In a blink of an eye, the six of them found themselves at the doorstep of Ponyville. Morning Dew split away from their group as they came into town and said his goodbye with a bitter and morose tone to a surprise everypony around. The others didn’t protest and let him go back home.

Everypony in Ponyville knew of Spike and of the three fillies which were walking ahead of the Great Mage, separated by an arm’s reach from one another. Nonetheless, they had to cope with the gaze of everypony around as if they were someponys’ other than themselves. The four familiar to the town younglings were at the center of attention because of the guest they had brought with them. Everypony looked at the new character who entered the town. Who could blame them?

His eccentric look sparked the interest of Zecora and Spike earlier, and the citizens of Ponyville were no different. The mane, the posture, the unordinary horn, which all spoke of non-pony ancestry, was like a magnet for their attention. The citizens knew he was equine, or at least mixed, unorthodoxy which composed the core of his otherness played a major role as to why everyone looked their way. Other species? Normal! The world is large, who knows what hides out there... but to meet a different equine race hardly anypony knows the name of challenged the knowledge of everypony looking.

Then there was the other, special for Ponyville element that co-shaped the mentality of the villagers. The fact that bad stuff tends to happen together with something new appearing in town; A body can take shots of different drugs and chemicals, and with the injections, the body builds tolerance, but there are points where there's just too much. Fear sowed the thought that it might be it this time.

A sudden feeling of shame drowned and stifled the majority’s presupposition and arising from it slowly hostility against the stranger. The ponies remembered who lived with them in this town. The beautiful sparkling glow of the Castle of Friendship disciplined their minds and hearts as many ponies looked its way after their refreshing second thought.

So, as well the Great Mage had his own opinion on the town and the villagers which gave him unwanted attention. The Great Mage put himself in comparison to the inhabitants of the small city.

How could he not receive stares, while towering over most? If he was like them, a Pony and not something different, whatever he was, he could endure it. To blend in with the locals was impossible, no society would accept such an oddball relatively quickly, and he had practical proof from the past to be sure of this. Any try would end up the same way a proposition to an Elf to marry a Goblin. Very fucking bad.

When his eyes went over the colorful populace, they quickly went back to doing whatever they were occupied with as he walked by. This told him that he was not seen as someone hostile, they were curious.

He felt awkward among the sentient multicolored Ponies. He still couldn’t believe that what he was witnessing was true. But it was not due to being surrounded by individuals belonging to a different species, he was accustomed to that already, the guilt for that laid in the hands of the radiating welcoming atmosphere and candy-like smell in the air. It wasn’t too invading, or insisting to the point of summoning the feeling of skepticism to doubt what he saw, it was gentle.

This discomfort originated from his own, already adjusted for the invasion he was about to take part in, mindset. He marched for war, he was prepared to face a deadly conflict, his guidance would lead many to die in hopes for victory. It took serious mental preparations, although not intended directly, but subconsciously, he knew he mustn’t discard that attitude.

The land of the ponies was at peace and lived through its time of prosperity and progress, from what he could guess, seeing that none of the ponies seemed to look poor or badly nourished, unhappy or even stressed.

Happiness spread from one corner of the city to the other, with the sunlight shining at the clean city and making it so the town shimmered in its lively colors, as if it itself was living a life. The Great Mage couldn’t but also feel light while surrounded by the cozy mood that the town created.

While traversing the city, the four of them saw three guards carrying halberds, wearing their armor with pride. They belonged to the regiment which was dispatched to protect Twilight and were currently using the moment to spend time in the town while on their patrolling duty. Their coats were painted white, telling everyone but the Great Mage that the three soldiers followed tradition. They looked towards Spike, recognizing him and the three fillies, which almost everypony in town heard of already.

The guards eyed the stranger, their heads moved up little by little as the five came closer in order to look straight into the eyes of the - unknown to them - Great Mage.

Spike, seeing that he could use his own privileges, which happened rarely, didn’t want to waste the opportunity. They came up, and the Guards had to turn their way fully, especially to greet Spike the dragon, the advisor to Princess Twilight.

The Great Mage took his time and put the effort in trying not to chuckle at the brass layered armors of the guards which looked as if made from gold. They were stylish and fit them elegantly, as they were made from many small parts and plates which allowed for mobility but required more effort to equip. The crests were made from the manes of the guards which stuck out by the looks of it and had to be held upward by some hair product.

Before the time came to engage in a conversation the Great Mage spoke, still a fine distance away “ Why are we going towards them?”

“I was wondering too” Scootaloo followed.

“Me as well” Sweetie Belle reinforced the two.

“Same with me” Apple Bloom ended.

“Don’t worry, it’s mainly about them” Spike said and looked at the cutie mark crusaders.

“What?” They spoke in unison.

“I must report to Twilight what happened, and making her summon Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack to the castle, because it’s inevitable considering what occurred, just so that the three of you can get a lecture from both her and them is something I think you’d gladly avoid and just deal with each one separately. I’m more than sure you got your lesson already. ”

“And you want to send them away to their sisters with one of them?”

“Yes, as a reminder not to hide it from them.”

“We wouldn’t dare!” Scootaloo protested.

“I doubt that” Spike retorted.

Eventually, they came close enough and the guards hailed them.

“Is something wrong?” The one to the left asked.

“No, but I’d like to ask a favor.”

The three of them looked at Spike with slightly squinted eyes, giving him an insightful and hopeful look while their brows formed perfect aces. The Great Mage knew this look, showing the fake hunger to help, a virtue calling aspect of fake vocation to perform an altruistic deed - These guards were professional ass-lickers that saw a chance to gain something by helping out Spike.

Even here, in a free from war exhaustion land that breathes with what seemed to be pure harmony, creating almost an ideal Arcadian landscape, the devious and abhorred elements of the world make themselves known.

For the Great Mage it was refreshing seeing something he had to deal with every day, any familiarity with his home soothed his nerves and was plainly good if it even was right and decent to call something as negative that word.

“What is it? We’ll help gladly!” The colleagues besides nodded

“I need Scootaloo” Spike faced her, “Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle” he did the same when he mentioned them “ Escorted back home”

“No problem! We know who - “ The soldier looked at Apple Bloom and reconsidered what he was about to say “ - their guardians are.”

The Great Mage’s ears moved slightly downwards without his knowledge of it happening as he heard the word, giving the fillis an honest, wistful look.

“Who doesn’t.” Spike commented, “What are your names by the way?”

The one speaking constantly answered first “I’m elder private Curt Canter”

The Great Mage tilted his head when he heard the name.

“And this is private Solid Crystal and Heavy Swing”

The Great Mage found himself lost on the way to understand the way names work in this world and how Ponies give them. Intuition told him nothing, and he had no books to get knowledge from. Apple Bloom was related to Applejack, and indeed, her coat and mane resembled the colors of specific apples, and her sister also had the fruit referenced in her name. Sweetie Belle and Rarity had nothing in common, other than perhaps that barely ever anyone who could be described in their adulthood as a sweetie belle, would be born which ties itself with rarity.

“I’ll try and remember you guys.” Spike looked at the Cutie Mark Crusaders “ Until next time!” They parted with a quick hug.

The CMC turned towards the Great Mage and thanked him once more, as they went their ways with each guard, before of course also group hugging themselves, they waved back and the Great Mage responded the same way, choosing to be kind but remaining modest and ending it quickly.

Spike and he headed towards the castle. The Great Mage still was the major attraction in town, as each new part of the city was discovered by him. The homes closer to the Palace seemed older and weren’t as well cared for. The wood at the bases or under the sticking-out roofs was rotten, while vines and plants grew maliciously around the houses and some climbed up all the way to the windows. Others had pieces falling off them, leaving nasty holes of grey concrete bear to see or the gutters were touched by rust and were close to falling off.

The Great Mage frowned at the sight of this, not because of the conditions, but because this esthetical sacrilege was allowed so near the crystal palace! But what did he expect? Nobility to care? Some do, rarely, but nobility itself was nothing more but locust, a fake bourgeois class with privileges.

They eventually approached the bridge, which made a great impression upon the Great Mage. Two guards were stationed to protect the entrance. Seeing somepony important coming, like mayor mare, didn't require any special procedures unless there was somepony accompanying the special individual.

Spike, other than living in the castle, which didn’t release anypony from the obligation to be checked by the fact they lived there, was Twilight’s right-hand pony...Dragon. The instructions were always unclear about him, and what should they do when Spike comes with somepony foreign. Why should they question the decision of one of the closest to Twilight members of the castle? On the other hand, Spike was susceptible to committing errors as he still was just a growing Dragon.

This time, they couldn’t be liberal about it. The guards never saw a creature the looks of which were so equine but also so dissident.

“Stop!”

Spike was startled by the reaction, the Great Mage suspected it would happen. Insofar the Ponies have organized themselves well in his eyes, it’d be a shame if they were as clumsy as to allow a complete stranger into the castle without any interference. The number of guards at the entrance, which was two, plus the campsite he could see, which was relatively alright in size, was still not enough for his taste. Either the Princess didn’t care for safety or this land has not been at war for a long enough period to drop the idea of investing into walls.

“ No! He’s a good guy! There’s no need for a check-up.”

One of the guards, with a bronze coat and grey-blue mane, responded “I’m sorry, sir Spike, but procedures exist for a reason. “ He turned towards the Great Mage “ Your companion doesn’t have to be worried if there is nothing to hide. ”He spoke gently and without any hostility in his voice, making it a sign of goodwill.

The Great Mage put his brow up at the last words. Again, something familiar and relatable, and what many would describe as tyrannical, introduced itself to him in this world. Maybe it’s not as good as it looks...But this digression was meaningless without more knowledge, he focused back on reality.

He used this argument many times before as well, and many before him and after him will as well say it, directly or not. With the difference that he was trying to be as close as he could be to the people whom he made the guarantee to. Many opportunities to root out potential enemies were lost as he kept this promise, trying to create the image of an honest state official. The balance turned to be positive most of the time in the long run, as long as he was honest and kept the promise. He wondered if the Ponies keep their word or use it just as a simple brutal tool.

“It's alright, do what you must.” The Great Mage spoke calmly. It was pointless to start any fuss around this.

The guardpony called for his colleague who was a unicorn. He approached swiftly and placed his halberd on the butt of the pole. The weapon stood in place perfectly, held by magic, as a faint disseminating aura of the metaphysical force hovered around the weapon visible only to experts.

This triggered a thought while the unicorn prepared to cast a surveillance spell.

“Why would anyone want to spend time and effort to do that on a halberd?”

The unicorn cast his spell, bright azure light, with stripes of gold and lanky stripes of bright red, almost pink, enveloped the whole body of the Great Mage, a chilly feeling from the tip of his head to the bottom of his feet swallowed the whole of him, taking him by a small surprise. Spike watched and waited, while the two guards observed the Great Mage with gimlet eyes.

The spell wasn’t in any way advanced, but it was strong while remaining still in the range of average spells. The sound was quick and organized but also harsh but not loud. The smooth texture of magic told him the spell was stable. Since it required some time to cast, he knew that the spell probably also possessed intelligence, meaning it did a few tasks at once to achieve the purpose for which it was made, to name a couple: The wavy manner of how the magic around him swirled tried to find enchantments on him, the chilly sensation worked like a nullifying type spell etc.

“Not bad”

The Great Mage was liberated from the mildly cold feeling as the spell disintegrated, leaving him the way he was before it was cast. The guard ponies nodded and stepped aside, giving them a clear message that they could go into the castle.

“Welcome to Princess Twilight’s Castle. “

Spike and the Great Mage without haste walked the bridge, while on the way, Spike and the Great Mage started a conversation.

“So, why did you start traveling?”

The Great Mage anticipated he’d have to answer this question sooner or later, but there was no need to worry. In such a case, it's best to use a book, an already-read story by a good writer as a foundation for a fake identity. A lie may be hard to improve with time the more frequently new parts and information are added to it.

However…

The Great Mage turned towards Spike. A second passed, and he already had the answer prepared in his mind. The unique circumstances in which he found himself in and the reasons as unique as the ones for why he was here, made him rethink his position. His stay here will last some time no doubt.

If he’ll have to reveal his identity, it’d be best to also feature some truth in his fake self’s identity to show he was trusting and play it diplomatically. Besides, there’s no better story than one’s own to tell.

“I was looking for a new place to stay while seeking some adventures along the route.“

“Did something happen that forced you to do it or was it simply because of a need to travel?”

“Some family issues played a role in it and the place where I lived itself was…” He stopped, and gave Spike a questionable look “...Unfriendly”

Spike turned sad when he heard what the Great Mage said: “Sorry to hear that, but if it helped you, then there’s reason to celebrate.” He said with a soulful tone at first but his mood got brighter at the end.

The Mage felt bleak, recognizing some of the traits that Spike possessed after the response: kindness, integrity, and possessing large amounts of empathy. These tenets were probably the reason why Spike was discarded as an unhealthy egg. Dragons were intelligent even if they were rather feral, not much is known, but the fact they could sense weakness before the hatching was a popular theory among scholars.

“Yeah it did, it built my character, in good and probably bad ways as well.”

“I’m sure more for the good side, you risked your life back there in the Everfree Forest.”

The complement was taken by the mage without bitter feelings. To count how many times his egoistic or sinister actions were taken as a token of a golden heart, to make him immune to not to feel like a fish out of water, was impossible due to the sheer number. He did it for both pure gain, because of his mission and lastly because of his duty to help. If it endangered his return back to Ardania to help the invasion, he wouldn’t have done it.

“Thanks, Spike”

With that, they appeared before the large doors that lead inside the castle. The Great Mage took notice that the castle from a distance looked slightly less large than it really is. Spike in the meantime took one of the brass rings of the gate, and knocked on the doors.

One of the guards opened them for him and the Great Mage. The guards weren’t surprised or seemed to care to see someone new, as it wasn’t their business.

The Great Mage followed Spike inside, and as soon as the doors closed behind the Great Mage was shaken by the beauty of the interior.

The floor was clean and shining, the surface was straight and even, working like a mirror which allowed him to see his reflection. On the floor before him, from where the stairs started all the way up to the doors laid a carpet, with the color scheme similar to that of the inside. The stairs which led upwards were decorated with various ornaments, as were the pillars holding the roof, windows and the walls inside. The imagery of flowers, chaotic in design, but made from beautiful and esthetic lines decorated the walls in mesmerizing patterns. The lamps were made from brass to look like they were golden, if not actually gold, designed to be quirky and almost resembling calligraphy in looks.

“Your Princess has a stunningly beautiful castle to live in. To say it's majestic, would be not a basic compliment like many people tend to say to each other, but stating a fact. “

“People?” Spike repeated in his thoughts.

“Canterlot has a lot of equally beautiful places, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, Manehattan etc. as well. You might wanna visit these cities.”

The Great Mage turned towards him and answered half truthfully “I’ll see to it.”

Without the need to mention it, the Great Mage followed the Dragon, towards where Princess Twilight probably resided. The Great Mage allowed himself to eulogize over the interior as they moved onward.

It was beautiful, but also costly. Maintenance alone must cost a fortune. This is why he disliked nobility with his whole heart. So much could have been built or done if the money spent on this was in the hands of people like himself, - as much as selfish as it sounds it was simply true.

The two of them walked through a large portion of the castle, but the Great Mage had no chance to view most of the rooms they passed by. In the end, their tour ended in the meeting chamber where the Cutie Map laid.

Spike called Twilight by name, yelling her name after he couldn't find her anywhere else. The Great Mage was blindsided by that. Even when you are friends with someone above you, for the sake of showing respect before the guest, and to honor the person acting as the monarch, and the title, or office, proper etiquette must be followed strictly.

How is a monarch, or anyone in that matter, supposed to have any authority and be respected by others if the ponies will see this?

The Great Mage has gotten infuriated by the brazen action, but he didn’t put much value to it, and let it go at once settling his short-lived aggravation to rest. It was just a comment, a mental note. He’s seen worse around himself by his own staff.

He approached the Cutie Map, which was just a crystal table in his eyes. He felt a great deal of magic coming out from the Cutie Map. He brushed the top of his fingers along the crystal edge, feeling the raw, pure, abysmal but peaceful in its behavior magic. The edge was smooth and not in any way sharp.

“ Just what are you? ‘

In his tower, from where he prepared to cast powerful spells, some of which bend the laws of nature under magical pressure, he used many tools and enchanted furniture or spellcasting equipment - like his lost spear - and this, he theorized, served a similar purpose.

The large crystal seats around, each with its own emblem at the top of the backrest, probably were reserved for other mages, which were probably unicorns, but it might be there are normal ponies and pegasuses which also have magical abilities. The chamber was small considering its an important role, it was located in the castle and close to homes. The princess was playing a risky enough game, to call it idiotic.

“Spike?”

The Great Mage turned toward the large entrance he and Spike came through, as he heard a young female voice, sweet in texture and tone. The mage took a humble stance and prepared to meet the princess. Usually, an encounter with a noble ended unwell for the noble, but this time, he was the one who was in an inferior position.

He didn’t have to wait long. Princess Twilight walked into the chamber with a hasty pace, looking happy at first, since her eyes were aiming at Spike.

She was wearing a loose, for his taste, outfit which looked formal and rather comfortable. Her flared pants had an interesting design, he guessed it must have been custom-tailored, as the material folded in such a way that it resembled a skirt.

The Great Mage’s presence however couldn’t be ignored, and her smile turned into a concerned and surprised look as she was taken back by noticing him standing about three meters away from Spike.

Now that their gazes locked, he could examine her face. He didn’t see anything extraordinary, but the color of her fur which was brighter and ebullient compared to his own grim lavender shade.

His senses remained human, and although he could see some esthetic value in her facial structure, his reaction was the same he’d have when looking at an ordinary equine. Of course, there was unorthodoxy, as her muzzle wasn’t as feral but more round due to her head being almost human-sized and her muzzle was in scale matched to it. He had to give it to her, that she possessed good proportions. This made her seem to look more human than animal.

Her cheeks were chubby by a margin, and she had hard to notice bags under her eyes. Her big eyes, dark lavender in color, were giving him an optimistic but cautious and researching stare. Her fringe rested on her forehead, her mane was in good condition, mostly navy blue with a stripe of lavender and a thin stripe of purple right beside it. Her fringe ended right before her eyebrows which he was able to describe as persuading.

Her humanoid body didn’t summon any reaction from him. She was a C coup, and her clothing didn’t allow him to see how thick her thighs and waistline were. Her tail was almost reaching the floor, and he disliked that, as he couldn’t possibly see any practicality in it being this long.

“Spike” She spoke without worry, but with interest as she squinted her eyes. “Who is this?”

The Great Mage has awaited the moment, the Dragon has forgotten to ask him for his name, and the situation would evolve poorly for the small fellow who probably just realized his mistake. He wasn't mad at the little Dragon, Spike was kind to him, the Great Mage was known for being rather understanding, right next to his instrumental use of, what is called almost always, last resort means.

The names of the ponies consisted of a noun and adjective, or it was a verb or activity. Searching for something he could use as a starting point, he saw that the chamber in which he stood was well lit, without much source of light being in the chamber itself. This, and the fact a powerful magical object was in the chamber, gave him the necessary inspiration...This will be silly.

“My name is...Arcane Shine.” The Great Mage announced genially, as he prepared to bow.

“No no no no no” Twilight stopped him “No need for bowing “ She let out a sheepish chuckle. “You probably already know, but my name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess, co-ruler of Equestria.”

She offered him her hand, reaching for a handshake. The Great Mage was puzzled, but due to this kind gesture, he started to see her more positively. She was fresh, she had no real experience, it was clear as day, she was barely a noble. Yet, his experience warned him about Twilight, she had more to offer than it looked. This fact made her instantly a likable person.

Spike was standing and smiling awkwardly as a drop of sweat went down his head, while a blush spread across his face. He had to come to his senses as Twilight spoke to him.

“Can you tell me why you decided to bring a guest into the castle? ”

Spike scratched the back of his head “Well, how should I start…”

Author's Note

When taking into account what you're about to tell her, I suggest we leave it for the next chapter, Spike.

And welcome back!
I hope you guys like what I do and will point out every error I make, for my own sake to improve and your's to get better quality chapters. In the end, all of it is for fun.

I know that the simple way of phrasing might be boring, or that I am too dull to read, nonetheless, thanks to all the people who appreciate my work. It's for fun, and it makes me proud to know that somehow I made some dude who knows English perfectly read this shit and that person thinks about coming back after finishing the chapter. You people are just crazy.

Please have in mind the official book written by John Helfers was read by me, I'll use it as a reference. Green text means that the following part is true about Ardania and can be found in the book.