//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The first steps // Story: Guards: The untold story // by Joseph_Tanner //------------------------------// The two trotted into the kitchen, where they greeted those who worked already. “Morning!” Said Blossom with a grin. “Hey you two, Blaze, would you mind fetching two bags of flour from the storage?” Asked the head chef. “Sure thing,” He replied, then left. “Blossom, would you fill today for Cherry Mint?” “Gladly!” She said, and hopped into said mare’s usual workstation. She began to hum, and started following the recipe provided. “Storage… Storage… Here it is!” Blaze said to himself as he opened the door with his magic. What he saw inside made him laugh, no matter how hard he tried not to. So this is where she went… He thought, as he saw Cherry Mint lying on her back on a bed made of flour bags, her head resting against a hay bale. “Uhhh… Cherry?” No response. “CHERRY!” *Snore* Blaze rolled his eyes in disbelief, and with his magic, levitated a bag of flour above her, then split it in half, allowing the fine white powder to fall on her as he put his facemask on, provided with his helmet. The mare jumped in her surprise, and almost hit her head on the ceiling, landing on her makeshift bed, only releasing more powder from the bags, which formed a large cloud. *Cough* *Cough* “Oh, hi Blaze!” She said, greeting him. “Morning, Cherry. Sorry to ruin your bed, but I need to bring 2 bags to the kitchen… By the way, you know that my sister is filling for you today, right?” “Oh, the second one’s a surprise. If she doesn’t want to, I can go back tho,” She replied. “You may want to go and be lazy somewhere else… A cloud maybe…” Blaze informed her with a wink, as he stitched the bags back together and filled them back, at the end putting two of them on his back. “Maybe then I’ll forget our meeting today,” He continued. “Good idea,” She said, and bolted off, leaving a white trail behind, which was usually the color of her tail: Purple. Blaze shut the door and headed back for the kitchen, where the flour was awaited for. “Here it is,” He said, placing them against the counter. “Thanks Blaze, this way we can serve breakfast sooner today,” Said the chef. “You’re welcome. I’ll go see the sisters,” He replied and left. “I wonder how far he’s going to go, he’s a decent colt,” Said the chef. “If there’s something he never does, it’s giving up,” Blossom replied. “So, when will you start at Celestia’s?” “Tomorrow, at 8 am,” She replied. “Are you looking forward to it?” “Sure am, uh, where’s the yeast again?” “Bottom third, what do you plan after you’re finished?” “Not sure yet, I’ll have a few years to figure out something,” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Ah, hello again, Blaze,” Said the angel of dawn. “Hello again, sorry for that meeting before,” Blaze replied. “I’ve heard of your request through my sister, and saw to it come true. Is there something you wish to talk about?” “Thanks, not much. Do you need me to do anything? I’m a little bored,” The royal mare began to ponder, putting a hoof to her chin. “Perhaps… Yes,” “What would it be?” “I need you to go to my school for gifted unicorns right away, I’ll send word to wait for you. I need you to keep an eye on an old student of mine, and see her brought to the carriages,” Celestia explained, creating a scroll out of thin air while doing so. “What’s their name?” He wondered. “She’ll tell you, now go,” Came the reply. Blaze rushed to said building, and saw a lavender Unicorn, accompanied by a purple baby Dragon with green scales. He stopped to catch his breath, and approached them. “Greeting, I’m Mithril Blaze. Princess Celestia sent me to take you to the carriages,” He exclaimed, introducing himself and his goal. “Hello sir, I’m Twilight Sparkle, this is my friend, Spike,” Replied the mare, Spike waving hello. “Nice meeting you two, let’s go now,” Blaze said, showing the way. “So… Where are you two going, Twilight?” He asked. “We’re going to Ponyville to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration,” She replied. “Ponyville… If I remember right, that’s my birthplace…” “What do you mean If you remember right?” “You see, my sister and I were taken in by the sisters, or so that is what we were told. She’s going to attend her school tomorrow, while my training starts just then,” “Oh, you’re training for the Royal Guard? My brother is the captain of it!” Twilight exclaimed, excited for the coincidence. “Oh? What’s his name?” “Shining Armor, why?” “Isn’t his coat white with blue ish mane?” “Yes, it is!” “I’ll tell him you say hi then,” “You go ahead, thanks for the conversation,” Twilight said, as they got into the carriage, two pegasi guards in front. “Blaze! Blaze!” He heard someone yell. The next thing he knew was him lying next to Cherry in the storage. “Wh- Wha?” He wondered, just waking up. “It seems my hiding place is really good, if even you chose to hang out here,” Cherry exclaimed. “Ah, sorry. I must have dozed off…” Blaze said, wondering about his dream. He grabbed two bags and returned to the kitchen. “Sorry, sorry!” He said, having no idea how late he was. “You’re forgiven, Blaze, but we’re making the dinner now,” Replied the chef over from the other end of the room. “What? Did I sleep THAT much?” He wondered. “It’s not just you. Ponies have been falling asleep at random since Princess Luna’s return… It hasn’t been a week either,” Said one of the cooks. “What? Where has she been?” Blossom wondered, Blaze only agreed. “You will learn about it soon enough…” The chef replied on a grimmer tone. “What? What happened?” Blaze asked. “We don’t talk about it… Especially in her presence…” Replied a cook. “In whose presence?” Asked the mentioned mare from behind Blaze. “Mother fu-” Blaze said, jumping as he was startled. “Gosh, Princess… Never again…” He said, almost landing on one of the counters. None of the cooks, nor the chef replied. “What was the topic?” She wondered. “Nothing interesting. Could you tell me where your sister is?” Blaze inquired. “She’s on the throne,” Replied the mare. “Gratitude,” Blaze said and left, only to soon find Celestia. “Hello Blaze, I’ve been looking forward to talk to you,” She greeted him. “I can say only the same,” He replied. “Delightful coincidence it is, what about?” “I had a dream today. You asked me to accompany a mare and a Dragon to the carriages… It was weird,” “A mare and Dragon you say? What was her name?” “I think it was… Twelve… Light… Spark… Uhh…” “You mean Twilight Sparkle?” “Yes! Exactly! Do you know her?” “Certainly do. She’s my prized student, you know,” Replied the solar mare. “I have sent her to Ponyville days ago for the Summer Sun Celebration and---” “Was that when Princess Luna returned?” Blaze wondered. “Yes, but we don’t talk about it…” She replied, slightly annoying him. “I understand. Can you explain my dream then?” “It really is interesting… I must call it a coincidence for now, however. Should you have a dream tonight, tell me afterward,” “I shall. If I may, the dinner is soon to be ready,” Blaze replied, and after Celestia’s approving glance, he left. Everypony had their dinner, and headed to sleep, as they all had many things to do the next day. Hours passed in peace, until the Sun rose once more. “Morning, sleepyhead!” Said Blossom, waking her brother. *Yawn* “Morning, sis,” He replied, getting out of his bed. “Are you ready for our first day? Are you? I am!” She said, overly excited. “Sure am, sis,” Blaze said to his sister. The two took off their pyjamas, and put their separate attires on. Leaving their rooms they parted separate ways, but not before wishing one another good luck. Blaze went to the agreed meeting point, and began to wonder on his way. Wait, doesn’t her school start an hour later? I guess she just didn’t want me to feel like I’m at a disadvantage… Disadvantage, what, are we competing? Nah… He arrived, and greeted his Classmates well, before the general arrived. “I see everypony showed up, I guess you all take it seriously,” He noted. “Sir yes sir!” They replied in unison. “Good, I hope you approve a good outside class, so you can enjoy the fresh air,” “Sir yes sir!” “Good. Let’s start with the basics… Anypony?” An earth pony mare lifted her hoof. “Yes? Cobalt?” “As such as the traits we need learn?” “Indeed, which ones can you remember?” “Honor, Duty, Humility, Strength,” Replied the mare. “Good, but there are more, anypony?” Blaze lifted his hoof. “Yes, Blaze?” “Persistence, Endurance, Clarity, Resolve…” “Exactly. Now, each of you get to judge yourselves on these traits. From 1 to 10. Cobalt?” “Honor-8 Duty-6 Humility-4 Strength-5 Persistence-7 Endurance- 9 Clarity-4 Resolve-6” The General produced a scroll and wrote it down as she said it. “Yes, Tender Wind?” General Onyx continued. “Honor-3 Duty-5 Humility 8 Strength-7 Persistence-4 Endurance-2 Clarity-8 Resolve-9” Replied the Pegasus stallion. “Jackpot?” “Honor-2 Duty-7 Humility-9 Strength-8 Persistence-6 Endurance-5 Clarity-6 Resolve-7” Exclaimed the Pegasus Mare. “Silver Feather,” “Honor-9 Duty-9 Humility-9 Strength-9 Persistence-9 Endurance-9 Clarity-9 Resolve-9” The General rolled his eyes, and look at the Pegasus stallion suspiciously. “We will see about that. I would ask how modest you are, but I bet you would say 9,” All of them began to laugh, except Silver. “You’ll see…” He muttered. “Right, Comet?” “Honor-6 Duty-4 Humility-7 Strength-3 Persistence-9 Endurance-5 Clarity-10 Resolve-10” Replied the Unicorn mare, as she finished she looked at Blaze with a grin. They were both happy to know they aren’t alone. “I sure hope so… Who’s next?” Golden Gust help up her hoof. “Go ahead, Blaze, you’re the last,” The General said. Blaze nodded in response. “Honor-8 Duty-8 Humility-7 Strength-5 Persistence-7 Endurance-10 Clarity-3 Resolve 9” “Blaze?” “Honor-9 Duty-6 Humility-8 Strength-10 Persistence-10 Endurance-10 Clarity-7 Resolve-9” “Good!” Onyx said, folding his scrolls up, one for each trainee. “Now, would you mind telling me why you chose to even sign up?” He scanned the small group of ponies then stopped. “Cobalt?” “I was looking forward for a challenge, sir,” She replied. “You can start telling on your own, don’t wait for me to call your name. Just let the other talk,” The general said to his students. Golden Gust was the next to speak. “I can only say the same as Cobalt,” “I always wanted to do anything for the sisters in return for what the do for us,” Jackpot threw in. “I was always wondering what the Canterlot Library has to offer…” Said the only unicorn aside from Blaze. “Wouldn’t Celestia’s school have been more fit for you then?” The general wondered. “With all respect, I already graduated from there,” She replied. “Have you now? That’s nice,” Came the compliment from their superior. “How about you, Blaze?” Comet wondered. “I never knew my parents. I hoped as part of the royal guard I might find a way to see them again…” He explained. She might be able to help me study, I’ll ask later on. “Hope you’ll succeed,” The General replied. So that’s why the sisters took him and his sister in… “I simply wanted to prove that I’m the best,” Continued Silver Feather. “It’s a family tradition,” Said Tender Wind, closing the line. “I see. May I have a question to our pegasi?” Onyx pondered. “Sir, yes, sir,” They replied. “How come you didn’t join the Wonderbolts instead?” None of them could come up with a valid answer… “Right… Now, we’re going to do some exercises, but first, here’s a question. Who can answer it correctly will not have to do the exercises. In the morning I move on 4 limbs, at noon I can use 6, and at night, I can only use 5. What am I?” The group began to ponder, and the did for several minutes, until Comet held a hoof up. “Yes?” “A pegasus!” She exclaimed. “Can you explain?” “When it’s born, it can’t fly, only move on all fours. When its young or an adult, it can fly too. Then when it’s old, it needs a walking stick, and can’t fly anymore!” She replied. “Exactly. Now, here are you tasks. Blaze, use your telekinesis to lift up Comet above your head 20 times. Cobalt, down and give me 100. All other give me 200 wing flaps,” Onyx exclaimed, and the group got busy. This should do for warmup… Blaze surrounded Comet in his magic aura, which was grey strangely enough. “You heard him,” He said to her, aware she might not approve of it. “Just don’t drop me like I’m hot…” She replied, and cooperated. Blaze was the first to finish the exercises. “Well, no offense, but I’m impressed,” She said, aware of her weight. “What’s… So… Impressive… About… That?” Cobalt wondered. “The first time I tried to lift a vase at school I had a migraine… For a week…” Came the response. Soon after the others finished as well. “Now rest up, and when you’re ready, we will go to the sisters, and they tell when your training jobs will be,” The group caught their breath, and nodded. “Behind me, in lines of two,” Onyx said, and lead the way to the throne room. “Good day, general,” Said one of the guards at the door. Onyx nodded with a grin, and opened the door. “Ah, General Onyx. I see you came as you said you would,” Celestia exclaimed. “You’re exact. Now comes your part,” “The pegasi take the tower watch duty, Cobalt, you guard the library, Comet and Blaze, you stay here with us. Dismissed,” Luna continued. [End of Chapter 2]