Relentless Boundaries

“Take of your cloths” Rarity ordered and I gave her a dumbfounded look “uhh why?” I asked suspiciously, “well how am I supposed to take measurements of you with you cloths on? All the measurements will be off” she informed me and I let out a depressed sigh “all of them?” I asked. “No, just your pants and jacket… by the way I think I’ll be burning your pants” she told me and I looked down at my pants, really I kind of wanted to burn them myself. So I obliged her orders and took off my tattered jacket and pants and stood there as she pulled out a measuring tape.

I flinched as the cold measuring tape touched my skin, “what’s wrong?” she asked. “That’s cold” I complained and she rolled her eyes. As she was taking measurements she put her hoof over her nose, “uhh you got a nosebleed or something?” I asked curiously, “no but you’re taking a bath after this you smell worse than… than smelly garbage” she complained and I sniffed my armpit and coughed, Christ I smelt like I had just swam through a river of liquid garbage. “Good plan” I told her and she finished her measurements and pointed me towards a door “just hurry up and please don’t punish my washroom with your foul odor” she ordered me and I gave her a sloppy salute and proceeded to the washroom.

I won’t lie it had been sometime since I last had a shower, or a bath for that matter, probably about 3 months. The water was nice and warm but I didn’t want to take too long I just wanted to get out of this crazy world but I still wasn’t sure why… maybe it was just home sickness. I got out of the shower and grabbed a towel, drying myself off and walking back into the boutique… or was the boutique like her home and the washroom was like part of her house? I didn’t know really.

I looked to my old cloths and grabbed my jacket, for all I cared I hoped that Rarity did burn my pants. “Please don’t tell me your putting on your old cloths” Rarity barked from behind me and I jumped, “Jesus, holly shit… is that for me” I asked taking notice of a brand new set of cloths, it was a fine tailored shit and over coat along with some brown trousers. “Don’t tell me you don’t like it” she exclaimed and I shook my head, “no-one’s ever given me something like this before… I mean Ricardo’s given me new coffee mix for Christmas but nothing like this” I told her as I looked at the coat, “how long did it take you to make this?” I asked curiously. “Not long dear just put it on and see how it fits” she ordered and tossed me the cloths which landed on the floor in front of my feet.

I quickly put on the cloths and stretched my arms out to see how it fit, “pretty god damn nice” I said with a smile, “you really think so… I think I could have” she began but 2 ponies wearing medieval style armour barged into the room. “They must want a refund” I muttered and smiled. “Ms. Rarity please come with us… and you too Mr. Ron” they ordered. “Hey whatever it is… I didn’t do it” I joked but they kept a serious face on, “uhm friends of yours?” I asked Rarity and she shrugged “the princess must need something very important, let’s go” she told me and began walking out of the boutique.

I thought about all the things that could go wrong and figured to take my rifle along just in case. Grabbing my SKS and an old style desperado hat off a rack I left the boutique and looked for Rarity who was now sitting on a carriage attached to two Pegasus. “Please sir, if you would to get into the carriage so we could depart” one of the warriors ordered politely and I simply hoped on the carriage. “Hey I don’t remember giving you that hat” Rarity exclaimed, “guess that means I borrowed it” I chuckled and she jabbed me in the ribs with one of her hoofs “just ask me next time, I’ll be happy to make you one. I let out a small chuckled and leaned my head over the carriage as we departed and lifted off the ground. “Oh my god we’re flying” I told Rarity who rolled her eyes “that’s what Pegasus’ can do you know” she told me and sat back like royalty.

* * *

The ride was actually kind of over rated, you’d think flying in a carriage pulled by mystical horses would be awesome but it was kind of like taking a long car ride, your legs get sore and you end up twitting your fingers to pass the time. “The princess is awaiting you in the throne room” one of the guards informed us and Rarity did a bow and preceded towards the castle, I nodded with a smile and followed her. She nodded to 2 guards at the front doors and they let her pass but when I walked up they crossed their spears in front of me. “Please, relinquish all weapons or harmful objects you may be carrying” one of the guards ordered and I unsheathed both my knives and handed them to him. I nodded and he gave me a suspicious look “what about that object on your back?” he asked and I looked to my SKS “it’s my walking stick, don’t worry it’s harmless” I lied and he nodded and let me pass. “I thought that thing was dangerous” Rarity hissed, “it is but no one separates me from my rifle” I told her as I followed her around the castle.

Finally we came to a set of large throne room doors and I whistled. The doors opened and I saw the group of ponies from earlier plus 3 new ones, the was a light yellow Pegasus with wings, a dark blue pony and a white pony with both wings and a horn, but it was strange they stood at almost eye level with me. As we approached them Applejack turned to me and nodded “ah like the choice of cloths” she complemented, “yeah thanks. Rarity made them for me” I told her as I joined the group.

The 2 larger ponies approached the group and the other ponies bowed down, Rarity nudged me “bow down” she whispered and I gave her a curious look “why?” I asked quietly. She let out and irritated sigh “because, those are the princesses” she whispered and I looked to the 2 large ponies, “nice to meet you” I said as I extended my hand in formal greeting, the dark blue Pegasus/Unicorn pony accepted the greeting but the larger one scolded her “Sister that is not how we greet our guests”, the blue one withdrew her hoof and nodded in apology.

“Greetings Mr. Ron, I hear that you have been transported here by accident and wish to go home” she began and I nodded “yes mam” I replied and she nodded. “When you came here were you accompanied by another one of your species?” she asked curiously, “no mam, just me. I woke up in some crazy forest and had to fight my way out last night” I informed her and she nodded. “Well as much as we would love to give you your wish to go home we cannot until a certain catastrophe is stopped” she began. “Oh boy here we go” I sighed and Rarity gave me a jab to the side, the white princess nodded “it would seem that another human has been sent to Equestria except this one isn’t as kind and whole-hearted as you” she informed me “he has been murdering countless ponies and has nearly wiped out an entire city overnight”. “Ricardo” I gasped and she looked at me suspiciously “pardon me?” she asked, “it might be Ricardo” I told her, “I thought you said you came alone” she asked suspiciously and I nodded “well I woke up alone but before I got teleported or whatever, I was in my truck with my friend Ricardo” I informed her.

She looked at me even more suspiciously now “you’re friends with this… appalling human?” she asked and I nodded “we uh grew up together in Detroit and uh we have been together ever since” I informed her. “Luna if you would please escort Mr. Ron out of the room while I talk privately with the element bearers” she ordered the blue one, okay so she was Luna. Luna nodded and looked to me and nudged her head towards the throne room doors. I followed her out of the throne room and she closed the massive doors.

“Our sister is unsure if she can trust you” she informed me and I looked to her “so? Send me back to earth than” I joked and she gave me a serious look “could you stop your friend?” she asked and I let out a deep sigh. “I… he’s my friend… my only friend and… I don’t know maybe he’d be willing to listen to reason” I muttered, “so, yes?” she asked. I looked her in the eyes, like I was talking directly into her soul “I can only try” I told her and she nodded. “My sister may have you placed under arrest for being associated with your friend. But you may be the only hope for Equestria, do you know where he may be?” she asked and I thought to myself, “Ricardo doesn’t like to go far from hunting grounds so… if he was transported to the same forest I was then he’d most likely still be there” I told her and she nodded “the Ever-free” she muttered and I shrugged “yeah sure” I said figuring might as well agree with her she probably knew more about this place than I did.

“Follow me” she ordered and we started running through the palace towards the entrance. We burst through the front doors and one of the guards stood in my way, ‘shit’ I thought but he handed me my knives “don’t forget your knives sir” he said with a blunt voice and I smiled and grabbed my knives “thanks” I said and continued to run behind Luna.

We approached a carriage attached to 2 Pegasus “to the Ever-free and make haste” she ordered and the Pegasus nodded and I hoped in the carriage “hey uhm… thanks for everything” I said thanking her but she hoped in the carriage as well “sorry but I’m coming with you” she told me. “WHAT!” I exclaimed, “you can’t, I mean you’re a princess and this is dangerous and… you could die” I tried to convince her, “I’m coming with you or I’ll have you arrested right now” she countered, damn she had me cornered “Alright fine you can come with me” I sighed “Driver to the Ever-free place or whatever”