Almost two thousand years ago, Celestia was in love with one of few humans in existance before he was wrongly cast away by those who despised their relationship. He has returned but has nothing but flashes and fuzzy memories to remember their love.
Princess Celestia hosted Equestria's 1000th Royal Gala, welcoming all kinds of species, Griffons, Dragons, all kinds. During this she met many interesting people, ponies, and other species, but lacked a date, a stallion to be with, and was looked down upon by the royals. A princess without a date? This was unusual.
... until she met him. One of few humans in existence, she fell in love with him quickly and asked him to stay in Equestria, rather than returning home beyond the Great Unknown. He didn't need her. He didn't need anyone, for that matter. It was only when she was ready to give her life to him did he realize that he wanted her.
He would come to need her, just as she needed him... and on the night of their year anniversary of being together, he was wrongly taken, his love and memories destroyed and was sent back to the human world without any hardships, so as he would have no want to stay in Equestria, even if he did return, somehow.
But how long can he keep himself apart from his memories of her? And why does her sister act the way she does?
Ever since she saw him that night, she needed him. She never understood why, could it have been the tall, masculine figure?
Or maybe it was the dark blond slightly curling hair, as it radiated a sense of warmth?
Could it have been those small, intelligent eyes of pure living emerald?
These were some of the thing that drew her to him, things that made her fall for one who is alone…
But he never needed anyone. He would speak to those amongst him, but he made no friends, no family. He never needed love; he thought it was a nuisance, something that ate his time and forced him to abandon things he wanted to do.
And then it happened, he found one who was willing to go the distance, to walk with him and show him “love is a beautiful thing when under tender care”, as she spoke to him those words.
Upon the royals and loyalists, among them were those who despised this “hairless ape”, as he was named, jealous that HE was the one to receive the love of their beloved sun goddess. So they planned, and knew there was only two choices left:
Kill him where he stands, or send him back to his world, giving him the enlightenment of all things in life to keep him away from his life here, but never remembering one who he loved dearly…
And so it happened, they stole him in the cover of night, from the arms of their princess and sent him away in a spell of dark magic, his memories forgotten, his body reborn, his love destroyed.
But they were caught and exiled immediately, but not before he was affected, his body blackened and covered in the blood of dark magic, as she knew that it was too late.
Crying, weeping, she held him in a tight embrace and told him words of reassurance. But he knew what was to happen, and he was helpless to it. The princess's mother and father had taught her a spell that would able to be used to whom she loved most.
It was a spell that would suppress his soul and memories, to someday restore him to his former glory with his beloved.
His body limp, he looked to his love and kissed her one last time, knowing he would never see her again as a tear fell from his eye.
But in the darkness, there was a still, quiet hope that he would return to her and accept the love that changed himself for the better.
Her love. His one and only. And he would have it, and she would have his; if it took the rest of her life.
Whether he wanted it or not…
… and like a ghost from the fog, he was gone…
… destined to never see her again, never to know the love that changed his life, never to feel her touch upon his face, her loving eyes that showed tender care, love with the passion of one thousand suns, and admiration of his loyalty to her…
… but destiny alone was not strong enough to break the bond between them; their love for each other was too strong.
She would one day see him again.
But he would not see her.
But love is a timeless thing, not separated by commoner or royalty, race or species, title or wealth, distance or other. It is a thing of the soul; it can never die, no matter how much others may try.
She vowed her love would again be accepted by him once more, if it was the last thing she ever did.
Whether he remembered her or not.
…
It was three-thirty in the afternoon in the city of Maine, the snow falling in the graceful way of winter's embrace as an 18-year-old teen was walking down the stairs to his manor, noting and appreciating all of the things he had going for him.
Money, business, multiple manors in each state, cars that practically drive themselves, his own private world inside his mansion where he would never have to leave…
… and in all of that, he longed for a friend. He was never the best at socializing with the norm of citizens; he thought they were too simple. He never made any friends because he never needed any:
He had everything he needed or wanted on his own accord… … but he longed to love, as well. It had been on his mind for a while, as he noted the things that life graced him with.
“Your meeting with the policy discussion is tomorrow sir, are you ready?” His assistant asked him as Em looked at him.
Em was the only name found on him, though, he has been known as Emma, Emy, Emily, Merle, and Ems, as he was taken in by a rich couple who never knew how to raise a child. They were killed in an accident when he was 4 years old. He never remembers his parents, and only has pictures to go on.
Their mansions and manors and business and wealth were to go to him if and when they died, but he was not able to claim it until he was 16… at least legally.
“No, I'm not… I don't feel like it, Robert.” He replied tiredly.
“Have you been taking your medication?” Robert asked as his eyebrow perked up.
“No, I've been trying to stay off of them. I feel like if I take them any more often, I'll be addicted.”
“But if you don't you'll start having-”
“I know. The flashes… they'll come back.” Em looked down and admitted his fault.
“You never know when they'll happen, sir. They will be there as quick as ever.” He noted with worry in his voice.
“I know… but I'm starting to see things now. Ghosts of… something. I'm tired of running from it, Robert. I want to face it.” He shook a fist in the air.
“I want to face them. They will never tear us apart, so long as I-” Em covered his mouth as Robert looked at him and sighed.
“And you say funny things, too.”
“Tell them to handle the meeting by themselves. I'm done with dealing with their petty needs.” Em spoke, annoyed, as he walked over to the stairs and put a hand on the wooden railing and looked out of the window to see the sun shining brightly and began to let his mind float into another memory.
He walked into a tall room of vibrant pink, green, blue and purple walls as he was greeted by a loving kiss by one he could not see. Though she mattered so much to him.
They embraced each other and laid onto the bed together, her resting upon him as he smiled. “I see you are feeling better, Tia, but are you sure this isn't the medicine talking?” He asked, slightly worried.
“No, my love, I am healed. It was only a little fever, nothing to be worried about… I just hope that I can lower the sun in a few hours.” She said in tones of slight worry and anxiousness.
He caressed her face softly and closed his eyes while resting his head to hers and simply breathed in sync with hers for a moment.
He opened his eyes and reassured her silently as she smiled with him.
“I love you so much, Emy. You are the miracle to my life… you are my everything… I hope I am the same to you.” She said and looked into his eyes lovingly, expecting an answer.
He smiled and nodded lovingly, his eyes giving her feelings of passion and comfort.
“And so much more, Tia.”
“I love you, Tia.”
“I love you, too, Emy.”
“EM! Sir!” Em I jumped and looked around to see Robert shaking him awake, his glazed look in his eyes giving worry to Robert.
“What?” Em said in a half-drunken stupor. Such memories would leave him sluggish and tired, and gave me a sense of depression.
“Oh… sorry, Rob, how long was I gone?”
“A good ten minutes, sir. You cannot go along without your medication, so I brought you some.” He handed Em a glass of water and a pill.
He shook his head and set them both down.
“For the sake of argument, I want to know where these goddamn memories are coming from. I've no recollection of where or when I got them… I want to know and be rid of them… for good.” He said as a sharp pain in his heart and brain stung as soon as the last words of that sentence were spoke.
“What's wrong, sir?” Robert looked to him as he hissed in pain.
He realized soon enough that if he spoke of the memories harshly or wanted to be rid of them, he felt pain in his chest area where his heart is, and his mind…
… its like it was hurting him.
“I don't want these memories...” He mumbled and felt pain again.
“I'm sorry, what did you say?” Robert leaned in and asked.
“I don't want these memories!” He said louder as his legs felt weak and his mind fell into a raging migraine.
"I DON'T WANT THESE MEMORIES ANYMORE!” He screamed and clenched his fists tight as Robert jumped and he fell, knees hitting the ground, passing out.
An Hour Later...
“Em! Wake up!” Em's assistant said in a tone of worry as he was shaken awake.
“Whats… up?” Em said as he breathed a sigh of relief.
“You passed out on the floor, sir, and I revived you.”
“Oh… thanks.” He said, holding his own head in pain.
“I think I'm ready for that meeting, tomorrow. To get my mind somewhere else.” He said as his assistant sighed in annoyance.
“Before you were as healthy as a horse, now that you were on the brink of hospital care you decide to work? You certainly are a strange one, sir.”
“Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say. Probably why they all stay away from me...” He mumbled as He straightened his red bathrobe and looked at Robert, who sighed and shook his head.
Then the home phone rang and He picked it up. It read a familiar number of his aunt. She needed to speak to him about various important subjects.
He took his bathrobe off and hung it up, picking up the black trench coat, walking out with just jeans, a black shirt and a trench coat in kind.
“Where are you going, sir?”
“To my aunt. She needs to talk about some things… don't wait up for me.” He said coldly as his assistant nodded and he opened the door and walked out to the Lamborghini. He clicked the button on the remote and the door opened, allowing him to climb in…
Later… down the road a ways…
Driving was something that was a bittersweet experience for Em… but tonight was a terrible experience. He had momentary flashes of things in front of me, speaking to him, and such. He decided to take the pill that Robert gave to him an hour ago and swallow it… the flashes then cooled down a few minutes later and his drive was easy again.
Then it appeared. A white, tall horse, or even a tall pony, appeared in front of the car like a ghost, causing Em to swerve out of the way, and drive off the side where the car rolled a few times and stopping upside down, allowing him to crawl away from my car and pass out on a dirt road below...
Somewhere in another dimension…
“I love you, too, Tia...”
“Love you, too...”
“Tia...”
Words of him echoed in her mind as she sat upon my throne, thinking about him. It had been so long, it almost escaped her mind… how long it has been without…
… him.
Her hooves ached to hold him as her eyes ached to see him... realizing she can't. She felt a wave of depression hit her as she stepped down from her throne to eat a slice of cake in private… it would curb her depression for a while...
Today, she wanted whole cake. She began to walk down throne, as her sister put a hoof on Celestia's shoulder, halting her advance.
“Sister… would you like some company?” She asked, worried at her sister's state. There was nothing she could do.
“No, Luna, I would like to be alone… take over for me, will you? Just for a little while?”
“Alright… but you cannot keep shying from your duties, Tia. You're losing the ability to be a princess… and it hurts me to see you like this.” She finished with a twinge of guilt.
Celestia turned her head to her sister to show that she had no intention of ever wanting to be a princess again. After losing him, she's… always been beside herself.
The guards opened the throne doors as she walked through, her head hung low and a lump forming in her throat as I looked up and saw two groups, the nobles and the royals, walking down the corridor.
It was then when I was hit by a memory of one that haunted me so well.
She screamed. Screamed so very loudly.
“What's wrong? What happened?” Mother and father rushed in with her sister as Celestia held onto her love, Emy, as a dark inky blackness was taking over his body.
“I-I-I don't k-know! I was s-sleeping, and then I saw him like this!”
“Honey, this is a dark magic spell...” Her father spoke to her mother as she nodded. There was nothing they could do.
“Emy, I'm sorry. Please forgive me! I-I didn't know you were gone!”
“Its… fine, Tia… I'm sorry… for not fighting harder.”
“Sister, remember what mother and father told us we had?”
She looked up at her sister, her eyes swollen and red with tears running down her matted fur.
“… We each have a bond. You could...” She motioned to him as they looked down in his eyes, colder and colder they grew.
He nodded and closed his eyes as her horn shone brightly, his hands and forehead glowing as there was now a tattoo of a sun, in the shape of my own cutie mark, as a symbol of his love and bond to his truly.
He smiled with a twinge of sadness, guilt, and pain, as he knew he would never see her again.
“You were the best thing that ever happened to me, Em… I want you to know that!” She cried out to him.
“You were like a brother to me, Em.” Luna spoke up and smiled sadly.
“Practically a son!” Father said proudly as his barrel puffed forwards, Mother nodding at the comment.
“I'll see you again, Celly… Tia… my love.” He said to her as he reached up and kissed her gently once more, before he disappeared in her arms, before them all.
She will never see him again. …
Celestia shook her head and saw not a soul around her own as she rushed to her chambers and buried her head into the bed, their bed, and cried without end. She wanted him back… She wanted him to walk with her once more through the gardens, the palace, holding her hoof gently...
…
Later, in Ponyville… outskirts, near Everfree...
“So, whatcha sayin' is, yer gonna take something big from Canterlot, and then send it back?” Applejack said as Twilight nodded.
“Exactly.” She smiled gleefully. She'd been practicing this all week until she was ready.
“If you can do this, you'll be the coolest magic pony ever!” Rainbow Dash said as she nodded again.
“No pressure!” Pinkie said as Twilight was now nervous.
“Oh boy...” She exhaled as her horn lit up, sweat falling down her own brow as a large purple portal opened up and a picture of Canterlot began to form before a large box floated through the portal and set down in front of them. “Wonderful, darling! You did it!” Rarity applauded.
“Yay!” Fluttershy said shyly.
“Now… I have to send it back. This is the difficult part, considering it has to go back in the same place...” She spoke heavily and concentrated hard on the portal, and the box began to float back through smoothly.
“YIPEE!” Pinkie screamed, making Twilight jump and lose her concentration as the portal began to vibrate and then the picture of Canterlot was gone, and a black, dark void took it's place as they stared into it.
Little red lights and what looked like another being crawling a black road.
“What is it?”
“I don't know… I think this is another world. Send a message to Princess Luna, Spike. Alert her we need her presence immediately.”
“You got it!” He said and wrote the quick message down before burning it in a green fire… Celestia's Chambers…
She shuddered, as her mind could not stop thinking about those words, “I'll see you again...”
They echoed through her mind endlessly.
Until she got a letter from Twilight about a portal she accidentally opened… but the benevolent princess was too sad to do anything but cry… so she gave the message off in a spell of magic with a note attached saying: “Do this for me, okay?” Celestia walked over to her mirror to look upon herself. She straightened her mane and cleaned herself up and looked in the mirror.
“… best thing that ever happened to me...”
“… to me…”
“… me...”
She needed him… and she would come to realize the mistake she had just made.
… Along side a road in another dimension…
“Ugh… shit...” He grumbled and slowly crawled out from under his car. He grabbed his phone, realizing it was dead. Grumbling and cursing, he put it back into his pocket and leaned against the car, sighing in pain.
He was lost.
He had no GPS to help get back. He started walking towards the back of the car, when then he noticed a purple light from the other side.
He walked back over and stood in front of it, seeing a brightly lit world of what looked like ponies…
… and there there they stood.
He stood stone still, legs falling limp and hitting the ground on one knee and looked into it. He reached out to it, and touched it with a feeling of comfort, as it was warm and soft feeling.
He then was being pulled by an unknown force, his feet sliding across the ground as it took him up in the air and held him up. He grabbed onto the branch of the tree that stopped his roll, and was quickly pulled in one swift motion, as his eyes saw nothing but white until he was thrown into the world on the other side.
The world of what looked like magical ponies. He slowly stood up and brushed himself off and looked up and was greeted by a small purple pony.
“Hello… Mr. Alien, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm sorry we brought you here so suddenly, I-”
“Twilight dear, I don't think he can understand you.” The white pony with violet curls for a mane and tail said as he looked at her.
“I can understand just fine… where the hell am I? How can you speak?”
“You're in Ponyville, we speak this as our primary language”
“How did-” He stopped as his eyes locked with the one taller, blue pony with a mane and tail that was a sparkling color of blue. It looked like the night sky was her main and tail… amazing. Seemingly floating on it's own accord.
“E-Em? Is that you?” She said to him as he was shocked she knew his name.
“Ho-How'd you know my name?” He said as she walked towards him briskly, but backed away from her.
“Em, please, listen to me, my name is Princess Luna, I'm here to help.”
“Princess Luna… I don't know you.”
“You look a little like the other one… from my dreams...” He quieted and stood still.
…
“… Tia...” He said as she gasped.
“She caused me to crash here, as you can see, my-” He pointed to the direction of the portal.
Except there was no portal.
This was a major problem for Em.
“Oh shit! ITS GONE!”
“Wh-Where's the portal? Where'd it go?!” He panicked as a soft hoof was laid on his shoulder which made him sharply turn his head to see Luna's face no more that a few inches away from his own.
“Emy, please… you're safe now. You need not run.” She said as her horn lit up, which scared him.
“I-I don't know you! G-get away from me!” He yelled as she twitched at the sound of those words.
But she remained strong.
“Em, please, listen to me, I just need to-” She walked over to him as he began to run.
Although he was not very fast. His Lamborghini had very good protection against crashes, but he was bruised and sluggish. He did not make it far into the forest, before he had to stop, collapsing to the ground against a tree.
“Emy, please… don't run. I just want to help.” She said as he looked around and saw her walking through bushes, as he stood back up and ran.
He ran so fast, faster than he ever has.
He was gone inside the forest, and Luna dared not venture any farther. So she sent a letter to her sister privately, which read:
Dear Sister, I write to you that I have not been able to examine the portal, as it collapsed too quickly…
But something happened and somehow the unthinkable happened. Em has returned, and he is it the Everfree. I believe you are the only one that can retrieve him.
Come quickly sister, there is not much time to lose.
Upon reading the letter, the princess of the day dropped her glass onto the marble floor, shattering as only one thought crossed her mind.
He was back… the impossible. She shook and smiled, looking up and mouthing the words “Thank you” and in a spell of magic, her horn lit up and she teleported to Ponyville, to join her sister, who smiled at her.
“Sister, he's-”
“I know… send out as many units as possible. We must find him im-”
“No, sister you don't understand… He said your name. He remembers you!” She said as Celestia looked down and thought to herself.
“How can this be… that's impossible… but...”
“How?” She asked, her breath all but withered away, her eyes beginning to water as she tried to remain strong for her subjects.
“He has departed into the forest, Sister… let us go and find him, and bring him back.” Luna said, her voice piercing into her sister's ears.
“I-I… I don't-” She stammered as Luna put her hoof around her sister and smiled. Celestia nodded back weakly and they walked to the forest.
It was then, whence they entered it, when Celestia began having urges for him. To find him, to love him, to adore him.
“Emerald… EMERAAAALLLD!” She screamed, running through the forest as the lone human sat against a tree and embraced his imminent fate.
“Dash it all...” He said and slowly stumbled to his feet as he saw the white pony stop, as she was side on to him, her head cocked to the left to see him properly as he retracted at the sight.
“Look, I don't want any trouble, I just-”
“EMY!” She screamed and charged him, leaping onto him, hitting his back against the tree and recoiling in pain.
“Em… is it really you?” She said, her voice wavering.
“Y… yes.” He said shyly, it was his name after all.
She held him tight and began to cry for him, as he was powerless to do anything at the moment. Her sadness somehow kept him frozen as he was unable to fight against his urge to embrace her.
“How come you're so sad?” He asked, unknowing to himself why he'd as such a question.
“I'm not… I'm joyful, Em, because you, my love, has returned.” She said and kissed his chest softly as he pushed her away.
“Look,” he held his hand out to stop her and put one hand in his coat pocket in a skeptical stance, “I don't know who you're talking about, but I am not your “love”, as you say.” He said and looked behind to see the blue pony standing there, smiling.
He walked past Celestia, who was both joyful and starstruck at his words.
“And you, who are you? You're familiar as well… but I don't recall having met either of you. Is this a test?” He asked, turning around and feeling two blue wings wrap around him and embrace him softly, but tightly.
“That is because you have met us.” She sighed in relief as she rested her head against his back for a moment before she smiled and nuzzled his neck and disappeared in a flash of white.
“I have?”
“Have you?” Celestia looked at him dead in the face as he jumped at her stealth capabilities.
“No, I haven't, I asked you if-”
“In case you didn't know, my name is Celestia...” She said and waited as she could see the gears in his head move.
“… I know what you're thinking, Celestia, it's impossible. There is no way you are-”
“Tia. Just say it. Please… just once.”
… he felt the words come to his mouth but he fought himself to say it.
“Just let it out, Emerald… say my name. Please.” She beckoned him softly as she began to kiss him softly around his face, his chin, his nose, before stopping over his mouth, as he eyes rolled up to his.
He reached up to her face and caressed it softly, as he spoke to her with a confidence he'd not known previously.
“… Tia.” He whispered breathlessly as she shivered and fought her urges to stand, as she slowly leaned in, staring at his lips as her breath coated his.
He stared into her eyes as he, despite his mind screaming at him to never go there, he leaned in and kissed her softly, caressing her face softly again as he broke away and kissed her hoof and stopped for a moment, looking at her in confusion.
“How did you do… how?” He said as she kissed him softly again.
“Would any other be able to make you do what I did?” She asked, as if he knew.
“… no.”
“Would you feel any other way towards me?”
…
“… no.” He said with a twinge of guilt. He kissed a complete stranger, and this fact was beginning to scare him.
“O-Okay, I don't know how you're doing this, but-” He stopped as a memory of his began to play out for him, what looked like Celestia and himself sitting against a tree, in each other's embrace as he smiled and looked at her, kissing her softly and telling her remarks on her beauty.
“I love you so much, Emerald… I hope you stay with me forever.”
“I will be yours forever, Tia. Never doubt this, my love.”
…
And with that, she disappeared, leaving only him. He looked at the man in the here-and-now and gave him one quick salute and disappeared like dust…
… throughout all of this, Em found himself crying at the sight of the two in loving embrace, as they were separated in his memory in the symbol of her leaving like dust in the wind… and how the salute was to him telling that he had a second chance…
… this was his shot to make the impossible, possible. He looked into her eyes, tasting the salty embrace of sadness, as he looked into the sky and heard echoes of the memory.
“I hope you stay with me forever.”
“What's happening?” He said as his world began to spin, memories began to blossom as he could remember few details, but details nonetheless.
“… hope you stay with me forever...”
“Em? EMERALD?!” She panicked as he grew limp and fell into her arms, passing out…
“… stay with me forever.”
…
“… forever...”
…
-----Later-----
…
“Ugh… I feel terrible… where am I?” Em thought to himself as he opened his eyes. Sitting up he noticed how this room felt so familiar.
Yet so alien.
“Em? Are you alright?” A voice called him as he looked to his left, the blue princess sitting on the bed in an inquisitive stance.
“Uhh...”
“How do you feel?” She asked, touching his forehead and feeling for the temperature.
“I… fine.” He said, climbing out of bed. He noticed he was without a shirt, only wearing his black dress bottoms.
“Where is my shirt?” He asked, looking around for it.
She pointed to the drawer next to the bed in the nightstand and behold, his shirt and coat were there, folded neatly.
He slipped his shirt on, buttoning it up and then slipped his coat on, straightening it.
Walking towards the door, he turning the handle and opening it widely, to be met with the face of the Princess of the Day.
He simply walked past her and looked around, beginning his journey through the castle.
“Em, you're awake! How are you feeling?”
He did not respond. The lack of response from him was immediately worrying her, as she has never seen him like this.
“Em, what's wrong?” She asked, grabbing his arms gently and turning him to her, as her face gave a worried expression.
“Nothing… nothing at all.” He said with a coldness in his voice.
“What's going on? What happened to you?” She asked, on the verge of panicking.
“I realize that… during my weakness I presented a sense of vulnerability that I cannot recover from quickly. I let my guard down and was tricked.” He replied coldly, his eyes flashing a glare at her and her sister.
“But there was no trick! I promise you!” Luna said, joining the conversation.
“I've never met you before, and you tell me my name, who I am, and other personal things I'd rather not discuss, and yet I know nothing of you. You've put words in my mouth, made me see things… and I still don't know who you are.” He said as their hearts sank.
“That's because when you… left, I had to… I had to...” She strained to speak as he rolled his eyes.
“Yes, yes, I know, let's not talk about that night, it gives me chills.” He said as he shook his head as both princesses perked up at the sound of his familiarity.
“You remember...” Celestia said, breathlessly as she collapsed onto him.
“Then you must know how much I love you.” She said as he pushed her away for a moment.
…
“I don't know what I just said but it came out like that. I'm getting these flashes in my mind every now and then… I don't understand it, it's like nothing I've seen yet. Like parts of a picture revealed to you in a random sequence, but you cannot figure out the picture yet.” He said and sat down on the bench next to him.
They sat down with him, in front, giving him their undivided attention.
“That is because the spell is wearing off. You will remember everything soon! The night we met… our first kiss… the night we fell asleep in each others arms...” She said and sniffled before bursting into tears, as her sister comforted her.
“I just want you to remember!” She strained and spoke through clenched teeth. She was not angry, no, but depressed beyond doubt.
“Great… now I feel like a villain.” He thought to himself.
“If what you said is true, then I really do know you… then the “spell” will wear off.”
“Y-You believe me?” Celestia said, looking up into his eyes as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Well, I have no reason not to… thinking about it, letting my guard down may not have been a bad thing.” He sat and leaned back as she leaped onto him yet again and holding him tight, afraid he might wither away like last time.
“Woah, easy. I didn't say I loved you…” He said as she kissed him softly, biting at his lower lip softly. After she broke away, he looked into her eyes.
“Although I must admit I love that.” She smiled and kissed him again.
“Although...” He started as he put two fingers on her lips to stop her, “I don't know anything about this place. Virtually every memory is about you, so… is there like a place I can go to learn about this place… whatever it's called."
“Well, there is a class that is starting tomorrow on learning Equestria's culture, history and such.” Luna piped in.
“Well, I'm not sure I'll be attending… anything.” He stood up as Celestia shot a glare at her sister.
“As for now… I don't know what to do.” He sat back down and thought.
“Would you mind having a cup of coffee with me, princesses?” He asked innocently as they both blushed and nodded.
“Why, Em, are you asking me on a date?” She breathed as he blushed.
“N-No, i-i-its just that-”
“It's fine… follow me.” She said and patted his knee and they led him to the dining area, where they ordered two cups of coffee and a cup of tea.
“Not much of a coffee, drinker, eh Luna? You never were, you were a tea person. Its-” Em spoke as he covered his mouth and sighed quietly as Celestia smiled. She smiled to see him becoming more familiar with the environment… with her, and her sister.
“Celestia, what is it your role as a princess?” He turned to her, as Em sat at the end of the table with the two princesses sitting by his sides.
“Well, it's mostly like… well, it's like the President of the United States, really.” She nodded as Em looked at her strangely.
“And you know this how?” He raised an eyebrow in wonder.
“I… when you were recovering, I took the opportunity to read your mind… your thoughts. To get an understanding of who you are.” She said quietly as he was clearly angered by this.
“That's utter trespassing! Those are my thoughts, not yours. Would you like it if a total stranger invaded your mind and spilled your secrets to the world?!” He said and stood up in a rage, as he paced back and forth.
It hurt her to know he mentioned her a “total stranger”.
“God, that was so inconsiderate!” He said as she stood up, thinking of ways to comfort him or make him feel better.
“Em, please, don't be mad, I-I was only trying to help!”
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions, princess. Being of such age of wisdom I am surprised you don't know that or have forgotten it. I am not a citizen here, therefore I am not going to be used like a tool! Furthermore, why am I still here?” He said as her heart sank and her pupils turned to needlepoint.
He wanted to leave.
“… what?”
“I asked why I am still here. I have no reason to stay other than the word of some stranger… which isn't so believable now.” He said as Luna stood up and shook her head at him.
“Uhh, that isn't such a good idea, Em, you see, Celestia-”
“What? I mean, I have responsibilities at home. Earth is my home, Luna. I must return in a reasonable amount of time.”
After this, Celestia was quiet, mumbling things under her breath, shaking noticeably as both Emerald and Luna looked at her in worry.
“Sister, what is it? What's wrong?”
“Leave. He cannot leave. Never.” She finally said, jolting her speech awkwardly as he shook his head.
“As much as I would like to stay, I've no reason to. I don't want to have to learn a new way of life, I like my old one. Now as for-”
“And what does your world have to offer that I don't?!” Celestia stepped up and looked into his eyes angrily. She was using an old trick that worked on him so many centuries ago.
“It's not what it has to offer, it's my life. MY LIFE.” He said as that was completely different to what she was expecting.
“Oh no.” She said to herself as Luna realized her mistake.
“Here I can stay and have as much as I want. Back home it's the same way, but better. You ponies don't have what we have. Of course, you have magic, but what does that get me? I don't get anything out of it. I mean, I know you're crazy in love with me, but I barely know you, and to be honest, it scares me a little.” He finished and sighed, running his fingers through his hair as his voice was reflecting is homesick feeling.
“I miss being back, home, Celestia, I-” He stopped as he immediately was thrusted into a memory from so long ago…
It was Equestria's 1000th Royal Gala, and to show it's happiness among the surrounding nations, all species allied with Equestria were able to attend, Griffons, Dragons, and many more.
And even humans, when they were alive.
As of this moment, the Princess in charge, Princess Celestia, was speaking with a rather intriguing group consisting of a human, two ponies, a griffon, and a dragon.
“Well, it sucks even more when you get outta bed and realize you're late for work. I had that happen once, I was an hour late.” The human was speaking as Celestia smiled and stared into his eyes. Something about him attracted her… as did it the ponies around him.
“Worst case scenario would be I got fired, and boy did that scare me. So I got ready, lookin' good, and I marched into the office, and then it hit me.”
“What?” The dragon said.
“Today was a holiday. A freakin' holiday.” He said as they all laughed as he shook his head in glee at himself and how stupid he was.
“So don't get drunk or try anything new on a weekday. Try it on the weekend, take it from me. You might, no, you will end up regretting it.”
And then the memory flashed to a scene where all that was left was her, speaking with this mysterious human in her castle, quite some time after the Gala.
“Please, Em… don't leave yet, I have something to tell you.”
“What?” He said, grabbing his coat.
“Don't go back home… please. Stay in Equestria.”
“But-”
“Please.” She pleaded as her violet eyes begged him passionately.
“I miss being back home, Celestia.” He said as he opened the door.
“I'll see you again, sometime.” He smiled and tipped his hat down a little before walking out and down the hallway,
“I love you, Em. I always have, ever since I saw you. I'm begging you not to leave.” She pleaded and confessed her love as he stopped and looked back, and forward, and back at her.
He slowly began to walk back as her heart began to flutter, beating harder with each step she took, as he grasped her cheek and kissed her passionately, dropping his duffel bag and caressing her softly.
“Then I shall stay, and be with you for as long as you want me.” He smiled as they faded away like dust and the memory faded away.
…
“Huh?!” Em said as he was being shaken by Luna as he looked at her, still a little dazed.
“What happened? You were out for almost a half-an-hour!” She said as he looked at her.
“I shall stay… and be with you...” He said quietly as Celestia listened.
“What did you say?” Luna asked as he looked into Celestia's eyes.
“That's what my memory says… that's what I said...”
“What did you say?”
“I said: “Then I shall stay, and be with you for as long as you want me”. That is what I said to you, Tia… plain as day.” He said as she felt her heart flutter just like it did that night so long ago.
“I used to love you… I loved you… I...”
“… love you.” He said as Luna smiled to hear those words again. Celestia was on cloud nine when she heard those words.
“And as I said before, I love you. Em, I always have, ever since I saw you. I'm begging you not to leave.” She hugged him closely as he rested his head on her shoulder and embraced her.
“I don't want to go back… just be with me.” He said quietly as he felt uncomfortable without her embrace.
“I will. Always.” She said and slowly began to step away.
“Just hug me… hold me… please.” He shook as she smiled and obliged. She loved it when he was vulnerable. It was a small part of him she absolutely adored.
Luna walked over and mouthed the words “good job” to her sister, before walking away to leave them alone for a while.
… And the two of them stood there for what seemed like hours. He never wanted to leave her embrace, and she never wanted to let go. They held each other and kissed softly, as Em began to understand. Slowly he was understanding her love.
“I love you, Em. I love you so much. Even if you don't feel the same way, it's ok… I can wait for you.”
After this, he nodded and he let go, to his body's dismay.
“… Did I have any relatives? You know, back then?” He asked her as she nodded.
“You did. You told me all about your younger brother and older sister. You three were the adventurous type. That is why you wanted to leave. Your brother died… and your sister was frozen in ice somewhere in the-”
“Frozen North.” He finished as she nodded.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I just do. Where in there?”
“No one really knows. Some say it was because of Sombra, wanting to get revenge on everypony, some say it was because the Yaks, and some say it was just the natural course of things. We tried desperately to find her, but couldn't.” She explained.
“She was… I think in the caves at the time. Nopony ever dared to walk into the caves, it is much to dangerous.”
“Oh… is she still alive?”
“Well… yes and no. Being frozen makes your body halt it's aging… she must now be over a thousand years old, so… no, she isn't.”
Em was furious at this. He always wanted a family, and the only one alive was his sister from long ago. He felt as if he was supposed to find her, to rescue her… but that was the last thing on his mind, considering she was allegedly dead.
“Do you think we could send out ponies to get her out? Or ask for help from the Yaks?”
“Maybe… but for now, let us worry about things present… I'm sure you are hungry, yes?”
“Yeah… I am, actually.”
She grabbed his hand and they walked to the kitchen where they asked for a lunch together.
As the princess left Em alone for a moment to grab a small dessert for them, he was left to ponder his thoughts. He was upon a balcony a few yards off the ground with two chairs and a comfortably small, round table of glass and a metal he was not familiar with.
“What if I don't like her? What if, when I find out who she really is, I don't like her?”
This thought plagued his mind. He feared what would happen if he ever spoke that to her. As he thought of things of such a subject, he also began to ponder another thing:
Will he ever be able to leave to go back home? He desperately missed some of the things he had… gaming was one of his largest hobbies, if not the largest. He missed that so… but this world was devoid of such inventions, at least to his knowledge, as they used magic and the ability to fly.
He played with his food for a while, thinking of these things, before Celestia walked back as he stood up at her presence, two small plates in her magic grasp, covered.
“I brought us something… something we used to love to eat together.” She said and gave it to him while sitting down with him. He uncovered the food and found a slice of vanilla cake on the plate for him. He looked up and she nodded.
“… oh boy… great.” He thought.
“Celestia, do you remember everything about me? I mean, everything?”
She put a hoof to her chin and thought about it for a moment.
“Just about everything. There was nothing we didn't know about each other. No secrets.” She smiled and motioned to his dessert. He sighed audibly and pushed the cake forwards a small distance.
“What's wrong? Do you not like it?”
“Uhh, no, it's not that… Celestia, I need you to know something: I might not be the same man as before. I mean, I am, but...”
“… but?” She pried, a worried expression adorn on her face as he inhaled.
“But not at all what you might think or even know I am.”
“Em, what is this all about?” She said as he sighed again, his shoulders slumping.
“I don't like cake. I never have, and I probably never will.” He said and shoved it forwards a little more again.
“Let me ask you a question: What is my favorite color?” He leaned in.
“Red.”
“My favorite time of day?”
“Very early morning.”
“My favorite thing to do?”
“It was cooking or relaxing outside.” She finished as he nodded and pursed his lips while looking down.
“Why did you need to know that, Em?” She asked as he looked up into her eyes.
“Because my favorite color is black, my favorite time of day is dusk or evening, and my favorite thing to do is listen to music.” He finished as her jaw fell open and she began to think about things.
“Clearly you don't know me as well as you think you do.” He said and stood up, disturbed by this happening.
“Thank you for the lovely lunch. I'm sorry to disappoint you.” He thanked her and walked out, leaving her alone for all but a moment.
“Em, wait up!” She pleaded with him as he looked back and stopped. He turned around and faced her, a clearly disturbed thought running across his mind as it showed on his face.
“You mean… I don't know you at all?” She said as he looked down and shook his head slowly.
“… I guess you don't.” He shrugged and turned around again, before being spun around and kissed by Celestia softly, her wings wrapping around them both as she stopped for a moment.
“I know that was one of your most special things you loved.” She said as he blushed.
“It is kinda nice… reeaaally nice.”
“Yeah… I think it was.” He agreed and was kissed again, as her tongue began to pry into his mouth, as he was reluctant at first, but slowly he let her tongue snake in and their passion had been reunited.
To release the bond again, they would need a true kiss from them both, only then would the bonds be cut and their love would flourish again…
“I love you, Em.” She said to him as he leaned in to kiss her again, before his head was hit with a wave of pain, a burning pain.
He screamed and pushed against her to vent his pain at something, as she held him close and understood what he was going through.
Hit with so many emotions at once, he was unable to keep himself conscious. As he passed out in her arms, she had forgotten what it looked like when he was asleep…
“Beautiful.” She whispered and smiled. Very slowly he was beginning his long journey, as it would be one of fruition, one they would remember for the rest of their lives…
She used her magic, as her horn lit up and they left and were teleported to her room, where she laid him onto the bed softly.
She smiled and walked away, before she felt a tug at her heart. She stopped and turned around, looking at him and biting her lip. She slowly walked over, reluctant at her notion inside her head. She sat next to him on the edge of the bed and leaned down to kiss him.
She caressed his face softly before kissing him again. As she sat up again, she bit her lip another time, before she laid next to him, holding him closely as she closed her eyes and laid her head onto his chest, napping until he awoke with her… …
-----Meanwhile-----
“Yes, I know, but Celestia doesn't just come to Ponyville on such short notice without a good reason.” Twilight debated.
“True, darling, but maybe she was looking for something? I doubt, judging from her demeanor, she came for any other reason.” Rarity said.
“She said something about finding somepony in the forest. Dunno what that was all about.” Spike chimed in.
“If somepony was lost, they would've sent out a search and rescue team.” Spike finished as he sat down on a chair and thought.
“Who could be so important that she come to search for somepony single-hoofedly?” Twilight thought aloud as something clicked in her mind and a light bulb popped up above her head.
“I got it! We'll hit the books!”
Time-skip: 3 Hours…
“Twilight… we've gone through every book in this library that could have ANYTHING to do with Princess… Celestia.” Spike said, flopped over a pile of books as Rarity nodded.
“The next best thing to ask her about it herself. If she needs any help, we should be the first to ask.” Rarity concluded as Twilight nodded.
“You know what that means!”
“Woohoo! Road trip!”
-----Later-----
The room was quiet, the air richly perfumed as sunlight gently beat down on the granite floor.
…
“… mmrrrnnnnnngggh.” A long moan came from Em as he shuffled slightly.
“Tia, did you spike the punch again?” He moaned as she giggled quietly.
“Ya did? Ayyy, ah love ya. Luna, I see ya over there, don't think you can hide from me, I see EVERYTHIN'.” He moaned some more in a drunken tone as he then opened his eyes.
The room was quiet.
“That was the weirdest freakin' dream I've ever been in. Wait till I tell-” He stopped, getting ready to leave when his nose met hers.
“AHH!” He jumped and almost dove under the covers.
“Em, don't be like that. I know you knew I was there.”
…
“… it's unnerving, Celestia. I've never been this close to anyone before.” He said and sat up and against the pillow as she kissed his neck.
“Do you like it?” She asked him as he was quiet.
“Well-”
“Do you like being close to somepony… to me?” She asked, whispering in his ear as he moaned quietly.
“Admit it. You love it.”
“No, I-”
“Then I shall stop.” She stopped immediately, turning her head away from him as she smirked.
He blushed and almost imploded before saying this:
“I didn't say s-stop… please.” He squeaked out quietly as she turned and began to caress him again with her hooves and mouth, planting little kisses on his chest and shoulder.
“How do you feel, Em?” She asked, smiling as he was unable to answer for the moment.
“This… feels… familiar?” He said as he raised his eyebrow, his eyes closed as he tried to remember, but was then met with the burning sensation that would not stop.
“GrrrrGH!” He growled and held his head as Celestia wrapped her large wings around him. He instinctively pushed her away and sprung off the bed, hitting the ground on his feet but stumbling as he crashed into the dresser and screamed.
“God damnit! AAAHHHHhhhrrr!”
“Just hold on, my love, t'will be over soon.” She jumped and sat next to her lover's side as the pain slowly began to subside, and his contorted face began to calm.
After a few minutes of speechless embrace and panting from Em, he raised his heavy head to look at his love.
“Wh… why… why me?” He silently cried as she shushed him and held him closely.
“Shhh, there there, my love…”
“Why?” He choked as she kissed him on the forehead.
“Because you were mine before you were anyone else's.” She smiled and cried with him, though these were tears of joy.
She helped him back onto his feet as she led him to the bed and set him down again.
“Now, my love, where were we?” She smiled and began again, studying and adoring him with her probing and caring purple eyes as he held her closely.
After a few more minutes of the silent embrace, a knock came onto the door, and shocked Em, as he jumped out of bed and began to act as if he was in here on a business account.
“Likewise, I think-” He stopped as the door opened up and a guard walked in and bowed.
“Princess Luna is requesting you, m'lady.” He said as Celestia nodded and looked towards Emerald.
She frowned as he would not look at her, remaining his gaze on the guard. This deeply troubled the princess, as she knew not what she did to warrant this.
“You should be getting along, Princess, it may be important.” Emerald said as the guard nodded and motioned as Celestia fought back tears, shuddering at the sound of him calling her “princess”. It was so formal and cold, not like the warm Tia she was so used to.
She got out of bed and freshened herself up as Em and the guard left her alone.
“So what was that all about?” The guard asked.
“Uhh, n-nothing. Nothing at all, just a little question/debate I needed to bring up.”
“Oh. Gotcha. So how long you been here, I've not seen you before.” He looked up at him as Em noticed this guard was different, as he was white with blue striped hair.
“I've been here less than a week, I think. I forgot...”
“That's okay, we got all the comforts of home.” He said as Em stopped and looked down.
“Yeah… home.” He quietly spoke to himself as the guard looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
“Hey, what's wrong?” He asked, concern in his voice still very present.
“I-Its uhh… I'm not from here. I-I come from a planet called Earth, and… I miss my home.” He explained as the guard listened.
“Oh… wow. That's pretty… heavy. I kinda figured you weren't from here. What's your name, stranger?”
“Emerald… Emerald… uhh...”
“His name is Emerald Sky, Shining Armor. What is it my sister needed?” A cold-spoken Celestia walked past Emerald as he looked at her.
“She needed to speak to you about the upcoming fall and winter schedule. She needed to discuss some things with you. This way.” He said as Celestia followed him, leaving Emerald behind them to follow.
“Hey, uhh, Celestia-”
“Yes, Emerald?” She said, quickly as he sighed loudly.
“Nevermind...” He said as she looked back with a slight frown adorn on her cold face.
“I hope it was worth it, Emerald.” She thought.
As they followed Shining Armor, Celestia began to speak with Luna about the schedule, leaving Emerald and Shining alone to talk about stuff. In all honesty, Emerald was confiding in Shining for the moment, as he found out Shining Armor was married to the Alicorn of Love. So obviously he had some knowledge on the subject.
During their talks, Shining got to know the big picture of what's going on. He gave Em some tips on how to treat a lady, considering he's never been with one before… technically. He just never remembered, and so, his experience faltered with it.
During this, Em looked towards Celestia, only to receive cold stares from her. He wondered what was so wrong that deserved this. He asked Shining about this predicament.
“So what you're telling me is you just acted like you were there purely for impersonal reasons?”
“Y-Yeah, pretty much.” Emerald scratched his head as Shining slapped his hoof against his head.
“Oh man, you really kinda screwed up. That shows her that you're embarrassed to be around her, and that she's not good enough for you.”
“But, tha-that's not what I meant!”
“I know, but that's what she interpreted.”
“Well, she's wrong!” Em stood up as Luna noticed this.
“I wouldn't go so far, Em, I-”
“I LOVE her, for god's sake!” He said in a fit of rage, not knowing what or why he was saying these things, as Luna and Celestia both stopped and looked at him. He blushed a deep red and quickly exited the throne room as Shining sighed and shook his head.
“I know that feeling.” He chuckled and stared at the ground with a grin on his face.
“All too well.” He finished as Celestia dropped the scrolls she was holding and rushed out to catch Emerald before he made it out of the castle. She rushed towards the sound of his footsteps and found him already at the throne room doors.
As the guards opened the doors he was shocked at the sight of so many ponies walking around this city. Canterlot, he knew from memory.
Especially a group that walked by, which triggered another reaction in his head, causing the burning sensation to return.
“No no no!” He panicked as the ponies stared at him, his feet instinctively backing up as he was met by a white barrel of fur.
“Emerald-”
“They can't take you away from me again, they CAN'T!” He screamed as tears rolled down his face and onto the ground as she wrapped her wings and arms around him.
“Stop it! STOP IT STOP IT STOP IIIIIIT!” He screamed as she cried silently with him.
“I HATE YOU… I HATE YOOOOU!” He screamed at the hallucination he was experiencing as Celestia's heart began to sink lower and lower until it began to reek pain.
“Emerald, I love you! Please don't hate me!” She said, not knowing his words were not aimed at her.
He began to convulse and begin pass out yet again, as she used her magic to teleport him away from here and to the garden, away from the sight of so many ponies. Once away, he began to regain consciousness and looked around himself.
“I love you… yet I don't know you.” He said to her and reached up to her cheek, as she nuzzled his hand.
“You will know in time… for now, love me. Please.” She begged as a tear fell to onto his shirt, her eyes begging for the care and affection she so richly deserved. He pulled her closer and kissed her softly, before pressing heads and simply holding each other.
“I love you so much, Emerald, I want you to know that. You are the best thing that ever happened to me...”
…
“… Twice.” She smile as he returned a smile back and kissed her again.
He smiled and held her close again, as he knew he was destined to be with her, whether he wanted to or not.
“I-I'm willing… Tia.” He said as she looked at him, caught off-guard at his sudden comment.
“I want to try. I want to give it a shot… at being something again.” He said as her eyes welled up and she burst into tears of joy, kissing him and holding him tightly as he stood on his own two feet and hugged her, chuckling and crying as well, knowing that this would only get better for the both of them.
“Oh Emerald, I've missed you so much. Stay here with me, don't go back.” She begged as he shook his head.
“No anymore… this is my home now...” He motioned to the garden.
“This,” He pointed to her heart, “is where I belong.” He smiled as she fell onto him and kissed him, chuckling and smiling in joy as she so wanted this for so long.
“Emerald… you've no idea how long I've waited for you to come home… for you to come back to my heart. It was this bed we shared, this bed I cried myself to sleep every night… please don't leave me again!” She clung to him quickly as he hugged her tightly.
“Do not worry… besides, I'm giving it a shot. Wanna get dinner tonight, maybe go on a night around the town?” He asked as she nodded and shed her last tear of joy, as he reached up and wiped it away.
“And stop crying, Tia… you're much too beautiful for that.” He said as she choked up on more tears yet again.
“How can I stop when I love you so much?” She cried again as he embraced her yet again and kissed her on the top of her head.
“Celestia… Tia… I want you to know how much this means to me that you are so inviting… I've gotten my way with everything in life, riches, power, things of want… but you've given me what I wanted most in life: a love. A love to cherish and watch grow… a love I can rest with in my darkest days, a love that will be there for me when I need it… when I need her most. My only request is that we make this the best.” He said as she cried into his chest and silently nodded her head.
A thousand years of tears and sadness, released at one moment. This is what she wanted, in the end.
For her, the impossible happened… but whether she knew this or not, there was something she would come to regret, falling in love with him.
Something that only Emerald will come to face one day…
It was a few days since the last real words were spoken to each other, from neither Celestia or Emerald. Mostly it was Emerald's fault, as he'd been quite unfriendly the past 3 days. There was this look to him that Celestia couldn't shake from her mind. It was like he was trapped in his mind and he was trying to free himself to the world.
In a way, he was. What she didn't know was that he was trying to figure out what to say to her. He was too shy and had no experience with women in his present life, though his past life begged to differ.
'What do I say to her?! I-I can't just walk up to her and ask her out!'
As Emerald wandered down the hallway, he unknowingly made his way to the throne room, where a meeting between the royals and nobles and such was taking place. He stopped in front of the doors and stood there, thinking about his choice of words and conduct towards the princess. She loved him, it shouldn't be that hard, right?
That thought didn't make him feel better in the slightest. Suddenly, the doors burst open and the two groups, the royals and the nobles, walked out, their noses stuck high as they looked at him in disgust, despising his presence. These were the same looks he received during that night, their last night.
He shrugged and waded through the crowd to see slightly distraught sister princesses.
"Why, hello Emerald, what brings you here?" Luna said with a stressed smile on her face as he stuck his hands in his pockets.
"N-Nothing, just passing through." He turned around in a discouraged state as Celestia eyed him and stood up proudly.
"Emerald Passion Sky, stop right this moment!" She commanded as he froze. Quite literally. She walked over to him and turned him around to her, her grasp feeling like iron as she stared into his eyes, his heart feeling both at ease and on pins and needles at once.
"For the past three days, you have been avoiding me. Or so I think. Now would you kindly tell me what this is all about?" He quivered as she released her grasp on him at the sight of this. Her love was not scared of anything, and this worried her. Her face contorted into one of concern and care, with loving eyes she probed him.
"A-alright. I'll tell you... p-please don't hate me if you say no. I-I don't want to hurt you or anything." He said and prepared for the utmost worst. He inhaled and looked at her. Suddenly, he lost all hope and his head dropped low to the ground again.
"Not this time." Celestia held his head up and smiled at him but with a hint of concern on her face. She slowly caressed his face with her hooves and smiled warmly to him.
"Just tell me. There are no secrets between us." He inhaled and looked ready to burst as he looked her in the eyes.
"Will you go out with me?" He collapsed internally and propped himself up from his knees, panting as if he'd been on a track team. Celestia gave a look of surprise.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT! I-I'm sorry! I just-" Celestia stopped him with a spell for a moment as she smiled. She hugged him and kissed him softly on his cheek and nuzzled him closely.
"Emerald, I love you. Of course, I would absolutely adore the idea of going out with you." She smiled and kissed him on the nose before looking back at him and chuckling lightly. "Is that what took you so long to tell me?"
"... yes." He squeaked out, giving her a fuzzy feeling inside. He felt so embarrassed, but considering this is his first time asking a woman out, it wasn't at all surprising.
"It is nice to see he cares so much for my feelings..."
She laughed from the back of her throat, almost sounding like a possessed mare in heat, as she threw her head back and looked at him sultrily. "Just a date?" She smirked and wrapped her hooves around his neck and jumped into his arms. It sent a shiver down her spine to know her love was as strong as he was.
"Uhhh, y-yeah, sure." He replied with a nervous bout. Whether he knew it or not, something was happening inside Celestia that only she realized... not even her sister could sniff it out.
"You know, it has been quite a long while since I've felt you..." She traced his neck slowly and glued her eyes on his lips. Emerald, at this point, was unsure what to do. She's not like this most of the time.
"... inside of me." She whispered in his ear in her husky, sultry voice. She had a voice that was like a god. He shivered when she spoke to him like this. He had a fetish for women who were mature. This was like his dream.
His dream.
"What is it, sister? You seem quite happy." Luna stepped down from the throne and walked towards them, as he put Celestia down on her own hooves.
"My little human has been fretting for days, and only just now told me why." Celestia replied with a happy smile. Luna gave her a look of non-amusement.
"And?"
"He asked me out! On a date! Isn't it wonderful?" She twirled around as Emerald chuckled lightly at the ground, blushing while he scratched the back of his head. "He's so thoughtful..." She finished while Luna smiled weakly.
"Yes... I guess it is..." She said softly, with a hint of regret as Celestia kissed him on the cheek quickly.
"Now, I have two more meetings to attend to, and then I'll make myself ready. Where would you like to go?"
"Uhhh... I-I hadn't thought about it... to be honest, I didn't know I'd get this far." He shrugged as she chuckled sweetly.
"You needn't worry, my love, I know just the place we can go for a... romantic evening." She smirked devilishly and turned him around. "Now, run along and make yourself useful while I wrap things up here, hm? The day court should be over quite soon." She said and spanked him on his rear firmly, giving him a slight boost out the doors. He looked back and smiled at the two, but noticed something wrong with Luna.
Something he's only seen before in his memories. It was a serious and engaged look, but hidden by a mask of estranged emotions. Regardless, Michael left quickly, as Luna was starting to notice his staring. He walked away with a stern face, intent with figuring out why she looked so.
Was he overreacting? T'yeah, he really is... maybe.
"Geez, I gotta loosen up 'round here." He walked down the castle proper, noting and enjoying himself the scenery of the stained glass. 'Jesus, how long did this take to BUILD this place?'
"Maybe I could go and cook something? No, I shouldn't bother the royal cooks..." He spoke to himself in a quiet, sublime manner as a maid walked up to him.
"Excuse me, your highness?" She bowed to him as he only took notice of this a few moments later. Looking up, he beckoned her to continue with his hand.
"You seem a bit lost. Is there anything I can help you find, your highness?"
"Yeah, my sanity. That'd be great." He responded in a tired monotone. The maid chuckled as he did as well, although, to be honest, he wasn't laughing because he wanted to. T'was just a nice thing to do to not make another feel any awkward feelings.
"But, honestly, no, I'm fine. What's your name?"
"Cloud Shine, your highness." She smiled and puffed her barrel out and smirked pridefully.
"I'm Emerald. Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Shine." He stuck is hand out to shake her hoof while she blushed heavily and giggled doing so. "Oh your highness..." She breathed as Emerald inwardly quacked. Literally. That was the only sound in his mind for a moment. She looked down at her watch and sighed.
"I must be going, your highness. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Say, is it true?" She leaned in excitedly.
"Uhh, what?" He raised an eyebrow and wondered. She shuffled her hooves and muttered something.
"I didn't hear you, say what?"
"Is it true you and the Princess are...?"
"Uhhh... to be honest, I not sure. I-I think so."
"And is it also true you died 2000 years ago and such?"
... how the hell would I answer that. He thought.
"Sure. I remember some of it, but, not much. Celestia is bound to tell me more, so, I guess later I'll know? I'm still getting to grips with this magic stuff. And love. Love is a big one."
"Oh I'm sure you'll remember at some point, your highness. But, I must be going, it was a pleasure to meet you, sir!"
"Indeed, it was a pleasure to meet you as well." He smiled and waved to her as she walked away. '...Remember to give her a raise...', He thought about Cloud for a moment. It reminded him of his old servant, Robert. He missed Robert. In some ways, Robert was the only friend he's ever had.
And now he was to wait for a while since Celestia is in her meetings, and to his knowledge, probably won't be out for a while...
Time-skip: About an hour...
Em had been sitting on one of the castle's benches for a very long while; to his knowledge he's been there for hours upon hours, and in a dozen different positions on said bench.
"Oh my goodness. How long do these freakin' meetings take!?" Emerald complained loudly as a familiar blue Alicorn walked into his eyesight.
"Luna! You've made it! Hooray!" He threw his arms in the air and grinned, much to the amusement of Luna herself. It was a rare thing for Emerald to be this happy since most of the time he was under some kind of medication. In fact, Robert was the only one to know how Emerald was without medication.
Smiling, she nodded to him,"Yes, we are in fact done with our two meetings. If you're wondering where my sister is, she's freshening up... she was saying talking about a "cute stallion she's been dying to impress" or something along those heavy lines." Luna winked to Em, who at this point was giggling and blushing as if this was the first time he's ever heard those words. In some ways it was.
In some ways, it wasn't.
He stood up and stretched himself out a bit, grooming himself and making sure he was in top shape (after all, he did have a date with Equestria's finest).
Not a moment too soon, Celestia practically sashayed around the corner, looking even better than she did before. 'Woah, she's... something else. Em's jaw hung open slightly at the sight of her.
Every curve and motion was just right; he could hardly believe a creature as beautiful as her was willing to commit her entire being to him. In many ways that surprised him, since back home most of the people he knew only spoke to him because he was rich.
"Like what you see, darling?" Celestia prodded him playfully, as Luna's eyes rolled in conjunction with her soft but signature smirk.
"I'll be off, you two behave now." Giving salutations and leaving, Luna departed for her own chambers.
"Like what I see? I love what I see. You're quite pretty, Celestia. Easy on the eyes, not gonna lie." Nodding and smirking, he looked to the ground and then up to her, her eyes filled with glee but her face radiating a calm joy that he'd not see from her before.
"You know the old Em wasn't as sensitive and aware of things as you are," Luna quipped, "its a nice change from the old you; I'm sure my sister would agree." Looking to her sister, Luna winked at the man.
"I would most certainly agree... now, where are we going, darling? You said you wanted to tour the garden, correct?" Celestia spoke in a tone of pure joy, much to Em's own joy.
"Well, I hadn't pick-"
"Excellent! We shall be on our way. Luna, sister, could you take care of Blueblood's arrangements when he arrives?" To this, Luna slowly nodded. Em had no idea who she was talking about, but he noticed her restraint when nodding. He wondered who the heck Blueblood was. But at this point in time, he couldn't give a hoot in hell; he had a fantastic date with the princess of Equestria and that was all that mattered to him.
Celestia proceeded to literally almost drag him off to the direction of the garden, much to his own surprise even if he was already getting familiar with her kindly bossiness.
A few minutes and a few tantrums from Em later, they arrived at the entrance to the garden, the garden itself only blocked by one door. The door, by comparison of other doors in and around this castle, was quite small. Em, being the gentleman he is, grabbed the door for the mare he was with kindly.
"Thank you, Em." She flashed him a warm smile and proceeded on through, looking out upon the royal garden.
Em was shocked. He could hardly believe his eyes; he'd seen things like this only in pictures and even then, they were nothing compared to this. "Its like the Garden of Eden." Breathlessly, he let out as his eyes met with the flowers and the life of Nature around him, the way trees blew in the gentle breeze and the streams which zigged and zagged thereof. In his shock, he sat down abruptly and merely sat in silence in awe.
"Beautiful, isn't it, darling?" Celestia sat down next to him and extended her wing. Em nuzzled closer to her subtly (which did not go unnoticed), and drank in the scenery. The air was crisp, cool, and clean.
"I've... how..."
Celestia turned her head, "Hm?"
"How did... do you know God? Are you like good buddies with him? Did he literally just give you blueprints for Eden or somethin'?" Em's face accented his brain's What in sam hell moment.
"I do not know of this 'God', nor am I familiar with this 'Garden of Eden' you speak of... but, in answer to your question? I suppose so." She smiled coyly before continuing, "No, no, I myself planned this garden and planted most of it myself..."
Em's jaw dropped at the knowledge of this; How in the world could she have done this?! This place is like ten or eleven football fields' worth of square feet!
"How did you do it? This place is huuuge!" He spread his arms out as far as he could, but even that could never encompass this place's magnitude.
"Well... when you have around a millennia, you get big ideas. You end up having quite a bit of time on your hooves." She smiled and put her head on his and sighed.
The two sat there in a quiet embrace for a long time; what felt like just mere moments lasted almost twenty minutes. To Em, her scent and close proximity calmed him inside, and made him feel very safe. He wondered why; he hoped he would find out soon enough.
"I've... been wanting this for a very long while, Emerald... being here, knowing you are close, gives me peace... a peace I've not felt in many, many years. Thank you, my love." She cooed to him.
Emerald looked down in thought before replying, "Honestly I... ever since I was a child I... I wanted someone to hold, to love and to cherish, to treasure and call my own... I never thought I'd find someone like you."
Hearing this stole Celestia's breath away; to her, it was like falling in love all over again. He was not the bold, brash and arrogant man he used to be, rather a shy, gentle, sensitive and caring man who adored her silently.
"Really?" She choked out, trying to calm her emotions.
"Yes, Celestia... I have. While I've not been alive nearly as long as you, it still means much to me that you are who you are, and who you are to me... even if I don't know you like you may know me, you've given me a chance to be something for someone that I've always wanted. I always yearned to find that special someone." He finished, noticing he had been petting her hoof for a while without even realizing it.
Leaning down, Celestia kissed his head softly twice, pulling and holding him close. This is what she wanted, for so many years she longed for this; to be with him once again. And she was... it was a dream come true for her.
As she began to stand up, following with her was Em, her horn lit up softly with her signature yellow glow, paralleled quickly by a soft glow from withing Em's eyes. At this instant, he began to feel some pain within his own head; he felt it in his own mind.
"Ahghh... Dang, not again." He held his head and pleaded silently to any deity which would relieve him this pain. He so desperately did not want to ruin this moment for Celestia; he knew she needed this.
"Darling are you alright?" She came to his aid and caressed his cheek, his expression not changing from the wincing, contorted mess of pain that it was. He nodded slowly, trying his level best not to let the pain get to him.
"I-I'm fine... I think. Just give me a moment." He grunted out quietly, whispering while quivering slightly. He was not cold; merely angry at the pain. It helped him more than people realize.
"I will remain with you until your pain subsides." Celestia stood her ground and hugged her love tightly. A few minutes went by, and his pain had left him (mostly) and he left her embrace and nodded,
"I think I'm okay now," He began, "sorry about that... kinda ruined the moment, didn't I?" He chuckled nervously, receiving a smile and a shake of her head.
"Not at all, Em, nothing could ruin this for me. I am content where I am; with you, and your heart." She smiled and kissed him on the lips softly, giving him a shock to his brain. 'She's electric!', Emerald thought to himself mid-kiss.
This lasted for a little while, before she motioned to a small table about sixty yards away; a small table for two that was lavishly decorated; the perfect table for a date. There was a pony standing by the table patiently, minding his own business; Em concluded that was a waiter or butler of some kind. Em walked ahead; he knew the desire of Celestia's heart. She wanted to sit down with him. It was a wonderful thought and he felt special for realizing this.
He pulled out her chair, to which she gladly took advantage of with a very lady-like smile adorn on her face, "Thank you, darling.". He nodded and smiled sweetly back to her before sitting down on the other chair himself.
"Good afternoon sir and Princess, what can I get for you both?" The waiter who was present smiled to them.
They did order their food... took a little while before they realized someone else was even there and that it wasn't just the two of them.
