William stumbled out of bed wide awake. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he headed down the stairs, From there he ate breakfast, read the latest entry in the Ponyville newspaper, and geared up for another day. He checked his watch, and stepped out into the cool fall air.
"B-GAH!" William screamed as he caught himself just before he rolled off his bed. He had been having one of those weird dreams where you think you're wide awake and getting ready for the day ahead. And just when you're about to 'officially' start whatever you were going to be doing, you wake up.
William was not amused by this. He jolted, and flopped back onto the bed. He didn't feel like picking himself up just yet, so he just edged himself back towards the eastern side of the bed. He groaned as he saw the moonlight still shining through the window frame.
"Damn, I wish I could just call Twilight or the princesses and have them raise the sun. " He scratched his chin, thinking too himself. " Actually, that's a pretty good idea. I might work on that later. " He repeated the process of getting ready, set out for the day.
"The streets are looking pretty empty today. I'd say they're probably all over in Canterlot- Oh shit, I forgot!" He took off at a slow jog towards Twilight's castle. Hopping that she hadn't already left.
"Another note to myself, I've got to build me a bike. Running everywhere is getting really old."
He stopped at the front steps of the massive crystalline building, panting for breath. He took a knee, then got back up and knocked on the front door. William heard scrambling coming from within. It was Spike that came to the front door.
"Oh, hi William! Are you here to help Twilight to prepare for her coronation?" William rubbed his eyes. Yeah, I just had a hell of a dream. Can I come in?"
Spike stepped aside and opened the door for him. The dragon led him down the lengths of winding crystal corridors, to the Library. Where Twilight was in the process of losing her minds over what appeared to be a pile of books. She noticed him almost as soon as he had entered the room. He removed his helmet and smiled.
"What are ya worryin' about?" She shook her head and drooped her ears.
"Being the ruler of all of Equestria would mean that I would have to move out of Ponyville. And leave all of my friends behind."
William groaned and rolled his eyes. Ponies could get worked up over the smallest things. " Twilight, take a damn step back, and rethink your options, after all, once you're the leader you could just move Equestria's center of government here."
He immediately realized that that was a bad idea. For the same reasons that he wouldn't move to Washington D.C on earth. Or Canterlot here.
"Wait! Do not do that. That is a VERY bad idea!" William stammered, quickly putting a stop to that idea.
"So how do I get things to stay the same? You're an expert on these things, right?" He chuckled, and pulled up a seat.
"Twilight, I don't think you're ready to lead this kingdom. Hell, I don't think I would be either. But, with regards to this little issue. Don't worry about it. After all, you can teleport. Focus on the important stuff right now. Like your coronation." The alicorn let out a sigh.
"I suppose you're right."
William chuckled. "Damn right I am. Now, what else do you have to do to get yourself ready for that coronation?"
"Check up on my friends?" William crossed his eyes and looked down at his watch. Then looked back up at Twilight and nodded.
"Well, go do that then. I'll be waiting for you and your entourage. " He said the last word with resentment. William didn't particularly like Canterlot.
"Thank you so much for the help William. It really means a lot to me."
William stopped to tip his hat, then walked back out the front door of the castle. He headed back to his street at a brisk pace. As he reached his doorstep, he saw a familiar shadow overhead.
"William! You didn't even stop by to say good morning!" A voice shouted. It was Joey, flying circles around William's house.
With a roll off his eyes, William beckoned for the alicorn to come down and meet him. " You should know how it is, Twilight was- well... I wouldn't really call it whining. But she was definitely upset about the prospect of having to move away from Ponyville and all her friends."
" And you did- what about it?" William laughed and kicked up some of the gravel that had been spread out along the roadside.
"Taught her a lesson-" The alicorn's eyes widened and he winced. " What version of 'teach a lesson' is this?" Because I heard something that sounded an awful lot like gunfire earlier." William made an awkward smile with his face.
"I'd never- Ok, I have thought about doing that a few times. But that was just Pinkie Pie popping Balloons filled with hydrogen gas. To summarize, I just reminded Twilight that she can teleport. And you should've been there to witness the look of surprise on her face. It was like the idea had never even crossed her mind!"
"Well, that does sounds like her." Joey replied.
"Oh, and by the way, I forgot to tell ya. I'm Twilight's honor guard for her coronation. Which is today."
"Holy ponyfeathers! She trust's you more than her brother?" William nodded. " Apparently, she does."
"That's awesome." William laughed. " Yeah, I suppose it is. Do you mind? I've gotta get ready." He pointed to his house, and the alicorn stepped aside and flew off. William accidently glanced up at the sun, and sneezed. Then walked into his house.
Whilst Twilight, her friends, Joey, and William were preparing to head off to Canterlot, events elsewhere were unfolding. The spirit of Grogar the Necromancer, bound to his shattered bell, and a unicorn by the name of 'Frosty Fields' were busy making their way west, away from Canterlot.
"Hey, I've got a question." The bell emitted a low groan. " Yes, what is it?"
"Were are you taking me?" The groan turned into a chuckle.
"I'm not taking you anywhere, you're taking me. And because I know that anyone with half a brain would ask this next. I would like to have a physical presence, and so. You are taking the remnants of my bell to a place where that can be done." Frosty nodded, in spite of the fact that she was technically alone. She came to a wooden sign which had been planted into the ground next to the dirt road she was walking alone. She realized that she was at the edge of the Everfree Forest.
"Why did you- Oh, that's right I forgot. You ponies are scared of the Everfree forest. Back in my day there were far worse things in the world. Go on!" She groaned, and hesitantly trotted forward into the eerie wilderness.
Back in Ponyville...
William opened up his dresser, which was odd, because he usually just changed clothes through a snap of his finger. His attire usually consisted of camouflaged fatigues, ballistic helmets, night vision, and plate carriers. And part of him though he should go with his usual. But today way, and he hated to admitted, 'special. ' He went with a plaid blue shirt, a pair of cargo pants, his usual hiking boots. And, a tan cowboy hat. As well as a belt buckle with the silhouette of a pegasus emblazoned on it. His Colt M45A1 handgun sat comfortably in a leather holster on his left side. He spun around, walked into the bathroom, and took a look at himself in the mirror.
"Something's missing." He thought to himself, fixing his collar. An OCP pattern plate carrier appeared on his chest. He gave the straps a tug, and checked the magazine pouches. Then looked back at himself in the mirror. Then said in his best southern accent,
"Why, I don't thing I overdressed!" He checked his watch, and headed out. He didn't want to miss the mid day train to Canterlot.
"What the-" William could practically feel the absurdity that Joey felt when he saw William dressed like a Texan wrangler.
"Don't bother a-laughin' sonny." William said with a tip of his hat as he stepped up onto the wooden platform of the Ponyville train station. Around him stood dozens of ponies, Twilight and the others stood on the platform alongside them. But Rainbow Dash was no where to be found.
"She's probably just with the Wonderbolts." Applejack informed the others as the ponies began to shuffle onto the train. The conductor stopped William.
"Do you have a ticket?" William stopped, and frowned.
"Ah, I'm just joking. you've earned your spot on this train sir." Williams face brightened, and he tipped his hat as he stepped inside.
The train chugged along at a steady pace towards Canterlot. William looked around at all the other's, crowded together inside the passenger car. He was silent, opting to simply listen to the ponies banter about their lives. All of a sudden, the train came to a grinding halt.
"Agh! What now!?" He grumbled. William stood up and stormed into the engine compartment. From there, the issue was obvious. A herd of sheep were grazing... In the middle of the tracks!
" Wha- Ok, who here claims custody of these creatures or I shall be more than happy to remove thee from thy tracks!" He stomped his food and pointed to the ground, nearly falling over in the process.
He waited a few moments, tapping his foot on the platform. A green earth pony stallion trotted out from the heard. Clutching a staff in his right hoof.
"Yes?"
"Your herd is blocking the train."
"Oh, it is?" The shepherd responded. William was becoming impatient. He pointed once more to the herd.
"Oh, of course! I'm sorry, I usual keep a tighter grip on the herd from now own." William tipped his hat.
"Thank ya." A few moments later, the herd was off the tracks, William waved to the shepherd, and the train was off again.
William turned around and found himself face to face with Twilight.
"What? I'm just as concerned as you are that that stallion was herding his sheep across a rail line. " William chuckled.
"Well, stupid's gonna stupid. Doesn't matter where." They both laughed.
About a half hour later, the train came rolling into Canterlot station. William, Joey, and the six went one way, and the other passengers went another. Even the conductor got off. This was, needless to say, a very special occasion. The group made their way up to the Royal Castle. And Twilight's friends split off from the group to join the audience.
Meanwhile...
Grogar the Necromancer led Frosty Fields through the Everfree Forest. The mare walked for quite a while before she came to a stone outcropping. On it's westward side, was a crack in the rock.
"There, through there!" The bell shards in her saddlebags screeched.
"Um... I don't think that's the best idea. I mean, it's getting dark out, and I've been really lucky not running into any monsters on the way here-"
"Don't worry! It's fine! All fine!" The shards pulsed with a faint blue light. Frosty shrugged and began to scramble through the crevasse.
"Ah, it's dark in here-" Frosty closed her mouth and nodded as the shards began to glow even brighter. Illuminating her surroundings. It was... A cave, with a couple of stalactites.
"Really?"
"Really." The shards responded. She took a few steps forward, deeper into the cave.
"Go." Grogar commanded. Frosty descended further into the cave. Until she came to a wide-open section. The shards illuminated the room, casing shadows across what looked to be an underground fortification.
"How has nopony found this?" Frosty asked herself. Trotting forward, she stopped at a large circular stone table. "Light your horn, and touch it to the table." The unicorn did as told, and all of a sudden, the entire cavern lit up. A series of magical torches along the walls flared to life. The table itself also began to glow. Veins of magical energy coursed across it.
"Alright, how about another question, what is this place?" Grogar chuckled, and the shards hummed.
"Long, long ago, before that witch Gusty cast me away and imprisoned my bell. I had planned for potential 'incidents'. Now, obviously, one does not usually plan for banishment to a magic bell. But, I digress. The point is, this complex was the center of them all, and the only one still standing today. Now, quickly! Place the shards onto the table." Frosty unslung her bag and, gently, removed the shards and placed them onto the table.
"Ok, now what-" The shards began to float up from the table. A malicious cackle echoed through the cavern. And Frosty pulled her ears back in mild pain. The laugh quickly quieted.
"Ah, don't worry! Everything is going fine, just fine Frosty." Grogar responded.
"So... What now?" The bell shards began to organize themselves back into their original form.
"Why, revenge... Of course!" The voice boomed. A boulder floated out of the shadows. It glowed indigo.
"Tell me Frosty, are there any targets that I could strike at for quick payback? Anything important to the royals?" Frosty Fields pawed the ground with her hoof and sat back on an old stool.
"Well... Twilight Sparkle's inauguration ceremony is today."
"Where is it happening?" The bell asked.
"Canterlot Castle-" Without another word, there was a flash of light, and the boulder was gone.
"Just out of curiosity, what was that thing?" Frosty asked concernedly.
Meanwhile, back in Canterlot.
As the sun was began to set over Equestria. Twilight walked down the carpeted isle, flanked by the Royal Sisters. And William, with his HK 416 at the ready. The 4 came out onto a balcony, and William gazed down at the vast audience. Ponies, Griffons, Dragons, Changeling, Dimond Dogs, Kirin's, Yaks, and a host of other creatures littered the castle grounds. All anxiously awaited the good news.
"Waited a long time for this, haven't you?" William asked Twilight. She nodded, and waved to the crowd below. William took a breath, and did his best to maintain his composure in front of the crowds as Celestia began her speech.
"Citizens of Equestria and beyond! My sister and I have ruled this land for quite some time, but even we know that change eventually comes to us all. And though we know it can be unsettling..." William grimaced. "Don't laugh, don't laugh."
"...It's as natural as the rising and setting of the sun and the moon, both of which my sister and I feel confident leaving in the hooves of the pony who has served this land with distinction for quite some time. "
"Hah! Haha!" William let out a small bit of laughter at what Celestia had just said.
"And so, without further adue, I give you the new ruler of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle. William watched as Twilight trotted out from behind him, and promptly proceeded to catch her hoof on the garishly long dress that Rarity had made for her, and fell flat on her face. William snatched her up and got her back onto her hooves.
"Clutz." He thought to himself, waving at the crowd as though this had been a planed occurrence.
"Sorry." Twilight responded meekly. William rolled his eyes. He watched as Celestia and Luna levitated their crowns off and, low and behold, fused them into one and placed it upon Twilight's head. But, just as this happened. William began to smell something oddly familiar.
"Is that, blackpowder? OH SHIT!" Before anyone could do anyone, a massive explosion rocked the castle. Arcs of blue light went everywhere. William quickly phased from his Sunday best into a full body set of ballistic armor.
Luckily, the blast hadn't been near the balcony. Rather, one of the outlying towers had simply disappeared. William blinked, wiping the soot off his visor.
"Everyone alright!?" He called out, he looked off to his side. Celestia had engulfed Twilight and her sister in a magical shield. They were unharmed. And, by the looks of things. The audience was mostly unharmed as well. All eyes were now on him. William had to say something, and quickly.
"Apologies for the pyrotechnics folks! Would y'all mind-a stayin' foe the cake?" The newly crowned ruler of Equestria shot him a furious look.
"Is everycreature alright?" Celestia called out franticly.
"William!" It was Joey, flying just above the smoke cloud alongside a few Wonderbolts.
"I'm fine Joey, you?"
"Bit singed around the edges, but I'm intact. There's creatures down here that need some serious help!" William dusted himself off. In spite of the situation, he wasn't at all worried. After all, this was something he was good at. It was at this time that Rainbow Dash finally showed up, flying circles over the courtyard. Her expression on her face was a mixture of anger and confusion.
"Twi! Are you alright!?" She cried out.
"Twilight's fine. C'mon Rainbow, grab a stretcher and help me out! And maybe then we can dig into desert." William called back.
He wasn't lying about that cake. And when he was done with it, he'd get to figuring out what had caused the explosion. It seemed as through his day's of being a couch potato were over. At least for the time being.