Author's Note

Reader Notice

Fight scenes will be in 3rd person and start with.

Fight Starts.

And ending with.

Fight Ends.

I'm going to be doing it this way because it will be easier to write.

Chapter 6: Canterlot Part 1

It had been about five days since the incident with Trixie and the Ursa and things had gone back to normal near enough there was just one problem, Twilight had woken me and Spike up extra early this morning and told me to wear something nice but not too formal, so I put on dark blue jeans a plain white t-shirt and a plain blue casual shirt and left it unbuttoned and here we are on the platform of Ponyville train station at the crack of dawn waiting for a train, just me Twilight and Spike because everyone else is busy today or something. "So why are we waiting for a train so early?" I ask with a yawn.

"Because we're going to Canterlot and I don't want to be late." Twilight said making sure she looked presentable.

"Yawn, Trust me Blake she always gets like this when it comes to who we're meeting today." Spike said yawning again.

"And who are we meeting." I ask as a train whistle goes off nearby.

"We're going to meet Princess Celestia." Twilight said.

I jump back in surprise. "What!" I said surprised. "The hell Sparks, you should have told me we were meeting royalty." I said "I feel way under dressed."

"It's ok, The Princess won't mind." Twilight said as the train pulled into the station and when it stopped the three of us got on and settled into a carriage, a few of the other ponies looked at me but one that I noticed the most was a grey mare with black hair who kept looking at me in a almost flirty way as she held a big instrument case for what looked like a wood string instrument and I had to look away when she made a kissing face at me and winked. "Blake?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah." I said looking at her and she looked at me with a serious look.

"Blake, the castle guards know your coming and that your armed, so don't do anything to make them jumpy." Twilight said looking at me without dropping the serious look on her face.

"Ok Sparks, I get it no whipping Dragonbane out when we get there." I say and Twilight relaxes as we settle in for a long ride. I spent most of the ride looking out the window as the land passed us by while Spike went back to sleep and Twilight read a book. and I have to admit Equestria is a beautiful place, at least from what I was seeing through the window anyway. It took about two hours for the train to pull into Canterlot station and the difference between Canterlot and Ponyville was like the difference between Whiterun and Solitude with Ponyville being Whiterun and Canterlot being Solitude. "Wow, I was expecting this place to look similar to Ponyville, but it's totally different." I said admiring the architectural differences of the city.

"I know right, it's almost like traveling through time with the different types of architectural styles in the different city's and towns." Spike said getting off the train next to me as I put my hands in my pockets.

"Come on guys, the sooner we get there the sooner we can meet the Princess." Twilight said rushing ahead of us. I looked at Spike and he shrugged as we jogged to catch up with Twilight.

"So, is there anything I should know before we get there?" I ask not wanting to make an ass of myself In front of royalty.

"Yes, when we meet the Princess bow and call her your majesty or Princess until she tells you otherwise." Twilight explained as we passed a coffee shop called Pony Joe's and the smell of the coffee had me craving some of the good stuff, but unfortunately Twilight didn't want to stop for a quick coffee and marched us all the way up to the castle gates.

I looked at the guards in their golden armor and wondered if it was real gold or just plated, as we got closer the guards crossed their spears In front of us. "Hold and state your business." The guard on the left said.

"Twilight Sparkle bringing Blake Winters for a meeting with Princess Celestia." Twilight said.

"Sorry miss Sparkle, but we can not allow anypony to enter with a weapon, expected or otherwise." The guard on the right said.

"At ease." A voice said from behind and we turned around to see a white pony wearing different armor to the normal guards.

"Captain Shining Armour Sir." The two guards said saluting, Twilight turned around and hugged this Shining Armour for a while.

"I've missed you." Twilight said in delight and I was getting the impression this guy may have been her boyfriend.

"I've missed you too Twily." Captain Armour said letting go of Twilight. "And you must be Blake?" He asked offering me a hand to shake.

"Yeah, I'm Blake." I say shaking his hand.

"Princess Celestia is expecting you in her study, I'm going to be escorting you, so stay close." Shining Armour said as Twilight let go of him.

"Long time no see Shining Armour." Spike said bro fisting him.

"You too seem close." I say and Twilight and Shining look at each other and laugh.

"That's because we're siblings." Twilight explained.

"Really, your related?" I ask surprised.

"Yes, we're really related." Shining Armour said leading us into the castle.

"It's just you don't look related to me." I say as we enter the castle behind Shining Armour and follow him past maids, butlers and more guards.

"Yeah, we used to get that a lot." Twilight admitted, as we eventually reach a door emblazoned with the mark of a sun in solid gold, or at least I think it was gold.

Shining Armour knocked the door. "Princess Celestia, your guests have arrived." He said and the door opened on its own and Shining Armour and Twilight walked in and I suddenly had a bad case of cold feet.

"Come on Blake, she won't bite." Spike said also going in and I followed. Inside the room was cozy with a lit fireplace with a fancy carpet in front of it, with book shelves up against the wall that were filled to the top, to the left and a desk in front of a stained glass window. Sat at the desk was a white furred mare who had to be at least six foot one with Wings and a horn, a first for me, and was dressed in a elegant white and gold dress, her hair and tail a mix of pastel colors and her purple eyes looked at me with both curiosity and the warmth of a mother, I also spotted the mark of a sun on her arm like the one on the door.

I suddenly remembered I was meant to bow and did bowing low in respect. "So you must be Blake, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, I'm princess Celestia." She said in a soft and motherly tone that put my nerves at ease.

"Yes your highness, I'm Blake Winters." I say feeling less nervous than I was a moment ago.

"And I take it that the sword on your back is the same one that fell from the sky?" Celestia asked.

"Yes it is." I answer.

Celestia stood up and walked over to me and looked at the marks on my right arm. "And these are the marks the sword placed on you?" She asked as she looked at them with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, they are." I say as she now looked at Dragonbane's hilt as it stuck up over my right shoulder.

"May I see the sword?" Celestia asked.

"Of course." I say drawing Dragonbane and placing it down on her desk. Celestia walked over to Dragonbane and looked at it closely.

"I've never seen a sword like this, and it's power far surpasses my own." Celestia said as she waved a hand back and fourth over the sword as a golden glow came from her horn.

"Is there something wrong Princess?" Twilight asked.

"No, I just haven't seen or heard of a sword like this before, not in any story or any legend. " Celestia said and tried picking Dragonbane up but it wouldn't lift from the desk even as she used both hands and her magic. "I don't understand, why can't I lift it." Celestia said as she became frustrated.

"That's because Dragonbane has a wielding requirement that has to be satisfied before it can be lifted, Princess." I explain as Celestia gave up on lifting Dragonbane.

"Well, that explains why I can't lift it, and you said it's called Dragonbane, did you come up with that name?" Celestia asked looking at me again.

"No I didn't come up with the name, the spirit of the sword told me it's name." I explain.

"The spirit of the sword?" Celestia questioned.

"Yes, the sword has a dragon spirit inside it that controls the powers it gives me through the marks." I explain.

"I see, should I assume that the spirit of the sword communicates with you every now and then?" Celestia asked.

"Yes it does, some times by speaking inside my head and other times by showing up in my dreams, but he's not always helpful." I say and the Princess nods in understanding.

"And have you ever trained with a sword before?" Celestia asked looking right into my eyes to catch me in a lie.

"No, I haven't." I answer honestly. Twilight looked at me in surprise due to her and the others assuming I knew what I was doing. "But, I am willing to learn."

Celestia looked at me for a long while before saying. "Is that so, and why are you willing to learn?" She asked.

"Because the significance of a powerful magic sword like Dragonbane isn't lost on me, and for better or worse Dragonbane has chosen me to be it's master, which means I have a responsibility to learn how to use it and it's power." I explain as I remember that always appropriate Spider-man wisdom. "With great power comes great responsibility." Celestia smiled at my explanation and I could see that Shining Armour was nodding in approval of my reasoning while Twilight had a faint blush, I think it's still hard to tell while Spike was looking at Dragonbane with a mixture of awe and fear, Celestia looked at Spike and her smile faded.

"Spike, what's wrong?" Celestia asked concerned for the young dragon she'd known longer than me.

"That sword." Spike said in a shaky voice.

"What about it little bro?" Shining Armour asked.

"It was forged in dragon fire." Spike said as he took a few steps away from Dragonbane.

"What, forged in dragon fire?" Twilight asked looking at the sword and then back to Spike.

"He is correct, me and my brother Excelldrin were forged in dragon fire and made of a indestructible alloy." Dragonbane said in my mind.

"He's right." I say picking Dragonbane up and re-sheaving it, as soon as Dragonbane's blade was out of sight Spike went back to normal.

"Are you ok Spike?" Celestia asked kneeling down and placing her hands on his shoulders to comfort him.

"Yeah I'm fine Princess, it was just intense is all, like having another dragon roaring right next to me." Spike said as he shook it off and before anyone else could say a word the door to Celestia's study was thrown open by a short blue mare who has short lighter blue hair and tail who had wings and a horn like Celestia and she was dressed in a black dressing gown with a white crescent moon on the back.

"Sister, thine nephew hast disturbed owe rest the the past three days, we demand tho throw him in the dungeon for three days and nights as punishment." The mare said with bags under her eyes and a bad case of bed head.

"Luna I've told you, we don't throw ponies in the dungeon for such minor offences anymore." Celestia said with an annoyed look. "Even if a stay in the dungeon would do his attitude wonders." she added.

"But sister, this must stop if we are to perform owe nightly duties." Luna said and pouted at Celestia, oh god too cute.

"Look away you fool, no one can survive such cuteness." Dragonbane said and I looked away as my face turned slightly red. Unfortunately for me Luna turned and looked at me and from the corner of my eye I saw her cheeks go red for only a second before she looked at Dragonbane on my back.

"Sister, who is this warrior, and why doth he have a weapon in the castle, we were told up on owe return guests of the castle were not permitted weapons, unless we were miss informed?" Luna asked.

"You were told right Luna." Celestia said.

"Then why doth he have a weapon?" Luna asked looking at me again.

"The sword he carries is magic in origin and it has bonded to him." Celestia explained and Luna looked back at me again.

"Doth owe sister speak the truth?" Luna asked me with a hard glare.

"Yes." I answer and Luna looked back to Celestia.

"And what doth tho plan to do with him sister?" Luna asked.

"Well I was going to ask Captain Shining Armour to spar with him so I can see his skills or lack there of for myself." Celestia said looking at me and Shining Armour. "If you two don't mind indulging me that is?" she asked.

"As always Princess, it would be an honer." Shining Armour said.

"I guess I'm cool with that, as long as I'm not getting thrown in at the deep end." I say as I scratch the back of my head.

"Then it is settled, we shall whiteness Captain Armour spar with the Warrior." Luna said turning to the door.

"Luna, if you intent to come with us, you may want to make yourself proper first." Celestia said with a slight chuckle as Luna looked at herself and blushed a deep red as she realized she was still wearing a dressing gown.

"W-we shall meet thee at the arena once we are dressed." Luna said embarrassed as she quickly left.

"Well then Every pony let's go to the arena and wait for Luna to return." Celestia said leaving the room first followed by Twilight and Spike and then me and Shining Armour.

A few minuteslater.

Shining Armour and I were stood in a coliseum like arena and Twilight, Spike and Celestia were up in the stands waiting for Luna. "So, your not going to come at me full force from the start right?" I asked as we waited for Princess Luna before we start.

"Of course, I don't want to hurt you and besides you said you've never been trained before, so it would be unfair if I didn't hold back." Shining Armour said giving me a reassuring smile that did little to help my nerves.

"Are you as offended as me at the way he said that?" Dragonbane asked.

"A little." I answered in thought.

"Just remember I won't be guiding you're movements this time, so hesitating isn't an option." Dragonbane said.

"Do you think I can beat him?" I ask in thought as I look at Shining Armour just standing there with his arms crossed.

"No, he has more skill and experience than you, not to mention he's a Unicorn which means you'll need to be ready to put up the Dragon Shield when he uses magic." Dragonbane answered.

"So, I'm going to get my ass kicked?" I ask in thought.

"Yes, but you should be able to catch him off guard if your timing is right." Dragonbane said and I saw Princess Luna enter the stands and sit next to Celestia.

Celestia stood up and said in a booming voice like rolling thunder. "Take your positions." And Shining Armour and I stood opposite each other with owe swords drawn. "This sparing match will end when either one gives up or I am satisfied, Begin." She said and a guard hit a gong to start the match.

Fight Starts.

From the word go, Shining Armour ran at Blake and raised his sword above his head and swung it down at Blake. Blake brought Dragonbane up and blocked the strike but his foot work was wrong and he was sent stumbling back from the blow. When he recovered Blake saw that Shining Armour wasn't moving and simply held his sword in a two handed defensive stance and Blake got the idea and slashed Dragonbane at Shining Armour once, only to have his attack blocked and get knocked back by a magic pulse from Shining Armour's horn. "Come on Blake, you can do better than that." Shining Armour taunted.

Blake ran towards Shining Armour for a downwards strike, but Shining Armour dodged to Blake's left and tripped him up making him fall down. Blake quickly got back up and slashed at Shining Armour again with a better stance forcing Shining Armour to block, but it had as much effect as hitting a brick wall due to Shining Armour's stance locking him in place.

Blake then tried swinging at Shining Armour a few times in quick succession but missed every time, Shining Armour then used a strong magic blast to knock Blake a few meters away. "And here I thought you said that sword gave you powers, I guess not." Shining Armour said as Blake got back up with Dragonbane calling him out for not using the Dragon Shield.

"Ti's hard to watch." Luna said.

"Nicely done Shining Armour." Spike said as he sat next to Twilight who was torn between supporting her brother or cheering Blake on.

"He needs a lot of work, but I like his tenacity, and the way he keeps getting up even though he keeps getting knocked down." Celestia said as she waited to see what Blake would do.

Blake breathed heavily as he looked Shining Armour. "Come on, show me something I've never seen before." Shining Armour said challenging Blake to do something.

"Ok, you want me to do something, I'll do something." Blake said taking Dragonbane in both hands as he raised it above his head and the marks on the sword and his arm glowed blue as blue fire ignited on Dragonbane's blade, Blake held for a few seconds and swung Dragonbane with all his might. "DRAGON SLAYER WAVE!!!" Blake shouted releasing a massive energy wave at Shining Armour. Everyone stood up at the sight of the energy wave Blake released as Shining Armour teleported out of the way and Blake's attack cut through the coliseum and blew away every cloud in the sky.

Everyone was silent for a whole minute after Blake used his attack, before Blake fell to his hands and knees dropping Dragonbane due to the extreme exhaustion and fatigue brought on by using a two handed Dragon Slayer Wave, Celestia then stood up and said in a booming voice. "This match is over."

Fight Ends.

I breathed heavily feeling like I was going to pass out but some how didn't. I heard the sound of armoured foot steps getting closer and looked up at Shining Armour who offered a hand to help me back up. "Not bad Blake, you had me with that last one." Shining Armour said as I picked up Dragonbane and took his hand.

"I think I had myself as well." I say as I put Dragonbane back in it's scabbard breathing heavily still feeling like I was going to pass out standing up and Shining Armour gave me a pat on the back, not a hard one but the sort you'd give someone for doing their best. Before I got the chance to fall over Twilight, Spike and the Princesses came down from the stands and approached us.

"That was incredible Blake." Twilight said surprising me with a hug.

"An impressive display, we look forward to seeing what tho will be capable of with training." Luna said.

"Yeah, that was awesome, Rainbow is going to be gutted she missed this." Spike said.

"Yes, that was indeed quite the spectacle although, you clearly need a proper instruction in swordsmanship." Celestia said looking at the damage to the coliseum. "That being said, I can't help but admire your spirit, every time you were knocked down you got back up, even though you knew you would be knocked down again." Celestia said looking at me with respect. So suck a fat one old man, who's soft now.

"What do you think Princess, give him a bit of training, stick him in a set of armor and he'd fit right in as a new recruit in the gaurd?" Shining Armour asked.

"That an amusing idea Shining Armour." Celestia said with slight chuckle. "But that is Blake's choice to make." Celestia said with a smile as she checked the time on a gold lady's wrist watch on her right arm. "Darn, I thought I had more time." She said slightly frustrated.

"Whats the matter Princess?" Twilight asked.

"I have a meeting to get to." Celestia explained.

"And we have a bed to get back to." Luna said with a yawn.

"But there's still so much we need to talk about." Twilight said in disappointment as her ears folded back.

"Don't worry Twilight, I have a few hours free tomorrow and the day after is open until 6PM." Celestia said.

"I have to get back to my duties as well." Shining Armour said. "Hey since your going to be here for a few days to speak to the Princess, why don't you go home and see mom and dad." He suggested.

"I guess we could." Twilight said. I said nothing and just focused on getting my stamina back. "Ok, we'll see you at the house later." Twilight said hugging her brother before he escorted the two Princesses back to the castle.

"Come on Blake, it's this way." Spike said going a different direction to the Princesses and Shining Armour and Twilight and I followeded him.