//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Destiny's Gambit Part I: The Wayward Soul 
// by Echoes of the Voice 
//------------------------------//


Theme: "A New Age" by Audiomachine


Firebrand looked out upon the warzone that was once the peaceful, wealthy, and prosperous city of Canterlot. Plumes of smoke rose over the rooftops, a couple even coming from the castle. He could still see beam spells shooting into the air all over the place, so there was still resistance. However, he could no longer see any pegasi in the air. He hoped that at least a few managed to fly away. There was distant shouting as well—the ponies that needed to be left behind.
A rumble vibrated beneath his hooves. He snapped back to the present, and he heard the voices of those who can be saved. Firebrand peeked out over the edge of the passenger car. The last of the nearby civilians were boarding the train, flanked by rows of soldiers instructing them to keep their heads down. It wasn't necessarily to keep them safe from any stray beams or debris, but rather to keep them from seeing the carnage they were walking only a few paces away from.
Firebrand could still see their expressions, though. Fear. Worry. Panic. Horror. And above all, uncertainty. In a rather strange way, he found himself jealous of them, able to express their feelings so openly. He had no such luxury. Not at the moment.
Firebrand stepped back and turned to the edge of the cliff that the tracks ran alongside, down to Ponyville. Strange to think about, how normal that place seemed when everything had gone so horribly wrong up here. No doubt, they were watching the city burn, wondering what exactly was happening. As soon as the train arrives, eager and inquisitive ponies would swarm the survivors. Ponyville may be safe for the time being, but the changelings would surely set their sights there next. As soon as they arrived, Firebrand and the remaining guards would have to mount a defense...
A distant flash of crimson tore him from his thoughts and his mouth fell open ever so slightly, as a soft gasp escaped. A pillar of light, shot straight in the air. It was so far away, but he could almost feel the emanated power. It angled downward, slicing a nearby cloud in two, levelling out at what he guessed was ground level.
In the corner of his eye, he saw South glide upwards and land gracefully beside him. "Did you see that?" she said, bewildered.
"Yeah. It seemed like a beam spell."
"That...that was powerful. That couldn't have come from the princesses, right?"
"No, it couldn't have. None of their magic has that reddish hue." It's possible it was a fusion spell involving several unicorns, which could be devastating, but it was very difficult to aim, so it was a tactic seldom used. With how quickly it changed directions, it must've come from a single source.
"So then who...?"
"Commander!" a guard shouted in the distance. "Changelings incoming. They're on to us!"
He sighed as his mind switched gears. "We can worry about that later. Tell the engineer to get going, quickly!" South acknowledged, then with a flap of her wings, darted towards the engine. Firebrand walked closer to the edge and called out to the ponies still on the station. "Everypony, get on board while you can. This train is about to leave, whether you're on it or not!"
The civilians, who heard this, didn't need any more encouraging to pick up their pace, not even by the guards who waved them on board more frantically. Those that kept watch outside the station ran to join the others.
"Pegasi, stay with the train and escort it to Ponyville," Firebrand called out. "Rest of you, form ranks." The sound waves from the train's whistle went through him, and the lurch that followed nearly knocked him off balance. He quickly leapt onto the platform.
"Commander!" South shouted.
He turned to see her hovering just above him. He saw the hesitancy in her eyes. "Go," he said. "We'll hold them off, but they will surely aim to derail the train. Protect the ponies, understood?"
"Yes, sir," she said reluctantly. She tried to sound strong, but the shaking in her breath betrayed her true feelings. Firebrand was touched, but now was not the time to dwell on that. With a strong flap, South ascended and spun around, joining the pegasi as they followed the departing train.
Firebrand noticed a pink glow coming from the castle. It pulsed like a heartbeat. This mental note passed quickly however, when he saw and heard them. There were so many, comparable in numbers to the initial wave, and coming quickly. Firebrand prayed that the train would accelerate fast enough to outrun them, but surely the guards on the platform would be overrun, including him. They all knew it. Even so, the unicorns were charging their battle spells, and the hoofful of earth ponies were crouched low, their powerful legs ready to leap.
"Be brave, soldiers. For the sake of protecting the innocent and planting the seeds of rebellion, take as many of them down as you can! Remember what they've done to Canterlot, and think of what they could do to all of Equestria. Do not yield. Do not submit. Never buckle, nor bend to their will. We shall be a stone wall to their crashing wave. We shall be a stone wall. Stone wall! Stone wall! STONE WALL!"
The changelings were upon them, horns glowing as the beat of their wings overpowered all other sounds.
The pink glow suddenly expanded outward swiftly and without warning, enveloping the entire castle and swallowing up all of Canterlot. The guards watched as they were rapidly engulfed in the light, a few letting out startled shouts. The changelings barely had time to turn around and see the wave of light coming before they were swept up in it and cast out, screaming as they were launched helplessly into the distance. But the wave passed over the guards with all the power of a light breeze. For a moment, all were silent from shock, looking around in confusion. The city was suddenly quiet, as still as a ghost town.
"The shield!" one of the guards shouted. "The shield is restored!" Cheers arose from the soldiers, some putting their forelegs around shoulders in jubilation.
Firebrand sighed in relief once he saw it for himself. Captain Shining Armor's city-wide shield was indeed restored, and simultaneously swept the invaders away. That one spell. That one powerful spell. Then a moment later, the battle was won, pushed away from the precipice of defeat. Firebrand let out a chuckle at that thought. "Princesses, Captain... You have no idea how easy you have it."
There was movement in the corner of his eye. He saw South and the other pegasi had returned, and the train was now slowly backing up. "Hey, uh... So we decided to come back. Can you let us in?" South shouted to him from afar.
Firebrand smiled and activated his magic. "Come on in. But keep the civilians on the train, and tell them not to look out the windows."
It was a far slower and more draining process to keep the shield distorted long enough for the train to get through. When it was roughly three-quarters of the way in, his magic began to falter. Thankfully, the guards saw this and took over, allowing the wearied commander to rest. He sat down and closed his eyes, focusing on recovering his stamina as quickly as possible. When he opened them again, he saw South and a few of the guards amongst the wounded ponies, helping the few that could still walk back to their hooves. Firebrand groaned as he stood and mustered the strength to shout his next command.
"Well done, everypony. But our work isn't over yet. Pegasi, fly to Meadowbrook Hospital and bring medical ponies and stretchers here. The rest of you, either tend to the wounded or..." Firebrand felt the weight in his stomach double. It began to ache. "...or gather the dead."
How quickly the smiles faded, as the guards set about their next grim tasks. He sighed and began making his way toward the nearest guard on the ground—whether he was alive or not, he couldn't tell—when South came out of nowhere and wrapped her forehooves around his neck, tightly squeezing him as her mane brushed against his cheek.
"South, I said no..."
"I don't care. We both need it right now."
Firebrand opened his mouth, but then closed it again. He didn't have the strength or willpower to protest further. He couldn't deny she was right. So he resignedly returned the hug.
Stepping back, South saluted. "Commander, I request permission to check on our soldiers in the residential quarter."
Firebrand knew which of the soldiers she was talking about, and he was worried about him too, but he shook his head. "Denied, for the moment. We are needed here right now. Once we tend to the wounded and ensure that they are receiving all the proper treatment, then you may go find Lieutenant Forest and the other guards and do the same for them. Though undoubtedly, they will be taken care of over there, as well."
"Understood," she said, though Firebrand could see the uneasiness in her eyes. She turned away and was about to take off.
"Hey."
South paused and looked behind her.
"He's alive."
She took a deep breath before nodding and taking off. Firebrand shook his head. His attempt at easing her worry didn't work. Of course it didn't. There was no way he knew for sure.
"Come on, Forest. Please be alive."

Celestia stared at the wall of Baron's Barbershop, one of several buildings surrounding the central plaza. Her wings shifted slightly; a subtle, barely noticeable expression of discomfort. It was true that she'd seen much in her millenia-long lifetime, but this made her stomach churn. On that wall was a dark, vaguely pony-shaped stain. The remains of a changeling that was unfortunately caught between the expanding barrier and that wall. She sighed. Even with all the pain and destruction these beasts inflicted upon Canterlot, she couldn't help but pity this one. Being crushed to death is a horrible way to die; but at the very least, it was quick.
She turned away and looked over the guards that were gathered nearby. From what she understood, they were the last pocket of resistance in the heart of the city. Any that weren't resting were tending to the wounded, as did the emergency ponies and field medics. Only moments ago did she designate this area as a field hospital, in order to ease the sudden influx of patients. If Celestia had the expertise, she would be healing these heroes herself. The only other ponies around were those tasked with repairing the damaged buildings. It was fortunate that unicorn spells could so easily restore structures to their original state, so long as the damage wasn't too extensive. Earth ponies would help assemble the pieces on the ground, the pegasi would lift them to their proper place, and unicorns would use a spell to meld them to the main structure. The process was quick and easy. A melding spell on its own was easy for Celestia, but the sort of melding required and how much was needed required experience and technique, something that she unfortunately lacked. In the end, it'd be wise to leave it to ponies who knew what they were doing. But that didn't mean the work would be slow. In a couple days, it'll be like the invasion never happened. But hearts and minds were not so easily healed. Celestia had a feeling that even when things were seemingly returned to normal, this day will cast a shadow in their memories for the years, perhaps even decades, to come.
A shadow passed over her. Celestia looked up and saw her sister, Luna, flying above. She was out in the city for the same reason Celestia was, to assess the damage done to Canterlot. A small part of her beamed with pride. It was not long ago that she returned to Equestria, yet she'd taken up her royal duties as swiftly and naturally as if she was never absent for a thousand years. Another thing that never changed was her sleeping state. She was such a heavy sleeper that the invasion hadn't roused her at first. It wasn't until changelings began banging on her door that she had awoken and realized to her horror what was happening. Almost immediately after, the shield was restored and the battle won. Despite her relief, she was frustrated. The guards that were designated to awaken her as soon as danger was imminent were either neglectful of their duties or were taken out before they could perform them. Neither of them knew which was the case; both outcomes were tragic in different ways.
Considering Luna's fondness of sleep and her current deprivation of it, Celestia fully expected her to return to her bed as soon as her objectives were accomplished.
"Princess Celestia," a deep, gruff voice called out. Celestia turned and saw a guard approaching, bearing the markings of a high-ranking officer. He took off his helmet and bowed in reverence, revealing a mustard yellow coat of fur and dirt brown mane, with a small streak of grey around his temples.
"Commander Poppinfresh," she acknowledged. "Have you completed your survey already?"
"Not quite, Your Majesty, but we are close. My vigil and I pride ourselves on efficiency. I'm pleased to confirm that there are no living changelings remaining within the castle. We are nearly finished with the commercial district, but the same conclusion is almost certain."
"Good work, thank you. Once that's done, proceed immediately to the residential quarter."
"Is there no word from Commander Firebrand?"
"Not yet. I can only hope it's because his hooves are tied at the moment."
"As do I, of course, though if I may be so bold, Your Majesty, I would not discount negligence. Firebrand is rather young for such a high rank, and quite brash. 'Reckless abandon' is a phrase that suits him."
Celestia didn't allow any emotion to show, but underneath, she was irritated. Was now really the time for such criticism? "I'll take your words under advisement."
"Once the survey is complete," he said, "shall I ring the all-clear signal?"
Celestia shook her head. "No. Not until the changelings are...cleaned up." She looked once more upon the poor creature, as a pair of earth ponies were attempting to pry it off with crowbars. The squishing and cracking sound drained the color from her face. "No pony should have to see such grisly sights. Not if it can be helped. As you go through the residential quarter, go door to door and assure the ponies that the battle is won, but a curfew is still in effect until further notice."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Before I go, though, may I inquire as to the health of the captain?"
Celestia smiled, slightly. "Shining Armor is fine. He's drained from the events of the day, but Princess Cadance is with him, and is helping to maintain the shield..."
"Your Highness!" a mare's desperate voice shouted from afar. "Your Highness!"
She looked up, past Poppinfresh, and gasped with horror, along with everypony else. It was Gilded Scintilla, a frequent guest of Canterlot Castle. Doctors and nurses that weren't tied up with their patients, along with a hoofful of other ponies, galloped up to the mare in a frenzy; because her legs and breast were spotted with blood.
Gilded furiously waved away a pair of doctors who were seeking her injury. "No, no, no, the blood isn't mine. It's his! Please, you must help him."
Celestia approached her, alarmed but calm. "Where is this wounded pony?"
"By my house. I'll show you."
She turned to the doctors beside her. "Grab a stretcher and follow me, quickly. Carry on, Commander," she said to Poppinfresh.
If all that blood came from one pony, then this one was hurt far worse than the others. She should give this one her personal attention. She was driven primarily by duty, but in the back of her mind, she also knew that her presence would mean the world to Gilded and the pony in question.
The mare took the lead, galloping as fast as she could. Celestia could easily keep up on her longer legs, so it was more of a brisk trot to her. The doctors were behind, levitating a stretcher with them, plus one nurse who overheard the conversation and volunteered her services.
"What's his condition?" Celestia asked.
"Horrible," Gilded said. "I think he's alive, but I almost...oh, please, let him live. If nothing else, he deserves that."
"I promise we'll do all we can for him."
Not a moment later did they arrive. Celestia noted in the back of her mind that a fierce battle was fought here, but she stayed focused on the wounded pony. She could not suppress a gasp when she saw him.
"Oh, no..."
"Horrible" was an understatement. The armor he'd been wearing was battered and beaten beyond repair. The helmet was torn off his head, lying a few feet away. The guard's body was broken, the bones shattered, his limbs now angled in wrong directions. Where there were no bruises or swelling, there were instead gashes, deep and oozing. And below it all was a puddle of his own blood. Celestia did not have high hopes that this pony would make it, but either way, it was a blessing that he wasn't conscious at the moment.
She darted forward, speeding past Gilded and leaving the doctors and nurse behind her, kneeling before the guard. She surrounded him in her magic and she probed him, the closest thing to a medical spell she had. Upon doing so, and inspecting him closer, she thought she recognized him. A glance at the helmet, and the spotting of the purple dashes on the side, confirmed it.
This was Lieutenant Forest Evergreen.
Then her eyes trailed across the front yard, and her jaw dropped just slightly, looking out at the damage wrought by the battle. What was once a well maintained yard was now a charred wasteland, the dying embers of a fire imprisoned by the surrounding concrete and left with nothing else to burn. The only flames remaining licked the tips of the blackened trees, which looked ready to fall to ash. A layer of the ground was stripped away, debris cast haphazardly across the yard.
That powerful beam spell from before...it must've happened here. Celestia's eyes settled on Forest's face. But surely it couldn't have come from just one guard? A spell of that magnitude would require several unicorns most of the time, maybe a few if they were strong. For it to have come from one...
She stopped, eyes widening. The feeling of familiarity, but of a very different nature, crept up her spine.
"Have you found a heartbeat?" one of the doctors asked.
Celestia snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes. Yes, I am detecting a heartbeat, but it's faint. He's alive, but he needs treatment immediately. Take him to Meadowbrook Hospital right away."
"Of course, Your Highness."
She didn't take her eyes off his face. The longer she stared, the more certain she became. But just in case...
The doctors and nurse worked together to slide Forest onto the stretcher, then heaved him up. As they began briskly trotting, Celestia followed them and reached out with her levitation magic, carefully prying open one of Forest's eyes.
A match. The color drained in her face as an equal blend of horror and anxiety filled her being. She released her magic and slowed her pace, feeling as if she saw a ghost. Come to think of it, that was close to the mark.
It was him. It had to be.
"Princess Celestia," Gilded said, approaching and bowing before her. "That guard saved me and my children. He held off so many changelings, just long enough. The shield activated right as they broke into my home. Without him, we would surely have been killed. So please, promise me you'll do everything in your power to save him. I'm begging you."
Celestia glanced in the direction of the wounded pony. "He saved you? And your children?"
"Yes, he did. That pony's a hero, and he deserves to live, if nothing else."
"Yes. He truly does. I will personally ensure he has the best care in all Equestria. I cannot guarantee the outcome, but I promise the effort will be made." There were hesitations in the back of her mind, but if this mare's recount was accurate, then the situation she and Luna have placed themselves in just grew much more complicated. Subtlety and secrecy was now the best route. "Gilded, I'm curious as to what exactly happened here. Could you please tell me everything, from the beginning?"

There was a knock at the door. Firebrand sighed and stood up, leaving his bowl of oatmeal on the kitchen table. He really wasn't in the mood for company at the moment. Once the feeling of relief waned from winning the battle, the day turned hectic, stressful, and depressing. Now that it was finally ending, the sun just dipping below the horizon, all he wanted was some time to relax and reflect. And then promptly forget about today for the evening.
Deciding that he would say he's not in the mood for company for tonight, the words on his tongue died when he opened the door. "South," Firebrand said, surprised. This was the first time she came knocking on the door to his home. And judging from the fact that she wore her newly repaired and polished armor, this was not a social call.
"Hey, Firebrand. Sorry to come knocking at this time, but I'm under orders from Princess Luna. You and I have been summoned. We're to proceed to the throne room as soon as possible."
"Really? Do you know what she wants?"
"No idea. She sounded pretty serious, though."
"I see." Firebrand sighed. No getting out of this one. "Okay, it's going to be a minute. I need to get my armor back on. Come on in, and excuse the mess. I wasn't expecting company."
South stepped inside and closed the door behind her, as Firebrand went into his bedroom. His home was perhaps a bit smaller than most houses in Canterlot, but it was ideal for one living by themself, as he did. He pulled the armor off the mannequin and began to fit it onto him.
He heard South click her tongue. "Yep. Definitely a bachelor pad."
Firebrand rolled his eyes. She was probably looking at the mail tossed haphazardly on the table, the dishes left unwashed in the sink, the jacket and a couple shirts hanging off the chairs, and laundry baskets left in the corner. "I do clean it," he called out, then mumbled, "occasionally."
"Well...I suppose all things considered, it's not that bad. But seriously, if it gets any worse, then I'll clean it."
Firebrand peeked around the corner. "You would actually do that?"
"If I have to. I'd rather not, of course, but if I must then I must. This place would probably be the cleanest it's been since you moved in!" South laughed.
Firebrand chuckled a little, but his smile faded. "Hey, South. I have to ask. Are you not mad?"
Her smile faded as well. "You mean about Forest?"
He nodded. It was one of many sights that day that would be seared into his memory forever, seeing Forest getting wrapped head to hoof in bandages and casts. Firebrand thought that he was set ablaze at first, but Forest's story was already beginning to spread amongst the doctors and nurses, and from them, he learned what happened. Truly chilling, in more ways than one; he was lucky to still be breathing. When asked how he was, one of the doctors simply said, "His heartbeat is steady for now, but he remains unconscious. Most likely, he's slipped into a coma. I won't lie, there's a lot that can go wrong here. I suggest you prepare for the worst." But judging from how earnest, desperate, and quick they were while treating him, they certainly believed there was a fighting chance.
"Of course I'm angry," South said. "One of my friends was beaten to an inch of his life. If I were younger and dumber, I would've gone chasing after those changelings, even after they were cast out of Canterlot. For the damage and pain they caused, they've yet to pay their debts. But deep down, I know that time will come. There's no way the princesses will just let them attack again."
"So it's only the changelings you're mad at? Nothing else?"
"Yeah." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why?"
Firebrand sighed as he came around the corner, now fully armored. "A small part of me thought that you might blame me."
South's mouth clamped shut as she looked away. "Blame you? No, I wouldn't go that far, though I was frustrated, and a little shocked. During the battle, you seemed so cold and even uncaring. But in the heat of the moment, I forgot that that is what's required of officers in warfare. To protect the innocent and minimize casualties, sacrifices must be made. The unchangeable, and most fundamental, rule when it comes to battle is that beasts die."
"Yeah. In the aftermath of the battle, I often wondered if I'd done things differently, then maybe there'd be fewer casualties. But there could just as easily have been more, so I decided there's no use worrying about it. Now it's up to historians, tacticians, and maybe just critics in general to decide whether I made the right calls or not. In the end, all one can do about the dead is pray for them, as they return to the Ether."
South nodded, solemnly.
"So that basically means we're good, right?" Firebrand asked.
"Oh, yeah, right. Sorry about the tangent. Yeah, we're okay."
"It's all good. We should get moving."
"Definitely."
Canterlot was quiet, at least by its own standards. While some ponies were out and about, enjoying the lively night life, it was not quite so lively tonight. Firebrand shouldn't be surprised. It was only natural that many ponies would still be shaken by the invasion. Even the castle seemed barren, giving off this eerie feeling, as if nopony should be there that night. It was hard to believe that Captain Shining Armor's wedding and reception ended barely an hour ago. If there hadn't been a head count earlier that afternoon, Firebrand might've thought they lost more guards than he first imagined.
As the two of them approached the throne room, he looked out upon Canterlot. The multitude of domes and spires bathed in the glow of the city and reflected the moonlight that shone down upon it. It truly was a beacon, the crown jewel of Equestria's crown. Befitting for the seat of power, it was perched on Canterlot Mount in the very center of the land. When Firebrand learned that there was no detectable magic holding the majority of the city to the side of the mountain, he wondered aloud how it could possibly remain stable on structural integrity alone. Somepony, he couldn't remember who, suggested that perhaps there was another kind of magic at work, something they weren't able to detect. Firebrand doubted that, but that would mean the city's stability was entirely reliant on its underlying structure and somehow, it stayed in place. But then, Canterlot has stood strong for over a thousand years. If it wasn't stable, it would've fallen down the cliff centuries ago.
"Commander Firebrand and Lieutenant South Gale," the guard before the throne room said, "the princess has been expecting you. You are to be admitted immediately."
"Do you know what's going on?" Firebrand asked.
The guard shook his head. "We were told nothing, though it seems to be urgent, considering that we dispensed with the usual formalities."
He nodded. That was a good point. Under most circumstances, the princess would be dealing with a myriad of issues and disputes, so much so that it was hard to say what the summoned ponies would walk into, so the guard would step in first to make sure there was nothing sensitive or confidential at work. The fact that the two of them were allowed in from the start meant that Princess Luna had cleared her schedule specifically for them. Whatever the reason, she must've felt this was of the utmost importance.
The heavy doors parted, revealing the grand throne room of Canterlot Castle. It was a large hall with a towering ceiling, sculpted with the finest marble, and enchanted to give off a soft glow, negating the need for torches at night. A plush red carpet ran all the way from the doors straight to the throne, which sat upon a raised dias, which was fashioned from pure gold. From the bottom step was a pair of fountains, one on each side of the steps, whose water would briefly pool on the floor before flowing down the drain, and sent the calm and serene trickle of water echoing throughout the hall. Upon the walls were massive stained-glass windows, and those that weren't ornately decorated with sun and moon designs and patterns depicted recent events in Equestria's history. One was of the Diamond Dog Rebellion, where Princess Cadance as little more than a filly stood against an army of diamond dogs, each bearing a burning torch in their paws. Another, more recent addition, was of the bearers using the Elements of Harmony on Nightmare Moon, returning her to normal as Princess Luna.
Firebrand had seen the throne room countless times, so the awe and wonder he once felt has waned quite a bit. What did catch him by surprise, however, was that Princess Luna was not sitting upon the throne. Rather, she was sitting before the stain glass window of Nightmare Moon when the doors opened. As they closed, she began making her way towards them, her expression pleasant, but serious. Her cerulean coat was well brushed, and the moon-crested gorget gleamed in the moonlight, finely polished. Luna wasn't quite as tall as Celestia, but she was still taller than the average unicorn. A thousand-year banishment did nothing to harm her poise. When focused, she radiated a regal and commanding presence that rivaled Celestia at her best, beautiful and indomitable. Though, much like Celestia, she did show a more mischievous side in a casual setting, or so he heard. Also like her sister, her mane continuously flowed as if it were eternally submerged, with the night sky, stars, and constellations fastened within, constantly moving and flowing with it. Firebrand once heard a rumor that the night sky in Luna's mane was a real-time depiction of the night sky that could be seen even during the day, but he didn't know how true that was. Though Luna was known as the Princess of the Moon, it was more accurate to describe her as the Princess of the Night.
Both Firebrand and South Gale bowed before their ruler.
"Commander Firebrand and Lieutenant South Gale, I presume?" Luna asked as she approached.
"We are, Your Majesty," Firebrand said, as they raised themselves up.
"Excellent. You have my thanks for coming on such short notice, especially at this time of night. There is much that needs to be discussed." She then looked over their heads and addressed the guards near the door. "The two of you may step out. Do not allow any ponies inside until both Firebrand and South leave."
They acknowledged, then obeyed. Once the doors boomed shut, Luna took a deep breath.
"Now, I understand you're both possibly quite exhausted and wish to go back to your rest, so I will skip the formalities. There are two matters that I wish to discuss with both of you, though for the first, it's mostly with you, Commander," she said, turning to Firebrand.
He blinked, nervous, but he couldn't exactly say why. He refused to look away from her eyes, though. "Something serious, I take it?"
"Very serious, but I'm sure you'll find it delightful," she said, smiling. "Captain Shining Armor has had a private discussion with Princesses Celestia and Cadance, myself, and his sister, Twilight Sparkle. On the morrow, he will announce his retirement as captain, as he takes on new duties as Prince Consort."
"Wait...he's retiring?" South asked.
Firebrand barely heard her. His mouth fell open as excitement began coursing through his body, almost feeling like adrenaline. No way. This wasn't why...? Did they already choose?
Luna noticed Firebrand's enthusiasm and her smile widened. "That means that the position for captain shall soon be vacant. Celestia, Cadance, and I have discussed the matter at length and we came to an agreement. Considering your performance today while under such extreme circumstances, as well as how you acted with what you knew in the moment, the choice became clear." She laughed at Firebrand's expression. "Yes, we have chosen you."
"YES!!!" Firebrand shouted as he leapt into the air. "I did it! I did it! I became a captain!"
"Firebrand!" South shouted, half-hugging, half-tackling him. "That's incredible! It's amazing! I'm so happy for you!"
"Poppinfresh is going to be so jealous!" And then he stopped. Poppinfresh really was going to be jealous, since the princesses did not select him for the promotion.
All the while, Luna was grinning. "It seems I don't need to ask if you accept the position. Very good! Rehearsals shall begin tomorrow morning, while the retirement announcement and promotion ceremony will be that evening. There is no need to worry about the time. Once the rehearsal is ready to begin, you will be summoned during your usual shift. Then Celestia will call for a meeting for the ceremony.
"Congratulations, Captain."
He inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself down. He let himself get a little too excited in front of a princess. "Captain Firebrand. I like the sound of that."
"Of course," Luna said, "that also leaves the position of commander open. Before I say anything else, we have not decided who should receive the promotion. But Lieutenant," she said, turning to South, "we've also learnt of your actions and skill in battle during the invasion and we're very impressed. You would certainly be a strong candidate. Even if we ultimately choose a different pony for the promotion, there's no doubt in my mind that you would make a fine commander."
South's smile grew wider and wider as Luna spoke, until it looked ready to leap off her face, which was turning scarlet. She bowed in reverence. "Your words mean the world to me, Your Highness. Thank you."
"If I may, princess," Firebrand said, stepping forward. "South deserves all the commendations she's received. In fact, I can say for certain she saved my life. But I also ask that you take Lieutenant Forest Evergreen into consideration for the promotion...if he survives," he added melancholically.
Luna's smile faded almost instantly. "Lieutenant Forest?"
Firebrand's brow furrowed as he tilted his head in confusion. "Yeah... Is there a problem?"
Her eyes shifted away, herself seemingly confused as well. It was almost as if she was having trouble processing what he said. Firebrand and South exchanged glances. They were thinking the same thing.
"Princess?" South pressed gently.
She shook herself from her thoughts, as if she awakened abruptly. "No, they must know," she muttered under her breath, then spoke louder. "I suppose the doctors haven't gotten word to either of you yet. The lieutenant will be in a coma for quite some time, but unless something goes wrong, he will live."
If they'd heard any other way, they'd be celebrating. But Luna's voice was darkly serious. She didn't sound happy at all. Firebrand felt the embers of anger within him building, and emotional barriers were building up in heart and mind. He can already tell he wasn't going to like what was coming. He kept his voice calm.
"That's good news, isn't it? That one of our Royal Guards is going to live after suffering many severe wounds?"
Luna glanced around, as if suspecting somepony might be there, eavesdropping. She waved the two of them closer, then whispered, "What I am about to ask cannot leave this room. Not even a single mention. Do I have your word?" Such gravity in her voice.
South nodded. "You have my word."
Luna turned to Firebrand. "And yours?" He hesitated. Something was very wrong about all this. "If I cannot have your word, then you may go. I will speak with South privately."
"That..." He gulped. "That will not be necessary. You have my word as well."
"Very good. Then this brings us to our second order of business. What do you know of Forest Evergreen?"
Forest? All this secrecy, and it's just about Forest? Maybe it wasn't as serious as he first thought.
"Besides the fact that he's a hero," Firebrand said, "he...well, he's a hard worker, very reliable. I can't even remember the last time he took a sick day. He keeps up with his daily drills and training, much more so than most guards. He's one of very few unicorns that doesn't use magic in combat, instead focusing on hoof-to-hoof techniques."
Luna raised her eyebrows in surprise. "He does not use magic in combat?"
"No, he doesn't."
"Interesting. Please continue."
"As for his personality, he's...sometimes abrasive, but pleasant enough, I guess?" It suddenly dawned on him how little he knew about Forest, despite serving by his side for years. "I don't know. South can tell you more, she's known him longer."
"Not by much," she said.
"How long have you known him?" Luna asked.
"A little over six years. But honestly, there's not much I can say. I've tried repeatedly to get him to open up, but he just won't budge. I know nothing about his life before we met. But what I do know is that there's a quiet kindness to him. He's pretty blunt, which can hurt from time to time, but when he realizes his words stung, he is quick to apologize. In fact, he can be very sweet at times. He doesn't let ponies get close, though. I think it's because...well, I suspect he went through something traumatizing. I was in a bad spot, but his was worse. The Royal Guard helped me out of it, but...I'm not so sure about Forest. Why are you asking about him?"
Luna opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She clamped her jaw shut, shaking her head, then opened it once more. "The truth is..." She stopped and sighed, taking a few steps toward the throne as she gathered her thoughts. Before long, she nodded, then turned back to them. "Alright. This will come as a shock, especially in light of recent events. I will try to be as tactful as possible. Celestia and I believe that Forest's loyalty to Equestria isn't...sincere."
Firebrand had difficulty comprehending what she said. Did he hear that right? He turned to South and realized she was just as lost. Luna noticed their confusion.
"We believe him to be a traitor."
"Wh—what?" South asked.
"Traitor?" Firebrand muttered. "You've got to be joking."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Do you really believe I would joke about such a thing?"
"But...how? Why? What evidence do you have?"
"I cannot say at the moment. Just know that neither Celestia nor I would be investigating without just cause."
The fire in Firebrand's heart was burning hotter. "'Just cause?' What cause is that? The same pony you're talking about faced down dozens of changelings at once to defend Canterlot. To defend Equestria!"
"That may have been subterfuge."
"Subterfuge?! Those wounds he suffered were real. He was very nearly killed, defending innocent ponies from what would certainly have been their death. He put his life on the line to defend our nation, to defend the diarchy, to defend you! Or is that not good enough for you?!"
Firebrand regretted those words as soon as they came out.
Luna fixed him with a glare, cold anger in her eyes. She approached him with her jaw very tight, towering over him. He didn't realize exactly how much taller Luna was until this moment. She spoke with a low and dangerous voice. "Watch your tone, Captain. Celestia may tolerate insubordination if she wishes, but I will not. Are we clear?"
Firebrand lowered his head, cursing his hot head. "You're... You're right. I'm sorry, Your Highness. That was out of line."
There was silence, until finally he heard a sigh. "You are forgiven. I can see why all this has upset you. Yes, the commander's heroics today belies the evidence we have. That's why Celestia and I are conducting this investigation in the first place, to discern the truth with our own eyes. And what we've found is questionable, at the very least."
Luna took a couple steps back and activated her magic. A file materialized before her, and she opened it with her magic.
"You both should see this."
Firebrand took it in his own levitation magic and opened it, with South leaning in to read it; Luna studied their expressions closely. There was a simple photo of the pony in question, with several aspects and worthy notes listed, including physical descriptions, duty stations and assignments, training, qualifications, and date that the record was created.
"Forest's personnel file," Firebrand said.
"Look under 'Magic Potential.'"
He traced his hoof down to where it was listed. "It was rated below average."
"Yeah," South said. "His magic isn't very strong, so it's not suited for battle. That's why he doesn't use it in the first place."
Luna exhaled deeply. "So neither of you know. Even after six years."
She sat down upon the floor, shifting into a comfortable position. South followed suit, and Firebrand soon after.
"There is something you must know," Luna said. "You might have seen a great red beam that cut through the sky just a few minutes before the shield activated. Celestia saw it while she was captured by the changeling queen."
"A beam of that power," South said, "would require the combined might of multiple unicorns. But I'm guessing that's not the case here, is it?"
Luna shook her head. "No. A witness confirmed that it came from Forest, and Forest alone. Every pony undergoes rigorous testing of abilities during training, so Forest knowingly falsified the record. Having strong magic in and of itself is not an evil. In fact, in these uncertain times, that is exactly what we need. But why choose to hide it instead, even from his closest friends? With the likelihood of treachery, this secret of his is most suspicious. I tell you this so that you understand the gravity of the situation, insomuch as I can say at present. So I will ask again. What do you know of Forest Evergreen?"
South took a moment to compose her thoughts, then she spoke, the emotional toll of the conversation wearing down her voice, but her eyes were filled with determination. "I've known him for a long time, and not once did he ever indicate that his loyalty wavered. Not a single sign. Yes, he's full of secrets, but I promise that he's not a bad pony."
"I second that," Firebrand said. "Though I would also add that Forest's daily routine is heavily accounted for. The closest thing to privacy he has is the barracks, and there are still several ponies around him. If there was anything strange going on, believe me, I would've heard about it. I don't know why you think he's a traitor, but I guarantee that your evidence is unfounded."
"If only we could dismiss it so easily," Luna muttered. "But thank you for your insight. There may come a time when we need to ask more questions, so be prepared. In the meantime, carry on as if this conversation never happened. When Forest eventually awakens, continue to be his friend. Be there for him. But do not, under any circumstances, tell him about the investigation. And I would also remind you that you gave your word never to speak of this outside this room. Until you are explicitly told otherwise, you will hold to it. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the two ponies said.
"Good. Then you may go. Return to your homes and get some sleep. Many ponies will have nightmares tonight, so I must tend to the dreamscapes. If either of you are troubled, I will aid you. Otherwise, I bid you good night."
Firebrand and South bowed and bade her good night as well. Without another word, Luna walked out of the throne room. The doors shut once more, yet curiously, the guards did not return. They walked towards the door.
"'Traitor,'" Firebrand said, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."
"Literally," South said. "Let the princesses do what they want. They'll find nothing and realize it was all pointless. Then we all forget this ever happened." South stopped. Firebrand paused beside her. "Even if it is weird that he never once showed his true magical potential. Not even to me."
"Yeah. If he revealed it from the start, he could've excelled in the guard like no other. Even more so than he will today. After today..." Firebrand shook his head, the anger within rising once more. "No. After what he's gone through, what he's going through, he deserves to know the truth. When he awakens, I'll tell him the princesses are investigating him."
"What? Firebrand, that's..."
"He deserves at least that much."
South darted in front of him before he could storm out of the room. She held her hoof out, stopping him in his tracks. "No, stop. Think about it for a second, Firebrand. Luna gave both of us a direct order not to tell him."
"And you don't think that's strange? When you have a prime suspect in a case, you would question them directly, wouldn't you? If they're telling us not to tell him, that means they don't plan on interrogating him directly. Now, how strange is that? No, he should know what's going on."
"I mean...you do have a point, but they must have their reasons. You also have to think about your situation right now. You were just promoted to captain, and the first thing you did was insult one of the princesses. Not a great first start. If you disobeyed an order on a whim, you may be demoted back to commander. And what if...? No, I don't believe this for a second, but what if...what if there's the slightest chance that the princesses' suspicions are correct? If you interfere, not only could you be demoted, but you might be discharged, even imprisoned, for aiding and abetting a traitor. You would lose everything. Is telling Forest worth the risk?"
Firebrand didn't say anything, but he listened to every word she said. He licked his lips, and sighed deeply. "I hate this. I hate all of this."
South lowered her foreleg to the floor. "Me, too. I'm going to go home, and sleep on it. I think you should do the same."
Firebrand and South departed the throne room, and it wasn't until then that the guards returned to their posts within. They bade each other good night at the gate and took their separate paths home. Firebrand was deep in thought. The mystery of Forest's power and where he came from... The Royal Sisters accusing him of treason, yet refusing to explain why... With these strange circumstances, combined with the dead quiet of Canterlot's streets, he couldn't help but feel this was an ill omen.
He didn't know what he would do when Forest awakened. Perhaps he wouldn't know until the moment comes, and would have to rely on his instincts. Whether there will be consequences or not will be left to Destiny, the Will of the Ether.