> Change Of Pace
>  by SolaireE
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Change Of Pace

Prologue:

Ever played one of those games? Where the action slows down and you can see everything nearly frame by frame? Yeah, it’s awesome, but not when it’s happening to you.

“MOVE OUT THE WAY KID!”

It’s not awesome when you’re staring down a tractor trailer haulin’ god knows what spinning out of control towards you and you’re watching your imminent demise hurtling at you at seventy miles per hour.

“OH GOD! IT BISECTED HIM!”

In hindsight…I should’ve ducked.

/*---CoP---*/

 When I came to, I immediately knew something was wrong. First off, I should’ve been in two parts and not one and smeared across two counties. Second, I wasn’t in any pain. With these two points in mind, I struggled to get into a sitting position. That’s when I heard a voice…

“Do not try to move, you need rest. Listen to me I know what’s best.” I blearily blinked to find the owner of the voice. To my surprise, the voice was coming from a pale skin beauty. She wore what looked like tribal clothing, but what really shocked me was her skin color. When I said she was “pale” I really meant her skin was as white as snow. It was marked with black stripes that curved around her body giving her an exotic look of a…

“Zebra?” I asked confused, my throat dry from misuse. How long have I been out? And why do I feel...weird?

“How very astute of you to notice my race,” She replied with an amused grin. “But please, eyes up to my face.”

“Ah! Sorry…I’m…I don’t even right now…” I blushed as she caught me lingering at her breasts that were barely covered by her tribal clothing. I shifted uncomfortably for a moment. No need to get aroused just yet. I was just glad she covered my body with a cover. Its pretty awkward getting a boner while talking to someone.

“You seem greatly confused my friend, so ask me questions so the confusion may end.”

“Alright…” I took the time to swallow some spit. She seemed to notice and handed me a cup of water. After gulping it down, I began to think about what I should ask. “Okay…first off…where am I? And why am I alive?”

“You are in the Everfree Forest and why shouldn’t you be alive? Was it because of the explosion that marked the time you arrived?”

“Explosion?” I began to think. What would cause an explosion? I shook my head. Right now I’m talking to a hot anthropomorphic zebra that talk in rhyme. “I don’t remember any explosion…wait…do you have a mirror?” I remember getting hit with that tractor trailer. Right now I should be a pile of human hamburger, but I’m not. I watched as she presented me with a small hand mirror. 

I reached for it, stopping to notice that my hand, rather my entire arm, was black. Not like African American dark skinned black, but pitch black. Positioning the mirror to see my face I blinked. Like the zebra chick, I had horse-like features, but unlike her, I had two protruding fangs coming out of my mouth…which was odd since I didn’t feel them. My eyes were still hazel but instead of being normal, they seemed to be entirely hazel and white where I would guess where my pupil would be. I had a horn and antennae.

“What the bloody hell am I?” I asked confused and scared.

“You are a changeling if I were to guess, but from your reaction, you do not know how you got into this mess.” I blinked and let out a depreciating chuckle. 

“Understatement of the year…” I muttered. “So I died and woke up a changeling. As far as origin stories go, mine seem mundane and slightly overused…”

“What?” I grinned as she finally looked confused at my words. See that lost and bewildered look on her face gave me some sort of pleasure and energy. 

“Don’t worry about it, miss. Just muttering to myself…anyways…who are you?”

“Zecora is my name, and herbal remedies are my trade. And you are?” I sat there for a moment. Maybe I was in a coma or maybe I really did die…but this is a world totally different from my own. A chance to start anew and be someone different.

“My name…My name is Jack. It’s a pleasure.” I announced after a while.

“Just…”Jack”?” She asked amused.

“By what you called me, a changeling, I can be anyone I so choose to be with some sort of ability. So by that logic, I can be a “Jack” of all trades and a master of none.” Honestly I was scared. Not too long ago I was dead. Like One-Hundred percent dead. And now I was a Changeling…whatever the hell that is. 

“Well then that name will go with your status, but I’m afraid you will need some practice.” Zecora announced.

“Practice? Practice what?”

“Why practice your powers of course. Changelings can change their form and adopt personas with no remorse.”

“Are you going to rhyme all the time?” I could not help to ask. Her grin made me sigh. "Well is there anything else I need to know about being a changeling?"

"One more thing that might send you reeling," She said with a frown. "But changelings get their energy from other beings feelings."

"Wait....so you're telling me that I'm some sort of emotion vampire?" I asked.

"Yes that is correct. But I hope you won't take out of respect." She grinned and bent forward, showing off her...um ample cleavage. "Be a good little boy and your training will be a joy." Training? Oh boy...I have a feeling it won't go well.
> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1

When I learned the basics of this world, I first thought it was some sort of Shangrila, a place of peace. True, when I delved into the history of the world, learned of the many trials and tribulations that the world faced: Nightmare Moon, Discord, King Sombra...they've always come out on top and lived peacefully there after. In fact, it seems like there hasn't been an incident in over five hundred years...

Why did I jinx myself?

"Come out you impudent insect so we may slay you!" Announced a voice as Jack was hiding around a pillar.

"Where would be the fun in that," Jack taunted, glad his voice echoed in the ruined halls of old canterlot. "Besides, I already got the achievement for dying." he muttered to himself.

How did I get into such a mess? Well it started a week ago. It had been two weeks since I landed into the hand of Zecora, my first friend in this new world. She had been teaching me the basics of Unicorn magic and in turn, teaching me how to use my own. With the knowledge of how magic worked and a brief history lesson, she deemed me ready for my first test.

"You want me to do what?" Jack asked with a deadpan look on his face. 

"I want you to go into Ponyville and obtain some items for me." Zecora repeated, having dropped rhyming around Jack due to his teasing. She knew it was in good fun, but she also knew Jack tended to get confused when she used more complicated rhymes. Once he sat around for five hours trying to figure out how she managed to rhyme legerdemain and campaign coherently.

"Zecora, we've known each other for a little under two weeks, I think its a little early for me to be picking up feminine produc-OW!" Jack winced as she smacked him with her staff, blushing slightly.

"Joke all you want, but I do need these things and you need practice." Zecora announced with a smile.

"Angazi badinga umkhuba...[1]" Jack muttered causing her to grin wider.

"And your grasp of my native language is impressive, but you do need practice."

"Alright alright already..." Jack stood up from the chair, still naked to the world. While the populous did wear clothing, he was surprised (not really) to find that Zecora was a practicing nudist. And while he certainly didn't have problems with her walking around naked, he decided to indulge and practice with her. 

Back when he was human, he would never had done this because he was rather ashamed of his body. In this new form however, he wasn't sure how he felt so he went along with anything Zecora did. He grabbed the pair of cargo shorts and tan boots from his personal space and put them on, much to the silent dismay of Zecora. He morphed his fangs and turned his eyes normal, and removed the holes his race was known to have and viola, he was a normal black unicorn. Zecora handed him a small parchment and a bag of bits, to which he pocketed.

"Do hurry back, Jack, I might have a present for you when you get back." Jack looked confused at her words then shrugged. Zecora was always cryptic even when she wasn't rhyming.

Everything was going smooth. I entered the village, much to my shock, none of the residents batted an eyelash at me, except for a few oglers at my body. I picked up most of the items needed before going to the once place I needed to go for the last item: Sweet Apples Farm.

"Howdy stranger! What brings you here?" Jack couldn't help but to stare at the supposed owner of Sweet Apples Farm. She had blond hair, orange skin with freckles, and a body a model would kill for. But on top of that, her legs were extremely well toned. 

'Holy shit, shes the cowgirl equivalent of Chun-Li?!' "Uh yeah, I-I need to pick up a bushel of apples? Enough to last a few weeks." Jack said awkwardly.

The girl chuckled, "I don't mind the fact that you were just checking me out. I take it as a compliment, partner. My name is Applejack."

"What a coincidence. My name is Jack, Jack Sears." He added the "Sears" just for the private amusement of himself. Its not like anyone in this world knows about Metal Gear Solid and Solidus Snake.

"Well then Jack, I got a few Bushels in the barn, why don't we mosey along to the barn and see what I can get'cha." Applejack and Jack headed to the barn, once inside, Jack started to panic.

"I-is that...hay?"

"Well duh, it is a farm. Why do you ask?"

"W-well I'm allergic to...to..." Jack couldn't hold it in. "ACHOO~!" the force of his sneeze not only hurt him, but caused his minor alterations to drop as well. "Hay..."

"Jack...what the hay are you?" Applejack asked quietly.

"Huh...oh crap..." he noticed the hole in his arm. "W-wait I can explain everything, just don't panic alright."

"You better." A short while later, Jack was sitting in a chair in front of the entire apple family.

"Alright Jack. Talk." Applejack demanded.

"Alright...Well two weeks ago, I was just a normal guy going about my daily life like anyone else. Next thing I knew, I was squished by a giant metal box going about seventy miles per hour." Both Applejack and her brother Big Macintosh winced. "Normally that would've killed anyone, I just woke up in the middle of the Everfree Forest were Zecora found me like this."

"Whose Zecora?" Applejack asked.

"Oh, I thought you knew. Shes the whole "evil enchantress" everyone here keeps whispering about. By the way, y'all need to stop judging ponies you don't know, its kinda rude and hateful." 

"She lives in the Everfree Forest-"

"The safer part of the forest where she gather herbs and other plants to make natural cures to illnesses. From what I can tell, shes an Earth Pony whose Nationality specializes in using plants grown naturally to cure and promote greater health. Kinda like what y'all do here." Jack said with a shrug.

"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed.

"Wait big brother, did you know about her?"

"Eeyup."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"Nope."

"And you didn't why?"

"Learning experience." He announced with a grin.

"I like this guy. Hes awesome." Jack announced with a grin.

After that experience, it was natural for either me, or Zecora to visit the farm. Zecora not so much. Applejack tried to introduce me to her friends but I declined. But that was then.

Jack rolled to the side as the pillar he was hiding behind crumbled. "You know, that's getting really annoying. The whole killing me thing."

"Thou are still mocking me?!"

"No, not mocking, this just a coping mechanism. Anyways," Jack stood up, conjuring a sword. "Isn't it time for you to stop with this madness and relax?"

"Thou are a brave one, insect."

"Thou are a crazy one, beautiful." Jack said with a grim as Nightmare Moon actually blushed. "Oh look, you blushed. Maybe I am growing on you."

"Flirting with me will not save your hide." She said plainly before summoning a sword of her own.

"Well jeez, fine then." Jack sighed. "Enough talk. Have at you!"
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When it comes to fighting games, reflexes are key in not getting stomped by your opponent. And I guess when it comes to fighting a thousand-year old lady whose practically a deity, reflexes is all I need just not to die. Rather unfortunate, the difference between Raiden and I is that he does have the instincts and reflexes not to get cut up by his enemies.

Jack leaned against the wall, holding his sword arm with his free hand, blood gushing from underneath it. "W-well...that was a clean hit." Jack groaned.

Nightmare Moon grinned. "Thou thought you could defeat me with such pitiful skills. Little stallion, we are far too seasoned to be bothered with the likes of you."

"And there goes the royal 'we'..." Jack replied with a strained chuckled. "Funny, it might be the blood-loss, but I feel dizzy and hot...what did you do to me?"

"Oh have thou noticed finally? Thou surely knows that Changelings are affected by emotions, correct?" Seeing Jack's slow nod, she continued. "The sword we conjured is not only sharp and deadly, it also was enchanted with our lust."

"...wait what?" Jack blinked in confusion...then his eyes widen. "Oh...you cheater! By slicing me, you're basically injecting the lust into me. That's not fair! I'm not a spider, tantric energies are forbidden in fighting!"

"All is fair in love and war." She quoted with a sadistic grin.

'Well shit, Pete, what do you do now? What would the Amazing Spider-Man do in this situation?' Jack's thoughts were interrupted when he noticed that she was coming in for another attack. He dodged to the side and swung his blade, only to curse as she disappeared into black mist. 'God, its like fighting Monsoon for the first time. Why the hell did I decide to be the decoy while Applejack and her friends do the easy work.

(FLASHBACK)

Jack blinked as he heard singing close by. He looked up at the sky. 'The hell? Its still night time, why would anyone be out singing in the forest at this time?' Curious, Jack followed the sounds of singing and found Applejack and five other mares in the forest. In particular, the pink haired mare was singing. When she was done, Jack made his presence known.

"'Giggle at the Ghosties'...huh, that's one way to do it." Applejack snapped her head towards his voice and smiled.  "Hey Applejack, whats going on?"

"Well howdy Jack, what'cha doin' up this late?" Applejack asked curiously.

"Hey Applejack, whose this guy?" The Rainbow-haired tomboy asked rudely. Jack noticed that she, in contrast to Applejack, has a very streamlined body, very toned all over.

"Well this here is Jack Sears. Hes a friend of the Apple Family and our Resident Changeling." The purple-haired mare eyes widen.

"A Changeling?! Here?!" She exclaimed in panic. Jack noted that while she didn't have an athletic physique, she did have that sexy librarian look going, minus the glasses.

"Relax Twilight. Jack is about as threatening to us as a kitten is threatening to a ball of yarn."

Jack deadpanned. "Why thank you Applejack, way to squash what little manliness I exude." Applejack giggled. "So is anyone going to answer my question? Its particularly dangerous about and I hear old Leonidas yelping about. Did he get a thorn stuck in his paw again?"

"Oh...so you know that nice Manticore too?" A soft voice asked. Jack turned to the owner of the voice. Light pink hair, yellow complexion, and a super model body. Yep Jack is certain that this universe is some sort of twisted hell where he'll never touch but always can look.

"Yep, I met Leonidas around the second week of me being here. Pulled a thorn from his paw and then we went fishing."

"Let me get this straight darling," Jack noted that this mare had violet hair, and hot bod too. Though this one had an air about her that made Jack uneasy. "You go fishing wearing that?"

Jack looked down. He was wearing his cargo pants, hiking boots, and a vest. "Yes? Look I think we've gotten horribly off topic. What is going on?"

"Haven't you noticed that its still night out?" Twilight asked, now calm.

"Yeah, I was wondering about that, but then I thought it was like one or two o'clock in the morning or something." Jack said shrugging.

"Sugar-cube, we really need to get you a watch or something. Its almost Nine in the morning!"

"Huh...the moons out and its almost Nine...well fuck, who let Nightmare Moon out?" Jack asked annoyed.

"Wait, you know about Nightmare Moon?" Twilight blinked. She didn't think anypony knew about that legend.

"I did some studying. Its a long story. So whats the plan to stop her?"

"Well we need to get the Elements of Harmony..." Twilight began.

"Say no more, I'll go find her and run interference. You six do what you need to do."

"Are you sure Jack?" Applejack asked concerned.

"Hey, being generally annoying is one of my special skills. Just hurry up okay?" Before anyone else could say anything Jack grew his insect wings and took towards the largest source of magic. Oddly enough, he took glance back at Twilight. 'Wow she has a lot of magic...'

(End Flashback)

Jack tripped and fell down on the ground. The combination of blood-loss and what basically equated to an aphrodisiac finally made it hard for him to even move.

"D-damn it..." He grunted, sweating. He tried getting away but Nightmare Moon kicked him in the ribs sending him flying against the wall. 

"Wherest thou bravado now, Changeling? Thou dared to believe that thou could best me?"

"W-well...that thought never crossed my mind. I was just looking for s-snack, y'know? You're the one who was all like 'Blast first' and never ask questions."

Nightmare Moon blinked. He was technically right. He just flew into the area and she began blasting him. "That may be so, but now you know that the Princess of the Moon is not some "snack"." 

"...I think you broke some ribs...its getting hard to breath..." Jack panted, his vision swimming.

"We could heal you...for a price?" Nightmare Moon offered with a smirk. She frowned as she saw him stop moving. Jack eyes were losing their glow and his breathing was shallow. "The insect must of passed out from the damage. No matter, I have an Idea..."

A short-while later, Jack slowly came too. When he did he was in a room, what appeared to be a library. He could breath clearer and his body wasn't damaged at all.

"I see that you've finally awaken...Jack was it?" Jack's eyes focused a bit and he noticed that he wasn't alone. He saw Nightmare Moon...or her not so evil twin, hugging another mare. Applejack and her friends were there as well.

"What the heck happened?" Jack asked confused.

"W-well.." Applejack began stuttering. "We won sugarcube. We banished the darkness is Nightmare Moon's heart, save Princess Celestia, and reunited the Princesses."

"Oh...that'd sound awesome if it wasn't for the fact that you're stuttering. What. Happened."

"I will explain," the other mare, to which Jack guessed was Princess Celestia. "Nightmare Moon was impressed by you. So much infact that she marked you."

Jack blinked. "Okay...I'm not a complete idiot, but when you say mark, do you mean like "Haha, I own you now" kind of mark or "Haha, you're my mate for eternity" kind of mark?"

Twilight spoke up. "The latter."

"Oh...well...I'ma go back to sleep and when I wake up, there better be a solution for this thats helpful for both parties." Jack said calmly before fainting again.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


	Before I died, stealth games were on a decline. Sure you had games like “Assassin’s Creed” running about, but the games I enjoyed “Splinter Cell” , “Hitman”, and other stealth games were on a decline. They were lacking because they were trying to follow a trend.



	“An unfamiliar ceiling. I feel like this is going to be a recurring theme,” he muttered to himself as he got out in bed. He noted his lack of clothing, which somewhat bothered him, but he ignored it as he inspected the room. It looked like a room he’d find in a palace, which incidentally, he was. He spotted some clothes on a chair, a set of formal clothes, too formal for his tastes, though he did take the silk boxer briefs. 



	‘Now that I’ve procured underwear, lets see where I’m at,’ Jack walked over to the nearest window and looked out. He could see the night sky and clouds. Lots of clouds. ‘Hoboy...they threw me in a tower. Well I can always try to break the window open and fly out...but I never flew from this height before. Hell my wings could freeze over before I even get to a safe altitude. So thats a no go.’ 



	“I see that you’ve awakened, Changeling.” Jack turned his head to see a guard peering through the door. “By the order of Princess Celestia, you are to stay in the tower until further notice. There is also a note left to you by Princess Luna, she asks that you read it immediately.” With that said, the Guard closed the panel and went about his business.



	“Well this is going great…” Jack deadpanned as he searched the room for the note. He found it next to the clothes. “Great how did I missed this? Lets see…”



	Dearest Jack,



	You might be a little annoyed that you have been locked away within the tower’s keep. But I have faith that this is a temporary setback. I wish to talk to you in more personal tones, so when you awaken, I will be waiting for you in the Palace Gardens.



	With Love,



	Princess Luna.



	‘So...I gotta stealth my way out of here. Way to be obvious, Luna.’ Jack checked the note once more to see if he missed something.



	P.S. The Room detects if you’re trying to use magic in a forceful way. Any way else will be ignored.



	‘Way to give me a big advantage.’ Jack grinned as he put the note into his pocket dimension. He had been experimenting with that for a while, his magic working more like Links inventory space than an actual pocket dimension. He had a plan. Magicking those formal clothes into something more useful, he now had a Grade A replica of Fox Hound’s sneaking suit, Raiden Version. While uglier, it did provide more protection did Snakes’ and did silence his footsteps a lot better. After donning it, he had another idea. He magicked a pillowcase into a mask, a simple mask that went along with the suit and perfectly masked his eye glow, his defining feature as a changeling. Taking a vase, he doused the fire to make the room dark.



	‘Commencing Virtuous Mission,’ He thought humorously. ‘Now!’



	Meanwhile



	“So Shining, what do you think of my Sister’s plan?” Celestia took a sip of tea as she eyed her new Guard Captain. Shining Armor, the elder brother of her beloved student Twilight Sparkle, was an almost no nonsense stallion. His eyes shined with doubt and concern  as he and Celestia watched the actions of Jack through a viewing pool. When Luna proposed this test, Shining was concerned. He was putting his troops in danger, willingly, and for what? To test a Changeling? 



	“Permission to speak freely, your highness?” at her nod Shining continued. “I don’t like this one bit. My troops are in danger as we speak. Who knows what this Changeling will do to my men.”



	“I’m pretty sure Jack has realize that this is a test.” Celestia said in an attempt to calm Shining down. “After all, my sister isn’t the best at keeping her intentions a secret.”



	“All the same, ma’am…”



	Back To The Action



	Jack made sure the room was dark enough to make full use of his next plan. Grabbing the chair, Jack whipped said object at the window with full force and then sprouted wings and flew to the darkened ceiling. The resulting caused several guards to rush into the room.



	“He escaped!”



	“He jumped out the window at this altitude?!”



	“What was he thinking?”



	Jack silently chuckled to himself as he quietly landed and shut the door behind him as he left, making sure to lock it as well.



	“HEY WHO SHUT THE DOOR?!”



	“DAMN, ITS LOCKED?!”



	Jack held in his mirth as he activated plan two of his escape plan. He knew that taking out the lights in the main hallways would be difficult. So he decided to cheat a little. Focusing his magic, he focused on trying to conjure a few devices. He loved how that magic worked.



	(Flashback)



	“For your first lesson to take, you’ll learn how to conjure and make.” Zecora began her lesson as she sat in the chair while she made Jack sit in front of her on the floor. Incidentally, she was nude so Jack had the fortunate and unfortunate view of her pink pussy, slightly puffed out as if she were playing with it earlier.



	“Question: Why are you naked for this lesson?”  Jack had a blush on his face, as he tried to keep looking at her face.



	“The answer for why I am naked, your concentration will be graded.” She replied not missing a beat. She smiled as his blush got worst. “Now try to pay attention, learning this lesson should be your intention.” Zecora went on to explain how Conjuration worked and Jack, despite his waning interest in the lesson and his gaining interest into her body, got the idea of it relatively quick.



	“So lemme get this straight. As long as I know the shape, and the function of the item, I can conjure it, but the more complex the internal components it has, the more magic it will require. Is that correct?”



	“Yes that is correct! Give it a try so I may know that the lesson had effect.”



	“Okay.” Jack concentrated as his horn glowed. Suddenly in front of Zecora was a matching set of lacy bra and panty set. Zecora laughed as Jack’s blush got worst.



	(End of Flashback)



	‘And till this day, she has never let me live that one down,’ he sighed as he finished the devices. It took a lot of magic, luckily for him, there was a lot of ambient emotions floating about, so he wasn’t totally drained. The first device was a small box that clipped onto his sneaking suit. Activating it, he became invisible. The other device, was a Modified M9 filled with tranq shots. He mentally chortled. Hes becoming way too Metal Gear!



	He began his descent down to the main hallway. Though he was stealthed, he decided to not take any chances. He peered around and saw a pair of guards patrolling the area.  They were following actual patrol routes, which made Jack actually facepalm. ‘The security in this place at a glance is air tight, but in reality, its faulty as hell.’ he thought. He pulled the M9 and fired a dart to test if he got the compound right on the tranquilizers. The dart flew fast and nailed one of the guards in the ass.



	“Huh?! Uwaaaaaug…”



	“Hey are you okay?” Jack fired a dart into the other guards neck causing him to fall out as well.



	He snuck into the area and moved the bodies in a compromising position, just for giggles. He then searched them. Finding some keys, Jack made his way down. ‘Knowing my luck, the garden isn’t at the bottom floor, but rather in the middle of the complex.’



	With Celestia and Shining



	“H-hes making my men look incompetent,” Shining muttered in despair, as he facepalmed. Celestia quietly giggled. Shining was so much like his sister. 



	‘I should sit both of them down for a talk,’ she silently mused, closing the viewing pool. ‘They’re way too high strung.’



	“Your highness, why did you close the viewing pool?”



	“Our target is now invisible, even to my magic. Everything hes done so far, if you don’t count the items he made or altered, was done without magic or his changeling abilities. That tells me that whatever world he ‘died’ in did not have magic innately and relied heavily on technology.” She said with a frown. “He’s dangerous, but only to those he perceives as a threat. He’s highly intelligent, despite his ignorance of our world, and he very compassionate if what the Bearer of Honesty and his shaman friend’s words are to believe. Hes the perfect ally.”



	“How is he perfect?” Shining couldn't help but ask.



	“He probably has the knowledge of weapons far beyond our peaceful existence, and he has the ability to create them, and yet…” She sighed and looked up at the moon. “He doesn't use his knowledge for evil or personal gain.”



	Back with Jack



	Jack ducked into the shadows, cursing his luck. Just like the stealth camo that snake used, it started to malfunction. He needed a place to fix it. Spotting a room, he ducked in before the guards turned the corner. Listening to the guards walk by outside, Jack let out a sigh. He was safe.



	“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Jack finally noticed he wasn’t alone. The room itself was obviously a storage room for the cleaning crew, but inside he found a guard, a rather female guard at that. She had blue hair and green eyes, a white coated mare with a very fit body. Her breastplate was off as her hand was slowly massaging her breast and her skirt was lifted showing off her wet pussy. Jack realized what she was doing in an instant. 



	She was on duty but she needed to scratch an itch as it were and ducked inside the maintenance closet.



	“Listen,” Jack began, though his voice was muffled by his mask. “Lets make a deal. I’m more than willing to help you with your...ahem...problem, but you didn't see me.”



	“Let me get this straight. You want me to feign ignorance for a little nookie?” The glare on her face told Jack he might of failed. She then shrugged. “Sure, as long as you don’t say anything about it if you get caught, sneak thief.”



	“Not a thief,” he muttered morphing his face underneath his mask, before taking it off. “You’re only a thief when you borrow without asking with the intent of not giving it back.” Jack made his way over to the mare, pulling her into a rough kiss. ‘So much for staying a virgin in this world.’ was his thoughts.


> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia tapped her chin. Not too long ago, Shining went back to the castle, a thirty-minute walk if he's quick, to “save” his troops. She considered going back, but she had a nagging feeling. Acting on instinct, she turned on the viewing pool.

“Oh my!” She exclaimed as she blushed embarrassed. Jack was having sex with one of the only few female guards. If she remembered correctly, the guards name was Tempest Ranger, one of the few marksmare in Equestria. She watched as Jack was teasing Tempest with his member. Celestia kept watching in morbid fascination as Jack suddenly thrusted his cock deep into Tempest, the look of pure ecstasy on the mare’s face. Celestia flinched as she looked down. Her dress was pulled up to her hip and her hand was slowly massaging her clit. She did a cursory scan - Shining Armor was long gone and she was the only Pony around for miles.

“A little...fun wouldn’t hurt…” she whispered to herself as she plunged two fingers deep into her pussy, watching the two make love.

Meanwhile, Jack was trying not to groan. Tempest was tighter than he expected. Said mare was biting into his shoulder, trying not to moan out loud. Her legs was wrapped around his waist, forcing him deeper into her tight vulva.

“Almost…” Tempest whispered. “Almost…” Jack gasped as her muff clenched down on his cock. Jack let out a silent groan as she moaned into his shoulder. She leaned back as she took a deep breaths, “I can...can feel you shooting into me...so...good!”

Back with Celestia, said princess let out a gasp of pleasure as she watched Jack slowly pull out of Tempest, his member still erect. She watched as Jack ask Tempest a question and said mare answer tiredly before Jack quickly dressed. He grabbed a device that hung from his suit at the waist and concentrate his magic on it. It gave a spark before he turned invisible once more. Frustrated, Celestia closed the viewing pool.

“Its not enough,” she sighed dejectedly. She then had a thought. ‘Hmm...’

With Jack

Jack silently shivered as he crept towards the stairs. ‘I feel...a disturbance in the force.’ Jack blinked as there were three guards posted at the entrance  to the stairs down. ‘Well shit...’ He looked around to find something to distract them. Cursing his luck, he found none. ‘Well...according to Tempest, the Garden has a veranda that overlooks it. Unfortunately, its two stories up. He was immediately was going to scrap that idea, but it looks like he had no choice. Making his way to the end of the hallway, he quietly opened the glass door that lead to the veranda. There he then went to the ledge and peered over the ledge. He could see Luna talking to some dark suited pegasi. ‘Well...might as well make an entrance.’ Jack climbed up on to the guard railing and did a backflip off of it.

With Luna

Luna continued to address the last members of her Shadowbolt Cadre she had. In reality, the Shadowbolts were relegated as a stealth unit of the Wonderbolts. To that end Luna wanted the Shadowbolts to be her own personal unit again.

The leader of the Shadowbolts was a female pegasi named Azure Rend. She was rumored to be the fastest pegasi in the world, with the ability to literally “rend” the sky asunder. Next to Azure was a male pegasi name Vapor Dusk. He was known for being able to fly into dangerous locations where breathing would be a hazard and survive. And finally the last member of her Shadowbolts team was “Johnny”. Nobody knows what his real name is and when he's not flying, he’s generally a screw up. He ended up being selected for the Shadowbolts because of his huge flight stamina, being able to fly at top speeds longer than any pegasi known.

“And where is this “Jack” you speak of, your highness? Its been thirty minutes and he hasn’t shown up.” Azure said crossing her arms.

“I bet he chickened out,” Johnny chuckled. “He might be brave, but he doesn’t have what it takes to complete a task given by the princess.”

Suddenly something impacted behind them. The Shadowbolts all turned as they saw electricity arc off a body that was rising from a kneeling position.The body, which shocked everyone, was invisible and was slowly turning visible. When the person fully stood up, they noticed that he was wearing a bodysuit that seemed almost invisible itself under Luna’s light. 
“Sorry to keep you waiting. The guards got a little...smart with their patrols at the last minute and I had to improvise.” the figure said.

Luna smiled, “Shadowbolts. Meet Jack.” Jack took off his helmet to show off his face. The Shadowbolts was surprised to see a Changeling here of all places.

“You could’ve gave me an harder mission at least,” Jack joked as he inspected the trio infront of him. “So tell me...am I still tethered?” Luna winced and looked away. Jack’s smile fell. “I see...well might as well make the most of it. And honestly, Now that I’ve gotten a look at you properly, I must of hit the jackpot.” He said walking past the Shadowbolts, ignoring them. He stepped up to Luna. “Luna...lets make it official, yeah?” Luna turned to him confused, but that didn’t last as Jack laid a kiss onto her lips. She wrapped her arms around his head as she pulled him deeper into the kiss.

“I think they forgot about us,” Vapor commented with a grin. Suddenly they all hear somepony clear their throat. They all turned  to see Celestia with a frown. 

“Dear sister, I need to talk with Jack. Alone.”

“Sister, he passed the test.” Luna protested.

“I just want to talk with him, Lulu,” Celestia said with a soft smile. “It is of great importance.”

“Its fine, Luna.” Jack said with a grin. He walked over towards Celestia. She took his hand and teleported them away.

Unknown Room

Jack and Celestia appeared into a dimly lit room. Jack stumbled for a bit, feeling a bit queasy. 

“Ugh...w-warn me next time,” he said trying to get his stomach from doing flips. “I’m not used to teleporting.”

“I know what you did during the test Jack.” Celestia said getting to the point.

“Y-you know?”

“I watched only certain parts. The main point, however, is I saw you having Carnal relations with that female guard.”

‘Aww...shit...’

“This is why I brought you here to discuss two things with you. Have a seat.”  Jack looked around, only to see a bed, a desk, and a few other things. Shrugging, he sat on the bed. 

“The first point is this: While you were out, we had our best doctors scan you. The results were astounding. Your physiology carries traits of both Changeling and Pony design. But the differences were so great that it would be ashame to classify you as just a mere Changeling.”

“Then what am I?” Jack asked concerned.

“The doctors believe that you are what changelings could have been if they were intermingled with Pony-kind centuries ago. A product of Evolution within Changelings.”

“So...I’m an evolved changeling...huh.”

“The doctors declared you an offshoot of mine and my sister’s race. A Mutocorn.”

‘Muto...latin for…”to change”. Interesting.’ “Well...I guess. I’m the first Mutocorn then. Which is awesome...and sucks. That means theres noone out there who is like me. I’m literally the first and last of my own race…”

“Which brings me to my second point. A lot of citizens don’t know, but there is a clause in the Inheritance Laws which were written nearly seven-hundred years ago.” She began with a slight blush.

“Inheritance Laws…” the gears in Jacks head, though rusted, turned ever so slightly as his mind tried to remember what that meant. After a moment, it hit him. “No...way...You can’t be serious.”

“I am serious.”

“How did that even pass? I could’ve sworn this was a Matriarchy.”

“Even I don’t remember why that law was passed.”

For the first time in a while Jack was speechless. “So...uh...why am I here?” He asked, his throat suddenly dry. Celestia pushing him down onto the bed and giving him an ample amount of tongue gave him an answer. 

> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack stared blankly at the ceiling of his new room. The room that Celestia whisked him away to and promptly fucked him in was his new room in the Castle. The day after, he was introduced to the populous as “new royalty” and while not any relation to the current royal family, he still held the title of Prince. Jack scoffed as he rolled over to face the window. A week in Canterlot and he’s already a Prince. A Prince of what? Nothing. When he was human, he would always joke to his friends about being royalty. And now that he was, in his new life, it felt like an empty title. So much that he began missing what little simple life he had back in the Everfree Forest. Now he felt like the royal fuck buddy.

Jack sighed as he tried to get some sleep. He felt that his species really didn't need sleep, but he did so anyways to appear normal. The night was beginning and he opted out of the latest party, celebrating “Prince” Blueblood’s latest acquisition. He didn’t care, this world that he already felt out of place was really doing a good job of making sure he never did. Jack eyes slowly closed and he felt himself fall into a trance.

‘Jack…Jack…’

‘That voice…is it in my head?’ he thought lucidly.

‘You desire purpose within my lands…seek out the Temple of the Changing Seasons…’

‘Temple…of the Changing Seasons…’ Jack eyes snapped open as he quickly sat up. Looking out the window, the sky was a deep gray as it snowed. ‘What…the hell? It was the middle of the summer last night? Why is it snowing?’ His mind went back to the voice he heard in his sleep. ‘The temple…I see…Something must of happened at the Temple.’

“Prince Jack, are you awake?” asked a voice at his door.

“Yes I am. Come on in.” Jack said as he hurried to his closet. He heard the door open and shut.

“Flash Sentry, checking in on you. Princess Celestia wants everyone accounted for as they try to figure out whats going on.” Flash blinked as he watched prince throw clothes out onto the bed. “Sir…what are you doing?”

“Flash, don’t call me sir, just Jack. If you have to do so in public, fine, but right now it’s just me and you.” Jack complained. “And what I’m doing is going through this useless stuff and finding scraps for what I need.”

“What are you planning?” Flash asked.

“Tell me, have you heard of the Temple of the Changing Seasons?” Jack asked as he walked out of his closet. He was now wearing the sneaking suit he made, though he made some modifications to it when he last used it. It now was seamless, and fit underneath his clothing like spandex.

“Yes, it’s located south of Canterlot, what about it?”

“You and I are going on a little trip.” Jack said as his horn glowed. He was using his magic to transform the clothing into something useful. The end result was a blue tunic, brown gloves and boots. Slipping the articles of clothing on, he turned to Flash. “I have a hunch, and I’m going to investigate it. And I know Celly is going to have a fit if I go alone. So go grab Tempest and gear up for cold travel.”

“O-okay. Should I tell anyone-“

“No…this one is off the grid. I don’t want anyone else interfering with my investigation.” Jack replied putting on a white cloak. He clipped on something to his belt and he turned invisible. “I’ll be following you two while you make haste to the Temple. Tread heavily, as I’ll be walking right behind you, step by step.”

“I get it. You’ll be literally following my footsteps so nobody will notice that three ponies are leaving the building. Gotcha.”

“Right. So hop to it, the sooner we get this done the better.”

A short while later, Flash and Tempest were leaving out of the castle. The guards didn’t bat an eyelash at them as while the Castle was on lockdown, the guards were doubling as carriers so it was natural for them to come and go at the current situation. After a hour long trek, they made it to the temple. Jack turned visible as he walked up the stairs with Flash and Tempest.

“So what are we investigating here? This temple is usually only populated during the Solstices and Equinoxes.” Tempest questioned as they reached the top.

“Something out of the ordinary…” Jack said as they entered. The Temple looked like a simple church of all things. ‘I haven’t been in a church in ages…this place is definitely suspicious considering that there hasn’t been any mention of organized religion in any of the texts I read.’ “Fan out and search for anything.” The three split up as they went searching around the hall. Jack went up to the statue that was most prominent in the entire room. The Statue depicted a pony in robes holding up a staff. The Staff had a globe on it with four moons circling it.

“This must symbolize the Solstices and Equinoxes.” Jack muttered. He noted an inscription on the front of the statue’s base with a similar globe/moon design near it. “Gur Sbhe Frnfbaf ner gur Xrl. Gur Cngu jvyy ortva ng gur punatvat bs frnfbaf? What is this?” Suddenly a memory of his past life sprung into the forefront of his mind. ‘Okay this is getting creepy. That description was deliberately written in Rot13. Not a lot of people even know how to decipher Rot13, let alone use it.’ 

Touching the mechanism near the description, Jack began turning the moons in order. It was then he realized that it wasn’t big orb in the center wasn’t the planet, it was a sun. ‘Oh…clever girl…’ Fixing the orbs, Jack gasped as a bright light engulfed him causing him to disappear. “What the he-“

Flash and Tempest looked up from their searching to see Jack gone. “W-where did he go?!” Flash asked confused.

“I don’t know, he was here just a moment ago!”

“We need to find him and fast!”

//---0---//

Jack groaned as he picked himself up. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to teleporting…’ After balancing himself, he took a cursory glance at his surroundings. ‘…Damn it…I hate when my hunches are right. This must be the actual Temple of Seasons.’ Jack sighed as he tucked away his cloak and cloaking device into his hammerspace and he conjured up a sword and shield. ‘I had a feeling I might be dungeon crawling today, so I brought out my Zelda gear. Let’s just hope that I don’t run into a Gohma or something.’ Sheathing his sword and putting his shield on his back, Jack ran to the closest door.

//---0---//

Shining Armor sighed as he entered the Temple of the Changing Seasons. Celestia and Luna found out that Jack snuck out and sent him to find Jack and the two awol guards. When he entered the temple, he found himself watching in morbid fashion as Tempest was shaking the newer recruit, Flash, in anger.

“PRINCES DON’T DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR, FLASH!”

“WHY ARE YOU SHAKING ME?! ALL I SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE HE TELEPORTED AWAY?!”

“JACK HATES TELEPORTING!”

Shining facepalmed as he watched the two bicker. Having enough of it, he separated the two with his magic. Blinking at the sudden intervention, both Flash and Tempest paled as they saw their captain. “Sir!” They both exclaimed saluting.

“Now that you two are done, tell me whats going.”

“Well…” Flash began nervously. “I went to check up on the Prince, as per orders. When I given clearance into his room, he was gearing up. His highness said that he had a hunch and he didn’t need Princess Celestia and Princess Luna interfering with his investigation.”

“A…hunch?” Shining asked confused.

“He believed that whatever caused such a drastic change in the weather could be linked to this place.” Tempest replied. “We were searching the area for anything as per his orders when we heard his shout out. When we turned to him, he was gone – vanished into thin air.”

“I believe he was teleported by something, sir. Tempest has worked with the Prince before I did, and noted that Teleportation was not his forte.” Flash concluded.

“Well…What was the Prince doing before his disappearance?”

“He was reading the inscription on the statue.” Tempest answered. “He found whatever it says interesting. We checked it, and we can’t decipher what it says. It goes beyond anything we’ve both seen before.”

“Well that’s just great. And the Prince was probably the only one who could read it,” Shining said rubbing his temples. “Right. I got to report this. You two aren’t in trouble per say. You were just following orders. Stay here and see if he reappears.”

“Sir!”

//---0---//

‘How’d I fucking call this one? It’s partially flooded. I knew it’ll be a water dungeon.’ He thought annoyed as he swam through a long hallway filled with water. He conjured up the Zora Tunic which was known to be enchanted with the ability to allow the wearer to breath underwater. So far, hes slain what would be the Equestrian counterparts to Octoroks, Skulltulas, and Tektites. He found several rare gems and was now heading to the final chamber. ‘How does Link deal with this? I mean honestly, I’m exhausted.’

Finally reaching the final room, he surfaced and climbed out of the water. Opening the final door, he went inside the room. What he was greeted with was a shadowy figure. The figure looked like a Unicorn made out of pure darkness. His horn was jagged and was blood red.

“So…the new prince has arrived.” The figured said with a sneer.

“Oh goody a Phantom,” Jack exclaimed with sarcasm. “Let me guess, you’re the Phantom of King Sombra, you came to this temple to usurp the power of the season so you can revive and continue your reign of terror.”

The phantom frowned. “How do you know so much?”

“Honestly I was taking a shot in the dark. Well now that I know, you know I got to stop you right?”

“You can try fool!” The Darkness exploded into a giant beast with claws that dripped darkness and one eye.

Jack sighed. ‘Obvious weak point: check. Cheesey looking appendages that serve no purpose for defense: check. Obvious boss fight is obvious. I better take care of this quickly.’

Jack charged the Phantom with speed that belied the level of exhaustion. He slid under the heavy claw strikes and slashed the eye several times before backing away. The phantom roared as he tried to grapple with Jack. “DIE!” the Phantom exclaimed.

“You first!” Jack replied as he dodged the claws again and drove his sword into the eye and twisting it. The Phantom squealed in pain as it slowly broke apart.

“No matter, I will be whole and when I am, you will die!” It said as it finally died.

After a moment of silence the room suddenly was illuminated as a gem fell from the ceiling. Jack caught the gem. It looked like the sun and the planet circling it. He could feel the energy radiating from it as it slowly filled his body.

“You have proven yourself worthy of keeping the Element of Seasons.” A melodic voice said as the gem slowly vanished…no he could feel it, deep within his aura. “Use this power wisely to protect Equestria.” He could feel himself vanishing from the room as he heard the voice speak one more time. “Protect…protect my daughters from the darkness.”

//---0---//

Tempest was pacing as she and Flash waited for something to happen. 

“All that pacing isn’t helping,” Flash commented as he lounged in one of the benches. “We just have to trust the Prince to come back is all.”

“I don’t know why I agreed to help you two!” Tempest exclaimed wanting to pull her hair out. She knew why, the sex was great. But Flash didn’t need to know that she banged the Prince.

Suddenly a flash of light and grunt drew their attention to the entrance. Jack was slowing getting up. “S-seriously, why does teleporting exist!” 

“Your highness!” Both Flash and Tempest ran to Jack to help him up. “Are you alright, sir?”

“Well…if you knew what I had to do…” Jack said shaking the cobwebs out of his head. “Anyways lets go, I have a solution to the problem.”

Flash and Tempest looked confused but followed Jack outside. Jack was standing at the top of the stair, conjuring something. His magical aura looked different now. Before it was green, the standard for most changelings. Now his aura glowed in multiple colors. They watched as he formed a rod with a glass orb on top of it. Grabbing the rod, It glowed red as he pointed at the sky. There was a bright flash that blinded them both. When the light went away…

“No…way…” Flash muttered.

“Y-you changed it back to Summer!” Tempest shouted confused. “HOW?!”

“I’ll tell you when we get back to the Castle. It’s a long story and I’m pretty sure I’m going to get reamed for sneaking out anyways.” Jack said twirling the rod before it disappeared. “Let’s not keep them waiting.” Jack began the trek back to the castle humming a jaunty tune.

“Tempest.”

“Yes Flash?”

“The Prince confuses me.”

“He confuses me too.”


> Christmas Interlude
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack stared out the window of his reserved car on 8:10 to Ponyville. The great thing, he decided, about the train he chose is that it moved slowly so it allowed him to time to reflect on his life and the life he lost. Ever since he died, and was reborn as Jack the Mutocorn, he never reflected on what happened after he died. What was his family doing without him? Were they surviving? Did they grieve? For the first time in a while, Jack felt lost. He was so caught up with is new life and abilities, he never considered what he was forced to leave behind.  Subconsciously, Jack willed it to rain. The pain he suddenly felt in his heart was too great to contain and he cried silently. He cried until he fell asleep until he dreamed.

/--0--/

Jack blinked as he felt himself falling. It was weird. He could feel himself dreaming, but the feeling of falling felt too real. He spread his wings to slow his decent before he touched down onto the ground. Looking around to get his bearings straight, he froze in shock at what where he was. He was at the old playground he and his friends used to play at. The old swingset that was bent and broken partially, the old rusted slide, the jungle gym…it was all here.

‘W-what the…? What’s going on? Am I…am I home? Was I dreaming everything before?’ He rushed over to the old bathroom facility and headed in. He peered at himself in the mirror. Instead of the athro-pony-insect amalgamation he had grown used to, he was his old self. Messy brown hair that poofed up into a mini-afro, dark skin that was natural for the African American teen he was. He was even wearing the clothes he wore upon death, the old black winter jacket his aunt bought him, the old red tee depicting “Mario” jumping to his a question block, even his black baggy jeans that he had a hard time keeping around his waist. He was back to normal…except he was transparent.

‘I’m…I’m a ghost in this world? Well…I guess I did die…’ Suddenly the thought hit him. ‘My family! I need to see them again!’ Jack ran out of the bathroom and out of the part, as fast as his feet could take him. He ran past the corner store where he shopped frequently after class when he needed a quick snack. He ran past the McDonalds he worked part time at. He ran into the apartment complex where his family stayed. Running up the stairs, he found himself staring at the door. ‘Apartment Three-Oh-Five…’ He touched the door and wasn’t surprised he simply went through it.  When he entered, he found his Mom and Dad staring at his little sister, the poor girl fell asleep in the chair.

“I think…this might be the Christmas that breaks her heart,” He heard his dad rumble in his deep voice.

“Without Eric around, it hasn’t been the same.” His mother said tearing up.

“You know what she wrote Santa?” His dad asked solemnly. His mom shook her head. “She wanted to see her big brother for one last time.”

“Oh…” He watched as his dad held his mom closely.

‘I…Its Christmas Eve and…the squirt…no…Eva…’ He thought tears falling from his face. ‘I…I don’t want her to stop believing. She loved Christmas! I’m not going to let her down!’

Jack concentrated. He pulled from deep within his being. He felt his magical core, the one he gained back in Equestria. Pulling deep onto the magic within, he kept chanting. ‘Corporate.  Corporate. Corporate.  Corporate!’

“What the hell?!” Jack ignored his dad’s surprised look. He just kept willing his magic to make him visible. When he felt exhausted he fell over onto the floor on his hands and knees panting. The noise woke up his sister and his parents looked at him in shock. “E-Eric? Son? I-is that you?”

“W-well…what do you know…I…I did it…” Jack, no, Eric said panting. “Hi mom, hi dad, sorry for waking you squirt.”

“H-how? This goes beyond anything I’ve ever heard of! You’re dead, Eric!” His mom screamed.

“I did die…I died pretty good.” Eric admitted as he got up. “I…just didn’t go to heaven or hell. I ended up being reborn in another world. I fell asleep on a train and well…found myself at the old playground.”

“So my baby boy is still gone?” His mom asked still crying. He walked over to her and hugged her, which he was surprised he could.

“I might be gone, Mom, but…” He looked at his dad. “I guess my time wasn’t it. The universe put me somewhere I can do some good, just like Grandpa did in the war, and what dad does now with his police work.”

“I’m glad to hear it son.” Eric’s dad said with a smile.

Eric turned towards his flabbergasted sister. “Looks like your wish came true.” Eva ran and hugged her big brother, crying.

“I missed you, bro! Why did you have to go!”

“I was at the wrong place at the wrong time is all kiddo.” Eric said holding her tight. “You’ve been good for Mom and Dad?”

“Y-yeah?”

“Good.” He stood up and gasped as he felt weak.

“E-Eric, you’re turning invisible!” Eva yelled.

“L-looks like my time here is done.” He looked at his parents and gave them a small smile. “T-theres a box underneath my bed, with a combination lock. 23, 46, 34. My last gift for you all…I love you all…”

“We love you too son.” Eric watched has his mom and dad smiled sadly. “Keep your nose clean.”

“I-I’ll try. You know me…”

“Brother, take this!” Eric blinked as Eva shoved something into his hand as he finally vanished. The apartment was silent for a while.

“Nobody is going to believe us,” Eric’s Dad said after the silence. 

“They don’t have to.” Eva said with a crying grin. “Eric came back to see us…my Christmas Wish came true.”

“Shes right…”

/--0--/

“Jack…Your highness wake up.” Jack sat up quickly, startling Tempest. She jumped back as she noted his appearance. “Jack…were…were you crying?”

Jack blinked as he rubbed his face with one of his hands, the combination of sleep crust and tears went away quickly. He stopped when realized he was holding something in his left hand. Slowly opening his hand was a small felt box.  He ignored Tempest’s inquisitive words as he slowly opened the box. It was small chain with a Gemini emblem hanging from it. He remembered he wanted to get it from the Jewelry store from the local mall but it was too expensive. He smiled has he took it out and put it on.

“-Are you even listening to me, Jack?!” Tempest yelled, her horn glowing teal in anger.

“Tempest.” Jack said calmly, throwing her off her anger.

“Y-yes?”

“Do you believe in miracles?” Jack asked. 

“That’s a hard question to answer.” Tempest began. “Sometimes good things happen for a reason. Not a lot of citizens believe in a higher power and some believe that Celestia is the one responsible for those good deeds. Nobody knows what to believe.”

“What do you believe?”

She was quiet for a moment before answering. “The universe works in mysterious ways. When something good happens, why question it?”

Jack considered her answer for a moment and then smiled. He stood up and pulled the unicorn into a chaste kiss. “That why I love you. You always give me a straight answer. Now if you excuse me, I must find the bathroom.” Jack left the horribly blushing Tempest standing in the room contemplating what just happened.

Meanwhile back in Jack’s old world, Jack’s dad found the case and opened it. He was surprised to find several hundred dollars in cold cash in it. Apparently Jack was saving up to buy a new car and had accumulated over fifteen hundred dollars.  That was Jack’s Christmas present for his family, his last present ever.

We tend to forget the small blessings in life. Sometimes life deals us a bad hand and we can’t recover. But it’s the small things in life and the miracle of friends and family that really shape our life. Without this miracle, this blessing, this love, life would be a darker place. This is what I believe Christmas is about. 

Durate et vosmet rebus servate secundis. Per asper ad astra. Et dum vita est spes est.

Carry on and preserve yourselves for better times. Through difficulties to the stars. And while there’s life, there’s hope.
That’s what I believe in.

> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Character development in games usually occurs when a character overcomes an obstacle, whether that obstacle is physical, mental, or meta-physical. Some game developers often opt out on concrete character development to focus more on gameplay structure and graphics. The worst offender I’ve ever encountered was in Medal of Honor, the 2010 edition. How am I supposed to feel anything for Rabbit, Duece, or Adams if they have neither dialogue nor establishing characteristics? Sometimes the best way to relate is to simply put yourself in their shoes. Find the connection to the actions around them and how it affects you. At least, that’s what I’d like to believe.

Tempest watched worriedly at Jack who seemingly looked…happy for once. None of the half smiles he tend to give her and the princesses when they were alone, Jack for once had a bright and warm smile on his face and it showed. He had a spring in his step, and a certain swagger to his walk. Where ever he got that necklace from, it certainly improved his overall outlook on life.

And that was what worried her. While she certainly liked this side of Jack, where he generally disregarded protocol for her feelings, she can’t help to be paranoid.  Tempest steeled herself, adjusting her hair before walking up next to Jack who was talking animatedly with another girl, Twilight Sparkle if she remembered correctly. She was Princess Celestia’s latest apprentice. Tempest always thought that Twilight had a mousy look to her. Her general shyness and her drive to impress Celestia really kept her locked away in the Royal Library.

“And I’m telling you, Twily, you really need to talk with Shiny. He’s keeping something big from you and I keep telling him to tell you.” Jack insisted, his grin honest with concern, but his eyes pulsed with amusement, not that Twilight could tell. Tempest knew Jack long enough to know the difference in how his Changeling eyes were and what they meant. 

For example, she observed that whenever his eyes dimmed, it meant that he was either deep in thought or really tired. Most of the time, it was the latter. And when his eyes pulsed like they were now, it usually meant that he was amused by something and usually that meant bad for whatever he was amused with.  She nudged Jack with a playful elbow, “If you’re done flirting your highness, we really need to get to the house that was provided for you.”

“I can’t help it,” Jack said with a grin while Twilight blushed and stuttered denials. “She’s quite beautiful and I do enjoy talking with her. But you’re right. The sooner we put our stuff away, the more time we’ll have to enjoy our stay.”

“Been taking rhyming lessons from Zecora?” Twilight teased as she finally got control of herself. 

“Oh don’t get me started,” Jack said with a deadpan expression. “Her rhymes and I are soon departed.”

“I think I like this side of you,” Tempest remarked as she dragged Jack away from the giggling Twilight. “But I don’t like to be late.”

“Alright, alright already. Hey Twi, tell AJ I’ll be by later!”

“No problem!” Twilight replied waving goodbye to the two. She smiled softly as she watched Jack from behind. ‘Maybe…’ Twilight thought before shaking her head and banishing those thoughts. ‘No, I have no time for romance.  I need to complete my task for Princess Celestia before settling down.’

Meanwhile, Tempest and Jack were silently walking towards their destination. Rather, Tempest was silent. Jack was humming a tune as he took stock of the neighborhood.

“What song is that?” Tempest asked, liking the way it sounded.

“Oh this? Its…well an image song.” Jack replied. 

“An Image song? I’ve never heard of that type of song before.” Tempest admitted. “I have a pair of friends who are musicians and they’ve never talked about Image songs before.”

“I would suppose not. It’s a song usually to portrait a character and their actions throughout their journey.” He explained. “The song I was humming is called “Knight of the Wind”. It’s pretty catchy and it can have different impacts depending on how it’s sung.” 

“C-can I hear you sing it?” 

“Me? Well…alright. Don’t blame me if I sound off key.” Jack said unsure before clearing his throat. 
He began singing, his voice carrying throughout the area:

“Hey now…welcome to the great storm…”

“I know…you have waited much too long…”

“And I…I will be your shining star…”

“I’m here…Here to conquer near and far.”

“Like the sword, I’m drawn… into the heat of day…”

“Like a knight, I’ll fight…until the fight is won…”

“In the rage, I’ll slay…each and every, each and every, each and every one…”

“’Till this war is won…”

“And I live…to rule…by the sword…”

“Slashing through the every inch of the power, the power in you…”

“As I sit…As I stand, by the table I command…my kingdom…”

“As the knight…of the wind…”

He ended his song softly, remembering the fun times he would have playing that game.  A lot of people disliked the Story Book series of Sonic the Hedgehog, but he enjoyed the retelling of those tales. Tempest stared at Jack with slight tears in her eyes. The way he sung that song. It was so somber, and yet so powerful. It felt powerful and at the same time, he made it sound so vulnerable, made him seem so vulnerable. As if he was a lone knight, standing against the army of darkness with only his sword, his honor, and his will backing him up.

It was those qualities that made Tempest admire the soldiers in her army, and she could tell that Jack carried those qualities, albeit he kept them rather hidden. She could tell that he related to that song more than he liked it. And she loved that about Jack.

Their thoughts were interrupted when they heard clapping.  Looking at the source, they saw two mares. The first mare was a white unicorn, not unlike Tempest, with blue hair. Her sunglasses fit perfectly onto her face, obscuring her eyes from the world. She wore a white tee that cut off at the midriff and clung to the side of her shoulders, allowing the world to see that she indeed wore a sports bra. She wore blue jean capris with a blue sequence belt and violet sneakers. 

The other mare was a grey earth pony, Jack noted the lack of horn or wings. She had long black hair and violet eyes that pierced into Jack’s causing him to blush slightly. Her slender form was covered by a black turtle neck sweater and   dark blue medium skirt that almost went down to her knees. Her black heels shined in the waning sunlight as Jack drunk in the beauty of both mares.

“Tavi! Vinyl! It’s been way too long!” Tempest exclaimed as she hurried over to her friends, leaving Jack stunned. These two were Tempest’s friends? 

‘Mein gott, am I forever doomed to be surrounded by such hotness? Wait a minute, what am I saying? This has to be the best thing to ever happen to a guy in the history of ever!’ Jack had to force himself not to fist pump and make a fool out of himself. “Say Tempest,” Jack said interrupting their animated chatter. “I got to go meet with some old friends. Why don’t you just chill out with your friends and I’ll come back later?”

Tempest eyed Jack with a critical look, “What are you up to?”

“I got a few friends in town too, and you ladies look like you have a lot of catching up to do. Don’t need me around for that.” Jack explained with a grin. “Don’t worry, I know my way around and you know I can find you if I really need to.”

Tempest eyed him for a while before sighing, knowing that he’s right…again. “Fine, just check in by nightfall, or I’ll assume the worst and come looking for you.”

“Read you loud and clear. See you ladies later.” Jack gave a small wave before sprouting his wings and taking off.

“So tell us Tempest, who was that guy anyways?” Vinyl asked curious.

“That was the new prince of Cantorlot, the Prince of Seasons, and the lonely King of the Mutocorn, Jack.” Tempest explained causing both Vinyl and Octavia’s eyes to widen. There was a new Prince? And he was here in Ponyville?

While Tempest explained the reason why Jack and her was currently in Ponyville, Jack made an aerial beeline for the Sweet Apple Farms. Landing softly  near the gate, he was greeted by the ever stoic Big Mac.

“I see ya finally came back.” Big Mac said with a grin, holding his hand out.

“To be honest, I think they got tired of my attitude and sent me here cause I annoyed them too much.” Jack replied back, taking Big Mac’s hand and shaking it. “It’s good to see ya man. You would not believe how stiff it was in Canterlot.”

“Just like the rumors said.” Big Mac said, his grin turning sly.

“Oh so you get that out here.”

“Eeyup.”

“Greeaat…and let me guess. Applejack and Zecora has heard them too.”

“Eeyup.”

“Well…buck me sideways…” Jack muttered, face-palming. “That’s exactly what I need on my vacation.”

“Trouble follows you. Sometimes trouble get right behind you.”

“…You know, you don’t have to be cryptic. I wouldn’t be much of a changeling if I didn’t sense Applejack right behind me.” Jack looked over his shoulder, Applejack was standing there with her arms cross. “You wear your emotions on your sleeve, y’know.  Not a bad trait, but if you want to sneak up on me, you gotta conceal your anger bette-OW!” Jack was interrupted as Applejack grabbed his ear and began dragging him towards the house.

“Well don’t worry partner, you’ll have all the time to sense my emotions while Zecora an’ I get to the bottom of all this talk about you being the Royal Manslut.” Jack groaned as she pulled harder. Just his luck too, it was a Thursday. Zecora would visit on the day he gets hogged tied by Applejack. At least it couldn’t get worst.

“Big sis, whats a manslut?” 

‘Buck my life…’ Jack thought as Applejack tried to explain what she meant to her little sister while still holding on to his ear. It just wasn’t fair. 

> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack refrained from snickering as he watched Applejack stutter out half-formed sentences as she attempted to try and explain the word in a way that would not scar her baby sister and at the same time, keep Applebloom from using the word herself. Sighing with a grin, Jack squatted down to Applebloom’s level.

“Listen, Applebloom, the word your sister used wasn’t a really nice one, though I know she did not mean it in the way it could be mean,” Jack said to her, staring her in the eyes, a trick he learned from raising his own sibling. Eva wouldn’t listen to him if he had just said it to her, but if he looked her in the eye and explained the situation, she would listen without question. “It’s also something us older individuals tend to use. Right now, you’re too young to know and/or understand what it is.”

“Aww, ah thought it would be somethin’ ah could call Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon,” Applebloom admitted sadly.

Jack blinked. “Who are those two? The way you explain it, they sound like bullies.”

“Ah guess you could call them that,” she replied with a frown. “Those two always make fun of Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and I because we haven’t got our cutie mark.”

Jack remembered that a lot of the citizens have one of these usually somewhere on their bodies (usually on the hip) that signified what their special talent was. Even though Jack did have some of the genetics of an Alicorn and hes seen where Celestia’s and Luna’s cutie mark were (he couldn’t miss them, hes seen them both naked), he did not have on either and due to his Changeling nature conflicting with his Alicorn nature, he’d never get one. “Well you know, I don’t have one either.” Jack admitted sheepishly. “And I’m the Prince of the Changing Seasons.”

That made the Apple sisters blinked. “Wait, you’re a prince?” They both asked.

“I’m surprised that news hasn’t made it out here yet considering Twilight IS Celestia’s student.” Jack scratched the back of his head in confusion. “Even though the Pegasi are technically in charge of the weather, I can change it in an instant in some areas. If I deem it necessary, I could make it perpetually summer in one place and perpetually winter in another. Though Celestia doesn’t want me to abuse my powers.” Jack noticed that the Apple sisters were just gaping at him. Shaking his head, he spoke once more. “Never mind what I can’t do right now due to limitations, what I can do is help you out.”

“And how would you do that?” AJ asked confused.

“I’ll probably hammer out the details later, but I can come visit the School, show up this Diamond Tiara girl for Applebloom and her friends, give out wisdom, yada yada.” Jack explained casually. “I mean, how often a young filly can say that she is friends with a bonafide Prince, and technical Canterlot Royalty. I mean, the only two ponies that can overrule something I say ARE Celestia and Luna, and they both know if I do something, it’s for a pretty good reason."

“You’d do that for me?” Applebloom eyes were widen.

“I remember a time where the Apple Family accepted me for who I am. I’d be an idiot to not return the favor.” Jack answered with a grin. He ruffled her hair a bit, causing the girl to bat at his hand. “Anyways, go tell your friends, but keep it a secret, okay? And don’t use that word either.”

“Alright! Thanks Jack!” Jack was surprised that the young filly hugged him before she left but he accepted it. He stood up and turned to see Applejack smiling.

“What? Didn’t know I was good with children?”

“Come on, Sugahcube,” Jack blinked as she grabbed his hand. “Let’s head to my room so you can tell me all about your adventures in Canterlot.”

“If you really want to hear about it…” He said confused. “But it is kind of boring…”

//---000---//

“So that guy, Jack, is a prince?”  Vinyl asked her friend again, skeptical. They had relocated to Vinyl’s and Octavia’s house for tea and were sitting at the dining room table.  “Why isn’t he-“Tempest had cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

“Like Blueblood? Thank Celestia he’s not. In fact, I have a bit of a story about him and Blueblood…”

“Oh do tell!” Octavia leaned in, anxious to hear how the new Prince handled the Royal idiot.

“Well…to begin with, you have to understand Jack,” Tempest began nervously. “He has the ability to conjure objects that he claims are too dangerous for our world. From what I understand, he has memories of another him from a different world in which he can call upon.”

“Like Jack is the reincarnation of the other him?” Vinyl asked.

Tempest nodded, “Mmm. That’s how he explained it. Recently though, he found out that with enough magic, he could manipulate his body parts to dangerous levels. Like before we arrived here, I saw him morphing his hands into scythes and metal claws.” Seeing that she still had their attention she continued. “He’s been doing this for a while. He claims that he’s just experimenting, but his imagination and those memories make him more dangerous than anything I’ve ever seen.” 

“So…what does this have to do with Prince Idiotblood?” Octavia bluntly asked.

“Well…”

//Hey look guys, it’s a flashback sequence! HUZZAH!//

“I’m sorry, I did not quite catch that? I have to do what?” Jack tilted his head in confusion as he tried to comprehend what Celestia just said.

“Now that you are crowned a Prince of the realm, you have to meet your peers.” Celestia repeated with a smile. “I’ve already called them back from their current jobs for this.”

“Okay you need to explain to me what exactly they do and what I can do to help. I know you raise and lower the sun and Luna is now getting back her job of raising and lowering the moon and she can dream-walk.”

“Well Princess Mi Amore Candenza-“ “That’s a mouth full.” “-Well her close friends and family call her Candance for short. She’s my adopted niece and her ability lies with the heart.” Celestia explained.

“Oh! I get it.” Jack exclaimed. “Back in my world, there was several gods and goddesses that mainly dealt with love and matters of the heart. That’s really awesome.” Celestia and Luna grinned at Jack’s youthful enthusiasm.

“And then there is our Nephew…Prince Blueblood.”

“You hesitated there,” Jack noted. “Lemme guess, snobbish noble type, actually descended from your family line but can’t really snub him, kind of guy?”

“Yes, yes he is.” Luna answered before Celestia could. “I know he’s family, but-“

“He’s annoying as Tartarus .” Jack leaned back in his chair and tapped his chin. “I think I can handle him. What does he do around here?”

“He…” Celestia stopped, blinking. “You know…I don’t think he actually does anything around here.”

“Gotcha. Don’t worry, when we meet, he’ll be singing a different tune.”

A short while later, Princess Candance came into the room. She and Jack introduced themselves to each other and they chatted a bit.

“Jack,” Celestia interjected. “What exactly are you planning on doing?”

"Oh I'm going to put the fear of me into him. Just be prepared for something...weird, alright? I haven't formally tested this out yet." Jack admitted sheepishly.

Celestia, Candance, and Luna exchanged looks before nodding slowly at Jack. Prince Blueblood entered the room a short while later.

“Oh Aunty Celestia! Your favorite nephew has arrived!”

“So…” Jack began with uninterested draw. “This is Prince Blueblood, the prodigal leech of the Royal family…”

“Who dares insults-“ Whatever words Blueblood had died on his lips as he noted the owner of the voice. Jack in between the time the three Princesses had noted Blueblood’s entrance had changed his clothing. He was no longer wearing his casual vest and shorts, but rather a full black suit, white formal shirt, and black and white formal shoes. In his suit front pocket was a blood red handkerchief. His eyes were that of a normal Pony but blood red. They seemed to glow as he rested his head onto his fist, staring deep into Bluebloods eyes.

“No…go on…continue your words,” Jack gave a small smile, showing off his enlarged fangs. “Don’t let me stop you…”

Any words he had died as he was doing an very spot on impression of a deer caught in the headlights of a semi. 

“Nephew,” Celestia took this as a cue to interject. “This is Prince Jack. He was recently crowned and I thought it would be nice to for you and Princess Candance to meet him.”

“I-I see…” Jack got up from his seat, his entire body giving off a red aura as he began casually walking towards Blueblood, his movements actually creating a motion blur. The poor white unicorn was frozen as this…thing…they called Jack finally stopped in front of him, its red eyes holding amusement as he stared down into his own.

“As I’ve heard…you do not attend to business here in Canterlot…this will change…” Jack said as his voice was now deeper, menacing. “You will now head Public Relations. It’ll be your job to sooth the aches of the masses. Your dear beautiful aunts have enough on their plate without you freeloading.”

“N-now you see here! You do not have the right nor the power to order me around!”

“Oh…how shameful of you to think otherwise. Little dear prince…” Jack muttered before enlarging his fangs and taking a large bite into Blueblood's neck. Blueblood screamed before falling over. The pain he felt faded away as he checked his surroundings. His aunties, Jack, and Candace were just sitting there staring at him confused.

“W-what the meaning of this?!”

“Whats the meaning of what?” Celestia asked with a frown. “Nephew, you walked in and just stood there for five minutes before falling over.…is everything alright?”

“I think he’s probably tired of all the parties he attends.” Jack said with a shrug. “Maybe he need to do some form of work…”

“Oh I agree!” Candance added with a grin. “Daydreaming like that is a clear sign of laziness.”

Blueblood tried to comprehend what just happened. Did he really just dream all that? “I-I think I shall retire to my room…I…I think I need rest.”

“Alright dear nephew, but later we need to talk about all the partying you’ve been doing…” Celestia said with a frown. The frazzled Prince nodded before leaving out the room. She waited a moment before turning to Jack who was grinning like a loon. “What did you do? That was a powerful illusion you casted.”

Jack closed his eyes as they saw blood run down his eyes. “Ow…okay maybe that was a dumb thing to do.”

“Jack!” Luna had moved to her fiancé’s side and was dabbing his eyes with a towel she conjured. “What happened? Why is your eyes bleeding?!”

“Well…there are stories about a mythical eye that has the ability to cast powerful illusions. I had a general understanding on how it worked, and used it on everyone when Blueblood entered the room. The side effect is that it strains the eyes to the point of blindness if used too much. I thought I could bypass that effect with magic, but I guess not.”

//And End Flashback!//

“I was one of the guards on duty when it happened. It was pretty freaky. But Blueblood had set up shop in the castle and has been handling complaints and other matters around Canterlot sense.” Tempest admitted shivering. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but watching Jack cry blood scared her more than anything. Octavia and Vinyl were struck speechless. For Jack to be able to imitate such a strong ability and still suffer drawbacks like crying blood.

“Where do you think he went?” Octavia asked curious.

“Well…I heard that he’s real close to the Apple Family here in Ponyville,” Tempest admitted. “And a Zebra named Zecora as well.”

“Ah I remember Rarity mentioning something about Applejack having a small crush on a Stallion,” Octavia said, causing Tempest’s eyes to widen. “It must be our dear prince. Don’t worry though. By your expression, he’s probably more than your charge. Applejack is way too stubborn to admit her feelings.”

//---000---//

Applejack moaned as she and Jack made out against her door. Well it started out as her making out with Jack, but then he really got into it, running his hands underneath her shirt and bra, caressing her breasts, not that she minded one bit.  Suddenly Jack broke away for a moment, breathing hard.

“W-wait…what just happened?” Jack asked confused and aroused. “What did you do to me?”

“W-well…Zecora and I have been practicing how to seduce you.” Applejack replied honestly. “We both learned how to focus our strongest emotions to the surface of our bodies.”

“That doesn’t explain how we went from casually talking to me ready to give you the rodeo of your life.” Jack admitted.

“Zecora studied you a bit when you were asleep once. You may not actively devour emotions like normal Changelings, but you are affected by them when they’re in close proximity.”

Jack gave her a deadpan look, “I don’t know what’s worst: the fact that even I didn’t know that or the fact that you found a perfect weakness for me. I seriously don’t remember what happened during the first five minutes of entering your room.”

“You were conscious enough to soundproof the room,” She admitted before running her hand across his chin. He stiffened up as he felt the influx of love and lust from her hand alone.

“A-Applejack, w-wait a second!”

“I waited long enough Sugahcube. Now take me on that rodeo.” She kissed him fully on the lips again. His vision swam before going dim.

> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack stared blankly at the ceiling of his current room. Currently though, he was in someone else’s room; the owner in question was Applejack. He was not surprised to find himself in her room when he came too, but he was more than pissed at the circumstances. She had literally drugged him with lust, and he doubted the outcome was unexpected. What really pissed him off more than anything was that he didn’t remember a damn bit of the sexual romp he had, and now it was night-time. He wasn’t hungry; the lust filled touches fed him enough emotion to forego eating for a while, and he wasn’t tired. Jack Silently growled as he untangled himself from her and pulled his softening member from her pussy. He didn’t want to know why it was still in her nor did he care. He searched the room for his clothes, found them in a pile, and got dressed. The anger from the situation kept growing, and for the life of him, he couldn’t remember if he’d ever gotten so pissed off before. He silently opened her window and both the smell of sex and shame flowed out of the room as he prepared to climb out. Jack took one look at Applejack and noted that said mare had a soft smile on her face. For a moment, she looked content and as though everything was right in the world, and it made his anger lessen just a bit.

‘We’ll talk about this Applejack, but for now, I can’t stand to be near you,’ Jack thought before he leapt/ed out of the window and took flight.

The cold night air swept across Jack’s body; he was glad that he opted to not wear his vest and go bare-chested. He found himself gliding around Ponyville as he tried to familiarize himself with the town once more. It had been months since he was “home” as it were, and he just wanted time to think before he tried to find Tempest and their lodgings. He blinked as he noticed a light coming from City Hall.

‘Odd? I thought bureaucracy stopped at nine,’ he joked to himself as he flew closer to the window. ‘Is the Mayor really at the office at this time?’

He swooped towards the office window and peered in. Sure enough, the Mayor of Ponyville, Mayor Mare he idly remembered hearing her name in passing conversation, was working at her desk. Since he was still curious, he tapped on the window. Mayor Mare jolted up in surprise before she turned around in her chair and saw Jack fluttering outsider her window.  

She opened up her window, and Jack took that as an invitation to fly in. She shut the window after he came in and turned her chair around to see that Jack was sitting on her plush visitor’s couch.

“Good morning, Prince Jack, what can I do for you?” Mayor Mare asked and noted that Jack winced at his title.

“Please Mayor Mare, don’t call me by my title. I sort of hate it,” he admitted with a sigh.

“Very well then, Jack, though my question still stands,” She replied with a warm smile.

“I was flying about, trying to clear my head when I saw your light on and got curious,” he answered truthfully. “I thought you would be in bed at this time.”

“Actually Jack, I just arrived here an hour ago. It’s almost seven a.m.”

‘Seven?! How long was I going for?’ he mentally asked himself.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing up so early? You don’t strike me as an early riser.” She noted that his expression turned dark for a moment before softening. “Oh dear, something happened didn’t it?”

“I’m probably too easy to read,” Jack sighed as he rested his elbow on his knee. He leaned into his fist as he racked his brain to try and figure out how to explain the situation.

“Judging by your tired expression, I’d wager girl problems,” She noted his posture with a small frown. “Really bad girl problems.”

“Well, you’ve hit the nail hard enough on the head,” Jack announced with a frown.

“Well, I can try and help you Jack, but only if you tell me what happened,” She told him softly. 

“You know, my mother used to be the one I talked to about my girl problems,” he admitted softly which caused her eyes to widen. “She’d sit me at the dinner table, make me a banana shake, and tell me to vent.”

“From what I understand, I thought you were the last of your kind.”

“Yeah, I am, but I’m not from Equestria, not originally, at least,” Jack said as he leaned back and looked at the ceiling. “I died where I came from, very painfully I might add. It was dark for a while, and then I awoke in the Everfree Forest without a stitch of clothing and no knowledge of this world or its inhabitants. If it weren’t for the kindness of an individual who taught me about what I became, where I was, and what I can do about it, I wouldn’t be here now. It wasn’t until the whole Nightmare Moon business that I found out what I really am.”

“And what might that be?” The Mayor couldn’t help but ask.

“An anomaly; I’m a being that, by all rights, shouldn’t exist. I have the genetic markers of an Alicorn and the genetic markers of a Changeling. I can shapeshift, change my gender at will, I can move clouds like Pegasi, use magic far more powerful than your average Unicorn, I have the unyielding durability of the strongest Earth Pony, and just recently I acquired the ability to change the seasons of this world instantly.”

“My word! Can you really do that?”

“I plan on giving a bit of demonstration later today at the school. It was a request from a young friend, Applebloom.”

“Ah yes, the youngest scion of the Apple Family,” She nodded before she continued. “However, I think we’ve strayed off topic, Jack. What has you so down?”

“I guess I could explain it to you, if you don’t mind keeping it between me and you. I don’t want this getting out, ever. It could be damaging to the girl, but even more to me,” Jack explained with a frown.

“You have my word, Jack,” The Mayor said with a frown.

“Alright,” Jack sighed and sat up. “As a Mutocorn, that’s what my race is called officially, I have strengths and weaknesses. I already explain my strengths. I do, however, have one almost damning weakness. I didn’t think anything of it until it was used against me by someone I cared about.”

“And, what might that weakness be?” the mayor looked concerned as she asked that.

“I’m horribly susceptible to magically enhanced emotions,” Jack announced. “More recently, I’ve found myself helpless to enhanced love and lust based magic.”

“I, I don’t follow,” The Mayor admitted confused.

“I’ll explain. Emotions are powerful, much more than the average being realizes. Changelings and, to an extent, I can feed off emotions to sustain ourselves. A small amount of positive emotions can feed me for a few days, and nothing is more powerful than the power of love. Love, in its rawest form, is a powerful emotion. A small amount of love not only energizes me for a while, but I found out that it can cause a mental blackout on my end for a few seconds while my body reacts,” Jack said with a sigh. “Anypony can use this ability. For Unicorns, it’s just as simple as focusing it through their horns. Pegasi and Earth Ponies however need to train their internal stores. You do know that Pegasi and Earth Ponies have magic too, but it flows differently right?”

“It’s not common knowledge, I’d admit,” the mayor replied with a nod. “However, I’m still not following.”

“I’m coming to that,” Jack said before he continued. “The problem is that a mare that I know, whose name I’ll keep quiet, has found out how to utilize said magic. Since she’s an Earth Pony, it caught me by surprise when she did it the first time.”

“What happened when she did?”

“I don’t remember!” Jack exclaimed. “All I remember was walking into her home, she grabbed my hand and then I blanked out! When I came too, we were making out in her room!” 

“Oh my!”

“I asked her what she did, and she told me what she did but not how she did it, and before I could protest and tell her not to do it, she overdosed me. If I were to guess, I regained consciousness only forty minutes ago.”

“That’s horrible! You should do something about her! She basically drugged you and raped you!”

“I don’t think she knew the consequences of the technique she used,” Jack said angrily as tears started to pour from his eyes. “And that’s why I’m so –so – pissed off right now! She didn’t know my body would react to her like that, and she was one of my first friends, and I care about her, but she took advantage of my weakness! I don’t know what I should do! I’ve never been in a situation like this before! I’m angry, I’m pissed, and I just-”

Mayor Mare had got up out of her seat and moved over to him. She pulled him into a hug as he began to cry.

‘He might be powerful, and a Prince, but he’s still a young adult,’ Mayor Mare thought as she held him and whispered soothing words into his ears. ‘I don’t think he’ll recover from this properly. What was that mare thinking? She practically broke him.’

It would be nearly thirty minutes before she realized he stopped crying and fell asleep. She laid him down properly onto the couch before she stood up and went to her closet. She opened it and pulled out a blanket; it was something she kept around for cold all-nighters in the office. She laid the blanket onto the sleeping Jack. With a sigh, she watched him slowly relax. ‘Poor child, I think his bodyguard needs to know about this at least. I know I promised to keep it a secret, Jack, but would you really keep it a secret when it could potentially hurt you more?’ She grabbed a coat from her closet and left her office with the knowledge that Jack might be asleep for a while. She was a Mayor on a mission. It wouldn’t do that one of her charges suffered like this. Not one bit.

//---000---//

Flash Sentry stepped off the train and took a deep breath as he embraced the cool morning air. It was a refreshing start to what he hoped would be a peaceful day. Then he remembered why he was here in Ponyville and almost cried. He was here to provide extra security to the Prince. The same reckless Prince that got into more trouble than it was worth. It was thoughts like this that often made Flash question his profession. This wasn’t to say he disliked his job; after all, Flash came from a long line of Royal Guards. He just found his charge more troublesome than was healthy. He grabbed his bag and headed into town with a sigh. He really wished this day would go well. He didn’t need any more stress in his life.

As he made his way into town, he noticed a mare coming out of a large building, no doubt city hall. He quickly made his way over to her. “Hello there.”

His greeting jolted the mare out of her thoughts.

“Oh you startled me there,” The mare announced holding her heart. “You must be new in town. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mayor Mare, the, well, mayor of Ponyville.”

“Flash Sentry, ma’am, current member of the newly formed Season Guard,” Flash introduced himself. “I was wondering if you knew where I might find Prince Jack or Captain Tempest Ranger?”

“Tempest Ranger? I was on my way to find her. I wish to inform her of an incident with the young prince,” Mayor Mare admitted with a frown.

“Something happened to Prince Jack? Is he alright?” Flash asked with urgent concern.

“No, I don’t think he’ll be right for a while, but he’ll live,” The Mayor replied with a frown. “He’s currently asleep in my office. The poor dear needed it.”

She noticed Flash was beginning to move towards the door and said, “Flash, please don’t. He, he needs his rest.”

That was a concept Flash never thought of. Everyone knew that Jack was notorious for staying up for days at a time. He’d only catch catnaps when he needed them. It had gotten to the point where he had a routine. They speculated that his physiology was attuned differently than other individuals and that whenever he did sleep it was to only replenish any lost energy from periods of activity. Hearing that whatever happened to him MADE him fall asleep was greatly concerning.

“Tell me what happened,” Flash demanded with a frown.

“I’ll explain it when I find your captain,” The Mayor replied with a frown.

“Very well then. I can use a special tracking technique that will make the search faster. Believe it or not, the Prince thought it up.” as well. Flash stared at her for a moment before he nodded.

“Oh?”

“Yes,” he said as closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again. Flash’s eyes now emitted a green glow. “He theorized that even though I was a Pegasi, I could manipulate my internal magic for something other than flying. He helped me develop something called ‘Aura Sight.’ It went along with a set of skill he called ‘The Aura.’ I thought he was yanking my chain when he pulled me aside and handed me a scroll with these abilities on it, but they worked.”

“My word.”

“Got her Magic Signature. Let’s go,” Flash said before he began to walk in the direction that he sensed Tempest with Mayor Mare right behind him. He was determined to get to the bottom of this situation and hopefully soon. Jack was more than his charge. He was a friend, and nothing was more important to Flash than his friends and family.

> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Occulmency, according to J.K. Rowlings, is a skill that wizards and witches use to protect their mind from intrusion, among other things. I remember reading that Occulmency was akin to meditation, something I wasn’t very good at.

Sleep never came for Jack as he lay on the Mayor’s Couch. Still rather charged from Applejack’s energy, he felt rather restless. His mind was running a thousand miles a minute trying to figure out what to do about Applejack and eventually Zecora. Their new technique was deadly, if not bothersome.

‘Ugh…this is starting to frustrate me! I don’t need anyone knowing I can be disabled by emotions.’ He growled in his mind. ‘What can I do though? I’m part changeling, emotions are both a blessing and a curse…’

‘How foolish…’ a voice crept from the back of his mind. ‘For a fool who used my powers so frivolously and to not understand his own limitations…’

Jack sat up. “Who said that?” He looked around the room. The office was empty, except for himself. ‘Am I going crazy? Hearing voices that aren’t there?’

‘Baka…’ was the reply before his world went dark.

//---000---//

Meanwhile Flash and the Mayor tracked down the elusive Tempest in the residential district. Flash stopped in front of a non-descript house, but the Mayor recognized the place immediately.

“This is the residence of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia.” She gasped. Flash silently facepalmed. How did he forget that important piece of information? The prince had ordered both Flash and Tempest to talk to each other and learn things about each other to further their teamwork. The Prince had joined in as well and they spent many a night drinking and having a good time. One thing both Jack and Flash knew was that Tempest had friends in Ponyville who were both musicians. With the names Vinyl Scratch and Octavia, it was obvious where she had stayed at. Flash shook his head before knocking on the door. 

A few moments later, a mare answered the door. “Yes? May I help you?”

“Octavia, is Tempest Ranger here?” The Mayor asked, slightly nudging Flash to the side to make her presence known. 

“Oh! Mayor! Yes, she’s just got finished taking a shower. Shall I get her?” 

“Yes,” Flash replied. “Tell her that the Prince has been injured.” Octavia’s eyes widen before closing the door. A few moments later a loud “What?!” came from the normally quiet home before the door opened up. 

Tempest stood there, with slightly wet hair and clothes, with a fire in her eyes. “Take me to him! He told me he’d be alright!”

“Well you know Jack…” Flash announced as he turned to move towards the Mayor’s office.

“Trouble follows him everywhere, but even where he thought he’d be safe?” Tempest ended she, The Mayor, Vinyl, and Octavia followed Flash, the latter two to help their friend from Canterlot. ‘Jack, when I find out who hurt you, they won’t be long for this world!’ Tempest vowed.

//---000---//

“Ugh…where am I?” Jack groaned as he came to. He blinked as he was lying on the floor of what looked like a Library. He was slowly getting up, but he was yanked up by his arm and steadied as the force of the pull was greater. “Hey! Can’t you see a guy is…” His voice died out as he realized he was staring face to face with Uchiha Itachi. 

“Hnn…so it seems that you know who I am. Good, it’ll save time explaining things.”

“How…?” Jack asked with a whisper.

“Every time you used your ability to copy or conjured a weapon or a piece of gear to suit your needs, you also summoned a piece of those who wielded that power or ability. The summon usually does not last long and the soul pieces tend to fade away, however, the more powerful soul pieces resided here within your subconscious.” Itachi explained.

“Who else is here?” Jack asked worried.

“Take a guess,” a young but gruff voice spoke up from behind him. He turned his head to see Raiden and Link standing there with smirks on their face.

“H-hey…fellas...” Jack began to stutter.

“Relax kid. We’re not mad. Our souls are about to fade anyways and we’re here to help you.” Raiden announced. Link tossed a book at Jack who caught it. Looking at the title he blinked.

“Harry Potter? How is this book going to help me?”

“Any book, movie, comic, or video game you’ve ever played is stored within this library created by your magic,” Itachi explained. “By coming here, you can access those memories of those media and learn from them. That first book is the key.”

Jack stared at Itachi for a moment before opening the book. Suddenly information flooded his mind. Suddenly he knew. “Occulmency...that’s the key to protecting my mind from those influxes of emotion magic!  But…how would I even begin to practice?”

Suddenly Itachi flicked Jack in the head, “Foolish little prince…” Jack glared at Itachi but realized too late what was happening. Suddenly his mind was flooded with new information, teaching him how to meditate and clear his mind. Such was the power of the Sharingan, the Deus Ex Machina of the Naruto Universe.

//---000---//

“Flash, I thought you said the Prince was hurt.” Tempest growled annoyed looking at the snoring, Jack.

“Tempest look at him.” Flash pointed out. Tempest blinked and looked at Jack again.

“Wait…is he…actually sleeping?!” 

“I don’t get it, why is that a bad thing?” Vinyl asked confused.

“The Prince may be part Alicorn, but he also part Changeling,” Flash explained. “He eats, sleeps, and drinks like everyone else, but in actuality he doesn’t need to. The ambient magic left by our emotions, no matter they type of Pony we’re are, tend to sustain him for hours to days depending on the area. The fact that he’s sleeping means that he was tired, something he doesn’t do often.”

“He was overloaded,” The Mayor announced, causing the occupants of the room to turn to the aging woman. “He explained it…the individual who he came into contact with flooded his body with lust, acting almost like a drug. It broke through his mind, and he became an unwilling sex partner with the offender.” Everyone stared at the Mayor with shock written over their faces.

Flash was the first to respond, “You mean to tell me that the first Alicorn Prince of Equestria was RAPED?!”

“Who did this?! They will die before noon!’ Tempest growled angrily.

“Calm yourselves my friends…” A voice broke through the tension. Everyone turned towards the owner of the voice.

“Jack! You’re awake!”

“No need to yell, Tempest.” Jack said softly. “Now…stand by me my friends, I have a busy schedule and revenge is the last thing on my mind.” Both Tempest and Flash helped the Prince up, knowing that tone of voice. It was one laced with power and understanding, yet decisive. It was Jack’s Royal Canterlot Voice.  “Mayor…Ladies…Thank you for your hospitality. After I attend my business at the Elementary School here in Ponyville, I shall return to Canterlot.”

“But…Jack…” Tempest’s words died on her lips as she saw the look in his untransformed eye. She could always tell when Jack was looking at her when his eyes were normal, in his normal form, the half changeling form.

“I was shown a weakness…and I learned a way to counter it. I shall deal with the individual in time, but for now, I have a job to do.  Flash, head to the library and talk with Miss Sparkle about having a carriage sent to Ponyville post haste. Tempest, you’re with me.”

“Sir!” Flash quickly left the room.

“Mayor Mare…Thank you for helping me in my time of need, if there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to call upon me.” The Mayor nodded, not knowing what to say. “Ladies…I’m sure you and Tempest are quite famished for having to rush to my aid. Please, allow me to treat you to breakfast.” Both women nodded as they all left the Mayor’s Office.

‘What is wrong Jack? You seem like a different person…it seems…wrong!’ Tempest thought worriedly as she and Jack were led to a restaurant that served breakfast by Vinyl and Octavia. 

‘A clear mind…a clear focus.’ Jack thought as a Raven cawed in the distance. ‘I will not let my emotions beat me, nor will I let anyone else’s emotions afflict me again!’