The Past Leaving its Mark
The sun began to peek through a few wayward clouds as the rays of light gently showed on a sole occupant of the Royal Gardens below. Prince Baked Bean was enjoying the weather and peace as a soft breeze brushed passed his cheeks.
He kept his eyes closed as he savored the moment, feeling the coolness of the breeze and the warmth of the rays of sun dance on his body while he simply was enjoying the moment of existing and simply being.
A thought began to grow as he started to think about bringing his wife out to experience the feelings that were threatening to put the Prince into a small but comfortable nap in the open garden.
Sadly, even if he got her to agree to come out to relax and enjoy the weather, other ponies of the castle would soon start queing up around trying to get her attention for some task or other.
The Joys of being a Princess.
The Princess no less mind you. Princess Celestia.
Bean was still day dreaming of ways to get his wife to relax when the sounds of hooves against grass coaxed him to slowly open one eye in an effort to stay in a peaceful daze.
Using one eye sadly wasn't enough which then Bean relented and opened both eyes fully and turned to see who was possibly wanting his attention.
"Your Highness Sir! Princess Luna requests your presence in the Royals state room as soon as you're able sir!" the Therestrial guard said as he saluted and stood at attention.
Bean took a moment to think about what the guard just told him, trying to remember where the state room was as well as trying to think of what Luna would need when he heard the guard clear his throat. Bean shook his head softly to regain focus back to the matter at hoof.
Bean's eyes widened and he blinked a few times to "Zone in" to address the guard.
"Ah, yes. Thank you." Bean paused for a moment and added "After you sir."
The guard saluted Bean and pivoted on his hooves to begin walking to the state room "Right this way your Highness"
Bean got to his hooves, gave himself a bit of a body shake and made to keep pace with the escort.
Prince Baked Bean found himself standing in front of a doorway that led into a rather sizable room that would normally be a fancy waiting room. After nodding to the guard with a smile, Bean walked into the room to find Princess Luna and see what she needed him for.
Bean walked about a quarter of the way into the room but slowly came to a stop after looking around, noticing the many different trunks and boxes seemingly scattered about, some open and some with its contents looking as if it had been ransacked and abandoned for the next trunk.
Although messy, thankfully the chaos was confined to the outer three quarters of the room leaving the rest of the room rather untouched.
"Ah, Bean!" a voice from a trunk/pile of fabric and trinkets called out.
"Luna? I uh..." Bean began as he saw his sister-in-laws head pop out from the trunk she was rooting through, sporting a rather relaxed smile on her face. "A guard said you needed me for something?"
Luna smiled brightly as she wandered away from the last trunk she was looking through and smiled brightly as she got closer to Bean. "Indeed Brother-in-Law. As you know we have delegations visiting today from the Eastern content of Jolong."
Beans eyebrows arched as he thought about the countries name trying to remember any info about it.
"Tis the Equestria of the east essentially." She continued. "Its culture being vastly different than that of our own here, but striving to keep to a standard of peace as Equestria. We find their culture and way of life to be enjoyable and rather more disciplined than our own in most cases."
Bean's eyes went wide as a thought came to his mind. "Oh! Jolong, like the ponies of the Orient? I recall them now."
Luna nodded and continued to smile "Indeed, their way of life and even their elegance shines through in their many art forms such as their fighting styles and discipline"
Bean sat on his haunches. "I remember it mostly from most of the comic books, stories and artwork. I uh, was a pretty big fan of them when I was younger heh heh." Bean smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Verily! However, to discuss matters of the diplomats isn't what I called you here for Bean. As you may tell, I have been in search of something."
Bean took a good look around as Luna gestured to the rooms contents
"I was wondering what was happening. What is all of this, some sort of closet clean out?"
Luna looked around at the mess and shook her head "Nay, Tis my effort to find a gift to the Dignitaries from my personal spoils collection as a means of good will. An Olive branch as it were"
Bean stopped looking around and turned his attention back to Luna. "Spoils? How do you mean?"
Luna gave a small sigh and looked back to Bean with an expression of what appeared to be guilt.
"It was a different time back then Prince Bean. Different times and a much different world. There were many ways in which leaders would conduct talks but most would never even begin if an opponent didn't stand their ground and force the other to want to listen." Luna looked around the room then up as she closed her eyes for a moment and turned back to Bean.
"We would often go to initiate talks with the many leaders of the Eastern Continent, but in order to do so was to nearly declare war. As such, it was I that would battle and afterward I would be awarded a gift as a pacification to no longer burden their land with battle or... we would choose a spoil of war to take from them."
Bean nodded as he understood her guilt. It was truly a different time back then as many of the tribes had just unified but outside of Equestria there were still kingdoms still in their infancy stages. So Luna was feeling guilty of what she and her sister had taken and was wanting to show the new leaders a peace offering of giving something back.
"What you're doing here I think is a great idea Luna"
Luna's expression brightened as her smile returned and she tapped her forhooves together in a very excited mini clap. "Jolly! Thus bringing us back to why I asked you here. I need your help picking out something to give to them today. Most of what I've found has been trinkets or loose fabrics and I've not studied up on their new customs and wish not to offend if given the wrong item. I seek a fresh set of eyes so to speak to help in my search dear Brother-in-Law if you would be so kind?"
Bean took another look around and gave Luna a simile and a nod "Absolutely. I would love to help out!"
Luna got back on her hooves and moved to go back to the trunk she was looking through when Bean came in the door. "Feel free to pick a trunk and go through it."
Bean moved up to an unopened trunk, sat on his haunches and looked between his forehooves which he had held out in a shrug gesture.
"Not to be nit-picky, but I'm going to assume these haven't been touched in over a thousand years. Uhm, feeling a bit apprehensive as I don't want to hurt anything or worse, break stuff."
Luna spoke with her head inside a trunk " Worry not Prince Bean, These trunks and the contents inside have been under a preservation enchantment spell that is still active and going strong I might add. Unless ye purposely handle the contents hazardly, they will be fine."
"Ah, right. Sounds about right" Bean answered. He started his look through with the first Trunk and although most of its contents were rather nice, things like a few robes, saches, a tea set, silverware and a warrior's helm, which as he uncovered it startled him but otherwise he thought better to think of it as a good idea for a gift.
The two worked for nearly forty minutes going through a few more trunks. They each set aside a few items as possible ideas to be presented as gifts. As they rummaged through the trunks, the potential gifts were set out in the more open and cleaner portion of the room.
Luna got back to her hooves and lifted her crown a bit to rub her brow. It wasn't hard work but it was tedious. She looked over at Bean who was wiping his forehead while looking at the small collection of gift ideas.
Luna walked over to Bean and looked to the collection. "I believe these shall be a good start. If you don't mind, would you care to help me widdle the selection down a bit more?"
Bean nodded and looked from the collection to Luna "We've come this far right?"
Luna got up and moved over to look at the objects that were found. A traditional tea set, a few bundles of silk of different colors, a painting of a cherry blossom tree, and a . . . Luna stopped and looked a bit perplexed
"Bean, did you find this item in your search?"
Bean looked to what Luna was referring to and looked to the expertly folded white robe... thing with a pair of what looked like Hoofball forearm guards.
"Oh, yes I did. I wasn't sure what it was exactly so I set it aside more so to ask about it. What is it Princess?"
Luna didn't answer straight away but moved to examine the item closer. Her horn glowed as she lifted the objects in her levitation field. Luna rubbed her chin slowly as she tilted her head a few times, then started to unfold the seeming robe.
Bean looked on in fascination as he could only possibly guess as to what he found and what Luna was trying to decipher.
He got closer and closer to the levitating object and nearly lept from his own skin when Luna cheered out.
"Hazaah! I believe I know what this was... Is!"
Bean was sitting on his rear holding a hoof to his chest. his breathing somewhat panic'd.
"Wha... What is it?" Bean squeaked out between breaths.
"Tis a special gift given to us from a friend long ago for our part in their call for Aid in a very trying time."
Bean looked between Luna and the object a few times waiting for her to continue, but the pause getting longer and longer he finally had to ask.
"Ah, so its a... thin.."
"Tis Armor"
"...Armor, right That was my next guess. Wait, Armor?" he exclaimed as he looked to finally see the separate arm guards and robe for what they were. "That's ... Armor? I mean, no disrespect but I mean, it looks to be a bit lacking in armor to be considered . . . well, Armor."
"Tis very true." Luna began. She turned and folded out the robe and admired it as she held it up to Bean "But it's what you cannot see is where the true craftponyship comes through. I know this to be a bit unceremonious but I wish to prove a point if you would be so kind if I may?" Luna asked as she wiggled the robe and shin guards to Bean.
"I uh... wait, like me to put this on? I mean... Yeah sure. Is there instructions or this like a slip on and off kinda deal?"
"Nay Prince Bean. These type of armor require a second set of hooves to don. Though Ill forgo the more traditional means and use my magic to adorn the robe and guards to thee."
Bean went to respond but found himself floating in Lunas levitation field. Giving her a nod, she smiled as she got to quick work wrapping the white robe around him and fitting the two arm guards on his fore hooves.
She then released Bean from her magic field with Bean now sporting a somewhat comical attire. It was a wide robe that was a bit stiff and reminded Bean of the uniforms ponies wore when they would practice karate or martial arts in general but this one was bigger in the legs and shoulders.
"Ah... well I think I understand this... armor. One cannot attack an enemy they're too focused at laughing at."
Luna laughed and gave a tiny snort "Verily. But this is just the ceremonial form Prince Bean. This armor has a special trick to it that earned it the name of 'Ronin Armor'. Here, hold out your left hoof and forcefully hit the arm guard with your right. I asure no harm will come to you but a surprise!"
Bean, already feeling silly as he could being in the tent of a robe figured why not. "Alright. here goes!" he exclaimed as he did the motions as he was directed.
As his hoof came down to contact with the Guard, a bright flash went off in the room. When both Luna's and Bean's eyes came back into focus, Bean took in a sharp breath while Luna gave off a gasp of delight.
Bean stood now in a range of form fitting armor pieces that complemented his body form very well and even boasted parts. The grand white robe had turned to a black form fitting under armour material with pieces of hardened white and yellow armor pieces boasting out his shins, arms, Waist, and Chest.
Bean was still trying to blink his eyes back into focus, even rubbing them with his hooves. "What happened. It was like getting picture flashed but looking directly into the flashbulb. I'm still seeing spots."
Luna was nodding slowly in approval and cleared her throat. "Mayhaps, a mirror would help you to see what we see Prince Bean."
Bean merely nodded.
Luna made a gesture for him to turn around, which he did to find himself standing in front of a full sized mirror. The pony looking back at him though was a sight to behold. While it was his head on the figure looking at him, the body he didn't recognize. The form was much fitter and looked nearly buff with the armor pieces sticking out just right to accent his body form.
Bean held an expression of a fish as he slowly moved his legs, sat on his haunches and flexed slowly with his eyes wide in amazement at what he was seeing.
"This... What is this? Its soo cool!"
Luna held a chuckle as she moved to stand closer to Bean. She spoke to him, addressing him through the mirrors reflection. "This is known as a Ronin Armor. There are many types of special made armors that wondered the Orient, but few were meant to be worn nearly at all times by special ponies that were like our own guards, but were not tethered to one pony in particular."
Luna paused as she watched Bean look back to her in the mirror's reflection. His attention going from her back to his armored body like a child listening to a parent but eyeing the candy shop window.
"These Ronin were wandering warriors that would protect innocents and as warriors, they needed armor that would be strong enough to protect them no matter the enemy. But, to wear armor constantly back then would attract attention and many would suggest the pony was begging for a confrontation. Thus the Ronin armors were created as a means for the warrior to be ready at a seconds notice without the need to flee, don his armor and hope to return in time to save an innocent."
Bean set his hooves down and looked back to Luna. "That is soo cool! Well then I think honestly Princess, we found a great gift to give to the Dignitaries. You know, Unless you're wanting to hang on to it for yourself that is."
"Nay, I believe you are correct in your judgement Prince Bean. The armor mine sister and myself used then and today were more than enough for us. Tis possibly why we never removed this set from its enchantment and tried it out before. However, before we present this to give as a gift, may I suggest an idea?"
Bean was looking at himself relaxed in the mirror when he was taken slightly aback from Luna's question. He looked from the reflection, to the floor and to Princess Luna's face as he stumbled out his reply.
"Oh uhm, Yes sure, by all means Princess."
Luna had gotten up and made her way to the door when she looked back. "Would thou mind if we went to fetch our sister to come look upon your uhm... armored form? I believe that she would be rather enamored at seeing you in such a state and form."
Bean moved his eyes around nervously but nodded "Sure... Not really sure how to take this off anyway. Ill be here I guess."
"Indeed!" Luna called out as she made her way out to find her sister leaving Prince Bean alone.
Though he didn't mind that fact at all. He turned his attention back to the mirror and did a few small poses in front of the reflection, posing like the body builders hes seen a few times in the adverts.
Bean then shifted from doing a few poses to stop and look at the armor itself, but not to inspect the armor or its texture but rather how it felt on his body.
He moved around, trying out his range of motion. Shockingly finding that he had very nearly no hindrance to his full range of motions whatsoever.
With this discovery Bean started doing a few action poses with the armor to find any spots that would be uncomfortable. He would strike a blocking pose or a few action chop poses accompanied with a few sound effects supplied by the Prince himself. A martial artist he was not but he was having fun.
It was when he was looking at his reflection during an action pose when a memory hit him like a brick. Long ago, there was a series of comics that had five heros, ponies, griffons and a drake that had armor kinda like the Ronin armor but when they would stand on their hind legs, and throw out their forearms and call out a phrase, they would undergo a transformation where their armor would shine and become something way more heavy set.
The heros would call out the names of their armor, strike the pose and a fan fare of lightning and rolls of silk would surround the warriors, falling at random points but more and more would fall, and wrap around until the rolls would look like they were falling upwards, like being thrown upwards, grow taught and then explode into falling petals of blossom to unveil the warrior in their new armor, sporting action ready poses ready for the battle ahead.
At this memory, a revelation came to Bean as he felt that this was a golden opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream of not only getting to act out some parts of his then fav comic book heros but have the real deal armor to do it in too! Though not the same kind of armor, it was still cool and would work to fulfill his childhood bucket list. Though Bean had thought for a moment.
In his comic books, the hero's armor all had names they went by specifically. Luna never said that this armor had a specific name other than being called a Ronin Armor.
After thinking for a little bit, Bean rested his right hoof in his left hoof. "Ah ha! That'll be a good name for it I think." He wasn't too sure if the warrior or wearer got to name the armor but a good name popped into his head that seemed to fit rather well given who his wife was and the name seemed very fitting with her affinity to move the very sun each and every day.
Bean stood up and readied himself in the mirror almost like he was awaiting for a hidden director to yell out ACTION! from somewhere in the empty room.
"Sister, again I must apologize for invading your time with our valued guests, but we believe our little discovery may be very valuable . . . what's the word in the modern tongue sister for something very pleasing to the eye?"
from slightly behind and the side of the sisters a voice called out "Forgive me Princess, but I believe that the word is Eye-Candy" A dull orange unicorn mare said.
Her companion, a Dark gray and black griffon smiled brightly and nodded. "I believe she is correct your Highness."
Princess Celestia merely chuckled as she walked at a gentle pace as she was still very pregnant. "You are quite alright Luna. We believe this will prove to be a bit educational as well as 'eye candy" as you all have put it bluntly. Though, you don't mind our little detour do you your Honors?"
The griffon spoke first. "We do not mind Empress. It would be a great pleasure to get to observe an armor from so long ago."
The Mare smiled and nodded to her companion. "I agree your Majesties. If it is indeed a Armor of the Ronin class, it will be enjoyable to discern its origin."
Luna agreed and smiled thinking that the armor could prove to be a great gift to give to their guests as a show of friendship.
The ground rounded one of the corners in the palace coming to the doorway to the stateroom where Prince Bean awaited their return.
Just as the four were about to make their presence known to an otherwise oblivious Prince Bean, he made a move that nopony was expecting to have the effect it did.
Bean was facing an imaginary foe. The feel of the non-existent wind gently blowing at his face.
The *foe spoke "Give it up pony. Lord Talpa has this world in his grasp and you are merely delaying the inevitable. You cannot even hope to succeed as you are ill equipped!"
*Bean was speaking out the side of his mouth in a low baritone voice
Bean did a dramatic motion like he was struck and took to a knee, holding one forehoof on the ground and like he was breathing heavily after a dramatic yet futile battle with the foe. "You think you've bested me Anubis, but I've got a message for your master!"
Bean dramatically and slowly got to his hooves, wincing like he was injured. He slowly got himself standing on his hind legs and made a wide stance.
The Foe spoke again. "And just what message would that be Pony!"
Bean threw his forehooves upward and had them cupped at the ends like he was grasping an invisible ball. However, Bean was so inthralled in his imagination that he wasn't seeing that little sparks of energy were actually gathering at his hooves and the light of the room was slowly fading out to black with just himself in the armor being the only illumination around.
Bean then threw his right forearm out in a sweeping motion then caught it with his other hoof.
"Armor of Solar Flare, Dao Jin!!!" Bean yelled out as his hooved connected, the yellow lightning growing more intense
"Gah!" Bean grunted as suddenly he was frozen in this pose, a look of pure determination against his imaginary foe.
From the darkness, ribbons of patterned fabric began to unravel from the blackened sky. more and more fabric falling as sounds of a slowly increasing hits of wooden sticks could be heard clapping together. More and more of the fabric fell from the sky when the strands began to encircle Bean's form, encasing him when the fabric around bean began to glow.
The ribbons of fabric changed direction and threw themselves upwards and grew taught, then in a gentle flash erupted into glowing embers of Cherry blossom petals which slowly fell down toward a new figure below.
Beans form stopped glowing as he was in a new action position, his face still holding a look of fierce determination against his invisible foe, his body now adorned with a much more boysterious pieces of yellow, white and red armor. His Chest now under a white with red accented torso armor covering of a mixture of smooth and textured plates resting on top one another like scales but with more sharp edges than smooth lines. His shoulders covered with what looked like dual white pauldrons on top one another going down from his shoulders to cover his biceps, his forearms covered with a part that looked like a red arm guard but had a angled blades sweeping out backwards.
Beans hips were covered by a front piece that covered his pubic area downward slightly, the rear fully and each side of his hips in a triple flap formation. Then on his legs the front and rear being wrapped in a similar white and red guard armor but emphasizing his calve muscles then his rear hooves having the white and red shoes with square looking spurs in the back.
Then atop his head was a helmet that covered the back and sides of his head with white and red accented plating, a bladed crest on top, sticking out a little from this forehead but sweeping down to the end of his neck.
Finally, Bean was holding on his back a slightly curved handle with a medium sized pure silver blade at the very end, a shortened spear as it were.
Bean holding his pose for a moment before slowly regaining the ability to move and face his Imaginary foe.
Its when he started to move again he stopped and looked down at himself, looked at the weapon he was holding in his hooves and finally into the mirror to see a completely different Armored pony looking back at him. Just as he was about to start freaking out over what had just happened, Bean heard hooves stomping behind him and gasps of shock and awe.
Bean turned to the sound to see the doorway which was now occupied by a very shocked Princess Luna, a Very shocked and very gravid Princess Celestia, and in front of them were the Unicorn mare and Griffon male who were stomping, clapping and cheering at the Prince.
After the audience at the door seemed to not really want to do more than they already were, Bean started to get a little embarrassed as he sat on his haunches, with great ease to his astonishment.
"Uhm, Enjoyed that did you? Ill be honest with you all, I ... really don't have any clue as to what just happened. Am I in trouble?"
The room was silent for a moment when Princess Luna spoke
"I... do not believe you are in trouble Prince Bean, However; I have many questions to ask the most pressing one at the moment is How?"
Princess Celestia remained silent and still in shock. Her mouth still agape and her wings very much extended and eyes wide.
The smaller unicorn mare stood and walked to Bean and began to examine him, lifting his hoof and running her hoof over the newly acquired armor he wore.
"Very impressive. Truly a great honor to have witnessed its inception and transformation."
Bean finally shook his head to clear a bit of his daze and confusion. "I'm sorry but I'm still somewhat lost as to what just happened. Uh... What just happened?"
Princess Luna approached Bean and circled him as she looked on the new armor components and weapon.
"We believe... we had made an error. But not purposely."
Bean started to panic but Luna interjected before he could.
"Be Still Brother-in-Law. Non of which is faulted to you nor has dire implications. Just a surprise in which is stumbled upon."
Luna took a breath and continued. "The armor you found was not Ronin warrior armor, but instead a much more rare and a much more powerful armor called 'Sakura Armor'."
Bean looked down at his armored arms and chest. "Sakura Armor, wait, just how rare are we talking about here and I'm still not sure how this happened."
Princess Celestia finally broke out of her stunned stupor and approached Bean. "Sakura Armor. Legendary armor that was known to only exist for a span of two to three hundred years. Only five were ever seen in action. Five Sakura armors were created to battle an old evil that threatened all of the life on Equis. Five warriors that with the power of the armors, eliminated the evil and drove the monsters away.
Bean started looking between all the ponies in the room. "I didn't, I mean... I didn't mean to activate some ancient armor... oh biscuits. This isn't another Boop law thing where I'm going to have to start wandering the world fighting evil am I?"
Princess Celestia smiled and chuckled. "I'm sorry my love, but it would appear that as much as I believe you would love to show off your new form for others, you'll be stuck here with me entertaining dignitaries and dealing with the nobles as per usual."
Princess Luna then spoke up. "Though, something I am curious about, How did you get the armor to activate Bean? I'm sure there weren't instructions written anywhere nor did I mention anything back before I left to find my sister."
Bean reached a hoof back to scratch his neck but stopped when it came into contact with nothing but armor. "I uh, thought I looked like a character from a foalhood comic book and since nopony was around, thought it couldn't' hurt and played a bit of ... " Bean chuckled softly as he finished. "Make believe, heh."
The Unicorn Dignitary spoke up "Ah, that wouldn't happen to be a comic book series by the name of Wandering Warriors would it?"
Bean's eyes grew wide as he nodded enthusiastically.
The Gray griffon spoke "Some of our stories and comics are based on some truth. It would seem Prince Bean that you have stumbled on one such truth."
Princess Luna looked Bean over then looked at the two Dignitaries. "Your honors. Thank you for humbling us with your observations. However, we were hoping to give this to you as a gift of our continued friendship for future talks between our nations."
The Griffon and Mare looked to each other and then back to the Princesses and Prince. "We got to observe in full a Sakura Armor transformation. We believe that is a gift in and of itself. We would very much like to see what else Equestria has to offer us and look forward to future talks with you and your nation in the time to come." The griffon explained
The mare then looked to Prince Bean. "Please, keep the armor as you were the one to summon it and give it a name. Take care of it and it too shall take care of you too"
Bean looked to the ponies and griffon with near disbelief then looked back to his reflection in the mirror.
"I wonder what Shinning Armor would say about this?"