Between Two Worlds

“You need my help? Care to explain?”

Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. Ethan could clearly see the bags which were under it.

“The others kingdoms know about your existence. They want to meet you, especially the griffons. Actually, I am not in good terms with them and if I refuse their request….they could use it as a pretext to declare us war.”

Her voice sounded neutral. Looking into her light violet eyes, he saw she told the truth. The young man exhaled loudly. Policy and politicians. He always hated it, even on Earth. Those people who were paid to do nothing and give their opinion on things they knew nothing about. They disgusted him. But in this case, it was completely different. Thousands of lives depended on him. After all, the young Gray was the “ambassador” of the humans in Equestria. He had to stay polite and respectful even if the hosts were not.

He raised his chest, using his elbows and arms and thought for a moment. “Okay, I’m in. When we’ll meet them?”

A small smile grew on her face.

“In two weeks. The party will be at the castle, in the Grand Hall.”

“Perfect.” replied the human, trying to get up.

With some difficulties, Ethan pushed back the sheets. His legs were shaking when his feet touched the ground. A large part of his body was still sore and weak from the crisis, even one week after. The more time passed, the more his recovering was becoming difficult. He tried to breath slowly, to calm his nerves. It took him some time but he succeeded in his task.

Celestia didn’t move. She knew that if he needed help, he wouldn't hesitate to tell her. Finally, after a few moments, he was again on his two legs, walking a little strangely. She wished to nopony to be in the same situation than him. One moment after, his body became a blur and the black exoskeleton disappeared, leaving him without any protection. Ethan’s face and body were carved by the lack of physical food and water. He looked pale and the color of his eyes, icy blue, was a little stained. Drops of sweat fell down his forehead.

“So, what happened during my little coma?”

“Nothing really interesting. Lulu was a little panicked when she saw you were still asleep after two days.  She stayed by your side each time she wasn’t on duty. And Applejack doesn’t want to leave but she had, because of her work.”

The man raised an eyebrow “Oh?” The surprise was painted on his face. He never knew the young sister was so caring toward him. An idea popped in his mind: maybe because he confessed her his deepest secret. But, on the other side, Ethan was not surprised by Applejack’s attitude. She loved him; it was natural that she wanted to help him. The Sun Goddess voice interrupted his train of thoughts.

“Would you like to stay with us for breakfast? You look like you need to have something solid in your stomach.”

She was right. One week without anything to eat left him weak and he hated that. He shrugged and lightly smiled.

“Why not? It’s been a moment since I had my last warm breakfast.”

“How so?”

“Well….since I’m here, I only ate my personal stock of Meal, Ready-to-Eat, or simply MRE. The only thing hot I had was my coffee but it didn’t last long.”

The young man with grey hair left aside the fact that he was short of food. He didn’t want to abuse of Celestia’s hospitality. He knew one day his attitude will be his fall but he didn’t care. Without a word, the Alicorn opened the door with her magic and walked out. Quickly, Ethan followed.

“Where are we, exactly?”

She cleared her throat.

“We are in the left wing of the castle, the hospital. All our guards who are injured during their training or patrols are treated here.”

“I see….How old is the castle?”

“Almost two thousand five hundred years. Father ordered its construction at the beginning of his reign, using some powerful spells to prevent the corrosion of the walls by water and the foundations' weakening because of the time’s effects.”

Ethan made a little movement with his head, nodding in approval.

“Very interesting. I’d like to know. Where are you parents now? Are they….” He never had the courage to finish his sentence. He knew it was something that does not concern him. His curiosity got the best of him; the words left his mouth automatically, speaking out loud his thoughts.

Celestia stopped walking and turned her head to him, looking at the human in the eyes, like if she looked directly at his soul. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. He immediately regretted asking this.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…—“

She cut him in his apologies.

“We don’t know where Mother and Father are. We don’t even know if they’re dead or alive. One day, they were with us and the next day, Lulu and I were alone. I was twenty-one and her seventeen at the moment. We were young but Father taught me how to lead my country with love and equality. A few centuries later, I was obliged to banish Luna on the moon. You know what happens after.”

“Yeah. I filled my database with Twilight’s books and read your history. I also know about the Elements and Discord.”       Without a word, they continued their walk. Quickly, they left the hospital. The human and the Alicorn were welcomed by a warmer environment, contrary to the white and cold colors of the infirmary. It took them two minutes to reach their destination. When the winged unicorn opened the large door, a table filled with different kind of food, stood before her. As usual, the dark blue mare sat on her chair, at the right side of the table. She looked at the two and smiled.

"Tia! I wondered where thou were. It's unusual from thou to skip breakfast." said Luna, happily.

"I know little sis' but I wanted to see how our guest's healing progressed. He woke up and I proposed him to eat with us." replied Celestia, walking to her chair, at the left side of the table.

Luna swallowed her mouth's content and nodded. Ethan sat on the third chair, between the two sisters. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Miss Luna, your sister told about your comportment toward me during my time in the hospital and I'd like to thank you for that, even if there was no necessary to stay by my side."

The Princess Of The Night lowered her gaze to her plate and blushed.

"It's nothing. Thou opened thy heart to me, even if thou were not obliged. It was the least I can do."

He stayed silent but nodded. After a few seconds, the two sisters began to talk between them, as if the human was not here. Honestly, he didn't care. All Ethan wanted to do was eat. Pancakes, eggs, fish. Needless to say, it's been a long time since his stomach was that full, not counting the meal with Applejack and her family. The trio continued to talk and after twenty minutes, Celestia had to leave.

She was about to close the door when she stopped her movement and turned her head to him.

“Ethan, during your sleep, I decided to give you a hoof for the repair of your car. There’s no more oil and coolant leak and your left front wheel is no longer distorted. I hope you’re not mad. After all, it’s my fault if your Skyline is in this state. Take this as a proper apology for my recent actions.”

He blinked a few time, rather surprised that angry, even not angry at all. His jaw was slightly open.

“Well…thanks Princess, it helps me a lot. I’ll fix what remain by myself.”

Then, the Sun Goddess nodded and left the dining hall, leaving Luna and the young man alone. They continued to eat in silence. Five minutes after, the mare cleared her throat.

“Dear Ethan, did thou not noticed something about me?”

He raised an eyebrow and looked all over her body. “I’m afraid n….your mane; you have put it in a ponytail.”

She seems to be pleased by the answer. The human could clearly see it in her face.

She smiled. “Yes, I wanted some change and Tia suggested it. You like?”

“Yep, it suits you very well.”

Hearing the compliment, Luna blushed.

“Thank thou.”

In response, Ethan winked.

“I’d like to stay longer but I have to go.” He said, getting up from his chair before bowing and walked to the door.

When he put his hand on the handle, he felt something on his right shoulder and moved his head. His icy blue eyes met the teal color of hers. The young man saw happiness…lust and love? Those emotions were directed to him? He didn’t know. When he saw the proximity of each other’s face, his cheeks became red as a tomato. The Night Goddess quickly closed the gap between them. She was kissing him! Too shocked by the gesture, he let her continue.

Ten seconds after, she broke it. The confusion was written all over his face. Applejack already loved him but…her too? Did Celestia know? If she doesn’t, he’s so fucked up!

“I’m sorry if I acted without much warning but I couldn’t hold it anymore. We barely know each other, I’m aware of that. But after what Tia said about thou, then when I saw thou for the first time at your party and what thou told me a week ago, I fell in love. I’ll understand if thou do not reciprocate my feelings. After all, we’re two different species.”

A heavy sigh escaped from his lips. “I'd like it to be that simple. You have to understand: I’m a dead man. I can’t love somepony for the next four months and die after, leaving her alone and sad. And I can’t betray Applejack, she asked me first. It wouldn’t be fair if I date you after refusing her advances.” Ethan shook his head, sadly.

"Thou...love her?"

"What? N-no, I mean...I...*sigh* I don't know. Personally, I don't care about being in an interspecies relationship. But unfortunately, there’s no solution for my current situation. So, farewell, Miss Luna.”

Then, the human stepped out of the room, walking toward the entrance of the castle, leaving the Princess alone and dumbfounded. Slowly, a smirk appeared on her muzzle. If she or Applejack alone couldn’t win his heart, so, they had to work together. Luckily and contrary to the Earth, Equestria authorized the creation of herds because of the lack of stallions. All Luna needed to do is convince the Element of Honesty to join her, which shouldn’t be very complicated with some good arguments. Her horn glowed blue and the second after, she was not in the building anymore.

Some guards saluted him when he met them on his way. He returned the gesture, slightly surprised. If Celestia wanted him to felt welcomed in the castle, she did a very good job. Ethan even met those who attacked him and apologized. They accepted it without a second thought.

It wasn't very long until he was outside. The sun was high in the light blue sky, almost at its peak, and there was not a single cloud. A cool breeze passed through the streets and stroked his cheeks. The moment after, his exoskeleton reappeared.

[All systems are online and functional]

The jetpack integrated in his armor took life and he began to levitate a few inches above the ground. Ignoring those who had stopped what they were doing to observe him, Ethan suddenly accelerated and disappeared into the sky. A few seconds after, the sound of an explosion echoed around Canterlot. A white circle appeared on the sky, followed by a blank line that moved away from the city.

This was the proof that someone had broken the sound barrier.

*POP*

The Night Princess teleported herself at the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres. She walked to the front door and knocked three times with her left front hoof. The door opened, revealing the Earth pony with blonde mane.

"Howdy Princess."

"Good morning Applejack. I hope I don't disturb you?”

The farm pony shook her head.

"Nope, we were about to eat but it can wait. So, why are ya' here?"

"Ethan, he's awake."

Her emerald eyes lit up when she hear this.

"How is he?"

"Don't worry, he's fine. But I'm not here for that. I need your help. Can we talk somewhere more…private?"

"Of course.” She closed the door. “Ya need mah help? Why?"

"I know what you feel for Ethan, it’s the same for me.”

Applejack blinked a few times.

"Ya love him?" she asked, shocked.

Luna nodded.

"I'm afraid so. The poor stallion, without knowing it, had hit right in my heart. At the beginning, I only felt curiosity for him but with time...I fell in love. This is why I wanted to talk with thou."

"Ah see but he refused mah advances."

"I know, he told me and was rather sad about it. I hope we have more chances if we work together than alone. Thou understand my logic?"

Her eyes widened when she began to understand. “Ya want to create a herd with me?” whispered the orange-coated pony, bewildered.

“Yes.”

She sighed, loudly.

“Ah don’t know. Ah mean, ah love him, sure but….—“

“Thou are not sure about sharing him?” Luna laughed. “I understand but do not worry, I’ll treat him well. So, we have a deal?”

Without any hesitation, Applejack shook Luna’s hoof, sealing the agreement between them.