Every day, I would head out to the training grounds to practice. Everyday, I would find that same figure standing in the field alone and waiting. All I could do was watch as the figure watched me train myself.

The days progressed and so did my training. I was nearly moving back to my old speed and I’d been lifting enough weights to regain my strength. Standing was no longer a chore but the fact of my age was starting to show. It had been nearly a month since I last saw the others, and I had become accustomed to living at the Hive.

Moon Shadow had been growing into a nice young foal, each day she seemed to be growing bigger in size. No longer the little kid I once knew, but still as kind hearted as I remembered her to be. Chrysalis and I had begun to grow more attached to each other and whenever I left to train, my heart seemed to ache to be near her once again. I hadn’t ever felt such a way before, I knew once a long time ago that I cared deeply for the ebony queen, but this feeling was entirely new to my heart, I believe it was love.

Love, I was finally to realize my own feelings at such an age. Nearly thirty and I was feeling like a child in preschool laying his eyes on the cute girl in the class. My heart raced when I was near Chrysalis, and I could never seem to find the right words to speak. No words could sum up the amount of feelings I held towards her. I should’ve told her back then, but I hadn’t come to realize these feelings yet. I needed to tell her something, but maybe I could show her instead.

I pulled myself away from the weights and sat up from the bench press. I took a quick breather and looked towards the field. I saw no trace of the figure, and a sense of worry came into mind. I turned around and reached over for the barbells when I heard a voice call in from behind me.

“Hello, remember me?” said a voice.

I quickly pulled the barbell from the bench press and smashed the end against the bench, making a makeshift mace as I turned and faced the voice. “Why is it your here?” I asked in a stern tone.

The once distant dark figure in the field was now up close and visible. He shone within the light of the overhanging sun with his metallic coat. His wing appendages were oddly different, and the once missing leg was now returned in the form of a mechanical one. His eye was glowing a bright red and he held a sinister expression across his face. “Well Dark, time heals all wounds. Wouldn’t you agree?” He gave his bottom lip a quick lick as he glared at me. “With time, all wounds heal, not my leg of course but... emotional pain does. With time.”

I rested the barbell mace on my shoulder and glared him down,“Answer me this, Who are you and why are you here?”

“Oh, you must forgive me. I’ve grown impatient, and have forgotten my manners. My name is Sharpened Intellect, but you may call me ‘Intel’ for short. As you have no doubt noticed, I have been watching from afar, waiting for this moment for some time now and I finally have a chance.” He pressed a button on the side of his mechanical leg and out popped a small holster,“This should be interesting.” He stated with a smile.

I dodged to the side and readied the mace in my hands, but stopped as Intel held out his hands in protest,“Whoa there soldier, I’m not here to kill you.” He gave off a small laugh as he reached within the small holster and brought out a piece of paper. He quickly handed it over to me and I accepted it cautiously. With the makeshift mace held at the ready in my right hand, I took the paper within my left. I quickly read over the paper and felt confused.

“What’s this?” I asked the stallion. “This is just a paper with your name and some personal details, why are you giving me this?” The confusion continued to build as I pondered my current situation.

The metallic stallion gave a small laugh,“It’s my resumé! I want to join the guardians.” I looked to the stallion and felt confused even further.

“I’m fine with this peace but the question still plagues my mind, shouldn’t you be trying to kill me for what I’ve done to your leg?” I asked the metallic stallion.

He gazed up into the sky and took a deep breath,“Like I said earlier, time heals all wounds. I was looking to.. upgrade anyways, don’t get me wrong though, you shooting off my leg was pretty painful and I’m still pretty miffed for you showing me up in front of my men, other than that though, I have no real quarrels with you.”

I gave the prospect of recruiting the the stallion, but then I realized something better. I handed the resumé back to Intel and said,“If you’re really looking to join the guild, you should go find the stallion known as Pyromancer. He should be in Ponyville at the moment, look for him around the main square, that’s where he’s usually hanging out.”

“Pyromancer, eh? Sounds fun. Ok. Thanks for accepting me.”

“Oh, I didn’t recruit you yet, I just pointed you in the right direction to start your search in joining.”

“But aren’t you the guild master?” Intel asked.

I nodded and gave a quick smile,“I may be the guild master, but I gotta see if you have the initiative to seek out Pyro to join, and if you pass the tests he gives you, then consider yourself in.” I said as I rested the broken barbell down on the ground. He looked to be with a puzzled expression.

“This just seems like a wild goose chase. Can’t you just say I’m in?”

“I can, but I won’t. Consider this just another test. You should be heading your way over to Ponyville, your burning daylight.” I said as I turned away from the metallic stallion and faced the castle. “Should you meet with Pyro and pass the tests he’s given you, tell him I wish to see him and that he’ll meet me here.”

“Ok. I’m off.” The stallion called out as he turned to the fields from which he came.

I was soon alone to my own devices and training, though my weight training would have to wait for a bit. I looked to the sun and found that it was coming close to the mid day mark once again. I felt an inner warmth as I strode my way back to the Hive,“I’m on my way, don’t you worry love.”

No words could sum up the amount of feelings I held towards her. I should’ve told her back then, but I hadn’t come to realize these feelings yet. I needed to tell her something, but maybe I could show her instead.

Like I stated earlier, Doctor_N. You're gonna Love me.
Anyways, Hope you enjoyed the chapter and leave a like, dislike, either or. Leave a comment on what you thought about it and I leave you once again, with something awesome.

Keep it cool, Condemned.