//------------------------------// // Inspection // Story: Rise of the Elements Epidode 0: Silent over Time // by Dream Volt //------------------------------// This was the most important day of my life. I gave a quick stomp with one of my front hooves, the clank of the armor against stonework reverberating throughout the courtyard. The six squads in dark armor in front of me instantly came to attention. The day was finally here, and we were ready. I felt my wings give a slight involuntary half flap, the excitement of the moment making me want to spread them. Time was short, and we'd gone over everything ten times already, but one final check wouldn't hurt. "Attention." There was only a slight clack as the hooves came together as metal armor struck metal armor. A few actually complained they liked the normal guard armor more, but you didn't end up in the moon guard if you weren't dedicated. The old armor hadn't been used in some time, but slowly it's been put back into service. Celestia always thinks ahead. The pegasai were in front, the male unit center stage, Blossom and Song's wings to either side. The earth pony squad was in the center of the second row, with the unicorn squads on either side of them. But it wasn't their turn yet. "Present, wings." 15 ponies was a standard flight wing. It went back to when the arrowhead was the preferred formation, and the next step up for a proper arrowhead is 21. Commander Hurricane liked squads that large, but it still seems excessive to me and I'm glad 15 became the standard. But the group of stallions in front of me was only 10 strong. They had joked replacing them with females was the only regulation I wanted to break, but they were for the most part wrong. Luna when she formed the moon guard tried to fill it with mares, as not even defending the herd is beyond mares. Yet somehow over time one squad of male guards became part of the regs. But they were wrong I hated stallions. They were good boys, and just as good as the squads of females to either side. In fact with how hard I pushed they might even be better. All three flight wings spread their wings in a single motion that made me proud. The bat wings were another effect of the armor just like the dragon eyes. The sea of whites and grays staring back at me were yet another. In general the pegasus color was dark grey, the earth ponies turned white, not that one could tell, and the unicorns a slightly lighter grey. The lieutenants were front and center, the only difference in their armor being a silver crescent that encircled the blue gem on each breastplate. "Salute." The wings were in perfect unison. Everything seemed perfect, then I noticed Dream Volt's armor in front of me. It was a small detail really, the rest of his armor was perfect, but his crescent, his badge of rank or all things should not be dull. I just glared at him saying nothing. He looked down and laughed nervously. "See it turns out that you really do need to use the special silver polish even if the magic of the armor keeps it in good shape otherwise, and I ran out. I was going to get more but then something came up and…" I sighed. "You forgot. Like always." "Sorry." "I understand why Celestia decided to put you in the moon guard well enough, but why she made you a lieutenant I can't demote I will never under stand." He raised his head with a big dumb smile on his face and laughed slightly. "Sorry." I sighed. "Oh well, unlike some ponies at least you're marginally useful, and you at least make an attempt to take orders." Everypony was silent waiting for the retort, but it didn't come. A few even looked back or to the side to the front of one of the unicorn squads. Maybe she is capable of learning after all. I turned toward the other group, but I couldn't really see them through he ranks of pegasai, especially with the guys in front of me. "Firecracker, do you have a spell that can fix this perhaps?" "Oh yea, I've been practicing. I can shine up the whole uniform just like that." "Without causing it or Dream Volt to explode?" "Almost absolutely positive. And I mean like it's just that niggling something can always go wrong sort of way." "What about setting him or the armor on fire." There was a sharp intake of breath and slight hiss from her direction. "Well I got the armor licked but well, I'm still a little iffy on the not setting a pony on fire. I mean I don't think it should be a problem but…" Dream smiled. "That's close enough for me. Just let me have it." "Whoo! Okay…" "Firecracker wait a second he can just…" I then barely got out of range with a quick backwards takeoff. The stallions next to Dream were not quite so fast, but luckily the fireball that engulfed him was smaller than we all expected it to be. Then it was over and other than his fur having seemingly shifted to black he looked fine. He looked down at the now very shiny silver crescent and smiled. "Wow, that was so much easier than the normal way. Can we do that every time." "Ooo, so he's fireproof too." Said Firecracker. "Cool. What else can you do?" "Firecracker." "Awww, but come on." "By order of Celestia no discussion whatsoever. Even if somepony is making that far more difficult than it should be." Dream let out a short broken laugh. "Sorry again." "Well since I'm already in the air. Form up and lift off." The stallions were a little slower than I would have liked, but they managed well enough. Being rattle by a fiery blast might be a good excuse for Shining and his troops, but I'm not so soft, and they should be used to that sort of thing by now. Then without even the command the rear row marched forward. I checked out the flying row first before landing. Their form was good and they held position perfectly. I landed in front of the heavily armored earth ponies. "Salute." Standing on three hooves is tricky enough, much less doing it in unison. Even a certain unicorn squad leader managed much to my amazement. The earth pony armor was the most different of the three. It was the same colors, but covered nearly everything. It fact all you could see even a hint of their fur color was a tiny slit in the helmet. The glowing teal embers were not the most imposing color, but the effect with the rest of the armor was imposing enough. It was a mass of spikes and blades, that if you didn't examine closely you would never realized used the same breastplate and helmet of the rest of the moon guard. Slightly less impressive was the shortest full grown pony I'd ever seen leading them. This was made seemingly more ridiculous as the earth pony unit tended to have some of the biggest mares in the kingdom. "Lets see some glow ladies." The unicorn armor was almost identical to the pegasus armor. Really the only difference was a few glowing lines on the edge of the armor. Their glow intensified as each unicorn lit her horn. The lines were actually lines of minute runes, but it was terribly hard to tell, even as a pegasus. Also the glow made them blur together all the more. Again I felt great pride in the unified display, and was about to move on, but then thought of something. "Mirror." There was some general mumbling, and then I realized something distressing. I wanted an illusory mirror, and out of my girls there was only one who actually knew the spell. No doubt others had the skill, but only she for sure knew the spell. I sighed and walked down the line. The haughty look was unmistakable, even though for once she had actually left off the cape without even being asked. I glared at her. "Well Lieutenant?" "Are you speaking to Trixie?" "Of course I am speaking to you. Apparently you are the only pony that can cast the spell. So I want to see a mirror. Now." She tossed her head upward no longer looking at me. "You think Trixie is here just to do whatever little thing you ask of her?" I just blinked. Then the laughs started. Dream was first, as usual, and showed the least restraint, but soon others joined in. I sighed. I'd long since given up trying to stop my soldiers from breaks in discipline when it came to Trixie. She just seemed to naturally erode proper military behavior in all manners, merely by being herself. I will never understand why Celestia put her of all ponies in such a position of power at all, not to mention the military of all places. "Do I really need to explain…" "Trixie is no foal. You shall have your accursed mirror. For the Great and Powerful Trixie it is the simplest of requests. Trixie will never understand why of all the tasks the princess could have asked Trixie she chose this." I was glad that Trixie really was good at illusions and the mirror appeared before me almost instantly. I'd rather her not see the look of shock on my face. We actually agree on something? The mirror looked absolutely real, though I hoped there wasn't a real mirror with a gold frame decorated with countless mini Trixies prancing about it. Even though illusions are all ultimately just light tricks, getting one to reflect light wasn't easy. If she wasn't so stubborn and actually followed orders I think Trixie might even be useful, but sadly she remained herself. I shook my head. Time to focus. Everything looked okay. My helmet was the biggest difference between my armor and the other pegasai. It had two large fins in front of my ears instead of one up the middle, and a large hole in the back that let my hair spill out in a ponytail. There was also a small line of spikes that followed the contour of my spine from the top of my helmet all the way to my tail, except for the hole for my hair of course. There was also the metal horn. I still wasn't sure how much I liked it, it seemed to vary day to day, but it made some sense to have the captain of your personal guard look at least a little more like the princess she served herself. Personally I think the double crescent surrounding the gem on my breastplate was enough, but it is regulation. Shinning Armor would have had to deal with the same thing if he was a pegasus, but there has been a long line of unicorn captains of the sun guard. The other major difference being the armor was jet black, and made my hide a ghostly white, and my hair and mane a royal purple. I was satisfied and nodded. The mirror vanished and I walked back to the center. "Marvelous. Thou art all quite skilled." I then heard a stomping of hooves as my soldiers all tensed. I turned see princess Luna standing there. I've read about her for so much of her life. The entire purpose of my good ponies was to serve her, but for slightly over a thousand years we have been an aimless secret most ponies never even heard of, much less understood. Yet at long last Luna had returned. Now after over a month we finally can meet her and resume our ancient duty. I bowed down low, and based on the sound so did all the ponies behind me. They better have all done so at least. I swear if that unicorn has yet again failed to bow when she should she will never see the end of latrine duty. "Are you alright my captain?" "Oh, fine your majesty." I then got a big overdone grin on my face. Even when she is for once doing what she's supposed to she's causing me problems. I just have to keep believing that Celestia really does have some good reason for sticking me with that frustrating mare, and it isn't just some elaborate prank of some sort. Luna raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, focusing behind me once again. "We are most impressed. When our sister told us she never disbanded our moon guard we were quite pleased. But we expected far…" she then paused. "…less." "Yes, the moon guard shall never falter in its duties. Though obviously with your majesty's absence, we have mostly been using our skills to serve Equestria in general. We do protect a few of your interests here and there when we can however." "As well as any other dirty job that…" began Firecracker before somepony had the good sense to stuff something in her mouth to shut her up. "Firecracker. I know you prefer to deal with things in a very direct manner, but there is also a time and place for everything." Princeess Luna smiled. "You need not worry much miss…" Then she frowned slightly. "Excuse me my captain but I know not thy name." I saluted. "Captain Silent Sky at your service your majesty." "Ah, and obviously you know my name. But you said waited? You knew of me?" "Of course. Though in truth most of our duties up to this point have actually been keeping your existence secret. Primarily the shadow library." "The what?" "A library with your works, and the original volumes of all works you contributed too, as well as various other records. I actually prefer calling in the lunar library, but the official term was determined by the house and hall, so I cannot argue." "Does though mean the house of nobles?" "No your majesty, the hall is the hall of royals, the house the house of commons. The new terminology was introduced some time ago along with various political reforms you suggested. The judiciary and senate ideas you helped create were also adopted eventually. I'd need a book to explain any more." Luna shook her head. "That will not be necessary. We know we have much to learn, but have been avoiding political books for a reason. We thought coming here was a waste of time but we were very wrong. We are glad we finally let Sunny convince us." I blinked. There were a couple things I didn't expect. Shying away from politics wasn't too much of one, although she had worked with many great thinkers about politics, shaping their views but had difficulty with the art in practice. The second was the delays were clearly not just as Celestia said, she doesn't think she's ready, but Luna putting off the meetings to do more studying. Though in retrospect I should have expected that too. I knew of the nickname for Celestia, but hearing it out loud still somehow shocked me. I then realized Luna was staring at me with an eyebrow raised. I hadn't said anything for bit, had I? "Thank you your majesty." "Still, while we are impressed, there is much to catch up on. Come with me my captain, we shall discuss thy future duties as I study." "Uh, what about…" "Thou would know better than we. We can wait." I turned around. I was tempted to take a full wing to guard the princess, but the palace library wasn't that dangerous, and for at least a while longer they all had other duties to perform. Well, almost all. I sighed. I suppose I might as well take him along at least. He's quite capable and properly supervised even useful. I also need to take that egomaniac too don't I? I have never questioned any of Celestia's decisions more other than why she banished her own sister, and I've since come to understand that at least. "Dream Volt, Trixie. You're with me. The rest of you are to do your duty as normal for now. Dismissed." Or sleeping I didn't mention. After all this was the whole moon guard, not just those that have shift now, but all of them. My two non-optional lieutenants separated from their units, walking forward. Most of the others left, pegasai flying away, unicorns teleporting, or like the earth ponies simply marching away quickly. In the end only three remained in the yard. The young pegasus stallion didn't stand out too much from the rest in his armor, other than his bright smile. Trixie on the other hoof even with her colors changed still had that same tell tale insufferable look on her face. The third was the brightly smiling Firecracker, eyes as intense as ever. She didn't look too different from any of the other unicorns, but even if she wasn't the only other unicorn Lieutenant I would still recognize her. "Firecracker, is there something else you should be doing?" She shook her head. "Nope. There are some other things I could be doing, but I think this is way more important. So I'll just come along. I bet you just barely managed not to ask Blossom or Sweets not to bring their full wing right?" I nodded. "Yes, but this is the palace and I shouldn’t overdo it when there are so many obligations we still have." "WONDEROUS. Truly it brings me joy to have such ponies in my service." "Cool." Said Firecracker "That was awesome." "What does thou mean?" I blinked. Did she really not notice how loud she was just now? It was almost louder than father when he wasn't mad. I wasn't sure anything could be louder than the esteemed High Commander when he was mad, even Luna herself. It was still quite the accomplishment. He didn't get his nickname for being merely loud. Though despite being known as the eardrum shatterer that likely never quite happened. Yes that one soldier's ears started bleeding, but I think that was a special case. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a problem. Then Trixie and Dream were in front of Luna, and Firecracker with a burning flash joined them. I quickly flew back to the princess. "The great and powerful Trixie reporting for duty. I still think this is a waste of my phenomenal talents, but if the princess asks how can I not serve." "Yea, I'm here." I glared at Dream. "I mean Dream Volt reporting for duty. Sorry." Firecracker then gave a proper salute. "Lt. Firecracker Burst, reporting for duty mam, it's wonderful to finally meet you." I smiled as Luna did. Firecracker had her issues, but she was a good soldier, and talented unicorn. Also despite her first solution to any problem always being the same, she could come up better plans eventually. Sometimes there even wasn't explosives or fire involved at all. Usually there was at least a little of one or the other though. "Thy choices seem, odd. It seems like…" "The records are very clear your majesty. We are to serve you, but we guard the populace against you." "Yes, we said that, but in truth that is a bit bleak. It is more a matter of though we need not fear the ponies about us, it is the smooth flow of society, and protecting ponies from injury of their own selves." "Or ponies hurting those in the way of their object of affection. The adored and impressive Trixie knows this first hand of course." "Yes, I'm sure you do." I said "I still can't tell when you're being sarcastic." Added Dream "Huzzah, now these are two lively ones. Come, to the library." Then the princess of the night took to the sky. I yawned again. Terribly unprofessional, but I just couldn't help it. I guess the notes about how little she sleeps were accurate after all.