Canterlot Castle...
A young skyborn man with light-grey skin, green eyes, silver hair, and hair like Zack Fair from Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core was walking the hallway that led to the throne room of Princess Celestia. His armor was modelled after a Yu-Gi-Oh! monster. The Black Luster Soldier. A warrior known for great skill and power, as well as honor. The young man then found himself at the doors of the throne room. The guards there stumbled in his presence. "I've an audience with Princess Celestia. May I pass?"
"O-Of course C-Captain Edge!", one of the guards said nervously. "Please, head in!"
The young man nodded and stepped through the open door. Once Princess Celestia was in sight, he kneeled before her. "You wanted to see me your highness?"
Celestia smiled. "You may rise Captain Steel Edge." Steel Edge rose to his feet. "You've quite the reputation among your subordiantes. They speak very highly of you. Almost like you were a part of their own family."
Steel smiled. "We've trained together for years since you first had the Elite Guard established. We bonded in that time, and we've become a family of our own. But on to business princess."
"Yes. You see, I'm here because I'm transferring you to a new location."
Steel was puzzled. "And where might that be?"
"You'lll now be stationed in Ponyville.", Celestia answered.
"Not to sound rude your highness, but why are you sending me there? It's a peaceful town, and it's probably even safer now that the Bearers of the Harmony live there. And it's also said that the male avatar who held his own against Nightmare Moon resides there as well. It should go without saying that Ponyville is reasonably safe with those bunch on the job. So why send in the captain of the Elite Guard?"
"I know Captain Edge. But the Elements of Harmony couldn't have defeated Nightmare Moon without the help of Burst Stream. That's the identity of the male alicorn that clashed with Nightmare Moon. The point being, there will be times when the Elements of Harmony will need assistance. And I would appreciate you being said assistance."
Steel smiled. "You don't need to give me a whole explanation princess. I'm just happy I'll get to walk around in some regular clothes for once. I'll leave today. I just need to say goodbye to my comrades and my folks." Steel bowed before he left and made his way to the Elite Guard Quarters. His fellow elite guard gathered around him. "Well guys, today's my last day in Canterlot. You'lll be under the command of Captain Armor during my absence." Steel then noticed some of the guards holding back tears. "Let it flow boys. Get it out of your system. Bottling it up ain't gonna make it hurt any less." Steel's expression saddened. "It's been an honor being your captain." Steel changed in the locker room. His civilian outfit consisted of blue cargo pants, black combat boots, a black tank top, and a jacket modelled after his armor. He gave one final salute as he left for his parents' house. "Hey Mom. Hi Dad. I got transferred today. Headed to Ponyville."
"Well before you go, there's something we need to give you.", Steel's father said as he took a sword that was hanging on the wall. "Take it with you as you cut your own path in life. It's tradition for the next generation that leaves the next to take the family sword. Generations have come and gone, and yet its edge stays eternally sharp." Steel hugged his parents as he boarded a carriage and minded his wings.
Good thing Princess Celestia saw fit to establish my housing already., Steel thought as the carriage took to the air carried by the pegasi drivers. Steel's thoughts then turned to Burst Stream. So he's the one who managed to fend off Nightmare Moon when she returned in Ponyville. He could be fun to spar with. Steel smiled. Maybe this new place can be more fun than I thought... The carriage soon landed in Ponyville and landed in front of Steel's new house. "Home sweet..." Steel froze when he saw that his house was dark. Yet there was still sunlight. At that moment, Steel's elite guard training kicked in. Steel began to ready a stance when as he opened the door. He was then surprised to be greeted with a face full of streamers!
"SURPRISE!", Pinkie yelled! Steel recoiled slightly, but managed a smile.
Well, at least the people here are friendly. "So is this my party?"
Pinkie nodded. "Uh-huh! I make it a point to throw a welcome party to any new people here in Ponyville!"
"I guess it couldn't hurt to meet some new faces." Steel said with a smile. Pinkie set about introducing Steel to the other Elements of Harmony, as well as Burst, Inferno, and Ace. "Well, it was nice to meet all of you. Thanks for making this place feel like home." Once the party ended, Steel set to work unpacking his items. He then placed his armor on the couch. "Well, I know what I'm doing tomorrow."
The next day...
Burst and Inferno were walking about when they saw an armored figure standing in their way. "Uh...can we help you?", Burst asked.
Steel smiled as his visor covered his face. "Indeed you can." Steel then raised his sword. "I want to see what you're made of! This challenge shall be exclusive to you and I alone!" Burst and Inferno shot a confused look as Steel, but agreed. Burst summoned only his sword.
"You're sticking with your sword and shield, so I'll stick to my melee weapons only."
Steel then spread his wings. "Then let's see how our blades clash!" Steel flew at Burst with his sword ready to strike! But Burst leaped over him and brought his own blade down! Steel raised his shield just in time to block it! Looks like he's fast as well as strong! Maybe I should step things up a bit... Steel then readied another strike at Burst, but Burst used his own sword to block the strikes!
"By the looks of your fighting, you've had training as a guard.", Burst noted. "But I've never seen any guard uniform like yours before! So who's my new challenger?"
Steel smiled. "I'm part of the Elite Guard. In specific, I'm their captain. I've been stationed here by order of Princess Celestia. I heard about you taking on Nightmare Moon, and wanted to see how I'd stack up! SO DON'T HOLD BACK!"
Burst smiled. "Alright then...." Burst charged his blade with energy! Lightning danced alond the blade as Burst readied one final strike! "HERE I GO! WHITE LIGHTNING SLASH!" A wave of white lightning shot out from the blade that sent Steel flying! Steel was knocked to the ground! "Well?"
Steel slowly rose to his feet and used his sword to prop himself up. "Remind me...never to make you mad...", Steel groaned as he brandished his sword once again. However, Rainbow Dash noticed the fight, and dove down with a kick to his face!
"Alright punk! Why're you picking a fight with my friends?!", Rainbow Dash demanded.
Burst freaked out! "Wait, Rainbow! We were-"
Rainbow Dash stopped him. "Don't worry Burst! Cavalry's here!" Rainbow Dash put her fists up, but was shocked to see Steel stand as his helmet hit the floor! "YOU?! You're the guy we threw that welcome party for yesterday! Why're you attacking my friends?!"
"We were sparring.", Steel said calmly. Rainbow Dash then face-hoofed. "You DID see Burst send me flying with that energy attack right?"
Rainbow Dash scratched her head. "Man. Sorry about that. I got the tendency to jump the gun..."
"Don't be.", Steel said with a smile. "I can see why you're the Element of Loyalty. You're always there for your friends."
Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief. "Whew! So you okay? I must've kicked ya pretty hard...."
Steel chuckled. "My helmet took the full force of the kick. Elite Guard armor is pretty tough."
"Elite Guard?!", Rainbow Dash said with an excited smile. "You mean you're a member?"
"Steel's more than that.", Inferno noted. "Steel's their captain."
Steel shook his head. "Former captain. I got transferred here by order of Princess Celestia in order to give the Elements of Harmony a hand. But I think I've come up with a better reason for being here. I could use some good friends. This place doesn't seem devoid of excitement, so I might as well have people to enjoy the craziness with. You seem pretty cool Rainbow Dash. Same goes for Burst and Inferno."
Burst smiled. "You don't need a reason to be friends dude! But you know? You're pretty laid-back for a guard."
Steel shrugged. "We Elite Guard don't see action too often. So, most of us have a lot of free-time. And in a place like this, I'll have plenty of that. Good thing I don't have to worry about a job while I'm here. My payment gets sent to my new address. Plus..." Steel then looked to Rainbow Dash. "The girls here are a lot more approachable than the stuck-up brats in Canterlot."
Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Steel? I think we're gonna get along just fine..."
Gilda's arrival in Ponyville...
Steel was enjoying the day. That is, until he saw Pinkie Pie hit the ground in a flying contraption. Okay. That's not normal.... Steel walked over to help Pinkie Pie from the wreckage. "You alright?"
Pinkie rubbed her head. "I'm fine Steel. But I think Dashie's new/old friend is a bit of a grump."
Steel cocked his brow. "What makes you say that? And who's this friend of Rainbow Dash?"
"She's a griffon called Gilda. An old friend of Rainbow Dash. I met her today while she was hanging around Dashie. But when I wanted to join in on their fun, she acted like a total grump!"
"Hmm. Then let's just keep an eye on her. Maybe she's not as bad as you think.", Steel said with a small smile. "And if she is, then we can come up with a plan on how to deal with her. But first, we'd better get you something to lift your mood. Milkshake?" Pinkie nodded. Steel and Pinkie sat down at a table. "So have you considered speaking to Rainbow Dash about Gilda?"
Pinkie shook her head. "No. Rainbow Dash seems happy with her. Besides, maybe Gilda is just acting like a grump because I tried to horn-in on their fun." Surely enough, the two of them saw Gilda passing through. They saw her use her lion tail as a fake snake to scare off some people, and then use it to swipe an apple! They then saw her snap at Fluttershy when she bumped into her by accident! "Okay. She's a grump, a thief, AND a bully!"
Steel nodded. "So you got any ideas on how to handle her?"
Pinkie smiled. "Oh I've got the PERFECT way to deal with her....A PARTY!" Pinkie set up a party in Gilda's honor.
Here's hoping Gilda comes out of this a bit nicer Steel thought. As the party went on, Gilda walked right into one prank after another. However, she had thought Pinkie was behind them all. But in actuality, the pranks were set up by Rainbow Dash. Gilda then tried to convince Dash to leave town with her, and that tore it for Steel. "That's enough.", Steel said calmly. "I don't expect you to like Rainbow Dash's decision to stand by her new friends, but if you really are her friend, honor the fact she stands by the people she cares about. I think it's best if you left." Steel's face was calm, but his gaze held fury. Gilda backed off, and stormed off. Steel then looked to Rainbow Dash. "Some friend, huh?"
Rainbow Dash sighed. "If my old friend was willing to treat my new friends so badly, then maybe she's better off finding some 'cool' friends of her own." Rainbow Dash was still upset however, and Steel put a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey. If you ask me, sticking with good friends like the girls is pretty cool. And it'd be a shame to let this party go to waste."
Rainbow Dash managed a small smile. "Yeah. There's still plenty of cake to demolish!" As Rainbow went over to the girls, Burst, Inferno, and Ace went up to Steel.
"That was pretty honorable of you to stick up for Dash.", Burst said with a smile.
Steel chuckled. "Something I learned from my time as Captain of the Elite Guard. What good is being a warrior without a sense of honor?" A silver aura then surrounded Steel! "Whoa."
"Then I guess that makes you the Element of Honor.", Inferno said with a grin. "Welcome to the Elements of Heroism."
"Speaking of welcomes...", Burst noted. "I've got five extra tickets to the gala. Inferno and I were planning on turning that snooze fest into a real party. Care to help us liven things up?"
Steel smirked. "Oh this is gonna be good. Count me in!"