The King Of Nothing

"...and after we went in time one final time to ensure Rainbow Dash finished the race, we returned to the present, where Twilight and I had a heart-to-heart and came to an agreement." Starlight finishes telling her story while passing by the halls of mirrors, stopping in one depicting her and Twilight holding hands. Behind them is a landscape broken into pieces, and a spiral behind the two mares appears.

Amon needs to take a deep breath and close his eyes before speaking.

"Okay, let me see if I got this right. In essence, during your revenge plan, you travel back in time to the moment when everything would change for Twinkly…"

"Twilight," Vivi corrects Amon.

"Twilight, thanks; you went to a crucial moment in the life of that princess with the whole goal of ruining her life and her plan because she ruined your idea of an equal world through a cult. Even though you knew full well that it was thanks to her that at least three global menaces were stopped… and you thought it would only affect her."

"Okay, I know this sounds… well, I would admit it, even now I'm ashamed to admit how insane and pedantic that plan was, and yeah, I didn't think there would be so many consequences, but everything turns out well in the end."

Amon growls and shakes his head.

"A-AND! And I didn't just walk free after playing with the time-space continuum!" Starlight quickly exclaimed in alarm.

"I'm listening," Amon says with a neutral expression.

"Oh yeah, Twilight wanted to reduce my sentence, but the princesses would hear none of that, no sir! I… I was sentenced to all sorts of community services, A-as a teacher where I had to teach risk fillies and colts, a-and clean streets, a year in jail all the legal system."

"What?" Vivi looks at Starlight in surprise until Starlight jabs her in the shoulder, and the unicorn laughs nervously at Amon. "See, we all obey the law."

"It still sounds like a VERY light sentence for someone playing around and cost lives of billions, possibly even genocide of the same people MULTIPLE times… but I suppose it is something." Amon decided to believe her and sighed.

"For someone to forgive that kind of action so quickly is either a saint or dangerously naive, but technically, nothing of that happened, and it gets confused and painful to try to explain what and how you break the law, so I suppose I shouldn’t be so harsh on Celestia."

Amon says before advancing, "I will give you this Starlight. It takes guts to come clean like this. You could have easily omitted how stu… how bad you used to be. Especially to someone who is already on thin ice with you."

"I just thought it would be fair and didn't want to be any more secrets among us," Starlight mentioned in shame. "To earn your trust, I must first be completely transparent."

"Like I said, it takes courage. So I will try to go a bit easy on you." Amon nods before stopping at another window that catches his full attention.

"Whoa, whoa, what is happening here?" Amon asks in surprise as he starts looking at the picture of Twilight giving her hoof to a human girl with fire mane in front of a mirror. Under them, there is an inverse image of the two, with Twilight now a human and the human a pony, a crown serving as a separation between the two pictures.

"Oh yeah, this one was made homage to when Twilight ventured into the humanoid world and met Sunset Shimmer," Vivi mentions with a smile. "Crazy story, to tell you the truth, and all because of a crown, if you can believe it."

Amon's eyes are wide as he remembers Pinkie's world.

"…It will not be the same, but it could be an approximation."A human dimension of Equestria, this is what Pinkie was inferring; it is not Earth, but if there is no magic there… This is it! This is my ticket out of here!

"What happened?" Amon asks out of the blue as he points at the window and looks at the mares. "What was the story behind this picture?"

"Whoa, easy there, stud," Vivi pleaded, raising both hands at how intense Amon was getting. "Why so interested in this story in particular? It's not your world… right?" Vivi asks with a raised eyebrow.

"I think you answered your own question," Amon says deadpan before looking at Starlight. "And this is your golden ticket right here, Starlight. You really want to make amends. Tell me everything that needs to be known about this incident and the human world. Do not let out a single piece."

Amon says, looking back at the picture again, "Please, I need to know."

Starlight remains quiet for a moment before sighing. "It will take two more months."

"What?" Amon looked at her in surprise.

"The portal to the human world is operational and can be used. I have used it in the past, and I know what you want. But you need to know two things before we even consider this option, Amon. First, the portal opens only one day every two months, and yesterday, it reset, so you would have to wait."

"Two months, I can't wait for that," Amon exclaimed.

"And the second thing is that there is a law of balance and order; there is a reason we don't let ponies just wander in and out between dimensions, and the portal is heavily guarded. Individuals from other worlds must be careful when stepping into another world to ensure the space-time fabric does not rip."

Starlight confesses with some dread, "It was already a huge risk when Sunset made the jump and stayed in that world, so we need to be sure that it would be safe for you to travel as well before we attempt anything." Starlight warns him, "Are we clear?"

"...Fine, I will comply, now please tell me everything. Tell me that there really is one last hope for normality" Amon replied impatiently.

The mares feel uneasy about how Amon is talking before Starlight nods and starts telling the story of when Twilight became human.

At the same time, Major Shiitake was brought to the interrogation room, where another major was waiting for her with a neutral expression and a folder in the middle of a steel desk. "Major Oaks," Shiitake addressed him with the same formal pleasantries. Major said he wore the same uniform and medals as Shiitake. He was an elderly earth pony in his golden years and an imposing frame.

Despite his advanced age, the stallion has aged gracefully, with his wrinkles only giving him an air of wisdom. He cared for his body, with how well-sculpted his muscle mass was shown on his recoil sleeves. He had dark brown fur, violet eyes, and a long green mane, making him resemble an oak tree even more.

"Major Shiitake, I must say. After everything that has happened, seeing you confess your crimes brings mixed feelings in me," Oak replies with some sorrow in his voice.

"I hope one of them is disgusted," Shiitake replied with disgust as she sat and looked away. "Celestia, know that is how I feel about myself right now."

"Mark fools us all, Shiitake. Don't act as if this was all your fault here; you only play a role in his mind games," Oak replied.

"Yet I was the one that invited him here, I was the one that gave him sensitive information, and I was the one that opened a door for him to step inside the castle. It is only thanks to a miracle that nobody ended up dead, and there was only one injured. I must atone for my mistakes and step down from the force."

"I'm sure your father would not be so hard on you, and you can still assist the prom, kid," Oak replied, confused Shiitake as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah, Oak, I'm not a filly."

"Then act your damn age MARE!" Oak suddenly yells at her in irritation.

"For crying out loud, yes! You made a mistake, broke the law, and played a role. Crime me a fucking river."

"Oak, I think you are missing the point; what I did was very bad; I betrayed the trust of the crown and…"

"...And you will now have to earn it back," Oak interrupted her as he opened the folder. "Princess Luna already passed your sentence."

"I… she… she did?" Shiitake asks incredulously at the revelation.

"Yep, you have been demoted to babysit our latest guest." Oak showed her a picture of Amon. "Things are about to get very chaotic around him, and he will need a chaperone."

"What? I… I now have to look after him?" Shiitake asks with a mix of indignation, horror, and disgust.

"Consider it poetic retribution, and not indefinitely, just as long as it needs. Once the princess dem that you serve your sentence, your title will be placed on probation to prove you can be worthy of the title once more."

Oak finishes by passing her a paper with Luna's seal of approval describing the details of her punishment.

"This must be a joke, I… what about my sons?"

"They are going too, it all there." Oak points at the paper.

"But… HIM!? What is the princess thinking? Can't I get a suspension?"

"Ah, don't worry, little filly; if you do a good job, the princess will give you one bright little sticker on your forehead."

"Okay, okay, I get the idea, don't be a baby, don't be an ass either, Oak," Shiitake demanded in anger.

"Think of it as an opportunity, Shishi; according to the princess, Amon is not particularly fond of how we punish and enforce our laws. We are too lax, and the punishment is not quote-on-word or harsh enough. For I see things, the princess wishes to use you as an example and teacher to show how there is logic in our methods."

Shiitake sighed and brought her hand to her face. "From a mayor of our army to babysitting a homeless student. Please, somebody shoot me now," She laments until she starts hearing Oak pretending to play the violin.

"Stop it, Oak! I swear I will punch you," Shiitake warns him, making the mayor laugh.

"Don't worry, Shishi; I still believe in you and know you will do the right thing. You start tomorrow first thing in the morning."

Later that day, during lunch, Amon was in a slightly better mood as he joined the rest at the dining table, eager to ask Twilight about her experience in the human world and see what else he could learn about it.

"I must say, I was expecting today's conversation to go in a completely different direction," Celestia comments cheerfully. "All things considered, this seems like a pleasant surprise."

"I've got time to think and view my options. And for how I see things, an opportunity just presented itself," Amon replied. So, in the spirit of goodwill, I decided to do what I could to improve the mood." Amon then started stirring his soup. "God knows, we all want to sweep this mess under the rug as fast as possible, am I right?"

Even if not intentional, his words create a sense of tension in the room.

"Way to kill the mood, jackass" Dash breaks the silence with a glare at Amon. The stallion could only look at her, slightly surprised, before reading the room a bit better. Amon felt ashamed and embarrassed for the first time, unsure what to say or do.

Even though he still felt angry and found it baffling how their laws and punishments worked, Amon was starting to understand how these ponies were, at the end of the day, just trying to help, and God knows he hadn't been the easiest of guests to deal with.

Putting the spoon down, Amon spoke up again. "That came out wrong; I didn't mean for that to sound like…"

"I-it's okay, Amon! I understand." Starlight was quick to interrupt him. "The whole news has put us on edge, to say the least. And Celestia knows you are the one who wishes to put those bad memories behind you."

Amon looks at her in confusion before looking at Celestia, who looks at him as if using her name didn't phase her before Starlight continues.

"So you don't need to apologize. The fact that you are trying is good enough, and we could sure try to be more patient in return."

"Thanks," Amon replied, grateful that the tension was breaking to a degree. "I know I haven't been the easiest person to deal with, and despite how much you try, I have been just an asshole to all of you. So I appreciate how patient you all have been."

"Eh, water under the bridge, partner; as you said, it's better to move on than to hold grudges," Applejack mentions dismissively.

Amon was surprised at how they all seemed to switch moods so fast. "Very well spoken, Applejack," Celestia complimented before looking at Amon.

"It makes you think of the value of mercy and kindness, Amon."

"Please don't go there, Celestia; I am still wary of your punishment system… but I will grant you this: it IS important to an extent."

"I will take it, just small steps." Celestia nods, pleased with his answer.

"Speaking on small steps and making amends. I could start paying you back."

"I beg your pardon?" Celestia looked at him in surprise.

"Celestia, let's be real here; you are taking me in because the kindness of your heart can only go so far. I do not have a single bit in me, no family, no place to return; you just found out I'm not even a pony. Kindness is putting me in some shelter, and ever so often, it sends me flyers for me to obtain a job or something. The castle…" He points everywhere. "...it's going overboard, and then some. The only explanation to offer me to stay here is that you have a crush, which would be ridiculous. Sure, now it makes sense as a form to protect others and me from maniacs, but before that, it was just too much."

"Well, I wouldn't be putting it like that per se, but I agree that this is an opportunity for untapped potential Amon," Celestia pounded with curiosity. "Maybe the time has come for your lessons."

"I told you I have no intention of learning magic or becoming a prince. I never ask for this or earn it, no matter what you say. Twilight," Amon says, gazing at the princess. "Once the portal is open, I was thinking of leaving, putting things back as they should be. That is why I want to help around him until I'm gone, my way to say thanks."

"Well, that is a nice gesture on your part, but taking a page of your book, I'm afraid that would not be enough."

"What?" Amon asks in surprise.

"The ponies that robbed you of your life did unforgiving things to your body. And you just said that your existence after and before that happened was less than ideal, so I can't let you go until proper compensation is given. That is why you are staying in the castle, which is final. Or would you say that would not be 'fair'?"

"I mean…the place is cozy, b-but I don't want to be a leech!" Amon complains.

"That is why I want to propose to you a different kind of lesson, one that, if memory serves you right, also needs to complete your recovery." Celestia pretends to pound as she looks at the ceiling.

"Now, if only there is something positive about your current predicament?" She asks, playing innocent as she flaps her wings.

"Oh no, no, Celestia, tell me you are joking."

"On the contrary, Amon, I'm more than serious, and I can list three reasons why you should consider it. The first one is that the mirror would consider the condition of your body, so if your wings are stiff, who knows what may result? Do you wish to find out what a full vertebral column cram feels like?"

Amon is stiff and gulps, not liking the idea one bit. "No thanks"

"Then there you have it, now for the second reason: your mental health and insurance that your enemies can't get inside your mind anymore. Keeping your mind busy with exercise should do the trick." Celestia continues.

"And the third reason?"

Celestia smiles and leans back. "Curiosity, call it a hunch, but the moment I saw you, I felt the spirit of a flyer in you, Amon. One who would fall in love with the sky should they ever meet, but you can correct me if I'm wrong. Haven't you ever been curious? It has never crossed your mind what it would be like to know what it is like to fly."

"Oh, dude, you HAVE to do it. There is nothing like that. I will teach you right here if you want!" Dash offers herself at the moment until Celestia stops her.

"Well, Amon? What is your answer? Don't you wish to at least take this unique opportunity amidst all the misfortune that has fallen on you?"

Suddenly, Amon could feel all eyes on him, eagerly awaiting his reply as he was on the spot.

"...Uhhhhh."