> Imperium et Imperator
>  by Emperor Gerald I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> I- On the Hunt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was an excellent day to be hunting. It was late fall and the leaves fell slowly from the trees as Gerald, and his good friend Garrett sat lazily in their hunting blind. 

"Haven't seen any of the Geese about, have you old boy?" queried Gerald

"Naw man!" Garrett was rummaging around in his knapsack looking for that candy bar he was certain he had brought. "You know, sometimes you remind me of an old British man when you talk like that!"

Gerald smiled "You know me Garrett! I love old British men!"

Garrett snickered, thinking how odd that this 20 year old from Northern Canada could have ended up being somewhat like a British aristocrat from the early 19th century.

"Still no birds around!" exclaimed Gerald, pulling out a brass pocket watch from within his tweed jacket. 

The two young men could not have looked more different. Garrett wore a standard hunting outfit, with camouflage baseball cap, matching jacket and muddy pants as well as large hunting boots. Gerald was wearing his favourite grey flat cap and British shooting jacket, with the right shoulder well padded, with a matching tweed vest, ascot, and trousers, as well as knee high socks and brown leather hunting boots. Garrett was wielding a bland modern pump action shotgun while Gerald preferred a double barrelled percussion cap shotgun that was richly engraved with british imperial insignia. Whereas Garret was clean shaven Gerald sported a thick beard completely encircling his face. Garrett had a pair of aviator sunglasses perched in his front pocket while Gerald had a carefully folded handkerchief and wore his rectangular prescription glasses close to his face. The only similarities between the two were their brown hair, blue eyes, height (about 6'.1"), and their slightly "portly" body structures.

As the sun climbed lower in the sky the two chatted, cursing their foul luck at not seeing any geese in the seemingly perfect field arrayed before them. 

"I guess it was just not our day." Garrett yawned, pulling up his sleeve to check his watch. "Shi- err I mean shoot!"  Garret corrected himself quickly before his friend could jokingly chide his use foul language.

"What is it?" asked Gerald, looking up from the book he had begun to read. 

"We are an hour-forty minutes late packing up, which means we will still be walking after dark." Garrett sighed as he hurriedly grabbed the small pile of candy wrappers from the ground beside him.

"If we pack up quickly I am certain we will make it back before dark Garrett." Gerald grabbed his gun and pack.

After the two had packed up the hunting blind and re-packed their bags the sun had slipped beyond the horizon.

"Damn, I forgot to bring the flashlight!" cursed Garrett.

"Darn" corrected Gerald.

"Yeah whatever, lets get going, and fast!" said Garrett.

The two trod down the path back to Garrett's truck laughing at each other's jokes as they poked fun at each other.

"So in all seriousness why do you even like that pony show?" asked Garrett to Gerald.

Gerald sighed. Garrett would always try to get him to explain his one "quirk," and poke fun at his explanations.

"They have a monarchy in their land, so I like the support for the monarchy portrayed by the general populace in their land, it is not much seen today."

"Why do you like monarchies so much?" Garrett laughed, knowing that he was successfully irritating his friend.

As the duo neared the slope that lead down to the small depot where they had parked Garrett's truck Gerald accidentally dropped his gun.

"Curses!" exclaimed Gerald.

"What happened?!" said Garrett whirling around to face Gerald in the darkness.

"I dropped my gun!" 

"I'll go back to the truck and get the flashlight, you wait here so we don't loose it!"

Gerald stood and waited as he watched the outline of his friend disappear into the small defilade in front of him.

After ten minutes Gerald saw the light of Garett's flashlight through the brush.

"Over here old boy!" he called.

No response.

"Garrett!" Gerald tried again.

"GARRE-" but Gerald could no longer speak as the light had begun to consume the whole forrest leaving him speechless with horror.

Gerald began stepping back, his mouth slowly opening and closing as if even his vast vocabulary could not describe this strange spectacle that had appeared before him. As he was about to turn and run the light rushed forward with blinding force, physically knocking Gerald from his feet. As he struck the ground he could see nothing but stars.





Gerald awoke some time later, extremely dizzy with a throbbing head. He slowly brought his hand to the back of his head and felt the sticky mess of blood and hair. He groaned as he rolled over onto his side, and the world seemed to continue spinning. As the world came back into focus it was clear to him what had happened, he had simply tripped and fallen onto his gun. The last thing he remembered was a bright light, most likely some sort of dream that occurred in his dazed mind. 

Gerald could not think straight, his mind flew faster even than normal. As he regained his footing he grabbed his hat from the ground and stuffed it in his pocket. Almost without thinking he clumsily picked up his gun of the ground and started walking. The forest looked different, it even FELT different. Gerald concluded in a moment of cognizance that he must have sustained some sort of concussion. But where was Garrett? All Gerald knew was that he must return to civilization before he fell back into unconsciousness. As Gerald stumbled through the forrest his mind began playing tricks on him, he saw large, colourful flowers, impossibly vibrant trees, and strange animals illuminated in the moonlit distance. It felt to Gerald like some sort of horrible rendition of "Alice in Wonderland". Gerald suddenly stopped, he had stepped out onto... a road? As he stumbled forward he bumped into a signpost. It read... "Ponyville?" 

"I must really be going mad..." Gerald mumbled to himself as he slumped to the ground and back into unconsciousness.

> II- Fluttershy's Discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A beautiful sunrise greeted the beginning of yet another fine day in Equestria. As Fluttershy strolled along the road to Ponyville she stopped to help a robin who's egg had fallen out of her nest. Fluttershy gently cradled the tiny blue egg as she flew up beside the tree to return it to it's nest. 

"There you are Mr. Robin." Fluttershy gingerly set the egg back into the nest. "Your egg is safe and sound."

Mr. Robin replied with a grateful series of chirps which meant, "Thank you so much Fluttershy, I don't know what we would do without you!"

"You are very welcome Mr. Robin." replied Fluttershy, smiling warmly.

Before Fluttershy could even return to the road a flurry of distressed chirping summoned her back to the nest.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Fluttershy "did your egg fall again?" 

Thankfully the egg had not fallen again, but Mrs. Robin had returned with some distressing news. She had been out looking for some seeds to eat while Mr. Robin watched the nest, and she had come across an injured animal on the road that lead past the Everfree Forest.

"Th-the Everfree Forest?" gulped Fluttershy.

Don't worry I'll show you the way! chirped Mrs. Robin

Fluttershy reluctantly followed the distressed Robin down a side path that lead into the outer edges of the Everfree Forest. When she arrived she saw what to her looked like a large ape of some kind that was slumped down beside a sign beside the road. Even more strangely the ape was wearing clothes. As Fluttershy cautiously approached she noted that the animal appeared to be sleeping, not injured. 

"I think that it might just be asleep Mrs. Robin." said Fluttershy uncertainly.

Mrs. Robin flew down to where the ape lay upon the ground and pointed with her left foot toward the back of it's head. Fluttershy hurried over and gently turned the ape's head to the side. The back of it's head was covered in blood and was slightly dented where it had struck something. 

"You're right Mrs. Robin. This animal is really hurt, poor thing!" said Fluttershy. She leaned in close to the animal "Can you hear me?" Fluttershy said gently. "Hello?" still no response. Fluttershy knew that she had to get this injured animal back to her cottage to recover, but had no idea how to move such a large creature on her own.

"Mrs. Robin, can you please quickly fly down to Applejack's and get her and her brother to come here as fast as possible?"

Mrs. Robin flew away as fast as her little wings could take her.





Applejack and her brother, Big Mcintosh were just leaving the house to begin that day's apple harvest. 

"Were already behind, so we gotta work twice as hard today, okay Big Mcintosh?" Applejack said.

"Yeup!" Big Mcintosh replied enthusiastically, shrugging his harness higher up around his shoulders.

Big Mcintosh hitched himself up to the applecart and as the two started off toward the apple field a robin swooped from the forest and landed in front of them, chirping frantically.

"Sorry bird, we got lotsa work to do today!" said Applejack, walking quickly around the bird.

The Robin flew in front of them again, chirping frantically and pointing vaguely toward Fluttershy's cottage.

"Tell Fluttershy that we are busy!" stated Applejack.

The bird flew up beside Applejack and started pulling her by her mane toward Fluttershy's cottage.

"Aw horseshoes!" Applejack sighed "Alright, alright, I'm comin'!" she turned to Big Mcintosh "you stay here and continue the harvest."

"Yeup." 

The bird flew over to Big Mcintosh and began tugging on his mane.

"I think it wants me to come too Applejack." said Big Mcintosh.

"This better be REALLY important" replied Applejack "so much for getting the harvest done on time."

The bird hurriedly lead the two down the road past Fluttershy's cottage and toward the Everfree Forest.

"I hope Fluttershy is alright!" said Applejack between breaths "ponies don't usually go down near the Everfree Forest, especially not Fluttershy!"

As the trio rounded a corner Applejack caught sight of Fluttershy laying down beside a large animal, stroking it's head gently.

"Thank Celestia you two came!" cried Fluttershy running down the road to embrace her friend.

"It's okay Fluttershy." said Applejack, wiping away the tears that had appeared at the corners of Fluttershy's eyes.

"Looks like a weird pet." said Big Mcintosh, gesturing toward the animal's clothing.

"It might be, but it is hurt really badly." whimpered Fluttershy trying to hold back her tears.

"Its gonna be okay Fluttershy." said Applejack reassuringly "luckily, Big Mcintosh brought the Applecart with us, so we can take it back to your place."

"J-just be careful with it's head when you pick it up, it really hit it hard."

Big Mcintosh maneuvered the cart in front of the creature and unhitched himself from it. He and Applejack carefully lifted it from the ground into the cart.

"Wow, it really is hurt bad." said Applejack to Big Mcintosh as they rested the creature's injured head onto a pile of burlap sacks at the back of the cart.

Within fifteen minutes Big Mcintosh and Applejack had helped Fluttershy return the injured animal to her cottage. Applejack and Big Mcintosh lifted it from the cart and brought it into the cottage. They laid it down on Fluttershy's bed, it's long legs hanging over the end. Applejack brought over some other furniture to support it's legs while Fluttershy started collecting some bandages.

"What exactly is this animal?" asked Applejack.

"I think it is some kind of ape." replied Fluttershy.

After the animal was made comfortable Fluttershy brought over the bandages. She had Big Mcintosh hold it's head up while she wrapped the bandages around it, doing her best to hold back tears when she saw how terrible the wound was.

"Its okay Fluttershy, you're gonna help it get better." encouraged Applejack.

After the bandages were applied, Fluttershy went outside for some air while Applejack and Big Mcintosh did their best to clean up the blood. 

"You okay?" Applejack asked Fluttershy as she came back into the cottage.

"Yes, I think so." Fluttershy whispered.

"Do you need us to stay here with you for awhile?" 

"Yes" 

Applejack sent Big Mcintosh home to pick up some mattresses, as it seemed that they would be staying for the night, while she helped Fluttershy take care of her other animals. That night Fluttershy stayed awake the whole night re-assuring the animal (and herself) that everything would be okay. As Fluttershy was finally drifting off to sleep she noticed the animals eyes flicker open for a moment.

"Hello." she said gently.

The animal just slowly shook it's head and groaned. Fluttershy leaned over from the chair and gave the animal a gentle hug.

"Its okay, you're safe now, everything is alright." whispered Fluttershy to the animal as tears rolled down her cheeks.














> III-  The Strange Animal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack slowly turned over to check the clock in the guest bedroom she and Big Mcintosh were staying in. It was 6:00am, Applejack decided that she would make breakfast for her friend. On the other bed Big Mcintosh snored loudly. Applejack arose from her sleeping bag she had brought to Fluttershy's to sleep on and went to the other guest bed to ask Fluttershy what she would like for breakfast. The bed was completely empty. It was if nopony had even slept in it! Applejack assumed that Fluttershy had already gotten up and went to check on the injured animal, so went directly to Fluttershy's room. 

"Fluttershy?" whispered Applejack as she opened the door to Fluttershy's bedroom.

"Hello?" she tried again.

When there was no response Applejack fully opened the door and lit the lamp beside the bed. Fluttershy was there, sleeping soundly, hooves wrapped around the animal. 

"Fluttershy!" said Applejack gently, placing her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder.

Fluttershy yawned as her eyes fluttered open.

"Applejack?" said Fluttershy groggily.

"Yeah, its me shugarcube. Did you sleep well?"

"Not really. I was worried the animal might wake up and be all alone!"

"Well, I'll look after it today, you go get some rest."

Fluttershy slipped quietly out of the room as Applejack followed close behind. As Fluttershy snuggled into the covers of the extra guest bed, Applejack awoke Big Mcintosh.

"Big Mac!" she hissed.

"Yeup?" said Big Mcintosh, rubbing his eyes.

"Could you go down stairs and make you and me some breakfast? Fluttershy was up all last night."

"Yeup." replied Big Mcintosh as he slipped from under the covers and went downstairs.





Four hours later Fluttershy awakened.

Applejack, whom was walking back from her shift watching the injured animal, noticed that her friend was awake.

"Good morning, sleepy pony!" said Applejack "Big Mcintosh made breakfast for you. I'll go heat it up, you stay here."

As Applejack left the room Fluttershy jumped to her hooves and rushed down the hall to check on the animal. She threw open the door to see Big Mcintosh sitting on a chair beside the bed, with the creature still lying unconscious.

"Good morning Fluttershy." greeted Big Mcintosh "I made some breakfast for you, it is downstairs if you want it. It is an old family recipe, cinnamon and apple porridge."

"Thank you Big Mcintosh." said Fluttershy "but I was more worried about this animal, it needs some food and water!"

"So do you!" called Applejack from the downstairs.

Soon Applejack returned with a bowl of steaming porridge.

The three ponies settled in around Fluttershy's bed.

"Thank you two very much!" said Fluttershy "I couldn't have done this without you!" 

"It ain't no problem!" replied Applejack, thinking of how much of a problem it actually would be if the harvest didn't get in before the frost. "But we really do have to get back to work on the farm soon", she continued "so why don't I go get somepony from the village to come up and help you?"

"Certainly", said Fluttershy "I think we should get Twilight though, I can't tell what animal this is, and she might know more about it."

"Sounds good shugarcube" replied Applejack "are you okay here alone if Big Mac goes back to the farm?"

"I think so" replied Fluttershy uncertainly.





Twilight was beginning to read, what seemed to Spike,  the tenth book on building and maintaining friendships this week.

"Um, Twilight?" asked Spike.

"Mhm?" responded Twilight, not even looking up from her book.

"Don't you think that instead of just reading about friendships you should, I don't know, EXPERIENCE them?"

"Spike!" exclaimed Twilight, slamming the book shut "if I am to maintain these friendships with these other ponies I must be extremely well versed in the art of friendship, and by reading I gain vastly more information than simply stumbling into the situation uninformed, and furthermore like any other art the maintenance of friendship requires experience and knowledge. That is what this book is informing me of currently!"

"Yeesh!" replied Spike "I was just making a suggestion!"

"Sorry Spike" sighed Twilight," it is just that I cannot bear the thought of losing these friendships due to inexperience!"

Just then there was a knock at Twilight's door.

"It is probably somepony coming to use the library, Spike would you mind getting the door?" said Twilight, closing her book.

Spike hopped down the stairs and scrambled over to the door. He opened it to see his friend Applejack

"Howdy Spike!" said Applejack "I need to talk ta Twilight, if she is not busy."

"Hi Applejack! I'll go get her right away!" replied Spike.

Spike went back up the stairs to see Twilight preparing to give somepony the tour of the library.

"They will most likely be interested in a very general topic, so I will have to help them narrow it down and-"

"Hey Twilight?" said Spike, tapping her on the shoulder.

"Yes Spike?"

"Applejack is here, she is wondering if she can talk to you for a moment... or should I tell her you have to read about how to talk to your friends first?"

"Spike!" chided Twilight "anyways, lets go down and see what Applejack wants."

Applejack waved to Twilight as she walked down the stairs into the library.

"Howdy Twilight, long time no see!" said Applejack, embracing her friend.

"Hello Applejack, what brings you to see me today?" asked Twilight.

"I was just at Fluttershy's, she is taking care of an animal that is hurt pretty badly and she needs some help identifying it, and taking care of it."

"Identifying it?" replied Twilight "I thought Fluttershy was an expert on animals!" 

"She is but this animal is different than your regular critters, it was even wearing clothes!"

"Ah ha!" exclaimed Twilight "that means it is either a domesticated or extremely intelligent species of animal! I would love to go and inspect it!"

"Great!" said Applejack, heading toward the door, "I would love to stay longer but we are really behind at the harvest at the farm today and I need to get back fast!"

"No problem Applejack, have an excellent day." replied Twilight, turning to Spike "Spike, I need you to get me all ten volumes of Rare and Mystical creatures, the Encyclopaedia of Equestrian wildlife, and The Book of Basic Magical Medicine."

"Yes ma'am!" said Spike as he ran off to retrieve the books Twilight had requested.




Fluttershy was using a wet cloth to attempt to have the animal drink some water, although it was coughing up more than it swallowed.

"Please just drink a little!" she sighed.

Just then Fluttershy heard a loud knocking at her door.

"Fluttershy, this is Twilight! I heard about the animal you have and I have come to assist you in identifying it and taking care of it!" called Twilight from the doorway.

Fluttershy arose from the bedside and went downstairs to greet her friend. She opened the door and was greeted with a cascade of books, notebooks, quills, and ink.

"Whoops! Sorry Fluttershy!" said Spike, scrambling to pick up the things he had dropped.

"Where is the animal?" asked Twilight "this could be a whole new discovery! Imagine that, I, Twilight Sparkle having the opportunity to name a new species of animal!"

"Um, it is upstairs Twilight." responded Fluttershy quietly.

"Excellent! Come on Spike!" exclaimed Twilight, picking up the startled dragon and all the books and quills with her magic and rushing up stairs. Fluttershy walked up after them.





As Twilight entered the room, she knew that this was not a regular creature, it was large, apelike and wore a very complex and fancy set of clothing, almost the quality of something that Rarity might create.

"Very interesting..." said Twilight, setting down her books and quills, as well as her assistant, and going in to inspect the creature more closely.

"Please be careful with it's head, it is really hurt!" squeaked Fluttershy from the doorway.

"Certainly" said Twilight as she slowly walked around the edge of the bed. "It seems to be a creature of some intelligence, did it have anything with it when you found it Fluttershy?"

"Yes, Big Mcintosh brought back a pack it had on its back, and a weird hollow metal stick that it was carrying."

"Would I be able to see these objects?" enquired Twilight.

"Of course" replied Fluttershy, "they are on the desk over there."

Twilight went over to the desk and inspected the "stick" closely.

"It might be a magical tool..." said Twilight to herself. She then abruptly set down the "stick" and grabbed the backpack with her magic. "There seems to be some sort of energy coming from this bag..." immediately dumping the contents of the bag onto the desk.

"What is it Twilight?" asked Spike curiously.

"It is some sort of magic object that is emitting energy, and  I am going to attempt to use it, stand back!"

Spike and Fluttershy backed up as Twilight brought a yellow tube out of the pile. Twilight concentrated her magic on the tube and it made a clicking sound, sending a beam of light cascading from it's end.

"That determines it!" said Twilight "it is likely this creature is much like Spike, the assistant of a unicorn whom specializes in magic!"

"Wow..." said Spike looking up at the creature "I wish I was that big!"

"Should we look for it's master?" asked Twilight to Fluttershy.

"It is really hurt right now, I don't think we have the time to do that." said Fluttershy quietly.

"Very well, Spike, get me the Book of Basic Magical Medicine."

After some time of reading Twilight looked over to the creature.

"I need to see the wound to properly ascertain the best way to help it."

Fluttershy cringed remembering the bloody wound that was on the back of the creature's head.

"I guess you can take of the bandage..." whispered Fluttershy.

Twilight gingerly removed the bandages from the creature's head, being careful not to hurt it.

"Oh my..." said Twilight looking at the wound, this was not like the other little scratches and bruises she had seen in her experience. 

Twilight returned to the book for another fifteen minutes, vigorously flipping through the pages.

"Ah ha!" she exclaimed, pointing to a specific page. "It says here that the impact likely lodged a portion of the skull against the brain, causing the creature to remain unconscious."

Fluttershy turned white. "Is there anything we can do?" she asked.

"Yes, with magic this procedure is very simple, all we have to do is gently grab the fragmented pieces of the skull with our magic and..."

A dull cracking sound came from the creature's head as Twilight attempted to re-align the broken pieces of its skull. At last the creature let out a groan and the dent in it's head seemed to disappear. 

"There we are!" said Twilight, turning around to see Fluttershy trembling and Spike covering his mouth. 

"Are-are you sure those cracking sounds were good?" asked Spike.

"Quite certain, my assistant" replied Twilight "it should be awake within a few hours, during that time I shall attempt to ascertain it's species and gender. Spike, could you help me remove it's clothes?"

"Okay" replied Spike "I'm glad YOU don't make me wear clothes around all the time, this thing's boss must be really weird."

After many hours of study Twilight had figured out was that the creature was male, likely sentient, and that it was probably some variant of ape.

"By the shape of it's teeth I think it eats mostly... nuts and fruit?" Twilight guessed.

"Okay, I can go into Ponyville before the market closes and get some." suggested Fluttershy.

"Yes, that sounds good, I shall stay here to observ-"

Just then the creature sat straight up and rubbed it's eyes.

"Hello?" said Twilight.

The creature blinked a few times, looked around the room, rubbed it's eyes again, and promptly fainted.




 


> IV- He Awakens
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy and Twilight rushed to the side of the creature's bed.

"Is he okay?" asked Fluttershy.

"Yes, he is okay Fluttershy." responded Twilight.

Gerald could not believe it, two ponies whom were from that show he had watched the pilot to, not two days before, were standing in front of him. He slowly opened his eyes again.

"Hello!" exclaimed Twilight, seeing Gerald's eyes open again.

"Ah, I must be in the hospital, with a concussion, and this is just some hallucination, or extremely lucid dream." Gerald mumbled to himself.

"I think he is trying to talk!" exclaimed Twilight.

"I am trying to speak." confirmed Gerald, shaking his head.

"Great, you speak the same dialect as us!" said Twilight eagerly.

"Of course I do, you are just figments of my imagination." said Gerald, pinching his arm to see if he was dreaming. 

"We are actually not figments of your imagination, you are in the land of Equestria!" Twilight said "and we are a species known as ponies. This is Fluttershy, I am Twilight, and this is my assistant, Spike."

Gerald was too busy testing his lucidness, and due to the sensation of pain in his arm, throbbing pain on the back of his head, and huge desire for food and water, had determined he was hallucinating.

"We are not familiar with your species" Twilight continued, "and we have searched these lands extensively so you must be from very far away."

"I am not from anywhere else, I am in the hospital right now, or god forbid, still lying in the forest, talking to myself."

Twilight could not understand why this... thing would not be able to comprehend that he was indeed not still unconscious and why he would think that her, Fluttershy and Spike were figments of his imagination. She concluded that he had never encountered another sapient spices before.

"We are just another sapient species of animal" explained Twilight "that is not unusual in this area, here we have ponies, griffons, buffalo-"

"I would be inclined to believe you" Gerald interrupted, "but I have seen you before, on a Television show, I already know all your names, and your friend's names as well."

"A television show? Is that a telepathic vision?" inquired Twilight.

"No, it is not" replied Gerald, shaking his head again "I cannot believe I am still talking with myself, I must wake up now."

Gerald closed his eyes tightly and clenched his teeth.

"You are not dreaming!" cried Spike from the foot of the bed.

"And I can prove it." said Twilight.

"Really?" replied Gerald.

"If you were in a dream right now, you would be in a lucid dream correct?" 

"Yes..."

"And if you were in a lucid dream, you could control the dream, correct?"

"Yes..."

"So try to control this "dream"." Twilight concluded.

Gerald closed his eyes and he tried, he tried using every last ounce of his brainpower to change this dream from this equine filled room to the living room of his home. He reluctantly opened his eyes.

"Still here, see?" laughed Twilight.

Gerald, still not quite believing what was quite evidently before his very eyes, just nodded.

"So what is your name?" asked Twilight.

"G-Gerald, Gerald Wellesley"

"That is an interesting name, what is your species?" Twilight continued.

"I am a human"

"Interesting I have never read about humans before..." said Twilight, grabbing her book on rare and mystical species..

"Umm, don't mean to interrupt, but  you probably need some food... right Gerald?" asked Fluttershy from the back of the room.

"Yes, some of that, and some water please." replied Gerald

As Fluttershy left the room Twilight turned to Gerald.

"I am just going downstairs to write a quick report of this to Princess C-"

"Yes, Princes Celestia, I know" stated Gerald.

"How did you know that!? Are you really telepathic?" inquired Twilight.

"I shall explain it later."

"Very well, Spike will remain here until I have completed the letter in order to retrieve whatever you require" said Twilight, walking to the door."

Spike offered Gerald a small bow. "Anything I can get for you?"

"Yes" replied Gerald "I would like my clothing back. In fact, why am I still not wearing my clothing?"

"We didn't want to steal it or anything!" replied Spike worriedly "we thought it would be uncomfortable, a-and Twilight wanted to study you, and I mean who wears clothes ALL the time anyways?"

"Us humans do." replied Gerald.

"Oh-okay sorry about that! Let me get your clothes!" Spike ran off in search of Gerald's clothing. Spike brought Gerald's bundle of clothing back to the bed. Gerald looked at him, wondering why he did not leave so he could get dressed.

"Spike, why have you not exited the premises yet?" 

"Ummm, should I have?" 

"Yes, I am getting dressed."

"Okay... weird." said Spike, walking into the hallway and closing the door.

After Gerald was dressed and fed and Twilight had finished her report to the Princess, Gerald attempted to explain how he had known about the ponies prior to meeting them.

"It would be like a book, just a moving picture book." Gerald attempted to explain the concept of Television yet again.

"Is it powered by magic?" asked Twilight.

"Quite a similar concept, we refer to it as electricity " answered Gerald.

"We are also familiar with the concept of electricity through the phenomenon of lightning! So it was electricity that was powering the device in your backpack?" inquired Twilight.

"Correct." replied Gerald.

"Very interesting" said Twilight, quickly writing down some notes.

"So how did your tele-mabob know what we were doing?" asked Spike.

"That I do not know."

"Another question" said Twilight, "how did you get here?"

Gerald explained how he had seen the bright light and had tripped backing away from it, then the next thing that he remembered clearly was awaking in Fluttershy's bed.

"Sounds like a spell to me!" said Twilight, referring to the bright light that Gerald had seen. "Now, I have a few questions about your species and where you are from..."

By the time Twilight had finished thoroughly questioning Gerald it was quite late at night. Fluttershy was tucking her animal friends into bed and Spike was snoring on the sofa. Twilight closed her notebook. 

"From what you have informed me it sounds like you might be from a whole different universe! Very interesting! I would like to stay and chat more but it is getting quite late, and we have to get back to the library soon." said Twilight "nice to meet you Gerald, and have a good night"

"It was nice meeting you too Twilight, but I have one question for you before you leave" replied Gerald, "can you get me back home?"

Twilight thought for a moment "I certainly hope so, but I won't know for certain without a bit of studying, and it certainly would not be any time soon."

"Very well, thank you Twilight, for all your assistance." 

"No problem, always happy to help a pony- err- human in need!" said Twilight, standing up from her chair.

"Bye, see you tomorrow Twilight." said Fluttershy, escorting her friend to the door.

She turned back to Gerald "Gerald?"

"Yes Fluttershy?"

"You can have my bed again tonight if you want."

"Thank you for the offer, but a guest bed is more than sufficient." Gerald graciously replied.

"Okay then I-" Fluttershy let out a tiny yawn, "am going to bed now."

Gerald smiled "Goodnight Fluttershy"

"Goodnight Gerald, I'm glad you are felling better!"





The next day Fluttershy suggested that she and Gerald go into the village for the day, if Gerald was felling up to it.

"I think I am feeling well enough to go to the village today." said Gerald.

"Are you certain?" Fluttershy asked.

"Quite so." replied Gerald, then stood "also, I must thank you for taking me into your abode to recover from my grievous wound." said Gerald, bowing and doffing his hat.

"You are welcome." Fluttershy said, blushing. She thought that Gerald spoke a lot like Rarity.

"Let me go get my things from upstairs, then we will be on our way."

As the two walked toward Ponyville, Fluttershy asked Gerald what he liked to do.

"Just so we know what you might like to do when we go into Ponyville." Fluttershy explained.

"Well one thing I would like to do is get some more clothes, you see us humans wear clothes everyday."

"Every day?  Isn't that a little much?" 

"Well, not for us humans, we only take off our clothes to bathe,  we also find it... embarrassing to be unclothed around others."

"Why?"

"That is a good question... I don't really know to tell you the truth, us humans just feel very uncomfortable if we are not clothed."

"Oh, okay. Sounds like we'll be making a stop at Rarity's today."

As Fluttershy and Gerald approached the village, a sudden warning made them turn their heads skyward.

"INCOMING!"

Fluttershy and Gerald jumped from the path as Rainbow Dash slammed into the dirt. 

"Okay, I guess maybe I should try that trick a biiit slower next time." said Rainbow Dash, shaking the dirt from her mane.

"Are you okay Rainbow Dash?" said Fluttershy, returning to the path.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine!" said Rainbow Dash, preparing to take back to the skies. As she did so she caught sight of Gerald, walking back to the pathway trying to wipe the dust from his trousers. "What the hay?..."

Gerald looked up from his trousers and stuck out his hand. 

"Good to meet you, I am Gerald, and you must be Rainbow Dash!"

"Yep, thats me!" replied Rainbow Dash shaking Gerald's outstretched hand, "and if you don't mind me asking what are you?"

"I am a human." Gerald replied.

Rainbow Dash looked Gerald up and down slowly. 

"You really don't look like anything else I've seen before." said Rainbow Dash

"He isn't from here" said Fluttershy, "he is from a different universe."

"Oh yeah, of course, I knew that!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Anyway, we are going into Ponyville for the day, do you want to come?" Fluttershy asked Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah, I think I'll do that, I think I've done enough tricks for one day." said Rainbow Dash, rubbing her head where it had hit the ground. "Where are you two planning on going in Ponyville?" she inquired.

"We are going to Rarity's shop to get some clothes for Gerald." Fluttershy replied.

"So, you are into that "clothes" stuff too, huh Gerald?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"In a matter of speaking, yes." said Gerald, adjusting his ascot.

"I think Rarity will get a kick out of this guy!" whispered Rainbow Dash to Fluttershy.

The trio continued into Ponyville, Gerald's appearance eliciting many a inquisitive look. They arrived at the Carousel Boutique as Rarity was seeing a customer out of the store.  

"Have a fabulous evening dearie, your dress will be complete within a week." 

"Hey Rarity!" yelled Rainbow Dash, "we have somepony here that you might want to meet!"

"Rainbow Dash!" chided Rarity, "can't you see I am speaking with a customer..." her voice trailed off.

Rarity was presented with the sight of a huge clothed... thing standing beside her friends. Gerald bowed and doffed his hat.

"A pleasure to meet you Rarity. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Gerald Wellesley." he said.

"The pleasure is all mine." Rarity responded, still perplexed as to what she was talking too. 

"Gerald is from another universe." Rainbow Dash explained, seeing the confused look on Rarity's face.

"We are here to get Gerald some clothes." Fluttershy added.

"Very well, do come in!" Rarity said pleasantly.

As Gerald stepped in he was amazed by the sight he beheld, a grand boutique with dresses lining the walls, all encrusted with the largest gemstones he had ever seen. They were not behind any glass, they were simply scattered throughout the room.

"The gems are fake I assume?" Gerald asked Rarity.

"No, not at all, they are of the highest quality." she responded.

"Is there an abundance of such gems in Equestria?" Gerald asked, picking up a particularly large gem off of a table to inspect.

"Not at all dearie, there is a reason the name Rarity suits my business so well!" Rarity giggled.

Gerald, resisting his desire to pocket the gem, placed it back upon the table.

"You were here to inquire about purchasing some clothing?" asked Rarity.

"That is correct, but the problem is, since I arrived here... unintentionally, I have no funds available." sighed Gerald, looking longingly at one of the gem encrusted dresses.

"That is unfortunate!" responded Rarity "but it is no matter, I shall simply not charge you!"

"You don't have to do that. I'll pay for him." said Fluttershy.

"No, no, I insist!" Rarity replied "by the sounds of things this poor fellow is quite lost, and it is the least I can do to help!" she turned to Gerald "Now, what type of event will you be requiring this clothing for?" Rarity asked.

"There is no event, us humans wear clothing every day." 

"Every day!?" cried Rarity with excitement "I simply MUST know where these "humans" are from!"

"Remember, other universe?" said Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, you were not kidding? That is unfortunate, at any rate, what type of clothing do you like Gerald?" said Rarity, gesturing to her displays.

"Well I really like tophats, canes, and three piece suits." Gerald replied, "as well as more... traditional styles of clothing like wigs, kneesocks, and tricorne hats."

"Perfect!" Rarity replied excitedly, "If I may say, you have an excellent sense of style! All we need now is your measurements, and we can start drafting some designs."

Rainbow Dash leaned over to Fluttershy "These two could be at this for HOURS, lets bail and go down to Shugarcube Corner until they're done." she whispered.

"But... I think we should stay here, with Gerald. He is new here and-"

Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy by the forehoof "Me and Fluttershy will be at Shugarcube Corner when you're done Gerald." said Rainbow Dash, dragging Fluttershy out the door.

Rarity sighed "Don't mind Rainbow Dash Gerald, she does not appreciate the art of creating the perfect outfit, much unlike myself."

"It is no matter, I am used to others not sharing my tastes in clothing!" Gerald laughed.

After three hours Rarity had figured out generally what Gerald wanted, and promised to make five different outfits, at least to start him off. 

"I cannot thank you enough Rarity! But are you certain it is acceptable that I do not pay for these? Some seem like they would be very expensive to create." said Gerald, inspecting the intricate designs Rarity had illustrated.

"Of course Gerald! You are stranded away from home with nothing, it would be terrible to ask you to pay for my services in your state!"

"Ah yes, indeed." said Gerald frowning.

"What is wrong dear?" Rarity asked, sounding concerned.

Gerald slowly traced the outline of one of the designs with his finger. "Its just that... your statement has made me realize that I really am stranded here."

"It is alright Gerald, I am certain you will be able to return home very soon!" Rarity replied. "Now, shall we join Rainbowdash and Fluttershy at Shugarcube Corner?"

"Very well." replied Gerald sadly.





"He's like this big, huge ape thingy, with a mane around his face, like a lion." Rainbowdash spoke to a group of Ponies whom had assembled around her, interested to hear about this strange being that had come to their village. 

"Rainbow Dash, you're making him sound really... scary." Fluttershy whispered to Rainbow Dash.

"I haven't said anything that isn't true!" Rainbow Dash hissed.

"I guess." Fluttershy responded.

"Now where was I?" Rainbow Dash continued to the crowd.

"OHHH! I KNOW! I KNOW! I KNOW!" cried Pinky Pie, jumping up and down, "you were saying he was really big!"

Rainbow Dash was not listening, she had noticed that Gerald and Rarity were entering Shugarcube Corner, just in time to hear Pinky Pie's tirade.

"Thanks, thats enough Pinky." said Rainbow Dash, coming down from the table that she had been standing on.

A silence swept through the crowd as they beheld the fearsome creature that Rainbow Dash had been describing. 

"A-and you were saying that Gerald is a big ape, with a mane like a lion!" continued Pinky Pie, oblivious of what had just occurred.

Rainbow Dash looked up at Gerald, her face blushing, and shrugged, as if to say: sorry! 

Gerald stared back down at her intensely. The whole room seemed to hold it's breath.

"Sorry?" squeaked Rainbow Dash.

Gerald stared a moment longer, then burst into laughter "That was an excellent description Rainbow Dash!"

"It... was? Oh, yeah, of course it was." replied Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, you didn't tell us he could talk!" said one pony from the crowd.

"Or that he wore fancy clothes!" noted another.

"I'm certain she just forgot to mention those points, right Rainbow Dash?" said Pinky Pie.

"Yeah, right." said Rainbow Dash, nodding.

After the crowd was done gawking at Gerald, Rainbow Dash and the others sat down at a table to enjoy some sweets and chat.

"So, how are you enjoying Ponyville Gerald?" asked Fluttershy.

"It is quite interesting... but I still have a hard time believing this is all real." Gerald responded.

"Poor Gerald" said Pinky Pie "I think YOU need a cupcake!" said Pinky Pie, pushing a cupcake across the table toward Gerald.

"Thank you Pinky Pie." sighed Gerald.

"I really liked your design ideas for your clothes Gerald, they were very posh!" said Rarity, trying to cheer Gerald up.

"Thats very kind of you Rarity." said Gerald, giving her a weak smile.

"I told ya they'd be here Twi!" came a voice from the doorway.

"Applejack! Twilight!" cried Pinky Pie, hopping out of her chair with excitement.

"Hello Pinky Pie." said Twilight, embracing her friend. "Gerald, I have some news for you!" 

"News?" said Gerald, lifting an eyebrow.

"Yes, news." said Twilight, hurrying over to the table where Gerald and the others were sitting. "Princess Celestia responded to my letter, and I have some good news and bad news."

"Whats the good news!?!?" asked Pinky Pie  excitedly.

"The good news is, Celestia can get Gerald home." said Twilight.

"Whoo Hooo!" cheered Pinky Pie.

"And the bad news?" Gerald inquired.

"The bad news is, I'm really sorry Gerald, but it could take up to five years." said Twilight.

"Five years? Could she not speed up the process at all?" asked Gerald.

"Unfortunately not. Speaking of which, gals, please come over here, we need to have a private talk."

Twilight and her friends gathered in a group, well away from Gerald.

"What is it Twi?" asked Applejack.

"The Princess asked us if we could, you know, let Gerald into our friend group during his stay here."

"Yay! New Friend!" Pinky Pie cried happily.

"Shhh!" Twilight silenced her.

"Ah, right, private talk." said Pinky Pie.

"So, the Princess wanted me to ask you gals if that would be okay." Twilight continued.

"Fine with me." said Rainbow Dash.

"He seems like a fine feller, I guess." said Applejack

"I think he is... nice." whispered Fluttershy.

"I like new friends!" said PInky Pie.

"He seems like a proper gentleman." Rarity noted.

"Its settled then, while Gerald is here he can hang around with us!" surmised Twilight.

The group returned to Gerald.

"Might I now know what it was you were speaking about?" asked Gerald, wiping some icing from his upper lip with his handkerchief.

"I was just making certain that everypony was okay with the Princess' idea of you staying with us until you return home." explained Twilight.

"Ah, very well then." said Gerald, popping the last of the cupcake into his mouth.

"I've already talked to Applejack about who you would stay with, and she has some extra room at the farm, and needs some extra help finishing up the harvest." said Twilight excitedly.

"And you would be welcome as part of the Apple family." Applejack said.

Gerald shook Applejack's hoof "Thank you for accepting me into your home... and family." 

"No problem pard!" responded Applejack, "But we gotta get you set up in your new room as soon as possible, those apples aren't gonna harvest themselves!"

"Perfect! I am glad everything worked out so nicely. I will check in on you tomorrow Gerald, goodbye!" said Twilight.

The mares quickly dispersed, and Applejack lead Gerald toward the doorway.

"I think you're gonna love it at Sweet Apple Acres Gerald!" said Applejack happily.

"I think I shall Applejack" replied Gerald "I think I shall."
> V- Avis est Mortuus
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning Applejack went to get Gerald out of bed to join the family for breakfast.

"Good mornin!" said Applejack as she entered Gerald's room, "Did ya'll get a good nights sleep?"

"Fairly good, the bed was slightly too small." Gerald yawned.

"Well its time to get up and at it!" said, Applejack placing a towel on Gerald's bed.

"What is this for?" said Gerald.

"A nice mornin bath!" said Applejack, "the bathroom is just down the hallway."

After Gerald had bathed he went downstairs to the kitchen to have breakfast. As he walked into the kitchen he caught sight of Applejack talking to her sister.

"...and so he will be staying with us for awhile, got it Applebloom?"

"Yes big sis." Applebloom responded between mouthfuls of cereal.

Applejack looked up at Gerald and smiled "So this is the newest "member" of our family Applebloom!" she said, pointing her hoof at Gerald.

Applebloom stared at Gerald "You didn't mention that he wasn't a pony Applejack..." Applebloom said.

"Well Applebloom, that shouldn't really be important, the important thing is tha-"

"I cant wait to show him to all my friends! Can I call him my brother? Does he go to school with me? Does he have his cutie mark yet?" Applebloom spouted excitedly.

"Whoa there Applebloom, you can call him your brother if you want, he is not going to school with you, and you can ask him about his cutiemark AFTER school." said Applejack, passing Applebloom her kitbag.

"Aw, well... see ya later Gerald." said Applebloom, grabbing her kitbag.

After Applebloom had left and Gerald had finished his breakfast Applejack assigned Gerald a job to do for the day.

"Well, considerin that you are probably still not a hundred percent after having your head bonked, I think you should do something fairly easy... hows about you pick up the apples we miss while bucking? You can take a break whenever you need one."

"Very well." responded Gerald unenthusiastically.

"Come on! It'll be fun!" said Applejack, heading toward the apple orchard.

Gerald would have to admit, it was mildly entertaining watching Applejack and Big Mcintosh work with such skill, but soon he was falling behind. By the time they had completed a few hundred trees Gerald was exhausted, he was not used to this much physical labour. 

"I shall be taking leave of my task for some time!" Gerald called to Applejack.

"What?!" Applejack called back.

"I'll be taking a break!" Gerald replied.

"Oh, okay, me and Big Mcintosh will be takin' this load back to the farmhouse!" 

Gerald walked slowly to the edge of the orchard. He could not believe this. He, a well educated young man with great ambitions was doomed to labour on a farm for the next five years, like he was some bloody peasant! He sighed and looked toward the sky, it was a sunny, cloudless day, but to Gerald, that only meant that his job would be much harder in the intense heat. Just then Gerald heard something, it was the call of a bird. Garrett was the one whom knew birds by the sounds they made, but even to Gerald this bird sounded different than any other. He returned his eyes skyward and, shielding his eyes from the intense sun, he saw it. It was the most beautiful animal he had ever seen. It was a large orange and red bird, and its feathers made it look as if it had just shot forth from the sun itself. Gerald tried to figure out if this bird existed on earth, and then it came to him, this bird was not supposed to exist at all. It was a Phoenix. Gerald's befuddled mind knew only one thing, he must posses this beautiful creature, he imagined how it would look, stuffed above his hearth, suspended for eternity in all its majesty. He ran toward the farmhouse to grab his shotgun, hoping, praying, that the bird would remain in the area while he was gone. To Gerald's surprise, the bird seemed to follow him! He was certain it would fly away when he entered the farmhouse, and when he returned to the deck it seemed that it had done so. But Gerald spotted it again, flying about a kilometre from the boundary of the farm. Gerald's exhaustion was completely forgotten as he strode quickly but deliberately toward his prey, hoping that it would not notice him. Once again to his surprise, the bird took no note of him, it seemed to be distracted by something happening in the nearby forrest. As Gerald got within range he dropped to one knee. He knew it was rare, near impossible to hit a bird in full flight, he had only shot them while they were taking off, and it was not likely he would have a chance to reload his muzzleloading weapon. However, as he always liked to tell Garrett, his black-powder shotgun was larger than a standard 12 gauge, and he had two shots. "Stay still old boy..." he muttered to the bird. The Phoenix seemed to hover, caught in a gust of wind, and Gerald saw his chance. BLAM!BLAM! in his excitement, Gerald had pulled the trigger too hard, and fired both barrels simultaneously. Gerald held his breath as he waited for the smoke to clear... "Huzzah!" he shouted. There, in the field just a few metres in front of him lay the Phoenix.

As Gerald calmed down and started walking toward his trophy he realized that he probably should have told Applejack and Big Mcintosh before he went blasting away with his gun, who knows what they thought just happened. Gerald stooped over, only then realized how bloody big this thing was. Gerald leaned down and noticed the bird was staring at him, breathing heavily, with blood dripping from it's beak. "Poor fellow..." he muttered, reversing his gun to give the beast mercy, but as he did, it jumped up and began to limp toward some nearby bushes. As Gerald approached them  he noticed a voice calling from behind him. 

"Gerald! GERALD!"

Gerald turned around, it was Twilight and Fluttershy. "Gerald! What was that loud noise? Are you okay?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, indeed, I am fine!" Gerald assured Twilight.

Gerald was about to inform Twilight what the noise was, when from the bend in the road he saw a large group of ponies wearing armour approaching. 

"Why are there soldiers with you?" asked Gerald. 

"They aren't with us," Twilight explained, "they are with the Princess."

"T-the Princess?" stammered Gerald.

Applejack and Big Mcintosh had come running from the field to see what the noise was.

"What the hay is goin' on here?" asked Applejack, sprinting up to Gerald.

"The Princess has come to welcome Gerald to Equestria!" said Twilight happily.

The soldiers whom were approaching suddenly separated, and out of their midst walked Princess Celestia herself. Twilight and the others went to their knees and Gerald quickly followed suit.

"Greetings Gerald, welcome to Equestria." said Celestia, apparently unphased by the recent gunshots.

"Thank you, your majesty." replied Gerald in a reverent tone.

Celestia smiled. "I am here to greet you to Equestria, and begin the process of taking you home." Celestia then scanned the skyline. "But first I must find Philomena, she was got slightly ahead of us, have you seen her Gerald?"

Gerald tried to recall any pony he knew of with the name Philomena. "Forgive me your majesty, I have not seen Philomena." he responded.

"Very well, you will know it when you see her, she is coloured quite vibrantly." Celestia said as she scanned the skyline again, "where could my little Phoenix have gone off too?"

Gerald froze in terror "Did you just say "Phoenix" your majesty?" he squeaked.

"Indeed I did Gerald, is something wrong?"








> VI- Meeting Royalty
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Gerald stood, mouth agape, wondering what he should do next. Should he admit to killing the Princesse's pet? It was an accident, in a way. If he had known that the Phoenix was the property of the Princess, or anyone else for that matter, he  would not have shot it. His mind whizzed with the possibilities, should he lie, run, fight, or admit to his crime? By now they were all staring at him. 'Come on Gerald, you have to say something, anything!' he thought to himself.

"Gerald? Are you felling unwell?" asked the Princess. 

"I am-m quite well your majesty" Gerald replied, not noticing that he was the only one still bowing before the Princess.

"You may arise Gerald." Celestia said.

"Thank you your majesty." said Gerald, wiping the perspiration that was building upon his forehead.

Twilight leaned over to Celestia "I think he is a little nervous dealing with royalty Princess" she whispered.

Celestia nodded. She walked over to Gerald's side. Gerald was now trembling, wondering if the Princess knew what he had done, and was about to signal her guards to apprehend him. To his astonishment, she brought her hoof up to his shoulder.

"It is okay Gerald." Celestia said kindly "you can speak to me just like you would anypony else."

A wave of relief swept over Gerald. The Princess did not know. He could simply claim to have no knowledge of the matter.

"Thank you your majesty, I was worried I would do something improper!" Gerald quickly replied.

"You do not have to worry about that Gerald." Celestia smiled, then continued, "I am sorry to hear about the circumstances under which you arrived in my kingdom, but I believe you will find it comfortable here for the time being."

"Thank you your majesty. I have found your kingdom to be extremely welcoming." Gerald replied, looking nervously at the bush that the wounded Phoenix had taken refuge within.

"Very good, I knew I could rely on my little ponies to be kind to any new visitors here!" the Princess nodded to Fluttershy, whom blushed and hid her face behind her hooves. "There is much I wish to speak to you about Gerald, but first we must find Philomena."

Celestia ordered the royal guards to begin searching the skies around the farm. 

"Gerald, Applejack, Big Mcintosh, and I will search the orchard Princess." said Twilight.

"Thank you very much for offering your assistance, my faithful student, I am certain with us all working together we shall find Philomena in no time!" replied the Princess, spreading her great wings as she took to the skies.

As the ponies dispersed around the farm and nearby forrest, Gerald remained where he was, looking around the bushes where he knew the bird was hidden. After he was certain that nopony was watching he pulled the branches of the bush apart. There lay Philomena, in a small pool of blood. Gerald decided that the best course of action was simply to bury the bird's corpse before it could be found. He pulled his hunting knife from his belt and began to scratch a hole in the ground. Within a few minutes he had a hole that he believed would suffice. As he reached down to grab the bird it let out a weak chirp. Gerald could not do it. He could not kill this poor creature. He had done it so many times before, without feeling anything, but now he could not do it. He rummaged through his backpack to find the first-aid kit that he had brought hunting with him. He lay it beside Philomena and got to work. He noticed that Philomena had only been struck by one pellet, that had gone through her wing and into her chest. He applied a gauze bandage to the hole in her chest, which seemed to be the source of most of the bleeding. As Gerald began to stand up noticed there was somepony approaching from behind. He turned to see the Princess.

"Gerald, might I ask why you went directly to this bush instead of searching like the others?" Celestia asked calmly.

"I saw movement, your highness. And the better news is I have located your animal!" Gerald replied hastily.

"Philomena?" Celestia called to her Phoenix as she walked past Gerald.

"She is wounded your majesty." said Gerald, pointing to the bandage on the bird's chest that was already darkening with blood.

"Oh my... my poor Philomena."

Celestia brought her horn down towards Philomena and, closing her eyes, cast a spell. The bandages fell off, leaving no trace of the wound beneath.

"Gerald, thank you for helping Philomena, but I sense that there is something you are not telling me." said Celestia, holding Philomena to her cheek. 

"What is there to tell your highness?" Gerald lied.

"Do you know anything about those loud noises we heard on our way here Gerald?" asked Celestia.

"Indeed, I do I happen to have a device here that makes a very loud noise." Gerald replied.

"Interesting..." Celestia paused, looking toward the sky "forgive my inquisitiveness Gerald, I just felt as if you had something you wanted to tell me. Now let us get everypony back here so we may return to our intended task."

Within a quarter of an hour all of the ponies whom had been searching for Philomena had returned. The Princess asked if Gerald and the others would like to join her in the farmhouse.

"Let me just put away the farmin' equipment, and I'll be back in a jiff!" said Applejack, hurrying back into the orchard.

"Gerald, might I ask you a few questions?" asked Celestia, seating herself at the table.

"Of course, your majesty." Gerald replied.

"These questions will be somewhat... personal in nature, is that acceptable Gerald?"

"Of course!" Gerald, taken aback by this request forgot to add his customary "your majesty" or "your highness".

"Excellent, now, my first question is quite simple, what age are you Gerald?"

"Twenty" Gerald replied.

"That is good, you are the same age as the ponies you have begun to associate yourself with." Celestia replied. "Next," Celestia continued, "I want to know a bit more about you Gerald, what are you interested in?"

"Interested in? I enjoy... history, politics, and the military." 

"The military?" Celestia smiled, "Upon that topic, did you know that Twilight's elder brother is the commander of my Royal Guard?"

"I did not your majesty." Gerald replied.

"He is not with us today, as we flew from Canterlot, and Shining Armour cannot fly." Celestia explained. "Do you have any family Gerald?"

"Why of course your majesty! I have a mother, father, a brother, my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins..." Gerald's voice faded off as he wondered if he would ever see them again.

It seemed that the Princess read Gerald's mind "I promise you, you will see them again Gerald." Celestia said gently.

"Thank you... Celestia" replied Gerald.

"Twilight, I have a private question for Gerald, would you and your friends mind leaving for a moment?"

"Of course we wouldn't, Princess." Twilight said, leading Fluttershy and Applejack out of the room.

"Gerald, I have a very difficult question for you, may I ask it?" Celestia's face became more serious.

"Very well your highness." Gerald responded, wondering what kind of question the Princess would ask.

"Why did you hurt Philomena?"

Gerald froze. He was done for, Celestia would throw him into prison for the rest of his days. Gerald wished that he loaded his gun, so he could at least try to fight his way out. 

Celestia, sensing Gerald's panic, spoke again "I am not going to hurt you Gerald. I just want to know why." 

Gerald looked down at the floor for a long time before responding "I thought she was a wild bird." he finally said.

"A wild bird? They can't hurt you Gerald!" interjected Fluttershy, who had overheard Gerald's comment from the other room. "They're really friendly actually! One even helped me save you!"

"I know." Gerald responded, "Where I come from, we hunt wild birds."

"Hunt?" Fluttershy asked.

"Why do you... hunt them?" asked Celestia

"The birds where I am from, they cannot think cohesively!" Gerald attempted to explain. "You see, they are not intelligent, like the ones you have here!"

"It is okay Gerald, I said before we are not here to hurt you, I just want to understand why you hurt her." Celestia said calmly.

"It is quite difficult to explain, but where I am from we... hurt birds, wild birds... for sport?" Gerald knew that this did not sound good. "I would never had harmed any bird here, not like the ones you are describing!" Gerald added hastily.

"So you will not harm any animals here again?" asked Celestia.

"Yes your highness." Gerald responded.

"Very well Gerald, I trust you to keep your word." Celestia said. "Now, I think I have achieved what I have came here for, to judge wether or not it would be safe for you to live amongst some of my most precious little ponies, my friends, the Elements of Harmony."

"Your highness is much too kind." said Gerald, bowing his head slightly.

"I most certainly do not have to worry about your manners!" Celesita laughed. "I must be going now, I have my duties to attend to." Celestia rose to leave, but turned once more to Gerald "While you are staying here I ask you to try to follow the example of your new friends, you could learn much from them."

The ponies waved to the Princess and her guard as they left the farmstead to return to Canterlot.

"Well, that  was quite somethin'!" said Applejack, "the princess must think you are really important Gerald!"

"Indeed" Gerald replied.

"Well, no time to waste, lets get back to the harvest!" Applejack said excitedly.

"Can we help?" asked Fluttershy and Twilight together.

"Sounds great!" said Applejack "Many hooves make light work! That's what Grannie Apple always says!"
> VII- A Dark Discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Another bloody day in the bloody field! Gerald had just about had it with farmhouse existence. The Apple family was nice and all, not that he had much time to socialize with them due to all the bloody farming! He had no idea how Applejack and Big Mcintosh could stand rising early every day, working, then returning to bed. Gerald was used to a more... intellectual lifestyle. Gerald enjoyed reading, learning, writing, and playing boardgames and computergames in the evenings. He enjoyed perfecting his appearance, trimming his beard, ordering custom tailored suits. He did NOT enjoy farming.  It had been less than a week since he had arrived in Equestira and the only thing he has experienced is farming. Thankfully for Gerald it was the last day before the weekend.

Gerald had only just awoken, and already he felt tired of the mundanities of farming, and he hadn't even left the room! He could hear Applebloom's cheery voice from the kitchen. Gerald had only met Applebloom in passing a few times but her youthful, seemingly endless joy always brightened his day. A small smile crossed his face as he imagined her, asking her sister infinite questions, wondering when she would get her cutie mark. He stood and stumbled toward the hallway, being careful not to hit his head on the doorframe- again. The rustic floor creaked as he walked toward the bathroom. As he entered he looked in the mirror, he was revolted by what he saw. Gerald could tolerate a bit of dirt, but this was ridiculous. The once pristine white dress shirt he wore was covered in dirt stains, and yellow trails marked the sweat flowed in droves from his skin. His trousers were stained, and ripping slightly at the knees. His ascot was long abandoned to rest on the bedside table. His beard was unkempt and a thin, dirty moustache had begun to grow across his upper lip. 'Disgusting' he thought to himself as he removed his clothing to enter the shower, which of course was much too small.

As he descended the stairs to attend breakfast he sighed to himself. 'Why can't I live with Twilight in the library, or Rarity in her boutique?' he wondered. 

"Mornin' young feller'!" came Granny Apple's usual greeting.

"Good morning, Mrs. Apple." Gerald replied.

"For the last time, call me Granny!" she laughed.

Gerald sat down to eat another one of Granny's, actually quite delicious, breakfasts. "Where is Applejack and Big Mcintosh?" Gerald asked Granny.

"They went out to the field early this morning!" she replied "they told me to tell you to take a day off, you look tired!"

A huge smile crossed Gerald's face. No farming today! He could go into town, get a shaving kit, Rarity might have some clothes ready for him! Granny Apple broke into his fantasy. 

"They also said that the Applebloom gets off school at noon today, you have to take care of her and those little "crusader" friends of hers!" Granny informed Gerald.

Gerald sighed. He looked up at Granny Apple. "I shall be upstairs, washing my clothes. You wouldn't happen to have a razor in this house would you?"

"Big Mcintosh has one, you can use it. Its in the warsh room, lower cupboard." Granny responded, standing up to begin washing the dirty dishes that were piled in the sink. "And by the way, I will leave you directions to the school house Gerald!" she called after him.





By the time Gerald had washed his clothes, brushed his teeth, and made his facial hair presentable once again, it was time for him to retrieve Applebloom and her friends from the schoolhouse. Gerald strapped on his kit and began walking toward the schoolhouse. It was a moderately cloudy day. Gerald who hated the heat did not mind the sun being hidden in the slightest. As Gerald's boots crunched along the road, it reminded him of the sound of an army on the march. He imagined himself at the head of one of Napoleon's legions, marching to some great battlefield. His step became more regular and he rested his hand on the hilt of his hunting knife, as if it was a sword. He heard the squeak of the fife and the beat of the drum. It was glorious. Gerald came back to reality as he approached the schoolhouse. There he saw Applebloom and two other ponies surrounded by a group of the other students "Hey blank flank, are you gonna use your day off to go crusading?" one of them laughed.

"Now, now Silverspoon, I am certain they will get they're cutie marks... before they turn thirty!" a young filly added. She seemed to be the leader of the group. The other ponies burst out in laughter.

"Excuse me, young lady." said Gerald.

"Yeah, what do you want..." the leader of the group turned around to see a huge creature towering over her. She was speechless.

"What is your name young lady?" Gerald asked.

"D-Diamond Tiara sir." she responded.

"Might I ask why you are harassing Applebloom and her friends?"

"I-I..."

"Gerald!" cried Applebloom, pushing past the other schoolchildren, who were staring at Gerald in awe. Applebloom clung to one of Gerald's legs.

Gerald patted Applebloom gently on the head and looked back to Diamond Tiara "Well?" he prompted her to continue.

Everypony looked to Diamond Tiara. "I'm sorry Mr. Gerald, it won't happen again. I promise." she lied.

"It better not occur again Miss Tiara, or I shall have to take some... unsavoury actions."

"Y-yes Mr. Gerald!" said Diamond Tiara, grabbing her friend Silverspoon and darting off.

Applebloom looked up at Gerald "Thanks for dealing with Diamond Tiara." 

"Think nothing of it Applebloom." Gerald said sweetly. He found these little ponies endlessly cute, he just wanted to cuddle them! 

Applebloom's two friends cautiously approached Gerald "These are my friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle!" Applebloom explained.

"Whoa... your new brother is COOL." said Scootaloo staring up at Gerald.

"I heard of you Gerald, my sister is making clothes for you!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly. "She says that you have a good taste in fashion!"

"Indeed." Gerald responded. "At any rate, Applebloom, might I ask you why you are calling me your brother?"

"Because Applejack said that you were a new member of our family!" 

"Ah... interesting." Gerald replied.

"So... are we gonna go do some Crusading?" Scootaloo asked Applebloom.

"Crusading?" asked Gerald "Like a religious war?"

"No silly, like a crusade for a cutie mark!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Yup, I am up for some Crusading! CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS LETS GO!" cried Applebloom, hurrying away from Gerald.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" cried Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in unison as they ran after Applebloom.

"Please return here at once!" yelled Gerald, running after them.

Unfortunately for Gerald not even a week at the farm could bring his portly self up to par with the speed of these sprightly fillies. He soon was huffing and puffing, and sweating profusely. "Applebloom!" Gerald called. There was no answer. Although he was exhausted Gerald forced himself to run even faster. As he entered into the foliage on the side of the road he noticed that some of the trees and plants seemed familiar. This is where he had entered into Equestria. The thought quickly exited his mind as he heard a crash come from deeper in the forest. He was about to change direction to follow the sound when the ground gave out from underneath him. Gerald barely managed to remain on his feet as he fell down into the darkness. As Gerald looked around he noticed that the hole was not extremely deep, he might be able to climb out! 

"Gerald!" came a echo from the darkness. 

It seemed as if Gerald's little wards had themselves been entrapped below ground. Gerald reached into his bag and grabbed his flashlight. As he illuminated the area Gerald realized that he had fallen into some kind of underground complex. The walls were of dark stone, made even darker by the moss growing heavily upon them. As he moved cautiously through the room, he noticed that the room was adorned with tapestries, all of them simply depicting a crescent moon. Upon closer inspection, almost everything in the room was similarly adorned. The tiles, the walls, and even the ceiling were all covered in crescent moons! 

"Gerald, help!" The voice came from the far end of the room. Gerald began running toward the sound. 

As he neared where he supposed the voice had originated from, Gerald stopped in his tracks. There before him, situated upon a pedestal near the back wall of the room, was a diamond The diamond itself was jet black, about one centimetre across, and Gerald could have swore he saw a black mist hovering around it.  Gerald, without hesitation, reached out and grabbed the diamond. He held it before him greedily, inspecting it closely, basking in it's beauty. There was something... magical about it. When Gerald held it he felt more powerful, like there was someone (or something) awaiting his command.

"Gerald, is that you?" came a voice from the other side of the wall. 

Gerald quickly stuffed the diamond into his kitbag, and ran up to the wall. "Applebloom, is that you?" Gerald called.

"Yes!" came the frightened reply.

"Stay calm Applebloom, I'm coming to get you!" Gerald pushed on the wall with all his might. To Gerald's surprise the wall gave away almost immediately, throwing him to the ground.

"Are you okay?" asked Sweetie Belle as the dust settled.

"Yes I am. But are you three unhurt?" Gerald asked, scrambling to his feet.

"Yes." replied Scootaloo.

"Thank god! You three were acting foolish! Running off like that!" Gerald scolded. 

"I'm really sorry Gerald." said Applebloom, making a terribly sad face at Gerald

Gerald's demenour softened "Its okay Appleboom, everyon- err everypony makes mistakes sometimes, now lets get you three back to the farm."

Gerald helped the three fillies out of the hole that he had fell into, then they helped pull him out. As they walked back Applebloom looked up at Gerald. 

"Gerald, me and the other crusaders were talking, and we have a question."

"You may ask me any question you wish Applebloom." Gerald replied.

"We were wondering if next time we go Crusading, if we listen better and stuff... if you would come again?" 

Gerald laughed "I certainly can, but I don't know if you would find me particularly interesting or helpful."

"I'm sure we will all have loads of fun!" said Sweetie Belle, jumping up and down with excitement.

"Yeah, you seem pretty cool." added Scootaloo.

When they arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres Gerald told Applejack of what had transpired, purposely leaving out his discovery of the diamond.

"Applebloom! You can't just run off like that, one day you might get hurt!" Applejack told her.

"I'm sorry big sis, its just that we were gonna see if we could get our cutie marks in the Everfree Forest and-"

"Applebloom, I already told you that that forest was dangerous!" Applejack sighed. "Now, I want the three of you to stay in the farmhouse, for the rest of the evenin'. "

"But Applejack!" the three fillies said in unison.

"No buts, get goin'!" 

"Yes Applejack..." Applebloom sighed as she walked into the house.

Applejack looked apologetically at Gerald "I'm sorry bout that Gerald."

"Its not your fault Applejack." Gerald replied.

"Well, the good news is, I have somethin' for ya'll, follow me!" said Applejack, pulling Gerald by his shirtsleeve.

Applejack went over to a locked cupboard in the kitchen and rummaged around for a moment. "Here we are!" she exclaimed, "two silver bits! For working on the farm for a week and stuff."

Gerald took the bits from Applejack "Thank you exceedingly Applejack!" Gerald said, delighted. 

"You can use em' when ya'll go into the village." Applejack explained. "Ya'll can go in now if ya want, I'll take care of these hooligans." she said, gesturing to the farmhouse.

"I think I shall go in now." said Gerald happily.

"We'll see ya on Monday Gerald." said Applejack, turning back toward the farmhouse.

As Gerald walked along the road on his way to Ponyville, he took the diamond that he had found out of his kitbag. He inspected it closely and held it up to the light. Just like in the underground complex, he felt empowered when holding it. This time though, when he placed it back in the kitbag, the feeling of power did not dissipate. Gerald concluded that he was just overly infatuated with this expensive rock, and continued on his way.



> VIII- Gentleman
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As Gerald neared the outskirts of Ponyville, he began to consider the events of the past few days, foremost amongst them, meeting Princess Celestia. Being an avid monarchist, he had been in awe of her presence, but not simply because she was a monarch. Celestia spoke, and carried herself in such a manner that Gerald envied. When he had first realized that she, this majestic equine matriarch, was the ruler of these lands, he had been near dumbfounded. The only reason he had been able to speak is that he had practiced what he would say if he should ever be so fortunate to meet a reigning monarch, thousands of times before. With Celestia's flowing mane, sparkling eyes, and lithe body, in a strange way Gerald had even found her... beautiful. Gerald quickly stamped that thought out of his mind. She was a equine animal, not a human. Gerald had never even shown any interest in either gender of his own species, let alone a sentient animal. Gerald laughed at the ridiculousness of that thought. He assumed that he did not find Celestia beautiful but... majestic, a perfect image of a monarch. 

Gerald's first stop in Ponyville was Rarity's boutique, to see if she had finished any of the clothes that he had ordered. The boutique itself was open at the time of his arrival, so he simply walked in. Rarity was hard at work on a dress, when Gerald entered she did not even notice. "Excuse me Rarity." 

Rarity seemed to flinch as she was drawn away from her work which she had become so engrossed in. She turned to Gerald and smiled "Gerald! It is a pleasure to see you again." 

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Rarity." Gerald gave a slight bow.

Rarity blushed, thinking how nice it was to finally know somepony who knew how to treat a lady properly.

"I have come to check in upon your progress concerning the clothing I had requested. As well, I was wondering if it would be possible for you to repair my current attire." Gerald motioned toward the tears in the seams of his coat and trousers.

"I can most definitely fix up your clothes dearie!" Rarity waved her hoof as if to say that repairing clothes was the simplest of tasks. "As well I have a set of daytime attire and one set of evening clothes ready for you to try out." Rarity hurried over to a nearby wardrobe, eager to show Gerald her beautiful creations.

Gerald gasped as she pulled the clothing out of the wardrobe. "It, it is... astounding Rarity!" 

"Thank you Gerald, I put some extra time and effort into these on your behalf." Rarity attempted to hold the clothing at it's full length to show Gerald, but even standing on her hind hooves they still dragged on the floor. She delicately handed Gerald the costume she had created for him. As he held it before him in awe Rarity explained the details of the outfit "The jacket, vest, cape and trousers are made from blue velvet, lined with silk, and embroidered with gold thread, the buttons are gold encrusted with sapphires, the shirt, ascot, stockings, and gloves are silk, the shoes are gold buckled, the cane is gold topped, and the hat is gold lined as well with a peacock feather to finish the look." Rarity smiled, extremely proud of her finished product. 

Gerald was dumfounded. "Rarity, you know that I cannot afford gold trimming, sapphires, and silk! I have nothing but a few silver coins with which to repay you!"

Rarity was already retrieving the evening wear that she had made for Gerald. "It is no problem really. It is to my benefit to have you so elegantly clothed anyways, with all those ponies staring at you, due to your... unusual appearance, you will be advertising my business. Just remember to say where you had your outfit made!" She handed Gerald the second outfit, a red velvet housecoat, lined with silk, and with Gerald's initials GHW embroidered in gold on the left breast pocket, along with a pair of red slippers to match. "So, what do you think?" asked Rarity.

"This is most definitely the most expensive and beautiful attire I have ever had the pleasure to SEE let alone wear!" Gerald set the clothing down on a nearby table, and embraced Rarity.

"Umm, so I guess you like it..." Rarity said, surprised by Gerald's somewhat spontaneous reaction.

Gerald immediately stepped back from her "Forgive me Rarity, I was just so happy with your creations I forgot myself."

"No no dearie, hugging is fine, it was just... unexpected." Rarity gave Gerald a reassuring smile.

"I am glad I did not offend you Miss Rarity." Gerald bowed elegantly.

Rarity looked worriedly back toward her sewing machine. "I would love to chat longer Gerald, but I really must be getting back to work. Would you care to meet for tea afterwords? Say we meet here around five o'clock?"

Gerald was taken aback that this at least somewhat famous designer would care to spend any further time in his company. "I would be honoured madam."

"Excellent, see you later Gerald!" said Rarity, returning to her work. 

"Miss Rarity, might I ask if you have a changing room here? I would like to change into my new clothing before I leave, so I may leave my old clothing here, to be repaired."

"Oh, yes, we do in fact!" Rarity pointed her hoof in the direction of a booth walled off from the rest of the room by fabric.

When Gerald was done changing he thanked Rarity again, and then was on his way.

As Gerald left the Boutique Rarity sighed, "Now only if I could find a stallion like that."






Gerald's next destination was Twilight's library. As a historian he felt that he should have some knowledge of Equestrian history, especially that of the monarchy. Also, Gerald wondered if Twilight could help him figure out more about where he had found the black diamond currently residing in his kitbag. Just like Rarity's boutique Twilight's library was open, so Gerald simply walked inside.

"Miss Sparkle?" Gerald called as he entered the library. 

"Gerald? Is that you?" came Twilight's voice from upstairs.

"Indeed it tis!" A few of the books that were already opened caught Gerald's attention, they had similar markings to the ones that he had seen in the building where he had found the gem. 

"I'm just gonna be a minute, feel free to make yourself at home!" Twilight called from upstairs.

Gerald walked over to the book and placed a marker on the page it was opened to. The book was large, with pages that were somewhat yellowed by time. Gerald checked the title: The History of Nightmare Moon. That would indeed explain the series of crescent moons that had decorated the room in which he had found the diamond. Gerald quickly opened the book to the index, looking for anything that would be relevant to his search. As he scanned the lines one of them immediately caught his eye. Nightmare Moon's Dark Army, Pages 1077-1235. Gerald quickly flipped to this section, forgetting about the diamond for a moment. As he casually browsed the pages he noted that the Dark Army was said to consist of only one hundred soldiers. "One hundred soldiers?" Gerald laughed to himself, "how could someone call one hundred soldiers an army!"

"Ah, the History of Nightmare Moon." Gerald had not noticed Twilight walking up behind him. "So you are learning about the new Princess as well?" Twilight asked Gerald.

"The New Princess?" Gerald was confused, wasn't Princess Celestia the Princess?

"Yes, the new Princess, Nightmare Moon aka Princess Luna, Celestia's sister!" Twilight was almost bouncing with excitement, teaching others about things, especially things that she was interested in, was the funnest thing ever for her!

"So, who rules the country now?" Gerald stroked his beard slowly and adjusted his glasses.

"Both the Princesses, of course." Twilight said it like the explanation was obvious.

Gerald thought for a moment, closing his eyes. He opened them suddenly. "A multitude of rulers is not a good thing. Let there be one ruler, one king."

"A king? We don't have a king!" Twilight said, searching her mind for the most relevant source she could lend Gerald on the governance of Equestria.

"I know you don't have a king, I was quoting one of the great works of writing,from where I am from, Homer's the Iliad." Gerald said, looking back to the book. "I am inclined to agree with him, how is it you can have two rulers of equal status?"

"Easy, they just agree on a course of action." Twilight was confused, why would having two rulers be a problem? Her tutors had always said to her: Two heads are better than one!

"And if they don't agree?" Gerald asked. 

"Well, then they come up with a compromise!" Twilight thought these conclusions were most elementary.

"Wrong!" Gerald pointed to a paragraph in the book. "It says in here that when your two Princesses last disagreed Luna 'threatened to remove the sun for all eternity' and Celestia 'banished her to the moon for a thousand years.' " 

"Luna was under the influence of some dark force, that is NOT how disputes are usually resolved in Equestria." Twilight explained.

Gerald nodded. "Very well, I came here to learn more about the monarchy's history at any rate, do you have any books on that topic?"

Twilight smiled widely. "Do I ever!" She looked toward the stairs "Spike, I need your help getting Gerald some books!"

"Ugh... coming Twilight!" came the response.





By the time Gerald left the library he had almost as many books as he could carry, and that was only half of the titles Twilight had suggested! He set the books on a nearby bench and checked his pocket watch, it was almost five o'clock. Gerald retrieved the books and began walking toward Rarity's boutique. Gerald arrived at almost five o'clock exactly. 

"I am very sorry, but we are closing!" Rarity was returning her tools to their correct places, and could not see the customer who had entered the boutique.

"It is Gerald!" 

"Ah, Gerald!" Rarity walked into the foyer of the boutique. "I had not expected you to be so punctual, I must take a moment to prepare myself for our outing."

"Very well Miss Rarity, I shall wait here." Gerald sat down in one of the chairs, although too small, it was still comfortable.

Rarity nearly ran up the stairs. 'I wish he did not arrive so soon!' as she passed the washroom she stole a look in the mirror. Her mane was slightly out of place, with a few stray hairs beginning to appear. She immediately went into her room to correct this. As she entered she thought of the lavish outfit that Gerald was wearing. She had to find and outfit that matched! By the time she had made herself look perfect Gerald had been waiting half an hour.  

"Forgive me for making you wait so long Gerald!" Rarity descended the stairs from her private quarters.

Gerald was astounded at the time that Rarity had put into her appearance. Her hair was perfect, styled as par usual. She had selected a purple dress, with gold embroidery to match Gerald's blue and gold attire. 

"You look spectacular Miss Rarity!" Gerald shook his head "You did not need to go through such great effort for this outing."

"But I did my dear!" Rarity waved her hoof in front of her. "I could not allow myself to be out-dressed by my associates in public!"

Gerald smiled, it was uncanny how much this unicorn thought like him. 





As Gerald and Rarity walked to Les Feuilles, the most fashionable restaurant in the Ponyville, they were sighted by Rainbowdash and Pinky Pie, who had just finished playing the most hilarious prank on Spike. 

"Did you see the look on his face?" Rainbowdash was in tears with laughter.

"Yeah, it was priceless!" Pinky Pie was jumping excitedly in a circle around Rainbowdash, who had just caught sight of Gerald and Rarity. 

"Oh no Pinky Pie, now theres two of them!" Rainbowdash dragged her hooves down her face.

"Two of what?" Pinky Pie stopped abruptly.

"Two of them!" Rainbowdash pointed her hoof toward Gerald and Rarity.

"Two Geralds, or two Raritys?" Pinky Pie looked confused.

"No Pinky, not two of them, two hoighty-toighty ponies in Ponyville!" 

"Gerald isn't a Pony, silly!" Pinky Pie laughed.

"Pinky, you don't understand! Now when Rarity says that we play dressup for fun, Gerald will support her! I don't want to have my mane styled!"

Meanwhile Rarity and Gerald had just sat down for tea. "Just two teas for now dearie." Rarity said to the waiter.

"Right away Miss Rarity." The waiter, who had been staring at the beautiful mare since she had arrived, reluctantly returned to the interior of the establishment.

Gerald had noticed the waiter's stare. "Does it not bother you Miss?"

"Does what bother me?" asked Rarity, looking up from the menu she had been reading.

"Having stallions stare at you like that?"

Rarity laughed. "I consider it a sign that I am doing a good job!"

"Ah, yes, I guess it is a sign of that." Gerald chuckled.

"I'm certain that where you are from you have mares staring at you all the time!" Rarity gestured toward Gerald.

Gerald smiled awkwardly "Not particularly, I am not considered a very attractive human."

"Why ever not?"

"Well, I have never really considered that. I assume it is due to the fact that I am slightly larger than average, not particularly strong, the beard possibly..." Gerald stroked his beard slowly.

"Unfortunate, but surely your excellent taste in fashion and good manners more than make up for any undesirable physical traits?" Rarity pointed her hoof at Gerald's glittering attire.

"This attire is not... common from where I come from to say the least, and my mannerisms are somewhat dated..." Gerald adjusted his jacket.

"Poor Gerald." Rarity placed her hoof gently upon Gerald's forearm.

"Not at all actually!" Gerald adjusted his ascot. "I have never really taken any interest in finding a partner at any rate."

"Really?"

By this time the waiter had returned with the tea. As he walked over to serve the tea he dropped one of the teaspoons, it seemed to Gerald that he had done so purposefully. "Oh, sorry about that!" he said. As he leaned over to retrieve the spoon he treated himself to an excellent view of Rarity's posterior regions.

Gerald slammed his chair back from the table. "Sir I must protest!" 

Rarity looked from Gerald to the waiter, wondering what was going on.

"Is the tea unsatisfactory sir?" The waiter stood and set the tea upon the table.

"Sir, you know very well what I am protesting to, and I advise you apologize to Miss Rarity." Gerald said coldly.

"I have no idea what you are talking about sir." the waiter turned to walk back into the restaurant.

Gerald grabbed the waiter by his collar, eliciting a distressed yelp as he dragged the waiter back to the table.

"I said apologize sir." Gerald growled.

"Unhand me this instant!" the waiter squirmed to get out of Gerald's grasp.

"I shall ask you one last time: apologize to Miss Rarity."

"For what?!"

Gerald grabbed the waiter by his tail and collar, and threw him into the street, directly into a mud puddle. The manager of the restaurant, who had heard the commotion, came running to see what was going on. "What is wrong, what are you doing?!" He waved his hooves in distress.

Gerald turned to the manager "You really must teach your staff some manners, until then, neither I nor Miss Rarity will return here." Gerald plucked his cape, hat and cane from the table. "I bid you good day sir!" Gerald stormed off, pulling a confused Rarity behind him.

Rarity pulled away from Gerald "What are you doing?" 

Gerald took a deep breath "The waiter insulted you, I asked him to apologize and he refused."

"Insulted me?"

"He behaved in a most ungentlemanly fashion. He dropped that teaspoon on purpose."

Rarity paused as she realized what Gerald was speaking of "You didn't have to do that you know."

"I know, but defending the honour of a lady is of the upmost importance to me." Gerald turned as he draped his cape around his shoulders.

Rarity took Gerald by the hand "You really are a true gentlecolt." 

Gerald smiled "You flatter me Miss Rarity. Might I have the honour of escorting you home?"

"Certainly sir." Rarity placed her forehoof around Gerald's arm.

"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Rainbowdash jumped from the alleyway, almost crashing into Gerald and Rarity.

"He is all covered in mud!" Pinkie Pie laughed, pointing toward the waiter, who was now being berated by his manager.

Rainbowdash flew so she was parallel with Gerald's face "You were all like: "Apologize!" And he was like: "What?" And then you threw him into the mud! AWESOME!"

Rarity and Gerald looked at each other for a moment, then burst out in laughter.

> IX- Dreams
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

		After leaving the restaurant, Rarity and Gerald decided that they would simply have tea at Rarity's home. At ten o'clock that evening, Gerald and Rarity were still chatting away. "Oh my, look at the time!" 

"Ah yes, it seems that it is time for me to leave." Gerald doffed his hat and bowed.

Gerald pushed out the doorway and into the street, a cold gush of air greeted him. It was snowing lightly outside. Gerald trudged in the direction of the inn that Rarity had suggested that he stay at. It was, as Rarity had described, comfortable, if nothing else. A aging stallion showed Gerald to his room. "If you need anything else, I'll be at the front desk until one." Gerald tossed the stallion an extra bronze bit. 

It was the largest bed in the inn but it was still several inches too small for Gerald to lay in comfortably. But sleep still came quickly for Gerald.



 

Gerald was on a huge Napoleonic battlefield. He was commanding the last of the French reserves, the Old Guard. His Old Guard. "My Emperor, you must leave the battlefield." an aide pulled at the reigns of Gerald's horse. "Blast your insolence!" Gerald snapped. Gerald jumped from his horse and took position on foot, at the head of his Guard. "Sire, you must quit the field, you must realize that there is no hope at victory here today!" another aide tried to persuade Gerald to not risk himself. 

"Guardsmen!" a thousand men slammed to attention. "Forward march!" 

Gerald felt the heartbeat of the column, the drums beating Pas de Charge. He heard the shouts of his men as the drums paused to allow the guardsmen to cry "Vive L'Emperor!" before the drums resumed their relentless beat. Ahead of him was arrayed a thin line of Prussian infantry. As the column neared the line Gerald felt he was no longer in control of himself. He could only walk forward. He could not give the order to go from column to line. Gerald screamed inwardly, but no sound emerged from his mouth. The Prussian line was suddenly hidden from view by a cloud of smoke. Gerald flinched as he felt a flurry of musketballs strike him. 

Gerald opened his eyes, and sat up. He felt fully alert, but he knew that could not be possible, he had to be still dreaming! He was standing in the middle of the field where a moment ago thousands of soldiers had been fighting, now it was not musketfire that was a constant din, but the gentle song of the wheat, swaying in the breeze. Gerald looked around himself, could it be that the ponies had all been a dream? Was he back in reality? Was he dead?

"Hello." a commanding voice boomed from behind him.

Gerald whirled around, and drew his sword (that he still possessed as he was still uniformed as an Emperor). Standing there was one of those ponies. It looked like Celestia, but blue. "Hello to you! Would you mind informing me where the hell I am?" 

"Thou art within an inn in Ponyville." the Princess replied, "and thou art still asleep."

"Ah...very good" Gerald began to walk away and swung his sword, scything down some nearby wheat.

"Where are you going? We did not give you permission to leave!" the Princess stamped her hoof on the ground, causing the whole world to tremble.

Gerald laughed. "You madam, are a figment of my imagination, in other words an extension of me, thus I give myself permission to leave." Gerald, knowing that this was a dream, simply had a coach appear before him, footmen and all. "Good day madam, I am off to enjoy a lucid dream." Gerald jumped in the coach, calling to the driver: "Double time Horace, to my palace!"

The coach suddenly disappeared and Gerald fell hard on the dirt road. "How dare you treat us like this!" the pony's eyes glowed white as she flew above Gerald. Gerald simply stared for a moment. "You are a cute little thing aren't you? Well, I have wanted to do this to a pony since I arrived here, so I might as well do it in my dream at least." Gerald threw his arms around the Princess' neck and pulled her in close to him. "A little snuggle." he cooed to the Princess, "Is that so much to ask?"

Princess Luna was speechless. In the time since her return ponies had simply run from her when she had come to assist them in her realm. She was taken entirely off guard by Gerald's embrace. Her eyes returned to normal as she looked up at Gerald. Gerald smiled and ran his hand through her mane. Luna was shocked, nopony had EVER dared treat her like this before... yet she had yearned for somepony else to not run away when she tried to talk to them, to be her friend.  Luna suddenly felt a horrible, dreadful feeling, deep within the core of her being. On the summit of a nearby plateau a solitary figure stood. Luna felt as if she recognized it. Suddenly she was back in her quarters in Canterlot.

Gerald gasped as Luna dissipated before his eyes. He looked around, and caught sight of the solitary pony walking down the slope of the plateau toward him. As the pony neared him he noticed that it was most definitely something strange about it. It had a dark, almost jet black coat that had a slightly blueish hue. It's eyes were completely white, and rather than the bird wings of most pegasus it had bat wings. The thing that really caught Gerald's eye was that it was wearing a suit of armour. Gerald's hand went to his sword, but as he approached the creature, it bowed to him. "My Prince." It's voice came out in a terrible hiss.

"I am no Prince sir. I am an Emperor." 

"Forgive me sire." The foulness of it's voice made Gerald tremble. "I come here to receive your orders."

"This is but a dream sir, I have no orders to give." Gerald turned away from the foul creature.

"You have no orders for your army in the physical realm sire?" Gerald swung around.

"The physical realm?"

The creature let out a wheezing laugh "This is not just a simple dream sire. You recall the diamond that you claimed in the underground hall?"

"Yes." 

"That was no mere gem sire, it is the diamond her majesty, Nightmare Moon created to give your highness' army life."

"My army? Why would Nightmare Moon create an army for me?"

"She did not intend to, she simply has... forgotten about us. I felt your ambition when you first held the stone, thus I offer you the services of Nightmare Moon's Dark Army."

Gerald was awestruck, this surely was just a dream. "If you do truly exist in the physical realm, I order you to come to the inn where I am staying and awaken me."

The pony smiled, showing his jagged teeth. "His majesty commands and we obey." The pony, just like Luna, faded away, leaving Gerald alone in the field.



> X-  Power
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	When Gerald awoke he immediately leaped from the bed. He was half expecting the pony from his dream, the pony from the dark army, to be there. Gerald sat down on the bed and lowered his head into his hands. This was all so bloody confusing. First he was transported into this place from his reality, and now in this reality things from his dreams were claiming to be real. Simply thinking about it made Gerald fell nauseous. The sun shone brightly through the curtains. Gerald looked to the clock mounted upon the wall. It was already noon! 

As Gerald hurried out of the inn, the innkeeper beckoned him over to his desk. "You are Mr. Gerald, correct?"

"Indeed, I am."

"Somepony stopped by here last evening looking for you, and I informed him that you were asleep. He wanted me to tell you to meet him where you found 'it'. Whatever that means."

Gerald's eyes widened. "What did he look like?" 

"I didn't get a good look at him sir, he was wearing a hooded cloak, seemed to have some wings underneath it though."

"T-thank you for delivering the message." Gerald hastily tipped his hat to the innkeeper and left.





As Gerald left Ponyville he broke into a run. It couldn't be possible right? There couldn't be an army waiting for him in that underground complex, could there be? Well if there was magical talking equines here there might as bloody well be a magic army as well. When Gerald arrived at the place he had fallen into the complex he could not believe his eyes. The old roof that had collapsed beneath him had been repaired, the mortar between the bricks was still drying. Gerald set about looking for an alternative entrance. 

"You have arrived at last sire." It was the voice, the voice from Gerald's dream. Gerald turned slowly around, looking for the source of the voice, but it seemed to come from everywhere. "Forgive me for not awakening you last evening, but the innkeeper would not allow me to see you."

"Show yourself, immediately!" Gerald was terrified.

A hooded figure stepped out of the shadows. "Forgive me for startling you sire. I am Diresteel, the commander of your majesty's forces." Diresteel bowed to Gerald.

"Commander of my forces?" 

"Yes sire, your forces. The dark army." 

Gerald shoved his hand into his backpack, searching for the diamond. He brought it out and held it before himself. "So the possessor of this diamond is in command of the army?"

Diresteel grinned. "Not exactly sire, the previous owner of the diamond and yourself were commanders of this army but the gem simply allows the army to exist, we decide who our commander is."

Gerald slipped the diamond into his coat pocket. "Why did you select me then?"

"We have been waiting for our former master, Nightmare Moon, for the last thousand years. She has returned, but seems to have no use for an army any longer. Judging by your dreams, you on the other hand would have some use for us. The soldiers have pledged their loyalty to you, until death or dismissal."

Gerald could not believe the power that had been given to him. He had scoffed when he read that the Dark Army possessed only one hundred soldiers. It was entirely different to have these one hundred soldiers awaiting his command. But there was one problem: Gerald had no use for these soldiers. 

"I am sorry commander Diresteel, but I have no use for a hundred soldiers at the moment."

Diresteel looked up toward Gerald. "At the moment you may not sire, but we have been waiting a thousand years. A months wait, a years wait is nothing to us."

Gerald could no longer resist the temptation, if these soldiers wanted to serve him who was he to refuse?

"Very well Diresteel, I would very much like to see my army."

Diresteel lead Gerald through the forest to a small pile of rubble, the centre of which had been cleared away to reveal a staircase descending into the earth. The staircase lead to a hallway, at the end of which was the room Gerald had found the diamond in. The room was now lined with ninety nine soldiers. As Gerald entered the room they slammed to attention. 

"Soldiers, this is your leader, the Emperor Gerald." Diresteel informed the soldiers.

Gerald walked down the middle of the hall, toward the pedestal where he had found the diamond.  Diresteel followed close behind "There are many things I must inform you about sire."

"What kind of things Diresteel?"

"Issues that could lead to the destruction of this army sire."

"The destruction of the army?"

Gerald and Diresteel arrived at the pedestal, and the soldiers turned to face them. 

"At ease." Gerald waved his hand toward the soldiers.

"Sire, we do not require ease. We do not require rest. We exist only to serve."

Gerald shuddered in ecstasy. If he was to have an army, he could do no better than these soldiers.

"On a more... dire note." Diresteel continued, "this army has one very potent vulnerability. Her majesty Nightmare Moon, former commander of these forces, can dissipate us, quite literally. She only has to cast a spell upon this diamond and we will cease to exist."

"Nightmare moon was defeated was she not?" 

"Defeated yes, but she still is here sire. She is known now as the Princess Luna. You made her acquaintance just before we met sire."

Gerald turned to Diresteel, a look of horror upon his face. "You mean to tell me that the mare in my dream was actually a Princess, physically present in my mind?"

"As present as I was sire."

Gerald hoped that Princess Luna would forgive his actions toward her. 

"Very well commander Diresteel, why should the Princess Luna wish to eliminate this army?"

"She may not wish for you to wield such power sire. For the Princesses of this land, up to now, have held absolute control over all military forces in Equestria."

Yes. Gerald was now a military power. A power with no purpose. Yet.

"Commander Diresteel, as I have previously informed you, I currently have no military assignment for your forces at this time. I do however wish to make some changes in the organization and armament of your forces. As well, it is imperative that you make this underground complex more fit for living in. Finally I would like you to remove all insignia of it's former owner."

"Of course sire."





Luna paced the terrace outside of her rooms. While visiting the dream of the so called human that had arrived in Equestria a week before she had seen something that she thought she recognized. Something from her time as Nightmare Moon. Luna had trouble remembering exactly what had occurred during that time, but for some reason she saw this pony she had seen as significant. Luna also was considering the behaviour of the human. He had treated her kindly, albeit boldly, in a way that nopony save her sister had ever behaved toward her. The thoughts swam like fish through her addled mind.

"My dear sister is there something troubling you? You remain awake long after the moon has left the skies." Celestia, who had seen her sister pacing, had decided to make certain that all was well.

"There is something amiss Celestia. It is that human your student and her friends discovered. I visited his dreams and the way he treated me..."

Celestia was surprised, Gerald had seemed very kind when she had met him. "Did he treat you unkindly?" Celestia put her foreleg around her sister's neck.

"No, quite the opposite sister. He treated me with a almost familial familiarity. He embraced me and ran his hoof through my mane."

Celestia smiled. "Dear sister, he, like many other ponies, likely did not realize that you were truly present in his dream. He simply did what he wished to do, not realizing you were actually there. I am certain he did not intend to offend you."

Luna looked to her sister, tears in her eyes. "Sister I am distressed because I do not know how to respond to what he did. I fear that I somewhat enjoyed the experience." 

"Luna, there is nothing wrong with that, I myself miss being held by others. It is a very natural feeling." 

Luna and Celestia embraced each other. Luna suddenly pulled away. "Dear sister, there is something else troubling me. I have seen something, I fear it is from my time as Nightmare Moon. Before I left Gerald's dream I saw a solitary stallion standing in the distance."

"Did you recognize him?"

"No, but he seemed very familiar, a pony from a long ago dream."

"It is possible you were projecting something from your mind into Gerald's dream. Do not fear my sister, I shall speak to Gerald about this if you wish."

"No sister, I shall speak to Gerald. Tonight. In my realm."




> XI- Facing the Princess of the Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As Gerald returned to Ponyville that night, he felt like a fugitive leaving the scene of a crime. He really ought to inform somepony of what had just occurred. Yet was he already too committed to this? He had already given the army orders. They were to attempt to find some way to construct percussion cap carbines and sabres using blueprints he had created for them and the materials available within the complex and the surrounding forest. Gerald had dubbed them the 1st Dragoon Regiment of his Imperial Army, and organized them like a Napoleonic regiment, giving Diresteel the rank of Colonel. Even as he had left he could hear the ring of steel as his soldiers began to create the tools they would need to create their new weapons. Gerald had warned them to stay out of sight, and to only contact him if absolutely necessary. Celestia, from the little Gerald knew about her was very kind and forgiving, yet he knew what he had done could be rightly described as treason. Besides, Gerald liked the feeling of power that having his own military force gave him. What harm could it do if they would only act upon his orders? 

Gerald returned to the inn where he had stayed the previous evening. The tired stallion behind the counter gave him a careless nod as he walked by. As Gerald entered his room he pulled the black diamond out of his pocket. This little diamond contained the power that allowed his army to exist. According to Diresteel the only way the dark army could be truly defeated is if this diamond was destroyed, and only Princess Luna had the power to destroy it. Gerald paced rapidly back and forth, like he always did when he was nervous. He felt extremely obligated to inform Princess Celestia of what had happened, after all she was the rightful ruler of this land. Yet on the other hand she may banish him or worse, and would most definitely take the his army away from him. Gerald stopped pacing, for the solution was simple! He could simply keep the army a secret. What harm would come if he played at being Emperor in the forest every once and awhile? Although this explanation, even to Gerald, seemed ramshackle it at least put his mind at ease. 





"Are you certain that this is the best course of action?" Celestia asked her sister again. 

"Dear sister, it is not your responsibility to interact with others for me." 

"It is not Gerald that I am concerned about, it is that stallion that you claim you vaguely recall from your time as Nightmare Moon."

"We are quite capable of looking after ourselves!" Luna stamped her forehoof violently against the ground, startling some nearby guards who came running into the room.

"Is all well your highnesses?" 

"All is well, back to your posts." Luna dismissed them sternly.

"Sister, you recall that it was this type of uncontrolled anger that caused the Nightmare Moon conflict." 

Luna closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "Forgive me sister, we forgot ourselves for a moment."

Celestia placed her forehoof around her sister's neck. "I shall leave you on your own to deal with this for now, but do not hesitate to ask me for help sister."

"I shall not hesitate." 

After Celestia had left Luna entered her realm which, as she had hoped, Gerald was currently inhabiting. She entered Gerald's dream where he was seated atop a large throne, with a swath of petitioners awaiting his audience. "What the bloody hell is that thing?" one of the petitioners exclaimed, having caught sight of Princess Luna. The throne room became a swath of people trying to get away from the strange creature, and Gerald's imperial guards creating a rough square around their Emperor. Gerald rose from his throne to see who or what had invaded his palace. Upon sighting Luna Gerald realized that this was nothing more than a dream. Suddenly him and Luna were alone in the throne room.

"Your highness." Gerald gave Luna a bow.

"Gerald, we have come to ask you something. It pertains to the events of last evening."

Gerald cringed, expecting punishment for his behaviour toward the Princess. "I did not realize that you were truly were present in my dream your highness, I thought you were a figment of my imagination!" 

"For that we do not blame you Gerald. We have come to ask: did you too see the stallion in the distance? The dark one."

"Yes your highness."  

"Did he speak to you?"

Gerald hesitated, he feared that if he said too much Luna would remember the dark army and take it from him. "We asked you a question!" Luna shouted at him. Gerald recoiled from the violence of her anger. Luna could almost hear Celestia chiding her "If you wish to be liked by our little ponies you must treat them with a gentle kindness."

Luna walked over to Gerald and patted him gently upon the back. "Forgive us Gerald, we did not intend to frighten you. We are... distressed about the things that occurred in your dream last night and we are eager to learn more." 

Gerald still hesitated, attempting to create some believable dialogue that would have occurred between him and Diresteel that would not reveal too much. Luna took this as a sign that he was still fearful of her. Luna knew what Celestia would do at a time like this. Luna gently placed her forehooves around Gerald's neck. "There there little human, there is no need to be frightened of us."

Gerald saw a golden opportunity to make Luna sympathize with him, to allow him to keep his army and still enjoy the favour of the monarchy in within Equestria. It was a dangerous gamble but fortune favours the bold! Gerald embraced Luna, pulling her in close to him. This time Luna did not resist. Gerald buried his face in her mane, in order to conceal the smile that was spreading across his face. As Gerald felt Luna redouble the intensity of her embrace he knew he had succeeded. Luna on the other hand was thinking of how wonderful it was to have finally found a friend. She had forgotten all about the mysterious stallion who had appeared in Gerald's dream last evening, living entirely in this blissful moment. Luna gently nuzzled Gerald. She had never been held like this since she was but a little filly, over one thousand years ago.

Gerald felt some regret, manipulating Luna in this way. But was it not justified? Was he not enjoying this embrace as well? Secretly, deep within Gerald's subconscious he wished it was Celestia, not Luna that he was holding in his arms. "Luna?" Gerald spoke softly.

"Yes Gerald?" 

"The stallion did speak to me."

Luna's bliss crashed harshly back into reality. She pulled away from Gerald, her face reddening as she realized what had just occurred. "What did he say?"

"He informed me that something I had discovered, a gem of some-sort, had given me control of an army."

Luna remembered now, she remembered creating the Dark Army. Celestia had told her that to use a spell to create life was immoral, yet she had not taken heed of her sister's warning. It had been that spell that had drove her beyond the brink of sanity. It was that spell that had turned her fully into Nightmare Moon. "Gerald, you must tell us where the diamond is, it has to be destroyed!"

"Why?" 

"It is the physical creation of power and temptation, jealousy and anger. It must be destroyed!"

"Yet it acts only upon my orders. If I give it no orders that would harm anypony, why should it be destroyed? You do realize your highness that these beings you have created are sentient, don't you? Do you really wish to end their lives?"

"Gerald, you must understand, it is because of that army that the wrath of Nightmare Moon was unleashed!" 

Gerald ran his hand through Luna's mane. "It seems that Nightmare Moon has renounced her old ways."

"...Very well Gerald, we will consult with Celestia. But we must ask you, why do you need an army?"

"The same reason your sister has hers, to protect Equestria."

"Do not betray our trust Gerald." Luna turned away. "Also, you are to speak to nopony about what has happened here."

"I can assure you that nopony will be informed about the army."

"Nor our... embrace?" Luna was glad she was looking away from Gerald, lest he see her blushing so strongly.

"Nor our embrace your highness." Gerald chuckled. 

Luna dissipated from Gerald's mind, leaving him alone in his dreams. 


> XII- Friendship and Falsehood
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Gerald awoke the next day, feeling a combination of relief and guilt. He had succeeded in convincing one of the Equestrian monarchs that he should be able to keep his army, yet he had done so in a most foul manner. He really could not believe what he had done. He had used Luna, he really felt no more affection toward her than any of the other ponies, he really didn't have any friends here, with the possible exception of Rarity. Gerald wished that he had never come across that bloody army! Luna trusted him yes, but he did not really trust himself. Could someone who was willing to use the feelings of another to accomplish his own goals really be trusted not to simply use an army for his own benefit? Gerald cursed his foul luck, he shouldn't even be in this strange pony realm in the first place! Gerald threw on his cape and tricorn and left the inn, not really knowing where he was going. 

Wanting to be left alone, Gerald cringed as an energetic pink pony bounced toward him. "Hey Gerald! It's your new BFF Pinkie Pie!"

"Good day... Pinky Pie." 

Pinky Pie noted how Gerald's shoulders slumped, and that as he walked he was staring at the ground. Pinkie Pie made it her personal mission to cheer up her new friend Gerald. "Gerald, you look down today. Why not let your new friend Pinky Pie cheer you up?"

"Firstly Miss Pie, you and I are not friends, we are mere acquaintances. Secondly I do not require cheering up. I am quite happy already."

Pinky Pie felt as if she had been slapped. "N-not friends?" Her lower lip trembled and tears filled her eyes.

Gerald sighed, unless he wanted to make this little pony cry, which would only deepen his feeling of moral imperfection, he would have to tolerate her presence for the time being. "Miss Pie, I did not mean to offend you. It is just that we have only met once, quite briefly. How can you expect a friendship to be solidified that quickly?"

Pinky Pie did not understand exactly what Gerald was saying, but it sounded to her like he wanted to be her new BFF! "WOO HOO!" Pinky Pie cried, jumping in a circle around a very confused Gerald. 

When he had watched the first episode of My Little Pony Gerald had found Pinky Pie's antics quite cute and funny. In person they were still cute, but quite embarrassing and strange as well. "Miss Pie, would you please calm down? We are in a public area!"

"I always jump around when Im in public!" Pinkie Pie cried happily, continuing to jump merrily about.

"Very well then." Gerald sighed.

"Hey newest BFF, do you wanna go play games with Rainbow Dash?" 

"Not particu-"

"Of course you do!" Pinkie Pie grabbed Gerald by the hem of his cape and dragged him off in search of Rainbowdash. Gerald decided to follow along, he hadn't had anything important to do at any rate, aside from fret about the events of the past few days.

After a quick search Pinky Pie found Rainbow Dash in her usual location, just outside Ponyville, sleeping soundly upon a low-lying cloud. "Wake up sleepy head, Pinky Pie is here!"

Rainbow Dash rolled over, pulling the cloud over her head. "Come on Pinky, I just started my morning nap!"

"Come on Rainbow Dash! Gerald and I were really excited to play a game with you!" 

"Alright, alright, just give me a minute!" Rainbow Dash dropped lazily from the cloud, gliding slowly to the ground. 

"So whaddaya wanna do Rainbow Dash?" 

"I don't know..." Rainbow Dash looked distractedly toward the clouds. "Hows about a... RACE!" Rainbowdash took off running back toward Ponyville, with Pinky Pie trailing behind her.

"Where are we racing too?" Pinky Pie asked Rainbowdash.

"The Golden Oak Library, we'll get Twilight to hang out with us!"

Gerald watched as the two ponies ran into the distance, taking no notice that he had not even taken a step. "You might as well follow them." Sighed Gerald to himself. 





"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash slid to a halt in a cloud of dust just outside Golden Oak Library. "I win!"

A moment later Pinky Pie bounded past Rainbow Dash and touched the door with the tip of her hoof. "I win!" she looked down to Rainbow Dash. "Why did you stop there? The library is right in front of you!"

"I said we would race to the library, that doesn't mean we have to touch it." 

"But you're not AT the library, you're right beside it." Pinky Pie pointed to the space between Rainbow Dash and the porch of the library.

Rainbow Dash suddenly realized, that she hadn't seen Gerald through the whole race! Had he fallen behind? Looking along the road Pinky Pie and her had taken she could see Gerald in the distance, walking at a leisurely pace toward the library. "Looks like Gerald didn't even try."

Pinky Pie too sighted Gerald's unmistakeable figure in the distance. "Maybe he doesn't like racing." 

"No, I think he is just like Rarity, and doesn't want to get his 'pweety little outfit dirty.'" Rainbow Dash imitated Rarity's whiny voice. "Hey there slowpoke!" Rainbow Dash greeted Gerald when he finally arrived. "Did you give up as soon as you saw how fast I was?"

"Of course I gave up, right from the beginning." Gerald replied sarcastically.

"Don't give up Gerald, you're the fastest human I've ever met!" Pinkie Pie gave Gerald a sympathetic smile.

"Ummmm..... so what do you guys want?" Spike had been standing in the doorway, unnoticed,  for the last few moments.

"We wanted Twilight to come out and play with us!" Pinkie Pie was once again jumping with excitement at the prospect of having yet another friend to play with.

"Got it Pinkie!" 

Spike returned a short time later with Twilight close behind.

"Hello everypony! Spike said you would like to play some games?"

"That's right!" Pinky Pie and Rainbow Dash responded in unison.

After some discussion, the mares decided that they would get their other friends to join them in their fun. Within an hour all the mares (along with Gerald and Spike) had congregated in the park. "Gerald, since it is your first time getting together with everypony, why don't you decide what we are going to do?" Twilight suggested.

"Well, I really don't play in parks all that frequently." Gerald shrugged his shoulders. He was really not in the mood for games right now.

"Why don't we play a game of tag?" Spike spoke up from behind the others, waving his hands to gain some attention.

"You know what Spike, that sounds like a good idea!" Rainbow Dash gave Spike a congratulatory slap on the back.

"Awesome! NOT IT!" Spike broke into a run away from the other ponies. This elicited cries of "not it" from amongst the whole group until Gerald was the only one who had not spoken. "Looks like you're it Gerald!" Pinky Pie said as she dashed hastily away.

Gerald rolled his eyes and sighed. This was bloody childish. He started toward the running ponies at a walk. 

"Come on Gerald, you'll have to go faster than that!" Rainbow Dash was literally running circles around him.

Gerald sighed again and sat down upon the ground. Rainbow Dash came over to him, a look of concern upon her face. "Gerald, are you alright?"

Gerald placed his arm around Rainbow Dash's neck. "I am quite fine Miss Dash, but unfortunately for you, you are now it. No tagbacks." Gerald walked slowly away. The watching ponies burst out in laughter seeing how Gerald had tricked Rainbow Dash. 





After many hours of such antics Gerald was really beginning to forget about his problems. He really enjoyed playing tag, talking with Fluttershy about the different kinds of birds, and trying to judge who was the faster runner between Rainbow Dash and Applejack. It almost made him feel like a carefree child again! As the sun began to disappear beyond the horizon he, Rarity, and Twilight were having a most interesting discussion about the nature of magic. 

"So it is not really a physical entity?" Gerald asked.

"Not really, its more like a... energy? So I guess it could be considered a physical entity." Twilight rubbed her forehoof against her chin, Gerald certainly asked some very interesting questions!

Gerald smiled widely. He was beginning to think that five years here wouldn't be so bad after all! These ponies were really quite kind, not to mention endlessly entertaining. He might even call them his friends. Gerald chuckled to himself, it was nice to be amongst friends. Gerald noticed her first, Princess Celestia walking across the park toward them. She was staring directly at Gerald and she did not look pleased. Gerald knew exactly what she was here for. He looked over to his new friends, who were just now noticing that their monarch was approaching. They all went to their knees. Gerald on the other hand remained standing. 

"Gerald, there is something you and I must discuss. In private." Celestia's kind and caring tone was replaced with an icy coldness. 

"Yes your highness." Gerald walked toward Celestia, knowing if he was to be punished, it was justified. 

"Follow me sir." One of Celestia's royal guards pulled Gerald toward the Princess.

"W-whats going on Princess?" Twilight looked toward her mentor, wondering why she was treating her new friend like this.

"I cannot tell you right now Twilight." Celestia did not look away from Gerald to speak to Twilight, instead keeping him centred in her icy stare.

Gerald was lead away from his friends to the far corner of the park, where a group of royal guards formed a semicircle around them, facing the village. "Gerald, I believe you already know why I have come to speak to you."

"I do your highness."

"Do you know where the diamond is now Gerald?" 

Gerald reached into his pocket and grabbed ahold of the gem. "Indeed I do, your highness."

"I must ask you to give it to me." Celestia held forth a large metal lockbox, lined with black silk with a small indent in the centre in which the diamond would perfectly fit.

"Stop!" Gerald looked away from Celestia to see that Twilight had attempted to get past the guards, but was now restrained by them. 

"Princess, what has Gerald done?" Twilight was visibly agitated. The other mares and Spike were attempting to pull Twilight out of the guards grip.

Celestia closed her eyes. It looked to Gerald like she had simply fallen asleep! Suddenly her eyes flashed open. "Guards, allow my student and her friends to pass please." The guards immediately stood aside, allowing Twilight and her friends to pass through.  

Twilight ran to Celestia, who gave her a warm hug as they met. "Princess!" Twilight was on the verge of tears. "What has Gerald done?" 

Celestia looked at Twilight for a moment ,wondering if she would comprehend the evil of Gerald's actions. "Gerald has come across the Dark Army of Nightmare Moon, and claimed it for his own."

A collective gasp came from Twilight and her friends. "Gerald, is this true?" Rarity looked to him, a look of confusion and disbelief on her face. 

Gerald, unable to speak, nodded. 

"Gerald, now I must ask you to hand over the diamond." Celestia motioned toward the box she was suspending in front of him with her magic.

"I cannot. I know where the diamond is, but I do not have it." Gerald released his grip on the diamond, allowing it to fall back into his pocket. "You see my Princess, I only held the diamond for a mere moment before I went to assist Applejack's younger sister and her friends. I thought I had placed it within my backpack but it must have fallen out."

"You will lead us to where it is then Gerald." 

"I fear I cannot my Princess, when I met the pony from the army in my dream he said he feared you. He said that if I told your highness where the diamond was, you would have it destroyed and kill him and his men. I made a promise your highness, I told him that if he took orders from no one except me I would not tell you where the diamond was. I was merely attempting to diffuse the situation. I did not want him and his men to die, nor did I want him and his men to serve some evil tyrant. I thus took it upon myself to take command of the army, as I will do nothing with it."

Celestia looked at Gerald, trying to use her thousand years of wisdom to determine if this human was indeed telling the truth. "I trust you Gerald." Pinky Pie stepped forward and clung to Gerald. 

"I trust you as well dearie." Rarity moved to stand beside Gerald. One by one all the ponies made clear their trust in Gerald until only Twilight, Spike and Celestia remained.

Celestia looked to Twilight. "Well my faithful student, do you trust Gerald's word?"

"Yes." Twilight joined the ponies standing around Gerald.

"Why do you and your friends have such faith in Gerald?" Celestia asked her student.

Twilight looked slowly from Gerald and then back to Celestia. "Because he is my friend."

"Very well, if my faithful student and her friends, who represent the elements of harmony can find reason to trust your word I, Princess Celestia, trust you as well."

Gerald would have felt quite touched by this demonstration of affection and trust on the part of his new friends, had near everything he had just said not been a lie.


> XIII- Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Celestia had ordered Gerald to return to Canterlot with her, telling his friends that he would be only gone for a little while. Gerald knew exactly why she had ordered him to Canterlot, so she could keep an eye on him. As the train steamed toward the distant Equestrian capitol Gerald was allowed out of the private car by his guards, to eat lunch with the other passengers. As Gerald was using the car usually reserved for royal visitors he would be eating with the other first class passengers. The dinning car was relatively empty, only Gerald, his guards, and a dapper looking mare and stallion shared the room. "Oh, hello there! You must be the princesses guest, the human fellow! Gerald, right?" Gerald nodded. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Fancypants, and this is Fleur de Lis." Gerald gave the mare a bow before taking his seat at the table. 

Gerald had noticed the stallion, Fancypants, had three crowns as his cutie mark. "Ah, so Mr.Fancypants, you are a member of the royal family?"

"Unfortunately not, may I ask why you thought so?" Fancypants adjusted his monocle.

"Well you have three crowns adorning you, as well you and Miss Fleur have a different body shape than most ponies, much like the princesses."

"Ah, that is due to proper breeding my dear fellow, from quite prestigious families and whatnot."

Gerald made a mental note, if ponies could be considered more prestigious due to the shape of their bodies, could he be considered superior because he was a human?

"I have heard that humans wear clothing at all times, is that true Gerald?" Fleur asked. Fancypants seemed surprised that his consort had even spoken. 

"Indeed it is madam, we humans only remove our clothing to bathe." 

"Really? I myself am rarely seen without clothing actually." Fancypants stated derisively.

"Humans must be quite cultured then, I could not imagine a whole society wearing clothes all the time!" Fleur looked to Fancypants. "You really must get me a dress."



 

Other than the brief meeting with Fancypants and Fleur Gerald was confined to the royal car for the whole of the journey. He knew Celestia, even with the assurance of her most loyal student, was still quite suspicious of him. Gerald seethed with anger. After all his respectful gestures to this monarch, he was still treated with supreme suspicion. If Gerald could not earn Celestia's trust he would simply have to win her favour. To control the monarch of Equestria would be a huge benefit, he already seemed to have one of the ruling sisters sympathy. 

As the train halted at the Canterlot station, Gerald rose to join the other passengers who were streaming off of the train. His guards pushed him back toward his seat. "You will remain on the train, by orders of the Princess Celestia." The train suddenly began moving again, continuing onward to the Royal Palace. 

Gerald feared that he was being punished for his actions. "If you are going to imprison me, I have done nothing wrong. I can assure you that I will not remain for long!"

"You are not to be imprisoned, you are to be Celestia's honoured guest." one of the guards informed him.

Gerald knew history well enough to know what that meant. He would be housed splendidly and treated well, but in all but name he would be a prisoner. Oh well, at least Gerald finally had a use for his army.





Gerald was greeted in the palace by a large unicorn stallion wearing armour. "I am Captain Shining Armour of the Royal Guard. I think you have met my sister, Twilight?" 

"Yes, I have had the pleasure." Gerald stepped from the train, looking in vain for a way that he could escape this palatial prison.

"From what she has told me about you, you will enjoy your time here in Canterlot!" Shining Armour smiled warmly. "You'll be sharing a quarters with Prince Blueblood for the duration of your stay.

"Sharing a quarters with a prince?" 

"A prince only in name." Shining Armour sighed. "I would just try to avoid him if I were you. He can be a bit... touchy."

"Very well." Gerald did not much care who he shared his prison with.

Gerald had his belongings carried to his new quarters by a guardsman. Shining Armour accompanied him, showing him the highlights of the palace. "And that's the dining room, you'll be eating with the princesses every night, lucky guy!" 

"Grand!" Gerald, for a moment was genuinely pleased, forgetting that the princess he had so respected was now trying to keep him as a prisoner.

"And finally here's your room." 

As Shining Armour opened the door, a white unicorn with blond hair ran past him, tears streaming down his face."It is not proper that I share my quarters, I am a prince auntie!" 

Celestia was standing in the room on her own, a look of embarrassment upon her face. "Forgive the behaviour of my nephew, he is just a bit upset at the moment. He really will be fine with you sharing the rooms with him. You could probably fit ten more ponies in here and still have ample space."

The rooms were indeed grand, the foyer was covered in mirrors, the doors were plated in silver and the ceiling was gilded with gold. Gerald stood in awe, trying to convince himself that he still wanted to escape this "prison". 

"If you require anything, just ask me." Shining Armour said as he and Celestia left the room. "I'll usually be down in the guards barracks."





A short time later Prince Blueblood returned to his quarters. "Gerald!" he screamed as he entered. "I demand your presence!" 

Gerald walked into the foyer, he had been reading some of the books Twilight had lent him, and continued doing so as the approached the distressed Prince. 

"Gerald, although others may wish to have you galavant around my quarters as if they were your own, you absolutely must remain in your own room, and only use the rooms you need to enter and leave it."

"I have received permission from the Princess Celestia that I can use your rooms as I wish." Gerald turned to the next page of the book he was reading, not even bothering to look up at Blueblood.

"Celestia! It's always about Celestia! Why can I not be a ruler? Am I not of royal blood as well?"

"Indeed you are, but Celestia is the reigning monarch."

"Why can't it be me?" Blueblood whined.

"Good question my Prince. Why does Celestia have power over you? You and her hold the same title."

"I don't know!" 

Gerald smiled at Blueblood. "You Equestrians really have to make clear who controls this nation and why."

"Celestia has no better claim than I do!" Blueblood stormed off into his bedroom.

"Quite true, Celestia really does have no legal claim to the throne, other than the fact that she already possesses it..." Gerald looked off into space, thinking of the consequences of this negated claim. Anypony could legitimize a legal claim to the throne if they could find some precedent for doing so. He must really bring this up with Celestia, he could create her some documents that would give her a legal right to the throne.





"Sister, are you certain that bringing Gerald here was a wise decision?" Although Luna was happy that her friend Gerald had been invited to the palace where she could meet him in person, but she felt that her sister had other reasons for bringing him here.

"I simply cannot trust him until he proves himself more loyal. First he tries to kill Philomena and the next thing I know he is summoning the Dark Army?" Celestia shook her head. "I could tell my most faithful student was even hesitant about trusting him. She and her friends did the proper thing accepting Gerald as one of them, but I doubt they truly had befriended him in such a short time. Sister you know best of all ponies that what lies in the core of somepony's soul can be hidden, for good or for bad."

Luna thought back to when Celestia had banished her to the moon. She vaguely recalled Celestia begging her to submit peacefully. When Nightmare Moon had refused Celestia did not kill her. She knew that through all the hate and greed that there could still be some good at the core. Could it really be the opposite with Gerald?

"I shall watch over him sister" Luna surprised Celestia by saying this, since Luna's return from the moon she had been reluctant to speak to anypony less Celestia herself. Yet Celestia also recalled the kindness Gerald had shown toward her sister, whereas other ponies had shown only fear. "Luna, you must understand, it will be very difficult to judge Gerald's true self. He might not even realize the malice that lies within him. Are you certain that you are up to the task?"

Luna nodded. "And if I do find malice at the core of his being, he and I shall overcome it. I, with your help defeated Nightmare Moon who was a much more fearsome enemy than Gerald could ever be."

"Use caution my sister, do not underestimate the evil that can lie within even the gentlest of ponies."

As Luna and Celestia prepared to attend the royal dinner, a guard knocked upon the door to the throne room. "Mr. Wellesley wishes to speak with your royal highnesses. He says it is quite urgent." 

Celestia and Luna looked to each other, each wondering what Gerald could want. "Allow him in." Celestia said at last.

The doors burst open and Gerald stumbled into the throne room, carrying a large book on Equestrian law, one on Equestrian history, and a large scroll. A guard came behind carrying a quill and inkwell. "My princesses, forgive my interruption, but I have noticed something quite distressing. Your law system as it is currently written had a very major flaw. You currently have no more legal claim to ruling this realm than Prince Blueblood!"

"This has never before been an issue." Celestia looked over Gerald's shoulder at the scroll he was unraveling on a nearby table. 

"Indeed, but it very soon could be. Living even for a moment with the Prince Blueblood has revealed to me that he would most willingly use this fault in your law system to discredit your royal highnesses rule. Thankfully I have already taken the liberty to prepare a draft of a simple law that would alleviate this problem significantly." 

Celestia and Luna looked at the scroll. It read:



	In the year 1345 of the reign of the two Princesses the following law shall be enforced. The Princesses Luna and Celestia, having been ordained by the will of the great Starswirl the Bearded after the joining of the three kingdoms of Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies, shall from this event gain precedence over all others in the order of succession in the Principality of Equestria. Heirs to the Principality of Equestria shall be selected by unanimous decision of the two Princesses, being the legitimate heirs to the thrones of the three kingdoms. 

Hereby signed by their Royal Highnesses: 

-Princess Celestia________________________
-Princess Luna___________________________

Ex Voluntate Imperatoris




"It seems... quite simple." Celestia noted.

"Is that really all that is required?" Luna looked to Gerald.

"Indeed it tis!" Gerald smiled. "Well that and the signature of your royal highnesses."

Luna picked up a quill with her magic. Celestia plucked it from the air. "We shall read this over in more detail before making it official law Gerald, thank you for your assistance." 

Gerald felt hurt that the Princesses did not immediately accept his proposal, but completely understood that a law this important required review. "Always my pleasure to serve." Gerald bowed to the Princesses and left them again.

"Is there something wrong with this document sister?" Luna asked Celestia as soon as Gerald had left. 

Celestia looked closely at the document, reading it very carefully. "It seems to be a sound piece of legislation... but I wonder as to Gerald's motives."

"Dear sister, must you always look for the worst in Gerald? You always were able to see the best in me." 

Celestia reluctantly picked up the quill, dipped it in the ink and after a moments hesitation, signed the scroll.

"There we are my dear sister. I have placed my trust in Gerald, and your judgement of him."

Luna picked up the quill and signed the scroll just below Celestia's signature. "If you still are distressed, I am certain we could have somepony else review it."

Having signed the document, the two Princesses headed for the dining room, they were already running late for dinner.

> XIV- Simple Inquiries
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Another proposal Gerald?" Celestia was surprised to see Gerald so early, he had been waiting for her and her sister just before she rose the sun.

"Indeed my Princess, another proposal. A much simpler request this time. I simply would like to create an office that would allow me to assist you in ruling these lands." Gerald handed Celestia a scroll.

Celestia read the scroll closely. It simply stated that Gerald wanted to hold the title of  Imperator, and the powers that came with it. Gerald had described these powers as the 'maintenance and improvement of royal law.' 

Celestia looked over it closely a second time. "The only issue I have Gerald, is the far reaching implications of 'improvement' of law." 

"It would be no different than what occurred yesterday Princess, I would propose a law to you and your sister to consider." Gerald shrugged, suggesting that this was a trivial matter.

Luna leaned toward her sister and whispered "What harm can come by giving Gerald this meagre title? He at least would have a purpose here in Canterlot."

"I am simply worried by his previous actions, and his acute interest in our laws," Celestia explained.

Luna was no longer whispering. "And what harm is an interest in ruling and law? You did not stifle your student when she showed interest in the most powerful of spells!"

"There is a difference Luna. I have known Twilight for years, whereas I barely know anything about Gerald."

Gerald cut short Celestia's response. "I see I have offended your highness, I shall withdraw my proposal."

Celestia gave her head a gentle shake. "You have not offended me Gerald, I simply would like to learn more about you before I appoint you to an office with such great responsibilities." Celestia gave Gerald a remorseful look, as if to apologize for her prior harshness.

"We will keep the proposal, and appoint you if we deem you fit for the position." Luna added.

"Your highnesses are most gracious." Gerald bowed as he took his leave of the Princesses.

As Luna went to leave, Celestia held out a hoof to stop her. "My sister, we must carefully judge Gerald. You know the importance of the ponies he will be living with if we allow him to return to Ponyville."

Luna lowered her head. "Yes sister, forgive my outburst. I know the responsibility that Gerald will have will be enormous."





Gerald wanted out of this bloody palace. Although he enjoyed his luxurious quarters and had easily usurped Prince Blueblood's servants, he had no purpose here. He had attempted to give himself something to do this morning when he had requested that Princess Celestia give him the title Imperator, an office he had created to assist in the improvement of Equestria's laws. No such luck, Celestia still did not trust him since he had admitted his involvement with the Dark Army. 

"Message for you Mr. Wellesley." a servant placed an envelope upon the desk in front of Gerald.

Gerald picked up the letter, inspecting it closely. Who would want to write to him? Gerald plucked the letter opener from the desk in front of him and opened the envelope. He held the letter close to the lamp. 




Dear Gerald,

I have been working on some more clothing for you it should arrive at the castle along with this letter. I and the others here in Ponyville miss you. Twilight is concerned that Princess Celestia is angry at you for something you did. She says that she is going to speak to the Princess to clarify your reasons for leaving. Although we have not been able to spend much time with you, you seem like a very kind fellow and we hope that the Princess allows you to return soon. 

-Sincerely,
Rarity


P.S. Pinkie Pie held a vote amongst us other ponies and we have decided to come to Canterlot with Twilight. We cannot wait to see you again! 




Gerald set the letter upon the table. He hadn't really realized it, being caught up in this business of armies and Princesses, but he missed the company of Rarity and her friends as well. Although he had not known them for very long, slightly more than a week, he felt that they accepted him for who he was. Their trust in him, although somewhat misplaced, was very touching. Gerald felt he owed it to these ponies to tell Celestia the truth. Hopefully with their support, he could convince Celestia to set him free. 

"Mr. Wellesley, her royal highness requests entry!" A servant called from outside the study.

"Her highness may enter!" Gerald adjusted his ascot and re-buttoned his vest, attempting to look as formal as possible for Princess Celestia. 

But it was not Celestia.

"Hello Gerald." Princess Luna walked past the servant who had opened the door for her.

"Good day your highness." Gerald bowed. He was confused, why would Luna wish to talk to him? A thousand paranoid thoughts spun through his mind. 

"You may leave us." Luna addressed the servant, who bowed and took his leave. 

"Your highness! What brings you to my quarters at this hour? Do you not usually sleep during the day?" 

"We have come here for a casual visit Gerald. One does not simply go to sleep when you have finished your duties, you know."

"Of course your highness." Gerald sensed that there was something more to this than just a casual visit. Luna did not seem like a casual ruler in any sense. She was very formal and traditional, even more-so than her sister.

Luna looked awkwardly around the study. "Forgive us Gerald, this is embarrassing, but we do not know what to do now."

"Whatever you wish your highness." Could this really just be a casual visit?

Luna looked around the room, seeing that Gerald had been delving into the vast library that Prince Blueblood had neglected. Books were piled around the room. Luna noted that Gerald had surrounded himself with books pertaining to Equestrian history, legend, and law.

Luna walked over to Gerald's desk and grabbed the book that Gerald had been reading. "What art thou reading, Gerald?" 

"I am reading about the creation of your kingdom, or Hearth's Warming Eve as this book refers to it as." 

"So thou art learning of the consequences of conflict. A very important lesson indeed." Luna placed the book back upon the desk.

"Very much so." Gerald looked at Luna suspiciously, was she judging him?

"You seem very interested in our history Gerald, have you any questions that you would like to ask us?" 

"These books have informed me of much of your history, your highness. I have no questions for you right now."

"Very well..." Luna looked confused again, she had no idea what she should say next. She had come here to find out more about Gerald, to learn what he truly was like. Yet what she really wanted was to embrace him again, to share her affection that she felt toward Gerald. He had been the only one who had shown any affection toward her besides her sister since her return. Everypony else had been too afraid of her wrath or overawed by her title to speak with her at length. Gerald, although he seemed to respect her title, seemed more comfortable around her than the others. She desperately wanted to inform Gerald of her feelings toward him, but she had a reputation to worry about. Celestia seemingly had struck a careful balance between the love and respect of her subjects, and Luna wished to imitate it. 

"Your highness? Are you alright?" Luna suddenly realized that she had been staring intensely at Gerald these past few moments.

"Yes, Gerald, we are quite well. We were just deep in thought." Luna lowered herself into the chair at Gerald's desk.

"Might I ask what your highness was thinking about?" Gerald pulled another chair up and sat himself beside Luna.

"We were just thinking about the events that occurred in your dream... we feel that we have become too familiar with you. It is not seemly of a royal pony to associate with others in that manner."

Gerald frowned. "I am very sorry about that, your highness. Both times I was overcome by your... beauty." Gerald had really meant to say 'cuteness' but had felt it might not be the best descriptor for a monarch.

"Our beauty?" Luna turned away from Gerald, so he could not see her blush.

"Indeed, your beauty." Gerald pushed onward, unaware of the effect of his words on the Princess. "I would like to apologize for my actions, and will treat you in a more proper manner from this point onward."

Luna was taken aback. Her feelings toward Gerald were unlike anything she had felt before. It was similar the love she felt for Celestia... but at the same time very different. She tried to speak, but no words would come.

"Princess?" Gerald stood from his chair, fearing he had offended her. "I-I am sorry that I could not control myself, um, you see that we, um, uh, I thought you were not real the first time and the second time you embraced me first-"

"We are not offended Gerald!" Luna said in a much more forceful tone than she had intended. 

"Of course not your highness." Gerald backed away from the Princess, holding his hands defensively in front of him.

Seeing Gerald cowering in fear before her was too much for Luna, she didn't want him to fear her! He had been the only one aside from her sister who had shown any kindness toward her since her return. "Gerald, we are sorry! Please don't be scared of us!"

Gerald lowered his arms to his side, and adjusted his ascot. "I do not fear you your highness, I was simply startled by your forcefulness. I completely understand your concern that we have become too familiar with one another. It is completely my fault. We need not discuss this again, and nopony will ever know about it."

It took every ounce of Luna's willpower not to stand up and embrace Gerald. She was very happy to know that Gerald was not afraid of her, but his tone was no longer as friendly and warm as it once was, he sounded more like one of the servants who served her meals: very respectful, but not friendly. Wasn't that what she wanted, though? 

"Gerald?" 

"Yes your highness?" 

"I love you."

> XV- Trust
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gerald opened his mouth as if he was going to say something. But nothing came out. Luna was in love with him?  Luna loved him? 

"Y-y-you love me, your highness?" Gerald finally managed to babble something out. 

"We... did not mean to say that aloud." Luna hung her head, ashamed of the emotions she had allowed herself to express.

"Your highness... I am glad you shared your feelings with me."

"We were afraid that you had begun to fear us like all the others."   

Gerald shook his head. "I do not fear you, your highness, I respect you, but I do not fear you."

"That is nice to know." Luna managed a weak smile.

Gerald smiled back. "It is unfortunate that others fear you, your highness. They simply do not see the kindness that exists within you."

How could this being be evil? Celestia had said that Gerald may have malevolent goals, yet Luna could see no evidence of this. Gerald seemed to be a very kind, understanding human. Luna's mind trailed back to Celestia's warning: 'What lies in the core of somepony's soul can be hidden, for good or for bad.' Luna was ashamed to do this, but she felt that she must use the trust Gerald had placed in her to discover what was truly in the core of his soul. 

"Gerald, there is something that I must ask you."

"Very well your highness." Gerald cringed, fearing she was about to ask if he loved her as well, which he did not.

"Gerald, you must tell me the truth, what was your goal in taking control of the Dark Army?"

Gerald was silent for a moment, he walked over to a map of Equestria that he had pinned to one of the desks in the study. "I was enamoured by the feeling of importance, of power. I never intended to really do anything with the army... I just enjoyed feeling important."

Luna felt sorry for Gerald. She knew that feeling, the desire to feel important, to be recognized, to be loved. "Gerald you do not require an army to be important or significant!"

"It seems as if I do! Your sister thought it acceptable that I simply stay in Ponyville for the next five years on a bloody farm!" Gerald pounded his fist upon the desk before him. "When I tried to help her, she treated me with suspicion! Do not think I am naive to the reason I was brought to this palace! Celestia wished to judge me, to see if I was fit to live among her peoples, or ponies, or whatever else she bloody well rules over!" 

Luna recognized this jealousy and rage. This was what she felt like just before she had become Nightmare Moon. She felt as if Celestia outshone her, was suspicious of her whenever she tried to gain any type of importance. "Gerald... sometimes we must accept the fact that others are more significant than us."

"I do not desire to be more significant than anybod- anypony else. I just want to be able to do something that I am good at. Those things happen to involve military and political matters. If one of your subjects had a cutie mark that said that they should be, for example, the Imperator of this nation, would you deny them their destiny?"

"I would certainly not... nor would Celestia." Luna stood. "Gerald, I thank you for being honest with me. Also please do not mention my... admission to anypony else."

Gerald took a step toward Luna, who offered her hoof for him to shake. Gerald ignored her hoof and gave Luna a gentle hug.

"Thank you Gerald." Luna smiled, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Thank you, your highness."





Luna decided to face her sister immediately. Celestia was unfairly judging Gerald based on his interests and talents! Gerald certainly had overstepped his boundaries several times, but no more than Luna herself once had. The Dark Army in itself was not an evil thing... it was how and why that it had been created that was evil. Celestia failed to understand that the army would do nothing without a word of command from its master. So unless Gerald had ordered them to hurt somepony, they wouldn't have. Luna opened the door to Celestia's quarters.

Celestia's room was immaculate as usual, not even a candlestick was an inch out of place. Celestia sat in the centre of the room with light streaming in from the room's huge collection of beautiful windows. Luna had to shield her eyes from the brightness as she entered the room. 

"Luna, I am glad you have come. There is something that you must see." 

Luna saw that Celestia was using a large magnifying glass to look over the documents Gerald had given to them. "What do you suspect Gerald of now, sister?"

"I do not know." Celestia motioned toward the glass that she had been looking to. Within it was the words, carefully written in very small letters Ex Voluntate Imperatoris. 

Luna closely examined the words. They seemed to be complete nonsense... except for one of them, Imperatoris, was quite close to the title that Gerald had requested bestowed upon himself. 

"Ex Voluntate Imperatoris. Why would Gerald put this nonsense on a royal decree?" Luna looked to Celestia, expecting she had already come to some sort of conclusion. 

"It seems that Gerald is speaking in another language. This phrase also appears, in the same manner, within his proposal to be the 'Imperator' of Equestria."

Luna straightened. "Let us go ask Gerald what this means." 

Celestia nodded. "I agree, let us go."

The two Princesses walked quickly toward Gerald's quarters with the documents in hoof, startling some guards whom barely had time to snap to attention as their monarchs walked past. Celestia and Luna walked directly into Gerald's study, where Gerald was deeply immersed in a book. 

Gerald stumbled up from his chair, startled by this sudden intrusion. "Your royal highnesses!" He offered a clumsy bow. "How may I assist?"

"Gerald, can you please tell us the meaning of 'Ex Voluntate Imperatoris?'" Celestia asked, placing the documents on the desk in front of Gerald. 

"Ah, that means 'approved by the Imperator', your highness. Simply an act of formality." Gerald whisked his hand aside, as to demonstrate the triviality of the matter. "I am glad you have taken the time to read my proposals over so closely!" 

Gerald smiled as he looked over the documents. "Ah, I also see that you have already signed my legal proposal! Splendid! I am honoured to have been of assistance to the great monarchs of Equestria." Gerald offered a more graceful bow.

"Thank you Gerald,"  The Princesses replied in unison. It was quite difficult to dislike Gerald, Celestia thought to herself. He was polite, kind, and had excellent diction. But something about this elegant human struck her as odd, although she could not quite determine what. Could it be that Luna was correct? Had she been judging Gerald too harshly?

"Forgive me for being so suspicious of you Gerald, I am only making certain my little ponies are safe." 

"I would do the same in your position your highness." 

"Very well. I must be returning to my duties Gerald, have a good day." 





"You see my sister? Gerald is not at all as malevolent as you accuse him to be!" Luna exclaimed as soon as the two princesses had left Gerald's quarters.

Celestia sighed. "I know that Gerald seems to be a very kind and considerate human, yet I see something within him... he knows something more than us."

Luna stopped and turned to her sister. "What do you mean by that? If you do think you see something foul about Gerald please share it with me, otherwise I would appreciate if you would stop being so distrustful of him!"

"Luna, I know it is difficult to see any suspicion in the things Gerald has done, especially now that you care for him so."

Luna stamped her forehoof against the floor. "Sister, what makes you think I care for Gerald anymore than anypony in this kingdom?"

"Sister, it has not passed my notice that you have shown an interest in him. He has shown you a kindness that nopony else ever has..."

"I do NOT care for Gerald!" 

"Luna, I just wanted to inform you that your feelings for Gerald are entirely acceptable. It is just that your judgement may now be biased."

Luna stepped toward her sister, her muzzle almost touching Celestia's. "If anypony is biased it is you Celestia! You have no reason to treat Gerald in this manner!"

Celestia closed her eyes, taking a moment to compose herself. "Luna, please understand, I would never do anything to harm Gerald. I will return him to Ponyville as soon as I know that I can trust him."

"What makes you think that Gerald cannot be trusted? Why not give him a chance to earn your trust?"

Celestia paused for a moment, thinking. "Luna... I may just do that. Let us give Gerald a chance to earn our trust."


> XVI- The Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight had insisted that only she should go to Canterlot to talk to Princess Celestia, but her friends had been equally insistent on accompanying her. In the end Twilight had conceded that they could come, although it would only be her that would talk to the Princess.  After boarding the train the mares sat down in a car that was unoccupied. 

"Do ya'll think Princess Celestia will let Gerald come back to Ponyville again?" Applejack asked Twilight as she took her seat beside Pinkie Pie.

"It all depends what she has found out about Gerald, Applejack."

Rarity shook her head. "Do you really think that she could have found anything out about Gerald that she would consider dangerous?"

Twilight frowned. "I don't know Rarity. All I know is that we really don't know Gerald all that well, and if the Princess has reason to be suspicious of him there must be something wrong." 

"So why are we going to Canterlot then, dearie? If Gerald is... dangerous, why would you want to help him?"

"I know Gerald better than the Princess does, I can attempt to bring a more balanced view of his actions during his time in Equestria."

Pinkie Pie shifted in her seat. Why did Celestia take away her new BFF? Gerald didn't do anything wrong! "Hey, Twilight? Why did Princess Celestia take Gerald away?"

"I don't really know exactly Pinkie, but if what the Princess said is true, he is commanding a Dark Army from the time of Nightmare Moon."

Rainbow Dash flew up from her seat. "Why would Gerald do that?"

Twilight frowned, she had been wondering the same thing for the past few days. "I can only speculate, but unfortunately the most likely reason is that Gerald is not who he says he is."

Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs. "What do you mean by that, Twilight?"

"I think Gerald might not be from another universe like he said. He was found near the Everfree forest. It seems possible, even likely, that he was actually searching through the Everfree forest for the Dark Army when he was injured. It would explain why he knows all of our names, if he was searching through the forest when we defeated Nightmare Moon."

"That would make sense..." Fluttershy said quietly.

Pinkie Pie was crying softly. 

"What's wrong sugarcube?" asked Applejack, placing her hoof gently on Pinkie Pie's back.

Pinkie Pie sniffled and wiped her eyes. "I thought Gerald was my friend."

"It’s okay Pinkie, he was nice to all of us... we can't even be certain he did anything wrong." Twilight reassured her.

"It is possible this is all a big misunderstanding, right Twilight?" Pinkie Pie smiled at Twilight.

"I certainly hope it is, Pinkie."





The train screeched to a halt in a cloud of steam. "Canterlot Station!" cried the conductor. Twilight and her friends disembarked the train. After retrieving their possessions from the train, they headed toward the Castle. 

As the mares approached the Castle gates, Rarity looked toward Twilight. "Do you think that the Princess will let us see Gerald?" 

"I hope so! Do you think he is lonely?" Pinkie Pie bounded up between Rarity and Twilight.

"I don't know girls, just let me go and talk to Princess Celestia and then we might be able to visit Gerald."

The guards recognized Twilight, due to the time she had spent living in the castle as Celestia's student, and allowed her and her friends to enter.

Twilight turned to the group. "Okay, I am going to talk to Celestia about this, you mares stay outside for now, okay?"

"Gotcha!" Applejack walked toward Twilight and placed a hoof on her shoulder "And good luck."

As Twilight entered the large doors into the inner areas of the castle, she felt quite nervous. She hoped that Celestia would not be offended by her intrusion into her business with Gerald. Twilight had been very hesitant to make this trip, but she recognized the same "spark" of friendship with Gerald that she had felt when she had first met her other friends. She felt obliged to take some time to figure out what was happening to him, he had not seemed very pleased when Celestia had ordered him to join her in Canterlot. 

Twilight approached one of the guards. "Would you know where the Princess is right now? I need to speak with her."

"Her royal highness is in the throne room right now." 

"Thank you." Twilight steeled herself and began walking toward the throne room. When she arrived Princess Celestia was reading some dispatches. 

"Hello Twilight." Celestia looked up from the dispatches with a smile on her face. 

"Hello Princess." Twilight bowed. "I have come here to advocate on Gerald's behalf."

Celestia raised a brow as she arose from her throne. "What makes you believe that you need to advocate for Gerald, my faithful student?"

"I know that Gerald has done some... suspicious things since he has arrived and I thought that I could bring a more balanced view to the issue."

Celestia nodded. "It seems you have already deduced my reason for bringing him here."

"That is right your highness, I just wanted you to know that Gerald acted very kindly to everypony and I had no reason to suspect anything until you revealed that he had become involved with the Dark Army."

Celestia nodded again. "I shall take this into consideration, Twilight... is there something more you would like to tell me?"

"Also Princess, I have that same feeling about Gerald. The same feeling I had when I first met my new friends."

"So from your judgement, Gerald has no foul intentions?"

"Well, logically I can see how you have come to the conclusion that Gerald might have bad intentions, but my feelings tell me differently. Even though I don't know Gerald very well, I could not see him wanting to hurt anypony."

Celestia didn't speak for a long time. She stared at Twilight, trying to judge if she would be suitable for the task she was about to bestow upon her. Finally, she spoke. "Twilight, I have a very difficult task for you."

"I shall do my best to complete it, Princess."

"Twilight, I want you and your friends to help Gerald. Instil within him the virtues of the Elements of Harmony: Kindness, Generosity, Loyalty, Laughter, Honesty..."

"And Magic?"

Celestia smiled. "Yes my dear student, magic as well. But you first must fully understand magic before you can share it with Gerald."

Twilight was confused, didn't she already understand magic? "Very well Princess, I will do my best to help Gerald understand the virtues of the Elements."

"Very good Twilight. Gerald can return with you to Ponyville this evening, he only has to speak with me for a moment before he leaves." Celestia motioned for her guards to open the doors to the throne room. "Now go my student, Gerald is in the courtyard, watching your brother train the guard."

Twilight's face lit up at the mention of her brother. "Shining? He is here too?" Twilight embraced her mentor and then hurried off to the courtyard. 





"Attention!" Shining Armour bellowed. The guards stood at attention. 

Gerald and Shining Armour walked down the long line of guards arrayed before them. 

"Very impressive, Captain, very impressive indeed." Gerald was duly impressed by both the uniformity and discipline of the guards, but he wondered how they would fair in battle.

Shining Armour grinned. "Thank you Gerald, these stallions have been training to be guards pretty much since they were little colts." 

Gerald stopped in front of one of the soldiers. "Have they ever been in battle Captain?" 

"Thank Celestia, we haven't been in any major battles at least since I took over the guard."

"Do you think they would perform well in battle?" 

Shining Armour nodded. "Definitely."

A guard came walking across the courtyard toward Gerald and Shining Armour. 

"Sir!" The guard saluted his Captain.

"What is it soldier?" 

"Your sister wishes to see you, sir."

"Twily? Here? Now?" Shining Armour looked over the guard's shoulder to see his sister walking across the courtyard toward him.

Twilight, seeing her brother, broke into a run. "Shining!"

"Twily!" The two siblings embraced. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to get Gerald, we are going back to Ponyville."

Gerald was taken aback by this news. "I am returning to Ponyville?"

"That is right!" Twilight let go of her brother and walked up to Gerald. "The Princess told me that you could return to Ponyville with us tonight."

Gerald smiled. "Excellent, I shall go and retrieve my things."

"Actually, I think the others were looking forward to seeing you. They are just outside the Castle."

"Very well then." Gerald nodded to Shining Armour. "Thank you for allowing my to join you in reviewing the guard."

"No problem Gerald." Shining Armour turned to the guard. "Dismissed!" 





Applejack and the others sat outside the Castle gates in a small gazebo, waiting for Twilight to return. 

"What's taking Twilight so long?" Rainbow Dash tapped her forehoof on the ground impatiently. 

"She's trying to solve a very complex issue, things like that take time dearie." Rarity explained. 

"I know, but I want to know what's going on in there!" Rainbow Dash looked up at the gate for what seemed like the thousandth time. She caught sight of Gerald, Twilight, and Shining Armour exiting the castle. "Hey girls, look! Its Gerald and Twilight!" 

The mares rose from the gazebo and went to greet their friends. "So Twilight, what's the verdict?" Applejack asked as they approached.

"Gerald is able to come back to Ponyville with us!"

Pinkie Pie jumped up to Gerald and gave him a big hug around the neck. "Woo hoo! You get to come be my best friend again!"

Gerald smiled widely, he had really missed these little ponies. "Thank you Pinky Pie. I am quite glad to be returning to Ponyville again."

"What are we waiting for? The next train leaves soon!" Rainbow Dash flew toward the station. "Come on!"

Twilight motioned toward the ground. "Rainbow Dash, Gerald has to get his things before he leaves, and talk to the Princess."

Gerald looked shocked, Twilight hadn't mentioned that the Princess had wanted to speak with him. "Which Princess?"

"Princess Celestia, she said she wanted to talk to you before you left."

"Very well. Captain, come with me." Gerald waved for Shining Armour to follow him into the castle.

Shining Armour jogged up beside Gerald. "Gerald, what do you need me for?"

Gerald smiled, although it looked more like a grimace. "You shall see captain, you shall see."





Gerald and Shining Armour entered the throne room where Celestia was seated. "Gerald, I have been awaiting you. I assume my student has informed you that you are free to leave?"

Gerald bowed. "Yes your highness."

Celestia looked past Gerald to Shining Armour. "Captain Armour, Gerald and I shall talk alone."

Gerald held out his hand to stop Shining Armour. "Princess, I think that Shining Armour's presence would be beneficial."

Celestia shrugged. "Very well Gerald. Do you know why I have summoned you?"

"I believe it has something to do with me commanding the Dark Army."

Shining Armour's jaw dropped. Gerald was commanding the Dark Army? Nightmare Moon's personal guard?

Celestia nodded. "You are correct. I wish you to relinquish command of the Dark Army before I allow you to return to Ponyville."

Gerald turned to Shining Armour, who was staring at him, wondering how the hay he had become commander of the Dark Army. 

"Captain Armour, when you were given command of the guard, did you have to swear an oath of some sort?" 

"Y-yeah, I did. An oath of allegiance to Equestria or something like that, its been a long time..."

Gerald held up his hand, informing Shining that he had said enough. Gerald turned back to the Princess. "I propose that I be allowed to command the Dark Army, if I take a similar oath of allegiance."

"How can I be certain that you will keep that oath?" 

"I shall swear it upon my honour."

Celestia sat back in her throne, contemplating Gerald's suggestion. "Very well Gerald, you may keep your army if you swear an oath to me."

A smile spread across Gerald's face. "Your highness is most kind. I hope that I do not test your kindness by asking that as well as the army, that I be granted the title 'Imperator'."

Celestia rose from her throne, walking gracefully toward Gerald. "You certainly may have this title, but it must be included in the oath."

Gerald was awestruck for a moment at how... beautiful he found Celestia. He had doubted it before, but he most definitely found her quite beautiful. He finally realized that she was waiting for him to speak. "O-of course your highness! It would be logical that it would be included in the oath."

"Very well Gerald, now take my hoof and repeat after me." Celestia extended her foreleg toward Gerald. Gerald took her hoof in his hand. 

"I, Gerald solemnly swear."

Gerald was overcome by his proximity to the Princess, her eyes were fixed upon his. He managed to repeat:"I, Gerald solemnly swear."

"To use the power of my title Imperator, and the power of the Dark Army-"

Gerald waved his hands about. "Forgive my interruption your highness, but I do not like the 'evil' sound of the name 'the Dark Army' could we instead call it... the army of the Imperator?"

Celestia smiled, "Very well Gerald. To use the power of my title Imperator, and the power of the Army of the Imperator, for the good of Equestria and it's ponies."

"To use the power of my title Imperator, and the power of the Army of the Imperator, for the good of Equestria and it's ponies."

"I swear allegiance to the rulers of Equestria, the Princesses Luna and Celestia."

Gerald cringed, he really hadn't wanted to give away his freedom quite yet. Celestia's staring eyes and soft smile were too hard to resist though. "I swear allegiance to the rulers of Equestria, the Princesses Luna and Celestia."

"And will only use the force of the Army of the Imperator with explicit permission from both rulers." Celestia concluded.

"And will only use the force of the Army of the Imperator with explicit permission from both rulers." 

Celestia put her hoof back on the ground. She smiled at Gerald "I am sorry I did not trust you Gerald."

"I am sorry that I doubted your kindness and benevolence your highness."

Gerald boarded the train back to Ponyville at six o'clock that evening.