The Apprentice

   I shot up from my bed panting, heart pounding inside my throat, while covered in sweat.

"Sweet Jesus, another one of those dreams again. Well ... at least the dreams are starting to piece together."

   I rubbed my arms, even though I was sweating, my body shook with cold.

   "It is obvious I have some kind of connection to this Akaiem individual." I muttered to myself.

"Maybe he was the first human lost to this place?"

   I got up from bed, since there was no way I was going back to sleep after that vivid nightmare.

   "Maybe the Princess will know what my dreams mean?"

   A few days prior in that week, I spoke with Twilight about my dreams. She told me she would ask the princess about them. Twilight also said, that nightmares, or dreams of that nature, were a sign of dark magic.

   Yeah, if only we knew then just how dark.

   After I made my bed neat, I walked out of my room, through the main library hall, and went to stand infront of the kitchen window. At that time, it was very early in the morning.

   I stood there, staring outside the window's clear surface, my eyes were captivated by the first true Equestrain sunrise they ever witnessed.

   I watched in withheld wonder, as the horizon burned with swirling crimson. It was as if the land, and Ponyville, was being consumed by a magical maelstorm of fire. I said nothing, as I had no words that could do this sight justice.

"Damn, this place really has grown on me, hasn't it? I wonder what my sister is doing without me watching her? Or, what about my parents? When I get my hands on that freak..." My hand balled up into a fist.

   I heard foot steps going down the stairs.

   "Hey Argyle, why are you up so early?" Spike asked with a yawn.

"You didn't have another one of your nightmares, did you?"

  "Oh hey Spike, just the usual." I said weakly, as my near complete attention was on the sunrise, and my thoughts.

   Spike walked up to me, and stood next to my left. He looked at me, then out the window a few times.

He had a puzzled look. "What? Haven't you ever seen a sunrise before?" He had both his hands on his sides.

   I muttered in reply, "Not like this."

   Spike shook his head. "Man, you humans really are strange."

   "Said the talking dragon." I smerked slightly.

   Before Spike could reply, hooves pattered down the stairs.

   "Good morning guys!" Twilight had her usual warm smile on. "What is going on? Oh..."

   Her eyes focused outside the window.

   "Celestia, must have just returned to the palace. That particular sunset only happens when she celebrates her return from a long trip."

   Her eyes went wide, as she gasped in shock. "OH MY GOSH, Celestia is here!"

   She ran into the main library room. Her horn was glowing, as the pages -once on the nearby tables- flew towards her. She cast a quick look at each one, as they passed her vision by. Her expression got more frantic with every page that passed.

   "No, no, not that one, no, NO! Spike, where is it?!"

   Spike sighed. "Here we go. Where is what Twilight?"

   "The report I finished yesterday! You know, the one on Starswirl's Automaton theorem? The one that I need to make this trip perfect!"

   "It's over in the desk. Remember?"

   Twilight ran over to the desk, franticly searching the neat pile of papers. Pages flew everywhere as she tore at the piles.

   She sharply turned her head to face Spike. "It's not here!" She then ran over to another table. "Oh where is it?"

   Spike crossed his arms with a shrug. While walking towards the desk he mentioned, Spike muttered to himself in a low tone. "Sheesh, it's inside the desk Twilight."

   I was familiar with Twilight's tendency to over react, but this honestly, seemed ridiculous to me at the time.

   I will forever regret my following response to it.

   "Really? What's the big deal Twilight? It's just a report."

   Spike, from across the room, with his left hand in the desk's lower drawer, face-palmed with his right hand.

   Twilight stopped dead in her manic search, then looked at me in bewilderment.

"Just a report?" She echoed back. "Just a REPORT!?"

   She walked briskly towards me, then stopped just feet away, and pointed a hoof at me.

"Do you know how long it took me to finish that report?"

   I stood there with my arms crossed defensively, my temper was holding, for the time. "No I-"

   "A full month!" Twilight interrupted.

"Everything I could find on the topic is on that report! I was hoping to surprise the princess with it, but now..."

    A thought hit her, a picture of Celestia's look of disapproval towards Twilight losing such an important research paper, and its compiled information on Starswirl's personal findings on the laws, and physics, of Automatons.

   Twilight chomped on her hooves in angst, fearing the princesses impending judgement, and the possiblity of disowning her faithful number one student.

   She ran over to the other side of the library, pages still flying everywhere.

"Oh horseapples! Were is it?!"

   Spike walked back to my side, with a few pages in his left hand. He then let out a heavy sigh of relief, while brushing the sweat off his brow with his right hand.

   "Phew, that was a close one." Spike looked up at me. "Argyle, you really need to be more careful-"

   I should have let spike finish that sentence, I should have left it at that, but I was very, for some odd reason, perturbed towards Twilight's manic behavior. So, I interrupted the young dragons words of warning, and well ... you can figure what happened next.

   "Why don't you just make a new one? It's not like you don't have the time."

   Spike tried to jump and put his hand over my mouth in a desperate attempt to stop me, but he could not jump high enough.

   Twilight froze in mid step, then turned her head to look at me. Her mane was frizzled, and her eyes narrowed at me with a death stare that burned into my gut.

   "Make a new one?" She whispered at first, while her face slowly contorted into her signature look of fury.

"Make a new one?!" She repeated, growling through gritted teeth.

   "Uh, oh. Now you've done it." That was all Spike managed to say as he grabbed, out of nowhere, a suit of pillows tied together with belts, sporting a metal helmet.

   Twilight's purple colour began turning bright red, as steam started to jet out her ears.

   Spike turned to face me. "No time, here." He snapped his fingers, and with a "poof" a cloud of purple smoke enveloped me. After it cleared, I was waring a bigger version of Spike's pillow suit, with a matching metal helmet.

   "Now when I say duck..." Spike's head turned, then his eyes went wide. "Hit the dirt Argyle!"

   I turned my head, facing Twilight. She stood in the middle of the main library hall, and looked like she was about to explode like a time bomb. Pages flew around in a whirlwind, and the ground shook.

   "Oh shit!" I yelled while taking a nose dive, as I landed hard on the wood floor.

   Heartbeats later, I heard a ear shattering "UGH!" As the tree house exploded, books flew from shelves like shrapnel from a grenade, everything rattled inside the library like beads in a baby rattle, including Spike and myself.

   The tree house landed with a thundering thud, further mixing the mayhem brew inside. I landed hard on the floor, a shower of books rained down and buried everything.

   I dug myself out of the book pile, with Spike popping out moments later.

   He looked at me with concern. "Are you alright Argyle?"

   I groaned as I stood up. "Yeah, surprisingly."

   Somehow, that simple pillow suit, kept me from getting hurt. I remember how I bounced around inside the library like a rubber ball, and the feeling of shock after I emerged unharmed from it, thanks to Spike's suit.

   "Spike, this suit is awesome! I would have been a spot on the wall without it."

   "Oh this? I just threw this together after the first time Twilight got this upset." Spike shuttered after saying that.

   "Still, thanks." I heard a noise to my left, I turned my head to see what it was.

   Twilight's head popped out of the sea of books, and her expression screamed horror.  "Oh no! Now I will never find it!"

   Spike held up his left hand, it was clutching a bunch of crumpled papers. "I have it right here Twilight." He said with a sigh.

   Twilight gasped, then burst out of the mass book pile, and onto her hooves. She ran over to Spike with her horn glowing, the crumpled report flew out of Spike's hand.

   Once Twilight studied its inner surface, she giggled in delight, as she clapped her two front hooves together.

"Oh Spike, you really are my number one best assistant! Where did you find it?"

   "I found it IN the desk Twilight." Spike huffed. "You told me to put it there so you wouldn't lose it."

   Twilight's ears bent down, while blushing in embarrassment, and laughing light heartedly at herself.

"Hehe, oh yeah, right. Sorry guys, I guess I got a little carried away."

   I began taking off the suit. "Well, that's alright Twilight. I shouldn't have provoked you."

  "It's alright? That is easy for you to say Argyle, you don't have to clean all this up!" Spike said, while throwing his arms up in the air in protest.

   Twilight still had her ears down.

"Don't worry Spike, I will help you clean this up, it's the least I can do since this is my fault."

   "Eh, I'll help too, this will go by faster that way." I added, while casting a levitation spell.

   Books flew from the mass piles on the library floor, as Twilight, Spike, and myself, put each one in its original order. Then Spike started to organize the papers, and scrolls, while I helped out Twilight with the tomes and furniture.

   An hour passed by, as the time turned to mid morning, Twilight finished putting away the last tome.

   "And ... done!" Twilight's stomach growled, she giggled in response. "Hehe, well I'm hungry, who wants eggs?"

   "Alright." I answered.

   Remember when Twilight pulled that joke on me? I later learned that ponies do eat eggs, but just not meat. It made sense, considering how ponies loved to eat cake and other baked sweets, and they would be nearly impossible to make without eggs.

   We all went to the kitchen, then Spike, and myself, helped Twilight make the meals. After, we all sat at the table and ate. The eggs and alfalfa spouts were especially good, complemented by a great cup of coffee.

   Spike was listening to my ipod at the table, he was really getting the hang of that machine, he figured out how to scan the menu, and find new songs. His favorate however, was no fear for the setting sun by Amon Amarth; although, he was really getting into alternative rock as well.

   You know, thinking back, Twilight once told me that I created a monster. I could not argue.

   After breakfast was over, the rest of the gang visited the library, as it was soon time for the carriage to arrive and take us to Canterlot.

   "Hey Sparky!" Pinkie bounced inside after Twilight began letting everyone in.

   "Hi Pink-"

   Pinkie popped up in front of me suddenly, before I could fully return the greeting.

   "So, are you excited?! I am, you're going to love love love it there! There is sooo much to see, and do, and eat, and watch, and ... wait, does watching count as seeing?" Pinkie sat down, then put a hoof to her mouth in thought.

   "Howdy Argyle!" Applejack walked in, then gave me a nod. "How's it going?"

   "Oh, good morning Applejack. So far it's great, how is the farm going?" I leaned on one of the big book shelves, in the main library room.

   "It's go'n fine, if Rainbow and the weather team pulls through that is." She rolled her eyes.

   "Why? What happened?"

   Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy had already walked in. I watched as Rainbow walked towards us after Applejack said that.

   "Don't you worry Applejack, I will be leading the weather team tomorrow, so don't sweat." Rainbow Spoke, trying to ease Applejack's fears.

   "Yeah well, just you make sure not to over water the crops this time. The soil was good'n soggy for all this week!"

"Oh yeah, that'll do it."

   "Oh come on Applejack, I got this." Rainbow Dash pushed, with her hoof on her chest. "I promise."

   "Well, if you're lead'n it, then ah'm sure it'll turn out alright." Applejack smiled.

   Fluttershy and Rarity walked over towards me, while Applejack and Rainbow both went over to Twilight.

   "Hello Argyle, how are you?" Fluttershy asked with her usual soft and sweet tone.

   "Yes, how are you this fine morning darling?" Rarity asked with that welcoming smile.

   "Hi guys." I smiled back, it was nice having the whole gang around again. "I'm doing fine, how about you guys?"

   "That's great." Fluttershy softly spoke, "Everything's been a little different since the animals started behaving strangely, but my animals seem to be fine."

   "So far it has been fabulous for me. Oh, and how did you like the new sets of clothes I sent to you? It was awful seeing you have to wear the same thing for a whole week."

   "Well, the new clothes fit perfectly, and the designs are awesome. Thanks a lot Rarity."

   "Oh your welcome, anytime Argyle." Rarity happily said.

   I saw that she was carrying a large bag on her back. I was curious as to what was inside, so I asked her about it.

   "What is that you are carrying?" I pointed to the bag.

   "Oh my goodness, I almost forgot. This is for you Argyle." Her horn glowed, then the bag levitated off her back, then gently flew flat to the floor.

   "For me? What is it?" I asked.

   "It's just something I threw together for you to wear in front of the princess. You simply must look your best." Her horn glowed again, and a formal outfit floated out of the bag.

   It looked like an Equestrian's spin on a 19th century gentlemen's attire. It had a black coat with a high collar, and its bottom fell just below the knees, it also had a design of gemstones that trailed over the coat's back, it looked like Rarity's cutie mark. It also had that signature top hat.

   I remember smiling wide, and guessing I was going to visit the princess as a gentlemen.

   "I hope you like it, I don't have much experience with male attire, especially with designs that would fit you."

   "Wow, that is wonderful Rarity." Fluttershy complemented.

   "Well, it's perfect, I love it. I aways wanted to dress as a gentlemen from the late 1800s."

   Rarity smiled weakly. "Late 1800s? Don't you mean the 4980s?"

   Even Fluttershy gave me a strange look after hearing that.

   I stood there in a sudden whirlwind of thought.

"4980? They are almost ... 3000 years ahead of man?! I don't even know why I'm suprised anymore."

   Before I could respond, Twilight walked over to us after shutting the front door.

"Ready guys? The carriage will be here in a few minutes."

   "Well then, nevermind that. Here Argyle, you had best get this on quick." Rarity handed me the attire. I nodded, then walked into my room to get dressed.

   With a little magic, I got the whole suit on. The attire was a perfect fit, like always when it came to Rarity's handy work.

   I turned then headed out of my room. The whole gang looked at me once I walked into the main library room.

   "You simply look fabulous darling!" Rarity gasped. "I was worried the gems would be too much, but they look dashing."

   Everyone else returned the favor, and spoke about my appearance.

   "Hey guys, the carriage is here." Spike warned while looking out the front window.

   "Great, let's go guys. The princess awaits!" Twilight gestured to follow her out the front door.

"Joy." I stept outside, then walked to the carriage.

   The carrige ride was comfortable, and the scenery was beautiful. While taking the road leading away from Ponyville, we passed the Everfree Forest, it looked like a sea of dark green on the utmost part of the hill the carriage was scaling.

   Lakes, medows, and small forests dotted the landscape. The skys were clear, the air was crisp, and the sun warmed the day.

   The hours passed by, then Pinkie pointed a hoof out the carriage side window. "Look! There it is!"

   After we scaled over the last hill, the castle was visible. The sun illuminated the white marble construct, as if it was a mirror that shined warm light over all the land.

   "That is a lot of marble." I obsurved.

   "It sure is." Softly said Fluttershy.

   "My, it just gets more gorgeous each time we come here." Rarity softly admired.

   "Yeah! And, we get to eat at a SUPER great bakery here!" Pinkie giggled.

"It's no Sugarcube Corner, but it has really great cupcakes!"

   "We can eat once we visit the princess." said Twilight.

   "Awww." Pinkie slumped down into her seat.

   Rainbow Dash turned her head to Twilight. "Aw come on Twilight, it's not like the princess will mind a few minutes."

   "And besides, ah'm sure she'll have more press'n dutys to work on." Applejack added. "She is the princess after all."

   "Yeah, what she said." Rainbow concluded.

   Twilight looked over to Pinkie, she was still slumped over on her seat. She sighed, then said.

"Alright, I guess a few minutes at the Canterlot bakery could not hurt."

   Pinkie immediately perked up, then jumped over to hug Twilight.

"Thank you Thank you! I Promise I will be extra SUPER quick! Just like Sparky!"

"I'm not a dog damn it!" I roughly smiled at her, while holding that inside.

   "Your welcome Pinkie." Twilight grunted, as Pinkie squeezed her tight.

   Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the castle, then the door opened. A whitish gray pony in a neat attire stood outside the door. "A most gracious of salutations ladies and sir, and a heartfelt welcome to Canterlot."

"Hey, a butler. Cool."

   We all got out of the carriage, once out, I got a great view of the whole castle.

    It rested on a stone ledge jetting from the mountain, near a water fall. The water fall made a natural mote, that required a draw bridge to cross.

   I adjusted my attire, then I walked up to everyone.

   "The entrance is just this way, ladies and sir." The well dressed colt motioned for us to follow him towards the castle.

   Twilight answered softly. "It's alright, we know the way from here, thank you."

   The well dressed colt bowed. "As madam wishes, I will be ever so sure to let the princess know her guests have arrived."

   I followed the others over the draw bridge, through the huge gate, and into the castle.

   Twilight turned to face me. "Stick close to us Argyle, it is very easy to get lost on your first time here."

   "No problem." I adjusted my top hat, as the other ponies walking around stopped, then stared at me. Looks of confusion, and wonder, were stricken upon their features.

   "I say, just what in Celestia is that?" I heard one pony say, as a crowd began to form around the girls and myself.

   "Great, here we go." I muttered.

   "Uh oh." Uttered Spike. He covered the left side of his mouth with his hand, as if to hide what he was saying to Twilight. "Twilight, we should go." He whispered to her.

   "Well, whatever it is, it's lavishly dressed." A pony with a violet scarf said from the crowd.

   "Yes, I am Rarity, his designer." Rarity boasted. "Please, you are all too kind, but do go on."

   "It is quite tall too. Where did such a creature come from?" A pony in a white coat spoke.

"Tall? I'm only 5ft 10in. Well, all the other ponies do meet me at chest hight, so it makes sense."

   "Come on Argyle, we need to go." Twilight tugged at my coat, and I was not about to argue.

   Just as soon as ponies with cameras started to take pictures with a storm of light flashes, the whole gang and myself started running down the street, trying to lose the growing crowd.

   We hid in a near by alleyway, barely avoiding the mob that ran passed us.

   "I think the bakery detour idea is out." Rainbow spoke.

   Pinkie huffed in disapproval.

   "Sorry Pinkie, but going to see the princess is the best option right now." Twilight said apologetically.

   "It's okay guys." Pinkie smiled. "But let's hurry, time is cupcakes!"

   On Rainbow Dash's go, we all raced for the main palace. We barely cleared into the safety of the main iron gate, before the crowd could catch up and mob me down.

"What a bunch of asshats." I thought.

   "Ruffians!" Yelled Rarity, she was panting from all the running. "And to think, I considered you high society!"

   "You can say that again sugarcube." Applejack added.

   "Woohoo!" Pinkie jumped around giggling. "That was fun!"

   I knew that the other ponies would act unpredictable around me. I remember thinking I should have hid, or at least I should have tried to avoid being seen.

   "Yeah really, that was ridiculous. Sorry guys." I apologized. "I should have offered to hide. I knew I would put you guys threw so much."

   "Now don't you go'n start that crazy talk Argyle." Applejack pointed her hoof at me. "It's not your fault those silly fillies are half'n apple off pie."

   "I could not agree with her more." Rarity brushed dust off her gown with her left hoof.

"I mean just look at my dress! It's all dirty..."

"Well, that just wont do at all." I smiled, then snapped my fingers. The loose dirt on her dress puffed off in a yellowish gray cloud, revealing the beautiful dress below in all its splendor.

   "Oh, Argyle, how did you do that?"

   "A little bit of this, and a dash of magic." I gave her a wink.

"Argyle, you slick bastard." I humorously thought to myself.

   Rarity blushed. "Well, I don't know what to say. Thank you."

   "Anytime." I turned to my right, when I heard someone call out.

   "Come on guys, Celestia is waiting." Spike yelled from across the main court yard.

   "Let's go guys." Twilight said.

   While we walked over to the main door that lead into the palace, Twilight trotted up to me so we would walk side by side.

"Just how did you do that Argyle?"

   "Well, you didn't have me read those books on the elements just to pass the time." I answered.

"On further inspection, I realized that "dirt" was mostly made up of silica dioxide silt, street sand to be exact. After seeing that, I  knew all I needed was a gust of wind, and a burst of static to clear it."

   Twilight blinked in disbelief. "You knew that just by looking at it?"

   "Oh, no. I knew it the moment Rarity brushed her dress. Didn't you feel the small static charge in the air when she did?"

   She thought for a moment. "Actually, now that you mention it, I did feel something, but I always feel slight changes in the air. I got so used to it over the years, I hardly pay it much mind anymore."

   "Its exactly like magic." I added.

   She giggled. "I'll say."

   We reached the main door, then the two guards opened the huge ornate white wooden doors.

   A white earth stallion walked over towards us, from the inside of the palace. Gold armour covered every inch of his figure, except for the helm. He had solid deep blue eyes, with a medium kept mane of the same colour,  with a few much lighter blue streaks running upwards; however, his tail was lightish blonde.

"Lovely, now what?" I crossed my arms, and waited for him to speak first.

  His stance was like a wall of stone, unflinching, and unfeeling.

"Welcome, Twilight Sparkle. The princess is expecting you. I will see you to her majesty personally."

  Twilight smiled. "Thank you Arco, but you did not have to trouble yourself with us. I know the way to the throne room."

   "Normally, I would agree whole heartedly." His eyes gravitated to me.

"However, the particulars of this situation  ... demanded otherwise."

   "You mean me?" I asked.

   "Yes." He answered, with a cold unyielding stare that could bore through solid steel.

   I just stared back, with my own cold gaze, but his was far colder. I just kept eye contact, but he clearly won the contest.

"That is one scary motherfucker." I remember thinking, as a pit formed in my stomach.

   He turned crisply, then spoke. "This way, follow close."

   I got Twilights attention, then asked her. "Twilight, who the hell is that?"

   "Arco? He is the General of the whole Equestrian army." She shrugged in intense thought.

"Ohh, there is a term for his position, I just can't put a hoof on it..."

   "The General of Armies." I answered weakly.

   "Yes, that's it! How did you know?" She turned her head to the side, while looking my way.

   I sighed, "Wonderful. Well, we have a General of Armies back at my home, on Earth." I cought a glimpse of Arco's left ear twitching after I said Earth. "He is essentially the head of our entire army."

   "Isn't it strange just how close our cultures are? I mean, we are literally worlds apart."

"Tell me about it." I thought to myself.

   We reached the throne room, two massive white doors blocked our pathway. Arco gave the near by door guards a nod. Once both guards opened the doors, they gave him crisp salutes.

   He passed them while saying, "At ease."

   We followed Arco into the throne room. Solid white marble made up the whole floor, massive staind windows, and a long red carpet lead up to the throne. And sitting on the throne, looking towards us with a smile, was Celestia herself.

   We stopped about 15 feet away from Celestia. Arco bowed, as well as Spike, and the girls; however, I stood there for a second, then realized that was my cue to bow as well. I took my hat off, then went to bow, but Celestia cleared her throat.

   "Hold." She commanded in a stern tone.

   I froze in place, waiting for her to continue.

   "Argyle Orion, I presume?" She arched her right eye brow.

  I looked up to see her, she was no longer smiling.

"Nope, I'm the milk man."

   "You assume right." I choked out, as I repressed laughter.

   "I heard much about you from my faithful student." Her tone was still stern. "However, Twilight forgot to mention how dapper you would dress just to see me."

   Her smile returned, and her tone softened. "I could hardly sleep tonight, if I left such a lovely attire to get dirty, just for the sake of petty fealties."

   At that moment, I just blinked. I was really taken aback by her humbleness.

   I remember thinking. "Huh, I like her already."

   "Oh, thank you your majesty." I said, while giving her a smaller leaning bow.

   If it were not for the medieval fiction books I had read, and for the many medieval movies I had watched, I would have had absolutely no idea how to act in front of royalty. I was really just watching and copying Twilight and the others.

   However, I just wanted to go home.

   She returned the gesture with a nod of her head.  "You can all stand, please." She told the whole room.

They all stood up, then Arco returned to his spot near the throne.

   "Now, Argyle, how has your experience in Equestria been thus far?"

   "Eh, great your majesty." I picked up my tone, as to make it seem like I was enthused. "I could not stress that enough."

   "Splendid, It is not very often we get visitors from other worlds, let alone other universes."

   I saw a distant figure just behind the throne, but it was too hidden in the shadows to see clearly.

"That better not be who I think that is." I kept one eye on that shadow. I remembered at Twilights on my first night I ever spent there, seeing a figure out of a window, and then that girl paying me a visit soon after.

   "I also hear you have a firm grasp on the magical arts? So much so, that you personally earned the respect, and trust, of my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

   "Yes, your majesty. Twilight, Spike, the other girls here helped me understand, and use magic effectively."

"You already know these things, Twilight told you in her letters. Something's not right here, ether she is stupid, or she is playing stupid. Why?" The pit grew in my stomach. I shifed uneasily where I stood, but tried to hide it.

   "I see, that is well news indeed. I must then thank every one of them for their kindness. I would not expect any less from the Elements of Harmony, and from Spike."

   Twilight, the other girls, and Spike all spoke. "Thank you Princess!"

   She smiled. "Certainly. Now, that brings me to the measure of your stay here in the castle, Argyle."

   At hearing that at first, I was shocked.  "Stay?" I echoed back in thought.

"What the dick?! Oh no, no one forces these kind of things on me. Not until I have my equal say!"

   "Pardon your majesty, but did I hear you say I will be staying?" I tried to keep my fire down for the time. I needed to handle the situation without burning it, at least, for the time.

   "Yes, you heard correctly. Does this news upset you?" Her smile melted away, as her look was then cold, and devoid. "I hope you don't feel that I am rushing you."

"Rushing me? General Custard wished he could rush that agressively! The nerve, indeed."

   "Well, you see your majesty-"

   "Please, call me Celestia." She told me, while cutting me off with a light, but firm tone.

  I balled up my fist. I was about to raise Cane from hell, but Twilight tugged at my coat. I looked behind me, she was shaking her head no.

  I saw the nervousness in her eyes. She was afraid, that made me very uneasy. I withheld my anger, as caution began cooling it. Everyone there had an air of tension about them at that moment.

   "Do go on." Celestia spoke, while gesturing with her hoof at me.

"Now, I don't like her anymore. Alright, Keep it casual. Keep it cool."

   I had to play along. I thought if I did, she might slip a hint, or some kind of detail I could use.

   "Well, Celestia, I am just getting into the properties of magic, and I feel that Twilight has more yet to teach me; furthermore, I have just become comfortable in my current place of residence. My new friends have also warmed up to my company. So you must understand, that is not something I can just break on a whim."

   Twilight, just looked at me. I knew she was thinking how could I choose her over the princesses offer to live in the palace.

   "I understand." Celestia answered, her features warmed a little. "Your friends are more then welcome to vist you anytime, and though Twilight Sparkle does possess the ability to further you in magic even still, I have somepony else in mind who can push you even further."

   Her eyes moved to her left, where the dark figure stood.

  "Somepony that I have watched and waited on to gain the air of a teacher, the abilty to finally take an apprentice under her wings, and make all of the responsible commitments necessary to bring one up. And your presence Argyle, was just the thing that situation needed."

   I stood there, ready to meet that little girl head on, if she reared her detestable face again.

   The dark figure loomed forward from the thrones shadow, as Celestia finished what she was saying.

   "My younger sister, Luna." She turned her head to face the bewildered dark alicorn, that just stepped out of the shadows.

"Wha?' I relaxed slightly, with a sigh. "Oh, of course, thank god." I should have known it was Luna that whole time.

   "Elder sister, surely thy jest?" Luna said, while looking at me with a intense look of shock.

   Even the other girls, and Spike, looked at each other in shock. I think I remember seeing Arco chuckle slightly at that  sudden development.

"Wait, I was too focused on Luna. What just happened?" I missed out on what Celestia said. I would soon get my answer.

   "Oh no sister, I am quite serious." She still had a warm smile on.

    Luna looked the least bit amused. "Surely thouest could hath informed us prior?" She looked rather upset.

   "But that would "hath" ruined the surprise younger sister." Celestia said, while winking at Luna.

   I turned to face Twilight. "Twilight what just happened? I missed it."

   She stared at me wild eyed.

"You what?! How could you -ugh- nevermind. Celestia wants you to apprentice under Luna."

   "WHAT?!" I exploded accidentily. The whole throne room echoed with my cry of surprise.

   "Is there a problem, Argyle?" Celestia had her eye brow up, with an unamused expression.

"Yeah, why the fuck is everyone trying to ruin my life?!" I stood there, both my fists clenched with death grips from pure anger. "Why can't things just go back to normal?"

   I looked at Twilight, she had a pleading expression, begging me not to have an outburst.

"I just ... want to go home."

   I eased my fists, and relaxed after a few deep breaths. "Now I think I'm starting to hate her."

   "Keep it cool." I muttered so only myself could hear it.

   I perked up, then said in a chipper tone. "Of course, I just can't withhold my excitement!"

   Celestia smiled. "Oh, how wonderful to hear."

   "Tis not fair." Luna muttered, while she shot her sister a very heated, yet gloomy look.

   "I would not have done this, unless I felt you were truly ready for it. Let us discuss this later in private?"

   Luna nodded, although she still had a perturbed look.

   "Let's let the subject float for a time. Argyle, tell us about your homeland, Earth was it?"

"Exuse me princess, while I take the Earth's world archive, I conveniently have for just such an accation, out of my ass. Alright, fine."

   I responded. "Um, well... Where to begen?"  "Great, now, what can I say to her?'

   I looked around for something to compare with my world. Then my eyes rested upon the gold clad Arco, and  I then remembered what Twilight had asked me before. "Heh, this should be good."

   I cleared my throat. "Well, we have a General of Armies, like you have with General Arco over there."

   "Oh? Please elaborate." Celestia sounded, at least it seemed, interested. Arco himself slightly tilted his head, and stared at me with those unyielding deep blue eyes.

"Well, I now know one reason she was not chosen for supreme ruler. She bit that bare hook hard."

   "Well, we have a General of Armies, that pretty much leads everything. Where I come from, we are the world power, and everyone looks to us for aid, and guidance."

   "You must have great enemies then." Arco commented.

"At least he has a brain."

   "We used to, but now we mostly fight nuisances." I thought for a minute, then I desided to ask a bold question.  "Might I be so bold as to ask a question about Equestrian history?"

   "You most certainly may." Celestia answered.

"Oh, this should be great."

   "How does such a peaceful land as Equestria, distinguish a normal general from a grand one? Since I do not hear of any conflicts having happened recently?"

   Arco huffed, then answered.

"I am a desendent down a long line of grand generals. Leadership is in my blood. My great, great, great, great grandfather, lead the Equestrian army during the civil war. He was one of the reasons why Celestia had the time she needed to gather the Elements of Harmony, and stop Nightmare Moon from utterly destroying-"

   He stopped after he looked over to both of the princesses. Celestia stared at Arco, with a very unamused look, while Luna was hanging her head down, as if she was suddenly saddened over something.

   He cleared his throat. "Forgive me your majesties, I got carried away."

"HEH! I got him in trouble! Oh man, I'm so going to hell."

   "It's alright General." Celestia finished what he was saying. "I made him the head General, because of his familiy's long history of being superb tacticians."

   The General returned his stare towards me, only that time it had a bit of fire in it, and he was directing it at me.

   I smiled back at him, and waved.

   "Now, back to the previous topic." She cleared her throat. "Will you, Argyle Orion, accept the offer to become Luna's apprentice, and move in to reside in this palace until your teacher dubs you fit to leave otherwise?"

"I dont want to stay! But, I can't leave ether, damn it! You really have a sick sense of humor you heartless bastard!" I looked up to the ceiling when I thought that.

   I looked at Twilight, and the others. They all smiled weakly.

   "Well, can I have a minute to think at least?"

   "Of course." Celestia answered. "Take a few to decide."

   I walked back further away from the throne, towards the massive white doors. The others followed me.

   "That was unforeseen." I said to my seven friends. "Why did she completely blow me off?"

   "I have no clue, she has never acted this way." Twilight just shook her head.

"Not only did the princess keep me in the dark, me, her faithful number one student, but she... No, she is not like that."

   "Yeah that was kinda weird, but this is not a bad thing right?" Spike added.

"Argyle gets to apprentice under one of the princesses, IN the palace. I mean come on!"

   "He's right sugarcube, ya have to accept." Applejack spoke, with her usual supportive tone.

   "I just don't know what to do, this is all so ... sudden." I rubbed my forehead with my hand.

"What about... Nevermind."

"Dispite how angry I am, I can't bring myself to say it. Not in front of them. I will not ask about my family now. That time has obviously passed, and it's that pearly nag's fault. Not theirs."

   "Sure you do darling, just say yes! It is easy, here, repeat after me." Rarity cleared her throat, then with a tone of utter joy she said, "Oh yes, of course I accept! Thank you, thank you!" She put on an overly dramatic pose. I saw the nearby guards just look at each other, and shake their heads. She finished, then motioned her hoof towards me. "Now you try."

   I just stood there, unthinking, and speechless.

   "Um, I don't think he should say it quite like that Rarity." Softly spoke Fluttershy.

   "Alright then, how should he?" She asked Fluttershy.

   "Well, he should stand tall, and with a calm, confident tone, he should say yes in his own way."

   "Yeah, you have to say yes Argyle! This like, never happens!" Added Spike, while he put emphasis on the importance of it, by gesturing with both his arms in the air.

   "Alright, what about you guys?" I asked concerned.

   "Oh don't worry about us Argyle." Rainbow Dash snorted. "It's not like you're going to the moon, like the princess said, we can visit ya."

   "And besides, this is very important, and you must not pass it up." Twilight spoke, with a smile.

   "Yay for Sparky!" Pinkie cheered while bouncing. "He gets to eat those wonderful cupcakes every day!"

   "Fine, I will accept." I gave in, with a sigh. "Maybe I can learn how to go home this way."

   "Yay Argyle." Lightly cheered Fluttershy.

'Damn it, why is she so adorable?"

   All the others cheered as well. With that, I walked back up to the throne. Celestia was waiting patiently, with Luna also waiting at her side. Arco continued to stare at me with those cold eyes, as I stopped to give them my answer.

   "Have you decided?" Celestia asked.

   "Yeah, I accept. When do I move in?"

   "Wonderful! I have already sent for your belongings to be brought here, as the sooner you move in the better."

   "Then may I make at least one request?"

   "Of course." She answered.

   "May I spend the rest of today with my friends, here in Canterlot?"

   "I don't see any harm in that, yes."

   "Thank you." I smiled. "Bitch."

   She nodded slightly while smiling. "Then I do believe that sums up this meeting. Everyone is dismissed."

   Celestia got up from the throne, then with Luna following her, she stepped towards a room further back behind the throne. Two guards opened the door, then closed and locked it once both princesses were inside.

   The gang and I walked out of the throne room, then soon into the main court yard, near the iron gate.

   I put my top hat on. "Alright, well guys, now that that disaster is over with, who's hungry?"

   Pinkie bounced up in the air waving one of her hooves. "Ooh, me me me, I am!"

   I chuckled, while shaking my head. "Well then, let's go to that bakery."

   "Hold on, where's Twi?" Applejack asked, while looking around the courtyard.

   "That's strange, I could have swarn I saw her not but a few minutes ago." Rarity added.

   "She probably gave Celestia that report she made for her." I answered reasonably.

   Twilight came trotting out of the main palace gate. We all turned to watch her as she walked up to us.

   "Sorry about that guys. Was I late?" She said, she looked slightly upset.

"Ah hell. When Twilight looks upset, a storm is usually brewing somewhere near by. We had better get to that bakery."

   "No, you came just in time."  I told her. "We were just going to the bakery."

   "Ya alright sugarcube?" Applejack asked Twilight concerned. "You look a little flustered."

   "Yeah, you look like somepony gave you the hoof." Rainbow Dash said, while hovering in the air. "If that is the case, I will kick somepony's flank hard." She punched both her front hooves together.

   I smerked. "Ha, that must be their version of the middle finger. How cute."

   "Oh no, It's nothing to worry about. I am just fine, really."

   "Are you sure?" Fluttershy walked up to her, and put a hoof on her shoulder in reassurence. "You can tell us anything."

   "Thanks guys, but let's talk about it later." She said, while gesturing towards the iron gate. "Come on, let's go."

   "Halt!" Echoed from over the court yard. Two guards stood over near the entrance to the palace, looking right at me.

"Who the?"

   The guard with a scar over his face spoke, "We are to be your escort through town, by order of General Arco himself."

   "Ah, that's right, the other ponies here." I said, after remembering the first few minutes there, "They are such a pain."

   "Understood, let us lead the way." The guard with a mild gaelic accent commanded.

"A Gaelic accent?"  I looked at him, then nodded. "Alright."

   I walked over to the gate, with them, and the rest of the gang behind me.

   "Open the gate!" The guard with a accent told the gate keeper.

   The iron gate opened, then standing outside, sure enough, was that mob only doubled in size.

   "THERE IT IS!" I heard a voice yell from the crowd.

   "What the hay?!" Rainbow Dash swore. "Don't they have lives to get back to?"

   I stood and watched, as the two guards got to work.

   "Leave this to us!" Yelled the guard with a scar.

   Both guards stood as stout as solid stone columns, then peered at the advancing crowd. I never got to see their expressions at that moment, but the looks on the other ponies faces said enough. The whole mob stopped in its tracks.

   "Go about your day!" The guard with a mild accent commanded. The whole mob scattered, then disappeared.

"Yep, these guys are badasses." I clapped lightly in approval.

   "Wow, you guys really are good." Observed Rainbow Dash in awe.

   "All in a days work madam." The guard with a scar spoke humbly.

   The guard with a mild accent laughed. "If you think that was impressive, you should have seen this fellow during the royal wedding. He was a right beast!"

   "You can tell us about it over a cupcake, if you like." I offered. "You deserve it."

   "If that is where you are headed, then sure." The guard with a scar gestured for us to follow him, then we all went about the rest of the castle.

    At the bakery, I sat with everyone, while watching Pinkie accept a folk dance challenge by the guard with a mild accent. It looked like a type of Irish folk dance. I never knew ponies could stand on their hind legs for that long, let alone dance like pros for minutes on end, until that moment. The guard actually did very well, he almost won.

   The cupcakes were just awesome, and they served coffee with them. We walked everywhere, doing anything that came to mind, seeing all the sights, and eating most of the eats. After about the whole other half of that day, it was finally time for the others to go home.

    "I will try to write you when ever I can." I said, as the midday sun lowered in the sky.

   "Don't worry sugarcube." Applejack softly said. "Ah reckon you'll see us sooner then you think." She gave me a wink.

   "Yeah, don't think for a second we're that easy to get rid of." Added Rainbow dash. "And who knows? One of the clouds I might nap on, might just float over here suddenly. Then I will have no choice but see how you're doing."

  She smiled cunningly.

   "Well, wind is an unpredictable thing." I added humorously.

   "Exactly." She nodded in agreement.

   "Hehehe, we will visit Argyle, don't worry." Assured Twilight, while giggling at Rainbow Dash.

   "Alright, the carriage is waiting." Spike informed while walking up to us.

   "Angel will miss you Argyle." Fluttershy softly said.

   "And, that is saying something." Twilight added.

   "Tell me about it." I said.

   "Yes, well, not just Angel Bunny, but all the others too."

   Pinkie looked at me with a large grin. "I will miss having you around Sparky."

"And I will miss the dog names."

   "Same gos to you." I smiled.

   "We all will." Rarity said.

  "But, I know the princess can help you get waayy better as a mage." Pinkie finished, as she bounced around while giggling. "So, I'm not sad, I'm actually happy!"

   "Yeah, this is great. Who knows? You might actually get as good as Twilight one day." Said Spike.

   "If he works hard, I have no doubt he will." Twilight added, while pointing a hoof at me.

   Twilight walked up to me, and put a piece of paper in my left coat pocket. Then nodded to me.

"So, you have a plan I see? Alright." I thought, then nodded back.

   The others just looked at one another.

   "Now give us all a hug goodbye darling." Rarity commanded.

"Oh, do I have too? Ah, crap."

   We all huddled together, then they went towards the carriage. I watched, as they got into the carriage.

   "Goodbye guys!" I shouted.

   "Goodbye Argyle!" They all yelled back, as their carriage rode away.

"I miss them already. Now I have something to leave behind, damn."

   "Ready to head back to the palace boy'o?" Asked the guard with a mild accent.

   "Yeah, let's go." I answered, then turned to head towards the palace.

   That was the last day of any real sanity I had.

   I knew that little girl would show up again soon, which was one of the main reasons I accepted the offer to stay. What I did not know, was when I would wake the next morning as Luna's apprentice, it would be the beginning of the end.

   Although I just wanted to go home, I was beginning to understand that I had a another home, with my new friends. I could not wait to find that girl again, as I remember wanting to thank her properly for all the kindness she was putting me through.

   That following week my friend, marks when I truly started to understand my enemy, and when I began to see just how deep in trouble we all were.