' This is the most famous true, Zebracan adventure. Famous because what took place in Tsavo, never happened before. Colonel Shining Armor was there when it began. A fine Canterlot gentleman, a brilliant engineer, he was my friend. My name is Zecora. I was there. Remember this, even the most impossible parts of this story, really happened.'

Shining's Pov.

I was walking through Canterlot castle towards the meeting room where I was told to meet with Fancy Pants. I must admit that I was a bit nervous to meet him as I heard rumors of him being a monster to those that work under him. But, as my father would say, you must take every rumor you hear with a grain of salt. I had made it to the room just as other people were walking out. As soon as the room had been cleared, I walked in to find a man standing at the front of the room with a map behind him. The man had a well-tailored suit, slicked-back hair, and a monocle over his left eye.

When he saw me enter, he walked up to me and greeted me. " Shining Armor. I'm lord Fancy Pants." I took his hand in mine and shook it. " Firm handshake. I like that, tells me a lot about you. Sit down." I took a seat on one of the benches and waited for him to continue. " Why don't you tell me about me?" I said nothing as he would answer anyway. " Well, to get you started. People find me handsome with a wonderful smile, I'm sure you'll agree. Winning personality, heaps of charm."

I finally spoke to him. " My wife is the game player in the family, sir." I gave him a smile which he returned.

He had a small chuckle before slamming a pointer on a desk. " Look at me closely, Colonel Armor. I'm a monster. My only pleasure is tormenting those people who work for me. People like yourself. Make one mistake and I promise you, I'll make you hate me." Well, at least now I know where the rumors came from. " We're in a race, Colonel. And the prize is nothing less than the continent of Zebraca. We are building the most expensive and daring railroad in history for the glorious purpose, of saving Zebraca from the Zebracans and of course to end slavery. Our competitors are the Germeigns and the Prench. We are ahead and we will stay ahead, provided you do what I hired you to do." He went over to the map and pointed at a spot with a river. " Build a bridge across the river Tsavo, and be finished in five months." He then fixed me with a stern gaze. " Can you do that?"

" I'm sure you've examined my record. You know I've never been late on a bridge." I answered as calmly as I could.

" I'm well aware of your distinguished record Colonel, but let me humbly remind you. You've never built in Zebraca." He said with a leer.

" I have in India. Each country presents its own challenges." He chuckled darkly at my retort. Seems he's still unamused.

" You'll need all your confidence, I promise you."

" Feeling myself growing bold, I prepared to tell him a few personal matters. " I love Zebraca. I've always wanted to go there. And if I may speak personally. My wife is having our firstborn in six months, and I promised her I'd be there for the birth. And I always keep my word." This seemed to have an effect on him.

" Very moving Colonel Armor, and I'm touched you confided in me, but I really don't give a shit about your upcoming litter." It took all I had to remain calm and collected after hearing that. " I made you with this assignment. Don't make me break you."

" Seeing that the hour was getting late and the train was due within the hour, I got up from my seat and started for the door. " You won't have the opportunity." I stopped in front of him with one more thing. " Any other words of encouragement?" He just stared at me with no emotion or indication for any other words to be said. " Then, I have a train to catch." I left out the door and made my way out of the castle. When I made my exit, I was greeted by the love of my life, Cadence.

" Hello, Darling." We embraced in a passionate kiss as this would be the last time to do so for the next five months. We separated from the kiss and made our way to the train station. As we walked through the busy streets of Canterlot, Cadence would inquire about the meeting I had with Fancy Pants. " Tell me about Fancy Pants. Does he understand how brilliant you are? How lucky he is to have you?" She kissed my neck on that last question.

I smiled while I spun how she thought the meeting went. " It was embarrassing. The man showered me with praise." Cadence saw through my lie immediately, I never could lie to that woman.

" Oh, dear." We walked in silence for a while before she spoke again. " You're getting that downtrodding look again."

" Of course not, don't be silly." We made it to the front of the train station where I stopped our movement. " I would never have taken this job had we known sooner."

" And you would be in agony and it would have been my fault. You've been desperate to see Zebraca all your life."

I tried to make a counter-argument. " There may be difficulties."

She just came right back. " There will be. There always are, which only means that our daughter and I, note my confidence, will have an excuse to come and visit you." Seeing her smile made my fears of leaving her vanish.

I heard the conductor yell for us to board. I looked at my wife. " Come along, put me on the train." I started walking to the train but stopped when I saw that Cadence didn't follow.

" You go." Finding nothing else to say, I went up and kissed her hand. " Such a gentleman."

I smiled and brought her into a hug and kissed her, making her giggle at my conduct. " I am desperate to see Zebraca, but it is just a place."

She made me look her in the eye while she smiled softly. " You build bridges, Shining. You have to go where the rivers are." We kissed once more as the conductor called again.

I seperated from her and did my best to remember every small detail of the woman I loved before I left. " Goodbye." I turned to the station and made my way for the train, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Author's Note

Okay, So here is my third story ever, and I'm doing a homage to one of my favorite movies. For those wondering why Fancy Pants is a dick and why I didn't give the role to Blueblood. I saw both Fancy and Robert Bomant as the same person but with different personalities.

With luck, this story will end at fifteen chapters, and be a masterpiece.

Like how I do all my chapters, I'll end it with a clip.