The Princess was working on diligently on a new book. It was an historical novel based on the life of Star Swirl the Bearded. It was a rather fascinating yarn, even if it wasn't very accurate, and it more than made up for the disappointment of being exempted from the tonight's rather exclusive banquet. Even though it was at Princess Celestia's behest, the younger princess found compliance deeply frustrating.

She put down the book but not before marking her place. The smell of jasmine tea and hazelnut muffins was wafting in from downstairs, making for a tempting distraction. Her adjunct was busy within the confines of the kitchen in this temporary royal quarters. The drake was baking up a storm this evening to placate his quasi-older sister's pent up grievance. Amongst the multitude capabilities in his extensive skill set, reacting positively to his sorceress' moods was paramount.

"Muffins are ready!" the Drake called.

"Excellent! A muffin break is a capitol idea."

"Aren't we in the capitol?"

Twilight Sparkle chuckled, amused by her ancilla's semantic confusion. This was Spike's greatest asset; despite the cleverness of her avian companion, Owlowscious could not hope to banter with Twilight in the same way Spike could.

"Yes, we are," clarified Twilight, "but that's 'capitol' with an '-ol.' I used 'capital' with an '-al.' It means splendid or excellent."

"Oh!" exclaimed the drake, "Did we just make a pun?"

"Yes, we did," the alicorn answered, poring herself a cup of tea taking a sip, "This is good tea."

"I had some help making it." Spike said.

"Did you? Who was it?"

"Oh, nopony you would know." answered a serpentine voice.

Twilight was startled, for she believed she and Spike were alone in the kitchen. She did a quick sweep of the room and found they were not by themselves. She was surprised to see a familiar great chimera taking a measured sip of tea from a cracked cup; she did her best to not look or act astonished.

"Hello, Discord," Twilight said with a nervous smile, "What brings you here?"

"Oh, you know," Discord replied, before biting into a muffin, "a little of this, of little of that."

Twilight gives the chimera a withering look; by now she has a keen handle on how Discord operates. She trusts him as far as she could buck him and has little tolerance for his infantile nonsense. He ignores her, though.

"Discord," Twilight impugned, "What are you doing here?"

He answers, "Well, now that you ask, I was supposed to be doing something…"

Spike, who was doing his level best to blend into the furniture, now gave Discord a look of deepest reproach. The drake asks with deepest resentment, "Does it have anything to do with with that scroll you're holding?"

"You're no fun," grumbled Discord, "but yes, it does have something to do things tonight…"

"A scroll?" wondered the Princess.

"Yes," riposted Discord, showing the young alicorn the rolled up parchment, "specifically, this scroll."

"I'll take that," Spike said, yet Discord lifted up and away from the drakes grasp. However, Owlowiscious swooped in and snatched it from Discord's clutches; the owl drops the missive at Twilight's hooves. With a burst of magic, she retrieves it from the ground and opens it. She reads it, sipping her tea in an absentminded fashion.

"…it's from Princess Celestia…" she murmurs.

"That's odd," Spike muses, "why didn't she send it through the usual channels?"

"Because I volunteered to do so." croons Discord.

"That's a little unorthodox, even for The Princess," Twilight comments.

Discord gives her a shrewd look and says, "She was, we can say, otherwise engaged."

Exasperated with Discord's obtrusiveness, Twilight returned to her mentor's letter. A new student? Twilight wondered, Didn't The Princess say Sunset Shimmer wasn't ready for instruction yet? Who is this Free Lancer, anyway? I don't remember Princess Celestia mentioning this pony before…

"Wait a minute!" Twilight exclaimed, "Discord, did you just arrive from the diplomatic banquet Princess Celestia held tonight?"

Discord responded, "And if I did?"

"You would have seen the foreign delegation then! I know it's not the Saddle Arabians; she met them just last week."

"You're point being what, exactly?"

"You must know who Princess Celestia guests were!"

Discord replies, "Yes, I guess I could have…"

"Please," Twilight implores, "can you tell me who they are?"

"Well," the chimera muses, "Since you asked."

The draconequus takes another measured sip, then tells Twilight all he heard and saw at the banquet. The explanation is quite forlorn of detail. Discord is no expert at court reporting. The only time he gives anything more than a cursory description is when he expounds on on Free Lancer. His portraiture of the stallion is nigh unto rapturous…

"You should see this stallion, Twilight! So tall and fierce! Almost four pony lengths from flank to tip! And such a proud horn… He couldn't be more perfect if I created him‼ I think you'd like him, Twilight."

"You mean this Free Lancer is an alicorn?!"

"Not just any alicorn, my little dragon," Discord added, "a Thunder Colt!"

The Princess gave Discord of a quizzical glare and asked, "What's a Thunder Colt?"

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Discord gasps, "My Thunder Colts are alicorns, not unlike yourself, but brimming with chaotic magic! It's been a millenium since I've last seen them… not since their insurrection… Actually, it's more than a millenium, if I recall. It was before Princess Luna turned into Nightmare Mare…"

"How have I not heard about them?" Twilight questions, "Were they petrified like you were?"

Discord scoffs, "After rebelling against me and teaming with Tia and Lulu to seal me away? Too much to hope for…"

"But I've never heard of them," Twilight cried, "and I've read every historical text in Equestria!"

"Well," Discord suggest, "Maybe not every one …"

☈

Early the next morning, a certain herd of ponies has assembled at a good friends home. The building is currently uninhabited, but a great deal of it's former resident's possessions were still strewn about the place. The ponies were discussing a summons sent to them via royal messengers. A mare sporting a stetson on top of her straw colored mane is the first to speak.

"Hey, ya'll, did ya get this delivered to ya this morning?"

A cobalt maned mare answers: "Yes, I did! On official Canterlot stationery, no less."

A candy colored mare exclaims, "I'm so excited‼"

Next the candied mare is a rainbow tressed pegasus who adds, "I wonder what twilight needs us for? My bet is its something awesome!!"

"It must be something urgent, if she summoned us all so soon." said a pale pegasus with pale coat.

The stetsoned mare declares, "Well, I reckon we should get there, a.s.a.p."

"I'm with AJ on this," blurts the rainbowed pegasus, "let's not waste any daylight!"

"But-" complains the cobalt maned unicorn, "I haven't packed-!"

The candy colored mare urges the cobalt maned unicorn, "Come on, Rarity, live a little!"

The unicorn moans and refuses to relent.

The pale coated pegasus tries to reason with the unicorn, "Rarity, Twilight needs us. She would never let us down."

"Oh, all right!" the unicorn concedes.

The stetsoned mare then says, "It's settled then. Let's move 'em out!"

☈

Princess twilight sent her summons via royal currier early the next morning, calling on her Ponyville friends first. She also sent for her two new charges: the recently returned Sunset Shimmer and her new student, Free Lancer. It was her decision to start teaching Shimmer alongside Lancer. Princess Celestia had reservations about letting Shimmer resume her studies; to the monarch's eye, Shimmer's time spent in the mystic looking glass was mismanaged, even though her attitude had improved somewhat. She did agree that Lancer would be an excellent foil for Shimmer's impatience; her measure of the Thunder Colt was one of infinite patience and humility, a desirable trait for any student.

Twilight waited in her royal quarters for her friends. The train from Ponyville was expected to arrive within the hour; she had, as of yet, met her new pupil, although he was the first to arrive to her summons. With her curiosity ramped to epic proportions, Twilight decided to to satisfy her urge and interview the Thunder Colt. he glided to the antechamber where her personal guard escorted the alicorn.

"He's still in there?" she asked.

"Yes, My Princess," answered Flash Sentry, "he's been quiet for almost an hour."

"Wow," she remarks, "he must must be really patient."

"Or asleep," Flash retorts, "Ms. Shimmer is dead to the world in the next room. I haven't heard him snoring, though."

"Let's open the door and find out."

Flash nods, pushing the door of the chamber open. Inside, the french windows at the other end of the room are open; the gossamer curtains billow on the incoming breeze. The Thunder Colt in question is settled on a pouf, looking outward into the adjacent courtyard. A shaft of morning sunlight is just breaching past the outer hedges. Twilight can hear the babbling waters of a fountain, the tweeting of songbirds awakening in the trees and just above the din, a soft voice. Twilight looks at Flash, who shakes his head. Then she realizes it is Lancer's voice; he's singing.

♪"I love the mountains, I love the the clear blue sky

I love big bridges, I love when great whites fly

I love the whole world and all its sights and sounds.

Boom-de-ya-dah! Boom-de-ya-dah! Boom-de-ya-dah! Boom-de-ya-dah!"♫

Twilight clears her throat, saying, "Excuse me, Lord Free Lancer?"

The stallion, upon hearing his name, starts in alarm. He pulls something wrapped around his head, which produces a popping sound. His magic winds a wiring of some sort around a rectangular object. He stands up from his pouf and walks briskly to the princess. His face hold an agog look before an embellished grin appears upon it. It is here that Twilight realizes that most of Discord's depiction of the Thunder Colt was grossly exaggerated.

"You rang?"

"Ah, ye," Twilight began, "We haven't been formally introduced, have we?"

"Neigh," Lancer replied, "but I already know of you, Princess."

Nervously, Twilight says, "Surely you jest."

"I'm not and don't call me Shirley."

"I'm sorry, Your Lordship?"

Lancer chuckles, saying, "Just yankin' your fetlocks."

The alicorn mare giggles anxiously and says, "Ah, a joke!"

Lancer nods, "Yea, verily! Also, for future reference, it's just Free Lancer, Lancer for short. That title has never sat well with me."

"Noted," Twilight replies, "I'm still pretty new to this 'Princess' thing myself. I'm not as accustomed it as I'd like to be."

"Even so, it becomes you," Lancer says, "You're everything I pictured you to be."

Twilight blushes, asking, "Oh, really?"

"Yes, very much so. Mind you," Lancer adds, "I speak with some bias. All the mares in the Retirement Estates are as graceful as you. A good many of them have elegance in spades. Yet, I doubt any of them have your skill in magic. Nor or as eloquent."

"I'm sorry?" said Twilight, bewildered.

Lancer gives a curious look to the Princess, then tilts his head slightly. He sees, just beyond her, a flustered Flash Sentry. It's then he realizes his faux pas.

"By the unfurled wings of Mustang, I've done and made myself misunderstood! Mille scuse, Lady Twilight! I wasn't- I would dare think of flirting with my instructor! I'm sorry if anything I said was misconstrued in such a manner! My intention was to commence with pleasantries. My compliments are strictly platonic in nature."

Twilight laughs nervously, saying, "Ah, yes, pleasantries; just polite- pleasantries."

From somewhere far, a gong sounds. Flash Sentry turns to the sound. From the foyer, the sound of hooves clopping and excited babble can be heard. Princess Twilight, upon hearing her visitors, begins bouncing on her hooves.

"They're here!"

"Who's- here?" Lancer questions.

"Some very important ponies!" Twilight answers, then to Flash Sentry, "Could you gather Sunset Shimmer for me, please?"

"As you wish, my Princess." says Flash, who promptly gallops the length of the corridor. He knocks on the door of the room down at the other end; a reparteé commences from the doorway. The door slams shut and an angry exchange follows. Minutes later, Flash has returned with a mare whose mane reminds Lancer of dancing flames.

"Is this my fellow student?" Lancer asks.

Twilight nods, "Yes, she is. Sunset Shimmer, this is Free Lancer; Free Lancer, Sunset Shimmer."

Lancer holds out a hoof of greeting, but it is not reciprocated.

"Charmed, I'm sure," Shimmer mocks.

"Absolutely," Lancer responds, nonplussed.

"Let's get going then!" Twilight says brightly.

Turning on hoof, Twilight trots towards the sound of of the voices, Flash Sentry flanking her in lockstep.

"Follow me!" The Princess says.

Shimmer and Lancer follow in her wake down the corridor, away from their respective antechambers. The group walks in silence for several moments; only the babble downstairs and the clopping of hooves down the hall are heard. AFter a while, the quiet is broken.

"I just hope these ponies aren't dignitaries. I've seen more a lifetimes share of them." Lancer comments.

"No dignitaries toady, Lancer," Twilight retorts, "but they are some of my VIPs."

"What's the matter, Feathers?" Shimmer chides, "Tired of pressing the hooves?"

"Nessun commento," Lancr answers, "besides the headache I suffered afterward…"

Shimmer had a zinger ready for Lancer but never had the chance to utter it. The procession had stopped; they had reached the foyer. Waiting for them there were five ponies who recognized Twilight at once. The Princess was delighted to see them as well.

Twilight announces, "Free Lancer, Sunset Shimmer, I'd like you to meet my very best friends!"

The candy colored mare is the first to approach, whom Lancer is already acquainted.

"This is Pinkie Pie." Twilight says.

Shimmer says nothing but does hold out a perfunctory hoof; Pinkie Pie shakes it vigorously.

"We've met before," Lancer says as Pinkie converges on him.

"Oh, yeah!" the candied pony exclaims, "Bee-tee-double-ewe, how were the cupcakes?"

"Delicious!"

The next pony in the introductions is a sandy colored mare with a stetson on her head.

"Applejack's the name; Apple bucking is my game!"

Next was a pale coated mare with a shock of deep cobalt for a mane. It was expertly coiffed.

"The name is Rarity, darlings."

"Enchantée, Lancer says, planting a kiss on her outstretched hoof. Her resultant blush is not unexpected.

"I'm Rainbow dash, reserve member of the Wonderbolts and all around mare-of-action!"

"Undoubtedly," Lancer remarks, "Maybe I'll see you at a show sometime."

"You know it it!" Dash beams.

The last pony in for introductions is a creamy mare with a sugar pink mane. She is not as forthcoming as her fellow mares; in fact, she looks downright terrified of being here. To Lancer, this is of no concern. He has seen his share of fillies and mares, but never in his short life has he met a pegasus like this. His heart fails him for the first time and a lump forms in his throat; cotton has stuffed his mouth closed.

M-my name is Fl- Fluttershy. P- pleased to meet y-you.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Lancer says.

M-my name i-is F-Fluttershy. Please-pleased t-to me-meet y-you…"

"My apologies, I still can't hear you."

"You'll have to forgive Fluttershy," The Princess says, "she can be rather shy around ponies she doesn't know."

"Oh, no worries," Lancer replies, "I can understand a little apprehension when meeting somepony new."

"A 'little' apprehension?" Dash says and is immediately shushed down by Rarity and Applejack.

"It is a delight to meet any friend of Lady Twilight," Lancer says, "and it my pleasure to meet you, Lady Fluttershy."

"You're welcome." she says, to which Lancer nods.

"Well, now that we've been introduced, I thinks it's time I explain why i gathered you all here today." reveals Twilight.

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie shouts, "Are we going to have a party?!"

"Sorry, Pinkie," Princess Twilight answers, "no parties today."

Pinkie Pie sighs dejectedly at this news.

"What are we doin' here, Twilight?" Applejack inquires.

"I'm glad you asked," Twilight begins, "as you may know, now that I'm a Princess, my studies with Princess Celestia are over. There is still much i need to learn, but the majority of my lessons are done with. That said, part of my royal duties include teaching what I've learned. Princess Celestia has tasked me with instructing Free Lancer in the magic of friendship. Lancer isn't my only student; Sunset Shimmer has just returned from the Magic Mirror. Her experiences on the other side have taught her much. Although The Princess has- some objection, to Shimmer continuing her studies, I have taken responsibility for her instruction."

"Wasn't Sunset Shimmer the one that who stole your crown?" Dash asked querulously.

"Yeah, that was me," Shimmer answered, "not my proudest moment, I'll admit. I don;t blame any of you for not trusting me. Doing that was the third dumbest thing I've ever done. Number two was trying to destroy Twilight Sparkle."

"Only the second dumbest?" Dash challenges.

Shimmer nods, then continues, "Because the dumbest thing I ever did was abandon my studies with the Princess. I let myself be fooled by The Mirror and that blinded me to all else. I'm sorry for what I did; all I wanted to do was be the hero of my own story. Failing that, I wanted the power to change my destiny. Fat lot of good that did me. I had- have a lot to learn.

"I don't expect your forgiveness, but in the least, I hope you're willing to at least- I dunno- tolerate me. I'll be honest with you all: I'm not the easiest pony to get along with. In the past I've been self-centered, conniving, manipulative, brutish, and vindictive. Those traits didn't get me what I wanted; not one ounce. So, I'll be doing things Princess Celestia and Twilight's way from now on. I want to do things right, for a change."

"Well," Rarity chimes, "I suppose you should be given a chance. I would love to style that gorgeous mane yours, darling."

Shimmer smiles, her eyes brimming with tears and says, "I'd like that."

"Good," Twilight says, "because that's the reason I asked you girls here today. I learned the power of friendship through you all. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, you all taught me what no book could. I'm hoping that you five could extend that same courtesy to Lancer and Shimmer."

The Ponyville Gang conserves amongst themselves, and after several moments, they agree to help. Princess twilight makes them "Pinkie Promise" to it.

"Repeat after me, girls,

'Cross my heart

and hope to fly

stick a cupcake in my eye!"

There was a ritual handshake between Twilight and her friends. This made Lancer chortle.

"What's so funny?" Dash asks.

"Yeah, Feathers," jeers Shimmer, "what's got your funny bones?"

"Sorry, it's just you girls reminded me of a similar oath we Thunder Colts take."

"You do?" Pinkie inquires.

Lancer nods and says, "Ours is a little different than your, but is essentially the same."

"How does it go?" Twilight asks.

Lancer sits on his hind legs and raises his right fore hoof, reciting thus:

"Cross my heart

and hope to fry

with a lightning bolt betwixt the eyes."

The room fell silent as Lancer raised himself to standing again.

"Admittedly," Lancer adds, "that was a little macabre. We Thunder Colts tend towards fatalistic that way."

"O-kay…" Twilight mutters, "I do believe our business here is concluded. Who's hungry?"

⚜

Author's Note

Okay, the last chapter in the arc of The Thunder Colt Saga. Writer's block was kicking my ass through for this chapter. Next time, I'll have the chapters planned out beforehand… Anyway, some notes on this chapter.
Finally, FINALLY, I get to introduce Twilight in the story. My notes for tTCS have the story placed within canon a month after the events in Equestria Girls. This why Shimmer appears here. She'll be an integral part of the story later.
I hope I was able to humanize Lancer a bit here. I found out a little earlier in the month that there was a character fairly similar to my stallion, albeit in the Gen2 series, "My Little Pony Tales." (The pun is killing me!) Along with this writing this chapter, I also redrew FL to better match this old skool colt. Some of his persona is included in here, too.
I tired to write Discord a lot like I imagine John de Lancie would: smooth, calculating, irreverent. I also liked the idea that he lies to Twilight about Free Lancer. This gives The Lord of Chaos a little thrill to mind fuck a new princess…
Did I include any Chekhov's Guns in here? Methinks I did.
Shimmer's line after Rarity's compliment came to me from, of all places,a Rock Star game, namely "Bully." One of the female characters in the game, Zoey Taylor, says that line after the protagonist, Jimmy Hopkins, kisses her. I figured that's the way Shimmer would react to that comment.
Speaking of Shimmer, her attitude through most of this is one of appraisal. She's only recently returned from the Mirror and she's learned plenty from the Gang there. She's still getting used to being a pony again, so she feels more than a little apprehensive. SHe's not entirely sure that the Ponyville ponies are her friends are not. She's also a little pissed about getting teamed up with a pony she sees as a rival. That's why Shimmer calls Lancer "Feathers." She might see him in a different light later on… That'll be a story for another day.
Keep Calm and Flutter On, Bronies!