Forgive and Forget

Chapter 3

A week went by and Frank trained with the Royal Guards. He was moved to the Princesses active guard team. Frank was in the dining hall when he Captain walked in. “Morris! You’re needed in the throne room!” He looked at Topaz. “What do you think this is all about?”

“Don’t know see you when it’s done.” He walked over to the Captain and followed him to the Throne room. “What’s this about Captain?”

“We are going to Ponyville.”

“Why?”

“Visiting.”

“Visiting?”

“Visiting.” Frank laughed and shook his head. They arrived at the Throne room door. “Head on in.” He told Frank. “Alone?”

“Yep you’re soloing this one.” He nodded and walked into the throne room. Celestia looked up when she heard the door open and close. “Ah! Frank you’re here.”

“Yes Ma’am but why do you need me for a visit to Ponyville?”

“Thought you could use the rest you’ve been training so hard for the past week.”

“So I’m off duty during this?”

“No you’re to be on guard the whole time.” He raised an eyebrow at how quick she responded.

“Of course you’re off duty… Now I want you to choose two guards to take your job.”

“Two?”

“Yes. So who do you have in mind?”

“Topaz and Lightning Ma’am.” She was stunned for a moment at his quick decision. She looks towards one of the guards next to her. “Go fetch them.” The guard left the room.

“It’ll be nice to be able to see my friends again.”

“They miss you Twilight keeps checking on your progress.”

“Well when are we leaving?” The door opened and Topaz and Commander Lightning walked in. “Right now.” Soon enough they were on their way to Ponyville. When they landed a group of ponies had already gathered. Topaz leaned to Frank. “Did you ever get your reputation straightened outside of Canterlot?” Frank looked at him his face was void of all emotion. “Nope.” Topaz didn’t like it the last time he went outside of Canterlot; ponies threw rotten food at him.  The carriage landed and Topaz and Lightning stepped out, each moved to one side of the door. Celestia stepped out and everyone bowed, then Frank stepped out behind her. Everypony froze looking at him knowing exactly who he was. Everypony stood up, one of the ponies in the crowd spoke up, “What is he doing here!?” Twilight and her friends walked through the crowd. “Hey Frank!”

He stepped out from behind Celestia and the crowd saw his armor.  Emblazoned on it was the mark of the sun. He was a Royal Guard. Twilight and her friends stopped and gave an informal salute. “It’s alright guys. I’m off duty.” They lowered their hooves. “So how have you all been?” Everyone said they were fine they seemed a little anxious. “It’s the townsfolk isn’t it? Let them do what they want. I won’t do a thing.” Suddenly a brick smacked into his face he fell to the ground. Everyone went silent, Topaz looked into the crowd. “Who did that!?” He hollered into the crowd. “Topaz its fine.” His nose was bleeding and a bruise was already forming on his cheek. He looked in the direction where the brick came from. A lone pony stuck out he was black with gray hair. He walked through the crowd who split to create a path. “Frank…? Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“It’s alright Twilight…” his voice trailed off. “Come down here.”

“Who’s gonna make me?” The pony was asking for trouble.

“I will give you only two more chances. Come down or I will get you down.”

“Naw I like it up here.” Twilight was growing more and more anxious. “This won’t be good for his image if he gets into a fight.” Frank looked at the pony that was taunting him. “You are trying my patience and I know you know who I am. Now calm down before you make the badass mad.”

“You’re not a badass so you escaped the guards for a month whoop dee do. Now look your one of them.” Frank looked to Twilight and mouthed the words “I’m sorry.” She nodded, he turned back to the pony. “Last chance, come down now.”

“No.”

“Alright, you give me no choice.” He turned back to Celestia, “Permission to tackle him Ma’am?”

“Granted.” Suddenly the pony’s eyes went wide. He started to turn to run but Frank was already half way up the wall. “Shit!” He ran and Frank was close behind. Frank started to fall behind and the pony thought he was in the clear. He turned into an alleyway. He hid behind a crate. “Ha that was so easy to get away from. He’s not as tough as everyone thinks!”

“I’m not tough?” The voice startled the pony. He looked up and Frank was on top of the house looking down at him. “You might as well just give up.” The pony sighed. “Alright come on.” He lead the pony back to Celestia who was now at Sugar Cube Corner.

“Celestia I got him. Topaz mind taking care of this?” Topaz walked over and took the pony into custody. “Well an eventful visit isn’t it?” Twilight looked at him, “Yes and thank you for not hurting him.”

“I said I wouldn’t do anything to anypony and I meant it.” With that done he sat down at the table next to Celestia. Commander Lightning looked at him with her eyebrow raised. He cocked his head. “What are you doing sitting next to Celestia?”

“It’s my place.”

“What do you mean?”

“Celestia told me that my seat his right next to her. So this is my spot. Now Commander I forgot to brief you on this but you are to protect Celestia and me.” Lightning nodded her head. “I just want you to know though I can take care of myself. Celestia is who you should watch more not me.” Lightning nodded again. “Alright Morris.” Frank went back to enjoying lunch with his friends. They went on through the day giving Frank the tour of the town. Soon the sun was going down. “Well I think it’s about time, that I got back to the castle.”

“Princess Celestia is it alright if Frank stays here for awhile?”

“I don’t see why not he’s been training so hard for the past week. He could use the break.”

The six ponies jumped in joy. “Yay!” Frank stood there shaking his head and laughing. “What a cute bunch you are.” They all stopped and looked at Frank. “What?” They all started to laugh. “What? What’s so funny?” They didn’t answer him which made him annoyed, but he shook it off. “Alright well where will I be staying?” This stopped the ponies. “Where are you going to stay?” Twilight thought about it for a moment. “I think you’ll stay with me.” Rainbow Dash spoke up. “Wait…For one how is he gonna even get up there? Two how is he gonna stay up their when it’s made up of cloud?”

“Can’t you cast a spell that allows him to walk on clouds?” Twilight smacked her face with her hoof. “Right I forgot about that.”  She concentrated for a moment and her horn started to glow. Soon Frank started to glow slightly then it faded. “There he can walk on clouds for today and tomorrow

“And I can just fly him up.” Rainbow Dash stretched her wings in anticipation. “Well shall we all pack up for the night?” Everyone nodded. “Come on Rainbow Dash.” Frank and Rainbow Dash headed to her house which was floating over Ponyville. “So uh…how are we?” Suddenly he was lifted off the ground. He looked up at Rainbow Dash, “Rainbow Dash you sure you got this?” She was sweating and huffing for air. “Rainbow Dash?” They finally reached her house. She dropped him onto the clouds and fell down. “Rainbow Dash!? This is why I asked if you could do this or not.”

“I’m fine…I just need to rest…” He helped her up. “Come on let’s get you inside.” He carried Rainbow Dash into the house. “Where’s your room?”

“Up the stairs and to the left.” He carried her to her room. She paid no attention to the décor as he laid her on the bed. He pulled a blanket over her, “Now get some sleep.” He walked out of the room and headed back down stairs. He looked at the couch in the middle of the living room. He laid down and slowly fell asleep.