I awoke in my bed as the light of the sun broke through the window. I sat on the edge of the bed while the sensation of heat warmed my skin as the light struck my bare back. I felt good but I had a take a shower to get read for the day.

I staggered over to my dresser and retrieved some clothes. Rarity had made me an entire wardrobe but I was always on the road, so they just sat here in my room. I pulled out a pair of dark blue jeans and boxers followed by a pair of socks. I strolled over towards the closet and retrieved a white dress shirt, a black vest, and a red tie. After placing my on ensemble of clothing for today on the bed, I made my way into the shower.

Once I finished the steamy shower, I toweled myself off and brushed my teeth. I pulled my attire off the bed and began the process of dressing myself.

As I finished of dressing, I rolled my sleeves up and clenched my hands together. It felt weird not to have my gauntlets on, as well as my pauldron. Today was going to be different though.

I made my way down the hall and arrived in the kitchen to find a small letter on the table. Intrigued, I reached down and retrieved the small letter. Upon opening it, I found words explaining to me that I was being called to the castle. I quickly tossed the letter down onto the table and grabbed my boots. I laced them as quickly as possible and bolted down the street.

I arrived at the library and knocked on the door, the small dragon known as Spike was the first to greet me.

"Hiya Dark, what's up?" asked the purple gem dragon.

"Hi Spike, is twilight around? I need to ask her a quick favor."

"Yeah, she's up in her room.." I passed by the small dragon and ran up the stares. I knocked on the door to Twilight's bedroom and heard someone stirring on the other side.

"Hello? Who's there?" asked the familiar voice of the purple unicorn.

"Hey, Twilight. It's me, Dark."

"Oh, just give me a second."

For a couple minutes I stood at the door waiting, then finally the door opened. "Come in." twilight called. I slowly entered the room to find her laying across her bed with an aroused look. "So, what do you wish to talk about?" her tone was very flirtatious.

"Twilight, Celestia needs me and I need to get to the castle quickly."

Her facial expression turned to from flirty to worried as she quickly stood from the bed,"What? What's going on? Is something wrong?"

"I don't know yet, can you teleport me to the castle? I would fly but that could take too long and I haven't learned the spell myself." I told the violet mare.

"Ok." With that her horn shone a bright hue of purple. Once she cast the spell, I was blinded by the flash of light. When my vision finally back, I found myself inside the throne room. I saw a pair of equally surprised princesses.

"Celestia, you sent for me?" I asked.

"Um. Yes actually. It has come to my attention that you are overworking yourself."

"I can handle it, I swear." I claimed but inside I was dying for a break.

"No, you are taking a break from your guardian position for the next week. You need a break." exclaimed the sun goddess.

I sighed and accepted my fate,"What should I do?"

"Whatever you wish, all except work." stated the white mare.

I turned my attention to the princess of the night,"Do you wish the same as well my princess?" and with a quick nod of her head, my fate was sealed.

I decided to walk back to Ponyville instead of riding the train, it was rather relaxing and refreshing. The clear skies, chirping birds, soft grass. All of these small pleasures that I once held in high regard, I simply set them to the side as I took my role as guardian. For the time begin though, I would hold these precious moments in my heart. I missed the simpler things.

As I reached the the outskirts of town, my sights on the local bar to get a couple of drinks. Good old Tolsa's Tavern. I finally arrived at the doorstep of the tavern as the setting sun kissed the horizon. I didn't know what I'd find or who, I took a deep breath and decided to enter the building.

I pushed through the swinging wooden doors of the bar and gave the bar a quick inspection. It was pretty packed for a wednesday, a various arrangement of lively equines lined the bar, booths and tables all over the tavern. The smell of food lingered through the air as well as the cheerful laughter coming from the intoxicated bunch. A brief smile crept on my face as I seen how happy everyone was, mostly do to the drinks but I took it for what it was worth.

I pulled up a chair next to a friendly looking character,"How's everything so far?"

"Pretty good mista, the names Axton. I'm a Scientist, I study all forms of magic."

Leading into a pretty awesome chapter, Axton is a reader's OC, and he shall be going to be in my story for a chapter.

Tolsa's Tavern is my main hub for any reader's OCs. They'll meet, greet and hang for a chapter. This is my way of saying thanks to those reading, commenting and generally enjoying the story.

Got an OC? What him/her in a chapter? Leave me a PM with the details on him/her and I'll make sure to add your OC in a chapter in the future. Could have one, two, or maybe even three at a time to hang with Dark. This is entirely up to you and I love a challenge.

Thanks for reading and Stay awesome.

Keep it cool, Condemned.