//------------------------------//
// Mission Derailed 
// Story: Guardian 
// by Zodiacthehedgehog 
//------------------------------//

Guardian
Chapter 3: Mission Derailed

        Silver woke up when the sun shined in his eyes. He groaned and turned over in the bed. After a while, when he decided he couldn’t sleep anymore, he got out of bed and went outside to find everypony working again.
        “Hey, Applejack!” Silver called when he saw Applejack cross to another tree, “I’m heading into town to meet Onyx, I will be back later,” Silver said. Applejack waved a hoof. She then proceeded to buck the tree hard. Apples rained down out of it as it shook. Silver walked down the dirt road towards Ponyville. He felt different today. He felt more in tuned with the world. He could hear all the little critters running about, feel the slightest wind, and know when some pony was following him. He stopped and waited a few seconds. He could hear hoof steps right behind him. He blamed his imagination and kept walking to Ponyville.
        Silver arrived at the Sugar Cube Corner right as it opened. He saw Pinkie Pie flip the closed sign to opened. When she spied him, she shouted and gave an excited wave with her hoof. She opened to door for Silver as he stepped in.
        “Hi, Silver! I heard you were meeting somepony here! This is a great meeting place after all. Here you can eat, chat, play, and sing. Mrs. Cake doesn’t like ponies singing too loud though,” Pinkie explained. Silver chuckled.
        “Yea, I’m here to meet Onyx. He is going to tell me if I made it into the Guardians or not,” Silver said. Right then, the black unicorn walked through the door. He nodded to Pinkie Pie and turned to Silver.
        “All right, you’re in. We have to be quick though, Marshall wants all the Guardians in the area to go to a meeting at our HQ just outside of Ponyville. Follow me and I will lead the way,” Onyx said as he turned around to go back outside. Silver cocked his head quizzically, but followed. The morning air was a bit chilly. Silver guessed that autumn was not far off. Onyx led the way. They passed out of Ponyville and followed a dirt trail into a nearby forest. It wasn’t the Everfree forest, for it had a more wholesome air about it. The trees were thinner and weren’t so close. The grass was a bright green and there were a lot of spots that sunlight came through. 
        “I hope you save room for food. Marshall plans to serve lunch during the meeting,” Onyx said.
        “Well...” Silver thought for a second, “I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon. So ya, I’m hungry,” Silver concluded. His stomach rumbled in agreement. In the distance, Silver could see a wooden building. There were very few windows and only one door. There were no remarkable features on the outside of it. Onyx held the door open as soon as they got there, Silver stepped inside. There was a long table and several ponies already sat at it. Silver nodded and sat down next to Onyx. 
        “Well, it seems like everypony is here,” Marshall said as he stood up. He walked to the head of the table and laid out the same map and notes Silver had retrieved last night. “Let’s welcome our newest recruit, Silver. Without him, we would not have these important plans,” Marshall introduced. At first, Silver smiled. There were a few congratulations thrown out. One white furred and black maned pegasus, though, gave him a suspicious stare. Silver stopped smiling and hoped Marshall would continue. Fortunately, almost at once Marshall pulled out the map.
        “This map tells us where each of the shadow altars are hidden,” Marshall explained. For a second, Silver zoned out as images flitted across his vision. Dark caves, glowing red statues, purple gems shooting beams into the sky.
        “... near Appleloosa is one of these altars. We will travel there immediately. As of last week, we lost contact with our branch that was posted there and we never heard from them sense,” Marshall continued, “We will send three teams of two to scout out the region. Onyx and Silver will be team one,” Marshall pointed his hoof at them, “Dark and Angel you are team two,” Marshall pointed at a full white unicorn and the pony who gave Silver the suspicious look, “Finally, Rubystone and Bluemane will be team three,” Marshall finished. Onyx tapped Silver on the shoulder and nodded towards the door. Silver got up and followed, but was blocked by Dark.
        “I don’t know how you got those documents so easily, but I have my eye on you,” Dark sneered. Silver cocked his head. He knew he was going to regret saying this.
        “Why not both eyes?” Silver asked as he walked out.

        “Ok, so since we don’t have anything to pack, we will head to the train right now and get first pick at the beds,” Onyx said as they walked through Ponyville. 
        “Aren’t they all the same?” Silver asked confused.
        “Trust me, there are some that are more comfortable than others,” Onyx said with a smile. Silver chuckled as they walked by three fillies fighting with one another. All Silver could get out of that was “Cutie Mark” and “Horrible idea” and so on. The train rested at the southern end of Ponyville and the station. It was prepped and ready for the Guardians to ride.
        “If I heard right, we might be accompanied by three of Princess Celestia’s diplomats. If anything went wrong with the buffalo that live near Appleloosa, they can handle it peacefully,” Onyx said as they walked into the train. It was as empty as a graveyard at the moment. The inside was mostly green. Green carpet, wallpaper, and even sheets. The wooden paneling seemed due for a shining and it smelled of old linen. 
        “Buffalo?” Silver asked as Onyx inspected some beds thoroughly. 
        “Yea, apparently, there was some dispute between the Applelossians and the native Buffalo. It was settled nice and easily before much damage was done. I’m guessing this is just a precaution so that we don’t make things worse. Like the Princess has never trusted this guild before...” Onyx trailed off as he inspected some more beds.
        “Who is Princess Celestia, by the way?” Silver asked as he check some beds too.
        “You really do have amnesia, don’t you? She is the pony that rules Equestria alongside her sister, Princess Luna. Celestia raises the sun while Luna raises the moon. They live in Canterlot in the mountains not too far from Ponyville,” Onyx explained, “She is actually an alicorn, like you,”
        “Huh,” Silver said simply. Onyx found some choice beds near the middle of the train and called the top bunk. Silver shrugged and took the bottom one. Soon after, the rest of the Guardians boarded the train and took the beds near Silver and Onyx. “So, do we know who these diplomats are?” Silver asked as he looked out the window. The train started to slowly accelerate so he guessed everypony was aboard.
        “Nope, complete mystery. We aren’t even allowed to interact with them,” Onyx said. Just then, a cart full of food came in. Silver received a grass sandwich and Onyx got a salad. Silver ate his sandwich thoughtfully. Not too thoughtfully, though. Some of his concentration went to holding it up with his magic. Once he was done, it was already nearly dark outside. The days were starting to get a bit shorter. Silver could hear snoring above him which indicated Onyx was unconscious. Silver yawned and curled up in his bed. For a second, before he fell asleep, he heard a voice in the back of his mind.
        “Protect my most faithful student,” the voice said. Silver nodded absently and fell asleep afterwards.

        In his dream, he was on a small island. Instead of water, there was darkness surrounding it. Silver backed to the middle and huddled against the palm tree. Suddenly, the whole world shook. After a moment it shook again. The island started crumbling underneath him.
        Silver’s eyes flew open as he was thrown to the floor of the train. A split second later, Onyx fell on top of him. The whole train car was in chaos as the Guardians tried to figure out what to do.
        “What the hay is happening?!” Silver heard Onyx yell.
        “It’s the buffalo!” Dark shouted back. The train car shook again.Silver pushed Onyx off of him and ran to the window. Sure enough, several buffalo were on the right side of the train, barreling into the train cars. Silver was thrown back and hit the opposite bunk. 
        “We need to help the diplomats!” Silver shouted as he went to search for them.
        “We can’t!” Dark shouted back, “We aren’t allowed to-”
        “I know what we aren’t allowed to do!” Silver snapped as he turned and faced Dark. Silver felt a sudden protectiveness on some ponies he never met, “Just shut up and figure out how to get these buffalo away from the train. I will find the diplomats,” Silver didn’t wait for a reply as he left the train car. He went from car to car, but nopony was to be found. Only one car before he had to go back. Silver could year shouting behind the door when the train car was hit. Before he could open the door, however, his car was hit again and he was thrown to the ground. Silver got back up and growled. He was not going anywhere with those buffalo hitting the car. He doubled back between his car and the one behind him. He quickly scaled the ladder and jumped onto the roof.
        From what Silver saw, the buffalo lined up along the train cars while the ponies pulling the train tried to go faster. He could see Onyx firing bolts of magic from a window, but it was too long of a range to score a hit. Silver was about to move to the other car, his wings stretched out to balance him, somepony flew out of the car and landed on the roof. When Silver saw who it was, he gasped.
        “Rainbow Dash?!” Silver half asked, half shouted over the roar of the train.
        “Silver?!” Rainbow Dash turned to him, in an aggressive stance. Silver felt like if he took a step back, he would fall off the train. “Did you plan this?!” Rainbow Dash accused.
        “What?!” Silver was surprised and a little hurt at the accusation, “What do you think?! Me coming to try to save you and whoever else is with you!” 
        “We don’t need saving!” Rainbow Dash shouted back. Silver looked to the side and stared in horror. The buffalo all moved in one line. The pulled back, and then charged the train. The cars suddenly flipped, sending Silver and Rainbow Dash flying. Silver hit the ground with a thump and remembered nothing more except for extreme pain.

        Silver groaned as he came back into consciousness. His whole body hurt and there was sand everywhere in his fur. Silver officially hated deserts. He rolled over to see the wreckage of the train. He quickly got up, in protest from his muscles, and ran over tot he train. He searched everywhere, but not even bodies were to found. Silver coughed from the dry air and sat down. He felt miserable all over. 
        “Feeling miserable doesn’t help,” Sapphire appeared right beside him, sitting down too. Silver jumped at her voice.
        “Seriously, how are you doing this?” Silver asked. Sapphire ignored him.
        “You need help. Look in the most unlikeliest of places,” Sapphire said. Silver stared at her puzzled. Sapphire disappeared and revealed Rainbow Dash lying on the ground, unconscious. Silver jumped onto his hooves and ran over to her. She didn’t seem hurt on the outside, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t anything wrong internally. Silver looked around, but nothing seemed much of use.
        “Uh... Rainbow Dash?” Silver asked, “Rainbow Dash?” he asked a little louder. Rainbow Dash groaned. Good, she wasn’t dead. “Are you ok?” Silver asked.
        “What do you think?” Dash asked after a moment. Silver huffed and sat on the ground. Dash slowly got to her hooves and looked at him annoyed. 
        “Well excuse me for caring. Anyway, anything hurt or broken?” Silver asked. Dash shook her head and started walking north. “Where are you going?” Silver asked.
        “To pay the buffalo a visit,” Dash said shortly over her shoulder. Silver jumped up and ran after her. “What are you doing?” Rainbow Dash asked angrily. Silver sighed and wondered why Sapphire thought this was a good idea.
        “Helping my friends, same as you. Anything wrong with that?” Silver asked sarcastically. Rainbow Dash snorted and walked faster. Silver kept the same pace. 
        Soon, night had fallen on the desert and Silver could barely see three feet in front of him. Rainbow Dash just kept going.
        “Shouldn’t we stop? It’s getting dark,” Silver asked as he ran to catch up to her.
        “If we want to get there sooner, we have to keep going,” Dash said sternly, though Silver could hear the weariness in her voice. He sighed.
        “We wouldn’t be much use to our friends if we fall asleep standing. Come on, let’s go find a place to rest,” Silver said nicely. Dash stopped. She lay on the ground right where she stood. Silver looked around to only see barren wasteland. “I guess this is as good a place as any,” Silver muttered as he ventured to find firewood. When he came back with a bundle of dead wood, he found Dash lying on her side. He thought she was asleep, so he silently made the fire by shooting a bolt of magic into the wood to light it. He made sure it was close enough to Rainbow Dash and walked a little ways off. He sat against a rock and stared up into the sky, looking at the stars.
        “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Sapphire asked. Silver nearly screamed he was so surprised. he sighed.
        “Stop doing that,” he said angrily.
        “Sorry, Silver. I can’t help how I appear,” Sapphire said calmly. Silver sighed again.
        “Why am I stuck with Rainbow Dash? She hates my guts for whatever reason and I don’t know why. I’d rather be with Twilight. She is so... so...” Silver couldn’t find the words.
        “Beautiful, like the stars?” Sapphire asked. Silver shrugged and nodded. “Maybe you should get to know Rainbow Dash better, then she might tell you what’s bothering her,” Sapphire suggested.
        “Are you going to be a spirit guide kind of thing?” Silver asked jokingly.
        “That would be weird, considering what happened between us,” Sapphire laughed. Before Silver could ask what, she vanished. Silver found himself standing up and walking back towards the fire. Dash was still asleep as he lay down across of her from the fire. He tried to figure out what might have happened, but he couldn’t guess what he did. He sighed.
        “I wish I could read minds,” Silver muttered as he slowly fell asleep.

        Silver found himself in a large grassy field with only one tall tree filled with golden leaves. The sky was a glowing blue-white. The sun was a perfect gold. The breeze seemed to be just right for what he wanted it to be. He sat there for a second, thinking of where me might be. There was a flash, and Sapphire was sitting near by under the tree. She patted her hoof on  he ground beside her indicating for him to sit there. Silver went over and sat down beside her. Many emotions were going through him. It felt like another memory trying to escape.
        “Don’t try to catch it, let it come to you,” Sapphire said gently. Silver stopped trying to reveal his memory and waited. Soon, images flash through his mind. Him at his birthday party when he was just a colt. Fighting some bullies at school. Learning how to fly from his pegasus mother. Learning how to use magic from his unicorn father. Having to choose between flight school and magic school. Silver had to catch his breath after the memories ended. 
        “Wow...” was all that Silver could say.
        “Yes, you had an amazing life before...” Sapphire trailed off.
        “Before what?” Silver turned to her.
        “Before the war. Between the Shadowshapers and Lightbringers,” Sapphire said sadly.
        “What happened in it? How was I a part of it?” Silver asked. Sapphire shook her head.
        “Some memories are better to be left forgotten,” she said.
        “What did I do? What happened? Why are you dodging this question?” Silver asked frustratedly. He stood up and turned to her.
        “I am not your enemy, Silver,” Sapphire said sternly.
        “Then who are you?” Silver half asked, half shouted.
        “Somepony who loves you,” Sapphire said. Before Silver could react, he was drawn out of his dream suddenly.

        Silver slowly opened his eyes. The sun was hot and the air was dry. When he sat up, he saw that Rainbow Dash was gone. Silver sighed and kicked sand on the fire. Looked like he would have to face the buffalo by himself. Before he was about to leave, he heard the flapping of wings and looked up into the sky. Past the glare, he could see a sky blue pony with a rainbow mane. He smiled as Rainbow Dash descended to the ground, looking quite pleased with herself.
        “What are you smiling about?” She asked, but it wasn’t scornfully, but playfully.
        “I’m glad you came back, wouldn’t want to go into the buffalo camp by myself, so what were you up to?” Silver asked. He wondered what made Dash act so... non hostile. 
        “I just went to do some scouting. The camp is just up ahead. It seems that the buffalo aren’t to blame. A weird altar was shinning with a red glow in the middle of their camp and a pony wearing black robes was ordering them around,” Rainbow Dash explained, “I would have gone in by myself, but I knew it would have turned out bad so I came back to get you,”
        “Well I thank you for that, let’s get going,” Silver said. He and Dash hiked to the camp.

        “I have been meaning to ask...” Silver started, “Um... it might seem to be a weird question right now, but what made you so hostile to me when we first met?” Silver asked. Rainbow Dash just looked away.
        “It’s kind of personal,” She said. Silver was about to point out that it was his business too, but he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want her being like that again. As they got close to the camp, Silver could pick out Teepee's in the distance. 
        “So, what’s the plan?” Silver asked. Rainbow Dash didn’t answer. Silver could see her head turn slightly to the left and right like she was looking for something. Silver cocked his head and stopped. When she saw he stopped, she turned around with a quizzical glance. Silver felt like something was off. There wasn’t any activity in the camp like Rainbow Dash had said there was.
        “Something wrong? Let’s get going,” she said anxiously.
        “It’s a trap!” Silver heard Sapphire’s voice shout.
        “Dash!” Silver yelled as he was tackled by two large buffalo. He tried to fight them off, but they held his hooves to the ground. He shot a magic bolt out and knocked one off. He used his back left hoof to kick the other in the gut and throw him off. He tried to get back up, but he was ambushed by more buffalo. A rock hit him in the back of the head and he knew no more.