us to use his secluded realm.”

Both the princesses went chalk white levels of pale… “Shuten Doji...y-you mean… the Oni creator god’s chosen, Shuten Doji?” I nodded, and the two promptly screamed before feinting, fear on their faces.