Author's Note

HELLOING!

Just wanted to let you all know that I put in a little bit of german in this chapter. I referenced it as a language I made up to reference Some of RIleus's backstory. I am part german ancestry-wise, so I wanted to sprinkle in a little bit in this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed.

Ponies? Interesting...

A high pitch steady beeping awoke me. I was expecting to be in my crashed plane on my bed, staring at the metal hull of the aircraft. Instead, I found myself staring at a very tall arching stone ceiling. I saw banners hanging down the walls as long as the walls themselves. I looked to my right and saw an open glass double door that led out to a small balcony. A small breeze flowed in along with rays of sunlight. I looked down and found myself in a hospital bed. And a fancy one at that, with a crimson red blanket. I looked to find most of my left arm covered in a cast. I could feel the same bandaging along my right calf. I threw off the blanket to find that all of my armor had been stripped off, leaving me in my underwear and several bloody bandages along my chest. I was very uncomfortable with that thought. Did they see my... you know what. Im just not gonna think about it.

The steady beeping was getting on my nerves. I followed a tube and wire connected to an IV drip and heart rate monitor. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and sat up slowly. Groaning as I did so as the aching soreness of my injuries welcomed itself back into my body. I took the tube out first and then the wire, causing the monitor to flatline. Within seconds the door opposite the glass one slammed open as two horses came in dressed in doctors' gowns. One a unicorn and the other a regular horse. One fur was light brown with a dark brown mane and glasses. The other is a light pinkish purple. They looked concerned when they saw me sitting upright and trying to turn off the stupid heart rate monitor that wouldn't shut up.

"Do either of you know how to turn this stupid thing off?" I asked, looking over the device for a big red button or switch to turn it off.

One of the doctors sighed either out of relief or annoyance. I couldn't tell as he walked over and pressed a button on the side of the machine facing away from me that I couldn't see. The machine went silent. The other doctor, or rather a nurse, was packing up some leftover medical equipment on a table nearby.

"Good, you're awake. Do you feel anything out of the ordinary? Something out of place or a weird feeling?" The doctor asked, grabbing a clipboard that hung off the front of the bed with his horn.

"I feel naked," I responded, grabbing the blanket and covering my lower self.

"Interesting. Anything else?" He asked, scribbling down something on the clipboard.

"Um, somewhat violated. I mean, you guys did just strip off almost all my clothing. Other than that, im just really fucking sore." I responded, Rotating my left arm's shoulder a few times.

The doctor wrote down more on the clipboard before turning to the nurse. "Nurse, can you go notify the Princesses that the patient is awake?"

The nurse turned, carrying a bag with a red plus on it. "Of course, Doctor Horse." She said, walking out the door.

"Princesses? Shit, I didn't think I'd be meeting royalty so quickly. Im not even dressed for the occasion!"

"Don't worry. You most likely won't be meeting them for a while. Not until you can walk again, at least.

I shook my head and brushed it off. "How'd you know how to patch me up? My kind has never met a species of sentient horses." I asked slight suspicion in my voice.

"Were a species of ponies, not horses." The doctor corrected me, sheesh my bad. "Second, we didn't. You needed surgery, but we didn't know what we could operate on without doing more damage. So we had to rely on mending magic to have your body heal on its own. We hoped when you awoke. You could shed some light on your anatomy to allow us to provide better care."

I shook my head, "Sorry, doc. I don't know anything about biology other than the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. It was never my specialty in school." I looked back at the heart rate monitor. "I could take that apart and put it back together in ten minutes, though."

The doctor sighed, "That's what I was afraid of. I suppose we'll just have to wait and hope your body can heal on its own. We've done all we could."

"Eh, I've lived through worse." And stood up slowly. I put pressure under my right leg and, surprisingly, didn't feel a lot of pain. The doctor really didn't like this.

"No! You need to rest and not exert yourself," he exclaimed. Trying to sit me back down.

"Hey, im not a biologist, but I know when my body is good to go," I said. Pushing him out of the way. I took a few steps forward and developed a limp after the third one. "See? All I need is a crutch and im good."

"That's not a good thing! You need to rest!" He continued.

"Look," I turned to the doctor, sounding stern. "Im not the kinda guy to sit in a bed and wait. If I can get my hands on my stuff, I have a book I can use to cast a spell to heal myself. I used it a lot out in that god-forsaken forest."

The doctor sighed in defeat. I could tell he's dealt with a patient like me before. Too stubborn to sit in a bed and heal. "Give me a moment to fetch you a crutch," he said reluctantly as he walked out the door. A few minutes later, he returned with a singular crutch and a set of familiar folded-up clothes.

"The washmare just finished cleaning and stitching up your clothes. When you are changed and ready, there will be a guard outside to take you to meet the princesses," he said, leaning the crutch against a table and setting the clothes atop it. "I have other patients I must attend to, do try to take better care of yourself from here on out." He added, walking back out the door.

I limped over to the stack of clothes and pulled the shirt off the top. Letting it unfold in my hands. They were the same clothes I wore underneath my armor. Similar to sweatshirts and sweatpants. But more comfortable, along with extra padding to withstand blunt force. Of course, however, the ponies didn't have the same material on hand to stitch the torn fabric. So there were splotches of miscolored fabric along my shirt and pants. I didn't care much as I put them on. I was more of a functionality over design guy regarding clothing anyway. After putting everything on, I felt like something was missing.

"Shirt, pants, underwear, socks... Where are my shoes?" I asked. Then a dumbfounded realization hit me. "Right, my armored boots were my shoes. And they went with the armor." I shrugged and grabbed the crutch, placing it under my right arm and hobbling over to the door. Stepped out into the hallway and was greeted by a familiar white unicorn standing just outside the door with his chest plate still on.

"Hey, you're awake!" He said, trotting over with a smile. "And your walking? You really take the phrase 'walk it off' seriously, huh?" he chuckled.

"I live and breath it!" I responded. "So Im supposed to be meeting some princesses?

"Yeah, they wanted to check in on you personally and ask a few questions. Follow me, and I'll introduce you." he asked, gesturing a hoof to follow. To which I complied.

We made very slow progress, walking slowly through the massive hallways. Considering my state, I should be thankful I was able to stand. But I wasn't for some reason. The walls were dotted with large stained glass windows picturing what seemed to be events in history. I didn't pay much attention to them. Not because I didn't care, But because I was trying to trip and fall.

"What's your name, by the way?" The pony asked, catching me off guard.

"Huh?" I asked, not clearly hearing the question.

"What's your name? We can go around calling each other 'it' or 'he' now, can we?" He stopped reaching out a hoof. "I'm Shining Armor," he added.

I stopped and grabbed his hoof awkwardly with my hand. "Rileus Aromas Maximus, call me Riley for short," I said, shaking his hoof.

"Glad to meet you, Riley. Welcome to Canterlot," he said, and we continued walking.

"You know, I have to ask. How are you so calm right now?" Shining asked nervously.

"Excuse me?" I asked, wishing for clarification.

"I don't mean to be rude, but the doctor told me you had never met a race of sentient ponies before. I just thought you be a little more startled about the sudden discovery." He explained, rubbing the back of his head as a few droplets of sweat arose on his forehead.

"Oh, I gotcha, I gotcha. Back home, the king and the top scientist came to a conclusion alongside the elementals that we are not alone in the universe. There was just no way we could have been. So it was incorporated into teachings in schools that weird and different isn't bad. Just new. Plus, we had a lot of weirder things back home than just talking horses- em, Ponies. Sorry. So I've had time to prepare for a meeting like this." I explained.

"You're alright. It's fine that you are still getting used to the whole pony culture thing. But you said elementals? What are those?" he asked, clearly interested.

I brightened up, and discussing the elements and elementals was one of my favorite things to do. "The elementals are, simply put, the element's physical form in our world."

"The elements have physical forms?" Shining asked.

"Indeed," I responded, "My favorite example to use is the wind. Let's say you're outside, and you feel a gust of wind blow through your hair. That gust of wind has an elemental behind it. The elements influence the world around us with natural events, such as wind, to cause what we all call the flow of nature. They do this from the primordial realm, which rests over all reality like a sheet." I finished.

Shining smiled and laughed, "You've gotta be joking! There's no way that's possible. Nature is something we ponies have to push along to make it work properly. If that were true, then there wouldn't be any reason for something like a winter wrap-up to help change the season or pegasi to control the weather!"

I felt anger ignite within me. Then I quickly suppressed it with a deep breath. The fact someone would willingly laugh in the face of what was my people's culture was pretty insulting. I will admit humanity was exactly the same when Merlin first discovered the elementals. Learning that nature has a will is not something everyone is willing to grasp.

"It's true! I will admit my people were just like you, laughing in the face of truth too impossible to be true. But with the right turn of events, everyone saw the truth. The arch-elementals founded all of reality and creation. Do you think all of this," I gestured to pretty much everything around us. "Just poofed into existence randomly? The ability to process metal into iron and steel or the ability to cook wheat into bread just came became a reality at random? No, good sir. Someone or something had to have willed it. And that someone was the elementals." I explained further.

"Okay, okay." Shining started. "I can agree that all of this couldn't have just popped in randomly. But this elemental nonsense, The founding of creation? It all sounds like a bunch of hoo-ha."

"Well, I believe it because it's true. Plus, I've met elementals before, and they proved it. And as much as I respect your opinion. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't laugh at my people's culture that we've followed for the last Five thousand years." I said sternly. The white unicorn's eyes went wide as the realization set in.

"Oh, shoot, im sorry I.." I raised a hand.

"Don't be. I'll repeat it my people were the same way in the beginning. So you're fine. Once you meet an elemental, you'll understand, but im in no state to conjure a ritual that would allow anyone to gaze into the primordial realm. So you'll have to wait and see." I finished.

We walked in silence for a few moments. Passing through a large open chamber with two thrones at the end of it, one with a picture of the moon above it, the other with one of the sun above it.

"Interesting, so do your king and queen have some symbolic link with the sun and moon?" I asked as we passed through another large set of double doors opened by a pair of guards.

"Haha, not a king and queen exactly, but rather the princesses of the sun and moon. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And their ties to the sun and moon run much deeper than just symbolic." Shining responded, seeming amused by my lack of understanding.

"So you don't have a King or Queen, but princesses run your kingdom? Interesting. What do you mean by 'more than symbolic'?" I asked, confused.

"Well, considering your earlier explanation of your culture, this might be a little surprising. But the sisters of the sun and moon raise the sun and moon when the night and day end." Shining explained, smiling at my look of absolute bewilderment.

If I were drinking anything, I would have spit it out when he said that out of pure surprise. "Excuse me? Now, who's chatting a bunch of bullcrap?" I saw the look on shinings face shift at my response. Quickly realizing I had just asked him not to make fun of my culture. And then insulted him right after.

Clearing my throat, I started again, more politely. "My apologies, It's just. Back home, we did not have anyone to do that. Our planet orbited the sun using gravitational waves while the moon orbited the planted. It was all just passively happening. Not to mention the sun and moon are both so astronomically large, that moving them with magic was impossible! Not that we would break one of the few elemental laws in the first place. It was just basic science. It's just a little hard to hear that such large celestial bodies could be moved so easily, not to mention on a regular to form a day and night cycle."

"Well, I don't know what was happening back where you are from. But that's just how it's always been. Your scientists may have been a little wrong." Shining said, turning a corner down another long hallway.

I stopped as a sudden realization popped into my head. "Wait, do you think I came from a land somewhere near this one?" I asked.

Shining armor turned, eyeing me suspiciously. "Yeah? Why do you ask?"

I looked down at the ground slightly, running a hand through my hair as I let out a heavy breath. "OH BOY, if you thought I was chatting some shat earlier, you may wanna sit down for this one." For the next few minutes of our walk, I explained how I was from another realm, along with the evidence that brought me to such a conclusion. My main telling points were geological features. And the day/night cycle was longer than that of my homeland, Not to mention that there were no talking ponies back home.

"That's... a lot to think about. It makes sense, but I still don't quite believe it." Shining said in awe. "Like, we're talking about a whole other dimension here. And YOU came from it?! That's nuts!"

"That's what Im saying! I didn't believe it at first either, until I looked at the facts. But I believe without a shadow of a doubt that I somehow managed to cross the realms! It was very..." I stopped, Thinking back to my home and the bomb... Sadness swelled within, and my chest felt heavy. "Lucky of me."

Shining stopped and turned to face me, noticing that I stopped in the middle of the hallway. "Hey, You alright?" he asked, concerned.

I shook my head, shaking away the thoughts and rubbing my eyes. "Yeah, just gimme a sec. Just still sore, is all. Needed a sec to catch my breath." I caught back up with Shining as we continued through the hallway in silence.

"Thanks, by the way. For protecting my little sister." Shining said, seemingly out of nowhere. I looked at him with confusion. He saw this and explained it further. "Back in the everfree forest, you saved her from the timberwolf, remember?"

I thought for a moment before remembering the events. "The purple one, right? That's your little sister?"

Shining nodded. "Yup. Her name is Twilight. Biggest bookworm slash nerd you'll ever meet." He looked at me with sincerity. "and you didn't hesitate to save her back there in the forest. Im glad you were there to save her when I couldn't. Even if it meant risking your own health and well-being.

Element of magic? Shit, now I have more questions. But I was gonna be meeting the Princesses here shortly. I saved my questions for them rather than bombarding the poor lad next to me. "Hey, It's not a big deal. As a younger brother myself, I know what siblings do for each other. I may have a lot of injuries from it, yeah, sure. But siblings have a duty coded into us at birth to protect those closest to us. My older sister was no exception, and neither am I. Im sure you did all you could at that moment." I ended. I wish I could say the same for myself when I let my sister... Nope, push it down. Not the time.

Shining smiled, seeming glad that I could empathize with him. "Thanks, Riley."

"BUT, it doesn't mean we can't make it a pain in the ass for our siblings, though. Just because we love ya doesn't mean we can't mess with ya, right?!" I stated with a chuckle.

Shining gave one as well in response. "You got that right."

I suddenly recognized one of the things Shining said earlier. "Wait, Did you call those things timberwolves?"

"Yeah? Why do you ask?" he responded cocking his head.

"FUCK! That's a way better name than what I thought of!"

After a few more minutes of walking and talking with Shining, he stopped in front of a large double door. I could hear the muffled voices of several others behind it. "Alright, this is it. Are you ready to meet the princesses?" He asked, his horn illuminating a light pink with the same glow enveloping the two door handles.

"As ready as one can be when meeting royalty," I responded with a sigh. "Anything I should know beforehand?"

Shining thought for a moment before responding. "Celestia is generally very curious about 'new' things such as this. She loves talking and discussing things, at least with Twilight. She is very positive and bright. She leads through morals and inspiration. Being a symbol of hope to all of Equestria. She's also very reasonable and tries to relate whenever she can."

"Like the sun, very ironic." I jutted in.

Shining tilted his head to the side. "On the other hoof, you have luna. Who is kinda the opposite of her sister. Very quiet and collected, most of the time only interacts with anypony during night court. She can be very, what's a good way to put it, Tempermental. But she's very focused and determined. If she wants something done, she gets it done. Sometimes I say more so than Celestia."

"I think I know the type," I said, thinking of a certain mountain king from back home. "I think I can manage."

Shining turned his head and waved his horn as if the motion allowed him to open the door more effectively. Inside was a large circular table capable of sitting several ponies around it. On the table was most of my stuff that had been removed from my person. Laid out in an investigative manner. Along the walls were a few bookshelves and drapes of the similar decor I'd seen throughout the castle. As Shining had informed me on our walk that we were in canterlot castle. At the far end of the room was a similar glass door leading out to a balcony as the room I awoke in. This time closed but still let in rays of sunlight. The ceiling was lower than I had seen before, but a few decently sized windows still dotted the upper walls, letting in more light along with a large chandelier that hung from the ceiling.

Around the table sat a lot more than just the two princesses of the sun and moon. There were another six ponies beside them at the table, one of which I recognized as the purple unicorn from the everfree forest. Who I now knew whose name was Twilight Sparkle, thanks to Shining armor. But the other five ponies were completely unknown to me. One was a pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail, along with a blue coat. Who was flying in the air. One regular pony had an orange coat and yellow hair with a cowboy hat. Another pegasus with a pink mane and tail with a bright yellow coat, who seemed more hidden than the rest. Another regular pony was way too fuckin happy for her own good, with her bright pink coat and reddish pink mane bouncing up and down where she stood. And the last one, another Unicorn with a gorgeously groomed purple mane and white coat who just stuck out amongst the rest, seeming to want to stand out vs. the yellow one who wanted to stay hidden.

Of course, they didn't distract me long as my gaze shifted to the noticeably larger two winged unicorns who also stood at the table next to each other. Both mimicked atire related to the sun and moon. Both wore crowns and stood with much more authority than the rest. All eyes were upon me now that I had entered the room. Of course, the Dark blue coated one was all too familiar to me, As I had previously removed her from my mind while dreaming several times. Fuck, this may not go well. I could see it in her eyes too, that she recognized me as well. But didn't say anything. The other of the two was taller than her sister by a noticeable margin. Her face held a gentle smile that carried a soft warmth with it. She seemed the most interested in me as I walked with Shining up to the table.

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Rileus Aromas Maximus." Shining said, introducing me to the two sisters.

"Greetings! It's a pleasure to meet you!" Celestia responded first, her voice carrying a mother's grace that was both calming and soothing. Followed by her sister, whos was not that.

"Truly," Luna added.

I dropped onto my good knee and bowed my head as I curled my fist into a ball and rested it on the front of my shoulder. My good arm crossed my chest diagonally as I spoke. "Seid gegrüßt, Majestät, Elemente erblicken uns."

"Excuse me?" They both said, confused.

The realization that they didn't speak elemental was sudden. I quickly went to clarify. "Apologies, a force of habit when meeting royalty," I said, standing up. "That was my people's royal greeting in elementael, an old and powerful language that carries deep respect. It's a way of showing humility in the presence of another royal while also showing great respect. My father taught me to do it when meeting any royalty, no matter the situation. I knew you two would be no different. It's an honor."

Both of the sisters understood now and looked pleased by it. Celestia was the first to speak. "Oh, how Polite! It's a pleasure to meet you as well! My, such mannerism is a rare find these days outside of Equestria. Your father must be a wise, eh , fellow!" She complimented.

"Indeed." Luna started, "Such a trait is most admirable. Your father must have been quite the fellow."

I looked down at the floor, trying to keep sorrow from slipping into my expression. "Yes, one of the best men I knew and my hero."

"Well, I must say you started quite the stir here in canterlot. Shining armors report was quite interesting. To say the least." Celestia said, raising a hoof. " Considering the circumstances of your discovery, and With as injured as you were and being able to bounce back so well in only three days' time. Ponies around here have been a buzz about you."

"I've been passed out for three days?" I asked, surprised.

"More like three and three-quarters, to be more precise." Luna corrected.

"Details aside, your heroic efforts to save Shining armors detachment and my faithful student deserve commendation. I'd say our best medical care, and some rest is well earned." Celestia added.

"Oh, speaking of healing..." I added, being reminded by her word. I turned and hobbled to the table. Looking among my belongings for the Unbound arcanum I had on my person before arriving here. "If I may ask, Why were you all going through my stuff?" I asked, picking up my large backpack and sifting through it.

"Mere curiosity, darling." The unicorn with the purple mane stated, with a voice smooth as silk.

"Excuse my rudeness, but who are you all? I was only informed I'd be meeting with the princesses. I was not told of another six joining us." I asked, gesturing to the other six ponies at the table.

"Oh, my apologies. How rude of me not to introduce the six Heroines of Equestria!" Celestia went through and introduced the ponies one at a time so as not to mix up names.

"Well, I'm more than willing to show and or tell you what anything of mine you were concerned or curious about. But I must say I feel rather uncomfortable that you violated my privacy and went through my belongings before asking. Let alone without my supervision, as some of these items defended me from the creatures of what you called the Everfree forest and are quite dangerous." I said as I shifted around the belongings in my bag for the third time now, trying to find the book.

"Our sincerest apologies, Mr.Riley-" Celestia started.

"Please, just Riley." I jutted in.

She nodded and continued, "We simply wished to investigate the strange magical auras among some of your items. Although strong, they were unfamiliar to us."

The Pink pony, known as Pinkie Pie, bounced around the table, "And the neat little thing!" She said excitedly, rearing onto the hind legs. Holding my hand cannon. "It's like a mini party cannon! I wonder what kind of confetti it shoots?" She added, closing one eye and looking down the barrel. Her Hooves dangerously close to the trigger.

"DON'T LOOK DOWN THE FUCKIN-" I yelled. My heart dropped. Military instinct kicked in as I leaped across the table, knocking over several items as. I grabbed hold of the gun and pointed away from her face as quickly as I could. I was staring a few inches from her shocked expression. My head slowly turned to see the other shocked expressions from the others at the table. I cleared my throat and took the gun from her hooves as I rolled off the table and back to my feet.

"My dearest apologies for that outburst. You see, I used to be in the Military. And this was one of the firearms I was issued. Well, more like I made alongside my father. A complement to a weapon, such as a blade. These weapons can fire metal rounds called bullets with mini explosions within the gun, to propel the bullets at lethal speed. And the number one rule was to never look down the barrel of one of these weapons, EVER. Even if it's unloaded. It was merely a reaction to her safety, As she was close to pulling the trigger, which would have fired the weapon. And I did not know if it had any rounds in it or not." I explained, trying to leave out what would have happened to her if she had pulled the trigger. I opened the gun's cylinder and unloaded the cartridge to check if any bullets were left. My sudden outburst seemed justified as I gazed upon the two lives rounds within.

"I see," Luna said, eyeing the gun in my hand. "So what would have happened if she had pulled this trigger?" The whole room listened quietly.

"Well," I started hesitantly. "To be as honest but as least descriptive as possible. This part of her head..." I used a finger to outline the top right part of Pinkies head, including her ear and eye. "Would be all over that wall." I finished, pointing to the wall behind her. Several gasps of horror and shock wrung out around the table. Pinkie proceeded to quickly bounce away from the weapon in my hand.

"How could something so small be so deadly!?" Celestia questioned, a look of fear on her face.

"And why would such a weapon be issued commonly in your people's military?!" Luna demanded.

"Everybody listen, please! These were never used on any of my people or anyone of that sort." At least not until the war started. "Ocassionly, the outlying towns of the kingdom would be attacked by creatures much BIGGER and STRONGER than a simple sword or axe could handle. That's when we would be dispatched to deal with the said threat with weapons like this. As they could punch through the natural armor, some of these beasts possessed." I looked down at the firearm in my hand. Memories of the war filled my mind, the people I killed with this weapon... The guilt.

"I pray for the day I can put down this weapon for good," I said softly.

The two sisters looked at each other, seeming to have a conversation that I could not hear. I noticed the holster for the weapon on the floor, amongst a few other items and food provisions. I quickly bent over and picked up the belt, and put it on. Storing the cartridge on the belt and returning the weapon to its holster.

"Im not sure we feel comfortable with such a weapon inside the castle. Could we dispose of it?" Celestia asked, eyes the gun in its holster.

"I understand your concern, your majesty. But Without the proper equipment from my homeland, I cannot even begin dismantling the weapon. Let alone destroy it, as it is enchanted to resist heat and concussive damage. And with all due respect, I do not feel comfortable entrusting it to your care as such a weapon is very sensitive without proper training. And as im the only one present with such training. I would argue that it's much safer to keep it with me than anyone else. I do promise, however, that the weapon will stay unloaded and within its holster at all times." I argued my points to the Princesses in the hope they would understand.

The two sisters looked at each other again. Before Celestia started, "Very well, but after today, I would request that it does not come onto the premises of Canterlot castle again. And is stored in the correct conditions."

"As you wish, your majesty. Thank you for understanding." I responded, nodding my head.

"Now then, with all the excitement out of the way, I also wished to bring up your sword. As I said before, the magics that are on some of these items are unknown to us, but we can feel their strength none the less."

Crap, I didn't know they could sense the magical properties of my father's blade. Most of them are for ensuring it survives the effect of time and degradation. But it was also made by the first king Merlin himself, and passed from generation to generation. Its other magical properties made it a relic crucial in the festival of the lost. But now, I don't know what will happen without the festival to vent that magical power.

"Um, it's enchanted to allow the blade to survive through the effects of time and degradation. Rusting, corrosion, wear and tear. All of those kinda things." I started, hiding some of the truth for the time being. Picking up the blade. Gliding my hand down its scabbard. "You see, this blade was passed down through the generations from its creation by the First king of Romulios, Merlin. Through the ages of kings and queens alike, Members of the royal family had added their own magic to the blade throughout the last five thousand years." I paused, unsheathing the blade only halfway. "If you look closely at the flat part of the blade, you can see the etchings of previous royals along the blade, each imbued with its own magic. It's not so much as your sensing one massively large enchantment. It's more so over a dozen smaller ones carved into the same item. And each enchantment only grows stronger as time goes on, reinforcing the metal with each passing day. It's my people's most sacred relic. Not so much for its power as much so for the history of this blade. I could go through each engraving and tell you the story of the ruler that it corresponds to. This blade is more than a weapon. It's a retelling of my people's history since the founding of our kingdom."

"My word, what craftsmanship."

"Astonishing"

"SO COOL!"

"I've never seen such a relic before in all my days of the ruling. It's truly remarkable. How did you come into possession of it?"

I heard similar responses from the others as I fully removed the blade from its scabbard and rested it on the table. Tapping the newest engraving newest. "This one belonged to my father, King Tyrus. He entrusted the blade to me for safekeeping before his passing." I realized quickly, after seeing the expressions of the others change to surprise at my words, that I had spilled the beans on my royal bloodline.

"you are royalty?!" Was the general question that followed.

"Yes, I am a direct descendent of King Merlin and the son of King Tyrus of Romulios. My home kingdom. I wished to keep such a truth to myself, as im not in my home kingdom, so my royalty doesn't give me much power here." I sighed, returning the blade to its scabbard.

"NONSENSE, DARLING!" Rarity said, trotting over to me. "All royalty is to be respected no matter where you are! And such things are noticed and must simply be recognized!"

"I must agree with Rarity. You are a royal, even if not in your own kingdom. And as such, should be treated with as much respect as any other royal guest within ours." Celestia said, agreeing with Rarity and others as well. "I must ask where your kingdom is. So when you depart from our home, we can properly escort you back safely."

I chuckled at her question, which slowly turned into a laugh.

"May I ask what you find so funny?" Celestia asked, giving me an odd look.

"Im sorry," I said, wiping my eyes. "It's just funny that you think you could take me across dimensions when I don't even know how the fuck I crossed over to this one."

Total silence.

"All right, here we go again," I explained again how I concluded that I had crossed dimensions and landed in this one. I explained furthermore that I didn't know what elements were in place to cause such an event, nor the slightest idea of how to get back home. It was long, and there were many questions.

"So, you're stuck here?" Twilight said with a hint of sorrow.

"Until I can figure out how to replicate the event that brought me here. Im afraid so." I responded.

"Ahm sorry sugarcube. Your family must miss you dearly, I guarantee it." Applejack said, resting a hoof on my shoulder.

I thought about my family, my long-gone family. "Yeah, I bet they do."

"Was there anyone else that came with you? You couldn't have been the only one?" Fluttershy whispered.

Romulus instantly came to mind. "ROMULUS! By the elements, I left him in the forest! Oh, how could I forget someone so fucking important!"

"Who?" Luna asked.

"Romulus was the royal advisor to my father and myself. He served the royal family for generations. He is one of the reasons im here today! And I left him in the Everfree forest!" I expressed concern in my voice.

"Don't worry. Do you remember where he is?" Celestia asked.

"No..." I moaned as my eyes fell upon my wristpad. "But that does!" I stated as I picked up the device and strapped it to my left wrist where there wasn't a cast.

"This device tracked the plane I crash landed in, And I never took Romulus out of said plane. So by logic, he should be there. I just don't have a map to cross reference, too, as I don't know this land at all." I explained.

"I know of several maps in the royal library!" Twilight stated. "I'll go get them right now!" She added dashing out the door.

"we're coming too, Twilight!" Applejack declared, with the rest of the other five following her.

"In the meantime, I'll send word to the pegasi to see if that can help extract your friend from the air once you find him in the Everfree." Celestia Assured, resting her hoof on my shoulder.

"Thank you, your majesty," I responded.

"Please, call me Celestia. Until everything is ready, I ask that you join my sister and me tonight for dinner. You must be famished after all that time in the Everfree."

"Oh no, I couldn't," I said, Only for my stomach to growl in severe disagreement. Causing a giggle from both the princesses.

"Okay, I suppose I could have something to eat," I responded. "But first, wasn't there a book in this bag? I kinda need it."

"Oh, That was the last item I wish to ask you about," Celestia said as her horn glowed a bright yell as the unbound arcanum floated into view. I took hold of the book as the magical glow faded.

"I had to hide it from Twilight. She couldn't keep her hooves off of it, trying to figure out why the pages were blank from cover to cover." Celestia giggled. "She's such a little bookworm."

"So I heard," I said, looking at Shining Armor, who had to depart due to other duties that required his attention. "The reason she couldn't see any words was that you have to be 'unbound' to be able to see them," I said, opening the book and flipping through the pages.

"What's that?" Luna and Celestia asked in sync.

"It's a special ritual that frees the mind and fully unlocks one's mental abilities. Giving their imagination the power to tap into elemental magic and giving them a natural talent or ability, sometimes multiple if you are gifted enough." I explained.

"Interesting, Indeed!" Celestia stated. "May I ask what kind of book is that?"

"This is an unbound arcanum. The greatest source of literature my people have to offer. Only A hundred and twenty were ever made and evenly divided among the twelve kingdoms of my homeland." I proceeded to explain the vast amount of knowledge contained within this book. How it catalogs and copies every piece of known or unknown written literature ever made back home. A library of twelve combined kingdoms in one book. Such a relic immediately had both of the Princess' attention.

"As I said, however, you must be 'unbound' to read this book. And although I am, I do not know how to grant to gift myself unless I can find the ingredients to do it the old-fashioned way. But that would take a lot of research I don't have at the moment." I finished,

"Well, Canterlots library is open to you, and Im sure Twilight and her friends would be more than willing to help you find whatever you need," Celestia stated.

"I don't doubt it." I stopped flipping pages as I found the one I needed. "Okay, This is gonna hurt," I said, putting the book down as a spell of self-healing rested on the pages. I focused a small rune on my finger and dragged it across the cast on my left. Cutting through it with ease. I let the cast fall away as the wound in my arm re-opened, and blood streaked down my arm. Pain swelled in my upper arm. The princesses cried in distress as to what I was doing.

"Calm yourselves and watch," I said, focusing on the bright yellow rune in the book as it formed around my arm and casting the spell as it slowly moved up my arm. As it began crossing over the wound, it began to shine brighter as small beams of yellow light zapped at the wound. Rapidly healing it along with numbing the pain. The princesses were in awe as, within less than a minute, the wound was healed.

"I didn't have it memorized as it is a heavily complex spell. And I can only use it on myself at the moment. But as you can see, it is very effective. But also very exhausting on the mind." I said and did the same spell to my leg. Allowing me to ditch my crutch.

"Well," Celestia started. "I'll have Twilight take whatever maps she finds to the room you awoke in. You have some time still before tonight. I assume you'd want to get to work right away on the maps, correct?"

"Indeed," I answered.

"Well, I'll let you get to it. I have some matters that myself and Luna need to attend to. Come, luna." She said as she and her sister walked out the door.

I sat in the room for a few minutes by myself. Thinking about the situation I found myself in for the first time today.

"Ponies huh, whoda thunk."