//------------------------------//
// Chapter 17 
// Story: One Soldier's Twilight 
// by Dr.Shisno 
//------------------------------//

My eyes jolted open, but this time I dared not move. I found myself on the bed again. Still in Twi's house, her tree library. The sun was entering the nearby window. I sighed, letting my head sink back into the pillow. My thoughts slowly began to reorganize themselves.
 
Where am I? Better yet, WHO am I? Right. Miller, Toby. Sergeant. Or am I? No, that rank has long since past. OK, now where am I again? Ponyville? Is that even correct? Yes, I remember now, something about a transfer into Equestria. Ow, why does my head hurt? Wait... I remember again. I punched myself. I punched myself in the face… twice. Twice, in front of... oh my... them... all of them. I knocked myself out, in front my girlfriend and her friends. Wait, did I black out? Making a fool outta yourself then hitting the floor. Well then, Toby, you've certainly made a wonderful first impression.

"Hey, you're awake!" Turning to the direction of voice, I see it's just Twilight walking up the stairs. Her smile shone like the sunlight entering the window next to me. I sat up in the bed, slowly.
 
"How did you guess that?"
 
"Please, I have a sense for these things." She gave a reassuring smile. "Also, I'm fairly sure the rest of Equestria heard you sigh."
 
"Oh, right." I brought a hoof up to my face, which startled her for a second. "Don't worry, I'm not planning on hitting myself anytime soon. Besides, I really didn't think that all the way through." Rubbing my face, I could feel where the bruises were forming. "Twi, how long was I out?"
 
She brought up a rag, wet with water, and began to wash my face. "A few days? You've been in and out of consciousness since we've arrived back, and it's been a week since then."
 
"Ugh, I get the feeling I've done that before." I managed to make a weak smile.
 
She set the rag aside and moved close towards me. "Yes, but this time you're with me and under my care." I felt her cool lips press against my cheek. "And I'm not going to let that change."
 
"Thanks, because I don't think I would have it any other way."
 
"You're too kind," rolling her eyes in mock amusement. "Now come on," she spoke assertively, using her magic to take the blankets off of me. "You've got a big day ahead of you. You've got an audience with the Princess. It's not every day that a pony gets a chance to speak with the ruler of Equestria. Well," she giggled a bit, "no normal pony that is. Come on out of bed. Your mane is a mess from all that sleeping you've been doing."
 
"Wait, I have hair?" Reacting in shock, I ran my hooves over my head, finding that in fact I did have a full head of hair.
 
"Well, why wouldn't you?" Twi gave me a weird look.
 
"It's just cause I never really had hair. Remember? Military regulations and such. Even before my military days, I never liked having a full head of hair."
 
"Then you should've seen yourself before now." She laughed. "You didn't have any hair. Like any hair anywhere. I guess you were still "cooking" from the transfer. Though, I can say now I've seen a hairless pony that was not in a book. I can mark that one off the check-list."
 
"I bet it's probably one of those things you don't want to see ever again, right?"
 
"You can say that again," another voice came from the stairs. It was only Spike, carrying a bag up to assist Twilight. "Just when you think you've seen it all, a naked pony drops from the sky."
 
"Spike, did you pack everything?" Twilight questioned.
 
"Yes! I double, triple, quadruple, and quintuple checked the list you gave me."
 
"Thank you, Spike. Now you!" Twilight shot at me. "Get out of bed, it's time for a bath."
 
"No!" I playful answered, pouting and crossing my forelegs. "You can't make me." I soon found myself tossed on the ground looking up at her smug grin. "You and your magic."
 
"Bath. Now." She gently pecked my nose. I could almost hear Spike roll his eyes at the sight of us. "We can't have you going to Princess smelling like you were rolling in dirt."
 
"Not that you've never done that before." I muttered under my breath.
 
"What was that?"
 
"Noooooothing." My grin widened. "Nothing at all."
 
"Now you're just asking for it."
 
 

* * *


I guess Twilight decided to take the scenic route to Canterlot. The Princess provided us tickets to take the train, seeing as it would maybe help familiarize myself with the area. The Princess was even kind enough to give us a cabin to ourselves. So there we were on a train to Canterlot: Twi, Spike, and I. What a scene that was. I was on the couch by the window, gazing out the window, watching the scenery fly by. Twilight was asleep next to me. Her head was resting against my body. Her soft snores brought a smile to my face. I didn't blame her for being so tired. After taking care of me for that long, she’d earned her nap in my book. Spike was sitting across the cabin and, from the sounds of it, writing another report. Though I couldn't see him, I could feel his glare.
 
"I don't know if you have this expression here, Spike," I spoke, finally deciding to break the silence, but keeping my focus on the scenery, "but we had this thing called the 'thousand yard stare'. I can tell you have one, because I can feel it." I turned to face him. He dropped his quill and only held a scowl. "Speak your mind, kid. I personally like the honesty better than having to wait for the knife in my back. Trust me, I know what that's like. It ain't fun."
 
"Look, Mr. Toby, no offense to you. I just don't see how Twi fell for you. I mean you harmed others of your kind! While she has helped everypony she's come in contact with. You two are too different! I just don't see what she sees in you."
 
"Spike, I can't explain love to you, because I can't explain it to myself. Love works in mysterious ways, especially when love finds you," motioning to Twi. "I mean, isn't that the same way with you and Rarity?"
 
He was taken aback by that statement. "Well, I mean…" he began to blush. "She is one beautiful pony."
 
"No, Spike. That's why you like her." I shook my head. "Why do you love her?"
 
He put a claw to his chin, scratched his head in thought. "Well, I guess I can't explain it."
 
"And that's love, Spike. Unexplainable, but yet," kissing Twilight on the forehead. She nuzzled a bit closer to me as a smile grew on her face, "something completely natural."
 
"Well, I guess you’re right." He picked up the quill and began to write again. "Twilight was right to say that I should have great expectations of you."
 
My ears perked up at that comment. "Did she say that?" Receiving a nod in response, then speaking softly to myself, "Hmm, clever girl."
 
The rest of the ride went by smoothly. The scenery was beautiful, reminding me of my time in Germany. With the massive forests, the rolling hills, the many rivers. Albeit this is nothing like Germany, it was the closest thing I could think of. The train eased its way into the station and I gently nudged Twi awake. She gave me a guilty smile for being asleep the whole trip.
 
We made our way off the train and into the inner city of Canterlot. Words did not do this city justice. It was a city made of gleaming pearls, fresh from being cleaned. My mouth was held agape the whole time while we walked to the palace. It was beautiful; it was awe-inspiring! Twilight only giggled at my stunned emotions.
 
She bumped into me, snapping me out of my stupor. "So Toby is finally quiet, unable to speak. I never thought I would see the day. I should've brought you here sooner."
 
"I must admit, it's quite the centerpiece of Equestria." A quick pause. "That's about all I can say."
 
"I'm glad that all you can say are nice things."
 
"Well, I normally like to say nice things when I’m faced with both a gorgeous scenery and a beautiful pony next to me." I gave her an overdone wink, just to add to the corniness.
 
"Stop that," she giggled, adding a playful bump to accent her statement. "You're too kind."
 
Trailing behind us was Spike, clearly not enjoying himself in the current situation. Out of the corner of my eye, he was struggling a bit to carry the bag Twilight gave him. And by the weary look on his face, listening to us banter on wasn't helping much either.
 
"Hey, hold up one, Twi." I stopped and met Spike halfway, and knelled in front of him "Spike, jump on. You've had enough walking for today. You deserve it."
 
"Thanks Toby," Spike sighed as he climbed on me. "Is there a reason you're trying to get on my good side?"
 
"Well, now that you mention it, no," I tried to keep my pace slow so I could talk with Spike before I caught up with Twilight. "We're a team now and being on a team means no one gets left behind. I lived by those words most of my life, I'm not letting that creed go just because I'm a pony now."
 
"You guys are having one of those manly talks, aren't you?" Twilight questioned.
 
"Nah, Twi," I gave Spike a reassuring glance. "Spike was just telling me about some of his exploits. Spike, I think you were in the middle of telling me how you saved Rarity from the Diamond Dogs, right?"
 
"Oh... yeah I was!" Spike took a moment to right himself and continue. "So there I was, outnumbered, three to one! Fighting against all odds to find Rarity and save her..."