> Levi, the SellSword
>  by Ghost Alvasa
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue-Levi's Early Years
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





A man woke up in an extremely dark and thick unknown jungle. He pushed himself up and squinted as he looked around allowing his eye s to adjust to the varying lights o he could better see. Groaning he left himself of the soggy ground on which he was laying. He sat himself up against a nearby tree from what he could make out. Looking around he started to get his baring's for what was around him.

"Where the hell am I?" He muttered as he grabbed the upper half of his face. "How the hell did I get in the middle of a damn jungle? The last thing I remember is..." suddenly he felt a surge of pain run through his head. Grabbing his head with both hands he hissed and reeled from the pain as he fell over on the ground and curdle up in a bit of a ball. "Rrgha... my head..."

After a bit the pain died do to a slight throb. "Okay... no thinking... on the...past a lot..." he clutched the tree pulling himself up holding his throbbing head. "Let's list the problems an try and make some since of this crap..." he walked along in a circle for a bit. "I'm in a jungle, I don't remember how I got here, I can't recall almost everything about myself other than I was at some sort of costume convention dressed as someone and I bought something that I was missing for my costume, and most importantly I don't even know my name or who I am or was..." He sighed. "This is more than just a simple case of amnesia.."

"Wait, who was I even dressed as?" The man thought. "I'm remembering," he rubbed his temples with his forefingers, "it hurts like hell but it's coming back to me... Levi Ackerman..." He says shot open as he hunched over breathing heavily. "God Damn it, that was harder than running a marathon... Well.." he straightened up. "It's the only name I have right now so I guess I'll just use it. Now I need to see if I have any supplies and take count of any resources." he looked up and noticed the sun shining through the canopy. "It looks like it's still pretty early, but this is still a pretty thick jungle," Levi surveyed his surrounding and came to see a pack and a few other things nearby under a tree. 

"Well at least I have some stuff to work with." Levi walked over and started to go through the pack. "He found a mirror amongst everything. "Guess I should look at my face to know what I look like," He snickered. Opening the mirror her saw he had short, straight black hair styled in an undercut curtain, as well as narrow, intimidating dull gray eyes with dark circles under them and a deceptively youthful face. "I mean, I'm grateful for the youthful look but... I still have constant 'someone pissed in my cheerios' face," He stood up taking note of his body, "I feel like I should be taller and that if anyone makes fun of my height I'll just kill them. " He took not that he is indeed quite short, but his physique is well-developed. "And I feel like I could do it too. Alright enough narcissism." 





Levi put away the mirror and went to the other supplies. "Hmmm...."





Levi spent a large chuck of his time taking stock of his supplies. Most of it was every day items that he'd need. I few changes of clothes that mainly consisted of the same outfit her had on along with a set of dress clothes. There was also a tan mid-cut long sleeve jacket and a hooded green poncho and both had a symbol of a white wing with a blue wing underneath it. He recognized them as parts of his, well the original Levi's, military uniform. He also had a few weeks with of dried goods that if stretched reasonably would last at least two months. Most notably he found a two sets of his vertical maneuvering gear. 







Along with the one with a set of swords was also a set the other type of gear called Anti-personnel vertical maneuvering equipment. This one consisted of a smaller set making it easier to move in and used duel firearms.





"I wonder if I have any manuals on the up keep of this crap," Levi huffed as he dug through the pack. "It would make getting around in the jungle a whole hell of a lot easier than waking that's for sure. book..." he said starry eyed as he pulled out the book and opened to to read the cover page.

Dear Levi,

Thank you for your purchase of the poncho and I do hope you enjoy you adventures in this new land. It sis chalked full of all types of different creatures, especially those of myth back in your old world. There aren't going to be any titans though, as much as I do like the series I didn't think it would be fore to the inhabitants of this world would fair very well against giant humanoids, even if they would leave them a lone for the most part. I included this book and a few others to help maintain your gear but I only recommended using these in areas that they will help. Most of the world doesn't have a lot of places that you would find them useful in this regard but still, what good is a survey corps member with out their full setup. I plopped you down on a continent on the other side of the main continent where you should head. It will take you some time to get over there, years actually. In that time I recommend you spend you time doing whatever you want to get by. The nearest town is due east of where you landed. Have a fun new life and a greater adventure.

Your seller of items,
The merchant

Levi gently closed the book and placed it back in the pack. He stood up and walked away then looked up at the sky. He took in a deep breath then, 

"FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!"

After calming down Levi picked his supplies up off the ground and head to the nearest town.




Fifteen Years later...

Levi was now in his mid to upper forties by his count in life. Years after arriving on Fulgrund he'd made quite the name for himself. Having steady no source of income he turned to his as a mercenary and sell sword as normal work other than cleaning or library work wasn't really his thing. Sure he could get by on some field work but it never lasted long.   In his early yes he garnered the name 'Grasshopper' from wearing his poncho and using his gear. He was well-known on the battlefields he'd visited as the Butcher. He was always fair with his work and preferred taking work where no creature had to die for no reason but was still not against fighting outright either. He was known for getting results and always taking a contract no matter how small the pay and he'd always delivered. Many that tried to buy him off of his contracts soon found themselves either with bruised or missing fingers. It was safe to say he never went back on his clients, at least not until the job he was paid to do was done. 

Levi had taken on an escort mission to one of the deeper jungles of Abyssinia. Word of his exploits had long since reached this current land. He was often mistaken for a deformed minotaur. He would correct any creature that called him that at first but eventually gave up on that. His current employer had him and a group of archeologists headed into the jungles to look for an ancient city that could possibly be the birth place of the entire Abyssinian race. He was here to kill any jungle animals that wanted a snack. Seeing as it was a jungle he decided he would use his maneuvering gear. In his early yes he garnered the name 'Grasshopper' from wearing his poncho and using his gear.

"How much further till we reach the site Guso," Myte asked the head archeologist. "My paws are killing me and the dame sun has already set for today. I'm also very hungry as is everyone else!"

"Hush Myte," Guso scolded his fellow scientist. "We would've been to there already had some cat not napped in the middle of the day as well," he looked back over his shoulder from his map.

"I'm just glad that the Butcher is watching our skins," Came a female voice. "We're lucky we caught him before he left for another town."

"Your right about that Marble," Came another female voice. "I didn't think he'd be such a scrawny looking thing either. We're scrawny ourselves but at least we have fur. Poor thing must be freezing with just the tuft on his head."

"He may only have a bit of fur on his head but he's far from weak Fla," Guso added. "He wouldn't have a name like the Butcher with out good reason. If you look close underneath his clothing you make out quite the well honed body."

"I know," Fla purred. "I saw the other morning and I MUST add that he must be an beast in the bedroom."

"Didn't need to hear that Fla," Marble rolled her yes with a groan. 

"Stop," Guso said as he stopped the group. "We're here," he motioned to an open valley just beyond the tree line. "Let's set up camp and then get started on looking around first light tomorrow," he rolled up his map.



Some days later...

Levi was sitting up in a nearby tree reading one of his maneuvering gear manuals for the umpteenth times since he'd come to this world years ago. He was wearing a pair of black rectangular framed reading glasses. He didn't necessarily need to read the manuals anymore to maintain his gear anymore as he'd memorized them by this point in time. He did to pass the time but for the most part because he liked reading books so much.

He was looking to make a new weapon for himself based off the designs of the sword and guns, one that combined the gun feature with the exchangeable blade feature of his sword hilt controls. It was to help conserve his ammo and blade usage. Steel wasn't cheap to make and neither was gun powder or any of the other materials that he would need if the need to repair or replace a piece of his equipment ever arose.

His current days usually consisted of sitting up in the higher trees to keep a lookout for any incoming hostilities. Usually it nothing more than a stray jungle predator drawn in by the smell of camps dinner. Some of his other primary duties were being the primary source of hunting for meats and gathering other edibles. and water fetcher from a nearby stream the group had come across about an hours hike outside the valley. Thanks to his military skills and training he was more or less always on the lookout and ready while making time to read.

Today was a bit off, however. Unlike the usual days where he'd get up to bugs and moister all around in the morning, today was strangely quiet. Not only was it quiet the air was very dried, much drier than you'd expect any type of extremely green tropical first to be. It put Levi on edge and he was super vigilant because of it. So far the day was going on like it would normally except for a predator attack, then her heard itform above and looked up.

Levi looked up and saw it.

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOAOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

A massive red fire drake and he called out, "DRAGON! GET TO THE CAVES!" He called out and his colleagues ran as he jumps to his feet. 

The dragon slammed into the ground and Levi aimed his grappler at the beast and shot it. Digging into the large red dragon's body with his grappler shot Levi whizzed over to the beast with a burst of speed as he drew two of his blades. Levi clicked a switch on her handle and with a burst of speed rapidly spun around one of the dragon' legs like a top cutting in the the beast scaly-armored hide until her was launched into the air above the drake. He click another button and another of his grappling hooks shot out and Levi was off again. 

This time his goal was the dragons neck. His overall goal was to injure the beast enough to make it leave, not actually kill it. He'd fought a few drakes before and quickly found that their scales wore down his swords rather quickly. Being in the jungle like this meant he couldn't just go out and make more. He was only trying to maim, not kill, but even then it was taking quite a lot of effort just to make the cuts he'd already made.

The dragon would claw, roar and breath fire at Levi. Levi was to fast to be hit by any of the dragon's attacks and due to his high heat tolerance he'd gained from the original Levi's experience's with Titans he was able to reason closer to the drake without hesitation. The fight went on for a good ten minutes until the drake managed to grab hold of one of Levi's grapplers and throw the human off. he managed the use his other grapplers to swing into the cave where the Abyssinians were hold up. They quickly grabbed him and brought him further back into the cave while they waited on the dragon to finish his rampage.

"Its a good thing we've been camping in here and camouflaged the entrance or all or gear would've been destroy," Levi said as he felt a stingy sensation from his forehead to just below his lip on the right side of his face as well as under his left eye.

"Levi your face," Marble noticed his wound. "Let us patch you up."

"Thanks," Levi sighed. 

About thirty minutes passed. "There, all done." Marble said as she wrapped linens around Levi's face. "I was scared that you'd lose you eye but the cut only looks worse than it is. You'll still have scars I'm afraid."

"That dragon is still out there Levi what are we going to do,?" Guso bit his claws. "Think of all the artifacts he's destroyed, or is going to steal. We have to save them!"

"What my sisters sees in you I won't," Gla slapped her face. "Our lives are more important than rock you asshole."

"Gla is right Gu," Myte shook his head. "What do we do now mister Levi?"

"Hold up here till he leaves," Levi sat down. "With my vision hindered and two of swords used up we're at a serious disadvantage when fighting the drake. We have enough food we can stretch for nearly two weeks. As for water, the cave is pretty damp further in. We can explore further back and find an under ground spring or the stream we get the usually water from, maybe even a way through the mountain if need be."

"So we wait," Myte sighs as Levi nodded.

So they waited, and in that time Levi found a mysterious shrine with a spring in. He was intrigued to find a shrine this deep in the mountain and couldn't help be get a closer look. Upon doing so he slipped and fill into the water. He quickly pulled himself out of the water and found that he' felt better than ever in a long time. He went to tell his party members about it but as he looked back he found the spring shrine gone. 

"This place must be special if I was let in. I don't think I'll tell them but I still need water," he stepped and heard a thunk. He looked down to see a stream running to the south of the mountain. "This must but where the stream where the stream starts. At least we have water now." He then went back to the others, that mysterious shrine weighing on his mind.




Months later...

"Nothing," Gla threw a rock into the jungle. "We've been out here for months and we have nothing!"

"I don't understand," Guso read over his notes and his map. "All I've work and translated from the old texts say this is the valley where our ancestors came from."

""Gu, it's time we head back," Marble looked at her colleagues. 

"You can go back I will stay here and keep looking," Guso retorted.

"I'm going back home Guso," Myte crossed his arms. "I have a kitten counting on me to be there before her birthday in another month. It took us a whole month to get here. We have jack squat!"

"The only one who found anything Levi and that was when he fill in the cave area," Gla stated. "Which had no signs of civilizations. Only a spring that feed a stream on the other side of the moutain."

Levi had lied about this though. He had in fact found signs that some race had created some sort of shrine around the spring he'd found during the dragon months earlier but he also knew the sight was sacred, or at least it felt that way to him. He felt like taking the Abyssinians to the shrine would desecrate it. At the same time he wasn't totally lying either as after he'd walked out and looked behind him, the shrine and fountain had vanished. He gone back several times since but it was always the same, a damp cave.

"And I would prefer not to be ogled by Gla for not having a shirt for hours again," Levi noted the female cat eyeing him with a hungry gaze. "Your colleagues are right Mr. Guso," He said as he was propped up against a tree. "You've been out here for month and haven't found a single thing. It's time to head back."

"Like I said, I'm staying," Guso went back to his notes.

"No you're not," Levi walked out of the shade. "I was paid by your university to bring you four out here and back and that is what I am going to make sure happens. You can comeback on your own accord," he said as he leaned in his bangs slight overshadowing his eyes. "Or I can I can use necessary force if you like," Guso took a hard gulp and then agreed to go.





Thirty years after Abyssinia... 

He was in his upper seventies maybe pushing eighty by now but the man known as Levi Ackerman was at peace. Levi was laying on his back with a piece of grass in his mouth. He was currently resting under a tree and staring up to the sky. It was his day off after all and he'd decide that it was perfect to sit back and read. His past few years had been peaceful sense coming to Equestria. 

He'd come here because he'd heard that there was plenty of work that didn't involve creatures to wield a sword or any form of a weapon unless you worked for the guard, the local police force from what he understood. It juts so happened that on a track to get to a city he came across a pony who was being hunted by a pack of wooden wolves. After he saved the pony from the pack of wolves she wouldn't stop thanking him.

He came to find out from this mare that the dominate species of this country were the ponies and that there were in fact several different breeds of pony but the most common are the unicorns, Pegasi, and like her earth ponies. There were several other types of ponies that were often regarded as myths by many, especially those that lived fairly close to the inlands. The mare had asked him who and what he was and Levi being ever the gentleman told her and he told her his reason for bein here in her homeland. 

The mare introduced her self as Strawberry Surprise and that she was the owner of a local strawberry plantation and would be more than willing to hire him as a thank for saving her life. She explained that the job would be hard, that it came with three meals a day, and a place to sleep as well as days off every week and good pay. Levi thinking he wouldn't get a much better deal as he recalled the looks that many of the ponies had given him on his way here from the port took her up on the offer. Thus he'd happily lived a very quiet life for the last three years. 

Things were on his mind though. The main thought was the fact he had barely aged since her arrive here. He was in his mid to early thirties upon arrival in this world and a great deal had passed since then and yet he still looked like he did when he first arrive if not a just a bit older.  He was know in his mid  to upper seventies by his estimated count and yet he he barley looked over forty, heck he actually looked younger than that if you ask any creature. He chalked it up to to being sent here and aging very slowly initially but after some hard think he recalled his dip in a certain underground cavern in Abyssinia, the time he was soaked to the core.

Levi held his hand up to the sun, "Hmmm...." he thought. "Could it have been so sort of Fountain of Eternal Youth?" he mumbled as he clenched his first tight. "Or it be a sort of Fountain of Immortality?  I 've certainly taken enough death hits that would kill most creatures. I have more deadman scars than any creature that could possibly be alive to. Whatever? I guess I'm an immortal. Soon it'll be time to move on I guess," he though as he dropped his hand.

"Levi Ackerman what are you doing laying sprawled out under this tree?" Came the sweet melodic voice of his boss.

"Hey Strawberry," Levi looked up. His eyes came to rest on a mare with a bright red coat with a greenish white mane and tailed that had dark green stripes in it. On her vise were a few light creamy yellow freckles that  resembles the seeds of actual strawberries. "Just enjoying my day off." He sat up. "Until a certain mare showed up of coarse."

"Oh..." Strawberry Surprise trotted up and then sat down. "Was she pretty?" she fluttered her eyebrow.

"Maybe," Levi looked off to the side.

"You were thinking about leaving again weren't you," Strawberry looked down. "I know it's not in your nature to stay long periods of time in any place Levi. You told me that when we first met remember. Why hide it from me? I thought we were..." Her eyes started to water. "Closer," she placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"Strawberry," Levi sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "You're very dear to me and I DO... care about you more than just as a friend but... I have just need to figured out a few things and... I don't think I could handle it if we... " he couldn't finish his sentence as he felt a pair of sweet red lips on his own as he was forced to the ground by a sudden spring of the mare on top of his chest .

"I don't care what you realized Levi," Strawberry said softly as she gazed into his his for a moment then laid her head down under his chin. "I just care about you and what makes you happy. If you think you shouldn't be here then I won't try and keep you here. Just know that  I love you and you will always have a home here," She pushed up and then started to trot away. "Even if I'm gone."

Levi laid there for a minute, and reached up and touched his lips, "Hmmm.... maybe I've been thinking to much..." 

Levi and Strawberry Surprise were married later that summer and he stuck around for the next forty years on the plantation. He and Strawberry were never able to have foals f there own but they did adopt three little fillies and he raised his daughters with all the love they could ever ask for. When it came time for Strawberry to be buried  he was still there by her and their children, grandchildren and even grandchildren's sides. He stayed another few years after that but the memories and pain of losing his wife grew too much finally and Levi Ackerman decided that he need to move on once more. Taking his gear, enchanted armor he'd gotten on a trip to an ancient temple and a few enchanted weapons he'd had commissioned in his early years. Levi departed after he said his goodbyes to his family, they often got a letter from him until they came less and less. The letters eventually stopped as he stopped writing, no longer cable to bare to do so...
> Prologue- Levi and The Ponies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Levi is currently on the border between Griffin Empire and Equestria staying in a small unnamed trading post town. He is approaching his middle to late one hundred and sixties. He's been in this nameless town for about five years now. He takes work when necessity strikes.




Fifty years later in a border town... 

A lone figure in a dark green hooded cloak sits in the back of an old tavern with his had up and his face obscured from the view of others. He was having his usual tea while others laugh and make jokes enjoying their beer. He had a book in front of his face and was thoroughly enjoying it. All the patrons knew this one will. He'd been here for as long as the pub had been opened. Aside from an occasional drink with his fellow pub-goers, he didn't drink. Most just left him be as he never bothered anyone and anyone that ever had the balls to bother him, usually. 

He sat a booth with the best sunlight. This way he could read with little hindrance. No one knew much about him or where he was from. They just knew not to screw with him. He was one of the pub's stable sources of patrons. Many came to see Levi Ackerman just to glance at him. Many thought he was a mutated minotaur and others a centaur but one thing was well-known about Levi Ackerman. That he was a sellsword, a mercenary for hire. He helped those that paid him, no matter the rate he would do the job as long as it was reasonable. 

Everything went quiet as soon as the doors opened. Every creature went silent as they saw a set of six golden armored guards ponies, two pegasi, two earth ponies, and two unicorns. The crest of the sun on their chest plates.

One of the pegasi in front marched forward to the bar. "We are looking for Levi Ackerman," he announced and the whole room went silent.

"Why?" The griffoness barkeep asked polishing her mugs. "Levi hasn't done anything against any pony without reason. In fact, he doesn't hurt ponies at all," everyone agreed in whispers. "He makes it his policy to help your kind over hurting them anyway. So what do you featherbrains think he did?"

"We are currently understaffed and wish to hire Mr. Levi as a bodyguard for the princess," an earth pony mare spoke up. "His skills are in high regard amongst many circles. Many creatures say that even though he is a sellsword he has quite reasonable and has quite a moral code. Please we need his help?"

The barkeep eyed the ponies warily, "Look, Levi is a good guy and he likes his peace and quiet. Nobody here bothers him and he keeps to himself. That said he does look out for us here in town when he's around. If ya think he'll..."

"It's alright Gladis," came a male voice near the front of the pub. Everyone turned to look at the cloaked figure who hadn't even look up from his book. "If you seek Levi Ackerman then you have found him," he turned a page. "sit and we can discuss terms of employ over tea," he motioned to his booth never looking up from his book.

The ponies all took a seat some having been given an empty chair by Gladis or a pubber. The ponies all stared at the hooded figure as he read the book. All noticed that he had a clawed hand similar to a griffin or minotaur. He was wearing a glove of sorts that hid his skin. 

The leader spoke again clearing his throat, the figure never broke his gaze from his book, "Excuse me sir, but are you, Levi Ackerman?"

"That is my name yes," The guards all seemed to sigh in relief but were still wary of this figure. "As for your reason, I am free at the current moment. How much are you paying?" He flipped a page.

"Ten thousand bits or anything the equivalent you can request within reason," A unicorn stilton said as he reached into a saddlebag with his magic and dropped a heft bag of bits on the table with a thunk. "This is only a third of it. A down payment if you well. You're more than welcome to examine them.

Levi closes his book and reached out with his hand taking one of the coins from the bag and held it up under the cover of his hood. The guards all heard the audible sound of teeth on metal. Levi held the coin up to the light and turned it over examining it. He tossed the coin back in the bag with where it clinked against its brothers.

"I accept," Levi nodded. "When do you want to depart?"

"Immediately if possible?" the leader said with gusto.

"Very well but I will need to stop at my room and get my equipment first," Levi points to the local hotel.

"No problem sir. Take what you need as long as it's to do the job you're hired for and if it's all of it then anything and everything is welcome."

Levi stood up. "Let's go," he took the bag of bits and reached in, and placed a few on the counter. "Thanks for the tea Gladis. I'll see ya around perhaps," he said walking out. 

She knew he meant it too. There was always a chance he wouldn't come back either due to death or just settling down in a new place. Levi was a sellsword after all and he went where there was money to be made. If there was a better chance for him someplace else he would follow that lead.

"Take care, you short bastard!" Gladis called out and all her patrons hoped and whistled as Levi merely held up a single hand and waved goodbye.



Griffonstone Castle...

The hooded figure known as Levi was brought before the royals. The Griffon King Black Feathers being a snow owl and tiger mix. Next to him was Princess Celestia, a much taller pony with wings and a horn. Her most notable feature being her rainbow-colored mane and tail blowing in a nonexistent breeze, Levi stood before the royalty, his presence undeterred and unwavering.

"Is this the mercenary you told us of Black Feathers?" Celestia looked to the king.

"I am unsure Celestia. As I said in great length before," Black turned to face the pony princess meeting her equally curious gaze. "As I said last night at dinner," he polished his claws on his chest. "I have heard tales about a strange mercenary that walks on two legs like a minotaur but whose head resembles that of the centaurs of old form across the seas. Other than those rumors I have heard nothing but heresy. Everything saying he gets the jobs he's hired for done."

"Please sir will you give us your name," Celestia asked. "And can we see your face? This is all to confirm who you are and not somepony posing as the one we want."

"Everyone at the pub we found him at confirmed who he was," The leader of the guard said.

"Be that as it may Captain Tightship, I would still like to confirm who he is for myself," Celestia said as she walked over in front of the hooded Levi. "Would you please remove your hood, sir? If the rumors have any base then it should be all the confirmation we need."

"You are my current employer so I will comply," Levi stated as he reached up and threw back his hood to reveal a rather youthful face with a scar running from the lower third of his forehead to just below his lip to almost the base of his chin on the right side of his face. On the left side of his face just under his left eye to the far left were three more scars.




"My stars," the king said as he too walked up. "The rumors were indeed true. You look just like a centaur but with the body of a minotaur. You must be a hybrid of the two."

"On the contrary King Black Feathers," Celestia said. "There are stories in Equestria of what this creature is. They are called humans. Not much is known about them but enough that they are omnivores like griffons and that they are quite capable of a great many things when they wish to learn. I thought they were just that, legends and myths but now I see them as true. I heard rumors that one even lived in Equestria for a time before vanishing."

"Do they possess magic as you ponies do?" Black Feather looked at Levi who was just standing there stone-faced. "Got quite the poker face don't you, my boy? Those scars tale me you've seen a nasty scrap?"

"I am here to protect the princess," Levi said finally. "As for anything else I am not needed, unless we are leaving I will be in the library." he turned and walked out but first, "Excuse me your highnesses I never introduce myself properly. I am Levi Ackerman also called Levi The Butcher," He said with a bow and then left.

That name rang out through the ears of everyone there. At some point, every creature had heard the tells of The Butcher was a name used to describe a ruthless fighter on the battlefield from years ago. The Butcher of the Battlefield. He was a mysterious creature that could appear and disappeared as soon as the fighting started and ended. It was said that he was merciless and took no sides in a conflict and only killed those that were marked for death.



The next morning...

"Captain," a unicorn guard mare stepped up. 

"What is it Holiday Star?" Captain Tightship looked up from his checklist. He has been going over everything they were bringing back to Canterlot and going over orders as they readied to depart. "Speak up I can't hear you when you're mumbling like that!" He ordered.

"SIR! I BELIEVE HIRING THAT MECRCANARY WAS A VERY BAD IDEA, SIR!" Holiday shout like when she was still back in basic training.  She realized how loud she just was while Tightship stares flatly at her. "Sorry," she blushed. Clearing her throat. "Sir, as I yelled. I  don't think it's a good idea to have the mercenary around. What if he tries to steal the valuables or makes a call to some of his buddies and they try and kidnap the princess?! He's not even a pony! Or a griffon for that matter. He's something that's supposed to be a myth in more ways than one!"

"Look Star," Tightship looked to the clearly frazzled unicorn. "Every creature in the pub we found him at vouches for him. I had several guard ponies with me and the pubbers were very leery of us from the start and when he spoke up they said nothing and let us be," he explained. "He was sitting in the best let booth reading and drinking tea, at a pub! Yes, he is strange-looking but if his reputation from the myths, legend, and rumors from the battlefields are to be believed even a little, then he's exactly what we need right now. Someone loyal and who won't question the orders of his employer. If the princess says we use him, then we use him. No, but about!"

"Yes sir," Holiday Star acknowledged her commander begrudgingly. "But I'll still be keeping on him."

"You and all the other guards with us, myself included," Tigthship poked himself in the chest plate with his quill dapping some ink on it. "Damn it, look get these crates loaded into one of the carriages. I have to go clean this ink off.." he said turning around not noticing that Star was looking up, her ears pinned to the back of her head in fear. Tigthship then bumped into someone standing right behind. "Look I..." He trailed off to see Levi standing over him.

Levi bent down and Tightship froze in place. "Look if this is about..." he didn't get to finish as Levi bent over and Tightship snapped his eyes shut expecting a warning to come from the sellsword but instead...

*Sprits*

*Erk*Eek*Erk*Eek*

Levi then stood back up and his shadow moved away allowing Tightship to fall on his rump. Holiday rushed to his side, "Sir, what'd he Do?!"

Tightship just sat there staring at the human as he walked away and then looked down at his armor. The ink spot was gone. "He cleaned the ink spot of my armor..." he said in confusion as Holiday raised an eyebrow in disbelief. 

"What? You mean to tell me he somehow snuck up behind you and just cleaned your armor and then walked away?" Tightship slowly nodded. "So he's a living legend in more ways than one, a mercenary, like books, drinks tea at a pub, and above all else, he's a neat freak..." she turned her head only to see Levi leaning against a nearby wall. "What. The. Buck?" 
She was starting to think she was actually making a bigger deal about Levi than necessary.



On the way to Canterlot

Levi sat across from his employer as the carriage whizzed through the air pulled along by a full regiment of pegasi surrounding it on all sides. Celestia stared intently at the human sellsword. her curiosity was fully peaked as she said before, humans were the stuff of myths and legends in this, and with a living legend in front of her, she was biting at her hooves to ask him a slew of questions. Levi however kept his unwavering face as he simply read a book to pass the time.

Celestia was mentally psyching herself up then she composed herself, "Mr. Ackerman," Levi didn't look up. "Can you tell me about yourself and perhaps a bit about humans?"

"Ask your questions if you want," Levi said nonchalantly not even batting an eye as he turned the page of his book.

"Oh um..." She was a little more than surprised at his answer. She'd expected quite a bit of resistance from him about his species and about his past. "I must say I'm more than shocked that your willing to share that  information with me."

"I have nothing to hide in my past," Levi shrugged still not looking up from his book.  "You've probably heard more than a few gruesome stories about The  Butcher," he said nonchalantly.

"So ah... where are you from?" Celestia asked.

"You could say from across the Lunar Sea," he replied.

"Thar's quite far," She said with raised eyebrows. "D you miss your tribe or your family?"

"I don't have a tribe and never did," Levi looked up from his book this time and motioned with his hand. "I woke up in a dark forest with a few supplies and a note. As for as I know I am the only human on this whole planet," He held his book back up to his face and as Celestia was about to say something. "And before you start the petty part crap don't I am not sad I am the only one of my kind in fact it makes it much easier to survive being alone."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that," Celestia looked down and then huffed shaking off the comment. "Do you at least have or had a family where you came from?"

"No," he said bluntly flipping a page. "I landed in a forest as me and no memories of who I used to be except for a few scraps of a name, Levi Ackerman."

"Sure you have some creature you care for?" Celestia felt disgusted and heartache at the same time at the mention of the last few comments Levi had made.

"I did have some pony special and I do have a small family," Levi said and the princess perked up quite a bit.

"I'm sure they'd like to see you," She smiled. "Wait, you said did have. Do they not care for you anymore?" The carriage hit a bump in the air.

Levi didn't even flinch. "She died," he said but with a bitterness in his tone this time.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Celestia recoiled a bit. "What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"

"There's no need to be sorry princess," Levi closed his book. "You had nothing to do with her death. Strawberry Surprise was her name. She owned a strawberry plantation close to South Luna Ocean where entered your country that she let me work on it. Eventually, we fell in love with each other and got married. We could have children so we adopted." he stood up.

"How... how did she die?" Celestia hesitantly asked, excepting Levi's answer to be that of some creature hunting him down out of revenge.

Levi smiled a soft and somber smile, "She died peacefully in her sleep." 

She was flabbergasted, "How old was she?"

"In her nineties, I think," Levi tapped the side of his face as he thought.

She then swallowed a lump in her throat, "Mr. Levi, how old were you when you were with Strawberry Surprise?"

"At the time we met I was in my upper forties," Levi replied. "When she died I was approaching a hundred and ten, give or take."

"How old are you now?!" the princess nearly shout as she placed her hooves over her mouth. "I'm sorry that was very rude of me."

"No it was a perfectly justified reaction," Levi shook his head. "To answer your question, my current age is around a hundred and sixty. As far as I know, I am ageless. I can still get scars on my body if I am wound severally enough but to my knowledge, I CAN NOT die."

"No wonder you're so blunt about things," Celestia folded her ears against her head. "It was hard for me an..." she stopped herself then clearing her throat and spoke. "It was hard for me to come to terms with immortality as well. I had several ponies by my side but you... you just had your family... it must have been hard..."

"At first but by the time of the wedding I was over it," Levi walked over to the carriage door. "We both figured it out and I didn't want to get closer but I did anyways cause I loved her. After she died I left the plantation after a year or so. I couldn't be there anymore watching my children and grandchildren grew old and die around me."

"So you left," Celestia answered.

"I returned to the life I knew before and have walked the roads of a sellsword ever since," Levi grabbed the handle of the carriage. "It's been just a little too quiet since we left the Griffon territory."

"What are you going to do," Celestia asked. "You can't fly so you can't go after them. What are you going to do? Jump from cloud to cloud?"

"Precisely," Levi gave an evil grin as he jumped out of the carriage much to Celestia's shock.





Pulling two metal tubes from his side he took note of a good-sized cloud coming up. Angling himself just right he landed on the cloud and took off running on it shocking every pony there.  He held up one of his metal tubes after some aim at a new cloud pulled a trigger and *BANG!* shot a grappling hook into the cloud. He clicks a button on his gun and after a small release of gas from his pick was whizzing through the clouds. He knelt down and pulled out a spyglass and looked over the horizon on the cloud he landed on. One of the pegasi landed next to him.

"How are you even up here on a cloud without wings?" The guard said and then notice he was looking to the horizon. "Is there something out there?"

"I thought it was a little too quiet," Levi replied scanning the horizon. "My gear is enchanted so I can fight in all terrains, by the way, even the sky's clouds. There they are."

"What?"

"Raiders," Levi let the guard look through his spyglass. "Look to be ponies and griffins, maybe a few birds too. "Alert your regiments."

The guard saluted and flew back to the main group. Levi switched from his guns to his blades. Levi had been able to streamline his gear and make it to where he could use his guns and blades on one system. His new gear was enchanted with several layers of enchants for various things, his boots and grapplers specifically enchanted mainly for different terrains and surfaces but mainly quick grip and release.

"Let's see what you feather brains got!" Levi said as he attached two sword blades to his controls and then flew off.

The guards were all left in awe as the Butcher unleashed himself on the raiders. They flew in with swords, spears, bows, and arrows, and even crossbows drawn but that did very little to a target that wouldn't keep still long enough for any creature to get in close or even be able to aim properly. Using his grappling cables to dart from cloud to cloud Levi mad e short of the raiders as he spun around as a top sliced them to pieces. Soon there were little to none left alive. Those that he slashed and were left in the air soon came to feel the chill of ice in their wounds down to their very bone. Levi's blades were made from a very special type of steel found nowhere on the market. Its enchantment was forged into the metal as the blade was made.





He easily cut through the ranks of the raiders. He never missed a beat as he spun like a top cutting through enemy after enemy with flashes of silver and red. Blood was spilled very were and even on his face yet he continued to slice through his foes with ease as he whirled around them in the sky.





The guards set up camp for the night in a clearing. It allowed Levi to wash the blood from his clothes He was coming back from a stream when he overheard a few conversations from the guards.

"I never excepted to see a human but to see him fight in the sky as if he were flying was something else. That strange armor he wears wasn't just for show. I thought it was less proactive then and now we know why."

"I know I overheard one of the unicorns say he was going to try and scan it while Mr. Ackerman was washing off only to have his spell redirected and sap his own horn. According to Hall Horse, Mr. Ackerman has a lot of enchantments on his gear. That's why he was able to fight in the clouds like that."

"I heard from some of the others that the wounds on the captured raiders were so clean-cut they had no issue for those the needed stitches. At least the lucky ones anyway."

"Lucky ones?"

"Yea apparently some of the raiders with deeper cuts had their  flesh blackened and frozen."

"Yikes,"

"Yea I'm glad we hired him. If we didn't and some creature else did we'd have been buck for sure."

The guards then noticed Levi standing there, "Oh, Mr. Levi sir, come and join us for a drink."

"Thanks for the offer but I don't drink alcohol," Levi held up a hand. "Have good night fellas and ladies." He said heading to his tent and finding his employer waiting for him. "Good evening princess."

"Do you enjoy making others worry about you?" Celestia asked sternly. "I saw you jumped from the carriage I had a heart attack, literally. Then you go ahead and dive straight into attacking raiders!" she yelled stomping a hoof. "Do you have any idea what could've happened to you?"

"Nothing that hasn't happened before," Levi shrugged off the question.

"You might be an immortal but that doesn't mean dive straight into death," Celestia scolded but Levi was unfazed and remained indifferent.

"I'm a sellsword princess, it's my job to dive headfirst into danger," Levi pointed out. "I do my job so I can make a paycheck. I took on the raiders because it was to protect you and your ponies. There is no need for them to die when I can take the risk myself and not die. I may seem cruel and indifferent Princess but I do have A conscience. There are things I do regret doing and those I regret killing but I am still paid to do my job. And my current job is to protect you and yours."

"Mr. Arckerman," Celestia looked at Levi sternly then sighed, knowing he was completely in the right.

"I would think we are on more of a first name basis at this point Princess," Levi crossed his arms.

"Levi, I really and truly do appreciate you protecting my ponies and I, but please have a little more consideration of how others feel about your actions," Celestia said. "And no more princess. If I can call you Levi you can call me Celestia. I would like you to at least consider that curtsey as I consider you my friend. I will let you rest now I know you must be tired."

She started to walk out, "Thank you, Celestia," he said causing her to stop in the doorway. "Your welcome Levi," she said softly. "Please get some sleep." She trotted out.



A few months later, Canterlot Castle Drawbridge...

"Levi I wish you would stay," Celestia said as she and a few of her guards stood in front of Levi. "We could really use some pony like you."

"My time in your employ is up Celestia and I have stayed in this city longer than necessary," Levi said. "There are other places that are in need of my services as a sellsword."

"But... I don't want to lose my friend," Celestia cried. "Please stay..." She pleaded for him to stay.

She had been alone for so long and Levi had come to be somewhat of a brother to her. Although his face rarely waivered he still express emotions from time to time and he was not opposed to speaking his mind to any pony. Although he portrayed a harsh and cold being he was actually quite nice and caring. Levi would often read with her and they would share tea and cake while doing so often. Celestia knew he'd had to go but she didn't expect the sudden departure.

"I don't want to be alone again..." Celestia said softly,

Levi walked over and  reached up and wrapped his arms around her neck, "I have to go Celestia but I will write to you."

"You better," She chuckled as she wrapped her wings around the sellsword. "You'll always be welcome here Levi," she nuzzled his cheek. 

"Next time see I better see tears of joy," Levi pulled back and wiped away her eyes. "Okay?" He actually smiled wide for all to see.





The light reflected in Celestia's eyes as they widen greatly, "I promise. The next time you see my tear they will be happy ones."

"Good," he nodded. "Take care of her guys and gals..."

"SIR YES SIR! MR. LEVI ACKERMAN SIR!" The guards all saluted. He's spent many a day helping train the recruits and gained much respect from the guards.  They treated him as if he were a captain but as he was a mercenary went with Mister instead.

"Goodbye, for now, my little ponies..." Levi Ackerman waved as he turned and left as he green cloak with the white over blue wings crest on the bac fluttered in the wind. He departed to wander the lands in search of work once more...




> Prologue-A Man, his Daughter, and their Family's Legacies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Levi Ackerman is now one hundred and seventy-five. He has wondered in Equestria for roughly fifteen years after his job working for Princess Celestia as her personal bodyguard. His current location was in the southwestern region near the Luna Ocean close to where he'd originally entered the country from. He was here to visit someone.  He looked up at a very old and very worn-out sign barely swaying in the breeze with a low creaking to it. The sign said in fade but still bright eye-catching letters, 

'Strawberry Jam Plantation'

 

Letting out a sigh Levi mumble, "I'm home," a tear rolled down his cheek a bouquet of white flowers in his arms.

Levi walked through the gate onto the plantation. He looked around and saw many ponies working in the fields. Being late spring to early summer this was the time to pick the strawberries. He saw many of the ponies and noted the ones that were of the strawberry bloodline and the ones that had married into the family. He mostly used subtle hints like facial features but also the ponies' cutiemarks.

He walked around noting that the layout hadn't really changed in the sixty-five years he'd been gone but a lot had been added in. It was only natural as time progressed. He walked until several ponies felt uncomfortable about a tall skinny green cloaked minotaur looming over them.

One of them finally came up and asked, "Excuse me sir but can I help you with something? You just walked in here and all your wandering around the plantation is making a lot of the ponies here just a bit nervous," The stallion looked to the green cloaked masked man. 

His face hidden under a white blank mask he'd taken to wearing while traveling in order to hide his face. Levi was the only human in this land as far as he knew. There was nothing particularly special about this mask. It was made of a rare white wood the was very sturdy but very light making it to where it was easy to wear. It was an extremely simple design as well with only two eye holes for opening. It did have an Anonymity spell cast on it so others wouldn't notice him if he was in large crowds. 





He would often draw attention from his presence alone but could often play himself off as a young minotaur except for when he stayed in one place for a longer period of time. That's when he turned to wearing his hood up more often and when he was on the jobs he took he would wear this mask. He eventually took to wearing it while traveling as it deterred most from questioning him period.

"Yes little one," Levi spoke softly. "I am here to pay my respect to a... to an old friend of mine," he explained politely. "I was wondering if somepony would be so kind as to point me in the direction of the cemetery."

"I'm sorry to say sir but the only cemetery we have here is the old Strawberry Family graveyard, and I highly doubt you know any pony buried there," the stallion remarked in confusion.

"Please it's... very important," Levi pleaded with a bit of sadness in his voice.

The stallion sighed. "As long as you stay with your guide," He pointed a hoof at Levi.

"That is fine," Levi nodded.

"Strawberry Marmalade," the stallion called out and a unicorn mare with a white cream coat a strawberry blonde mane and tail with graded into bright vibrant green at the tips with vibrant sparkling sapphire blue eyes and a what looked like red jam in a jar cutie mark trotted out. "Yes, papa?"

"Show this minotaur to the family graveyard but stay with him," the stallion pointed at Levi while Marmalade tilted her head and then nodded. "Follow me please." she trotted off. "And call me Mar."

"With pleasure," Levi followed.

About an hour went by and Levi found himself looking at a family graveyard. "Here we are. What the name of the pony you're looking for? I can help you look," Mar smiled in a way that reminded him of Strawberry Surprise.

"Hmhm... No need little one," he patted her head. "I know exactly where she is buried."

"Okay but I still have to stay with you," Mar trotted after him confused as Levi walked past the main graves to a set of two lone standing tombstones under a tree. "Why did you come all the way out here to these two. Almost no pony comes out this part of the farm, even from my family. It's only on a really special occasion that any pony does."

Levi pulled down his hood off and then took off his mask and hooked it to his belt. He then took a canteen and poured some crystal clear water over the left grave whose red granite tombstone read 'Strawberry Surprise Ackerman'. He knelt down placing the bouquet on the ground at the base of the tome stone.





Strawberry Marmalade froze in place the face she saw. Her jaw hit the ground at the sight of the human before her. The scar on the right side of his face was a dead giveaway for her ancestor, the one who disappeared, presumed dead. The one whose Tombstone sat not but six feet away from her now.

"Hey there Strawberry, it's been a while hasn't it," Levi spoke softly. " about sixty-five years," he places a hand on the stone as tears ran down his face. "I never stop thinking about you or the kids and our grandkids. You made me... so happy..." Levi's tears hit the ground.

He stayed that way for a while and then looked over to Marmalade and smiled. "You have her smile," he stood and placed the mask back on his face. "It was very nice to meet you Mar, but now I must go before it gets too late."

"But.... but... this is your home you don't have leave," marmalade said as she briskly walked alongside her grandfather. "We were always told the stories about you and told that if a two-legged creature that resembles a centaur in green comes to allow him to stay as long as he wants. YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE WITHOUT SEEING SOMEPONY!" She'd managed to get in front and jumped up to put her hooves on his chest.

"She waited for you to come home for so long," she let tears of her own fall now. "Great granny Streusel is still waiting for you!" Levi froze. "She still here and waiting, she never stopped. She's always by the door saying 'papi will come home and I want to greet him when he does'. She never once thought you were dead! Never!"

Levi just stood there while his decent cried and begged him to see his daughter, "Alright then. Marmalade take me to see my little girl..."

Marmalade's eyes got as big as dinner plates. She immediately took him to the old homestead where a wrinkled older butterscotch yellow mare with silver mane and tail sat in a rocking chair waiting by a door.

Marmalade trotted up to her great great grandmother, she was Levi and Strawberry Surprise's youngest daughter Strawberry Streusel. Though she was very very old she was still very much aware of the world around her and could be extremely spry when she wanted to be. Most does she just sat on the porch in her rocker waiting. Many called her nuts and most of her family thought her idea of her father still being alive was to but they still wouldn't bad mouth her about it. Granny Streusel would whomp anybody she disagreed with her walking stick. A stick that was given to her by her parents from their tree, the one where the graves were.

"Granny granny wake up," Mar trotted in place.

"Snu.. wah... I'm not sleepin.. Oh, Marmy it's just you." Granny Streusel rubbed her eyes, the same blue eyes that her all her fillies and their fillies all the way down to Marmalade herself. "Aren't ya supposed to be in the field with your papi today Marmy?"

"I was, but then he asked me to take somepony out to the cemetery granny," Mar said. "After a bit, I was able to convince them to come and see you!"

"Calm down child you'll give me a heart attack if ya keep shaking me like that," Granny Streusel bonked the mare on the head. "Now who came to see me?" Mar rubbed her head and Levi chuckled. "That laugh... I know that laugh..."

Levi came up to the porch pulling his mask off and knelt down to be eye level with his daughter, "Hi Streusel... I'm home.."

Streusel opened her eyes wide to reveal her blue eyes. She reached up with her hooves and touched Levi's face, Tears well up in her eyes and fell like waterfalls. "Papi.... My papi... you're home..." Levi held his daughter like he did when she was a filly and she was content. For so long she'd waited and now he was home.





Four years later...

Levi spent a small part of his time either reading and enjoy tea with his daughter Streusel. He also liked cleaning would be out in front of the barn practicing his swordplay. It was something that he often did and sometimes he would often have a fan club and a few of his family members who wanted to learn a few tricks. He saw no harm in teaching the ponies how to better defend themselves so he obliged them. Sure there wasn’t nearly as much need for as when he came to the plantation main years prior but better safe than sorry.

His most promising pupil was Marmalade. No matter what day it was she always wants a listen from her grandfather, even if what a minor. She came even if it was her days to work in the strawberry fields or do chores around the plantation. She and Levi often practiced in front of Streusel to give the old mare a bit of entertainment. Levi would also tell them stories about his adventures across the world. The foals often loved hearing these before dinner. Levi always glammed it up for them and the other, it helped him have a bit of peace by reliving some of his old life.

Currently, Levi was sparring with Marmalade and letting Streusel watch as per the usual.

*THWACK!*

"That's it Marmy, put more of a half spin into the tilt and not your full weight," Levi instructed his granddaughter by a few generations. "Remember what we want is quick rapid strikes one after the other,"

*THWACK!*
*THWACK!*
*THWACK!*

"There we go keep me on the defensive, don't give me time to catch my breath or get my footing," He added. He was teaching her how to fight without magic. It was easier to fight with it cause she could hold the blade any way she wanted but by having her use her mouth she was more prone to be able to fight without magic. Levi never put much stock in magic, yes it had its uses but he never was one for the easy way to go about things either.

"And overhead strike!" he raises his training sword above his head and barreled down.

*THWACK!*

Marmy and Levi were locked, "You've gotten a lot better Marmy but you still have a long way to go before you can beat me," Levi added pressure. He was only using one hand currently.

"I havmt vost vet!" Marmy said through her teeth just as determined as ever. She suddenly smirked and then let go of her sword causing Levi to fall face-first into the ground but this mare wasn't done yet. "Get him everypony!" Suddenly from all directions, Levi was pelted with Strawberry family foals that pinned him to the ground and started to tickle their grandfather.

"HAHAHAHAAHAHA! Stop!' Levi laughed.

"Admit met it, grandpa, admit you lost to me and then I see if I can stop them," Marmy evilly smirked.

"Okay, oaky you when!" Levi laughed.

"Okay everypony that's enough," Marmy pulled the giggling foals off their grandfather. "Ha I beat I finally beat you!" She gloated.

Levi stood up and looked down placing a hand on her head. "Yes you did Marmy and I am very proud of you,"  He tussled her mane causing her to giggle. "You used a tactic I wouldn't have thought of to win and use it well you did. But one thing you forgot to account for," Levi stopped and Marmy tiled her head. "Revenge, get her!" He pointed and suddenly the foal all head stars for eyes and big grins as they jumped the teenage mare and tickled her this time.

"Marmalade, Levi," Came a mare's voice from the house. "You two get the little ones to wash up. It's supper time. Then you two bring Granny Streusel in."

"Okay Rush," Levi called back. "Okay every pony you heard Rush It's suppertime, go wash up!" The foals pouted but knew better than to back talk. Levi helps Marmy up to her hooves. "You get Streusel I'll handle the little ones."

Marmy puffed out her cheeks pouting, "Not fair Grandpa. I use that move first." she squinted and then giggled. "Okay, I'll get Granny Streusel. " Marmalade trotted up to her grandmother in her rocker chair, her whomping stick next to her. "Granny, it's time for supper.

No response.

"Guess I'll have to shake ya again," Marmalade rolled her eyes. Placing a hoof on her grandmother the young mare shook her elder slightly. "Granny come on it's supper time. Ya need to wake up,"

No response.

"Come on granny this isn't funny," Marmalade nudged her grandmother. "Ya need to get up!"

"Marmalade what's taking so long?" Levi stepped ot dry his hands to look over at the pair.

"Grandpa Levi, Granny Streusel won't wake up," MarmalAde said as he looked at Levi. 

He walked over knelt down next to his daughter, placing a hand on her hoof he checks her pulse, No Response.

"What's goin on Grandpa why aren't you saying anything to her, she always wakes up for you," Marmalade was starting to get worried now.

Levi stood up and Marmalade saw the tears rolling down his face and she knew, "No... nonononono... she... she was fine just an hour ago..." She stared as tears of her own welled up. "She... can't be..."

Levi turned to his granddaughter and held her tight in his arms as she cried out. Everypony came to see what was going on. Levi told them to keep the foals in the house as quietly as he could. Marmy cried for hours and Levi never left her side. Strawberry Streusel Ackerman, the youngest of Levi Ackerman's children had passed away that afternoon with a soft smile on her face. She was laid to rest next to her husband in the family graveyard not for from her mother.

Days laters...

Marmalade trotted about the Strawberry household. She hadn't felt like do much of anything after her grandmother's funeral. The only pony she would even get close to was her grandfather and even then she only stayed off to the side out of the way. She was now just wandering around looking for Levi as he hadn't been around at breakfast having gone to town earlier today and wouldn't be back until tonight. She'd just heard from her mother that Levi had just come back and was in his room.

Marmalade was standing outside Levi's door and she steadily raised a hoof and knocked three times, "Come in," she heard. Marmalade opened the door and saw Levi sitting at his desk writing. Not far from him was an ivory-colored candle with a pink flame. "He looked over with his usual gaze. "Marmy, are you okay?"

"No," she said as her ears folded against her head. "My heart hurts..." she looked down.

Levi set down his quill, "Come here," he said. She slowly trotted over. Levi bent down and picked her up and wrapped her in a warm hug. "It's gonna be alright Marmy," he stroked her mane. "She was very old and ponies don't live forever. I was honestly shocked she held on for so many more years after I came back. She's in a better place now though. She back with all those who she lost."

"Except you," Marmy pointed out. Levi didn't stop stroking her mane. She then asked the question he'd been waiting for someone in the house to ask. "When are you leaving?"

"In a few months," Levi sighed as Marmy pulled back, tears streamed from her eyes.

"I don't want you to leave," She cried. "I lost granny I... I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU TO GRANDPA!" she buried her muzzle into his neck.

"I can't stay Marmy," Levi sighed. "I will come back and visit though," he hugged her.

"Grandpa," she said. "I...I've always wanted to see what's out in Equestria and... you've been teaching me a lot these last few years. Could I... come with you..."

"Marmy," Levi pulled her back to look into her blue eyes. "My type of life isn't meant for kind-hearted ponies like you. I have really enjoyed my time here these last few years. They have been some of the happiest I have had in a long time but I can't stay too long. If you come with me you'd be on the move constantly. Do you honestly think you can leave everypony here and never really settle down in one place for longer than a few months?"

"Would... would we come back here to visit?" Marmy begged.

"Marmy I already told you I would come to see you," Levi sighs. "You remind me so much of Surprise sometimes. So I'll do what she did when I was thinking about leaving the first time. I won't tell you no and I won't tell yes either. As I said I have some months before I'm leaving. I won't stop your training BUT I won't give you advice on leaving either. Talk it over with your folks and the family. They already knew I planned on leaving, so did Streusel." 

Marmy looked at her grandfather. "I will do what I have to so I can to be ready Grandpa Levi." Her eyes shined in the candlelight. "On another note, what are you doing?"

"I was actually writing a letter to a friend I made some years ago while work for her as her bodyguard," Levi explained. "I was telling her about what happened while also checking on her a bit. I haven't really written to her in a few weeks so she's most likely pretty worried about me."

"What her name?" Marmy asked.

"Oh I never told any of you that story before have I," Levi chuckled nervously. "Well, as I said, it was some time ago, almost twenty years now in fact. I was hired as Princess Celestia's bodyguard." Marmy's eyes widen with wonder. "It all started in a town with no name, in  a pub..."
> Friends, new and old
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




Ten years later...

Celestia sat in her room in front of her sitting on a pillow staring hard sat a little lavender unicorn filly trying to change the color of an apple from red to green as it sat in front of her face on her desk. To her left just outside of the reach of the window behind the princess was a little purple and green bassinet with an amethyst whelp with a bright green spine snoozing as he sucked on his tail. Twilight Sparkle, Celestia's personal protégé, and her adopted son Spike. She has been with the pair for roughly six months now. 

"Perhaps we should take a break from magic today Twilight," Celestia smiled while her pupil looked disappointed.

"No I know I can get this princess just one more try," Twilight said as she concentrated and her horn was covered in a lavender aura and then there was a pop and as the apple change color from red to purple. "Awwwww..."

"At least you got it to change this time," Celestia giggled. "But that is enough for today. How about we go outside for some tea and cakes."

"Just one more time..." Twilight let her horn.

"That's enough twilight," Celestia sighed as she picked up the apple in her own magic and moved it off to the side. She then levitated Twilight onto her back and Spike into his stroller. "You need a break my student and Spike needs fresh air." the little whelp giggled as he'd woken up from his nap.

"But.., but .., learning..." Twilight gestures to the table. 

"I understand the importance of learning my faithful student, "Celestia said calmly. "But too much of a good thing is can lead to it becoming a bad thing. I know you're eager Twilight but don't let it lead to becoming you sole focus. If you still want to learn then learn other things, like the outside world." She trotted along as she pushed Spike in his stroller he little whelp blowing green flames. "Speaking of Learning, it's good that I had the mages learn how to enchant against dragon fire." 

"Princess, I have been wondering something?" Twilight looked up to her mentor. "Why did you keep Spike? He's a dragon. Shouldn't he be with other dragons?"

"Normally yes but Spike is... a difficult case my student," They came to a willow tree and Celestia used her magic to set out a blanket and toys for the little whelpling. "I found his egg on the shores of the ocean the separate our lands from those of the dragons while on a stroll. He was there all alone, not even footprints or signs of any creature around. Dragons never abandon their eggs, they will die defending them until the end," She explained setting the filly and whelp down with her magic on the blanket with a few toys for Spike. "My guess it that he was either thrown from  the nest near the ocean or he was stolen by a Firzard who was looking for a meal and was desperate."

"Why we anypony want to eat Spike?!" Twilight frantically grabbed the little drake who was nimble on a gem tooth ring.

"Firzards are animals Twilight, the must eat to," Celestia laid down on her belly. "Zards are common magical animals that are highly adaptive to their environments that they're born into. They are large reptilian frog-like creatures on two powerful hind legs and the breed in great numbers/ Their most prominent feature is their large mouths that take up most of their body that is lined with sharp teeth that can tear through nearly anything except enchanted metal."

"They sound like a decent resource," Twilight pointed out. "Has any pony tried farming them? As for the magic metal thing, I wonder if it's because their own magic allows them to adopted and use natural magic and not refined magic."

"Very astute observation my purple apprentice," Celestia nuzzled Twilight lovingly. "As for the farms, some ponies have managed to tame them but it is extremely hard due to the Zards being predators so one must be stern or they'll be eaten. Firzards a quite common in the Dragonlands due to the Zards being around volcanoes, magma, and most of all fire. They also compete with dragons for food."

"They eat gems too," Twilight raised an eyebrow as she rubbed her chin.

"Hmhmhm... No little one," Celestia chuckled. "Dragons don't only eat gems but also meats, the flesh of other creatures, at one time they also ate ponies," Twilight's fill flat against her head as her eyes shrank. "Don't worry Twilight, Spike will not try and eat you. Those times were long ago, even before my time. But as I was saying, zards will eat most any meats, even their own kinds. Though they rarely go against a dragon unless, in mass, it isn't unheard of one to be stupid or desperate enough to try and snatch a dragon egg. How Spike got here is a mystery, he fell into the sea and was thought lost. No pony has gone to the Dragonlands and returned though. Not in over a thousand years." Celestia laid their content for a while then...

"Princess," Twilight called out.

"Yes,"

"Spike is chewing on my tail," Twilight humped annoyed. Celestia raised her head to see the little whelping going to town know in the lavender pony's tail. 

"He must be hungry," Celestia pulled a bottle with some blue milk in it out from under Spike's stroller with her magic and a book. "Here Twilight. See if you can find any of the plants in this book in the gardens while I feed Spike. But be careful and try not to get lost. Even the guards get turned around in there."

"Yay, an assignment," Twilight hopped around and grabbed the book in her magic, and ran off.

"Oh dear that filly," Celestia shook her head and then pulled a scroll from her saddlebag. "Let's see what Levi has been up to lately..." She unfurled the scroll and started to read.

 Sometime later with Twilight...

"Here's an interesting one, kind of looks like fire," Twilight awed at the pretty flower that had red vibrant petals on the top and bright yellow bottoms. 





"Let's see what you're called," Twilight giggled as she flipped through the book. "Ah, here you are," She pointed in the book looking at the flower with excitement. "Hmm... It says... Gloriosa Superba is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. Common names include flame lily. Ha called it," She pointed at the flower in pride. "Urf... Continuing now. The climbing lily, creeping lily, glory lily, gloriosa lily, tiger claw, and fire lily. This species is a perennial herb growing from a fleshy rhizome. It is scandent, climbing using modified leaf-tip tendrils, the stem reaching 4 m (13 ft) long. The leaves are mainly alternately arranged, but they may be opposite, as well. They are somewhat lance-shaped and tipped with tendrils, and they are up 13 to 20 cm (5.1 to 7.9 in) long. The showy flower has six tepals each up to 5 to 7.6 cm (2.0 to 3.0 in) long. They are generally bright red to orange at maturity, sometimes with yellowish bases. The margins may be quite wavy. The six stamens also are long, up to 4 cm (1.6 in), and each bears a large anther at the tip that drops large amounts of yellow pollen. The style may be more than 6 cm (2.4 in) long. One flower may weigh over 2.5 g (0.09 oz). The fruit is a fleshy capsule up to 6 to 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in) long, containing red seeds. Cultivars of this popular garden plant may vary from these wild-type characteristics; the cultivar 'Lutea' has all-yellow tepals, 'Citrina' is yellow with red markings, and 'Nana' is a dwarf. Purple forms are also known."





"I wonder if they taste good," Twilight eye the flower, her mother water at the exotic flavor that it held. "No, no non no. Momma and Princess Celestia are always saying don't eat flowers until you know what it is. Besides this the princess's garden, what if she eats these for a snack. I'd been in big trouble then," she started to picture it and freaked out galloping away at full speed crying she was sorry until she ran right into some pony legs knocking them on their rump.

"Oof, hey watch... Where'd ya go?" the old stallion looked around and then heard sniffling. He looked to the source and saw a little lavender filly hiding under a big book and crying. "Oh dear," he sighed. The stallion was a pegasus, he faded dark blue coat with a faded bright orange and yellow striped mane and tail with a solid build and pink eyes and a flattop mane style. "Hey there Twilight. What did you do? You can tell me and then we can go see the princess together okay?" He coaxed the filly out from her booky hiding placed and used a handkerchief to dry her eyes. "There we go all better. You wanna talk about what ya did."

She nodded shakily. The old stallion put the filly on his back and trotted back the way from which Twilight had been galloping. She told him what she was doing and what had happened and that's when he laughed and told her she was freaking out in her mind and Twilight blushed heavily with embarrassment

"HAHAHAAHA..."

"Please don't laugh Captain Tightship," Twilight begged as she turned the book into a shell and it under it like a turtle.

"I'm sorry Twilight that was mean," Tightship caught his breath. "And I'm not the guard captain anymore, remember I retired last month. So it's Mr. Tightship now."

"Okay Mr. Tightship," Twilight acknowledged, popping her head out of her book shell.

"Does anything look familiar to you little one?" Tight ship trotted in a circle and Twilight shook her head no. "In all honesty, I never came to this side of the castle too much in my youth so I'm not familiar with it. No pony ever really comes down this way except for routine patrols. It leads to the old crystal mines under the castle. It's pretty dangerous down there so we never actually went in them. Does this look familiar?"

"I think I came in from that way," She pointed with a tiny hoof. "I can see sunlight!" she hopped down and gave a slow trot toward the light.

Tightship checked his surroundings and started to recognize them, "Ah I know where we are now," he said as he grabbed Twilight by the scruff of her neck and placed her back on his back. "Stay there this time. I don't need you getting lost in the statues. I'd never hear the end of it from my wife or the princess."

Tigthship took a little time doing his best not to get turned around. He wanted to go by a certain statue. One that he often came to see every time he came to the castle. One of an old friend. Tightship was always careful when making these trips to the statue you as he never knew when the princess would be here. He knew she did mind his company but sometimes he felt it was just wrong to intrude on her time with the piece of ornamentation. Celestia knew it was just a hunk of rock and so did Tightship but it still helped being able to talk to it.

"There you are you old bastard," Tightship smirked. "Don't tell any pony a cursed in front of you Twilight," he whispered to the little filly.

"Daddy and momma do it at home too," Twilight said. "They say as long as I don't repeat their words in front of other ponies I'm okay to hear that grown pony language. Shiny used one word one time and momma washed his mouth out with a bar of soap. Shiny was burping bubbles all night," She giggled. "but I don't want to have to have to eat soap so I don't say the words."

"As long as you don't same them," He patted her head with his wings and she giggled. "No, I wanted to come to say hi to an old friend." Tightship looked up at the statue in front of them.

"Can I see? I've never been in this part of the statuary before," Twilight asked sheepishly.

Tightship sat down and let the filly slide off her back. She shed her book shell and looked up to see a statue of a strange two-legged creature that resembled pictures of minotaurs she'd seen in book but with the face and similar build of Centaurs, she's also read about. His legs were strange though. They were completely straight and his hooves were completely flat. It also appeared as if the creature was wearing clothes from the pieces of flat stone protruding out in the area and he was pulling a cloak or a flag of some kind to him. Twilight was leaning more toward the flag due to the over-lapping winged symbol engraved in the stone.





"Mr. Tightship," Twilight looked up and the statue with sparkles in her eyes. "What is this thing? I've never seen any creature like it before?"

"That's understandable little one," Tigthtship patted her head again. "This is what's known as a human."

"A human, as in the old stories of two-legged things that wore clothes all the time?' She looked to the old captain totally perplexed. "This is what somepony thought they would look like?"

"I can guarantee you Twilight that this is what most would resemble if they were real," Tightship pointed at the statue who's eyes stared at you with and unwavering gaze.

As soon as Twilight saw them she was confused. "He looks so unfeeling, mean, and cold.." she shied away back behind Tightship and quickly went back inside her book shell. "He's scary..." she shivered. 

"HAHAHA... He won't come after you. Come on silly filly," Tightship put the cowering filly back on his back. "The princess is probably very worried about you. Seeing as you've been gone for a long time and you ran off from where you were supposed to be." He trotted off to meet with Celestia, along the way Twilight managed to fall asleep

It did take long before they heard a familiar voice calling out, "Twilight where are you!" Celestia called out then a few more along with her.

"Twilly!" came a young colt's voice.

"Twilight come out!" Cried a young mare.

"Over here everypony," Tightship called out.

Everypony rushed to see Tightship. "Oh Tightship thank Faust you found her, Where was she?"

"Running through the has at full speed like she'd done something wrong," Tightship chuckled. "She worked herself up in her head and sprinted up and would've kept going if she hadn't knocked me on my butt. I would've had her back sooner but I got lost myself. Luckily she found the back way to the Statuary."

"You took her to see our old friend didn't you?" Celestia gave a sly smirk.

"What's going on?" Shining Armor spoke up.

"Ah, Shining Armor I should introduce you to one of the Academies' best graduates from nearly fifty-two years ago," Celestia motioned to Tightship. "Former Captain of the Royal Guard and a very close friend of mine Tightship. Tightship, this is Shining Armor, Twilight's older brother. He plans on joining the guard academy in about eight months".

"SIR!" Shining Armor quickly popped to attention.

"We're not in the academy yet son so don't act like your a guard," Tigthship scolded. "I appreciate the enthusiasm Shining Armor but I have had enough of that for now. I'm on vacation for the next several months."

"Sorry sir," Shining flattened his ear against his head.

"No need to be sorry my boy," Tigthship waved a hoof. "I understand you better than you know. Saw your application after our princess handed to me personally," Shining tuned to Cadence who shook her head. "No, the other one," Ship chuckled as he pointed to Celestia. " 'His shield ability is on par with my own, perhaps even above it,' Is what she said. given who your baby sister is I would think so. I did some digging into your family and you come from a very long line of mages that have served the crown since the founding of this country. So much so that I would have thought your family would be more than just a minor nobility."

"The Sparkle Family has kept their status lowered for a reason," Celestia added. 

"Power corrupts sir," Shining put in.

"That I understand." Tightship nods. "Back to our other business Celestia. About our friend," Celestia nods in agreement. "Do you honestly think we can get him to come and stay in the city?"

"I'm sorry to cut this short but I should get Twilight home before it gets too late," Shining picked up his little sister and looked at the older ponies. "I look forward to seeing you at the academy sir. Princess, I would return your book but," He looked at Twilight clutching the book and snuggling in its pages as mumbled books in her sleep. "I don't think you'll get it back."

"Normally I wouldn't say anything but this time I can't let her take this one," Celestia said which utterly shocked every pony except the little whelp in his stroller gumming a sapphire. "Luckily I have this one to replace it," she brought out the book Twilight had got the color-changing spell from. "Allow me Shining," Celestia walked over ad leaned into Twilight, and whispering, "Twilight I have that lesson book from today if you want to practice..."

"Where?!" Twilight shouted as she shut up and looked around knocking her blank book of only for Cadence to catch it in her magic.

"Right here my faithful student," Celestia levitated the book over and Twilight jumped up and latched onto it with all four causing her older brother to catch her with his magic. "Wait what about the plant book Princess? Can't I read that one too?"

"Normally I wouldn't mind little one but this book is from my very personal collection," Celestia explained to Twilight's disappointment. "You see this book was handwritten and illustrated by the one who gave it to me about thirty years ago. It is one of the few things my friend made for me before he left to continue his journey across the land. It is very dear to me."

"Really, is it one of a kind?" Twilight got excited.

"Not exactly Twilight," Celestia shook her head. "There is a version available for ponies in the library and bookstores the had Tightship edit but this is the very first version. The parent novel or rough draft as many say."

"Twilight looked at her hooves, she had touched a book that spawned so many and it was from the Prince's own collection and it made her feel so honored. Sure, she couldn't borrow it but she felt satisfied that the Princess had trusted her enough to let the little filly use the book at all.

"Thank you for letting me use it princess, but if you'll let me could I at least read it in my time here?" Twilight said with big eyes.

Celestia smiled and leaned down, "Certainly my little student," she nuzzled Twilight giggled. "Just ask me. For now, you need to go home with Shining, it is close to dark so I must set the sun for today."

"Bye Princess," Twilight waved from atop her brother's back.

"I must be getting back to my wife princess, here," Tigthship said holding out a hoof. In it was a silver coin and on it a symbol with a white over the blue wing on it. "I was sent a couple of this coin about a year ago with a note that said 'follow the wings and ask for a 'Surprise.' should I need the Survey Corp. The other said to give one to you in a very familiar handwriting. I honestly would've don't but somethin always came up and I'd end up forgetting about."

"I see Levi has been busy since his departure from us," Celestia took the coin in her magic. "I thank you for this Tightship and I hope you and your wife enjoy your much-earned vacation."

"If that is all I shall take my leave princesses," Tightship saluted and then trotted out of the area and castle leaving Cadence with her Aunt and so many questions.

"Auntie," Cadence got the solar alicorn's attention. "Who were you talking about? It sounds like you two were very close if he went through such great length to hand-make such a detailed book. Like in love."

"I know where you're going with this Cadence," Celestia cut off her niece's train of thought. "Follow me to the statuary please." She trotted off to where Tightship had come from with Twilight.

"Okay," Cadence said with a head tilt and raised brow. 

They trotted along until they came to the statue of the human. "Sit with me Cadence," the pink princess came over and sat next to Celestia. "This is Levi Ackerman, the Human who made me this book."

"So the legends of humans are real?!" Cadence said in shock.

"Most of the legends the ponies these days know all sprang from rumors spread by others that may have had or seen some form of encounter with Levi," she explained. "As far as he knows and I know he is the only one of his kind to have ever been in Equestria. He came from across the Luna Ocean from a far-off land. And yes I did love him."

"But not the kind of love I was talking about right?" Cadence remarked with a half eyelid stare.

"Yes," Celestia said openly. "I'm not going to deny that he is quite handsome for a none pony but we never feel in love with each other outside of a sort of a friendship love some might call it," she said looking at the statue. "But with that being said he did help me relieve some pent-up urges a time or two but no we never fill in love with each other. He still loved his wife."

"The way you talk about him auntie makes it seem as if you miss him a great deal," Cadence moved closer and rested her head on Celestia's shoulder. "He must've been a very good creature if you let him get so close. I wish I could've met him."

"You still may Cadence," Celesta I looked at the coin Tightship had given her. 

Cadence looked at her aunt confused. "Auntie, the events that you and the former Captain were talking about happened over thirty years ago. If a human ages like any other normal creature here would in his seventies or eighties by now."

"No, he'd be much older than that by now Cadence," Celestia corrected her niece. "Levi is no spring chicken but he does have a form of Immortality similar to our own. If my math is correct he should be nearly two hundred years old by now."

Cadence stood there with her mouth open for a bit, "So the friend you were talking to Tightship about was this Levi Ackerman and you were going to try and hire him to train the upcoming group of guards that Shiny will be in!"

"If he does then he will," Celestia said firmly. "The platoon of guards that Tightship headed were the best I have ever had and after Levi trained them I never lost another soldier even to conflicts. Some may have been injured but never seriously."

"Auntie," Cadence was hesitant to ask now. "What did Levi do to make him leave if you two were so close that he even trained the best guard squadrons you had?"

"Nothing," Celestia shook her head standing up. "Levi is a sellsword Cadence, a mercenary to whoever hires him. He doesn't go back on his contracts on those who hire him until his job is done. He left because he felt it was time for him to move on, though I did try and get him to stay. It is time to go, Spike will need to be fed and washed for bed soon and I must still attend to paperwork for today," she said pushing the little whelping along as he below green spit bubbles.

"Why are you bring him back Auntie?" Cadence kept pace with her aunt.

"Because I want to see my old Friend," Celestia said proudly. "I think the guard program has laxed over the last thirty-odd years and I know Tightship would be able to handle it on his own but with Lev there... they'd be the second greatest graduating regiment after Tightship and Levi's 's first trained regiment of the seven hundredth and seventy-seventh." Cadence raised an eyebrow.

"They never lost a soldier in battle Cadence so don't look at me like that," Celestia stuck her nose up. "Now I have to lower the sun and paperwork. Would you mind feeding your cousin and getting her cleaned up?"

"You just don't want me to keep asking  questions?" Cadence narrowed her gaze.

"Obviously," Celestia smiled. "But also because I have several very important documents that I need to focus on and that  don't need singed or burnt at all."

"Fine," Cadence rolled her eyes as she levitated Spike onto her back. "Come on Spike, cousin Cady will feed and bath you since mommy is too busy, and because she doesn't want me to ask her about this Levi Ackman human creature..." Spike giggled with a clap. "And no pulling my mane this time mister," she trotted out of Celestia's room.

Celestia shook her head going out to the balcony, She let her horn and lowered the moon to reveal a sinister shadow overlooking the landscape below. The princess sighed and looked up as she sat down then rested her head on the railing.

"Oh Luna how I miss you, dear sister," She sighed as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She then recalled the coin Tightship had given her. She pulled it out of her feathers where she'd tucked it away so Spike wouldn't see it and try to have it as a snack. She turned the coin over a few times examining it. "Follow the wings and ask for a surprise. The Survey Corps. Just what have you been up to the past few years old friend?" She looked over the coin as she moved to her desk. "Why would he send Tightship the coin for me. He must've some pony might sort my mail, which he's isn't totally wrong but he has a direct line to me. Hmmm...." She looked closer at the other side of the coin and it had a large red strawberry. "He did say he married into the Strawberry family when he first came to Equestria. If I remember correctly his wife's name was Strawberry Surprise." A light bulb went off. "Well, there's a code word for anyone that wants to speak to the head of his operation if you know him as well as I do. Hmm." she started to chuckle. "I think I'll go the long way to get him to come here. That way I can at least see him if he turns down the job. Now follow the wings... " she levitated an address book of hers over to her. "Where is the nearest Strawberry member and their operation..."
> Michigan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Celestia was sitting at here desk working on papers while Twilight was working on a new spell. She was currently trying out small transfiguration from an apple to a brick. It wasn't going so well.

"Come on," Twilight muttered with gritted teeth and shut eyes as her horn glowed in a lavender hue.

*POP!* 

Everypony coughed from a bit of smoke that had filled the room. Celestia quickly opened the window to let the horrid cloud out of her room and to get some fresh air in. She was quite used to this from Twilight's lessons by now and hadn't even looked up from her paperwork.

Twilight's eyes slowly but eagerly opens to see, "Oh come on how does that even happen!" She waved her forelegs in the air and then flopped her head on her desk.

"What is it little one?" Celestia dipped her quill in the ink bolt deciding to take a break to check on her pupil. She turn to see, "Oh dear," said a perplexed princess as she saw a big green bullfrog sitting on the table where the apple had been staring off into space with half lidded eyes before blinking slowly once. "I have never known something like this to happen with one so young before. Ah," She tilted her head. "What is it doing?"

The frog hopped once then letting out a loud croak. 'What are you looking at?,' It looked at the pony prince and then stood up and pulled out a stove top hat and a cane from the side of the table. Celestia raised an eyebrow and then, the frog started to sing and dance and the tables edge. Twilight raised her and her bottom jaw hit the floor as did her mentor.





Once the frog belted his last croaked he dropped back down to all four and went back to his half eye lidded gazed with a typical big bullfrog frown on his face. The ponies stared at the frog as he belted out another croak. The princes and Twilight then both shook their heads trying the shake off the entail shock of the experience.

"Um..." Celestia got off her stool and trotted over to the table and pick the frog up in her magic and looked it dead in the eyes. 

The frog merely stared back  nonchalantly and let out anther croak, 'What are you staring at unipeg?'

"Ah... Twilight, why did you summon this... singing frog?" Celestia looked to her apprentice. "I thought your were studying transfiguration magic today?" Setting the frog gently back on the table.

"I am," Twilight emphasized. "I was trying to turn an apple into a brick. I wasn't even trying to summon anything let alone... that!" she pointed at the frog who was just staring whit another croak. 'So you're why I'm here? '

"Can you send him back?" Twilight leaned closer to the large amphibian. "I don't think singing dancing frog are meant to be here? At least not that kind..."

"I have no idea where you pulled him from Twilight," Celestia shook her head. "Or how you pulled him here. I'm afraid the he is stuck here and I must agree with you about the latter. We can't just set him free. Some pony or creature might try and take advantage of him."

The frog let out a croak, 'Wouldn't be the first time.'

"Perhaps you can take him with you when you go home?" Celestia smiled. 

The frog croaked 'Can't be any worse than a martin's zoo.' and the ponies looked at him then turned back to each other

"I don't think so," Twilight shock her head. "Mom is still has a hard time letting Spike in the house when Cadence has to watch him and me. Dragon fire is hard to put out normally but Spike is magical to so its even worse when he burps. I really don't think its a good idea for me to bring a creature in the house I conjured up, let alone one by accident. besides, momma doesn't like frogs. She freaked at dad one time from showing her a treefrog he found by the what hose. She pulled out Ole Rusty." Celestia tilted his head, "That's a really big frypan that momma was given by granny. She says it's better than a sword."

The frog's eyes widened immediately with fear.

"Well, we certainly can't have him threaten with Ole Rusty can we," Celestia turned to the frog. 'To think they still have that frypan!'

The frog croaked with relief, 'Thank you oh large bird horse!'

"We can at least put him in the gardens," Celestia remarked summoning a cardboard box and placing the frog inside the box. "He can hop around and be outside with other animals for the most part. I can't wait to see some of the ponies faces when he sings and dance then doesn't." She held the frog in the box up to her face wit ha smirk. "Something tells me you only sig and dance when you want to..."

The frog gave a nonchalant croak, 'Pretty much...'

"Come Twilight, lets take a break," Celestia said as she levitated Spike into his stroller and the frog to Twilight.

The frog stared at the lavender pony, only giving her the occasional half lidded blink or nonchalant croak.

"I'm gonna call you Michigan," Twilight stated.

The frog croaked again, 'Good cause that's already my name purple horse kid thing.' 

"I'll... just take that as a yes..." Twilight levitated the box onto her back and followed her mentor and Spike out to the gardens.




A couple of days later...

Celestia was busy sipping tea and enjoy her afternoon cakes with a good book. Then enters her favorite nephew, by 
several generations, Prince Blueblood.  He was carrying a box of some sort in his yellow magic and a BIG SHIT EATING GRIN on his muzzle. She rolled her eyes and readied herself to hear his next idea for bringing n more money to the nobles and such.

"Good afternoon Blue," Celestia said with a mock nice tone.

"Auntie you'll never guess what I found!" Blue beamed as he put the box down in front of his aunt.

"What is in the box?" Celestia looked down curiously.

"You'll never believe this but I was walking in the garden early today and than I heard the most magnificent singing. I followed it out to the pond and found this," He pointed at the box as he pulled off the lid to reveal a very nonchalant looking very large bull frog. "I couldn't believe this and had to ask you where you found him I could have one for myself."

The frog looked at Celestia and then to Blueblood then back to Celestia and let out his signature croak. 'Hello large unipeg thing.'

"Hello Michigan, how are you today?" Celestia smiled at the frog.

He croaked, 'I can't complain besides being put in a box, again...'

'Auntie," Blue looked at the duo in disbelief. "You can... understand him when he's croaking?"

"Not at all," Celestia playfully shook her head. "I can only take guesses."

"Then how do you get him to respond like that?" Blue said in shock. "And how did you know his name?"

"He has been living in the garden for a few days now and is technically my students summoned familiar," Celestia explained. "She couldn't keep him at home so we let him stay in the gardens here in the castle. He is a most unusual but yet entertaining little thing. Twilight named him after the first song he sang for us," She looked at bullfrog who merely gave a slow blink. "Michigan," he looked at the princess. "Would you please sing us a little song?"

"Good luck I have Benn trying to get him to sing again since I found him," Blue scoffed.

'Well, sense you asked so nice,' he croaked as he pulled out a top hat and cane. and belted out his song.

And this is when Blue learned, that frog is a dick...
> Survey Corps
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





A lone unicorn mare walked through the night streets of Canterlot. Her coat was an alabaster white while her mane and tail consisted of a lighter off-set of fuchsia with dull powdery blue highlights and her eyes were a bright magenta. On her flanks was a bright yellow and orange sunrise coming up over a valley with a stream running through a green flowery field. The was Morning Sunrise, aka Princess Celestial alter ego. She was covering herself with an old burlap cloak to hide her body. 

She was following the leads left to her by Tightship to get in touch with Levi Ackerman. So far she'd figured out what to do. She needed to a member of the Strawberry family that ran an establishment here in the city. One with the wing symbol hidden somewhere in or on the property. Once there she would need to show the coin Tightship had presented to her and order a 'Surprise.' From there she'd only guess that an arrangement would be set up for the coin holder to meet with Levi or somepony closer to him.

Sunrise was currently head to a bar in the lower area of Canterlot, the area all nobles have said they would never set hide nor hoof in and should be purged from their city. The same part of that city that most of the hypocrite frequent quite often for a quick romp with a beautiful mare or some pony else's spouse. Sunrise came to a stop outside a bar 'Punching Bag'. She looked up at the sign from under her hood and saw a very small wing symbol branded into the very bottom left-hand corner of the sign.  Sunrise quickly pulled out her coin and looked at it then at the sign, there was no doubt they were the same.

She sighed in relief, "At least they have an outpost in the city," She muttered returning the coin to her saddlebags. "But this is Levi and with him having a Corps I would expect him to have a few through the major cities, Faust knows I should. Well... let's do this...." She walked in and sat at the bar.

"What'll it be this evening ma'am?" A burly looking green coated earth pony stallion with a short red mane, tail, and mutton chops said. Un his mouth was a rather stubby thick cigar the smoke smelled of berries. He was wearing a brown golfers cap and a black vest over a white button-down shirt. He was sitting behind the bar wiping down mugs as Sunrise sat on an open stool.

"Oh, ah...um... Could I perhaps have some cider please?" Sunrise asked removing her hood. She was a little put off by how calm and friendly the bar's atmosphere was.

"One cider," The stallion filled up a mug. "Best cider this side of Equestria straight from Apple Acres," he said placing the mug on the bar for her. "Name's Strawberry Punch," He smirked as he set a mug down and blew smoke out of his nose pulling the cigar from his and taping it on a nearby ash trey before returning it to his mouth. "This here is my fine establishment. We don't take flack from no creature and serve all till they make a ruckus then they're out. Nobles have no sway here either, so if you're one of the hoity-toity buckers ya should finish your beverage fast then leave." He squinted.

Sunrise cover her mug in golden yellow magic and quickly downing the cider let out a loud burp right in the stallion's face. Her own face showed a bit of an embarrassed blush, "Excuse me I am so sorry! I can't even remember the last time I was that rude to another creature let alone a pony!"

"It's fine ma'am." Punch held up a hoof. "It's one of the reasons I built this place. For any creature to come and have a drink with out fear of persecution. But with that said and seeing as you're extremely pretty and in a potato sack cloak you're only one of two things," He squinted again. "You're either a whore looking to go home with some creature to make some good coin or you're from a small town looking to make it big. I've got advice for both if you're willing to listen."

"I'm always willing to listen to advice but I can cross out the first option as I would never stoop so low as to sell my body, even to get by," Sunrise crossed her foreleg with a bit of an annoyed scowl.

"You wouldn't guess show many mares and a few stallions come here trying to play fisher pony for that sort of thing Miss," Punched took her mug and filled it up again. "I don't judge how any creature makes a livin but I won't stand for that business coining into my business. That said. I can tell ya you should go back to whatever little town ya came from. Like before I can't tell ya how many come here wanted it but like yourself are really pretty and get used and tossed off after there done with ya. Go home to your folks and kin that need ya."

"Um," Sunrise reached back and pulled out the coin Tighship had given her and placed on the counter sliding it under her hoof for only Punch to see. 

His eyes widened and then he looked at the mare, "What special would ya like tonight miss?" he asked.

"A Surprise," She said with confidence.

"Alright then," Punch took the coin and then looked at Sunrise. "I'll be back with your surprise in a moment." He trotted of and went on the back. After a few minutes, he returned with a strawberry sundae on a trey then placed it in front of Sunrise with the napkin. "Here ya are Miss. Enjoy." He calmly trotted off.

"Hmm..." Sunrise raised an eyebrow. "I thought there'd be more to it, oh well can't let this go to waste," she licked her lips and then noticed something about her ice cream. 

The chocolate swirls through the glass read, 'Take the Napkin'. Gobbling down her treat she left some bits on the bar and took her napkin and hastily left out of the bar. Once she was far enough away she teleported back to her room and cast away her disguise.

Celestia opened the napkin, in it was a metal set of only the wings from Levi's coin. There was also a note on the napkin.

Dear Miss.

We have received your summons and will be sending one of the Survey Corp to hear you out. They will be in Canterlot within a week's time. They shall meet you at the bar at the same time you arrive the first night. Know we have not accepted your job until the Survey Corps member has heard you out and made the call to take it. Be there or we will not answer your call again.

Sincerely,
The Survey Corp



At the bottom was a stamp of a shield with two crossing wings, one white over one blue.



Halfway through the week...

Another hooded cloaked unicorn mare walked through the streets of lower Canterlort. She was also wearing more clothing than normal ponies, so some thought she was a noble until they looked closer at her attire. She was wearing a hooded forest green cloak that was frayed and dirty with mud at the base. Underneath the cloak, she wore a short, light brown jacket with the Survey Corps emblem on both shoulders, on the front left pocket, and in the center of the back, a white button-down shirt with a dark brown sash around her barrel. The cloak also hid a set of twin single-edged swords.

She walked all the way to the Punching Bag. Once there, she spoke with Strawberry Punch as soon as she walked up to the bar and showed him her uniform.

"May I see the coin?" she asked.

Punch raised an eyebrow at the hooded mare. He shrugged and pulled out the coin and dropping it on the bar. "Why'd ya want to see it anyways? Make sure it's not counterfeit?"

"Yes actually," the mare enveloped the coin in a sapphire aura and looked it over.

"Well? What's up with it?"

"It's real. This is one of only a select few coins made specifically by Mr. Ackerman himself for a select few individuals," the mare explained. "So only a select few have these. It means that either it was stolen, the pony who presented was in disguise, or that pony gives it away to somepony who thought they needed it more." She placed the coin in her pocket. "You gave them the instructions?"

"Yep," Punch nodded. "That was nearly a week ago. She should be coming back in here over the past couple of days."

"Good," the mare nodded. "We will be using the room if needed be."

"I'm not gonna argue with anypony about it let alone you of all ponies," Punch waved off the order. "It the whole reason we built this place and that room anyhow. I suppose you're in need of a place to camp as well. I'll get the resting quarters set up."

"Thank you very much," She nodded and followed Punch to the back of the bar for lodging and a good rest.




The next evening...

The hooded mare remained as such sitting in the back of the bar but now she wore a blank white expressionless mask that had been enchanted to hide her presence, especially in crowded areas. She notice Punch signal that the pony who'd given him the coin had just entered the bar. It was a simple ear scratch as he was turned around. The hooded masked mare watched as Punch interacted with the mare. She'd order a cider quickly downed it and then spoke with Punch. The masked mare activated another enchantment on her masker. True Sight, an old spell that few knew of these days that allowed the mask's wearer to see anything clearly as if it were day.

What she saw didn't surprise her, "Will that explains it," She rolled her eyes. "It is the princess's coin after all, "She watched the incredibly tall mare drink another cider and then signaled by hitting a button under the booth's table and sending a magical light to Punch at the bar.

At the bar...

'Sunrise' order another cider and then asked Punch the question on her mind. "Any word?"

"Just keep comin in and I'll let ya know when." Punch said bluntly.

"I was told a week," Sunrise pouted.

"Listen," Punch took the mug. "Ya just do as yer told and we'll let ya know. They should be here by tomorrow night at the latest." A light caught his attention. "Excuse me miss, the kitchen is callin me," he trotted off and was goin for a bit and then returned. "Ya should go home, Miss. One of my employees had an accident and we have to shut down for tonight."

"Are they alright perhaps I can help," Sunrise asked worriedly. "I'm quite gifted with healing spells."

"Go home," Punch said outright. "We'll contact ya if necessary for now we need to close up."

Sunrise folds her ears against her head. "Alright," she got off the stool and trotted out, and not long after so did the dissidents of the bar. "Guess it wasn't just to get me to leave, perhaps I should look in on this," She smirked lighting her horn only to feel a send sharp headache and a sudden jolt sending her on her rump. "Faust above," she she her head. "Levi sure doesn't play around with his safe houses' warding. I think I will go home, need an aspirin," She trotted back to the castle not noticing a dark green cloaked masked pony discreetly following her from a distance.



The next day... 

Celestia had gotten up and raised the sun as per usual. She then went over and changed Spike out of his nighttime diaper and gave him his morning bath and took one with him in the royal bath house. After a bit of a splash fight with Cadence they all exited and went for breakfast. 

Today was one of Celestia's court days and that meant no magic lessons for her favorite purple pupil. So, after cleaning Spike again she sent him with Cadence who normally watched over the little whelp on a day like this if she didn't have her own studies to tend to. She often went to fetch Twilight and let her pick a few books from the Library to read while they sat in the park. In all honesty, Celestia preferred Cadence over the nannies anyways, most of them treated her son as if he were some sort of an unsightly pet and only did the bare minimum to keep the drake quiet.

She was currently sitting on her throne partially listening to another noble pratol on about how they deserved more land and how they wanted a pool cause they heard somepony else had one.

"And that princess is the reason why the crown must give me this land," Lord Snooty Butt said in his posh accent.

"Let me get these facts straight Butt," Celestia sighed. "You want me to put an entire city block and an orphanage out because you heard Madame Scarlet Rose has a pool and you don't... "

"I'm so glad you see..."

"Shut up you pompus plothole," Celestia snorted. "Madame Scarlet funds that orphanage which is why you targeted it as it is not even near your home which gave you the excuse to want to tear down the city block. Get you buck ass out and don't come back before I strip you of your title and rank altogether for even suggesting it."

"But if I can..."

"NOW!" She shouted and the overweight stallion quickly ran out as fast as he could before tripping and rolling like a bowling ball knocking over several pins nobles on his way out. "If I have to deal with anymore like that I will do it" She rubbed her temples with her hooves when a commotion outside caught her attention

The guard stood at attention as a masked green cloaked unicorn trotted up. Due to their own enchanted armor, they saw the pony and crossed their spears.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No," the masked pony answered nonchalant. She tried to push forward but the guards wouldn't uncross their spare. She chuckled. "ehehehe.... Boys, you cute and all, but you should really let me through."

"No appointment no through." the other guard said sternly, "And don't make threats you can't back up little mare," he shoved her back.

"It wasn't a threat," She scowled under her mask.

"I don't think I like her tone," Said the first guard as he looked at his colleague.

"Let's teach her how to respect the guard," The second guard smirked as they readied their spears.

"You boys are making a big mistake," the mare glared.

"No we're not!" they said as they thrust their spears only for the cloak pony to shoot backwards and up.

"Where'd' she go?" they looked ago.

"Up here coltfer brains," The mare said causing the stallions to look up as she whizzed between the duo spinning like a top reveal twin swords attach to mounts on her front hooves under her cloak. The stallions never knew what hit them as they hit the ground out cold. "I told you two you were making a big mistake."

Just then Celestia opened the doors of the throne room and saw the mare and the unconscious guard.

Before she could ask, "Need not worry your majesty. They are simply battered and bruised. They got big heads so I taught them a lesson in humility. I never unsheathed my blades." she bowed her head then reached into her pocket wand pulled out the gold coin to return it to its rightful owner, "I believe you contacted the Survey Corps."

Celestia took the coin and looked at the masked mare. "Levi certainly hasn't lost his touch in training others."

"Truth be told told princess I would very much like to continue this conversation in private," They mare held up a hoof.

"Of coarse," she looked to an upcoming patrol. "Take these two to the infirmary and then have them report to Captain Steadfast Wall." They saluted and took the others away and left two in their places. "Please this way," Celestia motioned to the throne room. The masked mare entered and Celestia horned flashed sending out a wave of magic after she closed the door. "Silence spell."

"I am aware," The masked mare said nonchalantly.

"May I ask that you drop your disguise," Celestia asked.

"If it were any other pony I would've denied you that," The mare said. 
She reached up and threw her head back and pulled off her mask to reveal a beautiful younger mare, probably no older than her upper twenties. She was a unicorn mare as the masked was enchanted to hide her horn and mane.  She pulled back her cloak to reveal she had a cream coat a strawberry blonde mane and tail with graded into bright vibrant green at the tips with vibrant sparkling sapphire blue eyes and a what looked like red jam in a jar cutie mark . Underneath the cloak she wore a short, light brown jacket with the Survey Corps emblem on both shoulders, on the front left pocket and in the center of the back, a white button down shirt with a dark brown sash around her barrel. The cloak also hid a set of twin single edged sword. The princess also noted the mare was also wearing a rigging similar to one she'd seen Levi use years prior. 

'He must have configured a set for his corps,'

"Don't bother asking about my gear princess," the mare read her mind. "It was made by the head of the survey and his team of enchanters. He will not make it for the guard. This is my personal gear we made together." 

"You must be very close to Levi then," Celestia summoned some pillows and a table with some hot tea.

The mare cleared her throat. "My name is Strawberry Marmalade Ackerman. My Great Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather is Levi Ackerman," Marmalade looked at the princess. "I am here because you sent word you have need of the Survey Corps services, or was it just a prank to test if we would respond?"

"A bit of both," Celestia smirked. "May we drop all formalities?"

"If it was anypony but you, I would have to decline," Marmalade looked at the solar ruler undated the let out a sigh, and relaxed. "But thank you princess, But why did you go through this trouble?"

"As I said, it was a bit of both," Celestia chuckled. "I wanted to see what services Levi's Survey Corps offered by normal means. I have a job for Levi specifically and was hoping he would be the one to come and in hopes, he would comes at my summons. I also wanted to see my old friend in person and not just through a likeness I crafted out of a hunk of stone. Perhaps here his adventures from him too and not read about them."

"In all honesty, Grandpa Levi did want to come and see you, your highness," Marmalade sipped her tea. "But... he is busy training the Members of our family that wish to Survey Corps fighter program."

"Marmalade, I take it all members of the Corp as from the Strawberry family, no outsiders unless they're married to somepony in the family," Celestia sipped her tea.

"Please call Me Marmy when it's just us or I'm not in uniform, but Yes," Marmy said sipping some more tea. "We don't force any pony to join. Every pony goes through some self-defense training when they're little but other than that we let others choose what they want to do. Some don't even join the Corps outside of running a safe house or meeting outpost like the bar here in Canterlot."

"That's good to hear," Celestia sighed in relief. "Now... about the job..."

Celestia spent the next hour explaining what she wanted Levi to do. Marmy merely sat there and listened to the whole thing. The only motion she ever made was to occasionally sip on her tea. Celestia told her how she wanted Levi to come and train cadets at the academy alongside his old friend and comrade in arms, Tightship.

"And that's the just of it," Celestia said. "Well, would he do it?"

Marmy set the cup down gently and then sternly looked Celestia right in the eye. "No he won't," she said outright. "Grandpa doesn't mind training others, he loves it in fact but it's the fact he'd be in the public doing it. Our family established the Corps so we could be discrete about our work."

"I understand," Celestia sighed in defeat. "In all honesty, I never thought he'd go for it I really just wanted to see him is all. Letters are fine but they are still no replacement for flesh and blood."

"I understand that Princess," Marmy gave an understanding smile. "But at the same time, Grandpa is busy overseeing things in our Corps and a few family matters. He is still technically the Patriarch of the entire Strawberry family after all."

"I under stand Marmy and I thank you for telling me outright," Celestia returned her own understanding smile. "You really remind me so much of Levi at times it's uncanny but at the same time, you have me recalling things he mentioned about your grandmother. You said Levi is training your family, did he train you personally too?"

"Yes ma'am," Marmy proudly nodded. "Though my training is a bit more extensive than most."

"Oh?" Celestia noted with piqued curiosity.

"I actually traveled with Grandpa for a good number of years," Marmy explained. "I left with him not long after Granny Streusel passed away. We traveled and trained and took jobs. All the while we were also setting up the Survey Corps. Grandpa and I spent nearly a year in the mountains as he trained me to properly utilize my equipment."

"Speaking of equipment," Celestia looked over the younger mare "I take it Levi went through a lot to make a working set for ponies to utilize to its fullest."

"No," Marmy shook her head. "I can't tell you the details. Grandpa swore me to our family oath not to speak with it aloud. If you want an explanation you'll have to ask him."

"I don't think he will," Celestia shook her head. "He's always been to keep those type of secrets to himself and I think that is for the best."

"It has been nice speaking with you princess but I must be on my way now," Marmy said standing up and placing her mask back on her face. His horn looked as if it was never there while her tail and mane faded into nothing. She pulled her hood up and she was nopony again. "Should you ever need us we're here for you my lady," she bowed. "And you send him a message saying you want to see him. I think he'd like to come for a visit. Have a good day princess," she bowed again and then left.

"You as well surveyor," Celestia gave a slight nod and the cloaked pony left. "I think I will write him to come by within the next few months. I do miss him..."



> Another...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




The night after the meeting with Celestia...

A lone cloaked pony figure clad in black and grey gear that had been heavily enchanted with noise and lockpicking spells slowly pranced through the lower streets and back allies of the Royal Capital. They snuck through every known place that no creature would ever tell of. They slinked around until they reached a rather bleak alley with nothing but a manhole in it. The pony removed the cover and quickly went down and used magic to seal the entrance once more. They now in the underbelly of Canterlot, the place known as the Unknown. The pony clopped on into the dank dark underground.

Hours went by as they made their way through tunnels of the old sewers until they turned into old passageways that had been carved into the mountain rock long ago. They came to an open area that was let by and encirclement of torchlight. In the center of the chamber was a larger stone table and around it were more cloaked ponies clad in black and grey gear.

"Brothers and sisters we have adjourned," called one of the ponies their voice sounded of many. "We have been asked to take a very specific job."

'What kind of specific job?" another multivoiced pony asked.

"It had better pay well if you convened this meeting about it," another threatened.

"It does," the first nodded solemnly.

"How much?" Another asked.

"Fifty thousand to each of us here as down payments," Came another's voices.

"And another hundred thousand to each upon complexation." the first added, "More if we deliver the property as undamaged as possible."

"What are the details of the job?" another asked.

"To take this," the first pony pulled out a folder and tossed it onto the table scattering pictures to all members.

"These are just pictures of some little unicorn filly," one scoffed. "Have we sunk so low as to become mere baby sitters?" They slammed a hoof on the table outraged.

"Contracts have become much less prevalent in the past few years for many reasons," another spoke up in annoyance with their multi-tone voice. "The fact that our assassins have become almost nonexistent does not help. Yes, they get the jobs done but in doing so after their employment they are somehow the ones that end up dead by somepony else's hoof being hired to protect the next target."

"The Survey Corps," A pony clad in all black dropped the emblem of a white over a blue wing onto the table. "They have become a real nuisance in the past years and only being as old as ten years. They have grown quite large."

"Shadow," the others bowed out of respect.

"You actually managed to take one out! Well, you are the Shadow for a reason," another said with a bit of a drool trailing in their speech patterns.

"Certainly with the group at the time we managed a few. I tore this from their uniform and managed to deal a great amount of damage to them but they somehow teleported away using an unknown magic. If they did not die they would've been soon thanks to my poison. They are quite skilled but still no match for use if we are... prep correctly," Shadow gestured. "Teams of two will be the norm from this point on. Now tell m of this..." he held up a picture of Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight Sparkle..." One said.

"The princess's new pet project..." Another said.

"The reports verify that she is quite powerful..." motioned another to an image that appeared in the center of the room of what had happened on the day of Twilight's entrance exam. "Even for unicorn standards."

"Only a part of the minor nobility," Another mare added.

"Though she does come from a very extensive line of mages that have served the royal family since the time of Princess Platinum and the Unification," Another added.

"She has an older brother that is going into the academy next year as he has shown to be quite the promising caster himself, quite close in mana level to his baby sister," Another added. "His special talent is defenses and this especially extends into his shield spells."

"Must be a noble with some big plans for their future if they want her so badly they'd be willing to pay the whole circle this much just for one filly as a down payment," Shadow rubbed his chin. "Then again she is the princess's personal student."

"What shall we do Shadow?" Another asked.

"Time frame," Shadow looked at the first pony. 

"In the next couple months at the latest," the first explained. "Others wise as soon as plausible."

"Hmm..." the Shadow kept looking over the filly in the picture. "Supplies?"

"The proprietor is willing to provide anything and everything that is needed to make this a success," The first said.

"Acknowledged," Shadow dropped the photo. "Return to them and tell them we accept. Teams of to Another's. Meeting adjourned. Unseen, Untouched, Unheard, Unsmelt, untasted, Unread, Unknown... " heh said bowing as he placed his hooves together.

"Unseen, Untouched, Unheard, Unsmelt, untasted, Unread, Unknown... " The anothers all repeated and bowed. When they looked up the Shadow was gone and they all left through different tunnels from wince they'd come saying nothing.





The Punching Bag, Days after seeing Celestia...

Strawberry Marmalade, Mar, or Marmy as those closest to her called her was currently wiping down tables in her cousin's bar. She had come to Canterlot to meet with Princess Celestia on behalf of her Grandfather as a Response from the Survey Corps. She decided to remain to get some relaxation and to do some routine check-ins with the other safe houses and dens in the city. She was currently working under the guise as a bar mare slash security. Marmy had only been here a few days but every pony and creature already knew not to mess with this unicorn mare.

Due to an incident on the first day she was in the public, there weren't many that didn't know who she was at this point. A particularly younger rich noble had sauntered into the Punching Bag on Marmy's first day as he'd heard that though the establishment was in the lowers of Canterlot it was still an upstanding place so naturally, he thought he'd make it his place to do... his business. He made it quite clear to Strawberry Punch that he'd be running things from now on and Punch just remarked, 'Yea we'll see how that goes...'. The stallion started to throw orders left and right and Punch merely told them to play along. They did until he got hoovesie with the staff or one bar mare in particular. Safe to say all he did was grab her flank once and she end up break her forelegs, pulling out every single one of his teeth with one hoof to the face and left him unconscious for several days with a laundry list of other injuries.

No one dared get smart with Marmy from that day forward that was a regular at the Punching Bag. Currently, she was wiping down tables as they got ready to open the bar for the night.



Canterlot Castle Celestia's Room towards the evening hours... 

Celestia stood over Spike's crib. Looking down on the little snoring whelping as he sucked on his tail. "Such a sweet boy," She said softly as she leaned down and lightly nuzzled her son. She separated the little drake from his tail and quickly placed a sapphire pacifier to keep him from waking. "There we go, now perhaps I can write a little letter to Levi."

She walked over to her desk and pulled out a fresh sheet of parchment. She dipped and eagle's feather quill in her ink bottle and then started to write'

Dear Levi,

How have you been old friend? I hope this letter finds you well. I have great news for you. I met with your granddaughter Marmalade a few days ago. It was me that sent the coin as you suspected. I wanted to test your Corps timing and I can say I am very impressed. I am also very astonished at Marmalade's abilities but of course, she is your granddaughter and was trained by you personally. She took out a pair of my guards with no hesitation and almost no injuries except for a couple of new horns on their heads. They were green but still, I was more than impressed with her. She told me she would be staying here for a bit and I intend to speak with her again. She also made it known that you wouldn't be accepting a position I wanted to offer you but I had already accepted that would be your most likely choice. In all honesty, the coin was mainly a ploy just to try and get you to come to the city. It's been a good while since we've seen each other and I miss seeing you. In other words, I was trying to get you to visit but I know I could've just asked. So now I am, Would you please come and see me? I do so miss our reading sessions… Oh, speaking of reading I have forgotten to mention this every time I have written you the last few times but I have a little student who loves books and is a little obsessive-compulsive as well. She reminds me of you with this sometimes. I think I mentioned this before but I have also adopted a little drake as my son, he is so cute! Anyways, I wanted to ask you to come and see me. Perhaps spend a few days in the castle, meet Twilight and Spike as well as my niece and nephew. I miss you dearly old friend and wishing you luck in your endeavors.

Sincerely your Friend,
Tia

Celestia placed her quill back into the inkpot and rolled up the parchment into a scroll. She pulled a red ribbon from a draw and tied it around the scroll and then held a stick of gold wax and a candle over the scroll in her magic. She heated the wax stick with the candle and dripped it onto the scroll. Placing the wax and candle on the far side of the desk and then pulled a stamp from the draw and stamped it into the wax. She pulled up the seal to reveal a golden sun.

Celestia held up the scroll in her magic and got up from her desk. Trotting over to the far side of the room she came to a cabinet. Opening the cabinet she pulled out a white candle with a pink flame. She held the scroll up to the flame and it caught fire and in a wisp of air and shimmering smoke flew into the sunset.

"That's done," Celestia stretched her wings and looked to the balcony. "Will, time to get back to work," she walked out and reached out with her magic and lowered the sun and shakily brought up the moon. "I know I am not you mistress but you could be more corporative.," she sighed at the moon. "Just a few more years Luna. I wonder if... we...." she sighed. and walked away.



The in the City near the Sparkle Household...

Cadence trotted through the city's market picking out vegetables from the various stalls and vendors. Twilight Sparkle quietly road on the pink alicorn's back while reading a book. A big bright green bullfrog was resting on her rump with a half-eye lidded stare. 

A mare was and notice the largish frog. She stared and the frog stares back then croaked, 'What are looking at bright eyes?' She swore that the frog was glaring at him with the half-lidded eyes and decided to back away while the frog let out another croak, 'Yeah you better run.'

"Michigan, be nice," Twilight scolded the frog who merely slowly blinked in response.

"So what are you reading this time Twilly? Another book that Auntie lent you?" Cadence giggle.

"Kind of," Twilight replied as she flipped through the pages. "It was actually a present for my birthday. She gave me a lot of books. Which I am glad for but some of them we...odd"

"Odd how?" Cadence picked up an apple and looked it over.

"Some of them were about old legends." Twilight flipped a page. "Some of them weren't even from Equestria."

"Oh," Cadence looked at the bananas to find a yellowing bunch. "Did any of them catch your eye?"

"Yep," The filly squeaked.

"Which one was it?" Cadence pick up a bunch of bananas in her magic as was putting it in her back as she left gave some bits to the vendor when she suddenly had a bock resting on her muzzle in front of other eyes with a lavender filly holding it in place while resting against the back of her neck with her magic.

"This one," Twilight pointed with a tiny hoof at the picture of a human.

"The human," Cadence acknowledged as she put her bananas in her saddlebags and set Twilight back on her back. "I remember you turning into a book turtle last time you saw a statue of one," Cadence giggled.

"That was the statue in the castle," Twilight whined with a bit of red in her cheeks.

"I know but you were so cute," Cadence looked at the little filly as the frog stared at the crowd with a slow blink. "But why are you looking up humans if the statue in the garden scared you so much?"

"Cause I want to know about them. They are fascinating. Small eyes, two legs, and appendages similar to dragons that allow them the grasp things. They're like a chimera without the three heads!" Twilight said. "I know I was scared of the statue in the garden but it was the way it stared at me. It was so hard and harsh and judging."

"I see. Will if it interests you then go ahead, " Cadence trotted along

"Yea and," Twilight said as she rubbed her chin. "I think humans are more of a very rare species from a long time ago. It seems that they were more common across many continents at one point."

"What make you say that?" Cadence kept walking.

"Cause the strange thing is this is a book from Abyssinia," She showed her foal sitter the cover of the book. 'Legend of Ole' was written in Abyssinian across the cover. "I have come across human descriptions in a lot of different old books about legends from other countries that the princess has in the library. So many legends across the world. It can only mean they stem from some of the same truths."

Cadence looked to the sky, "It's getting late. We should get you home."

"Thanks for taking us shopping Cady," Twilight hugged the pink mare.

"Your welcome Twilly," She returned Twilight's affections with a nuzzle.

'Thanks for getting me out of the garden,' Michigan croaked.

"Your welcome too Michigan," Cadence looked at the big green bullfrog still sitting on her butt as he slowly blinked. 

"Thanks for bringing with you Cady," Twilight now nuzzled her big sister figure. 

"He is your familiar Twilly," Cadence explained. "You're bonded together even if you two might not get along all the time. He can't stay away from you and will remain with you until you send him away or he passes on. I know Velvet doesn't care for frogs but you need to spend time with him and try and understand your bond."

"I like Michigan," Twilight patted the frog who just kept staring with a slow mismatched blink. "I wish he would sing more though."

"He'll do it when he wants to Twilly," Cadence shook her head knowing full well that the frog would do that when he wanted to. She then remembered she needs to pick up some cabbage. "Hang on a moment Twilly we need to get to some cabbage." She said noticing a nearby stall that had some fresh. Walking over she began to look over the selection.

A stallion was passing by looking over mares when a pink posture caught his attention. He started scheming and trotted over and adjusted his bow tie, if he had one. He was then stopped by the flat stare of a slow blinking bullfrog. 

"What the?" The stallion tilted his head and the bullfrog croak. 'Get closer and see what happens,'

Of course, the stallion retracted and decided not to head the frog's warning and then notice the filly who was distracted by a book. Rolling his eyes he spoke up, "Excuse m-"

"Take a hike," Cadence said without even turning around. "You reek of cheap colon, have nearly twenty years on me, and iI have a clot friend already." 

"But I-" He started.

"Michigan," the filly said. "Sick'em."

"You going... too sick a frog on me," The stallion chuckled as he bent over and poked the frog in the eye and he gave a slow blink, one eye after another. "What are you going to do?"

Michigan's eyes came together from facing opposite directions and came to rest on the stallion with a glare. 

He croaked, 'I warned you.'

Michigan opened his mouth, "What?' The stallion tilted his head and then felt something hit his hit. Michigan had shot his long sticky tongue into the stallion eyes and when the Stallion realized this, "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" He yelled as he ran in circles with a big green frog flailing in the wind.

All the other ponies in the crowd merely stared while their foals laughed at the show..

"I must say I really like Michigan," Cadence giggled as did Twilight.

Little did they know their every move was being watched by masked ponies from every direction from the distant shadows... 




> Interlude- Pursuit...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Canterlot Castle, Weeks later...

Time passed rather solemnly in Canterlot for Celestia as she eagerly waited for Levi's response. In the meantime she spent her days as she usually did by teaching Twilight, taking care of her son, and spending time with Cadence. The worst part of it all was the waiting and the court sessions that drag forever on.

She also enjoyed the occasional laugh at the essence of her annoying pompous nephew Blueblood as he kept trying and failing to get Michigan to sing in public. This usually ends with the bullfrog stuck to his eyeball via its tongue causing the stallion to run around in circles yelling at the top of his longs. The guards had gotten rather used to it by the end of the first three days after Cadence and Twilight had had a similar incident happen to them with a stallion in the marketplace not far for the Sparkle's home.

Celestial really did like that frog, and to say Michigan wasn't smarter than he let on was a vast understatement. He'd even been caught by many of the castle staff on some days. He would pull his occasional routine of singing one sang and then croaking some form of snidey remarks at the ponies before either hopping away or just sitting there for them to try and take him home for a get rich quick scheme. Michigan had actually become a bit of an urban legend of the castle. The 'Song Frog' is what many of the teenage ponies called him and they'd come to solely try and catch or just catch a glimpse of him to see if he would sing and dance. He did when only one pony was watching or he did behind their back when they weren't watching him. Safe to say, the frog was a dick but he was the dick that made you laugh.





Southern Boarders...

The Survey Corps was here after hearing a lead on their target. They weren't paid to seek this individual out. They were in pursuit out of revenge. A few members of the Survey Corps had been returning from a recent assignment from the grandmaster and were taking it easy. It's always said you honor your agreements in the Corp but what you do in your off time is your own. Many of them actually have a high moral code and couldn't ignore a cry for help. Upon returning home they heard such a cry and found a mare being pursued by dark-cloaked masked ponies. They intervened, especially after she offered to pay the Survey Corps with everything she had, naturally they accepted.

The Corps held their own against the ponies and took a few of them down until a pony clad in all black stepped in and fought with them. Truth be told he enjoyed the fight and had there been more Crops ponies he would've lost, but he didn't. The surviving Survey Corp members used a special type of old magic to transport themselves and mare away to safety. Once in the grasp of their home base he mare was questioned about what she knew. The black-clad pony took a patch from one of the bodies as they spontaneously combusted as a trophy.

The mare's was name Lemon Twist. She had a bright yellow coat with an organ cream mane and tail while her eyes were a vibrant red and her cutie mark was a bowl of lemons. She explained she didn't know who put a hit out on her but that she has been running for weeks having left a small town outside Manehattan because of hid pursuers and that's how the Survey Members found her. She didn't know much about the pursers either only that they were called The Unknown. Once she told her story the Corps said as part of her contract they'd look after her until The Unknown were dealt with but she would be put to work instead of lazing about to which she graciously agreed.

The Corp kept her in their base of operations. Lemon always had a supervisor with her but she didn't mind. They had her doing laundry or working in the kitchens usually. She was also tasked with watching the colts and fillies from time to time or with helping in the nursery with the youngest foals.

The Survey Corp in the meantime turned their sights on The Unknown. They had been paid, though most of the members were dead and the other in critical condition. They were looking after the mare but they couldn't just let a massacre of their own, their family, go unpunished. 

They searched, chasing every lead they caught wind of on The Unknown. They quickly found that this was an organization that was said to be little more than a myth, much like themselves but much older. The leads eventually led the Survey Corps to low-level dealings and those, in turn, had led to others members. Eventually, they found members that had been a part of the group that had been chasing Lemon Twist. The pony fled as soon as they caught wind that the Corps was hunting The Unknown, any and all members. The survey Corps was out for blood. Their patriarchal grandmaster and founder of the Survey Corps was seeing to this personally...

Southern Mountains...

In the southeastern borders of Equestria's high in the wooded mountains, rain fell hard and felt like knives upon the green cloaked masked ponies, The Survey Corp, as they pursued their target undeterred. They had been on the trail of this target for some weeks having chased him from the Macintosh Hills near a new homesteading settlement called Dodge Junction that high had hopes of one day becoming a true town and not just another abandoned site. The masked ponies paid it no mind and instead conducted their dealings with the local buffalo tribe who they had been bartering with for some years now.

The Unknown member galloped at high speed as they climbed and bounded across trails and streams to get away from their pursers. They kept an eye on the trees above them as the ponies that were pursuing them seems to fly through the air with very little to no trouble whatsoever, no matter the obstacles set before them. At least as long as they saw it. The pony got to a ridge above the tree line. Smirking under their mask they sparked a match and lit a stick of dynamite. They quickly placed the dynamite and hurried to get several leagues above where they threw their last-ditch effort at escape.

"Damn it all," they hissed in a multitone voice. "How could any creature be so tireless in pursuit of me? How'd they even find out who I am?" They shook their head and started to walk away as there was a large explosion below them. "Doesn't matter. That will keep them busy for a bit. They'll be digging their own out for weeks," they chuckled.

*DINK*

"What was that?" they looked over their shoulder and saw a line of some sort above them. "What in the world?"

Suddenly there was a zipping sound as the line was pulled tight. There was then a whizzing sound as something was being pulled through the air on the line. A figure shot above the pony and then landed in front of them startling them. The figure was draped in a dirty aged green cloak adorned with the Survey Corps wing symbol on the back. The figure smelled heavily of fresh blood as it landed behind the Unknown. This lets the member know that they had at least injured this pony.

"You are wounded," the member pulled a knife from their saddlebag. "I will make this quick."

The pony stood up with a bit of a stagger but it wasn't a pony but something on two legs. The figure towered over the Unknown member. They turned to face the member with a bolt of lightning flashing to reveal a severally cracked mask, blood dripping from the cracks and running down to the chin.

The member staggered back stumbling over their hooves in fear.

A noise could be heard as the cracks spread across the mask. The figure approached the pony and a jingling could be heard from under its cloak as it walked forward. It held something out and slightly above its head with its right

"Get back!" the member yelped as they threw the knife hitting the figure in the face knocking the hood off its head.

The figure stopped and a crackling noise was now heard and then a low thud was heard. The member looked up. The member's eyes shrank with utter terror at the bloody face of a myth, a human, that glared down at the pony with one open eye. Blood flowed from a cut in the human's forehead flowing down a gash on the right side of its face.





"W-w-w-w-w-what are you..." the Unknown reached the edge of the mountain.

"A Butcher..." It said in anger as the member saw a bright blue light and felt a surge of pain run throughout their body as they proceeded to hit the ground and everything faded to black.
> Back in the City
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Celestia trotted through the halls as she had just finished up day court and was on her way to lunch. She decided to have lunch in her bedroom today. She just wanted her alone time. For some reason she's felt like her every move has been being watched as of late. 

Originally, Celestia just played it off as the castle staff, then she played it off as the staff that might be in the pockets of one of the nobles. She then took note that she only got the feeling of eyes on her at certain points of the day. She took to being alone whenever possible, even going as far as to teleport to Twilight's house in a pony in order to teach her student her magic lessons. It still wasn't enough to keep the feelings of eyes on her though.

She finally reached her room and looked around. Igniting her horn she cast a silence spell and a detect spell. She didn't get any pings back so she decided to head towards the balcony. She sat down and looked out over her kingdom, watching her subjects go about their daily lives.

"I wonder when Marmy will come by for tea again?"  Celestia sighed. She had come to very much enjoy her tea parties with Marmalade. That mare reminded Celestia so much of Levi but she was so different from her grandfather it was uncanny. 

"Enjoy life to the fullest including all the ponies in it, and keep them alive in your heart forevermore. No one can stop time from moving ever onward, but in experiencing joy and love, those of us blessed and cursed to remain when others fade away will find life worth living, even in the darkest of moments."

Came a male voice that Celestia recognized. She quickly turned her head to see Levi Ackerman stand on her balcony looking at her. 

"Hello, Tia." He was wearing all black clothing and looking at his old friend with his hands in his pockets.






The princess wasted no time and immediately rushed over tackling Levi to the ground in a bone-crushing hug, "Levi it's so good to see you!" She exclaimed in the Royal Cantorlot Voice.

"Tia... need.... air..." he got out as his eyes started to roll in the back of his head.

"Oh my goodness I am so sorry," She got up, stepping back, and pulled her old friend to his feet.

Levi gasped for air, "Thank y-"

*WHACK!*

"OW!" Levi cried out in pain.

"That's for not writing me back telling me you were gonna visit!" Celestia scowled holding her crown in her magic

*WHACK!*

"AHHHHHH! YA KNOW THAT REALLY HURTS YA DAMN SUN HORSE!" Levi rubbed the two massive steaming lumps on his head.

"And that was for sneaking in here!" Celestia continued tossing her now dented crown. "I've told thousands of times never to sneak into a mare's bedroom!" She then realized something. "You're not wearing you're gear so how did you get up here without anypony see you?" She asks popping an ice bang into the room from the infirmary then levitating it over to her human friend.

Levi took the bang and hissed as he places the bang on his steaming head, "Christ that stings!" He looked at Celestia then to the crown and then back to the princess. "Did you have to hit me so hard you warped your crown?"

"Yes," She stated smugly. "Yes I did, now my answers."

"I literally walked through the front doors," Levi explains sitting in a chair while taking out his broken mask to place it on the table. "It may be broken but it still works just as good as when it was first made."

"Do all of the Survey Corps members wear these?" Celestia picked the mask up in her magic looking it over. Placing it back down, "Tea?" Levi nodded so she went and fetched her personal tea set that no pony knew about from a hidden space.

"Yes, but they wear ones based off my own that are forged with pony versions of the spells that were used on mine," Levi picked up his broken mask. "Unfortunately those spells only work for a limited amount of time by using the wearers' magic where mine doesn't."

"Can you fix it?" Celestia poured the tea.

"I was hoping you might be able to," Levi took his cup and added sugar to it.

"I can cast a mending spell on it if you have all of the pieces," Celestia pops some tea cakes into existence. "But knowing you, you only have the major pieces." 

Levi nods, "I have most of it but a good chunk was washed away from the confrontations conditions," he sipped the tea and set the cup down. "So that spell is off the table but is there a way to transfigure the mask into a new one but keep the enchantment on it?"

"Well..." she picked up the mask in her magic and did a quick scan. "This is old magic and not even pony magic at that. Abyssinian if I am correct?" She looked across the table and got a simple nod. "If I only reshape it into a new form without changing the main martial I can. But we still need some filler material to replace what was lost. Over time the enchantment should eventually reach the new material and reenchant it. What is this made from though?"

"I was told it was carved from a monster's bone," Levi said nonchalantly while Celestia stuck out her tongue with a reeling back slightly in disgust. "We... should be able to find something thing in the magic district of the city. I would imagine that you're going to keep it for now yes?" she handed the mask back to its owner. "This can't be the only reason you're here though? And I know you're not here to visit. Marmy said you would be busy for a while and you usually don't sneak in here unless you have a good reason. You never were one for pranks."

"The mask and seeing you are the reason why I am here in your room yes but not the reason why I'm in Canterlot," He sipped his tea. "Some of my Corps had a run-in with a group calling themselves The Unknown. and we have been trying to track down the ones who killed members of my family. This is not a job Celestia, this is justice and revenge." His face hardened. "The member we got in custody told us the one we want is here and a few other things that concerned me so I thought you may want to hear them."

Celestia's own face became stern, "I trust you with my life Levi, Faust knows I do. So if you say that I should hear something then I will." She finished her tea and looked at the sun. Lighting her horn the sun started to dip behind the mountain. "Are you going to a safe house or do you want to stay here?"

"I think I'll stay here for the time being," Levi stood up taking his mask on the tea set. "I have much to tell you and it will take some time."





Later that evening...

There was a knock at Celestia's door. "Who could that be?" She tiled her head. "Excuse me Levi it's probably one of the servants or my advisor Kibitz. They want to ask about my before-bed snack or have some last-minute paperwork that needs to be looked over."

"So little Kibitz went from working in the guard mailroom to being your advisor?" Levi asked.

Getting up Celestia headed to the door. "He's my right hoof stallion, personal scribe, and aide," She proudly nods. "He is grooming his granddaughter to be his successor." She opened the door to reveal a pink alicorn."

"Auntie you didn't come to dinner," Cadence looked at her aunt out of concern. "I was worried cause today is Wednesday and you never miss dinner on Wednesday. Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry Cadence I completely forgot," Celestia's eyes widened.

"It's Wednesday, what would you be doing to make you... forget?" Cadence trailed off as she came in and saw Levi sitting in the chair opposite her aunt's that she usually sat in when reading.

"I know she wasn't around when I was staying here," Levi noted the pink pony starring at him with her mouth open on the floor she sipped his tea. 

"That's a good way to catch bugs young mare," Levi noted as he sipped on some tea causing Cadence to quickly shut her mouth. He stood up, walking over Levi knelt down taking her forehoof in his hand, "Allow me to introduce myself," Levi said with a warm tone in his voice. "My name is Levi Ackerman, it is a pleasure to meet you milady," he said as he kissed her hoof causing her to blush.

"Oh my..." Cadence said softly as Levi stood back up looming over her at his full height.

"You certainly have upped your game in the manners department," Celestia giggled at he niece's reactions. "At least when you want to."

"When it's necessary," Levi shrugged with a smirk as he sat back in his seat. "This must be your niece you've told me about in your letters. I must say though," he kept smirking, "She bears an awful lot of resembles to you."

"She's not my daughter!" Celestia quickly shot back with an embarrassed flush on her face. Straightening herself back up she looked at Cadence. "Why don't you introduce yourself, dear," Celestia said to her niece while she closed her door and retook her own seat.

"Uh... what..." Cadence was pulled out of her stupor and looked back at Levi who was giving her a steady smirk. "Oh... yes.. ah... I am Mi Amore Cadenza the Princess of Love," Cadence stated as she bowed. "But you can call me Cadence, I would prefer it if you would actually. So..." She looked at the human. "You're my aunt's... old friend."

"I wouldn't say old, per say" Levi remarked. "We've been friends for a few years, a little over thirty years so somewhat old but if it's my age your referencing then yes."

"She told that you two had a few flings," Cadence said bluntly, immediately causing Celestial to spit take while Levi easily dodged. 

"Cadence!" Celestia scolded her niece with a stern glare.

Cadence paid her aunt no mind, "Tell me... how was she in bed?"

"CADENCE!" Celestia started to turn completely red all over.

"What pray tell gives you the to know about that?" Levi gave his own glare.

"Huh... Alicorn of Love," Cadence points to herself with a nervous grin. 

Levi rubbed his eyes, "That doesn't give you the right to know about a creature's sex life young mare," He scolded the young princess. "Love is one thing sex is another, if two creatures are in love then you have that right to ask them but in this case, you're totally out of line Cadence."

Cadence flattened her ears against her head, "I'm sorry..." she looked down ashamed.

"If Tia didn't tell you what on this planet makes you think I would tell you?" Levi shook his head.

"Sorry," Cadence sighed. "I can let my title and abilities go to my head sometimes."

"We all do that from time to time Cadence," Celestia trotted over and wrapped her wings around her niece pulling her into a tight hug. "If you really wanna know the details I tell you later when Levi leaves," She whispered in Cadence's ear. "My favorite detail is his stamina though. Much more than any stallion, "Celestia said with a bit of a naughty tone causing Cadence's face to grew darker. She pulled back, "But for now I will have dinner here with my friend. We still have much to discuss and some of it shouldn't be heard by your ears."

"If you say so Auntie," Cadence looked at Celestia, "But I'll hold you to what you told me though," she whispered so Levi didn't hear, "And I want details," she poked her aunt in the chest fluff with her hoof. "Have a good night Mr. Ackerman. I will be leaving as I have an early day tomorrow," Cadence sang in a play tune.

"That's right," Celestia face hoofed. "Twilight has her lessons first thing tomorrow." 

Cadence nodded, "That's right so don't stay up too late Auntie..." The Princess of Love sang as she exited the room causing Celestia to blush again.

"What have I done?" Celestia sighed as she rubbed her temples then looked back at Levi. "So, tell me about this incident that caused you to uncover this other organization," She said getting serious as she trotted over and took her seat again.

Levi nodded and then began to tell the story...




Meanwhile masked in grey and black armor ponies, The Unknown, laid in wait across the street of the Sparkle family's household. They watched patiently for everypony to come home and all light to go out. Safe to say that they'd been doing this for a few weeks now and pretty much had the family's routine down to a timely schedule.

First, everypony would arrive home at different times. First, it was Twilight Velvet coming back from working at the publishing company. Next Nightlight came home from his job at the local planetarium. Then there was Shining Armor who usually came home from whatever he was doing, usually training with some of his older guard recruit friends. The target Twilight Sparkle would then come home, usually with her foal sitter the young princess Cadenza, or her older brother.

The Unknown ponies watched as the Sparkle parents left the house for a date night leaving the target with her older brother to watch her tonight. This was a stroke of luck for The Unknown as they wouldn't have to worry about contending with the young princess. The goal was simple, grab the filly when no pony was aware and bring her to the hideout where the Shadow would hand her over to the financier.

They laid in wait until the parents returned and every light in the house was out. The Unknown waited a few more hours until they were sure everypony was in a deep sleep and then made their way into the house and up to little Twilight's room. The little filly in question was snoring happily cuddling up to a raggedy pony plush toy with a pair of overalls on it. She mumbled something about books and rolled over in her sleep.

The Unknown Sprang and quickly sprang upon the little filly and sprinkled a special type of sleeping herb on her to ensure she wouldn't wake. They also put a decent amount of it in the air vents for the house to make sure that no pony wouldn't wake up till the next morning. Not waiting any more time they grabbed the filly and stuffed her into a sack and quickly exited the household making their way to the nearest passageway the led to their meeting grounds. 



Celestia set her teacup down, "I must say these..."

"The Unknown," Levi said.

"Thank you, " Celestia nodded. "They sound quite dangerous and quite deeply rooted in the underground."

"They are but I intend to cut them out, permanently," Levi scowled. 

"You have my permission to do whatever is necessary to wipe them out Levi," Celestia gave her old friend a stern look. "If they really are all you say and more then they have been influencing things in the unseen for some time. Under the mercenary laws you have near immunity from the law usually but this time I will fund you. You have the crown's full support to do anything and everything you need to."

"Thank you Tia," Levi nods. "I'll take any support you can give."

Celestia looked at the time. "It's quite late, I'll have the staff set up a room for you."

"Why?" Levi tilted his head. "You have a bed big enough for two. The gods know we've slept together before."

Celestia's face immediately lit up, "I... I ... I..."

Levi chuckled, "You're so cute when you're blushing." He stood up and patted Celestia on her head. "I'll sleep on the couch."

Celestia took a minute and then shook her head, "Now wait a second, I never said no..." she whined.

The morning at breakfast...

Levi and Celestia were both enjoying a hardy continental breakfast of bacon, eggs, and fully loaded chocolate pancakes with a side mug of Prench Press coffee.

"Will I get to see that young apprentice you've been telling me about?" Levi asked his old friend.

Celestia burped and then dabbed her mouth with a napkin, "You can meet her today if you like. First thing in fact. Today is one of her study days. I have no doubt she'll either duck and hide or simply stare at you with her mouth on the floor when she first sees you. Personally, I'm leaning more towards the first option."

Suddenly a guard burst through the doors with the entire Sparkle Family and Cadence in tow. "Princess, your student has been foalnapped!" Celestia dropped her mug on the floor, shattering it.

"Send out every pony, search the city now!" Celestia jumped to her hooves. "I want not one cobblestone left unturned! GO!"

The guard saluted and galloped off to carry out his orders.

"Were there any clues at your home?" The princess asked the unicorn family.

"J-j-just t-t-t-tis p-princess," Twilight Velvet held up and old bag with a strange symbol on it.

"We found it next to our air unit," Shining Armor added.

Levi saw the symbol. A black and gray vertical eye with a red 'X' over top of it. "Give me that<" Levi rushed over and grabbed the sack out of Shining magic. The strange creature and sudden action thoroughly shocked the young unicorn colt. Levi clutched the bag tightly and scowled at it.

"Levi?" Celestia looked at her friend "Do you recognize it?"

"I do," He sneered. "It's the symbol of The Unknown," Levi shoved the bag in his jacket. "Tia, I will be taking the lead on this. My Corps will coordinate with you, and only you." 

Celestia nodded, "I trust you above all others to do this Levi. Do what you need to."

Levi nods and starts to walk out but a Twilight Velvet sand Nightlight steps up in front go him, "I don't know who or what you are but if the princess says she trusts you then we do. Please bring our little filly back to us. We'll pay you whatever you want, even be your servant just please, bring her back!" Twilight cried.

Levi knelt down to the light gray lavender mare, "I will bring your little girl back to you," Levi said with a resolute stare. "That is a promise, of not a sellsword but a father. I will bring her back and I will make those who took her pay, dearly." He stood up and turned.

"Levi!" Celestia called out as she used her magic to throw something white at her former bodyguard. Levi caught it without even turning around. "I fixed it earlier before you woke up was even able to tweak it so it works better and I added a few of my own enchantments to it. I wanted it to be a surprise but you'll need it now."

Levi held up his newly reconstructed and reconfigured mask.





"Thanks Tia, I'll put it to good use," Levi said as he placed the mask on his face and walked out of the place, no pony paying him any mind other than those in the room he was just in...




> NO MERCY
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





The Unknown waited silently in their hideout for the Shadow to arrive. In a separate room they had a bound and gagged purple filly with a suppressor ring on her horn to keep her from using her magic. They were here to meet Shadow o go over the details of what the next step in the plan was. The city would soon be in an uproar as soon as the family of Twilight woke up and found the filly missing and went to the princess, so they needed to act fast.

"Is she awake?" come a multitoned voice in form a pony clad in al black that entered the sanctum. The Unknown bowed in respect to the head of the Council, The Shadow.

"Yes Shadow but we have her bound gagged and her eyes covered," one of the Unknown answered. "We also have on of the high output suppressor rings on her horn to keep her from using her magic to try and escape."

"Good," Shadow remarked with a harsh tone. "Come and bring the filly. The client wishes to inspect his property to authenticate it and make sure it is not damaged."

"Yes Shadow," tow of the Unknown bowed and went to retrieve Twilight Sparkle.





Levi walked briskly through Canterlot unnoticed. The ponies were in a bit of panic with the guards being out in force and questioning ponies on the spot. Levi was making his way to the The Punching Bag bar in downtown. He need to gear up and that was also where he'd find his right hand pony, his granddaughter Strawberry Marmalade.

A large green bullfrog watched the human from a far and on a hunch, he quietly hopped after the human.

Upon coming to the bar he immediately entered it. Punch heard the commotion form his office as he'd been counting his safe down when Levi threw the doors opened. Thus, the owner pulled a blunder bust out her kept hidden under his desk and cocked it.

"Alright, who's got the balls ta break inta my place?" Strawberry Punch marled out. What he saw nice caused him to freak-out a bit. "Grandmaster Ackerman, I'm so sorry. Ah what can I do for ya?"

"Get to the base now and alert every single Corps member telling them to rally in the nearest safe house/base the to them. Make sure the message is sent through whole city all at once to," Levi demanded as he walked to the back. "Connected me to ever last safe house here via the crystal pictograph."

"Everyone?" Punch's eyebrows raised.

Levi pulled off his mask and looked at his family member with a stern glare, "Everypony is to report in Strawberry Punch. This concerns a little filly and personal student of the princess and the Unknown."

Punch's eyes widen and then her scowled and threw his hoof in front of his chest. "It shall be Grandmaster." He turned.

"Where is Marmy?" Levi asked.

"Go to the barracks part of the house. All the way down to the right," Punch explained and Levi nodded while the stallion got to the work he was order to do.

Meanwhile the green bullfrog hopped into the door way of the bar casting a shadow in the empty establishment and let out a long croak as its eyes darted around the empty bar, 'Something's happen to Twilight, well I'm not just gonna sit on my lily pad and do nothin! But it looks like I best stick with humy" It hopped after Levi once again.

Levi walked into Marmy's room and found his granddaughter in a deep sleep with a bit of a smile on her face. He reached down slowly and placed a hand on her. The instant her did there was a knife at his throat. Mary looked and turned on the light then quickly withdrew her blade from her grandfather's throat.

"Nice mask," Marmy noted. "I take that the princess wasn't able to fix the other one then?"

Levi smirked as he removed the mask from his face, "This is the same mask. She used a transfiguration spell and added some new material. Downside was it had to be remodeled but I like it."

"Grandfather, why are you here?" Marmy looked at Levi with a cautious gaze.

Though he was happy to see his granddaughter, Levi dropped the façade, "I'm calling all Survey members to action effective immediately," Levi said with cold tone as he pulled the bag from his coat and showed it to Marmy, symbol in her face. "They've taken Celestia's student. Why? I don't know there was no note left. They were most likely paid to do so by a noble with extremely deep pokets to the point they think themselves out of reach."

"But we operate by a different set of laws," Marmy noted as she readied herself.

"Normally yes but Celestia has given us the full run to do whatever we can to get her student back,"  Levi explained as they duo left the room. "I already told her the details about the Unknown and us before that and she had already said we do what we need to. Now, we’re cleared to move in force." 

They came to new much more room with a large spell circle carved into the floor. Levi took a golden pin from a case he'd had in his pocket and pricked his finger. Next, he held his finger over the circle and let a few drops of his blood fall into the circle before pulled his hand back as the circle stood to glow a bright red and in a red flash a chest appeared in the middle of the circle. Marmy started to stepped forward but Levi stopped her and shook his head. Once the circle's glow stopped then Levi let Marmy go and fetch the chest to bring to him.

Just as Marmy set the chest in front of her grandfather Strawberry Punch walked into the room in his uniform but his wasn't adorned with the white and blue crossed wings but two roses sitting on opposite sides of each other with the right setting above the other. The emblem of the Garrison Corps, the overseers and the members of the safe houses and bases.

"Grandmaster," Punch kept saluting. "Everypony had gathered and is waiting your transmission."

"Good," Levi said opening the chest. "I will be with them shortly. I most gear up first," He said reaching in.








Levi stood in front of a crystal projector broadcasting himself to all the barracks safehouses though out Canterlot. All eyes were on the patriarch of the Strawberry family and Grandmaster of the Survey Corps. In total there were over two hundred ponies watching him, this included the Garrison Corps and others. The active Survey Corps members number to just a hundred meaning twenty per safe house.

"My little ponies," Levi said through his refurbished mask. "We have been tasked by the princess to hunt down and take out the group calling themselves the Unknown, the very group that dear kill one of our own and take their crest from their uniform. I goal is to wipe out this organization in its entirety," he threw his arm out. "Though our main goal is the safe return of a little filly they have dared to take. Her name is Twilight Sparkle. She is the Princess's personal student. Her family begged me for her safe return and I will still for no less than that. Now go and and look everywhere and take out this group! NO MERCY!"

"NO MERCY!" The ponies all yelled in unison before saluting Levi and then departing with their masks on.

The projector turned off and Levi headed out and was in the main bar when they heard a loud bullfrog croak. He looked over to the big green bullfrog sitting on a table staring right at him. He approached the frog with Marmy at his side.

"Is this thing something of yours?" he asked his granddaughter.

"No, but I do have a good idea of what he could be," she looked ta the frog. "If you are Michigan, I need you to prove it. We need you to sing and dance."

The frog croaked, 'Okay,' He then proceeds to sing and dance a bit .

"That proves it what exactly?" Levi looked at Marmy sternly.

"That this is Michigan. This is Twilight Sparkle's familiar," Marmy points at the frog. "He is naturally drawn to Twilight through their shared bond through her magic."

"So, we can use him to find our little filly," Levi rubbed his chin. "Will you help use?" he looked at the frog who then jumped onto Levi's shoulder. "I'll take that as a yes. Come Marmy," They left, their cloaks blowing behind them.



Meanwhile in Canterlot Castle throne room... 

Twilight Velvet was busy sniffling. Her eyes were all red and puffing from the crying she'd been do none stop since they'd found her little filly missing this morning. Her husband Night Light was sitting next to his wife and held her close with both of his forelegs wrapped around Twilight. Shining Armor was busy pacing back and forth up and down the room. Cadence was sitting not far away from him taking care of Spike. Celestia was busy trying to speak with the guards about any leads only to be met with fruitless endeavors.

"I don't get it!" Celestia threw the papers she had in her grip up. "How in all of Tartarus has an organization like this existed without my knowledge till now. There is no telling how far up the have their roots," She slammed a hoof down cracking the marble floor slab.

Everyone winced back a bit.

"Auntie," Cadence scolded the older alicorn. "I know you're upset about this," She levitates Spike onto her back a she walked over and looked up to her aunt. "Everypony is on edge here and worried about Twilight's Safety but you need to keep your composure. For all we know this is what whoever is behind this wants."

Spike looked at his mother and raised his claws to her. Celestia smiled, "Come here my little firecracker," She took the little drake and snuggled him causing him to giggle and then she looked at the Twilight family and back to Spike. Celestia steeled her resolve and walked over to the ponies and sat in front of them. "I am sorry for my outburst. Trust me when I say this is not in better hooves if not hands."

"Hands Princess?" Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "My sister is missing and you're making a joke about body parts!"

"Shiny you need to-" Cadence tried to comfort the young stallion.

"No Cadence this is my little sister we're talking about!" Shining fumed. "And her teacher is making jokes about it!"

Spike started to cry and Celestia did her best to comfort her son. "There, there Spike don't cry."

Twilight Velvet saw this and walked up to Celestia, "Shining Armor stop that right now. The Princess is doing all she can," She scolded her son. "Can't you see she's just as upset as we are, even more so that she has things going on behind her back."

Shining looked down, "I'm sorry."

"It was not a joke," Celestia said confidentially. "When Levi says he's going to do something he does it. I once saw him argue with a brick wall until it broke." Everypony tilted their heads. "True story, though in the end he did still win the debate with a sledgehammer," She smiled and looked to Velvet. "Would you like to hold him?" She held up Spike in her hooves to he little grayish purple unicorn.

"If that's alright with you Princess," Twilight acknowledged hesitantly.

"Certainly," Celestia smiles levitating the little whelpling over.

Velvet cautiously took the little drake in her hooves as he sniffled still shaken from Shining's outburst, "Aren't you a cutie," She smiled as she nuzzles Spike. "I'm sorry we haven't been around much to help with him."

"It's quite alright Velvet and he is quite the hoof full after all," Celestia reached up and brushed her hoof down Spike's head. 

"Princess," Night light finally spoke up. "That creature that was in the dining hall before. What and who was it?"

"That was Levi Ackerman, the only known human on this world," Celestia explains. "He is a n old and very dear friend who I had the pleasure of meeting some forty years ago. Originally, he was hired as my bodyguard and once his job was done he planned to leave but managed to coax him into stay with us for a time. He all with former Cpt. Tightship trained my best guard unit, the sevenhundreth and seventy-seventh. I originally wanted to bring him here as an instructor for the academy, but he refused."

She turns the Sparkle family, "Trust me when I say he will bring Twilight back to us."

"Your Highness," a voice was heard. Celesta turned to see one of the Survey Corps standing behind her and they saluted and then bowed before standing again. "I am here to give you and update. The Grandmaster and his second-in-command are on the trail of the Unknown. They and the remaining members of the Survey Corps have found and entered a network of tunnels under the city itself with the help of the familiar of Twilight Sparkle known as Michigan. I am to remain at your side as updates come in."

"Thank you very much," Celestia nods, "Cpt. Light Heart." She called out and a reddish orange pegasus stallion with a white and pike swirl mane with a light house cutie mark came into the room. "Be prepared to move at a moment’s notice." The stallion nods and then goes back to his post.

"Ma'am, who is that cloaked masked pony and how did they get in here?" Light heart asked suspiciously.

"He is a member of the Survey Corps and our line to those trailing the foalnappers," Celestia explains. 

"Really, because he looks an awful lot like somepony who should be in custody," Light Heart waved her hoof summoning guards.

Celestia didn't have the patience for this at all and the room's air starts to heat up. "I will not be questioned Captain. This pony is here on orders from a very dear and old friend of mine who is currently tracking down Twilight Sparkle!" She raised her voice glaring down. "I will not waste the few guards we have on this wild goose chase you're starting. Even if you had an entire platoon try, they'd still end up bloody, bruised, and or unconscious. NOW CARRY OUT MY ORDERS OR RESIGN YOUR POSTION!"

"YES MA'AM!" Light Heart shouts before speeding off.

"I have a missing filly and all they want to do is point hooves at the nearest creature," Celestia rolls her eyes before looking the new pony who looked like they had a message. "News," they nod. "Then speak."

"The grandmaster and our Corps members have engaged the enemy forced in what appear to be old passageways under the city," they explained. "No words about lady Twilight."

"How does he know that?" Shining asked "He hasn't left the room to speak with anypony!"

"The would be his enchanted gear my boy," Former Cpt. Tightship trotted in with a few members of the Garrison Corps. "They told me everything Celestia. How can I help?"

"Do whatever you think is right Tightship. I've already told Levi he and his forces have free reign," Celestia said sternly. "You're the only officer who currently has had dealings with Levi and his methods in the city that is still a semi-active part of the Military so therefore I am temporarily calling you back into service."

"Thank you," He bowed. and then turned to the Sparkles. "I have known Levi just as long as the princess and served alongside him. He will bring our girl back to us."

The Survey member trotted up and saluted. "The enter the caverns under the city. The Garrison Corps will take you their Captain. It's an honor to meet you in the flesh sir the grandmaster has always spoken highly of you."

"I hoped he would," Tightship cracked a light smile before turned around to the Garrison ponies. "Take me to the entry point."

They nodded and then led the way.





Levi and Marmy slowly tracked through the caverns and tunnels underneath Canterlot. The carefully followed the path set before them along with several of their family slash corps members. Each time there was a new fork or multiple paths the referred to Michigan who would hop off Levi's shoulder and heads towards the path were he felt the strongest pull towards Twilight.

All along the way the left a trail of the bodies of any Unknown they encountered.

They suddenly stopped when Levi felt a presence from around the corner. Ordering the other to remain he crept over with Marmy and spied two masked ponies around the corner in a large open chamber. They were guarding a door. This was bad, for the Unknown

Levi mad signals with his hands and the Survey corps nodded and readied their magic gear. Levi did the same and pulled one of his own weapons off his hip one at a time and snapped a cartridge into their hilt handles. He clicked the hammers as his weapons charged.

He rushed the Unknown guards throwing them for a loop. He branshished his weapons, twin magic pistols with collapsible blades. 





The guards turned but Levi quickly paralyzed them by shooting them with two bolts of lightning magic from his pistols. He threw his right fist forward sand a line shot from it into the wall in front of him. He quickly zoomed across the room and in and another the blade of his pistols came together.





In the next moment he spun and all that could hear was a quick shink, a couple of thuds, and then a spraying sound as blood spewed from the bodies of headless ponies

"Search the bodies for anything that may be useful," Levi orders as he Crops came up while he whips his swords off to the side thawing the blood off them. They nod and with out batting and eyelash searched the dead ponies.

"Nothing and it seems the door is enchanted to only open for members via a blood pact," Marmy said after examining the door. "But if we're right Twilight is ahead and this is the main base. Perhaps I could fool it somehow with their blood if I rolled in it."

"Move," Levi said coldly as he changed his weapons back to pistol mode. "I'm going to blow it open and once I do Everypony rushes in, No mercy."

They all nod.




On the other side of the door...

"Any word from the financer?' One Unknown asked another only to be answered with a head shake.

"Sadly, things appeared to have heated up more than we'd originally planned," another said.

"What do you mean?" the first turned. "We knew the guards would be called in, but they should."

"The entire city is crawling with Guards. Even the former captain Tightship came in."

"Something isn't right," another rubs his chin. "They should've been busy investigating the Spark house."

"You don't suppose somepony saw you two?" The first looked at the foalnappers.

"No," the both said with certainty. "We made sure to follow the Shadow's order to the letter."

"I think we should leave," came a voice. 

"Are you crazy! We can't move with this much heat!"

"Yes we're better off waiting here. No pony knows these tunnels but the Unknown. No creature could navigate them without use and even then, there are the traps."

Suddenly a pony in black armor walks through an adjoining hallway, "We must move now," the Shadow remarks. "The buyer wants his prize and we need to move before to much attention is called to the Sparkles." He looked to the foalnappers. "To much activity to move in the usual tunnels. We should move through the-"

*BOOM! *

The door was blown off its hinges and sent spinning like a saw across the room. In the process it decapitates one of the foalnappers, more like toe through their neck and flung the head in the corner. Everypony turned to looked at smoke and dust filled the room.

*CLICK*

*CLACK*

*CLICK*

*CLACK*

*CLICK *

*CLACK*

The heavy steps of some creature filled the room. A tall figure that toward over all the ponies in the room emerges from the dust with a bone whiter face adorned with symmetrical cracks. What little light was in the room reflected from in the creature's eye with a glint of red.

"W-what is that?" one of the Unknown whimpers.

Another looked closer and saw the emblem on the creature's torso, "The Survey Corps," they said with distain as serval more figures appeared from behind the tall creature to revel several cloaked masked ponies.

"No mercy," the tall one hissed.

They wasted no time and started to fight with the unknown forces. it was more of a one sided slaughter fest as the Survey Corps whizzed about with the gear easily avoided the Unknowns' attacks. 

Levi wasted no time dodged and zipping about. He'd paralyze some of his victims and then stabbed or shred them, others he would just shredded. He mercilessly slaughtered Unknown after Unknown but never came across the one he wanted, the Shadow.

"Where are you?" he hissed as he looked around. Suddenly a blast of magic came at Levi, but it was actually aimed not at him but at his second-in-command. "No!" He hit a switch in his controls shooting a lining across the room. He zipped across in front of Marmy barely catching the blast with his free hand.

He hit the ground wincing as he felt siring pain in the upper part of his right hand. He looked down at his hand and his pointer and middle finger were completely gone. Not even stubs were left on blackened smoking flesh. Levi grit his teeth and quickly tore off a piece of his sleeve and used it to wrap his injured hand. He looked in the direction the blast came from and noticed a steadily swinging door.

He was on his feet in no time flat and gave chase. Levi burst through the door and scowled looking around her found more passageways. He listened carefully the enchantments on his mask activating to allow him to hear the slightest movements. he quickly picked up and galloping hooves on flagstone.

He quickly came into a spacious cavern.  Then he saw a black armored pony daring across a raven jumping from platform to platform. There on their back a wriggling bag with muffled screams and cries for help coming from it at the pony gallops away.

"I won't let you escape!" Levi howled as he shot a line into the cavern ceiling. "She will go back to her family!"

Shadow looked back intrigued. They had heard all the old legends of this creature. A great killer of old that once left scores of bodies in their wake across countless battlefields. The monster killing mounter passed down in legends across the contents and seas outside the lands of ponies. The one thing that even dragons feared and checked for under their beds at night as even adults.

"The Butcher!" The Shadow smiled as they tossed the filly in the bag off to the side. "I have heard of you and always wanted to meet he legend of the battlefield."

Levi land with a hard thud kick up a cloud of dust around him as he raises to his full height looming over the pony. He glares down with rage, killing intent and bloodlust radiating from every pour and fiber of his being.

Shadblow looked at the blood dripping from the blades of the the Butcher, "Beautiful absolutely beautiful!" they gushed as Levi steadily walks over. "I have wait so long to-"

They didn't even get the chance to finish that statement as Levi had transforms his left blade into gun form and shot a bolt of magic through the pony’s leg front two legs causing them to collapse. Before they could even cry out in pain Levi shot a zip line around their neck and pulled them to his right hand. The Butcher's hand now around the pony's throat squeezed hard enough to keep them from screaming but light enough to speak.

Levi pulls off his mask with his free hand to reveal and thoroughly pissed off human. If light would show in his eye s it would have reflected burning red.

"What is the name of the one who hired you?" Levi seethed through his teeth "TALK!"

The pony gulped hard, "If I tell you, will you let me live?" they wheezed out.

"Depends on what you say in the next ten seconds," Levi scowls, "10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4...," He starts to raise his pistol, "3... 2..."

"MORNING GLORYIT WAS COUNTESS MORNING GLORY!" The shadow yells. "She wanted the filly to brainwash her into being her puppet!"

"1" wall all Levi said. "This is for my family..." he coldly glared.

"But!"

*SHINK!*

The blade on Levi's weapon extended upward straight throw the bottom of the pony's head poking straight through to the ceiling of the cave, killing them very slowly. Levi watched the pony gargle and suffocate on their own blood as the slowly died in his grip. One he knew they were dead Levi removes his baled and then chopped off the head of the Shadow dropped the lifeless body over the edge and kicked the off to the other side.  

Levi made his way over to the bag that still held a whimpering filly. He knelt as to scare the child as little as possible quickly sliced through the knot. Removing the bag, he found the whimpering exhausted dirty from of Twilight Sparkle.

"Please," She cries. "I want be bad, I just wanna go home to my mommy, daddy, and Shiny!"

"Shhhh.... It's alright little one. You must be Twilight. Princess Celestia told me about you in her letters" Levi softly smiles. 

"Y-you know the p-princess"

"She is a very dear and old friend of mine," He says as he reaches behind him slowly and pulls out a big green bullfrog. "I believe this is yours..." he hold out the frog who is instantly scooped up by the filly.

"Michigan!" she nuzzled the frog.

"He's a good frog. He helped me find you Twilight," Levi sits across from the filly and her frog. "I'm here to take you home," he softly says holding out his hand.  "They're very worried about you. Shall we go?"

Twilight's limp quiver and she then slammed into he humans chest and balled her eye out.

"Shhh... they can't hurt you anymore," he says stand, "Now lets go... Just don't look down, okay"

She nods as Michigan hops on Levi shoulder and lets out a croak, 'Thank you.'



Back in the Throne Room...

A low marching was heard off in the distance and it steadily grew louder.

"GET YOUR LOUSY FLANKS OU TOF HE WAY!" order Former Captain Tightship. "CAN YOU SEE WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE PRINCESS!"

The marching grew louder still and suddenly stops as the throne room door were flung open. Standing there was in front of a small army of ponies was Levi, a little worse for wear but that's not what caught everyponies' attention. It was who he had in his arms, Twilight Sparkle.

"TWILLY!" The Sparkle family and Cadence yelled as they rushed forward.

"MOMMY! DADDY! SHINY! CADY!" Twilight hollered and jumps down and slammed into the others in a group hug.

"Oh Twilight," Celestia said coming over with Spike. She sat down and wrapped her wings around the whole group and nuzzle her student. "I was so worried," she says as tears rolled down her cheeks. "She then looks to Levi, "Cadence, take Spike from me for a moment, please."

"Sure Aunty," Cadence says in-between sniffles taking the little drake.

Celestia then walks over to Levi and stands in front of the sellsword as she once had so long ago , "Thank you for returning my student to my, the filly to her family and for returning to us safely," She says as she extends her wings and bows her head shocking every pony there to see but the Corps and Tightship. "Please name you reward; I will give you anything within my power."

Levi takes a knee raises Celestia head so her eyes will meet his, "The only thing I want Tia... is to be your friend as I have always been..." He smiles as the sun shines into the room behind him.




> Intermission- The Proposal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Days Later after Twilight's return...

"Why didn't you tell me you got hurt?!" Celestia exclaims.

"Because it wasn't necessary," Levi says. "The only thing that mattered was getting Twilight back to her family and you."

"You lost your fingers Levi, your FINGERS!" Celestia emphasized. "You're a lot more prone to keeping damage than I am. If I lost a limb I can grow it back in a few hours or day at most. You can only reattach as long at there is something to reattach and reattach too."

"I know that," Levi rolls his eyes. "I've done it plenty of times before Tia."

"This is different this time," she liftS his right hand in her magic to to look at his totally charred numbs of the remains of his pointer and middle fingers. "What possessed you to take a incineration bolt like that?"

"Protecting my granddaughter!" Levi shouted jumping up out of his chair looking down on her. "Of all the ponies out there I would think you would understand that most of all!" he pokes the solar princess in the chest.

Celestia sits down and sighs hanging her head, "I do understand Levi but," she looks up with sadness in her eyes as  tears form, "you have to understand, you're one of the two that don't live in the palace out there that I hold so close to my heart outside the ones in this entire world. It's hurts my heart so much to see you so injured like this and not being to do anything to help you."

Levi kneels down and pulls Celestia into a warm hug, "I had to act Tia and your right I should be more aware of those around me and how they feel about my actions but I would gladly do it again if it meant saving any of my family."

"I know you would," She wraps her wings around him. "And I'm glad you told me before you left," She pulls back and then goes over to a table and uses her magic to wheel it over. "Cause I was able to have the alchemist and an armorer throw these together for you," she pulls back the cloth over the table to reveal two silver fingers of a gauntlet attached to a leather strap, a prosthetic. 

"They're a bit crude," she nervously remarks, "but hopefully they'll act as the replacements. I used some of the medical journals you wrote for me for the mechanics and the statue I had in the gardens for the models. Luckily there was a minotaur smith in the city who was familiar with making arm and he took up the rush order. Could a maybe..."

"Go ahead Tia," Levi smiles hold up his rights hand without hesitation.

Celestia takes the prosthetic in her magic and then places it on Levi's hand where his fingers had been and snaps the strap snug, "Now this is just the proto-type. It connect to he nerves in your hand and should function just like your old ones. You should even have some sense of touch." she walks over to her desk and picks ups a journal with her magic then hands it to Levi. "This is a copy of everything from construction to maintenance. I imagine you'll be able to refine it more once your home. I would like updates on it. If it works well for you we maybe able to start on large versions of whole limbs for others."





Levi moves his new finger back and forth a few times before opening and closing his hand.

"Just think," She says. "Ponies with missing legs walking again, If you don't like you don't have to-"

She was cut off by the cold boop on her nose by Levi's new pointer finger, "Thank you Tia. Thank you very much."

Celestia smiles warmly, "You're very welcome Levi," then she got stern. "Now tell me of the events."

"The Shadow outed her employer at Countess Morning Glory," Levi explains sitting back in his chair and pulled the Shadow's black mask for a bag. "The mask kept a record of whatever the wearer saw. The enchantments the Unknown use are very similar to our own in the Survey Corps but mush stronger. The spell is a bit older than ours but after some time our enchanters were able to track its origins to the  Night Guard from about a thousand years ago."

Celestia folds her ears against her head, "You think they're followers of Nightmare Moon?"

"That was a very high possibility at one point but I don't think so," Levi taps the mask. "I think one of their early member was either a Luna assassins or had very close tie to the sect."

"Hmmm." Celestia stares at the mask. "Can you prove this isn't a forgery of some sort?"

"Easily," Levi held up a hand. "These spells are old and hard to enchant onto objects. Most of the Unknown gear s register to be around seven-hundred years old indicated it was passed down to new members as they earned the right to join by killing the older members."

"You did wipe them all out?" She asks sternly. 

"The ones in the city yes," Levi nods.

"How many nobles?" Celestia asked

"Not a one," Levi nipped that bud. "But we did find ties to many of the nobles dating back some few hundred years and a quite a few in current times. Your guard are currently heading these arrests and investigations," he sips some of his tea. "The Survey Corps are currently outing the rest. We are systematically wiping the rest out as we find them."

"I don't like the notions of killing my ponies, but they need to be ended," Celestia she scowls and then sighs slumping forward. "What were they going to with Twilight?"

"According to the Shadow Countess Morning Glory planned to brainwash Twilight to be loyal to her," he sits his cup down. "She probably banking on the fact Twilight was your student and planning to use the filly to get closer to you and mover up. I think she may have been planning to marry Twilight into the family at some point to keep her close and avoid suspicions."

"We've found evidence of the  in her estate," Celestia looked off to the side with disgust. "Her 'husband' has been absent for some years. When we went looking for him we found him in the lower rings of the city in a two bedroom apartment living with a mistress who was a former maid at the Glory Estates. They've known each other since they were foals."

"Arranged marrige," Levi raised an eyebrow.

"That is what he said," She sips some tea. "He had tried to make it work with the Countess but he never felt love for her, on disgust."

"Foals?"

"One," Celestia sighs. "And he adores his father and was devastated when his found out his father went out and mysteriously never came back."

"She used her own son hostage!" Levi yells in out rage with Celestia steadily nodding.

"The count has officially been cleared and reinstated at the rightful own of the Glory titles and lands," Celesta explains. "His son is overjoyed to be with his father and his new step-mother to be. He even got a little bonus in the form of a little sister."

"The countess?"

"Gone..." Tia spat. "She lift the city as soon as your Corps were out in force knowing it was only a matter of time before she was tracked down for her part. I have warrants out for her arrest."

"I didn't realize the Corps had such a reputation already," Levi chuckled. "We'll keep our eyes pilled for her too."

"I want her arrested in order to stand trial, not to disappeared," Celestia says firmly.

"I understand Tia," Levi nods. "On another subject, how's your girl doing?"

Sighing heavily she looks at Levi, "She is so scared. She won't leave the castle for anything Levi," she gets up and walks over to the balcony and looks to the little purple filly with four guards around her on all side. A bull frog sitting at her side. I hear you have Marmy taking her out and shadowing her when I do."

Levi nods a couple of times walking onto the balcony looking down. "I thought it best she have somepony close she knows."

"Levi, I have a job for you." She turns to looks at her old friend. "I want to hire you to be Twilight Sparkle's Personal Body guard."




> Meeting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





A few days later...

Levi had left the city to return to the main enclave of the Survey Corps. He had much to do and discuss with his family on the matters of the Unknown. He was also going to be discussing the job he'd taken as Twilight Sparkle's bodyguard as soon as he returned to Canterlot. Marmy was left their in his stead to watch over the purple filly until his return and it was also good cause Marmy and Twilight had a bit of a bond thanks to her visits to the Princess.

Twilight was currently sitting with Marmy and Michigan next to the pond under the tree, The two had only grown closer sense the events of Twilight's abduction.  So much so the Twilight has started to referred to he old unicorn as her as aunt Marmy or auntie much like Cadence did with Celestia.

"Aunt Marmy," Twilight spoke looking up from her book. "Why did they take me?"

"The one who took you did so cause they were pay to do so little Sparkle," Marmy wrapped her foreleg around Twilight and pulled her closer. "Some ponies just want money but the ones who paid them wanted you for a very evil scheme."

"But why?"  Twilight looked at her little hooves. "I'm not special, not like Shiny. I can barley even do magics, let alone get spells right most of the time."

"All I know is they had a plan little Sparkle but now," Marmy rubs the filly's foreleg. "They can't hurt you anymore."

"Cause you stopped them!" Twilight says with a bit of relief snuggle into her adopted aunt's side. "Who was it that saved me again? I don't really remember a whole lot of the details. I was so scared and tried. I can't recall to much of it."

"I helped stop them Twilight," Marmy corrects. "I didn't do it alone but with help from my... friends," She said. "And the one who saved you was my teacher, and my grandfather.'

"Really?" Twilight pulled back looking up with the older pony. "What he like?"

"He's... very tall, like princess Celestia tall," Mary holds her hoof up. "He can be very strict and harsh and can even come off as cold and emotionless sometimes," Twilight gulped. "But he is also very kind, caring and very loving. He's very smart and knows a lot of things that someponies these days would call legends. He is also very old."

"Well of course is very old, he's your grandpa!" Twilight giggled "I hope I can meet him again. I want to thank him. What's his name?"

"Well, I usually call him grandpa, grandfather, or Grandmaster, sometimes sir," Marmy stands up and stretches. "But his real name is Levi, Levi Ackerman."

"I think I've heard that name a few times before," Twilight scratches her head. "But I don't remember where. Did he write any books?"

"Yes, in fact he has written quite a few," Marmy nods levitating the little filly hold her frog onto her back. "You have read some of them but enough of that for now. It's time for your lessons with the princess today."

"You'll... you'll stay there with me won't you?" Twilight hesitantly asked.

"If Princess Celestia let's me and I don't have anything come up I'll see if I can make it back but I do need to make a run to the market for the bar so I won't be there for most of it," Marmy says causing Twilight to become slightly disheartened.

"Perk up my little Sparkle," Marmy looks over her shoulder to the little filly. "You'll get to learn something new and if you keep up with your lessons for the next few days I here the princess has a surprise for you."

"Really?! What is it?!"

"I can't tell you cause then it wouldn't be a surprise now would it," Marmy chuckles as the reach Celestia's room. "We're here to see the princess. It time for Twilight's lessons." She order the guards who salute and open the door allowing them entry. Marmy levitates Twilight off her back and next to the Princess, "I'll see you later my little Sparkle, be good." 

She gives Twilight a little nuzzle. "Okay auntie, hurry back okay."

"I'll try," Marmy nods and turns to the princess. "I have business to tend to and will be back later."

"Take care Marmy and thank you again," Celestia nods.

"No problem Princess, good bye for now," Marmy turns and makes her exit.




The days pass...

Levi made his way through Canterlot's streets alone at night.

He'd just returned from meeting with the other members of the leaders of the Corps about what had happened in Canterlot and the events that followed. He also made it quite clear that he was not stepping down from his position as the head of the family but would leave the majority f things to those he knew would look over things as they should be run. He would also be making regulars and random check-ins to the safehouses and barracks around Equestria.

Levi effortlessly strolls up to the gate and has the guards, "State you're purpose!"

"I'm here to speak with Celestia," Levi remarks removing his mask to give a stern glare to the guards.

The guards immediately  recoil, "Mr. Ackerman sir, we're sorry we're-"

"Just doing you're jobs," he remarks placing the mask back on his face. "I won't hold it against you two. But be more careful in the tone in which you ask someone. You came off as outraged someone would dare approach you.," he taps the crest on one of their chests with his metal fingers. "Just because you're wearing Celestia's crest doesn't make you better than another pony or creature in general. Got it!"

"YES SIR!" They yelled at attention with out even realizing it.

"Good," Levi nods, "Take care gents, things will be changing soon," He remarks walking ingot the castle.

"Um? Why'd we do that?"

"I... honestly that... uh.... whatever he is scares the crap out of me."

"Isn't he some sort of monster?" they looked back only to see nothing there.

"Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if he was. Some of the stories I've read about him call him a demon with an unrivaled bloodlust that could never be quenched no matter the battlefield he was on."

"I heard he's been around for as long as the princess."

"It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was true."




Twilight was brought into the dining hall via her guard escort. Princess Celestia was sitting at the head of the table beaming with a big smile on her face. She finally is able to giver Twilight her surprise, much sooner than she'd originally thought would be possible.

"YAW.... Good morning Princess," Twilight yawns as she hoped up into her seat while Michigan hops onto he table from his spot on Twilight's back. 

The frog had only ever left Twilight's side to do his own business. Celestia had even setup a water feature in the room Twilight had started occupying for the green familiar who would occasionally try and cheer up the purple filly via dancing and sing but it only ever got a small smile out of the her.

"Good morning my faithful student," Celestia smiles doing her best to keep giggles from rising to that surface, "Did you sleep well?"

"Better than I have been," Twilight rubs her eyes.

Celestia smile fell slightly as the little fill rarely ever got through a night without waking up screaming. "I have a surprise for you this morning, one that I think will help you sleep better at night."

"I hope its not more dream root," Twilight made a face of disgust. "I know it helps me sleep but it taste so icky!"

"No my purple pupil," Celestia giggles. "It is in fact a someone you have met before. He is an old and very dear friend of mine I had met long ago. He wrote many of the books in my personal that you so love to borrow behind my back," She gives a sly grin to the little filly who can only give a nervous giggle with red cheeks while her frog merely rolls his eyes.

"Wait, he's the author of most of those books!" Twilight quickly turned her head to look at her teacher who was give a confident nod. "YAY! I GET TO MEET AN AUHOR NOT EVEN MY MAMA KNOW!" She started to vigorously pronks around the room. "She'll  be so jealous!"

"I be she will, especial when she finds out how influential he was to many of the books we have today," Celestia giggles at the sight of seeing Twilight so happy. Celestia then uses her magic and puts Twilight back in her seat, "Now Twilight you need to listen to me carefully. This is a very dear friend to me and I specifically asked for his help because he is the ONLY creature I can trust with this task."

"Um... Princess," Twilight interrupts. "You said... creature. I think you should have said pony?"

"No Twilight," Celestia shakes her head. "He is not a pony at all."

"Then what is he?" Twilight tilts her head. "A griffon?"

"Why don't I let you find out," Celestia sing sung. "You can come in now Levi!" She calls out.

A side door opens and out walk a tall creature on two legs with a jet black mane, two beady eyes, a small noise and mouth in clothing from head to tow. His outfit was black pants and jacket that hung over his shoulders like a cape over a simple white button-down shirt with a frilly white ascot around his neck. His most notable features were on his face. Two scars on the right side, one over his eye and that eye was white. He sat down across form Twilight and in placing his right hand on the table a glint of light caught the filly's sight. His pointer and middle claws on his right hand were metal.





"It is good to see you in better spirits than last time I saw you little one," Levi spoke in a warm tone with a smile. 

Twilight was frozen for a minute, "Y-your t-that s-statue f-from the g-garden!" she point her hoof. "T-the human!"

"Right on the money," Levi snickers. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Levi Ackerman and it is very nice to finally meet you formally. Tia told me a lot about you in her letters."

"You said you're name was Levi Ackerman, you're Aunt Marmy's Grandpa!" Twilight shouts in a sudden realization. "You're voice. You're the one who saved me!"

Twilight then passes out causing Celestial to catch her and bring to he hooves. "She certainly took that better than I expected."

"Me to," Levi nods. "I thoroughly excepted her to run and scream."

"It helps I showed her your statue from the garden," Celestia levitates her student as she gets up on to her back. "Honestly I thought something would explode."

"Is that a regular hazard?" Levi raises an eyebrow.

"Not really," Celestia giggles. "Usually there's a lot of smoke but nevermore than that."

"Usually?” He raised and eyebrow. “Never mind that for now. Let's get her to her room," Levi looks at the snoring filly. "She looks like she needs this."

"I agree, but will you stay with her," Celestia pleads as the walk along with Michigan hopping onto her back. "I don't want her to wake up alone but I have appointments I must attend to today."

"It's why you hired me isn't ," Levi points out opening a door for Celestia.

"Thank you Levi," Celestia walks in and tuck Twilight in and kisses her forehead. "Rest my faithful student and dream of better things." She turns to Levi, "I'll see you later then." She then exit out but before she does Michigan hops off her and then over to his water feature.

"Don't work to hard Tia," Levi gives a solemn nod as Celestia exits the room. Levi goes over to Twilight's bookshelves and take a gander, "Hmm.... This one should for now," he says pulling a 'Supernaturals' form its place and then sitting down in a chair not far away from the snoring filly and begins to read.




A few hours later...

Candace trots down the hallways with Spike in his stroller, “I hope Twilly is doing alright,”  she says to the little drake. “Aunty said she still isn’t sleeping well, even with the dream root elixir," Cadence sticks her tongue out causing the baby drake to giggle and clap. "It almost lunch time so we need to get her up," Cadence giggle and and then looks up to see Strawberry Marmalade. "Hello Marmy, how are you doing today?"

"Princess Cadence," Marmy bows. "I am fine. I was coming to get our little Sparkle. I find out form the maids she was brought back here to her room by Princess Celestia." She explains. "I was coming to see if she wanted to go outside maybe even try going home."

"I hope you're not trying to force her," Cadence eyed the older mare.

"Princess if I wanted to force that little filly to do something I wouldn't need force," Marmy scowled. "I will not stand to be accused like this. That little filly in there is very dear o me, as if she were one of my blond kin! We in the Survey Corps take bonds VERY seriously, family and friendship alike!" She stomps her huff causing Spike it start to sniffle. "If you every, and I mean EVER, dare accuse me of doing any thing to Twilight again then... well... you best know how to defend yourself very very well."

"I'm sorry I..."

Marmy held up a hoof, "Do not start to apologize for looking out for those you cherish with you heart Princess Cadenza, just more more aware of who you're pointed the tip of the knife at, Understood?"

Cadence give a solemn nod, "Yes Ma'am."

"Good, now let us wake our little Sparkle, its time for food," Marmy sys turning to the door opening it. To her shock she finds her grandfather in the room sitting in the corner reading books.

"Oh, Mr. Levi, your back," Cadence walks in a little surprised. "Why are you in Twilly's room?"

"I'm watching over the little as she rests," He says not even looking up from his book. "She had a bit of overexcitement and passed out from fatigue."

"Grandfather, when did you get back into the city?" Marmy statement through Cadence for a bit of a loop.

"Late last night while everyone was a sleep," Levi flips a page. "I've told you before Cadence, that's a good way to catch flies," he says noting Cadence mouth hanging open as he stands up before picking up the and returning them their proper places. "I'll let you two wake the little one. I don't want her to freak out again," he says walking out of the room leaving the mares.

Marmy then walks over to the bed and starts to jousel Twilight awake, "Grandfather?" Candence ask. "How is Mr. Levi your grandpa?"

"Simple," Marmy says as Twilight sleepily sits up and yawns as she rubs her eyes. "He is my my great grandmother's father, making him my Great Great Grandfather. Come on little Sparkle time for lunch."

"Aunt Marmy," Twilight sleepily rubs her eyes. "When did you get here? Where's Princess Celestia and..." Her eyes shot open. "I met you're grandpa! Why'd didn't you tell me he wasn't a pony?! Why didn't you tell my you mostly pony?!"

"I am one hundred percent pony little Sparkle," Marmy calmed the filly down. "Like I was telling Princess Cadence. My grandfather can't have foals of his own. He and his wife tried a lot but never could bare children.," Levitating Twilight out of bed and onto the floor she continues. "He even told her she should look for someone else that could give her children  but my Great Great Granny Strawberry was a stubborn mare and she loved my Grandfather very very much. So they adopted foal of there own. One of who was my Great Granny Strawberry Streusel. She waited for my grandpa to corm home everyday until he finally did."

"She sounds like she really loves her father," Cadence smiles as as she set Spike on the floor next to Twilight as she pulls a brush form the dresser and to brush the filly's mane.

"She did," Marmy gave a solemn sigh. "She passed away some time ago now but she still lived after he came back for a few more years. After she passed I started to travel with my Grandfather so see the world.

"Is he the reason you're so strong Aunt Marmy?" Twilight looked at the Survey Member.

"In a way little Sparkle. He trained me to be strong and helped make me the mare I am now by guiding me but he let me make my own choices too," Marmy nods. "But don't let that fool you little Sparkle. I am still just a pony like any other pony. I just know how to be strong for the right reasons, all thanks to my grandpa and my family."

Cadence levitates Twilight onto her back and Spike into his stroller. "Let's get the dining hall. shall we!"




Celestia sat at her place at the head of the table the Dining Hall. With a pair of red framed half moon reading glasses on her muzzle she was busying herself reading over proposals, most of which wee power plays by the nobles to try and move in on Countess Morning Glory's open assets. 

"I can't believe that mare had ties to the into so many shady practices," Celestia seethed with anger, the temperature of the room slightly rising. She slapped the papers down on the table. "I need stress food!" She yells and drops her head on the table.

"Your highness are you feeling alright?" the maid asks. "Should I get you some tea and cakes?"

"Pickles," Celestia said bluntly.

"Excuse me?" the maid tilts her head.

"I would like some pickles instead. Oh, with chocolate sauce on them!" Celetstia picks her head up and looks at the mare. "What is Feather Duster?"

The maid blinks a few times, "Um... your highness not to be rude but the entire time I've been your maid never once have you turned down tea and cakes," She pointes out. "Let alone heave I ever heard of putting chocolate sauce on pickles. Sorry but it... just doesn't seem right. Are you feeling alright? Should I call the doctor?"

"I'm fine Feather Duster," Celestia sighs removing her glasses with her magic. "Just a little stressed is all. And I used to eat chocolate dipped pickles whenever I was stressed. Something about the sweet and sour with the stratifying crunch helps relieve some tension."

"AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Came a pompous well.

"Oh dear mother of all," Celestia immediately dropped her head back on the table with a hard thud.

Blueblood suddenly burst into the room, "Auntie there's this large thing walking are the castle on two legs! It had the audacity to wake past me and not bow! I demand you punisher it! It's on it's way here now!" 

"First off," Celestia picks her head up and rubs her temples with her hooves. "Hello dear nephew how are you today? Oh you saw something, again. That's Nice Oh I'm fine by the way. Thank you sooooo much for asking after you so boldly burst in here," She remarks in a matter of fact tone.

"Yes yes nice to see you to," Blueblood waves his hoof around in the air. "Now a about that creature I demand you put it in the dungeons and punisher it for not bowing to me!"

"First off, proper grammar dear nephew," Celestia points out. "It's punish, not punisher. Second this creature, does it walk upright on two legs have a black mane with a part down the middle of it and is around my height?"

"Why yes it is," Blueblood nods. "Good to know you have already taken measure to capture the nasty thing. Thank you so much Auntie and have a nice day."

The young stallion begins to canter off but Celestia grabs him in her magic, "Sit," she says sternly place the youth in a chair. "First of all, You will not make demands of me as I am your aunt and guardian, not you servant," Bluebloods eyes widen as he gulps as Celestia gets up out of her seat and trots around. "Second, this creature is not a creature at all but your elder and superior as well as my very dear friends from far before you were even a twinkle of existence. Third, you will start showing every creature the proper respect, be they castle staff, guards family,-"

"But he-"

"or my friend," Celestia got in the colts face with a stern glare. "Starting form today your privileges are rescinded."

"WHAT!? YOU CAN'T JUST-"

"Oh yes I can," Celstia put her hoof down with a hard clop. "Seeing as how I am the one who gave them to you in the first place it is will with in my right to do so," she keeps trotting. "Should show signs of genuinely improving your abhorrent behavior then you will earn them back."

"Butbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbut..."

"No buts," Celestia shook her head. "I have heard enough about how you treat the ponies of this castle and how you treat those you deem lower than yourself! It is you, young stallion who has the audacity too accuse some one of not bowing to you in my home. You demand respect form someone you have not even tried to earn it from."

"It it is just some ugly-"

"SILENCE!" Celestia yelled in the royal Canterlot voice causing the Feather Duster to cover her ears. "I have had enough of your pompous idiotic behavior Blueblood. Until you prove to me other why's you have no rights to any thing of royalty say except your title as prince as in 'title' a lone. Starting next week you will start studying for the academy. Should you prove to be better and change your ways by summers end then I will with hold your transfer from the Canterlot prep. Understood?" She leans down.

Blueblood gulps hard, "Y-yes M-ma'am."

"And just so you know, that Creature as you call him is Levi Ackerman, patriarch of the Strawberry clan and Grandmaster of the Survey Corps," Bluebloods eye shrank, "Yes the one who are one of the few sellsword allowed to operate and who save my student form a very grim fate. So maybe you should think more the next time you charge in her making demand for bullshit  reason, now leave!"

Blueblood took his chance and galloped out leaving only a Blueblood shapes cloud behind in his seat.

BAM!

"That idiot boy," Celestia grumbles with her head on the table. "Was I to harsh? What would you have done Feather if it was Cotton Tail?"

"Pretty much the same thing," Feather says off to the said. "Except for the school transfer but I think you did the right thing princess. He ahs gotten much worse over the passing months. Many of the staff are to scared of losing their jobs to speak up. The only ponies he doesn't threaten to much are the guards due to their physicality, but he still holds there jobs over their heads."

"Due tell everyone of what's happened here, proudly," Celestia sighs. "And let me know if he still tries the bull with the staff. He can't even wipe his own ass let alone fire anypony. Spread that one too."

"Gladly princess," Feather bows with a smirk. "Pickles and Chocolate sauce?"

"Please," Celestia pleads as Levi walks in and Feather Duster walks into the kitchen. "Levi!" She perks up. "Where's Twilight and did she sleep?"

"Man you really did a number on the asshole of a nephew of yours,"  Levi chuckles. "But he needed it. Twilight slept solid the whole time. Not even a single motion to swat at stuff. She with Marmy and Cadence now."

"Levi, would you be willing to teach lessons, part time at least?" Celestia asks picking her head up as Feather Duster comes back and give Celestia her snack.

"What can I get you ah..." She looked at Levi hesitantly. "Sir?"

"Some of that roast cockatrice would be nice please," Levi answer causing Feather to turn green in the face slightly.

"Yes, s-sir," She nods and leaves again.

"I don't see why I can't Tia but I'm not teaching full courses," He held up his hand. "I'll come up with a routine and new obstacle course and do occasional sword lessons from time to time but I won't privately teach anyone other than Twilight , and that's if she wants it."

"Twilight does have a very talented older brother who specializes in shield spells," Celestial says taking a bite out of a pickle with a hardy crush, "Gods above I missed thses!"

Levi looks at her and raises an eyebrow, "Oooookay, but Twilight's brother, you think he would benefit from my training? The same training from years ago?"

"His name is Shining Armor, you met him during the whole... incident. The the white stallion who was freaking out. Yes, I think he would," Celestia nods. "But if you're not sold on my word speak with Tightship. He has taken a shine to the young stallion."

Feather comes back with Levi's food on a cart, "Your food sir."

"Thank you Miss," he give a slight bow and takes his food. "If you recommend him then I 'll go see for myself and speak with Tight about it. No promises though."

"Thank you," Celestia gives a slow nod and then looks at her plate. "When did I eat them all?"
> YOU'RE WHAT?!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




A few Months Later...

Levi had been working as Twilight's bodyguard and found it quite enjoyable. It reminded of his time raising his daughters most of the time, other times it reminds it of his time training and traveling with Marmy. He was also overseeing Shining Armor's training in his spare time having taken a rather strong liking to the colt and his potential.

Shining often boasted that he would one day be a match for even Levi. He shielding technique was definitely, something to witness in person and more than lived up to what Celestia and Tightship made it out to be. Levi took to using the opportunities in his lesson with Shining to better his weaponry against stronger mages. He quickly found that the best go to when going up against magic of any type was mithril, the purer the better. 

The major problem here was that the material was one of the few metals that was a rarity and cost a great deal to find and refine let alone craft. It was used mainly by the Equestrian military for weapons and armor in case of confect but kept under strict lock and key with only a select few having access. This was fine though as Levi had his own stockpile of mithril from several years ago in Abyssinia, before his time as Celestia's bodyguard. Little was known about it in the country and world, so it was used a a form of low grade currency for peasants who never bothered to refine it.

Levi decided to put his mithril stock to good use in the form of a new weapon he designed himself, but he still needed a smith to craft the mithril. Celestia told him the name of the smith that crafted his prosthetic fingers and told him he was an excellent smith that they often hire to do more interact work with metal. Levi spoke with the Minotaur in person finding out his name was Fire Brand. The two became fast friends, the bull loved being a smith but told Levi his work paid will when he did it but not many required hand or custom bade armors or weapons anymore outside ceremonies which were few and far between. Levi hired him and told him to seek out the work at the Punching Bag and Tail them Levi Ackerman sent you.

Safe to say Levi got his weapon and Fire Band got a new job as the Survey Corps smiths for Canterlot.

Levi's new weapon was a new blade based off his folding blades he'd used in his assault on the Unknown. The major differences in this one are that it not only fires magic bolts from magically charged cartridges but can also switch to live ammunitions, but these were limited to only six shots. The blade was sword was also one piece instead of a two-part folding blade that retracted around the pistol. The pistol function was integrated into the hilt of the sword with the barrel of the gun running the length of the spine of the sword with the pistol's trigger big a lever on the opposite side. Every last piece except for the handle wrapped was pure refined mithril. Most ponies noted the similarities to a Nieghponese style blade and the was sharpened to the point of perfection, being able to easily sliver through solid marble leave a mirrored surface. Levi named the weapon, Carver.


(The Carver)



It saw safe to say Shining was thoroughly surprised when Levi started him and Twilight on sword fighting. The unicorn stallion scoffed at first but after having his but handing to him via Marmalade's hooves without magic and wearing a suppression ring on her horn, he changed his mind very quickly. Marmy enjoyed her time with the Sparkles as well, Shining even took to calling her Aunt like Twilight did after a time. Whenever Marmy was there it gave Levi time to take a break and have a day or two off, which he spent by either sleep, spending time with Celestia, or kick cadet boot with harsh drills. 

Safe to say his life was good. He hadn't been this happy in a long time as was noted by Marmy. Spike was one of his other pass times whenever he was with The Sparkles and Cadence. Cadence poked at him for spending time with her Aunt and said he should marry her after the way she started to act around him following his return.

Though this was a constant line of decision in court at the current time as well. Many nobles were normally put off by her saying no and would back talking to her behind her back but lately Celestia wasn't having any off it. She was also very moody outside of court too. Many of those closest to her had grown quite concerned and asked her to consult her personal doctor.





Throne Room...

This was the day that most of the windows in the throne room needed replacing, again.

"I'M WHAT!?" Celestia shouts in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

A Doctor Brown was currently sitting on the floor in front of the solar princess. He was a pale tan unicorn stallion with a white mane that parts just at the base of his skull giving the impression of a bald guy and a short frizzed out tail in a yellow lab coat. 

Dr. Brown remove the earplugs in his ears and promptly puts them in his pockets, "You heard me correctly princess. The mood swings, the cravings for odd foods, the... no offense... wait gain."

"Are you say I have a fat ass?!" Celestia glares.

"On the contrary princess, I never said the by the way, you have gained weight but it most assuredly is not in your ass, though how that possible is still up in the air," Dr. Brown explains and then clears his throat. "You are also putting out excess levels of magic. All of the fits with one thing..."





Levi was currently out in the courtyard with Cadence Marmy, Shining, and Twilight. Levi had started to teach Twilight how to write with her hooves. Twilight kept saying it was impossible until Marmy showed her it was. Safe to say she has been learning as fast as she could, so not very fast at all for this sort of thing.

Levi was laying on his back with Spike on his chest. He'd grown quite attached to the baby whelpling in such a short time and Spike the same. Levi wasn't too keen on him being around the baby at first not wanting to set a bad example or give him any bad habits. Safe to say that effort lasted all of three seconds until Spike started to chew Levi's mithril finger and the scene was to much for his hurt to resist. The little drake had taken such a liking to the human that he often cried until Levi held him if he saw him close by.

Cadence was busy doing homework and Shining Armor was busy... being thrown around by his Aunt Marmalade.

"Come on Shiny what have I told you countless times before," Marmy says blandly easily dance around the younger stallion. and proceeds to flip him on his back, again.

"Be like a reed and bend," He sighs.

"I'm nearly twice your age and I am still able to easily move around you with little to no effort at all," Marmy says as she looks into his eyes.

"Yea but still-" Shining gets to his hooves. "I wasn't trained from birth to be a super cull stealth pony mercenary."

"Neither was I," Marmy says smugly.

"I find that hard to believe with who your grandfather and teacher is," Shining say with a half-lidded gaze. "Have you ever beat him by the way?"

"No," Marmy says.

"Don't lie Marmy!" Levi calls out.

Marmy rolls her eyes," Okay so have beaten grandpa on a few occasions but they don't really count as I was using the help of foals to pin him post of the time, and he lets me win whenever I do that," She whispers. "In our line of work there are no fair or honorable fight Shiny. The is only fighting for your life and using any means necessary. Understood?"

"I think so," Shiny sighs. "Do whatever you need to win then."

"No, close but no," Marmy shakes her head. "Do whatever you need to do in order to survive in that moment. Let's take a break for now. You have homework to do and don't try and snuggle with Cadydid. Faust You reek."

"You may be my coltfriend and top of the class thanks to Levi Marmy's training but please do listen," Cadence scrunches her nose. "I love you Shiny but... I don't want to smell like you, at least not yet." She giggles causing the white stallions to turn very pink all over.

Shiny raised is foreleg to his nose and took a big snort then quickly gags turning green in the face.

"Told you," Marmy walks away and then sit down next to Twilight. "You're getting much better with your hoof writing Little Sparkle."

"Thank You Aunt Marmy," Twilight turns and smiles. "I practice whenever I can at home."

"How did you mother take it when she saw you doing this?" Levi opens an eye.

"She freaked out and ranted then froze up for a few hours," Twilight giggles.

Suddenly there was a golden flash and Princess Celestia was standing front of everyone. She looked as if somepony had just told her that the cook had burnt her cake, again. She quickly starts to look around in a bit of a freak out until her gaze comes to rest on Levi.

"Tia what's wrong?" Levi say as he put Spike off to the side next to Cadence.

Suddenly a golden Aura covers Levi's whole body and brought him over to Celestia, "You. Me. Talk. Private. Now!" 

Levi blinks a couple of times and then they were another flash and they were gone.

"Ah.... What the what?" Shining tilts his head.

"Oh, this can't be good,” Cadence says standing up and levitating Spike onto her back. "She didn't look happy at all."

"Yea she seemed... very concerned about something," Marmy notes. "I think we should go find them." She the levitates Twilight onto her back and puts the filly's studies away.

"Hey, I wasn't done yet," Twilight puffs out her cheeks.

"Twilight, we need to see what's going on," Shining interrupts. "The princess was here, and she took Levi!"

Twilight was about to say something then she quickly covers her nose with both hooves, "Shiny you're all smelly!" 

Marmy and Cadence looked at one another and they both smiled.

"Your aunt did say she wanted to talk privately with my grandfather in private," Marmy looks at Shiny.

"Yes, and I am curious but I'm not walking with a stinky escort," Cadence puts her hoof over her nose.

Shiny blinks a couple of times and a pair of flowers suddenly welt from his smell, "Um..."

"If only somepony knew a washing spell," Marmy tops her chin.

Twilight let out a big gasp, "I do! I do!" she threw her hooves sin the air.

Shining's eyes got wide, "Noooo.. No, no, no..." he says as he starts to back away.

Cadence and Marmy both looked at each other and smile then giggle. Shining turns but its to late at he is quickly picked up of the ground via a icy blue aura. 

"You're not going anywhere, smelly colt," Cadence let's out a evil giggle.

"You heard her little Sparkle." Marmy smiles.

"Yea wishy washy!"  Twilight throws up her hoof and a purple beam shoots from her horn at Shining and he was suddenly going through any entire washing cycle and then a spin cycle.

Spike in the meantime busied himself by clapping. 

Before long Shining was back on the ground drenched. The poor colt was shivering.

"At least he doesn't stink anymore," Marmy raises and eyebrow. "But now he's sopping wet. We can't go through the palace with him dripping everywhere. Kibitz would freak."

"I'd p-pay t-to see t-t-that," Shining chuckles as he shivers in place.

"Yea but you're not the one who would have to hear it," Cadence says flatly says she lights her and in a quick pop and a wave of heat wash over her coltfriend drying him. "Sorry Twilly we don't need him singed after just washing him."

Shining looked over himself, "Hey you two should open up a laundry service, " he chuckles, "Yes nice and shiny with no-"

*POMF*

"Poof," his said flatly as he was now a giant poof ball of blue and white. The mares were doing their best to stifle laughs with watering eyes and bloated cheeks.

Shiny sighs, "Let's go," he says lifting his leg and with one movement, started to roll. "Some pony help me!"  he yells as he rolls in circle while the mares burst out laughing.




Celestia Private Chambers...

Celestia popped into her private chambers with Levi still floating in her magic. She then quickly trots over and pulls up a chair and drops Levi in it.

"Umf... Tia what the hell?!" Levi blurts out. "You can't just pop in say 'we need to talk' while looking all freaked out all to hell. I was with the kids, on the job that you hired me to do!"

She then starts tp pace about all around room mumbling to herself. "What if he say no, what then? what if he completely denies us?"

"Okay enough of this," Levi threw his hands up and gets to his feet. He walks over to the freaking sun pony and waits for the right moment as she passes by him. He lifts his right hand and takes his middle finger and holds it back with his thumb and. "Flick," Levi says with his tongue as she proceeds to flick the princess right on her flank.

"EEEPP!" Celestia yelps in a jump and she reels around to slap Levi with her wing but he catches her.

"Now," Levi looks her in the eyes. "Are you calm," she nods vigorously, "Good. Now what the hell has you so worked up."

"Mmm...." Celestia looks off to the side with her eyes.

"Tia..." Levi raises an eyebrow.

"Okay I'll tell you but you have to promise not to be mad," Celestia pleads. 

"Tia what's going on with you?"

"Please promise me?!" Celestia gets in his face

"Okay... oaky... Sheesh," Levi holds his hands up. "I promise I won't be mad at you. I've never been mad with you to my knowledge, maybe a bit upset from time to time. But I promise I won't be mad now tell me what's got you so worked?!"

"I'm pregnant!"

"What?" Levi raised an eyebrow.





"I said I'M PREGNANT!"

"I heard you the first time," Levi pushes her out from in front of him. "And I don't see why I would be mad about this or why'd your be freaking out about it? We should be happy about this," He smiles. "I happy you have the chance to start a family. Is the father some asshole or-"

"You."

"What?"

"You're the father Levi."

"What?"

"You heard me," Celestia said adamantly. "You're the father of my foal. I have been with no other stallion these past months leaving only you as the logical conclusion. I even ran a DNA spell with some of you hair."

"But how?" Levi says confused. "I've... I've never had... But I..."  he runs his hands through his hair as he walks over to the chair and sits down. "This shouldn't... be possible..."

"I understand if you're confused," Celestia says softly as she trots over and places a hoof on his leg. "But know what I'm telling you is the truth Levi. I've never hid or lied to you and I don't plan to ever. This foal is ours."

"How did this happen?"  Levi leans back looking up to the ceiling confused. "My wife and I tried for years to have children!" He shoots to his feet angered. "How did this happen Tia?! I'm not supposed to be able to have children through natural conception!" He turns to the person anger in his eyes. "Tell me the truth right now, did you cast some sort of spell on me?! DID YOU?!"

"NO!" She says with tears in her eyes. "I would never do that to you, never ever would I do that to you!" she slumps down to the floor and starts sobbing, "I love you too much to do that to you. You the only thing I have left that's even remotely close to family. I would never do anything to jeopardize that bond! I rather be dead then do that to you!"

Levi  looks out to the city and takes a deep breath and then socked himself square in the jaw. He walks over to the crying princess and sits down next to her with a heavy thud. He lets out a sigh and hesitantly reaches out and lays his hand on the weeping alicorn. He begins to stroke her mane until she calms down.

"How far a long are you?" he says softly.

"About four and a half months," she sniffles.

"That would put us around the time Twilight was taken or just thereafter when I got back," Levi says as he looks over to her. "I'm sorry I broke my promise and got made Tia. This isn't your fault and I was looking for some reason to blame but I still don't understand how this is even possible? I was never able to have foals before."

Levi pulls a handkerchief out and wipes her eyes, "I don't want to sound evil or point the blame but it may have been your wife was the one who was sterile. Ponies are actually genetically compatible with all species."

"I find that hard to belief after years on numerous doctor visit but that was some eighty odd years ago to," Levi scratches the back of his head. "But I have seen quite a few pony hybrids over the years too."

"Medical magic wasn't really a big focus point for improvement back then," Celestia nod then rests he head on Levi's lap. "I really do love you Levi, I never told you cause I know you still love Strawberry Surprise and," She shoots up and looks him in the eye, "I don't think you'd be able to love me the way I love you because of that. This wasn't some elaborate plot to get you to be king or get you to stay with me I... I don't want to lose you but I would never do something like this to get you to..."

Levi placed a finger on her lips, "I know Tia and I want you to know I do love, but you're right I still love my wife too, I don't think we'll actually be more than just... us. I honestly can't see myself married to you but know that I do have feelings for you but at the same time, I think we would be toxic to each other if we were to start seeing each as true lovers. What do you plan to do with the foal?" he places a hand on her stomach.

"I thought about putting her up for adoption at first," She looks to her stomach and then away. "Then I thought about what happened with Twilight and decided it would be best if you knew first and then decided what to do. You are the father."

"A girl aye. What's she going to be?" Levi asks. "A centaur or some sort of pony that walks on two hind hooves with hands?"

"No," she shakes her head. "It’s just a normal foal. Not an alicorn, not a human-pony hybrid. Just a normal little filly. She will be a unicorn. I think it would be best if we keep her birth a secret and send her to live with you and Strawberry family. Once Twilight is old enough you won't have to look after her anymore and then you can focus on raise our foal. I only ask that you bring her to see me every now an then. The only other pony who knew was Dr. Brown, but I made him sign a contract of silence."

Levi flops back on the cold marble floor to think.

He closes his eyes and take in a deep breath, "No," he sits up and looks Celestia right in the eye. "My family is already in hiding due to the Survey Corps. I don't want my daughter, no, our daughter to grow up like that, in hiding. I will clam her as my own and so will you. I will raise alongside you as her mother."

Celestia silent for a minute and then tears fill her eyes, "Really?" 

"Yes," Levi nods. "As for a name, I like Aria and seeing as she is a gift from the heavens, Stella. Yes, we'll call her Stella Aria."

She proceeds to tackle Levi and squeeze, "Oh Levi thank you!"

"Tia, choking... choking... need air..."

"What?" she pulls back only to find Levi flops over to the side; his eyes white, and forehead blue as foam comes out of his mouth. "Oops.."




> Annoumcement!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





The Punching Bag Barracks

Levi woke up early and sat up stretching his arm letting out a yawn. He soon leapt out of bed and stretched his stiff muscles and popping several bones in the process. He walks over and takes his prosthetic fingers from his nightstand and attach them via the leather strap.

He opens and closes his hand to make sure things are function before thinking about the leathers of this world. He always made his own from the game animals he caught after he found out most of the animals here were sentient.

He got dressed and then sat down on his bed to think. 

He looked at his fingers and thought of Celestia with a chuckle, "Kind of is an engagement ring of sorts," he sighs and flops back recalling the events of him and Celestia telling the others. 



Two weeks ago...

"Excuse but you and the princess are like together?" Shining says as he points a hoof. "And she's pregnant with your foal?" After shocking several passing guards he'd managed to reduce his floof down to nearly nothing. "BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" He belts as he fell back, limbs flying erratically. "Oh-oh, that's a good one Teach BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA!"

*WHACK!*

"OW!" Shining cries out in pain. Rubbing the top of his head he sneers at his fillyfriend, "What was that for?"

He looked at Cadence who was shaking her hoof in pain, "Sheesh, you have a hard head that really stings," she says blowing on her hoof. "And it was for laughing in their faces numbskull. Auntie and Levi spend-" She looks at Marmy who'd nudged her the Strawberry motioning to Twilight with her head, clearing her throat she 'carefully' continues, "They spend time together. They've known each other for like six over six decades now. What so funny about this to you?"

"What I don't understand is how?" Marmy takes Twilight off her back. "You've always said you couldn't have foal grandfather. So how did this happen?"

"Trust me Marmy I'm just as shocked as you are," Levi sighs holding up a hand. "But she is caring our foal. She even did another DNA test to confirm it."

"If this foal truly is yours why is Marmy so shocked?" Cadence asks outright still confused. "She's your granddaughter, after all, your descendant."

"That's because my great grandmother was adopted Cadence," Marmy explains. "It was always thought he was sterile or genetically incompatible, but it must have been the other way around with the former."

"That's the conclusion we came to as well," Celestia gives a single nod.

"What do you plan to do with the foal?" Marmy asked as Twilight watched the adults intently. "Are you going to keep it a secret and put it up for adoption? Or give it to us to raise? If I'm being honest, I would prefer the first part about the secret and the second about the Strawberries raising it. At least then it would be safe."

"Levi is still, a myth in the eyes of most," Celestia sighs. "Whenever he goes out it in his mask to keep him hidden and he uses his gear to move through the city. The only few that have any real constant contact are the guards and they're sworn to keep him hidden. Most of the ponies in the city still think of him as a sort of... a mass hysteria-based illusion. The Sparkles are the only ponies besides the Survey Corps and guard or castle staff with regular contact."

"I'm afraid I don't understand Auntie?" Cadence raised a hoof.

"She saying she does agree with Marmy Cadence," Levi points out. "I'm still not well-known so it would be easy to keep the foal safe and unknown. And while I do agree it would be, I don't want that to happen. I want my daughter to grow up knowing her mother and her father."

"I understand now," Twilight speaks up. "The Princess has Mr. Levi Foal in her belly and when she's born, she would have to go away for her mommy and daddy. Because the princess doesn't want what happened to me to happen to her baby. But Mr. Levi can't be there because he's watching me," she looks down and sniffles. 

"You're so much brighter than anypony realizes little Sparkle," Marmy pulls Twilight into a hug.

"Twilly," Shining says to himself.

"Come here for a minute Twilight," Levi pats his leg.

"Kay," she says as she glumly walks over allowing Levi to pick her up and put her on his knee.

"Don't be sad little one," Levi says wiping away her tears.  "Nothing is your fault.  We've already discussed what we're going to do."

"So, what are you going to do?" Marmy asks raised a hoof.

"We're going to raise the foal," Celestia says boldly. "Her name is going to be Stella Aria. Levi is going to be here to help raise her and I'll be here as well. I may be a princess and ruler but that doesn't mean I can't set aside time for the little things. I made the mistake of choosing the former before, not this time."

"I'll be here to watch over you still Twilight and by the time Stella is born Spike well be right around a year old, so he'll be a bit more independent," Levi says. "He will be a big brother to Stella and I hope you'll be a big sister to her. She'll need some pony to teach her magic."

"I don't like this Grandfather," Marmy states. "What is your plan? To keep your pregnancy secret?" she turns to the princess scowling.

"No Marmy," Celestia shakes her head. "I will have an announcement to address this. Levi on the other hand will remain the foal's secret father in a way while also being her father openly. He will not be in the spotlight or make appearances. It would draw attention to your family and the Survey Corps is already known to exist, just not who you are, but this would open too many doors for many bad ponies."

"Especially seeing as a myth is the sire of the princess's foal," Levi points out. "It will be tough and much chaos will ensue but we will not back down from this. We will rely on all of you here."

"You know you can count on me," Marmy puts her hoof to her chest. "Just be more careful from now on Grandfather."

"Yes, I intend to," Levi vigorously nods.

"Maybe mom and dad will help out too?" Shining adds as he looks at Levi. "We do owe you a great debt Teach, one that we can never fully payback. I'm sure they would be up for it when the foal comes."

"We would be most grateful to you," Levi nods. "I will ask them later on when we bring Twilight and you home for the night."

Meanwhile Twilight busied herself pronking about, "I'm going to have a baby sister!"

Spike claps at the site.

"When will you make your announcement?" Marmy asks.

"I think the Gala will be best," Celestia sighs. "I really don't want any more stress than necessary right now. It would be bad for the foal."

"We understand Auntie," Cadence smiles softly. "You should really get some rest now. It's time to set the sun to. We should get everypony home."

"Grandfather, you stay with Celestia tonight," Marmy said adamantly with narrowed eyes. "I'll take them home."

"I was going to ask the same thing Marmy thank you," Levi nods.





Present...

He looks over to the old portrait of Strawberry Surprise he carries with him, her smiling face staring back at him, "I miss you so much and I know what you'd say, 'She's your daughter and she'll need her father and she'll need her mother'. Well, Strawberry, I'm going to be the father she needs, and the father we always talked about that I was for our girls. I promise."

He walks over to his dresser and gets ready for the day. After getting dressed for the day he heads over to a nearby chest and opens it.

He gives sigh and then a smirk, "Only Tia would come up with a plan like this. It should keep the nobles' noses out of the palace for the next few months until Stella is born at least. It'll definitely give her a laugh," He closes the lid on the chest. "But for now, I need to the Sparkle house."

He placed his mask on his face and threw on his cloak before heading out.




Levi easily zipped through Canterlot unnoticed by every pony on the streets. Using his maneuvering gear he can quickly ascend or descend to nearly any build on the mountainside city. Using his mask made sure that he went unseen by most except for the occasional pegasus with a sharp wit but he was always too fast for them to really identify him other than a blur or passing large bird. With the use of his gear and what Shining referred to as free running, he soon arrives outside the Sparkle family home.

Twilight Velvet was outside watering her plants. She had made it clear to her office that she was going to start working from home more sense the kidnapping. She wanted to keep a closer eye on Twilight since the filly was living at home off and on again instead of just staying in the castle. Being and editor author-publisher allowed her to do this and the fact she was well-known allowed her more freedom being the head of the branch of the company she works for.

Levi lands in the backyard and walked around front removing his mask, "Good morning Velvet."

"Good morning Mr. Ackerman," Velvet turns. "No Marmy today?"

The mare had become a staple in the family seeing as she'd adopted Twilight as her niece and become Shining instructor part-time. She'd been around the home so much without her gear that even the neighbors knew her. 

"Marmy has the day off right now," Levi explained.

"Can I get you something while you wait for Twilly?" Velvet smiles.

"If you have some tea brewed that would be nice but if not then don't bother yourself," Levi says with a warm tone.

"I just put the kettle on a few moments ago in fact," Velvet set her watering pale down. "Come inside and I fix up nice spearmint tea with Rosemary biscuits."

"Thank you very much," Levi gives a slight bow.

Following the mare inside he ducks under the small doorway. The two spent a few minutes speaking about books mainly while they waited for the chalder to rise. It was the weekend after all and they need to sleep for tonight.

"So, are you attending the Gala tonight?" Velvet set her cup down.

"I will be going to attend for a bit, but I won't be there the whole time," Levi explains sipping his tea. "I have to attend to something after Tia's announcement"

"Princess Celestia's announcement," Velvet slowly taps her hooves on the table, "It would happen to be about her foal would it?"

"I'm not surprised you figured it out," Levi sets the cup down. "You're a mother twice over not to mention, Twilight's mother after all," he gives a few slight nods. "It's about the foal. She intends to make it known that she is carrying it and that she will be raising it, or her actually."

"Are you really all right with that?"  Velvet says somberly. "You have a first-hand account of what happened with Twilly. If you were to take it... her, sorry, then she'd be able to live a much simpler quieter life than if she was raised in the palace."

"Not surprised you know I'm the father, too," Levi crosses his arms. "Yes, she could have a quieter life but then she would be robbed of what's most important. A loving family. Sure, the Strawberries are close, but they still wouldn't be the foal's real mother and father and I’ve never had the chance to raise my own child from birth," He shook his head. "No, it'll be easier to raise her here around her mother or father, who can be here for her. Not to mention the other family she'll have. Once our girl come to the age group where she'll be able to be much more independent, then Tia will have to refocus on her duties. I'll be free than she is so I can look after our daughter more than she can after the foal is born, but she'll still need to Tia too. My presence is known at the palace so that won't be an issue but outside it will be. And that brings me to what I wanted to ask you my good mare?"

Velvet tilts her head.

"Tia and I talked it over and we were hoping you and Nightlight wouldn't mind helping look after her when I or Tia can't," Levi ask with the most sincerity he can muster. “We also wanted to make the two of you her godparents.”

Velvet just looked at the human and blinked a few times, "You. both of you... want my husband and I to help you care for the unborn princess?" She says dumbstruck. "I... are you sure? We couldn't even protect Twilight! I don't then we could... Is this an order?"

"Velvet you don't have to," Levi held up a hand. "I just think it would be nice for Stella to grow up have you two as role models instead of Tia and Myself all the time. I care about Celestia very deeply and I do have a form of love for her but if we were to say, get married think of the backlash she'd take for being married to a mythical beast, let alone the Butcher of the Battlefield. Not to mention I can't really marry Tia. Like I said I do love her to some degree, but I still love my wife too. I also think our relationship could turn very toxic."

"We owe you so much that we could never pay you back for what you’ve done and are still doing but this," Velvet sighs. "I... I don't know. I barely trust myself to have Twilight and Shining here. I don't think I could handle the responsibility of what might happen to your and the princess's daughter. Can I have some time to think about it?"

Levi nods, "Take all the time you need," he says softly. "Talk to Nightlight about. Like I said it's a request not an order."

"Thank you, Levi," Velvet sighs.

"Hungry..." complained a sleep filly who just walked in rubbing her eye.

"Just who we were waiting for!" Velvet quickly turns chipper. "How about I make some pancakes?"

"Waffles..." Twilight counters still wobbly. "Please?"

"Waffles it is then, with chocolate chip," Velvet giggles walking over to the stove.

"Yea," Twilight says throwing her forelegs up and then starts to fall forward.

"Easy there little Sparkle," Levi chuckles as he catches the sleepy filly and puts her in his lap.

"Papa Levi!" Twilight announces and she proceeds to wrap the human up on the biggest hug she could muster. 

"Looks like somepony is up now," he smirks. "How about I show you how I wake up my recruits if Shining isn't up by the time your mother is down with the first waffles?"

"Yes please!" Twilight vigorously nods at the aspect of learning, but mostly at the aspect of torturing her older brother.





Canterlot Castle Ballroom...

Celestia was sitting at the doorway greeting the ponies as they came in for the Gala. Soon a group of very familiar faces shows up. Shining and Cadence.

"Good evening you two," Celestia smiles. "How is your evening?"

"Good evening princess," Shining bows.

"Can you believe that Princess Cadenza's consort is that low-ranked trash?" he heard from a passing noble. "Indeed, she could do much better," another said.

*Tch* Cadence clicked her tongue. "They have no right to take about Shiny like that<" she starts after the couple that made the remark.

"Let it go Cadidy," Marmy trots up with an unfamiliar stallion with a brown coat and a silver striped mane in a tuxedo and the rest of the Sparkle family in tow. 

"Aunt Marmy," Shining trots over and hugs her neck. "Who this?" he looks to the stallion.

"Name's Solid mah boy, Solid Bedrock, nice to meet ya," He extends his hoof. Shining takes the older stallion's hoof who then vigorously shakes with a very firm grip, "And it doesn't matter what these pompous plots think. The only thing they care for is their reputations and their finances."

Cadence turns to Marmy with a cheeky grin, "How did you two meet? And does Uncle Levi know?"

"We met in the market about a month," Marmy smiles.

"She was out with little Twilight and some bullfrog buying ingredients for a potion the filly was wanting to make," Solid adds.

"And we're friends," Marmy promptly cuts off the Cadence's chain of thought.

"Yes, friends," Solid nods. "And Marmalade has told me about this Levi pony before. He sounds like a very good pony. But she never told me she was part of the royal family and the nobles," He turns his head scrutinizing the Strawberry pony.

"Oh, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding Mr. Bedrock," Cadence interjects. "Marmy isn't part of the royals or nobility."

"Levi is just a very good and old friend of mine," Celestia adds. "So much so Cadence has started to refer to him as uncle quite recently in fact. The same goes for Shining and Marmy. They aren't related by blood, only the bonds they formed with each other. Marmy is actually one of Shining's part-time personal teachers with Levi being the other."

“Its alright your highnesses,” Solid bows. “I can understand as we do something similar in the guard stations at where we’re posted over time.”

"It was actually my little sis that started it," Shining points to Twilight.

"Hi, Mr. Bedrock it's nice to see you again," Twilight giggles. "Do you like my dress?" she asks showing off a light purple gown with pink sequences.

"You look very pretty Twilight," Bedrock pats her head and then turns back to the adults. "And I fear with those details left out she has forgotten to tell me who Levi is to her exactly. You mention he was extended Family, and a teacher to you but nothing beyond that."

"Oh um... Well... you see... he's-" She says, "My grandfather, "She smiles.

"Oh, is that all, well, seeing as he is your teacher and grandfather I can see him as protective," Solid nods.  "But he's not as protective as a father would be at least you told him I was your date tonight, Right?"

"Um..." Marmy's ears flattened against her head. "It may have slipped my mind.

"You haven't told him?" Celestia looked at the Strawberry. "Oh, dear?"

"What it can't be that bad?" Shining said. "The only issue I've had are the nobles."

"That's because I don't have family outside Auntie and Blueblood Shiny," Cadence sighs shaking her head. "Colts."

"And the nobles won't miss with you as well," Celestia adds. "Because they'd rather not earn my eye or Cadence's. Especially seeing as we won't put up with any of their crap and Blue has been stripped of everything but his Prince title in name alone."

"Ah, yes I had heard rumors of that," Bedrock rubs his chin. "So what did the former prince do exactly?"

"He pissed me off acting like the spoiled asshole the nobles raised him to be and demanded I punish somepony for not bowing to him in the hallway as they passed him," Celestia grumbles. "So I took away all his toy sand grounded him. He wants to act like a child I'll treat him as such."

"A bit harsh don't you think princess?" Solid raised an eyebrow.

"Not at all." came a voice from the opposite direction.

Everypony turs their heads to see a quite large grey pegasus coming toward them. He was taller than most ponies around but still at least two heads shorter than the princess. He had a black tail and mane the was parted down the middle at the top covering both sides of his head. His left eye was a dark bluish grey and the other was a light lavender, pupil and all. On the right side over his was a set of deep scars that ran down to his chin. Around his neck was a white ascot and his right hooves were partially made of metal and clinked as he trotted over while wearing a black suit. His wings were a bit odd as his primary feathers were a dark-bluish grey like his left eye. It wasn't completely unheard of for two-tone feathers in pegasi but it was uncommon in this day and age and was usually seen more in the nobility of pegasus ponies.





"If ask me you had given him more than enough chances to fix his problems and his behavior," He comes over and sits down next to the princess. "And he didn't. You gave him the chance to fix his problems by going to a local school and he still didn't."

"So he screwed that up to aye," Solid looked at the pegasus and then to Marmy, "Marmalade, who is this guy? An old coltfriend? He's very large," he turned back to the new pony. "No offense big guy. So," he turned back to Marmy only to see his pretty unicorn friend lucking away with a bit of a nervous chuckle.

"Uh, Solid Bedrock," She motions to the pegasus. "Meet Levi Ackerman Strawberry, my grandfather, and mentor," Solid's eyes shrank to the sizes of pinpricks.

"Ah, h-hello sir..." Solid shakily lefts his hoof.

"Hmm..." Levi's eyes drift down and then reached up with his right hoof and took hold of Solid's and shakes it, "If you hurt her, I will hurt you back," he leans over and glares down, "Badly."

"G-g-g-g-grandpa!" Marmy yells out in embarrassment.

"Levi, you're embarrassing her a bit much don't you think?" Celestia giggled.

"Not at all," Levi turns his nose in the air. And then looked to the Sparkles getting up and walking over. "Where's my little Sparkle?" he says looking around mockingly.

"I'm down here!" Twilight giggles. "You look so good Papa Levi!"

"Yes, indeed you are quite fetching Mr. Levi," Velvet adds.

"I may have to keep you away from my girls if I don't want to get a divorce Levi," Nightlight chuckles, but every pony could tell there was a bit of truth to his words.

"Oh, honey you know I'd never leave you," Velvet nuzzles her husband.

"Silly daddy, you know I’ll love you always," Twilight giggles going over and hugging his leg.

"You don't need to worry Nightlight," Levi smiles. "I don't think the mares in my life would think to highly of me if I caused a divorce and took the mare for myself. Would you girls?" He turned to the mares in his life or at least a few of them. They all shook their heads, "See."

Solid look around. "Uh... What do you do exactly that put you in such a good position... Uh, sir?" He looked at the 'much' older stallion, "Pardon me for asking sir but you don't seem like... uh the noble type sir."

"You're a recent guard transfer from the countryside aren't you kid," Levi looks at Solid throwing off the questions.

"Ah... yes sir, how'd you know?" Solid asks baffled.

"You smell like you dumped about three bottles of cologne on yourself, you slicked your hair back with so much gel it's passable for a noble, your tuxedo is low tier noble at best, and,"  Solid took a big gulp as Levi lists off the standouts as Celestia and Cadence giggle while Marmy scowls at her grandfather who was hurling degrading details at her date, "You have a very good hoof shake."

"What?" Solid said looking dumbstruck.

"You have a good firm hoof shake," Levi says again. "You'll do fine. Now I have a dance with the pretty mare," He turns to Twilight, "She'll we dance my little lady?"

Twilight's eyes got big, "Really?!" she turned to her parents, "Can I?"

"Levi is your bodyguard so there is no pony safer than him to dance with," Velvet giggles. "Have fun but listen to him."

"Yes ma'am," Twilight giggles happily and walks off with Levi.

Solid was still processing everything., "Marmalade what does your family do again?"

"Most of us are strawberry farmers," Marmy says. "Others are... well... I can't really say without my grandfather's permission."

"Why?"

"He's the oldest living member of our family making him the patriarch and head of our family," Marmy sighs. "It can make things be kind of, touchy, about certain aspects of our family, so whenever we start relationships, we have to be very cautious. The good thing is he likes you so far, but... just don't do anything to shake the boat," She giggles leaning into the stallion with a nuzzle

"O-o-o-o-okay," he says with a bit of red tint on his face.

"Let's go, I want a couple of dances before my shift," Marmy giggles while trotting off.

"YES!" Solid yelps.

"My, those Strawberries sure now how to pick'em," Cadence says.

"Looks who's talking," Velvet adds.



Sometime later...

Stage in front of the crowd...

"I have my corps in the crowd Tia," Levi says reassuring the solar princess. "If any creature tries anything funny beyond yelling in outrage they'll act."

"Not harm them too much I would think," Tia eyes the creature in front of her disguised as a pony. "That form suits you, Levi. You are quite the handsome stallion, and a pegasus to boot. I honestly thought you'd be an earth pony. I do wish I could've adjusted it for a smaller disguise though. You're technically more of a horse than a pony."

Levi shrugs, "I have to say this form took me by surprise to, but I liked it once I got used to it."

"You know..." Levi looked at the stallion. "We could make it permanent if you want. You wouldn't have to hide from anything anymore."

"I appreciate the offer Tia I really do," Levi places a hoof on her chest. "But then I wouldn't be me anymore. I am who I am meant to be Tia, nothing more and nothing less."

"Truer words have never been spoken old friend," Tia sighs with a nod and looks at the stage and back at Levi. "Will... Would you come with me? I don't think by myself."

"As you wish milady," Levi bows, and then the two head out on stage.

Levi walks ahead of the princess and up to the podium.

Levi clears his throat then, "SILENCE!"

"Who is that?"

"Taaaallllllll..."

"Oh, my what a handsome sand large stallion."

"You stay away from my wife!"

"Look at those scars."

"He has duel wing color."

"A high noble from Cloudsdale nobility."

"I wonder why he's up there?'

"EYES FORWARD!" Levi bellows out into the amplifier crystal Everypony quickly and looks to the front. "Her, highness, Princess Celestia has an announcement of the utmost importance to make! You will be quiet; you will hold all questions until she is done! That is all," he says then steps back and Celestia steps forward.

"My little ponies, it was only a few short months ago that we were met with much despair as my dear student, Twilight Sparkle was foalnapped from her home. I would like to say that she has gotten much better in overcoming the trauma with help of my dear friend Mr. Levi Ackerman who was also the one who rescued my dear student from the group that had taken her," Celestia motions to Levi. "Today is a celebration of his exploits but more importantly today is a day we have gathered to eat, drink, and merry with old friends and new alike. We have come together to see faces we known and yet don't know. To speak about events and exchange stories with those we call our friends and family. For foals to meet and play and dance with one another and form bonds that will hopefully last the test of time into the future," she takes a deep breath. "Speaking of our foals and the future I wanted to it known to everypony that I am currently expecting a foal."

There was a very pregnant silence.

"That is preposterous!"

"How could this!"

"The princess can't be with a child! She is the princess!"

"Who would dare defile our princess!"

"This is an outrage!"

"I'm not surprised, she is a mare, after all, an old one but a mare nonetheless..."

"Yes, we have needs that need to be met..."

"She's probably had children at some point before as well but never said anything..."

"Remember that awful Sunset Shimmer filly..."

"Yes, and we lost our chance when the brat disappeared..."

"We'll be sure to keep a closer eye on this one..."

Levi had heard quite enough by now and was ready to cut some throats, but he decided to yell and that a show of power would leave a much longer-lasting impression than slaughtering the useless lot. He steps up and puts a hoof on Celestia's shoulder. The princess looks at the father of her foal as he gave her a warm smile and then slightly pushes her back a bit.

"I'll take things from here. You go and watch from behind the curtains," He says smiling. Celestia returns his smile and then he turns to the podium and hardens his gaze into a stern scowl. Finally, he takes in a deep breath and then,

"SHUT UP AND BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASSES!" Levi shouts shutting the whole crowd up.

Everyone was silent with either a gaping mouth or trying to keep from missing themselves.

"How dare_"

"I SAID SHUT IT!" Levi yells shamming his metal hoof down causing a loud ding. "Most of you ponies have forgotten that your princess is a pony just like yourselves, a mare that has needs that need to be met and desires that she wants to be fulfilled and some of those desires can only be fulfilled by a stallion!"

"Then she should've let us know, we have known the best-"

"Shut your mouth!" Celestia flies out enraged. "None of you have any rights to know about what I want in a partner! I will love whoever I choose! I will bed whomever I like! And I will bare their foal if that is the result of a night with the stallion, I call my partner! You can all go to HELL!"

"May we at least know the father of the foal?" Some random noble adds,"We best start making plans for this foal."

"You're looking at him," Levi says flatly, "And don't think I didn't hear that last part you think you said under your breath my pompous scumbag of a piece of shit. You nobles will have no say in the raising of our child, you will not even be permitted within more than just speaking distance of Celestia. I am a patient pony and I keep my promises. First and foremost, I am no noble but a mercenary, so don't even think you can bribe or threaten me. These are my followers," he says using wing as several masked Survey corps members zipped onto the stage. "Many of you will recognize them as the one who worked very closely with the guards some months ago."

"If you're so confident in them why are their faces hidden?"

"For their own sake due to their line of work," Levi says coldly. "You won't even know when they're next to you so all of you better listen and listen well... Try to do anything to the princess, her foal, me, or anyone close to her highness, and your heads will find a new place on my wall as a personal trophy!" He dusted off his sleeve. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

He and Celestia then exited the room and party all together.

Celestia leans into Levi slightly and gives him a slight nuzzle, "Thank you so much."

"Tia, I know it may be hard for you to believe but a do have feelings for you and I really want to be here for you and for our child," Levi leans into her. "But at the same time, I don't want to cause you any unnecessary stress and I'm still deeply in love with my wife. I don't think I'll ever fully be over her but perhaps one day we can be truly together, so until then..."

"I'll be here waiting for you no matter how long," Celestia looks at him lovingly. "And it's not like you'll just disappear on me and never come back. You do what needs to be done Levi, I'll be here whenever you're ready to be with me, or whenever you just need a friend to talk to."

"Thank you, Tia," Levi says and his ear twitches slightly, "Who's there?" he calls out over his shoulder.

Out from one of the nearby hallways steps a pegasus mare. She had strong orange eyes and her mane and tail consisted of a vivid orange with brilliant amber stripes with her coat color being a brilliant gold. She was wearing a military-style uniform.

"Ah, Private Spitfire," Levi fully turns. 

The mare comes over with a wary look on her face, "Hello, may I speak freely?"

"Spitfire you know you don't have to be formal with me when we're alone," Celestia sits down.

Spitfire looks at Levi then back to Celestia, "Mother, if this is some sort of joke with your latest boy toy I'm not laughing," She turns to Levi, "If she somehow goaded you into this then you should just back out now. No one knows that she is my mother and it is better that way."

"I've known all about you since you were born little," Levi says s shocking the young pegasus.

"H-how?" Spitfire said confused.

"There are very few creatures that Celestia truly trusts and I lucky enough to be counted amongst them," Levi says. "There aren't very many places she could've gone to have you and your sisters either."

Spitfire reels back a bit," Y-you knows about my little sister?!"

"As he said before, I completely trust Levi," Celestia sighs. "He knows that you, Sunset Shimmer, and Summer Shine are all my girls. He was there when you were born, he's the one who's been looking out for you since your father passed away and when I wasn't able to Spitfire. He's the only one I trusted to do it."

Spitfire looked at the tall stallion, "You're the one who looked after me, but what about my sisters?"

"My people have kept an eye on you. As for the twins, Tia wanted to look after the twins, but the nobles became suspicious of her activities when she'd disguise herself to visit you and your father. When she found out she was pregnant again it was right after she'd heard about your father's accident at the weather factory. She couldn't risk the twins' fates, so we found nice foster families for them," Levi explains. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to stop the influence of the nobles with Sunset once she took up a place in Celestia’s school and by the time Tia took notice and made Sunset her student it was too late."

"You're not lying," Spitfire was flabbergasted.  "You're aren't... lying about anything... You're really going to raise the foal, together..."

"A filly," Celestia walks over and hugs her daughter. "Spitfire I know I made a mistake staying out of your life when I thought I was protecting you and you little sisters’ lives, but I won't make that mistake again, never again. I would like it if you would be here more and get to know your baby sister."

Spitfire let out a sigh. "I'll be busy with my military career most of the time, but I will make time for her, but for her sake, not yours. That doesn't mean we're going to be on good terms either, mother."

"I understand Spitfire," Celestia leans down and nuzzles a bit. "But just know I am so sorry, and I did love your father."

"Speaking of fathers," the youth looks at Levi. "I get the feeling you're not exactly what you seem. Especially given how you speak and look."

"Very astute little one," Levi nods. "I am in fact a little over twice the age of the oldest ponies in the main hall. When I said I am old friends with your mother it isn't an exaggeration. I have been friends with her since before even your father was born."

"So, you're not just some one-night stand and gone the next day at all. You've been with my mother before," Spitfire stands up and walks over, "Are there any other siblings I don't know about out there?"

"From your mother and I," Levi tilts his head. "No," he shakes his head. "Yes, we have been together before but never has it resulted in a foal. I always believed that I couldn't have foals, so I gave up on the idea long ago and my wife and I adopted, and before you say anything my wife is dead, has been for almost a hundred years now," He stands up. "I look forward to speaking with you more," he turns to Celestia, "We should go. Spike needs his bottle." he turns back to Spitfire. "Come meet your foster brother, he's a dragon. We can have tea and cookies while we speak a bit more."

"Um... okay, but I'm not gonna call you dad," Spitfire retorts.

"I don't want you little one," Levi says. "I met your father a few times he was a good stallion and I have no intentions of replacing him, ever." 

They all walked on onto the night




> A Star is Born
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Four months later...

"Get anything good for hearts and hooves day Twilly," Shining asks his little sister.

"A got a lot of chocolates!" Twilight giggles. "Mostly form the guards and maids. Aunt Marmy gave my strawberry moose thought. How's Mr. Bedrock handling Papa Levi's training course at the academy?"

"He wanted to start over from scratch so he could keep up with Aunt Marmy but having the guard training already put him better shape than some of the cadets but other than that he eats just as much mud as all of us," Shining says popping a cherry into his mouth. "Cady gave me a... big ole heart box of chocolates to and she said that I would get another surprise later, until Levi overheard and said no."

"He seems to know a lot about what you and Cadence get up to," Twilight says suspiciously. "And every time I ask him he says I 'll know when I'm older or to ask daddy, who then says, 'look a t the time...’ and runs away somewhere else."

"You'll know when your older," Shining said with a nervous chuckle.

"But I wanna know now!" Twilight wines.

A large bullfrog lets out a croak, 'You'll get there someday kid,'

"What's Michigan doing here?" Shining points at the frog.

"Cady brought him by," Twilight giggles as she pulls the frog in with her lavender magic given him a hug. "Mama say he can stay in the pond in the back as long as he doesn't cause too much trouble."

"She used Ole Rusty didn't she," Shining points out.

"Yep," Twilight nods. "He's been good and he keeps the bugs in check so he's been here for about a weeks. I thought I'd let him in for a bit as long as he with me. Fetch Michigan," Twilight says throwing a piece of her chocolate up into the air

Michigan didn't move an inch except to open his mouth and out shout his long tongue catching the candy. The frog reels his tongue in and proceeds to swallow the candy whole with a very loud gulp. 

He lets out a croak. "Mmmmm.... chocolate...."

The Sparkle siblings only laughed.

"How are you doing Twilly, since Aunt Marmy isn't around so much anymore?" Shining hesitantly asks.

"Aunt Marmy can't watch me all the time and neither can Papa," Twilight sighs. "They have their own stuff to do. Aunt Marmy has Mr. Bedrock and Papa has Princess Celestia and the new foal coming, and we can’t  forget Spike too." Twilight stand up, "But they have members watching the house and they warded it themselves. I don't even know what magic it is they used."

"That's odd, something you can't figure out," Shining poke his little sister causing her to giggle. "I suppose Levi and the Princess told you not to mess with it or we would've had smoke fill the house already," Twilight blushes a bit.

"That's enough candy you two," Twilight Velvet enters the room. "You both have lessons tomorrow so go brush your teeth and off to bed with you."

"Yes ma'am," the sibling say in unison.

"Come on, dear I'll put you out in the pond," Velvet walks over to the figure and lift him in her magic.

The frog croaks, "Joy... Where my box when I need it..."




Meanwhile up in the castle...

Levi trotted through the halls of the castle with Spike on his back. The little drake had become quite attached to the human turned mock pony. The little whelp had even started to call the human/pegasus 'dada' which he gladly cried over. Even though he came off as a stern cold individual he was actually a big softy, to his kids at least.

"You think Mama has had her snackcSpike?" Levi asked his adopted son.

"Baboooo -_-"

"So cute," Levi chuckles. "Well, Cady is over at Twilight's house tonight to watch our little Sparkle while her parents go out and with my Corps watching the house she and Shining can’t get up to anything," He evil smirks, "Plus the boy doesn't want any extra hard lessons over the coming days that are still cold. hehehehe...."


(Levi's face)



"Hehehehe... >_<" Spike copies

Suddenly a made came in a mad dash down the hall straight for Levi, "Sir Levi, Sir Levi..." She calls out.

"What is my good mare?" Levi turns to see the maid skid to a stop just in front of him.

"It's... it's the... princess..." She huffs. "She... she..."

"Calm down," Levi hold up a hoof, "Deep breathes..."

"But the... princess... she's gone into labor!" She blurts out.

"Oh, yes good then..." Levi says then his eyes shoot open, "SHE WENT INTO LABOR!"

"Yes," The vigorously needs. "She's in the infirmary being attended by Dr. Brown at this moment, Shall I take the prince from you sir?"

"No, it's best if his stays with me for now," Levi looks at Spike who'd dug his claws into Levi due to the shout. "Send out guards to these locations and have tell the ponies "A star is coming.," I will go to the infirmary." He orders pulling out a piece of parchment from his suit pocket.

"Yes sir," The maid take the paper and dashed off again.

Levi put a hoof to his head, "Marmy, it's time. Gather those who are able and come to the castle. Get the Sparkles here tomorrow and Cadence to. It's time," He sighs, "Hang on to daddy Spike." 

"Baboo..." the drake hallows with a manically laughs Levi galloped through the halls.



The Infirmary...

Levi arrives just in time to meet with Doctor Brown.

"What's going on?" He asks frantically.

"Good to see you again Mr. Ackerman," Brown nods taking a clipboard form a nurse. "According to this she has only just gone into labor and is doing fine. We'll call you once we've finished getting thing settled and have the princess properly setup."

"I want to be there," Levi demands.

'I don't think anypony could stop you, even if they wanted to," Dr. Brown says flipping through the papers. "The princess made it quite clear she wants you by her side as soon as possible anyways. As soon as somepony familiar arrives to take young Spike from you, we'll get you a robe and cap then get you to her."

"I thank you doctor," Levi nods, "I am sorry for being short with you."

"You're not the first excepting father I've dealt with and you certainly won't be the last," Brown waved it off. "But you are the first who I am certain would follow up on his threats to hack me to pieces if something goes wrong," he jokes.

"I would make certain that it happens," Levi says coldly with a single nod.

"Hehehe..." Brown chuckles in a cold swat before walking off.

Not long after The Sparkles followed by Cadence, Marmy, Bedrock, Cadence, and Michigan the bullfrog showed up.

"Levi," Light steps up, "We got here as soon as we could. How are you?"

"Worried beyond all reason," Levi says flatly.

"Does he ever show any emotion outside happiness?" Bedrock asks Marmalade through a corner of his mouth.

"All the time." Marmy rolls her eyes and jabs the stallion with her elbow. "You're just never around to see it."

"I've told you I have duties to perform, just like you do Marmalade!" Bedrock shot back.

The couple had been having spats more frequently as of late. Marmalade wanting to strengthen their love had very much tried in putting forth the effort to spend more time with Solid, even going as far as to as Levi for some down time, but he would always come up with an excuse of some sort. Bedrock did honestly want to spend more time with Marmalade, he did deeply love her, but he also had a his own comments to those back home he had to keep. 

His family needed all the money he could pull in. They were deeply in debt that had been left to him, his mother and baby sister after his worthless father skipped town not long after Bedrock sister had been born. Turns out they were his second family, he a bastard child born to a former noble stallion and the father that had raised him wasn't even his birth father but somepony who just looked after his mother and himself. His baby sister was in fact his only his half-sister. After his 'father's' loan sharks caught up to him after his sister was born his 'father' vanished without even a word. The loan sharks decided to pill the debts on his mother and tried to take her as payment but he step in and swore to pay the debts off and has been ever since. 

The sharks did still try and take his mother but quickly found the Solid Bedrock was far stronger than the average earth pony. At the age of seven he garnered the name, "Hoof Duster" for being able to knock down many with barely even a single blow. Not wanting to fall in with the wrong crowds Solid enlisted in the local guard due to the pay and to take the burden of house and feeding him off his mother. He saw his family when he could which become few and far between. His baby sister would be about a bit younger than Cadence and Shining Armor now.

Levi once approached the stallion privately about this and got the full details for Bedrocks mouth himself. Levi being the one to know who his family was involved with already knew the details but wanted to know the story and see if the stallion would hide it from him. To be fair there was good reason, those being his own, but Solid told his marefriend's grandfather everything. He had yet to tell Marmalade and Levi believing him to be the right one to tell her was none other than Solid Bedrock himself to do so. The elder let them be.

Levi in fact was frighten and nervous beyond all belief. Those who knew him could tell he was doing his best at masking it, even then the human masked as a pony was barely holding himself together.

Cadence steps up, "I'll take Spike off your hoof Uncle," She says levitating the giggling whelp off Levi's back on to her own, " Auntie needs you be her side right now. You foal needs you right now. Go we'll be here and won't go anywhere."

Marmy walks up and hugs her grandfather wrapping in a deep loving embrace, "Go and be with her. The gods above know you have been waiting for a day like this for a long time Grandpa," she pulls back, and she looks up with her deep blue eyes, 

"You both deserve this..."

"Thank you Marmy," Levi says returning the embrace. 

Bedrock looks at the display and thinks back to his own family. He then looks at the mare he loves having decided.

The two Strawberries break apart and he looks to ever, "Thank you everypony for coming here, but now I must leave to be with Tia. When Ii return, hopefully I will be much... softer..." her turn and trots off following Dr. Brown.

Bedrock walks up behind Marmy and place a hoof on her shoulder causing her to turn and look, "I... I need to... Uruaaaaggh, get it together rock for brains!" He says knocking himself in the head with his hoof before he looks at Marmalade full of conviction, "I need to tell you something very important. Would you please here me out?"

"I will always be here to listen to you Solid," Marmy wipes her eyes. "Because I love you."

"I love you to Marmy," Solid said softly. "I have from the first time I saw you. And because I love you, I need you to know the truth." He took a deep breath. "No more secrets. I haven't been avoiding. The reason I haven't been around is because..."




Some hours later...

Everypony was currently in the waiting area, or what would classified as the waiting area. The guards had decided it was best to let everyone in one of the guest sweets close to the medical wing. Currently all of the adults were talking while Twilight, Shinning, and Spike were currently sleeping while Cadence was trying to busy herself by reading a book.

"I wonder who'll she'll take after?" Twilight Velvet ponders.

"I think she'll take after both of them," Nightlight places a hoof on his chest.

"If we're going by looks then either way," Solid shrugs. "If she takes more after the princess or more after Mr. Levi, who are good looking ponies in their own right, the foal well look beautiful either way." 

Everypony in the room chuckles at Solid's comment.

"What? "he looks around to everypony confused till his gaze comes to Marmy. "Am I a missing something?"

"It's an inside joke," Marmy chuckles. "It has something to do with my family but mostly my grandfather and his... past," she twirls her hoof. "I wish I could tell you more love but I'm not aloud to unless Grandpa so I can," Solid was about to commented buts Marmy quickly pops her hoof over her coltfriend's lips, "Its more than just a secret Solid. You've more than earned my trust to tell you but this isn't just my secret to tell but Grandpa's as well as my family's but mostly Grandpa's. Either way know that I will still be here at the end of the day."

"If it's that big a deal then I won't pry except for one thing."

"Go ahead and ask then," Marmy smiles.

"Is this a secret that everypony here knows but me?"

"I'm afraid so son," Night Light speaks up. "Like Marmalade said it has more to do with family. We know mainly due to external circumstances and dealings with Levi on," he looks at his daughter. "A much more personal level."

Solid tilts his head and then looks at little Twilight. "Oh right... the... incident... Sorry..."

"You have nothing to be sorry about dear," Velvet pats his leg. "But like Night said, we know to to excruciating events. Levi was hired to be Twilight's bodyguard by the princess and he in turn trusted Marmy to watch her in his stead when he had other things to oversee. She took a liking to them both so much that she soon saw them as extended family, and they in turn did the same." She looks at the moon, "I was flabbergasted when he asked us to help raise his and the princess's daughter, let alone be the child's godparents."

"We owe the Strawberry family a debt we can't begin to repay," Nigh Light adds. "And yet he waves it off as if it were nothing. Then he practically adopts Twilight and Shining as they are one of his own. The least we can do is accept the honor of helping raise the future princess."

"And if any nobles tries to us her we can always use the fallback plan," Velvet humphs with a nod.

"Fall back plan?" Solid raises an eyebrow.

"We have a bonified national treasure that my wife has had passed down to her in the family since the time of the Unification," Night Light proudly agrees.

"Is it like a family sword you threaten ponies with?" Solid scratches his head.

"Something like that," Cadence says with a shudder. "If you ever see be warned Mr. Solid, Ole Rusty is a force of nature. I should know. Ms. Velvet used it before on a frog once."

"Don't remind me Cadence," Night Light swallowed hard as his wife simply smiles.

"Ole Rusty?" Solid looks at Marmy.

"I've heard about it but never seen it," Marmy shrugs. "Even the princess holds Ole Rusty in a high regard."

"If it has survived that long and you can still use it then it must be a fine weapon," Solid approves. "You should be proud of it and I hope to see it but never have it used on me."

"Oh, I am dear," Velvet nods. "And you just might. Just don't ever do anything to hurt Marmalade and you'll have nothing to fear from Ole Rusty," she lightly chuckles.

Solid swallows hard.

Then Michigan let out a croak, 'Human inbound.'

Twilight's head immediately pops up from the frog’s notice, "Papa Levi is coming!" She excitedly pronks around the room before Cadence levitates the filly onto her back. "I hope he has my new little sister! I can't wait to teach her all the stuff I know and read her books and do math!"

"You'll have to wait for that dear," Velvet hops down. "She's still to little to know words."

Just then Levi opens the door, but its just him. 

"Awe...." Twilight says disappointed.

Levi chuckles then motions to the doorway, "Everypony follow me so you can meet Stella." He says as he trots out. "She's sleeping with Tia in room at the moment so you have to be quiet."

"Like at the library?" Twilight adds.

"Yes Little Sparkle," Levi nod. "Would you like me to take Spike Cadydid?"

"He's fine Uncle," Cadence Smiles. "He's still sleeping on Shinny’s back tight now," Levi turns his head to see the snoring whelp.

"I'll take him when we get to the room that way you and Shinning can go see your can little cousin," 

"Thank you, Uncle," Cadence smiles.

"Sir," Solid speaks up causing Levi to look over his shoulder at the guard. "There are things I want to discuss with you as soon as you are able and they are very important."

"Mhm..." Levi noted the sternness of the stallion's voice, "Very well Solid, but later. Now we have a foal to see." he motions to Celestia door. "Please be quiet when you go in. Shiny, give me Spike."

"Yes sir," Shining says levitating the whelp onto his uncle's back.

"You six go in but be very quiet," Levi scolds. "The baby is in her bassinet."

"You not coming in too?" Night Light says in shock.

"I've had my time with my little girls for now," Levi smiles. "Tia and I held her right after she was born. I will have much more time coming soon. For now, It’s your time to see her. Go on. Spike won't stay quiet for long."

All six of the adults with Twilight in toe on Cadence back walked in very quietly and made their way over to the little white and pink bassinet not far from a snoozing Princess Celestia.

They were awe struck.

The filly had was unicorn. Her mane and tail were a sparkling silk black with hints of contrasting iridescent colors that would come and go as you would move depending on what angle the light hit. Her coat color was a radiant amber the graded into a vibrant picton blue around her hooves. Compared to booth of her parents she was quiet small, but even for normally foal standards she was a bit on the larger side. Her facial features were actually a mixture between the stern and narrow gaze of her father and the soft and supple muzzle of her mother.

"Twilight looks over Cadence's head, "She's so big," she says quietly. 

"Looks like you were right dear," Velvet whispers to her husband. "She looks like them both."

The foal starts to squirm and the her eyes flutter open and she lets out a little sneeze. Her eyes were strange in the fact that the radiated the color of a bright vivid cyan blue. This surprised everyone as nether of her parents had blue eyes

"I've never seen a foal with such bright blue eyes before," Solid tilts his head tilts. "Marmy are beatify but that filly's eyes are nearly glowing."

"Are all of you admiring my little delight?" Everypony turns to see Celestia setting up under her blankets looking at everypony with a tired but soft smile. "She's quite something isn't she."

"She's beautiful Auntie," Cadence turns. "You and Uncle should be very happy with her."

The was a brief but soft knock at the door. "Sorry to intrude Tia but you have more company," Levi comes in with Spitfire in toe. "She was brought right here," he turns and see the little filly away and shaking off her blanket. "Looks like somepony is eager to meet everypony. Come on Spitfire."

"What about everyone here?" she motions.

"We already know private," Solid spoke up.

"Commander Bedrock sir," Spitfire salutes. " Why are you here sir? And You know sir?"

"At ease," Solid holds up hoof. "I was told everything by her highness and Mr. Ackerman. I'm here because I was asked to come by my special somepony." He motions to Marmalade. "We can discuss it later though. Right now, just know you're amongst friends and family you can trust. Now come and say 'hi' to your little sister."

"Yes sir," Spitfire drops the formality. "And thank you sir." She smiles walking over to the filly who cutely tilt here head at the entourage before. "Can... can I hold her?"

"Go ahead Spitfire just be careful," Celestia smiles. "She is a bit bigger than most foals."

Spitfire nod, "hello," she smiles as Celestia levitates the foal into her sister forelegs, "I'm... your big sis..." she nuzzles the foal who happily giggles. 

"She so perfect," Celestia lays her head down and looks at Levi as he trots over, letting Spike crawl onto the bed next to his mother while she looks at the group. "This is perfect."

"Yes, she is," Levi says sitting down. "This is her family after all."

"I wish... all my girls were here to see her," Celestia sighs softly. "And not just Sunset and Summer but Stella's aunt too..."

"I know Tia," Levi places his hoof on Celestia's foreleg. "But for now, let’s just enjoy what we have in front of us..."

'I’ll find a way to bring Sunset home to you... somehow...'

"Oh yes before I forget," Tia cracked an eye at Levi. "The maids were complaining about somepony have left burnt gouges in the floor tiles leading from half way across the castle to the infirmary.," Levi's face went a bit pink and he looked to the ceiling, "Thank you for coming to my side so quickly my handsome stallion," Celestia giggles and kiss his cheek.

Meanwhile everypony was doing there best to suppress and 'awe' or stifle their laughter.

Even the moon seemed to be a bit brighter with a blue hue to the point of almost blocking out the shadow of the Mare in the Moon.

It truly was a a great day...




> Time goes by...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Twilight Sparkle quietly trots through the halls of Canterlot Castle with a bullfrog on her back as time progresses. 

No pony messed with the Royal delivery service. The young mare had garnered the name from a habit the guards had developed by leaving notes on the outside of her books. Twilight was usually so engrossed in reading that she never paid any mind to it, simply going her own way. 

Michigan usually stood ever watchful of those who'd approach and usually do something about it. The frog had forged quite the reputation amongst the castle staff for his singing fits but and even worse one amongst the nobles for spitting slim up their noses or sticking his tongue to their eyeballs.

On the note of protection Twilight was never lacking. She usually had Levi, Marmy, Bedrock, or the princess with her at all times. If none of the later were available, then she would have a Survey Corps member with her or following her from the unseen eye.

Bedrock had told Marmy about his past the night of Stella's birth and the to were back on very good terms after that and have remained ever since then. Solid had talked with Levi about no more secrets but Levi wasn't having it and decided to put the the stallion through one more test. The test of roughing it with Levi in one of the most dangerous places ever, The Dragonlands. Safe to say the younger stallion passed so Levi revealed his true self and told him of the Survey Corps and what her was, Bedrock didn't falter but only admired the man even more. A few months later Solid and Marmy were married and not long after that they announced they were excepting.  Levi knew why they rushed to get married, as did everypony else but they never said anything against it. That fall little Stella Aria became an aunt to Strawberry Rock Candy who looked nearly identical to her mother in terms of her color-scheme except a bit darker. Instead of a unicorn she was an earth-pony and built like her father. 




Some years later...

Twilight Sparkle quietly trots through the halls of Canterlot Castle with a bullfrog on her back. Levitating in a soft magenta aura In front of her face was a thick book on foreign Dimensional Magical Practices and Practical Applications. She was on her way back to the tower Celestia had given her as a birthday present when she turned thirteen.

Three little shadows follow the teenage mare. The frog rolls his eyes with a shake of his head as he'd knew who these three were, they always tried their luck at this.

"I know they're there Michigan," Twilight says with a quiet giggle. "Shinny wasn't the only one who learned a few trick from Papa Levi Michigan and I doubt the Surveyor would've let any creature get this close if they didn't know who they were. Just act natural."

The frog thinks for a minute then pulls out a cane and stove top had before dawning a black bowtie. After adjusting the tie starts to causally walk around his master's back and while singing, 'In the Merry Month of May.'

Twilight rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Not that casual you ham."

Michigan wiggles his brow with a grin then keeps singing.

"You knew we were following you, didn't you?" A boy’s voice says from a hallway corner.

Twilight sighs and turns, "Yes Spike. I knew all of you have been following since I left the library."

"That's not fair," Spike pouts coming out of the shadows with his arms crossed. "I've been taking lessons from dad for a year now. I should be getting better."

"To be fair," a little girl's voice rings out and out steps the drake 'little' sister who was a nearly half a head taller than the drake coming just above twilight's chin. "Twilly has most likely already seen those lesson from dad when she was a bit older than we are now dearest brother of mine."

"I get that," came another filly’s voice stepping out next to Stella, "And we don't have all the cool gear that grandpa and mom have either my oh so doting auntie."

"If I haven't known you three since you were foals, then I would be trying to untangle the knots in my brain that you three can so easily create with only two sentences," Twilight looks at the ceiling with a slight smirk.

"We love you to big sister!" the youths all said as one time.

"Come here you three," Twilight uses her magic to pull the younger ones in close for a hug. "You three are just too cute for you own goods!"

Michigan had already resumed his dull position on Twilight's back as he let out a croak. 'You have a very strange family dynamic... In layman's terms, 'your family is weird'... Sha la!'

"Oh, shush you," Twilight snaps at her familiar. 

The young mage learned long ago how to understand the green machine, Aka Michigan J. Frog, Dick extraordinaire.

Having released the children from her grip Spike noticed the book floating behind his sister, "What you doing with that anyways?" Spike asks. "A new thesis or something?"

"Something like that my most faithful dragon brother assistant mailbox," Twilight place a hoof on her chest while Spike grumbles. "Oh, relax Spike you know how much I love you and you mean to me, right girls?"

"Right!" the fillies agree.

"You’re the best mailbox big brother ever!" Stella jumps.

"You're always there when we need you Uncle," Candy with a sly grin, "Especially when we need to contact anypony!"

Spike then thinks and gets a grin, "I would look good in somepony yard," he rubs his chin.

Twilight shakes her head with a smirk, "Come on you three and I'll show you what I've been working on in the tower. Moondancer is already there. I just had to run to the library to get this," She motions to the book. "But you can't tell anyone what you see, promise..."

"We promise with blades on wing and thigh while soaring through the skies!" The all said in unison with raise claw, and hooves.

"There's no breaking that," Twilight says with a head tilts as she heard the younger ones recite her surrogate father's binding oath. "Let's go then," Twilight turns and happily trots along with the others.





Twilight trots into her tower with her trio of assistants. The facility was huge, something to to with a special type of spell that makes things bigger on the inside then they look on the outside. It came in  very handy and she'd actually learned the spell from Marmalade after visiting her and Bedrock's home after Candy was born.

"Have you three had lunch yet?" Twilight says looking around. "I wonder where Moonie is?"

"No, we haven't eaten yet," Stella answers.

"I think she might be in the book fort again," Candy suggests. "You two are weird about reading. I never understood the phrase, 'be one with something you love doing' until I saw you come out on a draw bridge made out of books over a mote filled with books."

"Apparently she's been doing it since before she was your age," came an older mare’s voice that was coming down the steps of a spiral staircase. "Hello Twilight. Hello little one."

"Big sister!" Spike and Stella shout and then homed in on Spitfire.

"WAIT AT LEAT LET ME GET OFF THE- OOF!" Spitfire yelps but is immediately tackle by her younger sibling tumbling down to the bottom steps. "Stairs..."

Candy laughs her but off. "Heheehehe... hey hehehehhe... Aunt Spitfire hahahahHAHAHAHAAHHAHA!"

"I see you had some free time," Twilight slyly smirks. "How's Soarin?"

"A pain in my flank because he can't fly straight! Spike, Stella I love you to but...," Spitfire says looking down at her younger siblings, "LET ME UP!" The yellow pegasus complains.

The drake and unicorn kindly obliged.

"What are you doing here?" Spike asks.

"We though you we on duty in Cloudsdale?" Stella pronks around her older sister.

"I was on duty, still am technically but I have some stuff to do in Canterlot, mainly paperwork pickup and drop off on new recruits," Spitfire explains, "But I also thought I'd come by and see you guys since I was in town for today," she smiles. "I wanted to have lunch with you guys, so I came here first since I know you three as Twinkle’s assistants."

"Don't call me Twinkles," Twilight grumbles.

"Sure, thing Twinkles," Spitfire smiles while Twilight stares annoyed. "Anyway, I came here but no pony was answered so I let myself in and found zip on the bottom floor, so I went up top. I found diet Twinkles snoozing in a book house drooling all over herself. Must have been one crazy dream because that look on her face was, Oh wow!"

Twilight looks up, "Hmm... She must have pulled an all nightier, again, or she just didn’t want to go home," she shakes her head, "I've told her not to spend the night here. This is not her apartment," Twilight then glares at Spitfire, "And she is not a diet version of me! And stop calling me Twinkles!" She snorts.

"What are you two doing anyways?" Spitfire squints. "It better not be another gadget that is supposed to revolutionize pony kind by ten years. I'm still finding metal little bits of you last experiment in all my uniforms."

"Hehe..." Twilight blushed. "No, we're actually working on something that has already existed for a good while now. Papa asked for our help with this actually."

"Dad actually asked you for help?" Spitfire is taken aback. "This must be serious if he asked you and diet Twinkles for help. Speaking of which, what does she know?"

"About the corps and all of the ponies here but that's it," Twilight says as every ascends the stairs. "Papa had her sign a Contract of Silence just to be on the safe side though I know Moonie would never tell a soul about the family and his Corps. She doesn't know what he really is, but she has realized that he has had a bit of a book trail behind him. Even if only three or four of his works have officially been published as under his name Papa did technically write many of the medical books and the books on plants we've been using for some years now, though Princess Celestia edited them into pony versions for his secrecy." The stopped at the top, "Yep, book house," Twilight said flatly. "I'll get Moonie out and woken up. Feel free to browse but don't touch anything that's on the table or with a sheet over it, I'm talking to you Candy."

Candy quickly pulls back with an embarrassed blush from a table with a lot of glassware on it.

"Be back in a bit," Twilight sings as she set the book on a table and then grabs a paddle with her magic and starts for the book house. "Oh Moooooonnnnnniieeeeeeeeee, I have a surprise for yoouuuuuuuuu!"

The bull then croaks from atop Spitfire's back, 'At least she's in a good mood this time... I hope Diet Twilight remembered not to drool on the book this time...'

Spitfire quickly turns her head to look at the frog with a raised eyebrow, "When did you get up there?" she tilts her head.

The frog does a mismatched blink and croaks, 'Honey, that's for me to know and you to, never know...'

The pegasus looks at the amphibian with half lidded eyes, "I don’t need understand you to know what you said, but it sounded snarky to me, " she turns her head back around. and deadpans, "Dick."

'Bitch...'

Suddenly...

*THWACK!!!*

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" A pony cries out in pain inside the book house. "MOTH	er OF ALL FAUST ALL MIGHT MY [BEEEEEEEEEEP!]"

"Wow," Spitfire says with wide eyes, "Yelling enough for the censorship spell to activate. Gotta give Twinkles her props," she nods approvingly.

"It’s far from over from what you told us," Spike says.

"Yea, if Moonie was drooling on the books as much as you made it out to," Stella adds. “Things are gonna get good.”

"Yea, now that you mention I did say that," Spitfire rubs her chin recalling. "There was a pretty big puddle in there. Why is it important though?"

"How big was is exactly if you can remember?" Spike asks.

"Two or three books around the size of the one Twinkles had," Spitfire says.

"Then we're in for quite a bit of-" Candy starts.

"Twi, put that down now!" Moondancer yells out in the book house.

"I've [BEEP!]ing told you countless [BEEP!]ing times this is not your [BEEP!]ING APARTMENT!"

*THWACK!*

"OOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW! MY [BEEP!]ING [BEEP!]!"

"That," Candy points at the book house.

*CRASH!*

*SQUISH! SQUISH! SQUISH!*

"What the [BEEP!] am I stepping in that's soo... Is this a [BEEP!] towel that... OH MY [BEEP!]ING GODS ABOVE! EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! SO GROSS!"

*SWISH! SPALT!*

"Now Twilight... I can explain that," Moondancer said as she sounds like she is cowering in fear.

The pegasus outside merely blinks while the foals and dragon were sharing popcorn amongst one another.

The frog just shrugs it off and, 'Meh's', it.

Several crashes followed by the sound of breaking glass were heard; followed by the book house jumping off the floor several feet in the air only to land in one piece on the floor. The books miraculously styed in place as if glued the. Spitfire was sure she saw a few timbers fly out the windows with each time a crash was heard while the book structure jumps.

"We should really do something," Spitfire speaks up finally.

"I'm not going that," Spike points as-

*THWACK!*

*THWACK!**THWACK!*

*THWACK!*

*THWACK!*

"[BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!] MY [BEEP!]ING [BEEP!]" Moondancer cries out.

The fillies and young drake merely shook their heads very rapidly.

Soon more ruckus passed and soon out pops an pony very similar in looks to Twilight with and inverted mane and tail colors and a cream yellow coat but with big black frame glasses and a sweater. She flops out and land on her chin butt straight up in the air red and sizzling. Twilight proceeds to follow out of the house with a content smile and a broken paddle while humming Michigan's signature show tune.

The lavender mare then cast a spell on the book house and the books all good to their proper shelves or to the restoration area that Twilight had built for just such occasions.

Twilight then tosses the paddle in a corner, with several other similarly broken paddles.

"Owwwwww! My butt..." Moondancer says as she tries to rub her posterior only the wince back from the mere proximity. "You don't have to beat me Twi!"

"If you would get it through that thick skull of yours that this is my tower and not you apartment then I wouldn't have to!" Twilight raises a hoof in the air. "That's just the main reason you shouldn't be sleeping anyways. The other is this is a lab and I often have family and or Military personnel, let alone ROYALTY HERE!"

The mare's colors started to lighten a bit until Spitfire clears her throat, "Ah... yes so what exactly are you working on Ms. Sparkle?" She tried to ask professional.

"Oh!" Twilight quickly pulls her attention to the group, "Sorry- Wait, popcorn? Stella was that really necessary?!"

"Yes, yes it was," Stella cutely smiles.

Twilight vision narrows at her adoptive sister slash assistant slash student only for the foal to cutely smile back.

Twilight let's out a sigh of defeat, "Come on and I'll show you while Moonie cleans up the rest of her mess, right?” She glares at her diet self.

"Yea, yea," Moondancer crosses her forelegs, "Right after my ass stops stop’s emitting heat!"

"Bad!" Twilight says as she pops in a rolled-up newspaper and swats Moondancer right on the keister, again. "We have foals present."

"OW! MY [BEEP!]ING [BEEP!]!" Moonie cries out in pain once more.

"Please follow me," Twilight quickly turns with a smile.

"Was that last hit really necessary?" Spitfire asks.

"Yes, yes it was," Twilight proudly proclaims proudly leading the way into another room.





The Mirror Room

Her in the center of a large room was sat a large purple horseshoe shaped mirror with the image of an earth pony engraved on top. It was on top of a two-step stoop that had horseshoes facing upwards in a row decorating the first step.





"Twilight what is that thing doing here?!" Spitfire points at the mirror. "You better have a good explanation for this that doesn't involve some sort of series of cooky experiments!"

"Hey, take that back," Twilight protest. "I'm not cooky or any variation of the word!"

"Why is the mop dancing the Macarena with the bucket?!" Moondancer shouts.

"Okay may a bit quirky," Twilight nervously gives a light chuckle. Clearing her throat while ignoring Spitfire's squinted glare and the youths incessant laughing at Moondancer as she did her best to match the Mop and bucket's tempo, "Anyways, no Spitfire this is what Papa asked me and Moonie to look into. A way to possibly force open or keep open the portal while we wait for it to opens again," She and the others walk in front of the mirror to show all their reflection with Spitfire in the dead-center. "He wants to get Sunset back for the Princess, you, and Stella. That's why he has one of us or the Corps monitoring it nearly at all time of the day for any activity at all. It's why he had it moved here. We have proof she's been back since she left, if only to get some gold and gems."

"He's trying to get Sunny back?" Spitfire walks up and places a hoof on the mirror. "I didn't think dad cared that much about her, or Summer, or me. I thought he just saw us as his step kids."

"Why would dad look at any of us less than the other sis?" Spike speaks up. "I mean look at us?" he motions to everypony but especially himself, "I mean I'm a dragon and he doesn't see me any less than you or Stella and Stella his actually his kid!"

"Technically, I'm not even related to him by blood or directly from that matter," Candy raises a valid point. "I'm fifth generation Strawberry but still a descendant but he treats me just like all of you. Twilight isn't even part of the family, but he still treats her as if she was blood kin."

"He loves his wife but is trying to love mom to," Stella speaks up. "I don't think dad will ever get over what he lost but he is trying to love mom and trying to make her happy along with all of us."

"I once told him I wouldn't call him dad and he said he was fine with that," Spitfire sighs, taking her hoof off the mirror. "Before I knew a little over a year had passed and I was talking to him as normally as my birth father. He helped with my training, and he even helped me better my relationship with mom," She turns and faces the others. "I'd never thought her as anything but a mother, as nothing more than a joke but here am calling him dad and the mother who was all but estranged mom thanks to him."

"Dad has seen and done a lot that I think makes him want to cherish everything," Stella looks into her reflection. "He is the only one of his kind as far as we know. For a long time, he thought he couldn't have foals and then I was born."

"Something changed in papa after you were born Stella," Twilight says placing a foreleg on the filly's back. "He started showing a lot more emotions to everypony. He was a lot softer with everypony like he was with the Princess before you were born. I think when you were born, he finally felt like he belonged here."

"You think so Twilly?" Stella looks up with twinkling eyes.

"You can bet your mane on baby sister," Spitfire agrees. "I hate to cut things short girls, but we should get going. I’ve got to be back in Cloudsdale by tonight. I bet mom and dad will be happy to have supper with us though."

"I think dad should be back from Manehattan by then," Spike think rubbing his chin.

"Why'd he go there?" Spitfire asks.

"Something to do with one of Equestria's most wanted," He shrugs. "A lead on a former noble. A baroness of or something I think."

"Don't push yourself too much to remember Spike," Twilight speaks up with a bit of a squeak. "You four go on and get lunch. I have a few things here I need to look into," She notes as the book she had earlier float up and over from the stairwell.

"I'll take them for a while Twi," Spitfire reassures the purple mare. "It's been a moon sense we last did anything together anyways."

"Thanks Spitfire," Twilight waves. "Take care and feel free to check in with me or Moonie for updates."

"There's water everywhere!" The other unicorn cries out.

"Speaking of which I better tweak that self-cleaning spell, but later," Twilight notes with a grin. "Bye girls and Spike."

"Bye sis," the youth yell in unison.

"By Twi!" Spitfire says waving, "You," she looks at the frog still on her back, "GET OFF!"

'Whatever...' Michigan croaks jumping down and over to a water feature before jumping in in and popping up on a lily pad singing 'We Were Sailing Along On Moonlight Bay'.





"I don't even want to try and understand how," Spitfire deadpans as she trots off with youths in hoof.




> Possibly... Maybe?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





The Manehattan Train Station...

A tall gray pegasus stallion with two tone wings, a right metal hoof, and a series of scars across the right side trots a long with one of his subordinates.

"Tell me Blue," Levi asks. "Do you hate me for what's happened to you? Losing not only your position in the government but also you title in name as well?"

A tall well built white stallion about two feet under Levi's height with blonde tail and his mane pulled back in a pony tail trots next to the older stallion. The former prince Vladimir Blueblood.

"In truth uncle," Blueblood answers, "Yes, in the beginning of it all I did was hate blame everything on you for what be fill me when I was but a naïve twat of a colt," He answers truthfully, "But now I see that it was not you I should blame but these nobles like the former baroness we have caught after all this time. So yes, I'd hate you but now I thank you for racing me proper, for making me work for what I had. And thank you for making my Auntie and family happy to."

"How are the nobles anyways?" Levi looks to his nephew. "You were able to convince them you were the same spoiled child they raise to be their puppet correct?"

Blueblood lets out a humored scoff, "Easily. The first thing they did was give me gifts galore that could've but new homes for many."

"What did you do with them?" Levi asks as the duo enter the train.

"I took them and then had forgeries made that are passible while selling the originals," Blueblood nonchalantly hops on the seat across from Levi. "I then had the money funneled int0 a few of our own projects but mostly into the places like the lower Ring of Canterlot and a few fundraisers as to keep up my public image."

"You're doing good Blue," Levi smiles, "Tia wanted me to tell you that you've come a long way from what you were and that she is very proud of you for it and so am I."

"Thank you so much uncle," Blueblood wipes his eye. "Are there any developments with the portal and the possible return of my cousin Sunset?"

"Twilight and Moondancer are all over that project and even have full access to the Starswirl Section in Canterlot," Levi explains with a sigh. "There has been some success but not much. With the help of the Corps we much further along in the understanding area but no closer to being able to open the damn thing."

"I see," Blueblood rubs his chin, "I will ask around in the noble circles. Perhaps they have some of the old wizards journals or tomes stashed in their hidden area of their homes. His work is often coveted just because it was his work. Many of his spells weren't complete  according to Auntie. Perhaps or dear Twilight and Moondancer could benefit form any of the scraps the old one left behind."

"Anything you can think of or could get your hooves on would be much appreciated my dear nephew," Levi says as the train lurches forward. "You'll be more than compensated I assure you."

"I just ask that you continue to make Auntie and everypony else happy Uncle," Blue smiles.

"You don't even have to ask," Levi smiles again.

"And Uncle," Blue looks at Levi. "Thank you."

"Your welcome Blue," Levi places a hoof on his nephew's shoulder. "You're Welcome."





Twilight's Tower that evening...

"Let's see here..." Moondancer says to herself as she lays on her back inside of one of the machines fiddling around inside of it, "Nope, not that one," a zap goes off. "Definitely not that parts, oh here we are," she says as she gets out pulling out a part that looks oddly like a light bulb. "Twi I found it!"

"And if we add the coefficient to the vatical axis then we should be able to get just the right frequency to go back and forth through the mirror whenever WE WANT! HAHAHAHA! I DID! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" Twilight proclaims with excitement, pronking around the room as she laughs her head off. 

"Moonie come on and see what what I did!" She pronks arounds more with a squeal.

"What is it?" Moondancer raises an eyebrow as she waits for her hearing to return, again, "Not the recipe for the perfect sandwich again I hope," she shudders remembering the mayonnaise, it went everywhere. Though the bright side was her mane, tail, and coat were all soft as a feather for about a month. "I found the problem in the equipment by the way. A very old busted stabilizer of sorts, possibly."

"I thought we'd never speak of that incident again," Twilight snorts, "A mare wants a decent sandwich and suddenly we have a lizard thing spraying everyone with miracle whip!"

"Mayo," Moondancer corrects flatly.

"There's no difference!" Twilight waves her hoof in the air. "Let's see that," she points at the part. "I'll look this up while you go over my numbers. I don't want to punch a whole in sub-space and pull something else random from somewhere unknown, again."

Michigan lets out a croak, 'Yea cause one character who's... FLY!' His tongue shot out making a whipping sound followed by a gulping and lip smacking with a follow up croak, 'Yummy...'

"I still want to know who's idea it was to create a frog who is a dick, but sings great show tunes," Moondancer sighs. "But you're right. Better safe than sorry. We don't want another Glub Glub incident here. The princess would have both our hides." She shudders ass she looks over the notes and equations, "Everything looks good to me here, now what about our blown fuse thing?"

"Parabolic stabilizer actually," Twilight says looking through a pair of green googly goggles as she run through books. "The part itself is easy enough to make but the materials needed for it are here and far between to find."

"Good thing your big bro and second pops can get them right?" Moondancer trots over while Twilight looks worried. 
"Right?"

"Way back when Starswirl original designed and built the mirror these materials were much easier to get due to what wasn't known about them," Twilight sighs. "Now, most are hard to get a hold of due to the rarity and some of them being in in inhospitable environments. I can ask Papa, and maybe he'll have some of his corps get them but..."

"You don't want to put anypony in unnecessary danger," Moonie agrees with a nod. "We'll still have to ask or we won't have even have a ghost of a chance for this thing to be running at all."

"There is another issue," Twilight adds. "An external power source is needed to keep the portal open so we can use it and keep using it. Originally it only opened every few years due to having to build up the magic to open the portal for just three days. If we're going to mount a rescue mission we'll need to have it stable and powered on constantly."

"Right," Moondancer taps her hoof against her chin. "Right now I think we should just focus on the short straw and tell everypony about what we have," she motions to the stabilizer. "Then get this part made."

"Right," Twilight sighs, "Working on portal maintenance and theory first," she levitates her saddle bags to her and then the part in the bag before taking her goggles. "Let's go meet Papa and the princess and tell them what we've found," she turns to the frog, "You stay or no chocolate."

Michigan grumbles.

"Let's go," Moondancer trots after Twilight.





The Castle Dining Hall...

Celestia was quietly setting in her spot at the table waiting for her family to come in. It has been getting to where the nobles barely let her get away with all of their annoying pestering. It's mainly to keep her where they can watch her and keep her out of their affairs. Though she was technically the overall power of the land she had brought the nobles in to help delegate some of that power to other. This worked for along time, but soon they got big heads thinking they ran things and started to cause trouble eventually being the main wedge that led to her sister's imminent downfall.

When Celestia found out it was the nobles plan all along to have her as a figure head and Luna excommunicated form the court, permanently at that, she vaporized every last one of them with out a second thought.

Celestia turned her had to the window glancing at the silhouette of the Mare on the moon, "It won't be long now," she said to herself softly, "one or two more years and you'll be free. I can't wait for you to meet your niece and nephew little sister, or the stallion I've come so close with over the past two hundred years."

Suddenly the door open and in trots Spitfire with Spike, Stella, and Candy in hoof.

"Good evening princess," Spitfire says as the maids are still present.

"Mom!" Spike and Stella say in unison as the rush over to their mother  who loving take them in her embraces, "Hmm.. my babies! How are you two doing? Not causing to much trouble for Lt. Spitfire are you? Everypony is free to leave now," Celestia says with a stern but calm demeanor causing everyone to leave swiftly. Celestia cast a quick spell and seals the room so only those with a sigil may enter.

"Maybe," Spike snickers.

"So what did you do this time Spike?"

"Spike spooked big sister after she got back from the restroom," Stella giggles.

"Says pot to kettle," Candy snidely smirks

"Tattle tell!" Spike squints.

"It was  your idea!" Stella shoots back.

"They both used some of dad's training to get the drop on me," Spitfire admit wit ha bit of an embarrassed blush as she sits in a chair not far from her mother's. "I see the nobles aren't letting up. I think you should get dad involved-"

"No," Celestia says flatly. "Your step-father takes enough heat from the nobles already being with my and being Stella's father, not to mention his mercenary work. He enough for me already just being him for me Spitfire. Like you being here now is enough," She smiles. 

"If you say so mom," Spitfire sighs.

"Are you staying long?"

"Only for today," Spitfire looks at her mother. "I have to be back for drills in the morning so right after supper I have to leave."

"I can teleport you back home if you like," Celestia suggests. "That way we can save you a long trip."

"Thanks I would appreciate it. Though," she looks around. "Where is dad anyways? I though her was supposed to be here?"

"He and Blue's train seems to be running a bit late," Celestia says looking at the clock. "But they should at least be here within the hour." Celestia thought as she places the children in their chairs before trotting over to her oldest and giving her an abrupt hug causing the young pegasus to blush in embarrassment, "Thank you for coming to dinner Spitfire it and spending time your little brother and sister and coming to have supper with us Spitfire, it really made my day."

The kids merely giggle covering their mouths.

"Excuse me," The mother and daughter look down to see Candy with her cheeks puffed up pouting, "I want a hug to Granny Tia!"

Spitfire looks at the foal then to her mother with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, "Granny Tia?"

"She insists on it," Celestia sighs slightly shaking her head. "Still... it better than grandmother or grandma, though technically I am neither to her, yet at least."

"You know how the Strawberry clan is mom. Once they consider you family, which they have for a while, you're stuck with them. Besides," Spitfire chuckles as she reaches down and pulls Candy into a hug then holds the pouting child right in front of her mother's face. "How can you say no the adorable face of my 'Auntie' Candy?" she giggles.

"You have a point my dear little Spitty," Celestia jabs, causing Spitfire's own cheeks to puff up, as she takes Candy in her forelegs and gives her a hug. "Better?" she asks casually ignoring her oldest's pouting glare.

"Better," Candy nuzzles her 'granny' with a giggle.

Levi then comes in and looks around a little surprised.

"Grampa!"

"Dad!"

"Levi!"

"Daddy!"

"Hey dad!"

"Family dinner?" Levi says as he trots in. "This is a pleasant surprise."

Blueblood looks around and waves, "Hello everypony," then turns to Levi, "As much as I would love to stay, I'm afraid I must go. There are nobles that need tending to I'm afraid."

"Be careful Blue," Celestia says sincerely while the children all 'Awwww...', as they were found of their older cousin when he could drop the 'pompous ass' routine to play with them. 

"Spitfire," Blue nods sternly

"Blueblood... "

The two weren't friends but neither were they enemies either. Spitfire was cautious around the stallion as he had been trained by Levi's family for the last few year as well magic academy spells and combat training. He was one family member no pony wanted to cross as even with her mother to back her up, with the only others being Levi or her mother as well as every member of the Strawberry clan. These amongst skills other teachings provided by the the Blueblood family and nobles well before that made Prince Blueblood one noble among the very few who new how to handle themselves in combat that none dared to cross.

With Blueblood's departure the family enjoyed their supper with much joy filling their hearts.





Later...

"I've got to get back to Cloudsdale," Spitfire says hugging Celestia, then Levi and going down the line.

"Bye big sister!" Stella smiles as Spitfire rubs her head.

"See ya later big sis," Spike says getting a hoof four.

"Let's get you back home," Levi looks at Candy. "I don't want you father throwing ponies in the lower ring of the city again. There still patching those holes from last time."

"Can we zip?" Candy pleads.

"Is there any better way," Levi smirks as eh takes the foal and straps her into a harness after reverting to his human form. 

"Its a good thing momma trust and dad is still scared to bits of you grandpa," Candy giggles. "Or I don't think he'd let you'd take my home like this." The filly smiles, "I hope I can learn how to do this one day."

"Yea, and once you reach the right age you get the choice like everpony in our famliy gets but for now you just be a good little filly," Levi snickers giving his granddaughter a head scratch,, "And we're off," he says as a line shoots form his gauntlet before zipping off.

Celestia waves them off, "Come along you two," she looks at Spike and Stella. "Time fore bed."

"Awww..." the sibling pouted. "Can't we ast least wait til-"

*BANG!*

Suddenly, Twilight and Moondancer burst through the doors tumbling in a heap onto the balcony.

"PrincessCelestiawhere'sPapaLevi?! Weneedtogetthesetohimimmediately!" Twilight says hastily, pulling out a notebook from her saddlebag and waving it in Celestia's face,

"WeneedasteadypowersourceandtheresourcestofixapartbutIbelievewe'vefoundtheway!"

"Levi? A book!? Power? Parts? Resources? The way?" Celestia tilts her head. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you're talking about? Please, slow down and explain to me what your saying Twilight. You said you found a way, a way to do what exactly my faithful student?"

Moondancer shakes her head with a sigh before speaking up, "What my over eager project partner is trying to say is that we believe we've found the correct way to open the portal to the world Sunset Shimmer went too but we wanted Mr. Levi to get his magicians to look over our notes first as they are more far more knowledgeable in ancient types of magic and their practices then we are," the diet Twilight carefully explains. "We just need to fix, or actually build a part of the machine that regulates the portal which is another reason we need to see Pops. After that we need to find and or build a steady power supply for the mirror before we can even test it though."

"Outside all that we're certain we have solved it!" Twilight states after having calmed down a little. "We can get her back!"

Celestia just stares at the young unicorns, frozen.

"Mom?/Momma?" The siblings both stared at the mother out of worry.




> Interlude-Don't Piss off the 'Pegasus'
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Times passes...

The weeks steadily passed for the ponies in Canterlot Castle as many had no idea what went on behind the closed doors of Twilight's Tower. Moondancer and Twilight rarely left the building, if at all, to continue their work on the Mirror Portal. The were many an odd noise or two usually followed by bright flashes of light the would light up all of the towers windows in different arrays of color.

Levi did did what he could after the girls had told him what happened upon his return and seeing Celestia had gone to the tower to stare at the portal. Levi took their children and explained to them what was going on with their mother, doing his best to put their minds at ease. Telling them more of the details behind their older sister departure and why their mother was in the state she was in. All of them went to the tower after Levi sent word to Spitfire, who was cleared for leave and soon requested reassignment to Canterlot in order to be closer to her mother for morale support.

Levi had requested his mages to look over he unicorns' findings. He even called in another unicorn for Celestia's school, Sunburst, who excelled in spell working and magical theory as well as multiple spell layering. Having shown promise at an early age, but being from a very small town the nobles had tried their best to keep him isolated to he would leave the school. They also quickly found that although he was very knowledgeable in spells and their creating he didn't have an aptitude for casting them overall. This only gave the nobles even more fuel to have the colt ousted. It would've succeeded until he befriended Twilight and Moondancer not long after the foal napping incident.

Levi did what he could to help the girls and Sunburst out. There wasn't a whole lot he could do except provide security details and some of the rare materials needed for the portal. Even the mages and enchanters of the Strawberry clan that were in-charge of the magic gear he Survey and Garrison Corps used were stumped my Twilight and Moondancer's work with the portal and the equations, which is why he brought in Sunburst.

Blueblood did what he could as well, though he played more as a mediator to the nobles and public than anything to keep the project and why the princess had been holding court for a few days. Though the you stallion played it off as nothing but repayment for all his aunt and uncle had done for him, everypony wouldn't stop thanking him for what he did.

Lately though, much of the nobles' focus had shifted to the up start Shining Armor and Princess Cadenza. Their relationship was by far no means a secret in Canterlot society. The nobles had always down played it as a passing faze but after they found out that Shining wasn't a pushover and a rising Star in the Academy, they began to worry. After the foalnapping of his little sister security had been tighten around them but no one could ever tell unless you got to close to one of the Sparkles, but by then you usually had a sword to your throat.

With Shining being a rising star and having the recommendations from former Head Captain Tightship and a few other higher ranked former guards ponies he had a very promising career in the guard to look forward to. All of his recommendation were also known to be hardliners and extremely difficult to get recommends from, which made it all the harder for noble society to slander the top ranked Cadet, turned Lieutenant first-class right out of the Academy.

Levi was the only outlier. He wasn't even brought in to many of the nobles' discussions after the first few weeks due to many reasons. He overall appearance outright scared many of the uppity twats with just a single glance. He had the nerve to speak his mind whenever he chose, especially in front of royalty. Celestia had hi back completely and he was not only the biological father of the newest princess but also a very vigilant father as well. Any assassins sent after him either disappeared and we're never seen or heard of again, or refused after getting within range to actually see the 'pegasus'. Safe to say that he is there to stay.





"GET OUT FUCK NOW!"

The throne room door were immediately flung open and out was flung a light greyish white lanky unicorn stallion and black mane in a red robe.

"How dare you! I am Chancellor Neighsay!," the unicorn glares at Levi as the taller pegasus who was seething with rage, "I am the head of her highness's educational system. I am here to make sure the young princess Stella Aria is receiving the proper education as dictated be the ESS. It is my duty to make sure she is ready for he time in the School for Gifted Unicorn. Some one of her linage only deserves the best magical teacher that being me right under the princess herself." He dusts himself off, "Seeing as how her highness is busy with court more and more it falls on me to educate the young princess

"I will not be questioned on how or what I teach my daughter!" Levi fumed, "Let alone by some uppity nobleman such as YOURSElF!" 

"You are nothing more than a servant," Neighsay scoffs, "The princess may have chosen to lay with you, but that doesn't make you worthy of-"

*DING!*

Something metal and shiny flew past Neighsay's face and was now embedded in the wall next to his head. Something warm and wet ran down the chancellors cheek. He looked down out of the corner of his eye he saw a small cut and blood steadily flowing from it onto the floor. He the then slowly turns his head to see a sword sticking out of the wall level with his cheek.

"Y-y-y-you... you ccc-c-c-cut m-m-m-m-me..." Neighsay stutters turning back to see Levi towering over him, red faced and utterly furious and staring coldly into his eyes

"I dare you to finish that sentence little chancellor," Levi says coldly, reaching and easily pulling the sword from the wall.

"GUARDS," Neighsay shouts and a couple nearby come quickly. "Arrest this pony for assault."

"No can do," one the guards says abruptly. "Mr. Ackerman rarely ever does anything like this unless you deserve it. He trained a number of us at the Academy, never did I see him do anything to any pony that didn't deserve it."

The second guard comes up, "He's the special some pony of the princess and a mercenary. He's above our pay grade to take on."

"You're lucky Neighsay, you're very lucky that you got off with a small cut like that," says a stern voice. 

Everypony but Levi turned to see the princess sternly glaring at Neighsay. 

"If Levi really wanted to hurt you Neighsay he would've gouged out your eye balls with his hooves alone. Now," she looks at Levi, "I think it's best if you leave and never try and stick your muzzle in my families education again, lest I let my dearest Levi continue what he started here, do you agree?"

"And what exactly would you do?" Neighsay gulps.

Levi leans down and puts his face right in front of Neighsay's, "I was going to cut off you little oily sleezeball head and roast it on a spit then mount it on my wall with all the rest of those idiots that tried to pull the same shit with Mine and Tia's little girl. And don't even try and go after our son either. Got. it!" He point the chancellor in the chest with his metal hoof, very very hard.

Neighsay vigorously nods his head.

"Good," Levi back up and starts to trot away. "Now I must see to other matters. I'll see you later Celestia." He says walking away.

"Till then," Celestia waves him off then turns to Neighsay who is preparing to say something about getting read of Levi.

"Let me stop you there before you even start you pompous twat," Celestia glares as the temperature starts to rise, "I will not tolerate you or your little degraded mockery of what you call an educational system even come within thirty feet of my our children. Levi is... much more in control of his emotions than I can be most of the time. Trust me when I say your end with be very painful and very quick if it were by my hoof Neighsay," she points in the direction of where Levi went. "Levi is much colder and sadistic. He will torture you... and only after you beg and plead for weeks on end to be killed will he even think of considering it."

The chancellor's eye shrank.

"Our daughter is being taught magic by my personnel student and a few other ponies that are on par with Twilight Sparkle. If I trust her then why would I trust you," she says flatly. "Think about you actions today little idiot. Nobles have disappear for much less and much easier and quietly with Levi around. They are easily replaced with better ponies suited for the positions. But that's not you little Neighsay, is it?" she glowers at him as he nods shaking in his new piss drench coat, "Well, now I suggest you heed my dearest's Levi's earlier words words and, GET THE FUCK OUT!" She screams as the chancellor made tracks.

Celestia snorts, "Wait tell he finds out that cut will leave a nasty scar that can't be cover by magic," she snickers. "Return to your posts please." She trots off. "And have some of the made clean the hallway, thoroughly if you would. I don't want it to reek of fear, blood and... piss tomorrow before court."

"YES MA'AM!" The guards yell and go back to guarding the front door.

"Remind me never to piss anypony off here," Guard says.

"Dude," the other looks around, "Just be stand still and smile. As long as you do that, you'll be fine."

"Yea, fine," The first nervously chuckles, "Especially with a mercenary with a cleaning fetish, a crazy teenage unicorn, and crazy bullshit that happens nearly everyday, especially from that tower."

There was a sudden explosion in the distance that caused everyone to be left off the ground about three inches.

"We're okay!" came the voices of three youths.

"Not to mention the disaster trio that blow themselves or something up every flipping day," A maid nonchalantly says dragging along a mop in her magic.

"Glub Glub spray you all!"

"Great, the mayo lizard is back," one of the guards. "CODE WHITE!"

A large platoon of guards in white armor came out and march into the courts and then a lot of squelching was heard








> Levi Time!_!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Later...

Levi was currently walking through the halls of the School for Gifted Unicorns. He'd come here to check out the library out to see if it had any useful books that may help with some of his personnel projects. Not to mention his presence there reinforced several aspects of his existence, the most important being making sure Neighsay knew he was being watched.

He was currently examining the texts of thaumaturgical medals. Mithril was what his primary weapons were made of and while they were the top of the line and nearly indestructible, they were the best for every situations he was in. What spurred this on was the unpredictable world that Sunset Shimmer had runaway into that laid just beyond the portal. They had no idea of the creatures that called it home let alone the magic or actually whatever they possessed in term of power.

Levi was so wrapped up in his he didn't notice the unicorn he was going to walk into.

"Oof,"

"Hmm..." Levi looks up. One of the aspect of his human form was his height, something that translated into his pegasus form and that he took pleasure in, mostly to scare or intimidate. One of the benefits was he rarely ever if not at all not down something his took full advantage of when reading and walking. Most ponies would usually walk into him and did little more than get knock back on their flanks to be met with a stern glare and then a grumpy *Hrmf*before he went on his way. It just so happens he was barely into the book, this time. 

"I'm sorry about that," Levi says closing his  book, "Oh Sunburst. What are you doing here boy?"

"Sorry Mr. Ackerman," the orange stallion says rubbing his flank. "I was clearing out my work space. I'm being expelled," He hangs his head low in shame.

"Why?" Levi tilts his head. "I may not be a magic scholar lad, but I know and have seen plenty of your notes to know that you  ae more than capable. You work with the portal is more than proof of that."

"Yes but my work on the portal is top secret and due to the Contract of Silence know pony knows about it and any information about is comes off as gibberish to most or something to do with Mangos,"  Sunburst takes Levi's 'hoof', allowing the much older pony to pull the colt to his hooves. "Its not my overall knowledge either."

"I'd say not," Levi nods sticking his back in his saddlebags. "You've proven that your knowledge is on par with Twilight and Moondancer's, if not a bit above it from time to time with the know how of which spells to use at the same time. I wouldn't have brought you into the fold if it had been lacking."

"There in lies the problem sir," Sunburst points out. "I have the know how, how to apply the spells, and the formulas that much is obvious, but what I lack is the application of the spells. I don't hover the ability to 'practice what I preach', as one of the nobles put it once. I g=have to clear out my workspace by the end of the day, then once the portal is done I'll be head back home."

Levi looks in the room, "Hmm... I have no say so in how the school runs this shit show lad but you don't have to go anywhere you don't want to. I'll speak with Tia on this as this is still her school. It doesn't matter if you can cast the spells or not Sunburst," Levi places a hoof on the young stallions shoulder, "Just that you have the knowledge on how to use them is enough." He looks around, "Lets see if Tia can't get you set up with a proper workspace and not his hell hole of a broom closest. Perhaps you can help me in my own studies."

Levi hands over the book, "Thaumaturgical metals?" Sunburst tilts his head. "I've study these a bit in the enchanting coarse but nothing to far beyond that. If you're willing to let me then I'd be more than happy to help you sir."

"Good," Levi smiles. "Come. You can educate me while we walk to see Tia."

The duo walked off, and it was safe to say that somepony would be getting bleeding ear from burst eardrums later that day.





"Sooooo..." Levi says as he looks a his youngest slowly rotating in circles as she hung with horn was stuck in the ceiling fan, 

"You were practicing a spell Twilight told you about in order to make more of your favorite cookies and...."

He turns to see Spike, now totally pink except his green eyes that blinked to look around as he was thoroughly embedded in the marble wall. Candy then comes into the room and walks over to the drake dragging a very large pry pry meant for adult ponies to use in her mouth. The filly herself seemed relatively un-pink except for a light coating of pink on the very tip of her tail.

Levi picks up one hoof and pink slowly oozes off of it and splatters on the floor, "Tuning the wafer into a pink sludge bomb of some sort that exploded getting all over you and Spike's bedroom. Not to mention embedding your older brother into a marble," he looks over to see Candy trying to pull Spike free, "Oh, and let's not forget the Guards that were outside your doors that now have pink butts or are now being referred to as Bubble Gum Baboons."

Stella smiles at her father nervously as she rotates to meet his flat gaze.

"To be fair I did warn her it was a bad idea grandpa!" Candy calls out. "And so id Spike!"

"Yea!" Spike adds with a scowl, "Come on I think I'm stating to-"

"Your mother and I have told you no messing with new spells unless one of Twilight is with or," Candy slipped and the pry-bar rocket in a spinning motion at Levi, who doesn't even turn his head to catch it Levi's gaze turning stern as he glares at his daughter, "Or Moondancer or Sunburst with you. You're in a lot of Trouble missy."

He pulls her down. "Stay," he point then trots over and knocks on the wall above Spike then pulls his sun loose, "You two aren't of Scott free either. You should've told somepony what she was up to!"

"Yes sir," the tow looked down ashamed.

"Speaking of adults, where are Corps members that as supposed to be keeping an eye on you three?" Levi looks around before to large globs of [ink fell from the ceiling moaning in pain. "Guess that answers that question."

"Sorry sir," one pony shaped pink glob says. "By the time we got in here-"

"Your daughter had already cast the spell," The other pink gob states.

"Guess I need to redo some of the training," Levi thinks as he rubs his chin, leaving a pink line under his chin causing the chalder to snicker. "Alright enough laughing! Bath time," he grins and the kids gulp, hard.





Levi was currently staring at a very large frilled lizard with a backpack the looks similar to a large set of fire extinguishers as it cowers in a corner of its cage. The creature was none other than Glub Glub, the Miracle Whip Lizard that Twilight had somehow called into existence while trying to create the perfect sandwich. Though he technically wasn't all that dangerous as all he did was spray condiments on creatures he was still a force to be reckoned.

"I thought we sent this thing back to where you pulled it from," Levi deadpans.

"We did," Twilight huffs. "At least until Somepony powered on the portal before double checking the coordinates!" She glowers at Moondancer who is whistling while looking on the other side of the room, "What Sunburst sees in you I don't want to know."

"This coming from the second mare he asked out," Moondancer quickly retorts, "I still don't see why you turn him down though. He's a good stallion and all of us share the same interests."

"Meh..." Twilight waves it off. "Sorry but I'll tell you the same thing I told him, he's not my type. You and I a too similar in the regard that ponies already regard use as clones of each other, or twins at the least."

Michigian croaks from his pond while doing a back stroke, "Boy I wonder why?"

"Quiet you," Twilight glares while the frog smirks. "Any ways. Sunburst is a good stallion but he's just not the guy I'm into and I have a hard enough time dealing with you when we're working together so why on this Faust Forsaken planet would I want to date the same guy as you."

"Point," Moondancer nods as she walks over to the cage. "Please step back for a bit Pops." Levi moves over as Moondancer uses her magic on the cage and levitates it over to the portal, "Fire it Twi!"

"Pull this, flip this, and type here," Twilight says. "And give a little twist of this. All good Moonie, shove his ass in!"

"Go on get!" Moondancer flings the cage throwing the lizard into the portal.

"GLUB GLUB SHALL RETUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNN!" The lizard shouts as it flushed into the portal.

"Kill it!" Moondancer shouts.

Twilight powers down the portal.

Levi walks over and looks at the machine, "At least this confirms it works," he turns, "How long before we can use it though?"

"A few weeks at most," Sunburst says as he slides down a ladder. "We still need to run a few more test first."

"Keep up the good work you three," Levi smiles and nods to them before walking off.

"So Twi," Moondancer looks at the lavender mare with wicked smirk, "What exactly is your type?'

"Uhhhhh... Oh look at the time, Michigian needs his... Aaaaaahh daily chocolate," She looks over her shoulder only to see a ripple from the center of he pond, "Traitor..." she turns back to a slowly approaching Moondancer, "Now Moonie, don't you g and get any ideas!"

"Sunburst," Moondancer calls out to her coltfriend, "Get the rope, and a jumbo jar of Mayonnaise!"

"On it," the stallion says a she pulls out a long stretch of rope and a jar of Mayo roughly three times his height.

Twilight Gulps hard. Several ungodly sounds were heard from the tower that night...




> Departure...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Levi stood in front of the mirror portal . Currently he was waiting on the others to show up while Twilight begrudgingly worked alongside Moondancer and Sunburst as every one worked tirelessly in their white lab coats. The lavender mare would often let a mumble about 'mayo does not belong there'. Levi just chalked it up to the usual Sparkle nonsense as he went over his gear one more time.

Soon Celestia arrived with, Cadence, Shining Armor, Spike, and Stella in tow. Then Candy showed up with Marmy and Bed. With those ponies here he decided to say his goodbyes and enter the portal.

"Remember," Twilight says while she was sin her lab coat with thick green goggles cover her eyes, "You'll have five days on this side of the portal before we have to shut it down to the power cell can recharge and cool down."

"We can't give you an exact time frame on the other side though," Sunburst says as he stands in front of a chalkboard with numerous calculations on it, chalk in his magic. "I'd guess we have around the same amount of time on the other side. Give or take a day."

"We can open the portal up again after three days but the power cell will only last for four days that time," Moondancer adds. "We built the thing to power the portal in a hurry so it's not meant to last for extensive uses. The best time frame to get back is three days like when the portal opened every twenty moons or so. Be mindful of your time sir."

"We won't be able to send or receive telepathic messages from over there so the link to us through your mask will be useless so I want you to take this," Celestia says with a worried tone as she levitates a book with her mark on  the front and back covers. "It's a message journal. Anything your write in it will appear in the one I have in our room. I went you to write me at least once every day," she says sternly as she leans done give Levi a hard nuzzle, "Please be carful Levi, and find her please..."

Levi returns the nuzzle and then kiss her cheek before taking the book. He looks down to their children with worry plastered all over their faces. He bends down and hugs them both tightly, "You two be good for your mother and no experimenting with Twilight," he scolds specifically Stella. "Don't worry, I'll be aback soon, with your older sister."

His gaze next met Shining's, "You keep the guard in line Shining, and protect your mare."

"Levi..." Shining mumbles as his face lights up red.

"What was that?!" Levi stares harshly.

"Yes sir! I'll do everything in my power to keep Cadence safe sir!" Shining salutes on default. 

Cadence then giggles at her coltfriend's reaction before turning to her uncle and wrapping her forelegs and wings around him, "Please be careful Uncle Levi," she says, "I don't think Auntie's heart can take losing anypony else she loves..."

"I'll be back Cadydid," Levi pats the alicorn's back before she pulls back, "And be sure to keep Shiny out of trouble while I'm gone. Gods know all the mares want a piece of him," he says causing the colt's blush to deepen further, " some of the stallions to," he whispers causing Cadence to giggle.

He gets nuzzles from them both before letting them go and stepping over to Marmy and her family, "Marmalade, your are in charge of the Survey Corps while I am away. If you need me come to Tia and she'll contact me immediately."

"Right but be carful grandpa," Marmy nods but expression quickly turns to worry as her blue eyes sparkle in the light of the room as she drops all formalities. 

Levi can only give her the same stern nod as he always has. He looks at Candy, "Keep the other out of trouble please. No fighting at school unless you have to and-"

"Sock any colts that ask me out!" Candy giggles before hopping up to wrap her forelegs around her grandfather neck rather tightly, "Come back soon grandpa..." she whimpers in his ear before dropping down, "And  bring back candies!"

Levi rubs her head before looking to her father, "Bed."

"Levi, take care over there and come back in one piece or I'll find a necromancer ta bring ya back to life so I can tear ya a new one," Bedrock glares at his grandfather-in-law.

"I expect nothing else,"  Levi nonchalantly pats Bed's cheek. "Take care of our girls."

Bed gave a stern nod.

He starts to head for he portal just as Spitfire bursts into the room breathing heavily. She sped here as soon as she was off duty. Levi looks at her and walks over the the young mare.

"I'm... sorry I'm... late," She huffs. Levi just smiles at her but finding himself in a bone crushing hug," Thank you for doing this! Please, bring her back!"

Levi hugs Spitfire back, "I will. We'll both be come back and you better be here to greet us. That's an order..."

"Yea," Spitfire says stepping back. "I will be. Be careful on the other side dad."

Levi turns and walks over in front of the portal before taking another glance at the ponies who'd worked so much and so hard to make this possible. He reaches up and grabs a hold o f his face and starts to pull. For a moment his image start to flick in and out between pony and his bipedal human form until his human self is all that stands there. He looks at the lab ponies with his true face and then gives them the salute of the Survey Corps.





Thank you for all you have done and have made possible your three," He says to the unicorns. "Take pride in what you've accomplished this day. Upon my return," He looks at them, "I except you to return this gesture."

All three unicorns stared in awe before scrambling to salute in the same fashion. Levi gave a nod then places his mask back on his face returning to his pony form. He turns to the portal once more and proceeds to walk through it. Only silence follows as the lights flick in the room.





Levi stood on the other side of the portal in his pony form. He turns around to have his eye come to look at a massive statue of a horse standing on it's hand legs. He attention is then drawn to the massive structure behind the statue, taking not that it is far bigger than a normal pony building.

"Hmm..." he tilts his head, "According to Twilight and the others this is supposed to be a mirror world parallel to our own. If it is then the ponies here must be far larger than back home." 

He turns and then came face to face with something he hadn't excepted to find at all. A little human girl.

He tilts his head to the right and the girl mimic him. She had pale light grey-harlequin green eyes, grayish white skin, and a grayish mulberry head of hair with grayish rose stripes. She was wearing a white shirt with a green logo of some kind on the front with a purple plaid skirt and black shoes

He leans down and looks at here in the eyes before the little girl reaches up and pats his muzzles, much to his surprise.

"Pretty horse," she says softly.

"Young Miss I must ask that you stop stroking my muzzle," Levi says nonchalantly. The young human froze for a minute allowing Levi to retract his head and give a bit of a shake, "I thank you young one. Not to be a bad pony but I must be on my way. Have a good day," he says and starts to trot off. "So, humans are a thing here. Wonder if this is where I'm from?"

"Mom!" he hears the little girl call out. He turns to see her running to another much taller human, "Mom, That horse over there can talk!" she pointed at Levi.

"A talking horse?" The older human with her haired styled in what resembled a bee hive looks over. "Oh, there is a small horse of there. Is he wearing a suit?" She says doing a double take. "He also has wings," she takes not before looking to her daughter. "I think perhaps a carnival lost him dear. Let's call animal control and let them know about the talking your horse."

"But mom," the child points, "He talked to me! Can't we keep him?"

Levi raised an eyebrow and gave a snort.

The older human giggles after hearing Levi snort, "I don't think he likes that idea Sweetie."

"I most certainly do not Madame!" Levi huffs causing he woman to freeze and stare, "The idea of me as a pet is out of the question," he says spreading his wings causing eh woman to go wide-eyed, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to. Have a good day," he snorts before flying off.

"Ahhhhh......"

"Mom?" Sweetie tilts her head.

"Flying... talking... horse," she mumbles before pass out, on top of her daughter.

"Mooooo....." Sweetie start to say as he mother tumble over . In the next second all the could be heard were the extremely muffled screams of a little girl and all the could be seen of her were flailing arms and legs from underneath her mother.

Levi looks down form a cloud he'd perched on with a tilted head, "Hmh... I take it Ponies don't talk or fly in this world then... Oh well. I'll just have to stay in human form seeing as how they seem to be top of the food chain," he reaches over and pulls out the journal Celestia gave him. "Better let everypony know I made it safe and sound...."

Pulling out a quill and ink he set them on the cloud h next to him. He opens the book to view the gold leafed paper with a golden sun at the top of a blank page before setting the book in front of himself. He pick up his quill after uncorking the ink well and dip the writing apparatus in the ink.


☼


Dear Tia,

I made it through the portal totally intact. The transfer from world to world was instantaneous. Tell Twilight and friends that did a job well done. Tell the kids that I am fine and have started the search for their older sister. Also get this, there are humans over here. That and pegasus or unicorns don't seem to exist either, not to mention ponies can't talk!. Let everypony know I'm fine and I will be back as soon as I can. I'll be in my human form as it'll be much easier to move around. It seems my magic gear still works here as well as I was still in pony form when I came out of the portal and I'm currently resting on a cloud, good to know at least. I'll write you every morning and every evening to tell you of my progress. I don't know how time works here but hopefully it will be similar to back home, or close enough. I have Sunset picture with  me but seeing as how humans seem to be the dominate ones here, I doubt it'll be of much use, though I can still use it for a general description. 


With love,
Levi


☼


Levi closes the book and puts it away before removing his mask and reverting to his human form. He stared down at the humans as the passed by.

Shaking his head he looks out, "I can gawk at humans later. Right now I need to find Tia daughter," he says standing up and pulling one of his grappling guns from it's holsters., "It's time to come home Sunset Shimmer," Levi comments as he zips through the air




> Thinking...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Levi was currently staying in a motel room at the Prancing Pony. He'd been in the human version of Equestria for two days already. He'd quickly found that there were many, many differences between this place and the the Equestria he  called home. 

The biggest of the gaps being the differences in currency but luckily these humans had a simple monetary system that ran mostly on paper bills with only four variants of smaller valued coins. It was simple enough that he'd figured out how to use it within fifteen minutes. Unfortunately Levi didn't have any of this money at first but it was easy enough for him to obtain by going to a shop the paid individuals for things that were considered valuable here. The sellsword traded in one of his lowest quality emeralds, one that was near worthless back home but fetched a high price here.

"These humans are weird," Levi often mumbles to himself. 

Enough said, Levi now had plenty of funds to live here for a good while if he needed to.

The search for Sunset Shimmer was another story altogether though. Going off by what he knew of her pony appearance and the appearances of some of the upper-class humans that he came to know by name and recognized he was able to come up with a vague description and rough sketch of what the unicorn turn human may look like. Like most humans here Sunset's mane. or hair as they called it here, was a often a dead giveaway.

He got mean leads that lead him to others leads and more after that. Safe to say that a lot of people in this town knew about the bacon hair teen with a rather nasty attitude. The problem was there was to much information and no way to follow all the leads. A good portion of them were from weeks or months ago making them nearly useless to found her, that i if this were somepony else and not a two-hundred year old seasoned track mercenary.

Levi spent the last two day finding out all kinds of info about Sunset Shimmer. He used this to establish a timeline of her actions sense her arrival here. Levi wasn't going to try and figure out the temporal differences between the worlds, that was Team Magic Science Theory job not his.

Levi found that Sunset had a bit of a routine. She was more than well off as Celestia had told hem she took quite a sum from the treasury before she left and judging by this world's monetary value system the Unicorn should be living in the lap of luxury for the most part, or close enough to it as she can get. She wouldn't want to much attention. She was doing well enough that everypony had beef with her attitude be quiet enough to stay out of the sight of the guards, or police as they were called here.

Levi found that one lead was the exact same every time. Ever few days Sunset would come by and stare at the statue in front of the high school. No pony knew what she was doing and nopony wanted to find out, but every other pony would say they saw her talking at the statue, or even yell at it from time to time. One pony even saw her curled up at the base of the statue one time crying.





"That filly has to get her income somewhere they don't ask for I.D.'s or won't ask questions about where it came from. I found that out when I hocked that emerald," Levi rubs his chin. "Luckily magic works here and I was able to use the physic pass form back home. Sunset doesn't have one though meaning she is going through the back alley way, or just a really crumby place with a lot of 'cash' as these humans refer to their currency."

"She has no set schedule as to when she comes by the school to look at the portal either," He paces from wall to wall in his room, clinking his metal fingers behind his back. "Time flow is different for Equestria when it's not connect to the portal though and it moves much slower here than back home as Sunset is still a teenager as the humans say."

"A lone teen can't live just anywhere legally without a parietin or guardian to stay with them like back home," Levi turns and looks at the journal Celestia gave him. "From all accounts she is good health. All this points that she's either been taken in by somepony or she's staying under the radar by forgery. It's likely both though..."

"Smart girl like you can't stay out of the light for long though can you Sunset?" Levi remarks as he pick up a picture that Celestia gave him.

It was taken the day Sunset Shimmer and Summer Sunshine were born. It depicted the foals as the were swaddled in their custom made baby blankets. Celestia had spent a great deal of time in re-learning how to make knit with her hooves instead of magic. The blankets were pink of coarse and embroidered with tiny suns along the edges. 

Twin foals weren't entirely uncommon but they were usually the same clan but never had the same color scheme either. So you can imagine the hype was made by identical twin fillies with one being a unicorn and the other a pegasus.

Summer Sunshine was born mere minutes after Sunset Shimmer. She was identical to her older sister in ever way save two in the form of wing instead of a horn and a slightly light color scheme that still matched Sunset to a T. It wasn't apparent when they were first born but after they were cleaned up if you looked really close.

"I may have to go to more arcane methods to find her?" Levi says to himself. "I can't waist time. Tomorrow, I'll be hitting up the darkside of this town," His shadow cover the window over looking the city, "much harder..."



> Back Alleys and Bar Brawls
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Day Three...

Levi hadn't gotten much sleep last night. He'd spent most of the night going over what he'd found out about this town and over some of the behavior patterns that Sunset Shimmer had developed since coming to this world. He'd had half a mind to send a message to Celestia to instruct the Portal team to shut down the portal in order to allow him to not worry about a time crunch. The other half of his mind then thought of how Celestia wouldn't even consider it, let alone how the kids would react. Thus he didn't even give it a second thought. He was also very very grouchy as he hadn't had his coffee yet.

Currently, Levi was out in the dark part of this World's Canterlot. He'd decided to get an early start and went ahead and checked out of his hotel room. He returned the room key and hit the bricks before the sun even cracked over the horizon. As soon as he reached the dirtier alleyways he went to work.

He came across many broken windows and run-down builds. It was really a shame as many of them looked to be in pretty good overall shape in Levi's opinion. He is a neat freak found it completely disgusting how people could just let these places rot away. Personal disorders aside, he was here to find a missing filly.

Soon he came across a group of homeless people. He knew better than anyone that the best informants were those that lived in the area that no pony ever paid no heed or mind to. Typically the homeless would often be more than willing to help in exchange for food, drinks, clothing, and or money. Though they would never sell out one of their own unless it was for a very good reason.

He decides to take a chance. If they didn't know anything they could at least point him in the direction of someone who did or someplace where he could find a decent lead.

Levi confidently made his way over, "Excuse me!" he calls out. 

An older man with a salt and pepper beard what a green overcoat tattered blue jeans a black shirt with bleach stains and brown suede shoes that had seen better days looks at him.

The man decides to meet Levi halfway, "Names Rusty Haul. What can I do for ya son?" The homeless man asked.

"I'm looking for someone or any information that may lead me to them," Levi answers. "I'm more than willing to provide you with some form of compensation for your time. More so if the info is recent and fruitful."

Rusty eyed Levi up and down, "You're obviously not from around here son but ya have this air about ya..."

Levi raises an eyebrow.

"Them scars in your face is a dead giveaway that ya been in somethin nasty," Rusty points. "Ya don't even try to hide'um which mean yer proud of um. Same for those scars on yer hand and those missing fingers," he pulls a couple of cigarettes out and holds one out for Levi.

Wanting to make things go smoothly Levi graciously accepts the offered item. He then pulls out a matchbook he'd gotten from his hotel and strikes one of the matches. Using the lit match Levi light the cigarette and then waves it out. He strikes a second match, using it to lite Rusty's cigarette.





"Personally I prefer cigars to these," Rusty says with smoke on his breath, "These are for women but these are much cheaper, still taste like crap thought." He then looks at Levi who returns the book of matches to his inner pocket, "Yer a man of few words. I get it. The air about ya demands respect. From the way yer standing and the scars, I have to guess yer ex-military right? What branch?"

"Something like that," Levi remarks. "About that info?"

"Hold yer horses there," Rusty holds up a hand. "I have to as, why are ya looking for this person? What are ya? A bounty hunter of sorts?"

"More like a... private investigator," Levi says with a harsh stare. "Can you or anyone in your community help me or not?"

"Okay a PI," Rusty holds up a hand, "No need to get mean. We're a cautious lot round here is all. Why are ya looking for this person any who?"

"Her mother asked me to find her and bring her home," Levi explains as best he can as smoke pours from his nose.

"A runaway aye," Rusty says as rubs his chin, "That won't be easy. We got a lot of those round this part of town. A lot of guys like you that are tryin to find them too. Why'd she run away in the first place?"

"They didn't see eye to eye," Levi looks out of the corner of his eye. "I'm not here to stir up trouble old-timer. This girl's mother is... very dear to me. She asked me to bring her little girl back. This girl has an older sister, a twin sister, and two younger siblings too. The younger ones have never met her before but still want their big sister. If you can help me then by all means, if not I'll be out of your hair."

Rusty crosses his arms, "Do ya have a picture of her at least?"

"I'm sorry I don't," Levi lies through his teeth.

Rusty snorts before relenting, "What she look like? How old is she?"

"Thank you," Levi smiles a bit, "She'd be in her early to mid-teens. Green eyes with a very distinct color pattern for her hair. Amber and blonde stripped, similar to gold and crispy bacon. Her name is Sunset Shimmer, but she could be going by Sunny to stay under the radar," He takes a drag off the cigarette and then blows the smoke into the air, "You're right these are terrible. She'd keep to herself unless she needs something then she'd probably try and get it through intimidation. She's from a warmer climate and would wear heavier clothing too. Layer to not look too suspicious, I've heard she mainly wears a black leather jacket and bright colored tops with jeans usually."

"That's pretty damned detailed," Rusty says tapping his cheek. "I think I might have heard the name Sunset Shimmer a few times. She's a pretty lookin little girl but from what scuttlebutt says about her she's got a nasty entitled attitude."

"That matches what I've heard about her too," Levi nods as he pulls out a wallet he'd bought to keep his 'icash' in. 

"Anything you can tell me would be appreciated old-timer," he remarks as he pulls out three hundred dollar bills.

"Well," Rusty says taking the cash, "I've heard tell she comes around to a lot of the other commutes gettin a lot of different signatures. What she does with them I can't say. She did come round these part a time or to but none of us wanted anything to do with her and her schemein to we ran her off as best we could."

"Anything about where she likes to hold up?" Levi pulls out another hundred.

"Nope," Rusty says immediately as he throws the used butt of his cigarette on the ground. "Try heading further in. Try a bar bay the name of the Wobble Stool. Mah buddy Hank runs it. Lets us stay in the shed out back when it gets cold round here. If anythins goin down he'd know about it, especially with a little spitfire like Sunset. I hope ya find her and get her home to her momma. A young girl like that... needs to be at home surrounded by the folks that care about her, not on these damned streets."

"Thank you for your time and info Rusty," Levi says as he placed the hundred in the man's hand.

"If ya don't mind," Rusty remarks as he places the bill in his inner coat pocket. "I never got yer name son."

"Levi, Levi Ackerman," Levi says as he shakes the old homeless man's hand goodbye.

"Odd name," Rusty raises an eyebrow, "Well, ya take care Levi. I hope you find the girl. and be careful out there and watch yer six."

"Will do Rusty," Levi nods before turning and throwing his cigarette on the ground and placing a foot over it. With a swift wrench of his foot, he put the butt out and went on his way. "Well do..."





Levi walked through the darkening no streets of the city, or Canterlot as the humans of this world called it. He’d spent a majority of the first part of his day canvassing the alleyways and back streets. Talking with the local homeless or apartment residence to see if he could get anymore information on Sunset and or where she might call home or home base. 

His investigation didn’t bear much fruit as he found more of the same intel from before. At the least, he was able to a current picture of Sunset to show people. He got it from a child’s Polaroid collection and had promised to return the photo once he’d found Sunset.

He was currently on his way to the bar that Rusty Haul had directed him to early this morning.

Looking up from under his hat Levi spots a sign in the distance.

It was a rather old place with iron bars over the windows and a flickering neon sign. The sign depicted a wobbling still the rocked back and forth before falling over. In bright orange neon the letters spelled out The Wobbling Stool.

“This has got to be the place,” Levi says out loud to himself as he looks up at the sign. “The Wobble Stool is what he called it. I really hate accents some times,” Levi sighs as he walks up and pushes open the door and walks in.

He looked around the place.

It was definitely old an antique actually but there was much care put into it. The most of the Paterson’s were the less than desirable sort of people though. Many of them were younger punks who got their rocks off bullying anyone and anything they could extort money out of. Of coarse Levi being dressed the way he was stood out in this part of town but here, he really stood out.

Paying no mind to the eyes  on him Levi walks over to the bar and takes a seat.

“You’re not from round this town,” the keep says as he wipes a mug down. “You’re also known here to. Hard to miss a man in fancy duds like that walking around a broken down part of Canterlot like this,” he says as he puts the mug in front of Levi. “What‘ll it be?”

“Cider if ya have it,” Levi says as he places his elbows on the bar and enter laces his finger.

“One cider comin right up,” the keep says as he fill the mug from the tap. “Names Hank. I don’t want no trouble from ya. Keep the peace and we’ll be good.”

Levi turns on the stool looking up at the bar keeper from under his hat to reveal his face.





“I’ve seen my fair share of it so I’ll try,” Levi remarks as he runs his metal fingers over the scars on the right side of his face. 

“Names Levi Ackerman, private investigator.” That got Hanks full attention. “I’m looking for someone and I was told by our mutual friend, Rusty Haul, that you might know something.”

Hanks sets the cider in front of Levi, “The damn raggedy bastard,” he sighs, “If Rusty sent ya then ya must’ve hit it off pretty will. Well who ya looking for? I can’t help if ya don’t say.”

“I-“

“Hey money bags,” a drunk puck comes over. “From the way you dressssed you gots some extra cash… You needs to buy me ands my boys a few rounds!”

Levi immediately let the back of his fist land square with the mans face knocking him to the floor with a gushing bloody nose.

“I’ll make a deal with you Hank,” Levi remarks as he quickly downs the cider in one goal. “In exchange for the any info on my target you can provide I’ll pay for any you. I’ll also pay for the damages.”

“Try not to destroy to much though,” Hank sighs as he walks over to thje door and locks it before turning of the neon sign and turning on the ‘CLOSED’ sign. “All yours bud.,” he says as he walk into the back of the bar and turns on load rock music.

“You should bought the booze money bag!” A punk growls as he pulls out a knife. “Now we gotta cut our bros hospital bill outt a your skin!” 

He runs at Levi only for the mercenary block moving the knife out of the way and land an upper cut into the punks jaw knocking out several teeth on the counter.

“You idiots have now idea how fucking grouchy I am,” Levi his as he removes his hat and cracks his knuckles. “I’ve been looking for an outlet and you guys just gave me one. And what’s better,” he smirks as he puts brass knuckles on his right hand on pulls out a massive revolver with the other, “I can you a lot of force!”





Levi jumps into the next up and comer landing a blow in the guy’s stomach, knocking him back. He quickly trunks and shoots another white a bolt of what appear to be electricity and he went down spazzeuming on the floor.

Levi turns to the other, “you be smart to stop but your drunk not smart,” He retorts as the other charge in.

Four the next several minute flashes and yelling went off in the bar. Once Hank was sure things were done he came out from the back to see only a few bust tables but mostly chair. The punks were all gone with the only traces of them having been there being blood and many teeth on the floor.

“Not my worst refurbishing,” Hank nods before happily pouring Levi another cider. “So about that repost your were looking for? And my pay?”

Levi takes the cider while reaching into his pocket and pulling out something yellow and glint. He then slams the object on the table with enough force to cause an echo to reverberate through out the bar. Levi pulls his hand back to reveal a solid gold brick.

“Will that cover it?” Levi asks as he sips the cider.

Hank slowly nods with his mouth hanging open.

“Good,” Levi says setting the mug down and pulling a picture from his inner jacket. He sit it on the bar and slides it in front of Hank, “I’m, looking for this girl. Her name is-“

“Sunset?” Hank say s picking up the photo. “What you looking for her for? Did she steal something?”

“Her mother hired me to find her and bring her home,” Levi said for the umpteenth time. “Seeing as how you know where name you must know something useful.”

“We look out for her round here,” Hank says sliding the picture back. “She lives all by her lonesome.”

“Look if you don’t trust me fine,” Levi holds up a hand. “But that girls has her mother and siblings that want to find her. I was tasked with do so. So where is she?” He glares.

“Uh-huh…”

“Whatever?” Levi scoffs as he puts his hat back on his head and stands up. “I’ll find her…”

“Go to the Canterlot Suites just out side town,” Hanks sighs.  “Please be nice to her… she’s a good girl… just a bit of a bully…”

“Thanks,” Levi looks over his shoulder with a nod. “Sorry about the miss,” he says before walking out.

“Not my first one,” Hank says to himself, “Sheryl! Got you fat ass out of bed and help me find the damn mop!”

“WHAT?!” Cried a shriek voice.




> Welcome Home, My Little Sunset...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Levi walks into Canterlot Suites main Lobby through the front door. He walks up to the clerk at the desk and looks at him straight in the eye from under his hat,

"I want a room," Levi says as he looks at the orange-tinted human with a dark blue afro.

"Um... how many nights are you staying sir?" the clerk asked, too nervous to look at the intimidating man across from him.

"How much for one night?" Levi asked annoyed as leans his head against his fist.

The clerk gulps hard, "One night is fifty dollars, sir." 

Levi reached into his pocket and then slammed his palm down on the counter hard, causing the clerk to flench. The clerk opens one eye and sees a fifty-dollar bill on the counter in front of him. He immediately realized it was one of those individuals that paid cash and wanted no questions asked. The clerk pulls a key from the wall behind him right away and sits it on the counter then takes the money for it.

"Room 106 sir," the clerk stutters, "P-please enjoy your stay at Canterlot Suites..."

Levi placed a metal finger on the keys ring and slowly slides it from where it was set over to himself, all while never taking his eyes off the clerk. He ever so slowly pick up the key before spinning it on his finger. Levi tossed it up, eye still forward, causing the clerk to follow the key. 

Levi caught it, his focus never wavering. He then quickly about-faced, "Have a good night," the mercenary says as he walks out of the lobby.

The clerk slumps over in his seat, "I thought he was gonna kill me with the key..."





Levi steadily walks down the pathway to his room, staying ever vigilant.

Back in the lobby, he hadn't actually been looking at the clerk but the reflection in the glass the was in front of the grease ball. He saw his target carrying what looked to be a basket of clothes coming from the hallway not far from his assigned room. Deciding he could put off his sleep for a while longer he decided to investigate what was in the hallway. It was a small washroom of sorts with machines that carried overpriced candy.

"Amenities aside," Levi scoffs as he knocks on one of the vending machines causing a pack of what the locals call M&Ms to fall into the dispenser tray. "I've found your base of operation Sunset Shimmer."

He takes his prize and walks back to his room, "But I must rest. Bar fight aside I am tired..." he says walking into his room and closing the door.

That night Levi Ackerman slept very well indeed...





Sunset woke up from her slumber. She’d been in this world for only a few years now and still wasn’t used to how things worked in this world. She was able to figure out how to use some of the more advanced technology but some of these items still baffled her.

It was at times like this that she really missed her home back in Equestria. Even if the princess hadn’t done what Sunset had wanted to do at least she’d been there for her. She really did miss home but most of all she missed her teacher. Celestia had cared more about her than a pony before to the point that Sunset came to see Celestia as he her mother.

Shaking her head free of these story thoughts sunset made her way to her refrigerator. Opening it she surveyed the interior of her food stock. She more or less stayed to herself, only going out to the library and grocery store. She did have a few acquaintances in the form of the elderly homeless she got to sign for her parental needs when she had need of this. 

“Heee….” She sighs as she closes the door to her appliance while pulling out half a sandwich. “I didn’t want to have to go out today but i only have enough for one meal. Damn, having no magic sucks… If I did have I could stretch this sandwich out for another week,” she lets out another sigh, “I need to check and see if that portal is open yet anyways…”

After finishing her breakfast and changing into a clean suit of clothes Sunset grabs her keys and walks out the door to her room. She walks down a flight of stares and looks at the wash slash vending room.

“I should get some soap to… been a bit since I did Landry…” She scratches her head. “I still don’t see why humans have to wear more clothes than just something to cover their mammaries and other bits…. They’re so restrictive!”

She turns her head, “Oh well. I don’t need to worry about it. Once i have my power I’ll ban all clothing here.”

She walks off none the wiser to the man in a black suite and hat keeping an eye on her from his room. He swifly and without so much as a single click of his door closing behind him began to follow her. He stayed a good distance away to stay out of sight but close enough to where if he needed to he could tackle her.




The grocery Store…

Sunset walks through the aisles of the store with a basket on her arm and a grocery list in the other hand. Levi maintains his distance from the girl but keeps close enough to see her in full view. She matched the description he’d recieved from Celestia to a ‘T’, except for the the missing fur, horn, and hooves of coarse.

“Let see,” Sunset looks at her list, “I need a loaf of bread, sliced cheese, lunch meat, and…”

“Minimal shopping aye,”Levi says to himself. “Even though she’s got plenty of money to spare she spends as little as possible to keep from being noticed to much. Smart, but then again she is Tia’s daughter and student. She probably inherited her mother’s lover of books to.”

After some time had passed Sunset went to the check-out area and paid for her items. Stepping out of the store a cold gust of wind wipes by causing the teen to shiver slightly.

“It's getting cold fast this year,” Sunset sighs, “I miss my fur and self-warming spells,” she remarks to herself as she sets her grocery haul down and buttons up her jacket. “Let’s get this over with,” she picks up the sacks and starts walking down the start.”

“Hmm…” Levi watches as he pulls up his collar and follows her.





He continued to discreetly follow Sunset on her outing throughout her day. Soon they came back down the street where the high school and portal were located. Levi decided that as soon as she stopped to look at the statue that then was the time to strike.

Sure enough, Sunset casually strolled down the street and came to stop at the unicorn statue. She looked up and Levi saw it in her eyes, she was hurting so very much.

She began to speak softly, "Why haven't you come looking for me...." she sadly whimpers.

Levi took this chance seeing her guard was down, "Sunset Shimmer," he calls out with his hat down hiding his eyes.

Sunset jumped back, dropping her groceries, "Where the hell did you come from?" she quickly through her hands up in a defensive stance. "If you come any closer I'll... kick your ass and scream."

"Hmmm..." Levi looked her up and down with his eyes without lifting his head. 

Sunset gritted her teeth. "I'm the top girl of downtown Canterlot buddy! I can handle any one of the gangs down there making me the strongest around, even most of the gang leaders know not to piss me off! So don't think I'll go down without a fight ya pervy old man!"


"If I wanted to fight you there would be nothing you could do about it with such a pathetic stance," Levi scoffed, playing off her bluff, "Yea I know all about your street reputation and I don't give a flying rats ass about it. I could easily get to you and hogtie you before you even had a chance to scream girl," he says reaching into his pocket and pulled out a cigar and let it with a match and waved it out before finally tossing it on the ground, "Besides, if I really wanted to hurt or kidnap then I could've done so many times over since you left that crappy motel run you've been living in for the last few years."

"You've been stalking me you creep?!" She said in outrage. "PEDO!"

"Yes I've been following you since this morning," Levi says with smoke coming out of his mouth. "I've spent the last few days merely tracking your sorry little butt down before that."

"Why have you been looking for me? Did I do something to piss someone off?" Sunset says as she readies to run for it.

"I imagine you have but I'm not here because of that," Levi dropped the cigar on the ground and used his foot to put it out.

"I was hired to find you," He says as he reached into his jacket again.

Sunset then made a kicked one of the grocery sacks at him and made a break for it. She immediately found an alley and waited there quietly for him to pass. As soon as she heard someone run past she let out a sigh of relief.

"I gotta get back to my room, " She huffs. "If he knows where I'm staying then this is the only time I can do it safely."

"Yep that would be a good choice," Levi says walking out of the shadows. "But what if I had someone watching the room?"

NowSunset was scared, "How did you get there? This alley is a dead end?"

"Like I was trying to say before you threw eggs in my face," Levi reached into his jacket and pulled out a book, a journal, and one that looked extremely familiar. 

"That's my journal!" She says. "How do you have it?!"

"It's not your journal but mine," he reaches up and pulls his hat off to reveal his face, the face that was somewhat familiar to Sunset. "My name is Levi Ackerman and I was hired by Princess Celestia to find you and bring you home, back to Equestria."

Sunset just sat there in shock.

"She wanted to come and get you as soon as she knew you were gone Sunset," Levi motioned, "But at the time the portal had already closed and she had no means to open it, or to try without the possibility of destroying the mirror and never getting to see you again."

"If that's true, then why now? and why you?" Sunset asked with a mixture of hope, fear, and resentment.

"One, because you'd been here for some time at this point," He says. "Long enough to possibly make a life of your own and not want to come back. Two, she didn't know where to start. Magic does work in this world but you can use it without a horn, and neither you nor she had it when you came through the portal. Finally three, I have gone most of my life without the need to use magic in everyday life and due to my profession in Equestria, I should the best chance of finding you."

Sunset was finding this all very hard to believe.

"I know it's hard to believe," Levi bent down and reached into his coat again and pulled out a large envelope, and handed it to the girl. "I am staying in the same motel as you. The portal closes tomorrow. So I'll need your decision by then if you're coming. I'm not going to force you. I'll tell Tia anything you want to let her know. I also want to let you know that you're not alone. You have a mother, an older sister, a twin sister, and a little brother and sister who all want to see you. The next move is yours though. Look over what's in that envelope and let me know by tomorrow morning," he taps the package before standing up and placing his hat on his head.

"I hope to see you soon," he says before leaving.





Levi stood just in front of the portal to Equestria. All said and done, he was happy to see other humans but he wanted to return home. He had his kids to look after, not to mention a trio of unicorns that can summon a sort of demon-lizard thing that sprays everything with some sort of mayonnaise gun.

He'd suspected Celestia knew about the mirror and had planned on telling him about it at some point but didn't due to the lack of overall knowledge and the fact that his immortality would make things harder for him to live amongst his own kind. It was common knowledge in most of the early fairytales he'd read on humans that they only live for about a hundred years if they took care of their bodies, but even then they'd start to break down in their fifties to sixties. Most ponies cold still move and haul until the day they died.

He let out a sigh, "It was once to be amongst my own kind but I prefer Equestria to this lace," he says to himself softly Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sunset Shimmer walking up to him, a bag in one hand on the opened envelope in the other clutched to her chest.

She stopped right in front of him and looked him straight in the eyes with a hardened resolve that Levi liked to see in the youth of today.

"I take it you decided to come?" He says to her.

"I want to know one thing first," Sunset says, clearly holding back tears. "The letter said I could ask you anything and that Princess Celestia trusts you with her life. That's not some random praise that she throws out, especially in a very personal letter like this one," She took a deep breath and collected herself. "Is it all true?"

"I was right there beside Celestia when she wrote it," Levi crossed his arms. "And I can verify it even more as I was there when you were born."

"Why didn't I get..." Sunset dropped the items she was holding and clenched her fist in anger, "Why was I sent to an orphanage?! WHY WAS I KEPT FROM THE TRUTH?!"

"She wanted to protect you," Levi says unmoved. "She thought you would be far better growing up as a normal filly instead of around the corruption of the nobles. The same goes for your sister, though what she didn't account for was the family that took you to be just as corrupt. You have no idea how much it hurt her and your father to let you both go not even an hour after you were both born."

"Do you know my father too?" Sunset asked.

"Yes, I knew him," Levi nods once. "He was a good stallion and would've been a great father to you and your sister."

"'Would've' being the keyword there," Sunset crossed her arms. "Why didn't he keep either me or my little sister?"

"He already raised your older sister and he saw how much it hurt your mother to do so without her being there," Levi sighs as he rubbed the back of his head. "He didn't want to put her through that again and he was getting on in years. You and your sister weren't really excepted foals."

"That explains a little about it but I have an older sister that could've looked after us too." Sunset pointed out.

"As I said, he was getting on in years and didn't want to put your mother through the process of having to watch her foals grow up with her barely in the picture," Levi points to the sky, "You were twins but you were a unicorn while your twin was a pegasus like your father and big sister. Being her daughter meant you already had vastly superior magic to the average unicorn so your mother knew she'd see you again at some point. Unfortunately, you were entrusted to a horrible family and when you were her student, you'd circum to the influence of the nobles' way of think."

"Will I be able to see all of my family?" Sunset asked with a bit of apprehension.

"Most of them," Levi placed his hands in his pockets.

"Why not all of them?!" Sunset countered.

Levi sighs and looked up, "Your father wasn't just getting along in years Sunset... He was also very sick and ended up having an accident on the job. Your older sister was the one taking care of him while she was doing her best at the academy in Cloudsale. Everyone else you'll be able to see. As for your twin, she grew up totally unaware but Celestia said she'd be getting in touch while I was here looking for you."

Sunset just stood there silent.

"This is the last day the portal can stay up and by the end of the day it will close," Levi motioned to the statue. "It can be forced open again but doing so takes a lot of prep and power. I see you brought a bag. Does that mean your want to come home?"

"W-will sh..."

"Be angry," Levi finished her question. "No, she's not. She's very worried."

Sunset bent down and picked up the envelope and her bag then headed for the statue. She quickly looked back to Levi who only gave her a single nod. Sunset turned back around and took in a deep breath before steadily letting it out. She jumped through the portal and in an instant was met with a scene in a library tower of sorts. 

Three unicorns were behind some sort of control panel. They were frantically working to keep the readings out and the portal stable. 

Another phasing sound was heard and next to Sunset someone loomed over her. She turned her head and looked up to see none other than Levi in his human form. 

"Much cuter now," Levi gave a soft smile. 

She then looked at herself ver and she was a pony.

"I'll tell you why later," he says as he places a mask on his face. 

Reaching up he touched the said and then his form blurred to that of a well-built tall grey pegasus. His wings had a dual color scheme with the end row of feathers being dark grey and his cutie mark was an old fashion duster that you'd normally use to clean high corners.

"Sunset," she heard.

Sunset turned her head and saw princess Celestiast standing there with a whole entourage of ponies. As soon as she saw princess Sunset couldn't hold her tears back anymore. She rushed over and hugged her mother as tightly as she could.

"I'm sorry!" She cried. "I'm so sorry I ran away!"

Celestia looked at Levi and he only gave a nod. 

Celestia picked Sunset up in her forearms and gently nuzzled Sunset's cheek with her own as she wrapped her wings around her daughter.

"I'm the one who's sorry for putting you through everything you had to deal with growing," Celestia cried, "I'm just glad your home now, my Sunset Shimmer."








> Invitaiton to Covene
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





It was now the end of the day and Celestia had just set the sun and raised the moon. She looked into heaven at the shadow of the Alicorn on the moon. Doing so usually made her feel saddened by the events that had caused him to place it there but this time he felt a bit of joy. 

"Just a little while longer dear sister," she says. "Things will be better for you when you return. You have a family to come home to.  Nieces and a nephew and," she turns her head to look at Levi tucking in a thoroughly worn-out Sunset Shimer. Her eyes were red and puffy from all the sobbing, "A brother too."

"My poor girl," Celestia says as she walks over and moves a lock of Sunset's mane to reveal her face with her hoof.

"Looks Like I have the couch tonight," Levi smiles.

"It's just for one night Levi," Celestia nuzzles him.

"No, it's not Celestia," Levi says sternly. "She needs you right now. It's crucial you stay by her and hold her hoof and steady her. Many things may not have changed as far as society goes for her here but her entire personal world has had a complete shift. You're the center of her world right now Celestia. Let her sleep by your side as much as she wants for a while."

"Where will you sleep them?" she asked concerned. "I don't want my Levi to get cold or lonely?"

"I may go stay with Marmy or the barracks for a time," Levi says.

"But I need you here for this too," Celestia immediately countered. 

"Listen to me Tia, I got her back here, yes, but the last thing she needs or you need is me being around constantly," Levi motions, "I'm not going to that far away and it's only until I find an empty room in the castle that's to my liking. If it helps, I can also stay with the kids in their room, now the pink is cleaned up anyway."

"As long as you're nearby," Celestia breathed a sigh of relief. "She's kind of yours too after all."

"She's yours but that also makes her also makes one of mine," Levi states proudly. "I'd die before I let something hurt her just like all of my children."

"Speaking of children," Celestia sat down. "I was able to get in touch with Summer Shine. We met and she was more than open to her heritage. She also added her parents would get a mysterious donation of several hundred bits every now and then for an unknown source."

"I wonder who they are," Levi looked away.

Celestia leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Don't play coy Levi. You know better than to try with me." She giggles before straightening back up. "She wants to meet her sisters and her little brother. Would you be willing to go to Cloudsdale and fetch her for me?"

"I would be honored," Levi gave a bow. "What about Twilight and the others?"

"Moondancer is currently doing research on the dimensional mirror and its other properties and Sunburst is looking into a way to refine the power source," Celestia explains, "There was also something about lizards and mayonnaise and a barrier too. I separated Twilight from them for a while to refocus her elsewhere. I have her researching the old legends of Equestria along with a bit more complex study listen for Aira."

"Let's hope it sticks. Alright then," Levi stands up, "Have a good night, Tia," he gave her a pick on the cheek before he leaves to make his nightly rounds.

Celestia in the meantime crawled behind Sunset and draped her wing over her sleeping filly. "My little Sunset, I'm so happy to have you back," she says softly laying her head next to Sunset's cheek.





Levi had gone to Cloudsale the next morning. He left Aira and Spike with Twilight at her Tower for their lessons before heading out to meet Celestia's other estranged daughter and Sunset's twin sister, Summer Shine.

"First stop is the Wonderbolts Acadamey," Levi says as he trots along. 

"To think she'd make Captain of the Wonderbolts in just a few short years after she graduated," Levi inwardly chuckles as he walks into the academy but the guards on duty step in front of him.

"Sorry sir," a guard says. "Tours are closed today."

"You can move or I can move you," Levi bends down to loom over the guards. 

He'd grown quite accustomed to his pony form over the years. At first, it was just a simple illusion spell but later he had Celestia change it to a transfiguration spell. He had no trouble mastering his gear in this form and it even came with the natural pegasus magic. He kept his very large and stout form, and he thoroughly enjoyed the ability to loom over ponies like some sort of threatening pony.

These guards had been put through a good training regimen as neither was showing any sign of backing down.

"You're more than welcome to try sir," the other said. "Even if you are a noble and a very tall stallion that doesn't give you the right to go and do whatever you want."

"I'm here to see Captain Spitfire about urgent business," Levi says.

"Get in line buddy," the first says, "So are over half the ponies we see every day. So, get in line like the rest."

"You don't take shit from nobles and I can respect that," Levi held up a hoof, "I most certainly am not a noble and can't stand them either."

"But... you're wearing a suit..." the second one points. "And it's very nice."

"And you're very tall, and have two-tone wings," the other added.

"True and true," Levi nodded. "But I just like wearing clothes and I just happen to have two-toned wings. If one of you could at least go and get Spitfire this would go by so much faster."

"DAD!" They heard from behind them. 

The guards turned to see none other than Captin of the Wonderbolt, Spitfire. They then turned and looked back at Levi and looked him up and down before turning to look at each other as they finally started to sweat bullets.

"Dad..." they say in unison.

"Excuse me, boys," Levi says as he strolls in between the guards and walks up to Spitfire.

"Why are you here?!" She exclaimed. "Wait never mind that! How'd it go?"

"It went very well actually. I can say without hesitation that it was a complete success," Levi smiles before reaching into his inner jacket and pulling out an envelope. "This is a leave of absence for a few days issued by the princess. She expects you to come to the castle and see the asset. She and I both agreed that it be best to take it slow with her."

Spitfire's eyes started to water slightly, "I... ah... Just let me get things in order here," She wiped her eyes, "And let Soarin know he'll be in charge while I'm away. Then I'll head over."

Levi placed his metal hoof on her shoulder, "Take it slow and easy Spity. No need to rush. She wants to see all of you. She's with your mother right now."

"Just, *sniff* let me get things done here and I'll head out..." Spitfire says as a stream of tears rolled down her cheeks. "Something tells me you didn't come all the way just to let me know this though, did you?"

"You're partially right," Levi straightens himself up, "I'm also here to pick up the other one."

Spitfire's eyes widened as she smiled slightly, "Then I best not keep you anymore. I'll see you at the castle dad."

Levi nods once and then heads out before stopping at the guards, "Adoptive father boys but still her father all the same and that means if you tell anypony or creature what you heard or seen, well let's just say you won't be living in Equestria for much longer, or very easily either. Understand?"

The guards vigorously nod.

"Good," Levi NODS, "By Celestia it's a great day," he stretched his wings. "Have a good rest of your day lads," he sings as he trots on.





Levi continued his walk through the streets of Cloudsale. He turned many heads as he did either it is due to his overall size and stature or it be his 'good looking self' according to many of the mares. He was already used to this behavior due to his time running jobs for Celestia or taking his children across the country due to his overseeing of his own affairs.

He soon came to a small school made of clouds.

"311 Weather Top Avenue," Levi says as he looks at the address on the post box just outside the fenceline. "This is the place alright and recess should be just about now," the bell on top of the school rang, and out poured pegasus colts and fillies a-plenty.

The youngling all ran around and played. Some flew in a game of stage while others hid in a game of hand seek. There was even a cloud ball fight going on in the far section of the yard.

Levi s\chuckled to himself, "Kind of like a snow day without the snow," he remarks as he places the paper he had in hoof back in his inner jacket pocket before proceeding onto the school ground.

Many of the foals that were in front of the school building froze in place at the looming shadow of the overly tall stallion who strode up the path. It was something he took pride in actually. He was like a tall pony and easily towered over the tallest of stallions with Celestia being the only pony who was actually taller than he was, and he still had his human form which was still just a bit taller than her. He didn't know why but this was one of the few things he was smug about ever since he'd arrived in this world many years ago.

One of the foals had immediately ran back into the schoolhouse to fetch their teacher. Partially to tell the teacher about the strange giant pegasus pony who sauntered in with no issue and partially to hide in the bathroom from the aforementioned pony as the foal hand garnered the need to void his bowels upon seeing the right side of his face.

"Alright I'll see who it is," came the voice with the tone of a somewhat rustic tone but with a chirp underlying warm to it. 

Out of a building stepping a pegasus mare. She had a vibrant red and golden amber striped mane with a bright golden yellow coat with a set of wings to match. Her mane was pulled back in a ponytail with her bangs just touching the top of her eyelids. On her flanks was a giant yellow and orange with a giant smiley face plaster in its center.

She was a dead ringer for Sunset if just changed the mane and tail style to be a bit straighter and the wings instead of the horn. Her color pattern was just a bit brighter than her twins too. Levi took a closer look and noticed she did have one key feature that set her apart from her twin and it was her eyes. Sunset's eyes were a moderate greenish-cyan while her twin's eyes were a bright blue similar to sapphires.





"They must've changed as she grew up," Levi says to himself. "It's not unusual for children to change their eye colors, not a big deal."

The mare flew down and lands in front of him. She craned her neck upward a bit uncomfortably to look at him but to now avail on her part.

"Tall," she whispers getting Levi to look down, "Um... yes, sorry about that remark," she smiles warmly at him, "How can I help you today sir?"

"Summer Shine?" Levi asked in an authoritative tone.

"Um, yes that's me," She nervously replied. "Is there a problem or something? Did I do something to insult your family, good sir?"

"Not at all little one," Levi chuckles as he shakes his head. "I'm here on behalf of Princess Celestia," he says catching her full attention. "Could we perhaps speak in the schoolhouse? Away from young ears?"

"Yes please!" Summer says in differing pitches. "Right this way please!"

Levi walks in and the colt from early comes out of the bathroom, "Ms. Shine, don't let the others in there.... for... a... while....eep...." he squeaks as Levi comes in.

"Relax boy," Levi says. "Adults are talking now. Go out and play."

"YES SIR!" He yelps as he shoots out of the schoolhouse leaving a trail of clouds behind him.

"I must ask that you refrain from scaring my students," Summer quickly bolden herself.

"Do not misunderstand Ms. Sunshine," Levi held up his metal hoof. "I do not intently frighten the youth it is merely my overtly tall stature. As you can tell I am much taller than most ponies, even the larger earth ponies are smaller compared to me. That aside I do love children and they in turn like when they get over my imposing stature."

"You certainly are using a lot of big words and formal speech," Summer pointed out with a raised eyebrow.

"The situation of this magnitude must be handled very delicately I'm afraid," Levi nodded once as he reached into his coat and pulled out a stone. A sudden burst of magic coated the entire room startling the yellow pegasus teacher. "One of the many tools of my trade. It merely cast a silent spell to ensure that nopony outside this room can hear us," he motioned to the window where several curious foals had gathered around in all directions.

"Just who are you?" Summer narrowed her gaze.

"My name is Levi Ackerman Strawberry," he placed a hoof on his chest. "An old and very personal friend of your biological mother Celestia."

Summer sat down, "Okay, but there's more to isn't there? She mentioned she had somepony she trusted looking for my identical twin sister, who was a unicorn."

"Yes, that I was and I can say I found her and brought her home to your mother's embrace.," Levi nods. "Did you meet your older sister as well as your little brother and youngest sister?"

"Look. I know as a secret agent you might be all fine and dandy with all this stuff but it's not with us everyday folks," Summer huffs in frustration, "I did meet them and I was told what happened to my biological father too, I'm not going to sweep this under and put on a happy face because I can't. That being said I do want to know her as my mother and also know my siblings. I also want to know what role you play in this as it can't be small. So, spill buster?"

"You're very sharp but I would expect nothing less from one of Tia's children," Levi chuckles, "Ye sI have a much bigger role to play in this than as a simple agent. I actually don't work for the government at all. I'm doing this because Tia asked me to so she could stay with your sister. I get that it's a lot to process in just a short time and the secrecy doesn't help. I'm used to it because I've been a secret for a long time but I also have known about you since you were born."

"Wow..." Summer says awestruck, "You must be... really close to her if you've known about me since then...."

"My dear I was a good friend of your father's and I'm a very very personal friend of your mother," Levi with a bit of love in his voice. "Spike and Stella Aira are my children, Spitfire has taken to calling me dad as well over the years."

Summer's pupils shrank, "Then you're...."

"Yes," Levi nods once. "That would make me your stepfather in a way. But as Tia and I aren't married it's not actually true. I'm not here to force anything, I'm not trying to force my way into your life. I'm here to support the mare I care about and her effort to reach out to her children and support the effort of our children to get to know their big sisters."

He reached into his coat and handed Summer an invitation, "We're inviting you to the castle in a few days to come by and See Sunset. You don't have to come but it would mean a lot to all those there if you did. Have a good Ms. Sunshine," Levi returned to formal mode with a bow then walks out of the building and walks on his merry way.





Sunset was currently sitting in Twilight's tower with Stella next to her. Celestia had begrudgingly left her with Twilight, Spike, and Aria in order to deal with a visit griffin dignitary who showed up out of the blue. The little-big unicorn was ecstatic with joy that she got to spend a magic lesson with her big sister. 

"This is how Twilight taught me to stack things using my magic!" Aria giggled as her horn lit up with her magic and she started to stack books in stacks.

"I see," Sunset smiles slightly at her littlest sister. "Celestia I mean..."

"You don't have to call her mom in front of me Sunset," Aria looked down a bit suddenly at her sister's change in mood. "I know what happened and it must be hard on you to come back after hearing everything. If you don't want me here I can..."

Aira found herself covered in a misty green aura and pulled it o Sunset's warm embrace, "It's just a lot to take in Stella," she says with a warm tone, "But just knowing and having a little sister like you and a little brother like Spikemake it all the better. I was on my own for a while over there so being around others.... just takes some getting used to... But I'm glad you're here and I'm glad you're okay with me not calling out mother mom yet."

"I have an idea," Twilight says as she and Spike descend from the upper floors. "I'm going to be busy for a while doing some research on some of these older legends the princess tasked me. How about you teach Ary something?"

"Incoming!" Rang Spike's voice as he shot in on a maneuvering line. "Man, these things really make getting around to the upper shelves a breeze. Not to mention fun!" he jumps as she shows off her vertical maneuvering gear catching Sunset's attention.

"Yes I know but remember what Papa said Spike," Twilight droned.

"These are tools, not toys! Yea yea," Spike waved it off and shot back up.

Sunset looked up in amazement, "How did her get up there so fast?"

"He used some of daddy's maneuvering gear her gave us for this place," Aira says as she jumps from Sunset's hooves.

"So it's not magic?" Sunset raised and eyebrow.

"No, it's a technology passed down in my side of the family," Aira says hesitantly. "Have you met daddy yet Sunset? Very tall grey pegasus stallion?"

"You mean the walking myth is your dad?!" Sunset's eyes opened wide in shock. 

"Yea that's him. So I take it you already know his true form then," Aria nods. "Daddy taught us how to use it but that's it. We're actually the only place outside his side of the family with these."

"Um... Aria... You're telling me that your dad adopted you and Spike?" Sunset raised a hoof.

"No," Aira shook her head. 

"Oh, thank...."

"I was conceived when daddy came back into mommy's life about ten or so years ago," Aira proudly puffed out her chest.

*THUD!_!*

Sunset's head hit the floor.

A single cricket cut through the silence followed by a quick whipping sound as a big green bullfrog nabbed the bug with a hit tongue.

Michigan J. Frog then let out a long croak, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Sunset Shimmer has left the building!'

"NO CHOCOLATE TONIGHT!" Twilight shouted at her familiar.




> Accpetenace...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




“Oh my head….” Sunset groans as she finally comes around. “Where am I?”

“You’re in my bed,” came Celestia’s voice.

“Princess,” Sunset threw her arms around her mother’s neck, “I thought it was all just a nightmare,” she sobs.

“Take it easy Sunset,” Celestia nuzzles the little pony. “You hit your head quite hard on the floor.”

“I did…” Sunset placed a hoof on her head and sure enough winced slightly. “I guess that means what aria told me was definitely true then.”

“I was hoping to ease you into that if I’m being honest but yes, Aria is indeed mine and Levi’s biological daughter,” Celestia says with a nod, “but that doesn’t make her in less your sister.”

“How is she even possible though?!” Sunset jumps out of bed and staggers slightly, “What is he? A pony or a human? And seeing as I’ve been to the human world i know that ponies and humans are not genetically compatible!”

“Calm yourself Sunset,” Celestia gets up and strokes her daughter’s mane. “Yes, Levi is one-hundred percent human. He’s been in this world for roughly two-hundred years now,” that fact caught Sunset’s attention, “He gained immortality due to circumstance in his younger days but that is it, he is immortal, not invulnerable. You saw the scars on his face and the metal fingers on his hand,” she sighs. “His immortality is some form of ancient foreign magic, so we have no real understanding of it. But back to the topic at hoof. He is indeed human and even he thought he couldn’t have foals of his own. He and his wife tried some years ago before we met but never could conceive.”

“So they adopted didn’t they,” Sunset says as she joined her mother on her veranda as the night breeze blew through her mane. “If he’s married then why is he here?”

“His wife died many years ago Sunset,” Celestia somewhat says with a harsh tone, “And he loved her very much, and even know many years after her death he still does. I love Levi to and he does care about me much more than just a friend but I wouldn’t say he loves me in every sense of the word. And yes he and his wife did adopt and he cared for those foals as if they were his flesh and blood, just as he cares for Spike as if he was his own flesh and blood. Even Twilight thinks of him as a second father. His granddaughter lives here in Canterlot with her husband and their daughter. Of course, this is his family by several generations now but nonetheless, he has remained steadfast in staying with them.”

“He really cares about those he considers family a lot doesn’t he?” Sunset says.

“Blood means very little to him yes,” Celestia looked at the moon. “Once he considers you part of his family that means you're his and he will do everything he can to do what’s best for you. And that goes for you to my little Sunset. He brought you here and tended to you until I could come, which I wasn’t long once Twilight sent me a letter. He stayed until you started to move around before leaving. He wants you to have as much space as you need.”

Sunset looked at her mother and then heard giggling and laughing from below. She trots over and looks down to See Levi playing with her and Spike along with another yellow mare with a fiery mane sitting not far from them. She looked a little off to the left and saw a Pegasus that was nearly identical to herself.

“I… I think I want to meet them tomorrow…” She says with a bit of hesitation.

“You're sure?” Celestia asked carefully.

“Every pony has their own lives and I want to know who’s a part of mine,” Sunset turns around, “Starting with my mother, sisters, and little brother and baby sister. And maybe my father.”

Celestia gave a soft smile and nodded once.





Some days later in the evening...

Levi sat not far away as the children played and the teens conversed with each other, with the only outlier being Spitfire who was mainly just listening and getting to know her sisters or occasionally answering the odd questions. He was currently standing watch slash enjoying his view of the city. He'd occasionally glance over at the youths to make sure nothing was going on, wanting to keep an eye on them and beware of them but also letting them have their distance from him.

Sunset was a bit apprehensive towards him the day after she'd fainted but soon got over it after she thought about how she saw him treating those around him. She'd taken an interest in his gear, and not just his maneuvering gear but many of the things he had or has been working on. She was very much like Twilight in that regard but much more emotional about it than just curious about how some of his devices worked and some of the spells that were embedded into the object he used.

Unfortunately for Sunset, she was met with the exact same opposition as Twilight in that these were unknown, as well as highly guarded secrets held by the Strawberry family alone. Spike found Sunset in the tower one day trying to magically scan the maneuvering gear and he told her she didn't want to do that but the older sister she was didn't listen and was met with a sharp headache as a magic surge ran through her horn and gave her a bacon color afro. Levi scolded her good that day and says all the gear hs Corps use is heavily warded with several layers of protection magic and rigid with other enchantments should and enemy ever get their mitts on it. Not only was he extremely mad but he was also very relieved she was okay in the end as she was extremely lucky she didn't cause an explosion.

"Why are you sitting over here by your lonesome dad?" Spitfire trots up and sat next to her adoptive father.

"Letting you girls have your time," He says. "Sunset reminds me a lot of you, just with more of a temper."

"Well, she is my little sister after all," Spitfire chuckles, "But yea, she seems to have gotten dad's less than favorable short-fuse alongside mom's talent for fire. How's she holding up without us around?"

"Like any teen in a similar situation would if their mother wasn't the ruler of the nation," Levi shrugs, "She's very strong but at times she little more than a little filly around Aria's age."

"Summer and I are going to see about renting an apartment in Cloudsale," Spitfire says, "She'd need an enchanted item with the cloud walking spell but she could live with us for awhile," She suggests.

"No," Levi shakes his head, "Sunset is more of a Teen than grown-up right now Spitfire. She didn't age nearly at all on the other side of the portal. I think it's best she stay with us where she can be near your mother and me. She'll also have more ponies closer to her mental age and similar hobbies and mindsets."

"If anything-"

"Happen I'll be the first to let you know after Tia if need be," Levi says as he keeps looking over the city. Then he looked back at the group of Sunset, Twilight, Moondancer, and Sunburst. "I wonder if Sunburst is a distant cousin of yours?"

"Trust me," Spitfire says, "He's not related to us at all."

Twilight then pulled up Michigan from the box she had him and started to tell Sunset his backstory and after the group all started laughing while the front just did a mismatched blink. Sunburst then suggests they try and trace his origin in order to send him back and that's also when the frog had had enough, cause he wasn't going to be an experiment, especially not for these yahoos. The frog opened its mouth and shot its tongue strain onto Sunbust's eye. The unicorn then began to run around in circles screaming at the top of his lungs.


"GET HIM OFF!!! GET HIM OFF!!! GET HIM OFF!!! GET HIM OFF!!! GET HIM OFF!!! GET HIM OFF!!! GET HIM OFF!!!" 

Twilight and Moondancer gave chase in order to try and pull the evil amphibian from their friend's eye. Meanwhile, every one else's started to roll around on the ground holding their side form the ache of laughter.

"Are you sure?" is all Levi asked.




> Leaving...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Twilight was busy in the library quickly going backend forth between the shelves.

"Come on Twi! We're gonna be later for Moondancer's birthday party," Spike says.

"Not now Spike," Twilight says not looking up from her book. "I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, I can feel it in my horn!"

"But you promised Sunburst you at least stop in and say hi!" Spike protested.

"Come on Spike," Twilight waved off the comment, "Moondancer of all ponies will understand when it comes to research."

"You mean like the time when you both forgot about Sunset's birthday party!" Spike crossed his arms with a scowl.

"Ah... That ah..." Twilight says as she sets her book down to peer over at her assistant slash adoptive brother. 

"It was her first party since coming home and you guys are literally her closest friends!" He pointed the finger at her, "And you guys really hurt her feelings when you decided to miss with the stupid portal data instead of coming to see her. She knew how important that project is to you both and she did understand you working but she still expected you to at least stop in and say Happy Birthday and drop off a present!"

"Well, this is different!" Twilight counters. "That fate of Equestria c-"

"Can wait till later," came a shilling and stern toned from behind Twilight.

Twilight gulped hard, "Hehe... Hi Papa Levi..." Twilight mechanically turns around to see the looming form of Levi standing there with a disappointed scowl.

"You're going to the party little Sparkle," Levi says as he grabbed a hold of Twilight's book with his metal hoof.

"B-b-but-"

"Mmmmm..." Levi narrowed his gaze.

"Okay, I"m going," Twilight eeped before dashing off.

"Present!" Levi reminded her.

Twilight Teleported in and grabbed the gift in her magic then teleported away leaving Spike and Levi alone.

"Thank's dad," Spike says, "I knew she'd listen if you told her to go. Actually, I think you're the only living being outside mom that she'll actually listen to no matter what."

"No problem Spike," Levi rubbed his son's head. He then reached into his jacket and pulled out a scroll with a red ribbon and golden sun seal stamp on it, handing it to the drake. "It's from your mother to Twilight. Make sure she gets it. Then have her, you, Sunset, and your little sister come to the ballon platforms after everyone gets their fill of the festivities."

"You can count on me!" He salutes.

"Good, now off with you or there'll be no cake left," Levichuckeld as he shooed the youth on before leaving to speak with Celestia





"I think everything is in order here Raven," Celestia says while she went over the list of creatures who were attending the Summer Sun Celebration tomorrow. "Yes, these arrangements will do just fine. Thank you for your help. I think that will be all for today."

Levi then entered the room.

"Good Afternoon Sir Levi," Raven Inkwell gave a slight bow to him.

"We've been over this before Raven," Levi grabbed his face with his hoof. "I'm not royalty, so don't bow to me."

"You're both the adoptive father of the prince and princesses as well as the biological father of the youngest member of the royal family and her highness's closest confidant both in and out of... urm... private situations," That caused Celestia's cheeks to heat up a little. "Not to mention the former personal trainer of the current Captain of the Royal Guard and former bodyguard of Twilight Sparke and her family, while still actually providing protection detail discreetly. Technically, you are also the royal consort as well. All of this coupled together makes you suedo royalty at most."

"I'm not going to argue with you on this right now Raven. I am not royalty," Levi says in a thoroughly annoyed tone. 

This let the secretary know he wasn't in a very curt mood, meaning she'd best shut up while she was ahead.

"Are you finished for today?" he looked to Celestia.

"We just finished right as you came in. That will be all for today you may go now," Celestia smiled with a slow nod before looking to Raven who bowed and left. "I take you persuaded your other daughter to go and see her friend before their trip."

"It's a good thing Spike sent that note when he did cause I caught her just before she was able to really crack open a new book," Levi nods. "I also told him to bring everyone to the platforms after they've had their fun."

"Good," Celestia says. "I'm sorry I can't tell you more about this Levi but I feel Twilight won't live up to her potential if I let you know more."

"I don't like it but this is your country and this is a plan to save your sister Tia," Levi held up a hoof. "I'm going along to watch over Twilight and our kids and help out or-."

"Step in to do what needs to be done should Twilight fail in her own tasks," Celestia painfully says. "Though I pray you do not need to..."

"So do I, Tia," Levi says. "She's my family in a way too after all."

Levi walks up to the thrown and gave Celestia a comforting hug, "Thank you, Levi,"

"Hmmm," he nods. "I best get going. Knowing Twilight and after she explains to Sunset what she's found out they'll be ready to go. Not to mention Ary wanting to go on an adventure. You know this will put a strain on your relationship with them all correct? I don't like it."

"Yes, I am aware, which is why I haven't told you any more than what I've said. I love you with all my heart Levi but I... for the sake of our children I can't tell anymore of my story or... Be careful My Human," Celestia nuzzles him before they separate and he leaves. Celestia looked into the sky," Luna.... please still be in there... somewhere..."





Levi trotted through the streets of Canterlot to a very familiar cottage. Walking up to the door he gave a quick knock and waited for the door to open.

"Yes," he heard a light female voice.

"Good afternoon Velvet," Levi says to the smaller grayish-purple mare.

"Oh Levi, good to see you," Velvet motions for him to come in.

"Sorry Velvet but this is just a brief stop," Levi held up a hoof before reaching into his jacket and handing a scroll over to the mare. "These are assignment orders for Twilight to stay in Ponyville for a few days as well as the option to move there permanently. Most of this is to do with furthering her studies as Celestia's student."

"Are these orders or are you asking for permission?" Velvet unfurled the scroll and looked it over. "Oh... so you'll be living there too."

"Yes," Levi nods. "Her roommate will be Sunset and they will be staying in the town library."

"Where will you be living?" Velvet asked.

"I have my own home I'd had built there years ago," Levi explains."Both Spike and Aria are coming along with us. Spike is able to send letters right to Tia so more than likely he'll be staying with the girls. Aria will be living with me alongside Marmalade, Bedrock, and Candy will be moving there too."

"So, then, everyone is moving?" Velvet apprehensively.

"Celestia is staying here for obvious reasons," Levi nods. "If you two want to move with us I have more than enough space for you two. I also have a private library and observatory should you two wish to continue your trades from there."

"Hmmm... It's a nice offer Levi but I think it'd be best for Twilight to not have us around for a while," Velvet placed the scroll on the table. "I'll speak with Night about it but if we did move it would be when we were ready and we wouldn't live with you for very long before looking for a place of our own. What about Sunny and Spitfire?"

"Summer is actually moving to Ponyville to work part-time as the local school teacher until they can find a permanent one," Levi says, "It's a bit of a surprise for her. Spitfire is busy with her career and cracking a whip to get the other Bolts and reserves into shape."

"I heard something about one of them her special somepony," Velvet giggles. "Is it true?"

"Yes and their daughter lives with her aunt, father's sister in Ponyville," Levi says with a bit of annoyance. "She could've told me she was seeing someone."

"Wel.... it wasn't as if you didn't already know him but if you'd known that they had been together then you would've taken him on one of your special camping trips where they would either pass or have the biggest bowel movement they'd ever had," Velvet coldly smiles. "You don't need to be so harsh on the boys they like Levi."

"Rock was the last one I sware on my honor," Levi sighs as he held up his metal hoof. "Oh, would it be okay of Michigan stays with you in the pond while Twilly settles in?'

"As long as he behaves I have no issues with him staying as long as he wants," Velvet says, "But, if he insists on acting up I will use Ole Rusty on him again."

"I still have no clue how that frog survives being smashed into the street with that legendary frying pan," Levi nervously chuckles before backing away. "You have a key to the tower. With that being said my business is done here. I must go meet everyone at the platform. Have a good rest of your day Velvet."

He urns and leaves while she waves with a smile, "Things will definitely be a lot quieter with them all gone. Mighty and I are gone have to double soundproof our room now," she says going inside the house. "Ooooooohhhhhhh Niiiiiggggghhhhttttllllliiiigghhtttt!" she calls out in a sultry tone as the front door slowly shuts behind here and serval ponies cleared off the streets.





"Twilight will you please calm down!" Sunset shouts as the lavender unicorn.

"Calm down! Caaallllmmmeee ddddoooowwnnn! CALM DOWN! HOW CAN I POSSIBLY CALM DOWN WHEN THE FATE OF EQUESTRIA HANGS IN THE BALANCE WHILE I WAS FORCIBLY SENT TO A BIRTH-" she was immediately cut off as she did a face plant right in front of the group with her rump sticking straight up in their wit ha dart in her right cheek.

"Well, you did till her to calm down first," Ary says. "Those security guards really are great shots," She waved at a couple of stallions in black, with one putting a blow gun on his back via magic.

The other of the stallions come over, "If she starts up again I'm gonna have to ask you folks to leave. I can't have a raving mad mare on my platform."

"Sorry, but if you could make us leave, it would end much worse if it did," Aria smiles cutely at them.

"If there is one thing I can't stand, it's a smart mouth," the stallion's eye narrowed, "I'm gonna ask you to-" A hood taps his shoulder, "I'm in the middle of... Tall...." he says he looks up to Levi's scarred face.

"We're not going anywhere," he leans down. "I will not have you talking that way to the prince and princess either."

"Prince and Princess..." he eeped.

"Leave now before I call the guard," Levi growls.

Both guards ran off leaving behind pony-shaped clouds of dust behind.

"How do they do that?" Sunset raised an eyebrow. "It's like some straight out of a cartoon bullshit moment."

"Mouth, meet soap," Levi says to Sunset, who quickly shuts up, while he walks over and easily threw the slumbering pony with a steadily rising and falling snot bubble on to back. "Let's go everypony and drake. She'll be out for a few hours due to lack of sleep."

"Just long enough to enjoy some comics in peace then," Spike let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm game!" Aria pronks around her father.

"Yea, count me in to," Sunset says. "I like my power ponies. Got the latest issue Spike?"

"Don't you know it," Spike slyly points as he raised a claw holding a comic but then revealed sever more as the spread out like a than of playing cards.

"Good for you three," Levi rolls his eyes, "Now let's get to the balloon," he points with a flat look on his face as the younger ponies followed. "Kids these days," he grumbles under his breath as Twilight steadily snoozed with a goofy look on her face.





"So we finished the comics.... Now what?" Sunset asks, "What are we even supposed to do when we get to this town anyway?" She looks at Levi

"You and Twilight," Levi says he looked at the purple mare

"Kehehe... Red velvet cookies and liquid rainbow... Mmmmm..."

"That mare has some of the weirdest dreams," Sunset remarks as she pokes her best friend,"Continue please," she turns back to Levi as Spike and Aira take turns poking Twilight.

"Anyways, your job is to go and make sure the finishing touches for the Summer Sun Celebration are underway," Levi says. "I'm going along because it's been a while since I've been in Ponyville and actually have some business with one of the families on the list."

"So, Strawberry family stuff?" Sunset looked at her adoptive father skeptically.

"Yes, so to speak," Levi shrugs. "It's more of visiting an old friend and business rival slash partner instead of Corps stuff. We don't have a large presence in this own though we do have some distant relations. The local bar owner is called Berry Punch, she's a distant cousin from a few of those that wanted a more independent quiet lifestyle instead of a mercenary-based one that went off and did it."

"And they've kept in touch?" Spike asked as he and his little sister were building a house of cards on Twilight out of the comic books while the mare was wearing a pair of Groucho Glasses.

"More or less," Levi shrugs. "Berry's family has known about the Strawberry family crest and usually put a couple of corps members up for a night or two when they wander into town, but other than that she's just the local tavern owner."

"Looks like we're about to touch down!" Aria squees causing Twilight to pop up.

"AH MARBLES IN THE EAR!"  She yelped, causing the comic to fall as Spike was just putting the last two on.

"Dag it! I almost had it this time!" Spike grumbles.

"What?! Where am I?!" Twilight says with the still on her face. 

Everyone, but Levi, was doing their absolute best not to laugh.

"Was I darted, again?" Twilight says with an embarrassed blush.

"Yes, yes you were!" Aria laughs as she rolled around on the basket's floor.

"Mmmmmmm...." Twilight shrank back and looked down, "Wait, what's on my face?!" she pulled off the prop, "Spiiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkkeeeeee!"

"Here are your assigned ponies to see," Levi says as he hands a couple of scrolls to the two elder ponies. "Here's the key to the library where you'll be staying," he hands them a brass skeleton key. "Aria is with me and Spike is with you should you need to reach Celestia, or me. Have fun and makes some new friends!"

He remarks as he jumps from the balloon and Aria followed suit onto the ground.

"Ahhhhhh...... What are we doing?" Twilight turned to Sunset.

"Come on Twi," Sunset motions. "Spike the mailbox and I will give you run through on the way to drop of the bags at the library."

"Yea," Spike says but then opened his eyes wide at the realization of his words. "Hey! I'm not a mailbox!" he roars as he chases after the giggling amber and lavender mares.




> Strawberries and Apples
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Levi and Aria both trotted down the road outside Ponyville.

"Always like this little town," Levi looks around.

"Cause it's quiet dad?" Aria looked up at her father.

"Yes, but it's not as quiet as you think Ary," Levi remarks. "That," he points with his metal hoof to a dark forest. "This is the main reason why I like this town. As you've learned from your teacher slash sisters, most of Equestria is domesticated boy ponies from weather to crops and seasons. The Everfree is not, however. It's one of the few locations in this country where nature works as it is intended. The ponies of Ponyville more or less rely on this forest for certain things as there are things that can only be found in it due to the magic and natural environments and conditions that can't be reproduced with magic."

"Like in a lot of the places where you used to take contracts like in your stories," Aira said as she was catching on.

"Yes," Leiv nods, "These ponies don't try and tame this forest but try and coexist alongside it. Most notably, the family we are on our way to see now."

They trotted along until they came upon an orchard. That's when Aria looked up and saw big bright red apples and her mouth started to water. She was pulled from her frozen days are a loud rumble came from her belly.

"Ahaha..." Levi laughs as his youngest's face turns red. "Don't worry Ary, if there's one thing the Apple Family knows outside apples it's how to make a more than a decent meal."

"Who's there?!" came a southern drawl. "I see you two standing there," out from a tree came a little yellow filly with a big red bow.

"Good day little one," Levi says as he walks over, towering over the filly, who at this point was straining to lookup as he cast his shadow over her.

"Gosh, Mister you sure are tall!" She points. "I think you're even taller than ma big brother!"

"You wouldn't happen to be Applebloom would you?" Levi raised an eyebrow.

"Ye that's me," Applebloom points. "Who are you and how'd ya know that?"

"My name is Levi Ackerman Strawberry and I know you because Grannie Smith is a very olde and dear friend of mine and my family," Levi place his metal on his chest, "And we," he used his wing to motion to his daughter, "were hoping to say hello. This is my daughter."

"Hi, my names-"

"PRINCES STELLA ARIA!" Applebloom yelped before quickly covering her mouth whit her hooves.

"Please don't yell that," Aria winced as she waited for the ringing in her ears to die down. "As I was saying, hello my name's Stella Aria, but you can call me Aria, or Ary or short. It's so awesome that there's another filly my age around!" She pronks around the confused Applebloom.

"Ah... sorry Ah'm still a bit confused... ya said we're the same age. That can't be right," She stands up, "you're at least two hooves taller than me."

"Yea... I get that a lot," Aria makes circles in the dirt.

"Make no mistake Applebloom," Levi pulls Aria over to him."You're actually older than she is. She just ahs a lot of me in her end of the gene pool."

That's when Aira's stomach let out another loud growl causing her to blush again.

"If you're hungry we got plenty of food," Applebloomnow over the shyness and confusion motions to the house. "Grannie's been cooking all mornin and we never turn down guests."

"Lead the way please!" Aria licked her lips.





"Applebloom! What are ya doing?!" came another southern accented mare. "Ah thought Ah told ya to..... Tall..." the mare said as soon as she laid eyes on Levi's form, "Hey there handsome, what can I do for ya?"

"You can stop drooling," Aria says getting the farm mares' attention, "Cause my dad isn't going to make the googoo eye back at you."

"You don't need to be so defensive," The mare raised an eyebrow, "It's been a while hasn't Mr. Strawberry."

"That it has Applejack," Levi says as he went up and hugged the farmer. 

"Ah take it here to see Grannie," Applejack returned the hug.

"Ah sis," Applebloom got middle sister's attention, "Explain, please?"

"And I take it the little one next to ya is your little Aira. She sure has gotten big since the last time the two of ya was here," Applejack steps back. "It's good to ya after so long, ya haven't aged at all."

"Ahhhhhh dad?" Aria looked at her father confused.

"This isn't your first time here Ary, nor is it your time meeting Appllebloom," Levi explained. "Whenever I had business that I absolutely had to tend to and and your mother and no pony else could look after you I would call on the one family outside the Corps I know I can trust and be discreet. The Apples. You and Applebloom used to play together as foals."

"You two where close as two seeds in a core," Applejack adds. "As ya got older we were needed less and less. Though Grannie still kept in touch with yer pa. I take it your here to say hello?"

"Yes and get some of that Apple family pie I've been missing out on," Levi licked his lips.

"Well it won't be much longer till a whole buffet is out," Applejack says as she motioned to her older brother who was setting up tables. 

"I'll help him out. It's been a while since I've seen the little guy," Levi says going over to help the stallion.

"So, who's the red guy?" Aira asked Applebloom.

"Uh... what... Sorry, still processing this info I was just givin," Applebloom scratched her head. "Little guy... That's a word I thought I'd hear about Big Mac but then again your pa is... he's tall plain and simple. The red guy as you call him is the oldest of the three of us Apples and his name's Big Macintosh or Big Mac for short. Yer taken this info we just got pretty well."

"Trust me," Aira waved it off. "I've seen some weird stuff. My mom is well... Seeing as dad trust your family and they already know me... My mom is princess Celestia and my older brother is a dragon. So... ya.... kinda numb to this stuff. Especially after I first saw Michigan singing and dancing around a lily pad for the first time." She looked at Applebloom who'd frozen up except for a twitching eye. "Oh... I think I overdid it...."

"Somethin tells me ya'll are gonna be great friends," Applejack waves a hoof in front of her little sister's eyes. "I think she'll be fine, Just leave her there for now. The food will break her free if it soon enough. Why don't ya come an say hi to grannie in the meantime? Oh, and call me Aj, seeing as were frends."

"Sure and you can call me Ary," Aria smiles and followed Applejack into the house.

"Grannie, we have a couple of guest here for ya!" Aj calls out.

"Kitchen!" cam and elder southern draw.

"I got someone ya haven't seen in a while," Aj remarks as Aira came into the kitchen, the smell of food was too much for her stomach and she let out a sound that nearly made the house rattle.

"Uh sorry..." Aria blushed, "Ah... My names..."

"Ah know who ya are youngin," The elderly farm mare patted Aria's head softly. "Good to see ya after all this time. Looks like yer pa has been makin sure you got the proper meals."

"He makes sure I eat right," Aria smiles.

"When she's not trying to sneak sweets with her older brother and cousin," Levi cleared her throat, "Particularly cookie or cake."

"Ehehehe..." Aira nervously giggled.

"So ya got yer momma's sweet tooth eh?" Grannie give a sly smirk, "Well, as long as ya got the work-ethic to match it ya more than welcome to some Apple family Apple pie. All ya have ta do is ask,"

"Oh yes," Levi nods, "She has more than enough of that."

"Ummm... oh look pie!" Aira says as she runs off.

"So ya make her train like the rest eh?" Grannie asked as she pulled out a long pipe and lit it.

"No," Levi shook his head. "I do make her train but its for self-defense and not the other work. She's Tia's daughter making her a crown princess and next in line for the throw behind Spike."

"How's that little fire spitter doing these days?"  Grannie blew out a few rings of smoke.

"Just like his younger sister but a bit more will read and responsible," Levi said. "He had to learn that very fast by being Twilight's assistant. At the same time, he's still a kid when he needs to be."

"It really fills mah heart with joy seeing ya this way Levi," Grannie patted his back. "Ah remember when we first met with my ma and pa. You were much more imposing in that human form of yers. Hell, Ah say yer probably more imposing as a stallion due to yer height couple with that metal hoof and scar on yer face. Ya ever think about getting that thing fixed? Ya know they have special corrective magics for it."

"It's not like I haven't looked into it old friend but the fact it can't be fixed," Levi explained. "I got this when I was turned immortal and if I wanted it fixed first I'd have to stop being immortal first. If I could find my fingers then I could simply reattach them by opening up my wounds to the bone and having them surgically attached."

"Ya got the complicated shit as far as immortality goes then," Grannie points out. 

"Very much so yes," Levi heaved out a sigh. "But enough of that. I wanted to come by and chat and make sure the food was on schedule for tonight's celebrations and it is so my job is done. Aria and I will also be moving into the manor starting as of today."

"Good to know you're going to be in town," Grannie smiled, "Us p;d timers have to stick together and catch up after all!" she cackled with smoke coming the whole time.

"I suppose we do," Levi chuckled as she watched Aira play tag with Apple Bloom. "It'll also be good to let Ary make friends her own age as well."

"You and her are always welcome here at any time Levi," Grannie puffed on her pipe, "I'm sure our roots have co-mingled at some point somewhere or another."

"I'll have to agree with you on that one old friend," Levi chuckled again as Applejack came by.

"Can Ah offer ya some of our cider Mr. Levi?" She said. "Ya'll won't find any finer in all of Equestria?"

"I've been around the block more than once young mare and your family does in fact have some of the finest ciders I've ever had in my life," Levi happily took the mug she offered.

"Ah'm sensing a but coming," Applejack added.

"Indeed," Levi said with a sly chuckle as he took a gulp of his drink.

"But?" Applejack narrowed her vision on the very large 'stallion'.

"Don't bother Aj," Grannie snickered.

"Why?" Aj asked her grandmother.

"Why what?" Grannie sipped some of her own cider,

Aj just looked at her granny stone-faced.

"Cause you'll never get the answer!" Grannie bonked her middle grandchild with her pipe, "Now get."

"OW!" Aj yelped and walked away grumbling something about finding out his secrets one day.

"Ya think the hard head would learn after the hundredth hit by now," Grannie said. "She gets it from her ma and pa."

"How have Bright and Pear been?" Levi looked at her.

"Enjoying the time with their kids and kin, for the most part, thanks to ya and yer lot," Grannie added, "They would be here normally but won a cruise and couldn't back out or they'd been the first to greet ya beside the youngest. Ya'll have done a lot for us Levi, more than the kids know about and Ah'm grateful for it, truly and honestly grateful."

"I just did what needed to be done Smith," Levi set his empty mug down. "We just happened to be in the Everfree to gather plants at the time and I heard Pear's cries for help and made it to them before the pack could pull them under."

"Ah know but Ah'll still thank ya every time I see ya for it," Grannie gave a soft smile. "Thank ya for saving mah family."

"See ya around Smith," Levi waved over his shoulder as he topped and gathered Aria and the du trotted off.




> Fudge Nuggets
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





"Twilight will you please stop with the complaining already!" Sunset complained at her best friend.

"Stop, how can I stop!" Twilight cried out "Celestia sent both of us to oversee this... this ...celebration while all the meanwhile one of Equestria's most well-known legends is stated to-"

*BLOOP*

"That'll shut her up for a little while," Spike chuckled as he shoved an exceedingly chocolate cupcake into his employer slash adoptive sister's mouth.

"Thanks, Spike," Sunset gave him a hoof five while Twilight glared at the duo with a mouth oozing with chocolate. "Wait... Where'd you even get that thing anyways?"

"That pink mare with the puffily pinkier mane and tail gave to me and told me what to do after she pulled it out of her mane," Spike pointed at the pink pony who waved in the distance before shooting off. "She said some stallion with a yellow coat, tail, eyes, and braided mane dressed in a black suit wearing a red overcoat with a front and back metal leg gave her the recipe for just this type of situation that occurs with parents on occasion."

"That's oddly specific and weird descriptions of someone who has completely nothing to do with us little brother," Sunset raised an eyebrow while Twilight was doing her best to try and get the chocolate cement ball out of her mouth or swallow it, whichever came first. 

"Our dad is literally one of Equestria's living legends and we see a singing dancing dick of a frog on a near daily basis," Spike points as he pulls out the list. “Not to mention our mother is the ruler of the country, I’m a dragon, and our extended family is a vast network of assassins and mercenaries that spans practically the world over. Also, our baby sister is a pony, a pon, who regularly partakes in the consumption of various red meats to no avail with digestion, not to mention yourself on various occasions.”

“Okay! Okay,” Sunset quickly used her magic to turn his lips into a zipper, “Point made, now stop talking about it so casually and out loud I might add to,” she narrowly shushed him as he. Silently glared with crossed arms at her.

Spike slowly nodded as his older sister removed her spell, “why didn’t ya do that with Twilight?”

“Cause it’s a spell and she’s… Ya know, she’s Twilight,” Sunset rolled her eyes, “With it being magic and with her magical studies and power rivaling my own she could’ve had it undone in like three minutes tops.”

“Point,” Spike pointed. “But if we did someth8ng total orginal and out of the box that makes no sense to someone of her… well readness?”

“Yea… let’s go with that…” Sunset nods.

“Yeah,” Spike agreed, “Anyways ya go that route and ya get this!” He motioned to the purple mare.

Twilight was now trying to pry the fudge ball out with a number of flathead screwdrivers she'd pulled from a nearby construct pony's toolbox, she was on her seventh one with the others all getting bent.

"So, how exactly is being specific in details out of the ordinary for us?" Spike added as he licked his finger and flipped the paper over. "Especially after we've had to deal with a lizard who walks on two legs and sprays everypony with some kind of miracle whip gun named Glub Glub?"

"Touche," Sunset relented and turned to see Twilight, "Ah... we should really help her out," she pointed as the lavender book pony had now moved on to trying to use a saw, it was her third one.

"Miss please!" the construction pony whined, "That's my last saw!"

"Sorry about that," Sunset quickly stepped in, took the saw in her green magic, and gave it back to the worker. "Spike!"

Spike was currently lost as he went over the list that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going. 

"Let's see here... next is the singing... Why do we even need singing to raise the sun mom?!" Spike threw his arms up and then looked around to see bushes surrounding him. "Oops..."

"I really need to stop hanging around the crazy purple pony all the time," Spike grumbled as he stomped back and forth. 

"I've even started the wandering reading thing she did! Wait..." his green fin-like ears perked up, "Pretty music..." he said as he followed the melodies in the air and came across a butter yellow coated pegasus pony with green eyes and a pink mane and tail. "What she doing out here?" he asked as he watched.

"Okay everypony that was very good," she said to a flock of birds. She then singled out one, "Jerry, you were just a teeny tiny bit flat on your last note so if you could fix it that would be lovely, but only f you want to. Now let's take it from the top, shall we? We have to do our best for the princess tomorrow."

They started singing again.

"So cool!" Spike said as he rushed in and all the birds scattered.

"Oh my!" The pegasus said as she hid under her own tail.

"Awww...." Spike deflated. "I'm sorry I scared away your birds."

"Oh my goodness!" the pegasus says as she quickly did a one-eighty and lifted Spike into the air, "A baby dragon who can talk! You're so cute!"

"Will you please put me down?" Spike awkwardly asked. "I don't really like being hoofed like I'm a fine wine or collectible action figure."

"Oh I'm so sorry," She quickly set him down, "I just get a little over-excited when I meet a new animal is all. I hope I didn't upset you too much Mr.Dragon."

"It's okay, not my first time, and won't be my last," Spike dusted himself off. "Better than being the test subject for one of my sisters' magic spells at least. The names Spike, Spike Ackerman at you service my lady," he gave a bow.

"Oh so polite," the giggled, "My name's Fluttershy, it's very nice to meet you Mr.Arckerman. I didn't know dragons had last names."

"Oh, I don't know if we do or not," Spike shrugs. "My dad always says to be formal and give a lady your first and last name when you first meet them. Not only is it proper etiquette but it is just good manners, but you can just call my Spike, Mr. Ackerman is my father."

"Oh, is he here too?" Fluttershy went back to cowering under her tail, "Is he like a bigger version of you?"

"Well... Technically he is here in town but he's out checking on the food with the Apple family and no, he's a... a very odd pony actually. He's not my dad by blood but he adopted me not long after I was hatched and after my mom took me in as my hatcher was too young to look after me at the time," Spike explained. "They never treated me any different than my little sister or big sisters."

"A dragon raised by ponies... That explains why you're so nice," Fluttershy popped her head out. "So you don't really know about dragons do you?" 

"I actually know a lot about my species thanks to my dad. He used to travel around a lot and so he learned a whole lot about the different species and cultures of the world," Spike poofed out his chest. "He still travels but just nowhere as much as he used to. I can tell you what I know about dragons and other species he's told me about sometime," he blushed slightly.

"Oh, that would be lovely!" Fluttershy clapped her hoofs together.

"Hey, your birds are back!" Spike pointed as the little singers returned. "I overheard you say you were practicing the songs for the ceremony. It's actually a good thing I stumbled on you then," Spike pulls out his list and checks off the songs. "Now dad just has to give the okay on the food. I wonder if Sunset and Twilight checked on the clouds and decorations?" He looked up and saw the clouds. "Don't think so...."

"Is something wrong? Do you need help with something?" Fluttershy tilted her head.

"I hate to ask this when we just met but can you help me find my way back to town, please," Spike clasped his claws together, "It's my first day here and I don't know my way..."

"Certainly," Fluttershy smiled. "On the way can you tell me more about dragons?"

"A bargain has been struck as dad would say," Spike held his scroll a loft as if it were a sword.

"Hmhm... So cute!" Fluttershy giggled as she lifted him onto her back and she flew back into town.





Sunset was currently sitting on the side of the road with Twilight sitting next to her fuming at the face she still had a mouth full of what was indestructible yet also delicious chocolaty goodness.

"I blame you for our missing dragon brother right now," Sunset said with a worried and sour tone.

"MMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHM!" Twilight motioned around and to her mouth and then around again.

"If you hadn't freaked out about the Nightmare Moon bs then he wouldn't have shoved the cupcake in your mouth to shut you up and we could've just done the list!" Sunset pointed out, causing the purple pony to shrink, ashamed knowing it was her fault. "You know he has your habit of walking and reading at the same time. Now because I was preoccupied trying to stop you from taking tools to pry open your chocolate stuffed craw, we completely lost sight and track of my little brother!"

Twilight just sat on the ground and drew a circle with her hoof in the dirt.

"Hey girls," Spike said.

"Not now Spike, I'm busy lecturing Twilight about not to take our eyes off you while you're reading," Sunset said and then a dinging was heard from a nearby baking cart. "Spike!" Sunset grabbed him in her magic and started to check him over then hug him, "Oh thank the sun you're okay! Where did you go, Buster?!?"

"I was engrossed in the checklist... again..." Spike let out a nervous little chuckle, "But I was able to get one of the objectives checked off, unlike your two," he said with a sly grin

"BB-B-BBUT, sHUT UP!" Sunset said as she dropped in then and there.

"Ow..." Spike says. 

"HEY!" a mare called out. Sunset looked over to see a thoroughly ticked Flutterhsy glaring at her, "That's no way to treat another living creature!" She says as she helped Spike up.

"Thanks, Fluttershy but can you take it easy on her," Spike spoke up, "She as just really worried about me."

"Spike... Who is this?" Sunset points.

"Mmmmmm...." Twilight agreed.

"Oh you poor thing," Fluttershy says as she trots over to Twilight, "It looks like you got one of Pinkie Pie's Silent Treatments."

"Is that what those things are called," Spike asked.

"Yes, though they're usually used on foals by parents for acting out in public," Fluttershy went over to hte bakery cart and bought a carton of milk before returning. "Let me see," she says as she opens and puts a straw in it before squirting so of the milf on the fudge wad in Twilight's mouth. "Try making a chewing motion please, that is if you want to I mean..."

Twilight rolled her eyes and did as she was told and was steadily able to at least close her mouth.

"The secret is milk," Fluttershy smiles, "Here ya go Spike, I have to get back to practicing with the birds. Please come by my cottage and see me if you can some time," she patted his head, and then flew away.

Spike was left standing there with a goofy grin while holding the milk. Twilight immediately took it in her magic and went to work trying to free her jaws of hte fudgy cement that was coating her teeth.

Sunset looked in the direction the pegasus flew at her little brother. She got a sly grin going, "Spiiiiiikkkkeeee, you dog!" She gave him a hefty thud on his back.

"What?!" Spike winced as he rubbed his back.

"Hmmmm..." Sunset just gave him a look. "You're such a smooth drake."

Spike thought then look in the distance then looked at his older sister then in the distance again before a ding was heard from the bakery cart went off again.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa it was not like that!" Spike's face was now dark purple as steam rose from his crest. "I came across her by chance. She's the bird trainer for the music for tomorrow's music!"

"Ahaaaaa..." Sunset says with a teasing tone, "Sure, that's all it is," she giggled.

"I'm not going to hear the end of this any time soon... Am I?" Spike buried his face in his claws

"It's your fault for wandering off little brother," Sunset patted his head, "Now let's get moving while Twi is still muted."

"Mrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......" Twilight growled while suckling on the milk carton.




> Rainbows and Fashionistas'
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Sunset, Spike, and Twilight somewhat calmly made their way through the bustling streets of Ponyville.

"I still can't believe you were able to silence me!" Twilight raised a hoof, "WITH FUDGE!”

"Keep up that tone and it'll happen again but with me doing the shoving next time," Sunset looked back. "We're here to do a job Twilight, one given to us by my mother, your teacher! I would like to keep as low a profile as we can while doing this. We get it done then go back to Canterlot."

"Don't like being down here with normal ponies?" Spike looked at his sister.

"Actually, I prefer these normal ponies as opposed to what we deal with on a near daily basis," Sunset's remark startled the little drake. "But I would prefer we don't drag them into any of said issues we deal with on a near daily basis this far away from the castle where we can’t keep it supervised and or contained."

"Point," Spike nods.

"Fine, but I'm not letting this Nightmare Moon thing go!" Twilight said with the other two rolling their eyes as they expected that reaction. "Papa went to check on food with Ary, and Spike found the pretty mare in charge of the music so that just leaves what?"

"Ah... let me check," he remarked as he pulled out the list from his scales and was surrounded by a green aura and lifted into the air via Sunset, "We still have the decorations and clear skies," he looked at the two mares and then looked at where he was, "Really? Is this really necessary?"

"Ask yourself after the last time," Twilight said as she gave him a knowing look with a half-lidded gaze. She turned here gaze to the skies still full of clouds, "So much for that one being easy."

"It will be once we find who's in charge of the weather team for the event," Sunset said as she floated Spike onto her back. "You're riding for now buster. I don't need dad to give me another lecture on keeping an eye on you."

"Free ride, I won't complain," Spike smirks.

"I don't remember saying it was free," Sunset added. "You'll pay, I just need to think of a way you can."

"Guys focus!" Twilight huffed. "Spike, who's the pony in charge of the weather team here in Ponyville?" she asked as she wasn't paying attention as she trotted backward towards a mud puddle.

"That would be somepony named Rainbow-"

*FWOOSH!*

Something with a multicolored trail behind it very very quickly flew throw the trio.

*SPLASH!*

"Dash," he said looking up and saw a very annoyed lavender mare with a slight brownish tinge to her everything.

"Did any of you catch what did this?" Twilight hissed as her eyes were hidden behind her mane.

"Kkekekeke Nope... kkekeeke" Spike did his best not to laugh.

"I'm guessing it was some sort of pegasus that was in a major hurry," Sunset giggled as she helped her best friend up with her green magic. "That or a stray runaway rainbow."

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry!" came a raspy apologetic tone from above them. The unicorns and dragons looked up to see a pale cerulean pegasus with a multicolored mane and tail with red eyes apologizing to Twilight. "But if you're gonna stand around like that you really shouldn't do it in the middle of the street."

"And you are?" Sunset tilted her head.

"Oh again sorry," she repeated, "Name's Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all Equestria."

"So, you're one of the Wonberbolts?" Spike said in a very skeptical tone.

"Oh no, not yet," Rainbow announced. "But I'm gonna be one day soon. They just need to see how awesome i am and then I'll be made captain in no time flat!" She smugly smirks, "Here, let me help ya clean up a bit... Ah sorry... again but what are your names?"

"Sunset Shimmer," Sunset started, "The one on my back is my little dragon mailbox brother, Spike."

Spike quickly rolled up the job list and smacked his older sister in the back of the head, "I'M NOT A MAILBOX!"

"WOAH DUDE," Rainbow quickly got in his face, "You're like an actual dragon! That is so awesome! Not as awesome as me but pretty dang awesome."

"Um... hello! Muddy mare here!" Twilight shouted.

"Oops, yea sorry ah... what was your name again?" Rainbow sheepishly grinned.

"Twilight Sparkle and you're the pony in charge of clearing the clouds," She pointed up, "So how about you rinse me and then... DO YOUR JOB!"

"Bit of a grouch," Rainbow whispered to Spike and Sunset.

"You have no idea," the brother and sister said as they rolled their eyes in synch.

"I HEARD THAT!" Twilight roared.

"Leave it to me Twilight," Rainbow said as she grabbed one of the stray clouds and positioned it above the mud mare. "She then proceeded to jump on the cloud and drench Twilight, again

"Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash," Sunset thought. "I've heard her name from somewhere not long ago but where?"

After the pegasus in question created a quick tornado are Twilight she stopped off the side, "And I even threw in one of my patented Rainblow Drys for free."

Spike raised a claw, "I know what you're going to say little brother because I thought it too, but don't just let her be lost in her own world," Sunset said in the corner of her mouth before moving next to the mare and disco-age Twilight. "Now we just need a multicolored light-up floor and a ball with mirror squares glued to it. In all seriousness now though my mare, could you please clear the sky?"

"Why? I can clear this sky in like ten seconds flat," Rainbow said. "It can wait till later."

"Chicken," Sunset said.

"What'd you say?" Rainbow narrowed her gaze.

"You heard me," Sunset shrugged, "Chicken."

"I'll show you!" Rainbow shouted and then quickly cleared the sky in less than ten seconds.

Twilight and Sunset hoof bumped, "Cake," Twilight added. "Now that that's done," she looked at the blue mare.

"See," Rainbow puffed out her chest, "Ten seconds flat!"

"Less actually," Spike said as he held up a stopwatch.

"Where'd did you even get that?" Twilight asked, "You know what never mind. Rainbow, is there somepony in town who deals in mane care?"

"Oh you're gonna wanna see Rarity for that," Rainbow says, "Big round building that looks like one of those fancy carnival rides."

"Hello ladies," came a familiar voice.

"We're back," came another small filly's voice.

They all turned to see Stella and Levi. Rainbow Dash's mouth hit the floor.

"Who's your new friend?" Levi motioned to the frozen-in-place pegasus.

"Dad," Sunset and Spike say in unison.

"Papa," Twilight said, "Ignore this look please."

"I planned to," Levi poked Twilight manefro.

"Dad, meet Rainbow Dash," Sunset motioned. "The local weather pony for Ponyville."

"Ah yes, Rainbow Dash," Levi nods. "I've heard good things about you from Spitfire."

"Tall...." The blue mare said, "Wait... you know Spitfire, the Spitfire!?! As in the captain of the Wonderbolts Spitfire?"

"Yes, I do, she does call me dad after all," Levi tilts his head.

"WAIT YOU'RE SPITFIRE'S POPS!?!" Rainbow nearly keeled over. "Wait you called him dad too!?!" She pointed at Sunset.

"Yeaaaaaaa," Sunset slowly nods.

"Does that mean Spitfire is-"

"Yea, she's my older sister," Sunset says as Rainbow's gaze shifts to Spike who smiled proudly as he crossed his arms.

"Mine too!" Stella giggled. Rainbow's gaze was now on the big filly. "High my name's Stella Aria."

At this point, Rainbow's eyes just turned a deeper brighter blue than her own coat while her mouth hung open while making one of the most annoying sounds any living creature has ever heard.

"Oh great," Levi rolls his eye, "You three did it again. How you manage to make this happen I will never know."

"I CAN FIGURE IT OUT!" Twilight gleefully raised a hoof.

"No," Levi said flatly. "I don't need any more ponies going to the castle psychiatrist to get over informational overload. Just leave her there and let her reboot herself."

"K," everypony said as they followed his leave.

“What all have you three managed to do in our absence as far as the list is concerned, other than waste time with a local weather pony to the point she may be hounding us for autographs or very unneeded questioning?” Levi asked as they all trotted along in a highly annoyed tone.

“Spike wandered off and ran into the pretty pony who was in charge of the music,” Sunset bluntly threw out there. 

"Happy and fortunate accident," Levi gave a little smirk as he looked at his dragon son who had his arms crossed as he grumbled about never hearing the end of this.

“Not long before that he shoved a big honking piece of fudge in my mouth!” Twilight added.

“Were you raving again?" Levi looked at the purple daughter who is a hassle when not supervised but at least an adult with a moderately good head on their shoulders.

"No," Twilight kicked the dirt off to ht side with her hoof. "A little..."

"Not long after that ole Spiky showed back up with that pretty girlfriend of his," Sunset gave a sly grin.

"Stop," Levi said as abruptly turned around. "It's alright to tease, but don't bully him about it constantly," he turned and they walked on.

"Thank's dad," Spike sighed.

"Only when it's convenient," Ary added with a snicker.

"Why you!" Spike chased after the big filly.

"She was very sweet and kind," Twilight added, "Kinda reminded me a little bit of the princess in a way. She helped me with the fudge mute issue."

"Reminded you of mom aye," Sunset thought, "Yea I can see it. Anyway, not long after we started walking and ran into that Rainbow mare, I can see why sis has an eye on her but also why she hasn't called her out for a boot camp. She needs to tone down her 'me' factor by about a five."

"And then this happened," Twilight motioned to her mane. "What's next on the list Papa? I'd like to get it done as fast as we could so I can get back to my research, if, at all possible, that is."

"You're not here to do research little Sparkle," Levi shook his head, "You're here because you have things that have been entrusted to you get but Tia. As far as the list goes, it's nearly done."

"Thank Celestia," Twilight lit out a sigh of relief.

"You better stop what you're thinking big sis or you're gonna get bonked, again," Ary warned.

"Ehehehehee...." Twilight nervously chuckled as she spotted Levi eyeballing her very closely.

"Back to what I was saying," Levi cleared his throat, "Spike may I see the list please?"

"Here ya go dad," Spike hands his father the list.

"Let's see," Levi said as Ary levitated the list in front of his eyes, "We have double good news,"

"What?" everyone asked.

"The next stop is the last for today," Levi said, "And its also the best place for Twi to get herself de-afro'd, and it's right over there," he points to a large carousel-shaped shop. "Be prepared for a little pomp." he warned.

"Great," Sunset groaned as they trotted on.





The door opened to the shop with a ring of the bell that hung above it. Levi was the first to enter, ducking as he did. He waited and held the door open allowing the first of his family to enter.

"Come along," Levi says, "I don't want to let any insects in. The owner of this place will never let me hear the end of it," he said as Ary was the last to enter. He shut the door, ringing the bell again.

"Just one second!" came a sing-song tone from the back. "Sorry about that darling," came a marshmallow-colored mare from the back, "I was in the middle of inspiration and, Oh my..." She saw Levi, "Hello tall dark, and extremely handsome!"

"Excuse me," Ary caught her attention.

"Oh yes Urgh," Rarity wiped the drool from her mouth, "Why hello there dear my name is Rarity, and welcome to my shop, he Carousel Boutique."

"Thanks," Ary said flatly.

"Forgive me, dear, I know everypony in town and have never met you before but I can swear I know you from somewhere," Rarity tilted her head. "But where?"

"Before you give it too much thought, we have a bit of an emergency on our hooves," Levi stepped out of the way revealing Twilight."

"EEEEEEEEEEKKKKK! WHY ITS ABSOLUTELY HORRID!" rARITY SHREIKED. "What in the name of Celestia's sun happened to your mane dear?"

"A multi-colored pegasus with a speeding addiction," Sunset pointed out.

"She's not wrong," Ary said with Spike nodding.

"I know the one," Rarity gave an annoyed tone, "She's a good pony and great at her job but a lot of lackluster in the beauty department for the lack of a better word. Moving On!" she sang as she popped up behind Twilight then proceeded to push her into a wash basin, "You must hurry and come along so we can fix that... that afro!"

"But we came here 'cause we have a job!" Twilight tried to fight back.

"And what job would that be dear?" Rarity said.

"Final inspections for the decorations for tomorrow's Summer Sun celebration my dear lady," Spike said aloud, "See, it right here on the list," he showed her.

"Oh, a gentle rake," Rarity giggled as she levitated her glasses onto her face, "Let's have a look," she went over hte list. "So, you're all from Canterlot, that explains why I don't remember your faces that well. As for the decorations, well... they've been done for a while now so no need for concern."

"Do you mind if I inspect them anyways?" Levi asked.

"Be my guest god sir," Rarity smiled. "What about you two?" she looked at Sunset and Ary, "How about we get you fitted for some proper Canterlot dresses?"

"I have plenty," Ary crossed her forelegs as she hated dresses.

"I wouldn't mind getting some new clothes for an outing if you're alright with it but no frilly poofy fru-fru stuff please," she said, "I was put grew that some time ago and it didn't grow on me then and it definitely won't suit me now."

"Right this way dear," Rarity motioned. "I'll get started will your sister is soaking. Are you sure you don't want a new dress dear? There are so many possibilities with that lovely mane of yours?"

"I'll just stick with what I have and help my dad and brother for now thank you," Ary snorted as she trotted.

"Funny, I swore she said dad and brother," Rarity said as she joined Sunset then grabbed a tape measure.

"You did hear her say that," Sunset said as she stepped up on the platform.

"Well, there goes that fantasy," Rarity sighed. "I should've guessed with neat identical coat colors though."

"So, a unicorn, a pegasus, or an earth pony foals aren't uncommon to mixed parentages here?" Twilight asked as she stuck her head out, her fro still showing.

"Well.... they're not common, common but they're not exactly rare either dear," Rarity teetered her hoof in hte air. "But I was more shocked to hear about if coming from Canterlot."

"It's actually pretty common to a lot of households," Twilight said. "In my family, we have quite a few foals that come from earth ponies and pegasi.

"I can actually say the same, especially for the stallions on the back," Sunset chuckled as Rarity measured her.

"Don't mover dear," the fashion designer said as she took measurements. "And your daughter is so well behaved I might add."

"PFFFTT AHAHAHAAHA!" Sunset belted. "That's a first! MY DAUGHTER HAHAAHAHAAHAHA!"

"I'm sorry I don't follow the joke," Rarity raised an eyebrow as Twilight came out of the showers.

"Ary isn't Sunset's daughter Rarity, she's her little sister," Twilight said as the mare started to soap up her mane.

"How old is she?" Rarity asked.

"Around nine, ten tops," Sunset said.

"She's around the same age as my little sister then," Rarity cued. "I bit he gets her size from her father then."

"Ehhh.... mostly," Twilight chuckled.

"So, what's the latest gossip from the mountain?" Rarity asked as she finished Sunset's measurement, "I do stay mostly up to date as best I can but I am in a small town so I'm usually a day late and a bit short when it comes to most note worth chatter."

"No idea," Sunset said with a bit of venom. "I stay away from the pompous idiots as much as I can."

"My word," Rarity reeled back slightly. "You must really, uh.... not care for them from that tone."

"Not care is so... Ah Twl how should a put this as to not make her faint from foul language?" Sunset asked the lavender pony as Rarity rushed over and put her mane in curlers and then in a dryer.

"I would say, despises," Twilight said bluntly.

"Yea, yea... let's go with that one for now..." Sunset pointed at her best friend. "Yea, it's safe to say I despise nearly all nobility with the burn passion mo..." she saw Twiligtb making the cut-the-throat gesture as Rarity was looking at Sunset, "Aa-a-a-aah, Princess Celestia sun, yea that's totally what I was gonna say."

"So present company is excluded then," Rarity looked over to twilight who went stiff.

"Oh, I'm not really a nobleman... hehehe..." Twilight chuckled.

"Not true Twi," Sunset grinned.

"Alright fine, I'm a noble but just a minor noble," Twilight huffed. "We have a bit of notably for our family's mage lineage that goes back to the Unification. Outside have a few "

"What about you dear?" Rarity looked at Sunset.

"Aaaaaaaa... Yea I'm pretty far up the social ladder but not proud of it," Sunset looked away. "I try and stay out of the limelight, so you won't find me on any cover of magazines or mentions."

"No, the name Sunset Shimmer doesn't ring any bells to my well-read mind," Rarity ponders while Twilight rolled her eyes and mouth, 'Well-read, yea right... my rump...'

Suddenly the door opened, "Rarity I'm home from school, and I brought Scootaloo with me!"

"Oh, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity returned, "I'm in the fitting area with some guests/ slash new friends. Come say hi, as long as no one is tackled with a scooter this time."

"This time?" Twilight eyed the dressmaker.

"Wait.... did your sister just say 'Scootaloo' ?" Sunset looked at Rarity a little worried.

"What's wrong dear?" Rarity tilted her head. "Don't tell me she already made a bad impression on you? Dear Scootaloo can be a bit full of energy like another certain pony I know but she's still a good filly."

"No, it's not that," Sunset sighed and was then tackled to hte ground by an orange and purple blur.

"Aunt Sunny!" the orange-coated and purple-maned filly known as Scootaloo glowed as she hugged her aunt.

"KU... She's my niece..." Sunset said bluntly with a strained wheeze.

"Wait if you're here? DOES THAT MEAN GRAMPS LEVI IS IN TOWN TOO?!" Scootaloo jumped around.

"Ahhhhh... Scootaloo? Who is that you're hugging?" Rarity's sister asked. 

"Oh, Sweetie," Scootaloo backed off and helped Sunset up. "This is my aunt I've told you about, you know... the one that lives up in Cantorlot?"

"Oh, you mean your mom's younger sister," Sweetie eyed the unicorn up and down, "Yea... I can see the relation to your mom... wait didn't you say you have a pegasus aunt and not a unicorn one?"

"No, I said I have both!" Scootaloo puffed her cheeks out. "You weren't listening to me again!"

"You mean my twin sister Summer Sunshine," Sunset said. "She's a teacher in Cloudsdale and is the pegasus. I'm the unicorn and live in Canterlot with my mom and help out around the palace."

"Oh... Have you met the princesses?" Sweetie beamed. "Princess Celestia and her daughter Princess Stella Aria?"

"A-a-a-a-a-a-ahhhhh... Yea... a lot..." Sunset nervously chuckled.

"So is graMps with you or is it just you and Count Bookula over there?" Scoots points at Twilight.

"I'm not a vampony!" Twilight shouted.

"Funny, cause I could've sworn you dodged sunlight last time!" Scootaloo laughed.

"One time.... one time... It happens one time and you never hear the end of it!" Twilight cursed her luck.

"Hey, where's Spike?" Scootaloo asked. "No way you two come here without my favorite uncle mailbox."

"I'm not a mailbox!" Spike shouted from the doorway he just entered from 

"SPIKE!" Scootalloo shouts and tries to tackle her favorite uncle dragon mailbox friend... thing.... but utterly failed as he merely tanked the hit and just stood there.

"Hey Scoots," Spike patted her head.

"Rarity... there's a dragon in here?" Sweetie tilted her head. "And Scootaloo is hugging him..."

"I know Sweetie!" Rarity sang as she [passed with spool and thread in her magic.

"Sweetie Belle, this is Spike, he's one of my best friends and he's alos a mailbox uncle!" Scootaloo said.

"Not a mailbox!" Spike seethed. "Hi, the name's Spike!"

"So... how long're you staying?" Scoots asked starry eye.

"Till Ary and dad come down and dad says it's time to go," Spike shrugs.

"Ary and Gramps are here! EEEEEEEEEEE!" Scootaloo how now evolved into a Rocketaloo as she zoomed around the room uncontrollably.

"Ahhhhhh....." Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. "So..." She looked at eh dragon who had started to rub the bridge of his nose. "You're a dragon... Why'd Scoots take off like Rainbow Dash on meth?"

"Cause dad and Ary are here," Spike sighed.

"Ary and your dad?" Sweetie crossed her forelegs with a look. "Who's that?"

That's when a figure came out from the shadow behind and tackled the Rocketaloo, "Scooty!"

"Ary!" Scootaloo beamed with joy as they hugged each other. 

"Oh, wait... Dad's coming down now, let's watch," Ary said as she, Scootaloo, and Spike watched Sweetie Belle.

"Ah, are you...." Sweetie pointed are Ary who pointed to the doorway. Sweetie turned and looked. Her gaze then steadily ent upward and her pupils shranks to pinpricks, "Mother....." she eeped out.

"Gramps!" Scootaloo suddenly latched on to the stallion's face.

"memo moomamoo," Levi muffed out before reaching up and pulling the overly stimulated massive of filly that was his granddaughter from his face. "How are you?" He then looked down at the staring Sweetie Belle. "You must be Sweetie Belle?"

"Ehhehehe... Tall..." Sweetie pointed before shaking off the horror. "Wait... Scoots jsut called you gramps.... are you her grandpa?"

"From her mother's side of the family yes," Levi nods.

"How long are you here? Wait, why are you here?" Scoots asked as she continued to beheld with a single hoof.

Levi shrugs, "We're here on business for the Summer Sun Celebration to make sure everything is running smoothly," he explained, "As for how long, unknown..."

The sound of something breaking was heard.

"What?!" 

Everypony looked to see Twilight.

"Ya think it's time to give her the second letter," Ary muttered to Spike from the corner of her mouth.

"Oh, dear..." Levi sighed. "Here we go with another long drown-out rant..."

Ary pulled out a box of earplugs and passed it around.




> Treehouse Party!_!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





"That went smoothly!" Scotaloo buzzed about. 

"Indeed," Levi chuckeld as his grandchild's glee. 

"Yes, it was great!" Twilight gleefully trotted, "Cause that means we finished the list and now we can go back to Canterlot so I can warn Princess Celestia about Nightmare Moon's emminatn return! Now," she motioned to a hot air balloon station, "Let's go!" she sang.

"Ah... Twi..." Sunset held up a hoof.

"What?" Twilight quickly turned. "Come on! Equstria is in Danger!"

"Here you go little Sparkle," Levi pulled a key from the inner pocket of his jacket. "This is the key to the Golden Oak's Library. It's where you, Sunset, and Spike are assgined for your stay here."

"Stay?" Twilight raised a confused eyebrow. She started to think then a nearby timer went off, "WE’RE STAYING HERE OVER NIGHT THROUGH THE WHOLE CELEBRATON!"

"Wow, not bad," Sunset looked at Spike she rasied her ears and he removed his hands form his own. "Well, I mean, it was implied when we were literally tasked with OVERSEEING things here."

"Ary is staying with me," Levi motioned to himself. "At my house not far outside the town off the main road just after the ‘[i)Welcome to Ponyville sign."

"Why aren't we all staying with you then dad?" Spike asked.

"You are the most direct link to your mother Spike and she is more than willing to asnwer Sunset and or Twilight right away 
while I am the one who can handle situations and process them as they arise," Levi explained as he led the way to the library. "But we also don't need to be seen together constantly in order to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves  for the time being! and the library is a better fit for Celestia’s top Students and their number one assisstant mailbox."

"I. AM. NOT. A MAILBOX!" Spike literally roared, knocking several nearby ponies on their rumps with wind blown manes, 

"Oops..." he said recoiled slightly with an embarrassing blush.

Levi patted the top of his son's head, "Nice one. You're really getting good at channeling your dragon magic. And no, your not a mailbox but you do however fall under the category of of a royal mail service member.”

"I'm the royal mail mare?" Spike said with yelped with terror.

"Ha!" Aira pointed, honking Spike’s noise as she did. "You said it with out me having to this time big sister!" She belted as she and Scootaloo rolled around on the ground in a fit of laughter and dust.

"Let’s go with Royal Mail drake," Levi said as they arrived. 

“We’ll, maybe if I see something compelling enough in the books here I can send it to the princess for the next family supper!” Twilight grouched as she put the key in the door.

“Um… “ Scootaloo raised a concerned hoof, “I don’t think you should..."

"Scootaloo... I'm not in the mood for anymoreof this," Twilight motioned around herself. "I just want to go in, get some books, and TRY to compile a presentable case for your grandmother to avert the next Great Equestrain catastrophe to befall us BEFORE it happens in the next.... Say twelve or less hour..." 

Twilight turned back and opned the door, "Where's the damn light switch?!"

"Here Twi I'll help," Sunset trotted in the dark room and light her horn. "Hey I think I found it!"

SURPRISE!!!!!!

Was the next thing that was heard from inside the tree.

Levi walked in and saw the whole town with drinks. Sunset was in awe and taking in the atmosphere but Twilight was noticeably missing.

"Hey?" came the pink pony with the poofy pinkier mane and tail, "Where'd she go?"

Levi then heard a slight crumbling sound before a bit of ceiling fill on his head. He looked up to see none other than Twilight Sparkle latched onto the ceil with he mane and tail standing straight up on  end as she’d shoved her hood into an electrical outlet. She was gripping onto the ceiling so tightly it was cracking and was so shocked while doing so she was jittering in place.

“Oh nice one!” Pinkie laughed snorted. “That’s a tough trick to pull off even for me!”

"Well... that's a first..." Spike point.

"Yeah... I've never seen her do THAT.... before...." Aria pointed a bit puzzled.

"To be fair," Scootaloo added in her two scents, "I was trying to warn her about it before she so rudely interrupeted me, but after that outburst I think she got what she delivered."

All of the youths nodded in agreement.

""Go play," Levi shoed them all off. "Now...." he looked up, "How do we get her down?"

Sunset then got a wickledly evil grin on her face.





Later...

“I can’t believe you threw shoes at me!” Twilight huffed at he best friend slash somewhat adopted sister and fellow student.

‘Hey,” Sunset shrugged, “it worked didn’t it?”

“That was still no reason to do it,” Levi chided.

Sunset winced slightly at the tone in her father’s voice, “Sorry Twi!” She said to the purple unicatacorn.

Twilight let out a sigh, “It’s alright Sunset just don’t do it again. I’m just a bit….”

“On edge?” Aria said.

“Annoyed?” Spike added.

“Pissed off?” Scootaloo tacted on.

“Yea those,” Twi deadpanned.

“Mouth meet soap,” Levi said to his granddaughter.

“Oh shit,” Scootaloo’s eyes shrank.

“First one was a warning,” Levi picked the orange filly by the scruff of her neck, “now you get it,” he glared at the filly as Spike handed his father a rather frothy bar of green soap.

“You little….” Scootaloo glared as Levi literal washed her mouth out before leaving her gargling and burping up bubbles.

“Wow!” Pinkie popped up. “I’ve heard stories from Nanna Pie about Mr. Levi. Seeing he how  is serious he is about how he raises kids is another thing once you see it first hoof!” she drank some of juice.

“Don’t use that language anymore or you'll get worse,” Levi warned as he set Scootaloo down who grumbled off with Spike and Aria who were doing their bust to keep from busting a gut at the sight of an orange with green rabies. “And you,” Levi turned to Pinkie who froze. “I’m been on good terms with the Pie family for a time now so I know exactly who you are.”

“Ma and Pa told me to give you whatever you need Sir!” Pinkie salute.

“Relax Ms. Pie,” Levi waved a hoof. “Your family has been good to us. They’re our must trusted materials finding and delivery service. I also heard you have your special talents as well. But let me warn you. I don’t take being spied on magically or otherwise at all with a grain or even a hint of salt. My business is mine and no one else’s. So when I say leave it a lone you do what?”

“Leave it alone sir!” Pinkie said. “Unless told otherwise right?”

“Correct,” Levi nodded once. “I don’t mind you checking in with me every now and and then for updates about this town. In fact I encourage it as long as it doesn’t get to in your face or just plain wired, and given your reputation, it can go the latter  most of the time.”

“Sorry, it’s just who I am,”  Pinkie nervously chuckled. “And you can call me Pinkie!”

“It’s not a bad thing just try and restrain yourself,” Levi waved it off. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go save a purple unicorn whose already been traumatized enough by your surprises. I don’t think a prank from Rainbow Dash is in high demand right now.”

He trotted off.

“Wow….” Pinkie said. “He’s even more intense then Nanna Pie said…. And hot!”





Twilight Sparkle was currently in raptured in a lecture on the basics of how to make a very decent apple cider by none other than Applejack. A few other ponies had joined in in the hopes she’d perhaps give away a secret or two on how the Apple Family brewed their signature brew.

She made sure not to though.

Coming up to the group was none other than the fearless Rainbow Dash with two red solo cups in her hooves. One spiked specifically for a lavender unicorn with a special sauce.

“Hey there everypony!” She called out. “How we hanging so far?”

“Hey Rainbow,” Applejack slightly lifted her hat. “Been wonderin where ya were.”

“Hanging out here and there,” RD motioned, not wanting to mention she’d been frozen in place for nearly the whole day after her first encounter with Twilight’s group only to wake up and finding her mane been braided with a flower tiara on her head with a sign around her neck that said ‘best princess’. “I just thought I’d bring our newest townspony a celebratory drink to mark the occasion.”

She lifted the drink to the unicorn.

“Sorry to burst your blue bubble but I’m not moving to this town,” Twilight skeptically raised an eyebrow, having been forwarded by Papa Levi about the fondness of a certain pair of pink and cyan menaces and their notion for pranks.

“What’s your deal?” RD asked. “It’d be great to live hear instead of up there with all the damn nobles who have a stick to far their asses they’re nearly gagging on it!”

“It’s not that bad, as long as you know how to deal with them,” Susnet added with a snicker as fire flickered over her up held hoof. 

“You have a lot of issues don’t you darling?” Rarity asked as she slowly put some distances between her and the fire starter.

“Who doesn’t?”  Sunset shrugged.

“Indeed,” Levi remarked as he looked down and eyed Sunset who nervously chuckled as she swiftly put out her fire.

“Oh, Spitfire pops!” RD excitedly said. “Just the hunk of a stallion I wanted to talked to! You look great for a guy in his fifties or  sixties by the way. Can we talk ? Drink?” She offered him the unspiked one with out thinking, completely forgetting her plan as he took it.

“No,” Levi said flatly.

“What do you mean no!” RD shot back. “You don’t even know what I was gonna ask?”

“I’m not going to help you with getting in the Wonderbolts or seeing my daughter,” Levi waved off the very notion. 

“Best I’m Rainbow Dash!” The prismatic Pegasus motioned. “The fastest flyer in all Equestria! I’m the best there is!”

“Those are your own self proclamations!” Levi point his metal hoof at her. “As far as I can tell, you’re no better than any of the other up and comers who think they can get a shot to the top just because the have decent speed levels. Do what I told you earlier today and swim the channels. If you as good as you proclaim then my girl will have no difficulty spotting you amongst all the others. Until you set hoof in front of my with a cadet badge on a uniform collar at the least then you are no more worthy than any other passerby.

He drank his juice, “thank you for the juice and enjoy the rest of that party.”

He tossed the cup over his shoulder into he nearest trash can before leave RD to fly there grumbling. 

“I am the fastest in Equestria!” She finally said aloud as she then sipped some of her juice and looked at the cup and smacked a couple of times. “Hmmmm….. what’s Pinkie been….” She started to say as her face with from cyan to pink to red as steam shot out her eyes. “WATER!!!”

RD shot over to the nearest open sink quickly turning to on to guzzle down at least a gallon to quinch the flames dancing on her tongue.

Everypony quickly burst into laughter as the blue prankster had just been done in by her own joke.

“What?” Pinkie said a she was on of the few who wasn’t laughing. “That’s barely even mild!” She added as she pulled out a bottle of hot sauce from her man and drank straight from the bottle with several glugs before tossing over her should to let out a sizzling belch. “Mmmmm.... Tangy!!!”

“You knew she was going to prank me didn’t you?” Twilight looked at her second father.

“Perhaps,” Levi shrugged nonchalantly. 

“I have to say that was the fastest I’ve even seen that shade of blue turn to that shade of red! Ahaha! Good one!” Sunset laughed she high hooked her father on the left to avoid pain. “But dad, how’d did you, Ya know.... Know?”

“I’ve been to this town on occasion and know of some of its more notable occupants reputable actions,” Levi said as he pointed to Pinkie and Rainbow, the latter claiming she should at least be able to handle her hot sauce better just in case this sort of thing happens.

“Aka, dad has been around the block a few times!” Ary giggled.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Scootaloo said a she belched with a green bubble coming from her mouth as slowly float across the room till Spike opened a window to set it free.

“Think about it Scoots,” Spike chimed in as he suckled on a juice box. “Dad lived as a mercenary for, well….. a long time before he even met mom so he’s already pretty skilled in picking up on things. He’s probably set up simpler traps than that joke. Then think of his time living with mom,” he held up two claws. “She may be the princess of the sun but, she has been known to have a bit of a means streak amongst the castle staff fora prank or three on the worst of days.”

“And he keeps up with your two and your cousin!” Sunset smirked as he stuck her nose in the air.

“Don’t sell yourself short my oh so firery dear daughter,” Levi eyed the green eyed child who quickly shrank back. “You and your lavender best friend/sister have a more than stellar reputation all your own that is quite a few miles long.”

“Eheheeeee…..” Sunset looked away and over at Twilight who was stuffing her face with cake, having finally come to the conclusion that she wasn't going to be able to do any research let alone get her way to go back to the castle. “Yea, some best best friend.
…”

“Enjoy your night and the party!” Levi said. “Just try and not make to big mess. I have my own friends to mingle with,” he said as she strolled over the group of older ponies in room.

“You heard him right?!” Pinkie popped up out of nowhere. “LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!!!!”

The light started flashing and everypony started to bust a move, from the outside some pony swore they saw the library leave the ground a few times.