"Good Morning Celestia." Kenny happily munched away at his Eggs Benedict, the pony variant had tomato instead of ham, while Celestia walked into the room. Celestia gave him a quite nod and a warm smile, sitting at the table. She didn't have a spot at the table, choosing a new one every morning. Today she was three seats to Kenny's right on the opposite side of the table. After Celestia was seated she noticed an inconsistency. Luna was nowhere to be found. Luna always came to breakfast, eager to share the events of the night.
"Kenny, where is Luna?" Kenny's eyes widened considerably when this question was asked. He swallowed his bite slowly and deliberately. His shuffled a little in his seat, the question made him nervous. It was obvious to Celestia, Luna had or was doing something that Kenny was unwilling to share. Years of politics have honed her ability to read emotions from the smallest signs.
"She is in her room, resting." No nervous ticks, yet the information was too easily given. Truth, but not all of it, Celestia observed. "She had a rough night and I told her to head to bed early." Again, no lies, but why hide that she had a rough night? Now Celestia knows that Luna had done something and Kenny was definitely involved. Kenny would require more nudging to coax out the full story.
"Really?" Celestia sweetly asked. "What was she doing?" Kenny sighed in defeat. Celestia wanted to believe it, but it could be a trick to throw her off.
"Luna lacked anything better to do last night." Kenny rubbed his tired eyes. "So we banged till we were too sore to go on." Celestia almost did a spit-take. "Portal-lag meant I could easily stay up all night, but now I'm dead tired from exhaustion and the only reason I'm up is because I'm hungrier than a hippo." Kenny kept eating his Eggs Benedict like he hadn't just admitted to rutting Celestia's sister in the most blunt and insensitive manner. It was kinda refreshing. Kenny finished up the little amount of eggs left and said one last word, "Sorry if my words were a little to risque for you, but you insisted. I don't have the energy nor the wit to come with a clever lie right now, and would like to rest."
Celestia, surprisingly, nodded in understanding. "I appreciate your honesty. I wish you a good rest, Kenny." Kenny's face morphed from its previous cranky setting to an appreciative smile. He bowed politely and left the room.
"About time," Celestia spoke to herself as she conjured up today's paper. "They both desperately needed to get laid." Celestia looked sagely at the door. "In their own ways."
Celestia called in a butler to take her order and waited patiently as ever for her food to arrive, reading the gossip column that she enjoyed so much. Doing so reminded her of that time the young pegasus, oh what his name? Featherweight? Yes, Featherweight, had stealthily infiltrated the castle and taken her picture during one of her more 'vulnerable' moments. The young colt deserved a medal for that one.
"Right this way, Madame." Celestia looked up from the paper to see a maid guide her other guest, Morgan, into the room and even going as far as seating her. Morgan thanked the maid profusely and made several remarks about the unicorn's cuteness, sending the mare off in giddy giggles. Morgan looked around the room and found Celestia looking at her. Morgan gave her a girlish smile and happily waved at her. Celestia politely returned the gesture.
"What would you like for breakfast, Miss?" Morgan screamed when the incredibly stealthy waiter asked her order, leaping from her chair and landing heavily on the floor. Celestia quietly giggled and the waiter didn't even flinch. Celestia always wondered if he did that on purpose. Morgan shyly picked herself up from the floor.
"I'll have a croissant and hot chocolate, please." The waiter nodded and asked, "Anything else?" Morgan shook her head no and the waiter retreated to the kitchens. Morgan looked around the table, as if there was something wrong she has just noticed.
"Excuse me, your Highness?" Morgan politely asked. Celestia looked up from her paper. "Would you perhaps be able to tell me where Kenneth is? He's never one to miss breakfast, and lacking any memory of how his talks with you went, I fear he may have found trouble, again." She growled out the last word. Though, concerning as that was, her mention of 'talks' was more so.
"Talks? Dear, you make it sound as though we had negotiations of some sort." Morgan's expression became on of confusion.
"But he locked me up and fabricated his disguise to reach you directly and avoid conflict with your subjects. Are you saying that you were not discussing our situation so as to avoid the danger of retaliation?"
"Oh Goddess, no. My subjects are well acquainted with Kenny. We did discuss your reason's for coming here, but you were in no danger of retaliation at any point." Celestia gave her an empathetic smile. "I do not know why he found it necessary to put you in a cage like he did."
Morgan's face turned to a shell that seemed calm and cheerful, but, as Celestia knew far too well, hid a burning fury underneath. "Well," Morgan began. "I should have seen this coming. I know full well how mischievous he has become. I have only myself to blame, he hasn't been the same since that day..."
"What day?" This was news to Celestia. While she had noticed a change in his overall demeanor, she had put it off as a gradual change from his experiences around Starswirl, or Alfred as he is called on Earth. Morgan implied that this change had been brought on by some event.
"The day he 'Talked to the spirits'." Morgan put up visible air quotes. "The idiot goes off into the Black Forest on his own and ends up hallucinating from god knows what about spirits telling him to become a shaman. Ever since he's lost all of his refinement. The fine man I once knew and called friend was replaced by this hooligan. He abandons more practical fields of magic in favor of relying on ghosts for power! Those spirits ruined him!" Morgan sniffled a little before regaining her composure. "Sorry, it's just, just... I feel like I lost my friend that day. He used to be so polite, sensitive, and refined. He was in short a gentleman. Then he went into that god-forsaken forest, and he changed."
"It sounds like a harrowing experience," Celestia calmly responded. "Once, my sister was consumed by her jealousy and dark forces twisted her against me. I lost my sister that day, she had become a monster. When she was finally cured...There are no words to describe my joy. Let me say this; Kenny may have changed, but he is still Kenny deep down. I have known him long enough to see the truth in your words. The Kenny we know would never have presented himself in such a fashion. He was much to humble and quiet for such a thing. But, the change is minimal. Kenny may be a little more eccentric than normal, but I feel it is because his experiences under your mentor's tutelage has made him open up a little. He is, in essence, more outgoing now, more willing to let go and have fun. Something I happen to know your mentor has always been."
"So it is true, Alfred has visited this world as well." Morgan was mystified by this.
"Indeed, but we knew him as Starswirl the Bearded."
"He always did have a thing for facial hair..."
"Yet another thing young Kenny has picked up from his mentor." They both shared a laugh before their food arrived and breakfast was had.
"I'm taking my vacation days now." An unarmored Flash was at the Royal Guard HQ in Downtown Canterlot. The newly appointed Captain Bulwark, a unicorn, was unsure how to respond to the pegasus that had barged into his room while he was doing some paperwork.
Bulwark raised an eyebrow. "Flash, while I can respect your attitude, you know that it takes at least a day for-" Flash slammed a piece of paper on the table and left the room. Captain Bulwark levitated the paper in front of him. It proved to be a signed document from Celestia herself, stating in no unclear terms that Flash was to have the next week off-duty, and paid. It even had the Royal Seal next to the signature and everything. Good Job, my boy. Bulwark thought as he filed away the document. You're making friends in all the right places.
Flash confidently picked his way through the traffic on his way to the trains. He had a goal, and he was going to reach it. He had a letter sent this morning to Edith telling her of his plan. The reservations at a resort in the Crystal Empire had been made, and he had a gift safely tucked away in his bags. He had missed Edith dearly, and he was going to show her that. He bought his ticket and boarded the train. He never quite realized how well paid his position is till now. He was no Canterlot noble, but he was considerably more wealthy than most. Not having to pay for all his meals and living space contributed as well. None the less, he appreciated his salary much more now.
He had asked for a private booth for the next part. It would take several hours for the train to reach the Gryphon border city, Mistvale, where he and Edith would meet. It was the perfect opportunity to try out his new, mystic, gadget. Making sure no one would barge in unexpectedly, Flash pulled out the wooden statuette of a gryphon. He recalled the words on the paper.
"Spirits of the Totem, grant me your power." At his words the totem's eyes began to glow with a refreshing green light, like the sun filtered through the leaves of a tree. Then he heard the voice in his head. Very well... It was a deep voice that sounded strangely like a bear growling, but it did not frighten Flash. Rather it reassured him, like it was his father speaking to him. Once the voice had spoken, Flash's entire body began to glow that same green light, his skin tingling. He shut his eyes when the light grew a little to bright for his eyes. The tingling grew in intensity till it was like having ant's crawl over every inch of his being. It slowly went away, and when it was over, Flash warily opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was that the totem was no longer in his hoof, instead it was held tight in talons. Flash's talons.
"Aah!" Flash dropped the totem and scanned his body. He had burnt orange feathers and his lion half was his usual shade. He found a mirror and inspected his new face. His eyes were the same blue, and the feather's on his crown had blue tips the same color as his mane. The totem had turned him into a Gryphon.
"Cool..." Flash was overjoyed to see that his voice was still the same. He looked great, a genuine Gryphon from head to toe. He spent about an hour adjusting to the new appendages he had gained, like his toes and talons. It took a while, but soon he was all set up. He decided against wearing his military uniform, a gryphon wearing a pony uniform would be really hard to explain. He had plenty of bits leftover, he would just buy some clothes at Mistvale.
"Lookout Greifland," Flash said with confidence. "There's a new stud in town."
Water splashed down into a pond from a small waterfall to Kenny's right. He was seated in the middle of a large rock garden, at the foot of a fig tree placed on a small grass island in the swirls of sand and pebbles that surrounding him, untouched and pristine. A gentle breeze wafted through the setting, chilling his body just a little and stirring the leaves of the fig tree. This was balanced by the roaring fires set in multiple braziers around the garden. Kenny knew this place well, for it was the same place he had meditated everyday at the Kailash Monastery. Of course this was only conjured from memory, the real rock garden was on a another plane of existence entirely. This was a dream, and he had chose this setting for a reason. Said reason was what Kenny waited for.
The sand was the first to move, the swirls shifting on a point to his right. They rose of their own accord and formed an androgynous pony, it's features hardening to stone. It's mane was made of hanging moss and it's coat was moss. When it opened it's eyes, brown pools of energy wafted forth, little trails rising from the corners. Once it had been formed it made no move, and Kenny waited patiently for the others to follow, it would be rude to address Earth first. The wind stirred up more of the sand and soon a new, less visible figure was available, The contained maelstrom formed into another pony, the sand giving it form. It's mane was made of cloud and it's eyes were a pure white. The features were difficult to see, constantly shifting and translucent as they were. Air stood to his far right. Air was always more fickle, if it had come then the rest would surely follow. The pond burbled and a mist formed over the surface. One hoof, then another rose from the shallow and clear waters. They were as blue and deep as the ocean, and a head with a sea foam mane rose even further from it's depths. It's hooves began to freeze into hard ice as it's whole body formed from the pond. It's mane and tail cascaded from it's body, crashing on the ground and forming mist that swirled around its icy hooves. Its eyes were a clear blue. Water moved to next to Earth, closer to Kenny's front. The fires that lived in the braziers became agitated and leaped from there positions. they collided midair and instantly formed a pony with free flowing fire for a mane and tail, its body made of red-hot charcoal. It landed in the remaining spot between Air and Water. Fire was the most vain, always one to put on a show. Its eyes were a bright, searing yellow-orange. Kenny finally opened his eyes and spoke.
"Thank you all for coming, it is a great honor, Earth, Air, Water and, last but certainly not least, Fire." Kenny bowed, his fist placed into his open palm as a show of his respect and obedience.
"When you have made it as easy as you have, it is hard not to, Shaman," Water spoke, its voice like the roar of white-water and cool as snow. "And as interesting as your invitation was, it pales in comparison of meeting one so unlike the other beings of this world. Tell me, what are you?"
"I am Kenneth Washington Lee, a human from another plane. I hail from the world know as Earth." Kenny never moved from his respectful bow.
"Earth? A whole world named after myself? How flattering." Earth's voice was the low rumble of an earthquake. Fire was quick to shoot the fellow element down with his crackling voice. "If you recall, you were named after this world's denizens first called the ground beneath their feet 'Earth'. You're lucky you didn't end up with 'dirt' as a name."
"Joykill."
"Oh shush you two." Air's voice was lighter than his namesake, wispy yet still understandable. "This man has been bowing for long enough. Rise Kenneth, and we will begin the ceremony."
Kenny did exactly as told, lowering his arms and lifting his head to the spirits of the elements. Humble, he reminded himself, The spirits appreciate humility more than any gift.
"Don't you have any questions for us?" Water offered. Kenny shook his head.
"It is not my right to question the spirits."
"Ah! This one knows his place!" Fire rejoiced. "A rare thing for one so young! Keep this up my boy and you will go far!"
Air nodded it's head as it spoke, "Agreed, we have shut away many a young zebra who believed he was higher than us four. Tis a sad thing to see such potential wasted on a immature mind. Too few understand that the elements are not too be mastered, but to be followed. I see you understand this Kenneth, your mentors have taught you well."
"Thank you." Kenny gave a small bow as well as his vocal thanks.
Earth trotted around him, looking him over and spoke, "I can feel your talisman calling out to me. Show the gems you have chosen." Kenny reached into his collar an pulled out the braided necklace with five gems. It was removed from his hands by an earthy brown glow. Earth levitated the talisman in front of his eyes.
"All fine specimens, I am saddened that they are not of my own make. Their beauty is enhanced by your kinds fine craftsmanship. Turquoise, a more common choice, but a good one, isn't that right Water?" Water nodded a happy yes. "Ah! Amber! A stone that holds a piece of the soul it came from! Very good, not many know that all souls come from Fire's warmth. Smoky Quartz? My, that is a fine choice! Air was always a fan of brewing storms. Now what's this? A piece of Petrified Wood? Very good choice, a favorite of mine. When the first tree fell into my clutches, it had taken me years just to figure out what to do with it. Sealing the mighty being's life into a stone was most likely the greatest of my accomplishments." Earth sent a bolt of magic into the petrified wood, passing it along to his fellows as they did the same to their respective gems. "Fine choices indeed. Onyx... A stone of protection carved into the likeness of a wolf. This is fitting for one such as you. Wear it well, Kenneth, and may it serve you now and forever."
Air transferred his influence as well into the piece of smoky quartz, and blew it to Kenneth. "We have accepted you, Kenneth, and in accepting you we have given you a share of our power. Prove yourself faithful to us and all spirits of this world, and you will find your power grow. If you lose your way, we will guide you back on the right path. If there is unbalance, we expect you to correct it. Go now, Shaman, and make us proud."
Kenny gave each of the elements his thanks and a bow, and they bowed in turn. Soon the scene melted away, and Kenny returned to a dreamless slumber.
Flash hopped off the train, and headed straight for the Main Square. Mistvale was well known as 'The City in The Trees'. This was because the original city had been entirely above the ground, built into the ancient redwoods. The city had two parts, the aptly named 'Downtown' with most of the shops and businesses. Then there was the residential part of the city that was built high in the trees themselves. Flash flew up to a shop that sold Gryphon attire and browsed the inventory before settling on a navy blue cardigan. He happily handed over the bits and went back outside. Now he waited.
He didn't wait long. He recognized Edith's favorite cloak from a long way off. The simple black clothing concealed her face and most of her body making it difficult for anyone to recognize her. Those who knew her would notice the silver peak at the top of the hood, giving it a beaked appearance. It was her own personal modification that was added to help people like Flash in situations like these. Flash approached Edith, making sur
e to stand out as much as possible. It worked swimmingly, seeing as Edith froze when she saw him approaching. She turned her head to make sure there wasn't anyone else he could be heading for and was disappointed to find out otherwise.
"Good day to you, Princess." Flash spoke quietly so as not to incite a panic. "How are you this afternoon?" Edith squirmed under his gaze.
"Not another word, peasant, or I will have you locked up quicker than you can say 'my bad'." Edith's tone was forceful and would have been intimidating if Flash hadn't known that he was safe, assuming he played his cards right.
"Now, now, my Silver Mistress would never do that to me, would she?" Edith took on an expression of shock. "Do you not recognize your Rutt Stallion?" They had given eachother these goofy nicknames a while ago, using them only in private. Edith knew as well as he that only two beings on this world knew them.
"It can't be..." Edith whispered.
"Oh, but it can." Flash reassured her. "Thanks to a gift from a mutual friend, I can visit you a little more freely, duties permitting." Edith looked him in the eye, searching for the stallion she knew in them. Flash smiled a little awkwardly at the attention. Then he did what was probably the cutest thing Flash was known for. He booped Edith's beak with a claw, grinning like the idiot he was.
Edith punched him.
"What was that for?" Flash said gripping his aching shoulder.
"That's for not telling me you turned into a hot-as-fuck Gryphon you dolt!" Edith accused. "Did you seriously think I would recognize you? Your lucky you still act like a dumb-ass, or you would never have convinced me it was you."
"Goddess, Edith, that hurt!" Flash continued rubbing his sore shoulder.
"Shut up," Edith commanded. Flash listened. "This is how things are going to go. You are going to take me to this Crystal Empire or whatever. We are going straight to the resort and we are going to rut and rut and rut. We are going to rut until you can't walk."
"Question, ma'm." Flash even rose his hand.
"Yes?" Edith said with a raised eyebrow.
"Do you want to rut me as a Gryphon?" Edith took a minute to think this over, eyeing his new body.
"I'm going to say yes. Why?"
"Because if you really want to, we are going to have to do it on the train."
"Did you get a private booth?"
"Yeah..."
"Then I don't see an issue."
"Kenny... WhaAAAAaah. What time is it?" Luna turned to find her bedbug was still asleep. She sighed and levitated the small clock by her bed on front of her. Six in the evening, a little early but then again she had slept early as well. She nudged her boyfriend with a hoof, if she was up he had to be up too. He grumbled a little but remained unmoved. She pushed him harder. His arm went up and onto her face, and in one mighty push she was removed from the bed entirely. Luna scrambled to right herself, barely avoiding crashing to the floor. Instead she bounced down on her rump. She felt her anger rise and resisted the urge to banish Kenny. She instead blasted him off the bed with a stun spell. It sent him flying off to the opposite side of the bed, where he vanished from sight. Luna waited for the inevitable 'thump' of Kenny hitting the floor, only to find no such noise came. Instead she watched in awe as Kenny rose back up, sitting in a whirlwind that didn't disturb so much as a fly. He made a gesture with his hand she didn't recognize, raising the middle digit only. He then disappeared in a swirl of black magic, no doubt to his room. Luna begrudgingly accepted defeat, and got ready for the night.
Kenny appeared in his room. He headed straight for the showers and began his daily routine. Wash, trim, brush, comb and finally dress. Today he sported a simple brown tee and some tan khakis. Not very colorful, but he had been so used to wearing his faded robes that it felt weird to wear anything vibrant or flashy. The process of getting ready took about an hour. He double-checked that he was presentable and whisked up another contained whirlwind to fly him off to the dining room. He sat on it like a sultan would sit on a magic carpet, and he enjoyed every minute of it. He drew many stares from castle staff and nobles as he went along, flying just above their heads. When he reached the dining room door he dispersed the whirlwind and landed softly on his feet. Taking a minute to make sure everything was in order he entered the room.
Luna sat reading a magazine, the room's only occupant. Kenny sat next to her and called in a waiter, asking for a meal of cinnamon pancakes and hash browns.
"So, how was you're morning?" Kenny joked, cradling a glass of mimosa.
"You know full well, and is it not a little early to be drinking?" Kenny let out a hearty chuckle and responded with, "You forget that I am a creature of the day Luna. Right now is precisely the time to drink, in moderation of course." Luna nipped at him playfully and Kenny was quick to get a good poke in on her cutie mark, eliciting a cute squeak. She gave him a dirty look while he guffawed for what was quite possibly the fifth time since his return.
"If I didn't have work to do I would show you how a real mare handles a drink." Kenny chuckled yet again. He so missed Luna and her quirks.
"Make it through tonight and we'll see," Kenny said with a mischievous grin. It was at this moment Celestia and Morgan entered the room. They were talking about something related to how unicorn's horns worked, but they had lost Kenny quickly. Instead he chose to meditate, closing his eyes and clearing his mind.
"Isn't that right Kenneth?" Morgan suddenly asked, breaking Kenny out of his meditation. "Huh?" He dumbly uttered.
"Holly is the best for wands, is it not?" Kenny took the innocent question entirely wrong.
"What?!" Kenny said in horror. "Why would you do that?"
"Use holly in a wand?" Morgan was confused why such a thing upset him so.
"Yes! Have you no humanity? What has Holly ever done to you?" Then it clicked for Luna.
"Holly is his pet Timber-wolf," Luna explained. "Kenny, she was talking about the wood."
"Oh." Kenny said meekly.
"How would that even work?" Morgan asked. "Bone is an ill material for a wand, and wolves don't have anything else usabl-"
Kenny cut her off with, "Timber-wolves are called so because they are living piles of wood." Morgan looked at him in disbelief. She even turned to Celestia for confirmation, the alicorn mare nodding confirmation of his words.
"Well, sorry then, Kenneth." Kenny let out a groan of frustration.
"How many times Morgan?! Just call me Kenny! Everyone else does!"
"Don't you find such a childish nickname demeaning?" Kenny's head impacted the table.
"You are impossible woman." Came Kenny's muffled voice. Morgan frowned.
"You're no better." Morgan huffed a little and turned her back to him.
Luna rubbed Kenneth's back and decided now was the best time for proper introductions. "Excuse me, Madame?" Once Morgan had turned her way Luna said, "I would like to say it is nice to be able to finally introduce myself, I am Princess Luna."
"Yes, your sister told me about you. I'm Morgan Le Feu. It is nice to meet you as well." After introductions were made Luna began her inquiries into this woman.
"How did you meet Kenny?"
"Alfred introduced him to me as his second apprentice, having already taught me all he can for basic training."
"That is true," Kenny interjected, raising from the table. "I distinctly remember you giving the nastiest stink-eye when he wasn't looking. I also remember him telling you off for being rude a second later." Morgan fumed and Luna knocked him upside the head for his comment.
"What magic do you study?" Luna asked.
"I have trained as a battle mage, priest and healer." Morgan smiled a little in pride.
The waiters came in with Kenny and Luna's food, taking Celestia and Morgan's before returning to the kitchens. Kenny took his plate and made to leave. However he was stopped when Luna asked him where he was going.
"I've arranged a meeting with some some scientists in Canterlot. I'm gonna be giving them some tech I brought from home." Luna and Celestia shared a look of pleasant surprise. "Given time, I'm sure this will give you guy's a twenty-year boost in the sense of technological advancement."
"That is quite the boon, Kenny," Celestia said. "How can we ever repay you?"
"You already did, you let me stay. Bye gals."