Author's Note

Sorry for taking so long, please enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 7: First day on the job!

First day on the job!

I never thought of spending my Sunday morning standing next to a pony princess and listening to stupid complaints, but here I am. Day Court, that’s what Celestia called it after she personally woke me up. I don’t know why she wants me here. We’re currently taking a 20 minute break. So, I leaned against Celestia’s throne, slowly drifting back to sleep. But Celestia gently hits me with her wing to wake me up.

“Why am I even here?” I said tiredly,

“I thought you might like to experience Day Court,” Celestia said, taking a sip of tea. “Want some?”

I shake my head, “Listening to rich ponies’ first world problems hurts my head. My pool this and my house that. Princess, that tree and or building is an eyesore.”

“It sounds like you and the higher up don’t mix?” Celestia asked,

I just rubbed my head, remembering all the times I had to deal with the rich kids at school. Even worse, the one I had to deal with back at the nightclub I work at. “Ran into a lot of them, you can say.”

“Luna told me she went into your dreams last night.”

“And what about it?” I said politely as possible.

“You two ran into some powerful nightmares,” Celestia said worryingly, putting her tea down. “If she didn’t enter your dream, I don’t know what they would have done to you.”

“Thanks for caring, Princess Celeste.”

I see Celestia cracking a smile, “Oh, so you are calling me Celeste now.” A unicorn guard walks in before I can say anything, “Yes?”

The guard does a bow, “Princess Celestia, King Guto is here and making his way to the conference room.”

“Oh… I must have forgotten his arrival was today.” Celestia said, sounding a bit surprised. “Well then, guess I have to end Day Court early for today.”

“Thank god,” I said under my breath.

“Riki, I would like you to join me.”

Damnit, she must have heard me. I was going to say something to try to get out of it. But the same pony begins to talk again.

“Princess, Captain Shining Armor wants to see Riki.”

I walk guard with a smile on my face. “Sorry, Princess, but Captain Shiny needs me,” I said, rubbing the back of my head. I have to thank him for pulling me out on this.

Celestia looks at the guard, “Can you please go wake up my beloved sister for our meeting with King Guto,” she said. The guard does a small bow and begins to leave. “And Riki, you will be here for Day Court tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I said defeatedly.

Riki walks up to Shining’s office and knocks a few times. Opening the door to see Shining at his desk working on some papers. To Riki’s surprise, Feather Gleam was here. “Captain Shiny and… Feathers, right?”

She gets out of her seat and walks to Riki, “Well, it’s just Feather.”

“Sorry about that,” Riki said, rubbing the back of his head.

“No, it’s fine. You can call me that if it’s easier for you.”

“Thanks,” he said with a smile. “And sorry about yesterday.”

“Oh… It’s fine.”

Shining does a few small coughs to get Riki and Feather’s attention. “I have two things to tell you.” said Shining, “First, King Guto is here to see the princesses.”

“Yeah, I know,” Riki said, crossing his arms, “Also, thanks for calling me here. I still don't know why the sun princess wants me to come with her. Oh yeah, forgot to ask. Who is King Guto?”

“King Guto is a griffon. He rules over Griffonstone, east from here.” Shining informed Riki. “He’s just here to discuss some stuff with the Princesses.”

“Okay,”

“Second, I want you to patrol around Canterlot,” said Shining, “And Feather Gleam volunteered to go with you.”

Riki looks down at Feather, “Really?”

She taps her hooves together, “It was more like nopony wanted to do it. So I stepped up since we already talked to each other.” Feather feels bad for Riki since no other guards want to be near him. She knows he’s kind of weird looking and beating up a bunch of guards. But, if the princesses and the captain can trust him around them, so can she.

Riki gave Feather a little bump to break her train of thought, “Oi, Feathers, you okay?”

“Yeah, peachy,” she whispered.

“Alright, let’s go!” Riki exclaimed, “I can’t wait to see the rest of Canterlot!”

“Riki, your not sightseeing,” Shining said sternly.

“C’mon on, Shiny, your no fun,” Riki said sadly.

Feather and Riki start to head out of the room. She gestures to Riki down and whispers, “I can show you a few of my favorite places here if we get any free time.”

“Thanks,” he whispers back.

“Oh, Riki, there is one more thing I like to discuss,” Shining said calmly, leaning forward in his chair. “…Privately.”

Riki nods and then looks at Feather, “You can go on.”

“Alright,” Feather said, walking out of the room, “I’ll be waiting at the entrance hall stairs.”

When she finally left, Riki turned to Shining with a serious look. “So, what is it?”

Feather is standing by the stairs for about half an hour, waiting for Riki. She taps her hoof on the ground a few times, “What is taking him so long?”

“Hey, Feather Gleam,” said a male voice.

“Hey, hey!” said an annoying feminine voice.

She took a deep breath. Out of all the guards here, why them? She turns around to see an earth pony and pegasus guard walking toward her. “Oak and Angel, nice to see you,” Feather said in an annoyed tone.

Oak Ridge is a unicorn pony. He is dark brown with a dark green tail and mane. The pegasus is white, with a dark pink mane and tail, and her name is Angel Beat.

Oak leads on his spear, “Don’t be like that, F.” Feather rolls her eyes, and Oak continues, “So, what are you doing here, waiting for Specs?”

“Specs, yeah, yeah!” Angel added, nodding her head a few times.

“No, he’s off for today,” Feather told them, “Specs will be back tonight. I’m waiting for Riki, still don’t know what’s taking so long.” What she said shocked them. Oak almost fell over, and Angel’s wings when up in fear.

“W-wait, wait, that weird looking thing?” Angel stuttered, looking around for him. “I heard Captain Shining was looking for somepony to go on patrol with that monster.”

Oak gets a scowl on his face and stomps his hoof, “I still can’t believe the princesses and the captain let that freak walk freely around.” he complained, “They should have locked it up for what it did.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Angel agreed. “I bet that monster is planning something bad. Like, like take over Canterlot.”

Feather didn’t like what she was hearing. “Riki isn’t an ‘It,’ and he’s not planning anything. From what I have seen, he’s a goofball and a pretty okay guy.”

What Feather said really ticked off Oak, “That thing threw a vase at my face!”

Before things can continue on, they hear footsteps. Looking towards the sound, they see Riki running to them. As he gets close, Riki starts apologizing, “Sorrysorrysorrysorry, Feathers!” He had stopped in front of Feather, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry, I got lost on the way here. I had to ask a maid for help.”

Feather sighed briefly and asked, “Do you always get lost?”

“…No, not all the time. I just need to get used to the layout.” Riki looked at the two ponies glaring at him, but Riki just brushed it off. “Oi, Feathers, who are they?”

She just rolled her eyes, “Oak Ridge and Angel Beat.” Feather said unenthusiastically, gesturing to them. “Now, Riki, let’s go. We get a job to do.”

As Riki makes his way to the stairs, Angel whispers into Oak’s ear. He chuckles a bit and moves his front hoof out, tripping the human. Feather is shocked watching Riki roll and flip down the stairs. He tried to stop himself, but he couldn’t. Hitting his head on the final step, landing on his back with his eyes close. Riki takes a few calming deep breaths. He can hear Oak and Angel laughing their asses off.

Feather turns to the laughing ponies, “Why would you do that, Oak!?” she yelled.

“Haha, It’s wasn’t my idea,” Oak said between his laughter. “Angel is the one who told me to do it.”

“Sorry, sorry,” she giggled, “That thing had it coming.”

Feather’s wings when up like she was about to attack them, “That wasn’t funny! You two are ass-”

“That was some fall,” said a feminine but tough voice, “Are you okay, whatever you are?” Feather, Oak, and Angel stopped to see someone they recognized standing above Riki.

“Yeah, just about to get up,” Riki said, slowly opening his eyes. He was expecting to see a pony, not a “Griffin?”

“Captain Gloria!?” yelled Feather.

The griffin named Gloria is average size for her kind. Her body reminds Riki of a black jaguar with barely visible spots. Gloria’s beak, talents, and feathers around her gray eyes are a dark maroon color. She is wearing a gold chest plate and gauntlets that fit on top of her talents.

Gloria smirks then says, “You’re a griffin,”

“Funny, but no.” Riki said, sitting up, “I’m a human, not a griffin.”

Feather flies to Riki with a worried look, “Oh, my Celestial! Riki, are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he said, rubbing his head, “I must have tripped over my feet.”

“No, it was Oak and Angel.” Feather fumed, stomping her hoof. She turns around to see Oak and Angel have already left. She cursed under her breath a few times.

Gloria helps Riki up off the ground. He pats the dust off him, “Thanks, the name is Ricochet or Riki for short.”

“Gloria,” she said confidently, “One of the captains of the Griffonstone’s royal guards.”

“Wait, how do you know Captain Gloria?” Riki asked, tilting his head sideways.

“This isn’t her first time here,” Feather answered him.

Gloria looks at Riki, “So, you’re a human? I hope this isn’t rude, but where did you come from?”

Riki slips his hands into his hoodie, “Will, it’s kind of a long story. I love to tell you, but Feathers and I have to go on patrol.”

“Oh, sorry,” Gloria said sheepishly, “I don’t want to keep two from your duty. If we meet late, you can tell me your long story.”

“Promise!” Riki said with a smile.

Gloria said her goodbyes and went on her way… Somewhere?

As the two make their way to the castle’s entrance door, Feather stops Riki. She has a gloomy look on her face. Feather sits on her haunches and rubs her shoulder, “Hey, about what happened with Oak and Angel. They aren’t the best ponies here. I still don’t know why they’re here, but don’t let them get to you.

Riki gives Feather a small smile and pats her head, “Oi, you worry too much. Falling down some stairs is nothing compared to what I’ve been through back home.” He said casually, “Was he one of the ponies I ran into?”

“You threw a vase at him,”

“Oh, yeah,” he chuckled, “Being honest, I was aiming for his legs, not his face. So, are we just going to walk around Canterlot?”

“Yeah, pretty much. Help out anypony who needs it.”

“Easy!” Riki exclaimed.

Cut to Riki getting slammed face first onto a table by a drunken minotaur. Feather and a few other ponies are watching from the sideline. Riki and Feather are inside a bar, dealing with a drunk minotaur complaint.

As Riki deals with that, Feather goes around getting statements from the minotaur’s friends and a unicorn bartender.

“Easy, right, Riki?” Feather said with a cheeky smile.

“Yeah, easy as pie,” Riki said, slowly getting off the table. “Oi, sir! It would be best if you calmed down!” Riki jumps onto the minotaur’s back, wrapping his arm around the horns. The minotaur drunkenly spins around, pushing any nearby object away.

“Get off, you hornlesshh calf,” The minotaur said drunkenly, trying to reach for Riki.

“Oi, Feathers, what’s the word? What is his problem!?”

“The minotaur’s name is Mcaleese. His friends, Topaz and Kiwi, found him here,” Feather explained, gesturing to a diamond dog and earth pony. “Something about his marefriend.”

Riki gets a confused look, “A marefriend?” After hearing that, the minotaur falls to his knees and slams his head on a table.

“Dating somepony,”

“Oh, like a girlfriend,” Riki said, jumping off the hammered Mcaleese, “Why marefriend? Mare means lady pony, right? So was he dating a pony?”

“No, it was another minotaur,” interjected Topaz, the brown diamond dog.

“She broke up with him,” Kiwi, the green and brown earth pony, added, “Something about moving too slow.”

“So, he got drunk to forget?” Riki asked, looking down at now crying Mcaleese. “I’ll handle this, Feathers.” Riki starts to pat the minotaur's back and begins to whisper in his ear.

“What are you doing?” asked Feathers, but Riki just waved her off.

After a few minutes of whispering between Riki and Mcaleese, they got up. Mcaleese looks a little bit better than before.

“Mcaleese, you have been through a lot. You need to get some sleep.” Riki said calmly, “Remember what I said and that you have your bros for help too.” Riki helps Mcaleese over to his friends. “You two keep an eye on him for the next few days. Also, don’t talk about his ex for a while, got it?”

“Wait, you’re not taking Mcaleese in?” asked Topaz, putting Mcaleese’s arm around his shoulder.

Riki shakes his head, “He is still in the bar, so no public intoxication, right Feathers?”

“Yeah,”

“What about you, bar pony?” Riki asked the bartender. “You want to press charges?”

The pony rolled her eyes, “He didn’t break anything, so no. But he will be banned for three weeks.”

“Is that good with you guys?”

“Yeah, thank you,” said Kiwi.

“Thanks,” said Topaz, leaving the bar with Mcaleese on his shoulder and Kiwi following behind.

After the three of them left, Riki and Feathers helped put the tables and chairs back where they were.

“Oi, let’s go, Feathers!” Riki said, walking onto the bar. “See you later, bar pony!”

“Next time you come back, drinks are on me.”

Feather caught up with Riki outside the bar and said, “You were pretty good handling that situation.”

“Thanks,”

The two of them continue to walk through the streets of Canterlot. Feather sees the weird looks Riki is getting, but he has a big smile on his face. “Riki, what did you say to the minotaur?” Feather asked.

“I just say stuff like if she doesn’t like the pace, then she is not the one,” Riki answered honestly. He then stops and leans on the nearby streetlamp, “It just feels like a normal night at my job.”

Feather stares at him, “What was your old job?”

Riki scratches his head, “Throughout high school, I was a bouncer for a small club in New York, my home.” He stopped for a bit to think about those times. “Just dealing with drunks or any troublemakers. I always try to solve the situation without getting violent.”

“Wow, I didn’t expect you to say that,” Feather said, sounding a little shocked. “So, did you have other jobs, or was that it?

“Being a bouncer is my main job back home.” Riki said, running his hand through his hair, “I did a lot of side jobs like doing MMA matches, bodyguard, bounty hunting with my cousin, and strip club.”

That last one really got Feather’s attention. She went wide eyed and yelled, “You’re a stripper!?” Her outburst gets everyone around them to look at the human. A unicorn mother quickly covers her little foal’s eyes and walks away in utter disgust.

Riki pinches the bridge of his nose and starts to walk off, and Feather follows. “No, I’m not a stripper. I just work there from time to time, like volunteering.” Riki said in a slightly annoyed tone.

“Explain,”

He rolled his eyes, “My uncle owns a strip club, and it’s a themed one. I’ll help him think of and help set up the theme for the month.” Riki chuckles then say, “Occasionally, he’ll call me in, and when he does, it’s usually something big. One time he did a jungle theme, and he needed someone to watch the tiger, so it won’t try to eat the customers.”

It took some time for Feather to process what Riki said. After that was done, she had to ask one more question. “What about the cage?”

“What cage?” Riki said with a confused look.

“Oh, my-” Feather was interrupted by Riki's booming laughter. It was so loud that everyone in the streets of Canterlot stared at the laughing human. Feather gives Riki a playful bump with her flank and says, “You got me. There was no tiger.”

“Hahaha, there was no tiger,” he said, getting the rest of his laughs out, “It was a jaguar.”

“I don’t know if that’s better or worse,” she deadpans. “But, why do you have so many jobs?”

“My sister does live with me,” Riki taps Feather’s forehead, then says, “Come on, I think that’s enough about my life. Let’s see if someone needs us.” After he said that, Riki picked up his pace and ran off.

“Wait up!?” Feather shouted, flying after him.

The two of them went around helping anyone who needed it. Feather tells Riki things about her throughout the day like she was born here and came from seven generations of royal guards. Feather continues to talk but sees Riki looking around for something. “Riki, you good?”

“Yeah, just looking around,” Riki said unconvincingly. He and Feather stop in front of a tea shop, “Here you go, Granny.” He then takes an old unicorn mare off his back and sets her down in front of the shop. “Are you sure you don’t want us to wait for you?”

“I’ll be fine walking back home, thank you, hairless diamond dog.” said the old pony.

“No problem, Granny.”

The two of them watch the old pony walk into the tea shop. Feather then said, “Well, that's enough for today. We should head back. The dining hall is about to start serving food. Are you hungry?”

Riki crosses his arms, “Do humans have ten toes?”

She gets a confused look and scratches her head, “What?”

He sighs and begins to walk to the castle, “Let’s just go.” Feather just shrugs her shoulders and follows. Then out of nowhere, a red pony mare with a camera jumps in front of them. Mane and tail are a bit messy.

“I finally found you! I have been looking everywhere for you!” the red mare said in utter joy, “I-I heard around a weird looking creature being Canterlot. I know it was you!” She runs up to Riki, getting into his personal space. Then, standing on her hind legs and planting her hooves on Riki’s chest, “I am so happy to meet you again, Riki!”

Feather and Riki look at each other at what just happened. Riki grabs the hooves and moves them off this body. Letting the pony fall back to all fours. “Ummm… Who are you, and how do you know my name?”

“I’m Razzle Snap,” Razzle said, fixing her mane, “You saved me from that runaway cart. And the ponies you were with called you that.”

He remembers what she was saying, “Oh, Pony lady!”

“It’s umm, Razzle Snap,” she corrected him.

“You said you were looking for him?” Feather interjected, stepping in between them. “Is it because you want to thank him?”

“Yes… And there’s another reason,” said Razzle, “Look, I’m going to cut to the chase. I’m a journalist for Canterlot’s newspaper, and I wan-need to do an interview with you!” She digs in her saddlebag, pulling on a pencil and notepad. “It’s just a couple of questions and a few pictures, so how about it, Riki,” she said, shoving Feather away.

Before Riki could answer, Feather cuts in, “Look, if you want an interview with the big fella. You have to ask the princesses or Captain Shining Armor to set it up .”

“Wait, what!?” shouted Razzle, “Do you know how long that will take! I need to do this story before somepony else does.”

“Not my problem,” said Feather, flying behind Riki and starting to push him towards the castle, “C’mon Riki, we have to go.” He doesn’t know what’s happening, but Riki just goes along with it. As they leave, they hear Razzle shouting at them.

“I will have an interview with you, Riki!”

“Thanks for handling that, Feathers,” said Riki, still being pushed by her. “I really didn’t want to do an interview. Not a big fan of journalists, back home.”

“No problem,” Feather said, sounding a bit exhausted, “Hey, can you walk now? I’m getting tired here.”

“Sorry,”

Flashback

“Oh, Riki, there is one more thing I like to discuss,” Shining said calmly, leaning forward in his chair. “…Privately.”

I nod, then look at Feathers, “You can go on.”

“Alright,” Feather said, walking out of the room, “I’ll be waiting at the entrance hall stairs.”

When she finally left, I turned to Shiny with a serious look. “So, what is it?”

“When you go on patrol, I want you to keep an eye out for La-la Lu.” Shining said, “What you said yesterday back in the throne room really got me thinking.”

“About La-la still being in Canterlot?” I asked, and Shiny nodded. “I was just going off the information I got when we were fighting. But yeah, I'll keep an eye out for her. And if she did see me, it would let her know that I’m still here.”

“That’s the plan,” Shining chuckled, “And Riki, good luck out there.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior, Captain!”

Flashback End

I’m standing in front of Shining’s office door. I told Feathers I wanted to talk to him, and then I’ll meet her at the dining hall. After standing there for a few more minutes, I finally decided to open the door, “Oi, Shiny, I’m back.” I said, walking inside to see a strange looking pegasus sitting across from Shiny. “Oh, sorry, I did know someone else was here with you.”

“Riki, I want you to meet the captain of the moon guards, Vanta Nightfall.” Shining introduced her, and she gave me a small wave.

Vanta Nightfall, I think her name fits her pretty well. Vanta’s body is charcoal black, mane and tail are gray with silver highlights. Some of Vanta’s hair covers her right eye. Also, her wings look a lot different from pegasi. But, wait, what’s in her mouth? I look a bit closer, and to my surprise, Vanta has fangs… Fangs…

“Fangs!?” I yelled surprisingly.

“Oh, yeah, you don’t know.” Shining said, slightly chuckling, “Vanta, do you want to tell him or me?”

“I got it,” Vanta said to Shining as she walked over to me. She moves the hair away from her purple eyes and starts to look up and down at me. “Hmmm… When Shining told me what you did, I expected you to look….” Vanta gave me another look around, “…Dangerous.”

“Too lazy to look dangerous,” I said as she poked my thigh, “So, what are you?”

She backed up and said, “I’m a bat pony.” Vanta shows off her wings, causing me to tense up a bit.
“Scared that I might bite,” she said with a smile.

“Scared? Why should I? You look amazing!” I exclaimed, catching her and Shining off guard. “I love bats, I have an aunt, and she runs a bat sanctuary. I really enjoyed helping her out.”

“Oh, you like bats,” Vanta said with a slight smile, “That’s good to hear. The entirety of the moon guards is bat ponies.”

“So, anything special about being a bat pony?” I said, crossing my arms, “Other than looks.”

“Well, we bat ponies live a bit longer than other ponies.” Vanta informs me, “Better hearing, eyesight, and we have echolocation.”

That’s pretty cool and obvious, but there’s something I still want to know. “Do bat ponies drink blood?” After I said that, it became dead quiet. Well, I mean, it’s only the three of us here. “My bad, that was probably offensive.”

Vanta fixes her hair, “No, it’s fine, and you are right. We can drink blood, but we don’t have to. We can eat the same food that regular ponies can eat.”

“What about bugs?”

“Bugs,” Vanta moaned,

“Oh, no,” murmured Shining,

“Ummm, Vanta?” I said, starting to back up a bit, “Are you okay,”

“Yeah, it’s just bugs are soooo good,” Vanta said joyfully, as her tail started to sway side to side. “It’s like a sexual pleasure in the mouth. When you go to the dining hall, I recommend the fruit flies salad. Have you ever eaten bugs before?”

“A few times, like grasshoppers, crickets, and deep fried tarantulas.”

Vanta licks her lips, “Tarantulas, I haven’t had that for a while.”

“Riki, how was patrol?” Shining interjected,

“It went pretty smooth, with only a few hiccups.” I smiled, “Feathers and I run into a journalist on the way back. But, besides that, pretty smooth.”

“What about La-la?” asked Shining, “And don’t worry, I already filled in Vanta on everything.”

“No, I didn't see her. Sorry.”

He sighs, then says, “It’s fine. She probably already left anyway. Riki, you did well today. I’ll call you if anything else comes up. And before you get something to eat, see the princesses in the conference room.”

“Got it!” I said, walking out the door, “Bye, Shiny, and nice to meet you, Vanta.”

After leaving the room, I started to walk through the hallways for a while. I then remember something, “Where is the conference room? I mumble to myself.

“Need some help?” whispers a voice into my ear.

I quickly jumped into the air and then landed on my back. But, wait, I know that voice, “Gloria?” She is standing over me like last time. I don’t know how the hell I didn’t hear her.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” she lied.

“We need to stop meeting like this,”

“I kind of like it,” Gloria said with a smile, helping me up. “So where is Riki the human going? Because it looks like you’re just going around in circles.”

“I’m trying to find the conference room. Know where it is?”

“You’re going the wrong way,” Gloria said, walking away, “I’m heading there myself. I’ll show you.”

“Wow, known a lot about this place!” I said, then something hits me, “Wait if you were going to the conference room. Why are you here? Were you following me?”

Gloria stumbles, “Mmmm… Nooo…”

“C’mon, stalker bird,” I chuckled.

“Hey, don’t call me that,” she yelled.

As we walked to the conference room, Gloria told me about her home, Griffonstone. She talks so highly about it. Makes me want to go there one day. Gloria also said that Griffonstone is built on and around a huge tree.

Gloria’s wing taps my side to get my attention, “Yeah?”

“You zone out for a bit,” Gloria said, tapping me again, “I asked you something.”

“Sorry, what did you ask?”

“How did you get here?” she asked,

I rub my chin, rocking my head from left to right, “Well, my sister and I got teleported here. Twilight and her friends found us in Everfree forest. Later the princesses wanted to see Liz and me. While there, I got into trouble. Now I have to work here for a while. Hmm, I thought it would be a lot more complicated than that.” We stop in front of the conference room’s doors.

“While you were going on patrol, I heard around that you and Shining fought each other,” Gloria asked with a slight smile, “I tried to ask Shining, but he wouldn’t tell me anything. So, is it true?”

“Yeah,”

“No, buckin’ way!” she yelled, “Who won?”

“It was a draw,” I said, opening the conference room’s doors. We walked in to see Princess Celestia talking to what I presume to be King Guto. He has dark grey fur, darker colored wings, and golden eyes. Wearing his crown and a sash. Luna looks sleepy as hell, I feel bad for her.

Luna’s tired eyes look over at me, “Riki, good to see you!” Celestia and Guto look over at me too.

“I hope we didn’t interrupt something important.”

“Not at all. We were just wrapping up.” Celestia said, “Riki, I want you to meet King Guto.”

I walk up to Guto with Gloria by my side, “Nice to meet you, your majesty. My name is Ricochet Philips.” I said, “And before you ask, I’m a human.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you. Princess Celestia already told me about you, Ricochet.” Guto said, quite friendly to me. “And it looks like you already meet Gloria.”

“Yeah, helped me get here,” I look over at Luna and Celestia, “Shiny said that you have something for me?” After I asked, a box appeared in front of Celestia with a popping sound.

“It’s from Liz,” Celestia said, floating the box towards me,

I grabbed the box and moved to the table in the middle of the room. The box feels kind of heavy. I open it up to see a letter on top of some clothes. Finally, I can take off this tie and sweater vest and wear something new. I picked up and opened the letter, and it was from Liz.

Dear Riki,

How are you doing? I hope you’re not getting into trouble. I’m doing good over in Ponyvill. In the box is a set of clothes and your phone charger. I was going to send you your tonfas, but I decided not to as a punishment for getting into this situation. I can’t wait for you to get back,

Love Liz
P.S.

I almost forgot that I ran into Vinyl while running some errands with Spike. So we talked a bit about how we’re stuck here, and guess what! Vinyl said she’ll give you a job when you get back. Okay, love you.

P.S.S

The girls and Spike says hi.

“Thanks,” I said, putting the letter into my pocket.

“You want to send a letter back?” asked Celestia.

“Maybe, later,” I said, picking up the box and making my way to the door, “I’m hungry as hell, so I’m heading to the dining hall and then to bed.” I walked out the door, but I walked back in, “One more thing, Luna before you go into my dream again, ask.”

“Can I go in your dream?” Luna asked,

“No,”

“Then you have to come to Night Court.”

I look over to Celestia, and she just shrugs her shoulders. I took a deep breath and said, “Let me take a nap, and I might be there.”

After Riki dropped off the box in this room, he made it to the dining hall. Only got lost a few times. The dining room is almost packed. Most of the sun and moon guards are here for dinner or breakfast for the bat ponies. Some are just chatting or getting ready to go home or start their shift.

Riki has a bowl of fruit flies salad, Vanta's recommendation. He looks around for a place to eat until he hears a familiar voice.

“Riki! Over here!” yelled Feather, “You can eat with us!”

He sees Feather sitting at a small table with a bat pony and a unicorn wearing glasses. Riki begins walking over to them. Riki passes by a certain pony, Oak Ridge. He gives Oak a friendly smile, but that somehow pisses him off. He uses his magic, grabbing the back of Riki’s pants leg.

As Riki falls over, he can feel the eyes of everyone here on him. He can hear Oak and a few other ponies start to laugh. Before hitting the floor, Riki quickly throws his bowl of food at Oak’s face as hard as he can. The bowl breaks on impact, covering Oak in fruit juice and dead flies.

It got dead quiet in here.

Oak slams his hooves on the table, “What the buck!?”

Riki gets up and brushes himself off, “Oops, my hand slipped!” A few guards around chuckle, “You should have known I can be clumsy. You did watch me fall down some stairs.” Riki was just about to walk away, but Oak stopped him.

“Have something to say?”

Oak gets up and walks in front of Riki, “Yeah, I got something to say. I don’t want you here. Nopony wants you here. You should be locked up for what you did!” Some of the guards begin to form a crowd around Oak and Riki.

“Oi, we don’t always get what we want. Stop complaining!” said Riki, “If I apologize to you, will that help?”

“You think saying sorry will make us forget what you did!?”

Feather pushed herself through the crowd of ponies. She went up to Riki and bit down on his hoodie, “Come on, Riki. We should go!”

Her words fell on deaf ears.

Riki steps forward, getting everybody’s attention. He looms over Oak, making the pony feel fear as he stares into those soulless amber and green eyes.

“Is it going to attack me, right here!?” Oak mumbles to himself.

What Riki said next shocked the entire room.

“You can hit me one time, free of charge,” Riki said casually.

“What are you saying?” asked Feather.

“What are you getting at?” Oak asked

Riki crosses his arms, “Well, you said sorry won’t cut it.” Riki said, crouching to Oak, “So, are you going to accept my apology by punching me in the face.”

Feather puts her hoof on Riki’s shoulder, “Riki, he’s not going-” She was cut off by Oak punching Riki in the face, “Never mind.”

Riki gets up and rubs his right cheek, “Alright, how do you feel?”

Oak stood there for a bit, then said, “I’m less pissed at you now.”

“Good enough for me!” Riki laughed, “Who else wants to accept my apology for punching me in the face.” About half of the ponies raise their hooves in the air. Riki is slightly stunned, “This is going to take a while.”

Shining and Vanta walk in front of the dining hall door.

“I hope Riki and the other guards are doing well?” Vanta asked in a curious tone.

“You worry too much,” Shining begins to open the door, “He’ll be-” Shining and Vanta both stop when they see Riki get punched in the face.

“Okay, who’s next to punch the human!” Riki yelled, “Are you the last one? I lost count.”

“Hey, what is going on here!?” shouted Shining.

Riki steps up, “Captain Shining Armor. I was just in the middle of apologizing to them.”

Shining was taken aback by Riki calling him by his name. He clears his throat, “Really?”

“Yeah,”

“But you’re all beat up, Love?” Vanta pointed out, “Is this a human thing?”

“No, it’s more like a thing with my cousins.” Riki said, rubbing the back of his head, “I know it’s weird.”

Shining sighed, “Sun Guards, listen up! If you don't work tomorrow, head home! And if not, head back to your quarters and get some sleep!”

“Moon Guards, you got your nightly routes!” Vanta yelled, “Start your patrol. Remember to stay safe, and stay strong!”

“Sir, yes, sir!”

“Riki, stay back,” said Shining. Riki nods as all the guards leave the dining hall. Then, once It’s just the three of there, Shining said, “Look, Riki, as long as you’re here. You’re my and Vanta’s responsibility. Next time, come see us if there’s a problem between you and one of our guards.”

“Got it,”

“You’re dismissed,”

Riki walks out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

“Riki, you good?”

He looks up to see Feather and her friends. A navy blue unicorn stallion's tail and mane are a lighter shade of blue. Wearing big black rim glasses that slide down a little. And her other friend is a bat pony mare. She is a light shade of gray with prussian blue hair.

“Oi, Feathers and…”

“Specs, nice to meet you.” said the unicorn, using his magic to push up his glasses.

“Bebop Lass!” the bat pony introduced herself, “But, my friends call me, Bop. And let me say this, it was pretty smooth of you to let everypony that hates you get a free hit in.”

“Nice to meet you too, and thanks.”

“I think it was more idiotic than smooth, Bop.” Specs said, “There were other ways Riki could have done to deescalate the situation.”

“Anyways,” Feather interjected, “Riki are you going to your room?”

“Yeah, I was going to Night Court,” Riki said, touching his face and then hissing in pain. “But not tonight.”

Bebop claps her hooves, “I’m station for Night Court. I can tell Princess Luna that you’re not coming.”

“Thanks, Bebop.”

“You’re welcome,"

Riki lets out a big yawn, “Shit, my bad. I’m going to go, but I will make sure to talk to you guys later.” Riki says his goodbyes and runs straight back to his room.

“Fuck, today was long,” I said tiredly, jumping on the bed, “Don’t feel like taking off my clothes.” I try to get comfortable, but I can’t. I think I have too much stuff on my mind. “I should write back to Liz,” I said, rolling out of bed. Went to the dresser and opened up the first drawer. “There has to be paper in here… Oh, found it and a pencil.” I pulled up a chair and began to write.

Dear Liz,

I’m doing good over here. My first day when a lot better than I expected. I’ll tell you what happened when I get back. I think I made a few new friends, and one of them is a griffin. Can’t

I stopped writing and then sat there for a bit. I have never been good at this type of stuff. I got up and headed to the bathroom, “I’ll work on it later. Need to take a piss.” As I walked past the window, something caught my eye. I open the window to see an owl. “Need to pee!” I yelled, running into the bathroom.

The moonlight shines on the owl to reveal it is made of paper. It flies off into the dark sky. In the next few days, Riki and his friends will go up against a very dangerous foe that might cost them their lives.