grunt “Dang, how much stuff did we bring with us?”

“Lyle, we didn’t really bring much,” Jake replied. “We were asked to only bring the necessities. So everything extra is what we bought while we were here in Canterlot.”

“That’s true. I only brought the items written on the instructions,” I commented. “Everything else has and was provided by Canterlot’s Recruitment Agency and from my bits.”

“...”

Lyle sighed as he heaved his bag over his back. “Well, considering this is our last day in the apartment, I didn’t prepare. Pretty much stuffed everything in these two satchels and said it was good enough.”

“That’s why you always check the calendar, dude,” Jake pointed out with his hoof. “I had it written for a reason. See? MOVING DAY!”

“I made sure to prepare,” I chimed. “Especially since we are practically moving to different parts of Canterlot.”

“...”

“Yeah,” Lyle huffed. “I’m off to District 028.” Jake immediately covered his mouth as he snorted. “Oh, don’t even start. I’m…I’m stationed out there for a huge reason.”

“And what reason is that?” Jake asked smugly.

“Well, it’s an important assignment. I will be patrolling the outer limits, protecting and keeping watch over the city,” Lyle replied. “I think it’s a pretty important job.”

“Yeah, a job that also requires heavy concentration, acute attention to detail, and strong leadership skills,” Jake retorted. “Not to mention, it’s probably the easiest position in Canterlot to get fired from.”

“What do you mean?” I inquired.

“...”

“Well, think of the importance, Swift,” Jake started to say. “You are put in a role that requires you to check for potential threats that can sneak into the city. You’re on the outskirts of town, farthest away from military aid, and therefore, the information you relay to the inner city has to be quick and precise.” Lyle didn’t say anything as he nodded his head.

“I already know that. It is literally in the job description,” Lyle said. “Hence why I chose it.”

“Good for you, Lyle,” I replied warmly. “I’m glad you’re doing something you feel confident in. I wish you all the good luck in your future endeavors.”

Lyle nodded and slung the second bag over his right shoulder and onto his back. “Dang, I might have to cut back on what I take with me if I need to move again,” Lyle complained. “By the way, what about y’all? Where are you being sent to?”

Jake was the first to speak. “Well, I, for one, will be flying across the world of Equestria as the ambassador’s guard for Cloudsdale. It’s actually a great position for me to be in since I can routinely have a chance to visit home and be in the place I grew up.”

“Yeah, but that also means you will have to protect the ambassador 24/7,” Pete responded, his voice remaining low as I looked over. “It’s almost comparable to a bodyguard role.”

“Oh really?” I asked, looking over to Jake. “Isn’t that tougher of a role to take on and easily fireable if you mess up?” Lyle snickered to himself as Jake visibly pouted.

“Okay, little Swifty,” Jake snapped as he fastened his bag over his back. “How about you? What position have you chosen to do?”

“A simple place, but an even more important job,” I replied as Jake and Lyle’s eyebrows raised. My shoulders sagged. “...a Royal Guard in Canterlot Castle.”

“Really?!” Jake shockingly asked. “How were you able to get into that role?”

“Calm down, guys,” I reassuringly stated. “All I will do is guard doorways, patrol the castle halls, and immediately remove all threats. It’s actually something I look forward to doing, seeing as it runs in the family.”

“Yeah, but it’s also mentally tasking,” Lyle stated. My mind gulped as he continued. “You must be locked in constantly while observing every little detail. Not to mention, you are in the castle that houses Equestria’s two most important creatures! That’s a ton of pressure to be under.”

“I know, I know,” I sighed.

“Do you?” Pete asked quickly, his brows raising.

“Yes, and I can handle it,” I stated confidently. You definitely can’t, my thoughts told me before I hushed them away.

“Well, many and all amounts of good luck to you, Swift,” Jake capitulated. “I wonder if that would be something I could pursue. Anyways, Pete? How abo-”

“Battlefield,” Pete replied quickly. All of us stood there as we looked him in the eye. He stood there with a duffle bag and one medium-sized bag over his shoulder. His demeanor had shifted back to neutral.

“No surprise there,” Lyle commented, earning a head tilt from Pete.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” the stallion replied, his voice getting lower and darker. The air in the room grew noticeably colder as tension grew. “What do you mean by ‘no surprise there?’”

I stood still as Jake exhaled. “I’m sure there was no harm or offense meant to be taken from Lyle, Pete,” he softly stated. “Lyle had probably assumed that from the start, which isn’t a bad thing.”

I mean, didn’t we all assume that? I slyly thought before making eye contact with Lyle. He was frozen in place, unsure of what to say or do.

Pete inhaled sharply before breathing out a sigh. “I’m sure you all were thinking the same thing, so you’re right,” he stated before looking at Lyle. “However, you can’t assume things based on appearance. Do you remember the old saying we were taught in kindergarten?”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” I answered. Pete hummed in agreement before checking the duffle bag next to him.

“Forgot something,” Pete remarked, heading toward the basement door. Nothing was said as the door clicked shut, the silent steps of Pete descending into the basement dying. Lyle finally exhaled loudly as a rogue wave of relief washed over his entire frame.

“Thanks, Jake,” the stallion weakly said. His limbs were shaking before Jake trotted over to him and chuckled.

“Yeah, no problem, bud,” Jake acknowledged, wrapping his hoof around Lyle’s neck to bring him in for a bro hug. “What are friends for? We have to be there for each other no matter what.”

“Not anymore, though,” I said, earning a stare from Jake. Shut up, Swift. Stop ruining the moment, my mind told me.

Jake cracked a smile before readjusting his bag. “Well, in any case, this is where we will part, Swift.” He trotted over to me and extended his hoof out, to which I returned a hoof bump.

“Take care of yourself, Jake,” I replied with a smile. “And try not to get injured so much.”

“Oh my goodness, that was one time!” Jake exaggeratingly cried. “I get hit by one plank of wood, tumble into a patch of prickly thorns, and an injury to my wing is the subject of attentiveness for the following two weeks.”

“You technically did it to yourself,” Lyle teased. “You were staring at a mare’s flank, weren’t you?”

“I WAS NOT!!” Jake yelled back.

“Yeah, he definitely was distracted,” I joined in. “You’re blushing so hard right now. It’s obvious why you lost your focus. By the way, wasn’t that when the griffon group was flying by?”

“Oooo, I believe you are right, Swift,” Lyle replied, grinning ear to ear.

sigh “I’m never living this down, aren’t I? I will be the primary example on those specific content tests next year when the next batch of recruits come in,” Jake groaned. Lyle walked over and gave me a hoof bump as well.

“In any case, if we don’t see each other ever again, then this is my goodbye,” Lyle stated. “Good luck in Canterlot, and don’t try to overthink everything, Swift. No matter what, I have a feeling you’re going to be a critical player in the operations of Canterlot, and no doubt I’ll hear about you again down the line.”

I blushed as I sheepishly remembered the night before one test, where I had chosen to play Pony Kart with the boys over studying. “Yeah…I’ll do my best.”

“Keep your head up, Swift, and you’ll do just fine,” Lyle reminded me. “Remember: your actions speak louder than words. Be brave in your decisions. And if you make a mistake, own it. We believe in you.”

I nodded toward the both of them and trotted over to my belongings. Jake and Lyle walked out the front door as I reached the couch in front of the small TV. My two bags were sitting side by side as if they were taking their last moments inside the apartment and reminiscing on each moment from these past few months.

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

Wow, I thought to myself as I closed my eyes. It’s felt like an eternity since I’ve been here in Canterlot. And just as the four of us came together to form a pact, we all are going our separate ways. The chills rushed across my fur as I took a deep breath.

And throughout that entire time, I learned so much about being a Royal Guard. Learning many drills and procedures in the training regiments, studying, and attending each lecture culminated in this very moment.

Studying and learning the Canterlot castle’s inner workings, the daily routines, and constantly checking for potential threats was exhilarating to prepare for. Of course, it wasn’t supposed to be difficult since it was just practice, but the real thing was fast approaching.

And now, it was to become a reality. Starting tomorrow, working my first shift in the Canterlot Castle as a member of the Royal Guard. A job that pays very well with many lifetime benefits, and working in the vicinity of Equestria’s two most important creatures.

”Dream big, son.”

A smile came to my face, remembering those words my father told me. I don’t know exactly when, but it was undoubtedly in Canterlot, and my dad was showing me where he worked.

”If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish your goals.”

Another warm memory took over. The nods the princesses of Equestria gave me as I saluted and opened the throne room doors for them. They recognized me, I thought warmly. They knew who I was. The princesses of Equestria actually recognized my diligence.

click!

I was brought out of my thoughts as I opened my eyes. The faint sound of hoofsteps made me turn my head, with Pete emerging from around the corner.

“...Still here?” he remarked with a huff.

“Just…reflecting,” I replied softly, turning my head toward the wall.

“Reflecting on what?” Pete asked. Why’s he talking so much today? I thought internally. He isn’t typically like this.

“My life choices thus far,” I answered. The stallion slowly walked over as I turned and looked at my bags again.

“You made those choices, and you can’t go back on them,” Pete responded slowly, his voice crisp and dark. “All you can do is take them and learn from them.”

“Yeah, I know, I kno-”

“Do you?” Pete snapped. My blood quickly froze as I looked into his eyes. They bored into mine, the lifeless pupils now radiating an intimidating aura. My brain was screaming internally to get as far away from him as possible, assuming he would attack me.

“W-Well, I m-mean,” I stammered before Pete finally relaxed. Deep breaths, Swift, I kept telling myself. The tension’s bleeding away. Let’s keep it that way.

“If I make others uncomfortable, that’s my intention,” Pete uttered. “I know my family’s reputation and do not care what others think about me. That’s how I was raised. You, Jake, and Lyle? You all were raised differently than I was, and that’s a good thing.”

I didn’t say anything as Pete continued his soliloquy. “To be clear with you, Swift, this conversation never happened.” The emotionless stallion then sat on the couch next to my belongings and breathed a heavy sigh. “Sometimes, I have these nightmares that depict destruction and terror. It’s always constant and…unnerving.”

My mouth opened slightly. Pete’s opening up about himself. He’s never done that! I thought. Wait, why is he doing this now? And why is he only telling me this?

“Sometimes I wish I wasn’t a Dreadson,” Pete remarked. “I wish for that more than anything. I sometimes think this is all a nightmare, and tomorrow I’ll wake up a new pony.” Pete’s head fell slightly. “But, unfortunately, this is who I am…and I can’t change that.”

I said nothing, shifting slightly to the adjacent chair. “More recently, the nightmares have increased in intensity and are worsening. They feature darker themes, ancient folklore villains returning to modern civilization, and ponies around me dying….” Pete’s hoof was trembling before he took a deep breath. “...and then it ends the same. I wake up as the same damn pony with the same bucking reputation.”

He then turned his head to look at me. The infliction in his eyes has changed, I thought to myself. It’s as if he is…sad.

“To be clear, I don’t regret my life choices. I’ve lived with them and have grown to learn from past mistakes. It’s what has made me mentally tougher.” I nodded in agreement, trying not to smile as he hummed to himself.

“However, there was something recently that has bothered me. And I am inclined to believe why this has happened,” Pete remarked. “It was after your recent test. I believe your ‘final major response test?’” He continued to stare at me as I fidgeted in place.

“I’ve never seen a creature like this one, but it appeared during one of my nightmares,” Pete continued. “It seemed to stand on two legs instead of four and was fully clothed while carrying a dual-bladed ax….”

gulp! I had an unnerving feeling as to what Pete was referring to. He heard me nervously gulp and saw me shaking. That’s when he slowly stood up off the couch.

“So,” he stated softly and in an even darker tone, “you do know what it is.” I backpedaled as he continued to approach me.

“I-If th-th-this is the same cr-creature we are both thuh-thinking about, the-then y-y-yes?” I awkwardly smiled.

Pete stopped a body length away from me and stared through me. Then, for a brief moment, the memory of that test flashed, with the creature’s emotionless face casting itself onto Pete’s face perfectly. I took a sharp breath as Pete’s eyes widened.

gulp!

“Let’s get one thing straight,” Pete growled.

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

“I mean no disrespect whatsoever, but we are neither friends nor enemies. And we certainly are not on the same level,” Pete stated coldly. “However, us seeing the same creature is not an anomaly…it’s a vision. Something is coming to Equestria.”

“I-I…” I stammered, but Pete interjected.

“My recollection of the creature may have differed from yours, but it was running through a decrepit building, slashing and killing creatures left and right, and finally resting atop a throne. A throne made of steel and bones. I believe this creature will be the biggest threat Equestria will ever face, and therefore, it feels like a foreshadowing of events to come,” Pete stated.

“That’s odd,” I cut Pete off, my courage to speak barreling through. “Because my recollection is different. I have had two dreams of the same creature after that test. But when I saw it, he killed an antagonistic Commander readying herself to kill me, put his life on the line to protect the princesses of Equestria, and walked the streets of Canterlot with ponies by its side.” My head began to hurt as I clutched it.

“Then there is only one conclusion to be made,” Pete realized. “Whatever this creature is, it is coming to Equestria. When that happens, we don’t know what it’ll do. But us recalling the same creature is not a coincidence. And I will do what I must to protect Equestria from it…if it happens to have an evil mindset.”

“I don’t know wh-why….” I groaned before Pete interjected his opinion.

“Swift, if what you say is true, and you happen to meet this creature one day, you must be careful in how you approach it,” the stallion commented. “Going with the flow isn’t going to help anypony, especially with an outsider.” I shuddered as Pete turned for the doorway. His bags remained at his sides as he finally opened the door.

“Because,” Pete warned, “acting on impulse could mean your demise. So act accordingly in everything you do. Stay safe, Swift.”

Pete promptly closed the door as I clutched my head again.

I hope he’s wrong, I thought, taking some deep breaths. But if Pete is right about this assumption, I must be careful from here on out. On the other hoof, if that was indeed a vision of things to come during my test, then it might actually happen.

I moved back over to the couch and slowly grabbed my belongings. Fastening the large bags over both of my shoulders, I made my way to the door and grabbed the key hanging on the coat rack. Taking one more look at the apartment, I sighed before walking out and locking the door.

“No time like the present, though,” I commented under my breath before stepping out onto the streets of Canterlot. “It’s time to start my new life.”

I looked to my right and saw the castle of Canterlot. It cast a huge shadow onto the streets, the towers growing larger as I approached the gates.

”If you act on impulse, it could mean your demise.”

groan Thanks, Pete, I nervously thought. Way to make me even more unsure about my future.

Author's Note

Hey, Pete...
Okay, bye.

Hope you guys liked this little chapter. Nice insight on Swift's time in Canterlot before stuff hit the fan. And this is probably the last time we'll see Pete in this universe...right?

Next time, we'll learn more about his...servitude. But for now, take care everyone!

-Harpy