//------------------------------//
// Breakfasts: Part 2 
// Story: Lost in Paradise 
// by leeroy_gIBZ 
//------------------------------//

So it turns out that Stalliongrad had basically nothing to explore. That left me with two options and one involved talking to other people so reading it was. Sunny was kind enough to lend me one of her spellbooks so I that I could practice my newfound talents. Alas, said book Magic in regard to Tailoring was not exactly relevant to my interests. Still, it was better than having to interact with Sugarcoat so I resigned myself to an afternoon lying in bed and trying to figure out how to get home.

After a few minutes of being bored, somebody knocked at my door. "Is this Mirage Nocturne's room?" Asked the knocker.

"It depends; are you here to piss on his rug?" I responded, not currently in the mood to put up any more of this world's antics.

"What? No. We're just here to talk." Responded the voice.

Truly, references are wasted upon policemen. Still, I had not yet learned any combat spells - or anything at all past levitation - so I continued, "Alright? How many are you?"

"Four ponies, Mr Nocturne."

"Well, in that case, why don't you just talk to yourselves?"

The voices muttered among each-other for a while. I briefly considered climbing out the window but a two-story drop onto concrete did not sound appealing. That and I had no idea whether I could actually levitate myself yet. I doubted that was possible; pegasi would probably be obsolete if that were the case.

Another knock. Sighing, I got up and opened the door to reveal precisely three unicorns and one pegasus. All were grumpy, surprisingly large and literally armed to the teeth. Judging by their white coats, I'd say that these were some more of Imaginos' knockoff SS goons.

The pegasus smiled a smile that had far too many teeth for my liking. "How nice of you to join us, Mr Nocturne. Now, if you would kindly accompany my men back to the station." He said, gesturing with a cinnamon-brown hoof in the direction opposite the actual train station.

"Why? Am in trouble?" I asked nervously, not liking the look of the daggers the unicorns held.

The pegasus chuckled briefly and then his friends joined in. He seemed vaguely familiar in a way but the person he bore familiarity to was certainly not a member of state security so that idea went out the window. "Only if you don't cooperate, Mr Nocturne. Then you will be."

"You do realize that I'm going to miss the concert if you arrest me, right?"

"Don't worry about that. Miss Lure is a personal friend of mine." Replied the pegasus as he started down the stairs.

I reluctantly followed. In hindsight, actually indulging Sunny's ideas was, as always, a bad idea. Here I was, being arrested because somebody just doesn't realize that I am not interest in her. We continued out of the inn and, to my surprise, actually to the train station. The blond-maned pegasus dismissed his minions and ordered me onto a train carriage. To my relief, he got on too and didn't lock it behind him.

"Have you had breakfast yet, Mr Nocturne?" He asked before walking over to the magic bar and pulling out a few bottles of beer.

"Yes, actually. I had breakfast about ten hours ago. And also, what's going on here?" 

The pegasus twisted the cap off with a wing and took a hearty swig before answering, "Prince Imaginos was not happy with your little outing. So he sent me, Captain Swift, to escort you back to Colteno."

"Your name's Vinny Swift? Like the actor?"

Swift confirmed that, "Yes. Call me Captain Swift though. I don't act anymore."

By now, the train had began to start moving. Our carriage remained strangely empty though. Not that I was in any way opposed to that; I would have preferred not to be in trouble with the Prince though. Unlike Lemon, I think he actually has the power to carry through with his insane threats.

"Now, normally his majesty would have simply had somepony executed for disobeying his orders like that but, since you're you, he chose to make an exception."

"What a relief. I suppose I'll just have to settle for Asklepian's department then." I said. Now, that beer actually tasted pretty good. Normally, I prefer wine - specifically rose - but this was something else. It was actually enjoyable.

Swift chuckled again, "Of course not, Mr Nocturne. You're far too valuable to be turned into an alicorn. Yet, anyway. Once our resident mad scientist has perfected the formula, you'll get your chance just like the rest of us?"

"So what exactly is an alicorn then?"

One sip of Fortress later and the Captain replied, "Ah, yes, he did warn me about this. You said that your memory was damaged by the teleport, right?"

"No, my memory is fine. My brain however was teleport across time and space into this." I said, pointing at myself. "And I reckon the opposite happened for my counterpart."

He was not amused. He was confused. I took another drink. Eventually, he responded, "I think that this would be best discussed over breakfast." With that, he hopped off his couch and picked up a phone built into the wall. "Room service. Two full Ponish breakfasts please. What? Yes, I know it's 18:03 but this is an official Protection Squadron order. And hold the onions on the left one."

You just can't get away from it. You just can't get away. Stopped in sleepy town. Left my change and walked out. I didn't even turn around. Why is nobody sane here? You don't order breakfast for dinner. 

Swift turned back around after that. "Now that that is taken care of, care to explain this problem in a bit more detail?"

"Only if you care to explain what's happening in Horsica."

And, much to my relief, he began to do just that.