Inbreedby Gretel MK IIChaptersSightings, discovery, and conversationsDeportation and confusionA Train RideNoteArrival and bondingSightings, discovery, and conversations IMBREED "why do we have to stand here; I mean its not like anypony is going to attack here, we might as well be here for just melting in the sun." the young unicorn guard said "well ever since the attack on canterlot one year ago princess celestia wanted to make sure that all the towns in the area are well protected by the royal guard." spoke the aged unicorn guard who's voice had years of experiences "oh come on like anything here is going to attack the settlements here, before the whole bug invasion the-" the recruit was cut off by the age guards hoof "it was the changeling invasion and we were defeated in less than half an hour, yet we had the whole guard up there and captain Shinning armor, but we were easily defeated by them." the aged guard spoke with denial in his voice "well I mean, I didn't know that meant a lot to you I thought we won, didn't we." the young recruit spoke hearing for an answer for the veteran guard "yes, but we were easily defeated by their army and out number its something most guards there don't speak of." the veteran guard spoke with pain in his voice as he was tasked to protect canterlot from a unknown threat "I'm sorry, its just I barely got posted here and thought why are we protecting this place since there's no danger." the recruit spoke with a tone of empathy for disrespecting the veteran guards lack of protection "heh, well its just that I want to make sure this does not happen to any pony settlements, and make sure their is no threat of invasion to them." the age guard spoke with determination "ya, I was in manehatten when it happened, I'm guessing this position here, is to make up for what you could've done at the siege of canterlot." the recruit spoke with fear that he might disrespect his superior again "sure why not" he stated as both guard were positioned in the hot dessert of appleloosa a small faint white dot could be spotted at the edge of the mountainous dessert "hey you see that sir." the guard spoke "see what all that's in this dustbowl is nothing, but rocks, boulders, and hot sand." he shrugged "that white dot all the way out there moving, it could be some thing should we check?" the recruit said "no, we are to be guarding this town and make sure its gates are protected, it could be some wild animal known to these park." the aged guard said annoyed to the question "oh, I guess you right there's no reason to attack here, since this town could've already been attacked ages ago and there's nothing to steal here except, apples hehe." "y'all doin okay there" the mysterious feminine voice said "yes, mam" the guards said together "tis just seeing you two there, out in celestia sun can make quite a feller hot, y'all two don't need anything." the mare spoke with concern to the guards health "we're fine mam, its just hot that's all, all this sand can really annoy you." the age guard spoke with slight force "well, just seeing you two out here protecting our small town id like to make sure you don't catch a stroke" the mare said "were fine we have water if needed" the recruit said with cheer "okay dan I'll be going, so lo- what in tarnation is cow doing up there?" the mare spoke "cow?" the recruit said "sure don know there a'int no grass here what is one doing out there there all supposed to be headed to ponyville to eat at them large open pastures." "it looks like its heading this way, should we check sir it could be dangerous, if not investigated." the recruit said as if he was preparing to battle something out of the dessert with his spear ready "should I come y'all could use some help." "we'll go its not safe a citizen to leave, come on gold shield lets move." iron hoof said "yes, sir" the two guards continued to walk the hot dessert of appleloosa, gold shield kept looking back seeing as the town became smaller and smaller as they approached the unknown thing, unlike iron hoof he was staring forward ready to see what this white mystery is "there it is sir" "great, know we need to see WHAT this is." iron hoof said already knowing they would carry this thing all the way back to the town they made their way down the small dune of sand onto were the thing collapsed at the proceeded slowly as they would fall and tumble on the loose sand that surrounded them as their faces were obscured by the hot blistering sand that would blow in their face from the summer breeze "ugh....all...most...there" gold shield said as he struggled not to slide done the small dune as iron hoof had the same problem only that he had a hard time trying not close his eyes as the sand kept blowing into his face and burning his eyes "erghgr stop, stop, stop, stop!" iron hoof said as his eyes were red due to the sand that kept on blowing in his face as he rubbed the sand out of them "what's the matter sir, were still not there." gold shield said confused on why his superior told him to halt "my eyes, uhgh this sand keeps getting in my eyes and I cant see a darn thing, how close are we gold shield." iron hoof said as he continued to rube his eyes "close, but this small wind keeps me from seeing or the fact I don't want to fall on the ground and tumble hehe." "alright, but how come your eyes are not full of sand I thought you benign first would receive it more." he said looking at gold shield as he had a concerned look on his face "oh its just that Its, my magic I guess or maybe because your older and your eyes are not the same as they use to be." he said looking at the aged guard that had small wrinkles on him with a small smile "these eyes are what help protect canterlot and to watch over its castle gates so my age has nothing to do with it alright." he said as the tension of his anger was building that he was ridiculed by a rookie as he was more experienced and called old, his brows furrowed to the comment "sorry, should we go back or-" gold shield was cut off aging "no, (he sighed) we continue, we moved to far to come back empty hoofed plus we been walking for an hour so lets move, even if we have to carry what ever that thing is." iron hoofed looked to the ground tired from the trek they just endeavored as he slumped and continue to walk "well, I mean your experienced and I bet you fought lots of battles or done some thing to be a guard they only pick the best." gold shield said trying to reinsure his commander with his kind words "sure, but guard duty is all that all you do and there hasn't been any battles except canterlot and me there was a time to redeem my self, *sigh* lets move on." iron hoof said with the voice of regret and sadness "oh o-kay?" gold shield said unsure why a veteran guard with years of protecting would be sad as he looked to his officer he noticed that he walking as if he knew what fate had in store for him they kept walking into the direction were the unknown thing was, much to there luck they managed to finally reach their destination an there lying on the ground was a white creature covered in robes that we soiled, torn, and seen better days as the creature's breathing was steady and its body limp on the ground "what is that?" gold shield said in a hushed tone to iron hoof ears "It looks like... ahhhh... white changeling!" iron hoof said surprised to his own eyes, he questioned why would one be boing here or even be colored white " that's a changeling! I thought they would look um.... scarier and more bug like." gold shield said "it is, but the ones we seen were black not white and they usually in disguised; why would anypony do all the way out here, you have any ideas." iron hoof said never taking his eyes off the changeling "maybe it was a scout sent to spy on us." gold shield stated "maybe, we'll need to carry this change-" "help" the changeling said with its voice full of pain "its hurt should we take it back sir?" gold shield said with a concerned look over the changeling that was struggling to stay alive "sure, we cant leave it here to die come on go ahead and put it on your back." "m-mme, but why do I have to carry it can't you do it!" gold shield stammered as he would walk with a nearly dead changeling on his back back to the town of appleloosa "no, your more coordinated and plus I'm old heheheh." iron hoof chuckled as the recruit would have to carry the changeling all the way back bring some joy into his suffering "y-yes sir *gulp*" gold shield said as he know feared what might happen to him with a live thing on him that could possibly kill him "having fun rookie hehehe." iron hoof continued to pester the timed guard as he carried a changeling on his back afraid the two guards continue to walk back to appleloosa to return the mysterious white changeling gold shield carried on his back as the gold armor was covered from the sand due to the changelings robes making him look like five ft. tall monster with two heads and blue hair iron hoof looked at the spectacle and chuckled quietly "are we close I can't see due to this robe that keeps getting in my face." "were close just keep walking we'll get there trust me." iron hoof said still chuckling to him self "huh huh thank you." the changeling said to gold shield he noted how the changelings voice is a female knowing this he did not only had a channeling but also changeling mare on him which made him sweat more than celestias sun; she kept letting out short breaths down gold shields neck which made him more nervous but each one were soothing which relaxed him and eventually calmed him down when they finally reached the gates of appleloosa at the entrance of the town was col. steel sword who's face was in anger as to why two of his guards left their position, his face cold as steel and a stature that would make any recruit of the royal guard scared stiff, his eyes wandered to iron hoof who now put on his serious face "sir" iron hoof and gold shied both said saluting which gold shield try but couldn't due to the female changeling on him "GUARDS! why did you leave your post you two have no authority to leave your position. sgt. iron hoof why did you and private gold shield leave your position and I want an answer now." his out burst caused iron hoof and gold shield to be startled by his anger as now he was waiting for an answer "gold shield and me spotted a mysterious thing and we went to investigate sir, one of the locals also spotted; it was headed here so went scouting to check the sighting." iron hoof said "and what WAS so important that you two left your post!" steel sword shouted gaining the attention of nearby pedestrians "this uh white changeling s-sir." gold shield said trembling in his gold armor fear of what he might say steel sword observed the white changeling on top of gold shield's back and looked him in his eyes seeing if this were true, gold shield was sweating and try to look away but couldn't his gaze was focused on the colonel and his faced furrowed "this is the reason why you left, *sigh* very well I'll put it in the cell at the sheriffs stat-." the colonel was interrupted "sir, um the changeling is a she and well she's badly injured and she needs medical attention." gold shield said "you found her like this?" sword said "yes, sir" gold shield said "fine put her in one of the tents I'll have to inform canterlot about this and have one of the doctors look at her." "thank you sir." sword left flanked by his two guards, while gold shield and iron hoof stood their watching him leave "so, your going to take the changeling to the tents." iron hoof said "ya, I'll even make sure she needs help with any thing when she wakes up, are you going to come also." gold shield spoke as he was struggling to keep his strength "no, I'm going to patrol the town maybe get a glass of cold cider heh, good luck private." with that iron hoof tuned and left while gold shield waved good bye as he started to make his way to the medical tent "thank you for helping me" the changeling said to gold shield her voice weak and trembling as he put her In one of the beds they had for the guards he watched her sleep due to exhaustion he removed his helmet and took a sip of water from his cantina "could I pleas have some w-water *coughing*" she said to gold shield as her solid blue eyes looked at him begging for nourishment of thirst he stared back and offered her some he lifted the cantina with the magic from his horn and passed it to her as she started to gulp down the entire thing " your welcome um um...um miss." he said with a faint smile " sage, my name is sage." her name clear and soothing which brought gold shield smile at her as she sat up on her bed "so, um miss sage why were you out there?" he stated " just call me sage, I was looking for food for my people and the wind picked up and blinded me and I sort of got lost." her smile faded and she looked to the ground as her ears drooped to gold shield he saw her become sad due to the elements and decided to comfort her by holding her hole filed hoof "its okay, look I help you get some food for your people I promise." he said a she looked at him with a small smile as he gave her one as well "eh hem" both gold shield and sage turned and looked to the unicorn stallion in front of the tent flap "um yes I'm here to check on the uhum changeling." the older stallion said as he wore a brown coat a bow tie and a pair of glasses with him and had a white beard and white fluffy white hair with the voice of a teacher giving instruction to his students giving off that he might have been a professor "yes, well my name is Dr. Bones and I'm hear to examine the changeling, if you could sir pleas step aside as I will take out my tools." he said as he started to rummage through his doctor bag as he finally pulled out his stethoscope and placed it over sages hart "mmmhhhm that sounds good okay." the doctor continued to examine her seeing if there were any problems the only cause was dehydration and fatigue which were easily found out "you are one healthy changeling uhhum so then I best be going good day." the doctor left quickly as well as he came leaving the changeling and the guard alone in silence as soon until sages stomach rumbled as she started to blush beneath her white cheeks and look away "so um what do changelings eat." gold shield said looking at the blushing changeling before him "love, but I can't since my birth problems, but I can eat meat or a few fruits." she said "I don't know about love, meats out the question, but we have fruits if you want any, we have apples; your not allergic to apples right." gold shield shrugged about the changelings diet which put a little uneasy around her "no, but its okay I can manage." gold shield tossed her an apple to sage which she started to munch on "well, I'll be out side don't think of leaving alright the royal guard is to found of changelings, but if there's any problems just call okay. I'll be right outside if you need anything." "okay" sage said as gold shield went outside the tent and while sage started to drift asleep Deportation and confusion Deportation and confusion "sage wake up, wake up the colonel wants to see you." sage was sleeping soundly on the bed offered to her and trying to ignore the warring's of gold shield as he kept trying to wake her until he finally gave up and shook her "I'm awake, I'm awake!" she shouted as she sprang out of bed still tired and head of hair that couldn't say the same "the colonel said he wanted to see you, but I'll have to put you these chains seeing as your changeling, and for the safety of the public you have to were it and also be escorted by at least two guards." gold shield said seeing how uneasy he felt putting the chain around sage's neck "why, I mean I'm no danger to anypony you see I'm not dangerous why don't you tell your colonel on your or my behave. "she said hoping it would be that easy "I can't I don't have the authority plus, most ponies still fear changelings hehe no offense." gold shield said trying to at least answer her question without in intimidating her "oh, I see then I guess I'm your prisoner." she said in low tone as she frowned and put her head down "No! your not he's just concerned having a changeling around the only reason is that he wants to talk to you, nothing more; I'll even promise that nothing bad happens to you, okay." gold shield said a he lifted her head to met his gaze and to tell her it's alright "promise" sage said "promise" gold shield said Gold shield started to fasten the clamps around her neck and waste and started to tug her out side were she was met by dozens of stares mostly coming from the local populace of appleloosa, sage started to get nervous as everypony stopped what they ere doing and simply gawk at her a she kept on walking 'why do they keep starring can't they just do what they were doing' gold shield was now in thought as he kept looking at her seeing she was becoming uncomfortable "you felling okay." gold shield said making sure she's alright "yes, it's just I feel like I'm some monster to them, I mean not all changeling are bad some are just raised to believe what teachings they have learned and use it at their will; you don't think all changelings are bad do you." sage said as she looked up to him "I've never meet a changeling before, but my dad use to say for every bad there's a good, so no, were I use to live in manehatten there was always crime, greed, corruption, bribing, and to stealing, so if ponies can be bad, then changelings can be good." his kind words of reinsurance calmed her nerves as she felt better knowing there is somepony that believes her that her kind aren't monsters "okay, were here don't be nervous the colonel can be harsh, but he's understanding at the most, as long you don't start a verbal fight with him hehe." gold shield chuckled as he remembered how him and iron hoof were both yelled at for leaving their post *knock, knock* "enter" a voice said behind the wooden door gold shield proceed inside tugging sage behind him and closing the door with his magic, he proceeded where a guard was sitting on his desk, looking over some papers, never taking his eyes of them "I've come to see the colonel concerning the changeling." gold shield said as he saluted to his fellow guard how was to busy to even to salute back "*sigh* go right in side, go down the corridor and take door to the left." the guard pointed his hoof at the door with a glass frame in the middle "thank you" gold shield dismissed him self as he continues to tug sage by the neck while opening the door as the sound of clattering chains can be heard in the once quite office "I don't feel good about this, what happens if he thinks I'm a threat or try's to execute me." sage panicked as fear gripped her voice "I promised nothing bad will happen to you and I'm willing to keep it just stay calm; trust me hehe, he yells more to his own guard than to any other thing he comes in contact with him." gold shield laughed at his own joke "o-okay then lets do it then." sage said as gold shield knocked on the door until he heard 'enter' from the other side as he started to open the door "sir" gold shield saluted at his commanding officer "sit down" the colonel said sternly "its come to my attention and that of canterlot, that a changeling is here and can be very well be a spy to overtake this town with the tension this high the changeling is to be deported to canterlot to be interrogated "sir with respect why can't she just stay here or at least let go she's done no harm." gold shield said as he positioned him self in front of the commanders desk while sage stood behind him "look ever since the attack a year ago canterlot has been paranoid of a whole new invasion, they and the council are both aren't keen to let lose a changeling they captured." steel sword said his face neutral with out a single hint of emotion in him "but sir" gold shield said as the colonel anger rose from thin air "NO SIR, YOU HAVE YOUR ORDERS I HAVE MINE ALRIGHT DESMISSED!" colonel steel sword said as he vented his anger on the young unicorn "Yes, sir" gold shield said as he and sage left his office as all he could do but to look back at the colonels raged filled eyes " now what they probably try to kill me." sage said as once fear griped her again "no, I'll go back talk to him I'll make sure to work something out, just stay here and don't move okay." he responded giving her a command "okay" she said quietly gold shield was nervous as he was going to confront him so that he can make sure she's safe and a least try something to make up that one slip he made in his office 'here we go you can do this try a least' "colonel" gold shield said " I thought I told you were dismissed." he said forcefully "sir, I know that it's not in my power but is there any thing I can do." gold shield looked at him seeing ready to see him burst "no, the only thing I can say to you is that there is none." steel sword said "but seeing if you could fill in some paper work you could escort the changeling to canterlot under your guard and be transferred there also." "I-I can" gold shield was at a lost for words "yes, now dismissed" steel sword said forcefully as he watched gold shield leave his office "so um what know can we leave or do I leave?" sage said looking about she was about to cry "no, your still being deported, but I can still come with you to canterlot all I have to do is fill up some paper work." gold shield said trying to keep his promise to protect her "you sure" sage said sadly while looking at the floor "I'm sure" he reassured her an hour passed as gold shield worked fruitlessly on the tedious amount of paper work given to him in his tent he shared with iron hoof he was still working just transfer himself to canterlot while sage simply sat down watching him finish the work curious as to why a guard as himself have been so helpful to her sometimes she wished she had powers from the hive "done and done there I'm now finished and now I can come with you to canterlot, so I can make sure the promise I make aren't broken." he said with cheer gaining a giggle from sage which made him blush "so, um I can now go with you as ill be your personal guard hehe." gold shield said as he was still nervous around her "you'll make sure I'm safe and that nothing bad happens to me." she looked at him with a look of a foal needing their mother "yes I'll be on the look out for any miscreants." gold shield said as he looked at her eyes promising her protection "okay, um I never caught um your name it always slipped my mine or was interrupted by my thoughts" she said weakly "its gold shield private gold shield I just got posted here three days ago, those same three days I've been a guard not a whole lot of defending, but I can manage the job even if it means I have to get yelled at time to time, but ever since I meet iron hoof he's been there to give me a helping hoof and to stay on the colonels good side if he has one." he said trying to impress her "so what about you I never got to here from you." gold shield asked trying to at least to get the changeling he was so fond of "well you see changelings aren't white there black but I'm known as an inbreed which is born one in every five changeling pods and also we come out white as you noticed, but it's just that were seen useless since we have no abilities like flying, sight, magic, transformation etc. and by the time were in early adulthood were exiled out of are hive and left to roam equestria" sage said while her ears flopped down and her head looking at the ground "its alright I don't see you useless just beautiful." with that gold shield blushed and turned his head side ways to hide his shame while sage stared at him receiving a small blush as well "y-yyou do" she said surprised "uh yeah I-II do" gold shield said while looking the dirt off the floor of his tent trying to avoid her gaze "why me aren't there mares that will like you instead, I'm just a changeling." sage said still shocked "I guess because your the only mare that's treated me so kindly instead of things I can and can't do." gold shield said "OH um that's um great huh." sage responded both trying to avoid their gaze "hey rookie you in there?" a graveled voice sounded "I got some cider if you want some, but I kind of drank half of it" as the hoof steps stopped the tent flap was open rivaling a familiar face of an aged stallion guard" hey iron hoof heh you look better then you left me trying to help me put her in bed, heh thanks for the help." gold shield said in a sarcastic voice seeing displeased he left him "well, look shield I felt down at the time okay and I need to take some time off you sort of brought bad memories heh looks you got stuck with the changeling." iron hoof said as he floated the glass drink to a table "she's with me, I going to transfer my self to canterlot with her to make sure nothing happens to her!" gold shield said the only thing iron hoof could do is look at gold shields bold actions seeing how determine he was to save this changeling from celestia knows what, and he was going to put him self between them "are you sure, look canterlot is reign capital of equestrian being transferred there is only for high elites, not to mention that there is the possibility your officer can be a total jerk. going there is like having ten steel swords in his heat; not to mention you only been in the royal guard for three days!" iron hoof yelled at the recruit as to why he would go for one changeling he barley known for seven hours "I know I have to, but this changeling is different she's not like the changelings in your stories or the battle! all I know is I promised to protect her, do you think there might be a good changeling instead of bad ones ponies can change." gold shield looked at iron hoof challenging his opposition determine to protect her "WHY in equestrian would you defend that thing it almost took over all of equestria not to mention defeat celestia!" he was now furious that this first time guard thought he could start deciding whether the enemy should or shouldn't be punished It was now gold shields turn to attack, his rage built inside him as he remembered the punishments he took at his home city and why he choose to become a guard to make sure nopony suffers or being ridiculed for who they are "NO you only say this because your some fail excuse of a guard that your still 'old' and still haven't passed the rank of sergeant and living his last days drinking cider! and so what if you failed GET OVER IT!" sage watched in fear and amassment as he risked him self at his superior, practically telling him off to get a life as she covered her ears for another wave of anger it came as a small laugh she looked over to see iron hoof kicking and laughing on the floor, all gold shield could do is look at the pathetic guard in shock "hahahah! whew, I never thought you had it in you, that display brought tears to my eyes ROOK heh; your well on your way to move up from this dustbowl, and by the way I just wanted to know if you were ready AND you are." iron hoof said with a dumb grin on his face as he placed a hoof on gold shield's shoulder "WHAT, this whole thing was a test some sick verbal test!" he stammered still venting anger as he was ready to punch that stupid grin off his face, until he felt sage's soft hoof rub his back to calm his nerves "I guess" iron hoof said reforming back to his old aged sad self "oh, then" gold shield still looked at him "you were preparing this, so that I can defend her against any harm or verbal abuse "gold shield said with pride seeing if that were the correct answer "nah, I just love messing with, but sure believe what you just said, sure sound like the right answer, heh good bye." iron hoof shrugged as he left the tent "he was, well interesting." sage still confused as to why he would let him self take in all that abuse straight from a recruit guard "do you think he doesn't care or he's crazy." sage said pondering "all I know he's a little half baked when he's in a good mood, that what scares me the most." he looked over to her and smiled while removing his helmet "thank you for defending me I mean, we don't really get this much kindness from anypony except us huh or our queen." she said with sadness as she gave a small smile and looked to gold shield who looked back at her reassuring her with a gentle smile of his own "we better get going the train station down the road, if I keep you here any longer the colonel will have a fit about public safety; plus the train to canterlot arrives at five its three twenty nine, but we still got plenty of time." he said with gratitude "well, what do we do I'm still chained and I can't go outside with out everypony looking at me and certainly can't do anything since I'm a changeling seeing were still a threat to you guys, um so what do we do?" sage looked at him hoping to take the boredom that was awaiting them if they were to do nothing for two hours "well we cannn ummm talk, I mean were supposed to be in my tent and can't leave here since the fence outside separates the guard camp from the rest of the town, plus the ponies of appleloosa don't really enjoy are company here and well now that we have you they kind of really keep us out since they say that the royal guard brings in trouble hehe." he chuckled at the irony of the guards placed in appleloosa are or as the guards say it the town of dustbowl in the middle of nowhere "so, what do um I mean what do you guards so here in stead of patrolling the desert or roasting in the sun all day long." sage said with curiosity in her eyes "we just sit talk or drink cider not much reading I guess, but there aren't any good books here, sleep that's what most do a-" gold shield was cut off by a hoof in his face "you talk to much you know that." sage said as she looked into gold shields eyes in a seductive way that left him blushing furiously and directly looking into her big blue eyes the eyes he's been looking at since the first time he saw them in the desert, he didn't care if she was a changeling she was a mare in his eyes and one he loved sage got close to his face as she stared at him locked into him as she pressed forward and passionately kiss him on the lips, gold shield thoughts about her were more bliss than before his body shivered to her touch as she slid her white hole filled hoofs down him griping his neck until she let go of their bond "w-wwhaaat waaas t-tthat" gold shield said his white coated face now red (as an apple) was looking at her un able to keep his jaw in place as he struggled to keep it in place "it was ah kiss, and well I mean I, sort of instincts kicked in and well its how mostly get love but your not mad at me um." sage looked to the ground shyly as to what gold shield might say as he still keep froze in place "um, yah we um better get to the train station we um don't want uhu WELL you know lets go." he said as he put hi helmet on and tug sage who put her hood on to hide her shame, as they proceeded to leave the tent and the guard camp the two of them silent the whole way as both looked strange walking threw town as one stallion whispered to his wife "them two ahre strange bunch, waling whie changeling and red pepper guad what this woherld comin to Ih tell you guad bring noin buht trouble." the stallion whispered to his wife all she did was nod her head in and say "mhm" "so now that were here we'll just stand here until the train arrives and then we go to um centerloot I mean canterlot." gold shield said his head down trying to avoid her gaze rather than too look at her sage responded "your not made at me are you I didn't mean it it's I has hungry and well my body told me to fill it's self and well I sort of took advantage of the time, sorry." her head down invisible due the robe over her head "um look, you caught me off guard I can't stay mad at you just um well don't surprise me is all; I just never been kissed my dad said I have to be my own stallion be for I have a mare." gold shield said shakily his voice still gripped with a thousand thoughts about the changeling that made relations to his lips "so your hungry I guess we can go to the store and get you a pie if you want." he smiled "sure" sage said as she kept looking at the floor still shy of kissing the poor recruit who had trouble thinking "can it be apple it's uh tasted good." "um ya" gold shield shrugged as he tug sage a little hard most of the guards kept looking at him and already making name for himself as the changeling whisper or the changeling tamer to others it reminded them of dog being pulled by his master "I'll go in side just stay here and don't move." he said forcefully as he proceeded in side the small brown bakery as he entered another guard came out carrying food in his sack (no pun intended) until he saw sage outside chained up to the post as he spoke to her "your nothing to us your just going to rid us of everything and well be left with nothing I hope you and you race suffers." the guard said to her, his face angry at the changeling as he departed her, sage only put her head down as tears formed in her eyes as she lay on the ground and wrapped her hoofs around her head as nothing but muffled sounds came out gold shield proceed out the bakery only to find sage crying on the floor he rushed to her and put his hoof on her back "sage what happened?" he asked in a panicked tone trying to calm her, until she came up and hugged him on the waste her eyes full of tears as she buried them in his armor "the guard said I was nothing, hoping I should die!" her voice still hurt by the crude remark all gold shield did was hug her back as he stroke her wings and back "it's okay, lets go back to the train station I'm sure we can still finish that pie you wanted." gold shield said as he gave a warm smile to her trying to calm her down they proceed down towards the train yard they encountered a few odd stares, some of the ponies of appleloosa started to whisper as sage continued to hug gold shields waste, gold shield was embarrassed as he continue to blush, but he didn't care about the odd looks he received he just cared about getting back to the station and to make sure sage I alright "hu here we are, it's alright sage I make sure nothing bad happens to you again, so do you still want the pie?" gold shield asked as he offered her a slice to calm her hunger, she proceed to stick her hoof to take a bite out of it her face lit up as she started to devour the entire pie until every last bit was gone "sorry for the mess, I was just hungry heh." she said as she placed her hoof behind her neck rubbing the back of it as she stroked her plates "that's ok I know I ate already." gold shield said "you know when you defend me in front of the guard do you really think I'm beautiful." she looked up her face with temptation "yes" was all he said as he looked at her "oh" sage blushed as she looked to the ground, *screech* "ALL ABORD TO CANTELOT" the conductor yelled when the train came to a halt, gold shield and sage both went to the back of the train as the whole back car was occupied for him and her to use, meanwhile a couple of guards entered the train as they took position in the train, the piston was shot and the train was on it's way to canterlot A Train Ride A Train Ride *tktuk* *tktuk* *tktuk* The train was moving, it's rhythm swayed back and forth as the sound of metal hitting the iron studs of the track could be heard, it was relatively calm and peaceful in the hot stuffy car, not to mention the special cargo being shipped to canterlot in a steel trap and the lone guard protecting it ensuring no harm comes to it; as a dragon to its jewel's The train ride was excruciatingly long for gold shield as, he a stallion from manehattan never endure he was a expecting the ride to be quick, on occasion he would sleep due to the ever mounting boredom guard duty was put up to be; seeing out a window was not an option as the freight car held no windows, the walls of his wooden prison were dull red coloring and the constant swaying of other heavy crates would slam into him and keep him awake at this point any pony would of died of boredom or to regret protecting this snow colored changeling, but for him it was a promise he made and one to keep "ugh, won't this train go any faster it seems we event have made it out of that dustbowl, not to mention stop, *sigh* this ride is going to drive me nuts!" gold shield fumed as his temper was near his boiling point as he was ready to scream in furry "uhgmuuu" the sounds of a muffled slumber could be heard in the small train car, catching the attention of gold shield, as he looked over the mountains of crates put in by the guards to conceal the true purpose of the extra train car, gold shield looked with interest the lone white changeling inside her metal prison to small to stand on, how she shuffled to get comfortable was comforting to gold shield as he was remembered or why he was here in the first place or why he even singed the hour long papers in triplicate unlike like gold shields torture sage was blissfully sleeping in her steel home crafted by the guards as she awaited her destination in her dreams, as she would fidget in her sleep as her wings would buzz to the jumping of tracks and her head firmly placed in her white hole filled hooves "hehe, is still don't understand how you seem to calm me sage, its like you always have to act cute for me to get into some stupide situation." gold shield murmured under the sounds of the trains constant clattering on the metal studs as he shook his head and smiled as he looked at sage, watching her sleep "I wonder what they might do to sage, they could interrogate her for answers to the hives location, or dissect her to know how changeling feed of love and shape shift no I don't think celestia would be that cruel as to do that to sage it will be unethical, but what might be the possibility they keep her as a prisoner." gold shield in deep thought hovered over sage, sleeping on the floor of the cage "no! celestia or princess twilight would do something about it, I mean she hurt and hasn't done anything to anypony only to um kiss me" gold shield blushed as he remembered the incident in his head "but still I made a promise to her that nothing bad happen to her and im going to keep it no matter how bad the situation might be even if it means standing up to celestia her self!" gold shield exclaimed as to look around to see if nopony is around, seemingly looking like a mad pony to try and stand up against the goddess of the sun its self four hours passed and night fall has reached equestria blanketing under luna's moon sleep was all gold shield could do as he tried effortlessly but was subjected to the constant stuffiness and the sounds of the crates slamming into him which jolted him awake he kept pondering as to why sage found him interesting, is it because he saved and comfort her or that he's a young fresh face in the guard not like iron hoof ,steel sword, or night blade, still he kept on observing her seeing what he found so interesting of her, was it because he found her attractive of the beautiful deep blue eyes he's been urging to see or that he was into inter species relation like his brother emerald shield with his griffon friend, still he looked at her and feeling his lips when she kissed him in his tent and the warm feeling he felt of her own on his he blushed of the idea of them kissing again, and wondered why he found her so beautiful and attractive as she lie on the steel cage, it reminded him of his father and his mother when they were to gather and how she lost her life when gold shield was young and how his brother and father would try and fill his life with joy just like his mother did, but couldn't "daddy why did mommy go she didn't leave us she'll come back, wont she daddy because I want her to be with me." gold shield remembered the very question that put his father to tears as his brother followed the same gold shield was to young to understand what happened to her and could not know what life had in store for him "gold, mommy I-is not coming b-bback, but she told me to promise to her to protect you so as your brother as well b-because you got to keep a promise isn't that what mommy told you never break a promise to those you love the most." his father gently embraced him as his brother as well both holding back tears as gold shield followed as well A lone tear escaped gold shields eyes as it traveled down his white coat normally blue due to the armors magic which turns them white as he finally came to understand his emotions over his promise to her and why he was meant to protect her *screeeeeeeeeech* The train finally reached its destination to canterlot as gold shield started to lift the cage with the help of other unicorns and help put the sleeping changeling in the carriage and headed to canterlot castle NoteFor many of you how are following the story i thank you but right now i have an essay for my literary professor and cant write more chapters but i'm working on a new story and its coming out great but comment or give me a messege because i cant pump out 5 thousand words or more on a chapter if any one is willing to write chapters for me you receive full credit for it or comment and ill try and see if i can continue to write more chapters Thank you, Cpt Phoenix Arrival and bonding Arrival and Bonding The road to canterlot was one gold shield will remember for a very, very, long time seeing he couldn't sleep and only remember the sweet flutters sage would make while she slumbered, he smiled under the thin gold helmet as he puled the locked cart that contained the only mare..er..um...female that kissed him but most important a changeling! A small part of gold shield wanted to be kissed again seeing the position changelings are he could be looked down on or even aiding the enemy, but what bothered him was why did she trust him that much, the same question kept on pestering him like a fly that would constantly land on your food But he looked back to see sage but only saw the brown wall of the cart and for the record it annoyed him as he desperately try and hurry the cart to proceed their trip from the train yard to the castle, he even forgot the will to sleep as his eyes were bloodshot red "sooo um how long do have until we....um we get to the castle" he said putting on his best poker face which was not very convincing as he talked to his cart buddy as he called it "huh not much but we cant look suspicious since this is supposed to be a weapons carriage but instead we get one changeling" the guard now looking a bit annoyed by the question looked to see that his answer did not solve gold shields question "ok so um what happens if the changeling wakes wont it at least bring some suspicion" gold shield looked around as he and the and his 'buddy' pulled the cart "honestly i cant say but if it does i hope we don't get accused to much, celestia sake I was pulled out of patrol just to pull a box, thats unfair" seeing the guards reaction as a small foal not getting what they want only to see their sibling does receive it , "cant be that bad i mean were puling something excitingly new to equestria" gold shield beamed with pride "true" the guard said as put a hoof on his chin "but when on patrol you get a brake you get food and um well there's always cute mares there" the guard looked bashful as his face redden to his loss "uh okay um buddy" gold shield whispered enough for his cart buddy to hear "wha, what did you say" the guard looking to gold shield said as he was at a loss for words "oh I said ok buddy, you know since were cart buddies since were both new recruits and were still puling this heavy cart uh hehe" gold shield looked nervously trying to avoid eye contact "uh yeah, its just that I wouldn't think of you this nice since the guards here aren't all that friendly and i thought youll probly thought me kind of silly" the guard also avoiding eye contact as he was shocked this guard was willing to be his friend or so he thought "well I come from Appleloosa thats were they stationed me for a couple of days and thats were my first few days as a guard how about you" gold shield looked to him with a bit more confidence as he looked to the rookie to his left "um... I'm from Canterlot and thought toooo, um become a guard since I saw the other guards getting all the mares hehe" the rookie started to blush as he made the mistake of telling his true purpose to enter the guard "oh, um well I joined because it got me to help people instead" gold shield spoke trying to lighten the awkward mood "but its just my family problems I guess" gold shield confidence slowly diminished at the thought of his mother "ok" was all the recruit said The pair continued to walk in silence as they carried the cargo through the crowded streets of Canterlot as many noble ponies passed though and fro as they moved sided to side due to the cart they so everly carried as the wood would creeck to the joint force of their pulling Gold shield and his newly acquainted friend stopped at the massive golden gates that protected Canterlot castle, the guards above on the perch towers looked down at the two guards below as they gave the all clear sign to enter, gold shield and the rook proceed inside as the heavy golden doors slide open reveling the beauty of which was Canterlot castle The two recruits entered not amazed by the castle due to the months of training they both endured as they proceed towards the front court yard which held entrance to the castle as a guard was waiting at the door covered by two oddly looking guards, they did not have the golden solar armour but a shaded dark blue one, their eyes yellow as the shape of a feline and the fangs they bore, brought a chill up gold shield spine as he shook at the intimidating guard "so, is this the changeling I was informed of" the rugged guard looked at gold shield and the other recruit "yes sir!" they said simultaneously as they saluted at him "alright you two move and take this down stairs to the lower dungeons" the rugged commander said in a calm tone "as for you two you get to watch this over sized bug so stay alert, I don't want to find both of you cocooned up on a ceiling alright" he looked towards both the recruits to the new job they were getting posted The two recruits passed him as they entered the castle, as they entered they were stuck in awe seeing all the marble, gold, and velvet that covered this place seeing it draped everywhere; they passed a few guards as they saluted to each pair that flanked all the main hallway doors When arriving to their destination, they look to see the two bat ponies from befor they held a dark look, as they gave the ok to let them inside, walking inside the dungeon, remained gold shield of how a cave would look like if it was used, having its spiraling stairs leading downwards, dimly lighted by the few occasional torches, that hung on each edge, as he finally reached the bottom, he looked at all the cell doors that had no occupants, except one "so which one would contain the changeling were supposed to look after" gold shields partner grimly spoke as he had a small sense of fear in him "I think the one with the most lighting, also with the empty box" gold shields hoof pointed towards the bow which once held the changeling prisoner The pair proceeded to the bright light at the end, of where the changeling prisoner once was held, as they moved the box to the side they could see the sleeping changeling, as her breath raised and lowered in the damp cave, bringing a warm smile to gold shields face "well, now that we're here, we're supposed to stand here and look after that thing?" gold shields partner responded with a question that every brought up with "thing" in it "yes, but its not a thing its a mare and her name is sage!" gold shield gritted as he loudly mumbled underneath his teeth as the words leaving his partner were insulting to her, also for the lack of sleep on the train "ok, ok, sorry if I upset you, its just i didn't know if it was a mare or a stallion, but I was just asking" now the recruit looked to gold shields face as his anger quickly disappeared, as he looked over the recruit with a reassuring smile "yah, well its my fault I kind of snapped I haven't slept since the ride and plus she sort of......special" gold shield's face grew a small pink blush as he looked away trying to regain his poker face, but failed "oh, well if you feel that way then, she must be a very luck mare" his buddy shuffled around as he became uncomfortable with his answer, that he might of insulted his mare friend and that he got paired with a changeling lover "WHAT!, nonononono, no its well, she's just really nice and I consider her a friend not that I'm dating her or anything!" gold shield quickly tried to defuse the situation "sorry, its just the way you look at her I thought you two might be together" they recruit said as he once again shuffled in place and scuffed the dirt on the ground, with his head looking away in embarrassment "you kinda smiled, when she was sleeping and shouted when I called her thing; its just that some stallions get protective of their mare, you know" "well, shes been nice and I haven't been given a nice talking to either, since my placement in the recruitment camp, also we sort of kissed" now it was gold shields turn to act awkwardly "OH!, well at least you got kissed by a mare you, I haven't gotten kissed by any mare except my mom, but that doesn't count" the guard said as he lowered his head in shame "I've been nice to her, she sort of just went for it, but if we get out of here I can help you get a mare like all the other guards do" gold shield said with a small reassuring smile trying to lift the hopes of the sadden guard before him " you will?" the recruit said "yes" gold shield responded With that settled the pair stood there in silence that they were going to spend time seeing both of them had a rough time in the guard, as the only sound was made by the dripping of water and flickering of fire from the burning torches; minutes passed as gold shield fell asleep pass through him as his slowly started to close and being his sleep, luckily his new buddy might help An hour passed, and gold shield slept, as he has not gotten any since he went along for the ride, his mind wondered dreaming about the snow colored changeling and the intimate moments they had and the way she smiled brought a smile to him seeing this it struck him with a warm feeling that he didn't want to lose After his small but peaceful nap he opened his eyes only to see white as he looked up, he only saw the face of celestia with a curious face and eyes on him " oh hello your majesty" he bowed "why did I sleep" gold shield whispered
Sightings, discovery, and conversations IMBREED "why do we have to stand here; I mean its not like anypony is going to attack here, we might as well be here for just melting in the sun." the young unicorn guard said "well ever since the attack on canterlot one year ago princess celestia wanted to make sure that all the towns in the area are well protected by the royal guard." spoke the aged unicorn guard who's voice had years of experiences "oh come on like anything here is going to attack the settlements here, before the whole bug invasion the-" the recruit was cut off by the age guards hoof "it was the changeling invasion and we were defeated in less than half an hour, yet we had the whole guard up there and captain Shinning armor, but we were easily defeated by them." the aged guard spoke with denial in his voice "well I mean, I didn't know that meant a lot to you I thought we won, didn't we." the young recruit spoke hearing for an answer for the veteran guard "yes, but we were easily defeated by their army and out number its something most guards there don't speak of." the veteran guard spoke with pain in his voice as he was tasked to protect canterlot from a unknown threat "I'm sorry, its just I barely got posted here and thought why are we protecting this place since there's no danger." the recruit spoke with a tone of empathy for disrespecting the veteran guards lack of protection "heh, well its just that I want to make sure this does not happen to any pony settlements, and make sure their is no threat of invasion to them." the age guard spoke with determination "ya, I was in manehatten when it happened, I'm guessing this position here, is to make up for what you could've done at the siege of canterlot." the recruit spoke with fear that he might disrespect his superior again "sure why not" he stated as both guard were positioned in the hot dessert of appleloosa a small faint white dot could be spotted at the edge of the mountainous dessert "hey you see that sir." the guard spoke "see what all that's in this dustbowl is nothing, but rocks, boulders, and hot sand." he shrugged "that white dot all the way out there moving, it could be some thing should we check?" the recruit said "no, we are to be guarding this town and make sure its gates are protected, it could be some wild animal known to these park." the aged guard said annoyed to the question "oh, I guess you right there's no reason to attack here, since this town could've already been attacked ages ago and there's nothing to steal here except, apples hehe." "y'all doin okay there" the mysterious feminine voice said "yes, mam" the guards said together "tis just seeing you two there, out in celestia sun can make quite a feller hot, y'all two don't need anything." the mare spoke with concern to the guards health "we're fine mam, its just hot that's all, all this sand can really annoy you." the age guard spoke with slight force "well, just seeing you two out here protecting our small town id like to make sure you don't catch a stroke" the mare said "were fine we have water if needed" the recruit said with cheer "okay dan I'll be going, so lo- what in tarnation is cow doing up there?" the mare spoke "cow?" the recruit said "sure don know there a'int no grass here what is one doing out there there all supposed to be headed to ponyville to eat at them large open pastures." "it looks like its heading this way, should we check sir it could be dangerous, if not investigated." the recruit said as if he was preparing to battle something out of the dessert with his spear ready "should I come y'all could use some help." "we'll go its not safe a citizen to leave, come on gold shield lets move." iron hoof said "yes, sir" the two guards continued to walk the hot dessert of appleloosa, gold shield kept looking back seeing as the town became smaller and smaller as they approached the unknown thing, unlike iron hoof he was staring forward ready to see what this white mystery is "there it is sir" "great, know we need to see WHAT this is." iron hoof said already knowing they would carry this thing all the way back to the town they made their way down the small dune of sand onto were the thing collapsed at the proceeded slowly as they would fall and tumble on the loose sand that surrounded them as their faces were obscured by the hot blistering sand that would blow in their face from the summer breeze "ugh....all...most...there" gold shield said as he struggled not to slide done the small dune as iron hoof had the same problem only that he had a hard time trying not close his eyes as the sand kept blowing into his face and burning his eyes "erghgr stop, stop, stop, stop!" iron hoof said as his eyes were red due to the sand that kept on blowing in his face as he rubbed the sand out of them "what's the matter sir, were still not there." gold shield said confused on why his superior told him to halt "my eyes, uhgh this sand keeps getting in my eyes and I cant see a darn thing, how close are we gold shield." iron hoof said as he continued to rube his eyes "close, but this small wind keeps me from seeing or the fact I don't want to fall on the ground and tumble hehe." "alright, but how come your eyes are not full of sand I thought you benign first would receive it more." he said looking at gold shield as he had a concerned look on his face "oh its just that Its, my magic I guess or maybe because your older and your eyes are not the same as they use to be." he said looking at the aged guard that had small wrinkles on him with a small smile "these eyes are what help protect canterlot and to watch over its castle gates so my age has nothing to do with it alright." he said as the tension of his anger was building that he was ridiculed by a rookie as he was more experienced and called old, his brows furrowed to the comment "sorry, should we go back or-" gold shield was cut off aging "no, (he sighed) we continue, we moved to far to come back empty hoofed plus we been walking for an hour so lets move, even if we have to carry what ever that thing is." iron hoofed looked to the ground tired from the trek they just endeavored as he slumped and continue to walk "well, I mean your experienced and I bet you fought lots of battles or done some thing to be a guard they only pick the best." gold shield said trying to reinsure his commander with his kind words "sure, but guard duty is all that all you do and there hasn't been any battles except canterlot and me there was a time to redeem my self, *sigh* lets move on." iron hoof said with the voice of regret and sadness "oh o-kay?" gold shield said unsure why a veteran guard with years of protecting would be sad as he looked to his officer he noticed that he walking as if he knew what fate had in store for him they kept walking into the direction were the unknown thing was, much to there luck they managed to finally reach their destination an there lying on the ground was a white creature covered in robes that we soiled, torn, and seen better days as the creature's breathing was steady and its body limp on the ground "what is that?" gold shield said in a hushed tone to iron hoof ears "It looks like... ahhhh... white changeling!" iron hoof said surprised to his own eyes, he questioned why would one be boing here or even be colored white " that's a changeling! I thought they would look um.... scarier and more bug like." gold shield said "it is, but the ones we seen were black not white and they usually in disguised; why would anypony do all the way out here, you have any ideas." iron hoof said never taking his eyes off the changeling "maybe it was a scout sent to spy on us." gold shield stated "maybe, we'll need to carry this change-" "help" the changeling said with its voice full of pain "its hurt should we take it back sir?" gold shield said with a concerned look over the changeling that was struggling to stay alive "sure, we cant leave it here to die come on go ahead and put it on your back." "m-mme, but why do I have to carry it can't you do it!" gold shield stammered as he would walk with a nearly dead changeling on his back back to the town of appleloosa "no, your more coordinated and plus I'm old heheheh." iron hoof chuckled as the recruit would have to carry the changeling all the way back bring some joy into his suffering "y-yes sir *gulp*" gold shield said as he know feared what might happen to him with a live thing on him that could possibly kill him "having fun rookie hehehe." iron hoof continued to pester the timed guard as he carried a changeling on his back afraid the two guards continue to walk back to appleloosa to return the mysterious white changeling gold shield carried on his back as the gold armor was covered from the sand due to the changelings robes making him look like five ft. tall monster with two heads and blue hair iron hoof looked at the spectacle and chuckled quietly "are we close I can't see due to this robe that keeps getting in my face." "were close just keep walking we'll get there trust me." iron hoof said still chuckling to him self "huh huh thank you." the changeling said to gold shield he noted how the changelings voice is a female knowing this he did not only had a channeling but also changeling mare on him which made him sweat more than celestias sun; she kept letting out short breaths down gold shields neck which made him more nervous but each one were soothing which relaxed him and eventually calmed him down when they finally reached the gates of appleloosa at the entrance of the town was col. steel sword who's face was in anger as to why two of his guards left their position, his face cold as steel and a stature that would make any recruit of the royal guard scared stiff, his eyes wandered to iron hoof who now put on his serious face "sir" iron hoof and gold shied both said saluting which gold shield try but couldn't due to the female changeling on him "GUARDS! why did you leave your post you two have no authority to leave your position. sgt. iron hoof why did you and private gold shield leave your position and I want an answer now." his out burst caused iron hoof and gold shield to be startled by his anger as now he was waiting for an answer "gold shield and me spotted a mysterious thing and we went to investigate sir, one of the locals also spotted; it was headed here so went scouting to check the sighting." iron hoof said "and what WAS so important that you two left your post!" steel sword shouted gaining the attention of nearby pedestrians "this uh white changeling s-sir." gold shield said trembling in his gold armor fear of what he might say steel sword observed the white changeling on top of gold shield's back and looked him in his eyes seeing if this were true, gold shield was sweating and try to look away but couldn't his gaze was focused on the colonel and his faced furrowed "this is the reason why you left, *sigh* very well I'll put it in the cell at the sheriffs stat-." the colonel was interrupted "sir, um the changeling is a she and well she's badly injured and she needs medical attention." gold shield said "you found her like this?" sword said "yes, sir" gold shield said "fine put her in one of the tents I'll have to inform canterlot about this and have one of the doctors look at her." "thank you sir." sword left flanked by his two guards, while gold shield and iron hoof stood their watching him leave "so, your going to take the changeling to the tents." iron hoof said "ya, I'll even make sure she needs help with any thing when she wakes up, are you going to come also." gold shield spoke as he was struggling to keep his strength "no, I'm going to patrol the town maybe get a glass of cold cider heh, good luck private." with that iron hoof tuned and left while gold shield waved good bye as he started to make his way to the medical tent "thank you for helping me" the changeling said to gold shield her voice weak and trembling as he put her In one of the beds they had for the guards he watched her sleep due to exhaustion he removed his helmet and took a sip of water from his cantina "could I pleas have some w-water *coughing*" she said to gold shield as her solid blue eyes looked at him begging for nourishment of thirst he stared back and offered her some he lifted the cantina with the magic from his horn and passed it to her as she started to gulp down the entire thing " your welcome um um...um miss." he said with a faint smile " sage, my name is sage." her name clear and soothing which brought gold shield smile at her as she sat up on her bed "so, um miss sage why were you out there?" he stated " just call me sage, I was looking for food for my people and the wind picked up and blinded me and I sort of got lost." her smile faded and she looked to the ground as her ears drooped to gold shield he saw her become sad due to the elements and decided to comfort her by holding her hole filed hoof "its okay, look I help you get some food for your people I promise." he said a she looked at him with a small smile as he gave her one as well "eh hem" both gold shield and sage turned and looked to the unicorn stallion in front of the tent flap "um yes I'm here to check on the uhum changeling." the older stallion said as he wore a brown coat a bow tie and a pair of glasses with him and had a white beard and white fluffy white hair with the voice of a teacher giving instruction to his students giving off that he might have been a professor "yes, well my name is Dr. Bones and I'm hear to examine the changeling, if you could sir pleas step aside as I will take out my tools." he said as he started to rummage through his doctor bag as he finally pulled out his stethoscope and placed it over sages hart "mmmhhhm that sounds good okay." the doctor continued to examine her seeing if there were any problems the only cause was dehydration and fatigue which were easily found out "you are one healthy changeling uhhum so then I best be going good day." the doctor left quickly as well as he came leaving the changeling and the guard alone in silence as soon until sages stomach rumbled as she started to blush beneath her white cheeks and look away "so um what do changelings eat." gold shield said looking at the blushing changeling before him "love, but I can't since my birth problems, but I can eat meat or a few fruits." she said "I don't know about love, meats out the question, but we have fruits if you want any, we have apples; your not allergic to apples right." gold shield shrugged about the changelings diet which put a little uneasy around her "no, but its okay I can manage." gold shield tossed her an apple to sage which she started to munch on "well, I'll be out side don't think of leaving alright the royal guard is to found of changelings, but if there's any problems just call okay. I'll be right outside if you need anything." "okay" sage said as gold shield went outside the tent and while sage started to drift asleep
Deportation and confusion Deportation and confusion "sage wake up, wake up the colonel wants to see you." sage was sleeping soundly on the bed offered to her and trying to ignore the warring's of gold shield as he kept trying to wake her until he finally gave up and shook her "I'm awake, I'm awake!" she shouted as she sprang out of bed still tired and head of hair that couldn't say the same "the colonel said he wanted to see you, but I'll have to put you these chains seeing as your changeling, and for the safety of the public you have to were it and also be escorted by at least two guards." gold shield said seeing how uneasy he felt putting the chain around sage's neck "why, I mean I'm no danger to anypony you see I'm not dangerous why don't you tell your colonel on your or my behave. "she said hoping it would be that easy "I can't I don't have the authority plus, most ponies still fear changelings hehe no offense." gold shield said trying to at least answer her question without in intimidating her "oh, I see then I guess I'm your prisoner." she said in low tone as she frowned and put her head down "No! your not he's just concerned having a changeling around the only reason is that he wants to talk to you, nothing more; I'll even promise that nothing bad happens to you, okay." gold shield said a he lifted her head to met his gaze and to tell her it's alright "promise" sage said "promise" gold shield said Gold shield started to fasten the clamps around her neck and waste and started to tug her out side were she was met by dozens of stares mostly coming from the local populace of appleloosa, sage started to get nervous as everypony stopped what they ere doing and simply gawk at her a she kept on walking 'why do they keep starring can't they just do what they were doing' gold shield was now in thought as he kept looking at her seeing she was becoming uncomfortable "you felling okay." gold shield said making sure she's alright "yes, it's just I feel like I'm some monster to them, I mean not all changeling are bad some are just raised to believe what teachings they have learned and use it at their will; you don't think all changelings are bad do you." sage said as she looked up to him "I've never meet a changeling before, but my dad use to say for every bad there's a good, so no, were I use to live in manehatten there was always crime, greed, corruption, bribing, and to stealing, so if ponies can be bad, then changelings can be good." his kind words of reinsurance calmed her nerves as she felt better knowing there is somepony that believes her that her kind aren't monsters "okay, were here don't be nervous the colonel can be harsh, but he's understanding at the most, as long you don't start a verbal fight with him hehe." gold shield chuckled as he remembered how him and iron hoof were both yelled at for leaving their post *knock, knock* "enter" a voice said behind the wooden door gold shield proceed inside tugging sage behind him and closing the door with his magic, he proceeded where a guard was sitting on his desk, looking over some papers, never taking his eyes of them "I've come to see the colonel concerning the changeling." gold shield said as he saluted to his fellow guard how was to busy to even to salute back "*sigh* go right in side, go down the corridor and take door to the left." the guard pointed his hoof at the door with a glass frame in the middle "thank you" gold shield dismissed him self as he continues to tug sage by the neck while opening the door as the sound of clattering chains can be heard in the once quite office "I don't feel good about this, what happens if he thinks I'm a threat or try's to execute me." sage panicked as fear gripped her voice "I promised nothing bad will happen to you and I'm willing to keep it just stay calm; trust me hehe, he yells more to his own guard than to any other thing he comes in contact with him." gold shield laughed at his own joke "o-okay then lets do it then." sage said as gold shield knocked on the door until he heard 'enter' from the other side as he started to open the door "sir" gold shield saluted at his commanding officer "sit down" the colonel said sternly "its come to my attention and that of canterlot, that a changeling is here and can be very well be a spy to overtake this town with the tension this high the changeling is to be deported to canterlot to be interrogated "sir with respect why can't she just stay here or at least let go she's done no harm." gold shield said as he positioned him self in front of the commanders desk while sage stood behind him "look ever since the attack a year ago canterlot has been paranoid of a whole new invasion, they and the council are both aren't keen to let lose a changeling they captured." steel sword said his face neutral with out a single hint of emotion in him "but sir" gold shield said as the colonel anger rose from thin air "NO SIR, YOU HAVE YOUR ORDERS I HAVE MINE ALRIGHT DESMISSED!" colonel steel sword said as he vented his anger on the young unicorn "Yes, sir" gold shield said as he and sage left his office as all he could do but to look back at the colonels raged filled eyes " now what they probably try to kill me." sage said as once fear griped her again "no, I'll go back talk to him I'll make sure to work something out, just stay here and don't move okay." he responded giving her a command "okay" she said quietly gold shield was nervous as he was going to confront him so that he can make sure she's safe and a least try something to make up that one slip he made in his office 'here we go you can do this try a least' "colonel" gold shield said " I thought I told you were dismissed." he said forcefully "sir, I know that it's not in my power but is there any thing I can do." gold shield looked at him seeing ready to see him burst "no, the only thing I can say to you is that there is none." steel sword said "but seeing if you could fill in some paper work you could escort the changeling to canterlot under your guard and be transferred there also." "I-I can" gold shield was at a lost for words "yes, now dismissed" steel sword said forcefully as he watched gold shield leave his office "so um what know can we leave or do I leave?" sage said looking about she was about to cry "no, your still being deported, but I can still come with you to canterlot all I have to do is fill up some paper work." gold shield said trying to keep his promise to protect her "you sure" sage said sadly while looking at the floor "I'm sure" he reassured her an hour passed as gold shield worked fruitlessly on the tedious amount of paper work given to him in his tent he shared with iron hoof he was still working just transfer himself to canterlot while sage simply sat down watching him finish the work curious as to why a guard as himself have been so helpful to her sometimes she wished she had powers from the hive "done and done there I'm now finished and now I can come with you to canterlot, so I can make sure the promise I make aren't broken." he said with cheer gaining a giggle from sage which made him blush "so, um I can now go with you as ill be your personal guard hehe." gold shield said as he was still nervous around her "you'll make sure I'm safe and that nothing bad happens to me." she looked at him with a look of a foal needing their mother "yes I'll be on the look out for any miscreants." gold shield said as he looked at her eyes promising her protection "okay, um I never caught um your name it always slipped my mine or was interrupted by my thoughts" she said weakly "its gold shield private gold shield I just got posted here three days ago, those same three days I've been a guard not a whole lot of defending, but I can manage the job even if it means I have to get yelled at time to time, but ever since I meet iron hoof he's been there to give me a helping hoof and to stay on the colonels good side if he has one." he said trying to impress her "so what about you I never got to here from you." gold shield asked trying to at least to get the changeling he was so fond of "well you see changelings aren't white there black but I'm known as an inbreed which is born one in every five changeling pods and also we come out white as you noticed, but it's just that were seen useless since we have no abilities like flying, sight, magic, transformation etc. and by the time were in early adulthood were exiled out of are hive and left to roam equestria" sage said while her ears flopped down and her head looking at the ground "its alright I don't see you useless just beautiful." with that gold shield blushed and turned his head side ways to hide his shame while sage stared at him receiving a small blush as well "y-yyou do" she said surprised "uh yeah I-II do" gold shield said while looking the dirt off the floor of his tent trying to avoid her gaze "why me aren't there mares that will like you instead, I'm just a changeling." sage said still shocked "I guess because your the only mare that's treated me so kindly instead of things I can and can't do." gold shield said "OH um that's um great huh." sage responded both trying to avoid their gaze "hey rookie you in there?" a graveled voice sounded "I got some cider if you want some, but I kind of drank half of it" as the hoof steps stopped the tent flap was open rivaling a familiar face of an aged stallion guard" hey iron hoof heh you look better then you left me trying to help me put her in bed, heh thanks for the help." gold shield said in a sarcastic voice seeing displeased he left him "well, look shield I felt down at the time okay and I need to take some time off you sort of brought bad memories heh looks you got stuck with the changeling." iron hoof said as he floated the glass drink to a table "she's with me, I going to transfer my self to canterlot with her to make sure nothing happens to her!" gold shield said the only thing iron hoof could do is look at gold shields bold actions seeing how determine he was to save this changeling from celestia knows what, and he was going to put him self between them "are you sure, look canterlot is reign capital of equestrian being transferred there is only for high elites, not to mention that there is the possibility your officer can be a total jerk. going there is like having ten steel swords in his heat; not to mention you only been in the royal guard for three days!" iron hoof yelled at the recruit as to why he would go for one changeling he barley known for seven hours "I know I have to, but this changeling is different she's not like the changelings in your stories or the battle! all I know is I promised to protect her, do you think there might be a good changeling instead of bad ones ponies can change." gold shield looked at iron hoof challenging his opposition determine to protect her "WHY in equestrian would you defend that thing it almost took over all of equestria not to mention defeat celestia!" he was now furious that this first time guard thought he could start deciding whether the enemy should or shouldn't be punished It was now gold shields turn to attack, his rage built inside him as he remembered the punishments he took at his home city and why he choose to become a guard to make sure nopony suffers or being ridiculed for who they are "NO you only say this because your some fail excuse of a guard that your still 'old' and still haven't passed the rank of sergeant and living his last days drinking cider! and so what if you failed GET OVER IT!" sage watched in fear and amassment as he risked him self at his superior, practically telling him off to get a life as she covered her ears for another wave of anger it came as a small laugh she looked over to see iron hoof kicking and laughing on the floor, all gold shield could do is look at the pathetic guard in shock "hahahah! whew, I never thought you had it in you, that display brought tears to my eyes ROOK heh; your well on your way to move up from this dustbowl, and by the way I just wanted to know if you were ready AND you are." iron hoof said with a dumb grin on his face as he placed a hoof on gold shield's shoulder "WHAT, this whole thing was a test some sick verbal test!" he stammered still venting anger as he was ready to punch that stupid grin off his face, until he felt sage's soft hoof rub his back to calm his nerves "I guess" iron hoof said reforming back to his old aged sad self "oh, then" gold shield still looked at him "you were preparing this, so that I can defend her against any harm or verbal abuse "gold shield said with pride seeing if that were the correct answer "nah, I just love messing with, but sure believe what you just said, sure sound like the right answer, heh good bye." iron hoof shrugged as he left the tent "he was, well interesting." sage still confused as to why he would let him self take in all that abuse straight from a recruit guard "do you think he doesn't care or he's crazy." sage said pondering "all I know he's a little half baked when he's in a good mood, that what scares me the most." he looked over to her and smiled while removing his helmet "thank you for defending me I mean, we don't really get this much kindness from anypony except us huh or our queen." she said with sadness as she gave a small smile and looked to gold shield who looked back at her reassuring her with a gentle smile of his own "we better get going the train station down the road, if I keep you here any longer the colonel will have a fit about public safety; plus the train to canterlot arrives at five its three twenty nine, but we still got plenty of time." he said with gratitude "well, what do we do I'm still chained and I can't go outside with out everypony looking at me and certainly can't do anything since I'm a changeling seeing were still a threat to you guys, um so what do we do?" sage looked at him hoping to take the boredom that was awaiting them if they were to do nothing for two hours "well we cannn ummm talk, I mean were supposed to be in my tent and can't leave here since the fence outside separates the guard camp from the rest of the town, plus the ponies of appleloosa don't really enjoy are company here and well now that we have you they kind of really keep us out since they say that the royal guard brings in trouble hehe." he chuckled at the irony of the guards placed in appleloosa are or as the guards say it the town of dustbowl in the middle of nowhere "so, what do um I mean what do you guards so here in stead of patrolling the desert or roasting in the sun all day long." sage said with curiosity in her eyes "we just sit talk or drink cider not much reading I guess, but there aren't any good books here, sleep that's what most do a-" gold shield was cut off by a hoof in his face "you talk to much you know that." sage said as she looked into gold shields eyes in a seductive way that left him blushing furiously and directly looking into her big blue eyes the eyes he's been looking at since the first time he saw them in the desert, he didn't care if she was a changeling she was a mare in his eyes and one he loved sage got close to his face as she stared at him locked into him as she pressed forward and passionately kiss him on the lips, gold shield thoughts about her were more bliss than before his body shivered to her touch as she slid her white hole filled hoofs down him griping his neck until she let go of their bond "w-wwhaaat waaas t-tthat" gold shield said his white coated face now red (as an apple) was looking at her un able to keep his jaw in place as he struggled to keep it in place "it was ah kiss, and well I mean I, sort of instincts kicked in and well its how mostly get love but your not mad at me um." sage looked to the ground shyly as to what gold shield might say as he still keep froze in place "um, yah we um better get to the train station we um don't want uhu WELL you know lets go." he said as he put hi helmet on and tug sage who put her hood on to hide her shame, as they proceeded to leave the tent and the guard camp the two of them silent the whole way as both looked strange walking threw town as one stallion whispered to his wife "them two ahre strange bunch, waling whie changeling and red pepper guad what this woherld comin to Ih tell you guad bring noin buht trouble." the stallion whispered to his wife all she did was nod her head in and say "mhm" "so now that were here we'll just stand here until the train arrives and then we go to um centerloot I mean canterlot." gold shield said his head down trying to avoid her gaze rather than too look at her sage responded "your not made at me are you I didn't mean it it's I has hungry and well my body told me to fill it's self and well I sort of took advantage of the time, sorry." her head down invisible due the robe over her head "um look, you caught me off guard I can't stay mad at you just um well don't surprise me is all; I just never been kissed my dad said I have to be my own stallion be for I have a mare." gold shield said shakily his voice still gripped with a thousand thoughts about the changeling that made relations to his lips "so your hungry I guess we can go to the store and get you a pie if you want." he smiled "sure" sage said as she kept looking at the floor still shy of kissing the poor recruit who had trouble thinking "can it be apple it's uh tasted good." "um ya" gold shield shrugged as he tug sage a little hard most of the guards kept looking at him and already making name for himself as the changeling whisper or the changeling tamer to others it reminded them of dog being pulled by his master "I'll go in side just stay here and don't move." he said forcefully as he proceeded in side the small brown bakery as he entered another guard came out carrying food in his sack (no pun intended) until he saw sage outside chained up to the post as he spoke to her "your nothing to us your just going to rid us of everything and well be left with nothing I hope you and you race suffers." the guard said to her, his face angry at the changeling as he departed her, sage only put her head down as tears formed in her eyes as she lay on the ground and wrapped her hoofs around her head as nothing but muffled sounds came out gold shield proceed out the bakery only to find sage crying on the floor he rushed to her and put his hoof on her back "sage what happened?" he asked in a panicked tone trying to calm her, until she came up and hugged him on the waste her eyes full of tears as she buried them in his armor "the guard said I was nothing, hoping I should die!" her voice still hurt by the crude remark all gold shield did was hug her back as he stroke her wings and back "it's okay, lets go back to the train station I'm sure we can still finish that pie you wanted." gold shield said as he gave a warm smile to her trying to calm her down they proceed down towards the train yard they encountered a few odd stares, some of the ponies of appleloosa started to whisper as sage continued to hug gold shields waste, gold shield was embarrassed as he continue to blush, but he didn't care about the odd looks he received he just cared about getting back to the station and to make sure sage I alright "hu here we are, it's alright sage I make sure nothing bad happens to you again, so do you still want the pie?" gold shield asked as he offered her a slice to calm her hunger, she proceed to stick her hoof to take a bite out of it her face lit up as she started to devour the entire pie until every last bit was gone "sorry for the mess, I was just hungry heh." she said as she placed her hoof behind her neck rubbing the back of it as she stroked her plates "that's ok I know I ate already." gold shield said "you know when you defend me in front of the guard do you really think I'm beautiful." she looked up her face with temptation "yes" was all he said as he looked at her "oh" sage blushed as she looked to the ground, *screech* "ALL ABORD TO CANTELOT" the conductor yelled when the train came to a halt, gold shield and sage both went to the back of the train as the whole back car was occupied for him and her to use, meanwhile a couple of guards entered the train as they took position in the train, the piston was shot and the train was on it's way to canterlot
A Train Ride A Train Ride *tktuk* *tktuk* *tktuk* The train was moving, it's rhythm swayed back and forth as the sound of metal hitting the iron studs of the track could be heard, it was relatively calm and peaceful in the hot stuffy car, not to mention the special cargo being shipped to canterlot in a steel trap and the lone guard protecting it ensuring no harm comes to it; as a dragon to its jewel's The train ride was excruciatingly long for gold shield as, he a stallion from manehattan never endure he was a expecting the ride to be quick, on occasion he would sleep due to the ever mounting boredom guard duty was put up to be; seeing out a window was not an option as the freight car held no windows, the walls of his wooden prison were dull red coloring and the constant swaying of other heavy crates would slam into him and keep him awake at this point any pony would of died of boredom or to regret protecting this snow colored changeling, but for him it was a promise he made and one to keep "ugh, won't this train go any faster it seems we event have made it out of that dustbowl, not to mention stop, *sigh* this ride is going to drive me nuts!" gold shield fumed as his temper was near his boiling point as he was ready to scream in furry "uhgmuuu" the sounds of a muffled slumber could be heard in the small train car, catching the attention of gold shield, as he looked over the mountains of crates put in by the guards to conceal the true purpose of the extra train car, gold shield looked with interest the lone white changeling inside her metal prison to small to stand on, how she shuffled to get comfortable was comforting to gold shield as he was remembered or why he was here in the first place or why he even singed the hour long papers in triplicate unlike like gold shields torture sage was blissfully sleeping in her steel home crafted by the guards as she awaited her destination in her dreams, as she would fidget in her sleep as her wings would buzz to the jumping of tracks and her head firmly placed in her white hole filled hooves "hehe, is still don't understand how you seem to calm me sage, its like you always have to act cute for me to get into some stupide situation." gold shield murmured under the sounds of the trains constant clattering on the metal studs as he shook his head and smiled as he looked at sage, watching her sleep "I wonder what they might do to sage, they could interrogate her for answers to the hives location, or dissect her to know how changeling feed of love and shape shift no I don't think celestia would be that cruel as to do that to sage it will be unethical, but what might be the possibility they keep her as a prisoner." gold shield in deep thought hovered over sage, sleeping on the floor of the cage "no! celestia or princess twilight would do something about it, I mean she hurt and hasn't done anything to anypony only to um kiss me" gold shield blushed as he remembered the incident in his head "but still I made a promise to her that nothing bad happen to her and im going to keep it no matter how bad the situation might be even if it means standing up to celestia her self!" gold shield exclaimed as to look around to see if nopony is around, seemingly looking like a mad pony to try and stand up against the goddess of the sun its self four hours passed and night fall has reached equestria blanketing under luna's moon sleep was all gold shield could do as he tried effortlessly but was subjected to the constant stuffiness and the sounds of the crates slamming into him which jolted him awake he kept pondering as to why sage found him interesting, is it because he saved and comfort her or that he's a young fresh face in the guard not like iron hoof ,steel sword, or night blade, still he kept on observing her seeing what he found so interesting of her, was it because he found her attractive of the beautiful deep blue eyes he's been urging to see or that he was into inter species relation like his brother emerald shield with his griffon friend, still he looked at her and feeling his lips when she kissed him in his tent and the warm feeling he felt of her own on his he blushed of the idea of them kissing again, and wondered why he found her so beautiful and attractive as she lie on the steel cage, it reminded him of his father and his mother when they were to gather and how she lost her life when gold shield was young and how his brother and father would try and fill his life with joy just like his mother did, but couldn't "daddy why did mommy go she didn't leave us she'll come back, wont she daddy because I want her to be with me." gold shield remembered the very question that put his father to tears as his brother followed the same gold shield was to young to understand what happened to her and could not know what life had in store for him "gold, mommy I-is not coming b-bback, but she told me to promise to her to protect you so as your brother as well b-because you got to keep a promise isn't that what mommy told you never break a promise to those you love the most." his father gently embraced him as his brother as well both holding back tears as gold shield followed as well A lone tear escaped gold shields eyes as it traveled down his white coat normally blue due to the armors magic which turns them white as he finally came to understand his emotions over his promise to her and why he was meant to protect her *screeeeeeeeeech* The train finally reached its destination to canterlot as gold shield started to lift the cage with the help of other unicorns and help put the sleeping changeling in the carriage and headed to canterlot castle
NoteFor many of you how are following the story i thank you but right now i have an essay for my literary professor and cant write more chapters but i'm working on a new story and its coming out great but comment or give me a messege because i cant pump out 5 thousand words or more on a chapter if any one is willing to write chapters for me you receive full credit for it or comment and ill try and see if i can continue to write more chapters Thank you, Cpt Phoenix
Arrival and bonding Arrival and Bonding The road to canterlot was one gold shield will remember for a very, very, long time seeing he couldn't sleep and only remember the sweet flutters sage would make while she slumbered, he smiled under the thin gold helmet as he puled the locked cart that contained the only mare..er..um...female that kissed him but most important a changeling! A small part of gold shield wanted to be kissed again seeing the position changelings are he could be looked down on or even aiding the enemy, but what bothered him was why did she trust him that much, the same question kept on pestering him like a fly that would constantly land on your food But he looked back to see sage but only saw the brown wall of the cart and for the record it annoyed him as he desperately try and hurry the cart to proceed their trip from the train yard to the castle, he even forgot the will to sleep as his eyes were bloodshot red "sooo um how long do have until we....um we get to the castle" he said putting on his best poker face which was not very convincing as he talked to his cart buddy as he called it "huh not much but we cant look suspicious since this is supposed to be a weapons carriage but instead we get one changeling" the guard now looking a bit annoyed by the question looked to see that his answer did not solve gold shields question "ok so um what happens if the changeling wakes wont it at least bring some suspicion" gold shield looked around as he and the and his 'buddy' pulled the cart "honestly i cant say but if it does i hope we don't get accused to much, celestia sake I was pulled out of patrol just to pull a box, thats unfair" seeing the guards reaction as a small foal not getting what they want only to see their sibling does receive it , "cant be that bad i mean were puling something excitingly new to equestria" gold shield beamed with pride "true" the guard said as put a hoof on his chin "but when on patrol you get a brake you get food and um well there's always cute mares there" the guard looked bashful as his face redden to his loss "uh okay um buddy" gold shield whispered enough for his cart buddy to hear "wha, what did you say" the guard looking to gold shield said as he was at a loss for words "oh I said ok buddy, you know since were cart buddies since were both new recruits and were still puling this heavy cart uh hehe" gold shield looked nervously trying to avoid eye contact "uh yeah, its just that I wouldn't think of you this nice since the guards here aren't all that friendly and i thought youll probly thought me kind of silly" the guard also avoiding eye contact as he was shocked this guard was willing to be his friend or so he thought "well I come from Appleloosa thats were they stationed me for a couple of days and thats were my first few days as a guard how about you" gold shield looked to him with a bit more confidence as he looked to the rookie to his left "um... I'm from Canterlot and thought toooo, um become a guard since I saw the other guards getting all the mares hehe" the rookie started to blush as he made the mistake of telling his true purpose to enter the guard "oh, um well I joined because it got me to help people instead" gold shield spoke trying to lighten the awkward mood "but its just my family problems I guess" gold shield confidence slowly diminished at the thought of his mother "ok" was all the recruit said The pair continued to walk in silence as they carried the cargo through the crowded streets of Canterlot as many noble ponies passed though and fro as they moved sided to side due to the cart they so everly carried as the wood would creeck to the joint force of their pulling Gold shield and his newly acquainted friend stopped at the massive golden gates that protected Canterlot castle, the guards above on the perch towers looked down at the two guards below as they gave the all clear sign to enter, gold shield and the rook proceed inside as the heavy golden doors slide open reveling the beauty of which was Canterlot castle The two recruits entered not amazed by the castle due to the months of training they both endured as they proceed towards the front court yard which held entrance to the castle as a guard was waiting at the door covered by two oddly looking guards, they did not have the golden solar armour but a shaded dark blue one, their eyes yellow as the shape of a feline and the fangs they bore, brought a chill up gold shield spine as he shook at the intimidating guard "so, is this the changeling I was informed of" the rugged guard looked at gold shield and the other recruit "yes sir!" they said simultaneously as they saluted at him "alright you two move and take this down stairs to the lower dungeons" the rugged commander said in a calm tone "as for you two you get to watch this over sized bug so stay alert, I don't want to find both of you cocooned up on a ceiling alright" he looked towards both the recruits to the new job they were getting posted The two recruits passed him as they entered the castle, as they entered they were stuck in awe seeing all the marble, gold, and velvet that covered this place seeing it draped everywhere; they passed a few guards as they saluted to each pair that flanked all the main hallway doors When arriving to their destination, they look to see the two bat ponies from befor they held a dark look, as they gave the ok to let them inside, walking inside the dungeon, remained gold shield of how a cave would look like if it was used, having its spiraling stairs leading downwards, dimly lighted by the few occasional torches, that hung on each edge, as he finally reached the bottom, he looked at all the cell doors that had no occupants, except one "so which one would contain the changeling were supposed to look after" gold shields partner grimly spoke as he had a small sense of fear in him "I think the one with the most lighting, also with the empty box" gold shields hoof pointed towards the bow which once held the changeling prisoner The pair proceeded to the bright light at the end, of where the changeling prisoner once was held, as they moved the box to the side they could see the sleeping changeling, as her breath raised and lowered in the damp cave, bringing a warm smile to gold shields face "well, now that we're here, we're supposed to stand here and look after that thing?" gold shields partner responded with a question that every brought up with "thing" in it "yes, but its not a thing its a mare and her name is sage!" gold shield gritted as he loudly mumbled underneath his teeth as the words leaving his partner were insulting to her, also for the lack of sleep on the train "ok, ok, sorry if I upset you, its just i didn't know if it was a mare or a stallion, but I was just asking" now the recruit looked to gold shields face as his anger quickly disappeared, as he looked over the recruit with a reassuring smile "yah, well its my fault I kind of snapped I haven't slept since the ride and plus she sort of......special" gold shield's face grew a small pink blush as he looked away trying to regain his poker face, but failed "oh, well if you feel that way then, she must be a very luck mare" his buddy shuffled around as he became uncomfortable with his answer, that he might of insulted his mare friend and that he got paired with a changeling lover "WHAT!, nonononono, no its well, she's just really nice and I consider her a friend not that I'm dating her or anything!" gold shield quickly tried to defuse the situation "sorry, its just the way you look at her I thought you two might be together" they recruit said as he once again shuffled in place and scuffed the dirt on the ground, with his head looking away in embarrassment "you kinda smiled, when she was sleeping and shouted when I called her thing; its just that some stallions get protective of their mare, you know" "well, shes been nice and I haven't been given a nice talking to either, since my placement in the recruitment camp, also we sort of kissed" now it was gold shields turn to act awkwardly "OH!, well at least you got kissed by a mare you, I haven't gotten kissed by any mare except my mom, but that doesn't count" the guard said as he lowered his head in shame "I've been nice to her, she sort of just went for it, but if we get out of here I can help you get a mare like all the other guards do" gold shield said with a small reassuring smile trying to lift the hopes of the sadden guard before him " you will?" the recruit said "yes" gold shield responded With that settled the pair stood there in silence that they were going to spend time seeing both of them had a rough time in the guard, as the only sound was made by the dripping of water and flickering of fire from the burning torches; minutes passed as gold shield fell asleep pass through him as his slowly started to close and being his sleep, luckily his new buddy might help An hour passed, and gold shield slept, as he has not gotten any since he went along for the ride, his mind wondered dreaming about the snow colored changeling and the intimate moments they had and the way she smiled brought a smile to him seeing this it struck him with a warm feeling that he didn't want to lose After his small but peaceful nap he opened his eyes only to see white as he looked up, he only saw the face of celestia with a curious face and eyes on him " oh hello your majesty" he bowed "why did I sleep" gold shield whispered
