//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 // Story: Home Again // by drnkntst //------------------------------// Chapter 52 Rick was sitting on the couch in a blissful cloud of love, they only kissed but it had been almost two years since he had felt this much… at peace with the world (the irony of it being a different world he was at peace with was lost on him at this moment). Fluttershy was happily napping against him with a smile of her own plastered on her face. Twilight had gone into the kitchen to prepare some sandwiches for the three of them. There was a knock at the door, Rick was too lost in himself right now and Fluttershy was still in her dreamland, so Twilight answered the door after sitting the sandwiches on the coffee table. Shining Armor and Cadence came into the home. “…I wish we could stay longer, Twily, but… what’s up with them?” Shining pointed at the pegasus and the smiling idiot on the couch. “Twily, did something happen? Something that you can’t tell me?” “It’s alright, Shining,” Cadence calmed her husband, “nothing like what you’re thinking happened, I can tell these things you know.” Cadence walked over to Twilight, “something very… nice did happen though, didn’t it, Twilight?” “You could say that.” A smile formed on the purple princess’ face. Twilight told them of the events from earlier that day, Sugar Cube Corner, the cutie mark explanation and a family friendly version of their kiss. “…and they’ve been like that since.” “That’s love for you,” Cadence smiled warmly and scooped Twilight into a hug. Shining, on the other hand, had a different destination in mind. “You do remember our little talk don’t you?” he asked Rick quietly. Unsatisfied with the ‘hmmm…’ he got in response, he let his ‘Captain of the Royal Guard’ side take over. “ON YOUR FEET, SOLDIER!!” Rick was thrust into reality with so much force, he fell off the couch. “Wahha!” He got to his hooves and looked around to figure out what was going on. “What the hell was that about?!” he yelled at Shining as he climbed back onto the couch to comfort Fluttershy, who was on the verge of tears after Shining’s shout woke her in a militaristic fashion. “Just so you know, the last time someone made Fluttershy cry, I nearly ripped his wings off. Yell at me all you want, but not around her.” Shining started to respond, but the look on Fluttershy’s face made him stop. He looked to Twilight and Cadence, but there was no help there. “I was just… look, I…” A deep sigh of defeat was let loose from Shining, “I’ll get the bags.” As Shining left the room, Rick turned to Cadence, Fluttershy still wrapped in his Forelegs, “wait, are we leaving now?” “Yes, the train leaves in an hour. I suggest you pack your things and so goodbye to your fillies. You’ll be staying with us at the Crystal Castle during you training which will run for one month. Each week will have a different regimen and you will have the weekends to come back here and visit or they can come and visit you. Either way, Shining Armor will put you through your paces to make sure you are fully able to protect these girls,” she wrapped a wing around Twilight and pulled her close for emphasis, “and then some when you’re done. If I were you, I’d bring something to offer moral support.” She smiled at him then turned and hugged Twilight again and left, yelling at Shining Armor before the door was even closed. “That’s probably a really good idea.” Rick kissed Fluttershy on her forehead. “Do either of you have a photo you can loan me?” Twilight said she did and left to retrieve it while Fluttershy flew off to tell the others to meet at the train station to see him off. Rick didn’t have much to pack, just some toiletries and a coat Rarity made for him, he wouldn’t need it but he knew it would make her happy that he had it with him. Rick left his house with a small bag in his mouth and Paul by his side and started for the station. The bag was plucked from his mouth by a light teal aura belonging to Cadence and placed on top of an already sizeable stack on the back of Shining Armor. “Ready to go?” her friendly voice called out to him. “As I’ll ever be. The girls are going to meet us at the station.” “And your dog?” Shining asked under the strain of the luggage. “What? Can he not come too?” “Of course he can,” Cadence said as she bent down and nuzzled the dog, “He’ll keep me company during my royal court.” A giggle escaped her. “And he can comfort me after Shining kicks my tail all day.” “Well I hope he isn’t the only comfort you’ll find.” Twilight said as she approached the group. “I found that picture you requested. It shows me and Fluttershy and everypony else.” Twilight looked deep into his eyes, “will this do?” “To drive me on through the hell that I’m sure your brother is planning to put me through.” The photo floated up and tucked itself into his bag on top of the luggage pile. “So, you’re saying that the only thing that’s going to comfort you in your hour of need, is the thought of the mares you left behind?” The look she gave him was very… affectionate, bordering on sultry. To say that Rick enjoyed it would be an understatement. “You know it, Sweetheart.” Rick gave her a wink and leaned in to kiss her. There wasn’t any contact made. A pink aura had been formed between them. “You may be her stallion, but she’s still my sister and for the next month, you belong to me,” Shining Armor told him. “And love is my jurisdiction… Dear.” The fluctuation in her voice told her husband that this was not only a fight he would lose, but one he absolutely should not even try to start. The aura dropped and Twilight and Rick finished their kiss. Out of respect for Shining, it was kept brief. Shortly after, they reached the train station. Waiting there were the other five Elemental Bearers, the Crusaders, Spike and Big Macintosh. The sight of so many waiting for him reminded him of his triumphant return from Canterlot a month or so before. That was the night he found out about the love those four mares had for him. That day changed his life and thinking back on the events of that day, it would rank very high up on his list of favorite days. Rick hugged Pinkie and Rainbow, kissed Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Twilight, tousled the mane of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle but held off on Scootaloo, since she still wasn’t sure she wanted to trust him, he didn’t want to push his luck, instead he smiled and nodded to her. Rick then called Spike and Big Mac over for a private conversation. “Listen, guys, I’m going to be gone for a month. I’m going to need to rely on you two to keep an eye on things ‘til I get back.” Both nodded their understanding and agreement. “Big Mac, you’re gonna be the heavy hitter and, Spike, you are gonna need to be Mac’s eyes and ears in town.” “Yes sir!” Spike threw up a very crisp salute. “You know, Spike,” Rick lowered his head and whispered so only Spike could hear, “Rarity may need you to keep a very close eye in her.” Spike’s face was overtaken with a knowing smile, “Yes sir!” Another sharp salute. “Just remember one thing, Buster,” Spike looked up at Rick with wide eyes, “be friendly all you like, but she’s still my girl.” Spike nodded. “Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page. You are a good man, Spike.” Rick thrust a hoof straight forward and Spike met it with a closed fist, then he turned to Mac and the gesture was repeated. “Train will departing in five minutes mares and gentlecolts!” came the call from the conductor. “I guess that’s my call. Ladies, I will be thinking of you all until I return, especially when things get rough. I look forward to seeing you all again.” After a few, four, quick farewell kisses, he boarded the train, followed shortly by Cadence and Shining and the train pulled out on time. Chapter 53 After the train arrived, Rick had been assigned baggage detail. It had been decided that his training should be started as soon as possible. Shining was not very secretive about his pleasure in being free of the burden. Of course, if he would have known that Rick could carry all of it and then some with no outward signs of stress, he would have tried to convince his wife it was necessary back in Ponyville. They were escorted to the palace by Cadence’s Crystal Guard. Although, in Shining Armor’s opinion, it was pointless. A pony would have to be a damned fool to try to attack the three of them. Rick may not have his magic anymore, but he still had Apple family level strength and a determination to protect that would rival any of the princesses’ guards. Shining himself may not have the same level brute strength, but his fighting skills and magical talent would make a force unto himself. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, known to her friends simply as Cadence, while not known for any sort of aggressive magic, one would be more than a fool to attack her, they would be bucking insane to go after an alicorn. All-in-all, the short half mile walk would be a safe one. After the royal luggage had been deposited with porters, Rick was led to a private room that would be his during his stay. After he was settled in, they all met up for dinner. “So, Captain, what do you have planned for me tomorrow?” “Well, there’s no doubt your strong, though there’s no reason we can’t try to make you stronger, but I hear you can’t hardly gallop more than a few yards before you’re stepping all over your own hooves. So, I think we’ll start the morning with some good ol’ fashion aerobic exercises then follow it up with some strength training and top it off with some endurance building. When we’re done with that, Cadence will heal you up, you’ll get some sleep and we’ll start again fresh in the morning.” “Wow, so in short, this week is gonna suck.” “It’s the same routine that I put every royal guard through. You, however, have the single benefit of having the best healer in Equestria here and agreeing to help you with the pain, and believe me, there will be pain. Next week, you will start training with the Crystal Guard. They are the best trained hoof-to-hoof experts in Equestria and after they're done, there won’t be an earth pony that can match you. The week after, Luna has agreed to loan me a couple of her best Night Guards and when they are done with you, not even Rainbow Dash will be able to beat you. Week four, you’ll be going up against the very best, Celestia’s Light Guards, the toughest unicorns you’ll ever hope to stay on the good side of. On the last day of training, there’ll be one last test. You fail that last test, and we start all over again.” “Damn. Well, I know it’s going to be rough, but to protect the family I love, I’ll do anything.” Cadence walked over to him, “we know you will, Rick.” She nuzzled him gently, “now, get some rest, you’re going to need it.” The little smile she flashed was a bit too coy for his tastes. It was almost like she was going to enjoy his suffering. Rick had done what Cadence suggested and fell asleep quickly, the train ride had taken a lot out of him. Right in the middle of a very pleasant dream involving one or two of his mares, he was rudely awakened right at the best part. “ON YOUR FEET SOLDIER!! IT’S ONE HOUR ‘TIL SUNRISE, WE’RE ALREADY BEHIND!! GET OUT OF THAT BED AND ON YOUR HOOVES!!” Rick sprung out of bed, propelled by his body’s natural reaction to do whatever it took to make the yelling stop. “Oh yeah, this is gonna suck. Just remember who you’re doing this for ‘cause I know they’ll remember it.”