+++5 years, 11 months, 2 weeks prior+++ Main Entrance to the Palace Grounds:
Bayonet stood at his guard post, outside the Palace, trying to suppress his yawn. After all, it wouldn’t do for the common folk to see his tonsils when he’s supposed to be setting an example, but it was too hot to keep paying attention. The armour he was wearing was getting to be awfully uncomfortable, with the sun out and the sweat building up. They say you get used to it, but he never did.
“Bayonet.” A grizzled Pegasus stepped up beside him, his eyes constantly narrowed, with a silver coat. An oddity among pegasuses who were normally smaller due to the them flying, he was bigger than most earth ponies, coming up to even Princess Celestia’s shoulder.
“Grunt,” replied Bayonet. Grunt was a Pegasus of few words.
“Hot day today,” Grunt grumbled. He squinted into the sun. Bayonet shrugged.
“It’s summer.” He responded. He heard a grunt in reply.
They stood in silence for a while, before a third pony joined them. This mare was also quite large, her copper coat and short buzzcut on her mane making her stand out even among the guards.
“Hey fellas,” She greeted them with excitement. Bayonet and Grunt looked at her; Bayonet was too hot for a chat, Grunt was… well, he was called Grunt for a reason. It’s a surprise his cutie mark wasn’t three dots instead of the shield.
“Sergeant Rogue.” Bayonet saluted half-heartedly. It was too hot to do it properly. She smiled back.
“Gee… I reckon that if you’re out here any longer, that armour will make you a good baked potato.” She laughed at her own joke. Grunt remained impassive.
Bayonet kept level eye contact. “Uh huh.”
Rogue laughed for a few more seconds, before realising that neither Bayonet or Grunt were feeling up for a laugh. She leaned in conspiratorially. “Have you heard about Princess Celestia?” she whispered.
“What of her?” Grunt answered in a deep rumble. Bayonet shrugged; he hadn’t heard anything, but he wasn’t one for rumours.
“They say she’s gone mad and stays in her room fighting changelings that aren’t there.” Her eyes were alight with drama.
“And why do ‘they’ say that?” Bayonet asked, sharing a lot with Grunt, who rolled his eyes.
“I dunno. It’s true? I haven’t seen Celestia walking around, Princess Luna’s been the one doing everything.” She gave a ‘what-can-you-do?’ look and a lopsided smile.
“I’m sure whatever the royal family does is for the benefit of all. Maybe she’s trying to give Luna a chance to rule, maybe she needs a break…?” Bayonet trailed off.
“Maybe she…” Rogue started excitedly, then broke off, looking over Bayonet’s shoulder. Bayonet and Grunt turned and found a small group making their way across the busy street, their hooves clopping against the stone. Leading them was a purple unicorn with a straight cut fringe, next to her was a child dragon, a pink pony with curly hair to her right and one other.
“Well, well, it’s the Princess’s student,” she gave a low whisper.
“All the more reason to shut up then.” Grunt answered, not looking around to her.
Bayonet noticed the blue pony next to her. “Oh, bull horns. I know that one.” Rogue looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
“Forget to leave your number before you left in the morning?” She grinned.
“How about shut up.” Bayonet snapped back, before drawing himself to attention. Rogue followed his lead. Grunt remained at ease.
The lead unicorn presented herself. “Good morning. I am…” she said as she bowed, but Rogue interrupted her.
“Twilight Sparkle? You don’t need an invitation here. Just go right ahead. I’ll have Grunt escort you in.” She motioned to Grunt, who gave her a quick, flat look, before turning to the group.
“Come on then.” He trotted off, followed by the others.
One unicorn stopped for a second to look at Bayonet. “Can’t stop Trixie this time, can you?” She looked incredibly smug, and Bayonet felt a flash of irritation, which must have showed on his face, because Sergeant Rogue stepped in.
Rogue gave a big smile. “No, but he can arrest you for antagonising an agent for civil defence,” she said in a sweet voice. Trixie gave a look of disgust, before trotting after Twilight.
“That was abuse of your powers. You shouldn’t have done that.” He said to Rogue, watching Trixie leave.
“Probably not.” She shrugged.
Bayonet smiled at her. “Thank you anyway.” She smiled back dazzlingly.
“You’re welcome. Someone needs to look after you, you’re far too slow for your own good.” She stretched. “Anyway, I’ve got duties to attend to. Enjoy your shift, Officer Bayonet.” She trotted into the city.
“Why did you come here then?” He called after her.
“Don’t know. Just did.” She shouted over her shoulder before disappearing into the crowd. Bayonet simply frowned, and deciding it was too much trouble to think about, went back to looking serious and thinking nothing.
+++ Inside Canterlott Palace:
“So, Pinkie Pie, why did you come today?” Spike asked, hesitantly. “I wouldn’t have thought that this would be your sort of thing.”
“What do you mean? You’re going to talk to the Princess about danger… and monsters… and wars… and RAGHR!” She roared the last at Grunt, who was leading them. He didn’t even so much as flinch. “Ooohhh, he’s brave!” She looked back at the group, motioning to him with her hoof.
“Pinkie, please, this is serious. What we are going to pass on might save lives.” Twilight admonished her absent mindedly.
“Also, I tire of your immaturity. We are on an important mission, you could at least act like it.” Trixie added, throwing her hoof over her forehead dramatically. Spike and Pinkie Pie laughed at her.
“Oh, Twilight, relax!” Pinkie Pie gave a massive grin.
Spike patted Twilight’s shoulder. “Yeah, Twi, relax! I mean, we’re going to talk to Princess Celestia, everything will be fine.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she looked thoughtful, “but still; we mustn’t let our guard down.” Her serious face was back.
Pinkie Pie jumped next to Grunt. “We won’t let our guard down, isn’t that right?” She asked Grunt, who looked back at her. Spike laughed as he saw the contrast between the bright pink happy pony give a massive teethy smile to a silver coated, impassive pony who didn’t so much as twitch at the corners of the mouth.
“Hmmm…” He continued to give a flat look, before turning back to where he was going. Pinkie Pie continued to pull faces at him, which he ignored.
“Why did we bring her, Twilight? We’re here on important business, not entertaining children.” Trixie muttered under her breath so only they could hear.
“Because Pinkie Pie apparently believes you. Rainbow Dash and Rarity didn’t.” Twilight looked directly at her. “I thought you’d want as much support as you could get.” Twilight kept her face impassive and watched Trixie’s reactions.
Trixie’s face was surprised for a second, before returning to cool aloofness. “Is that so? Then Trixie will suffer her for a while longer.” Trixie looked thoughtfully at Pinkie for a while. Twilight inwardly smiled. Maybe they’d be friends one day…
As the party approached the throne room, Grunt turned. “Go through that door. Ask for Luna,” he said in a deep voice.
“Why Princess Luna? It’s daytime.” Twilight looked confused. Grunt didn’t answer and left without saying anything.
“What a strange fellow,” commented Spike.
“Indeed. Right, let’s go in!” Twilight declared, her horn glowing with purple magic as she opened the great doors.
Inside the great hall was white marble, wooden floors and stain-glass windows. There were gold lanterns hung everywhere, not in use at the moment. The ceiling was painted to show both Luna and Celestia dancing around each other, one half night, the other day. A red carpet led up to a throne, with two guards wearing matt black armour and purple coats. Twilight remembered they were called the “Night’s Guard.”
The throne was currently empty. Twilight walked to the guards. “I need to speak to Princess Celestia. Where can I find her?” she asked.
“You will not find her here, Twilight Sparkle.” A loud voice filled the room, echoing off the walls. Twilight turned around to notice a allicorn taller than any pony but shorter than Celestia had entered, her coat purple, her hair the night, a half-moon on her flank. Twilight and the others bowed.
“It is good you are here. I have need of you, Twilight Sparkle. It is about my sister.”