The Tale Of A Lost Wolf

by Solaris Night


Chapter 34: Everday Flirt

Smoke rose over the horizon, as screams echoed through the streets. Trider looked around himself, trying to grasp what was going on.

"What? What's going on?" he asked himself and looked around, trying to recognize where he was. He spotted several collapsed buildings around him and more, which were still standing, but were also damaged, surrouding him. Immediatelly he recognized the type of architecture and knew he was in Canterlot.

Wasting no time, he flew into the sky and began to scan the city. A huge part of it was badly damaged and no matter how hard he looked, he didn't spot anyone.

"Is anyone out here?" he yelled, but received no answer. Then he felt a cold chill run down his spine and somehow he knew where he had to go. Truning left he approached a large square and landed in it. He looked around himself warily, until he spotted several shadowy figures.

"Who are you? Did you do this?" he asked, anger lacing his voice. The shadows didn't reply, they didn't even react. Trider took a step forward, but instead of the hard ground, his feet hit something soft. He looked down and saw a lifeless body lying beneath him.

"Wha-?" his voice got stuck in his throat, as his body involuntarily bent down and grasped it. The body was engulfed in a white mist, obscuring all of it's features. As his face got closer to the body's the mist began to dissipate and Trider felt something run down his cheeks. Paying it no mind, he continued to draw closer to it. Only a few inches separated the two and Trider could begin to recognize some of the body's features.

***

"Wake up sleepy head." a sweet, yet stern voice called out to the sleeping Kanisar. Groggily Trider opened his eyes and blinked several times to adjust to the room's lighting. Once he was used to it he looked towards the edge of his bed and saw the face of a familiar friend.

"Hey Rose." he said still half asleep. "What are you doing here?"

The mare chuckled, as she rose up. "Have you already forgotten about what happened yesterday?" she asked, as she looked down on him, still smiling.

Trider tried to think what she was talking about, but his still sleeping brain made the task much harder than it should have been.

"I have no fucking idea." he gave up and lifted his upper torso. "Mind enlightening me?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Me, Dynamism, a few other guard friends of yours, protect Ponyville, Royal Guard business. Does that ring a bell?"

It took Trider another couple of seconds, before it clicked. "Oh yeah." he said, finally getting it. He rubbed his eyes and then yawned, as he stretched his torso. His spine and arms released several pops and once he was done he jumped out of his bed. "Shall we get going then?"

"After breakfast." Rose answered him, as her eyes began to travel south. "Still like going commando while you're sleeping?" she mused, as she tried to hide her slightly red cheeks.

"You know it." he said, walking over to his wardrobe. "But I wasn't able to do so while I was at the Academy."

"How so?" Trider shot her a 'are you serious look' and she immediatelly realized what he was talking about. "Oh yeah. Was it that bad?"

"The dude tried to make me take off my boxer as well, while we were in a room filled with guys." Trider sighed and put on his pants. "Then in the middle of the night he tried to sneak into my bed. Needless to say, he received a one was punch card to the wall on the opposite side of the room." He was now sticking his head through his shirt. "But as you may have guessed it, that didn't go so well."

At that point Rose could barely contain her laughter and Trider shot her an unamused glare. "Sorry, sorry." she apologized. "So how did you resolve that problem then?"

"The solution was simple actually, we just tied him up and down to the bed."

"And that worked?" she asked surprised, to which he nodded. "How did that work? I kinda thought he would just break through them, like one of those characters in comics."

"So did we, but apparently it worked." Trider said hastily and tied his boots.

Rose raised an eyebrow, knowing he was telling her everything. "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing. I told you ever-" he stopped when he saw, she wasn't buying it. He knew well that she wouldn't budge so he told her. "In order for it to work I had to be the one to tie him. And let's just say that for him it didn't exactly feel like he was being restrained out of malice and let's also just say that I now know a few more ways how to tie up a person."

He expected her to laugh, but instead he saw her eyes sparkle and she began to walk to the door without saying anything. "I'm sure you'll find some use out of that in the future." she said as she passed him, swaying her hips. Trider looked after her with wide eyes. For some reason he felt a bit frightened, but at the same time excited.

"Goddammit." he cursed under his breath, as he put on his armour.

***

"Attention!" Rose shouted, to which everyone responded by forming a line and saluting.

"Ma'am, yes ma'am!" everyone responded in unison, before standing at attention.

Rose scrunched her eyes and glared at her unit. She paced back and forth, clearly inspecting them. None of them reacted, they only stood still as they were trained to do.

"This won't do." Rose said in a disappointed tone. Everyone quickly exchanged worried glances without moving their heads. "You guys look like you're waiting to be executed. Loosen up a little."

Their worried glances quickly changed to confused looks. "Excuse me ma'am, but you called us to attention and we just did as we were taught." Ace said, trying to understand what she meant.

"Indeed and I'm proud you did so, but while I am your commanding officer and we are here to do our jobs, I'd very much like it if we acted a bit more familiarly. Not like we are in the military, but more like we're co-workers at an office." Rose said.

The others first looked at each other, before they all dropped their stands and relaxed.

"You." Frost said, pointing a finger at Rose. "I like you already."

"The feeling is mutual." Rose responded with a smile.

"Of course you like her, she's one of the best girls I've ever had the pleasure of meeting." Trider chipped in, dropping down into a sitting position.

"Any more flattery Trider and I might just give you a reward." Rose said with a small grin. Everyone looked between the two with bemused expressions, while Whip glared daggers at the mare. "Now before we get down to business, I'd like to ask how was your night and how were your accommodations."

"Our night was pretty uneventful, considering." Frost said, shooting Whip a glance. "But I do have to say those Apples sure know how to make one feel welcome. And their cooking. Oh my goddess."

"I know right." Trider said, nodding his head in understanding.

"What about Big Mac? Did he and Whip get along or...?" Dynamism asked, slightly concerned.

"Oh there was no problem at all. Sure at first it was kind of awkward, but after a while he and the rest of the family warmed up to him." Frost explained. "And before you ask, we made sure Whip was properly secured. Mac sure knows how to tie them knots."

"He knows how to treat a stallion right." Whip said in a dreamy voice.

While others laughed, Dynamism looked at them with utter confusion. Rose then crouched down to Trider and whispered in his ear.

"Maybe you can get him to teach you a trick or two." she whispered in his ear. Trider shot her a surprised look, before she stood up and winked at him.

When she was standing again her gaze drifted towards Ace and she noticed he was kind of droppy and he had bags under his eyes. "You feeling alright there Ace?" she asked concerned.

"Wuh, huh? Uh, yeah, yeah." he responded, before yawning loudly.

"What's wrong dude? Did you and Pinkie party all night or something?" Trider asked with a huge smirk.

"No. No, I told her I was tired from travel and she understood so we went to bed almost as soon as we arrived to the Corner." he answered groggily.

"Then how come you're so tired?" Frost asked, slightly annoyed.

Ace didn't answe, instead he looked at Trider. "Did you by any chance know that Pinkie sleeps in nude?" he asked. The question caught him a bit off guard, but he shook his head nonetheless. "Well now you do."

"Seriously?" the Kanisar exclaimed to which Ace nodded. "You are one lucky son of a- Nevermind."

"So what?" Frost asked with a slightly angry tone. "Are you a pubescent teenager or something? Just cause you slept in the same room as a naked mare, doesn't mean you should feel flustered about it."

"I wish it was only the room we were sleeping in together." Ace said in a frustrated voice. His remark made the others stare at him incredulously.

"No. Way." Dynamism said what was on everyone's mind.

Trider stood up and brought Ace into a head lock. "Ace, dude I didn't know you had that side of you. You are such a stu- Ok, again nevermind."

"It's not what you guys think." Ace said as he got out of the Kanisar's hold. "I didn't have a say in it whatsoever."

"Ok, so it's Pinkie that's-"

"NO!" Ace shouted making everyone shut up. "What happened was that she only had one bed and didn't want me to sleep on the floor, so she dragged me in her bed and then immediatelly fell asleep." Frost wanted to say something, but he raised his finger. "And before you even say it, I did try to sneak out in the middle of the night, but she holding like a teddy bear and that mare's grip is stronger than anything I ever encountered. And I broke out of a minotaurs body lock. A freaking minotaur!" His breathing got ragged after his rant and everyone just stared at him in silence. "So in short, nothing happened and there was nothing that I could've done."

"Very well." Rose said and placed a hand onto his shoulder. "We'll leave it at that." She then walked in front of everyone and got serious. "Alright enough chit-chat, it's time to get down to business." she said and everyone listened to her intently. "Because it's a first day for some of you here I won't make you do anything diffuclt. For now."

"As your first assignment, all you have to do is patrol the town. That's all." she said. Everyone nodded their heads in understandment. "For this we'll divide into groups of two, each group having a flier to patrol the skies."

"Excuse me, but uhhh, we only have two fliers, Trder and Dynamism." Ace said, pointing out the flaw.

"True, that's why I asked somepony to help us." Rose said.

Right at that moment a rainbow blur soared across the sky and landed in front of the group. "Sup." Rainbow said, flipping her hair.

"Rainbow Dash was kind enough to offer herself to helping us." Rose said and waved at the mare.

"That's right. You guys only get the best Ponyville has to offer." Rainbow bragged.

"Excuse me again." Ace spoke up again. "I am glad that we get your help Miss Dash, but it's against the rules to involve civilians in Guard duty."

"For your information I am a certified Wonderbolt recruit." the mare said with a proud tone.

"And to answer your further question, I am aware at the fact that we're at odd numbers. I was planning to make one a group of three, but I think it would be better if you take a day off to rest yourself Ace." Rose said, shooting him a soothing gaze. "I'm sure everypony is fine with it."

Everyone sounded their agreement and Ace sighed. "Very well. If that's what you think is best. If you'll excuse me." he said and began to walk back to The Sugarcube Corner.

"I kind of feel bad for him." Dynamism said emphatically.

"Don't worry I plan to give him double the work tomorrow." Rose said in a cheerful tone.

"I'm sure he'll love it." Trider butted in.

"Good." she nodded. "Now then, time to group up."

Whip immediatelly grabbed Kanisar's arm and pulled him closer. "I'm with Trider." he said, shooting the man a lustful gaze. Trider responded by socking him in the jaw, making him stumble back a bit. "I think that's a yes." the stallion said, as a dreamy smile stretched across his lips.

"Sorry to burst your bubble Whip, but you're with Rainbow Dash." Rose said. Whip's head quickly whipped to her.

"And why should I listen to you?" he challenged her.

"Because I'm the captain and I have the highest authority here, right behind Princess Twilight. And you don't have to go if you don't want. But do know that if you refuse, the local spa requires some assisstance with cleaning their establishment, which includes the dirty towels as well as their sewage." the mare rebutted with a smile, that hid the 'try me bitch' message behind it.

Whip snorted in frustration, clearly getting her message. Happy with his response she then turned to Frost and Dynamism. "You two are also together."

"Looking forward to working with you." Dynamism said eagerly, extending her arm.

"Likewise." Frost responded, shaking her partner's hand.

"And that leaves me and Trider."

"Of course." Whip said under his breath, but it was still loud enough for Rose to hear and she shot him a cold glare, which made him shut up.

"I have to make sure to keep you with me at all times." Trider said with slight adoration.

"Aww, is the big bad wolf afraid of a wittle gay stallion?" Rose mocked, which made Trider shoot a glare at her.

"Shut up."

"So can we go now or should we wait that you're done flirting?" Frost expressed her exasperation.

"We're not-"

"Very well." Rose cut off Trider. "Dash and Dynamism already know what part of Ponyville you have to cover. Dismissed." At her command everyone went their separate ways.

***

"I'm telling you, you can't do it." Trider said, as he watched Rose.

"Says you." she rebuted and concentrated harder. She then thrusted her hand forward and yelled. "Crimson Grenade!"

A few seconds passed, but nothing happened. "Told you." Trider said with a shit eating grin. "The only thing you managed to do was make yourself look silly."

"Quiet." was her only response.

The two have already finished their patrol and were currently standing in the Sweet Apple Acres, where Trider usually trained.

"I did everything you normally do. I did the mean look, I lowered my stance and I yelled my attack. What else am I supposed to do?" she sighed.

"I'm not sure if you're mocking me or..." he said unsure. "Anyway there's a whole lot more to Ki control than shouting and whatever you thought. In fact it took me several years just to grasp the basics and I am far from mastering it."

"I guess it's impossible after all." the amre sighed and lowered her head. "And I was so looking forward to flying without wings or magic."

"Yeah it's pretty rad."

"Are you rubbing it in my face?" Rose asked, shooting him a mock glare.

"Maaaybe." A splash of water suddenly hit his face and he saw that Rose was blowing him a raspberry. "Oh is that how you wanna play?" he playfully threatened.

Suddenly he jumped at her and grabbed her from behind. Rose was surprised by his speed and had no time to react. She struggled against his grasp, but it was obvious that he was stronger.

"At least be careful where you put those hands." she teased.

"Seriously? Do you always have to flirt?" Trider said with a deadpanned expression. "And don't even try to say 'Is that your sword or are you just happy to see me?' shtick."

"Well are you?"

"Goddammit. Walked into that one." he sighed.

"You sure did." she replied with smirk. "Seriously though, it's getting rather awkward being like this, not to mention if anypony saw us." Trider realized she was right and let go of her. "I do have to say, you've certainly gotten stronger."

"Yeah, I'm on a whole different level now." Trider said and pumped his arm.

"Not until you bleach your hair."

Trider looked at her slightly surprised. "Luna?" Rose nodded to his question. "Wanna see?"

"Thought you'd never ask."

"Might wanna take a couple of steps back though." he warned. Rose walked backwards and once he was satisfied with the distance the Kanisar began to focus his Ki.

The air around him began to ripple and after a few seconds of struggling a white aura burst out and his hair turned white. Rose looked at him with astonishment.

"What do you think?" he asked, looking at her with his bright blue eyes.

"Eh, I'd prefer if you were blonde. The eyes though, stunning." she commented.

"Psh, everyone's a critic." Trider scoffed and turned to normal.

Rose walked up to him and spoke. "With that form I'm sure you'll be able to beat monster that lurks out there."

"Maybe." he answered with slight doubt.

"Is there a problem with it?" she inquired.

"A few things. First of all it consumes a lot of energy. I can only maintain it for about half an hour for now and the transformation itself takes a lot out of me." he explained. "Also, while I am a whole lot stronger than I ever was with Feral Unleashing, I'm still nowhere close to the power of an alicorn."

"Don't worry. I'm sure that someday you'll become the strongest there is. You just have to not give up." she consoled him.

"Like as you gave up on your Ki manipulation?" he teased her.

"I never said I was a role model." she said. She pulled a watch out of her armour and looked at it. "We should head back."

"Sure." he answered. Just as she was beginning to walk away, Trider stopped her. "Hey." he said and grabbed her arm.

"What is it?"

"Want a lift?" he asked.

At first she wasn't sure what he meant, but it quickly dawned on her. "I'd love to."

Trider placed his arm across her back and grabbed her by her waist. He pulled her closer and held her tight. He then slowly lifted himself and the mare into the air and the two soared toward the town.