Annie made her way down the winding stairs that led her to the hallway to the main chambers, where she would begin her day and end it like every other day. Dressed in her proper uniform and equipped with her Maneuver Gear, she reached the end of the stairway and continued to her destination. As she continued walking down the hallway, ignoring the glances that came her way from the other day and night guards that stood around the hall.

As she neared her destination, she could see as Celestia and Luna both stood outside the doorway to Celestia’s throne room. Both were talking amongst one another, but once Luna saw Annie come, they stopped talking and turned their bodies to face her.

Annie knew at once that they were waiting for her. Without hesitation or betraying any sense of shame for whatever actions she committed that night, Annie approached the two princesses as they looked at her with equal emotionlessness, keeping any pretense of their conversation hidden. Annie stopped before Celestia and Luna and saluted them both before returning her arms to her side.

“Your highnesses?” Annie questioned, prodding for the answer.

“Come,” Celestia ordered softly, opening the door to her throne room with her magic. “There is something we wish to discuss with you.”

Celestia and Luna both walked in, Annie following close behind. The room was vacant minus the three of them, a large, elevated platform with a staircase leading to a marble throne up on top in the back of the room. Without showing it, Annie felt a pang of nervousness creep into her gut, unsure of how the princesses would talk to her about the previous night in the privacy of their own chamber. With the door finally closing shut, Celestia breathed in, ready to speak.

“Annie,” Celestia cooed, “we knew life for you in Equestria would not be easy coming out of the gate, but we had hoped that by now, you would have made a few friends in the Royal Guard, especially on Hearth’s Warming.”

“I apologize, your highness,” Annie responded, “but I’ve never been good at making friends.”

“Neither did the earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, but even they could put their differences aside and unite in friendship and harmony. It’s what this wonderful holiday is all about.”

“Might I ask the reason for you bringing me here?”

Celestia and Luna both looked at each other. Luna stepped forwards and produced the Manehattan letter from the previous night and levitated it to Annie in her magic aura. Annie read the letter carefully. It appeared to be a report of a homicide. Annie didn’t care for the full semantics, but she read the things that were of most importance to her and presumably the princess.

The murder had taken place the night before the last in the city of Manehattan, inside an alley between Ridolph Ave. and Bittle St. The pony killed was a Mr. Stinkin’ Rich III. The cause of death was caused by deep lacerations on the chest and throat caused by distinct talon markings that could only come from a griffon.

The captured suspect that they had in their custody was named Gilda, a griffon about twenty-two years of age, who was spotted leaving the alley around the time the pony had been killed. She was currently being held in custody inside Maretropolitan Correctional Center until she could be properly transported to the Canterlot dungeons where she would be imprisoned most likely for life. Annie continued looking over the information, surprised that such a crime such as murder could exist in this world.

“I know how… accustomed you are to such violent circumstances,” Luna responded, “which is why Celestia and I thought you’d be capable for this job. This could also allow you to see the world while using your incredible physical abilities.”

“How can a prisoner escort require my physical abilities, if you don’t mind my asking?” asked Annie.

“Prisoner escorts, especially those from the cities into Canterlot, are extremely rare and extremely dangerous. The convicts that are involved in these are usually very violent and can be deadly if handled incorrectly.”

“That is why,” added Celestia, “I thought you would be perfect for this mission. You are easily one of the best fighters of either Luna’s guards or my own, and I couldn’t imagine that a prisoner of Gilda’s caliber, even if she is a griffon, can stand a ghost of a chance against you.”

The logic behind Celestia’s request was heavily mounting, and Annie herself couldn’t fight it. Finally, she could leave the city and involve herself in something more than drunken stallions at bars and the occasional thief. For once, something in her brain begged her to go forward with this, and saying yes was becoming more and more impossible for her to resist.

“Princess Celestia,” declared Annie. “I accept this mission.”

“Excellent,” responded Celestia. “I knew you would be up for it. Now, before we go, there is one other pony who will be joining you.”

“Who’s that?”

“He should have been here by now,” Luna said. “I wonder where–”

“Sorry!” exclaimed Flash Sentry as he trotted around the corner and into the room. “I had to use the bathroom. I’m here now.”

“Wonderful,” Celestia responded. “Annie, you’ve met Flash Sentry, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” Annie said with slight disdain, “we have.”

“To let you know what is going on,” Luna said, “we had a chance run-in with him earlier this morning, and he asked me if there were any advanced missions that he could go on. In light of this recent crime, as well as his background, I thought it would be wise to have him accompany you on this mission.”

“Why do you say that?” Annie asked. “Isn’t Flash Sentry only a rookie?”

“Yes, he is,” Celestia responded, “but there are many contributing factors as to why we have decided to bring him along with you. For starters, Flash Sentry was born and raised in Manehattan.”

“And proud of it,” Flash Sentry chirped with his head held high. “That way, I’ll be able to show you all around the city real easily.”

“Next, Flash Sentry is looking to earn his own Maneuver Gear, and I said to him that if he completes this mission by your side properly, that I’d allow him to have one.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, Annie,” added Flash Sentry. “I was one of the top soldiers in my trainee class, just like you from what I heard!”

“Plus,” concluded Celestia, “I thought that this mission could be a great bonding experience for you and Flash Sentry. I hope that spending some quality time together will have you becoming friends in no time.”

Annie breathed softly through her nose, successfully masking her contempt for the idea.

“Flash Sentry,” Luna spoke up, “Annie may be younger than you are, but she certainly has the most experience in the Royal Guard. She is your superior for this mission. You will follow her orders and be under her command. Do you understand?”

“Yes, your highness!” Flash Sentry answered.

“Anyways,” Celestia finished, “I’m glad to see that both of you are up for this mission. Now, go upstairs and pack. Your train leaves in less than two hours, and I hope for you to be in Manehattan well before sundown. I’ll leave a copy of the letter for each of you to bring with. You are now both dismissed.”

“Yes, your highness!” declared both Annie and Flash Sentry, saluting both Celestia and Luna.

Both Flash Sentry and Annie turned on the soles of their feet and hooves as they walked to the exit of the throne room.

“So,” Flash Sentry spoke, “murder in Manehatten. Pretty scary stuff there. I sure hope you–”

The second Annie and Flash Sentry walked outside the room, Annie sharply turned right to the hallway towards her room, splitting apart from Flash Sentry’s path to the left and leaving him alone. Flash Sentry opened his mouth to call her back, but didn’t utter a sound. Flash Sentry then brought out a small, smug smile. They’d be much closer once they got into the train.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Annie sat on a bench on the platform of the Canterlot Train Station. She looked at the ponies standing along the edge, waiting for the early morning train from Ponyville to arrive any minute. After that, her and Flash Sentry’s private escort train would arrive and take them to Manehattan. Beside Annie, sitting on either side of her feet were two cases, the long, slender one being for her 3D Maneuver Gear, the large, thicker one being her clothes.

Some of the foals and older ponies turned to see Annie standing there, surprised to see her for themselves. Before they could stare on any longer, a loud, low-pitched whistle came running towards the station. Emerging from a mountainous tunnel was a pink train engine pulling brown coaches with roves ranging from yellow, blue, and pink with a similarly styled caboose on the back.

With the train nearing the station, the ponies gathered to the edge of the platform to greet the ones who would be coming off. The train finally pulled into the station and stopped with a steamy wheeze. The doors opened up, allowing its passengers to pour out onto the platform. Annie watched indifferently as she watched stallions or mares greet their partners with loving embraces or kisses.

Continuing to watch, Annie didn’t realize as the lavender alicorn Twilight Sparkle and her purple baby dragon Spike walked off the train, followed by the rest of her friends, marveling at the yuletide decorations that adorned the roof and walls of the station. As she looked about, she found Annie sitting by herself at the station, continuing to pony-watch.

“Annie!” called Twilight, trotting towards her with Spike following closely.

Annie turned her gaze to Twilight and sat up alertly as she came.

“Twilight,” Annie responded. “What are you doing here?”

“Princess Celestia requested for some help in setting up this year’s Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant,” Twilight answered. “I played a part in last year’s production, so I know the ropes. What about you? Are you going somewhere?”

“Yes,” Annie answered. “I’m going to Manehattan on a very important mission.”

“Cool!” exclaimed Spike. “What kind of important missiony stuff are you going to be doing there?”

“Nothing that’s any of your business.”

“Ah,” responded Twilight, “I see. Well, despite that, I think you might enjoy Manehattan. Next to Canterlot, it’s the most beautiful city around Hearth’s Warming.”

“I’ll be sure to remember.”

Flash Sentry stepped up to the platform from behind and looked to find Annie there. Dressed in his armor, he also had a pair of brown, leather saddlebags equipped below each wing.

“There you are, Annie,” called Flash Sentry. “I thought we’d leave the palace togeth–”

Flash’s words were stopped as he looked at Twilight as she and her friends looked at him from his entrance. His eyes went wide as he examined her large, beautiful wings and her spotless lavender coat and expertly brushed mane. Flash Sentry walked up to her blushed, completely smitten. Twilight cocked her head, unsure of the stallion’s intentions.

“Wow, uh…” Flash Sentry guffawed nervously, “I’ve never met you before personally…”

“Twilight,” Annie responded. “This is… Flash Sentry, my partner for the mission.”

“Flash Sentry?” Twilight said, obligatorily extending her hoof to Flash Sentry. “You wouldn’t happen to know Shining A–”

Twilight’s words were halted as Flash Sentry placed his hoof underneath Twilight’s and lowered his face down, giving Twilight’s hoof a tender smack. Twilight blushed and let out a nervous smile. She had seen royal guards extend their respect and honor similarly to Celestia and Luna, but to have it done to herself since her ascent to the title of princess was almost flattering, even if she wanted to be treated like any other pony.

“A most wonderful pleasure, Princess Twilight,” addressed Flash Sentry, his suddenly flirtatious voice, making Twilight’s smile even more uncomfortable. “Hey, I was wondering, we’ll probably be back way before Hearth’s Warming Eve, and I just want to ask…”

Twilight watched as Flash Sentry twiddle his hooves, finding his gesture odd and somewhat pitiful.

“…if you’re going to attend the Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant,” Flash Sentry wondered, “would you mind if I, say… accompanied you?”

“As in…” guessed Twilight, her cheeks blushing pink, “a date?”

“Well… yeah.”

Twilight took a step back as her entire face became bright and flushed. Rainbow Dash, almost offended, flew up to Flash Sentry, whose body arched back , but refused to give Rainbow Dash another inch.

“What’s your deal, guy?” she asked. “You’ve only known her for a couple of seconds and you want to date her? Who does that?”

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight scolded, pulling Rainbow Dash by her tail back to the ground, “it’s alright. I can handle this.”

Twilight stepped up to the smitten Flash Sentry, unsure of how she herself would respond.

“Flash Sentry,” Twilight said politely, “listen. You seem like a really nice stallion, but I’m not really looking for a date right now, especially with someone I’ve known for, as my friend put it, a couple of seconds.”

Flash Sentry tried to keep his smile up, wanting not to look devastated in front of Twilight.

“Look,” Twilight added, putting her hoof on his shoulder, “don’t take it personally. I’ve just got too much time on my mind to even think about a special somepony. I’d definitely like to get to know you, just… try not try to rush it?”

Instantly, Flash’s spirit’s lifted, his forced smile returning to a genuine one.

“Yeah!” Flash Sentry exclaimed. “That sounds great! I’ll see you then.”

“Yeah…” Twilight groaned, her awkward smile still upon her face as she looked away, putting her hoof on her chin in thought. “What else was there?”

“Ooh! Ooh!” chirped Pinkie Pie, jumping over Twilight and landing before Annie. “We were also sending our Hearth’s Warming cards to our friends back on Earth!”

“Oh, right!” Twilight replied, perking back up. “Annie, is there something that you want to say to Eren, Armin, or anyone for that matter?”

“Nothing in particular,” responded Annie.

“Oh, come on. I’m sure you can think of something.”

Annie sighed, wanting to get done with it.

“Have a happy Hearth’s Warming, I suppose,” she said.

Twilight frowned a bit, off put by her unenthusiastic answer.

“I’ll just…” Twilight searched, “put something in for you. Is that alright?”

“Whatever you want,” answered Annie.

“If that’s that, I don’t want to keep you two waiting any longer. Have a pleasant time in Manehattan!”

Twilight and her friends all walked away from both Annie and Flash Sentry, heading off the platform and towards the streets of downtown Canterlot.

“Sure thing!” Flash Sentry called back. “Hey, my family lives in Manehattan! I’ll be sure to say hi to them for you!”

Twilight and the others were already out of earshot. Flash waved as a final attempt of getting Twilight’s attention, only for them to disappear into the crowds.

“Listen,” Annie advised, Flash Sentry’s head turning back to her, “you’re never going to earn a mate by acting like a fool like you did back there.”

“Do you think she and I have any kind of chance?” queried Flash Sentry.

“Acting the way you did, no way in Hell.”

“Hell? I’m… guessing that’s a bad–”

“It means you have no chance.”

Flash Sentry only seemed to dip his head down and droop his ears, his lips quivering in shame and defeat. Annie, finding Flash Sentry’s attitude distasteful, stood to her feet.

“Stand up straight,” Annie ordered. “You’re a soldier of the Royal Guard. Act like it.”

“Uh…” he fumbled, slipping on his hooves to stand back up straight, “yes, ma’am.”

“If there’s one thing women don’t like in men, it’s those who mope about like children.”

“Yeah,” sighed Flash Sentry. “I understand.”

A train came into the station from the west. The ponies that were on the station marveled at how much different it looked compared to the passenger trains that had been coming in and out all day. Annie bent down and picked both of her cases up, knowing that their train had arrives.

The engine was much like the passenger train. However there were only three cars and a caboose. The first car looked like an average passenger car. The middle car had no windows on the walls. The third car had tiny windows up near the top and center of the sides of the car, both of which were barred. The roof even looked like a dreary, metallic grey.

“Well,” Flash Sentry said, “this looks like us. At least we’ll have the whole car to ourselves, right?”

Annie stepped towards the train, ignoring Flash Sentry’s remark. As soon as the train stopped, the door to the middle car slid open, allowing the two unicorn royal guards to exit from it and stand on both sides. With each of them giving Annie and Flash Sentry a salute, both Annie and Flash Sentry stepped inside.

“Thanks, guys,” Flash Sentry said.

Both guards huffed proudly, happy for some appreciation from someone. Inside the car, Annie placed both her Maneuver Gear case and luggage case on the floor while Flash Sentry slid his saddlebags off his bag and began to remove his armor and horseshoes.

“Do you have everything you need?” asked one of the guards outside.

“Yes,” answered Annie. “Thank you. We’re ready to leave now.”

“Very well, Annie,” the other guard huffed. “Good luck to you both.”

As the guards closed the door, Annie let out a bothered sigh. While the convicted griffon sounded dangerous, it was still a simple prisoner transport. For her, luck was unnecessary. Flash Sentry walked past her, revealing more of his features to her without his armor. For one, his mane was also a royal-blue, slicked back behind his back. On his flanks, he had a cutie mark of a blue shield with a yellow lightning bolt upon it.

“Come on,” Flash Sentry beckoned, walking towards the door that led to the passenger car. “I need a drink.”

As Flash Sentry slid the door open and walked inside, Annie followed him. Hearing Annie’s footsteps, Flash Sentry left both the luggage and passenger doors open with his back leg and shoulder. Annie nodded once in appreciation as she stepped through, holding the door for herself as Flash Sentry moved to give her room.

Annie looked about the room seeing a row of booths to her right. On her left, there were two booths facing each other with a table in between them. On the right, there looked to be a tall pantry. At the back left corner, there was a cylindrical cabinet built into the car, featuring three sliding glass doors with spinning shelves.

The top shelf housed about half-a-dozen full decanters of liquor. The middle shelf had a variety of glasses and cups with a frosted ice bucket in the center. On the bottom, there appeared to be glass containers of brightly colored liquids, clearly juice and an enclosed pitcher of milk in the back.

“Mmm,” Flash Sentry hummed, “I’ll be taking that orange juice.”

“Great,” Annie responded, pushing both the top and middle doors open.

Grabbing a smaller glass with her left hand, she pulled a decanter of clear liquid from the top rack, popping the top off with her thumb where it landed back on the shelf. Annie sniffed the liquid inside, pulling her head back. It resembled the smell of gin, a liquor that Annie did not particularly care for.

Setting the glass back on the middle shelf, which Flash Sentry swiftly snatched with his teeth, Annie grabbed the top and placed back on the decanter, trading it with the other container of clear liquid. Annie took the top off again and took another investigative sniff. Realizing that it was crystal, she reached down to the middle shelf and felt around for a glass.

After finding the correct glass, she pulled it out and poured the glass about a third full. Reaching towards the ice bucket, she took the lid off and grabbed three ice cubes, dropping them into the glass and filling the liquid up to halfway. Once she put the lid back on and put the closed decanter back on the shelf, she closed both cabinet doors and walked to the booth and table with her drink. As she sat down, Flash Sentry took a seat across from her with a full glass of orange juice.

“Best we be sitting down for a while,” Flash Sentry advised. “The train should be starting up any second, and we don’t want to lose our–”

Flash Sentry’s words were cut off by Annie tilting her glass up and letting each drop of the crystal drain into her mouth.

“…balance,” he finished, astounded by her feat. “You know, you shouldn’t drink crystal that fast. You’ll get sick.”

“I’ll be fine,” she responded. “It’s just to help calm my nerves.”

“Nerves? Nerves over what?”

The sound of metal clinking from the locks on the car doors and the whistle from the train sounded off. As Flash Sentry put his arms by his side and held himself in by his seat, Annie gripped the table as hard as she could with her free hand. The train lurched forwards as it slowly pulled out of the station, reaching gradually faster speeds each second. Flash Sentry could see the anxiety on Annie’s face as she held on the table seemingly for dear life.

“Oh…” sighed Flash Sentry. “I see. You’ve never been on a train before, have you?”

“No, I haven’t,” Annie spat, angered at her obvious nervousness.

“Not to poke fun, but I’m quite surprised. Being that you can use one of those Maneuver Gear things like that, I thought a train would be child’s play for you.”

“Amazingly, no. And when each of us humans learned how to use these things, it was certainly frightening the first time. The difference there is that I was in control. God forbid this heap of wood and metal crashes along these mountains. What happens then?”

Flash Sentry leaned back, finding the statement rather pessimistic, but surprisingly profound and astute.

“Well…” Flash Sentry thought aloud, “I guess I’d catch you, hehe…”

Annie could not find the humor in the joke, but likewise could not blame him for trying to cheer her up. As the train began to regulate its speed, Annie took a comforting sigh and stood up from her seat, heading back towards the cabinet.

“Hey, Annie,” Flash Sentry quietly called, “where are you…”

Flash Sentry’s answer came in the form of Annie opening the top drawer of the cabinet and pulling out the decanter of crystal. Flash looked nervously as Annie pulled the top off and poured herself another drink.

“Annie,” wondered Flash Sentry, “don’t you think you should settle down on the crystal?”

Annie put the top back on the decanter and placed it back in the cabinet, closing it. Annie carried her refilled glass back to her seat, swirling the melted ice water and the crystal around with the ice still maintaining its form inside.

“It’s going to be a bit of a ride,” Annie said, “so we might as well make the best of it together.”

Annie held her drink in front of Flash Sentry, supporting her arm on the table by her elbow. Flash sentry glanced back at Annie and then her drink, unsure of her intentions.

“Cheers?” she finally asked.

Flash Sentry, surprised by her sudden wish to connect, smiled and grabbed his orange juice with both hooves.

“Yeah,” he agreed, “cheers!”

Annie and Flash Sentry brought both of their drinks forwards to each other, clinking them together on the edges. As Flash Sentry guzzled the contents of his glass, Annie took a smaller sip of crystal, preserving her drink for the long travel ahead of them.