It was mid-morning on the daily commute to Canterlot. The Pegusi had picked a rather pleasant atmosphere for the train to carry on it's typical comings and goings from one town to the next. There were only a few thick clouds in the sky to compliment it's rather incandescent blue. A pegasus or two could be found soaring across the air, making sure the sky itself wasn't too crowded with one too many of their nimbus creations. The sun, as always, showed it's glistening rays on the Equestrian railroads, giving it a golden sheik of decadence. From the look of the motionlessness of the cloud It was clear the forecast would remain the same throughout the day. Yes it would be another regular morning for residents here in Equestria.
On this particular morning, the 10:00 AM train found itself carrying two rather special passengers. That being Princess Twilight and her new son, Capricore, whom she recently jointly adopted with her best friend Applejack. A compartment on the train was made especially for, complete with decked out decor, a small bookshelf and a color scheme that would suit any form of royalty. But despite it's exclusiveness, Twilight would always allow any filly or colt to walk her section of the train. And why not? She was deemed the Princess of Friendship. It was at this time Capricore could be found gazing out at the passenger window, admiring the romanticized scenery the day had to offer.
"Well son!" Said a cheerful voice. "I see your'e up and ready."
"I'm just really eager to spend a day with uncle Shining Armor." Capricore replied "It's really the first time for us to really have some quality time together."
"Then you are in for a treat." Twilight replied. "I mean. You probably are aware that my brother is the captain of the royal guard."
"I just hope he isn't as disciplinary as they say he is."
"Oh Cory." Twilight chuckled back. "You're his nephew now. I'm very sure he'll be delightful to teach you about his occupation."
The train hissed to a stop as it reached Canterlot station. As always, a special royal carpet was made for Princess Twilight, complete with guards and trumpets. Up and center approached a rather young but well built Pegasus with a color scheme strangely similar to Capricore's.
"Announcing the arrival of Princess Twilight and her new son, Capricore!!" It proclaimed with a booming voice.
Twilight and Cory stepped off the platform with the customary greeting of autograph hounding fillies and gentlecolts, jumping up and down with pictures of them in their mouths. Strangely, there seemed to be more crowding around Cory than Twilight, most of them aspiring to be artists and craftsmen in their own domain.
"I read all about your works Mr. Capricore." Said one preppy Colt.
"How do you make em so quickly?" Asked an eager Filly.
"You're an inspiration to us all." Commented another Colt with art supplies hanging out of it's satchel.
"Well, thanks." He replied shyly as he grabbed pens out of their mouths and signed his name on the pictures. "Just remember to keep working hard and get the best support you can, kids. Cause any one of you can make a masterpiece of your own."
After finishing their last signature on their respected head shots, the two of them continued their way to the castle.
"Sorry for garnering all that attention back there mom." Said Capricore
"Cory honey." Twilight replied. "Remember what we talked about. You should never be ashamed of being liked. As long as you keep a humble and modest attitude, you will always set a good example to those who aspire to be like you."
Cory nodded with a confident yes and continued trekking across the city with the mother. Of all the places in Canterlot, one was yet for him to explore: Celestia's castle. Though he knew he would not be able to meet her yet, it was still exciting for him to see the ruler's residence.
As the two arrived at the incandescent gates, he was not disappointed. The color scheme was a bright combination of white purple and gold, enhancing the feel of a Mardi Gras parade float. The spires which adorned each tower were almost out of children's storybook, complete with a flag and mast, blowing against the light, cool wind. Everywhere he looked, guards kept a watchful eye over any suspicious activity or intruders of any kind. Luckily, Twilight and Capricore were honorable guests in their eyes. Thus, they welcomed them with an open hoof.
In the center of the crowd of guards marched Shining Armor himself, captain of the royal guards, or as Cory now called, uncle. A smile loomed across his face as he took off his helmet and noticed their entrance.
"Twily" He shouted with enthusiasm as he galloped towards her.
"Hi big brother. I haven't seen you since the adoption." Replied Twilight.
"I know right? We should really get together more often."
"Hi Uncle Shining Armor." Said a shy Cory.
"Hey! my favorite nephew." Shining Armor replied as he gave Capricore a little noogie. "Ready to learn some first hand ways of the Royal Guard?"
"Ready when you are uncle."
"Then c'mon. Lets get ya all geared up for some jousting."
Capricore gulped a little at the sound of this.
"I'll be back to pick you up later today Ok?" Twilight reminded
"Sure thing mom." Capricore replied. Then he hopped on Shining Armor's back and rode off to his destination.
Before he knew it, Capricore found himself dressed in an iron clad body suit with a jousting rod in his hands, balancing on the back of his new uncle. Judging from his appearance,He looked and felt like Matthew Broderick's character in "The Cable Guy," except he wasn't forced to do such a task. Luckily, the ground was covered with mats to cushion his fall. Surrounding the ring were other members of the royal guard, cheering him on as if about to watch a fight of some sort. Facing him was a rather large, burly looking Unicorn with another jousting rod in his mouth. Cory took another large gulp, hoping he would be gentle on him.
"Now remember." Said a confidnet Shining Armor. "When you attack, keep your back arched, your head against your left shoulder, and your fore arms up front close together to block any face blows. Understand?'
"I think so." Capricore replied.
"Also, as your opponent's about to attack, hold your ground until the last possible moment. That's the best time to dodge. Cause if there's one thing our enemies have always fallen for, it's the element of surprise."
Upon saying this, He noticed his nephew's legs shivering with uncertainty.
"Don't worry nephew." Shining Armor reassured. "I've done this about a thousand times."
"Pretty sure you have." Replied a rather nervous Capricore.
"Alright. Now just thrust your javelin forward and leave the steering to your uncle Shining Armor."
And just as he predicted, the opponent and them started to charge toward each other. With fumbling hands, Capricore kept his javelin steady and his eyes forward.
"Wait for it." Said Shining Armor as they galloped closer. "Wait for it."
The opponent's javelin was about 2 feet away when Shining Armor shouted "NOW!" And with those words, Capricore and him dodged to their right, taking the other Unicorn out of position. Soon the three contestants turned the javelin post into an arena. After a few more dodges and a couple other javelin strikes, Shining Armor slid Capricore off his back, leaving him to take care of his worthy adversary.
"He's all your's kid!" Shining Armor shouted as he leaped into the stands.
"Wait, What?" asked a surprised Capricore.
"Don't worry. he'll be gentle."
Capricore took another gulp as he saw steam coming out of his opponent's snout. Now he was definitely petrified in fear. Yet, as the butch stallion pivoted forward, he remembered what his uncle just told him: ARCHED BACK; HEAD AGAINST SHOULDER; FOREARMS UP FRONT AND CLOSE TOGETHER; AND WAIT TILL THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
"Remember to bend your legs and spread them apart!" Shouted Shining Armor, To which Capricore did right away.
As his opponent came closer and closer, a voice in his head kept saying: Wait for it...Wait for it.. Then, just as he was about to be attacked, he dodged to his left, causing the unicorn to lose balance and trample into the side wall. This was followed by cheers of guards within the banters. But soon, the opponent got back on his hooves and shook off off the dust, to which he counted his right foreleg in the dirt and made a downward dog position. Capricore felt like a matador ready to strike his beastly rival in a bullfight. As the beast charged forward with steam in his snout and a javelin in his mouth, Capricore remembered a few self defense moves Rainbow Dash taught him awhile back.
First, he dodged the first blow to the stomach, Then, as his opponent tried to sneak up behind him, he swung his javelin underneath his legs, penetrating his chest with a blow. Next, as the stallion turned him around and grabbed him by his armor, he latched his arm around his foreleg and gave him a good hit in the elbow. Finally, as the stallion tried one last attack, Capricore took his own weapon and tripped him to the ground, to which he landed on his back and put him in a choke hold with his javelin. Soon the stallion tapped his hoof to the ground, signaling surrender.
There was a silence among the crowd of guards as Capricore mounted off his defeated adversary. Nopony could believe he took down such a large animal so easily. Then, out of the silence, Shining Armor started to clap his hooves together in congratulatory enthusiasm. Soon another Stallion joined in, and then another, and another, and another until the whole group of applause and congrats surrounded Capricore. A swelling of pride and accomplishment filled his veins and nerves. Moments later, he was picked up by Shining Armor and his other companions as he was carried away like a football player after a winning game.
"Awsome job Cory!" Said one Pegasi
"You da colt, Cory!" Complimented a Unicorn.
"Not bad for a first timer!" Commented another Pegasi.
"Hey boys!" Said Shining Armor. "How bout a round of cider for this brave young nephew of mine huh?"
Everyone cheered in agreement as they carried Capricore to a nearby pub.
It was within this establishment where he was standing in the center of a circle of congratulatory mares and stallions. In their left forelegs were jugs filled what appeared the rich aroma of apple cider, each drink unique in taste and smell. Though of course it was legal for a kid his age to drink this particular liquid, he still felt at that moment like he was over 21.
"Hey Bartender!" Shining Armor proclaimed "Another round of drinks for everypony, in honor of our little hero of the day."
The bartender nodded as he filled a few jugs with more freshly brewed cinnamon flavored cider. Then he tossed each one to everypony at the bar while Shining Armor stood on a bar stool.
"A toast to Cory." He proclaimed. "The bravest, and most awesome nephew anypony could ever ask for."
"TO CORY!!" the audience shouted back as they lifted their jugs in the air and took a big gulp of cider.
"Uhhh Cory." Said Shining Armor as he hopped off the table and leaned towards his nephew. "Lets keep this a secret between the two of us OK? I don't think your mother would be happy if she heard that...."
"SHINING ARMOR." Said a rather stern voice from the bar entrance. It was Princess Twilight, and she did not look pleased. As she stomped her way towards her brother, the customers surrounding her scooted away in fear.
"uhhh, hey Twily." gulped Shining Armor. "Didn't expect you to come around here."
"Listen mom." Said Capricore. "I can explain..."
"Cory. Do not affiliate yourself with this." Twilight snapped back. "Brother. You know better than to let an underage colt to drink."
"Well, I mean uh." Shining Armor tried to think of the right words. "You see..."
"In my world, they let us kids drink apple cider." Capricore interrupted.
The whole gasped in shock as he said this.
"They let you drink cider?" A puzzled Twilight asked.
"Well, yeah. In fact the last birthday I had with my old friends we had a cider party over at Joanna's barn."
Twilight thought for a moment and turned her head back to brother.
"I'm letting this one go big brother." She said "But if I catch you again, I'm gonna have to monitor you the next time you have a play date with my son from now on. Is that clear?"
"Yes sister." A rather scared Shining Armor answered.
"Good." Then she looked at everypony else. "Carry on."
Twilight trotted back outside while her son tagged behind.
"Look mom." Cory tried to explain. "I'm really sorry about all this. Truly I am."
"It's alright." Sighed a rather exhausted Twilight. "You didn't know. Lets head back home son. It's getting late."