Kindle & Hooves

ลำดับตอนที่ #4 : As A Protector

The next day after the First Nightmare Night ,Aiden still awake. He was staying in Starswirl's Library all night along reading the magic books in the shelf. Only one night he already read 2 basic magic books and mastered it really quick since he's the sorcerer by himself. Alone in the night until early morning he learns how to control multiple object with his magic. His hand still glow same as the objects in the air.

"Aiden?" Starswirl's voice comes from behind him. He turns to Starswirl who's standing at the front door.

"Yes? Well I pay a visit but... it seems too early for you so... I'm here all night with candlesticks." Starswirl chuckles and walks to Aiden noticing the books on the desk and multiple objects that's flowing in the sky.

"Only one night?" Starswirl says to Aiden.

"It's not that hard." Aiden smiles and put all the objects on the desk then sigh.

"So.. heading out now?" Starswirl asks.

"Yes. First day of my duty." Aiden bows to him while he's putting the books back on shelf and leaves the library.

He makes his way back in the castle. Princess Celestia is waiting for him at the hallway where her throne is. After he has arrived to the main hallway, he find out that princess doesn't here yet. He looks at the guard and asks.

"Where's princess?"

"Princess is in the kitchen waiting for you." He replies and leads Aiden to the kitchen. Both guard and Aiden stop at the kitchen where's Princess Celestia is preparing breakfast. Aiden steps in and bows to her.

"Welcome Aiden, and you can leave now." She greets to Aiden as the guard bows to her too and leave them.

"Breakfast? I just made it." Princess Celestia says while putting down two plates of pancakes down on the desk. Aiden look down to it and asks.

"What is this kind of.. food?" Aiden takes his seat but his eyes still on the pancake. Celestia giggles and gives him a knife and fork.

"It's called pancake ,Aiden. Try it." Aiden takes fork and knofe from her and cut it in small piece. He picks it up with fork and takes one bite.

"Wow... it's... uhmm.." Aiden still looks down at the pancake made by Celestia while he's eating it.

"You never eat anything since you are here. How is it?" Aiden looks up at princess and says.

"I... can't taste anything but... sweetness... yes.. really sweet.. I like it."

"Can you feel any taste else like salty, sour? Princess asks. Aiden shakes his head.

"No princess. But I like it." He says and finish his pancake.

"Ohh well... Want more?"Celestia asks.

"Yes another one would do." Aiden says and gives her an empty plate. Celestia giggles and give him another one.

"Can we talk while we eat too?" Celestia asks once before she sits down.

"Yes we can. What you want to talk about, princess?"Aiden asks as he looks up at Celestia.

"The other way to end the age of dark without make another cinder suffer." She says and takes a sip from her mug.

"well please go on." Aiden puts fork and knife down

"How is it look like? The flame in the kiln." Princess says.

"It's warm but not too hot... and really weak. Why?"

"Your old flame is out of power since It's been live for millennia. Fire has it's lifespan, Aiden and the dark is crossing its line out balance."Celestia says.

"It has been in the kiln since the first lord, Gwyn found it. It's already fade... but not yet... Firekeeper has kept it within her since I want her to end the cycle." Aiden says.

"You see the sun in the sky right?"Celestia asks.

"Yes... it's dark and... hollow..." Aiden blinks his eyes once and keep looks up at princess.

"According to mine and your books, they say the same about your and mine sun." Princess says

"Same about what?" Aiden nods his head.

"Sun has it's lifespan. When it's expired it will turn dark and smaller but sill burns and ignites." Celestia explains.

"So what's the point?"Aiden asks.

"Maybe you could revive the sun by using my power with the element, Your land maybe return to balance again." Aiden rises his brows up and asks.

"Me? With your element's power?" Celestia nods. Aiden gets up and steps close to princess.

"I appreciate your help princess but... I don't think it will work."Princess looks at Aiden as he bows to her again.

"Why?" Celestia asks.

"Your element represent how harmonious your pony kind is... but for mankind... I don't think those hollows will listen to me." Aiden sighs. Celestia gets up and says.

"You alone prove me one thing I never know. 'one pony or human can represent more than one element of harmony. And you... represent all 6 element in same time.' "

"Me?... heh... I presume that's the reason you choose me as a protector." Celestia nods her head.

"Yes. What I see among you is the will to protect every innocent from danger. That's make more confident about giving you title The Protector of Harmony." Aiden nods his head and says.

"If you say so, princess."

"All you need is have a faith in the power of friendship."Celestia's words make Aiden chuckle.

"Hope I have enough faith.... And friendship." Aiden says as he pulls her pigtail hairstyle to tighten it up.

"But as a protector of harmony you still need to learn about true friendship."Celestia says.

"True friendship?"Aiden looks at princess.

"Yes maybe you can start with the nearest pony you met and it's not me." Aiden looks around and chuckles.

"I think I know one and I know along with them well." Celestia smiles.

"Well that's perfect. Happy friend hunting." Celestia says while Aiden bows down and take his leave from the kitchen.

Aiden makes his way in the blacksmith of castle where Bright Hammer is working. He watches her doing metal works while he start walking closer to her and says.

"Hey bla-- uhh I mean Bright Hammer."Bright Hammer turns to Aiden and smiles when she has seen him.

"Hey protector, how can I help?"She greets Aiden.

"Well I'm not here for smithing. Uhm--... I would like to ... make friend with you." Bright Hammer looks at him with eyes wide opened before she says.

"R-really?"

"Indeed. Can you come to Canterlot's entrance this evening?" Aiden asks. Bright Hammer nods quickly.

"Yes! Dear yes!"Aiden nods and gives her hoof a shake before he bows down and takes his leave to another place.

"I need to find three more in town." He mumbles as he straightly heads to tailor stands where Sally's working.

"There she is." Aiden looks at Sally that's working in her tailor stand. Aiden approach closer to the stands and says.

"Hey Aiden." Aiden's eyes widely open when she notice that it's him.

"H...How?"

"Simple, you are the only one who has cranking sounds of armor, silly." Aiden chuckles after he realizes it.

"Yes, you are right. Well I'm here to invite you to...uhnmm.. what you all say? The event that you ponies come together and have have fun?" He says.

"Party?"Sally says.

"Well yes. You coming?" Sally smiles and nods.

"Sure, Aiden." Aiden smiles and says.

"Then see me at the entrance. Now I need to meet the other two." He takes his leave and head to the merchant stand where Ziggy works.

"Oh hey Aiden!" Ziggy reaches his hand offering Aiden a shake. Aiden accept his shake but suddenly, he feel the soft electricity run all over his body and it's making Aiden's pigtail rise up. However, Aiden seems to be unconscious.

"Aww you can't feel anything?" Ziggy asks Aiden.

"Ahh.. nope What is it?" Aiden asks.

"Ahh never mind. What do you want anyway?"Ziggy sighs.

"I have a little campfire party tonight. Want to come?"Ziggy rise his brows and quickly nods.

"Yes! Yes I want to!"Ziggy says

"Good! See me at the Canterlot's Entrance. Now I need to gather some party goods. Later now." AIden says and leaves Ziggy's stands. The sunset tells them it's time. Every pony that Aiden invites gathering around all together. Aiden shows up the last with his hands full of bags.

"Well you finally here ,Aiden. So where are we heading?" Sally asks. Aiden put those bags down and says.

"Castle of Two sisters." Every pony gasps in surprise and scared.

"Why is the ruined castle?" Ziggy asks.

"The bonfire is set on there and I can't move it to here you know? And come on it's not that bad, you are with the protector." Aiden tries to encourage every pony. They're settling down.

"Well then if you say so. Here let me help." Sally picks the bags Aiden brought on her saddlebag. Aiden smiles and leads every pony to the ruined castle.

The sun descents down from the sky. Same time the moon is rise bringing the night to Equestria. Aiden and his friends make their way to the old castle of two sisters. Aiden approaches to the bonfire that's settled next to the entrance.

"Well here we are, the peaceful campfire with good new friends." Aiden sighs and takes his seat with every pony else near the bonfire. Sally takes out the bags of good that Aiden brought on the log. Aiden grabs on the bag and take out 4 wooden glasses and a large barrel of an alcoholic-like drink.

"What is it? It's..." Bright Hammer asks as she smells on the barrel Aiden brought out from the bags.

"A Siegbrau, perfectly brewed for centuries by the Catarinian's knight." Aiden says as he pours down on the glasses.

"Here!" He gives each pony a glass of fully filled Siegbrau. Every pony take the wooden glass and have a little sniff before they sip down. Suddenly every pony spit out the drink making a little mess on Aiden's face. He wipes the spilled Siegbrau off from his face and laughs.

"Hahahah I know ,awful right?" Every pony nods while they are looking at Aiden who's drinking it down easily. Ziggy tries to bottom up his glasses but after he did it, Ziggy starts to get dizzy and passes out on the log.

"Ughh... my dear Celestia... hic..." Bight Hammer and Sally giggles along with Aiden that's laughing.

"Hahahah don't worry he will be fine in about--- now."After Aiden says, Ziggy quickly gets up and shakes his head quickly.

"See?"

"Whoa, what is that? I feel dizzy then Wham! It's knock me out for a moment and its feel like Ughhh..." Every pony laughs when Ziggy says and makes his face looks silly. Aiden gives Ziggy another glass.

"Come let's have a toast!" Aiden rise his wooden glass up over his head before every pony does the same to him.

"To my very first friend." Bright Hammer says.

"To my fellows." Sally says.

"To my.... friend!" Ziggy says out loud.

"heheh to my friends. Toast!" Aiden says and clings on every pony glasses and bottom up his Siegbrau but the others are taking a sip. Bright Hammer seems to be very talkative tonight as much as Ziggy and Sally.

"Hey Bright Hammer. You seems... quite talkative tonight. How come?"Aiden asks. Bright Hammer put her glass down and says.

"Well.. you know? I am the pony who born with cutie mark of smithing when I was a little filly, I have to work in the blacksmith with my father, Duke Forge. Well I don't actually have many friends like the others since I don't have time to make one. until now... my very first friends!" Bright Hammer says with cheerful voice. Aiden smiles and gives her a warm friendly hug. Bright Hammer does nothing but accepts his hug from her friend.

"And about you Ziggy?" Aiden turns to Ziggy.

"Well my life doesn't that fun and easy like this since I was a colt. My family was really poor and we can't afford enough bits for food. I feels like I must do something. So I really did! I found my talent! I can't believe myself too that I am good at bartering and selling goods! My family is saved and I become the youngest merchant pony in canterlot then Wham! I got my cutie mark. However making close friend is really hard for merchant since every pony who comes across me mostly is friend for business not real friend... until all of you! My very first close friends. " Aiden gives Ziggy a big clap.

"Well the last pony of the night." Aiden looks to Sally.

"Well mine? I was the latest one who get the cutie mark. I worked really hard, took a lot of effort to find who I am. But then I had realized something very important. My mother always said 'If you can't think anything, why don't you go home and think what you have missed'. Yes, I came back from where I started and found the old cloths of my mother. Then the spark of an inspiration came out from my head! I made it, I revived her cloths. After lots of effort, I got what I always wanted, the cutie mark. However, I took too long time for my cutie mark... I don't have any friend. So... you all are my first groups of friend too!" Sally gives her friends a big group hug on the bonfire.

"So... what about your, Aiden?" Ziggy asks Aiden.

"Ahh...Y'all dont want to hear about it... it's... very hard to understand, you know? But... If you want to... I can tell."

--------------------------------------After Aiden's explanation-------------------------------------------------------

"Wow... that's...A--"

"Awful I know. The Lothric is even more rotten by my hand... But there must be a hope somewhere." Aiden drinks the last glass Siegbrau.

"You passed a lot danger in.... how long?" Bright Hammer asks.

"I don't know... but it's been a long way since I woke up from the cemetery." Aiden looks up to the moon and rise his glass up. He looks down after gave Luna a toast watching three of his pony friends enjoy his party. His ember's getting even warmer. Unlike the first time he restores his ember, it shines even brighter within him. He knows that something is fulfilling his hollowed ashen body and it's the warmth of friendship that's keep fulfilling him over and over.

"Now.. come! Let enjoy the party!" Aiden cheers up every pony friends and enjoys the party he made. This night Aiden not only gives his friends more than just joyful but he also fulfills their friendship and makes a small bound of it. The bound within them is a small step but he trust that this bound will lead him to the ultimate power he never has seen before.

The night of friendship is gone by quickly but their friendship will permanently stay. Aiden and his fellows have such a wonderful night of singing, feasting, and a lots of fund in the campfire party.

The moon descents down and the sun rises telling Aiden it's morning. He gets up from the bonfire but then he notices that Bright Hammer already left. Sally and Ziggy start to wake up too.

"Morning Aiden." Sally greets him same as Ziggy.

"Morning both of you. Come let's head back to Canterlot. We have works to do" Aiden smiles to them while he's gathering the wooden glasses and toss them to the bonfire. The coiled sword in the middle of bonfire glows red, the ember seems to be endless unlike the other bonfire. Aiden stretches his muscle and lead his friends back to Canterlot.

After say goodbye to his friends, Aiden heads back to the castle to catch up with Princess Celestia to the kitchen where she always makes dinner like everyday .

"Welcome back Aiden. Pancakes?" Aiden bows to princess and sits down on the opposite side of her. Princess put the plate full of pancakes down on the table.

"So.... how is your friend? And what have you learned?" She asks. Aiden cuts his pancakes into small piece and looks up to princess before he says.

"I made 3 friend. First is blacksmith Bright Hammer, second is the tailor Sally, and the last is Ziggy the merchant." Princess nods and takes a sip from her teacup.

"So... Are you trust the power of friendship yet?" Celestia asks.

"Maybe a little bit...It's maybe not a big bound yet but I'm willing to learn what I don't know." Aiden smiles.

"That's a spirit." Princess mentions.

"The light of hope is shining even brighter."

See you next episode!