Ponyville streets
Now it was time for some shopping. I was happy to trot along with Starlight Glimmer and Twilight Sparkle. Sunset Shimmer was still recovering from her bad injury.
In fact, I was overjoyed to be in company of my newest friends.
“So tell me… isn’t the day gorgeous?” Twilight asked me.
“Magnificent.” I replied. “I can’t wait for a day I will find… the one who will really love me…”
“Well, actually you showed a big compassion to Sunset Shimmer, but…”
“Hm, you’re certainly right. But… I don’t know…”
Twilight Sparkle stopped by a stand with apples and other groceries. It was filled with lots of different vegetables, too. Like lettuce, tomatoes, salad…
“If we can have a bag of apples and some… carrots…” Twilight said.
“That will be twenty bits.” The seller told as Twilight gave him money, twenty bits.
I started thinking. Where I can get a really interesting job for me? I should get a job, somehow I want to keep my friends happy…
“Twilight… look, I have some problem.” I said.
“What is it, Alex?” She replied.
“I don’t have a job. Obviously, I need one.”
“Hm… let me think. What about looking for job in Canterlot?”
“I must see.”
“Okay… nice and easy.”
Canterlot
Teleported… Twilight actually did that. She got not only me, but also Starlight Glimmer.
“Welcome to Canterlot.” Twilight quickly got an occasion to explain. “The capital of Equestria. We’re… on the town square.”
“Eeyup.” I said. Lightly imitating Big Mac, although I didn’t want to.
“Um… and this is one of main streets.” Twilight continued. “I kinda figured that…”
“Miss Twilight Sparkle?” a pony asked.
“Yes. What’s the matter, Fancypants?” Twilight replied.
“Well… I would rather ask your… friend of it.” Fancypants told.
“Who, me?” Starlight asked with a bit of surprise.
“No. You, boy.” Now he turned attention to me.
I was only a little surprised.
“What is it, Mr. Fancypants?” I asked.
“Important matter. You should go alone, someone is awaiting you at the castle.”
Now that was kind of… weird. If it’s the Princess calling for me because of the bullies, then… no surprise will be.
Canterlot Castle
“Please come in!” A female voice roared through the halls.
I recognized this voice. Princess Celestia certainly was expecting me right at this moment. I walked with a little fear. But then I thought, “If it’s about the bullies, then they won’t stand a chance. I am too kind to be bad.”
“Alex. Nice to meet you again.”
I bowed in respect.
“Due to this heroic act of bravery…” Celestia told me with a smile. “May I present… Rock Savage, he will accompany you to your new master.”
“Um… what are you talking about?”
I was shocked. Who was going to be my master? And who was the Pegasus standing in front of me? My smile turned into a big frown. I was afraid. Screaming inside.
“But… what if you are hypnotized, Princess? I was the victim, I don’t wanna be the victim anymore!!!” I yelled so loud.
Princess just giggled. “Oh, calm down. I’m not joking. I’m not even hypnotized. Forget about it, now. Be polite and follow Rock Savage.”
I remained silent as I followed the white Pegasus stallion. I was in so deep thoughts as…
BAM!
Now I was lying on the floor, along with a gamboge-coated Pegasus guard.
“Oh no.” I said. “There we go again. I should really stop bumping into other ponies like this.”
Instead, Flash Sentry made a big smile and helped me get back on my hooves.
“I got used to this.” He explained. “Somewhat you remind my crush.”
Now I knew what he was talking about. I couldn’t just stand here and chat, I was summoned to another pony who is supposed to be my new master.
Soon, we were by a door in a narrow corridor with large double doors at its end. The office was on the side of the corridor.
“Sir, we have your new… apprentice.” Rock Savage exclaimed.
“First… I want to ask some questions. Do not worry and come in.” Another stallion mumbled.
He was sitting on his chair, facing the window.
I was still frowned. I was so worried.
“But… listen, sir…” I quickly started explaining. “Maybe I have friends, but I don’t think I’m good to be… someone who I dreamed to be…”
“What was your dream, boy?”
“I wanted to stand for the weak… back in my world, people were ungrateful… I don’t even know what I could ever do. I wasn’t sporty like others, I was the worst in PE… I was the worst in all terms, you know?”
“Then this is why I summoned YOU here…” The stallion raised his voice. “To show you that nothing is lost. You really deserve a chance. AND THEY WERE WRONG ALL THE WAY!!!”
“But…”
“Don’t tell me you’re worse. You see, you are really good… My sister told me a lot about you… even when you stood up for Sunset Shimmer.”
“Yeah… Twilight told others I am so kind… I remember that moment too good, I pranked these bullies by muting them… I couldn’t do anything evil. I simply can’t agree for that.”
“And this is what I value in you.” Now the stallion turned around to face me, he had a really honest,, kind and compassionate look. “People just wanted to crush you. I can show you can defend yourself and the others… therefore, I appoint you as my personal trainee.”
My jaw dropped.
Personal… trainee? What does it mean? Is he giving me a boring job? No… somehow I recognize him… the look, and his kindness…
“You…” I said in great shock. “*GASP* You are… Shining Armor! Captain of Canterlot Royal Guard!!”
“That’s it!” He said with a big smile. “And I just knew… I knew you deserve so much compassion and love that you didn’t even know before you arrived.”
Now I started crying… again. Shining Armor was quick enough to give me a big hug.
“Thank you… I-I don’t k-k-know if Cellestia… didn’t bring me here… I would be indeed dead…”
“I see you are really grateful for what you have brought into. Now, no time to waste. You should meet your fellow trainees.”
Castle training grounds
It came to me like a big electric shock. To learn I became a TRAINEE for a Royal Guard! I was still so shocked. I couldn’t calm down. The shock was overwhelming. I was shockingly shocking shocked. Even more than the last time my real parents tried to tell me I was a ‘failure that needs to go’.
For the first time. In all my life. I felt so touched by their friendship. They actually gave me a chance. Something that back in my world I didn’t even could sense. It was finally that moment in my life, when somebody will appreciate me.
“TRAINEES!!” Shining Armor ordered. “Everypony, meet our new trainee, his name is Alex. Please, be gentle with him, since he has a tragic past and needs REAL support.”
I was approached by a Earth pony trainee, he was gray and had blue eyes, and his cutie mark was a hurricane eye.
“Poor boy… but I promise we can help you.” He said. “My name is Hurricane, I am a trainee since a month.”
“You’re in company of the best ponies you have ever met in your life.” Another stallion called, this one was a unicorn.
Suddenly, somebody started hugging me very gently, causing me to turn my head away. I saw that was Princess Celestia, the same pony who brought me here, away from all pain and sadness.
“Oh, what would my life be if not you, Princess?” I whined, letting go a small tear.
“You say. And please call me Celestia, we’re all friends here.” She whispered calmly.
“I could be dead if you didn’t bring me here. I feel so loved here. Something I never experienced.”
“Well… Shining Armor, what’s your decision?”
Shining soon cleared his throat. “I appointed him as a trainee. Decision is yours, but I want to take it somewhere… private.” He said with a firm voice.
“Sure will do.” Celestia replied. “Alex… I’d like you to meet my family.”
“Your family?” I asked with a smile.
Evening at Canterlot
Now I was trotting along with Princess Celestia, who first showed me the pictures depicting the former rulers of Equestria.
“This… is Princess Amore. She was the first ruler of Crystal Empire. Defeated by King Sombra… she’s presumably killed. And this…”
Celestia then showed me an interesting stained glass depicting a really strange creature surrounded by two ponies.
“This is the moment when Discord was defeated for the first time. He’s a draconequus. A beast composed of an equine head and lower part is a mix of other animals.” She explained. “And here… when Cadence defeated Chrysalis, Queen of changelings.”
Next stained glass was interesting, showing an elderly stallion with a beard and eccentric suit. However, Celestia wasn’t anymore near me. She stared at another stained glass. And what was depicted was certainly disturbing for Celestia.
“What’s here, Celestia?” I asked in a slight worry.
“I never wanted it to happen.” She said. “Never. I still can’t believe that actually I did it.”
“What’s troubling you?”
“The moment when I banished Nightmare Moon to the moon. For a thousand years.”
“You could be happy…”
“No…” Celestia sighed, now she was crying. “Some strange entity possessed my sister…”
I was now shocked. Nightmare Moon – was indeed Princess Luna! But, with one small difference… something has corrupted the good Princess Luna and sealed her deep inside…
“Nightmare Moon wanted one thing. To bring eternal darkness upon Equestria.” Celestia explained. “She totally possessed my dearest sister… I cried a lot after I’ve done it… I know I didn’t want to, but at the time was the right thing to do, since she nearly killed me. Thanks to Twilight Sparkle and her friends… pardon me, no offence.…”
“I understand you, Celestia. It happened long before I arrived. So there’s no offence. In fact, nopony here made any offence to me.”
“Thanks for understanding. Thanks to Twilight Sparkle and her friends Nightmare Moon was defeated… but seems like somepony tried to revive Nightmare Moon… with her own body, independent from Luna…”
“I think they are gone… they might do no harm for a while.” I added. “But I’m still worried if they actually tried to revive somepony purely evil… again.”
“Seems like they wait for a right moment. Thanks in advance for warning me, I take it to my notice. Now, Alex. You wonder where you’re gonna sleep?” Now a smirk grew on Celestia’s face.
“Of course, Princess Celestia!”
“Follow me, then.”
Castle corridors
Halfway to my bedroom, I was welcomed with smiles of many ponies who, I thought they worked in the castle as chefs, maids and such.
Another warm greeting came from Flash Sentry. Actually, he told me he was going to spend a few days in Canterlot – apparently, tomorrow he was returning to Crystal Empire. I promised I will visit the Crystal Empire one day.