Weeks have gone by after Kenji’s imprisonment.. The guards have wondered why anyone like him would even stay here even though he could destroy his cell within a minute and be on his way, a free man. But Kenji has been put in prison before. It was simply a matter of waiting. No, he didn’t break out. It was a matter of patience.And Kenji had the patience of a dragon. His stay in the Canterlot Cells wasn’t so bad though. Everyday around the same time, Cadence would come by and visit him. She would just open his cell and wander in, sitting next to him as if she was an old friend. She tells him of her day. What she had to do, and that she didn’t like doing it. No matter what she had to say, he just sat there and smiled to her.Never interrupting or forcing her to stop.And when she came in upset and stressed out, Kenji would always find the right words to help her out and make her feel better. Finally, it was the day of his judgment.Celestia had finally decided on what to do with him for the crime he had committed. He sits in his cell, reflecting on his past, as all killers who expect to be executed do. The door opens up and four guards look into his cell.

“The Princess has decided what to do with you. Guards, chain him up.”

“Those won’t be necessary I assure you. I know what I have done and will receive my retribution for my act. You have my word.”

The guards look between each other.

“You think he can be trusted?”

“Well, considering that Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is quite fond of this prisoner, and she leaves with a smile each time she comes and visits, he can’t be all bad.”

“If it makes you guys feel any better, you can keep you weapons on me at all times. Do we have a deal?”

The stallions think it over, then they all nod.

“Deal.”

He stands up from his usual spot in the cell, waiting for the door to unlock and makes his way out when it does. The guards has forgot how large he was, they gulp a bit but remain calm. They walk out of the prison with him in the middle,all four directions blocked by them. As they walk him through the grounds, all kinds of nobles and staff look at him in horror, whispering nasty rumors about Kenji.

“I hear he devoured all the guards that we sent after him in one gulp.”

“I heard that he is actually a monster under his current form. The way he looks now is frightening enough.”

The guards could hear every rumor coming from the nobles, the two at his side look up at him, seeing that he is as calm as when they left.

“I am quite surprised these rumors do not bother you.”

“Well, that’s all they are. Just rumors. I do not find equine flesh to be tasty...not that I have and will ever try it. And while I do look like a monster to you, I could very well say the same about you all. Just because I am different shouldn’t make me a monster. Otherwise if i was in the same mindset as them, I would call all of you monsters. I know what I did when I came here can’t even be taken back. And it still haunts me. But whatever your ruler decides,I am sure I can attone from ehr decision. Even if that is death.”

The stallions could only be impressed with his sense of honor, never have they ever had a prisoner who was so willing to pay for his crimes and be so calm about it.

“Prisoner, what is your name?”

Kenji Akabane, proud member of the Gon race.”

“Kenji Akabane, a good strong name for someone like you. Tell me what you did before you came here.”

“Well, I was a simple mercenary. Before that though, I was a pupil at a dojo. I trained in the martial arts of the Hongmoon techniques. I was trained in both hand to hand martial arts and the art of the great axe. Those I built my own weapon and made something more of a scythe. I Am able to glide without wings, run up walls with ease, even run on water. And I can create temporary dragon pulses that allow me to leap and jump long distances from one object to another,and move quickly while doing so. All this combine with my natural strength as a Gon,well, I was a pretty effective warrior. My only weaknesses is good food, nap times pretty women and..well...promises of friendship, especially if they are false.”

“But..wouldn’t friendship be a strength instead of a weakness?”

“Well,I say it is a weakness simply because that is how I ended up here. Someone who i thought to have been my friend for three years straight...betrayed me for a bag of gold pieces.My people have a common weakness, we are loyal to those who become friends to us. We can usually sense when their friendship is simply a means to an end because of our intimidation and strength. But the one I met all those years ago seemed like she was genuine. But she hid her deception well it seemed. Behind that was only a want for wealth. And when you betray a gon, we don’t take such things lightly.”

The guards listen him speak as they walk through the castle courtyard and corridors. Now knowing what the Gon has been through, the sympathise with the man and look up to him.

“You really have had quite a rough time of it haven’t you? I don’t blame you for losing control the way you did.”

“Even though you don’t blame me,I still need to take responsibility. The loss of innocent life should not go unpunished.”

“Even so, now that we know your story. You have our support in this. You are a good pony, Kenji, despite what you have done.”

“Thank you for saying so. Though we will see if that truly matters in a moment. Won’t we?”

He asked as they walked into the throne room through the large golden door that two other guards opened. As he walks along the red carpet, he notices that other ponies were watching his every move.

“Must be a public execution then huh?”

He said trying to make this situation lighter before his death or, so he expected. Once his stands in front of the princess, who was sitting in her throne, he lowers himself onto his knees and sits on his heels,placing his hands on his thighs. Celestia leans forward a bit and speaks.

“State your name, prisoner.”

“Kenji Akabane.”

“Kenji Akabane, you stand accused of ending the lives of not only four innocent ponies, but also knowing that they were part of the royal army of Equestria. How do you plea?”

“Guilty.”

He said calmly and collectively, his eyes locking onto hers.

“Normally, execution is the proper charge for this act.”

“If that is what you see fit to do, by all means do so.”

“However…”

“However?”

“Given your circumstances, I believe that execution is not the proper way for you to attone for your sin. I shall grant you freedom.”

“That...seems hardly fair-”

“BUT, in return…”

She brings his large and heavy weapon from beside her throne and tosses it before his knees, the heavy metal echoing throughout the large room as it slides in front of him.

“...you will now serve under me and take orders directly from me and only me. You will atone for your crime of taking life by protecting another’s life. Kenji Akabane, as the ruler of Equestria.I hereby order you to take up your weapon once more as a warrior, and protect and guard Princess Mi Amore Cadenza with your very life. These are my terms, and they are non-negotiable.”

Kenji was in complete shock. Not only was she letting him go free, but she was employing him AND putting the life of a future ruler in HIS hands?! He honestly had no words to this outcome.

“Well? Do we have a deal, Kenji Akabane?”

He looks to her and his weapon that laid at his knees.

“You really think I could be trusted?’

“I do. Now do you accept my terms?”

Kenji looks down at his weapon, wrapping his hands around it and lifting it off the ground. He stands up onto his feet and looks down along it before he looks back to Celestia. He Twirls his weapon about and places his fist to his chest.

“I accept, Princess. I will protect her with every fiber of my being if that is what I must do to atone for my sin.”

“Very well, then Kenji Akabane, I clear you of all charges. Do not make me regret this decision and lose my faith in you. Day Court is now hereby adjourned.”

There we whispers and gasps all around, some sounded surprised, some sounded VERY worried.

Kenji on the other hand was still in a bit of a shock. Despite what he had done, the ruler of Equestria gave him an alternative to death. Not that he wasn’t grateful at all, but it wasn’t what he was expecting.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is waiting for you out in the gardens Kenji Akabane. I suggest you don’t keep your charge waiting.”

She said with a small smile

“Of course Princess, right away.”

He said as he turned around and made his way to the destination he was sent to. On his way, he ran into the guard that had escorted him, they had big smiles on their faces.

“Honestly, I could think of no better outcome Kenji. You are too much of an excellent and honorable warrior to just kill off. I know that without a doubt, you will be an excellent protector to the Princess of Love. And possibly even a more excellent friend.”

“How do you mean? Doesn’t she have a lot of friends here?”

“She has the young mare she used to babysit, her name is Twilight Sparkle, but they only ever get to see each other ever so often. But you at her side everyday, she won’t be alone anymore. Not to mention,when she came to visit you in the cell. She would come in so upset...but when she came out, she was always smiling. I think this will be good for her. We ask that you make sure she is well taken care of.”

“You can count on me boys. I got this down pat.”

“Very well, she is just out this door here and to the right.”

“Thanks guys...and thank you for believing in me.”

“Hey, we warriors have to stick together.”

He nods and walks passed them, making his way out into the garden that he was told to go to. He comes around the corner of a hedge wall, seeing her standing in front of a railing and facing out towards the city. He approaches her and lowers himself to a knee, placing his hand on his chest.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. I, Kenji Akabane have been charged with protecting you with my very life. I will happily do so and make sure that no harm comes to you.”

The alicorn turned to him with a warm smile,what happens next shocks kenji once more. She runs over to him and leaps on to his large frame, wrapping her arms around him in a hug and nuzzled against him.

“I know that. Aunty Tia told me about her plan with you...and i couldn’t be more happier with this. Kenji...you listened to me babble on and on and complain about my life over the last month and a half, and always cheered me up with your kind words. To have you here with me now and at my side as my protector, it makes me even more glad. And please, you can call me Cadence.”

“Very well, Cadence. Then feel free to keep calling me Kenji, should you so wish.”

“I do. And even though you are now charged with protecting me. It doesn’t mean I don’t see you as a friend. In fact, I feel our bond of friendship will now grow even more.”

That word…’friendship’.he tenses up and looks away from her. She knew that he would act this way. She immediately brings his gaze back to ehrs.

“Kenji...look at me.”

He hesitantly does so.

“This will not end like it did with your last companion I will never EVER betray you and stab you in the back. I give you my word, as a princess and as your new friend. Please have faith in me,and I will prove to you that I am worthy of your loyalty

“You really do promise…?”

“I do.”

They both hug each other closely. All the while Princess Celestia watches from her balcony. A smile of approval on her face.

“This will be good for her, and he will be good not only for her, but for himself as well. He is in a new world, so a new start is needed. Good Luck, Kenji Akabane. I look forward to seeing how your path here will go.”

Author's Note

And tadaaaa! Kenji now has a new purpose in this new world. and a new friendship that will sure grow into something more over the years with Cadence There will be rough times ahead, but will not out way the happy and fun times.

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May the darkness grant you peace.