Fluttershy had the best dream. She dreamed that she was asleep in Epee's embrace, and he had said he loved her. Too bad that she had awoken from that amazing dream. She opened her eyes and yawned. Then gasped in shock.

It wasn't a dream. Epee had his arms tightly wrapped around her, and was sleeping soundly. He had stayed with her after her nightmare. She rubbed her head when she recalled her nightmare. It was about the man attacking Epee, yet this time, he had succeeded in killing him. It'd terrified her. But it seemed that her supposed wonderful dream was reality, which contrasted with the nightmare.

When the sudden realization hit her again, her eyes widened. Had Epee really told her he loved her? She didn't know what to make of that, so Fluttershy just relaxed, and took the blissful moment while it was there.

"I...love you, Epee..." She said quietly.

***

You gradually awoke to find Fluttershy still asleep on you. It killed you to move, but it was morning, and sooner or later, Fluttershy would feel it, and that would've been quite awkward. That and Fluttershy would be more scarred than she already is.

"Um, Fluttershy?" You whispered. She stirred and awoke slowly. "I think we, er, better get up," You said awkwardly. Your brain was struggling to operate with the pure imbodiment of innocence slumbering on you. All she did was nod.

***

You had showered and indulged in a little breakfast, and you were preparing to head to the Sugarcube Corner for work. You opened the door to see something you had least expected.

Standing at the door way were two alicorn women, one wearing all and white, and the other wearing all black. The one weaing all white was standing with her fist outstretched, as if she were about to knock on the door. You jumped back in suprise.

"Are you, by chance, Epee?" The white clad one asked in an angelic voice. Twilight peeked around from behind the white clad one.

Twilight said she would explain in a second, and led the two alicorns into the room. "Could you go get Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. You vacantly nodded and walked up the stairs. You beckoned her and led her downstairs.

"P-Princess Celestia!?" You exclaimed, your mouth agape.

"And Princess Luna," Twilight added. You took a deep breath to calm yourself down.

"I recieved Twilight's letter about you." Celestia said. "I have looked in my records, and I do not see trace of you. You are not a citizen of Equestria." She still retained her soothing voice, but she was still deadly serious.

"But, you do not seem violent. If you were, you would've done something by now. That, and you must know you would face me if you had tried to hurt anyone. And facing an alicorn isn't exactly a picnic." She chuckled. You nervously let out a solitary laugh. Facing the deity of the sun would be a scary thought, but she said it so plainly. This princess was serious buisness.

"Yes, o-of course..." You stammered.

"Excuse my sister, her sense of humor is...unique," Princess Luna sighed.

"You know you would have it no other way, Luna," Celestia retorted. The two chuckled. You were still sitting uncomfortably in a chair, your knees to your chest with your arms wrapped around your knees Having the two royal sisters in your midst wasn't exactly comforting.

"Come now, you must loosen up, we're not here to hurt you," Luna said, using her telekinesis to unfurl your legs and arms. You meeped pitifully in fear as you felt the magic creep around you.

"Are you afriad of us, Epee?" Celestia asked bluntly. You nodded. She chuckled.

"Don't be, we promise we aren't here to hurt you," She said in a soothing voice. Luna nodded behind her. "We're hear to clear things up."

"We looked up Broad as well, but again, no records of him. You both seem to come from a different kingdom."

"That much doesn't seem to suprise me, though," You sighed. "Where are the possible candidates, though? I mean, if that guy got here through Everfree, which sounds like a big place, it can't be too far right?"

"Correct, but..." Luna said sadly, "we have our hands full with a lot at the castle..."

"What do you mean?" You asked.

"Many reports of arson have been popping up at Canterlot..." Twilight said softly.

"What?! Was anyone hurt?" You asked in shock.

Celestia looked down sadly. "Only a few, but no deaths. It still brings a handful for us to handle...we can't do much to help you...we are sorry."

You sighed. You had to deal with this alone.

"But, we can do something. It was told to us that you are very proficient at fighting, correct?" Celestia asked. You nodded.

"In one of my memories I recalled, I was fencing with Broad. Don't ask why, cuz I don't know."

"Hm...I have an idea. I will send you one of my knights to help you brush up on your skills. That will suffice I assume."

Your eyes grew wide. "O-Of course! That'd be a huge help, thank you!" You gushed. You would've hugged her if she wasn't an all-powerful sun goddess. She smiled.

"Good. We'll be back soon to check on your progress." With that, the sun and moon goddesses said their goodbyes and left the cottage.

"Well that was...eventful," You sighed. It took a couple seconds to realize something.

"Aw crap, I'm late for work!!" You shouted as you started to bolt out the door.

"Wait!" Twilight yelled. "We told Mr. and Mrs. Cake what had happened, you're off for the next couple of days."

"Oh." You said. You sat down on the couch next to Fluttershy.

"Well, I think I need to go. Spike might be worried; I ran out without an explanation. Bye," At that, she departed.

You were left with an uncomfortable silence with Fluttershy. As much as you wanted to tell her your feelings, you couldn't muster the courage. You decided it was best to just take a rest. Mentally, you were exausted, despite it being almost noon.

"W-wait," A soft voice said. You turned to Fluttershy. She was looking down to the floor, avoiding eye contact.

"What?" You asked.

After a long silence, she muttered, "N-nevermind."

"No, you wanted to tell me something. What is it?" You walked up to her. She still avoided eye contact, which worried you.

"Are you alright, or, do you need something. I mean, wh-"

"No, seriously, I'm fine," She said, louder. Her volume made you stop.

"Oh, ok..." You said. You turned and walked over to the stairs.

"N-no, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"No no, it's fine, I promise." You walked up the stairs, into your room, and collapsed onto the bed.

Ok, this is it, I will tell her when the mood is right. This is it. No more delays. Fluttershy will know how I feel!

***

Fluttershy sat down onto the couch with a sigh. She laid down on it's green cushions and curled into a ball. She wanted to tell Epee to stay with her, but her shyness stopped her. She wanted to tell him how she felt, that she loved him, but some higher force prevented her from voicing it. The secret was killing her. She wanted, more than anything, to tell Epee she loved him. She didn't even care if he didn't feel the same way, she just wanted to tell.

Oh no, She thought, alarmed, to herself. She began to think about what would happen if Epee didn't feel the same. It would ruin whatever friendship we have. Oh no... She laid on the couch as the tears flowed silently.

***

Knock, knock, knock. You stretched as you walked sleepily to the door to answer the knocking. The previous day, after Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had left, went on uneventful.

You opened the door to see a tall, armor-clad, soldier standing at the door. His size took you by suprise.

Who, er, who are you?" You asked warily.

"I am preator of the guard, Tactic. Princess Celestia sent me here to help you brush up on your fencing."

"Oh, uh, yeah, that was quick..." You said under your breath. "Come...in?" The soldier had short brown hair, a scarred face, and dark green eyes. There was one exceptionally prominent scar cutting vertically across his nose.

"Um...when did Princess Celestia send you?" You ask

Fluttershy had come down once she heard your voice, and gasped slightly when she saw the buff soldier in her house.

"So, do we just start now?" You asked.

"Certainly. I brought the weapons needed, come with me; we'll train in the yard." You followed him outside, and saw the swords laying on the ground. "Okay, let's get started."

***

Tactic had suited you up in light armor and handed you a longsword. It felt like it weighed as much as you, and was as tall as you.

"Take your stance!" He instructed. You attempted to lift the sword, but it was too heavy. You managed to lift the tip of the blade a foot off of the ground, but it dropped back onto the dirt.

"H-how much does this sword weigh?" You asked, struggling to lift it.

"One hundred and seventy pounds," He said bluntly.

"W-What!? How do you expect me to fight with this bigass thing?"

Tactic sighed and snatched the sword from your hand, and tossed it to the ground a few feet away as if it weighed nothing. He picked up a smallsword, about a yard long, and handed it to you. "Maybe this will suite you."

You grabbed the sword and tested it's weight. It felt light enough. You swung the blade, spinning it about, tossing it into the air, and catching it. "I think this'll do nicely."

"Okay. Take your stance!" For the next hour, you trained nonstop. You remembered the basics, so all you needed to do was to go full out. As you pressed each other, sparks from the colliding blades flew about, the sound of metal against metal echoed through the trees. You felt Fluttershy's eyes on you as you fought. You remembered what Broad had said.

"When I'm through with you, I'll kill her."

The rage you felt surged within you yet again, and you put up a bigger fight. Tactic struggled to keep up with your speed. If you couldn't overpower him with strength, you would do so with your speed.

Finally, Tactic gave in. Your acrobatic speed dominated his slow, brute strength.

"Amazing...you sure...you've never...seen the battlefield?" Tactic sputtered while gasping for air.

"If I have...I don't remember..." You said, tired as well.

"Still, you have amazing skill. I shouldn't be suprised, seeing as your cutie mark is two fencing swords crossed, correct?"

You nodded. He'd seen your cutie mark once you took off your shirt to change into a more loose one.

"Well...it seems there's nothing more I can do for you. I didn't expect you to come back to full form so quickly..."

"Thanks a lot, I feel more confident." You straightened up, and walked over to Tactic. "Here's your sword back."

"No, you keep it, it fits you well." He stood. "If you would like, I'll come back again to keep you in shape."

"I'd like that," You replied.

"Also, I shall look more deeply into the royal records. Her Highness is very busy with the arson reports in Canterlot to focus on other things right now, so I shall handle this. Oh, and one last thing. That girl," Tactic flicked his head in Fluttershy's direction, "you do know she's completly in love with you right?"

"W-what?" You said, averting your eyes.

"You know it. She's been staring at you the entire time as if you were the most amazing thing in the world. Don't keep her waiting." He cleared his throat. "I'll be taking my leave now. Good day." With that he turned, holding his bag of weaponry and armor, and began the trek back to Canterlot.

Despite the recent conversation, only one thing stuck out in your mind the most.

You really wanted to take a shower.