Chapter 8: Preparing for a New Dawn
“Um princess,” I said, trying to keep a blush from rushing to my cheeks, “not that I’m not thankful for your help, but shouldn’t a seamstress or something be- *GASP* that’s cold! Watch those hooves, sister!”
When Princess Luna had said I was going to get fitted for a suit of some sort, I had expected to be tended to by a professional seamstress who would custom-make a suit for me. It would make sense of course, seeing as how I am the only one of my kind in this world of ponies. What I actually got was Princess Luna herself measuring, posing, and embarrassing me.
Pretty though those crystalline horseshoes were, they were cold.
That was besides the fact that one of the princesses of Equestria was running all manner of measuring tapes along my body, and being extremely thorough about it. After the first few minutes of it, she had foregone asking me to pose certain ways, instead simply using her hooves to do as she needed. Luckily for me, when she measured my inseam, she used her magic to move the tape. This, of course, didn’t change the fact that the measuring tape itself felt like a cold nylon snake slithering around my thigh.
“Princess Luna!” I shouted, finally causing her to snap her head up in surprise as she looked at me. I was wrapped up in three measuring tapes and an array of different fabrics as I said, “Look, I appreciate this, but wouldn’t it be seen as indecent for someone like me to be dressed by a princess? Let’s not forget the fact that I’m practically naked, here.” It was true. Save for a pair of boxer-briefs, I was nude. While I could understand ponies didn’t hold the same nudity taboo that humans did, my understanding could only go so far.
The princess, by her token, actually looked a little put-off by my words. “Jamison Smith-”
I shook my head and raised a hand in the air. “For fuck’s sake Luna, I’m in my skivvies here. Just call me Jamie and leave it at that.”
She nodded. “Very well. Jamie, I do not mean to offend or embarrass, but I have become quite an accomplished clothier since my return. Tia recommended I pick up some sort of hobby, and I found making clothing for some of the more rare breeds out there in the world is quite enjoyable. Namely the bipeds, such as you.”
I raised my eyebrow as she continued her work, albeit at a much gentler pace. “I’m not the only bipedal thing around here?”
Princess Luna laughed lightly. “Heavens no. There are minotaurs, some species of dragons, dryads, and most elementals, to name a few.”
I nodded with a click of my tongue. “Aha. You see, all of what you’ve just named lives in only myth and legend on Earth. And what are elementals?”
“Stay still a moment, please.” she ordered as she began pinning up a few fabrics around me. After doing so, she sat back with a small smile at her work and nodded as she lifted the pseudo-clothing off of me. “Elementals are beings that take after one of the elements of the world, given life by magic. More often than not they live in peace, but some ambitious magicians or unicorns have sometimes summoned and enslaved them to do their bidding.”
“How many are there?” I asked without thinking.
She rolled her eyes to the vaulted ceiling as she set the clothing and designs beside her. “Oh my, more than I can imagine, I suspect. There are four different forms for each ‘breed’ of elemental, and these breeds coincide with a certain element. This element can be anything from water, to fire, to dreams, to even magic itself. The first ‒ and most common ‒ elemental form is that of a wisp. More often than not you could walk right by one and not even know it, as they so often look exactly like particles of their element. The second form is reserved for those who have gained strength through absorbing more ambient magic as their ‘lives’ go on, and they are known as warders. The warders are capable of basic thought, and while they cannot speak or think as we do, they have their own memories and can learn. The third type of elemental is what’s known as a greater warden, and they live only to protect their inborn element from all who would defile it. They are extremely aggressive, and have been known to attack with little or no provocation to any who wander too near to their homes.” The princess then went silent for a moment before saying, “The fourth, and rarest form of elemental, is that of the colossus. They are the only elementals truly capable of rational thought, speech, and emotions. I…” she swallowed hard as she seemed to remember something painful, “I do not know if any of them exist any longer.”
It took me all of a few seconds to understand what she was thinking of. “You knew them...didn’t you?”
Princess Luna continued with organizing everything in the room as she nodded slightly. “I did. Before my banishment, I knew of only one remaining. She was quite possibly as old as Equis herself, and she was one of my closest friends.”
“Do you think she might still be around?” I asked as I set about picking up my clothes and putting them on.
She sighed and stopped what she was doing to look out a window that overlooked the entire city. “If she is, she would be far away from civilization. She never liked the noise of the cities. I fear, however, that her time passed when I was exiled.”
I finished putting my shorts on before walking over to stand next to the princess, not bothering with a shirt at the moment. I enjoyed the fact that when standing, she actually had to look up at me a bit. Perhaps it was just the fact that Princess Celestia was a giant compared to me, but Princess Luna’s six-foot height allowed me to actually not feel weak and helpless for once in the presence of an alicorn. Besides, when she was being thoughtful, she actually was kind of cute. I kinda wanted to just sit and pet her. Yep, I’m officially having cravings for petting ponies. It’s all downhill now…
I raised my hand above the princess’ withers and hovered it there for a moment as I contemplated what I was about to do. Finally, after nearly a minute, I rested my palm at the base of her neck and kneaded the muscles there lightly as I stood next to her, looking out the window.
“I can’t pretend to know what it’s like for you to lose friends you’ve known for many times my own lifetime.” I said, making a feeble attempt at a pep talk. It was then that I decided to make an honest connection with her, so I added, “But I know what it’s like to feel isolated, and I know what it feels like to be lonely. I…” I gulped as I prepared to talk about the past again, “on Earth, I was never what you’d call a ‘social butterfly’. I pretty much kept to myself because it was easier and less stressful to just deal with myself. The loneliness was the only downside, but I was unwilling to trade that isolation for having to deal with another person’s life. The most I ever spoke to someone was when I would go to the store and buy food.”
The princess leaned a little closer to me, but didn’t make eye contact as she asked, “What changed?”
I chuckled and gestured with my free hand to the air. “This place. My trip here started out as a way to make a quick paycheck, and well...here I am. Truth be told, I probably would have lived another few years by myself before I finally got lonely enough to reach out to someone.”
She was silent for a long few moments before speaking again in a solemn tone. “Jamie, I’m sorry for what has happened to you. You were stolen from your home and family, and have been forced to live in a world you do not understand for quite possibly the rest of your days.”
I sighed and shook my head as I rubbed my hand up through the translucent mane of the night princess. “It’s not your fault, Princess Luna. Equis chose to keep me here for a reason, and if I’m going to be stuck here, I’m going to make it a point to make this life worth living.” I then caught her eye and smirked. “Even if I’m good for little more than being the friend of two princesses of Equestria”
I felt as one of Princess Luna’s large blue wings unfolded and draped across my shoulders, and she offered me a gentle smile. “You act as if this the end of your life. Dear Jamie, this is only the beginning. You began as a mere human, only to became something else, and are now seeing a world that most of your kind could only dream of. Where you might begin as a confidant to the princesses of Equestria, you may end up the general of an army, or a politician that will rewrite laws to benefit everypony.” She then went silent for a moment and added, “Or perhaps a quiet life with a wife and foal would be more your choice.”
I sighed and shook my head. “No wife and no children, princess. I’m the only human here, remember?”
“And why should that keep you from having a family?” she asked in confusion, clearly not understanding how I felt on the matter.
I turned my eyes back to the city spread around the palace. “It’s nothing against ponies, highness. I’m just not attracted to your kind is all. Twilight told me that Equestria’s pretty open when it comes to interspecies dating and marriages, but for humans it’s very strict. It’s so ingrained in my mind from a lifetime on Earth that it might as well be a behavioral gene. So the fact stands that if by some crazy chance I would one day want to settle down with somebody here, I just can’t. No matter how I would try to see things, the fact remains that in my eyes, we’ll always just be too different.”
She nodded a few times before planting her rump on the floor and turning to face me. “What I am about to say will be one of those things you may not wish to hear, but I pray that you will listen anyway, for it is important.” I felt a little nervous about how she introduced what was to come, but nodded anyway, so she continued. “Jamie, I have lived already many times longer than your kind lives in one life. I have seen things that most ponies would think are mere imagination or legend, and I have done things that most ponies would never believe.” She tightened her wing around me slightly as she said, “If that time has taught me anything, it is that all things change with time. Who you are now is not who you will be a week from now. Small things about us change every day as we grow, learn, and adapt to life. You may find that when you look back on this moment, you will laugh at this memory, as well as how hopeless you seemed.” Princess Luna brought a hoof up and pressed it against my bare chest. “At the current time, you see the lack of humans as the reason for why you cannot find a love in your life, whether now or in the future. I however think that the problem is not the lack of humans here, but the inflexibility of your own mind, and I agree with you that it is not something you can control.” She then smiled gently and nuzzled my face fleetingly. “But, I also believe that if you wish to change that at some point, it will change. Be not a prisoner of your own mind, Jamie. It is both your greatest weapon and greatest downfall.”
I snorted in annoyance and rolled my eyes. “A person can’t just change their mind about something that’s been subconsciously ingrained into their mind their entire life.”
She pursed her lips before nodding. “Perhaps you’re right...unless he or she wishes to think differently. I believe you vastly underestimate the power of one’s own willpower. Perhaps when you have found a reason to see a pony as something besides just that, you will have found your mental salvation.”
I rolled my eyes again, but was unwilling to pull away from her warm, feathered embrace. “You make it sound like I’m crazy or something.”
She shrugged before finally removing her wing and pulling away slightly. “None can considered completely sane, having gone through what you have and surviving.” Her expression then turned pensive as she mused, “Although, I’ve always found the term ‘insane’ rather provocative. Many of those deemed insane simply see the world differently than the majority. Is that such a horrible thing?” She then looked to me again with a smile. “I think not. The word ‘normal’ is overrated, as is the state of being it describes. I have always tended to gravitate towards the more eccentric, myself.” Princess Luna then nudged me away gently. “Now, you must groom yourself while I put together your new suit. I expect you back here promptly when you are finished. Shudder will lead you to the guest quarters, where you can take care of your needs.”
Before I could speak, one of the night guards stepped forward and nodded to me, her bat-like wings quivering slightly. “I am First Lieutenant Shudder. You will follow me.”
Her statement was a command instead of a request, and with how intimidating her and the other guards could be, I thought it better to keep my mouth shut and do as I was told. So, not really knowing where I was going just yet, I opted to follow the guard silently as she led me through the winding halls of the palace.
When the two of us arrived at a different part of the palace ‒ which was much less “royal”-looking ‒ Shudder opened a rather unremarkable wooden door to reveal a room that was larger than any bedroom I’d ever stayed in. I bet the princess’ was larger, but it was still a sight to see.
“I assume you can handle everything yourself, yes?” the guard asked as we walked in the room.
I turned to her and nodded. “Yeah. I don’t need help bathing, if that’s what you’re asking.”
She nodded. “Good. I’ll wait here while you groom yourself. When you’re finished, we’ll make our way to Princess Luna’s study again, where I predict she will have finished by then.”
I nodded and retreated to the bathroom, which again was larger than any I had used before. I decided that ogling the sheer size of the palace and its rooms could wait. Princess Luna had asked me to return as soon as I was done, and I wasn’t one to refuse a request from a princess.
As I looked over the different soaps and shampoos scattered about, I sighed ruefully. “Looks like you’re gonna smell like a girl again, Jamie.”
As a guy secure in his own masculinity, I could admit a few things to myself. Glitter and rainbows were pretty. Flowers were nice, and the smell of feminine-scented care products were awesome. But, be it an innate instinct or a cultural thing, I loved the smell of the cucumber, melon, and lavender soap. I didn’t, however, want to make a habit of smelling like that. I suppose I couldn't complain though. The soaps and towels were provided to me and Princess Luna herself was working to make me a suit of some sort for some big thing that was going to happen.
Beggars can’t be choosers, after all.
When I emerged clean, dry, and dressed from the bathroom, it was to come upon Shudder, the night guard, in the same spot she had been in when I had left. These guards were likely to stay still as statues for their entire shifts, unless ordered to do otherwise. It amazed me just how diligent they were, as well as how they could stand stock-still for hours on end, rarely even blinking.
Shudder’s catlike golden eyes landed on me as I approached, and she jerked her head towards the door. “If there’s nothing else, we must meet Princess Luna in her study. She will be expecting you.”
I nodded and followed the pony as she trotted out the door and again through the winding halls of the palace.
This time, I paid attention to where we were going. By the positive reaction I’d gotten from the princesses, I had a feeling that knowing my way around the palace would work to my advantage. So I attempted to memorize the route we took to get to our destination...and failed miserably.
“How do you find your way around here?” I muttered under my breath.
Shudder heard me, and snorted a short laugh. “A lot of practice, that’s how. By air, it’s easy to get anywhere you might need. By hoof, it’s a maze in here. I’m still not sure what the original architects were thinking, but then it isn't my place to question the layout of the royal palace.”
“Maybe it should be,” I grumbled loudly, “this place is a nightmare to navigate.”
She hummed another soft laugh through her nose as we continued our journey, and I couldn’t help but notice just how different this part of the palace was from the area where the guest quarters were. It was almost as if…
“This is new, isn’t it?” I asked. When Shudder looked back at me, I gestured to the walls and ceiling. “All of this. It’s newer than the rest of the place.”
Shudder turned her eyes skyward as she looked over the white marble arches that made up the ceiling. “It was rebuilt after the changeling invasion. I was still in training when it happened, but I heard all about it. It was for that reason that all unicorns guarding the palace were taught spells to detect changeling magic, so that we could never be infiltrated by changelings again.”
The mention of changelings sparked a bit of history Twilight had introduced me to. “Changelings are shape-shifters, right?”
Shudder nodded, but kept her eyes facing forward. “They are. They can mimic the form of any creature of similar size to themselves, which mostly counts as ponies. They use this ability to hide among the common populace, replacing unsuspecting ponies in their everyday lives and soaking up the positive emotions ‒ mostly love ‒ that would be directed towards the target pony. In that capacity, they are parasites, and they need us to survive.” She then sighed as her ears flopped down and her head lowered a bit. “A part of me understands why they do what they do, but another part of me can’t help but think that there must be another way to do it ‒ a way that would work for them without being detrimental to the host.”
I nodded as I rolled the thought around. “Sounds like something you should think on and maybe bring it before the princess when you have something more concrete.”
She nodded curtly. “My life is for Equestria and its princesses. Anything I can do to assist them in making sure our home is kept safe and strong is a welcome task.” Without my knowledge, we had already arrived at the large oaken doors that led to Princess Luna’s study, and Shudder motioned me inside. “Here we are. Best not to keep the princess waiting.”
I nodded and pushed the doors open, stepping inside the room to see the night princess levitating a few dozen different pieces of cloth, needles, thread, yarn, and the notes she had taken earlier as she squinted through the black glasses that sat on her muzzle. She looked up at me and nodded, using her wing to wave me over, and I stepped gingerly around the different objects floating about, taking particular care around the needles.
I took a look around, still somewhat awed at the sheer power of magic itself, and smiled. “You’ve been pretty busy.”
Princess Luna nodded with a smile as she looked back to her work. “If I know my sister, the ceremony will not be for a few days at least, but ‘tis better to be prepared ahead of time, so as to account for any unknown variables. Hence, I wish to finish this as soon as possible, for both our sakes.”
I nodded and sat down on one of the sitting cushions around, and thought for a moment before asking, “So what’s going to happen with Twilight? I assume that she’s going to become an alicorn again now. So what, is she going to be a princess too?”
Princess Luna nodded with a smile. “Yes. My sister has been grooming her to be a princess since the day she was born, and the time has come for her to take up her responsibilities. We need her assistance, and we feel she is finally ready to be what she was meant to be.”
I nodded once before asking, “And do you think your sister will tell her everything?”
She shrugged as she continued stitching the clothing up, which was slowly taking shape into something a little more recognizable to me. “I am unsure. While I believe it would be best for her to be completely honest with Twilight, it is also not my place to reveal that information. It is personal to both of them, so I will wait until Tia decides it is time...whenever that may be.”
I smirked a bit. “So you’re going to be ‘Auntie Luna’ then.”
The princess giggled lightly as she replied, “Yes. I will admit, that title will take some getting used to. It has been far too long since I have been given such an informal title, but I admit that it is quite an attractive idea.”
I stared at the princess for a moment before grumbling and shaking my head. “See, this is what’s bothering me. My brain is telling me that you and your sister are thousands of years old, but when I talk to either of you, it’s like you’re younger than me sometimes. Not that it’s a problem of course, it’s just an odd feeling for me. I have to remind myself that the both of you are older than I’ll ever be.”
She smiled as she continued working. “I shall take that as a compliment then.” After a moment, she pulled the pins and needles away from the suit that was taking shape, and held it up in front of me. “Now, let us see how this is coming together.”
I spread out my arms as she draped the jacket over me, and snaked my arms through the sleeves. Princess Luna used her magic and wingtips to adjust the jacket on my frame as I stood still, and watched as she squinted her eyes and looked over how it fit me. After a moment she levitated a quill to jot something down on a scroll before gently pulling the jacket off of me and setting it aside.
By now I wasn’t all that nervous about being in my underwear in front of the princess, as it was clear there were no innuendos I was missing out on, and neither did feel I had to worry about embarrassing myself or her as I kicked off my shoes and shorts before stepping into and pulling up the silver dress slacks. I took note of just how smooth the fabric was as it caressed my skin, and smiled as Princess Luna looked me over.
“I must say, it has turned out quite well for an evening project.” she commented with a wide grin. The princess took a short walk around me with an appraising eye before smiling and nodding to herself. “I may be only a novice when making clothing for ponies, but I must say that I am quite adept at creating clothing for non-ponies.”
“Careful princess, a fat head wouldn’t look too good with your body style.” I commented with a smirk.
She snorted and held her head high in a haughty manner. “I am allowed to be proud of something other than the night, thank you very much. Even a princess must have her vices, after all.” She then grinned mischievously at me and added, “But if you are so keen to continue your verbal assault, I must warn you that I have my own ammunition.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Like what? Are you going to make fun of the fact I wear clothes or that I snore or something?”
Princess Luna’s smile remained, which worried me.
“Oh not that,” she began ominously, “but there is the fact that a certain mutual friend of ours has told me that you enjoy singing in the shower. Loudly, I might add...in falsetto.”
My mouth snapped shut at that new piece of information, and I eyed her nervously for a few moments. “Okay, truce. I promise to stop ragging on you if you promise to never tell another soul about my shower activities.”
She extended her hoof, which I took and shook firmly before releasing. The princess then waited until I slipped the slacks off before levitating them away and folding them, quickly jotting down a few more notes before placing the quill in the inkwell and rolling up the scroll. I quickly dressed myself in my normal clothes before noticing she was looking out the window with a smile.
“My sister has returned, it seems.” she stated with a tinge of excitement.
I turned my eyes toward the window to see that indeed, a large white figure was flying towards us from the sky over Ponyville, her form easily distinguishable from the darkness of evening. As I watched, she flared her wings just outside the window before folding them and shooting inside, causing me to have to dive out of the way to avoid her.
“She is herself again, Luna! She’s back!” the solar princess exclaimed giddily. As I rolled over to stand up, I saw her prancing in place with a wide smile on her face like a filly who just found out she was going out for ice cream. It was oddly entertaining to say the least, and I had to fight to keep from laughing aloud. Princess Celestia then looked over at me and her eyes widened as she nearly tripped over herself trying to scurry over to me. “Oh, I am so sorry Jamie! Are you injured?”
I chuckled and waved her away as I stood. “My arm’s a little sore from landing on it, but a bruise isn’t going to kill me. I’m fine, princess. Besides, it’s not everyday I get to see royalty act like a little kid.”
She blushed slightly as she attempted to regain her regal demeanor. “Apologies. This is simply one of the most important things that has happened in my life since Luna’s return.”
I shrugged. “You’re allowed to be excited. And I’m not hurt, so it’s all good.”
Princess Celestia smiled before looking to her sister. “So, how was your day?”
Princess Luna motioned to me with her head. “I fitted him for the ceremony, which I assume is in a few days time.”
The elder sister nodded with a smile. “On Sunday, actually. Twilight has a few things to take care of beforehand, and I wish to give us all time to truly come to terms with such a large change.”
I nodded with a smile before a thought came to mind that made me frown. “Wait, if she’s going to be royalty now, does that mean she’s moving away?”
Princess Celestia looked over at me curiously. “That’s up to her, actually. Are you worried you won’t have a place to stay anymore?”
I shook my head. “No. If I need to, I can figure something out. It’s just...she and I have become pretty close since I’ve been living with her. She’s quirky, but she’s a friend. I don’t want to have to travel all the way to Canterlot just to see her is all, and I’m sure the rest of her friends would agree.”
The elder princess smiled and nodded. “I understand that, and as I said, it’s up to her. The duties I have in mind for Twilight can be done from wherever she wishes. There is no law or rule stating she must move to Canterlot simply because she is royalty. In fact, I think it would be better for everypony ‒ herself included ‒ if she stayed in Ponyville. Since making friends, she has become a pony for the people. She thinks of others before herself, and has never used her standing as my protege for personal gain. I believe it would work to her benefit to stay around the ponies she has come to care for, and the town she now calls home. She needs them as much as they need her, and so taking her away from her friends and home would be a mistake.”
I raised my eyebrow at the very thought. “But won’t your ponies think it’s weird that a princess is living in Ponyville instead of Canterlot?”
Princess Celestia smiled and just barely stifled a giggle behind her hoof. “You let me worry about them. You just worry about making sure Twilight is well taken care of. Brilliant though she may be, I am sure you can agree that she can be rather naive at times.”
I barked a laugh and nodded. “Yeah. It’s that innocence that I kinda like about her though. She hasn’t seen a lot of the things I’ve seen, and so her view of the world as a whole is largely uncorrupted. Being as cynical as I am, it’s nice to be able to be around someone who isn’t so jaded that nothing surprises them anymore.”
“And just what have you seen, Jamie?” Princess Luna asked as she stood beside her sister. “We know so little of your past...it is as if you are a ghost. All we know it that you come from a land known as the United States, you are known as a human, and you were born with a condition that caused fragile bones. We know much about your world, but so little about you personally.”
The mention of my personal past made me a little nervous, and in an attempt to shield myself from the anxiety, I grabbed my shirt off the floor and quickly put it on. “Um...w-what do you want to know?”
“Let us start with something simple.” Princess Celestia stated gently, slowly plodding over before seating herself beside me. “Tell us why you are so reticent towards us concerning your personal life. While it is true that everypony deserves privacy, you seem so walled-off from anypony who tries to get close to you. Why is that?”
This was definitely not what I wanted to be talking about...ever...with anyone.
“Ask about something else.” I muttered coldly, unwilling to speak anything on the matter. Had I not been distracted by my own inner turmoil, I would have been shocked at the fact I had blatantly ‒ and rudely ‒ refused the princesses without explanation.
“Very well.” Princess Luna replied as her smile fell away. “Tell us of the one thing you wish to have of this life of yours.”
I grit my teeth at the answer that was to come. “To go home to my family and friends...who no longer exist anyway.”
Princess Luna walked to stand beside me, and both her and her sister’s wings draped over my back as she said, “You must find a way to move past this, Jamie. Unfair though your fate may have been, this unhealthy longing for that which has passed will eventually destroy you.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head with a frown. “Neither of you have been stolen from your home, so you wouldn’t understand. It’s something you can’t just get over. It’ll always hurt, and I’ll always miss it.”
“I was banished for a thousand years,” Princess Luna retorted, “and returned to a world changed, and all of my friends passed away.”
Without opening my eyes, I pointed a finger to Princess Celestia. “Yes, but you still had her when you returned. No matter what happens from here on out, I’ll never be able to reach out to a family member again, or know that somewhere in the world, my family line lives strong. It’s just me here.” I opened my eyes and felt them stinging with building tears. “I’ve never thought it was all that important to prove my existence by way of some great act or something, but I still want to be remembered when I’m gone. I don’t want to just be forgotten, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen, isn’t it? There’s no other humans here, and no family to carry on my name. It’s just me...and when I’m gone, that’ll be all she wrote. It’ll be like I never existed.” The mere thought of ceasing to exist in every form caused a little part of my heart to break, and the tears began to fall as I mourned the future loss of my very existence. True that when the time came, I wouldn’t know it was happening, but the thought of such a future alone was enough to cause me pain. So many ponies would remember the weird human thing that knew the fabled Elements of Harmony, but no one would remember Jamie…
“We will keep the memory of you alive, Jamie.” Princess Celestia’s voice spoke in an oddly reverent tone. “And through your memory, you will never die.”
The younger princess nudged me gently and added, “I am sure that Twilight too will never forget you. Regardless of what you believe, you have made quite a large impact on the ponies that have come to know you. Stories of you will be passed down through the ages.” She went silent for a moment before placing her hoof on my cheek and turning me to look at her, and her turquoise eyes were shining brightly in the moonlight. “But if you truly wish to make your stamp on history, make it happen. Make it so that you are such a part of Equestria’s history that history itself cannot be taught without mentioning you.”
I rolled my eyes, albeit it probably looked pretty foolish with tears in them. “I don’t want to be some great hero, princess. I just want ponies to remember that one time, there was a guy named Jamie that meant something to someone somewhere. That’s it...nothing more, nothing less.”
“And instead of one someone, you have eight.” Princess Celestia commented gently.
I wiped the tears away and sniffled to keep from dripping any snot, and turned my eyes to the white alicorn to my right. “Say what now?”
Princess Celestia simply smiled and stepped away from me, looking to her sister. “May I show him, Luna?”
The night princess seemed to consider something for a moment before nodding. “You may.”
Princess Celestia’s horn lit up with a golden glow as she levitated a small, unassuming wooden chest from the corner of the room. The chest was so unassuming in fact, that I had figured it to simply be part of the bookcase next to it. When it clicked open though, I found it to be quite different than the rest of the bookcase.
“Wow,” I breathed in surprise, “that’s a lot of scrolls.”
“It is…and they’re all about you.” the tall white alicorn answered.
I looked at her in confusion and my mouth dropped open a bit. “I beg your pardon, but it sounded like you said there’s a chest full of scrolls written about me.”
One by one the scrolls began to float out. “I did, and there are.” She looked over the scrolls as they levitated out and said, “They are written by the Elements ‒ some more than others.” A scroll wrapped in a light blue ribbon floated in front of her face, and she unwrapped it with a smile. “Ah, this is one of my favorites:
Dear Princess Celestia,
I’ve been hanging around Jamie a lot lately, and he seems really down about something. He won’t tell any of us though, and I thought maybe you might be able to help. Problems with a friend isn’t normally something I’d write to you about, but the rest of the girls are stumped too, and...well, he’s pretty important to all of us, isn’t he? I think that maybe you might be able to send me some advice about what to do or what to say, ‘cause I’m not sure what to do about it, but I want to help him.
Rainbow Dash”
She rolled the scroll back up and wrapped it in the ribbon again before placing it on the floor along with all the others. “There is at least one scroll from every one of the Elements-bearers, with some writing more than others.” She looked at some writing on the outside of the scroll and asked, “This one is dated for the fifth of last month. What had you so troubled during that time?”
I swallowed hard and muttered, “It was my birthday.”
Princess Celestia frowned. “I did not know about this.”
“Because I never told anyone.” I answered softly.
Princess Luna pulled away from me next, and stood beside her sister, also frowning. “And why not? Did you not wish to celebrate your day of birth?”
I shrugged as I sniffled again and wiped the last of the tears away. “I didn’t see the point, really. Without my family there, it would seem hollow. I probably would have just ended up miserable.”
The sun princess’ frown deepened as she motioned to the scrolls. “Out of all these, many of them belong to Rainbow Dash ‒ even more than Twilight. She was quite worried about you. So forgive me for saying so, but it seems that your decision to attempt to avoid a distressing situation did not work as well as you might have hoped. Rainbow Dash seems closer to you than the others, and I cannot in good conscience tell you some of the things she confided to us in regards to you. Suffice to say she was very worried, and felt helpless that she could do nothing to aid you.”
Though I couldn’t read the language, I looked down at the rolled-up scrolls anyway, as if doing so would reveal their contents to me. “Why is she so worried about me?”
“Loyalty.” answered Princess Luna’s voice. “Her drive to be loyal to those she holds dear to her heart moves her to tend to their wounds, both physical and otherwise. She cares for you more than you might think, Jamie. She has said she sees so much in you that she sees in herself.”
I raised my eyebrow in interest. “Like what?”
Princess Luna shook her head. “That is for her to tell, not us. Perhaps you should ask her, when the coronation of Princess Twilight Sparkle is concluded.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Princess Twilight. That’s going to take some getting used to. To me she’ll still just be a nerdy librarian who has a weakness for red velvet cake.”
Both princesses giggled behind their respective hooves before Princess Celestia said, “And I suspect that is exactly how she would wish to be seen. It is one of the things that will make her a wonderful princess.”
I smiled and nodded gently. “Yeah. How is she taking all this, by the way?”
“As you would expect.” Princess Celestia remarked with a smirk.
I snorted a laugh. “So she’s freaking out?”
“Oh yes, very much so.” she said before giggling madly. “I fear a bit for Spike’s safety, to be honest.”
I shrugged. “Ah, he’ll be fine. You know kids, they’re made of rubber. And he’s a dragon, so he’ll bounce right back...out of fire.” Again both princesses giggled, but were interrupted as I yawned loudly. I looked out the window to see the moon about to set, and I gasped. “Damn, it’s almost morning. I haven’t been up this long since I was in college.”
Princess Luna trotted over to me and nudged my shoulder gently with her nose. “Well then, I will show you to your quarters for the day.”
I offered no resistance as I was ushered out of Princess Luna’s study, and again through the maze of corridors that made up the palace.
Unfortunately, the night had decided to catch up with me, and exhaustion made me a little belligerent...and weird.
“But mooooom, I’m not even tired!” I whined pitifully as I nearly crawled into the room, which was oddly the same one I had showered in earlier.
I couldn’t tell whether the night princess was playing along or being serious when she ordered, “Into bed with you Jamie, or no ice cream tomorrow.”
I pouted and relented, unzipping and kicking off my shorts before removing my shoes, socks, and shirt...in that order. I was too tired to care that I nearly busted my ass trying to hop over to the bed with my shorts around my ankles and my shoes still on, but in the back of my mind I knew that I was going to get hazing from one or both of the princesses because of it.
Too tired...worry about it later.
As I laid into the large circular bed, I couldn’t help but muse over how abnormally large it was...only to remember that it was designed with ponies in mind, not humans. Before I could cover up though, I found myself being gently tucked in by Princess Luna herself. Though in honesty I couldn’t really think of her like a mother or even an aunt or something, the gesture was oddly soothing, and served well to pacify me.
The princess’ face then filled my dimming vision, and she smiled gently. “Sleep now, Jamie. When you wake, we will speak of what is to come, and your place in all of it. I will watch your dreams to be sure they are pleasant.”
Before she could walk away, I stopped her with a simple, “Wait.” Again her face filled my vision, and I asked, “When you said that I meant something to eight ponies around here, who are the other two?”
She smiled gently before nuzzling my face. “A confidant is someone Tia and I can speak to who we trust, and care for.” The princess leaned in close, and I felt a soft, moist warmth on my cheek. The princess then pulled away and softly trotted away, closing the door behind her as she left the room.
Wait a minute...did she just kiss me?
‘Sleep now, think later.’
Right...sleepy time...
Kiss.... yes.... Is it wrong that my rather sleep deprived mind wanders which/how many mares he may end up with, and that it's rooting for Luna or Twilight?
Now, the quirks about my over-the-top love of romance aside, good chapter in general. Not much content wise, but it gave us some more insight into the characters themselves, and was a good read. Enjoyable as always.
3188702 Well, I wanted to play off of a few things in the canon that took place, namely the lack of a timeframe between Twilight becoming an alicorn and the coronation. It never says what amount of time passed...a week? A day? No one knows. Also, my focus here is weaving Jamie into the story in such a way that you could actually watch the show, then look at this story and say, "Yeah...it could happen." And no, it's not wrong that you're wondering such things. After all, I've purposefully been rather shadowed regarding the potential for romance between the characters, and from what I understand, Twilight and Luna are two of your favorite characters overall. Besides, it would be rather boring if I just skipped straight to the coronation, wouldn't it? That's forgetting the fact that as a reader, you know so little about Jamie as a person, other than his behavior.
Jamie's in denial. He's eventually going to have... relations... with a pony, whether he likes it or not. Not only will he be wanting companionship, he's just going to get...
Well, he's just going to get too horny, lol
I have mixed feels. Mostly good though. On one hand I'm not entirely enthused with where this story seems to be going. I was mostly expecting some sort of (good) repetitious daily slice of life thing between him and the ponies of ponyville. Doesn't seem like it right now. Or maybe it's not really changing, just a quick deviation before everything goes back to ponyville/normal (just /w a twilycorn now). On the other hand, there was so much feels and d'awww that even my cold dead soul brightened and smiled. Namely, all the loving warmth that the 2 princesses shared with him was so wonderful I don't care where the heck this story is going. Moar lurve plz!
3188807 It's a proven scientific fact that the average man has a sexual thought at least once every ten seconds. So yes, that pressure is building up, whether he admits it or not.
3188812 This is a bit of an intermission right now, and will pick up where S3 of the canon left off. This and the previous two chapters have been simply setting the groundwork for what is to come, as well as giving you a little more insight into developing relationships, as well as Jamie's persona as a whole.
3188821
Yeah, I'm a guy, trust me, I know lol.
So there are at least eight ponies that care (Somewhat) deeply about Jamie; the six and two princesses. But there is also Vinyl to think about even possibly Octavia but I think she is more a best friend sort of deal. You've been rather vague about whom actually might consider Jamie as 'more' than a friend. As of now, I can see Rainbow, Twilight, Vinyl, as the current ones most likely for potential romance. Then again there is also the princesses to consider but I doubt that. Luna possibly; Celestia not at all. There is also the matter of which direction you are going to take this particular part of the story in. Jamie plus one or Jamie plus, plus, plus, etc... (I.E. Mono or Poly)
Regardless, I really am enjoying this story and would like to thank you for helping me get back motivated to updating my story as well.
Can't wait for the next chapter!!! Cheers!!
~8chill
Not much happened in this chapter but we have some look at characters so it was overall good.
Jamie really is stupid sometimes not even thinking that he may find ponies attractive after some time. Especially when he is stuck there for good. Few years and it's done. Especialy with the fact that ponies are simply cute and don't look like horses that much, not to mention their faces. Besides, people are attracted to personalities as well. Aaand like someone said, when you love someone you learn how to love everything about that person. As long as alien race is not uterrly disgusting and mating with them not means being ripped by larvae from the inside, most humans would addapt after time.
Don't start though about him not having kids. He more likely is not going to be compatible with ponies to make an offspring but nothing is stopping from adoption.
Sexual tension? He have hands ffs.
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I'm confused. Just how long has he been in Canterlot?
He went there when The Mane Six went to deal with Sombra.
How much of a time-jump are you making?
3188828 The princesses are not omniscient. They only know of eight ponies -- the six Elements, plus themselves. Though they all care for him, I've put specific emphasis on certain characters for a reason. The story with Vinyl and Octavia will pick up Saturday night (which is two days away in the story) and from there, it's anyone's guess what might happen. Maybe Jamie and Vinyl will make up, or maybe she'll decide his lack of care for her isn't worth it. Maybe Octavia will side with her friend, with Jamie, or stay neutral. No one knows yet, but I will tell you that it's going to be interesting all the same.
Up front though, I will tell you that if Jamie decides to take more than one of the ponies as his mate, it won't happen for a long, long time. As a person, the mere idea of polygamy is weird to him, almost as much as feeling romantic affection for someone that looks similar to the equines of Earth. He's going to battle with those for quite some time, but you'll soon see the beginnings of romance cropping up...starting with Saturday night at the club. I won't say with who yet, but I'm sure you will figure it out after that chapter.
Nevermind. I'm mixing it up with a different fic.
I need to find a better way to keep track of them.
3188842 And I understand that, but you must realize that some people aren't so open to such ideas. Some people's brains just can't even fathom such things, and so it's not even revulsion they feel, but just the acceptance that it will never happen. That's just the way some people are, as sad as it is.
As far as adopting a filly to raise, that issue goes back to a more primal need in the human psyche. We as a species have learned that it's perfectly fine to adopt a child that is without parents, but instinctually, we generally feel more comfortable making our own. To be able to look at a child that you helped create...it's something some people feel adoption doesn't replicate.
3188844 Check back on the chapters. He's been in Canterlot since Twilight left to deal with her friends on her own. You might want to read the past chapters over again to make sure you have the story right.
3188857 Oh I know. That's why even if with loving family/herd it's going to be hard if he want his own child one day... not to mention his partner, not too good if you can't give your loved one any child of their own.
And yeah I suppose some humans could go whole life with no mates except for friends in such situation, after all we are humans, everyone is diffrent. I personally would like to see people who had fantasies about ponies(sentient, not looking like ours little uglies xD) interacting with ponykind. Hah I bet that most of them would be to scared to do thing even if pony literally would jump on them xD
Seem like I really like to go on with offtop things.
Oh, romance starting on Saturday night at the club? Gee, I wonder which prismatic winged equine could possibly be there.
3189011 Maybe, maybe not. Readers do know that Vinyl will be there, and Octavia, but besides that, who knows. Would make things interesting though, for one reason or another.
3189029 who knows? You do silly! But yeah, I knew Vinyl and Tavi would be there, but from the impression I got from those scrolls from Dash was that she cared the most about him. Also, doesn't Vinyl and Tavi sorta hate him at the moment?
3189067 Octavia was the one that comforted him after Vinyl kicked him out, remember? And as far as Rainbow Dash, what's to say just because she cares so much about him that she wants him?
3189110 Both valid points, I suppose only time will tell. :3
3189122 That it will. You will enjoy.
I thought the transition from laughing about Twilight to being angry about them asking about his past to crying was a little too abrupt, they seemed rather..... clunky. I wonder if RD will be embarrassed if she finds out that the princess read her letter to Jamie? The latter half of the chapter, in terms of writing, seems rather different from the rest, I just can't put my finger on it.
I do have to wonder if you will add in Equestria Girls. That little portal in the Crystal Empire to a 'human' world and if he'd go. As a guide of sorts you see.
3189208 It is a first-person story, and is meant to reflect the protagonist's feelings. You can't honestly think that Jamie going through such a massive life-changing experience didn't leave him with a bit of mental instability, did you?
As far as the writing style, I changed the music I was listening to from "Iconoclast" by Symphony X to "Iconoclast" by Heaven Shall Burn during the chapter. That might be it, or it could be the fact that I was hopped up on Percocet in an attempt to alleviate post-surgery pain.
3189214 No, but there will be contact with the human world again. Worry not.
The part where he told the princesses of how noone would remember HIM as a person and how he was the last of humanity and that Everything will end with him.....it was just intense, i imagened myself in his clothes and dang it, it cut Deep, REALLY Deep.
EXELLENT work on this chapter, i loved it.
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3189292 As regular, first-world people, we tend to take such a thing for granted. Most of us have medium to large families, friends, and even acquaintances who would miss us if we were gone. To them, the mere fact that we exist is a reason to tell stories to others about us. For Jamie, he believes he has none of that. Now for any reader worth his/her salt, one can see that he has quite a few ponies that care for him, and simply because of the fact that he's so unique -- in both form and personality -- he would remain etched into some part of history. However, the mere thought of knowing that you are the only one of your kind, and that when you're gone, that's it for your species and family line...it's soul-crushing on an instinctual level. It is something we would all go through to varying degrees, were we put into the same situation.
Awesome chapter. I egearly await the next addition to this story.
Fun fact: if a adult male human goes seven days without a ' release' his testosterone levels go up by forty five percent. This info has nothing to do with anything, i just thought you could use it some how. I'm sorry i have not went to sleep yet... my brain tends to wonder.
3190154 Yeah. It's why men that get laid regularly tend to be calmer.
Is there going to be any more interesting developments? Does Jamie still look like a vampire with his canines? Or was that a different story. That moment just seems so disconnected from this part of the story that I forgot that he still has them... Right?
3190314 Yes, Jamie looks a bit like a vampire at the moment, and for imagination's sake, you can imagine it affecting his speech just a bit.
Ah stubbornness, one of humanity's greatest strengths as well as its greatest weakness; a blessing and a curse at the same time. He continues to see the smaller picture instead of stepping back to see the master piece he now inhabits. For all he knows, genetically these ponies might be able to reproduce with human kind. So closed off, oh well. When his stubbornness runs out, I shall be there to offer my traditional "troll face."
Seems like the girls are taking quite the liking to him... Perhaps more so than we originally thought. Were many of us there, we would smack him to snap him out of it. Though, female ponies appear to be... Less violent than male humans despite the role reversal; Vinyl Scratch excluded of course.
3190999 Luna wants to make copes with out dear human, the midnight boogie, rock the bout,and bump uglies
3190326 That's not good enough!
(Why is the rum gone?)
You have to make reference to them throughout your story, otherwise the reader might completely forget about it. I am exhibit A. Without further mention it just makes it seem like a last minute unnecessary addition.
3189794
All to true, i myself have decided to not start a family, but i do know for a fact that my siblings will most likley have Children in a later Point in Life, so i know the family will go on.
However, just as you said knowing that your family linage is long gone, knowing that ALL of humanity is gone, and the fact that you are the very last and once you are gone there won't ever be a human around ever again.......i can't even begin to describe the feelings one would have in that situation.
Sure he has several friends that deeply care for him, but no matter how much intergrated he get's in their society he will still in one way or Another still be a bit of a outsider.
3190326 Ah yes that reminds me, 2 and a half inches? that seems a bit large to have in your mouth in place of your canines doesn't it? One and a half or just one seems like it would work rather better otherwise they would stick right the hell out there and make him look like a scary/goofy looking guy with those hanging out there. A dentist visit is what's needed there to grind them fuckers down some.
3188821 i made it twenty seconds one
3190326 That's not good enough!
(Why is the rum gone?)
You have to make subtle references to everything that's important throughout the story. Otherwise it just makes it seem like an unecessary last minute addition.
Have him remark on them from time to time, put in a little joke where he scares the living daylight out of some pony, have some pony else comment on them, you can even just have a short quip saying that eating is either better or worse since his teeth improved.
Also, do the same with his titanium bones. If you don't it just makes it look like you simply don't care.
3194361 Full tooth is 2 1/2 inches. From gum to tip, it's 1 1/2.
3195761 Yeah, I'd go in and specify that cause having even a one inch tooth from gum to tip would mess with your speech patterns and regular mouth movements. It'd be more annoying if you ask me.
3188821
You do realize that once Season 4 comes out you'll probably need to put an AU tag on this right?
3201894 Yeah, I know. Although it would be pretty rad if parts of my story became canon.
I just want you to know this is my current favorite story on this site.Thank you for writing it and sharing it with us.
3225133 You're most welcome. 'tis a joy to write these stories, and to hear from my readers.
Just read the whole story so far, and I'm really enjoying it. I can see a lot of myself in the way Jamie is acting- stubborn git... Anyhow, I can't wait for the next chapter, so consider the story liked and faved.
3243304 I can do it all in my head, but that's not the point. Jamie is good with numbers, but you must realize that not everyone is good at mental math. Some people might still get the answer right, but they need to write it out and see it. It's just the way some people's minds work.
3193023 Sounds like I want that to happen, but I don't think it will.
Side note, What is an AU tag?
3260137 i don't know
3260137 An AU tag means "Alternate Universe", and refers to anything that contradicts canon.
3261161 Ah, I see, thank you. Excellent story, can't wait for more! This story is my favorite so far! Keep it up!