//------------------------------// // Trainings After Affects and Letters From an Ex // Story: The New Guy // by SilverWind102 //------------------------------// A few days had passed since Radiance left, and everyone was busy. Silvers protegees began their new training, Luna had been swamped with paper work and meetings, along with her sister. Twilight had a number of portfolios and interviews to conduct, many of which turned up no results. Honestly, was it really this hard to find some decent ponies to fill the Eventide guard? She figured of all the places to find a nice, normal and friendly pony, it would be in Ponyville. But no... But alas, the universe had cut her a break with Beats, and while he was the only guard she approved of, he was still better than nothing. Today though, she'd finally finished with her profiles early, and Silver and Luna would be back in the evening, if nothing holds them up. For the first time in the last couple of days, they could actually spend time together. In the beginning of their relationship, they'd had some free time and slept with each other through the nights, but lately she'd been staying home, often falling asleep on her couch with a manila folder resting on her muzzle. And now she has a kink in her neck.... Twilight sighed to herself. She missed her wolf and mare, and with Radiance coming back soon she had a feeling things would only get busier as the mystery behind the grimoires thickened. The lavender alicorn sat idly on Silvers couch, a tub of ice cream floating in her magic while her eyes were glued to the T.V. She was watching reruns of some old cartoons. Some fillies had been transported to a digital world where they had to fight with their new found partners against the evil in the land. Re-watching the show had brought back many fond memories of her foalhood, filling her with a sweet sensation of nostalgia. As a filly, she often had her nose in a book, though she would occasionally cut the T.V. on and listen to the shows while she read. It was a strange habit of hers, but she didn't mind the background noise. In fact, she quite welcomed it. Of course when her brother started shouting at the screen trying to warn the characters, she lost her patience and had to move to somewhere a little quieter. But still, they were fond memories nonetheless. Simpler days when she could laze around and read all she wanted. Now she had responsibilities and bills and a life..... Being an adult was hard. It was amid her mental grumblings that she heard something smack into the glass door. Twilight snapped her head and found Onyxs face pressed against the back door, slowly sliding down the glass making a squeaking noise as a figure walked up behind it. “You know, there's a handle you pull to open it,” Silver said as he approached with Ruppy and Aerial tossed over his back, “You don't have to smash the window with your face,” He slid the door open and the unicorns face fell free from the glass, only to smack into the tile of the house. “Long day?” Twilight asked as she floated the mare up from the floor and set her on the couch, her swords clattering as they dangled from her hip. “THAT DOESN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE IT!” Ruppy shouted in anger from the wolves back. The strange thing was that she didn't even bother lifting her head to yell. In fact, her entire body seemed to be in a rag-doll like state, simply flopping around with each step Silver took. “Kill...me...” Aerial huffed in raspy voice. Twilight got up to make room for the other two to be laid down. They were in no condition to move by themselves. The lavender mare looked to the wolf in a mixture of fear and amazement, “Silver, just what have you been doing to these poor girls?” she asked, looking over their exhausted bodies. She knew Silvers training regiment must have been hard, but this was down right ridiculous. Ruppys body was battered and beaten despite it's sturdy capabilities, and Twilight could sense the magic fatigue Aerial and Onyx were experiencing along with the physical exhaustion as well. “The only proper thing to call it is 'Attempted Murder',” Ruppy snarked from the couch, “An act which will be eagerly attempted by me as soon as I can move my limbs again.” “I help bury the body,” Onyx pitched in, “If there's anything left of it.” “Hmm,” Silver hummed, “I need to think of a way to keep these two from killing me in my sleep. Aerial doesn't live here so I'm not too worried about her. It's the other two....Oh!” his eyes flickered over to the tub Twilight was eating from, “What if I got you guys more ice cream?” he offered. Honestly, with negotiation tactics like these, it's a miracle he's managed to live this long. “YOU'D BETTER BUY THE WHOLE DAMN STORE!” The sandy pegasus demanded. Silver brushed off the task, “Meh, I can do that,” he said before heading to the kitchen and pulling out the last tub of ice cream, “Alright, last one so you girls need to share. I suggest you all go shower and clean up while it thaws. I'll go out and buy more while you do.” “I call bath!” Ruppy announced, just as the other two opened their mouths. Both let out awws of disappointment as they accepted they'd have to shower. It wasn't a bad thing, just not nearly as relaxing. At least they got clean, and maybe they could sit down in the shower. Twilight couldn't help but giggle at their antics, “You know, I think I'll join you Silver. Spike ate all of our ice cream at the library so I need to get some more anyway. Would you girls like any special flavors while we're out?” “Anything and everything,” Ruppy informed. At this point all she really wanted was food, but it took too much energy to actually make something, so an ice cream run sounded pretty good. Although, ice cream had never really been very filling for her, so... “With hayburgers and fries.” “Chocolate ice cream and pizza for me,” Onyx chimed in, “I won't forgive either of you if you don't bring me back pizza.” “Aerial?” Silver asked, “What about you?” “Strawberries,” she informed, “Just get strawberry ice cream and actual strawberries and I might forgive you.” “Alright, junk food it is then. Sugar Cube Corner should still be open, so we'll be back soon. Just hang on a little longer,” Silver replied, taking note of their orders, “Also, see if you can at least try walking to the bathrooms yourselves. Onyx walked up the mountain after her training, so you two should be fine too.” “Onyx didn't get hit by boulders,” Ruppy grunted as she lifted herself, wobbling as she slid off the couch and landed on her hooves. Aerial lifted a hoof and tapped the pegasus's shoulder, “Carry me?” she pleaded. “Ha! I can barely carry myself. Sorry Aerial, but you'll have to find your own way there.” The mare groaned and whined as she flopped over onto her stomach, then pushed herself off the couch and landed with a thud on her flank. “It seems my hind legs have decided to quit their jobs and become noodles,” she looked up to Ruppy once more, “Could you at least drag me?” “Nope. Now start moving before I decide to use all the hot water,” she warned and walked/wobbled over to the hallway. Silver and Twilight had already wandered out of the house at some point during the discussion, and now it would only be a matter of time before they got back. Onyx had also dragged herself from the comfort of the sofa and shuffled off to the hall. Noticing the bathroom one the first floor was empty, she realized Aerial and Ruppy must be down stairs. The exhausted mare wobbled over to the shower, cutting on the water and letting it get hot while plopped her rump on to the floor in front of the mirror. She untied her braid and shook her mane loose, watching as a few bits of leaves fell from it as well. She unlatched her belt and set the blades aside, rubbing a hoof over the marks the strap left on her hips. She looked back to the mirror, this time actually looking at her appearance. Thanks to her coat color, it was hard to see the dirt that had stained her, but she did notice that it lacked it's usual luster. It was then she saw the steam pouring out over the shower in the reflection. She got up and stepped into the wonderful warmth and immediately sat back down, allowing for the water to just wash over her. It soothed her every ache and pain that the training had brought over the past few days. Every day, for ten hours, she stood under a tree, kicking and swinging her blades. Honestly, it was a miracle she was still able to move. Even if it were simple training like she was doing before, the magic drain from her swords was taxing. She watched the tile below as it became murky brown from the dirt. She felt the tension in her body slowly drain away as she relaxed more and more. Eventually, Onyx found herself slowly leaning back until she laid entirely on the floor, the shower nozzle giving her body a pelting massage. “Sweet fucking Celestia, I feel like I'm dying, if not already dead. Who the hell assigns something like that anyway? Cutting up falling leaves? Honestly, I'd kick his ass if I knew I could.” Onyx laid on the floor for a while longer, loosing track of the time she'd been in there. It wasn't until she felt her eye's drop that she sat up. “I need to hurry and get out before I fall asleep in here. Hehe, I wonder if the other two did the same.” In the bathroom one floor down, a pegasus and earth pony let out a loud sneeze, sending bubbles and water flying across the room and water splashing across the walls. Onyx quickly washed her coat and mane before stepping out. She dried herself as best as her tired limbs would allow then put her hair in a braid and grabbed her swords before leaving. She stopped in her room to put the swords away then went to the living room where she found Ruppy and Aerial on the couch. “Yo, what took you so long? Did you fall asleep in there?” Ruppy asked. Onyx shook her head as she made her way to the kitchen, “I'm too hungry to sleep right now. I will after I get my pizza and ice cream,” she pulled out the pitcher of tea and a glass from the cabinet, poured herself some and chugged it all down before refilling it once more. After filling her glass the second time, she put the pitcher back and floated out a spoon from a drawer then went to the couch. Setting her tea on the coffee table, she ungracefully flopped onto the sofa, practically melting into it's cushions while stealing a scoop of ice cream from the tub. All three sat and relished in the moment of relaxation that they'd all been dying for. The long day of hellish physical and magical instructing that left them feeling like they're on the brink death had finally come to an end. And then a knock on the door came. The mares turned and looked at each other. It was times like these where the bonds of friendship would be tested, for who would be the selfless one and get up to make the treacherous journey to the door. The knocks came again, and the looks intensified. The call of the couch was indeed powerful, all three mares not wanting to give it up. “Onyx, you have magic,” Ruppy reminded, “Just open it from here.” Oh...right. The unicorn looked over from behind the couch, the opened the door to allow the pony in. “Hello?” came the voice of Beats as he poked his head in, “Silver?” “He's not here,” Onyx replied. The stallions quickly caught notice of the two eyes that poked over the edge of the couch, though the glare they were giving him made him think about stepping back out of the door. “Oh. Do you know when he'll be back?” he asked, “I was hoping I could ask him about the Eventide Guard training.” “The fuck is the Eventide Guard?” Ruppy called, not bothering to actually look back to ask her question. “It's Princess Twilights guard. I got approved, by the way,” he informed. “Is that what we're calling ourselves?” the pegasus questioned, “Congrats by the way. Although, you could have picked a better time. Silver seems intent on killing us with his training.” The stallion brazenly waltzed into the home, “Well I'm not training under him, so I won't have to suffer it.” “Ha!” Ruppy mocked, “Do you really think Silver would let you guard Twilight without him training you? The guard's not very large right now, so he's focusing on quality instead of quantity.” Beats wandered around to the front of the couch, “Well then I'll just have to let him train me. It can't be all bad.” All three mares gave him a flat stare. “I give it three hours of training before he changes his mind,” Aerial bet. “Changes his mind? I'm betting he'll quit the guard entirely,” Ruppy countered. The stallion rolled his eyes, “Thanks for the support,” he deadpanned, “Besides, I can't quit. My little sister will be watching and I do have an image to keep up. At least in front of her.” Both mares giggled, “Well ain't that sweet?” Aerial laughed. Beats opted to simply ignore them, taking interest in the T.V. instead. They all sat idly on the couch and watched as they waited for the home owner to return. As they watched, a thought occurred to Onyx. “Beats, just how did you knock on the front door?” she asked, “The only doors connected are in the Golden Oaks library and Canterlot Castle.” “Oh, the little dragon Spike let me in,” he answered, “That was kinda the whole reason I came by. I figured if Scootaloo would be coming by, then she'd need a way in. I was going to ask if one of you could pick her up, but since I'm going to be joining you guys, then I'll just bring her along.” “Cool, we'll make you a key,” Ruppy chimed in, “Well, Silver will. I don't know how these damn things work.” “It's simple,” Aerial started, “It's just an application of--” FLASH! POOF! The mare was cut off by a sudden burst of light erupting in the middle of the room, just above the table. The four ponies in the room jumped and retreated behind the couch, watching and waiting for the smoke to dissipate. When it did, they saw just what it was that had caused them to panic. It was an envelope. It had no wax crest sealing it, or address. Just the name Silver scribbled across the front. “Huh,” Ruppy hummed, “Well that's a first.” Twilight glided through the evening sky, the vibrant oranges, purples and pinks painting the horizon like a mural the size of the heavens. Silver watched her from the side, entranced as her figure danced with the colors behind her. Oh, what a beauty she was. “Careful,” she said, noticing his gaze “You might hit something.” The wolf chuckled, “The only reason I would crash,” he cooed as he flew under her, belly up and snagging her in his arms, “Would be because I'm blinded by your beauty.” Twilight ceased her flapping and let her body rest atop Silvers. She quickly wrapped her hooves around him and buried her muzzle into his chest in an attempt to hide her scarlet cheeks. Once again, Silver lightly laughed and pecked the top of her head, “I missed you, you know,” he admitted as they continued to fly, “I haven't seen you in the past couple of days. Luna came by at night though, so I wasn't completely alone. But we were both worried about you. Twilight lifted her head, the blush in her cheeks still present but not quite as much as before, “Sorry. These profiles and interviews are taking up a lot of my time. Which reminds me, I hired Beats by the way. And yes, I know he used to be a member of the Fallen Kings, but he seems trust worthy and he wasn't there because he wanted to be.” Silver chuckled, “Don't worry. I knew he was a good kid. Otherwise, Ruppy would have just left him tied up in the basement...or a shallow grave. But we're both still worried Twilight. We don't want you running yourself ragged trying to put this guard together. These things take time.” “Yeah, I know,” she conceded. Honestly, the Eventide Guard was the last thing she wanted to talk about. She just wanted Silver and Luna right now. Her mare and her wolf; the three of them together again. Relaxing and cuddling. Twilight let out a muffled sigh of content as she let her eyes fall shut. “Don't go falling asleep just yet. We still have food to get,” Silver reminded. With that said, the alicorn on top lifted her with a pouting bottom lip. “Fine,” she moaned, then lifted herself off, “I'll go get the pizza, burgers and strawberries. You get the ice cream.” “'Kay,” he answered, “Hey, what kind did Spike want?” “Just tell Pinkie Pie it's for him and she'll know what to get. As for me,” she said before flying in closer to press a deep kiss onto the wolf, “I think I'll have my dessert a little later. I'll come find you when I get everything.” And with that, the mare took off. Silver watched as her plump, purple plot flew away, her tail flicking aside for the briefest moment to allow him a glimpse. “Dessert? I'm thinking something with a little more meat to it.” Luna bounded through the halls of the castle. Having raised the moon and taken her bath, it was time to go see Silver and the thought of seeing him again put a little skip in her step. To an outside observer, one could almost say she was acting like a school filly with a crush. And in a way she was. Luna approached the door in the hall she always used. Instead of knocking, the alicorn simply pushed it open and strolled on in. “Silver!” she called as she entered, “Your marefriend requires cuddles!” She paused and looked around, not seeing the wolf she was seeking but instead the mares he was training. A pair of emerald eyes and a blonde mane poked over the back of the couch, “I don't know about getting Silver, but I can still cuddle with you if you'd like,” Ruppy responded. An immediate smack of a face-hoof quickly followed the statement, and a short moment after that, Onyx's groan came as well. “You're quite daring,” Luna admitted to the sandy pegasus, “I rather like it. But you're not the one I want. Now, can you tell me where my wolf has wandered off to?” “He's on a food run,” Onyx chimed in, “He should be back soon.” “Okay then. I'll simply wait for him here,” Luna said as she moved to sit on the couch. Thank the heavens it was so big. A normal couch wouldn't be able to accommodate for five ponies. She noticed Beats sitting with the mares as well, “And who might you be?” she asked. “Oh, my name is Beats, your highness,” he introduced with a bow of his head, “I'm the newest addition to Princess Twilights Eventide Guard.” “Ah, so she's began selecting the recruits,”she said as she trotted around the sofa, noticing the letter sitting on the table, “Huh. I didn't realize Silver got mail here.” Sure, she knew he must have gotten mail, but she figured it would have been delivered to some one else. She'd never seen some pony deliver it before. “Oh yeah,” Ruppy said as she picked up the envelope, “It wasn't delivered by a pony though. It just kinda poofed itself in here. Not really sure how.” “Hmm,” Luna hummed as she floated the letter over. Well that would certainly explain the lack of mail carriers. Perhaps maybe it was a system like what Spike used. She examined it with a curious eye, holding it up to the light only to find she couldn't see what was in it. Naturally, she just assumed it was a letter, but the way it was supposedly delivered made her want to see what was inside, “You say it 'poofed' into the room?” “Yep,” the pegasus mare agreed, “Literally, there was a flash and a poof and then it came floating down onto the table.” “I don't suppose you've opened it yet,” Luna inquired. Every other pony in the room shook their heads. “Hmm,” the alicorn hummed once more. Tempting.... It was then when the letter was wrapped in a black aura, “I don't think we should start sniffing through Silvers mail, especially you Princess Luna. He might just scold us, but with you it might be a little more personal.” The mare accused simply huffed, “I wasn't going to open it. I was just curious to see who sent it.” “Well then why don't you just ask?” a voice came from behind. Every pony on the couch jumped and scrabbled, Onyx quickly trying to put the letter back on the table. The rustle of bags was heard next as Twilight walked into the home, “We're back!” she called, “And we come bearing treats!” The ponies huffed and puffed as they tried to get their hearts back under control while the lavender alicorn made her way around the couch. “What's gotten into all of you?” she asked. “I don't know about something getting into me, but I know I just got the shit scared out!” Ruppy exclaimed, “We're putting a collar with a little bell on you,” she said, pointing a hoof to the wolf. “Hey now, is that any way to treat the wolf who just bought twelve tubs of ice cream for you?” he countered, giving the bag behind the couch a jostle. The glare the sandy pegasus made slowly soften to light scowl, “....Fine. I will over look this little incident,” the mare conceded as she crawled over the back of the couch and dug through the bags. She eventually re-emerged with three tubs of ice cream, one chocolate, one strawberry and the other mint and Oreo. “Don't forget about these,” Twilight reminded as she set down the other portion of their dinner. “PIZZA!” Onyx exclaimed before snagging up the box of cheesy goodness and greedily hogging it all for herself. “Note to self,” Beats began, “Never get between Onyx and her food. Might lose an arm...or life.” Silver chuckled as he began picking up the remaining bags and headed over to the kitchen, “So what are you doing here Beats? I heard you made it on the guard, by the way. Congrats. But don't think you won't have to train with those three. I won't allow you to guard my marefriend unless I teach how to.” “Yes, so I've been told.” One... Two... Three... Four... “Marefriend?” he asked. “Well it took him long enough,” Ruppy said between bites of her burger, “Honestly, I don't even think he caught on that you're with Princess Luna too.” The stallion stopped and thought for a moment. And then it hit him. She waltzed into Silvers house and demanded cuddles. Silver was dating an alicorn...no, wait...two alicorns. “I officially feel like an idiot,” Beats admitted, “Also slightly inferior as a male.” “That would be because you are,” Ruppy chimed in. Both pegasi stuck their tongues out in a foalish fashion causing Twilight to step in. “Now, now you two,” the alicorn playfully scolded, “You're going to be working together so I'd rather you didn't fight. Besides Ruppy, you shouldn't stick your tongue out at others, or at the least when you're eating.” “Yes, mom,” the sandy pegasus mocked and decided to turn her attention back to the food. Well now there's an interesting choice of words. “If she's the mom, does that make me the dad?” Silver asked as he came around to the couch, having finally put the rest of the ice cream away. “I guess,” Ruppy said with a shrug, “But then what does that make Princess Luna?” “I think I would just be another mom,” the midnight mare informed, “That's the way herds used to work. I don't see why we should changed tradition.” “Yay! Mama Twilight and Mama Luna!” Ruppy exclaimed in a foalish voice, “Oh! I'm going to start calling you daddy, Silver!” The wolf shrugged, “Well, it's not like you'd be the first girl to call me that.” His marefriends both went wide eyed and blushed with great intensity. All other eyes turned to the two alicorns in the room. Both remained silent until Luna spoke up, “W-well, even if one of us did call him d-daddy, it would be no business yours.” Silver simply sat in the center of the room, grinning at the chaos he caused. Sure, he'd have hell to pay later, but it was worth it. “But while on the topic of those you knew before us,” Luna continued as she fought to get her cheeks under control. Twilight had simply given up and stared at the floor, “You received a letter today. According to your newest daughters, it poofed into the middle of the living room.” The alicorn floated the envelope to the wolf. “Hmm,” he hummed as he stared at the writing on the front. He tore open the paper and pulled out the letter inside, his eyes scanning over the words causing his expression changed from one of curiosity to a tired glare. “Whose it from?” Ruppy asked. Silver simply tossed the paper down onto the table, “Aurora,” he said with a sigh, “My ex.”