//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: Friendship Is Magic! ... Unless You Are a Human // by Huk //------------------------------// “Your Highness, with all due respect, I must protest once more!” Dr. Stables said, slamming his foreleg into the ground. “The patient is barely in stable condition, he should stay in the hospital!” “I understand your concerns doctor, but Captain Gastovski and his friend convinced me this is the best approach.” “It’s been only three days since the operation, and we barely managed to save him back then—” “That’s why Twilight, Kleiner and moi, were working our asses off for the last few days, to get this place ready,” James interjected. “Your staff did a great job, doc – but we’ll take it from here.” Stables shook his head. “This place is not sterile, he can get an infection or worse!” “Doc… I realize you would like to have him under your watchful eye, but trust me, he will be fine here,” James said just as they reached the door to the room that was converted to the infirmary. Stables wanted to counter, but as soon as the door opened, he stopped dead in his track and let out an audible gasp of amazement. He was expecting an obscure bed, and at most some essential equipment beside it. Instead, the room was filled with lots of medical devices – some of which Stables had never seen before. Even the bed itself had some monitors attached to it – which all came to life as soon as John’s body was laid on it. Seeing the amazement on Stables’s face, James smiled. “I know it’s not much, but I think we will manage… somehow.” The doctor scanned the room for a few more seconds, before clearing his throat. " All right then… I’ll leave him in your capable… hands. However, I still want to see your friend later – for a checkup.” “Got it, and doc... Thanks for saving his butt.” “That’s what we do, Captain.” “Yeah, but… You operated with only a minimal knowledge of his anatomy, without even a drop of human blood to replace and still pulled it off. That’s… fucking awesome!” “Again, that’s my job,” Stables said with a smile. His professionalism wouldn’t allow him to admit it, but he was indeed very pleased with how the procedure turned out. “I just hope your friend recovers. Good luck.” He bowed to Celestia and left her and James with the patient. “OK, now that we’re alone,” James turned to Celestia. “When are you going to talk with Twilight?” “I am… busy.” “Oh, don’t give me that crap… For the past three days, the two of you have been avoiding each other like the plague. Don’t you think that’s enough?” James shook his head. “You’re the one who is two-thousand something—” “I am twelve-hundred!” “Oh, don’t worry… you look no older than eight-hundred anyway,” James said with a smirk, only to get an angry snort in return. “Seriously, act your age and talk with Twilight. She… isn’t taking this whole affair very well.” Celestia let out a sigh. “I shall do it after the situation with John is cleared up. Speaking of which, how much will it take before he wakes up?” “Kleiner suggest to apply the nano-tech treatment and to keep him under for another day… I’ll let you know…” *** “I don’t know about this,” Sweetie Belle said to Apple Bloom, who was putting some apple in her saddlebag, “You sure you want to go? You know what Applejack said.” “I know, but it’s driving me crazy!” “But what if she’s right? What if he really is dangerous?” Apple Bloom stopped packing the scattered fruits, and with a deep sigh, slowly shook her head. “Sweetie Belle… You haven’t seen what happened that day. Cheerilee and I were just talking to him, he finally started to brighten up and then…” She bit her lip and shuddered, as the memory flashed before her eyes. “There was a flash and the scream! Sweet Celestia… I never heard anything like that before! He cried out in pain, clutched his chest and dropped like a rock.” Her figure started visibly shaking. “And when they turned him, his eyes were so... cold, like… I don’t know – I have never seen anything so scary in my life. He was dead! Burned!” She tightened her grip, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow. “I can still feel the stench… I can’t get it out of my head, not after what happens to mom and pa…” “I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” Sweetie Belle embraced her, gently stroking her mane. “Do you understand now?” Apple Bloom said, sniffling loudly. “I must find out if he really is fine, I just have to know! What if they’re lying to me again, like back then?” “I think I understand…” Sweetie sighed, and with a gentle smile, started levitating some of the fruits from Apple Bloom’s over-filled saddlebag to her own. “Let me help you with those apples… You hear something?” As soon as their ears perked up, a loud screeching sound filled the air, making them flinch. They turn to see Scootaloo emerging from a nearby cloud of dust. “Hey, guys…” She said apathetically, her head hanging low.” “What’s up Scoot? I haven’t seen you in the last few days,” Sweetie Belle said. “Been practicing some new stunts?” “Yeah… you can say that—” “What is THAT?” Apple Bloom pointed at the scooter. “It looks ancient…” “Um… Yeah, it’s an older model,” Scootaloo said. “It breaks down all the time too…” “What happened to the old one… I mean the new one… I mean…” Sweetie Belle paused and jerked her head. “Ugh… You know what I mean!” “It’s… being repaired…” “Hmm, practicing your circus stunts on that thing must be a nightmare—” “What did you say?!” Scootaloo’s face suddenly changed from indifferent to angry. “I’m not a stinking circus pony!” “Darn it Scoot, she didn’t say anything like that…” Sweetie interjected. “Why are you so jumpy lately, huh?” “Nothing! Just… don’t mention the darn circus!” “Fine, whatever…” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. “OK, I think we’re done here, Apple Bloom – our bags are full.” “Where are you going?” Scootaloo said. “Twilight’s castle – Apple Bloom wants to find out if the other human is OK… Any luck with Rainbow Dash, by the way?” Scootaloo slowly shook her head in silence. Ever since the incident, Dash wasn’t herself anymore – her brash speedster attitude was gone, replaced by an apathetic shell. She took a leave of absence from the Wonderbolts training – spending most of her time either locked up in her home or sleeping on one of the clouds. She didn’t smile, she didn’t fly, and she didn’t talk, not to Scootaloo, not her friends, not even to her family. “Her parents should try knocking some sense into her,” Apple Bloom said. “They tried, but she didn’t tell them anything either…” Scootaloo put her hoof on her chin. “You know… Maybe Twilight knows what’s going on with Rainbow?” “Maybe, but ever since the incident, she’s been spending most of the time inside the castle…” “Mind if I come along? Maybe I’ll be able to get something out of her…” “No problem Scoot, I just hope they let me see him...” “Hey, cheer up!” Scootaloo poked her roughly in the side. “We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, remember? We’ll find a way!” Seeing both her friends smiling for a change, Sweetie Belle decided to strike while the iron is hot. “We better get a move on while the day is still young, come on!” Without waiting for a response, she directed herself towards Twilight’s castle. “Hey, wait for us...” *** “Ugh...” John groaned quietly, as his eyes were struck by the light coming from the crystal above. “Where... What?” “Easy there buddy, you’ve been through one heck of a ride.” “Huh? I… I don’t…” John glanced at his left side and his eyes widened. “My arm… it’s gone…?” “Sorry, man…” “But… I can still feel it… It can’t be gone!” James sighed. “Phantom sensation… Trust me, I know this little bastard all too well…” For what seemed like an eternity, John stared at where his arm should be, with a vacant expression. He was scanning the ugly stump from top to bottom, over and over and over again – squinting his eyes, blinking and shaking his head – his breathing becoming rapid and shallow. “It’s your fault!” He snarled to James. “Going from denial to anger in less than a minute – nice…” “Fuck you! You had no right!” “Watch it buddy – you are yelling at the only guy who can fix you up.” “Fix me up?” John cocked his head. “They have some magic here that regrow limbs?” “Magic-shmagic… technology is the answer! I’m working on a real beaut for you, state-of-the-art bang-bang!” John arched his eyebrow. “Not convinced? Just wait a day or two – it’ll be so good, you’ll want to use it instead of your right hand when unleashing the Kraken!” “Man…” John let out an involuntary chuckle. “You got issues.” “Maybe, but at least you brightened up a little… Jokes aside, Kleiner and I are really working on something – it should be ready by tomorrow. Some clothes too, because your armor is pretty much done for.” “Wait, my stuff – where are my things?!” “Hey, easy there, man! I got you junk right here… somewhere.” Scratching his head, James started snooping through various boxes scattered all over the room. “Ah, here it is. Let’s see… One universal translator… one slightly used wallet – minus the ten bucks you owned me.” “Hrmph, a-hole…” “One, worn-out locket – that’s probably what you were blabbering about… Next, we have a ‘Best… Sperm Donor Ever’ pen and… it doesn’t work, so into the trash can it goes—” “Give me that!” John snatched the pen out of James’ hand with force. “Jeez, sentimental aren’t we? What else do we have… some MREs! I haven’t eaten those for months – yummy!” “You want to eat the ‘Meals Refusing to Exit’ be my guest… I would rather have something healthy for a change…” “And last but not least we have a… ‘Playmare’ magazine… ?” John smiled. “I’m pretty sure that’s yours.” “Not this one, no… must be Spike’s,” James arched his eyebrow and smirked. “And it has Fleur de Lis on the cover, nice… I better take it with me for… safekeeping.” “Ugh… this is, bestiality.” “Hrmph, here ponies mate with griffons, hippogriffs and other creatures and no one’s complaining!” “Do whatever you want, but I’m not gonna touch a damn pony… or anything else!” James smirked. “We’ll see. I’ll put the box with your stuff under the bed.” “Fine… How long was I out, anyway?” “Five days. We moved you here yesterday and fortunately, your body is responding well to the nano-tech injections,” James picked up a jet injector. “Speaking of which—” Before John could say anything, the hypo gun was already pumping the medicine to his system, with a soft hiss. “Argh, damn it! That thing stings like a bloody wasp!” “Hrmph, don’t be such a wuss! It may hurt for a moment, but it’ll make you feel a lot better in a few minutes, trust me,” James said, just as the hissing stopped. “OK, done… John, I need to get Celestia here… You’re not going to try to kill yourself, are you?” “Right now, the only person I want dead is the bastard that did this to me…” “We’ll see what we can do about that. But, you sure I don’t have to bind you until I’m back?” John smiled. “If you like rope so much, maybe you should try bondage.” “I did once, but she just tied me down and whined about how hard it is to be a princess… Anyway, need something while I’m gone? A book? A movie? Some porn?” “Um… no thanks—” “You sure? You know that unused organs atrophy, right?” “Ugh… You REALLY have issues…” James smirked. “Not with that part I don’t—” “Just… go already,” John waved his hand dismissively. “Fine, fine… I’ll be back in a sec. Enjoy… staring at the ceiling, or… something.” James said, leaving the room. As soon as the door closed, John sat up in bed, eyeing his surroundings, looking for something to pass the time, but quickly realized he should have taken James up on his offer for a book or… something else. Aside from some various medical scanners and equipment, there was nothing particularly interesting in the room, and his mind was beginning to wander… until his eyes glanced again at the left side of his body. There was no rush, so he took the time to study the mutilated limb, examining the stump from every possible angle, and thinking about what happened. As the minutes passed his breathing quickened, and his rage flared up again – it didn’t take long until it reached the flashpoint. John slammed his fist to the nearby medical tray, lunching the content to the air. “Fucking, ponies…” He laid back down just as a few tears of anguish rolled down his cheeks. He was waiting on his bed for what seemed like an eternity until the sound of steps snapped him awake. “’I’ll be back in a second’ – my ass! Next time—” John furrowed his brow in surprise. Instead of James and Celestia, he saw three fillies standing nearby with their eyes wide and mouths agape, gaping at him. Before he could say anything, they started backing away in horror, with eyes locked on his stump. In haste, they failed to notice that the floor was littered with the medical supplies from the tray which John hit earlier. Apple Bloom reared and stumbled from the shock and surprise as a needle from a syringe sent a pricking pain up her front hoof. She lost her balance and fell backward, hitting her head on the crystal floor. “Hey! Kid, damn it!” John jumped off the bed like a wildcat, ignoring the searing sensation shooting up his abdomen. A moment later, Apple Bloom was on his lap, quietly groaning. “You, OK?” Apple Bloom squinted her eyes, and her vision cleared momentarily, but as it happened, she gasped in shock – flailing her hooves. “Whoa! Easy there, girl!” John tried embracing her, but one arm was not enough for the job. “Calm down! I’m not gonna bite—” Just as he said the words, Apple Bloom’s hoof connected with the stump sending a wave of pain that radiated through his entire body like a biting pack of fire-ants. The agonizing sensation made him loosen his grip, and she broke free from the embrace. Shaking like a leaf, Apple Bloom ran for the door, with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo right behind her. “Apple Bloom, come on! “Scootaloo shouted, opening the door. “Before Frankenstein gets up!” Expecting the one-armed beast to be right behind them, Apple Bloom turned around, but instead of the blood-thirsty monster, she saw a curled-up figure sitting on the floor and painfully clenching its left side. It was the first time she had a moment to observe the creature in peace, and as she glanced at its face, her eyes widened. It… it’s him… Biting her lip, Apple Bloom slowly approached the groaning human. “I’m… so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.” Still sitting on the floor, John glanced up and let out a bitter chuckle. “Yeah, I hear that a lot lately.” “I didn’t recognize you at first with that…” Apple Bloom glanced the stump. “D-does it… hurt?” “No…” John said, but the clenched teeth and sweat on his forehead were telling a different story. “I came here to find out if you’re OK, I didn’t mean to hit you,” Apple Bloom sniffled, and Before he knew what was happening, she was around his neck, trying to squeeze the life out of it. “I’m so sorry, please don’t be mad at me…” John exchanged glances with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, quickly realizing he wasn’t the only one dumbstruck in the room. “Getting a little hard to breathe here…” He said with a smile. “Tell you what… help me up and back to the bed and all is forgiven – how about it?” Enthusiastic nod was the answer. Using Apple Bloom as a support, he got back on the bed a moment later. “Thanks, and sorry for the scare—” “Someone is coming, hide!” Scootaloo shouted, and all three fillies quickly hid behind some of the medical equipment a second later. “Please don’t tell them we’re here!” Apple Bloom said, just as the door opened… *** Celestia and James walked inside, quarreling over something – Twilight and Rainbow Dash followed right behind them in silence, their heads hanging low. “You want to see me in private? What for?” James said. “It is a… surprise.” “Fine, but I’m putting my chastity belt first,” James said, turning to John before Celestia could respond. “Sorry it took so long, but we needed to find Rainbow Dash first.” With her head hanging low, unkempt and tangled mane and baggy, bloodshot eyes, Rainbow Dash looked like someone who had been buried and then dug up again. “Um... I don’t understand,” John said in confusion. “Rainbow Dash is the one who caused your injuries,” Celestia said, joining the conversation – her voice sounding stoic. John’s face crumpled up. “What the hell is she doing here?!” “According to Equestrian law, as the victim – you are the one to decide if you want to press charges.” “I see… let me think about this...” He struck a thinking pose, smiling sarcastically. “She shot me with lightning, almost killed me in the process and cost me my arm... Should I press charges? Hmm, that’s a tough one…” “I’m sorry...” Rainbow murmured, her voice barely audible. “What was that?” “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—” “Oh, really? Because if there is one thing I recall clearly is a dark cloud moving towards me… How the hell is that even possible?” “It’s a pegasus thing, don’t think about it too much,” James said. “All you need to know is that they can control the clouds… and lightning.” “Fine…” John turned back to Rainbow Dash. “So, you are saying that you somehow accidentally found a storm cloud on a cloudless day, accidentally hung it above my head, and accidentally discharged it?” Rainbow Dash quietly looked away in response. “Thought so…” He turned to Celestia. “I’m sick and tired of being treated like a punching bag around here. You bet I want to press charges!” Any glimmer of hope Rainbow still had, was extinguished at that moment. Squeezing her eyes shut, she hiccupped letting the few tears still inside of her, to hit the floor below. Celestia sighed. “Very well… Rainbow Dash, while it is technically true that you are innocent until proven guilty, I would like to ask you to resign from the Wonderbolts yourself before the trial, so that we can avoid the official expel procedure—” “WHAT?!” The eyes of everyone in the room glanced back, in the direction of a large machine where three fillies were hiding. “Rainbow Dash… what are they saying?!” Scootaloo said, approaching Dash with her mouth agape from shock. “I am afraid I will have to ask the three of you to leave,” Celestia said, but her words fall on deaf ears. “No!” Scootaloo grabbed Dash in a tight embrace, her own eyes starting to tear up. “You can’t do this to her!” “It’s OK squirt, I deserve it...” For a moment, Scootaloo tightened her grip, allowing a few tears of anguish to soak Rainbow’s blue fur, but when she glanced at John something broke inside of the young pegasus. “It’s all your fault!” She shouted, breaking the embrace and sprinting towards the confused human with fire in her wet eyes. “That is quite enough!” Celestia said, enveloping the feisty filly with her magic. “It’s his fault! His fault!” “My fault?! Your idol almost killed me and cost me my arm, you damn brat!” “You are lying! Rainbow is a good pony! She would never hurt anyone like that—” “But I did,” Scootaloo turned in shock and fell silent. " I deserve this squirt… I would give anything to turn back the time, but… I’m guilty…” Rainbow let out a sigh of defeat. “Do whatever you want, I just want this nightmare to end already…” Silence filled the air as Scootaloo and rest of the Crusaders stared at Rainbow Dash in shock and confusion. Released from Celestia’s magic, Scootaloo once again approached her idol, this time with a blank stare. “Rainbow...” Was all she managed to whisper, before burying her head under Dash’s, and sobbing. Glancing at the scene, Apple Bloom shook her head. “Please, don’t do this to her,” she said to John. “Rainbow really ain’t a bad pony.” “How can you say that? You were there when that happened for Christ sake!” “She didn’t do it on purpose... She thought you were him,” Apple Bloom said, pointing at James. “That was supposed to be just a prank.” “A prank?! Are you ponies insane?!” John snapped, making Apple Bloom take a step back. “What’s next? Boiling oil? A living torch—” “Johnny…” “Don’t you ‘Johnny’ me, goddamnit! Those ponies are nuts!” “Johnny, before you continue your little tirade, you should know that due to the nature of Equestria, ponies – and most other creatures living here – are pretty much immune to most lightning strikes. It can singe them a little, but not much else… I’m also more-or-less immune, but it can mess up my nano-tech and make me act funnily – I guess that miss feather brain over here tried to do just that… again.” John cocked his head and facepalm in disbelief – burring his face in his hand. The momentary silence was interrupted by a chuckle that quickly turned into mad laughter – getting louder with every second. “Um… Care to share the joke with the rest of us, buddy?” James said. “This whole situation, that’s the joke. A… sick, morbid kind of joke, but still – hard not to appreciate the irony.” “FUBAR, huh?” “To put it mildly…” With a smile, John turned to Celestia and shrugged. “What do you expect me to do, huh? Let her slide? Say that everything is dandy as if nothing happened?” “No, I do not – you have every right to demand harsh punishment. No matter how guilty Rainbow Dash feels, it does not absolve her from responsibility for her actions.” “Goddamnit, it’s not about my rights! It’s about what’s right and wrong, and I… don’t know anymore…” Shaking his head, John let out a deep slow sigh. “When I first met you, you were all cheerful. Even after you saved my butt from that little... incident, you were still happy. And now? John pointed at Twilight. “The purple one looks like she hasn’t slept for a few days, and every time you look in her direction, she looks away. The kid here is crying her eyes out – and you?” He turned back to Celestia. “Gone is the happy face and cheerful attitude I witnessed earlier. Instead, that current gaze of yours is so cold, Gastovski could probably use it to cool his vodka… There is so much despair in this room that I feel like if I’m attending a fucking funeral! And you’re telling me I have the right to make it even worse? Somehow that doesn’t make me feel any better…” Celestia glanced at Twilight and the CMCs, letting out a sigh – John’s words were a perfect summary of the last few days. With Rainbow Dash in her depressed state, and Twilight almost not getting out of the lab, the atmosphere was grim at best. “Apple Bloom, would you come here?” John said, but the filly in question was hesitant. “Please?” Slowly, Apple Bloom approached him, with an unsure expression on her face – not knowing what to expect. When they were face to face, John extended his arm, gently touching her mane. She flinched at first, but seeing the sadness on his face, allowed the contact a moment later. “I’m sorry for the yelling… This is just… messed up…” Apple Bloom smiled. “It’s OK, I understand.” “Thank you, little one,” He turned to James. “What will happen exactly if I press charges?” “Short version: Dash will be dishonorably discharged from an elite military unit. She pretty much worked her entire life to get this job, so it’s kind of important to her.” “I see,” John turned back to Apple Bloom. “And she’s your friend, huh?” Apple Bloom nodded. “If I don’t press charges, she won’t learn her lesson. If I do, I will destroy her dream...” John turned towards Celestia. “How about something in the middle?” “According to the Wonderbolts’ codex, the unit’s commander has the right to punish those under his supervision. If you are willing, we could use that approach.” John nodded. “I am – If you promise me to fix that doom and gloom, around here as well.” “I… beg your pardon?” “Johnny is trying to say in a gentle way that you and Twilight should get wasted and finally talk to each other,” James said with a smile. “You know, the same thing I’m constantly asking you to do?” “John, you cannot expect us to—” “I can, and I am!” John said, making Celestia furrow her brow. “You can skip the drinking part, but the rest stays – and that’s the final offer.” Celestia took a good look of her former student. With baggy eyes and unkempt mane, Twilight looked only a little better than Rainbow Dash. “This is extortion, but… I… or rather we, shall try.” “Then it’s settled. Do I need to sign anything?” “W-what does it mean?” Rainbow Dash said, with a trembling voice and confused face, still not grasping the situation. “It means that John is the soft-hearted idiot I always took him for.” “Am I blushing, boss?” “It also means that the little list of things Spitfire can punish you with, that I compiled – will not go to waste!” James grinned. “It also means that you won’t go to the slammer – so much for losing your virginity anytime soon… And last but not least… it also means you’ll remain a Wonderbolt. What do you say, Dashie?” Instead of an answer Rainbow cocked her head in confusion and started glancing between James, Celestia, and John, as if expecting one of them to shout ‘It’s a prank!’ It took a few seconds before she realized this was happening for real. “W-why?” Dash finally said. “I don’t deserve this…” “Come here,” John said, with a blank face. Rainbow complied but avoided eye contact. “Look at me,” slowly, she lifted her head and locked her eyes with his. “You know… right now, a good part of me would like nothing better than to jump off this bed and strangle you! Prank or not, what you did was reckless, irresponsible and stupid!” “I… know.” “Really? I’m not so sure. I see that you’re sorry – but why you’re sorry is a different matter.” “Then… why are you doing this?” “Because… outside this castle, only two people treated me like a normal human being,” John said with a smile, stroking Apple Bloom’s mane. “If she claims you’re not a jerk then I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.” Rainbow lowered her head again and sniffled as tears started streaming down her face. “Thank you…” John gently lifted her chin and smiled, looking in her watery eyes. “When you cry like that, I no longer know if I should strangle you, or hug you…” “I’m s-sorry,” Dash said with a shuddering breath, “I’m so s-sorry...” “I know, but... make no mistake, I hope that your commander will make sure to teach you a lesson.” “Knowing Spitfire, I will be cleaning Wonderbolts toilets for years,” Dash chuckled through tears. “That’s just for starters, Dashie,” James snickered. “What’s on that list, boss?” “Oh, let’s not dwell on details, but let’s just say that Spitfire and I agreed that it should teach Dash a lesson. Also, I had a feeling that she isn’t very fond of Rainbow’s pranks either…” “Well, sounds like you’ll have your… hoofs full miss, just… don’t make me regret my decision.” “I won’t! I promise!” Dash said. “Good… Oh, one more thing… you have a death wish or something?” Dash tilted her head, not understanding the question. “I mean, do you have any idea what cheesy would do to you if you had zapped him then?” “Probably not as much as I would want to…” James grumbled. “You, letting a prankster live? That’s new…” “It’s complicated, Johnny – let’s leave it at that,” James said, only to notice Celestia and other ponies, gaping at him. “What?” Celestia smirked. “Cheesy...?” “Captain ‘cheesy one-liner’ Gastovski,” John said. “He didn’t tell you his nickname?” Trying to hide her grin, Dash put her hoof to her mouth, and the rest of ponies quickly followed. They turned to James, to see him with a squinted eyes, gritting his teeth and a bloody-red blush filling his cheeks. “Nobody heard that nickname… got it?!” James said. “Whatever you say… Cheesy,” Celestia snickered. Rainbow Dash couldn’t hold it anymore, she hit the floor laughing hysterically “Johnny,” a buzzing sound of Gastovski’s weapons powering up filled the room, “I heard they treated depression by shock therapy. I think you should try it.” “Um, I’m not depressed anymore – really!” “I insist!” James said, grinding his teeth. “You wouldn’t hurt my friend, with that, would you?” Apple Bloom said, stepping in between, making her characteristic puppy face. James locked his eyes with hers, trying to fight her gaze, but this was one battle he couldn’t win. “Ugh! You… damn little cute manipulator…” He said, powering down his cannon and turning to the crowd behind him. “OK, I’m gonna say this once – anyone who uses that lovely nickname is gonna get tazed. And royalty will be tazed twice, for good measure!” Celestia furrowed her brow and smiled sarcastically. “Is that a threat? Perhaps I should put you in chains and throw you into the dungeon?” “After the last time I’m not really into bondage, but thanks for asking.” John interjected, clearing his throat. “Although I love this whole ‘Gastestia’ thing – I’m starving, got anything to eat around here?” “Oh, I almost forgot! We brought you some apples!” Apple Bloom interjected, opening her saddlebag, and spilling the apples on the nearby empty table. With his mouth almost watering John glanced at the fruit in front of him. Perfection, that’s one word that could be used to describe them, perfectly round, and fully ripened. “Thanks! Boss, pay her up.” “Pay me?” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Those are for free, silly! A little ’hope you get better soon’ gift.” “I don’t get it...” John scratched his temple. “Why are you so nice to me? After the... incident with your sister—” “Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Applejack, but you don’t seem like a bad person, especially after what you just did for Rainbow Dash. I just thought this will make you feel better...” John smiled. “Tell me... Do you ponies like belly rubs?” “Belly rubs?” Before anyone could protest, John picked Apple Bloom from the ground, putting her on her back and scratching her tummy. “Hey! That tickles!” Apple Bloom said, chuckling at the same time. “So, you want me to stop?” John said, but Apple Bloom just shook her head. “I hope I’m not breaking any laws?” “Um... I... don’t think so...?” James said, turning to Celestia. “As far as I know, there are no laws against it... As long as Apple Bloom approves, of course.” “You do, don’t you?” John asked, making a puppy face, similar to what Apple Bloom did earlier, and she nodded again. “Ha, ha!” Rainbow Dash laughed, “Almost as good as Apple Bloom herself! I didn’t know humans can do that!” James turned to Celestia, trying to put a puppy face himself. “So… Care for some belly rubs?” “No thank you.” “Hrmph, thanks for reminding me how unfair life is.” Celestia smiled. “Anytime—” “Darn it, Twilight - are you in there?” The door to the room suddenly opened, revealing the irritated figure of Applejack. “Where the hay, do you want me to put those darn apples you ordered?” She glanced at John, and he glanced back – Apple Bloom still on his lap. Before anyone could react, she was galloping towards him. “LET HER GO!” Seeing her sister approaching, Apple Bloom jumped off John’s lap, quickly hiding behind a nearby table. “Whoa! Wait!” John shouted, raising his arm defensively. Instead of attacking him, Applejack dashed towards her sister first. “Are you OK? What did he do?!” Not waiting for an answer she turned to John. “If you ever touch her again, I’m gonna break every bone in that worthless body of yours, you hear me?!” “Applejack, he didn’t do anything—” “Hush! You, home, NOW!” Applejack started pushing her towards the door. “That is enough!” Celestia yelled, enveloping both earth ponies in her magic. “Applejack, John did nothing wrong, and he did not hurt Apple Bloom in any way.” “With all due respect, your Highness, I will protect my little sister the way I see fit! Even you don’t have the right to tell me how to do it!” Celestia closed her eyes, releasing Applejack from her magic and placing her on the floor. “You are correct, I cannot force you in that matter. However, I ask you to stop this foolishness—” “FOOLISHNESS?!” Applejack slammed her foreleg into the ground. “After what he tried to do, you call me foolish?” “Applejack, please don’t—” “No, Rainbow Dash! I’ve had it!” Applejack said, roughly pushing Dash’s hoof away. “Last few days it was just, him, him and him! No one cares what happen to you or how you feel, or how Twilight is doing, or that the crops are dying because the darn weather ponies can’t do their job!!” She turned towards Celestia. “You don’t care! It’s all about him – what about us?!” “Applejack... you are pushing this way too far. Where is your compassion?” “And where is yours?! Don’t you see what Rainbow is going through, or Twilight?!” “I am well aware. But frankly, both of them need to understand that—” “That you don’t care?! Oh, yeah, we got that part!” “I do not appreciate when someone constantly interrupts me,” Celestia spread her wings, looming over Applejack. “Now, I think you should apologize to John for what you said a moment ago.” “That’s not happening!” “Stop!” John said, getting their attention. Both ponies turned towards him, only to see that the smile he had just a minute ago was gone, and his eyes were locked onto the ground again. “If she doesn’t want me near Apple Bloom, I shall respect it.” He turned to Applejack. “But you should know that I would never hurt your little sister…” John paused, noticing Applejack gaping at his stump. “What? Never seen a cripple? A little souvenir from your blue friend... and you know what? I forgave her... Too bad you can’t forgive me...” “John, this is not right—” Celestia said, but he cut her off. “Just leave me alone, all of you – I’m not hungry anymore.” Celestia sighed. “Very well,” directing herself towards the door, the rest of the crowd quickly followed. As the door closed, John heard muffled protest coming from Apple Bloom. “Why can’t I see him?! It’s not fair!” John let out an audible sigh, staring at the crystal ceiling. “Such is life little princess, such is life...” *** “Children, I think that is enough emotions for one day. Please go home,” Celestia said, and CMCs nodded in agreement. As they were leaving, Applejack stopped near Celestia and took off her hat. “Your Highness... I’m sorry.” “I think, enough words have been said for one day and... both of us have something to think about. Perhaps you and Rainbow Dash should have a talk, because frankly… I do not understand your attitude lately.” Celestia took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. “I am not angry, Applejack, but... I am disappointed.” Applejack squeezed her eyes shut. “Princess, I—” “No, Applejack,” Celestia cuts her off, “for now, say no more, but please think over everything that happened here today, and ask yourself if John deserves that kind of treatment,” she turned towards James. “Please come with me.” “AJ, you OK?” Rainbow asked. Glancing at the ground, her hat still in her hoof Applejack shook her head. “No, Rainbow, I’m not OK. Nothing is OK.” *** Meanwhile, in the other part of the palace, Celestia and James reached the kitchen, closing the door behind them. “Tea?” She asked, already heating up the kettle with her magic. “No, thanks,” he glanced at the kettle, which was already letting off steam. “Whoa, slow down, or that thing is gonna explode!” “Fear not,” Celestia said, at the same time levitating a teacup with the ingredients. “I have been doing that before you were born,” she added pouring the boiling liquid into her cup. “Hrmph, showoff…” “Do you have any idea why I asked you here?” “You found out that I have imported Hippogriff cookies on me?” James pulled out a pack of neatly packed, high-quality cookies with some Hippogriff writing on it. “Those things cost an arm and leg, and I’m not sharing!” “Those are indeed delicious,” Celestia licked her lips and smiled. “But they are not the reason I called you,” she took a sip from her cup, and her face crumpled up. “Ugh, remind me to pass a law requiring all royal palaces to be stocked with good quality tea... How Twilight can drink that... abomination is beyond me.” “Only tea? No cake?” James snickered only to receive a piercing gaze in response. “O-kay tea... got it. I’m just trying to be helpful.” “Of course you are,” she said, smiling sarcastically and took another sip of her cup. “Tell me, how do you think John will be affected by what transpired?” “I don’t know, but it definitely won’t be anything good… Damn it, of all ponies around, he had to bond with Apple Bloom... Irony—” “Is a bitch, I know… Would you agree that meeting more ponies could help with his... recovery?” “Probably, but if Applejack blames him for what happened to Rainbow Dash, then I bet others in Ponyville will too... Not the best environment to make friends…” “I agree, and I have an idea... Do you know what is the ’Royal Summit’?” “It’s that party that is coming soon, right? Something like that ‘Grand Galloping Gala’ only more elite. Rarity is constantly blabbering about it…” Celestia nodded. “Correct, it is a gala when the royalty from all over Equestria meet with a very selected part of the nobility.” “Great, but what that has to do with John?” “I believe, he should attend.” James blinked a few times, slowly tilting his head. “Um... I think you are confused – we want to get him out of depression and prevent him from suicide, not push him to it!” “The gala will give him a chance to meet some new, unbiased ponies—” “Nobility, unbiased? HA! They would take him for me, and mess him up.” Celestia smiled. “That is why you are going as well.” “Ha, good one…” James said, only to realize Celestia was not joking. “You can’t be serious! I’m not going anywhere!” “Yes, you are.” “Um, I studied the law remember? I know for a fact that you can’t make me go.” Celestia’s horn started to glow, shifting some paper on the desk. “While it is true that I cannot make you attend, I would like to show you something to ‘convince’ you... Ah, there it is,” she said, pulling a strange looking piece of white paper of the stack. Seeing the particular sheet, James’ eyes widened. Luna… you didn’t! Keep your composure, don’t let her know! “A piece of paper... How interesting – can I go now?” “Are you not curious what it says?” “Not really...” “I think I am going to read it to you anyway,” she leaned her chin on her hooves, levitated the paper in front of her. ’Hey, Luna! Yeah, I heard about the ‘Royal Summit’ but don’t worry, I already have a plan for how you can avoid it. Trust me on this one, there will be an ‘emergency needing your immediate attention’ and ‘coincidentally’ it will happen just minutes before you are called in :P Don’t worry, Sun Butt— Celestia paused, shooting James a cold glare. —will never suspect a thing and you will have a solid alibi :) James.’ “Hrmph, obvious fake! I don’t know who gave that to you, but you should blast that person to the moon!” “Two days ago, Luna sent me a pile of papers needing my attention, this was a part of the stack,” Celestia smiled. “Are you saying she is trying to prank me?” “Um... I don’t know... maybe?” “And to do that, she somehow got a sheet of... how do you call it? A ‘printer paper’? And somehow printed the letter using the technology you brought from home?” Celestia smiled sarcastically. “Um, she is kind of dedicated,” James said, but seeing that Celestia was unfazed, let out a sigh of defeat. “Fine, I did it… but I had a very good reason.” “And what would that be?” “Um...” James started frantically scratching his head, looking around for something that would get him out of this mess. “You’ll have to give me a minute, I’m just making it up right now,” he said smiling sheepishly. “How about… trying to protect Luna from her overbearing sister?” “Very funny.” “Says the one whose nickname was Trollestia in the past.” “W-what? Who told you that? It was Luna was it not?!” “I shall never betray the source of my information! … But yes.” Celestia snorted. “I shall have a little chat with my dear sister, but the bottom line is, both of you need to be punished for scheming behind my back, therefore – you are going.” “And if I just don’t show up?” “In that case, I will be… upset,” Celestia said with an unnatural, sinister smile on her face. “And believe me, you do not want that,” she added, taking another sip. Shaking his head, James clinched his fists. “Get me out of this mess, and I’ll… stop the rumor about Blueblood being your firstborn.” The remark struck her by surprise and she choked on her tea, coughing out some of it on the paper in front of her. “There is no such rumor!” “There will be…” “You would not dare!” “Phew, of course, I wouldn’t dare! Some anonymous stallion writing for the Canterlot Times, would. But I know how to stop him!” “I see… Well, thank you kindly for the offer, but I think I will manage. I will see you at the gala. Oh, and please tell mister anonymous that if I hear a rumor like that floating around, he may end up with a little addition to his title.” James tilted his head. “Addition?” “Instead of sir anonymous, he will be known as sir anonymous... the gelded. How does that sound?” Celestia said, her smile getting back on her face. “You can go.” James got to the door in silence and grabbed the handle. “You’re evil…” He said, before leaving the room. Reading one of the documents in front of her, Celestia placed the pack of Hippogriff cookies on the table, and levitating one to her mouth took a bite. “Evil, indeed.”