//------------------------------// // A rookie called Piper Squeak // Story: LunaSqueak: adventures of a Lunar Guard // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// On the city of Trottingham, two ponies ran as fast as they could from me. A great disappointment, since I wanted to fight. From the very first moment I heard the rumors about them, of how they slayed an Ursa Major without help, they intrigued me. Ponies always keep saying how strong they were, and I wanted to prove that strength. “But why, Princess?” asked Pipsquak. “Why were you obsessed with them?” “Because, I had never tasted defeat in over two thousand with five hundred years. As a swordsman, I mean.” I think they have heard about me too since I chased them for half an hour. Finally, I used my wings and cornered in an alley. I unsheathed my sword, and aimed it to them. It was the end. “This ends here and now, Black Swordsman. Lightning Flash. Turn yourselves in, or face the consequences.” The two looked at me, and she also unsheathed her sword. A light blue rapier. She exchanged a look with her husband, and he also extended his wings, raising from the ground, taking his two swords, one in each hoof. “Elucidator and Dark Repulser!” cheered Pipsqueak. Luna smiled warmly at the colt. “Yes, very well Pipsy. And, what about Lightning’s? Do you know the name of her sword?” “Lambent Light!” “Correct Pip! Shall we continue with the story?” Pipsqueak nodded enthusiastically, and Luna resumed her tale. The two warriors looked at me, ready to fight. I couldn’t find any trace of doubt in the glances they were giving me. “We didn’t want to get to this, Princess Luna.” said Black Swordsman to me. I hate to admit it, but he looked really cool with his black trench coat waving at the wind. His wife made a small nod. “Yes, Princess. We don’t want to be enemies with the Crown, but you’re not letting us any choice.” I smiled, sure of my victory. As an alicorn, I’m naturally stronger than the rest of the ponies. This would be easy. The three of us started to fight, and my sword impacted against the Elucidator. The strength of his attack forced me back a few steps. He saw it as a chance to complement his attack with his blue sword, Dark Repulser. It hurt, a lot. But I had no chance to counterattack because Lighting Flash moved to my left, cutting my wing with her rapier. Then, the next I knew was that the Black Swordsman made a deep cut in my chest. I dropped my sword because of the surprise, and they decided it was time to finish me. Black Swordsman started to move his swords rhythmically over my body, one after another a great speed. Without my sword I was unable to block him. Well, no, even with my sword there was nothing I could do with my sword neither. I felt cut after cut, increasing the pain. I heard him shout the name of his attack. Pipsqueak jumped happily, as he shouted as well. “STAR BURST, STREAM!” Princess Luna nodded happily, and let the colt cuddle under her wing as she continued with the story. And, at my side, Lightning Flash aimed her sword at me, and sent a series of attacks. Eleven consecutive attacks at great speed. She shouted the name of that horrible technique. An attack that she inherited from her mentor, Zekken. “The MOTHER’S ROSARIO!” exclaimed young Pip. “Yes, that one.” confirmed Luna with a sad smile. “I woke up at the hospital twelve hours later. Tia was at my side, seeming really worried about me. I took ten whole minutes to assimilate what just happened to me. I had been defeated! “Ten minutes?” asked little Pip. “Oh, yeah. Until then I was capable to defeat Shining Armor with no effort. Also, my sister’s captain, Master Sword, and practically the whole Royal Guard. I mean, vice-captain Hylian Shield was so proud of his unbreakable shield technique, but it was no match for my sword.” Luna laughed. “How could these ponies be so strong? Strong enough to beat an alicorn in less than five minutes! The shame of defeat didn’t last. I was mostly excited, I have finally found somepony to consider a rival. And it was a two-for-the-price-of-one offer!” Pip giggled, and Princess Luna continued with the story. Black Swordsman and Lightning Flash were dangerous mercenaries, and they had to be stopped before they were hired by someone dangerous. But I was no match for them. Not as long as they were together. That’s why I decided to investigate them as much as I could. Follow them, keep all the information I could before my move. I had to get them off-guard but I also had to know who I was facing. I learned a lot about those two. Of how they were husband and wife, who came to Equestria looking for a home after a lifetime in the dangerous lands of Aincrad. Also I made a research about Aincrad. Understanding the place they came from would help me to understand them. Aincrad had monsters more dangerous than the ones we have in Equestria, who lived in horrible places called ‘Dungeons’ that were also full of death-traps. Living in there for Boss-knows how long made them what they were. One day, I decided I was ready. I followed Lightning Flash. She went to a ‘girls-night’ with her friends from Aincrad. Silica, Leafa and Lizbeth. I disguised myself and went into the bar they were. I challenged Lightning on the spot. “Princess Luna, it’s been a while.” said Lightning Flash. “What do I owe the honor?” “You know what I want, Lightning Flash. I am here to capture you, in the name of the Crown.” Lightning raised an eyebrow, and aimed her sword to me. “Get ready!” I challenged. She jumped toward me with sword on hoof. Luna giggled. “A ‘Mother’s Rosario’ later I woke up in the hospital. I wasn’t able to block that technique of Tartarus. And let’s not mention the Start Burst Stream.” “What? Did you also faced the Black Swordsman on your own?” asked Pip, astonished. Luna raised her wing, and showed him a big scar she had. “I did. He was with his friends Egil and Klein and it ended as well as my fight with his wife. I had to admit that as much as I was the best swordsman in Equestria, I was no match for the swordsmen from Aincrad.” “Also, they were the best swordfighters in Aincrad.” added Pip. Luna sighed, but she was still smiling. “I learned it at the hard way. Finally I had no choice but using my magic. Such a shame, I wanted to win as a warrior, not as a Princess. But it was necessary. Tia was ready to use a large task-force in order to take them down, and lock them away for good. But I had other plans, so I had to act quickly.” One day I intercepted them in the middle of a family trip, on the red district. I aimed my sword to the two warriors, who did their best to protect their daughter with their bodies. Black Swordsman extended his wings, and stood between me and the unicorn filly. Lightning covered the filly’s back, but I threw them away with my magic. I looked at the child, she was barely six year old. I didn’t like what I saw. “Why? Why on earth are you exposing a filly as young as this to this kind of life? What kind of future she will have living with mercenaries as you?” Black Swordsman looked at me to the eyes. “Yui had no one when we found her, lost in the forest. Now we cannot imagine life without Yui.· Lightning “If you want to separate her from our side, go on Your Highness. But you will have to take her away from our dead hooves.” That made me think. I asked my soldiers to arrest them and took them to my private chambers without saying a word to my sister. If I let her take them to prison, not only she would interfere with my plans but also that would mean that she had to split their family. With the two of them in prison, Yui would never see them again. At the next day, I went to see them. “I’ll be honest with you. Equestrian Law won’t let you keep your daughter. What kind of future does your family have?” “But I want to stay with mama and papa!” cried Yui. I stroke the little one’s mane. “Yui, your parents are wanted criminals. They broke several equestrian laws, and they have to pay for their crimes.” Black Swordsman stared at me with a smirk. “Unless?” “Since my return, my Royal Guard had been formed only by the soldiers my sister lend me. But I need my own Guard. But I have really high standards. I need the best of the bests, and you’ll give them to me. I need you to become my Royal Captains.” The two warriors looked at me, without saying a word. So I continued. “In exchange, I’ll clean your criminal record, and make sure of your child’s safety and wellbeing. You can live here as a family, under my protection.” The two warriors extended a hoof to me. “For Yui.” “For Yui.” With that, Luna finished her story. “That’s how my Guard became the strongest in Equestria.” Pipsequeak smiled dreamily. “Princess, when I grow up, I will join your Guard, I’ll be a great soldier!” Luna hugged him. “Of course Pip, when you grow up. Everything would be possible when you grow up.” “Promise it!” said the colt. “You’ll accept me in your Royal Guard!” Luna simply smiled at him. “Of course, Pip. When you get big enough, there would be a place in my Guard waiting for you.” “And I’ll protect you!” “And you’ll protect me, Pipsy. No go to sleep, we’ll have some more fun tomorrow.” “Okay, Princess Luna.” Princess Luna put the young colt under the sheets, and then laid aside him, letting her consciousness to vanish into the Dream Realm to do her job. At the next day, while Pip was still sleeping in her bed, Princess Luna quietly exited her room to get some breakfast for the both of them. “You seem to be having fun, Luna.” smiled Celestia. “I am. Good thing that his parents allowed him to spend the weekend with me. I love his company.” “And his letters always make your day brighter.” added Celestia. Luna giggled happily. “I just love having him around.” “I’m glad for the two of you.” said Celestia. “Is good to see you’re getting closer with our little ponies. And seeing that you have an special friend to share with cheers me up.” “Me too! The kid would grow up one day, and maybe we couldn’t be as close as we are now, but I’ll always treasure this moments.” Eleven years later: Princess Luna entered to the training field of the Lunar Guard, with her two captains at both of her sides. The trio was there to evaluate the recruits who dreamed with joining the Lunar Guard, the strongest of Equestria’s Royal Guards. The Royal Guard that defeated the Solar and the Crystal Guard each time they faced in official competitions. As a matter of fact, the only ones who have defeated them were the Great of Friendship, but because they tricked them, but that’s another story. A stain in the history of the invincible Lunar Guard that time would never erase. Anyway, because they had to maintain their status as the strongest and most powerful Royal Guard in Equestria so they only accepted the best of the bests. The two warriors and the Princess sat on a small table, especially prepared for the occasion. “How many aspirants we have today?” asked Princess Luna. “Twenty five more or less.” said Black Swordsman. “I hope everyone passes, really. But we cannot lower our standards.” “Not everypony is material for the Lunar Guard.” Lightning Flash turned to the soldiers and called. “Blackest Night! Petra Oleum! Wings of Darkness, step ahead!” Three soldiers, an earth pony and two pegasi saluted their captain. They unsheathed their swords, getting ready for the recruits. Black Swordsman took a list. “Aspirant Silver Wing!” A light gray pegasus, with black mane entered to the battlefield carrying a short sword. With no warning, the soldiers that Lightning called to the battlefield jumped over her, with swords in hoof. They finished the poor one in three seconds. “Disappointing.” sighed Lightning Flash. “Very.” agreed Black Swordsman. “This won’t be different from the other years.” “There had been surprises.” said Luna. The fights continued. A couple of aspirants managed to hit the attackers once, or twice. When this happened, eveyrpony smiled at the probability of a new partner, but soon their hopes died. Then a young earth pony called Cold Fusion appeared. He had cobalt blue fur, and white mane. He not only was capable to defend himself, but he managed to defeat one of his attackers. Princess Luna, Black Swordsman and Lightning Flash exchanged a look and smiled, he was the chosen one. The next applicant also defeated one of the Lunar Soldiers, a dark purple pegasus with naval blue mane called Quick Storm. She was selected immediately along with Cold Fusion. “By the way, Princess.” said Lightning Flash at some point. “What happened with your friend from Ponyville? He used to join us FOR the trials.” Luna sighed sadly. Since they met that fateful Nightmare Night, little Pip and Luna were really close, and she used to take him to all kind of special events. Exclusive presentations of the Shadow Bolts, a seat in the Royal Balcony at the military games, Great Galloping Galas (recently), trials for the Lunar Guard, and of course, Nightmare Nights. Luna sighed again. “That what he wanted, but he had to do the entrance exam for the university. He’s becoming an adult. I’m glad, but also a bit sad about it. Anyway, call the next aspirant.” Black Swordsman looked at the list, and couldn’t help but chuckle. “What?” asked Princess Luna. “You won’t like this.” “Just call the next aspirant already!” Black shrugged. “As you wish. Aspirant Piper Squeak!” Luna almost fell of her chair, but Black and Lightning held her on time. With the pass of years Pipsqueak was still a bit short, but he compensated it with the well-marked muscles he got by working at his family’s dairy farm and the intense combat training from the Guard of Friendship. They happily trained Pip in exchange for him to clean the headquarters. Young Pipsqueak got into the training field, looking nervous, and avoiding Luna’s glance. Instead, he decided to focus in the three soldiers he had to defeat. “Have you received any form of combat training?” asked the earth pony soldier. Instead of answering, Pip threw a hooful of dirt to the soldier’s eyes, and before he could say anything else, Pip took him by the mane, and used him as a living shield to protect himself from the double charge from the pegasi. Pip threw the now unconscious earth pony to the charging pegasi, getting one. The other one however managed to cut Pip. He groaned in pain, but he ignored it, and smashed the fallen pegasus head to the ground three times to get him unconscious, when the remaining one cut him at the back. Pip grinded his teeth, and turned to face his opponent, only for an arrow to pierce his back. Pip screamed in pain, as the remaining pegasus knocked him down with a roundhouse kick to the jaw. Pip fell unconscious, it was over. Luna looked at the scene completely horrified. Then she looked up, to a beam, and shouted. “SINON! WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO INTERFERE?” In the shadows, the unicorn known as the Cold-hearted Snipper, shrugged. “We did, Princess Luna.” said Black Swordsman. “He should be more aware of his surroundings.” Luna mumbled a cursed word, as Black smiled. “Still he passed.” “WHAT?” shouted Luna. “You cannot be serious.” “He got two down, one more than the others.” agreed Lightning. “He is the best so far.” Luna couldn’t believe it. “Pipsy… what were you thinking?” “Lightning and I can take care from here.” offered Black Swordsman. “Take him to the infirmary, and ask him in person.” Luna nodded, thankful. “Please do, and tell me if there are more ponies worthy of our Guard.” The two captains saluted, and Luna took the unconscious Pip to the infirmary. A couple of medics ran to offer her a stretcher but she refused. “I’ll take him myself, thank you very much.” When Pip woke up, he found himself at a hospital bed, with bandages covering his forehooves, and barrel. His whole body hurt, but he was in a very good mood. “This is going to leave a mark.” he said to nopony in particular. “Oh, yes it would.” said Luna, standing before his bed. “Do you mind to tell me what were you thinking?” Pip tried to stand, but Luna forced him back to bed with his magic. “Stay down, and answer me!” Pip rolled his eyes. “Come on, Luna, since I was little I always told you that I wanted to join the Lunar Guard. Now that I turned eighteen, and I’m enough to enlist, I’ll be following my childhood dream. By the way, did I pass?” Luna glared at him. “This is what you care about? If you passed? Yes you did, Pip. But the Lunar Guard is no joke.” Pip nodded. “I know, everypony knows what they’re capable of. That’s why I wanted to be a part of it.” “Pip!” said Luna, as patiently as she could. “You are and forever be my especial friend. But you must understand that being my friend and my soldiers are two completely different things. If you join my guard, things cannot continue the way they are now.” Pip rolled his eyes. “With all respect, how old do you think I am? I am a grown adult, responsible of myself. And yes, I am following my childhood dream, but yes, I do have an idea of what this means. Including the fact that I may take my distance from my best friend. But it’s worth it.” Luna frowned. “Pip, that hurts.” “Sorry.” apologized Pip. “What I was trying to say is that I probably won’t be able to write you as often as I use to. But, hey, I made it! From now on, I am a part of the strongest Guard in Equestria, and I’ll serve my best friend. Seems fine to me.” Luna sighed. “You have no idea what you’re getting into, Pipsqueak.” “Maybe not, but this is the right age to make mistakes. If this is a mistake, well, at least I will be living my childhood dream for a while.” Luna finally smiled. “Again, you passed, two votes against one. Who trained you to fight anyway?” “Captain Derpy of the Guard of Friendship.” Luna nodded. “Twilight Sparkle’s soldiers, former members of Tia’s Secret Service. Have they trained you in something else than combat? More like spy-stuff?” Pip shrugged. “There’s no lock, or safe that can resist me. Why?” “For real? Okay, as long as you don’t start robbing the safes around the castle, you are welcome to my Guard, rookie Squeak.” “It will be my honor to serve you, Princess Luna.”