Chapter Six

Applebloom POV

"Alright class, today is a special day. I've just received word from the Mayor that we are finally able to do our field trip into the Whitetail Woods! Remember to stick with the buddy I've assigned you, and don't forget this field trip form. At the very most we will be back before the evening storms."

Cheerilee said while giving the fillies and colts pamphlets.

A filly in the back raised her left hoof. "Ms. Cheerilee, what is this piece of paper for?"

"That is an excellent question dear, the paper contains a list of creatures and plants we might run into on our journey through the woods. I do hope this encourages you all to do independent studies from class while being safe due to the dangers the forest might possess." She answered. Another hoof was raised, prompting her to call on the colt. "Yes err .. Storm Hooves was it?"

Looking over from her seat, Applebloom was able to see the colt nervously rubbing his other foreleg together. He mumbled his question, and obviously due to this Miss Cheerilee couldn't understand it.

Cheerilee moved a little closer to hear him better. "Would you mind repeating yourself? This time a little louder please."

Nodding, Storm Hooves slowly repeated his question, "What about the Giant Miss Cheerilee, will we run into it?" Said the young colt as he nervously chuckled.

Their teacher chuckled a bit while moving her left foreleg to signal the young colt to lower his foreleg. "It might be possible, but I doubt that he would mind us too much,"

This then triggered the class into talking about rumors they had heard.

"I heard that it takes ponies and makes them into soup!" Exclaimed one filly while raising her forelegs high.

"I heard it digs up dead pony graves and eats their remains." A colt with brown spots said nervously.

"I heard that it can destroy a mountain with a single blow!" Said a filly with braces as she jumped from her desk.

"My cousin from Canterlot said that the Giant was an escaped experiment from the Princesses because of them wanting better war humans."

Applebloom couldn't defend the giant if she wanted to. She never saw what he eats, or how he obtains food, so for all she knew, this was either true or just a massive witch hunt over nothing.

Thankfully her teacher seemed to think the same way because she spoke up. "My students, how do you know these rumors you’ve heard are fact? Or are they just unproven theories?"

"Just rumors." half of the class answered immediately.

Cheerilee shook her head, "What have I told you all countless times, rumors without evidence aren't fact. If I hear any more rumors about this Giant, all of you will have to write an essay explaining what we really know about them."

Like a switch, everypony stopped talking. Soon the bell rang and Cheerilee beamed a smile toward her class. "That's the midday bell, enjoy your recess class, and remember to get back here afterward so we can go on our trip."

All the fillies and colts began leaving the school, some left to head into the town, while others went to begin playing. However, Applebloom decided to wait for her friends who had stayed silent throughout the whole morning.

"What's wrong with ya two? I've never seen you so quiet before." Applebloom demanded,

After some time, Sweetie Bell piped up. "I'm just a little nervous. What if we run into Timberwolves? Or a Manticore!? What would we do?"

"Sweetie Belle, Ms. Cheerilee has told us countless times and even on our permission slips that Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, will be there as Chaperones," Applebloom rolled her eyes.

That caught Scootaloo's attention; "I'll be right back!" she shouted, darting off toward the market.

"What did she forget this time?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking over toward Applebloom.

She just shrugged.

General POV

Pinkie Pie was currently doing her best at planning a way to thank the giant for protecting them on their way out of the Everfree, however, something else started to spring up from their humble town.

Nasty rumors had begun sprouting up the day after news came down from Canterlot. To be honest, Pinkie Pie was responsible for most of them, but what she saw that day changed her opinion of him completely.

So instead of saying he would gobble up ponies if he caught them, or kill anypony, he managed to get his hands on, she changed it to him being a gentle, kind creature of the Everfree that would even help ponies on their travels through the forest if their cause was just. Something that showed kindness and had a gentle side in the forest was rare, but not impossible.

Pinkie Pie's mental brooding was cut short as Twilight entered the bakery, followed shortly by Scootaloo. "Heya Twilight! Heya Scootaloo! What brings you two here?" She asked,

Before either of them could answer, Rarity entered, catching their attention.

"Good morning ladies." She greeted.

"Good morning, Rarity, " Twilight responded,

"Heya Rarity! I'll be with you in a second!" Pinkie Pie shouted,

She simply waved her hoof. "Nonsense dear, I can wait for Twilight and Scootloo to go first,''

"I heard business at the Carousel boutique is spiking. I'm guessing that Ponies are getting prepared for fall and winter?" Twilight asked, looking back.

Rarity nodded, smiling. "But of course! Ponies grow and shrink as they age. It is only natural that they come to me this time of year."

Twilight then turned to Scootaloo, noticing that she was being quiet. "Hey Scootaloo, are you ok? Do you need help before the field trip?" She asked,

Scootaloo shook her head frantically, "No I'm good. I'm just trying to get something to eat before we head out! I also thought Rainbow Dash would be here, but I guess I was wrong."

"I'm sure we will see Rainbow Dash at the school, but you should get something to eat. We are going to be out there till mid-afternoon." Twilight offered before turning her attention back to Pinkie Pie, "Anyway, I'm here to pick up a few things before the field trip. Do you have what I asked for, Pinkie?"

She nodded vigorously. "I sure do! That will come down to twenty bits." She walked off to retrieve the pre-ordered items

Scootaloo looked up toward Twilight in confusion. "What did you buy?"

Rarity had taken a seat on a cushion to wait but she swiveled her ears to listen to their conversation.

"Just a few snacks I've decided to bring, that's all," Twilight said, however, her tail was swishing behind her.

Pinkie Pie knew what the real reason was, but their agreement stated that in exchange for keeping quiet. Twilight would do her best to try and lure him into town so that Pinkie could throw him a party.

'Those treats are just a sample of what he might get if he comes to a Pinkie party! I'm so excited! I could explode!' Pinkie Pie bit her lip to try and hide her growing smile.

"Pinkie, is something wrong darling?" Rarity asked, seeing her acting stranger than usual,

She giggled and covered her muzzle, "Nope! Nothing's wrong!"

Rarity didn't bat an eye at this average behavior.

Twilight then deposited the money onto the counter before grabbing the box in her magic and leaving the store.

"Goodbye girls, and Scootaloo, you might want to start heading back to school. I think recess is almost over."

"Scootaloo, it's your turn, what are ya in the mood for?!"

Snapping her head back, the filly seemed like she wasn't paying attention, "U-um I'll have a… Shoot, what time is it?"

Pinkie leaned back to look at the clock above her head, "It's noon, why?"

Her face sank. "An hour has passed! There's no way! I need to move!" She shouted, then she ran out like her flanks were on fire.

Robert's POV

Waking up to something or someone licking your face is most definitely something Robert wasn't used to. He grunted while opening his eyes, quickly finding the culprit to be one of the Timberwolves who was only just beginning to warm up to him.

'If only Gilda would do the same.' He thought, getting licked again. "Yes yes, hello Tank. Where is Athena?'' Robert asked while being nearly blinded again by the sun, 'I need to fix that damn roof.'

As if on cue, Athena slammed into him then rolled onto her back and whined.

"Alright, alright, I get the message, early morning belly rubs, got it." Giving his wooden canine, what she wanted he sat up trying to block the sunlight from his vision.

A loud snore broke through the panting from his two companions. Looking over to the cage, he didn't find Gilda there, oddly enough she was sleeping on the balcony that was closed off.

'Something about Griffin's liking to sleep on elevated ground makes them feel safer.' Smacking his dry lips, Robert looked around for something to drink.

Feeling with his hands, instead of opening his eyes, Robert soon found his vessel of water and promptly drank it. 'I would kill for some coffee right about now. What time is it?'

Opening his eyes, the human got up to his feet without much issue, this made him chuckle as his tired mind traveled back to his first time here. However, Athena didn't appreciate him stopping with stomach rubs. 'What? Not even a few months back and I couldn't even stand, now I can move like it's nothing.'

Moving over to Gilda's perch, he reached up and over, and gently poked the sleeping Griffin. "Hey miss snores-a-lot, wake up."

She, of course, didn't. Rolling his eyes, Robert picked her up and just threw her over his shoulder. If she didn't wake up now she wouldn't like what he had planned. Walking out of the main room carrying the griffon with two timberwolves at his back, Robert went to the courtyard that surprisingly enough had a fountain in the center; he didn't spot it until after he began cleaning the joint up. He placed Gilda directly in the sunlight.

'This outta work.' It was still warm out, but the nights were getting longer and cooler. 'Fall is almost here; then Winter.' Robert was not looking forward to those harsh cold nights.

To be safe, he began stocking logs and other forms of materials for fires, but the one thing they needed was food. It didn't help that there were four mouths to feed, he managed to 'borrow' two of Applejack's trees, so they had some food coming in, along with fresh fish, and the occasional Manticore here and there, but nothing stored for the winter.

Like a vampire to the rays of the sun, Gilda hissed and covered her eyes. "Close those damn curtains! Grandpa Gruff!"

Robert paused at this remark, "Last I checked, Gilda, I'm no one's grandpa, and my name isn't Gruff." he replied,

She shot up, pupils small as pinpricks. "What the fuck did we do last night?!" She demanded, taking to the air and getting in his face.

"Hold your horses. We didn't do anything, you're the one who ate that mushroom! I didn't know you had it in you. I'm surprised you're not dead."

Reaching over Gilda smacked him. "That's because I knew what type of Mushroom it was, dumbass! My only problem was you allowed me out of the cage when I told you not to!" She shouted as a pinkish hue took to her feathered cheeks, though she still looked pissed.

"What were you concerned about? You couldn't fly or walk. I needed to help you get to the balcony.''

This made her redder more in anger than embarrassment. "You dumb oversized Ape! Those mushrooms get Griffins extremely high, but also get them in the mood for fucking!" She hissed out before striking him again.

Robert blushed,

"I'll ask again! Robert! Did we do any kind of lovemaking?!"

Reaching up, he snatched Gilda from the air. "Gilda, I swear to God, we didn't do anything of the sort! If I'm being honest you tried once but I just ignored the attempt!"

She immediately relaxed. "Thank the Gods, I couldn't handle being a mother at this age."

Hearing this calmed Robert as well, though he still felt like yanking the Griffon's tail so he added to his original statement.

"Though, I doubt you could handle my size."

Gilda gave a sly smirk. "I knew your height was compensating for something, and you just confirmed it! From what I’ve heard every male griffin isn't bigger than a Leather waterskin. So I bet your smaller."

Robert's grin turned into a deadpan stare. "That's not what I was talking about Gilda, and if you wanted to know; I'm not really 'compensating' and let's leave it at that."

"Denial, is the first step to acceptance, Robert."

"I'm not in denial, Gilda, just merely trying to explain that just because I'm the size of a tree doesn't mean my package is small either."

"Yeah right, I bet you twenty bits that no Pony or Griffin, hell even a Dragon has seen it."

"Are you sure about that bet?" Robert asked, setting her down and grinning.

She nodded.

'Wrong decision.' Robert thought before offering his hand to her, "Where are my bits, Gilda?"

Confusion filled Gilda's face before changing slowly from bewilderment to bitterness. "There's no fucking way someone has seen that; I want a name!" She demanded, staying close by him as he worked on doing light repairs on the ancient walls.

"Her name was Nightmare Moon," he said, smiling.

Before he knew it the female griffin was latched onto his shoulder digging into his skin slightly with her sharp talons.

"There's no way in the seven hells, you had Nightmare Moon, 'The Fallen Princess!' A walking demon! See your package!"

Rolling his eyes, Robert continued to work while Gilda broke down. "Why is it so hard to believe?" He grunted, lifting a new rock and putting it back in the place where the old one fell out.

"I believe you! I just can't part with the bits!" She snapped at him.

Robert stopped to turn and watch her. "Are you done?" He asked,

She calmed down slightly but still wasn't ready to answer him. Shaking his head he reached over and scooped the Griffin up and placed her, on the old battlements.

"Speaking of which, I'd like to take a moment to say this, I don't mind you living with me but don't you have a family to go back to?" Robert asked.

"Yeah! I mean no. Yes. Maybe." Gilda said,

"It's a simple yes or no, there is no in-between, Gilda. Either yes you do, and if you don't you don't." Robert deadpanned.

She sighed before giving him the proper answer. "N-no, I don't, most young griffons who aren't born into privileged families or royalty need to either build their own home or live with a Griffin who's willing to board them for one thing or another."

'That would explain a fair bit.' even when he left her cage open one night. And yet, she didn't dare fly away 'after all. Where would she go?' Robert mulled,

"So you would have stayed with me even though you hardly know me?"

Gilda nodded. "It's better than living on the streets or joining a hen-house. Here I know I'll get fed, be kept warm, and have a solid roof over my head. And you haven't asked for sex, I think I'll take my chances here more than Griffinstone."

With a nod, Robert patted her head. "I wouldn't mind the company, Gilda, at least I can talk with you, unlike those little shits," Robert said, pointing to the two Timberwolves who were fighting over a stick on the far side of the courtyard.

Stretching, he began his trip back inside to retrieve a few things. "Do me a solid, and try to keep those two from killing each other, Imma head out for a bit."

Twenty minutes later

'I suppose I'm lost.'

Looking around, The once tall and massive trees of the Ever-free had shrunken to roughly his lower chest along with there being very little game for him to hunt.

'It's not like I can ask for directions now can I?' Robert did his best to find any kind of landmarks he made, or naturally made ones of the forest that he memorized.

Coming upon a river made him optimistic, knowing that if he just followed this river he would most likely find his way back or somewhere near Ponyville. 'If I don't find my way back then I'll just go back the way I came.'

"This way class, next up is the serpent of the river."

Stopping dead in his tracks, Robert scanned the area, listening closely, trying to spot whoever just spoke.

Currently, his position was on a hill behind some trees as a group of twelve smaller ponies and four normal-sized ponies appeared.

From what he could see they were down by the river banks. Robert only recognized four of the ponies.

"Twilight, would you mind calling the serpent here?" Spotting the owner of the voice, she was an earth pony mare near the front of the group.

Twilight then ignited her horn, and magic flowed toward the river, disappearing beneath its ripples.

Thinking it wasn't going to be more than a simple snake, Robert stood back, doing his best not to be spotted or make any noise. Slowly the river began to expand, coming close to flooding.

'This isn't a Flood zone, is it? I mean where they’re standing might be but I'm on a hill, so I shouldn't be affected,'

Soon an enormous reptile-like creature with orange hair along with a mustache appeared. Nearly choking on spit, Robert jumped into action, he pulled his bow from his back in a flash, nocked an arrow, and drew the vine string back.

'One wrong move, and you're going to meet whatever god or deity you worship.'

Robert knew he wasn't a master marksman with a bow, but its eyes were the size of a kiddy pool. At the very least one of his arrows would kill it if he shot it in the eyes.

However, instead of attacking them, the serpent seemed ecstatic to have visitors. "Ah! I remember that I didn't get the chance to thank you and your friends properly for helping me with my mustache! Please take these as a proper thanks!" It offered Twilight a handful of his scales.

"I will give them to Rarity, once I get back, I promise, but this isn't the reason why we have bothered you. We just have a few questions if you don't mind." Twilight asked, making the scales disappear in a flash of purple light.

"Of course! Please ask away!"

Robert kept watching from his hidden placement behind them, better to be safe than sorry he kept his bow pointed at the river serpent but without the string pulled back. He stayed quiet, listening for any other unknown guests like himself sneaking up on them.

'So many possibilities but one or two outcomes. Either it attacks, and I put my arrow through its skull, or it leaves peacefully once everything is said and done.'

The fillies and colts of the group seemed to be very interested in the giant snake, asking all sorts of questions from how old he was to what he ate and drank and so on.

Everything was going well until someone spoke from behind him,

"No way!"

Robert nearly snapped his neck from how fast he turned to look in the direction, the voices came from. He saw three other fillies, one of which he recognized was Applebloom.

"I thought you were joking about it, Applebloom, but you really found a Giant!" Proclaimed an orange filly, a bit loudly,

All the others by the river turned to look.

"Please excuse me,” Twilight said quickly, “I need to confirm what Scootaloo and her friends are seeing!"

'Shit, I've been spotted!' Robert turned and ran as fast as possible, with a Lavender mare tailing him.

"Wait! Stop!" Twilight shouted from behind him, quickly running after him.

Robert could hear the sounds of her horn igniting and a magic wall appeared in front of him.

'Damn, am I leaving her in the dust?' Running up to the wall Robert simply stepped on it, making it crack and eventually shatter. Looking back he saw her gritting her teeth.

'Did she just try to trip me?' He wondered while staying focused on running. 'I think Mrs. Flimsy Horn, over there really tried to trip me. Now I'm not stopping.'

"Twilight stop it!" Fluttershy yelled, landing in front of her, wings flaring to block her.

"Fluttershy move. He's getting away!" Twilight said as their voices started to fade.

"You're Scaring him!"

Slowing down, Robert took a few steps back to continue listening to the faint conversation.

"Chasing him, while using your magic to block his escape, is not how you go about chasing a wild animal of any kind!"

"But! I-i." Twilight tried to defend, but Fluttershy cut her off,

"No buts! You could have hurt any relationship he had with us. I will go find him, and try to smooth things over, for what you did."

'This might work in my favor if I play my cards right.' Hiding behind some vegetation and trees, Robert waited until a single set of hoof steps came toward his direction.

"H-hello? Are you out there?" Fluttershy called out,

Robert released a loud snarl that startled the shy mare, stopping her dead in her tracks.

"O-oh I'm sorry for my friend's actions, she didn't mean to upset you. She was just excited to see you again, that's all I promise!" Fluttershy pleaded, even daring to move closer by a few steps.

Taking this as an incentive Robert stepped out of his position and snatched the mare off of the ground. Firmly holding her in his hand and giving her a harsh glare, the shy mare became even shyer. Fluttershy avoided eye contact as best she could while not even saying a word.

'Smart, Fluttershy, very smart, avoiding eye contact to not trigger an aggressive response, however, I am not a wild animal.'

Sighing, Robert gently placed the slightly terrified Pegasus mare on his shoulder before walking back toward Twilight who was sitting on her haunches, ears folded.

'This isn't going to be good.' Robert mulled not looking forward to being a lab rat.

'Fucken worth it.' Robert thought, chewing on a whole cupcake,

Meanwhile, Twilight was studying the giant human. In exchange, he was given a cupcake here and an extra large cookie there to keep him sitting still.

"Celestia is going to love this report! So much raw information for the Royal libraries, I might even get my own spot, on a bookshelf there!" Twilight beamed softly, thinking loud noises also provoked the not-so-scary monster that she told Spike of.

Robert watched her as he swallowed the cupcake, currently, she was attempting to sketch his hand next to a much smaller drawing of a normal human hand.

"His hand dwarfs an average human’s. No wonder he's able to hold ponies and large tools.
Everything he has is scaled up, a bow made of an entire tree and vines, arrows made of sharpened saplings. Though primitive in design, they look remarkably effective. Intelligence will be looked into at a later date. Once proper equipment is available for testing. " As Twilight spoke she wrote her words down onto a scroll.

Currently, she had three of them, and looked like she was going to make a fourth if Robert had to guess.

'How much damn paper did this Pony bring? And that's an issue. I rather it not, be discovered that I am actually smarter. If not on par, with a horse.'

Watching her scribble away next to him, Fluttershy stayed perched on his shoulder, "Are you alright? We're just doing a simple check-up." She reassured while gently hugging his neck.

'I don't like liars.' Robert mulled before reaching up and pulling Fluttershy off, much to her disapproval.

"Come on! I just got comfortable on your shoulder." She whined, trying to reclaim her fuzzy perch.

Robert stopped her again and again until she finally gave up after the fifth time.

Looking down toward Twilight, Robert found her lying down with blank pieces of paper along with a quill and ink bowl, and other forms of light research equipment. Seeing this as progress with at least one fully grown Unicorn, Robert slowly reached over to her with his free hand.

'Last I checked this is my only peaceful interaction with any type of Unicorn, might as well.' Gently, he touched the purple mare's back, which made her jump in surprise.

"Gah! What the?!" She immediately rose to her hooves while Fluttershy stopped any kind of retaliation.

"Twilight, he's being nice, jumping away like that isn't a good sign to him, you're showing this sweet angel, that Unicorns are far more skittish than most other races." sighing, Twilight inched her way back as Robert began scratching her back and coat.

"T-this is new~" She cooed, her tail beginning to swish, along with releasing soft coos and groans of delight as Twilight spoke up again. "S-spike was never this good at back Scratching. I guess it comes with his N-nails?" she half mumbled as she fell into a dreamy state.

This went on for a while; Robert just sat there while just giving Twilight back Scratches. 'I'm going to take this now.' Robert thought, reaching over, and picking up the blue thin box of pastries and cookies.

Flicking open the lid, he was disappointed by what was left but wasn't complaining. Eating what was left he tossed the box away. Twilight was still blissfully unaware of her losing her confectionary leverage;

Fluttershy, in the meantime, was watching Robert eat all the sweets, not saying a word to her friend. Giving a slight smile knowing how good his back scratches could be.

This continued for some time until something caught Twilight's attention. Making her ears turn in the direction, of the river as a single pair of wings flapping, grabbed her attention.

It was faint, but soon Robert heard it, "Fluttershy! Twilight!" Rainbow shouted.

Fluttershy seemed to be confused at her cyan friend's worry, until her ears moved to listen more closely, as she began trembling like a leaf.

With a magical flash, all of the items that were used had gone into her saddlebags as a roar rang out.

"Fluttershy, Twilight, we need to move. A Cragadile is trying to attack the field trip! I got the Fillies, and Colts, somewhere safe for now but trees won't last forever; where the buck did you find that thing!"

'Found the food, I was supposed to get an hour or two ago, maybe it could be lunch Or even dinner?'

Getting up, Robert grabbed his things before stomping off toward the river. "Where is he going?!" shouted Rainbow Dash, as Twilight answered.

"I think he might be helping us?" Twilight said with uncertainty.

Soon Rainbow Dash was by his side. "Listen, I don't know if you can understand me, or whatever. But if you go anywhere near those kids, I'll make your head bleed ten times more than last time." Rainbow Dash warned, and this made him roll his eyes.

' Says the one, who was claiming she couldn't breathe when I didn't even use my full strength.' ignoring her threat Robert soon heard cries of fear and terror as his sights came upon a large reptile.

Turns out that this Cragadile, had managed to break the tree, that gave refuge to the younger ponies.

and most of them had scattered into the belly of the Everfree, which made Robert not very optimistic about their survival, and during his travels, a storm had started and it seemed to be slowly picking up.

'Once I drop this off I'll need to find them and get them home.' Arriving near his dwelling he heard faint, but fierce barking from both Timberwolves as something had riled them up.

"The hell's going on in there?" picking up the pace Robert entered through his reconstructed entryway while the rain started to fall, at most, it was misting but it was slowly picking up. He had been greeted by an odd sight, Gilda currently was having Tank and Athena surround the group of fillies and colts.

"Gilda! What is the meaning of this?" Robert asked, walking toward the group "Tank! Athena! Stop." Trudging over, Gilda spoke up.

"I found these Ponies near the main entrance! I didn't want them to run off, and bring more here so I had your Timberwolves, help me pin them in the courtyard," she said, eyes narrowed as the dogs kept the terrified kids in one spot.

"P-please we didn't mean to! Where lost and trying to G-go home!" This made Gilda snap at them. "Shut your mouths! Do not Speak, unless spoken to! If you speak again, I'll tear your throats out!" She snarled.

By this point it was bucketing down, as thunder and lightning began their slow approach, toward them, the griffin's actions had enraged Robert to the point of almost getting physical but he decided to be more logical before exploding on Gilda.

"Cool your jets, Gilda your threatening children." this wasn't the response the female Griffin was looking for as her head turned to him.

"What! Why are you telling me to calm down? They are trespassing on our grounds! What about all the things they have done to you? You're going to let that all go?" Robert released a growl she was getting on thin ice now.

"They are still Children, Gilda! I will not hold a child responsible for the depravities, of their fathers, or mothers! I thought I made that very clear when I informed you of my past; get them inside now! before they get sick."

Seeing she lost this argument, she begrudgingly took them all inside. Robert followed close behind, including his wooden wolves, however, upon reaching a certain room, that was always chilly.

Robert tossed the Cragadile body inside as a loud crash, from it hitting metal and stone was heard. 'that's going to be breakfast, Tomorrow.'

while the colts and fillies seemed to drift closer toward Robert, once the dead animal was gone.

'I guess they see me as their protector, from Gilda.' By this point, many of the ponies in his group were shivering along with dripping water from their small coats.

Calmly clearing his throat, Robert spoke up gently. "I'm going to build a fire in the meantime, huddle together for warmth while I make it." ducking down to enter the throne room he immediately got to work making it.

'I need to move fast, or these kids will get sick.' grabbing three tree logs he used a sharpened stone against the stick trying to make a spark.

'Come on you Primitive tech, give me this one.' After a few strikes, a fair-sized ember landed on logs making smoke appear, seizing this as his chance.

Robert threw small bits of bark, and other forms of organic matter at the tiny blaze; soon it evolved, into a roaring fire, and thankfully no wear near the holes in the roof.

as the rain was coming down far harder than ever before as thunder and lightning strikes were far more often now.

"Children come, I've done all that I can to prevent you from getting any colder. Do your best to warm up and dry yourselves."

Slowly the fillies, and colts, made their way toward the fire. While they moved Robert studied the group.

One had a tiara on her head. the other had a pair of large glasses and a pearl neckless around her neck yet, the rest didn't really stand out to him, yet the tiara-wearing filly spoke up.

"There's no way I'm going anywhere near that thing!" the first filly shouted, pointing her hoof toward Robert.

The man was going to try and reason with the objecting Filly, but Applebloom jumped in for his defense.

"That's mighty rude, coming from ya! Diamond Tiara, He took us in as his Guests! He could have turned us away, but he didn't. If you want to freeze your rear off, that's fine with us. But don't complain if you get sick once we get back." Seeing this as his chance he joined it.

"Tomorrow morning, once this rain stops, I'll take you all back. I would rather not run the risk of getting any of you sick. Now, stop acting like a fussy newborn and warm up, do not make me force you to."

Sighing, the two fillies made their way over. "Fine! But I'm not sitting near the blank flank squad!" This confused Robert as to what diamond Tiara was talking about.

'What the hell is a blank flank?'

Looking around Robert found that most of them if not all had a mark on their rears, but Applebloom and her friends. Who was sitting on his left, and far closer to him, Minus Sweetie Belle who was just out of his reach. But her two friends Applebloom and Scootaloo were right next to him.

"Yeah! Well, we get to sit next to him!" Scootaloo remarked, trying to annoy her classmates. Wanting to prevent a physical fight, between the ponies Robert whistled to get their attention.

"Are there any questions, you all have? No doubt at most a few of you have some." If his memory served him well, these kids were all on a field trip. Little did he know Robert just broke the dam.

The questions varied, from how old he was, to what his average diet consisted of. To even how long a giant could live. Granted, Robert didn't have the answers to all of their questions but he made do with what he had.

Eventually, the group of kids collectively ran out of questions to offer, now it was his turn to ask a few of his own.

Now that they had emptied their Questions, Robert saw this as a chance to learn something about this strange new world. But he couldn't make it obvious to them.

"Now tell me, what do you all plan to do once you're all grown up?" All of them answered, some were going to move away to other parts of this country called 'Equestria.' plenty of the fillies and colts were going to stay here in Ponyville.

But one Colt seemed to be less forthcoming, "Storm Hooves? Are you going to answer his question?" asked Sweetie Belle, but Robert stopped her.

"If the Boy doesn't want to tell his plans don't force him to, it's his business, not ours." Giving a few wines of disappointment they had no choice but to stop pestering their classmate.

"I-i wish to join the Royal guards! Maybe even become a knight!" This made the fillies and other colts go wild. "A Knight is the best of the best; their training is far more extreme than bat pony training."

"How many knights does Equestria have currently?" asked the Confused human while Gilda spoke up from across the room.

"From what I remember, having less than a thousand, their training is the hardest. They quite literally break the pony down, and rebuild them again, Rumors back home say. an Equestrian knight is worth two of the Griffin king's guards."

Robert wasn't aware of this, then again he was kinda living out in the middle of nowhere, and before that, he was stuck in a pit fighting ring so it wasn't his fault.

Not long after there was a gentle tug on his arm, looking down Robert saw the colt in question gently pulling to grab his attention. "What's up?" seeing that his mission was achieved, Storm Hooves spoke up.

"Can I T-talk with you alone?" he asked nervously,

Thinking nothing of it, he heaved himself up waving at him to follow. "Give us a moment, we shouldn't be too long," Robert said leaving the throne room, the colt followed close behind.

Traveling toward the exit, the storm was still going strong. As Robert sat back down, he picked the kid up, and onto his lap. "Right, so what's bothering you?" he asked while Storm Hooves was even, more nervous than before.

"Did something bad happen?" The man asked the colt who shook his head. "Did one of the others upset you?" another silent no.

"Then what's the issue?" slowly he mumbled his question, tilting his head Robert didn't hear him.

"Storm, if you want an answer to your question you need to speak up, it's only me and you I promise, Take a deep breath, and ask me." following his instructions Storm Hooves spoke up.

"How am I supposed to become a Knight of Equestria, if I don't even know, the first steps to becoming one? Let alone, when I'm of age my dad wants me to enlist as he did, and his father before him." he half shouted while using his hooves to cover his face in shame.

"S-so I thought I would ask you what is the best making of a Knight."

'Ah, a family tradition I see.' Robert began rubbing his chin in thought about the issue.

'Medieval Knights back home wasn't always seen as Saviors, or even good people for that matter. Maybe I can bend the truth for him. He is a kid after all.'

"Well, a Knight must be Brave, but also Just. They also must be willing to defend the innocent, don't forget a code of honor; that is what makes a Knight a real Knight."

"B-brave? How can I be brave if I can't even stand up to a bully?" Robert wasn't this colt's father; he couldn't just step in and help him but maybe some of his own father's wisdom might.

"Long ago, when I was very small, I was afraid to sleep in the dark. Seeing this, my dad sat me down. He asked me, how can a Colt be brave if he's afraid? That is the only time, a Colt can be, Brave."

Of course, Robert didn't remember this because of his young age, and more or less told a second-hand account from his grandmother.

Storm Hooves looked up in slight understanding. "So you're telling me being Scared is alright to show even as a Knight?"

"Well, yes and no, everyone can be frightened. But when the time comes they must try to hide his or her fear, to protect others. So how about you, make me a promise Storm Hooves."

Looking down at the young pony, Robert saw that his eyes were brimming with internal conflict and anxiety about failing this promise.

Reaching over and patting his head gently, Robert calmed his nerves. "It's not a big one, I swear. If you'd like I can wait for you to relax."

After roughly eight to ten minutes he gave a slight nod, Storm promoting him to speak up.

"I'm ready."

Robert cleared his throat before giving him this promise.

"Promise me, you'll protect the helpless and maybe one day, when I too am helpless, you'll come and protect me."

Bewildered by this Storm spoke up.

"You would need Somepony like me to protect you?" He asked, feeling uncertain of his capabilities.

'Time to boost that confidence, the best for child development.'

Giving a short nod, Robert agreed.

"Of course, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. And yes, even someone like me will need protecting one day."

They stayed there, listening to the rainfall, which made the poor Colt's head begin drifting downward showing how tired today made him.

'Had a long day I see, it's time to head back anyway.' picking him up, Robert got back to his feet while carrying the young colt back to the old throne room.

After arriving back, he found most of the field trip had fallen asleep, around the fire. Doing his best, Robert tried not to make the ground shake with each step and accidentally wake them.

Gently setting him down, Robert took off his Primitive shirt and wrapped them all in it to stay warm and dry.

"G-giant?" someone called out, looking back toward the group, he couldn't see who was calling out towards him.

"Mm? Who's calling for me?" Robert asked, looking over the group as a little hoof shot out, from Applebloom's area of his shirt.

Moving toward her slightly, Robert gently removed the filly from her bed, and soon after Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, followed.

"Now that we can see each other, what's up?" Robert asked the seemingly, tireless fillies as Scootaloo spoke up, her gaze downcast ears folded.

"Why does Rainbow Dash hate you so much? Every time she talks about you it's always so; negative."

The orange filly said looking up before speaking again, "She has you all wrong! You're actually, pretty awesome! Even on par with Rainbow herself! I just don't understand why."

Seeing this as a good enough moment to enter the conversation. Sweetie Belle piped up, slowly following Scataloo in keeping her head low, her ears also folding. "My older sister, Rarity, says an abundance of mean things about you."

This surprised Robert, to whom this filly was related. 'Jeez kid, I thought I had it rough being the youngest of three brothers but they weren't as much of a stuck-up Pricks, as Rarity.' shaking his head he quickly answered.

"I'm sure they have their reasons, as to why they dislike or despise me, I'm not angry or upset about that fact so it's not really affecting me."

After stating that fact, both Fillies looked up, fearful. Thinking they had lost their temporary place for the night, however, looking up they didn't see a face of anger or displeasure.

The last thing they expected to see was him just shaking his head. "You two, worry too much, but I will respect, and thank you. For your Truthfulness," Picking them up one by one Robert gently nestled them back into their spots.

"Get some sleep, you three we have a busy morning ahead of us." Nodding, they did as told while Robert slowly moved back keeping them close to the fire but not close enough to catch his shirt on fire.

"Well well well, looks like someone can be a good father." Gilda snickered, from her perch while he simply flipped her off.

"I'm not done with you Gilda and you are going to have a little discussion once this is all over." Rolling her golden eagle-like eyes she continued.

"Whatever old man, I'll see you in the morning."She mocked. while getting comfy in her spot,

'She just earned herself a dunk in the largest puddle when the sun comes up.' Robert thought getting comfy this time on the blue throne, this one not being surrounded by holes, therefore keeping him dry.

'Strangely, I haven't slept like this since my time in the pits.' looking down, it gave him deja vu, however, he wasn't forced to be in a cage now and by his standards was free, and not forced to kill because a horse wants him to.

'I feel like Someone or Something out there will try and revoke my freedom. I'll need to make plans to prevent that from happening tomorrow .' Releasing a covered yawn Robert slowly drifted off to sleep.

Luna POV

The Night Princess had discovered from her Commander's Report yesterday night, that her older sister was withholding information about the giant. "Why would, Celestia? My Sister! Do such a thing? I thought we were striving for a common goal."

Soon enough, Luna would be getting her answers, arriving at Celestia's chambers she spotted two of her sister's Royal Guards heading past them.

Luna ignored them, while she gave the door a light knock. 'She shouldn't be sleeping yet it's still early in the evening.'

After a few moments of waiting Celestia answered. "Who is it?" the sun monarch called out while Luna's tail flicked slightly in annoyance.

'how could she not think that I wouldn't approach her about this?!' The younger sister thought before she answered. "Tis, me Sister!"

Momentarily, the handle was surrounded in a familiar golden aura as it unlocked and then opened for the midnight Alicorn.

Seizing the moment Luna entered her older siblings' bed chamber speaking "Sister do you know why I have requested to be here tonight?" Luna asked in hopes that Celestia wouldn't try to hide what news she had.

"No, Luna, what has brought you to my room this time? you always seem to want to meet with me in my chambers." That very much displeased the midnight Alicorn.

Igniting her horn, Luna closed and locked her older sister's room so that her guards didn't interrupt. "Did the Captain of the Royal Guards inform you of what happened?"

Sitting on a lush pillow, Luna studied her elder sister's movements as the Alicorn mare in question was giving a small frown,

"I have not heard, would you like to tell me?" Celestia asked, sitting across from her sister, suddenly a small silver tray appeared holding a tea set with all the essential items.

'You do know, Or else this wouldn't have been pre-prepared.' Luna contemplated, while a golden aura made them both tea.

Soon the delicate but smooth smell of tea filled the room Celestia was busy making her cup the way she liked it. "Careful Tia, all that sugar will go to your posterior," Luna cautioned, giving her a knowing smirk.

"Hush! Can't a mare treat herself to something sweet once and a while?" Celestia remarked after a sixth sugar cube fell into her cup.

"But Tia, that is way too much sugar for tea, Mother has taught us two even three is sufficient." the Night Princess warned, however, Celestia didn't stop till her tenth cube.

"I Believe it's going to be one of those evenings, Sister, now tell me, what has happened to the Captain?" she asked, lifting up the cup with her magic and taking a long sip.

"You already know what happened, Celestia, or else this wouldn't have been readied ahead of my visit." Luna conveyed, showing she already knew what had transpired.

Swallowing the tea Celestia settled her teacup down along with using a napkin to clean any that still remained.

"You still remember the tactics I see, but alas I did hear what transpired. I'm not angry at your actions; Nonetheless, they were very much unnecessary."

"Unnecessary?!" Luna shouted in the royal voice.

"Luna, please turn down the volume," Celestia asked, her horn glowing faintly as she cast a sound barrier spell on the room.

Sadly she did not. "How can you say my actions were Unnecessary! I have been staying up well into the day and all night for information! While you have your student sending you personal reports and information that I have been waiting for!"

Celestia meanwhile was listening to her younger sister's bombardment Luna even reverted back to Old Equestrian from how aggravated she became.

"Luna, did you get it all out of your system?" Celestia inquired, watching the Midnight alicorn pant at the end of her anger.

She didn't respond,

Seeing that as reason enough, Celestia began her defense. "I didn't intend to keep it from you but you aren't sleeping, you're hardly eating as it currently stands. I'm more than willing to exchange the reports my student has given me."

Hope did grow, within Princess Luna's gaze but Celestia interrupted it. "Only, when you start eating and sleeping again consistently." narrowing her eyes, Luna opened her mouth to say something but promptly closed it.

'Have I been losing that much weight?' moving her head Luna looked at her sides and she indeed was becoming dangerously thin.

'Even my Officers are getting concerned about my lack of eating.' Turning her head back, towards her sister she nodded.

"You promise you'll show me all that your star pupil has found if I improve my current situation?"

Celestia gave a soft nod.

Seeing this as reasonable, Luna sighed gently, not wanting to wait more than needed but she spoke up. "I accept your terms Sister, many thanks for the Tea."

Standing back up, Luna moved toward the exit while the magical walls around the room slowly dissipated, "Lulu one more thing."

Stopping, Luna turned her ears toward her sister showing she heard Celestia, "To make sure you're not going to intimidate anypony into lying. I will assign a supervisor to the kitchens to keep track of how much you're eating."

Grumbling, Luna left her older sister's room to finish her night duties, 'I am the Princess of the Night. I do not need a pony that I'm thrice the age of, making sure I am eating correctly.'

"General, Report." The Queen of the Changelings called out, once the communication mirror was activated.

"My Queen, everything is on schedule, the Ponies are not aware of what we're planning."

She seemed almost giddy at their ignorance licking her fangs while her bug wings buzzed a few times. "Excellent work, now what of the dwelling of the Giant?"

"Some of our Warrior class drones have spotted him a few times but weren't able to track him to his lair, my Queen."

Frowning, she lifted her foreleg and began removing some unseen dirt from it.

"You have served me, Unfailingly. For many years now General, it would be a massive shame to dispose of you. For this minor offense, however. I need your Expertise, in the plans to come do not make me regret this act of Mercy."

Moving her hole-ridden foreleg away Chrysalis turned her attention back toward her General who seemed uneasy.

"Thank you, my Queen, for this Mercy. I swear not to squander this opportunity you have given me." Unfazed by his promises, she rolled her slitted eyes before waving her hoof at her subject.

"Before we end this meeting, how many humans have you stolen so far?" Chrysalis inquired, seeing if they had doubled the numbers from last time.

"On Hoof, currently we have two hundred and thirty humans. Do you wish for us to keep gathering more?"

"Stop, that should do adequately, General. Now continue the tasks, I have given for the Giant. Do not engage it, I expect this winter to be a very; Amusing one~"

With a quick, Salute her General spoke. "At once, my Queen." Seeing this as a good enough excuse, The Ruler of the Changelings terminated the transmission to the Everfree outpost.

"Now that that's covered, let's see how my spies are doing." as if on cue her Head-guardian entered the private audience Chamber.

"My Queen."

"Head guardian, I assume you know why you're here?" She nodded.

"Perfect, now Report," Chrysalis stated while her horn kindled a fire in the center of the room producing a green flame.

"Our spies, have been following your orders to a t. Twenty percent, of the Equestrian armies have been infiltrated; give the order and they will drop their false identities, to strike."

She gave a soft hum in thought. 'Plunging my future enemies into a state of confusion would be beneficial for us.' reaching up, Chrysalis moved some of her teal mane from her face as she brooded.

Roughly, four minutes later she shook her head. "Tell the drones to maintain their current identities, until further notice, for now, we can not mess this up. The Ponies believe we are myth and legend, and that foolishness, will be their downfall."

The ancient warrior drone nodded, "At once, your Grace, I shall send messages out Immediately."

Reaching up the Queen waved her front hoof showing that they had finished with the other free hoof Chrysalis rubbed her temples.

'Mother Equus is strange; she brought one Giant back from Extinction, and made most other races forget about the Changeling race. Maybe she's doing our species Kindness? Though I doubt it.'

Getting up Chrysalis, made her way out of the room. making her way toward the hatcheries, wanting to see how much her hoard was growing.

'Everything is going according to MY, plan. Soon we can begin, and we will never have to worry about starvation, for generations!' This made her chuckle softly, while a grin appeared on her face.

Author's Note

I think the next chapter is going to be large again 🥲 it's going to take a hot minute to write.

Also in other news, I need an editor! My main Editor has left so if interested please notify me!

Now that my problems are out to the site please I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And I'll see you all in the comments, on this chapter or the next one!