The Nightmare King

by Lt_Lance

Chapter 10 – Angels and Demons

I was having a pleasant dream. I was dreaming of the race again. My first four-hundred victory. I was about to cross the finish line well in front of my opponents when a piercing Irish voice boomed from all over.

“Wake up feather brain!”

*Squawk*

I shot up with a loud reflexive squawk getting myself tangled in the covers.

“Hahaha! You were right Lance that is priceless!” The Mare who I was introduced to known as Molly was sitting beside my bed holding her sides as she lost herself in laughter at my expense. I thought things like that would stop now that I’m no longer in high-school.

“Come on chicken wings, wake up you have to go to work today.” Lance, the mysterious and creepy pony who now seemed to be running my life sat opposite of Molly looking at me, or at least I think he was, hard to tell with him wearing those glasses all the time.

I relaxed knowing I wasn’t in any real danger and I rustled the feathers on my head to try and tame the ragged bedhead that had formed over the course of the night.

“*yawn* Oh, god... what time is it?”

Lance answered without expressing any real emotion. “Eight thirty... you start work at nine.”

I felt my stomach drop. “Oh crap.” It was like waking up late for school all over again.

I shot out of the bed sending the covers flying as I scrambled to get to me feet. Molly looked like she was going to burst out laughing again and Lance was now covered with a blanket. An annoyed sigh escaped from beneath the covers. I started to quickly make my way to the door.

“Stop right there Rick!” for some reason I felt compelled to stop. Does Lance have some kind of mind control on me? ...Or is he just flippen scary? I turned around to see he was now only about a foot away from me. Yep, definitely scary.

“The post office is a three minute walk up the street. Calm the hell down, take a shower, and make a good impression. I don’t like making Mayor Mare stick her neck out like she did for you. Do not squander this. Am I understood?” He finished his point by poking me in the chest.

“Y-yes sir.”

He nodded once before going back to rubbing his temple “Good.” He led the giggling unicorn out of the room and closed the door behind him.

I sighed walking into the bathroom while reflecting on my situation.

It’s been a week since I was brought here. I have been in Ponyville a whole week and I never got a Pinkie party, what a rip. It wasn’t without a lack of trying on her part though. She visited the bar a few times and caught a glimpse of me, much to Lance’s annoyance, she then proceeded to do the stereotypical Pinkie Pie greeting of jumping all around me and asking thirty thousand questions in the span of five seconds. I did manage to learn that Gilda had already come through here, because I was constantly compared to her. Lance told her that I couldn’t have a party, at least not yet.

“After all the crap that we went through to get you out of Sickhouse’s hospital we are not going to telegraph your presence to the world until I can safely secure your cover story. When Mayor Mare and I are through, even if they find you, they couldn’t take you away without an indictment from the crown.” Lance explained to me when I confronted him about it.

So I have been spending the entire week in this pub. I can’t complain, it is a hell of a lot better than that fucked up cell I was in for two months. I shared a room with a pony who had a thick Russian accent. I kind of felt like crap taking the bed away from him but he said he is used not having one. Lance told me he had leased the airspace above the pub. However I would have to build the cloud home myself. I guess I’ll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

I came out of the Shower nice and clean... and wet. Feathers can be a real pain in the ass. After toweling off and shaking dry like a dog. I walked out of Red’s room and looked around the hallway. I’m always reminded of when I took that first step out of my cell when I leave Red’s room. Apparently, from what I can gather, Myrvang was the one who set me free, but Lance was there too. He stole the file they had on me and some other pony from Sickhouse’s office. Lance has yet to tell me who the other pony is and he tells me to drop it every time I bring it back up.

Coming downstairs I noticed Lance with the rest of them, minus Belle and Scootaloo. Red skies was standing behind the bar with Molly. Red Skies seemed to be pouring two cups of coffee for Molly and himself while Molly was taking stock of the alcohol on the shelves and writing down what needed to be replaced. It was a rare sight indeed, Molly doing work. Lance was resting his head on the bartop occasionally answering a question Molly would ask about stock.

“Well maybe we wouldn’t run out of whiskey so fast if you would slow down.” He muttered from the bartop.

“Oi! Don’t go blaming me. I know me own pace, unlike somepony.” She said smugly patting him on the back. “I think it was those earth ponies from Manehattan that did it in. Now those ponies could drink like they did back home.” She expressed with a sigh.

“Hey Lance, where are the kids?” I asked approaching the bar.

“Belle is in her room and Scoots ate breakfast and left, said something about getting some eggs.” He explained in a monotone voice.

“Don’t we already have eggs?” I asked curiously. It was Normally Red that got the food.

He only shrugged with indifference without bothering to look back at me. “You have five minutes.” He said in the same bored tone.

“Holy shit.”

I turned to leave desperate to not be late to my first day of work. As I approached the door a rogue thought crossed my mind, mainly the door at the end of Myrvang’s throne, more specifically what I saw behind it. Was the Nightmare King really holding Trixie?

I turned around and approached what I now suspected was a hung over Lance. “Hey Lance I need to ask you something.” He turned to me and I could see my reflection on the lenses of his shades. I can just tell he’s glaring at me from behind them.

“This question better be appropriate Rick... else you might find yourself in a hospital again... for different reasons mind you.” He hissed in a low and eerily calm voice. If words could turn a guy to stone I would have been petrified before he even got the threat out.

“...I don’t know what to say now.” I said backing off and giving a nervous smile.

“That just might be wise... you have three minutes.” He said returning his head to the bartop.

I ran out the door without another word. I guess there are some things I shouldn’t ask Lance about.

Molly walked up to Lance still sitting at the bar resting his pounding head. “Little harsh on the kid aint’cha?” she asked putting a glass of water in front of Lance while looking out the door.

Lance didn’t even bother to raise his head while he downed the glass of water. “Boy needs to learn that there is a time and a place for deep and important questions... and first thing in the morning, while I'm hung over is niether.”

“Amen” She nodded in agreement.

As I was jogging towards the post office I drew some curious looks from the ponies but I wasn’t stared at like when I first came to town. I took time to see all the ponies in the town. “Wow, there are a lot of ponies in this town. The show really doesn’t do it justice.” I thought excitedly to myself. Every now and then I would see a familiar face, that almost makes this whole horrible ordeal worthwhile. Lance wasn't lying about the short distance I would have to travel. I soon found myself standing in front of my destination.

The post office was a lot taller than I thought it would be. It was at least as tall as town hall, a good three stories. The ground floor had two glass doors one in and one out. the top floor expanded out like some kind of air traffic control tower, every now and then the wall would drop, making a makeshift landing that a pegasus would launch off of or land on. I approached the door and read the sign that hung over it.

“Royal Equestrian Postal Service” I opened the door and nervously walked in. There was a long counter that ran along two walls of the room making a large L shape. Lining the wall behind the counters was a series of postboxes. A staircase behind the far counter led to the second floor and by my guess my destination. Three mail handlers were talking to the few ponies that were there. When Mayor Mare told me about the job she said I would just have to ask for a pony named Postal Parcel and he would fill me in.

I walked up to the desk and got the attention of one of the mares. “Hello my name is Ricky, I was told I would need to speak with Mr. Parcel.” I asked nervously.
She smiled and pointed to a staircase. I nodded my head and walked away giving the mare a polite thank you.

I looked left and was pleasantly surprised. A low cut wall ran for a few feet to my left on the other side appeared to be a lounge with a few cozy looking chairs and a coffee table. Beyond that a metal spiral staircase led to the third floor where the sound of several voiced bled down. There were a few doors on the wall on my right the first read Postal Parcel.

I walked in front of the door eyeing it nervously. By my guess four minutes had passed, meaning I was on the precipice of being late. My need to not make a bad impression trumping my nervousness won out as I raised my talon to announce myself.

*knock knock*

“Come in!” A loud voice called from within.

I opened the door to be greeted by a middle aged earth pony sitting behind a desk. He had a light orange coat with a brown mane. He had a simple black neck tie hanging from his neck and despite it being nine in the morning he had managed to gain a five o' clock shadow.

I stepped in closing the door behind me walking up to the desk still nervous. He watched me intently the whole time. “Umm, hello I was told to see you. My name is Ricky, Ricky Wallace.”

A look of recognition came across his face. “Ah Ricky, I heard you were going to be dropping by... I wasn’t told that you would be a griffon though.” He said leaning back into his chair rubbing his stubble.

I shifted on my paws nervously. “Is that going to be a problem?” I asked concerned.

He leaned forward over his desk narrowing his eyes at me. “Will you make it a problem?”

“...no?”

He sat back in his chair smiling. “Then we’re good...” He got up from his chair and circled around his desk getting in between me and the door. “for now.” he finished.

“Okay?” I was thoroughly confused by this guy.

He let out a loud and hearty laugh.“Come with me I’ll fill you in on what your going to do today.”

He opened his office door and led me into the hallway. The sitting room over the half wall now seated a few other ponies. Their conversations ended as soon as they saw Parcel walk through the door. I walked out behind him and looked around the room. Three sets of eyes were now staring at me, well two and a half. One eye seemed to be looking at the wall. While I was inside Postal's office three mares had showed up in the sitting room. One was a white and black pinto pegasus, she had a black spot that covered her left eye and ear. The base of her right wing was spotted as well. She had a short cut brown mane and tail. Sitting next to her was a silver earth pony mare with a matching silver mane. Standing by herself was none other than Derpy.

“All right girls you saw him, now get to work.” Parcel stated in an irritated tone while eyeing down the trio of mail ponies.

“Yes sir.” They all said in unison quickly skittering towards the spiral staircase.

“Not you Ditzy.” Postal called out to the fleeing mares.

She stopped mid-stride extending her wings in surprise. She stood there perfectly still as the other two mares walked off, out of site.

“Don't worry you're not in trouble.” Postal explained with a role of his eyes.

Derpy physically relaxed and wiped her brow in relief. “Phew! Thank Celestia.”

Postal covered his face with a hoof and sighed. “Why are you expecting to be in trouble?” he asked peeking at her worriedly.

She snapped around with a mortified expression on her face. “W-what!? I don't know what you're talking about.” she shakily defended.

“Just... go and get two mail bags will ya.”

She straightened up and gave a salute. “Sure thing Mister Parcel.”

As she ran off to one of the rooms past the office, Postal turned back to me wearing a weary expression.

“The mayor told me you were alright and I shouldn't expect that much trouble from you. I never knew her to lie before, so I trust you will prove her right.” He explained some of his authoritative enthusiasm returning to his voice.

I winced remembering what Lance had told me earlier. He really was doing a lot for me. “Yea, I'll do my best to live up to your expectations.”

*crash* A loud crash came from the room Derpy had gone into. “I'm okay.” her voice called out from inside.

Postal shook his head. “Now I see that you were put with Ditzy. She’s a good kid, don’t get me wrong, but she is a little...” He waved his hoof in her direction.

“...Ditzy?” I answered.

She popped out of the door with two stuffed mail bags. “I got it!”

“Lets leave it at clumsy.” he sighed. “Hey Ditzy!”

“Yes sir.”

“Come hear and meet your new co-worker.” Postal said cheerfully draping a hoof over my shoulders.

She trotted up to me and dropped a bag at my talons. “Here is your bag.” She said cheerfully.

“Umm, thanks.” I responded confused as to how this was supposed to work.

Postal walked back into his office.“Now get out there Rick, Ditzy has been working here for years, she will fill you in on the the job.” He explained holding his door open.

“Alright thank you Mister Parcel.”

“Alright and good luck. You're a good kid Rick, I hope you do well out there.” He responded closing his door.

I pulled the strap of the bag over my head and let it hang over my side.

“Hi there, my name’s Ditzy Doo! What’s your name!?” She asked putting her bag on as well.

We walked towards the stairs to the ground floor as I answered her. “Umm... I’m Ricky, Ricky Wallace.”

“Oooohh that’s a cool name. Does every griffon get a cool name like that?” She asked looking back at me as we descended the stairs.

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t met many griffons.” I answered truthfully.

“Why not?” She asked as we walked into the main lobby of the post office.

“I don’t know... I guess I like hanging out with ponies more.” I answered as we walked towards the glass door marked “out”

“That’s neat Rick...” She added while waving to the two mares behind the desk. “Hold on... *gasp*” She turned around and hopped her way into my personal space.
“I like hanging out with ponies too. Maybe we could hang out sometime!” She stated excitedly.

“...Sure thing.” I answered reluctantly.

As we stepped through the door she had noticably more spring in her step. She looked around taking in the morning crowd moving through towards the market.

“Come on, let’s go!” She yelled taking off into the air.

“Uhh...” I just stared after her.

After a while She noticed she was alone in the air. She looked around the air frantically trying to find me. Eventually she looked down and saw me still standing on the ground looking up at her. She fluttered back down next to me.

“Did I do something wrong? I’m sorry!” She asked worriedly.

I waved my talons reassuringly “No it’s okay. You didn’t do anything bad. Let’s just walk, okay?” I reassured, pointing down to the street.

She smiled and nodded. “Yea, that’s a great idea for your first day. I’ll show you all my favorite sites and all the nice ponies on my route.” She started to trot down the road and I followed behind her.

“It will be so great to finally be able to split my route again.” She spoke up striking a conversation with me.

“What happened to the last pony you were working with?” I asked curiously.

“...” She either didn't hear me or ignored the question.

“Ditzy?” I pressed.

She stopped suddenly and looked back at me a bit startled. I guess she didn't hear me after all.

“Oh, she uh... quit.” She answered turning back to the road.

“Quit?”

“Yea.”

Before I could ask her to elaborate she stopped right in front of an odd stall. “Are you thirsty Ricky?” She asked with a smile. The stall had a banner that read Java Heat's coffee.

“Hi Java!”

standing behind the counter was a caramel earth pony stallion with dark brown mane braided into short dread locks. When he saw who was standing at his stall he smiled. “Good morning Ditzy”

Ditzy leaned up onto the counter. “I'll take the usual.”

Java went back towards some kind of coffee making machine. “Alright, and for your friend?”

“What would you like Rick.” She asked pointing to a menu the hung on the wall in the back. I had never really looked at a coffee house menu before, so I had no idea what I was supposed to look for.

“I don't have any bits.” I said quietly hoping to back out of the awkward moment of having no idea what to get.

“It's alright I got you covered.”

“Really?” I asked, not really surprised.

“Sure.” She affirmed in a chipper tone.

“Well, I'll have whatever your having then.” I resigned.

“Alright two muffin frappuccinos coming up.” Java said from behind his counter.

It didn't take Java too long to make our coffee. He handed over the drinks to Ditzy and she handed one to me.

“Thank you Ditzy.”

“Anytime Rick. Thank you Java.” She said over her shoulder as we walked away. He just waved a silent farewell and went back to serving his other customers.

We walked through the town drinking our coffee in silence. “So why did your last partner leave?” I asked breaking the silence.

She stopped walking and finished her drink before dumping it into a nearby waste basket. “Well... She said I was very hard to work with.” She admitted rubbing the back of her head

“Really?” I asked, "I was expecting like an injury or something. Not somepony just ditching her because of her personality."

“Yea.” She said with a soft sigh looking down at the ground.

With a sigh I threw my cup into the waste basket and walked up to Ditzy. I rested my talon on her shoulder and put on a kind smile. “So far with me, you have been nothing but great Ditzy.”

“Really!?”

I retracted my talon surprised by her quick change of mood. “Yes, I’m having a great time and am looking forward to delivering the mail with you.” I encouraged her.

She took a step back and puffed out her chest. “Then let’s go!” She turned and started running at full gallop, for about three steps. *crash* “...ouchie” She landed flat on her face in the middle of the street. Anypony nearby just gave her a quick glance before turning back to their business.

“Are you alright?” I asked concerned picking her up off the ground.

She stood up rubbing her cheek. “Just peachy.”

We walked through town while Ditzy showed me the sights and explained what houses we had to get and what houses were in the care of other ponies. We also delivered letters and other small packages that we were carrying around in our bags. Ponyville is a lot bigger in person than it is on the show. You wouldn’t think it, but Ditzy knows the name, address, and mail pony of everypony in Ponyville.

She stopped and pointed to our left, and as I turned to look I took a step back in surprise, there was a giant freaking tree in the middle of town. “This is the town library. It is also a house! I always thought that was neat. You must really have to like books to live in a library.” She laughed.

“Wow it’s so big. How did I not see this tree before?” I asked in awe of my own apparent blindness.

“It’s a tree?” Ditzy looked back at the library looking it up and down. “OH MY GOSH! It’satreetoo!” She suddenly jumped at the tree and began to ...hug it.

“...Ditzy?” I asked unsure of what exactly was happening.

Ditzy didn’t respond she only continued to hug the tree smiling.

“Derpy!” I yelled trying to get her attention.

“Eep!” She fell of the tree in surprise and hit the ground. Several ponies stopped to look at her this time and they didn't leave right away like last time.
She looked around at the stares she was receiving. She looked down and started to paw at the ground nervously.

“...I’m sorry Rick.” she muttered eventually.

I raised an eyebrow at her behavior “Why are you sorry?” I asked, surely something like this was par for the course with this girl.

“I made a scene.” She explained looking away from me ashamed.

I looked around at the small crowd. “Is that common?”

She nodded “A little.”

Eventually she slowly stared to walk off “Come on. Lets go, I'll show you one of my favorite stops.” she explained softly

She started to briskly jog away from the library obviously embarrassed. I noticed several of the ponies were all watching her wearing smirks on their faces. We made our way silently through Ponyville. As we got further and further through the city center the amount of ponies thinned out exponentially. Soon we were walking along a dirt trail towards the Everfree Forest, I had a good Idea where we were going now. As we came over a hill I saw Fluttershy's cottage resting against the forest edge next to a creek.

“This is Fluttershy’s place, she’s the nicest pony in Ponyville! ...well she’s not really in Ponyville, but she’s still really nice.” Ditzy explained.

That caught my attention. “What do you mean she’s not in Ponyville?”

Ditzy took a glance at the forest behind the cottage. “Fluttershy lives on the edge of the Everfree which is not governed by the village of Ponyville. Since there is no postal service for the Everfree, Fluttershy gets her mail delivered to a postbox in town. Technically it’s not my job to bring her mail because her postbox is at the office, but I bring it to her anyway.” Ditzy explained trotting happily over the bridge that ran over the creek in front of the cottage.

“That’s nice of you.”

She stopped in front of the door and turned around. “Like I always tell her. ‘It’s my duty as a mail mare to deliver mail. Neither sleet or hail or district zoning will stop me!’” She puffed out her chest proudly to finish her explanation.

I saw a flash of light coming from a group of trees up on a hill overlooking Fluttershy’s cottage. Almost like the sun was reflecting off of something. Before I could turn my head to investigate further my face was assaulted. A small white rabbit now sat on my beak staring into my eyes with a rage that could melt a glacier.

“What the?” I asked startled.

Angel managed to take is attention off of me but he remained on my beak. “Hi Angel Bunny! Don’t worry, he’s with me.” She explained patting me on my back. He glared into my eyes for a few seconds before nodding and hopping off of my beak.

Ditzy put her hoof out in front of her and Angel jumped onto it. She nuzzled him a bit before putting him back down.

Angel Bunny, one of the most controversial animals in all of My Little Pony. On one hand he is the favorite pet of Fluttershy, helping her when she needs someone and warning her of dangers. He’s also known as that prick who smacked Fluttershy across the face because he didn’t like his meal.

Suddenly I saw the glint again. Angel seemed to notice it as well and hopped off after it. Well if it's anything serious the little hare will deal with it.

*Knock knock knock*

Ditzy was knocking on the cottage door completely oblivious to what I was doing. It wasn't long before the door cracked open and a light blue eye peered out immediately locking onto Ditzy.

“Oh, hello Ditzy. “ A soft voice spoke from behind the door.

“Good morning Fluttershy”

Fluttershy opened the door wide and began to look behind Ditzy to see if there was anything else outside. She saw me.
She reacted about how I expected.

*Gasp* *Slam*

Ditzy cocked her head confused. “That’s strange. I wonder what got her so spooked?”

“I think it may be me.”

“Why would you think that?"

“Because she looked right at me before gasping in terror?”

“Hmm... that makes sense...” She reasoned tapping her hoof against her chin. “Dont worry, I got this.” She reassured me with a wave before knocking again.

*knock knock*

“Fluttershy!”

“Y-yes?” Her voice called out from behind her door.

“Is something wrong?” Ditzy asked.

“There is a strange griffon behind you.” She answered.

Ditzy smiled and took a step back and draped one of her hooves over my shoulder “It's okay. He's my new partner.” She yelled back.

Fluttershy cracked the door open again and peered out at me. I waved slightly. She opened the door wider now hiding behind her mane. She said something but it was too quiet for us to make out.

“What?” Ditzy asked leaning in to try and hear her better.

“Umm... who is this?” She asked again.

She smiled wide before pulling me towards the door and almost shoving me into Fluttershy. “This is my new friend Ricky! Don’t worry he’s the nicest griffon I have ever met.” Fluttershy took it better than I thought she would only cringing and not outright fleeing in terror.

“Really?” She asked backing up a bit further.

“Yea! He’s going to be working with me at the post office! He’s kind of new in town.” Ditzy explained pulling me back and taking the spot in front of me.

Fluttershy looked over Ditzy at me. “Oh um... Hello Ricky. I’m sorry for slamming the door on you. The last griffon I met didn’t leave a very good impression.” She explained hiding back behind Ditzy by the end of her explanation.

Ditzy laughed and patted Fluttershy on the shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about that Fluttershy! Ricky told me that he prefers ponies to griffons. Right, Rick!?” She asked turning back to me.

I began to rub the back of my head embarrassed. “Uhh... yea, you bet. Trust me Fluttershy. I am nothing like other griffons.”

Ditzy began to dig through her mail bag humming happily to herself while Fluttershy and me got to enjoy an awkward silence. With a cheerful “Got it!” She emerged from her mail bag with an envelope in her mouth. She put it in her hoof and looked it over.

“Well, you got a letter from the Veterinary Society of Canterlot.” She informed her while handing over the envelope.

“Sounds official.” I commented with a raised eyebrow.

Fluttershy smiled looking over the envelope. “Oh I’ve been expecting this. Thank you Ditzy. I really appreciate you bringing this to me.” She thanked quietly.

“You’re welcome.” Ditzy said humbly putting her hoof against her chest.

She turned to me again noticeably less frightened then before. “And it was a pleasure to meet you as well Ricky.” She said sincerely.

“The pleasure was mine I assure you.” I said with a wave of my talon.

Fluttershy politely said goodbye again and closed the door. Ditzy waved us off and said we had more deliveries to make.

“She seemed nice.” I commented as we were walking back towards town.

“Yea, she’s like the nicest pony ever!” Ditzy exclaimed with a hop.

“I was taken in by the enthusiasm of her claim. “That's a pretty big boast.” I remarked with a smile.

“But it has to be true, not just anypony gets chosen to represent kindness itself!”

“Hmm?” I questioned pretty sure I already knew what she was talking about.

“A few months ago it's all anypony in town would talk about. Six mares ran off into the forest to fight against Nightmare Moon herself. Five mares that live here in this town went along with the mare that now lives in the library and they took on the Elements of Harmony! Fluttershy's element is kindness which makes a lot of sense because she is so nice to everypony and the animals she cares for.”

“That's awesome.”

“You bet. It was so cool and the Princess even stayed in town for a huge party.” She waved her hooves to emphasize just how huge the party was.

I smiled again. “Who else bares the elements?”

“Well there's that Twilight mare from Canterlot, I don't know much about her because she doesn't really get much mail through the postal service. Apparently she has some kind of special system with the princess for sending letters. *sigh* such a shame.” She sighed shaking her head.

“Also there is Rainbow Dash, she's this awesome stunt flyer that lives in a cloud home above Ponyville. Unfortunately she's not on my route so I don't know her that well either. The same goes for Applejack who lives over on Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Rarity is a nice mare though. She is on our route so I know her pretty well. She's kind of a gossip though so be careful around her.” She warned giving me a stern look.

“Got it.” I answered nodding my head.

“Last but not least is the element of laughter, which is held by Pinkie Pie!”

“Whats up!” A high pitched cheerful tone boomed out from in between us.

“Holy shit!” *squawk*

Pinkie Pie bounced in front of us. “heheh you're silly Ricky.”

“Jeez Pinkie, don't do that.” I gasped trying to make sure my heart hadn't stopped.

“Lancy Boy finally let you out of the house!? Yay!” She cheered bouncing around me in circles.

“Hey Pinkie!” Ditzy greeted unfazed by Pinkies entry.

“And you already made a new friend!? That’s great Rick.” Pinkie sheered hopping in between standing in front of me and Ditzy.

“Umm, yea. She has been a real big help getting me settled in my new job.” I explained following her odd rhythmic movements with my eyes.

She stopped her odd dance of bounces and hops in front of Ditzy “By the way Ditzy got any mail for Sugar Cube corner?”

"Sure thing Pinkie.” She responded digging through her mail bag. She returned with four plain white envelopes and handed them to Pinkie. Pinkie took them and they promptly disappeared into her mane. When her hoof emerged from her mane she was holding a muffin.

“Here have a muffin.” Pinkie said, happily handing over the baked good.

“Yay!” Ditzy cheered snatching the muffin from Pinkie.

“Well I have to go. I'm setting up a cute-ceañera today. I hope you have super afternoon Rick.” Pinkie exclaimed beginning to jump away.

“So you really like muffins huh?” I asked watching her devour her gift from Pinkie.

“You bet, there like the second best thing in my entire life.” She exclaimed.

“Second?” I asked wondering what she could be referring to.

“My first is Dinky of course.” She explained wiping the crumbs off her muzzle.

“Dinky?” “So she really is Derpy's daughter.”

“I didn't tell you about Dinky?” She asked tilting her head.

“No.”

She sat down and began to think. She started to mouth the conversations we had earlier in the day. After a while a look of realization came across her face. “Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, I was so busy trying to make a good impression I forgot to tell you about myself.” She explained worriedly.

“It's okay Ditzy, I just met you after all. We can get to know each other better after work.” I said trying to calm her down.
After a few seconds of silence she managed to calm herself down. “I guess so.” She stood up and spread her wings. “Come on, there are some more things I still want to show you.

I looked at her wings. “Can we walk there?” I asked nervously.

She folded her wings and took a glance at mine. “Why don’t you want to fly with me? Is there some kind of problem? Are you sick?” Se asked taking a step towards me with a look of concern.

I hesitated for a bit wondering if I should tell her or not. “Well... it's kind of embarrassing.”

Ditzy just stared at me with her good eye waiting for me to elaborate.

“You see... uhh. Well, I don’t know how to fly.” I explained reluctantly.

She just looked at me in silence for a few seconds before she suddenly looked at me in fear. “Oh no did you forget!? I heard that could happen but I thought they were just making fun of me!”

“No I just-” I tried to explain before I was cut off.

“-What if I wake up one morning and I can’t take off! I would be late for work and then I wouldn’t get to deliver mail anymore and then I wouldn’t get money and then I wouldn’t be able to take care of Dinky or buy muffins! And then-”

“-Derpy!” I yelled.

“...Yes?” She responded after she got control of her breathing.

“I never learned how to fly. I am pretty sure it is a rather hard thing to forget.” I explained in a calm quiet voice.

“Oh... I caused a scene again... didn’t I?” She asked looking around to see if a crowd had formed. Luckily nopony seemed to hear it.

“Just a little one.” I responded using my talon to emphasize the size.

“I always screw up like this!” She yelled frustrated, she sat down looking away from me. “...I just don’t know what went wrong.”

“Hey cheer up! I’m the one who can’t fly here, if anything I should be sad.” I said sitting down next to her.

She nodded and gave a curious glance at my wings. “How did you never learn how to fly?” she asked.

“I never had anyone to teach me.” I shrugged.

She excitedly stood up and circled around to get in front of me. “Oh, I can teach you how to fly!”

Every pony within earshot stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the two mail carriers.
I considered it for a while, surely there are other ponies way more suited for such a task, but it looks like it would mean so much to the poor girl. “Sure, why not... what could possibly go wrong?”

And Ricky's words only incited a minor panic!

Every now and then I hand Skies the keys to my pub and tell him I have business. I use this time off to pursue my hobby... stalking the Mane Six. In my time in Equestria I have done it all from direct observation to breaking into their old schools to find their records all in the pursuit of uncovering their pasts. However one of them has been more difficult than the rest.

Today was one of my days off and I was going to spend it the way I usually do... learning. (don’t give me those looks) This land was just too interesting for me to be idle. One of the Mane Six had remained a mystery to me for too long now. I trotted off to the Everfree forest with a saddle bag full of essentials. Quill, parchment, and binoculars. (Basic equestrian stalking kit, just ask Twilight) Fluttershy will not evade me for long.

I was currently camped out under some trees and foliage on top of a hill near Fluttershy's cottage. I was looking through my binoculars , using them to push my shades up off my eyes, curious to see that I was not the first to arrive here this morning. “Oh look, it’s Rick... Why is Derpy delivering mail to Fluttershy, as I understand she doesn’t live in Ponyville proper?”

Derpy was holding Angel Bunny in her hoof when the rabbit seemed to make eye contact with me through my binoculars. I dropped them from my face to look at the scene with my bear eyes. It was too far for him to see me so easily. I looked through the binoculars again only to notice that I couldn't find him.

“No worries, probably went to do rabbit stuff.” I muttered to myself.

I watched Derpy knock on Fluttershy's door before I felt something hot against my chest. hard My binoculars went flying and my ass hit the ground. I was to shocked to react right away.

“...Ow.” I said looking down to see what hit me.
Have you ever seen a white rabbit? I never liked them. Their eyes always creeped me out... which is ironic now that I think about it. No innocent creature should ever have blood red eyes. My assailant, Angel Bunny was an Equestrian white rabbit, and like his Terran cousins he shared the trait of blood red eyes.

“Was that really called for?” I asked conveying my annoyance in my voice.

He stood in between me and Fluttershy’s cottage and crossed his arms. His message was clear, ‘leave’.

“I’m sorry Angel but I need to know something about Fluttershy.”

For some reason a look of confused worry appeared on his face. “Hmm... a sentient rabbit? Not the strangest thing I’ve seen since I got here.”
In his surprised state I was able to get past him.

I walked into the sunlight near my hiding place and picked up the binoculars. Brushing them off a put them back to my face to survey the scene a bit longer. It seemed that Rick was now in the middle of introducing himself to Fluttershy.

“Look at him meeting Fluttershy, living the dream bro.” I said to anyone that would listen, that being an annoyed rabbit.

My view of the scene was suddenly robbed by the glaring midday sun.

“Ah, fucking hell!” I quietly yelled falling back into the shade of the tree. Apparently the little runt took my binoculars away and in the process knocked my shades off my head.

I wonder if this is what it feels like to get hit with a flash grenade. I swear to god I am going to smack a rabbit. After a few minutes I managed to tolerate the pain my eyes were in and look around without the aid of my glasses. (A lot of squinting was involved.) I looked down at the rabbit who was now holding my shades behind his back wearing a smug grin. As soon as he saw my eyes the smile on his face disappeared and he dropped the glasses staring at me in shock.

I raised an eyebrow at his display. “Now that was just rude.” I said venomously.

“Nightmare?” A baritone voice croaked out.

I back peddled into a tree. “Dafuck!?” Did this rabbit just fucking speak? And why did he sound like Kevin Grevioux?

The now seemingly talking rabbit hopped closer to me getting a better look at me.

“No... You are not Terror... who are you and what have you done with him!?” He demanded poking my on the foreleg.

“What?” I muttered dumbly looking down closer at him.

A pupil formed in his eye contrasting the red of his iris with sharp black. He then looked back up to me and the pupil grew vertically until his eyes looked more like they belonged to a snake than a rabbit. I instantly recognized the eyes. They looked like an exact recolor of mine.

“Demon...” I whispered taking a step back in shock. Gotta say... did not see this coming.

“You seem surprised.” He said taking a single hop back and putting up his little bunny paws in a combative position.

I laid down in the grass in order to be eye to eye with the little guy. “Fluttershy’s rabbit... is a demon? You know what... that actually explains a lot.”

He cocked his head curiously while looking at me. “Yet, you wield Terror’s power... what has become of him?”

There that name again. “I’m sorry... who?”

“Terror.” He explained expecting me to understand.

“Uhh huh...” I responded sitting back up “Well I don’t know who that is...”

“...” He stared at me through narrow eyes.

I began looking around for my shades trying to strike a conversation with him. “...Well Angel Bunny you just became a whole lot more fascinating than Fluttershy. So tell me, what is it like being eight inches tall?” I asked finding them face down in the grass near the tree.

“I can still kick your ass boy.” He grumbled annoyed.

One of the lenses had popped out and the frame was slightly bent from where the binoculars hit them. “I was asking out of honest curiosity Angel. I meant no offense.” I defended slightly upset by the condition of my shades.

“Of course you didn’t” He muttered crossing his arms across his bunny chest.

I pulled my spare set of shades out from my vest. (Always be prepared) “I am curious and concerned. How did a demon come to be the company of Fluttershy, and for that matter are you endangering her?” I finished the sentence with a tone that implied a warning.

“Answer my question first. Where is Terror?” He demanded stamping one of his feet impatiently.

“I already told you I have no idea who that is.” I explained trying to calm him down.

He stopped his foot and began to rub his chin in thought. “Lord Terror? Last I heard he was calling himself Nightmare.” He explained.

“Oh him. ...Yea, I ate ‘em.”

“...” He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“...” I gave my best poker face.

His ears twitched. “...you’re joking right?”

“Nope, he's dead” I explained rubbing the back of my head.

“Really?”

“Would you be angry if he was?” I asked hesitantly

He sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. “Yes.” He explained in an irritated tone.

“Oh.” I said taking a step back.

He began to wave one of his paws dismissively. “But I’m always angry. It’s who I am, what I am.” He explained.

“Oh?”

He stood up straight and put a paw on his chest. “I am the Demon Lord of Rage, I would be worried if I wasn’t angry at something like this. Terror was technically my brother. That being said, I couldn’t stand the rotten bastard. Hell, even Mother didn’t like that narcissistic prick.” He explained with a smile.

I breathed out a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted was more enemies. “A demon named Angel?” I smiled looking back down at him. “I hope the irony is not lost on you.” He just groaned while covering his face with one of his paws.

We talked for the rest of the morning and a little bit into the afternoon. I learned a great deal from the little guy, a great deal that Nightmare had withheld from me. Soon I think I wont need him anymore.

Later that day I was standing behind my bar thinking about the appointment I had made with the mayor for the evening. When the door opened and a familiar face walked in.

I smiled to my potential customer “Hello Rarity, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

She smiled back happy to have been recognized by me. “I need something to take the edge off. My parents are going to Canterlot for a week and need me to watch my little sister.” She said motioning to the filly walking beside her.

“But Sweetie is such a good filly.” I offered smiling at the filly.

Rarity cringed. “She certainly... tries, but it can be tiring.”

I shrugged “Well of all the places to take a filly, you take her to a bar?”

“I would take her to Sugar Cube Corner but Pinkie is setting up some kind of event today. You do serve food, right?” She asked sitting at the bar.

Red Skies walked up to the bar. “Da! What will it be?”

Rarity smiled politely in acknowledgment “We’ll have two orders of fries and a soda for little Sweetie here.”

Skies nodded and walked through the door to the kitchen. I pulled out a cup and poured little Sweetie a cola. She thanked me when I gave it to her. God dammit she has to be the cutest thing ever. I don’t care what anyone says Sweetie Belle was always the best filly.

“And will I be serving you a drink as well Rarity?” I asked already reaching for a wine glass.

“Do you have wine?” She asked looking over the selection of alcohol along the wall behind me.

“Yea, but nothing fancy. We put that budget into whisky.” I said in a joking tone.

“Just a glass of red wine if you would be so kind.” She responded putting the bits onto the counter.

I swept the coins off the counter and deposited them in the register underneath the bar. “Sure thing.”

I turned around to find a bottle to fill rarities glass and I could feel her looking me over or more likely, my cloths. I think I can tell were this conversation is going to go.

“So Lance I must ask. Where did you acquire that outfit you’re wearing?” Sweetie rolled her eyes as her sister revealed her true intentions for her visit.

I put her filled glass on the bartop while looking down at the vest and shirt I had made. “This? I made it myself.”

A look of genuine surprise struck her as she looked it over again. “Oh, where did you learn how to do that?

“My mother was a seamstress. She taught me how to make and hem my own cloths.” I responded waving my hoof hoping against hope she would drop this conversation.

She smiled knowingly. She and my mother shared a profession. “Oh? Where does your mother work now?”

I didn’t respond at first, I haven’t really talked about my mom in years. “...My mother was a seamstress.” I said conveying the message. Sweetie Belle looked confused thinking I had just repeated myself but Rarity gasped in shock and guilt.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” She apologized wearing a look of concern, it wasn’t fake ‘crap I touched a sore subject back out’ concern, it was true genuine concern.

“It’s... alright. I don’t have a sign outside advertising that my mother is dead.” Now Sweetie gasped in shock and started to look down into her drink with a sad frown. I hate depressing children like this, especially a filly as adorable as Sweetie. Rarity started to sip from her wineglass while I topped off Sweeties soda. I gave her a warm smile trying to cheer her up. I had minor success.

Rarity put her glass down getting my attention. “If it isn’t too much trouble... when?”

“About three years ago...”

She winced. “I am so sorry I brought up such hard memories.”

I sighed before lifting Rarity’s now empty glass off the bartop. “Life hurts Rarity. It’s how we take the pain that defines us.”

“That is a rather depressing philosophy Lance.”

“Order up” Red Skies called from the kitchen putting the baskets of fries through the window. I put them in front of the girls and filled Rarity's glass again. She tried to stop me but I insisted.

She put the fries in her mouth and started to chew. Instantly her demeanor changed “These aren’t hay fries... what are these, they’re amazing!”

“Glad you like them, they’re a house specialty. You see the problem with regular hay fries is that they taste like hay.” I explained. Rarity just looked at me wearing a justifiable confused expression.

“So I got to thinking, ‘I have never ate hay in my life, and there is a good reason for that, because hay tastes terrible.’ So here we are serving up French fries.” I explained with a smile.

“Prench fries?” Rarity asked.

“...No.”

Rarity continued to eat in silence as I refilled Sweetie's drink. I didn't finish putting the hose beneath the bar before the door opened revealing Scootaloo walking back in carrying a carton of eggs on her back.

She walked pass us on her way to the stairs taking extra time to look at the filly sitting at the bar. “Hey Lance...” she greeted.

I nodded in acknowledgment to her greeting. “I see you were successful in acquiring your eggs.” I observed looking at the questionably acquired carton.

“Yes.” she responded simply.

“Ah. “ I acknowledged going back to my business, when I noticed Sweetie watching Scoots out from the corner of her eye. More specifically her flank. “Pinkie said she was throwing a party for a filly today... And scoots was really adamant about getting those eggs. I think I have an idea about whats going on."

“Hey Scoots why don’t you spend the day with Rarity's sister.”

“What?” She asked stopping at the bottom the stairs.

“Well it looks like Rarity could use a break and you can go to the cute-ceañera with her.” Scoots eyes widened as she realized that I knew about what was going down today. She gave a sad glance back at the eggs believing her plan to use them against her new diabolical enemies was shot down.

“I didn't tell you to leave the eggs.” I said retrieving the now empty baskets off the bartop and handing them back through the window to Skies.

She smiled at me before approaching Sweetie. “You're Sweetie Bell right? I saw you in class but I don't think we have ever spoken.”

“Umm yea.” Sweetie softly responded shifting nervously in her seat. Then followed a few seconds of awkward silence.
I rolled my eyes before hitting my hoof against the bartop. Gaining both of there attention. “Get out of here you two. Go find a table to cower under or something!” The two young mares ran out the door to do just that.

Rarity watched them leave with obvious interest. “Who was that filly?” She asked turning back to me.

“That was Scootaloo.” I said simply putting both Rarity's and Sweetie's glasses through the window in order to be washed.

“She lives here?” She asked.

“Yes.” I replied trying to convey that it wasn't a topic open for discussion.

“But I have seen that filly in town before you got here.” She responded rubbing her hoof against her chin recalling all the times she has seen the child around town.

“*sigh* You probably have.” I said hoping she would drop it.

“Who was she living with then?” She asked looking back at me.

I decided to stop the conversation before she dug too deep. “...Please, respect the child’s privacy. She has been through too much already.”

She didn't respond right away. She looked at me for a while before nodding in acknowledgment. “...okay, but, she is alright isn’t she?”

“She's fine now, trust me. I am sure she and your sister are going to be great friends from now on.” I smiled walking down to bar trying to find something else that needed my attention
“...You will learn to fear them.” I whispered.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Rarity smiled looking me over again. “You are quite the gentlecolt Lance. What is a stallion like you doing running a pub?”

I smiled leaning against the bartop.“Being smart, this is one of the most lucrative businesses in Ponyville. I have no competition and an endless market. I am making a fortune with this business.” I explained with a smug grin.

Rarity raised an eyebrow and nodded her head. “So... any mares in town catch our eye?” She asked obviously fishing for a topic to discuss.

“Are you hitting on me Miss Rarity?” I joked leaning towards her.

“Why I would never-” Rarity started only to be interrupted as the door opened again this time revealing Mayor Mare. Rarity was quite confused as to what the Mayor was doing in the bar.

“Oh Lance~” She called.

“Hello May” I said turning to face her.

She looked me over and then to Rarity.

“I thought you had the day off?” She asked curiously approaching us.

“I do, Rarity and I were just talking.” I explained.

“So, we're still on then?” She said examining her hoof.

“Yes, of course we are.”

“Hello Madam Mayor, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Rarity said giving a greeting to the Mayor.

“...yes, it is. Come on Lance,” She said turning for the door.

“Alright, give me a minute here... Molly!” I yelled stomping the ground.

“Who'da whatzit!” The ginger unicorn shouted shooting up from behind the bar.

“...Was she sleeping back there?” Rarity asked staring at her.

“What's it matter to ya?” Molly said rubbing her head and blinking the sleep out of her eyes.

“Well your mane is a mess dear.” Rarity answered softly, unsure of herself.

Molly didn't respond. She simply rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck before tusseling her mane back into it's usual messy brade. “So you off on your date then boss?”

“...*sigh* sure why not. You and Skies watch the place until I get back.”

“Sure thing boyo. Make sure you have fun on ya date.” She teased.

Lance walked out the door shaking his head in annoyance with the mayor following close behind.

Rarity watched them leave with obvious interest “The bar colt and the mayor!? What a scandal.” She said excitedly after they had left. She was so lost in her own thoughts on the matter that she didn't notice the unicorn that sat next to her.

“Lance enjoys his privacy.” she said leaning a little closer to her.

Rarity turned towards Molly a little nervously.

“So don’t go blabbing the cute little mouth of yours” Molly finished with a dark tone.

“Are you threatening me?” Rarity asked incredulously.

Molly laughed before jumping over the bar top. "I don’t make threats flah, just forceful suggestions.” She said snickering beneath the bar before she came up with a bottle of whiskery and a glass. She filled her glass and brought it up to her lips before her eyes met with Rarity again. "...Your still here?” Molly asked with disinterest after she finished her glass.

Rarity sighed and then threw some bits on the bartop. “I need a drink.”

The Mayor and me were walking down the street to an outdoor café to grab a quick bite to eat. Or more specifically May would be getting something to eat, I would get a cup of tea. I wasn’t in the best of moods along the way and May seemed to pick up on that.

“What’s got you so down Lance?” She asked looking at me worriedly.

“I never talk about Mother...” I muttered more to myself than her.

“What?”

I pointed at her accusingly. “You ponies are making me soft, next thing you know I’m going to attend AA meetings, and start talking about me feelings.”

She smiled and closed the distance between us and broke my ‘personal space rule’ by wrapping her hooves around my neck in a hug. “You can always tell me about your feelings.” She said with a predatory smirk.

I just rolled my eyes and shoved her off of me. “No this is serious. Why would I open up to her like that...” I asked myself lowering my face to stare at the ground as we walked. After a few seconds of silence I sighed before giving an answer. “Because she asked.”

“Hmm?” Mayor Mare asked concerned about my ramblings.

I sighed again before picking my head back up. “You know... your giving me the bad habit of thinking out loud.”

“I like that about you, makes it easy to understand whats on your mind.”

“Can't I be the dark and mysterious staallion from out of town?”

“Nope.” She chirped happily.

I picked up a familiar voice in the crowd. One of the voices I taught myself to listen for.

“So we can take a break for the rest of the day?” Spike asked hopefully.

Twilight laughed at his youthful attitude. “No Spike, now we can spend the rest of the day studying!” She explained passionately.

“*Sigh* Of course.” Spike conceded.

“Interesting, two in one day.” I said to myself a smile coming across my face.

Several minutes later The Mayor and I were sitting at our table sharing a polite conversation. Several tables over sat the greatest magical prodigy of recent times reading fro a thick tome and practicing long lost and powerful arts, no one seemed to care. All except one that is, she had an audience of one stallion, not really a stallion, more like a shapeshifting alien stalker from another dimension, but he was still an audience.

“So Ricks first day on the job was today. Hear anything about it?” I asked the mayor curious about how Ricky's day had gone.

“Actually yes. Postal said he really likes the kid. That's a good thing too, get on that stallions good side and your life will be a lot easier.” She explained inbetween bites of her salad.

“That's good to hear” I said nodding going back to observing the unicorn on the other side of the cafe.

“What do you keep staring at?” May asked annoyed by my constant glances across the cafe.

“Her.” I said simply pointing to Twilight as her horn flashed and a writhing mass of black eels sprang from the book she was reading another flash and they were gone. Again no one took notice.

“What does that unicorn got that I don’t got!?” May asked offended.

“Well, she never tried to rape me, that’s a plus.” I muttered sarcastically rolling my eyes.

“So I can be a little forward after a few glasses of wine, sue me!" She waved her hoof dismissively.

“A little forward?! I had to break a bottle over your head! ...And you still kept coming!" I yelled atracting some looks from the nearby tables.

“That hardly seems fair!" Mayor Mare muttered in a defeated tone.

“Don't worry, I'm not looking at her like that. I'm watching her magic." I explained watching her practice more of her spells.

“Oh, why?" May asked taking a glance over at her as well.

“Because it interests me.” I explained.

“I never could wrap my head around that unicorn stuff.” Mayor Mare answered taking another bite of her salad.

“But look. Energy, mass, conversion, it's all there, there is a science behind it. It takes time to cast the spell and she uses energy with each one. Why? How does she convert her fork into spoon like that?” I asked looking closer at Twilight herself as she casts spells.

"If you think to hard on the subject you might hurt yourself Lance." Mayor Mare warned.

After watching her casts spells for a few more minutes I had an epiphany. “...Wait, that's it!”

“Whats it?" May asked not even looking up from her meal.

“Oh this is great!” I shouted. I pulled a small notebook and a pencil out from inside my vest and I began to write down some notes so I could go over them later.

She put down her fork and looked at me slightly concerned. “Lance what just happened.”

“Great things Mayor, great things.” I answered.

“Okay?”

Later that night I sat at my desk writing feverishly in a journal about my findings I had observed at the café.

I should get this published. One thing to be noted about ponies is that they were ignorant to a fault. I looked through a fair share of magic books and even had the bastard demon tell me what he knew on the subject, but they were all lacking in the formal knowledge of magic. A force from within they said... that’s bullshit! If it truly was that simple the human race would have been waging wars with spell craft long ago. There is something in this world that mine lacks. But now I have found this missing link and with it I have mastered magic... most of which I can’t actually use... Have to agree with Skies on this one, damn unicorns! However... I know just the unicorn to talk to about this.

I awoke with a start from a dreamless sleep. Well not technically, I didn’t really ‘wake up’. I am still trapped in this nightmare, stuck in an eternal false consciousness.
I look around at the room I have been living in for the past few months, four white walls and a single door. I sigh as I rest my head back on my desk. This is my life now... a desk. A desk and a door. I can’t open the door... not for lack of trying though. So far the only things that I have seen go through were the reavers and Lance... and that griffon a few days ago... that was just weird.

My jailer, Lance, is the only break in the monotony I ever get. I used to hate him, I really did, but after a few months of only talking to the same person it gets hard to hold a grudge. He never yells at me or tells me to do anything bad. All the stories I had been told about demons said that they would try to corrupt you and take your soul.

Lance has been the only person to ever actually listen to me in a long time. For some reason he is really interested in my past. I haven’t really told him much, but when I do talk... he listens. He talks too sometimes... it rarely ever makes sense. A lot of what he says is just gibberish to me. Over time I have even begun to pick up on some of his habits... people, person, and someone has become a ready part of my vocabulary. Every time it slips out and I say it in front of him he smiles, like he likes that I’m having an identity crisis! I swear sometimes I just want to kick him in the face.

But where is the good for nothing colt... I swear I am going insane in this room... alone.

My ears perked up at the steady ‘click clack click’ of hooves on the tiled floor. I gave a sigh of relief before picking my head off my desk. He was standing at the other side of the desk in his traditional blue form with his glasses tucked into his vest. He rarely wears them in here. Sometimes when he comes in here he is in the tall black form that he was in when we met. Those days he usually doesn’t talk to me. He was wearing a neutral expression. “Oh crap, that means he is going to ask me to do something. It’s like the census halls all over again!”

“Good morning Trixie!” He greeted quite enthusiastically

Oh yea... he’s up to something. “Oh great... you’re back.” I responded in a deadpan.

“Come on, where’s that smile!?” He asked with a sly grin making it's way onto his face.

“*sigh* We talked about this.” I responded with a sigh.

“Oh come on! Why do you gotta fight me on this?" He asked exasperated.

“Because you foalnapped me!" I accused him.

He didn’t respond like he usually does when I accuse him of stealing me. Instead he rolled his eyes in annoyance before placing his hoof on my desk. “No... I didn’t."

This is new. “What?" I asked completely unprepared for him to say that/

He smirked at me like he knew some kind of secret. “I saved you Trixie.

What an annoying man. “Your idea of saving is taking a pony away from their home? Can’t say I’m surprised demon.” I sneered.

He laughed before taking his hooves off of my desk. “I never stole you from your home Trixie; you didn’t have a home when I found you. All you had was the wreckage of a hollow life shattered around you." He said in a cold and even voice. He began to look around the room before he continued his tone devoid of the joy he usually has. "I took you in when no one else would; I kept you from doing something stupid. Or did you forget the day we met you beat yourself down with your own fears. I witnessed it all Trix, I saw your life fall to pieces around you, and I know you better than you think." He finished his trademark triumphant smirk coming to his face.

Oh great... a lecture. “What do you want Lance.” I sighed.

“You are a unicorn right?" He asked looking through a small notebook he produced from his vest.

“...no, I’m a walrus.” I responded rolling my eyes.

“coo coo cacho!” He laughed putting the small book back into his vest.

“...What?” Sometimes really doubt his sanity.

“I thought you were a walrus?" He asked in a confused tone.

“Yep... I am definitely going insane.” I muttered laying my head on my desk contemplating weather or not I could fashion a noose out of paper clips.

“Oh shush. I would never let that happen." He laughed waving his hoof.

I groaned "What do you want?" I asked.

He gave me a serious look. "What’s your special talent Trix?” he asked.

“Stop calling me that. ...What do you think foal? It’s magic.” I responded raising my head off the desk to look him in the eyes.

His smirk came back “Perfect." He took his book out again. "Okay Trix tell me, who taught you magic?”

I thought back to my filly life. “I had a personal instructor back hom-”

“-Fuck that guy!” Lance shouted rudely interrupting me.

“Umm… excuse me?” I asked showing my annoyance.

“He didn’t teach you proper Magic Theory.” Lance explained hitting his hoof against his book.

“He was the best money could buy?” I questionably stated.

“He was still wrong. You’re a mare with a talent for magic, so is that Twilight mare. So why did she show you up?” He asked looking up to the picture he had hanging on the wall behind me.

“Because she had better training?” I ventured unsure about where this was going.

He shook his head and smiled. “No actually... she probably got similar training that you had just furthered. Listen to me Trix, I can make you better than anypony.”

Now he had my undivided attention. “Oh, and how can you teach me if you’re not even a unicorn?”

“Because I know how magic works.” He explained again pointing to his book.

Holy, what? “…You know how magic …works?” I asked unconvinced.

“Yea.”

“Why do I doubt that?” I asked raising a brow at his claim.

“Probably because you have never seen how magic works.” He said as if the answer were so glaringly obvious I was stupid for not knowing it.

“I know how to do plenty of spells.” I said through gritted teeth.

“You know the ‘how’ of it but not the ‘why’.” He explained in a patient tone.

“Say again?”

“You know how to cast spells but you don’t really understand how you’re doing it, correct?” He asked pacing back in forth in front of my desk.

“But it’s magic... I was under the impression that it couldn’t be specifically explained.” I answered not willing to give him a simple yes.

“Oh don’t give me that crap Trix. ‘It’s magic I aint gotta explain shit’ is not a valid answer in my classroom!” He yelled smacking his book on my desk.

“But… were not in a classroom.”

“Look again.”

He had changed the room around me into the likeness of an odd classroom.

“…I hate you.”

“Oh come on if that was true you wouldn’t have that smirk on your face.” he laughed.

“Trixy does not have a-”

“-Shhh! Listen up Trix.” He looked down at me with that devious smile. “Class is in session.”

Do you hear bells? Because Trixie just got schooled!