//------------------------------// // Ch.12- A Pony before the Guard // Story: Chronicles of Arche // by Spellbounder //------------------------------// The two ponies had a lot to catch up on. With a few hours before the Equestrian Games were set to begin, they took the time to finally see what the other had been up to. “Once Spike got the Crystal Heart back in place, Sombra was finished!” “A small dragon, responsible for saving an entire Kingdom. If I heard that from any other pony, I’d call them utter fools.” “Even got his own statue. You’ve probably seen it.” “So that’s this legendary hero I hear ponies chanting about. I’m curious to meet him.” “Oh you will, Cadence wants him to light the torch to start the games.” “I see, speaking of, how is married life?” “It’s great, she’s everything I’ve ever wanted in my life….just I rarely get to see her now since becoming prince to the Crystal Empire. We’re always swamped with work now.” “There’s no need for that, you’re a symbol to these ponies now. A leader, the moment you show any weakness, they’ll question your authority.” “But what I’m trying to say is that there’s more to our marriage than being royalty to the public, and all I’m asking for is a little more….you know…personal time with the woman I love.” Arche was basically at a dead end at this point. He was a man of action, not a romantic, but still tried as he could to help his former student. “Well….perhaps you two could find some time for a vacation? Even the Princess takes time away from her constant busy schedule, and she raises the freaking sun.” “You know, when you put it like that, you’re right. We’ll see how we can spare some more time for one another, thank you sir.” “Ummm….think nothing of his, Shining.” He couldn’t believe that actually worked. It wasn’t long before early admissions began to spread out among the stands. No pony would even dream of missing the excitement that was the Equestrian Games. “I must say, you’re certain to have quite the turnout this year. Little excited myself actually, looking forward to seeing the participants.” “That so? Old grouchy Admiral Arche knows how to have fun?” Arche rolls his eye, as Shining Armor began to burst into laughter once again. “Yes, yes, make your jokes, but I was quite the social pony when I was your age. I even participated in the Equestrian Games.” That’s when the laughter stopped. Shining knew nearly everything about the Admiral, but this was quite the surprising twist. He just had to hear this. “You? In the actual Equestrian Games? No offense, but you can understand how I find that a little hard to believe.” This time, Arche began to laugh. He learned to enjoy his student’s sense of humor over the years. Any other pony would have their teeth mashed in otherwise, or at least that’s how the Admiral imagined it. Few have dared to cross that line, upsetting the stubborn pony with a humongous temper. None have ever gone unscathed. “It’s true, you may not believe me at first, but I assure you, it’s all true.” “Go on…..” “Well it was a different time back then, a few years before I even joined the Royal Guard. I was just a young pony, not really having a place in Equestria to call home.” “A drifter? You….You never told me this before.” “Heeheehee……yes, I’m very sorry, I promised to always be open with my most loyal of soldiers, but my time before the Guard was not really one to speak of.” “I think I understand, Nightmare Moon was still at large, Equestria was filled with unknown terrors, in a way it still is….” “That’s not what I mean, though, Shining. Before the Guard….I questioned my purpose in life. Celestia changed all that for me.” Shining smiled, knowing exactly what he meant. Many ponies wouldn’t be where they were today, or act the way they do now, if not for her guidance and wisdom. “When I made my way to Appleloosa as a young unicorn, I noticed that some of the residents of the town were participating in an archery contest. Curious as I was, I asked if they could teach me. Turns out I was a prodigy with the bow. Bullseye targets nearly every time. Eventually I got the attention of a representative for the Equestrian Games, and they wanted me to represent Canterlot for them in their archery competition.” “Why didn’t you represent Appleloosa?” “I wanted to, but there was no other ponies that made qualifications for the games. Since I never really had an actual home on my travels, I decided to take the offer to represent Canterlot. To my surprise, as skilled as I was, there were ponies there leagues beyond my own, and could barely catch up with. I did end up winning the bronze medal, which I still have tucked away in my……my…my basement.” There was a long pause in Arche’s story. He just stood there, staring off into space. Something about what he just said made him sort of lose focus. “Admiral? Are…Are you ok? Admiral? Sir? Sir!” “What? Yes, I’m fine, I just….for a second I thought I forgotten something important on the train ride over here. It’s nothing, I’m fine….really Shining, its nothing.” “Umm…alright, you were saying you won the bronze? That’s quite the achievement, you ever thought about returning to the sport?” “Ha! Return? At my age, and with one eye no less! No, I gave up that dream a long time ago, my friend. Like I said, things were different before the Guard.” “Speaking of, the Princess informed me before the wedding that you were going to retire. Don’t tell me what happened that day is the reason you’re still working long hours.” Of course Celestia told Shining. She cared for him as much as his former student. Arche hoped he could go this whole trip without mentioning anything from that disaster of a wedding, but sadly this wasn’t the case. “Shining…..what did you expect me to do? That witch Chrysalis had overpowered Celestia, an army of those revolting creatures nearly drained the love of the innocent, and not to mention what she did to you and your fiancé. Why wouldn’t I do something? You’d have to be a complete idiot not to……to…..forgive me, Shining. I shouldn’t even speak more than I have to about that day.” “It’s fine, sir, don’t worry.” “No, let me finish, you and Cadence suffered more than any other pony during that whole incident. Because of my past….my…experience…with the changeling race…I was focusing more on getting revenge for me….when I should’ve been there to help you two from the start. This is the longest we’ve talked in years….perhaps….Celestia was right. I can’t let my obsessions keep my life on hold.” Shining Armor was proud of his former mentor. He had been fighting the good fight for nearly his entire life. Him realizing its time to finally stop shows how much the old pony has grown over the years since the Academy. “That’s just what I like to hear….and you know what? You’re having dinner at the palace with Cadence and I.” “Shining, I can’t possibly impose.” “You aren’t imposing anything, sir.” “What did we just talk about? You’re a stallion in his prime with a new beautiful wife! Certainly spending more time with her is better than with this old unicorn.” He smiles at him proudly. Arche was barely recognizable compared to the strict teacher he once was. Now Shining couldn’t turn down the invite for him now. “We insist, in fact, Cadence has been bugging me about increasing security around the perimeters outside of the Empire’s border. Perhaps you could give her some tips?” “Well………I’d be honored.” Time really does fly when you’re having fun. In less than thirty minutes now, the Equestrian Games would commence. Arche’s seat was given a perfect view of the games from the first row. Shining Armor could have easily offered him a spot with the higher ups, not to mention among the princesses, but this was actually far better. With only one eye, Arche needed a closer viewing of the games to observe the contenders skill from the best of angles. Not to mention he didn’t care too much for the snooty rich society of ponies that appeared with the princesses. The crowd had just now burst into a triumphant applause, as the contenders from all across Equestria appeared, from Unicorn to Pegasus. Shining Armor soon brought every pony’s attention to him, announcing the lighting of the ceremonial torch. “Hmph……I see….that must be what that legendary dragon is here for.” The crowd goes silent, looking up at the torch, waiting for it to ignite with the blazes of dragon fire. Yet for some reason, it had yet to appear. It was customary not to keep the crowd waiting, but the fire wouldn’t appear. Nearly an entire minute had passed now, and still no fire. Arche had a feeling something was wrong. Perhaps the dragon was late, or sick, or frankly didn’t exist at all. He still believed Shining’s story about the Crystal Heart had a few more fibs than facts. But just when the crowd was about to start a roar of complaint, the torch had finally ignited, causing a huge eruption of applause. The Equestrian Games had officially begun!