As the meeting came to a close, Matt asked, “Is there anything else we should discuss while everyone’s still here?”
Twilight partially raised her hand.
“Yes, Princess?”
I would like to merge the Fourth Baalkpan Guard with my Royals. I’ve been discussing this with Acting CO Corporal Louer Frat-Trak here, the others within his unit, and my own Major Verun-Kanas, and we believe that it would be beneficial.”
“The remaining members of the Fourth would need to complete the same specialized training you gave your unit. Can you spare the time?” Matt sighed. “I’m not saying no, I just...folding units is not something I thought we’d have to do this early on.”
Louer’s ears pricked. “If I may speak, Cap-tan Reddy,” he began in slow, careful English, his tail flickering nervously, “I would surely have been dead long before the Princess arrived if not for the Royals. Many of my peers in both units can say the same. They are tight-nit and highly skilled. We want to learn their techniques, and they want us to join them.”
Matt frowned in thought and bobbed his head a little. “What’s your plan? How will you do it?”
Twilight paused to recall their discussions since the battle. “Corporal Louer will be promoted to Guard Captain and serve as third-in-command, after me and Guard Captain Verun-Kanas, who we’ll be promoting to Lieutenant of the Guard. Converting to American ranks, Louer will be a lieutenant colonel and Verun a full colonel.”
“Remind me of the Royal Guard rank structure, please.”
“Sure.” Twilight took a moment to think. “Top of the structure is Captain of the Guard--that’s what Shining Armor was. His second-in-command is the Lieutenant of the Guard, followed by the Guard Captains--confusing, I know--then the Guard Lieutenants, and then the enlisted guard ranks: Sergeant Chiefs--we just call them Chiefs--then Sergeants, Corporals, and Privates. We don’t have as many ranks as you, but we didn’t have as many people, either.”
“So Captain of the Guard is equivalent to General?”
“Yes. General Alden should still outrank me, and you should, too, as the overall commander of the AEF. We can move things around if it still doesn’t work out.”
Matt sighed. “It’s going to be a mess for a while, and I’d rather not have a general leading a regiment. It just doesn’t fit.”
“I understand. In that case, we can bring Captain of the Guard down to be equivalent to Colonel and convert from there.”
“Well.” He stood up from his stool, much to Sandra’s chagrin. “You have a plan. We’ll send Alden word that he’s being promoted to General--which he won’t like, but will have to deal with--and you can reorganize your two units into one. Anything else?” He glanced around at the others present. “No? Alright then. I’ll be on Walker if anyone needs me. Dismissed, all.”
-------------------------
Sunset Shimmer stood at parade rest on the port bridgewing aboard Amagi with her eyes closed, feeling the wind chill her face and bow her hair behind her. Even with Nightmare Moon controlling her, some small part in the back of her mind fought back, encouraged by Twilight Sparkle’s protests at Surabaya. It currently controlled most of her feelings for the moment, but when Nightmare Moon redirected her attention to it, it would disappear, sometimes for hours at a time. Sunset despised those hours. It seemed the only time she could be truly at peace with the world was when it was around to guide her thoughts.
She still felt resentment towards Twilight and Celestia, but it wasn’t fueled by Nightmare Moon’s contempt, and as such, bothered her less. She tried to ignore it and the simmering, bubbling anger that usually followed. The wind in her face, the clangs and bells of at least some sort of civilization, and the salty smell of the open ocean were more than enough to keep her occupied.
“Well, it seems you’re feistier than I thought,” Nightmare Moon hissed, appearing next to her with a poof.
“Is that a problem?” Sunset asked with a twinge of frustration. “I like the ocean. It’s quite beautiful, especially at sundown.” She opened her eyes and walked to the rail, staring tiredly at the oranges, reds, and yellows of the sunset. The sun’s reflection rippled along the ocean surface with the waves. Thankfully, the red-sailed brigs and frigates of the lizard-like Grik had not blocked her view, somehow recognizing that she wanted to see the uninterrupted horizon that night.
“More than you’d think.” Nightmare Moon leaned against the rail next to Sunset. “It’s quite difficult to keep a grip when you resist at every opportunity. Even more so than Luna, Harmony damn it.” She snarled. “It might actually do you some good to afford you some breathing room when we’re not doing anything, but remember whom you serve, Sunset Shimmer.”
“It’s not hard when you take over my brain every three hours.”
“Brat.”
“Parasite.”
Nightmare Moon growled. “Enjoy the sunset while you can, foal.” She stood straight and turned to look into the bridge. “These humans are pitifully weak against magic. It wouldn’t take much to wipe their entire civilization from existence.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Because I need them, and I need you, too. I’ll see you in the morning.” With that, she disappeared in a starry, midnight-black cloud of smoke.