//------------------------------//
// Chapter 27 - A New Day Dawns (Edited by JBL 11.20.2017) 
// Story: The Last Descendant 
// by Cup of Coffee 
//------------------------------//

Two weeks after the dream.

From the open window came the morning song of birds, their merriment a stark contrast to the sorrow that the slowly awakening human had endured for the last two weeks. With a yawn, Magnus opened his eyes and slowly sat up in bed. He looked sleepily around the room, taking note of some of the flowers he had received. The sweet fragrance had been a constant scent in the bedroom and living room ever since the day he woke up from his dream.

He threw off the covers and stood up, noticing he had fallen asleep with his clothes on. It had happened a lot lately. He’d had problems sleeping for the last two weeks, and would occasionally wake up in the middle of the night, unable to fall asleep again. During the day, he became sluggish and sometimes fell asleep on the couch. At least this time he woke up in his bed.

Magnus yawned again as he wandered into the living room and dropped down onto the couch. He sighed and looked around. Almost every single flat surface was covered with bouquets from ponies. The coffee table itself was only used for letters. There were probably more than three hundred in all, perhaps much more. He hadn’t bothered counting them. With nothing else to do, he picked up an envelope and took out a folded piece of paper, opened it, and began to read. The first thing he noticed was that the letters were written with what appeared to be crayon. In addition to the writing, there were also flowers, butterflies, and happy faces drawn on it. Although the crayon made the letters stand out, the writing had room for improvement. Curious about the sender, he began to read.



‘Hi, my name is Honey Bubble and I am eight years old. I heard my daddy and mommy talk about somepony who was very sad and that they were going to write a letter to make that pony feel better. I asked them if I could write one too and they said that I could. That made Mommy and Daddy very proud of me. Sometimes I feel sad, and when I do, my mommy gives me a lemon candy and a big hug. I like hugs and lemon candy. Mommy said that we could not see you, so instead I put two lemon candies in the envelope. One is to make you feel better and the other is a hug for you. I hope that they will make you feel better and not sad.’



‘A kid,’ Magnus thought as he stared at the words. ‘Even children are sending me letters with their condolences. I doubt a child could understand my situation. Still…’ He grabbed the envelope and dumped the contents into his hand; two hard candies wrapped in colourful wax paper. ‘It’s pretty thoughtful.’ He unwrapped one of the candies and tossed it into his mouth. It was sweet with a delicious taste of lemon.

After placing the letter back into the envelope, he tossed it onto a pile at the end of the couch. The pile of read letters had grown considerably during these last two weeks. What else was there to do? He had done nothing but stay in his room, attempting to come to terms with his situation. He was aware that his friends were still alive, knew that they would mourn him, and that he himself was very much alive. Nevertheless, the pain clung to him, though it was gradually beginning to subside.

He knew he would never see Earth, another human, or his friends again. And he had finally accepted it. It no longer helped thinking about home, for all it brought was homesickness that he could do without.

Two light knocks came from the door before it opened, and in came Celestia. “Good morning, Magnus,” she greeted him warmly with her ever-present smile.

“Morning, Princess.” Magnus nodded in her direction.

Celestia settled down on a large pillow meant for someone of her size. Magnus had noticed that although ponies did have chairs, pillows were obviously the more comfortable alternative.

“You’re still using my title, even though I’ve asked you to use my name,” she chided lightly, looking at Magnus. “Why is that?”

Magnus scratched his head and answered absentmindedly, “I don’t know.”

“In the dream, you also referred to Luna by her title.”

“If you say so. I still don’t know why.”

That Magnus was particularly withdrawn today did not escape Celestia’s attention. “You understand that we wish to help you, don’t you? Why avoid using our names, especially since you asked us to use yours? I’d rather speak to you as one person to another, rather than royalty to a subject.”

Magnus remained silent. They referred to him by his first name, true, but it was in the moments immediately before and after his dream that he had begun using their title. Perhaps it was fear, respect, or something else that caused him to unconsciously use their title. Nevertheless, Magnus saw Celestia and Luna as less of a threat and more of an ally, or perhaps even a friend, especially after they helped him in the dream.

“I’ll do better then.” Magnus looked towards Celestia, a faint smile on his face appearing briefly before fading. “Celestia.”

His reaction did not go unnoticed by Celestia. It was the first time in two weeks she had seen him smile. It was fleeting, but an obvious sign of progress.

“How do you feel today?”

“Same as yesterday.” Magnus sighed as he leaned back on the couch with his hands behind his head. “Not good, but not terrible either.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “You’ve gone through much this month, much more than any pony go through their entire life.”

‘She’s right,’ Magnus thought to himself, nodding absently. ‘I’ve lost everything but my life, and even that has been hanging by a thread for twenty seven years. Not to mention it was touch and go for a while here too.” Magnus tried to avoid thinking back to the five days he had spent in bed. His only lasting emotion of that time was shame, and it was a subject he avoided exploring even when Celestia and Luna prodded him to. It was a testament to how severely his frame of mind had deteriorated for him to consider suicide.

“How do you really feel?” Celestia asked.

Magnus remained silent for a few moments, mulling over her question. “Empty.” There was no emotion in his voice. “Like… there’s nothing in me at the moment, not in my head or heart. No happiness, no anger, no sorrow, just… nothing.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “It sounds like you are emotionally drained. With how much has happened lately, it comes as no surprise.” She paused for a second. “Do you remember Luna and me mentioning a psychologist? We can make arrangements for a session if you feel like you need somepony to speak with.”

Magnus shook his head. The princesses had mentioned a psychologist on several occasions, saying that she excelled at working on various types of trauma, and had helped numerous ponies in the aftermath of the changeling invasion.

“Won’t be necessary. I’ll manage on my own.”

“If you say so. But promise me that you will say something to us if you feel that you need help, okay?” Celestia voice was warm, yet there was a steely undertone that betrayed her seriousness.

“I promise.”

She nodded. “Good.”

There was a lull in the conversation afterwards, with Magnus returning to staring up at the roof with his arms behind his head. Celestia recognized the silence, one that both she and Luna had grown accustomed to over the last two weeks. She also knew that the only way he would speak now was when someone else initiated the conversation.

She observed him open an envelope and retrieve a candy, which he quickly unwrapped and popped into his mouth. “What is that?”

Magnus crumpled the wrapping and placed it on the table. “A wrapped hug,” he murmured as he held up the envelope to her. She levitated it over and slipped out the letter inside. Her heart grew warm as her eyes scanned the crayon-scribbled words.

‘Of all the little ponies that we protect, it seems it is always young colts and fillies that are the most well-meaning and considerate.’

“Do you see? Ponies do care about you and your misfortune. I’m sure none have wished you anything but well.”

Magnus rolled the candy around in his mouth, making it click against his teeth. “So I see.” He directed a lazy glance at Celestia. “But would little Honey Bubble and her parents say the same if they knew I wasn’t a pony?”

“Absolutely,” she answered confidently. “Why would they wish pain on you simply because you are different? Ponies may be wary and skittish towards the unknown, but I am certain that, with time, they will accept you.”

Magnus nodded slowly. He had previously asked this very question, and had received a similar answer from both Celestia and Luna. He was different, he knew that, and he would always be. He also knew that if a pony appeared on Earth, humanity’s reaction would be similar. However, one thing he had noticed was that ponies were different from people, not only in appearance, but in the overall way they acted. They just seemed… nicer than people in some ways. He also remembered the princesses talking about ‘Harmony’, which consisted of their way of life. Thinking hard, he remembered them; kindness, generosity, loyalty, laughter, magic, and honesty. If most ponies lived by those rules, then it was no wonder they were so nice. What would humanity be like if people lived by those tenets? He could only wonder.

Still, the idea of going out into the world and interacting with ponies kept bugging Magnus. Luckily, Celestia provided a nice distraction for him. “It’s been almost three weeks since you’ve been cooped up in this room, Magnus. Don’t you think it’s about time you go outside as well? Separating yourself from others isn’t good for you.”

“I know,” Magnus muttered quietly while sucking on the lemon candy. It was an idea that he had already been toying with. His assigned living quarters, though quite luxurious by his standards, was losing its charm. This was the longest time he had ever spent inside. He would usually play games on his computer or console, and even during winter, he found something to do outside, even when it was cold and snowing. Adam owned two snowmobiles that, though old, were extremely fun to drive, and he was always up for ripping up some snow.

“And?” Celestia inquired.

“And… it might be high time to return to the land of the living.”

“Splendid!” Celestia declared, her smile widening. “Perhaps you wish to join me for lunch in one hour? Luna is still awake; she and I have been working on something these last few days, something that we wish to discuss with you.”

Returning to a sitting position, Magnus set his eyes on the white alicorn. “Like what?”

“It concerns your introduction to the world and your integration into our society. We can discuss it more after lunch.” Celestia stood up and headed towards the door, but as she passed Magnus, she scrunched her nose. “I do not mean to offend you, but perhaps a bath might be in order.”

“Will do,” he replied.

Celestia left the room, and the moment the door closed, he raised his arm and sniffed before immediately drawing back. Sleeping with clothes on never did favours for one's body odour.

Rising, Magnus headed to his room to retrieve his clothes. During his convalescence, the rest of his clothing had been completed by Creative Stitch and delivered to the castle. From what Magnus could tell, they were well made and fit him perfectly.

He grabbed a set of clothing, then went to the bathroom, peering at his reflection in the mirror. He hadn’t shaved in a month and it showed by the layer of thriving stubble. He rubbed his hand over his face and decided that it had to go, but only after he had showered. His eyes stared back at him, an intense green that sharply contrasted against the dull variant they had been on Earth. Maybe that was another pony trait that he had inherited, given that ponies’ eyes possessed similar striking colours as well.

Divesting his clothes and stepping into the bathtub, Magnus turned on the warm water, allowing it to soak him thoroughly. While washing his hair, he felt something strange at the back of his neck. It was a trail of short hairs, denser and more distinct from his body’s hair. Unable to determine what it was, he quickly finished washing up before stepping out of the tub and began drying off. Walking back to the mirror, he turned his back to it and looked over his shoulder.

A line of hair, about five centimetres wide and vaguely cone-shaped, had grown all the way from his hairline down to almost right between his shoulder blades.

‘There’s… that’s a… a mane. I’m growing a mane…’

Magnus turned back to the sink and leaned forward until his horn touched the mirror. “Shit…” he muttered under his breath. He had hoped that there would be no more surprises, that the rest of him would be left alone. However, fate, along with genetics, had decided to go at him like a tag team. Currently, genetics was the one who threw the punches, although the mane was just a hard slap to his face.

Grumbling to himself, Magnus rifled through the cabinet until he found some hygienic supplies. After lathering his face with foam, he unfolded the razor, revealing a dangerously sharp thin blade that glittered like chromed steel.

‘Okay, now maintain a steady hand, and for God’s sake, be careful. Short, controlled strokes. This is not a disposable razor.’


***


With a freshly shaved face and only two small cuts, Magnus stepped out of his room and closed the door. The first ponies he saw were two guards standing next to the door, their spears over their shoulders. They didn’t even flinch when they saw him, maintaining their stoic facade.

‘Since I’m stuck here, I might as well try to get along with them, try to be friendly.’

With his mind made up, Magnus made his move. “Good morning,” he politely greeted them.

“Good morning, Mr Powell,” they replied simultaneously.

Satisfied with making first contact for the first time in weeks, Magnus set course towards where he believed the staircase were. He glanced back at the guards, who maintained their pace with ease. ‘Saying hello is pretty average, and asking about the weather is pointless since they create it. They already know my name; maybe I could ask for theirs. They’re guards, though. Are they even allowed to tell me? Well, I can always try.’

“So, what’re your names?”

The first one to speak was the red earth pony of the bulky variety. “Cloverfield, Mr Powell.” He kept his gaze straight ahead.

“Just call me Magnus. Using my last name makes you sound like a door-to-door salesman.”

“Are you sure?” the earth pony asked. “It’s simple formality, not to mention polite.”

“Eh, I like to be informal. No sir or mister or anything like that. Just Magnus will do.”

“As you wish, Magnus.”

Magnus smiled at his minor victory. “You from around here?”

“No, Foaldale, a town to the northeast.”

“What’s Foaldale like?”

“It’s great.” The earth pony allowed himself a brief smile. “Rural community, lots of farms.”

Magnus nodded approvingly. “Sounds like a nice place.” He turned to the other guard, a small, white, sinewy-looking pegasus. “What about you?”

“Cumulus Star, from Cloudsdale,” the pegasus responded.

“Huh, never heard of Cloudsdale before. Where is it?”

“Currently right between Canterlot and Manehattan, somewhere around twenty thousand and twenty-six thousand hooves.”

That answer was unexpected. He looked over his shoulder at the pegasus, almost expecting a smile, but the winged pony appeared even more stoic than his fellow guard.

“What do you mean by currently right between? Does it move?” he asked hesitantly.

“Cloudsdale is a city in the clouds,” the pegasus answered as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

Magnus paused mid-step and slowly turned towards the two guards, who had also halted. Magnus lowered himself so that his face was level with Cumulus Star’s.

“Say again? And please, explain that to me as if I’ve never heard about a city in the clouds before.”


***


“Luna, for star’s sake, bell pepper isn’t as bad as you make them out to be.”

“Thou art correct, dear sister,” Luna’s sharp eyes scanned the vegetables that sat alongside her morning meal. “They are worse.”
There was one piece left somewhere, she was sure of it. Using her fork, she moved aside a lettuce leaf, uncovering the hiding place of the foulest of vegetables.

“Aha!” Her fork picked up tiny sliver and promptly deposited it onto a napkin. Smiling contently, Luna began digging into her meal.

Celestia shook her head, smiling at Luna’s antics. “You know you can ask the chef for salad without any bell pepper.”

Luna nodded, her cheeks bulging. “We could, but we do not wish to add to the kitchen staff’s workload.” With an impish glint in her eye, Luna grinned. “They are already overworked preparing thy sweet pastries.”

With a loud clattering sound, Celestia’s fork fell onto her plate. “I am not addicted to cake!” Celestia sniffed and assumed the haughty posture the nobles often adopted, her eyes closed and nose upturned. “I simply find cake the perfect ending to a hearty meal. And you must remember your language lessons, Your Highness.”

Luna’s smile vanished and a neutral expression took its place. She kept her eyes on Celestia, searching for a crack in her sister’s facade. Celestia maintained her haughty expression while staring back at her sister. For several seconds, they kept at it until Luna snorted. At the same time Celestia scrunched her nose, trying to reign in her laughter. It was the final straw for Luna, and she giggled. Celestia joined in not a second later.

For the common bystander, this act between the two monarchs had never been witnessed before. At the moment, they were merely sisters engaging in harmless teasing, not princesses with the burden of the crown, or celestial objects, to bear. Luna still had a copy of Ponyville’s Foal Free Press that had exposed her sister’s penchant for cake, along with a framed photo in her room.

As their giggling died down, the doors opened and in walked Magnus, hands behind his back and head lowered, seemingly deep in thought. Approaching the table, he looked up at the two alicorns.

“Good morning, Luna, Celestia.”

Luna was not surprised at his presence, as Celestia had already informed her of his pending arrival. Still, to see him up and about brought a smile to her face. “Good morning, Magnus. Please, join us.”

He nodded in thanks and sat down on a pillow with a heavy sigh. He looked over the food available on the table before settling on simple bread with jam, milk, and a cup of coffee. All the while, he maintained a strange expression, one that Celestia and Luna had problems deciphering.

“Magnus, is something wrong?” Luna finally asked. Magnus looked up from his food and shook his head.

“Nope. Everything is fine. What could possibly be wrong?” The sarcasm in his voice was positively dripping. “I just learned that you have a floating city in the clouds. Cloudsdale, what a fitting name. Perfectly normal.”

‘Of course, a city in the clouds would seem strange to him,’ Celestia thought. It worked both ways, however, since the technological wonders of humanity she had been informed of sounded stranger than the most mythological magic she had ever heard of.

“Oh! And I’m currently growing a mane as well.” Magnus leaned forward, enough so that the alicorns could see the back of his neck. He peeled part of his shirt away so that they saw a stripe of hair growing down his neck.

Celestia and Luna leaned forward to inspect him closer. Indeed, it resembled a mane that would grow down a pony’s neck. No doubt his heritage still had secrets locked within his body.

Luna tilted her head slightly to the side. “Is this not normal among humans?”

“No.” Magnus straightened himself and focused on his meal. “I mean, we can grow our hair long, but not in a stripe like that.”

Lunch was quite uneventful. Luna and Celestia chatted among themselves and attempted to include Magnus, but beyond yes and no responses, he was rather unresponsive. However, the two alicorns understood his situation, and were pleased enough at his progress that they didn’t push him. When their lunch was devoured, tea, coffee, and cookies were set onto the table. After pouring herself a cup, Celestia gave him a closed envelope.

“For me?” Magnus asked, to which Celestia nodded.

“Yes, I met Doctor Silverheart this morning, and I told him how you were willing to leave your room. He wrote this letter and asked me to give it to you when you had a moment to spare.”

He opened the envelope and read through the folded letter.



To Mr Magnus Powell,


Magnus, I heard from Princess Celestia of your predicament, and I’m terribly sorry that this happened to you. Please accept my condolences. I have no words that can accurately describe how terrible you must feel. As a doctor, I have delivered bad news to ponies and relatives of ponies I have cared for, and it is never easy. Hopefully, you can find solace in the fact that you are still among the living. This is more than many ponies can hope for when their health is at stake and no hope remains. I do hope that after all that has happened to you, you will find happiness coming your way.

Now, the main reason I asked our beloved princess to give you this letter is to remind you of our discussed medical examination. I have discussed your case with some of my colleagues at the infirmary in terms of what to look for and what procedures to follow. Due to your unfortunate circumstances the past few weeks, we had postponed your appointment until you recovered. Today, Princess Celestia informed me of your plans to leave your quarters. As a medical professional, I know that idleness is not recommended for a patient recovering from emotional trauma. I believe that focusing on something else other than your loss will help your recovery, which is why I suggest that we perform your medical examination as soon as you feel you are able.

You may visit me at the infirmary for further questions, as well as to set a date for your examination.

Doctor Silverheart, M.D.
Head Physician, Canterlot Castle infirmary.



After reading through the letter, Magnus folded it and placed it back in the envelope. Some of Silverheart’s concern was mooted, seeing as he had already decided upon a positive line of action.

He spotted the questioning looks on the princesses’ faces. “Silverheart gave me his condolences. He also said to focus on other things, such as the examination we had discussed. I’ll think I’ll go see him later and set a date.”

“I agree with him.” Luna nodded resolutely. “Set your mind on other things, your health first and foremost.”

“Yeah… Anyway, Celestia, you said earlier that you two wanted to talk with me about something.”

“Indeed I did.” She finished off her tea before continuing. “First, we have this for you.” From the end of the table, she levitated several documents over to him that he had not earlier noticed. He looked through the first page, noticing the word ‘citizen’ at the top of the page.

“What are these?”

“Citizenship papers for you. By signing these, you will be granted full citizenship of Equestria,” Luna answered.

“Oh. Mind if I read through these first?”

“Not at all, we have plenty of time.”

Magnus began reading carefully in order to minimize any misunderstandings. The first few pages detailed his rights as a non-equine citizen of Equestria. He was allowed to work, pay taxes, rent or own a house, start a business, as well as other numerous basic rights. The second to last page detailed his race, a general physical description, as well as the colours of his eye, mane, and fur.

The last page was reserved for his signature along a dotted line. He stared intensely at it. “It feels like…” He moistened his lips. “If I sign this, I sign away a part of my connection to Earth. I’ll no longer be a good ol’ fashioned Earthling, I’ll be a… an Equusling? Equestrian?” He glanced up at the alicorns, finding two understanding pair of eyes looking at him. “It’s... unreal.”

“We understand that this is a big step for you, and the hesitation you must feel. We will not force you to sign it. We will not force you to live in Equestria if you do not wish to do so. You are free to move to another country, if that is your desire.” Celestia’s warm smile faded slightly. “However, if you move, we cannot guarantee your safety. You will be a subject of the ruler of that country, not us. We cannot predict what welcome awaits you elsewhere.”

‘I understand: live under the protection of someone I don’t know, or live under the protection of two literal goddesses. It’s an easy choice.’

Magnus nodded slowly. “I understand. Do you have a ~pen~?”

“A what?” Luna asked.

“~Pen~,” Magnus repeated, only to hear him say the word in English. The word simply could not be translated. “Huh, that’s strange. You don’t have ~pens~, so the word doesn’t exist.”

“Interesting indeed. But tell us, what is a ~pen~?” Celestia asked.

“It’s a writing implement, like a pencil, only that it uses ink.”

“Ah, another human invention. No, we do not have a ~pen~. Instead, we use quills.” A brand new quill and an inkwell appeared next to Celestia in a flash of light, which then proceeded to float towards him. Grabbing the quill and ink from Celestia’s magic, Magnus shook his head.

“Gonna take some time to get used to teleportation. I guess there are probably ponies who use it for pranks around here,” he muttered to the amusement of the two sisters.

With quill in hand, he began filling out the documents. “Hope the clerk that has to read my handwriting can understand this. It’s hard to write Equish when I’ve only scribbled the letters a couple of times.”

“I am sure your handwriting will be fine. Is our language and letters that different from your native language and letters?” Luna questioned.

“Yeah, on Earth there’s no language that even comes close to Equish, or at least none that I know of.”

Magnus flipped through the pages and quickly stopped at one sticking point. “It says race here.” He looked to Celestia. “What should I write?”

“I believe that if you write ‘hybrid’, and ‘human and unicorn’ in parentheses after, it should be understandable.”

He filled in what Celestia suggested, then moved on to fill out what else he knew. However, when he came to height, his quill halted again. With the language gifted to him by Star Swirl, he was aware that height and distance was measured in hooves. That was a problem since he had no comparable knowledge of how long a hoof was.

“Question. How tall am I?”

Luna raised a brow. “Do you not know yourself?”

“Yes, I know my height in the metric and imperial system. What I don’t know is how it compares to your system.”

“Well, we can estimate your height. Sister, please stand up. Magnus, go stand next to Celestia.”

They both did as Luna commanded. The top of Celestia’s head reached Magnus’ shoulder. Luna tilted her head slightly to one side, then the other as she measured by eyes alone.

“Hmm, I estimate that your height is… between fourteen and a half to fifteen hooves, which is sizeable. Were you considered tall before you transformed?”

Celestia and Magnus sat back down. “My height was pretty average. I gained some height when I received hooves. You remember Max? He was pretty tall.”

Magnus filled out his height, then moved on to the other sections. Afterwards, he passed the documents to Celestia. “There, everything should be correct.”

“Thank you. I will have this delivered later to be processed. In two days, you will officially be a citizen of Equestria.” In a flash of teleportation magic, the documents disappeared.

“Now that the paperwork is finished, we would like to discuss what will happen during the coming days, namely how we shall introduce you to Equestria,” Luna interjected smoothly. “Since you are new to our world, and to minimize any adverse reactions, we believe that the best course of action is to hold a press conference.”

Magnus swallowed hard. “Press conference?” he parroted with no small amount of trepidation.

Celestia nodded. “Yes. At the conference, ponies will be able to see you, and you can tell them a bit about yourself and Earth, as well as answer a few of their questions. We will also be there to discuss the details of your arrival to Equestria, and of the portals.”

“I… see.” Magnus folded his hands slowly and placed them in his lap. “Is there a chance that we can not have a press conference? Or at least one where I don’t have to be there?” The questioning looks on Celestia’s and Luna’s faces prompted him to explain. “I’m not comfortable with crowds, least of all when I’m the centre of attention, which I undoubtedly will be.”

Celestia and Luna simultaneously made a noise of understanding. Celestia brought a hoof up to her chin. “I see. There is certain information we cannot hold back from the public, least of all your appearance in Equestria. You are simply too unfamiliar to pass as a foreigner from a distant land. Ponies will inevitably come to us about your presence. In my opinion, it is better to be open about this matter.”

Magnus hung his head, the images of flashing cameras, hundreds of ponies talking and shouting, maybe a few ponies fainting or panicking coursing through his mind. It made him feel sick to his stomach.

“I believe I have an idea,” Luna announced. Magnus and Celestia both turned to her. “What if we hold the press conference without Magnus, but at the same time, he grants a private interview to somepony impartial, such as a freelance journalist and photographer that we will hire? The interview, along with the photos taken, will then be distributed to the press.”

“That is an excellent idea, Sister.” Celestia nodded after a few seconds. “I have no objections with this line of action.”

“Neither do I. It’ll be easier to answer questions in a one-on-one interview. I just hope that the journalist will be honest and fair,” Magnus said. Compared to a press conference, this would practically be a calm and orderly affair.

“We will find someone suitable,” Celestia reassured. “As for the conference, I think that Twilight should be present. She was at the portal and helped close it, so I believe some of the questions will be directed at her. Also, as a princess, she needs some experience in dealing with the press.”

Luna nodded in agreement. “As for which one of us shall lead the conference... Sister, you are much more experienced when it comes to dealing with the press; perhaps you can do it? If Magnus needs someone with him for the interview, I can be there for him.”

Magnus thanked his lucky stars. At least he wouldn't be alone with the journalist. “I’d appreciate it, Luna. I’ve never given an interview before, and I have no idea what to expect.”

“Think nothing of it. I will gladly help you prepare for the questions. I gave one such interview some months after my return,” Luna said with a smile.

“Are we all in agreement then for the press conference?” Neither Magnus nor Luna had any objections. However, one thought came to his mind, one that he felt was important to air.

“I have a question,” he said, gaining the two alicorns’ attention. “It’s about what might happen after I’ve been ‘revealed’. What kind of reactions might come from the other countries and races?”

Both alicorns heard the underlying note of worry in his voice. He had expressed some fear concerning the other races, especially dragons, in the past.

Celestia was the first one to speak up. “I have no doubt that they will express interest in you. After all, you are not of our world. However, you will be under our protection. The kings and queens of the other nations rarely interfere in our private affairs, and we rarely interfere in theirs. Discord’s return, on the other hoof, was given very considerable attention abroad, due to him focusing his chaotic magic on Equestria as a whole.”

Magnus quirked an eyebrow. How could a creature that brought so much chaos merely be given attention and nothing else, especially when he was a threat to the entire world?

“I see,” Magnus drew out the last word. “But still, what kind of reactions could I, and you for that matter, expect?”

Either Magnus was concerned for his safety, or he was just methodical, Luna noted. Either way, they would provide him with answers. “The griffons, led by King Auron Goldwing of Griffonia, are our closest neighbours, aside from the Crystal Empire. I have no doubt he will be very interested in meeting you. He is not much older than you, as a matter of fact. He’s a rather modern and progressive ruler, in contrast to the conservative and militaristic griffon kings that ruled a thousand years ago. He will take no action towards you, of this I am confident.”

Magnus seemed to relax slightly. “Okay, that sounds reassuring. What about the Crystal Empire?”

“Oh, their prince and princess will meet you with open arms,” Celestia said with a smile. “You see, Princess Cadence is our niece, and Prince-Consort Shining Armor was Captain of the Royal Guard stationed in this very castle. They will surely welcome you as a friend.”

“That sounds good, great actually.” Magnus drummed his fingers on the table. “What about the rest of the countries?”

“Hmm, the diamond dogs, the inhabitants of the Granite Mountains, prefer to keep to themselves, so I doubt they will bother you at all. The minotaurs of the island kingdom of Minoa are different, as they prefer to keep abreast of the world’s current events. Their diplomat here in Equestria might ask to meet with you at some point.”

Magnus nodded thoughtfully. “Okay, but I can just say no to a meeting like that, right?”

Celestia hesitated slightly. “You can refuse if you wish, though I am curious as to why you’d do so. Most likely, their meeting with you would be to develop and pass on an informed opinion of your presence here.”

Magnus remained silent while looking from one princess to the other. “I know they might be curious about me, but..." He shook his head slowly. "I don’t want to be a celebrity. I don’t want to be famous because I’m from a different place, or because I look strange. I’d rather not make any waves. I just want to live in peace, not have diplomats, journalists, and photographers hounding me wherever I go.” He huffed in irritation. “Although, that’s close to impossible for me now. I mean, just going outside after I’m ‘revealed’ might only gain me a crowd following.”

“I can see how that might be troublesome.” Luna’s own return to Equestria had indeed made waves throughout the nation. It wasn’t only the overzealous journalists who hounded her, begging for an interview every day. No, the nobility had been in an uproar as well. Another alicorn princess appearing had shaken the careful balance of power that the nobles had maintained for centuries. The most influential of them feared losing what political power they held, while some feared for the future of Equestria with three alicorns ruling the nation. Luckily, their angst and concern had faded in mere months.

“Indeed, some ponies find fame a burden while others thrive in the spotlight,” Celestia acknowledged. “Whatever your decision, we will not force your ho—hand.”

Magnus immediately perked up. “Great, thank you. So, what about the rest of nations? What of the zebras?”

“They are very much like us ponies; hospitable and welcoming. Perhaps their shamans will find it interesting that your grandfather was one as well. King Mtawala may very well send one from their order to investigate further.” There were no magic users among the zebras. Instead, they had shamans. Spirit speakers and seers, many of them brewed and used potions to achieve effects that magic could not.

“The ponies of Saddle-Arabia have been allies for as long as Celestia and I have ruled,” Luna stated. “They are trustworthy, honest, and peaceful. They are the last ones I would suspect of approaching you with dishonest intent.”

By their assertions, his earlier assumption of this world being a safe and peaceful place seemed to be accurate, though of course there would be certain individuals who would be more than just interested in an alien.

“Maybe my introduction to the world can go without a hitch.” However, there was one race he had almost forgotten. “What do you think the dragons will say about me?”

Luna snorted. “I would be amazed if they ever hear of you. Dragons usually do not care for the affairs of anyone but their own. They can grow to immense sizes, are exceptionally strong, and can live for thousands of years. As a result, most of them do not care for those they consider weak and short lived.”

“In other words, I’m not even worth their time.” Celestia nodded in affirmation.

“There are also other countries aside from those we have spoken of; numerous smaller countries and city states spread throughout the world. I doubt they will seek you out at all for any purpose,” Luna added.

‘As long as I’m under the protection of Celestia and Luna, I doubt anyone will try anything.’ Even in this strange world he had been led to, he had found two individuals who would keep him safe. He was almost thankful to Starswirl, though he found himself directing most of his gratitude towards Celestia and Luna.

“Do you have any other questions before we move on?” Celestia asked. Magnus shook his head. “Good, then we can move on to the next part of your integration.”

“And what does that involve?”

“Before the press conference takes place, we would like for you to meet with five of Twilight’s friends; the Element Bearers. They are Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness; Rarity, the Element of Generosity; Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty; Applejack, the Element of Honesty, and Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter.”

Magnus managed to hold back his laughter, but only barely. “You guys really have a knack for names.”

“Different worlds, different naming traditions,” Celestia countered lightly. “Luna and I believe that the best way to integrate you into our society is for you to live in Ponyville for a while, which is where Twilight and her friends also reside.”

Luna hummed in agreement. “This will be valuable for you; they will teach you how to interact with ponies as well as how our society functions, along with certain basic skills. Although we know that our society and that of humans are similar, there are certain distinctions which you will learn during your stay.”

Uneasiness rocketed through his body at their words. The castle, beautiful as it was, also acted as a defensive structure for him, a place where he was untouchable and safe from harm. However, he also recognized the importance of integration. He knew their language, but could barely write their letters. He knew nothing of their currency or education system, and had no idea how pony society worked in general. Basically, he was going back to school, which he had detested once upon a time. However, this was necessary for building a life for himself in this strange world. He wasn’t about to slouch around the castle all the time. He hoped to find a job one day, and then perhaps find a place to live. The castle was nice, but he craved the comfort of a place to call home, a place that was his.

He mulled over his own thoughts for a moment. “I’m not happy about leaving the castle, but I know it’s necessary in the long run, so… I agree. I have to learn. As for the press conference, when do you plan to have it?”

“We have not chosen a date yet,” Luna replied. “Today is simply the first time we are discussing it with you. Now that we know your opinion, we can make adjustments and set a date.”

“Okay, and what about meeting Twilight and her friends?”

“We discussed it with Twilight the day before she left. When we have a date set, we will invite her and her friends here so that you can meet them. Her friends are not aware of your existence yet, so when you meet them, it will be a chance to make a good first impression,” Celestia answered. “A good first impression is important; we wish to avoid a repeat of the one you received of Luna and myself.”

‘Anger, chain and trials,’ Magnus thought as he nodded agreeably. ‘Yeah, getting a good start can do wonders for the rest of my ‘schooling’. Wonder what they’re like? Well, I’ll find out eventually.’

Magnus, Celestia, and Luna spent another hour together, discussing the events of the coming days. Minor details concerning the press conference was hashed out and agreed upon. Celestia and Twilight would lead the conference while answering questions from the predicted large crowd of ponies attending. Magnus would have an interview with one journalist and one photographer, both of whom Luna would source.

Then there was the aftermath of the conference. The two sisters would prepare to calm their subjects’ fears in the event of unrest, though they doubted it would come to that. Equestria had faced changelings, King Sombra, Discord, and Tirek, all of whom, unlike Magnus, had posed a significant risk to Equestria.

Magnus, curious as he was, wanted to know what Ponyville was like, considering he was going to spend some time there. He was relieved to hear that the town was fairly small, stating that he had never liked huge cities since they were often overcrowded. The fact that Twilight lived there also appealed to him, as he had spent some time with her and felt that he knew her enough to trust her. It was when he heard that Discord occasionally dropped by to visit Fluttershy that he had second thoughts. He had no doubt that he would end up encountering the chaotic entity, and dreaded the reaction he would elicit.

The meeting finally came to an end. Celestia had duties to attend to, and Luna, yawning, bade them good day before retiring to her chambers. With nothing else to do, Magnus, followed by the two guards, went to the infirmary to speak with Doctor Silverheart. An examination was quickly scheduled for two days’ time, much to Magnus’ relief. After growing a mane, he was somewhat anxious to discover what else had changed concerning his body.

After speaking with Silverheart, and craving fresh air and a change of scenery, he decided to go for a walk outside in the massive garden. The moment he stepped onto green grass, it was as if his worries felt lighter and less troublesome. With the blue skies above and the sun warming his skin, and surrounded by flowers and trees, he felt his pulse slowly begin to decrease to a pleasant, consistent thrum.

He wandered around for a while, lost in his thoughts, until he reached the large tree at the end of the garden where he and Twilight sat and talked weeks before. He sat down under the tree, leaned back against the trunk, and sighed. For a few moments, he took in the breathtaking view of the surrounding areas the castle grounds afforded him.

‘Beautiful. This country seems so idyllic and peaceful. I wonder if it will be like this in two weeks?’

Picking a small straw of grass from the lawn, Magnus held it in his hand, looking at the near weightless object. He focused his magic and felt it course through his body and up into his horn. He hadn’t used his magic in weeks, and somehow he still remembered, flawlessly, how to make something levitate. The straw was surrounded by a viridian aura, glowing softly before it slowly began floating in the air.

Holding his hand underneath the floating straw, he levitated it up to his face, the glowing magic faintly illuminating his facial features. As the straw turned in his magical grasp, Magnus turned away from it and instead looked over the country that he would now call home. There was still plenty to do, and much work ahead, but he was determined to face it all head-on. He was determined to understand, to live in peace, and to build a life for himself. The press conference, and learning how to interact with ponies, would just be the beginning.