"I think that's everything," a dark green stallion sighed with relief, running a hoof through his white, buzz cut mane. "Now then, I should probably be off to Ponyville." He glanced at the clock. "OK, my train leaves in thirty minutes. That will be enough time to say my goodbyes."
The stallion trotted to the front door of the Canterlot castle, where Celestia and Luna patiently waited. The two princesses flashed simple smiles at him. "Ah, Lance, good to see you're on time," Celestia said in her usual gentle voice. "Are you sure you want to leave? You can stay here if you really wish,"
Lance shook his head. "No thanks, I want to live a peaceful retirement in Ponyville. Besides, I don't really like Canterlot society." The princess nodded. "Still, I want to say that it was an honor serving in the guard."
Just as Lance was about to leave, Luna's voice stopped him. "Wait, thoust has a letter!" Luna was still used to talking in the old royal voice. Lance used his magic to open the letter and hold it over him.
Dear Lance Corporal,
I heard about your retirement and how you were moving to Ponyville. I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person to see you off, but I have an empire to run and a guard to command, I hope you forgive me. Thank you for taking me under your wing and appointing me as your successor. It meant more to me than I originally let on. You were always somewhat stubborn and aggressive, but you were also wise and calculating. I wish you a peaceful retirement. Maybe you can visit Cadence and I in the Crystal Empire sometime.
Also, I have a sister who lives in Ponyville. You might remember her, does the name Twilight Sparkle seem familiar to you? She lives in the library in town. You should ask her for a tour around town, she will gladly take time for such a close friend of her brother.
Let me know how things are going sometime.
Your old apprentice,
Shining Armor
The line green eyes if the stallion began to fill with tears before he wiped them away. "Liquid pride, sorry," he quickly added. Celestial and Luna laughed. "Now I know where he got that phrase from," Celestia replied.
"I should probably get going now," Lance stated. "It's a good walk to the train station, and I don't want to be late," Celestia and Luna nodded with acceptance.
"Best of luck to you, Lance Corporal!" Luna shouted to the stallion right before the doors closed.
As the train traveled to Ponyville, Lance silently watched from outside his window. He was happy that he could settle down into a life of peace. When he first got into town, he would visit Twilight Sparkle, like Shining Armor suggested in the letter. He thought for several seconds before a voice cut into his train of thought.
"You mind if I sit next to you?" Lance turned over to see a young, purple dragon. After a split-second of surprise, the guard regained his senses. The dragon looked friendly and harmless, so he guessed it wouldn't hurt.
"Oh, I won't mind," Lance replied in a simple, neutral way.
"Thanks. My name's Spike," Spike made himself comfortable next to me. "I'm a dragon. Who are you?"
"My name is Lance, Lance Corporal,"
Spike looked at Lance with slight confusion, "Isn't that a military rank?"
"Eh, my family has always been in the military, the Corporals. We are a unicorn family who served in the Royal Guard, and as mages in the real military. We have ties with the Privates, Pegasi who often served in the Wonderbolts. My father always liked the name Lance, and with it being a rank, why not name your child that?"
"Oh, so how was life in the guard, Lance?"
"I was captain for 13 years. Shining Armor was my successor and apprentice."
Spike suddenly has a look of realization. "Oh, I remember Twilight speaking about you, and how she used to hate you when she was little," he laughed, but Lance was confused.
"Why did she hate me?" Lance asked.
"She said you always required recruits to be on time, and you trained with them for hours on end. She says you took her BBBFF away from her when she was little."
"So does she still hate me?"
"Nah, she said she understood as she matured, and now she is probably indifferent. Why do you care anyway?"
Lance revealed the letter, letting Spike read it.
"So, you have plans to visit Twilight when you arrive in Ponyville?"
"You would be correct."
"I could take you to her, I am her number one assistant!" He boasted with pride. Lance rolled his eyes in the other direction.
"Sure," he replied, not wanting to squash the baby dragon's enthusiasm.
"Wait until Pinkie Pie hears you've arrived, she'll have a grand party thrown for you in no time," Spike smiled, thinking about the pink mare's parties.
Lance didn't really want a party right away, he wanted to settle in first. However, it was nice that the townsfolk would be so welcoming of him to throw a party. He had a feeling he was going to like the ponies of this town.
The sound of the train screeching to a stop jarred the stallion out of his thoughts. "We're here!" Spike shouted. As the other passengers unloaded, Lance drug his suitcase off the train after Spike.
"Ah, there you are, Spike," the sound of a young mare hit Lance's ears. He turned to see a familiar purple face.
The mare squinted. "Wait, I remember you."
