Once upon a dreary night

I sit in bed reading my fathers' combat magic manual. He never knows I take them, They just sit in the library gathering dust. He's only in the reserves, so he never has to study, they never use the reserves anyways, they just pay him to be part of it. I plan to join them full time, I hope he lets me go, I've always wanted to join, to stand beside Commander Blood, protecting the princess, fighting evil.

I pull off my headphones, my lust for trance music being thoroughly  sated for the day. I mark my spot in the book and close it as well, I feel like doing absolutely nothing today. I can't practice combat magic in the park anymore, not after mister Charcoal found out I incinerated the rose garden, and especially after I cast a spell of poisoning on his favorite tree. I can't play my music either, mom banned me from using my speaker system inside, and my neighbors hate it when I use it out back. Lightwing is on a trip with her family, and I can't go to 'friendly' hoof to hoof combat practice with Iron anymore, not since last week. I sigh, Ever since last week I've been looked at like I'm a monster, or like I'm some prince charming. I look through my bookshelf for anything that might be of use tomorrow, when they put us in the big combat simulation at the fort, Commander Blood decided I should go, despite not being able to attend the preliminary test, he said 'my fight with Iron Hoof was enough to show that I'm made of the right material', I think I still get to go just because Princess Celestia wants to meet me.

I slide out of bed, making sure my headphones are secure around my neck before heading downstairs.

"Is there anything to eat yet?" I ask as I step into the kitchen, where my mom, Darkshade is sitting, drinking her tea.

"Not yet, I still have to go get the tomatoes for the salad" She states quietly.

"Ha! petty fool, my appetite will not be sated with such empty excuses!" I exclaim empirically.

Darkshade giggles "Oh, but my lord, I would never give you empty remark, not even if the price be death!" she exclaims, playing my game.

I hang my head, she always knows how to make me feel foolish, even when I pretend I rule the world. I leave the kitchen, my mom chuckling to herself. I go back to my bedroom and lay down, wishing it would be tommorow already.

A full ten minutes pass before something happens other than me blowing spit bubbles and making fart sounds. I hear a firm knocking on the front door downstairs, then the soft clopping of hooves, telling me that my mom is going to answer the door. I flick my ears in the general direction of the door, trying to hear whatever conversation that will be had.

I hear a deep, gruff voice from downstairs, "Hello madam Darkshade. I hate to inform you on such short notice, but Princess Celestia wishes you to meet her at the palace tonight, and possibly stay for a few days"

"Oh, well in that case, I need to wait for Ember, and get Crimson all packed up." she says gently to the stallion at the door.

"Your husband has already been informed, and do not worry about packing, everything will be supplied at the palace."

"In that case, let me go get Crimson"

"I'll wait here"

I stand up, push my blue and red mane out of my eyes, and adjust my headphones, Celestia wants to talk to me before tomorrow! more princess points! I hoof pump and walk out of my room before Darkshade can enter into my domain.

"Okay, I'm ready, lets go!" I say excitedly to my mom.

"Oh, good, lets go" she says, giving me a heartwarming smile

The ride there was almost completely uneventful, other than the weather, those pegasus really need to step up their game sometimes.

After the short chariot flight to Canterlot we were promptly escorted by a white pegusus to our rooms. Mine was definitely larger than our whole living room, and possibly the kitchen as well, it even had a desk with some DJing equipment on it, then there were even copies of the posters I had in my room on the walls, although they were arranged more artistically then mine. Still, it was awesome to know that they would take the time to customize it to my taste palette without even asking, Celestia must be the coolest pony ever, she takes the time to make sure those little details are taken care of.

"By the way, what's your name?" I ask the white colt.

He smooths back his black mohawk and replies "I'm cadet Bright Light, thirty first generation of Umbral guard applicants, designation ucp376, part of the second class flier regiment!" His reply obviously is something he has been wanting to tell somepony for awhile.

"Wow, why are you acting as an escort then?"

"I'm just a squire for now, preforming daily duties of a servant is part of my training." His face is shouting all kinds of pride right now, but he keeps his speech in a 'matter of fact' tone.

I smile, "How did you get in?! did you like save somepony or something and get recognized for it and get an invite to the Umbral guard academy?!" My question is very rushed, but he smiles knowingly.

"I was in the normal academy, but with my exceptional behavior was recognized and I received an invite from Sir Watcher himself, it really was worth it though, there's only five others, but they got in because of rich politicians." he says shrugging, probably used to allot of excited colts asking him all about it.

"Wow, do you think I could get in like that?" I ask, nearly bouncing on my hooves.

"Possibly, you'll need to keep your grades up though, it shows diligence, if not, then it shows you've got a brain. One of which you will need if you expect to be doing anything involving 'Umbral guard stuff' but you should know that, you look like you're not an idiot, so I assume you'll have a chance."

"That, I can do!"

"Wait, are you the pony that was in that fight in Larktown?"

"Yeah, what about it?" I say, trying to conceal the fact that I was excited that an Umbral cadet would notice me.

"What about it?! That was awesome! fighting a off a horde of bullies to save a beautiful young filly who became your special somepony not long after!" He says jumping a couple of times in excitement.

"What, ew, no, not quite, it was only four, and she's not my special somepony, just a good friend." I say momentarily confused

"Oh... I guess every story gets taller every time it's told. But still, that's awesome!" He bounces again "you were all like Pow! Bam! Smack! Pow!... and then BOOM!" He says demonstrating some of his professional ninja-pony moves.

I laugh, "Not quite like that, it was more like Smack! Opmf! Squish. Crack! Argh! Smack!"

"Squish?"

"Yes, squish" I say pointing to my eye.

"Ew, that's... gross, but still cool!"

"I know right, and I got a cool scar!" I say pointing to my left shoulder.

"Wow, real battle scars!" He exclaims "I've got one on my neck, from a stray bolt of telekinetic bladeshot during training!" He lifts his head so I can see a long scar under his chin. "It went into the bone, so it won't ever fade."

"Cooool!" I say looking at the scar. "What's your talent?" I ask, looking for a cutie mark, but his flank is covered with a long cape.

He lifts the cape so I can see his cutie mark, as well as the several combat knives hidden in the cloak. His cutie mark is a white candle. "I'm really good at making candles, and I know how to infuse them with magic so they can have different effects and moods on the environment or ponies within the range of its' light." He says, hinting at tons of knowledge on the subject.

"Wow, that could actually be, useful. I would of never of thought of that"

"It's come in really handy, in case I want to read late at night, or cast a blinding spell on my enemies"

My jaw drops "A candle that can make it dark?"

"Only for your enemies."

"Wow, what else can you do?"

"I can make candles of confusion, clarity, energy, sleep. And I can make ones that make ponies angry, sad, happy, or even scared, but emotions are harder to evoke with a simple candle, sometimes to get the proper effect you have to use up a hundred, but it still only works if the light is touching the intended target"

"I wish I could do that!"

He glances at my flank "Who knows, you might get a talent like it someday"

"Yeah, I might" I say, frowning slightly.

"Hey, give it time, it will come eventually. I do have to go though, squire duties and all"

"Okay then, good luck!" I call to him as he turns to leave.

"You too, Crimson" He says before walking off, his cape billowing behind him as a light breeze floats down the hall.

I am giddy with glee, I get to meet the princess, and I have an Umbral squire as an escort!

I quickly close my door and trot over to the mirror.

"Why hello m'lady." Nope, to flirty.

"Your highness! what a pleasure to have your audience!" Nope, she invited me, not the other way around.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person!" Again, nope, sounds like a villain from a power pony comic.

"M'lady, it fills my heart with joy to be in audience of a prestigious being such as yourself!" Also nope.

I give up, I will make it up as I go along, there is no point of trying to over-charm the princess, it will almost definitely end up with me embarrassed.

What do I do? I've got everything here, but I still feel as if I shouldn't just fall back on the same stuff, not while I'm in Canterlot.

My reverie is broken as I hear a knocking on the door.

"Yes?" I ask

The voice is soft, feminine "Mr. Eon, Lieutenant Punch  wishes to speak with you."

I walk over to the door and open it, a yellow earth pony stands in front of me, she smiles at me.

"Uh, take me to him, I guess/" I say putting on my 'tough' pose.

She giggles "Okay, follow me young sir."

I definitely commend the ponies here for the formalities, I got called sir....

The walk was brief, it only took her five minutes to get us to Lieutenant Punch's office. She knocks lightly on the door three times, the standard form for military.

"Come in." He says flatly

The yellow pony opens the door and motions for me to go inside, I hesitate, but step in promptly. A buff earth pony sits behind the desk in the middle of the spartan office.

"I would like to speak with you for a few minutes, Crimson" His gaze is chilling, I try not to think about it though.

"Yes sir"

He continues to speak, but stops, takes off his helmet and continues, "I need you to know a few things, Crimson, I do hope you listen"

"Yes sir" I say again

"Good. First off, I can't have you running around the palace without an escort, you are a guest, but still a civilian"

"Does being a civilian mean I'm immediately an idiot?"

"Good, we're clear on that one, and no, not all civilians are idiots" He says, motioning to a chair across from the desk.

I sit down, he pours himself some cider.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"Yeah, to talk to the princess"

"Not quite" He offers me a glass, I shake my head.

"Why then?"

"A lawsuit Crimson, life isn't all about showing off to princesses"

I blink, Why would I be sued, or anyone else?, "Why would I be sued?"

"Not you, your father. The're suing because your fight, Iron Hoofs' family is upset that he was injured, as well as the families of his accomplices."

"But I wasn't attacking him, I was defending Lightwing!"

"I know, the princess knows, they know, we all know. The fact is, Iron Hoof was injured, de-eyed and stabbed to be exact, and even though you meant well, and even though he was healed, they want recompense."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. I don't mean to sound harsh, but watch it young stallion, any carrier options could be damaged by a lawsuit, and your case could be damaged if you turn out to be anything other than what your intentions were when you were in your fight."

"what?"

"Meaning, if you show yourself to be anything other than a kind loving protector of your special somepony."

"She's not my-"

"I know, society doesn't, this is a very public case, it happened right in front of a school, when parents were picking up their children, gossip is a force to be reckoned with. If you expect this to go well, you-" he says pointing a hoof at me for emphasis "-need to be extra vigilant in the public eye, especially tomorrow, during the young warrior championship. If they even let you in."

"Yes sir"

"I do not mean to ruin your visit with troubles, I just felt the need to warn you of this, especially since you're a civilian."

"I thought you said civilians aren't idiots."

He facehoofs "No, it's just that, ugh, nevermind. civi's..."

"Okay then..."

"Anyways, other than that, don't do nothin' stupid. And goodbye Crimson."

"Thank you sir" I say getting off the chair and standing at attention.

Lieutenant Punch raises an eyebrow, but stands at attention as well. I salute, he dismisses me and I promptly step back, about face, and march off. I hear chuckling from the officer as I close the door. That... went, well.

My mind wanders I am led back to my room, Why would anypony start a lawsuit? It's just so ridiculous.

The servant lets me into my room and walks away, I wonder if I can get into the young warriors competition now?

These are the questions that bother me for the rest of the day.