It took about a week before Silver felt like he was fully recovered from his fight with Nightmare Moon, which he found out was Princess Luna. In the back of his mind he was now glad that the mares intervened when they did; if they didn't, Celestia might not have a sister anymore. While Silver was recovering, he was convinced by Princess Celestia to return to Ponyville to train, even though he had planned to train himself in the underground caves below the castle like he had done in the past. He appreciated what his mother figure was trying to do for him. After all she was the only person, or pony, to take care of him. Twilight and her new friends were really happy to hear that he'd be coming back to Ponyville. Silver however just wanted to get this month over and done with so that he could find a place where no one knew him and live his life out in peace.
Before leaving the castle, he made sure to transform back into a unicorn. While Twilight and her friends still accepted him for who he was, Silver still believed that the rest of Equestria might not. Upon returning to library in Ponyville, he and Twilight came up with a training regiment to help him. Three days a week, he would help out Applejack on her farm or Rarity without gem hunting; on the other three days he would spar with Rainbow Dash; with the final day would be recovery and meditation out by Fluttershy's cottage. Silver reluctantly agreed knowing that the mares just wanted to help. "These mares are going make it difficult for me to leave when this is all said and done. Troublesome mares." Silver thought as he headed downstairs to his room. "This is going to be a long month."
Thirty days have passed since Silver began training to fight his master and the training went better than he expected. His spars and speed training with Rainbow Dash; the strength training with Applejack and Rarity; and his meditation out by Fluttershy's cottage, Fluttershy's calming aura greatly helped, he now felt like he could finally beat his master. As the month flew by he actually grew to like these mares especially Twilight and Applejack.
While the inquisitive nature of the purple unicorn was apparent in her constantly asking for information on the humans and the world he came from, she was always there to offer advice to help him improve. Silver couldn't tell her much about the humans where he came from; being that Celestia rescued him when he was young. He was able to tell a little bit about the human magic or jutsu as the humans called it. He explained to Twilight that the jutsu used chakra which was made by molding physical and spiritual energy in the human body. While living with her over the past month he came to see her as a younger sister, one where he could talk to about anything and also tease her about her quirks.
Applejack on the other hand, brought out different emotions that he had to suppress. Her hard work and honest nature had stuck a cord with Silver. It was Applejack's close family ties that really brought the initial crush that Silver had on the mare back in full force. He was invited to dinner by the orange mare after one of the days he'd helped her on the farm and it was during dinner that he saw just how close she was with her family. The closeness of Applejack's family did bring a small bit of sadness to Silver, but watching her interact with her family, especially with her younger sister Applebloom, that he couldn't help but think what kind of mare friend she would be, if he decided to stay in Ponyville.
It was the day before Silver's fight with his sensei and the white unicorn was packing a few things before he headed out to the place outside of Ponyville where the fight was going to take place. He wanted to be alone before the fight to get his mind clear plus he enjoyed sleeping outside. After getting his things together, he headed upstairs to the main area of the library where Twilight was getting things set up for the sleep over she had planned for the evening. Silver couldn't help but chuckle at Twilight as she was going over her check list as he entered the main area of the library. Silver slowly made his way Twilight, "Ready for tonight?"
"Mmhmm," She responded not taking her eyes off of her checklist as she made her way around the library.
"Remember, I'll be at the same field Dash and I spar at."
"Ok," Twilight replied as she checked off a few things on her list.
Deciding to leave the lavender mare alone as she dashed around the library getting everything ready, Silver decided to head for the door. "Just remember to have fun tonight," he said over his shoulder as he exited the library.
The sun was starting to set as Silver exited the library. Looking around he could see most of the ponies in town were heading home for the day. Silver sighed, he knew that Twilights friends would be heading to the library soon and he had hoped to get a chance to talk to Applejack before he headed to the place where he would fight his sensei. Not seeing the pony he wanted to talk to, Silver made his way out an open field on the outskirts of Ponyville that boarded the Everfree forest. He looked around, making sure that nopony was around, he transformed back into his human form. Forming a cross hand sign, two copies of him appeared in front of him. One of them transformed back into his pony form and headed back to Ponyville. The other, slipped into a ready stance. The original cracked his knuckles and slipped into the same ready stance. Time for me to get some last minute training in. He thought as he and his clone prepared to spar.
Before entering Ponyville, Silver's clone henged again, this time into a small mouse as not to alert anyone to his presents. His orders were to stand guard and make sure that no one bothers Twilight or her friends tonight. Upon reaching the library, the clone could hear the muffled laughs of the girls. A smile came to is small to the clone as he was happy that Twilight and her friends were having a great time. After a few minutes of hanging around a bush in front of the library, the clone started his patrol around the building.
The next morning started early for the lonely human. Just before the sun rose, Silver was up and preforming his morning exercises. As the sun rose, the memories of his clone that guarded the library flooded into his mind. Nothing happened all night, which made the human smile. Upon finishing breakfast that he brought, Silver donned the same black gi he wore when we fought Nightmare Moon. He was thankful that Rarity was able to repair it after it got tore up after that fight. After preforming a couple of katas, he sat down under a tree to meditate. His sensei would be here within a couple of hours and he had to be at his best both physically and mentally if he was going to beat him.
A couple hours later, Silver heard familiar voice coming from behind him. The human stood up, dusted himself, prepared to greet everypony that showed up. Silver smiled Twilight and her friends, alongside Princess Celestia, and his sensei, Ironhoof approached the field of battle with two royal guard ponies flanking them. The human first bowed and greeted to the Princess, thanking her for this opportunity. Silver then greeted the Twilight and her friends. He then turned to the grey earth pony with a jet black mane and bowed to him, "Ironhoof-sensei is good to see you again."
"Same to you, Silver," as Ironhoof returned the bow, "I hope you have improved."
Silver nodded as the two walked from the group into the open field. Twilight and her friends were curious to see the human in action, Rainbow Dash especially. Even though the two sparred, she figured he held back a bit, not wanting to hurt her even though she tried to get him to go all out.
The two combatants slipped into their stances as the sized each other up. After a couple of minutes, the human and the earth pony charged each other. It was a flurry of fists and hooves as each other blocked and dodged each other attacks, each looking for an opening in each other's style. No matter how hard he tried, Silver couldn't break through his sensei's guard. Silver's leg shot out at Iron's forelegs, forcing him to jump back. This gave Silver a chance to put a little distance between him and his sensei.
"Well done Silver," slipping back into his stance, "both Lily and Mirror would be proud of you." Silver froze at the mention of those two names, the names of two ponies who he failed to protect. Seeing the opening, Ironhoof charged forward and delivered a thundering kick to Silver's midsection, causing the human to fly back into a tree near to where Princess Celestia and the six young mares stood. Ironhoof sighed, "How many times have I told you? You got to keep you mind clear during a fight. Others will use your past to their advantage against you."
Silver Mail spat up blood as he slowly rose to his feet. Wiping the blood from his mouth, Silver gave his sensei a hardened glare, "You're right. I still can't let go my past failures and I don't know if I ever will. I am, however using it to push myself past my limits." Silver took a deep breath and changed his stance with is right with his right arm extended with his palm facing inwards and his left arm behind his back, "To surpass you and everyone else expectations of me."
Ironhoof smiled, "Finally I got some fire out of you and it looks like you've learned another style. Now let's see it in action." The two reengaged. This time, both of them started landing shots on one another. Silver was taking most of the damage and he knew he had to end this quickly. Taking advantage of a small opening, Silver was able to get his foot underneath Iron's guard and send him into the air. Silver was then able to combo that with an axe kick to his sensei's back sending back to the ground. Silver returned to his ready stance, waiting for his sensei to get up. He was surprised when Ironhoof started laughing.
"You win Silver, congratulation." Ironhoof said slowly trying to get up, blood coming out of the corner of his mouth.
A smile crept upon the bruised and battered human's face as he bowed to his sensei before heading over and helping him up. Twilight and her friends cheered as Silver and Ironhoof slowly made their way back over to them. Silver made his way over to the Princess and bowed deeply. Celestia could only smile at the human she brought to this world, "Silver, I hear by grant your request and release you from the duties of the royal guard."
"It was an honor, Princess." Silver replied relieved that now he can leave and live out his life in peace.
Silver walked over to the mares that came along and thank them for their help this past month. "There is one more thing," Celestia spoke up causing Silver to turn around. The Princess motioned to the two guards to approach. The guards brought over a blue box that had three symbols of the Elements of Harmony of the left and right side of the box with a star on the front. Silver recognized the star immediately from some of the scrolls he got from Nareth. The star represented the five different elements that a human could use. "I wish to offer you the title of Guardian of the Elements, Silver. You have proven today that you have the strength to protect both the bearers and the Elements themselves. Like the Guardians that have come before you," as Celestia levitated the box over to Silver.
Silver and the 6 bearers of Harmony were stunned by this. Silver, because he knew from reading some of the old scrolls from Nareth that it was the second highest honor to be chosen as the Guardian. The six mares on the other hand had never heard of such a thing.
Twilight spoke up, "I've never read anywhere about a Guardian of the Elements, Princess." Of course she hadn't. They only recently found out that humans existed in Equestria prior to the unification.
"Before Luna and I took up the Elements, there has always been two unicorns, pegasus, and earth ponies that made up the wielders of the Elements of Harmony. Along with the six ponies, a strong, honorable human was chosen to protect the wielders." Celestia replied.
Silver continued to stare at the box. "Is this the real reason to bring me here Princess?" As he looked up from the box.
Princess Celestia shook her head, "No, the real reason was still to see if your kind can come back here. Your kind, honorable, and strong spirit is why I am offering this position to you."
Silver looked down at the box then to the six mares. "I guess I won't be going anywhere now. Not that I mind it. These mares are nice and who knows maybe I can get a date with Applejack." Silver thought as he went down on one knee. "Princess it would be an honor."
Celestia smiled as the other mares cheered and gathered around him.
"I reckon y'all be staying around here then." Applejack spoke up.
"You know what this calls for, A Party." Pinkie said while jumping around.
Silver couldn't help but laugh. He couldn't help but think that he made the right decision. Walking over to the tree where he placed his saddle bag the night previous, he removed his bracelet from the bag and slapping it on his wrist; turning him back into his unicorn form. Tucking the box into his saddle bag, Silver rejoined the group as the Princess, Ironhoof, and the two guards were about to leave.
The seven of them watched them leave after thanking the Princess and Ironhoof again. The group headed off back to Ponyville to celebrate. Unbenounced to them there was another present at the fight. A cloaked unicorn watched everything from the Everfree Forest. "You've grown strong master." The cloaked pony said softly with an evil grin, "My plan is almost ready. I need you master to get a little bit stronger now then everything will be perfect."