//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Touring // Story: Guards: The untold story // by Joseph_Tanner //------------------------------// With a bright flash they disappeared, only to find themselves in a dark room. Black and white tiled floors, curtains shut, a large room. Blaze couldn’t feel his body, soon they found out why. He was trapped in Shadow’s body as a magical malfunction. “What’s going on?” Blaze wondered as a voice in Shadow’s head. “I must have been summoned while teleporting… Keep quiet, don’t move. After I’m done here I’ll get you back to your body, and pretend you don’t hear or see anything here,” Came the reply. The room soon filled up with other members of the Night Guard, soon Princess Luna too appeared. All those inside saluted. “Rest, my friends. I’m here with an urgent and important reason,” Said the Lunar Princess. The guards returned to their attention stance. As she approached, they moved aside to allow her move wherever she meant to. “I remember the events by which you and I said farewells… The Nightmare Moon incident, the order… It is still live. If it is to happen again, as likely as it is, you are to do it.” “Yes, Your Highness!” They replied in unison. “Now, that I have returned, I’m not sure what to assume of your presence, however… Shadow?” She called. “Your Majesty?” He wondered, leaving the line. “I must thank you for volunteering to take care of Blaze,” “It’s an honor,” He replied. “I apologize for tearing you from your task so soon, alas, I shall allow you return,” “If I may, I would rather stay and listen to the words hopping over the fences of your teeth,” “As you will,” She said as he returned to the line. She collected her thoughts, then continued. “It has come to my attention, that you are not the only special group… My sister had hers for a while too, she chose to call them the Ascendants. They lack the combat capabilities you have, they aim to roam the kingdom and help the subjects. Mostly healing spells and such. You must have noticed that the purpose of the two of you are the polar opposite, yet, I encourage you to behave friendly toward em. So long they don’t behave otherwise,” “Yes, Your Highness!” They replied. “Before I let you go, I have negotiated you to be part of the guard shift. You will replace the Royal Guard after 6pm, and your task will be the night shift until 6am. It is important, if they are late, you are to remain until they return. If they refuse to show up for their shifts, they WILL face consequences,” “Yes, Your Highness!” “It is to be expected, that the Royal Guard will act untrusting toward you. I fear you will feel what I went through, but I wish you more success than I had. The same may apply to the citizens. From now on, no amount or kind of light will do harm to you. You are free to live your lives during day. You may keep your armor on if you will, but helmets off while off duty. Now, you may leave,” The guards saluted, and both colts and mares vanished, including Shadow, who in the company of Blaze reappeared in Blaze’s room. “What was that about?” Blaze pondered. “Like I said, you don’t need to know. End of discussion,” Shadow exclaimed, and vanished. “What was that about?” Blossom inquired. “Don’t mind it. Am I late with anything?” He asked. “Nope, but your training is soon to begin,” She reminded him. “Thanks for the reminder,” He exclaimed while getting closer to her. He stood on his hind legs and spreading his forehooves. “C’mon, sis,” She put her book away and got off her bed, and the two hugged. “What do I get this for?” “I have realized what I might subject myself for… Some things are best left untold, so I want you to know… I will always be there for you, and will always love you no matter what, sis,” He explained. “I will love you too, big brother…” She said with a grin, followed by the two leaving to their daily routines once more. “Present!” Blaze yelled from behind the General, joining the others right away. “Good. Now. How many of you are there who can speak old equish?” Wondered their mentor. Only Comet raised a hoof. “Curriculum at Celestia’s?” She nodded. “Everypony else, you know what to do as homework. You will need it at your final exam… A lot… Comet?” “Sir?” “You may choose who you will help to learn it, if you wish to. You can just leave them be and not help,” The General explained. She stopped to ponder. Everypony was waiting for her choice… It should be Golden Gust… According to the stats anyway. She thought, then thought on. Blaze is a clever guy, not to mention both him and his sister are attending Celestia’s too… Silver claims the highest stats… Yep, Gust it is. “Made your choice?” “Yes sir.” “Who will it be?” “I chose to help Golden Gust. That is, if she’s willing to accept,” She explained. Both Onyx and Gust approved. “Good, now… Let me check my list…” Suddenly the trumpets began to play. “Wait here.” Onyx exclaimed and ran off, only to return in full body armor half an hour later. “Prepare for your first fight,” He warned them briefly as they followed him on his way. “What’s going on sir? Are we under attack?” Jackpot wondered. “No. We will be the ones to hit em. You’ll see. Now do as I say!” Came the reply. Soon the 4th battalion, veterans and trainees both rallied in the barracks before leaving. “Listen up!” Onyx yelled. “SIR YES SIR” “We’re here to prepare an attack… We will be hitting on a Saddle Arabian village. The sole reason is simple: The Griffons invaded, and our order is to help the residents.” “SIR YES SIR!” Before they would leave, Blossom approached, parting the sea of ponies from head to hoof in the same color of armor, hardly finding her brother. “Sis? Wh-” “Blaze… Take care of yourself out there…” She said, concern in her face. “Blaze… What’s the meaning of her presence?” The General wondered. “I’m sorry sir. She doesn’t know that it’s classified to be here…” Blaze apologized. “You have 5 minutes to talk… I value your concern for your sibling,” Onyx said to Blossom. “Thank you sir…” She replied, and continued expressing her worries for her brother. Blaze managed to assure her that he would come back unharmed, calming her enough so she would leave. “Good… Now… You know the formation. Pegasi fly above and bombard with what they have… Earth Ponies in front, and Unicorns at the back, supporting with their magic, or fighting in the front, should the Earth Ponies fall… Understood?” “SIR YES SIR!” “Onward!” Said the General, as they began their march. They had a long way ahead of them, so they began to sing a few songs. Needless to say, only the veterans knew the lyrics… Either way, they learned them quick and sang along the rest of the way, until they set camp for the night. Some went to sleep, some stood the night watch, and some sat down around campfires, including our favorite class. The group sat in a circle, the General among them. Few of them were worried, most weren’t… “I’m looking forward for tomorrow…” Jackpot threw in. “I’m not…” Gust replied. “What about the rest of you? Cobalt? Comet? Blaze?” Onyx asked. “Not so much…” Blaze replied. “Nah, not really,” Comet continued. “Can’t say other than they did,” Cobalt said. The group ran out of things to say and went to sleep. Unfortunately for Blaze, he was woken up by a loud crash… [End of Chapter 5]