'My dearest son,
I hate to call you home, but things have changed since you left.
The elements of harmony, the return of princess Luna, Discord defeated.
Though that is not what worries me.
Two years ago the princesses agreed to the formation of a new army,
they hoped this new force would make the kingdom more safe.
Though I fear they are becoming a tool for the nobles to take power.
I cannot confront them, neither do I have any proof of any plots,
but I can see them become more greedy with each passing day.
The common pony suffers, I fear corruption has taken a hold of the kingdom.
I am old, my son, a fresh pair of eyes in the court would help. Maybe you can see what I cannot.
We must protect the princesses, I fear the nobles are plotting something, so we must act.
Write to me as soon as possible and come home my son.
Your loving father,
Noble Blade.'
Tornado had read the letter at least a dozen times since he received it. Even now the slight bumps and jerking of the train did not bring his eyes off it. Tornado was a dark grey Pegasus stallion with blue eyes and a sword with wings for a cutie mark. For the past seven years he had traveled the world, hoping to experience adventure and learn about the world past Equestria's borders.
He had indeed had many adventures, and picked up a great many skills along the way, skills he had hoped to show off when he would finally go home. He let out a sigh and turned to look out at the landscape that passed by the window, however, it did nothing to take his mind off things. His Travel companion seemed to notice this and poked his leg with his own, Tornado turned to him and smiled.
Across from him sat Gear Fixer, a yellow unicorn with small glasses, a white shirt and an orange vest. Gear Fixer had been his best friend since school, so when Tornado decided to travel, Fixer of course decided to come with. There was a slight problem though, Gear Fixer was a mute. It was an affliction he was born with, but despite this he was always the optimistic inventor pony that he had always been.
Fixer rolled his eyes and pointed to the letter. "Sorry Fixer, I am just nervous I guess. My father is not one to worry like this, for him to write this to me.." He sighed. "Well things must be bad.."
Fixer held up a newspaper and pointed to the front page, on it was a picture of a gang of criminals tied up and an N carved into the wall above them. Fixer smirked and punched his hoofs into the air like he was boxing before pointing at Tornado.
Tornado could not help but laugh a bit. Thankfully no one saw them as they had reserved a first class compartment for themselves, so they, or Tornado, could speak freely. "Yes.. It may have been a bold move, but my father was right. Things have changed.. But at least the newspapers have started reporting on it now, which gives me a nice alibi for when I arrive."
Nopony except for Gear Fixer knew Tornado had in fact been in Canterlot a few days ago, making an appearance as this mysterious masked vigilante known as Night Wonder. When Tornado first received the letter they sped across the borders into Equestria, he wanted to see this crime and the corruption of the Blue Guard for himself. Back then he had come up with a plan, if he was to fight this fight without risking his friends and family, he needed to fight with a mask. To take a new name and become the defender of justice, the champion of the common ponies.
Tornado knew if this Night Wonder showed up at the exact same time as him, someone would figure it out. So instead he had sent a letter, explaining when he would return so he could sneak into Canterlot and appear as Night Wonder a few times. It gave him a nice little alibi, but now he needed to decide how to approach this as himself.
Tornado had always been known as a wild spirited and adventurous young colt, one for action, one to get dirty with the common pony despite his rich and noble family. His father only implored this, their family had always been humble despite them being one of the oldest and richest families in all of Equestria.
As if reading his mind Fixer sent him a small encouraging smile. Tornado sighed. "Well since you asked, I am worried who we can trust and who we cannot, even my father won't know all his enemies. I must make sure ponies think I'm completely harmless in order to throw them off."
Fixer put a hoof under his chin and thought for a few moments, then he grinned. Tornado tilted his head as Fixer started to explain his idea with his hooves. Once again he pretended to fight, then he shook his head, held up a hoof as if to say. "Instead." He put his hooves together and then opened them like he was opening a book, he made a face, pretending he was some important teacher or noble.
Tornado laughed and grinned. "Ahh, an excellent idea Fixer! Instead of a stallion of action, I shall become a stallion of letters, an innocent scholar only interested in the arts and sciences!" Both of them shared a smirk, but Fixer was not done. He pointed to himself with an eager nod. "You want to play a character as well? Very well, you shall be the fool!"
Fixer grimaced at the thought which made Tornado laugh. He then pointed to his own ears, held them down and nodded to Tornado. Instantly Tornado understood, they had been friends long enough for Tornado to understand him without much effort. "You want to pretend you cannot hear?" Tornado asked and Fixer eagerly nodded. "Very good, you shall be my eyes and ears behind my back!"
"Next stop, Canterlot!"
The conductor called out, with that Tornado looked out the window with a big smile. Sure he had been here two days ago, spending a week in the shadows as Night Wonder, but now, now he was returning as himself, he was returning home.
Canterlot station was huge, it was the capital train station after all. Many tracks led out into the world, ponies from far and wide stepped onto these platforms when they first arrived here. It was glorious, the roof marking a bow from one side to the other, creating enough space to have a small castle in here.
The two stallions got off the train and started to move down the platform, none of them could keep from smiling, they were home. However, the smile slowly faded as they saw soldiers at the end of the platform, searching ponies. "What is going on?" Tornado asked one of the conductors.
The conductor groaned. "Checkpoint, the city garrison search anyone who enters the city now.." He sighed. "If you have anything of value, I suggest you hide it. I hear the soldiers have a habit of stealing."
Tornado frowned as he looked at his saddlebag, he knew he could not let the soldiers find the letter from his father. turning to face Fixer he gave him a small nod towards their bags. "Burn my father's letter, they must not suspect he has summoned me back to Canterlot." He reached into one of the bags and retrieved the letter. With a simple glow from Fixer's horn the paper caught fire, but due to his magic the fire was quick and contained, incinerating the letter within seconds, leaving nothing but ash.
Not a moment too soon either, just as they got rid of the ash a chubby soldier, dressed in a blue coat and a blue cordovan hat, walked towards them with a big smile. "Tornado?" He asked and for a moment Tornado was confused, but then he saw the cutie mark, a barrel pouring wine.
Tornado broke into a smile. "Berry Mark?" Tornado and Fixer walked towards the chubby earth pony, both of them had a surprised look on their faces. Berry Mark had been in the same class as them, but he was a bit slow, but had a good heart and a lovely deep singing voice. "What are you doing here? In uniform and all, joined the army then?"
Berry Mark nodded. "Yeah, though, between you and I, it is not as exciting as I thought, but I'm a sergeant now!"
Fixer raised an eyebrow at that, when he thought of soldiers he thought of the Royal Guard. Now those sergeants, they were some of the best of the best, how the buck did Berry Mark of all ponies get to become a sergeant?
Tornado smiled at his friend before they started to walk towards the checkpoint. "Now what is all this?"
Berry Sighed. "Yes, I'm sorry. It's the new Captain, nopony enters the city without being checked, it was not like this at first.."
"The new captain you say?" Tornado asked.
"Oh yes." Berry confirmed. "The old Captain of the Blue Guard was very nice, but he was old. He was the one that promoted me to sergeant! The new Captain, well, he is very strict, he is the one who came up with these checkpoints at the gates and station.. I'm sorry Tornado, I don't give the orders, I just carry them out."
Tornado sighed. "Very well sergeant, carry on then." Berry nodded, but stopped as he watched Tornado turn to Fixer and make some strange movements with his hooves.
"Uhm.." Berry tilted his head. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, I was just telling Fixer to put his saddlebag down so you can search it." Tornado explained and then faked a gasp. "Forgive me my friend, I forgot to tell you, Fixer has lost his hearing."
Berry frowned. "He has?"
Tornado nodded while Fixer pretended to be confused about their conversation. "Yes, he was working on an invention and it blew up in his face.. I don't know if his hearing shall be back, but for now he is as deaf as he is mute.."
"I am so sorry my friend." Berry said and placed a hoof on Fixer's shoulder. "I hope you're okay."
Fixer continued to look confused, but simply nodded at him. The two of them placed the saddlebags on the platform cement and two other soldiers walked over to search them. Luckily, Tornado had hidden his Night Wonder equipment in his old home, just in case something like this were to happen.
The soldiers found nothing, some books, some papers, letters or sketches, but nothing that was worth confiscating. The two soldiers sighed and closed the saddlebags before Tornado and Fixer put them back on. "So, are we done here sergeant?" Tornado asked.
Berry nodded. "Yes, I'll make sure to tell the captain you have arrived, he always wants to know if any pony of note comes to the city."
Tornado had hoped to avoid that, but there was no way around it. "Please send him my compliments." Berry Mark offered a quick and friendly salute, thanking him a few times before he went back to his duties.
Tornado and Fixer made their way outside into the paved street, the noise of the city hitting them like nostalgia. However, even the familiar smells, sounds and looks did nothing to stop his worries. "I knew there were checkpoints at the gates, even at the Skyport, I saw them when I was here a few days ago, but.. I did not think it was this bad.." He sighed and looked at the beautiful city that stretched out before them. "Things really have changed Fixer.."
Fixer placed a hoof on his friend's shoulder, he smiled when Tornado looked at him. He then moved his hoof towards the city in a theatrical way and Tornado smirked. "You're right, no time to be gloomy, we are home!"
The lively paved streets were as they left them, ponies all around, mostly unicorns, all moving around, shopping, chatting and trotting all around them. It was pure nostalgia for them both, the paved streets, the beautiful canals with it's fresh crystal clear water that ran through the city. There were a lot of parks, gardens, plazas, shops, cafes, libraries and so much else besides.
Of course now and again you would pass two soldiers from the Blue Guard patrolling, usually one Pegasus with a spear and one earth pony or unicorn with a rapier in his belt. Tornado thought it odd that there were so many guards patrolling now, seven years ago that was certainly not the case. Then again from what he could understand from the rumors, from his dad's letters, a lot had happened.
Tornado and Fixer took their time walking through the city, taking in everything as they passed. Turning down one of the streets they moved towards the mountain itself, towards Blade family home. It was still within the city walls, but it was out where things were greener, fields with fruits, small forest areas and so on. There, beside one of the waterfalls they spotted a huge manor overlooking the fields and the city, Tornado could not help but to move a little faster.
The two stallions moved up the dirt road, up the hill, beside the fields until they finally reached their home. By this time, Celestia's sun was starting to set and the first stars had started to appear. They just barely got through the gate of the fence before they heard someone squeal.
"Fixer!"
Tornado smirked as Fixer blushed bashfully. A white unicorn mare sped towards them with big teary eyes, but a huge smile plastered on her muzzle. It was Caramel Dream, Gear Fixer's mother and family cook/friend in the Blade family home. She pulled her boy into a tight hug. "Oh my little colt, how I've missed you!" She turned to face Tornado. "Master Tornado, it is so good to see you again."
Tornado smiled. "You too Caramel, I miss your baking."
She smirked. "I bet you do." She pulled him in for a tight hug, both of them. Caramel held on for a while before she finally let go. "You two have grown so much, come now, I am sure your father would want to see you." She told her son, but raised an eyebrow as he did not react. "Gear? Dear?"
Tornado knew this was gonna be the hardest part, lying to the ponies that mattered the most to them. "I'm sorry Caramel, but Fixer had an accident with one of his inventions, he cannot hear a thing.."
Caramel sighed. "I knew this was going to happen.." If one did not know Caramel, one would think her reaction was kind of cold. Though Fixer's father was also an inventor, and as far as Tornado could remember he had a habit of blowing things up too, so Caramel was used to these sorts of injuries. "Well I will take care of him, why don't you go up and see your father, he has been so impatient."
Tornado smiled. "Thank you Caramel." He looked at Fixer and made some hoof movements while mouthing clearly. 'I'll see you later'. Fixer nodded and walked into the kitchen with his mother.
Tornado approached the stone steps to get to the door, however as he moved up the door opened and an older stallion stepped out. He had light grey fur, noble features, a silver beard and two swords crossing for a cutie mark. Tornado stopped as he gazed upon his father, there they stood, looking at one another taking in everything that had changed about them.
It was Noble Blade who broke the silence. "Hello my son.." He smiled and held out his hooves. "Welcome home!"
"Father!" Tornado exclaimed and ran to him.
The older stallion hugged him tightly. They held each other for a bit before Noble Blade pulled back and looked over his son. "It is good to have you home!"
"It is good to be home, father"
Noble grinned. "Come, we have much to discuss."
Soon enough Tornado found himself in the large dining room, it's wooden walls were as always so relaxing and cozy, not to mention expensive. Though the topic quickly turned from his travels to why his father had summoned him home.
Dinner was a bit more, stiff, than what Tornado had hoped for. His father had arranged dinner so only the two of them would dine together, which was disappointing, but he understood his father's haste. He started telling everything that had happened while he was gone, everything from the elements of harmony, the return of princess Luna, Discord, Shining Armor marrying princess Candace, everything that had happened up until now.
So it seemed the princess had been advised to form this new army. The elements of harmony could not be everywhere after all, the ponies needed something more stable to protect them in the future.
"But." His father continued as he rose from his chair. "I fear the nobles are using the soldiers as a way to take power away from the princesses.." He grunted frustrated. "Of course I would tell them this, but I need proof.."
Tornado trusted his father's gut feeling, but he was right. Confronting the princesses with accusations and with no proof, it was a fool's errand, not one that could serve their needs. "Father, if this is true, surely ponies would tell them this right? Surely they would not ignore outright oppression?"
"Of course they wouldn't!" Noble said and looked at his son sternly. "But there are things the general population will not know, any corruption can be well hidden, even blamed on clerical error. The oppression of which I speak is small, yes, but it grows, the check points, the sudden raids, the increase of taxes." He trotted over to him. "Son, all of this is well hidden from them, nopony dares to confront them, we are all risking something, we are all being watched.."
Tornado was quite disturbed, normally he would imagine his father never being afraid of talking to the princess openly, but, if the whole system had been infiltrated with webs of corrupt ministers, nobles and officers, then yes.. It would be dangerous to make a move openly.
"Even crime has gone up, it is being used as an excuse to train more soldiers.. Of course they won't feel the same in every city, town or village, but know this much. The plot is getting thicker every day, I don't mean to accuse all, but I know some nobles are moving these chess pieces, strengthening their position, taking more and more control ever so slowly." His voice was grim.
"Well father, what do you suggest we do?" Tornado asked knowing now he had to play his part, just as Fixer had done. "Maybe it would be best to wait for a bit.."
"Wait?" His father looked shocked. "The city Commandant and the Captain are the worst kind of ponies, a dishonor to every soldier and officer under the royal banner! This is not the time to wait, it is time for action, that is why I called you home!"
Tornado bumped his hoof down at the table and stood up. "You're right father." He trotted over to the desk and got out pen and paper. "I am going to sit down and write a detailed letter of complaint to the city commandant. Maybe even to the princesses!"
His father rolled his eyes. "The letter will be ignored and the other will never reach the princess.. They have become the law." His father looked at him with a determined spark in his eyes. "We can confront them all, next time we are all gathered, you and me confront them all, right there in front of the royal sisters. We fight if we must!"
Tornado stood up. "Calm yourself father, the use of force should be our last resort."
Noble Blade took in a deep breath. "To think a son of mine would show such.. Cowardice.." His voice dripped with disgust, but then he took another deep breath and placed a hoof on his son's shoulder. "You are tired my son, go on up and rest. We shall discuss this more tomorrow after our trip to the palace."
Tornado nodded a little. "With your permission father..." With that being the last word between them for this evening, Tornado went upstairs to his old room. When he went inside he saw Fixer waiting for him, giving him a quizzical look. "Fixer.." He started after closing the door behind him. "I just did something that I am very ashamed of.. I've just convinced my father I am a spineless weakling.." He trotted over to the window and looked out towards the city. It sparkled with lights, not to mention the massive palace.
Tornado sighed. "If we confront the nobles openly like he wants to do, his life will be in danger. No, we must go around it all, we must root out the problem itself without bringing our loved ones in danger." He gave Fixer the same determined look his father had given him this evening. "It seems there will be more work for Night Wonder."
Fixer grinned and nodded. They had already settled on this matter before they arrived this afternoon, using Night Wonder to fight crime. By now however it became clear things were much more complicated than they first anticipated. Fixer let out a yawn, it had been a long day and Tornado smiled at his old friend. "Quite right." Tornado walked over to him. "Let's rest for the night, we will see what tomorrow will bring. Goodnight my friend."
After Fixer left the room Tornado returned to the window and gazed upon the palace. His mind raced, though he had already made Night Wonder known to the city, he wondered if he could really use his vigilante persona to fight the corrupt officials. To be honest, he was not really sure if this was gonna work at all. Letting out a sigh he retired to his bed, he would have another long day tomorrow.
Funny.. He had met princess Celestia several times, as a noble it was not uncommon. Though he had never met her sister, he heard rumors about the whole episode. Nightmare Moon's return, the redemption and rescue of the princess, she had to be something amazing. After all, when the rumors confirmed her return to her royal duties, Tornado did notice the night sky looking more beautiful than before. Now he just wondered....
Was she just as beautiful..?