My Little Pony Champions of Justice

With his new entitlement, Valiant had all the perks that came with Knighthood. Nobles from all over Canterlot came presenting their daughters as suitors for the newly appointed hero but were politely turned down. Colts and fillies also came from around the city begging him to make them his apprentice; but he could not just pick anypony from the crowd.

For a while, he could not make a decision. So, the request letters kept piling up and the citizens were getting impatient. Valiant was in the guest room trying to find a solution when Celestia came in with a tea cart behind her.

"Morning. "Sir" Valiant." The princess greeted her friend, emphasizing his new title with a smile.

"Morning your majesty." Valiant was always delighted to see the princess whenever she came for a visit; but, his mind was focused elsewhere. Celestia could plainly see this.

"Looking for a potential apprentice of your own?" Celestia asked, cutting straight to the point. Valiant groaned out of frustration as he leaned back in his chair. Letting his arms to slump to the ground.

"This is frustrating! All these letters of recommendation, and I've just been knighted!"

Celestia could not help but giggle at her friend’s plight as he ruffled his mane. Groaning once again out of annoyance. Just then Luna had stepped in, hearing the commotion and deciding to investigate.

"Something troubling you Sir Valiant?" Luna asked as he slumped his head on the desk. Burying himself in the letter pile, giving Luna a clear hint as to what was bothering him.

"Apprentice selection proving difficult?"

"In more ways than one. I've seen the most of the records, but I'll need more than a few years of basic training."

"I see."

"As far as I can tell. None of these candidates have any experience in the field, and the last thing I need is a lightweight." Valiant stated, sipping down some tea when a member of the royal guard marched into the room holding a scroll.

"Your Majesties. I bring news from one of our scouts in Everfree. We have found a small encampment of demons deep in the forest, and it seems they're armed for battle."

"So the bastards are already making their move." Valiant said in a cold tone, remembering the attack on the gala.

"Yes sir. Your majesties. The citizens are still worried over last night’s attack and rumors have begun to spread. What are your orders?"

"Hmm...Valiant?"

Both sisters agreed that Valiant should handle the matter. Seeing as he had the most experience with these demons. Turning to the map he kept on his new desk. Valiant surveyed the area between the Everfree forest and Ponyville, already formulating a plan.

"We'll need to form a scouting party and get an estimate of their numbers. I'll be leading. Round up a group of volunteers and we'll rendezvous in Ponyville."

"Yes sir!" The guard saluted before racing off to the barracks. Back in Ponyville. Button and his two friends were discussing what they overheard the other night.

"Being a squire to the "Iron Wolf"! Can you imagine?" Button asked, going down the playground slide with Pipsqueak following.

"That would be so cool!" Rumble said as he played on the swings.

"Who do you think it'll be?"

"I hope it's one of us."

"Oh please!"

Button and his friends turned to see Diamond and Silver Spoon performing their usual bully routine on the playground. The two spoiled fillies trotted forth, with noses stuck up.

"Why would Valiant chose one of you losers?"

"Everypony knows knights will only select those from the rich and noble families.”

"In other words: NOT you three!"

The two burst into laughter as Buttons face got all pouty before his voice shot out in anger.

"Oh yeah?! What makes you so sure?! Last I checked he scared you two stiff in front of the whole class because you acted like the spoiled fillies you are!"

Diamond Tiaras face instantly turned red with embarrassment as did Silver Spoons. The whole playground began to fill with the sound of giggling as the two shot angry glares at Button.

"Why you-!"

"DIAMOND TIARA!" Cherilee shouted, breaking up the commotion. The five foals stood there as their teacher arrived on the scene, sighing in disappointment.

"Honestly Diamond Tiara. You should know by now there are better ways to spend your time than picking on others."

"But-!"

"No buts! I'll see you after school for detention."

Diamond Tiara just stood there in shock, gritting her teeth in frustration before she stormed off with Silver Spoon. After school. Button and his friends were heading over to his house for a sleepover when they spotted a squad of royal guards marching through Ponyville. Armed to the teeth as they headed for the edge of town.

"Royal guard in Ponyville?"

"Hey look!" Rumble spotted Valiant leading another squad of guards. Armed with his signature twin swords.

"Valiant is here along with a few royal guards...My adventure sense is tingling!" Button exclaimed, raising a hoof in the air before darting off.

"HEY!"

"BUTTON WAIT!" Rumble and Pipsqueak shouted, giving chase.

At the edge of town; Valiant began briefing his men on their mission. He pointed out a specific location on the map.

"Alright. Here's the dead orchard where me and Shining Armor killed that boar. Now, if we follow the trail of dead trees and animals, then we should find the source of the dark magic. Possibly even Grogar… If we’re lucky. I don't need to remind you boys of what will happen if you charge in recklessly."

Valiant pointed out to some of the guards who survived the attack on the gala.

"There's sixteen of us so we'll split into two teams. Long Stride. You'll be scouting for team one, Sharp Shot for team two. If you see the enemy do not engage. Wait for backup. Are we clear?"

"SIR! YES SIR!"

"Alright. MOVE OUT!!"

Both parties raced off in opposite directions as they headed into the forest. Unaware that young Button was following close behind with his friends. As the trio ventured deeper into the forest, they remained hot on the guard’s trail. The one’s lead by Valiant.

"Button? Are you sure this is a good idea?" Pipsqueak asked as he tried to keep up with his friends.

"Don't worry. Sweetie Belle and her friends do stuff like this all the time!"

"That's what worries me." Rumble stated as he helped Pip climb over a fallen tree. Night soon began to fall as the group came upon the dead orchard. Many skeletons decorated the landscape. Rumble and Pipsqueak began to grow a bit skittish but Button however was unusually excited.

"So COOL! Just like in Legend of Zelda! The lost woods!"

Button could hardly contain himself as he darted around. Taking in the scenery, while Rumble and Pipsqueak tried to pick up the trail of the scouting party. The forest was now too dark to see through though. The three began to worry as they looked around with backs to one another.

"Okay! I'll admit this was a bad idea!"

"Ya think?!"

Rumble growled at Button Mash before returning his attention to the trees. That was when Pipsqueak noticed a strange green light in the distance.

"Hey. What's that over there?" Pipsqueak led the way as they headed toward the light. They found a whole group of demons feasting on a roasted boar.

"Yikes!" Button whispered under his breath as he got a good look at the demons.

Four of them had the horns of a bull followed by a pair of bat wings. They were large enough to crush a full grown pony with one hand. The others looked like strange dogs with clawed tentacles on their backs.

"This is bad guys." Rumble stated as they watched the demons continue to feed while discussing a mission they had been given.

"So. Where's this town we're supposed to ransack?"

"A place called "Ponyville" *scoff* nothing there but a bunch of puny equines. They don't even have guards there!"

"So why does Master Grogar even want that puny town?"

"For the sacrifices. He needs the whole town to permanently open the portal."

"Portal?"

SNAP!

"What was that?!" One of the demons sprang to his feet as Pipsqueak quickly ducked behind a bush with Rumble and Button. The demon looked around for a bit as he began poking the bushes, nearing the three colts.

"Hmm..."

Giving one last look over his shoulder, the demon sat back down with the others. Button and his friends tried to sneak off.

"We gotta find Valiant and tell him what those guys are up to!" Button whispered as they prepared to make their escape.

"Wait! Look there!" Rumble pointed to a bunch of wooden cages near what looked like a cart full of barrels. Inside these cadges were animals that managed to survive the poison corrupting the forest. The animals looked at the three with pleading eyes. Begging the three colts to save them, as Button snuck his way back to the camp.

"Button what're you doing?!"

"We can't leave them like this!"

Button darted between the fallen trees and dead bushes before finally coming upon the cages. The animals began to chatter in excitement.

"Shh!" The young colt whispered as he tried to untie the ropes binding the cage.

"Darn! It's too tight. Pip. Find something sharp and Rumble keep an eye out." The two friends nodded as Pipsqueak snuck around the camp, looking for any sharp object. Rumble flew to the top of the cages for a better view.

"Rumble. How's it looking up there?" Button whispered, still fiddling with the ropes.

"We're good. Let's just hope Pip gets back in time."

Just then the first rope finally came undone. Button slowly opened the door, allowing the first of the animals to escape while Rumble kept vigil over the camp.

Meanwhile. Pipsqueak had snuck into one of the tents where the demons kept their weapons.

"Jackpot!" The small colt whispered to himself as he searched to racks to find a small dagger.

"Yes!" Pip carefully snatched up the blade in his mouth before making a break for the exit. He was stopped, however, only to see the shadow of a rather large figure blocking the way. Pip quickly found cover among the armor racks as a large demon came stomping into the tent.

"Mmm..." The hulking brute began looking around. Taking an axe from one of the racks. As he prepared to leave, he began sniffing the air around him, he had caught Pips scent!

"Oh no..." Pip whispered as he slowly made his way to the back of the tent, trying to make as little noise possible. Back at the cages Button and Rumble hid under the wagon as another of the guards grabbed a barrel of ale.

"Where's Pip?"

"I don't know, and I'm starting to get worried." The two colts waited for an opportunity to escape, as the demons continued to get drunk. That was when, out of the encampment, Pipsqueak was held by his tail as he struggled to get loose.

"Pip!" Button whispered in shock as Rumble stopped him from rushing in.

"Look what I caught!"

"LET ME GO YOU CREEP!!" Pipsqueak shouted as the demons laughed.

"Tie him to the spit!"

Pipsqueak struggled as his captor brought him closer to the large bonfire. Just then, Button and Rumble came rushing out, kicking the demon in the ankle hard.

"OW!! What the?!"

"DROP HIM!!" Button shouted in anger as the demon looked at him.

"You're kidding me right?"

"He said...Drop him..." Rumble stated in a firm voice as he stared down the brute before him.

"If you say so. CATCH!!"

"WHOOA!!" Pipsqueak was flung right into his friends just before the demon marched over, ready to stomp on the three colts with his foot.

"Looks like we're having colt burgers! RRR-!"

THWACK! THWACK!

Everything was quiet until Rumble noticed several arrows buried in the demons chest. Afterwards, it fell dead on its back.

"CHAARRRGE!!"

Like ghosts. Valiant and the royal guards came rushing out of the woods, surrounding the encampment as a fierce battle broke out.

"YOU KIDS, FIND COVER, NOW!!" A guard shouted before blocking a giant sword with his magic. Button and his friends did as they were told and watched the battle from the safety of a nearby tree. The Canterlot Guards and Valiant cut the demons down within moments. Once things had calmed down the three colts walked up to Valiant who was giving a rather curious look at the three.

"Well now. What brings three young foals out into the woods after dark? And in the middle of a demon encampment, on a school night no less." The unicorn asked tapping a hoof on the ground. For a moment the three were quiet when Button sighed as he stepped forward.

"It was my fault sir. I wanted to see what you guys were doing. My friends tried to stop me and well, once it got dark we lost your trail and that's when...all THIS happened."

Valiant knew Button was referring to the recent battle they just had. He removed his helmet and thought for a moment.

"I should see to it that your parents punish you...but before we arrived me, and the boys noticed a few things. Button. When you saw the animals in need of help you answered without hesitation. Pipsqueak, when you snuck away from that demon in the supply tent, you were very stealthy. Rumble, when your friend was in danger you expressed great courage, leadership, cunning and loyalty; the qualities of a knight."

The three colts gasped in hesitation as Valiant nodded his head in approval.

"It's decided then. You three will be my apprentices."

Button and his friends shouted in excitement as the guards laughed among themselves.

"Ahh that takes me back." An earth pony guard said, feeling nostalgic.

"This is awesome! So when do we start training?" Button asked eagerly to his new master. The next day.

"AWWWW COME ON!! DISH WASHING?!" Button shouted in protest while his friends continued to wash off the large pile of plates before them.

"Well. We gotta start somewhere." Pipsqueak said as he washed off another plate. Although it wasn't what they expected, Button and his friends were finally on their way to becoming real knights.

The End.