Levi, the SellSword

A few days later...

Levi had left the city to return to the main enclave of the Survey Corps. He had much to do and discuss with his family on the matters of the Unknown. He was also going to be discussing the job he'd taken as Twilight Sparkle's bodyguard as soon as he returned to Canterlot. Marmy was left their in his stead to watch over the purple filly until his return and it was also good cause Marmy and Twilight had a bit of a bond thanks to her visits to the Princess.

Twilight was currently sitting with Marmy and Michigan next to the pond under the tree, The two had only grown closer sense the events of Twilight's abduction. So much so the Twilight has started to referred to he old unicorn as her as aunt Marmy or auntie much like Cadence did with Celestia.

"Aunt Marmy," Twilight spoke looking up from her book. "Why did they take me?"

"The one who took you did so cause they were pay to do so little Sparkle," Marmy wrapped her foreleg around Twilight and pulled her closer. "Some ponies just want money but the ones who paid them wanted you for a very evil scheme."

"But why?" Twilight looked at her little hooves. "I'm not special, not like Shiny. I can barley even do magics, let alone get spells right most of the time."

"All I know is they had a plan little Sparkle but now," Marmy rubs the filly's foreleg. "They can't hurt you anymore."

"Cause you stopped them!" Twilight says with a bit of relief snuggle into her adopted aunt's side. "Who was it that saved me again? I don't really remember a whole lot of the details. I was so scared and tried. I can't recall to much of it."

"I helped stop them Twilight," Marmy corrects. "I didn't do it alone but with help from my... friends," She said. "And the one who saved you was my teacher, and my grandfather.'

"Really?" Twilight pulled back looking up with the older pony. "What he like?"

"He's... very tall, like princess Celestia tall," Mary holds her hoof up. "He can be very strict and harsh and can even come off as cold and emotionless sometimes," Twilight gulped. "But he is also very kind, caring and very loving. He's very smart and knows a lot of things that someponies these days would call legends. He is also very old."

"Well of course is very old, he's your grandpa!" Twilight giggled "I hope I can meet him again. I want to thank him. What's his name?"

"Well, I usually call him grandpa, grandfather, or Grandmaster, sometimes sir," Marmy stands up and stretches. "But his real name is Levi, Levi Ackerman."

"I think I've heard that name a few times before," Twilight scratches her head. "But I don't remember where. Did he write any books?"

"Yes, in fact he has written quite a few," Marmy nods levitating the little filly hold her frog onto her back. "You have read some of them but enough of that for now. It's time for your lessons with the princess today."

"You'll... you'll stay there with me won't you?" Twilight hesitantly asked.

"If Princess Celestia let's me and I don't have anything come up I'll see if I can make it back but I do need to make a run to the market for the bar so I won't be there for most of it," Marmy says causing Twilight to become slightly disheartened.

"Perk up my little Sparkle," Marmy looks over her shoulder to the little filly. "You'll get to learn something new and if you keep up with your lessons for the next few days I here the princess has a surprise for you."

"Really?! What is it?!"

"I can't tell you cause then it wouldn't be a surprise now would it," Marmy chuckles as the reach Celestia's room. "We're here to see the princess. It time for Twilight's lessons." She order the guards who salute and open the door allowing them entry. Marmy levitates Twilight off her back and next to the Princess, "I'll see you later my little Sparkle, be good."

She gives Twilight a little nuzzle. "Okay auntie, hurry back okay."

"I'll try," Marmy nods and turns to the princess. "I have business to tend to and will be back later."

"Take care Marmy and thank you again," Celestia nods.

"No problem Princess, good bye for now," Marmy turns and makes her exit.

The days pass...

Levi made his way through Canterlot's streets alone at night.

He'd just returned from meeting with the other members of the leaders of the Corps about what had happened in Canterlot and the events that followed. He also made it quite clear that he was not stepping down from his position as the head of the family but would leave the majority f things to those he knew would look over things as they should be run. He would also be making regulars and random check-ins to the safehouses and barracks around Equestria.

Levi effortlessly strolls up to the gate and has the guards, "State you're purpose!"

"I'm here to speak with Celestia," Levi remarks removing his mask to give a stern glare to the guards.

The guards immediately recoil, "Mr. Ackerman sir, we're sorry we're-"

"Just doing you're jobs," he remarks placing the mask back on his face. "I won't hold it against you two. But be more careful in the tone in which you ask someone. You came off as outraged someone would dare approach you.," he taps the crest on one of their chests with his metal fingers. "Just because you're wearing Celestia's crest doesn't make you better than another pony or creature in general. Got it!"

"YES SIR!" They yelled at attention with out even realizing it.

"Good," Levi nods, "Take care gents, things will be changing soon," He remarks walking ingot the castle.

"Um? Why'd we do that?"

"I... honestly that... uh.... whatever he is scares the crap out of me."

"Isn't he some sort of monster?" they looked back only to see nothing there.

"Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if he was. Some of the stories I've read about him call him a demon with an unrivaled bloodlust that could never be quenched no matter the battlefield he was on."

"I heard he's been around for as long as the princess."

"It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was true."

Twilight was brought into the dining hall via her guard escort. Princess Celestia was sitting at the head of the table beaming with a big smile on her face. She finally is able to giver Twilight her surprise, much sooner than she'd originally thought would be possible.

"YAW.... Good morning Princess," Twilight yawns as she hoped up into her seat while Michigan hops onto he table from his spot on Twilight's back.

The frog had only ever left Twilight's side to do his own business. Celestia had even setup a water feature in the room Twilight had started occupying for the green familiar who would occasionally try and cheer up the purple filly via dancing and sing but it only ever got a small smile out of the her.

"Good morning my faithful student," Celestia smiles doing her best to keep giggles from rising to that surface, "Did you sleep well?"

"Better than I have been," Twilight rubs her eyes.

Celestia smile fell slightly as the little fill rarely ever got through a night without waking up screaming. "I have a surprise for you this morning, one that I think will help you sleep better at night."

"I hope its not more dream root," Twilight made a face of disgust. "I know it helps me sleep but it taste so icky!"

"No my purple pupil," Celestia giggles. "It is in fact a someone you have met before. He is an old and very dear friend of mine I had met long ago. He wrote many of the books in my personal that you so love to borrow behind my back," She gives a sly grin to the little filly who can only give a nervous giggle with red cheeks while her frog merely rolls his eyes.

"Wait, he's the author of most of those books!" Twilight quickly turned her head to look at her teacher who was give a confident nod. "YAY! I GET TO MEET AN AUHOR NOT EVEN MY MAMA KNOW!" She started to vigorously pronks around the room. "She'll be so jealous!"

"I be she will, especial when she finds out how influential he was to many of the books we have today," Celestia giggles at the sight of seeing Twilight so happy. Celestia then uses her magic and puts Twilight back in her seat, "Now Twilight you need to listen to me carefully. This is a very dear friend to me and I specifically asked for his help because he is the ONLY creature I can trust with this task."

"Um... Princess," Twilight interrupts. "You said... creature. I think you should have said pony?"

"No Twilight," Celestia shakes her head. "He is not a pony at all."

"Then what is he?" Twilight tilts her head. "A griffon?"

"Why don't I let you find out," Celestia sing sung. "You can come in now Levi!" She calls out.

A side door opens and out walk a tall creature on two legs with a jet black mane, two beady eyes, a small noise and mouth in clothing from head to tow. His outfit was black pants and jacket that hung over his shoulders like a cape over a simple white button-down shirt with a frilly white ascot around his neck. His most notable features were on his face. Two scars on the right side, one over his eye and that eye was white. He sat down across form Twilight and in placing his right hand on the table a glint of light caught the filly's sight. His pointer and middle claws on his right hand were metal.

"It is good to see you in better spirits than last time I saw you little one," Levi spoke in a warm tone with a smile.

Twilight was frozen for a minute, "Y-your t-that s-statue f-from the g-garden!" she point her hoof. "T-the human!"

"Right on the money," Levi snickers. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Levi Ackerman and it is very nice to finally meet you formally. Tia told me a lot about you in her letters."

"You said you're name was Levi Ackerman, you're Aunt Marmy's Grandpa!" Twilight shouts in a sudden realization. "You're voice. You're the one who saved me!"

Twilight then passes out causing Celestial to catch her and bring to he hooves. "She certainly took that better than I expected."

"Me to," Levi nods. "I thoroughly excepted her to run and scream."

"It helps I showed her your statue from the garden," Celestia levitates her student as she gets up on to her back. "Honestly I thought something would explode."

"Is that a regular hazard?" Levi raises an eyebrow.

"Not really," Celestia giggles. "Usually there's a lot of smoke but nevermore than that."

"Usually?” He raised and eyebrow. “Never mind that for now. Let's get her to her room," Levi looks at the snoring filly. "She looks like she needs this."

"I agree, but will you stay with her," Celestia pleads as the walk along with Michigan hopping onto her back. "I don't want her to wake up alone but I have appointments I must attend to today."

"It's why you hired me isn't ," Levi points out opening a door for Celestia.

"Thank you Levi," Celestia walks in and tuck Twilight in and kisses her forehead. "Rest my faithful student and dream of better things." She turns to Levi, "I'll see you later then." She then exit out but before she does Michigan hops off her and then over to his water feature.

"Don't work to hard Tia," Levi gives a solemn nod as Celestia exits the room. Levi goes over to Twilight's bookshelves and take a gander, "Hmm.... This one should for now," he says pulling a 'Supernaturals' form its place and then sitting down in a chair not far away from the snoring filly and begins to read.

A few hours later...

Candace trots down the hallways with Spike in his stroller, “I hope Twilly is doing alright,” she says to the little drake. “Aunty said she still isn’t sleeping well, even with the dream root elixir," Cadence sticks her tongue out causing the baby drake to giggle and clap. "It almost lunch time so we need to get her up," Cadence giggle and and then looks up to see Strawberry Marmalade. "Hello Marmy, how are you doing today?"

"Princess Cadence," Marmy bows. "I am fine. I was coming to get our little Sparkle. I find out form the maids she was brought back here to her room by Princess Celestia." She explains. "I was coming to see if she wanted to go outside maybe even try going home."

"I hope you're not trying to force her," Cadence eyed the older mare.

"Princess if I wanted to force that little filly to do something I wouldn't need force," Marmy scowled. "I will not stand to be accused like this. That little filly in there is very dear o me, as if she were one of my blond kin! We in the Survey Corps take bonds VERY seriously, family and friendship alike!" She stomps her huff causing Spike it start to sniffle. "If you every, and I mean EVER, dare accuse me of doing any thing to Twilight again then... well... you best know how to defend yourself very very well."

"I'm sorry I..."

Marmy held up a hoof, "Do not start to apologize for looking out for those you cherish with you heart Princess Cadenza, just more more aware of who you're pointed the tip of the knife at, Understood?"

Cadence give a solemn nod, "Yes Ma'am."

"Good, now let us wake our little Sparkle, its time for food," Marmy sys turning to the door opening it. To her shock she finds her grandfather in the room sitting in the corner reading books.

"Oh, Mr. Levi, your back," Cadence walks in a little surprised. "Why are you in Twilly's room?"

"I'm watching over the little as she rests," He says not even looking up from his book. "She had a bit of overexcitement and passed out from fatigue."

"Grandfather, when did you get back into the city?" Marmy statement through Cadence for a bit of a loop.

"Late last night while everyone was a sleep," Levi flips a page. "I've told you before Cadence, that's a good way to catch flies," he says noting Cadence mouth hanging open as he stands up before picking up the and returning them their proper places. "I'll let you two wake the little one. I don't want her to freak out again," he says walking out of the room leaving the mares.

Marmy then walks over to the bed and starts to jousel Twilight awake, "Grandfather?" Candence ask. "How is Mr. Levi your grandpa?"

"Simple," Marmy says as Twilight sleepily sits up and yawns as she rubs her eyes. "He is my my great grandmother's father, making him my Great Great Grandfather. Come on little Sparkle time for lunch."

"Aunt Marmy," Twilight sleepily rubs her eyes. "When did you get here? Where's Princess Celestia and..." Her eyes shot open. "I met you're grandpa! Why'd didn't you tell me he wasn't a pony?! Why didn't you tell my you mostly pony?!"

"I am one hundred percent pony little Sparkle," Marmy calmed the filly down. "Like I was telling Princess Cadence. My grandfather can't have foals of his own. He and his wife tried a lot but never could bare children.," Levitating Twilight out of bed and onto the floor she continues. "He even told her she should look for someone else that could give her children but my Great Great Granny Strawberry was a stubborn mare and she loved my Grandfather very very much. So they adopted foal of there own. One of who was my Great Granny Strawberry Streusel. She waited for my grandpa to corm home everyday until he finally did."

"She sounds like she really loves her father," Cadence smiles as as she set Spike on the floor next to Twilight as she pulls a brush form the dresser and to brush the filly's mane.

"She did," Marmy gave a solemn sigh. "She passed away some time ago now but she still lived after he came back for a few more years. After she passed I started to travel with my Grandfather so see the world.

"Is he the reason you're so strong Aunt Marmy?" Twilight looked at the Survey Member.

"In a way little Sparkle. He trained me to be strong and helped make me the mare I am now by guiding me but he let me make my own choices too," Marmy nods. "But don't let that fool you little Sparkle. I am still just a pony like any other pony. I just know how to be strong for the right reasons, all thanks to my grandpa and my family."

Cadence levitates Twilight onto her back and Spike into his stroller. "Let's get the dining hall. shall we!"

Celestia sat at her place at the head of the table the Dining Hall. With a pair of red framed half moon reading glasses on her muzzle she was busying herself reading over proposals, most of which wee power plays by the nobles to try and move in on Countess Morning Glory's open assets.

"I can't believe that mare had ties to the into so many shady practices," Celestia seethed with anger, the temperature of the room slightly rising. She slapped the papers down on the table. "I need stress food!" She yells and drops her head on the table.

"Your highness are you feeling alright?" the maid asks. "Should I get you some tea and cakes?"

"Pickles," Celestia said bluntly.

"Excuse me?" the maid tilts her head.

"I would like some pickles instead. Oh, with chocolate sauce on them!" Celetstia picks her head up and looks at the mare. "What is Feather Duster?"

The maid blinks a few times, "Um... your highness not to be rude but the entire time I've been your maid never once have you turned down tea and cakes," She pointes out. "Let alone heave I ever heard of putting chocolate sauce on pickles. Sorry but it... just doesn't seem right. Are you feeling alright? Should I call the doctor?"

"I'm fine Feather Duster," Celestia sighs removing her glasses with her magic. "Just a little stressed is all. And I used to eat chocolate dipped pickles whenever I was stressed. Something about the sweet and sour with the stratifying crunch helps relieve some tension."

"AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Came a pompous well.

"Oh dear mother of all," Celestia immediately dropped her head back on the table with a hard thud.

Blueblood suddenly burst into the room, "Auntie there's this large thing walking are the castle on two legs! It had the audacity to wake past me and not bow! I demand you punisher it! It's on it's way here now!"

"First off," Celestia picks her head up and rubs her temples with her hooves. "Hello dear nephew how are you today? Oh you saw something, again. That's Nice Oh I'm fine by the way. Thank you sooooo much for asking after you so boldly burst in here," She remarks in a matter of fact tone.

"Yes yes nice to see you to," Blueblood waves his hoof around in the air. "Now a about that creature I demand you put it in the dungeons and punisher it for not bowing to me!"

"First off, proper grammar dear nephew," Celestia points out. "It's punish, not punisher. Second this creature, does it walk upright on two legs have a black mane with a part down the middle of it and is around my height?"

"Why yes it is," Blueblood nods. "Good to know you have already taken measure to capture the nasty thing. Thank you so much Auntie and have a nice day."

The young stallion begins to canter off but Celestia grabs him in her magic, "Sit," she says sternly place the youth in a chair. "First of all, You will not make demands of me as I am your aunt and guardian, not you servant," Bluebloods eyes widen as he gulps as Celestia gets up out of her seat and trots around. "Second, this creature is not a creature at all but your elder and superior as well as my very dear friends from far before you were even a twinkle of existence. Third, you will start showing every creature the proper respect, be they castle staff, guards family,-"

"But he-"

"or my friend," Celestia got in the colts face with a stern glare. "Starting form today your privileges are rescinded."

"WHAT!? YOU CAN'T JUST-"

"Oh yes I can," Celstia put her hoof down with a hard clop. "Seeing as how I am the one who gave them to you in the first place it is will with in my right to do so," she keeps trotting. "Should show signs of genuinely improving your abhorrent behavior then you will earn them back."

"Butbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbut..."

"No buts," Celestia shook her head. "I have heard enough about how you treat the ponies of this castle and how you treat those you deem lower than yourself! It is you, young stallion who has the audacity too accuse some one of not bowing to you in my home. You demand respect form someone you have not even tried to earn it from."

"It it is just some ugly-"

"SILENCE!" Celestia yelled in the royal Canterlot voice causing the Feather Duster to cover her ears. "I have had enough of your pompous idiotic behavior Blueblood. Until you prove to me other why's you have no rights to any thing of royalty say except your title as prince as in 'title' a lone. Starting next week you will start studying for the academy. Should you prove to be better and change your ways by summers end then I will with hold your transfer from the Canterlot prep. Understood?" She leans down.

Blueblood gulps hard, "Y-yes M-ma'am."

"And just so you know, that Creature as you call him is Levi Ackerman, patriarch of the Strawberry clan and Grandmaster of the Survey Corps," Bluebloods eye shrank, "Yes the one who are one of the few sellsword allowed to operate and who save my student form a very grim fate. So maybe you should think more the next time you charge in her making demand for bullshit reason, now leave!"

Blueblood took his chance and galloped out leaving only a Blueblood shapes cloud behind in his seat.

BAM!

"That idiot boy," Celestia grumbles with her head on the table. "Was I to harsh? What would you have done Feather if it was Cotton Tail?"

"Pretty much the same thing," Feather says off to the said. "Except for the school transfer but I think you did the right thing princess. He ahs gotten much worse over the passing months. Many of the staff are to scared of losing their jobs to speak up. The only ponies he doesn't threaten to much are the guards due to their physicality, but he still holds there jobs over their heads."

"Due tell everyone of what's happened here, proudly," Celestia sighs. "And let me know if he still tries the bull with the staff. He can't even wipe his own ass let alone fire anypony. Spread that one too."

"Gladly princess," Feather bows with a smirk. "Pickles and Chocolate sauce?"

"Please," Celestia pleads as Levi walks in and Feather Duster walks into the kitchen. "Levi!" She perks up. "Where's Twilight and did she sleep?"

"Man you really did a number on the asshole of a nephew of yours," Levi chuckles. "But he needed it. Twilight slept solid the whole time. Not even a single motion to swat at stuff. She with Marmy and Cadence now."

"Levi, would you be willing to teach lessons, part time at least?" Celestia asks picking her head up as Feather Duster comes back and give Celestia her snack.

"What can I get you ah..." She looked at Levi hesitantly. "Sir?"

"Some of that roast cockatrice would be nice please," Levi answer causing Feather to turn green in the face slightly.

"Yes, s-sir," She nods and leaves again.

"I don't see why I can't Tia but I'm not teaching full courses," He held up his hand. "I'll come up with a routine and new obstacle course and do occasional sword lessons from time to time but I won't privately teach anyone other than Twilight , and that's if she wants it."

"Twilight does have a very talented older brother who specializes in shield spells," Celestial says taking a bite out of a pickle with a hardy crush, "Gods above I missed thses!"

Levi looks at her and raises an eyebrow, "Oooookay, but Twilight's brother, you think he would benefit from my training? The same training from years ago?"

"His name is Shining Armor, you met him during the whole... incident. The the white stallion who was freaking out. Yes, I think he would," Celestia nods. "But if you're not sold on my word speak with Tightship. He has taken a shine to the young stallion."

Feather comes back with Levi's food on a cart, "Your food sir."

"Thank you Miss," he give a slight bow and takes his food. "If you recommend him then I 'll go see for myself and speak with Tight about it. No promises though."

"Thank you," Celestia gives a slow nod and then looks at her plate. "When did I eat them all?"