Chapter 2: The Training of Friends
Pinkamena is reading and says, "Well seems like Flash is telling the tale of when he met Ben and who knew his real whole name was Ben Maregillian?"
"Indeed , never knew as well but happy to know." Golden Heart comments, making the others nod.
Well, back to the past...
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It was the next day as Ben was sleeping like a little foal, sleeping with his phoenix doll; But however he is in for a rude awakening when an alarm clock went off, causing the Earth Pony to yelp a bit. Ben got up to see Flash near his bed with the said alarm clock going off.
"Up and at them, Sleeping Pony; come on, get up; get up!" Flash insists. Ben groans as he lies back down, pulling the covers over his head to get back to sleep. His friend however removes the covers and snaps, "Come on, time to get ready! Breakfast is ready!" The Pegasus colt holds up a bowl of oatmeal with two eggs and a daisy that looks like a happy face. "Look! Your meal is happy to see you."
Ben sniffs the meal then yelps as his friend begins feeding him mouthful of oatmeal. The shy foal swallows while asking, "Flash, what are you doing here?"
"Training and I need a training partner. So I select you. No worries."
"What? Training...b-b-b-but..."
"Ben, I am your best friend but even I can't be around all the time. If you want to stand up for yourself, you need to train and look better. Today will be your first day of training so no fighting and pay attention." Flash explains sternly to Ben. "Be nice with the other colts, unless one of them decides to play rough then kick his flank."
"But I don't want to fight." Ben protests with his mouth full of oatmeal.
"No speaking with your mouth full, Benjamin. Okay, you need something that could scare ponies. Give me your war face." Flash instructs. Ben pauses then gives him wide eyes...and cheeks full of food. His best friend doesn't look amused. "I think my imagination got scared off. Ben, come on! You can do better than that! Scare me, come on!"
Ben swallows his food...and growls as loud as he could, nearly sending Flash back. The Pegasus pony laughs, "All right, we're getting somewhere! That's my kick flank hero; Time for you to get your flank out and show me what you got!"
Ben got out of his best and follows Flash. Cadance was outside, smiling as she said, "There goes my little cousin, on a trip to prove himself to be a stallion..." This causes the pink Alicorn to shed a tear a bit.
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Flash took his best friend to the Royal Guards training area. He got the general and his father's permission to use it. The Pegasus colt is planning on helping Ben toughen up if he wants to be a brave hero somehow.
"Okay, Ben. Let's start with training." Flash said to Ben with a nod.
"Training," Ben gulped nervously. "I don't know, Flash. I don't think -!"
"Don't think. Believe in it. That's what warriors do. They don't think of how and what, they believe in it, unless you had strategy to begin with."
"But still -!"
Flash interrupts, not having it, "Look, I know you haven't been much on the outside, but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't know anything. Who knows? Outside can be good, or bad, but you're gonna need it to face the problems. Do I make myself clear, soldier?"
Ben thought for the moment before he sighed, "I guess."
"Good. We begin with the basic." Flash said with a smile. He opened a box that has two gong-like objects. Flash approached Ben and tightened his hooves with the two gongs and ropes. He held the right one. "This shows wisdom." The future Royal Guard then held the left gong. "This shows strength." The colt drops both, almost causing Ben to hit the ground.
Ben groaned, "Man! That hurt! Why are they so heavy?!"
"To test your speed, strength, stamina and thinking, of course. And also it gives you confidence. I got this when my dad got back from the Land of Ma few weeks ago. It's quite useful; now for the test."
Flash headed to the pole. He then pointed up. Ben looked up and gasped in shock. On top of the pole is an arrow which is stuck in it. It didn't take long for Celestia's son to figure out what his best friend wants him to do.
"I had to get the arrow from the top?!" Ben asks Flash in shock and disbelief. "You're kidding me, right?"
Flash sighed, "Military don't joke, Ben. No magic. No wings. No cheats. But with everything you got in both spirit and physical. So get that arrow, soldier!"
"Yes sir!" The Earth pony exclaims. Ben headed towards the long pole. He then looked at his two gongs as he had thoughts. 'How the heck am I gonna do with these?! It's not like they're useful to me! How does Flash do that?'
Ben shook his head as he started to climb the pole. For a few meters to the top, Ben's on the below of mid part of the pole. The colt panted, both tired and in exhaustion. Ben felt his body slipping. The colt screamed as he tried to hold tight onto the pole. But instead, Ben immediately fell to the ground and had his flank hurt.
"OW!" Ben exclaims in pain, feeling like he is going to cry at any given moment.
Flash groaned as he slapped his face, "Aw man! Never mind that. We move to the next training." Ben chuckled sheepishly. "We've got a long way to go."
Flash passed the wooden stick pole to Ben as both of them readied to train. The Pegasus colt held his wooden pole in front of him. Flash used his pole's left side and lifted the pot up, followed by his right side and lifted it up. He spun his pole on the left and then right. The Pegasus slammed on the left pot, following by a pierce on the right pot. Flash then put his pole in front of Ben as he begins to sing.
Flash: Let's get down to business
To overcome your shyness
Ben prepared to be train with his best friend, Flash. Hidden nearby without them knowing it, Blueblood levitated a small beetle-like on Ben's mane. Feeling itchy and slimy like something crawling on his mane, the colt went berserk as he quickly swung his pole on the left and right.
Are you here to be funny Mystic Joker?
Or be serious as the Mystic Warrior?
Flash groaned in anger. Blueblood chuckled. Flash used the pole and hit it on the ground while he grabbed it tightly. Flash then hovered over to Ben.
You're the saddest pal
I ever met
Flash approached Ben but instead had his chest hit by his pole when he tried to get something off from his mane. Ben swung his pole over Flash, but he dodged it down. The Earth Pony turned and saw the angry look on Flash's face. He took the pole away from Ben while showing his glare at the young prince.
But you can bet
Before we're through
Mister, I'll make a warrior out of you
At the woods, Flash fired his three arrows right at the target shoot. Ben released his one arrow. But instead, it hit the ground. Flash sighed in annoyance.
Harmony as a nature
Unleashed the will of fire
On the edge of the mountain, the machinery arrow shooter is aiming at Flash. The Pegasus colt holds his shield on his right, prepared for the worst. The arrows shot right at him. Flash quickly blocked the attack with his shield. He marched forward towards the machine and turned it off.
Once you find your inner strength
You are sure to win
Ben is next. The colt gulped upon looking at the machine. The arrows fly right at Ben who panicked as he quickly dodged the attacks as quickly as he can for few rounds. The shy pony quickly ducked down while covering himself with his shield. Flash sighed in annoyance as he turned the machine off while shaking his head. Ben removed his shield as he showed his sheepish smile to his friend.
You're a spineless, pale
Pathetic lot
And you still haven't got a clue
Somehow I'll make a warrior out of you
Flash and Ben jogged throughout Canterlot. The latter panted in tiredness and exhaustion. Flash groaned as he hits on Ben's back hard to move out. The two friends continued their jogging while Ben groaned in tiredness.
Ben: I'm never gonna catch my breath
Flash: I'm gonna make you sure you work hard
Ben: I'll do anything to overcome this problem
Flash and Ben practiced their fighting and battling. The Earth pony colt kept dodging and moving back as his friend punched and punched. Flash then punched on Ben's muzzle, causing him to push back hard. Hardstone and Princess Celestia cringed in seeing Ben getting beaten up; From the distance of Princess Celestia, Tao sighed while shaking his head and having his hoof on his forehead.
Hardstone: Flash overdid his training
Celestia: Hope my son don't push himself hard.
Tao: Now I really wish that I should have train him first
Princess Celestia and Hardstone watched the event. Flash and Ben readied themselves in the battle as they both held their swords tight. They both charged and attacked at each other for several rounds and times. Ben gone back and back as he was about to strike, but instead, he had his back leg tripped by the tree's roots. Ben fell off from the edge, and started rolling over from his back and hit the trees one-by-one for a few times.
Princess Celestia, Hardstone and Flash sighed in seeing Ben got knocked out at the last tree.
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash: We must be swift as the Mystic Pony of Serpent
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash: With all the force of a great Mystic Pony of Dragon
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash: With all the strength of a Mystic Pony of Phoenix
Mysterious as the Mystic Pony of Shadows
Flash and Ben had their backs weight with rocks and balls as they do their push-ups for several times. Flash managed to do about 50 push-ups. He looked up and saw Ben struggling to do his push-ups as the Earth pony had managed to do at least 5 push-ups.
As Ben tried to push his body up again, his legs became sore and tired. He fell to the ground hard and struggled to get up. Flash threw his bags down as he sighed in disappointment. Ben looked up and saw his best friend's look. The rince sighed as he looked away.
You've gotta overcome it
Before problem comes
Heed my every training
And you might survive
Flash and Ben had a discussion as his best knight show him the result of Ben's training which shocked and disappointed him a lot. Flash turned his back away from him and walked away. Ben sighed as he turned away with his face looked disappointing and upset. Ben then looked up and saw the pole again with its top still having the arrow. He got to try again and prove to Flash that he can be a warrior.
You're unsuited for
The rage of war
So pack up, go home
You're through
How could I make a warrior out of you?
Ben took two the gongs and tied them up to his hooves. The colt jumped and grabbed the pole tight but got dropped down instead. The colt groaned in anger and upset. Ben sighed as he is calming himself down. The future hero looked at his hooves again as he remembered of what Flash had said about 'wisdom' and 'strength'.
Ben gasped as he finally figured it out. Ben swung his two gongs around the pole while it immediately tied them up. The colt started to climb it up, determined to get that arrow no matter what.
While Ben continued to climb up, Flash took a peek from the wall. He smiled happily, upon looking at his best friend determinedly climbing on the pole as hard as he can. A few meters away, Ben was about to grabbed the arrow, but his back leg got slipped down. The colt firmly held his gongs tight as he continued to climb up.
More Royal Guards and Royal Staffs, including Ben's mother and Hardstone came out and saw the event. Flash smiled as the arrow landed on the ground. Everyone cheered for Ben who is at the top of the pole, smiling and waving at his family and friends.
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash: We must be swift as the Mystic Pony of Serpent
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash: With all the force of a great Mystic Pony of Dragon
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash: With all the strength of a Mystic Pony of Phoenix
Mysterious as the Mystic Pony of Shadows
Flash and Ben trained together as they went through lots of training that the young prince had failed: archery, defending and marching heads on, sword battling, jogging and running across the land, swimming on the sea, climbing on the mountain and as well as the hoof battling.
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash and Ben: We must be swift as the Mystic Pony of Serpent
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash and Ben: With all the force of a great Mystic Pony of Dragon
Chorus: (Be a warrior)
Flash and Ben practiced their swinging and moving their poles around their bodies before they make the final strike in front of them.
Flash and Ben: With all the strength of a Mystic Pony of Phoenix
Mysterious as the Mystic Pony of Shadows
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In the present, Nyx looks amazed while saying, "Wow; Tough training."
"Yeah, and right out of the movie 'Mulan', which has the good Eddie Murphy voice in it," Pinkie exclaims happily.
"As usual, Pinkie, you are so random." Rainbow remarked, rolling her eyes at Pinkie's usual randomness.
"Hey, Flash!" A familiar voice calls. The ponies saw Michael Trotter, the one who got on Brave Heart's bad side the other, appearing. "Hey, where's them shields at?"
"They are in the barracks as usual, Michael." Flash remark to Michael, chuckling a bit. "Still clueless, I see."
"Hey! At least I tried to remember stuff!" Michael snaps to Flash in irritation.
"So wait, you two know each other?" Rarity asks the two Royal Guards curiously.
"Know him? Buck, I trained this kid!" Michael remarked, motioning to Flash.
"Language, Mr. Trotter! Language," Twilight scolded the Royal Guard for using language in front of the foals.
"Oh, you're no bucking fun anymore!" Michael snaps to the princess in irritation.
"Ignoring the rude pony, go on." Fluttershy said to the two ponies.
Ben smiles as he continues, "Well, then..."
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Flash decides to give Ben his birthday gift, giving him a Royal Guard helmet. The Pegasus grins as he said, "Here Ben, this is your birthday gift. You'll be a great hero one day."
"You sure," Ben ask a bit shyly. The colt was a shy one, not sure if he himself will make a good hero at all.
"Now why would I lie to you when we're good friends?" Flash ask Ben with a smile.
"Hey, Flash! Where is that bucking colt?!" A voice yells out from nearby, making Flash groans a bit.
"Ugh, it's Michael Trotter. I gotta go or he will swear up a storm." Flash said. He heads off but trips, dropping a locket of some kind. "Oops!"
"Let me get that for you." Ben said as he picks up the locket which is opened by the fall. The Earth pony notices a picture inside it. It is a unicorn filly with a bright orange coat, moderate cyan eyes, and a red and yellow mane and tail. "Say, who is the filly?"
Flash blushes a bit as he explains, "That's Sunset Shimmer. We met at the local ice cream shop. The two of us hang out a while...well..." The colt gave a silly grin. "Let's say that even a Royal Guard got a life outside of his job ."
Ben smiles to his best friend, slapping him on the back, saying, "Wow, that's great. I didn't know you got a fillyfriend."
"Well, she is planning on entering your mom's school and hoping to become a student of hers. I am planning on rooting for her." Flash said to Ben with a grin. "Maybe someday you will have a special somepony of your own."
"Oh, I don't know...no filly would be with me." Ben said, looking down a bit. "I am too shy...and how will my special somepony would even act if she knew of my connection to mom?"
"Ben, relax. Someday, you will find that special somepony. And when you do, you will want to protect her all your life...liked how I am with you as a friend." Flash said to Ben with a smile of assuration.
"You know... maybe you're right." Ben said with a smile of his own while looking up at his friend.
"Yeah; Maybe I will introduce you to Sunset someday." Flash remarked with a chuckle.
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"Of course, Ben didn't meet Sunset in person until the incidents of the alternative human world." Flash said to the ponies in concern in the present. "And even then, we broke up our relationship when that happened."
"But if you're lucky, she may come back...or date that other you." Phobos said. "Not being mean, just giving out wishful thinking."
"But that event proved one of us right. I met Twilight...and ever since then, I vowed to keep her safe with my life." Ben comments, putting an upper foreleg around Twilight, making her blush happily.
"Oh, Ben," Twilight giggles a bit while nuzzling her colt-friend.
"Anyway, after Flash has made me do his thing, I decided it's time for him to make to do mine." Ben said as he continues the story.
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Flash groaned, "Seriously? Do I have to read this book?" The two are in Ben's room, reading a book that the colt insists that they read.
Ben rolled his eyes while answering, "Hey, look who's complaining. I thought the warrior can handle anything, especially books. I mean you read the military books, battle strategy and history, and you can't even read these books?"
"Simple, Ben. They're fakes. They're not even real." Flash complains to Ben.
"Of course, they are. What do you expect? They're meant to be fun, not for serious matters." Ben said to Flash with a smile. Just because they are fake, doesn't mean that the stories aren't fun, right?
Flash raised his eyebrow, asking, "Fun?"
"You'd never had fun before?" Ben asked Flash who nodded his head, "Other than military stuff?" He shook his head. Ben sighed. Poor Flash. "Well, I'd say we start with this first. This is my favorite: Space Pony Wars, written by the best author and filmmaker: Lucas Star."
Flash groaned, "Well. I hope you're right." The Pegasus colt hates to regret this later.
Flash start reading the first book: Space Pony Wars. A few hours later, Flash smiled in enjoyment and impressed, the colt is enjoying this. He closed the book and then turned to Ben.
"I guess I was wrong to judge the book." Flash said to Ben. The Pegasus actually enjoyed this book.
Ben chuckled, "Trust me. Like everypony had said before, don't judge the book's cover until you see it."
Flash chuckled, "I guess so. But you're right one thing. It's also part of the Royal Guards' rules. Always be aware of the appearance especially the ambush."
"So, wanna continue?" Ben asks Flash with a smile. He knows his friend can read books some more now if the colt wants to.
"So what else," Flash ask Ben with a grin.
"Check this out." The Earth pony colt said. Ben took out another book called: 'Three Sworn Brothers.' "This is one of my favorite books, my mother brought it from Land of Ma. And this also involved her and these brothers. They were friends before. And of course, they said that Virtue Dragon, Blade Dragoon and Warpath Temper were the Mystic Ponies."
"Really; Man, that's awesome. Royal Guards also talk about it too. These awesome," Flash said in amazement. He had heard of Mystic Ponies, greatest and powerful ponies ever. Shame they don't exist...or do they?
"Right; let's check it out." Ben suggests to Flash as the two begins reading the book together.
Unknown to them, Celestia and Cadance were watching in amusement. The latter comments, "Cousin Ben sure made a new friend, hasn't he?"
"Yes, he even share books with him, especially involving my old friends the Mystic Ponies." Celestia said with a sigh. "Of course, the day will soon come when Ben must leave the castle and make new friends."
"Are you going to enlist him in the local Canterlot school?" Cadance asked her aunt curiously.
Celestia nodded, saying, "Yes. It's time for Ben to be with other foals his own age."
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Ben and Flash walking across the streets of Canterlot while looking around with their happy faces. Ben followed Flash as they both brought the ice-cream and ate it. Ben looked at Flash who ate it quickly with on swift, but instead, his mouth is filled with cream. Ben laughed happily as we hear him singing.
Ben: Sometimes I think I'll be fine in my closet
'Cause a fear is a nightmare that I cannot overcome
It's easy to feel like nopony ever bother me
But it's harder to know my own path
Flash took Ben to the Skateboard Park of Canterlot where the two wore skateboarders' gears. They both are at the top of the ramp. Ben shivered in fear. Before he could do anything, Flash patted on Ben's back, causing him to fall and start skating on the left and right sides.
Feeling feared, worried and scared, Ben remained keeping his eyes open. His sensation changes when he continued skating on his board. Ben smiled happily like he came out from his shell. Flash smiled as he quickly got on board his skateboard and begin skating around. Both Ben and Flash continued skating their skateboards and they showed their smiles.
You change my ways when you taught me
how to be confident and everything's bright
From beginning to the end when I have a friend by my side
That helps me to find the path I chose
When I open my heart and believe in the Light of Best Friend
The Light of Best Friend
Flash trained Ben through the fighting and battling in using the swords, shields and spears. They swung the attacks at each other for a while. Flash swung his sword against Ben's sword, causing him to fall down. Flash sighed in annoyance. Before he could do anything, Flash saw Ben struggled and determined to get up while holding his sword tight. The Pegasus colt smirked and so as the Earth Pony colt. Both of them charged in and swung their swords.
Flash: I'd never know how to feel when I'm alone or feared of something
There through to our darkest hour
Someone to count on, someone who cares
Beside you wherever I'll go
Ben and Flash read the books together about the story from 'Land of Ma' that involved the tales of 'Virtue Dragon', 'Azure Phoenix' and many more. They both smiled as Ben and Flash imagined themselves about being heroes like them.
You change my ways when you taught me
how to be confident and everything's bright
From beginning to the end when I have a friend by my side
That helps me to find the path I chose
When I open my heart and believe in the Light of Best Friend
The Light of Best Friend
Ben and Flash climbed on the mountain for training and fun. For few meters away, the son of Celestia tried to climb up but the small rock that he grabbed broke off. Flash quickly grabbed Ben at once.
Ben and Flash studied and worked on the battle strategies or homework. The Pegasus pony groaned in pain as he had a big headache. Ben came in and helped Flash in solving and helping him understand about the equations and battle strategies.
Ben: And when my hope crashes down
Flash: Scattered across the Equestria
Ben and Flash: You, you feel all alone
When you don't know which way to go
And there's no signs leading you on
You're not alone
Ben and Flash were outside of Canterlot's gate as both prepared and readied to race. They both start running across the gate entrance of Canterlot, followed by the street before entering the castle.
Ben: The world comes to life and everything's alright
Flash: From beginning to the end when you'll have a friend by your side
Ben: That helps you to find the path you chose
Flash: When you open your heart and believe
Both Ben and Flash arrived at the Canterlot Castle's garden. They both pant in exhaustion and tiresome. The two both landed on the ground, and then looked at each other. Ben and Flash laughed and chuckled in happiness. Both of them stood up and had their hooves around their shoulders while laughing and chuckling. Both of them looked up at the sun.
Ben and Flash: When you believe in
When you believe in
My Light of Best Friend
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"Awwww!" The CMC exclaims in the present, smiling happily. That was a nice time of friendship.
"Shucks, 'dat whole experience...nice. Yew would've been a member o' a Stallion Six, Flash!" Applejack comments to Flash in amusement.
"Well, I prefer just be more than Six." Flash remarked with a chuckle.
"How about Sunset Shimmer? How does she feel about Ben?" Twilight ask Flash curiously, wondering if her former enemy knew about Ben before that confrontation in the alternative human world.
"Well, I only told bits about Ben to Sunset, but not all of it. Anyway, we thought to be continuing our free days forever. But then it happens."
"Let me guess: daddy started school with mommy?" Nyx ask Flash with a smile.
"Correct." Flash said with a smirk as he continues the story.