//------------------------------//
// Three Days 
// Story: Hit the Ground Running 
// by Flash_Game 
//------------------------------//

==[POV - Noctis]==

"Promise me you'll be careful, ok?" I grabbed his hands, "Please"

"Of course I will be," Luis kissed my cheek and gave me a tight hug, "I love you"

"Hey Luis, we're losing sunlight!" Lightning yelled from the other side of the car

Luis turned to him, "I'm going!" he said, then turned to me, "I'll be back before you know it," He surprised me with a deep kiss that let me blushing. He walked to the car, got stopped by Nimble who said his goodbyes and happily ran off with Scootaloo to school, he got in it and drove off

I couldn't help but just stand there, happy yet worried, "Please do..." I whispered to myself. I steeled myself, He can take on a full beam from the Princesses, I smiled

"Don't worry, he can handle himself," Blueblood said as he walked up to me

"I know he can, but I don't kn- nevermind, it's fine, it's going to be fine," Blueblood place his hand on my shoulder and nodded, "Anyway, we've a busy day"

He retracted his hand, "True, I'll be with Cheerilee if you need me. It's politics today at the school," he said cheerfully

"And I've got groceries"



"Noctis? Is that you?" I turned around and spotted Twilight behind me, "It is you!" She grabbed a bunch of apples and loaded them in her cart, "Doing groceries too?" I nodded, "Could I pick your brain about Prince Luis's diet some more? Seems fitting. Considering..."

I looked down at my own cart and looked at the chicken in it, "You already know he eats more protein than even the biggest guards"

"I know, but I still don't know how much is enough. He won't let me run any tests," Twi crossed her arms and pouted a little

"Not a lot of ponies like being test subjects"

"I know, I know, but he was so happy to answer questions before, but they can only get us so far in research"

"And I doubt I wouldn't just be repeating what you already know"

"I guess," she said a little deflated, but then perked up, "Can I ask you about his mating habits?"

I almost choked on air, while also getting notably warmer around my face, "Twi, you know you're a great friend, and I love you for it, but not only is this NOT the time or place, but that is also a very personal question," I took a deep breath trying to calm down

"But I read in a book that stuff like that is just 'girl talk'," She took on a pensive stance, "Unless *gasp* Are we not good enough friends?"

I placed my hands on her shoulders and shook her a little, "Look, we are friends, great friends, but your book should also mention that not everypony is okay with talking about everything," I sighed, "This is just something I don't like discussing outside the relationship, okay?"

"I see..." Twi then took out a book and skipped to a specific page, she started blushing almost immediately, "Oh... Oh! Oh my... I am very sorry. I have to go"

I watched as she bolted to the cashier and out the store, "That pony needs to get her nose out of her books and into real life more often as well as actually finishing her chapters," I said to no pony in particular as I returned to shopping



Day 2
"Love you mom" Nimble said as he rushed into the schoolhouse

"Love you more!" Best decision I made since Luis, I thought to myself

"Boo!"

I turned around and almost choke slammed Rainbow Dash, "For Celestia's sake, stop doing that! You don't overcome years of guard training when startled"

"Hey, I live on the edge," RD said with a cocky smile, "Besides, you didn't touch me this time. It's the little victories that actually show progress"

"Not really, I just expect you more on workdays. Remember yesterday?" I said as we both took flight

She then touched the bandage on her nose, "You caught me off guard, I could've dodged you"

"They had to re-plaster the wall to get rid of your face imprint," I deadpanned out

"Don't remind me, I had to pay out of pocket"

"Now, work. What's the rundown for today?"

"Like always, keep an eye out for stray clouds, we also have a shipment coming in for winter next week, and some rainbow for tomorrow afternoon"

"Rainbow? What for? We don't have any more rain for before winter"

"Don't know, orders came from above and couldn't ask"

"Weird"



Day 3

Nimble had just left to go crusading and I had the house all to myself, so I went to the 2nd basement and into the little gym Luis made for me

As I trained, curiosity got the better of me about the workbenches and research table he had set up. Walking up and sown the isles he made, I took notice of how similar yet so different each table looked, some had what I could only assume to be electrical versions of drills and hammers, while others had rods that didn't make sense and monitors. I guess those are the automated ones

As I walked past one with monitors, it turned on. I wonder what it says...

Last researched project

Weapon maintenance and condition

Description:

Allows for easy maintenance of world weapons, but it adds conditions to game weapons

-Increases the maximum damage output, but drops with condition from 80% and under

Components used:

...

That was an interesting read, I thought, I guess he can make his own powers now too, as long as he has the components for them

"That was enough snooping," I said to myself, I'm actually getting a little hungry, so I headed up the stairs

Getting the lettuce out, I started preparing a salad

"NOCTIS!" Blueblood burst into the house panting and wheezing, "It's Luis...!"

I immediately dropped the knife and ran outside with him



==[POV - Blueblood]==
Day 1

"Thank you for the opportunity, miss Cheerilee"

"The pleasure was all mine, prince. The kids loved the class you gave today," she said cheerfully

"I have always enjoyed helping you around the schoolhouse," I felt a little warm around my face, Am I blushing? But she isn't a nob- ... "Enjoy the rest of your day, miss," we waved at each other as I walked away deep in thought

I almost went back to being... *Shudder* That again. But, a teacher? I would've imagined a doctor or a lawyer at worst... But then again, I haven't really thought about my future since before I got an attitude readjustment. Maybe I now just aspire to be like her, kind, knowledgeable, wise, cute- CUTE?! That's not me! I'm regal and- and... *Sigh* It's always a fight with me. Old habits die hard, but my new ones... that I actually enjoy. Helping ponies has really been eye-opening, being part of the common rabble has been liberating. No expectations, and being on their level? It's actually quite fulfilling. I love being this, I love being me, being free. I don't need the tittle, that was just a crutch, an excuse I used to not care to-

"AAAGHH!!!"

I ran to the source of the scream, "Rainbow Dash are you... Okay..?" Noctis was kneeling next to Rainbow Dash, the latter had a bloody nose and seem to be in quite the amount of pain, "What happened here?"

Red looked at me, a little misty eyed, "She startled me, and I panicked. Training kicked in and..." she pointed at the wall

"Is that..?"

"My face? Yeah"

"Miss Noctis?" I asked to get her attention, "I see that you have groceries, let me take care of miss Dash, you head on home"

She nodded, "Thanks, Blueblood. And since you're heading that way, could you pick up Nimble from school?"

I smiled, "It'll be my honour," we waved goodbye at each other as I help miss Dash to her hooves, "How are you feeling?"

She kept her hand on her nose, "Could be worse..." she then used both hands to re-set her nose with an audible crack, "I had worse. But I don't want my nose to end up crooked, let's go"



Day 2
"Off I go on my last delivery"

Mr. and Mrs. Cake waved in unison as the latter said, "Take good care, Spoiled Rich can be very..." the pair looked at each other with dread in their eyes, "Special..."

I believe I know what type of special they meant, "Worry not, I presume I have experience with such personality types," with a wave of my own, I left to the Rich state

I smiled to myself, remembering the frivolous old me that only agreed to help the pastry deliveries as to learn the layout of what I thought to be the third worse place in Equestria, just behind Tartarus and Dodge Junction, Only a foalish individual would think that strategy would help me get out of here sooner, "I can't help but ridicule the dunce I used to be"

"Oh darling"

I turned toward the voice, "Lady Rarity, how may I be of service in this wonderful day?" We both then looked at the package I was carrying, "Mind you, I do have my hands full, unfortunately"

"I hope you don't mind just a talk?" She asked

"It would help pass the time"

"Well darling, if you don't mind me asking, who are you taking that cake to?"

"How did you know it was a cake?"

"I have lived in Ponyville my entire life! Of course I've seen the different colours Mrs Cake love using to organize the deliveries"

I looked down at the box, "All the boxes are the same colour, are they not?"

"Oh pft kh th! Of course a stallion would think they're the same colour," She then pointed at the box, "That's orchid pink, darling, their donut boxes are fairy tale pink, and the miscelaneous pastry boxed are cameo pink"

I just stared at the colour swatches that she took out of nowhere, "Those... are the same..."

She sighed with a bit of amusement, "Stallions," She smiled then pointed to a mansion, "Isn't that your destination, darling?"

I smiled back at her, "Why, yes it is. Time flies when you have a nice a conversation, than you for the pleasant talk. It was very... informative"

"I simply need to go back to my boutique," she said, then fanned herself with her hand, "I might be taking too many orders lately, perhaps a nice handsome stallion could help... but who could be such a chivalrious pony to help a lady in need I wonder?"

I smiled at her not suddle hint, This mare can be so dramatic when asking for help... "I might have some free time in a few days"

"Oh Prince! Thank you so much. Ta-Ta!" She then made her way back into town

"If I didn't know any better, I would think she was interested in courting me," I chuckled



I sighed as I reached the end of the stairs, "I might be losing my touch with wanna-be nobles..."

Dear Aunt... why are some ponies so aggravating?!! I reached into my satchel and took out my scroll

"Aha... Bon Bon... did that to... The cakes... I am indeed done," [...] I stood in front of the Ponyville library, I did not have too much today... Perhaps miss Twilight could help me with getting into my Aunts's good graces again

I reached for the door, but a little Twilight popped in my mind, You should always double and triple check any list, plans, requests... I pinched the breach of my nose, with a little smile on my face, and chuckled, "I have been hanging out with her a little too much"

Double-checking my list, and it's... I looked down at the parchment in my hands. I stopped. I could have sworn the pastries were last on my- it's not even my handwriting! "'Tomorrow hour past midday, go to Everfree entrance, 30 paces, left, poison joke, right, 46 paces' What is that supposed to mean?"

I carefully plan out my routine days in advance... So who wrote this? It's printed, but not a font I recognize... Intriguing

"I guess I should save this for tomo-" The writing wasn't on the page any longer, "-rrow... What in Celestia's name is going on..."

I stared at the parchment in which ever way I could think of, perhaps it was a trick of the light. But no, it did not matter which way I turn or tilted the page, the message would not reappear. Chills ran down my spine, I believe this is called a gut feeling... I don't like the implications



I had to cancel some of my appointments, but this feel too important

The Everfree forest, the most dangerous place in all of Equestria, not only because of the weather, but the monsters. And I'm about to walk into it alone

"And All because a piece of paper told me to," I sighed, "How have I fallen into such madness?"

I proceeded to follow the instructions, as best as my memory serves [...] About time I found the poison joke, it was so far into the forest... I took a quick look around, "Then it's right... right?" I started walking in said direction, 15 steps, 30 steps, 4...5? I place a hand on my chin, Was it 45? Or more steps?

Suddenly, there was an axplosion in the near distance, I hid as best I could

Peaking over my cover, something was smoldering and... moving? I moved to a different position trying to get a better look

Luis, he was leaning on a royal guard hunter unit, who was just as battered and hurt as he was, both were each holding one of the storm brothers. Their steps were unsteady and forced, they were barely holding on to consciousness, both Lightning and Thunder had already lost that battle

I ran up to them, "Luis! Hunter! Are you alright?!"

"Blue...blood... What are you... doing here?" he forced out, I walked in between them to help them walk better, "Thanks..."

"Anytime," I looked at their wounds, "How did these happen? They don't look like they were made by changelings"

"It... wasn't... cahnge... Ughh! *pant* Tarsus... hurt...with Zacora..." he continued to force out every word as he talked

I then looked at the hunter, "What's your name hunter?"

"Silver... Gleam..." She pained out

I glanced back at Luis, "What went wrong?" I asked as we finally reached the edge of the forest. He then got a paniced look in his face. Dropping Thunder, he tried to run but fell immediately, but he didn't let that stop him as he continued trying to crawl as fast as he could, "Luis! LUIS! What's wrong??!!" This is bad... I turned to the hunter, "I'm going to go get help, sorry for being so sudden about it," I then approached Luis, I hope you can forgive me... I thought as quickly used my satchel to immobilize Luis. I turned to miss Gleam, "Please keep an eye out," she nodded

I ran, faster than I ever had before, I told Fluttershy as I passed her as she left her cottage, yelled at the rainbow mane hanging off the branches of a tree to wake her, caught the attention of the cowgirl as I rushed past, alerted the pink menace of the town as I scurried, notified the protegee as I sprinted, just outright shouted at the fashionista to go with the others

I rushed, rushed to the place where this information was needed the most. I didn't even bother with the door knob as I slammed into the door, nearly taking it off the hinges

"NOCTIS!" I yelled, panting and wheezing for as much air as my lung could breath, "It's Luis...!" I heard the telltale sign of a knife hitting the ground when Noctis ran out with me, I don't know what happened, but it's serious... And for the secound time in my life, I had a gut feeling that things were going to get worse