Chapter 3

Myths on the move

(Ozz pov)

We were on a train headed towards this new city called ‘Canterlot’, well…. new to me. Apparently they switched the capital to the mountains after the Everfree became corrupt. I should probably do something about that. But for now, Tia and Lulu were in front of us, we had left Twilight and the other kids back at the town called Ponyville of all things. Gods the names in this place, what’s next, ‘Las Pegasus’ or something? Anyway, at least they have trains; that’s nice. Brings back memories of home. Aurora was showing me how to use the crystal phone, it was pretty simple. Almost like a scrying glass but on a tiny flat crystal and acted like a phone? Magic is confusing.

“So honey, I’ve been meaning to ask,” I start while sitting on a train bed, my wife beside me, “What’s with the accent? Like, where did you get it?”

She sighs, “A mix of Neighpon, Minaturan, Kobolds, Lizardfolk, and Tabaxi.” She smiles. “Yes those last three are a thing now.” She must’ve seen the surprise in my eyes.

I chuckle softly and kiss her cheek, “I like it, makes you sound cute.”

She gains a small amount of blush on her face. “Haven't heard that since Dissy said it.” I frown slightly at that, sighing softly.

“I should be the only one who can say that about you. I am the only one who can say that about you. You know how I hate when others look at you that way.” I say with annoyance in my tone, not at her, just in general. A little bit at this Discord but mainly just overall at men and women who spoke and looked at Aurora in that way. And it’s even worse when I know I could’ve been there to stop it.

“Hey, don’t be mad at them that Faust made me look this good for you.” She teased me with a kiss which I return lovingly. She then laid her head in my lap and tossed her feet along the rest of the bench. A smile curls on my lips as I place a hand atop her head and run my fingers through her soft hair.

“I’m mad at them if they think they can have a piece. You’re all mine my love, and I won’t have it any other way. I love you.”

“And I you my love, you’re my mate and I may not look at no other.” She said with a smile full of love. I rub her cheek with my off hand, feeling her smooth skin and longing to never be separated from her again.

“You’re so beautiful my sky.” Her pet name was sky because she’s an aurora, while her pet name for me, “And you’re my handsome rouge, you stole my heart then hid away.” I just playfully scoff and grin.

“But will I ever give it back?”

“By Faust I hope not.” She said before flicking my nose, “I would have to chase after you for the rest of time.” I chuckle softly and boop her nose, making her nose scrunch cutely which makes me chuckle more.

“We still have a lot of wedding vows to renew.”

She grinned happily. “I am sure our nieces won’t mind if we have some alone time together.” She purrs at the end. Three thousand years without any special attention would do that to a girl, not that I’m complaining.

“Do you still have that tuning fork for our vacation home?”

“Of course I do, I actually made a ‘key’ ring a while ago with all of them.” She once again reached into her kimono, this time though she reached through her breasts to pull out a very large ring with many tuning forks on it, each labeled in celestial, a language only four people knew, and all four of them were in this room. I just grin at my wife.

“Then I know what we’re doing after today.” I tease with intention clear in my eyes as I stare at the beauty of a creature that is my wife. She just leans up to kiss me, letting her joy show before hiding the ring again.

“Having fun back there?” Luna’s voice reached us. I just look up at the moon princess, not even embarrassed, they’ve seen us do worse, though that was by accident.

“We’d probably have more if you two weren’t here but yes, we are enjoying ourselves.” I state matter-of-factly which gets a giggle out of my wife which makes me smile.

Luna smiles, “Well we’re almost home now…” She sighs, “Uncle, I need to tell you about something that happened a thousand years ago that you need to know.” She sounded serious, so I changed face, a frown holding my lips down as my face steel.

“Go on then.” I wait and listen carefully for what she might say. My wife looked at her with pity and hugged me.

“It is… the tale of Nightmare Moon…” She shudders at the name before telling of the tale of her listening to the voices of the shadow plane during a low point of her life, one that lead her to trying to overthrow her sister, and what happened after. “On my return, Twilight and her friends used the Elements of Harmony to restore me to my normal self, cleansing the Shadow’s taint.” She flinches at seeing my blank eyes and natural frown.

“I’m sorry uncle….” She says as she looks down, “I am sor-” She’s cut off by me as I’m instantly in front of her, hugging her tightly as my eyes water.

“You have nothing to be sorry about! Gods above Lulu, nothing!” My voice cracks slightly from the heavy emotions I’m feeling, pity, sympathy, but most of all, failure and sadness. “I should be apologizing, I wasn’t there to help you, to be there, I was your shoulder to lean on and I left you, I’m so sorry my moon.” And there goes the waterworks, for both of us.

Aurora smiles softly as she hugs us both, after being dislodged from her place on my lap. “It’s okay… I should have stayed in equestria myself…” She sighs “But I didn’t.” Tia also joined the hug.

“I’m sorry my moon, I should’ve been there for you, I’m sorry.” I close my eyes and press my forehead against hers.

“It’s not your fault Uncle… you were sleeping off your wound.” Tia says firmly.

“We know why it was needed.” Lulu says through her tears. I still feel terrible, but I gently rub Luna’s tears away and kiss her forehead.

“I love you so much my moon.”

“And we love you uncle.” My nieces say together. My wife just hummed as she hugged us tighter. I eventually pulled back, though I stood kneeled in front of my nieces.

“At least you don’t speak old school anymore, gods that was annoying to deal with back then.” I say with a playful eyeroll and grin, “Art thou prepared for the banquet at dusk?” I mimic an over exaggerated thespian voice, making my nieces and wife giggle.

Luna pouts. “It wasn’t that bad.”

“Yes it was~!” My wife sang at her, making me chuckle and nod in agreement.
“It was a little annoying at times. Especially when we’re not used to it and you need to be for public events.”

Tia nods “I started using your way of talking.. So much easier.” My niece just pouted and looked away with a blush, crossing her arms in mock frustration.

My wife giggles. “Onwards?” Right when she says that the train stops. That was faster than I thought….magic I guess.

“Lead the way, oh glorious princesses.” I stand and give a mock bow while gesturing to the door of our cabin.

Tia laughs at my wife’s face before saying. “This way.” Tia walks out.

“Be careful, I know alteration spells.” My wife warned as she followed Tia out. Luna giggles and follows my wife as I follow her, quickly getting next to my wife as Luna joins her sister.

“So what’s this Canterlot like?”

All three of the girls sigh. “Noble central.” My wife says simple.

“The nobles all gather here… rarely leaving.” Tia said with a small frown.

“Stupid nobles..” Luna grumbled. Wow, guess they aren’t like the nobles of yester millena.

“Guess nobles are bad then….but the city looks beautiful,” I comment as we walk through the fine birch and marble housing, the cobblestone roads, and luxurious towers. It was truly a beautiful sight, “And it doesn’t look like Tirek did a whole lot of damage either.”

“Discord helped with that.” Tia says simply.

“They are like the nobles back home.. Only more whiny and less politically able.” My wife whispered into my ear as a pair of ladies wearing gaudy dresses walk past, looking down at me and huffing at my wife’s foreign look. I just stare blankly as I wrap an arm around her waist and hold her close. “See?” She sighs.

“This way Aunt and Uncle.” Tia says, before heading towards the castle, her guards giving us glares that were meant to be intimidating. I found it amusing, accidentally chuckling which they didn’t seem to like. They huffed and walked in a ring around my nieces, both me and my wife sighed at the lack of ‘discipline’ as we saw it.

“Not well trained are they?” I whisper to my wife in Elvish.

“One thousand years of peace my love.” She replied in the same language, getting looks from both the guards and passerbys. I ignored them, as did my wife.

“Still. When we were around, a battalion of fifty could hold their own against a demon horde of one hundred. From what I see, they don’t even look like they’ve seen battle in their entire lives.” I continue in the ancient language, the guards just scowling at their inability to understand us and seem to be agitated that I glanced at them as I was speaking. Not that I cared.

“They haven’t.” Was my wife’s simple answer, “Unless you count an invasion that was over in like.. three hours?” I quirk a brow.

“Did they drive back the invaders or….?” I let the question linger, hoping the former was true but doubting it heavily.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and her husband to be blasted the changelings with a love shield and flung them out of this city on their wedding day.” She said with an even voice.

“Sounds….like Equestria to be honest. Is spontaneous singing still a thing?”

“The Heartstrings?” She wanted to clarify.

“No, remember when we would just be doing something, and out of nowhere, the ponies would just start singing?”

“Oh, the non-magical ones… and yes.” She sighs in nostalgia. “I wish I could sing with sis some more….” She says with a somber longing, making me hug her closer and kiss the top of her head, ignoring the stares.

“As do I Aurora. As do I.” She rests her head against my shoulder with a small smile, closing her eyes.

“Uncle, pay attention!” Luna calls out in slightly hesitant Elvish, making me smile.

“Make me!” I call back, but in Dwarvish.

“There is a pole!” Her dwarvish was worse, but still understandable. In front of our path was an arcane light pole, and I was walking straight at it. Not that it mattered, didn’t look that tall. I just grab my wife and held her tight as I take a small jog and jump into the air, clearing the ten foot pole easily, much to the shock of everyone else, before landing gracefully and setting my wife down.

“You were saying?”

“Show off!” Luna says in the common tongue, Tia just laughs, and my wife doesn’t even open her eyes. I just chuckle and continue walking, though the guards block our path and point their spears at us. They aren’t even holding the things right…..

“What was that?! That was completely unnatural! You think we’ll let a freak like you walk around and do that?!” I honestly contemplated breaking his spear and stabbing him with the blunt end of it, but thankfully (for him), their princesses got to him first.

“Stand down, they are important guests that we know from long before you were born guardsmen.” Luna called out.

“And Ozz here is very strong, he is like the earth pony equivalent of his species.” Tia explained.

“Like I need any of my strength to kick his ass. He can’t even hold his weapon properly.” That made the guard fume.

Luna and Tia nod discreetly, “They aren’t as experienced as you remember.” Was all Tia said, my wife did her odd humming laugh, the one that stayed in the back of her throat and vibrated her body. I loved that laugh. The guard looked furious, his white fur stained red with fury but kept it down as he stepped aside along with the other guard to let us through. At least he can hold his emotions. Barely.

“Little pony mad~?” My wife teased. I hide it, but inside I’m fucking dying. Gods I love this woman. The guard growls as his face gets redder. “I bet you can’t even hit me with my eyes closed.” She continued, “And my love here won’t help.”

“I wouldn’t. It’d be funny to watch.”

“Arrgh!” The guard yelled as he turned and tried to stab my wife before Tia or luna could say anything the spear bounced of an invisible wall.

“Oh? What happened~?” My wife’s eyes were still closed. I chuckle and stare with a murderer's intent in my eyes, smile still on my face. The guard looks like he just went to the bathroom in his pants.

“I think a worthless speck tried to do something he heavily regrets.” My voice is chippy, but my eyes are trying to disintegrate his very being. Something I could actually do right now. He’s lucky I’m in too much of a good mood to slaughter him.

“Ozz, please calm down, there will be another way to deal with this.” Luna said with a small smile.

“Oh I know. That’s why his insides aren’t spread against the floor.”

Tia sighs as ponies’ faces went green, “Please don’t.”

My wife whispers, “Just duel them all later.” That’s not a bad idea actually.

“Let’s just hope this teaches you a lesson boy.” I say simply with a threatening undertone as I continue to walk like nothing ever happened.

“Please uncle? I know they are poor guards but they are still seen as royal guards.” Tia said in Celestial.

“No they’re not.” I respond in the same language.

“I said seen, not actually are.” She says sharply, “I have a few promising ones, but the way the guards train won’t let them grow beyond decent, an example is Shining Armor; if we were back when you two trained the guard, he would be training under Aunt Aurora.” That catches my attention.

“Shining Armor? Sounds like a knight.”

“He was the captain of the Royal Guard.” She explained. “Now he is the prince of the Crystal Empire.” I smile at the mention of the Empire.

“How is the Empire? Still the beautiful crystal city I remember it to be?”

Luna answers for Tia. “No.. it is recovering after Sombra overthrow it with a demonic army, he ruled for a short time, and just before he lost he plane shifted the entire city.. It came back last year.”

“How long?” I ask with dread. Just don’t tell me it was for very long.

“Little over a thousand years.” Tia admitted painfully.

I sigh, “How bad is it?”

“Only the main city remains.. besides that, it is recovering.” Tia says, the guards shift again and she blinks, “Oh sorry, I got caught up in old times.” She says switching back to Common. My wife and I laugh.

“At least you’re still practiced.” I respond with a grin, speaking in Common as well.

“True.” Luna adds in Common as well, “I still prefer that celestial tongue over common, much simpler and unchanging.”

“Indeed it is.” My wife comments as she hums softly, not even looking at where she is going still.

“So what’s the plan for us? We were symbols of hope and protection back then, but it’s been so long. What now?”

“Well, we were hoping you would take up your old task of training the guards, Mother knows they need it, and as for your wife, we need to talk with her about what she has been up to in her travels… many of the old ‘gods’ have been silenced over the years.” Luna explains.

“Silenced?” I ask with concern.

My wife hums and in Celestial speaks, “They were going to invade Equestria, and refused to step down.”

“And you stopped them?” I respond softly with the same angelic language.

She nods, “A few I trapped and a few I… disposed of.” I nod in return, kissing her head to show my approval.

“So how are we gonna tell the rest of Equestria? I doubt they’ll just accept, “These two are my aunt and uncle and are practically gods who protected Equestria five thousand years ago!”” I mock a regal voice, “Doesn’t seem like something everyone would buy.”

Luna smiles, “There is meeting to be held here soon, we are planning to announce it then, allowing them to ask questions.”

I groan, my wife giggles, and I put my hand in my face, “Questions from these asshats?” I point with my thumb to a passing noble couple who huff and point their chins farther into the air. Didn’t know ponies could be that flexible to be honest….

“No, from the ambassadors… I think you called it a panel?” Luna said with a small laugh, confusing the guards. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank your mother.”

My wife snorts, “She loved those after we told her about them, much easier on her.”

“Sadly the newer nobles like to have audiences, not panels...” Tia sighs. I shrug and sigh with her.

“Let’s hope we can fix them too.”

“Oh, we will.” my wife says simply. we were almost there; the large marble white castle ahead, it’s many purple topped towers glistened in the light. It was pretty.

“It’s pretty.” I comment aloud, making the girls giggle softly.

“It was a labor of love.” Tia admits.

I just grin and look forward as we continue to walk. Eventually, we approached a large wall that blocked off the castle from the city, a closed iron gate sealed off an entrance with roughly twenty or so guards in the way. They all looked the same…..why?! I demand answers! But that comes later. The guards saluted as their princesses approached, but instantly got on guard and stared intently at my wife and I, not drawing weapons, just prepared. I can admire that if it wasn’t targeted towards my wife.

Luna sighs, “Stand aside. They’re friends.” They reluctantly do so. I just stare at them as the gate opens and we walk by, though my attention immediately takes itself away from the guards as we pass them and the gate close behind us.

“Like the view?” Tia asks as she points towards the gardens, which was away from the mountain. It was a truly beautiful sight. I just nod and smile in response to her question.

“Let's get inside…” Luna turns to the guards, “Let everyone know about our guests, facts only.” They nod and leave, though one remains to watch over the princesses, making them both sigh.

“Protocol your highnesses, Until you reach your destination.” He says a bit formally. Like he was capable of protecting the princesses; I swear, a chihuahua would be a better guard than him. I mentally sigh and continue to walk with my nieces and wife.
“Be nice.” My wife whispered into my ear. I look at her and smile, even without magic, she could just read my mind. I kiss the top of her head and nod.

“Love you.”

“Love you to my love.” Was her response, “Sir guard, thank you, but please depart.” She pulled out an item and showed it to him, making his eyes go wide.

“Is that..?” He stammers.

“It is.” Her voice even.

The guard nods and bows, “As you will then.” He leaves. I didn’t even get to see what it was before she put it away.

“What was that?” I ask as I stare at the guard as he disappears behind a door.

“My badge of office… the one given to me by sis.” She said softly... I click my tongue and nod slowly. I forgot she had that. Though before I could question further, I’m tackled by my nieces who wanted to hug me apparently.

“Hi girls.” I say with a chuckle as I return the big hug.
“We missed you.” They said at the same time, my wife sighed as she lay on the floor.

“I missed you too,” I smile to my wife, who smiles back, “We both did.”

“I just… couldn’t stay in Equestria with the memories everywhere…. and then I was too busy and had pissed off the dragons.” My wife says, making me sigh as I reach a hand out to caress her cheek, mouthing to her, ‘It’s okay.’

“We know, and I can relate.” Tia says, looking towards the old castle, “I am more surprised you managed to hide Uncle were you did.”

My wife shrugs. “Place you least expect.” That makes me chuckle.

“Like where you hid the plans for the wedding rings? And how you forgot about them and it took us literally a week and a half to find it again?”

My wife grins sheepishly. “To be fair, they were moved.” I look over to the sisters with a raised eyebrow, my stare asking for clarification.

Tia sighs, “We were playing in the room and knocked over the pile of papers, and put them back out of order.”

“And misplaced our rings….” I glance over to my wife to see her reaction. She just sighs with a nod. I just shrug as I finally stand up from the cold marble floor, my nieces following along. “It’s fine, we got them anyway. Just hope you two don’t lose stuff all the time nowadays.” I tease with a grin.

Luna grins while Tia looks away with a blush. “My sister has a secretary for a reason.” That makes me laugh. Though it’s interrupted by the door where we entered opening, and stepping through, followed by several guards in white armor, a white stallion, with combed back golden hair, and a regal blue suit, he smiles at the sight of my nieces but takes a step back in apparent horror at me. Either a really princely noble, or an actual prince. Either way, I don’t him already.

“AUNTIES, LOOK OUT! THERE’S A MONSTER!” He shouts in terror as the guards rush forward with spears at the ready. I instantly notice that these guards actually knew how to properly hold their weapons, though they didn’t know a clue about formation. A step up for sure, but still awful.

There was a Clunk noise as all of the guards run into a shield that appeared in between us and them. “My my… what an eager bunch.” My wife sighed out. I just chuckle as the guards pound at the shield. I was amused, my nieces were not.

“What is the meaning of this nephew?” Tia calls out. So he is a prince. Good to know. Though “nephew” surprises me a bit.

“They are not monsters!” Luna says angrily. The nephew seems taken aback.

“But look at him! It’s clear he’s not normal and he could be ready to strike at any moment!” He yells in response, his eyes staring at my nieces as if they were crazy. What gets me isn’t the fact he’s racist, it’s the fact he’s pompous and racist.

“And yet the guards trusted us and them to leave us alone.” Luna said coldly, her dislike obvious. Tia sighed at the coldness of her sister but steels herself and nods in agreement. The stallion seemed flabbergasted by that, sputtering slightly before taking a breath and standing tall.

“My apologies my dear aunties. Guards! Stand down, it appears I’ve made an error.” The guards stop immediately and stow their spears, standing behind the prince in a line at attention. They can follow orders too. This lot is getting more and more promising. Though the one they follow isn’t the most optimal choice for a leader.

“So the little princeling has a small group of elite guards.” My wife states with a small shrug, unworried. The shield drops as the prince steps forward, the guard staying where they were. He then surprises me by bowing.

“I’m terribly sorry, truly. I was worried about the safety of my aunts and didn’t even think about my actions. For that, I’m truly sorry.” He didn’t seem to be dishonest, but then again, he was hard to read. “I am Prince Blueblood. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He straightens up from his bow. For a guy who was acting really out there not ten seconds ago, he didn't seem all that bad. But then again, neither were satyrs.

“Hello Princeling, I am Aurora.” She says calmly, much to our nieces relief. If that was the way we were going, I didn’t see the need to ruin it.

“Hello to you as well Prince Blueblood, I am Ozz.” I say in my formal voice which just sounded like me, but formal. My wife hums softly, amused at my voice. Though the prince seems approving of it.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Ozz, though I’m sorry once more.” He bows again slightly as I just wave a dismissive hand.

“Think nothing of it.” That made him smile as he looked to my wife, walking forward and taking a small bow again.

“And it is a most pleasure to meet you milady Aurora.”

“It is… interesting to meet you as well Blueblood.” Was her response, nodding her head only slightly. Blueblood stands back tall and smiles at my wife, making her force one of her own. I quickly replace my frown with one as well as he turns to look at me.

“May I ask who you are exactly? I’ve never seen somepony like you….” I just glance to my nieces since they would be better off to explain. I’m terrible at them anyway.

“These are Aurora and Ozz, friends of ours that served our mother.” Tia says. “And they just returned home after a long rest.” Blueblood seemed surprised at that.

“But that would make them thousands of years old….” He says in disbelief as I just nod along with my wife.

“You may know of me as the Ki-rin.” she shifts one of her hands into a hoof and back. That made his eyes go wider than plates.

“Amazing….” He whispers breathlessly, “You’re the magnificent Ki-rin? I must get to know you, both of you! The things I could learn and the fun we can have! Oh it shall be glorious!” Well that took a turn….

“Umm…” My wife blinks. Guess she didn’t expect it too.

“Are you sure nephew?” Tia asks, Luna looks a bit nervous now, as well as confused.

He nods with extra reassurance, “Of course! Only if they’re fine with it anyway.” He looks to Aurora and I, the question pointed at us. I just look to my wife and shrug.

“Lead the way then princling.” My wife tells him, making him beam as he takes a step past my nieces before they stop him.

“I’m sorry nephew, I must inform you that your outing will have to be postponed for now. We have to go to a meeting with the ambassadors and Ozz and Aurora will be joining us.” Luna says calmly but firmly, making the prince sigh in defeat.

“Oh fine. Terribly sorry my friends, but you heard my aunt. I’ll be sure to come find you after the meeting though.” He says with a friendly smile which I return with a nod.

“If we’re not too busy.” I comment, he just nods rapidly in agreement.

“Of course! Whenever you’ll be ready! I’ll be ready when you are.” With that, along with a whistle to make the guards follow, he makes his way down the hall before turning a corner and disappearing.

“Thank you Luna..” My wife shivers, “His eyes didn’t meet mine.. And he smells… off.” I just scowl and approve her, pulling her close to comfort her, a gesture she gladly accepts.

“You’re welcome aunt and uncle.” Luna says, “Though we do need to hurry a bit. What I said was actually a bit true.” I just chuckle at that as I let go of the hug on my wife and take her hand.

“Let’s go then.”

Author's Note

Here is the third chapter!

I hoped you enjoy the story!

Guard ponies suck
That’s it
They’re bad at their job

... any way what are your thoughts on Blueblood?