Since Shining and Cadance secretly resumed their courtship, they felt themselves immensely happy. Of course they couldn't publicly express their happiness, but when they were alone, they took advantage of every moment.
Cadance, as she had agreed with Shining, continued to go out with Fire Punch, in order to keep the breakup between her and Shining credible. Fire Punch believed in this scam and Cadance did her best to keep it that way. However, it became difficult when he wanted more. Once, she had almost to push him to prevent him to kiss her. Up wanting to maintain the facade of dating with Fire Punch, she wanted to fulfill the promise she had made to Shining to not kiss any other stallion beyond him.
Shining, in his turn, had to continue with the night shift at the castle. It was a dull but a necessary work for his plan to work. Fortunately, sometimes, Cadance appeared to give him a goodnight kiss. The only thing he hated was to see Cadance with Fire Punch, but he knew it was necessary... At least for now.
But it was still an unexpected event that happened to the younger royal guards. Captain White Light, after many years of service, would soon retire. However, firstly, he would have to choose a new captain and he would choose one of the young guards, where Shining and Blue are included. To disappointment of the two, Fire Punch, unfortunately, was also part of that group. All young guards were called and aligned in the gardens of the castle of Canterlot and everyone awaited Captain's arrival. He then arrived, accompanied by Commander Lightning Bolt.
"Attention!" Commander Lightning Bolt exclaimed.
The young cadets positioned themselves in the upright and rigid position and with his chin up in line and then Captain White Light said:
"Greetings, young cadets. As you may already know, my retirement from the Royal Guard is imminent. So I will need a replacement. I have hereby decided to give this opportunity to the new blood, because I'm sure some of you may raise the Royal Guard to a new level. Don't worry, you'll receive support and instruction from Commander Lightning Bolt and I'll always be available to advise you. however, as you may already know, not everypony has what is necessary to be Captain of the Royal Guard. For this reason, I'll just pick three of you to compete for this place. Only three.
Shining swallowed. Only three? So it gave little chances to any of them of be chosen. And despite knowing that he had for such qualities, it was not up to him to choose.
"After a great deal of meditation, I have selected three who are worthy of this competition" White Light said. "Now, I'll nominate those I chose and those ones must to gave a step forward."
He cleared his voice and then said:
"Fire Punch."
Fire Punch made his so famous smirk and stepped forward, while Shining and Blue gave him gruff looks.
"Blue Sword."
Blue was completely surprised. He turned to Shining that smiled and waved and then Blue stepped forward, getting the contempt look of Fire Punch.
"Finally..."
Have just needed a place and Shining had no hope of being chosen. But it didn't matter, because what he really wanted was to be a royal guard and he has achieved that goal.
"Shining Armor."
Shining quickly raised his head to hear his name. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He was really chosen. Wasting no time, he took a step forward.
"You three have in front of you the chance to show what you are worth" White Light said to the three chosen ones. "I hope that you give your best."
"Yes, sir" the three said in unison.
"The proof will start in a week in the training camp of the Academy of the Royal Guard. I wish to all of you good luck."
"Thank you, sir" the three said.
The captain turned away and then Lightning Bolt released all of their positions.
The guards then undid the line and were soon having with the three chosens to compliment them. Cadance then appeared and realized everything that was happening. She was immensely pleased for Shining who have this opportunity to become Captain of the Royal Guard, like his grandfather. However, she couldn't go there to congratulate him, because there was also Fire Punch. She controlled her desire, knowing she could congratulate him when they were alone.
Unfortunately for her, Fire Punch saw her and was soon to have with her. Although, she tried to escape, but she failed. She had to force her best smile and congratulate him, avoiding kiss him. Shining, in his turn, had to watch that and keep quiet.
Shining's family had been very proud of him for he had been chosen to be a Captain of the Royal Guard. His grandmother was the one who had been most proud, because, in her words, Shining would be soon just like his grandfather. But Twilight was also equally or more happy than her, saying she couldn't wait Shining become a Captain of the Royal Guard. His mother, however, was a little worried, but Night Light soon calm her.
Blue also couldn't believe he was nominated to be the next Captain of the Royal Guard. However, he didn't feel himself as a Captain. However, he would take the risk and try. He had his family to support him and also Shining's, as well as his own.
Then the big day arrived. At the Academy of the Royal Guard, the ponies who would watch the event were beginning to take their places in the stands, while the chosen ones occupied their places in the center. Shining looked around. He could see his family and Blue's ready to support them and some of their friends. However, at the highest and most reserved stands, was the own Princess Celestia and Cadance, among other ponies of the royal court.
Captain White Light and Commander Lightning Bolt appeared in front of the chosen ones and the first said:
"Well, recruits, it's time to see which of you will have the necessary skills and qualities to be a Captain of the Royal Guard. For this, I have prepared a simple test: a race."
That did the three young stallions and lots of ponies in the stands exchanged whispers. White Light laughed a little and continued:
"Don't be like that. This won't be a race like the others. Nevertheless, I must say that the new Captain of the Royal Guard have to show all the qualities of one. I hope none of you disappoint me. Thank you."
He stepped back and it was time for Lightning Bolt forward and say:
"The race will be through the forest. There is markers indicating the right path to follow, which can go cross-country, but you are free to roam outside them, if you like, although I don't advise you to do so. Now, brace yourselves, gentlecolts."
The three put themselves in position, waiting for the start signal.
"In position" Lightning Bolt said. "Ready. Three... two... one... Go!"
The three pulled out immediatly, advancing to the forest, with everypony cheering. They entered in the forest and soon the applause died away. After a while, Fire Punch turned to Blue and Shining and said them:
"See you later, losers" he said.
And then he began to distance himself from the other two.
"What do say you, Blue?" Shining asked. "Let the best one win?"
"You bet" he replied.
"Then see ya" Shining said, starting to gain distance from Blue.
After some time, the three young stallions started to gain distance from each other, with Fire Punch in the front, followed by Shining and Blue a little behind.
Shining was trying to reach for Fire Punch when he saw, a little ahead of Fire Punch, an old mare with an air of someone who is lost. When she saw Fire Punch approaching, she began saying:
"Sorry, my dear..."
But he just went through her at high speed. Fire Punch went with such speed and he passed so close that he shot her to the ground. Seeing this, Shining felt his anger rise by Fire Punch. How could he have done such a thing to that mare? When he reached the edge of her, stopped and asked her, extending his hoof:
"Are you okay, ma'am?"
"Yes, I am" she replied, getting the hoof and lifting up. "Thank you, my boy."
"Do you need anything?" Shining asked.
"Indeed, yes" she replied. "I was walking through the woods, but I lost myself. I really need to find the dirt road again."
"If you want, I can help you" Shining volunteered himself, smiling.
"Are you sure, my dear?" she asked. "You seem to have some haste."
"What I'm doing can wait" Shining replied.
The old mare smiled and said:
"You're a real gentlecolt, young colt."
Helping the old mare walking, Shining started to take her to the nearest dirt road. They then met with Blue. When he saw them, stood by the bank and asked them:
"What's going on?"
"I'm helping this old mare" replied Shining. "She tried to call for help to Fire Punch, but the idiot merely ignore her completely."
"What about the race?" Blue asked.
"I'll come back to it in a moment" he said. "Don't worry about me. Keep going."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I do. Just don't let Fire Punch win."
"Well... if you say so" Blue said, continuing to move forward, uncertain.
After Shining helped the old mare to find the dirt road and told her the quickest way to out of the forest and she thanked him, Shining returned to the race. Knowing he was too far back, Shining decided to use his knowledge about the forest to find the fastest shortcut. It was not long so much to see Fire Punch and Blue Sword passing nearby. Smiling, he gave a sprint and got to catch Blue Sword who was taken by surprise.
"But how did you manage to get here so fast?" Blue asked.
"I have my tricks" he replied, looking and seeing Fire Punch ahead. "Hey, what do you say to outpace Mr. Cocky there?"
Blue smirked and nodded. The two friends then ran like they never run before. Shining, running alongside Blue, could remember the times in which they ran together or by fun or in his training to enter the Academy. In these times, Shining could feel himself happy and fun. But when he entered in the Academy, which made the races more an exercise than anything else, he was unable to withdraw from them the fun he withdrawn when he was a colt. However, at that moment, it was like he was reliving those good times and he was sure that Blue was feeling the same.
They then managed to catch up with Fire Punch. He, seeing them right behind him, tried to further increase his speed, but the two friends were able to put side by side with him and then surpassing him.
"See ya, Fire Punch" Shining said.
"Then tells us how our dust tastes!"
And they moved away, laughing, before the enraged glance of Fire Punch. They moved further and further, climbing the mountain. Then they suddenly heard a huge cry for help. intuitively, they followed the cries and came forward with a cliff where, in the end, there was an earth pony about to fall, holding the tip of the cliff with his hooves with all the strength he had.
"Help!" he shouted.
Shining immediately advanced and threw himself immediately to grab one of the pony's hooves.
"Okay, I got you" he said, starting to pull him.
He tried at all costs, but he couldn't do it. It was then that he felt himself being pulled with the pony. If he kept this up, they would both end up falling. Blue then appeared beside Shining and grabbed the other pony's hoof and started helping his friend pulling him.
"Blue!" Shining exclaimed.
"Don't worry, Shining" he said. "We'll get to save him."
Shining nodded and then they turned to the task at their hooves. Fire Punch was not long until get there.
"Well, but what do we have here" he said.
"Fire Punch" Shining said.
"Come here and help us, please" Blue said.
"No" he replied, smiling. "You two can handle this. But don't worry. I will take advantage of this and finish the race. If you do not mind, of course."
And they walked away, laughing.
"But what a... idiot!" Shining exclaimed as he pulled the pony in danger. "He's really despicable."
"Let him be... Shining" said Blue. "We have more... important things to do."
And then they managed to pull the pony up and he, after being saved, stood up and said:
"Thank you so much. I am indebted to you."
"You don't have... to thank" Shining said as he caught his breath.
"Yeah... we just did... our duty" Blue said.
"Even so, thank you" the pony said, slightly bowing his head in a sign of thanks.
And then he walked away.
"Blue, why did you do that?" asked Shining. "Another pony would have advanced, not wanting to lose the opportunity to be Captain. And look that you deserve the place."
"In my opinion, you deserve the place more than me" Blue confessed. "And you know me. Do you think I would act like a coward like Fire Punch? No, I help my friends when they need it and is not a stupid race that will change that."
Shining smiled. He didn't know how he could repay a friendship like that. He then remembered the race and it was Fire Punch who was in the front.
"You know that we can't let him win, don't you?" he said.
"Yes, if Fire Punch becomes Captain of the Royal Guard, he will make our life a living hell" Blue agreed. "Apart from that, he wouldn't stop bragging himself for having defeated us. Do you think we can get him?"
"Don't worry" Shining replied. "I told you I have a few tricks."
Blue smiled. The two friends rose up and returned to the race.
Fire Punch was downing the mountain running, satisfied with his life. He felt he would finally achieve glory. More glory than his father ever reached. If he could win, and he was sure he would win, he would become Captain of the Royal Guard, his father's superior.
It was then that he began to hear the sounds of hooves approaching. He looked back and saw with great shock Shining and Blue to approach apace. How had they managed to get to him so quickly? But it didn't matter now. He had to get rid of them and he already knew how.
He then took a kick on a stone leaning against the mountain and the rocks it supported begin to crumble. Shining began to hear a strange sound coming from the rocks of the mountain and saw an avalanche of rocks happening and the worst was that the rocks were going to Blue, who was a little more ahead from him.
"Blue, watch out!" Shining bellowed.
Without hesitation, Shining threw himself and casted Blue out of danger. Blue turned and saw the fallen rocks.
"SHINING!" he called, worried, advancing to the rocks.
He then was relieved when he saw Shining safe. However, he wasn't completely unscathed. He had one of the rocks upon one of his hind hooves.
"Shining, are you all right?" Blue asked.
"You mean, apart from the giant rock upon my hoof?" Shining asked cynically. "Yes, I think so."
Blue then used his magic to take the rock above Shining's hoof and then he noticed he had a reddish tint.
"That doesn't look good" Blue said. "Come, I'll help you up. We must go back quickly to the Academy so they can deal with your hoof."
Blue then helped Shining to be on his hooves and began to support him as they started walking with Shining giving a groan every time he rested his hoof on the ground.
"That was a very stupid thing what you did" Blue said to Shining.
"If I hadn't done it, those rocks would have fallen on you" he replied.
"Yes, but they would also have fallen on above both."
Shining laughed, mingled with the pain caused by his hoof, and replied:
"Well, I guess we're even. You also have blocked me from falling from that cliff a little ago."
"Yeah, I guess you're right" Blue replied, smiling. "What I don't understand is how that avalanche happened."
"I only can think in one plausible explanation for this" Shining replied. "And it should already be at this time reaching the finish line."