It had been three days since Bardac's escape from the dungeons in Canterlot Castle. The walls had been repaired, the guards who were injured as a result were back on duty and while the underlying mood in the castle was somewhat grim. The guards knew the outcome of the past events could have been so much worse.

Within her suite, Celestia stood staring at the three items that Bardac had left behind. His sword, shield and his helmet which had been lost during the fight on the balcony, “Why are you here?” Celestia murmured to herself, though she paid special attention to the sword which lay on a heavy stone support. Each one of these items had to be brought up by a unicorn's magic after one of the pegasus guards cut themselves by mistake on the swords edge only to be overwhelmed by searing pain seconds later.

A knock from the door distracted Celestia from her thoughts as a timid voice called out from a crack in the ajar door, “You called for me, Princess Celestia?”

“Ah, Sweeper. I'm glad to see you've recovered,” replied Celestia with a smile, “I'm sorry for calling for you on such short notice. But... I was hoping you'd be able to help me.”

Sweeper looked bemused at best, his head tilted to the side while his ears perked forward with tentative curiosity, “It wasn't a problem at all, your highness. I'll do what I can,” he said, bowing towards Celestia before taking a seat in front of her.

Celestia's smile grew as she offered Sweeper a cup of tea from a nearby table, “I wanted to ask you personally what happened between you and Bardac when you encountered him in the storage room,” Celestia said as she took a small sip of her own tea.

This wasn't quite what Sweeper had expected to hear, but none the less he wanted to help, “It was... weird,” murmured Sweeper as he looked down thoughtfully. Taking the cup of tea that was hovering near his hooves Sweeper said, “At first I thought he was just lost, until he grabbed me and told me not to make a sound. He said that he wasn't here to hurt any of us, he also didn't seem to know where he was or what he was doing here...” Sweeper paused to gather his thoughts, “But, he also mentioned he thought he assaulted somepony of great importance.”

With a tilt of her head, Celestia asked, “Is that all he said?”

Sweeper shook his head slowly and took a sip of his tea, grateful for the somewhat calming effect it had, “After that he sat down on a barrel and introduced himself as Bardac... he also said he was...” he paused again, unsure of how to phrase what Bardac had said. After a second or two he simply decided to say exactly what Bardac had said word for word, “He said he was getting far too old for this. Whatever that meant,” though Sweeper couldn't help fidgeting a little from the intense stare that Celestia was giving him.

“What happened next?” Celestia said with a smile, encouraging Sweeper to continue his story.

“Well... after he took a sip of mead, that was when the guards found him. That was also when he picked me up and told me that he wouldn't hurt me... if I didn't struggle too much,” though the glare which Celestia gave him caused Sweeper to wave his forelimbs in front of him quickly, “Not like that! I can't be sure but... I think it was all an act towards the guards. He didn't want me struggling and hurting myself by accident on his sword that he had against my neck.”

Celestia ruffled her wings in agitation, just the thought of any creature hurting her subjects for no justifiable reason always caused her temper to spike, “Thank you, Sweeper,” Celestia said thoughtfully, though she soon gave Sweeper a concerned look, “Why... are you grinning?”

Sweeper blinked a few times, he hadn't realised a grin had crept on his lips when he recalled what Bardac had said while they were being lead down the corridors, “Forgive me your highness,” Sweeper said as he bowed his head, “It's just... I really don't think he's here to hurt anypony. I think he's lost, confused and angry that everypony he's met so far except me has tried to hurt him,” and with a quick gulp, finished off the rest of his tea, “The guards aren't not going to hurt him again... are they, Princess?”

Celestia couldn't help but feel a slight pang of guilt, “No, Sweeper, he won't be hurt,” she said with a small smile, “But, if we do not find him soon. He could end up causing a lot more problems than we can solve.”

With a small gulp, Sweeper plucked up the courage to ask, “Have you... tried talking to him?” he then started to scrape at the ground nervously with his hoof in fear he'd overstepped the mark. What he didn't expect was Celestia to let out a small, almost silent chuckle.

“No... I do not think any of the guards have tried just talking to him. I spoke to him briefly before he made his escape in the dungeon. But besides you, he hasn't really been very friendly towards anypony,” Celestia replied with a smile. The more she thought about it, the more she realised Bardac acted more upon instincts and reaction than careful planning, “Thank you again, Sweeper. You may go now.”

Sweeper stood before bowing low towards Celestia, “You're welcome, Princess Celestia. I hope the rest of your day goes well,” he said. As he turned to face the door, Sweeper had to jump back, almost landing on Celestia's hooves to avoid the door that flung open with considerable force.

“Princess Celestia!” Light Flight called out as she skidded to a halt, almost colliding with Sweeper, “He's been spotted about a mile out from Ponyville, but we lost track of him when he disappeared back into the forest!”

“Did you see what kind of condition he was in?” asked Celestia with a frown. She couldn't imagine that he would be faring too well after three days on the run and limited supplies. Under her breath she murmured, “He must be heading towards Ponyville to resupply...” though this she could only assume.

Light Flight hesitated for a moment, she didn't really want to admit what she had heard, but she couldn't ignore a question from the Princess, “Honestly...” she said after a second or two, “The guard who saw him managed to get pretty close and... well... he didn't look all that well. His movements were erratic at best, I don't think he's slept at all either.”

“I'm not surprised,” muttered Sweeper as he turned to leave, he'd just managed to reach the edge of the door when he was jerked to a stop by something grabbing onto his tail.

“Just what's that suppose to mean?” retorted Light Flight as she released Sweepers tail from her teeth, “If you've got something to say Sweeper, pluck up the apples to say it to my face.”

Sweeper hesitated for a moment before turning to face Light Flight with a stony expression that took her off guard, “I said I'm not surprised. Bardac hasn't hurt anypony intentionally since he got here. Yet you and all the other guards are treating him like some sort of mon—”

“That is enough,” interrupted Celestia. Her smile had vanished, instead it was replaced by a frightening scowl, “Both of you,” she turned to Sweeper first and while her voice softened considerably, her expression did not, “Sweeper, I understand your concerns and thoughts, but please understand the guards are simply doing their duty to look after you and everypony else in Canterlot and Equestria,” Celestia then turned to Light Flight, “I expect a little more professionalism from you, Light Flight. Besides... Sweeper is correct. Bardac has not harmed anypony intentionally since his arrival. He's only been defending himself.”

Light Flight looked like Celestia had just slapped her around the face, “But...” though facing the stare which Celestia gave her, she had to swallow her pride before bowing low, “Yes, your highness.”

Sweeper looked ashamed of himself, “Sorry, your highness,” he said quietly as he bowed and left the room, leaving Celestia and Light Flight to talk alone.

“You don't honestly believe him, do you Princess?” asked Light Flight with a raised eyebrow, her wings rustling in irritation, “I mean, come on... you almost lost your head because of him!”

Celestia looked down at Light Flight as one of her wings lowered to brush the spot where Bardac's sword had come inches from severing flesh from bone, “I'm well aware of what he did when he arrived.”

Light Flight gritted her teeth, “What about the guard recovering in the infirmary? Bardac burnt almost every inch of him with a single blast!”

A loud sigh escaped from Celestia's lips as she turned to look out the window, “While it's regrettable that he suffered such horrific injuries at the hands of Bardac... I believe he was acting in self defence,” Celestia said before glancing over her shoulder at Light Flight, “If Bardac had not been wearing his armour, that arrow that was fired would have pierced his heart,” that being said, she could only assume his heart was in the same place as it was on a Minotaur, after all they had a very similar body shape.

With a huff, Light Flight muttered underneath her breath, “Damn brute had an answer for everything we threw at him...” though as she too let out a sigh, she couldn't help but wonder if there were some truth to what Sweeper had said, “What are your orders Princess? Do we continue our search or wait for him to come to us?”

Celestia looked over at the sword, shield and helmet that were resting on the stone support, “I think it'll be some time before Bardac returns to Canterlot to collect what belongs to him. However, I think pursuing him will only make matters worse...” Celestia said as she shook her head slowly. Several thoughts ran through her mind, each one more bizarre and preposterous than the last, but eventually she seemed to settle on one particular idea, “Send a group of three earth guards to Ponyville. Tell them to act as though they're just visiting and if they see him, tell them not to engage. Just watch him, see what he does and report back to me.”

“But... what if he doesn't even end up in Ponyville?” asked Light Flight, though another thought just occurred to her, one that sent a shiver down her spine, “What about that party animal Pinkie Pie? If she gets wind there are new ponies in Ponyville, she isn't going to leave them alone!”

“If he's smart, he'll be following the river. That river leads right through Ponyville,” Celestia replied with a small smile, “As for Pinkie Pie... well...” she paused, an idea taking form in her mind, “I say we send a letter to her. Inform her that there is somepony in need of a friend.”

Light Flight's eyes widened while her pupils shrank rapidly, “You're not planning what I think you're planning...” she gulped loudly, “Bardac will kill her!”

Celestia simply continued to smile, “Bardac told us, as I'm sure you'll remember. He does not harm the innocent and Pinkie Pie is as innocent as they come,” but after a moment Celestia added, “Though, I think I should add that she mustn't go looking for him, keep an eye out for certain. Otherwise he could mistake her for another guard.”

With a groan, Light Flight shook her head, “You're putting an awful lot of trust in Pinkie Pie... I know she has helped save Equestria in the past, but... I don't know,” Light Flight shook her head vigorously to try and simulate some form of idea or plan but nothing came, “If you think she can manage it... then. It's the best plan we have.”

There was a long silence between the two ponies before Celestia finally spoke, “If you are that concerned for her safety, then I see no harm in sending you to Ponyville as well to oversee the operation,” though after a moment, she smiled softly, “I think it will do you some good to get away from the castle for a while.”

“What about you?” asked Light Flight, “What if he comes back?”

Celestia pondered this for a moment, “Then... I will try what Sweeper suggested and offer to talk to him. I am not a defenceless little filly,” Celestia chuckled.

Light Flight felt her ears burn in embarrassment, “I didn't mean it quite like that...” she muttered, “But, if you're sure you don't need extra protection...” though when Celestia gave a curt nod towards her, Light Flight let out a sigh, “Understood. Be safe, Princess,” and with a flap of her wings, Light Flight left through the open door.

The moment Light Flight was out of earshot, Celestia stared out of the window and whispered to herself, “I really hope Pinkie Pie doesn't overdo it...”

It was early in the afternoon when little Apple Bloom made her way back home to Sweet Apple Acres from school, the journey wasn't very far but her mood wasn't exactly reflecting the bright, sunny weather, “Stupid Diamond Tiara...” she muttered underneath her breath, “Stupid tiara on top of her stupid head...”

As she pushed open the gate, she swore she heard something rustling about nearby, “Darn vermin, looks like Big Mac missed'a few,” however when Apple Bloom went to investigate, she discovered something a little larger than the common vermin. Whatever it was, it was huge. Much bigger than Apple Bloom or even Big Mac, apple cores were scattered all around it and it appeared to be laying face first underneath one of the trees, at least she thought it was, it did look an awful lot like a small Minotaur.

The creature let out a loud, grunt like snore as it shifted underneath the tree, causing Apple Bloom to jump in surprise. But when it fell silent, Apple Bloom took the chance to get a slightly better look at it. That is, until a voice yelled from near the barn further up the track, “Apple Bloom! What're you doin' over there?” the voice belonged to Applejack.

“Err... I think Big Mac missed a big old critter over here!” replied Apple Bloom. The creature didn't seem very dangerous, after all she couldn't see any claws or spines anywhere on it, the only thing she saw out of the ordinary was an oddly shaped ear sticking out of its hair and the heavy armour it wore.

“What're you talkin' about?” Applejack asked as she trotted on over to see just what her sister was looking at, “Now what in tarnation is that thing?” she muttered to herself. Something about this creature caused an uneasy chill to run up her spine, “Funny lookin' Minotaur...” Applejack whispered to Apple Bloom, “Weird lookin' hooves too.”

The creature groaned and shifted once again before coughing loudly. Both Apple Bloom and Applejack froze in silence as they watched it start to stand, though they couldn't help but feel just slightly nervous when they realised just how much taller it was than them. For a while the creature didn't seem to know where it was, its fingers rubbed against what they could only assume were its eyes but since it was facing away from them, they couldn't tell for sure.

However, when the creature started to move, Apple Bloom gulped silently and stepped back, right onto a stick that sent an echoing snap through the silence of the farm. The creature froze instantly before ever so slowly looking over its right shoulder, displaying a pair of golden eyes that seemed barely able to focus on what ever it was looking at.

Applejack stepped in front of Apple Bloom protectively, she couldn't shake that uneasy chill. Perhaps it was the way it moved, or its sheer size, she just couldn't put her hoof on it. Before she could do anything else, the creature flicked its fingers and vanished before her eyes. Leaving a bemused Apple Bloom and a concerned Applejack staring at where it once was, “I ain't too sure what that was... but I'd be happy if I never saw it again, that thing gave me the creeps,” grumbled Applejack.

Apple Bloom didn't reply. She was transfixed by the creature's earlier gaze. It appeared confused, tired and lost. She felt sorry for it for some bizarre reason, “Where do you think it went?” Apple Bloom finally asked as she looked up towards her sister.

“I dunno... but I don't wanna find out. C'mon, we got chores to do,” Applejack said as she ushered Apple Bloom towards the barn. Though, with a glance over her shoulder to where the creature last stood, she couldn't help but wonder if that was the last she'd see of it, “I better tell Twilight about this. She'd wanna know about a weird creature lurkin' around Ponyville.”

About an hour later, Applejack and Apple Bloom were busy bucking apples in the southern orchard when something out of the corner of her eye caught Applejack's attention. At first she thought the creature had returned, but when she saw a mass of pink bouncing towards them, she let out a thankful sigh and called over, “Oh hey Pinkie! What brings you here?”

Pinkie Pie smiled wide as she bounced from one tree to the other, “Looking for somepony,” came her cheery response.

“Lookin' for somepony?” asked Apple Bloom as she gave the tree she was next to a firm thump with her hind legs. She might have been small but she packed a wallop thanks to the training she had from Big Mac and Applejack.

“Mhm! He's suppose to be coming through this way,” Pinkie replied with a happy little hum, “Apparently he's not too difficult to spot. But I can't find him anywhere! He must be really good at hide and seek.”

Applejack frowned slightly, it was odd that Pinkie hadn't found who she was looking for, after all the pink pony had an uncanny ability to find anything or anypony within the blink of an eye if she put her mind to it, “Err... who're you lookin' for exactly?” asked Applejack.

Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing for a moment before tapping her chin in thought, “Well... He's tall, really tall. Walks on two legs... not sure why Princess Celestia called him a pony, he doesn't sound like anypony I've ever seen! Oh! He wears a big suit of armour too and has a habit of disappearing if spotted, like he's playing a great big game of hide and seek,” she said as she resumed her casual search. She didn't seem in much of a hurry.

“Oh!” exclaimed Apple Bloom, “You think that's who we saw Applejack?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

Applejack felt the knot in her stomach ease just a little, if Celestia herself had asked Pinkie Pie to look for this strange sounding creature. Then perhaps it wasn't as bad as she first thought, “I think so, little sis,” replied Applejack, “You just missed it... him, Pinkie. Apple Bloom found him nappin' near the base of one of the trees near the front gate. Course when he woke up and saw us, he disappeared.”

“Oh oh! Can I go and help Pinkie Pie look for him? I know what he looks like!” pleaded Apple Bloom with an excited look on her face, she was quite eager to get a decent look at him again, “I'll be good! Honest!” she added as she rushed up to Pinkie's side.

“I dunno...” said Applejack hesitantly, but when Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom looked towards her with the best puppy-eyed expression they could, she let out a small sigh of defeat and said sternly, “Alright, but if you get into any trouble little filly, you're comin' straight back home. You hear me?”

Apple Bloom let out a cheer and rushed up to hug her sister, “Thanks Applejack! C'mon Pinkie Pie!” and with a final wave farewell to her sister, Apple Bloom and Pinkie Pie left the orchard as fast as they could in search of the creature roaming around Ponyville.

It had been almost two hours since Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom started their search for the strange creature, though it was starting to dawn on Apple Bloom that something wasn't quite right, “Maybe... he don't wanna be found?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

Pinkie Pie let out a groan as she looked into the sky with a hoof to shield her eyes from the bright sun, “I don't get it. Why would Princess Celestia ask me to find somepony that doesn't wanna be found? I've never had this much trouble finding anypony before!” Pinkie Pie had even resorted to lifting up random flowerpots and benches as well as poking her head into bushes and trees just in the vain hope that the creature would be hiding in or under one of them.

With a huff, Apple Bloom scratched her chin with her hoof, “You're right. It don't make sense, but if Princess Celestia asked you to find him, don't that make him somepony important?”

“I have no idea,” answered Pinkie Pie with a shake of her head, though she was still looking into the sky, though a moment later it seemed what ever she was looking for appeared as Pinkie called out, “Rainbow Dash!” to a bright blue pegasus flying overhead, “Down here!”

“Pinkie Pie!” called out Rainbow Dash cheerfully as she landed in front of the smiling pink pony, “What's up? Oh hey, Apple Bloom,” she said as she ruffled the filly's head with her wing.

“I don't suppose you'd be willin' to help us look for somepony?” asked Apple Bloom, her eyes going as wide as she could possibly make them, “We've searched all over Ponyville and we can't find him!”

Rainbow Dash blinked several times before grinning widely, “Oh yeah? Need some eyes in the sky do ya? Not a problem! So just tell me what this pony looks like and I'll find him in no time,” she said as she took off into the hover just above the pair.

Apple Bloom smiled wide, glad to have the help of the fastest flyer in Equestria, “He's tall. Real tall, walks around on two legs. He wears a big suit of armour—”

“And he can disappear before your eyes!” interrupted Pinkie Pie as she bounced up and down, clearly excited that she'll finally meet this strange creature.

“That... doesn't sound like anypony I've ever seen,” muttered Rainbow Dash curiously as she landed back down in front of them, “You sure that's what he looks like?”

“Pretty sure!” replied Pinkie Pie as she looked down to Apple Bloom, “Apple Bloom's actually seen him.”

Rainbow Dash looked down at the little filly and asked, “So how tall we talking about squirt?”

Apple Bloom tapped her chin in thought, she hadn't really considered measuring the creature she saw against anything, “I'd have to say... taller than Princess Celestia but... slightly shorter than Discord,” but this was only a rough guess.

“Huh... He shouldn't be too difficult to find,” said Rainbow Dash with a tilt of her head, “But what'cha mean he keeps disappearing?”

“Err... I have no idea,” admitted Apple Bloom with a sheepish chuckle, “He just did somethin' and he disappeared. But, I didn't see a horn on his head, so it couldn't have been magic.”

Pinkie Pie let out a loud huff, “Mark my words I will find him!” and what first started off as a fun little game had turned into something overly more serious for her. She'd never failed to find somepony in the past and she wasn't about to start now, “But... how?” Pinkie said a moment later as she sat down looking just a little deflated.

Rainbow Dash simply smiled and placed her wing over Pinkie's back, “Don't you worry. With me in the air and you on the ground, he's got no chance!” she said reassuringly.

Pinkie perked up quite a bit as she smiled and said, “Thanks for hel—”

“STOP! THIEF!”

“What the...” muttered Rainbow Dash as she took to the air for a better look only to land a few seconds later, “C'mon! Something's going on near the market!”

Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom both took off after Rainbow Dash as the pegasus flew towards the market. However, what they expected to see and what they actually saw caught them all off guard. Even Rainbow Dash had to land with her mouth wide open.

Stood in the middle of the market place with a squirming earth pony hanging by her tail in its powerful grip stood the creature that Pinkie Pie had been searching for all day long, “That is a weird looking pony,” she muttered to Apple Bloom.

“Like I said before. Ain't like anypony I ever saw,” replied Apple Bloom quietly, though she did have to wonder why he had that earth pony held by the tail.

“Let me go you great brute!” snarled out the earth pony that was hanging upside down. Though instead of being dropped, she found herself being lifted higher so her eyes were level with the creature's. She couldn't help but let out a gulp at the expression it was staring at her with.

What none of them expected was a deep, gruff voice to come from the creature, “You hit me on the head with a sack full of apples... stolen apples,” he growled, it was pretty clear he'd just been rudely awakened.

Apple Bloom let out a small giggle, “Well, looks like we found him.”

A few town guards had already appeared and were approaching the creature with caution, “Thank you for catching the thief,” said one of the guards carefully, “But, we're going to have to ask you to put her down so we can take her into custody.”

The creature didn't seem to respond, but after a moment or two threw the earth pony over to them and as the airborne pony landed with a grunt, she was instantly shackle and dragged away. However, one of the guards remained, this one stared at the creature intently before saying loudly, “Bardac the Nord, you are under arrest for the destruction of Canterlot property. You're to accompany me quietly back to Canterlot Castle where Princess Celestia is waiting.”

“Bardac?” muttered Apple Bloom quietly, “Funny old name.”

“I doubt you have a better one,” replied Bardac as he looked over to the little filly with a frown.

Apple Bloom blushed, she didn't expect Bardac to be able to hear her from where she was, “Sorry!” she called over, though when Bardac simply shrugged, she looked to Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash before whispering as quietly as she could, “What in Equestria is a Nord?”

“Obviously whatever he is,” answered Rainbow Dash as they watched the events unfold in front of them. However when they watched Bardac stagger to the side, only keeping himself upright thanks to his grip on a nearby stand, they could tell something was seriously wrong.

“Curse this heat to Oblivion,” Bardac muttered, he didn't even have the strength to stand anymore and soon slid down to the ground in front of the stand as heavy breaths were forced from his lungs.

Pinkie Pie noticed the signs and disappeared into a nearby shop before re-appearing almost as quickly with several towels balanced on her back and a glass of water between her teeth. When she approached Bardac, she offered him the glass by tapping his shoulder with it and when it was taken from her jaws, she said, “Have you been running about all day wearing all that armour in this heat?”

Bardac didn't reply, he was too busy downing the glass of water which was offered to him. Only after he wiped his lips with the back of his hand did he say, “Yes...” he grumbled loudly as sweat dripped down the end of his nose, “Never have I seen a sun so bright.”

“You've got heat stroke,” replied Pinkie as she took off one of the towels and started wiping the sweat from Bardac's head. She didn't care what he was or where he came from, she just couldn't sit by and watch somepony suffer.

“Heat... stroke?” replied Bardac, though his words soon became muffled as a towel was rubbed over his face, he didn't seem to mind though, at least it was cool.

“Heat stroke,” answered Rainbow Dash as she walked over to stand next to Pinkie with Apple Bloom by her side, “Means you've been out in the sun too long dude,” though she did help by extending her wings and creating a small breeze to help out.

The guard seemed to be quite irritated that his order had been ignored, “By the order of Princess Celestia, I demand that you step away from him. He's an escaped felon and needs to pay for his crimes!” and as the guard tapped a small, golden band attached around his right foreleg, it was mere seconds before four armoured unicorn guards appeared in a semi-circle in front of Bardac. Their horns already glowing with magic, ready to fire at a moments notice.

“Hold your fire!” bellowed out a voice as dusty coloured pegasus landed in front of Bardac and the three ponies helping him, “Are you nuts? We've got civilians in the line of fire and I seriously doubt the Princess will be too happy if you harmed two of the Elements of Harmony!”

“Elements of... what?” muttered Bardac to himself before shaking his head to rid himself of the distracting thought, “Light Flight... you seem to have impeccable timing.”

Light Flight looked over her shoulder and snorted loudly towards Bardac, “I'm flattered you remember me,” however she had a job to do and soon turned towards the guard that had issued the order for Bardac's capture, “Do you really want to disobey Princess Celestia? Your commands were to try and TALK to him. NOT corner him.”

The guard recoiled a little from Light Flight's scolding, “He had a pony by the tail and looked as though he was about to kill her! I couldn't sit around and do nothing!”

“This true Bardac?” snapped Light Flight as she looked over her shoulder.

Bardac just shrugged, he was losing energy fast in the heat of the afternoon. It was clear to hear in his voice that if he didn't get inside soon, he'd be in a world of trouble, “She stole apples. I stopped her,” he muttered quietly, his eyes barely able to stay open.

“It's true,” said Rainbow Dash as she eyed Light Flight, “She woke him up and hit him over the head with the sack as well when she tried to escape. It's no wonder he's angry!”

The conversation soon turned into a din of blaming and hoof pointing, all of which Bardac was struggling to keep track of. Gathering the last of his strength, Bardac inhaled deeply before calling out in a thunderous voice that rattled nearby windows, “WILL SOMEONE PLEASE GET ME OUT OF THIS GOD FORSAKEN HEAT!”

The power of his voice caught everypony off guard while some onlookers even dove for cover in fear that the glass above them would shatter. Though Light Flight flinched at the sound, it was nowhere near as loud as she knew he could shout, “Alright, alright...” Light Flight huffed, “If we get you inside are you going to shut up?”

“Not a chance...” replied Bardac with a weak grin, “Though you are going to have to either carry me... or drag me. I cannot stand up.”

Light Flight let out a loud groan and walked right up to Bardac until they were almost snout to snout, “I swear... if you're doing this on purpose I'm going to pluck every hair out of your head.”

With a small growl, Bardac replied, “Hardly... I do have my pride to maintain...” however after that, he remained quiet. Trying to conserve the drop of energy he had left after expending too much in that thunderous shout.

“Sugar Cube Corner isn't too far from here,” said Pinkie Pie as she watched two of the unicorn guards pick Bardac up carefully in a large, magical bubble, “We got plenty of cold drinks to help cool him down.”

Light Flight grumbled loudly, “Fine fine! Anything to shut him up,” and with that taken care of, the group made their way to Sugar Cube Corner with Bardac now sleeping quite soundly inside his rather comfortable bubble.

Over two hours had past since the guards had taken Bardac to Sugar Cube Corner and while he was still fast asleep on a makeshift bed of tables and towels. The guards at least still maintained a healthy distance from the Nord, however Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom were still hard at work trying to bring his temperature down. Unfortunately none of them seemed to be able to undo the heavy armour he wore.

“How's he doing?” asked Rainbow Dash as she watched the pair dart back and forth. Heat stroke was something nopony ever wanted to suffer from, “Is he cooling off at all?”

Apple Bloom let out a small, exhausted sigh as she sat down besides the sleeping Nord, “I think so, but it's difficult to tell with all this armour on him.”

“Hey... what's this?” muttered Pinkie Pie as she reached for something hanging around Bardac's waist. Her attention seemed to be drawn to one of the small, linen bags that he had tied there that had started leaking a strange, but pleasant smelling amber coloured liquid. However, the moment her hoof touched the bag, she found her forelimb being held firmly by Bardac's powerful grip.

“You would do well not to touch that...” came a low grumble from Bardac's lips as he released Pinkie Pie's limb. With a loud groan, the Nord attempted to sit up. He hadn't expected however to be perched up on a pair of tables and soon rolled off onto his face with a yelp and surprisingly loud thud on the wooden planks, “Talos help me...” he grumbled to himself as he mustered the strength to roll himself onto his back.

“You okay?” asked Apple Bloom as she walked up behind Bardac's head to stare down at him, “What did you go and do that for?”

“For fun...” replied Bardac dryly, making no further attempts to move anywhere.

Pinkie Pie rubbed her leg slightly in annoyance, but she couldn't stay mad at Bardac for long, not in the state he was in. Before she got a chance to say anything however, the door to Sugar Cube Corner opened slowly.

“Hello? Is it safe to come in? Is the creature docile?” came a soft, yet curious voice from the crack.

“Laying on the floor and unable to move. But otherwise docile,” Bardac replied, his eyes rolling slightly as he let out a huff. What he didn't expect was a blur of purple and a set of wings poking and prodding him all over, “Do you mind?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh my! He can talk!” Twilight exclaimed and ignoring Bardac's protest, continued to examine him closely, “Body like a Minotaur... arms, fingers, hands. I've never seen hooves or feet like these before,” she muttered to herself as she gave Bardac's armoured boots a slight prod with her wing.

Bardac in the mean time let out a silent huff, there was very little he could do to prevent the poking and prodding from this overly excited pony, “Please stop that...” he finally said after a minute or two of examination.

Twilight didn't seem to hear him at first, but eventually stepped back with a sheepish chuckle, “I'm sorry. I tend to get a little carried away with research.”

“Just a little?” replied Bardac with a raised eyebrow. He could feel his strength slowly returning, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep him upright. At least now he could lift up an arm and give Twilight a firm prod to the end of her snout, “Stop poking me.”

Twilight took a step back and rubbed the end of her nose while Pinkie Pie snickered and looked towards Twilight as she said, “Well, we've learnt he's got a sense of humour at least. Even if it's...” Pinkie paused for a moment to try and find the right words.

“As dry as Rainbow's cookies?” said Apple Bloom with a grin and a glance over at the blue pegasus.

Rainbow Dash huffed and looked away with puffed cheeks, “I told you I couldn't bake but no. Everypony had to make some.”

The guards and Light Flight had been pretty silent for the time being as they simply watched and waited to see what Bardac would do, though when they saw it would still be a while before he was capable of doing anything, Light Flight soon stepped in and said, “I should be arresting you and throwing you into the dungeons for the damage you've caused, but... I am under orders from Princess Celestia to gather information from you... as peacefully as possible,” though she said those last four words with a low grumble.

Bardac let out a harsh, bark like laugh as he looked over to Light Flight, “Information? Like what?” though after a moment he tried reaching out to a nearby table as he tried sitting up. He still didn't quite have the strength to manage it, that was until Pinkie Pie helped by pushing up on his back, “Thank you...” he said with a sigh. Once he was upright and sat, it was a lot easier to keep himself like that, though he did turn and lean back against the nearby table to keep his balance.

“What you are doing here, who you are and more importantly why you almost killed Princess Celestia,” replied Light Flight with a rustle of her wings in annoyance, her patience was thin at the best of times but Bardac, for some unknown reason was getting right under her skin.

“He did WHAT?!” Twilight gasped in shock as she took a few steps back, “Celestia didn't mention that in her letter!”

Apple Bloom couldn't really believe what she was hearing, “But... Bardac isn't mean. Are you?” she asked as the little filly turned towards Bardac with large, hopeful eyes.

Rainbow Dash in the mean time had taken it upon herself to fly right up into Bardac's face, “Think you're so tough going after our princess do ya? We—” but what ever she was going to say was almost instantly muffed by a set of fingers wrapping themselves tightly around her muzzle.

“I swear to Talos... if you do not shut up this instant. I will not be held responsible for my actions,” hissed Bardac as he shoved Rainbow Dash out of his face. He then looked down to Apple Bloom and said in a much more gentle voice, “I would not say I am mean... just... experienced,” though he didn't expect the filly to know what he meant and judging by Apple Bloom's confused expression, she didn't.

Twilight however took great curiosity in what she just heard, though remained at a respectful distance after what happened to Rainbow Dash, “What do you mean experienced?” Twilight asked with a tilt of her head.

“You've done this before haven't you!” accused Light Flight as she pointed her hoof towards Bardac.

“Put that hoof down...” warned Bardac as he gave Light Flight a glare that could freeze the blood of a Windigo, “You want me to talk, fine. But I expect you to sit down and shut up until I am finished. Do you understand me?”

Light Flight hesitated to reply. For a split second she saw something within Bardac's glare that took every last bit of fight from her, though why she couldn't fully understand, “Alright, but make it quick,” she finally responded, however as she looked over her shoulder to the unicorn guards who had accompanied them, she said, “Stand guard outside, I don't want any interruptions.”

Bardac waited until the guards had left and the other three made themselves comfortable in a semi-circle around him, “My name is Bardac Strongarm the Second... I hail from a harsh and unforgivable land known as Skyrim. How exactly I got here, I do not know...” he paused for a moment while closing his eyes to gather his thoughts, trying to remember the events that lead to his arrival, “Before my arrival. I was in the middle of a battle between two otherworldly beings. However, just as I was about to finish one of them off, bright light filled my vision. I did not know what was happening, but at the time I thought it was a trick. So I carried through with my attack,” Bardac them let out a long, slow sigh, “When my vision eventually cleared, I was staring directly into the face of Princess Celestia.”

“But why'd you run?” asked Light Flight with a raised eyebrow, “If you were innocent you should have just surrendered and explained!”

With a snort, Bardac replied dryly, “In Skyrim, if you attack someone who is sat upon a throne, chances are you will be killed before you can regret your actions, innocent or not. I rather like my skull attached to my neck, so instead of waiting to be executed, I made my escape.”

“You thought we were going to kill you?” asked Light Flight in shock. Bardac's tale was a hard one to swallow.

“Yes, I did,” replied Bardac, his tone as serious as his armour was heavy.

Light Flight simply shook her head. But at least now Bardac's actions were making sense, somewhat, “We do our best not to kill, if we can help it. We have other ways of dealing with prisoners and law breakers,” she said, though not going into full details what these other ways were.

It didn't really make sense to Bardac, though it wasn't up to him what rules they followed here. He was simply acting upon the knowledge he knew and had lived by for so many years, “I see...” murmured Bardac and with a sigh, laid his head back against the table he was resting against, “How soon is it possible to return to Canterlot?” he asked.

“Just a minute, Mister!” said Pinkie Pie as she stepped in front of Bardac and pressed her snout lightly to his nose, “You're in no condition to go anywhere! You can't even stand up. How are you going to get to Canterlot?”

Bardac thought for a moment before slowly looking over to Light Flight and Rainbow Dash, his eyes twinkling slightly as an idea brewed in his mind.

However, Rainbow Dash knew that little twinkle in his eye and quickly stamped out his idea by saying, “Oh no! Not a chance! No way am I carrying a great lump like you all the way to Canterlot!”

“Just a thought,” replied Bardac with a shrug before looking towards Twilight, “Any suggestions?”

Twilight jumped just a little as Bardac spoke to her, she'd been so engrossed in making sense of Bardac's story that she'd lost all sense of what was around her, “Oh! Well... um...” she murmured quietly while tapping her chin with her hoof, “If you can't move, then the easiest option is to ask Celestia to come and meet you here. I'll go write her a letter,” and before Bardac could reply, Twilight had already vanished in a flash of purple light.

“Well... while she is doing that,” sighed Bardac before looking over to the others, his stomach uttering a low, gurgling growl, “Got anything to eat?”