Steel Rails and Nerves
By: Silbern
The moon shined brightly as every star far above Equestria was like a bedazzling jewel. It was a serene beauty that simply installed silence from the white Alicorn that sat peacefully aboard one of the passenger train cars. His dark red eyes simply were locked upon the sky as he viewed from his window seat.
“An' you should of seen 'em!” A pony said beside him as she slapped her hoof on the edge of the seat with laughter. Applejack turned to her seat partner only to see the larger pony looking out the window with a peaceful expression. She watched for a moment wondering if she should disturb him but found that the option wasn't in her hoofs to decide.
“Oh Uriel!” A voice called from the seat in front of them as AJ witnessed Rarity's head poke over the top. “You must come by my shop!” The fashion designer suggested with over the top enthusiasm. “Royalty in my shop would attract everypony from Manehatten to Canterlot!” She said as she stared off into the far distance as possible design and fabric ideas floated about in her head.
“Now come off it Rarity.” Applejack said sternly as she gave the disapproving look to her friend. “Both the Princess and Twilight already said that Discord's jus' messing with our heads.” AJ tried to remind Rarity who only pouted.
“Besides!” A cyan Pegasi said as the mare floated over their heads. “I want to see how well a Alicorn can fly! We should race as soon as we get back to Sweet Apple Acres!” Rainbow Dash said with way too much enthusiasm that should be contained in one pony.
“Uriel?” Fluttershy asked as she only stuck half of her head up to see that the Alicorn never even moved his head to look at the other three.
“Uriel!” AJ raised her voice as she poked her seat partner slightly in the ribs. They watched as he jumped slightly and turned to see three pairs of eyes looking at him.
“Oh sorry,” He said as blinked his eyes a couple of times. He shifted awkwardly as he turned himself to look more directly at the mares “did I miss something?” He asked as he watched the mares look at each other with slight worry before resting their gaze back upon him.
“Are you alright Uriel?” Fluttershy squeaked out her question as she practically hid behind her seat. Rarity nodded her head along with the question as Uriel noticed everypony near him was soon listening in.
“I was just looking out to the night sky.” Uriel said as he turned his head again to look out his window.
“Do you not have something like this on your own world?” Rainbow Dash asked as she hovered above the group crossing her arms. Uriel then noticed Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle also turned to listen in.
“We did.” Uriel said as his expression saddened slightly at the thought of his own planet. After a few moments of silence he turned his head and noticed the mares looking at him mostly with curiosity. Letting out a sigh, the stallion continued “On my own world we have so much pollution and lights on our surface that it is becoming more and more difficult to see the vast space above us. I look out this window and the stars litter the sky! It's amazing!” Uriel smiled as he explained but there was a twinge of pain in his smile.
“I think I know a certain pony who would love that compliment.” Twilight said as a more then a few giggles sounded off in unison. Uriel tried to understand but could only raise a eyebrow in confusion. “Princess Celestia's younger sister Princess Luna raises and lowers the moon Uriel. She is in charge of looking over Equestria during the night.” Twilight tried to give the simple and short version of the night Princess.
Uriel could only whistle at the thought of having that much power. It made him start to think as he remembered Princess Celestia in his mind. He had the exact same white sheen to his own coat and even the same blue to his mane. The ideas that Celestia could possibly be his true biological mother and he was actually a pony was hard to understand. It was true that he was getting used to walking around quite easy and he could flap his wings slightly but it couldn't mean he was meant for this. He stared off into the distance as the mares who watched him for a few moments suddenly directed their attention to one of the train conductors.
“Time for light's out every pony!” He said only for a moment as he walked along to the next train car. Uriel only managed to catch a glimpse of the stallion but swore he saw a glimpse in his eyes, something out of place.
“Woo woo!” Pinkie imitated the train as she bounced towards the accommodation train car behind theirs. All of the mares and finally Uriel coming up last followed the Pinkie bounce machine as they each found their separate bunk beds. The white Alicorn gave the moon one final smile before the light died down inside of the cabin.
“He has what?” Luna shouted in protest as her hoof slammed down on the table. Across from her sat a distressed Celestia who seemed to have slightly puffy cheeks. “How could you let him just get away? Sister, he is your only offspring.” Luna asked as the sudden news that had reached her seemed so far fetched.
“Too much time has passed Luna. He knows nothing of me nor the love of a mother that I could have given him.” Celestia defended her decision as she placed a hoof down lightly on the table edge. “He wants me to return him back to his own world but after seeing him I'm not sure if I can.” Celestia slightly gave in as a saddened look she thought was gone for good had returned.
Luna relaxed slightly as she had some time to breath and absorb. She could easily see the distress on her older sister's face and knew that she had to be supportive. “Sister, why don't I talk to him?” Luna asked as she tried to place a smile on for her sister.
Celestia thought of the idea at first and just as she was about to speak, three sharp knocks rang out in the room. “Enter.” Celestia ordered as she turned to see Shining Armour open the door and give a crisp military salute before entering the room and closing the door behind him.
“I'm sorry for disturbing you Princess Celestia but we have a problem.” Shining Armour announced as the situation seemed grave by the look on his face.
Applejack turned in her bed as she finally let out a small sigh. Turning to look above only to see a darkened ceiling. Only the rhythmic sound of the train and soft snores could be heard from the other mares and stallion.
“Applejack” A whispered voice came from the bunk above her as she squinted for a moment.
“Applejack” It called again keeping it to a low whisper.
“What is it Uriel?” AJ asked as she pushed herself up and rubbed one of her eyes. Figuring that the Stallion above her just simply wondered where the bathroom was, she pulled the bed sheet across to see Uriel's nose almost poking hers. She reared back suddenly at the closure with slight rush of red to her cheeks but before she could make a sound a hoof was placed over her mouth.
Uriel however never caught the moment due to the dark. “Come with me AJ.” Uriel simply asked as he removed his hoof from her mouth and fumbled to get off the top bunk.
AJ quietly moved out of hers and placed her hat on top of her head all the while giving Uriel weird looks. She could see his head turning from side to side almost frantically. “What in the hay is going on?” AJ asked as she simply gave up trying to understand the Stallion before her.
“The others are gone Applejack” Uriel whispered with slight panic into AJ's ear before turning around to the other bunks.
AJ squinted slightly until she noticed he was right. Every bunk that was filled with her friends was now empty and dishevelled. A sudden panic started to fill her too as she took a step closer to Uriel's side. “Is it Discord?” she whispered quietly now frantically shifting her gaze to look into every dark corner.
“No. This is some one else.” Uriel answered as he started to slowly walk toward the door leading towards the passenger car they were sitting in only hours ago. Pulling open the door slowly he peeked his head in only to find a empty room only lite by the moonlight from the windows. “Come on.” He whispered back to an unsettled Applejack.
The mare just swallowed hard before placing one hoof in front of the other. The two moved a few steps in and stopped at the sudden sound of the far door opening. AJ could only feel herself being pulled to the side as Uriel tried to hide himself in the darkness of the seats. The Apple Acres pony could only follow suit as she huddled up tight to Uriel's side.
“Just these last two left. We even have an hour left until our rendezvous!” A deep voice spoke as it ended with a small cackling laugh. AJ and Uriel could spot hoofs stepping down the main aisle as the two ponies held their breaths and prayed. The two unknown ponies finally were only a meter away as the moonlight revealed them wearing the train conductor uniforms.
Uriel only remained quiet and prayed in his mind to whoever was listening that the two ponies would pass them by. He felt a sudden pressure against his left wing as he quietly shifted his head to see Applejack pressing harder into his side. Human or no Uriel knew what being frightened was like and simply looked into her eyes and gave her a small nod of his head. To his relief she seemed to settle slightly and gave him a nod back. The two pony conductors soon passed them and then into the sleeping train car. With a breath of relief Uriel got to his feet and walked into the middle aisle. His mind started to run through so many things at once it was hard to concentrate.
“We have to find the others!” Applejack let out a pleading whisper as she turned to the next train car door. She began a quicken pace not even looking back to see if he was following.
Uriel could only give out a small sigh, something he found himself doing too often as of late. He quickly caught up as the two opened the next door to see what seemed to be another sleeping quarters and staff train car. A deck of cards were displaced across the floor and after a few steps Uriel found himself stepping into something sticky. Picking one hoof up to smell he suddenly let his eyes go wide in panic. The moonlight showed the red trail leading into one of the private rooms and Uriel was thankful that AJ still hadn't noticed. “Stay here.” the Stallion asked as he followed the red path before him.
“Ah don't think so buddy. Ah'm not letting ya out of my sight.” Applejack tried to emphasize as she gave the stallion a stare before walking forward and noticed the one door. Her eyes watched as the train jumped slightly on the track and the door opened in result. The moonlight shined in and Applejack could only raise a leg in horror as Uriel stepped forward to block her view.
He could only look in disgust and revolt as the bodies of two ponies laid upon the ground. Throats have been cut and any recognizable organ that once belonged inside their neck was torn. The blood easily pooled upon the floor but the it seemed that these were not fresh kills. The images of massacres and murders rolled endlessly in the Alicorn's mind as he remembered his own kind. It was only the small whimper behind him that snapped his attention back towards the earth pony. He turned and shut the door with his rear leg as he examined Applejack just looking away. “Applejack, listen to me. We need to find the others.” Uriel tried to gain eye contact with the mare.
Applejack tried to not let him see her sudden fright as she simply nodded. “Yer right. Ah won't let them lay a hoof on my friends!” the mare decided with sudden fire of bravery ignited in her heart. With renewed energy Applejack charged forward through the staff car and slammed the next door open only to find herself falling to the tracks below her.
“Applejack!” Uriel could only shout before he simply just bit down on the earth's pony tail and pulled.
AJ could only try to get a hoof hold as she witness the rest of the train cars ahead of theirs speeding ahead. It was all she got to look at before the mare felt a yank from behind and ended up on her rear. Shaking her head only to finally glance at the leading cars now far away in the distance. All of her friends were now speeding away and there was nothing she could do. Her face sank as she had let down her friends until a familiar sight was placed upon the floor before her. Looking up from her hat she could see Uriel only smiling a big grin.
The two princess sisters stood in the throne room as two injured ponies walked up and bowed to the best of their ability. Celestia and Luna could both tell that both of these stallions would be in the hospital for some time to come. “Please gentlecolts, what exactly happened?” Celestia asked trying not to sound to impatient although it was eagerly hanging off every word.
“We were walking towards the station when they struck, Princess” One of the earth ponies said as he took a hoof step forward. “They looked exactly like Coal Runner and Steam Runner from the Engineering department that we had our guard down. They dragged us into the alleyway and before I could do anything more they knocked me out.” The one earth pony explained as he stepped back.
Celestia sat and thought for a moment thinking of who could be behind the sudden outburst of violence until the other injured pony spoke up.
“Excuse me Princess. There is one more thing that I could see before I was knocked out.” He offered but sounded hesitant.
“Speak up then.” Luna asked as she stood beside her sister eager to hear what other evidence could be brought to their attention.
“I swear I could see a flash of green before they changed into myself. It felt like looking into a mirror although my doctor said it may just be the thumping I took on the head.” The pony said trying to make sure he didn't leave anything out.
Celestia and Luna let their eyes remain neutral and as the Princess thanked the two brave ponies for their service and hoped for their quick revival did she turn to her sister. “Changelings. I should have known better then to let them just retreat!” Princess Celestia said with sudden anger as she tried to think.
Luna started to think as well until it suddenly hit her. “Shining armour!” Luna called and the Captain of the Royal Guard came immediately with a salute. “Those men were in charge of the train your sister was on, no?” Luna asked only to get a nod by their loyal soldier.
“Then we have a train to catch!” Luna said with sudden excitement as she ran for the highest tower in the building.
The Alicorn and Earth pony ran amongst the dirt as they tried to catch up with the train. They were not even close as they watched it disappear into the dark but whenever Applejack would look up to the white Stallion beside her she would simply see him smile. “Why do you have that smile on yer face?” She asked as she took the lead.
“Those train tracks that are at the bottom of the cliff on our right. The train will be passing that right?” Uriel asked without actually answering the mare's question. His smile stayed securely on his face as he ran even with Applejack who had a shocked look on her face.
“Ya wouldn't dare.” She simply said as the plan inside of Uriel's mind slowly made more sense to her. The white Alicorn just simply gave her a nod as he slowed down until coming to a full stop at the edge of the cliff. “But Uriel ya haven't even flown once in yer short pony life!” Applejack tried to protest at the idea but could see it was falling on deaf ears. She watched as he simply stretched his long wings to their full length.
“It's the only way Applejack. I owe you and your friends a great deal for getting me out of that mess underneath in the cavern.” Uriel started as he wore a confident smile on his face. His dark red eyes holding a certain aspect that made AJ want to believe in him. “It's something taught to me by someone important to me. It's my responsibility now to help you get back to your friends.”
Applejack was going to say something but was soon interrupted by a shout.
“I found them!” One of the false train conductors shouted as the stallion made a full run towards them. The blood lust in his eyes and the heavy breaths through his nostrils. It wasn't long until the other managed a sloppy excuse for a semi circle around the two. “Now be still you two. It will hurt less.” One of the two fakes threatened before Uriel just laughed at them which made them stop for a moment in confusion.
Applejack was trying her best to look intimidating as she got ready for a fight but the Alicorn was making it tough as he simply stood there with a laugh. It wasn't until her stomach dropped that she knew what was coming.
“I hate to leave boys but I'm afraid I got a train to catch!” Uriel said as he made a quick turn and jumped off the cliff with a frightened, screaming Applejack clinging tightly. His wings stuck to his side as the two began to plummet to the ground. Whatever faith Uriel installed into the Earth pony was fading fast as she yelled for any Apple family ancestor to help her. Uriel kept his smile going as he let the moment consume him. He would always look at the birds in the sky when he would walk to work or back home. They flew in the air with little concern to their lives as they let the wind envelope them. There was a sense of freedom to being airborne that he could now start to understand.
Applejack felt a sudden jerk in their flight plan as she finally willed her eyes to open. It was Uriel's large wings that stretched far as she could feel their speed drastically dropping. It wasn't the smoothest ride and knew even Fluttershy could fly rings around Uriel but he still was making a gliding motion as the two slowly made their way to the bottom where the tracks laid.
“Um Applejack?” Uriel asked suddenly with a tone that didn't do AJ's nerves any good.
“Why do ah have a Feelin' that you're going to tell me somethin' bad?” AJ asked as she turned her head to see the ground quickly becoming more clear below her.
“I can't steer.” Uriel simply admitted as he felt the earth pony squeeze tightly upon hearing the news. What made the situation worse was the sound of the train coming to meet their decent head on. It was at this moment Uriel began to doubt his idea of flight. It was the sudden movement below him that caught his attention. AJ had let go with her forearms as she now held her favoured hat in her mouth. She swung out and latched on to a nearby root that stuck out from the cliff face causing the Alicorn to make a sharp turn.
“Oh screw me.” Uriel cursed his luck as his smile faded seconds before he crashed face first into the cliff face. Pain erupted from the impact as the Alicorn fell the small distance to where he hit his flank hard onto the ground. He didn't even have a chance to rub his behind before getting helped up by the mostly unscathed Applejack.
“Time to catch that train!” Applejack shouted to overcome the increasing noise of the locomotive. The two ponies began their run to gain momentum with the train that was still behind them but was catching up quickly.
“Oh Uriel! Applejack!” A familiar voice called out to the two. Both Uriel and AJ turned their head while trying to maintain their speed to see Pinkie Pie hanging off the edge. It wasn't the only thing that got their attention as they witnessed two dark coated ponies trying to fight the wind as they climbed closer to their pink target.
“We only have one chance Applejack!” Uriel shouted as they both jumped. Time seemed to slow for just a second in Uriel's mind as he witnessed AJ's mane whipping wildly for a moment until he hit the train side hard. It took him a few seconds to get a good hoof hold on the edge railing but soon pulled himself up. It was the rude welcome party however that gave him a straight punch to the jaw as he cringed slightly. An anger that began to fill his emotions as he turned to his attacker. It was one of the dark ponies that was after Pinkie and Uriel noticed upon close inspection that it actually had holes through some of it's body. Uriel however never gave the thing a chance to line up a second attack as he simply hurled himself forward crashing most of his weight into the creature.
The thing below the Alicorn tried to struggle but it seemed Uriel recovered from the tackle first. Without any hint of hesitation, Uriel struck down with his hoof and connected to what he suspected was now a dislocated jaw. He was never much of a fighter but even amateurs can throw lefts and rights. That was exactly what he had in mind as he just let loose a barrage of hoof strikes down upon his attacker. Uriel soon found his own hoofs were bloody but the dark pony below him was still breathing but defiantly unconscious.
“Uriel!” AJ called from behind him as the Alicorn turned to face her. She didn't seem to have a safe route either as she sported a few fresh bruises herself. The bouncing pink pony behind her however seemed happy as always.
“I'm fine. Where is everyone else?” He asked before he spat some of his own blood onto the train floor.
“One train car behind!” Pinkie said as she began to bounce towards the door opening for AJ and Uriel.
AJ nodded towards Uriel before charging into the next room ready to challenge anything that would hurt her friends. Uriel was right behind her and as he passed Pinkie he noticed a slight change in the pink ponies eye. The small green that faded quickly just like the train conductor before the kidnapping! Uriel tried to make a sudden stop from his run but it was no use. Pinkie Pie gave a hard kick to shove Uriel through to the next train car.
AJ could see all of her friends through the small windows that let the full moon's light shine in. They laid motionless upon the floor and as the Sweet Apple Acres mare ran to Rarity, who was closest, and checked for a pulse was soon relieved. The fashion designer pony was only unconscious and as AJ quickly learned by checking on the rest, so was everypony else. It was the pink pony she checked onto last that made her scrunch up her nose in confusion. “Changelings!” The idea finally clicked in as the mare turned to see a dazed Uriel with his head on the floor and his flank in the air. “Uriel, are ya ok?” she asked racing to his side trying to help the larger Alicorn up.
“Pinkie is.” Uriel tried to stammer out as he held his head while sitting on his flank.
“A Changeling, ah know. Them buggers are keen on messing wit' yer head.” AJ said as she tried to open the door only to discover it has been locked on the other side. “Hay sticks!” The mare cursed as she kicked the door with one of her forelegs.
“With not even ten minutes to spare!” The changeling commander said as he returned back to his native form. “Ponies are so easy to trick it is almost boring.” He taunted the now trapped ponies in the car behind him as he went to look out the lead window. He spotted a speck in the distance which at first he ignored but he swore it was getting bigger. “What the hay?” He began to reach for his binoculars and as he pulled them up he soon found himself looking at a dark blue blur.
“The moon will engulf you for your crimes.” Nightmare Moon said calmly before her horn began to glow.
The Changeling commander could only let out a blood curdling howl.
AJ and Uriel sat together mostly in the dark after more then a few attempts to wake their friends. They tried to ram the door but it seemed this iron car was more of a prison then anything else. The future was looking bleak and all the two could do was sit there in the dark.
“I'm sorry Applejack.” Uriel spoke out softly as AJ turned her head to see the Alicorn had his down. “I was sure we could rescue your friends. Instead we ended up captured just like them.” Uriel tried to explain with blame deeply planted into his tone.
“It ain't yer fault their sugar.” AJ smiled as Uriel turned his head to look at her. “Every plan fails from time to time. Heck, if ah could count how many times Rainbow 'ad planned out aerial tricks that only landed that mare into the bush.” AJ finished as she let out a laugh that pierced the room.
Uriel's frown began to hitch at the corners as he straightened out his back. Her light laugh seemed contagious to him although the setting they were in usually forbade it. He began to chuckle himself as AJ noticed his new smile. She was beginning to see him more as a pony then the mare had ever seen him as a Human. His fire red and sea blue mane seemed to flow almost naturally even through all the trouble they had been through. Unlike his supposed mother, Princess Celestia, his mane seemed to flow backwards as if always being hit by the wind.
Uriel let his smile widen as he quietly watched AJ examine him. “See something you like hm?” He asked as he chuckled slightly seeing the new found flustered expression suddenly donned by the mare beside him. “Well don't get used to it. As soon as the Princess finds that spell I'm going back to my own world.” Uriel said with a sigh of relief even though the idea of going back to his own planet seemed far fetch from inside the train car prison.
AJ wanted to say something but only found herself opening and closing her lips like a dummy. Biting her tongue she simply let the moment go by with silence. She had considered Uriel a friend by now even though circumstances were constricting. The mare just didn't know how to say to a pony that maybe Equestria may be a better home then his old one on Uriel's Earth. She could see how much it means to him and should be supportive but was find it conflicting with her other ideas. Luckily a scream from beyond their locked door that peeled AJ away from her troubling thoughts.
Uriel shot up as quick as he could and prepared for any threat that could possibly come through the door. AJ wasn't far behind him doing the same as she prepared to defend both her friends and herself. A small metal clank was heard which gave the signal that the door was unlocked. Both Stallion and Mare lowered their head and readied to charge. With a creak the door began to swing upon and with that Uriel charged.
“Wait Uriel!” AJ tried to warn her friend as she recognized the large pony that just walked through the door.
Uriel slammed his hoofs down as he came to a full stop with less of a meter of space left between the shadowy figure and himself. It wasn't until the dark blue Alicorn bent down with a smile that Uriel increased his confused expression.
“You must be Uriel. It seems no matter where your hoofs travel, trouble follows.” Princess Luna said as she took a few steps around Uriel and to look at most of the unconscious elements of harmony. She turned her body to look at Applejack who had bent low in a bow before she felt a hoof nudge her. “It is more then alright to stand Applejack. You two have gone through quite a night while under my watch. I'm just glad I made it here in time, wouldn't want my nephew to be captured less then twenty four hours since we have been reunited!” Luna laughed slightly raising a hoof to her mouth.
“I'm not your nephew.” Uriel said with an irritated tone and eyes that told much more. The white Alicorn had stood and moved closer to AJ's side. “This place is not my home and I hope everyone could get that right.” Uriel continued as he was now able to see Luna face to face.
The smile had faded from Luna's lips as she listened to her nephew and started to understand why Celestia was so distraught. The stallion before her was smaller then herself but easily counted as one of the taller ponies in Equestria. “Look at you Uriel!” Luna shouted as she donned her more frightening composure. “You are a spitting image of your mother and that fire red streak in your mane comes directly from your father.” the Princess easily pointed out. “You were born here upon Equestrian soil and from here you should remain to live amongst your own kind!” Luna tried to reason with the white Alicorn.
“Even if I was born here this is no home to me!” Uriel spoke back as the effect of Luna being a Princess was never even put upon Uriel's thoughts. “My home is with my real father back on Earth where I study my nights away for school!” he started to shout until the two Alicorns soon found themselves butting heads if it were not for their horns.
AJ watched silently but worried none the less. Arguing Alicorns was really never in her usually day to day dealings in Ponyville although it was clear she had to interject. When the two arguing ponies stared at each other in anger she decided to make her move. “Come on you two. Surely this is not the place to argue about family problems.” Applejack tried to calm down the situation and to her delight Luna nodded her head in agreement. The earth pony could wipe her brow and let out a sigh of relief.
“Their is a zeppelin coming along with a medical teaming shortly. From there we will personally deliver all of you back home to Ponyville as per my sister's directions.” She decreed as she gave one last look to Uriel before turning to stop the train herself.
“What do you mean your special forces failed?” Discord shouted before slouching in his chair and a hand covering his eyes.
“It was a high risk mission and you knew it Discord.” Chyrsalis defended her Changelings although she wasn't too happy with their defeat either. She didn't need others pointing it out however as she dismissed the news runner before her and turned to Discord.
“Are you kidding me?” Discord said as tapped quickly on his arm rest. “I could spit out more effort then your team could. It's lucky I'm here or otherwise this whole operation would fall apart and you'd still be a nopony in the wastelands.” Discord teased the queen before him knowing exactly what buttons to push. By the look on her face he knew he had hit the mark.
“I could rule Equestria without you Discord. Maybe you should just sit there and let me do all the work so something can get done.” The queen suggested as she was looking over plans and daily logistics.
“Don't worry my dear Queen. I still have my ace card stashed for the final deal.” Discord said with devilish delight as he began to squirm in his seat.
“He's here?” Queen Chrysalis asked as her interest suddenly peaked. She turned her head to see her partner just grinning wildly as if he had already won the large pot at a poker game. “Where is he?” The queen asked again impatiently only to get a finger pressed against her lip.
“All in due time ma cherie” He said before letting loose a laugh that even shook Queen Chrysalis slightly.
Twilight could only groan as she sat upon the ground just outside of Ponyville where the royal zeppelin had landed. She woke up along with the rest of her friends without any idea of how she had gotten aboard a flying airship. It was the long explanation from both AJ and Uriel that pieced some of the story together. Her head ached but considering what they've been through she considered herself lucky.
“I bid you farewell ponies of Ponyville.” Luna said as she began to walk back to the ramp leading up to her air ship.
Uriel only sat there uninterested and still slightly mad at his so called Aunt. It was the poke in his ribs that made him twitch and his wings slightly flutter as he turned to see AJ giving him a stern look.
“Go on, git.” the mare practically ordered as she waved away Uriel with one of her forelegs.
The white Alicorn could only roll his eyes before walking up to the airship. “Princess Luna!” He shouted as he watched the night mare turn surprisingly to see Uriel approach. The mares from Ponyville watched with interest as their cheering came to a dead stop. “It has been pointed out to me that I may have been too defensive upon our first meeting.” Uriel admitted as he finally let out a sigh. “Basically, I wanted to apologize Princess Luna.” The white Alicorn said and feared it may have been too late for his apology as he watched Luna only keep her frown on her face.
It was the sudden smile on her face and the hug she placed around him that made the white Alicorn slightly jump. “Only on one condition will I accept your apology Uriel.” Luna said as she broke the hug. Uriel squinted his eyes as he waited for the catch. “Call me Aunt Luna.” The larger blue Alicorn said with glee.
“Oh come on!” Uriel begged as he also rolled his eyes in disbelief.
“Ahem!” Uriel heard behind him as he turned to see all six mares wearing very large smiles. Was no pony on his side? Uriel simply slouched his shoulders and muttered some words that no pony could understand.
“I'm sorry Uriel, what did you say?” Luna said teasingly as she leaned closer with her own large smile on her face.
Uriel only let out another sigh knowing the only way he was going to get anywhere was by getting past this small obstacle. “I'm sorry for yelling at you,” He paused as he looked back at his new friends who waited eagerly. “Aunt Luna.” he finished as everypony in the vicinity erupted with cheer. Where the confetti came from was beyond Uriel as he was hugged deeply again by his Aunt.
As every Mare and Stallion waved to Princess Luna as she lifted off into the air they turned to head into town. It was quiet but everypony was not surprised as it was fairly early in the morning. After deciding that Applejack and Rainbow Dash was to take the first shift of looking after Uriel the three made their way to Sweet Apple Acres. Between AJ's yawning and Dash's poking and prodding at his wings Uriel couldn't wait to jump into bed.
“You can sleep in mah big brother's bed while he's gone.” AJ said as she pushed the door open with foreleg. “As long as ya don't make a mess I'm sure he won't mind.” She said as she waved goodnight heading to her own room next door.
Uriel laid in bed for a moment recalling all the crazy things that had happened to him of late. It was defiantly a lot more exciting then his life as a human and he had already made six friends but this wasn't his life. He fought with his inner thoughts until he simply gave up and drifted off into sleep letting the last of the moonlight cover over him.
“Sister!” Princess Celestia shouted as she ran up to gather the latest information on her son. “What happened? Where is he?” She let loose a barrage of questions all at once.
Luna only let her older sister see the smirk spread on her face. The dark blue Alicorn never even broke her stride as she made her way to the stairs leading to her bedroom. All Princess Celestia got was a “Uriel called me Aunt Luna!”
“How'd she do that?” Celestia thought as she quickly sat dumbfounded.