The foreign flick of a candle light caught my eye as it creeped into my eyelid aggravating my slumber. Night was enduring and I was determined to return to my state of sedated consciousness by attempting to ignore the candle light by covering up my head with a pillow; it was  effective to say the least as beams of light radiated into my retina. I had not lit a candle before falling asleep nor could I figure out a reason for one because the palace employed artificially fluorescent lighting; however, I was in defeat over the situation of the candle as I rose from my position to witness not one, but now two candles of mystery.

The floor radiated off a darker tint that I had remembered, remaining black in the wake of light. With cracked eyes I pursued the candles to find that they were continuing to distance themselves from my presence. The relatively familiar layout of the room that Armonia had given to me was no longer existent and in practice the new schema has become a maze-like foundation to me. The candle light disappeared behind a corner and now annoyed and thrown into a state of irritation I hastily followed in charge and a determination for answers. The candles I were pursuing where by the dozens around the bend; however, it was not the quantity that was unsettling; the flames were black.

Anxiety paralyzed me as the next thing that my mind processed was distinct breathing ahead of me; the following, a heartbeat. In my best effort I pulled my head up to wear witness a single pair of violet eyes gazing upon me from inches away from the top of my mane. The black lights from the candles were extinguished as faint laughter stained the air and the temperature dropped to the centigrade of what I knew of decay. The room that I had once thought I was amongst was gone, replaced by openness and a plethora of storm clouds that produced no rain. Lightning flashes conquered the skies and the light of one allowed me to acquire my first true glance of the figure in front of me; a blackened unicorn of great stature who wore a smile that struck fear completely throughout my soul.  I in those few moments I realized something and at that point of recognition I was speechless ... I knew that face, just with no idea why.

I thought to run; I thought to scream, holler, and tear; however, my body would not let me. I wanted to escape; I wanted to protect myself from the face; however, once again my body was numb from stress and refused. "Please!" I whimpered to myself as I conducted in my last attempt; I used magic to try to remove the danger. I failed myself, I was unable to banish its presence. I breathed in and glanced into its eyes which were forged in death's grace. It smiled ever so gently and then was gone before I collapsed to the ground in absolute terror.

Stand!

"What? I did not think that! Why is that voice in my head!?" I cried.

Stand!

I complied to the best of my current abilities as I felt my legs began to fail. Another black figure appeared in the background; however, this one while radiating anxiety towards me provided me with little fear. "Who are you!" I demanded as I saw a rich dark blue aura motion around the figure.

"A pony just like you are yourself! I should be asking who you are!" the voice was stern in its manner yet was comforting in its own special way.

"I am Bladz" I stuttered to the figure.

"You are Bladz!" it commanded spreading out a massive set of what I assumed to be wings. "Never forget who you are and never lose sight of what you seek for you alone are responsible for what goes on in there!!"  With that command I felt a release in my chest as my blood pressure rapidly returned to normal.

"You are being too hard!" A second voice commanded in a more comforting tone. I turned slightly to my right to see another figure emerge while maintaining to stay out of range for proper sight. "I am sorry for the directness Sir," the second informed to me. The new arrival's coat was not black and was of a lighter color I was to presume while not being able to fully tell. The character did not radiate a color in the position of a mane nor was the character if the last two's greater heights; what the character did have though was the most beautiful green eyes that I had witnessed.

"He had to see it!" the first one argued. The second took a breath to dispute, but resulted in a sigh of agreement.

"Who are you two?" I demanded.

"That will be explained in due time." The initial one determined.

"Who was that thing then? Can you tell me that!" The two laid silent in uncertainty until a third figure, taller than the other two appeared in between the two.

"It was you Bladz!" the third proclaimed before all three spread wings and I was blinded by an intense spectrum of light. "It is all the parts of us who make up who we are! Embrace yourself, all of your inner-self, and you will understand who you are Bladz!" the third voice commanded and slammed a hoof upon the ground resulting in a final creation of void.

My eyes were erupted open in concern as I saw in my room sunlight and a place familiar. It was all just a dream Bladz, no need to be alarmed. I pulled myself from under the covers as I felt the last remnants of shock escape from my body. I prepared my bed after the night and stretched out the various kinks that I had acquired. Regardless of how realistic it felt, last night was only just a dream that I have to understand I strived to continually preach to myself. Satisfied with my room I departed and headed down stairs in the hunt for my mentor.

The first floor unfortunately was not the quiet sector I was hoping it to be because I descended the stairway I found a full class of royal guards flooding the palace. I found myself virtually pushing myself through the crowd and with no success at finding Lord Armonia. For five wholesome minutes I struggled pushing myself through the standard issued guard armors, grabbing the attention of many who dismissed my presence. After the continuous failures I remembered that the fourth floor was where important management operations occur; if Armonia has all these guards here for a reason, then the leaders behind that reason are probably upstairs. I hurried my way back towards the stairwell.

"Halt!" a group of recruits commanded. "Both Captain Tigris and the commander have stressed that no one is allowed above the first floor." I could hardly tell if it was the recent relationships I had had with people over the last three days that have annoyed me or it was the fact that I had not been awake for very long; either way I was not in the mood to deal with it.

"I have reason to be upstairs!" I protested.

"Likely story! What are you an assassin? a thief? A spy?"

"Do not be ridiculous!" I demanded. "I...need...to..go...up...stairs...okay?" Assuming from their faces, the sarcasm did not help.

"Stand down," a familiar declared giving me a sense of relief. "There is no need to pester the ponies you are trained to protect." Shadow approached from behind the group with Lightning trailing.

"We are so sorry Sir! Please forgive us Sir!" the recruits proclaimed towards the two captains.

"It is understandable for you newer recruits, you will understand soon enough," Lightning qualified. "The real one you should be referring to as Sir is Sir Bladz here though." The group turned to get a better understanding of the situation. "Sir Bladz here works on the Royal Council." Confusion was present in the recruits faces; however, they were not going to dare question the authority of two of their superiors as they scurried off.

"What did you do to instill the wrath of Serentia into them?"

"New recruits are always like that. They do not want to jeopardize their chances to be team leaders or even fear that they may be placed in outposts that no one wants." Lightning explained. "Sorry about that though, the empire is unaware that they have a new leader in charge alongside Lord Armonia."

"It is not issue I suppose, all this questioning of myself is starting to get annoying is all."

"I advise wearing the armor, the guards will not question you if are wearing it." I nodded. "Anyway, we were on our way to the recruit conference upstairs; sort of lucky that we are running late isn't it." Lightning laughed.

I was about an entire flight ahead of them as we continued upstairs so that I could throw on the armor on my way up and make a well developed effort to arrive at the same time as they did to the conference. When we arrived the conference was drawing to a close as the initial thing we all were presented with was a departing Tigris who was on his way back to the recruits.

"Lightning, Carnivorous, I am offering you both two opportunities to volunteer." Ryan declared.

"Volunteer or are we being volun-told?" Lightning questioned.

"That is completely up to you"

"Either way we are doing it then so what is up?" I could not help but laugh at the logic.

"First off you two need to be Bladz's and Armonia's escorts today for their visit. After that, tomorrow is going to be a busy day, Tigris wants to have Scout corps auditions tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan" Shadow determined while nodding. "Cannot guarantee though that I will recommend anyone."

"Understood Captain Carnivorous. I only request you give all of them a fair and honest chance." Ryan proclaimed motioning downstairs. "The mayhem will be cleared out shortly," he assured to the group of us.

"Good morning you all," Armonia stated behind us all in cheer.

"Good morning Sir! Why are we up here to discuss matters of the guard? I thought that was done at the Armory?" I pondered to him.

"Excuse me for interjecting, but there are cots in my office right now to accommodate all the new recruits during their initial training; I speak for all of us when I say the Armory is not the best place for discussions right now." Shadow explained with Armonia and Lightning nodding in agreeance.

"If there are cots in your office how come you two were arriving late?"

"We did not crash at the Armory last night," Lightning put simply. "We have several friends throughout the city that are willing to house us for a night."

"How come you did not crash here then?"

"The same reason we did not stay at the Armory; Carnivorous wanted his precious beauty sleep and there was little I could do to argue it. Why do you think we are late? I had to get this thing up!" Shadow was amused by Lightning's frustrations as he concealed his best efforts not to laugh.

Armonia proceeded past the friendly conversation and broke the joyous atmosphere. "The festivities in Cantardash are going to begin at ten and it is nine now, we need to get going."

"I am pretty sure we are already ready Sir!" Lightning directed to all of us, where no one found objection.

"Wonderful! The earlier the better! We will get to socialize a little bit before the events then!" Armonia provided in zeal reviving the cheerful atmosphere. Armonia took lead with all three of us following suit as we now advanced downstairs on our way to Cantardash.

Ryan was accurate when he stated that he will pull the recruits out of our hair because between the short times between our descents all of the recruits had been directed out of the palace. The frontal doors had been sealed shut as Lightning and Shadow took the responsibility of opening the doors for us out of courtesy. As pure sunlight escaped the emerging crevice my retinas were being seared by the light's intensity. A little bright don't you think for nine in the morning! All four of us must of been affected by the intensity because before I knew it Armonia was extending a pair of sunglasses to my face, a pair of which was already upon his own.

"The sun arose early today and is of a greater intensity than I could remember; however, it is nothing that a pair of shades cannot solve." Armonia cheered as I placed the pair upon my own face. Harsh sunlight slowed but did not restrict movement at the Citadel as the streets were lively and gazing upon the park I saw how many ponies were celebrating morning sunshine for picnics, and games, and relaxation. "Sure is a nicer day at least, will you be okay to go to Cantardash Lightning? You seemed tense yesterday."

"It was only the weather yesterday, I always get like that when there are really bad storms in the background."

"Ahh I see," Armonia noted as we took our places for depart. The current atmospheric conditions were perfect for flying as a light breeze was going to serve as a tailwind enhancing the grace of the flight. Lightning and Shadow were more than aware of this as their wings were extended to get a feeling of the morning conditions. Without a comment they both motioned forward becoming airborne simultaneously.

"Lord Armonia, I had the weirdest dream last night. There were these three figures in the background and myself... and what I was informed was myself." Armonia held a hoof out to silence me, his face was enlightened yet concerned.

"These three figures? Was one of them black with a dark blue mane?"

"I guess it could've been a mane, but yes. Why you ask?" I pondered, turning to find Armonia showing evidence of anxiety. "You okay?"

"yes I am fine, it was only a dream I would not fret over it." Armonia commanded and then I sat in a daze.

What do you know that I don't mentor

As we approached Cantardash we witnessed ponies by the hundreds swarming around the convention hall. The center was only designed to fit about two or three thousand, there were way too many to fit them all I knew. Our flight was quickly grabbing the attention of the entire district as we approached because the shire number that were turning to watch us. Choosing a place that was familiar, Lightning touched down next to my family's workshop where my father and the Cantardash mayor were waiting patiently.

"We were not expecting you all so soon," the mayor admitted upon our landing. "We are just getting a few last things done as the citizens take their places." The three accepted the mayor's statement while I was still in doubt.

"How are you planning to fit everypony?" I inquired to my father.

"Cristalla took care of that; as you are aware the stadium is designed to hold thirty-two-hundred, but that is when the center is left bare. After a few transports of chairs we were able to add a stage to the center and over a thousand additional seats. We had to start giving out seating tickets yesterday afternoon and many pegasi even offered to hover above and leave room for us unicorns and earth ponies."

"Why were we not informed yesterday of the expected turnout?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise for you all!" my father cheered.

"I understand your surprise Bladz, but I expected no less; this is afterall a big event for Cantardash seeing how it has been years since I last formally visited." Armonia decreed. "let us not waste time questioning when there is things to be done!"

The convention center that laid across from the market was now hardly visible over the enormous crowd of ponies that were surrounding it. Our goal clearly was not to make it to the center because with every step we found ourselves chatting amongst the crowds with the various crowds that swallowed us. By no surprise most of the attention was directed towards Lord Armonia who after all was the ruler of the empire. A few younger pegasus stallions did stop and question Lightning aware that he was the flight corps captain. Shadow and I unfortunately were abandoned dishtowels in a drawer; not many ponies were aware of the Scout Recon Corps and I was just Bladz to the empire's citizens who were unaware.

"Bladz?" a voice called out. "It is you Bladz! Nice to see you!" A young mare had approached me from behind with lighter purple hair. "Nice armor, you cosplaying for Armonia's arrival."

"Nice to see you too Daisy." I stated questionably. "I am not wearing this armor for Armonia's arrival, this is my armor." she rolled her eyes at me.

"Sure you are; so who is your friend here?" she questioned pointing to Shadow.

"Captain Carnivorous" I informed her.

"Oh are you cosplaying with Bladz here?" she stated causing a mixture of hatred and disappointment appear on his face. "Nice to meet you."

"Yes, charmed." Shadow provided in an attempted voice to conceal annoyance. Daisy must of appeared out of pity because she disappeared just as quickly as she appeared. "Who was that?"

"Daisy Seed, we were classmates last scholastic year." I explained. Shadow just grunted and motioned that we try to maintain proximity to the other two so we do not get lost.

"Sometimes I wish people would put two and two together and realize that people do not walk around in a heavy suit of metal all day everyday because they enjoy it. I mean my armor matches Lightning's, is it really that hard to see that I must be a captain of the guard? Does this armor look fake to you?" he complained.

"I do not know why people cannot put that together, I have no idea why Daisy would ask me if I was dressing up like Armonia. This armor color is not even the right color! Oh well, the festivities are suppose to start in roughly five minutes, let us get to our places in the center." I determined. Upon entering the gate for the convention center we became aware of how little there was outside the center compared to inside. The entire stadium was stuffed to the max and the center seating area did not have a single seat open except for a single front row where reserved notices were placed. Standing in the middle of the entrance processing the seating tickets was Cristalla.

"Excuse me madam, but where do I seat myself." I pondered to her from her side.

"It is stated on your ticket si... BLADZ! It is so great for you to have finally arrived!"

"Actually we have been here for about thirty minutes it is we are just now finally making it to the center."

"Well that is good. The reserved seats up there is for us all. I have an identification leynard on each of the seats with you guys' names on them."

"Who's idea was that?" I questioned.

"The mayor's. We are selling them for two bits a piece in hopes that it will aid in the creation of a renovation program to fix up some of the aging structures in the city. They feature an aerial view of Cantardash on the front with a commemorative name tag on the back."

"Impressive!" Shadowed admitted before we continued on towards our seats to find Armonia and Lightning closely behind us followed by my parents and the mayor. The platform stage stairs laid directly in front of us and we were positioned  in what I assume to be the order of appearance with the mayor holding the first seat on the right. A few moments later Cristalla finally settled down alongside me motioning to the mayor to begin, who trotted up the steps.

"Mares and gentlecolts, thank you for coming out to honor the visit of Lord Armonia!" the crowd burst into a roar of cheers. "Will you please be so kind as to put your hooves together for Lord Armonia!" The crowd burst into another wave of cheer as the mayor motioned Armonia upon stage. "Along with Captain Lightning and Captain Carnivorous of the Serentian Royal Guard!" Both upon mention worked their way up the stairs. All three waved as the mayor went silent. I felt rejected at the moment, I had not been called up and I was an outcast in the current situation. The roar of the crowd finally died down when the mayor opened her lips once more. "And from our very own city of Cantardash, Sir Bladz Angelo, new royal knight of Serentia!" I moved myself upon the stage, but there was no cheer, the stadium was in shock and in disbelief until a single wave of deathening cheer conquered the stadium. I waved as the intensity of the response caused liquid pride to appear.

"I would like to thank you all for coming out here and welcoming me after five years without a formal visit!" Armonia screamed to the crowd. "The four of us just got back from Tempeoca, a kingdom that lays off the western side of the empire's border. We are once again trading allies with Tempeoca!" Cheers silenced Armonia. "But more than that; Tempeoca is now a friend of Serentia! But do not look at me for the cause of that! Do not look at Captain Lightning, nor Captain Carnivorous! Sure we are part of the cause, but it was your fellow Cantardashian Sir Bladz Angelo that made it possible!" The stadium was inaudible. "But that's not all; Sypherous had returned from where I thought he was extinguished." Instantly the convention center went quiet as the pegasi who were hovering above settled down in anxiety. "That is right! Sypherous, the evil force of legends attempted to return to cause mayhem; I say attempted because he failed to succeed in this plans because Bladz took leadership and using teamwork rescued a dear friend of his now and eradicated Sypherous from existence by purging the darkness." The pegasi launched themselves into the air and the entire building was cheering my name. "I give you the new addition to the ruling council, Sir Bladz Angelo!"

"This is your celebration, what are you doing?" I demanded at Armonia with tears motioning down my face onto my armor.

"That may be true, but you are the one who should be celebrated. People are no longer going to question your identity and where other would have been a better place to reveal who you now are than you own hometown here in Cantardash." Armonia explained to me.

"Thank you for coming everypony!" the mayor proclaimed to the crowd. "Let us continue this celebration around town and give these four the real Cantardashian experience!"

"Sir, I am so ecstatic that my legs are shaking," I informed to Armonia.

"Yours too? I thought that was only me," Lightning declared.

"Guys!" Shadow screamed causing us to turn to witness an expression of fear. "That is not your nerves that are shaking!" The top of the convention center cracked under the vibrations as fragments descended clipping a pegasus' wing and knocking her to the ground.panic erupted all throughout as the vibrations escalated expediently causing a mass build-up at the gates. "This is the strongest earthquake I have ever experienced and it is still increasing in magnitude!"

"No time to chat! Look at the ceiling it is going to cave in any moment! The pegasi can escape through the sunpanals; however, if we do not do anything hundreds of casualties could occur when that ceiling fails!" Lightning declared.

Armonia sparked his horn to attempt to aid the ceiling supports, but the vibrations were too intense and he fell repeatedly. "The vibrations are too great for me to do anything magical! Forget it let's try and aid as many as we can!" Armonia determined.

Cantardash has never had an earthquake before, why are we having one now at this magnitude?

Lightning and Carnivorous had taken flight and alongside a few other pegasi were picking ponies up and rushing them to safety. "There are too many!" Lightning cried out just as the roof made a final crack and came rushing down towards the community.

"NOOO!" I found the best footing I could and stomped the ground with my horn glowing causing the entire stadium and atmosphere to glow green. The roof fragments retraced the downfall and were reunited with the ceiling. The earthquake's breaths were being choked causing the vibrations to expire and the danger to be extinguished. The pegasus who had her wing crushed found no harm in it and returned to her footing in disbelief. Water rushed in between the surrounding ponies to watched as the water attacked the flames that the earthquake had caused by having falling lights send the flooring ablaze. My horn concentrated a green flame at its tip before it exploded outwards evaporating the left over moisture. The amulet that Armonia provided to me a decade ago shattered as the green aura faded from my surroundings towards me. A green outline of my cutie mark that laid below me was pulling the color inwards and then it faded as I collapsed to the ground.

Where am I? My surroundings were turned into a rainbow field of flowers. I looked upwards in confusion to find a light green pegasus descend to land roughly two feet ahead of me. "Who are you? Where am I?" I demanded to the pegasus; however, all she did was grin at my presence. "I do not understand! Where am I? Where is Cantardash and Armonia and Lightning and Shadow!" I panicked to the mare. "Where is my sister?" I muttered bursting into legitimate tears and falling to the soil. The mare motioned towards me and placed her hoof on my shoulder maintaining her smile. She lowered her head and had our foreheads touch.

"You have done well my dear. You have done well." she whispered to me patting away my tears.

"Who are you?" I whimpered to her, but all she did was back up a few feet and smile.

"I am exactly who you know I am; there is no need to cry my dear," she replied as she was turning into a green dust that encircled me before the dust became more fluid and phased into my chest.

I am just a part of the whole Bladz