Chapter 1

Repaying The Favor

I stood alone on the balcony at the beautiful, starry night. The stars were absolutely stunning that night. Were over a million stars and a full moon. I could have stared it all night if I had it my way. However I had my royal duties to take care of that were more important then stargazing, sadly.

But there’s no hurry right now.

The evening reminded me of the time I met Faith ten years ago on the night of my coronation. Time really does flies; it felt just yesterday when I met her. Helping get out of the wheelchair and live a life of her own at last. We still kept in contact though, was very rare now. She has an amazing colt-friend and great friends who she causally mentioned in a couple or so letters on a few occasions. She seems to have a happy life, which was the point of me giving my wings to her.

She had told me in a letter recently that she’s about to turn sixteen and she’s going to have huge party for it and that I was welcome to join if I liked. I giggled a bit, I was just a few weeks from turning twenty-eight and I was being invited to a sweet sixteen’s with a brunch of teenagers. I’m feeling old now, thanks Faith.

I stood a little longer; I knew I should get back my royal responsibilities. Though it was quite late and I rather wait until the next morning to do it.

All of a sudden, I heard my name.

I turned to see an rose colored unicorn with her pale peach and blonde mane in golden helmet and matching armor, Crystal Stars the first and only female guard we have at the castle.

***

Here’s a history lessen fifty years ago, mares weren’t allow to be royal guards due to the belief females wouldn’t have handle the constant demand of protecting the royals like an stallion could. But due to a heavy protests and debates, the ban was lifted, eventually Nonetheless there was and still very strict policies for a pony to become a guard.

A royal guard is expected to take care of all challenges head on and have very little time to act about a dangerous situation. Whether it’s stopping Princess Luna eating a peanut butter sandwich, which she is allergy too, or saving from us The Changeling Queen. It doesn’t matter what problem is, a guard must be prepared to handle anything.

Mostly, the males were able to get it all right. The mares were permitted to apply for it but none passed. Until Crystal came to the picture, she passed all the exams with flying colors and became the only mare guard we have to this day.

She was fairly new and wasn’t relatively sure on she was doing yet. She at least to be a tried to be a decent guard though she still has a long way to go.

***

Crystal did a small bow; she stated that Princess Celestia would like to see me immediately in the throne room. When I asked if there was a problem, she said was told to just pass on the message and was told nothing. I nodded and headed the throne room.

***

I entered the room urgently, thinking there a dragon attack on a nearby town or some terrible disaster.  I saw Princess Celestia calmly in her throne chair awaiting my arrival. She instantly left her throne, nearly towards me, it’s worse then I thought.

I asked what was the problem in a panicking voice. Celestia suggested that I calm down a bit before we continued. What’s going on?  This wasn’t going to be good. Could someone just tell me what happen? I thought to myself.

Ok I need to relax and a take deep breathe before I over exaggerate it. I’m acting like a drama queen. I took a long breath, finally feeling tranquil able enough to actually communicate properly.

Celestia hesitated before she went on. She put her hoof on my shoulder, “I’m so sorry, Faith is in the hospital”. She said with deep empathy. “Doctors say she might not have long”.

I felt my heart drop, Can’t Faith d-die. She inspired me in every way possible. With outgoing attitude and her genuinely kindness that brings to smile even to the toughest stallion. Though I did give her my wings and she is a weak flier, unfortunately she still needed her wheelchair to get around. But at it’s better then being stuck a wheelchair all day. Because flying can get very exhausting, The Transfer Spell couldn’t do that much.

I just wanted to run off and cry. Faith didn’t deserve this; she was just starting to live it up. It’s just not fair.

“Why? What happen to her?” I asked Celestia, holding all my tears. I was close to having a breakdown right there and then.

Celestia swallowed nervously. I have a bad feeling about this.

”Are you sure want to know?”

“Yes, I handle it”. I said getting more and more inpatient.

The princess took a deep breath before she continued. “According to the police report that was given to me. Faith was out night flying with her colt-friend, Meddler yesterday meeting some friends of theirs at a party. Meddler had both running late and wanted get to the party as fast as possible. Meddler was flying faster Faith and she had trouble keeping up with him and she falling behind him.

Eventually, Faith lost him and ended in the bad part of Canterlot.  She got caught up into a mugging and was stabbed, luckily someone called the authorities and the mugger is arrested. The doctor said she’s in critical condition and we’re waiting to see how Faith will heal.”

I said nothing, I felt completely numb. Then I experienced anger I never had before. How dare Meddler abandon Faith like that? A gentle-colt wouldn’t pull a stunt like that, especially since Faith has difficulty with mobility. I have some choice words for him.