Tyrian was absolutely livid.

Not only had his entire livelihood been destroyed, but he was the one who had to tear it down. So many contacts and so many loose ends had to be burned and dealt with, and he had become the single most wanted man in the Underground. Very powerful people would be on his back now and he didn't have the time or energy after Manehattan to go after them all. That and he would likely die.

Just one simple letter requesting his presence at Canterlot Castle had made his entire life so much more complicated. Once he was in front of the Princess, he doubted he could hold his composure and not just fly off the handle. Being vaporized wasn't at the top of the list of things he wanted to do right now, so he had a plan.

He wasn't going to say a damn thing.

It was perfect, as it would convey the unbridled sass he had built up this past week and keep him alive. Tyrian smiled to himself, the first completely genuine one that day, at his own brilliance. Of course, he had to sneak in a few unsavory glances, just to make sure

However, that smile was quickly extinguished as he glanced up at the clock on the wall in front of him.

3:15.

He had been waiting for an entire hour.

Tyrian sighed and slouched down into his chair, feeling the boredom come back in full force.

'Faust, I bet Swift didn't take this long to get into Tartarus.' He snarked to no one. Tyrian blinked at what had just gone through his head and chided himself.

'Okay, wow, that was a dark thought. Can't be going into this with that mood.' Tyrian shook his head to knock the bad thoughts out of his brain.

Tyrian stretched, his antsy muscles getting the attention they craved. Tyrian eyed a loose strap on his left gauntlet and went to adjust it, thinking as he did whether or not he should've worn his work clothes to this meeting. Sure, a steel reinforced leather cuirass with steel-toed boots and his grey battle coat were quite intimidating, but that wasn't really what he was going for. With that thought, he cast a glance full of regret at his many pointy knives scattered across his body and backup knife across his chest.

Hearing approaching footsteps, he sat up, trying to be presentable. Just now rounding the corner to the throne room, a woman wearing glasses and holding a clipboard with many papers looked up at Tyrian, her black heels clicking against the marble floor.

"Tyrian Shadegale, I presume?" She said flatly.

"Yep, here to meet Princess Celestia, as requested." Tyrian showed a fake grin. The aide did not smile back, and only turned her back to him, her hair wrapped in a bun coming into view, and started walking back the way she came.

"This way, please."

Tyrian shot up, grabbed his small satchel, and lightly jogged to catch up to her, trying not to run into any of the very expensive looking ornaments on display around them.

"Hey, quick question, exactly does she need me for? I'm kind of in a bad spot in my life right now, as you know, and I don't want to go through all this trouble if you're just going to arrest me." Tyrian asked as politely as he could manage while wrapping his bag around his head.

"The Princess has wished for a meeting with you, and I have not been made aware of a plot to trap you." She spoke dryly, not looking up from her papers.

"Well, that answered nothing, thanks." Tyrian snarked.

"You are quite welcome, sir." She said with an almost imperceptible grin.

In the gilded hallway stood two Royal guards, looking straight ahead, seemingly unaware of their presence, but Tyrian knew if he reached into coat at all, they would spring into action. Their golden armor looked fancy, but he knew that it was as hard as stone, enchanted by some of the most powerful wizards the Equestrian military had to offer. His coat had similar enchantments, but nowhere near the strength of theirs. A twinge of jealousy made its way into his thoughts, but he pushed it away as they neared the gold door to the throne room.

"Please deposit any and all weapons onto the table to your right, please." The aide motioned to a long silver table with numerous etchings of a flowing pattern with a sword emblem carved into the middle.

Tyrian began with the long dagger on his chest, unsheathing it slowly, gauging the reaction of the guards next to him. The one closest to him glanced at Tyrian's hand but the other guard continued to look ahead, as he expected. Tyrian proceeded to place all the weapons he had, excluding ones he knew they wouldn't find, just in case.

After taking the last blade from his boot and placing it along with the rest, the table being quite filled. With a satisfied sigh, he stepped in front of the dumbfounded guard with a smug smile. He snapped out of his stupor and motioned for Tyrian to spread his arms. Doing so, Tyrian almost immediately started to giggle as the guard started his sweep.

"What's your name, guy? Feel like we should get to know each other while this is happening." Tyrian said between his bouts of giggling.

"Sargent Light Echo, sir." Light said with a sigh. Light brushed all around Tyrian's body, putting more pressure on spots where hidden things were usually known to be put. Tyrian started to giggle a little harder as the search was coming to a close, but the Sargent threw him a curve ball. He patted a spot that had a hidden blade, his face scrunching up in slight confusion. Tyrian giggles quickly died out as Light Echo's hand glowed with silvery magic, much to his dismay.

"Welp, shoulda guessed that wouldn't work." Tyrian chuckled depressingly.

~ ~ ~

Tyrian shuffled uncomfortably into the chilly throne room, the robe he had been provided doing nothing to warm his now naked body.

"I know you enjoyed that sergeant, you can't fool me!" Tyrian yelled through the closing doors, trying to redeem some of his pride.

"Come now, let's not be petty." said a kind voice behind him, and he immediately felt warmth wash over him. He turned his body around, still clutching his shoulders, eyes widening in awe.

The Solar Princess stood in front of him, almost a head taller than him, radiating seemingly enough heat to sufficiently warm him, but not enough to make him uncomfortable. Her pure white robes accented with gold, her crown shining in the afternoon light cascading through the stained glass around them. Her hair, beautifully flowing in a nonexistent wind, was clearly sparkling with pure magical energy. He let go of his arms, no longer concerned about the fading chill. In motherly fashion Celestia put her arm around Tyrian and guided him across the throne room, not saying a word, only humming to herself.

Tyrian, being at a loss for words, uttered no sound as she let go and proceeded to climb the steps to her throne.

"Now then," Princess Celestia sat down with an easy smile on her lips. "I have heard many interesting things about you, Mr. Shadegale."

Tyrian coughed, regaining his composure.

"Most of them are bad, right?"

Celestia chuckled. "Yes, most of them bad, but some trusted individuals have assured me that you are what I'm looking for."

"And what would that be?"

The Princess's smile grew a hair more, now with a bit of mischievousness in it.

"A bodyguard."

Author's Note

All right, getting into the flow of things now.

Expect the story's picture to change in the near future.