This is an AU, original story takes place in an anthro Rule63 version of Equestria and MLP. It features gender-bent version (for the most part) of main MLP characters and my original characters.

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The next morning, Gust woke up by himself in the cot. He blinked and sat up, wondering where De Poet was. He spotted her, and his Rom family, sitting around the campfire, cooking breakfast.

He hopped out of the hammock and walked over to join them. He sat next to his mother and held his hands to the flame.

“What time is it?” He asked with a fang bearing yawn.

“Just after 7.” Shimmer answered. “The Knight contest starts at 9.”

He nodded as he poured himself some Rom black tea. He looked at Blaze “How many have entered the contest?”

“16 have entered. Including you, Gust.” Blaze answered.

Gust blinked. “Sixteen?” He shivered at the thought. “How will that work?”

“Well…” Night said as he used his magic to conjure up a holographic chart “The sixteen contestants will be split into two groups of 8.” He populated the chart with 16 fake names, and then split them into two groups on the left and the right. “As the first-round progresses, and fighters are eliminated, the winners progress to the second round, or the quarterfinals.”

Gust nodded. “Okay. So… on each side, 8 becomes 4, and then then 4 becomes 2, and then… it’s the final round with the last two fighters from each side?” He asked, as Night’s magic chart followed his explanation.

“Exactly.” Night said as his chart disappeared as his magic waned. “The first round, quarterfinals and semifinals will be held today. Tomorrow will be the finals.”

“Each Knight will be required to wear a set of sparring armor, and, since we don’t want them cutting each other to ribbons, all swords will have a protection spell on the edge.” Blaze explained. “Now, even with the protection spell, there’s still a risk of broken bones. Therefore, instead of hitting one another, each fighter will have four wooden shields.”

“If all four shields are shattered, the fighter is eliminated.” Night continued. “Should there be a draw, for whatever reason, each fighter will get one more shield, and the first strike to whichever shield wins.”

Gust nodded in understanding. “Uh… I don’t have armor.” He admitted.

“We know.” Blaze said. “You needn’t worry about that. You will have a set waiting for you in the change rooms at the contest grounds.”

“You’re… giving me a set of armor?” He almost gasped.

De Poet giggled. “Still trying to wrap your head around being a free Knight, aren’t you Kitten?” She sighed happily as she handed him his breakfast.

“Normally, a knight is gifted a set of armor at their Knighting ceremony,” Night explained. “However, since YOUR ceremony was last minute, to say the least, we didn’t have time to give you a set. Once we reached Ponyville, we had our Royal Armorer deliver a set, in your size, to Prince Eventide’s castle.”

Now it was Shimmer’s turn to gasp. “Wow. Is there anything else he gets?”

“Let’s see…” Night said as De Poet served breakfast to her family. “There’s the Royal benefice – a sum of five hundred gold bits every month. A set of armor. Access to the Royal Library in Canterlot…”

“Training with our Royal Master-At-Arms, should he require or request it.” Blaze continued. “And, should his sword break during any Knightly duty, our master forger will repair it.”

Dusk coughed and cleared his throat.

“Well, yes, Dear Dusk. Of course You would be the one to repair it.” Night said with a chuckle. “However, should it be unrecoverable, You would have a pick from any sword in the Royal Armory.”

Gust was speechless.

“And while De Poet and Lily are two of the best surgeons in Equestria, should you become injured when they aren’t around, say, during a battle,” Night continued “Hypothetically, or course. That, or if an injury is beyond their skill, treatment, and recovery at the Royal Horsepital.”

“Sheesh.” Shimmer said in awe. “Lucky.”

“All of which, extends to all close family members.” Blaze said with a smile. “Aside from the armor and sword, of course.”

“So, the benefice…?” Gust began to ask, but stopped when Night shook his head.

“That’s to help YOU provide for your family.” He explained. “Now, don’t panic, but should you pass, the benefice will go to your next of kin.”

“Ah.” Gust nodded.

“Indeed.” De Poet said. “Now, eat up Gust.” She nudged his shoulder with hers. “You got a big day-“

She stopped talking when they suddenly heard Royal trumpets blare. All the Rom looked towards the Castle.

A Bright, white carriage, with gold leaf trim, flying by itself with…. Large white wings, swooped over Ponyville in a wide loopy-loop, then landed in front of the castle, gracefully.

“Oh no…” Blaze said suddenly. “It’s… Princess Blueblood.”

“Your 52 times removed niece?” Lily asked incredulously.

Night nodded with an irritated sigh. “Yes.”

“You don’t…” Dusk said in realization, “Do you think she’s here to enter the contest?”

Blaze’s horn lit up as a scroll popped into thin air in front of him. He caught it, and unfurled it. He nodded as he read the list. “Indeed she is in the contest. First to sign up, actually.”

Night looked at the scroll, and then at Gust. Gust had stopped eating and was looking worried. For good reason too. Princess Blueblood was considered the best swords-mare in Equestria. Second only to the Princes themselves.

“Oh, come on now, Gust.” Dusk scoffed. “No need to worry about Blueblood. She’s just a stuffed up noble. I’m certain all those stories about how good she is with a sword were told by her to inflate her already over-inflated ego.”

“But…” the catter began to protest.

“She has never even been in a proper fight. Never fought in a skirmish or a war.” Blaze said, with a nod. “She’s all icing and no cake. Trust me.”

“But… she’s never lost a duel.” Gust argued. “And I’ve never fought in a war, either…”

“It’s been rumored that those ponies were paid to lose.” Lily said simply. “Besides… he’s never fought a wily catter before.”

Gust chuckled at that. “Yeah. I guess not.”

De Poet sent a stealthy wink at Lily.

The Princes stood up and set their dishes in the wash bin.

“We have to go and get ready for the Tournament.” Blaze said. “And…” he shivered “Greet Blueblood…”

“Gust?” Night said. “When you are ready, go down to the castle grounds, and show the guards at the gate-“ he paused and handed him a golden foil ticket “This ticket. They will let you in. Once they do, one of Eventide’s staff will lead you to your changing room.”

Gust was admiring the ticket as he responded. “Oh. Okay. Sure.”

The Twins bowed to their Family, and then, took off into the sky, flying towards the castle.

Gust placed his ticket into a pouch on his belt, and continued eating his breakfast. Like his mother had said, he needed to eat if he wanted to have enough strength for the contest.

“Are you guys going to come and watch?” He asked his family as he served himself seconds.

“I will.” Lily said with a nod. She then added with a giggle, “Since you won’t be playing for me, I won’t be able to dance.”

“I’m going to be one of the safety officers.” Dusk said. “So, I’ll be there anyways.”

De Poet ruffled Gust’s forelock. “Of course, I’ll come Kitten.”

“Me too.” Shimmer said with a nod and a smile. “Besides, with the contest going on, I wouldn’t expect the fair to be too busy for the next two days.”

Gust finished his second helping of breakfast quickly, and then used the washtub next to his mother’s caravan to wash up. He then headed inside to change. He didn’t have any really… fancy clothes, well, fancy enough for Royalty, but he figured, he could at least put on a shirt that didn’t have holes in it, or stained from the road. He also changed his boots to his least worn ones. He then took his sword of its wall hook, along with its harness, and strapped it to his waist.

Once he was satisfied with appearance, he exited his mother’s caravan. He held his arms out, silently asking his family for their approval.

“I didn’t even know your hair could lay flat, Gust.” Shimmer giggled.

De Poet shushed her before Gust could. She walked up to him and kissed his cheek. “You look very handsome, Gust. Go to the contest grounds. We’ll see you later.”

“T-thanks, Mama.” He nodded.

He then took off at a brisk pace towards the castle, arriving at the main gates 15 minutes later. ‘Ponyville is a lot bigger than I thought’ he thought to himself as he walked up to the guards.

They crossed their spears as he approached.

“State your business.” The guard on the left said.

“Oh.” Gust said, as he took his golden ticket out of his pouch. He showed it to the guards. “Sir Gust De Poetson. I’m here for the contest.”

The guards examined the ticket. “Very well, Sir Gust.” He nodded at his partner, uncrossed their spears, and together, they opened the gates. “Head inside.”

Gust walked past the gates, and looked around for Eventide’s staff member.

A tall, purple, female dragon, with green head spikes, wearing a jerkin that went down to her knees, held secured by a simple belt, walked up to him. “Sir Gust? I’m Spines.” She smiled at him. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Gust blinked and his jaw dropped slightly at the sight of the lady dragon in front of him. He always thought that the Princes and Lily were tall. Somehow, she was even taller than they were. He, himself, was 5 heads 9 inches. She was even taller then the bull from yesterday.

“Whoa...” He squeaked out.

“First time seeing a dragon, Sir Gust?” She asked with a giggle. He nodded in silent awe. “If you need to know, I'm 8 and half heads tall. Interestingly, I'm not even tall for a dragon.” She smiled. “But, I digress.” She used her right hand to motion to her left. “Allow me to show you to you dressing room.”

She started to walk towards the buildings that she indicated. Gust followed next to her, trying his best to keep up with her long strides.

“You're Rom, aren't you?” She asked as they walked.

Gust nodded. “Yeah. I am, Lady Spines. I guess my Freedom gave it away, huh?”

Spines nodded. “That, and how you're treating me as your equal, not as an underling.”

“Why...” He pulled a confused look. “Why would I do that?”

“You would be surprised...” She shrugged her shoulders. “Many visiting Nobles have had to be put in their place by Prince Eventide. I'm not a Knight, nor a noble, but he did hatch me, and treats me as a sister. Therefor, he made me a Lady of his court when he became prince. Most stuffed shirts don't seem to grasp that.”

“Would you believe me, Lady Spines, if I told you that I know exactly how that feels?” The catter asked. “We Rom are treated as the lowest of lows. Aside from a few exceptions, every pony with a hint of nobility treats us badly.” He smiled at her. “I would never treat anyone like that.”

She stopped walking as they reached the curved building they were walking to. The wooden door said 7 on it. “You're very polite, Sir Gust. And cute.” He blushed at that. “You will find your armour on a rack inside. Don it, and then wait for the royal trumpets. When you hear them, go out the other door and line up with the other knights in the courtyard.”

Gust nodded and dipped his head in respect. “Thank you, Lady Spines.”

“Polite, handsome, and well mannered...” She placed her hands on her hips. “The trifecta. No wonder she likes you.”

“Huh?” Gust blinked.

“Never mind.” She smiled as she opened the door. “Good luck, Sir Gust.”

Gust frowned slightly as he walked inside the well-lit room. He looked around the room as Lady Spines closed the door behind him.

The room had cobblestone walls and flooring. It was well light by candles on the walls, and a frosted window on the wall with the door. On the opposite wall, where the other door was, that lead to the arena, was a wooden wardrobe, which, he assumed, was for his clothing once he changed. In front of the wardrobe was a wooden bench. In front of the bench, in the middle of the room, was his armour.

He looked it up and down. It was very fancy. Well, fancier than anything that he ever owned. The helmet, shoulder, forearm, shin, tail and knee plates were a polished steel. The leather boots and gloves were a rich brown. The black padded shirt and pants were a light and soft cotton. A rich leather belt, with brass scabbard hooks and buckle was also included. A fine mesh chain-mail shirt, made from a silvery metal he had never seen before, glittered light diamonds. He had never seen links so small.

However, all of that paled in comparison, when he saw that coat of arms on the white, cloth, jerkin. To his surprise, it was Knight Captain Gleaming Shield's cutie mark embroidered on it.

“What...?” he blinked. “So just not her ring... but I'm her chosen champion as well?” He heaved a heavy sigh. “Well... best get dressed.”

He undressed, putting his clothes into the wardrobe. He, sadly, also had to take his freedom off, as it wouldn't fit under his helmet.

He donned his armour. It fit remarkably well and was really light. He had a feeling that the Princes weren't really honest with him when they told him that they had their armourer “assemble” the pieces for him.

Once he was dressed, he hooked his sword, with its half scabbard, onto the belt. He then sat on the bench, and waited for the trumpets.

He didn't have to wait long.

His heart was beating loudly as he donned his helmet, and exited out the door leading to the courtyard.

Gust and the other knights were greeted by the cheering crowd of all the species of Equestria, sitting above them on circular wooden stands.

All the Knights walked to the center of the courtyard, and stood shoulder in two lines of eight, horizontally. They faced the Royal box, where Prince Eventide, Celestial, Lunar, Knight Captain Shield , Lady Spines, and two others, which Gust assumed were Eventide's and Gleaming's parents.