Author's Note

Figured everyone deserved a final chapter in 2024 (EST).

Happy New Year everyone! Lets pray that 2025 will lead to a change for the better!

Until Next Time!!

Chapter 8: Caution: Waist High Equines

I cross my arms, staring down at the three small fillies sitting in front of me. Their wide eyes, filled with a mix of curiosity and fear, seem impossibly large on their tiny faces.

My walk to the market square had been interrupted when something slammed into my legs, nearly sending me sprawling. I’d turned, ready to snap at whoever was responsible, only to find these three--the Cutie Mark Crusaders--lying in a heap. Scootaloo’s scooter lay off to the side, its front wheel bent at an odd angle.

“You know,” I smirk, “if you keep your mouths open like that, a stray gust of wind might make it permanent.”

A collective "eep" breaks the silence as they shuffle backward. My gaze catches on Applebloom’s cheek, scratched and red from the fall. Concern replaces my irritation. They are just kids after all.

“You guys okay? That looked like a nasty tumble.”

Embarrassment floods their faces, and Scootaloo pins her ears back, pawing at the ground. She glances at her scooter, her wings drooping. “I… I guess I went too fast again,” she mumbles.

Sweetie Belle finally speaks, her voice as soft as a whisper. “It’s my fault. I told her to go faster so we could get to the market on time.”

Applebloom huffs. “Y’all weren’t thinkin’, as usual. We coulda gotten hurt, or—” Her gaze flickers up to me, and her ears fold back. “Uh, sorry fer runnin’ into ya, mister.”

I raise an eyebrow, unsure whether to scold or reassure them. Part of me wants to turn around and let them deal with their own mess, but something about their small, guilt-ridden faces keeps me rooted in place.

“You three always this reckless?” I ask, my tone softer than I expect.

Scootaloo’s ears perk slightly, and a hint of a grin sneaks onto her face. “Pretty much.”

“Hey!” Applebloom protests. “It’s not like we do this on purpose!”

“We’re… experimenting,” Sweetie Belle offers, her voice gaining strength. “For our Cutie Marks.”

I blink. “Cutie Marks?”

The trio exchange glances, their fear now replaced with curiosity. Sweetie Belle tilts her head. “You don’t know what a Cutie Mark is?”

“Uh… no. Care to enlighten me?”

What follows is a rapid-fire explanation, each of them jumping in to explain the concept in their own way. It’s like listening to three squirrels chattering at once. I catch bits and pieces: marks that show up when they find their ‘special talent,’ their never-ending quest to discover theirs, and—somehow—why crashing into me was part of the plan.

'I doubt that...'

I pinch the bridge of my nose, suppressing a groan. “So… you’re saying this whole thing was because you’re trying to find your life’s purpose? By speeding down a road on a busted scooter?”

Scootaloo’s wings twitch indignantly. “It wasn’t busted before!”

Applebloom smirks. “Ain’t busted now either. Just… broken in.”

The dry humor catches me off guard, and a small chuckle escapes before I can stop it. “Heh, you three are unbelievable. I never caught your names?"

The three beam up at me, any sense of hesitation from my taller stature gone.

"I'm Scootaloo!"

"I'm Sweetie Belle!"

"And ahm Applebloom!"

"We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders!!" The three jump in tandem and clop their hooves in the air. I can't help but chuckle as I rub my now sore ears. I recall bits and pieces about these three: Applebloom is Applejack's sister, Sweetie Belle is Rarity's, and Scootaloo… well, I think she’s Rainbow Dash’s protege, or something like that.

"What's your name, mister?" Sweetiebelle asks kindly.

"My name is Tyler, Tyler Mackenzie," I say, crouching to their level and holding out my fist. They exchange quick glances, then grin and bump their tiny hooves against my knuckles. Smiling, I stand up.

"It's nice to meet you, Tyler, but I have one more question. W-"

"What the hay is that thing!!" A voice shrieks behind me. The volume causes me to wince, and I quickly turn to see a bright pink pony with a lime green mane galloping towards the center of town, shouting "The horror, the horror!" all the while. Shrugging, I turn back to the three fillies, only to find them giving me an empathetic look.

"Sorry about Daisy, Mr. Tyler. She and her sisters tend to overreact when new stuff is happening." Applebloom states, her ears wilting slightly. I smirk and role my eyes.

"And how do you three know I'm not some blood-thirsty monster that is here to feast on the ears of little colts and fillies?"

Their eyes shoot wide, and all three of them shuffle backwards.

"W-W-W-What?" Scootaloo states, her eyes wide. Its pretty adorable, but I probably shouldn't push this to far. I relax my facial features and give a soft, disarming chuckle.

"I'm just messing with you three. I'm as harmless as it comes, mostly. I'm a visitor from a far away land." I wiggle my digits, and the three giggle.

"Well, if you are visiting Ponyville, why don't you join us for a bit?" Scootaloo says, to which the other two nod. "We were heading to Sugarcube corner to get some milkshakes, but maybe we can get our cutie marks in tourism!" The three gasp.

"Now hold on--"

"Cutie Mark Crusader tour guides, Yay!"

'My poor, poor ears...' I wince.

"Making some new friends, Tyler?" A familiar voice states, causing me to yelp from the close proximity behind me. I hear the three fillies giggle as I turn and glare at Stopper. He is back wearing his armour again, but his usual grumpy frown has been replaced by a thin smirk.

"Good lord, dude, don't scare a guy like that!" I exclaim with a scowl. It doesn't last long, especially with the three giggling up a storm after hearing the, ahem, manly noise that escaped me. Stopper snorts and roles his eyes.

"Yeah whatever, dude. I'm supposed to stick by you today while you get used to town. Dusk and I will switch every four hours or so. Where were you guys headed?" He looks down at the fillies, who by this point had straightened themselves out and were staring up at the royal guard in awe. Shaking her head, Sweetiebelle is the one to answer.

"We were on our way to sugar cube corner when we accidently ran into Tyler. We were gonna show him around, and invited him to come get a milkshake with us!" the three smiled, as did Stopper.

"Well, I see no problem with that. You guys mind if I tag along? Tyler doesn't have any money, so I'll pay for him."

"Now hold on, Stopper--"

"Sure!" Scootaloo smiles, but it drops a second later as she scowls down at her busted scooter. "Ah, ponyfeathers, I forgot I need to get that home somehow." She turns to her friends, "you guys show Tyler around, I'll drag this back home and catch up."

As she moves to grab her scooter, I quickly interject.

"Why don't I carry that for you. We can swing by your place, and then go to this Sugarcube corner together."

I see the gears turning in her head, but she soon smiles up at me. Her friends don't say anything as she nods with excitement. I smile and walk over. The three fillies and one guard watch as I grab the Scooter and quickly tuck it under my arm. It isn't much heavier than a skateboard, really, and I quickly turn and point directly ahead of me.

"Onwards, my guides and annoying guard!" Stopper huffs. "Let us deposit this object, then get a wonderful snack!"

The three cheer, and Stopper falls in beside me as we follow along. The CMC are talking excitedly, wondering what sights to show Stopper and I in our little journey. I lose focus for a moment, my surroundings going ignored. There would be hundreds of those weird MLP lovers who would kill to be in my position. I imagine that like any fandom, certain characters would be completely beloved. These three are main characters in their own right as far as I can recall.

I frown in thought. It is truly surreal that I am stuck on a world where My Little Pony exists. I haven't watched the show in over a decade, but I might need to find a way to do so if I will be staying here for a little bit. Exams don't start up for some time, so hopefully they can send me back before then. Actually, speaking of, I wonder what the date is?

"Hey Stopper, what's the date?"

"Tuesday April third, one AB." He replies without looking up. His eyes scan our surroundings, but I can tell he is pretty bored by the monotone voice he uses.

Well, that's completely unhelpful information. But what did he mean by one AB? This is the first year of something? Did some event happen? Is me showing up here have something to do with it?! WAS THIS ALL PROPHESIZED FROM--

"Is that a Gingerbread house?" I blurt out suddenly, my own ADHD (I was diagnosed as a kid) distracting me from my revelation.

We are passing through the center of town, heading towards a large group of houses. However, what really caught my attention was the monstrous gingerbread structure sitting off to my left. I had thought I'd seen something similar on the flight in, but at the time I was focused on other things. Something is familiar with that particular place, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Did it have something to do with the Mane Six? Pinkie Pie is the party pony, or laughter or something... maybe she lives there?

"That's Sugarcube Corner, Tyler! Sweetie Belle pipes up, the other nodding alongside her.

"Yeah, and the cakes make the best sweets in all of Equestria!" Scootaloo beams. "We're almost to my place--lets hurry up so we can get our milkshakes."

I see Stopper shake his head as the three fillies begin chatting to one another in excitement. Most of their words go unheard or unheeded, but a sudden shout draws my attention from down the road.

"What is that thing!" a shrill voice cuts through the chatter, causing all five of us to freeze mid-step.

Down the lane, two fillies stand side by side, their noses turned up as if they’ve just caught a whiff of something unpleasant. One is a pink-coated filly with a pristine tiara perched on her head, the other a gray filly wearing blue glasses that sparkle in the sunlight. Judging by their smug expressions, these two are trouble.

The three Crusaders groan in unison. “Oh no, not them,” I hear Scootaloo mutter under her breath.

“Who are they?” I ask, my brow furrowing as I glance at Stopper. He merely shrugs, clearly uninterested in the budding drama.

“That’s Diamond Tiara,” Sweetie Belle whispers, her voice laced with disdain. “And her sidekick, Silver Spoon. They’re the meanest fillies in Ponyville.”

Before I can respond, Diamond Tiara struts forward, her eyes locking on me. “What is that?” she sneers, waving a hoof in my direction. “Some kind of hairless monkey? Did you three drag it out of the Everfree Forest?”

The Crusaders bristle at the insult. “He’s not a monkey!” Applebloom snaps, stepping protectively in front of me. “He’s Tyler, and he’s our friend!”

“Friend?” Silver Spoon adjusts her glasses and giggles. “Figures you three would befriend something so weird. What’s it even doing here?”

My patience for bratty kids is about as thin as the ice I’m walking on in this world, which is to say, non-existant. I cross my arms and take a step forward, looming over the two troublemakers. “I’m standing right here, you know,” I say, my voice calm but firm. “And for the record, I’m not that weird--just a little different. Maybe try saying hi before jumping to conclusions?”

Diamond Tiara blinks, clearly not used to being talked back to. Silver Spoon glances at her, uncertain, but Diamond quickly regains her composure, a sly smirk spreading across her face. “Well, you are different,” she says sweetly, though her tone drips with mockery. “But I guess that’s what makes you… interesting.”

The Crusaders exchange worried glances. Scootaloo whispers, “She’s up to something.”

I raise an eyebrow, glancing between Diamond Tiara and her nervous companion. “Interesting, huh?” I say, quickly smiling down at them. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Thanks a lot!”

Diamond’s smirk falters, and for a brief moment, she looks genuinely confused. Noticing the scooter I am carrying along with the broken wheel, Silver Spoon steps in quickly, pointing a hoof at Scootaloo. “Shouldn’t you be fixing that broken scooter of yours instead of wasting time dragging strangers around?”

Scootaloo’s little wings flare, and she takes a step forward. “I am fixing it—Tyler’s just helping me! Not that it’s any of your business!”

“Oh, please,” Diamond Tiara scoffs. “You’re just using him because you can’t do anything on your own. Typical blank flanks.”

The insult hits its mark, and I can see the Crusaders’ confidence waver. I decide enough is enough and roll my eyes. Is this what parents had to see when I and my friends were kids? “Alright, that’s enough,” I say, my tone sharp. “You two have had your fun, but maybe it’s time you find something better to do. Like… I don’t know, literally anything else.”

Diamond Tiara’s eyes widen, and for a second, she looks like she might argue. But then she glances at Stopper, who’s finally glaring at her, looking ready to step in at a moments notice. She huffs and tosses her mane. “Come on, Silver. Let’s leave the weirdos and their weird monkey thing.”

With that, the two turn and saunter off, their tails swishing indignantly behind them.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding and glance down at the Crusaders. “You guys okay?”

Applebloom nods, though her ears are pinned back. “Thanks, Tyler. They’re always like that, but they don’t usually back off so quick.”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo adds, her voice tinged with admiration. “You didn’t even flinch!”

I shrug, giving them a small smile. “Bullies only have as much power as you let them. Besides, I’m not exactly afraid of two kids. I am an adult.”

Sweetie Belle giggles, her earlier tension melting away. “You’re really brave, Tyler.”

“Or really dumb,” Stopper mutters under his breath, though I catch the faintest hint of a smile on his face. I shoot him a playful glare.

“Well,” I say, hefting the scooter back under my arm, “let’s get moving before they come back with more insults. I’m starting to get curious about these milkshakes you keep talking about. The hype is killing me!”

The Crusaders cheer, their earlier encounter already forgotten as they lead the way. As we continue down the lane, I can’t help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting Diamond Tiara to pop back out of nowhere.

For now, though, all I see is the road ahead—and a group of fillies who seem to think I’m some kind of hero. Not exactly the role I signed up for, but I suppose it’s better than being the villain.

*****

The bell above the door jingles as we step into Sugarcube Corner, the sweet aroma of baked goods hitting me like a warm, sugary punch to the nose. The place is alive with activity, with ponies chatting at tables, foals darting around with treats, and a cheerful melody playing faintly in the background. A group of three semi-armoured towns watch ponies sit at the far end of the room, their green capes tucked under them as they whisper to each other.

The Crusaders rush in ahead of me, their voices overlapping as they debate which milkshake flavors to get. I duck my head slightly as I step through the door, feeling the weight of several curious gazes land on me. Stopper moves in behind me, his armored presence drawing attention as much as my height does.

“Relax,” he mutters, noticing my discomfort. “They’ll get used to you… eventually.”

“That’s comforting,” I reply dryly, scanning the room for a distraction. I heard the waver in Stoppers voice and figured he was saying that to comfort himself as much as he was trying to do so for me.

At the counter, a plump, cheerful mare with a swirled pink mane beams at us. Her eyes light up as the Crusaders approach, practically bouncing on her hooves.

“Well, if it isn’t the Cutie Mark Crusaders! And you’ve brought a new friend!” Her voice is bubbly, each word brimming with enthusiasm.

“Hi, Mrs. Cake!” Sweetie Belle chirps. “This is Tyler. He’s new in town, and we’re showing him around!”

Mrs. Cake’s smile doesn’t waver, though her eyes flick to me with a hint of curiosity--and maybe a little apprehension. “Well, welcome to Ponyville, dearie! Any friend of these three is a friend of ours!”

“Thanks,” I say, offering a small smile. “They’ve been great tour guides so far. Though I’m starting to think I might owe them milkshakes for their trouble.”

“Nah!” Scootaloo pipes up, puffing out her chest. “You’re helping us! Stopper said he’s got it covered anyway!”

Mrs. Cake chuckles, clearly charmed by their antics. “Well then, what can I get for you all?”

The Crusaders dive into a flurry of flavor choices--chocolate, strawberry, something called zap apple swirl--and I can’t help but smile at their excitement. Stopper places a hoof on the counter, sliding a small pouch of bits toward Mrs. Cake. Where did he even get that from?

“Whatever they’re having,” he says, glancing at me. “And something for him too.”

I hesitate for a moment, turning and scanning the menu. “Uh, I’ll just go with chocolate. Can’t go wrong with the classic.”

Mrs. Cake nods, jotting down the orders. “Coming right up! Why don’t you all grab a seat?”

We settle at a table near the window, the Crusaders chattering away as they climb into their seats. Stopper sits across from me, his usual stoic expression softening slightly as he watches the fillies.

“This place is… lively,” I comment, glancing around.

“It’s the heart of Ponyville, I hear,” Stopper replies. “You’ll get used to it.”

Before I can respond, Mrs. Cake arrives with a tray balanced on her back, expertly sliding milkshakes to each of us. The Crusaders dive in immediately, their faces lighting up with delight as they sip. I take a tentative sip of mine and blink in surprise.

“Okay, that’s… really good,” I admit, earning a round of approving grins from the fillies.

“Told ya!” Scootaloo says, her voice muffled by her straw.

"Hey, Mrs. Cake, where's Pinkie at?" Applebloom asks before the mare can return to the kitchen. Mrs. Cake smiles down at Applebloom and shrugs.

"No idea, Applebloom. She's likely out and about right now. I heard there was a party she needed to be ready for, but I'm not sure." She glances at me briefly, but it is fleeting. Smiling, she makes to turn away.

"Enjoy your milkshakes! You can leave them on the table, and Carrot will be by to pick them up."

As she leaves, I look down at the three little fillies with a smile. They seem to be enjoying their milkshakes well enough. I wasn't lying when I had said it was really good. The makeup of it was so...unprocessed. While it wasn't easy to taste any of that icky chemical soup in my milkshakes back home, everything about this one was just so fresh. The milk, the ice-cream--even the whipped cream and cherry! Reminds me of when my grandmother would make the stuff from scratch...

As I take another sip, my eyes catch a flash of light. Glancing up, I see the short sword at the waist of the watchpony sitting at the end of the row. He shuffles, and my eyes move up in time to see him and his fellows scowling at me. Its a bit intimidating, really. They carry a presence unlike the royal guards I saw in the castle. Maybe they are veterans? Or maybe I can just tell I shouldn't get on their nerves.

Even with these thoughts, I can't help but feel a scowl of my own developing. Its hard to take these ponies seriously. They are short, fluffy, and cute to a degree. And while the three sitting down the row carry an air of intimidation, it begins to have the opposite effect.

Before I can bore a hole through the watchponies head with my soul-piercing gaze, I feel a little hoof touch my hand.

"Mr. Tyler, you look upset? What's wrong?"

I look down at a concerned Sweetie Belle, and upon glancing around, I see the other two sharing that same concern. I notice Stopper is not focused on me, and is instead scowling at the watchponies himself. Perhaps I was right, and they are bad news?

I give Sweetie Belle an encouraging smile and reach over to ruffle her hair. The little filly gives an adorable squeak as she sticks her tongue out at her friends.

"No fair!" Scootaloo comments, crossing her forehooves. AppleBloom nods in assertion and glares at my hand. I honestly can't help but chuckle at their reactions, and cease ruffling up Sweetie Bells hair.

"Tyler, could you move for a second? I gotta get to the toilet." Stopper grumbles beside me suddenly. I quickly put my milkshake down and stand up, allowing him to pass. As he shuffles across the seat, I notice that once again everyone present in the store is staring at me. Most are just curious, but some are fearful.

'Oh look, the ponies with the pointy sticks are watching again.'

I frown as the watchponies track Stopper with their eyes, and once he moves out of sight, they all turn to me. I continue to stare at them for a good five seconds before snorting. While in most scenarios, I wouldn't see the problem, I had to consider that three little fillies were sitting across from me. If those soldiers caused a scene...

Oh, here comes one now.

One of the ponies with the flowing green capes is beginning to trot over to our table, and my attention immediately switches to the newcomer. He appears to be a stallion, going by the shape of his muzzle, and a horn sticks out of his helm. Coming to a stop, the myself and the fillies look up at the stallion--me with annoyance, and the girls with slight fear.

The soldier stands there for a moment, analyzing us, before his gaze switches to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom.

"Where are your parents, little fillies." His tone was sharp, and his gaze hardened into a glare as his eyes flicked to rest on me. My scowl deepened, but I didn't know how to act in this situation. Glancing to my side, the three have pushed themselves into the corner of the booth. It was mostly Sweetie Belle who was squishing Scootaloo, who was glaring at the soldier, while Applebloom gave him an uncertain look.

While I didn't want to draw the stallions ire, the three kids were getting uncomfortable. Clearing my throat, I gave the stallion a half-smile.

"Hey bud, there's no need to have that kind a tone with these three. They're just kids--" I wave my hand as a gesture for emphasis, but the slither of steel on a sheath causes me to freeze. My eyes lock onto the half unsheathed blade at the guards waist, and I feel my palms become a bit clammy. I hadn't been this afraid when Stopper had pointed his spear at me, but that sort of hostility was different then whatever was happening right now. The look in the guards eyes held a malice I could not compare to anything, and the look told me that if I so much as moved, he would cut me down.

A lot of people would brag about this sort of situation that I currently find myself in. They would say they would somehow be quick enough to intervene, or they would play it off all cool-like. Some would go as far as to say they would laugh, swipe the guards sword, and have it pointed at the aggressor before you could say 'Jimmy.' I am not one of those people. Maybe I am quick enough, and maybe the stallion wouldn't shank me if I moved or gave a sarcastic remark. But as I stared at that blade, I couldn't help but remind myself that the situation was very, very real, and I was very, very close to a dangerous person.

I wasn't the only one taking this interaction badly. Scootaloo looked ready to bolt, and Sweetiebelle was shivering like a leaf. Applebloom was the most collected, but her fur had become a paler shade of yellow as she stared wide-eyed at the sword.

"N-Now, now, there isn't any need for t-that... I-uh... I don't mean any harm." I do not move, and I try to keep my voice as soft as possible so as to not provoke the stallion further. This seems to work, as the glow around his horn dims, and he gives an irritated snort.

"You come into this village, you, a monster, and expect me to believe you don't mean harm? The fact you have to be guarded tells me otherwise. No doubt her highness thinks you are a threat. I will not stand by while a creature like you continues to terrorize Ponyville!" Spittle flies into my face, and I flinch. The stallions voice had risen in his little rant, and everyone in the store was focused on us if they hadn't been before. The sound of hoofsteps clacked behind the stallion, but I paid it no mind. Apparently, he wasn't done talking.

"I should have you arrested and put in the stockade! Better yet, maybe I should simply have you banished to the Everfree. That seems like a suitable punishment for a disgusting, ugly monster such as--"

I watched the stallion freeze like a statue, and my fear turned to confusion when Stoppers voice, calm and collected, sounded from behind the stallion.

"Corporal, sheath your balde, stand down and move away from the Human. Now." Narrowing my eyes, I could see that a small knife was held against the side of the stallions neck, out of view of the children, and any other customers that were spectating the scene.

The guard stiffened, his eyes darting to the side where Stopper’s knife pressed lightly against his neck. A faint tremor ran through his legs, his earlier bravado crumbling in the face of the calm but unyielding authority in Stopper’s voice.

“S-sir,” the guard stammered, his horn’s glow flickering out as the blade slid back into its sheath with a metallic click. He slowly stepped back, his glare flickering between me and Stopper. “I was just—”

“You were just disobeying protocol and creating a scene in a public establishment,” Stopper interrupted, his voice sharp as a razor. “This isn’t the barracks, Corporal. We do not threaten civilians—or protected guests.”

The weight of Stopper’s words settled over the room, and the other watchponies down the row visibly shifted in their seats, their earlier confidence faltering. The tension was so thick it could’ve been sliced with a dull butter knife.

The corporal’s ears flattened, and his eyes dropped to the floor. “Yes, sir,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

Stopper withdrew his knife and tucked it back into his armor with an almost casual air, but his piercing gaze never left the corporal. “Return to your post and consider this your one and only warning. If I catch you stepping out of line again, you’ll be spending the rest of your career stationed on the border outpost—if you’re lucky.”

“Yes, sir,” the corporal repeated, his tail flicking nervously as he backed away. His eyes flicked to me one last time, still simmering with resentment, but he didn’t dare say another word. With a sharp turn, he trotted back to his companions, who now sat stiffly, their eyes fixed anywhere but on Stopper.

As the tension in the room began to dissipate, I let out a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The Crusaders were still huddled in the corner of the booth, their wide eyes darting between me and Stopper.

Sweetie Belle was the first to speak, her voice trembling. “M-Mr. Tyler… are you okay?”

I forced a small smile, though my hands were still trembling slightly as I placed them on the table. “Yeah, I’m fine, Sweetie. Don’t worry about me.”

Stopper turned his attention back to us, his expression softening as he slid back into the booth. “Sorry about that,” he said, addressing the Crusaders directly. “Some ponies don’t know how to act around new faces.”

Scootaloo scowled, her wings bristling. “That guy was a jerk! You should’ve done more than just warn him!”

“Scootaloo!” Applebloom hissed, her eyes wide with worry. “That was already bad enough—don’t make it worse!”

Stopper raised a hoof, silencing them both. “It’s over now, girls. Let’s not dwell on it.”

I nodded in agreement, though the knot in my stomach hadn’t quite loosened. “Yeah, no harm done. Let’s just finish our milkshakes and head out.”

As the Crusaders hesitantly resumed sipping their drinks, I leaned closer to Stopper and lowered my voice. “Thanks for stepping in. I, uh… didn’t know what to do back there.”

Stopper gave me a sidelong glance, his usual gruff demeanor tempered by a hint of understanding. “You did fine. Just remember—you’re not alone here. That’s what I’m here for.”

His words offered a sliver of comfort, though the wary glances from the other patrons reminded me that being “not alone” wasn’t the same as being welcome. Still, as I sat back and watched the Crusaders’ giggles slowly return, I decided that, for now, this was enough.

The incident might not be forgotten, but it was over. And with Stopper at my side, I figured I might survive whatever this world decided to throw at me next.

'Today can only go up from here.' I think to myself as we finish our milkshakes. 'I know it.'

*****

“Well,” I say, as we stand outside Sugarcube Corner, “that was certainly… interesting. Thanks for showing me around, girls.” I look down at them with a smile.

“You’re leaving already?” Scootaloo pouts, crossing her forehooves. “We were just getting started!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle adds, her ears drooping. “You’re not gonna ditch us because of what happened with that guard, are you?”

I chuckle and shake my head. Sweetie had nailed it on the head, but I won't admit to that. In all honesty, I'm tired, and quite hungry. I had checked my phone before leaving the building, and it was nearly four o'clock. “No, nothing like that. I’ve just got a lot on my mind, and I think I need some quiet time to process everything. Not to mention, I gotta get dinner started."

Applebloom nods, her expression understanding. “That’s fair, Mr. Tyler. Y’all take care now, ya hear? And if ya ever need help with anything, just holler!”

“Thanks, Applebloom. I’ll keep that in mind.” I crouch slightly, bumping fists with each of them one last time before standing. Stopper joins me, giving the Crusaders a quick nod before we part ways. The three fillies trot away, laughing and giggling about the experience. They're god kids, and I hope I can run into them again in the near future.

The afternoon sun hangs lower in the sky, casting long shadows as we make our way through Ponyville’s streets. The chatter of the townsfolk surrounds us, though I notice a few ponies still give me wide-eyed glances before quickly looking away. It’s hard not to feel like a walking sideshow.

“So, what now?” I ask, glancing at Stopper.

“Dusk should be meeting us soon,” he replies, scanning the street. “We’ll switch shifts, and then you’re free to go… wherever it is you go.”

“Home,” I mutter. “Or at least the place I’m calling home for now.”

Stopper grunts in acknowledgment, and we walk in silence for a while. As we round a corner, I spot a familiar figure trotting toward us--a pony wearing the golden armour of the royal guard. Dusk waves as she approaches, her usual calm demeanor accented by a soft smile.

“Hey, Dusk,” I call out. “Perfect timing.”

“Tyler,” she greets, her gaze flickering to Stopper. “Everything go smoothly?”

“For the most part,” Stopper replies with a shrug. “A little hiccup with the town watch, but nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Dusk frowns but nods. “I’ll make a note of it. Thanks, Stopper. You are hereby relieved of watch.”

He salutes briefly before turning to me. “Guess this is where I leave you. Try not to get into too much trouble, huh?”

“I’ll do my best,” I say, smirking as he trots off back to the barracks him and Dusk are staying at. Dusk and I fall into step together, the atmosphere already lighter with her presence.

“Have you been enjoying your time in Ponyville?” she asks after a moment.

“It’s been… eventful,” I reply. “The Crusaders are a handful, but they’re good kids.”

Dusk chuckles softly, shaking her head as she ruffles her wings at her side.

We round the corner, and I’m just about to ask Dusk about the town watch when something slams into me with the force of a freight train--waist-height, no less. My breath leaves my lungs in a single, undignified whoof, and I hit the ground like a sack of bricks. Pain radiates from a very sensitive region, leaving me curled up and wheezing.

“Oh, sweet Celestia, are you okay?” a raspy voice asks, tinged with alarm. A white-coated pony with a spiky electric blue mane and purple-tinted shades stands over me, looking genuinely concerned.

Forcing back tears, I raise a shaky hand, waving weakly as I grit out, “Yup! All good! Definitely not in horrible pain or anything!”

Dusk kneels beside me, her lips pressed tightly together as though she’s trying not to laugh. “Tyler, are you--”

“I’m fine,” I gasp, cutting her off. “Just need… a minute.”

The white pony tilts her head, her expression shifting from worry to realization. Her ears droop, and she takes a hesitant step back. “Oh. Oh no. I didn’t hit you in the… uh…” She gestures vaguely with a hoof toward my lower-mid section, her cheeks flushing pink. “...Did I?”

I manage to sit up, still clutching at my midsection. “Oh, no, no,” I say, voice dripping with sarcasm. “You just gently tapped me with all the subtlety of a runaway boulder. Totally fine.”

The mare winces, her shades slipping down slightly as she peers at me with wide, apologetic eyes. “Yikes. My bad, dude. I didn’t see you there. Are you, like, gonna be okay?”

Dusk finally loses her composure, a quiet chuckle slipping out before she quickly masks it with a cough. I glare at her, then turn my attention back to the guilty party.

“Depends,” I say, rubbing my ribs for good measure. “Do I need to watch out for you ambushing me around every corner, or was this a one-time deal?”

The pony grins sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. “Promise it’s a one-time deal. I was just in a hurry. Late for a party, y’know? Anyway, I’m Vinyl Scratch. Nice to meet ya… sorta.”

“Charmed,” I mutter, finally managing to stand, though I’m still moving a little gingerly.

“Mrs. Scratch,” Dusk says, stepping forward, “this is Tyler. He’s new to Ponyville, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bowl him over again.” While what she was saying was intended to be professional, her tone and light snickering had the opposite effect. She was eating this up, and I once more made a reminder to make my revenge for her swift and brutal.

“Duly noted,” Vinyl replies, adjusting her shades with a small smile. “Anyway, gotta bounce! Again, sorry for the… uh… collision. See ya around, Tyler!” With that, she bolts off, her hooves kicking up a small cloud of dust as she disappears around the next corner.

I watch her go, then glance at Dusk. “Is this town always like this, or am I just the unluckiest guy in Equestria?”

Dusk smiles faintly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “A bit of both, I think.”

“Great,” I mutter, starting to walk again. “Guess I’ll add ‘watching for low-flying ponies’ to my to-do list.”

At that, we set off once again, but this time a stray thought flashed through my minds eye.

"Say, Dusk, mind if we take a detour? I want to go and see what this party thing is about. This is the second time I've heard about it." I see Dusk shrug.

"Sure, but I dunno where it is."

"That's fine, we just gotta follow the direction of a very hurried pony." I shrug and turn on the spot. I can hear Dusk giggle, but when I glance in her direction, her face has returned to its mask.

As we start walking, Dusk breaks the silence with a casual, offhand remark. “Well, at least Vinyl didn’t leave you feeling crushed.”

I stop in my tracks, giving her a side-eye. “What was that?”

Her expression remains perfectly neutral, though I catch the faintest twitch of her lips. “Nothing. Just commenting on how well you handled the… impact.”

“Uh-huh,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “You’re lucky I’m too sore to do anything to you right now.”

Her innocent facade cracks as she giggles quietly, her wings ruffling in amusement. “Come on, Tyler. Let’s see if we can catch that party before your luck runs out completely.”

As we walked, I let my worries and doubt disappear for a short time. Maybe this party would be interesting. And maybe my bad luck would finally be expired.

'No way anything can go wrong--it's a party after all.'

My mind goes blank for a second before a snicker escapes me. Reaching down, I wrap my kuckle three times against Dusks helmet. She glances up with a hint of confusion and irritation.

"What was that for?" She asks.

Smirking, I boop her nose for good measure.

"Just a little something my people do when we don't want to jinx ourselves."

At that we continued down the road, a party awaits, and I for one could use the break.