Chapter 1: First Day of Summer
June 7, 1024,
“You all packed up?” Asked a white pegasus mare with a neck length pink mane that fell straight down the right side.
“Eeyep.” Answered a rather unique creature. He resembled a white tiger, except he had a short cut, black, pony-like mane and tail, hooves where his back paws should be, and a pair of large, feathery wings, “Let's go.”
The two put on their saddlebags and leaped out the window of their dorm. The two glided a few feet off the ground for a bit through the campus of Canterlot University. It was finally summer break, and they were excited. After a few days at home, they, and a few friends, were going on an epic road trip full of drinking, drugs, and debauchery. The three staples of any college student.
“So, Raz, wha'cha gonna do when you get home?” Asked the pegasus.
“Probably go hunting with dad. Make some jerky for me and Blaze.” He replied, “What about you?”
“Mom said she was going to show me the secret behind her 'Pinkie Powers' today.” She replied.
“Whoa! Really?” Razor replied, “What Twilight would give to be you right now.”
“Ha, yeah.” Surprise replied, “I can see it now. The princess of the night, in all her glory, grinning and bouncing like a school filly, a tear running down her face.”
The two had to land as they broke down in a fit of laughter. Their laughter was cut off by a pair of old, spoiled cabbages striking the two of them in their heads. A pair of unicorns were scowling at them.
“Why don't you two go back to the Everfree with the other freaks?” One of them said.
“Yeah, we don't want any parasites or parasite lovers around here.” The other said, “I don't know why Prince Armor doesn't just get rid of the lot of you. It's not like you're real ponies.”
It was no secret what Surprise was. She never hid it. On the first day at the university she introduced herself as a changeling raised by pony parents. Ponies knew that the royal siblings had arrangements with changelings, and many accepted her, but several still had a deep seeded hatred of the shape shifters. Those that accepted her would often invite her to parties where she was always a big hit, often shifting into teachers they hated and mocking them, or turning into a guard when somepony was hitting the lava leaf. Those who hated her, though, were cruel and even violent with her.
“Hey!” Shouted a voice, “You got a problem with her?”
“Oh horse apples, Oak, uh, we were just havin’ a little fun is all, honest,” said one of the unicorns.
“Get the hell outta here before I decide to have some fun.” Replied the large earth pony.
The two unicorns couldn't leave fast enough, tripping over each other. After he was sure they weren't coming back he turned to the pair.
“You guy's good?” He asked.
“Yeah, thanks, Oak.” Razor replied.
Great Oak was one of the few earth ponies attending Canterlot University. He was a botany major, focusing on medicinal herbs. When he first met the two, he was like many others in that he had the same hatred of the changeling. That, however, changed when he was tending the garden on the roof of his dorm. He got stung by a bee, and had a severe allergic reaction. With nopony else around, and having difficulty breathing, he was sure he was going to die. He woke up the next morning in the hospital after Surprise found him. She sensed his fear and pain and went to investigate. When she found him, she rushed him to the hospital. After he found out what she did, he traveled all the way to Ponyville to thank her himself. He, Surprise, and Razor had been friends ever since.
“Sorry I'm late.” Said Oak, “Copper needed my help moving his trunk.”
“It's okay.” Surprise said, “You ready for the most epic road trip in Equestria's history?”
“You bet!” He said.
“Then come on.” Razor said, “You don't want to keep the princess waiting do you?”
“I still can't believe I'm going to meet the Shirotora!” Oak gushed, “I mean, the guy's in our history book!”
The three ran down the road toward Canterlot Palace. They waved and greeted a few of the ponies they came to know in their time in college. Eventually they made it to the palace. The fluttering of wings announced the arrival of the lunar couple. Twilight and Waya landed beside the three, greeting them.
“Your highness,” Oak said, bowing low, “It's an honor to meet you.”
“You must be Great Oak,” She greeted, “Razor's told me a bit about you. I have something you may be interested in.” She flashed her horn and a notebook appeared with a small box, “This is research I did on poison joke from the Everfree Forest. It's the most comprehensive study ever done on the troublesome plant. As for the box...” Twilight leaned close and put up a soundproof shield, “It's enough samples of the plant and the cure for some experimentation of your own... get pictures.”
“Let me guess, payback?” asked the earth pony.
“Make sure they know where you got it from,” Twilight smirked and released the spell
“I don't like that look,” Razor said, “What did you give him?”
“Just something to help him in his botany studies,” Twilight replied innocently.
“I told you giving her stripes was a bad idea,” Surprise tried being serious, but couldn't hold back a laugh at the memory.
“Are you ready?” Asked the young princess.
Twilight received a trio of confirmations and in a flash they were standing outside a modest house with a large shed to one side. The door opened to reveal a khaki colored unicorn mare with a graying black mane and tail with an azure ribbon braided into both.
“Mom,” Razor called as he ran up to hug the mare.
“Razor, I’ve missed you,” said Jynx as she returned her son's embrace.
“Where's dad?” Razor asked.
As if on cue, a white and black blur tackled the blue prince, slamming him into the ground.
“Hey Raz.” Shiro said, “Talk to you in a sec. I gotta kick some royal flank.”
“That's what you think!” Waya threw him off and the two continued their own unique greeting.
“Hello, Jynx,” Twilight greeted.
“Hey Twi.”
“So, is it done?” Razor asked excitedly.
“Where are your manners?” Jynx scolded, “You bring a friend over and don't even introduce him?”
“Oh, right, sorry. Mom, this is Great Oak, a friend. Oak, this is my mom, Professor Jynx Charm, the leading expert on ancient magic.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am,” Oak said.
“Likewise,” Jynx shook the earth pony's hoof, “Razor and Surprise have told me a lot about you.”
“Okay, you've been introduced. Is it ready?” Razor said impatiently.
“Well let's go see,” Jynx said, “meet us in the garage when you're done honey!”
“Got it!” Replied Shiro as he held Waya in a headlock, “Ow, watch the horn fuckstick.”
“I'll look at it later,” Surprise said, “I gotta go see mom and dad.”
“I'll see you in a bit.” Razor said with a kiss.
“When are you two getting married?” Jynx asked.
“Probably sometime after we graduate.” Razor said, “Don't worry, mom. You'll be the first to know.”
“Unless you count Pinkie. She'll know before you do, Razor.” Twilight joked as the inventor lead them into the shed.
“Behold!” Jynx said as she flung the door open, “the Trail Master. Guaranteed to make any road your own personal bitch.”
“Mom!” Razor said playfully, “parents aren't supposed to talk like that around their kids.”
“Too fucking bad,” Shiro said as Waya helped in, “I'm getting too old for this crap. My poor back.”
“What do you have to cry about?” Waya said, “You still beat me.”
Shiro nodded, “6-4 this month, my favor.”
“Don't get cocky, cat. I can still make a comeback,” Waya teased, “Remember January.”
“You got lucky,” Replied the big cat as his friend helped him in his chair.
“You got old,” The alicorn prince returned.
Shiro laughed, “That I did, my friend, and I can still beat the shit outta you.”
“Haha, you're still a Gary Stu,” Waya laughed.
“Damn right I am, and don't forget it!” Shiro laughed, “Hey, Twi, you mind?”
The lavender alicorn rolled her eyes and lit up her horn, “What would you do without me?”
“Well, without you, Waya wouldn't be immortal and his back would be going out,” Shiro stated matter-of-factly.
“You have a point. You better be grateful to have me, Waya.”
“Who cares, Trail Master!” Razor said impatiently.
“Oh, right. Sorry, sweetie,” Jynx apologized, “Anyway, it uses spatial compression to fit much more room inside than something this size normally would. It has four bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen, living room, party room with a jacuzzi, and a retractable patio. It's a full sized house packed into a small trailer. It can hit speeds of fifty miles per hour, and has an enchantment that won't let you drive if you're intoxicated.”
“What makes you think I ever get intoxicated?” Razor asked innocently. Jynx gave him a bemused look. “Okay, so I like a little alcohol every now and then.” The stare continued. “Ugh... fine. I may have tried a controlled substance... maybe.”
“Yeah, and the stuff you get is weak as hell. I left you some real shit in a cupboard in the party room, courtesy of Rare Flora from the botany department, and Bunsen Burner of the chemistry department.”
Razor stared at his mother in shock, “M-mom... What do you know about... that stuff?”
Jynx laughed, “What do you think your father and I do on our vacations?”
“Mom! You do realize the Princess is standing right there?”
“I know,” Jynx said, “you should see her hit the bong. She's a beast!”
“Nah,” Twilight waved a hoof dismissively, “Cadence can take more.”
Razor stared, trying to wrap his mind around the royal family partaking in something illegal. Maybe that was why she was trying to get parliament to legalize lava leaf.
Shiro gave his son a slap on the back, “Who else do you know gets all their road trip narcotic needs taken care of by their parents? Now, let's go get your sister, so we can go get you some dead animals to eat while you're gone.”