Of Blade and Friendship
Leaves in the Wind
Not my main fic so a bit rough and unpolished.
Dear Princess Celestia,
The 'guest' has so far started to settle down without much problem, aside from the expected surprise and worried ponies around town there hasn't been any serious incidents. In fact it appears that he prefers being close to the nature around Ponyville more than Canterlot's setting, perhaps Ponyville's environment matches to where he came from.
As of now there has yet been any progress to break the language barrier which is currently in the top of my list once he and the town have settled down. From what I've observed so far there is certainly a pattern in the sound and grunts he makes which strongly suggest that he does speak some language, thus I believe it is possible for him to learn our language. Although breaking down and analyzing an entire alien language without any clue or cornerstone will be laborious and time consuming, however given his level of intelligence the prospect of learning his or or teaching our language is still in the realm of possibility.
On the topic of intelligence I'm quite certain that he has the same if not similar level of intelligence to an adult pony, if his clothes and gear are any proof I'd also consider his kind even more so. Although Rarity commented how his clothes appear grotesque and tattered (numerous times), she also had her suspicion that they were manufactured and not hoofmade seeing as they don't rightly fit him. She is quite confident she could replicate the designs for him, even make more adjustments tailored to him specifically. We tried to take his clothes off for Rarity and he nearly drew his weapon again but thankfully nothing happened, fortunately Rarity is quite a gifted seamstress and can easily replicate his clothes straight from visual memory.
I have also noticed how he never once let go of his weapon, so far it has remained inside its wooden sheathe and he has yet to use it unless provoked. Unfortunately every attempt to remove both weapons physically appear to place him on edge, numerous attempts to calm and assure that he was safe failed entirely. I was tempted to magically dishoof him but decided against it, from the way he kept physical contact with it I suspect there might be other reasons why he's so attached to them beyond mere safety.
Do not worry Your Highness, the guards you sent are still here to keep watch on the guest and I believe that he is a threat only if he thinks we are to him. If everypony gives him space and use caution then there is nothing to fear from him, I have seriously doubt he will purposely harm anypony without good reason. He knows he has no where else to go.
Your faithful student,
"Twilight Sparkle. Spike? Spiiiike!?"
"No need to shout Twilight I'm in the same room," replied the purple dragon somewhat irritably as he took the last few steps to reach the second floor.
"There you are, could you please send this letter to the Princess?"
"Got it." Spike took the scroll as it floated towards him before taking a deep breath and exhaling a stream of green fire which instantly incinerated it. Twilight watched for a second as the smoke quickly slithered around the air and out the nearest open window before turning her attention towards her number one assistant.
"So how did things go? Did he like the basement?"
"Can't say for sure, but I don't think he likes it very much."
"Really? Are you sure? We removed most of the lab equipment and added in new furniture," asked Twilight with some disappointment.
"Maybe he just doesn't like being underground, besides he has to share it with those two Royal Guards which makes it feel like a dungeon or a prison."
"Well did he at least eat something, I think it's been a while since he last ate."
"I gave him a few apples earlier."
"That's good."
"He ate it and left."
"What!?" Twilight dashed to peek over the railing and scanned the main library room below but there was no sign of the guest nor the two Royal Guards assign to watch him. "Spike why didn't you say anything!?"
"I did!" shouted Spike in his defense. "You we're probably too distracted writing that letter to the Prin-WHOA!" With a yelp Spike was lifted off the ground by Twilight's magic and placed hastily on her back.
"C'mon we've got to find him before anything happens!" shouted Twilight in distress as she started to gallop down the stairs.
"What's the problem? He has two guards watching him like a phoenix."
"That's not the point! The Princess trusted me to keep an eye on him and I will not let her down!" replied Twilight with both pride and determination.
"I don't think she literally meant for you to keep watching him, cause that's borderline stalking." Twilight ignored the dragon's remark as she flung the front doors wide open and galloped out to the streets.
"So which way did he go?"
"I don't know, let's just ask somepony or something. It's not he's being subtle or anything," answered Spike.
"Ugh! I guess we have no choice." Twilight started to gallop towards a random direction all the while she kept swerving her head around and keeping her eyes peeled.
Much to her growing frustration she spotted neither the guards nor the tall bipedal creature and so far things were quite, too quite. Twilight stopped for a moment to analyze her surrounding and spotted only a few ponies in the distance trotting around town, it might not be market day but it was still very strange that she couldn't hear any chit-chat or the usual ruckus.
"Where is everypony?" asked Twilight with some fear in her voice.
"If I had to guess I'd say the park," replied Spike.
"Why would you say that?" Twilight turned to look back at the purple dragon only to see him gazing up to the sky. Following his gaze she spotted several pegasi currently flying fast to her right towards the large park near the border of town.
"Well?" asked the purple dragon. "Let's follow them, we might get lucky." With nothing else to go by Twilight didn't really have any reason not to and his like would certainly attract quite a bit of attention so there was some truth in Spike's words.
It only took a few second before Twilight lost sight of the pegasi as the started to descend and disappear behind the buildings that lay between Twilight and the park. For the average pony it would probably have taken roughly half an hour to reach the park however Twilight have learned much of Ponyville's little alleyways and shortcuts, add a few teleportation here and there and it took twelve minutes for her to turn the last corner for a straight gallop to the park. Even before she came close to the park she spotted a large gathering of ponies all currently spectating something worth their attention.
"What's everypony do-" before Twilight could continue she was immediately silenced by several ponies in the crowd.
"Shhhhhhhh!"
"Suush!"
"Be quite back there!"
"What's gotten into them?" asked Spike under his breath. Twilight felt a little hurt to be hushed in such a manner however it easily passed as her curiosity now took full control.
"Psst, hey Twilight, over here." Following the familiar voice she spotted Rainbow Dash waving at her with a hoof off on the left side of the crowd. "Get over here," whispered Rainbow. "I've got a spot for you next to me." With some effort Twilight was able to nudge through to a gap Rainbow provided and settled down to a reasonably comfortable position with Spike now standing on her back. In front of her she saw the small hill of the park where a lone tree stood vigilant near the top offering shade to many ponies over the many years. But now something else completely different was sitting underneath it's branches and appear to be resting under it's shade. The two Royal Guards were still nearby though for some odd reason they were standing guard with some distance.
With his eyes closed Twilight's guest appear to be sitting comfortably with his limbs folded under him with his back straight except for his head which was tilted slightly forward. Although similar it was a different posture to what Twilight have seen numerous times he took during his stay in the castle. His right arm was resting atop his legs while the other was holding his weapon in front of him which was standing slanted on it's end. His other bladed weapon, a shorter version of much simpler design, was still tucked tightly under his clothes around his waist.
"Will he ever let them go?" thought Twilight.
"So what's everypony watching?" asked Twilight in a whisper. She would understand how an unknown creature like him would attract attention but still, all he's doing is just sitting there under the tree.
"Just watch," said Rainbow excitedly. Twilight turned her gaze back towards the top of the hill and joined the others as they stared at the Equestria's first alien visitor. Much as Twilight tried however she couldn't spot anything worth such eagerness, he's just sitting there completely still as if asleep or something.
"Rainbow what-" asked Twilight as she turned her gaze away to look at the cerulean pegasus next to her. Before she could finish everypony around her suddenly started making whispered screaming of ooh's and aah's. Under all the quite cheering however Twilight heard a high pitch metallic ringing across the field. As Twilight quickly turned her gaze back to the hill top she saw the creature was now leaning forward with his right leg in front of him supporting his weight as his right arm was now extended straight out, but what stood out the most was the long metal sword now fully drawn and shinning in the sunlight.
Twilight's pupils shrunk in fear as her mind started racing with worry, "Oh by Celestia did he hurt anypony? Is he mad or something? Why aren't the guards doing anything!?"
"Dude....that's so cool."
"Huh?" Spike's unusual remark to the situation confused her just enough to jolt her mind back into reality before her imagination could spin further out of control.
"Twilight did you see how fast he moved?" asked the dragon in an excited but quite tone.
"I know right?" replied Rainbow. "Not as cool as me obviously but still, so awesome!" she squealed. From the sound of it this has clearly happen before and seeing as nopony was panicking or afraid Twilight's fear subsided and her heart slowly return to a normal beat. The creature seemed to hold no ill or malice intent as he slowly retracted his blade and sheathed it back inside its wooden scabbard all in a fluid single motion before returning to his original sitting position all the while keeping his eyes closed.
"Wait, what just happened?" asked Twilight.
"You didn't see!?" replied Rainbow with some frustration. "Ugh, ok look, just watch for any-oh my gosh! There's three of them!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Just look!" ordered Rainbow. "And don't blink." Not wanting to repeat the same mistake Twilight started to focus and squinted her eyes as she stared at the scene in front of her. From what Twilight could see the only thing that has anything to do with Rainbow's comment was a trio of leaves that have fallen from the tree and was slowly dancing in the air like a pendulum as it drifted down to the ground.
Twilight's ears twitch as it picked up the ringing sound of metal even before she noticed the sudden explosive movement from the creature. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat as she watched him draw his sword into a flurry of movements with speed beyond what she thought was possible. His arm twist and turn rotating the blade to direct it's sharp side and it wasn't just his arms, his entire body moved in perfect sync to offer the optimum burst of speed. He wasn't brandishing recklessly about either, his movements were tight, controlled and precise which spoke years and probably decades of training, experience and expertise. Using both his claws to grip the hilt of the blade offered an even wider range of movement with even more control and precision.
And with each swing of his sword he had cut down all three leaves straight out of the air even before it came close to the earth.
All Twilight could do was stare in awe as she was completely enthralled by the spectacle in front of her, how his clothes flow with his movement, the way his body moved in the most efficient manner and how the blade shined beautifully as it reflected the midday sunlight. As suddenly as it began he suddenly froze in the end of a downward swing which finally allowed Twilight to collect herself. The surprise and awe however didn't stop there, Twilight had only just now realized that he still held his eyes closed even as he swung his sword about. Anypony with less experience and skill could have easily injured themselves or worse, yet he not only held perfect control of his weapon but somehow managed to locate and easily cut down three leaves drifting unpredictably in the air.
Had it not been for previous studies of the creature Twilight would swear to Celestia herself that he had used magic in some manner.
"So. Awesome!" squealed Rainbow as the creature slowly return to his sitting position. "But I got to hoof it to the Royal Guard, having to watch somepony that can do that and they still didn't so much as flinch." Twilight looked towards the two guards standing nearby and just as Rainbow said their still standing vigilant with a firm gaze. However unlike Rainbow Twilight have spent a great deal of time in the castle and with the many Royal Guard inside, so so it's not surprising that Twilight was able to discern something that Rainbow Dash couldn't. Even with the distance between them Twilight was still able to pick up very minute changes which spoke volumes to what they were thinking.
And right now they were both extremely impressed and afraid of the creature, if anything their respect for him grew tremendously. It would be a lie to say that Twilight didn't share their concern.
"And I'm in charge of keeping an eye on him," said Twilight under her breath as the prospect of living with him now seemed awfully more risky. "Ponyfeathers."
AN: If any of you guys want me to update this fic well, don't hold your hopes up. Like I said this is just experimentation for me, the idea however has been bugging me for days and I just had to put it to rest if I'm ever gonna continue writing my main fic: Shackles and Friendship.
So if you really like this fic then thank you and I'm so sorry for teasing you like this.