Take to the Skies

by DamnToasty

Chapter 9: First Impressions

You know that feeling you get when you just made yourself look like a complete and utter idiot. Yea, I have already had that. I actually discovered there are three phases to moments like these. Allow me to elaborate. The first phase includes a stupid comment or action that sets the process in motion. The second phase often contains an awkward silence or negative response of some kind, ranging from angered facial expressions to physical retaliation. The third phase or ‘climax’ usually includes the next words spoken by either the sending or receiving parties that decide the overall outcome of the event. Currently, I would say we are somewhere in-between phases one and two. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to deal with seven temporarily stunned mares who are all probably angered with me in some way. Oh joy…

All faces in the room looked at me with expressions ranging from shock to absolute horror. Twilight was wearing this look of pure disbelief, while RD’s was just saying ‘are you bucking serious.’ Pinkie Pie seemed to be holding in a fit of laughter at the blatant remark. Last but not least was Princess Celestia. This one… actually made me pretty sad. She seemed really upset about the comment. Oh god… the adorableness… brain… help me.

Dude, you’re on your own buddy.

Fucking traitor, oh no… must… make…happy! With that I went into full apologetic mode.

“Oh man, I’m sorry. I was just a little surprised. You’re… a bit different from the other ponies. I guess I was just caught off guard. In my opinion you’re actually quite…beautiful… yea. Y-your coat is really… clean, and your mane, the way it… flows, and the colors are really nice, I guess.” Twilight’s look remained the same while RD had joined Pinkie in holding in her obvious amusement. “I’m just going to shut up now.” I slowly looked up to Celestia to see her reaction when… Wait, is she blushing! Oh my god, I got the pony princess to blush. Wow, that is not something you hear everyday.

“Well, I was about to say that I was not that offended by the comment. Although I must thank you for your kind words, it has been quite a while since somepony has had the courage to speak to me in such a way.”

“Y-you’re welcome! Wow, well this has been in interesting introduction and all, but how about we start over. Hello, my name is Rodger Laurence. May I have the pleasure of knowing yours?” The princess puts on a warm smile and responds.

“Hello Mr. Laurence, my name is Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Celestia reaches out a hoof to my bedside. From my extensive knowledge of how to greet royalty from the several cheesy renaissance movies I have watched, I promptly took her hoof in my hand, and brought it to my mouth, then proceeding to plant a light kiss on the tip. After releasing the appendage I nod upward to see Celestia blushing once more. Damn, this girl is easily flustered. I almost feel bad for her. Being royalty must mean most guys probably never have the guts to show any form of affection.

“W-well, my you are quite the charmer.” Everyone in the room seems to have calmed down by now, although Twilight is still a bit frustrated for some reason.

Maybe it’s that fact you’re basically hitting on her teacher and ruler?

Hey, I am not hitting on her. I just felt bad for insulting her, so I tried to make her feel better.

Whatever you say…

Shut up sub-conscious.

“Well, Rodger. I do believe we have some things to discuss. Would everypony please leave us for a few minutes? I think this is a discussion best had in private,” Celestia asks.

“Of course, princess, come on everypony.” All the other mares began filing out of the room save for a certain Pinkie Pie who was being dragged out by Rainbow Dash.

“Aw, but I have questions too, like if he likes cupcakes, parties, donuts, cupcakes oh I said that already *giggles*.”

“I’m sure you can wait a couple of minutes Pinkie, and then he will answer all of your questions.”

“Yay-*SLAM*” Pinkie’s cheers were cut off by the hospital room’s door slamming shut.

“How is that pony even possible?”

“Trust me, even I have questioned the actions that mare has done, and I have been alive for thousands of years. Although that one, just stumps me,” Celestia says with an amused sigh.

Huh, I guess- wait… did she say thousands!? Once again damn! Just how old is this pony, she doesn't look a day over thirty.

"Uh, did you just say thousands?" Celestia maintains that warm smile and nods her head.

"Yes, for over two thousand years I have had the responsibility of both raising and setting the sun, and watching over the nation of Equestria along with all my little ponies," The mare states with a bit of pride in her voice.

"Wow, Twilight mentioned that someone had to raise the sun here, so that's you?"

"Yes, it is, and Twilight already gave me a brief overview of the little 'interrogation'. To be honest I am very surprised by some of the things she told me. A world completely devoid of magic is still a bit of a hard concept to fully grasp. I mean, how did your species survive?" Putting on my own grin and pointing to my head I respond.

"We may not have magic, but we have brains. Humans are probably to most innovative species you'll ever find. Every day it seems we're inventing new things to make life easier. That, and we're pretty damn stubborn." I give a light chuckle at the last sentence and Celestia joins in.

"Yes well, I think I can see now. Since your race did not have magic you turned to technology and innovation to make up for it. I guess that would explain the supposed flying metal bird Rainbow Dash told me you arrived here in. Once you are able I would much appreciate you giving me a little tour of this vehicle of yours."

"It would be my pleasure." The princess nods.

"Wonderful. Now, from what I have seen from you so far, I can tell you are a very nice erm... man, and that you would never try to hurt anypony without good reason. However, as a ruler of this nation I am obliged to have these questions answered.”

“Okay, I suppose.” Celestia has now taken on a stern look as she continues.

“My first question is, how were you able to take down a fully grown manticore by yourself, and what is the purpose of the L shaped device we found in your hand during your recovery? We have already deduced it is most likely some kind of weapon, I just want to know what it does.”

*sigh* I knew I was going to have to answer this sooner or later. I just narrowly escaped the topic with Twilight, no escaping it now.

“Well, you are correct in the assumption that it's a weapon. The name of the device is the M9 Berretta pistol, or more generally… a gun. The function of this device is that it shoots large pieces of metal several times the speed of sound out of the gun's the barrel. How this works is that a small round called a ‘bullet’ is ‘chambered’ in the barrel of the gun. When the trigger is pulled the hammer flings down setting off the blasting cap while igniting the flammable contents inside the bullet. This creates a miniature explosion, propelling the piece of metal off the round, and towards the target.” The princess looked revolted, understandable coming from a ruler of a supposed utopic country.

“Oh dear, t-that’s terrible, why would such a horrible thing exist!?”

“I’m not gonna sugar coat it, Princess, this thing is built to kill, but it is also meant to protect. In my world, I am a soldier. My job is to guard those I hold dear, and secure the safety of my nation. Sometimes, that means needing to take the life of another.” Celestia was about to retort before being stopped by me. “My world is not like yours, Celestia. There are evil men on my planet who do terrible things with the solitary goal of murdering innocent lives. I am not saying that it is pretty, but those men are better off gone from the world, gone, so they can no longer harm the innocent. That manticore, in the forest, he was going to kill those fillies, and he almost succeeded. If I hadn’t intervened…I don’t want to know what would have happened. What I am saying is that taking a life is never a good thing, but sometimes it’s the only choice you got, and you better be ready to take it.” Celestia looked dumbfounded. She wanted to disagree, to tell him he was wrong, but deep down however hard it was, she knew he was right. Killing was not unheard of in pony kind. There are some reports of royal guards having to use lethal force in some of the more serious situations. Although they were still very rare, and those poor stallions never walked out the same, but he was still correct. Sometimes the only way to preserve peace and harmony is to do the unthinkable.

“I-I understand. Even though it is difficult to accept this, I know you are right. Although be forewarned, if I hear any word of harm coming to my little ponies because of-” I stopped her there.

“Celestia, you have my word. My job is to protect the innocent. I’m not about to leave that behind.” A small smile makes its way onto the mare’s lips, soon after I share the expression of happiness and understanding.

“I know Rodger, I know. Well, I believe it is time I made my leave. I wish I could stay longer but nightfall is approaching soon and I must return to Canterlot. It has been a pleasure, Mr. Laurence.” Celestia reaches out her hoof once more. Repeating the earlier action I still detect a slight red hue appear on the princess’s cheeks.

“The pleasure was all mine, Celestia. I guess I will see you another time then?” Celestia stands fully erect before speaking.

“Yes, I will see when I find some time free in my schedule. I will advise Twilight when to notify you. Oh, speaking of her, I am going to ask her to let you continue your stay in her Library, with some more… comfortable living conditions.”

“I thank you for the offer, princess, but I think that Is Twilight’s decision. I really don’t want to be any burden. I can just camp out at the jet.” After seeing Celestia’s look of confusion I elaborate. “The flying metal bird…”

“Oh, so that’s what it’s called, interesting… Also, it wasn’t my idea to begin with. Twilight has already offered her home to be your temporary residence until more formal arrangements can be made.”

“Well, I will be sure to thank her when she comes back in.” Celestia smiles once more before turning and heading for the door. Right as she reaches the end of the room she stops herself ans turns her head towards me.

“One last thing, be expecting a visit from my sister Luna one of these nights. She has been very curious of you as well.” Giving her a nod Celestia exits the room, closing the door behind her.

“*sigh* Sister huh, well since Celestia raises the sun I’m guessing Luna is in charge of the night or something? Interesting…” I lay back in my bed giving another contempt sigh. My relaxed state however is interrupted by an odd sensation that I start to feel in my head. Brain… do you feel that?

Yeah, something is definitely not right.

Any suggestions, this is starting to really freak me out.

Wait a minute, let me talk to gut instinct… gut instinct are you ther-

GET THE FUCK OUT! RUN FOR YOUR LIV-

Gut instincts… gut instinct! This is not good, gut instinct is not responding. Wait, what is that, oh…my…god.

Man, what the fuck is going on. The door at the other end of the room has begun to ominously open.

I am picking up huge readings of hyper-active energy. It’s off the charts!

What does this mean what is it! Before my sub-conscious could respond the door swung open revealing the source of the anomaly.

“YAY, MY TURN!”