Semper Paratus

by Eyes in the Dark

Chapter 5: Soldier's Tale

,,,^..^,,,

Twilight and Spike had made a few sandwiches and snacks for the train ride and Spike had grudgingly been tasked to open the library 'with' owlowiscious this time. Daniel had collected all his gear and strapped on his backpack much to the perplexity of Twilight who told him they 'would' be coming back. He shrugged and told her that he was always ready... for anything.

The two left the library and made their way to the train station as Celestia's sun made an appearance on the far horizon. There were a few other ponies up as early and Daniel took a seat on a bench furthest from them to wait. Discord was not far behind as he totted a small carpet bag that looked oddly like a prop from a certain Disney movie about a magical nanny. Daniel hadn't seen any of the stacks of papers they had been working on so he assumed either he or Twilight had everything stashed away.

Twilight came around the corner a few minutes later with a few tickets and sat on the bench next to Daniel while Discord yawned blearily and mumbled about being up so early. All three heads turned as heavy hoof steps approached on the platform.

"Apple Jack? What are you doing here?" Twilight looked around Daniel at the cowpony balancing a basket on her back.

"Mornin' yall, ah know ah can't make tha trip but ah figured ah'd bring a few prime apples bah fer snackin' on." She swung the basket effortlessly off her back and set it in front of Daniel.

"And ah wanted ta make sure Dan'el knew how much ah appreciated his help yesterday so there's a few fritters in there too."

Daniel picked up the basket and opened the side to be greeted by a still steamy-hot pastry. He would have loved a good cup of coffee to go with it but that would have to wait. He was about to lift one out when his fingers touched a folded piece of paper on the side. His pause at the note caused Apple Jack to interject before any awkward questions could be asked.

"Uh yeah, so that there's fer ya Dan'el an' ah rekcon ah need to be goin'," her face started to turn red as she stammered on and back peddled, "...apples on tha farm ain't gonna buck themselves! Heh, yall have a nice trip!"

The group was rather surprised by AJ's peculiar behavior and Daniel suspected the note which he moved to his cargo pocket without either of his travel buddies seeing it.

"Well that sure was uncharacteristic of AJ. She almost looked nervous about something; you guys have any ideas about what it would be?"

Discord gave a shrug and Daniel withdrew one of the fritters, "maybe she was embarrassed about yesterday and what happened to her tail," he said in an aloof manner while taking a small bite of the snack.

"There are VERY few things that will embarrass Apple Jack Dan," she put a hoof to her chin, "well, maybe a frilly dress, but that was one time during a sleep over..."

Daniel took another bite of the pastry and gave a blissful sigh that drew the attention of Discord. He gave him a smirk, "you know Discord, when this amusement park idea really gets off the ground, you'll have to hire some of the Apple Family to do these snacks like carnival fare. Hell, this is so good I'm sure it's illegal somewhere..."

Twilight was about to interject when the train's whistle in the distance signaled a soon arrival. Daniel could see several other ponies on the ramp giving their good byes to family and friends with hugs and pats on the back. He looked at the half eaten fritter in his fingers and considered the 'why' behind AJ's gift. He was sure no one considered him a friend here but her expression seemed clear.

When Daniel saw the train approaching that they would be taking to Canterlot, he had a brief notion to mentally check out for the day. The train would have made any locomotive engineer from back home blush with shame at all the 'frilly-froo-froo-ness' of it. The engine and cars were all a riot of colors with many heart shapes designing the windows, trim and running lights. A couple of the cars in the middle even looked like loaves of bread with icing on top!

Daniel groaned inwardly but was glad none of his military buddies would know about this; he was sure he'd have to give up his 'man-card' if that was the case.

"This stop, Ponyville! All off for Ponyville!" An earth stallion wearing glasses, sporting a wrap-around beard, and ticketing hat called out from somewhere near the front of the cars as they slowed to a stop at the platform.

Steam poured out of the locomotive and smoke billowed from the stack. Several ponies wearing postal worker shirts hefted bags of mail onto their backs and put them in one of the front cars while others began to file into the ones for passengers.

As the three made their way to the second car, Twilight stopped short of the conductor and surveyed the scene. All the ponies that were heading into that passenger car sudden thought better of it and began to move to the third. Many that hadn't gotten close yet murmured to family and friends about the 'meaning of this'.

Discord was equally miffed but kept his composure quite better than the purple unicorn, "what IS the matter with all you ponies? You didn't even act this way when I was causing chaos!"

Daniel had to smirk at the irony of it all; Discord, spirit of chaos, Twilight, student of Princess Celestia, and a tall creature that could pass for a nightmare all traveling together without 'trying' to cause chaos.

Twilight stomped a hoof in frustration when only the conductor seemed to give them a second look and started their way. Daniel could see his eyes drift from Twilight to Discord and after a moment of thought, moved to look him over.

"If I didn't know that Discord here was actually a good guy now, according to the Princess, I'd say you were keeping some mighty odd company Miss Sparkle."

Twilight hoofed over the tickets and gave a pony couple a frown who were staring in their direction, "I really thought these ponies had gotten over Discord's bouts with trying to turn Ponyville into the chaos capitol of Equestria."

Discord showed great restraint to not roll his eyes so hard that they fell out of his head.

"Oh, I believe it's this other creature you have with Discord Miss Sparkle, can't tell if it's dangerous or not but it sure has the lot of these passengers spooked," he calmly punched Twilight's three tickets and gave them back.

"Actually he's quite..."

Twilight didn't get to finish as Discord huffed over her, "you've GOT to be kidding me! Over this guy? Really? He's not even doing anything but standing here. Well then, I can see I'll have to let everypony remember just how much fun a storm of chaos can bring!"

Discord materialized a shirt to wear just so he could push up his sleeves in a fighting manor. Daniel quirked a brow at this and was sure to see some action, that is, until Twilight stepped in with her hoof on his chest and some calming words. Surprisingly no chocolate rain came down like he was threatening- although Daniel would have liked to see that. The conductor rubbed his chin and pointed a hoof at the second to last car, number five and suggested they take it to themselves.

After just a brief explanation that it was reserved for the overflow in case there were too many passengers, he correctly assumed there wouldn't be that many today. Daniel kept a straight face during the exchange with Twilight and he surmised that there wasn't any ulterior motives involved and that it was a generous offer. The three travelers made their way through the parting crowd of ponies to the car and slid open the door.

The inside of the passenger car was easier on the masculine senses, but just barely. 'Cushy' would be a good word to describe it. The seats were feather ticked and had enough space lengthwise for one of the ponies to lay out and sleep. The ornate style lighting that adorned the walls each had a brightly colored gem inset within the globe. With the sun rising the lights in the car dimmed as the natural light took over. The walls were high with pastel flowers between the arched windows and the ceiling was 'pond-scum' green... or at least that was the only color similar to what Daniel could think of at the time.

Discord stashed his bag in an overhead area designed for pegasus use while Twilight was content keeping her saddle bags closer and under the seat where earth ponies would be more comfortable getting to their luggage. Daniel opted for the latter and shoved his pack under a seat as well. He sat down and instantly felt the difference in statue between ponies and humans. The seats were much lower to the ground and he ran a hand over its silky smooth surface as the other two got comfortable as well.

A odd thought crossed his mind as his hand contacted the sitting area. Discord had taken out an apple to eat and was seated next to the window like Daniel, only they were across from each other. Twilight had levitated a couple sheets of paper from her bags and was reading over something that intrigued her. Dan took more note of 'how' they were both sitting on the bench.

Discord was reclined slightly with his legs casually crossed and Twilight was on her haunches with a quill now adding marks to the page. Daniel's rogue thought was absurd but did beg the question, 'how were these seats so clean when bare equine bottoms sat on them all day?'
Having actually sounded it out in his head, Daniel removed his hand quickly and made a sour face. He immediately felt sorry for the cleaning crew in charge of making sure pony 'skid marks' didn't become permanent eye sores.

Discord had been watching the human in thought and began to eat his apple more slowly while his own gears turned. He smirked when Daniel made eye contact and he looked at the fruit in his claws for the next bite.
"Having second thoughts about sitting so long for this trip Dan?"

"Just thinking about some differences between the trains here and back home Discord."

That drew the unicorn's interest, "what do you mean by that Daniel? A train is a train regardless of the world it's on, right?"

Daniel looked out the window as the conductor shouted for everypony to come aboard, "the trains are similar Twilight but the rules are different. Like back home there are signs that read 'no shirt, no shoes, no service' meaning that you had to have proper attire to enter or be helped. I'd never seen a sign that required pants or shorts because it was kinda automatic to assume no one would walk around without it. Here, it doesn't seem to affect anything."

She looked a bit confused and Discord hid a grin, "but what does that have to do with trains?"

Daniel gave a sigh since she obviously had a hard time reading 'between the lines', "Twilight, those signs weren't petty in their meaning, it has to do with sanitation and hygiene- I mean, how these seats are so clean when so many pony rears traverse them everyday is a testament to the janitors' prowess."

Discord nearly spit out the apple he was chewing when he started laughing and Twilight's mouth hung open at such a notion.

"Why that's just...how could you even..." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and whipped her tail in annoyance.

Just as Discord appeared to gain control of himself, he correctly mouthed the phrase that Daniel had thought; "pony... skid marks!" His chuckles turned to outright laughter and he doubled over slapping his knee. Twilight was not impressed and her red cheeks only furthered his hysterics.

The train lurched slightly and began to move as the trio attempted to compose themselves. Twilight was ready to move on from THAT conversation and tapped her quill on the paper she had out to the side.

"If we are quite finished being foalish, I have a couple of things to ask you about Dan- some items here that I made notes of but never really had a chance to clarify."

Discord was clearly not interested in anything she was about to go into so he picked up a day old newspaper and sat back with a huff; Twilight could take the fun out of anything.
Daniel, on the other hand, merely nodded and got himself comfortable before the unicorn's verbal assault.

"First of all, and probably the most important, do you feel that your anti-magic ability is active or passive? And please be as thorough as you feel you need to be. This is scientific research and a one of a kind occurrence after all!"

Daniel thought back a moment on the first time he realized something was 'off' and started relaying some of that to her which in turn spurred other questions. He saw the way this was heading so he decided to put in his say as well.

"Look Twilight, I don't mind answering your questions but you tend to chase rabbits a lot so after you ask one I'm gonna ask one to break this up a bit. How does that sound?"

She tapped the quill on the page for a moment and nodded enthusiastically at being able to contribute as well.

"Alright then, when I first met you you said you were Celestia's student- what exactly does that entail?"

Twilight looked to be in thought a moment before answering and Daniel was a little surprised by her honesty. She relayed how, as a little filly, she had to hatch a dragon's egg to get into magic school and nearly failed had it not been for Rainbow Dash's sonic rainboom. It spurred her to tap into magic she had never felt before and was able to hatch the egg, turn her parents into house plants, and become Celestia's own pupil in the same day. The plant part she was still embarrassed about but the Princess had done her utmost to give Twilight the best mentor-ship possible.

The friendship lessons were added in later when Celestia all but gave her an order to make some friends. Daniel couldn't help but smirk at some of her introvertedness as a studious book worm, at one time he had been so withdrawn.

The next concourse that was chosen didn't overly surprise the human but it was topic enough for Discord to lower his newspaper and give his full attention to what was being said.

"You don't miss much do you Twilight?" Daniel said picking absently at his finger nails.

The sarcasm was lost in the midst of note shuffling and writing, "you mentioned it when we were going over writing in your English and our Equestrian. It isn't very often that such a topic is discussed, let alone with one of another race."

Daniel rubbed his chin and went to his bag for a drink of water, "...where to begin..."

Being in the military for any length of time, all servicemen are drilled with history and important figures that shaped what the service was 'today', meaning up to the point the individual entered the service. Daniel had studied differing wars from time to time as part of academic achievement but had never given it much thought beyond what was required. So he gave her the abridged version.

"World War 2 happened because a country invaded another in the name of regaining lost territory and because the invading ruler was a jerk to a certain race of people at the time. There were two fronts to this war on opposite ends of the world, the other fighting had already been going on for two years. Now, my country wasn't directly involved yet and we wouldn't officially enter the war until a couple years later but we still helped supply the allies until then."

Daniel went on to catalog how his country was soon fighting on both fronts, from the air, land and sea. The intensity of the fighting lasted six long years and resulted in the destruction of two major cities and the deaths of nearly 70 million people. Civilians, military- none were exempt during the horrors of that great war and as Daniel finished his story, he saw that Twilight had stopped writing to stare and Discord held his gaze with something not quite awe.

"Does that also mean there was a world w-war one as well?"

He nodded and Discord raised an eye brow higher than should have been physically possible.

Twilight took a measure breath and looked at her notes that had all been writing themselves up to the point she lost concentration, "so it would be fair to say that humans are war-like and have always been fighting?"

"There are those among my kind that stray from all forms of fighting and contentions but even those refusing to fight end up getting hurt somehow. As the saying goes 'if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.'"

Discord decided to interject something on his own and rightly determined what Dan might have asked next, "there havern't been any wars here for over a thousand years- since Luna was banished to the moon as Nightmare Moon. Few care to recall or even can for that matter the war and carnage that ensued from that battle."

"There was never any record of such a war taking place when Celestia had to imprison her Discord," Twilight gave him a frown, "there was a brief battle between the two sisters but no lives were lost."

Discord gave her a deadpan look, "how do you think the castle 'ruins' of the Royal Pony Sisters got there in the first place? Honestly Twilight, part of writing history is covering up the truth. And besides a few clawfuls of dragons, the current rulers of Equestria and myself- no one has had the time nor the access to ensure history conveniently omitted a few details."

Twilight seemed to loose a bit of color from her face as she considered the implications of what the draconequus had just said but Daniel beat her to asking anything before conclusions could be made.

"How many died?"

Discord folded the newspaper and gave him a calculating frown, "my absolute love of chaos not withstanding Dan, that was one the rare instances where I merely watched from the side lines as the two blasted away their differences. The names were lost to time as well as the count I'm afraid. "
He gave a sideways glance at Twilight who was now looking down at her paper, barely floating and her eyes unfocused in thought.

"I doubt you could find even one speck of the crushed ponies among the ruins now," Discord snapped a digit and the newspaper morphed into a small paper machete pony with a wide, hopeful grin, "but of course, like your story Danny, there is always innocent collateral damage when two formidable forces collide."

And to punctuate the end, he smashed the paper pony between his claws with such force that confetti shot out to the sides.

The paper crumbs hitting her roused Twilight from wandering thoughts and she shook her head, "you're lying Discord... I have studied all parts of Equestrian history and never a death was mentioned!"

As Daniel listened, he couldn't help but imagine the kind of destructive force Discord's idea was having in the unicorn's head.

"For all I know you doctored history along the way for some twisted purpose before you were reformed!"

The spirit of chaos was strangely calm as he snapped his fingers again and the newspaper returned to his hand, whole and readable once again.
"How dreadfully inadequate of you Twilight, the obvious question you 'should' be asking is if what I said 'was' true then why wouldn't I go to any length to uncover the truth and create more chaos- instead of covering it up."

Twilight was about to fire back with something else but the idea gave her pause. Discord was several millennium old and would have first-hoof knowledge on any event that happened during a time period. The problem was even 'if' she was able to find anything in the Canterlot library she would have to carefully cross reference every instance in the light that history itself could have been tampered with.

Daniel, on the other hand, was interested by what Discord had been leading into. For such a notorious trickster, he had a lot of facets that others rarely saw. There was even a depth of wisdom to him that Daniel felt he simply refused to use. Like knowing the truth and not acknowledging it.
Discord flipped a page and absently reached out and tapped Twilight's list with claw tip to get her attention back on track. Daniel saw the hint and she blinked a few times to clear her head and looked down at the items she had been making notes to.

"I... I think it was your turn Dan to ask something."

Daniel was quick to change the subject and brought up Zecora and her living in the Everfree Forest. Twilight recovered from the previous conversation quickly and was soon chipper and eagerly scratching down notes again. Things from 'do ponies brush their teeth' to 'technology between the two worlds' were topics both sides could contribute to and even Discord, once he was done and had eaten the newspaper, decoded to join in again to add his commentary here and there.

Magic seemed to be the general answer to most everything Daniel could see as problematic in Equestria- as if that just explained it all. Twilight was most confounded about humans being shy to talk about certain things, Daniel ended up saying that most were simply 'reserved'.

Throughout their chatting, and as the hours dragged on, Daniel took notice of the expanse of fields that they passed. Those that faded from sight ranged far and wide in the form of corn, hay, oats, a few orange groves and lemon trees, vegetable plantations with many earth ponies out in the fields tending tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, potatoes... His sight failed him at the breadth of it all and could only guess at how they continuously brought in bumper crops like what he was seeing.

"Magic..." He breathed nearly to himself as Twilight rolled up one last scroll and brought out another.

"The last one!" She beamed triumphantly as she quickly rolled it out and scanned down to her missing answers. Redness flashed into her cheeks and this didn't go unnoticed by either of the guys who cast curious glances back and forth before Discord started needling her.

"Oo-Oo! Is it a k-i-s-s-i-n-g question?" And Discord batted his eyes and puckered up for a smooch which Twilight grossly pushed away from.

"Ew! Not on your life Discord!"

He thumbed his chin in thought before- "Does it have to do with dating outside of your species? Twilight, you saucy mare you!"

She exhaled loudly and swatted away his tail from 'finger walking' up her leg.

"Stay on your side of the bench!"

He held up his hands up in surrender at her look that was fit to freeze methane. Daniel almost laughed at the two but saw the mare change to a state of embarrassment rather quickly as she tried to formulate the inquiry.

She finally took a breath and made the plunge, "would it be too personal to ask why you took a large marshmallow into the bathroom with you the other day?"

With the question finally out, she sighed with relief but it was now Daniel's turn to choke on the question.

"I just...what?"

Discord saw the flustered look pass briefly on the human and brought his 'guns' to bare on him, "a large marshmallow? In the bathroom? Kinky..."

Daniel had put up with worse banter while he was active duty in the military and surely could keep a straight face now, but not before he gave them both the look- 'really...'

"First off Twilight, I don't know why THAT would interest you what-so-ever but you can scratch out every entry of 'marshmallow' from your notes and write in 'toilet paper' or what we sophisticates like to call TP."

Discord was smirking something fierce and wanted to throw out some sort of joke but Daniel continued before he could voice a word.

"The proper way to write it into your notes would be something like... like- finely processed soft paper used for the hygienic removal of excess fetid expelled matter."

Twilight nodded with a clinical professionalism as she wrote what he had said, Discord looked thoroughly confused so Daniel relented, "it's to wipe poop off your ass, Discord."

Twilight looked as if a truck had hit her quill and it screeched to a halt as he erupted into laughter.

"Ahhh-hahaha! You use *gasp* handfuls of paper to *chuckle* wipe yourself!" Discord shook with laughter as Twilight turned red again from his chiding.

Daniel crossed his arms and merely took in the display, "...and that is funny how?"

The draconequus tried to wipe his eyes and answer but burst out again, "it's TOO hilarious Dan! These ponies try so hard to elevate themselves to a more perfect sophistication but fail when it comes to taming the most basic of body functions!"

Daniel was instantly glad they were not sitting with any other ponies because of the volume of Discord's cackles.

He thought better of adding fuel to the fire as Twilight hurried away her notes and looked on at the laughing spirit with no small amount of spite.

"I dunno Discord, from what I've seen of pony culture I'd say they are doing just fine- if not better than my own people in some respects."

His chuckles subsided as he tried to figure if Daniel was making a joke or not, "heh, wha- what are you..."

Daniel continued as if he hadn't been interrupted, "I mean, considering ponies only have a hoof to manipulate things with, and others some magic. Yeah, I'd say their culture has done fairly well."

Twilight gave Daniel a coy smile and Discord's chortling had ceased, "B-but the poop jokes are FUNNY and you would give them such credit?!"

"On my world, horses and ponies are just dumb creatures Discord, they don't build cities, send their young to school or use magic. So I will give credit where it is due and if you are as knowledgeable of history as you say, you know how far they have come too."
Daniel let his lecture sink in and he reclined toward the window to watch the scenery pass by.

Twilight's mouth hung open slightly in awe that the human would take up for her- for all of ponykind for that matter- to put the brakes on Discord from going 'too far'. Discord was speechless for a long moment while he looked from Daniel to Twilight and back again in an attempt to bring something back up- neither were going to have it.

Relenting, Discord leaned back in his seat and gave them a 'hmph', "fine- there is only so much humor I can attempt to instill in one day... I must have reached my quota early is all."

Daniel could see the outline of both their faces in the reflection of the window and gave it a half smile. He had neglected, however, to notice the steady incline of the train and without warning the outside view was blacked out by a tunnel. The interior lights, fueled by magic and sensing the change in brightness, adjusted seamlessly to keep the car at ambient lighting for the passengers.

"There are only a couple of tunnels to traverse before Canterlot Dan, we'll be there shortly!" Twilight offered and also looked out the window as the first tunnel ended and a magnificent view of the not-so-distant castle filled the scene.

Daniel's first thought was 'impossible'. Something so grand and large shouldn't be able to just hang onto the side of a mountain like that. Spires and watch towers rose hundreds of feet into the thin mountain air and below, terraced walls and elevated gardens could be seen scarcely peeking at the edges. He really wished he had brought his camera now and glanced at his watch, nearly noon.

"Well, for the distance, I'd say we made good time."

Twilight and Discord began to gather their things as the train started to coast as it drew closer, "this is the express to Canterlot Daniel. It runs twice a week from Los Pegasus, sometimes makes an overnight stop in Ponyville and continues to Canterlot the next day. There are other trains that stop in other towns and cities but this one is the quickest for those that don't fly."

"...or simply teleport there."

Daniel paused in pulling out his pack at what Discord had just said, "you could teleport there?"

Twilight was about to answer but Discord merely spoke over her, "for some ponies it's not THAT far to teleport, but others find the strain of distance magic like that to be too stressful and hence, take the train."

Twilight huffed, "you of all ponies should know the dangers of doing such magic without knowing exactly where to arrive. You could end up in a wall or rock or worse, materialize inside another living thing!"

Daniel grimaced at the idea and strapped on his pack, "ye-ouch... sounds like a special measure of caution is needed for such a feat."

Twilight nodded but again was cut off by Discord, "throw caution to the wind Danny! When it comes to adventure, the faint of heart need not apply!"
He pushed his way from between the two with his carpet bag tossed over his shoulder as the train made a slowing motion for the upcoming station.

"Perhaps when we have a minute or two you can tell me the history Discord has with you ponies- you two act more like siblings than acquaintances."

Twilight dropped to the floor and levitated her saddle bags onto her back in indignation, "as harsh as this will sound, I think I'd disown my parents if Discord was even remotely related to me."

Daniel smirked and held onto the bench as the train came to a stop, "that much love huh?"

"You have no idea..."

Outside, on the platform, the day was in full swing with many ponies hurrying to unload cargo and mail that needed to come off the train and many more waiting to greet those eagerly filing out of the cars after sitting so long. Discord emerged from the door of the last car and stood off to the side as Twilight and Daniel stepped out soon after.

At first, the beautiful day was everything the trio could hope for. A soft breeze from the mountain, fresh scented air from the mighty falls some distance away, even the sun seemed to agree with warm temperatures that the day couldn't be any better.

Daniel actually smiled as he let out a breath and Twilight, not to miss the opportunity, joined in with him.

"Such a wonderful place isn't it?"

His nod was just perceivable from under the boonie hat and shades, "as nice as it is Twilight, I don't think everyone shares the same sentiment."

She didn't look up as she noticed the stares and not so hushed talking of the ponies nearby.

A tan stallion scooted his wife and foal along as the little colt tried to question his parents, "is that the monster you were talking about Daddy?"

The riot of colored equines moved away with their friends and family in tow but not before those with hungry eyes had their fill.

"I say, is that Discord? Where ARE the guards when you need them!"

"What do you suppose that creature is with him? Surely Discord doesn't keep pets!"

Daniel slowly turned his head to spy the spirit of chaos standing to his left and noticed a half ladled look about him that spelled mischief. The more comments were passed on the sly or without thinking, Daniel could almost see his mismatched colleagues' blood pressure rising on the spot.

"Maybe we should have waited until everypony was gone before getting off," Twilight mused with a frown as they stayed behind the crowd that moved away from the train.

The group started to move toward the exit and Daniel noticed the clock on the station wall as they passed. He looked at his own watch and saw that the two were only a couple minutes off from one another, odd. He had seen the sun speed up as it set and the moon hasten to its position in the night sky but this didn't appear to hinder time or much else. A glint of metal from the second floor balcony caught Daniel's careful eye when the others would have missed it by not looking up. Guards, or at least ponies in armor so shiny that it looked more ornate than functional.

Daniel nudged his trotting purple companion and nodded up toward the three looking down.

"Oh, the Canterlot guard can give us an escort. I'll go see what they can do."

The last thing Daniel wanted was an escort but Twilight was fast on her hooves and was away before he could protest.
"Have I ever mentioned how I hate crowds?"

Discord watched Twilight disappear around a corner and turned to look at the human, "I only prefer crowds when they are running in terror or screaming from no small amount of chaos. But alas, I must show that I am a much more improved draconequus thanks to friends."

Just then, a rather snooty pony happened by and said the entirely wrong thing to another which was within ear-shot.

"I thought I saw Twilight Sparkle tending to these low lifes. Do you suppose THAT one is dangerous?"

Discord's yellow eyes flashed plainly, even with the noonday sun full on and Daniel watched as the spirit of chaos set his sights on the cream colored stallion with entirely too much pomp for his own good. Discord grinned slyly and his single fang hung out as his grin took on a more savage nature.

Daniel thought the comment might have pushed him over the edge and when Discord snapped his fingers...

If the human hadn't been looking at the snooty pony when it happened, he would have missed it. Soundless and without sensation, the stallion's cream colored coat turned the most hideous mix of polka dots he had ever seen. Lime green circles, muddy brown, lilac purple... but the stallion had his nose so high in the air, he neither saw nor felt a thing. Even the close partner of the stallion was oblivious to the switch and Daniel lowered his shades for an unfiltered look as they trotted around a corner.

"I fully approve..." Daniel gave Discord a lopsided grin but strangely enough was putting on an innocent face to somepony approaching.

"Approve of what?" Twilight inquired with a smile as two of the guards came alone with her.

Daniel, having been used to moving on the fly- "I was saying I approve of Discord's taste in fashion; he is quite the teacher."

Twilight looked as though Daniel had offered to shave her mane and tail clean off, "well THAT sure is a surprise to hear. If Discord is teaching anything other than unbridled mischief punctuated by ear splitting screams..." and she paused to listen as if expecting one at that very moment.

Discord materialized a golden halo just above his head and gave her an innocent look.

She gave him a frown and cinched her saddle bags tight, "ugh, very well- these two fine stallions will be escorting us to the castle so we shouldn't have any trouble getting there."

Daniel thumbed his shoulder straps and glanced at the ponies taking note of them, "well then, lead on 'cause we aren't getting any closer jaw-jacking here."

The group moved away from the train station and on-lookers whispering behind. But they simply went from the 'frying pan into the fire'. Out on the main thoroughfare, Daniel gawked at the shear number of ponies going about their day much like those in Ponyville had done, but on a much grander scale! If he had to guess at the population of that country town, he might have said a thousand- give or take a few. Here, there had to be twice that number just out for a walk, and they weren't even near the castle yet.

All the buildings looked to be hewn from cream colored marble stone that gave the entire city a very ancient feel. The appearance of the structures is where the old look stopped however. On passing many of the shops, Daniel noted the very modern interiors with electric, or what looked like electric, lighting, cash registers and even a few dated electronics.

As they turned a corner to put them in line with the castle, the street was much wider and filled with market style shops and cafes but again, had a more upscale feel to it. Many of the ponies enjoying the day with a drink or snack paused in their relaxing to openly gape and voice their concern over what was walking down their street.

"Isn't that Twilight Sparkle? What is that creature with her?"

"Do you suppose it's dangerous?"

Daniel could see Twilight's ears swivel back in irritation at the comments but she withheld any verbal comments. Discord, on the other hand, had plucked his gold halo from above his head and was biting off pieces to chew.

"Not getting enough gold in your uh... diet Discord?" Daniel gave him a smirk but cringed when he took another bite with a metallic screech.

His chewing made the sound of crushing aluminum cans and he finally swallowed the lump, "unlike these ponies who can only appreciate plant matter for the herbivores they are, I on the other hoof can enjoy all manner of fare. Even those that appear less than savory."

Discord offered the "C" shape ring to him but Daniel politely declined, "I think I'll pass on that much metal in my eating habits, although liver does have quite a bit of iron in it."

He quickly recounted to himself what he had been eating over the past few days and realized he could probably do with some protein.

Discord had straightened out the rest of the ring into a rod and was now sucking on it like a pixie stick.

"I don't suppose you know of any places here that serve meat do you?"

Daniel had meant for the question to go unnoticed by everyone else but apparently equine ears were more sensitive than he thought.

Discord ignored Twilight's shocked look, "there ARE a few that serve some delectable dishes but are griffon run. Some pegasus ponies will go there to get fish from time to time- I would just go there for the Halibut." And he started snickering even before Daniel got the joke.

Twilight groaned and shook her head, "the castle chefs can prepare most anything Daniel since they always have a few dignitaries passing through."
She shuddered at the thought, "meat... is often served to the griffon ambassadors but few ponies can stand the smell of burnt flesh."

Daniel could sympathize with the idea but had to wonder what kind of animals they cooked when most around Equestria seemed sentient.

The group passed over several small water bridges and approached the gates which were already open. Daniel could see many of the guards on the walls looking down at the strange sight passing below them. Even with the main gate doors towering overhead they were miniscule by comparison to the castle itself.

'Walt Disney, eat your heart out..' Daniel mused to himself at the tall spires that cast shadows along pristine grass lawns and manicured garden paths. As the group neared the wide steps leading into the castle proper, the two escorting guards stopped to pass their information along. While he couldn't hear the exchange, Daniel caught himself grinning as the two guards gave crisp salutes and started trotting back out the gates and into the city.

"Twilight Sparkle and company, I am lieutenant Swift Haven. The city guards that gave you escort have briefed me of your purpose here and if you would follow me, I will take you up to the guest hall to await an audience with the princess."

Twilight was, of course, cordial as ever while Discord would have preferred just snapping himself right up to the throne room. Daniel smirked, even here there was protocol for meeting with someone of high rank or status. Discord had put on a rather posh looking exterior complete with ocular and white gloves before he addressed the guard.

"I say Lt. Haven, Canterlot does look a bit more snobbish since the last visit I had. Perhaps I should journey this way more often!"

Discord's 'high-society' talk, while funny to Daniel, didn't draw the same effect from the officer escort.

"Quite the opposite Discord. If it wasn't for Miss Sparkle and her guest, I would take no small pleasure in escorting you personally to the nearest cliff and sending you over it."

Both Daniel and Twilight blinked at the lieutenant's choice of words and the human looked over at the draconequus who merely wore a smug look.

Discord waved away the harsh words as the Lt took everyone up a large staircase, "my good pony, such ingratitude will not earn you a pay raise when I inquire as to overseers for my park."

The officer clammed up at his needling and Daniel turned his attention back to the spirit of chaos walking beside him, "you failed to mention you had so many friends here on the ride up Discord, care to share?"

He looked at Daniel from the corner of his eye and grinned widely, "a harmless prank was put into motion and everypony got up in arms about it, I honestly don't see where the resentment comes from."

The lieutenant never turned around but Daniel could guess he was fairly hot under the collar... that is, if he was wearing one.

"A prank on one or two ponies I can concede. Even Princess Luna takes such liberties- but the entire city of Canterlot! It took months to get all that dye out of the drinking water!"

Discord whistled softly and Twilight arched a brow, "so that was why the usual traveling salesponies never came to Ponyville from Canterlot last month?"

A group of guards gave the Lt a salute as they passed by and into a long hallway.

"Miss Sparkle, nopony left Canterlot for a while until we could find a spell to fix the stains on their teeth. Why, even Princess Celestia had to cancel day court for a few days while she was un-presentable."

Discord gave a snark at the idea, "oh how I wished I could have seen that!"

"Dye in the water? Sounds like it would have been fairly easy to recognize, so why all the fuss?" Daniel thought the idea behind it was quite novel.

"Why it's quite elementary my dear human!" He materialized a Sherlock Holmes style hate and pipe, "I simply added verity to these predictable pony's lives."

"What he DID was put a clear magical dye in the water source to Canterlot and anypony that drank from it, washed clothes, cooked food... EVERYTHING turned tie-dyed!"

The Lt's loud explanation jostled Twilight and Daniel could see a few of the guards a ways off turn their heads towards the noise. The officer's fur on his neck bristled at the memory.
"At first it was isolated. A few ponies here and there turning up with rainbow colored teeth. We shrugged it off as a prank...until it got into the castle. All the guardsponies, to include myself, had the most hideous smile you can imagine! And what was worse, nopony knew where it was coming from."

As Daniel listened to the officer's tale, he couldn't help but admire Discord's imagination on something of such magnitude. Finding the water source and adding an invisible colorant was, in itself, remarkable. The Lt's venting continued at a much lower volume as they continued to walk and when Daniel had heard enough, he was glad he switched to taking in just where they were going. There were more and more guards now and quite a few of them had spears or pikes at the ready. A couple of unicorn officers sported wickedly curved scimitar blades and gave the group a careful look over as they passed.

Daniel's training for SERE threatened to take over as he began counting steps through archways and large halls should he need to escape. But to where? The entire city was built on the side of a mountain and unless he could fly, it left little to the imagination.

"There sure are a lot of guards out today lieutenant Haven, any particular reason for that?"

Twilight's question brought Daniel's mind back to the present and he glanced from under his boonie hat at the many large eyes watching them.

"A rather large dignitary and ambassadorial staff arrived late yesterday so we have set out a few more guards to make sure THEY don't wonder off or get into something they aren't supposed to."

Swift Haven led the trio to a large antechamber where cushy, low sprawled couches, chairs and tables set the atmosphere as a waiting room. Daniel had long since removed his shades and was taking in the enormity of it all. From sweeping arched ceilings and elaborate tapestries to the plush furniture and even more expensive looking deep crimson carpet, Daniel guessed the waiting room could hold a few hundred ponies if needs be. Twilight and Discord both set their things on a convenient table and took a seat opposite each other. Movement from the corner of his eye revealed a white mare in a maids' outfit approaching the two seated individuals.

Daniel thought she looked a little nervous being so close to Discord and rightly chose to speak to Twilight first.

"Ma'am, Princess Celestia will be with you shortly, in the meantime, please feel free to enjoy some refreshments prepared for you."

Twilight thanked her and went over to a long table set near a wall which Daniel hadn't seen on the way in. There were several maids and serviceponies stationed here and there and they removed the covers on the trays as Twilight browsed the items. Daniel shucked his pack and picked up a plate to pick out a few vegetable snacks that looked safe. There were even a couple of things that looked reminiscent of sushi but he would wait on those for the time being. The maids tried their best to continue setting out food and removing items that might have been getting stale but Daniel noticed them sneaking long looks at him when they thought he wasn't facing their way.

Discord sat close by and munch on a bowlful of blue popcorn while Twilight was content with some celery sticks and dip. Daniel did a double take at the popcorn and looked at the table again- there was no popcorn. Blue or otherwise.

At the end of the table Daniel saw something that surprised him, "you guys have wine here?"

The maid closest to him only gave a nervous smile and nodded as he reached out to pick up the green glass bottle. Twilight saw it and offered an explanation off the cuff.

"Canterlot isn't as well known for its wine because, as you might guess, their vineyard is rather small but they do have good grapes. Sweet Apple acres has them beat in volume of grapes and most of the grapes used in Canterlot wine comes from Apple Jack's farm."

Daniel spied a nearby corkscrew and popped the top with practiced ease and put the cork to his nose.

Twilight tilted her head slightly, "Uh Dan, why are you smelling the stopper?"

Now it was Daniel's turn to spin some education off to the ever knowledgeable purple unicorn. He explained that a quick sniff could tell if the wine was bad without pouring any. If it were oxidized, it would have a vinegar smell. If it were musky, perhaps the cork was dirty and allowed mold to grow. The cork was nice and moist, evenly colored too indicating that the bottle had been stored and rotated properly.

Daniel poured just a splash into a nearby stemmed glass and brought the glass high to look through it in the light. He further expounded that, unless it was a very old vintage, the wine should be clear from sediment and not be cloudy. The light rose color and sweet fruit scent led him to believe this was a dessert wine. A sip later...

"Oh wow, " Daniel looked at the liquid with new found respect.

Discord gave him a shrewd look, "I had no idea humans could be such connoisseurs or aficionados."

Daniel poured himself a half glass to go with his veggie plate and sat on a low couch nearby, "while I do enjoy a good glass of wine Discord, the only thing closer to my heart is a better cup of coffee."

Twilight was impressed by his experience and offered a small slice of information for his 'gee-whiz', "if coffee is your thing, we should check out Doughnut Joe's shop here in Canterlot. I hear he's got some of the best imports of fine coffee to compliment his world famous doughnuts this side of Saddle Arabia."

Daniel stopped in mid-munch to process what she just said.

"You guys have a country named 'Saddle Arabia'?"

She gave him an odd knowing smile and nodded, "not our country, it's on the other side of the ocean."

Twilight went on that she forgot to mention certain etiquette around the princesses but Daniel's brain had ground to a stand still as the words played over, 'that sounds very similar to Saudi Ara..'

His thoughts and Twilight's lesson were both interrupted by the large double doors swinging inward and Princess Celestia stopping halfway through to address the crowd gathered behind her.

"I have allowed you all to escort me to this next meeting room but I'm afraid I must attend to other matters here. If you wish to discuss anything further you may wait for me back in the court hall."

Her voice was melodious and quite motherly as she attended to the mob that threatened to ooze around her and into the room. Daniel was the furthest from the princess as she stood in the door and even from the distance he could tell she was a much larger being than Twilight and had pound for pound a heavier build than Discord.

Daniel saw the beings stop in the doorway and blinked dumbly at the creatures that would have never existed back on Earth. Besides the obvious equines, he could see two griffons and a tall minotaur. The griffons were very regal looking with the smaller of the two having lighter color grey feathers with two silver rings on its left ear while the other had the look of a stone with darker greys and browns that would have given it impeccable camouflage in a mountainous terrain. The Minotaur's broad shoulders gave him the look of a football linebacker. With heavy exposed muscles and polished horns that spread out several hand spans from head, it was an intimidating sight.

The lack of sound brought Daniel to his senses quickly as he noticed them all staring at the group he was part of. No, at him.

An avalanche of questions were thrown at Celestia's back as the doors closed with a gentle golden glow. The guards on the outside lead the crowd away and once the commotion had distanced itself, Celestia made her way to the standing group after a brief word with a guard.

Twilight was first to bow and approached the large white alicorn with abandon, giving her a hug.

"My dearest Twilight, thank you so much for coming to see me on such short notice. Perhaps one day we will meet casually without the fanfare of court to distract me."

Twilight released her with a smile, "it's ok princess, I know your position demands a lot of you."

The white princess turned her attention to the approaching draconequus and gave him a pleasantry as well, although not on the same level of Twilight.

Discord gave her a courteous bow that would put a jester to shame, "ah Celestia, as radiant and magnanimous as ever! May the years ever be as kind to your fair countenance as the spring ushers in delectable bounty to all of Equestria."

Celestia managed to keep a straight face during his monologue while Twilight face-hoofed off to one side "Discord, finally I can say it is nice to see you too and look forward to discussing your project, it does sound rather interesting."

Discord straightened himself as Celestia stepped around him toward Daniel, "what, don't I get a hug too?"

Twilight gave him a frown and shook her head at his antics while Daniel had been taking in her beauty. Truly the princess was a sight to behold.

Her mane and tail both sported a mix of pink, teal, light sea green and purple flowing with pastel shades on an unseen wind. As an alicorn, Celestia had both the wings of a pegasus and the horn of a unicorn, although much longer than Twilight's horn- if that was any indication of their age difference. The gold breastplate, shoes and crown accented her well and while the stylized mark of the sun adorned her flank just like the others Daniel had encountered, it was her piercing eyes that drew him in from his assessment.

Princess Celestia was easily at eye level with him and her horn stood a head taller. Daniel gave her a bow reminiscent of the medieval orient where two parties would never take their eyes off of each other. While this form relayed due respect, it also denoted lack of trust. Celestia, being well versed in many forms of address and history, knew instantly of this and was interested to know more.

"May I officially welcome you to the city of Canterlot, capitol to the Kingdom of Equestria. May I have the pleasure of your name?"

Twilight looked embarrassed that Daniel didn't introduce himself right away and that she didn't think to do it either. Daniel didn't add any title or weight to his name as they continued.

"Princess Celestia, I am Daniel Hopkins- Dan to those that know me better," and he waved a hand to Discord and Twilight, "you may call me Dan if you wish. I am retired and currently on vacation in your land and have found it a very lovely place. I'm honored that you would allow me to come see you here at your home."

She gave him a warm smile, "most welcome Daniel Hopkins and I do hope that we may be friends as cordial dialogue between us would be most beneficial."

Daniel knew exactly what she meant by that because of how he bowed to her and was cautious in his reply.
"Princess Celestia, since we have just met I would like to lean toward friendship and for the sake of diplomacy stay neutral in any instance of question."

He retired with a high enough rank to know how political terms got tossed around and didn't really buy it himself but rather used the terminology to let Celestia know he could play the game too. She had heard those lines before and let it rest.

"Well then, let us all take a seat and enjoy some refreshments together," she took note of Discord's blue popcorn and shook her head slightly. Everyone took seats a semi-circle and a maid brought Celestia some tea, apparently one of her favorites as they didn't need to ask.

After a moment of getting settled, Celestia started the conversation again, "so Daniel, I understand through Twilight and Discord's letters that you are partly involved with his idea. Quite commendable I must say."
She took a sip from her tea, "but if I may ask of your prior employment, you said you're retired- from what may I ask?"

Daniel had a notion of epiphany while washing down a cracker with cheese on it with a swig of wine, anything he said might lead the princess to asking further questions about his past...

He swirled the contents of the glass around, "well, I'm retired from the military service of my country where I come from. Enjoying life should be more important than destroying it."

"An honorable notion for a soldier...so why did you choose Equestria for your vacation?"

Daniel gave Twilight a cursory glance to see that she was listening too, "Well uh, believe it or not, I didn't exactly choose Equestria. It was a mistake I think. I was actually trying to visit another place on my own world and just so happened that there was some kind of mix up and I found myself here instead."

Celestia made a thoughtful hum, "a very interesting concept... because I know that no being such as yourself lives within the boarders of Equestria so I'm interested by what method you moved from YOUR world to OUR world..."

Daniel kicked himself mentally for letting that slip, "while I'm not sure to the process, technology did play a major part in it."

She watched his face from over the rim of her tea cup and gave a small twitch of her ears. At the mention of technology, Twilight had scooted to the edge of her seat eying him for the 'rest of the story'.

The princess's abrupt laughter towards her interest nearly made Twilight fall off the couch. "Perhaps that is for another time Daniel, but I would like to hear more about this 'amusement park' and what role you had in suggesting it."

From there, Twilight and Discord took turns filling in small details of the park that the princess had wished to hear. Daniel was silently thankful for the change in subject and didn't wish to be the center of attention at any rate- especially under the eye of one of Equestria's rulers. Discord was in the middle of a particular stint about the park and Celestia gave him a suggestion and complimented his responsibility he was showing.

He was a little embarrassed by her praise, "Oh Celestia, stop it you charmer or should I lock up your tongue with the rest of the silver?"

She gave him a whimsical grin and Twilight entreated her next, "princess, I would like to ask something before we get too far along, how long should we expect to be in Canterlot for? I'd like to send word back to Spike at the library so he'll know when to expect me back."

The princess sat down her now empty tea cup and she waved away a maid from re-filling it, "a very befitting question Twilight and I have to say that there are some matters at stake here where I'll need you close for direct input. So until that issue is resolved, I'd like for you to feel at home here in the castle."

Twilight smiled sweetly and gushed about staying in the castle once again while Discord looked thoughtful, probably planning pranks for the guards and tenders. Daniel, on the other hand, picked up on something in between the lines- what he heard was 'you'll be here for as long as I see fit.'

Celestia gave the guards at the door a small signal and they opened the massive doors to reveal several other guards waiting just outside. She then addressed her student, "I do realize that this will sound out of the ordinary for my usual audiences Twilight, but I would now like to spend a little time with each of you and ask some questions I have. Discord, Daniel, if you would please follow the guards to your prepared rooms while I talk to Twilight first."

Daniel and Discord picked up their own bag and pack respectively and followed a couple of guards out and around a few corners to a rather spacious guest accommodation. Three rooms branched off a single large meeting room with a sunken center flanked by an ornate yet functional fireplace. Discord skipped to a room and flung himself onto the bed with a blissful sigh. Daniel looked in on the second and third rooms and settled on the last one. It had a better view of the mountainside and the terraced walls stretching away to the gardens and waterfalls beyond.

He set his pack down on the bed and took in the area of the guest room. The bed itself was smaller for pony bodies and the furniture fit the stature as well. The walls were warmly painted with ornate trim work pushed into everything with an edge. Daniel scratched his head at the attention to detail on some of the woodwork and noticed Discord leaning against the door frame to his room and rubbing his claws down on a file.

He was about to make a comment but the opening of the main guest chamber doors drew his attention and Daniel.

"Discord, would you please follow me?" A guard pair held open the doors, the one, a unicorn and the other a pegasus.

He shrugged and walked by them without so much a word, odd behavior? Daniel didn't know, of course, there wasn't much in this obnoxiously bright world that he 'could' put in the normal category. He adjusted the strap on his pistol and left his pack on the bed for the sofa in the main room. Daniel sat down on it and instantly regretted it. The cushions were soft and inviting and seemed to form to him as he stretched out. Memory foam? Daniel propped his arms up behind his head and considered the ceiling for moment- it was painted to a striking copy of a partly cloudy day. He smiled in thought of an analog Michelangelo to this pony world and found that the painting had a peculiar depth effect that he could almost fall into.

Daniel didn't know how long he cat-napped for but hoof falls entering the room and transitioning to the lush carpet brought him to his full senses.
There was a brief pause then a voice piped up, "Daniel Hopkins?"

He raised the boonie hat up from his eyes to see a single guard a few feet away looking nervous, "yes?"

"The princess would like to speak with you now. If you would follow me... please."

Daniel had to wonder at this because the guards from before didn't seem skittish. They both walked out of the room and down the hall to the double doors where they had meet before- only this time...
The food had been all put away and the tables had been pushed back against the wall. In their place were fifteen to twenty guards. Daniel gave a quick count of heads and ears as his nervous escort blended into the ranks.

Princess Celestia stood as Daniel entered, and as the doors closed behind him asked that he come sit with her. But the air of a friendly meeting was gone. He had sat in on meetings like this before. It normally meant that one party suddenly knew something or was suspicious of ulterior motive. He made sure that his pants kept his pistol covered as it was the only anchor to sanity he had- even if it weighed less than a pound.

"Daniel, I'm sure you have questions concerning my methods for this meeting and I can assure you they are honorable. Certain information regarding your visit were omitted and now I've had a chance to hear them firsthoof, I want to give you the opportunity to clarify some things."

Celestia's gaze was steady and probing, what was she after? Did she think he was a spy? Or worse, reconnaissance for an invasion? His imagination was beginning to run away with him but one thing stood out more than anything and before he could stop the words they were out of his mouth.

"You don't trust me, do you?"

Of all the questions that could have slipped through ivory bars, he awaited the majestic alicorn's response.

Celestia adjusted her wings slightly and calmly began, "if a mysterious being were to one day appear in your world and offer a solution to every problem, cure every disease and do this without asking anything in return, would you not be suspicious of its motives?"

Daniel had heard this argument before and sadly, mankind didn't have a good track record for being benevolent to hand outs but rather chose to be apprehensive.
"I'm not selling anything princess, nor am I here to stir up trouble."

She gave him a knowing grin, "oh, quite the opposite I have observed actually. You have given Discord direction for his existence, something I could never do and even with the help of the elements of harmony he was merely playing out the days. You appear, quite literally, out of thin air and in under a week's time manage to direct one of the most volatile chaotic forces this world has known to build an amusement park of all things."

Celestia was watching his expression that entire time to gauge what he was thinking but his body language was not a pony's and she was not familiar with humans.

"Perhaps I have missed some small thing princess, but the complete history of your world did not come with the travel guide when I got here."

She missed his sarcasm and continued, "perhaps I am mistaken but it does seem suspect to me. After all, you did come into my country unannounced and into our land without presenting yourself.."

Daniel didn't know where this was heading but he had little to add in his defense, "I didn't even know where I was, surely you don't intend to pass judgement on a traveler that mistakenly crosses your boarder?"

"A traveler yes, that is understandable. But no one in all of Equestria has the ability you wield, not even Discord. One that has the potential to disrupt all the magic of this world."

Her counter gave him some insight as to this inquiry now, was she afraid of him?

"Princess Celestia, please understand I didn't want it, it just sorta happened. If Twilight hadn't attacked me to begin with I wouldn't have known what it was..."

A point that made her raise a brow. Twilight didn't want to disappoint Celestia so she had conveniently left that part out of their talk about him.
"Twilight attacked you? Why would she do such a thing if you claim you came here peacefully?"

"It was a mistake and she didn't know what I was when we first met."

"So attacking you was her first thought?"

Daniel deflated a bit, "I can't say what she was thinking, she never really said but after I got to know her a little I don't believe she had ill intentions."

As he tried to explain his situation without giving away too much from his own world, a couple of the guards exchanged glances and moved closer to his seat. They could tell that their princess was getting frustrated and they could feel indignation towards his responses.
Daniel could see that the princess was 'fishing'. She had questions and she wanted direct answers but some of those he just couldn't say. He grimaced inside as she worded a question another way and thought she could have been a master news reporter...

"There is incongruity in your story Daniel, especially at the part where you carried little Sweetie Belle. Your anti-magic should have affected her as well- perhaps that had something to do with the amount of time she spent in the hospital?"

Daniel seethed at that implication but kept a level tone, "it's 'your' world princess, I don't know how it affects every pony and how you can be forming such erroneous opinions when you don't have all the facts? I would never intentionally..."

In the next moment, chaos. The two guards that had moved closer shared a thought, 'who does this creature think he is talking to our princess like that?!" Their decision to intervene cascaded from there.

Lt. Cope Stone's face soured and spoke over Daniel, "you need to be more respectful when you speak to the princess!"

That signal gave the pegasus Sargent Black Hoof the initiative to nudge Daniel but what he got in return was blinding light. The magic that gave the pegasus his flight ability was instantly nullified and he dropped to the ground in a heap with the wind knocked out of him. The flash of light and sparks that lingered after the contact made Celestia pause in her train of thought to what she had just witnessed. But even as she tried to speak, her guards reacted with nimble swiftness.

Before Daniel could even turn his head fully to see who had touched him, a body slammed into him side as he was tackled off the chair. The guard's move would have pushed him across the room in any other scenario but again, as contact was made, the guard lost flight and strength and merely flopped over the edge of the couch with the human in tow. Other guards, thinking that Daniel had just attacked the Sargent joined in the fray only to be zapped and weakened when each tried to restrain him.

The lieutenant had moved in front of the princess and several other guards formed up on his line to protect her, Celestia's mouth hung open slightly from shock over the scene unfolding right in front of her. Daniel was under a pile of flightless pegasus and had the wind knocked out of him from the shear number of bodies that had wholly thrown themselves at him. Even though they lacked magic to support their wings, they still had the combined mass of their bodies and armor. Daniel's first thought was that somehow Terry Tate had followed him into Equestria and was just randomly tackled like in one of his office commercials. His second thought, as the spots cleared and his hearing returned was... no.

"no... No! Don't touch me! I wasn't trying to hurt you!"

His struggles under the weight of so many bodies was useless as they shouted at him breathlessly.

"Don't..'huff'...move!"

"We saw it! Princess...'wheeze'... he attacked first."

Celestia didn't have time to respond to that statement as the doors flung open and more guards hurried in, one burly earth pony had a heavy chain draped across his back with hoof cuffs on the end.

Lt Cope Stone turned to the princess in hopes that the human be chained up, but to Daniel's relief and the guards annoyance, Celestia voiced a measured concern.

"No restraints will be necessary lieutenant but in the meantime Daniel, I will ask that you will be confined to your room, the guards will escort you there until we can further investigate this anti-magic talent."

"But princess! He is a threat to anypony that comes near him," the Lt was going on to say but she held up a hoof for him to remain silent.

"I understand your concern lieutenant but I saw what you did not, and I do not believe he intended on starting a fight. So my order stands- and please send Twilight back to me once Daniel is back in the guest quarters."

His bearing on the matters not withstanding, she ordered the guards to let Daniel up and they formed a loose circle on him as they made way toward the door. As they left the room, Celestia added a word to the guards that had tackled Daniel to go get checked out by the staff doctor and send a report of any lasting effects of their symptoms. The group of pegasus bowed and glumly walked out, their wings nearly dragging the ground.

Twilight had been trying to study some architecture while Discord played with some quills and drew cartoony ponies screaming on a ride as pies were blasted into their faces. Both of them were startled when the doors suddenly opened to a dozen wary looking guards and a fuming human who was marched right into his room and locked in.

Twilight was instantly on her hooves asking what had happened and why he was being treated in such a way. Even Discord had a hard time swallowing what the guards began to say.

"He attacked us with magic!"

"He was being disrespectful to the princess."

Twilight was asked abruptly to go talk to Celestia, Discord was directed not to have contact with the human and as quickly as it began, the storm of bodies left the room and left a very interested spirit of chaos in their wake. Discord rubbed his ear in thought for a moment and snapped his fingers making it vanish away. He looked over at the door where Daniel had been unceremoniously deposited and gave a hum in contemplation.

Daniel stared at the door for a moment longer before sitting back heavily on his bed, "I can't believe that just happened!" He grabbed his boonie and secured it back on his head, "I knew it was a mistake to come here- I just... arugh!"

As the voices moved away, Daniel pulled his pack close and made a check of everything that was inside. With his hasty inventory confirmed he thumped the bag in frustration, "This is my pack for vacationing and camping, not escaping castles magically attached to mountains!"

The obscure thought of escape flickered to life in his mind and he headed to the window and the drop below to an interior castle wall. The curtains next to the tall frame were sturdy and the bed sheets were well made, they could hold his weight no doubt. His 550 cord could serve as an anchor to the bed- it looked heavy enough. From his vantage point he could make out the land marks in relation to the outer wall and would be easy enough to follow if he could get high enough from time to time. Of course, from the height he was at, he could also see the rather daunting drop from the waterfalls several thousand feet down.

He slapped his hand against the ivory railing and was startled back to his senses by someone talking to him.

"Ya know, suicide isn't very well received in this culture... even I know it's not a very honorable way to go." Discord gave a laugh at the absurdity of it.

Daniel blinked at his implication and his situation was momentarily derailed , "I can't believe they thought I was starting a fight, I would never attack the guards! It happened the same way when we shook hands."

Discord smirked, "welcome to Canterlot and all its bureaucratic glory! Although I'm impressed you got just a slap on the wrist and sent to your room after what the guards said. They even had the unmitigated gall to tell me I couldn't talk to you." And he threw up some air quotes for good measure.

Daniel sighed but Discord continued, "my reforming was only partly successful you see and I just can't stand idly by while another being of chaos is engaged in mayhem- either by design or chance."
He gave him a wink, "as the saying goes about birds of a feather make more hats together!"

Daniel gave his head a shake and stepped away from the window after closing it, "I'm pretty sure that's not how it goes, but for everyone I've met so far in this zany world, you're OK in my book."

Discord leaned back against the locked door and began to tell Daniel that the guards were really upset and that they are asking the princess to reconsider her orders, something about attacking other ponies. He looked intrigued for a moment and passed on that now Twilight and the princess were talking- "the princess lays a great deal of respect to Twilight and is taking what she says into careful account."

"How do you know all that Discord?"

He cleared his throat in an aloof manor and waved a claw over his absent ear.

"Clever..." Daniel breathed, his anger abated as his unseemly roommate continued.

"Ooo- Twilight is actually taking up for you! She says you mean well and the ability is not something you can control." And Discord got a little closer and held up a hand to him as if someone might hear 'their' discussion.
"Just imagine if you could control it? What fun THAT would be!"

Daniel gave him a chuckle, "you're wild Discord, you know that?"

He was about to respond when he stopped to listen with his other ear, looked at the door suddenly and vanished. Daniel blinked away the spots as the lock began to move and the door open to reveal Twilight standing beside a rather disgruntle guard. She thanked him and left without another word edgewise.

"Princess Celestia says she will choose to trust you and take a chance." Twilight said stepping into Daniel's room and stopping just short of his bed where he was sitting. With him sitting down like that she was more than eye level with him.
"I've been put in charge of you as it were for the rest of the time you are here since the princess doesn't want you shackled as long as you are under my watch."

Daniel groaned and ran a hand over his face at having a "foal-sitter."

Twilight was determined to not let what had just transpired ruined their afternoon and eventually the trio, and a couple tag-a-long guards, made it out of the castle in the direction of Doughnut Joe's coffee shop to relax.

Celestia, however, was not so lucky. The ambassadors and their staff had waited long enough and were now back in the throne room talking animatedly about what they saw.

"He is indeed a visitor from a very far away land," she began to address a question of the Griffin dignitary, "do not be alarmed if you do see him, it is a 'him' by the way. Please use an address fitting of dignitaries of your respective kingdoms. I would ask that if you see something out of the ordinary with our dear visitor that you send a messenger to me straight away."

Another round of questions were thrown about before the griffin Meirak Talon's inquiry caused the others to listen in, "Princess, do you suspect that this 'visitor' has ill intentions?"

"What manner of creature is this? I've never seen such a thing in Equestria before..." one of the Minotaur advisers said in a low voice.

She put on a very motherly tone and a smile, "not to worry my friends, I have all the faith in my student Twilight to handle the situation appropriately."

The Minotaur ambassador spoke out over the group, "I saw Discord with her Princess! Surely Twilight can't handle two unknowns around Canterlot!"

Murmuring again but Celestia never wavered, "prime minister Steel Horn, if you would recall my letters that I sent to each of you stating that Discord was reformed and that he had agreed to use his magic for good; that should be a satisfactory answer to that subject."

Some agreed, others did not. It was typical of the court and Princess Celestia gave a muted sigh as they began to bicker over Discord more than the human visitor. She almost broke a smile as the idea that Discord was scheming surfaced and was using Twilight and this 'visitor' as a front. As she listened to the back and forth, she had to wonder if Discord wasn't indeed playing at something. If the ambassadors were so riled up about them just walking around, how would the leaders handle the news of the spirit of chaos wanting to build an amusement park?

,,,^..^,,,

Canterlot weather was always nice this time of year and the weather team in charge of it took their jobs very seriously. It was one of the most prestigious positions a pegasus could have in the capitol, next to being a royal guard of course. The mountainous area of Canterlot was a natural spire that made the job relatively easy to keep stray clouds from forming close to the city but there were always a couple hanging about the year-round falls that graced the eastern rock face.

Daniel shielded his eyes and watched as another lightly colored pegasus pushed an errant cloud away from overhead. He had stopped mulling over the meeting and instead turned his attention to the area they were walking through with the sights around him. He couldn't help but think the sound alone was reminiscent of the 18th century when horses were still a primary mode of travel before the industrial revolution hit. All the hoof clops on the cobblestone streets and side walks made Daniel smile in spite of himself. The voices surrounding him were surreal however; if he pushed reality from his mind he could almost picture people close by talking about their day and the lovely weather.

Donut Joe's coffee shop was a rather exquisite store with more emphasis on donuts rather than coffee. As they talked and walked toward it, well, Twilight did most of the talking- she brought Daniel up to speed on the notoriety of Donut Joe with his culinary prowess. Discord had been surprisingly quiet through their walk and he suspected it had something to do with the two 'tails' that were just a couple body lengths behind the group.

At the shop, Joe was busy making doughnuts off to the side while a dark green unicorn with a silver mane and tail maned the register and helped patrons with their orders. Daniel was a bit surprised that Joe actually looked like a normal horse...pony...unicorn. His tan coat and brown mane and tail were completely out of contrast to the other pony's colors while his serving hat and white chef's jacket were comical relief to the otherwise snooty attire of the ponies enjoying the cafe'.

Joe had just finished dunking a batch of dough into the boiling hot oil as our party entered the door. Several conversations became much quieter and many of the customers turned from their sugary treats to gawk. The interior of the shop was fairly reserved in terms of decor. There were a few pictures of donuts on the walls, a black and white checked tile floor and simple polished tables with few chairs. Daniel observed that most of the ponies either stood to eat or sat back on their haunches. At the counter, however, there were a couple of bar stools pushed off to the side of a glass case with delectable pastries inside and out. Racks of glazed goodness stood at the ready on the wall behind the register with simple styles to eccentric bright sprinkles and everything in between.

"Twilight Sparkle! Long time no see, again!" Joe said wiping some flour off his face and trotting out to meet her.

She gave a bit of a chuckle, "Pony Joe! I know, I need to visit more but sometimes it can't be helped. I've brought a friend with me who is in need of coffee and I told him all about your shop."

Joe gave a laugh and looked up at Discord and then to the human, "well I hope you only told him all the good things Twilight," he correctly assumed Twilight wasn't talking about Discord and stuck his hoof out to Daniel.

Daniel reached out and gave it a firm shake and came away with a dusting of flour on his hand. He had to wonder about the hygiene of such a place, "pleasure to meet you Joe- certainly looks like you have a fine shop here, what kind of coffee do you have?"

Ever the businesspony looking to make sure his customers were happy, Joe trotted back behind the counter and lifted out a menu with his magic to Daniel. Of course, Discord had to laugh at his expense and Joe's confusion at how Daniel could speak Equestrian but not read it. Twilight merely sighed and translated what Daniel voiced as 'chicken scratch'.

A steaming mug later, and a little doctoring, Daniel had the biggest smile on his face that Twilight had ever seen. She had thrown a couple extra bits in for a small stack of mixed donuts, a mug of chocolate for herself and, oddly enough, Discord. As they sat down at a booth on an opposite wall from the register, Daniel took in the rich aroma of the coffee and gave it another careful sip. Such a simple pleasure he enjoyed that wouldn't have any terrible effects on his health like cigars... Daniel's travels had put him in close proximity to some of the best cigar manufacturing places in the world and unfortunately had taken the bad habit home with him.

But a Cuban or Honduran 'edge' was the last thing on his mind as the flavor of an entirely alien made beverage threatened to dissolve the fillings in his teeth.

After a moment of damn-near euphoria, "man, how is this not illegal here?"

Twilight could only smirk while Discord, instead of dipping a donut into his hot coco, dipped the ceramic saucer instead and took a noisy bite out of it.
Her expression fell instantly at any hope of Discord acting normal and she facehoofed, "could you please not embarrass us Discord and act like you know what normal is?"

Daniel held his mug like it was the only real thing in the world as Discord's noisy chewing ended in a swallow that sounded like someone dropping a platter of dishes down a well.

"Normal you say? Twilight I don't have to remind you what normal is here and that you are anything BUT normal," Discord's cool tone was grating to Twilight and Daniel felt it was both comical and insightful as he continued.

"You study under Princess Celestia, helped Princess Luna get over her social anxiety, have wild adventures without the common courtesy of inviting me..." Discord paused dramatically to feign a hurt face, "always meet interesting ponies... or should I say people in Daniel's case. Which brings us to our current state, THE spirit of chaos, a human and yourself having a snack at Donut Joe's shop in the capitol of Equestria!"

Discord leaned in to her face with a toothy grin, "now tell me what is 'normal' about that?"

Twilight blinked as all that registered and she pushed his face away from her own with a hoof, "circumstances change all the time Discord, in fact, had this been a year ago I doubt seriously that you would have been willing to sit down in any public place without causing a scene."

Discord gave her an innocent smile and continued eating his saucer while Daniel had been observing what was beyond their table. Just that fast and without any sensation at all, several items around the shop changed color, texture, position... the dark green unicorn assistant at the counter gasped when the hot chocolate she was pouring into a customer's mug changed directions in mid-air and dribbled into the wall.

Daniel continued with his coffee and stole a glance at the draconequus next to him who casually drank his hot coco- normally.

,,,^..^,,,

Throughout his career, Daniel had the honor to travel to seventeen different countries and learn the basics to get around in five. He had a notion to count Equestria as the eighteenth since it did technically count as a 'foreign' land but he doubted that anyone back home would just accept such a wild story.

After leaving Joe's, the trio walked the streets of Canterlot without a general destination in mind, much to the chagrin of Twilight and the annoyance of the escorting guards. Discord was all about giving the guards grief which Daniel had to smirk along with- the idea of them being followed still grated on his nerves. But several hours into the impromptu walk, they had actually accomplished quite a bit that made the purple unicorn finally smile.

Twilight had managed to steer the group by a couple of markets, a small museum, and an art gallery. Daniel found the art gallery odd since most of the art was pony related in some way but the museum was interesting, especially the part 'dedicated' to Discord. While he scoffed at the artisans not getting his 'good side', the depictions and replica statues of Discord were eerie in accuracy. Thankful that Discord didn't cause a scene, Twilight noted that the sun was setting and that they should head back to the castle. Daniel imagined the guards sighing with relief but their stoic, military bearing never faltered.

The walk back was uneventful save one thing, that same quick setting of the sun and the vivid rising of the moon. Only this time all the stars above gave a mighty twinkle as if they were cast out on a still lake and a pebble had been thrown in to create ripples. Daniel's expression of awe gave Twilight the giggles as she asked if he liked Princess Luna's sky. He had heard of the nocturnal princess but not yet seen her personally and if the night was so beautiful, he would have to compliment her on it.

The group had wandered further then they thought and it took nearly a hour to get back. The street lamps were all aglow with a gentle flame that Daniel noted neither smelled of oil nor smoked. Magic? He couldn't tell directly as they were too bright to look at for very long.

Back inside the castle, the guards graciously peeled off and others took their place but these dark pegasus ponies looked different. He couldn't directly tell in the lesser light but they appeared to have cat-like eyes and wings more like a bat than feathers. One of the guards caught Daniel's assessment and their eyes locked as they went. Twilight was recounting something aloud with Discord just a couple steps ahead as the guard held the human's gaze before giving a sneer and returning his eyes forward.

'The hell...'

Daniel's unvoiced concern took root as he noticed more and more of the white day guards swapping out with their darker night counterparts.
As the trio entered their guest quarters they noticed three trays of various fruits and snacks had been left out for them should they have a late return. Good thing too, while Daniel merely took another of Apple Jack's apples, Twilight and Discord dug in.
His thoughts drifted to the note that was in the basket and he briefly wondered about it before looking over his shoulder at Twilight trying to eat with some semblance of respect and Discord making a mess. Daniel got up and went to his room without disturbing them to look at the folded paper out of sight.

,,,^..^,,,

Princess Luna had long since raised the moon and night court wasn't due to start for a while. She sat out on the balcony of her study and mulled over the scrolls that had been left for her to review on waking and found them disturbing but not grave.

A gentle knock at the door stirred her from the considerations, "enter."

"Luna? Are you out there?" Celestia's voice was searching as if she didn't already know where she was.

"Sister, I am out on the balcony, come join us."

The white alicorn gave a jaw cracking yawn as she approached the open air to stand beside her darker sibling. "You have seen the scrolls I left for you?"

Luna's gaze up at the stars never moved, "I have."

Celestia followed her gaze upward to see that she was moving a couple of stars back into place that had drifted.
"I would very much like to hear what you would say on the matter."

Luna's dark figure shimmered briefly as the final nudge plugged the heavenly body back into its spot. Her horn ceased its faint glow and she fluttered her wings slightly in the mountain breeze.

"I would like to meet him, this hu-man that was so mentioned." Luna said the word as if tasting it and not certain it would be something she would like.

Celestia blinked at her sister's words, surely she had more of an opinion then that. "And of Discord and his... amusement park?"

Luna's grin was ever so slight but Celestia saw it, "to have a small place as an outlet for his anarchy while our subjects might sample it as fun? Hmm, we do not see harm in this."

The white ruler fixed the darker one with flat expression, "chaos is not something I invite or condone dear sister."

"But surely you don't believe this visitor is trying to direct our subjects in Discord's favor? In millennia past, the turmoil and disorder were always widespread and disorganized. We now know the exact measure of the circumstance- if your observation of him in the magic realm is true. Discord's own claw bares witness of this."

Celestia was silent a moment, "I do not know Luna. But this human Daniel has within himself, whether knowing or not, the ability to change our world. Even our very nature."

Luna had read the report of the guards that touched the human and gave a sigh, "how are the day guards?"

"They are recovering. No lasting effects have been seen as of yet. The doctors say they should be flight ready and return to duty in another day."
Celestia looked at Luna from the corner of her eye before continuing, "that is the most disturbing piece to our visitor Luna. What of Equestria should he touch one of us? Even Discord cannot match such anti-magic ability..."

Luna finally broke her thoughts from the night sky and looked at her older sister, "you are tired from a long and trying day my sister, go regain your rest and allow me the night, I will inquire of this a little and let you know my findings."

Princess Celestia stifled another yawn and moved her wing around to intercept it with a nod, "very well Luna but do consider this; by whatever means do not take the chance of contact. You and I are bound to our nation and as it's rulers...we stand against all forms of subversion."

She made her way to the door and cast one last look at the balcony where the younger ruler still sat, "a pleasant evening to you sister."

Princess Luna gave her a warm smile in return, "and good dreams to you."

With that, Celestia was gone and off to her own chambers to sleep. Luna however was even more curious than before. "I've not seen her so overwrought since the changeling queen was here."
Her thoughts were meant for no pony in particular but one did answer her next words.

"Swift Wind?"

The shadow cast by the balcony tapestry wavered and the body of a night guard materialized from its inky depths.

"My Princess?"

Luna didn't need to look in his direction to know he was awaiting her orders and would follow them without hesitation, "inform the night court nobles that I shall be delayed until the hour of midnight. And send word to our guest, Daniel the human, that we desire an audience with him at the sweeping balcony under the observation tower."

"All will be done Princess." And her guard was nearly at the door when Luna added one more thing.

"Without question, ensure that no pony touches him."

"Your word is law for me, Princess."

And he was gone.

Luna looked around the now quiet study beyond the doorway and turned back to the open air of the clear night sky. She unfolded her wings and in one beat was hurled into the blackness above.

,,,^..^,,,

Daniel was no linguist, that much was certain. The letter in his hands was rough hewn and hasty looking but he couldn't help shake the feeling that it was important. He thumbed an edge as he looked over the chicken-scratched hieroglyphics and sighed. He didn't know how to read it and couldn't tell if it was upside down or not. The only objects that stood out with any familiarity were three small 'apples' drawn at the bottom of the page. Or was it the top?

He refolded the letter and could only surmise that Apple Jack did write it- but that was it. Daniel thumped the folded note against his pants leg in thought... Who could he ask to translate it for him that wouldn't ask too many questions or let word of it get around? His contemplations were halted by a knock at his chamber door.

Daniel put the note in his pocket and opened the old oak door to reveal a night guard pony similar to what he saw on the way in. This pony came up to eye-level with his chest and easily had double Daniel's weight in muscle even without the dark reflectionless armor. It was a pegasus, that much he could tell but male or female?

Swift Wind had never seen the human before and noticed Daniel's assessing eyes. For the briefest moment their eyes met and he could see what Princess Celestia had feared- an intelligent unknown.

He took an easy breath and addressed the guest, "Princess Luna would like an audience with you. If you would kindly follow me, I will escort you to the meeting."

Definitely male.

The night guard pegasus had a pleasant tone in his voice that spoke of not only respect but also experience. Daniel gave him a nod and cast a glance over his shoulder to see if he should bring anything along. He mentally shrugged and gave the guard a tight smile.

"Very well, lead on."

Swift Wind was the only pony sent to escort the human and didn't feel the need to direct other guards to tag along. Twilight and Discord had paused once when the night guard entered and asked where the human was and now, they paused again to see Daniel following him out of the guest quarters.

Daniel directed a passing comment to Twilight as he stepped out, "save something for me will ya?"

Swift Wind led Daniel out into the halls and made steady progress to... somewhere. With the light low and only a scant few lanterns to see by, Daniel had little choice but to follow his escort through the twists and turns.

The muted hoof-falls of Swift Wind and nearly silent steps of Daniel's boots still gave an echo as they turned a corner and started up a rather large flight of stairs.

"So I noticed that Princess Luna isn't meeting me in the same place that Princess Celestia did, is that normal?"

Daniel would have preferred the quiet but the route they were taking would be nearly impossible to follow back by himself. His attempt to start up some small talk with the guard almost failed but the guard turned his head after a moment of thought. Daniel could make out his outline well enough but the shimmer in his eyes caught his attention first.

"Princess Luna requested the meeting be at the sweeping balcony. It is an area reserved to the princesses for outdoor meetings with dragons."

Dragons. If he had to guess, the area must be huge and offer plenty of space for such creatures to move around without smacking into a wall or a statue.

Daniel could feel the air moving as they neared the top and the 'sweeping balcony' was indeed aptly named.

The opening to the stairs could easily fit a couple grey hound buses and the balcony was more or less the size of a baseball diamond. The lights that were just barely on as the two emerged blared to life and fully illuminated the area better than any streetlight could. The balcony was flanked on one side by a tall tower that Daniel could just make out the silhouette against the night sky. Despite the sun being set for a few hours, the air was still comfortably warm and he took in the fresh breeze.

"Out here, huh?" Daniel caught sight of a couple of long benches near the marble railing but didn't advance without the guard.

Swift Wind glanced at the human briefly and looked up at the sky, "the Princess will be with you shortly, have a seat if you so wish."

Daniel noticed the guard's eyes following something above for the smallest instant and the guard turned to walk toward the archway and the stairs beyond. If he hadn't been following the night guard's movement Daniel would have missed the disappearing act as he crossed the threshold into shadow and vanished.

He stood rooted for a moment longer wondering if what he 'thought' he saw, really just happened.
"I bet these guys would be a blast to play hide and seek with," he mused and made his way over to one of the marble benches that looked more like large tables.

Daniel could easily make out the careful craftsmanship everywhere he looked but one thing caught his attention and he touched the spot with a few fingers. Deep parallel gouges marred the stonework where he sat and by comparison wagered they were close to a foot long and a few inches deep. Whatever did this was...
He spied another set of claw marks a few feet away. Then another and another. Daniel checked his pistol and smirked at the irony. Yeah right, trying to use a pistol against a dragon would be like throwing a stone at a freight train. Only the train would not be confined to the tracks...

The warm night air caused his mind to wonder away from such thoughts and was soon smiling as he looked out at the wide expanse of the sky.
"So many stars... yet, the Milky Way isn't there."

Had he not been looking up Daniel might have missed the outline contrast quickly over the star-scape and round on the balcony itself. He turned fully as the shape got closer and the hairs on the back on his neck break danced. But no unearthly dragon fire met him nor claws or teeth. Rather, the majestic vestige that was his host for the night gave a gentle and practiced flap of her wings and landed a few body lengths away with very little sound.

But there was sound, Daniel exhaled a nervous breath he didn't know he had been holding and he rose from his seat to behold the dark alicorn in front of him.

She was just a little shorter than Daniel at the head while her black obsidian crown and horn were easily level with his eyes. The navy blue of her coat was fitting for the midnight princess and her flowing mane and tail mirrored Celestia's but with a night sky scheme with dots of light throughout. She wore a black chest piece with a crescent moon on it of similar material like her crown and on each hoof was a shoe that had the look of glass. But it was her large aqua-teal eyes that sparked something familiar that made the human relax and give his host a pleasant smile.

"Princess Luna, my I presume?" Daniel kept his eyes on her as he gave a bow and extended his hands to his side.

Luna would have been lying to say she was nearly speechless as he acknowledged her, his voice was calming and had a quality in it that was clearly non-Equestrian.

"Thou presumes correctly human, your name is Daniel?" She folded away her wings and tilted her head slightly as she took note of him.

"Yes ma'am, Daniel Hopkins. My friends call me Dan."

Luna gave him a thoughtful hum, "if you would please, step this way into the light proper- so I might see you better."

Daniel stepped away from the railing and bench to stand beneath a light and Luna approached him as one might see a new specimen on display. She walked slowly around him and tilted her head this way and that.
Why did he wear such clothing? That was not included in her sister's report, and his mane was cut short too. Surely her sister could have been more thorough in her details.

She came to stop in front of him, "would you now turn in a circle for me?"

Daniel's expression must have betrayed his thoughts as he saw a glint of humor in the princess's eyes but he slowly turned and held his hand out slightly, "am I to dance next, princess?"

Luna quirked a brow, "can you dance?"

"Err, I would think that our methods would be quite dissimilar seeing that you have four legs to consider while I have only two." Daniel hoped that she wouldn't ask for a sample, his comment before was only in jest.

Princess Luna turned away slightly and smirked, "I would tend to agree and I do apologize if my request was odd, for I have not seen a creature like yourself before. Walking on two legs seems rather... unbalanced."

Daniel put his hands in the pockets of his jeans, "I suppose that is a fair assessment coming from a quadruped, but then again we are from different worlds."

Luna motioned him to the balcony railing and she was careful to keep a body length between them as they went.

"Would you tell me why you are here?" Luna half looked out at the night and half looked at the intriguing creature beside her.

Daniel had told his story before but it was always the abbreviated version. Why did he feel like this one could be trusted a little more than the others?
"Well princess Luna, it started out as an innocent offer for a vacation..."

He didn't know if it was the lack of visible guards, the relaxed meeting atmosphere or just Luna's seemingly fascinated nature but Daniel found himself letting out a few more details of his trip that hadn't been previously discussed. It didn't take long, and with just a few inputs from Luna, before Daniel was comfortable enough with his dark listening ear to share a couple of his military travels back on his world. Some of the stories were quite hard to fathom by her reckoning- metal boxes with wings that could fly faster than sound? Daniel denied the use of magic whenever the princess implied it but had to admit some of it was born out of science fiction.

As the hour turned into two, Daniel voiced a question that made the dark alicorn give him a shrewd grin.

"Ya know princess, there were guards all over the place today when I met your sister, but I don't see any around tonight. Was that bat-looking hybrid one of yours?"

Luna's ear flicked at a barely audible snort from the shadows but gave Daniel her attention, "the guards of the day court must be many for the nobles and dignitaries are many that visit during the day. My night guard is special to me that they have taken on themselves to be creatures of the night."
And she gave him a knowing smile, "they are all close and would come instantly if needed... do I need them?"

Daniel rubbed the back of his head, "ah no, no I don't believe so." He definitely didn't want a repeat of earlier and if Luna was comfortable enough to not have an entire platoon standing at the ready then perhaps he could let his own guard down just a little.

"Good because I have one last question for you, if you would answer it. Tell me, what do you think of our Equestria?"

Of all the things a ruler of a kingdom could ask...

,,,^..^,,,

The next morning, before the sun rose, 'surprised' would be a mild term to describe the attendants when they came into the area where Daniel had met Celestia the day before. After a small amount of tension at seeing the human alone without somepony else around, and some calming words on his part, an earth pony mare with a tea cup on her flank decided not to run off screaming for the guards. Of course Daniel's request of breakfast wasn't so odd and he was led to another area and left after his order was placed.

It didn't take long before Daniel was looking at the simple meal on his plate and gave an internal sigh. A shaky morning start not withstanding, last night with the princess could have gone better.
He started in on the scrambled eggs and gave a slight guffaw at his down-playing the events. He was glad to see none of the ponies that got him breakfast had stayed around to see him nearly spit the eggs out from trying to laugh with his mouth full.

'Gone better... Huh, yeah, just where did I loose my bearing and turn into a blubbering fool? I have not lost control like that in... well, a long time.'
Daniel's silent monologue stemmed from Luna's innocent enough question about his family back home after he had given her a compliment on her night sky. Which, of course, was after she gave him a small demonstration of her magic by 'moving' a star. Their conversation moved from his time in the military to certain aspects of war. It went downhill for him shortly after that as buried emotion surfaced and he voiced his concern about the best years of his life gone- what did he have to look forward to? Trying to get another job to pass the time? To watch himself decay with the passage of time?

He sipped some orange juice that was beyond delicious but he barely noticed as his mind was still elsewhere. Luna...
She was so much more approachable than Celestia. Why was that? A frown creased Daniel's brow as he tried to work it out logically as usually, but something was off about it. To him, Princess Celestia had more of a Ph.D attitude that rubbed him the wrong way- but Princess Luna. She had more of a college student attitude; eager to learn but with temperance and method that Daniel could relate to. So why did he break down crying in front of her as he spoke about his past?

Daniel's body moved on it's own as he picked up and ate the toast and fruit slices that accompanied his meal. The only thing that it could have been was...

'...attachment...'

He knew the word and dreaded it. It was something that kept him moving around so much all his military life. It was something he avoided like the plague and by doing so he felt safe, like no one could use his past against him. His distance from even his 'friends' was a direct measure of his control over it. And now? After one evening of talking to a pony- a fantasy being that could never exist back home; an alicorn princess had managed to break down his barrier without batting an eye.

Daniel's senses came back to sharp focus on his now empty plate and he knew what it meant. To have such complete resolve in avoidance. His vacation was over- it was time to leave.

,,,^..^,,,

Throughout the day Daniel had been taking note of everything and everyone... or was it everypony? Such errors in proper titles were far from his mind as he planned his escape. While not technically a prisoner, he wasn't exactly free to just leave either. He carefully calculated this fact into his chances of making it all the way back to the Everfree forest without some violence ensuing. Twilight had noticed his more introverted demeanor during the time she had to be around him and was meaning to ask about it after lunch but was called into a meeting with Celestia and it had to wait.

Luna had passed a few items of her meeting with Daniel on to her sister that morning and Princess Celestia inquired of Twilight if he had mentioned any of it to her. She was a bit shocked that the human had opened up to Princess Luna so quickly when Twilight had actually spent more time with him. Maybe it was because of their first meeting? She pushed that unpleasant thought away and made the connection to how Daniel was acting. Perhaps he was upset about something he and Luna had discussed that did not make the report?

Twilight agreed with the white alicorn that more observation was needed before conclusions could be reached. But the facts pointed toward Daniel being much more knowledgeable about warfare and its effects than he first let on and this troubled Celestia greatly.

Back in the guest quarters, Discord had been lounging around and Daniel had been sorting through his pack. As he re-stuffed everything in order of priority, the folded piece of parchment from AJ was left over.

He stared at it blankly and looked at the closed door to his room. He still couldn't read it but perhaps it was time to bite the bullet and ask someone to help him with it. Daniel didn't like to leave certain things unknown.

He rubbed the paper between his fingers as he opened the door to reveal Discord was still alone. Daniel looked down at the note and back up at the draconequus who now had a curious expression plastered on his face.

"Discord, do you have a minute?"

He snapped a wind-up clock into existence and placed a single finger on the clock hands and the ticking stopped, "I've got all the time in the world Dan! What do you need?"

Daniel was about to ask about the clock as Discord let it go and it hovered in mid air, still suck on the time where it was paused, he looked down at his own digital watch to see that it was frozen in place as well.

"Right...could I ask you to do something for me?"

Discord's grin became almost sinister, "something immoral, unethical or just plain illegal?"

Daniel blinked and rolled his eyes, "nothing like that, I just need you to read something for me."

The spirit of chaos coughed, "yes, well- of course, I was just... ahem, yes." He stepped over to the human and held out a claw to take the note but Daniel hesitated with a warning not to let anyone know because he didn't want the author of the letter to take it the wrong way. Discord gingerly unfolded the letter and waved it offf, "are all you humans so privacy oriented? Because 'that' is rather boring!"

He gave the jokester a subtle glare, "come on Discord, can you read it or not?" Daniel knew asking was a bad idea, and now, Discord was going to prove it.

"Touchy-touchy Danny, of course I can read it! I just have to find my reading glasses." He waved his free hand in the air and an old pair of bottom semi-rimmed glasses winked into existence into his fingers.
"Ah! There they are!"

Discord cleared his throat several times and adjusted the glasses dramatically and began to read:

"Daniel, you were right about me being tha element of honesty. Ah can tell when somepony is lying, it is mah gift and is even stronger as an element barer. When you were so close to me ah couldn't sense any dishonesty in you, in fact, there was so much honesty that it causes you pain. Because ya can't be more honest."

Daniel was rocked by two things right away and the most damaging to his intellect was how Discord was actually relaying it perfectly in Apple Jacks' voice! While amusing, and slightly horrifying that he could mock her voice so perfectly, he was miffed that this creature, this 'person' in a pony that is Apple Jack can sense this in him when he never said anything about it at all. His mind wondered back to the retelling as it continued.

"Ah appreciate what ya did for me and RD in getting our tails untangled. It embarrasses me to be honest in this but I have to be. I've never had a stallion as honest and with such good intentions be so close to my flanks without trying some funny business."

Discord stopped and jeered looking up from the letter, "I can't believe she actually wrote that!"

Daniel was equally taken back but narrowed his eyes at the draconequus in warning. He almost reached out to poke him, "you'd be surprised what comes out when it's from the heart."

Discord has a little repose and remembers Fluttershy saying she wasn't his friend at Sweet Apple Acres and how crushing it would have been to lose her friendship. It went straight through to his own conscience and he clammed up grudgingly, "well OK, you have a point and I won't tease."

Daniel gave him a 'tsk' as he continued the letter to the end, again in Apple Jack's voice.

"While ah don't know ya that well ya do seem like a nice..."

The draconequus squinted at the page and turned his head left and right to move the paper out a bit, "sorry Dan, whatever she was trying to write here has been scratched out a number of times. It looks like...

"...human. Ah'm not so fancy with words like so many other ponies are- Ah'm sorry. Ah really am glad ta have met ya and if you ever need a friend, ah hope you consider me one. Signed... three apples?"

Discord scrunched his brow for a moment until he realized his error, "oh silly me, that's Apple Jack's signature..."

He handed the letter back to Daniel who took it with reverence at what it now contained. Apple Jack had wrote that herself after just that single meeting at the library. Ice clutched at Daniel's gut as the implication was apparent- another attachment.

"I appreciate it Discord, I know you'll keep this to yourself- right?"

He gave him a raised brow and casually walked back over to where the clock hung and tapped it again. Immediately it started ticking again and Daniel's watch resumed its digital march.

"Part of the wonderful thing about being the spirit of chaos Daniel is that I can alter the paths of those around me by perception. In your case, I don't have to alter a thing! There is so much chaos around and following you it's almost poetic!" He finished with a dreamy look that would have gotten a slug in the arm if he had been in the military with Daniel.

He was about to reiterate the previous statement when Twilight entered the room with a half smile and wondered if she had interrupted something important. Discord bound over to her and gave her head a noogie while saying they were just having some 'guy talk'. Once she was free from his grasp and had fixed her mane via magic, she addressed Daniel and the likelihood that tomorrow he would be asked to participate in some testing concerning his anti-magic abilities. An ill-set feeling washing over him as Twilight continued with a few details and finished with the 'results' being able to set Celestia's mind at ease.

And if the outcome was unfavorable?

Daniel didn't voice it or let his expression betray his thoughts as she changed gears to Discord and the headway he was making about his amusement park. They chatted, took out papers and re-thought a couple of rides while Daniel was between the two plans. He would sit in on the talk for a while and make a few suggestions or comments then excuse himself for a few minutes to step out onto his balcony with the door closed to observe movement around that side of the castle.

A fifty foot drop, two terraced walls judged to be between eight and fifteen feet high, the edge of the garden with patrolling guards and finally an outer wall that led out to the city of Canterlot, waterfalls and train station.

Daniel glanced at his watch and noted the dinner time hour fast approaching. He dared not stay another night and knew that his goal was far away. He hadn't gone out for exercise in almost a week now and soon- very soon, he'd get all he ever wanted.

Author's Note:

Comments

[Mr Ignorable]

STAAARGAAAAAATE.

[HIEfan]

Yes! I have waited so long for an update to this masterpiece and boy did you deliver!

[The Castaway]

Wow. That is all I can really say. That was really good. Pacing was excellent and I was enraptured from beginning to end.

[Midnight Blues]

Poor guy, he seems more of a soldier at heart and this situation is probably make him all sorts of uncomfortable. I wonder how this cocktail will blow up, Big or Small.

[phallus of malice]

Glad to see you're back from the dead. Looking forward to the next chapter. You got an idea of when the next one's coming?

[kotor511]

I really musst say this is quite the enjoyable story. Not many Soldier in equestria fics, are this smooth to read. This story included alot of contemplation, thinking and planning, while still mentioning the few simple things in life going on around the scene. As I already said in previous chapters, it gives the whole story somekind of 'cozy' or 'warm' feeling. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that your character is over 40 years old. That way he brings alot of experience and insight for all those who regard him. I also very much enjoy how you depict discord here, with all his little quirks and strange behaviour. It fit him rather well to appear with this certain kind of humour.
Can't wait for the next chapter when he makes his escape.

[Reader Review]

I really enjoyed the interactions between Daniel and the Royal Sisters. Those sequences were definitely the highlight of the chapter.
Also major props on the pacing, everything from the dialogue to the scene transitions flowed very nicely.

With that said, I'm very much looking forward to the next installment of your tale.

[Eyes in the Dark]

4276652
Thank you very much- I hope I can do the story justice as to just what is building on the horizon here!

[Wellwater]

Very nice story, just wish most of those single quotes got converted to italics.

[Silentwoodfire]

I like the concept and where its all going so far. I hope to see more with coming chapters.

[Mad Library Scientist]

*pokes story*

[BronyofMeddlers]

So....now what?

[A Tin Can]

4928620 is the story dead?

[Americanwastelander]

I hope this story isn't dead it is a good story

[grouchopony]

5966920
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4928620
If you check the "Member" box up in the corner - you can see that this author has not logged in in over 65 weeks. Not to update his own story. Not even to comment on any other story.

Yeah - I think that qualifies as abandonment or perhaps even something worse.

[A Tin Can]

6353510 Well... fuck... maybe he just got sent to prison, or maybe got into a coma? Be optimistic, I have faith too. This story makes great promise.

[grouchopony]

6354711
Oh I agree. It's a very good story. Such a shame really...

[A Tin Can]

6354898 Indubitably sir. There are quite a few fics out there actually that promised great things, but never got finished. Maybe some left the fandom, set their eyes on greener pastures, or simply gave up. And to be honest... it aches me. So much so, I want to dropkick a door in right now just to recuperate manliness from the tears I shed.

[666Kaerf]

I know it's been awhile but out of curiosity are you ever going to restart the story🤔