//------------------------------//
// Chapter 29 
// Story: A Different Viewpoint of Equestria 
// by Christopher28 
//------------------------------//

As Princess Celestia and Briar Rose walked toward the inner courtyard of the palace, Briar Rose glanced up at the taller, immortal mare dubiously, "You asked for volunteers, Celestia?  Are you sure that's wise?"

Princess Celestia raised an eyebrow.  "Whatever do you mean, Rose?  It might be a slightly dangerous assignment, but I'm sure there will still be plenty of ponies who are willing to come along."

Briar Rose rolled her eyes.  "That's likely to be an understatement.  No, I mean, why didn't you just pick the most qualified and leave it at that?  It's going to be a madhouse!  Half the ponies in Canterlot are going to want to come along!"

Celestia chuckled.  "I'm sure it won't be that bad.  Besides, I trust your judgement.  I'm sure you'll be able to pick out the best and the brightest."

Briar Rose sighed.  "Ah well, let's get this over with," with that, she pushed open the doors to the courtyard, and sighed once again at the sight.  Over a hundred ponies were waiting, chatting animatedly among themselves.  As the door opened and Princess Celestia and Briar Rose entered the courtyard, the sound of talking ceased, to be replaced by an almost palpable feeling of anticipation.

"Hello, my little ponies!"  Princess Celestia greeted them with a fond smile.  "I am so gratified that so many of you wish to volunteer to serve on this most noble of ventures, but unfortunately, only a few will be chosen for the initial expedition.  Nevertheless, I am most grateful to all of you who have come today.  Now, as the leader of this expedition, Professor Rose will be in charge of picking her team, so with no further ado, I'll leave matters in her capable hooves."

The inner courtyard reverberated for several moments with the polite yet enthusiastic hoof stomping of the crowd, and Briar Rose sighed as she shot Celestia another glare.  "Great.  Thanks," she muttered to her ruler under her breath before turning to those gathered and raising her voice to be heard.  "Alright everypony!" she shouted as the stomping came to a stop.  "I'm going to want you to break up into groups.  Those with previous dig experience, please gather over there," she pointed a hoof to the eastern end of the courtyard.  "Those who are volunteering for guard duty, over there..." she pointed to the western end of the courtyard.  "Everypony else... over there," Rose pointed toward the southern end, opposite where she and Princess Celestia had come out.

Rose waited for the gathered ponies to sort themselves out, noticing several faces she knew, and a few others she knew off.  "Celestia... is that a pair of Wonderbolts standing in the middle group?" she asked incredulously.

Princess Celestia simply smiled.  "I believe so.  Captain Spitfire and Lieutenant Soarin', if I'm not mistaken."

Rose glanced to her right.  "There appear to be nearly thirty royal guards here as well.  How did you get so many of them to volunteer?"

Celestia shrugged.  "I had nothing to do with it.  I believe it was a combination of factors... including the fact that Twilight's elder brother... who happens to be a Captain of the guard here, seems to have encouraged some of his best and brightest into the assignment."

Briar Rose looked surprised.  "That's interesting.  Your protege's older brother is also your Captain of the Guard?  What are the odds of that?"

The solar princess smiled softly.  "Talent seems to run in the family.  I assure you they both truly earned their positions."

Briar Rose nodded acceptance.  "I'll take your word on it," she glanced out at the crowd.  "Ah well... I better get this over with," walking out toward the group to the east, Rose headed toward a tall, older, white unicorn with a monocle who returned her gaze with a steady smile.

"Fancy Pants, you old scoundrel!"  Briar Rose said with a wide smile as she approached.  "What are you doing here?"

"When I heard that this expedition would include those lovely girls from Ponyville, I felt positively motivated to dust off my old adventuring togs and volunteer," the wealthy socialite explained.  "Of course, the fact that you're heading up the expedition is an added bonus."

Briar Rose raised an eyebrow.  "Flattery won't get you anywhere with me, Fancy.  Still, I suppose I could use a pony with your experience... can I count on you to handle the logistical details for this little enterprise?"

Fancy Pants nodded gracefully.  "As much as I would love to be in the thick of things, I will freely admit my strengths would serve you better in that role... so yes, I believe I will accept.  Still, you won't get rid of me that easily.  I fully intend to be there for the dig."

Briar Rose nodded and shrugged.  "I figured that much," she looked around curiously.  "So... is Blueblood going to be showing up as well?  The kid had a pretty good knack for navigating... even if he was a bit of a scaredy-cat."

Fancy Pants frowned.  "I don't believe so.  The rumor is that he's contracted horn rot... although I suspect that there is more to the story...." he paused, going silent, glancing toward Princess Celestia momentarily.  "But in any case, I'm sure your own talents in that area will be more than sufficient, my dear."

Briar Rose glanced at her own flank, at the compass rose cutie mark there, smiling slightly as she recalled how she had gotten it.  "I suppose I do alright.  In any case, I'll be leading a smaller team to start with.  Just myself, the element bearers, and probably half a dozen guards... Celestia certainly doesn't want to take any chances with their welfare.  After we've made sure the site is secure, I'll send for the actual dig team.  I'll be wanting to bring several of my current archeology students.  It'll be good experience for them.  I'll get you a list... can you handle putting together the rest of the digging crew?"

Fancy Pants nodded, smiling.  "Of course, my dear.  It will be just like old times!"

Briar Rose nodded.  "You financed some of my most successful digs, Fancy... and the artifacts we recovered were an excellent addition to the Canterlot natural history museum."

Fancy Pants chuckled.  "I can't say I made any great sacrifices in the process.  I was gratified to add my small part to our culture's history, and my publishing company has made a mint off of selling slightly... more colorful versions of your adventures."

Briar Rose winced.  "Yeah... that part I could have done without."

Fancy Pants smiled at her.  "But my dear, you do make the most excellent heroine!  Why, I hear that they have plans to turn one of your stories into one of those newfangled motion pictures!"  He winked conspiratorially.  "Naturally, I purchased a large share in the studio producing it."

Rose rolled her eyes.  "Naturally," she closed her eyes for a moment, then sighed before focusing on the wealthy stallion once again.  "Well, I'm going to see if I can't figure out the rest of my initial team.  I'll let you handle the rest on this end."

Fancy Pants nodded with a smile.  "You can count on me, my dear."

Nodding at him again, Briar Rose started across the courtyard, heading for the bunch of guards, then paused, turning toward the large group filling the southern end of the airy space.  "You two..." she said firmly, pointing at the pair of Wonderbolts standing idly in the midst of the others.  "Come with me."

Spitfire and Soarn' grinned and flew up and over the crowd to land at her side with an effortless grace.  "Can we help you, Professor?"

Briar Rose nodded as she started walking toward the guards.  "I could use some good fliers.  We'll need pretty regular supply and message runs, especially once we bring the main group of diggers in, and from what I've heard, you Wonderbolts are some of the best.  And I believe you both also have military training?"

Spitfire nodded.  "Most of the bolts do," she grinned cockily.  "I take it we're in, then?"

Briar Rose nodded curtly.  "Yeah... although I'm curious why you two volunteered?"

Spitfire hesitated, then glanced at Soarn' before answering.  "We know some of the ponies involved.  You know about Rainbow Dash?"

Briar Rose raised an eyebrow.  "You mean the Element of Loyalty?  Winner of the Best Young Flier's competition last year?  Yeah, I know about her.  She saved several of you during that competition as well, didn't she?"

Spitfire chuckled wryly.  "I'll admit, saving a unicorn from falling to her death seemed a whole lot easier in theory than in practice.  You know how every Pegasus learns how to keep still and not thrash around when being rescued from falling?  Obviously most unicorns don't receive the same training, but that didn't really occur to us at the time.  She knocked all of us out in less than a second... not that I blame her for panicking.  It had to be terrifying, especially for somepony born without wings.  Rainbow Dash saved all of us," she looked thoughtful.  "She's a great flier... but there's more to her than that.  Sure, we went after her friend without thinking because it's what we're trained to do, but she saved us because it's what she IS.  I don't think she could have done anything else.  I think she pulled off that Sonic Rainboom simply because she couldn't fail a friend."

Briar Rose looked thoughtful.  "Makes sense.  So you want to come along to pay her back for saving your lives?"

Spitfire glanced at Soarn' again.  "Well... that, and interesting things seem to happen around her... and her friends, you know?  I kinda want to be there this time... just to see what happens."

Briar Rose chuckled.  "Fair enough," the three pegasi stopped in front of the contingent of Royal Guards that had gathered.  There were a sprinkling of others as well, strong looking Earth Ponies, and a trio of unicorns with magic related cutie marks that Rose guessed were probably from Celestia's school for gifted unicorns.

"Well now... I'm only going to need six of you," Briar Rose began.  "Let me tell you what I'm looking for here.  We're going into the Everfree forest... into the darkest heart of the wildest part of modern day Equestria.  We're talking manticores, Hydra, cockatrice, even a rogue dragon or two, from all reports... but you boys are trained for that sort of thing.  No, the real issue is who you're protecting, and how I want you to do it.  First, you've got the element bearers... they're civilians, but worse, they're heroes.  They're not going to sit still for being ordered around, even for their own protection.  They'll think they can handle themselves... and they might even be right, given the stories, but it's still your job to keep them safe.  So you're going to have to be diplomatic.  Keep your eyes on them, but don't make them feel like they're being smothered... or they're likely to do something stupid just to prove they can."

Briar Rose couldn't help but grin at the disgruntled looks on the majority of the guard's faces.  "Trust me boys, I'm speaking from experience here.  Second, you're going to be dealing with a host of archaeology students... probably some professors from the university as well, once the dig is under way.  The students will listen to you, because I'll tell them to, but none of them have been on a real dig before, certainly not in hostile territory.  They'll be anything but predictable.  Some of them will probably panic at the first sign of danger, others will end up doing something stupid trying to show off... they're kids, even if they're full grown, they're going to be a handful.  The professors will be worse.  If you can get them to pay attention at all, they'll get so absorbed in whatever they're doing that they'll miss anything dangerous unless it's right in their face... and they won't want to take orders,"  Rose shrugged.  "so that's what you're in for.  I'm going to want a mix... a couple pegasi and a couple unicorns at least, but aside from that, I need guards who can handle their charges diplomatically, and still keep them safe."

The gathered guards were muttering and exchanging glances, but a pair of unicorns wearing officer armor stepped forward without hesitation.  "We're coming," the one on the right said confidently.  "We've both been on the Princesses personal detail, and that takes diplomacy.  We know the bearers as well... worked with them, in fact."

Briar Rose raised an eyebrow.  "Have you now?  What are your names?"

The unicorn on the left spoke up.  "I'm Captain Bright Lance, and my partner is Sergeant Shining Spear.  The bearers can be a handful, but you can count on them in a pinch, from my experience.  I don't anticipate any problems from that angle."

Briar Rose nodded slowly.  "Well, I'll leave handling them to you then.  Can you pick me out four more guards that you'd trust for this assignment, then?"

Bright Lance nodded firmly.  "No problem, Ma'am.  I've got just the ponies in mind."

Briar Rose smiled faintly.  "Alright then.  I'll leave you in charge of our security detail, if you're feeling up to it?"

Bright Lance saluted smartly.  "At your service, Miss Rose."

Briar Rose nodded at him, then glanced at the pair of Wonderbolts with her.  "Why don't you two assist the Captain with the details," she suggested.  "I'll see you all the day after tomorrow... eight am sharp.  Be ready to head out," all four of them gave her a quick salute, and she turned to go.  As she headed for the door, she passed Princess Celestia, who had been watching patiently.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" the celestial princess remarked quietly.

"That's what's worrying me,"  Briar Rose muttered as she walked on past.  "I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"I'm sure everything will turn out fine."  Princess Celestia commented cheerfully, turning to walk alongside the old archaeologist.  "Besides," she said with a wink.  "What could possibly go wrong?"

Briar Rose winced.  "Damn it Celestia...." she hissed under her breath.  "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

The last thing the gathered crowd heard as their princess exited the inner courtyard was Celestia's tinkling laughter.


********************************

"Pinkie!"  Mrs. Cake rushed into the kitchen for the second time that morning and quickly opened the oven, wincing backwards at the cloud of black smoke.  "That's the second batch of cupcakes you've burned this morning!" the older mare turned to Pinkie with a concerned frown.  "Are you sure you're feeling alright, dear?  I can't remember the last time you overcooked... well... anything!"

Pinkie chewed on her lip.  "I'm sorry Mrs. Cake... I keep forgetting I don't have my..." she blinked, then pantomimed zipping her lip, going silent for several moments before speaking up again.  "Oops... I nearly forgot, that's a secret!"

Mrs. Cake looked confused.  "What's a secret, Pinkie?"

Pinkie giggled at her.  "I can't tell you, silly, it's a secret!" Pinkie sobered after a moment, then asked her seriously.  "But I guess I'm going to have to take drastic measures if I'm going to help you with the big order today in time."

Mrs. Cake paled as she tried to imagine what the hyperactive pink pony could possibly consider to be drastic.  "And... um... what would that be?"

Pinkie sighed, then nodded firmly, as if making up her mind.  "Mrs. Cake, I'm going to have to use the baking timer.  Where do you keep it?"

The older mare blinked, and looked like she was going to ask a question, but shook her head and simply answered.  "It's in the third drawer to the left of the oven, dear, right where we always keep it."

Pinkie nodded, looking distracted, as if she was thinking hard.  "One more question... how long are you supposed to leave cupcakes in the oven?"

**************************************

"So apparently you are supposed to leave cupcakes in for around twenty minutes..."  Pinkie finished explaining to Twilight Sparkle several hours later.  "At three hundred and fifty degrees!  Isn't that interesting?"

Twilight, who had been only paying half-hearted attention as she studied a complicated thaumic equation on her blackboard, frowned and turned to her friend.  "Wait... you're great at making cupcakes.  Why didn't you know that?"

Pinkie hesitated before answering.  "Well... apparently knowing when cupcakes are done is also something my Pinkie sense does.  I kind of forgot about that part.  I had to learn how to do it the way Mrs. Cake does today.  Luckily we still managed to finish the order in time."

Twilight sighed.  "I see.  I guess that confirms it.  Changing you back into an Earth Pony using Applejack for a template didn't give  you your Pinkie Sense back."

Pinkie patted the unicorn mage on her shoulder.  "That's alright, Twilight.  I'm sure you'll figure it out.  Besides, I did figure out how to cook cupcakes without my Pinkie sense, so no harm done, right?"

Twilight frowned.  "Still, you shouldn't have had to...." she sighed.  "It's just... I'm stuck on trying to figure out how to get you your Pinkie sense back.  If we knew somepony else who could do what you do, I could use them as a template, but I don't know anypony who has a sixth sense like yours..." she blinked.  "Pinkie, how about your family?  Does anypony in your family have your abilities?"

Pinkie blinked.  "I don't think so... my Granny Pie always told me I was one of a kind!"

Twilight looked a bit upset, but tried to force a smile.  "You are certainly unique, Pinkie.  I'll just have to keep looking.  I'm sure I can figure out something."

Pinkie gave her a spontaneous hug.  "I believe in you, Twilight.  You're the most magical unicorn ever, and you can do anything you put your mind to.  I know you can do it!"

Twilight found herself smiling despite herself.  "You honestly believe that, don't you."

Pinkie shrugged.  "Well, duh.  Why wouldn't I believe in you, Twilight?  You're my friend."

Twilight hugged Pinkie back, hard.  "You're my friend too, Pinkie, and I will figure out something.  I don't know how, but I'll figure out something, I promise."

Pinkie beamed at her.  "That's the spirit!" she started bouncing away.  "I'm going to go learn how to applebuck from Applejack now, Twilight.  I might as well put my Apple family super powers to good use while I have them, right?"

Twilight raised an eyebrow.  "Um... I'm not sure that applebucking qualifies as a super power, Pinkie...."

Pinkie giggled.  "Sure it is!  It's a super power that gets you super delicious apples!  What isn't super about that?"

Twilight chuckled.  "That does sound pretty super.  Have fun applebucking, Pinkie."

"I will!"  Pinkie declared as she bounced out the library door.  "Don't work too hard, Twilight!"

Twilight turned back to her blackboard, and levitated up a blackboard eraser to wipe out a large section from one of her formulas.  "I'll try..." she muttered quietly to herself.  "But I'm not making a Pinkie promise about it."

***********************************

While Cheerilee was at school that day, Johnathon was left at home with Radiant Song.  "So..." Cheerilee's mother began, looking curious.  "What do you have planned for today?"

Johnathon looked thoughtful.  "Well, actually, I was planning on putting together the tools I'll be needing for the upcoming dig," he told her.  "I've had a few things commissioned.  There are a surprising amount of tools that ponies use that I could adapt for my own purpose, but at the same time, I do want some more delicate pieces for fine detail work, and I should be able to pick most of those up today."

Radiant Song nodded absently, paying partial attention but looking a bit distracted.  "Yes... the right tools are important, I suppose."

"Is something on your mind, Mrs. Song?" Johnathon asked quietly.

"Hmm?"  Radiant Song hesitated, then nodded slowly.  "Yes... I suppose it's a bit early to worry about it, but I was wondering about... well, about my prospective grandfoals.  About what they might be like..." she smiled at him sheepishly.  "I've dreamed of having some lovely grandfoals to spoil for quite a while, you see.  I'm just a bit..." she trailed off, looking for the right word, then shook her head.  "well, uncertain, I suppose about what... human children will be like."

Johnathon blinked, then nodded.  "Oh, well, I can tell you something about that subject, if you'd like."

Radiant Song smiled.  "That would be lovely."

The man started to explain what he knew about human biology in regards to childbirth, babies, and young children, and Radiant Song listened patiently, nodding along when he paused to let him know she was paying attention, but it was obvious she was still somewhat distracted.

"It's just... your children.  They'll be the only human children in Equestria..."  Radiant Song broke in finally.  "And what about when they grow up?  There won't be anypony like them... except for you and Cheerilee, at least.  I'd think that might be a lonely way of growing up, don't you?"

Johnathon was silent for almost a minute, his face a mask, before he sighed and nodded.  "You're probably right.  I suppose I've been trying not to think about all the problems we'll face... I tell myself we'll figure it all out, sooner or later, but of course there is no such guarantee," he looked out the window thoughtfully.  "On the other hand, Equestria... and in particular, Ponyville, is a very good place to raise a family.  It's quiet... peaceful...." he scratched his nose.  "Well... it's a very family friendly sort of place, anyway.  Peaceful might be stretching the truth a bit.  I've been welcomed and accepted here, and I expect any children I might have would be treated with equal kindness and generosity."

Radiant Song nodded with a small smile.  "I have to agree on that point, at least.  Ponyville is a wonderful place to raise a child.  My husband and I decided to move back here when we found out that I was pregnant, and Cheerilee was born here.  We moved back to Baltimare with her when she was a teenager, but when she was old enough to make her own decisions, Cheerilee chose to come back.  I can't really blame her.  It's a wonderful place.  The ponies here are very welcoming and friendly."

Johnathon smiled.  "There were quite a few ponies that were quite frightened of me when I first arrived... but they grew to accept me... to treat me as one of their own, almost, in a matter of weeks.  I'd be hard pressed to find as nice a place back on my world."

"What about when they grow up?"  Radiant Song asked quietly.  "When they want to find mates of their own?"

Johnathon nodded.  "Yeah... that'll be... interesting.  I suppose, if any kids Cheerilee and I have want kids of their own, some magic would have to be involved...." he shrugged helplessly.  "I know... it'd be easier... a lot easier if I became a pony.  That way, our kids would be ponies too, and there would be nothing to worry about, right?"

Radiant Song looked a bit guilty, but nodded.  "I didn't want to point that out quite so bluntly, but yes... it would make things easier," she hesitated before continuing.  "Miss Sparkle... could she truly transform you into a pony?"

Johnathon sighed.  "Probably.  Perhaps not completely, but... close enough, I'd wager."

Radiant Song looked at him for a moment, then shook her head.  "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have brought it up.  I know you didn't ask my daughter to change for you, and I can't imagine what it must feel like to contemplate giving up your... well, your identity like that."

Johnathon nodded.  "Cheerilee could probably tell you more than I could about that.  She's been amazing.  I... I don't deserve anypony like her, I'm quite certain of that."

Radiant Song chuckled.  "Well, that's not up to you, is it?" when Johnathon looked at her questioningly she continued.  "My daughter has always been one to make her own choices.  She chose to become human... to stay human.  Most importantly, she chose you.  I don't think she made a bad choice, just a difficult one."

Johnathon sighed.  "I just wish I'd have had the courage to make the same choice first."

Radiant Song raised an eyebrow.  "Would you be willing to make that change for my daughter?  To become a pony?"

Johnathon hesitated, then shook his head.  "I don't know.  I know I'd try it... if she asked, but I also know she'd never ask.  In a way, I wish I'd been the one who drank that love potion...."

Cheerilee's mother's eyes went wide.  "Love potion?  What love potion?"

Johnathon winced.  "Er... I guess Cheerilee hadn't mentioned that part to you?"

Radiant Song glared at him.  "No.  Are you telling me that my baby fell in love with you because of a love potion?"

Johnathon hesitated.  "Well, sort of.  She drank one, and I was the first pony... er... person, she saw after that.  The potion made her insanely in love with me.  But it only was an hour or so before she was cured.  The potion's effects weren't permanent or anything."

Radiant Song didn't look convinced.  "My daughter is in love with you.  That much is obvious.  She gave up being a pony for you!  What makes you think that this potion didn't have something to do about it?"

Johnathon winced, then shook his head.  "No... it's not the potion!  Cheerilee and I... we were already the best of friends.  Maybe the potion shook things up... got us to take another look at each other, but there was a lot more to it than that."

Radiant Song frowned at him, then sighed, visibly calming as she slowly nodded.  "You're probably right... but I suppose I can understand why my daughter neglected to mention the potion... or her turning herself human in her letters to me."

Johnathon nodded back.  "Yeah... they're really part of the same story, actually.  It was while Cheerilee was under the influence of the potion that she convinced Twilight Sparkle to change her.  I'm told she was very convincing... anyway, when the potion wore off, Cheerilee didn't remember anything she had done while under it's influence, and was very surprised to find herself a different species... but she handled it really well."

Radiant Song's eyes were wide.  "She just... woke up and found herself human?  With no idea why she was one?  I can't imagine what that must have been like.  I expect I'd have panicked..."

Johnathon chuckled.  "I imagine, in a similar position, I'd have probably run around screaming until somepony was kind enough to knock me out, or I ran into a wall...."

Radiant Song smiled and shook her head.  "I'd probably do much the same."

Johnathon looked at her with a warm smile.  "You're being kind... but I get the impression that Cheerilee got a lot of her strength from you.  I don't know any other pony who would have dealt with the situation as calmly as she did."

Radiant Song looked thoughtful.  "There's a lot of her father in her as well.  He was always good at handling difficult situations.  I never thought she'd have do deal with quite so much, however.  I thought, being a school teacher in a small town would be a quiet life!"

Johnathon laughed at that.  "I take it you've never met the Cutie Mark Crusaders then?"

After Johnathon explained a bit about the infamous trio of fillies, and Radiant Song had laughed over some of their more entertaining exploits, Cheerilee's mother paused, looking thoughtful.

"You said something earlier.  You wished that you had been the one to drink that love potion," Radiant Song began, looking curious.  "Why?"

Johnathon hesitated.  "Well... it's kind of difficult to explain."

Radiant Song smiled and shrugged.  "Why don't you try?  I'm a good listener."

Johnathon chuckled lightly.  "That's something else your daughter shares with you," he paused.  "Alright.  I suppose I can try and put my thoughts into words," he looked out the kitchen window again, out to the road that lead to the Ponyville elementary school.  "The love potion made Cheerilee desperately in love with me.  Crazy in love.  She would have done anything... anything to be with me.  She had Twilight change her into a human.  Afterwards, Cheerilee couldn't change back right away.  Twilight didn't know how to undo the transformation, and while she's been working on it very hard ever since, Cheerilee didn't have any choice about staying human, at least for awhile."

Radiant Song frowned.  "So my daughter's stuck like that?  I thought you said being human was her choice?"

Johnathon shook his head.  "She's not stuck anymore.  Twilight has pretty much gotten the transformation spell worked out by now.  She could return your daughter to pony form... but Cheerilee chose to stay human instead.  The thing is... if it wasn't for that potion, Cheerilee wouldn't be human.  I'm not saying I'm unhappy about that... but...."

Radiant Song looked sympathetic.  "You wish she'd chosen to do so herself, and not while under magical influence."

Johnathon nodded firmly.  "Yes..." he frowned.  "But it's more than that.  I feel like... I've failed her somehow, by letting her do this for me.  If I had been the one who had drunk the love potion, it's very possible I'd have asked Twilight to change me into a pony.  I'd have been the one stuck... I'd have to have gotten used to it... and... I'd like to think I'd make the same choice Cheerilee has already made, to remain a pony," he blinked.  "I mean, to remain the same species as her... like she did for me."

Radiant Song looked a bit confused.  "I'm not sure I'm following.  Do you want to be a pony?"

Johnathon sighed.  "No.  I'm not going to lie about it.  I like being... well, me.  I like having hands... I can't imagine living without them," he winced.  "OK, I can imagine it, and the idea really scares me."

Radiant Song shook her head.  "I don't understand.  If you don't want to be a pony, why do you wish you'd been the one to drink that potion and have Twilight Sparkle change you?  Wouldn't you be unhappy?"

Johnathon wrinkled his nose.  "If I had been stuck as a pony... the way Cheerilee was, I'd like to think I'd have adapted, like she has.  Maybe I wouldn't have handled it as well as Cheerilee, but it's one thing to wake up and find yourself changed... it's another entirely to contemplate making that choice deliberately."

Radiant Song looked thoughtful, and picked up her cup to sip the tea she had prepared earlier.  It had gotten cold, but she didn't bother going to heat it up, only sipping the cool beverage slowly as she sat in thought.

"I understand," she finally said.  "You don't like feeling like she's the one making all the sacrifices in your relationship.  There's a certain satisfaction being the one to make the big, romantic gesture, in sacrificing of yourself for the one you love."

Johnathon winced.  "I guess that makes me kind of selfish, if you think about it."

Radiant Song shook her head.  "Just... normal.  Anypony might feel the same in your position.  I expect that if you talked to Cheerilee about it, she'd understand how you're feeling too."

Johnathon sighed and nodded.  "I'm sure she would.  It wouldn't change anything though.  She's gotten used to being human by now.  Even if she would prefer to be a pony again, she won't consider it, because that would mean I'd have to go through what she did.  She wouldn't consider letting me do that, not when she knows how I feel about changing."

Radiant Song smiled.  "No, I suppose she wouldn't."

Johnathon frowned.  "I... I want her to know how much I love her.  And I don't want her to think it's just because she changed herself for me.  I want to even things out between us somehow."

Radiant Song shook her head sadly.  "Life is rarely fair, and you can't always make things perfect.  Sometimes you just have to learn to live with the imperfections."

Johnathon frowned.  "I know that.  Hell, I've lived long enough to have learned that the hard way a dozen times and more... but...." he shook his head.  "I also know that if you want something bad enough, there almost always is a way, if you're willing to pay the price, anyway."

Radiant Song frowned.  "What are you thinking?"

Johnathon hesitated.  "Just... just an errant thought," he shook his head.  "Never mind.  I'm just... a bit frustrated, I guess."

The older mare raised an eyebrow, but apparently decided not to question him further, when Johnathon stood up, a resolved expression on his face.  "I'm sorry, but I really should get going.  Lots to do today, after all."

Radiant Song nodded absently.  "That's fine, I don't want to disrupt your schedule.  I'll wait here for Cheerilee to get home.  Perhaps I'll fix you two dinner while I'm here?" she paused in thought.  "Hmm... I haven't cooked for any omnivores in years.  I'll have to do some shopping."

Johnathon blinked, stopping halfway out the door.  "You've cooked for one before?"

Radiant Song nodded, smiling at him.  "Oh certainly.  There are a number of Griffins in the Baltimare academy of arts.  We had a few over for dinner once.  It was rather fascinating, actually."

The human's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then he smiled.  "You'll have to tell me all about it at dinner," his eyes grew distant, as if he was thinking about something else, and he frowned slightly before concealing it with another smile.  "I'm looking forward to dinner!"

Radiant Song frowned as the man left, closing the door behind him.  "Something's wrong... if I didn't know better, I would think..." she shook her head.  "Of course not... that would be silly.  He wouldn't do anything so rash..." she trailed off, looking worried.  "He wouldn't, would he?" Radiant Song sighed and headed for the door to follow Johnathon.  "I'd better make sure he's not going to do something stupid."

******************************

"No."  Twilight Sparkle said with a frown.  "Johnathon, you're not thinking straight.  I know how you must feel, but...."

"You've got to do it."  He pleaded, his face stricken.  "I can't let her do this for me... not without knowing what it is she's had to go through for myself."

Twilight sighed.  "Johnathon... you don't have to prove anything to anypony.  She knows that you love her.  I think everypony with eyes can see that.  This isn't going to help anything."

The man went down on one knee.  "Twilight... I know it's a lot to ask... but I'm absolutely committed to this.  I have to see this through.  Not just for Cheerilee, for me.  I need to do this for my own peace of mind."

Twilight looked torn.  "Johnathon... permanent transformation spells... especially Stranghorn's spell... they're just too risky.  I've made too many mistakes already.  I never should have agreed to transform Cheerilee in the first place.  I shouldn't have even considered experimenting on my friends.  Rarity is alright, but Pinkie may never get her Pinkie sense back!  I have no idea even how to go about restoring it!  Not to mention I very nearly destroyed the world!"

Johnathon blinked.  "Destroyed the world?"

Twilight grimaced.  "I drained Princess Celestia of her magic, remember?  What if I'd gone too far and killed her... what if the backlash had killed me?  Then it'd have been up to Princess Luna to raise both the Sun and the Moon, and she's still getting her strength back after the Elements of Harmony purged her of Nightmare Moon.  I don't know if she'd be able to manage alone!  I... I could have caused eternal night again!"  There was a startled little sound from behind Johnathon, and they both turned to look.

Radiant Song winced, looking both apologetic and more than a little frightened.  "I'm sorry... the door was open.  Should I... er... come back later?"