//------------------------------//
// Recruitment  
// Story: Ponies of two Worlds 
// by Golden Paw 
//------------------------------//

        Night Blade followed the group silently for about fifteen minutes before they finally came to a stop. It was in a high class district of Canterlot and surprised Blade, they didn’t seem the type to be mixing with the high and mighty ponies of Equestria. Still here they were, the band of four stallions had found their way to the service pony's entrance of a gentlepony's club called 'The Stallion's Rest'.

        His mind abuzz, Blade settled down on a nearby rooftop and put the sensative ears life had given him to good use. Tuning out the other sounds of the night, Blade soon picked out the heavy knocks and peered into the alley below with keen interest.

        "Oh it's you three, found your friend I notice," It was typical of the high society accents found in the capital, all nasal and condescending.

        "This is the stallion that was shooting his mouth off at the party a few days ago. We said we could help him get back in the good books of ponies what matter," Buster informed the door keeper.

        Blade could hear Frost’s heartbeat quicken, see the nervous way he pawed at the ground and almost felt sorry for him. A taste of the high life was all Frost had been looking for, not clandestine meetings at the back of social clubs with burly ponies who could floor him with one buck to the chest.

After a tense moment the pony behind the door seemed to reach a conclusion. "Indeed, bring him in." 

        Night Blade waited until the four ponies had entered the club before acting. With deft and skilful movements that age hadn't dulled, he touched down lightly on the roof of the Stallion's Rest. Still making no sound, Blade crept along and so stealthy that he past a nearby nest without waking a sleeping black bird within.

        Pressing his ear against the tiles Blade listened intently. It was distorted but he could pick out the target voices among the background sound of chatter. At a guess there could be no more than ten ponies in the building at this late hour.

        "....he's a what?" This was a new voice that Night Blade hadn't heard before. This one carried the same refinement of the door pony, only it dripped with smothering layers of self importance.

        "They said he is a sculptor who does commissions for the palace and other important events. He could be what we are looking for ‘Sir’." Ah door pony again, Night Blade nodded to himself.

        "I see. But does he have enough access? The guards will be keeping a closer eye on him in the future surely?" Was the doubtful reply. There was a pregnant pause before ‘Sir’ spoke again, "Oh very well we can work around that. Bring him here I want a good look at him before we go any further."

"As you say sir," 'Door’ responded and Blade could almost imagine him bowing to this ‘Sir’ character before shuffling off to get Frost.

        Adjusting his ear against the tiles, Blade caught the sound a door opening, which was quickly followed by hesitant hoof falls. Night Blade shifted his weight to a more comfortable position and so intent was he on what he was hearing that he didn't notice the blackbird had finally discovered this strange pony on its home turf.

        "Here he is sir," Door announced and Night Blade thought he could hear Clear Frost trembling from here.

"Oh hello, it's good to meet you Mr?" Frost’s weak greeting filtered through and Blade tensed.

        To his disappointment Sir simply asked a question of his own, "So you're the one who caused such a ruckus at the party then? Those were some very disrespectful things you said about Luna and her soldiers."

        “Come on, I want a name….” Night Blade mumbled under his breath but who ever Sir was they weren’t the sharing type it seemed.

"I erm yes, I did and I am very sorry about th......" Frost’s explanation was cut off by a harsh laugh.

        "Oh my good stallion, there is no need to be shy about it!" Sir announced, "We believe in an open door policy here. We give a listening ear where any pony can speak their mind without reprimand. We firmly believe in free speech and all that. I was congratulating you on seeing what most ponies around here appear to have missed."

"Pardon?" Frost asked, the confusion growing in his voice.

        Sir continued in an encouraging way. "You seem to be a stallion that has the right idea about the current situation in Canterlot."

        "Sorry what situation?" Frost’s bewilderment was palpable.

        "Why the trouble caused by the return of Luna and the upsetting of how things have been run for the last thousand years. Why, the fact that low life ruffians like the Night Guard are being given so much leeway. It’s blatantly obvious they can't be trusted," Night Blade could hear the loathing tone present in Sir's statement and fought the urge to grind his teeth.

        Sir continued, "I understand that you were a guest of the Night Princess and her band of miscreants only a little while ago, just for voicing your feelings about Luna.  From other reports I hear the Night Guard treat ponies in their 'care’ very badly."

        Despite himself, Night Blade bristled at this. Ponies could have their own prejudices and welcome, but what got under his skin was when they tried to force those views onto others or simply assumed everypony thought that way.

Blade reigned in his temper before Frost responded, his own voice now doubtful, "Well they did use some very strange interrogation on me while I was there."

Blade reluctantly admitted that the Night Guard had some unorthodox methods (Swift Star being a case in point) but they never crossed the line. The Night Guard under princess Luna's specific instructions were showing themselves to be a valued and supportive part of law enforcement. Night Blade came down very heavily on any soldier that was caught acting out of order.

        "There, you've experienced what I mean first hoof," Sir said with relish and Blade could practically ‘hear’ the devilish grin on his muzzle, "So we have a small proposition for you, one that could be very lucrative. Also once things are back to the correct way of being run we would be able to help you further in return."

        Night Blade felt his eyes grow wide, yet despite his surprise he kept his body still and his ear pressed against the rough tiles. His gut had been right, there was something rotten here that needed to be uncovered. He’d guessed there was some unrest but to think…..

        Blade felt the plucking of his tail hairs and had to stifle a yelp. Spinning around he saw a small blackbird with an innocent look in its eyes. It had several strands from Blade’s tail in its beak. With a hiss of anger, Blade attempted to shoo the thief away with a hoof before the incensed blackbird leaped up and flapped its wings at him in irritation.

        Missing all of what was said below, the brief scuffle between equine and avian only ended once Night Blade had to put some distance between him and the bird's nest. Snorting in annoyance Night Blade began to listen in once again.

        "........ike you to think about it my white coated friend. It could be of great advantage to you."  Sir appeared to be finishing up and Night Blade cursed the poor timing of the interruption.

        Clear Frost's voice had taken on a very thoughtful tone as he replied, "I can see what you mean and you can assure me that no pony will be hurt right?"

        "Of course, that's the last thing anypony wants," Sir added smoothly, "I'll admit it's a little dangerous so we will throw in a few more bits for your trouble. We will be indebted to you and we always pay our debts. I'll give you some time to think things over, but don't take too long my friend." The mysterious stallion finished.

        Oh bat droppings and fungus hooves, it looked like Night Blade had missed something vital. Muttering a few words he wouldn't repeat in polite company, Night Blade pressed his ear harder against the roof while keeping a wary eye on the bird's nest. The blackbird stared smugly back at him (A very hard expression to pull off with only a beak, but this bird managed it) still clutching its new nesting material.

        "Very good, my butler will see you out. Thank you for lending me an ear on this and I hope that you will see the wisdom of helping us," Sir added before evidently letting Clear Frost depart.

        There were further sounds of hoofsteps and then the final thump of a closing door. After a few moments there was some background chatter that Night Blade couldn't make out followed by the sound of the door opening once again.

        "Are you sure this is wise Sir? I mean he didn't seem the reliable type and I don't think his heart is really in it. Plus as you said the guards will already be suspicious of him won’t they?" Door’s worried voice could be heard.

        Sir replied with relish dripping from every syllable, "That is the whole point. One must use disposable assets in their proper way and when he has served his purpose we will need a fall pony." This was given with a mirthless chuckle that turned even Night Blade's seasoned heart to ice. A pony that thought like that was capable of anything in his opinion.

"But surely that will lead the investigations right back here if this Clear Frost talks?" Door asked with genuine concern.

        This just spawned another uncaring laugh from 'Sir'. "Now you begin to understand, I feel this little hovel will outlive its usefulness soon as well. Besides it's best to lead the soldiers on a merry dance chasing leads that go nowhere and should things not work out as we planned then we will be long gone. If the watch come sniffing around here it will ruffle even more feathers, the resulting unrest will all help our cause in the end."
 
"I see sir," Door’ replied, the awe evident in his voice.

        Night Blade waited for a little longer but the talk had moved on to other less important things. Judging that no more was going to be gained here, he moved like a wraith across the roof and, after sparing one final glare for the blackbird, spread his wings and took off into the sky.  Despite all he’d heard Blade knew he would need more proof before he could bring anything solid against anypony. Fortunately he had just the stallion in mind.





        Clear Frost felt utterly lost. He had to admit that the offer was very appealing. Maybe he’d been far too ready to call it all quits? He held no real enmity to Luna or the Night Guard but that was a lot of bits, oh the things he could do with that kind of money. The thoughts kept bouncing around in his head and his resolve to get out while he could was crumbling.

        Clear Frost had just reached his own front door for what he hoped was the final time that night when there was a tap on his shoulder. Startled, he spun around only to find there was nopony there. Confused, Frost looked back to his door and saw a pair of slitted turquoise eyes regarding him coldly. Yelping, he jumped back and lost his footing on the front step and fell painfully onto his rump. Sergeant Night Blade was hanging upside down from the roof above and grinning like a cat who’s just found a lame mouse.

        "Ah Mr Frost, I think we have found the best way for you to fulfil your community service," One moment Blade was before him, the next he was beside Frost and placing a companionable wing over his shoulders, “I think it would be best if you were to follow me.”

        “I er, it’s very late and I could do with….” Frost began only for Blade’s mouth to stretch into a grin that showed off all his sharp teeth.

        “I insist Mr Frost. It will be for your own protection that you come with me now,” Blade added as he gave Frost an encouraging push.

        “My protection? Against whom?” Frost asked as he got back to his hooves. This night just keeps getting better and better, who’s next? A dragon?

        The grin vanished slowly and Blade’s eyes took on a dangerous light, “Right now Mr Frost, you are about two steps away from being arrested for treason. I take my duties to her highness very seriously and should you try to ‘disappear’ or stars forbid, enter into some kind of pact against our beloved Princess of the Night then you will quickly find out just how many of those ‘rumours’ about negasi are infact true.”

Frost gulped, there was a whole lot of things he’d heard about bat ponies and he certainly didn’t want to put even half of them to the test. “I thought you’d see things my way, now come with me and let’s see if we can’t find some way to help each other hmm?





“You know I’m almost expecting little hearts to drift off you and pop,” Swift Star mocked, but Shadow didn’t really hear her. Ignoring her little chuckle he instead drew miniature pictures of Applejack and the farm in his notebook.

        "You know that's not a proper use of force materials right? You'll have the book taken out of your pay if you keep that up," Swift added.

When he still didn’t rise to the bait Swift sidled around the desk and before Shadow could stop her had lifted the pad from the table, "Maybe we should slip this into the notes for the next squad briefing? It would certainly help us avoid the perils of farm mares and their potential to distract one from one's duty."

        Shadow simply smiled up at her as the universe danced in his heart, "Oh Luna save me from such a fate," She announced to the world in general.

        The sound of the main door opening drew Swift's attention away from the hopeless Shadow and to her surprise she saw Clear Frost standing there with a tired look in his eyes along with Night Blade who had a determined look in his own.

        "Good evening Sergeant, I see you have Frost with you again. Liked your stay so much you came back for a second?" Swift felt a tiny flash of dark delight as Frost shivered, "What's the news sir? Has this one been finding trouble again?"

        Night Blade shook his head, "No this time it seems trouble found him. In fact he's up to his neck in it and we're gonna fish him out, but until then he is our guest once again," Night Blade gave Swift Star a look that told her that she was not to bother Clear Frost this time. 

        "Clear Frost is an official guest Swift so take him to the sleeping quarters and assign him a bed. The poor stallion has been through a lot tonight and doesn't need any more excitement okay?" Night Blade said before his gaze fell upon Shadow Guard who was still sitting there with a dreamy look in his eyes.

        Swift gave him a little shrug, “For once sir I didn’t do it, honest.”

Blade raised a curious eyebrow before his expression hardened again, "Now I must go and speak with Princess Luna, she'll need to know what I have discovered." With that Night Blade, turned and headed out once more, leaving the nervous Clear Frost in the 'tender' care of Swift Star and the vacant Shadow Guard.

        The brisk canter to the royal apartments seemed to be longer each time Night Blade made it. It wasn’t that he felt old, just that he always seemed to make this particular journey with ill news. Though there were a number of official channels he was meant to go through to see the princess, Night Blade seldom used any of them.

        His was a complicated relationship. Though technically only a Sergeant, Blade knew that his true role in Luna’s service was far more than that: “Eye’s and ears good sir Night Blade,” Luna had said when she’d first called him into her personal study nearly a year ago.

        Blade passed several guards on his way down the richly decorated corridors and not one of them challenged him, “We have seen thy considerable talents sir Night Blade and One will see them used to their full potential. If One is to learn One’s place within Equestria again One will need to know far more than One currently does about how Equestria functions.” Blade reached the door to Luna’s study and paused only briefly before knocking smartly on the dark polished wood, “So thou shalt be my eyes and ears.”

        After being given permission to enter Night Blade stopped respectfully before Luna’s desk. Most ponies of Equestria didn't realize just how much work went into getting the night sky to look so beautiful each sunset but as Blade looked about the impressive collection of arcane tools and charts filling Luna’s study he thought he caught an inkling of just how much effort his Princess put in.

        He quickly bowed before Luna gave him a small smile, "Night Blade, thou knowest thou doth not need such formality with me." Luna snorted with irritation, "I mean: You know me, I don't want all that bowing stuff from the likes of you.”

        Night Blade nodded before he arose and saluted instead, "My Princess, there have been some developments that I thought you would like to know about as soon as possible."

“Formal and to the point my knight, do tell,” Luna raised an eyebrow.

"It concerns Clear Frost your Highness,” Blade added and Luna’s smile fell.

"Ah, this is the ruffian with a dirty mouth?" Luna's eyes took on a hard quality of anger and Night Blade was sure he heard the distant rumble of thunder, "What pray tell has the wretch done this time?"

        Night Blade was eager to calm his liege's anger, "It is not so much what he has done, but more of what has happened to him," Luna's face turned to one of concern.

        Night Blade went on to explain the events he had witnessed and heard that night. Luna listened with a dangerous calm now, it was well known that a number of ponies were not happy with her return.

        "I see, well that certainly puts a different face on things. Has Frost told you what they wanted of him or who they were?" Luna asked.

        "He only told us that they wanted him to smuggle something into the palace for them. They didn't tell him anything else. The pony he spoke of took great care not to reveal his identity." Night Blade reported, forming a mental picture of Clear Frost's description of the events within the 'Stallion's Rest': 

        The mysterious pony had been sitting in a large, high backed chair with the firelight behind him. Only a slight glint of his purple eyes was visible in the gloom. The only source of light in the room was the low burning fire place behind the chair 'Sir' had been sitting in. It was what I’d have have done in Sir’s position and wanted to remain anonymous.

“It was all very theatrical your highness, I suspect it was carefully staged for Frost and probably the others there,” A frown grew on Blade’s face, “I am sorry to report that we haven’t made much progress beyond that.”
 
"Indeed, and you think Clear Frost would help us?" Luna asked.

        "Well Clear Frost said he wanted to get onto the right side of the right ponies. I can't think of a better pony than yourself or Celestia," Blade assured Luna. She studied Balde for a while before nodding to herself, "Very well sir Night Blade we will come and talk with him," She motioned a hoof and Blade backed out of the study before holding the door for her. Luna smiled sadly as Night Blade realized he had bowed again despite Luna’s instructions and he gave her an embarrassed grin.

        Luna allowed Blade to lead her back through the corridors and into to a side room where Frost had been left after depositing his belongings in the barracks. Clear Frost stared wide eyed at her with a slight tremble in his lip and a terrified look in his eyes.

"Very good sir Night Blade, you and the others may leave now. I wish to talk with Clear Frost by myself." Luna spoke with calm and control, not at all with the angered voice used last time she addressed Clear Frost. Blade quickly ushered his fellow guards outside and with a final nod to Luna closed the door behind them.





As the soldiers made their way out, Luna's eyes never left Frost’s and he had the unpleasant feeling that Luna was ‘weighing’ him, assessing him like some produce for offer on a market stall.

        "Good sir Clear Frost. I think we need to talk for a bit. I just want to know more about you, I want to know what kind of pony you really are. The real you and not the deplorable pony you seemed when inebriated," Luna began in a friendly tone though with a slight hint of scolding.

        Frost felt his world sink, another room, more questions…. still all I can do is ride it out I guess. He told Princess Luna a bit about himself, his family, what he hoped for and his view on things that had happened over the last few days. She listened attentively and by the end of his explanation Luna was smiling widely. Frost wasn't sure if that was a good sign.

        Luna then told him of some of her own worries and hopes. She told him of what it was like to come back to Equestria after so much had changed. Of the great care Celestia had taken to help Luna work her way back and into her role as Princess of the Night. She said it was only fair that they be on an even footing with each other if there was going to be any level of trust between them.

        "Well Clear Frost, I think we can help each other do some good here in Canterlot. If you're willing I would have your aid in helping us find out what these other ponies are planning. I can promise you will be greatly rewarded and it will be a much more worthwhile reward than anything those trouble makers are offering."

        Frost looked up into Luna's eyes and saw the honesty there. She was doing her best to make up for things she had done wrong in a past before he or even his grandparents had been born. She was finding her way in the strange new world. The Princess of the Night was trying to do even better for Equestria than before. Clear Frost felt the promises he’d heard earlier that night sound more and more hollow and self centred.

        Most moving of all was that the princess was asking for his help, not ordering him as was her right as a Royal Princess of Equestria nor threatening him as the tyrant she had once been. Of the two choices he had been given, the offer from the princess was more far appealing. More than that Frost found that he trusted Luna, a trust which the mystery pony in the 'Stallion's Rest' had failed to earn.

        "Of course princess, I want to make up for messing up your welcome back party and to set things right," Clear Frost said with tenuous confidence.

        Luna nodded and called her Night Guard back into the room, then to Frost’s astonishment Luna knelt before him. He looked behind himself to check that Celestia hadn't appeared or something, no she really was kneeling before him.

        "Clear Frost, loyal subject. I promise you as your princess that I will aid you as you aid me in curing the bad feelings in Canterlot. I pledge my support to your cause as you do to mine. Together we can make Equestria better. This I do in front of these witnesses."

        "Princess....." Frost didn't know how to respond to this. He just stammered a small 'thank you', but after such a display of humility from Luna it felt woefully inadequate.

        Night Blade came to his aid, "Mr Clear Frost we would like to make you an honorary member of the Night Guard. You will be under oath and contract until such time as you are released from your duties. During your time working with us you will be afforded all the respect and rights as a servant of the crowns."

        All the ponies in the room including Luna saluted and Clear Frost, simple everyday Clear Frost, felt for the first time that he was actually worth something and little tears formed in his eyes. Clear Frost felt he could actually make a difference in a positive way and it dawned on him that this was all he had ever really wanted. Not the pomp and regard of those snobby ponies that came to the parties, but to truly make a difference. It was a similar feeling of satisfaction as when he put the final touches to a sculputre.

        This would be dangerous work but despite himself Clear Frost was looking forward to it. He would be helping the royal guard and Luna and in doing so helping Canterlot. Buoyed up by these feelings he saluted back and promised his support.

        After this was done there was much back slapping and encouragement. Clear Frost was lead out of the room and finally to a bed in the barracks. Thankful that he was able to get some rest, Frost curled up in the covers and settled into a happy sleep.

Luna and Night Blade were the last ponies to leave the sleeping quarters, holding back as the other guards went back to their duties. Ushering the final guard out, Night Blade closed the door to the barracks proper and turned to his princess with an awed look.

        "Well done your highness, I think you have gotten a new friend there," Night Blade said with approval. "Your skills at persuasion and manipulating ponies are a marvel to be seen." He commented with a glint in his eye.

        Luna looked to Night Blade again with a questioning glance, "You think I was just playing a role, an act? Putting on a show to win him over?" There was a reproving tone in Luna's voice.

        "Well I think you may have laid it on a little thick if you want me to speak frankly your majesty. The whole bowing part was all very well conceived," Night Blade told Luna in the honest way she encouraged.

        Luna took a chance to teach her sergeant an important lesson, "My faithful Night Blade, there is a time for honesty and a time for play acting. I truly meant every word and action from before. He is a humble little pony who deep down wants to do the right thing. I just helped nudge him in the direction his mind and heart were already taking him." 

        Luna fixed her soldier with a focused stare and a genuine smile, "Most important of all I meant every word in there and so I want you to personally make sure Clear Frost is safe. Being an informant for us will certainly be a dangerous role and I wouldn’t like to be made a liar by us failing in our promise. "

"You really think he will be up to the job?" Night Blade added with a dubious expression.

        Luna stopped and thought for a moment before answering, "I don't think we have a choice if we want to get to the bottom of all this,” Luna nodded to herself, “We’re committed now.”

        Luna nodded again as if to reassure herself, “I don't want to send Clear Frost into a dangerous situation, if it comes down to a chance for more information or his well being I know you will choose the right course.”

        Blade saluted, “Of course your highness, I will see it done.”