//------------------------------// // How To Train Your Human // Story: The Human And The Well // by Zandar13 //------------------------------// “Celestia?” I curiously asked. “I am so sorry Adrian. Please, forgive me” she asked of me. I brought my hands up to gently stroke her soft, glowing white feathers as I asked “For what?” “For not being able to protect you” she softly said. “Protect me? From what?” I asked again. “From Cascades, from your punishment, from everything bad happening to you” Celestia said in a sad voice. “Celestia” I said in a slightly sarcastic manner. “You can't protect me from everything, I am a big boy you know” “NO! I have to protect you! I will protect you! I made a promise to myself that I would!” she suddenly shouted. “Celestia? Even you have to know how silly that sounds” I tried to say with a smile but I felt her wings stiffen and bring me in closer. “Celestia?” I asked but she did not respond. “Celestia?” Again I asked but silence was all I got. “Celestia! You have to tell me whats wrong” I told her with a little bit of force. She seemed to flinch a bit as her wings pulled on me again and a slight sniffle could be heard. “You are here, all alone in our world. You are so special and unique yet you are the only one of your kind. If anything happened to you..... if … if anything bad happened to you..” I could hear her lightly say while she tucked her head in my back. “I just want to make sure you are safe and happy, yet you could have almost been put in jail by somepony who now hates you. And now, if we were to ever go to war you are on the top of the list to be drafted into the royal guard” she said to me. Her wings pulled again as her voice grew louder “It is my duty to make sure all my little ponies are safe and sound and for all this time I have been mostly successful. And then you come along” and for just a second, her tone grew a bit spiteful. “You come along out of nowhere and bring chaos with you! Almost drowning, having a mare lust after you, killing a pack of timberwolves, and you unlocked those accursed books! And now you put three ponies in a hospital and forced me to jail a pony who wanted to murder you! You have even fallen in love and made countless other love you in return” “Ever since you got here, you have made me feel so weak! So powerless! All of these things should make me hate you and despise you and sometimes I think I should!” Her voiced boomed at this last sentence, yet she still held onto me with her wings. “And yet! I have also come to love you as well, my dear Adrian” Her once loud and angry sounding tone instantly softened up along with her stiff wings the second she began speaking. It was then I felt my breath lighten up, almost like I had been inhaling hot air, which allowed my body to relax a bit. It was like I had been holding by breath for a long time. “I'm sorry Adrain” she apologized again. But before I could ask, she gently twirled me around in order to look me in the eyes. “That was inappropriate of me to unleash my frustrations onto you” “Have I.... really been that much of a bother to you?” I asked. “Yes and no. Yes you have been a bit frustrating since you have thrown my world into chaos with all your silliness, but also no because I have rather enjoyed it. That and it has introduced the two of us, so I could never be upset about that little fact” Celestia confessed to me with a smile. “I do hope that you are not upset about the punishment though, I would of rather had you endure something less.... intrusive” she said. But I simply shook my head with a little smile “It is fine, luck was once again on my side. I got off rather easy, at least in comparison to what would happen if I was on Earth” I told her. Then, without realizing it, I chuckled a bit which caught Celestia by surprise as well. “And just what is so funny?” she happily asked. “I just had a thought, back to when you offered to adopt me” I told her. “Oh? Having second thoughts already?” Celestia asked with a playful smile. “Not just yet, I was just thinking that originally I thought you would of made me your brother or something. But now I am thinking that you maybe want me as your son instead” I told her. At first Celestia seemed excited at the fact that I was bringing this topic up, but then I could see her back down and adopt a grim expression of realization. “Oh my goodness! Adrian! I! I didn't mean anything bad by that! I could never replace your mother!” she quickly said. Now I knew why she looked like that, but I can't really blame her. Anyone who knew the situation would probably react the same. I held my hands up to try and calm her “It's alright, I knew you would never do something as harmful as that. But that is kinda why I thought it was funny, cause you act like a mother to everyone as well. But for you to actually want to be a mother, I just think its kinda sweet” I nicely said. I saw Celestia give off a bit of a blush when I finished but her smile returned two fold. “Though, I am not sure how Luna will react if I started calling her aunt instead of big sister” I admitted with a chuckle. This also made Celestia chuckle in response. “Yes, I do not think that would go over well” she said. After laughing she used her wings to wrap me up in a hug while using my shoulder as a resting spot. She did not say a word during her embrace, so I decided to hug her back which yielded a positive result. “I'm sorry” I said this time. “For what?” she said in return. “For making you worry so much, I did not realize how important I was to you. So thank you as well. You are already feeling like a mother to me” I said with ease, surprisingly. At this she closed her wings tightly around me and I could feel her give me a little nuzzle. “I know that you already said you wish to wait and I am perfectly willing to be patient. I would wait one hundred years for you if you wished for it. Just please, please consider letting us take you in and give you a family. No matter what we call you or you us” she quietly pleaded in my ear. “I will” I responded in kind in addition with a small peck to her cheek. I could feel a tear or two fall onto my shirt after I said that, so I re-adjusted my arms around her and we just held each other in silence. A few minutes flew by before I took the first move to get us back on track as I remembered something I wanted to ask. “Celestia? How did you know I was in court anyway?” I asked. “Ah! An excellent question! Well, you have your devoted friends in Ponyville to thank for that. They took the train all the way here and told me as soon as they could. I would of appeared sooner but I thought it best to gracefully intervene instead of popping out suddenly to interrupt. I believe they are still waiting in the throne room with Raven” Celestia informed me. “Oh. Who, um.... who all came to find you?” I nervously asked. I hope that Derpy has not found out yet. Would be better for her not to find out this way. “Just Miss Spitfire and Miss Vinyl Scratch. Why?” she asked in return. “Just wondering is all. Well, I better not make them wait any longer. By your leave, Princess?” I said courteously with a bow. With a slight chuckle under her breath, Celestia leaded me out of her room and down through the empty corridors. I simply enjoyed walking through the marble halls in silence, walking next to the glowing alicorn next to me who had a content smile on her face. “Princess” said the two guards standing watch outside the throne room. They then turned their attention towards me and nodded “Adrian” “Thank you for watching out during my short absence, I trust all is well?” Celestia asked. “Nothing to report, all has been at rest” said the stallion guard on the right. “Very good, continue doing a magnificent job” she instructed. She then gracefully open the throne room doors and walked inside, I was about to join her but I wanted to ask the guards a question. “Hello, sorry for interrupting but I am just curious. How do you know my name?” I asked both of them. The other stallion on the left answered with “The Princesses talk about you day and night. It would impossible for us not to know your name by now” Gah, I just wanted to have a beaming smile planted on my face but I am not sure how the guards would react. So I gave a simple smile and gave them each a head bow “Thank you for sating my curiosity, have a good day!” I said and they both gave me a head nod in return. When I finally caught up to Celestia, I saw Spitfire and Vinyl waiting next to Raven who looked up and saw the two of us. “Princess! Adrian! You are here! Thank goodness!” Raven exclaimed. This caused Spitfire and Vinyl to react by instantly getting on their hooves and rushing over to us, or more specifically, over to me. “DUDE! YOU MADE IT OUT!” Vinyl happily said. “Kid! Oh thank the stars above that you are walking free” Spitfire said with a sigh of relief. “Vinyl! Spitfire! Long time no see!” I said with happy smile as I kneeled down. Which was of my undoing cause I was instantly set upon by a grinning unicorn mare who had launched herself at me with a hug. It was then I also noticed a smiling Raven trotting over “Hello again Raven, I had not planned on seeing you again so soon!” I said to her. “Hello again! You certainly know how to make an appearance, don't you?” Raven playfully said. “It's in my nature, apparently” I told her with a cheeky grin. “Dude! Tell us what happened?!” Vinyl demanded while still hugging me. “Perhaps another time, right now I believe it be better to deliver our dear human here back home where he belongs” Celestia intervened. “Yes, I believe she is right Vinyl. I need to get back to Ponyville and get Maelstrom out of that bubble before anything bad happens” I informed her. “Oh yeah! Well, lets get going! We can probably still catch the next train before it leaves!” Vinyl said as she leapt out of my arms and charged at the door. “No need, since time is off the essence I will teleport you three back once you are ready” Celestia said. “I am ready” Spitfire declared. “As am I” I said. Vinyl quickly dashed back before sliding into place beside me “Me too!” she said. “Alright, good luck Adrian and please think about my words. Promise me?” she said to me. “I will Celestia, see you later and I just started on that book Raven. Hopefully next time we meet I will have thoroughly read and enjoyed it!” I said as Celestia started to charge her spell. “Perhaps you could write a report as well! I would love to hear a humans reaction to it!” Raven excitingly said. I could only chuckle as I waved goodbye just before the three of us disappeared in a golden flash. ---------- Afterward, In the Royal Court Room --------- “OH NO! I forgot to ask about that riddle again!” Raven groaned in annoyance. She has been perturbed by that riddle Adrian left her since his last visit. A most humorous thing to see Raven flustered by a riddle instead of mountains of paperwork. Just another reason why I would adore to have Adrian as my son. ---------- A moment later, inside Town Hall ---------- “Phew, that went smoothly. Last time I did a long range teleport, I was woozy for the next two hours” Spitfire commented as we landed safely. “Yes, now lets get my daughter.... back....” I slowly came to a halt when I looked around and saw that something was not right. While it was the Mayors office, the whole place had different parts of it in different landscapes. The ground was all crystal while the walls were covered in grass and dirt, and looking up the ceiling was like that of a cave, with stalactites lining most of it and I could see a few holes here and there. “Whoa, freaky” I heard Vinyl say. Looking behind me, I saw that she was poking the now crystallized unicorn guard that had bubbled Maelstrom earlier. To his right was another guard who I did not recognize, along side the Mayor, Fleetfoot, Cloudchaser, and Flitter. All frozen in place. “She is pretty powerful for only being so young” Spitfire said as she examined the area. “It probably didn't help that she was scared at seeing her dad being taken away either” Vinyl commented. “WAIT! Where is she then?!” I loudly said as I no longer saw the bubble holding her. Though in my faint panic, I eventually saw a round, spiky ball that was anchored by stone and crystal resting mid-air next to the guard. I carefully walked up next to it and cupped a hand up to my ear, trying to see if I could hear anything. “... papa …” I gasped suddenly as I heard her faint and fragile voice call out for me. “What? What is it kid?” Spitfire said as she landed next to me. “MAELSTROM! IT'S ME! PAPA! I'M HERE!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. I used both my hands to grasp different spikes and shook them, since there was no flat area for me to hit. “Wait? What?! She is inside that?” Vinyl worryingly asked. “... papa?” “MAELSTROM! I'M HERE! I'M RIGHT HERE!” I yelled out again. This time when I shook the spikes they shattered off onto the ground. Now I was furiously ripping off the spikes, one by one until I found a small hole made by ripping the last one off. But at this, I heard a faint whimper as the light came into the little hollow ball. I stood there for a few seconds, taking calming breaths so that I was not panicking, in order not to freak her out more. When I collected myself, I slowly leaned my head towards the hole and instantly spotted the curled up ball of fur, shaking in place. “Maelstrom? Are you ok?” I gently asked her. I saw her little fluffy ears twitch as she slowly turned her head towards my voice. Her small eyes were watery when she stared up at me in disbelief but slowly she started to realize that I was there and she reached out with her clawed hand, grasping the air. “Papa?” she weakly asked in hope. “Papa is here, Maelstrom. Papa is here now” I soothingly said to her. At this, in a fraction of a second, the whole room seemed to explode as the crystals, dirt, and rock that formed everything splintered off and floated aimlessly in the air. Then, almost just as quick, they started to revolve around the still intact ball surrounding Maelstrom just before they all dove in and caused an explosion of light. I had to shield my eyes from the blinding light, but I could see it start to die down through peaking every now and then. While my eyes slowly re-adjusted, I could hear groans all around me which told me that the other ones were un-frozen. A good sign. I then felt a pair of arms hug my waist, but I could feel one being fuzzy and the other more stiff with sharp tips. Awww, Maelstrom was already hugging me. But what happened next threw me in for another loop as I heard a new voice say “I love you, papa” Papa? But only Maelstrom calls me that. Who is this? I rubbed my eyes a bit before they returned to normal, that is when I looked down and saw that I had a bigger Maelstrom now hugging me though now she looked a bit different. If I had to describe it? It looked like she went through a bit of a growth spurt, which explained how she could give me a proper hug. Doing a double take, I looked back and saw that her colors were all the same but now instead of being a round, fuzz ball her body took the form of a slightly bigger and longer of a filly. Kinda like Sweetie Bell but her barrel was more elongated. I also noticed that her back legs were now more pronounced, while they were hoofed like those of a pony, her legs had long haunches and seem too big yet they seemed kinda natural on her. Also, her actual hoof seemed solid yet I saw two lines go down each one, almost like toes or something. Next I saw something unfurl on her back, taking a look I saw that her wings had also grown and I was able to see what they looked like. Her left set was actually a pair of wings, on top was a white feathered wing while the hidden below it was a leathery bat wing. On the right was what looked like a phoenix wing (which I had learned about while reading the crimson book) but instead of a normal red and orange it was a forest green and light pink. Finally ending on her head, the little stumps on top seemed to be growing as well and reminded me of the horns that grew on rams, though they were very short and only the tip curved a bit back while the overall color seemed a mix of brown and black. I think I took a bit too long staring at her new look cause when I ended up looking back into her eyes, she looked at me with confusion and worry. “Is papa good?” she said. Hmmm, she learned the words I, love, you, and is but can't fully form a correct sentence. Perhaps while her body is bigger, for whatever reason, her brain is still maturing. Though at a far different rate then anything I could comprehend. So I blame magic again, cause at this point it is the only thing that makes sense. “Papa?” she asked and I could see her eyes start to water again. I let out a quick sigh as I smiled down at her before quickly bringing my arms up and completing the hug. “Sorry Maelstrom. Papa was just surprised at how big you got!” I happy said while I squeezed her. “Mae bigger now?” she asked me. I nodded. “You sure are, though Papa is still far bigger. So I can always give you the biggest and bestest hugs!” I explained before squeezing her one more time. This got her to giggle madly as she laid comfortably against my chest. It was a little while after this did I hear the slight shuffling of hooves before I realized that everyone in the room probably just saw all that. So, I ever so awkwardly turned my head and saw six grinning and smirking ponies. Though I was kinda curious as to why the other, unknown guard was grinning along with my group of five. So I did a fake cough to clear the air before I asked “How are the rest of you doing? Are any of you hurt from, uh, being frozen?” They all shook their heads no. “Nope, I feel fit as a fiddle! Though I hope I never feel like that again, felt like I was stuck in a rock while being able to see, hear, and feel almost everything. Kinda felt bizarre and a bit frightening to be honest” Fleetfoot explained and the others nodded in agreement. “Well, I for one am glad to be free again and it appears that you are not locked up in Canterlot prison either, Mr. Frost” Mayor Mare said as she smoothed out her mane. The Mayor Mare Mane. Heh, I bet Pinkie would like that one. “You are correct, thanks to Vinyl and Spitfire” I said while I looked at said mares with a grateful look. “Think nothing of it kid, I was not going let that crazed mare take another innocent victim. Especially a friend of mine” Spitfire defiantly declared. “Same here! No way was I going to let my best friend sit in a jail cell for being a hero!” Vinyl proudly exclaimed as well. “Papa good! Papa good!” Maelstrom said with a cute laugh. “Heh, looks like your kid is already going through a growth spurt” Spitfire replied. “Yeah, it appears that way. Though with her heritage, I am not all that surprised. Though I am still equally as shocked” I commented as I ran my hand through her even longer white mane. “She is quite cute as well! You are one lucky stallion sir” the unknown guard announced. “Thank you miss, but I am curious as to who you are?” I asked. “Oh! My sincerest apologies! My name is Ivory Stalks, Lieutenant in the Royal Guard. Beside me is Valor Accoutre, Lieutenant Junior Grade of the Royal Guard. I apologize for our rude actions taken against you” she introduced before bowing her head. “Ivory!” Valor shouted at her. “Valor” she said in return but with a much sterner tone. This seemed to shut him up for the moment. “I am sorry that we of the Royal Guard caused not only you but your family and friends such distress. A most shameful action for us” I shook my head and presented a calm smile “This is not your fault, you were simply following orders and doing your duty. The only one at fault was your employer, who Celestia has personally dealt with” I said. She seemed happy that I said this cause she had a beaming smile when she returned back up “I suppose your right. I never did like that mare. So, what was the verdict of the trail? If you don't mind me asking, of course” she asked. “I don't mind. Well, when Celestia appeared to defend me, Cascades said and did some, unforgivable things, she was jailed instead of me and all malicious charges against me were dropped. But Judge Hard Gavel thought that some form of punishment was necessary for my actions, since I did hospitalize three ponies. Celestia tried to intervene but he was right, though it was for the greater good, I still hurt someone. Thankfully, Gavel was a bit kindhearted and bent the rules a bit in my case and my only punishment was to be officially placed on the list of conscription into the Royal Guards, if Equestira is to go to war” I explained. This, strangely, seemed to make Ivory even more joyful “Oh this is wonderful! I think you would make an excellent Royal Guard! Here! Let me give you this” she reached under some bit of her armor and pulled out a pamphlet. “Here! This is a detailed guide all about the Royal Guard that we give to possible recruits. It explains our ranking system, our goal, and many other important information!” She tossed it with amazing accuracy as it landed perfectly in my now free hand. “Thank you, I will take a look at it later when I have some free time” I honestly said. “Huzzah! Alright Valor, we need to head back to Central and report back to the Captain. Since our contract is now apparently null and void. We thank you, citizens of Ponyville for your cooperation in this endeavor. We apologize for the inconvenience” Ivory said to all of us with another bow. Valor, with a bit of reluctance, bowed along with her. As they were leaving, I spoke up “Wait, before you leave. May I offer a suggestion to the Royal Guard?” “Oh? And what might that be?” Ivory said back. “Well, while I perfectly understand that for a city of this size it might not be necessary, I think it might be a worth while idea to post some sort of security here in Ponyville in the future. Instead of simply having the Mayor deal with everything. No offense, Mayor Mare” I offered. “None taken Adrian, actually I have been thinking something along those same lines for a while now. Especially with Princess Twilight living here in her new castle” the Mayor said in return. At this, both Ivory and Valor seemed to be deep in thought. Finally Ivory spoke up “We will certainly bring this up to our Captain and try to push this further. It certainly is a worthy idea. Thank you” she said to everyone while looking at me. “I hope you continue to look after your daughter, Adrian” “I will, take care. The both of you” I said with a nod of the head to the two. With that, the two guards exited the room and leaving us in silence. Though Maelstrom was starting to kneed into my stomach a bit like a cat before she just curled up in my lap. Looks like she is still small enough to do that. “Well, I suppose I ought to let you get on home Mr. Frost. You have had a very trying day. I will request the transcripts of the court session, just in case we need them” the Mayor said. “I think that is a good idea. Come on, lets get going” Spitfire said and our group left as one. I had to carry Maelstrom in my arms since she still refuses to leave my side while shes snuggles up against me. Thankfully this time, I did not have a crowd ogling me as I walked through town. I did notice that the route we took this time ended up with us passing my Sugar Cube Corner. Remembering how shocked Mr. and Mrs. Cake were before, I wanted to make sure they knew I was ok. That and I could really go for a warm and gooey chocolate chip cookie or something equally as sweet. “Hey, lets grab something sweet to eat” I suggested and they all eagerly agreed. DING DING “Hello and welcome to Sugar Cu- ADRIAN!” Mrs. Cake loudly said with an equally surprised voice. “Oh thank goodness you are safe and sound!” “Hey Mrs. Cake, sorry for worrying you. But don't worry, Princess Celestia was able to set things straight out in Canterlot and everything is A OK!” I said to reassure her. She believed me as she wiped away a nervous sweat bead on her forehead. “My goodness, you certainly are a little troublemaker, aren't you?” Mrs. Cake said like she was talking to a foal. But I smiled anyway and nodded. “I guess so. Well, this troublemaker has a sweet tooth and would love something to snack on!” I said with a toothy grin. “I suppose I could wrangle something up for you and your friends and.... Maelstrom?” she confusingly said as she laid eyes on the new form in my arms. “Yep, thats her alright. Just happened a little while ago, and before you ask, I have no clue as to why” I quickly said. But then an idea sprung in my head. I then gently poked Maelstrom who cheerfully opened her big eyes to stare at me. “Hey, do you want something sweet to eat?” “Sweet ta eat?” she replied back. She then took a look around and now noticed that she was in a place full of sweet smells and sights. She at first looked around and eyed a few different things but she ignored them and looked back up at me. “What papa eat?” “I am going to eat a chocolate chip cookie! Do you want one too?” I softly asked her. “Cookie! Cookie for Papa and Mae!” she sweetly answered back. “Well aren’t you just the sweetest little thing! Anything for the rest of you girls?” Mrs. Cake asked. Of course the rest of them swarmed around the baker and started ordering their meal. During this time I found a place for us to sit and thankfully it was a huge corner table, though I took up most of cushioned seat. Soon enough the corner was dominated by the other girls who began to chat away with each other while we waited for our treats. During this time Maelstrom had taken a seat in my lap and sat straight up but was shaking with excitement. “Um, Adrian?” Flitter suddenly asked me which took me by surprise. “Yes Flitter?” I responded. “I, um, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. For, you know” Flitter shyly said while she fiddled with her mane. “You have nothing to be sorry for Flitter. And please don't think that it was your fault for any of this. The only thing that matters is that your safe and no longer in harms way. So please, promise me that you won't blame yourself for any of this. As my friend, ok?” I asked of her. This made her perk up and smile a nice big smile “Your such a great stallion Adrian. Now I'm kinda jealous that Derpy is your marefriend” she told me with a bit of blush. “Get in line girl!” Vinyl spoke up and flashed me a grin. I simply rolled my eyes before I messed with her mane a bit. “Now, now. There are plenty of fish in the sea for all of you, though I do admit that you would be quite the catch to have Adrian” Mrs. Cake said as she delivered all of our food with an innocent giggle. We each took our treat and were about to start eating but Maelstrom started loudly pouting. “What's wrong?” I asked her. “I want what Papa has!” she whined. “But you do silly! See?” I held my cookie next to hers to show they were the same. But she shook her head and grabbed my hand. “Papa has this one!” she said while she pointed to the one in my hand. I chuckled under my breath at her silliness but being the softy I am, I simply smiled as I brought the cookie closer to her. “Alright then. Say ah!” I told her. “AH!” Maelstrom loudly said as she stuck out her tongue as well. Holding in another chuckle, I slowly fed her the cookie. The whole table seemed still as we watched her eat the cookie. At first I thought she was not going to like it but then all the fur on her body stood on end and in a very loud and happy voice she said “MEW MEW!” At like that, the whole table erupted into laughter and awws, with a few arms pokes from Vinyl as she wiggled her eyebrows at me. In retaliation, I tore off a bit of her raspberry swirl pound cake and promptly ate it. Which of course started a small food war between all the girls. Even Spitfire was having fun and laughing up a storm. I just sat back and enjoyed my dinner and a show as I ate the other cookie while Maelstrom happily sat in my lap, mewing away. A good way to end that little chapter of my life, though in about thirty minutes or so a new chapter will open up and bring me something new. Probably. ---------- Meanwhile, Outside in the Royal Guard training field ---------- “Keep it up! Keep it up! Hey! Watch your right flank!” I loudly instructed the cadet next to me while he sparred against his opponent. “Keep your movements clean! You have to move like you in water, precise and direct movements!” I loudly repeated myself. It feels good to be here, training again. I always appreciate time off but I always feel strong when I watch new guards train. Though I always welcome a challenge, or maybe a new turnip who thinks they are too big for their armor. They are the most fun to break. “Warden Chaser! Warden Chaser!” I heard a familiar voice call out. Looking up, I saw that it was our Aerial Ace messenger Ensign Stardust. She has a bright future ahead of her. “Yes Ensign? What is it?” I asked her with no hesitation. Every moment can be used to show these young ins how to properly behave as a member of the Royal Guard. “Sir! You have been asked to appear before Princess Celestia, as soon as you appropriately can, sir!” she informed me. Hmmm? I wonder what the Princess wants of me? Very well, I cannot leave her waiting for long. “Chief Warrant Officer Clover! Report!” I yelled out. Clover could use some time in training others. I only had to wait exactly ten seconds before he was standing before me with a salute. “Chief Warrant Officer Clover reporting in, sir!” he said loudly and clearly. Good, exactly what I drilled into that skull of his. Especially after that little insubordination stunt he pulled three years ago. “Clover, I have been summoned to the throne room. You are in charge until I return or otherwise instructed. Understood?” I sternly said. “Crystal clear, sir!” he sharply replied. “Carry on” I said as I turned around and walked off to appear for the summons. I am most curious as to what the Princess wishes to talk to me about, especially since she wishes to do so in a formal matter such as this. With my fast hoofs guiding me, I swiftly made my way through the peaceful halls of the Canterlot Castle until I found myself standing before the throne room, guarded by two of the best sentinels I ever trained. “Warden Chaser, you are expected” Sentinel Red announced. “Please enter” Sentinel Blue finished. “Very well, keep up the good work Purple” I said with a slight smirk. A little inside joke between the three of us. Though they kept up their professionalism, I could see a faint smirk under each of their helmets. With that, I strode up to the throne where Celestia ever so patiently and gracefully waited. I presented myself to her with a bow before speaking up. “What is it you wish of me, Princess?” “It is most excellent to see you again Warden. How goes the training?” she pleasantly asked of me. “Also excellent, this newest crop has a good amount of potential. The future of Canterlot is in good hooves” I reported with a bit of pride. “You never fail to disappoint. Thank you for your diligent service” she said with a bow of her head. “Of course, Princess” I replied back and waited for her this time to speak. “Now, Warden. I have a question I would like to ask of you. Would you be able to safely leave Canterlot in capable hooves for a while, if you were to leave on a mission in about two months time?” she suddenly asked of me. A mission? “I can guarantee that Canterlot would be safe. Why do you ask, Princess?” I asked in return. “Well, my dear Warden. How would you like to train a one of a kind creature, never before seen in all of Equestria?” she asked again. “I always welcome a challenge. Where is this creature?” I eagerly questioned. “Well, he is currently residing in Ponville with my former student, Twilight Sparkle” she partially answered. “He, your majesty?” I asked again. Celestia simply smiled and answered with “Yes and his name is Adrian Frost”