The morning sun rose over the hills and plains that surrounded Canterlot, waking the men and women of the Capital, whether they wanted it or not.
One such man was Cory, whom flopped out of bed and flailed around on the floor. “DAMN YOU SUN, DAMN YOU TO HELL!” Cornelius got up and shook his fist at the sun.He dropped his hand, shook his head, and decided to start his day.“This day… Is going to be interesting…” He sighed and walked out to go wake up his other friends.
“*Bang, Bang, BANG!* Rainbow! Wake the hell up! the sun says hello and to fuck off!” Cory then bust down the door and strolled on into the room.
“Dude! What the Hay, you just busted down my door!” Rainbow yelled from her bed, covering her self up.
“Yep, but we need to go to the princesses and relay some interesting news…” Cory grinned happily to Rainbow, gaining her interest.
“What? ”She looked at him quizzically
“OH, Not much… I just got magic!” Cory then shot his hand up at the covers and yanked them off of rainbow, making her tumble to the floor.
“What the BUCK!” She was sprawled out on the floor, a little dizzy from the quick transition.
“Oops… Here,” Cory bent down to help Rainbow. Instead she grabs onto his arm and drags him down to the ground, in the process she jumped on top of his back, pinning him down.
“Um Dash… what do ya think you're doing?” Cory asked, chuckling all the while.
“Um…”Rainbow then leaped right off his body and blushed heavily, turning her blue fur a deep purple.
“...OK… You alright over there?” Cory had propped himself up on his knees and was know looking over at Dash. whom had taken to hiding on the other side of the bed.
“No, I’m good… Just, um, going to stay over here for a minute…”Rainbow said nervously, eyes shifting around the room, not landing anywhere near Cory.
“If you say so Dashie, I’m going to go wake Silent.” Cory gave her a disarming smile and walked out of the room, leaving a very flustered chromatic mare behind.
______________________________________________________________________________
“HEY SILENT RAIN, GET THE HELL UP BEFORE I BREAK YOUR DOOR!” Cory bellowed as he made his way down the hall. Rainbow was taking a peek at him from her now destroyed doorway.
“I HAVE A MARBLE PILLAR WITH YOUR DOORS NAME ON IT, SILENT, SO OPEN UP!” Cory laughed, he was now four feet from the door, and was getting ready to start beating it like a redheaded stepchild. He looked like an over-sized Baseball player with the large marble pillar and how he was holding it.
“I’m up, I’m up! Don’t kill my door please!” Silent flung the door open right as he swung, the pillar slipped out of his hand and went sailing through the room and right out a window and right into the royal pond right below it.
“Oops…” Cory chuckled to himself, feeling bad he just broke a window.
“Come on you two, we got a breakfast to go devour!”Cory scooped up Silent and planted him on his left shoulder, he then spun around and grabbed Rainbow. She had slowly made her way down the hall after the whole yelling thing and threatening to break down Silent’s door. He placed her on his right shoulder and began walking towards the kitchen.
As the three, technically one, of them were walking Silent and Rainbow noticed something odd about Cory. He had gotten taller, like about a good foot and a half taller. He now, without a doubt, towered over the princesses by a good foot.
.
.
"What the hell is going on out there?" Devin questioned as he slowly woke up to the sounds of yelling and a window smashing.
"No idea" Luna responded suddenly, scaring Devin so badly he tumbled out of the bed he'd been sleeping in.
He got up and saw that Luna had slept in the large lounge chair next to the fireplace. Devin looked around at the large bedroom and took in all the details from the large, deep blue carpet to the deep blue curtains.
"Did you really have me sleep in your room Luna?" Devin asked.
Luna blushed slightly and nodded.
"Any reason in particular for me sleeping in your room?" Devin asked.
"Actually, it was Celestia's idea. Since I stay up most of the night anyway it made me an ideal pony to watch over you during the night until proper arrangements can be made" Luna replied, still blushing.
"Okay, well now that I'm up, I think we should go see what's going on, shall we?" Devin asked while extending a hoof.
"Fine, but I'd better not be pulled into another fight" Luna said as she held Devin's hoof as he led her to the door.
Sadly, their moment of peace was shattered to tiny bits as soon as Devin opened the door. Standing there was Cory, wielding chair and posed to strike down the door.
"What the buck are you doing? Attempting to break down a princess's door is a federal crime!" Luna shouted at Cory.
“... And I care, why?” Cory exclaimed excitedly. Luna looked at him incredulously, she then saw that Rainbow and Silent were both tied up and propped against a wall.
"Why art thou tied up?" Luna asked, pointing a hoof at the pair of pegasi.
"Oh, they tried to stop me so I incapacitated them... Well, how about we go get some breakfast?" Cory smiled happily at the duo, he then scooped up Rainbow and Silent and tracked off down the hall, presumably towards the kitchen.
"Your friend...troubles me. How you two even became friends is beyond thy thoughts" Luna said to Devin.
"I'm starting to wonder myself. He has been acting a bit more...eccentric...since we got here" Devin replied after a moment of thought.
"Doth thee have any ideas as to why thy friend is, as you say, more eccentric?" Luna asked as they began to walk down the hall along the same path that Cory had gone down.
"No, but maybe he's just jealous" Devin replied while he continued to notice the marks on the walls and floors, no doubt left by Cory. Especially the one on the ceiling.
"Jealous? Of whom and of what?" Luna asked.
"Well, I was the one turned into an Alicorn when we got here and I happen to be the one that has two beautiful princesses that have taken a liking to me" Devin replied with a small smile.
"I see, and arte thou...happy, to be living in such conditions?" Luna asked as we reached the main entrance hallway.
"The only way things could be better would be if I knew how to fly and how to use my horn for magical purposes" Devin replied.
Luna burst out laughing and Devin looked slightly offended. He silently wondered what he could possibly have said that would make her laugh like this.
"Why are you laughing? I was being serious" Devin said as he came to a halt next to the main doors.
"I laugh because you wish to know some of the easiest things to teach. If that is all you want in life then you are rather humble for not wanting anything more" Luna replied.
"Well, I can't really think of anything else I would need. I've already got a few friends, a couple girls, and my necklace. In all honesty, I'd be happy as is" Devin said.
"Why is that necklace so important to you? I know you told us it was a symbol of royalty but I believe there may be more that you haven't informed us of" Luna said.
"This necklace" Devin said as he lifted it up gently, "was a gift from my father, and has been passed down through my family for generations. This is precious to me because not long after he gave it to me, he was assassinated" Devin explained.
"Then, to make things worse, the assassin killed my mother as well and then attempted to kill me. But I defied all possible physics and struck the assassin down with a golden sword that had been perched on the wall beside where I had been standing" Devin continued to explain.
"What made this defy the laws of physics?" Luna asked.
"I was only seven years old. The sword was positioned about a foot higher then I could jump, and its sheer weight should have made it impossible for me to lift" Devin explained.
"This...this is most extraordinary. You are saying that with only the thought of defending yourself, you were able to wield a sword and strike down the assassin" Luna concluded.
"Almost, but the thing that astonished me most was that I hadn't even made an attempt to retrieve the sword. One moment it had been on the wall and the next I was holding a sword as an assassin was running toward me" Devin said.
"You must surely posses magical powers. Nopony or human could have accomplished such a feat without some sort of magical power" Luna said.
"I could care less if I had powers as a human. The point of this was that my parents are dead, and I'm all alone now. And to top it off I'm stuck here with no way home" Devin said sadly.
"You are not alone, Devin. You have Cory, who I see now became almost a brother too you. And you shall have myself and Celestia if you so wish" Luna said as she hugged him.
"Thanks Luna, I don't know how I could have ever thought I was alone when I've been stuck with Cory. And now that I think about it, he is almost like a brother to me, isn't he?" Devin said.
"Indeed. And I'm sure that he feels the same way, even if he may or may not know it yet. Now come along, I find that sitting in the gardens can help relax one's mood, after that we can get some breakfast. I just hope your friend hasn’t destroyed the gardens” Luna said.
"No worries there, he'll be destroying the door to the pantry at this time of the morning" Devin replied as he followed Luna outside and into the gardens.
"Hey, Devin, what would you and Miss Luna like for breakfast?" Cory asked as he stood in the center of the kitchen, there were no chiefs or aids to be seen, Rainbow and Silent were situated at table eating some eggs and pancakes that he had made.
"I was feeling generous this morning, after I rudely woke everyone up, so I came in here, kicked out the chiefs, and started making my home style pancakes. Would you care for any?" The smile plastered to his face could have made pinkie look normal, it 'almost' went around his head!
"Guys, you gotta try these! They're awesome!" Rainbow the went back to stuffing her face with the twenty some odd pancakes that littered the plates on the table.
"Thou is quite generous, we thank thee for such an offer, what do you say Devin... Should we join them?" Luna looked at Devin, then back at the plates of pancakes... Longingly.
“Are you kidding? Cory’s pancakes are to die for, I wouldn’t hold anyone back from them, unless there was only one left” Devin said with a grin as he and Luna sat down and began devouring pancakes.
“Thou arte a wonderful cook, thou ought to be a professional cook” Luna informed Cory.
“No way, I’m not letting him be a cook. I need these pancakes I couldn’t live without these” Devin said as he shoved another in his mouth and poured syrup straight from the bottle into his mouth, causing Luna to giggle as syrup dripped into his flowing red and orange mane.
“Thanks man, I hope you both enjoy! I’m going to go get Princess Celestia and both of your personal guards, I just feel that they might need a little bit of a reward…” Cory smiled and walked out towards the Solar wing of the castle. “I’ll continue cooking when I get back, so eat the ones ya got slowly to make them last!” He called as he passed through the doors.
______________________________________________________________________________
Cory made his way through the twisting corridors of the castle, making great headway in his quest to find Celestia’s room. After about ten minutes of walking, and talking to some guards, and bringing a few of them along, he found himself standing in front of a large set of double doors that had a sun inlaid on the center of the two doors. The guards at the door saw all of the ponies that had followed Cory and deemed him ok to see the Princess without much in the way of interference; at least once they knew what he wanted her for.
“Celestia, are you awake in there? It’s eight AM, I was wondering if you would join me and some of the others for breakfast…” He asked, slowly and deliberately, waiting for an answer.
“And no that doesn’t mean you can get out of breakfast if she comes.” He had flipped around when he heard some of the Guards walking away, they stopped when they saw the serious look on Cory’s face. Not wanting to piss off the giant human they went back to where they were and sat down, albet rather nervously. Just thinking of eating with the princess made them a little apprehensive.
“Cory, what is this I hear about coming down for breakfast?” The doors had opened, silently, and Celestia emerged, not wearing any of her Royal Regalia, and was now looking quizzically at the human and Guardsponies alike.
“Good morning Celestia, I was just wondering if you would like joining us,” He motioned to the ten guards that had decided to follow him, counting the two at her door, and himself. “For breakfast down in the kitchen…?” He turned back to her and gave a winning smile, not caring that he caused a slight blush to creep onto the Sun goddess’ face.
“I would be pleased to join you all for breakfast.” She turned to get her Regalia when a hand reached out and took a grip of her shoulder, it was gentle and kind, yet firm and steady.
“Princess, there isn’t a need to gather such things right now, it is breakfast… you should enjoy it in all it’s splendor… and we might want to get back before the rest leave.” He chuckled and placed his right arm around her neck and led them all off in the direction of the kitchen.
______________________________________________________________________________
“Oui, We’re back!” Cory yelled as they opened the kitchen doors. He walked in with Celestia and the ten Guards flanking them, none of them were wearing their armor.
“Good morning, my little ponies, it’s so good to see you, and sister.” Celestia gave them all a heartfelt smile as she looked at each of her subjects and friends sitting at the table.
“Good morning, sister, please, sit… Cory will be making the rest of breakfast soon...” At the end of her sentence, Luna started to drool as she stared off into the distance, not really caring who saw.
“Well, everyone take a seat, Devin I would like it if you joined me in the kitchen… I’ll need a little help.” Cory motion for Devin to follow and they walked off to make more to eat.
“So I take it they loved the pancakes?” Cory asked smiling, he had noticed that Rainbow and Silent were both asleep on the bench when he walked in, and that all of the pancakes were gone… all 50 of them.
“That’s the understatement of the year brother… I think Luna and I got about five each…” Devin shuttered at the memory of Rainbow and Silent eating so many pancakes… it was slightly sickening.
“Well, that explains their unconscious state!” Cory laughed as he turned the stove back on and started to make more pancakes, he had Devin behind him mixing more dough since they had three times as many mouths to feed. They could hear the mares and stallions talking in the other room, it was pleasant to be close to such well rounded individuals.
“Well, once we get about fifty of these made we can start taking them out… though we won’t be eating for a good short while.” Cory shook his head enthusiastically; he loved cooking for his friends and, by his account, family.
“If you say so man, just don’t over work yourself, we don't need to take you to the hospital for heat exhaustion do we?” Devin chucked at the thought of having to drag Cory out of the kitchen by the scruff of his neck.
______________________________________________________________________________
"Order up!" Devin shouted as he and Cory began bringing out plates stacked high with pancakes.
All the guards and the princesses looked at the pancakes enthusiastically, and as soon as they were set down, they flew off the plates, literally. Since most of the guards were Unicorns, they levitated the pancakes straight onto their plates.
"Wow, I think they like pancakes around here" Devin said with a grin.
"Yeah, I think so too. But at the moment, I have something more important and I need to talk to you about it. Follow me" Cory said as he went back into the kitchen, and Devin followed after a moments hesitation.
"Okay, what's up? Something bothering you?" Devin asked.
"No, I'm just concerned" Cory said.
"Concerned about what?" Devin asked cautiously.
"About this" Cory said, then he lifted his hand and pointed at a pan. The pan was immediately covered in a glowing red aura and instantly the pan flew upwards into the air. Wherever Cory pointed, the pan would move in that direction.
"Wow Cory, I uhh...I'm not sure what to say" Devin said as he stared dumbfounded at the pan.
“Yeah, it’s cool and all… but it’s also a little ominous… Don’t ya think?” Cory asked.
"Well, I'm not sure if ominous is the right term, but I agree that it is very strange" Devin replied.
“Eh, if you think so, but yeah… it is strange at the least… Hmm… I’ll talk to the princesses about it over breakfast.” Cory sighed and walked out to join his friends.
"That's probably advisable" Devin murmured before he sat back down next to Luna.
Cory sat across from everyone, making it clear in most eyes that he had something to say. Both princesses looked on in earnest, trying to piece together a reason behind his rather abrupt change in mood.
“What troubles thee, art thou not joyful for this fine meal thou hast given us?” Luna gave him a confused look, trying to decipher the frown upon Cory’s face.
“Yes Luna, but there is something that I need to discuss with you and Celestia…” Cory gave them a sardonic smile and lifted his hand, aiming it at a coffee cup on the table. A slight red glow surrounded the cup and it began to light off the table, very slowly and jerky at first until it steadied out and swiftly flew to Cory’s hand, not spilling a drop.
"This is rather...unexpected. What do you think sister?" Celestia asked.
"I agree, but where have these sudden levitation powers come from? Surely you did not possess them before you entered Equestria?" Luna asked Cory.
“No… Never in my life have I possessed such abilities, though they are cool.” Cory said, he put on a casual smile and took a sip of coffee.
"This is interesting, we have never heard of such powers materializing after somepony has entered this dimension" Luna said.
“Yes, but it would be something that would happen to me… well, since Devin turned into a magical creature and what not.” Cory chuckled and smiled.
"Hey, it didn’t turn out all bad. I've got Luna around with me and I look cooler than I used to" Devin said indignantly.
“Yes, and you have wings ya dork!” Cory pointed at Devins wings, which for some reason had sprung out from his sides. “What’s up with that anyway?” Cory chuckled, Rainbow and Silent snickered behind him, the three of them trying not to laugh to hard.
"So?! That just means I can fly! Can you fly?" Devin demanded.
“Hell if I know, but we will see in the future, even though I would say no… Which is fine with me.” He shrugged and took another sip of coffee
"Great, so if we ever get into another fight, all I have to do is fly and you can't touch this" Devin said while moving his hooves over his body, causing Rainbow and Silent to laugh, while Luna and Celestia sat there dumbfounded.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, keep thinkin’ that pall.” Cory sighed.
“Well, now that Mister awesome here has magic… what are ya gonna do with him Princess?” Rainbow looked from Celestia to Cory a couple of times.
"I'm not totally sure, but I think it would be best if we have him taught a few things about magic before he is allowed to...travel without security" Celestia said.
“Hmm, well, as long as I can get this under control I won’t mind having to stay here for a few weeks, possibly months, to learn this.” Cory frowned in consternation at the thought of not following his friend through the new lands.
"Actually, we could arrange for you to learn from somepony who knows almost all there is to know about magic" Celestia said.
“Really? Who would that be Princess?” Cory was very interested with this turn of events, hopefully he would be able to go with his friend and brother.
"The recently deemed Princess of Magic, Twilight Sparkle" Celestia said.
“There’s another Princess? I thought it was just the two of you?” Cory asked astoundingly, Devin nodding in affirmation of the statement.
"No, not quite. We rule Equestria and its territories, but there are two others. Twilight Sparkle resides in Ponyville, where you happen to have entered Equestria, and then there is our niece, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, princess of love, who is currently ruling over The Crystal Empire" Luna explained.
“OH, well that will make things interesting when we get back…” Cory chuckled.
"Yes, I'm sure it will. However, before you leave and begin your studies with Twilight, there are a few things we need to discuss" Celestia said.
“That’s fine, ask away Princess!” Cory smiled and leaned back in his chair.
"First off, what will you do when your powers after you are trained?" Celestia asked.
“Well, personally would just keep them to myself and help out when they were needed… But i would pry just use them every once in a great while… except for the Levitation that will be quite useful.” Smiling Cory just lifted up the coffee cup and emptied it of its contents, making them float in the air making different patterns. ranging from double helix to a wire formed pyramid.
"That's normal. Now, what do you consider to be a good person?" Celestia questioned.
“Those that help their friends and think of others before themselves… even though I have seen those that had been so selfless they turned to darkness to do the right thing… thinking that, as an old saying goes… ‘The end justifies means…’” Cory sighed and turned the liquid into a spinning globe with several rings around it.
"And you consider this saying to be true? Absolutely and purely true?" Celestia asked.
“No, I do not… It has shown to be the bane of all those who live by it…” a dark shadow covered his face for a split second before he regained his smiling visage.
“That is good to hear…” Celestia noticed the quick change on Cory’s face, but decided against trying to get any info out of him just yet… it could wait till later.
“Um, WE know this art a simple question… However, please do not take offence to it…” Luna shied away slightly when Devin and Cory adorned similar looks of curiosity. “We are curious as to what thou, meaning Cory, eat… Our concern is thy teeth are… should we say, those of a carnivore…” What Luna had said put everyone on edge in an instant. Cory and Devin looked at each other and then back at everyone else, slightly wide eyed at their reactions.
“Princess, Not to frighten any of you… But back where we were from we, as in our entire species, is known as omnivorous. Meaning we eat both Veggies AND Meat,” After saying ‘Meat’ all hell broke loose. The table flipped, the food went flying, and Rainbow and Silent flew for cover behind it with the Princesses and Devin. The only reason Devin was there was because thats were he was sitting.
“... really? Just ‘cause I tell you guys what I USED to eat makes you all run and hide… though I can understand that since we, meaning I, was apart of the apex predators on my planet… though I say that I am now a Vegetarian… thanks to meeting an entire race of herbivores.” Cory explained, not exactly allaying their fears all too well.
“What he means to say is that, yes we both used to eat meat and plants, though, since meeting you all, he has decided to become a Vegetarian to live peacefully with you and your peoples. Which means he is throwing away quite a substantial part of himself to live here.” Devin smiled at his friend for performing such a sacrifice, even though for himself it was to that hard since meat no longer held a place in his mind.
Luna and the two pegasi popped their heads above the table and looked at Cory inquisitively, Celestia on the other hand was a little miffed, to say the least, about how her sister and subjects acted towards their guest. Especially since they were allies with the griffons, whom being a meat eating species should have given them a better understanding of other cultures and diets.
“Are thou positive thee will not harm any of our subjects, Cory?!” Luna asked, slightly harder than anticipated.
“Yes Princess, and if I do without a damn good reason I ask to be locked away.” Cory stated, simple and to the point.
“Dude… isn’t that a little extreme?” Devin gave Cory an incredulous look, he couldn’t believe what his friend was willing to do to make them see he was no threat.
“It may be, but, I do not wish to be looked on as a monster… Even though I will need a supplement for the proteins and nutrients found in the meat…” Cory smiled and shrugged slightly.
“That is wonderful to hear, but I agree with Devin, aren’t you being little too extreme in your decisions Cory? I mean really… you don’t have to try and satisfy such unruly behavior with such drastic conditions.” Celestia looked at Cory, not just as an equal, but as a noble being, one that would put the lives of his fellows above his own and then some. She was very cross with how her sister and subjects acted towards such a honorable creature… yet she could understand their reactions readily. This being had been staying in the castle with them and they had not even gotten to know of his behaviors before letting him be.
“It is all right… I take no offense to the way they act, it is actually something I kind of expected. I should have let you know before hand.”
"And I also add that even though I'm not exactly human anymore, but I still vouch for Cory. I know he wouldn't hurt anything without good reason and I also need to inform you that only a small handful of humans actually killed the meat" Devin stated.
"And I have to remind you all that for the short time that the Changelings were living in Equestria, they drank blood occasionally. They will not drink blood unless they are breeding, so I seriously think that you ponies are overreacting" Celestia said.
"Yes, but then you banished them from Equestria when they began to over breed and then they tried to take over?" Luna asked.
"Either way, this is ridiculous! You ponies are so quick to turn tail and hide from the being that just made you a delicious breakfast and has been roaming around the castle for the past day or so. Yet, it suited you just fine to be friendly with him until you heard that he USED to eat meat. You all make me sick" Devin said as he stormed out of the dining room and out into the castle gardens.
Luna hung her head along with several of the guards while the rest sat there looking dumbfounded at being scolded like children. They all looked over at Cory with sorry expressions and a few more guards had tears in their eyes.
“HEY!” Cory was fuming, he did not intend for his friends to be treated as insecure brats, it was demeaning and disrespectful for Celestia to do such. “Celestia, if you say one more word I will toss you from this room, so help me God I will! They reacted as I would have reacted to a new predator coming into my home, I actually admire them for such! So get a grip and cool your hooves!” By then Cory was in Celestia’s face, his face was a bright red shade from all his fuming, where as Celestia’s was paler than the lunar surface.
“B-but…” Celestia tried to get a word in edgewise, but Cory clamped his large hand around her snout and made HER hold her tongue.
"What about Devin? He also said a few bad things" Silent said.
Cory turned to Silent, giving him a deadpan stare, making the Pegasus shirk back in surprise. “I will talk to him in a moment… Now I wish for the rest of you to leave, or I will force you to leave… Except for the princesses, Devin, and Myself.”
The ponies quickly piled out of the room while Luna and Celestia used their magic to put the table backup on all four legs and then they sat down, waiting for Cory to begin speaking.
“Now… Luna… I would appreciate it if you would go get us a few drinks while I have a talk with your sister and my brother…” Cory took a seat at the head of the table and waited for Luna to leave the dining room.
"Of course, but don’t forget you'll have to go fetch Devin. I believe he went to the garden" Luna said as she left the room.
“Thank you Luna… Celestia, I suggest apologizing to your sister, for when I come back I will be laying down a few ground rules.” Cory walked out of the room and used his magic to slam the doors behind him.
"I completely understand. Luna, I am very sorry for this incident" Celestia said with a touch of regret in her voice.
“I know ‘Tia… I know…” Luna quickly trotted over and nuzzled her sister.
______________________________________________________________________________
“Devin… what the hell man?! Seriously, what the hell!” Cory fumed as he stared at the sitting form of his brother.
"What do you mean? I was only pointing out the facts" Devin replied.
“Yes, but you could have done so in a much… calmer fashion.” Cory seethed.
"Oh, and I suppose that I should've said that with a normal tone?! I said what I meant, and I meant what I said. Its disgusting to watch them turn so quickly" Devin sneered.
“They are a Herbivorous race! What did you expect! That they would be all hunky dory that the newest addition to their world was also a omnivore?!” Cory yelled.
"I didn't know what to expect, but turning around and nearly destroying the room to hide from someone that they'd know for more than a day is ridiculous" Devin said angrily.
“... they knew me for a DAY… yeah I kind of knew that would happen when they figured it out…” Cory hung his head and sighed at the ridiculousness of the whole morning.
"Either way, that was disgusting behavior. The only pony in that room that didn't freak out was Celestia. Even Luna his behind the table!" Devin said sadly.
“And I accept that! Hell I even yelled at HER for not thinking the whole thing through! I mean fuck man! THEY. ARE. PONIES! Get over it and just move on with the day!”
"Ha! If this is how they react to the simple stuff I can't wait to see their reactions if we ever tell them about modern warfare and technologies!" Devin said.
“They were fine with me gaining magic, but they couldn’t comprehend the fact that the nicest pair of beings in the room used to be meat eaters! I can truly understand how that would feel for them!”
"Whatever. But I'm not going to forget this anytime soon" Devin said.
“BUT!” Cory held up a hand.
“I understand what you and Celestia are saying, Let it not be said that I am not an understanding person. You both made a truly pointed argument… that I fully agreed with, BUT it does not mean I will rip it out of their flanks just because they got terrified of my past.”
"If they truly cared they would not have cared about the past" Devin muttered.
“Dude, if they reacted so strongly about it, then there must be a reason for it… I mean come on… there was probably some kind of incident that made them revert to a prey mentality… one that outweighed their intellectual way of thinking things through
"Yeah, if you say so" Devin said, finally giving in to Cory's reasoning and walking slowly back into the castle.
“Thank you man… I knew you would come around… Lets go get the princesses… we need to have a private chat…”
"You say that all the time" Devin muttered under his breath.
“I heard that!” Cory laughed.
"Of course you did" Devin replied, while a small smile crept onto his face.
“Hey, lets forget this damnable argument ever happened… we don’t need to be arguing amongst ourselves… we are the only family we will ever have here… so we need to make the most of it.” He smiled as he put an arm around Devin's neck.
"Yeah, I agree. We don’t need to fight amongst ourselves" Devin said.
Cory started to sing, “WEeee Are OFF to see the wizard..!
"You know what, I might not want to argue, but I sure as hell don't want to hear that" Devin laughed.
“HA! I knew that would cheer you up!” Cory cheered as they walked into the castle.
"Cheer me up? More like make me wish I knew how to use my horn to make you be quiet" Devin said.
“HAhahaha!” Cory could barely contain his laughter, his brother was finally getting back to his normal self after the whole incident.
"So, what are we doing now?" Devin asked.
“We are going to talk with the princesses, Luna needs to be comforted and Celestia needs a little lesson in understanding and humility…”
"I'll let you handle Celestia's humility, Luna's all mine" Devin said.
“That's fine, just be gentle… and don’t stay too long…” Cory winked at his brother.
"I'll only stay until she wants me gone" Devin replied with a wink of his own.
“If you say so…” Cory chuckled, giving Devin a light slap on the back.
"Whoa, I might look like a horse, but that still hurts" Devin said.
“Alright, alright! I’ll try not to hit ya so hard, But could it kill ya to toughen up a bit?!” Cory smirked at him.
"I'm a lover, not a fighter" Devin replied in a macho accent.
“Haha! Very well, then we shall see who is the better lover!
"Oh? I didn't know any mares around here liked you already. Or did you get some flank last night from a maid?" Devin asked.
“OH really now! If you didn’t notice, Miss sun-butt was giving me the eye when we were at breakfast this morning… so, should we put a little wager on it?” He smirked at the idea of actually trying to woo A Princess, let alone a beautiful PONY Princess.
"Oh, I noticed. But I don't think that would look right. But I did also notice Rainy giving you the eye" Devin said smugly.
“... Yeah… there might be something to that… I just hope neither of them decide to go at the same time…” Cory went wide eyed at the prospect of event happening.
"What's wrong mister wager? Afraid to become a cheater too?" Devin asked.
“No, i just don’t want to be in the middle of a cat-fight between the Mistress of the sun and a mare that can control the weather…” He shivered at the thought of all the things that could go wrong.
"Ah, I'd love to see that" Devin said with clouded vision.
“...Do you have a death wish or somethin’ man?” He laughed, knowing it would be a spectacle to behold… lest you were at the middle of it.
"No, but I think sometimes that you might" Devin said with a laugh.
“... Well… there was that one time…” Cory laughed and shrugged at the memory of him hanging from a fifty foot tree, with nothing but a small bit of twine keeping him from death.
"And that other time..and that one barmaid" Devin continued.
“Oh don’t remind me…” He put a hand to his head, rubbing his forehead slightly, and a smirk slowly creeping onto his lips.
"Heh, bet you loved that view" Devin said as they entered the dining room.
"Loved what view?" Celestia asked as they sat down at the table.
“OH, shii-!” Cory slipped on some syrup and went flying into the air, he then somehow tripped on a pebble, yes a pebble, and went full force right into Celestia… from across the room.
"I think he may be getting a good view right now" Luna said and Devin laughed.
From the jumble of limbs shot up and arm, it flipped around to face Devin and proceeded to produce the bird… several times.
"Wonder if he's putting that middle finger to use?" Devin asked as the two continued to struggle to break apart.
“Fuck you Devin… Fuck you with a ten foot spiked pole covered in itching powder and chilli dust…”
"Now that might be interesting" Luna said as she glanced over at Devin, and he proceeded to scoot his chair slightly farther away from her.
“I will see you two burn… after I figure out how me and Celestia got so damned tangled up…”
"Well, you're already in the right position" Devin said.
“Cory… you have something poking me in a very… interesting spot…” Celestia muttered as the two of them continued to try and disengage.
"I think we should leave them be. Let's uhh, go out to the garden or something" Devin said as they slowly got up as Celestia and Cory continued to roll around on the floor with Celestia blushing immensely.
“I will beat you two within an inch of your life Devin, just say one thing and you’re a dead man!” Cory bellowed, a heavy blush covering his face, thankfully Celestia couldn’t see.
"That's okay, because we're not here" Devin said as and Luna left the dining room and went outside to the garden.
[The next two scenes happen simultaneously :D]
______________________________________________________________________________
"Well, that was rather...interesting" Luna said as they got out to the garden.
"To be honest, I think Cory kept her in that position on purpose" Devin said.
“Really?! We thought he was doing it out of curiosity?!” Luna giggled at that.
"Yeah, maybe. But I dont want to know how that's going to end" Devin said.
“No doubt, our sister would have his head if it was just some kind of joke!” Luna said half jokingly.
"Nah, he doesn't joke around with that stuff, but its going to be the death of him" Devin said with a laugh.
“Really? This has happened before?” Luna asked, not exactly fond of what she might hear.
"Not quite the same way, but most of the time its the girls tangling him on purpose" Devin said with a snigger.
“Ah, so thou art like a Truly sought after stallion… that is … reasonable…” Luna chuckled even as a blush crept onto her face, she was stealing glances at the Alicorn, that happened to be the only male in existence, in the room.
"Well, I think he doesn't care, but I prefer to get to know whoever I'm with before even thinking like that" Devin said with a serious expression.
“That art a true endeavor in any relationship, no matter the time period.”
"Agreed. I never rush into a relationship and I don't ever pressure them into doing anything they don't want to" Devin said.
“That art good to hear, might we suggest something to drink… WE are feeling quite parched…” Luna asked, feeling slightly nervous just being in the same room as Devin.
"Sure, I don't see why not" Devin said with a disarming smile.
Luna motioned to a shadowy part of the garden, a batlike pony came morphing out of the shadows and walked over to the royal duo.
“Yes your Highness?” the mare Night guard asked.
“We are quite parched, would thou please retrieve a large decanter of water for our dry pallets?” Luna smiled tenderly to the guard, as though she were the ponies own mother.
"Of course your majesty" the pony replied and quickly flew off to retrieve the water.
“Thank thee” Luna called after the guard. Luna looked over at Devin and found him smiling slightly at her.
“What?” She said, a noticeable blush spreading across her muzzle.
"Nothing, its just that I've met a lot of different...ponies in my time, but none of the royalty tend to thank their servants" Devin explained.
“Thank you Devin… it means a great measure coming from you…” Luna turned away and blushed profusely at the compliment.
"Why? I'm sure that the guards and servants appreciate you courtesy, why does it matter that I mentioned it" Devin asked.
“Not all that long ago, by alicorn standards that is, I was not among the… most well welcomed of ponies here in Equestria… But, now that those around me are accepting me, and even before then, I had grown to accept and reciprocate all the emotions that were given to me… well the positive ones at least… So I have grown to thank all of my servants and all those under me for what they do… even if it’s their duty.” She turned towards Devin, smiling slightly at him.
"So you're a bit...different from other ponies but they've begun to adjust to you?" Devon asked.
"Yes, and I am rather glad that they have accepted me. I was rather lonely during the time before any of them accepted me. It was actually Twilight that helped everypony see that I was as normal as can be by Alicorn standards" Luna explained.
"That's a little strange. If you and Celestia are sisters, how come they didn't accept you at first?" Devin asked.
"Its hard to explain, but a long time ago, a thousand and three years ago to be exact, I grew jealous of Celestia and how ponies loved to do everything while the sun was out. Almost all of them slept during the night. And I grew jealous of her, and eventually I became a different being, Nightmare Moon, an evil Alicorn bent on ruling Equestria so much that she waged war on Celestia and all of Equestria, and surprisingly she was able to gather a large enough to attack Canterlot head on, but Celestia stopped her with the Elements of Harmony, and I was trapped on the moon for a thousand years" Luna said, a tear forming in her eye.
"That's awful, I'm sorry that ever happened to you, you were probably all alone the entire time" Devin said as he put a hoof around her.
"The legend of Nightmare Moon grew, and became a myth. Then, when I returned and had ‘The Nightmare’ purged from my body, I was feared until Twilight showed everypony that I wasn't evil about two years ago" Luna said sadly.
"So you stayed in the castle for a whole year, and didn't try to make any friends?" Devin asked.
"The servants and guards became my friends. They were frightened slightly at first, but after a week or so they grew to like me as my h as Celestia" Luna explained.
"And that is part of why you are courteous to them" Devin said.
"Yes, I'm glad they were accepting, but the rest of Equestria took time" Luna said sadly.
"Well, I accept you no matter what" Devin said.
"Really? But...I waged a war and became the monster of a myth" Luna said incredulously.
"The last matters not, it is only today that counts for something. I don't care what happened. You deserve to have good friends around, and I'm willing to be one of those friends" Devin said proudly.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Luna said as she hugged Devin and he hugged her back.
"Your welcome Luna" Devin said while stroking her mane.
"Its been so long since I've had a true friend. One that could be around me as often as you have been" Luna said.
"I'll make sure I'm always around for you then. Nothing will come between us, and I will do anything to keep you safe from harm" Devin said with a serious tone.
"I'm so glad I met you, I've never been able to love before" Luna said.
"Why not?" Devin asked.
"Because when you’re immortal, you can't be with a normal pony because they will wither and die, but you are an Alicorn, meaning that you are also immortal" Luna said contently.
"Well, that wouldn't matter to me either way, I would still like be a good friend even if I wasn't immortal" Devin said as he hugged her tightly, and she sighed happily.
______________________________________________________________________________
“OK, move a little to the left… ok, stop… now I'll move my arm to the right and there…” Both Celestia and Cory had finally gotten themselves out of their tangled states, granted it was very intimate, but neither of them would admit to it.
“So, what… Um, were you wanting to Uh, talk about?” Celestia nervously said, her eyes were diverted to the floor, and a healthy blush had covered her muzzle.
“Well… It seems that you need a little reminder in what the hell humility is, and fucking common sense!” Right off the bat Cory was pissed, not only at her, though it was more embarrassment than anything, but also at Devin and Luna for their jabs at the two of them earlier.
“B-but…” Celestia went wide eyed and tried to say something when Cory’s hand wrapped around her muzzle once again, silencing her.
“OK, sorry for exploding against you there, but we need to talk about how you reacted.” Cory had calmed down quickly, much quicker than she ever would have, and was talking in a low caring tone.
“It’s ok Cornelius… You have a right to be mad at me…” Celestia cast her sight to the floor, not wanting to look into his eyes, his eyes held so much compassion right then that it hurt to look at them.
“Celestia… I am not mad at you, I know what it means to be angry with your subjects for how they act… But, giving an example is how a good leader will always get their peoples behind them… even in the worst of times.
“Thank you Cornelius… Um, do you mind that I call you that?” Celestia looked up at him with a childish smile creeping across her lips.
“It’s my name, isn’t it? Sure you can, as long as I can call you ‘Tia…” Cornelius bent down and placed his thumb and fore finger on Celestia’s chin and raised it to his eyes. “You can call me whatever you want, your majesty.” Cory smiled softly, the gesture wrinkling the skin around his eyes just barely.
Celestia looked into his eyes and began to blush uncontrollably. She then whipped her head out of his grasp and made for the door. “We may want to continue this conversation somewhere else…” she called quietly behind her.
Cory raised his brow humorously, granted she couldn’t see it, and followed after her.
The two of them made their way through the winding and overlapping hallways of the castle, imparting greetings and salutations to anypony that happened to cross their path. After many a wrong turn, all on Cory’s part, they made it to Celestia’s destination… Her bedroom.
“... Um are you sure this is where you wanted to go?” Cory gave ‘Tia a sidelong glance, he was skeptical at what her intentions might be with taking him here.
“Yes… no one will stumble upon us here without actively looking for us…” ‘Tia gave him a… mischievous smile and opened the large double doors, they were emblazoned with a large image of the sun that spread across both of them from the center.
“Alright… but I’m watching you…” Cory smirked and lightly poked her in the ribs as he walked in past her. She giggled and made her way over towards the fireplace, the room was cool thanks to the high altitudes and it being the highest room in the castle, next to the observatory.
“Whatever will I do with you Cornelius… you are among the only beings on this planet to ever treat me as an equal… It’s… refreshing.” she sighed happily, she then conjured up some firewood and a few pillows. she set the pillows on the floor and tossed the wood in the fireplace and shot it with a fire spell, lighting the fire. “Would you care to join me Cornelius?” she looked at him innocently, though there was a slight twinkle in her eyes.
“Um, sure…” Cornelius sat down on a pillow opposite ‘Tia.
“Thank you, Now Cornelius, what did you have to talk to me about?” Celestia smiled and raised an eyebrow.
Cornelius sighed and leaned forward against a coffee table, “Celestia… you need to learn how to lead your ponies by example, yelling at them when they do something wrong is the antithesis to what any good leader stands for… and not understanding their fears will turn them against you…” Cory sighed and got up.
“Well, isn’t that what you said earlier?” ‘Tia asked, quite confused as to why he would reiterate this.
“Yes, and it is very important… there have been many leaders of mine and Devin world that have forgotten this lesson… They either bring war upon themselves or they cause a civil war because of their disregard for their subjects feelings and other standings.” Cornelius walked around her chambers, not staying in one spot, he was restless and slightly nervous to be in her presence at said time… seeing as they were alone in her bedroom… with a romantic fire going as well.
“... Something like that has rarely crossed my mind… I have always ruled with a heart of compassion and understanding… peace has reigned in this country for more than three thousand years… but I guess I have forgotten what, my little ponies feel when faced with a new predator… especially one as capable of hiding that fact as you…” Celestia got up and started to follow Cornelius around the room, not straying too far from his side.
“...Yeah…” Cornelius felt something rub up against his side and noticed that the Princess was getting very, very close to him, to the extent of invading his personal space. He was shocked… the Princess of another country, let alone another species, which he didn’t mind really, was coming on to him right in her own BEDROOM! That had only happened once before… and then he had jumped out a window to escape his inevitable ‘capture.’
“Yes… you are a fine man, Cornelius… very fine indeed.” Her tail then flicked out and trailed up his body, starting from his crotch all the way up to his chin, tickling his nose as it passed. She turned her head around and gave him a sultry smile.
“Um-um-um-um…”Cory just stood there, blown away by her open show of affection. This was new and he was not in the mood, but under other circumstances… well, lets just say the Princess would be a Queen… if you catch my drift…
“I think not!” Celestia was thrown for a loop. The man before her snapped, he picked her up, tied her in her bed sheets, set her down next to her balcony, threw open the doors and tossed her white sunny ass right over the side and into one of the many royal pools. The sound of her screaming was drowned out by the tremendous splash she created when she hit the pool.
Cory looked over the edge and saw a massive gout of water shoot up into the air, going about six stories. He smiled widely, ran to the back wall and went full blast and jumped off the railings and swan-dived all the way into the pool.
After Cory surfaced he was treated to a wonderful view of Celestia’s gorgeous white, and very wet, flank. He was laughing uncontrollably. The Princess, now being completely soaking wet, yeah go there why don’t ya, was sitting on the steps of the pool, she was glaring at the target of her earlier affections with barely restrained rage. That is until he started laughing and then it was on.
“You bucking ASS HOLE CORY!” she launched herself at him and tackled him into the pool, somehow all the sheets had fallen off her body when she hit the water, and she started to beat him up, hitting him with her forehooves.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it was just too perfect!” Cory laughed as he wrapped his arms around her and dragged them both out of the pool, by then she had stopped yelling and trying to kill him and was now pouting.
“But why?” she looked at him, her lips set up in a pout.
Cory said, he had set her down on the steps about four feet away… after hearing that he scooted closer and embraced her, trying to make sure she knew he did like her… but that she needed to wait. “There is no need to throw yourself at a person like me ‘Tia… it’s not right… we barely know each other…”
“B-but…” She didn’t even get another word in when Cory’s fingers covered her lips, silencing her, in a more reasonable fashion… a more … romantic fashion.
“I want to know more of you… If we were to go through with what you were trying to do it would have ended in broken hearts… so lets just take this slow and work on it ok… and see if we can actually gain those more powerful feeling for one another.” Cory smiled softly to her, embracing her ever so softly, yet firmly.
“Well, then is it okay if I come with you to Ponyville?” Celestia asked.
“That is entirely up to you Celestia… This is your kingdom… I will only advise you in how to deal with certain things… but all things are done by your command.” He pulled back and gave her a massive smile.
“Well, then I insist that I can come with you as to get to know you better while you learn magic” Celestia stated.
“Then you are more than welcome to come!” He jumped up happily, taking her with him.
“Lets be on our way, Ponyville is a few hours by train and I would love to get to know you better during that time” Celestia said happily.
“Then lets go, we should say our farewells to Luna and Devin before we leave though… they might just get a little miffed about us leaving and putting them in charge without their consent!” he laughed and carried her back inside.
“If you insist” Celestia said as she followed Cory back into the castle, levitating a towel over for each of them to dry off with as they entered the castle while a few guards gave them curious looks.