Upon the throne of Canterlot Palace, the font of Equestria's power, sat Luna, Alicorn Princess and co-ruler of the land laid before her. The map detailed the locations of several train stations and cities across Equestria.

"Your Majesty, I propose that a line be built to the new settlement of Appleoosa, this settlement requires a supply line in order to sustain it in definitely, the desert is simply too hot and too dangerous to cross on hoof." The noble stated, indicating the dotted black line running across the Buffalo Plains.

"Isn't this territory of a Buffalo tribe Sir Track?" The Princess asked.

"No your Majesty, it used to be, but the tribe has moved on and the town of Appleoosa was formed by a branch of the Apple clan." Sir Right Track explained. " The tribe seems to have become nomads, they seem to wander the plains systematically"

"Thank you for your input Sir Right Track, my sister and I have decided to allow this track to be built for the benefit of our little ponies" she signed the paperwork floating in her magic and lowered it to the noble. "You are dismissed."

"Thank you, your majesty" the noble bowed, turned and left the room, passing the next pair of ponies as they aproached and bowed low towards the throne.

"Rise and speak your mind" Luna ordered, the pair raising as one.

At this point I blocked out the proceedings, focusing purely on the space around me and potential threats to my charge. I was stood upon one of the protruding platforms that adorned the raised throne, overlooking the rest of the hall, the guard across from me was adorned in Black, bat like armour of the Nocturn guard, the leathery wings and fin like helmet crest making him look slightly more intimidating than their golden coated counterparts.

The light from the stain glass window wasn't really enough, the ceiling itself magically providing a glow of blue tinted light across the room, a stark contrast to during the day. The ponies in the room all seemed tired, probably having waited to see the Princess through the day or just not used to staying up late. My pondering was cut short by the two great doors at the entrance of the room slammed open, revealing Blueballs himself.

"Out of my way!" The Prince shouted, pushing past the pair of ponies who were just about to leave. "You!" He pointed at me. "I'm going to kill you!" He screamed.

"Mm-hmm" I hummed in the affirmative.

"But first, I'm going to humiliate you!" He exclaimed, slamming his hoof down.

"Neat" I replied.

"But first, before I do any of that, I'm going to hurt you!" He shouted.

"Oh? See, that would be intimidating, if you were… well, intimidating." I stated.

"Grrr, are you mocking me!?" He asked, growing redder by the moment.

"Yes, and I'd suggest you stand down before I am forced to take action against you" I stepped forward bringing my bayonet to level with his throat, advancing slowly. "I do not take threats against my life lightly Blueballs. I'd suggest leaving before you make any more mistakes".

At this point the prince was practically burning with rage. "How dare you address me as such! I demand a duel! Aunty Luna, could you bear witness?" He asked, prompting the Princess, who had until recently, been sat watching the volley of harsh words with a slight grin.

"Yes Blueblood, but I forbid you from fighting to the death, it would be too barbaric for our society. I would suggest that you both fight without magic, it would be an unfair fight for both of you" she stated. " I just hope that the Captain leaves you in one piece my nephew, you may have just made a grave mistake.

"1700 hours, two week from today, Canterlot gardens. Fail to attend and be considered a coward." He stated.

"I accept you challenge and add my own rule, blunted blades only. We wouldn't want any fatal wounds now would we?" I chuckled. "I wish you luck in you preparations Blueballs, you'll need it."

The Prince harrumphed and turned, trotting out the room."You shall regret your decision greatly freak." He called back as he turned through the empty door, the room having been vacated during our rant.

Once the doors had shut I turned to the Princess " Apologies Ma'am, I wasn't expecting to see that idiot for a while, we had a minor missagreement in the hallway and he probably isn't thinking straight, but that is his mistake." I paused for a moment. " Although, you could have just told him to stop, saved him from making such a terrible mistake." I asked.

"I could yes... But I would'nt enjoy that would I Captain?" She stated.

"I'd imagine not Ma'am, I suppose it would be more entertaining this way." I sighed. "If only he had controlled his anger... I wonder what occurred to make him this angry.

"So what, the Prince tried to fire you because a bird had ate his favourite roses and you didn't prevent it?" Shining armour asked the guard across his desk.

"Yes sir, he did, then he proceeded to throw a bit of a tantrum, he said he was going to ' show that tall freak a lesson" the guard explained.

"I'll look into it Stalwart, thank you for aproaching me with this" he said indicating that the guard could leave.

"You're welcome sir" the guard said, saluting and leaving as Shining returned the salute.

"Well, seems you've caused quite a mess Parker." The Captain of the Royal guard muttered to himself as he made haste down the halls of the guard wing towards the throne room.

Meanwhile, in the throne room...

"So how do we proceed Ma'am?" I asked Luna.

"Now we wait Captain, perhaps you train with a blade, perhaps not. It is up to you, but be warned, my nephew shall be training to take you down. He is proficient with a blade, are you?" The princess asked.

"Yes, It was an optional part of my officers training, I can use a blade just as well as one of my own own appendages. That coupled with extensive training in hand to hand combat should do nicely. I'm probably going to need to spa with another pony though, get used to my opponent being on four legs and at hip height, or shoulder height in your case Ma'am" I said " although I'm probably never going to be forced to fight you nor your sister." I joked fixing my bayonet onto my rifle as we moved to leave the throne room, following the Diarch down the ramp and past the waterfalls at the bottom set of platforms.

"We sincerely hope that thou shall never have to, my sister and I are formidable opponents. Thou wouldn't last long against either of us without an immense amount of magic, which you do not possess" the princess claimed, opening the towering doors with an aura of blue from her horn coating the handles.

As the doors swung open, Captain armour trotted around the corner, coming to a stop as he spotted us.

"What did you do Parker?" Shining asked, seemingly worried.

"I don't know, you tell me Armour." I replied.

Author's Note

And that marks the end of this chapter.

Up next...

Nightmare!