A Guard for The Princess

His name is Proteus. He was the result of an unplanned, unanticipated union between Strong Heart; a former Royal Guard, who put aside duty, for the love of a Changeling, and Twilight Sparkle; who was his friend since she was a filly. They were under the control of a spell concocted by Princess Cadance, who was working with Shining Armor, to distract the former Lieutenant from his true love, Queen Chrysalis.

The ruler of the Changelings suffered much at the hooves of the Captain, losing the filly that was growing inside her mere days before she would give birth. When she awoke, she was so enraged that she commanded her army to take down all of Canterlot, and kill the ones responsible for her fall. In resulting war not only claimed the lives of Shining Armor and Cadance, but the lives of Strong Heart and Chrysalis, who chose to die, rather than live with what they had done.

The surviving members of the Changeling army were banished from Equestria, never to be seen again.

Since finding out about her pregnancy, Twilight fought with her thoughts; trying to decide whether to keep the unborn foal, or to get rid of it before it fully developed. She found unexpected council from one of her closest friends, Princess Luna, and through her words, Twilight decided to keep it. And so, Proteus was born 10 months, and 22 days after his mother’s fateful encounter with the Princess.

The colt was a Pegasus, unlike his unicorn mother and father, but the genetics of ponies will always be a mystery, even to their own kind. He had a dark grey coat, like his father, and dark purple eyes, like his mother. In the first few years of his life, Twilight found taking care of him to be more of a challenge than she initially thought. Her assistant, Spike, wasn’t much help, despite his best efforts, and it took most of her friends to try and calm this easily excitable colt. As the years went by, Proteus became more co-operative, compliant, behaving like a well behaved foal should. The Royal Guard blood within him began to take hold, and soon, he became loyal to his mother.

He didn’t say his first words until he was three, an unusual occurrence, but as the days flew by, he began to talk even more, forming complete sentences, though not at any sort of academic level. Usually, he asked for food, or wanted to go outside for playtime. When he was five, he started to ask about his father, and where he was. It was never that he didn’t enjoy his mother’s company, or her many friends, who would come by to see him every once in a while, but he was curious about the lack of a true father figure in his life. Twilight would smile, and tell him that his father went far away on an important duty, and the likelihood of his return was slim to none.

She couldn’t tell him the truth about Strong Heart, how could she? He was only five, and he wouldn’t understand the real story about his father. For the time being, she chose to keep it a secret.

During the night, Proteus would stare at the stars. On most nights, the stars shined brightly, but nothing fascinated him more than the moon. He found it to be a glorious sight, full of wonder and beauty. His mother told him of the legend of the Mare in the Moon, and how for the longest time, the image of the banished Nightmare Moon could be seen on the right side of the moon.

Even though Nightmare Moon was released from her captivity, and the image gone, Proteus would stare at the moon until he fell asleep. It was during that time, where he felt that something, or somepony was watching him; as much as he looked around, he saw nopony else, but every night, the feeling was always present.

As he approached the age of 10, Twilight felt it was time for him to make friends outside her own circle, and enrolled him into the Ponyville Schoolhouse, where Ms. Cheerilee continued to teach there. His first day was a shaky one; being in a new environment, he was timid, and more of a quiet type, afraid that his first impression would be a bad one. As the days moved on, he became more social, more active with the other students. While he wasn’t the most popular colt at the school, he did have his share of friends.

Not everyone was a fan of Proteus, and it wasn’t just regulated from the fillies and colts at school. Grown mares and stallions hated the sight of him, knowing who his father was, and the story of his conception. The sad tale of Strong Heart was well known in the Ponyville community, and Twilight received the brunt of the disdain and hatred, as they were moral enough not to harm a young colt. Her parents refused to talk to her the day she informed them of her decision to keep Proteus to term, finding him to be “unnatural” and “monstrous”. Every once in a while, Proteus would ask about her Parents, but like his father, would tell him a pretty white lie.

Proteus received his cutie mark at the age of 11. Though normally, the day that a pony finally gets his or her cutie mark would be a cause for celebration, the way he received it, was through less than ideal circumstances.

It happened one night, when the moon was full, and Proteus was with Twilight at the local restaurant. They took the back exit out, when they were greeted by four tough looking colts; drunk, and stupid, looking for a good time. They eyed up Twilight like she was fresh meat; she could only respond by holding Proteus to her side.

“Hey there, good looking.” The leader of the pack said, “Wanna have some fun?”

“No thanks.” Twilight tried to be polite, but she knew it was futile. “I’m just taking my son home.”

“Come on baby!” another said, “Ditch the little brat, and come with us!”

“Leave us alone!” Proteus shouted. Even at his young age, he was tough.

“Hey…”The leader recognizes Proteus. “I know you…you’re the son of the traitor! The stallion who left his whore, for another!”

“Don’t you dare talk about my father like that!” Proteus stood defiant.

“Let’s go sweetie.” said Twilight, trying her best to avoid a confrontation, “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“But it’s true!” The Leader interjected, “The Stallion who betrayed the Royal Guard, fell in love with a Changeling, and impregnated this slut before he died!”

“Liar!” the young colt shouted, “My father is out on a mission!”

“So, that’s what you told him? How cute. I don’t like liars. Boys, let’s teach her about what we do to liars!”

The four stallions rushed them in an instant. Proteus was ripped from the grip of his mother, as she screamed his name. He was thrown to the ground, his wing fractured. The stallions brought Twilight down to the ground, ready to do the unthinkable.

Fire rose in Proteus’ eyes; any other pony would watch in horror, he had other plans.

The roar he let out stopped the stallions from their impending actions, and in a second, Proteus charged them with all he had. He was young, but he was strong…just like his father. He was smaller than the stallions, but he was also quicker, more agile, and even with his fractured wing, they couldn’t keep up with him. All the looks he received, all the bullying he was given at school, he took it all out on these now poor souls. Twilight could only look on in horror as her son violently beat these stallions down to ground like…a monster.

Proteus beat them all to an inch of their lives. They lay unconscious on the ground, bloodied, beaten, and missing more than a few teeth. The commotion caught the attention of passing citizens, and the local law enforcement. The saw the horrific sight; a colt sitting in the center of a bloodbath, growling in rage, covered in blood, and his Mother staring at him. A flash was seen on his flank, but he paid no mind to it.

Twilight saw it, it was the image of the full moon, and the silhouette of an armored Pegasus engraved on the surface. He was meant for this. He was meant to protect those he cared for. Not only that, he was meant to protect everypony from those who wished to harm them.

She slowly walked to him, placing a hoof on his back. He flinched, turning his attention to her, snapped from his anger. Tears flowed from her eyes, as he looked upon her in shock as the realization of his actions took hold.

“Mommy?” was all he could say. He collapsed into her forelegs, crying as she held him tight.

The Police couldn’t do anything with Proteus, he was only protecting his mother, even if the stallions in question were now in comas. After only a couple questions and bandages placed on his wing, he was sent home. For the next few days he did not talk, he barely ate, and he stayed in his room, refusing to go to school. He wouldn’t even acknowledge that he has his cutie mark now.

Finally, the time came to remove the bandage. Twilight did the honors for him, as he was still in a state of what the doctors to her was shock. She tried to put on a happy face for him, but she knew he was hurting on the inside.

“Good as new.” Twilight said, admiring his fixed wing.

Before she could leave, though, Proteus finally spoke.

“Is it true?” he said quietly, “Is it true what they said about my father?”

“Proteus…”

“Tell me! Is he really dead?”

Twilight paused for a long while, before replying, “…Yes.”

“Why?” he asked, tears welling, “Why did you lie to me?”

“I didn’t want you know the truth…yet.”

“What happened to him? How did he die?”

She sat down by him, and for hours, she told him the story of his father. How he was her friend, and the love she felt for him, before he became emotionally distant from her. How he fell in love with Queen Chrysalis, a being that was thought to be made of pure evil, and how she loved him back. How her own brother, and her foalsitter plotted to kill Chrysalis’ unborn filly, and succeeded. How Twilight was used as a distraction, resulting in Proteus’ conception, and finally, how Strong Heart died in the forearms of the one he truly loved.

When she was done, he said nothing. Everything she told him swirled about in his head, trying to make sense of it all. Without a word, he unfurled his wings, and took off into the skies.

“Proteus!” Twilight shouted in surprise.

The colt flew far, farther than he had before in his life. He flew all the way to the cemetery, outside of Canterlot. There, he searched high and low, until finally, he reached it; the grave of his Strong Heart & Queen Chrysalis.

Seeing the gravestone for the first time, he couldn’t help but admit the spectacular craftsmanship. Twilight told him how beautiful it was, but he didn’t think it would be like THIS. He walked to the foot of the grave stone, placing a hoof on the engraved plague, running it along the words on the stone. It was the closest he would ever be with his father.

“A little late to be out, don’t you think?” a mysterious, yet feminine voice said.

Proteus turned to see nothing. The voice echoed through the graveyard.

“What troubles you, young colt?” the voice asked.

“Who’s there?” he demanded, “Show yourself!”

Out of the darkness, in front of Proteus, emerged a dark blue, beautiful mare; tall, with a flowing, celestial mane and tail. An angel of the night, if there ever was one. Whatever fright he had was gone, and replaced with awe.

“Don’t be afraid.” she said, “Come here.” She motions him to come closer to her.

It took him a while to shake himself from his trance, and did what she asked of him.

“I’m not afraid.” he said, confident in his words. She chuckled at his bravery. “Who are you?” he asked.

“I am Princess Luna, I watch over Equestria when the sun falls, and the moon rises. It’s not often that I see younglings, such as you wander through graveyards.”

“I’m not a youngling, I’m 11 years old.” He stands tall and proud, as tall as he can. His height is no match to the tower that is Luna.

“My mistake, forgive me.” Luna humors him. “What is your name?”

“I am Proteus.” he said.

“Proteus?” she glances at the gravestone, “A fine name, for a handsome young stallion.”

Proteus blushes, stammering in his next few words. Luna smiles at the colt’s nervousness, finding it charming. She looks back at his flank to see his cutie mark.

“Impressive cutie mark.” she says, “It almost looks like mine.” She shows him hers; it’s a beautiful image of a crescent moon. “Do you like the moon, Proteus?”

“I love it. At night, I just feel…safer.”

“Not many ponies do.”

“I can’t imagine why.”

Inspecting him closer, Luna could see the similarities between Proteus, and Strong Heart. A small smile forms on her face.

“You look like him…your father. Except for the wings; and the eyes look like they belong to your mother.”

“You knew my father?” Proteus is surprised. A mare that looked as young as her couldn’t have possibly known.

“I did. He used to be my personal guard.”

“Your guard?” he is confused, “But…you were probably just a filly, back then.”

“No…” Luna giggles, “I am an alicorn. I can live for thousands of years. How you see me now, is how he saw me back then.”

“Wow.” he practically exhales the word, “How old are you, exactly?”

“Another time, perhaps.” Luna deflects the question, “Where is your mother, Twilight Sparkle? It could be very dangerous this time of night.”

“I left her at home.” his voice becomes serious, sad. “She told me everything about him.” He looks back at the grave. “What he did.”

“You are not mad, are you?”

“Well…no. I just…I wished she told me sooner. A lot of ponies in town don’t like me too much, and I never knew why. If she told me sooner, I would have prepared myself for it.”

“If you were any younger, would the shock of what you know now be lessened?”

“I…” he sees her point, “That’s true.”

“Your mother loves you very much, Proteus. All she wants is to see you happy, and to find what is best for you. Go back to her; I’m sure she’s worried sick.”

Proteus nods slowly. “Can I ask you something, Princess?”

“Anything.”

“How was he? My father…was he a good Royal Guard?”

Luna pauses. “The best.”

“Proteus!” Twilight’s voice is heard in the distance. “Proteus!” The voice is getting closer. He can definitely hear it loud and clear. Twilight runs to see both her son and Luna standing by each other. A look of relief falls on her face.

“Mom!” Proteus galloped to her, jumping into her forelegs. She latches onto him tight. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay. I got you.” she assures him. She looks back at Luna, and the two share a nod with one another, before the Princess takes off to the skies, leaving Twilight to embrace her son.

Twilight awoke the next morning to the sounds of grunting, coming from the backyard. Looking out the window, show could see Proteus, up and about, exercising all along the open space. What was once a fairly clear backyard, had now become an amateur training ground; with hoop jumping, weight lifting, and pads for wing push-ups. Twilight was both impressed, and understandably concerned.

She walked outside, just as Proteus was doing some wing push-ups. She could hear him counting the number he was doing, as she approached him. For somepony as young as he was, he could already do close to one hundred.

“What are you doing?” Twilight asked him. He was not aware of her presence; he yelped as he pushed himself off the ground, hitting the tree branch above him.

“Ow! You scared me, Mom!” he said, with a slight chuckle, rubbing what will soon be a bump on his head.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m just surprised to see you up so early. What is all this?”

“It’s a training area. I could barely sleep last night, so I went outside, and made this.”

“Impressive, did Spike help you?”

“Nah, he’s still sleeping. Besides, he’s not much for heavy lifting.”

“You have a point, there. So…what are you training for? Is there a rodeo with Applejack I’m not aware of?”

“No, I’m training to be a Royal Guard!”

Royal Guard. The two words put shock and fear into Twilight. Though she knew his destiny would be to protect, she still was not prepared for this. Every fiber of her being wanted her to tell him to not do that, that she was afraid he would follow the same path as his father. She told him the story, but why did that not sway him away from that profession?

“That’s…great.” she said.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, catching the hesitation in her voice.

“Nothing. It’s fine, really.”

“Mom, I can tell when you’re lying.”

“It’s just…being a Guard is dangerous.”

“I know. But, I’m not planning on joining now. I’m only eleven. I just want to be ready when the time comes.” He gives her a light, reassuring hug. “It’ll be okay, Mom. I promise.”

She wanted to dissuade him, but she couldn’t. Instead, she chose to support him.

“Well, if you need anything, let me know, okay?”

“Sure thing.” he said, resuming his work out.

For the next few years, until he reached the age of eighteen, Proteus trained long and hard, until he grew strong; stronger than most stallions of his age, and even those older than him. He was athletic, well built, and powerful enough to buck every last apple from a tree. He was a big help for Applejack, one of Twilight’s friends, using his strength on the farm, whenever she and Big Macintosh needed help during Applebuck Season.

The story of how he saved Twilight from the gang of drunks became something of a legend among the folks in the town, but not as favorably as one expected. Despite the fact that he did what he did out of love for his mother, the one detail everypony was hung up on, was his methods; how, even at the age of eleven, he nearly murdered the four stallions that intended harm. The events made him even more of an outcast, in town, and at school. Whatever friends he made before the event, he lost.

Twilight’s friends, however, continued to welcome him with open hooves, ever so grateful for what he did. In their eyes, he was a hero.

After his eighteenth birthday, he was allowed to enroll in the Royal Equestrain Guard Academy. Within days, he was accepted, receiving a more than welcoming letter signed by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Proteus was happy, happier than he had ever been in his life thus far. Twilight learned to put her concerns away, and supported her son every step of the way.

Soon, the day arrived where he had to leave Ponyville. Twilight and Spike followed him all the way to the train station. It’s a busier day than most, with a lot of townsfolk at the station. Even a newspaper colt, yelling about strange sightings in the Everfree Forest, as he holds up a newspaper with his magic, is present.

Inside some of the train cars, are a few new recruits from different towns, waiting to get to Canterlot. Proteus wasn’t the only one in Ponyville who was joining the guard, a few colts from his school were saying goodbye to their parents, as well.

“Well, I guess this is it.” he says.

“Yes…it is.” Twilight nods, fighting back her tears.

“Don’t cry, Mom. I’ll write to you every day.”

“I know you will. But, what am I going to do during the year that you’re gone?”

“I don’t know. Just bother Spike more than usual.” he joked.

“Hey!” Spike harrumphed.

“I’m just kidding, Spike. You take care of Mom, okay?”

“Of course I will! I’ve been taking care of her before you even showed up!” He said. Proteus had to admit, Spike had gotten taller during the years. No longer was he that familiar baby dragon, but a proud, and even somewhat menacing looking creature. Still, his attitude never changed, even if his voice did.

“Alright” Proteus chuckled, “Oh, and sorry in advance, for all the letters you’ll probably be burping out.”

“Now that I know what’s coming, it won’t be as annoying. Thanks for that.”

Proteus gives Spike a friendly tap on the shoulder, before going back to Twilight.

“I’ll make you proud, Mom. I promise.”

Twilight gives him a tight hug, nearly choking the stallion out. As strong as he had gotten, the hugs that his mother gave him was even deadlier than Big Mac’s.

“Write me every day, you hear?” she sobs.

“I…I will…Mom….you’re choking me…”

She lets go. They both laugh. The moment is cut short by the train whistle. They say nothing to each other, only a knowing glance. He kisses his mother on the cheek as he boards the train. They look at one another as he gets inside the car, and looks out the window. Twilight can’t hold back, she cries as she watches him leave her sight. He smiles and waves, and she and Spike wave right back at him.

It’s going to be a long year.

It was his first time stepping onto Canterlot grounds. Though Twilight had been there dozens of times, he was never with her during those visits. Standing in Ponyville, viewing the castle from afar did no justice to the sheer enormity of the place. His mouth was agape the entire time, from when he stepped off the train, to where he entered the garden with the other new recruits.

They were lead into the throne room by already initiated members of the guard. It was a massive, and more than a little frightening place. The stain glass windows showing generations of Equestrian history adorned the walls. What caught Proteus’ eyes was that his mother was in two of the window’s pictures. Before he could have any sort of reaction, the blaring trumpets sang the familiar royal tune, and the doors behind the recruits swung open.

Princess Celestia, ageless and beautiful, walked into the room with her personal guards, looking at each and every one of the recruits, who were all kneeling down before her presence, Proteus included. She smiled, seemingly impressed by this year’s new potentials, before heading to her throne. She made her standard issue speech, talking about the importance of being in the Royal Equestrian Army, how they were not only going to be trained as guards, but as soldiers. Proteus didn’t hear most of the speech, as he was too eager to start training as soon as he could. It was only as she was reaching the end of her speech, that he started to pay attention.

“Now…” she said, “Those who want to work in the day; where, if you pass your training, will serve under me, go to the guard on your left. Those who want to work in the night; where you will serve under my sister, Princess Luna, go to the guard on your right.”

Many of the recruits go to the day side. Proteus loved the night, he could barely go to sleep when the sun went down. Plus, how could he resist serving under Princess Luna? It’s been so long since the night he first met her, he wondered if she would even recognize him at all. He was only one of the fifteen ponies who chose the night side, compared to the day’s thirty or so.

Proteus and the rest of the night recruits were led to their quarters, all the while telling them the rules of the castle grounds, and a bit of a history lesson. It was all very informative and interesting, but not as interesting as the castle grounds themselves. Their quarters were spacious, with bunk beds spread all over; many of them occupied by sleeping soldiers.

“Here’s the deal, recruits.” the Guard Pony said, “From now on, you will be adhering to a new sleeping schedule. You will sleep during the day, and awake during the night. Training will begin this evening, so hopefully, you’ll be used to the new arrangements by then. Dismissed.”

The recruits spread all over the quarters, looking for a free bunk to sleep in. Proteus can see most of the recruits are friends, which he doesn’t have the luxury of. He had to be careful with his choice. In the end, he settled for a bunk close to the center of the room; a big snoring Stallion occupying the top bunk. Laying down, he realized that though he is normally full of energy during the night, sleeping during the day is going to be a bit of a challenge, especially right now, as he is anxious about his first night of training.

He only got two hours worth of rest, before being woken up by the booming voice of a stallion.

“ALRIGHT FILLIES! GET YOUR WORTHLESS PLOTS OUT OF BED!”

Proteus jumped out of bed so hard, that his wings started flapping. His hooves were on the floor in milliseconds.

“GET YOUR TRAINING ARMOR, AND GET OUTSIDE! DOUBLE TIME, FILLIES!”

Proteus and the recruits grabbed their beat up, hand me down armor, putting them on as fast as they could. The unicorns galloped out of the door, while the Pegasus’s, finding doors overrated, came flying out the open windows.

In minutes, everypony, newcomers, and experienced soldiers, were standing in a less than perfect line, thanks to the inexperienced group.

The Stallion with the booming voice comes flying out the window, and lands on the ground with absolute grace. He was a big stallion, old, but tough. Proteus recognizes him at the Stallion sleeping over him in the top bunk. The regulars stood at attention to their Captain, while the newcomers were intimidated.

“I am Captain Stone Shield.” he said, “For the next few months, I will be the one training you sorry excuses for Royal Guards!” He stares at a Unicorn, who is giving him a confused look. “I know what you’re thinking; how can a Pegasus train Unicorns? I may not know magic, but I know discipline! If I see a half-assed spell being performed, I will know about it! Do you get me?!”

“SIR! YES SIR!” Everypony shouts.

“That’s what I like to hear! This isn’t the playground anymore, this is the real thing! Anypony falls out of line, and I will send your ass to the brig in pieces! I going to twist you, I’m going to flip you, train your bodies so hard that your bones will hurt! If you protest, I’m going to train you harder and harder! Do you understand?!”

“SIR! YES SIR!” Everypony shouts again.

“First off, get this piece of crap line straight, on the double!”

The line straightens up in seconds. Stone Shield looks at the line, pleased, but only on the inside; his face tells a different story. As he looks at the new recruits, his eyes fall on Proteus. A look of familiarity forms on his face.

“You. Do I know you?” he asks.

“Sir, no Sir.” Proteus says. Though he’s only been on the grounds for a couple hours, he’s got the posture down in no time. The studying he did back at home is paying off.

“There’s something familiar about you. What’s your name, Private?”

“Sir, Proteus, Sir.” he responds.

“Proteus?!” the name rings a bell, “So, you’re the son of Strong Heart…”

He steps away from Proteus, a smile plastered on his face.

“Well fillies, we got ourselves a celebrity here! That is the bastard son of Strong Heart! A traitor and killer of royal blood!” The recruits, and the other guards shoot a look of shock and anger at Proteus. “Tell me, how did the Princesses allow you in the academy?”

Proteus tries to keep his cool. “Sir, I sent a letter, Sir.” he says, as straight as possible.

“And what makes you think I will train a traitorous spawn, such as yourself?”

“Sir...” he pauses. The Captain isn’t exactly aware of Proteus’ temper. “My father isn’t a traitor, Sir.”

“He mated with a monster, assisted in the murders of two ponies of royalty, which includes the previous Captain of the Guard, and had you! A bastard!”

“He’s….not…” Proteus struggles to speak.

“Tell me something, bastard. Who did he mate with to spew you out? The town whore?"

Proteus twitches his eye.

"No, Sir. She's an esteemed colleague of Princess Celestia."

"I don't care what she is! A whore is a whore! I’m sure she was gagging for…”

There are many things Proteus can stand for. Insulting his mother is not one of them. He charges Stone Shield with rage and fury. The other recruits stood back in shock, while the other Guards tried to rip Proteus from their Captain. He wailed on Stone Shield with powerful strikes, drawing blood from the Captain's face. Before he could do more damage, he is thrown away from him.

What the other Guards didn’t expect, was that Proteus, when provoked, is more than a little difficult to stop. He took them on all at once, never faltering. He manages to knock out two seasoned guards in only a couple hits. Stone Shield, muzzle busted, looked at the fighting Proteus with both anger and…curiosity. Proteus screamed as he battled the increasing number of Guards, it was almost as if he wasn’t going to be stopped.

Almost. Stone Shield gets behind him and hits him hard across the back of his head. Proteus is out like a light.

“Put him in the dungeon.” he commands.

Proteus is dragged across the floor of the underground dungeon. As he is coming to, he sees the Guards bringing him to the last door at the end of the vast hallway of dungeon doors. Upon entering, they plop him down on the floor, chaining him up by his hooves and neck. The snaps of chains are enough to wake him up. As the guards walk away, he struggles to break free, but it’s of no use. He is stuck.

“You’ll be lucky if you are even let out of here, bastard!” One Guard says. Proteus charges him, but is stopped by the chains. The Guards laugh, as they close the door.

Proteus walks back to the center of the room. He cries, not only at his outburst, but out of fear that he failed his mother.

In hours, he was lying on the floor, waiting for the fate that was going to befall on him. He can hear the hoofsteps coming to the door, he stands up, proud, uncompromising, the door opens…

Princess Luna walks in. His eyes widen.

“Princess!” he says, bowing down.

“Not a day has passed since you got here, and already you stand before me in chains. A fine start, indeed.” she jests. “Please, stand.”

Proteus stands back up.

“I…apologize for my behavior, Princess. The Captain spoke ill of my mother.”

“I know. I was watching the training from my tower. I say, though what he said was less than…pleasing to the ears, I would have gone another way, other than humiliate him and his squad of trained guards.”

“That wasn’t my intention, your majesty. I was just so mad…”

“I don’t blame you. Stone Shields methods can be…questionable.”

“If he wants me gone, then I guess…”

“On the contrary, Private. Despite breaking his muzzle, he is adamant about still training you.”

“What?!” Proteus is surprised at the news. “But…I attacked him! I knocked out his men!”

“Believe me, I was shocked just as much as you are now.” She can see Proteus smiling. “There are a few rules to be put into place however.” Proteus stops smiling. “You cannot ever hit him again, no matter how angry he makes you. If you do it again, you will be dishonorably discharged, and thrown out of Canterlot by force. You understand?”

“Yes, I understand.” Proteus nods.

“Good. In the meantime, you stay here for the night…just to make it seem like you’re getting some kind of punishment. You’ll be released tomorrow night, where you will resume your training. In the meantime, I’ll have a little talk with Stone Shield about your name.”

As she turns to walk away…

“Princess!” Proteus calls to her. She looks back at him. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You too, Proteus.” she smiles, “And please…call me Luna.”