The fanciful architecture showcased in Rarity's Carousel Boutique were but a shadow of the splendor of the ponies' capitol city of Canterlot. Even the poorer districts, what would be called "slums" in other -lesser- cities, displayed an attention to detail the likes of which Pantheon had never seen.
The man spent most of his time being lead through the city's streets admiring the sights and pointedly ignoring the many stares and whispers he received from the ponies he passed. If Ponyville and Canterlot were any judge of pony society, Pantheon could expect the stares wherever he went.
Eventually the quartet of guards lead Pantheon to the center of the city where Canterlot Castle resided. He barely had time to gawk at the castle before Flash Sentry ushered him inside and into an ornate throne room. A dozen guardsponies in shiny golden armor lined the walls leading up to a modest golden throne. A burly unicorn clad in shining purple armor stood next to the throne, likely an adviser of some sort, and seated upon the throne itself was a large white pony, large enough that Pantheon would mistake her for a horse if not for the colorful mane and intelligent eyes. A golden tiara adorned the white pony's head, who Pantheon idly noticed had both wings and horn, and she held herself with a grace befitting royalty.
"Thank you, Flash Sentry," she said. Flash Sentry and Pantheon's three other escorts bowed once before moving to the side and joining the line of guards along the wall. The white pony, Pantheon remembered Flash Sentry referring to a princess on their way here and wondered if this was who he was talking about, took a moment to study the visitor to her castle. Pantheon returned her gaze and for a moment their eyes locked. Behind the regal airs of leadership Pantheon saw vast amounts of power, more power than he had ever seen in an individual, along with the skill and experience required to wield that power effectively. In short, if the two were to fight Pantheon would be severely outclassed.
Silence weighed heavy in the air for a moment until it was broken by the pony. "Greetings," she said, "I am Princess Celestia, regent of Equestria, and I would like to extend to you an official welcome to our lands."
Pantheon bowed his head respectfully. "Well met, Princess. I am known as Pantheon, mightiest warrior of the Rakkor and champion in the League of Legends." A thought came to Pantheon. Was he still a champion in the League? He didn't know how summoning magic worked or if it could reach to whatever world Ryze had banished him to.
Celestia for her part merely nodded in acknowledgement to Pantheon's greeting before jumping right into the reason she called him there. "I hear you come from a world of violence," she said, "I trust you won't hurt my ponies?"
"I will not harm any pony unless they give me reason," Pantheon immediately replied. "Besides, aggression would interfere with my studies." Celestia raised an eyebrow in confusion, prompting Pantheon to continue. "I'm learning how to bake. I believe you know my teacher, one Pinkie Pie, national hero."
"You're learning to bake?" Celestia asked with mild amusement.
"Yes, to bake," Pantheon deadpanned.
Celestia let out a small chuckle before saying, "Never the less, I will be forced to take action if you do end up harming any of my little ponies, regardless of your friendship with Miss Pie."
"I would fully expect you to," Pantheon said. "As regent of this country it should be your duty to protect your people, and honestly, you're the only pony I've seen so far that would stand a chance against me in combat. Single or otherwise." One of the guards lining the walls let out a disbelieving snort. Pantheon glanced at the offending pony to see that it was none other than Flash Sentry.
"What about my guards? They're the best trained fighting force in the world."
Pantheon's eyes met Flash's and both focused their best glares at the other. Not two seconds passed before Flash looked away. "Training only goes so far," Pantheon said, not taking his eyes off of Flash. "I can see in their eyes that they lack experience."
"What of Captain Shining Armor?" Celestia asked motioning to the purple clad unicorn standing next to her. "He repelled an invading army almost on his own. That has to count for some bit of experience." From her tone Pantheon couldn't tell if Celestia was enjoying their conversation or preparing to turn him to paste.
Hoping for the former, Pantheon decided to continue being honest. "'Shining armor' in and of itself is a sign of inexperience," Pantheon explained, "through trials a knight's armor becomes dirtied and dinged up, each blemish shows a lesson learned and a battle won. Unless I see evidence to the contrary I have confidence that your guard poses no threat to me."
Princess Celestia smiled. Pantheon nearly sighed in relief when he realized she wasn't about to smite him. "You have more wisdom than you let on, Pantheon of the Rakkor."
"My wisdom was earned through experience." Pantheon motioned to the many small dents and scrapes covering his armor. 'Shining' was the last adjective anyone would use to describe the enchanted bronze. "And it doesn't extend much beyond the field of battle."
A thoughtful look crossed the Princess's face for a brief moment. She motioned Shining Armor closer to her and the two conversed softly for a short time. After a few seconds Celestia sent him away. Once again addressing Pantheon she asked, "What would you think about sharing your 'wisdom' with my royal guardsponies?"
"Are you asking me to train them or fight them?" he asked. Celestia opened her mouth to answer but Pantheon cut her off. "Because if you're asking for training then I'm afraid you're out of luck."
Celestia's face remained impassive, but Pantheon could detect a slight bit of disappointment lining her voice. "And may I ask why that is?"
"My people, the Rakkor, begin training our bodies for combat as soon as we are able to walk." Pantheon's voice held no trace of boast or exaggeration, only a statement of fact. "By the age of six a child is expected to be proficient in at least one manner of melee weapon or martial art, preferably more. Upon coming of age, two teens battle to the death for the right to bear a relic-weapon."
Pantheon's eyes gazed coldly out from underneath his helmet. "If I were to train one of your ponies, I would have to do it right. So unless you are willing to give me infants to train or are able to turn back the clock for one of your existing guards, then I will not be training any pony."
"I see..." Celestia was silent for a moment, obviously thinking hard. "And you are adamant about this?"
Pantheon gave a single sharp nod.
"Then I believe that just about concludes our business together." Pantheon nodded again and prepared to leave. "Oh, and Pantheon!" Celestia added. "Since you are technically a threat to my ponies, I'm going to have to assign a guard to watch you. To make sure you don't bring harm to anypony and... who knows, he might learn something if he pays enough attention. I hope you understand."
Pantheon could see the smirk on Celestia's face as clear as day. While not as good as formal training, watching the man in action could still improve a guard's fighting skill. What's more, he couldn't protest without incurring the ire of the one pony he seriously did not want to piss off. "Of course I understand," he said through gritted teeth.
"Wonderful!" she said. "And I know just the pony for the job. I believe you're already acquainted with him." Pantheon furrowed his brow. The only guardspony he had said two words to was Flash Sentry. Pantheon glanced to the orange pegasus. The look of dawning realization on Flash's face let Pantheon know he wasn't alone in his conclusions.
Obviously unintended but I laughed all the same.
Okay, that was really amusing.
I know how you feel about the whole not writing unless motivated thing. Just know that even if it takes you another 3+ months to update this again, I'll probably read it the day you put it up. This story is very amusing, and I look forward to reading more whenever you get around to it.
Was it the cake?
4023234 that's exactly what I was thinking
Everything about this chapter amusssing.
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Wow, I can't believe I actually wrote that. It was supposed to say "far" not "fat". I guess I should expect this kind of thing when I write at four in the morning and don't have any form of proofreading. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Thank you all for your kind words. If it weren't for people like you then this chapter probably would have never come out.
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No problem.
Best of Luck Hawattie!
Only error I found. Oh well, I wonder how long it will take until Flash is reduced to disposal unit in baking.
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Thanks for pointing that out.
And how did you know my intentions so well?
4032146 he isn't going to be much help in a fight unless it's bad enough that he has to drag Pantheon's unconscious body away, so he can only be there for irrelevant Twilight fluff or cake disposal.
Buh-buh-buh Xerath.... A being of untold power millennia old, probably older than Celestia and much more powerful, if he was free from his sarcophagus. Is it just because no-one plays him anymore ;C
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Are you saying I should have Xerath get loose from his shackles and rampage across Equestria until he's stopped by Pantheon's baking skills and fighting prowess or are you complaining that Xerath's underplayed?
Because I agree with you for at least one, maybe two of those.
That is all.
Y'know, I had been planning to write a one-shot about, well, pretty much this. Pantheon going to Equestria and learning how to bake, I mean. I have to say, though, that I'm kind of glad you got to it first. Honestly, judging off of what I had written before discovering this story of yours, mine sucked in comparison.
That said, I hear you're looking for ideas. Since I've completely given up on my own attempt, I'd like to suggest the one thing that was actually interesting in my attempt: Pantheon gets frustrated at his failure at baking and hurls his spear through a line of cupcakes, creating what Pinkie dubs the "Cupcakekebab."
Yeah, I know, it's stupid.
Anyway, well done so far.
Write on,
Legion
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Thank you for the compliment. If you ever get the urge to finish your story I by no means hold a monopoly on the Pantheon in Equestria market. As for your idea, well...
I have the strangest feeling that the next baking sensation might come in the form of skewered pastries.
I'd like to see things happen on Ryse's end. Mostly on the lines of Leona threatening to bash Ryse's head in unless he brings Pantheon back or sends her to wherever he is since they are both friends and would most likely rather be by his side to give him some company until Ryse finds a way to bring them both back.