"Is this really necessary?" Rocky Road asked from the comfort of a wheel chair as Twilight and the Princesses wheeled him down a busy hospital hallway with their magic.
"Only until we reach the exit. Doctor Touchstone will have my mane if I break hospital protocol." replied Princess Celestia smiling as she waved to star struck foals in hospital gowns. Rocky sighed but resigned himself to the strange modern contraption that they were using to wheel him out of the building.
"On the bright side." Princess Cadence chimed in. "It's not everyday that you are personally escorted by TWO princesses. Consider it a thank you for your service in defense of Canterlot. Not to mention saving my life."
"I'm honored. Truly." Rocky said bowing his head respectfully.
"The honor is ours." Princess Celestia giggled which earned her an amused look from both Twilight and Cadence.
`
A good part of the morning consisted of Princess Celestia probing Rocky for information the same way a reporter from the Equestria Daily would question a potential source. Twilight and Cadence joined in the discussion when they felt appropriate but for the most part they were listening in fascination. Twilight wished she had her notebook and quill, but more so than that, a camera. She couldn't think of a time where she ever saw her mentor...well... giddy. Excited yes. Impressed yes. But giddy? As far as Twilight was concerned this was a first for the history books. Who was this Rocky Road? What were these gates he kept mentioning in his tales? Not to mention the fact that EARTH PONIES COULD DO MAGIC. Twilight's mind reeled as she recalled what Rocky did in the tunnels of the old Canterlot mines, and against Chrysalis and her changelings. Such a novel form of magic deserved to be explored, documented...
"Research." Twilight's eyes became wide as dinner plates as she paused at the threshold of Canterlot General Hospital.
"Twilight, did you say something?" Asked a concerned Princess Cadence. Princess Celestia and Rocky Road also turned to look at the stupefied unicorn. Twilight shook herself from her daze and rubbed the back of her head embarrassed.
"Oh nothing Cadence. Absolutely nothing. Didn't you have something you wanted to give him?"
Cadence placed a hoof on her lips as she remembered. She reached into her mane with her magic and pulled out a beautifully decorated envelope, giving it a once over she levitated it to Rocky who accepted it with an outstretched hoof.
"Mr. Rocky Road. I would be honored if you attended mine and Shining Armor's wedding. It's the least I could do after you saved my life."
Rocky pulled out a pair of reception tickets and smiled. "Thank you Princess. I would love to come." His eyes lingered on the second ticket and he frowned. He closed his eyes and placed a hoof to his head. In his mind's eye he saw his companions fighting for their lives and how he failed them.
"Oh I am such a fool. How could I forget about them. How could I have been so selfish..."
Twilight, Princess Cadence and Princess Celestia all looked at him with concern, but before they could even ask what was wrong Rocky spoke.
"Princess Celestia, there were two ponies with me before I fought Queen Chrysalis. Are they..." His voice wavered with concern but he forced out the question he dreaded to ask. "Did they die?"
"Flash Sentry and Octavia Melody? They were discharged from the hospital this morning with relatively minor injuries. I met Octavia just yesterday when I was making my rounds visiting the injured in the hospital." Princess Celestia gestured towards Twilight. "My faithful student Twilight here bumped into Flash Sentry just yesterday, quite literally. The poor Stallion was knocked on his flank."
"Oh. Princess, please STOP." Twilight said turning away a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. The look on her face was not lost on Cadence who chuckled knowingly.
A wave of relief washed over Rocky as he hopped off the wheelchair now that they were out of the Hospital proper. "Thank Goodness." He said, thankful to be out of the chair with wheels and back on his own hooves.
"Would you like them to accompany you to the wedding?" Princess Cadence asked smiling wide. Rocky Road thought about it for about half a second before nodding his assent, matching Cadence's smile. The Princess of Love levitated the magic envelope out of Rocky's hooves. With a quick flash, the one envelope became three, each with a reception ticket secured inside. She gave one to Rocky, one to Twilight and kept the third. "I'll take this one to Flash Sentry, Shining might know where to find him. That is unless...you want to invite him yourself Twi..."
"NOPE! Octavia it is!" Twilight exclaimed before Cadence could finish. "Gotta go! Seeyouattheweddingbye!" With a flash of purple light, Twilight was gone.
Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence burst into giggles while Rocky cocked his head to the side. "What's her problem?"
"Oh nothing. You should have picked up on it yourself since you and I have practically the same ability."
Rocky cocked an eyebrow. "I can detect emotions Princess, not read mares."
Cadence shook her head and sighed. "Ain't that just like a boy. I better be off. Hope to see you soon!" Princess Cadence spread her wings and took to the skies. Leaving Princess Celestia and Rocky Road on the side of the road by the hospital. Rocky watched as Princess Cadence flew off, he followed her with his eyes until she was out of sight before turning to Princess Celestia. Princess Celestia looked down at him and smirked.
"So my little pony. What will you do now."
Rocky road looked at the envelope in his hooves. "I suppose I have a wedding to look forward to, but after that..." His eyes went from the envelope to the streets where carriages and ponies went about their day. He lingered on the tall decorative structures that served as business centers and homes only recently repaired from the changeling incursion.
"...I have no idea." Rocky sighed. "My home is gone. Everypony I loved is gone. My clan is gone. I have nothing."
"A wise earth pony once said. There is no greater gift than to be given a second chance. Even if it is to start from nothing."
Rocky Road slowly turned and looked into Princess Celestia's eyes.
"Those are the words of Lord Tender Hoof, one of my mentors. You've clearly done your research." Rocky nodded impressed.
"You have no idea." Princess Celestia chuckled for a final time before a look of seriousness graced her features. Then the princess did something that Rocky did not expect. She knelt down and bowed low. This was unlike inside the hospital, it was an ancient sign of respect, the kind the old practitioners of Tei-Rah-Do did to honor their masters. Rocky backed away surprised, feeling a little uncomfortable. Some nearby ponies stopped to stare at the strange sight of their princess bowing before a lowly commoner. It was unbecoming of a princess, but Celestia did not care.
"Oh Princess please. There's no need for this." Rocky said quietly looking down at Celestia. Princess Celestia merely looked up at him with utmost seriousness. Rocky could feel the determination radiating from her like the sun and he looked back deep into her eyes. The noble spark of a strong, kind, and compassionate ruler.
Rocky rebuked his feelings of unease and mirrored Princess Celestia in the bow. After a moment Princess Celestia sighed and with a shaky voice said.
"My Lord. Please honor me with a duel."
"I will grant it." Rocky said, his voice barely above a whisper.
And with that they vanished in a flash of brilliant light.