The PAWN Chronicles

The very next day, Noctis moved into Twilight's castle and set up a workplace in one of the empty rooms. He had also placed orders for alchemical supplies as he had planned to work as the castle alchemist. It took a bit for the supplies to arrive as everypony still felt quite apprehensive towards him, but luckily Twilight was able to convince them to deliver the supplies. Noctis had set up the room in an orderly and organized manor, though his labels and such where written in code and ciphers.

“So um, Noctis...” Twilight said. “Any specific reason you write these labels in ciphers?”

Noctis rolled his eyes and nodded. “The ciphers are a precaution for those who might seek to learn my recipes and use them for their own ill purposes.” He answered.

“Oh well, I don't think you have to worry about that.” Twilight said with a light smile. “Everypony here is pretty friendly.every pony I don't think they'd use your potions for evil.”

Noctis then raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn't they?” He asked. “And even if not, they're not the one's im worried about. Tell me, how many times has your kingdom been under attack by an immensely powerful magical being?”

Twilight thought for a moment. “Well... I guess there have been more than a few attacks on Equestria...” She answered.

“Indeed.” Noctis replied. “Your naive nature has once again blinded you from such a possibility. Your lucky im on your side now.”

Twilight frowned at Noctis's comment. “Well it's not like it could hurt to show a little trust.” She said.

“So you say.” Noctis replied. “But I beg to differ.”

“Were trusting you aren't we?” Twilight then said. Her expression showing more annoyance.

“Ha! As if that makes it any better!” Noctis said. “You don't even know me! For all you know, you may live to regret trusting me.”

A bit of worry then formed in Twilight's expression as Noctis had a point. Though she still trusted Celestia. “Celestia said we should try and bring out the best in you.” She said. “And I trust in her judgment. Even if I don't trust in yours.”

“I couldn't care less about the words of a princess.” Noctis sneered. “I stand by my actions. Many of these potions in the wrong hands could be devastating to the community!”

“Alright then.” Twilight sighed as she lolled her eyes. She then left the room.

“Wretched fools.” Noctis said to himself after Twilight left.

“I can't believe him!” Twilight said.

Spike walked over to Twilight after looking for her a bit. “Can't believe who?” He asked.

“Noctis!” Twilight answered. “He implied that we where all too naive and trusting! He even made it sound like it was a mistake to trust him in order to prove his point!”

“Huh...” Spike said. “Talk about stubborn. So what's his room look like?” His expression then lighting up with curiosity.

“He's set up an alchemy lab.” Twilight said. Her smile returning as she was glad to be talking to a friend. “It's pretty well kept. But all his labels are ciphered.”

“Really? Sounds cool!” Spike replied.

“I guess it's pretty impressive.” Twilight chuckled. “I just wish he wasn't so paranoid.”

“Yeah but he's probably new to that kind of stuff.” Spike said. “Im sure he'll come around if we keep trying!” The enthusiasm in his voice brightened Twilight's mood.

“Hey Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said as she jumped out seemingly from nowhere, startling both Twilight and Spike. “What do you think Noctis will like better? Red velvet cake? Or cherry cheese cake? Oh! Or maybe ice cream cake! Or triple chocolate fudge cake! Or coffee cake! Do you think he like's coffee?”

“Well... I don't think he'll appreciate a party Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said. “He seems a bit, paranoid.”

“Oh psh!” Pinkie Pie replied. “Who doesn't like parties? All he needs is some friends and a warm welcome to cheer him up!”

“I suppose it couldn't hurt.” Twilight said. “We are trying to bring out the best in him after all. If we make him feel welcome, that might help. So have you sent out invitations yet?”

“Oh yeah! I've sent out invitations to almost everypony!” Pinkie said. “Here you go!” She then gave one to Twilight. When she opened it, confetti and streamers came out. “Oh! That reminds me! I didn't give Arcane Mystic an invitation yet!” She then dashed off to Arcane's house.

Meanwhile, Arcane was working on a spell of identification. This spell helps to identify the magical effects of enchanted items and the like. However, he was trying to modify it so that it could help with the physical properties. This would likely be useful in not only items, but organic matter as well, making it a good medical application.
Unfortunately, he couldn't get it quite right as whenever he used the spell, it would show him what the material was made of, but not what it's current condition was.
During his research, he heard a knock on the door. He then opened it to find Pinkie Pie standing there before jumping up and throwing streamers in the air.

“Hey Arcane!” Pinkie said. “Did you hear about the new pony in town? Im throwing a party for him!” She handed him his invitation which when he opened it, squirted water in his face.

As he wiped the water off his face he though a bit about attending the party. Although he was busy he didn't like to disappoint a friend. “Well eh....” He said looking back at the materials he was testing, then back at Pinkie Pie, who was wearing a beaming smile. “Yeah, alright.” He sighed.

Back at the castle, Noctis exited his room and trotted up to Twilight. “Im going to collect a few ingredients for use. Ill be back in a few hours.” He said.
“Alright then.” Twilight said with a smile. “Hurry back.”

Noctis then left without a word, the castle doors closing behind him.

“Alright spike!” Twilight said. “Let's get everything ready!”

Noctis headed into the forest to collect the ingredients for his work and research. He spent hours gathering these ingredients as well as cataloging their location within the forest. He put down anything new he found in his notes and any timber wolves he found where promptly disposed of. “Hmm... Ill have to find the origins of these beasts later.” He said to himself after an encounter with the creatures. Once he returned, he found that most of the town was empty. He pondered what could have happened to cause their disappearance. Nevertheless, He continued to the castle.

When he reached it and opened the doors, to his surprise, he found a mass of ponies jumping out and shouting “SURPRISE!” To which he jumped back and bared his fangs in startlement before realizing it was just a surprise party. He then growled in annoyance. “What's all this then?” He asked in a frustrated tone.

“Why it's a surprise party silly!” Pinkie Pie said, enthusiasm and excitement in her tone.

“I can see that.” Noctis replied. “But why? It's ridiculous!”

“Oh don't be such a grumpy pants!” Pinkie Pie said. “Everyone need to have some fun every once and a while!” Her beaming smile and enthusiastic personality only served to frustrate Noctis.

“Out of the question.” Noctis said. “If I did that, then You wouldn't have anyone to tell you what an overly optimistic fool you are!”

“Hey! Come on!” Rainbow Dash said. “We all did all this to welcome you to ponyvile! Just lighten up already!”

“My job is to serve and protect you.” Noctis replied. “And I don't see myself doing a very good job of that if I partake in distractions like this!”

“Oh please! What's gonna happen?” Rainbow Dash said. “It's not like the worlds gonna end!”

Noctis growled in response, to which Twilight then tried to ease the situation. “Im sure you can afford just an hour or two can't you?” She said. “I promise, you'll be able to go back to your work once this is done. Please Noctis?”

Noctis looked around and sighed with a roll of his eyes. “Fine. But only for a couple of hours!”

The other ponies cheered and they started the party. Noctis took this opportunity to talk to the other ponies and get to know them better. Although he was reluctant to do so, getting to know the others would provide him with information that could aid in protecting the main six. Learning as much as he could was imperative to him in such a situation as he knew about the elements of harmony and their power over what seemed to be godlike beings.
If he was going to protect them, then he had to have a way to keep them safe from powers that would go beyond that of said elements. He gained a bit of infamy with his stubborn attitude and grim beliefs. But he at least didn't drive them away. The only one's who seemed to like him really where the little ones. They kept asking him who would win in a fight between him and a specific villain and his answer was always the same as he was confidant he could defeat them with the right plan, and it was quite easy to convince them that he could given the fact he almost defeated both Celestia and Luna. Not to mention it was the only topic he actually enjoyed taking part in. If only these young ones didn't see him as a hero now.

One other topic he found surprisingly interesting was one with Arcane Mystic about his magical research and how alchemy could aid in it. Noctis was never too fond of working with others, but this type of research was pretty much his bread and butter.

Once the party was over, everypony left and Noctis took a breath of relief. “Finally.” He said. “I don't have to endure any more parties like that do I?” He then asked Twilight.

Twilight was hesitant to answer. “Well... Im not sure. But there may be events and meetings you'll have to take part in.” She answered.

“I see.” He simply said with what seemed to be an expression of disappointment on his face. He then headed into his room and started working with the components he collected.