>You adjust your tie again the mirror, the train’s motion not exactly aiding your endeavor.
>No armor to protect you this time, just a fresh spiffy suit designed by P0nyville’s finest designer.
>Surprisingly enough when you asked her about the suit she didn’t bat an eye.
>It certainly struck you as odd giving her efforts to swoon you into her abode.
>She took some more accurate measurements without a hint of seduction.
>You remember checking your belly to see if you’d gained some flab, but that wasn’t it.
>Rarity gave a sincere smile when you finally slipped into her clothing.
>She said you were quite the catch, a man for any mare.
>You couldn’t help but blush at the comment.
>For once she wasn’t giving the googly eyes and it honestly felt like she was a friend.
>Odd really, but welcoming nonetheless.
 
>You finished freshening up and leave the train lavatory, the rest of the mane 6 gitty about the night ahead of them.
>You’re not sure what it is with girls and balls.
>Of course Twilight would correct you and call it a Gala, but they’re close enough in your opinion.
>Each of them got dressed up for the occasion, once again thanks to Rarity, even Dash spruced up.
>This isn’t their first gala as they tell it, the first one ending frightfully.
>Something about an animal stampede or some such thing.
>You try not to get bogged down with the details.
>What you did know was that this time, they were going to have fun.
>And that meant staying together.
>A noble goal, one that you’ll let them accomplish.
 
>The train docks in Canterlot’s train station, the group piling out each chatting frantically with one another.
>The streets of the city were bustling with activity, an oddity considering the time of day, or night.
>You squeezed amongst them like a sore thumb, the absence of your suit of armor amongst them placing an uncomfortable feeling of vulnerability upon you.
>In truth there was nothing to fear.
>There were no Covenant patrols passing by.
>The war was nothing but a faint and distant memory in retrospect.
>Here you could relax and be amongst friends.
>Crimson Team is off on another mission right now and what’re you doing?
>You’re prepared to go to a party with a special mare and your friends.
>Between the former and that latter?
>Yeah, you’ll pick the latter.
 
>Twilight hands off the tickets to the stallion at the gate allowing you to step inside the castle grounds.
>Trumpets sound off as you approach the entrance hall.
>The room expands outwards with the p0ny elite gossiping amongst one another.
>You tug at your neck nervously.
>”Jus’ relax. It ain’t the end of the world.”
>Even Applejack’s comfortable amongst the elite.
>You’re not sure why you’re acting like this though.
>You never took this kind of stuff seriously before.
>Oh look the Princess. Somep0ny around here you actually know.
>The mane 6 chat her up before moving off further away giving you a chance to talk.
“Good evening Celestia.”
>”Ahh, Anon. Pleasant to see you out and about. No armor I see, must be quite the change.
“Fitting the suit around it was a bit more of a burden than I could take.”
>She nods, “The look suits you.”
 
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
>”You do realize you’re talking to the princess?”
“A princess that I happen to know.”
>She nods in agreement, “A correct assumption.”
>She greets another pair of p0nies into the party before turning back to you.
>”Shouldn’t you be off with your friends?”
“I should, but it’s just- Hell, I don’t know. They seem kinda, off I guess.”
>”How so?”
“Well, like Rarity. She’s always trying to grab my attention and suddenly turns a new leaf? Or Twilight, I haven’t felt her watching me for a good while now.”
>Celestia seems to understand where you’re coming from.
>”Do you know why my star pupil is off in P0nyville in the first place?”
>Odd question. One that you don’t know the answer to.
“I can’t say that I do.”
>”Come with me,” she says, Luna descending the stairs to take her place.
 
>She leads you to her royal chambers and asks if you’d like anything to drink.
>Water sounds good right now and it’s too early to get drunk off what you know is going to be spiked punch.
>You take a sip and thank her, the princess graciously moving off to her drawers near her bed.
“So, why is she in P0nyville?”
>”Twilight, as dear as she is, had a small problem when she lived here in Canterlot. She allowed all of her time to be consumed with her studies.”
“I don’t see how that’s a bad thing. In fact, that’s what I should’ve done.”
>”The issue with it was how she became a recluse, distancing herself from everyp0ny to focus on her studies.”
“Didn’t she have Spike?”
>”Yes, but as an assistant. He was little more than that back then, so I sent her to P0nyville.”
>Alright now you’re starting to remember the story. Nightmare Moon and such.
“I’ve heard this part, but I still don’t understand why it’s important.”
>She levitates a bushel of scrolls, “Good things come to those who wait.”
 
>”After Nightmare Moon’s defeat all was right again and it was time for Twilight to come home. However, she didn’t.”
“Come again?”
>”The friends she made in P0nyville had made her learn a valuable lesson about friendship. I couldn’t have been prouder.”
“So she stayed. And…?”
>”I wished for her to continue her studies and send me a report on her findings. Namely, her reports on the magic of friendship.”
>You want to just yell out how gay that sounds but you stay your tongue.
“Once again, how does this relate to me?”
>She unravels a scroll and prepares to read before meeting your eyes, “Would you like to hear what she said?”
“Do I have a choice?”
>”Yes.”
>You were expecting a no to be honest.
“Go ahead.”
 
>”Dear Princess Celestia, Over the past few months I’ve learned a valuable lesson about friendship. You can’t force anyp0ny to open themselves up to you, no matter what your reasons may be. I’ve learned this the hard way with a new arrival in P0nyville. From now on, I’ll be standing at his side, not taking notes behind his back. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”
“She wrote that?”
>Celestia nods, “Twilight’s always been a curious one, persistent as well, but she isn’t going to push away a friend because of it.”
“So that’s why she hasn’t been pestering me.”
>”A good friend will wait for you to open up, not the other way around.”
>You smile and laugh quietly as you think back to all her shenanigans.
>”What is so humorous?”
“Nothing, I’m just thinking I might miss her crazy schemes.”
>”Pinkie can fill that in.”
>Oh she can.
 
>She hands you the letter so you can read it for yourself before drawing up another.
“There’s more?”
>”Yes, Twilight isn’t the only one who writes these you know.”
“Who’s that one from.”
>”Patience…” she hums and holds up the letter.
>”Dear Princess Celestia, I learned that a good friend should think of others before themselves. I’ve been selfish, unladylike in trying to woo a certain somep0ny, and I didn’t think to understand why he refused my affections. Thanks to a friend of mine, I know that even though I want something, it doesn’t mean I should take it from away from somep0ny. Rarity…”
“And just when I thought I wouldn’t have to slit Twilight’s throat.”
>Celestia looks at you with concern.
“Kidding.”
>She loosens up, “Rarity… She knows how you feel about a certain somep0ny who shall remain nameless.”
>You look down as you think of her.
 
>”I believe this is why she stopped attempting to, what’s the term she used? Woo?”
>You nod, finally understanding why they’ve been acting so different.
>”These are not the only reports she sent you know. There are a dozen others much like these.”
>Dozens. You never thought of yourself as the best of friends.
“Maybe I should’ve been a teacher with all these lessons huh?”
>You stand up and walk over to the window and watch the fireworks go off, the Wonderbolts flying off in celebration.
>”This makes me curious Anon. The others have all learned something about friendship by meeting you. What have you learned?”
>The dazzling show captures your eyes, but not your mind.
“I learned to forget the past. I learned it’s best to go along for the ride.”
>She immediately senses the fragility of your answers, “What have you learned about friendship?”
“Friendship?”
>You spot Applejack down below by the balcony watching the fireworks, alone.
>What did she teach you?
 
“I learned that to be a friend you have to let others into your life. A friend will be there for you even through your mistakes. She’ll give you a hoof when you’ve fallen and a bed when you’re weak. She helped me because she saw that beneath the armor, beneath the flesh… I was just another p0ny. I only asked for forgiveness, but she gave me much more.”
>”Are you talking about friendship or are you talking about her?”
“Applejack’s been a true friend, far better than I. Even through all the bumps and even the rocky start, she was there. She was always there. Celestia…”
>You turn to look at her, “Yes?”
“Can we finish this later? There’s something I need to do.”
>She stands up and walks to the window. She understands almost immediately.
>”Please do, Mr. Anon.”
“Thank you Princess.”
>”And Anon?” she stops you at the door with a smile, “Its Celestia.”
“Yes ma’am.”
 
>You hurry down through the now crowded party, the p0nies slightly tipsy.
>How did you know it was spiked? Because you always know.
>You glide over to the balcony, Applejack still standing there by herself.
>Say what comes to mind.
>Striding over to her you lean against the rails.
“Applejack.”
>She turns to you, her braided air falling to her side.
>The sight of her takes your breath away.
>”Anon.”
>Your mind blanks out leaving you standing there like a fool.
>Shit, come on brain work! Don’t fail me.
>”Ya alright?”
>Screw it, go for broke.
>You lean down and press your lips against hers.
>No going back now.
 
>Finally your mind restores functionality and realizes what you just did.
>You pull back. You blew it, all of it. You fucked up.
“Aww shoot!”
>You grip the railing as she stands there stunned by your advance.
>Always with this shit. Decision after decision!
“I’m sorry Applejack. I- fucking… For the past few months since I arrived I just- I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pressed this onto you. I screwed up again.”
>You’re a god damn human saboteur.
>She places a hoof on your arm and turns you to look at her, the green of her eyes mesmerizing.
>”If you do feel that way. Say it.”
>You swallow hard.
“I love you Applejack.”
>She smiles and gives you a peck on the lips, “I love ya too Anon.”
 
>You’re so happy you could turn to stone.
>You smile and bear hug the mare, crying tears of joy into her mane.
>”Whoa Anon. Put me down!”
“Sorry.”
>She pats herself off, “Don’t want Rarity killing ya for ruining her dress.”
“Applejack, you have no idea how happy this makes me, how happy you make me. Ever since-“
>She silences you with another kiss, your body like silly putty in her hooves.
>Breaking the kiss she leans up against you and watches the show.
>”Can’t believe it took ya this long to figure it out.”
“This long? How far back-“
>”Shhh, don’t ruin the moment.”
>You rock back and forth with her, the last piece coming together.
“I wouldn’t for the world.”
>Today was the first day of your new life.
>And you were happy.
 
 
>You enter the room, the attendant turning to you.
“Any change?”
>”Every time you come in here asking the same question and every time I give you the same answer.”
“So no change?”
>”None that I can see. It’s a lost cause you know.”
>He’s many things, weak isn’t one of them.
>It’s been months though… maybe…
>No. You’re not leaving him behind, not when you caused this.
>You inform the attendant you’re going in, walking into the chamber.
>No wonder he’s not getting better. How can anyone be trapped inside a room like this and be expected to recover?
>It’s too white and plushy, small too.
>You’ve seen prisons more accommodating.
 
>He’s sitting in the corner of the room, slumped down, the jacket binding his arms together.
“Hey. It’s been a while huh?”
>He doesn’t respond to you.
>All he does is rock side to side, a dopey grin on his face.
>It’s strange to see him like this.
“I don’t know if you can hear me in there, but you get better. Alright? That’s an order.”
>His head rolls back to look at the ceiling, pathetic sight.
>You kneel next to him. You had to piss him off.
“I’m sorry alright. Happy now? I shouldn’t have brought them up. It was… Damn…”
>You push up on your knees and give him one last look.
>”How’s he doing?” Commander Palmer asks over the comm.
“No change…”
>”It’s not your fault. He lost control and now he’s facing the consequences.”
>You lay your head against the door to the cell.
>”Suit up Lance, Crimson doesn’t stop because of him.”
>You sigh and make your way to the armory.
“Yes ma’am.”