Heart Souls: The Loss of Harmony

The princess walks with the sinner while her guards are ever vigilant to move in case the sinner would think otherwise.

Surrounded by Gallus, Smolder, and Yona. The three protect the princess while Occelus and Sandbar escort the injured.

"Thank you, but your worries for me is not, see?" Bright began stretching and showing off that he could move just fine, even though his uniform was partially burned down.

" W-wow, Bright! You're pretty strong. I-I, on the other hoof, just blacked out and can't even move properly, even with the princess's healing." Silverstream smiled while holding her chest where the dent in her armor was.

Sandbar, the earthpony who is assisting Silverstream as she walks, would comment,
"No ordinary creature would be able to handle that kind of beating Silverstream; it just goes to show the caliber of the vanguards. Although impressive, it worries me." Occellus the changeling would silently nod in agreement while keeping an eye on Bright, which worried the royal knight that they might've already given a bad impression.

"It is true that we are impressive and have shown our merits in Ponyville; I hope you can forgive us for this very unfortunate and serious incident we have caused." He bowed down to everyone.

It seems Smolder and Gallus are the only ones who didn't take his apologies to heart and remained doubtful of them, while the rest seems to lighten up to them.

"Apology accepted. What of you, Silverstream?" The princess asked.

"As long as she gives me a hug, that's fine with me!" She joyously replied.

She then opened her arms up and waited for her hug from Bubbles, which she was uncomfortable with.

"Oh wait, Silverstream, that might not be a good idea as there's something that's messing with Bubble's feelings inside." The princess disagrees with her request for a hug and would suggest against it.

but Bright would intervene on the suggestion of the princess and would scold Bubbles in return. "A hug is a small price to pay, is it not, Bubbles? Or will you let your pride cloud your judgement once more? We are professionals, and not only that, you'd end up sullying the name of our employer."

Bubbles would nod and raise her hooves on Bright. "I understand; I am calm now."

She gave Silverstream a hug, which caught the hypogriff off guard. "O-oh, thank you?" Her hug was not warm and cuddly; it was like something out of courtesy and very formal, so it was a bit disappointing for Silverstream, as it did not give her joy or happiness, just empty.

"Does that mean we're friends now?" The hippogriff asked.

" S-sure..." the mare reluctantly replied.

This gave relief to the others as things seemed to have settled, except for Gallus and Smolder; they did not lower their guard.

"I know a pony when I see one, and you're no pony, lady. The others may be too forgiving, but you ain't fooling me," Gallus warned the pegasi.

But Bubbles would not take it lightly, and her mane starts to spark.

Bright hurriedly intervened, "I know we are at fault here, but may I suggest you back away." The griffin didn't notice that he was getting a bit close to the mare and decided to back away as the pare's glare was beginning to intimidate him.

Smolder would back his fellow guard and be by his side, though. "As my friend has said, you two aren't normal." She glared back.

The atmosphere and mood once more became dark and chaotic; this did not please the others, especially the princess.

She intervened and stepped between the two. "Seriously now, you all act like colts; shouldn't you adults set a good example for me?" She looked at both of the quarreling group. And would be supported by Yona: "The princess is correct; why do Gallus and Smolder resort to violence? We have learned and grew from love and friendship by the ponies. Have both forgotten?" She began scolding the two guards.

The two embarrassed and looked away and quietly apologized. But her scolding did not end with them alone.

"And you two. Yona did not forget what you have done, pegasi. You may have been forgiven, but a punishment is still in order." The yak glared at the two Vanguards.

"Yes, lady Yona, I understand. I am sorry..." Bubbles apologized once more.

The group would finally approach Ponyville, as it wasn't that far to begin with.

"Now that we're here, remember to behave everyone. Our priority now is to head to the town hall and report our travels to the mayor, so she may send our message to the princesses." Ocellus began instructing everyone.

She continued: "It is a given that we would attract a crowd, so we may great and wave for them only for a while, since our mission is not finished until we've done our report, so Vanguards? Can we count on you as our escort?"

Bright and Bubbles bowed down to her and replied. "That is why we are here; you can count on us," Bright replied.

"You better not knock their hooves out, pegasi." Gallus mocked the pegasi, which in return got him a glare.

"Now, now, behave you two. Gallus, you're not helping. You stay at the very back," Ocellus kindly instructed.

"Why me!? You're supposed to be on my side!" But the griffin was shoved gently at the back by Yona.

"Fine!" The griffon pouted.

The group entered Ponyville and was met by a warm and joyous welcome. The place was crowded, but in order, as they can easily walk past the town hall.

As they got cheered upon, the vanguards were at the front, ever vigilant, while the royal guards and the princess waved at their adoring fans, oblivious of the dangers they would encounter in the future.

Knock, knock.

The doors to the town hall opened, and the princess entered with her entourage.

Inside the halls, the staff were already lined up to bow and greet the princess, while at the very back, Diamond Tiara waits for them.

"Welcome home, princess! How was your mission?"

"It was quite the adventure teacher, but all in all it was a success."

"Glad to hear! Then I guess I wouldn't have to worry about making the report back to the rest of the princesses."

"Weelll... not quite," the princess added.

This gave the atmosphere in the room quite an ominous and uncomfortable feeling.