"Jethro, please, please don't take offense to this, but…ARE YOU COMPLETELY INSANE?!" Twilight shouted at me.

Four days had passed since later as we were all meeting at my house once again. I'd spent more of my free time watching more of My Little Pony as well as watching more fan videos and even reading a few fan stories on a website called . Some fan interpretations seemed a bit off to me, especially a story series named The Conversion Bureau, which felt impossible to me. Then again, fan interpretations weren't my thing to judge. Not like I could talk to them about it, anyway.

My two favorite stories so far were Ranger by Rescue Sunstreak and A Journey Beyond Sanity by Darkwing Dust. It was just a shame I would never be seeing any updates from either, but they both kept me entertained and those two stories, along with others I read, were giving me ideas and insights into what certain fans thought of the show's general direction. I also spent some time keeping a close eye on Gemini and Mica, the latter of whom pleaded with me to help his sister, which I obliged.

We were sitting in the living room around the couches. Zecora was sitting next to me on one side, with Fluttershy staying close by my other side. Sitting in two chairs opposite from me were the two Lycans, Gemini not looking too happy to be there and Mica looking nervous. On either side were the other Elements of Harmony, Scarlet, and Spike. I'd made Gemini and Mica tell their stories before any of the others could speak.

"Um…no, but now I'm deaf," I said, sticking my pinkie finger in my ear to try and stop the ringing.

"I have to agree with Twilight, darling," Rarity said, looking warily over at the two Lycans who were sitting on one of the couches. "You haven't even considered the fact that this might be some sort of ruse, have you?"

"I did," I said, "but I also know that Lycans have some semblance of honor. Like Klingons." This got a snort from Scarlet, who of course understood that reference. "Their Empress hates males, and Mica would definitely have qualified for execution for foiling their plans for me and Equestria."

"And what if she's trying to use Mica as a spy?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking suspiciously at the two Lycans.

"How would they send a message to the Empire?" I asked. "They don't exactly have the internet or e-mail. You guys still use letters. And I seriously doubt there's a long-distance telephone line or Morse Code line there."

"It's called Mare's Code," Twilight corrected.

"To-may-to, to-mah-to," I waved my hand dismissively. "Point being, how's she gonna send a message to the Empire?"

"Carrier bird," Twilight said.

"Those exist here?" I asked.

"Yes!" Twilight said, sounding frustrated.

"Would you rather I just lock these two up and feed them bread and water for the rest of time?" I asked angrily.

"Well…no, but-"

"Twilight Sparkle," I said, catching her attention. "I understand why you're so suspicious. All of you. But need I remind you we have the Element of Honesty here? She's like a living lie detector."

"Well, golly. Don't ah feel special," the Earth Pony mare said, rolling her eyes.

"You know I didn't mean it like that," I said with a sigh.

She shook her head and smiled. "Ah know what ya meant. And fer the record, I don't think she was lyin' about what she told us."

"Why…why would the Empress do such a thing?" Fluttershy, who was sitting next to me, looked up at me. Her gorgeous blue eyes were wide with questions, like she thought I had the answers.

I reached down and stroked her mane, and she shuddered slightly. "I don't know, Flutters," I said honestly. "I have a few guesses, but that's not why we're here."

"You have to tell Princess Celestia," Twilight continued.

"I will, but I needed to speak to all of you about it first," I said.

Pinkie, who was unusually silent, finally spoke up. "What do you think the Princess will do?"

"I don't know, Pinkie," Twilight said, pacing the living room nervously.

"Calm down, Twilight," Spike said, walking up to her and putting a hand on her side.

"Spike, we have a runaway Lycan living in Jethro's house," Twilight said. "After what the Lycans did to him-"

"Spike's right, sugarcube," Applejack said. "Yer getting' all catawampus."

She took a few deep breaths, then finally looked at the two Lycans. "How can we be sure you're not here to spy?"

"Spying isn't my style," Gemini replied coolly. "I'm a warrior, not a Dark Fae."

"What are those?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gemini sighed. "Changelings. Shapechangers. Furwalker? Any of those ring a bell?"

"I get the picture," I said.

"I've never heard of them," Twilight said, now sounding curious.

"I'll explain later," I replied. "Twilight, would Celestia have allowed me to bring Gemini back if she thought anything was amiss? You need to remember she knows more about Lycan culture than you did. You never even heard of them before Rarity's kidnapping."

"I…guess so," she said, nodding slowly.

"That being said, you all have valid points about this," I conceded. "I'll just have to be careful, won't I?"

Twilight was in front of me instantly, her dark purple eyes boring into mine. There was frustration there, yes, but there was also a deep worry. "Jethro," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "I'm really worried about you. Do you have any idea how scared I was when I heard about what was happening to you from Princess Celestia? You're my friend…" she looked down, and I saw a single tear fall.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Gemini roll her eyes, but Mica looked at me sympathetically. I placed a hand under Twilight's chin and lifted her to face me again. There were more tears in her eyes, nearly ready to fall. I wiped them away with my finger. "Why do you think I'm training my behind off to get stronger in flight, magic and strength? This world is amazing, but not without its dangers. I want to protect it and all of you, and right now I'm woefully unprepared. Lady Luck was with me that day in the Arena, but luck will only get me so far."

"Jethro…I…are you sure you can trust them?" she asked quietly.

"No," I said, "but I can trust Applejack. I know she's good at telling truth from lies. They aren't lying about Mica being the target of revenge."

"I guess so…" she said.

Just then I realized something. She was doing to me what I was trying to do for her when I went to see Celestia about her plans for Twilight. She was pretty protective herself. I couldn't help it, I began to chuckle, causing everyone in the room to look at me. Pinkie spoke up, a small smile on her face. "Is there a joke you told her? Can we get in on the laugh?"

I reached down and stroked Twilight's mane. "It's just that we're similar in that we want to protect each other," I said. "One day, I'll tell you the whole story."

"Should we not get back to the topic at hoof, beloved?" Zecora asked.

"Of course," I smiled warmly at Zecora before turning back to Twilight. "I get what you're saying. I really do. Tell you what, if I promise I'll be careful, will that make you happy?"

Twilight nodded. "I think so, yes."

"I promise to use discretion, then."

She smiled slightly then backed away. "Thank you…"

"So, what're we gonna do 'bout them?" Applejack asked, pointing to the two Lycans.

"I've always wanted to say this," I said. Turning to Spike, I said, "Spike, take a letter to the Princess."

The little dragon smirked as he reached into his bag and pulled out a quill, ink and blank scroll. "Ready when you are, monkey-boy."

I rolled my eyes, and cleared my throat. "Dear Celestia. A new situation has come up with which I ask you for your your most esteemed counsel. Show this letter to no one save for Luna. To make a long story short, Gemini snuck her brother into Equestria to save him from death, at least according to her. How should we handle this? For now, Gemini's brother is staying with me. Your friend, Jethro." I smirked. "Kinda feel like Twilight, now. Send it, Spike."

A few chuckles passed through the room as Spike sealed the scroll and sent it. After the flames had died down, I faced Gemini. "I'm not sure how the Princesses will react to this, to be honest. They might take him to Canterlot, for all I know."

"As a hostage?" Gemini asked, a slight fearful tone in her voice.

"Princess Celestia wouldn't do that," Twilight immediately said.

"Twi," I said softly, "she's a monarch. If it meant protecting her subjects, she might. But I know she would treat Mica very well." I directed that last part to Gemini. "Regardless of what you might think about Celestia, the fact that she's kind and benevolent isn't in question."

"And yet she forced peace on us," Gemini said accusingly.

"Sister, please!" Mica begged.

"Mica! She is not perfect!" Gemini shouted angrily at her brother, causing him to flinch. Gemini quickly calmed down, reaching out to put a paw on his shoulder. "Forgive me, brother. I didn't mean to yell."

"Nobody's perfect," I said, standing and walking over towards the two. Kneeling, I faced the two of them. "I know Celestia has made mistakes in the past," I continued, ignoring the gasp I heard from Twilight, "and more than just what she and Luna did to your people. But she's also grown quite a lot since that time in your history."

Gemini's lip twitched, but she relaxed a bit when Mica put his arm around her shoulder. He turned to me. "Please don't be angry at my sister," he begged imploringly.

I was about to reply when I heard a belching of flame from behind. Turning, I saw Spike catching a scroll as it fell into his hand. Looking it over, the young drake ran over and lifted it up to me. I undid it and read the following:

My dear Jethro,

Things are never dull with you around, are they? My sister and I have read your letter. I am preparing a chariot to come to Ponyville. Luna would have come as well, but she is, shall we say, otherwise occupied. I will be there soon.

Your friend and monarch,

Celestia

"Well, that's unexpected…" I said, reading it aloud. With a soft thud, Twilight fainted. "That was not…we'd best get prepared for the princess, then."

Celestia stood in the room about an hour later, giving a cordial if not slightly guarded nod towards the two Lycans. It hadn't taken her long to reach my property, and her guards were just outside my front gate. "Miss Gemini, Mr. Mica, allow me to officially welcome you to Equestria."

"I feel really welcome," Gemini said sarcastically, but gasped in shock when Mica lightly smacked her arm.

"Sister, please!" Mica turned to Celestia and knelt. "Your Highness, I implore you to forgive my sister's impertinence. She means nothing by it."

Celestia looked at Mica with slight surprise, and her smile widened. "Don't worry, my young Lycan. I understand why she feels the way she does."

"Is that right?" Gemini spat, standing and facing Celestia. "If you expect me to instantly forgive you for the centuries of suffering and pain my kind have gone through because of your precious harmony, you have another thing coming!"

Celestia shook her head. "I'm well aware I wronged you and your kind. If I could do it over again, I would not make the same mistakes. I sinned greatly against the Lycan Empire." To the shock of everyone there save for me, she lowered her head. "Feel free to not forgive me, but I cannot apologize enough."

Gemini looked stunned as she stared at the bowing princess. Silence filled the room, before finally she slowly sat back down. "It will take much more than honeyed words to earn my forgiveness," she said coolly. "But that's not why we're all sitting here, are we?"

Celestia slowly raised her head. "Quite right." She turned to Mica. "Please tell me your story. Both of you." Once more, Mica and Gemini told their sad tale. Celestia listened patiently, and appeared genuinely upset when she heard of the reason behind Gemini's actions in saving her brother. When both finished, she had a sincerely saddened expression on her face. "I am truly sorry for all that has happened to you two," she said, "and I will do what I can to make your stay in our country as pleasant and comfortable as possible. I can provide you with a house and a monthly stipend-"

"He stays with me," Gemini said. "That's not negotiable."

I walked up and put a hand on Celestia's back. I felt some of the tension building up inside her, and rubbed her back gently. "I have plenty of rooms here," I said, "and it'd be nice to have another guy around. There's only so much Nickelodeon I can show Spike before he gets bored."

"Hey!" Spike said.

"We don't take handouts from Ponies," Gemini growled.

I was frankly getting tired of Gemini's attitude. Not that I couldn't understand how she felt, but I guessed that now she was just being stubborn and trying to get a rise out of Celestia. I walked up. "Gemini Grayfur, that is your brother's decision, not yours. Don't forget where you are and what you nominally are. Your brother has a mind of his own and can make his own decisions."

"You don't have siblings, so don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong," she snapped.

"Hmm…maybe it's a good idea for the two of you to be separated for a while," I said.

"Don't you dare!" She yelled at me. "He's the only family I have left, and I have to protect him!"

"Gemini," Mica said, this time in a more even voice, "can we talk?"

Gemini looked at her brother, and slowly nodded. Wordlessly, the two walked into a downstairs bedroom and shut the door.

"She's more stubborn than ah was durin' applebuckin' season," Applejack said.

"You think she needs a party?" Pinkie asked, a small stream of confetti appearing from nowhere.

"Not now, Pinkie," Twilight said.

"I think she just needs time to calm down," Fluttershy said.

While the others were talking, I felt a hoof on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw Celestia gesturing to the front door. As we made our way outside, Twilight called out, "Princess? Where are you going?"

"I need to talk to Jethro for a bit," she said. "It shouldn't be long."

"Oh, alright," she said, looking a bit unsure as I opened the door for Celestia.

"Don't worry, my faithful student," Celestia said, "Trust me."

"I do," Twilight said.

"Well then, Jethro, shall we?" Celestia asked, and the two of us stepped out into the sunny midday.

The two of us walked through the grassy piece of land I owned, the sun nearing its apex in the sky. A slight breeze blew through the grass, which I saw now needed to be mowed. I fortunately had an electric riding lawn mower I could break out, and I'd already planned to mow it later in the week.

I decided to break the silence first. "So…by Luna having pressing matters, you meant-"

"Sleeping," Celestia chuckled softly. "She had a rough night. An unusual amount of nightmares to deal with."

"I figured. The sleeping part, I mean," I said. "But enough of that. What are your thoughts on their story in there?"

Celestia made her way to a part of the wall that provided some shade from the sun and sat down in the grass. We were behind both houses and secluded from view. "She wasn't lying about anything," Celestia said. "She truly cares for her brother and is very protective of him. Just like I care for a certain purple Unicorn."

"And your thoughts on Mica staying with me?"

"I think it's a wise idea," she replied. "She would be more inclined to speak more respectfully to you."

"After what I said in there?"

"Again, you must remember they are a female dominated society," Celestia reminded me. "Males speaking up is not something she's used to."

"She's really hard to deal with, but I've watched her work her chores since she came here," I said. "She's a very hard worker and takes her tasks seriously. Makes me wonder how she's gonna train me."

"Train you?" Celestia looked at me warily. When I told her about my other job for Gemini, Celestia frowned. "Combat training, huh? You know I could easily ask Shining Armor or one of my other guards to help in that area."

"Wrong body type," I said. "Besides, I want to learn to fight without magic in case my magic fails me. She was captain of Amber's guard and she fought very well."

Celestia pursed her lips but nodded. "I can understand that. Please be careful."

"Heh, Twilight said the same," I chuckled.

We both smiled at the thought before her expression became serious. "Speaking of her, I was hoping to revisit a couple of topics we talked about a few days ago."

"Which ones?" I asked.

Celestia looked up at the cloudless sky for a few seconds, working her lips like she was coming to a decision. Finally, she turned to me. "I want you to know I really thought long about what you said about my plan for Twilight."

I'd taken time to think about it since our talk, and I still had doubts. I saw Celestia's reasoning, and it made sense, but the fact that she was pretty much pulling the strings from the shadows made her, at least in my mind, no better in that sense than the in-show Discord. "And?" I asked.

"I'm still pretty sure she's the one I've been looking for," she said, "but you might be right. Perhaps she is a bit too young at the moment."

"She's definitely too young," I countered. "How old were you when you ascended the throne?"

"…Thirty," she admitted. "and my sister was twenty seven."

"Three year difference between you two, good to know," I muttered. "And yet, you've been pulling some strings behind the scenes to prepare here for this role. Did it ever occur to you to just, oh, I don't know, ask her? This is her life, you know?"

"I merely want what's best for her and what's best for Equestria," Celestia said, suddenly on the defensive.

"And there's nothing wrong with that," I conceded, "but she's an adult mare, now. She has wants and desires. I'm not saying she might not want that in the future if you offered it, but your MLP version practically forced it on her." I stood, walked in front of her, and spread my wings wide. "I wasn't given a choice, but I also know Obsidian Star didn't change my body like this on purpose. You did, or are planning to. To paraphrase an old movie a bit, 'Solving thousand year old magical spells from knockoff Gandalf is no basis for a system of government.' I'm trying to see this from your point of view, I really am, and you make good points, but forcing this on her? Really? Not to mention her immortality. Don't even get me started on what the MLP fandom came up with in that regard." I folded my wings, shuddering at the memory of looking up some of the MLP fandom's more twisted creepypastas. "I'm pretty sure I've made my point. Anything else I could say would be repeating my perspective."

"Then let me rebut," Celestia said calmly, standing and looking down at me. "This kingdom needs to change. I know I'd be too busy and too rigid in my thinking to make any kind of changes. Twilight is one of the best candidates I have found in ages."

"We're going around in circles," I groaned. "Basically, we have two options. Follow your plan and risk the new princess having a mental breakdown, or stall her from becoming one and risk unknown dangers arising from the absence of a fourth Alicorn princess."

"You have the powers and capabilities of an Alicorn too, remember," Celestia reminded me.

"But not the authority of royalty," I said. "And that might be for the best. Would any of your Ponies follow a non-Pony prince? Allow me to answer: they wouldn't! Hell, two of the Elements of Harmony attacked me the moment they saw me at Zecora's that day and one of them almost strangling me to death! Now imagine the reactions of whatever Canterlot nobles there are if for some inexplicable reason you made me a prince, hmm?! Think Ponyville Pony speciesism times a thousand!"

I was worked up now, and suddenly I felt myself being surrounded by warmth as a worried Celestia wrapped her wings around me, pulling me close to her fur. "Deep breaths, my friend," she said kindly as she sat back down, with me still in her grasp.

I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry," I said, and I meant it. I liked Celestia a lot. She was warm and friendly and for the most part an amazing ruler. One doesn't hold down a country for more than a thousand years benevolently without impeccable ethics.

To my surprise, Celestia's fur had a pleasant scent. It was like a flowery summer field mixed with evaporating dew. Realizing just how inappropriate my thoughts and actions were, I gently pried myself away from her fur, but she didn't let me go. Her gaze was tender and loving. "We both care for Twilight dearly and want what's best for her," Celestia said. "You do have a point about her age and maturity level. Perhaps I will hold off on her becoming a Princess. However, I would ask something of you in the meantime."

"Ask away," I said.

"Please help to protect her," she asked. "Her and her friends. Help guide her towards a more mature mindset. I was never going to have her take on the full responsibilities of a princess all at once. I was going to slowly introduce her to them as time went on."

"Well, that's good," I said. "and you don't have to worry about that promise. I'll do my very best to keep it."

"Just don't be too protective," she giggled. "That could stunt their emotional growth."

"If the events of the show happen still, I'm sure I can let her and her friends deal with those situations on their own," I said. "I'll keep an eye out, of course and give helpful hints. Kind of like an oracle."

She laughed. "Oracle Jethro. I like that," she snickered before slowly reigning herself in. "There was one more matter I wanted to discuss with you."

"What else?" I asked, frowning at her sudden change of tone.

"The apples," she said. "The ones that fell into your hands a few days ago. What have you done with them?"

"Well, nothing yet," I replied honestly. "I'm nervous about what to do with them. Why?"

"It's okay to eat them, you know," Celestia said. "They're just apples, nothing will happen to you if you eat them. They pale in comparison to any apple I know of in matters of taste."

"Applejack would love that," I chuckled. "Would it be okay to give her some of the seeds?"

Celestia paused and thought a bit. "The seeds, yes. It takes the seeds of one core to grow a tree. They're much like Zapp Apple trees in that they grow instantaneously. However, they need an Alicorn's magic for the first growth. After that, just water them like any normal tree and they'll provide fruit. Although…they won't really be the same type as the one from my tree." She looked down sadly.

"How come?" I asked.

"The type of apples my tree creates are called Elder Golden Apples," she explained. "The means to create these trees have been lost for millennia. Not even I have been able to rediscover the secrets behind their creation. I've tried replanting cores and seedlings, but all I've managed to do is create Younger Golden Apples. They don't taste as good, but they are still quite delectable. Luna particularly has been enjoying them since she returned," she said with a chuckle.

"Having an apple tree in the yard would be kinda cool, gotta admit," I said. "A nice place to sit under during a warm summer day, making all sorts of apple products to sell at market."

"Don't go undermining Applejack's farm there, my friend," Celestia grinned.

"I'll give her one of the cores. I doubt she'll just leave it at that one once she figures out how they taste."

"Quite," she nodded.

There was a bit of silence as her smile slowly faded. Worried, I spoke up again. "So…what aren't you telling me?"

She sighed more heavily than I'd ever heard from her. "Jethro…that tree is special for more than one reason. It possesses…more intelligence than a normal tree. I'm not sure how to explain it any better. It clings to its apples until they lose their gold luster for the season and become Younger Goldens. Nopony can pull them off until that time, but it has released the Elders on five occasions."

"When?" I asked.

"This tree once stood in the gardens of my old castle, the one you restored," she explained. "The first time it released apples, my sister and I were walking underneath it and playing. The second was when Cadance and I visited the tree before her ascension. The third time, I was with Sunset Shimmer about a year before she changed and abandoned her studies. The fourth time was when Twilight was reading underneath that tree. And the fifth…was when it happened to you."

"So…is there any special significance to that?" I asked, feeling myself tensing up. Something told me what she was about to say wasn't going to be something I liked.

"Anytime that apples fall in that state, it means…that the Pony, or person in your case, who caused the apples to fall has within them the potential…to rule Equestria."

The two of us sat there in silence for a bit as that little nugget sunk in. The silence was broken by my own exclamation. "What…WHAT THE FUCK!?" Celestia winced at my choice of words but wisely said nothing as I stood and looked at her with complete incredulity. "Me. Rule Equestria?! Are you insane?!"

"Jethro, please," she said calmly, "I merely said you have the potential to rule. And from what I've seen, you exemplify many qualities of a ruler already. The incident with the Ursa Minor showed that you don't want to use violence unless it's a last resort."

I leaned down towards her. "I got lucky," I said in frustration. "Athena gave me the capacity to know many Equestrian languages. If I hadn't heard that Ursa Minor calling for his mom, I'm not sure what I could have done."

She held up a hoof, silencing me. "Your reluctance to kill without proper cause was clearly shown back in the Empire," she continued. "The fact that you stood up to me about my decision about Twilight shows how deeply you care for not only your friends, but also the citizens of our nation."

"Celestia-"

"Please, let me finish," she said. I closed my mouth as she continued. "Even when we first met, you were open enough to share the story of this Pony show depicting another version of us. You could easily have kept this from all of us, but you didn't. You put your life on the line to try and save Rarity when she fell. You opened your home to Scarlet Dusk. You aren't treating Gemini like a slave and instead more like a worker. Then there is the fact that Obsidian Star felt you were worthy enough to grant you the remainder of her power before her…final death. All of this tells me that the tree isn't wrong in its judgement."

"I'm nowhere near perfect," I said when she finished. "Trust me, I don't think I'm worthy."

She pointed at me with a wing gently. "Humility. Another good sign of a ruler."

I collapsed next to her, leaning against the stone wall surrounding my property. "This is a bit much to take in all at once…" I admitted.

A wing slipped behind me and pulled me closer to its source. Looking up, I saw Celestia smiling warmly and apologetically down at me. "I didn't mean to make you upset, I truly didn't," she said.

Her warm presence is enough to cause me to relax ever so slightly. "I know…it's just a lot to process."

She reached out and booped my nose slightly with her hoof. "Now we're even," she smirked.

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile formed on my lips. "You'd better be okay with me talking about this to Zecora. I can't hide anything from that mare. And I'm sure Scarlet will pry it out of me somehow, too."

"Of course, my friend," she said softly.

"This is still a bit much for me," I sighed. "I mean, royalty potential?"

"Luna and I went through the same thing when we were told by Starswirl," Celestia said. "We were scared stiff." A look of realization passed over her face. "I'd nearly forgotten about that…how terrified we were at the prospect of leading a country. Poor Luna had a few panic attacks and I had one or two myself."

"Now imagine Twilight's reaction," I said softly but firmly. "I know in the show she seemed apprehensive and even scared. She might come to accept her role as a princess in this timeline, but I honestly think you should tell her about your hopes for her. Just know that whatever decision you reach, I'll respect it. I might not have to agree with it, but I will abide by whatever you decide."

Celestia looked at the ground. Digging at the grass with her hoof, she looked deep in thought. I could almost feel the indecision radiating from her. I watched and waited, reaching out with my magic to pluck a large blade of applegrass from a nearby tuft. I chewed on it as Celestia thought. After a while, the air of indecision stopped, and she stood, a determined look plastered on her lovely face. "I've made my decision."

I stood and put a hand on her withers. "Then, are you ready to go back?"

She nodded and walked towards the house. Whatever decision she made, I was sure the history of the show I knew would be changed irreversibly…if it hadn't already been.

Honestly, all I wanted from today was some advice from Celestia about what I could do with Gemini and Mica. Hell, all she could do was send me a letter with her thoughts, and I'd have been content.

I wasn't planning to be the third person in a room, watching a clearly panicking Unicorn digesting Celestia's future hopes and plans for her.

"Princess?! You want me to become a Princess?!"

Celestia, Twilight and I were sitting in my original home's living room, the former two sitting on the couch while I sat on my recliner. Celestia had requested I be there while she explained to Twilight what she was hoping for. I suppose she felt I could be some kind of mediator or something to that effect.

"H-How can I be a Princess?!" Twilight asked again, starting to panic and hyperventilate even more. "I-Is there a book on how to be one? Will I need to study things like ancient laws and-"

"Twilight," Celestia said softly, making the Unicorn shut up immediately, "Take a deep breath, and I will explain."

Twilight bit her lower lip, but did as she was told. "A-Alright," she said. As Celestia repeated her reasoning to Twilight, the young mare's mane began to reassert its normal form. When Celestia finished, Twilight was nodding. "I…I see."

"Twilight, you are still my most faithful student, nothing will ever change that," Celestia said lovingly. "You have amazing potential to make great changes to Equestria. I admit, it was wrong of me to hide the truth from you. Jethro and Luna both helped me to see that. I will not force this on you, but please at least think about it? If you need to, talk about this with your friends, but only them. If word of this gets out, it might spell trouble."

"I…well…could you give me a minute to process this?" she asked.

"Take as much time as you need," Celestia said.

Twilight then turned to me. "Jethro, can I borrow your bedroom for a bit? I need to be alone for a while to think."

"Be my guest," I said, gesturing to the small hallway.

Twilight stood and trotted slowly to my room, closing the door. I heard some type of magic being cast, then silence.

Celestia and I sat in silence for a while, watching my closed bedroom door. Finally, I slowly stood and sat next to Celestia. She turned to me, slight worry in those ancient but gorgeous dark purple eyes of hers. "Having second thoughts?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "I've had this plan in motion for many years, ever since Twilight hatched Spike. But…in only four days, you've managed to convince me to alter, if not full on destroy those plans. I've been sure of so many of my decisions in my life, but this? It's terrifying."

"I feel like that's because you've had to play the part of princess for so long that perhaps you've grown surer of your own decisions," I reasoned. "Did you ever have anyone question your rule over the past thousand years?"

"No, never," she said. "I do delegate some decisions, but important ones I've always made alone."

"Then here comes a human who drinks and knows things," I said. "Someone who also questions your plans. Something that has never happened before, has it?"

"Certainly, some of the wealthier members of Canterlot society have questioned some of my rulings, but not to the extent that you have," Celestia said. "That's another reason why I wanted Twilight as a princess, as a second head in case I lost Luna forever…although even if I hadn't, her lack of knowledge of the events of the past thousand years wouldn't have swayed my decision to lead Twilight to her destiny."

"I think the problem there is that she thinks as highly of you as the others around you," I said. "There's always a risk that she'll go through hoops to make your decisions fit to her view of her, even if initially she thinks you're wrong."

"Whereas you don't," she said with a half smirk.

"Many humans have a problem with authority," I explained. "Monarchy is less common back on Earth now. My home country was formed because of a revolution against a corrupt monarchy which had land all over our planet at one point."

"So Twilight told me in one of her many lengthy reports about your species," Celestia giggled.

"That mare can really go overboard," I smirked.

"She means well," Celestia said.

"I know," I replied. "Her intelligence isn't in question here."

Celestia sighed and looked around my small living room for a while. "I hope I made the right choice, here."

"Here, why don't we watch a little something to pass the time," I said. "I have just the thing that I think you'd find funny. But whatever you do, don't actually do this, please?"

Celestia watched as I opened YouTube on my smart TV and searched for the MLP fan song Who Knows which I'd discovered a couple days ago. When the animated Celestia sang about the night lasting forever and Luna shouting how it wasn't funny, the real Celestia's mood brightened and she laughed. When the video ended, one of the recommended videos was one titled Celestia is best princess. "What is that one about?" she asked.

"No idea. Let's watch and see," I said, selecting it. Turned out, it was an extremely well-done fan animation from 2016. We watched a couple more fan animations, one named Best princesses ever and the other named It's hard to be a princess [Animation].

After the last one, Celestia sighed. "That's pretty much how my day goes. Well, a close approximation." She looked at the recommendations again, then gasped. "The Fall of Sunset Shimmer: Animated Film?"

"My Little Pony has a major fandom on Earth," I said. "Did…you want to watch it?"

She hesitated, but then sighed. "It's just an interpretation," she said. "Sure."

The two of us watched in somber silence. I was thoroughly impressed with both the animation and story. Celestia watched as well, emotionless as the brief story unfolded. However, at the point where the animated Sunset Shimmer called Celestia a hypocrite, that's when I saw a tear fall. I almost stopped the video, but she shook her head. When the video finished, I scooted closer to the ancient Alicorn. "Celestia?" I asked, concerned for her.

She put both hooves to her face and began to softly weep. Acting fast, I put both wings and arms around her. "I…it might as well have happened that way…I lost a precious student and a mare I thought of as a daughter…" She hiccupped.

I hated seeing Celestia this way. It just didn't seem like her at all. Then again, she might need this. "Let it all out," I whispered softly, stroking her mane.

The two of us remained like that for a while as the princess quietly sobbed into my chest, which was hard considering her horn was in the way, but she needed this. After a while, she broke away, telekinetically grabbing a Kleenex and dabbing at her eyes and blowing her nose before tossing the tissue. "Thank you," she said.

"Someday I'm sure you'll see her again," I said. "You two can reconcile then."

"We can discuss that at a later date," she said, smiling up at me. "I feel as if Twilight is about to come back."

"Speaking of her and her friends," I said, "how much am I allowed to tell them about the events of the show?"

"I would caution you to use discretion, but I leave the details of what you share up to you," Celestia said. "I've already begun taking steps to ensure some of the events that you saw are averted. I've taken the statue of Eris out of the garden and placed it under heavy guard."

"Let's hope that was enough," I said. "She looks much more intimidating and dangerous than the Discord from the show."

Just then my bedroom door opened and a quiet looking Twilight Sparkle walked out. I stepped away from the alabaster Alicorn and sat next to her once more. Twilight looked tired as she approached us. The room was silent as she stood in front of Celestia. "Princess…can I ask you something?" she asked after a full minute of silence and false starts.

"Of course," Celestia said. Her smile was gentle and motherly, without a hint of the sorrow she had expressed in front of me before.

"Are…are you absolutely sure I have what it takes to become a Princess?" she asked timidly.

"Absolutely," Celestia replied. "You might not be ready now, but you have extreme potential. Not just anypony can wield the Elements of Harmony."

"I…I see," she said. "I'm sorry, Princess," she began, and I saw Celestia's ears twitch, "but can I have some more time to think about it? I want to talk to my friends more about it…I'm just so confused right now."

"Take the time you need, Twilight," she said.

To my surprise, Twilight turned to me. Approaching, she stood on her hind legs, put her front legs on my shoulders and looked me square in the eye. "Could you be there when I talk to them?" she asked, nearly pleading. The poor mare was trembling.

"Of course, Twi," I said kindly.

Celestia walked over, putting a hoof on Twilight's back. The younger mare turned, and put one hoof around her mentor. "No matter what you decide," Celestia said, "I'll respect it, as I should have done." She gave me a glance before hugging Twilight back.

"Twilight, why don't you head back home for the day?" I suggested. "You look completely wiped out."

She nodded slowly and looked up at Celestia. "I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you right now…"

"Don't be," Celestia said. "This is a big decision." Twilight nodded slowly. "Besides," Celestia added, giving me a glance, "you're not the only one who has that to think about."

Twilight whirled on me, eyes wide. "She asked you too…?"

"When we gather our friends together to talk about it, I'll explain," I promised, stroking her mane. "For now, you should go back home and rest."

"I guess so…but you'd better answer all my questions tomorrow."

"Of course you want it to be then," I said. "Come on, let's go back to the other house."

Celestia and I helped Twilight back to the house, where we informed the others that she needed to go back home and rest for the day. She asked all of the Elements to stop by the Library at nine in the morning the following day.

The other Elements of Harmony volunteered to take her home, which they did. This left Celestia alone with me, Zecora, Scarlet, Gemini and Mica, the latter two having rejoined us as the Elements were leaving. Celestia had informed the two Lycans that Mica would be granted asylum in Equestria if he so asked for it, and that the mayor of Ponyville was capable of helping with the necessary paperwork and arrangements. A quieter and less angry Gemini replied that they'd consider it before Mica could say anything.

With that, Celestia left, but not before giving me a cryptic look and saying, "Think about what I said, alright?"

I nodded as she left. Zecora looked curiously at me, but I merely said, "Later," as I returned my focus to the two Lycans. "Gemini, take the rest of the day off. Spend time with your brother, since he is going to be working here alongside you as another employee starting tomorrow. Tell him all the benefits you have, since he will share them with you."

Gemini only nodded as she stood. Mica followed his sister up to the second floor. When a door closed and locked, the two mares rushed over to me as I collapsed back into the couch. "Never seen you look so exhausted before, and I was there when you crashed twenty times in twenty minutes with Rainbow Dash," Scarlet said.

"My love, something troubles you, I can tell," Zecora said, jumping up onto the couch and placing her front legs on my lap.

Scarlet jumped up as well but just sat in her ponyloaf form next to me. "She's right," the Pegasus said with an unusually serious tone for her. "You can tell us, you know."

"Well…you have to swear by all you hold dear, or even by Celestia herself, that what I'm about to say to you will not leave this room," I said after a few indecisive seconds.

"I swear it," Zecora said, moving up to nuzzle my face affectionately.

"Nopony's gonna get me to spill the beans," Scarlet said, raising one of her hooves to her forehead in a humanlike salute.

Slowly, carefully, I recounted my conversation with Celestia, specifically the instance where she'd informed me of my royalty potential. They sat spellbound as I talked, and when I finished, Zecora once more nuzzled my face, only this time with the added bonus of a tender and loving kiss. To my surprise, Scarlet reached over with a hoof, placing it on my thigh. As Zecora lay her head on my chest, Scarlet was the first to speak. "I don't envy you on this decision. I mean, shit, I don't even know where to begin helping you."

"The thought is enough," I said gratefully, reaching over and stroking her mane. She leaned into my hand.

"I think I will sleep with you tonight," Zecora said. "You need it. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't even know where to start," I admitted. "My first instinct is telling me hell no. There's no way I'd make a good leader, prince, whatever I would be called if I accepted, but there's a small part of me that's whispering, 'Imagine all the good you could do in that position'. I mean, I have access to my world's history, technology, philosophy, and more. I could start to improve the lives of the Equestrians. Not just Ponies, too." I paused, and a frown creased my brow. "But…what if I bring something that clashes with how Ponies think? I admit I have only a cursory view of Equestrian history, but the Ponies don't have wars often. Humans do."

A pair of hooves wrapped themselves around my neck. I was staring into Zecora's gorgeous dark blue eyes. I couldn't help myself. I reached up and stroked her mane as she leaned closer. "Jethro," her voice was soft and made my heart skip a beat. "You are my best friend and my coltfriend. I love you and I trust you. I know that whatever decision you make will be the one that's best for you."

Well, maybe, I thought, but will it be the best for Equestria…?

So yeah...that happened. That's all I have to say on the matter.