This is an Original story that takes place in a Rule63 version of Equestria. It features my Original characters, and gender-bent versions of MLP characters.

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As Gleaming left the room, Nurse Hope walked in.

“Why was Knight Captain Shield here?” She asked as she approached Gust's bedside.

“She was simply checking on her Champion.” De Poet answered. “Making certain he wasn't injured too seriously.”

Nurse Hope nodded. She gently placed a hand on Gust's shoulder and shook him. “Sir
Gust?”

Gust murmured and opened his eyes slowly. “Nurse Hope?”

“How do you feel?” She asked kindly. “Is your headache gone? Any soreness? Stiffness?”

Gust sat up in his bed. “Uh... no. I'm feeling much better.”

She used her magic to scan him as she used her fingers to press gently on his shoulder and on the side of his head. “Hm. Any tenderness?”

Gust shook his head no. “No.”

“Fair enough.” She nodded, seemingly satisfied. “I hereby declare you medically fit. You are free to continue with the contest.”

Gust smiled at that. “Awesome.” He blinked as he spotted De Poet. “Hey Mama. Have you been here the whole time?”

De Poet quirked her eyebrow. “Of course I have, Silly Kitten.”

Gust chuckled. “Oh.”

“You can dress yourself in your armor, Sir Gust.” Nurse Hope said. “I'll let Prince Eventide know of your condition.” She nodded and left the room.

De Poet stood and kissed his nose. “Good luck in the semifinals, Kitten.” She smiled and left the room as well.

Gust stood up and removed his pajamas and folded them, placing them on the bed. He then dressed in his armor, placing his sword back on his bed. He then made his way out of the medical tent, and back into the courtyard. As he entered, the crowd erupted in cheers and Rom trills.

He walked over to the other Knights. Much to his dismay, Princess Blueblood was still in the contest. The other two Knights, a female Pegasus, and a tall Bull (not the same one that smashed his Ocarina), also stood next to him in Rank. He stood next to the bull as they faced the Royal box.

Prince Eventide stood up. The crowd fell silent. He looked at the remaining Knights, pausing as he looked at Gust. “Sir Gust, it is good to see you well.”
Gust placed his right fist on his chest, and bowed.

The Prince nodded. “Welcome, Knights, to the Semifinals of the Knight Contest.” He clapped his hand. This time, two wholes opened and two platforms rose up. “Sir Gust? Sir Bulk? You are to spar on platform 2.” He looked at Princess Blueblood and the female Pegasus. “Princess Blueblood? Duchess Cloud? Platform 1.”

Gust and... Bulk walked over to their platform. Gust nodded at Dusk. He then turned and faced Bulk.

“For this round, Knights, you are to disarm your opponent.” The Prince explained. “You are to only strike your opponent's weapon. Any strike on their body will be a strike against you. Three strikes and you forfeit.” He nodded. “By disarming, you are to attempt to knock their weapon from their hand. You are not to attempt to break their weapon. If that does happen, you will forfeit the match.”

Gust let out a long breath and drew his sword. Bulk drew what appeared to be a hand and half... broadsword, and ended in a diamond shaped... mace. Sure, Bulk was bigger and taller then he was... but that didn't bother him.

He saluted with his sword to Bulk. Bulk returned to the salute.

“Knights... at the bell, you may begin.” Prince Eventide announced.

The brass bell rang out. The crowd started cheering. Again.

Bulk wasted no time as he rushed at Gust. He was wielding his sword-mace in both hands over his head. Gust waited for the the downswing. As Bulk got close enough, he swung down. Gust simply sidestepped the attack. Bulk's weapon slammed into the platform, sending splinters of wood everywhere. Gust swung his sword down as hard as he could just at the hilt of Bulk's weapon.

Bulk grunted, but held onto his weapon. He lifted it, and using his right hand, swung it at Gust's sword. Gust used both his hands to block the attack with the flat of the blade.

He grunted as the two swords met. He pivoted his sword, and drove Bulk's sword down to the platform. He then did a backwards somersault to get out of Bulk's reach.

The crowd 'ooh'd' at his acrobatics.

Gust landed on his feet, just as Bulk got to his. Bulk looked shocked at just how nimble Gust was. He snorted and seemed to readjust his assumptions about the catter.

Gust rushed the bull. Bulk readied his weapon, holding it at a 45 degree angle with both hands. Gust struck at Bulk's sword-mace quickly. So quickly, his arms and weapon appeared as a blur.
Bulk grunted as his grip began to wain. Growing frustrated, he countered with a horizontal swipe, catching Gust's sword, and knocking Gust backwards.

Gust fell to his left knees.

Bulk bellowed ans raised his sword-mace above his head and brought is down towards Gust's raised sword.

As Bulk's sword-mace connected with Gust's sword... the catter's blade cracked and shattered into small shards and splinters.

“Sir Bulk, you are disqualified!” Dusk shouted as the crowd fell silent.

Gust was in shock as he held the handle to his broken sword in his left hand. “My... mother's sword...”

Dusk was quick to Gust's side. “Gust...” he whispered.

Gust simply shook his head no repeatedly. “Nononono... please... not my sword.” He looked at Dusk, tears forming in his eyes. “Dusk... fix it. Please. You have to fix it...” he handed the hilt to him. “Please... please...”

Dusk looked at the hilt. It was cracked down the side. “Gust... I don't think I can.”

De Poet appeared next to her son. “Gust... come with me. Come on, Kitten.” She lifted him up by his right arm, and carried/pulled him towards his changing-room.

Gust called out “Please! Dusk!”

As the Catter disappeared into his change room, Dusk examined the the broken shards. He barely heard the other safety officer call Blueblood as the other victor. He was focused on Gust's sword. It was strange. His blade was made of Damascus steel. It shouldn't have shattered like... glass.
He barely noticed that Prince Eventide had joined him silently.

“I have never seen a sword... break like that.” He admitted to Dusk.

“It shouldn't have, Prince.” Dusk said. “Not without...” He looked at Bulk's sword-mace as the bull stood next the ring awkwardly. “Sir Bulk. Give me your sword.”

Sir Bulk walked over to him. “Here.”

Dusk looked at Eventide. “Prince... could you scan this weapon?”

“What am I looking for, Dusk?” The Prince asked as Dusk held the weapon in both his hands towards him.

“Any magic aside from the safety spell.” Dusk answered.

Eventide nodded and used his magic to scan the blade. He blinked after a few seconds. “I Do sense two spells on this weapon. One is the safety spell. The other... is a metal-glass enchantment.”

He turned looked at Sir Bulk. “Guards. Bring Sir Bulk to his change-room. He is to remain there until further notice.” He then waved for another guard to come over.

Two guards ran over to Sir Bulk. They then lead him to his change-room. The third guard joined Eventide on the platform.

“Take that weapon from Officer Dusk, and place it in the armory.” The Prince said as Dusk handed the weapon over to the Guard. “Do not let it touch anything metal.”

The Guard took the weapon, and bowed. “Yes, My Prince.” He quickly left the courtyard.

Eventide turned his attention to back to Dusk. “Can... you do anything for Gust? He was devastated.”

“This sword was his mothers. His birth mothers. It is all that he had left of her.” He sighed. “I will see what I can do.” He pulled a leather bag out of his belt, and gathered up the shards. He then stood up and spread his wings. He took off, heading towards his forge.

Meanwhile, De Poet were sitting on the bench in her son's locker-room. Gust was beside himself in grief as he took off his armor in frustration.

“Mama...” He whimpered. “I... my sword...”

“I know, Kitten.” De Poet said, trying to comfort her grieving son. “I know how much that sword means to you.”

“I...” He fell silent as he as he ripped open his wardrobe and dressed himself in his Rom clothing.

“I know, Kitten. I know...” She sighed sadly. “Come here.” She said as she patted her lap. “You're angry, upset, and feeling overwhelmed. Let me help you.”

Gust walked over to the bench and laid down on his back, placing his head on De Poet's comfortable lap. The mare started stroking his hair, trying to ease his emotions.
Meanwhile, at Dusk's forge, the black horse worked with the curtains closed. He didn't want any peeping eyes. However, that changed as until Lily and Shimmer walked in.

“Dusk...” Shimmer said. “Can you do anything to fix his sword?”

“I can shape it into something new. Use the pieces and forge a new blade and hilt.” Dusk said as he lit his coals. “But remake it?” He shook his head as he removed his Safety officer's jacket, and pulled on his blacksmith coat. “That's impossible. Even for me.”

He began his work, using the cracked hilt and shards to make his Brother a new sword.

A few hours later, Lily walked into her brother's change-room. She saw her mother with Gust's head on her lap.

“Gust? Mother?” She said.

Gust sat up, his eyes red from crying. “Huh? Lily?”

“Yes, Dear?” De Poet asked.

“Dusk requests that you come to his forge.” Lily said. “He has something to show you.”

Gust and De Poet stood up, and followed Lily out of the room. They walked through the castle yard, and though the gate. She lead them up the midway to Dusk's forge. She pulled the flap to the forge open, letting De Poet and Gust inside. She followed.

Gust blinked as he saw Dusk and Shimmer standing inside.

Dusk was holding a sword. It was shaped like a cutlass, but the back spine was straight. The blade was also dark grey and had stylized etchings on it. The hilt and handle were brass, and wrapped in a brown leather.

“What...” Gust said. “What is that?”

“I created a sword for you, Gust, using the pieces from you mother's sword.” Dusk explained. “It was the only way to save it.”

“It's Damascus.” Gust said. “Just like my old sword.

Dusk nodded as he held it towards Gust. “It is. I had to use a special flux and and other materials to remove the shattering spell. Also, it's due to the heat treating process I used. ”

The catter picked the sword up, and examined it. “Whoa... it's so light and well balanced. It fits my hand a lot better then my old one...” He looked at the hilt and noticed that didn't have a hand guard, but it fit his hand mush more comfortably. “I...”

“You're conflicted.” Dusk nodded. “It's okay to be.”

Gust nodded and looked at Shimmer. “You gave me my mother's sword...”

She walked over to him and smiled as she placed her hands on his shoulders. “It kinda still is. All the pieces are there, just... in a different shape.”

Gust sighed and nodded. “I know. I guess I'm just... going to have to get used to that...” He turned his head and looked back at Dusk. “Thank you, Dusk. It's a beautiful sword.”

“You are very welcome, Gust.” The dark Horse nodded. He handed Gust a new scabbard. “I'm just glad you like it. Here. This is your new scabbard.”

Gust sheathed his new sword and clipped it to his belt. “Wow. Thanks again, Dusk.”

“It is a very beautiful sword, Gust.” De Poet said. “Now we can properly celebrate you reaching the finals. Let's go back to camp. I'm certain the other Rom will want to celebrate with us.”

De Poet's Rom walked out of the forge, and headed back to their camp.

Gust noticed that all the Rom, and the Princes, in their disguises, were standing in his families camp. They were all looking sullen. That is, until Blaze looked at the sword on his hip.
“Gust...” He said in shock and awe. “Is... that...”

Gust and his family stopped walking as they reached their fire. Gust drew his new/old sword and held it up for all the Rom to see.

They gasped in unison.

Gust lowered his sword to his side. “Dusk...” He glanced at his brother, and then looked back at Blaze. “He... used the pieces from my sword, and other metal and reforged it. Made it into... something new.” He thought for a second. “I guess he made it into a hybrid... just like me.”

Blaze smiled. “Well, it certainly is an impressive sword.” He nodded his approval. “So now, we have two reasons to celebrate tonight.”

The catter nodded. “Heh. I guess we do.”

The Rom dispersed to start the party. A group of Rom started cooking fires and began cooking food for all the bands. Another group of Rom cleared, and set up a large dancing square. Other went and gathered their instruments, and chairs, to form a band to play music.

Gust, still feeling a little overwhelmed from all the events that happened today, sat on the log by his Mother's caravan. As he did, he examined his new sword. He always knew that Dusk was a skilled smith, but he was always surprised by his level of skill. Most other smiths, yes even some Rom, would have told him to get a new sword. Start fresh. Dusk, on the other hand, was the only smith that he knew of that could manage to create a new sword, using the pieces from his old one.

“Gust...” His mother giggled.

Gust snapped put of his reverie and looked at De Poet, who had managed to sit next to him without him realizing. “Huh. Oh. Hi Mama.”

“I know you're fascinated with you new sword. I am as well.” She said as she gave him a sideways hug around his shoulders. “It's very pretty. However, the other Rom are waiting for you to join them.”

Gust blinked. “Oh. Okay.” He stood up and walked into his caravan. He sheathed his sword, and hung it up on its wall hook. He then went outside and joined the others so that they could celebrate his victory of making it to the finals.

Gust and his family spent the next 3 hours eating, dancing, and talking with the other Rom bands. All of the gathered Rom congratulated Gust on making it to the Finals of the Knights Contest. They also congratulated him and Dusk on such a fine, and unique replacement sword for his old one. Some had expressed their hopes that he gives Princess Blueblood a proper trouncing.

He smiled and nodded and then went to ask Blaze and Night as to why Blueblood was so poorly thought of by not only the Rom, but by his… 52 times removed Uncles as well.

“It’s because her Title of Princess is misleading.” Blaze explained. “In Equestria only Alicorns are considered to be Princes. Eventide, us, and Prince Cadent are true princes. Blueblood…” He sighed, “Isn’t, and never will be, an Alicorn. The reason why she’s even called a Prince is to avoid confusion.”

“To avoid confusion?” Gust asked.

“Yes.” Blaze nodded. “Technically, she’s a Duchess. And she would be called Duchess Blueblood, but, as I said, he is related to us.” He shrugged. “So, she tends to throw her weight around a little more than she should.”

“Okay… but why do the Rom and you dislike her?” Gust asked again.

“She abuses his title and uses it to demean and belittle all those whom she considers to be beneath her.” Night answered. “So, other then us Princes… that’s everyone.”

“So… I guess she isn’t too happy with a Rom being in the finals fighting her?” Gust asked innocently.

“I would imagine so.” Blaze nodded sadly. “I would also imagine, that if you should win, she will protest the result.”
Gust’s eyes went wide. “Okay. Now I get it.”

“What you should be getting, is to bed.” De Poet said as she hugged him from behind. “Go on, Kitten.”

Gust giggled and rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mama.”

Gust bid goodnight to his family, and headed into his mother’s caravan. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out.

The next morning, Gust found himself roused out of bed by Shimmer. He ate his breakfast and made his way back to the castle grounds. The Knights at the gate saluted him, and allowed him to enter without any issue.

He then made his way to his locker-room, and removed his Rom clothing, and dressed in his armor. As he was pulling his padded undershirt on, he noticed that it had been washed from the day before. Good thing too, as he had worked up quite the sweat yesterday.

Once he was finished getting dressed, aside from his helmet, he secured his new sword and harness to hi belt, and then sat on the bench, waiting for the Royal trumpets.

He didn’t have to wait long. Again.

He placed his helmet on his head, and walked out of his room and into the courtyard/arena. Prince Blueblood did the same, except, well, she wasn’t wearing a helmet. Now that Gust thought about it, the Princess hadn’t worn a helmet for the entire tournament.

He mentally laughed. The pompous pony probably didn’t want to mess up her mane.

The crowd cheered and twilled as the two final knights made their way to in front of the Royal Box.

Prince Eventide stood up and the crowd fell silent.

“Princess Blueblood. Sir Gust of the Rom. Congratulations on making it to the Finals of the Knights Contest.”

The Prince clapped his hands twice, and a single platform raised up. Gust blinked. Surprisingly, Dusk wasn’t the safety officer.

Gust made his way onto the platform. As did Princess Blueblood.

He turned and faced the pony. He blushed as he got a good look at her. If she wasn’t such a… Royal pain to the Rom, he would have found her really attractive. He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts.

“Now, My Good Knight and Princess-“ Eventide began to say, but stopped as Dusk suddenly appeared beside him.

The crowd started murmuring as the two whispered.

Gust noticed that Princess Blueblood started to look more and worried the more they whispered to one another, and even more so when Celestial and Lunar joined them.

After a few minutes of whispering, Prince Celestial looked down at Blueblood. “Princess Bloodblood, you are hereby disqualified from this Tournament.” He looked at Gust. “Sir Gust? You are the winner-“

“What?!” Blueblood yelled. “I demand to know why!”

“Oh, but of course.” Celestial nodded. “I was going to do this privately, however, I will do so know at your request.” He cleared his throat. “You tampered with Bulk's weapon, enchanting it to break Sir Gust’s sword. You also paid off several other knights to allow you to win, thus guaranteeing your placement in the Finals.”

“You did all that?” Gust asked in shock.

Blueblood looked at him and smiled. “I did. Yes. But Blueblood didn’t.” There was a flash of green light, and Blueblood became a Changeling.

“A Changeling?” Gleaming gasped “But… we are at peace with your Queen.”

“I made no such peace.” It hissed. “My plan was to capture you, Knight Captain. However…” He looked at Gust “The love this boy has… is delicious. I must have him.”

“Uh… no.” Gust shook his head. “I’m happy staying with my family, thanks.”

The Changeling hissed and faster than anyone could react, had Its sword drawn, and had struck Gust’s helmet. A crack formed as the catter’s right eye was slashed.

Gust fell to his knees as he grabbed his right eye, trying to stem the bleeding.


Dusk threw several throwing daggers and struck the Changeling in the neck, shoulder and knees, crippling It. It fell to its knees as two of Eventinde's Knights descended on it, and clapped Its wrists in irons.

The changeling hissed in laughter as it was dragged away from him by several guards. “Now no one will love you, Rom!”

At the same moment, Gleaming jumped out of the Royal Box and was next to Gust in a heartbeat. Gust felt her magic envelope his cut.