A Guard for The Princess

The week following the death of Twilight Sparkle had been the hardest Proteus ever experienced. Though he was begged to rest up, so that his wounds may heal, he relented, forging ahead on planning his mother’s funeral. He paid for everything, the service, the flowers, the coffin, even the gravestone, all on the wages he got for being Luna’s guard. Being part of the Royal Army does have its benefits, even if one was a member for only short period of time.

He shut almost everypony out during his planning, focusing on the task at hand. He didn’t even show up for the Royal Celebration, where Selene and her Changelings were abolished of their banishment, and free to roam Equestria however they pleased. Visits from Luna or Selene were greeted with unanswered doors and uncomfortable silence. The only one who ever even saw Proteus during the week was Spike, who helped him pick out the right flowers, and assisted in the creation of Twilight’s gravestone.

The day he was able to take off his bandages, was the day of the funeral. He put on his nicest suit, and looked into the mirror to see his scars. He felt as if he looked like a freak; his entire right side, and some of his left, was heavily damaged, and his eye is now a faded white, rather than the dark purple it once was. He couldn’t see much out of it, as it is now just a blur of an image. Spike walks into the room to see him. He pauses at his friend’s new appearance, no longer did he look like the happy colt he once was.

“You okay?” he asks Proteus.

“I can hardly recognize myself anymore.” he replies, “Do I look alright?”

“You look fine to me.” Spike says with a soft smile, “Don’t worry about it.”

Proteus looks back at the mirror, trying to fix up his tie. Having hooves, and not being a unicorn has its disadvantages.

“Mom would usually do this…” his eyes water.

Spike immediately goes to him, using his hands to fix up the tie. Within moments, it was a perfect knot.

“There we go.” Spike says, “Now you’re ready.”

“Thanks Spike.” Proteus smirks.

They arrived for the funeral in the early afternoon. Almost everypony in Ponyville arrived at the church. Twilight’s friends, the Cakes, the entire Apple family, Princess Celestia and Luna, almost everybody…but her parents. Proteus waited for a while, hoping that they would show, but they never did. They were either too old to come, or that their love for their daughter ceased when he was born, either way they were absent from the proceedings.

The church was beautiful, with Twilight’s coffin placed at the very end, where a picture of her in happier times was propped up beside it. Inside, was her body, sleeping eternally, holding her doll instead of flowers.

The service was long, with many ponies coming to the podium to offer their heartfelt tales of how Twilight was the greatest pony anypony could ask for, how sweet and kind she was, and how perfect of a friend she was.

Pinkie Pie had the most heartbreaking speech. Even for her age, she could have been as lively and energetic as a filly, but today she was all tears. Never once, did she smile, laugh, or bounce about, she could only sob, as she talked about the loss of her dear friend.

The last one up at the podium was Proteus.

“We have a few words from her son, Proteus.” The Priest said.

The second he got up, there were murmurs amongst the crowd at what he was going to say or do. He walked up to the front calmly and slowly, as he felt the eyes of everypony fall upon him. When get got to the podium, he looked up at the crowd; all the way in the back was Selene, who gave him a warm smile when they made eye contact. The moment was calming for him, as he looked back at everypony else.

“I…I’m not much for speeches.” he said, “I was so busy putting this together, that I didn’t write anything down. I guess I’m just going to have to speak from here...” he points to his heart, “...like I’m sure she would have wanted me to.” He breathes in and out at a gradual pace, preparing himself for the speech. “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this many ponies to be here today. For most of my life, the only ones that I ever knew, were these five wonderful ponies here…” he points to Twilight’s true friends, “...and this Dragon,” he points to Spike, “who was the closest thing to a brother that I ever had.” He sees Spike smile. “I never even knew her parents; who couldn’t be bothered to come here today, to mourn the death of their only daughter.” His lip quivers with sadness, but also anger.

“So, I am surprised to see so many of you here. I look at most of you here, and I see the faces of those who looked upon my mother with anger and hatred, whenever they would so much as glance at her. Ever since I was born, she was seen as a pariah, and only now, when she is dead, you feel sympathy?! I remember each and EVERY one of you, who looked at her with contempt, and I will NEVER forgive you!”

As tears flow from his eyes, he can see some ponies get up to leave, hanging their heads down in shame. He silently chuckles at them, trying to hold back his emotions.

“I’m sorry. “ he said, “Maybe I should have written something down.”

The Priest puts a hoof on his back, trying to see if he was alright. Proteus looks at the old stallion, nodding that he’s okay to continue. He clears his throat.

“Not many of you knew the Twilight that I knew. She was gentle, loving…and a bit of an egghead.” he chuckles as the tears begin to form. “She would tuck me into bed every night, reading me stories of Starswirl the Bearded, and all the Daring Do books, from one to twenty five. She supported me when I made certain life choices, like joining the Royal Guard, and scolded me for others, like scaring Fluttershy’s chickens. I never heard the end of that.” There were some chuckles in the crowd. “But, most importantly of all…” he looks over at her coffin, “She was my mother, and I will miss her for every day, for the rest of my life.” he looks back at the crowd, “For those who loved her as much as I did, I thank you for coming. It means a lot to me, as I’m sure it means a lot to her.”

He steps down from the podium, as the Priest concludes the service.

Twilight was buried in the Canterlot Cemetery, placed right next to the gravesite of Strong Heart and Chrysalis. The Princesses, Spike and Twilight’s friends were the only ones present for the burial. Once the coffin was lowered into the ground, each one took turns in placing a small clump of dirt in the grave, before the gravediggers finished the job. They all stood until the last patch of dirt was placed upon the grave, and Twilight was completely buried.

Most then left, offering Proteus his condolences. The only one that stayed with him was Spike.

The two stared at the grave until evening feel; looking upon their mother, now lying at the bottom of six feet of dirt. Spike sniffles as he cries many tears. Proteus puts a hoof on the dragon’s tall scaly back.

“I wish there was something we’ve could have done.” Spike says, “She shouldn’t have died like this.”

“I know.” Proteus said, “At least she’s not in any more pain.” Proteus has no more tears to shed for his mother. Though he is still saddened by her passing, he has now accepted that she is truly gone. He looks up at the grave stone, engraved with an image of the Element of Magic, honoring her accomplishments in her past. “It’s beautiful.” he says, “Did you come up with the design?”

“Yeah.” Spike nods.

“She would have loved it.”

“You think so?”

Proteus nods with a smile, cheering up the dragon. After a while, Spike’s eyes dry up, and he begins to walk back home.

“Are you coming?” Spike asks.

“I think I’m going to stay here for a while.” Proteus says.

“Okay. You know, I noticed Selene wasn’t there. I thought she would show.”

“She did.” he assures him. He looks over to a hill off in the distance. Spike turns to see Selene standing on the hill, looking over at them.

“What’s she doing all the way over there?” he asks.

“You go on ahead, Spike. I’ll see you in the morning.” He dodges the question, but Spike understands. He simply nods, as he starts his trek back home. Proteus looks back at Selene, who unfurls her insect wings, and takes off to the skies. Proteus follows her.

She leads him back to the cave, where she is already inside waiting for him. He walks in, where the Changelings are fast asleep. He slowly walks into her cabin, and sees her in bed, back turned to him, feigning sleep. He lays down in the bed, moving his hooves to her, and pulling her back to his chest, like the night when he first embraced her. He nuzzles her neck, reveling in its warmness.

“I missed you.” she whispers.

“So did I.” he says, voice filled with regret. “I’m sorry that I’ve been avoiding you and the others. I was just…”

“There’s nothing more to say.” she tells him, “You’re here now.”

Selene turns her head to him, and he leans down, kissing her soft lips. They let the kiss continue for as long as they can, before he turns her around, facing him, and he rolls on top of her. Selene’s horn glows green, as his suit is taken off of him, and neatly folded on the floor. That familiar bubble forms over them, as he brings himself back down to her for another kiss. Her kiss becomes more passionate, and more rough, when he stops her, breaking the kiss, and looking into her eyes.

“Not tonight.” he said.

He leans back down, and kisses her in a much gentler fashion. She isn’t quite used to it, but she slowly but surely gets into it. He wasn’t looking for a rough night of intense lovemaking like the last time, but a peaceful, and pleasant session. In some ways, their night was even more intimate from this change, as they looked at one another during the act, not saying anything, but responding to kissing on various areas of their faces.

She rolls him over onto his back; now she’s on top. She looks carefully at his face and body, seeing the many scars that are now present. She caresses his scars, delivering compassionate pecks on them. She had to admit, they looked good on him, though she notices that he thinks the opposite of them.

When they were done, the bubble dissipates into a green mist that disappears within moments. Selene rests her entire body on top of him, embracing him tightly.

“You mind if I stay like this?” she asks.

“Not at all.” he replies, “I kind of like it, actually.” He sees her smirk, as she buries her head into his coat. “Thanks for coming to the funeral. I know that you two never met, but…”

“Actually…we did. When you were asleep, I went to visit her a few days before…you know.”

“What did you two talk about?”

“You.” she smiles, “She was very nice.”

“Yeah…she was.”

“So, are you going back to the Royal Guard?”

He pauses. He hadn’t thought about returning to the Equestrian Royal Guard; returning to the duty that started this whole thing for him. However, when she asked him that question, the answer came to his mind fairly easily.

“I don’t think so.” he responds, “Being a Guard…just isn’t for me.”

“Shame…I could’ve used a Guard like you.” she jests. “Will you be going back to Ponyville?”

“Yeah. I’m going to live at my mother’s house. She probably would have wanted that.” A thought then comes to him. “Do you want to live with me?”

“What?” she is bewildered at the question. “Live in Ponyville?”

“You and the Changelings are free now. You can live with me, and nopony would ever bother you. What do you say?”

“I…” She thinks long about this question. “I don’t know. It sounds great, but…I don’t think I’m ready yet. My army still needs me. Maybe, after that…”

“It’s okay.” he says, understandably disappointed, but not argumentative. “Just a thought.”

“You will still come here and visit, right?”

“Of course I will.” he kisses the top of her head, “I’ll visit whenever I can.”

She holds him even tighter now, with a loving smile on her face.

When the morning sun rose, it was time for Proteus to leave. He puts his suit back on haphazardly, obviously not caring whether it looks good on him or not. Selene follows him out of the cave, and into the morning light.

“Where are you going?” she wonders.

“To Canterlot. There’s a few things I have to take care of. After that, I’m going home.” He turns to her. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”

“Not today.” she shakes her head.

“Alright.” he kisses her on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.” He unfurls his wings.

“Proteus, wait!” She stops him from leaving. He turns back to her, wondering what she’s about to say. “There’s something I have to tell you. I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now.” He walks back to her, giving his full undivided attention. “You wondered why I wanted you to be…my first. The truth is…our meeting in the forest…wasn’t the first time we met.”

“What do you mean? I think I would remember you, if we met before.”

“I was about nine, when I first saw you.” she continued, “It was my first time out of the cave, since the Changelings found me. I decided to go into Ponyville; my army told me it was a nice place to go, if I wanted to meet some nice ponies. I disguised myself, and went into town. They were right, it was a nice place. Until…these three colts started to bully me, call me names. I guess since I was new, they wanted to pick on me. I was so scared, that I froze up, and couldn't use my powers. But then…”

Proteus knows where this is going. He cannot believe what he is hearing.

“I showed up.” he says, in awe and disbelief. Sure enough, she transforms before him into the mare he saw when he was just a young colt, albeit a more grown up version, but she was almost exactly the same. He stepped back from her, not out of fear or anger, but out of surprise and happiness.

“You defended me, even when you didn’t know me. You got beat up pretty good, almost knocked you out too. Your actions gave me the courage to fight back. I broke those colts’ muzzles, and they ran away in fear.” she smiles, and lets out a small laugh. “When I saw you, lying there on the ground, I knew…I was in love with you.”

“And then you kissed me.” he says. She nods with a smirk. “But, why did you run away?”

“I was scared. I thought if you found out who I was, you would run away. So…I ran away first. But, in a way, I never left you. I watched you from afar, as you grew from a small colt, to the stallion you are now. I watched you look up at the night sky, dreaming Celestia knows what. It wasn’t until after you left for Canterlot, that I found out the truth about you; about how my father was also yours. Still…despite all that…my feelings for you never changed.”

She changes back into her normal form. He approaches her, with a grin on his face.

“All my life, I’ve been looking for this mare that kissed me. I had no idea that it would be you.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“Because I kept this from you.”

“Ponies have kept worse secrets from me. You would know.” The two share a chuckle. Suddenly, he wraps his forelegs around her, bringing her in for an embrace. “I’m glad it was you.” He removes himself from her, and unfurls his wings once again. “You take care now, okay? I’ll see you as soon as I can.”

She watches him take off to the skies. She was relieved that the truth that had been eating away from her for so long, was finally out in the open. Not only that, but he was genuinely happy to hear it. She walks back into the cave, only to be greeted by her army waiting for her. Most looked at her with serious faces, others with raised eyebrows.

“What is it?’ she asks.

“What are you doing?” The Changeling in the front of the group asks.

“What are you talking about?”

“Go with him!” he shouts, “It’s obvious you love him, now get going!”

“I can’t.” she says, “You guys come first.”

The Changelings chuckle in amusement. They appreciate her caring words, but…

“With all due respect, your Majesty…we’re free. We can roam around Equestria without being hunted by anypony, just as you can.”

“But, you need me. Who else can give you all power?”

“We always needed our Queen to give us love, because we didn’t have the freedom to find it ourselves. Now we do. We’re heroes now, who wouldn’t want some of this?” The Changelings laugh as he points to himself like he’s the most handsome thing ever. Selene gets a chuckle out of it. “We can take care of ourselves from now on.”

Selene looks upon her army, proud of them. A tear rolls down her cheek, and she wipes it away, sniffling as she does it.

“I’m grateful to you: to all of you. You found me, raised me like one of your own, made me your Queen. Though I may have abused my power too many times, I never stopped loving you all. Each and every one of you is the closest thing I ever had to a family, and I will always remember you.” She motions them all to her. They gather around her in a circle, as she looks upon all the hundreds of them. “As a thank you, I shall give you one final gift before I go.” Her horn begins to glow. “As much love as you need, until you can find your own.”

The entire cave glows a bright emerald, leaking outside into the open, making the eyes of the dragons hanging around squint out of blindness. The Changelings take in all of her power, as they can feel the love flow around inside them.

“Thank you, my Queen.” The Changeling says.

“I am no longer your Queen.” she says, “Call me…Selene.”

At Canterlot, Proteus is getting the things he left behind, preparing to bring them back home where they belong. Stone Shield watches him, upset that he is leaving.

“I guess I can’t convince you to stay, can I?” he asks.

“Sorry, Captain. I made up my mind.”

“I could promote you to First Lieutenant. How about that?”

“I appreciate the offer, but there are others more qualified than I am.”

“But, you helped save Equestria! You saved Princess Luna, and you united the Changelings with us, ending their decades of banishment! How are you not qualified? If I wasn’t so stubborn, you’d be Captain!”

“My place is in Ponyville. I want to make my own path…my own hoofsteps.”

“I understand.” he says, disappointed.

“You were a great teacher.” Proteus said, “Everything I learned from you, I taught the Changelings. In a way, they couldn’t have done it without you. That’s why you’re the Captain.”

“Thanks.” Stone Shield smiles.

“Hey, you can come by and visit anytime you’d like. Maybe I can get you to actually talk to Mrs. Cake.”

“Nah, she’s old news. I’ve moved on. I do have a question though…”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Since you won’t be here anymore, and that you’re with the Changeling Queen…do you think Princess Luna would like somepony like me?”

Proteus chuckled as she shook his head. The thought of Stone Shield and Princess Luna together amused him more than he thought it would.

“That’s something you’ll have to ask her.”

“Okay, okay." he says, knowing Proteus is yanking his chain. "I get the picture. I’ll see you around, Proteus.”

“You too, Stone Shield.”

Proteus walked out of the training ground, as he exits the gate of the castle, he gets the feeling that somepony is watching him; somepony that he’s all too familiar with. Turning around, he sees Luna standing at the entrance of the gate, watching him leave. He puts down his duffel bag of stuff, and walks over to her.

“Hey.” he says, no more anger in his eyes.

“Were you going to leave, without saying goodbye?”

“I was thinking about it. Was probably going to send you and Celestia a letter, though.”

“I see.” she smirks “Going to live in Ponyville, at Twilight’s place?”

“Yeah. Figured I’d try something new for a change. Move away from being a Royal Guard.”

“Sounds nice. I wish you the best.”

“Thanks, Princess.”

Though he said it in a friendly manner, the fact that he called her ‘Princess’ rather than ‘Luna’, stung her. She winces at the word.

"I hope Celestia wasn't too hard on you, for what happened."

"She wasn't." She smirks. "I got a good talking to, and a week of the evil eyes, but nothing that bad. I actually thought you were hoping for something more serious."

"I'll admit, I was a little angry. But...I wouldn't call for any harm being done on you."

“Proteus…” she gets serious, “All kidding aside, I know what I did was wrong. I hurt you, I betrayed your trust, and I tried to take something you cared about away. You can probably never forgive me, and honestly, I don't blame you. But I hope that...maybe one day…we can be friends.”

Proteus looks at her, not in contempt, but with a smile.

“I would like that.” he responds, “If you ever want to talk, come by the house.” She nods in approval, happy that the seeds of a friendship have been planted. “Oh, and you didn’t hear this from me…but I think Stone Shield has a crush on you.”

“Does he now?” Luna laughs, “Well, I’m going to have to talk to him about that.”

He turns away from her, and starts his walk away from the castle. Remembering something, he turns back to Luna.

“You know, despite everything…I don’t hate you. I never did. I just want you to know that,”

Luna’s eyes water at his comment. She is more than appreciative of it.

“Thank you, Proteus. I’ll see you around.”

“You too…Luna” He takes off. She looks up at him, as he disappears from her sight. Feeling content, she walks back into the castle with a new-found sense of purpose.

He arrives back to Ponyville. The citizens there greet him as if he was any other resident, with all smiles and warm welcomes. He was no longer seen as some form of demon, but as a hero, one deserving of a little respect.

He goes to his new home, and sees a peculiar sight; Spike leaving the house with a few bags in tow.

“Spike?” he says, “What’s going on?”

“I’m moving out. Going to stay at Canterlot Castle.”

“Really?” he says in surprise.

“Yeah, Princess Celestia took me on as her personal assistant. I get to sort out letters, manage the library…”

“I got to tell you, I didn’t figure you for a library kind of dragon.” Proteus chuckles, “After seeing you on the battlefield, I figured you were going down there to be trained as a soldier.”

“Nah, that was a one-time only deal. Unless we get attacked by monsters again, then it would be two times.” The two laugh. “You think you’re going to be okay, living by yourself?”

“I…I think so.” he nods, “You’ll come see me, right?”

“If I have the time. Who knows how messy Celestia’s library is?”

“You have a point.”

Spike looks up, he sees a familiar somepony. He smiles as he looks back at Proteus.

“Looks like you won’t be alone after all.”

Proteus looks in Spike’s direction, his eyes widen in joy, as he sees Selene playing with a pack of fillies, begging her to change forms.

“Come on!” An Earth Filly says. “Do Celestia! Please?”

“Okay.” Selene relents, “But just this once, okay?” The fillies nod. In a flash, she changes into an exact duplicate of Princess Celestia. “Hello my faithful students!” She gets the tone down right. “I am Princess Celestia!” The fillies cheer her on, as she changes back to her normal form.

Spike pats Proteus on the back, as he leaves.

“I leave you two to talk.” he says, “I’ll see you around.”

Proteus nods, as he continues to watch Selene have fun with the fillies. His heart flutters as he sees her being accepted by the community, and no longer seen as a monster.

“Come on, you!” The fillies’ mother shouts out to them. “Leave the nice mare alone.”

The fillies run away from her, to go play. Selene spots Proteus looking at her with a smile. She walks to him.

“Hi.” she says.

“So, you changed your mind?”

“I had a little help. I got the feeling my army wanted me out of the cave.” she jokes, “Now I don’t have a place to stay. So I thought ‘Well, Proteus made an offer. Why not ask him?’” Proteus chuckles, she shares the emotion of amusement. “Now that you’re not a Royal Guard anymore, what are you going to be now?”

“I’m not sure.” he says, “I think I’ll try my hoof at baking.”

“Do you even know how to cook?”

“I…” he pauses, “No. But there’s a first time for everything, right?” She nods with a chortle. “Besides, now that you’re not a Queen anymore, what are you going to be?”

“I think I’ll just stick with being me for now. We’ll take it from there.” She looks at the house. “Beautiful place you have there.”

“Yeah. It’s large enough for the both of us. Maybe more…for parties, I mean.”

“Can I see your room?” she asks in a sly tone of voice.

“I don’t know. It’s probably still a mess in there, if nopony touched it when I was away.”

“Come on, you lived in a cave for a month. It can’t be that bad.”

“No, it’s worse, actually.”

The two laugh playfully, light pushing each other around. They stop, and get close to one another in a romantic embrace. He gently kisses her on the lips.

“Hey, you know I love you, right?” she asks him.

“Of course I do.” he assures her.

“And…you love me too, right?”

He paused, smiling at her, before giving her another loving kiss.

“Until my dying day.”

The two separate from their hug, as Proteus picks up his bag, and the two head into the house, to start their brand new life together. For most, the story is now over; for them…it’s just beginning.