Alex awoke in his semi-sleep state when the first rays of Celestia’s sun softly touched his coat and spread a welcoming warmth through it. His eyes felt dry and his throat cried out for the coolness of a glass of water. Last night was one of the strangest ones Alex had since he’d come to Equestria. First he faced and fought Nightmare Moon, only to be saved by a dream walking Luna. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they started to argue about different themes. It all ended with a tearful hug and a sleepless night for both of them.
He stood up, stretched and trotted over to where his body mirror was located. Despite the shortness of his mane and tail, they both looked like they went through a war, they were a complete mess. He also noticed that his eyes were indeed bloodshot and too dry to spend any more tears. The large rings around his ‘viewports’ made the whole situation a lot worse. Suddenly his stomach grumbled loudly and his mouth let out a silent prayer for water once again. ‘Better fetch some breakfast’ his mind encouraged him.
Alex was about set set a hoof on the double door to leave his room when they swung open towards him without any warning. This action knocked him of balance and he landed onto the cold marble floor with a loud ‘thud’.
Getting a face full of door: Best way to start your day! his mind stated.
“Alex?”, an all too familiar voice called into his room. A pained groan was the only answer the lunar alicorn got. Finally spotting a black mass with all four hooves pointed towards the ceiling, she shrieked: “Oh my gosh, are you alright?”
After standing up and giving his head a quick shake, he answered: “Yeah, I’m good.” He got to his hooves, dusted himself off and asked Luna: “What are you doing here, anyway?”
She didn’t answer his question. The night alicorn just enveloped Alex in a bone-crushing hug. “I was just so worried about you, my child! After all that happened last night...” Feeling tears welling up again, she tightened her grip on him and sobbed into his short, spiked mane.
Feeling the oxygen hugged out of his body Alex answered: “Shhh, it’s ok, but *gasp* I need air!” After being released and taking a huge inhale of life-giving air, he hugged Luna back. “I was more worried about you than myself, I must admit. I’m glad and thankful you saved me. I do not want to think about what could have happened...” A small shiver made its way down to his spine.
“So what do you say we grab some breakfast?” Luna asked.
Alex gave a small nod: “Sure, it does sound like a plan.”
They both left Alex quarters and made their way through the hallways of the castle. Tension was building up rather fast between them and Luna tired to break the ice first.
“Is something on your mind, Alex?” Luna asked while rubbing her neck bashfully and with a hint of worry in her voice. Alex hesitated to respond as they continued their way towards the dining hall where Celestia would most likely waiting for them.
Finally Alex replied: “I’ve been thinking hard about stuff all night, Luna. Since sleep was no option after all that happened … *sigh* Can we please not talk about it right now?”
Luna opened her mouth and was about to answer, but the words died on her lips. She remained silent and followed Alex to their destination. Luna pushed the doors open with her magic, then she and Alex entered the dining hall. Celestia was sitting at the far end of the great dining table, her lips pursed against a piping cup of tea.
The solar alicorn enjoyed the early hours of the day. She took a small comfort in the way the world around her slowly woke alongside her rising sun, and how her fellow ponies would get on with their lives. She took the cup of jasmine tea from her mouth while she savoured its flavor. It had a nice fruity taste to it that calmed her nerves before she threw herself to the stress of ruling over a whole kingdom.
When the sound of the doors to the dining hall being opened reached her ears, Celestia looked up, her eyes finding her sister as well her “VIP” (Very Important Pony) from the other world. But Celestia sensed immediately that something was off. Luna looked like the moon would be gone forever soon, while swirling thunder clouds loomed over Alex’s head.
Celestia glanced between both ponies before asking calmly with a small smile to lighten the mood: “Good morning everypony! You both look worried about something. Is everything alright?”
Alex and Luna looked up so meet Celestia’s eyes, but neither of them said anything. They trotted to their places at the table and wordlessly took a seat.
The table was laden with a great variety of vegetables, fruits and drinks. While Celestia started her mornings with a nice cup of tea, Luna needed at least one pot of coffee before her system operated at 100%. The same could be said for Alex, except he needed some chocolate milk and a glass of orange juice before he was ready to tackle the day. But, since arriving in Equestria, he hadn't seen any of his favorite foods. Of course it made sense—ponies were vegetarians—which made him feel that much more estranged when he imagined a plate heaped with bacon and eggs. First thing he'd do when he returned to earth—if he ever returned—would be to go straight to a steakhouse and order the biggest porterhouse on their menu.
Alex eyed the array of breakfast drinks. He'd never been a coffee or tea kind of guy, and right now his options for cold drinks seemed limited to water. He heaved a grumbling sigh, then leaned over the table to reach the water pitcher. Luna, upon seeing his struggle, nudged the pitcher closer with her magic. Celestia watched this in smiling silence, mildly buttering a slice of toast with her own magic.
Most of the breakfast was held in silence, and the tension in the room continued to rise. Finally it was too much for Celestia to bare: “Ok, I can clearly sense that something is off with both of you. Would anypony please be so kind to give me some insight?”
Alex sighed heavily, then replied: “It’s nothing. Just an annoying thing that happened yesterday. I went to a nice restaurant and some snobs started saying stupid things about me, calling me names, laughing behind my back.. They called me ‘Monster’ and ‘Son of the Nightmare’, and a few other things I don’t want to repeat.”
Both alicorns were shocked and they opened and closed their jaws a few times, looking for possible answers.
"Well, I can't account for my subject's rude behavior," said Celestia, shaking her head. She sighed and continued, "A guest in Equestria should always feel welcome, and I apologize on their behalf. Please, don't let it get you down, Alex."
"It's funny," scoffed Alex, his forehooves crossed, "You both led me to believe Equestria was a good place, a world free of discrimination. Guess that disease ain't exclusive to my world after all. Guess there's not a leader strong enough to completely snuff it out—not here, or anywhere."
"My subjects aren't all like that, believe me," Celestia said with kind earnest. She smiled with the warmth of an afternoon in summer. "I will introduce you to them myself, today. We shall walk through the city of Canterlot together."
"No...no, I'd rather not," said Alex, his eyes fixed on his breakfast plate. He didn't know if he should say what he really wanted to say, that it wasn't worth the chance. Even with Celestia beside him, their vicious, judgmental thoughts would be like quiet grubs, digging through the dirt beneath their eyes, unseen. He knew how people acted. Now he knew ponies, too.
Luna added: “Well, these are sadding news, and I’m terribly sorry that you had such an unpleasant experience. I think it isn’t quite uncommon that ponies are still talking about my former evil. My reforment wasn’t like 10 years ago you know?”
“Of course I know that!” Alex spat while bringing a hoof down on his side of table, which caused dishes to clatter and drinks to spill. That action only caused him to get more frustrated. Alex then walked over to one of the large windows that overlooked the city.
Both alicorns watched him with extreme concern. When Alex fell out of the sky nearly two months ago and was on the verge of death all ponies present were extremely worried about the new, unknown pony. He was rushed into the Medical Wing of the royal castle and iIt was a real miracle he even survived. But being a complete stranger to a new world and inside an unknown body, Alex was like a newborn foal. So both of the royal sisters full heartly made it their personal task to take him under their wings and guide and educate/train him about Equestria as best as they could. Major problem: Being co-rulers of an entire nation took time and responsibility. That left the three of them less time then they would have liked to have. But over the little time they had Alex became like their own son. Luna did enjoy their “Mother-Son-Time” the most. He loved nights, the moon and the starts and often stargazed together with her before she had to retire to her dream walking duties.
After another sigh he continued: “You know, it is just another copy of my other world. I was bullied, picked on and ignored because I was different. I tried my best to fit in, but nothing really helped. And then I get a second chance here, to be not an outsider only to find out this nightmare starts again!”
Alex started to sob quietly: “W-Why can’t I do som-something right for one blo-bloody time? Why does it feel like no matter what I do, I fail miserably at it?!” His voice rose and anger mixed into his feelings. That anger became soon to much to bare and it needed a ventil to be let out. With that Alex reared up on both hind legs and with a battlecry he punched a hoof through the window he was standing infront.
For the alicorn princesses everything happened in slow-motion. As soon the sound of glass shattering reached their ears they both teleported straight towards Alex and wrapped four wings and hooves around him in a tight hug.
The black stallion cried this anger and worries out while both sisters tried their best to comfort him. After a short while Alex calmed down enough to talk again. With a sad smile he said: “Thanks. I really needed that one.”
Both alicorns retreated slightly from the hug only for Luna to notice something red on Celestia’s snow white fur. She let her gaze wander to Alex hoof he stuck through the glass. Some glass shards managed to sunk into his flesh. “We still need to get you some medical treatment though.”
--- Medical Wing, Canterlot Palace ---
My hoof was now wrapped up in some bandages. The removement process was not a fun one. Each shard stung as it was carefully removed from the doctors. As soon they were finished I was given some water to refresh himself as well as a bed to rest upon.
Some time later hoofsteps approached my bed. Both princesses strode slowly to their destination.
“Are you okay, Alex?” Celestia asked in her usual motherly tone.
I averted my gaze away from both rulers. “Yeah, I’m alright.”
“Alex, I’m…” Luna started. I waved my uninjured hoof to interrupt her.
I turned my head towards them and what I saw tugged hard at my heartstrings. They both looked so beautiful and full of pride, yet they both had concern and worry written all over their faces. ‘Just because of stupid old me’ I thought to myself.
Come on big guy! It’s now or never. my mind encouraged me. “Listen…” I said quietly. “I need so tell you something very important, but … can it be somewhere more private?” I asked fearfully.
I was never so unsure in my life before. How would they react to my news? Would they still like me as they do now? What comes after this? So many questions filled my head and I was thankful that Celestia broke up my train of thought.
“Since the doctors still want to watch over you for a bit I sadly can’t just teleport us out of here. But at least I can do this.”
Her horn began to glow and soon a yellow bubble was formed around us. As her glow died down I asked in awe: “What is this?”
“This is a sound barrier, Alex.” Luna answered. “We can talk in private now and everything outside this bubble won’t get a sibile from it.“
“Wow okay. So …” I tensed up and no more words came out of my mouth. I tried to swallow the lump that formed in my throat but it seemed to be stuck there.