A/N: Welcome back. Man, I've been noticing my story get some attention lately. Over 220 visitors is big for me. Anyways, the deviantart account is up and I've posted the UUA ships so far and a picture of pony-Michael, or Star if you will. Search up Arwingmaster1 on deviantart and that should do it. Secondly, I've been thinking about updating the story at a bit slower pace. I just think that when I upload every day or every other day, the chapters seem rushed and shorter than I feel they should be. I'm not meaning like 2 week waits or anything like that, maybe 3 days or at most a week. This wait helps with suspense and keeping my head from hurting. Now that that's out of the way, the review responses!

DatAss111: You're welcome for the new chapter. As I have said before, I aim to please. I intend to continue updating until my fingers fall off, the internet crashes forever, or I finish the story. Whichever comes first.

Major Simi: Thank you. I'm kinda lost about what gips is, though I hope I'm right in assuming you meant good.

Apollyon602: Thank you for the review and your OC.

ShiningShadow1965: I think I'm going just dedicate an entire chapter to saying thank you for all your positive reviews. Jokes aside, thank you again for yet another uplifting review.

Guest: I hope I'm right in assuming both guest reviews are from the same person. If not, oh well. Yes, they have. Also, I hope you do like Rainbow Dash blushing, because it's going to happen a lot more.

Well, I think I've stolen enough of your time, so ONTO THE CHAPTER!

Disclaimer: Eh….

Ch 7:Simply, Unexpectedly Right

Princess Celestia watched the mystery pony walk from out behind the door after she had announced his presence. She hadn't really got a good look at this newcomer when they had him brought to Ponyville's hospital about a week ago. What she saw physically didn't surprise her. A young stallion, black mane with red highlights. Nothing unusual. She was surprised by the way he carried himself and the look in his eyes. He walked with a sort of authority and had an air of control around him. His eyes really interested Celestia. Piercing calm red eyes, a contradiction of itself, and despite looking so young, they told he had seen more than his appearance shows. Interesting, she thought.

{-}

Damn, they just love to stare, I thought as I walked over to the group. Looking over the group, I saw that everyone except Rainbow, who was keeping her face hidden, was looking me over. My eyes scanned over the group until they met with a pair that was above mine, belonging to a white pony with both a horn and wings with a crown on her head. Must be Princess Celestia, I assumed. I dismissed this as I walked past the group, trying to avoid the game of 20 questions that I knew was coming. I was almost to the door when the princess spoke up.

"Why don't you come and join us?" she asked.

Damnit. I turned to face the group again. They were all looking at me, even Rainbow looked up. "Well," Celestia continued, gesturing towards a spot next to Rainbow. It was more of an order and less of a suggestion. "Depends," I answered.

This got an intriguing look from the princess. "Depends on what?"

"Whether you'll take no as an answer," I replied. Not surprisingly, I found I was sitting next to an extremely red Rainbow Dash not a few moments later. I'll take that as a no.

"I hope you don't mind if we ask you a few questions," the princess continued.

Great, an interrogation. "Doesn't look like I have a choice in the matter," I whispered off to the side.

Rainbow and Rarity seemed to have heard me. Rainbow giggled cutely- NO!, and Rarity asked, "What was that?"

"Nothing," I replied quickly, slightly blushing, "I mean no, I don't mind." Damnit, get your head together.

I received a few strange looks from the room, with the exception of Rainbow who was looking down in the other direction before the princess continued. "Ok, well, I guess we'll start with who are you."

"Star."

"Just Star?" Celestia inquired further.

"Yes," I replied, hoping it was sufficient enough of a name. I mentally relaxed when she gave a slight look of approval and continued her questions.

"Where are you from?"

Crap, I thought. Hopefully the usual works. "I'm not really from one specific place. I do a lot of traveling." Not the whole truth, but not a lie.

"Ok, more specific, like, where were you born?" She asked.

Shit. Think, think…. I frantically thought as I raked together a good answer. "I…. don't remember."

"What do you mean you don't remember?" This time it was Twilight asking the question.

Oh, just ask another question. "I don't remember much from when I was young. It's mostly blank." Plain out lie.

This gained me a look of concern from the group. Especially from Rainbow Dash, who asked, "Why can't you remember?"

"Amnesia or something. Can we just move on?" I replied. I saw the princess nod and start another question, but Twilight butted in, "I can help you remember. I read of a spell just a few days ago that helps with amnesia or sudden memo-"

"No," I quickly cut her off, startling some of the group. I started to dig myself out of the hole I trapped myself into, "I mean, thank you for the offer, but I want them to come back on their own or to remember them myself." This was enough to satisfy Twilight on the subject and thankfully everyone else.

The princess continued her inquiry, "Why do you wear a cloak?"

I decided to out-right dodge the question, "I have my reasons."

Celestia didn't seemed too satisfied with the answer I gave her. "And what would those reasons be?"

I simply put it, "Personal reasons. I'm allowed my secrets."

The princess gave me a glare before continuing, a bit more firm in her voice. "Lastly, why did you put yourself at risk to help Twilight and save Rainbow Dash?"

"I…" I started before thinking Why did I?. Celestia apparently didn't like the slight wait. "Why?" She asked almost threateningly and stared me down. What do I tell her?, I thought, not liking the gaze I was getting.

"Why?!" She practically shouted, startling everyone but me. The other's mouths agape as they saw their princess ask in such a threatening way towards me.

That did it. I stood up and returned her gaze tenfold, making her sit back down. "Because I've seen enough death in my life," I started low and in an icy tone. " to make any normal... pony go insane. I've seen enough innocent lives blink out of existence for no reason at all. So Sorry IF I JUST WANT TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING AT ANY INSTANCE I CAN!" By the time I was finished, I was shouting right in the princess' face. I quickly pushed my way to the door and looked back on the group. All of them, especially the princess, had a look of astonishment on their face. "We're done here," I said as I walked out the door, slamming it behind me.

{-}

Celestia was dazed. This pony, Star, had stared her down with enough force to scare her and backed it up with a cold, deadly voice that evolved into an anger filled shout right in front of her face. Literally. The door slamming shut snapped her out of her daze as a few books fell to the floor. She felt ashamed, having pushed so hard for the information. She was scared too. Scared about how little she knew of this new pony. How he had just scared her by staring her down. She needed time to think. The others just sat there as she got up and walked to the chariot outside. Star nowhere in sight, she told the pegasi pulling to take her back to Canterlot.

{-}

Rainbow was one of the last of her friends to snap out of their astonishment. She had only caught brief bits of the conversation that was happening at the moment, like 'Where did the princess go?', 'We need to bring Star back and ask him more questions', 'Why did the princess yell at him', or 'Why did he yell at the princess?'. Rainbow only cared about two things, where is he and how does he feel. When the princess started to yell at Star, Rainbow wanted to stand up the Princess Celestia and stop her. She realized she had feelings for Star. As she ran out the door and quickly took to the sky, she could barely make out her friends calling out to her as she flew in the only direction she thought Star would be going.

{-}

Well, I blew it, I thought to myself as I walked into the forest. Why do I feel that was only half true, though? I don't feel for any of these ponies, do I? I was abruptly stopped when I heard my 'name' called out from behind me.

"Star!"

I turned to see the speaker, only to be tackled by a cyan colored blur. After a bit of rolling, I found a certain rainbow maned Pegasus lying on top of me, fac… eh muzzle only inches away from mine. She stared down at me, slightly blushed. She looked- NO! She's a pony! It wouldn't work out. It's WRONG….. or is it. NO! Snap out of it!, I thought, mentally battling with myself. After a bit she quickly rolled off, blushing furiously. I quickly got to my feet, blushing, and turned the other way, still mentally battling with my feelings. I can't feel this way. She's a pony, and she thinks I am too. I know it's wrong, but I feel differently. Damnit! My mental war was cut off as she spoke up. "I'm sorry. I…I..di.. didn't mean t…to tackle you o...or land on you l….li…like t…that," Rainbow stuttered out an apology, apparently embarrassed by our previous position. Hell, I was embarrassed, more about the feelings I was having, though.

"I…it's o..ok," I managed to reply, still looking at the ground the opposite direction. There was a moment of silence before she continued speaking. "I just came to s..see how you were doing. I didn't think it w..was right of the princess to yell at you."

I stood back up, mentally recollecting myself before replying, "I'm fine." I started to walk further into the forest, but was stopped by Rainbow yet again. "Where are you going?" Her voice steadying out.

I stopped and said, "My home for the past week" before continuing.

Yet again, I was stopped when Rainbow landed in front of me. "Can, I come?"

My answer came quick. "No."

She stood there for a bit before continuing, "You don't have to live out here you know. You can still stay at the library with Twilight. I'm sure I can get her to stop asking questions."

Knowing I wouldn't hear the end of it, and my conflicting emotions making me not want to see her sad, I thought a bit before answering, "Ok, but," she lightened up a bit before I continued, "but wait here while I go get some stuff."

She quickly nodded and sat down, which I found, slightly less regrettably, cute. Damnit, I cursed myself for the thought. I continued my walk into the forest. A good 15 minutes later, I arrived at the pelican crash. Still unsure if anyone was looking, I wasn't going to risk anyone see me change. So I stayed a pony while I placed all the equipment back into the pelican. Before closing it up, I grabbed an ear bud communicator and while situating it in my ear, tested it out. "Fi, do you copy?"

After a short pause, a familiar voice came out the ear bud. "Yes, I read you. What do I owe this unexpected call?"

I smiled, "Just testing out a communicator. I've received living arrangements in town. I didn't want to be too far away if I needed to contact you."

"Ah, how thoughtful," Fi said playfully. "Well, I do have some updates for you. Engines are back online a full capacity. Main generator is holding at 94%. All weapons and defense systems are back online excluding the MAC. There are still some fused coils and blockage to work out and the power flow is uneven. Everything else hasn't changed."

"Good to hear," I replied, "now tha-"

Fi interrupted, "Sir, the Faith's scanners are picking up a signature near you. It matches one of the species of ponies." Then there was a scream.

Damnit, I told her to stay put. "Keep an eye on that signature, I'm going radio silent."

"Copy that sir, I'll keep you updated if it changes," then Fi went silent.

I ran towards the screaming to find something that didn't surprise me. Rainbow had tried to follow me through the forest. Then I noticed what she was screaming at. Three wolves that looked to be made of wood were circling around her. Must be the timberwolves I've been hearing in some ponies conversations. And what's with her constant need of being saved? Not giving them a chance to hurt Rainbow, I jumped out on top of one, shoving its face into the ground. From there, I twisted its neck, effectively killing it from the sound of wood snapping. Damn, they must be made completely out of wood. Not blood or anything. The other two quickly noticed me and both charged at the same time. The first got ahead of the second, bad move on its part as I pulled out my combat knife and quickly situated and pulled it across its throat, easily cutting through the twigs that composed it.

I didn't expect the second one and it rammed into me, knocking the knife out of my hand. As I struggled with it on top of me, it threw me towards Dash, but not before I broke its leg. As it limped away, I found myself in yet another awkward position.

{-}

This was twice now. Twice he risked his life to save her. And twice they've both landed in this position. Rainbow was embarrassed, yes. Shying away, yes. But as she looked into the eyes of the blushed face that stared down at her, she did the only thing she could do. No, WANTED to do.

{-}

I was frozen wide eyed and completely astonished at what was happening. Rainbow Dash was KISSING me. Kissing, as in k-i-s-s-i-n-g, lip lock, face touching, affectionate KISSING. A million alarms went off in my head, telling me to pull away, to stop it now. But something held me there, one singular feeling saying it was right. After a few seconds that felt like a century, she pulled away and scrambled to her feet, blushing furiously. I just stood there wide-eyed mouth agape, my mind still only slightly registering what just happened. After a few minutes she spoke up extremely softly and to the side, "I think we should head back." I just simply nodded and followed her out. Then it hit my mind again.

I was kissed, by a pony, and liked it.

Well, that was a bit awkward to write. I'd like to mention beforehand that I am in no way Michael. I don't NOT relate myself to my OC. He is just that, an OC. With that out-of-the-way and hopefully a weirdo bullet dodged, I would like to apologize for the lack of OCs on ships in this chapter. I was planning on including them, but when I started, I didn't expect this character development and stuff to go this far. So, I promise the first entire half of the next chapter to complete badassery aboard ships. Until next time, Arwingmaster1, out.