Thin pools lined the stone paths of the commons as ponds drowned the grassy lawn. Drop after drop added to the downpour's deposits as Gallant watched mud form and puddles grow. In the span of a few minutes the field of scattered trees had turned into something more akin to a marsh. The stallion shivered at the thought of having to saunter through such muddle.

“Well, Colgate, obviously the conditions are a bit harsh at the moment. Perhaps we should try your plan again some other time?” the stallion suggested as he headed back into the main hall foyer.

“Harsh? This is perfect!” Colgate declared, turning him back around. “It's bonus pity points for you if you're standing out there. What, first it was caves, now it's storms you can't stand?”

“I am most certainly not scared of storms,” Gallant stated. “In fact, they fascinate me. I've been studying lightning lately since our elemental track focused on it a few weeks back. The fact of the matter is that I would much rather watch this wonderful tempest rather than trek though it.”

“'Trek'? Sheesh, all you just have to sit out here and act like you're helpless for a few minutes. Just be sure to make it convincing, otherwise Rose isn't going to buy it and you’ll be stuck out here for a while. Now come on, let's find you a good spot.”

She dove deeper into the wet weather and trotted along as though it were cool out with clear, summer skies. Gallant stared into the misty atmosphere and shivered. Maintaining cleanliness and collectedness was a basic principle of knighthood; irrationally throwing oneself into the rain was a sure-fire way of breaking such a mandate.

Yet, he felt he had no choice. Reluctant as a picky eater with a foreign dish, the stallion stepped forward and reached his nose out from the doorway to feel just a touch of the rain. A drop tapped onto his nose, its wet touch unwelcomed by the surly stallion, and as soon as Gallant had stuck his head out into the open he drew it back in.

“Don't be such a filly!” Colgate shouted. “Get out here!”

Gallant stomped and snorted. “This carelessness goes against my ideals, you know!”

“What, walking in the rain? Celestia, here I thought you were desperate for some kind of encounter with that intimida- I mean, delightful somepony,” Colgate yelled above the sound of the storm. “Come on, it's just this once. Can't you just step out of your comfort zone for five minutes?”

Gallant felt an arrow pierce his hefty heart. A battle of his principles and his interests began, the former his soul's coat of armor and the latter a sword trying to break it. His standards brought back memories of everything he had been taught in Canterlot, from recitation to exercises and day-to-day training; welling up inside, though, were thoughts of Prim Rose, along with more immediate and pressing things. As the senseless battle ensued, though, his infatuation snuck in like a Trojan horse.

It is just this once, I suppose.

Still with a hint of hesitation, Gallant reached a hoof forward and dragged himself into the downpour. He found the cold quite bearable, but the feel of his coat pestered him. Every step further into the rainy atmosphere led to another cringe, and another, until an uncomfortable blanket of water wrapped around him. Even his short mane was nothing but a floppy mess as his tail dragged along through murky puddles.

“Hurry up, this storm isn't gonna last forever!” Colgate urged as she waved Gallant over to a spot near the middle of the flooded lawn.

As cross as a cat tossed into a bath, Gallant slogged over to the indicated spot. A curve of pines blocked most of the view of the sea to the east. The near side of the main hall, though, lined with windows on every floor, left the spot visible from many angles.

“You want me to wait... here?” Gallant asked, hoping Colgate was joking.

But the mare nodded vigorously. “You'll need to be in plain sight for when Prim Rose pass by one of those windows. All you need to do in the meantime is think of a way to pretend you're frozen, maybe hurt-”

“Frozen? Hurt?”

Colgate rolled her eyes. “Look, knowing Rose's oh-so-virtuous ways, seeing another pony in distress should flip a switch in her brain. She'll come save you in a jiffy, I'm sure. After that I'll sneak off, you two share a bonding moment or something, and that's that. Got it?”

Gallant's eyes dropped, leaving his vacant stare to watch the flooded grass sway about beneath him. His reflection suddenly emerged as though the glassy surface had turned into a spotless mirror. His frown and empty eyes were clear signs of misery.

“Colgate, I appreciate your thoughts and efforts, but I'm not looking for pity,” he explained. “Please understand that the most noble of knights do not seek commiseration-”

“Can it, G, we're going with the plan,” Colgate growled. “You don't have to be Mr. Hero all day, every day. Take this as an opportunity to... I dunno, reflect. Think self-exploration and all that jazz. Yeah... exploring’s fun.”

Gallant whimpered as the rain started to fall harder.

“It's just that it’s a bit wet out-”

“Oh my GOODNESS, Gallant!” Colgate yelled. “How is it that a wannabe knight is so whiney? Seriously, it's just a bit of water. I know you're high maintenance and all, but just forget about it for once. You'll thank me in the end when this works.”

Gallant sighed. “If this works.”

“Look, you're just gonna have to trust me. Now, lay here and pretend you had a heart attack or play dead. Hold that stance until I come by, got it?”

“What if somepony else sees me?”

“Just say you're cloud-gazing,” Colgate replied, annoyed. “Wait, didn't you say you were studying lightning recently? Pretend you're searching the skies for a thunderbolt. See you soon!”

Gallant raised a hoof to correct her, “It’s ‘lightning bolt’-!”

But by then the mare had headed off, unwilling to hear another word Gallant could muster. The stallion could only watch as his friend headed into the main hall, gave one final wave, and closed the door.

Gallant waved back as politely as he could before his head drooped down to the surface of the pool of water in which he sat.

This is humiliating.

He observed the mushy earth and water beneath him, unsure of whether he really wanted to go through the agony of lying in the dirty water just for another chance of meeting Prim Rose face-to-face.

But then an image of the mare, her fine white coat and wonderfully arresting appearance, began lingering in his mind. He lifted his eyes and could see her face projected against the delicate sheet of the clouds above. Her green eyes glowed against the gray like a shining gemstone in the water, its color clear despite its slightly distorted shape. He wished he could stare into those eyes every single day.

Gallant felt a rush of emotion gather as a sense of valour heated his blood.

I need to do this, for another chance!

The stallion, still standing, fought his natural instincts as he lowered his bottom down to the ground. In order to be convincing, Gallant knew he’d have to get down and dirty. His mind screamed a warning signal as his whole tail grew thick with moisture. Gallant clenched his teeth in mental agony.

The standing water was frigid, worse than the individual droplets that cascaded from the sky. It felt as though ice has just barely melted, or rather the rain were about to freeze. The chill was not helped as gales howled through, though the air carried a most remarkable scent of the rain.

The only redeeming factor besides this was the opportunity Gallant found himself in to use a new spell he had learned to detect lightning strikes nearby. He didn't dare try more intensive ones like the Lightning Rod spell unless he really wanted to injure himself. The downpour and discomfort of being stranded in the rain was bad enough.

But it should all be over soon enough.

An hour passed by with no sign of Colgate. Though the bulk of the rain had mostly come and gone, Gallant was still soaked and could hardly feel the tips of his hooves. He hadn't spotted his friend nor Prim Rose pass by any of the main hall windows nearby.

Perhaps Colgate simply can't find her. I imagine Prim Rose is a very busy mare during the day, though we don't have dueling this evening. Perhaps she's spending time with the likes of those stallions that were at her table...

The optimism gradually faded. Gallant recalled the jeers of those during breakfast when he first had approached Prim Rose as clear as day; they all had seemed like robust, chivalrous stallions; that is, until he heard their snickering. He thought their mockery quite uncharacteristic for what he thought were a respectful bunch.

But then again, by taking such a demeaning approach to draw the attention of a special mare, Gallant himself felt quite foolish. Seeing his shameful reflection in the water only made him feel less worthy of respect and more deserving of the torrent he endured.

This whole plan was hopeless from the start. Why would I act as though in trouble-?

Suddenly, the doors of the main hall burst open with a terrible force. Gallant went as limp as a fish as he tripped himself and lie waiting in his sizable puddle as Colgate had ordered. All Gallant could think to do was move as little as possible. The only things that jumped were his eyes, once, to see if the approaching figure was Prim Rose.

It was. Strutting toward him was the dreamy mare, though at a strangely relaxed pace. Her fixed stare was speculative and its hold strong, but Gallant managed to wrench his eyes away and stare off as though he had been ice-bound – his heart certainly felt frozen solid.

The heavy hoofsteps drew near until Gallant could feel the mare's presence standing not a meter away.

Just keep acting like a fish out of water...

But when the thought of the water came up, there was none to be felt anymore. It was only a second before Gallant realized he was floating up into the air. He caught sight of his front hooves and saw a red radiance glowing all around their shapes, but before further inspection the whole world started to spin. One moment the sky was beneath him, then the clouds were once again overhead. The buildings of academy came and went out of sight, sometimes left to right, sometimes the other way around.

He began to worry that the dizziness was a side effect of his excitement, but after a moment he came to realize that Prim Rose – whose face passed by from time to time expressing a certain attentiveness – was spinning him around.

This... could this be what my peers meant by... 'checking me out'?

He had heard the phrase – much like the compliments he had thought of earlier – tossed around between his fellow trainees at Canterlot. Most had told him the process of examination would be a rare occurrence, and that when it happened he should take it in stride. All Gallant felt was nausea; he didn’t understand what the hype of the occurrence was all about.

Suddenly his body dropped down, and not into a puddle, but onto stone. The fall nearly knocked the air straight from his lungs as, combined with an element of surprise, it shook every bone in his body. Before his eyes could stop rolling something began tugging on his tail, heaving his body along the rugged walkway.

Gallant suddenly wished that the cool rain hadn't stopped, for a burn slowly grew on his chest as it rubbed against the rocky path. Its sting was only put off at times by the shallow puddles here and there. No matter the intensity of the swelling burn, Gallant ran a message through his head.

This is all part of the plan. I can manage. This is all part of the plan. It'll all be worth it-

“Hey Prim Rose!” called a pony up ahead. “I've gotta tell you something-!”

The voice stopped, as did Prim Rose's advance with Gallant dragging behind neat the main hall entrance.

Prim Rose spoke, “Yes, what is it?”

The mare's voice was ever strong and rich, somewhat chilling. Gallant wished he could see the expression on her face as she sounded slightly agitated.

The stranger laughed nervously. “Well, you see, I- wait, were you just wandering outside?”

The voice belonged to no stranger, Gallant suddenly realized; it belonged to Colgate.

“I was,” came the concise answer.

“Oh, then... did you happen to see a friend of mine out there?”

Gallant felt his tail tugged up the stairs leading to the main hall doorway. Though he thought the whole act of carrying him along endearing, the ensuing smacks of his head against the stone steps quickly turned his opinion neutral. Once at the top Prim Rose swung his body until Colgate could see his face.

“Oh. Yeah... him,” laughed Colgate uneasily after a pause. “You, uh, you found him like this?”

“Yes,” Prim Rose stated, “Though uninjured, his lack of coordination on a number of levels indicates a possible cognitive or mental breakdown. I am bringing him to the infirmary immediately.”

Colgate stammered, “I-If you say, Rose. I'm, uh, I’m gonna go do some flying now.”

And without another word Prim Rose headed straight for the staircase. Gallant could only watch as he was towed along past Colgate, who winked and mouthed 'good luck'. The stallion, suddenly realizing he had no idea what the next part of the plan was, tried to wriggle his way back to her, but Prim Rose's pull overpower his efforts. He reached out to Colgate as his eyes went wide with horror.

No, wait! I've made a terrible mistake..!

---

The door to the infirmary flew open and hit the nearby wall with a terrible bang. The noise would normally have made Gallant flinch or cover his ears, but the ringing in his head from it knocking against every stair to the top floor made every resounding boom sound more like a muffled bleat.

“Is that you, Prim Rose?” came a sweet and motherly tone from an adjacent room. “I'm assuming you have another poor soul you've managed to save... or hurt.”

“The former, Nurse Lionheart.”

Prim Rose gave Gallant's tail one more tug and slammed the door shut behind them. The stallion remained silent as his rattled brain tried to settle.

“How are his bones? In tact, I hope?” the nurse asked.

“I believe so,” replied Prim Rose emotionlessly. “Though I worry about a sturdy spine.”

“Oh, Prim Rose, I was only kidding,” said the nurse as she rounded the corner to enter the scene. “Well, look at this one! I thought you had brought in one of those fliers. You know, that 'Pony Pilots' club should have known better than to fly their fancy machines during a storm. I wonder how they haven't had any incidents yet.” She shook her head and clicked her tongue. “Now then, what is the matter with this one? I sure hope it isn't another victim of that potions class.”

Prim Rose shook her head slowly. “I cannot make any formal conclusions. I found him outside in the rain in a rather odd state, staring up at the sky with a blank expression. He has not spoken for the past few minutes.”

The nurse blinked as her eyes scanned the two, both of them soaking wet from the rain. “You found him outside, hmm?”

“Yes, he was lying in the middle of the commons lawn,” Prim Rose said. Gallant could feel his head grow hot from the embarrassment of hearing its pathetic nature. “His only injuries may include the usual-”

“Don't tell me you dragged him up the stairs like the others.”

Prim Rose took a deep breath as she puffed out her chest. “I did, Nurse Lionheart, for his own good. I am aware of his knighthood aspirations and thus abide by the concept of 'building character'-”

“Oh, that mentality was devised by a bunch of loose screws,” the nurse replied, shooing the thought away. “But the real screwball here is this stallion. He's not the only one I've seen today, either. So, since you know his aspirations, would you happen to know his name?”

Gallant felt his heart skip a beat. He had only ever introduced himself once before, though not personally; it was a goal of the magic dueling course he took for fun to get everypony acquainted with one another on the first day, and so introductions were mandatory. He was surprised that she knew of his ambitions.

Prim Rose muttered, “I do believe so...” The stallion's heart skipping beats as though it were jumping rope. “... I believe it's 'Silver Shield'.”

Gallant felt his pulse cease. The nurse walked over to the slumping stallion's body and examined him from head to hoof.

“No, he has a different cutie mark, and I would know – that stallion's had to stop in here a number of times.”

This only made matters worse; Gallant recalled having sent Silver Shield, an acquaintance of his, to the infirmary due to several magic dueling mishaps – they were all mistakes of Silver Shield, in Gallant’s defense. Added to the rejection earlier that morning, the mix-up, Gallant knew, most likely only made Prim Rose's opinion of him less favorable.

“Oh, that reminds me!” Nurse Lionheart remarked. “Let me get this one situated real quick; there's something I need your help with.”

Gallant struggled to keep any and all emotion within as he continued his motionless act. His heart slowly started to beat again as the nurse swept him up off the ground with a telekinetic spell and carried him off into a nearby room full of beds. Nurse Lionheart slowly set him on a soft mattress and headed to the back room with Prim Rose promptly following behind.

Their conversation carried off in whispers as though Gallant and the others were sleeping; but Gallant was far from heavy-eyed. He was, however, heavy-hearted.

How was this supposed to be an opportunity!? If anything, this has been an utter failure. Does she not even know my name-?

“Hey, Gallant.”

The stallion looked over to his right and noticed a familiar figure lying down in the bed next to his. The cast around the pony's neck wasn't enough to distract Gallant from instantly recognizing the golden eyes that met his stare.

“Pokey Pierce?”

“Small world, huh?” the blue stallion asked in his usual slow manner. “What're you in for?”

Gallant shook his head in shame. “I was just outside and, well, I think I was cloud-gazing... but not really.” He sighed and gave up the act, aware that lying would do nothing for him. “I was trying to get a certain mare's attention.”

“Oh?”

“'Oh', yes.” Gallant paused, then groaned. “That sweet, sweet mare, Prim Rose.”

“Oh.”

“It just seems so silly. It was a terrible plan, really; as a knight, I should not be the one looking to be saved. But then again, I had no say in the matter.”

“Oh!”

Gallant paused. “What?”

“Well, why would you want her attention?” Pokey Pierce asked. “I heard all Prim Rose does is act like a drill sergeant.”

“She is tough, yes, and I... admire that,” Gallant remarked. “I like to think that she's a very kind-hearted individual, that she's just a bit rough on the outside. She has her thorns, but deep down I feel like she must be a most delicate flower-”

“I wish others would say that of me,” whined a mare with a sniffle.

The two stallions watched as Lyra's upper body slowly lifted from a bed across the way like a zombie from a tomb. Her unfocused eyes wandered about as the two looked between her and one another in befuddlement.

“W-What do you mean, Lyra?” Gallant eventually asked.

The mare moaned as she held a hoof up to her pale face.

“Oh, it was the worst possible dream! There he was, the perfect stallion for me, excellent in every way, shape and form! But he rejected me, stating that I was simply too perfect for him! I begged and begged him to reconsider, but he just apologized as he drifted off out of sight, never to be seen again. I can't remember for the life of me what he looked like.”

“Did he have a cutie mark?” Pokey Pierce inquired.

“Of course he did!” Lyra snapped. “All handsome ponies do. I just can't remember it...”

Gallant observed Lyra's face, wet with tears, and began to wonder if she was really being serious.

“You said that was just a dream, right?” he asked.

“Well, yes, but it was so real!” Lyra replied, wiping her eyes. “How would you like it if you were rejected outright for who you are? Once you've experience it, then you can whine and complain-”

Gallant's ears drooped. “I have.”

The two accompanying him gasped.

“You had a sad dream too?” Pokey asked as he tried to pat his friend on the shoulder. His neck cast did not allow him much movement, though, and so he swung at the air a few times before giving up.

“No, Pokey, no sad dream,” Gallant said, disconsolate, “I was rejected.”

But by whom?” Lyra asked, suddenly void of sadness as curiosity began to kick in. “Who could ever say 'neigh' to such a gentlecolt like you?”

He suddenly recalled Quirky's warning. He remembered the warning and how horrible of a state the actress had been that morning. Holding his breath, Gallant tried to muster up a lie.

Pokey, however, went ahead and replied with a jolly, “You said Prim Rose, right Gallant?”

“What!? Her?” Lyra shrieked. “Why that no-good, insensitive- It's no wonder you're dripping wet from all your sobbing! She is quite a beautiful mare, I’ll admit - perhaps a bit masculine in some regards - but I personally think she’s more stuff and prideful than any pony I’ve ever met. She probably thinks she's the greatest thing ever to set hoof in Equestria.”

Gallant shook his head. “I don’t see what’s wrong with her. If anything, I think my approach was poor; that, or my timing. I don't know anymore, and I'd rather not think about it-”

“No, no, ignoring it all is the opposite of what you need to do!” Lyra protested as she got off the bed on which she lie and began pacing the room near the two stallions. “When at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Isn't that right, Pokey?”

“I like succeeding,” Pokey said with a nod.

Lyra continued, “Now, here's what you must understand about the proud ones: they only notice the exceptional things. The reason she must have rejected you is because you must not stand out very much from the others she knows.”

“For what it's worth, I think you're special,” Pokey Pierce added.

Gallant rubbed his forehead. “You wish to suggest that I need to do something... dramatic?”

Lyra nodded happily. “Of course! It's not that hard, you just have to think of something no pony else has ever done – or rarely does – and follow through with some exceptional execution! Simple as that.”

“You are aware that you're dealing with a very unimaginative soul here, yes?” Gallant questioned.

“Of course, why don't you let Pokey and I help you?” Lyra requested. “You could just... do... well, there's always... Ahem, Pokey? I know you obviously have an original idea, right?”

Pokey tapped his muzzle. “You’re a knight, right? You could fight something. A basilisk! Battles are always dramatic, and I heard those monsters are pretty mean.”

“No, I feel like that's been done before,” Lyra muttered. “And where would we even find one? How about... um, ah! Pokey, are you thinking what I'm thinking?”

This time Pokey nodded right away. “I think so, Lyra, but if we tried to have a Mage's Cup, wouldn't that mean we'd need another school besides this one and Canterlot's-?”

Lightning interrupted with a flash and succeeding thunder, its might powerful enough to shake the entire room and very souls of the three inside it. Gallant felt his breath jump from his lungs as the vibrations shocked the life out of - and just as quickly back into - him.

“Another storm?” exclaimed Nurse Lionheart. “What is it with all these storms lately- oh! Prim Rose, where are you going?”

The door to the room full of beds burst open as the white mare charged towards the windows. She threw open one, allowing a strong wind and droplets of rain to blow in and sprinkle all over Pokey. She perused the stormclouds above for only a moment and then closed and locked the aperture.

“Nurse Lionheart, I shall return to help later,” Prim Rose stated as she hurried out. “I fear that those flying outside may be in grave danger.”

“They're flying again!?”

“Yes, a mare informed me on my way here.”

Colgate!

“Go to them, then, and I'll inform Princess Luna,” the nurse said, and with that the two disappeared into the foyer.

Gallant couldn't help himself; hearing of an imminent danger, he could not stand by. Watching Prim Rose head out left him slightly torn, however; he wasn't sure where his true motivation for joining her was. As he got off of his bed and stretched he tried to clear his jumbled mind.

“Following her?” Lyra asked with a devilish smile. “This could be your chance to impress her!”

Gallant shook his head. “No, Lyra. My goal is to help the others, not to impress Prim Rose.”

With that, he turned and ran for the foyer after the mare.

At least, that's what a knight should say.

Next Chapter: Chapter 30 (Episode 8): Winds of Change Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 43 Minutes