//------------------------------// // Chapter VII // Story: The Royal Guard // by Jacob562 //------------------------------// Thunder Clop slowly reached out a hoof to turn off the alarm. The took the blankets off and sat up in bed. What was that all about? He thought sitting there, massaging his temple. It had not been the first time he had dreams of Luna, but this time was different... more vivid than before. It was as if she had really been there, that the moment they shared was real, not just fantasy. None of his other dreams had a romantic ending before, he didn't want this one to end. He stared at his alarm clock. How could such a thing rip him away from such a moment. He picked up and threw it across the room before burying his head in his hooves. He let out a long frustrated sigh. He sat pondering his dream for a long time. Was Luna really there? He knew she had the power to enter dreams, but he had heard she only did it with ponies who were in distress, who needed her help. Perhaps he did need her help this time. Maybe the princess needed his help, who knew? He didn't really realize that he had feelings for Luna. Sure he'd have a passing thought every now and then, but he would always dismiss them. She was a princess and he was nothing but a common guardpony. What chance did he have? T.C. continued to mull over his thoughts as he got ready for the morning. He showered and brushed his teeth, then slipped into his old academy uniform before making his way out of the palace and towards the academy. It was a beautiful day in Canterlot. The morning light warmed his back as he walked through the sleepy streets. He passed only a few ponies starting their day. They swept in front of stores and many shuffled passed on their way to work. Thunder Clop decided to stop at a cafe' for breakfast, he still had several hours before he had to be at the academy for the ceremony. It was the first proper breakfast he'd had in ages. He ordered blue berry pancakes with some eggs over-easy and hash browns. He sat outside and watching sunrise and Ponies go about their business while he sipped his dark coffee. As he sat there his thoughts drifted away from the dream and towards the events of the day looming ahead. There's no way it was really Luna last night Thunder thought just another errant fantasy... After about an hour and a half of sitting and pony-watching he started off for the academy. As Thunder Clop entered the academy he was greeted by his old class mates and even Commandant Spatz who was ecstatic to see T.C. Spatz went on and on about how proud he was to have the Captain of the Guard at the ceremony and asked Thunder to say something at the ceremony, which T.C. politely declined. He didn't want any special treatment, the graduation ceremony was for all the cadets and he just wanted to be treated the same as his brothers and sisters in arms. Thunder Clop chatted with his former class mates as they went through the rehearsal. Soon guests and dignitaries began to arrive and fill the auditorium. A few minutes before the ceremony began trumpets heralded the arrival of Princess Celstia who always oversaw the graduation ceremony. All the ponies in the auditorium turned to the balcony seat above the entrance and a hush fell over the crowd. Rather than Celestia, Luna walked onto the balcony her head held high and arrogant in proper royal fashion. Luna walked slowly to her royal seat as the crowd began to murmur below. Commandant Spatz trotted sheepishly to the podium and cleared his throat before speaking. "Princess Luna," he started his voice slightly shaken "we our honored by your presence at our ceremony." "IT IS WE WHO ARE HONORED COMMANDANT!" said Luna, in the full Royal Canterlot voice "THE PONIES PRESENTED HERE HAVE PROVEN THEIR THEIR WORTH THROUGH HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. THEY ARE THE FUTURE OF EQUESTRIA AND HAVE SET A PROUD EXAMPLE FOR ALL TO FOLLOW!" Commandant Spatz stood at the podium for a while more, halted by the Princess's presence. Then he began the ceremony. "Mares and Gentle-colts, distinguished guests and our Royal Princess Luna. We are gathered here today in order to honor this years graduating class. This group of Ponies, who as the Princess has stated, have worked long and hard. They have dedicated their very lives to our Kingdom of Equestria. They have struggled and striven to become something more than themselves, They will be our future leaders and protectors, after this day they will be fully commissioned into our armed forces. Serving both near and far to defend our borders and homes. The Army, the Navy and even the Palace Guard have made their selection from a fine group of ponies I am proud now to call officers. Each of the ponies you will see before you is a tried and true soldier, each would bravely go into battle and each has a wholesome heart worthy of praise. It is my honor and privilege to present to you this years graduating class. When they came they were mere foals, but they will leave mares and stallions ready for all any challenge this land presents." Thunder Clop began walking out with the rest of the class as the band began to play the music. He was near the first ponies out and filed onto the risers behind the podium where Spatz stood clapping along with the rest of the crowd. It wasn't until T.C was in his position that he noticed Luna in the balcony. What is she doing here? he thought. Celestia was supposed to attend the ceremony, Celestia Always oversaw the ceremony. T.C. couldn't help but stare at her, he thought he noticed a slight wink and smile before she resumed her regular haughty appearance. The graduates waited patiently while their class finished coming in, there were about four dozen in all. Many of the graduates were also taken aback by Luna's presence, but all quickly resumed a rigid attention. When the band finished playing the ponies in the crowd sat. Commandant Spatz said a few more kind words and was followed by a few other speakers, notably the Grand General and Admiral. Luna spoke from the balcony in place of the Royal Guard's captain's turn. Try as he might Thunder Clop couldn't bring himself to listen to her words he was so shaken by her being there coupled with the previous nights dream. He barley noticed when she mentioned him in her speech and the subsequent round of applause from the audience. But it was enough to make him blush terribly. He saluted her from his place on the risers. "Thank you your majesty!" He barked out rigidly. "NO" replied Luna using the voice, "THANK YOU, T.... CAPTAIN THUNDER CLOP!" and she returned his salute. There was another round of applause and Commandant Spatz spoke his closing statements. There was another round of applause for all the graduates. "Refreshments will be served in the mess, all are encouraged to come and congratulate the graduates in person." Thunder Clop prayed to the creator that Luna would not attend the reception. Why should she Celestia never did. He needed more time to process his dream and he felt that Luna's presence would only cloud his judgement. He wasn't ready to speak with Luna yet, in truth he had decided not to tell her about the dream or the way he felt, he wanted to sweep it under the rug and carry on. But it seemed to him that the princess was determined to root him out. Clearly she had been in his dream, why else would she attend the graduation? Thunder Clop was a bundle of nerves as he walked to the hall. He entered the mess and immediately saw Luna at the head table. Commandant sat on one side and an empty chair next to her clearly meant for him. She motioned subtly for him to sit. As Thunder Clop walked up to the head table and Princess Luna rose with the rest of the guests to greet the graduates as they entered the hall. Each of Thunder Clops class mates wandered off to various other tables to sit with their family and friends. T.C's own parents and brother sat at the head table as well directly across from Luna, Spatz and himself. T.C's family gave him a tight hug as he passed them on his away around to his seat. "We're so proud of you sweaty!" Exclaimed his mother, his father and brother nodded in agreement. As he rounded the table Luna trotted out to meet him and also gave him a tight hug that T.C, nor anypony in the hall, had been expecting. The mess hall fell silent except for more than a few gasps of surprise. "Congratulations T.C." she said, "we are all very proud of what you have accomplished, and now your rank and stature are official." "Thank you Princess." Said Thunder Clop softly. "Please T.C, you may call me Luna." She replied a bit louder than was necessary. Another round of gasps echoed through the mess, some ponies in the crowd literally left with their mouths agape. Thunder Clop escorted Luna back to her seat and held her chair for her while she sat before seating himself beside her. The ponies in the mess all stared at Luna and Thunder Clop, as the waiters shuffled by with the first round of horderves and snacks. Even Thunder Clops family and Commandant Spatz sat motionless, just staring. Finally Luna broke the uncomfortable silence. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your family?" she asked T.C. almost a bit sheepishly. It was as if a switch had been turned on, the other ponies in the room immediately began talking again among themselves. Most threw more than a few glances back at Luna and T.C. Thunder Clop knew that by tomorrow all of Equestria would know about his and Luna's friendship. Thunder Clop cleared his throat. "Yes Luna," he began "this my mother Ember Sky and my father Charger, and my brother Lightning Spark." Ember Sky, a yellow Pegasus with dark red hair, spoke first. "We are honored by your presence," This was followed by verbatim by Charger, a dark grey unicorn with purple mane. T.C's little brother, a orange-ish yellow unicorn with a blue mane, Lightning Spark just smiled and bowed his head. "Oh please, there is not need to stand, or rather sit in this case, on ceremony for me," said Luna. "I have looked forward to meeting you all for a long time, you have raised a fine young stallion. And please, call me Luna" She added almost as an afterthought. "Of course prin... Luna" Ember Sky said. Luna giggled. "Do not worry, it took T.C. a long time to get used to being informal with me to." At hearing the princess use his brother's ridiculous nick name Lightning spark cast a sideways glance at Thunder Clop, one eyebrow raised and a smirk creeping across his face. But he quickly corrected himself when he saw his father glaring in his direction. There was another period of awkward silence. Neither of T.C.s parents knew what to say in front of a princess, nor did his brother and Luna's natural shyness was beginning to get the better of her for a moment. Thunder Clop stared at his food for a moment. Suddenly Luna tried to restart the conversation. "Tell me about your cutie mark T.C." She started, "I have never before seen it unobscured by your armor. It is most unusual for a military pony, most are of swords and shields and the like." Thunder Clop looked down briefly at his flank, his cutie mark was a rook piece from chess and a pair of dice. "Well you see" he began, "my special talent is games. I love games." "Love?" said Charger from across the table. "more like addicted to them." "It's served him well though," Said Spatz from the other side of Luna, "he scored top marks in all his tactics courses, and won most of the monthly risk tournaments we hold." "Surely you jest!" scoffed Luna, "I too am quite fond of games, but whenever we play I trounce Thunder quite soundly." She said quite proud of herself. "Only because I let you win." Said T.C. matter-of-factly. Luna deflated and shot him a look that would have made any other pony run for the hills, but T.C. knew the princess too well by now to be intimidated by that look and kept on eating. "You had better not." She said "next time we play you must challenge me to the best of your ability." "Well all right Luna," replied T.C. "but no pouting when I win." "Ha!" chortled Luna, "you have stolen the words from mine own mouth, just promise me not to cry when I crush you for the umpteenth time." The conversation continued on like this for much of the remaining lunch. Thunder Clop noticed though that Luna was acting a bit.... differently. She was flirty with him, much more so than usual, though she still tried to be subtle. She sat close to him at the table, very close, often her leg would brush his as she adjusted or she would purposely bump her shoulder into his. Thunder Clop tired his best to resist (after all he was still a little mad with her) but soon found himself returning her little advances. By the end of the lunch they were nearly holding hooves. "It is a pity you will be on the day shift for some time longer." She told Thunder Clop. "I do miss your company, though Flash Sentry has been some comfort to my loneliness." Something about her comment didn't sit well with Thunder Clop. It was a feeling Thunder Clop didn't like but recognized instantly, jealousy. Why would Flash be with Luna he thought, after all she's my friend, not his. T.C. tired to repress his emotion and was able to bury most of it before he commented, "I'm glad you have somepony to confide in I'm away then." Only the smallest hint of envy escaped his lips though only Luna noticed, but she played it off as though nothing had happened. After a few more minutes Luna excused herself. "I must get some rest if I am to raise the moon tonight." she said. Luna said her good byes to Commandant Spatz and Thunder Clop's family. T.C. escorted Luna to the gates of the academy where her chariot was waiting. They paused just before she boarded her chariot. "Luna, about last night..." Started Thunder Clop. "What about it?" questioned Luna. "I was attending to my royal duties, and you were asleep were you not?" "I was," said Thunder Clop, "but weren't you, didn't you?" The right words just wouldn't come to Thunder Clop. "Didn't I what?" asked Luna a puzzled look on her face. "Ohh, nothing." Replied Thunder Clop at last. "Sleep well Luna, I will see you soon." "Have a good day." Said Luna and she gave Thunder Clop a tight hug before flying off towards the palace in her chariot. Thunder Clop watched her fly away for a moment or two then turned around back into the academy. He was intercepted in the hall outside the mess by Commandant Spatz. "Captain Clop!" he said sternly. "Yes sir?" questioned Thunder Clop sheepishly. "Just what exactly what was that with the princess." Spatz barked, it was much more a statement than a question. "Nothing sir." replied Thunder Clop, "The princess just prefers a more.... relaxed rapport with me sir." "Oh Ho!" said Spatz, "That was far more than just relaxed." Commandant Spatz looked Thunder Clop up and down slowly. All the while T.C. stood rigidly at attention, he couldn't help himself. Hell! he thought I out rank Spatz now. But T.C's respect for the old Pony held him in place rigidly. Finally Spatz broke the silence. "I could hardly believe it when I saw it! The way you carried on with the princess, one of my graduates, a star pupil and captain of the royal guard no less! Highly unprofessional! But I must say.... good on you son!" "W-What!?" Said Thunder Clop. "You heard me Clop," Said Spatz knowingly "...Damn!" and with that he left Thunder Clop with a wink and a smirk. Thunder Clop stood there stunned for a moment. Now these rumors are going to get truly out of hoof.