It‘s been a few days since my coronation and I’m back in Canterlot Castle, to see some old friends and catch up with them like I promised I would.

‘And that would make my first stop the barracks….’ I thought to myself.

+Do you even know where the barracks are?+ Ixis asked, sensing my confusion.

I had a very sudden realization, ‘I… you know what no I don’t, I’ve never been to the barracks in Canterlot.’

I felt Ixis shrug, +Ask a guard?+

Ok thats a good idea, I looked around and called out to the nearest guard, “You there!” He looked around and then pointed to himself, “Yes, you come here.”

The pony walked over to me and saluted, “Private First Class Roaring Hills, your Highness, what can I do for you?”

I laughed and held up my hand in a calm manner, ah the military always so serious, “Easy, I was just wondering where the barracks are I’m looking for some ponies.”

The pony nodded, “Of course your Highness, I can take you there if you would like.”

I tilted my head to the side thinking about it for a bit… do I need an escort… nah, “That’s quite alright but just directions are fine.”

“Very well, if you head to the gardens there will be a door at the far end, take it and then make the first left you see in the hall, go down the stairs, take two more lefts and then a right and the door to the left will have you at the Solar Barracks.” He explained.

Ok that had me curious, “And what of the Lunar Barracks?”

“Same area, just the door on the left.”

“Makes sense, thank you for your time.” I said giving him a friendly smile.

He saluted once more, “Anything for the crown your Highness.” he then returned to his post.

I shook my head, it’s always so amusing to interact with the guard, technically they were an army but as wars happened very infrequently in Equestria most of the army is split between castle guard and border patrol. Actually Equestria even has Marine Corps, A navy and an Air Force... though the Navy and Air Force tend to be more or less the same thing half the time here. Anywhosits, I made my way through the castle following the directions given to me, mind you it took a few minutes to reach the barracks but I did eventually.

The barracks were designed very interestingly, the best way to describe it is… very Harry Potter like, you know how their common rooms had a lounge area big enough to fit all of the students of the house and there were multiple doors leading to smaller rooms that had bunk beds in them, each room holding a maximum of 10 ponies, and there were a lot of rooms and branching hallways for more rooms, I could hear and smell in the air that there were quite a few ponies here off duty or on break but no more than enough to fill 20% of the rooms.

I eventually made my way to the lounge area and it was quite large, I would say about quarter of the size of Ponyville in its entirety, including Sweet Apple Acres and the Outskirts where Shy used to live, Like I said large enough to fit everyone, maybe not comfortably but it definitely could. Needless to say there were a large amount of guards relaxing in here, if I had to give a rough count I would say about 200 of them and there was still unbelievable amounts of space, let that give you some perspective. Once they noticed me they all stood to attention, grabbing their helmets quickly until I stopped them.

“Hey, woah easy, I’m just here for Lima and Sapper.” I said laughing.

There was a collective breath taken and nearly all of them sat back down or returned to whatever they were doing before hand, except one, a female unicorn with ebony fur and maroon hair and tail and striking cooper eyes, She walked up to me and did a quick salute, “First Lieutenant Hearthfire your highness.”

Something in my brain twitched, “Hearthfire you said?”

She nodded, “Yes sir, you said you were looking for Major Lima and Captain Sapper?”

Ok, that’s a callback to something I haven’t thought about in a quite some time I shook my head snapping out of it, “Yeah, sorry about that, uh… have you seen them around?”

“I have your Highness, they are in Major Lima’s Office, would you like me to take you to them?” She offered.

I shook my head, “No, just… actually you know what, yes, if you wouldn’t mind.”

She smiled sweetly, “Not at all, it is our duty to serve and protect the crown.”

“Well as long as you don’t mind, lead the way.” I said stepping to the side, allowing her to take point, he slipped her helmet back on, the magic of it turning her fur white and her hair and tail blue, she walked past me leading the way.

‘Honestly I should talk to Celestia about that, the night guards don’t have that going on for them.’

+To be fair Celestia does like to keep up appearances in public and no one really sees the night guard.+ Ixis said, defending the solar princess.

‘Eh fair point but still it would make it so much easier to tell them apart.’

+You just have to look for the differences, the wings horns, eyes, ears, and tail style don’t ever change.+ She said.

‘True and there are Cutie Marks… eh still thats if you take more than a quick glance though.’ I groaned out, causing Ixis to chuckle.

Hearth Fire stopped in front of a door that had Lima’s and Sapper’s names on it, “Here we are your Highness, give me one second please.” She knocked on the door and I heard Lima’s voice telling her to come in. I peaked my head through the open door so i could see what was happening.

Lima, without looking up from the mountain of paperwork she was doing addressed Hearthfire, “Yes, Lieutenant, I’m a bit busy as you can see.”

“Of course Major, I wouldn’t think to bother you otherwise but Prince Christopher is here to see you and Captain Sapper.” Hearthfire explained, causing her superior to look up from her papers.

“Well send him in Lieutenant.” She said, putting down her stamp and moving her paperwork aside.

Hearthfire nodded and walked back to me, “You may head in your Highness.”

I thanked the Lieutenant and headed into the office, closing the door behind me, “So you’re a Major now are you?” I said giving Lima a smile.

She scoffed at that, “Yeah got a promotion by kicking you in the back of your head back in the day, the Princesses decide that me taking out a threat to Equestria and Protecting the Princess of Love and her husband was enough for a promotion.”

“I’d be inclined to agree, though i still feel your hoof hitting me in the head some days.”

“Good, maybe that feeling will keep you in line. Now, what brings the Prince Of Cool to my office?”

I sat down on the chair on the opposite side of her desk, “Well, I’m leaving in a week or so and I wanted to take you and Sapper out to those drinks i promised.”

She closed her eyes in thought, “Hmmmm well… I still have quite a bit of paperwork to do and Sapper is on duty until later tonight, but after that we should be free.”

I shrugged, “That’s fine, I have nothing else to do today, Mind if I just hang around here for a few hours?”

“Not like I can’t tell you not to, you are a prince after all.” She said, going back to her paperwork.

A few hours went by and I got bored just sitting around so I made my way to R&D to see how things were coming along, surprisingly they were going smoother than I anticipated and smoother than Ontogeny was expecting, my little creations should be done in surplus by the time we leave. But since there was nothing I needed to do I was stuck wandering around the Castle for the last couple of hours and it was pretty nice until I ran into a rather annoying noble.

“You there, creature!” I heard a voice call out to me, I turned around to see a Jet Black unicorn stallion with ash gray hair and tail and crimson eyes, I would’ve noticed what he was wearing but my brain was currently screaming at me that that was Sombra and I was paralyzed.

“You think you can fool everyone including the Princesses but you can’t fool us nobles, we will unveil your plot to take over the throne and rule Equestria, mark my words.” The dark stallion said.

Once the fear set in then the anger, hate, and rage began to come through and I could feel the muscles in my eye contract turning it into a dangerous slit and i felt the dark magic in my other eye act up even more. I was about to lunge at the pony, my mind still thinking it was Sombra, somehow hiding himself within the castle that was until Blueblood showed up.

“Lord Onyx I hope you aren’t giving the recently anointed Prince Christopher any trouble hm?” The white stallion prince asked.

The dark noble, just named Onyx, blanched and turned quickly, bowing before the prince, “N-Not at all Prince Blueblood, I… I was just wishing him good fortune in his rule, yes that’s it.” He chuckled nervously as even he realized his excuse held no weight.

Blueblood raised a brow, “Ah I see, well that’s kind of you, I’m sure Prince Christopher appreciate the kind words. Now, I do believe you have some business you need to take care of?”

The noble was sweating, “O-Of course your highness!” He said before quickly making his way past Blueblood, who promptly stopped him.

“If I ever hear you threaten the Prince again or even that you were entertaining the thoughts you were having about him I will personally have your rank stripped and your family cast out of Canterlot am I clear?” He said to the stallion in a harsh whisper, of course I heard this.

The Noble whimpered, nodded, and quickly left the castle, as soon as he was out of sight I let go of a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

Blueblood walked over to me, “Sorry about that Christopher, some nobles will take a while to get used to you and unfortunately some never will.” He stated with a small chuckle, then he noticed the state I was in and put a hand on my shoulder, “Christopher, are you alright?”

I jumped a bit, “I-I… yes, sorry about that and thank you Blue… I appreciate it.”

“Think nothing of it, it’s the least I can do for the one who saved my cousin.” He aid with a grin.

I gave him a small smile back, “Still holding me up high for that huh?”

He shook his head, “Not only that but for making her happy to have a proper family again. I know she loves and cares for me and Auntie Celestia and Auntie Luna but we aren’t her actual family.”

“Yeah, Shining said something similar.”

“Actually I’ve been meaning to ask you something for quite some time now.” He said with an expectant look.

I sighed, Blue very rarely asked for favors but when he did they tended to be… not unreasonable, but extra, “Sure Blue, what can I do for you.”

“You know the Element of Generosity, Rarity correct?” At my nod he continued, “Yes, well I may have left a bad impression on her one gala a few years back, it was one of my bad nights and I wish to make it up to her.”

I blinked, ah right, see Blueblood suffered from D.I.D, it was wore when he was younger but sometimes he has episodes where he becomes an egotistical jerk that only cares for himself, his actual personality is the one I’m talking to now, his dominant one; a kind and chivalrous pony who would give his life for his fellow pony and really any creature on Equis. He’s gotten a few bad things spread around about him by people who didn’t know this though, in fact I thought he was a jerk until I learned this myself.

“Yeah, of course Blue I can do that, You’ll probably have to wait until after we get back fro My world though.” I told him.

“That’s understandable, well i shall make sure whatever day she decides is good for her I shall be free, that is if she accepts.” He looked upset with himself but only for a second, “Well I must be off, Public to see, events to attend, have a good evening Christopher.” He said, waving as he walked past me.

“You too blue!” I called after him, I made my way through the castle for a bit longer, lost in thought.

“Hey SPIKY!” I heard another familiar voice call out, but I only knew two ponies who called me spiky, Sapper and Lima.

I looked up and saw Sapper and Lima out of their armor and in casual clothes. Sapper wearing simple blue jeans and a sleeveless black shirt and Lima was wearing white shorts and a sky blue top, “Hey guys, you off duty for today?”

Sapper had a huge grin, “Yep, you owe us drinks big guy!” He said slapping me on that back.

“Yeah I know, you guys lead the way, I don’t really know where the bars are around here. Pick anywhere, you both know I can afford it.” I said, a bit less chipper than I usually did.

Lima noticed this, “Hey you ok?”

“I-I’ll tell you when we get to a bar ok?”

Lima and Sapper looked at each other and nodded, “We know just the place, follow us big guy.” Sapper said, leading the way with Lima.

+You ok?+ I heard Ixis ask.

‘I… you know the answer to that.’ I said back.

+Maybe, but I like to ask, it shows you that I care.+

‘I know you care Ixis, I just… I thought I got over that…’

+You’ll never truly be over it, you just need to avoid what makes you think about it.+

‘Kind of hard consider you know what.’

She sighed, +Yeah, how about you stay outside of your dreams tonight and we can just talk ok?+

‘Yeah, I like the sound of that.’ That was the last thing said between us but Ixis was humming a song in my head the entire time as we walked to the bar, which I found out was called the Salty Spitoon, no I’m not shitting you, yes the Salty Spitoon, like in Spongebob.

We got into the bar and sat down at the counter, “Well here we are the Salty Spitoon.” Lima said.

I smirked at them, “How tough are ya?” I asked in a mock gruff voice, only to have an actually gruff voice answer right back.

“Aye that be our slogan, ne’er seen ya round here though.”

I looked to the left to see a rather large and muscular thestral stallion, covered head to toes in scar and, somehow, tattoos walking out from the back where I’m assuming the kitchen is.

I blinked, “I… heard about it from a friend of mine, I’m Christopher, pretty sure you heard the news about me.”

The older stallion’s eyes had a look of sudden recognition, “Ah, aye, yer tha new prince that e’eryone been gabbing about deese pass few days hm?” I nodded, “Ah well, as long as ya got bits ta pay for yer drink I don’t rightly care who ya are, name’s Rough as they call me.”

“Hey Rough, I’ll take my usual.” Lima said.

“Same, and tell Tough to make ‘em extra crispy this time.” Sapper said.

“Aight and fer tha young prince?” Rough asked.

Sapper started, “Ah no, he doesn’t-”

“Double extra dry Martini, double on the olive juice, lemons instead of olives and a shot of Tequila. I’ll also take those sheep bites ” I quickly said cutting off Sapper; who, along with Lima, looked at me in shock.

Rough on the other hand laughed heartily in his deep scraggy baritone, “Aye, seems tha prince knows what gets him knocked, I’ll have it right up.” He said placing the ticket on a a string attaching it with a clothespin and sending t into the kitchen before he moved on to make our drinks.

“You, drinking, what's going on? Who are you and what have you done to Chris?” Lima chimed in, half amused, half concerned.

I sighed and put my face in my hands before taking a deep breath and looking back up, “I found out I still have PTSD about the Sombra incident.” I said to them.

Sapper nodded in understanding, “I get ya on that, I still have nightmares about your… other self to be honest.” I looked at him, fear evident on my face, “Now, hold on I know that’s not who you truly are, I know you have him under lock and key now, but I get being scared and having moments of nothing but flashbacks and memories of something that scarred you.”

Lima gave a half hearted smile, she also understood, but her reason was much worse than ours, see Lima had been living in a village far from any major city in Equestria when she was a filly with her original family, the Beans, yes her name is Lima Bean, she obviously prefers to be called Lima. Anyways, it was in the middle of the night when gigantic spiders, we’re assuming they were star spiders, destroyed her entire village, killing and eating most of the ponies on site, her parents included, her older sister hid her away to save her but she didn’t save her from witnessing the rest of her village including her sister getting injected with paralyzing venom and dragged away into the mountains, the last thing young Lima ever saw was her sister crying, her eyes telling her she loved Lima and that she needed to run. Lima, however didn’t, she stayed hidden for days until she was found by the Solar guard and was adopted by one of the families, the Kingshields to be exact. Funnily enough it was that event and her adoption that lead her into getting a cutie mark that was literally a spear and shield and joining the guard, her adoptive family, couldn’t have been more proud of her and Lima…well she dedicated her life to protecting Ponies and anyone else from threats like the ones that destroyed her life.

“Hey, do you remember when we first met?” Lima asked, clearly trying to distract u from our thoughts.

I nodded, “Yeah, you two were not at all happy to train me. I actually remember what you said to Shining Armor.”

Lima chuckled, “Yeah, ‘I don’t know captain, looking at the pudge on this guy, it might take more than what i can do, I can train someone but I can’t perform miracles.’”

Sapper laughed at that, “But look at you now, you’ve put on a bunch of muscle but you’re till lean enough to not be weighed down by it.”

I smirked, “Jealous?”

“Nah not at all, the mares love the bulging pecs and biceps.” He aid flexing, “Right Beans?” Ooooo, should not have called her Beans.

Lima growled and punched him hard in the arm, causing the aptly sap colored stallion to yelp, “Yeah, but the don’t like a pussy you pine forest for brains.” Pine Sap was Sapper’s actual name but he preferred Sapper, they argued back and forth for a while and our drinks were put in front of us, we were only waiting for food now.

I had a thought that struck me something I never asked them, “Hey, you two, what made you warm up to me?”

Sapper and Lima stopped arguing, looked at each other and then at me, “You really want to know?” Lima asked.

I nodded and they shrugged with Lima continuing, “You remember about 3 months in in training and you barely made any progress?”

I tilted my head in thought…. Oh yeah that time

I was knocked flat on my ass, crumpling up my tail in the process, winced but slowly stood back up, panting heavily, blood running from my nose, mouth, and various cuts along my body. I looked up to the two guards that were assigned to me a Pegasus and an Earth Pony, booth looking at me with disdain and boredom.

“Again.” I said weakly.

The pegasus rolled her eyes, “Really? You’ve been getting knocked on your ass for weeks now, what the point f you aren’t going to improve?”

“Again.” I said more forcefully.

She scoffed and turned around, “Sapper you won’t to knock him down this time?” She asked the Earth Pony Stallion.

“Nah, this is getting boring and sad. Let’s go get some food I’m starving.”He aid walking towards the door leading out from the training yard, the pegasus following.

I growled but stayed silent until i felt a burning fire in my chest and tears running down one side of my cheek, “I SAID AGAIN!!!” I roared out, getting their attention, i dropped to my knees and spoke with a barely audible voice, “Please… I need to get stronger… so nothing like that ever happens again… please…”

“Stand up.” I heard the pegasus say.

I looked up to see that the disdain was gone and respect replaced it, the will to help out someone who wanted the same thing as her was burning in her eyes, I could see the fire and passion in her soul.

“I said stand up, don’t make me repeat myself.” She said again with a small smile.I sniffed and wiped my eye clear of tears and slowly stood once more, “Throw a punch.” she said.

I nodded and threw out a weak punch with my right hand, only for it to by blocked with her forearm.

“Your punch was weak and predictable, next time use your muscles in your other arm to fool your opponent and quickly punch out with your intended arm, it is one way to fight, here let me how you, be ready to guard.” She aid, bringing up her fists into the classic boxer stance, her muscles in her right arm tensed and I quickly focused my defense to my left only to be quickly and harshly hit on my right side by her left hand, “See like that, now you try.”

I nodded and brought up my first in the same stance, I looked at her, thinking of what I could do, obviously even if I did tense up my muscles in one arm she’ll block with the other, being more experienced than me after all… then I had an idea. I tensed up both my arms, catching her off guard entirely, I could see her brain working to figure out what i was going to do and she figure it out but it was too late, my tail lashed out and jabbed her in the side, knocking her to the ground, winding her.

She coughed and stood up smiling, only for it to turn into a glare as Sapper was laughing his head off, “Oh he got you good Lima!”

She growled but shook her head, “He’s right though, you did good kid.”

I smiled, “Thanks I had a good teacher.”

Lima blinked, looking away, wincing, “Hey I think we got off on the wrong hoof or foot, whatever.” She held out a hand, “I’m First Lieutenant Lima Bean, most call me Lima, it’s a pleasure to train and serve you your highness.”

I looked at her, shocked, then down at her hand and reached to grab it, “Christopher McGrath, nice to meet you and thank you for helping me get stronger.”

“I’m Second Lieutenant Pine Sap, everyone calls me Sapper though, and same to what Lima said.” He said with a wide grin.

“Really that? Actually you know what that makes sense.” I said, I don’t know why that never occurred to me before.

“Well, it’s a good thing that happened, you can go toe to toe with most things now, though you’ve still yet to beat us in a fair fight. AND NO WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE THE THRONE ROOM DIDN’T COUNT.” She said quickly

I chuckled, “I’d challenged you two to a fight but I need to not be banged up for the next few days.”

Sapper downed his drink which was an Appaloosan Iced Tea, Lima took another quick drink from her’s; a Bloody Mare-y, or death drink as I refer to it, I’m terribly allergic to tomatoes, sue me.

I finished off my drinks and ordered some more, but stopped when I started to feel myself get tipsy, which, mind you, takes A LOT if not for my Irish blood then definitely from my draconic attributes. Sapper and Lima tried to keep up only to get completely fucking wasted, it was then i decided that it was time for us to go, I paid Rough at least a little more than double, for the trouble of entertaining us, he was more than happy to accept. I walked the two drunks back to the barracks and their office where they promptly passed out in their respective beds, I left and closed the door, whatever happens between them at this point ain’t none of my business.

As I made my way out of the castle I ran into Luna who stopped to talk to me.

“Sir Christopher, what are you doing here at the castle?” She asked, very clearly surprised at my presence.

I shook my head, trying to clear it from the dizziness, “Visiting Sapper and Lima… drinking them under the table.”

Luna looked at me with concern, “Nephew-” Oh she only calls me nephew when she’s truly worried about me, “-you were drinking? What ails you to push to such measures, especially considering your past.”

I looked at her, tears welling up in my eye again, “Auntie… I…” I groaned, my head aching, “I’ll tell you later, come to my dream ok? I need to go home and lay down.”

Luna nodded as I walked past her and out of the castle. I few home, touching down outside my door, I slowly turned the door knob and opened the door, careful not to make any noise, I made my way upstairs and to mine and Shy’s room, she was already in bed sound asleep, and I crawled under the blankets next to her. Unfortunately that woke her up and she turned to face me only to sniff the air.

“Chris… is that alcohol, were you drinking?” She asked, very clearly worried.

I sighed and sat up, she sat up after me and turned on the lamp on our night stand, “Yeah… I… sorry… I just… I’m still scared of what happened back then Shy, it still haunts me, I saw a Noble that looked nearly identical to Sombra and it almost set me off, i thought I got over it. And I just… didn’t want to deal with it, don’t worry I had Sapper and Lima with me tonight I’m not even drunk just tipsy I promise.”

Shy sighed, “It’s ok as long as it was just this once… I don’t want something to happen to you like what happened to your mom. I don’t want gold to be left without a father.”

I tensed up at that, Goldy… my baby girl… I… mom… I gripped the sheets and ground my teeth together before one of my fists launched into the wall next to me leaving a large hole. Fluttershy gasped in shock and slight fear, I looked at her and realized what i just did, I lowered my hand quickly and started to cry, “I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to… I just…”

Shy slowly moved closer to me and laid her head on my shoulder, “Shhh, it’s ok I know… I’m sorry you have to go through this, but remember the girls are here for you, the princess are here for you, we’re here for you, I’m here for you and I always will be.” She said softly yet firmly.

I tilted my head to rest it on top of hers, “I know Shy, I know. I’ll remember that from now on I promise, and no more drinking either.”

“I believe you.” She said quietly.

Our door opened and Goldy was standing there, “Mommy, daddy, are you ok? I heard a loud noise.” She rubbed her eyes and looked up at me, she saw the tears running down my face, “Daddy, are you ok? Why are you crying?” She asked.

I looked at her and smiled softly, “Daddy just… had a bad nightmare about his mommy.” I told her, I hated lying to my daughter like that but… she didn’t need to know the full truth, she’s too young.

“Oh, can I sleep in here with you and mommy? That usually makes me feel better when I have a nightmare and Auntie Luna is too busy to help.” She said, with all the innocence of a child but all the wisdom and smarts of someone who hung around Twilight all the time.

I nodded and patted the bed, “Of course baby girl, come on up here.”

Shy scooted over to make space between us for Goldy to lay in, once she was under the blankets Shy turned off the lamp and we all snuggled in close.

“Good night Chris, Goldy, I love you both.” Shy said.

“Good night daddy, mommy, I love you sooooo much.” Goldy said with a big yawn at the end.

“Night you two, you’re both the light of my life and I love you both more than I can ever say.” I said, we all drifted off to sleep and I met Luna and Ixis in my dream and we discussed what happened.

Author's Notes:

Soooo.... uh yeah this chapter happened... honestly I don't entirely know why but i felt like it was important to show that yes he's fucked up by the Sombra thing, even if it didn't seem like it, he is VERY much still not ok with everything that happened. It's why even with Wrath locked away he refuses to take the eyepatch off unless its necessary.

Fun fact, I actually am legal able to and certified to bar tend, it's actually a ton of fun, but not something I would think of taking up a profession in, maybe as a hobby though.

Now, I have no idea how the military works, I don't know the jargon or how anyone in it interacts with one another, which is funny considering I come from a military family. Actually me and my oldest sister are the only ones who DIDN'T go into the military, anyway, I did want to make sure I got ranks at least semi correct so there's that.

So I want to do something special as I'm rounding up on writing the 25th chapter. I was thinking of the classic Q&A where you ask me or the characters questions and obviously I'll answer them the best I can. Most likely I'll make a blog in a few days and you can ask whatever you want there, and I'll put a link to it in all of my chapters.

Once again, check this story out, it's good.

https://www.fimfiction.net/story/413584/the-champion-of-harmony

Yes, I'm putting a link to the Q&A blog in every author note, for those who stopped at mid points in the story, It's for reaching 25 chapters being written, even though 25 is still being written: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/831885/qs-for-the-qa-chapter