Solaire and the other seven passengers were on their way to Ponyville. Right before they had left, Solaire had found Celestia and gave her a hug goodbye, just as he had promised her.

Sitting on one of the many seats in the royal train cart, Solaire stared outside of the window. The world seemed to blur past, and he watched with wonder. All the colors seemed to blend together with how fast they were going. Solaire had been caught off guard however by someone clearing their throat.

Solaire turned around, to see that Rainbow Dash was the one that had done it. She looked at him with a big smile.

"So- where ya' from?"

"Huh..?" Solaire asked caught off guard.

"You know- your home! What its like, all that fun stuff. You never really told any of us." Rainbow gestured to the others, who'm nodded in agreement.

"It would be nice to know who will be staying with us for the next week." Rarity said.

Twilight, hearing the conversation, perked up from her book. "I.. don't know if you guys really want to hear where he's from. It's not-"

Solaire cut her off, waving a hand at her dismissively. "It will be fine. If they do not like it, that is their own fault for asking, right?" He said, looking at Rainbow. She nodded with a grin.

With a breath, Solaire started his story.

"My world is not one of fun, happiness, or anything of the sort. It is a bleak, depressing, harsh environment, where only the strong can survive. And even they succumb to the hellish environment that is my world. No matter where you go, you will most certainly find something that is willing to kill you. No place is safe except for those few places of haven, where a bonfire is kept. Around the world, these bonfires are made to be small places of safety, where you could sit and recuperate before heading off into the dangers once again. They're a necessity to us undead for living."

Applejack eye'd Solaire. "What ya' mean 'us undead'?"

"I, am undead. A human who had fallen to the world, and become one with the flame. That is, the flask that I keep on me at all times. It is liquid flame, and when I drink it, it essentially heals me. It is quite useful in the midst of battle." He had pulled up his flask to show.

"Us undead have a very scary fate in front of us. Our souls are bonded to our emotions and feelings, and when one of us gives up on our life, we become what we call Hollow. A hollow is a husk of someone you once knew, however they are hostile to everyone around them. Friend, foe, they're the same to a hollow, and there is no chance in reasoning with them. They'll try to kill you as long as you, or they are living. If you can say that they are truly 'living.' It is a sad fate that I've seen many people go through, many friends of mine have had that fate."

"If I did not get teleported into your world, I would have certainly gone hollow. I was on the verge of giving up, until I was sucked into a glowing yellow portal. Next thing I know, I was in this place! Looking around myself, I had thought that the beautiful colors and bright sun were too good to be true, and I steadied my sword at my chest, ready to end my madness."

Fluttershy looked at him in worry. "Y-You were going to.."

"Indeed." Solaire nodded. "I was going to kill myself. If I was to either go hollow and mad, or completely die, I would rather die. Going hollow isn't something I want to hurt others with. I don't want anyone I once knew to have to feel the pain of striking me down. Their potential friend, lost to the madness of the world."

The train car was completely silent. When Rainbow had wanted to know about his world, she was expecting tales of adventures and fighting cool monsters. Nothing he said sounded cool what so ever, and immediately killed the joyful vibe of the cart.

Solaire continued. "The only thing that I had with me was that beautiful glowing ball in the sky. No matter where I had gone, I knew that it was up there, shining. It was the only thing that had a good sense of feeling around it. No matter where you went in the world, you had a feeling of dread, but whenever I looked up at that glorious shine.. I felt something I never had anywhere else."

"I vowed to become a warrior of sunlight before I became undead. I had gone through all my life searching for a proper sun of my own. It was a.. 'crazy' journey as most in my world would say, but I made friends. Some who shared my mindset, and journeyed with me." Solaire had paused, giving a large sigh. "Most of them would end up going hollow, and had to be put down by me. They never could find their own sun, no matter how hard they tried. I was going to end up like them before I ended up here."

Another large pause occurred before Twilight shook her head.

"I told you, Rainbow."

Solaire spoke again. "I don't mean to cause you all to be sad! I am simply explaining why I am so grateful to have landed here. Much more brighter, much more colorful, and with much nicer people." To that, Fluttershy smiled.

"I-I'm glad y-you're oka-kay now." Solaire nodded at her.

"Well i'll just have to throw you a party for being here! After going through all those things you must be really happy that you are here like you said- we can invite everyone over and meet you and you can explain your story to them and they'll be so wide eyed and in awe that-"

"Pinkie.. Stop it." Twilight said with a sigh, to which Pinkie Pie deflated back into her seat with a huff. "He doesn't need a party to feel welcomed. Oh- and Starlight will be there. You met her during the little meeting we had. She left on a train going back to ponyville to keep the castle in check while we were gone."

Solaire was then poked in the leg by something, to which he looked down to see whatever it was. It was a small dragon, purple and green in color. "So you're like.. a warrior?" The dragon asked.

"Spike- can you not?" Twilight told him with a bit of annoyance in her tone. Spike looked back at her.

"Whaaaat? I was just asking."

"I'm not a warrior in the traditional sense." Solaire responded to him. "I don't fight for a kingdom or a person, but in fact, the celestial ball in the sky." Spike turned back to him with a smile.

"Cool!"

Spike had always been one that enjoyed small comics and other stories of knights, warriors, and fighting cool monsters. Although he was growing, he still embraced the childish side of his soul.

"'Ah have a feelin' that him and Starlight are gonna' be all over eachother-" Applejack said, to which the other ponies all stared at her with confusion. Applejack chuckled. "Not 'n that kind of way! She's like a therapist, 'n he's like one too."

"I'm not a therapist- i'm just trying to be a friend."

With that, the trip was back to being silent. Solaire stared outside the window once again, and smiled underneath the helmet.

"Beautiful."

Solaire and the rest of the crew had finally arrived in Ponyville, and had made their way to Twilight's castle. The group had gotten odd stares from the ponies in the town on the way there, as word had spread about Solaire's sudden arrival in Canterlot. Nopony had exactly known what he looked like, but he definitely didn't match what they were thinking. He stood tall, at 6'0", and wore armor that was a mixture of iron, chainmail, and cloth.

As they approached the entrance of the castle, Twilight knocked on the door. A couple of hurried hoofsteps were heard behind the door, and suddenly it opened wide.

Starlight Glimmer was on the other side, and upon seeing her friends a smile came over her.

"Hi gir-" She was cut short by seeing Solaire. She looked at him confused, pointing a hoof. "What is uh.. he doing here?" She asked as polite as possible. Twilight smiled at Starlight, turning over to Solaire.

"This is Solaire, you remember him at the little meeting, right? Well- he's come to stay with us for a week. Celestia's orders." Starlight nodded her head, turning from Twilight to Solaire again, giving him a smile.

"Well- welcome! I hope that you like the place- It's been in kind of a mess since Twilight was.. well, out of commission." Solaire nodded, following the group inside. The inside of the castle was more impressive than the outside. It was crystal-like, and had a shiny floor.

The only things that could be heard while they walked were the soft hoofsteps on the carpet underneath them, and Solaire's armor clinking with each step. It wasn't loud, but it was still audible. Spike walked next to him, glancing to him time to time to admire the armor on the creature.

They eventually made it to the center of the castle. Further off were doors that would lead them to the map room. The center was essentially a meeting ground that split off into multiple directions, each direction having rooms for the ponies or for other things such as a science lab, and even a workout section. It had quite the selection of things inside.

"Well- I think the rest of us are going to our rooms or respective places. As much as it was nice meeting you, we are quite tired from the several days of trying to help dear Twilight. Not any offense to you-" Rarity said, looking to Twilight. Twilight didn't take offense, and nodded her head.

The rest of the crew had all gone done separate hallways, or left the castle. It was Starlight, Twilight, Spike and Solaire left. Starlight looked up at Solaire with a curious look, a small grin on her face. She noted that he didn't talk as often as ponies would. She had made the same discovery that Twilight had earlier meeting him.

"Sooo.." Starlight began, before Twilight gave a sigh.

"I'm going to clean up the place and rest. Ever since I've been out of it, everypony left this place a mess, and i'm getting tired." Twilight said, walking off down a hallway that lead to her bedroom. Starlight smirked.

"It's all that thinkin' your doing!" Starlight yelled, to which Twilight huffed loudly before she disappeared out of sight. Spike had followed her. Starlight turned to look up at Solaire, who was already looking at her.

"So.. Big guy. You are.. Solaire, right?"

Solaire nodded.

"Well- since everypony else is kind of gone at the moment, do you want to accompany me? It'll get us some time to get to know eachother! Plus, you'll have to tell me how you fixed Twilight. She wouldn't ever listen to me."

Solaire gave a light chuckle. "I did not fix her, I just let her know that she isn't a bad person." He said this as he followed Starlight down the opposite hallway that Twilight had came from. He didn't know where he was going.

"Mmm.. Well, I did try that myself. I guess you got some otherworldly magic in you or something." Solaire gave another chuckle at her statement.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Don't tell me your going to rip me apart searching for it, are you?" He said teasingly, to which Starlight looked at him with a smirk.

"Maybe I will, maybe I won't~"

"Princess Celesti-"

"Not now."

"But Princes-"

"Not now, Blueblood."

"Prince-"

Celestia turned to Blueblood, a look of extreme irritation on her face, her eye twitching. "If you say one more word, i'll send you to the moon. I am not dealing with your antics, I am not dealing with your plea's, I am not dealing with anything you're going to complain about! So if you will, leave, me, alone!"

Blueblood ran off after Celestia had finished yelling. She gave a loud sigh, thinking to herself.

"If Solaire were here, he'd be able to provide some company.."

Celestia shook her head, remembering that she had sent him to Ponyville to let him explore. To get him used to her subjects, and to warm them up to his presence. She knew that she wouldn't be able to talk to him or anything of the sort for the week, and she knew the consequences that would bring.

Though, she couldn't say that she felt alone without his presence.

It was beginning to become late. Solaire had been in Ponyville for a couple of hours at this point. She was currently on a balcony, overlooking Ponyville, and was wondering what he might be doing. Was he perhaps getting irritated with them? Was he being yelled at or doing the yelling? Was Twilight picking him apart for science? Was he hurt?!

Celestia shook her head once more. It was unlike her to think of such.. extreme circumstances. She knew everything would most likely be okay, but for some reason, the odd attachment to him was starting to show its colors. She sat in thought for a little while longer until a few hoofsteps were heard from her side.

"I think it is time, Sister." Luna had told her as she approached. Celestia nodded, turning to Luna. Luna's face was obviously tired, and was scrunched up a little.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Celestia questioned worriedly.

"Yes. I just haven't been able to sleep well.." Celestia nodded, not wanting to push it any further. She had felt that something was off with Luna, but she couldn't put it on anything. There wasn't anything to point to, anything to link her sadness or unrest to anything.

"Well- let us get this over with, and I shall begin my shift."

Both Alicorns' horns began to glow, and the sky suddenly was changing color. The sun fell to the right, as the moon began to appear from the left. From where the glorious sun had shined, the equally beautiful moon had taken place. A big sigh came over Luna as they finished.

"Make sure to get some rest, sister. You understand what is happening tomorrow, correct?" Celestia nodded to Luna.

"Yes, I know. I've already informed the guards to keep a close eye on Shining while he visits to defend his stance for what he did. If he gets out of hand, he'll be thrown out of here. Cadance wouldn't like it, but he would leave me with no other choice."

Luna gave another sigh. "I wish thing's wouldn't have to boil over like this."

"Me too." Celestia eye'd the town below. "Me too.."

"Y-You can't tell nopony about thiss~" Starlight slurred her words over as she fell into Solaire's lap. She and Solaire had been talking in her bedroom for quite some time, and Starlight was a secret drinker. She stored lots of ale in her bedroom, and seeing Solaire drink out of his own flask, she decided to start drinking hers too.

"You are definitely drunk, Starlight." Solaire said, however Starlight heard none of his words. She suddenly picked his flask up with her magic, to which Solaire grabbed it quickly.

"Let me drinnnkkk~!"

"If you drink this, it'll kill you!" Solaire groaned towards her, to which Starlight gave him a pouted face.

"Unfair.."

Solaire groaned again, pushing the pony off of his lap and standing up. It was a fun conversation until she began to become.. touchy.. She fell into his lap, pushing all over him and slurring all of her words. She went from an intelligent mare to a five year old foal quickly.

"I would love to stay but- I must find Twilight. I have no idea where i'm staying so-" He quickly made his way for the door. Starlight protested with slurred words, trying to make her way over to him, but stumbled. "bye-" Solaire shut the door, only hearing whines of protest from the other side. He wiped his clothing off, and began down the hallway.

"I have no idea where i'm going but, i'll find it eventually." Solaire continued down the hallway, looking at the doors for labeling. They each had a cutiemark on it to signify what room it was, or a picture on it to signify what the room was meant for. Lab, gym, library, and inbetween. He kept travelling until he found the same design of Twilight's cutiemark.

"I'll have to ask what these designs mean." He reminded himself aloud, knocking on the door lightly. She might've been asleep already, as it was getting late. There was no answer. He knocked again, and this time an answer came from the other side.

"..come in.." A tired Twilight answered from the other side. Solaire pushed the door slowly, and peered his helmet through the other side. Twilight was under the covers inside of her bed, looking over at him with half-lidded eyes. He frowned underneath the helmet.

"I'm sorry for awaking you- but I wasn't informed on where exactly i'd be sleeping.." Solaire said as soft as possible. Twilight's eyes widened a little, her soft and tired voice coming back.

"O-oh..! I'm so sorry- I should've.. I.." Solaire waved his hand towards her.

"I can find somewhere to sleep. You don't have to worry about it."

"A-Are you sure..?" Twilight asked worriedly, to which Solaire nodded.

"Don't worry, i'll find somewhere to sleep. Go back to bed, i'll see you in the morning, okay?"

Twilight nodded back, a yawn escaping her muzzle and her head flying back down into bed. Solaire shut the door softly, before turning around.

"... I'm going to have to go back to Starlight, aren't I.." He groaned, looking around for a bit. "..Yes.. Yes I am."

He groaned as he had approached Starlight's door, opening it slowly.

"..Starlight..?" He asked. Suddenly, he was grabbed by some sort of aura around his body, flying him to Starlight immediately. He yelped a little as he was flung to her, in which she wrapped her hoofs around him giddily.

"Seeeeee~ you came baackkk~" She giggled. Solaire groaned, pulling himself off of her.

"I need somewhere to sleep. Can I sleep here tonight? Not in the same be-"

"You can sleep in my bed with me!" Solaire was flung onto the bed as she interrupted. He landed with a huff, and looked over at Starlight, who had jumped onto the bed after him.

Arguing will do nothing.. I just have to live with this for the night.

"Take off your armoorrrrrr~ Itsh gonna' be uncomffyy!"

"No! I am keeping my armor on- if I were alone I would take it off, but sleeping in another's bed? No, not happening."

Starlight groaned in protest, but knew that she was defeated. With a loud huff and a whine, she curled under the blanket, flicking the light off with her magic. A hoof came over his chest, and pulled him close.

"Gooddniigghttttt~" Starlight said, as she began to immediately doze off to sleep. Solaire simply stared up at the ceiling, his helmet and armor still on. He couldn't sleep with this ponies hoof on his chest. It felt odd, and with the constant whispering coming from her sleeping muzzle wasn't helping.

"I have a feeling I wont be having a good nights sleep." He muttered.

However, within just a couple of minutes, the warmth from Starlight had lulled him to sleep.

As Solaire began to dream, he realized he wasn't where he usually dreamed of being. Usually, he would be at the Sunlight Altar on his own world, but this time he was in Celestia and Luna's castle. Specifically, in Celestia's bedroom. Yet, Celestia was nowhere to be seen. Solaire took a few steps towards the bed, sitting on it.

"A strange place to dream about." He said aloud, before hearing a familiar voice. One of a dark blue alicorn.

"I think it means more than you think." Luna said, creeping from the wall inside the bedroom. With a smile, he turned to her, removing his helmet.

"Ah- Princess Luna. You are going to join me in my dream?"

Luna shook her head. "I can not stay for long. However, I wanted to ask if everything was all right with Twilight and her friends. Celestia may not be exactly vocal with her feelings, but she is indeed worried about you."

"Thing's are okay. I've spent most of my time in the castle with Starlight. Though, she began to drink and ended up getting drunk. I had nowhere else to sleep, so that left me stuck with Starlight and her bed. She's a little touchy."

Luna giggled. "Oh Solaire, are you being unfaithful?"

"It's not as if me and her are doing anything- and who would I be unfaithful to? I don't-" Finally, it clicked in Solaires head. "Oh.. Oh- no no no! It is nothing like that between me and Celestia, I can assure you."

"Whatever you say." Luna teased. Luna then looked around the room. "It does bring up the question: why did you dream of Celestia's room?"

Solaire shrugged. "Confused as much as you are, Princess."

"Perhaps you have a bond closer than you think. After all, she is the Princess of the Sun, and you claim to be a warrior of the sun. Celestia also told me that you called her a goddess sometime when you first met- something that usually pertains to beauty and attractiveness."

Solaire chuckled. "I meant nothing like that. I saw what looked to me, a god. I've been praying to that sun for many years, and perhaps I got to see the sun itself. My bad for not knowing better. You wouldn't have done any better in my shoes, Princess of the night."

"I don't know.. I don't think I could fit into your shoes."

With that comment, both of them began to laugh. A few seconds passed as they slowly died down, before Solaire stood off the bed. "I want you to know that although I praise the sun, the moon is just as elegant. An equal to the sun, in perfect balance. I wasn't ever able to really see the beauty of the moon before since I wasn't able to see it in such a peaceful manner. Perhaps i'll become a warrior for both sun and moon." He chuckled again, while Luna looked at him with a smile on her muzzle.

"You are too elegant with your words, Solaire. If I didn't know any better, I would think you were flirting."

"What? How does- okay, i'm not going to ask questions. Any time I do that, you Princess' just tease." He said, another laugh escaping his lips. Solaire had seemed to laugh a lot throughout the day, a nice change of pace from the serious looks of every noble in the castle.

However, Luna knew she could not stay. "I must go now, Solaire. I'm glad that I was able to talk to you- but I must go and see if anypony else needs help. They aren't as all strong-willed as you are. Sleep deep, Solaire."

"I will, Luna." With a wave goodbye to the Princess, Luna had seeped back into the dark corner of the room, disappearing into thin air. It was quite the trick, and Solaire chuckled.

"Those guards say that she is always rude. I don't see it. Or perhaps there is a side of her that she doesn't want to show me? Either way, I don't see the 'rudeness' that everyone keeps on talking about."

Solaire awoke to something poking against his helmet. Instinctively, he swatted his hands around, trying to stop whatever it was from poking further.

"Oh, so you're awake finally." Starlight said. It turned out she was the culprit of the poking. Solaire sat up, turning to look at her. He pointed a finger at her, poking her nose forcefully, before sliding off the bed.

"Hmph.." Starlight said with a huff, watching him make his way towards the door. "Going away so soon?"

"I'm leaving before you start drinking and get all touchy again."

"It's not like I was tryi-"

Solaire shut the door behind him, giving a sigh. He made sure he still had everything on him. Flask, Sword, and anything else he carried with him in his little satchel. After making sure everything was good to go, he made his way back down the hallway.

As he made it to the center of the castle once again, he saw Twilight heading for the front entrance.

"Twilight- just the person I was looking for." Solaire said with a jolly tone, causing Twilight to turn around. Her face lit up at the sight of Solaire.

"Oh- Solaire! I was looking for you, but you weren't in any of the other rooms."

"I spent the night with Starlight, even though it wasn't exactly the most comfortable." Twilight cocked an eyebrow quizzically. Solaire shook his hand towards her. "Nothing happened, but I didn't want to bother you with finding me a room. I also slept with my armor on- despite it being quite uncomfortable."

Twilight chuckled a little. "Mhm- whatever you say Solaire. As I was saying earlier, I was looking for you. I wanted to see if you'd like to come with me to Ponyville. The other girls are there- they have rooms here, but they live over there for the most part. They have their own stuff to take care of throughout the day."

Solaire shrugged. "I don't see why not. To Ponyville we go." Solaire said, pointing to the door as if commanding a non-existent army. Twilight nodded, heading for the door, with Solaire following. As they pushed the doors open, Solaire looked up at the sky. The sun was already up. Solaire sighed, knowing that he slept in longer than he wanted to.

As they began their walk to Ponyville, Solaire took in the surroundings again. The lush green grass, the tree's far out, and the mountains off into the distance. The light blue color of the sky, the fresh air. The feeling of the warm sun on his armor, and overall carefree and cheerful feeling of the world. Solaire felt like no matter where he went, he could feel the joy of the world.

Solaire could see Canterlot from where they were walking, and wondered what Celestia was doing. Perhaps she was dealing with those idiot nobles she had talked about before? Perhaps she was simply having boring meetings about things that didn't matter, or she was preparing that party for Twilight? Or was she just all alone, taking the day off to relax? Solaire shrugged to himself, turning his gaze down to the path they were following. They were almost to Ponyville, and Solaire could see the many ponies crowding the streets.

Ponies were doing their jobs, talking to others, or were going around to meet with others or buy things from stores. Some filly and foals were around the place as well, playing with eachother or following their respective parents. As they approached into the town, Solaire could feel the glances he was getting. It wasn't anything he was bothered by, as he got many stares from Canterlot already. It just seemed different this time.

Though, some Ponies were scared of his presence. The sheathed sword he carried wasn't exactly helping that, and with him donning armor, it felt like he was ready for a fight. Many questioned why he was following beside Twilight as well, and if there was anything that was going to happen. Perhaps political talks with this new creature's race? Perhaps something to do with the guard, or the rebels on the border?

"So, what exactly are we doing here, Twilight? I understand the others are here but, is there any other reason?"

Twilight glanced back to him for a quick second, before looking ahead. "Well, there is something i'd like for you to do.. Though, I'd hate to ask you since we've not known eachother for a long time."

"Go ahead- ask. I'm sure it won't be a problem."

The both of them began nearing Rarity's shop, the Carousel Boutique. Twilight stopped in front of its doors, turning around to Solaire.

"W-Well.. Me and the others are planning for some.. time off, and Applejack and Rarity both have younger sisters.. With that being said, we have no one to watch them a-"

"You want me to watch the little ones while you're off having fun, correct?"

Twilight looked down, giving a sheepish reply. "Yeah.."

"Of course!" Twilight's ears perked up, her head following afterwards. She looked at Solaire, a little confused. "As long as you make it up to me one day, i'll happily do this. It's no problem for me. There's two of them, correct?"

Twilight shook her head. "N-No.. There will be a third one, a friend of both of their's. All three are here in Rarity's shop at the moment. They spent the night with her." Solaire gave a light chuckle.

"Well, I can handle a few young ones." Twilight smirked at his confidence.

"You haven't met them yet. Just wait-" She said as she pushed the doors open to Rarity's shop. Inside the shop was Rarity, working on what seemed to be clothing on a pony mannequin. It was a beautiful design, donning multiple colors ranging from light blue, to dark purple.

"Ah- Twilight! Have you.. found somepony to watch them?" She asked, looking a little worried.

Twilight nodded towards Solaire. "He volunteered."

Rarity looked at Solaire, keeping her worried look. "A-Are you sure?"

Solaire nodded. "Of course. As long as you make it up to me, i'll gladly do it."

Rarity gave a relieving sigh. "I was beginning to think that I would have to deal with those three again. How do they have so much energy?" She asked on one in particular. Twilight scanned the room quickly.

"Speaking of them- where are they?"

"Upstairs. They've been play fighting all morning."

"I'll go introduce myself-" Solaire said, walking forward and disappearing to the stairs.

"Are you sure he'll be okay? We just met him, and who knows how he'll act around those little energy filled chaos makers." Twilight shook her head, dismissing Rarity's worries.

"It'll be okay, i'm sure of it. We may have just met him, but if the Princess' can trust him, so can we." Rarity bit her lip softly, before nodding.

"I guess so.."

"Now- we should be on our way. We'll meet with Applejack first, since she said she'll be in the marketplace." Twilight said, heading for the door, Rarity following.

The three small ponies had stopped when they heard the thumping of something coming up the stairs to the room. Their initial thought was that it was going to be Rarity, to which all of them were gathering around the door, ready to spook her and attack her.

What opened the door though, was definitely not Rarity. Without thinking, the three of them all pounced onto the creature that opened the door. Solaire suddenly fell on his back as he was tackled, looking around himself to see who the culprits were.

"We gotcha' Rari-" Scootaloo said before staring at what was underneath her. She immediately backed off, along with the others. They stared at whatever was there, as it sat up to look at them.

"Well, that was one surprise attack. I'll have to take notes." Solaire said to them. They stared in confusion, and in slight intimidation as he stood up. Being extremely taller than them didn't help their anxiety. "I'm your caretaker for the day."

"You're here to look after us? Doesn't Rarity know that we're able to be okay on our own already?!" Applebloom looked at the others, who all shrugged.

"Well- whether or not you are, i'm instructed to watch over you all. I'm Solaire." Solaire walked into the room, closing the door behind himself and sitting with his legs crossed on the floor. He was now near their level. The three of them sat and stared at him.

"I heard you all were play fighting earlier?" He asked.

"We weren't hurting eachother! It's just fun-" Solaire waved his hand at them.

"I understand. It's a good way to train. Though, I doubt you'd all be able to take me on, hm?" Solaire teased, watching their expressions change from confusion to confident. They all had smiles on their face now.

"You don't know what you're up against mister!" Applebloom said with a grin.

Solaire chuckled, reaching for his sheath. He unclipped it from his armor, tossing it to the side along with his satchel and flask. "There, fair game now."

"But you have armor!" Sweetie Belle protested.

"Three against one? I think it's fair." Solaire said with a chuckle.

Suddenly, without warning, Scootaloo attacked. With Solaire still sitting, she was able to attack his chest. She pushed him down with her hoofs, while the other two got on each side. Solaire used both of his hands to reach underneath Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, picking them both up and throwing them across the room. He aimed for soft bedding on the other side, so they landed without injury.

Scootaloo was still ontop of him though, stomping her hoofs against his armor. It wasn't doing much.

"He's strong, run!" Applebloom yelled to Scootaloo. She didn't listen, trying to pierce through his armor with her hoofs as if she was some sort of superhero. With ease, Solaire grabbed her with his right hand, tossing him over to where the others were.

Solaire quickly got up, opening the door and flying down the stairs. "You can't defeat what you can't catch!"

The three of them ran after him, tripping down the stairs. Solaire, now on the bottom floor, looked for somewhere to hide. Finding a small counter whilst he was running, he slid right underneath it. The three ponies were now on the bottom floor.

Scootaloo, seeming to be the captain of the group at the moment, barked out an order. "Search for him!"

Scootaloo stayed at the bottom of the steps, whilst Sweetie Belle checked the small hallway to the right, whilst Applebloom was checking the lobby and the left room that connected to it. Applebloom didn't decide to check anywhere near the counter as she passed by it. Suddenly, a hand grabbed at her hoof, which began to pull her under. She screamed for a second, only for her scream to die out while Solaire held her mouth shut.

"You're on my side now." Solaire said quietly, letting go of his grasp on her mouth. She turned to him, giving a quiet sigh.

"You almost gave me a heart attack!" She protested quietly. Solaire shrugged.

With the scream of their fellow comrade, the other two immediately began to check where she had disappeared. Scootaloo's eyes narrowed around the immediate area. Still not finding any clues, she groaned.

"He's hiding.."

Suddenly, an explosion of yellow came across Scootaloo's face. With a scream, she fell onto the floor.

"I got 'er!" Applebloom yelled. Sweetie Belle, just a few steps away from the two, was beginning to charge. That was, until she saw Solaire emerge from seemingly nowhere, charging at her. She yelped, running away from him.

"Keep her held down, i'll get the other!" Solaire yelled to Applebloom, racing to get Sweetie Belle, who was laughing giddily. While turning a corner into the side room, her hoof got caught on it, tripping her. She turned onto her back, watching Solaire peer over her.

"Gotcha'." He said, picking her up. As he turned around, he didn't see Applebloom nor Scootaloo. "Uh oh."

Solaire kept turning around in every direction, scanning the room for the two of them. A steady forceful push was then delivered to his legs, causing him to fall over. He kept Sweetie Bell on his chest, as to make sure she wasn't hurt in the fall.

He looked at his feet, seeing both Applebloom and Scootaloo pinning his legs down.

"You traitor! Why did you switch sides?!" Solaire said with sarcasm. Applebloom shrugged with a smile.

"She bribed me."

Solaire chuckled, kicking his feet. Both the yellow and orange pony were tossed a feet into the air, falling flat onto their hooves. With the chance to escape, Solaire let go of Sweetie Belle, standing to his feet and running off.

"Get back here!" Scootaloo yelled as the three of them ran towards him. Solaire found himself in a larger room filled with even more mannequins, and really nowhere to hide. With a large sigh, he knew he had to face the little bandits head on. Turning around, he watched them turn around the corner.

"You're stuck now! Where you gonna' run, huh?" Scootaloo said with a large grin, the others closing in on both sides. Solaire gave a fake huff, laying down.

"You defeated me. I give up." He said.

"Good- better that way or else we would've seriously hurt you!" Sweetie Belle said, as they tried to pick him up. With none of them being able to really move him, they poked at his helmet. "C-Can you just.. come?"

Solaire chuckled, standing up and following them back upstairs. As soon as they were back in the top room, he laid down once again. Applebloom had tied his hands loosely with some sort of rope.

"Now- you're going to tell us all you know!"

"About?" Solaire asked.

"Uh.." Scootaloo turned to the others. She mouthed what Solaire had said, and the others looked at her, shrugging. Scootaloo turned back to him. "U-uhh.. About your evil plans!"

"Hmph- like i'd ever tell bandits like you!" Solaire said, joyfully playing along with the little roleplay. Applebloom reached over with her hoofs, taking his helmet off with a couple of hard twists. The three ponies stared at him, studying the features of his face.

His blonde hair, his eyes, the small tiny scars that dotted across his face.

"You look pretty cool." Sweetie Belle said, to which Solaire turned to her with a smirk.

"I don't think complimenting me is going to get you information." Sweetie Belle shook her head, staring at him with the scariest face she could muster, which just looked adorable.

"Right- Tell us or we'll have to hurt you!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Solaire barked back playfully.

Scootaloo showed him a pillow, shaking it with her mouth. "I'll knock you out if you don't tell us!"

Solaire looked back, faking a horrified expression. "Okay okay! I'll tell you!-"

The three of them looked at him with smug grins.

"I was going to.. going to.."

Suddenly, Solaire reached up for the pillow that Scootaloo had, and smacked Applebloom with it. Sweetie and Scootaloo looked on as he did so, rushing to get their own pillows.

"Mare down!" Scootaloo yelled as Applebloom faked being knocked out. Solaire turned his attention to the other two. Scootaloo now got a good look at where the rope that binded his hands were. They weren't on his hands no longer!

"You think a simple knot can keep me imprisoned? Such foolery!" Solaire lifted the pillow, ready to smash it down onto one of the two's head, before Scootaloo had thrown her own pillow at his face. He stumbled back, gaining his posture again before having another pillow thrown at his chest. With a final attempt before he fell, he threw his pillow at Sweetie Belle, hitting her in the face. Sweetie Belle collapsed, whilst Solaire fell onto his back with a loud 'thud.'

Solaire gave his best expression of being 'dead' while Scootaloo walked over to him.

"And only the captain survives.." Scootaloo said, looking at the battlefield that the room had turned into. Applebloom lay 'dead' on the floor, while Sweetie Belle leaned against the wall, her tongue out and her eyes shut.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her hoof. Scootaloo let out a loud scream.

"I've come back from the dead!"

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

If you have any criticism, or if you like the story, be sure to let me know in the comments! I'll try my best to reply!