Second Wind

If ever there was a time that you had been put on the spot, it was right now. You've never seen Oliver look at you like that before. Ever. He looked as though he was pleading with you.

So THAT'S why he explained his family situation to you...

You look at Celestia. The only reason she has to be concerned, at least in your mind, is because this obviously effects Oliver. He's either going to be let down, or, he's going to get to go back and see his family. Lastly, you look up at Rarity. This decision is going to affect her life, as well. It's funny. Right now, you aren't thinking about whether or not you want to do this. You're essentially deciding what would make Rarity the happiest in the long run.

"And Rarity will be able to travel with me? For sure? No restrictions?" Celestia nods her head.

Well. I guess you can't stall forever.

"Alright, here's the thing. I really don't like fighting. But I really like Rarity. And this sounds like a title that will let us see Equestria together. Plus, the pay couldn't hurt. So..." You look Oliver in the eyes.

"I accept your offer." With both hands, you remove the sword from Oliver's claws. Gripping it in your hand, you turn it over, examining its every detail. Oliver stands up.

"Brother. You have no idea how much this means to me." He gives you a quick hug, then turns to Celestia.

"Excellent. Then by the power invested in me, i hereby declare you, Aaden Locke, The Honor Guard of Ponyville." You decide to do what Oliver did. You took the sword, and put the blade in facing the ground. You rested both of your hands on the hilt, and knelt before Celestia.  You then feel her horn tap you both shoulders.

"Rise, Guardsman." You do so. You place the sword down by her side.

"In another 2 weeks, you are to report back here, for the final ceremony. Immediately after the ceremony, you will then begin your training. Rarity is welcome to stay here in Canterlot while you train. In fact, she is welcome to watch, if she pleases." You looked back to Oliver. You could see he was tearing up.

"Oliver? Are you okay?" He nods his head slowly, looking at the ground, tears coming from his eyes, down to his beak, shimmering under the light.

"Brother. I have a family. The fact that you are freeing me from my responsibilities means the world to me. I can FINALLY spend my life with them, as I had intended to all along." He smiles, wiping away his tears.

"I didn't really notice how much I missed them until I saw Rarity by your side in the hospital. Then you two at the party, it really hit me hard. I miss my family. A lot." You pat him on his back, and face Celestia. That's when you hear a very rapid clopping, coming from behind you. It's getting closer, very fast.

"DARLING!" You hear echo off of the throne room walls. Before you can turn around, you are tackled to the floor. You turn around, and there's Rarity. Before you can open your mouth, you are met with another kiss. You close your eyes, and give in to it all.  She hops off, and gives you a sly smile.

"I guess you are my Knight now, darling."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Celestia is obviously very happy with all of the emotion in the room.

"Oliver, you are relinquished from your duties in Ponyville. As such, you may return to Cloudsdale and stay with your family until a new assignment comes." Oliver laughs.

"I will not forget your kindness, brother. I will see you again soon." You see it fit to repeat what you always say to him when he leaves your presence.

"Safe travels. Brother." Oliver nods, and runs from the throne room. Celestia climbs back up into her throne, and sits.

"Honor Guardsman Locke, you are also dismissed. I will see you in two weeks. Rarity?" Rarity perks up, not expecting Celestia to acknowledge her.

"Yes, Princess?"

"Take care of my new Guardsman." Rarity giggles.

"It'll be my pleasure, Celestia." You bow before the Princess one more time, before you leave the throne room.

The train was empty again, except for Rarity. You leaned against the window, letting the night wind blow through your hair. You could feel another case of nightfever coming on. Rarity leaned against you, watching the countryside pass as the train chugged its way back home. You sit down in the chair, and decide to take advantage of the feeling of perfection, quickly falling asleep.

_________________________________________________________________________________

You cannot believe they just killed your target. If any of you make it out of this alive now, you sure as Hell aren't getting paid. Seeing as everything was going down south very quickly, you load 2 more shells into your shotgun, and give it a pump. You hear Thomas and Anthony yelling in desperation.

"YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST FUCKING WAITED UNTIL HE GAVE YOU THE COMBINATION TO KILL HIM, JACKASS!" Anthony throws his arms up in the air.

"AND WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, HUH? IF I SPARED HIM, PEOPLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON TO US!" He lowers his voice.

"Look, relax. They were going to give 500,000 dollars for him, right? I GUARANTEE this bank holds 4 times more than that." You took a look around. 12 of you were down in the bowels of this bank, in the vault, waiting for Decker to cut it open, while the other 3 hid in the lobby, waiting for the police to inevitably show up. Anthony and Thomas continued to fumble around with the briefcase, but carefully. If they damaged the paperwork, your client wouldn't pay a dime. You start to question Anthony's intelligence. Why didn't you just nab him of the street? It's almost as if he premeditated this entire thing operation. Just as you start to question his motives, the radio Decker has goes off.

"THEY'RE COMING! THEY JUST KILLED ALEX!" You run over to the nearby wall, and take a deep breath.

Two walls of SWAT officers with shields were approaching.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Aaden started to stir in his sleep, and you weren't about to have him leap up, especially not with so many open windows. You try to think of a way to wake him up without shaking him or disturbing him in any way. You just got a clever idea. Slowly, carefully, you slide Aaden's phone from his pocket, and open the music window. You find the picture of the song that Aaden showed you a few nights ago, the one he said he really liked, and tap it with your hoof. You then make sure the volume is as turned up as it can go.

Youtube Video

In the sharp gust of love

My memory stirred

When time wreathed a rose

A garland of shame

Its thorn my only delight

War torn, afraid to speak

We dare to breathe

Majestic

Imperial

A bridge of sighs

Solitude sails

In a wave of forgiveness

On angels' wings

Reach out your hands

Don't turn your back

Don't walk away

How in the world

Can I wish for this?

Never to be torn apart

Close to you

'Til the last beat

Of my heart

At the close of day

The sunset cloaks

These words in shadowplay

Here and now, long and loud

My heart cries out

And the naked bone of an echo says

Don't walk away

Reach out your hands

I'm just a step away

How in the world

Can I wish for this?

Never to be torn apart

Close to you

'Til the last beat

Of my heart

How in the world

Can I wish for this?

Never to be torn apart

'Til the last beat

'Til the last fleeting beat

Of my heart

You would be a liar if you said you didn't like the song. In fact, you quite like it. It's upbeat and adventurous tune matches the train ride very well, to the point of getting goosebumps. Aaden stirs slightly, and lifts his head up off of the chair he was resting it in. You didn't say anything, you let the song play all the way through.

You wish you could express to him how proud you were of him. You hate being so blunt, but he shouldn't even be alive. He overcame that odd. Then he accepted his new world, his new life, very, very quickly. You were sure he was still adjusting, but he didn't panic. He overcame that odd. Then he managed to charm Ponyville, and apparently even the Princess. He overcame those odds. And then he swept you off of your feet, regardless of species. He overcame those odds. You were sure that if any other human other than Aaden appeared here, they wouldn't be able to do it. You loved Aaden. And not what fillies and colts claim to have, but real, true love.

You began thinking about his training in the coming weeks. You've always seen Aaden as a very polite, very calm gentleman (except for his run in with the manticore). Truth be told, you were excited to watch his training. Although it wasn't very lady like to admit, you looked forward to seeing him get down and dirty, be physical. You could feel yourself blushing.

"Hey there. Was I out long?" You shake your head.

"No darling. You just started to stir again. I woke you up before it got too awful." You sat directly across from him. You liked the way he was looking at you.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Rarity was leaving you breathless right now. The music playing was perfect. The train car was completely dark, except for her outline, and her eyes. Those eyes. My God, those eyes. You felt like the answers to the universe were hidden in them, and you could easily spend the rest of your life searching in them. Rarity's purple mane blew softly in the night wind, making her look all the more majestic.

Damn Aaden. You're in love.

You hoped Rarity was okay with you becoming an Honor Guard. She was a very proper lady in her manners, and although she showed an incredible amount of support for you, you still couldn't decipher her thoughts on it. While you were on the topic, you began to think about Ponyville itself. Although everyone liked you there, would they be comfortable with you representing them? At the same time, would humanity be okay with you representing them? You smile.

I bet Pinkie Pie will be excited to hear this. You look back over at Rarity. Her ivory coat shimmers in the night light, her purple mane seemingly flows as smooth as silk, her eyes still glow the azure you had long fallen in love with. You feel the nightfever coming back on. You get up out of your chair, walk towards her, and pick her up with a hug. You spin her around (which was difficult on a moving train), making her giggle.

"Darling, I don't believe Knights are supposed to do such things to their ladies." You smile.

"No?"

Now's your chance.

"What about this?" You press your face against hers, and gently place your tongue inside of her mouth. She gasps from surprise, but submits quickly. Your tongues meet, and embrace for a moment, before you part. You look into her eyes again. You set her back down, but she takes a seat next to you this time, resting her head on your shoulder again, both of you looking out of the window. Something clicks in your brain.

"I used to watch stars back home, you know? I would go to the roof my apartment building with my telescope, and I would sit there for hours, sometimes. I've always found peace in looking at the sky. I mean, my Fridays were more often than not spent on the roof of my apartment building. I would order a pizza, have a soda, some candy or something, and just kind of...watch." Rarity lifts her head up, and smiles at you, listening to you speak.

"I would take my dog up there sometimes, for a little company."

Well shit, I guess I DO have a dog!

"He would lay down by my feet while I would gaze. It really was nice. I remember one time, during a meteor shower, just watching in awe. The stars make me feel very small, make me realize just how insignificant I am. but at the same time, it also makes me feel infinitely important, because while I may be small to the universe..." you put your arm around Rarity.

"I may mean the world to someone else." She kisses your cheek.

"Hey, honey?" You ask.

You just called her honey. Screw it, she'll probably like it.

"Yes darling?" she responds.

"I saw what you mouthed at me in the throne room. I love you too." She goes back to leaning her head on your shoulder. You still couldn't believe what was happening here, but it was happening. In this chaotic, cruel, unforgiving universe we all live in, where it's inhabitants are designed to only care for themselves, you have a met a girl who cares for your well being over her own. You are defying the universe. Together. Rarity starts to smile, almost uncontrollably. Your nightfever seems to be contagious.