The war hero's shadow

Cecil was walking down one of the halls to his next class when somepony stepped out of the bathroom knocking into him. The two collided and while neither fell the shock did make the two bounce back. Looking up he saw a large Stallion with blond for a mane and snow white fur. His chin was square and handsome. It was all tell tell signs of one pony.

“Prince Blueblood?” Cecil asked as he adjusted his jacket.

The stallion smiled as he smoothed out his hair. “Sorry ole chap, but my father is still kicking. My name is Baron von Blueblood.” He looked at Cecil and smiled “And you must be the notorious Mr.Steel?”

Cecil put his hand up shaking his head “Only my father goes by that, just call me Cecil. Sound like a deal to you?”

Baron chuckled as he held out a hoof to shake. “Certainly.”

Cecil took the hoof shaking it and once the firm shake was done he smiled at the Stallion that was eye level with him. “Bot of a surprise to see you here of all places I figured you would be in Canterlot.”

Baron pushed some of his mane out of his eyes lidding them in a bored manner as he spotted a group of mares eyeing him in the hall “Yes, and I would have expected you to stay local as well, but here we both are. I am studying foreign politics, following in father's hoofsteps I suppose. What brings a assuming bright...uh...Drat what was your race called?”

Cecil gave him a bemused smile as he crossed his arms “Human is the word. But you can call me a stallion. Celestia knows ive been called worse over the years.”

That bit of information caught Baron's attention. “Really now, how intriguing. The son of the heroic and iconic Alex Steel is called derogatory names. Why i would have suspected your father to hunt down all the fowl mouthed curr's for their folly.”

Cecil gave him a short laugh “Nah the old man expected me to defend myself. The only times he really got involved were if things got too physical or if grown Stallions wanted to fight the teenager.”

“Dear me, did you grow up in a bar?”

Cecil narrowed his eyes tightening his fists as he stepped closer to the pompous stallion “Yeah ah did, you have a problem with that or do ah need to rearrange them pretty teeth of yours?”

Baron backed up a little as his own eyes narrowed “Now there is certainly no need for violence, this is a place of knowledge.”

Cecil closed the gap glaring down at him with unwavering confidence and anger “A society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.”

Baron was against the wall looking around for any escape that his eyes could find. Cecil was intimidating and it made Baron’s heart race in his chest from the rush of adrenalin and fear. Finally Cecil cracked and a small smile formed on his lips before he started laughing. He slapped Baron's shoulder and stepped back.

“Sorry, I couldn't resist the opportunity. Do you have any idea how long I've waited to use that quote on somepony?”

Baron let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as his brain caught up to the joke. While it certainly wasn't the funniest to him considering he really thought Cecil was going to resort to barbaric actions he had to admire the human for his acting.

“You certainly had me there, but I am positive there are other ways of delivering that certain quote without scaring the devil out of a poor pony.”

Cecil calmed down enough to speak and by this time he could see Baron had a small smile of his own. “Im sure but would the delivery and weight of the quote be as strong if I had told you any other way?”

Baron had to think on this and when it was apparent Cecil had a point he had to agree “No, but You could have easily chosen someone else to direct your quote at. Back to the topic at hoof, why are you here for?”

Cecil smiled and leaned against the wall “I'm going to be a botanist.”

“Incredible Cecil. Why I know nothing of the subject other then the basic idea, I know it takes countless classes and years of work to become proficient enough to be considered into the scientific community.”

Cecil shrugged “It's not really that hard. I already have some standing in the community when I wrote a paper in high school about the theories of corn and how we could use ethanol as a better fuel source then coal to power trains and other transportation.”

“Well did they ever attempt your theory?” Cecil shrugged at the question.

“Honestly I don't know. They sent back a letter stating that my theory, if tested, would revolutionize transportation. Of course for all I know some egghead took my theory and is working to make it a dream to claim all the credit.”

Baron reeled back a little seeing how calm Cecil was about this thought. Baron himself would have been ripe with anger if someone else took his idea and the credit for it.

“I certainly commend you on your effervescent attitude. I wish I could say the same about myself but unfortunately just hearing that irked my fury.”

Cecil shrugged once again “I'm not on this planet to make a name for myself or claim glory. I only want to help ponies and my first of many ambitions is to make a super plant capable of growing anywhere while giving enough nutrients to sustain a grown stallion. Then I want to take the same DNA strand and incorporate it into normal crops like corn, wheat, and other cash crops.”

Baron had to chuckle a little not at his ambition but how different he was compared to his father.

“Cecil I was honestly a hairs breath away from applying to Canterlot when I heard you would be joining me at this university. Not because of you yourself but your father's reputation. I see now my error. You are nothing like your father, and please I mean no offense, but I'm glad you are the way you are.”

Cecil rubbed the back of his head looking a little nervous “I wouldn't say I'm nothing like my father. I have my moments that's for sure, but I try my best to be my own.”

Baron nodded in understanding. His own father was revered as a pompous bastard who cared only for himself, and while that wasn't completely true Baron had seen more truth to it then he cared to admit. He could feel as though him and Cecil had a lot more in common.

“Well, Cecil it has been a wonderful chat but I must be going else tardiness will be nipping at my hooves.”

Cecil looked at a wall clock and nodded “Same here, say if you have time id like to hang out. So far you're the first pony to actually engage with me.”

Baron smiled “If you have time I can meet with you after four pm at the front.”

Cecil slapped Baron's arm and went to tip his hat when he realized it wasn't there. Grumbling under his breath about the stupid dress code he gave a two finger salute “See you then.”

Cecil walked away onto his classes. For the rest of the day he mostly got the hang of things. Being the first day after summer break the students and professors obviously didn't want homework to do, and thus the day went by mostly with introductions, questions for the teacher, and overviews. Typical logistics. In his last class for the day Cecil had just finished giving his name to the class with a brief exclamation on himself and what his degree was going to be. Next to stand was a Mare with cotton candy pink fur, dark pink and blue mane with sky blue eyes. His brain nearly beat itself to death as he tried to remember who she was and where he had seen her. Clearing her throat with a smile she raised her chin putting a hoof to her chest.

“My name is Princess Flurry heart, but please call me Flurry. I like long walks in the park, and I am here to further my political career.”

The class stomped their hooves with vigor while they applauded Cecil was stuck trying to remember where he had seen her before. She happened to look his direction and when their eyes met she gave him a small smile before sitting back down. Class went by fast for Cecil as he mostly ignored the whole thing. His mind was to preoccupied with the Alicorn. She was a Princess Alicorn so of course he would know who she was, but he felt like they had met before. When the class ended he got up to look for her but when he found her she was talking with the teacher and from the sounds of it the conversation was going to be a while.

Deciding he still had to go see Baron, he left for the meeting spot. Cecil wasn't disappointed when he spotted the Snow white Stallion talking with a group of mares. He had them in a fit of giggles looking between themselves with knowing looks. That all went away when he spotted Cecil and waved him over. Cecil walked over which caused the mares to instantly tighten up as they watched him approach. The change in mood did not go unnoticed by either human or stallion.

“I would like to introduce a good friend of mine, Mr.Steel or as he prefers Cecil.”

“Wait you actually know him?” One mare with purple fur and white mane asked

“Yes and quite well. He grew up in Ponyville while I grew up in Canterlot. The two frequent each other more then most would think.”

The mares gave skeptical looks Cecil's way and Cecil decided to answer “Its true, I would travel up to the city with the apple family to the markets or with Princess Twilight.”

The mares were a little shocked to say the least. “You know the princess?”

Cecil nodded “I do, Princess Celestia and Luna knew my father on a close relationship and while I wasn't aware of what was going on I did get to meet them personally on several occasions. At the time Princess Twilight was still making regular visits to Ponyville to check on her friends and the school of friendship.”

Baron took the opportunity to jump back in the conversation. “And seeing as my father is the nephew to princess celestia I have ties with the princesses as well. Our paths might have never crossed but our connection with the princesses helped build a strong bridge between us.”

The mares cooed at the statement “Oh my gosh that's so sweet. It's like two brothers who were separated and finally meet.”

Baron nodded “Precisely, now if you do not mind I would like to converse with Cecil, seeing as he is the one to ask me to wait for him.” The mares looked a little sad but respected the request and left all the same.

“Was it really good to lie like that?” Cecil asked in Baron's ear.

Baron shrugged “Was it really lying if our conversation in the near future will bring our time with the princesses into context?”

Cecil rubbed his head “Lying by omission is still lying though.”

Baron gave him a simple smile “Not a soul on this planet is perfect Cecil, if we were we would all be gods. Now then seeing as my entourage has cleared away What shall we do?”

“Well first lets change out of the uniforms and get comfortable. I dont know how you feel but I like something a little loser.”

“Considering most ponies only own clothes for formal occasions, I think the word lose should be replaced with nothing at all.” He chuckled which caused Cecil to roll his eyes.

“If i did that there would be ponies screaming in the streets since nothing covers the crown jewels.”

Baron shivered a bit with that image in his head “I could have gone my entire life without that information thank you very much.”

Cecil laughed and the two walked up to Baron’s dorm. Cecil slipped into the bathroom with his backpack and quickly changed into his normal attire. Placing his hat back on his head he smiled in the mirror and stepped out to find Baron wearing a simple red bow tie and cuffs around his hooves.

“Shall we?” He asked pointing to the door.

Cecil nodded and the two headed off “so Baron if we actually go to a place I have to say i am completely broke. I am bitless as of this moment.”

“Goodness Cecil, I have trouble spontaneously spending but I never drained my wallet.”

Cecil rolled his eyes as he stuffed his hands in his pants pockets

“Ha ha, No I had some bits saved up but had to get an apartment, buy my books, food, living supplies, and finally I used the last two bits to mail a letter home to my father. I'm sure he’s laughing his head off seeing how harsh the real world is treating me.”

Baron arched an eyebrow “Care to elaborate on that last bit?”

“Well growing up I was careful with money, but not so much that I hoarded like a dragon. I spent it carelessly on trips to movies, theme parks with friends, and things I liked. Dad always told me I should save as much as I could but I never listened and since I never had a bill to pay other then what I bought I never gave it much thought.”

Baron gave Cecil a knowing smile “In short he gets to reply with, I told you so.”

Cecil stared blankly ahead of him giving a simple “Eeyup.”

Baron chuckled at the small dismay of Cecil “Well I certainly give you all the credit since I would have nary a clue to start. My whole life I have lived in luxury and while I try not to complain it does bother me that I have no knowledge on how I would survive if the bits dried up.”

Cecil chuckled a little. It wasn't every day an elite openly said he worried about the what if. “It's not hard, more frustrating then anything. I have a job in the commercial district at a warehouse but that check won't come in till next week.”

Baron furrowed his brow as he tried to compute Cecil's words “Should you not be paid for the work you did that day?”

“In a small operation like say on a farm maybe, but most places pay every two weeks.”

Barron, appalled by the idea of waiting two weeks to get paid said:

“Well I certainly hope you can survive for the two weeks in between checks.”

Cecil shrugged “Getting started is always the hard part. As long as I don't go crazy I should be able to put away my bits and build a comfortable stash again.”

“Well as a sign of friendship why don't I treat you to a late lunch.”

Cecil couldn't argue with that no matter how much he hated the idea of someone else paying his way, it was either this or the bug out food he made earlier. “That sounds amazing right now. Thank you.”

Baron waved a hoof “Think nothing of it, im sure there will be another time.”

The two walked on looking at different places to eat on the main strip talking about the different cultures or politics and of course some of the mares they had entertained in the past. If Baron didn't have his royal title and Cecil didn't have his father's reputation the two would seem like normal young Stallions. While their friendship was odd to see it was quickly becoming transparently clear the two were going to be good friends.

Inside the restaurant Baron ordered a carrot salad with a list of different details he wanted done to it while Cecil ordered a simple grilled cheese and soup. While Cecil was mostly human it was determined at a early age just when he was getting used to eating solid food that he didn't need meat to survive like his father. Whatever magic Celestia used to turn his mother human some pony traits carried over. In some ways it was a blessing in others it was a curse.

“So Baron I have a question?” Cecil asked after swallowing a bite of his sandwich while Baron patted his lip with a napkin he held in his magic.

“Please, what do you inquire about?”

“Well Princess Flurry Heart is in my class, but my question is has she ever visited Ponyville?”

Baron rested his chin on his hooves going into deep thought. His eyes closed as he hummed softly. A few seconds later his hooves rested back in his lap and his eyes meet Cecils.

“I can not answer that. I assume she has considering her aunt is the new Princess of Equestria, but that's no more than a educated guess. Why do you ask this?”

Cecil scratched his head trying to find the best words to use. “Well I have a sinking feeling I've met her before, but I can't seem to recall where.”

“My that is a conundrum. My best answer is to simply walk up and talk to her.”

Cecil looked at Baron like he was crazy “you sure you didn't fall outta your crib as a baby? That insane I can't just talk to her shes well...shes a princess.”

Baron gave Cecil a sly smile and wink “And I am a prince. You had no trouble talking to me, even threatening me no less. I fail to see the difference.”

Cecil gave Baron a deadpan look “I said I was sorry for that and besides we hit it off on accident. What am i supposed to do run into her on purpose in the hallway?”

Baron rolled his eyes as he magiced his spoon to feed him another bite of the salad.

“No, dear Cecil you walk up to her with confidence, kiss her on the mouth and ask for her hand in marriage and holy matrimony.”

“Not funny Baron.” Cecil said with a groan of aggravation. Baron shrugged as he swallowed another bite.

“I thought it was, but the best course of action would be to walk up to her like she is a normal mare. Believe me when i say only a few elite actually care for our formal titles. With informal meetings we prefer to be treated as what you would describe as normal.”

Cecil leaned back in his chair already finished with his food. He crossed his arms letting out a sigh as he looked at his arms.
“What if you accompanied me?”

Baron arched his eyebrow “You want to abuse my royal standing to help you gain a upper hoof with Princess Flurry Heart? Cecil my boy that is the oldest trick in the book.”

Cecil groaned rubbing his face with both hands.

“I just don't want to go alone is all.”

Baron chuckled to himself as he finished his own food.

“Cecil im sorry to say but this journey has to be alone. I know it may seem impossible but I promise it will be fine. You are a Steel, your family name guarantees you to be unafraid.”

Cecil snickered as he picked up a toothpick rolling it around his knuckles a few times before placing it in his mouth.

“It also comes with bad luck.”

Baron shrugged “Well I propose you simply knock off this petty fear and talk with her. Trust me she is more then willing to be attentive to your concerns. Now lets change topic.”

“But..”

“Ah ah, no. Topic Change Cecil.”

“But I…”

“No more about the subject.”

“God your unbearable.”

“Thank my father, shall we find a new place to converse?”

Cecil and Baron left the small restaurant and traveled around the city. While Baron navigated the city like he had lived his whole life here Cecil was thankful for his new friend. Without Baron he would have been like a lost puppy. The two visited the library where Cecil surprised Baron by setting up a membership. His reason was in case the school's resources didn't have what he needed. After they made a day of the park, some gossiping with mares, and visiting some places Baron liked. When night was closing in the two said their goodbyes with a hoof bump.

The next five weeks went by just like this. Cecil and Baron had, as they figured, become great friends. They would eat lunch together or talk in the hallways. The thing that never changed was the routine they established. on Wednesday they would meet after school go to the restaurant they first went to and order the same thing. After that they either stayed there and chatted or ventured out to the park or did something random. Cecil’s school life was consumed with homework and for the time being with a little studying, he could pass his tests and homework without much effort. Work was getting better and he had been moved to different spots but ultimately they were still trying to find where he fit the best. His fathers reply had come back a week after he had sent it out and like he figured it was a short i told you so and brief overview of what was going on in Ponyville and some advice to take on Cecil's situation.

His hardest problem was he still had not talked to the princess. He had tried to reach her after class but that had failed, so his next move was to speak to her before school but two days of waiting in the front showed she just flew in. He tried many ways to reach her but whenever he got close he saw her busy with something else. He was about to give up when he finally saw his chance or rather his chance came to him. He was packing his bag up when she came up to him with a nervous smile. He was a little nervous but stayed cool on the outside.

“Hiya! Say I hope you don't mind but I could really use your help on something. Do you have the time to show me?”

Without hesitation, Cecil smiled “uh sure I can help you. What do you need?”

The princess sat down next to him and pulled her book out. Sticking out of the pages were tabs labeled with chapters. “So your really good in this class, at least that's what everypony around you says to me. I just can't understand the homework the teacher assigned.”

Cecil pulled his notes out and laid them on the desk “Well let's see if I can help resolve that.”

In the middle of the tutoring, the princess looked at him when it was just them “So why have you been stalking me?”

That caused Cecil to jump a little but he quickly recovered.

“Didn't think you noticed? I wasn't stalking you I wanted to ask a question but you always seemed busy or caught up in a conversation.”

She cocked her head a little giving him a displeased look “One that's really weird to say didn't think you noticed, and two what is your question?”

Cecil sighed and leaned back in his seat getting ready to ask a question he had been rehearsing in his head for the last five weeks.

“This is going to sound even weirder but I feel like I’ve seen you before. It's like I know we met at some point but I cant place where.”

“Oh that's easy, we met in Ponyville when we were kids.”

She said it like it happened yesterday and it caught Cecil completely off guard.

“H-how do you remember that? I can barely remember what I had for breakfast.”

She giggled brushing some of her mane out of her eyes with a wing.

“Girls remember everything especially when someone makes us feel happy.”

“Don't you mean somepony?” Cecil pointed out but she arched an eyebrow at him and he understood.

“Now I have a question for you?”

Cecil straightened himself up listening intently to her “Shoot.”

“Why did you stop writing me?”

The question was simple but the weight it carried was immeasurable. While her confession to their meeting had stirred up old memories of that day he couldn't remember why exactly he had stopped and the tone of her voice reminded him of the many disappointed mares in his father's bar asking why did he leave me.

“I-I can't remember. I wish I had an answer but I don't.”

Cecil said with his own sad voice. He looked away from her still trying to rack his brain for a reason any reason to explain to her but nothing came to mind. Flurry Heart looked away as well. Her lips sucked inward as the slow awkwardness took over.

“I see.” She finally said breaking the silence. Slowly she stood up to leave but Cecil spun around in his chair desperately trying to hold her attention a little longer.

“Wait….Why, why don't we try again? I know some good spots to grab a bite to eat and relax.” He was begging at this point to try and write the wrong he had committed.

She looked away mulling the idea over before she looked back at him “Will we be out late?”

“No nothing like that. Just grab a late lunch and talk.”

Cecil started to pack his bag again. He had no idea what he was going to do on this small journey but he knew something more was eating at her then just him not writing letters to her. Once the two were packed they walked out of the school where Cecil put his duster on. It was cold in the crystal empire and with fall coming quick the temperatures had drastically dropped. Flurry Heart giggled at him a little seeing him in the heavy coat.

“I did not know it was that cold outside?”

He grumbled a little as he put his backpack back on “Well when your used to fall being in the fifties instead of the thirties it makes a little difference.” He joked.

She rolled her eyes and the two walked on talking mostly small talk until the restaurant came in sight. When they sat down a server took one look at Cecil and already wrote down his order. He politely bowed for the princess before pulling his notepad back out.

“Princess it is wonderful to have you grace us with your presence. What can I get for you today?”

Flurry Heart smiled and ordered cheese sticks with a side of hay fries. Once the order was taken the waiter left. She had to blink noticing Cecil’s order was never taken.

“Did he ignore you on purpose or do you come here that often?”

Cecil smiled as he interlocked his hands “Two grilled cheese sandwiches with a side of tomato soup. Been getting that same order since the semester started.”

She giggled a little while her head shook “Honestly Cecil, you never seem to change.”

Now it was time for Cecil to arch an eyebrow “And what do you mean by that?”

“Well while you stocked me I had a few extra eyes on you as well. I know you come here every Wednesday with Prince Baron, afterwords you and him either talk or venture out. In school you travel the same path and order the same food every day for lunch. From my studies you are rhythmic, you like things to have structure.”

He smiled as his coffee was set down in front of him with a water for the princess “Preseptive, but anyone could spot those traits. You like random and color. I've seen all the stickers and drawings on your notebooks or the different ways you try to take to classes. You dont like routine but adventure.”

She softly clapped her hooves together “Bravo you discovered my secret identity. I am secretly a runaway artist that managed to infiltrate the hierarchy of the Empire.”

Cecil nearly snorted out his coffee when she finished her sentence. Her sarcasm would be the doom of her but that's the way Cecil liked it. After his hot drink nearly burned his nose off he set it down smirking right at her then his smile dropped.

“Princess, Why were you upset that I stopped writing letters or was it something more then that?”

Flurry Heart took in a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh as she drew circles on the table with her hoof. “You really don't know do you?”

Cecil shook his head “If I did I wouldn't be having this conversation. I would be on my hands and knees apologizing, but I can't fix what I don't know is broken.”

She softly groaned, “Nothing is broken Cecil so please stop treating this like it is.”

She took in a breath calming herself down and when she spoke again her voice was calming.

“I am happy that you are here, I never forgot that wonderful day we had and I don't want that fantastic memory to be the reason for an argument. Trust me when I say nothing is wrong. I just wanted to reconnect with a friend.”

Cecil was having trouble with the situation. One minute she was upset then she was angry and now she is calm with a warm smile.

“It's hard for me to completely understand what exactly is going on but if you want to be friends again then I'm more then happy to reconnect.”

Flurry smiled brightly with a look of relief washing over her face. “Thank you, Cecil. Honestly, I was wondering if I was going to have to spell it out for you.”

Cecil laughed as he rubbed the back of his head when he realized he didn't have his hat on. This school life plus the job was making his hat time go way down but sacrifices had to be made sometimes.

“I never claimed to be the smartest stallion alive.”

Flurry giggled and lightly swatted his arm with her wing. He faked being hurt which only caused her to smile more and roll her eyes.

“Oh don't be such a colt, and you are plenty smart. You are practically at the top of our class.”

Cecil shrugged and leaned back in the chair as their food came out. Both of them shared in some laughable times, bonding over the things in Ponyville that Twilight had done as well as some of the things that happened in the Empire. The two talked later then Flurry could have cared for because when she noticed the hours gone by she had a dreadful look on her face.

“Oh no I really have to get going or I'm never going to get my homework done.”

Cecil sipped his fourth cup of coffee and leaned forward “Hey I could help you out after all you did say I was nearly at the top of our class.”

She looked between the clock and him and sighed “Then lets move to a booth to have more table room.”

Cecil nodded and the two moved to a empty booth where they began pulling out their books. Flurry had the organization skills of a true princess, more then likely Twilight's teachings while Cecil had all his cramped into his book stuffed into whatever chapter they had been studying that day. In seconds the table for eating was covered in paper and books. Flurry pulled out her homework and Cecil spent the time walking her through easier formulas to use in her math while she helped him with his English proofreading some of his rough drafts. The two spent hours sitting there without a thought between them as they discussed how to solve each other's problems. The small moment of just them arguing, explaining, talking, cracking jokes. It felt good to Cecil. He had only had Baron to talk to and now he had Flurry Heart. When they finished Cecil had drained two pots of coffee while Flurry Heart had enough water and breadsticks to feed a family of four.

The two walked out of the restaurant looking more tired then when they went in. The day was quickly fading to night a tell tell sign winter was around the corner. The warm heat from the duster kept the freezing cold at bay and made it feel like he was being held in a warm hug. Flurry Heart had even gotten a scarf and ear muff out of her saddle bags. A sharp breeze cut through the air and without thinking Flurry snuggled up next to Cecil to try and stay warm. When the breeze died down she realized what she had done and backed away in an instant.

“I know I'm hot but I didn't know I was a space heater too.” He chuckled as he pulled his hat out of his bag.

“Bite me, it's cold out here and Papa was always there to keep me warm. Anyway, I guess this is goodbye till tomorrow?”

Cecil shrugged as he watched the sun start to sink lower and lower behind the mountains. “I guess so princess.”

He looked back at her and saw her shuffling around nervously. Her wings fluttered before resting back at her side and then Cecil had to ask.

“Don't tell me you're afraid to fly home in the dark?”

“Don't be ridiculous.” She snapped but lowered her head with a nervous look taking over her facial features. “Im scared to walk alone in the dark. It's too cold to fly now so I have to walk.”

Cecil sighed and walked up taking her saddle bag off much to her surprise. He took his coat off and placed it on her. The weight made her grunt out of surprise but she managed to hold it up.

“This is deceptively heavy. How do you stand to wear this?”

“You get used to it. If it's too much just let me know.”

She smiled and he could have sworn he saw a blush on her cheeks but then again after the cold breeze, he looked probably the same. She gave a weak thank you and the two walked to the castle in silence. While the walk for Cecil nearly froze his body solid Flurry was calm. She did look at him out of the corner of her eye to make sure he was fine and each time he gave her a shaky thumbs up. Reaching the castle guards immediately rushed them shouting orders for them to stop until Flurry spoke up and then they rushed to her side in worry. While one pulled Flurry away another went to Cecil was shaking like a leaf in a windstorm.

“Here please hurry and give Cecil his coat back.” She said passing the coat to the guard.

He nodded and rushed to Cecil while the other guard took Flurry bags from Cecil. “Here sir, you look like you needed this a while ago.”

Cecil said thank you as he ripped the coat from the guard's mouth and put it on. He seemed to melt as the magic heating ability heated his frozen skin. After a second the guard cleared his throat and Cecil came back to reality.

“So I see your a uni. Went there myself back in the day. We had some of the best parties.”

Cecil crossed his arms to stuff his hands under his armpits to try and get feeling back in them “Really? What was your major?”

The guard huffed “Ah never finished. The guard was my calling and as a guard, i have to ask what you were doing with the princess this late at night?”

Cecil sighed fearing this would come but she was the princess. This was more then likely protocol. “You know the restaurant down on main with the logo red wine dinner but they never serve dinner or wine?” The guard nodded “We were there having a study session and helping each other with homework. Time got away from us and I walked her home when she said it was to cold to fly.”

The guard sighed and looked at Cecil like his father would. He leaned on his spear a little before letting out a soft sigh “How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

Once again the guard looked around trying to gather his thoughts before looking back at Cecil “Barley out of high school huh. listen I know you were being a gentlecolt and personally I appreciate the hell out of you for keeping an eye out for our princess, but you have to understand how it looks for us. Seeing her walk up to the castle with you at night. I'm not going to tell you not to do this again. Im just going to warn you that next time you might not have a relaxed guard like me and as a father with a daughter try to get her home before dark next time. Are we clear?”

Cecil nodded understanding that while it did look bad for him he was sure that it couldn't have looked that bad considering she was wearing his coat and he was practically two shades of blue before frostbite. “I understand and sorry for the scare.”

The guard waved him off “Honestly Im thankful she had somepony walk her home, now you better run along and get back to the school.”

Cecil smiled as he backed away “Can't do that. I gotta go to third.”

“You live in the Snowball Apartments?” The guard asked as he took a step closer to Cecil. Cecil just nodded wondering how this guard automatically knew where he lived.

“That's nearly an hour walk from here. Gimme a minute and I think I can get you a ride there.”

Cecil looked at the guard in surprise but wasn't going to argue “Th-thank you. That means a lot.” The guard nodded and took off inside the castle.

Cecil waited outside with the other guard who gave him one small smile before he went back to his post looking like a statue. Even when the harsh cold wind blew past the two the guard never flinched or even acknowledged the cold. Cecil didn't know how long he had to wait but it was relatively short because the guard came out waving him in. Cecil grabbed his backpack and headed to the guard. The guard led him through the castle and into a hanger bay. Alex had talked about these before but seeing the expanse was something totally different. It made the warehouse look like a backyard shed. The guard lead Cecil to a chariot where pegasi were hooked up and dressed for the cold.

Cecil gave one last thank you to the guard before he opened the door to the dark Carriage. Cecil didn't think anything of it considering he had never been in one he figured the lights would kick on once the flight started. Instead when the lights turned on Cecil was met with not only another pony but the king himself. Shining armor sat across from him with a stern look on his face. Panic gripped at Cecil as he felt like he was in deep trouble. The stallion snorted at Cecil and his normal bravery seemed to slip away. If Shining was going to swing Cecil would just have to sit there and take it. Fear gripped him like a vice as his wide eyes stared into the cold glare of Shining Armor.