I groaned as the sun began to glare into my face. Lifting an arm, I waved it in a dismissive gesture, "I'm too tired for it to be day, so just go away Sunlight..." I moaned in annoyance. Surprisingly, I no longer felt the Sun shining on my eyelids...
Opening my eyes and sitting up, I saw that it was night outside. "Man, I can see all of the stars... Night in Equestria is awesome." I mumbled to myself, staring at the night sky which had stars twinkling like many diamonds.
Unfortunately, the big gaseous ball of light ruined this a minute later as it rose over the horizon. I glared at the large fiery object and wished it would just leave so that I could look at the night sky in peace, and to my shock... The Sun actually began to quickly backtrack as if scared.
Wide-eyed, I attempted to will the Sun back up. Once again, it began to rise into the sky.
-Flashback-
"... As well as my Lunar and Solar Embodiments..."
-Flashback End-
Solar and Lunar Embodiments? So... I have control over the Sun and Moon? Oh I know at least two or three ponies who wouldn't be thrilled over this. The two princesses especially! After all, technically I might have more control over the two objects than they do...
I mean, thinking back to hearths warming eve... The story stated that the unicorns used to swap the moon and the sun all the time! Albeit, it took like ten of them to do it... But while Sunbutt and Luna might raise and lower them as their special talent, that doesn't necessarily mean they have an actual connection to them. And as an 'Embodiment' of the Solar and Lunar variety, I might've just beat them in controlling their own elements!
...Nah! They've got way more experience on their side after all. But it'll still be fun to mess with them! Quickly I began to test the limits of my new found power. Though I wonder whether Celestia or Twilight would be more annoyed by my control of the Sun...?
Twilight yawned as she woke up, "That was a good sleep..." She muttered, stretching out before heading to the mirror to brush her mane.
Once her normal morning activities had been completed, Twilight decided to check on John. "Hopefully he doesn't cause a big mess today..." The unicorn thought with a severe amount of exasperation, remembering the two incidents she was actually involved in yesterday.
Poking her head into the guest room, she observed as I stared intently out the window. "Hi John... What are you doing?" She asked, walking into the room. Maybe it was a human thing...?
"Juggling." I replied shortly, still staring at the sky.
"Juggling? Juggling what?" Twilight asked in confusion, not seeing how he could possibly be juggling by sitting on a bed and staring out the window.
"Take a look." I told the curious purple pony, not wanting to break my concentration to explain it.
Twilight trotted over to the window and glanced up to where my head was facing before quickly stumbling back in shock. "W-w-what! You- I- but- it just... WHAT!" The mare managed to get out as her brain began to overload.
I paid little attention to the thump behind me, stopping just long enough to snicker lightly before continuing to play cat and mouse with the large space objects.
By the time Twilight woke up, I was gone. I'd gotten bored and simply let the Sun and Moon sit side by side before leaving the Library in my cat form. A few minutes after I dropped my control, the Moon retreated over the horizon.
Oh, now what do we have here? I'm currently looking at the home of one of the few members of the Mane Six I haven't messed with... Rarity!
I quickly spun, changing my form only slightly. Now I was wearing a cat-tuxedo, which was interesting. I expected that to be much more uncomfortable than it is... I began to run through the list of the ponies I've messed with, and those that I planned to mess with as I walked into the Boutique.
Let's see... I've messed with: Fluttershy, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Rainbow Dash, Lyra, Twilight, Fluttershy again, Luna, and Sunbutt. I still plan to mess with Applejack, and I'm currently about to mess with Rarity. I think I'll leave Pinkie alone, since she's my favorite pony...
I heard a meow to my right and looked over to see Opal rubbing her head against my side. Yeah... I'm just gonna 'Nnope!' my way outta this situation. Walking away quickly, I began to look for Rarity.
Finally! I found Rarity in the very last place I looked, though admittedly I should've checked here first, which was her 'Inspiration Room'. I was a bit annoyed, and it didn't help that Opal was following me around like some stalker fan-girl...
I began to look around at the 'Organized Disaster' as I padded into the room, though I had to look quickly since Opal was making me a bit uncomfortable. About a minute after I walked in, Rarity noticed Opal and grabbed her in a magical grip.
"Oh my darling Opal, whatever are you doing in here? Did you come to help me with my latest design?" The unicorn asked with a smile before noticing me. "Hm? A tuxedo on a cat...?" She mumbled. Suddenly she reared up with a large smile, "Idea~!" She practically sang.
As she was doing that, I grabbed a gem off the ground. It happened to be a sapphire, which is pretty awesome for a couple reasons. For example: it's not only my birth stone, but it's also my favorite color!
Rarity noticed me holding the stone and stopped to observe me, no doubt wondering why a cat would be holding a gem. But this sapphire is way too small to be the birth stone of someone as awesome as I am... Wait! I probably have that Crystal control thing from Umbra-guy, maybe I could make it bigger?
Looking at the gem in my paw, I began to attempt to assert my will over it. Annoyingly, nothing seemed to happen... And then Rarity seemed to have decided that I didn't need the crystal anymore and took her sapphire back. I glared at her as she gazed back at me with amusement before turning away to work a bit more.
I want my sapphire back, darn it! It's shiny! Wishing I had a large sapphire, I watched in shock as one seemed to drop out of my palm. I looked at the stone, and the stone did nothing. I tilted my head in slight confusion at the sapphire before trying to making it grow. Then it did what I wanted, it actually grew! The little sapphire went from about the size of a button to the size of a throw pillow in the span of five seconds.
Now that is more deserving of being my birthstone! I decided to name my creation a Sky Gem, since it's definitely much bigger and better than any other sapphire I've ever seen.
My moment of triumph was short lived however, as Rarity quickly snatched the gem from me to begin examining it. I glared at her while she studied my Sky Gem.
"I-I don't believe it! This Sapphire is the biggest I've ever seen... But where did it come from, I know I never dug this up..." The unicorn said to herself, checking for any flaws in the stone.
I glared at her before sighing and rolling a different sapphire over to myself, deciding that it wouldn't be worth blowing my cover to take back the Sky Gem. I could always make more after all, and I still have to find a way to prank her. Wet her mane? Nah, too simple...
Absentmindedly, I began to make a chess set out of Sapphire. I rolled over some small sapphires and a couple of emeralds before reshaping them for my purposes; I was soon left with everything but the board. Growing a small shard of diamond out of my paw, I plucked it out before expanding and shaping it into a chessboard.
I began to play against myself while thinking about how to prank the prissy pony, not realizing that Ms. Marshmallow had watched me make the whole thing. That... Was a mistake.
She didn't even need to try and piece things together either, since she watched me performing my little geomancy stunt. I shouldn't have been so careless, nor should I have experimented with this power in front of somepony... Especially not this pony.
I was shocked out of my thoughts of pranking as Rarity picked me up and spun me around in a hug, nuzzling her cheek against mine. "You can make gems!" She cried out happily. "Oh this is amazing! A gem-making cat with a sense of style, simply wonderful!"
She dropped me onto a pillow before running off to grab something out of a chest. Trotting back to the pillow, Rarity put a ruby in front of me, "Can you make more of these, please~?" She requested, batting her eyelashes at me.
Rolling my eyes, I decided to humor her. I held out a paw as a Ruby began to grow out of it before dropping to the floor as it reached a similar size to the one in front of me. I repeated the process a few more times to get used to it; the feeling of a gem growing from your paw is really weird...
I don't know why she looked so surprised though, it's just a ruby...
"I don't believe it, four perfectly formed Fire Rubies..." She mumbled to herself, examining the copies I had made.
My ears perked up a bit at what she said though... Fire rubies? Were those rare? Wait! Okay, now I know where I recognize the term, that was the gem that Spike gave to Rarity in 'Secret of my Excess'... So yeah, I guess it must be kinda rare.
Okay, now Rarity is looking at me in a way that's kinda scary... I don't want to jump to conclusions, but she definitely seems to be thinking of something other than just fashion... Okay she's probably thinking of fashion, but I have a sinking feeling it involves me.
I started walking towards the door and to my chagrin, the unicorn followed me. "Where are you going darling? Are you hungry, perhaps? Maybe you could stay here..." The Fashionista suggested.
I paused and looked back at the pony and her pet. I glanced at Opal, who was looking at me with her tail flicking back and forth before turning my gaze to Rarity, who seemed slightly desperate for me to answer in the positive. I glanced between the two for a minute, until Opal seemed to give me a small smile...
I bolted. I was scared, and I'm not going to deny it. That cat scared the hay outta me. As I ran from the Boutique, I could hear Rarity's calls for me to come back and some hoof-steps as she tried to follow.
I came to a stop in a familiar environment, finding myself back in the orchard where I woke up. By now I was feeling a bit hungry and considering I was surrounded by apples, it was pretty easy to tell why my stomach began to growl at me.
I quickly turned myself into an earth pony and wandered for a bit, trying to ignore my growling stomach. I may be tricky and a bit mischievous, but I'd feel really guilty if I ate the Apples apples without paying... Now somepony I don't know anything about? But I don't think I'd be comfortable cheating Applejack and, more importantly, Apple Bloom.
Just the thought of the adorable little filly catching me stealing apples, her eyes big as she asked what I was doing, caused my eyes to widen and my stomach to stop growling. I couldn't do that to an innocent filly like Applebloom. I wouldn't do something like that. Exposing Apple Bloom, or any other foal for that matter, to crime would be.... Really bucking bad.
As I wandered around, I heard what was likely to be the sound of somepony bucking the apple tree. I began to head towards the sound, and it began to grow louder. Eventually, I broke the tree line to see a shower of apples cascading into the buckets.
"'Scuse me partner, but is there something ah could help ya with?" I heard Applejack ask. "'Cause I have a lot of work to do, and while I don't want to be rude, this here is private property."
"Oh, uh..." I thought about it for a second before realizing something... I don't have any bits! No bits means no apples! "I guess I'm just looking around for a job. I just arrived in Ponyville recently and don't really have any money."
Applejack raised a brow before walking around me, examining me carefully. "Ya look fit enough... Do ya know how ta buck an apple tree?" She asked. I guess she must've learned her lesson about allowing others to help from the whole 'Applebuck season' and 'Super Speedy Cider Squeezy' incidents.
"No, but I'd be willing to learn." I replied easily, deciding to attempt to seize this opportunity. Mentally, I crossed Applejack from my 'Prank list'. Never a good idea to prank your boss after all... Unless it's Rainbow Dash or Pinkie, since they seemed like they wouldn't mind too much... Mostly Pinkie.
Applejack nodded before prodding my leg and then squeezing it. I yelped, backpedalling slightly in surprise. "What the hay are you doing!?" I asked with a voice slightly louder than I meant to use. I'm going to go ahead and chalk it up to shock.
"Ahm just making sure ya got the leg muscles for the job." The orange mare replied simply. "Follow me an' ah'll show ya how to buck an apple tree."
I quickly followed the country pony, watching as she demonstrated the proper technique before she brought me to another tree to try my hoof at applebucking.
My potential boss suggested that I strike with everything I could. I looked at the tree, brought my legs back while balancing on my fore-hooves, and struck as hard as I could.
There was the sound of many apples falling before a large *Crack* resounded through the area. Slowly the tree began to fall over, uprooting itself along the way.
Applejack and I stared in shock, "Did I do that?"
The country mare shook herself out of her stupor and turned to me, "If ya can pull your kicks back a bit, then yall can consider yerself hired." The orange mare told me.
I nodded before turning towards another tree and bringing up a single fore-hoof I smacked it against the tree with most of my strength, causing apples to rain down into the buckets and leaving the tree devoid of fruit.
"Yep, yer hired." Applejack decided, nodding her head. "You can start in about 4 days, come 'round the farm bright 'n early. I want ya to try an' be there 'round the time the sun comes up." I nodded and told her my name before I trotted back towards Ponyville.
"Mighty odd name that feller has..." The farm pony commented, trotting to another tree and continuing to work.
As I trotted back towards the library, I pondered on a few things. Things like my surprising amount of strength, as well as Rarity's apparently crazy gem insanity. Gem-sanity? In-gem-sanity? Meh, doesn't matter... The point is that she's really crazy for gems.
I wonder what else I'll be surprised by today. Noticing Twilight was standing outside the library, I did a quick spin into my original form before jogging towards her and calling out a greeting. Though I wonder why she's just standing outside?
Once Twilight saw me, her eyes widened in surprise and... Relief? I found myself quickly teleported next to her, wondering just what the buck was going on. As I re-oriented my senses to my new positioning, I noticed two things I probably shouldn't have been able to miss. Two things that made me kinda want to run for my bucking life. And unfortunately one thing stopped me from getting away... Magic.
Bucking magic, it just has to be a force of energy that has this really annoying ability to trap me even when I'm intangible. I should really look into a way to counter it or something...
"Is this the creature that you wrote about Twilight?" A large white pony with wings and a horn asked. Yep, that's right. It's Celestia, and I'm hoping to hay that I'm not screwed.
Twilight nodded and opened her mouth, but before she could begin to explain, she was interrupted.
"THOU DAREST TO CONTROL OUR MOON!? WHO IS THEE TO BELIEVE THEMSELVES WORTHY OF SUCH A THING?" Luna bellowed.
You know, even though she's probably going to blow out my eardrums soon... Actually that's okay, I can heal them. I'm okay. In fact I'm feeling awesome! My favorite princess is standing right in front of me! Albeit she's angry, but still!
After making sure I could hear properly again, I attempted to formulate a response. Noticing that Twilight dropped the magical field that prevented me from moving, probably due to a sudden loss of hearing, I set about doing what I felt was the best response. Well, the best response for me anyways...
I hugged her, which probably took the princess severely off guard. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your point of view, my mouth decided to move before I could think. "Luna! You are my favorite Princess, this is awesome and I can't believe I'm meeting you! I love your night, it's so amazing to see all the stars twinkling in the sky, not to mention the moon which always helps me feel so calm and peaceful!" I managed to get just about all that out in a single breath, after which I backed off a bit.
Yeah... I totally went into a fan-boy mode for a minute, definitely not one of the prouder moments of my life. I half expect her to attempt to have me thrown into the dungeons for something like this... Wait, I can't go to the dungeons! I still haven't met Pinkie Pie, I haven't tried to be a griffon yet, I haven't even attempted to turn into a dragon yet, not to mention tha- "Thank you." -at I...
"What?"
Luna seemed to compose herself for a moment, "We said thank you. Most do not seem to enjoy our night sky, and you are the first to have sought to complement us for it."
Well... Definitely better than the dungeons! Way better! "Well it is beautiful..." I replied, looking at the ground with a small amount of embarrassment and kind of wishing that I'd never opened my big mouth. "I'm sure you put a lot of work into it. The stars are always enjoyable to see and often times when I look at the Moon, I feel much calmer and more at peace." It wasn't necessarily the same Moon, but I don't think that detail matters much... "Not to mention the near silence of the night, the peaceful sense that everything is right with the world."
I looked up towards the two Alicorns to see two sights that I would never have expected. Luna was blushing, which was unexpected. It's always interesting to see a pony blush, since it's actually really, really visible through their coat. Though looking back on fanfictions I've read, I'm almost more surprised that I honestly didn't expect that to happen...
Celestia's reaction was the best though; it took all I had to keep a straight face. I didn't want Luna to think that what I told her was a joke or something after all. It was the truth, plain and simple.
Anyways, Bright-Bottom's jaw had dropped at some point, and I'm not sure when she planned to pick it back up. I coughed a bit to get their attention, allowing the Solar Princess a bit of time to dig her jaw back out of the ground.
"Sorry... I didn't mean to be so informal towards you, but it just kinda spilled out." I apologized, looking away from the night princess for a moment.
"'Tis not a problem er.... John, was it?" I nodded my head to the inquiry about my name. Luna nodded in affirmation, "'Tis not a problem John. We are glad to hear that thou dost appreciate our night to such a degree."
"But there is still the issue of why the Sun and Moon were flying around the sky earlier..." Sunbutt cut in, looking at me with a raised brow. "Twilight seems to suspect that you had something to do with this."
"Um... Yeah... sorry about that Princess, I was testing the extent of my abilities..." Darn it Light-Bottom, you pretty much ooze some kind of royal authority aura thingy! Do you know how hard it is to not tell you what's going on with that hovering over someone!? Ugh, now I've got to figure out a way around that too...
"Testing your abilities? You mean to say that you have enough magic to freely control the two celestial bodies to such an extent?" Luna asked, sounding shocked.
I will not laugh. I will not laugh. Heh, celestial bodies... DARN IT!
"Actually, I'm pretty sure I don't have any magic." I responded carefully, though that's probably for the best. Hopefully the lack of magic will make it harder for anypony, or changelings and draconequus for that matter, to counter.
"What? But you do have magic! I cast a Magic-sensing spell last night, and it told me you have at least half as much as Princess Celestia!" Twilight cried out, shocked at my response. A lot of shock going around lately... "How could you blatantly lie to the Princess like that?!" She shouted at me.
I was shocked too, wait... I really need to find another word to describe this, there's way to much shock going on around here... Flabbergasted. I was flabbergasted at the revelation that I have magic.
"Well excuse me Sparkles, but I've never used any of it!" I yelled back.
Princess Shining-Behind seemed to have an idea though, "Would you mind demonstrating your control over the Sun and Moon?" She requested.
I sighed and, rolling my eyes, willing the Moon to move up beside the Sun in the sky and pushing the Sun below the horizon and out of sight.
"Sister, did thy notice that as well?" Luna asked the taller Alicorn.
Solar Plot nodded, "Yes, I did. A complete lack of magic, just as he said..."
Heh, Solar Plot... Yeah, I don't have anything against Celestia, but it's just so much fun to mess with these little names. I can't call Luna anything like that, even in my head, since she's my favorite princess and all. So sorry Plot-Light, but you get the long end of the nickname stick. A long, long list shall be made! Or not; I'm feeling a bit too lazy to find some parchment, ink, and a quill just to write a nickname list...
There was a silence as the Two Princesses appeared to silently deliberate over things. "Uh... Is there anything else you needed?" I asked curiously, hoping that was all I had to worry about.
Celestia eyed me wearily but shook her head, "That is all for now, though we will be keeping an eye on you..." She seemed to want to say more, but instead simply flew off. I think she was annoyed to find out that someone could completely blow her off in favor of talking to her sister. I don't think she's had a lot of experience with being completely ignored by some seemingly random pony or creature...
Luna lingered a moment longer, eyeing me curiously. "Fare thee well John, we hope that thou shalt remain in good health." With her goodbyes said, she too flew off towards Canterlot.
Well... If that wasn't an eventful day, I'm not sure what is at this point. Unfortunately I have a feeling it's going to get a whole lot more eventful in the near future... But right now I want to get to bed, worrying about offending Princess Luna takes a lot out of a guy.
I walked past the still flabbergasted unicorn, stopping long enough to help her pick up her jaw. Afterwards I walked into the Library and entered the guest room, allowing myself to fall both onto the bed and into the land of dreams...