//------------------------------// // Once upon a Fluttershy, and the Night Guards // Story: Wonder-Colt 3: The Dragon's Trap. // by Will of Haphinea //------------------------------// "I know...a bunny of all things? It is ridiculous, but I suppose it comes with this curse," Wonder trailed off, trying not to rant about his now smaller frame. "Well, it seems as if Fluttershy is doing better, after I checked up on her when we got her back. I'm sure she just needs rest, and she'll be glad to meetcha. After all, you did rescue her, and I can't thank you enough for that!" Applejack said rather excitedly. She had a few scrapes and bruises from her adventure at the beach, but overall was looking fine and filling her new bunny friend on the details. "Shucks, I completely forgot to ask...what is your name anyhow? I can't keep callin' ya 'dragon-boy' when you aint a dragon-pony anymore, and who knows what else you might turn into next time. So, what is it?" "Hmm, my name..." he paused for a bit; truth be told he hated being called 'Wonder' all his life, and perhaps for a time, he could do with a temporary new name. "My name...is Wes, Wes Tone. It's an old family name that was passed down for a long time and," he was interrupted by a glare from Applejack, who could tell he was lying about the name. "Lookie here, sugarcube. I am not one to pry into one's personal business and I appreciate the help you have given us, but I don't think that's your name." She got him there, and his nervousness showed she was one-hundred percent on the dot about her feelings. "It isn't but, I honestly just don't like the name, Wonder-Colt and believe me, it made my time in Academy harder than you'll ever know. Please, I beg you to let me use this name...as a favor for rescuing you? I shan't ask for anything else, I just..." he stopped and turned around and hopped out of the building. Apple jack tried to follow, but he used a climbable wall to escape from her. What's the use, if the Elements couldn't accept me for something like my name...NO! he snapped out of it before he started to mope more. I may not like the name, of not having wings or magic to help me, but I'll be a fool if I give in now and start feeling sorry for myself!. He turned to go follow Applejack, but before he did, he decided to check out a new store on the other side of the wall. After buying a few things, including a shield that could prove useful against any fireball and flamethrower attacks, he headed to go catch up to the mare he had ran from earlier, and saw her, as well as the Pegasus mare he had escorted back from the second undead dragon. He scurried a bit faster towards them, only to be picked up by the yellow one, and hugged tightly. "OH MY! How cute you are in a little suit of armor lil bunny! Do you want a carrot or something to eat? I don't have anything right now, but I'll try and find something for you lil..." "Ma'am, I thank you, but I am doing quite fine," he interrupted and continued to wave towards Applejack to try and get her attention. "YOU TALK!?! Oh my goodness this is sooo exciting I can't wait to tell the Princess, that is if you don't mind that is," Fluttershy was beside herself with excitement, while the cursed guard looked completely miffed at the development. "Ah, Sugarcube, this is...'Wes', he's a Royal Guard who rescued us from some old Dragons, and he is trying to help find the other girls. Sorry, he isn't a new kind of talking critter." Applejack added the last part rather hesitantly. She knew her friend was excited, but rather than upsetting her, she seemed fine with the news. "Oh, in that case, I am so sorry Mr. Wes. I didn't know, and I do thank you for rescuing us! I only wish I could help you somehow..." "Well, there is a hospital across the bridge in town, and I heard that you know how to patch up little animals. Since I seem to be one at the moment, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind?" he asked, knowing she had the right to say no, but there were some injuries he felt needed to be patched up before he headed off to the next area. "Oh, of course...I am sorry, I am just so happy to see a talking bunny, even if he is a Royal Guard!" she giggled. Despite being a bit embarrassed of his present look, it seemed he was getting attention from the beautiful mare, something that he would never admit to out loud at least, and that was fine by him. After getting checked up, patched up from the slime-burns that last battle manifested on his body, he waved farewell to the two ladies, and continued onward past the shop he had stopped by, and continued West towards the thick forest area, that resembled something like the Everfree back in Equestria. It wasn't an easy journey, there were these glowing blue energy stone that were along the ground he had to avoid running into, as another sunglasses-wearing cloud came by, and began its assault of now rolling fireballs that followed him as he ran away. The shield, however, seemed to work great against these little hot elements, and provided more than enough protection. He arrived at an odd maze of sorts the blocked the entrance to the forest, that would require his squeezing into tight spaces, and would have continued in and explored the forest, were it not for two shadows that grabbed him, and fell him back East! "Let go, you foul creatures! " He spoke as he tried in vain to strike the flying creature with his sword, and only managed to stun the one holding him, while the other snagged him out of the sky as he fell. "Calm little one. I just saw a cutey Pegasus in that town, and I bet she would love a cute pet, and a nice strong Guard to protect her" he said while the other creature held the hero in its mouth. "You are Night Guards? Halt! I am...Wonder-Colt, of the Royal Guards, and I demand you release me in that town at once!" he hesitated to say his real name to the two guards, but it was protocol, and it was better that, than potentially end up a meal to two bat-winged Pegasus. They both swooped down, and presented the bunny-in-armor to the two mares, and asked if they knew what they knew about the bunny. Thankfully, Fluttershy snatched the armored bunny away from the Night Guards as they asked their questions. After a brief overview of what happened so far, the Guards let their 'bunny snack' go, and introduced themselves as Blade Noir and Silhouette Shield. With the mention of the second name, however, Wonder jumped up and hugged the Night Guard mare, and was beside himself with joy. "Oh please tell me it's you, lil Shilhouette from the village of annoying, squawking birdmen! It is me, the green-maned Guard that passed through and told you about the Night Guard!" he said, still waiting for a response. She was in thought for a bit, and smiled and said something to the other guard before responding to the others "I remember you, again I must thank you for all your information. To be honest, I am very happy to join the Guards and...if I may be so bold. You were much more handsome as a stallion, to be perfectly honest" she giggled as the other joined in at the now embarrassed bunny hero. "Err, thanks, I guess...but how did you get here anyway? This town is in a self-contained world of its own, according to Smokey in the Inn. How did you all find your way here?" he asked, hoping to also find out a bit on how the Elements were captured as well. "Quite honestly," Noir started, "it is a bit embarrassing. We and a few other guards were asked to escort the Elements to a disturbance outside of the Everfree area. When we arrived there was a layer of almost colorless fog surrounding the part of the forest near that old castle. Since we could not risk all the troops getting lost we were...volunteered...to go in with the Elements, after attempts to use their power against the fog itself proved useless." "Last I remember is entering what looked like a huge castle in the sky, with the other girls, and then...I was woken up by that pig, and he told me you rescued me." Applejack added. "Hmm, okay, I think I understand. But why were the Elements captured, and not you two?" the Guard of Celestia asked, knowing that the Night Guards may have misinterpreted his questions as hostile...but thankfully, this was not the case. "To be honest, we fled after we saw what happened to all the mares who went into the castle. Each one turned into a fearsome Dragons, and Miss Sparkle and her dragon...well, I don't know what happened but they were very disturbing when I saw them." Silhouette looked very upset recalling it. It had been months since he saw her last, and going from a little outcast to Night Guard in such a small time frame must have been an experience. Still experience and training can only prepare one for so much. Wonder thought carefully about how to ask this last question, but had to blurt it out. "Does...does Celestia know about the mission? I last contacted her around one month after my Sphinx encounter, and hoped that that would have stopped any further investigation to this area of Equestria. If...she didn't know about me then that means," he paused. "Yes, I am afraid we never received a scroll since Silhouette's village. Many, including myself and even Shining Armor fear the worst after reading and encountering such enemies your letter and what she described was out there," Noir answered. "That is why the Elements were brought in...failing that, I fear Shining and the rest of the Guards will find their way if we don't figure this out." "I understand..but I can manage, and appreciate your help, but I have to handle the Dragons alone. I don't know if this curse can be cured, but if not, I rather just me be affected than yourselves...is that understood?" The Night Guards saluted. Truth be told, they were even in ranks, but they respected the bunny guard despite his present curse, and didn't want that to happen to them, if they could help it. "I shall head back to the forest, but if I may request one bit of help..." "Name it" Noir answered. "There are two annoying smoke clouds along the way, would you mind 'clearing the skies' on my way to the forest? I should be alright from there," the bunny guard asked. "Simple enough, although before you go, from what I saw in the forest, the enemies are getting a lot tougher, and I would suggest stocking up before heading out. I shall dispose of the cloud, and await you at the forest entrance." Noir took off, and headed West toward where the next dungeon was sure to be. "Sillie-girl, if I may ask one thing..." Wonder called out to the bat-winged mare, and knew the nick name he gave her would irritate her. "Ehh, you know how I hate that name! What is your request?" she asked, guarding over Fluttershy as Smokey gave her an odd look. She sneered at him, and made sure he backed off before she left for the hospital. "Just...if you could follow Miss Applejack up to the desert area. It should be cleared out of most enemies now, but they tend to come back. After she comes back, check out the lava fields on the way to the volcanic area. I sense there is something there, but I want to be sure before I risk going there, after I return." "You ask so little of me 'Tone..it is a shame I cannot assist you further, but I shall finish your request as soon as possible. That said, meet anyone before you got to this dumpy monster town? Or are you satisfied with a down-to-Earth Pony? hehe, or maybe the Pegasus with the nice..." she was cut-off by a paw over her mouth, as Fluttershy passed them and entered the building smiling unaware of their conversation. "Goodness, just because I meet two mares, you think I would...ugh, you are too much, Sillie-girl" he chuckled to himself. Granted, he did find them attractive but he dared not think any bad thoughts about them, lest the Princesses punish him for that. Then again, he was probably being paranoid, he thought to himself. "It's alright...maybe I'll find someone while I am out here. I doubt I'll find any tough guys out here, but hey you never know! See you later...W-Colt!" she stressed the colt a bit longer, but he didn't dwell on it. By far there were worse ways to be teased, and Silhouette's teases were merely friendly banter from two people who met and enjoyed each others company. In the meantime he had a job to do, and another Element to free from the next Dragon...