"Where is it?" Bucephalus cursed as he searched the Everfree Forest that lay besides Ponyville. The Forest was a den of wild chaos; wild beasts, and even the very trees tried to stand between Bucephalus and Antenor. "I will not be challenged by mere plants!" Bucephalus charged through the vines, tearing and ripping at them with both teeth and the bulk of his body.
After galloping out of Twilight's Castle, Bucephalus had now taken roughly a half hour to reach the Everfree Forest, and had now spent several long minutes rampaging through the woods. Anything smaller than an Alpha male Timberwolf fled from the beast of a pony as he trampled all in his path. But while his massive body crushed all in his way, his cold eyes focused on everything around him. Instincts that had been bred from a life as a warrior of Manedonia. Every movement that brushed by was caught by Bucephalus' gaze. Anything that did not resemble a pony was ignored.
"How could I allow this?" Bucephalus cursed himself, looking for any sign of Antenor or Fluttershy. "I should've crushed that pamper colt when I-" A sudden silhouette of what could be a pony caught his sights. 'THERE!'
Running through the last of trees, Bucephalus saw he was at what looked an ancient ruin. At another time, Bucephalus might have admired what could've been an ancient temple or realm for some god, but his focus lay only on the silhouette. Upon further inspection, it was a large bag, a sack to be exact; large enough to put a pony inside. It moved a little, signs that whoever was in there, was bound. Faint whimpers echoed from the bag meant that the pony was also gagged or at least their mouth was covered by something. Looking around, Bucephalus saw nothing else, no sign of traps or even a potential ambush. Not even a small bit of shrubbery lay around him to hide wherever Antenor was.
"It is alright Fluttershy." Bucephalus said, reaching his hoof to the bag, about to untie it. "Let's get you back to -”
"Your skills have grown soft." Was the only thing Bucephalus heard before her felt the sudden sting of Antenor's dagger strike at his side. Because of his reflexes, Bucephalus was able to avoid being struck in the chest, but the wound to his side was still sever. Bucephalus wanted to curse at the rogue, but his body suddenly felt heavy, a burning pain coursed through his body as it fell to the ground. Out of the sack, Antenor freed himself; the young stallion only stared at Bucephalus with a wicked smile across his face. "Painful, isn't it? I wasn't able to slay the Queen of the Harpies with some simple dagger. I'm sure you are aware of the Hydra of Lerna." Bucephalus' eyes burst open at the name of the creature. But the venom in his body prevented him from speaking.
"Yes, the beast was slain years ago, but I was able to secure a vial of its lethal venom and impregnate my blade with its potency. From what I can gather, your body cannot move, and the pain must be quite a suffering.” Antenor then shrugged his shoulders in slight dissatisfaction. "Sadly, I cannot stay to watch you die. I must return home, to tell my father of your failure and maybe he'll have King Alexander choose me as his consort." Bucephalus reached out his hoof to strike at Antenor, but the younger stallion jumped back a few feet faster than Bucephalus' swing. "Stronger than I thought. But not strong enough to fight off the venom. You are a creature of a bygone era Bucephalus, as a warrior, you have my respect, but you are only a burden to the country and his king. And all burdens that don't adapt, must die. Good bye, fallen warrior."
Antenor turned and walked away from the dying Bucephalus. A part of him wanted to stay and watch Bucephalus' suffering, but it was better this way. Bucephalus was a proud warrior of Manedonia, and the thought of him dying alone and not even glorious battle was the greatest insult Antenor could bestow upon him. That was enough to satisfy him, and he would have quite to story to tell upon his return. Bucephalus lay flat on the ground, the smell of the trees and dirt filling his nostrils as every breath of air only seemed to spread the pain, and every heartbeat only quickened the poison. But worst of all, he had failed. Whatever Antenor did with Fluttershy was now forever out of his reach, and he could never return to his beloved country; to his friends, his family, or even to his own king. What would Alexander say if he saw Bucephalus go out like this? But Bucephalus could no long think such thoughts, as the poison nearly finished its work, his world was went black.
It was cold, and wet. A pressure lay upon Bucephalus' head as he lay. His body tingled from it near comatose state. The sounds of a mare, with a soft voice, and the rustling of glass and the mixing of liquid. What was happening around Bucephalus? He had fallen by the ancient ruins of the Everfree, dying of a Hydra's venom, but now he was lying in a bed of hay, within a hut of some kind. Slowly, and heavily, Bucephalus' eyes opened. At first, he saw only shadows, then shapes of blurred light and color, until after some adjusting, the world reached his eyes once again.
"He's waking up!" The sound of Fluttershy's voice struck Bucephalus' ears as he gazed about his surroundings. Bucephalus was in a hut of some kind, the musky smell of a cauldron bubbling, along with the sweet and sour smell of various herbs. "Zecora! He's waking up!"
"That is good to hear." The exotic tone of what Bucephalus saw to be a Zebra mare replied. She was standing at the small table that stood beside the bed Bucephalus lay on. "But please move aside to give him some air."
"I'm...alive?" Bucephalus asked, weakly moving his hoof to take the drink of water Zecora placed on the table. "But the Hydra's venom."
"Difficult to cure such a toxin meant to slay." Zecora shook her head a little. "Even with all we could remove and heal, the cure is only a delay."
"A delay? So I'll still die of the venom?" Bucephalus asked, thinking about how much time he could have left.
"Not die, the venom will not stay forever." Zecora responded with a small laugh as she looked through her remedy books. "But it will take much time for the venom to fully leave and even more to recover."
"How long?" Bucephalus asked, using all he could to simply move his body in a sitting position.
"Months, possibly more." Zecora answered, pouring some blue liquid vial into the cauldron, changing the steam it emitted to a lime green. "But until then, your body will be rather slow, weak, and sore."
"Thank you kind apothecary." Bucephalus bowed his head as best he could, only able to give a nod. "But how long have I been down?" He then looked to Fluttershy. "Are you okay? How was it I came to be here?"
"Well when I went to tend to Antenor's wounds, he captured me, used me as a hostage." Fluttershy said. "He didn't hurt me, saying he only wanted you. When he saw you entered the Everfree, he let me go. Said I wasn't needed as a hostage and left me tied to a tree. Saying he would come back when he was done."
"He left you alone in this wilderness?" Bucephalus asked, gaining the strength to hold his body up again. "But you managed to escape from under his nose?"
"Yes, but i wasn't there for too long." Fluttershy answered. "I was lucky that Harry showed up and saved me."
"Harry?" Bucephalus asked, but a sudden movement towards the open window turned his attention to the large brown bear that stood there. Bucephalus' body wanted to move into action, but all it could was flinch awkwardly. "Look out!"
"Oh it's okay. That's Harry." Fluttershy said, smiling to Harry as he smiled to Bucephalus. "I was hoping that Harry could just scare Antenor into stopping. But when Harry and I arrived, we found you on the ground and brought you to Zecora's for a cure." A few tears dripped from Fluttershy's eyes. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have taken so long, or maybe I should've gone back to Twilight for help."
"You did what you thought was right." Bucephalus replied softly, gently rubbing Fluttershy's head in gratitude. His stance was more stable and his strength was back with him; or at least enough to keep himself going. "But I have to go. I must face Antenor."
"Revenge later, being cured first." Zecora pleaded, asking Bucephalus to stay. "If you over exert yourself, the venom that remains could make your blood burst."
"This is not about revenge." Bucephalus replied calmly, focused on his new objective. "This is about Honor. Antenor has brought shame not on me, but on himself and Manedonia by his underhoofed tactic. He must face a proper battle. I will not allow him to leave Ponyville alive with no Honor."
"Please Antenor." Fluttershy tried pleading. "Antenor isn't a bad stallion. When he waited for you, keeping me near him, I asked why he was doing this. He said he only was doing what he believes was the best for your kingdom. Maybe you two can work together instead of fight?"
"I promise nothing." Bucephalus stated, walking as best he could to the door. "Antenor must face justice for his actions. What happens...happens."
"Please." Fluttershy said, running up to Bucephalus. "He's not a bad pony." Fluttershy's mind raced back to when Antenor was tying her to the tree:
"That should do for now." Antenor commented as he finished. "Apologies for using you like this, but Bucephalus must die."
"Why are you doing this?" Fluttershy asked, not resisting as she remained on the tree.
"It has nothing to do...with you or this place...only Bucephalus." Antenor responded, not willing to answer the question.
"But Bucephalus is not a bad pony." Fluttershy commented, making subtle knocking sounds against the base of the tree.
"No...he is not..." Antenor responded, his tone was sad, almost regretful. "But for the sake of my country, he must die."
Fluttershy was about to say something more, but the sudden rustle of a timberwolf drew both pony's attention. The beast was large, most likely a beta inn the pack and its mouth dripped a amber sap as it looked the ponies over. Before Fluttershy could even let out a scream, Antenor drew one of his daggers, stabbing it in the timberwolf's neck. The beast howled in pain as it fled the ponies.
"It seems there are bigger beasts here than I thought." Antenor commented, looking at the green blood that coated his dagger. "Are you alright?"
"Y-yes." Fluttershy responded. "Y-you saved me?"
"You may be my hostage...but you are an innocent...you don't need to die." Antenor responded, before turning his gaze towards Ponyville. "It seems Bucephalus has arrived. I will return when I am done with my task."
Antenor left Fluttershy tied to the tree as she went off with the sack that would later assist in poisoning Bucephalus. For minutes, Fluttershy remained bound to the tree, but her hind hoof continued to tap and knock at the tree, sending out a small echo through the forest. After several more minutes of taping, the sound of another large animal drew Fluttershy's attention. But Fluttershy was not afraid, in fact she smiled. Antenor may have had her as a hostage, but he failed to notice the small signal she was sending out. And help came in the form of her trusted bear, Harry.
"Harry!" Fluttershy smiled at the sight of the friendly brown bear. "Quick, cut the ropes!" Harry raised his paw and in one swipe, severed the ropes. "Thank you Harry, we have to get to Bucephalus, fast!"
"He saved you from a timberwolf?" Bucephalus was surprised at Fluttershy's story. He could see the sorrowful look in her eyes. He could only sigh. "No single deed can outweigh his actions. I will face him, and come what may, I shall he he learns honor." Bucephalus said no more as he left the hut.
Though Bucephalus' body was still partially poisoned and weak, his will and resolve kept his strength up enough to get a strong and locomotive gallop going. He paced himself as best as he could, making sure to save some energy for what would soon follow. There was no need to worry about where Antenor would have gone. If he arrived the same way Bucephalus had, there would be another boat near Ponyville. Bucephalus mentally prepped himself for what was to come. He knew he was much weaker, and much slower that he normally was, but Antenor could not be allowed to walk away from this. No honorless stallion should ever be allowed to go unpunished, not in Manedonia, and certainly not here.
"I should be there soon." Bucephalus said aloud to himself, seeing his own ship in the distance. After several long minutes of constant galloping, Bucephalus reached his own boat, seeing it has been left undamaged and alone. "Either he didn't find you, or chose to ignore you." Bucephalus looked about the surrounding area. This was the only mass of water capable of handling a boat this size. And somepony like Antenor would've came in something smaller to avoid attention. Or at the very least, something that was small enough for quick - "There!"
Bucephalus saw what appeared to be a small boat that was about to set sail. The ship was small, no bigger than a life boat used in case the ship was sinking. Such a craft would easily have gone in and out of Ponyville's waters with no gained attention. Bucephalus used up an extra amount of strength to force his body to charge toward the boat. As he got closer and closer, Bucephalus saw the stallion Antenor getting everything ready to sail.
"ANTENOR!!" Bucephalus bellowed. The very echo of seems to shake the air. The shocked Antenor dropped everything he carried at the sight of Bucephalus being alive and standing. Was he truly as mighty as the tales and songs say?
"Bucephalus?!" Antenor replied, unsure what to say. How could his venom has failed? If the deadly brew of the Hydra couldn't kill him, what could? But a small smirk ran across his face. Antenor could see how much Bucephalus was struggling to stay standing. "It seems you're not fully alive. The faintest wind may fell you before you can get to me."
"Antenor, you...cowardly...traitor..." Bucephalus said, ignoring Antenor's reactions and comments, his mind only focused on crushing him as she stomped his way to Antenor. "You have...no honor...using another's power to try to kill me...if there even a drop of Manedonia blood in your body, you will settle this by tradition!"
"Why does that bother you? Does it dishonor me to use all the tools that I have to defeat you? Is it wrong to compensate my lack of physical strength with them?" Antenor huffed. "Don't make me laugh Bucephalus, you probably had help with that poison too. Besides, dishonor can be washed away with sucess. So... One on one combat? That's fine. The only thing that matters is the result."
Antenor jumped from his small boat, letting his small landing create a small burst of energy to let his charge towards Bucephalus get more powerful. Once he was within a few short meters, Antenor jumped to the air, letting his right forehoof come up to strike at Bucephalus' face. Because of his slowed body, the attack stuck the large stallion, knocking his head down a little as Antenor landed behind him. Bucephalus tried to turn and strike, but Antenor was too quick, moving to Bucephalus' opposite side, punching at his face again. Bucephalus turned to strike, but all his forehooves could do was small intents in the dirt.
"You were a strong warrior once Bucephalus." Antenor mocked, sticking at Bucephalus' sides and continued punching and kicking at his face. "But the times of our warrior have passed. We are an era of peace and politics." Dodging Bucephalus' next attack, and then putting his full force into his next punch. The strike was strong enough to knock Bucephalus' weakened body down. "And for our kingdom to prosper, you must...die."
"I on't ink o." Bucephalus replied sternly, but his voice sounded like he had something in his mouth. To Antenor's quick realization and shock, Bucephalus had not only take Antenor's full punch, but was now using his strong teeth and jaw to hold the hoof in his mouth, preventing him from escaping. "I will not allow our kingdom to allow such honorless creatures to fester and rot our kingdom."
Bucephalus raised his hoof and despite Antenor's constant attempt to escape, punching his face and pulling at his trapped hoof. But it only failed as Antenor saw Bucephalus' hoof tense and shake from the strength and power it was about to unleash. Antenor's struggles proved only to increase the fear he now felt, Bucephalus was weakened, but with no way to escape, Antenor felt the cold breeze of the Styx kissing the sweet on the back of his neck as the hoof seemed to blot out the Sun. Bucephalus brought his hoof down with a force that could normally shatter rock and bone; but given his weaken state, his punch was strong enough to knock Antenor to the ground, his body twitching from the sudden impact.
Antenor moved as he tried to recover from the impact, the strike hit his head, but it was as if he body had be crushed by a large rock. Antenor tried to spit out a curse, or say something, but the sight of Bucephalus, his eyes cold and piercing, and his tense, muscular body slowly made his way towards his enemy. Antenor trembled in fear, Bucephalus was not just some beast of a warrior. He was a monster, a creature of death. It was as if Cerberus himself had come for Antenor. Antenor's mind soon lost its calm rational and became more primal and panicked. He had to flee, but his body refused to move. Before he realized it, Bucephalus pushed him to the ground. Antenor shivered in fear under the large stallion.
"It's over Antenor!" Bucephalus declared, raising his two forehooves to deliver the killing blow. "You were a pony of Manedonia. I shall give you a warrior's death!"
"Do it. I was weak, and this is what I deserve." Anternor called to Bucephalus, even in defeat, his tone was that of mockery.
"Bucephalus! Stop!" The voice of Fluttershy called to the large stallion as she soared from the sky.
"Fluttershy?" Both Antenor and Bucephalus responded at once.
"You don't need to do this!" FLuttershy said, trying to sway Bucephalus from killing.
"Don't listen to her." Antenor snapped. "Finish it... I was careless. I should have finished you off when I had the chance. Weakness is a sin after all, don't you think?"
"Bucephalus...please..." Fluttershy cried, but her words came too late. Bucephalus' hooves came slamming down, appearing as if they were shaking the very land under their force. "Bucephalus...how could..." Fluttershy cried, getting closer to Bucephalus, the stallion stared at her.
"Fluttershy." Bucephalus said, looking to the mare for a moment, then back to Antenor. But to Fluttershy's surprise, Bucephalus' hooves were indeed indented into the ground a couple inches, but they were located a few inches away from Antenor's head. Bucephalus had missed. The terrified stallion stared up at his opponent as if he were a half scared to death animal. "Weakness is not a sin, and forgiveness either. I won't kill you Antenor... but I won't forgive you instantly either." Bucephalus moved from Antenor, but dropped to his knees in a sudden burning pain and agony.
"Bucephalus?!" Fluttershy ran to Bucephalus' side, but she quickly realized what was wrong. "The venom, it wasn't fully out, we have to get you to Zecora's-"
"Not enough time." Bucephalus replied, almost accepting the coming death. "I have regained my own honor by avenging my death. I only hope, I made...the right..."
"Bucephalus? Bucephalus!" Fluttershy's eyes ran wet with tears as Bucephalus' eyes were fading to grey and his body was slumping over and laying cold to the ground.
"Here." Antenor said, a small bottle of a blueish clear liquid. "Take it."
"What is-" Fluttershy tried to ask, but Antenor quickly took the bottle and poured its contents into Bucephalus' open mouth.
"The antidote." Antenor answered, rubbing Bucephalus' throat to allow the medicine to enter his body more effectively. "He was right. I have no honor...but so long as I live and have the blood of Manedonia in me, I can always gain honor. Let this be my first act."
After Antenor administered the antidote for the venom in Bucephalus' body, he and Fluttershy waited for Twilight and the others to arrive. And when they arrived, Twilight had nearly a dozen guards restrain Antenor. It was by Fluttershy's word that Twilight allowed Antenor to stand trial, but on condition that he would be restrained and under heavy watch, allowing minimal movements. Antenor did no complain, it was only at the sight of Bucephalus stirring from his weakened state that he felt he could make some amends. Because of how weak his body was, Bucephalus needed assistance to move, thankfully Twilight still had enough guards and her own magic to help lift the stallion's mighty frame. It was back at the Castle of Friendship that Bucephalus discussed Antenor's fate. Though Rainbow was pushing for exile and Applejack was suggesting hard labor, Pinkie and Rarity remained quiet.
"I don't trust him either, but I want to understand why he did all this, if not learn from it. He seems to share that desire." Bucephalus suggested to Twilight.
"We can't just let him get unpunished for this." Twilight responded calmly.
"But it seems you're going to condemn him," Bucephalus snapped. "I'm no asking for a full pardon, but Antenor has shown he is capable of bettering himself and denying him such a change is an insult to him and only stands to display the ignorance of his accusers. I ask he is given a chance."
"Very well." Twilight nodded, trying as best as she could to understand and respect Bucephalus' tradition. "Fluttershy, you can have him brought in."
"Okay Twilight, I'll be right back." Fluttershy responded, rising from her seat and heading to the door.
Outside the Chamber of Friendship, Antenor waited in restraints, two guards at each side with pointed spears, almost too eager to run the would be assassin through. But the stallion was not afraid, he may have lost everything, but he was not afraid of death. He was still a stallion of Manedonia, and he would see this through to the end...come what may. It was only at the sound of the door opening that momentarily distracted the guards and brought Antenor's attention away from the floor. To his surprise, it was Fluttershy who would be sent for him.
"Uh Antenor?" Fluttershy asked, looking at the would be assassin in chains, with spear holding guards at his sides. "Twilight said you can come in."
"Very well." Antenor sighed, partially struggling to move with the shackles that held him. "I will come and face this kingdom's justice."
Antenor shifted his body, just barely able to fully utilize his arms and legs because of the restricting chains. Because of how slow he was forced to move, Antenor spend a good few minutes hobbling to the door. When he entered, the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with one of his daggers, but Antenor remained statuesque in expression, neither too arrogant, nor too beaten and broken as he looked about the room. When he was here the first time, Antenor calculated the best escape routes and who was the best to draw out Bucephalus, but the sight of the mighty stallion standing tall and strong did bring a small, warm smile across Antenor's face.
"Antenor." Bucephalus began, standing before the Council of Friendship; as Fluttershy returned to her seat, and Spike sitting besides Twilight with scroll and quill to act as stenographer. "You have been brought before this Council to stand trial for your crime of abduction, holding pony against her will, endangering said hostage, and the attempted assassination of a fellow Manedonian. Do you object to these accusation?"
"No." Antenor replied, looking over to Fluttershy in an apologetic gaze. "I have brought shame and ruin to myself and now I stand before this Council only to see what this kingdom's justice has for me...come what may."
"So you have nothing to say in your defense?" Rarity asked, trying to get an idea of what Antenor might be thinking, but coming up wiht nothing.
"I have nothing because there is nothing." Antenor responded. "If this were Manedonia, I would stand trial and the sentence would be exile, execution, or trial by combat to prove my worth." He then looked at the six mares who would decide his fate. '...they all already have their answers, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are ready to have me executed...Rarity is uncertain but will not give me any mercy...Fluttershy seems scared, or worried...and Twilight Sparkle is struggling to remain neutral...' Antenor took a deep breath before continuing. "I can already tell where this will go. I will not be given a Manedonian trial by combat. That much is obvious, so I am at your mercy of either being exiled back to my own country, or to be executed for my crimes." Antenor then let out a sigh as he continued his speech. "I did all that I did with Manedonia's best interests at heart. Not only have I failed, but I have damaged our relationship with another possible friend. I no longer know what the best course of action is, though I wish I could learn."
"You misunderstand Antenor." Bucephalus commented, placing his hoof on Antenor's shoulder. "Your guilt is obvious, and you will get no punishment as what we know of. From what the heroes of this land have taught me...is that mercy and trust are the greatest strengths." A sense of clarity shined in Bucephalus' eyes, almost like the wisdom of an elder as his words struck at Antenor, but then cradled him. Antenor was stunned for a moment, but realized the same thing Bucephalus had just learned; true strength is not force or even experience of battle...but of wisdom, a wisdom only bred through the trials of one's life. Bucephalus' face then turned to Twilight. "Princess, I humbly request that Antenor be put under my supervision, and apprenticeship." Every eye in the room widened at the notion, none as wide as Antenor's eyes. "Under me, I would teach Antenor about this new strength I have learned during my short time here."
There were several long minutes of quiet deliberation. Bucephalus watched as Antenor's fate was being decided. Faint whispered reached Bucephalus' ears; words such as "letting off", "redemption", and even "forgiveness" slowly began to outweigh "death", "betrayal", and "exile". Twilight and Fluttershy looked as though they were more on the side of mercy. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were still on the side of banishment or worse. It was in the end Pinkie Pie and Rarity's decision that would finally settle it. The word "Discord", as if it was a name was brought up, but Bucephalus had no idea what that meant. But whatever this "Discord" was, it swayed the minds of the others. Rarity and Pinkie both nodded and Rainbow, along with Applejack reluctantly nodded their heads. Both Bucephalus and Antenor's bodies tensed slightly as they saw the six ponies turn to give their final judgement.
"Bucephalus, are you sure about this?" Twilight asked, staring at Bucephalus as neutrally as she could. "I know from experience that having a student is a trial within itself, can you tell me you will shoulder what will come with your choice?"
"I am, and shall bear the burden...come what may." Bucephalus bowed his head in respect with his response.
"Very well." Twilight looked at her friends, though silent, all shared the same wordless consensus. "It is decided that Antenor's sentence is to learn under you, and also reflect on his own actions in order to better himself. This will also include repairing all damages he has caused and giving back to Ponyville's community." Twilight then tapped her hoof on the crystal table, making the sentence official and ending the trial.
"Thank you Princess." Antenor bowed, tears in his eyes at the life he had been given. "You have given this broken stallion purpose again...and I will never waste it again."
Bucephalus and Antenor continued to reside in Ponyville for the greater half of a year. During this time, both the new master and apprentice took in the sights and spectacles of what Ponyville did year round. During the Autumn, Bucephalus and Antenor took part in the Running of the Leaves, their hooves making more leaves fall than any recorded before, as well as learning to enjoy competition, as well as not seeing it as a win or lose only, but as fun and a way to help the community. The Nightmare Night celebration brought out a more enthusiastic side of Bucephalus, not having a taste for sweets since being a small colt, he enjoyed the holiday as a reminiscing joy. Antenor even learned how to prank other ponies for fun from Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. At the end of winter, Bucephalus and Antenor assisted the ponies in their Winter Wrap-up, though they didn't quite understand why the ponies would sing while doing it. And thanks to them, followed by Twilight's precise list, the Winter Wrap-up was finished even faster than originally scheduled. But as Spring was nearing its end, Bucephalus and Antenor prepared their ship, which also served as their home during their stay, to set sail for Manedonia.
"You really have to go now?" Twilight asked, watching both stallions set the sails and ready the ropes. "It's hard to believe it's almost been a year."
"It has been an enjoyable experience Princess...everypony." Bucephalus thanked his new friends. "I will be forever grateful for you and your town for showing me what strength truly meant."
"And I shall be forever thankful for the life you spared." Antenor bowed again to Twilight, then cast his eyes on Fluttershy; who was filled with tears over both Bucephalus and Antenor leaving. "hank you Fluttershy, for letting me have my chance."
"You're welcome." Fluttershy smiled, tears still wetting her face.
"You'll come visit again right?" Rainbow asked to two stallions. "Cause I could really use the challenge during the Running of the Leaves."
"And I could always use a pair of strong hooves on the farm." Applejack commented. "Maybe even show you how to really apple buck."
"Maybe one day." Bucephalus smiled to his friends, feeling a strong breeze touch his mane. "Antenor, get ready to sail, this breeze is just what we need to get home."
"Aye, aye." Antenor responded, galloping about the ship, tightening the ropes and getting the wheel unlocked and ready to sail. "We're ready to cast off at your word."
"Thank you." Bucephalus commented, then turned to the mane six one last time. "And thank you all again, Princess, when I become consort, i will advise my King to negotiate trade and an exchange of knowledge to Equestria." Twilight only smiled at the notion, waving alongside her friends as Bucephalus and Antenor stirred the ship along the wide river and aimed for the mouth, to the sea, and back to Manedonia.