The rules had been established, and the group made their way over to the local gym. Rainbow Dash had recommended it be done there since it had an area where she would train. It seemed like the best place to do this safely and keep as many eyes away from the spectacle they were going to put on.

Once inside, Twilight took to the center of the mat to explain how the matches were going to be conducted.

"The rules are simple. Cerb will have the chance to compete against three of Luna's chosen fighters. One Earth pony, one pegasus, and one unicorn. Cerberus will have to win a best of two out of three by submissions, TKOs, or if called by myself, as the referee, or Princess Luna, as the official judge. If Cerberus is able to defeat the first two opponents, he will not need to challenge the last opponent. The combat will consist of strikes from any limb of the fighter's body. This includes the head, legs, elbows, hooves of any pony, wings for the pegasus, magic from a unicorn, and the hands or feet for our human fighter. With that, there will be no strikes to the groin area, neck, or spine. For the unicorn contender, magic may be used, but spells that would permanently maim or potentially be lethal to a human may not be used. Each match will be given three five-minute rounds with a one-minute intermission between each round, and a ten-minute rest between matches to recover. All combatants may use submission or chokeholds to render their opponent incapacitated or forced to tap out. Each match will end when a fighter is incapacitated, injured to the point they can not safely continue, or taps out. Also, if either is placed in a position where a fighter would lose in a real-life situation or suffer serious bodily harm, the fighter will stop before completing such an attack for the contender's safety. A match can also be called off by the referee or the judge if they believe the safety of a contender is put in imminent risk of injury. In either case, the match will be called in favor of the aggressor."

Cerb stepped out near the center of the mat. He was down to just his shorts and hand wraps layered around his knuckles to work like punching gloves. His stance was lax as he rotated his shoulders, trying to stay loose for the first round. He had been keeping himself worked up, ready to do whatever it took to make sure there was no doubt about his capabilities. He had to trust Fluttershy on this if he was going to be able to travel alone with her."

As Cerb was still warming up, the doors to the room opened, and a flood of mares poured in with Chris and Starlight leading them in. They all saw Cerb standing, ready to fight, and all their questions flooded the room.

As many of the mares stayed back from Luna and her guards near the mat, Chris approached Cerb and called out to the room.

"What the hell is going on?"

In just as much of a panic, Starlight saw Twilight in the center of the mat and shouted, "Lyra and Bon Bon told us a human was going to fight one of the guards. What happened?"

Applejack spoke up from the sidelines.

"Everything's fine. If yer gonna stay, take a seat and watch. We can fill ya in between rounds on what's happening."

Starlight didn't seem to have calmed down at all, but trotted over for more info.

"AJ? Did a human get hurt again? Is that why this is happening?"

Big Mac answered from the other side of the new group.

"Nope. Cerb has to prove he's strong enough to go into the Everfree without the royal guards to escort him and Fluttershy.”

Chris shouted, "What?! He can't be that fucking stupid!"

"Chris!" Kelly shouted. "Sit down and shut up. We can't stop him even if we wanted to at this point, so just take a seat and let's watch this play out."

"Please," Luna loudly addressed the new audience. "While we would rather not have a crowd at the moment, if you choose to stay, please stay quiet and do not interrupt. Cerb has made it clear that he does not wish to waste any more time than we already have."

Big Mac grunted in frustration from all the outbursts and leaned into Chris’s side.

“They want to gather medical herbs and such for Becky. They think she might have a cure."

A black stallion with a silver-colored mane, tail, and socks stepped up next to Luna. As he removed his armor, a cutie mark of a shield, much like Shining Armor's, was revealed. Only this shield was silver and had a black horse's head facing down in its center. For a stallion, he seemed slightly larger than the average male. Not nearly as big as Big Mac, but still, it looked like there must have been something special about him.

Luna announced her first fighter.

"Onyx Armor. You have been chosen to test the might of the brave Earth warrior, Cerberus." She turned to Cerb with a serious expression, though a smile seemed to be forming as she addressed him. "You were trained in combat with your nation’s army, have you not?"

Cerb stood tall and strong, giving a short look at his first contender before he spoke to correct her.

"United States Marine Corps. My country's army are sustainment fighters. The Marines are the first ones in the battlefield. It’s our job to leave a safer place for the army to take over after we establish our dominance over the land."

Luna’s smile broke through, and she tilted her head as she grinned.

"Impressive"

Onyx Armor gulped, now second-guessing his choice to volunteer for this.

Helix Ray tried to get Onyx Armor’s attention from behind.

"Onyx! Cerb is strong and has a lot of endurance. Don't' try to wear him out. You won't last as long as he will."

Onyx gave a grateful nod to his fellow guard, only to lose whatever confidence he might have gained as soon as Helix smiled and waved to Cerb.

Helix waved like an excited child and looked just as happy as one as he shouted over, "Hey, Cerb! Take it easy on Onyx! He's a good guy like me! We should all have beers together after this to help cheer Onyx up!"

Cerb shouted back and tried not to laugh, "You got it, bud!"

Luna grinned and turned an eye to Helix.

"My-my. You certainly seem to have confidence in your opponent."

Helix trotted over and started to collect Onyx’s uniform and armor in his aura while he clarified his position.

"I doubt I'll be fighting him today." He patted Onyx on the back. "Good luck, buddy. Take notes so we can all train together after Cerb gets back."

Onyx huffed once and let his sarcasm flow freely.

"Thanks a lot, Helix. Don't bother giving me any credit. It’s not like I’m the best boxer in our ranks or anything."

Onyx rose up to his hind legs and let the liner that he wore under his armor fall off. He also only wore a pair of shorts and punching gloves... Punching shoes?... Kicking gloves? Whatever he was wearing, he tapped them together and marched out with his hooves up to the center of the mat. On the backside of his shorts, the words `Solar Guard Heavyweight Champion` was stitched in for all to see.

Ready to get things started, but still not wanting to, Twilight addressed the first two fighters.

"Okay, everypony. I want a good clean fight. We're all friends here, so there's no need to hurt each other... Unless you'd like to rethink your options and not do this, Cerb."

Cerb huffed once and touched gloves with Onyx before walking back.

"How about I'll think about it as soon as you burn all your books."

"So, that's a no, then?" Twilight answered with a sigh before she fluttered up above the fighters.

High above the mats, in an announcer's booth that probably didn’t exist until today, Pinkie raised up a hammer and shouted down, "Ultimate Human Pony Fighting Championship! Woo!" She dropped the hammer and rang a bell to start the fight.

No one asked Pinkie to do this, and had it not been so fitting, they likely would have told her not to.

The two fighters moved against each other in the center and started to circle the ring. Both were sizing the other up.

Onyx kept up his fancy hoof work on the mat and started to taunt his human opponent.

"I'm not just a royal guard, you know. I'm a warrior, too. I fought in the changeling invasion. I led the only squad not to be captured. I'm also the heavyweight champ. Undefeated in the ring."

Cerb recognized the stance and hoof movements before Onyx made his claims and wanted to draw his target in.

"You're not the first boxer I sparred with. So, start swinging."

Onyx took that as a challenge and darted in, delivering strong jabs that Cerb blocked with his forearms and biceps. Each blow pushed Cerb back and knocked his arms one way or the other. Cerb took each hit, gauging the power behind them, and started to hunker down to let Onyx push his limits.

The blows continued uncontested until Onyx changed his tactics and swung with his right to land a blow to Cerb's ribs.

"Alright! Finally gotcha! You gonna—" Onyx's chatter stopped short as he noticed Cerb hadn't actually reacted to that last right hook to the ribs. "... Alright.“ He snorted like a bull. “So you're tougher than you look."

Up in the announcer's booth, Pinkie called out the action.

“Wowwee! Cerberus just took a massive hit to the ribs from the Solar Guard’s Heavyweight Champ! And is still standing! That’s the same punch that Onyx Armor used to take down his last heavyweight challenger, Steel Buns. Fun fact, that was Steel Buns' first and last time in the ring before going back to professional wrestling. Oou! Now, our fighters are circling each other again! Let’s watch.”

Narrowing down his new tactics, Cerb furrowed his brow, and a similar tinge of anger showed through as it had with Fluttershy.

"Don't think it didn't hurt."

Onyx doubled up his guard.

"Well, I got more pain where that came from."

Cerb extended his fingers and flexed them back into a fist, making the knuckles crack.

"It just doesn't hurt enough." He dropped to a lower stance. "No hard feelings if this hurts."

The two rushed back into each other, and Cerb threw the first swing. Onyx moved his forelegs up to block, but Cerb's punch with his right hand knocked them both out of the way. Onyx spun and caught himself just fast enough to block another swing from Cerb's left hand, but popped both of his forelegs up. Cerb gave another swing with his right from down low and struck Onyx right in the breadbasket.

Onyx immediately folded in on himself, clutching his gut, and started to falter on unsteady legs. Feeling his legs give out, he began to fall to the floor.

Cerb had pulled back after his last blow struck, but rushed in again and caught Onyx.

"Hey, there," Cerb said in a much calmer voice. "Easy does it, Champ."

Onyx struggled to speak with the wind still knocked out of him.

"Oww… Tap... Tap, please."

With that out of the way, Cerb could relax for the next few minutes and did what he could to help out the fallen champ.

“Yeah, I figured as much. Come on, let's get ya seated, aight?"

"Thank you," Onyx wheezed. "I can't believe I lost... First loss ever."

Cerb tried not to smile or look too proud as he helped Onyx away from the mat.

"You're fine. This wasn't a sanctioned match, just a spar. You're still the champ."

Helix rushed over to grab Onyx.

"Hey, I got 'em from here." He let Onyx lean over on his side to help him back behind Luna. "Dude, you were awesome until he started fighting back."

Adding insult to injury wasn’t making this any easier for Onyx.

"Shut up, Helix, before I hit you." He groaned before a cough escaped. "Tomorrow... I'll hit you tomorrow. Remind me to hit you tomorrow."

The audience was left speechless. The defeat came so fast, and with such a lack of build-up, it felt like the fight hadn't ended yet.

Twilight was still trying to process what she just witnessed.

"How did?"

Luna looked up at the alicorn hovering above the mat.

"Twilight? Aren't you forgetting something?"

Nothing was getting through to Twilight after watching Cerb overpower an elite Solar Guard so quickly.

"Onyx Armor is one of the strongest guards Celestia has."

Rainbow Dash shouted from the sidelines.

"Hey, Egghead! You gonna call this match or what?!"

Twilight finally came to her senses.

"What? Oh! Right!“ She fluttered down and raised Cerb’s right arm high above his head. “Cerberus wins the first round by TKO!"

Pinkie raised her hammer in the booth.

"Go, Team Humans! Woo!" She shouted and cheered as she rang the bell.

In a blur, Fluttershy jumped out from behind Cerb, hooking her fetlock around his neck, and swung around, slamming her chest against his, and hugged him.

"That was amazing! You won so easily! And you didn't even hurt him." She turned to see Onyx doubled over, sitting away from the crowd. "Well… not too bad, at least."

Suddenly an explosion ripped open the door to their room, busting it off its hinges, leaving the faint silhouette of a unicorn standing in the smoke that growled in a dark and shrill voice.

"Where's Cerberus?! Who hurt him?! I'll tear them apart!" The familiar voice boomed.

The smoke began to fade, and the dust settled quickly, and there stood Rarity. Her horn still glowing, and her meanest scowl smeared across her face, huffing and puffing like an enraged manticore.

Rainbow Dash coughed a few times before laying into Rarity.

"Cool your jets there, drama queen. They're not fighting. They're sparring. And just so you know, your favorite mountain of muscle won without much of a struggle."

From the center of the overzealous entrance, Rarity started to take in the sights of the room. Most of her friends and their human counterparts were on one side of the mat, where Shining still had everyone in his protective shield. On the other side was Luna and the royal guards, as well as Starlight with Chris and... why were there so many other mares from around town sitting with them? But there, in the center of the room, was Twilight hovering above Cerb and Fluttershy, holding each other in Twilight’s magic bubble shield.

Thankfully, Cerb didn't look as shaken up as last time there was an unexpected explosion in his face.

Rarity sheepishly asked, "So, I'm not... rushing into the rescue, I take it?"

Under a guise of calm, Luna answered calmly, "No.“ She tried to mask how clearly unhappy with Rarity's entrance she was. "Now, take a seat, and your friends will fill you in while we clean this mess you've made."

Cerb helped Fluttershy back to the floor, only slightly shaken.

"Go fill her in. I just need a minute."

It didn't take long for the dust to be swept up and the debris removed. Just long enough to let Cerb pull himself together and bring Rarity up to speed.

With everything back in order, Luna eyed the room.

"If we are all ready? Mr. Cerberus, we must commend you on your durability and fighting prowess. Not only that, but your self-restraint in stopping as soon as you noticed Onyx Armor's inability to continue fighting. But commendations out of the way, we shall move on to the second round. To test your endurance and speed, the pegasus you will be sparring with is none other than the mare we wished for the Lunar Guard. Staff Sergeant Thunder Glide, would you please—"

"I forfeit this round," Cerb bluntly stated, much to the shock and gasps of the room.

Caught off guard, Luna replied.

"Beg your pardon, Mr. Cerberus?"

Cerb crossed his arms and explained, "I know I sparred with Fluttershy, but that was for training purposes, and there was a lot I wouldn't do because of how inexperienced she was. This may be different, but I never struck Fluttershy, and I have no intent to start even when our training continues. I'm not going to hit a woman. Human, pony, or otherwise. Find me someone else, or just move on to the third match."

Thunder Glide stomped her way up next to Luna.

"Why can't you fight me? You got something against mares?"

Cerb huffed, "My mother raised me right. I don't hit women. But if you insist on doing this, I'm just going to tap out as soon as Pinkie rings that bell."

Thunder Glide barked, "Excuse me?! What? Are you scared?"

Cerb didn't budge.

"If that's what it takes to get passed this, fine. I'm scared. Scared you're going to hurt me or too scared that I could hurt you. Pick one. I don't care which."

Luna conceded with a graceful bow.

"Very well. Thunder Glide, you are to be commended for your bravery and dedication."

The knee-jerk reaction for Thunder Glide was like she just got stripped of rank.

"But, Princess?"

Luna didn’t bother mincing words with her orders.

"Stand down, Thunder." She caught herself and softened her tone. "You showed no fear and still stand proud, ready to answer the call of service and represent our kingdom well.”

Thunder Glide didn't hide how angry she was after being denied her chance to fight and begrudgingly went back to take her seat next to Onyx.

Luna still seemed pleased to hear Cerb's reasoning.

"Well, while we can appreciate your chivalry, it is unnecessary. Although, it does add favorably to your character. Regardless, that does leave us down to your last contender... Helix Ray, would you be so kind as to join us on the mat?"

Helix snapped to attention.

"What?"

Lyra, who had been sitting quietly in the back, jumped up, throwing a hoof in the air.

“Woo! Yeah! Go, team Unicorns!”

Bon Bon pulled her friend back down to her seat.

“Sit down, Lyra,”

Helix looked over to the other pegasus guard with him.

"Hey, Swift? Any chance you could go up there and pretend to be a stallion?"

The pegasus guard snorted and grinned.

“If you can pull it off, I’m sure I can.”

Helix groaned and took that as a no. Even if he didn’t want to fight his new buddy, he didn’t have a choice now.

Cerb felt conflicted as Helix stepped up to the center. This was one of the first ponies outside of the main cast he actually grew to like. Now he had to risk hurting him on accident.

Helix sported a goofy grin.

"So... Uh... I didn't expect this to happen."

"Yeah," Cerb tried to fake a smile back, but he couldn't. "You know it's kinda messed up that I have no experience with this kind of combat."

Helix laughed.

"You just outboxed our heavyweight champ with one punch. You're out of your element?"

"True," Cerb admitted sadly. "I guess one of us is getting schooled this round. And I respect you too much to ask you to take it easy on me or to take a dive."

"Really?" Helix laughed again. "I was gonna ask you not to hit me. Onyx already has it out for me because I bet against him."

Cerb cracked a grin.

"Knock it off, bro. This is serious." He turned cold and dropped the smile. "Onyx came in cocky and paid the price for it. If you don't bring it hard, you're gonna lose face in front of your superiors, lose my respect, and leave them to question my ability to keep anyone safe out there."

Helix grinned.

"Don't worry, buddy. Losing to me will make you feel safer when I'm escorting you out there."

As Cerb reached out his fist as a sign of respect, he jested, "Your ass is staying home for this camping trip. Someone's gotta keep Onyx company."

Helix gave a bro-hoof to Cerb's bro-fist.

"If you wanna stay back while we take care of this expedition for ya, don't drink all the beers before I get back."

Twilight stepped between the two and made her announcements to the audience.

"For the protection of those watching, Shining and I will put a barrier around the mat. We will secure the fight before removing it."

From the sidelines, Starlight leaned over to Chris to whisper.

"How much does Cerb know about magic or how a unicorn fights with their spells?"

Chris whispered back, "I showed him the fight between you and Twilight and Twilight fighting Tirek. So, pretty much nothing."

As the shield lit up and lowered down around the mat, Cerb turned around to give one last look at his friends, only a little more than half who were actually supporting him.

Before Pinkie could ring the bell, Fluttershy held up a sign that read, "WE’RE GOING TO SAVE BECKY" in sloppily written letters. Next to her, Rarity quickly held up another sign with "FIGHT ANGRY! WIN!" written in a much fancier style.

Twilight looked back and forth between the two fighters.

"Helix, are you ready?"

Helix started to pool some of his magic into his horn, causing it to spark.

"Primed and ready to fight, Princess."

Twilight turned back to Cerb again.

"And you, Cerb... I know you would tell me you were ready even if you weren't. Please reconsider this. There's still time."

Cerb lowered into a ready stance and clenched his fist.

"For all the big talk about friendship you all like to preach, you don't seem to understand much about dedication and sacrifice. Of course, I'm ready."

Just one last plea from Twilight, "Cerb, please—"

Cerb pointed to the announcer of this spectacle. "Pinkie! Hit the damn bell!"

Pinkie reared back her hammer and shouted, "Round two! Fight!" She bashed the bell, and it rang out.

As soon as Cerb moved his foot forward, the feeling of cold vibrating metal clasped around his torso, binding his arms to his side. He looked down out of reflex to see glowing translucent chains bound around him. The moment he moved his hands to try and pull them off, another band flashed before his eyes and secured his wrist together.

Luna sat up tall on the sidelines next to Onyx.

"Oh, my," she said with surprise and disappointment. "We honestly thought this would have ended much differently, to be honest."

Twilight overheard the statement from Luna and gave a sigh of relief.

"I'm just glad no pony got hurt."

Inside the barrier, Helix took a bow.

"I'm just glad I didn't have to... I... ah... Ow... What is?"

Helix brought a hoof to his head and clenched his eyes shut as if he was suffering from the sudden onset of a painful headache. With every grunt and groan, his horn would flair up in magic, as if he was forcing more of his power into it. Then something began to become more clear to the room.

His grunts and spikes in magic were matching those of Cerb as he struggled against his bindings.

Twilight flew down to the far side of the shield to check up on the struggling unicorn.

"Helix, what's wrong?"

Helix was in considerable pain, but he didn't know what was causing it.

"It hurts... I can't... hold—"

On the other side of the shield, Fluttershy and Rarity were pounding on the magic barrier and shouting their support.

Fluttershy yelled through the magic barrier, "Justin! Don't give up! He hasn't pinned you yet!"

Rarity screamed, "Keep fighting, Justin! He can't hold those chains if you keep fighting it! Break his concentration, and you break the spell!"

Cerb struggled to speak as he flexed against the magic constructs of chains. "Mutha fucker!"

Without explanation or reasoning, the chains started to creak and crack, with rays of light beaming out as the spell began to fall apart. Then Cerb drew in a deep breath, took hold of the chains around his chest, pulled down on them, and flexed as hard as his muscles could bare.

A whirring sound started to hum from the chains, and chimes sounded as the metal construct of links snapped. Then with one final yank, the links broke all around him, and Helix fell back on his flank with a yelp.

Cerb shook his hands free as the last chains around his wrist seemed to have fallen apart on their own.

"Cute trick, Helix. Now let's do this for real. Get up."

Helix rose up slowly, still holding his head and wincing through one eye while the other was kept shut.

"I don't know how you did that, but if you wanna do this the hard way. We'll do it the hard way."

Cerb flexed his fist and cracked his knuckles.

"Bring it on, Glow Stick."

Helix repeated the insult with the first note of anger in his voice.

"Glow Stick? You wanna see a glow stick? Here's two!"

Twilight gasped as she saw balls of light sparkle above and below Helix's horn.

"Helix, no! That's going too far!"

Realizing he might have pushed too far, Cerb dove out of the way as two bright rays of white and blue light fired through where he was just standing. He jumped to his feet and dodged another set of bolts. Then a third that barely missed.

Helix charged his horn for another blast and readied to fire, but Cerb closed the distance and open-palmed swiped him under the jaw and knocked his head back. The blast released a second too late and arched against the ceiling of the barrier.

Helix went to step back but was lifted by Cerb, who somehow managed to get behind him. Cerb’s arms flexed around Helix’s chest and guided him promptly back to the mat. Helix hit with a thud and grunted in pain.

It was important to end this without hurting Helix, but Cerb wasn’t going to give this pony the same liberties he had given Fluttershy. He immediately trapped Helix’s back leg between his and switched his arms from around the chest to Helix’s neck, and stretched him out in a modified chokehold. The move wasn't much different from what Rarity remembered seeing Cerb use before.

Cerb couldn’t believe how much weaker Helix was than Fluttershy and barely had to work to get the grip he needed to press down on the unicorn's windpipe.

“Tap!”

Helix couldn’t breathe and felt like he was pressing against iron bindings trying to free himself. He tried to kick his way out, but Cerb only stretched him out further and closed the grip on his throat even tighter. Before his vision fully darkened, he strained an eye back far enough to see Cerb staring right back at him. That was the only opening he had before he would lose consciousness and started to pull his magic into his horn again.

During the whole fight, Pinkie was shouting out the action.

“Cerb has Helix now! That chokehold is locked in, and… Wait! What’s Helix trying to pull?! Unless he can curl this next blast back behind him, he’s—”

A bright light flashed inside the barrier, and all eyes were blinded.

The bright light stung left Cerb rolling with his eyes clenched, and he screamed out in anger.

“Really! What kind of DBZ bullshit is this? A fucking solar flair!”

Helix had rolled away and was back on all fours trying to regain his breath and vision. Neither was easy to get back, and he still couldn’t focus even as Cerb got back on his feet and searched for his opponent through his squinting eyes.

Cerb finally got focused on the fuzzy white blur that was Helix. At the same time, Helix had enough oxygen to his brain to focus his magic. He just needed a little more time.

Cerb saw the light shining above the unicorn's horn and rushed in to cancel whatever spell he was conjuring.

“Come here!”

No more open hands, this was getting too risky, and Cerb leaped out with a haymaker. Then there was a flash of light, and Helix was gone.

The sound of his teleportation came too late, and Cerb found Helix standing too far out of his striking range behind him to stop anything he might want to do.

Helix panted heavily, both from nearly getting choked out and also from how angry he was over the pain.

"Game. Set." He finally opened his other eye, which was horrifically bloodshot. "Match."

Cerb held up his forearms to block the double bolts of magic, and the crowd gasped in horror as the magic attack struck Cerb.

Then silence.

Cerb stood waiting for the blow to come. He thought for sure something hit him a moment ago, but that couldn't have been what happened. He was still standing. Standing with his guard up, waiting and wondering what that buzzing noise was.

No... He definitely felt something and decided to open his eyes. The two bolts of light from Helix's horn were still blasting against him, but he could hardly even feel them.

Cerb was at a loss.

"Dude?" He questioned with no response to the unicorn putting on what had to be his version of a strongman show for the audience. "Helix?... Hey!"

Helix finally ended his spell, and the nothing of an attack stopped. "Wait... you're not hurt?"

Cerb laughed.

"No, but you sure had me going," he said as if it were a compliment. "Shit... I know I said not to take it easy on me, but thanks for not blowing my head off or whatever. Guess we gotta find me another pegasus to fight."

Helix started to question if maybe he did pass out in that chokehold.

"How? How did you—"

The magic shield around them faded, and many of the ponies swarmed in around them. Fluttershy and Rarity ran to Cerb, and all three Princesses and Shining ran to Helix and yanked him aside.

Fluttershy flew up and grabbed Cerb's face, turning it side to side, looking for any damage.

"I was so worried. He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Cerb went to pull Fluttershy's hooves away but had his hands jerked down by Rarity.

"Does it burn? Is there any pain? ... No?" She dropped his hands and fell back on her flank. "I thought for sure he... Wait... Did you not feel any pain from that?"

Finally, pulling Fluttershy's hooves away, Cerb asked, "What? Did he hurt me with his stupid flashlight prank?"

Suddenly, Cerb noticed the lecture Helix was getting from all four royals.

Twilight was livid.

"You used your special Helix Ray spell on him?! Are you crazy!"

Helix tried to explain himself.

"Princess, please. You didn't feel what I felt. His resistance—"

Luna scolded the guard just as harshly.

"Magic resistance or not, that type of magic was simply irresponsible to use with that much power behind it."

Cerb stepped in between Helix and the royals, still not sure what they were arguing over.

"Hey! Woah! What is going on here? So what? The guy pulled a fast one and hit me with a flashlight show. Back off the guy for a moment. He beat me fair and square."

Cadance stepped up and pulled his hand to inspect it with her fetlock. "Justin, please. That was no flashlight trick. Helix Ray's special talent is..."

Twilight’s anger turned to worry.

"Oh, no," She fretted out loud. "How bad is it?"

Cerb shouted almost as loud as the royal Canterlot voice.

"Hey! What the hell is going on?"

Luna spoke, her voice was painted with concern as she pulled Cerb's hand up with her wing to inspect it herself.

"Mr. Cerberus. You were hit with a powerful type of magic that is used only for combat. But it appears your resistance to magic goes far beyond what any of us could have ever expected."

Cerb pulled back his hand and turned to Helix.

"Hold on… You actually tried to hurt me with that?"

Helix quickly tried to explain.

"Just enough to try and stun you. And Princesses, Prince Shining Armor, let me explain."

Rarity was now all up in Helix’s face and barked, "You better." She jabbed Helix hard in the chest. "And it better be good, or I'll be sharing a cell in the dungeon next to the gurney you'll be sleeping in for the next month!"

Even more frightened by Rarity than the four royals, Helix stammered out, "No-No-No-No-No, please. Just listen... Look. I thought he was cheating. Using some type of magic canceling ward. Just like the ones they use on unicorns for security reasons during large public events or some of the international meetings. That's why I was struggling to keep the iron chain spell on him. I could feel the resistance breaking down the spell. And the more I tried to push into it, the stronger it would push back. Then when it broke, it felt like the magic was punched back into my head and blew up in my horn."

Luna reached out with her wing and moved Helix's face to the side, taking a closer look at his bloodshot eye.

"That would explain your injury."

Helix felt over his eye.

"Is it bad? It still hurts a lot." He shook his head violently. "But that can wait. And like I was saying, I could tell it was something all over him resisting my magic. If it were just one of the magic suppressor rings, I would have felt a single point of resistance, but it was everywhere. And given the amount of resistance, I could have put a lot more power behind it but didn't want to risk hurting him."

Cerb looked at everyone around him and asked, "Are you all saying I'm magic-proof?"

"Not entirely," Twilight answered. "Rarity was able to move your arm with her magic when you were—" She suddenly remembered they weren't alone, and such issues shouldn't be spoken aloud. "—at my castle. And from what Luna described, she could experience at least a small portion of your dream, which would mean that some of her dream magic was able to interact with you. Even if only a little. But as far as magic attacks... it looks to be that way."

Cerb was slow to respond, but asked, "Okay, and now I know this is going to sound like a stupid question, but... Does that mean I win this round with Helix since it's not possible for him to beat me with his magic?"

Luna and Cadance exchanged a look at each other.

After a moment of giving the question some thought, Luna grinned as she answered, "Technically, yes. He may have been able to get the drop on you twice, but at this point, his magic wouldn't be able to restrain you long enough to render you unable to fight."

Cadance confirmed the call with a wink.

"Looks like you win by default."

Twilight nearly shouted at the decision.

"Are you serious?!"

Luna placed a wing around the flabbergasted purple princess and started to lead her way.

"Twilight, my dear. There's nothing to worry about any longer. Whatever dangers exist out there in the Everfree, Mr. Cerberus is more than strong enough and certainly skilled enough to fight them off. And now we no longer have to concern ourselves with the dangers of any magic being used against him. He has our blessing to venture out into the Everfree with Fluttershy."

Luna stopped in mid-stride and turned back to Cerb.

"Oh, how silly of us. You have proven yourself more than capable and may move about anywhere you wish in Equestria that you wish. Although, having good company with you is still highly recommended. And, it should be without saying that royal accompaniment is not required."

Cerb was grateful to hear that.

"Thank you, Princess," he said with a smile. "I'll be sure to keep Fluttershy safe out in the—"

Crack!

That was the sound of Kelly punching Cerb in the back of the head and was followed by her screaming at him, "You fucking asshole! Stupid piece of shit fucking-fuck! Fuck! Fucking stupid idiot!" Kelly went on with her belligerent rant even after Lumberman and Benny both had to pull her away. "Maybe they couldn't kick your ass, Justin, but I will!"

Luna's ears pressed back, and her expression wilted at that exchange.

"Perhaps I may stay an extra night after all. Fore I fear Kelly may be living a nightmare all of her own today."

Twilight looked up at her with a new concern.

"Luna? Is every—"

"Hush now, Twilight." Luna would not have that discussion here and now. "That is a matter we may speak of at a later time. For now, there is other business we need to converse over."

Sniff was now confused on what to address first. His friends were starting to quarrel amongst themselves, one of the guards was being harassed over the sparring match, and Twilight was now walking off without attempting to fix any of it.

"Hey, Twilight? What's going on now?"

The two Princesses slowly came to a stop and turned back to Sniff and could see the commotion building up behind him, and Luna asked, "Peter, do you think you could help get a handle on things in here? We think it best if, for now, you and your friends do what you can to work things out amongst yourselves. If we can be of assistance for any unresolved issues, we will be in Twilight's study. We only ask that you knock before entering. And if you would be so kind as to grant us some privacy, we would appreciate it if you only came to us for emergency situations. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Starlight should be able to address any concerns you have in the meantime."

That wasn't exactly what Sniff was hoping to hear. In fact, given the events that just went down, Sniff didn't understand how they both could look so calm.

"Of course," he said with a slight nod. "I'll see you both in a few hours, then?"

Luna smiled back.

"There's nothing to be concerned about if you're worried about Twilight. But there are things we need to discuss in private. Oh, and yes. Please inform Kelly that we wish to see her again sometime tonight. If she can make the time for us, that is."

Sniff answered with a bow, being more formal in hopes of keeping things as civil with them all as best he could.

"I'll be sure to let her know, Princess,"

Chris finally broke free from his entourage and joined Sniff at his side.

"Dude, what the fuck just happened in there, and why is Cerb doing this?"

Sniff double-facepalmed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"What happened in there was Cerb proving to everyone that he'd be safe out in the Everfree. And he's going to the Everfree because Fluttershy might have found a cure for Becky. But we don't know if he'll actually be safe in there or if the cure will work."

Chris had already been told that, but needed the confirmation, even if he still didn’t fully understand.

"But he's still going anyway?"

Sniff sighed, still unsure how to address the chaos unfolding in front of him.

"Yep."

Chris wondered what else he missed.

"And Kelly punching him in the back of the head?"

Sniff shot Chris a look to show just how stupid of a question that was.

"Think about Cerb coming home in stitches after all that time of wondering if he was going to make it through the next surgery. Then ask me again why Kelly would be mad enough to punch him like that."

Sniff turned to see Fluttershy hovering next to Cerb and rubbing the back of his head while Rarity was still interrogating Helix with Cadance and Shining.

"Great... Everything's fucked again."

Behind that group, Benny and Lumberman walked back, looking even more distraught. They immediately came over to Cerb and started to explain something to him, of which, Cerb seemed both angered and hurt by.

Benny placed a hand on Cerb's shoulder and made a waving gesture with his other to one of the exit doors. Whatever had just been discussed seemed to give everyone some level of concern.

Meanwhile, Chris motioned for Starlight.

"Hey, I think something just came up. Beyond the obvious, I mean. Can you let them all know I might have to take care of some personal things?"

"Oh," Starlight glanced over to the group of his friends, looking like they were working something out. "I'll let the girls know. I'll be right back."

Sniff watched Starlight trot off to a mass of mares, which led to what had to be his greatest case of confusion yet.

"Dude... Did you just come here with a harem of horses?"

Chris mockingly answered through a 'fuck you' grin.

"Jealous? I know none of them are a princess—"

Sniff covered his ears and started over to the others.

"Fuck you. No. It was a joke. I wasn't serious. There's too many horses with crowns in this town to be bringing up that shit."

Not letting this go, and to help keep the topic off of himself, Chris rushed to catch up to Sniff.

"Hey, it's fine, Sniffy. If the royal treatment and abundance of local ladies are getting to ya, there's still loads of stallions that are pretty lonely."

Sniff regretted making the joke if it was going to lead to this.

"If I ever see a horse cock because of you, I will murder you in your sleep."

The two ended the short walk with Chris laughing all the way, and Sniff addressed the others, "Okay. So, is everything good now?... Where's Kelly?"

"Gone," Benny answered. "Road off on Big Mac, blubbering like a fucking child."

Becky punched Benny in the arm.

"Chill the fuck out, Ben. Jesus, you know exactly why she's crying."

Cerb rudely answered for Benny, "Yes, yes. I'm the biggest asshole alive."

Fluttershy tried to interject. "No, Justin. What you are doing is most certainly something you should be commended for."

Not to be left out, Lumberman entered the conversation.

"Well-intentioned or not. Kelly took what happened to Cerb from the war the hardest. She was as much of a wreck as he was after it happened. Now she's afraid she's gonna lose him this time. That's why she ran off crying."

Cerb grunted as he pulled his hand from the back of his head.

"That... and she might have broken something when she hit me."

Becky groaned, dropping her head into her hands.

"Oh, for fuck's sake."

Cerb continued.

"Yeah, I heard a pop or a crack when she hit me. Should have seen it coming."

Fluttershy asked, trying to show her concern, "Will she be alright?"

Benny groaned at the thought of having to deal with this same issue again.

"Probably?"

Cerb moaned, not wanting to deal with this when so much else had to be done.

"I'll get this shit straightened out. Once I get my plan put together, I'll explain everything to her, and she should calm down. But before that, I should probably save Double Flashlight Face before Rarity pulls his nuts out through his throat."

Fluttershy cocked an ear to the side.

"What?"

Not much farther away, Rarity snarled out her threats, pushing herself between Helix and Cadance for the umpteenth time.

"And another thing. If I find out that he was injured because of your careless—"

Bearing no mind with his mass and presence, Cerb interrupted the verbal lashing.

"Ladies? If you all don't mind, I'd like to borrow Helix long enough to ensure I have a safe trip."

Rarity, Cadance, and Shining all looked to Helix, who grinned as he cowered back.

Cerb patted Helix on his back as he addressed the others.

"You're all welcome to join since I know you're all rightfully concerned. But I'd rather get started sooner than later."

Big Mac had been galloping from the local gym, carrying Kelly, without stopping. The last thing she said, with tear-filled eyes, was, "Take me away from here," and nothing else.

Of course, there were a million different places he could have taken her; back to the castle, his house, any number of restaurants, or even the neighboring town that Starlight came from. But those would all have been easy places to find them. The best place he could think of was their special spot in the tall grass where he first met Bad Girl Kelly.

With only slightly labored breathing, Big Mac slowed down to a trot and eventually came to a stop.

"I uh reckon nopony should find us here. Not for a long while, at least."

Kelly squeaked while drying her eyes.

"Thanks, Mackie. Can you put me down, please? My legs and side hurt from all that bouncing over here," she asked, still on the verge of breaking down again.

Big Mac answered, lowering himself down on his belly, "Sure thang, sweetie."

As soon as Kelly's feet touched the ground, she tried to stand but just as quickly discovered that wasn't going to be an option. Instead, she slid down to her side, rolled back upright, and crawled herself to Big Mac's neck.

Big Mac could see how broken up she was in immediately rolled onto his back and pulled Kelly down to him. She collapsed over his chest and promptly began to sob.

The position was slightly awkward for Big Mac, being on his back, but he did his best to comfort her with his forelegs wrapped around her.

"I gather yer plum worried sick about Cerb getting hurt out in the forest, and I understand why ya feel that way. But I can't fer the life uh me say I know why ya would go off and whack him in the head like ya did. Kinda defeats the purpose of worrying about him get’n hurt, don't it?"

Kelly could tell he was trying to be funny and lighten the mood, and even if it was working, she didn't want to admit it.

"Don't make me punch you too," she managed to blurt out in a mix of sobs and chuckles as she weakly dropped her fist down on his head. "I'm a lot stronger than I look, ya know."

Big Mac nuzzled between her neck and shoulder and warmly answered, "Oh, yer plenty tough enough, Miss Kelly. But don't you worry none about old Cerberus. The way he took down that boxing pony, can't say there's much out there he can't take down."

Kelly buried her face in his mane lying over the grass.

"You don't know that."

Big Mac softened his comforting tone to something more honest and matched the amount of concern he had as well.

"Maybe not, Miss Kelly. I'm scared for 'em, too. I just got a feeling in muh guts is all… And ya know, Fluttershy may look all timid and defenseless, but she ain't so much when it's not her that's the one in danger."

A low whine came from Kelly.

"I don't care… I almost lost Justin once. I told him not to go back to the Marines. He could have got out, but he said he had to stay in to keep his brothers safe over there. I did everything I could to try and make him stay and not go anywhere else… but he still left."

The real tears started to pour out as an old fear returned.

"And then they shot him. They shot him so many times, and he almost died. He's more than family to me, Big Mac. Bad people tried to hurt me back home, and he made them go away. Even people who said mean things about me, he made them stop. He was always there for me until he went away and almost didn't come back."

She squeezed even tighter around Big Mac.

"Those assholes almost killed me, but you saved me, and you're so much bigger than that fucking Fluttershy." She sniffed and tried to think of every reason to fight Cerb's choice." Applejack and Justin and James and Granny were there, and I still almost died… What's going to happen to him out there all alone with Fluttershy?"

"Kelly?" Big Mac couldn't believe how much of this was still affecting her. Not that he should have been surprised. What had happened to her left such an impact on her that it was projecting her concerns for the safety of others now. Then, to top it all off, he had nothing to counter her concerns with.

"I don't know, but I think we—"

"Don't let him go!" Kelly pleaded. "Don't let him leave! Break his legs if you have to. Tell them I made you do it. I don't care." Her cries intensified, and she squeezed so hard around Big Mac's neck that it actually started to choke him. "I don't care-I don't care-I don't care… I'd rather have him hate me than to have run away and die for someone else."

She was asking the impossible of him. After watching Cerb dominate over Onyx Armor, Big Mac started to wonder how a fight like that would even go down. And if Cerb had been holding back during that fight, how hard could he really hit?

Big Mac croaked as he pulled Kelly's arms that were choking him away from his throat.

"Kelly, hun… I'd do just about gosh darn ‘bout anything for ya. I'd climb the highest mountain of Yakyakistan and fight my way through Tartarus and back, but... I can't hurt yer family like that, darling."

It was painful for Kelly to admit, but she had to.

"I know." She sniffed hard to clear her breathing. "But I wish you would… Just this once."

After a moment, they both laughed a little at the request, but it died down to silent reflection and Big Mac trying to physically console her as best he could.

After a reasonable amount of time passed by, Big Mac decided to check up on his lovely lady.

"Miss Kelly, are you feeling any better?"

"I dunno," She lazily answered. "I'm still scared and don't want him to go."

Big Mac comforted her while trying to think of anything that could help.

"I know, darling. Maybe I can talk to Cerb? Convince him to let me go instead 'uh him?"

The gesture didn’t go unappreciated, but it still did nothing for her.

"Thanks, Mackie, but he'd never agree to that. He's already made up his mind. And he’s so hung up on Fluttershy and Rarity now, I doubt they could even talk him out of it... God, I hate them now."

Big Mac piped up.

"Hey, come on now. That's going too far there."

All these issues started to reach their peak, and Kelly didn’t care how irrational her words sounded.

"If anything happens to him, I'll never forgive them, Mac." She hugged tighter around Big Mac's neck. "All of'em. Anyone who's gonna help him or tell him it's okay to do this stupid shit. You can't make me not hate them if something happens to Justin. Luna, Twilight, all of 'em. It's their fault for letting him be this stupid and thoughtless. It's like he doesn't even care anymore."

Big Mac tried again to help calm her by rubbing his forelegs up and down her back.

"Miss Kelly. Don't be thinking that just because I've gone sweet on ya that I'm just gonna lay down and let you go off like that and say it's okay."

"Mac, you don't understand," Kelly huffed. "This is what he does. Running away from us so he can go back to war. For all I know, he doesn't even care who picks the stupid flowers or whatever. Maybe he just wants to use this as an excuse to go out and fuck Fluttershy in private."

Big Mac raised his voice with harsh scorn as he forced them back upright into a seated position.

"Kelly! Now, you look here. I might not 'uh known Cerb like you have or even fer as long. But if I know anything about that stallion, he loves you, all of you. And if there's a chance he can help keep yer friend Becky stay safe and healthy, he's gonna march on in 'tuh that there forest and fight anything that stands in his way."

Kelly was frozen, taken aback by the sudden lecture and ferocity Big Mac came down on her with.

He had her attention and was about to tell her like it was.

"When Spearhead and his goons showed up and attacked you, I fought fer you. I fought as hard as I could to keep you safe. And Cerb ran as fast as he could when he heard you were in danger. Once he found you, the next thing he did was pick you up and take you to safety. Then, he came back for me. He had no idea what he was gonna be jumping into or what the dangers were. I didn't care what the danger was, and neither did he. And when we finally got you safe at home with your friends, do you know what he said?"

It took a moment for Kelly to realize he wasn't asking a rhetorical question, and with fright-filled eyes and new tears falling, she shook her head no.

Big Mac hated repeating it, but the passion behind Cerb’s state of mind gave proof to his feelings that Kelly needed to know.

"He said he was ready to kill the pony that stabbed you. I still don't know if he was serious, but seeing him willing to fight a heavyweight boxer and a battle mage just to prove he was strong enough to go out in the Everfree. I wouldn't doubt he would be willing to murder for any of you. He was willing to kill Spearhead for me or die try'n. So don't you dare try'n hold this uh-gainst 'em."

That hit hard. Too hard for Kelly, and she broke down all over again, sulking limply in his lap.

Big Mac pulled Kelly in close, seeing that she wasn't at a point to take such comments anymore.

"It's okay, Kelly. I know yer all wound up being mad and scared. But ya can't go off saying things like that." He continued to try and calm her down, but she didn't seem to be all that receptive. "It's okay. I'm still here for ya, darling. We'll get ya through this."

Kelly firmly wrapped her arms around Big Mac and sobbed.

"Thank you... And I'm sorry. I'm so scared something's gonna happen to him out there."

The doors closed, and Luna made her way to the desk where Twilight had been compiling her research.

"You have been busy, as one could expect."

"Yes, Princess," Twilight said with only a hint of worry in her voice. "There are so many variables to take into consideration with the various types of magic and trying to understand the methods used to bridge our world with the human’s."

"It would appear so," Luna commented as she started to lift and examine various piles of reading material. "Teleportation, temporal displacement, portals, emotion binding... Social Hierarchy and the Dynamics of Griffin Military Chain of Command?"

Twilight approached the desk and looked over where she had left that book open.

"Cerb and Benny both have prior military experience and seem to hold the bulk of authority and responsibilities over the others. Or at least that's what I thought at first. So I did some research on how the griffins structure their hierarchical social system, thinking that would help me understand how the humans work with each other. But all I have been able to determine from observation and everything I've heard, it's almost like they don't even have one. Or that it changes based on where they are or who they're with at the time. Even something as simple as the changing of a conversation will shift their focus on who to listen to or how much influence they have over their group decision making."

"Interesting," Luna replied, sounding suddenly intrigued. "Is there any reason, in particular, your studies incorporated such topics?"

That was a topic worthy of conversation that Twilight had to expand upon.

"After the humans first arrived, and I finally had some time to think about what to do with them, if they were going to stay here with us. At least until we can send them home." She had to stop and take a breath from over-explaining the back story. "I had made a poor assumption that only one or two of them would dictate how they all would conduct themselves or act as their leader. However, they all ended up doing whatever they wanted individually and only rely on reaching a consensus for actions that would affect all of them. Today being the first exception with Cerb's refusal to listen or take instruction from any of his friends or us."

Twilight rolled over those thoughts before returning to Luna.

"And why would you agree to let Fluttershy take Cerberus out into the Everfree alone? It's dangerous even for the most experienced ponies out there."

Luna answered proudly, "You certainly are correct, Twilight. However, the Everfree is hardly what we would consider to be our domain. It is not our place to forbid them entry. Even so, do not mistake the support we give with our approval of their choice over this matter."

Luna levitated one of the more comfortable chairs over and seated herself.

"Fluttershy may, in fact, be the pony needed in helping them avoid harm, but many concerns of her bravery in the face of danger leave much to be desired."

"Exactly," Twilight stated excitedly. "Which is exactly the reason Cerb—"

"Cerb will keep Fluttershy safe if anything were to happen, Twilight," Luna spoke over the purple Princess.

Without warning, Luna drew in her magic, her horn glowing in translucent lavender auras. She cast a silence spell that covered all the walls, the floor, and the ceiling.

Whatever she was about to say, she wanted to be for their ears only.

"After my wise sister returned to Canterlot from visiting the humans, she explained in depth what she had discovered. It would be nothing short of an under-exaggeration to say she was conflicted with her opinions on their arrival and indeterminate visit with us."

Something about that made Twilight nervous.

"Conflicted? What do you mean?"

That question seemed to dampen Luna’s mood, and she spoke more candidly.

"There is much we have not learned of this Sunset Shimmer that had my sister worried so. But, it is clear that Tia's emotions over the danger her former student poses are easily hidden to those that do not know her as a sister would. As well as her particular sensitivities to, and additional interest in, the humans' origins. Namely, regarding the crossing of dimensions. Considering all of this, her utter disgust and almost frightening rise in anger over Spearhead's failure and all the damage he caused would be entirely understandable. We indeed mirrored as much in our heart. But with all her concerns, there is another interest she hides."

Twilight’s nervousness started to shift to curiosity.

"An interest in what, exactly?"

Luna seemed irritated as she answered and tried to alter her attention towards the book on portals and started to flip through the pages.

"We do not know. One of Tia's impressively annoying talents is to be ever so convincing of whatever she pleases while being entirely dismissive to any questions of the contrary." She placed the book down and moved on to look over some of the other books left lying around.

Twilight glanced at the page about reflections in the book Luna skimmed through.

"Are you saying she's hiding something from you and lying about it?"

Another book opened under Luna’s inspection to divide her attention.

"Tia has confided much after Nightmare Moon was vanquished and only the sister she lost was returned. Confessions, apologies, and many of the regrets she held onto after my banishment. Even many secrets she's kept from others in the thousand years of ruling alone. Many dark secrets that I hope never come to be uncovered, for all our safety."

Twilight gulped.

Luna continued, though she sounded rather perplexed.

"But this... This evades me as to what she could be keeping from us. All of her deep sighs, or little smirks she thinks we have failed to notice." She turned sharply and pointed a hoof at Twilight. "We tell you truly, Twilight. The thought of having yet another Nutty-Buddy bar is most certainly not the reason one would smile so foolishly. Nore would the reminder of having so few left sadden any pony. Not even one with such a sweet tooth as she has come to possess!"

And now Twilight was lost.

"Nutty-Buddy Bars?"

Luna didn't answer the query but instead furrowed her brow and stared intently at Twilight.

"My sister is hiding something from me, and it has something to do with the arrival of our new friends." She turned and gave a look that made it clear she knew Twilight was hiding something. “Tell us, Twilight Sparkle. What did Celestia tell you on your travel back to your castle after watching the human movies?"

Twilight stepped inside the royal carriage, cautious not to allow much of the rain or mud she walked through to make a mess. "Thank you for escorting me home, Princess."

Climbing inside next to Twilight, Celestia replied warmly, "Think nothing of it."

Faintly, from within the human embassy and through the rain, the sounds of Benny and Cerb could faintly be heard.

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!"

Celestia chuckled to herself, imagining the effects of her prank had left in the human household.

"Celestia," Twilight spoke up in an almost scolding tone. "You shouldn't joke around with them like that. And—"

Twilight growled in frustration, "Can you believe that Sniff, human? All of his friends are buddying up with the others to make friends and get help around here, and he intentionally doesn't even think to consider me? Well, not unless you consider him asking me to find a pony friend for him? And then you offer to let him stay with you if he can't make a friend here? Not make a friend in the town with the Princess of friendship? Or even think to ask her to be one?"

Celestia tried to comfort her former student with a motherly voice.

"Come now, Twilight. I would have thought that after all the friction between you two that you would have welcomed the idea of me taking him off your hooves. You're not getting jealous, are you?"

Both insulted and frightened at the accusation, Twilight exclaimed, "Jealous?! No! Of course not."

After a short giggle, Celestia added, "That Chris gentlecolt seems like he could use a friend, come to think of it. I should perhaps begin making the arrangements for Sniff's arrival as soon as I return and free you of this predicament."

Twilight was quick to put ward off Celestia’s proposal.

"No-No-No-No-No-No! I can handle this. You don't need to... You were joking, weren't you?"

Celestia couldn't help but laugh at getting one last prank in.

"Oh, Twilight. You always take things so seriously."

Twilight groaned.

Celestia continued in the same controlled tone.

"Which is precisely the reason I'm entrusting the humans to your care while they remain in Equestria."

Twilight shook her head violently.

"Please, Celestia. This is serious."

Celestia agreed.

"I know that this is serious. And so am I. I am tasking you with the health and safety of our new guests while they wait to be returned to their world."

Twilight still wasn't believing this.

"You're going to put me in charge of seven alien creatures and their embassy all by myself?"

With the same motherly voice, Celestia tried to reassure her pupil.

"Of course not. You won't be by yourself."

Twilight sighed, "Oh, thank goodness. I thought that I'd be doing this all by—"

Celestia cut her off with the catch.

"I will leave four of the Solar Guard behind with you."

This had to be another prank, or at least Twilight hoped it was.

"Guards? How are the guards going to help me?"

Celestia's tone was no longer fun and playful.

"Twilight, I care for the safety and well-being of all of my subjects. And I also extend that same care for any who visit, no matter what creature they might be. But we cannot hope to care for these humans as we could care for others. They are far too different, and their existence in our world poses too high a cost if the worst is to happen."

In all her years of knowing Celestia, Twilight had never heard anything so harsh as this from her mentor.

"Princess, how can you say that? Even after everything we did to save Kelly?"

Celestia softly spoke to correct the misinterpretation.

"You misunderstand, my most faithful student. I do not mean that we cannot care for them and do all we can to make them comfortable. What I mean is we could not hope to provide the care they would require to survive here. And I would never wish the hardship of having any pony live with the pain of losing them."

Twilight gasped.

"Are you saying we can't find a cure for Becky?" She gasped again. "Or do you think Kelly still isn't going to make it?"

With a sadness in her voice, Celestia clearly stated, "No. I'm not saying any of that. In all my years, even the many years Equestria wasn't as civilized or harmonious as it is today, I have never witnessed the carnage Kelly was forced to suffer. And no pony should ever have to see such a horrible sight."

That seemed to be the clarity Twilight needed.

"So, you're worried that they're too fragile to survive here?"

Celestia nodded, but there was something else not being said that Twilight could see written in Celestia's eyes. Some unspoken pain she was remembering was fighting itself into Celestia's thoughts.

"Is that why you said we shouldn't get ourselves too attached?"

Celestia had to wrestle her emotions back under control.

"No... Well, yes to that as well. But... Just be kind to them, Twilight."

Twilight bowed her head.

"Of course."

Celestia also added, "And watch them. Watch them carefully and report to all you come to learn about them."

Finally, something Twilight could be excited about.

"You mean like my friendship reports?"

Celestia forced a smile.

"Yes. And, of course, keep looking into how they were summoned here. I will be working on my own research in Canterlot."

The carriage rocked forward slightly as they touched down. The flight had been so smooth Twilight hadn't even noticed they had departed.

Celestia ended their conversation by instructing her former student in the same encouraging manner as she had from years gone by.

"Now run along and get your sleep,"

The door opened, and Twilight could see Spike waiting for her at the steps of her castle.

"You too, Princess."

Twilight stepped out back into the rain and continued up the steps to her castle. She would be heading to bed soon. Magic exhaustion was far too draining to deal with.

Twilight finished retelling her story.

"And then I took a hot shower and slept like a rock. But I agree. I think she was hiding something from me, too."

This only added to the mystery Luna was trying to uncover.

"It appears, dear sister is not without her secrets that even you would have discovered by now."

"Hmm," Twilight tried to think what this secret could be or why it was so important. "Don't you think if it were something dangerous, she would have told us or that she would have even left the humans in my care without telling me? If it was something about Trixie's dream, I know she would have warned me."

Those were good questions that not even Luna could ignore so easily.

"Not unless she believed you could handle it. But, we both doubt the validity of Trixie's dream. However, if she were testing you, she would have shared such a plan with me."

"Wait," Twilight was surprised that this was the first she was hearing about their thoughts on the dreams. "You don't think Trixie's dream was real?"

Luna answered bluntly.

"No. We were watching over the dreams of our ponies that night. If she had such a nightmare, we would have sensed it and pulled her out. In truth, we planned on confronting Trixie about her claims... But it seems she has either started to sleep during the day to avoid me or discovered another way to prevent me from locating her. We still wish to speak to her about what she claims to have seen. But that is another matter for me to handle. For now, we are more concerned about my sister's odd behavior and her disregard towards the humans."

Twilight was hoping this was a misunderstanding.

"She put me in charge of taking care of them. Maybe she trusts me enough not to get involved?"

Luna returned to that thought.

"That may be true. Even still, she has been rather quiet over such matters happening here. It would be more likely that she is avoiding having to deal with our human friends."

Further proof of such a claim could be provided with Luna answering the next question Twilight asked, "Did Pinkie send only you an invite to the Welcome Welcome to Ponyville party for the humans, or did Celestia get one, too? Because if she received one and didn’t come, or even reply, that wouldn’t be like her."

Luna answered questioningly and started to ponder deep in her thoughts. "Pinkie did indeed invite her. However, Tia claimed to be too occupied to attend... Although... If her desire was not to distance herself from Ponyville and the humans, then how could she have known there was no time announced for when the party was going to start? It was an understandable reason to give us, claiming she couldn't plan around an unknown time as her excuse?"

Twilight tried to logic-check that last question, but it came back as an error.
"If she had the invitation, of course she would have known when the party was and if she could have planned around it. That doesn't sound unreasonable at all. I don't see the issue outside of her not replying."

Luna's horn started to glow as she summoned her invitation to materialize for them to review.

"That is because, as you can see here," Luna pulled back on the edges of the mostly opened pink envelope covered in balloon stickers, releasing a mass of confetti and glitter. "Oh, drats. Sorry about that. We thought we had removed it all... We swear. No matter how much we clean, we just keep finding that stuff all over the place. Regardless, as you see here, the invitation says where to gather and when. But the start time says it will begin after breakfast is over. There is only the time to meet for the party, not when it would actually start or even end."

Thinking back to that morning, Twilight suggested, "Probably the same time Pinkie's alarm clock went off... But hold on. Why does not knowing the time the party would start mean anything? If she's trying to avoid everything going on here, she wouldn't want my reports."

Again, Luna spoke in a very serious tone.

"Did you write Tia about the surprise party in any of your reports?"

Twilight shook her head.

"No? Why?"

Celestia sat upon her throne, pretending to listen to another quarrel between a Nobel unicorn stallion rant and a local council member.

"I see," She took her quill in her magic and continued to write on in a larger-than-usual tome. "Keep going. I want to hear everything. Spare no detail."

As the Nobel continued to go on in flagrant detail about how unprofessional the flower selection submitted for the Saddle Arabian summit was, Celestia continued on her project. She looked over a series of ancient equestrian symbols and a series of numbers in a long equation next to them. She had just finished running a third probable output measured in meters and was about to start another in feet.

A male unicorn guard”s voice pulled her from her concentration.

"Excuse me, your highness. A letter from Prince Rutherford."

Celestia huffed, not sounding like her familiar chipper self.

"Thank you, but I thought I was clear this morning when I said I was not to be disturbed in day court unless it was an emergency?"

The guard bowed.

"Yes, your highness. But the letter was sent over express delivery and marked urgent. It wouldn't have been brought to you otherwise."

Celesta returned her quill to the ink well and groaned.

"I can't imagine what would be so urgent this time of year, but very well. Open it."

The Nobel, who had been ranting, spoke up.

"Beg your pardon, Princess. Should we perhaps break for a five-minute recess?"

Celestia thought to herself how she would give anything to have some peace and quiet.

"Yes!" Celestia shouted back. "No! Make it an hour. I just received an urgent letter from our neighbors to the north."

The Nobel scoffed, "An hour? I'm sorry to say, but this flower issue—"

Celestia shouted back with a tone that only sounded pleasant if you didn't understand sarcasm.

"If an hour doesn't work for you, we can always reconvene on this... Mmm, Let's say next month?"

The Nobel agreed in a restrained panic.

"I... Very good, Princess. One hour recess. Take all the time you need."

Celestia grumbled under her breath, "Gladly," before noticing the unopened letter still floating next to her. "Well?“ She snapped at the guard. “Open the-no. I'm a big mare. I can open my own mail," Celestia said with no restraint on her annoyance as she pulled the letter away and started to open it.

The guard bowed lower.

"My apologies, Princess. I thought I should wait until the Nobel's—"

"Forgive my short temper this morning," Celestia apologized and did her best to put herself back in the proper mindset. "I'm just a bit irritated that a certain sister of mine, not naming any names, is likely to leave me to handle her night court yet again. But let's at least have a look at this."

Celestia scanned her eyes far enough to see the first three words and stopped there. She wanted to scream at the discovery of yet another distraction she had to deal with, but then released the tension and took comfort in the next hour of silence she was going to be able to enjoy instead.

In a sudden shift in Celestia’s attitude, she sighed happily.

"Thank you for bringing this to me."

The sudden change was noticed by the guard, and he asked, "Good news, I take it, Princess?"

She answered calmly before returning the letter to its envelope and making it vanish in a puff of green flames.

"I imagine so. The message was actually addressed to Twilight. I can only guess that Prince Rutherford forgot to write which princess the letter was intended for on the envelope. And now I have an hour to not deal with—" She cringed internally. "—flower arrangements. It must be a good day for mail."

The guard nodded along, happy not to have upset the Princess and even more delighted when something caught his eye.

"Oh, well, then. If it's a good day for mail, we better see what's in this one."

The unicorn picked up a pink envelope covered in yellow stickers and started to open it.

Celestia noticed the envelope he had picked up a moment too late.

"No, don't open the—"

A loud pop cracked in the room as streams of confetti and glitter exploded with the sound of a party horn. It was only then that the invitation Pinkie sent to Celestia was opened.

It was at that moment that this poor guard realized he had royally messed up and forced an apologetic smile.

"Shall I fetch for a broom to clean this up?"

Celestia groaned as the last few strands of colored paper strips fell to the floor and the glitter dusted over her muzzle.

"Why bother?... No matter how much you clean, I just keep finding that stuff all over the place."

She turned her attention back to her primary focus of the day and blew the stray pieces of confetti and glitter from the paper she had been writing on. 'Mark 7.1' was written on the top in large letters that had been carefully scribed over the drawing of a tall oval-shaped looking mirror.

Luna knew something wasn't right with her sister, and now she needed Twilight's help to figure out what it was.

"Because, Twilight... Somehow my sister knew there was no start time for the party without opening her invitation. She already knew it before either of us could have told her."

After Twilight departed and entered the castle, the guard popped her head inside the carriage to confirm their next destination.

"Are you ready to depart back to Canterlot, your highness?"

Celestia thought for a moment, eyeing over one of the packs of Nutty-Buddy bars.

"Not yet. I'm in the mood for something sweet. And there just so happens to be a talented chocolatier nearby."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Standing in the rain, Swift Sails knocked on the door of what could have been any pony's home in Ponyville.

"Are you sure this is the place, Princess? Sugar Cube Corner is where most ponies go—"

A mare's voice hollered from inside the house.

"For crying out loud! For whoever's pulling me out of bed this late in the night, you better have something reaaaaaaaly important to—" BonBon opened the door to see a pegasus guard in full uniform, standing outside her door with Princess Celestia waiting patiently in the carriage behind her. "—Okay... I'm going to take a wild guess that this is important."

Celestia poked her head out.

"Excuse me. I'd rather not trouble the poor mare by flooding her house with strangers covered in mud. Would you mind all waiting outside and watching over the gifts for Luna and I?"

The guard turned from the door to see Celestia holding up the Nutty-Buddy Bars.

"Of course, Princess."

Celestia stepped out and bowed her head to Bon Bon.

"May I come in, sweetie? I hope you don’t mind a few drops, of rain. But I was interested in something that I remember I used to have in Canterlot, but that establishment has since closed up. But I've heard of your reputation and some praise from those I trust."

Bon Bon bowed and stepped back to allow Celestia in.

"Please, Princess.”

Bon Bon closed the door behind Celestia and followed close behind.

"Was there anything you were looking for, in particular, Princess? I've really honed my craft with chocolate treats since starting my life anew here in Ponyville. You do know what my special talent is in?" She looked at her flank. "Bon Bons. I hope you didn't come here with some hopes that I might be doing some other line of work."

Celestia chuckled.

"Oh, I'm well aware of your special talent here in Ponyville."

Lyra called out from around the corner and up the stairs.

"Hey, Bon Bon! Who in Luna's unholiest hour was pounding on the door?"

Bon Bon suddenly had a rush of fear wash over her. Why wasn't Lyra back in bed? Why was she already down the stairs and walking into the same room with her and Celestia?

Lyra walked in unceremoniously with a loosely tied bathrobe and fuzzy slippers.

"I hope it wasn't anything-oh my Celestia; it's Celestia!" Lyra shouted before throwing herself down to the floor to bow.

Bon Bon had to deal with this now.

"Celestia... Let me introduce you to Lyra Heartstrings. My roommate and best friend."

Celestia smiled warmly.

"Yes, I do remember Lyra. Lyra worked as a delegate for me during Twilight’s Grand Equestria Pony Summit. And… Oh! That’s right. You two were together at Cranky's wedding. Right after the unfortunate... Bugbear incident."

Suddenly both Lyra and Bon Bon were sweating bullets.

Celestia noticed the panic in Lyra's demeanor.

"Oh… So the reports were accurate. You did find somepony you thought you could trust with your little secret."

Bon Bon knew she was caught. "P-P-Princess. I-I-I-I can explain."

With a forgiving smile and a nod, Celestia said, “No need to apologize, Agent Sweetie Drops."

The gesture did little to calm BonBon.

"Oh, Princess. Thank you, b-but I-I-I don't work for the agency anymore. Surely you recall—"

Celestia sighed, strong enough to let Bonbon know she should stop talking.

"An unfortunate turn of events, yes. I do recall. However, something has come up, and I require some ponies that can provide intelligence gathering on a more long-term basis."

Bon Bon blinked a few times.

"Princess? Are you bringing me back into the Agency?"

Lyra jumped in and hugged her roommate.

"BonBon! You get to be a super cool ultra-secret agent again!"

Celestia chuckled.

"And she gets a brand new agent to train along with her," she ended with a wink to Lyra.

Lyra was even more excited for her friend. "Wow! Look at you. You must have been one heck of an agent hunting monsters back in the day, huh?"

Bon Bon suddenly feared the worst.

"Oh, no. Princess. Please, I don't want Lyra to get swept up in this. She has a home here. More of a home than I do."

Celestia addressed her subordinate accordingly.

"Agent Drops," she didn't sound as warm and pleasant anymore. "I'm not sure if you have forgotten, but only those who deal with the agency know about the agency. Your friend does not deal with the agency. She deals with you, and not even as an agent. It was by my faith alone in your judgment that I allowed this violation to go unaddressed. Was I mistaken?“ She turned a glance between the two. “Can you both be trusted?"

Lyra was finally catching on.

"I get to be an agent? Really?!"

Celestia smiled and returned to her warm and pleasant voice.

"Only if your partner is willing to take you on. Then you can officially put a smile on that face... Buuuuut if not... Then we would have to do some reflecting on the choices we all made and then forget all about it." She smiled at Bon Bon in a way that made clear what she was threatening. "Would you like for both you and Lyra to forget about it all, agent Sweetie Drops?"

Bon Bon quickly answered, "No, Princess. That's the last thing I would want."

Oblivious to the warning Bon Bon just bowed down to in hopes of saving her, Lyra asked, "Cool. When do we start?"

“Hmm.” Celestia hummed as her lips curled into a coy grin. "How about I not make my guards wait out in the rain any longer than they need to? So! If I could take a box or two of your treats, you two can get a good night's rest and start tomorrow."

A few short moments later, Celestia was out and stepping back into her carriage.

"Thank you again for accepting my request, you two. I'm so glad we were able to make this happen. You can expect to receive another order of your special skills sometime tomorrow. It will have a detailed list of what is to be provided. Now run along and get to bed. Have a good night."

Swift Sails closed the door to the carriage and saluted the other pegasi still attached to fly the Princess home.

“Carriage secured. You are clear for takeoff. Thunder Glide and I will remain behind on special detail. Fly safe.”

As the carriage started off, carried away by the pegasus guards, Lyra shouted her farewell, "Goodbye, Princess!"

After they were out of sight, Lyra went back inside with Bon Bon.

"So... What does she want us to do?"

Bon Bon sulked, not wanting to come back into the agency like this.

"I don't know. We'll get our orders tomorrow. But until then, I'll have to teach you how to S.M.I.L.E. You are hereby officially an active field agent trainee in the Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria."

Well... First things first. I was hoping to have another art piece commissioned for this chapter ready to share. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to complete a four-character original art piece in time. Which is unfortunate. However, I expect it to be done soon. In this case, you will get a chance to see and have a better visual of the four Solar Guards who have stayed behind with Twilight. Personally, Helix Ray and Swift Sails are my favorite of the two, and are tied for first place. Thunder Glide is a strong second. Onyx is still growing on me but hasn't found his proper footing yet. You'll see what I mean in the upcoming chapters.

Also, thinking about it. Onyx Armor is a Captain, an O3 rank officer. He's still standing guard duty... I don't know if that makes me a dick for having him stand watch at a door, or if I accidentally made Celestia a b*tch for leaving him those orders.

Anyway. The fights with Cerb against the guards were a challenge in some parts. Try as I might, I couldn't find anything about a single pony boxer. Nothing from the show, comics, or books. They have karate and pro-wrestling, but no boxing. So, that had to be worked in the only way I could. Also, Steel Buns is a canon character that's bigger than both Big Mac and potentially larger than Trouble Shoes.

Also, unicorn combat can be hard to write. Especially for Helix, since he's trained in combat magic that he can naturally double the effect of, but had to pull back on his power so as not to hurt or accidentally murder Cerb on the mat. All while not realizing that Cerb is, by all rights, virtually magic proof. Then the poor guy had to deal with Rarity and the royals, but mostly Rarity, tearing into him.

But then the real bombshell. If you hadn't gathered that there was a reason I gave so much attention to the odd behavior and drew so much focus on BonBon and Lyra... Welcome to seeing just how much Celestia actually enjoys keeping secrets. For those that might not know the background of S.M.I.L.E. That's essentially Equestria's Secret Service, FBI, CIA, and Men In Black all rolled into one. Expect to see more of these working their way into the story.

Otherwise, it looks like Cerb [portions of this Auhtor's Note was lost long ago. Not sure what happened or what its original text was. Sorry about that.]