//------------------------------//
// The one and only. 
// Story: Duty 
// by Crimson Eon 
//------------------------------//

Burnt Biscuit,
    I love you too much to do this to you any longer, I have to leave, I’m sure Clear Skies will clarify in time. Do not doubt what we have, or had. My heart feels nothing but joy when I’m with you, I mean this truly, you may not believe me after this is over. I’m sorry, but I must do this.
You will understand in time.

With love,
-Second

Second Wind sniffled, she had to remain resolute, her mint green hooves trailed along her collar, properly affixing her collar in place, she did not affix her badge, not that it meant anything anymore, it went in her pocket to be returned. She shuffled her wings until they sat just right.

The letter lay on their, or just his, bed now. Second looked at it. “I can’t go back now, I hope you can forgive me.” The letter said nothing in return, the warm midday air flowing in was hardly a reassurance now.

Second stepped lightly down the stairs, she checked herself once more before reaching the door. Her hood rested on the handle, looking back brought a sad smile to her face. Maybe they’ll let somepony bring me my books. She snorted, the door swung open. Probably not.

It was a peaceful day in Canterlot, the damage from the recent changeling attack having been almost completely reverted within a week's time. Second looked around as she trotted. These ponies certainly know how to take a beating and get back up, glad to know my efforts weren’t misplaced. Her steps came into a familiar pattern, professional, efficient, befitting her royal guard uniform, it’s dashing colors brought looks, looks and respect, respect she felt unworthy of.
Coming to a park, one still roped off and under process of investigation, her pace faltered.

Gasping for air, Daring Bet dragged a downed stallion into the confines of their magically shielded aid center, the park being a victim of the local guards' effort to establish somewhere central and defendable.
“Second, help me with this stallion, he got in a fight and took one to the head.”
Second nodded and lifted him towards a prepared stretcher.

“Command needs you to send for a warmage, or at least an unicorn squad, our shield crystals are about out, we’re not taking many hits, but we’re running out of ponies to protect it. Go quickly.”

Daring smirked, “You bet, don’t get cocky while I’m gone, Celestia knows you need a cool head to keep you sorted.”
Second huffed, looking up from the stallion she was dressing.
“Oh, sorry.”
That was all it took for Daring to push back out of the shield and take off.
They never got the warmage or the unicorns, she never saw Daring again.

Her eyes tore from the scene, lifting her head high, Second resumed walking. Her hoofsteps brought her steadily towards the station. The road she walked had been paved with too many mistakes, and lost guards.





It was an unassuming building, save for the sun embossed shield printed proudly on a banner hanging over the door. The building was quickly targeted in the attack once the changelings spotted guards rushing to and from it, thankfully her and her squad had already left to apply equestrian aid to the city centre. The station fared well in the attack, but was so swarmed the guards inside were never able to do more than barricade themselves in. At least that’s what the report said, sewer entrances weren’t exactly secret tunnels, but that was their role for the time. Seconds sigh was resigned. I wonder if they’ll look up to me after this, I’m proud of them, they never deserved this.

Second willed herself to move, but she didn’t. Do they really deserve this? After all they’ve done for me? After all I’ve done for them? What would my family say? I’d be thrown out for sure, not that they’ll have the chance. I never told dashing anyways, they don’t deserve to know.
She watched a few moments more, long enough for two guards to step out for patrols, Battered Shield and Dreamy Knight, smiles on their faces and a pep in their step. Her resolve strengthened as she watched them. They’re doing their duty, this is mine.

Seconds heart hammered, the cloth of her dress uniform weighed heavily on her, her body or mind, she wasn’t sure. Crossing the threshold felt like entering enemy territory, ears up and alert, wings perked slightly, she kept her head held high as she approached the front desk.

“Sergeant Wind! What can I do for you?” Sordid Task, a magenta earth pony, beamed at her from behind the counter.

“Hey Task, I’m here to see Lieutenant Skies, is he available?”

Sordid shuffled through some papers on a clipboard. “Yep! He’s just signing off on some stuff in his office!”

“Thank you. Could you bring us a set of wing binders, hoofcuffs, and a horn restraint? Maybe two guards?”

“Absolutely.” her smile fell a little, and an eyebrow went up. “But like, in the office?”

Second paused, her brows knitting as she looked down. “Yes, in the office.”

Sordid nodded, jumping out of her seat she trotted towards the armory. “I’ll have them right up!”
Second sighed as she turned to go down the hall, the door at the end looming like the door to a prison cell. Stepping close to it, she knocked twice.

“Open!” called out a gruff voice from behind the wood.
She opened the door and stepped inside, standing at attention inside and saluting.
Lieutenant Skies Hoof rose and lowered in response, his gaze gracing her uniform. “Second Wind? You’re missing something.”

Second looked into his eyes, “Sir, this belongs to you now.” Second reached into her pocket, withdrawing the badge and holding it out for the sky blue unicorn to take.

“Second? You’re resigning? What did we ever do to you?” Clear said as he pushed her leg back down, his concerned eyes searching hers.

“Sir, I- I can’t do this anymore.” Second blinked to clear her moistening eyes. “I just wanted to live my life, and be free from this.” She gestured widely at the reports. “I kept running and.. Yeah.”

“Yeah? What do you mean? What are you doing?” Clear asked, confusion playing across his face.

Second Wind, Sergeant and proud medic of the Royal Guard, vanished in a shower of green flame.
“My duty sir.” Responded a Changeling, its blackened carapace gleaming in the sunlight, purple eyes peering at him, devoid of pupils.

Clear Skies head snapped back, his horn already aglow, his sword flying into place beside him from under his desk.
“Code blue!” he shouted clearly to the hall outside. The guardhouse erupted into shouts and clamor of armor behind her.

“Do not attempt to move, you are under arrest by warrant decree of Princess Celestia!” Clear shouted at her, from several body lengths away, having backed up in surprise.
Several guards tackled her from behind, she offered no resistance as she fell, her hooves already being secured.
“Who are you and what did you do with my Sergeant?!” Clear bellowed at her.

Araneidaes ears fell flat. “I am Araneidae, the one you know as Second Wind.”

A hoof met her muzzle with a crack. “Remain silent!” a golden clad guard commanded her. The powerful blow left her dazed as he slipped a horn inhibitor on her, her connection with magic being cut short like a switch.

Lieutenant Skies stepped forward. “No need for blows, put her under so we can investigate.”
The guards horn lit, her vision went blue as his magic encompassed her head.
Everything started drowning out, the shouts, the clatter of armor, her body being handled by her once-friends.

Weakly she lifted her head. “Cl- Clear? I’m-” her vision flashed brighter, her head pounded from the onslaught. “I’m sorry.” She whispered.
She felt something hit her, her muzzle slammed into the ground and she knew no more.