Blade awoke with the feeling that something was wrong, he looked beside him and Fluttershy was next to him, still asleep. He slid out of his bed and pulled on his jacket. In front of the tower he saw his father arguing with the princess.
"He is my son, I forbid it!" Bastion shouted, he was one of the few people who could lecture the princess and get away with it.
"I'm just saying," Celestia said calmly, "He could be a great general."
"Demonheart is meant to battle, not to lead." Bastion said.
"Yeah, I'm really just a soldier," Blade interrupted.
Bastion smiled, "See, the boy has sense."
"Perhaps I can appeal to the Chieftain of the North?" The Princess smiled.
"Ast Dai-Shan vull vyse." Blade smiled.
"E-excuse me?" the Princess said, not understanding a word of it.
Bastion laughed, "According to the pact made by your father, any official negotiations must be spoken in the native language of our people."
The princess became annoyed, "May I remind you I am your ruler?"
Blade didn't back down, "With all due respect, I am the Chieftain of the North. We are equals, your Majesty."
The princess began to back down, she had no intention of angering Blade. "Well then, Chieftain, may I offer the position of General to you?"
"Like I said," Blade turned back to the tower, "I'm just a soldier, I'm no good with tactics. Perhaps you should ask your student. That Titan would've killed me if it wasn't for her"
Celestia smiled, "Maybe your right."
"M-me? A general?" Twilight stuttered, "I don't know the first thing about fighting a war!"
"Twilight," The princess began, "You would have training, of course. And we would test you before sending you into an unfamiliar situation."
Twilight gulped, "Why not ask Blade?"
Celestia groaned, "That boy is the ruler of the 'North', He only wants to fight, not to lead."
"But, I don't want to hurt anyone!" Twilight said, "Princess please, have you considered your sister?"
Celestia had a brilliant idea, "Of course! Only Luna would recognize a language that hasn't been spoken in a thousand years! Twilight, your a genius!"
Blade had been summoned by the princess to the library, when he stepped inside he saw a table with two chairs on either side. He took a seat at the chair closest to the door.
"Are we ready to negotiate?" Celestia asked.
"Did you find a lost tome that taught you my language?" Blade asked with a smile on his face.
"Something even better." She stepped aside and presented her sister.
"Varnduke, Dai-Shan." Luna said in the ancient language.
"Varnduke di lais, Luna." Blade responded.
For the next few hours, Luna and Blade spoke in the mysterious language, Celestia had only picked up one word from it: Dai-Shan. She reasoned that it must mean Chieftain. Twilight was completely confused by it all, but towards the end she noticed Blade smile.
They continued the debate until they both stood. Luna leaned in and kissed him.
"What was that for?" Blade said blushing.
"Do we not still end Northern agreements with such displays of affection?" Luna asked.
"N-not really." Blade responded.
"What was all that sis?" Celestia asked in a casual way.
"Dai-Shan will fight for you," Luna told her sister, "But he wants to fight alone."
Celestia was surprised, "He wants to destroy entire armies by himself?"
Luna nodded, "Oh and do be careful sister, he's a feisty one."
Blade blushed again when the younger sister waved goodbye in a friendly manner.
Twilight giggled, "I hope Fluttershy doesn't catch her."
"Twilight," Blade said, "Don't make me angry."
"You think you can fight an entire army by yourself?" Celestia repeated her question.
"Easily." Blade walked out the front door.
Bastion was waiting outside, "So what happened?"
"You didn't tell me she was going to kiss me!" Blade was aggravated.
"You didn't ask!" The old man laughed.
Blade returned home with his father, who began to pack.
"Thanks for your support Dad." Blade said.
"Thank you for being twice the man I was when I was your age." Bastion smiled.
"Drop some flowers on her grave for me." Blade said, referring to his mother.
"She would be proud of you." Bastion patted his shoulder and left.
Bastion boarded the chariot with the princess, "I'll do it."
The princess turned, "Your retired."
"I was the best military leader to serve in your time, and I still am." Bastion shrugged.
Celestia smiled, "Your willing to teach one who doesn't want to learn?"
Bastion laughed, "If its what has to be done!"
"Then Twilight will begin her training as a general," She smiled.
"On one condition," He said, "If my boy finds the right girl, I want you to wed them."
Celestia smiled as a tear ran down her face, "I would be honored."
Bastion nodded, "You were good to my boy when he could hardly walk, I don't care if he is my Chieftain, he thinks of you as a mother."
Celestia began to weep, "I miss her, she was a good friend."
Bastion sighed, "My dearest Yuna, I will see you again my love."
Blade lay down on top of his covers, he still had his gear on apart from his sword. He rose only when he heard a knock on his door, It was Fluttershy.
"You don't have to knock," Blade said.
"Are you going to fight?" She asked him, tears in her eyes.
"I- yes." Blade said simply.
"But you said you wanted to protect me! Not parade around like a hero." Fluttershy was actually angry.
"I know, and I meant it. But right now, there could be thousands of monsters like the one I killed." Blade said, "I want to have a future with you, and that can't happen if there are swarms of soldiers invading Equestria."
Fluttershy hugged him, "I just don't want to see you get yourself hurt."
"I promise you," Blade began, "That as long as I live, you will be safe."
Fluttershy looked up at him, "I-I think I lo-" She was interrupted as the bell tower rang.
Blade grabbed his sword, "That sounds bad." He kissed the top of Fluttershy's head. "I'll be back!" He assured her.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him in, "I love you." She kissed him.