Author's Note

Hey guys! Happy Early Halloween to everyone!
Just to let you all know...yeah, future editing being done here. This chapter, again, has became one of my all-time favorites to write. Grant it, I am two stories into my writing life here on FiMFiction, but it's still something...

I think the revised version of this chapter will tie a lot of loose ends together and help show where exactly we are in terms of the character's lives.
Skystar's scenes show just how far the relationship has come with Alex.
Nacreous and Shifting's scene with interrogating Swift has been reworked to include that flashback more properly.
The flashback to "Obsessions Part 2" (check it out, I linked it in the story description) helps paint the picture a bit more.
And, the final scene feels smoother. Gabby said the thing!

So yeah, a lot of work done, but it feels complete. I like it, and I hope you do too. Thank you, and have an awesome day!

-Harpy

Edit: I revised this chapter on July 11th, 2023. To me, the story feels much better. Last year, my writing style hadn't been as developed. I was still new to this. Now, with a lot of time on my hands, I've gotten more practice and can safely say we are doing great. These revisions help with contextual clarifications and fixing the tone it gave off. Hope you all can understand and will like the changes.

Reminiscence {revised}

Chapter 14: Reminiscence

[...]

As the minutes passed and turned into hours, the landscape around me changed. The cold weather and snow were replaced by a vast, luscious landscape of grassy plains and trees. Up ahead, in the morning skyline, a tall spire rose from above the trees, causing my eyes to widen.

“Th-That’s the Changeling Hive, for sure,” I stammered, my throat drying. “I-I should be able to lay low there. It would only be a matter of time before we would have to continue our journey southward again, but I need to check for something…if it’s still there.”

Yeah. Hopefully, it’s there, the left side of my mind sighed. This seems like a waste of time….

“Was it going to be a waste of time, Alex?”

“Well, let’s just say it’s going to be our best chance of ensuring we survive a little bit longer than expected,” I grumbled. “And please, have a little more faith in me.”

That’s going to be your hope? it retorted. Hoping this ‘thing’ still exists? I told you this wasn’t a good idea, and you’re still going through with it. You…mmmm!

“Not like I listen to you anyway.”

WHAT DID YO-

Ho-Hold on! C-Come on, lefty. Alex didn’t mean it like that! the right side of my mind replied in defense, trying to diffuse the argument between myself and me. Of course, Alex listens to us! He needs us to guide him and know where our focus should be.”

scoff! “Not all the time….”

“Alex! Listen, I get it. You want to follow the beat of your own drum. But, like…when you actually ‘need to,’ DO you listen to your two consciences and heed their advice?”

sigh “Most of the time, I will. Other times, I absolutely ‘have’ to,” I conceded, earning a slap to my brain from the left side. I chuckled to myself as the thought pushed forward. “Heh, those two knuckleheads man the decision train of my brain, and they don’t show any signs of stopping it.”

Damn right, we do! toot toot!

Can’t stop this runaway train, Alexander! Haha!

Both sides of my mind enjoyed the idea of yet another adventure in Equestria. But the more I thought about it, the more I believed this WAS a bad idea. Not that I didn’t like adventure, no…but, for me, it hit too close to home.

“How so?”

It mostly made me frustrated with them. I was upset that ‘The Crown’ didn’t play a fair game with me back in Canterlot, seeing as they were the ones who weren’t listening to me the most.

But now, they were playing ‘my game.’ This was the game I wanted from them ever since I got locked up. And now, I got my chance to play on a level playing field. ‘The Crown’ couldn’t find me, and they would be too powerless to stop me. I had every advantage at my disposal and every contingency plan in the rulebook ready. It was…was….

“Was…what?”

It’s almost playing out precisely like Anon’s situation nearly half a year ago. Anon felt he could be useful in battle and believed he could hold his own…if he just had some magic.

However, to give our species a ton of credit, humans didn’t possess magical properties, nor could we use it. Especially Equestria’s magic, which was something even I couldn’t tame. I had learned that the hard way…but I learned to live with that fact.

Anon, on the other hand, looked at it as ‘untapped potential.’ He grew frustrated and bitter when others around him brought the topic up, and even I couldn’t shake him from his ‘obsession’ with it. I remember countless times when Anon asked me for a specific book from the Canterlot Archives. Anon knew fully well that he couldn’t get it…but I ‘could’ with my reputation.

And the more I read those titles, the stranger it all seemed. All of them stemmed from some type of magic property. From channeling spells to the creation of runes, tethering magical properties to the rich, lost history of Equestria’s early ‘dark age’ under the title, ‘The books of Blackmane.’

And I knew something was up when Anonymous specifically asked me for a book about ‘soul energy transfer.’ I immediately stood my ground and denied Anon’s request, asking him to give me a concrete reason for WHY he needed that exact book. Anon wouldn’t tell me the truth, and because of that, I didn’t comply….

And…after all those months of getting to know Anon and where he came from. The nights we would share, playing video games and creating this bond together. That ‘brotherhood’ I felt with him…died. And I still didn’t understand why Anon, of all creatures, was doing this.

Why is he just giving his body and soul up? my thoughts ran rampant back then. Was this really about him harnessing the ability to wield magic? Is that the whole point of this?!

“Sounds like it to me. I mean, it’s not like this Anon fellow had what you ha-”

Don’t get me started there. I GAVE Anon the watch I ‘originally’ had when I first came here. It was considered a ‘beta’ version back then, so I went ahead and tweaked it to my liking. After a few weeks during the new year of testing the abilities and ensuring they would adequately work in the field, I began funneling everything I remembered, from superhero movies and other fictional skills, to create the single most unstoppable device in Equestria’s history.

It was brilliant. A ‘super watch,’ capable of allowing me access to some incredible power-ups and abilities, weaponry and armor, and most certainly…it had limitless capabilities. I thought of it as my ‘insurance policy.’ If something were to happen in Equestria that required my presence, or if we were up against a big enough threat, I could hold my own in battle from then on. I wasn’t some meek human being in Equestria anymore…I could make a difference.

“Why is this sounding like the path you described Anonymous to have followed?”

It is most certainly not the same! my mind angrily thought in reply. Anon became obsessed with the idea, unable to distract himself enough from it. I did…have ‘multiple’ distractions to prevent me from doing something stupid. And, sorry…you are forgetting one major difference between Anonymous and I.

“And that is?”

Self-awareness. I ‘knew’ of the potential issues and risks something like this could cause. I ‘knew’ that dabbling in it would eventually turn me into a considerable threat, and I would become virtually obsessed with it. And…And the consequences for doing so heavily weighed down the burden I was carrying…than if I had just not created it in the first place.

“But, you made the second one?”

Yeah! To be quite honest with you, I don’t know how I got the first one. It randomly showed up alongside me when I first arrived, being a non-factor due to…whatever the reason was. But once I learned it didn’t run on batteries, I secretly asked Twilight for help, and she booted it up for me.

But, anyway, back to Anon. Anon ensured his own demise the moment after his ‘attempted reformation.’ I mean, God forbid!

“Hey, what did I tell yo-”

Princess Twilight Sparkle desperately wanted Anon to go through this reformation process. I couldn’t watch how much Anon was suffering, and neither could anycreature else. Nopony could convince her otherwise, so I sidelined myself while he was in Canterlot, keeping him under my watchful eye….

Until, one…one day in particular, during the final week of the second month of the new year. I had finally finished my evening routine of practicing music, enjoying dinner with ‘The Crown,’ and relaxing for an hour or two with Princess Skystar. After all, it was the last time we would see each other…for a long time.

“That’s probably going to be addressed sooner or later, won’t it?”

Most likely. Anyway, I was strolling through the castle’s corridors when I felt a slight prick on my skin. The hairs across my arms stood as I froze in place and felt an unusual presence….

Something’s not right, Alex.

========================================<>========================================

`“That’s some real pep in your step,” an unrecognizable voice called from down the hallway. “What’s the deal with that? I thought you were dying?”

“I am-”

gasp!My mind shrieked in fright as Anon’s voice reverberated inside my eardrums. I looked to my left and saw two shadows nearing the intersection, and my body began to panic. I hesitated, my head frantically looking around for a safe hiding spot.

Once I raised my head and stared at the ceiling, I flicked my wrist up and shot a line of webbing toward the one chandelier in the corridor. After it had latched onto the ceiling, I almost collided with the glass chandelier, twisting my body and sticking to the ceiling with my view blocked.

“...I’d say I bought myself a day, but it sure feels like a year,” Anon’s voice got louder as the surface of the ceiling slowly shook. The mighty footsteps of Anon’s golem structure rattled the chandelier as I clung on tightly, my eyes remaining narrowly open.

”Assuming things keep going as they are,” the other creature’s voice replied. “I’m sure that number will change if you start taking in more magic again.”

“That won’t happen,” Anon scoffed, appearing to be closer to my position. “Trust me.”

Suddenly, the two creatures appeared below me. They were running down the hallway, barely realizing they were being watched. I craned my neck and watched in awe as Anon continued to jog down the corridor. In my mind, there was no way he should have been able to do that….

The two rounded another corner, the tense seconds passing as I hung on dearly. The shaking of the ceiling ceased, and the halls of Canterlot Castle once again went silent. I looked down and fell to the floor, landing softly and tucking my legs in as I rolled onto the hallway’s carpeting.

The castle’s silent ambiance made me seize up as I looked ahead, knowing I was the only creature to witness what had just happened.

A-Anon has…h-h-has….

growl! “Anon’s trying to escape,” I mumbled angrily. “That motherfucker is trying to get away, and ‘he’ has help?” My mouth clenched as I balled my hand into a fist, punching my leg in fury.

“Alex,” the watch’s voice worriedly asked after sensing my sudden pain. “I-Is something wron-”

grumble “Mikey…activate both axs,” I muttered bitterly, my heart racing with rage. “Now. I have a job to finish…properly.”

“O-Okay, Alex. Standby for deployment.”

shimmer!

growl!`

========================================<>========================================

`sigh

“Come on, Anon…don’t make me do this….” My heart pounded inside my chest as I lay in wait. I was now in the throne room of Canterlot Castle, readying myself for what was going to happen. I knew what Anon and this…‘pony’ he was with were after. It was clear as day when Anon kept asking nonstop about that damn picture, wondering if he could see it and ensure it was safe.

“No. I’m not doing it. Plain and simple.” I made my point loud and clear to Anon that he wasn’t getting what he wanted anymore. And now…he was about to make a deadly mistake.

If that golemite showed up in this throne room and blasted down the stairs that concealed the secret oak door holding his picture below the thrones….

sigh “Deep breaths,” I reassured myself. I tried to calm my nerves, my blood pumping as the nightly atmosphere remained quiet and dark. The sequence of scenarios played in my mind.

I would drop down in front of him and block the way, with me being the final line of defense. I had to…I needed to stand in his way. Between whatever Anon’s goal was and the future of Equestria, I…there was no other option. No backup plan. Nocreature else was available.

Nacreous was off in the Badlands, testing some medical equipment for tomorrow’s…well, let’s just say that’s not going to happen anymore. Shifting Sands and his fiance, Luna, were in the Crystal Empire on royal business with Princess Cadence. And Celestia?...

The alicorn princess was in the castle. But even I knew that, somehow, SHE knew what was happening. Let alone Celestia was somewhere nearby, lying in wait, waiting for it to happen.

Just like me….

All of a sudden, the doors to the throne room quietly opened. Funny enough that none of the Night Guards were on duty, nor were the Lunar Knights. Guess it’s down to little old me and the two battle axes…to prevent Anon and his new ‘pony friend’ from escaping Canterlot tonight.

Anon slowed down, the two creatures traversing the grand throne room quietly. They must have known something was up…their instincts kicking in. I had felt that feeling, too…the lingering effects of stagnated magic. It vibrated within my ears as I continued to eye them.

There was a very ‘powerful’ spell in this very room…and they both knew. Anon approached the thrones of the room and inspected them, looking at them in curiosity. I pleaded internally, hoping Anon won’t make this mistake….

The golemite stepped back and looked down. Anon then waved his hand and forced the stone stairs to disintegrate, chunks flying all over before crashing onto…telekinetic pillows? I shook my head as they touched the ground, making no sound.

“Clever girl,” Anon playfully giggled. His dull, golem body took a big step forward, and my nerves realized this was it. My body instantly reacted as I inhaled sharply and let go of the ceiling tiles….

It’s time….

SLAM!!`

========================================<>========================================

`Anon’s body violently flew back, landing on his butt rather harshly. I slowly stood up to my full height, looking down at the golemite and his little ‘pony friend.’ Anon got up as well, his eyes widening in surprise and horror at my sudden entrance.

I rolled my shoulders back and twisted my neck, a few cracks! sounding out loudly for them to hear. I shook my head and let my hair fall down as I stared straight ahead, my chest rising with every breath taken. I watched Anon put his hands up in self-defense, the pony beside him crouching to avoid my deathly glare.

The stalemate dragged on for what felt like ages, my patience beginning to run thin as Anon didn’t say or do anything. Finally, I broke the silence by taking a meaningful step forward. My arms were folded as I chewed my lips in thought, already knowing the words I wanted to say to this green son-of-a-bit-

“Alex.”

growl! “Anon,” I growled back, disappointed by what was happening. sigh “What are you doing here, Anon?” The green golemite didn’t say anything as I looked at him more clearly, my mouth huffing in dissatisfaction at his refusal to answer. sigh “Why are you outside the confines of your secured room this late at night, Anon?”

“A-Alex. Please….”

groan! “Oh my God, please. Give me a break!” I sarcastically interjected, waving my arms out. “‘Alex, can you get me a book about soul-transferring?’ ‘Alex, I want to ask if I can get a copy of this book, “The Lost Foals of Blackmane,” in the Canterlot Archives.’ ‘Aleeex…’ and so on, and so on, and fucking hell, dude.” I facepalmed as I shook my head. “You never quit, do you?”

“Were you jus-”

“Shut up.” My two-worded answer stunned the creature I once called a ‘friend,’ the laced anger in my voice becoming visible. “Shut the fuck up, Anon. You don’t speak unless I ask you to….”

Anon let his stone arm fall flat against his side, his breathing growing heavier. I knew Anon’s strength and stamina had been depleted severely due to the hampered state he put himself in, but it wasn’t because of me. After remembering his stupid dabbling into dark magic and carving runes into his skin, I shook my head, shrugging the thoughts off and continuing my rant at Anon.

“You piss me off,” I commented in disgust. “I’m sick of your bullshit, Anon. Y-You…you had me convinced that Princess Twilight was onto something with this whole ‘reformation’ thing for you, and…a-and you’re deciding to throw that all away?” I stared at him, my jaw hanging in shock at the words I said. “And for what? What’s beyond this door that is so important to you that you are willing to sacrifice everything WE have done for you and possibly DIE for?!”

gulp! “Umm…m-my fr-freed-”

shing! “Shut the fuck up!”`

========================================<>========================================

`I brought the ‘Ax of Orichalcum’ out, levying it toward the two creatures. “Seriously, Anon?” I loudly sneered. “You’re gonna have me believe that whatever ‘thing’ is behind that door…you think I’m going to believe that THAT is your one-way ticket to…t-to FREEDOM?!”

Anon took a step back as I pressed forward, slowly approaching them. “Freedom! Freedom? Freedom…from what?” I angrily asked in confusion. huff! “News flash, Anon. It sure as hell won’t get your soul back into your original body! Satan has it with him…IN HELL!!”

Anon looked at me in shock, his tiny green eyes blinking rapidly. “H-How…How did you kno-”

“Pfft. Doesn’t matter to you or me,” I dismissed, shaking my head. I continued to step toward the two, their breathing increasing as the weapon in my hand appeared. “I’ve had enough of your shit, Anon. Ever since I learned about this little ‘obsession’ of yours, I have grown more disgusted by your repeated actions and lies!”

I stopped myself, inhaling with a shudder. “Every fucking thing you did within ‘The Crown’ or my presence, I was personally embarrassed to even know you,” I accused. “Every fucking time I wanted to do something that I actually enjoyed doing and hang out with creatures I’ll probably never see again…it was all put on hold because of you!”

My shoulders began to sag from the weight of the battle ax in my right hand. “I even gave you everything I had,” I angrily commented. “I tried to help you, Anon! I gave you the one thing I had been given ever since I got here…a chance to experience what I have been doing for the past two-and-a-half years and, potentially, you fighting alongside me and ‘The Crown of Canterlot!’”

“...”

sigh “A-And…And you’re throwing it all away, Anon….” My breathing began to heavily shake as I dropped my arm. “I…I-I have no words f-for how this is affecting me…a-and you ‘think’ it’s going to get better?” My eyebrows as my vision shifted back to Anon, who moved toward me.

Snarl! “You take another step, Anonymous,” I warned with a growl, “and I’ll slice your stone body up into little pieces, so small enough that…that even Nacreous won’t have a damn chance to reattach them!”

Anon froze, his movements ending as my mind lashed all my thoughts out at him. “Y-You made me believe you were being forreal, Anon!” I yelled in frustration. “I thought you changed for the better! I thought you were being genuine when Twilight Sparkle told me you were progressing well and ‘liked’ this whole reformation thing….”

I stopped and took a deep breath. My jaw was clenched as I gripped the ax’s handle tightly, my frame shaking with rage. “Heh heh…But now?” I chuckled, raising the ax and aiming it at the two creatures. “I see this was all a facade! A smokescreen! A fucking LIE!!”

My words rang out into the halls, Anon trying desperately to stay still. The pony near his left side said nothing, standing in place…remaining still, while…‘humming.’

Odd….

“A-Alex, please,” Anon tried to reason with me. I glared back at him with my left eye twitching, a soft exhale coming from the golem version of Anon’s mouth. “I-I’m doing this for a very goo-”

“For what reason?” I asked defiantly, tears brimming in my eyes. “You think I care what you have to say for yourself now?” shudder “You think that, after all this time…after everything we have been through as BROS!!” sniffle “...you think you can convince me not to end this whole situation by myself, with nocreature here to save you from allowing me to rip you apart?”

Anon stood up slightly, his facial expression changing to horrified as I readied myself. “If until death I part,” I sneered, “I will finish what they started! And there’s nothing you, or that little pony ‘friend’ of yours, can say or do to prevent me from tearing your insides out, destroying the matter you are made of, and annihilating your existence off the face of Equestria!”

“...”

“IT’S OVER, ANON!!” I screamed, raising my ax and preparing myself to throw it. “YOU!! HAVE!! LOST!! EVERYTHI-”

poof!

The pony that was once beside him instantly teleported from my line of s-

sparkle!

There was this noise coming from behind me, my eyes widening as I trie-

BOOM!!`

========================================<>========================================

knock-knock-knock!

“Come in, Swift.”

creak!

Emperor Nacreous and I stood as Specialist Swift Wildshadow entered the room. The guard’s eyes locked onto ours, and an audible gulp! echoed through the air from his side of the room.

“Specialist Swift Wildshadow?” Nacreous asked quietly.

“E-Emperor Nacreous. C-C-Commander Shifting,” Swift saluted to the both of us, his stuttering voice draining the tension within the space.

“At ease, Swift. Please,” I calmly said, motioning for the guard to step forward. “Take a seat.”

“Yes, sir!” Swift chirped, promptly trotting to the empty chair. The stallion climbed on top of it and sat down in front of Nacreous. The hippogriff looked at me before proceeding.

“Specialist Swift Wildshadow. Do you know why we summoned you here right now?” Nacreous asked with a sour look on his face.

“N-Not to my knowledge, sir,” Specialist Swift responded. “D-Does this hav-”

Nacreous raised his claw to stop Swift from rambling on. “Swift, you have been a part of the Canterlot Royal Guard for nearly three years,” the hippogriff said, grabbing a folder from the desk drawer. “I’d wager that it is a remarkable accomplishment for a stallion of your age.”

“Th-Thank you, sir,” Swift said while moving in his chair. I took a step back, attempting to help the guardpony feel comfortable.

“Swift, relax,” the hippogriff sensed. “The best way to communicate is with a relaxed and calm mind. Take a deep breath…let it out…and nod when you are ready to proceed.”

Swift took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he exhaled. Then, attempting to find peace within the room, he rolled his shoulders back and slowly cleared his mind. Finally, Swift’s eyes opened, his head nodding once to the hippogriff seated before him.

“Wonderful,” Nacreous replied before sliding the folder over to the stallion. “We have already collected what we needed to collect and heard your version of events numerous times. They were even confirmed by the guardpony you were with this morning. You have been in constant contact with Alexander Walkerson, the human prisoner now turned fugitive, for this entire ordeal, have you not?” Nacreous replied, his eyebrow raising as the guard slumped into the chair’s backrest.

“A-Alex…he rarely talked to me after his imprisonment,” Swift said softly. “Over the first few weeks, I tried to talk with him. I-I heard some faint mumbles and groans coming from his side of that door, but…once week three came and went, he didn’t respond to anything I was saying.”

My eyes narrowed as I brought a hoof up to my mouth, pondering the idea. “Why?” I asked. “Why would Alex stop talking? Especially to a creature like you, who is considered one of his closest and longest-lasting friends…why did he stop responding to you, Swift?”

“I…I-I don’t know, Commander,” Swift stammered. shudder “M-Maybe Alex was af-afraid?”

“Afraid?” Nacreous inquired, his eyes squinting in confusion. “Afraid…of what?”

“I c-can’t…I don’t know wh-why,” the guardpony said. That caused Nacreous to close his eyes and inhale through his nose, his beak opening to exhale. I said nothing as Nacreous took over the entire conversation.

“Specialist Swift Wildshadow. I hate to do this, but I am going to have to ask you this question,” Nacreous said, causing Swift to shift uncomfortably in the chair. “I want you to do your best to answer it. But, before that…let’s put some context to it.”

The hippogriff detailed the possible chain of events that led to Alex’s escape. “Some time, during the morning switch from the Night Guards to the Day Guards, Alexander Walkerson escaped the confines of his room, which was a makeshift prison cell, and ventured off to places unknown….”

“This was, again, during the shift from night to day for the Canterlot Royal Guard,” I reaffirmed. “Then, I activated the ‘Code Triple Amber’ AFTER somepony had revealed that Alex had escaped. ‘Code Triple Amber’ is a custom warning siren for a designated and dangerous creature, awaiting the death penalty, escaping.”

“The Royal Alicorn Sisters, Commander Shifting here, and I were made aware that Alex could have ‘somehow’ gotten to Cloudsdale,” Nacreous elaborated, which made the stallion sitting before us gulp nervously. “Nevertheless, we investigated this claim…and found it to be true.”

Swift didn’t say anything as he nodded, reaffirming my suspicion. “The point we are making is that before suspicions were confirmed of where his location was, somepony had made a critical observation and correct assumption on where Alexander may have gone,” I boldly stated. “And that creature would happen to be the one pony that has been in constant range and contact with Alex, not only during this whole chain of events but for the years leading up to it.”

I visibly saw beads of sweat form on Swift’s brow, his hoof coming up to wipe it quickly. The guardpony sat there, shaking in the chair, as I looked over to Nacreous and noted how relaxed and calm he was. The hippogriff sighed and looked at the stallion sitting before us.

“Specialist Swift Wildshadow? I am only going to ask this question once.” Nacreous held up a talon and exhaled. “Before today’s events occurred this morning, did you, or did you not, have prior knowledge of anything Alex could have said, done, plotted, detailed, planned, or outright told you…” sigh “...to make you believe he would break out and escape Canterlot Castle?”

“...”

A pregnant silence sustained itself within the room, nocreature saying anything after the question was asked. I looked at Swift as his eyes darted to the floor, a quiet exhale coming from him.

sigh “I…I-I….”

“...”

“I-I did….”

“...”

“S-Swift?” I asked hesitantly, getting the guardpony’s attention. “When?”

========================================<>========================================

`sigh “Swift, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“When are you going to talk to me about it?” I asked back in annoyance. “You’re starting to hide things again, just like you did when you first came to Equestria, Alex…and after the huge fight at Mount Aris last year…AND after tha-”

“Okay, I get it! It’s just…I-I don’t feel comfortable sharing it with you, Swift,” Alex replied, his hands shaking as he tried to warm up his arms. “It’s too…too personal for you to know….”

“Since whe-mmm. O-Okay then,” I conceded, my head turning to look at the human. “Can I at least know if it is something somecreature is doing to make you feel uncomfortable?” Alex sat down and said nothing, his legs hanging off the side of the wall while he stared into the sunset. “A-Alex, is it something I am doing wrong?”

“No!” Alex shouted, putting his hands up. “It’s not you! It’s not anycreature! It’s…It’s just me.”

scoff! “I find that very hard to believe, Alex,” I scoffed, extending my hoof and waving it at the human. “I mean, look at you. You live in one of the most prestigious places in all of Equestria. Canterlot and its citizens have nothing but respect for you and your service. ‘The Crown,’ newly formed by the way, has appreciated everything you’ve done and then some. And…there’s more!”

Alex shook his head as I continued. “You have multiple alliances with far-off nations that even WE couldn’t make peace with until you did. The hippogriffs are surely one of them, with you ‘courting’ the queen’s daughter and actually…making it work between the both of you. We thought that SaddleArabia was this desolate, begotten land of mystery, only for it to turn ou-”

“Let’s not talk about that,” Alex waved off, catching me off-guard. “I get along with horses because of where I’m from. I mean, God’s sake, I own one and know how to ‘ride’ a horse.”

“...” I stared back with a disturbing, Alex’s eyes widening in shock as the human looked at me in panic. “Oh, God no, not like that!” Alex stammered with a high-pitched voice. “I-I mean…like, ‘t-taming’ it and ‘s-saddling’ it to ride on…fuck, I’m not making this any better!...”

The human blushed profusely as my mouth curved upward. A hoof came up to cover my mouth as a soft snicker! escaped into the air. Alex continued to blush, pouting as I laughed uncontrollably at the misunderstanding. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I fought for control over my mind.

“Yeeaah!” I replied weakly. chuckle “S-Sorry, but, to add insult to injury, I’m sure Princess Skystar is gonna ‘looove’ that part when it comes u-”

“SWIFT!!” Alex yelled back defiantly and with a twinge of fear. I laughed even harder, holding my sides as the human creature beside me glared in surprise at my behavior.

cackle “Oh…hehehe. I-I’m so sorry…I’m j-just teasing youuu, Alex….” chuckle

sigh “Whatever….”

“I-I’m sorry, Alex!” I gasped, trying to steer the conversation back to where it was before. wheeze “Uhh, hold ooonn….”

“Yeah, yeah,” Alex shrugged off. “I-I need to do better when it comes to ‘phrasing,’ huh?” I nodded in agreement, noting that Alex’s shoulders silently sagged in sadness.

“H…H-Hey,” I calmly reassured, shaking off my laughing fit. “L-Listen. Nocreature is blaming ‘you’ for what happened last month. I mean, everypony was shocked by Anon’s behavior…and, to be honest with you, I-I think it was the right thing for you to do…to berate him harshly in front of the nobles and royal famil-”

“No! It wasn’t right for me to do that!” Alex snapped, cutting me off mid-thought. “There was no reason for me to do that! I had no right to do that to him! I-I was just so frustrated and pissed off because that fucker wasn’t cooperating with ‘The Crown,’ Princess Cadence, or Twilight! So, because nocreature had the balls to do it, I stepped in and made the point known to knock it off!”

I looked back at Alex as he turned away from me. sigh “A-And…I don’t like when that side of me lashes out. I don’t f-feel like I’m myself anymore,” Alex confided to me. “I’m starting to think I no longer know who I am. I feel as though I’m…‘lost.’ It’s like something is missing in my life right now, and I don’t even have the slightest clue as to what it is….”

The human’s head hung as I rested my hoof on his shoulder. pat-pat! “Hey, it’s okay, Alex,” I began to say warmly. “Remember, I’m here for you if you need me….”

“I don’t…don’t need anything,” Alex replied, his eyes turning toward me. I saw the turmoil inside those bright turquoise-colored eyes of his, my mind exploding by his reluctance to admit how he was truly feeling. “I d-don’t…‘need’ anything from anycreature right now….”

sigh “O-Okay,” I commented, giving up on the topic. I sat there next to the human creature I had gotten to know over these past two years and two months, exhaling in defeat and wondering to myself where to take it next. I looked at the sun as it descended below the horizon, finally giving the moon a chance to rise into the sky quietly.

“Wow.” I was taken aback by the sight of the lunar moon as it rose above the land of Equestria. Its bright, white light shone down on the world, and I gawked at its majestic beauty.whistle! “Th-That’s a beautiful sight right there, don’t you think? Alex?”

“Y-Yeah…it sure is,” Alex commented quietly. “E-Ever since I got here, the sight of the moon has always been a comforting sign for me….” I looked at the human creature beside me, a smile dawning upon my face as a thought emerged from my mind.

“It’s…It’s a great reminder that our world has two sides to it,” I sighed in contentment. “There’s the wonderfully bright, everlasting warm comfort of the glorious sun. And, then…the gentle and sweet embrace of the mystically enchanting moon.” I inhaled deeply before sighing in relief. sigh “Both are a sight to behold…and I’m glad I am here to witness it, alongside a friend….”

“Hey, Swift?” Alex asked, my attention being brought back to reality. “What I am about to tell you never came from me. This conversation we are about to have…never happened.”`

========================================<>========================================

`My eyes widened as Alex leaned into me, looking behind us to see if anycreature was nearby. “Listen to what I am about to tell you, and promise me you won’t tell anycreature. Okay?”

I looked back at the human and nodded dumbfoundedly. “S-Sure thing, Alex…whatever yo-”

“No,” Alex dismissively shook his head, staring me down. “I need you to ‘promise.’ Give me your word, Swift.”

“O-Okay, I promise,” I stammered, the tense seconds ticking as he continued looking at me. Alex closed his eyes, finally relaxing himself back and looking down at the land below us.

“I-I know I keep running from my problems,” Alex began to confess. “I-It’s a problem within itself. I don’t understand sometimes why my mind does it…a-and I know this. I’m self-conscious of this fact.” Alex then turned his head toward me, the emotion pouring off his face.

“Swift, I have appreciated everything that you, ‘The Crown of Canterlot,’ Princess Twilight, and the numerous other creatures I have gotten to know over my journey here in Equestria have done for me,” Alex recalled. “I-I wouldn’t be the individual I am if it weren’t for your support….”

“Th-Thank you, Alex. Th-That means a lot to-”

“I say that because I feel that the feeling won’t be mutual soon,” Alex shockingly admitted. I stared at him in confusion as he shrugged. “I’ve had some dreams about this…this event that is coming. I d-don’t know when it’ll happen…but I feel as though the ‘trust’ I have with you all will be prematurely torn apart…for good.”

My jaw hung open as I tried to counter his ridiculous claim. The human, sensing it, put his hand up and stopped me from saying it. “I know, I know. It sounds ridiculous to me, too,” Alex commented, shaking his head with a chuckle. “And, hey, maybe it won’t happen. Maybe this conversation will just end up being useless for the both of us….”

Alex shuddered as he told me what he thought was going to happen. “I believe something ‘big’ is coming to Equestria,” Alex warned. “I don’t know what it will be, who it will involve, when or where it will happen, or for what reason…I just know why it will happen and what the aftermath will be. And…A-And I’m scared…be-because the future may be altered significantly.”

“A-Alex,” I stuttered, trying to regain my composure. “H-How…Wh-Why are you…?”

“It’s going to force me to take some accountability,” Alex eerily answered. “All I will say, and I will end it with this.” The human leaned in and whispered into my ear. “Whatever happens to me, or whatever you hear about me, please…don’t break your trust in me, Swift. You’re my bestest friend, and I trust you with my whole life. I have gotten to know you more than any other creature, and I appreciate the experiences we have had….”

Alex stopped as he took a deep breath. “But, if I ever need to…and if it’s for what I believe in?” shudder “I-I’ll make sure everycreature listens to me. E-Even if it means I have to break some rules, break some laws, and hell…fight for what I believe is right. Nocreature will stand in my way, and no one will drag my name through the dirt. And you, Swift?…d-don’t tell anycreature about this conversation. Promise me you won’t say a word…okay?”

I nodded in return quickly, making a zipping motion over my lips with my hoof. Alex sighed as he relaxed, looking up into the sky at the full moon. I didn’t say anything as I stargazed alongside the human. Alex’s words...had no meaning back then. Little did I know they would eventually have meaning.

But something was bothering me as I noticed the twinkling stars, my head turning to look at Alex’s face. “Hey, Alex?” I asked. Alex’s face turned to look at me, an eyebrow raising as I decided to proceed with my thought. “Out of curiosity, when are you and Princess Skystar seeing each other again? It’s been a while…hasn’t it?”

“Hmph…tomorrow night.” Alex slyly smiled, his mood flipping to being joyful and charismatic. “I’ve missed her a lot. Thankfully, we’ll have an entire week to ‘catch up’ with each other….”

wink!`

========================================<>========================================

Swift concluded his recall of that night during the final week of the first month, prompting me to ask an additional question.

“Based on this vivid memory you both share, you believe Alex felt like his life was in danger?” I asked. “Wh-Why not report it to anycreature, let alone us?”

“Alex made me take a vow ‘not’ to tell anycreature,” Swift replied glumly. The guard’s eyes fell to the floor as his mane flopped over his eyes. “I-I didn’t want to betray his trust. I felt like I-I was the only creature in Equestria Alex trusted then…a-and now I realize why….”

sigh “Why?” Nacreous sighed, his claws brushing through his hair.

“Be-Because…he wasn’t the only example of his ‘species,’” Swift argued. “Alex has had to be compared to others around him. Those humans from the past, yeah, I heard about them from Alex. He told me that when he found out about…what were they-‘The Deadly Dozen?’” My eyes widened as I looked at Nacreous, his eyes shooting open to glare at the guardpony.

“Alex told you WHAT?!”

“I-I’m sorry!” Swift apologized. “A-Alex told me that he learned about them during a press conference after he first arrived. At the time, he was pretty upset about it too, seeing as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had lied about there not being any humans ever in Equestria’s past.”

sigh “Oh, dear Faust….”

“A-And so, being compared against them, in Alex’s opinion, was a bit unfair,” Swift reiterated. “And then…th-then there was….”

“Anon,” I exhaled quietly. I shook my head, my brow furrowing. “Anon was the other example, and much worse at that….”

“Y-Yeah,” Swift exhaled hesitantly. “Alex actually thought of him like a brother…b-but we all know how that played out….”

“Swift, we aren’t asking for condescending comments about other creatures who did something blatantly stupid and ignorant,” Nacreous leveled with the guardpony before us. “So knock it off.”

“Emperor, p-permission to speak freely?”

huff “Yes. Go ahead, Swift….”

“Emperor Nacreous? Commander Shifting?” Swift asked timidly. “Wh-What’s going to happen to me? I-I like doing what I am doing, and I d-do not wish to be sent home for s-something I-”

“No.” My short reply stopped Swift’s thoughts dead in their tracks and an audible gulp! came from the pony. “Swift, I apologize, but that was all we needed to hear from you today.” I nodded to Nacreous, who silently opened the folder and slid it over to Swift.

“Specialist Swift Wildshadow? ‘The Crown’ and High Command have decided to place you on temporary leave from duty, citing the possibility of aiding a criminal and concealing helpful information,” Nacreous stated. “Please read the terms and conditions of the form, and sign the back of it. Once you do…clock out, and leave the castle’s grounds. You will not be permitted to return to Canterlot Castle until this entire ordeal has been concluded. Is that understood?”

In defeat, Swift hung his head, trying his best not to look at us. He silently read the terms of his work stoppage and breathed a heavy sigh. Then, after a few more minutes, he nodded and took the pen into his mouth, slowly signing the bottom of the back page. Finally, the guardpony dropped the pen onto the paper, the pen landing with a thud! on the cream-colored paper.

========================================<>========================================

“Thank you, Specialist Swift Wildshadow,” Shifting replied calmly. “You will still be allowed to live in Canterlot but will not be allowed to work in the castle. Please, take some time off and, more importantly, get some rest….”

Swift got up from his chair and saluted the both of us. Then, the guardpony’s head hung down as he exited the room without another word, a trail of shame visibly following behind him. Finally, the door clicked shut, leaving the two of us alone to breathe out heavily.

“Ugghh….” I exhaled, stroking my eyebrows in thought. “I-I hate doing this to the colt because he’s such a good guardpony. Swift does his job without fail. He is methodical in his approach to situations and decides the best possible solution, and…Swift answers truthfully for his actions.” sigh “But…I-I think it’s for the best, Commander, that this happens….”

sniffle “Yeah….” I looked over in worry as the Commander started to leave the room. Then, I noticed a tiny tear tracing down his right cheek, the stallion visibly shaken.

“Shifting? I-I understan-”

“He didn’t deserve it!” Shifting shouted in frustration, stopping at the closed door. “Specialist Swift did not deserve to be ‘put on leave until we resolve this issue!’ It’s a bad resolution, and considering we came up with it, I feel even more responsible for allowing this to happen to him!” Tears were brimming in Shifting’s eyes, threatening to pour over the dam of emotion.

“Commander, it’s in ‘The Crown’ and High Command’s best interest,” I reassured. “Swift has dealt with similar, even far worse, situations in the past. It has greatly affected his mental state at such a young age, and I believe this absence will NOT hurt him, but will ‘benefit’ Swift during these troubling times…okay?” The Commander silently nodded as I got ready to leave after him.

sigh “I-I still can’t believe it….”

“Well, why don’t you go get some rest tonight, Shifting?” I asked. Shifting looked back at me in confusion as I smiled warmly at him. “Celestia has already seen Luna off to bed for the night, so you will do so as well. You’ll have the entire night and most of the day tomorrow to sleep in and be fully prepared for whatever comes our way. And, yes…‘doctor’s orders,’ haha.”

shudder “R-Really?” Commander Shifting stammered, having been taken aback by the news. I nodded and gave the stallion a reassuring pat on the back, ushering him through the doorway.

“Enjoy your night off, Commander,” I concluded, bowing to the unicorn as he suddenly hugged me. Shifting broke away from the brief hug and bowed quickly, teleporting out of sight. I stood there and chuckled, closing the door to the office. Finally, I headed down the hallway and turned the corner to the dining room, my stomach yearning for a delicious meal.

I exhaustingly sighed as my mind tried to wrap itself around the day’s events, formulating a possible course of action we would need to take now. However, again, that nagging thought returned as I entered the dining hall, forcing me to address it.

Celestia was already at the table waiting for me, her smile inviting me to sit down. “Ah, hello, Nacreous,” Celestia cheerfully began. “I assume everything went well, and Shifting is off to bed?” I didn’t say anything, prompting a curious and worried look from my special somepony.

“Nacreous?” the alicorn asked. “Is something wron-”

“Celly? Do you remember when was the last time Alex and Skystar were alone together?...Let alone, seen each other?...Let alone, ‘talked?’”

“...”

========================================<>========================================

“Aaaand, let’s see…hmmm. Maybeee…this one will work?”

I looked at the medium-sized pearl in my fin and examined it. It had a light-blue and lavender-ish color with a hazy texture, the dampening of the water causing it to warp against the light.

“Hmmmm,” I hummed aloud. “He does like this sort of color texture and composition…nah.” I tossed the pearl back into the basket and fished for another one. This time, I came across one that was more of a rosebud color and had a twinge of orange near its center. I rolled the pearl in the palm of my fin and examined it more thoroughly.

“Hmmm, nah,” I dismissed, placing the pearl back into the basket and looking for another. “Too salmony…oh?” gasp!

My fin came across another small yet shiny pearl. It had a glossy red layering across its base and top, with a bright, beautiful vanilla-like color across the middle. It stretched around the pearl like a wavy banner, with tiny specks and freckles of orange-yellow stars sprinkled throughout.

I brought it up to my eyes and gasped. After gawking momentarily at the beautifully designed pearl, I cheerfully nodded to myself. “Perfect!” I squealed in excitement. “This will do.” I took the pearl and brought it over to my desk, taking a seat in front of my mirror.

The aquatic ambiance of the ocean flowed around me as I picked up the stringed bracelet in my other fin. I flipped the creation over, the clam shell amulet being the only thing to complete.

“Aaaand open,” I chirped, tapping the top of the shell. It slowly opened up, revealing a small pocket for the pearl to sit in. Placing it gently onto the stand, it perfectly fitted inside it. My gift was complete for Alex, and as I closed up the locket, I noticed I had yet to tie the knot for it.

Hmmm, should I? I thought to myself. My heart fluttered as I visualized the future event, where I would catch my wonderful stallio-um…my human ‘coltfriend?’

“Gah, what did he call it again?” I wondered aloud. I dropped my fin and held on tightly to the bracelet, thinking of the term Alex had used to describe two creatures in a relationship in his world. “It wasn’t ‘marefriend’ or ‘coltfriend,’ certainly not ‘stallion,’ buuut…Oh!”

‘Boyfriend,’ I gleefully internalized. Well…not for long. I peered back at the bracelet and held it up to my eyes, a pattern of stars twinkling across the ribbon-like string. I set it down nicely within a gold-silver gift box, wrapping it up with a nice red bow. He’s going to be all mine soon.

“Oooo! I can’t wait to give this to him!” I chirped with delight, looking into the mirror while my heart thudded. I noticed that cheery smile on my face again, a noticeable blush at home on my freckled cheeks. “Alex is going to absolutely love it! Eeee!”

sigh “Just like he ‘loves’ me….” I moved over to my bed and lay on the aquatic mattress. I took up nearly half of the bed space and flipped onto my belly. I was gone within my own thoughts, playfully visualizing and going through the plan I had prepared for my date with Alex.

First, we will get dinner, I planned in my mind for the thirtieth time. Then, we go and watch the sunset on top of Canterlot Castle. Alex said, for this date, we would…would…hmmm. Oh! Go swimming in the Canterlot Falls right afterward! And then…I would bring him back to the hill atop the mountain and finally give him his long-awaited gift….

groan! “I can’t wait any longer,” I sighed impatiently. “Mom said she would be back soon…but it’s been nearly an extra week or two since she was supposed to be here!” I let my seapony form rest on the watery mattress of my bed, letting the comforting touch of it soothe my nerves.

“Cooome onnn,” I whined. “Huuurry uuup…what’s taking mother soooo lon-”

knock-knock-knock!

“Skystar?”

========================================<>========================================

gasp! “MOTHER!!” I jumped from the bed and swam over to my mom as she opened the door. She pulled me in for a loving hug, squeezing me tightly as I nuzzled my head into her neck. “Hiii Mom! How did the ‘special meeting’ go?”

Queen Novo looked back at me with…a nervous look. I was excitedly bouncing as she sighed, little air bubbles floating through the ocean water. “Could’ve gone better,” my mother replied tiredly before widening her eyes. “Whew, I am super exhausted!”

“What happened up there? Did the Crystal Empire not like the treaty’s terms you proposed?” I asked in wonder. Novo looked away from me as she closed her eyes, her fin coming up to massage her temples.

sigh “Umm…N-No, Skystar,” Novo answered. “Th-There were a few things in the conditional agreement ‘they’ brought up that…I-I didn’t agree to. So, I made it a point that we would need to reconvene again within the next month since I have a kingdom to return to and rule…but I’m sure it wasn’t too much for you to handle, right?”

I nodded my head cheerfully. “Pssh, piece of clam-chowder cake,” I brushed off. “Lieutenant Sky Beak and Auntie Ocean Flow were very helpful, and there were no problems while you were gone.” I looked at my mother as she gave me a small smile, beginning to swim out of my room.

“M-Mother, wait,” I asked in a rushed panic. “Ummm, there was-er, I mean…I-I have a question to ask of you, mother….”

sigh “What is it, Skystar?” Novo exhaled deeply, turning toward me. I swam to her and looked into her eyes fully, noting my mother’s tired yet sparkling purple eyes. I grabbed hold of her fins and gently squeezed them, my mind reverting to ‘puppy-dog’ eyes….

Or…however Alex called it.

“Ummm, Mother,” I nervously inquired. “Wh-When will we be going back to Canterlot? Y-You know…to see Alexander again?” I watched inquisitively as my mother blinked a few times.

“Skystar….”

“Mother, please,” I pleaded. “It’s been over a month already! I would like to see my Alex agai-”

“No! You won’t be able to see Alex anytime soon anyway,” Novo replied with a hint of anger. “Now stop asking me abou-”

“Why not?!” I snapped irritably. “Mooom, I want to go see Alex NOW!!”

My mother looked back intimidatingly before rolling her eyes. She broke away from me and floated back into my room, worrying me. “Alex is…i-is….” sigh “Deep breaths, Novy….”

“Mother, why can’t I see Alexan-”

“Because, Skystar, Alex is not IN Canterlot!” my mother replied exasperatedly. “Alex was…not available. He’s in…well, Celestia wouldn’t tell me exactly where when I visited Canterlot.”

“Wait, really?” I asked in surprise. gasp! “You went to Canterlot without me, Mother?”

scoff! “Yes, and it was hardly a reunion ‘The Crown’ and I was looking forward to,” Novo scoffed. “It…I-I felt a bit uncomfortable actually, but when I noticed Alexander wasn’t around, I did ask about him…for you.”

“Aaaand?” I asked out of inspired curiosity.

sigh “When I asked about the human…th-they told me initially, ‘well, we sent Alex away…so there wouldn’t be any unnecessary tension in the air for your arrival,’” Novo timidly said. I looked at my mother in shock and couldn’t believe what my fish mind heard her say.

gasp! “Wha-Whyyy?” I cried out in disbelief. “H-How could they? Why would they say tha-”

“Th-That’s none of your concern, Skystar!” my mother replied loudly. “I-I…I guess Alex is scared of me so much…to the point, he won’t show his face to ME….” My mom looked at me and jabbed a fin into my chest. “And neither will you be able to see him either….”

========================================<>========================================

“B-B-But…But we….” sniffle “I-I made….” My daughter was trying to swim back to her desk, and I finally noticed the little gift box she was trying to reach for. But because I knew this next bit of news would hit my daughter hard, I held onto her fin and commanded Skystar’s attention.

“Skystar…” sigh “S-Skystar, please,” I told her calmly, trying to soothe the blow of the following statement. “Y-You won’t see Alex for more than a couple months…possibly, for a while. He’s, apparently, not in the best shape and took a nasty beating from an unknown crea-”

gasp! “WH-WHAAT?!” Skystar shrieked in terror, nearly causing my ears to blow. I winced as I looked at my daughter, her eyes beginning to water in fright.

sigh “Apparently, Alex was ambushed and overpowered by a single creature three days ago,” I told her half-truthfully. “Your…‘boyfriend’ is progressing in his recovery, but…but he won’t be fully healthy for possibly another 2-3 months….”

“Wh-What did he do? Ho-How did it happen?” Skystar stammered, tears threatening to boil over her emotional structure. shudder “M-Mom, I have to see hi-”

“Skystar, come here,” I said softly, pulling my daughter in for a soft hug. I swam her over to the bed and sat with her, the mattress supporting our combined weight. I held my daughter close as I reassured her everything would be fine. “S-Skystar, it’s going to be okay…sssh.”

Skystar shook her head within my hugging fins, her small hics! making me feel a pinch of guilt for the partial lie I told. sniffle “I-I just want to see him, Mother,” Skystar quietly sniffled. “A-At least once, not even for three seconds. I-I just want….” sob!

“Sssh, there there, Skystar,” I hushed, stroking her aquatic light-blue seapony mane. “It’s going to be okay, Skystar. Just breathe….”

shudder “I-I…I miss Alex, Mom,” my daughter shuddered violently, my heart melting from her mumbled words. I felt terrible, but being her mother made the harsh feeling hurt less. I did everything for my only daughter to keep her safe and protect her from outside threats….

Because I knew Skystar was a part of Equestria’s future, and that meant I had to do whatever was necessary to ensure she survived to carry on my legacy…‘our’ legacy….

Your father would have been so proud of you, Skystar, my thoughts rang out.

whimper “I miss him,” Skystar cried into my chest. I knew who she was specifically referring to, but a lone tear came to my eye as the statement also struck me. “I miss him…s-so much….”

sigh “I know…me too, Skystar….”

========================================<>========================================

“Looks good, Gabby! Let’s close up shop and get going for the night!”

Gabby the griffon, Parcel Post, and I were within the Second Canterlot District’s Mail Service building. We finally finished our shifts and sorted the rest of the mail for tomorrow’s deliveries. There were a few more bins to work through and process, but Parcel noted we could get that done tomorro-

Ding!

Gabby looked up from her position and noticed a unicorn stallion had burst through the doors, the bell sounding as he stopped at the main desk in the lobby. The pony huffed in exhaustion as he appeared to be in a hurry.

“Sir,” Parcel Post said out loud, trotting out to the desk area. “We are currently clos-”

gasp! “Chief Editor Pneum? Is that really you?” Gabby inquired, flying over to the front desk and staring at the unicorn with wide eyes. The tired stallion nodded, much to the chagrin of Parcel Post.

“Gabby, wha-”

“How can we help you today, Mr. Pneum?” the griffon excitedly asked. I exhaled in defeat, shaking my head while chuckling.

huff! “M-Moment…” huff! “...please,” Pneum gasped, attempting to catch his breath. I finally trotted over from behind the backroom curtain while Parcel Post upsettingly shook her head.

“Gabby, it is after operating hours,” Parcel Post said emphatically. “We are closed and are no-”

pant! “‘The Crown,’” Pneum Matick huffed out weakly. “‘The Crown of Canterlot’ has asked for your assistance with this operation.” Pneum dropped the details onto the desk counter, Parcel Post picking it up with her wing and silently opening her mouth in shock as she read it.

huff! “W-We have made all the posters…and they are ready for distribution at our shop,” the editor said. “So, we will need you to come retrieve them and fly out to all known regions of Equestria for delivery…preferably, ‘as soon as possible,’ per the instructions.”

“Well, what are they, Pneum?” Gabby asked out of curiosity. Parcel Post gave me the piece of paper as she shook her head in frustration.

“W-Well,” Pneum wheezed as he cleared his throat. ahem! “I’m almost certain you are aware of the human’s sudden escape from Canterlot, correct?” I nodded my head, as did Gabby and Parcel Post. “‘The Crown of Canterlot’ requested the creation and delivery of ‘Wanted’ posters across Equestria. They’ll need to be given to every region’s leader, who will then ensure they are hung up wherever they can be tacked onto and be visibly seen by the residents of said regions.”

“Say no more!” Gabby exclaimed as I offered the sheet back to Parcel Post. “Where are the posters for distribution?”

“B-Back at the printing press!” Pneum replied loudly, making his way back out the door. “We have them ready to go, so just come by whenever you all are ready!”

Ding!

The unicorn departed from the building, leaving Parcel Post standing next to the bouncy griffon. Gabby then elbowed her in the side while giving me an excited look, her beak turning into a wide smile.

“Come on! We finally have an important job to do!” Gabby proclaimed to us, pumping her fists in the air. I chuckled and nodded, going into the backroom to retrieve our supplies. Parcel Post looked at me as I returned and shook her head, turning to face the griffon.

sigh “I knew you’d be the death of me, Gabby….”

“Nonsense!” the griffon exclaimed excitedly, bringing us both in for a big hug. “Here, I’ll take the longest flight and head for SaddleArabia, Mount Aris, and the entire southwest region of Equestria. That way, you two won’t have to fly all the way out there!”

“Yes, bu-”

“And, not only do we get to fly over all of Equestria while doing our jobs, buuut…you know what that meeaans?” I rolled my eyes and nodded as Gabby chirped cheerfully to us.

“ADVENTURE TIIIME!!”