We left the Town Hall shortly after that display. Shining Armor and most of the Guards, especially the terrible ones, wanted to maul us. We're fine, they aren't. End of story. Princesses' were distraught about the Guards though. Tough.

Celestia gave us a bag of golden coins with a print of the sun on one side a crescent moon on the other. Said something about 'bits' I wouldn't know though I was too busy of being proud of the fact that I was better than Royal Guards in a hoof-to-hoof fight.

We went to find the girls and ask them about these shinnies we were given but they, of course, are no where in sight. Fuck.

"We'll have to be the adults in this situation won't we?" I asked, already knowing the answer and already not liking it. Against my hopes, I was given confirmation via 'Damn it' from X.

"I'll start asking around for where they could be, don't fancy my chances though" X mutters to us.

That was half hour ago.

So here be Scrapper and I, moseying around town asking questions that made us look like stalkers. 'Do you know where these mares live?' Didn't turn out well. I did see Twilight leaving what I think is a hospital. She teleported away before I could speak to her though.

Anything Scrapper asked usually ended with them running away, screaming. Not that hard to see actually. Scrapper is one large specimen. So he went off to do his own thing. I dunno.

I'm normally fairly hard to tick off. But I reckon if somepony looked at me funny I'd get set off with how this day has gone on so far. I was not a happy camper.

So when I stomped past a large tree near the middle of town, that went dead silent upon my appearance, I was more than suspicious. All the looks and negative emotions, mostly, stopped after I left Town Hall. All except one group.

I trotted up to the door of the tree, completely ignoring my thoughts of the impossibility of this being an ACTUAL house, and gave three heavy knocks. It was surprisingly answered by purple and green lizard thing.

"Who are you?" He asks me with squinted eyes. Yeah they're definitely in here, the sign says it's a public library and it's opening hours. Time to have a little fun. Sorry little buddy.

"This is the PUBLIC library right? No pony inside?" I ask, already preparing a retort.

"Yeah it is and it's just me, what of it?" He says in a condescending tone while crossing his little arms. I no longer feel sorry, I understand defending those you know but there's no excuse for being a cuck about it.

"It's a public library, which is open. I want to read books" Really not wanting to do that but more wanting to stumble into this little meeting of theirs.

"Sorry but I can't let you in" He tries to shut the door. Bingo.

"You're not letting me into a public building not under use? So you're restricting public access because you feel like it? Or is it because you just don't like me? An honorary citizen of Equestria. Given this by the Princesses themselves?" I accuse in a self-righteous tone. I'm lying through my teeth, it's a gamble but here's hoping he's as ill-informed as I think he is.

His eyes widen and I give myself a myself a mental hoof pump, he quickly stands aside with an apology as I come muzzle-to-muzzle with just the ponies I was looking for, all sitting at a round table in the middle of the room with a wooden sculpture of a horse head stood proudly atop it. The Bearers, all of them.

"SPIKE I said to let nopony in!" She says enraged at me but disappointed at her lizard.

"Oi he isn't at fault here. He was just following orders from a dumb superior" Defend him with a straight face. Everyponies eyes widen at my insult. Time to let spill some info. Scrap isn't here and X is fuck-knows where.

"I'm not dumb! I'm well-read!" She retorts angrily. They're so easy, I'm supposed to be the angry idiot here.

"Being well-read and being smart are two VERY different things. If you were smart you'd know that there's different kinds. You're smart with your facts but that's it!" I shoot back, she flinches. Good she's still listening but I don't get to continue as all our 'friends' erupt into their own insults, trying to defend Twilight.

Thinking quickly I pull out my Repeater Pistol and do something I didn't I'd ever do when I bonded to these girls. I take aim at them.

They all are completely silenced by my sudden unspoken threat. Eyes going wide and pupils turning to pin-pricks. I let the silence drag on, never let my aim waiver and force my body to go rigid.

The silence is deafening and I become something that genuinely shocked me. Fear permeates from them like water from an ocean. They actually think I'm serious? Good, I'm better at this than I thought.

I say nothing as I slowly make my way over to them, aim still not wavering. They don't move a muscle.

I sit down in what would normally be a considered casual way but the Pistol, still aimed at them, suggests this is a hostage situation. I'm not inclined to correct them in my current state of simmering anger.

"Now that all friends are present I'm going to ask you all a question" I declare in a sweet, gentle voice. "What is this all about?" Any sweetness in my tone and face vanishes as I ask this.

"You seriously hurt my brother!" She accuses after gathering her confidence. They must've explained what my Pistol is and what it does, she wouldn't be so nervous otherwise.

"Twilight what did he tell you when you visited the hospital?" I know this because... well he's family. It only makes sense.

"He said you attacked him! Hurt all his Guard and threatened the Princesses!" Wow. She IS that stupid.

"..." I can't even manage to come up with a response. That utterly floored me. I'll have to talk to Celestia about her Guard situation.

"SEE! You can't even deny it! To think I thought of you as my friend!" She spat at me. If my face wasn't covered they would have seen my mouth curling.

"I should have NEVER let you follow-" She stops upon hearing my chuckling which turns into full blown laughter in the silence. I let my aim fall and the moment it does I'm tackled by Rainbow.

She's taken it out of my hoof and aims it at me while sitting on my chest. I don't care though, I'm currently wheezing.

She wants to pull the trigger and end me, but she can't. I can feel her inner struggle. Her anger, her loyalty to Twilight, her loyalty to... me. 'She still likes me' I think through my laughter which is in the process of winding down, then tatters off.

But she's known Twilight longer so she does something I honestly didn't expect. She pulls the trigger.

*CLICK*

She immediately drops it and hugs me, sobbing uncontrollably while I hug her back. She keeps quietly apologizing while her friendship love starts flowing to- no. It starts attacking me. It's followed by a small amount of genuine love, much to my surprise.

I manage to pry her off and get up. I see their shocked expressions. If I wasn't focused on Twilight I'd be wearing one too.

"I'm going to guess you didn't ask the Princesses and took your brothers word?" They like not talking don't they? "Go ask her" My tone leaves no room for argument and she trots out the door. I feel a strong hold on my right side and look to see Rainbow hugging me again, no longer sobbing. I fully embrace her and can't help but feel at peace. It just feels so right.

Author's Note

As much as I wanted to make the Guards look pathetic in combat, I couldn't do it. I tried once, then did three whole rewrites but was still left unsatisfied with my work. The Remnants will not be using charms or rings due to that being a biiiiit too much to keep track of at once with all the effects and specifics with them, especially in a fight. I want to entertain you for a while, not overwhelm you.

I might have to add a romance tag. I just like Dashie too much. Haha this is gonna end up being a Rainbow Dash fan work I just know it.