A/N: Still mostly-positive reviews ^-^

I'd like to apologize to Reviewer, koryanders, because I just glanced through my reply to their question, and their newest review, and realize that I sounded kinda rude and snappish. SO, I apologize ^-^

R&R!

Scarred Hearts

Chapter Two:

Lost Anonymity

Harry sighed softly as he absently accepted a customer's bits and handed them their potion. Since the whole Nightmare Moon Incident, word that he was actually an Alicorn, and, apparently, a soldier had spread like wildfire through Ponyville. While the resulting customers and rising amount of profit pleased him, it irked him that the cause wasn't because of his Café, but him.

It's that damnable Boy-Who-Lived thing all over again!

…Well, at least all the foals just thought he was cool because of his soldier status…

"Wow, you're sure busy today, Mister Black!" Pinkie Pie's voice declared cheerfully; Harry smiled faintly at the pink Mare.

"Indeed I am, Miss Pie," he murmured, handing a studious-looking Stallion a cup of Clari-Tea, and putting the responding bits into the cash register. Pinkie Pie, beaming, dropped a large white box on the counter, and began to bounce happily.

"The Cakes told me to bring you this!" She chirped; Harry peeked into the box and smiled, flipping it open to expose the delicate, coffee-flavored cupcakes inside, which he neatly slid into an open space under the counter and, with a flare of his horn, placed a card that named the flavor of the cupcakes and that they were two bits a piece if bought with tea or potion, but four bits by themselves. He was a business-pony, after all.

"Oh, and Rarity told me to tell you that she had told me to tell you to come to her shop so she can get you ready for your coronation party thingy!" Pinkie Pie chattered, beaming at him; Harry smiled faintly, amused, before nodding.

"I appreciate you telling me for Miss Rarity, Miss Pie," he thanked her; she beamed even brighter and chirped a 'see ya, Mister Black!' before bouncing out of his café, leaving Harry to shake his head in fond amusement before he turned to his customers.

"Everyone, the Starlight Café will be closing early today," he informed them all calmly. "I sincerely thank you for your patronage, and look forward to seeing some of you come back tomorrow. If any of your would like to purchase some tea or potions, or any of these coffee-flavored cupcakes from the Sugarcube Corner, please don't hesitate to pre-order some. There are sheets in the basket at the end of the counter," he informed them all, gesturing. "Simply fill those out at your leisure and drop them in my mail-slot. I'll have your order delivered wherever you wish. Thank you." As the ponies finished their drinks, several buying tea packets and potions, Harry restocked his order forms, and locked up when the last one left.

After he cleaned the Café, he calmly made his way towards the Carousel Boutique, and knocked on the door. Pinkie Pie's white Unicorn friend immediately opened it, beaming up at him and bowing, eyes bright with hungry determination. She was dressed to impress, definitely, with a beautiful gown and just enough make-up to make her look her prettiest without being tacky.

"It is a pleasure to make you acquaintance, Your Highness," she announced, curtsying primly. "At least, officially, of course. I am Rarity, and it is an honor to be making your coronation outfit this evening." Harry smiled slightly.

"Miss Rarity," he murmured in reply, and swept into a graceful bow, his game-foreleg curled up and pressed over his heart in a show of respect and gallantry. "It is a pleasure to officially meet you as well, and, if it is not too bold of me, may I say that you look absolutely stunning this evening." Gently, he took her stunned hoof in his and kissed it, and smiled at her. "And, please, call me Orion, or Mister Black, if that seems too… Personal, for you, Miss Rarity."

He could do Prince Charming, if that's whom she wanted to deal with.

"Oh my," she breathed, and flushed rather prettily. "Yes, well," she cleared her throat as they both straightened. "Please, do come in… Orion," she smiled, and Harry gestured her in first before following the Unicorn inside. As soon as the door had closed, Rarity seemed to pull herself from her daze, and settle into her element, pardon the pun. "I just have the most marvelous idea for your outfit," she informed him, smiling brightly as her horn glowed, levitating some swaths of cloth, a measuring tape, and other sewing supplies. "Please, sir, just stand there and allow me to work my magic," she winked, and Harry chuckled, genuinely amused by this Unicorn. "Please remove your cloak, and we can get started."

"Ah," Harry said, and hesitated, before bowing his head down a bit towards the Seamstress, expression serious. "Miss Rarity, I am sure you are no doubt aware of my status as a soldier, as well as an Alicorn?" Blinking, the Unicorn nodded. "The profession has led many, ah… Unseemly scars, you see…" Realization widened the Unicorn's eyes, before they softened and warmed, and her lips curled into a smile that was so gentle, that Harry felt a light pang in his chest.

"Well, we'll just have to make sure you look twice as fabulous, now, won't we, Orion?" She asked with an edge of playful mischievousness glinting in her eyes; Harry grinned, sudden and bright and gave a low laugh, straightening.

"I leave that in your very capable hooves, My Fair Mare," he informed her; she beamed and then gave him a stern look, still smiling.

"Now, off with the cloak!" She ordered; Harry gave her a bow, and, with a glow of his horn, levitated his cloak off to the side, over one of the many pony-shaped mannequins. He stood calm and tall, and smiled faintly at the wide-eyed look on Rarity's face. She slowly lifted a hoof and touched one of the more impressive scars on his chest and Harry inclined his head.

"Battle leaves its mark, both physical and not," he informed her gently; she blinked away sudden tears, and sniffled once, before dropping her hoof and straightening, giving him a surprisingly strong smile.

"Let's get moving, then, shall we?" She demanded, and got to work as Harry remained completely still, while cloth and needle and pattern danced around him.

The end result was… Fantastic.

Harry found himself dressed in a military uniform. The jacket was a dark green, with silver buttons. The high collar and hems were silver, and, on the breast, was his cutie mark in neat stitches within a silver circle, with the words "Fortitudo et Fides" sewn in black against the silver. Harry felt his lips twitch faintly as Rarity attached his custom cloak to its proper place on his shoulders, were silver clips in the shapes of talons hooked over his shoulders dramatically.

"Courage and Faith," he translated, and Rarity winked at him as she fussed with the way the clothing sat for a few moments, before there was a knock at the door, and Twilight Sparkle poked her head through, and visibly brightened as she spotted Harry.

"Oh good, you're still here!" She exclaimed, relieved, and stepped fully into the room, smiling. "The carriage is here to take us to Canterlot, Your Highness," she informed him; Harry inclined his head and straightened, turning to Rarity. With a smile, he bowed to her, his bad leg curled tight, hoof to his chest.

"You have truly out-done yourself, My Fair Mare, and I am sure I will be the most dashingly dressed Stallion there." Rarity flushed slightly, but beamed up at Harry with happy eyes.

"I expect nothing less, Orion," she told him confidently; Harry smiled, and turned, following the young, lavender Unicorn from the room and towards the awaiting chariot, where he paused to salute the Guards, who had been waiting with salutes raised.

"At ease," he ordered, voice firm and steady; They obeyed, but remained standing straight and tall. Harry inclined his head and stepped up onto the chariot with Twilight, who was bouncing slightly with Spike at her side, obviously happy to get the chance to see her Mentor again. As they lifted into the air, Harry sighed softly to himself, and closed his eye behind his goggles.

He would miss being just "Mr. Black" when this was all said and done.

A/N: Here you guys go, I know it's short, but I'm struggling with chapters for various fics, so (Shrugs) Enjoy!

Also, can y'all check this link out, and tell me what you think of it? I'm considering making it into an actual story, but idk…

wizardsgirl25 . tumblr post / 113173547388 / so

Thanks for Reading!