//------------------------------// // Making first impressions. And start of a lesson. // Story: Paladin Anon // by The7thElement //------------------------------// “You okay Trixie?” Anon asked the mare as the duo appeared in the royal gardens. “I’m fine. Just going to sit down for a bit.” Trixie said before falling onto her belly, a tint of green staining her cheeks. “Guessing it’s your first time taking part in a long distance teleport.” Anon said chuckling a bit. “Paladin good to see that you’ve returned.” The familiar voice of Moonlight called out to Anon. “And a good thing too as I have to ask whether or not the wagon behind you is your doing or not?” She said gesturing to Trixie’s wagon which sat behind Trixie and Anon. “Yeah that was me.” Anon said looking back at the wagon. “Belongs to our new friend here.” Anon then gestured to Trixie who had risen back to her hooves as her stomach finally stopped turning. “Greetings. And you would be?” Moonlight asked. “I am Trixie.” Trixie replied. “She’s here for the position of Princess Luna’s student.” Anon said getting a nod from Moonlight. “Well I shall inform Lady Noctis of your arrival.” Moonlight said before taking her leave. “Lady Noctis?” Trixie asked. “That’s what Thestrals call Princess Luna.” Anon said before turning to Trixie’s wagon. “Now then what to do with this thing.” “My wagon? Oh it doesn’t matter to me what you do with it. As long as you let me get all of my belongings out of it.” Trixie said walking over to her wagon and entering it. “Anon good to see that you’ve returned.” The familiar voice of Luna said from behind Anon. “Now then where’s my new student?” “She’s in there.” Anon said gesturing to the wagon. “Good to hear that you didn’t bring just the wagon here.” Luna said with a smirk. “Okay I got everything.” Trixie said levitating a few suitcases out of the wagon. “Oh my.” Trixie whispered to herself when she saw Luna. After a few seconds Trixie threw herself to the ground in a bowing motion. “Good evening Princess Luna.” “Good evening Trixie.” Luna replied. “And please rise.” Luna requested getting Trixie to rise from her bow. “So you hope to be my student. Is that right?” “That is right Princess.” Trixie said. “I hope I don’t disappoint.” “I highly doubt you will. Especially from what I’ve heard from Twilight Sparkle. Did you know she spoke quite highly of your magic show when she wrote to my sister about it?” “No I never knew.” “Well she did. Now what to do with your wagon?” Luna said before shifting her gaze to Trixie’s wagon. “Ah I know.” She exclaimed her horn glowing slightly, after a few seconds the wagon was gone in a flash of blue light. In the wagon’s place was a small glass bottle that upon closer inspection held a miniature version of Trixie’s wagon. Before Trixie could ask her vision was filled with a blue light as she found herself in what seemed to be a bedroom. “Before you ask, this will be your room while you are here in the castle.” The room in question was a large circular light blue room. Along the walls were a variety of shelves which held either books or objects of interest. But what stood out most to Trixie was the large circular bed across from the room’s main entrance. “Wow.” Trixie said as her gaze finally left the bed to take in the small desk that sat in between two large bookshelves. “Good to hear you like it.” Luna said with a smile. “Now then Anon and I will leave you to settle in and get some rest.” Luna explained gesturing for Anon to follow her out of the room. “Our first lesson will take place tomorrow around lunchtime. Anon will come and get you when it is time.” With that said Luna and Anon left Trixie to her thoughts. “Think she’ll do well?” Anon asked as he followed Luna. “From what I can tell she seems determined to impress.” As Luna said that a shout of excitement could be heard from Trixie’s room. “Well she’s definitely happy about this arrangement. That’s for certain.” Anon said with a chuckle. The next day “It is good to hear that Luna has adopted a student.” Celestia said to Anon as the two of them enjoyed breakfast. “Although of all the ponies I wasn’t expecting Trixie.” “Well she seemed like a good candidate for the role. Besides you saw how she amazed the Saddle Arabian delegates, she’s got a lot of potential.” Anon said before digging back into his bacon and eggs. “Although I do have to voice my concerns about Trixie’s pride.” Celestia said before summoning a scroll to levitate in front of Anon. “As you can see from Twilight’s letter, Trixie’s attitude is mostly that of self pride and also a superiority complex.” “Self pride may be correct, but a superiority complex?” “Well that’s how Twilight worded Trixie’s passion for raising herself higher than others.” Celestia explained before making the scroll disappear. “Well you don’t have to worry about her personality, Luna and I should be able to quell her pride. Maybe teach her a few lessons in humility along the way.” Anon replied before finishing off his breakfast. “Now if you would excuse me I must be off.” Anon said rising from his seat at the dining hall’s table. “Business with Luna?” Celestia asked with a sly smile. “No. I have business with the Lunar Guard.” Anon said as he made his way towards the door. “Have a good day Celestia.” “You too Anon.” Celestia called out as Anon left the room. “Exactly what business do we have with the Luna Guard?” Alpha asked Anon as he appeared in a flash next to the paladin. “What I can’t go say hi to my fellow guards?” Anon replied as the duo made their way through the halls of the castle. “Morning Fire.” Anon said to a passing unicorn guard. “Morning sir.” Fire said before coming to a halt. “Um sir if I may have a second of your time?” “Of course you can Fire.” Anon said coming to a stop. “Alpha go and keep an eye on Princess Luna.” With a nod the floating skull disappeared from sight in a cyan flash. “So what exactly did you want to tell me Fire?” “Well we found a unicorn mare trespassing on castle grounds sir.” Fire said getting a look of dread from Anon. “Where is she?” Anon asked getting a raised eyebrow from Fire. “You know her sir?” “Yes I do. She’s Princess Luna’s student.” “Oh in that case Major SuckerPunch is asking her a few questions in his office.” With that said Anon left making his way towards the Solar Guards barracks. “Thank you for that Fire!” Anon called back to Fire as he made his way around a corner. ‘God dammit.’ Anon thought to himself as he found himself in the castle’s courtyard. “What happened now?” Alpha asked as Anon crossed the courtyard making his way towards the Solar Barracks. “Guess who forgot to inform the Solar Guard of Trixie.” Anon said aloud as he found himself outside of SuckerPunch’s office. “Would it be the dumbest homo-sapien in Equestria?” Alpha asked a slight chuckle rolling throughout Anon’s mind, which Anon could only imagine to be Alpha’s amusement at the situation. “Now then for the last time Miss, what were you doing on the castle grounds. And please don’t tell me the exact same lie of you being Princess Luna’s student.” The voice of Major SuckerPunch could be heard from within his office. It was then Anon decided to make himself known by delivering a few knock to the office door. “I thought I said that I am not to be disturbed!” SuckerPunch called out. “Sorry Major I didn’t know that you had requested that.” Anon said opening the door chuckling to himself at seeing the Major’s shocked expression. “Paladin Anon!” SuckerPunch exclaimed. “I didn’t know you’d be stopping by.” “Well I heard about our friend here.” Anon gestured to Trixie. “Ah yes. So are you here to interrogate her? Because if you are hopefully you’ll get more out of her than I did.” “No I’m not here to interrogate her.” Anon replied getting a look of confusion from Sucker. “I’m here to escort her back to her room in the castle.” “Wait. What?” Sucker asked dumbfounded. “Her room? But she was found trespassing.” “Tell me Major what have you managed to get out of our friend?” “Other than her name just her saying that she’s Princess Luna’s student…” Sucker said before adding 2 and 2 together. “So she’s…” “Princess Luna’s student?” Anon inquired getting a nod from Sucker. “Yes she is. C’mon Trixie let’s get you out of here.” Anon said to Trixie getting a grateful smile before the two of them left leaving the Major alone to his thoughts. “Sorry about that.” Anon said to Trixie as they left the barracks. “Completely forgot to tell SuckerPunch about you.” “Oh it’s no problem.” Trixie said as they passed by a few guards who were finishing up their patrols. Each of them giving Trixie a nod. “Although I got to ask is he always like that?” “SuckerPunch? What do you mean?” Anon asked. “But before that you don’t mind if we make a quick stop before I get you back to your room?” “Of course not.” Trixie replied getting a nod from Anon. “But with what I said about SuckerPunch I wanna know if he’s always such a hard ass.” “Yeah he’s always been like that.” Anon said as he led Trixie towards the Lunar Guard’s barracks. “He’s captain of Celestia’s personal guard. And those few in her guard see her as a god.” “So they follow her orders like their lives depend on them?” Trixie asked getting a nod from Anon. “So why isn’t he in charge of the Solar Guard?” “Because all Captains of the different guard regiments have the same authority.” Anon explained. “SuckerPunch may be in charge of Celestia’s personal guard but that doesn’t entitle him to give orders to Captain Moonlight as they are equal and as such can’t go ordering each other around.” “But what happens if the princesses aren’t around? Who’s in charge then?” “I am.” Anon said as he and Trixie came into view of the Lunar Guard’s barracks. “How so?” “Well a few hundred years ago Celestia had to take a vacation from running Equestria.” “Why’d she go on vacation?” Trixie asked interrupting Anon. “Sorry, just wanted to know.” “Well I told her to go on vacation as she had been stressing about the return of Nightmare Moon. Stressing to the point where she couldn’t run the country properly. So she decided to leave me in charge. When she returned from her vacation she found that I had kept Equestria from falling apart without her, but I had also made a few changes in her absence.” “Such as?” “Ever wonder who invented the train?” Anon asked Trixie getting her eyes to go wide. “That was you?” “No it wasn’t I merely gave the idea to the inventor.” Anon said with a chuckle. “Back to the story. After Celestia saw all of these changes/improvements she told me that if her or if Luna were to go on vacation I’d be the highest point of authority in Equestria.” “And if you are unavailable?” Trixie asked getting a chuckle from Anon. “Well if that’s the case Raven would take over.” Anon said getting a quizzical look from Trixie. “Raven is Celestia’s assistant. Other than me and a few others Raven’s the only one that is able to take Celestia or Luna’s position.” “So who would those few others be?” “Sorry but that’s confidential.” Anon said. “Now what I want you to do is be really quiet okay.” “Okay.” Trixie said before she could hear what sounded like fighting coming from the Lunar barracks. Before Trixie could ask what the she could hear, she and Anon found themselves overlooking the Lunar barracks training grounds to see two armored thestrals fighting with each other. Although from what Trixie could tell the fight was coming to an end with both thestrals looking slightly exhausted. As Trixie stood on the small hill she found herself transfixed by the way the thestrals twisted and turned whenever their fight took to the air even with the weight of the armor. Their aerial conflicts looking like they were performing an intricate dance. And whenever the thestrals fought on the ground it would act as an intermission between their dances. Each of them recovering slightly before launching themselves at each other with renewed vigor. “Wow.” Trixie whispered to herself. This caused the two thestrals to stop in their tracks their gazes falling on Anon and Trixie. “Good work Trixie. I was wondering when they’d notice us.” Anon whispered to Trixie. “Good to see that you two are keeping up with training.” Anon said to the two thestrals. “Well we do have to keep our skills refined.” One of the thestrals said before removing their helmet revealing to Trixie the face of Captain Moonlight. “Good to hear that.” Anon replied before letting his gaze move to Moonlight’s dueling partner. “Although if I were you Silver I’d work on your landings.” “What do you mean sir?” The thestral called Silver said removing his helmet. “Well whenever you hit the ground you’d stick to the ground for too long. If you were in the field that leaves you open.” Anon said. “How does it leave him open?” Trixie asked her inquisitiveness getting the better of her. “In a fight his opponents aren’t going to give him time to get back up.” Anon said letting Trixie’s mind imagine the consequences of being left open. “Oh okay. Sorry for brining it up.” “It’s no problem Trixie.” Anon said giving the mare a small smile. “So, Captain have you told the rest of the Lunar guard about Trixie’s new position?” “Yes I have sir.” Moonlight said with a salute. “Told them last night when everypony had finished their duties.” “Good to hear.” Anon replied with a small smile. “Saves me from telling everyone. Well Trixie and I will be off. Try to get some rest Captain.” Anon said walking off towards the castle Trixie following behind him. “So where are we off to now?” Trixie asked getting a chuckle from Anon. “You really are an inquisitive one aren’t you?” “I guess so. But you’d be pretty inquisitive as well if you were in my position.” Trixie said with slight annoyance. “That’s true I was definitely like that a thousand years ago.” Anon replied getting a look of surprise from Trixie. “What?” “A thousand years ago?” Trixie asked getting a nod from Anon. “How old are you exactly?” “About a thousand and twenty-five years old.” “So are you immortal?” Trixie asked. “No I’m not. I’m ageless, just like an alicorn.” “So you can’t age?” Trixie asked getting a nod from Anon. “Wait and neither can alicorns but I thought they were immortal.” “No they aren’t. They’re just very hard to kill. Now let’s go start your first lesson.” A short walk later “Good morning Anon, Trixie.” Luna said greeting the duo as they arrived at the recently commissioned Lunar Gardens. “How has your morning been?” “Hectic for lack of a better term.” Trixie said before taking a seat at the picnic blanket that Luna had set up. “Oh?” Luna said before turning to Anon. “What happened?” “I may have forgot to inform Major SuckerPunch of Trixie and he found her wandering around the gardens.” Anon replied before taking his own seat at the picnic blanket. “Well let’s leave that in the past shall we?” Luna asked getting a nod from Trixie. “Good. Now I asked the castle chefs to make me a picnic for three so they gave me what I assume you would find at a picnic.” Luna said her horn glowing slightly as a picnic basket appeared out of thin air. “That smells delicious.” Trixie said as Luna opened the basket’s lid. “And it definitely looks appealing.” She proclaimed as Luna levitated a small plate of sandwiches out of the basket. “That it does Trixie.” Luna agreed before separating the sandwiches amongst the three of them. “If I may ask Anon, you said before that there are different types of guards correct?” Trixie asked Anon as he started on his lunch. “That is correct.” Anon responded after swallowing his mouthful of sandwich. “Well you’ve only told me of three different regiments of guards. Solar guards, Lunar guards and Princess Celestia’s personal guard. But you never said anything about Princess Luna’s personal guard. Or does she not have one.” “She has a personal guard. And before you ask who, you’re looking at him.” Anon said with a smile. “Okay then. But who are the other guards?” Trixie asked. “Only me and Alpha.” Anon replied his right eye giving off a faint glow. “Who’s Alpha?” Trixie asked before finding her vision filled with a cyan light. When Trixie’s vision cleared she found herself staring at a floating skull. “Hello.” Was the only word Alpha could project into Trixie’s mind before she launched herself backwards away from Alpha. “What is that!?” Trixie exclaimed a look of shock and horror on her face. “This is Alpha.” Anon said gesturing to the floating skull. “Don’t worry he won’t bite.” “Believe me Miss Trixie I’m completely harmless.” Alpha said causing a look of confusion to appear on Trixie’s face. “How are you doing that?” Trixie asked still keeping her distance from Alpha. “Doing what?” Alpha asked getting Trixie’s look of confusion to grow more intense. “Talking without moving your mouth. Also another thing. What are you?” “Well to answer your first question I projected my voice into your mind using magic. I can project my voice into anypony’s mind that I want. That’s why the others could hear me introduce myself to you, and also why they can hear me now. Because I’m projecting my voice into their minds as well as yours.” Alpha replied getting Trixie to give a slow nod. “As for what Alpha is I can explain.” Anon interjected getting Trixie’s gaze to fall on him. “500 years ago Alpha used to be a Timberwolf but before he withered away like all Timberwolves do, I transferred his conscious into a form that wouldn’t be dying anytime soon. Me.” “You? But how?” Trixie asked looking between Anon and Alpha. “Using magic I put him in my mind until I could make him the body you see before you.” Anon explained. “Thanks to what I did if Alpha’s body is ever destroyed his subconscious will be stored in my mind until I find him another body.” “Cool.” Trixie said. “Yes it is quite cool.” Luna interjected. “Now then Trixie it is time our lesson begins don’t you think?” “Of course.” Trixie agreed before noticing Alpha disappear in a cyan flash. “Um where’s Alpha?” “He has to go keep an eye on Celestia. Seeing as how we are the personal guards for both princesses.” Anon explained before looking to Luna. “So what do you have in mind to teach her first?” “Well I was thinking something simple to start off with.” Luna said her horn glowing slightly as a spell book appeared floating in front of Trixie. “From what I have heard from Twilight Sparkle about what tricks you performed in your magic show I decided to give you a few illusionary spells to try out. You’ll find those pages are bookmarked.” With that said Trixie turned to the first marked page to find a spell called ‘Illusionary Fire’. “Illusionary Fire?” “Yes that’s the one.” Luna nodded as Trixie began to read the description of the spell. “But it isn’t the original spell.” “What do you mean by that Princess?” Trixie asked. “Before I answer your question I want you to do something for me Trixie.” “What would that be?” “I want you to address me as Luna not Princess. Is that understood?” “Yes Luna.” “Good to hear.” Luna said giving Trixie a small smile. “Now then for your question. The way it isn’t the original spell is that I have changed it slightly. Originally the spell would only show a flame that wouldn’t burn anything or have the properties of a regular flame. But this modified version acts as a light and heat source instead of a glorified picture of fire.” Luna explained getting an understanding nod from Trixie. “Also you don’t have to worry about the fire burning anything, as it may be a heat source but it can’t output enough heat to start a fire.” “Good to know.” Trixie said before closing her eyes and following the spell books instruction of envisioning the flame sitting in front of her. “You’re going well Trixie.” Luna said seeing a small fire begin to fade into existence in the middle of the picnic basket. After a few seconds the flame finished forming. It was then Trixie opened her eyes to see the small fire sitting a few centimeters off the ground. “Wow.” Trixie said reaching a hoof towards it to feel the fire give off a warm level of heat. “Impressive work Trixie.” Luna said admiring the fire. “Not too big and not too small. A nice soothing level of heat.” Luna criticized. “Well for your first lesson you’ve definitely amazed me, usually somepony wouldn’t be able to form a flame of this type on the first go.” “Thanks Luna.” Trixie said eating up the praise. “Tell me Anon what did you think of it?” Luna asked Anon. “Well if I had any doubts about her abilities before this little flame got rid of them.” Anon said giving Trixie a smile. “Good to hear. Now onto our next lesson. Conjuring up water and manipulating it.” Luna said her horn glowing as it turned the spell book’s pages to one that detailed on water conjuration.