Applejack woke up slowly to the rooster's crowing. Stretching in her bed she smelt something in the air. A mix of cinnamon apples and raspberries. Standing quickly she rushed for the door to her room finding Big Mac stepping out of his room in only sweatpants, rubbing at his eyes. The siblings shared a nod of understanding between each other. This wasn't a normal smell in the morning. Moving down the stairs the smell grew in strength along with now the sounds of some strange language singing an unknown song with clapping accompanying it.

When the two rounded into the kitchen their eyes fell on a scene that was new to them. A earth pony larger than Big Mac was singing in a deep voice in some language while Granny Smith and Applebloom clapped along happily. Food covered the table, each plate different from the last with tall glasses of a red liquid. Applebloom and Granny Smith noticed the two stunned siblings. Raising their arms they both shouted out "OPA!" Shocking the two.

The singing pony stopped at the exclamation, turning quickly. "Ahhh!" She shouted loudly in a thick accent. "Dobroye utro, good morning. Come and sit ya. Food is all prepared and ready to give you strength for day!" She loudly commanded with a massive grin, gesturing wildly towards the table.

Slowly walking in the two took seats at the table, eyeing the mare in suspicion only to have both of their hands wacked by Granny Smith with her cane. "Ow! What the heck Granny?" Applejack complained, now glaring at her grandma.

Wagging her cane at the two the old mare started to lecture them. "Don't you start making them faces at a gentlemare like this one. Specially since you were the one that brought her here and all." She pointed out to AJ.

Applebloom was happily digging into a massive pile of pancakes with apple slices on top and raspberries in them. After swallowing she giggled. " 'Sides her food is great! How do you know how to cook so well Miss Nesti?" She asked before stuffing another large piece into her mouth.

Giving a warm laugh the muscular mare moved around the table, her fuzzy fur shifting over many visible scars while she moved over to the young mare. patting her head as she filled her glass up more she explained. "Babushka back home teach me many things. How to hunt, how to skin animals, how to preserve and use all the land provide us. She is a proud woman who would not let her bloodline weaken as long as she lived. Like your own babushka." She gave a respectful nod towards Granny who smiled in kind.

Big Mac gave a snort before nodding silently towards the strange mare. He cut a small piece of a pie near his plate, taking a tiny bite. He chewed slowly before his eyes widened and he started to wolf down the food, grabbing some samples from other plates.

Applejack sighed before looking back at the mare. "I'm sorry. I guess I still ain't used to the whole bodyguard thing yet so it's a bit weird having somepony like you around." she apologized, reaching slowly for an apple.

Waving her hands dismissively the mare shook her head. "Nyet, is no insult to me. Many are put off by my appearance so I am used to looks of suspicion. But all is well as long as The Great Wall needs me!" She said, a proud thump to her chest with a hand.

Cocking an eyebrow Applejack stopped just before putting her first bite into her mouth. "Who's the Great Wall?" She questioned, finally putting the food in her mouth and finding out why everyone was scarfing it down. Joining the others in eating quickly.

"Why that would be Bastion of course! But my tribe calls him Great Wall for what he did for us. He is why I joined the knights after all. He is the greatest stallion or my name isn't Nesti the brown grizzly!" She boasted.

"How'd you meet him?" Applebloom asked, childlike intrigue filling her voice.

Giving a chuckle the mare filled a plate and sat down, the chair groaning under her size. "Let me tell you a tale, little cub. Of how a knight became a symbol of hope!" She began, the other inhabitants of the house leaning in.

Rarity moved around in a frenzy. "Oh no no no no nooooo. Why did I accept that order? I don't have enough hands to fill out that many outfits and I can't think of fitting designs." She frantically said aloud, rushing around her design room. Bundles of different fabrics and small sketches floated around in her magic. "What am I to do!" She complained, the objects falling to the ground.

Silently the knight selected for her walked through the mess picking up pieces as they went with magic, their neat white fur and blonde mane shining in pristine condition. Neatly stacking the papers on a table while the bundles were refolded and slotted once more the knight cleared their throat. "Might I be of assistance Milady?" The clipped male voice spoke with a professionalism of a butler who had been serving for over fifty years yet still carried youth.

Rarity whirled to the stallion before gasping. "I'm terribly sorry dear for displaying such un-lady like behaviors. I promise this isn't an everyday thing." She apologized, working to fix her frazzled hair.

Giving a soft chuckle the knight took a design on the table, floating a pencil into their grasp. "Do not fret Milady. I know your file well and know of your higher stance in etiquettes compared to the other heroes." He said, drawing on the paper quickly before stepping back. "Would something like this suffice to be made for this order you have?" He questioned, bowing neatly while gesturing towards the paper.

Moving towards the table the fashionista looked over the design. Her eyes narrowed as possible designs sprung to life in her mind just looking at the image. Turning a calculating eye onto the stallion next to her she couldn't help ask "Forgive me Alabaster but where did you gain such skills to make a design like this? I wouldn't think a knight would be so skilled at this." She questioned the now named stallion.

Alabaster turned slightly away before striking a modeling pose. Peeking through his hand he had raised to his face she smiled. "A knight must be able to fill any job when undercover and my specialty was foreign designer and model from Prance. It's a hobby of mine to keep up to date with the latest fashions and styles. Looks can get one as far as violence can in certain missions." He answered, striking a few more poses before resting back into a standing servant position.

"tu parles Prançais?" Rarity spoke smoothly, a challenging look to the knight.

Giving a smile and nod Alabaster replied "oui, c'est ma première langue. Equestrian is my second actually." He slipped into an accent familiar to Prance.

Rarity clapped her hands excitedly as she tugged him closer. "Good to know they didn't send me a brute." She happily said, pulling papers out of the stack and setting up pencils. "Why don't you tell me more about yourself while we work on these. How about how you came to become a knight?" She ordered lightly, a relieved smile growing on her own face.

A reminiscent sigh escaped the knight. "Oh that would mean I'd have to go all the way back to when I met my muse Sir Bastion." He began, drawing as he spoke to the now heavily interested mare.

Pinkie Pie giggled as she danced around the room with the knight stationed with her, the two mixing batter for a new batch of cupcakes they had been making. Giggling and snorting with batter splashed across her apron she smiled at the knight. "Geez Jester, it's nice meeting someone who can keep up with me. All the others would be gasping for breath if they did something like this with me but you are still going strong. How'd you get like this?" She asked.

The colorful knight stopped for a moment to put the tray into the oven before turning to her VIP. "Well simple really. When you work with Mister Bastion you have to be in tippy top shape or else you'll wake up to a bunch of pranks in your way." She answered, giggling with the mare.

Pinkie leaned in close on that reply. "Wait a minute! You mean that big ol' serious pony actually pulls pranks too?" She questioned, pulling out a police hat and a lamp that she angled towards Jester.

Pushing the light out of the way Jester nodded. "He's not as serious as you think. He just has different ways to show he cares or acts. He values the job above all else but when he's off he's as cuddly as a stuffed teddy bear!" She explained. gently taking the police hat off Pinkie and placing it on the counter. "For example this one time me and a few others were having our vacation days at the same time. Unfortunately the place we were in got attacked by some nasty ponies who wanted to harm others with dangerous magic. We went to go help but turns out the Commander was already there and he gave us the order to not help as we were on vacation." She began to list, a soft smile on her face. "We of course argued but he shot us down claiming we didn't get to take breaks that often and should just enjoy ourselves. He then went around and handled everything by himself, catching all the bad guys and helping anyone in trouble as if he was a full team sent. By the time we finished our vacation it was as if no attack had ever happened thanks to him." She finished, spreading her hands with a huge smile.

"WOW! That is pretty nice. I guess I just am not used to someone being so serious. Sure I've met people that don't smile much but he seemed like he'd never smiled before. How'd you even meet?" Pinkie asked, checking on the cupcakes in the oven.

Resting against the counter Jester looked out the window into the bakery. "That would be the first time I ever saw him smile..." She said, resting on the palm of her hands. "When I saw it I knew it was the kind of smile I wanted to help protect and continue to shine..." She began to tell.

Yin and Yang hovered over Rainbow's snoring form whispering loudly to each other. "I've never seen a pony sleep in that position before." Yin whispered, looking down at the twisted up pony.

"I know right? It can't be good for the wings. Maybe that's why she lost yesterday?" Yang replied, cupping a hand next to his mouth.

"Should we wake her up? Her schedule listed work for today." Yin asked, pulling out a calendar from a small pack on her hip. "Yep, cloud clearing for today. Was supposed to clock in two hours ago." She confirmed.

Yang looked down at their charge and shrugged. "I don't know. The big guy never said we could but then again he never said we couldn't." He replied.

The two continued to argue slightly above the mare who slowly started to wake up from the talking. "Wah huh? Whoa!?!" Rainbow cried out, jerking into the air before falling back down when her sheets tangled further around her. "Oof, good thing the floors clouds." She grumbled, muffled in said clouds

“Good morning Lady Dash. Is the floor comfortable?” Yin greeted, looking down at her target. “By the way you are late for cloud clearing duties today. Would you like assistance?” She added.

Jolting on to her hooves Rainbow loudly shouted “Oh tartarus!” before rushing to get clothes ready.

Yang stepped forwards with a bundle of clothes already in his hands. “Here you are Ma’am. We selected some beforehand since you were sleeping so soundly.” He calmly said.

Rainbow ripped the clothes from his hands, struggling to put them on as she moved for the door. “Thanks, i’ll be back later.” She said loudly the door slamming behind her.

The two looked to each other before taking off after her. Flying quickly they sorted themselves on either side of Rainbow to her slight annoyance. “Terribly sorry ma’am but we need to stay close to you or else the commander will be angry.” Yang apologized, swinging his wings in gentle beats.

“Oh sure, wouldn’t want Mister Mysteries to be angry now would we?” Dash sarcastically replied, curving slowly towards some clouds in the sky.

For the first time the two guards actually frowned at what their target said. “It would be best not to speak rudely of Sir Bastion. He has done a great service for us and this nation.” Yin said with a tinge of annoyance.

Popping the cloud Rainbow floated in place looking at the two, noticing their dampened states. “And what exactly has he done for you two that would make him so great huh? So far he just seems like a boring suit of metal.” She challenged, folding her arms.

The twins' arms twitched towards each other as if reaching to grab hands before the two bolted around slamming every cloud around them away in the blink of an eye. When the two reappeared in front of RainbowDash who’s jaws hung open. They floated like sharks around her eyeing her up and down. In unison they started to answer “He helped us find out what we were really worth...”

Twilight yawned, stretching her arms above her head. A small squeak left her as she let the pressure leave her body. A cup of hot coffee placed itself in front of her making her turn to the culprit, finding the first knight they had met with her horn glowing. “I don’t remember asking for coffee from you?” She questioned.

Dancer gave a stiff nod before bowing. “My apologies ma’am. I figured you’d want one after we stayed up all night testing your theories involving such heavy usage of magic.” The knight said, stepping back towards a black board.

Giving a small giggle Twilight waved dismissively. “I’m kidding of course. Thank you very much for getting this for me.” She replied, taking a sip after blowing on the top light. “Ahhhh, sweet sweet coffee. Nothing better in the world.” She praised quietly. After taking a small breather the mare turned to look at the knight who was making adjustments on the board. “So tell, it’s clear you have a higher education then most ponies would. Who taught you when you were younger?” Twilight inquired, leaning back in her chair.

Dancer hummed softly as the chalk scratched across the board in her magic. Slowly she stepped back, looking over the work before putting down the chalk. “I had an average childhood growing up. Just about middle of the road in terms of grades. Not the best, not the worst but just enough to pass through things.” She started to answer. Moving to a small window she moved the blinds to let light shine into the cramped room. “I was originally going to join a traveling dance group to fit my talent but then I ended up getting injured pretty bad before a big show. The group ditched me but well…” She continued, turning to Twilight with a proud look. “In missing the show I met my teacher and companion.” She stated.

Twilight’s interest was only growing further. Leaning in she asked again “But who was the teacher? Was it someone from the academy?” She questioned. Her coffee being forgotten on the table.

Dancer gave a small chuckle. “You’ve already met them. Come on now. Think of someone who’s done some amazing magical feats?” Dancer encouraged, folding her arms with a content smile.

Think over who she’s met with magical skills that could provide this knowledge Twilight started to mutter to herself. “Celestia? No, I would have known about you if that were the case. What about Luna? No no, she wouldn’t fit the teacher type really…” Her mind raked for an answer until a figure popped into her head. Looking up she stared at the female knight in front of her. “Bastion?” She asked aloud.

Giving a small clap at the answer Dancer nodded. “Yep, the stallions full of hidden knowledge that could make even the princess’ blush. Though that probably comes from the fact he’s been all over the world and in every country before.” She confirmed. “Bastion is a great man who brought me out of a dark moment by helping distract me with knowledge and magic. In fact the first words he ever said to me were....”

Bastion bowed to Fluttershy after prepping his equipment to switch with the next knight. Tacet moved to stand next to Shy silently as usual. As the mountain of a stallion disappeared over the bridge and into the distance the two shifted into the house where a mix of animals slowly appeared from their various homes scattered around the room. Sitting down with a sign Flutershy picked up Angel, stroking his ears. “Oh dear, I hope he’s ok…” She worried quietly, her head drooping like a sad puppy.

Tacet took notice, kneeling before Fluttershy not able to hear what she had said.. In an almost hush whisper the knight spoke “what worries you Lady Shy? Did Bastion not satisfy your need of protection?” She looked with a calm expression like one that Bastion wore but inside she was a pot about to boil over depending on what the mare in front of her said. “If he hurt this goddess then I will have words for the Commander.” She thought internally.

Fluttershy shook her head before pouting. “No, he made me safe. It's just...I worry about him. When he came back I tried to help him take off his armor but he suddenly shouted at me. I didn’t even know he could raise his voice that loud. But looking back on it he looked like he was beating himself up over doing such a thing…” She softly spoke, looking at the kneeling mare with small tears in her eyes.

The pot cooled quickly in her chest as Tacet pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. Dabbing at the corners of Shy’s eyes she soothed in that hushed voice no louder than a whisper. “You need not worry about him. He just always strives for perfection even if it costs himself comfort or kindness. In fact he’s helped many gain their own lives or voices.” She pulled away with a smile, tucking the cloth away for future needs both for Fluttershy and herself.

“But I want to be someone he can open up to. It isn’t right for someone to be forced to keep everything bottled up for others sake.” Fluttershy complained, slapping a hand down on her knee. Hanging her head once more. “I just want to help reach out to him and tell him it’s ok but I barely know the stallion. I can’t think of how to talk to him as a friend. I especially don’t want to boss you guy’s all around either.” She muttered.

Tacet shifted from her spot slowly to sit next to the sad mare. Clasping her hands around Fluttershy’s shoulders she pulled her into a sideways hug. “You need not worry about how we feel but.” She began, raising a finger to stop Shy from complaining at the comment. “If you’d like. I can tell you how he helped me get my voice back and help others like me.” She offered.

Fluttershy looked up at the mare with large round eyes. Nodding quickly she silently shifted to face the knight more fully.

Her heart squeezed at being in Fluttershy’s full attention. Clearing her throat she began to say “It was a cold and freezing night in Manehatten…”

Author's Note

Backstories, backstories, backstories!