Walking into the town's cosy library, Applejack rapped lightly on the edge of the open wooden door before stepping inside. Her keen eyes quickly found Twilight seated in the main reading area, surrounded by an impressive spread of books that nearly engulfed the table. As usual, Twilight wore an expression of intense focus, her brow furrowed slightly as she pored over a particularly hefty tome.

Applejack made her way over, her boots clicking softly against the polished floorboards. At the sound of her approach, Twilight snapped out of her trance, blinking up at her visitor with a small smile.

“Oh, hey, AJ,” Twilight greeted, marking her place in the book before closing it gently and adding it to an already teetering stack. “What brings you by?”

“Honestly, nothin’ much,” Applejack replied casually, pulling out a chair and settling across from her. “Ah just dropped by Pinkie’s and Flutters’ place to check on ‘em after all that excitement the other day. Figured it was only right to check on you, too.”

“Oh, I’m fine!” Twilight assured her, her smile widening as she gestured to the books surrounding her. “You know me—just studying up on something.”

Applejack chuckled softly. “Sounds ‘bout right. Lemme guess, Spike’s out visitin’ Rarity?”

Twilight hesitated for the briefest moment before responding, “...Yeah, he is.”

Applejack arched a brow. “This about Percival, ain’t it?” She folded her arms loosely, leaning back in her chair as she studied Twilight’s reaction.

Twilight’s sheepish expression confirmed her suspicion. “...Yeah,” she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck.

“Can’t blame ya for bein’ curious,” Applejack said thoughtfully. “He’s...well, he’s somethin’ else, that’s for sure.”

“Exactly!” Twilight exclaimed, leaning forward as if to emphasize her point. “We’ve only met him twice, but he’s already done things most people wouldn’t even dream of attempting!”

“Like fightin’ a Hydra?” Applejack offered, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Like fighting a Hydra!” Twilight agreed, her voice rising with astonishment. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to even injure a Hydra, let alone defeat one? Yet he not only fought it but killed it—alone!” She gestured animatedly as she spoke. “The only ones who’ve ever managed such a feat are the Princesses! Even Starswirl needed over an hour to subdue one, and that was more than two thousand years ago!”

Applejack listened intently, her usual down-to-earth demeanour tinged with intrigue. She wasn’t exactly a history buff, but even she recognized the significance of what Twilight was saying. She suspected Rainbow Dash would be easily impressed by such a tale.

“But that ain’t all,” Applejack prompted. “What about when he saved Rarity and the others from those Diamond Dogs? That couldn’t’ve been an easy job.”

Twilight nodded grimly. “After we filed the report, the Guard investigated the area. They found where the Diamond Dogs had been holed up, but when they got there...” She trailed off, her expression darkening. “Not a single one was left alive. A few might’ve escaped, but it was unclear. He took on an entire Diamond Dog coven and walked away without so much as a scratch.”

Applejack whistled low under her breath. “And the clothes he wore,” Twilight continued, her voice growing more animated as she vented her thoughts. “They were so...unusual. For someone who seems to take fighting seriously, anyway. They didn’t even cover his vital areas!” She paused, her brow furrowing further. “And his sword! It’s massive—no ordinary person should be able to wield something like that, let alone fight effectively with it. I’d bet even Big Mac would struggle to handle a blade that size.”

Applejack tilted her head, her tone turning probing. “Ah got a feelin’ this ain’t what’s really got ya all tied up in knots, though.”

Twilight sighed heavily, pacing a short line in front of the table. “No, it’s not,” She admitted, her voice quieter now. “It was his name.”

“His name?” Applejack repeated, perplexed.

“Yeah. Felwinter,” Twilight said, her gaze distant as though searching her memory. “I swear I’ve read something about that name before. Something important. But no matter how hard I try, I just can’t remember what it was.”

Applejack leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “And what about that organ everyone heard? He showed up, what, a week—maybe a week and a half—afterwards?”

Twilight frowned, nodding slightly. “I don’t know,” She admitted. “It’s all just so...strange. My gut tells me he’s important somehow, but I can’t piece together what it all means.”

“Have ya sent word to the Princesses?” Applejack asked, her tone practical. “They usually got answers for this kinda thing.”

Twilight gave a weary nod. “One of the Guards sent a report right after the Hydra incident, and I sent my own letter not long after. But...I haven’t heard anything back yet.”

“Ah’m sure they’ll get back to ya soon,” Applejack said reassuringly.

Before Twilight could respond, the sound of something heavy landing outside in the town square echoed through the library, cutting through the quiet atmosphere like a knife.

Both women froze, their gazes snapping toward the door.

“What in tarnation was that?” Applejack asked, already rising to her feet.

“Let’s find out,” Twilight replied, her voice steady despite the flicker of unease in her eyes.

Sitting atop a freshly cut boulder, I exhaled slowly through my nose, my hands resting idly on my knees as I let the stillness settle around me.

After the Hydra, I wasted no time honing my newly acquired skills. While I had set out to train this body, I hadn’t given it the deliberate focus it deserved. Though my improvisation had worked out in the end, it was clear I needed to approach things with more purpose going forward.

I made the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters and the surrounding forest my base of operations. Staying in this area kept me deep enough in the Everfree to reduce the chances of running into the girls again and potentially putting them at risk, or anyone for that matter. At the same time, I remained close enough to Ponyville to stroll in when I needed to. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be. Besides, even though I had taken down the Hydra with relative ease, I knew there was still so much about my abilities I hadn’t fully explored. Testing myself was a priority.

Still, I had a feeling I wouldn’t reach the upper limits of my powers anytime soon. Even so, it didn’t hurt to develop a better idea of what I could potentially achieve. Whenever I encountered the local wildlife—of the hostile variety, anyway—I made it a point to test my abilities. Most of the time, I faced beasts I’d already defeated before, but I never passed up the opportunity to test myself.

Despite my efforts, I couldn’t for the life of me recreate the sparks and flame trails I had conjured in the days prior. No matter what technique or strategy I tried, it just wouldn’t come together. Frustrating as it was, I chose not to dwell on it. Instead, I focused on mastering the powers I could reliably reproduce, making sure to refine what I could rather than obsess over what I couldn't.

There was another benefit to this practice: I was learning how to hold back. With powers like these, unrestrained and untrained, accidents were bound to happen. It was one thing to master my offensive capabilities, but another entirely to control them with precision. With great power comes great responsibility and all that. It was corny, sure, but no less true.

Which is why I now found myself sitting on top of this boulder, practising the meditation techniques my grandfather had taught me years ago when he took me in. Physical training and practical experience were essential, but he always stressed that an untrained mind was just as dangerous as an untrained body. Without balance, catastrophe was inevitable.

You’ve got to stay on top of it all, I reminded myself. The consequences of slipping up weren’t something I wanted to discover.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and slid down from my perch. A cool breeze swept through the clearing, ruffling my coattails, while the sun’s warmth spread over me like a comforting embrace. A small smile crept onto my face as the wind picked up ever so slightly, carrying with it the scents of grass and distant flowers. The past few days had been anything but restful, and while I had willingly sought out the chaos, moments of peace like this were a welcome reprieve. Deep down, though, I had a nagging feeling that tranquillity wouldn’t last long.

Still, I savoured the moment for as long as I could before the urge to move on returned.

With a final glance around the clearing, I began my walk back toward Ponyville, ready—though perhaps not entirely eager—for whatever came next.

~~

Reaching the border of the Everfree Forest, which lay on the outskirts of the quaint rural town of Ponyville, I paused to take in the sights. The small village bustled with activity, its faint sounds carrying to where I stood. Merchants called out to passing villagers, children laughed as they darted through the streets, and the general hum of daily life painted a vivid picture of peace. Yet, something was amiss.

An unusual number of Guards patrolled the streets, their presence impossible to ignore. They were scattered throughout the town, moving with a clear sense of purpose. While helping the Diamond Dog victims to the hospital, I had only glimpsed a few Guards here and there, though admittedly, I hadn’t spent enough time to gauge their exact numbers. However, there were definitely far more than I remembered.

That’s when I saw it—a golden chariot stationed in the square, its polished surface gleaming in the sunlight. Hitched to the front were massive workhorses, their equally massive wings folded at their sides. One glance at the regal vehicle told me all I needed to know about the increased security presence.

Crossing the small stone bridge that led into town, I barely made it a few steps before I was spotted. The Guards were quick to act, their sharp eyes locking onto me as they alerted their comrades. I raised my hands in a gesture of peace, halting as they approached.

“Halt! State your name and business!” A Guard barked, his tone sharp and commanding as he and his comrades encircled me.

I took a quick count. One, two, four, eight, thirteen…fifteen. A total of fifteen Guards stood around me, each keeping a cautious distance of about ten feet. Their weapons were poised, ready to strike if I made the slightest wrong move. Up close, I noticed something peculiar about them. They were nearly identical—strongly built with dark charcoal-grey hair, hazel-brown eyes, and either a horn, a pair of wings, or neither. The only distinguishing features were the coloured plumes on their helmets, with one Guard’s deep purple plume suggesting higher rank.

“Percival Felwinter,” I replied calmly, my voice steady despite the tension in the air. "I'm here to check up on Rarity Belle after the events from four days ago." I shrugged, adding, "I just want to make sure she's alright."

A few of the Guards relaxed slightly, though their vigilance remained. The Officer with the purple plume stepped forward, his posture firm as his sharp eyes scrutinized me. Despite the height difference, he carried an air of authority that was hard to miss.

“Care to explain why you’re so heavily armed?” He asked evenly, his gaze lingering on the weapon strapped to my back.

“I just came out of the Everfree,” I answered, glancing at the forest behind me. “Kinda necessary to protect yourself in there, you know?”

The Guards exchanged glances, their collective posture easing ever so slightly. The officer studied me a moment longer before nodding.

“Fair enough,” He said, though his tone remained cautious. “We’ll verify your story about Rarity Belle. Until then, you’ll remain here under supervision. Understood?”

“Yessir!” I responded with a grin, slowly lowering my hands to avoid startling anyone.

The Officer grunted in acknowledgement before departing with a few others, leaving me under the watchful eyes of the remaining twelve Guards. Though they no longer seemed as tense, they were still clearly on high alert.

“Sooo…” I began, drawing their attention. “You lot related or something?”

“Yes, we’re all brothers,” One Guard deadpanned.

If I hadn’t been well-versed in sarcasm, I might have believed him. “Ah, sarcasm,” I chuckled. “Nice. Guess that means you’re not strangers to humour, then?”

“Maybe,” The same Guard replied, his tone unamused.

“Oh, come on,” I said with a grin, gesturing at the uniformity of their appearances. “It’s magic. Gotta be.”

"Very deductive," The Guard replied without missing a beat.

“My oh my, you're a sassy one. So it is magic then” I pressed, my grin widening. “You’re just mad because you know I’m right.”

The first Guard shot me a sidelong glare. “Keep running that mouth of yours, and we’ll see how good you are with that oversized sword you’re carrying.”

“Oh, I’m good,” I retorted, flexing my arms for emphasis. “You don’t get gains like this sitting around doing nothing.”

“You’re a strange one,” Another Guard muttered, shaking his head.

Leaning slightly to my right, I whispered conspiratorially to the nearest Guard, “He’s not wrong.”

The Guard glanced at me, confused, but before he could respond, a new group approached. Their arrival immediately drew the attention of both myself and the Guards. It was them—the Main Six, along with Spike, and trailing just behind them, none other than Princess Celestia herself.

Draped in a pristine white dress adorned with shimmering golden trimmings, her radiant regalia gleamed brilliantly under the midday sun. Her hair, a cascade of vibrant rainbow hues, was shorter than I had imagined—just brushing her shoulders—yet it still seemed to ripple with an unseen breeze. A single, elegant horn extended a foot from her forehead, while her colossal wings arched gracefully behind her, their sheer size just barely clearing the ground. Her piercing magenta eyes locked onto mine, studying every detail of my being as I found myself compelled to meet her unwavering gaze. As she drew closer, I realized, to my surprise, that we were nearly the same height.

Smirking slightly, I raised my hands, a gesture that caught the Monarch off guard, though she masked her reaction well. The rest of the group, however, didn’t hide their surprise, though their joy at seeing me was apparent.

“Percy!” Pinkie shouted, her voice bursting with excitement as she bolted toward me at an impossible speed. She collided with me, wrapping me in what was undoubtedly the tightest hug in existence. The guards watched the spectacle in stunned silence, seemingly baffled that I remained unmoved by the sheer force of her embrace. After a moment, she hopped back down, grinning as I gave her a playful nudge with my elbow, my hands still raised. Giggling, she rejoined the group while the guards began to disperse, bowing respectfully. I remained standing, hands still aloft, an act that clearly surprised Celestia.

“I am delighted to see you’ve returned,” Rarity said warmly as she approached.

“And I’m glad to see you’re doing well,” I replied with a smile.

“Likewise, Sir Percival,” She said with a delicate nod. “Though, if I may ask, darling—why on earth are you holding your hands up like that?”

“Sir Percival, huh? Not sure how I feel about that,” I thought.

Gesturing toward the guards encircling us. I made a slow twirling motion with my finger. “Well, for starters, our boys here seem a bit... tense. I’d rather not give them any reason to act, you know?”

Twilight stepped forward, her tone official. “Percival, I’d like to personally introduce you to Pr—”

“Princess Celestia,” I interrupted, “Co-ruler of Equestria alongside her sister, Princess Luna. Yes, I’m aware. It’s also one of the reasons I’m keeping my hands up.”

“Wow, not even a thank you?” I thought. “Good thing there are more pressing matters at hand.”

Celestia’s curious gaze lingered on me as she spoke, her voice rich and melodic, carrying a depth that hinted at her wisdom and age. “You would willingly surrender yourself, despite showing no signs of hostility? Quite the contrary, in fact.”

“A heavily armed man, unknown to everyone, wanders straight into the heart of town,” I explained. “And to make matters worse, the nation’s ruler just happens to be present. That man could easily be seen as a potential threat. So, what better way to prove he isn’t than by laying himself bare and surrendering?”

I added quickly, “No such thing as being too cautious.”

Celestia considered my words, her expression softening slightly. “An intriguing perspective. And, it seems, a strategy that has served you well,” she remarked. “Might I ask, then, what brings you here?”

“At first, I came to check in on Rarity Belle, to ensure she was doing well,” I replied. “That mission’s accomplished. But since you’re here, Princess, I’d like to request a private conversation—if that isn’t too bold of me.”

The suggestion visibly caught everyone off guard, none more so than Celestia herself. Her Guards, ever dutiful, looked ready to object, but she silenced them with a raised hand, her authority unquestionable. “You’ve been forthright so far, so I will grant your request,” She said. “However, I must insist you relinquish your sword as a precaution. A fair compromise, wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded. “That sounds fair.”

Unbuckling the sword from my back, I held it out by the scabbard toward the nearest guard. Unprepared for its weight, the poor man fumbled, the sword’s mass pulling him off balance and sending him sprawling to the ground. The onlookers gasped, startled by the spectacle, though I remained unfazed. Celestia’s eyebrow raised slightly, her curiosity clearly piqued, as I turned and followed her lead.

Before long, we reached a serene, open hill on the outskirts of the village, the rolling landscape bathed in golden sunlight.

"Why did you actually surrender?" She asked suddenly, her tone calm but laced with curiosity. "Was it so you wouldn't get into trouble, or was it so you could talk to me in private?"

"A bit of both, if I'm being completely honest," I replied with a shrug. "Though it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn’t expect to run into you here, of all places." I paused, watching her expression carefully. "Besides, I could tell you were wary of me the second you saw me."

She nodded lightly, but she remained silent, prompting me to continue. "I suppose you don’t keep the peace for a thousand years without becoming an exceptional judge of character," I added with a small smile. "I'd imagine you'd have to be."

Her lips twitched faintly, almost as if suppressing a smile. "So says someone who clearly knows what to look for. It does make me wonder, though—just how experienced are you, exactly? You look far too young to be this perceptive."

"Really? Have you looked in a mirror recently?" I quipped, smirking when she raised an eyebrow at me, the faintest hint of amusement playing on her face. "Not to brag, but you already know I’m experienced. I assume Twilight’s told you about the incident the other day."

That elicited a genuine smile. "Yes, she has," She said, her tone softening. "I must admit, I’m impressed. Hydras are a significant nuisance, even for my sister and me. Yet you not only defeated one, but killed it outright—and all by yourself, if the stories are true. Not to mention your efforts in rescuing Rarity Belle from a Diamond Dog coven. Those feats are nothing to scoff at."

"Good thing too," I said with a casual shrug, though I knew I was treading on thin ice. "It would’ve put a massive damper on your future plans."

Her expression hardened slightly, and her hands, which had been clasped in front of her, lowered as the tension in the air thickened. "And what plans might those be, exactly?" She asked, her voice as sharp as her gaze.

I held her gaze, offering a soft grin. "Relax, I’m not going to tell her," I reassured her, leaning in slightly and gesturing for her to do the same. Lowering my voice, I added, "Between you and me, though, I think she’ll make a fantastic successor." Leaning back again, I spread my arms in a slight arc. "Princess Twilight—it has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?"

Her brows knit together, and I could see the wheels turning in her mind. Clearly, she was not pleased that I’d uncovered such a carefully guarded secret. "How have you come across this information?" She demanded, her voice low but firm.

I shrugged lightly. "The same way you gather information, I’d imagine. I have my methods."

She sighed, her expression softening as her eyes drifted to Twilight, who was across the field attempting to assist a struggling Guard pinned beneath the oversized sword I had given him. Her friends were clustered nearby, lending their efforts.

"She’s not ready," She said at last, her voice carrying a quiet mixture of pride and concern. "Telling her now could undo everything I’ve worked for."

"As I said, I won’t tell her. Nor will I interfere with your plans—it’s not my place to," I replied firmly. "On that, you have my word, for whatever that’s worth."

She studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. "From what you’ve done so far, I’d say it’s worth quite a bit. Thank you," She said softly.

"However," she added, her tone sharpening again, "Only a select few know of my plans for her. None of them are you. So you can imagine why this revelation gives me pause."

I nodded in understanding. "Stranger knows too much. I get it. The question is, how does he know?"

Her gaze turned calculating, her voice steady but filled with intent. "I could take the answers I need myself," She said simply.

"Oh, I’m sure you could," I replied with a shrug, meeting her gaze without flinching. "If you really want to know, I won’t stop you."

Her brow arched sceptically, the faintest smirk returning to her lips. "You seem far too willing for this."

"What’s life without a little risk?" I asked, grinning before answering my own question. "It’s boring."

She regarded me in silence for a beat, then took a step forward. "Very well," She said, her voice low and deliberate as she closed the distance between us. Her horn began to glow with a golden aura as she tapped it against my forehead.

A strange sensation enveloped me, like an invisible tug on my consciousness, pulling me inward. And then, everything else faded away.

~~

Opening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of a vast, open plain shimmering like silver. Specks of particles floated lazily by, harmless and weightless, as I took in the oddly beautiful expanse. If you could even call it that. Something about it felt...intangible, unreal. Deep down, I just knew—this wasn’t a physical place. And judging by our last interaction before I ended up here, this had to be the inner workings of my own mind.

“So, this is my mind, huh?” I mused aloud, though no one was there to answer. My voice echoed faintly in the void. “Damn, my head’s emptier than I thought.”

I scratched my chin, frowning as I took another look around. “I wonder…”

Reaching out, I ran my hand through the shimmering air as though swiping at a touchscreen. The 'landscape' blurred and warped, the silver expanse twisting and melting away like watercolours bleeding on a canvas. In moments, it was replaced by the warm, golden glow of a tropical beach. I could feel the gentle sun on my skin and the soft, welcoming sand shifting beneath my feet. The sound of waves lapping the shore completed the illusion, making it almost too perfect.

“Once again, you impress,” A familiar voice spoke from behind me. The moment she spoke, I felt a faint, building pressure in my head, subtle but present. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Eh, just the perks of lucid dreaming,” I replied with a shrug, keeping my gaze on the rolling waves. “So… did you find what you were looking for?”

“Not yet.” Celestia’s tone was measured as she stepped into view, her ethereal presence radiating authority. Her eyes narrowed as she studied me, searching for something. “Your mind is proving harder to pierce than I anticipated. I’m beginning to suspect you’re far more powerful than you let on.”

“To be completely honest with you,” I said, sauntering over to a conveniently placed hammock and throwing myself into it with a sigh, “I have no idea how strong I am.”

She smiled, her eyes gaining a subtly enthusiastic, almost challenging gleam to them. “We’ve only spoken for a few minutes, and yet I can already tell—you’re a strange one, Percival Felwinter. I think I’m going to enjoy figuring you out.”

Her expression hardened as she continued. “However, I still seek answers. And I will have them.”

Raising an eyebrow, I leaned forward slightly, folding my arms across my chest. “Is that a threat, Princess?”

“It’s only a threat if it needs to be,” She replied, her voice calm but unyielding.

“Easy, Princess.” My tone softened as I held up a hand in a gesture of peace. “There’s no need for us to do something we’ll both regret. You know I mean no harm to you or your people, so why don’t we end this on good terms?”

Her response wasn’t verbal. Instead, she summoned a halberd into her grasp with a flash of golden light. The metallic clang that accompanied its arrival rang out like a blacksmith’s hammer striking steel. “Very well.”

Before I could say anything more, a plume of smoke erupted from the sand behind her, thick and dark as night. From within it emerged a towering figure—a creature wreathed in shadows and fire, its human-like form barely visible through the darkness. A Balrog. In its massive hands, it wielded a fiery sword and a crackling whip that coiled and hissed like a living serpent. The beast let out a deafening roar, its voice a mix of grinding stone and roaring flames, as it set its sights on Celestia.

Without hesitation, the Princess sidestepped the Balrog’s first whip strike, the air around them vibrating with the force of the blow. The two clashed in a whirlwind of speed and power, their weapons colliding with thunderous force. Despite her agility giving her the upper hand, the Balrog’s sheer strength made it a formidable opponent. Celestia parried a devastating sword swing and retaliated with a powerful upward strike, her halberd cleaving through the demon’s neck in one clean motion. The Balrog’s headless body collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud, and for a moment, the beach was quiet again.

Celestia turned to face me, her chest rising and falling slightly with exertion. A single bead of sweat traced its way down her temple from the heat of the now-dead Balrog, but her smirk remained intact. “Is that all you’ve got?”

I shook my head with a chuckle. “Not even close. But at this rate, we’ll be here all day,” Rising from the hammock, I dusted off my hands. “Why don’t we wrap this up?”

Before she could respond, I closed my eyes and focused, honing in on the growing pressure in my mind. I pushed back against it, mentally pressing against her presence as hard as I could. Her grunt of surprise told me I was on the right track. Feeling her resistance intensify, I poured all my energy into the effort, matching her push with my own. The pressure mounted until, with a final burst of force, I broke through, shoving us both out of the mental plane.

~~

Gasping, I stumbled back, one hand instinctively clutching my head as a dull ache spread across my skull. I blinked hard, my vision swimming momentarily, and when I finally looked around, I realized we were back on the hill—exactly where we had left. Everything was as it had been, untouched by the chaos we had just escaped. My gaze shifted to the Princess; she didn’t appear much better off than I was. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, trailing slowly down her forehead and neck before she pulled out a handkerchief to dab them away.

Collecting herself with practised composure, she spoke, her voice sharper than before. “You claim you wouldn’t interfere, yet you force me out. What exactly are you hiding?”

“Nothing,” I said with a shrug, my tone deliberately casual. “I just didn’t feel like staying there all day. Besides, I’m sure you have more pressing matters to attend to.”

She fixed me with an unwavering stare, her piercing eyes locking onto mine for what felt like an eternity. After a tense moment, she let out a long sigh, closing her eyes briefly as a faint smile crept onto her lips. “That’s true,” She admitted. “I apologize if I came across as suspicious of you.”

Her posture softened, but her words remained pointed. “You are a complete enigma to me—someone who knows far more than he lets on, and one whose strength is undeniable.” She clasped her hands in front of her, lowering her head slightly in a gesture of respect. “From the reports I’ve read, I hoped to speak with you directly, as you had requested to speak with me. I also wanted to observe and, perhaps, test your capabilities. Please forgive me if my actions seemed... inappropriate.”

I stepped closer, gently lifting her chin with my fingertips so that her gaze met mine. Her expression flickered with surprise at the gesture, but I offered her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry,” I said softly. “I don’t take many things personally. Besides, I know you had your reasons.”

Stepping back, I gave her a respectful nod. “If that’s all, I won’t take up any more of your time.”

Just as I turned to leave, she seemed to recall something, her eyes lighting up with realization. “Oh, I almost forgot.”

With a soft popping sound, a flash of golden light appeared beside her. From within the glow, she retrieved two objects held in her golden aura. “I believe these belong to you,” She said, floating them toward me.

As the shimmering magic dissipated, I took hold of the items, my brows furrowing in bewilderment as I examined them. The first was a weapon—a hand cannon, unmistakably familiar. Its long, thick barrel connected to a sturdy revolving cylinder, and a comfortable grip rested below the hammer. The weapon was painted in sleek shades of black and white, its polished surface accented with an engraved ace on both sides of the cylinder and again on the grip. It took only a second—maybe less—for recognition to dawn. This was The Ace of Spades.

The second item was a simple leather holster, complete with two straps: one designed to loop through a belt at the waist, and the other meant to secure around the thigh.

“Is something wrong?” Celestia asked, watching me intently.

I quickly shook my head, snapping out of my reverie. “No, nothing’s wrong. It’s just... Are you sure these are for me?”

The Princess giggled softly, her amusement evident. “Take a closer look at the tag looped around the handle.”

Tucking the holster under my arm, I noticed, for the first time, a small brown tag tied to the weapon’s trigger guard. Curious, I flipped it over and read the handwritten message: If lost, return to the Man of Winter.

Celestia’s voice broke through my thoughts. “I do believe that man is you, Sir Felwinter. And judging by your reaction, I would say I am right to believe so.”

Without another word, she turned to leave, and I quickly followed, staying close on her heels. As I walked, I looped the holster through my trousers’ belt loops as best I could, tightening it until it felt more secure. Once it sat comfortably, my attention shifted to Ace. It was identical—a perfect, flawless recreation of one of my favourite weapons from fiction. Idly, I flicked on the safety and began to twirl it around my finger in a classic gunslinger flourish. The movement was smooth and rhythmic, the weight familiar in my hand. As I played with it, I caught the Princess glancing at me every so often from the corner of her eye as we made our way back toward the group we had left behind.

The moment they noticed our approach—and my brazen display of handling a weapon in the Princess's presence—the Guards visibly tensed. A few of them instinctively reached for their own weapons, their movements cautious and deliberate.

“That will not be necessary,” Celestia spoke firmly, her tone calm yet commanding. “In fact, please return Sir Felwinter’s sword to him.”

The Guards exchanged uncertain glances before reluctantly complying. Two of them moved toward a nearby tree where my sword leaned against the trunk, its massive hilt glinting in the sunlight. Nearby, the Guard that initially took my sword sat on a rock, lightly clutching his stomach, his cuirass leaning against the rock he sat on, dented slightly. With synchronized effort, the two Guards braced themselves, counting down under their breath before hoisting the weapon together. Even with their combined strength, it was a struggle; grunts of exertion escaped them as they carried it over to me.

I chuckled softly and, without any visible strain, reached out to take the sword from their grasp. The weight settled naturally in my hand as I strapped it onto my back, where it belonged. The crowd that had gathered to watch the scene unfold stared at me, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension. For a moment, the air buzzed with whispers as they tried to process how one man could so easily wield a weapon that had clearly overwhelmed three well-trained Guards.

“Thank you,” I said simply, nodding to the Guards.

The Princess offered me a small, knowing smile before turning to leave, her entourage falling into step behind her. As she walked away, I could hear murmurs rippling through the group. Most were hushed and unintelligible, but one caught my ear.

“Your Highness,” A Gaurd whispered, “You don’t think that’s the man from prophecy and myth, do you?”

Celestia stopped mid-stride, her golden shoes stilling against the earth as she turned her head to glance back at me. Her gaze was piercing yet unreadable.

“Sir Felwinter,” She called, her voice carrying a curious note, “You wouldn’t happen to know who played the organ a week and a half ago, would you?”

“A week and a half? How long was I out for?” I thought, mentally stumbling for a moment, but I quickly pushed it aside.

“Yeah, that was me," I nodded as I replied. "Why?”

The only response I got was a cryptic smile before she turned and continued toward her chariot. Twilight ran to her side, animatedly discussing something with her mentor, but I tuned it out. My thoughts were elsewhere, spiralling as the weight of her words began to settle in.

“Prophecy, huh?” I muttered under my breath, my tone laced with exasperation. “Why is it always a damn prophecy?”

I exhaled a sharp breath, shaking my head with a wry smirk. “Well, this just got a hell of a lot more interesting.”

Author's Note

The story continues in today's episode of Dragon Ball–wait, no, wrong franchise

Rather pleased with this one, think I'm on a roll here

Please point out any mistakes I may have made
Constructive criticism is always appreciated
Until next time, TTFN!