//------------------------------//
// Chapter seven 
// Story: Not the best training 
// by PurpleArtist 
//------------------------------//

Canterlot Castle, Canterlot

Why do I have to hang around with these pricks? Purple thought, I hate the snobs and the rich and the rich snobs of Canterlot and the rest. They're between 9.9 and 10 of the ponies. I hate that scale! I'd rather be in a barracks or bunker at night on chili night which was awful. 

Princess Twilight and Prince Purple were walking down an empty hallway.

"So Purple?" Asked Princess Twilight, "Out of the mane six, who do you think you'll work with as a Guardian?" 

Purple replied, "If it's Pinkie I'll tell her to shut her trap right away, second time it'll be rude and third time then Grilled cheese or Cheese sandwich would be a widow and Lil Cheese would be motherless.  Rainbow Dash I would be the same but to tell her that they're job is to defend Equestria not gossip and chat as if this is a Malt shop. Rarity I'll tell her to get fashion out of her head the fate of Equestria rests on our hooves not this Fall dress fashion. If it's Applejack we'll probably get along not talking a lot and just watching out for Phantasia scouts. Fluttershy we'll be the same as me and AJ. But if AJ nags me on how much she loves her adoptive daughter and wants to baby her. I'll tell her that she has to let go and watch her daughter to live life on her own and not smother her with overprotectiveness." 

"What if you and AJ are paired and she tells you that you don't know what it's like to have a son or daughter to raise?" Asked Princess Twilight.

Purple replied, "I'll tell her that my mom… My adoptive mother knew that day would come that I would leave home and she was afraid to watch me leave the safety of home into an unknown and unforgiving world. But she knew I would always be with her and she'll always be with me. If she was here and she attended this party my adoptive mother would be a matchmaker and she'll try to find one mare in this celebration or party or gala or whatever it is and have the mare to date me, marry me, and have foals here and there. I don't know what's worst me being around ponies I hate or being in a barracks or bunker on chili night at night." 

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Princess Twilight. 

Purple replied, "I hate the rich, I hate the elite and I hate the snobs! It'll be worse if somepony in the party is all three! Also when I was in the military they would have chili night well even with a gas mask while sleeping you can still smell the stench. Doesn't help that some mare soldiers I've talked to said that some mares in the mares barracks are worse than the stallions! When it was chili night I always put a gas mask on before I entered the barracks or bunker so I wouldn't be bothered by other stallions farting and stinking up the place but even with a gas mask… I've thrown up several times on how awful it was! Also if I see my brother or sister then a homicide is going to happen!"

They approached double doors and two Royal Guards opened the door. Purple immediately put his right wing over into his left side of his army service uniform to draw his army service pistol.

"No!" Said Princess Twilight, "Just try to get along and don't shoot somepony!" 

I'm already hating this! Purple thought, Gonna be surrounded by pricks! 

Purple he immediately went over to the bar area.

"What can I get you?" Asked the bartender.

Purple replied, "Whiskey over rye!"

The bartender made Purple's drink and gave it to him. Purple had a few drinks so he did not want to kill every single elite, rich or snob in Canterlot that's in the huge room. Even after five drinks he still had to resist himself from killing them. 

Purple wasn't there for half an hour when he was ready to go home but didn't. Purple went out to the observation deck and looked at the plains of the countryside where farmlands and trees go as far the eyes can see.

After a few minutes passed there was a knock on the wall. He turned around and it was Head Guardian Sapphire. 

"Evening Purple," said Sapphire, "Princess Twilight invited me to the party and at first I thought about refusing to go but I came so I don't have to be alone to stare at the same four walls of my house or office. I'm assuming you came because you're a Prince and have to attend." 

Purple replied, "Evening Ms. Sapphire. Yeah to these parties I have to attend unless I'm in the middle of No Pony's Land. I've been in places that'll make Klugletown look like a five star resort! Of course once when I did visit Klugletown five of its residents asked me if I would sell my horn but I rejected and four tried to saw my horn off but I defended myself and seriously harmed them in self defense. Why are you here besides Princess Twilight invited you?" 

"Don't want to stress myself over this Phantasia guy. I could've stayed home but it's nice to come out every now and again but if I did go home I probably would jump into bed and go to sleep," said Sapphire, "So you've been to places that made Klugletown look like a five star resort? That's… I don't even know how to respond to that." 

Purple replied, "Yeah but I've been in situations that I can't even describe and been into battles that I should've died in… but I don't know how I survived. Should've died in any of them but I didn't I wish I did though." 

Head Guardian Sapphire Rose thought for a minute but she couldn't think of a response that wouldn't have Purple get mad and punch her or snap at her for saying something that'll piss off Purple.

"So Master Shi has been saying you've been doing a lot better before being more happier than being bitter," said Sapphire, "Only if this Phantasia guy can be the same as building a bridge and get over it. But maybe you…" 

Purple interrupted, "No ma'am. I'm not joining Phantasia's army as a spy. Also if I do have family members in his army they'll report me and I'll be thrown out. Also I've been around sexist pricks my entire life. Sorry Head Guardian but I'm not infiltrating a group of ponies who want to rule Equestria with stallions ruling and mares more or less as housewives or servants to stallions. That may work with a majority of my family but that doesn't work with me!" 

"Sorry but I'm your boss and even if you don't want to do it I'll have to make you do your job. If I have to make you do your job then I will," said Sapphire, "What about the other half of your family?" 

Purple replied, "Right around when you were around 2,050 years old half of my family tried to overthrow the Government by trying to assassinate Celestia and Luna. As a result half of my family was banished from Equestria. Twenty two years ago they declared war on Equestria to get back at Equestria for banishing them. Our intelligence was severely wrong about them where our intelligence said that we would win the war in three to five months not eight years! Yeah our intelligence agency and war department computers used punch card tech only using what Equestria has but leave the enemy out. Lost friends in those eight long years! My other friends when I came out of the army my other friends they packed their bags and didn't want to do anything with me." 

"I know how you feel about losing friends Purple," said Sapphire, "When Iost my home centuries ago.  When the Founders of Equestria destroyed the Nintis Empire… My home, my parents and friends were gone. But that was a long time ago and I moved on. I think you would've liked my parents. They were nice and kind." 

Purple lit up his unicorn horn and made a wall around them that'll prevent others from eavesdropping on them.

Purple replied, "Now nopony can eavesdrop on us and you can tell me much about your past if you like. Doesn't help that I'm a great multiple times great grandson to Princess Platinum. If I was in the Founders of Equestria hooves I would've worked with the Nintis Empire to work out a trade agreement or something for both Empire's. I may be a soldier and trained to kill and destroy but that's when diplomacy failed but I'm still civil. What did your parents do for a living besides rule the Nintis Empire?" 

"My mother was an Opera singer and that's how my parents met because going to the opera was a pastime for the Royal family of the Nintis Empire," said Sapphire, "And my dad was the Prince. Honestly I don't think you would've liked my granddad. Purple I don't hate you or blame you for something that somepony else did thousands of years ago. While you're multiple times great grandma was one of many that destroyed my home but you're not responsible and you didn't do anything bad to me. Don't apologize for somepony else's actions. It actually feels good to talk to a friend who won't just run and expose my background. Also thanks for putting up a wall so we can talk freely. What were your parents like Purple?" 

Purple replied, "My biological father was a general laborer and a nice stallion who enjoyed playing golf and had a talent to fix things. He was a mechanic for the Equestrian Second Ranger Regiment. My biological mother was a stockbroker in the Supermarket in the town of Asterope where the two grew up. But her father would beat her for being friends with my dad. 

"What drove my granddad or my mother's father to kick her out was that she mentioned she was a month pregnant with her boyfriend/my dad foal so the two got married and lived in a motel for awhile and built their precut house that the two assembled and lived in until the day the two were killed by Timberwolves. When I met my mom's mother she asked how her daughter was doing but nopony told her so I did and I told her that Harp and Albatross died eighteen years ago when I was eighteen so now it's almost forty one years and my grandma she was sad due to she never got a chance to fix her relationship with her third out of five daughters. 

"My adoptive parents were friendly. But the rest of my family are against me and they call me a 'mistake' and they'll say that I shouldn't have been born and how my biological mother should've suffered a miscarriage or I should've suffered a stillbirth… Don't know why they hate me for no reason! My adoptive father was a office worker who wanted me to follow him to have a nine to five job but I told him no more times than I want to count and my adopted mother was housewife until I got into the seventh grade then she gotten a job as a line cook from 8 AM to 4 PM." 

"They sound nice," said Sapphire, "Wish I could've met them. So from what it sounds like it is that your biological grandmother didn't support her daughter. Is that correct?" 

Purple replied, "Yeah she always sided with her husband over being there for my biological mother but when she wanted to make amends with her third daughter but everyday she would visit their house but no answer and visited her place of work but she was never there. She assumed she just hid and avoided being seen by her but she never thought she died but when I told them that she and her husband died defending their three kids from Timberwolves she broke down crying and told me that 'Harp died thinking I hated her! In reality I did love her but was afraid of being hit by my husband so I backed him up without thinking I was driving my favorite daughter away!" And she never got a chance to say goodbye to her daughter and is still alive to this day regretting always siding with her husband rather than showing support to her daughter." 

"How old were you when they died?" Asked Sapphire.

Purple replied, "I was only three days old. Once a week I visit my parents grave in Sire's Hollow where I was born and they died close to. Everyday my grandma Brisk Flyee visits their grave to mourn her daughter and her son in law whom she did support their relationship with but she was afraid because of her husband. I don't want to sound like a dick but she had a choice to make but she chose the wrong one." 

"If I was in her hooves," said Sapphire, "And it was the same either to support my husband who would beat my daughter for dating somepony she loved but he didn't due to he wasn't a Pegaus or support my daughter at the risk of getting beat by my husband? I would've divorced him in a heartbeat! But I'm not a Pegasus or in your grandmother's hooves five and six decades ago. What would've you done if your son or daughter dated somepony outside of their race?" 

Purple replied, "I wouldn't care who my son or daughter dated as long they didn't hit them as long as they were treated alright and weren't beaten or abused then I wouldn't say anything about it. How do you know she's a Pegaus?" 

"I've read some of the background reports from the Guardians and Reserve Guardians. Also last time I checked two unicorns don't make an Alicorn if there's no Pegasus DNA in the family tree. Also you've more or less said it. Also I've overheard that you said that your grandparents on each side don't like each other and disowned them for dating. Also I've seen a photo of your biological mother in your file. She looked kind and sweet, the kind that anypony would've been glad to be friends with. Don't want to sound rude but your biological mother looks like she was the type who smiled for all of her photos even for her ID. Guess she was a smiler," Sapphire said.

Purple replied, "I've heard that she loved to smile and guess she was happy because… because…"

"Because she had the perfect somepony by her side so she wouldn't have to deal or be alone with her father who beat her and her mom didn't care?" Asked Sapphire.

Purple replied, "Yeah. She had 'Mr. Perfect' by her side and in her heart… I wish they were still alive."

"Purple are you about to cry?" Asked Sapphire.

Head Guardian Sapphire Rose saw a couple of tears run down his face. 

"It's alright to cry," said Sapphire, "Doesn't matter who you are or your background but crying shows that you're in pain on the inside and even the strongest of ponies cry no matter how strong they are. To be honest Purple I even cry and I'm a lot older than you! Also one reason we cry is because we become more emotional when we go through difficult or stressful times and we've been through difficult and stressful times in different ways. Whoever says they don't cry is a liar!" 

Head Guardian Sapphire Rose then hugged Purple to comfort him as a friend and told him that it's alright. "It's alright Purple, it's okay to cry. Let it all out. It's alright to cry, it's a safe place."

Purple did and after a few minutes he got done crying his eyes out.

"Do you feel better?" Asked Sapphire.

Purple nodded in agreement. 

"I know this wasn't what you wanted," said Sapphire, "I know you wanted to date me and have somepony to love and treat me as a queen. But ain't this fine? Just two friends talking about each other and comforting each other?" 

Purple replied, "At least I'm not like my brother and the rest of my and not like That other Prince." 

"How's that?" Asked Sapphire.

Purple replied, "Base and the other stallions in my family won't stop until you finally break down and give in to have sex with them and one of them puts a foal in your womb. That other Prince he'll keep coming and coming to propose to you so you'll say yes. But I know the type of mare you are and that is an independent mare who doesn't want to find a special somepony because you already see friends come and go and don't want the heartbreak of losing another special somepony. To me I can't stand ponies who send kids off to die, for what?! So someone can make a few Bits. But we are cruel and wicked." 

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Sapphire.

Purple replied, "I've met ponies who's parents forced them to join the Military. Why? Because their parents own businesses and ponies who run businesses and if they have sons or daughters in the military then they'll have an easier time getting Government and Military contracts. It's all about the money. I've met ponies who lost all their sons in the military but they didn't care, they only cared for the money to live a lavish life. Breaks my heart to see ponies willing to send their own kids off to war just to earn money if they own a business!" 

"That's horrible that parents would do that just to earn some money!" Said Sapphire, "They shouldn't be parents!" 

Purple lowered the shield. 

"Want to dance?" Asked Purple, "Or want me to escort you to the entrance of the Castle?" 

Sapphire replied, "Well I do want to talk to Princess Twilight so you can escort me to her if you'd like Purple." 

Both Purple and Sapphire walked next to each other but while walking down a hall the two encountered Prince Blueblood.

Not this asshole again! Purple thought, Can't he take a hint to fuck off! 

Not Prince Blueblood again, Sapphire Rose thought, At least he doesn't have a trio of singing ponies with him this time. He's lucky I don't own any of the stuff in here or I'll throw it at him!

"Ms. Sapphire I still have your engagement ring," said Blueblood, "If you say yes I'll give it to you right away! You Prince Purple need to leave now. Ms. Sapphire is my bride to be and I don't like it that you're with her and you sir need to leave!" 

Sapphire replied, "I've told you multiple times! I'm not marrying you! You know what Purple you can shoot him!" 

Sapphire took Purple's pistol before he could get it and she fired a few rounds at Prince Blueblood scaring him, making him run off. 

"HOPE THAT'S A GOOD ENOUGH NO FOR YOU DUMB IDIOT!" yelled Sapphire.

Purple took his pistol back and put it back in its holster. 

"I have a feeling he'll be back," said Purple, "He'll show up in a month or so and probably have the same three terrible singers wanting you to jump for joy and to marry Prince Shit for brains." 

Purple took Head Guardian Sapphire to see Princess Twilight and Purple went to the balcony again. Purple refuses to be surrounded by the high society of Equestria but from time to time he'll go to the bar to get a drink. 

***

The next day. 

"You wanted to see me, Head Guardian?" Asked Purple.

Sapphire replied, "Yes I did. 

"I would ask but I already know your answer." Purple said. 

Sapphire replied, "What is your question?" 

"I would ask who I would replace as a Guardian," said Purple, "And who I would be partnered with. But I know that the answer is that it's either classified or you don't know yet." 

Sapphire replied, "The answer is that both that I don't know and we won't know until that day does happen. Also I'm still happy to hear you're finding a way to vent your anger and frustration that doesn't result in somepony getting hurt because you were bitter. Well as a friend I hope one day you do find somepony you can be with. Just offering friendly support by saying that. You can go now Purple." 

“Yeah that’ll never happen,” said Purple, “I tried but guess it was never meant to be. Guess we’ll see which one of the five guardians I’ll replace when they go AWOL or go rogue or backstab you. I’ve been betrayed before and it’s the worst thing to go through.”

Purple then left without saying another word.

***

At home. 

“Wonder who’ll I will be partnered with?” said Purple, “Pinkie would give me a headache, Rainbow would get on my nerves, AJ would nag me to death on how much she loves her adoptive daughter, Rarity probably nag me to death about fashion, and Fluttershy probably would just talk about Discord or animals. Wish my dead friends were alive but it’s my fault that they’re dead.”

Purple went over to a cabinet and got a bag of potatoes out and he sliced up the potatoes and put them in a frying pan to cook them. He also made a side dish of mac and cheese. 

The mac and cheese he made he unintentionally made it taste like how his adoptive mother would make it. It made him shed a tear due to her always making it special for Purple and he misses her and his adoptive father and his deceased friends dearly and he wishes he could swap his place for them meaning he wishes he was dead and they were still alive. 

***

Later at night it’s 9:30 PM. 

“What does Cantel want now!” Purple said mumbling, “Haven’t talked to him in two decades!” 

Purple entered a bar which was empty with nopony in it but there was an open sign on the door and the neon light on the window said it’s opened. 

Got a gut feeling that I’m walking into an ambush, Purple thought, A place opened for business yet nopony is in it. I smell an ambush. 

Purple sat down in a booth and a red pegasus stallion in a tailored three piece suit sat with a cup of whiskey and Purple sat down across from him. 

"After two decades of no contact," said Purple, "Why do you want to talk to me now?" 

Cantel replied, "Want to give you and your little ones I want to give you and them tickets to box seats to an up and coming football game." 

"Cut the shit Cantel," said Purple, "After two decades of no contact. There's no way you want me to come to a gridiron football game where I can go any day. But why now?" 

Cantel knew that Purple saw through his ruse so he called a Pegasus mare over. Cantel told Purple that the mare is his wife and she'll bring Purple to Phantasia to be brought out of the way. 

“She doesn't know that Phantasia just fired all but three mares,” said Purple, “And you're not one of the three that he kept." 

The door then opened and Purple saw a group of mares come in and one of them turned the open sign to close and turned out the neon lights so ponies would now think the bar was closed. 

Eight ponies not adding Cantel and his wife, Purple thought, Given these odds I'm content with three...make that seven kills.

Purple assessed the situation where he refused to go willingly but when Cantel's wife tried to force Purple to go until Purple randomly jumped behind the bar. 

M435 Military Combat Shotgun, Purple thought, Twelve gauge, pump action. Holds eight shells. Probably can get two to three shots off which would scare them off. 

Cantel’s wife leaned over the bar and shot a tranquilizer gun at Purple only to miss but Purple took the shotgun and he didn’t miss and badly injured Cantel’s wife. The other mares have guns as well and when they opened fire at Purple he returned fire and he killed the other eight mares.

Cantel hightailed it out of here but Purple gave chase until Cantel got backed into a corner against a brick wall in an alleyway. 

“Come on Purple,” said Cantel, “You won’t kill a friend? Right?”

Purple replied, “You were a friend for three years, before that you were a bully, and since when I got back from the military you abandoned me as a friend. Goodbye traitor.”

Cantel, his wife, and the rest of them wanted to capture Purple alive for Phantasia even though they didn't know that Phantasia fired all but three mares in his army and Cantel thought he was doing the best thing by helping his wife. Of course Cantel isn’t a patriot like Purple and he would gladly betray Equestria if he thought it would be the best. 

Purple fired the shotgun once. Purple walked away with the shotgun on his back. He then went back home and went to sleep after taking his sleeping pills and played some jazz music to help him sleep. 

***

In Purple’s dream. 

Purple, Lt-Col Vigorous Orchestria, Colonel Honey Cake, and Head Guardian Sapphire Rose entered a cave. 

“This is what happens when you think you can keep playing politics and keep acting like diplomacy is always the answer,” said Purple, “And with a majority of the Guardians gone to work for Phantasia. Look at it, Equestria fell to that Pegasus!” 

Sapphire replied, “At least we got some allies on the way. Right?” 

Purple shook his head from left to right, “No we got no help on the way. Every country pulled the ‘You made your own villain now you get to deal with it’ so it’s just us four.” 

Sapphire and Purple looked at both Vigorous Orchestria and Honey Cake because they’re looking down with sad faces. They never thought that Equestria would’ve been taken over and now ruled by a stallion who more or less wants mares to be servants to stallions or that stallions should be in power of leadership. 

“I got it,” said Colonel Dusk ‘Honey Cake’ Stable, “There’s one place that Phantasia doesn’t know about. All branches of the military and all military administrations said ‘preposterous rumor’ and never existed and never will. And Purple was certainly never a pilot in the training/beginning.” 

Sapphire replied, “What’s going on?” 

“We’re heading to a military base that never exists.” said Vigorous Orchestria, “Phantasia and them won’t find us there and if he does well we won’t be bothered and it’s well defended.” 

The four of them soon teleported to the base where Purple is the only one who can teleport them close to it.  

They followed Purple to the command room where there was a holographic table with a still hologram of Phantasia. It was red which means he’s an enemy and is an active threat to the rest of the world but now they don’t have any politicians to stop them.

***

Real world. 

Purple’s alarm went off and he got up and he just made himself a scrambled egg sandwich for breakfast like normal. 

I can’t wait until another war breaks out, Purple thought, When another war does break out I’m not coming back. I’ve made up my mind after Head Guardian Sapphire and my date. When I make up my mind then that’s that! If a mare does ask me out then I’ll reject the mare runless if she keeps coming after me for a date which then I would go only just to reject the mare after the date. 

Purple brushed his teeth and did the dishes before getting dressed. He put on his olive drab tiger striped uniform with a holder for a machete on his back but no machete. He also put dark olive green face paint on his face with three black stripes going across in a diagonal way. 

***

Guardian training center. 

"Purple…" said Master Shi, "I don't even know what to say about how you're dressed. I don't even know where to begin. Don't know if I should say something about your outfit or the face paint first. This ain't the military and this ain't special forces." 

Purple replied, “What’s wrong with my get up? Sorry that I don’t shop at expensive clothes stores. Sorry that I don’t go to one of Rarity’s boutiques across the world. I don’t have a lot of clothing options anyway.” 

“I didn’t mean to offend,” said Master Shi, “But this is Guardian Training not military training. So please go put something comfortable on.“ 

Purple replied, “I am comfortable in this. You’re comfortable sleeping in a cozy bed, I’m comfortable sleeping in a fox hole. You’re comfortable taking nice showers or warm baths. I’m comfortable walking through a hurricane that’ll bring hard rain and can’t see my snout. My comforts is your discomforts, my discomforts are your comforts. If you don't like it, well I was raised with 'I'm not here to please others' and that's what my adoptive parents taught me. So Master Shi I'm not changing my outfit and I'm not kissing your ass. So either we can do some training or you can throw me out." 

Master Shi didn't like it but she can't kick him out due to him liking things she doesn't and vice versa. She can't kick him out because he has a different fashion taste than her and he wants to wear his military outfit. Master Shi made sure Purple didn't have any melee weapons where he didn't have any. 

Purple did the running which he didn't complain about and if a member of the reserve guardian team would fall he'd go back to help them back up. 

***

At night.

Purple was wearing black combat uniform, with an Equestrian flag patch, and black body armor vest. 

Purple had a Pegasus stallion all tied up, bound and gagged. Purple untied the stallion. 

"When Phantasia finds you," said the stallion, "He's going to end you!" 

There were howls of wolves that echoed in the distance.

Purple replied, "Now you can either become part of the food chain or you can start talking. You choose!" 

The stallion spat on Purple. 

"Ahh, see... we're getting off to a bad start. I want the Phantasia hideout location," said Purple, "and I want Phantasia! And you got 10 seconds before I show you the difference between the military, and me. Trust me, the 'me' is not what you want. If you want to live then you'll start talking. If not then well my baseball bat made of Cedar wood will do the talking!" 

The stallion replied, "Fuck you and fuck Equestria!" The stallion then spat onto Purple again. 

"Have it your way then!" Said Purple before getting his baseball bat made of Cedar wood. 

***

Tomorrow afternoon. 

At a diner. 

Purple was sitting in a booth staring out of a window watching ponies come and go down the street. When he saw couples walking next to each other he would just look down at the menu. 

Head Guardian Sapphire Rose entered the place and sat down across from Purple. 

“Why couldn’t we have a conversation in my office?” asked Sapphire, “If you don’t mind me asking.”

Purple replied, “Because this ain’t about you know what.” 

Sapphire tilted her head in confusion. 

“You know what I’m talking about,” said Purple, “I’m not saying it out loudly even though this place is almost dead empty.” 

Sapphire replied, “Oh now I get it. We could’ve just talked more freely in my office than a public place. So what do you want to talk about?” 

“Phantasia,” said Purple, “Nine mares said that he worked for them and that they were going to bring me to him of course of me being here and not seeing him. And a stallion tried to assassinate or kidnap me. Only thing they had on them that they think well now is that it would be better to remove me so taking over Equestria would be easier.” 

Sapphire replied, “I don’t want to sound rude and mean Purple but you’re a…”

“A grown stallion,” said Purple, “I may be forty almost forty one years old but I don’t need a mare who’s far much older to be like a mother with her filly or colt on their first day of school. How your parents educated you or took you to school isn’t my business and still isn’t.  I just thought-" They heard the door open and Purple saw who it was. "Great out of all days it’ll be a day I’m having breakfast with my boss.” 

Before Sapphire could reply three stallions came over to the table. Purple placed his left wing across his face. 

Out of all the days, why today! Purple thought, I’m just going to get beaten up and one of them will just successfully woo Head Guardian Sapphire. Doesn’t matter how hard she resists and doesn’t matter how many times she says no they always get the mare they want. 

The three stallions approached the table. 

"Why hello Ms. Beautiful," said the unicorn stallion.

Sapphire replied, "I'm going to hit the brakes right now before one of you finishes that sentence. I'm not sleeping with Prince Blueblood, I'm not sleeping with you Purple and I'm not going to sleep with any of you three. So you three might as well leave me and Purple alone." 

The three stallions started to bug Sapphire and Purple did warn her that this might've happened. 

The unicorn stallion also threw Purple out of the booth with the Earth pony and Pegasus stallions sat across from Head Guardian Sapphire and the Unicorn stallion sat next to her. 

"Alright you three," said Sapphire, "Get it through your thick skulls! I'm not going to easily be charmed by you three! So leave!" 

The unicorn stallion replied, "Hush up bitch. Mares like you should just be doing laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, household cleaning, having foals, managing the family finances, and sewing!" 

Head Guardian Sapphire punched the stallion in the face hard enough it made him fly out. Before she did she saw Purple get up and walk out of the diner in sadness and defeat. 

Sapphire used her magic to keep the other two suppressed until she got far enough from the diner then she let go.

***

Outside of the diner. 

"Purple," said Sapphire, "Slow down! Where are you going?!" 

Purple replied, "When is it enough?" He pointed at a cemetery. "When I'm in there? Because that's where I belong. In there. With them. That's where I belong!" 

"Purple…" said Sapphire.

Purple interrupted, "That's where I belong! I've made terrible mistakes, terrible decisions. You don't know what I did. I'm just… I'm worthless. Just a worthless pony." 

"Enough Purple," said Sapphire, "I know how you feel and I've been in the same boat as you but that was a long time ago. I moved on because that is what my parents and friends would want me to do not be sad about something that you have no control over. There's still ponies out there who care about you." 

Purple replied, "Yeah nopony. I'm just like a Colt who's lost his parents in a store but his parents don't know they left him behind. That's been my life since my twentieth birthday!" 

"It's alright Purple," said Sapphire, "But your job as a soldier was to protect Equestria no matter the cost. While your friends and loved ones aren't here with you but I'm your friend." 

Purple replied, "I should've protected them. Stopped my life from becoming a joke and my family keeps making fun of me because they enjoy it and not have any survivor's guilt. I failed them. I will not fail you… But"

"I know you want to die Purple," said Sapphire, "But remember I care for you as a friend. Listen I know how you feel and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. For a long time I wanted to die and wanted to be left alone. But after a while I got over it and I know soon you're going to be happy and be your normal self."

Purple replied, "How did you get over it?" 

"The friends I've made were there for me," said Sapphire, "And I…"

Purple replied, "Gotten married and started a family of your own?" 

Head Guardian Sapphire didn't say because she didn't know how he would respond not adding what he said is what he wanted until after his and Sapphire's date which now he doesn't want it. 

"I'll talk to you later Purple," said Sapphire.

Sapphire then gave Purple a hug before she went to her office. Purple went his own way just ignoring any social interaction. 

Purple teleported home and in his empty room in his house he has a few fishing poles. He once thought of taking his sons or daughters or both on fishing trips and thought about a camping trip. He once thought of having a loving and caring family one day but since his and Sapphire’s date to him those plans are long gone and he absolutely despises, hates, abhors love and romance, and refuses to find love. It’s not over one mare but over nine hundred and thirty eight mares all rejected.  

Purple then locked and jammed the door so he can’t open it to remind himself of a life he once planned but don’t have due to his family just wooing all but one mare either during or after said date and the one mare is his boss Head Guardian Sapphire who refused to go out with him due to she doesn’t want another special somepony. 

Purple laid down on his couch. “I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate life, I wish I was dead, I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate life! Should’ve stayed on that metal airship when I blew it up but I didn’t.” 

***

Ten years ago. 

Purple was on board a metal Equestrian airship which was captured. He entered the engine room and set it to override and he booked it out. 

His ride out of there was badly damaged so he went over to the side of the hanger and he jumped out and soared down where Honey Cake in her dropship came and got in. 

“Damn Purple,” said Honey Cake, “You got wings so why did you need me to get you as an emergency exfil?”

Purple replied, “Because you’re the best flier.” 

“Damn right I am,” said Honey Cake.

The airship that was captured by some bad ponies then blew up.

**

Present day, at night.

Purple visited Lt-Colonel Vigorous Orchestria and another Army ranger that’s wearing black battle dress uniforms. 

“Aerial recon shows no signs of outside threats,” said Honey Cake, “Aerial recon RTB. Good luck, Pyro 1-1 is RTB!” 

Lt-Col Vigorous replied, “Happy trails Pyro 1-1 and stay safe. We got ground surveillance covered.”

Purple then came up and joined Lt-Col Vigorous Orchestria and the other Army ranger doing special recon at Phantasia’s hideout. 

Head Guardian Sapphire maybe my boss, Purple thought, But she can’t tell me how to do my job. I don’t go into her office and tell her how to be a Head Guardian. What is that? Around
Major? Colonel? Don’t know. But I’m doing recon my way and not going to be a spy.