Chapter 24: A tiny feud and future blues

"Have a safe time, my love." Luna said, kissing my cheek lovingly. I now had a minute to get home, and I was a total wreck from last night, and not to mention what ended only moments ago. Still, I don't think anyone would mind since we were going to be outside all day. I'll probably just drown myself in Axe and call it that.

"I'll be safe. Don't worry, hun. You enjoy your day, okay?" Luna nodded and waved as I stepped through the shimmering mirror, appearing in my living room. Both my parents were standing by the door, waiting for my slow ass. They noticed my appearance and gave their disapproving stares.

"Really? You couldn't shower and get decent?" My mother asked, bringing her shades down to size up my scruffy appearance.

I chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah, well... This was kinda sprung on me last minute." I could have continued to try and play innocent, but my parents saw through it easy enough. I don't know what their glitch was. I was married, and it was expected that I'd be having sex.

Maybe they're a wee bit upset that I'm beginning to branch out.

"Right, we'll go with that." My father said, rolling his eyes as he placed his sunglasses on. "Your clothes are still in your room, so wear something cool. It's going to be hot out today. We'll be waiting in the car."

I nodded, not bothering to say anything else as I made for my bedroom. It was funny to think that this was the first time I'd be in my room since I left. It was also funny to think that everyone I knew probably thought I was dead. I don't know why that's funny to me, but I guess it's funny in a weird sense; like when people fake their deaths in action movies to live a better life. I guess that's what happened to me. I died in this world to be happier in another.

I put my thoughts on hold for later as I dug through my draw, pulling out my old swim trunk bottoms and a tank top. The swim trunks still fit, but since my form has gotten more muscular and bulky since I left home, My tank top barely fit, showing nothing but taught muscles and a six pack I was more than proud of.

I left my room and quickly ran for the car. Once I was in, my folks left the house in a hurry as to not be late. I still didn't get why they were so concerned about being late to the camp ground. It's a campground! What, are you concerned that you won't have more time to get drunk?

It didn't bother me none; the less time I spent in this metal death trap the better. Going from Equestria back to Earth was a radical change. I loved the chariot rides everywhere, the quiet of the streets, where all you could hear was the clopping of hooves on cobblestone. Here it was the groan of an engine, the stink of gas, and the clutter of everyday human life. I really, absolutely despised it.

After about forty minutes of driving and me ignoring everything to listen to my ipod (some things never change), we arrived, and just in time. My father parked the car and went into the main building to pay for our entry, which was outrageously priced. I almost went in there to address my authority, but my royalty holds no ground here.

After my father paid the outlandish fee, we drove into the campground. Luckily, my uncles trailer was the second one in, which meant I'd be out of the car that much faster.

My father parked the car one last time and I was finally able to leave my prison. I gave a satisfied sigh and stretched my arms and legs before making for the relatives. I didn't expect to see Cory and Samantha there, talking away with his parents. They usually never come up here.

"Hey, there he is!" Cory smiled, waving me over. "And Jesus Christ, what kind of work out routine are you on?!" He commented with a clear hint of shock in his voice. I was always a tiny guy, and I guess for them to see me bulked up to the size I was now was a bit of a shock. Samantha, Lori and Ken also gave me flabbergasted looks.

"Just eating healthier and doing a bit of lifting." I confirmed. Yeah, lifting Luna to bed every morning after our night shift. It was my favorite workout of all.

"I bet." Samantha chuckled, giving a knowing wink. "So, we uh... heard about what happened last night, with the two other mares." Oh, here we go. Was this going to be like intervention or some shit? Out of all the people who were going to do this, it was Samantha and Cory who I figured wouldn't.

"Yeah, what about it?" I asked, taking a seat and pulling a Mikes Hard Lemonade out of the cooler. I decided I'd tell them more about Pony society, though Cory already knew, the rest did not. "If your wondering why I did it, it's perfectly fine. In pony society, there is a distinct shortage of Stallions, which means there's a thing called herding. It's where a stallion takes-"

"We know what herding is." My father cut in, a hint of disgust in his voice. "What I wanted to know is how you're comfortable with it, not just having more than one girl, er... Mare," He said that with a hint of disgust, which I wasn't taking too kindly to. "but with them being ponies?"

And there it was. Luna's intuition was right on the money, and now I knew who wasn't okay with my marriage. It was my own goddamn father. I turned to my mother, whose facial expression matched my fathers, indicating she was on his side. Cory, Sam, Ken and Lori were understandable staying neutral in all this for the time being.

I just began to snicker quietly for a moment, which turned into a bit of a laugh. My parents did not see what was so funny. "Are you kidding me? After all the time that's passed, you think of now to bring this up?" I asked with a hint of astonishment in my voice.

"It's wrong!" My mother put in, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Your married to a farm animal!"

"Okay, let's calm down!" Cory cut in, noticing my pent up rage bubbling over. "You only just got here and you're already started with the third degree! We agreed to all talk about this, understand what culture Nathan is now a part of and get better adjusted with it ourselves."

Thank you, Cory! The voice of reason in the chaos!

"You're okay with him screwing an animal?" My father asked. "You knew about it long before we did, and when we finally hear from our son, we find out he's getting married and going to be a father! We had no say in it at all!"

"And what makes you think I'd care what you think?" I asked as calmly as possible. "I'm a full fledged adult, and as such, I can make my own decisions. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't call my wife an 'animal'!"

My father shook his head, chuckling to himself. "Well, that's what I see, and that's what the lord will see! It's an abomination to marriage everywhere!"

I just blinked in response. Where the fuck was the god bullshit coming into this?! "Oh, don't start with 'the lord' and 'Jesus' talk! When was the last time you even went to church?!"

"We started going after you disappeared to pray for our son's life!" My mother shouted, her eyes beginning to run with tears. "You've been nothing but one heartbreak after another! And now you pull this?! How could you do this to us?!"

"I'll ask you the same thing later..." I grunted. I grabbed my beer and stood from the table, making my way down the road to the beach. It was about a three minute walk, and I'd be glad to be away from that bullshit!

I could hear the thumping of two sets of feet run up behind me. I ignored it until I could see Cory and Sam out of the corner of my eyes. "So, are you going to agree with them? My lifestyle choices are 'sick' and 'wrong'?" I asked venomously.

"No. You know Sam and I don't give a damn, just as long as your happy." Cory stated, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Your parents called me this morning and asked if Sam and I could help talk to you. They wouldn't say what for, and I assume it's this cluster fuck. First it was you being a woman, now it's you herding. You're doing a lot that isn't considered normal around here."

Cory was right. My behavior here was downright 180 in Equestria as opposed to here. I have been living with the Equines for half a year now, and I guess I picked up the culture quicker than I thought. I guess I forgot what life was like here. My life had changed drastically being in Equestria. Was it for the better?

"How do your parents feel about all this?" I asked Cory. He smiled in response as we entered the beach area, taking a seat in the sand.

"What do you think? They view it the same way we do. As long as you're happy, we're happy for you. Personally, I think it's pretty damn cool that you're a Prince, you've survived two assassination attempts, and are going to be a father to a humam/pony hybrid." Cory smiled at me, the smile I have come to know as the Coy.

I couldn't help but smile as well. "Yeah, that is pretty nifty..." My smile began to fade after that. "But, my own parents aren't happy for me, and it feels... weird, you know?"

Sam pulled me in for a hug. "Don't worry about them. Let's be honest, we all know your mom is a bit of a loony, and I thought your father would be alright with your marriage. I mean, you're in love with Luna, and love is really all that matters between two people, ponies, or people and ponies." Sam pulled away with a smug smile on her lips. "And you know that I'm right."

"Sam, you're always right. Now, why don't we head back to the campsite. I got a few things to say to mom and dad." I sneered as I turned 180 degrees back towards the campsite. Cory and Sam followed me hastily back.

My parents were watching my return with glaring eyes. "So, are you going to 'talk' now instead of storming off?" My mother asked, the tone in her voice unchanging from before.

"I don't know. Are you going to talk and take the tone out of your voice?" I shot back.

"Hey! Don't talk to your mother like that!" My father said, raising his voice, his nostrils flaring.

I rolled my eyes and took my seat from before. "Oh, so you can talk to me that way. Alright, well, let's get back to what you were saying before, about my life, my choices, and my happiness." I cleared my throat and leaned over the table, pressing my fists against it hard. "Firstly, Luna is the love of my life, pony or not. I've never had luck with women before, and I found my love in a different form. And, I'd like to remind you both that she's carrying your first grandchild, so try to treat her with respect. Second, I may have been doing some stranger things; changing my sex, forming a herd and whatnot, but, remember, Equestria is my home now and I'm living in their society. So, try to have some cultural acceptance for once in your lives. Finally, you two can sputter all day long about how mine and Luna's love is an affront to your lord. I won't listen, nor will I care. I am not religious, I do not believe in God, and my life choices will not affect me when I die. So don't bother with it. Now, I think Cory, Sam and I are going to head back home. You four enjoy the campsite anyway you see fit." I turned to my aunt and uncle and smiled. "You two may not have said anything, but.... thank you. You know, for not disapproving."

My aunt smiled and stood to hug me. "You know us... we love you, no matter what. And, we love Luna, too. Go and be happy, kiddo. Kenny and I will be rooting for you here." My Uncle hugged me next.

"Take it easy, and tell Luna we say hi and send our regards." He said, sitting back down. I nodded as Cory, Sam and I made for his car, quickly getting in and heading home.

Cory, Sam and I decided that, with the rest of the day to ourselves, we'd end up just playing video games together back at his house for a few hours, trying to forget what just happened with some good old fashioned ass kicking.

However, my mind was clearly not on gaming. I was still thinking about my parents sudden decision to attack me on my life. I threw my controller on Cory's living room floor, making him and Sam look over curiously.

"You okay, Nathan?" Sam asked, a hint of a frown working its way to her lips. I sighed and leaned forward in the chair I was sitting on, ringing my hands through my hair. I felt distraught; distraught that my own parent didn't care for my happiness, that their views on marriage and religion made it so that they never could be happy for me...

"No, I'm not." I said after a pregnant pause, turning back to Cory and Sam. "My parents think the way I live is sick, and they don't care about my happiness. Even now, I bet they're talking shit about me behind my back..." I closed my eyes, thinking about what they could be doing, and found out I could do something peculiar.

The images that flashed through my mind weren't thoughts or memories, but... something that I hadn't seen before... People and ponies were crying, dressed in black as the sky behind them was cast an ominous gray. Some began to approach me, but made no signs that they could see me.

My parents stepped forward first, my mother in fits and my father letting loose silent tears as he reached forward, his hand resting on my shoulder as he stared me dead in the eyes.

"I was proud of you... Just know that..." And with that, him and my mother walked away, disappearing in a fog that wasn't there. What the hell was going on here?! Where the hell was I!?

The next to step forward was Celestia, her eyes completely red as she followed the same routine. Her voice sounded broken as she talked. "Just... please, forgive me for this... I never meant for this to happen..." Then, she too walked through the fog, only to disappear as well.

My heart began to pound in my chest. This wasn't a memory, this was something that was going to happen! How the hell could I be seeing this?!

Finally Luna stepped forward, her appearance much the same as her sisters. She had no belly bulge, which meant that she had already given birth.

"I wish you were here... I wish that thou-" She stopped mid-sentence, biting her lower lip as she tried to fight the flood of tears coming forth. "I love thee, my one true love..." She suddenly leaned forward and I longingly braced for the kiss, but nothing came. I looked forward to see Luna's head through me, and that's when I turned around, and finally saw-

"NATHAN?! SNAP OUT OF IT!"

My eyes shot open at the yell. I was laying fully clothed in their bathtub, which was full to the brim with cold water. Cory and Sam were standing over me, with Luna cradling my head in her hooves. I could feel my headache, which felt like someone bashed my skull in with a rock.

"W-What just happened..?" I asked tiredly, trying to stand from the tub. Luna pushed my body back down, shaking her head quickly.

"I dost not know, but your body still has a massive fever. You need to keep cold. You are lucky Samantha and Cory knew what to do, otherwise thou would be dead, and no force upon heaven and hell would protect this world from my wrath." She said with a tender smile. Only Luna could make apocalyptic threats and still act like she just saved a kitten from a tree.

I smiled at my wife and nodded, sinking back into the tub as Samantha ran out quickly and came back with more ice, dumping it into the tub. Oddly enough, I didn't feel the cold at all.

"How bad is my fever?" I asked curiously. Sam bit her lip and Cory shook his head. Luna answered yet again for the two.

"The last we checked, it was one hundred and six degrees. Now, why don't you tell us exactly what happened." She said, rubbing my head soothingly.

I swallowed hard and nodded. "W-Well, I was just... I closed my eyes, thinking about my family, when suddenly I... I don't know what I saw." I did know, but I didn't want to say it... I didn't want the others to know... "It was something that hasn't happened yet, that's all I know

Luna looked to Cory and Sam, then back to me. "So, thou had a vision? But... such abilities have not been around for centuries... And I take it that no human truly has the gift of foresight. Is this correct?" Cory, Sam and I shook our heads, making Luna gulp. "Well... That is a matter for another time, I suppose."

"How long was I out?" I asked slowly, trying to change the subject.

Cory shook his head. "Five hours, man. And you were yelling the entire time. You scared the shit out of us." He had tears brimming his eyes, but quickly wiped them away. I sat up from the tub, no one arguing the point now. A stream of mist began to float around my body, obviously the cold was reacting to the heat, but it still worried me just how cold the water had to be for me...

"Cory?" Luna said turning her head. "Why don't you get the thermometer, see if his temperature has dropped at all." Cory nodded and left the room for a moment, before coming back with the thermometer. Luna took it in her magic and, as it approached, I could only clutch my temples in agony.

Cory ran forward. "What the Hell's happening to him! Nathan?! Hey! Snap out of it!" He yelled, hoping that I'd hear him. I did, but my mind was too busy tearing itself apart to focus on anything but pain.

Luna dropped the thermometer from her magic and, just like how the pain had appeared, it simply vanished. I breathed heavily as I sunk back into the tub, clutching my chest as my breath came out in ragged, rasping gulps.

Luna's eyes became heavy as she turned to Cory and Sam. "I... think that it is magic that is doing this to him..." She said, her sadness easily readable in her voice. "I-I've never seen anything like it..."

Cory frowned as well. "What does that mean? He can't be around any Unicorns when they use magic?" He asked. Luna nodded and caressed my cheek.

"Indeed. Something is... happening to him. I dost not know what, but I am sure Tia or her student know more about it. I think we should get him back to Canterlot. Immediately." She added, her voice full of authority.

"I'll get my keys." Sam said, running into the kitchen as Cory shakily helped me out of the tub.

"Come on, big man. Let's get you into something that's not soaking wet." He chuckled, guiding me to his room with Luna cautiously in tow.

Once I was changed and dried, we all piled into Sam's truck, making the short journey back to my place. Once there all four of us entered the mirror, which caused me to go into another fit of massive pain.

Surprisingly, Celestia was waiting for us on the other side of the mirror, dressed in what could only be described as the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. She looked like she had something to say, but whatever it was disappeared in her throat as she saw the pain I was in.

"Nathan? Are you alright?" She asked quickly, rushing to my side. I shook my head, still clutching it tightly in my hands. Luna turned to Celestia and frowned.

"Anything magical is causing him excruciating pain, sister. And, he said he had a... precognition of sorts." She stated, helping me to my feet. Celestia looked equally worried at this.

"You saw the future?" Celestia asked uncertainly. "What... did you see, exactly?" The way Celestia was looking at me was almost identical to the way she had looked at me at the... in the premonition. The sadness in her eyes, though not as sever, was still there.

I looked away and shrugged. "I-I don't remember..." I lied to her and everyone else. Celestia gave me a hard stare before nodding.

"Okay. Why don't we find Twilight. I'm sure she'll find something on this." Celestia turned to Cory and Sam. "I take it you two wish to stay and help?" They both nodded, which made the Princess smile. "Alright. Why don't you all go to the archives. I need to speak with Nathan alone."

Everyone hesitated, but complied all the same. I gave Luna a reassuring kiss for comfort, and nodded to Cory and Sam as they left. Now, it was just Celestia and I in Luna's room together. She wore her hard stare, while I just stood there. And, there was something I needed to ask her.

"So, what's the dress for?" I asked. Celestia let her glare turn into a frown as she looked down at herself, but quickly began to giggle dryly at the situation.

"Well, I was going to ask you to attend the Opera with me tonight, but with this sudden new development, I feel we should cancel." I nodded in agreement, rubbing the back of my head. There was a pregnant pause between us before Celestia finally spoke.

"I know what you saw..."

I just stared at her, shocked beyond words. She noticed my expression and looked away, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. "It's... nothing that can be stopped, and it grieves me to know you had to see it, too..." She sighed, taking a seat on Luna's bed.

"How did you know?" I asked, joining her. "Did you see the same thing?" Celestia nodded and placed her head in my lap, which was a very comforting gesture. We both needed some comfort, considering the two of us witnessed... yeah...

"How does it happen?"

Celestia blinked at me and shook her head. "I don't know... All I know is, I saw no way around it..." She croaked, nestling closer to me. "I don't know when it happens either. Other than... soon."

I took in the information. It was going to happen, and it was going to happen anytime. Would it be Gryphons? What ailed me now? I didn't know, but... why wasn't I afraid? Usually if someone saw their own funeral, they'd be quaking, trying to fight it. But I was just sitting there, accepting the truth that had been laid before me.

I was going to die... and I was going to die soon.

"Why am I not afraid?" I asked, looking down at Celestia. She got a grimace on her face, as if that was a question she did not want to answer.

"Because, everypony knows that death is everywhere, hanging in the air, but they are all afraid of it. Except you." She sat up, looking me dead in the eyes. "I have seen its shadow behind you constantly, never leaving, always waiting. Death has always been near, and I feel you've known this, too."

I nodded slowly, flicking my eyes over my shoulder just for a second. "I... always felt something, but never said anything... It's... weird, like it's supposed to happen."

Celestia sighed again, wrapping one of her large wings around my back, pulling me into her embrace. "That's because it is... It happens for a reason, a reason I don't know. You make a choice, and that choice saves somepony else. You sacrifice yourself to save another. Tell me, have you ever heard of... fixed points?"

I nodded quickly. All my years of watching Doctor Who was finally going to pay off. "Yeah. They're points in time that can't be altered, otherwise it will destroy the fabric of reality. Right?"

Celestia smiled and nodded. "Yes... The event you saw must happen. Otherwise..." She trailed off, letting me know just how serious this was. I nodded, understanding what had to be done. "And I'm so sorry I have to do this..."

I turned to Celestia as she pressed her horn to my forhead, causing my mind to go white. It was a risky move for Celestia to use magic on someone who is having adverse affects to it, but this had to be done. He couldn't know about his death. No pony should...

I let out a pained scream, which I could barely hear over the buzzing in my head. Then, everything cut to black before slowly bluring into... mine and Luna's room... with Celestia resting her head on mine

"C-Celestia? How did I get here?" I asked confused. Celestia smiled at me and nuzzled my cheek.

"Do you remember what happened today?" She asked. I shrugged hopelessly as I stood, rubbing the soreness in my head.

"Well, I remember going to my aunt and uncles campground... Then we went back to Cory's, and... something about magic hurting me? I...I don't know..."

Celestia breathed a sigh of relief for some reason, wrapping both her wings around me, both for comfort and what felt like protection. "Well, I believe I solved why magic pains you. You are getting too much of it, and your body has no way to expel it properly." She said. Sending Luna, Cory and Sam out was just an excuse to get me alone. To wipe what I had seen from my mind.

"Well, what do you suppose we do then? I can't be walking around Equestria when half the ponies here use magic." I said, none the wiser to what Celestia had taken from my mind.

The Princess tapped her chin in thought. "That's a good question. Come, let's go see what the others are up to. Maybe they've found something already."

I smiled and nodded. "Alright, let's go. Oh, and Celestia?"

"Hmm?" She asked, looking back at me with her pink eyes. I hesitated for a split second, then quickly leaned in, pecking her on the lips. Her eyes widened as we pulled away, her blush clearly visible through her white fur.

"Thanks... for everything, I mean..." I said, blushing as well before leaving the room.

Celestia stayed behind for a moment, trying to banish the tears that were about to well up. "I... I am going to miss you..." She whispered, trudging out after me.

And I was none the wiser to what lay ahead...

Author's Note

Foreshadowing and moving the plot along, eh? Well, now that I have a new compypoo, I can get these done lickity split! :D So, Nathan's on deaths door, seeing images of the future. That will be explained next chapter, though I'm not sure how yet. Bare with me, I have an idea!
I'm like the Doctor. I take my plans one step at a time. I had a plan for this, but I have no idea what the plan is for next chapter. I'll bs it, which is what I do for most of this anyways. So, until I see you next Allons-y!
(P.S: You probably have noticed the sparadic updates. Well, that'll happen for just a bit longer. I'll see you all soon. <3