Authors note: I just noticed I skipped chapter 8 and went right to nine, so I'm calling this chapter 11, as it will be the proper 11, but I am far too lazy to go back and edit all the chapters. (It would mean re-downloading them from the site, editing them, and reuploading them, replacing the original chapters. It might be something I'll do later when bored or out of ideas while stuck on a chapter. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Chapter 11 – Rewriting the script.

As I boarded the train, ticket in hand, I was nervous. Twilight offered to come with me, but I told her I'd be fine to go alone. I honestly didn't want her around for what I was about to do, just in case. I have no idea what effects this might have on the outcome of the world, and I wanted to make sure no one else took the blame if this went south.

"All aboard to Canterlot," the conductor shouted, as the whistle blew shortly afterwards.

I found an empty seat and took out a book Twilight loaned me for the trip, a book about pony relations to other species, such as the dragons and the griffins. The bench was a little short for me, but that's not exactly surprising considering it was made for equines half my size.

The train slowly starts to move as it pulls out of the station, and starts on its course across the lands. I open the book and begin reading. It's a little monotonous, but it interesting nonetheless. It mentions the relationship between Equestria and Griffinstone as well as the closing of the borders of Yakyakistan many years prior. The dragon sections are quite bare, which makes sense. The show said very little was known about the Dragonlands. As I read, I feel a small tug at the hem of my jeans, and a small voice speaks close by.

"What is you?"

I look down to see a small unicorn, probably only 4-5 using her what little magic she had control of to tug at my hem.

"Why, hello there," I say, putting down my book. "what's your name?"

The small unicorn steps back a bit in surprise.

"You can talks?" The little unicorn asked.

"Yes, I can. I'm a human by the way. Hu-man. My name is Fawkes. What's yours?" I explain slowly and gently.

"My name is Faiwy Dust. I'm fwee." The small unicorn says proudly.

"Hello, Fairy Dust. It's very nice to meet you." I respond.

" What's a hooman?" Fairy Dust asked curiously.

"It's my species. It's what I am. You're a pony, I'm a human."

At this moment, a female unicorn comes up and pulls the little filly away.

"Fairy Dust, what are you doing with this… thing? You can't just walk around talking to whatever you like. You don't even know if it's safe to be around."

"But mommy, he's nice…" Fairy Dust started to argue.

"But nothing. You don't know that. It probably can't even talk. It's a thing, not a pony like us. How is it not in the luggage car with the rest of the pets?"

As I open my mouth to say something, the door opens and a ticket collector comes in. I decide to hold tongue for now. Perhaps she'll change her tone once she sees me with my ticket.

She drags her young filly back up to their seats a few rows ahead of me, on the opposite side. I go back to my book, while also keeping an eye on the ticket collector so I can be ready when he arrives.

I noticed that the mother of Fairy Dust seemed to be talking animatedly to the ticket collector for a minute or two longer than should be necessary to validate a ticket. He then strolls immediately to me.

"Excuse me….sir." he says in a fairly professional voice, but lingering before the 'sir.'

"That lady over there said you were bothering her and trying to abduct her child. Is this true sir?"

"Of course it isn't. I had just been sitting here, reading my book, when the child just came over and starting talking to me. I didn't mind that much, so I chatted back until the mother came over and decided to pull her away, saying quite rude things like that I belong in the pet carriage. Here is my ticket, by the way." I say, holding out the ticket. "I'm just on my way to Canterlot, I have an appointment with Princess Celestia." I pulled out a letter from the Princess and showed him the official seal. I decided to read the letter aloud.

"Dear Fawkes. Thank you on the update on the situation in Ponyville. I also think we have some things we need to discuss. I ask you to come to Canterlot as soon as possible to discuss these matters, as they may alter the very future of Equestria. From the desk of Princess Celestia."

As I finish reading, I feel I have the attention of the whole carriage.

"I think that about sums it up. I took the first available train to Canterlot, and here I am. You wouldn't want to be the one who makes The Princess's appointment late, would you?"

"O…of course not, sir," The ticket collector stuttered, "enjoy the rest of your ride." He goes about collecting the tickets of the other passengers. The rest of the ride was fairly uneventful, but I can hear whispers from the passengers the whole way. Thing like 'does he really know the Princess?' And 'I don't even know what he is. What business would he have with the princess' and such, but I just ignored then. I was already riding a bit of a natural high from showing up the snooty mother, although I had noticed Fairy Dust laughing to herself as her mother scowled at her while I had been reading the letter.

About half an hour later, the train pulled into Canterlot station, and ponies started to pile out. I got up and headed onto the platform myself. It was a cloudless day, and the air seemed thinner than in Ponyville, which makes sense, considering the city is nestled halfway up the side of a mountain. The hustle and bustle were quite a bit larger than Ponyville, but nothing I wasn't used to, as I lived in some large cities myself back on earth. What I wasn't used to, however, were the stares. While no one stopped to look at me, I noticed a lot of dirty states coming from some of the particularly haughty ponies walking around. I quickly located the station exit and made my way onto the streets of Canterlot.

As soon as I put my destination in mind and decided to start walking, I realized I had no idea where to go. When I left the castle previously, when I had first arrived, I left by flying carriage directly from the castle. Scanning the tops of some of the shorter buildings, I noticed the castles towers and walls off in the distance. Thank god Canterlot didn't share the tall skyscrapers of Manehatten. I checked down some of the nearby streets. None of them seemed to lead directly to the castle.

I checked back towards the station, and noticed a row of yellow and black signs with what looked like a chariot type vehicle on them, and saw that other ponies were standing near them, holding their hoofs out, and a taxi would zip up, they'd get in, and zip off again. Walking up to the sign, I held my arm out. Right on cue, a taxi pulled up, and the door opened. The pony pulling it looked back at me.

"What the hay are you? You cant ride in my taxi. " he states bluntly.

"Why not? I'll pay." I said, pulling out the bag of bits I had.

"There's no way you'd fit. What even are you. I've never seen anything like you before."

"I'm a human," I stated, figuring he was probably right.

'Well, human, like I said. You ain't ridin'. Now step aside and let a real customer get in. I'm losing money here. " the taxi pony stated before moving a few feet head to another pony that had just arrived.

At this point, I feel a tapping on the small of my back. I turn around to see one of the city guards.

"Are you Fawkes? The Human?" the guard said, with a voice much softer and younger sounding than the majority of guards I've heard. Oddly familiar, now that I think about it.

"Oh, uh… yes. That's me. Can I do anything for you, uh…. Officer?" I have no clue how to address guards.

"Officer? But yes. I was sent on behalf of the princess to collect you at the station and bring you to the palace. She had figured you didn't know your way around and feared you might be late." The guard replied.

"Oh. That's very kind of her, and you." I stated, "I am indeed a bit lost. If you can show me the way, I'd very much appreciate it. What should I refer to you by? Just guard? Or do you have a name you'd like me to use?"

The guard chuckles a bit.

"Guard is plenty fine, but my name is Shining Armour. Captain of the Canterlot guard." The pony stated, taking off his helmet and revealing the blue hair beneath it.

"Oh. You're Shining Armour! No wonder you seemed familiar," I said. Noticing the look of confusion I got from him I quickly added, "Twilight… uh told me all about you. She's proud of her brother in the royal guard."

"Of course. That makes sense. " the guard said. "if you follow me this way, I'll take you to the castle."

" So…. Twilight has told me loads about you. And her old foalsitter, Cadenza or something?" I stumble about trying to make conversation. I was also curious if Shining Armor and Cadence were back together yet, or if Chrysalis has replaced her yet.

"It's Cadence, actually. Princess Cadence Mi Amore Cadenza. We've… started seeing each other recently. Don't tell Twily yet though. I want to be the one to do that. Cadence was like a big sister to her when we were younger. It's going to mean a lot to her. "

"No problem. Just don't forget to invite her to your wedding when you get married" I say with a chuckle, "not that you ever could, I'm sure."

"Yeah, I'd never forget my little Twily. That's for sure!" Shining Armour says with a chuckle of his own.

As we approach the castle gates, he waves at the guards as they open the gates to let us through. We cross the yards and enter through the main palace doors, opened by yet another pair of guards. Upon entering the main foyer, Shining Armour points me towards a small atrium off to the side of the main hall. I recognize it as the sitting room Celestia invited me to eat in when she brought me up from the dungeons after I arrived here.

I head inside, and Shining Armour says that he will inform the Princess that I have arrived, and I should wait patiently for her arrival. After voicing my affirmation, I take a seat on one of the large cushions around the currently bare, but decorated table. Nerves creep up in my stomach, giving an uncomfortable twisting sensation. I catch a twinge of almost guilt in my heart as if I feel I may be making a huge mistake. I swallow my doubts and reaffirm to myself that things are changing regardless. It might as well change in my way. At least a few things. Just in case.

After about 10 minutes of myself looking around the room, forcing myself to admire the design and architecture to keep my anxiety at bay, the door opens with a golden twinkle about the doorknob, and Princess Celestia strides into the room, in a very regal manner, shooting a small smile my way as I jump up and give a small bow. She is still a princess after all.

" Hello, Fawkes. There is no need for formalities like that. How have you been enjoying the stay in Ponyville? How is my student, Twilight Sparkle?" she states as she takes her place on the larger and fancier pillow on the other side of the table.

"Well, I do enjoy being here. It's a breath of fresh air from the world I come from. People are nicer….uh, ponies are nicer, I guess. It's quiet and rural, but I suppose that's not due to this world specifically. Things are a bit small for me though…" I trail off thinking about the train bench and similar issues I've had with a lot of furniture being a bit small for me. "Twilight is doing great though. She's been very interested in the findings of the tests she's been running in me in the last week or so." I finish my thoughts from before.

"Yes, she has been keeping me updated on some of her findings, and I find them very peculiar myself. Something about there most definitely being signs of magic having been used on or around you, but not any that have been identified from this world. It is quite mystifying, to say the least. However, I feel that catching up was not the purpose of our meeting today. You said you were to warn me of things to come? Change the story, as you put it?"

"Yes, that's correct. Although I don't want to take a giant leap of faith here, just in case I'm wrong, but I figured that I should let you know of few things that may happen within the year, do with that information as you will, and based on how things turn out, I might tell you more. The last thing I want is some sort of major catastrophe coming up out of nowhere as an attempt to history or the future. Heck, that's what Back to the Future and the Red Alert series are all about. Of course, that's fiction, but…" As I realize that I've digressed quite a bit, I clear my throat and continue. " I figured a year is a good amount of time, and my memory isn't 100% clear. It's been a while since I watched the first couple of seasons of the show."

"That is a fair condition, I think. A year's worth of issues to guard against to see if that helps keep the world at peace. Do try to tell me all you can recall that you seem of importance." Celestia states, the playful look she normally keeps gone, and a very businesslike one had replaced it.

"Before I say anything though, are you sure you want this. We may need bringing unknown atrocities upon this land, ones that I don't know how to handle, whereas what I know might happen I at least had seen stopped as it happened." I say as I look the Princess right in the eye. She nods solemnly, and I know her heart is set. That's all I needed to see. " the first thing that will happen soon is shortly after the Grand Galloping Gala, there will be a school tour through the castle statue gardens. I believe the statue of Discord is currently there, from when you and Luna used the Elements to turn him to stone?"

"Indeed he is. The spell should be quite unbreakable, but I am guessing that is not the case?"

"Yes. Small amounts of discord and chaos nearby have slowly increased his power. On the trip, an argument between several of the fillies causes his power to grow enough to break the stone prison. He is freed, and the elements are stolen. In the end, Twilight and her friends defeat him, with your help, as you start sending back all the friendship lessons she had given you, and she uses that to triumph. I'd start be relocating discord somewhere where chaos and disharmony can't reach him. On the other hand, you eventually decide he can be reformed and enlist Twilight and friends to do it. But of course, they already beat him once. It may not work of they haven't met him yet. Fluttershy was the key to that working."

"We will move the statue of Discord somewhere in hopes that we can prevent any disharmony from allowing him to escape his prison. As for the potential of his reformation, I will keep that in mind. His power could be a great boon to all of Equestria, but I am sure you understand why I am doubtful that it is possible. Is there anything else you would like to tell me at this moment?" Celestia asked pensively, clearly still thinking about the prospect of actively unleashing discord for reformation.

"Yes. There is one other thing. The Queen of the Changelings, Chrysalis, apparently at some point takes the place of Princess Cadence as she is to be wed to Shining Armour. She uses the love she gets from him, as well as those around her to gain enough power to even beat you in single combat. Even Twilight and her friends cannot win. The day is only saved by reuniting Shining Armour and the real Cadence, and the love they emit is too much and causes the changelings to be forcibly removed from Canterlot. In addition, as far as I've seen in the show, If changelings willingly are given love, as opposed to them stealing it, they needing to feed on it, as well as if they willing share the love they have, they transform into a new species that no longer needs to steal love at all. Perhaps there can be a diplomatic exchange to the changelings to offer them these solutions. Either way, watch for any change in the behaviour of any staff of the castle, or citizens in the city, just in case." I finish, my mind a bit more at ease than it used to be before. Until I notice her gaze. Celestia was giving me a stern, piercing gaze as if scrutinizing not even my words, but my very existence.

I unflinchingly returned her gaze, staying silent the whole time. A chill crawled up my spine as she continued to stare me down. At long last, she spoke.

"I have very little desire to interact with them, given their history. I find it very hard to believe that such a simple solution exists to the changing problem, but if it is for the peace of Equestria, then it can be considered." She says. An odd coldness fills her voice, one I've never heard from her before. It didn't suit her.

"Have you ever met Chrysalis before?" I ask, with a mite of curiosity.

"I have not ever met her, but I have heard of her. When the changelings first appeared, rumours of a queen who rules them with an iron fist, and is clever beyond measure. I doubt they would be receptive of any attempt at diplomacy." She says, slightly softer than before.

"Well, from what I've seen, her first and foremost concern is protecting her hive and the livelihood of her species. She's turned down all attempts at help or diplomacy in the show, but only after the initial attack on Canterlot. If we can make her believe we wish to indeed help protect the changelings, she might be more receptive of it than in canon. She might also take it as an attempt to subjugate them as well though. You're the princess. I'm sure you can figure out the best course of action." I state, matter-of-factly.

"Let us hope I can…" she said quietly.

I nearly missed it and asked her if she said anything, to which she replied to the negative. After we both sat there pensively for a few minutes, I stand up.

"Well, that's everything major I can think of right now. I don't want to go too far into the future, in case things go wrong." I say, giving her a slight bow of the head in respect. "Thank you for seeing me, princess. I hope I've been of help."

"Thank you for coming to see me. But if I may ask, when you first arrived, you were so against the action of attempting to prevent future challenges. Why are you doing this now?" Celestia asked, with her head cocked slightly to the side.

"Well, if you recall our first conversation in this room, I pointed out that there was already one major difference from the story I knew. The fact I was there. This seems to be a factor in this world. Things are still happening as I know, but with minor changes, or time offset. I figured if things are going to change regardless, why not give them a slight bit of guidance. Perhaps, if we can figure out how that will affect things, we can avoid further catastrophe or new events." I state meekly. I'm still not sure if I made the right decision in coming here to talk to the Princess, but I guess we will see in time.

As I bid Celestia farewell, and head back into the foyer, Shining Armour approached me from the entrance doors and offered to walk me back to the station for the ride home. Accepting his offer, we walked back to the station, and I purchased a ticket for the ride home. A rather uneventful train ride early, and I step off the train in Ponyville. My stomach gurgling as I look out into the sky as the sun starts to set. I'm hungry. Better head back to the Library to get some food, and fill Twilight in on some of the happenings from today.

I walk in through the Library door, announcing that I've made it back, and notice Spike and Twilight sitting, almost laying in chairs tired. Spiked looked a little green in the face.

Twilight lifted her head wearily and noticed me. Pulling her self more upright she greets me.

"Oh, hi Fawkes. You won't BELIEVE the day we just had." She gets out, before dropping her head back into the chair as if sleeping. Upon closer inspection, she had indeed fallen asleep. I grab a blanket and put it over her. Guess I'm in for one heck of a story tomorrow.

- Author's note - I want to put a thank you out to Doctor Doofenshmirtz for pointing out a minor not directly an inconsistency, he pointed out that I had Celestia say its been a long time since she's seen a human, and went on to state that the legends of human in equestria are from long ago, even before her time. Now those were originally separate chapters that had been fused to create more substantial chapters, so I admit it was an oversite, but not necessarily a plothole. Celestia clearly isn't revealing all she knows. She never does. Just because the legends of humans are from before her time, doesn't mean she's never met one. We have no clue how Fawkes got there. But for all we know, Celestia may be involved. Her behaviour in the first chapter is peculiar at best. That being said, It was thanks to this being pointed out, that I did notice a real inconsitancy with this chapter. Originaly, i put Shining Armour as assistant captain, in order to perhaps have a chance for future growth, having him become the captain, but back in that same chapter, I already mentioned him as captain. It's far easier to change this chapter, as it was just posted, than go back and change the original one. I'll have to come up with a new way to introduce character growth for him.

If anyone notices similar issues, let me know through PM or review. This whole this is a writing exercise for me, so fixing issues like this in my style is one of the main objectives. Normally, I go back and re-read previous chapters while writing to avoid these, but I didn't have time this chapter. Again, thanks to Doctor Doofenchmirtz, as well as all my readers, and anyone who points out errors or inconsistancies.