//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Friends // Story: Guards: The untold story // by Joseph_Tanner //------------------------------// Blaze followed the General as requested, but not without a word. “Where are we going, sir?” “Wait and see,” He replied, soon arriving to the barracks, where his classmates and the sisters awaited them. “What’s this?” He wondered. “Hey. Nice armor,” Cobalt spoke up. “My advisors and Luna’s Generals agreed with General Onyx’s idea. Of course, for it in order to make its way to them, we must approve first. Blaze, come here,” Celestia exclaimed. “As you say,” Blaze muttered, standing in front of them. “Rise,” “Sure,” The sisters cleared their throats, Onyx stood aside them. “We, Princesses Luna and Celestia, by request of General Onyx of the Royal Guard, and by consent of the advisors of the Ascendants, and Generals of the Night Guard, now officially declare you, Mithril Blaze an official soldier of the Royal Guard,” Luna took over from there. “From now, you no longer are to be referred to as a trainee. From today, you are no longer required to participate in the training sessions. You may spend your free time here with them still, but only if it doesn’t go against your orders or duties to perform. At last, we have chosen to reward you with the rank of Sergeant from this day on, making your now former classmates your subordinates,” Onyx continued from there. “Now. Mithril Blaze. Do you swear on everything you hold dear to keep your duties before everything?” “I do,” Why not? “To be prepared to repeat what you went through today, or even more?” “I do,” If I have to... “To use your authority for the best of the citizens, and never to abuse it?” “I do,” Obviously “To protect the kingdom from all enemies, regardless of race or citizenship?” “I do,” Well duh... “To never leave anypony alive behind on the battlefield?” “I do,” Right... “To look at your comrades as your brothers and sisters?” “I do,” Why? “To recognize our Princesses as our only gods, and never to believe anything else?” “I do,” What the fuck? “To bear not a single word that slanders their glory and reputation,” “I do,” This is getting ridiculous... “Now, I, General Onyx, by consent of the sisters, recognize you as a worthy comrade, and figuratively my brother,” The General, for the first time, bowed down to him, and he did the same to him and the sisters. His friends swarmed him, only to congratulate him and cheer. Fortunately, they felt no envy or jealousy. However, he had to bid farewells to them, as the General insisted he follows again. “As an official, from now on you will have you helmet on while on duty, which is now well known even by the citizens to be indicated by your helmet. You know the rules on that. This means, that now the principal you have brought in a while ago can finally be charged with what you said he will be charged for. You may also intervene into smaller brawns, or any other activity what may result in disturbance of peace, or anypony’s injury. You may also kill, but only if it’s the last resort. Such as with those spikes… Any questions?” “Who am I going to report for duty to from now on?” “I was approached by Captain Shining Armor with a request. You know the rest,” “What about my studies in Celestia’s school?” “They found the spell you used, again, the spikes impressive. It was the mere number of them summoned at once, not the mention the precision and that they had split once puncturing skin. They said it’s an expert level performance. You may ask the Princess for your graduation certificate, anything else?” “No sir,” “Then I must warn you. The higher you climb in ranks, the more desired target you become for the enemy. You are now a Non-Commissioned Officer, the third lowest group of targets. I, as a General am in the seventh and highest priority targeted group. Just for comparison, so you can feel safer around me. Remember that, they always target by rank,” “Yes sir,” “You can go now. It’s all I wanted. Congratulations again,” “Thank you sir,” Blaze replied, and left to see Celestia. On his way he slowed down to comprehend everything. “Ah, Blaze. I suppose this is why you came, right?” Celestia asked, holding the document. “Indeed is,” He replied, unsure what to say. “Not only had the teachers and professors been impressed,” Celestia exclaimed, hoofing over said paper. “My gratitude to both of you. Celestia, for the opportunity. Luna, for making me start,” “You’re very so welcome,” They said in unison. “It is best you share the joy, go now,” He hurried back to his room as fast as he could. He checked in their room, but she wasn’t there. Maybe the library… It was empty. “You looking for somepony, sir?” Asked a librarian. “Yes, are there more libraries in Canterlot?” “Of course, it’s the large tower with the large telescope, it’s not public, but I bet you can get there,” He replied. “Thanks,” Blaze said, and left. In no time arriving to the tower he was stopped by comrades. “Name, rank, business,” On closer inspection, it was the Night Guard. “Mithril Blaze, Sergeant, looking for somepony,” “Go,” They said, allowing him pass. We walked up and down the rows of shelves, not a single pony in sight. Hm… He walked past a pile of books on the ground, just thrown into a pile. Is there not such a thing as a janitor? Or a librarian? Or anything? He ignored the pile, and was about to continue searching, but a book caught his attention. While he scanned through the table of contents, another colt walked past behind him, reading a book while doing so, falling into the pile of books with a loud thud. Blaze turned to see what happened, and was about to offer help. *Groan* “Vinegram turakte…” The colt muttered, and the books began to return to their shelves. Blaze held out a hoof to help him up. “You good?” “Yep. Who am I honored to meet?” “Mithril Blaze,” “Blaze? I know somepony else with that name… Anyway, I’m Vicious Circle,” “So… What was that magic thing? Without your horn,” “Have you not heard of verbal magic? It’s the same thing as with your horn, but all you have to do is say the right words. Unfortunately, there are no books about it here. This one I’m reading is just a time passer, you know how it is on long train rides…” “Sure do. Thanks for the info. Look, I have somepony to find...” “I get it, go, I won’t hold you back,” “Have a nice day,” Blaze said before leaving. “You too…” Vicious muttered out of hearing distance. As Blaze neared the entrance he was stopped again. “Name, rank, business.” “Guys? I’m on the way out…” He pointed out, but no response came other than a motionless glare. *Sigh* “Sergeant Mithril Blaze, searching for somepony… Still…” He replied, and was allowed pass again. Seriously? These are the guys who let me in! While questioning the average IQ level of the Night Guard he went back to his room, finding his sister on her bed, taking a nap. He sighed in relief, and sat down onto his bed, putting his armor beside it. Laying back he stared at the ceiling waiting for her to wake up, but found himself waking up hours later. “Wakey wakey? Want a cookie?” He heard from a familiar voice. His sister with a tray of cookies, split to two between the two of them. “Looks good…” He replied sitting up, Blossom next to him. “We need to talk…” “Ow…” “It’s nothing bad, don’t worry,” *Sigh* “So, you know the General wanted to speak with me, right?” “Yep,” “Turns out… He and the sisters agreed on promoting me to Sergeant, and freeing me from the daily training… Here’s the interesting part tho…” “Hm?” “See this?” He asked, showing her the document. “No… Way…” She said. “Yeah, turns out the spikes impressed the teachers… Don’t ask how they knew about it,” “You know what? Nope… Nope… A-ah… I’m done, I quit… I-I can’t…” She replied. “What’s up?” “I have nothing to say…” She insisted and left in a hurry. Blaze bolted up and ran after, but because of the turns he lost sight quick. He stopped to regain his breath, and calmly made his way to his former classmates. They were in the middle of training when he arrived. “Been so soon, Sarge” Onyx greeted him. “General,” He replied. “What brings you here?” “Have you seen my sister? She ran off in the middle of a conversation…” “Nah, but you could ask a Pegasus…” The General pointed out. “Gust!” “Sir?” She asked, landing aside him. “Oh, hey Blaze,” “Good to see,” He replied. “Go, find his sister. Once you find her, come back and tell,” “Yes sir!” She replied, and took off. Just moments later Blossom turned around and ran off, probably having wanted to see the General. “Hey!” He shouted after her, close behind. “Stop her!” He yelled, and she was tackled by his comrades. “Geez, why are you running?” He asked while signalling them to release her. *Groan* “You guys are heavy…” She commented. “Come… I’ll tell…” She said to him, walking back to their room she explained. “I just couldn’t believe it all… It was too much at the moment. I felt like you’re just going to be better at everything than me..” “C’mon…” “I did!...” “Come on, just because I’m good at something doesn’t mean you’re worse… Be patient, see what you can do, and push your limits…” He replied. “Right…” They locked the door behind themselves. “So… The point I wanted to talk to you is simple… I will be leaving with Sigmis soon. He’s a friend of mine, and I want to help them as I can…” “W-What?” “I don’t know how long, but I will write every night,” “Okay… Take care…” “Don’t be worried for me, okay?” “Sure… Love you, big bro…” She replied, hugging him. “So do I…” He said, returning it. He gathered his belongings, saddlebags and armor, and went to the sisters. As he reached for the handle the door was opened from the other end, pulling away. Sigmis on the other end. “Oh…” “Turn round?” “Yep,” The two turned to the sisters. “We know, you want to go, don’t you?” “Sure do, with your permission,” “Granted,” Celestia said with a grin. The two left in a hurry, leaving them behind. “Why so confident, sister?” Luna wondered. “I know who’s invading the Turuls… It’s the Centaurs…” “Aren’t they who…” “Indeed they are… Not to mention Tirek. If we play smart, we can get rid of the Centaurs and make new allies at once. Two birds… Ehm… With one stone,” “Right… And how do you intend to take them out? The Royal Guard can’t leave, the Ascendants aren’t well armed, leaving only the Night Guard as an option… And you know who they take orders from…” Luna thought out loud. “And I know how I’m not the only one who wants to avenge their parents…” Celestia replied. “So it’s up to me to decide again, is it not? What will you do if I don’t agree? If I don’t send anypony? Send us all to the Moon?” Luna asked mockingly. “One more joke of that nature and we can see…” “As if you could… Last time you were worthless without the…” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Blaze and Sigmis left the castle. “Here, have this. Two is better than one,” Sigmis said, giving his sword to Blaze. “Are you sure? What will you use?” “My feathers. We have a body fluid which if released, hardens our feathers. This means our wings become our shield, and it’s edge is our blade,” “Nice…” Blaze noted, adding the blade to his arsenal. “We have a long way ahead of us…” Sigmis informed him. “Could we make a little detour?” “Where to?” “Ponyville. I want to say farewells to a friend… I don’t know when I’ll come back,” “If you lead the way…” Sigmis assured him. “This might hurt…” He continued, closing his talons around Blaze’s shoulders lifting him up from the ground. They flew together to said town, where they landed at the town square. “Where to now?” “After me,” The ponies wondered at the sight of them both. A large bird and a two legged pony in dark armor? Probably not the Night Guard… Then who? “She should be here…” He exclaimed at the doors of a large tree. “Are you sure about this?” Sigmis wondered. “A tree?” *Knock Knock* *Creek* “Oh my, Blaze, was it? Good to see you again. Come in!” Twilight said, inviting them in. “We won’t be here for long… I have to go with my friend… I- I’ll explain later… I just wanted to tell you a few things,” “Oh, I see. Go on then!” “I was promoted to Sergeant… No longer have to take part in the daily training… And graduated from Celestia’s school,” He explained. “Amazing! I also graduated from there!” “Twi… I know… My sister heard your name every day… She’s still there. You’re seem to be an example of some sort in there,” “Well, congratulations on your… Wait, what happened to your limbs?!” “A catapult, I’m fine now,” “Okay then. I wish you the best of luck over there, and hope to hear from you soon,” “I can only say the same… Bye!” “Bye!” Twilight yelled after them as the took off once again, only arriving at dusk. Sigmis landed, letting go of Blaze near the city. Blaze was occupied by moving his limbs, which had gone numb from the lack of movement on their way, when he realized he was surrounded by sharp feathers aimed at him. “Uh… Sigmis?” [End of Chapter 8]