“Here we are!” Pinkie Pie said to Matthew once they reached Twlight’s home.
“The pony lives in a tree?” Matthew questioned rhetorically.
Pinkie led Matthew through the front door of the tree house. The two ponies were immediately greeted by a purple unicorn coming down the stairs. “Hey Pinkie, who’s this?” Twilight asked.
Before Pinkie could speak, Matthew introduced himself to the mare. “I’m Matthew Harris,” he said. “I take it you’re Twilight?”
“Yes, I’m the town librarian. It’s nice to meet a new friend of Pinkie’s,” she commented.
“I am not a friend of Pinkie’s,” Matthew quickly stated. “I’m here because Pinkie told me that you could help me with something important.”
“And what’s that?”
“I’m not like all of you other ponies.” Matthew then explained to Twilight his story and where he came from. “I need you to help me find my purpose in life.”
Twilight scratched the back of her head awkwardly. “Well, I hate to have to be the one to tell you this, but only you can figure out what your purpose in life is.”
Matthew simply frowned, half expecting to get an answer along those lines. “I was afraid of that,” he muttered. He turned around to leave but Twilight stopped him before he could reach the door.
“But I think I might be able to help you at least a little bit,” she told the gray stallion. “You said you were the commander of an empire right?”
“Yes.”
“So perhaps your purpose has something to do with protecting ponies,” Twilight suggested.
Matthew thought about what the purple mare had said for a few seconds. “I’m a warrior and a leader. Before I died, I had an entire military force at my command and I was unmatched in every type of combat.” He tried to think of something where his skills could be put to good use, when finally, a thought hit him. “How big of an army does this kingdom have?”
“Um, we have royal guards. However, I think there’s only a couple hundred of them,” Twilight admitted.
Matthew was completely taken back by what he was just told. Never in million years would he have expected to hear that not only did Equestria lack an army, they also lacked any type of reasonable defense against an attack. “Now that is a serious problem,” Matthew finally said. “This kingdom has no way to defend itself against a major threat. If I could, I’d see to it that the rulers of this kingdom invested their time and money in creating an army.”
“Twilight is the Princess’ student!” Pinkie blurted out. “What if she sent a message for you?”
As much as Matthew hated to admit it, it was a good idea. “Would you do that for me?” he asked Twilight hopefully.
“I could try, but I can’t promise you she’ll agree to meet with you,” Twilight said.
“Just tell her that I wish to speak with her and that it’s important,” Matthew suggested.
Twilight sighed. “Fine, I’ll send her a message tonight. You can come back tomorrow morning and I’ll let you know what Princess Celestia’s response is.”
“I appreciate your help,” Matthew said as he turned to leave once again.
Matthew woke up the next morning in a cold sweat. To his annoyance, he had dreamt of another memory of his former life as a commander. He was in the same park he was when he first found the town. “When will these damn dreams end?” Matthew wondered. He looked up to see that the sun was shining bright in the sky. “I suppose I should head over to Twilight’s and see if the Princess has responded to my request.”
When the black maned stallion reached Twilight’s home, he saw what he assumed was a royal chariot near the door. Matthew knocked on the door and patiently waited for somepony to answer.
“Oh, Matthew, I’m glad you’re here,” Twilight greeted, stepping aside to let him in.
When Matthew entered, the first thing he noticed was a large snow white pony standing in the room with two guards at her sides. “I take it your Princess Celestia,” Matthew assumed.
“That is correct,” the sun goddess replied. Her voice was calm yet at the same time firm. “Twilight has brought it my attention that you’re no ordinary pony.” Matthew nodded and waited for the princess to continue. “I’d very much like to talk with you back at the castle, I’m sure my sister would like to meet you as well.”
“When will we be leaving?” Matthew asked.
“We can leave right now if you’re ready.”
“Let’s go.”