My Little Carmines

Chapter 9: The enemy of my enemy

Whilst the princesses had waited for Benjamin's late arrival, Celestia had sent a letter to Twilight Sparkle which informed her that she should send an update on the status of Ponyville. The princess of the day feared for another attack on the innocent town of Ponyville. She had already ordered for several of her guards to guard the town so that they could do their best to protect the inhabitants that prospered in Ponyville. Refusing to accept another injured subject, she strictly informed her guards to evacuate the area immediately if the creatures or stalks were to return, and she had mentioned in her letter to Twilight that she should inform Spike that if the creatures were to return then she was to be notified immediately. She had also informed the director of the newspaper that the front page of the newspapers in every town, city and village should contain warnings of the stalks and the creatures that nightmarishly blossomed from them.

When the reckless rookie had finally arrived at the throne room, their discussions could officially begin. Ben immediately noticed Shining Armor spitting a hideous and untrustworthy glare towards him. Something within Ben made him slightly pissed off with the way he was being treated by Shining Armor alone. Coming to think about it, Ben realised that all the guards seemed to be, rather than standing around like lemons like they usually did, giving him misguided and filthy glared as well. At that very moment, Ben felt a very nervous and isolated feeling that almost injected him with a poisonous claustrophobic feeling. Being a rookie, green as grass and bone idle all at once never usually made him focused on the minor dangers that could possibly surround him. Of course, back on Sera he was always kept awake as he feared that he would be waking up to see the boot of a Locust coming down to obliterate his skull. However, the sudden thought that raced through his mind was the fact that he was the only human in this foreign world. It was then that the whole situation had actually dawned on him as he came to an understanding of what exactly happened since he awoke from the prison. The feeling of being an outcast had never sunk so deep inside the rookie before. Usually his light headed and enthusiastic ego never allowed him to become so focused on the evil and awful situations. There were a few scenarios such as Tai's death which horrified him as he always looked up to those within the COG army who had fought since the Pendulum Wars.

"Benjamin," Princess Celestia stared which caused Ben to snap out of his trance," We need to talk about the recent events that have happened in Ponyville."

"Look, I already told you, I don't know anything about those yellow things that attacked us," Benjamin replied almost immediately. His rude and agrestic behaviour in front of the princess was causing his reputation with the Royal Guards, despite already being low and uneasy, to sink even further.

"Well yes, I do remember you telling me this. However, you did mention of these 'Locust' creatures earlier. I would like you to explain to me what they are, and what ever information you told my sister I would like you to explain to me," Princess Celestia almost demanded.

Benjamin, feeling slightly forced and almost bored of having to explain everything again, retold the story while a pony with a quill and pen jotted down everything that he said. Benjamin, inside his mind, started to question the very princess in front of him. He understood that he was foreign, dangerous and was there when the Lambent first made their appearance in Ponyville, but the way that they were treating him after he saved the lives of the two princesses made him slightly frustrated. Was it the bonding of sudden homesickness that helped fuel his disliking to the princess and the land he was in? Was it the fact that he was so used to the violence, the destruction, the humans, the Locust, and the very place on Sera, which he could call home, which caused him a sudden feeling of misplacement?

"Princess, can you be sure that what he is telling us is true?" Shining Armor whispered to Princess Celestia.

"I can't be exactly sure, but I do have a feeling that he is telling as much as he possibly can," the princess responded before asking a question of her own. "Don't you trust him?"

"No, your majesty," Shining Armor responded harshly and accidently, All these recent activities has happened ever since he was first discovered in Equestria. If I didn't know any better, I believe that he has some sort of connection to all this. I have my guards keeping eyes on him in case he tries anything suspicious."

"Now, now Shining Armor, is there really any need for any sort of crude actions to be taken against him? After all, he is a guest here in Equestria, and we do want to make him feel as welcome as possible," Princess Celestia responded in a motherly tone.

"Yes, I understand, your majesty, but I'm just doing my duty to protect the ponies around Equestria. We know hardly anything of Benjamin and his purpose here in Equestria. We also don't know him fully as in his background. How can we know that what he is telling us is the truth? I'm sorry princess but two guards lost their lives today and I'm not taking any chances," Shining Armor responded whilst staring at the rookie who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Yes, Shining Armor, I understand your concern but you do not have any evidence that proves him as being guilty for the weird enemy haunting below the Equestrian soil. We cannot simply scapegoat Benjamin because the creatures arrived upon his presence. Until we uncover the truth, we should be marvelling and fascinated about his presence here. We should make him feel as welcome as possible in Equestria so that we don't leave a bad impersonation on ourselves. And I hope, seeing as the pair of you are fighters and warriors, you would be getting along just fine and actually exchanging stories of each other's experiences," Princess Celestia replied whilst she eyed the captain.

"That's going to be a little complicated your majesty. I believe that our little 'guest' here is already known to my hostility and mistrust of his presence here."

"Well then, I make it your duty to start over a new with Benjamin and make him more comfortable for him while he stays here in the castle."

Shining Armor almost gave a look of shock towards the princess but quickly removed it before she took offence. He simply nodded in response and turned to look at the Gear who stood idly and, most probably, bored.

"Shining Armor," Princess Celestia stated aloud which gained the attention of the bored rookie," I would like you to take Mr Benjamin Carmine on a tour around the castle. It would be nice for him to get a better understanding of his surroundings so that he feels more at home."

With reluctance, Shining Armor bowed at her request.

"Keep up," Shining Armor ordered harshly," I don't have all day."

"Awesome, I'm going on an adventure with my biggest fan! How exciting," Ben sarcastically whined as he slowly began to follow the captain.

"Watch your mouth-"Shining Armor started before the door that led to the giant throne room swung open harshly. A guard quickly entered who seemed to have been out of breath.

"Your majesty…" He started but was simply lost with words and out of breath to say more.

"What is it?" Celestia demanded with her authority.

"She…she has returned!" The guard replied almost dramatically.

"Who has returned?"

"Queen Chrysalis!"