The Masked Stallion

by EmiryLi

Rating: everyone
Tags: Random, Adventure, Dark
Length: 7819

A stallion has arrived in town. This stallion isn't what they imagined. He is different. Very different.

The stallion who's arrived in town doesn't stay for a long time. He encounters many problems, and he doesn't know what to do when he's offered the ultimate deal. Can the Mane Six keep him interested and help him resolve his biggest problem and fear?

This wasn't entirely made by me. Here are some things I used to create this cover art:
-Logo Designer (You can make different logos for either a free 'non-profitable' logo [meaning that you can't use it to make money or anything] or a 'commercial-use' logo [meaning that you pay a certain price to ensure copyright fare is given to the owner of the logo designer] @ www.flamingtext.com )
-Pony Generator (Made by the lovely and famous General Zoi, I salute you ma'am. You can create avatar ponies without having to ask the creator permission to put it up somewhere. However, you're supposed to ask her if you want to put the whole GAME on somewhere).
-Good old Paint. (Yes, a lovely Microsoft application. I made the black background and red lines in the middle [Neat, huh?], thanks to Paint's very 'extended' sort of tools [sarcastic alert!])
-My genius brain (Ok, so maybe not THAT genius, but still, pretty smart to come up with an idea like this ey?)

P.P.S
Sorry if they don't have their cutiemarks in the cover image, that's just how I roll babeh.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-05-20 19:40:02 UTC

Prologue

As usual, Canterlot was bustling with posh ponies eager to buy items. The pretty city was even beautiful at night, with its glistening fountains and pools filled with crystal-clear water. The busy lights of the city, flashing on and off.

But there was an especially loud commotion in the Canterlot Castle Dining Room. The Canterlot Elite were celebrating their latest and most victorious win over a war against thousands off Changelings in Badlands.

"3 cheers to the captains of Canterlot *BURP* Elite!" A voice called through the glass windows. A young stallion by the name of Good Spirit was chanting words to please his captains. Spirit loyally raised his cup of sarsaparilla to honor the captains. The other recruits picked up the line and raised their glasses eagerly to behold the 2 mightiest captains raising their elegant glasses in return.

"HIP, HIP, HOORAY!" The group cried. They clinked their glasses together and gurgled down the contents good-heartedly.

"That was only one cheer, but *BURP* alright!" Spirit added, and whispered an 'excuse me' as the group began to chatter ferociously. They continued to chat until Supreme Captain Swift Flyer entered the dining room.

"Good evening sir!" They lined up into position, setting the glasses down onto the tables and pointing a hoof to their heads, resembling a salute of some sort.

"I expect you all to be very happy at this moment."

"Yes sir!"

"I see. I would like to speak with Captain Regal Knight, Order of Section 675 confidentially in my quarters for a moment. This won't take much of your time."

A handsome stallion popped up from the crowd.

"Affirmative, sir." He trailed Swift Flyer towards the exit of the dining room. He flashed a smile at his brother, Captain Bolt Highflyer. Bolt saluted back at his brother and turned towards the crowd of the Canterlot Elite members.

"Awaiting orders, sir." A older stallion said from the crowd. He took his helmet from the table and attached it to his head.

"Continue usual act until I say so." Bolt commanded, and turned his head back to the exit, awaiting his brother to return.

"You needed me, sire?" Regal questioned. Swift Flyer nodded. "It has come to my attention that there is many recruits trying to come into the Elite?"

"Yes sir."

"And many are untrained but are still in the academy?"

"Affirmative, sir."

"I am very disappointed in you, Regal Knight." Swift Flyer set his helmet onto an antique table.

"Sir, if you may, I would like to expla-"

"There are no explanations." Swift interrupted sharply.

"It has come to my attention that you are not training my recruits well enough to be in the Elite."

"Well actually sir-"

"Being in the Canterlot Elite is a very special privilege." Swift Flyer continued. "You should not be accepting such foul stallions for such a high rank in the Equestria society. I am disappointed in you."

"Permission to speak, sir."

"Go on."

Regal Knight cleared his throat nervously. "I did not accept these stallions, sire. It was my partner in Section 675, Bolt Highflyer." Swift Flyer flung a look of disgust onto his face.

"I do not accept accusations." He said shortly. He stared at Regal Knight with a look of angriness and betrayal in his eyes instead of his usual cheerful but committed look.

"I also do not accept weaklings into this very special place and rank at this rate. We are celebrating, but the men are weak. Look at their thin bodies! Surely you must see that."

"Sire, please. I would like to have the time to say something."

"You may not, Recruit. I refuse to hear some more foul accusations about this incident." Swift quickly opened the door to his quarters with his horn, surrounded by a bubble of dark-green-colored magic. "Exit the room, Recruit. Oh, and I will need your Captain's badge back." He ripped off the badge from Regal's armor.

"Sire-"

"That was a command."

"Hi Reggie!" Bolt exclaimed as Regal Knight angrily trotted towards him. He suddenly stopped and concealed his anger. "How'd it go?" Bolt asked.

"It was...great." Regal managed to choke out the words just lightly. "Uh, look Bolt. I need to go." He smiled weakly, threw a hug on Bolt, and cantered towards the Captains Quarters.

Items flung onto the wall ferociously and bounced back as Recruit Regal Knight of Section 675 was packing things into his small saddlebags.

"Sheet, food, hood, brush, sanitary bag, canteen..." He murmured as he counted the items. He stuffed the items into the saddlebags and pulled a black tattered coat onto his body.

"If Swift Flyer finds out about this, I'm dead as a Changeling." He buckled the saddlebags and opened the grand window. He peered down to meet a bundle of grass, about 10-12 feet down. He shrugged.

I can hold the pain. Bolt couldn't if he was here. He thought as he carefully climbed down the window, clutching onto the antique frames for a while. He slowly but surely worked his way down to about 4 feet, and fell down on the ground. He suddenly heard a marching sound.

"Straight hooves! Standard formation! Attention!" a sharp and commander-like voice pierced through the quite garden. A long argue and mumbling of moans followed the command, and the sound of shuffling hooves.

"You all are ate up, soldiers!" The commander yelled. A few moans followed as usual and some sharp replies came speeding by.

"Yes sir!"

Regal slowly crouched down to knee-length and shuffled through the thick, long and green grass. He continued to do this until he reached Main Gate of the castle, the place of freedom and happiness for him.

Why not escape? It's better for me outside! I'll find a nice job in town, get my skills to use! He thought, and looked around the gate. A few guards surrounded the gate, some chatting and some dutifully doing their job. Regal paused for a moment, thinking on what to do.

"Why are you not doing anything?" A round and rough voice cut through the garden. The guards looked at the stallion, surprised as it appeared to be their captain.

"Greetings, sire." The guards straightened their backs and crisply saluted.

"I thought you would be better than this." He said. The guards stared at him, guilty and shamed.

"Move out of the way now. I've got some business to attend to in Canterlot. Get on with it, you pack of softies." A guard cleared his throat nervously.

"If I may ask sir, what sort of business?" The 'captain' looked back irritably. "Some business that you should keep your pretty little face out of, spitball." He marched his way to the gates and slowly but surely, trotted right into the center of Canterlot.

"Where is he?" Bolt asked Captain Mist Flare of Section 784. He shrugged helplessly.

"I can help you find him." He whistled and 5 guards came up to him in a straight line.

"Listen, soldiers! I need you to find Captain Regal Knight of Section 675, alright?" He barked. The guards nodded in sync. "Yes sir!"

"You will find him at all costs, or it'll be back to basics in Section 1." He continued. "Affirmative sir!" The guards bustled into conversation at once, the head guard ordering the ponies to go to specific places.

"Don't worry, Highflyer. You'll find him. I know you will." Mist put a hoof on Bolt's shoulder as the guards stretched out.

The 'captain' was now gliding into the nearest public toilet. He charged into a changing room, closed the door, and took off his saddlebags. He quickly tucked his helmet and badge into the bags, ruffled his hair, and took out a tube of 'Krazee Hair Time', made by a certain pony named Pinkie Pie. He slowly removed the cap and squeezed a blob of the gel onto his hoof, then made rubbing motions on his mane as he put it to the size he wanted. He continued to take out different sort of pony-changer-things, and finally hopped out of the stall.

There wasn't even a captain anymore. There, standing tall and proud, was a crazy-looking pegasus. His mane was very different than the normal Regal Knight. He had a neat blue mohawk, a silly grin on his face, and he had replaced his cutiemark with a cutie-tattoo sticker he'd found in one of those train station shops as a set of light-green headphones.

"This'll hide me for a mere few days." He smiled hopefully and gritted his teeth at the thought of Swift Flyer finding out.

"Please stay safe Bolt. Please."

I'm Different.

It was a cold and frosty night in Las Pegasus. Nopony was lurking on the streets except for the cold and miserable drunken ponies, driving their own lives away.

Cold nights weren't a mystery to citizens of Las Pegasus. The small family of fillies hurried into their apartment as a startling wind flew through the quiet city.

A hooded stallion approached from the frosty air of the city. He slowly walked onto the thick snowy sidewalk with thick leather bandages wrapped around his legs like an explorer.

A drunken pony stumbled out into view, wobbling onto the cold ice road. “Hey gang it’s a new visitor! Let’s beat him up!” He pointed to the hooded stallion and the herd of drunken ponies all stumbled forward at once.

The stallion stopped walking and blankly stared into outer space. The ponies edged forward, wobbling at each hoofstep. Closer and closer they edged on, increasing the pace of every step.

The stallion took no notice of the drunken ponies, as he was breathing heavily to recover from an incident. His dark green hood and coat was fluffed up and his scabbard was covered in mounds of icy snow.

He smelt the breath of one of the drunken ponies. Sarsaparilla, vinegar, shots of plain cold ice. The images of the scene flashed through his mind. He reacted quickly, taking out a slick sword from his scabbard without haste.

The drunken ponies quickly stepped back, now aware of the dangers they’d gotten themselves into. They fled and galloped back to the dark alleyways of the city. The stallion quietly continued through the city to the next town, Canterlot.

The next day was slightly better. The sun was bright but snow piled onto the busy morning streets. The hooded stallion was staying at a small inn to rest for a few days before setting off to another city or town.

“So, what brings you in town?” The innkeeper asked, passing a cup of tea to the stallion.

“I’m not sure.” The stallion replied, his deep voice becoming mixed with a gentle and soft tone.

The innkeeper looked at his crazy getup. Leather bandages, thick leather jacket, plain dark green hood, golden scabbard... Surely he would know what he was doing? Surely he would remember himself? The innkeeper suddenly stopped thinking. He pulled out an old newspaper and read the title.

MYSTERIOUS STALLION SAVES HUNDREDS

A mysterious stallion came to save hundreds of ponies from immediate destruction in Las Pegasus yesterday. The ponies were all inside a building as it was about to collapse, but a stallion of hidden identity came and rescued the ponies just before the building was about to collapse. The stallion was recognized to wear a plain dark green hood, golden scabbard, and leather equipment. Officials still do not know if he has If anypony sees him or recognizes him, please report to the Canterlot Elite.

“I can’t remember…I can’t remember what happened that day.”

The innkeeper took a quick look at the stallion. Same plain green hood and golden scabbard in the picture. Should I talk to the Canterlot Elite? The stallion looked at the innkeeper just as if he knew what was going on in his mind.

“Uh, nice day right?” The innkeeper stuttered and prepared a small drink to avoid the stallion.

“Of course.” The stallion replied, and took the small drink. I’ll play along for a while, I suppose. He smiled happily and pushed the empty cup towards the innkeeper. The innkeeper smiled back nervously and cleaned the cup with a towel.

“So, are you going to a new town?” He asked and prepared another shot of sarsaparilla. The stallion nodded. “And in 3 days.” He added, and took the shot of sarsaparilla. The innkeeper expected the stallion to drink the shot, but instead, he gave the glass back.

“I guess you recognize me.” He said.

The innkeeper nodded. “Yeah, I do. You’re that mysterious stallion right?” He pointed to the old newspaper. The stallion nodded. “You can call me Bolt. I used to be the Headmaster in the Canterlot Elite.” Bolt took off his hood to reveal his powerful red eyes and neon green mane.

“You want to hear my story?” He asked quietly. The innkeeper nodded again, unable to speak.

Robot Wings?

“When I was a little filly, my parents abandoned me. I was sent to the orphanage where I lived with my big brother, Regal Knight. He always took care of me even though the orphanage was all dusty and horrible.”

“It was horrible? I thought orphanages were great places for abandoned children…” The innkeeper muttered.

“You’ve been hearing the wrong things.” Bolt replied, and continued his story without hesitation. “One day, while my brother and I were eating a small snack in our stall, 2 Canterlot guards stumbled into the barn. They asked the barn keeper about us for a while and then took us out of the orphanage. We were sent to Canterlot Castle to meet Princess Celestia.”

“Impressive.” The innkeeper commented, and passed him the glass of sarsaparilla from last time’s ‘encounter’. Bolt pushed it back once more and smirked.

“Anyways,” Bolt said. “Princess Celestia told us she suspected that our cutiemarks had something to do with the Prophecy of Canterlot. And indeed, after a few tests, it was true. My cutiemark was silver robot wings with a silver sword in front and my brother’s cutiemark was a shield with a silver sword in front. Our cutiemarks, both similar, were both praised as well. I was still curious about my cutiemark though.”

“Looks to me you don’t have any robot wings. You a Pegasus?” The innkeeper asked and looked at his hood suspiciously. Bolt shrugged and took off the hood fully to show it wasn’t true.

“We began training to become Royal Guards and soon we were accepted into the Canterlot Elite, a secondary stage of the Royal Canterlot Guard Force. After countless battles and training sessions, my brother and I became the top of the top. We both were the headmasters of the Elite, and we stood side by side, confident nothing would happen. But something did.”

The innkeeper inched his head forward a bit to hear the news. Bolt looked at him and took a deep breath, somehow struggling to break the silence.

“M-m-my brother…he disappeared...after a celebration.” Bolt stammered and dug his face in his hooves, sobbing sadly. The innkeeper gasped and instantly brought Bolt’s face up. “What happened?” The innkeeper urged on, dying to find more news to help the poor stallion.

“We were celebrating over a victory of some war, and then my brother left to get something, but never came back. I thought he went to the toilet or went to grab a drink, so I checked, but he wasn’t there. I reported to the Princess and she told me not to worry about anything. But I did. Ever since, I’ve been fleeing to town to town to find my brother.” Bolt banged his head on a wooden post, trying to remember where his brother had left to.

“That’s quality mahogany you’re touching there!” The innkeeper shouted, zipped his mouth shut and reopened it again. “I mean, I’ll help you. Give me some clues. Where was he from before he was sent to Canterlot?”

Bolt thought for a moment and took out an old Equestrian map of the world. He pointed to a few cities, traced some invisible routes, and finally pointed to Manehatten.

“Manehatten?” The innkeeper said loudly, and shut his mouth again.

“You’ve got a big mouth…” muttered Bolt as a few ponies turned around and looked at the innkeeper strangely. “Sorry!” The innkeeper mouthed back, and coughed awkwardly. A few ponies rushed out of the bar.

“But yes, we were raised in Manehatten then we moved to the rough side of it. There was still a little peace and quiet so we hooked up some jobs and we got sent to the orphanage.”

The innkeeper looked at the map and took out another one from his bar. “If I’m correct, you started from Canterlot?” He asked, and took out a pen. Bolt nodded. “And so you started from there and went to…” The innkeeper paused. “I came to Neighara Falls, then to Manehatten.” Bolt answered. The innkeeper marked the places. “And then I went back to the Falls and to Fillydelphia and Baltimare. Then to Rambling Rock Ridge, where I stopped for a long time.” The innkeeper looked surprised.

“Jeez, Rambling Rock Ridge is pretty hard to cross.” The innkeeper adds, and marks more of the places. “I went to Dodge City after that hid me real good. Then I continued and turned to the Badlands…” The innkeeper gasped. “Badlands?” He roared. “Isn’t that forbidden?” Bolt nodded. “I encountered some dragons there, and I can assure you, they weren’t exactly friendly.” The innkeeper laughed and marked his trail.

“And finally, I went back and turned to the left route to Appleloosa and cut through Macintosh Hills to San Palomino’s Desert. I hid there until FINALLY, I came to here.” Bolt finally breathed for a moment, and the innkeeper traced the final route.

“So if I’m correct, you have quarter of Equestria to visit?” The innkeeper questioned, and showed him the map. Several places were marked and some were circled. Bolt smiled and nodded. “Yeah, this is my exact route.” Bolt suddenly yawned and rubbed his eyes.

“Got a room?” He asked. The innkeeper smiled and threw a room key to him. “Make sure to come to the bar tomorrow alright?” Bolt flashed a smile, caught the key, and trotted upstairs to his room. He had a long day ahead of him.

Startunes

Hmm. Bolt trotted through the empty streets with his leather saddlebags, hood forward. Bolt squinted at the innkeeper's messy handwriting.

Al's Ale Brewery

Bolt looked ahead and spotted a decorated wood sign hanging from the side of the shop. The words 'Al's Ale Brewery' were magnificently printed on it and mugs of ale were squished to the side with red dots between them, surrounding the words. Bolt entered the shop and quickly scanned the room. Wooden planks covered the walls and strips of iron were laid in a pattern on the walls. Big barrels settled in the room, with only a few chairs and a small counter surrounded by shelves full of cups and mugs.

"Ah suppose y'all are here for sometin?" A deep voice asked.  Bolt turned to see a pale-green stallion with a mug cutiemark wearing a vacation t-shirt staring him in the face, rubbing his rusty beard. "Uh, indeed sir."

"And ah suppose y'all are gonna tell me sometin?" Al asked. Bolt smiled under his hood and took out the innkeeper's notes for Al.

"Ah see. You work for 'im?" Al read the note, and Bolt shook his head quickly. "He wants 'em delivery. Ah gotta deliver 'is ale. Ah hope it ain't bad."  Bolt nodded, following Al's words as he trotted to the bar to grab a big box. He heaved the box onto his back and lugged it to Bolt, and they both exchanged items. Al took a moment to look at Bolt as they exchanged their items.

"Y'all don't seem to be from 'ere, mister."  Al said, and Bolt winced. "You think I don't know?" Bolt retorted, and threw him a sack of bits. "Goodbye, sir." Bolt called, and Al grunted. "That was a lil' rude."

Bolt was trotting into the next shop on the list.

DJ's Records

"Huh." Bolt walked into the big store, glistening with marble and modern pop tunes playing on the speakers. There were pianos and guitars and all sorts of instruments sprawled across the floor, price tags hanging on them. At the end of the store, there was a big stage, a violin and a DJ desk, not with price tags though. A wild-looking pony stepped onto the stage and shook her mane.

"ARE WE READY TO ROCK AND ROLLLL!" She yelled, and Bolt looked at her weirdly as if she didn't know what she was talking about.

"YES YOU, MR....?" Bolt remained silent. Best not to answer this question. "BEST WE CALL YOU MR. SCAREDY-PANTS FOR TODAY!" She shrieked, and started playing more tunes. Bolt grunted loudly and slowly walked up to her, back aching from the box of ale.

"My name is Bolt." He said smoothly. The crazy pony stopped and nodded her head at him like nothing had just happened.

"I'm Startunes. Nice to meet ya!" She held out a hoof to welcome him. Bolt reached out his hoof to shake hers, but she yanked hers back at the last moment and laughed. Bolt glared at her angrily and slammed the note onto the stage, furious.

"Jeez Bolty, don't get yourself in a hoof." She sighed and took the list to her nose. "Oh yeah! Mr. Kindspeed wanted me to get him a guitar. I guess you're his worker or something." She grinned as Bolt's face turned suspicious.

"Kind...speed? That's his name?" He muttered. Startunes nodded, and waited on the stage impatiently. "So do you want the guitar or what?"She asked. Bolt smiled under his hood for the first time in the shop, and nodded. Startunes gave him her best toothy grin, and galloped through the disaster of musical instruments.

"Isn't this beautiful?" She sighed, and laid down, wading in the chaos. Bolt paused. "I don't know, it's a little messy don't you think?" She shrugged and sat up. "All the same." Bolt shrugged back, and waited for her to grab the instrument.

"Well...come on!" Startunes urged, pushing him towards the mess. Bolt looked at her, hood still down. "Uh...you should really take off your hood. I don't think it's helping me understand you." She said, and Bolt groaned. He pulled off his hood, again revealing his neon red eyes.

Startunes gasped. "Woah..." She breathed, and stared into his eyes some more. He closed them, and opened them again to search for the instrument. "IT'S HERE, SILLY GOOSE!" She yelled from across the room. Bolt, fascinated by the speed of the wild unicorn, carefully trotted through the instruments, hopping and standing on his hind legs. He finally reached the end of the room. "I'm not a silly goose." He added, angrily gritting his teeth.

"Here ya go, Bolty." She said, and handed him a brown and smooth guitar. Bolt looked impressed. She smiled and stuck out her hoof. Bolt looked at it suspiciously, and she laughed. Bolt laughed too, and shook her hoof gladly.

"You're not so bad for a stallion, Bolty." She remarked, and they both sat down in the sea of instruments. "I guess you're not too bad either." He replied, and settled his box in front of them to make a table. "I can't stay here for too long, I've got to get back to..uh..Kindspeed right?" He asked, and she chuckled.

"You have a terrible memory, goose." She said, and Bolt closed his eyes impatiently. "Goose..?" He asked shortly, expecting a sorry.

"Oh...sorry Bolty." She put a hoof to her lips apologetically, and grinned behind her sad face. Bolt's eyes sent out a smile, but he looked outside worriedly. "I'm really sorry, but it seems like I delayed too much. I'll see you sometime." He returned an even-more-apologetic face. Startunes sighed sadly, but smiled hopefully. "See you..." She waved her hoof as Bolt threw a sack of bits, grabbed his things, and waved back to her.

His shadow disappeared slowly, and once again, Startunes was left in her mess of music, with nopony to share it to.

Bolt recalled Startune's appearance as he galloped through the quiet city. White coat, neon green mane and a DJ disc as a cutiemark. She was a great pony, Bolt thought. He looked down at the list again.

Black Arts

Huh? Bolt shrugged and opened the door to find a pony staring at his face just like in the brewery.

"I've been waiting, Highflyer."

Applejack

"W-w-what?" Bolt stammered, and froze right on the spot.

"Don't be afraid, Highflyer. Come closer." A voice grumbled, old but keen. Bolt slowly slid his hooves forward, waiting for a death trap to slam into his face and destroy him.

Nothing happened.

"Come on." The voice called. Bolt forced himself to walk normally towards the very dim light in the corner of the room. "Sit down." Bolt quietly sat down on the wooden bench, facing a hooded stallion just like himself.

"You seek guidance." The stallion said. He slid his hoof onto the wooden table, grasping something in the palm of his hoof. Bolt steadied his hoof onto his scabbard, ready to pull it out as soon as the hooded stallion decided to kill him.

"You try my patience." The stallion said, with the same blank tune, neither happy or angry. Bolt released his grip and looked at the hoof, gritting his teeth. The stallion revealed the item in his hoof, a piece of ripped paper. He closed it again, and revealed the item once again, but surprisingly now being little ripped pieces of paper. Bolt looked at the stallion, now throwing the pieces of paper in the air.

"Danger is coming. You must flee now. They are after you." He paused and scrambled to find something. After a few seconds, he pulled out a golden necklace with a symbol on it. "Ponyville. Train 67. Twilight Sparkle and her brother." He panted, and pushed the items off Bolt's back. "Quick!" Bolt didn't hesitate. He sprinted towards the door and looked back a second to see the hooded stallion's eyes, neon green. He looks familiar, Bolt thought. He galloped through the door and waved to the stallion  to see him smile weakly.

"Train 67, here we go." Bolt mumbled, and sped up his gallop towards the Pony Express.

Bolt fumbled with his ticket. "Uh, Train 67." He stammered, and pulled his hood down.

"Alright, y'all. But first, why in Equestria y'all gotta get a crazy getup, mister?" The trainmaster stallion asked, pointing to the cloak. Bolt gulped. "Uh...I...I...I need to surprise my foals. Ya know, the usual creepy stuff. It's..Blossom's birthday today." He lied, and smiled.

"You must really care about em'. C'mon, the train's bout to leave." Bolt followed the trainmaster to his cabin, and waved as the train chugged away.

"Next stop, Ponyville!" The train driver hollered from the front of the train. Bolt sighed. Nothing much to do. He laid on his bed, waiting for the next stop to fly by. Nothing happened.

Nuts. Bolt gritted his teeth and stood up. "Time to be productive." Bolt looked around the room and reached for a few pamphlets and maps. "Twilight Sparkle...Twilight Sparkle." Bolt quickly flipped through the pages, anxious to find the right page.

'Twilight's Library'

Bolt stopped. He read the words out loud. "Twilight's Library, a great place to borrow books and return them. Merchandise available if asked for." Merchandise? Bolt shrugged and read on. "Address: Ponyville, Sparkle Lane. Hayrides available if asked for at Ponyville Train Station." Bolt paused and took out a pen to circle the contents. Just as he was about to, there was a knock on his door.

"Ello?" A voice asked. Bolt looked at the door weirdly and coughed. "Oh! Uh, come in." He pulled his hood down to avoid any more accusations and faintly resembled a orange pony, sounding very western.

"Ah think this is supposed to be my cabin." She coughed awkwardly, and Bolt looked down. "Well, uh, I guess we can share." Bolt popped up, and started to clean up his mess of pamphlets and maps.

"What're ya readin'? Ah can help, honest." The pony smiled and Bolt couldn't help but sigh. "Uh, I need to get to Ponyville to see this pony called Twilight Sparkl-"

"Twi?" The pony questioned. "Ya wanna see Twi?" Bolt nodded faintly, and she chuckled. "Just yer luck, mister. She's one of 'em Elements of Harmony, like me. She's a close friend." Bolt raised his head hopefully. "Really?!" He almost yelled, and his face started to beam and smile. The pony grinned. "Yes sir! I'm an Element of Harmony, Honesty. My name's Applejack, and ah think y'all can get Twi to help you out. But what for?" Bolt stopped.

"Uh...just something."

"If it's sometin', silly, y'all gotta tell me what it might ought ta be!"

"Oh..alright." Bolt sighed. I guess I can trust this pony. He quickly flipped his hood. "Make a long story short. I need to find my brother. I'm part of the Canterlot Elite. Ran from town to town to find him. Encountered someone, told him my story, now the guards are after me." Applejack widened her eyes. "So YER the one Celestia's been talkin' bout!" She declared, and frowned. "She gave us orders ta report ya." Bolt frowned.

"Please don't. I need to sort this out...please." Applejack looked at Bolt's pleading face, and imagined Princess Celestia discovering the secret.

"...Awh, alright. Just a lil' bit."

The two ponies spent the rest of the train trip chatting to each other and learning about their background lives, eagerly asking questions and answering each one with great details.

Cups, Cakes, and Flowery Cannons!

Bolt and Applejack hustled off the train, chatting excitedly. The train ride had been a great one, with both of the ponies shooting questions off. They had an enjoyable time, too.

"So, are we gonna see this 'Twilight' or what?" Bolt said, waving to the trainmaster as they trotted onto the wooden platform. Applejack nodded back.

"We're gonna go and take a taxi carriage. Y'all have that in Canterlot?" Bolt shrugged and showed her an 'not-sure' face. She chuckled and waved her hoof as a taxi carriage stallion galloped by. He stopped, turned around to her, and backed up.

"Ello, ma'am. You need a ride?" He smiled and gestured to the seat. Applejack smiled back and they climbed in, setting their luggage onto the floor. "Where to?" He unfolded a map and she pointed to a treehouse.

"Ah, Princess Twilight's home." He folded the map up, pushed it in his saddlebag, and started walking. "Full speed?" He asked. Bolt looked at Applejack then nodded. He quickly warmed up his muscles and started to gallop.

"Princess?" Bolt said. Applejack took a deep breath and explained the whole story. "Remember how you met me on the train? Well, Ah actually was on there because my friend Twilight had just got her princess coronation. They decided to leave pretty quick back ta Ponyville for celebration, but Ah said ah would stay there cause my Aunt an' Uncle Orange were visiting Canterlot and invited me to stay with 'em for a few days. So Twi and my other friends went back and told me ah could take my time. After the visit, I was plannin' to go back to Ponyville right away. So ah did, and ah met you."

"I see." Bolt caught himself for a second and blurted out a question. "What if she reports me to Princess Celestia?" Applejack looked at him seriously. "I promise it won't happen."

The taxi stallion slowed down his gallop into a simple tug as they pulled up in front of a treehouse-like library. "7 bits, please." He stuck out his hoof demandingly. Applejack raised her hoof in protest, only to find Bolt throwing him 7 bits quickly. The taxi stallion grinned cheekily, helped them unload the luggage, and left in a canter.

The two lugged their items to the front door slowly. Applejack knocked the door, hearing a slight chattering sound. As she finished knocking the door, a yell was heard, and a muffled 'Coming!' was blurted out.

"Helllooo?" A pink and cheerful looking pony popped out of nowhere, standing in the space where the door was. Bolt looked at her confusingly, and Applejack smiled at her.

"Howdy Pinkie!"

"Hey, it's Applejack and a stranger!" The pink pony turned around and yelled for her friends to come. A bunch of ponies squeezed in the doorway, exactly about 4. A bundle of voices burst out of them.

"Who are you?"

"Hey, he's got a horn!"

"Are you a SPY?"

"Everypony, just calm down." A soothing voice cut through everyone's thoughts sharply, but with a hint of cheerfulness and obvious curiousness. A purple bubble surrounded the ponies and it moved them towards the 2 stunned ponies, moved up, and landed right on their heads.

"Oops! I'm sorry, I didn't really see you guys there." Now, standing in the doorway was a purple alicorn with an golden crown on her head, blushing feebly as she one by one picked everyone up with her magic.

Bolt popped up from the pile, moaning as he rubbed his head angrily. "Who just-" He caught sight of the golden crown on her head for a second and jumped out of the pile. "Your majesty." He bowed instantly, and the purple alicorn blushed even more.

"Uhm, thanks." She smiled kindly and gestured for him to lift his head. "No need to bow down or anything. I'm fine with a friendly hoofshake." Bolt smiled, but still stayed still. "No, really." She walked towards him, lifted him up to his hooves, and gave him a big hug."Thank you, your highness." He smiled lightly as the other ponies were dusting dirt off themselves. The purple pony smiled back weakly, clearly blushing. The other ponies joined him and they all trotted back into the treehouse, leaving Bolt and Applejack last.

"C'mon, scaredy-pants. Y'all comin' or what?" Applejack grabbed his hoof and pulled him into the room. He smiled playfully, lightened up, and followed her in the room.

The room was surrounded by bookcases and a few books rested on the floor. A ladder rested on an empty bookcase, a old-fashioned desk was set on the corner of the room, and a staircase was squeezed in the opposite corner. The second level of the room was a small space with a bed and a large window, plus one small basket covered in a blanket.

The ponies were now gathered in the middle of the room, talking and chattering excitedly. As Bolt studied the room more carefully, he noticed party things around the room. A table with a bowl of juice on it, cups, cake, and...a decorated flowery cannon? Bolt shrugged at his own thoughts and trotted towards the ponies shyly.

"Everypony, gather round." The bunch of ponies all gathered round on a table, each sitting down on a wooden chair. Bolt looked around for a seat, and slid next to a lightly yellow colored pony. The ponies were staring at him awkwardly, and he tugged his hood down onto his face shyly.

"Are you alright?" The princess said. Bolt stayed still, praying for someone to speak up. "He's just got a little...er...stage fright." Applejack chimed in, hoping that could cut it. "AJ, everypony knows that isn't true. This isn't a stage!" A blue mare pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane retorted. Bolt turned green.

"Everypony, PLEASE! Make some sense into this!" The princess was speaking again, but she didn't have any royal voice in it. Bolt flinched at her noise and took off his hood slowly. "First, we need to talk about this stallion. Applejack?"

"Well, er..." Applejack hesitated for a moment, but Bolt gave her a smile and she explained the whole story with confidence and pride. Bolt grinned throughout the whole story as the ponies asked questions and gasped dramatically. He didn't want to be boastful, but Applejack did tell stories very well, not exaggerating it one bit. Just like as she had said, she WAS an Element of Honesty.

"I see." The princess said, finishing Applejack's story briefly. Applejack grinned at Bolt, who grinned back.

"Now, let ME introduce you to my friends." She spoke directly to Bolt. He nodded, focused her way, and waited for the introduction. She pointed to the pony beside him, the yellow one. "That's Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness." Fluttershy blushed.

"Hello." She whispered. Bolt smiled a strict and firm smile.

"This, is Rainbow Dash, Element of Honesty." She pointed to the rainbow-colored mane pegasus next to Fluttershy, who flashed a competitive and boastful grin. Bolt smiled again, but this time made sure it was strict and ghastly, making it clear she shouldn't boast him around. She still stuck on her firm grin.

"This is Rarity, Element of Generosity." The princess guided Bolt's curiosity to the next pony in the table, a pretty white mare with a styled mane.

"Hello, darling!" Bolt became more and more friendly as the whole gang was introduced, and finally was introduced to the princess. The introductions to the other ponies had been brief, but he knew this one would be slightly more longer.

"And I think that's it!" The princess surprised Bolt a little, but he didn't interrupt. The pink colored pony, Pinkie, didn't hesitate.

"Silly little Twilight! You forgot something, doodly doo!" Pinkie shook her head and pointed at the princess. "You forgot yourself!" The princess blushed and took a puff of breath. "Thanks Pinkie." She smiled. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am the 6th Element of all of the Elements of Harmony, the Element of Magic. I was recently crowned princess for completing an ancient spell that Starswirl the Bearded could not finish, making Princess Celestia believe that I had created new magic."

Bolt looked at her surprisingly. "Starswirl the Bearded?" Twilight nodded. "Wow." He nodded back impressively, opening up completely with comfort and no shyness at all.

"Now, Ah believe ya need ta do sometin', Bolt." Applejack folded her hooves together and Bolt stared at her blankly. "What?" He said. Applejack rolled her eyes, but she smiled cheerfully and mouthed 'your introduction'. Bolt looked at her dangerously, totally reversing from his cheerfulness.

Hurmph, Applejack thought. She looked at him pleadingly. He softened his look, set aback by the sudden pleading look of Applejack, and sighed. The ponies looked at him now, eager for the story to spill out of him.

"My name is Bolt Highflyer. I...uh...I'm a...I...I used to be the captain of the Canterlot Elite." It was Twilight's turn to look surprised. "Aren't you supposed to be in the Canterlot Castle, guarding and supervising right now?" Bolt shook his head.

"You remember how Applejack said I ran away?" Bolt reminded her. Twilight and the other ponies nodded, and Pinkie Pie threw out an 'Ooooohh'. "That's it." He grinned goodheartedly. Just before Applejack was about to say something, a knock was heard on the door. Twilight trotted towards it and opened it with her magic.

"Hello?"

"Hello, your highness." 2 Canterlot guards appeared at the door, both colored white. A royal captain stood behind them, holding a bruised and beaten up pony, smashed to the brim. Bolt galloped upstairs and slipped under the bed, viewing the horrific scene from a safer distance.

"Excuse me?" Twilight levitated the 2 guards out of the way and stared in disbelief at the smashed up pony. "What in Celestia did you do?" She said. The royal captain bowed down.

"My highness and most recent royalty, let me introduce myself." He gave a twirl of the hooves before continuing. "I am Swift Flyer, the Canterlot Elite Captain. I am very delighted to make your acquaintance, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"My question is, what are you doing with this poor pony!" Twilight snapped, obviously impatient of his quick introduction.

"Well you see your highne-"

"I don't see!"

"Ma'am, with all due respect, I need a moment to speak."

"Well then. Go on!"

"Well ma'am, we are searching Equestria for a stallion named Bolt Highflyer. He has escaped from his duties and Princess Celestia asks for his presence immediately. We have set a citywide search for him for now, but we supposed we could give you the evidence first."

"Evidence, huh."

Swift continued without noticing Twilight's sarcastic comment. "This rude stallion, Kindspeed, has presented us evidence of the stallion's brief visit and disappearance after he ordered for him to do his daily grocery shopping." He pushed the beaten up stallion towards the princess.

"If you may, ma'am, I would like you to take him and question him, ma'am." Swift batted his eyes and flashed a mix of cute puppy eyes and devilish evil eyes, satisfied that everything was going to be perfect. "No thank you." Twilight said, but levitated the hurt stallion into the room as the other ponies peeked at him.

"B-b-ut-"

"No buts. I request you to stop this investigation IMMEDIATLEY."

"Ma'am, you don't understand! This is important and I'm sorry to say but your orders cannot override Princess Celestia's orders. We must leave now. Will you be taking the stallion?"

"...I request you to leave." Twilight finished shortly, and shut the door.

Good Morning Baltimare!

Good morning Baltimare! This is your fair old news reporter, Quickspeaker!  Today the weather is about 19-22 degrees Celsius, and the weathers clear and nice. Thank you for joining me today in Baltimare or whichever town you may be in. Today's top story is based on our ruler of all, Princess Celestia. She's going from town to town, yes, that's right! TOWN to TOWN, meeting ponies, and yes, that's right again! Celestia, the ruler of all Equestria, is meeting random PONIES! And also-

Bolt groaned. He had no idea where he was for a second, until he properly woke up. He recalled his adventures, and then slid out of bed. He looked around for a second. Simple wooden room, a desk and a chair, and his comfy  wooden bed with a small window in the edge of the room, spurting out a small but heavenly shade of light. Bolt smiled, pulled up his boots and cloak, then opened the door.

  "Morning, Bolt." The innkeeper greeted, and pointed to a menu. "Anything you're interested in?" Bolt smiled at the innkeeper and studied the menu. "Hot hay pancakes with maple syrup please." The innkeeper smiled back at Bolt and prepared the meal.

"So, how was Luna's heavenly slumber?" The innkeeper said with a brilliant-but-jokey tone. "It...it was nice." Bolt took a moment to understand the joke but then good-heartedly laughed.

"That's my buddy! So, where do you plan on going now?" Bolt bent down to smell the pancakes and looked at the innkeeper blankly. "I'm staying here for a while but eventually I'll be going to White Tail Woods." The innkeeper grinned and took out a customized mug. The mug had a few squiggly words printed on the back and the front. 'I love Canterlot!' on the front, and 'Las Pegasus' written on the sides. The innkeeper noticed Bolt looking at the mug suspiciously, so he quickly covered the words and coughed awkwardly.

"So anyways, I was thinking that you could do a few things for me." Bolt shrugged and suddenly remembered something. "Here's the beans." He took out a small brown tied-up sack and untied it. He then reached into the sack and pulled out a few bits. "10,20,30.." He mumbled, and then quickly tossed them to the innkeeper. "So what are the 'things' again?" He asked, and the innkeeper stuffed the bits in a small drawer.

"I need to pick up a few packages around town, so I was wondering if you could help me out."  The innkeeper said, and slid a map out. "Could you go to all the marked places on the map? You can even check other places if you want." Bolt nodded, curled up the map and smiled. "I'll be back in about a few hours. See you then!" Bolt galloped out of the small wooden inn.

The innkeeper stood there, and retraced yesterday's conversation. He scanned the lobby and reviewed all his furniture. Stiff wooden tables and chairs with bits of embroidered cloth sprawled on the chairs. Soft, cushiony pillows settled on each chair, cushioning a pony's sit. Strong wooden pillars and a small staircase leading up to the inn rooms.  He glanced at his own bar and twisted his mane to review more of the furniture.

There were small wooden but sturdy stools, and a big smooth bar covered in a simple white tablecloth. A fiery flame rested on top of a traditional light-holder with iron bars shaped like an ice cream cone, stuck to the edges of the walls. Only 3 large windows were spread amongst the small lobby, each with a curtain hanging from the edges.

The innkeeper stepped back and ran through his amazing liquor treasury. He recently fought with a few Royal Guards requesting that his liquor be put away, but it ended up that he won the argument and celebrated his victory with some rum. The innkeeper treasured his delicacies a lot and every now and then would reshelf them in different ways and shine the bottles proudly. He even set up small lights and covered the space with a glass cover to ensure safety and security. He stored  sarsaparilla, tequila, whisky, rum, and even water-filled bottles stuffed with leaves, roots, plants, and berries.

He glanced to the right and noticed the good-old telephone, a little rusty but still working as fine as ever. He paused, reviewing it again and again, until he heard a small sound.

Ding!

That must be the toast. The innkeeper flipped the wooden cover on the edge of the bar and trotted into the kitchen, a small but lively place filled with iron pots and pans. Knives settled in drawers and spices and sauces were all pushed in a shelf, with all the pots and pans hanging from hooks and the smell of coffee and toast filled the kitchen with excitement. He quickly pushed the button on the side of his magnificent toaster and swiftly dished out a plate, just in time for the 2 loaves of toast to plop onto the plate.

Humming a merry tune, the innkeeper dangled the plate on his back and flipped the wooden cover again as he entered the small section of the bar once again. He quickly rested the plate on the bar and plopped onto a chair of his own, pulling out some cutlery and a mug. He turned his body, tapped the keg, filled the mug, and turned back to find a Royal Guard staring at his face.