“Okay,” Orion muttered grimly, shouldering his pack again and trying to wipe the sweat from his forehead at the same time.

It did not go as planned. Again.

The simultaneous actions threw him off balance, and he hopped to one side, barely managing to stay upright, his free arm flailing in the air.

The pack was just too damn big.

Chuckles from passersby made him glare heatedly as he regained his balance, but folks seemed to be too amused by his unintentional antics to really feel the full might of his fury.

Sighing, he stared at the ground for a moment, and then he scuffed a hoof against the ground.

“Should have taken that conductor's advice on-” his brow furrowed in thought,”…I'm a fucking idiot.” If he had had a free hand, he would have smacked himself with it.

His horn burst to life, and the once burdensome luggage rose from his back and came to a stop next to him, floating several inches off the ground. More laughter erupted from the passing onlookers, and his ears went from crimson to almost purple in his embarrassment.

“Goddamnit.”

The only person he had to blame was himself. However, it didn't help that Apple's insistence on not using magic for his day-to-day needs caused him to fall out of practice, and he was tired as he slept fitfully in the booth seats of the train cabin itself. He had simply forgotten that it was an option for the moment due to the week he had spent living with the down-to-earth family, not to mention the nearly two months he had given the griffons before.

“Must be what they call travel fatigue. Shit or I'm just dumb as hell.”

Ignoring the amusement of the people around him, he checked his surroundings. From where he was, he could see he was about a block from the tram station on the second plate closest to the train station itself.

No one had stopped him upon exiting the train car, nor when he came off the platform itself.

As far as he could tell, there wasn't even a contingent of soldiers standing in the street or hovering in the air, waiting for him. There could be some hidden nearby, but without Radar, Orion could only see directly around him, which was nothing.

Other than random civilians, there was nothing. A mild relief washed through him.

“It seems…she's actually taken me at my word…?” He thought dryly. “Huh, how about that? Turns out people can learn.” He shook his head, a rueful grin forming. “Even supposedly immortal goddesses like her.”

Or, it could have been the calm before the storm scenario, and she was just waiting for him to drop his guard somewhat so she could rain all over his proverbial parade.

He sighed. Best not to think of that.

With a more relaxed pace, he quickly began making his way toward the tram station on Mulberry St., the travel bags and gifts they contained trailing after him in the hazy glow of his magic.

“It'll take me…what? Three? Four stops to get near home?” He thought unhappily. The sooner he could unload his burdens, the sooner he could relax.

That happy thought kept his spirits high right up until, of course, upon taking a left, he spotted his destination and came to a halt at the sight before him. Brow furrowing in confusion, he stood there trying to figure out what was happening. “The hell is…oh. Ohhhhh…” His mouth curled in undisguised disgust.

There was a small rally set up in front of the tram station. That in itself was not out of the norm, as lots of events are often hosted in front of such locations for the ease of those visiting. Different sectors of the city often had different days of celebration for some such holiday here and there, and ponies certainly liked to party.

However, it wasn't a festival but a far less entertaining and more often loathed political rally. Again, it was a normal happening, if a bit more rare, considering the stability of the realm and the rampant nepotism currently in government.

For all the family business of politics and corruption he could see peering between the lines of law and action, Equestria was essentially a peaceful and ordered nation. So, while there were positions within government to run for, it was still a bit unusual to see someone trying to climb the political ladder in such a way.

Judging by the attendees' expressions, this was not a very welcome one. It's not a good sign.

The crowd was angry and quiet, but muttering all the same as the speaker tried to incite them. Though there was something wrong about all of this, and he could not place his thumb on what.

It wasn't the apparent well-dressed politician calling out loudly to his supporters that bothered him, either. Judging by the aggressive stance, it was certainly a more fire and brimstone kind of speech. The supporters gathered out in front weren't really that much out of the ordinary either, other than being almost entirely composed of unicorns.

No, it was none of that. “The banner?” There was a large banner erected behind the stallion, driven into the deck of the makeshift stage that had caused him to sneer before he even knew why. Emblazoned upon the thick sheet was the church of Sol’s emblem and mission statement, the latter of which he didn't even bother reading once he recognized the symbol.

“Recruitment getting a little hard there, boys and girls? Have to bother folks on the street? You fuckers.”

Pausing after approaching a little further, the black pony regarded the potential roadblock with scorn.

On the one hand, he really didn't want anything to do with that crowd; it looked ugly enough. Some of the members looked already to be swayed by whatever rhetoric the hopeful councilstallion was spewing, while others wisely displayed doubt at the speaker's words.

Orion noted that the speaker wasn't alone up there. What looked to be several members of the clergy also stood behind the smartly dressed stallion. Their crimson and white robes seemed perfectly starched for this event.

The real issue here was that if the black colt decided against taking that tram, he was going to be stuck walking for an hour for another in the completely opposite direction. This meant more stops until he was home, as that line had a roundabout way of getting to his desired stop. With the current crowds hustling about, he was no doubt going to have to navigate traffic jams on hoof.

“Fuck! I don't wanna deal with these assholes.” He lamented, looking over the crowd for another entrance to the station.

Unfortunately, that's when he had really begun to pay attention to what was being said.

“My fellow ponies! Are you even aware of our current predicament?!” The political hopeful shouted out. “Are you not aware that we have been subjected to being pushed out of our own homes for the sake of greed and so-called commerce? For so-called refugees!?” He cried. He thrust his hands forward as if physically casting his words out to the masses. “Why do you think our taxes have gone up so substantially? Why has our food and water skyrocketed in the last ten years?”

“And pause for dramatic effect…” Orion couldn't help it. That thought and the smirk that blossomed on his face at how this stallion seemed to follow the manipulation handbook verbatim.

Growing up human, he had never really realized just how insulated to bullshit he had become till he had arrived on Equis. It was almost laughable.

“It is because the Noblesse have deemed it so!” Jutting a finger toward the distant third plate, he seethed on his little stage, his other hand gripping his podium in fury. “They have the ear of the Princess! They have dominion over the bureaucracy!”

“Nice little twist of words. Very biblical sounding. Huh, when was the last time someone used the term Noblesse?” He was close enough now that he could see the stallion clearly.

Dressed in a black suit with ivory pinstriping, he stood proud, his blue piercing eyes sweeping the crowd. He pleaded his case to the small gathering, attempting to project how dire their situation really was—or at least his perception of it.

“That's why I, Gavel Hammer! Am running for the Judiciary in the Third Court! I will-”

Orion zoned out, the stallion’s diatribe suddenly coming in a muted buzz as his mind turned inward, searching.

That name. Gavel Hammer. He knew that name.

“Wasn't he…oh…ooooh, shit.”

Mrs. Evergarden had once told him what had happened to Cloudy Sapphire. His letters had been returned undelivered due to the recipient not being in residence any longer, and he wanted to know why. With some trepidation, the Matron had informed him how a judge with the CFP backing had removed the mare of her authority and employment at the old orphanage in Manehattan. “His name, that…prick's name was Gavel Hammer. Fuck! What in the hell is this guy doing here!?’

Now, the Church's lackeys standing behind him made a whole lot more sense.

He looked around and noted with a fair amount of worry that many in the crowd were nodding along. Those he once saw being skeptical had thoughtful expressions on their faces.

“Should I say something?” He thought, panicky. What could he say other than being a dick to someone that was once kind to him? He knew nothing about the guy. Worse, besides what had already been said, he knew nothing of the stallion's real political leanings.

“If I might be so bold to ask, why is the Church backing you?” Came a young but authoritative voice off to his left. Whipping around, he saw a familiar face in the crowd and smiled in relief as others turned to regard this new speaker as well, Fancy Pants.

Dressed in a simple button-down blue shirt with sleeves and black slacks, Fancy looked like nothing more than someone who had been caught up in the tide of mild political upheaval. A well-dressed and well-cared-for passerby, but a passerby nonetheless.

Then, again, the colt never did seem to be like most nobles. He chose to dress simply when out of school instead of the gaudier and more flamboyant styles his peers would pack themselves into the moment school was over.

That was one of the many reasons why Orion actually liked the guy.

“Ah, a good and honest question deserving a good and honest answer, young stallion!” Behind him, a few of the members of Sol didn't quite glare, but there seemed to be an undercurrent of disapproval at the question itself. Considering it was targeted at them, there may be a reason to be upset. “It is because the Church wants Justice!” He cried out once again, turning his attention away from his friend and back to the crowd. He clearly thought that he was done dealing with Fancy’s minor interruption and was using his question as a springboard to his next point. “As much as any mare or stallion should want. All should be equal in the law! Not these special privileges afforded only to the massively wealthy and influential.”

“For all should be equal under our Lord and Savior, PoopsMcgee.” Orion mentally groused, frowning at how easily his friend had been dealt with.

Obviously, the Church wanted political clout. And with Celestia's recent ban on religious influence within the halls of parliament, recent in terms of twenty years in this case, and being in politics, which was a wise decision in his opinion, they have been stymied and forced nearly out of the City entirely in the last few years as the lacked the proper influence to remain prominent.

Fancy Pants was not yet done, however.

“Yet, I hear that in the Church, one is subject to the whims of those in its highest offices.” Fancy called out again, giving a thoughtful pause. “That those places above their congregation are equally as culpable in corruption.” He presented the statement as if confused, but the black colt could see the smile tugging at his lips.

Gavel’s face flushed.

“And what is your source on that slander, Young Foal?” And there is the dehumanization. Or is it deponification? A humiliation ritual, nonetheless, that one would employ when at a loss for how to combat thoughts and comments they do not like.

“I should know. I do it all the fucking time.”

“I know this personally, Sir. For you see, Sir Judge, my name is Fancy Pants of House Ison.” The noble pone said without pride or humility. “I have seen your members at galas and parties. I have been invited by those very members to soirees thrown with the bits donated by their congregation. I find it particularly strange that the Church would spend so lavishly what has been given to the “Sun”.”

The crowd began to murmur, some of the ponies who had been considering the Judge's words now frowning again, their brows furrowed in thought.

“How dare-”

“I also believe that your request for a rally was denied due to your desired location. Here.” Fancy interrupted quickly, pointing at the ground before him. “You were told specifically that a rally here would block hoof traffic. As I see you have already done, considering nopony can get to the tram with your stage in the way.”

“S-sometimes we must violate the law to embrace it's spirit!” Gavel was panicking, and Orion was beginning to relax, enjoying the show. Fancy Pants had him.

“Truly? If that is the case, then how can anypony trust you to uphold the law when it appears that any regulation that inconveniences you is ignored? That is not, as you yourself have put it, equal.” The flash of a bulb went off somewhere off to the left, capturing the gapped-mouth look the judge had on his face. It seemed the press was here as well.

He wanted to hi-five…four, his friend. He had just dismantled the bastard's whole speech in a matter of minutes. Not that Orion had heard the first portion of it himself.

The crowd was turning, and the Church members looked a bit concerned now. They were still disproving but definitely more concerned. Gavel Hammer had taken a step back in alarm.

“Hmm, I suppose I should inform you, as one does when the law is broken, that I have alerted the authorities of this breach of protocol.” Fancy hummed softly. “They should be here any time now, and I can't imagine they would be pleased with such a gathering.”

Bedlam. A word he never thought to use in such a situation as this, but that was what it was

The listeners and the simply curious scattered. The members of the Church, now openly scowling at Fancy, fled along with Gavel Hammer down the staircase in the back, leaving the stage behind. The press ponies vanished as if they were never there.

Soon, the street cleared. What was left behind was the stage and trash that, no doubt, some poor street cleaners would have to take down and pick up.

“Orion,” came his friend's amused voice, “of all ponies, I would like to think you are not one to listen to this drivel.” The smartly dressed colt took his ease as he walked up to him. “Unless?”

There were few times the black pony had ever seen his friend so self-satisfied, downright smug actually. This was one of them.

“Yeah, no. I don't have time for that garbage.” The black pony shook his head. “That asshole was blocking the tram entryway. I was just trying to get home.” Orion snarked back, reaching over to take the pony’s proffered hand and shook it. “Debate class seems to be serving you well, I see.”

“Ah hah, yes. It is quite rewarding. Though I shall be honest, this seemed laughably easy.” He gave a grin. “Though I suppose his speech was meant only to sway the lowest denominator.”

“Huh?” Picking up the things that he had set down in his magic once again, he gave his friend a confused look. “What, are you calling people stupid?”

“Oh, no. Not at all!” Fancy exclaimed, warding off his question with a frantic wave of his hand. “What I was implying is that most ponies neither care nor have the time for the intricacies of politics. Their lives are just too busy for that. Which means they miss the subtle cues that go on above their heads.” He pointed at the stage. “This…Gavel Hammer,” his voice laced with scorn at the name, “thought to prey on their ignorance and create an idea that they were being systematically pushed out of their homes and livelihoods.”

“And they're not?” Orion asked curiously. He hadn't really noticed anyone losing their homes en masse, but then again, like Fancy Pants said, he was too busy with his own life to notice.

The young noble colt nodded his head back and forth, arms crossed.

“While it is true that many ponies have lost one or both, just as many or more have gained here in Canterlot.” He shook his head sadly. ”Bad decisions make for poor futures. That is on nopony but themselves.” He clicked his tongue in distaste. “But like always, bad news spreads like a wildfire in tall grass, and good tidings are weighed down by the simple fact that bad news sells better in the tabloids and news.” His face turned grim. “The effects of that often overshadow any good in the world.”

“Huh, nice Earthpony reference.” The black colt remarked dryly.

“Oh, my gardener is full of idioms such as that. A rather wise pony she is.” The white colt chuckled. “Ah, but come, you have returned!” His arms unfolded to slap against Orion’s shoulders. “What news of Griffonia do you bring?”

Orion stood there for a moment, dumbfounded by what Fancy had just said. “Ah….a-a-and how the hell did ya know I left?” He spluttered.

How many knew he had been out of the city?

The white colt before him chuckled graciously.

“I came to call on you a month or so ago. The fair Mrs. Evergarden informed me you had taken off for a vacation in Griffonia, of all places.” He shrugged.

“Well, um…shit.” The black pone began. “If you know, then it's a good bet everyone else does by now.” Orion wanted to bite someone.

“Well, yes. But not for their own snooping.” He tossed an arm over his shoulders and leaned into him a bit. “Even I only first caught wind of it through the rumor mill.” Fancy gently guided Orion around and began walking toward the tram station. “Apparently, the Princess was quite upset with a certain colt who had suddenly disappeared, or so the rumor said.” He chuckled richly. “From there, I only had to perform a little investigation to find out it was you, not that there was much doubt as to who could have upset the Princess so. I made a little visit of my own to confirm my suspicions and possibly learn just where you had departed to.”

“Let me guess: “Would Orion do this? Yes. Yes, he would.” He mocked the noble Colt's tone.

“Hah! Almost, my friend. Come. Let me treat you to a welcome home brunch. I would know of our neighbors to the north if you would indulge me.”

“What about the guard?” He gestured to the forgotten stage.

“Ah, I must confess,” a conspiratorial smile washed over his friend’s lips, “that was a misdirection.”

“You mean you lied.” Orion shot back, a wicked grin sprouting on his own.

The white colt's smile turned oddly predatory on a normally foal-like face. “And Gavel and his coterie of sycophants will not know that till it's far too late to do anything about it.”

“Oh, wow. Shit, Fancy turned into an actual politician.”

“Fine, but none of that highborn fine dining nonsense you get subjected to. I wanna eat something with substance.”

“Fair enough, my friend. Souffle’s Bakery?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” And cheap. He never really liked spending gobs of cash on frivolous designer food, and Fancy Pants knew that as well.

“What a good guy.”

“I'm impressed,” Fancy said, delicately tearing apart a sweet bun and popping a small piece in his mouth.

“Impressed? By what?” Orion hadn't realized how hungry he had been. He had devoured four custard pastries and was thinking of pulling his own coin pouch out for more. “Must have been a longer train ride than I realized.”

“By you, of course.” His friend chided. “Orion, perhaps you haven't realized this, but I think you've…perhaps matured is too firm of a word to use for one such as you.” He chuckled when the black colt gave him the middle finger. “But grown, yes. That is what you've done. You, my good stallion, have grown.”

“Uh-huh.” Orion deadpanned back at him.

“By the Tree, Orion.” Fancy tutted. “The altercations with this Roderick fellow are just one example of your growth. From my experience with you in the past, that would normally have devolved into a fight in which you would have likely seriously hurt the hippogriff. Instead, you chose a more peaceful, dare I say, gentle approach to that situation.”

“Well, don't you go thinking I was being nice for the sake of it.” He chuckled. “I mostly didn't want to cause Grace any more trouble than I already have.” He shrugged uncomfortably at the admission. “His tantrums were getting out of hand, and I had to find a way of not simply beating the shit out of him. I've been blowing him off for the most part, hoping he'd get the hint.” Orion shrugged. “The truth is, messing with him like that would have likely landed my ass in jail. It would have been a huge headache for her to get me out. Not to mention, Neighbon is technically its own nation. Would have likely caused all kinds of international incidents.”

“The old Orion I know wouldn't have cared, would not have thought that far ahead.” Taking a sip of his tea, the white pony smiled over the rim. “It is good to see you grow.”

“My guy, we are the same friggin' age.”

“And yet, I still stand leagues above you in maturity, " he smoothly replied. There was not a hint of snark in his voice, yet it hung heavy in the air nonetheless. That was how Fancy Pants was: polite to a painful degree, yet he could still make one feel like the idiot in the room if you crossed him.

“Yeah, yeah. Rub it in.” Deciding against waving down a waiter for another helping of carbohydrates and sugar, he drained his own cup and figured it was about time for him to get moving. “Hey, I gotta get going. It's been a long-ass day, hah, a long-ass vacation. I need to get home, unpack my things, and crash if I can.”

“I suppose so.” He acknowledged. “But hold a moment.” He rested a hand on Orion's arm. “I should warn you of another rumor I have heard, one that may affect you. However, learning the details has been all but impossible despite my efforts.”

“Well, that doesn't sound good. What'd I do this time? You know, besides being a general menace to society.” The joke didn't land; his friend frowned at him, deathly serious.

“Orion, the Princess either has done something or is doing something to curtail your more,” he hesitated, waving a hand in the air, “enthusiastic outbursts. Your more roguish enterprises.”

“No details, though?” The man-turned-pony was a bit alarmed by the negative head shake. “Not even a hint? Are you positive that she's up to something about me?”

“I am at that. Raven Inkwell has been almost giddy with whatever she has planned. I have been watched her in court. Her smile practically glows.”

Orion blinked at that. Raven Inkwell was about as stoic as they came. He was convinced that the mare was a robot and not any kind of flesh and blood creature. To hear she was happy about something that involved him cranked the warning sirens in his head to an eleven.

“Well…shit.”

“Indeed,” Fancy said sagely. “Be careful, my friend. And use that newfound growth to cushion whatever blow may come your way.”

Meaning: don't be an idiot. Orion got the message but was unsure of how to avoid the boulder already rolling down the metaphorical hill.

“Well, that's new.” He muttered, stepping up the short stairs to the main entrance of Mrs. Evergarden’s Home for Wayward Foals.

The door had been painted.

The vibrant shade of yellow looked like the lilies that grew out back behind the orphanage in decorative bunches set amongst the riot of other flowers the Matron liked to plant.

“Door knob is new too? Well, handle, I guess now.” The gold handle gleamed in the afternoon light brightly.

The longer he looked, the more new things he could spot on the old structure. The wooden shutters were painted the same yellow as the door in front of him, and there was a new white-painted lattice work that was put up on the sides and between windows, with little shoots of recently planted climbers already making their way up from the bottom.

Even the stonework had been recently scrubbed and washed. New mortar filled the cracks, where some of it was beginning to decay. Over the years, this building has served its myriad of short-term residents and it was beginning to show the wear of those decades.

“About the only thing that isn't new is these two pillars.” He rapped a knuckle on one of the only pairs of gray marble the building owned. “And the stained glass, too, I guess.” His brow furrowed. “She better not have done this all herself.”

When he had departed, Daisy Evergarden had not been showing too much during her pregnancy, barely at all, in fact.

At first, he wasn't sure what was happening with the proprietress, so he was mum about her sudden weight gain, not wanting to offend. It certainly wouldn't do to piss her off after all she had put up with for him.

Much to his relief, she had announced her pregnancy just before he skipped town, and she was radiant as the little foals gushed about her, guessing at whether the infant inside was to be a filly or a colt.

It was really sweet.

While it was true that carrying a foal to term was a much longer process for these ponies than humans, he didn't like the fact that she still worked nearly, or just as in some cases, hard as she always had done.

Orion admonished her one afternoon when he caught her straining to levitate boxes of goods and new clothes down into the basement. Snatching the latest box from her grasp, he nicely told her to sit her ass down and finished the job himself.

Her only response was to smile gently and come back later with a tray of tea and baked goods. Mares. Take one job away from them; they always seem to find something else to do. The tea was good.

Turning the handle, he pushed the door open and ducked inside. Carefully, he quietly shut the door back into its frame. Looking around, he smiled at the familiar sight of the verdant green walls of the foyer and staircase. The gold trimming bright as it spiraled around the balusters and main rail seemed to have gotten redone as well.

“Just how much work has that mare put in?” He wondered, listening to the sound of pounding hooves coming from the floor above. “Hmm, not as many as I thought there'd be. Heh, perhaps she's finally running out of kids to peddle.” His mirth died. Considering the state of this world, that was likely never to happen.

Images of Griffonia’s capital flashed in his mind, and his frown deepened. All those families displaced, the mothers weeping over their children. He hoped that his efforts would help them. It was not lost on him just how long it would take to get some of his ideas into full circulation, but Sigurd had already come far in his efforts. He may just adapt the new techniques quickly enough to have an effect by spring next year.

Sighing, he gently kicked off his shoes and looked them over as he picked them up to put away. The metal had certainly been run into the ground during his time out in the Griffonian countryside. It had to be less than one or two centimeters thick. Judging by the pits and scuffs in the metal, he would eventually need to replace them, likely just before classes picked back up.

Placing them on his personal rack with a smile, it was nice to see his name hadn't been scrubbed off the placard just yet. He tip-hooved down the hall, carefully avoiding bumping into things and leaving his bags behind for the moment. He didn't want to give his presence away just yet.

With his Radar on the fritz, he had to rely on his hearing and intimate knowledge of where Mrs. Evergarden would likely haunt during mid-afternoons. Usually, in the office, trying to get the paperwork done was his guess. She was a pony of habit, after all.

Turning left at the tee in the hall, he quietly stalked to her office. Above, one of the foals let out a scream that froze him to the spot just before the cry of giggles unthawed him.

“Damn, kids. Gonna give my ass a heart attack, for fuck sake.”

Peering slowly around the corner, he spotted her in her personal office. Sitting in her high-backed chair, back to him as she worked to scribble notes, moving sheets of paper aside to check them. This was perfect.

Slowly, carefully, he sneaked off past her to the kitchen. No need for her to notice just yet that he was home.

The scullery was empty. The smell of cleaning solution filled the space, meaning Mr. Dumpling had only recently vacated his realm. The cook must have just left to get more ingredients from the markets.

Quickly, Orion bustled about the kitchen, preparing a little teapot with milk, honey, and a container of sugar on the side. A small heating spell was channeled into the pot's water.

“If I remember correctly, she likes that forest berry stuff.” Sifting through the various bags, he spotted it. Adiago’s Forest Berry Blend.

Gently, he steeped the bags into the steaming water and waited.

Leaning back, Orion thought about his longtime guardian. The mare had done quite a bit for him over the years. Keeping him out of trouble, making sure he got his lazy ass up for school on days he most certainly wanted to torch the classroom. Fussing over him during the various holidays he had often been alone for. She really was a lot like his mom at this point.

“And here I went and skipped out on her, leaving her to deal with a no doubt pissed-off Princess.”

That had been unfair, and the perspective wasn't new. It was just now, after Griffonia, that he felt truly guilty about it, which only made him feel even worse. She had to deal with teachers who complained about his attitude in class or prospective adopters who came to see him when he started his nonsense of embarrassing the lot of them.

“You are truly a prick, aren't you, Orion?”

He would do better. She deserved better from him. Still, he was determined not to be adopted by anyone. Nothing good could or would come of that.

“Oh, God. Next, I'm gonna call Her mom.” He stuffed his chuckles back down his throat and checked on the tea. It was ready.

Carefully stepping back into the hall, he walked gingerly back to her office, holding the tray of tea and biscuits loosely in his grip. The latter he had found while scrounging around for something to pad out the little treat.

Quietly cursing his uneven hooves, he steadily placed the tray beside her on an open spot usually reserved for such occasions.

“Oh. Oh!” She exclaimed excitedly. “Mr. Dumpling! I had not realized you had returned so soon!” She giggled. “I thought you said too many treats spoils a pregnant…” Her words slowly petered out as she finally noticed just who had brought her the afternoon refreshments. Eyes wide and unreadable.

Orion stood there for a moment, then waved, a small smile on his lips. “Hey there, Mrs. E.” He began awkwardly. “Nice to-hurk!”

The short mare exploded from the chair and, with a leap so fast he couldn't catch it, jumped to wrap her arms around his neck in a fierce hug.

“ORION!”

He supported her weight in his arms and smiled. She had put a lot of joy, worry, anger, and relief into his name as she practically strangled him with her own arms.

“I deserve a slow death by squishy mother mare.”

Letting him go after a moment, her hooves thumped to the floor as he stood back to wait for her to make the first move. It didn't take long.

Quickly, she went over his body, parting clothes here and there. Grabbing his legs to check his hooves. Pulling his head down to peel back his lips and check his teeth.

“The American TSA can learn a thing or two from her about invasiveness.” He laughed at his joke, and Daisy Evergarden took exception. She smacked him. It was not even close to what Applejack had done, but the action caught him off guard.

“Mrs. E? Wha-” She smacked him again. Harder.

“YOU HAD ME WORRIED SICK!” She shouted. Her voice boomed into the tiny room, and the foals above went deathly silent. Smacking him a third time, she continued. “DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS I HAVE HAD BECAUSE OF YOU!?” Another smack. “YOU'VE BEEN GONE FOR MONTHS! NO LETTER, NO NOTHING!” Smack. “I thought…” she faltered. “I thought you…died.” She sniffed, and Orion enveloped her in a hug as the mare quickly went from sniffling to sobbing. Occasionally, thumping into his chest with a fist as she wept into his shoulder.

“Ah, damnit. I deserve this.” He frowned, patting the older pony's done-up mane gently as she continued to weep into his chest. “I'm such a bastard.”

“Your hooves need a trim,” Daisy said with a sniff. It had been the first thing she had said in ten minutes. After her session of crying and ineffectual efforts at beating him, Orion had pushed her into her seat and fixed her a cup of tea as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief and made herself presentable.

The kids were back to running around, but there were less squeals of joy coming from above.

“Yeah.” He mumbled. “There wasn't exactly a farrier out there to go to for that.”

She huffed at that. “Tomorrow, you will go down to Bob and Center Punch’s place and get that taken care of immediately. I do not want to see you developing a limp for your negligence.”

“Yeah. I can do that.” Silence again, and it was anything but comfortable. “Mrs. E-”

“Don't.” She interrupted. Anger and fear bleeding into misery in her voice as she jabbed a finger at him like a spear. “Orion, I don't want to hear it right now.” She said, less heated than before but it sounded like she was on the verge of breaking down again. “I am glad to see you're safe, but I am very angry with you.” She sighed. “ I want you to go to your room. Unpack your things. And not come out. You are grounded. Do you understand me? Grounded.”

He winced but nodded. He had really screwed up. The cost of being a selfish little prick. It was the same behavior that he had inflicted on his grandparents. Royally screwing things up and then leaving them to pick up the pieces.

It never changed. He had not changed.

“Okay, Mrs. E.” Unable to hold his head up, he turned and teleported his bags from the foyer rather than walk all the way back to retrieve them.

“Orion?”

He looked back. “Yes?”

Mrs. Evergarden, with fresh tears in her eyes, smiled. “Welcome home.”

“Just like my grandma.” He smiled weakly, fighting back the moisture of his own.

“Thanks, Mrs. E.”

“Okay. No, not that one.” He muttered aloud, tossing a notebook aside, realizing that would be too many for his already overcrowded satchel.

At the foot of his bed, Orion worked quickly to ensure he had everything he needed for his beginning classes, which started Tuesday next week.

For whatever reason, the start of classes had been delayed; though rumors said that maintenance in one of the wings was still underway, the restart of fall classes fell on the third day of the week instead of the second. Sunday, he counted as the first.

“It is still weird to me that this world uses the same days and months as my old one. I mean, what are the odds?”

Apparently, it was good, as that was one of the few things he had no issue with regarding his integration into the new world. Then again, language, mathematics, and even geographic locations, despite how puny they were to him, were also similar.

“They even have a train.”

“Think that covers just about everything.” He paused, nodding to himself.

It was Friday, mid-morning, and before him was a spread of notebooks, quills, ink pots, and a new curriculum that had been released for the school year. The last was delivered during the tail end of August before he had returned.

Most of the materials would be stored in his cabinet next to his desk till needed. The rest would be in the new satchel, some of which would be stored in his locker, while the rest traveled with him daily on his trek to and from school.

He frowned at the inkpots themselves.

“I really should get started on creating that damn fountain pen.” He mentally groused.

Memories of last year’s ink pot disaster had forced him to purchase a new bag for his things, and books as well. If not for Twilight’s offered notes, he would have lost out on more and would be forced to take remedial afternoon classes to recoup what was lost.

A similar scenario often plagued more than a few students each year, and he had thought, a bit childishly, that he would never be one of them. All it took was one morning of forgotten spell casting, and the mess would be irredeemable, as was the case for him that unfortunate day.

Still, his current designs had their own issues. He was having trouble figuring out how to keep the condenser from leaking into the nib, creating the mess he was trying to avoid. Currently, the only solution was keeping the write end of the pen upward until use. But that would not last, as mistakes would happen.

“How to make it foolproof…”

Abandoning his school supplies, he reached up to the shelf above his desk and pulled down his notebook. Here, he had written down, diagrammed, and detailed any idea that came to mind whenever a simple solution to a new problem occurred. While not as valuable as the one lost in Griffonia, nor one he would lose sleep over if someone came across it, it was still an important resource for the future.

His future.

All those little ideas would net him a hefty bit once he worked out solutions to them.

Flipping to the middle, he quickly found his notes on the fountain pen and perused through it.

“Okay, so. The condenser needs space to fill, of course. But what do I need to do is prevent the condenser from leaking. The question is how. How do I keep…maybe create a vacuum?” A timid knock at the door caused him to look up and glare balefully at it. “Who in the hell is bothering me?”

Placing the notebook on his desk, he strode over, yanked the door open, and was immediately confronted by a young colt. Terror was etched on the kid’s face and made him immediately regret the glare he had worn upon answering the knock.

“It's not his fault. And I shouldn't get pissed at every inconvenience.”

Breathing slowly in and exhaling just as fast out. He spoke.

“What do you need?”

Sometimes, the bravest of the new foals would come knocking on his door when they needed help prepping for the first day of school. Like the old lore he had found, Orion believed this was one of those rite of passage things only the cool colts and fillies did to earn status among their peers, even if they didn't understand the hidden social dynamics themselves just yet.

“M-m-mrs. E-evergarden ne….needs you.” The black pony sighed. At least this one could talk right away. Most took a moment to work up the courage even after arriving at his door and were usually in an even worse state than before.

Impressed, he reached over and tousled the colt’s mane. Anger at being bothered, bleeding away completely as he smiled down at the shocked pony.

“Thanks, little man. I'll be right down.” The foal bolted, an odd mix of surprise and pride on his face. Orion chuckled to himself as he turned around and began quickly putting his things where they were needed. He had a feeling this was what he had been waiting on.

Tramping lightly down the stairs, he marveled at what a trip to the farrier could do for his hooves. The uneven gait he had been forced to endure was a thing of the past.

“Might be a good idea to learn how to do that for myself. Never know when I'll be without that kind of service again and have to go through that annoyance.”

He had heard that if a pony let their hooves grow too much, they could develop sores and a permanent limp, though that could have just been something parents could tell their foals to keep them obedient. He wasn't sure, as he had no experience with equines from his old world until now. While the black colt hadn't come close to that degree of neglect, it wouldn't do for him to risk it, so he was making plans to attend a couple of classes at his school on it. If nothing else, he could count on the ability to save his coin from going to a shop. Hoof care was expensive, at least in this city.

Orion took his time getting to Mrs. Evergarden's office. It was important to at least appear unbothered by what was likely to be a solid, fun-filled afternoon of fuckery brought on by the big assed white mare herself.

Who stood inside made him hesitate somewhat. Orion had expected the summons, but he did not know who would be bringing it. He sighed and greeted them.

“Afternoon, Mrs. E. Afternoon, Silver Bell.” He said, giving the mare strapped in gleaming gold, white, and purple armor a little half-assed salute. “Took her sweet time, didn't she?”

Silver Bell gave him an annoyed snort. “Course yew were expectin’ a summons.” Shaking her head, she laughed. “Just lost fifty bits because of yew.”

“After that letter, I left behind? Like she wouldn't want to chew me out. Yeah, no. Besides, apparently, everyone knows about my little vacation up in the great wide north by this point. Even if she hadn't known at first, she'd know by now.”

“Aye, that they‘re.” Standing, she gave the proprietress a sympathetic look. “We'll be back, Mrs. Evergarden.”

For some reason, Daisy looked upset but simply nodded, her eyes drifting to his own, with clear worry in them.

“Come on now, Colt. Can't keep the Princess waitin’.” Silver gently pushed him back out the door, guiding him toward the foyer.

Ignoring his questioning look as she waited on him to put on his shoes and capesso the bag of gifts he had waiting in the corner of his room, she simply stood there with arms folding in annoyed impatience. Before he had time to settle a strap on his shoulder, she ushered him out the main door and onto the street.

“I get that I did wrong, or at least according to the Princess, but why the strong-arm tactics from Equestria’s best, eh?” Silver had him halfway to a carriage that had been obviously arranged to take him to the castle and sighed, ceasing her efforts for a moment.

“Orion. I don't think yew understand just how much trouble yew…you caused.” She shook her head, switching into a more professional tone. “Did you know…” The guard paused. “No, not gonna say a word to you. Going to let the Princess handle you like I was told.”

“Well…shit.”

Alarmed, Orion tried to protest but was shoved bodily into the carriage and locked in. Three thumps echoed on the walls, and the carriage took off at a much too fast pace.

“Okay, I must’ve really fucked up in her eyes if she is going through all of this.” He gazed out the back, noticing the soldier’s legs completing the climb to the top. Bewildered, he sat back down and stared straight ahead. “Just how deep in the shit am I really?”

The sitting room.

It was the fucking stateroom again. Same white walls with gold filigree embedded into the wood. The same potted plants that occupied the same corners of the round chamber. Same couches that he had placed his ass on before.

The same windows, showing the normally clear blue skies with stained glass, worked in to create colorful masterpieces that he ignored.

The same tea set occupying the center of the coffee table with white trimmed with gold pattern cover.

Same ticking clock. “I am going to break that clock if it's the last thing I do in this life.”

What wasn’t the same? Celestia's big white rear wasn't there. Hadn't been for nearly an hour, and the guards weren't responding to his inquiries about when her Royal Assness was supposed to show up.

The pair only gave him a derisive snort and turned away, shutting the door in his face. He had quickly given up learning what the hell was going on and just sat with his arms folded and staring straight ahead.

“What in the hell happened?”

Since entering the palace, he had been getting some rather cold looks from many of the guards manning their posts along his route to the Princess's favorite torture chamber. Even some of the servants he had seen scuttling about had given him the stink eye before returning to their duties with a huff.

Clearly, he was not popular with the current crop of castle staff.

However, there was one that really caught his attention. One that bothered him a great deal more than the others.

The Elusive Hidden Princess.

He had heard the rumors, of course. Who hadn't? But seeing was indeed believing, as Silver Bell continued to be only slightly less hospitable as opposed to everyone else in the castle, shoving him along at a brisk pace. He spotted her standing on one of the various elegant walkways that seemed to be separated from the rest of the castle.

Even at a distance, he could tell she was gorgeous—like all the beauty in the world personified.

Her multi-colored mane of purple, pink, and yellow fell in heaping loose coils around her neck and chest, and he presumed her back. The body this mare possessed was almost a perfect hourglass. The hips being just slightly wider than her bust, in which the pearl and blue colored dress showed ample cleavage, led to legs that were unseen, yet left an impression that they were long and well defined judging by her stance and the way the skirt clung to her.

In children's books, and later in foalbooks of this world, he had read something along those lines in various fictional stories that very nearly described someone like her. He had often thought that it was the author's way of embellishing the beauty of a woman but was unable to give true words to the vision in their heads.

He had been mistaken. This mare was all that and more.

Celestia was a looker, to be sure, and her ass-to-boob ratio was bigger and even. But this lady…this lady was in a league of her own.

However, proof of her existence wasn't what troubled him.

However, knowing there was a second Alicorn just running about all willy-nilly was concern enough. No, it was the look she was directing at him in her purple eyes. It was cold, like ice, and angry to the point that he felt like he should have been crushed flat. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought he had kicked a whole sack full of puppies in front of her.

Now, he sat in what he began calling the Punishment Room, waiting on another Princess to give him the time of day while ruminating on the former. Considering his previous encounter with royalty, she may simply be too busy to see him. But this long isolation felt…personal.

Then again, so did that glare.

The door clicked open, and he stood quickly, much to his embarrassment.

“Why the hell am I standing?...oh, right. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf.”

In Celestia swept, with all the unhurried grace one in her station could hold. Her hands were burdened with a number of folders and loose sheets of paper that had him curious, but ultimately, he kept his eyes focused on her.

Dressed in a white gown —which wasn't surprising—that left one soft shoulder exposed, she seemed relaxed, though surprised at his sudden respect. Purple slashes of color decorated the hem of the dress at the bottom, and gold needlework in floral designs gave him the impression of her being ready for a garden party later in the afternoon.

Her magenta eyes held irritation, for him, of course, and annoyance that possibly had nothing to do with him at all. Slim chance that.

“Orion.”

“Princess.”

Placing the items she carried on the coffee table before her, she eyed him before sitting down smoothly, adjusting her skirt oh so carefully.

“It is good to see you are in good health.” She stated, looking at him. How could a being who supposedly moved the sun itself be so cold? Granted, he had been a bit of a shithead most of his life, both previous and present, but he didn't think his recent trip away warranted this reaction. “Is there anything you'd like to say before we begin?”

Taking a deep breath, he sighed. “She is gonna run right over me, isn't she?

“Uh, yeah.” Hefting up his bag for her to see, he dug around and pulled out what he had gotten for her from Neighbon. “I realize this will likely not soften the blow of…whatever is going to happen here today, but hey,” he chuckled, “I couldn't help but try. Right?”

Her gaze softened just a smidge as she took the package from him and considered it before placing it next to her without prying into its contents. Her stoic demeanor returned in full force.

“Yes.” She responded simply. “You did try.”

“Shit.”

Something told him to remain standing until she said otherwise, so with great personal annoyance of his own, he did.

Celestia watched him for a moment. Eyes drifting over his face, his body.

“Orion, have you grown taller?” She asked suddenly, causing him to blink.

“Uh, yeah.” He coughed. An eyebrow rose, and he amended his response. “Yes, Princess, I mean.” Giving a weak smile, he continued. “Apparently a steady diet of mostly meat dishes did my body good.” He shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I see. And was it worth it?”

The black colt knew exactly what she meant, or at least thought he did. Pausing a moment, he considered his answer and then shrugged.

“Most in this situation might say no. But I'll be honest, Princess,” he gave her an impish grin. “It totally was. I was really getting sick of the all-fish diet.” His second shrug was apology enough as far as he was concerned.

“Is it still worth it, knowing that some ponies got hurt because of you?”

It wasn't alarm bells but warning klaxons in pig squeal levels of sounding that rang through his skull. He goggled at her.

“How had she found out?!” His mind churned out a panic-tidal wave of thoughts. “How did this bitch learn I was in Aviary? Did some of the unicorns survive? Did she know what I was doing there? How much did she know?!”

“Buh..?” He squawked.

“Orion. When I learned of your disappearance, I sent a team of Rovers into Griffonia after you.”

“Huh?” He paused, his brain wanting to calm himself down while his heart did its best to kill him at the same time. “What? Why?”

“It was because you were in Griffonia. Unaccompanied, as a minor.” She said as if it was the most logical thing to think, spelling it out slowly like he was eighty and hard of hearing.

“But isn't that against international treaty or something?” He asked, trying his hardest to get his bearings on this rollercoaster ride from hell as his mind raced for a response plan.

Could he run? Feasibly get away from her in time to hide? “Flashbang her ass?”

“A large force, yes, that would be the case had I followed that path.” She nodded. “I see you do pay attention in class after all.” She picked up a folder and did not quite shake it at him. “But a force of five is more considered to be an observational team by those same treaties.”

“So she hadn't sent the unicorn force.” A voice from the dark corners of his mind pointed out, and his knees nearly buckled.

There was both relief and irritation at that thought. He was happy that she seemed not to have a clue as to the details that happened in Griffonia. However, part of him was bothered by the fact that he might never learn who sent them.

“Stupid ass thing to be upset about. I know who sent them! The question is: why is the Church of Sol doing all this? What was their endgame?”

“Okay.” He calmed, now angry that he had been forced into a corner that never actually existed. “Can I ask something first?”

“Please,” she nodded, “if that is what you need in order to understand the gravity of your situation, you may ask.” She responded, placing the folder down and crossing her arms, legs, and leaning back.

“First, I want to cover some stuff that I've thought about and not really had a chance to ask.” He replied, remaining standing.

He didn't want to push his luck till he knew what was going on and how far he could push her with his questions. Pissing her off immediately would serve nothing. Best to start small.

“I'm going to go under the assumption that you likely read my mail between me and Scream.” Her slight and begrudging nod began to paint a picture already lined out by his suspicion. “The only reason I can think for you to do that is because you know, or have known, who she really is.” Her eyebrow cocked slightly. “I'm getting to the question, hold your…uh…eyebrows..?” He snorted at his near faux pas and pressed on. “So, taking that into account, I was with an adult.” She didn't protest that statement, so he got bold. “Hell, an adult with an armed force around her at all times.” He pointed out. “So, your unaccompanied minor issue is rather moot from a purely technical standpoint, at least. Right?”

He could hear the wind whistle past her teeth as she took in a breath. Rather than yell at him, of which in this close proximity he was thankful for, she exhaled slowly.

“Orion. I will acknowledge that you are, indeed, technically correct.” Celestia began, weariness in her tone. “You were, in fact, well protected and under adult supervision.” He nodded. “But you were also in the hands of a foreign nation that is likely fully aware of your relationship with the Throne and Twilight Sparkle specifically.”

In all fairness, he could see where that might have made her nervous. Twilight’s mental well-being was paramount to the mare, even if it seemed overtly so to him. Which also meant…

“Ah, crap. That's why you sent them in after me.” He groaned, and Celestia's lips quirked into a smile. “It's because if something happened to me, your student would likely have had a meltdown.” He frowned. She was not about to like this next part, but it was important to say. “Yet, I fail to see how this is my fault.”

“I beg your pardon?” Her magenta eyes widened, outrage beginning to brew in them like twin volcanoes.

“Now, before you create a new sun on the mountain, let me explain.” Orion waved his hands frantically. Once she seemed to calm and the sudden increase in temperature cooled somewhat, he began. “While it is true, I went galavanting off to Griffonia on a whim. I fail to see why you sending anyone after me is my fault. As I pointed out and you agreed, I was just visiting a friend and well protected by guards. Yet, regardless of all that, I disagree that my sorry butt was worth sending a team of soldiers in after.”

He shrugged and, after a moment, sat down. He was still tired from all the traveling he had done. Whatever was going to happen would happen regardless of how good his behavior was now.

He would still try and refrain from being a rude ass, but only just barely.

“Orion.” She began testily. “Do you not understand what a possible injury that you could have-” The black colt raised a hand to stave off what was likely a long-winded dress down. Perhaps he wasn't doing such a hot job not being a dick.

Old habits die hard, he guessed.

“On Twilight, yeah.” He shrugged. “I got that. But let's be real until you started sending me very pointed letters, there was no real chance of us becoming friends.” Leaning forward, and gave his own glare at the Sun Princess. “I was actively avoiding her. Now, don't get me wrong, Twilight is a very sweet girl. Smart and clever. And I enjoy hanging out with her.” He fixed her in his eyes. “But if I had my way, I would never have become friends with her. You,” he pointed at her, “forced that onto me. Onto us.”

Celestia's eyes narrowed at him. But he was on a roll and didn't let her get a word in edgewise.

“Why am I now responsible for your decision?” He shook his head. “I was never going to change my plans. I'm going to do what I want within the bounds of the law when I want.” Pulling a sheet from his pants pocket, he unfolded. “The right of travel is guaranteed to all ponies, no matter stature, as long as they are above the age of fourteen.” He placed it down on the table. “I found that little factoid while waiting for you to drag me here. Another fortunate, for me, point.”

The white monarch did not explode as he expected. Instead, she watched him as she weighed whatever options were passing through her mind.

“Orion,” she said at last, “the moment you accepted her friendship, you were responsible for the actions you took that could affect her. That in itself makes you culpable in this affair. I can not, and will not, allow you to make decisions that will harm her in any way.”

And here it was, what he had hoped to avoid. Another direct confrontation. “Shit.” Orion sighed.

For a moment, he said nothing. Only contemplating how best to defuse the bomb that was Celestia. He pushed on.

“I learned something while up there, Princess.” There was no heat in his tone like that of her own. Just tired resignation. “You are, in fact, correct. We are all responsible for our own choices, whether they affect others or not. Yet, while we should take that into consideration when making plans, we should not live our lives in fear of what might or might not happen. Or who might be affected.” He felt tired suddenly. “To do so would mean everyone would live in a cage of their own making. Fearful of what choices we might make and the effect it would have on those around them.”

Shaking his head, he turned away from her to stare out the window.

“If this is what you want, you will have to lock me into a dungeon and throw away the key. ‘Cause I'm not going to allow ifs and maybes dictate how I live. Not by Twilight, not by my friends in Ponyville or Griffonia, and certainly not by you.” His gaze swung back to hers. “That isn't living. I don't know what that is, but it's not living. I am not some fragile egg to be swaddled in cotton and kept in a jar. Nor am I a tool that can be leveraged by someone against someone else. To quote you, “I won't have it”.”

“Unbelievable.” Celestia thought, incredulous of the situation.

Again, Orion Falls sat in open defiance of her will. Not just defiance, he was flinging her words back into her teeth.

In the beginning, it was cute. Adorable, actually. The way he stamped his hoof and stood strong in his convictions. Even during last year's events in which she had almost lost control, it had still been amusing, if only just.

Now, it was most certainly not.

Celestia could not outright refuse his logic. As he had readily pointed out, he wasn't just technically correct; from an emotional stance, he was also correct from a practical position. Placing the burden of keeping her student happy on him was unfair. She knew that.

But Twilight was far more important than some little pony's desire for independence. This defiance could not stand when faced with the enormity of what that little mare would one day achieve. Would one day become.

“Tell me, what happens when I leave?” His question caught her off guard.

“What do you mean, Orion?” This was going to remain a peaceful meeting between them. No matter how much it would feel good to shout at the little fool. The white monarch had planned too long to allow him to rile her, but it was a near-run thing.

“I mean when I turn eighteen, graduate, and I march right off into the sunset.” He chuckled. “‘Cause if you think for a minute I'm just going to stick around this place, then you're crazy.” Anger surged within her, and she had to slam back down with effort. “What am I supposed to do? Wait, hand and hoof on her at every minute once school is over? Sounds a lot like slavery to me, Boss Lady.” He chuckled. “Come on, Princess. I know you thought this through. What was I supposed to do in your grand plan?”

“Well, he certainly went for the throat on that one.”

Her plan was simple if long in execution. He was supposed to fade into the background. As school life came to an end for the young mare, she would begin tasking Twilight with increasingly more time-consuming activities until he was no longer a consideration in her student's mind. In truth, she had never wanted him around, but when he suddenly appeared in Twilight's circle of influence, she had acted quickly to keep him there. Never realizing how fast the impact of his presence would have been or what the effect might be other than the hoped-for promise of friendship.

Foolish, now that she knew more about him.

Celestia sighed. He liked honesty, and he had been honest so far with her. Not a surprise, she had often tried to catch him in a lie, even precasting the spell for detecting, as she did today, but there was still not a sign of a lie to be detected.

“Orion, I intended for you to fade into the background once you graduated.” Celestia frowned. “She is fixated on helping you achieve the very best in scores and practical exams at the moment, and that gives her experience in dealing with other ponies, especially crippled ones such as yourself.” She smiled softly, almost ruefully. “Even obstinate ones, again, like yourself.” He gave a grimace. “I planned to simply distract her long enough to forget you and remove you so far in social standing from her that you were more of a fond memory than any real pony in her life.”

“Heh.” He chuckled. “Instead, I'm going to be the bandage ripped off a dried wound.”

“Going to be?” The tone in his voice made her hackles want to rise. He wouldn't dare, would he?

“I think I'm going to end my friendship with Twilight Sparkle.”

Celestia's breath caught in her throat. “He would not dare!” Yet, his eyes said just that: yes, he would dare.

“As long as we are friends, I will not be free to live my life. Even if I'm to be the background character, that will take longer than I am willing to accept.” His head rocked from side to side. “However, I will not do the cowardly thing and ask you to tell her. No, I will do that myself. She deserves that much.” He smirked. “In turn, you and I shall never have to speak to one another again. Bonus!”

Celestia gaped at him. She couldn't help herself.

This was not going how she wanted, not at all. Thousands of years of political experience and power only to be thwarted by the onslaught of this pony's determination to live for himself. It was like his very existence was an anathema to her desires.

“You will not do that!” She found herself nearly hissing the words at him and silently cursing him for breaking past her much-renowned reserve with such apparent ease. Again.

“No disrespect intended, but how are you going to stop me?” He simply replied, an eyebrow of his own now cocked.

Oh, there were a myriad of ways she could, and should, inflict upon him to enforce her will.

“This is ridiculous! I should just grab his mind and force-...no. That will not work. Twilight would notice, and I don't know enough about what makes him think to successfully rewrite his consciousness like that.” Suddenly, her stomach turned. Her thoughts had taken a particularly dark turn.

That bothered her.

It was a habit growing with increasing regularity, and she did not like it. Pausing, she assessed the situation.

He had her. As the saying went, he had her over a barrel and was tightening the chains.

“Alright.” She said stiffly. “If that is what you wish…”

“Honestly, I don't.” He interrupted again. “But I feel you are using her as the proverbial cudgel over my head to keep me compliant.” He shook his head. “I know that, you know, that isn't fair. For either of us.” He paused, his face screwing up in frustration. “But you are leaving me with very little in the way of options. I can't go along with this “slowly fading into the background” strategy of yours. Who knows how long it will take her to forget me.” He paused, eyes turning thoughtful. “Ya know, I just had a thought.”

Rather than trust herself to speak, she nodded for him to go ahead. Celestia was on a mane's hair trigger of snapping at him.

That also bothered her. How easily others have gotten under her fur in the last few centuries has become increasingly exponential. Where was the root of this problem? Was she simply tired after ruling alone for so long?

“This is all…distasteful, is that the word? Yeah, this is all so distasteful mostly because it is most certainly manipulation. However, what if I, instead of ending the friendship between us right now. I go with my original plan. Depart on good terms when I am of age, and you,” he gestured casually, “use that as a lesson in…what? Loss? Explain that sometimes friends just grow apart or need to go off and do their own thing for a while but they will still remain friends. That separation isn't the end.”

Opening her mouth, the sun monarch paused for a moment. Her initial reaction was outright rejection of his proposal, mostly on the grounds that he was the one suggesting it.

Yet, as she thought about it, Orion was indeed correct. It was manipulation. However, as she considered the issue, she found it wasn't too outside what she was already doing and more natural in a way that just might work to both their benefits.

“I fear I keep forgetting the fact that this colt has a very shrewd mind.”

“How would you go about this?” She found herself asking.

The pony thought for a moment. “Well, I can't just say: “Hey, I'm leaving, good luck!” He chuckled at that. “But,” he raised a finger, “I can just do what I've been doing all along.”

“Interesting,” she thought slowly. “Now I am curious: What have you been up to with my student?”

Twilight never went into too much detail about her conversations with Orion, and she had chalked it up to foals being foals and wanting a measure of secrecy in their interactions with others. However, it seems to be that this little pony had been up to something she had been left wholly in the dark of.

When she didn't respond immediately, he seemed hesitant.

“I'm surprised she hasn't told you.” Orion visibly considered for a moment before continuing, his finger tapping the side of his muzzle. “I've been telling her for years that once I graduate, I'm traveling the world.” He shook his head. “I think she thinks I'm joking, but I really haven't been, and I've been increasingly reminding her of that.” Spreading his hands, he put on a serious expression. “So you see, I've already put down the groundwork. All I have to do is keep reminding her in a very natural way of my plans for my future.”

“And when the time comes for you to leave, the sting will not be so terrible an ache for her.” She finished.

“And, and!” He gestured wildly. “You can turn it into another of those famous lessons she always talks about.” He smirked. “A win-win for both of us.”

Once again, Orion Falls had proven to be ahead in the race. Though, this one felt more like a happy coincidence. Yet, she could not deny the merits of such a plan.

“I'm not happy with you, Orion.” She said after more than a few moments of consideration. “Regardless if you refuse to accept responsibility, ponies were hurt by your decision.”

“And I feel terrible that happened. Really, I do.” He was oddly calm now, in a way she hadn't ever seen before. An air of maturity she couldn't quite fathom had taken root within him. “But ultimately, I didn't ask for escorts.”

Before she had entered, she had cornered Cadence to find out what aura the pony was exuding, knowing full well that the Princess of Love had seen fit to confront him in some way. Honestly, glaring down on him from on high had been likely the best scenario. The pink mare was not happy, but confronting him physically would have likely stirred a scandal not easily put down.

“There is a lot of anguish within him. Self-loathing, too.” Cadence had replied slowly to her questioning, confusion on her face. “Acceptance of that self-loathing. Did he learn of what happened to Shining and his team already?”

Celestia had been very careful not to scoff at the mare’s inquiries. Conversations always came back to that stallion when she was involved. Always.

“No. As far as I am aware, he knows nothing of the force sent after him. Silver Bell reported as much a little while ago.” Having the soldier question the proprietress about anything he might have said or known had been thorough. He merely knew he had to come home after Grace Fairheart had received a missive from Griffonstone.

“Hmm. Then I suspect something happened up there. Something he is not pleased with himself to have done.” The pink mare said softly. “Something, I suspect, he very much didn't want to happen.” She paused, head cocking to one side. “That's not even the half of it, I fear. Orion Falls is somehow carrying a lot of old emotional scars. The bruises on his colors…I can scarcely tell one from another, are the indication I can see.” The Princess of Love shook her head. “From what I can tell, some of those are somehow paradoxically older than himself, if that is somehow even possible.” Cadence shook her head. “I don't understand. He is the strangest pony I have ever laid eyes on.”

Celestia did not understand either. But then again, the extent of the Pink Princess’s abilities were still unknown to even her, and she had devoted substantial resources to learning the secrets to her talent and hadn't discovered much that she would allow. Could she really read a ponies age by their emotional spectrum?

“Orion, I have yet to ask this,” the Princess began slowly, likely judging his reaction, “but what happened up there?”

He froze at the question. Both annoyed that he had forgotten this likely possibility and angry at being caught flatfooted on it. He had just been congratulating himself on a job well done of manipulating someone who probably lived to see the mountains form.

On Celestia’s apparent immortality, he was beginning to believe somewhat. Unfortunately for him, her steel-trapped mind meant she remembered details. Too many of them, and with astounding accuracy. She also had a nasty habit of picking up on subtleties that most would likely want to remain unnoticed.

“Uh…yeah.” He said carefully. He remembered the spell she had cast to keep Blueblood and his adopted kin honest, and he did not doubt the spell was in play here somehow as well. Her horn remaining dark meant nothing. Wording would have to be very specific. Very carefully done. He couldn't just get out of this by lying.

“What did you do?” A scowl replaced the curious features of her face.

“I…may…have broken someone's heart.” He responded slowly, watching for any facial movement so he might predict what she was sensing. Her eyes squinted at him. “I may have…done more than just may.”

That time, she didn't react other than to ask again. “What. Did you do?” Ice would be jealous of how cold that voice of hers was.

He sighed.

“As we are both aware, Screaming Rush is, in fact, Grace Fairheart. Twelfth in line for the Crown of Griffinstone, yada yada. You get the picture.” She nodded, and he continued. “Would have really appreciated a heads up on that one bee tee dubs, caught me totally by surprise.” He shook his head. “Worse yet, I, in our brief time together before she was swept back to the north by her Uncle, whose kind of a dick, had made a profound impact on the young hen.”

Her eyes widened, her lips quirked into an amused smile.

“Yeah, yeah.” He practically spat. “She was, and likely still is if I suspect why the end of our journey was so stiff and abrupt, in love with me.” He snorted. “Me. The fuck.”

“Language, Orion.” She remarked, and though she scowled at him still, the amusement remained in her eyes. “Go on.”

“So yeah…when we reached Neighbon…”

Celestia was surprised.

“So you used Silktail’s progeny to get her to understand there was no future for you two?” She had known of the Hen’s amorous intentions for a while now. It was easy to see in the way she wrote to him. The impression of a heart-stricken griffon was clear to anypony who read them, and she had been the recipient of more than a few of those letters herself over the centuries.

Apparently, not everypony, for Orion had been caught completely unawares.

“You've more than dabbled in the art of manipulation, Orion. I'm impressed.” She tittered. “It makes sense now how you came up with a plan to deal with Twilight and your eventual separation. You have had practice.”

“To be honest, I still feel sick over that. It was a weak ass-” He coughed, embarrassment flushing his ear tips. “I mean, cowardly thing to do. And I'm not sure she was completely fooled.” He leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

Allowing him a moment to himself, she gazed over him again. There was definitely something new there now. Reflected in his eyes, his posture. There had always been a hardness to him. Whenever he looked as somepony, or anything for that matter, it was always with an air of judgment and mistrust that now made her think of what Cadence had said. Bruises on his aura that seemed older than himself.

Anger.

Celestia often wondered if it was at himself or Grace Fairheart who had put him in such a mental state.

“No, this is deeper, as if he is angry at the world itself.”

It wasn't just in his eyes, though, but in the body language he subconsciously exuded as well. A taut air seems to be hanging around him at all times…distrust.

“Did something else happen?” He groaned and fixed her with a glare.

“Man, you don't let up.” He scowled, looking away. After a long moment, he spoke. “I almost died.” Celestia bolted upright and stared alarmingly at him.

“What happened?!”

“I…may have-”

“Don't hedge your words with me, Colt. What happened up there?!” She was easily taller than him, even when sitting and now with her standing she allowed herself to loom over him.

“I thought,” he chuckled nervously, sinking into the seat, “I could hunt with the soldiers while we were on the road.” He muttered. The spell didn't chime. He wasn't lying. “Did you know they got flying vipers up there? I repeat, flying poisonous snakes.”

“Venomous flying snakes, Orion.” If it was just those, then she wasn't too worried. While true Wyvern Vipers, as they were called in Equestria, were venomous, they were not that deadly. Provided, of course, one didn't fall into a nest of them.

“Yeah, that.” He gestured as if to wave the creature's existence away. “Anyway, it was a Roc that almost ate me.”

She blinked slowly. It was like she had been sucker punched. Still no chime.

“A…Roc? As in the rarely seen predatory bird?”

“Unless there is another type of boulder with wings, screaming razor-filled beak, and large claws, then yes, that fucking thing.” He snarked back.

“Language.” How she wished he would curb that tongue. “Oh, who am I attempting to deceive? He'll never be an ideal husband.” She shook her head in bewilderment, focusing on the issue at hand. “You were hunted. By a Roc?”

“Mhm.” He laughed bitterly. “I literally walked right into the damn nest while following what I thought was a game trail. Nope. According to one of the other soldiers, Rocs hunt big prey, but will drag the body once they have gotten it. While they can fly away with whatever victim is in their claws, they prefer to drag their larger meals. It softens the meat up, or so I've been told. I was following a meal trail.” He thumped his head into the back of the divan. “I should have listened, I'm a moron.”

“What ended up happening?”

“Oh, I got chased.” He stretched the “Oh” out. “If not for Grace’s guard and their long spears, I would have been caught. The thing was damned determined to get me and fast as hell.”

“I see. You imply that they made the target not worth it?”

“Yep. Porcupine of Death formation.” He laughed. “It’s effective as the thing did not want to get close to the pointy ends.” She smiled at his flippant remark. He seems to have made it through the ordeal a bit more wise, at the very least.

A knock at the door halted her next question.

“Yes?”

The door popped open, and Raven Inkwell’s head stuck in.

“Your Highness? They are here.” She shot a quick look of contempt at Orion.

“Good, I will see them shortly.” She responded. The mare had already fallen into her new role like a well-worn glove. Yet, still, she insisted on informing her of any change personally.

“So. Guess that's it?” He asked. Oh, how hopeful he looked.

“Not quite, Orion.”

Author's Note

So, yeah. We're are so back...I guess. Gonna be honest. Life was shit the past three months. I'm not going to get into a sob story, and just give you the cliff notes:

Work got very physically demanding over the past few months. I got Covid again, twice. I just found out one of my first readers, one of the first followers actually, had passed away this past year and that was a complete blow to my drive and emotions. I got sick again during Christmas(getting old sucks don't do it), and seasonal depression has just been generally kicking my ass like I owe it money.

Okay, maybe not short, but good enough. Its just been an absolutely shitty end of the year. Hopefully its all over now. I got chapters written, editing moving forward, and the end of this rewrite is coming to a close. Soon I can start on the next book and be done with all this horseshit.

To those who stuck around waiting on my slow ass to get moving again. Thank you. New readers? Welcome to the shitshow!

Let's roll folks!

Thanks for Reading. Peace!

P.S. How was your Holiday season? Let me know below! And Happy Freakin' New year!