//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: Arrival Part 2 
// Story: Put on your Robe(s) and/or Wizard Hat(s) 
// by Fiddlove Enfemme 
//------------------------------//

While Blue and Green were busy chatting up the local farmers, the royal guard had slipped away.

"By Celestia, those lunatics will be the death of me, even if they won't stallion up and do it properly! Oh wait, where am I?" muttered the guard. Rather than following the pathway to Ponyville like a sensible pony, he had run off into the farmland in a random direction. For your information, he ran roughly into the west. Perhaps he thought that going cross country would be quicker than following the well worn path? Those of you who know the geography of Ponyville well, he was currently en route to the trails used in the annual "Running of the Leaves" event. Currently, there were no events being held along this particular stretch.

The guard, relieved to see even a small indicator of civilisation, followed the trail closely. He came out on the edge of Ponyville, not far from Rarity's carousel shaped boutique. Several locals were out and about, doing chores, purchasing goods, and so forth. Imagine their surprise when a dirty, distressed, and discouraged member of Princess Cadance's personal Royal Guard walks out of the woods and into the town proper. Finally seeing some ponies that were moderately friendly, he did the smart thing anyone in his situation would do. He screamed about the four lunatics who had shown up and usurped Equestria.

"The End Times are upon us! Robed lunatics have taken over Canterlot! Flee for your lives!" and so on and so forth.

But, contrary to the guard's expectations, the locals just ignored him. One couple who were having early supper at a cafe even remarked "What, another one? We just got rid of that other guy a week ago!"

Further discouraged, he wandered through town, looking for the library so he could kill himself by dropping a bookshelf on himself. Unlucky for him, he had not been up to date on his Ponyville history, as the library had been destroyed some time ago. Poor pony just wanted all the humiliation, and torment to end. And then he saw enlightenment - I mean salvation - err, that is to say he saw a castle.

Mind racing, he remembered that the honourable Princess Twilight Sparkle lived in Ponyville with her assistant. With the library gone, she would be living somewhere else. Why not somewhere fitting her stature? Somewhere as regal as she is? In a heartbeat, he raced to the doors.

Of course, we know that the Princess was away on business. He pushed on the handles. He hammered on them with all of his strength behind it. He tried to kick in the doors, but failed. Finally, he tried to pull on the handles. The doors swung open like ghosts. The guard sighed and firmly planted his face onto his hoof.

Moving on, the guard entered a grand entrance hall. At the far end, a bored looking baby dragon was dressed up like a receptionist, and throwing paper airplanes around the hall while reading a comic book. Several had stuck in amusing places, such as in curtains, atop statues, on chandeliers, and even on a sleeping bum's belongings. Glancing at the delinquent, the guard walked down the hall and stopped before the receptionist.

"Take a number, and have a seat. I'll call out the next number in the sequence when Twilight is available. Next!" the receptionist droned.

"But there's no one else here, who could possibly be occupi-"

The receptionist closed his comic book, and looked at the guard, "Look, you just play along, and I'll keep wearing this goofy outfit, okay?"

"No, you look! This is a matter of grave importance! The Princess must know of it at once!"

"I'm sure whatever it is can wait until Twilight has time for it. Now you go take seat so I can keep reading my comic."

Groaning in anger, the guard caved and took a seat. Several minutes pass, then an hour. Finally, the receptionist called out a number. Eagerly, the guard looked at his number. It wasn't even remotely close to the number the receptionist had called out.

"This is pointless! I'm getting out of here!" he shrieked.

"Suit yourself." the receptionist muttered.

Angrily, the guard stomped over to the doors. They were still ajar from when he entered. Stepping outside, guess who he happened to run into?





Twilight had had a trying day. First, she had had to deal with several complaints from various townsfolk. To solve it, she set up Spike as a diversionary receptionist who would keep them waiting for as long as possible. While they were waiting in the reception, Twilight slipped out through an upper floor window, and flew into town. There, one of the two main bridges had been damaged by excessive rainwater, and was backing up the foot traffic. She used telekinesis magicks to temporarily replace the middle section of the bridge with a spare wagon. She also visited the Mayor's office, but was dismayed to discover that the mayor was out to lunch. Then Pinkie Pie had come galloping up to her, blathering about an incoming caravan. To top it off, Rainbow Dash had dropped a cloud on her again. Twilight had had a very trying day.

So, when face to face with a familiar, orange, Crystal Empire Royal guard, she was understandably dismayed.

"Princess Twilight!" Flash Sentry practically screamed, "Thank Celestia I've found you, I need your help!"

"Flash Sentry? What in the blazes are you doing here?"

"How do you know my name? Never mind, there's an urgent matter regarding Equestria's safety! Four lunatics arrived in Canterlot, and took over while Celestia and Luna are at the summit! They kidnapped me, and forced the castle staff into slave labour!"

"Several questions. Why were you in Canterlot, how did you escape, and why should I trust you and not every other doomsayer we see come out on Tuesdays?"

"I was in Canterlot as part of the ambassadorial delegation to the Nobles. Fools wanted to monopolise Crystal Empire goods entering Equestria. As for the other ones-" his eyes widened as he looked over her shoulder, "THEY'RE HERE!"

Twilight turned around, and before her stood four robed wizards, with a train of overburdened castle servants.

"Ah, Royal Guard! I see you have secured us lodging for the night!" said the green one excitedly.

"Not the best defensive position, but it will do for now." weighed the blue one.

"Out of the way, horsie!" said the red one as he  muscled past the two ponies and into the castle doors.

"That's a cool castle." the yellow one intoned.