Chapters

One
Mother
Trixie
Twilight
Trixie: First Date
The Cavalier
Trixie: Last Date
Flashback: Sunset Shimmer
The Night Reigns
Not Exactly Steve Irwin
The Ticket Master
Recovery
Boast Busters 1
Luna's Dream Training
Boast Busters 2
Celestia's Memories

One
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Stranger in a Strange Land

One

The little thing would alternate between crying his eyes out, or sleeping fitfully. As he awakened, Celestia braced herself. Already, she was rocking the little one in her arms and preparing a gentle lullaby as Raven Quill began rattling off potential families to take the poor thing in.

"The Bluebloods might take it as an honor, but too much of one... The Dusks are a bit odd but that might help..."

The baby human opened his eyes, and stared up into hers. Such large blue eyes in such a puffy, red face. He was quiet, gazing up in wonder and need as her hummed lullaby flowed through him. Such an innocent expression, full of hope and potential. Just like any of the foals she had born, so long, long ago.

"Fancy Pants just got married, but he might be at the stage he can accept a little one..."

She felt his heartbeat through her arms, and against her chest as she drew the little pink thing nearer. She felt herself grow warm and gooey, deep in her soul. Even her ancient heart was moved by the tiny life, just begun, resting against her. Raven Quill had stopped talking when she lifted her head. Her aide saw the look on her sovereign's face.

"Your Majesty?" She asked primly, quill ready to go. Celestia looked back at the infant human, and saw his tiny hand reach up. His chubby little fingers trying to grasp for something, anything. She bent her head down and nuzzled him, feeling his strange little fingers tug lightly on her fur. He cooed gently, like a sleepy dove.

Her long dormant maternal instincts kicked into overdrive, melting her heart like the springtime thaw of snow capped mountains.

Celestia was a master politician and wartime general. She knew how to play many games, and play them well.

So she knew with utter certainty when she had been beaten. This was one such time.

She lifted her eyes to her assistant, letting the baby continue to hold onto her.

"That will not be necessary," she said softly.

Raven Quill blinked a few times. The doctors nearby looked elsewhere, though Healing Heart was smiling.

"Your Majesty," she said, "please tell me you are not thinking of-" Raven Quill began, but a look from her princess stopped her.

"I'm not thinking. I've thought. And decided," Celestia said firmly. "Please draw up the papers for proper adoption, and have them processed in the usual way. You may as well prepare official notices to go out as well-Let's do this properly."

Her aide sighed softly, but nodded.

"... And the name we will use?" Raven Quill asked.

Celestia glanced at the tiny armband that the doctor had cut away to examine the child's arm. She smiled.

"He already received a name. Let us not disrespect his human parents by using another. He will be Prince. Prince... Ryan."

Some years later...

He had gotten used to the stares. His mother had taught him to maintain his inner peace, to keep himself above it all. He walked the streets of Canterlot like a normal pony would, his Royal Guard escorts Phantom Mist and Iron Wing keeping a respectful pace behind him. These streets were his home, this city was his capital.

His black hair was tinged with a blue tint under the harsh sunlight. He wore white robes, with a purple vest with his mother's sigil. He wore brown shoes for his feet, plodding along the smooth tiled streets as his citizens watched him.

The stares were of awe, and envy, and admiration... But always tinged with a bit of incredulity. Like he still didn't belong, despite literally being their prince.

It was easy for his mother. It had always been easy for her.

But him? He was untested. They didn't know him. Not really.

Well... That was about to change.

He walked into the main lobby at his mother's School for Gifted Unicorns: Ten minutes early, as he always was to everything. He caught sight of a unicorn, old and gray, who bore a scar on his left eye. He grinned in recognition, as the old unicorn looked over at him amongst the throngs of eager colts, fillies and their parents.

"Professor Polymath!"

"Haha, I see you have arrived, Prince Ryan," Polymath chuckled, alighting onto his hooves with a grace and swiftness that belied his age, "how are you feeling?"

"I'm all right, Professor," Ryan said with a smile, "I've got this."

He held up his hand. On his right index finger glowed a silver ring, blue runes shining out from the metal. Polymath chuckled.

"Ah... Those old human myths? You forged one?"

"Well... Stoker did most of it," Ryan admitted. He smiled at the memory of the castle blackmsith.

"This ring won't explode like the last one, will it?" Polymath asked.

"No!" Ryan said defensively. He grumbled. "And the last one didn't explode... It melted."

"Ah yes," Polymath nodded wisely, a glint of amusement in his old eyes, "and set fire to your room, as I recall... Which caused an explosion."

Ryan groaned as they walked to the auditorium.

"Yeah well... This isn't going to happen this time," he said. "This is a real ring of power! A real magical focus! I tested it last night!"

"Did you?" Polymath asked. Ryan nodded.

"Of course..."

The young prince held out his hand, and focused. The ring glowed... And a bright red fireball burst into life over Ryan's palm. Polymath nodded slowly, inspecting the magic.

"Very nice, very nice," he said, "can you control it though?"

"Ha! Watch me!" Ryan boasted. He focused, and the fireball grew larger, almost as large as his head... Before it slowly shrank back down to the size it was before, Ryan's eyes narrowed in intense focus. He grinned at his tutor.

"See?"

"Much better!" Polymath said proudly, "you've done quite well, young Prince!"

Ryan nodded, and dismissed the fire entirely. He grinned and nodded.

"I'm going to ace this!" He said brightly. "I'll earn the right to be my mother's apprentice!"

"You have worked very hard, my Prince," Polymath said with an admiring smile, "perhaps a little too hard? I mean... Did you even sleep last night?"

"Sleep isn't needed," Ryan insisted, "besides, I only just finished the magic ring last night and I still had to practice..."

Polymath gave Ryan a wry look.

"I see... Do take care though, my Prince. You're up against some stiff competition this year," he said. "Rumor has it that one of these unicorns was tutored by-"

"Hello, Prince Ryan!"

"Cadance?" Ryan asked, seeing a pink furred alicorn trotting up to them. She smiled warmly, and the young human straightened up.

"Here to take the entrance exam, huh?" Cadance asked, her mane done up in a fetching ponytail. Ryan gulped a bit, and nodded. He leaned against the nearby wall, trying to look casual.

"Oh! Uh, yeah. Totally," he said, his voice breaking, before he continued in a deeper tone, "totally prepared for it. Gonna ace it."

He finished with a confident grin, and trying to nonchalantly run his fingers through his hair. He winced as his still warm magic ring brushed against his forehead, but kept up his strained grin despite the pain. The young princess beamed, and nodded.

"Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine!" She said with a wink, before she trotted off. Ryan twisted his head to watch her go, staring after her.

"My Prince? My Prince?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, yeah," Ryan said quickly, pulled back from the wall, "I'm totally fine."

Polymath chuckled in an annoying, knowing way. Ryan couldn't help his scowl at the older unicorn, his adolescent brain detecting some mockery.

"What?!"

"Nothing, my Prince, nothing," Polymath said.

They headed to the waiting area. He got a lot of looks, but Ryan ignored them. He sat down at a lone table. A blue filly unicorn galloped up, beaming eagerly.

"Can I sit with you?" She asked, "my parents would love to know that I got to meet the Prince!"

"Uhhh..." Ryan tried. Her large eyes and pleading expression suddenly robbed him of any knowledge of court etiquette. That and the lack of sleep.

"I'm afraid His Highness is focused on the exam," Polymath said smoothly, taking the chair next to Ryan, before Phantom Mist and Iron Wing took the other two chairs. Ryan gave an apologetic look to the disappointed filly.

"Uh... I'll see you in class though?" He said.

The filly squealed, loud enough to make Ryan's ears hurt, before she rushed away.

"MOM! DAD! TRIXIE JUST MET THE PRINCE AND HE'LL SEE ME IN CLASS...!"

Ryan rubbed his ears. Polymath chuckled again. The two guards were stoic as always, but Ryan knew them well: They were hiding smirks. Ryan sighed and held out his palm. He summoned another sphere, this one of ice, and made it bigger, then smaller. He summoned a ball of wind, then of fire again. He practiced, just as he'd been practicing over and over and over and over-

"Calm yourself, My Prince," Polymath counseled, resting a hoof on the boy's forearm, "it won't do to exhaust yourself before the exam!"

"I know, I know," Ryan muttered, "I'm just really, really... Uh..."

"Nervous?" Polymath asked.

"No!" Ryan said, far too quickly. The old unicorn's eyes smiled. The human prince sighed.

"Okay maybe a little," he admitted, "just... I wanna make Mom proud. She was so overjoyed when I could do magic, and... And I want to impress her."

"Yes, I recall," Polymath said wryly, "you set the curtains on fire in your nursery."

"Not on purpose! ... That time," Ryan amended at Polymath's knowing look. "O-Or the other times!"

"Hm, yes," Polymath said, "just stay calm. Go through your routine. You'll be fine."

"I'm not even a unicorn," Ryan whined.

"So? You can still use magic," Polymath said.

"I know... But if I'm gonna be taken seriously, I need to be better than everypony else," Ryan insisted, "it's the only way I won't be seen as a..." He made a face. "Blueblood."

"I thought you liked Blueblood?" Polymath asked.

"Yeah, I do, but he's known as the layabout and jerk Prince with no talent," Ryan stated, "I don't wanna be that! I'm no good at lying!"

"Your mother would regard that as a virtue."

"Not in politics or being an actual ruler," Ryan said, "so if I'm no good at lying, I've got to be able to smash anything that threatens the kingdom!"

"An... Interesting line of logic, My Prince," Polymath said wryly, "could you not simply learn how to lie properly?"

"Nobody's going to believe me," Ryan said.

There was a loud boom, and the building rumbled and shook. Multiple unicorns and their parents went for cover and cried out, as a powerful rainbow colored shockwave blasted through the air. The Royal Guards immediately tried to cover Ryan and Polymath, but the human boy was thrown out of his chair and the guards slammed into eachother. Ryan rolled, and got up onto his feet as the ground continued to shake.

"What in the-?!"

And then a gigantic purple and green dragon belly smashed through the walls of the school. The magical channels were broken, and a fire broke out. Polymath was already on his hooves, casting ice and water spells as fast as he could. Ryan staggered up, saw the flames, saw the screaming unicorns...

He channeled his power. He held out his hand.

He unleashed blasts of water and ice alongside his mentor, smothering the flames in concentrated blasts of cold and wet. The unicorns all fled, other teachers keeping the doors open as everypony evacuated.

The ground shook, and the immense dragon belly and claws shrank back.

"What the Tartarus was that?!" Polymath cried. His eyes widened in shock.

"RYAN LOOK OUT-!"

"Wha-?"

Ryan looked up just in time to see a ceiling panel fall on him.

He went down hard. Everything went black.

He woke up with a groan. He blinked his eyes. A familiar face was standing over him, smiling warmly.

"Mom...?" Ryan managed.

"Shh... It's all right," his mother said softly, stroking his face with her wings. He leaned into her touch, and sighed.

"What happened?" Ryan asked. He felt the warmth of his bed underneath him. The familiar walls of his room in the palace swam into view.

"There was..." His mother trailed off, "an incident. One of the students showed off an incredible amount of magical talent. It caused some issues-No deaths though."

She smiled proudly down at him.

"Courtesy of you and your tutor," she said warmly, "well done."

Ryan grinned back.

"Oh... Um... Ya know," he said, "I... It was the right thing to do... Um... So... Are we going to be holding new openings for an apprentice since that student wrecked everything?"

Celestia was silent for a moment. She then gave him as kind and understanding a smile as possible.

"Your performance was good enough to enter the school," Celestia said carefully, "but... I've chosen my apprentice."

Ryan blinked. He blinked again. He stared at his mother in utter disbelief.

"What?"

"The unicorn who pulled off that feat of magic... Well! She has great potential," Celestia explained.

"What?!" Ryan demanded. He sat up, despite his headache.

Celestia shook her head.

"Polymath has agreed to continue to train you, and you've done so well in all of your other studies-"

"Some unicorn wrecks the school, I help save ponies, and you-you pick her to be your apprentice?!" Ryan demanded. "How does that work?!"

Celestia sighed heavily. She tried to pull Ryan in for a hug, but the boy turned away and glared at the wall. Celestia frowned deeply.

"Ryan... I know you wanted to be my apprentice," she said gently, "but this filly... She's very talented. Very powerful. And very smart. I'm sorry, sweetie-"

"Oh yeah, sure, pick some unicorn over your own son, that makes sense!" Ryan growled angrily. He fought back tears. Celestia rested a wing over him, even as he tried to wriggle away from her.

"Ryan... I am so proud of all you have done," Celestia said gently, "but this filly needs guidance."

"Yeah, so she won't have to wreck up anything else I guess," Ryan growled.

"You will understand someday... And I hope you can forgive me," Celestia said sadly. "Dinner's on soon-"

"I'm not hungry," Ryan grunted.

Celestia nodded slowly.

"If you change your mind, I will be in the dining room," she said. She trotted out, leaving the angry boy behind.

The next day, Ryan ate his breakfast in silence. He just nodded when his mother talked about his school schedule, but didn't respond. She hugged him goodbye, but he didn't return it... Well, okay, he returned it a little.

But he was still angry.

He walked the whole way to school, wearing trousers, a white shirt, and a scowl the whole time. His guards kept up with him, but seemed a bit wary of the young prince's wrath.

He got to the school, and was just about to find his classroom, when he nearly ran into a unicorn. He looked up, startled.

Polymath chuckled.

"My Prince... You must hold your head up," he said, "for if you can't see where you are going... You will forever be running into things."

"Professor," Ryan began, but stopped. He grit his teeth. Polymath rested a hoof on Ryan's shoulder.

"Ryan... I understand your anger," Polymath said gently, "not everypony gets what they want. Life is full of disappointments. One must get used to it."

"But-" Ryan tried, but Polymath shook his head.

"A prince must serve his people, not the other way around. Otherwise, he is a tyrant. And that's not what you want to be, is it?"

"N-No!" Ryan said, shaking his head frantically. "No! Never that!"

"I know," Polymath said, "but anger and resentment can lead to that outcome in one with power. I know it is difficult... But you are still a star student. You're not your mother's apprentice, but you can become a great wizard... And a great prince, too. Besides... There's a young filly in there who is now famous. You know how hard that can be, yes? Why not try to help her?"

"I..."

Ryan looked into the classroom. He scanned the rows. Polymath cleared his throat.

"The little purple one," he murmured.

Ryan locked his eyes onto the filly. She was small but lithe, purple in fur and darker purple in mane, with a pink streak. She had her nose buried in a book, and nopony else was sitting near her in the wooden rows of the classroom. Ryan worked his jaw.

"Her name is Twilight Sparkle," Polymath said, "and I think you two could be friends... Will you try? For me, My Prince?"

Ryan sighed heavily. He very slowly nodded.

"All right... I'll try," he muttered.

Polymath beamed.

"Go on in," he said.

Ryan walked in, ignoring the looks from the other students. That loud mouthed blue unicorn from before was staring at him in awe. He walked right past her, even as she waved her hooves at the empty seat next to her.

He sat down next to the purple filly. Startled, she looked up.

"Oh... Uh... H-Hi," she managed.

"H-Hi," Ryan returned, "I'm-"

"Prince Ryan, Crown Prince of Equestria, the Human Foundling," Twilight said quickly, "I-I know, I've read about you."

"Uh, yeah," Ryan said, "and you're Twilight Sparkle... Nice to meet you?"

"Yes! Yes, it is!" Twilight said, smiling nervously. "...R-Right?"

"I guess so?" Ryan shrugged.

Polymath, watching from the door to the classroom, chuckled softly as he worked his whiskers.

"That's my colt..."

One Year Later...

Prince Ryan scanned the class rankings, displayed outside on boards at the end of every semester. He looked through the class numbers, hands in his pockets, as the fall leaves drifted through the cool autumn air.

He spotted his number... And grinned.

Yes... YES!

"Oh wow! Amazing!"

Ryan looked over at a young unicorn. He beamed at her.

"Hey Trixie!"

The blue unicorn laughed happily.

"Wow! Number One student! You've done it twice in a row so far! You're so amazing!"

Ryan smirked, trying to look modest and failing miserably.

"Just lots of hard work and lots of sleepless nights," he said.

"Still, you're the Prince," Trixie said, "why don't you just coast on by?"

Ryan shook his head, eyes narrowing.

"A prince should be somepony his people can look up to. If you're lazy, no one respects you," Ryan stated.

Trixie giggled a bit, her pigtails bouncing.

"Wow! You're so cool!" She laughed.

"Thanks," Ryan said. He looked up, and was no longer able to stop his smirk as an unhappy Twilight Sparkle trotted by. He smirked and nodded to her.

"Sparkle. Good work. You did well again..."

Twilight scowled intently at Ryan.

"Congratulations," she ground out, "on being the number one student. Again."

Ryan smirked and nodded again.

"Thank you. That's very gracious of you," he said.

Twilight's scowled deepened, her face turning red.

"But just you wait! I'll figure out how to go without sleep! You won't stand a chance next time!"

"I'm totally sure," Ryan stated, "and I'll start losing sleep over that. Real soon. Promise."

"HMPH!" Twilight stomped off to the chariot waiting outside. Ryan shook his head, while Trixie cheered and hugged his arm.

"Wow! She's such a stuck up snob! Trixie thinks you're the best!"

"Thanks," Ryan said gratefully, "now... If you'll excuse me... I'm gonna go celebrate."

"Can I join you?" Trixie asked hopefully. Ryan smiled warmly at her, and patted her on the head.

"Not... This time, Trixie. Next time though?"

"You promise?" Trixie asked.

"Absolutely!" Ryan promised, giving her a thumbs up.

He headed off to the front of the school. He got up into the chariot, and beamed at his mother. She was waiting in the chariot, looking proud.

"I'm very proud of you, Ryan," she said. Ryan grinned back.

"Thank you Mom," he said. He sat down next to her... And leaned against her warm body. He soon fell asleep, snoring softly.

Twilight leaned over and scowled angrily from the other side of the princess.

"What?! Is he sleeping?!"

"He worked very hard for his grades, Twilight, just as you did," Celestia said, "and I'm very proud of both of you."

Twilight's scowl deepened.

"Hmph!"

"Though you both need to sleep more," Celestia said.

"HMPH!"

Author's Note

Fuck if I know. My muse is all over the place. But, if enough people like it? I'll continue.

These ponies are anthro, mind you. Just to make things a little less weird...

Mother
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Mother

Prince Ryan Solaris, heir to the throne of Equestria (in theory anyway), awoke to the sun rising. He yawned, sat up, stretched his arms over his head...

"RYANNNN~!"

And was immediately smothered in maternal affection. He groaned as his mother hugged, cuddled and fussed over him.

"Mom... Good morning... please let go?"

Celestia drew back, tears in her eyes.

"Are you saying you don't want to hug your beloved mother?" Celestia sniffled. Ryan grumbled.

"Mom, seriously-!"

"Oh woe is me!" Celestia sobbed theatrically, "my own son rejecting me! What did I do? My son despises me!'

Ryan groaned again, and hugged her.

"Please stop it, your acting is terrible," Ryan sighed, patting his mother on the back between her wings. Celestia giggled and smothered him in her bosom.

"I'm just trying to put a smile on your face! You're far too young to be so serious!"

"Mom, you're over a thousand years old and barely look over twenty-five," Ryan stated. Celestia sniffled again, great big crocodile tears pouring out of her eyes.

"Oh no! Your mother is no longer sexy! I'm an old nag!" She covered her face with one hand and threw the other up theatrically.

"My own son thinks I'm old and worn out!"

"I'm not supposed to think my mom is sexy!" Ryan shouted. "Only weirdos think their moms are sexy!"

Celestia peeked at Ryan between her fingers.

"So, you think your mom isn't old and worn out?"

"No, just weird," Ryan sighed, "come on Mom. You're the ruler of a country!"

"Which is why you must take every chance for fun you can!" Celestia chuckled, hugging her son tightly again. "Especially TICKLE TIME!"

"AH-! NO! STAHAHAHAHA-!" Ryan guffawed, before rolling out of bed. He stood up, and held his hands up as his mother giggled.

"Mom! Seriously!"

His mother pouted.

"Aw, you used to love Tickle Time!"

"Yeah. When I was five!" Ryan sighed. He turned to start getting dressed. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because... You're growing up."

Ryan turned and stared. His mother looked so... Forlorn. He felt his stomach drop, and frowned.

"Mom-"

"I'm so proud of you, but... I remember when you were so small. Helpless. But your little eyes were filled with love. I remember your first laugh, you know? It was so joyous..."

She looked away, her face so sad. Ryan walked to his mother's side. She slowly looked up at him, a smile returning to her face, but... Full of melancholy.

"I just... Can't help remembering those times. When I was your whole world. Now you're going to school, meeting fillies. It's just... Hard to explain."

"Mom," Ryan murmured. He hugged her tightly. Her smile warmed again, as she returned it.

"Where does the time go?" Celestia asked, "there's so much ahead..."

"Mom... I'm still your son. And I do love you," Ryan said earnestly. Celestia beamed, and kissed his cheek. He was getting taller every day.

"I know... I just want to remember those times. To not lose them," she said. "I could use reminders from time to time."

Ryan chuckled.

"Well... We could play in a pillow fort again sometime?"

"That would be nice," Celestia said, "we could build the battlements out of my paperwork."

"Won't Raven Quill yell at us for that?"

"I'll give her a vacation. Harmony knows the poor dear needs one."

Author's Note

Short bit, but it helps with character building until we hit some more significant stuff.

Trixie
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Trixie

Trixie stared at Ryan from behind a bookcase in the library. The Prince was, as usual, studying hard.

Honestly, despite the fact he was kind of a weird alien, Trixie found herself... Kind of liking him.

Sure, he was really serious all the time. And obsessed with beating Sparkle. But he did put out fires and helped others when asked.

That actually made this... More difficult, as she thought back to her mother's instructions.

"Trixie, it cost us a lot of money to send you to this school. I know you want to become a performer, but that won't cover our debts! So instead, you should get close to the Prince. He is some hideous alien, but if he can get you with foal? We'll all be set for life! So get to it!"

Trixie put on her best flirtatious smile, and walked out to Ryan. She sat next to him.

He glanced up at her, and briefly smiled.

"Hello Trixie. What can I do for you?"

"I..." Well she couldn't just throw herself at him. She needed an excuse... "I mean... Trixie needs homework help!"

That was the truth, at least. And it let her avoid thinking about her mother's instructions for a bit.

Ryan put down his pencil and nodded.

"Show me."

Trixie produced her homework for the last week... And her report cards. Ryan read through everything, his frown deepening.

"Did you put any thought into your career path before entering?"

"Trixie... I mean I wanted to be a stage performer. Like my dad," Trixie admitted.

Ryan immediately broke out his binders, folders, and numerous pieces of paper. He scanned and looked through them, writing like the wind on a piece of paper.

He then slid it over to her, and she looked it over in surprise.

"These classes emphasize performance oriented magic," Ryan explained, "and the acting club will be a big help. You should also consult with Mrs. Stagecall, she's got a lot of connections with theater companies. She can help you there."

"I... Why would you have all this?" Trixie asked in disbelief.

Ryan grinned.

"A prince needs to know who to talk to about subjects he is lacking knowledge in. It's not as important to know everything, as to know what you don't know and where to find it. Still, your grades do suck. So you'll need to get them up."

"Would... Would you tutor me?" Trixie asked.

Ryan hummed.

"I'm pretty busy..."

Trixie's face fell.

"But uh," Ryan said quickly, "it might be nice to learn how to teach somepony. That-that might come in handy some day."

Trixie frowned. She thought she was supposed to be using him.

But did she want to?

"Truth is," Ryan admitted quietly, "I think you're fun. And I don't want to... Ya know... Lose that."

Trixie flushed.

"Everypony else thinks I'm... Annoying."

"Maybe a little, sometimes," Ryan admitted, and Trixie pouted, "but I... Like annoying."

Trixie flushed again. Still, her mind was racing.

The chance to fulfill her dreams, and keep her mom happy? At least until she could graduate and escape?

That... Felt a lot better to Trixie than getting knocked up by an alien prince.

At Ryan's shy smile... It felt even better.

"So," Trixie began, "where do we begin?"

Author's Note

Because I like Trixie and wanted to do something a bit different with her.

Twilight
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Twilight

Two Years After Entrance into the Academy, Three Years Before Nightmare Moon

Twilight had worked around the clock for a week, only stopping for some sleep and food, but she had done it! Her project for Enchantment Class was complete.

She strode into the classroom, trying very hard not to smirk at Prince Ryan. But she failed as he sat there with a plain cardboard box. She sat with her project at her desk next to Moondancer.

"I'm finally going to beat him this time, Moonie," Twilight whispered to her friend, "I've finally got him!"

"Seriously," Minuette, her other friend, groaned in the seat just behind her, "why don't you buck him already? This rivalry is getting annoying."

"I do not like him!" Twilight hissed.

"I'm just saying, your obsession with beating him is kind of weird," Minuette said, "and Moondancer has a poster of him."

Moondancer buried her face in her book to cover up a blush.

"That... Is just something my mother sent me. As a joke," she muttered.

"Class is in session!" Called out Professor Booming Blade. The unicorn eyed the class with a deadpan look.

"So... Who would like to present their project first...?"

Twilight's hand went right up. Booming Blade smirked a bit.

"Miss Sparkle, naturally. Come on up!"

Twilight practically skipped up to the front, and set her velvet covered project down. She dramatically pulled off the cloth, revealing a silver lined metallic hoop mounted on a small wooden pedestal. It glowed faintly with green light.

"Class... I present the Probability Ring!" Twilight announced. "Thanks to controlled chaos magic fields, you can adjust the Probability of any small scale event!"

Much oohing and awing ensued. Booming Blade raised a furry eyebrow.

"That's very advanced magic, Miss Sparkle. Chaos magic is something we don't cover until final year."

"I know! But observe!" Twilight stuck her hand through the ring, and showed off a coin in her hand. "Flip it once-Call it, Professor!"

"Heads," Booming Blade stated. It landed Tails.

"Call it again!" Twilight said, as she flipped the coin once more.

"Tails!"

Again it landed on tails... For twenty straight flips. There was much murmuring in the class as Twilight held up some charts and pictures of her previous experiments.

"As you can see, by merely adjusting the Hume fields with a bit of chaos magic," Twilight explained, "a simple binary action such as a coin flip can be manipulated! Thus demonstrating local Hume control!"

There was much clapping, and Booming Blade, notoriously hard to impress, was nodding after examining the ring.

"Excellent work, Miss Sparkle," he said, "you may sit down."

Flush with success, Twilight walked back to her seat with a big smile. Yes, yes! She was sure she would beat that arrogant Prince now!

She took her seat, grinning, as Booming Blade scanned the room.

"Well, let's not put it off any longer... Mister Ryan? Your Majesty? Go ahead."

Ryan stood up and walked to the front of the class, holding his cardboard box. As usual, his eyes were darkened from lack of sleep. His black hair was properly coiffed though. And he had grown taller and more muscular, from taking the physical education classes-

What? She didn't care about that!

"Thank you Professor," Ryan spoke with a nod. He set the box down, before opening it up like a flower. "My project was based on an issue plaguing our kingdom: Magical power generation."

There was a lot of gasping. It was a small Magicite crystal, held in a circular array of gold, silver, and other metals and materials.

"Now, this is only a scale prototype," Ryan explained, "but! Liberating energy from small magicite reactors has always been difficult due to the heat issues. However, the answer to this problem was found in the ancient writings of Starswirl the Bearded!"

Here Ryan smirked as he plugged in a light bulb, and hit the power switch. The small reactor glowed, as runes began to flash and pulse. Air banged softly, as Twilight realized the trick immediately.

"You're teleporting the heat away from the reactor with a runic teleport cantrip!" Twilight gasped. "But where?!"

Fireballs erupted outside the window, streaking up into the sky. This startled the class, but applause soon followed. Booming Blade clapped with them.

"Excellent work, Your Highness," Booming Blade said. He rarely used the honorific with rhe young Prince, and Ryan bowed gracefully. He deactivated his reactor, before talking to a crowd of excited students. Twilight scowled from her seat, as the Prince shot her a cocky smile.

"I create a device that alters Probability itself, and he just adds a teleporter spell to a power generator," Twilight growled. "Why are they so impressed?!"

"His does have explosions," Minuette said.

"Just because it's flashier doesn't make it better!' Twilght groaned.

The day had been difficult, Twilight wasn't going to deny it. But tonight would wash all that frustration away. Her mentor Celestia finally had time for another dinner with her!

She was practically giddy. She loved to spend time with Princess Celestia! Being her apprentice was the best thing to ever happen to her!

The ancient monarch was so warm, kind, even witty! Every moment they spent together was pure bliss!

She put on her best school uniform and was fifteen minutes early to the dining room doors.

Celestia opened the doors right on the dot, beaming at Twilight.

"Hello my student! I'm so glad you could make it!" She said.

"I-I'm so glad, too!" Twilight said happily.

Celestia stepped back, allowing Twilight to enter as she babbled excitedly.

"I can't wait to tell you about the ancient tome of the Neighcromancer... Uh..."

She trailed off. Sitting on the other side of the round table was... Prince Ryan. He had been looking over some paperwork... Which he dropped, when he caught sight of her.

His face became a very stony mask.

"Sparkle," he stated.

"Prince Ryan," Twilight returned, polite but cold.

"I thought that my son and my apprentice should get along and be friends!" Celestia said happily. "Why don't you sit and chat a bit while I get the food? The chefs are taking a while."

Twilight sat down in the chair opposite Ryan's, arms crossed over her chest. Ryan went back to his paperwork, ignoring her, as Celestia headed out of the room. The door shut. The silence continued.

Still... Princess Celestia had told her to be friends... So...

"So... What are you working on?" Twilight asked.

"Paperwork," Ryan deadpanned.

"For?" Twilight asked.

"Nunya," he said.

Twilight frowned, confused.

"Nunya-?"

"Nunya business, that's what," Ryan said. Twilight scowled.

"Do you have to be so immature?" She demanded.

"You asked. I answered," Ryan stated.

"Ugh, you're impossible!" Twilight huffed. "I can't believe you were raised by Princess Celestia! You're so irritating!"

"And who raised a know it all bookworm like you? Don't think I want to meet them," Ryan shot back.

"I am not a know it all!" Twilight insisted. Ryan held his hand up and waved it, smiling like a spazz.

"Ooh! Ooh! Professor! I know the answer! Pick me! I wanna perform like a trained seal!"

"I do not sound like that!" Twilight huffed. "And at least I don't make things explode!"

"At least I make things explode outside!"

"That was an accident! You do that intentionally just to show me up!" Twilight sneered.

"Oh yeah, like you don't do the same to me!" Ryan shot back. "I know you spied on my last project in Theory!"

"I did not!" Twilight protested. "It was sheer coincidence we both did a paper on Multi-stage Teleportation! You must have been spying on me!"

Ryan set his paperwork aside so he could give Twilight his angriest glare.

"Oh yeah, because I would waste my time watching what you do!"

"Well why would I waste my time watching you, huh?! Got you there!" Twilight challenged. "I bet you have some kind of weird obsession with me!"

Ryan coughed, and gaped in disbelief.

"I-WHAT?!"

"You clearly can't wait to one up me all the time, you must have it out for me!" Twilight sneered. "You creep!"

"Oh PLEASE!" Ryan huffed, "like I'd be obsessed with your skinny, bony plot!"

Twilight blinked... Then turned bright red in embarrassment and anger.

"I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT THAT-YOU WEIRDO! AND MY PLOT IS NOT BONY!"

Ryan gaped back.

"Wha-THEN WHAT WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!"

"NOT THAT! BUT NOW MAYBE YOU ARE THAT KIND OF WEIRDO! PERVERT!"

"I WASN'T-I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR PLOT LOOKS LIKE, NOR DO I CARE!"

In a nearby room, Celestia and Cadance spied on the goings on in the dining room via a scrying spell projected on the wall. Cadance already had popcorn out.

"Okay, you were right," Celestia chuckled, "this is a lot of fun to watch."

"Told you," Cadance grinned, "so... Care to place a bet on when I can get them to tie the knot?"

"As long as I get grandfoals? I'm fine with however you do it. No betting needed."

"Pity," Cadance sighed.

Author's Note

A bit longer chapter. I'm doing shorter chapters as build up-Little experiment of mine. Let's see how it turns out.

Trixie: First Date
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Trixie: First Date

Three years before Nightmare Moon Returns...

Prince Ryan never made a big scene out of being the top student every semester. He accepted it with cool, calm dignity, and gave Twilight a gracious congratulations on making it to second, again.

She once again gave a gracious smile and nod, as well as basic congratulations.

What no one knew... Was what both of them did afterwards.

Twilight, for her part, cried and threw a bit of a temper tantrum. Understandable.

Ryan, on the other hand...

"YES! YES! YES! HA! BOOYAH! IN YOUR FACE, SPARKLE! WOO! WOO! WOO! WOO!"

He shadowboxed triumphantly in the colts' bathroom, and fist pumped in his victory.

"Yes, yes, yessss...!"

"YES!"

Ryan paused. That wasn't him. He had about half a second's warning from his mage senses before a girl tackled him into a tight hug. He turned around in her grip, and looked down in surprise. Trixie Lulamoon was grinning back up.

"Trixie? This is the colt's room-"

"Don't care, look, LOOK!"

She held up her score sheet. Ryan blinked.

"Uh, yeah, you passed-"

"Trixie passed!" Trixie sobbed happily, hugging him tightly and burying her face in his chest. "All of my classes, I passed!"

"Yes... That's what happens when you study hard," Ryan said, still confused. "Congratulations-?"

"Ugh, NO! Trixie means that... Look," she beamed up at him, "Trixie's mom kept telling me to just marry a good stallion, and leave school. But with this, I qualify for a grant! I-I can finish my schooling! I can graduate!"

Ryan blinked, and patted Trixie on the back.

"I... Yeah, you did it Trixie-"

"I couldn't have done it without you!" Trixie insisted. She beamed up at him, eyes full of tears.

"You're not talking in the third person as much, are you all right?" Ryan asked earnestly.

Trixie answered... By standing up on her tiptoes, and pressing her lips against his.

It was warm. It was wet. It was... electrifying.

Ryan found his hands naturally wrapping around the shorter mare to hold her, as her mouth began to move against his. He felt warm all over, like a bolt of lightning had shot through him.

They broke the kiss, both panting hard for breath. Trixie stared up at him, a deep blush on her blue cheeks.

"I-Um... Trixie apologizes," she murmured, "I-I just... Uh... I mean, Trixie... I mean..."

She giggled.

"You... You okay, Your Majesty?"

It suddenly occurred to Ryan that... Trixie was a mare. He'd always known that intellectually on some level, of course. His colthood crush on Cadance had been all about her being a princess, and he was a prince, and princes would save princesses and they'd live happily ever after. That's how it had gone.

But now... All of a sudden, Trixie was a mare. He could feel her chest through their clothes as she pressed up against him. He could feel how warm she was, how good she smelled.

It hit him like a meteor from the sky:

Trixie is a mare. A hot mare!

She kissed you!

"Ryan?"

Say something, dumbplot!

"I... I'm... Happy for you," Ryan said, "really happy."

My voice just broke why did it break you idiot arrrrgh...!

"I... I really couldn't have done it without you," Trixie said softly, "you pushed me to be... Better. And I really appreciate that."

Come on brain... Something... Say something...!

Ryan's magnificent brain was usually firing on all cylinders like an efficient machine... But right now it was sputtering and lagging.

"Dinner?"

Trixie blinked.

"Huh?"

"A... My place... Food... To celebrate?" Ryan managed, his voice breaking again towards the end of what could almost be considered a sentence. "Tonight?"

Trixie grinned.

"Trixie would-I mean... I'd like that," she said, "I-I would really like that. Is... Is six okay?"

Ryan nodded, now grinning like an idiot. Trixie hugged him again and pranced off, looking giddy.

Ryan was feeling like prancing himself... And he didn't know why.

Which is when his brain finally got back into gear.

Did you just ask Trixie out on a date? Or rather, to your home? For a date?

His face paled.

Oh buck me...

Ryan arrived at the palace a bit later than usual. He easily ducked through the employee entrance to avoid the crowds of ponies leaving after Day Court was adjourned. He came up through the secret tunnels and soon, entered into the throne room.

He could see a few ponies leaving, deeply frustrated and hiding it poorly as he walked up to his mother.

She sat there, regal as ever, but just a hint of strain around her eyes. This had been a long day for her, he could tell.

Twilight Sparkle was also there, sitting at his mother's side dutifully taking down notes. She scowled at him, but he was too overwhelmed to return it properly.

Celestia's face did brighten when she saw him.

"Hello Ryan," she said warmly, "how was your day?"

"Uh, good, very good," he said carefully, "number one in class again."

Twilight's scowl deepened a bit, as Celestia beamed.

"Wonderful work!"

"And..." He trailed off. His mind had been going in circles the whole way home.

"Mm?" Celestia hummed curiously, leaning in.

"I uh... Trixie is coming over," Ryan said carefully, "at six. For dinner. With me."

Celestia continued to smile. Twilight blinked, confused.

"We... Er..."

"Yessss?" Celestia prompted, her face threatening to break out in a grin.

"It's no big deal, really," Ryan insisted, "just a date-"

Celestia crowed happily, and practically teleported up to hug him and spin her son around in the air.

"MY SON HAS A DATE!" Celestia laughed.

"MOM!" Ryan growled. He focused his magic and used a wind spell to push himself away. "Seriously Mom! Please!"

Celestia sniffled, still beaming like her sun.

"Oh, my foal is growing up," she whimpered.

"Mom, please," Ryan tried, "please, don't go overboard? I really want this to go well, you-you know?'

Celestia paused in her celebrations, and smiled knowingly.

"I understand. I won't embarrass you, promise," Celestia said, "so, how about I have Raven Quill set up a nice little dinner table in the Northwest Tower Garden?"

"Yeah, that would be great," Ryan said, smiling.

"I'll get the band and the guards-!"

"MOM," Ryan groaned. Celestia flushed, and nodded quickly.

"No band, no guards! Just you two. All alone. It will be very romantic!"

"Thank you," Ryan sighed, "uh... Not... Too romantic, okay?'

Celestia smiled warmly.

"You know, I wouldn't mind if you made me a grandmother this soon-"

"MOM!" Ryan practically shrieked. Celestia giggled and hugged him.

"Just kidding! Don't you worry, Ryan! You go and wash up! Wear your nice suit! But not the nicest! No need to overwhelm her!"

"Thanks Mom," Ryan sighed, smiling a bit. He hugged her back.

As silly as she could be, he did love her dearly.

"Twilight! Come! Help me organize things!" She cried, grabbing the purple haired mare.

"Wait what-AHH-!"

They vanished in a burst of teleportation magic. Ryan sighed, and brought his hands together in silent prayer.

"Please, great Harmony, let tonight go well?" He murmured.

His brain caught up again, pointing out the obvious to make him relax:

What could possibly go wrong?

Ryan had opted for a simple suit and tie. Long-tailed but otherwise black. He really didn't want Trixie to feel intimidated.

He went to the front entrance of the palace, nodding to the guards on watch. Steel Trap grinned and winked at the Prince, while Misty Shore remained her stoic self.

He clapped his hands together, trying to look calm and princely.

"RYAN!"

He blinked in confusion as he spotted Trixie. His face went r red as he got a good look at her as she hurried up with a grin on her face.

She had gone for a simple blue, sparkling dress with tight straps on her shoulders and a scandalously low neckline. Her hair was done up in a simple ponytail that waved with her actual tail.

He was transfixed at the sight as she fairly bounced into his arms.

"Hey! Sorry, I had to run to avoid my mom," she said breathlessly. Ryan winced.

"She... doesn't approve of-?"

"No, the opposite: She approves way too much," Trixie groaned, "come on! Let's eat!"

"Sounds good to me," Ryan laughed, taking her hand. He looked to the guards. "Please be on the lookout for Mrs. Lulamoon. Don't let her in."

Steel Trap nodded.

"Description?" He asked.

"Like me as a fat, melted candle," Trixie snorted, squeezing his hand. Ryan took the hint, and led her inside.

Trixie gaped, oohed and awed appropriately as they walked through the palace. Ryan pointed out a few items of interest: The scepter of Megan the Magnificent, a painting of Gusty the Great fighting Tirek, a statue of some pony named Sandy Dunking who apparently invented modern cakes...

(His mom really could be strange sometimes.)

Until finally they broke out into the Northwest Tower Gardens. Trixie's eyes went wide in amazement.

"I think I could fit my whole neighborhood in here!" Trixie gasped. "It doesn't look that big from the outside!"

"Mom had some spells placed to make the palace look smaller," Ryan explained, "so it wouldn't look like we were showing off. Oh!"

They turned a corner around some rose bushes, and beheld a white cloth covered table. It was under a tree with glowing fruit bulbs, with just two small black chairs on either side.

"Ooh... A Neighpon Lantern tree!" Trixie enthused. "I read about them in a manega!"

They were right under an isolated tower in the garden, but that just added to the beauty of the scenery. Ryan led Trixie to the table, pulling out her chair. She graciously sat, and he took the other one.

A moment later, an unhappy looking Twilight appeared.

"May I take your orders?" She said dryly.

"Sparkle?" Trixie gasped, "what are you doing here?"

"I live here!" Twilight growled, pointing at the tower.

"Look, Sparkle," Ryan tried, "we can just get food for you-"

"No! Your mother wanted me to organize things, so it's organized!" Twilight stated, holding back a growl. She teleported some menus and handed them over.

"Take your pick! I organized them based on your observed preferences."

"Er... Thanks, Sparkle?" Ryan managed, "I'll take the fish please."

"Why is everything on Trixie's menu a thin salad?" Trixie complained.

"That's all you eat at school," Twilight stated tensely.

"Well yeah, Trixie eats it because it's cheap! What would you recommend, Ryan?"

"The Elixir Salad's pretty good," Ryan suggested.

Trixie smirked and nodded.

"I'll take that, thank you!"

Twilight continued to scowl, but teleported the order away. In a few moments, the dishes appeared in her hands, and she slammed them down on the table.

"Enjoy, you have fifteen minutes to eat before the date progresses to the next stage," Twilight stated.

"What stage?" Ryan asked, confused.

Twilight rolled her eyes, and produced... Ryan groaned... A checklist.

"According to the research I did on dates, a successful date is divided into proper stages. First, you greet eachother."

She checked that off.

"Done! Next, eat. You're falling behind. After that is basic small talk-I have a list of potential topics for discussion. After that is music. Then, walk around the gardens. Finally, a first kiss-"

"We did that already, Sparkle!' Ryan groaned, as Trixie gaped in disbelief.

"Well this will be first romantic kiss on a date, under the moonlight, which should be much more romantic! About 45 percent more in my estimation," Twilight said, "after that, you can progress to making out, and here are some suggested-"

"LOOK!" Trixie cried, pointing behind Twilight, "SOMEPONY'S DOGEARING A LIBRARY BOOK!

"WHAT?! WHERE?!" Twilight cried, spinning around and scanning for the offender.

Ryan grabbed Trixie's hand, and the two ran off into the gardens before Twilight spun back around.

"I didn't see any-HEY! COME BACK HERE!"

Ryan ducked into the hedgemaze on the grounds, as Trixie struggled to keep up.

"Ugh! These stupid high heels!" Trixie cried. Ryan shook his head.

"Lose 'em!"

"Wait, but I-!"

Ryan's ring lit up, and so did Trixie's high heels. They flew off her feet, and Ryan caught her to keep her from stumbling as they ran through the maze.

"My shoes-!"

"I'll buy you new ones!" Ryan laughed.

"HEY! YOU'RE SKIPPING AHEAD!" Twilight shouted, somewhere far behind. Ryan ducked around a corner into a small open area. A strange statue stood in the center-A man with a wild look in his mismatched eyes, and several strange alternate parts from other animals all over his body.

Ryan had asked his mother about it a few times, but she just said she'd tell him about it later.

"And..."

He pulled up a patch of soil, and a secret passageway appeared. He grinned as he jumped, dragging Trixie in behind him.

"AHH!"

The hatch slammed shut behind them, just as Twilight rushed into the open area. She looked around, scowling.

Below, Trixie and Ryan were walking slowly through the passage. Trixie looked around, holding onto Ryan's hand.

"Secret passageways?" She asked. "Trixie's impressed!"

Ryan chuckled.

"Wouldn't be a palace without them..."

They walked for a while, until they at last came to a door. Ryan carefully opened it, and led Trixie up some stone stairs. He pushed open a hatch, and they emerged in a wide room filled with workbenches and tools. Ryan waved his hand, and magical lights powered on. Trixie looked around the room in some amazement.

"What is this place?"

"My workshop," Ryan said, "it's on the other side of the hedge maze."

He led her to one workbench, where armor was lying in pieces on the pitted surface. Trixie tilted her head curiously, as she picked up a device with a glowing magic crystal suspended in a glass tube.

"Huh... Isn't this that magicite reactor you brought in?" Trixie asked. Ryan carefully took it out of her hands.

"I brought in a prototype," he admitted, "this is the second generation version. It should be more powerful, and I can channel the explosions into a flight system."

"Flight system?" Trixie asked. Ryan rummaged around the workbench, and held up a boot. He plugged it into the boot, and turned on the reactor. It glowed brightly, and he pointed the boot away from him and Trixie.

"Yeah! It'll work like-"

He triggered the device... And was blasted off his feet, over the workbench, and down to the floor. Trixie gaped, holding her hands over her mouth.

"I'm okay!" Ryan managed.

Trixie walked around the workbench and helped Ryan up to his feet. She giggled.

"I don't know why you do all of this," Trixie said. Ryan blinked, sitting down on a nearby stool.

"Do what?"

"All this work," Trixie said, "I mean... You're a prince! Why aren't you living it up like Blueblood? Partying constantly?"

Ryan shook his head.

"Well... Why haven't you just tried to marry some rich stallion?" Ryan asked.

"I..." Trixie looked down, gripping her right forearm.

"Trixie?" Ryan asked.

"... Okay... The truth is, my mother wanted me to entice you into marriage," Trixie said, "however possible."

Ryan blinked, and slowly nodded.

"I see... So-?"

"No!" Trixie immediately held her hands up.

"No! No, this isn't anything like that! I-I mean... Look, originally, I thought about it. But you actually... Helped me," she admitted, "and-and I passed my classes and I might graduate... And you didn't have to do any of that!"

She sighed.

"I want to be a great performer! I want to live a great life making ponies be amazed, starstruck! To make them laugh and cheer and applaud! I can't do that as some trophy mare."

Ryan smiled, and nodded softly.

"Same reason I don't want to be like Blueblood," Ryan admitted. He stroked the chest plate of his armor. "I wanna be something more... For my mother."

"In my case," Trixie said, "I just want to escape my horrible mother. But you? Your mom's... I mean, she's immortal-"

"And she's tired, Trixie," Ryan said earnestly. He looked her in the eyes. "I mean... Not physically, but... You've heard about the Mare in the Moon?"

"Nightmare Moon? Isn't that an old mares' tale?" Trixie asked, blinking. Ryan shook his head.

"No... Princess Luna is my mother's sister. A thousand years ago, she became Nightmare Moon, and tried to take over the kingdom. She tried to kill my mother... And my mother had to seal her in the Moon with the Elements of Harmony. They were both the Holders of the Elements... But by using them against her sister, she lost her power over them..."

At Trixie's blank look, Ryan quickly moved on.

"Point is... She loved her sister. And she had to imprison her in the moon. She's ruled Equestria alone, for a thousand years. She doesn't show it, but... She's so tired. I want to rule alongside her. To help her. I mean..."

He looked down, sighing softly.

"I was just some alien baby. She could have dumped me in a orphanage... But she took me in. She made me her son. I can't let her down. I need to be as good as her, at least. I won't be a downgrade!"

"That's... Really ambitious," Trixie said. Ryan chuckled.

"Yeah... I probably can't even do it," he admitted, "but I really want to try. To be more than I am."

Trixie hugged him tightly. He looked up in shock.

"I... I really do understand," Trixie said gently, nuzzling him. Ryan smiled back up at her.

"Thank you, Trixie," Ryan said. He pulled her down into a kiss. One she returned eagerly.

Just then, the clouds parted. Moonlight shone down on them. Ryan pulled back, admiring her.

"You know... Twilight's right," Ryan said, "moonlight does make things 45 percent more romantic."

"Hmph, just that?" Trixie laughed, leaning in to kiss him again.

Twilight sat down, outside of the view of the window. She sighed silently, and looked up at the window.

She looked at her checklist. She had succeeded... But why did she feel so bad about it?

Celestia hummed as she watched the proceedings through her crystal ball. Cadance sat next to her, smiling warmly.

"You know," Cadance said, "I didn't think I was going to like this Trixie mare... But all of a sudden... Hmmm!"

"Come on Cadance," Celestia sighed, "I want my son to be happy, but all this drama-!"

"He might be able to woo both of them," Cadance suggested, "and so you get twice the grandfoals?"

Celestia paused, and then smiled.

"And suddenly, I'm all right with this," the Princess said happily.

"Still," Cadance said, "what he said about you... Auntie, are you-?"

Celestia smiled gently, and squeezed her niece's hand reassuringly.

"Let's focus on the grandfoals, Cadance," Celestia chuckled softly.

Author's Note

A bit of drama and comedy for you.

The Cavalier
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Stranger in a Strange Land

The Cavalier

Author's Note

A guest chapter written by Kandagger.

The Cavalier

Ryan followed one of the few colts he could honestly call a peer (in multiple senses of the word), around the dark corners of Canterlot.

"Blue...what are we doing?"

"Come on Ryan....it's just around here, I know it..." Blueblood replied, eagerness shining out every pore.

The young colt lead Ryan down an hour's worth of streets and dark alleys, brilliant smile always present, justification for 'just checking one more place' always on his lips. And Ryan was wearing down, princely training regimen or no.

"Blue...come on, it's getting late and I'm getting tired..."

"There it is!" Blueblood exclaimed, pointing a finger right past Ryan's head.

Sure enough, a second look at the nondescipt shop across the way revealed a soft glow from within, illuminating fine toys of wood and metal, complete with a little train puffing around the window display with mechanical perfection.

The sign above the door proclaimed "Old Scratch's Oddities."

Ryan wasn't sure if that was ominous or not.

Blueblood had, of course, charged in without waiting for his friend. Ryan hesitated a moment longer, but the lure of wheels and gears was too great for the young man.

The inside was much like the window display. Soft candlelight belied shelves and shelves of oddities and wonders, some conventional, some exotic, all of them of exquisite quality. If Ryan had a week he probably wouldn't be able to catalog everything stuffed into each shelf and cubby.

The shopkeeper looked up as the bell above his door rang. He was…odd, for a unicorn. His man was long and leonine and he boasted a billy-goat style beard on the end of his muzzle. His horn was long and spiraled and his hoofs were cloven…he barely looked like a unicorn at all. Ryan had seen pictures of the mysterious ‘Kirin’ but this odd creature made him question their accuracy as well.

“Welcome to my shop, valued cust…” he stopped talking as he saw the pair fully, “Ah! Blueblood! And this must be the friend you told me about!”

“Yes sir!” Blueblood beamed, ”I told him about your shop and he just had to see it!”

That was a…generous description of the events. Still, now that he was here, Ryan couldn’t help but be glad Blueblood had dragged him along, “Pleasure to meet you, sir,” he said, “Call me Ryan.”

“The pleasure is mine, Ryan.” The bearded unicorn said, “Likewise you may call me Scratchpaper.”

Ryan nodded, “Does that make you the ‘Old Scratch’ from your placard?

It was an interesting name, to be sure. It fell into the ‘witticism’ category of pony names common here in Canterlot, but for the life of him Ryan couldn’t figure out just what ‘Old Scratch’ referred to.

“I suppose it does.” Scratchpaper admitted, “though when you say it like that, it makes me feel old. I meant it more in the colloquial way–if you need something, then Ol’ Scratch can get it for you. See? Much more friendly-like.”

“Mmm…” Ryan agreed noncommittally, looking around. Blueblood had already vanished into the stacks. “So what? Are you like some sort of wicked fae or something?”

Scratchpaper made a choking noise, “Pshaw! That’s absurd, sir. Me, a fae…ah, children and their imaginations.”

“That’s not a ‘no’.” Ryan frowned.

That got another laugh out of him, “No, I am not a fae of any sort. Scout’s Honor.”

“Mmm…so, if I wished to purchase…” he looked around and grabbed something off the shelves at random “...this bag. What would it cost me?”

“Bits.” Scratch said simply, “Admittedly, it would be a lot of bits…that’s no ordinary wallet you hold.”

Ryan looked at the bag again. It was dark and made of something soft and fuzzy, “How so?”

“Stick your hand inside.”

Ryan did so…and found he couldn’t feel the bottom. He reached further and further, past his elbow and to his shoulder and still nothing.

“That’s…astounding.” Ryan breathed, “I’ve never seen a spatial compression this small. How much space is in there?”

“About a cubic yard.” Scratch admitted, “There’s also a weight limit, but it’s about two ponies worth. Think of it. A trip’s worth of luggage in your carry-on.”

Ryan WAS thinking about it. Not just the practical aspects of all his tools and equipment readily at hand whenever he needed, but also if he could take it apart and REPLICATE it. Oh, the possibilities…

“How much?” he breathed.

“Five hundred bits.”

Ryan frowned. That was…a reasonable asking price for something like that, but Ryan barely had a fifth of that on him. Well, time for plan B.

“Please…” he scoffed, “A well-practiced unicorn could replicate that easy. Fifty bits.”

“I have it on good authority that they could not.” Scratch replied, “Still it’s good to see haggling is not a dead art yet…four-hundred fifty.”

Ryan sighed, “I’m not going to get you anywhere near a hundred bits I have on me, am I?”

“Well, not with that attitude.” Scratch said with a chuckle, “But it does an old soul good to see you try. Perhaps an exchange of services then? What else have you to offer?”

Ryan took a step back…he was pretty certain giving this gentlecolt anything other than money was a catastrophically bad idea. But before he could tell him so (politely of course). Blueblood came clamoring back from wherever he’d run off to.

“Ryan! Ryan, look at this!” he shoved a glossy comic book into Ryan’s face.

There was a flash of light, and both boys vanished from the shop entirely.

Old Scratch came out from behind the counter, chuckling to himself as he picked up the comic book, “I lose more customers that way…”

MARETROPOLIS, NIGHT

While the good citizens of the city snooze away in simple sleep. Evil is awake and frisky. At the Maretropolis Diamond Exchange, fur-coated minions cover the tedious work of disabling alarms and picking locks while the shadowy figure of their superior watches on in wicked glee

Dr. Frigid Air: Carefully, my friendz, carefully…ve are on thin ice as it is…

Ah-ha. But unbeknownst to the Criminal of Chill, the watcher is also the watch-ed. For across the street, shadowed by gargoyles and billboards, looking through their Battle-goggles, are the Wandering Wonders, the Barded Besties.

BATTLE-STALLION AND THE CAVALIER!!!

Ryan: For the record, Blue, I blame you for this.

Trixie: Last Date
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Trixie: Last Date

Two Years before Nightmare Moon returns...

Moondancer stared intensely through her glasses at Prince Ryan. He was so strange, but... That was attractive to her. He was studious, tall, and took care of himself. And he was inventive. She wouldn't have noticed, if it was some random stallion.

But he wasn't just any random stallion. He had...

"Here," Ryan said, handing over a rare tome. Moondancer blinked as she studied the book he had handed her.

"Prince Ryan," she said, "this is a first edition of Magical Theory and Application."

"Yeah," Ryan said, "you needed it, right? You said you didn't have this book. So, here."

"This is a first edition," she insisted.

"And? Do you want the latest version instead?" Ryan asked.

"N-No... This is fine," she said quickly. Ryan smiled, and nodded.

"Good," he said, "good luck."

He headed out of the library. Moondancer watched him go, eyes shining.

He had given her a first edition like it was nothing, out of kindness. That had gotten her attention. Now? He had her interest.

But... What would he see in a recluse like her?

She sunk down into her uniform jacket. Depression hit her hard.

Moondancer sighed.

She would just watch him, and pine after him for a while. Until she figured something out...

Cadance hummed as she observed Moondancer from behind a magical screen. She then smirked.

This will be fun...

The last thing Twilight Sparkle needed was to be accosted by some fanfilly of Prince Ryan, but here she was, even as she ascended the steps to the Canterlot palace entrance.

The only reason she was tolerating it was because the filly in question was one of her friends... Sort of.

"You mean you haven't seen him without a shirt?" Lemon Hearts asked, incredulously.

"No Lemon Hearts, I haven't, nor do I wish to," Twilight groaned, "and can we please focus on our project? We're supposed to get it done together."

Lemon Hearts rolled her eyes as they walked into the main courtyard, where several guards were training.

"Look, I know you have this weird rivalry with him, but come on! You have to admit he's easy on the eyes!"

"Pfft," Twilight scoffed, "first of all, I have no interest in that sort of thing-"

"So you like fillies?"

Twilight shook her head with a roll of her eyes.

"I don't care about anything of that nature! At all! And even if I did..."

They rounded the blacksmith shop in the courtyard, headed for the stairways that would take them to Twilight's Tower.

"If I did," Twilight emphasized, "I wouldn't admire some stuck up, snarky, immature show off-"

They paused by a water barrel as a dirty faced colt burst from the smithy, his undershirt on fire. He tossed the heavy apron and shirt off, and dunked his head into the water barrel. He pulled himself back up with a gasp... and both fillies stared.

The colts skin was hairless, which showed off his very well developed muscles as the water ran down his pecs and abs. His black hair waved in the wet, casting a brief rainbow through the droplets. And his blue eyes smoldered out of his hairless, angular face. Twilight's cheeks burned bright red as a primal hunger filled her, her eyes greedily taking in every inch of-

"Sparkle? Lemon Hearts?"

"PRINCE RYAN?! Twilight screeched, covering her face up with her bookbag, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Preventing myself from bursting into flames," Ryan spat, "the Tartarus are you doing here? Spying on my new project?"

Twilight scoffed, grabbed Lemon Hearts' hand, and pulled her away. She kept her nose high.

"As if! Like I wanna see you burn yourself to death! Like you probably will!'

"Trixie says he won't!"

Thr blue filly came out of the workshop, wearing goggles, an apron, and a blush. Twilight ignored her, as best she could.

"Whatever!" Twilight stormed away. She only stopped when they reached the skyway, and turned to glare back in Ryan's general direction.

"Who does he think he is, stripping like that in front of us?!"

Lemon Hearts stared back dreamily, as Trixie helped the young prince into another tight sleeveless white shirt. It showed off his well developing arms.

"Hm? You say something, Twilight?" She asked.

Twilight groaned.

"Just... Ugh! This is why I'm having nothing to do with this-this sort of thing! It doesn't affect me at all!"

"Oh Trixie, you lucky nag, how dare you feel him up," Lemon Hearts growled, not paying attention. Twilight looked... Saw Trixie happily feeling Ryan's chest up as she helped him back into his apron...

Twilight felt the sudden urge to call lightning down on Trixie's head. A lot of lightning.

She shook her head rapidly, grabbed Lemon Hearts, and dragged her off to her tower. They had work to do!

Why was she here?

Twilight found herself asking that question in her mind every second, as Ryan buzzed about the dining room excitedly.

"Okay, put the blue plates here, yes, yes... That mirror's reflecting the moon too much, gotta adjust it-"

"I adjusted it already, Prince Ryan," Twilight said wearily. Ryan turned back to her, beaming.

"Thanks! Oh..." His face fell as he sprinted to the tablecloth for the small table on the balcony. It was overlooking the Sunny Valley, bathed in moonlight.

"No, no, it can't be that length, she might trip...!"

Twilight raised her eyebrows.

"I checked that already, Prince Ryan!"

"Oh? Oh, so you did," Ryan said, standing up from the floor, "oh damnit! I've got dust on my suit!"

He cast a cleaning spell... Then another... And another...

"Prince Ryan, you look fine," Twilight stated. She actually reached out and grabbed his elbow, and he started like he'd just received an electric shock.

"Honestly, what's gotten into you? This is the forty-first date you've had with Lulamoon-"

"I know! I know," Ryan said. The human prince took deep breaths, rubbing his temples.

"Then... Why is this date so much more important?" Twilight asked suspiciously. Ryan glanced at Twilight quickly. Far too quickly, before his eyes settled on a far wall.

"Important? What's important about this? It's the forty-first date," Ryan said quickly, "no different from the last twenty! Okay it's a little different. It's not the fortieth date. That was to Manehattan."

"Yes, it was also the last school trip before graduation," Twilight groused. She shook her head, giving him a gimlet eye.

"How you still snagged the valedictorian position while partying with Lulamoon, I will never know. Between all the face sucking and humping and... And who knows what else?!"

Twilight shook her head, crossing her arms under her chest.

"You really shouldn't act so shamefully! You're a prince, and you're still dating, I..."

Ryan was frantically turning out his pockets. Twilight sighed.

"What are you looking for?"

"Where is it, where is it?!" Ryan pulled off his jacket and shook it violently. Twilight sighed and tapped her hoof impatiently. The prince blinked... Then smacked his forehead with a groan.

"Right, right..." His ring lit up, and a small, fuzzy box rocketed to his hand. Twilight blinked, curious, as she walked behind Ryan to look over his shoulder. Which was hard, he had gained a lot of height.

"What's...?"

She trailed off as Ryan opened the box. Inside... Was a shining diamond, mounted in a beautiful platinum and silver ring. Ryan flushed, and looked to the side sheepishly.

"Er... Well... Um..."

"You're going to ask her to marry you?!" Twilight gasped loudly. Ryan covered her mouth with his hand, and waved the other frantically.

"Shhhh! Do you want her to hear you?!" He hissed. Twilight pulled his hand off and glared.

"She's not here yet!" She hissed back.

"What business is it of yours?!" Ryan whispered back.

"Don't you think you're rushing things a little?!" Twilight angrily whispered back. "You two have just graduated and-"

"And so what?!" Ryan retorted. "We're in love! That's all that's needed!"

"I've read a dozen books on marriage, Prince Ryan, and love is vital, but not the only thing you need!" Twilight insisted.

"Again, why do you care?" Ryan sniffed. Twilight tried to bite her tongue, she really did...

"Because I am concerned about your well being! That's why!" Twilight growled. Ryan rolled his eyes.

"I'm flattered, but let's be honest, Sparkle: You're only doing this because my mom told you to."

He tucked his ringbox reverently into his jacket pocket. Twilight's eyes narrowed.

"Yes, she did! She told me to look after your well being and I'm going to do that-Does she know you're going to propose?!"

"Oh yeah, I'm gonna tell my mom that I'm proposing to my marefriend," Ryan snorted, "come on Sparkle. We're not foals anymore."

"UGH! Fine!" Twilight growled, throwing her hands up into the air, "do whatever you want!"

"Thanks! I will!" Ryan shot back.

Twilight stormed out of the room, found a chair, and slammed herself into it angrily. A few minutes later, Trixie arrived, practically bouncing with excitement. She favored Twilight with a big smile.

"Hey Twilight! Great night, isn't it?" She asked earnestly.

"The best," Twilight said sarcastically. She nodded to the door. "Ryan's in there."

"Thank you~!" Trixie laughed, nearly skipping into the room. Twilight scowled after her.

"Didn't even close the door," she grumbled. She nearly shut it behind the energetic unicorn girl... But paused.

There was an insatiable curiosity in her. A fear of what might happen, and not being able to see it.

So she closed the door... But left just enough of a gap to spy on the inside. She was perfectly positioned, too: She saw Ryan and Trixie embrace and kiss.

"Mmm... It feels like we've been apart forever," Trixie sighed melodramatically.

"It's been a few hours," Ryan laughed.

"Felt a lot longer!" Trixie laughed back. "So! Let's eat!"

The meals were teleported to the table, and they ate. They had standard small talk, nothing major... Ryan kept fiddling with his pocket, and the object inside.

"You all right, Ryan?" Trixie asked, looking concerned despite the aura of good cheer she still had, "you're kind of distracted."

"Distracted? Me?" Ryan asked. "Ah, no, of course not."

"W-Well, um, I'm a little out of sorts myself," she said happily.

"Oh? Well uh... Yeah," Ryan said, "I'm... Er... Yeah. So! Trixie... I wanted to ask you something-"

"Oh! Oh! Please do, please do!" Trixie said happily. Ryan took a deep breath, already moving out of his seat. He was going to kneel, already planning on going for the ring box-

"But!" Trixie chirped, and Ryan froze, "Trixie has great news! I-I mean, I have great news!"

Ryan sank back in his chair, and smiled, fingers fiddling with the ringbox furiously.

"Go ahead! Tell me!"

Trixie grinned ear to ear.

"I got a job offer! To begin performing in Las Pegasus!"

Ryan's eyes widened, and he grinned.

"That's great, Trixie!"

Trixie actually got up out of her seat and hugged him tightly. He returned it.

"So, when do you start?" Ryan asked.

"Tomorrow," Trixie said happily. Ryan's eyes widened.

"Tomorrow?!"

"Yeah! I gotta be down there! I'll be the opening act for some stallion named Jackpot, but the pay is amazing! And after six months of that, I'll take the show on the road!"

"O-Oh," Ryan said, "ah... Why so sudden?"

Trixie snorted.

"I did all these auditions, but they didn't actually choose a winner until last minute-Freaking theater ponies, huh? I've got one week to get there. So!" She beamed.

"In one week, I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, will be opening up for Las Pegasus' Golden Horseshoe Casino Main Stage! It's everything I've ever wanted! And... And I really owe it all to you!"

"Oh, well, uh," Ryan stammered, "that's... That's great..."

Trixie kissed him happily, and tightened her hug.

"And it's all thanks to you! Thank you! My wonderful prince!"

"I... Yeah," Ryan said, looking a bit more deflated. Trixie smiled happily at him.

"So! What did you want to ask me?"

"Uh..." Ryan was still a genius, even if he was off his game right now. "How... Often would you come back to Canterlot?"

"Not often, I'll admit," Trixie said with a shrug, "new performer, gotta prove myself. I'm probably not gonna have much of a social life... Though you know, I'd always make time for you."

Ryan stared at Trixie's beaming, guileless face. He slowly nodded.

"I... Yeah, I'd like that," he said.

"But... I mean," Trixie winced, "not... as much as I'd like."

"Are you sure you can't... Wait?" Ryan tried. "I mean, there are other shows, and you're so talented-"

"I..." Trixie looked down, a bit shamefully, but her eyes rose and they burned with fire, "I'm a little worried, too. That I'm jumping the gun. But... But this is my dream, Ryan. It has been since I was a foal. I got my cutie mark making some sick fillies and colts laugh and cheer at a hospital-Did you know that?"

"Yes... Yes, you told me that story. Many times," Ryan said quietly. Trixie nodded.

"I... I mean, our relationship... There are a lot of things I... I want, but... But this is my dream, Ryan. I don't... I don't think I can give it up."

Ryan was silent in the face of Trixie's pleading expression... Before he nodded slowly.

"Yeah," he said quietly, "yeah, I mean... I understand. And... And I'm very proud and happy for you, Trixie."

Trixie smiled broadly.

"You are?!" She gasped. "I-I mean... I'm not going to break up with you-"

Ryan rested a hand on Trixie's head, and shook his own head slowly.

"Let's... Let's just call it a break, huh?" Ryan suggested. "I mean... It-It bucking sucks... But we are, ya know... Growing up. And we... We started as friends..."

Trixie smiled happily, and hugged him.

"That part will never change, Trixie swears it," she murmured.

Ryan hugged her back again.

The rest of the dinner was quiet. They exchanged promises to write. Ryan said he was happy to see her at graduation, and she said the same. They had one last kiss goodbye... Before Trixie parted, beaming, and headed out of the palace. Twilight had hidden herself in an alcove, and watched the perky unicorn leave a bit sadly.

It was only when Trixie was out of sight, that Twilight cautiously entered the balcony dining room.

"Prince Ryan?"

The human was standing at the balcony railing, hands bracing him up. Alarmed, Twilight ran up behind him and wrapped her arms around his stomach.

"Don't!"

"ACK! Sparkle!"

Ryan turned around, glaring... Through tears. Twilight started.

"I-I-!"

"What?" Ryan demanded, "did you think I was going to jump or something?!"

"I-er... Well..." Twilight looked aside. Ryan was silent, but he turned back to face the valley. Twilight let him go, and stood there awkwardly.

"I... I could always-"

"No," Ryan said, short... Then he added, more gently, "no... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"I'm sorry, Prince Ryan," Twilight said quietly, "I-I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine," Ryan said, a bit thickly, "It's fine..."

Twilight hesitated.

"You... You could always ask her at graduation. I-I mean... You really love her, and-"

Ryan shook his head.

"This is her dream, Sparkle," he said, "what if you had to delay realizing your dream to be my mom's apprentice? Could you do it? For love?"

"I... I don't know," Twilight admitted, "I've never been in love before."

"Yeah, well..." Ryan sighed, and pulled out the ringbox. He turned it over in his hands.

"... I want her to be happy," he said.

He tucked the ring back into his pocket, and turned to the table. He patted it twice.

"Wine," he ordered.

A bottle appeared. Ryan picked it up, uncorked it, and began to drink from the tap. Twilight gasped.

"What the Tartarus are you doing?!"

"What everyone does after they've been dumped by the prettiest unicorn in the world," Ryan stated, before he went back to chugging.

An hour later, Twilight was struggling to help the inebriated prince up to his room. She grunted as she held him. It wasn't easy, with how he kept shaking and wobbling.

"Oh thank Celestia," she muttered, as she found the right room. She opened it with her magic, and guided the prince in.

"Okay, easy does it...! Easy...!"

She stayed on her hooves for about three steps, before Ryan tripped over his own feet and sent them falling onto the floor. Twilight just barely kept Ryan from slamming face first into the tiling. With another loud grunt, she guided Ryan to his bed, and let him fall facefirst into the mattress. She got up, turned to head out...

Then walked back in, grumbling.

"Can't let him choke, stupid prince," she grunted. She flipped him over.

"There... Now you can breathe," she huffed.

"I wanna die," Ryan mumbled drunkenly.

"No you don't!" Twilight insisted. "You... I know this sucks... It really sucks! But it's not the end!"

Ryan managed a slurred giggle.

"Heh... You shaid shucks... Gonna tell Mom..."

"Don't you dare!" Twilight hissed. She shook her head. "Besides, what would she think of you drinking?!"

"It's not the best winesh, sho she'd be cool," Ryan mumbled. He sniffled again. Twilight sighed.

"Oh, no, please don't cry again-"

"Shorry... I'm pathetic," Ryan mumbled.

"No! No, no you're not!" Twilight insisted. "You're not!"

"Yer jest telling me that cause you work for my mom," Ryan whimpered.

"That's not true!" Twilight growled, slapping his chest, "I-I really... I really do care about you, Ryan! Like... Like friends!"

She poked his chest with her fingers.

"You are my friend! You got it?! And you're not pathetic!"

Silence. Twilight blinked.

"Ryan?"

A snore answered her. Twilight groaned, stood up, and stalked out the door, slamming it behind her.

The next day, Ryan would begin work with his mother's court, Twilight got her dragon assistant Spike, and Trixie headed out for Las Pegasus. And for two years, Twilight and Ryan would barely exchange a few words... Until Nightmare Moon returned.

Author's Note

Hopefully not too rushed.

Flashback: Sunset Shimmer
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Flashback: Sunset Shimmer

Seventeen Years Before Nightmare Moon Returns

Canterlot

Sunset Shimmer, apprentice to Princess Celestia, walked up to her master's chambers. She had a few grimoires with her, stacked in her arms. She summoned magic to her horn, and opened the doors. She walked in... Right into Celestia. Her books fell from the impact, caught only by Sunset's magic.

"Ah-Princess Celestia-!"

"Sunset, my dear student," Celestia said with a smile, "please watch my son for a bit? I need to mediate between the Griffin Kingdom and the Wulfenstein Confederacy. A war may be imminent, if I don't intervene right now."

"I-" Sunset stumbled, but instinctively she nodded, "o-of course, Princess-!"

"Thank you~!" Celestia beamed, and teleported away in a flash of golden light. Sunset rearranged her books into her arms, and closed the doors behind her. She looked around the room.

Unlike most of the rooms in Canterlot Castle, this one (while with well appointed furniture and some beautiful decor) was littered with toys, crayon drawings, and other signs of a child's residence. Said child waddled into the room proper, looking about with large blue eyes.

"Mommy?" He asked plaintively.

Sunset held in her sigh, and set her books onto a desk. She put as gentle a smile on her face as she could, and leaned down.

"Mommy had to go to work, Prince Ryan," she said, "I'm babysitting-"

"SUNNY!"

The little boy toddled over and hugged one of her legs happily. He nuzzled her knee, smearing some snack remnants onto her dress. Sunset bit back another sigh, and let the little human grab her hand. He pulled her over to a play table, covered in crayons and various drawings. She sat down and watched him scribble frantically. He held up a mess of red, yellow, and orange.

"Look! Look! You, Sunny! You!"

"Mmhm," Sunset sighed, "very nice."

"This you!"

"Really great," Sunset threw in, annoyed. Ryan set his paper down, staring at her.

"Sunny really like it?"

"Yes, I really like," Sunny deadpanned. The little boy began to tear up, and Sunny's eyes widened.

"N-No! I really do! I really do!" Sunset insisted. She quickly lit up some crayons with magic from her horn, and cast an impression spell onto a blank piece of paper. It came out as an image of the little human prince, once she held up and showed to Ryan. Sunset smiled.

"See? I-I made you one too!"

Ryan's eyes widened in amazement, and he waddled around to hug Sunset tightly... While Sunset did her best to keep him from crumpling the paper in his tiny fingers.

"Sunny! So good!"

"Ah, heh, glad you like it," Sunset said, patting the little boy awkwardly on his head. The doors opened. Ryan looked over Sunset's shoulder, and then buried his face in her chest with a little whimper. Sunset looked back, and held back a grimace.

It was Minister Black Soring, a member of the opposition party in Canterlot's Parliament. He was a tall, dark furred and maned unicorn man-With eyes as sharp as obsidian, and a pointed beard. His mane was swept back, in a shoulder length cut. His clothing was well tailored, impeccable as always. His hooves were cloven, and lined with silver.

"Apprentice Sunset Shimmer," he stated, "I have a proposal for Princess Celestia to look over before it leaves committee."

"She's out right now," Sunset said, "an emergency mediation between Griffinstone and Wulfenstein."

Black Soring narrowed his eyes.

"I see... I trust you can keep watch over these papers, as well as our princess's... Pet?"

Ryan whimpered again, and Sunset found her arms wrapping more tightly around the little human.

"Her son, you mean," Sunset hissed. Soring snorted.

"Princess Celestia is long lived. She must keep herself entertained. If she finds it in taking care of some ape that resembles a legendary human... I will not question it. But do not get too attached. She will get bored with it... As she has with many other things before."

Black Soring left the papers on Celestia's desk, pushing aside several other papers. One, a drawing by Ryan, fell to the marbled floor. Soring stepped on it carelessly with his hoof, as he headed out the doors. They shut behind him. Ryan peeked up over Sunset's shoulder, as though not sure he was really gone. Sunset sighed and rubbed his head.

"It's all right... I don't like him either," she said. Ryan beamed at her.

"Love you!" He said happily.

He threw his arms around her neck, and planted a messy kiss on her cheek. Sunny sighed and patted him on the back.

"Yeah yeah... Lucky me," she muttered.

Still, she let him scribble with his crayons, and helped him draw other things. Until he slept.

It was several hours before Celestia reappeared back in her chambers. The sun was dipping beneath the mountains, as the moon and stars began to rise. She looked around quickly, her magical senses locking onto her apprentice... And her son.

Her son was sleeping on the couch, a blanket thrown over him. Sunset was resting on the couch with him, one of her hands playing with the dark locks of his hair. Celestia smiled and swooped over, gently pulling her son up into her arms. He stayed asleep, nuzzling into her bosom. Sunset started, standing up at attention.

"Your Highness-!"

"Shhh," Celestia chuckled softly, "it's all right... Did everything go well?"

"Ah, well..." Sunset glanced aside, "yes. He got tired after running around for a while, and finally collapsed. But I didn't want to move him. Did... Did everything go well with you?"

"Oh yes," Celestia sighed, "it took a while, but both countries finally saw the wisdom of not throwing their peoples' lives away over a matter of pride. The diplomatic corps will see to the rest."

Sunset nodded.

"Good... Good," she said, reaching up to squeeze her bicep. Celestia's smile softened a bit more.

"I know you're not comfortable with foals... But you did very well."

"No, that's not it," Sunset admitted, "it's more..." She made a face.

"Lord Black Soring visited," she stated. She shook her head. Celestia nodded slowly.

"I see... And?"

"And... He said that... You regarded the prince as a... A hobby. A pet," Sunset groused.

Celestia nodded slowly.

"I am aware of that," she said.

Sunset glared at her.

"Well... Why don't you do something about him?!"

Celestia stroked her son's back, just feeling and listening to his heartbeat.

"All things come in the proper time and place," she said. "My son is my son, regardless of what anypony says or thinks."

Sunset couldn't help her next words.

"But such disrespect-!"

"If I punished everypony who said terrible things to my son, I would have no time left for anything else," Celestia said. She kissed the top of his head. "And his opinions are ill informed."

"So... He is human?" Sunset asked.

"He's my son," Celestia stated, gentle but still firm. Sunset flushed, but nodded.

"Y-Yes... But... I mean..."

"Hm?" Celestia looked over at her, curious.

"What is it, Sunset?"

Sunset looked aside.

"Whether or not he's human... He is mortal... He'll die."

Celestia slowly nodded again, her eyes far away and towards the moon.

"One day, yes... But sooner or later? We all die. Even I will pass on, one day."

Sunset's jaw dropped. Celestia didn't pay her mind. She stepped forward into the emerging moonlight, and held Ryan out just enough to study his sleeping face.

"I have loved and lost so much in my life," Celestia said softly, "but if you stop reaching out to love... You will become cold. Alone. You will never know the joys of life... Only the security of loneliness. And that security... Is little better than a prison."

Sunset stared at her mentor in silence.

"Power only goes so far, Sunset," Celestia said softly, "even my own... Is not enough to change everything I want."

Sunset nodded and bowed.

"I... I will go to my room now, Princess."

"Sleep well, Sunset," Celestia said gently, as the younger woman left the room.

Author's Note

A short flashback I hope you enjoy.

The Night Reigns
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Stranger in a Strange Land

The Night Reigns

Prime Minister Fancypants practically galloped through the halls of the Canterlot Palace. The angry muttering and conversations of the Meeting Hall followed him. Every pony, whether politician, military leader, or thaumatologist was asking the same things:

Where is Princess Celestia?

What do we do about Nightmare Moon?

Where is the Prince?

Cadance was off on a diplomatic mission to the Griffins. Prince Blueblood was off meeting the Zebra tribes to the distant south (though more likely he was just having a 'working vacation'-Again). That left only one royal in charge, so where was-?!

He heard heavy footfalls and mechanical whirring, and Fancypants turned to his right. His eyes widened.

"Fancypants," Ryan spoke.

Fancypants nearly jumped out of his fur as the human walked up to him. Since his graduation, he'd put on another head's worth of height. He was now second in stature only to the Princess herself, which was impressive for a non-pony. This was enhanced by the heavy, advanced looking magitech armor he was wearing-White, silver, and gold adorned him like an ancient knight of old Equestria, while angular wings hung off a boxy metal packback. He was carrying notes and ancient tomes with him in a disorganized pile in his arms. His mentor Professor Polymath was at his side, carrying a winged helmet-Obviously the final piece of what the Prince was wearing.

"Your Majesty-I-I mean, Your Highness-!"

"I know what's going on, Prime Minister," Ryan stated, calm and cool as he headed for the meeting room, Polymath shadowing him. Fancypants kept up as quickly as he could.

"You do?"

The Prince nodded, face still grim. He kept it that way into the light of the meeting room. All conversation stopped as the young prince slammed the tomes and papers on the desk.

"Gentlestallions and mares," Prince Ryan said, loud and clear, "I have discovered what's been going on, and have divined my mother's plans. In short, the prophecy of Nightmare Moon's return has come true. She is back, and she has sealed my mother away in the sun."

Much gasping ensued. Fancypants struggled to hold onto his monocle. Despite his young age, the young Prince was unshaken.

"My mother used the Elements of Harmony to seal away Nightmare Moon the first time a thousand years ago," he continued, "but because of this act, the Elements would no longer obey her. The Elements, however, do still exist. New bearers were prophesized to take them up. I believe my mother interpreted this as Twilight Sparkle to be one of those bearers."

Wheels began turning in many heads at that. As well as questions as to Celestia's ability to divine prophecy. Whatever the conclusion the Prince had drawn, his narrowed eyes indicated he was focused on something other than his mother's decision making.

"So where is Twilight Sparkle?! Where is the Princess's Apprentice?!" Admiral Skyhook demanded.

"It is my belief," Prince Ryan said, "that she is heading to the Palace of the Twin Sisters, the Old Capital. Deep in the Everfree Forest.. Near Ponyville."

"How did she-?" General Hardtack asked, but the Prince held up a hand and glared in silence. He had learned that art well from his mother, Fancypants reflected.

"My mother sent her apprentice there, and she was there for the Summer Sun Celebration," Ryan stated, "so clearly, my mother knew what would happen and made herself Nightmare Moon's first target. To try and draw her off, and give Sparkle a chance at the Elements. And so must we!"

"What do you mean?" General Aerospike asked, hovering just above the floor with her wings.

"After sealing away my mother, where do you think the first place Nightmare Moon is heading?" Ryan demanded.

"The location of the only things that can stop her," Fancypants said, grasping it immediately. Ryan nodded, as similar looks of comprehension dawned on everypony else's faces.

"Exactly," Ryan stated, "so we need to keep Nightmare Moon distracted from Sparkle, as long as possible. Mobilize the fleet, Admiral Skyhook. The rest of you: Mobilize your commands, we may need the ground forces as well as the pegasi."

"Your Highness, er, while our forces are willing to fight," Admiral Skyhook said, "how will we make Nightmare Moon focus on us?"

"Simple," Ryan stated, "I'm going to make her focus on the other obstacle to her ascension."

"And that is?" Fancypants asked.

The prince shrugged.

"Me."

Much staring and silence. One admiral tried to cover an incredulous laugh with a cough.

"Your Highness, why would she take off after you instead of the things that can actually defeat her?" Skyhook demanded.

Ryan smiled. He held out his hand.

"Professor?"

Old Professor Polymath, looking a bit exasperated, complied by handing Ryan a radio microphone. The prince took it, and held it up to his lips.

"Hello, Nightmare Moon? This is Prince Ryan," he stated, "this is being broadcast on every radio in Equestria. I want you to know: We reject your claim to the throne of Equestria. We reject you as an usurper and tyrant. And as sovereign of Equestria, I declare you the number one enemy of all ponykind. You want to rule over us? You have to get through me first. So bring it. Unless you're still a coward from hiding on the moon, after my mother last defeated you. You envious, pitiful wreck. You want to rule us? You will have to conquer our fear, and so far? I'm not seeing any reason to be afraid, Auntie."

Ryan turned off the mike, and dropped it onto the floor while holding everypony's shocked gazes.

Ryan hummed.

"Think she heard me?"

There was silence for about a minute, before an observer at the window yelped.

"Y-Your Highness-Ah-I see her! She's headed this way!"

"I would say that's a yes, Your Highness," Skyhook said dryly, "Sire, you need not-"

"You will support me only if I am in mortal peril," Ryan stated, holding out his armored hand again. Polymath handed him his helmet, and the prince lifted it up and lowered it over his face.

"You mean like now, sire?!" Aerospike suggested sarcastically.

"Either we delay Nightmare Moon, or she kills Sparkle and our only chance of winning," Prince Ryan stated, "in that calculation? My life is as expendable as anypony else's. You have your orders. FOR EQUESTRIA!"

He raised his fist and pumped it. The ponies copied him.

"FOR EQUESTRIA!"

The Prince turned and headed off, Polymath right beside him. More than few of the soldiers, even old Hardtask, bowed in respect to the brave young prince. Fancypants fought back tears, sucking in a deep breath.

"You heard him!" Fancypants cried. "My fellow politicians! Let's get the civilians to the shelters! Let the military handle this!"

"To arms!" General Hardtask shouted, "TO ARMS!"

"Well done, my Prince," Polymath murmured to Ryan as they got out onto a skyway. The full moon glowed ominously, as the dark shadow of night grew blacker all around them. The magical power of Nightmare Moon was rushing over both mages' senses.

It was staggering.

"Even though this is easily the stupidest thing you have ever done," Polymath added, as Ryan spread his mechanical wings. It helped stabilize his armor, and thus hide how badly his knees were shaking.

"No," Ryan said, "the stupidest thing I ever did was not pack my bags and run for Las Pegasus the moment the sun didn't come up. This is only the second stupidest thing I've done."

Polymath sighed softly, and nodded.

"Good luck, young Prince... You're going to need it," he said.

"Don't I know it," Ryan quipped, his voice shaking only a little. His magical thrusters ignited as the eyes of his helmet glowed bright green with magical energy. He lifted off, and flew up into the night sky.

Coming up right at him, an enraged grin on her face, was Nightmare Moon.

Ryan sucked in a deep breath as he saw her.

"Just this once, Sparkle, please... Outdo me," he muttered.

The former Princess Luna grinned nastily as she sized up Ryan.

"Prince Ryan, was it?" She asked.

"Ye-OOF!"

Her fist was buried in Ryan's stomach in less time than it took to blink. His armor groaned as it was deformed, and all the wind was knocked out of him. Nightmare Moon chuckled, eyes glowing in dark amusement as Ryan still managed to hover.

"Huh! That should have gone right through you! My compliments to your blacksmith," she hissed.

Ryan grabbed onto her forearm. He tried to hiss a command spell.

"Sa... Ber...!"

HIs wing binders came loose, and the additional magic thrusters in his wingpacks ignited at full burn. Nightmare Moon's eyes widened in surprise a moment before she was yanked up at high velocity.

"What the-AAAAAAAHHHH-!"

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

They ascended like rockets, in full view of Canterlot. Fancypants paused in his directing of civilians to shelters to peer at the spectacle through his binoculars. His companion, Fleur de Lise, looked up as well.

"Oh my," she breathed, "is the Prince... Grappling with Nightmare Moon?"

Manly tears filled Fancypants' eyes.

"Like a hero! He's grappling with her to drive her from the city! My colt... I'm so sorry I ever doubted you...!"

"LET ME GO YOU WRETCH!" Nightmare Moon bellowed, using her free hand to continue punching Ryan. "LET ME GO NOW-!"

"STOP-HITTING-ME-OH BUCK-!"

The thrusters went into full reverse, and sent the two combatants spiraling for the ground like diving falcons. Ryan was already plenty disoriented from the punches, but the moment Nightmare Moon formed a black sword of dark magic, he decided his luck had run out-And he let go, flaring his wings to try and slow his descent.

"YOU LITTLE-!"

Nightmare Moon impacted the ground ahead of him, throwing up a plume of rocks and debris. Ryan blew threw it, the rocks clattering over his armor like rain on a tin roof. Frantically he tried to get his thrusters under control, and succeeded in slowing himself-

And then he hit a tree.

The tree fell over, as Ryan tumbled off it onto the ground. He very slowly stood up, stars exploding in his vision as he staggered away.

"Ugggghhh... Mental note... Redo... voice command runes," he muttered. He managed to get up to his feet and stand more or less still, even though the ground was refusing to do the same. Nightmare Moon oozed out of the crater she'd dug like black ink, and reformed in her full, terrible glory a hundred hooves away from him. She sneered.

"So... You're more clever than you seem, boy!" She boomed. "I had taken you for a witless fool, but you're a fairly cunning warrior!"

Blueblood had said there was a time and place for honesty in tense negotiations. That time was 'never' and that place was 'nowhere.'

"Maybe I'm not the mere 'boy' that you thought I was," Ryan returned, trying to focus his eyes on Nightmare Moon. His vision kept insisting there were two of her.

"Indeed! Well, let's see what you can do when it comes to spell casting," Nightmare Moon said, her grin as predatory as a dragon's, "I want you to hit me with your most powerful spell."

"Oh?" Ryan asked.

"Yes," Nightmare Moon stated, crossing her arms over her chest arrogantly.

"Right now?" Ryan asked.

"Yes, right now," Nightmare Moon growled, "stop testing my patience by stalling, boy!"

"Stalling? Me?" Ryan asked again.

"Yes!"

"Is that what I'm doing-?"

"Yes that is exactly what you are doing, now HIT ME!" Nightmare Moon demanded.

Ryan took a deep breath. He checked the magicite reactors.

Great. Fifty percent gone already, just to keep me alive, he thought, gotta find more power somewhere... For now...!

Ryan held up his armored gauntlets, and channeled the magic of the reactors and a bit of his own. A huge, brilliant fireball the size of a watermelon burst to life between his palms... And then he made it bigger, bigger... The size of a small wagon...!

He shrank it back down, just for an instant-And then unleashed the spell!

"SOLAR FLARE!" Ryan bellowed, as the blast connected with Nightmare Moon. The resulting explosion made the ground rumble underneath his feet, and a new crater was dug by the large amount of dirt and roots that rained down through the moonlight. Ryan took deep breaths, his vision clearing a bit, as he checked his power reserves.

Forty percent. Geez, should have checked this thing under actual combat conditions before now... Oh COME ON!

Nightmare Moon appeared as the smoke cleared... utterly unmoved and untouched. She shook her head with a condescending smile on her face.

"Hmmm... Not bad," she admitted, "but I believe you were trying for something like this."

She formed a similar burning sphere, expanded it to the size of a house, then compressed it.

Oh buck-

And the world exploded.

Ryan was sent flying by the blast, and he was glad for it. The massive crater that formed in the wake of the blast was big enough you could have lost the main portion of Canterlot Palace in it! He regained his stability with his wings and thrusters, and continued to fly away from the moon alicorn.

He could see the airship fleet finally coming up over the mountains and heading into the Valley, over Ponyville. If he could reach them, he could get a recharge-

"I'm sorry," Nightmare Moon said sarcastically, teleporting right next to him, "did I say you could leave our lesson?!"

She formed a sword as black as midnight, and Ryan barely got his gauntlets up in a block before she slashed him. The blade hit like a locomotive on full, and he was sent flying again. Through a tree... Another tree... And finally smashing into a house.

He was left seeing stars as he staggered back up. He held out his hand as Nightmare Moon charged!

"SWORD!" He bellowed... And a spear teleported into his hands. "Buck it!"

He thrust the spear for Nightmare Moon, and she barely teleported out of the way. She reappeared right behind him, but thankfully Ryan had already begun to spin around to meet her. He parried her blows with the spear, metal flaking off his magically forced weapon, but he was holding her at bay!

Nightmare Moon then formed a second sword, and crossed them in front of her. His spear fell in three neat pieces to the wrecked wooden floor.

Ryan fought the urge to gulp in terror. And he was suddenly very glad he'd gone to the bathroom before this had started.

"SWORD!" He tried again... And another spear teleported into his hands. He thrust a few more times at Nightmare Moon, who eyed him with amusement.

"Really? Is this the best you can do?" She asked. "I'm getting bored. You're boring me."

She held up her sword, and extended the magic weapon to a truly ludicrous size. Just before she gripped it with both hands, and swung it down at incredible speed. Ryan barely had time to hit his thrusters to escape. The house they'd been fighting in didn't-It fell into two neat pieces below him as he ascended.

He hit his radio.

"Admiral Skyhook," he called, "order all ships to fire their lightning cannons at me!"

The admiral sputtered over the radio.

"You can't be serious, Your Highness! We can't-!"

Nightmare Moon erupted from the ruined house, still wielding her impossibly huge sword with a feral grin.

"JUST DO IT!" Ryan shouted, as he shot up higher into the sky. Nightmare Moon easily matched his speed, looking at him with a disappointed expression.

"Honestly, is this what Equestria has been reduced to?" She asked, "defended by my sister's pet monkey? You have some tricks, boy, but not enough to truly fight me. Why bother prolonging the inevitable?"

Ryan searched for something clever and heroic to say, as the static electricity began to build in the air around them. He held up his spear, and set his suit to the 'lightning' element.

"Buck you, that's why," he decided on, just as lightning erupted from every ship in the Equestrial Royal Navy that had shown up.

Dozens of lines of electricity followed magical lines through the air, all zeroing in on Ryan's suit. They connected, the power filling his depleted reserves... And then some!

Nightmare Moon only had a moment's shock before Ryan channeled every bit of that power he could right into the spear, and at her!

KRACKATHOOOOOOOOMMMMM!

The blast was so brilliant, Ryan had to shut his eyes as his suit's visor darkened to protect him. His ears were left ringing as the maelstrom died down. He slowly, hesitantly opened his eyes again.

He saw Nightmare Moon fall, right for the ground far below. She impacted into a large lake, sending up a massive plume of water into the air. The plume arc up into the air, then fell back down as rain. The lake was left trembling and full of waves.

Ryan's heart beat hard in his chest, as nothing happened. Had he gotten her? Had he actually defeated Nightmare Moon?

Sure, ancient prophecy was ancient prophecy, but his mother had said to not take them at face value, and-

And a familiar black shape teleported back in front of him, grinning widely.

"Now, that is more like it!" Nightmare Moon cackled, producing two deadly swords.

"I'm glad you're finally taking this seriously!"

Her grin widened as her eyes shined in devilish delight.

"So will I~."

"Oh, buck-!"

Nightmare Moon didn't bother with anything fancy: She just kicked Ryan as she feinted with her blades. He tumbled through the air, streaking for the ground. He was moments from impact, when Nightmare Moon teleported right behind him... And kicked him right back up.

"AAAHHHHH-!"

And then she teleported in his flight path, and knocked him away, once more. Again and again, she continued her mad pinball game with Ryan as the ball. He finally managed to get his wits together after... He didn't know how many times, and spoke a command.

"SHIELD!"

A large shield, and his magic sword (finally) teleported into his hands. He brought them up, swinging his blade for Nightmare Moon as she teleported right in front of him.

Their blades met with a boom of thunder, and the crackling of repressed magical energies. Nightmare Moon bared her teeth, her eyes burning with fire.

"Yes, YES! Start fighting me for real, boy! A warrior cannot fight only with your mind, but your heart and soul! FIGHT!"

Ryan swung his blade fiercely, then hit his thrusters. He ducked down and thrust for Nightmare Moon's stomach. She teleported out of the way, and reappeared to his side. He went full burn, charging her and tackling the mad alicorn princess. They broke through the air in a spiral, grazing the grass covered hills of Ponyville and leaving fires in their wake.

Ryan struggled in Nightmare Moon's monstrously strong grip, feeling his armor bend under her fingers.

"Nnngh... Blasters! BLASTERS!" He shouted.

On his shoulders, magic blasters erupted with fireballs. Nightmare Moon teleported away, flickering like a shadow as she gained some distance. She dodged through the fire, as Ryan turned himself to try and keep a bead on her. She teleported away, and reappeared right above him. She swung her sword, and Ryan barely brought his shield up to block.

BOOM!

The impact cracked his shield in half, and the young prince was lucky to escape without losing his arm as he hit full reverse on his thrusters. Even as he did so, he screamed as the force snapped the bones in his forearm. He swung his magic blade at Nightmare Moon, pivoting his thrusters to strike as hard as he could.

She blocked his blade with her own, and her grin gleamed in the starlight as Ryan put every bit of power he had into his suit, trying to force her back. Her heels dug into the soil, but she didn't seem to be straining at all.

"You can feel it! That rush!" Nightmare Moon cackled. "The fire of battle! Truly testing your mettle! There's nothing like it, boy!"

Ryan had his right wing thruster fire forward, while his left wing fired in reverse. He spun like a top, and leaned forward, hoping to slash Nightmare Moon across her belly. He felt his blade pierce her flesh, and she flew back with a flap of her broad, dark wings. She rested a hand over her stomach, her smile broad.

"Yes... Use that fire, boy!" She bellowed. She took hold of her dark blade in both hands, and pointed it at Ryan. "Put every last bit of your strength into it! One final strike against the night!"

"Nngh... Grah..." Ryan pointed his sword at Nightmare Moon, his left arm limp and useless. He checked his power reserves.

Ten percent... All I've got left... She knows...!

The images of Celestia, Polymath, Raven Quill, Soarin, Cadance, Blueblood, Trixie... Even Twilight swam in his mind. He powered up his magic, his suit fairly rattling with how much he was channeling.

He hit his thrusters to full, and charged with one last, defiant scream.

"YAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

He thrust his sword...!

And hit nothing but air. He stumbled... And fell to his knees, as his armor fell apart around him. He nearly fell onto his face, save for his unbroken arm lashing out to hold him up. He breathed hard as without his armor's support spells... He was now drowning in agony all over his body.

"Haa... Haa... Haa... H-How...?"

Nightmare Moon appeared over him, a triumphant smirk on her dark face.

"You fought well... Well enough that I might spare you for some..." She rested the flat of her blade under his chin, and lifted up his face to see his glaring eyes.

"... Minor position," she finished, licking her sharp teeth.

Ryan glared silently. Not just in defiance... But because it literally hurt too much to say anything.

"You don't seem like a fool, so why would you engage... Me...?"

Nightmare Moon's smile vanished, and her eyes narrowed.

"Of course," she hissed, "a distraction. Well, too bad. I know where the Elements are, and where Twilight Sparkle is. And I will not be so merciful to them!"

"W-Wait," Ryan tried, but Nightmare Moon simply backhanded him. He felt his jaw crack, as he was sent tumbling through the dirt. He came to a stop under an apple tree. Again, he tried to rise, grabbing onto the tree trunk as a desperate handhold. He made it to a knee, and turned around.

"Wait!" He gasped.

Nightmare Moon turned away, illuminated by the fires burning across the fields.

The evil alicorn took off, teleporting into the night.

Ryan tried to push himself up... But his body refused. His strength faded, and he slumped against the bark. Tears he had been trying to hold back poured down his cheeks, as he desperately gripped the bark.

"No..."

No... No... Damnit... DAMNIT...!

He wanted to cry out, to scream. But his body was shutting down. His arm shook, and finally gave up as he collapsed.

No... Please... Mom... Please... Twilight... Don't... Don't you give up... Please...

He shut his eyes, and knew nothing more besides the smell of burning wood and grass, and the night.

"Ryan... Ryan... Ryan...?"

Ryan slowly opened his eyes. He was numb... Everywhere. It all felt like a big... Floaty cloud of floaty... Things.

The room was bathed in sunlight. Gentle, beautiful. Everything was glowing a faint white color.

And there... Was his mother, sitting over him. Tears were in her gentle eyes. He felt them in his own, but blinked them away out of instinct.

He looked away.

"Mom," he murmured, "I'm sorry... I failed."

He sighed softly.

"Maybe I never had a chance in the first place... To be your son..."

He could feel Celestia's frown.

"What do you mean, Ryan?"

"I... Twilight was destined to get the Elements again," Ryan said softly, "I-I realized... That's why you made her your apprentice. Not me... All down to destiny..."

He closed his eyes.

"I tried... I tried to help her," he spoke, the words thick with grief, "but I... I wasn't strong enough... I wasn't smart enough! I couldn't stop her! I couldn't save Twilight! I-I couldn't save anyone!"

The waterworks were coming freely now. He felt such grief, such self loathing.

"She... I didn't hate her! Without her, I-I wouldn't... Have pushed myself so hard... But it still wasn't enough," he blubbered.

He felt his mother hug him tightly. Her hands stroked through his hair, and he leaned in as he sobbed.

"Son... Is that what you think all of this was about?" Celestia asked softly. She held his head back, so she could look into his eyes. He looked away, afraid of what he might see...

But he dared a glance back. His jaw dropped.

His mother was still smiling, loving and radiant as always. She stroked his face.

"Ryan... Yes, I thought she would be the one to take up the Elements of Harmony," she said softly, "but I didn't know it. I've had apprentices before. So many had such potential... And some just didn't measure up. But I didn't choose her over you as my apprentice over a silly prophecy. I did it... Because you had your own path to walk. And if you were my apprentice, I would just stifle you. I know little of metal working, or engineering, or the other fantastic things you have done. But I am proud of you, always..."

Here she smiled enough to show off her dimples, as she wiped away his tears with magic. Just as she'd done when he was a mere toddler.

"Because you didn't fail me. You didn't fail anypony."

The door burst open. A frantic looking Twilight Sparkle rushed in, eyes wide. Despite the crown on her head, she looked frazzled.

"Princess Celestia! Is-Is he-?"

"Sparkle?" Ryan managed, staring in amazement. Her usual sweater vest, sensible skirt, and stockings had been replaced with a beautiful white gown-Flowing and magical. It showed off her beauty, making her appear like an angel.

"He's all right, Twilight," Celestia said with a warm smile, "we're all all right. Though he's going to need some time to recover."

She kissed Ryan's forehead, and pulled away very slowly. She squeezed his hand with a loving beam, one he returned.

"I'll be right outside," she said softly, walking out with her usual grace. The door shut behind her. Ryan and Twilight suddenly looked aside from one another, as awkward as Academy students.

That felt... So long ago now.

"I... I heard you fought Nightmare Moon," Twilight said softly. Ryan nodded.

"I heard you beat her," he said.

Twilight smiled shyly.

"Not without the help of my friends," she said, "and... you too."

Ryan stared at her, the familiar snark rising... But without bile to fuel it.

"So I'm not your friend?" He asked, faintly amused. Twilight shook her head.

"N-No, no, that's not what I meant," Twilight said quickly, "I just..."

She bowed her head.

"You kept her busy... Nearly lost your life," she murmured. "And I... I wanted to thank you for that."

"Well... Thank you for stopping her," Ryan said, "we're even."

"Yeah... Yeah, we are," she said.

Silence ensued. Twilight cleared her throat.

"So... I'm going to be staying in Ponyville for a while. Uh... To study the Elements of Harmony, and the magic of friendship," she said. Ryan slowly nodded.

"That's good."

"I-I've got a home, all picked out. It's the library," she further explained.

"Perfect place for you," Ryan teased her. Twilight giggled-the first time he'd ever heard her do that. It was kind of nice.

"Yeah! Yeah, it is," she said. She stared at him. "And uh... I mean, as much as I... Er..."

"HEY!"

"GAH!" Ryan jumped, as a pink Earth pony girl popped up next to him. "What in the-?!"

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie!" The pink pony introduced herself, "and I was eavesdropping! Sorry not sorry! Heard you got beat up bad in your fight with Nightmare Moon! Oh! She's Princess Luna again, so she's not evil anymore! Isn't that great?"

"Uhhh... Sure is," Ryan managed.

Twilight giggled.

"Pinkie, ease up! He only just woke up!"

"That just means no time to lose!" Pinkie declared, "because according to his chart, he's not allowed to be moved from Ponyville for a few months!"

"A few months?!" Ryan asked in disbelief. Pinkie nodded, holding up the medical chart. He and Twilight both looked it over. Twilight cringed.

"How are you still alive?!" She hissed. Ryan shrugged.

"You act like this is my fault," he muttered back.

"Anyway, that means you need a party!" Pinkie declared. "But! Since you're still recovering, we'll start you off slow! Come on in!"

The door opened, and a strange assortment of other ponies entered. A beautiful white unicorn strode up, dressed to the nines. She took Ryan's hand and beamed.

"My name is Rarity Belle, Prince Ryan, and I must say, you look even more dashing than your pictures suggest! I'm glad you're going to be staying with us for a while!"

A familiar blonde Earth pony in a Stetson hat joined Rarity, and gently pushed her away.

"Howdy. Ah'm Applejack. Jest a member of the Apple family. Nice t' meetcha."

"But we've-" Ryan trailed off at the severe look Applejack gave him, "ah, right, Miss Applejack. Nice to meet you."

A blue pegasus in tight workout clothing with rainbow hair dashed up, grinning broadly.

"Hey! Prince Ryan! I'm Rainbow Dash! Fastest flyer in the skies! Great to meet you! Heard you fought Nightmare Moon! Wow! You'll have to tell me all about it! Sounds so awesome!"

"It really wasn't," Ryan said dryly.

"Um..."

And an extremely beautiful, natural-looking beauty of a pegasus peeked at Ryan from behind Applejack. Her hair was long, pink, and covered up one eye.

"H-Hi... I'm Fluttershy... It's... It's nice to meet you, Prince Ryan," she mumbled.

"They're all the other Holders of the Elements of Harmony," Twilight explained.

"I gathered," Ryan said.

"So! You up for a party or what?" Pinkie Pie asked eagerly.

"Maybe after I've had some time to rest?" Ryan said diplomatically. Pinkie Pie nodded.

"All right, but I'm holding you to it! You can't escape my party! You'll only party tired."

Ryan blinked. He looked back over at Twilight.

"You guys... Saved the world, huh?"

"The only one more surprised than you is me," Twilight said dryly.

"HEY!" Dash growled.

"I'm kidding! Really!"

His mother did some more mothering, and Twilight's new friends were entertaining. Ryan did enjoy it... And then he blacked out.

He awoke to an empty room, the moon shining brightly through the windows into his simple hospital room. Strange, it seemed far darker than it was before... Like inky darkness was consuming everything around...

Oh no...

Green eyes peered out from the darkness. Slitted like a cat's. The dark form of Nightmare Moon stepped out, smirking viciously.

"N-No," Ryan muttered, "no... You're gone!"

"You thought you had escaped me? You thought I could be defeated?"

"N-No... This isn't real," Ryan muttered, pulling the blankets up like he was a child again, "you can't be real!"

She was on him in an instant, grasping his throat. He grabbed at her fingers, but they may as well have been made of metal-They didn't budge. Despite the hand around his throat, he was breathing faster, his heart pounding in terror as Nightmare Moon lifted up her sword.

"You will die first... Then everyone else you care for-!"

"BEGONE!"

This second voice was strong, female... Almost familiar. Nightmare Moon shuddered, and her form began to waver like smoke in the wind. She glared over her shoulder as another figure approached.

"As long as he has this fear... I will never leave!"

"Then I will help him conquer it! No matter the cost! BEGONE!"

Nightmare Moon cried out in pain, as she blew away. She faded, and the room became brighter for it.

Ryan was breathing hard, his chest hurting through the haze of painkillers. His heart still pounded like a drum.

He felt a hand take his, and he squeezed it for all it was worth. He hugged the owner of the hand-Someone lithe, and female.

"It's all right... You're safe... She's gone, and never coming back," the voice said softly.

"Haa... Haa... Haa... T-Thanks," Ryan managed quietly. He pulled back, just enough to see his savior. He blinked in confusion.

"Huh?"

A pale, lithe female form appeared. Ethereal, pale, yet... Strangely familiar.

Ryan blinked.

"Um... What happened?" He asked. "Who are you?"

She was heartbreakingly beautiful, the kind of woman who made you cry and you loved her for it. A simple blue crown was atop her head, as a beautiful blue and black gown flattered her athletic body.

Hey, he was still technically a teenager.

"You passed out. The exertion was too much for you," she said softly, in a voice heavy with guilt and sorrow, "as for who I am..."

She sucked in a breath.

"I am Princess Luna," she said gently, "your aunt. I... I was Nightmare Moon."

Ryan managed to slowly nod.

"O-Oh... I see..."

Luna dropped to her knees. Ryan immediately held his hands up, confused.

"I-Woah-Aunt, what are you-?"

She bowed her head, as though in prayer.

"I... I know I did not choose to do those things to you," she said, "but the Nightmare still used my power to harm you. To injure you. I am so sorry, for the terrible things I have done."

"Oh," Ryan said, still in shock.

"I am going to return to my duties, as Princess of the Night, and Guardian of the Dreamscape," she explained, "and I thought that... I should start with you. You faced Nightmare Moon in battle, knowing you had no chance."

Ryan looked away, any thought of bravado vanishing instantly.

"... Yeah," he muttered, "I thought... I was expendable."

Luna looked up, confused.

"Why?" She asked.

Ryan sighed, and looked up at the ceiling.

"It... It was stupid, really," he said, "I still thought that my mom choosing Spark... Twilight, over me for her apprentice was, ya know... A slight. And that I wasn't good enough for her. And then I figured out Mom sent Twilight to get the Elements and... Yeah..."

He bowed his head.

"... I thought that the only way I could make a difference was by fighting like my life didn't matter," Ryan said softly, "for those who did. Like I had nothing left to lose."

Luna's hands found his again. He looked up into her green eyes.

"I felt that way once before, too," Luna admitted, "and I know my sister's true thoughts over it. She can't hide them from me. When she banished me... She felt nothing but grief, and loss, and self hatred for what she had done. While necessary... She was so lost. She loves you, Ryan. Just as she loves me. She feels guilt over what you had to go through. It was necessary to save me, save all of us... But she feels the pain. Because she loves us."

Luna paused.

"I was blind to this once... Please... Do not go down my path, and reject the truth."

Ryan felt the urge to hug his small aunt tightly. She stiffened a bit in surprise, but she returned it.

"I won't," he said softly, "as long as you do the same, huh Auntie?"

She sniffled, and began to cry quietly. Ryan still held her tightly, stroking her back.

Her grip was still quite tight, even in this form, but not painful.

After a while, Luna composed herself. Just enough to wipe her eyes, and sit on the bed calmly. She looked at her nephew.

"Tell me, young Ryan... What has your life been like?"

So Ryan told her. Everything he could remember, anyway. Luna hummed as she listened to his life, only nodding or asking a few clarifying questions here and there.

At last though...

"Have you any idea where you came from?" She asked.

Ryan shrugged.

"None," he said, "I've read up on ancient humans in mythology, but... There's not much to go on."

"It must have been lonely," Luna said quietly. Ryan nodded.

"Sometimes," he admitted, "but... I have made a few friends. And Mom's always supported me. Polymath, too."

Luna slowly nodded again.

"It will be... A difficult transition to make," she said softly, "for both of us."

Ryan smiled at his aunt.

"I'd... Like to help you with it," he said, "um, if you'd like?"

Luna studied him, and finally gave him a tiny smile.

"I would like that," she said, "I was... Impressed. To a point. With how well you fought."

Ryan blinked.

"To a point...?"

"Apologies," Luna said, "I was the combat strategist to my sister's... More outgoing personality. And your... Form was inventive but... Unrefined."

Ryan sighed.

"Then... I guess it's good I know a good teacher in fighting?" He asked.

Luna blinked.

"Me? But... After Nightmare Moon-!"

"I... Don't wanna learn it right now," Ryan said quietly, "I really don't. But I... I mean... If another threat to Equestria rises? I wanna at least be able to fight."

Luna nodded, and squeezed his hand.

"Very well," she said, rising from the bed, "for now though... You should rest. Reconnect with the world. And your friend, Twilight Sparkle. We both... Have a great deal to learn."

"So it would seem," Ryan said with a smile, "thank you, Auntie."

Luna finally fully smiled, and it was beautiful.

"No... Thank you, nephew."

The rest of Ryan's night was peaceful slumber.

Not Exactly Steve Irwin
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Not Exactly Steve Irwin

Not exactly Steve Irwin... thankfully

"You know I can see you, right?" Ryan asked, as he relaxed in his chair and sipped his cider, the warmth of the sun soothing his recent injuries from fighting his possessed aunt.

"Twilight built it for me," Fluttershy replied softly, finding herself feeling much less anxious inside the boulder disguise that she was using to observe him. Prince of Equestria or not, he was a human, a legendary creature that hadn't been seen or documented in centuries and she was excited to be able to take notes on his habits.

"And it looks a lot like a boulder, I wouldn't have suspected it was anything but, except for the moving and speaking parts," he told her. "Sparkle did a good job."

"It was very nice of her," Fluttershy said. "Normally I have to spend days gaining animals trust and bribing them with food to get close to them to find out what they are like."

Ryan nodded. He hadn't expected to find a naturalist stalking him, but she was definitely a lot more pleasant to deal with than the paparazzi that he usually had to put up with. "You could just have walked up and asked me," he pointed out.

"Oh no, I couldn't do that," Fluttershy said, even more grateful for the fake boulder she was concealed in. "I don't... I have a hard time... New people..."

"Say no more," he said, holding up a hand, "I understand completely."

"Really?"

"Everywhere I go people stare at me, either because of who I am or what I am," he explained, "it can really wear you down at times."

"I'm not making you uncomfortable am I?" she asked anxiously.

"Not at all," he assured her, finding the entire situation amusing. "Even if I was the nervous sort, I've had a couple of ciders, so I'm fine."

"Cider relaxes you?" she asked, pencil scribbling away on her notepad.

"Yes it most certainly does," he agreed. "Would you like one? I have plenty."

"If... If you don't mind," Fluttershy agreed.

Ryan passed a bottle through the viewing slit in the 'boulder'.

Thirty Minutes Later

"Where is he?" Twilight asked, looking around for the prince, before noticing the fake boulder she'd made to help Fluttershy in her research next to the prince's empty chair.

"She can't see us!" giggled the butter yellow pegasus.

"I have got to get one of these for myself," Ryan whispered loudly, the boulder shifting as the two moved around inside it.

Twilight just stared. "How did you two fit in there? I only built it to fit Fluttershy."

"It wasn't easy," Ryan said, "but this thing does fit two ponies comfortably or at least one pony and one human."

"They just have to be close friends," the pegasus joked, before the two dissolved into laughter.

Twilight shook her head. "I'm fairly sure there is not nearly enough room for two ponies to comfortably fit in there." She paused as she noticed the pile of clothes behind his chair and the numerous empty bottles of cider. "Are you two naked?!"

"We're not naked," Fluttershy huffed, before the fake rock wiggled around and she was hit in the face with a bra. "You take that back!"

"You tell her," Ryan cheered her on, "we've still got out underclothes and socks on!" A bottle of cider floated out of the ice chest and vanished through the slit.

"Celestia help me," the lavender unicorn groaned.

Technically, as a Prince, Ryan was entitled to stay in the finest house in Ponyville. The Riches had even offered their home up. But the Prince had instead opted for the Sweet Apple Acres Farmhouse, given that's where he had landed once Nightmare Moon had realized he was just a distraction.

That and the Apples were gracious. Their guest bedroom was cozy, comfortable, and simple: All things Ryan had come to associate with home.

They also prepared wonderful breakfasts... Not that Ryan could really appreciate it that much, given how terrible he felt.

"Heheheh," Granny Smith chuckled as she put a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of the prince, "too much cider, eh Prince Ryan?"

"It was so good," Ryan groaned. Granny nodded as she pulled out a seat, and sat down next to him.

"Thank ya kindly, but yeh gotta watch yerself if yer gonna indulge," she said, "who knows who might try t' take advantage?"

Ryan immediately held up his hands and shook his head... Then immediately regretted it as he closed his eyes in pain.

"I-I didn't take advantage of Fluttershy! I swear!"

"You'd best not have," Applejack growled, glaring from across the table. Big Macintosh was his usual stoic self. Applebloom blinked innocently.

"What's take advantage of-?"

"Never you mind, Applebloom!" Applejack said quickly.

"Now now, ya know th' Prince, Applejack," Granny said, patting Ryan on the palm, "he wouldn't do any such thing!"

"And Fluttershy wouldn't take advantage of 'im neither!" Applejack said fiercely.

"Please, no yelling," Ryan moaned. Big Mac swiftly got up, went to the cupboard, and mixed several things together-Eggs, pepper, and a shot of some clear spirit. He mixed it up, and set it in front of Ryan.

"Ah, that'll help," Granny said. "Jest don't-"

Ryan took the glass and threw it back... And came forward coughing and wheezing.

"Oh geez! By Tartarus that is nasty!"

"Yer supposed to drink it with yer nose pinched shut," Granny said wryly. Ryan winced.

"Oh..."

Still, his hangover was clearing. Enough he could see Applejack's glare clearly.

"Yeh had better take some o' the Wake Up Juice to Fluttershy, too," Granny suggested. "Applejack? Go with him, he still needs help."

"I-" Granny's firm glare convinced the Prince to not argue, "yes ma'am. Thank you, Duchess Ponyville. And Lady Ponyville."

"Ah told ya," Applejack hissed, "don't call me that!"

Applejack got up, picked Ryan up like a sack of potatoes, and dumped him in his wheelchair before pushing him out the door. Applebloom beamed.

"So... You think ah could get a 'nursin' a Prince back to health' Cutie Mark?"

"Nnope," Big Macintosh stated.

"Maybe assassinatin' a prince cutie mark," Granny joked. Applebloom beamed.

"But don't even think about it!" Granny warned.

"Aww!"

The path to Fluttershy's cottage wasn't that rough, yet Applejack seemed to find every pothole and bump the whole way. Ryan winced, but gamely put up with it without complaining.

For about five minutes.

"Seriously, what's the big deal?" Ryan whined, "your family knows you're all nobility!"

"Don't remind me," Applejack grumbled.

"Aw come on," Ryan said, gripping the armrests tightly, "what's so bad about being nobility?"

"You have met th' nobles in Canterlot, right?" Applejack deadpanned, lifting Ryan up over a log and setting him down hard.

"That was when we were both kids, some of them are okay," Ryan said, "Blueblood's still a nice guy."

"Ah know, ah know, but if everypony knows, it'll change everything," Applejack sighed, "and ah don't want that, okay?"

"Okay, okay, I won't say a word, promise," Ryan said, holding up a hand, "Prince's Honor."

Applejack slowed their pace as they approached Fluttershy's cottage.

"Thank you... Sorry fer the rough handling." She sighed. "It... Ain't easy to bring up. Ah keep those worlds separate."

"Wish I could do that," Ryan sighed. Applejack squeezed his shoulder gently with a warm smile.

"You know we won't treat you no different."

"I know," Ryan said with a smile. He looked up at Fluttershy's door, as Applejack rolled him up to it. He knocked on the door, and cleared his throat.

"Fluttershy? Are you there?" He called.

A groan answered them. Slowly, the door opened a crack. A bleary eye peered out.

"Hello... Prince... Ryan," Fluttershy managed.

"Ah, listen," Ryan said, rubbing the back of his head, "I'm sorry about how things got yesterday-Uh, here" he held out the Wake Up Juice to Fluttershy, "this will help with the hangover. Just-"

Fluttershy pinched her nose before she threw back the bottle.

"Yeah, that," Ryan finished. Fluttershy almost immediately perked up, a smile on her face as the potion did its work.

"W-Wow... Um... Y-Yes, thank you, Your Highness-"

"Ryan, please, we've been over this," Ryan said, smiling warmly back at her. She blushed, and nodded.

"Y-Yes, of course," she murmured, "Um... R-Ryan... Um... If... If it's all right... Can we... T-Talk more? About humans?"

"Any time you want," Ryan said, and he felt Applejack's smile behind him, "after I've had some more rest. Is that okay?"

"Oh, um, y-yes, I need to cuddle with some orphaned wild boar cubs, anyway," Fluttershy said.

Ryan nodded.

"Oh, uh... One other thing..." He leaned forward, lowering his voice, "I'm missing my... Undergarments from yesterday. Do you know where they are?"

Fluttershy looked down, blushing.

"Um... Oh! The-the piglets need me-I'll see if I can find them-B-Bye!"

She shut the door. Ryan blinked.

"Did she just-?"

"Don't worry about it," Applejack said, turning him around and wheeling him back down the path.

Author's Note

Another guest chapter, this time co-written by the exceptional Dogbertcarrol.

The Ticket Master
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Stranger in a Strange Land

The Ticket Master

Rainbow Dash hummed thoughtfully. She leaned over Ryan's shoulder, as the prince did some calculations on a piece of paper.

"Something I can do for you, Miss Dash?" Ryan asked.

"Don't call me Miss Dash," Rainbow huffed, "what are you doing?"

"Doing some calculations for the magicite reactor," Ryan said, "I'm hoping to improve it. But I gotta do the math for it."

"Huh," Dash muttered, "sure about that cosine?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Ryan grumbled, "what do you know about it anyway?"

"Hey! I know stuff!" Dash huffed. "Why do you think I don't?"

"Just a feeling," Ryan said wryly, "you look too hot to know stuff."

"Well then you must be a genius," Dash snarked. Ryan blinked, and stared at her. He then grinned.

"Okay, that was good," Ryan said cheerfully. Dash preened.

"So... You really fought Nightmare Moon in that armor, huh?"

Ryan nodded.

"Yup," he said.

"And you flew?" Dash pressed.

"Yeah," Ryan said with a nod. Dash leaned closer over his shoulder.

"Who taught you? Princess Celestia?"

"No," Ryan said, "First Lieutenant Soarin, of the-"

"SOARIN?!" Dash screamed, and Ryan nearly fell out of his wheelchair. He winced as he rubbed his ear, Dash paying no heed as she held tightly onto his armrests.

"You know Soarin?! The Wonderbolt?!" She cried.

"Yeah. I also have tinnitus now," he quipped.

"Could-Could you get me an audience with the Wonderbolts?!" She asked. "I wanna build up my connections before I make my application! I mean, I've been working on training my skills but knowing some Wonderbolts can help me build my credentials!"

Ryan gave Rainbow Dash a deadpan expression.

"You any good?"

Rainbow Dash grinned.

"Come out and watch!" She cried, pushing his wheelchair out of the library. She pulled back, and spread her wings.

"Watch!" She leaped up, and shot off like a rainbow bolt of lightening. She flew like a rocket, flashing around at high speed in a dizzying array of stunts, twists, and turns.

Ryan gaped in shock, and amazement. Dash dropped down, landing with a dramatic flourish. She smirked smugly up at him.

"So...? What do you think? Am I Wonderbolts material, or what?"

"Well... That is impressive," Ryan said, "but honestly..."

Dash grabbed his armrests and leaned in close, smiling seductively and licking her lips.

"I can convince you in other ways, too, ya know~," Dash crooned.

Ryan gulped as he leaned back.

"Uhhh... Think about how that would look though," Ryan said quickly, "I-I mean... You want to earn things on your own merit, right? Not because of connections or anything... Unsavory?"

Dash hummed, and pulled back.

"Yeah, that's right... But at the same time... I know I'm gonna earn my place with the Wonderbolts! So... We could just get together anyway~? I could be a hot Wonderbolt princess for a hot prince~?"

Ryan coughed, turning bright red.

"Ahhh... R-Right... How about we save that for after I've recovered?"

Dash beamed, all smiles and completely relaxed.

"Of course! Let's go get some lunch, huh? Sugarcube Corner?"

"Sounds good," Ryan said with a nod.

They headed to the bakery and cafe. Ryan ordered some sandwiches. Pinkie Pie bounced up, beaming her usual happy smile.

"Heyah! I hope you enjoy the sandwiches! Oh, by the way, Prince Ryan?"

"Just Ryan, please," Ryan asked, handing her some bits, "and yes?"

"I was wondering about the Grand Galloping Gala?" Pinkie asked, leaning forward, "isn't that a great party? The biggest, greatest party in Equestria?!"

Ryan blinked.

"Er, yes," he said, "it's a huge party. I've attended every year-"

"THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA?!" Dash cried. "WHERE THE WONDERBOLTS WILL BE?!"

"Uh, yeah," Ryan managed, "but it's really-"

"Can I come?! As your date?!" Dash asked eagerly, gripping his hand. Pinkie Pie immediately grabbed his other hand.

"How about with me?! I love parties! Parties are amazing! I am BORN for parties! Couldn't I come instead?!"

"Hey, I asked first!" Dash growled.

"Yeah, but I asked better!" Pinkie Pie stated.

"See? This way you can get me a connection with the Wonderbolts without favoritism!" Dash said cheerfully. She shot him a seductive look.

"Though we can still have fun on the date..."

"I'M TWICE AS FUN!" Pinkie Pie cried.

"Oh boy..." Ryan sighed.

"I'll wrestle you for it!" Pinkie Pie cried.

"I'll win!" Dash insisted.

"Ooh! I'll wrestle her in Chocolate if you'll take me?" Pinkie asked.

Ryan sighed.

"Mind if I have some time to think on this?" He asked.

"Oh sure! Take all the time you like~," Dash said with a grin.

"Absolutely! All the time you need," Pinkie added, "in fact, why don't I pay your bill?"

"How dare you try to bribe the prince!" Dash cried. "When I can bribe him even better!"

"How so?" Pinkie sniffed.

She shoved Ryan's face into her cleavage with a smirk.

"I'll let you name our first foal!"

"Dash!" Ryan groaned.

"Okay, first and second!"

"How you gonna have even one with such small hips?" Pinkie teased. Dash growled.

"I'm hot! And not fat!"

"These are foal bearing hips, thank you!" Pinkie sniffed.

Ryan sighed.

Applejack entered the cafe, spied poor Ryan's predicament, and elbowed her way between Dash and Pinkie Pie. She grabbed Ryan's wheelchair, and handily carried him out of the cafe.

"HEY! Bring him back!" Dash cried.

"He has to decide!" Pinkie Pie added.

"He ain't gonna decide if you two are pickin' over him like two buzzards!" Applejack hissed. She slammed her hoof down, and the floor rumbled ominously. Pinkie Pie backed up, while Dash scowled.

"We could arm wrestle for him," Dash offered with a grin. Appejack snorted.

"Ah'd win," she stated, carrying Ryan right out. She sprinted, galloping hard, handling Ryan like a barrel of apples. She didn't stop until they were in her apple orchards. Which is when she set down his wheelchair, under a shady tree. Ryan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Applejack, much appreciated," Ryan said.

"Now... About that Grand Galloping Gala?" Applejack asked.

Ryan looked up and recognized the mercenary glint in her eyes. He groaned.

"Aw, come on Applejack, you're a noble already-"

"Shhh!" Applejack hissed.

"Sure ah am, but that don't mean ah got an invitation," she said, "besides, ah gotta advertise mah wares somehow."

"You do know the whole event is catered, right?" Ryan asked. Applejack snorted.

"Sure, but once they get a taste o' mah wares... Ah'll be rolling in dough!" She grinned. "And... If you take me, ah'll be able to do so, without anypony wiser bout mah status, got it?"

"Yeah yeah," Ryan sighed. Applejack leaned in and beamed, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Ah'd consider it... A personal favor, ya know~?"

Ryan sighed heavily.

"Come on, ya ain't gonna say we don't have a connection, do you?"

"Yeah, we do, and the string is getting mighty taut right now," Ryan groused. Applejack held up her hands and smiled in appeasement.

"Sorry, sorry. Little too strong there. Jest... Ah wanna stand on mah own two hooves, ya know?"

"By asking me to be your date?" Ryan deadpanned.

"Power o' friendship?"

"Yeah yeah," Ryan sighed. "Look, I'll think about it. I really will-"

"RYAN!"

Ryan looked up to the sky, seeking some divine assistance, just before Twilight wrapped him in a tight, desperate hug.

"Hey Sparkle," Ryan said, "you got a golden ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala too?"

"Yes!" Twilight cried, "well I mean, no! I mean, I got two! And now, everypony's after me!"

"Ah, eheh, imagine that," Applejack said, her cheeks burning bright red.

"Yes, imagine that," Ryan deadpanned.

"So," Twilight said, "maybe we could figure out a plan? How many tickets did you get?"

"I didn't get any-"

Philomenia appeared in a burst of fire, and dropped an envelope in Ryan's hands. The phoenix then vanished. Ryan rolled his eyes as he opened the envelope.

"She's such a drama queen," he muttered. "Oh hey... I got two tickets too. What a surprise."

"So, four o' us can go!" Applejack said cheerfully.

"No, only Ryan and myself, and two others!" Twilight sighed.

Applejack hummed, then grinned.

"Twi? If you convince Ryan t' take me? Ah'll let you and Big Mac go together."

Twilight turned bright red. She began to play with her hair nervously.

"Y-You.... Mean... You'd... With Big Mac...?"

"Glad to know you're a mare of principles," Ryan deadpanned.

"I DIDN'T SAY YES!"

Ryan would have continued, but he was interrupted... By a bear. A very large bear, who grabbed him and his wheelchair and carted him off quickly.

"UWAAAAHHHH!" Ryan shouted. "HELP!"

"RYAN!" Twilight and Applejack cried... Just as some bees flew at them.

"AHH!"

"NOT THE BEES!"

I'm beginning to feel like luggage, Ryan thought sourly. The bear carried him all the way out to... Oh no... Fluttershy's cottage?

Yeah, it was Fluttershy's cottage the bear was hustling him over to. He was plopped down in front of her door. A moment later, the door opened, and Fluttershy was all over him like a nervous hen over her chicks.

"Are-Are you all right, Prince Ryan? Were you hurt? Are you feeling okay? I'm sorry Harry was so rough... I told him to be gentle...!"

The bear growled his displeasure. Fluttershy shook her head.

"You should have been more careful!"

"I'm fine," Ryan sighed, "and let me guess... You want to go to the Grand Galloping Gala?"

Fluttershy blinked.

"The Grand Galloping Gala? Is-Is that why everyone's acting so strange? I didn't know. Oh dear, maybe I shouldn't have asked those bees to run interference..."

Ryan laughed, in some disbelief. He shook his head.

"So... You don't want to go to the Grand Galloping Gala?"

"Ah, well..." Fluttershy wavered, poking her fingers together, "um... I mean, I'd be happy to go with you... The Royal Gardens are full of such amazing animals, and I'd love to see them... But I wouldn't want to force you to go with me."

She smiled warmly.

"So... It's all right," she said, "whatever you decide."

Ryan blinked. He blinked again.

"Do you want to go with me to the Grand Galloping Gala then?"

Fluttershy blushed deeply, covering her cheeks.

"I-I... Um... I-I just... I-I would... I um... That is...!"

Ryan beamed, leaning forward.

"Yes...?"

Fluttershy looked down at something tugging on her skirt. She blinked at her little white rabbit, whom Ryan had seen around. The rabbit scowled at her. Fluttershy took a deep breath, and nodded.

"Y... Yes...!"

"WAIT!"

Twilight stormed up, panting hard as she tried to catch her breath.

"W-Wait! Wait! I'm so sorry, but I really-!"

"Twilight, I asked Fluttershy already," Ryan stated.

Twilight blinked.

"Oh?"

"And she said yes," Ryan stated.

Twilight sighed deeply, drooping softly. It did hurt him a bit, but...

"Oh... Well... Um..."

Ryan smiled and winked.

"But I'll save you a dance, huh?" He said.

Twilight smiled gently back.

"I... I appreciate that," she said softly.

Twilight stood up taller, and turned away. She discretely wiped her eyes.

"But... How are we going to resolve this? I still just have two tickets...!"

Ryan rolled his eyes.

"Just ask Mom for some more tickets," he said, "I mean, you're her apprentice."

"Also, we're all now Dames of the Realm for saving the world from Nightmare Moon," Fluttershy pointed out. Twilight gaped.

"Wait, we are?!"

"Yes, it was in my mail this morning," Fluttershy said. She blinked. "Why didn't anypony else check it...?"

"RYANNNNN!"

Rarity, dressed to the nines in an ornate, elaborate dress, staggered the final few steps and tackled Ryan out of his wheelchair.

"GWAH!"

"TAKE ME TO THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA! I WILL HAVE ALL YOUR FOALS!"

"URK!" Ryan groaned, "please...!"

"Rarityyy!" Fluttershy cried, "he already asked me! Let him go! Um, please?"

"Hurts so much... Dying... I can see the light..."

"You're killing him, Rarity!" Twilight shouted.

"Mommy... Help... Dying...!"

"It's killing me!" Rarity wailed.

"Save meee...!"

Near Applaloosa...

The Great and Powerful Trixie was relaxing in the bright sunshine of the desert atop her caravan. She was exhausted after four shows in one day for the newly established town. It was tiring, but a nice change from the crowds in Las Pegasus.

She stretched out her arms over her head, moaning softly as she twisted her hips atop her beach chair. She was dressed in just a bikini, a mouth watering sight if she did say so herself.

It was nice to get back to the grind though. Especially after that long night. It had been terrifying, all alone... And hearing the booms and bangs of some distant battle.

Being out in the sticks meant she didn't know what had happened... But seeing a delivery bird with a newspaper clutched in its talons made her smile.

The bird landed, and held out the paper. Trixie took it, and held out a bit to the bird. It took the tip, and flew off with a flourish. Trixie rolled her eyes.

"Show off," she muttered, as she opened the copy of the Daily Equestria. Her eyes locked onto the front page... And they went wide. Her jaw dropped in shock and disbelief.

There, displayed in black and white... In a hospital bed, covered in bandages and surrounded by mares...

"RYAN?!" Trixie shrieked, jumping off her deckchair. She kept reading... Even as she fell off the roof of her caravan.

"AAHHH-OOF!"

"Gotcha, Miss Trixie!"

Trixie barely nodded to the handsome Earth stallion man, jumping out of his arms.

"Th-The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you, what's the fastest route to Ponyville?!"

The cowcolt blinked, and pointed at the nearby railroad.

"Follow the railroad, it'll lead right to Ponyville Junction-"

Trixie lit up her horn, and her caravan folded up in on itself. She summoned her clothes and cloak with a dramatic flourish. She made her pointed hat appear, and pressed it onto her head. She hopped up onto the front seat of her caravan.

"GO!" Trixie shouted, her wheels squealing as the caravan took off at high speed, heading up the railroad.

Braeburn blinked as the unicorn mare shouted something loudly behind her.

"TRIXIE'S COMING, RYANNNNN!"

Braeburn took off his hat, and scratched the top of his head.

"Something I said...?"

Author's Note

Enjoy this extra long update!

Recovery
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Recovery

Twilight had taken to her 'turn' to look after Ryan with enthusiasm, and zeal.

And the prince couldn't fault her for that... Exactly.

"Are you sure you have enough pillows, Ryan?" Twilight asked kindly.

Ryan managed to poke his head out of the pile of pillows he was now part of.

"I think you could take a few away?" He suggested.

Twilight winced.

"Ah, right, I uh... I may have overdone it a bit," she admitted. Her horn glowed, and several pillows flew off back into the cupboards. She was by the side of his couch in an instant, several plates of food floating around him like moons orbiting a planet.

"I made your favorites!" She said cheerfully. She winced. "Well, uh... I tried to make your favorites but then I started a fire. So Spike just made them."

"I'm good, really," Ryan said quickly, "had a big breakfast at the Apples. Really! You don't need to do that."

"Oh! Um, I'll just put these away for later then," Twilight said, again banishing the items with magic. She brightened.

"I know! The gramophone! How about Moozart? Bach? Stringvinsky?"

Ryan stared in disbelief at Twilight.

"No, thank you," Ryan stated, "now. Can we please do something interesting? I have been bored out of my mind for the last five days of my recovery!"

"Well, that is why I brought you here!" Twilight said cheerfully.

Spike entered the living room, carrying a box. Ryan nodded to the baby dragon.

"Thanks for the food, Spike, I do appreciate it," he said.

"Well, anything to keep Twilight from burning down the library," Spike said, "she'd never forgive herself."

"I did not nearly burn down the library!" Twilight huffed. "I'm still a novice in the kitchen, but I'm not that bad!"

"I suppose it's a step up from nearly burning down the palace," Spike said dryly. He looked over at Ryan.

"She tried to make soup that time-"

"Spike, please," Twilight sighed, "isn't there something you should be doing? Somewhere else?"

"No, not really," Spike deadpanned, "why do you ask?"

Twilight then smiled.

"Spike?" Twilight asked sweetly," why don't you ask Rarity if you can help her with some maid outfits she was working on? She had a big order of them last I was over there and-"

"I'll be back later, have fun you two!" Spike cried out, dropping the box on the table and rushing off out the front door. Twilight and Ryan shared a knowing glance.

"He's a sweet kid," Ryan chuckled, "hope Rarity doesn't break his heart."

"Oh, I'm sure she won't," Twilight said, "she's very good at things like... That."

She opened the box, and held up... The Element of Magic crown. She placed it on the table with a broad smile. Ryan leaned forward, a grin on his face.

"The Element of Magic," Ryan breathed, "it's... Incredible! Can you feel the magic coming off of it?"

"I know, right?" Twilight said happily. "Oh, the Thauma levels on it are off the charts!"

"We're gonna need new charts," Ryan observed wryly. Twilight laughed softly.

"Oh! You made that joke before," Twilight said. "I did actually like it."

"I... Yeah, I heard it somewhere," Ryan admitted. He reached out for the Element... And Twilight snatched it away.

"Huh? Hey!"

"What are you doing?" Twilight asked urgently.

"I was just going to examine it," Ryan said, irritated.

"In your condition? No!" Twilight shook her head. "You're still recovering, Mister! So you stay put..." She teleported a notepad and a pen to his hands.

"And take notes!"

"You're kidding," Ryan groaned.

"No, I'm very serious," Twilight stated.

"I'm literally certified in magical constructs and enchanted objects," Ryan whined.

"Yes, which is why you're going to be helping me analyze the Elements," Twilight said, "but not handling them. You're still recovering!"

Ryan scowled.

"Ugh..."

"Now," Twilight began, " are you absolutely sure you don't need any snacks or a blanket or-?"

Ryan glared angrily at her.

"Twilight, I'm fine! I don't need any music, or pillows, or snacks or handholding-"

Twilight blushed, and bowed her head. Her horn lit up, and her plain clothing transformed... Into an extremely abbreviated and sexy maid's outfit. She bowed.

"How about this? Do... Do you like this?" Twilight asked shyly.

Ryan's jaw dropped. Twilight filled the silence with frantic explanations and her waving hands.

"I-I mean, I know you and Trixie dated-I don't know how far you two went, um, it would be rude to ask, but you did like it when she dressed skimpily, right? I could tell, your heartrate shot up when she wore her skirt short or her shirt unbuttoned. I was monitoring your vitals for a project on sensory spells, um, I just recorded the data... Do... Do you like it?"

Ryan opened his mouth, closed it, and then very slowly nodded.

"Yes. You... Look good," he said.

Twilight gasped, her eyes lighting up.

"Really?!"

Does my opinion of her dressing sexy really matter that much?! Ryan thought to himself.

"It's actually kind of... Liberating," Twilight admitted, "not that I-I do this sort of thing often. Or at all. Rarity helped me pick it out, and tailored it! It uh, I-I mean..." She looked at him again.

"You're sure you like it? You didn't like the other things I did-!"

Ryan resisted the urge to roll his eyes to the heavens.

"Yes, Twilight. You look sexy. Honestly I always thought you had the hot librarian thing down but you can also pull off the hot maid thing too. All right?"

"You mean it?"

"Yes," Ryan stated firmly. "Now, let's please do some scholarly research?"

Twilight beamed at him. He had to admit, she had a nice smile. It had been rare before but now... It was a lot more common.

"Of course! Though uh... I can take the high heels off, right? I know they complete the outfit but they're very uncomfortable!"

Ryan stared.

"... Yeah, sure."

"Oh good..."

Ryan had been wheeled outside, to take a break from studying the Elements of Harmony. Twilight had almost refused, and he couldn't blame her. Even with her concern over him, she was still Twilight.

But ultimately she relented, and now they were outside in Celestia's sunshine, relaxing.

"Even with just the basic equipment I brought," Twilight sighed, "the readings are amazing!"

"I want to test the tensile strength next," Ryan said eagerly.

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked. Ryan nodded.

"The Thauma levels suggest their strength might be in levels of the Strong Nuclear Force," Ryan said cheerfully, "you have to admit, that's exciting!"

"Yeah, it is," Twilight admitted, "but I don't know where we'd put the equipment."

"There's gotta be a shop in Ponyville," Ryan said happily, "and hey, I've been saving my allowance. I can pay for it!"

"You don't have to do it alone, you know," Twilight said, hesitantly resting a hand on his shoulder. He let her keep it there and smiled warmly at her.

"Hey. You can pitch in if you want," he said, "There's so much to do."

"Yeah," Twilight agreed, and they fell into a comfortable silence for a time. One Ryan broke.

"I can't remember a time we talked like this, can you?" He asked.

Twilight shook her head.

"No... Well... There was... Trixie but..."

Ryan's face darkened. Twilight shook her head rapidly.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, no, it's okay," he said softly. He looked up at the clear blue sky.

"I... Was stupid," he said softly, "I rushed into that without thinking-"

"She should have made it work! If-if you, I mean, if she really loved you," Twilight insisted.

Ryan scoffed.

"Thanks, but... I mean... Her dream was to become a famous performer. Not... Ya know... A Princess."

He squeezed his hand, imagining the ring box that he had held only two years ago.

"She could have... Have married you and still done that," Twilight argued.

Ryan sighed heavily.

"Nah... Not her," he said softly. "But... You know... Thanks. For... You know... Trying to help after."

"It wasn't like you were getting back to your room alone," Twilight said gently.

"Still... Thank you," Ryan said, "you still drive me crazy sometimes but... Thank you."

Twilight giggled.

"Maybe we could call that a friendship lesson?" She asked. "I need to send Princess Celestia one this week."

"Just nothing embarrassing, please?" Ryan asked.

"She probably knows everything already, about that night," Twilight said cautiously. Ryan shook his head.

"Yeah but she pretended not to."

"HEY! PRINCE RYAN!"

A familiar blue Pegasus girl flew up, pushing a huge wheelbarrow filled with metal pieces. Applejack walked up after, grinning. Ryan's eyes widened ad he recognized the parts.

"Is that my suit?!" He cried.

"Eeyup! Took us a while, but we found them all!" Applejack said cheerfully.

"I found more!" Dash bragged.

"Thanks, both of you!" Ryan laughed. He pulled out the broken remains of a magicitereactor. He turned to Twilight with a grin.

"Hey-Know what we can do right now?"

"Spectrographic analysis?!" Twilight asked eagerly.

"Read my mind!" Ryan laughed. Twilight teleported herself, Ryan and the wheelbarrow into her library. Applejack and Dash stood in silence for a moment.

"... Was she wearing a maid outfit?" Dash asked.

"Eeyup."

"You got a photo, right?"

"Nope."

Dash gaped. Applejack grinned.

"But Pinkie Pie did."

"YES!"

Author's Note

This chapter got lost a few months ago, but I put it back together. It's meant to take place before Boast Busters.

Boast Busters 1
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Boast Busters 1

"It's wonderful to see you again, Prince Ryan!"

Twilight Velvet Sparkle and Night Light Sparkle smiled at Ryan across the dinner table in the library. Twilight was next to him, while Spike relaxed at the head of the table. They were all eating lunch, quite happily. Ryan beamed back at the Sparkles.

"Nice to see you again too, Mister and Mrs. Sparkle."

"Now now, no need to be so formal, Prince Ryan," Night Light chuckled, "you're practically family!"

Twilight stiffened and blushed at that, but Night Light still grinned.

"That's... A little weird, but thank you," Ryan said, shrugging.

"How are you recovering?" Twilight Velvet asked.

"Slowly, but surely," Ryan said, "though Twilight's stopped treating me like I'm made of glass."

"You fought Nightmare Moon and almost died," Twilight groaned, "stop trying to be macho!"

"I am not," Ryan grumbled. Spike patted Ryan's hand.

"It was pretty cool, though. Wish I could have seen it."

"Trust me, no you don't," Ryan sighed.

"So, you two are living together?" Twilight Velvet asked. Twilight and Ryan flushed.

"Er, well, he sleeps around at different houses, but he has been staying with me more often-"

"Though Applejack's home cooking is a good argument to stay with her," Ryan said. Spike frowned.

Ryan coughed.

"But uh, Spike's cooking is good too! No offense!"

"Nah, I'd move in with Applejack if I could, too," Spike said.

Twilight scowled.

"Glad to see your loyalty can be bought for some apple fritters, Spike."

"If it's just about food, yes, but you're my sis!" Spike said happily. "Besides, it's fun to watch you in the kitchen. It's hilarious."

"Speak for yourself, you're fireproof," Ryan grumbled.

Night Light sighed.

"Did she burn down the kitchen again?"

"I DIDN'T BURN DOWN THE KITCHEN!" Twilight said, her cheeks bright red.

"Yeah, it's still there."

"MOMMMMMM!"

Ryan, exerting just a bit of royal social graces, cleared his throat loudly.

"Well! Isn't it about time for my walk outside?"

"It is?" Twilight asked. Ryan gave her a sideways look, and Twilight coughed.

"Oh yes! So it is! Spike? Why don't you and my parents have some fun?"

"We'll rearrange your kitchen," Twilight Velvet said gently, "make sure you're eating well."

"Mom! That's quite unneeded!" Twilight growled.

"It is especially needed," Spike said.

"SPIIIIKE!" Twilight groaned.

Needless to say, Twilight pushed the prince out the door in his wheelchair, grumbling all the way. Ryan grinned up at her.

"Oh come on... They're just showing they care for you," he said.

"In the least delicate way possible," she grumbled.

"Pssh, please," Ryan snorted, "my mom is worse."

"Princess Celestia? No, no she isn't!" Twilight insisted.

"Who are you gonna believe? Me, or your lying eyes?" Ryan snorted.

Twilight sighed, trying not to jostle him too much.

"Let's just enjoy the sunshine, okay?"

"Yes, yes..."

It had taken far longer than Trixie would have liked, but she pushed her old magic wagon all the way to Ponyville. She got to the train station, and looked intently at the teller.

"I want an express ticket to Canterlot, right now!" She cried. The teller hummed.

"All right... That'll be one hundred and twenty bits."

Trixie's jaw dropped.

"One hundred twenty?!"

"The battle with Nightmare Moon wrecked the lines up the mountain," the teller said, "so you have to go around to Hoofington and then Ponyburg, and then take the northern route down-"

"I get it, I get it," Trixie sighed. She pulled out her bits bag, and rummaged through it. She looked up at the teller with a pleading expression.

"L-Listen, I'm a little short, but I desperately need to-"

The teller gave Trixie a deadpan look.

"No bits? No tickets? It's that simple," she stated.

Trixie groaned, and rubbed her face furiously.

"FIne, fine... Just hold that ticket for me, understand?! It's a matter of life and death!"

The teller snorted.

"I've heard that before."

Trixie rushed off.

"Fine... I can make money... I can make money..."

She ran back to her wagon, and hopped onto it. She took refuge inside the wagon. She focused, and a spell lit up the wagon. She turned it around, and sent it barreling into the center of the town.

Numerous curious onlookers watched, shocked, at the ruckus that ensued. Good. It's all she needed.

Trixie cast another spell, and the wagon opened up. She took a deep breath, chanted something in her mind, and stepped out onto the stage with a burst of smoke and a hail of fireworks. She made sure to strut, and every stallion's eye locked onto her. She smirked and held out her arms.

"HELLO PONYVILLE!" She cried. "YOU NOW PLAY HOST... TO THE GREAT AND POWERFUL-!"

"Trixie?!"

The cry was soft, but... Instantly recognizable. Trixie's eyes locked onto a form of a male in a wheelchair. Twilight Sparkle was standing behind him. In an instant, Trixie's bravado and confidence evaporated away at the broken form of the boy.

"I-Uh-Um-"

"Hey!" Ryan grinned. "Long time no see!"

That smile... He was alive... That smile... He was alive...!

Trixie Lulamoon had imagined what she would do when she saw Ryan, alive and whole, again.

Leaping off the stage to kiss him soundly in front of a crowd of ponies was probably not the best plan. But it was all that came to her in that instant.

Author's Note

A Merry Christmas update, I hope you enjoy!

Luna's Dream Training
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Luna's Dream Training

Ryan wandered in a dojo, covered in ancient weapons and banners from long ago. He blinked in confusion.

"Where am I?"

"Welcome, Ryan," Luna spoke. Ryan turned in shock, but he remembered his manners and bowed to her. Luna smiled indulgently, and walked up to him. She lifted his chin.

"There is no need for that amongst family," she said warmly. Ryan smiled back.

"Thank you... So... What brings you by, Auntie?"

"I have retaken my position as military commander of Equestria," she said, "and I am... Most unhappy with what has happened to combat readiness in my absence."

"Er... I mean," Ryan rubbed the back of his head, "to be fair, Auntie, we haven't had a war in-"

Luna stared intently at him. For a moment, her green eyes were slitted. He immediately tensed up, before he nodded quickly.

"Point taken," he said.

"You fought courageously," Luna said, "and you have talent... But you fought... Well-"

Ryan sighed.

"No, go ahead... Be honest," he said, waving his hands.

Luna nodded.

"You were awful. I would have cut you down in seconds if I had been fighting seriously."

Ryan nodded slowly.

"Okay, that's-"

"Your armor is the only thing that kept you from dying and only just. Nightmare Moon was holding back but really, she was mostly bored."

Ryan's eyebrow twitched.

"I get it-"

"If the Royal Guards fought that badly-"

"AUNTIE!" Ryan growled. Luna flushed.

"Sorry... The point is, you need to learn how to fight properly. As do most of our soldiers... But, seeing as you are my nephew..."

She hugged him tightly.

"I... I feel we could also... Bond? If that would be all right?" She asked quietly.

Ryan beamed, and hugged her back.

"I'd love to! I read about your battles! The Battle of Trenchhoof! The Rout of Condora! The 39 and a half Year War! I can't think of a better teacher!"

Luna's smile grew, as she hugged her nephew very tightly.

"Good... Ahem... Let us begin with the basics. Please, show me your combat stance."

Luna stood up. Ryan followed suit. He assumed a stance for battle, just like the guards had taught him-

"UWAH!"

-and he fell like a tree the moment Luna gave him a light shove.

"Your feet are too close together," Luna said, "you don't have hooves like ponies, so your stance must be wider. Bend your knees more, as well."

Ryan nodded with a smile, and got up onto his feet.

"All right... What else?"

"It's going to involve a lot more falling," Luna warned. Ryan grinned.

"My mom just told me that the most important part of falling down? Is getting back up again."

Luna smiled warmly. There was... A hint of nostalgia in her eyes?

"That is the first lesson..."

Author's Note

Been a while, sorry about that. My muse moves in mysterious ways.

Boast Busters 2
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Boast Busters 2

Twilight almost immediately separated Trixie from Ryan, her eyes glowing almost as red as her cheeks.

"TRIXIE LULAMOON WHAT THE HAY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

Trixie flushed heavily, but couldn't help a smug grin.

"Trixie was just enthusiastically greeting her coltfriend, while you probably remain painfully single, Sparkle!"

Trixie hugged onto Ryan tightly, as the Prince slowly got his brain working again.

"Ah, wait, hang on-We broke up Trixie-"

"We took a break, sweetie," Trixie said happily, nuzzling him, "and now that I'm back, we can pick up right where we left off-!"

"NO YOU CAN'T!" Twilight snarled, using her magic to yank Ryan into her embrace-Chair and all. "YOU FLAT OUT ABANDONED HIM WHEN HE NEEDED YOU!"

"Abandoned-No! No! W-We agreed to take a break!" Trixie insisted. "So I could pursue my dreams! He-He told me it was good! To go ahead!"

"Oh my Harmony, you are such a dense BIMBO!" Twilight growled.

Trixie scowled back.

"What would you know, you Princess's Pet! You don't know a thing about romance or feelings beyond your precious research!"

Ryan was still a bit discombobulated from that kiss (who wouldn't be?), but he could recognize the look in Twilight's eyes.

"Twilight, don't-!"

"HE WAS GOING TO ASK YOU TO MARRY HIM, YOU TWIT!" Twilight fairly screamed.

Dead silence ensued. Save for the crunching of popcorn, as Vinyl gobbled up some from a food stand.

Trixie gaped.

"He-No he wasn't-Ryan, you weren't...!"

Ryan winced. Trixie's jaw dropped.

"No... You... You weren't-!"

"HE WAS IN LOVE WITH YOU AND YOU JUST FLAT OUT SHATTERED HIS HEART!" Twilight raged. "AND NOW YOU JUST DIVE RIGHT BACK IN LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED?!"

"Twilight, ENOUGH!" Ryan shouted. He covered his face, taking deep breaths to calm himself. He looked into Trixie's eyes.

"Trixie... I'm... Happy to see you, really and-"

Trixie turned away, facing the stage.

"S-Sure," she muttered, "I-I'm glad... To see you're okay... Excuse me."

She practically leaped into her wagon, and it closed up. It began to roll off at high speed.

"TRIXIE! TRIXIE WAIT!" Ryan shouted after her. He scowled at the now cringing Twilight. "What the Tartarus did you do that for?!"

"She just-She just pounces on you after breaking your heart into pieces?!" Twilight demanded. "What was I supposed to do?!"

"Maybe don't air my dirty laundry in front of EVERYPONY?!"

Twilight looked around at the crowd. Applejack cleared her throat.

"There's nothing to see here, ponies! Git, git!" She yelled. The crowd slowly dispersed, but a lot of pitying gazes were offered to Ryan and Twilight.

Which set Ryan's teeth on edge. He glared at Twilight.

"Next time, if you want to defend me, don't scream and act like a loon, huh?!"

"Ry-Ryan, I didn't mean to-!"

Ryan was already rolling off, as angrily as he could make his wheels move. Twilight watched him go, anguish written all over her face.

Applejack walked back, and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"You doin' all right, Twi?" She asked softly.

Twilight shook her head.

"No... No, I'm really not..."

Trixie didn't really have a direction in mind as she guided her wagon out of town. She didn't know the area, after all. She just stopped when she got somewhere with a lot of trees. A cute little cottage nearby, but not so close she could be seen or heard.

It was perfect, really.

"HARMONY BUCKING DAMNIT!" She screamed, blasting a tree with a shot from her horn. "YOU'RE SO STUPID!"

She raged, tears running down her eyes, as she blasted her anger at anything that was close and destructible. She tore at her hair and her clothes and shrieked her fury up at the sky.

All too soon though, she was exhausted. She collapsed on an uncomfortable rock, and just sobbed, burying her face in her hands.

"Stupid... Stupid... Stupid...!" Trixie muttered, over and over.

"Um... H-Hello? Can I help you? Are... Is there something I can do for you?"

Trixie started, and looked up. A beautiful pegasus mare stood nearby, pink haired, in a big yellow sweater and green shorts. She looked at her in innocent concern. Trixie turned away, wiping her eyes.

"N-No... Trixie's fine," she mumbled, "I'm... I'm fine..."

"You don't sound fine... Um... If you don't mind me saying so. Sorry," the meek pegasus murmured.

Trixie scowled in annoyance... But the mare didn't shrink back. She looked away, glowering out at the woods.

"... My ex-coltfriend was going to propose to me when we broke it off," she muttered, "Trixie... Didn't realize... Trixie was too wrapped up in her dreams..."

She bowed her head. How could she still have more tears?

She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," she murmured.

Trixie laughed bitterly.

"Trixie... I wanted to pursue my dreams so badly... He just let me. What kind of a stallion does that? Lets his mare run off? He-He didn't fight for me!"

The pegasus mare nodded, stroking Trixie's back.

"He probably wanted you to be happy," she said quietly, "because he loved you. And wanted you to be happy."

"Trixie would have been... Been just happy as a princess!" Trixie sniffled.

The mare's stroking paused.

"Oh...?"

Trixie nodded.

"Y-Yes... What mare would turn down marrying a prince, huh? Sure he's an alien but... He was kind, and brave... And I wasn't there for him when he fought a goddess..."

Trixie bowed her head further. She felt absolutely terrible, like razors were ripping at her insides.

"From what I know of the prince... Um... Not that I know him as well as you," the mare said quietly, "he would... He probably does still care about you. If he was willing to let you go, he probably loves you. A lot."

The pegasus mare sound very sad about that. Trixie couldn't think why.

"You... You think so?" Trixie sniffled, looking up at the mare. She nodded firmly.

"Yes... I-I'm very sure he loves you," she said, "and... And he would only want you to be happy! That's real love..."

She looked away. Trixie frowned.

"Are... Trixie is concerned, are you all right?"

"F-Fine," the mare mumbled, "I'm just fine-!"

"TRIXIE!"

Trixie looked up. There was Ryan, wheeling himself down the dirt path. He was red faced and sweaty, and grit his teeth as he yanked on the brakes. He skidded to a halt right in front of the Unicorn and Pegasus Mares.

"Geez... You gotta give me some time to explain," he panted. He shook his head. "First off, I'm so glad to see you. You look great!"

"I... Th-Thanks," Trixie muttered.

"And second?" He sighed. "Look... You told me your mom wanted you to marry me so your family would be rich. But you wanted to become a performer. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't deny you your dream, could I?"

"... You could have been selfish," Trixie muttered. Ryan laughed softly-He was still very tired.

"A prince doesn't get to be selfish," he said. He looked at Fluttershy, and smiled warmly.

"Thanks for taking care of her, Fluttershy," he said, "I was so worried."

"It... It's nothing," Fluttershy managed, again hiding her face behind her long, pink bangs. Trixie stared intently, really stared. She had a knack for telling the mood of patrons in a crowd, what they were thinking...

And given how sullen Fluttershy suddenly looked... How angry Twilight looked...

Oh. Well... Now she felt even worse.

Ryan wheeled over, and rested a hand on Trixie's shoulder.

"I'm very glad you're okay, Trixie, and I really appreciate you coming all this way just to find me," he said earnestly. "And... Sorry about Twilight. She's really protective of me. Ya know... After fighting a demigoddess and all."

"I... Trixie can imagine," Trixie murmured. She cleared her throat, and stood up.

"Ryan... Listen-"

She began... But then a very loud roar interrupted them. Fluttershy's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh no... I can't believe it... It wasn't supposed to wake up for another few months-!"

"What?!" Trixie cried. "What did I just wake up?!"

And a gigantic, glowing blue bear, as big as a barn, stomped through the trees with an angry roar. Trixie gasped in disbelief.

"Ursa Minor!" Fluttershy cried, immediately grabbing Ryan's wheelchair and flying him down the dirt road. Trixie ran for it, not far behind.

"I'M SORRY!" Trixie wailed.

Celestia's Memories
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Stranger in a Strange Land

Celestia's Memories

During "Boast Busters", back in Canterlot...

Luna walked into her sister's room for the first time in... Well over a thousand years. It had changed in a number of ways, which was only to be expected.

Gone were the war trophies and the suits of armor and the skull of Blackstorm the Most Flammable. Instead it was simple, warm, and cozy. With a few paintings here and there, but the walls were mostly covered in pictures.

Photographs were the name, as she recalled. Luna studied them.

Many had Twilight, and numerous others had fillies and colts Luna assumed to be Celestia's various students. There were several of Cadance too, the young pink alicorn looking nervous in about a third of them, confident in the next third, and warm and smiling in the last third.

Naturally though, most were of Ryan. Luna traced her fingers over the various pictures.

Celestia with the infant Ryan, sitting for a royal portrait. The baby's eyes were so wide, his chubby cheeks so prominent. Celestia held him, her smile so very warm and happy.

Ryan sniffling as Celestia applied healing back to a skinned knee, the colt a bit older.

Ryan proudly holding up a winning science fair project, first place, with a proud Celestia behind him.

Whatever a science fair was.

And newspaper clippings, dozens of them. Luna read through them, and snorted when she came to one in particular.

"Sneak Peak's article?"

Luna looked to her right-Yup, there was Celestia. She smiled warmly at her older sister, and nodded.

"Why allow a free press if they're just going to insult you and your foals? The very idea that my nephew was your 'pet'."

Celestia sighed.

"Freedom is not freedom if you are not allowed to be wrong," she said quietly. She shook her head, eyes fixed on the photo of Ryan being healed by her. "I once thought that I should shield him from everything. Protect him. Make sure he grew up without pain or want..."

She chuckled, sadly.

"I was foalish, of course. He still got bumps and bruises and skinned knees... And a broken heart."

Celestia bowed her head. Luna reached out and took her elder sister's hand.

"Sister?"

"My own son... Thought he was expendable," Celestia whispered. She stared off, far into the distance. In the direction of a certain little town of ponies.

"He fought for Equestria," Luna protested, "he fought to protect Twilight Sparkle, all of us-"

"He thought his life didn't matter. That I valued my apprentice over him," Celestia murmured. She shook her head.

"What... What kind of a mother am I? If he came to that conclusion?" She sniffled, tears running down her cheeks.

Luna hugged her sister tightly, wrapping her wings around her.

"I too came to a terrible conclusion, Celestia, long ago," Luna murmured. Celestia's eyes darted to her, wide and filled with hurt.

"But I was wrong, Celestia," she emphasized, "it was not your fault."

"Not a day went by... An hour... A minute that I didn't think to myself, 'I should have done something else, I could have done something. I should have known,'," Celestia admitted, her pink gaze falling away out of shame. "I should have seen this coming. I should have... I could have..."

She sighed heavily.

"My own son, Lulu," Celestia murmured, "I love him so much, and he thought that... That I didn't...!"

She sobbed softly, as Luna held her up.

"He knows the truth, Tia," Luna said back quietly, stroking her sister's back, "I have seen his dreams. He loves you. He has no resentment, no hatred. You blame yourself because of how much you love him... Love me. Love all of us. But that doesn't mean it is your fault."

Celestia nodded, her tears still falling. She picked up the picture of her son and herself, just playing in the garden. How happy they both looked. Luna rested a hand over hers. Celestia finally managed to look Luna in the eyes again, still crying.

"Thank you Lulu," Celestia murmured, "thank you so much-"

"It has been a long time for you, hasn't it?" Luna murmured, resting her head against Celestia's. "Fear not. I'm not going anywhere. Neither is he."

She smiled at Celestia warmly.

"If anything, his sacrificial nature reminds me far too much of you," she stated, "between him and Twilight Sparkle, you seem to have a knack for bringing out the hero in your foals."

Celestia laughed softly, a few tears falling on the glass picture frame.

"I do not deserve... Such wonderful foals," she chuckled, "such... A wonderful family."

"Yes you do," Luna said, "now if only you would believe it..."

Author's Note

Just to tug on your heart strings a bit. More comedic shenanigans incoming!