Aegis

Just another soldier

Chapter(?) 1: Aegis

Twilight was taking a risk. A risk that she could actually outsmart Nightmare Moon, the Mare who is literally over one thousand years old and capable of destroying her in one fatal blow. Her magic surpassed even her mentor and Mother figure Princess Celestia! It was a low chance, very unlikely that she would get her plan to succeed. She took a deep breath in, solemnly determined to take on the rather suicidal task. Hunching over she glared venomously as Nightmare Moon who simply looked amused. Twilight scuffed her hoof on the ground, as if to challenge the Lunar Princess. Nightmare Moon lost the amused look on her face, which turned to quickly became annoyance, doubt and disbelief as well.

"You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" She then sighed and looked at Twilight with a deadpan expression. Her answer came in the form of Twilight channeling magic through her horn, illuminating the dark ruins with a lavender colored glow. "I suppose not." She barely acknowledged. Not that Twilight blamed her, she was a simple unicorn about to pretty much kill herself trying to go against one of the most powerful forces in all of Equestria.

It was then Twilight lunged forward, sprinting at Luna who sat there for a second, as if pondering to accept the Unicorn's challenge. Shrugging since she didn't believe she had anything to lose, she charged forward herself, intending on ending this silly game! The Unicorn's horn glow got even brighter.

It seemed the closer the two got from their respective original positions, Twilight's horn kept getting brighter and brighter.

'What are you planning?...' The 'Soon to be Princess of Equestria' wondered. She narrowed her eyes as she got almost right at the little pony, ready to knock her into next week. The glow was irritating and harsh, that had to be a powerful spell. But it didn't seem likely. But there was only one spell that would be simple, yet cost that much magic to use. Just as stated before, it was simple. But effective.

Movement Blinking. It was a spell that allowed the caster to 'blink' from distance to distance at the cost of some serious magic. And it'd take someone dedicated to magic to even learn how to do it properly. If the pony before her survived, she'd have to take her as an apprentice! But then as she thought about the spell that was about to be used, her mind kicked into high gear.

Eyes widening in realization she sought to swing out her hoof and hopefully interrupt the Lavender pony's concentration. Alas, it was too late.

Twilight had waited, at just the right moment, mere milliseconds before the hoof contacted her face, she had vanished in a flash of stunning magic. The thing with teleporting is everypony who was near you with the teleport would be dizzy for a a few seconds. The magic forcing the caster to move from one place to another effected it's surroundings my warping reality for a split second to vanish somewhere else. At least, that's how it was with Movement Blinking.

Nightmare Moon, like every other Pony would was rendered helpless for a second, blinking to gather her bearings. In that time, Twilight had time to recover from her disorienting blink, which took her a single shake of the head. He ran a hoof down the left side of her mane rather unpleased at the sensation. The good news was that her plan had actually worked against all odds, somehow. Hunching over, she looked down.

Before her sat the Elements of Harmony, the sole remnants of the past that sealed Nightmare Moon away in her own ironic prison. Whispering a short and silent prayer to Celestia she gritted her teeth as she felt the magic drain rush upon her. Taking a deep breath she leaned further down, closing her eyes in concentration.

"Just one spark..." Twilight whispered with hope in her voice, she needed this to work. Or all would be lost! Her horn lit up once more, she concentrated as hard as she could. "Come on! Come on!" She pleaded with the stones, desperately hoping for them to work.

Groaning Nightmare Moon finally recovered from the rather sudden teleport of Twilight, her gaze snapped to the pony trying to stop her, using the power of the stones, her one weakness at this point in time. She glared hatefully at Twilight, preparing to send her to oblivion. In a swirl of frighteningly powerful malevolent feeling dark magic, a tornado swooped up Nightmare Moon and threw her right before Twilight and the stoned versions of the element of harmony. A twinge of fear appeared in her heart. If the elements worked she would be back on the cold, dark, desolate rock. Rotting for all of eternity. It took all the will power she had not to just start outright shivering in fear at the thought. She held her breath and prepared to attack Twilight before it could be done.

"No!" Nightmare Moon growled out, it sounded more scared than anything else.

Twilight looked up in her own fear, locking gazes with Nightmare Moon. This was cut off as suddenly the Elements suddenly started generating magical static electricity. They flashed brightly, then with a jolt of lightning sent a bolt out at Twilight, shocking her painfully.

"Argh!" Twilight was sent spiraling through the air, doing so many flips that an gymnastic athlete would be proud. Spinning out of control, she was in a crash course and wasn't even aware.

CRACK!

Twilight's back was emitting a sickening crack, or was it her back? As she had impacted with whatever was behind her, it had made a rather violent sound. Agony shot up her spine as she was still in mid-air, with whatever hitting her from behind still standing before collapsed from her magically added temporary weight. With a gasp her eyes widened as she flew further breaking whatever was originally behind her. As she flew by where it once was, she could see it was a pillar, a stone pillar that was now in pieces as she broke through it truly the force exerted to push through something that hard had to be tremendous! She had realized this before even seeing the now broken stone though. She clenched her eyes shut as she didn't stop going. She plowed right through it, and flew onto yet another pillar.

THUNK!

That was the sound of Twilight contacting with the pillar and finally stopping with a pained gasp for air. She slumped down slowly, gliding down the pillar with tired and pained eyes. Upon finally reaching the ground, slumped against the pillar she coughed harshly, sending a spray of blood on the floor. She weakly opened her eyes to see if the job had been done, glancing to where the Elements floated softly, a hopeful smile bloomed on her face, thinking that she had saved everypony.

Nightmare Moon's eyes were wide with fear, the Elements floated before her, taunting her before they would send her back to the cold moon without a thought behind it, even if they were fabled to be sentient. Memories of the desolate rock forced it's way back into her head. Fear overtook her, she began shaking in place, terrified. Memories of her sister also coming into mind. Luna dearly missed her sister, but was overcome by hatred, jealously had wormed it's way into her heart. Nightmare Moon began to hyperventilate, pupils shrinking into pin pricks. A few tears started to build in her eyes. Then quickly clenched them shut, not wanting to see it happen. The tears rolled from her eyes and onto her cheeks.

Would she never be able to obtain vengeance? She would return to the empty rock once more, nothing had changed. But this time she was sent back by a random pony? Not even anypony she knew.

Was it all over?

It proved not to be, as the stones did nothing but float in the air before Nightmare Moon. The Mare in question slowly stopped quivering before the rocks, Glancing up, they did nothing at all. they fell back to the ground with an unceremonious 'thunk!'. They let out a single crackle of lightening before dying out. Nightmare Moon furrowed her brows. Twilight looked horrified, her jaw gave in to surprise and hung open. The Dark Mare poked the stones. Nightmare Moon then blinked.

Once.

Then twice.

A smile etched it's way onto her muzzle, it started faint, but slowly spread it's way into a grin where she let out a small chuckle, an expression Twilight couldn't make out was on the bigger Mare's face.

"W-Where's the sixth element!?" Twilight whimpered out, truly afraid for her life now. Nightmare Moon merely continued to chuckle, then it turned into full out relieved laughter, which then evolved into cackling. Rearing up on her hind hooves she brought them back down with vengeance. The elements flew a few inches in the air before exploding in a shower of glass. Twilight could do nothing but watch helplessly, a few tears of her own rolling down her cheeks. She closed her eyes, giving in.

"I'm sorry everypony..." Twilight whispered out regretfully. She couldn't save them despite her best efforts. In the end, it was all for nothing.

Nightmare Moon laughed even harder than before. The cackle grew so loud it could probably be heard from a mile away.

"You almost had me for a second...I thought it was back to the moon for another thousand years..." Nightmare Moon sneered. "But now that I know I didn't lose...You lose." She scowled at Twilight deeply, what was once terror had been shifted into hatred. She would not waste the opportunity that she had been given. She leaned down toward the cowering Twilight Sparkle.

"The night will last forever..." Nightmare Moon whispered to her, insanity rearing it's ugly head. It could be seen clear in the evil Mare's eyes. Twilight's ears flattened onto her head. Nightmare's horn began to glow brightly, a sword was suddenly pulled from the floor beside her. Her gaze was locked on Twilight, clearly planning on ending it all.

It was sudden, no one would have even noticed it had it not flashed brightly. In front of the thousand year old mare, was a guard like the one's she had dispatched earlier easily enough.

THUNK!

Nightmare moon reared back on her back hooves, bringing her front hooves to her snout, wincing. Glaring down she looked at her offender. Who all in all looked just like every other royal guard out there. He had just slugged her!

"YOU ARROGANT FOOL! PREPARE TO BE VAPOR-" Nightmare's rant was cut off as the guard in question stole the sword from her loose magical grip, he slashed at her with the floating sword to cut her. It was all for naught though as she merely teleported away without much effort on her part. The ever stoic guard levitated the sword to his mouth, where his teeth clamped onto the handle.

"Dust, my favorite flavor." The guard grumbled under his breath sarcastically, Twilight was still in shock she was alive. And thankful the guard had saved her in a nick of time. The golden clad pony's gaze drifted to where his target had vanished off to. Once he spotted her, he picked up her scowling face.

"You insolent..." He had to admit, she looked absolutely murderous. His half-lidded emotionless gaze now drifted to the pony on the ground behind him who was injured.

Twilight flinched at his gaze, it wasn't like the normal guards. Theirs had always seemed serious and strict, this guard seemed to have an empty look in his eyes. Not depressed, but simply detached and uncaring.

"I'm not too familiar with healing magic..." He started slowly. And apparently finished as well as he didn't say anything else and turned back to his opponent. First rule of fighting, never turn your back. But he knew she was simply too far away. He scuffed his hoof upon the ground passively. Not really trying to be intimidating. A snort echoed across the from the other mare.

"You think- YOU a guard can take me? How foalish are you!?" Nightmare Moon demanded glaring at him. He didn't even bother trying to give her a retort. Well, he had one answer.

"Nope."

Nightmare Moon blinked rapidly.

"...Then, why are you even bothering?" She asked with a puzzled expression. The guard said nothing else, his horn lit up with golden magic. He lunged at her with a blinding speed empowered by magic slashing at her with the sword in his mouth. Nightmare Moon simply laughed and stepped out the way of the speedy attack. She had years of experience on her side.

"You are nothing more than a joke." She taunted the guard, who like most, did not take the more than obvious bait to lose his cool. He just kept slashing at her, which she repeatedly dodged, the Unicorn's horn was still lit for some reason. Nightmare's movement overtime became sluggish as she somehow was growing tired, it was then she figured out why the Unicorn seemed to be getting faster and her slower.

"You're draining my magic aren't you?" She muttered at him accusingly, she didn't know a spell that drained magic though. So it was rather unsettling. Well, there was ONE spell. It was used when objects had too much magical energy in them, a simple spell to make sure the object in question didn't overload. But somehow he was using it in a much more complex manner, and in combat no less. "Aren't we a smart one?"

She wasted no more time dodging the guards attack and went on the offensive without mercy. As he slashed once more at her she leaned back this time instead of completely avoiding it. She cocked her hoof back and swung it at the Unicorn Guard, easily with enough force to shatter all his bones in on go. She expected to see a broken guard crumple to the ground dead at her hooves. But for some reason her hoof went right through the guard, like he wasn't even there.

"What!?" She roared angrily. "How did you even do that!?" She scowled at the pony who sat there with the same non-moving expression. She searched her head for a spell, anything that could do such a thing. But she came up with nothing-

No wait, there was one spell. What is it with these ponies and using simple to use spells and evolving them against her!? This time is was the walk through wall spell! Allowing the caster to slip through surfaces since they became intangible. But it had never worked for going through another pony! Yet it was done right before her very eyes! Nightmare snorted agitated.

"You're proving to be quite the annoyance." The guard stared at her, blankly. Before he turned tail and ran to Twilight at random. Nightmare blinked once more. "What is he even..." She cut herself off as her eyes widened.

He had picked up the stone remains of the pillar Twilight crashed through, and was hovering them quite menacingly. With the same blank face as before he lunged the rocks at her at a great enough speed to crush her if she was hit. This forced her to teleport out of the way of the incoming projectiles. In this time he had already greatly exhausted his magic, but trudged to the lavender pony. His horn glowed once more. For a second it looked like nothing had happened. She had almost gave up, while he looked like he was still trying to healing her with the basic spell. The golden light had slowly melded into a soothing shade of turquoise green, where dew's of magic dropped onto Twilight, seeping into her skin.

Twilight blinked as the pain faded, and she could now move her hooves again. As well as her whole body. And it felt like all her magic was back too!

"I-I thought you said you weren't good at healing magic." She stuttered out. He shook his head. Clearly denying it. "Basic healing magic taken to the extreme." He explained with gritted teeth.

"I'm not." With that he collapsed before her, magic depleted. Now useless. He kept the sword in his deadly teeth grip. "Run." He said. It wasn't asking, he was stating it, like it was the only thing to do, it was a fact. The same for a mission complete, as all guard's knew. Twilight hesitated, then shook her head.

"No, I can't leave you." Twilight told him. She could never run away when he had just pretty much given up his life to help her. The guard stared at her.

"Fool." He said nothing else. Struggling, slowly forcing his way back on his hooves. Twilight slowly have him a hoof, helping him up. Twilight smiled. She hadn't let him, not good.

"Probably." She admitted. But she knew she was doing the right thing.

"How touching. Now you both can die." Nightmare Moon stood before them, a furious expression upon her. Twilight swallowed nervously but stood her ground. Preparing a spell that could teleport them away if needed.

"Twilight where are you!?" Twilight blinked hearing Pinkie from down the hallway, a smile slowly grew on her face. She wasn't alone anymore. At least, not counting the beaten guard before her. It was then that she heard all her friends calling for her in a worried tone, each one of them.

It all clicked together, it all made sense now. Her eyes widened drastically as her mouth hung open. A tiny spark appeared in her eyes, not too far off from look of the lightning the sent her flying. Twilight spun her head to Nightmare Moon with a smile of determination etched on. Her friends would help aid her.

The Guard suddenly found himself in the embrace of Twilight. To his credit he maintained his ever blank expression and droopy emotionless eyes.

"I would like to be let go of please."

Twilight ignored him at the moment, starting off her rant to Nightmare Moon. Which he completely zoned out of due to the magical exhaustion he was suffering. He was actually surprised he could move. And even more surprised he didn't get a nose bleed- Oh no wait there we go.

His head hung as he passed out in Twilight's caring hooves.

Aegis's POV

"Is he gonna be okay?" No, be quiet so I can be. I'm trying to sleep and you aren't helping. Please shut your trap.

"I believe so, with a little rest he'll be back at full health in no time." That voice...I know that voice!

I was up and on my hooves before my eyes had even opened with a respectful salute.

"Scout Aegis Barrier reporting for duty, sir!" I bellowed out in a gravel tone respecting the one I was supposed to be serving. Before me sat Princess Celestia, benevolent as ever, standing tall over everypony with a motherly smile on her face.

"At ease soldier." The Princess told me, for some reason looking surprised. Was it my instant leap to obey her? Regardless, I relaxed my muscles as I was told, but remained vigilant and stoic. One can never know when a sneak attack could happen. "I was going to tell you to state your name and rank, but you beat me to it." The Princess chuckled amused. I merely stood there with the blank face as always.

"Hey! You're woke now!" I was suddenly aware of the circle of mares surrounding me. Yeah, that's good for the anxiety. The exclamation came from the Lavender Unicorn, ever faithful student of Princess Celestia. I never took my eyes off the Princess.

"Yes." I simply replied. Not much else to say. Mission successful. Celestia frowned for a brief moment. I was surprised though I didn't show it. After all she never seemed to be troubled. But as quick as it came, it left. Replaced by the smile she always wore.

"I heard you saved my student, I thank you for your timely rescue Aegis. Had you not showed up Twilight would have been slain by my sister..." Everypony looked solemn for a split second before regaining their smiles.

"Thank you Princess, but I was doing my job." I stated rather plainly, it was true. I was there and I did my job. Just as I was trained to do. The Princess nodded.

"How do you feel?" She questioned with a worried look on her face. That was a good question. How did I feel? Pausing for a moment, the adrenaline of the Princess being before me depleted, leaving me feeling like crap. I slumped slightly.

"I've been better." Princess's ever flowing mane just seemed to be poked at by the Pink Pony beside her. She looked bedazzled. I retrained myself from barking out a command for her to stop touching the Princess. Said Princess didn't even looked bothered, just amused. With a shake of her head the Princess glanced at me curiously.

"What made you come over to these ruins? Something would have had to caught your attention to bring you here." I nodded my head in consent with her. I had to stop from making a creepy joke about being able to smell her shampoo from anywhere in Equestria.

"The Guards were, and probably are still running around like chickens with their heads cut off ( I gained a wince and a small whimper from the pink maned insecure looking one.) searching for you high and low. The more elite guards of the newbies including myself decided instead of Ponyville, we would search Everfree Forest. It seemed like a more likely place for the Mare of the Night to hide you at. It was at this point where the other guards and I split up. After several flashes of magical energy and insane laughter I was alerted to their position and immediately stepped on the scene." I informed her with a quick explanation of the situation at hoof. Princess Celestia nodded very slowly as if still taking in the information.

"I see..." The Princess seemed to roll this over in her head. "Well at this point there's no need for a written debriefing. Therefore you are excused from filing a report. Plus you need proper rest. I'm shocked you're still standing when you're currently suffering magic exhaustion and magical backlash." If I weren't supposed to always be stoic I would have blinked. I wouldn't have guessed I was suffering backlash. Magical Backlash is when you use too many powerful spells, more than you can actually handle. I hadn't been using my magic to fight anymore, I was using the immense amount of energy I had sapped from Nightmare Moon. Speaking of, what happened to her? Apparently the Princess could see the slight questioning in my eyes, she smiled.

"You're probably wondering what became of my sister aren't you?" More surprises. Yay. I nodded to the immortal sun goddess. Who stepped out the way, moving her glorious wing which revealed a small Alicorn under her. Said Alicorn grinned at me nervously.

"Hi." She said sheepishly. I nodded to her. If the Princess had cleared her, she was obviously okay. I wasn't going to question her. Princess Celestia raised a brow at my unchanging face.

"Truly dedicated for just a scout aren't we?" She asked amused. I forced my aching body to move into a saluting position.

"It's an honor to serve you Princess, there's no greater joy than doing so." It was a practiced thing with the whole guard. It was our reply for the low chance that she ever did thank us for something. A smile- no, a sly smirk slithered onto her face.

"Well, you'll be serving from here for awhile, in Ponyville that is. You're in no condition to travel all the way back to Canterlot." Buck.

"I'll be fine Princess, nothing I can't handle." I bellowed out, as if to prove my point. Which did nothing but hurt me in the long run. Ow, my aching everything. The Princess shook her head.

"By my decree, you shall be staying here in Ponyville with no questions asked. You will report to the hospital where you shall rest until I summon you back to Canterlot, understood?" She commanded in an authoritative voice. Now wearing a blank expression herself. The air grew colder around me as she lost her motherly nature and put herself in the royal commanding cold tone. I bit my tongue, silencing any protest I was going to build up. It would only lead me to banishment, or latrine duty.

"Crystal." I obeyed without question, the mares around me looked slightly put off by the Princess actually demanding something. They thankfully remained quiet as they were. Princess Celestia regained her caring smile, motherly nature returning. Not that it mattered to me, I remained the same, on the outside anyhow. On the inside I was fuming, I had to remember I was nothing but a pawn for her. I had forgotten that in her presence and paid for it. A small bubble of hatred grew in my stomach before I viciously squashed it with no mercy. That small bubble was more than enough to see, it was a split second but everypony in the room looked shocked, including the Princess who had a sad frown. Before she covered it back up with that same smile that didn't seem to bother me before, but now irked me.

"I know you're upset with my harsh tone and behavior, but you have to understand that you need to me completely healthy and you shouldn't take any risk." She explained softly to me with a sigh. Suddenly two medical Ponies had me in their grip and had gently placed me in a stretcher, I couldn't even feel my body. With a heave both earth ponies carried me off, where I sat stoic as ever. The future was bleak in my opinion. It felt like I had been demoted. The medical ponies were seemingly headed out of Everfree, at least with the direction we were going. Glancing back up before the ruins were completely out of sight, I saw all of the Ponies previously standing around me staring at me as I was carried away. They all looked sad for whatever reason. With a grunt I laid back on the stretcher as the two Ponies carrying me glanced down warningly. I snorted, accepting my fate and closed my eyes. A quick rest would do.

I knew nothing but darkness in a split second.

Celestia watched as the drained guard was carried away by the ponies she had requested came in before Aegis had awoken. She looked deeply troubled, the others had gone around searching for the guards to tell them to come back on her orders. The only one being an exception being Twilight Sparkle, her ever faithful student.

"Tell me Twilight, what did you think of our friend Aegis Barrier?" Celestia asked with a small frown upon her usually smiling face. Twilight's gaze was moved to her mentor. Where she closed her eyes thoughtfully.

"I think he was a nice pony. Detached but still very nice. Rough around the edges but seemingly loyal. A bit on the creepy side with the way his eyes are always drooped like that though. All over all a good pony." She admitted with a small smile. Princess Celestia nodded with her consent, but still frowning. The pony was now considered one of her best friends in her new small circle.

"You're right, that's what I was thinking too. But there is another thing I didn't like though, my faithful student." Twilight turned to her mentor with a obedient look upon her face, yet pondering. As if waiting the command to breath even.

"What's that?" Twilight questioned. Celestia licked her slightly dry lips. Furrowing a brow.

"I've never seen any creature with that much hatred, except the dark Unicorn Sombra..." Celestia muttered. Twilight sighed heavily and glanced back out at the direction the guard had been taken in. She didn't know who that was, but she wasn't wanting to find out.

"I hope everything will be okay..." Twilight said sadly. Celestia nodded.

"As do I my faithful student. As do I..." Celestia began to trot off, going to go search for everypony including the guards. From the corner of her vision she had spotted something in the ceiling. And two red glowing with no emotion. As if just watching. She could easily tell who they are. They're always watching. They must have arrived after she was leaving, for she would have sensed them before that.

"You've forgotten."

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Hi guys! Before we start I just wanted to let you know that I'm still using my style of writing despite the new story! This means that I'll still be using links as references, just not as much. This chapter was made because I got a few messages about people wanting to know more about Aegis, so here you go! If you want a description of what Aegis sorta looks like, I'm a bad artist but I made this!

Just another solider

Chapter 2: "You've forgotten."

Darkness.

Something I usually didn't see.

It was something the bright shining orb of Celestia's always fought away, until it was the moon's time to shine. If you need clarification, yes. It is the sun I'm talking about. The thing was, even if it was night out, the moon shun almost as bright as the sun. Only it had a serene glow to it. Rather peaceful. I knew it was time to wake up, but I'd rather stay in my nice warm bed...

Wait, bed? I hadn't slept on a bed in years. I was always eating dirt during training sessions.

"Hey look, he's waking up!"

That most certainly was not my little brother, as feminine as he was that was downright just plain a mare's voice.

I forced open my eyes slowly to see my captor, as soon as they had been cracked open a bright light forced me to shut it back down. Nope, I wouldn't be having any of this. They said time waited for no pony. Well I was sleeping in a nice warm bed, so time would wait for me. So help me Celestia I will find Starswirl the bearded's book and personally stop time.

"Is he...Is he getting up?" One of the voices asked hesitantly. Obviously they weren't aware of my own decree to sleep.

"Nope, he just sorta attempted to open his eyes...But then didn't." A scratching noise could be heard from the direction of the voice. "You think he needs more rest?" The same voice questioned, I could almost see the raised eyebrow even if my eyes were closed.

"Pinkie, it's been a week. I think that's more than enough nap time. It's more than I get to sleep!" Well, I sense jealousy. This voice was rather raspy, clearly a female's still. She'd make good for an alternative rock singer though. I'll give her that.

"Magical backlash could kill a pony, to top that he also has magical discharge AND magical exhaustion. He should be in a coma for months actually. We're lucky to have gotten that brief waking moment!" A month...Wow, that didn't sound fun. But in all of this, I wonder who exactly were they talking about.

Wait, they were talking about a sleeping pony. Which I currently was. They were talking about me?

Sure enough I felt a prod against my forehead, and on my horn apparently. Snapping open my eyes I glared at the offender who dared to touch me while I was sleeping. Which caused me a lot of pain by the way, you know. I was just surrounded by darkness and all that. I bit my lip to silence myself from cursing.

There was a group of ponies infront of me, all of them mares. I had seen them all somewhere, but...where?...

I slowly turned my eyes to the daring pony who touched my horn without a second thought.

Only to see two ocean blue eyes staring into very soul, as if judging me. They were full of joy and life, two things I joined the Royal Guard to protect. However having them dead in your face was another story. Strands of dark pink cotton candy looking hair fell into my vision. It was then I noticed that these eyes belonged to a pony, said pony was a mare who was violating my personal space Her muzzle was pressed against my own, so we were snout to snout. She was violating my personal space like it was nopony's business! I, of course, as a Royal Guard am used to the antics of curious and playful ponies ignoring my personal space. But this was a little bit different. The mare was grinning widely at me, her teeth were pearly white, flashing the sun further into my already scorched eyes. I could have sworn there was a little smoke coming from them.

"Hi!" The Pink Menace chirped at me joyfully. My eyes twitched as but a few mere moments ago I was resting blissfully in the cold embrace of unconsciousness. Now I was muzzle to muzzle with a maniac who was grinning quite broadly. Once I directed my eyes to the area on the side of the mare I could see a rainbow maned mare who was attempting to hold the pink pony from getting to me, but it was all for naught. The mare let a nervous grin spread on her face, as if silently asking me not to flatten the pony before me. I directed my searing eyes back to the pink one.

"...Hello." I greeted her back. What? I wasn't impolite. Being a Guard meant you had to be professional. "Please retrieve your lost face from the lost and found." She tilted her head, forcing me to tilt mines as well.

"Lost and found? Why would my face be at the lost and found?" She blinked slowly at me, I kept my piercing half lidded gaze on her, searching her eyes for some sort of seriousness. And found none.

"My face, apparently is the lost and found." Yes, I too could be sarcastic. What? Despite being polite, I was also snarky sometimes. "So if you could just get off me kindly." Plus, my eyes were on fire. Suddenly I felt a searing agony that wasn't from my eyes surge through me rather painfully, I forced myself back down on the pillow and grit my teeth.

"Careful! You still aren't better yet! Don't move too much!" The Lavender one barked at me. Agony didn't even begin to describe it, this was some serious pain. My limbs felt like they were on fire, and my brain felt like it was trying to pound itself out of my skull. I let out a grunt, in frustration and pain. Mainly pain. I started the spasm as it seemed to only get worse. The room started to spin violently, my vision became foggy, obscured blocking my sight. My heart was racing, it wasn't a fun feeling in the slightest. I moved my eyes to the mare seemingly calling for somepony. Her mouth moved but I couldn't tell what she was saying. Clearly everypony in the room was worried or something as they rushed out the room. Either to go get help, or they were afraid that I'd suddenly turn into a zombie pony and eat them alive.

"NURSE!" That was the last thing I heard before I fell into the sweet embrace of darkness once more. I had only fainted twice and I was already tired of it.

Clap.

That was the sound of obviously, clapping from somepony, or someone. Nearby, it sounded of horse shoes so I was pretty sure it was a pony. I opened my eyes, the dark cell NOT burning me. Thank Celestia. But I was already tired of waking up, either stay woke or stay sleep. I glanced up at the cell bars. It was then I noticed, I wasn't in a cell. I was on the other side, somepony else was barred up, not I.

"Geez, you're making it hard for me to properly heal you with all that flailing around you're doing out there you know." The figure in the cage said, I'm assuming that's who was clapping, sure enough, he was sitting on he flanks while on a chair in the cell with his legs dangling, sitting rather oddly for a pony. Though the clapping hooves were shackled together. Who would do this to a pony? And what did he mean by healing me?

"Well, you're the one who's doing it to me, jerk." He sounded like he was amused. I'm assuming he was joking then. "And I mean what I said, you're flailing and making it hard for me to heal you in the outside world..."

Wait, did he read my mind just now? What did he mean by outside world? I better get some answers soon or I might have to smack a-

"Hey hey, this is a children's show. Don't go spouting your mouth off like that!" The dark pony in the caged pointed his shackled hooves at me, shaking them. I blinked once.

"Okay, number one. Stop reading my mind." I raised a brow. To which he just looked further amused. "Secondly, outside world?" I glanced around the rather dark room, trying to see anything but not getting anywhere. "And what in the hay it a children's show?" I ~~demanded~~ questioned. He merely shrugged as much as he could with the shackles on.

"Well, you see, uh, anyway-" Wait, did he just avoid all my questions in one shot!? Son of a- "Stop flailing you!" He flailed around in his chair to prove his point about my non-existing flailing.

"I'm not-...You're not getting me off subject." He rolled his eyes at his bad failed attempt to change the subject. He flashed a grin at me then. It was a turquoise color for some reason. His one eye that was glowing was the same shade of green, the other eye looked to be covered with his mane.

"You win. If you really wanna know, we're inside your head, get it?" He tilted his head, and I blinked. We were in my head?

"What're you a parrot?" His facial expression didn't change but he did sound amused. I actually let out an irked glare for once, we were in my head so it's not like anypony would see. I wasn't angry at what he said, but rather he was beating me at my own game of being witty.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up. Now, how are we inside my head? And if we are, why are you here?" I raised a brow. Then paused. "And how are you reading my thoughts? Some sort of spell?" I asked him cautiously. A sigh came from him this time, apparently not really wanting to explain it.

"In order, it's because you passed out from all the pain. And now you're flailing around making it harder to heal you by the way." He quickly added on. I cut him off before he could continue.

"Then why did you keep asking me to not flail if I can't control it?" I frowned deeply. He looked at me for a second. Like really looked at me. It was if just like the Pink Pony he too was staring right through me. Seconds ticked on by as he just stared. Before he seemed to come back to life.

"Huh, oh uh, that. I don't know. Just seemed like the right thing to do at the time." Wait, was he doing just staring? He reminds me of somepony I used to know.

"I...see. Well, anyhow I won't interrupt again. Please continue what you were saying." He smirked, apparently that's why he had stopped. He didn't like being interrupted. I sighed.

"Good, now then. I'm here for...several reasons, most I'm not telling you. But I can say that I'm your conscience, in a way." He explained, almost to himself. As if going over it.

"I see." I was short and to the point, seeing as he didn't want me to talk. He nodded.

"And to that last question...If you look around you, you'll see the answers." He slowly pointed a hoof behind me. Which I turned around to look and see what he was talking about, I could now see that everything in the place was bright, at his will apparently. My very thoughts were just floating around, frantically and in, I hate to say it, chaos. They were everywhere.

"I see you were being quite literal." I pointed out to him. He continued to grin. But there was something else I needed to know. "Why can't I see you though?" I turned to him, he was still cloaked in shadows with the one creepy eye staring.

"Come closer and you'll see..." His grin became wicked, I leaned back for a split second. Did I really want to? Well, I think I should give him the benefit of the doubt seeing as he seemed friendly. Weird but still. I trotted closer to him, he got out of his chair, slowly walking on his hind hooves to get to me. He was hunched over, creepily so. I reached the bars, where he met me back, the shackles scraped against the them. Suddenly I could see him.

"...It's you." Said 'you' pressed his face against the bars breathing heavily, I could feel the cold coming from him, I almost want to call him an it. He was completely a teal color, seemingly his skin was formed of a solid liquid that showed up as that color. His breathing didn't sound like it would come from a pony, no it didn't sound like it would come from anything. It sounded like the combination of noise to make a monstrous groaning sound. His breathing heavy, he laughed loudly, a loud echo bellowing from him. The combination of many voices.

"Yeah, it's me." He smiled widely, abandoning his grin. "And you still need to fulfill your promise." I swallowed lightly, I had not forgotten. I didn't go one day without remembering.

"If you're still here doesn't that mean-" He cut me off with a piercing scream.

"WAKE UP!"

Darkness.

No seriously this was getting very old, really quick. I sat up slightly without opening my eyes this time, peeking open them lightly, the light scratched at them, wanting to put me through more suffering.

"Oh, you're awake." I curiously shifted by now half lidded vision to the nurse on the other side of the room. Or who I thought it was at first, until my vision cleared up and I wasn't just guessing. There was Princess Celestia standing over Twilight, who was in a bed herself. Twilight's gaze turned to me.

"Oh,um, hello there Aegis." She smiled gently at me with a tint of pink in her cheeks. Probably because I made direct eye contact with her.

"Guard." I told her evenly. If I get attached, I'll start to answer her more. And I already disliked talking. That and she seemed to be socially awkward. I couldn't be called socially awkward, I was just being silent like I should as a guard, there I had an excuse.

Twilight blinked at me. Then tilted her head. Cute.

"Guard?" Her face was scrunched up in confusion. She turned to the Princess with a gaze as if asking if she knew something that she did not. Celestia raised a brow. amused.

"He's saying that he wants to be called Guard. Which shall not be happening." She said almost as if talking to herself. "But I'm glad you're awoke Aegis. You were throwing quite a fit with all that flailing you were doing earlier." She smiled gently at me. That's right, joke. Joke away at my agony. Someday I'll be laughing at you. On the outside despite my rather fueled and justified rant, I still wore the same expression as always. Truthfully she could call me whatever she wanted to, she could get my name changed to Idiot and she'd get away with it too. "So how are you feeling?"

"I made a new friend." I said without changing my expression. She looked very curious. As did Twilight, I'm just about sure she was wondering when.

"Oh?" She raised her brow as if gesturing to continue.

"Yes, his name is Pain. Pain Hertzalot." Princess Celestia blinked at me. As if questioning the name. She shook her head and smiled at me once more.

"Very good." She said without missing a beat. "I look forward to meeting them." On the inside I smiled evilly. On the outside I did nothing.

"You do that." I nodded. Suddenly a cough was heard from the other pony in the room. It was a forced one, but with a slight pain behind it. You could tell from the gasp that was being held back. Princess Celestia turned to her faithful student with a concerned frown.

"Easy Twilight, you know what Nurse Redheart said." Both of them sighed, one louder than the other. Twilight from the pain she was in and Princess Celestia from worry. "You have cracked ribs, you have to be careful. You're lucky that Aegis here was able to heal what he did. From his field experience with medical spells, he didn't really pass any of them." Ow, right in the pride. Princess Celestia as if somehow sensing the insensitive words suddenly, turned to me with a disarming smile.

"I mean nothing by that. Some Ponies are good with medical and some are not." She appeased my non-existing hurt feelings. Pride in my opinion wasn't an emotion...It was just as physical as my hooves. And twice as powerful, or was until Princess Celestia shattered it. I grunted.

"Yes, Sir." I nodded to my superior. What? Once again I am polite, especially to someone who can send me to the moon at any minute.

"I've seen all of your files though after some research. You had a chance to go to my school when you were younger, and the chance to go to the Wonderbolt Academy not but a year ago. Why did you turn them down?" She asked with a brow.

Oh, now this was a story. Both of these are indeed true, but the problem was not if I wanted to go, it was a matter of what I had at home.

I'm the second youngest in my family, with my oldest brother becoming Celestia's personal guard, my second oldest becoming a healer for her and my sisters becoming part of the Wonderbolt's military flight squad. My younger brother was barely old enough to go to the bathroom on his own, let alone be by himself. My mother and father had died gruesomely in a tragic accident with a Manticore at a young age. None of the other members of my family were happy enough to get up and do anything, let alone take care of the younger siblings. Somepony had to take care of the family, and so I did. I pushed them to get a job, find something they liked, somepony they liked, and made sure they led a successful career. It was only recently my younger brother wanted to go to the Wonderbolt academy, he was a Pegasus unlike me. But they don't have just Pegasi there. All type of ponies who loved speed go there. So over the years, yes. I cooked, I cleaned, I worked, I did everything around the house. Pushed everypony to their limits. They pretty much sucked the life out of me with all the worrying I did. I pushed them to the top, and now I'm here at the bottom. Just a scout. Don't get me wrong though, it was worth it.

"Family issues." I explained to her, a look of confusion splashed upon her face. Before she looked surprised. Then understanding. Then confusion once more.

"I'm aware of the tragic event regarding your parents, but with all your siblings, wouldn't you have still kept going happily? Why stop?" She frowned. "Soothing Mist and Great Wall are outstanding ponies. Surely they pushed you to become something correct? Great Wall is the captain of the Pegasi squad. A great leader and role model, I'm sure for his younger brother he's even better!" She exclaimed. Well, she knows about that. But what she got wrong , was who had been pushing who.

"With all due respect, you've got it all wrong Princess." I slowly explained to her, drawing my words out. She waited for me to further elaborate. I took a deep breath, preparing to talk more than usual. When the Princess wants something you give it to her regardless. Before I could start I saw Twilight's ears flattened. She she feel excluded? I gazed at her, looking for an answer. Her cheeks grew slightly red again.

"Oh, um. I'm sorry, I was just thinking about how it must have been to..." She didn't seem to want to finish that sentence. But I know what she meant. I grunted at her, not really wanting her pity. Celestia brought her hoof up, patting Twilight gently on her head, to which Twilight gained a small smile from the motherly act. A small twinge of envy wormed into my being before I squashed it just like the anger.

"I agree with you. They are outstanding." I once again started slowly. Absently I noticed that I was giving out information to the Princess. "But, they weren't MY role models." Celestia carefully listened to my words, as did Twilight. Celestia decided to speak up.

"I'd let you continue but..Once Soothing Mist and Great Wall heard you were in the Emergency Room they came as quick as they could." Slowly, I shifted my gaze outside the window next to me as I heard a ton of stomping. "The only problem was that they were both training their squads and couldn't very well leave...So. They brought the training. Well..." She paused.

In the distance I could see a bunch of Pegasi moving all as one. Kicking up dust as they did so. There weren't nearly enough to even be a portion of the kingdom's guard. But there were still about forty. I'd guess, the kingdom's best of the Pegasi squad. Which means my brother was worried out of his mind. In fact, at the front of them all was my first oldest brother, or should I say Captain Great Wall? After all, I was only a scout. Just making my way out of Private not too long ago. He had the most stern face on I've ever seen him wear. They all stopped right infront of the hospital. He glanced up at the window I was looking out of, and right into my eyes.

"Here." Celestia finished lamely.

It took him a moment to register me, as he hadn't seen me in over ten years. My half lid gaze peered right through him it seems, this was because he was slightly shaking. I looked the other way, changing my gaze from him, looking forward. I didn't want to scare him away after all. It was at that point I realized I wasn't wearing my armor anymore. I felt naked without it, it grew to be a part of me. Silver hair blocked my left eye, obscuring my vision. My right eye was the only one that was actually able to see anything.

"Brother!" A voice called out, it seems Great Wall had mustered the courage to speak up. Princess Celestia walked over to the window. I decided then to look back over at him.

"Speak your peace." I greeted him with my normal tone of voice. He winced.

"May I come up?" I glanced around at all the guards with him. That was too many ponies to fit in here.

"No, I'll be right down." I got up, taking off the blanket on me and gently sitting it aside. I hopped off the bed and onto my hooves. The Princess was watching carefully.

"I see you're all better." She smiled at me. I simply nodded.

"Excuse me Princess, but I must-" She held up her hoof, and gestured to the door. I nodded, accepting her silent understanding.

As I stepped outside the hospital (after consulting the staff about doing so, which required another check up before they let me free.), I glanced behind. Princess Celestia followed me wearing the same smile, Twilight didn't come with because she still needed rest. Turning back around and looking up though, I saw Twilight in my bed giving me a small wave. I nodded at her. Upon reaching my brother, he bowed his head to Princess Celestia. "Good to see you in fine shape, Princess." He smiled at her, Celestia nodded back to him with the same smile.

"It's good to see you little brother." He flashed a nervous smile. I stood at attention and saluted.

"Good day, Captain Great Wall. You wanted to see me?" He lost his smile and frowned.

"Aegis, I know I messed up. You don't have to pretend like I'm not your brother." I kept my face straight.

"Captain Great Wall, what do you need?" I asked him once more. He sighed. Rubbing his snout, he turned toward his platoon. Which consisted of mainly mare. About ten out of the forty there were stallion. He smiled once more.

"This, is my little brother. Cute huh?" This gained a few snickers from the crowd, most of them remained stern, like myself. "I've been away from him for a long time. This child right here is what pushed me to become the soldier I am today. And for that, I am grateful." His smile broadened.

"Oh did he now?" Celestia muttered under her breath, which received more than a few glances. They turned their attention back to the captain. Who looked at me, shaking his head.

"Brother. A request?" He looked at me pleadingly. I nodded, stoic as ever.

"Sir."

"If I challenge you to a duel and win, you must forgive me. How does that sound? If you win, I will give you the map to mother's attic which held something in there for you. What? I don't know. But it was supposed to be until you were older. Maybe about twenty. Currently you're sixteen, you have a long way to go...So how about taking a chance to shorten it, hmm?" He flashed me a grin.

Now you have to understand, he was a captain of one of the most powerful squads in all of Equestria. There were thousands out powerful ponies out there who trained on a daily as hard as they could. He was so sure he could win. Even Celestia looked surprised. And I had just gotten out the ER. The whole guard was glancing between me and my brother. Citizens were curious as to why the guard was here, and so many. What was once fear of trouble, turned into curiosity as they saw him engage me in conversation.

"I accept." Two words that meant a lot to my oldest brother. He couldn't have grinned any wider.

"Good. Meet me over there." He pointed with his hoof at an area in which one of the Pegasi flew over and made a circle shape in the dirt. It was roughly as wide as a small cottage. Celestia looked skeptical but said nothing. Twilight from the window couldn't really hear everything but heard more than enough. I trotted off to the circle without turning back. My brother stood at one part of the circle, while I stood at the the other half of it. A Pegasus flew down, a flag in hoof. She raised the flag in the air before speaking.

"This is a one on one match between Captain Great Wall and Scout Aegis Barrier! Whoever gets knocked out first loses and has to abide by the bet without question, you must both swear on your military status to keep your oath!" Ah, an Oath Duel. Anypony who tries to break this promise loses their status gained, and right back to the start of their career. If you're at the bottom you're out of the guard and back into Military Camp.

"I swear on my title as Captain of the Royal Guard, Pegasi branch that I will keep my oath." Great Wall bellowed out, they both turned to me.

"I swear on my title as a Private of the Royal Guard, that I shall keep my oath." I spoke without hesitance.

"Then you may begin!" She signaled us to start with a wave of her flag. My brother quite easily flashed over with speed to my area with a trail of stone springing out the ground at his wake, kicking dust everywhere. He started to spin rapidly creating a small tornado, using his wings as blade he charged at me.

"Give up, and it'll be painless!" He bellowed once again, only to me this time. I answered him with a quick teleport spell, appearing to where he first started. His tornado died down as he snapped his head to my direction, glaring at me, we stared at each other for a moment, his heated purple eyes staring into my half lidded, uncaring amber gaze. Due to the shading in the area, the tree blocking the sun slightly my eyes had no light in them. Just dark amber orbs.

"I see. However..." I activated my magic, holding out my hoof, a blade made of magic was created. "I don't plan on losing." He grimaced and took a step back, he found his courage and took his stance. He obviously didn't want to hurt me, being captain of the guard and all. However, there was something else in his eyes. Doubt. At what you ask? Why it's simple.

As I had stated before, I was the one who pushed my siblings to become what they are today. No matter what career. I was the one who did everything around the house. I did everything. everything. All in all...

"Have you forgotten?" I quietly asked him from my side of the circle. He scrunched up his snout, furrowing his brows.

"Forgotten what, brother?" His ears were improved from a regular pony, being Captain of the Pegasi branch, and being a Pegasus in general.

"I see." I started slowly, like usual. "You have forgotten." I held up my blade.

Suddenly, wind shot down from my direction blowing over some unexpected ponies.

I narrowed my eyes, suddenly my brother's helmet, the top part fell off. Then a mark appeared on his chest. Then several more. It was then he blinked. Suddenly, I was standing a few feet behind him, my back turned. I held up a locket, which held a key. That went to our old house with the map in it.

Great Wall touched where the necklace was, trying to find it. It was then it occurred to him why he didn't feel it. He turned to me gritting his teeth in pain. I held my blade up, which was still just as powerful and bright as before. My back was still turned. As I was said before, he was indeed the captain of the royal guard Pegasi. But... I swung my hoof down, dissipating the blade into small spheres of amber magic. At the same exact time my brother yelped in pain and fell to the ground, on his side. All of his soldiers gasped. A few "Captain!"'s were heard.

My eyes darkened further, and I narrowed both of them, my silver hair blocking one side. Turning my head to him so he could see me from his view on the ground.

"You've forgotten, who taught you everything you know." I slowly turned my head, trotting off, leaving my brother on the ground in pain.

Yup, that was why I wasn't afraid. I couldn't beat an Alicorn, no. But I like to think that I was slightly good at fighting. That and my brother was completely unprepared for that. His arrogance was his downfall, he thought I had just gotten weak as he slowly gained power and rankings.

Everypony began rushing to assist their injured captain, asking multiple questions usually entailing "Are you alright?". The few who knew he'd be fine were slack jawed, staring at me awed. I walked past all of them, and back into the hospital doors, where Princess Celestia was watching with both her brows raised in pleasant surprise.

"...What is...I don't even." One of the less shiny soldiers stuttered out. Probably the lieutenant. "I was pretty sure he said that the kid was only fifteen..." He glanced at my direction, the hospital doors closed as soon as I emotionlessly stared at him, cutting me from his vision.

"Did you see that Fluttershy!?" Pinkie bounced in place excitedly as she watched the whole thing from their place on the tree.

They had been on their way to see how Twilight and Aegis were doing when the whole thing went down, they had came just as Great Wall had been talking about how Aegis was his brother.

Fluttershy looked appalled at the act of violence, her jaw was hanging while her eyes were wide.

"I did see it...How could he do such a thing to his own brother?" She frowned. "H-He just walked away without even checking on him." Pinkie stopped bouncing. Then shrugged.

"I'm sure he's fine! Come on! Let's go see how he is! You'll feel better!" She bounced off happily, leaving a nervous Fluttershy to scramble after her.

"Pinkie wait up!"

I leaned back, I put back on my helmet, making sure it was on correctly I put on my usual blank half lidded gaze instead of cold and uncaring. I looked into the mirror, making I looked correct, nodding I saluted to the mirror. Trotting back out, and slipping on the chest piece. Twilight was watching me carefully, as if studying me.

"That was an impressive display out there, um. A wonderful performance." She tried to awkwardly start a conversation. I kept my half lidded gaze up, nodding and slowly trotting off. I had somewhere to be right now.

"Where are you going?" She questioned. I glanced back. And shrugged before trotting off. I've been much too active today. Tomorrow I was spending the whole day sitting down.

Cheshire

View Online

Weaving his way through the trees in Miss Applejack's garden, Aegis found himself almost expressing awe in just how many apples there truly were. It was only a shame he lacked the emotional prowess for such an act. He did however let his eyes narrow in appreciation for the perfect looking apples. The best he'd ever seen. Had he been a thief he would have snagged some of those apples off the tree. However, Aegis was many things. But he was not a thief.

Unless he was stealing from a thief.

That was another situation though.

Digressing, he noted he probably should have stuck to the path. The whole reason he was here was only because of the order he'd received from his higher up. He dreamed of the day when he would be alone and dying a nice painless death of old age.

'Soon...soon...' He thought glumly.

"Hey Aegis! Cheer up! Look on the bright side!" Ah, now this was someone he didn't hate.

This was Cheshire. He'd been Aegis's best friend ever since he was small. He was a black Pegasus with his eyes squint shut to a point where no one could actually see them. Since Aegis first met him, he'd only seen his eye color a few times. He had a mischievous foxy look to his squinted eyes. He was really exotic looking in terms of normal ponies, his mane was streaked with a tealish color while the none color part of his mane was a solid black. It was a long mane and made to purposely fall over his left eye. Though, it didn't quite reach there yet.His face was perfectly clear. The other off putting thing about this pony was his, to Aegis, annoying grin. To every one else it was terrifying. Even the princesses were disturbed at times by him. His teeth were are razor sharp like a monster from ones worst nightmares. It was proven that his teeth probably could bite through literally anything. His mouth was quirked into an smile that never left his face, stretching from corner to corner then a bit further. The toothy grin that was always shown was just annoying as ever. Or terrifying from another perspective.

Despite his terrifying appearance, he was all in all one of the most friendly creatures he'd ever met. Happy go lucky.

But by Celestia's beard he doesn't know when to shut the hell up.

Cheshire was a Night Guard given to Celestia as assurance that even in the night at Ponyville things would stay clear. It wasn't said why he was assigned to partner up with Aegis. But he was no fool, he wasn't born yesterday. She had been trying to butter him up. But she didn't realize that she left him with someone else on an easy trip that was easy to guard. Showing just how much she trusted him.

Hmph.

Annoyed, he finally replied to the little fly that wouldn't buzz off. It irked him how quirky his only real friend could be. He couldn't have a normal friend could he? No, he had to go and get the one that followed him around like a lost puppy.

"What bright side?" Aegis grounded out.

"I don't know! But when we find it we should look on it!"

"I.Fucking.Hate.You.Cheshire." He did nothing but grin at Aegis like the idiot he was. Then he bounced off up further. Like he was one some invisible bouncing boots or something. The weirdo. He tried to remember how he got tied into helping those mare. Oh, yeah. That's right.

'Princess Celestia' He thought irritably. Now, Aegis was a loyal guard. But if there was one thing he couldn't stand was ponies or creatures of higher rank then him and flaunting it like it was nopony's business. Aegis was the type to make it his business. Backing down to anyone, anypony was a mad notion. He was Aegis, impermeable wall of solid rock.

Tough like a rock.

Solid like a rock.

Boring like a rock.

And he was fine being boring, by all means let others believe what they want. It wasn't his business unless he could be pardoned from beating one of them to death.

Aegis allowed a small frown to blemish his otherwise smooth face. His thoughts were taking a dark turn for the worst. If he could just find the blasted path that would lead him to the backwater village's-

"-ping Gala!" Gala. Gala Gala. Where had this come up before?- HNNGGGGGG!

Earlier that day

Hospital 9:50am

Aegis sat in his hospital bed, Twilight Sparkle was recently released out of this god forsaken place. Leaving only the now none hidden Cheshire, Princess Celestia and himself. Though there were guards standing in the door just in case.The princess was gently sipping a cup of tea with an idle look on her face. Her magenta eyes scanned the room, then Aegis. Then Cheshire, though she did take a small moment to shiver as at Aegis's friend. Like normal, even without the wind her ethereal mane billowed softly in the invisible current.

"Aegis, Cheshire, tell me...What do you think about the Grand Galloping Gala?" 'I think it's as worthless as the royals attending are. It's by far even more boring than me. And I take pride in being boring. I hate it with all my might, and anyone who goes there should die a fiery death in ominous deep dark dank devious defiant deadly pits of Tartus. I could personally deliver justice.

"Love it."

"Hate it."

Aegis and Cheshire both turned to each other with 'wtf' written all over their face.

"What do you mean you hate/love it!?" The two said at the exact same time. Celestia looked baffled.

"Well to be honest I hate it. I just thought I'd spare myself the lecture from the Princess." Oops, Aegis said that out loud.

"Well, atleast you two aren't against expressing yourselves. Well, anyhow. I'm giving you two tickets to come to the Grand Galloping Gala! Isn't that exciting? By the way, it's not a request to go. It's an order." Princess Celestia had an amused twinkle in her eye beneath that serene motherly smile she had plastered upon her hiddenly smug face.

Words cannot express...the rage that Aegis felt at that moment, he snorted and went to tell off the princess before he reviewed that thought.

Tell off the princess.

That wasn't going to happen. Not yet anyhow.

Cheshire however expressed his thoughts differently.

"NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Cheshire had dropped to his haunches with in shock and horror, roaring to the heavens defiantly in a expression of denial. It was only too bad he hadn't had a choice in the matter. Cheshire let out a sob of depression, crawling pitifully to the princess with tears in his eyes. "Please! Don't make me go! I'm to young to die of boredom! Take Aegis! He's immune to boredom!" Aegis scowled at his friend's betrayal.

"Coward!" Aegis grounded out. 'If I go down you're going down with me.' Aegis put on his most stern face he could. "Princess, we accept. Both of us." Cheshire's head whipped to look at Aegis with a look that suggested he'd been betrayed as well. "That makes us even, traitor."

"An eye for eye leaves the whole world blind Aegis!" Cheshire scowled.

"That's not necessarily true. I still have my one eye, and you have yours.Not that you ever use them. You keep them squinted like you've got sand in your eyes."

"I've had sand in my eyes for the past ten years."

"Well, you two are just lovely company. It'll be great to have you at the Gala." Princess Celestia took a sip of her tea with the smile still on her face, but Aegis could see behind her false mask. She was trying to provoke them, rile them up. Well, he wasn't going fall for it. Sadly the same can't be said for Cheshire though.

"Have your laughs today Princess. Because I'm going to have Luna prank you for this." Cheshire scowled, then spread his bat wings and flew out the hospital window.

Thunk!

"Ow!" Tried to fly out the window. The idiot forgot windows existed. "Who put this window here? Ugh, windows shouldn't even exist."

Big Macintosh let out a small smile with a hum of approval.

"You look happy about something. Did you finally find a nice mare to settle down with?" Doctor Whooves raised a brow at Big Mac.

"Eeeeenope."

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" The idiot apparently kept flying into the window to force himself out. Apparently he never heard of lifting it.

CRASH!

The sound of glass shattering and then hitting the floor as Cheshire flew through the window instead of opening it.

Aegis let out a sigh of annoyance.

This would be a long day.

Present

Aegis sighed once more. He wasn't lying when he said what he did earlier.`

"-wonderbolts!" Damnit.