Ratimir snapped his eyes open. His eyes darted around the room as he reached for his sword. It took him only a few seconds to realize he had simply passed out for a little bit and that he was still on the train. A sigh escaped him and his body relaxed, slumping against the metal walls.
“Old bastard.”
Ratimir clicked his tongue and stood up.
He took a moment to run his right hand over his right eye, and then glanced down and checked his left arm. It was slightly numb. He smacked it against the metal wall, leaving behind a decently sized dent, and speeding up the blood flow process. Ratimir huffed as he checked to make sure he didn't hit hard enough to cause it to swell or bruise himself.
If he did, he knew Princess Celestia would scold him for it.
After regaining his leftarm, he used it to help pop his neck and back, reigniting the sense of normalcy back into his body. He finally decided to acknowledge the dryness of his throat. He grunted in annoyance at the inconvenience of thirst.
‘I'm sure Princess Celestia will have something. She always does.’
He scowled in response to that fact.
‘Annoying… Just like she was.’
He crossed his arms and lowered his gaze to the ground. He frowned his brows and shut his eyes. The usual pain in his chest acted up, a symptom of sleeping.
It was why he hated sleeping.
‘It's always these damned memories…’
Ratimir slowly opened his eyes. A dark figure enter his vision, Ratimir slowly looked up and found humanoid figures made of black smoke occupying the same car he was in, all in normal positions as if they were idly chatting or simply waiting to get off the train too.
Ratimir scowled hard, a shiver flowed through him. Across him was the black, smoky figure of… her. By her side was the figure was those two. As his eyes looked away he could see at the end of the cart, the tall imposing figure was of him among his gang.
Ratimir shut his eyes and brought his hands to his face, letting them sink into his eyes as he inhaled and exhaled. Moving his hands away from his eyes, he opened them again and found himself alone.
“..........”
Ratimir paused his left arm from completely going down, briefly brushing his thumb against the scar on his lip.
“...I wonder if this really is her curse…”
Ratimir smiled a bit as his hand fell.
“No…”
He knew better.
He sighed and shook his head as a screech from the train filled his ears. Ratimir stood up and shook himself once more, glancing briefly to check if there were any more figures. Upon seeing none, Ratimir turned and started to head to the door. He stopped midway as the realization that he was in Canterlot came to him. His mind flashed before him all the unicorns he had defeated… all the looks of disdain that were given to him.
All the times of joy he felt when he sliced off the horns of those unicorns.
“She is far too nice, and you know well that mercy has its price!”
Ratimir huffed.
“Well said, Yaroslav.”
Ratimir walked again.
“She can't keep letting her guards live in a delusional dream forever. “
No.
‘She can't keep living in this delusional idea of what true Harmony is forever...’
Twilight moved the bunks curtains to the side as her ears stood up, the screech of the train's wheels assaulting her. She slid out onto the main walkway and fixed her mane. As she looked around, her eyes widened as she found most of the guards out of their bunks and putting their armor back on.
Dusk Blade let’s out a closed-eye yawn as Moonfall helps her with her chest piece straps. The small mare smacks her lips and slowly opens her eyes. Slowly, her eyes wander around until they land onto Twilight.
Almost instantly, the small mares demeanor changed.
“There you are!”
Dusk Blade beamed and quickly turned to face Twilight, accidentally smacking Moonfall across the face with her tail in the process.
“I thought I was going to have to search the car where the food was!”
Dusk Blade pranced over to Twilight’s side and prods her stomach once with a hoof and then her flank.
“Eating up and getting bigger.~”
Twilight glared at the snickering mare and gently pushed her out of prodding distance.
“Good morning to you too, Dusk Blade.”
Dusk blade grinned and stuck her tongue out for a moment before releasing a loud yelp as her body is yanked backwards. Dusk Blade glared back and found Moonfall biting down on her tail, pulling her back towards him. She shakes her rear away from him and hisses.
Moonfall rolled his eyes.
“Shut up, unless you want to put your armor on yourself.”
Dusk Blade scowled and turned away, grumbling, as Moonfall huffed and returned to working on her straps. Twilight looked over Moonfall, noticing the stallion had slightly more life to his looks now.
‘He looks much better! Good…’
Twilight moved her gaze over to Fallen Shine and Great Star, finding the duo keeping to themselves while adjusting their armor. Seeing nothing wrong with the duo, she moved her gaze behind her and found Faded Light dragging Northern Light out of her bunk by her tail.
“Gweh up, it’s tiwe.”
“Just a couple of seconds more! I beg of-” Faded Light yanks her tail, bringing the unicorn down to the ground. “Mweh!”
Faded Light spat out her tail and looked down at the annoyed mare.
“Hurry up, and get equipped.”
Northern Light grumbled as she slowly rose to her hooves. With no hesitation, she lit her horn and grabbed her canteen, biting the lid off and downing the container empty. Twilight took a step back as she watched her fellow unicorn chug. Northern Light pulls it away from her lips and lets out a relieved sigh. She beamed and started to quickly put her armor on.
Twilight almost wanted to ask Northern Light what she just drank but deemed it better not to slow her from putting on her armor. She moved her focus away from Northern Light and onto Faded Light.
The Lieutenant held a stoic expression, yet her eyes looked somewhat unfocused. Exhaustion was clear with her eyes, but her actions showed made her look okay on the outside.
‘Did she even sleep?’
Twilight couldn’t help but worry.
‘Was it because of our argument earlier…?’
Twilight’s eyes shifted away from Faded Light as the thought landed itself in her brain. In her eyes, Faded Light took it too far by threaten the stallion, after all they were guards meant to protect them. Twilight felt that they would’ve just disagreed, but no harm would come to it… That was until Ratimir was involved. Twilight knew that Faded Light looked up to him… perhaps in the same manner that she looked up to Princess Celestia.
It was that belief that made Twilight’s heart feel clogged. She knew how devastating it felt to be scolded by your mentor, after her use of the ‘Want it, need it’ spell she still remembered the disappointment she saw in Princess Celestia’s eyes as she came to her. While Princess Celestia had forgiven her, Twilight couldn’t forgive herself for letting Princess Celestia down over her own paranoia for a while after that.
While Faded Light looked fine on the outside, Twilight couldn’t help but believe that there was a chance that Faded Light was struggling inside after getting scolded by Ratimir. She was different from Twilight, more calm and collected, she didn’t wear her feelings on her sleeve. Yet, Twilight couldn’t help but project her experience onto the mare. There was a chance that, like Twilight, she would push herself harder and end up making things worse.
‘I should talk to-No, I can’t… I was the cause of this! If it were me, there would be no way I would allow the pony who made my mentor mad at me to comfort me.’
Twilight glanced over at the other guards.
‘Faded Light is one of the highest ranks… I doubt the others would be comfortable asking her feelings.’
Before Twilight could think any deeper of the issue, the metallic shifting of the doors behind her sang. Twilight quickly turned her head and was met with the large, cloaked frame of Ratimir. Her eyes instinctively looked up to meet Ratimir face, and what she saw made her fur stand on end.
Ratimir, held a look between his stoic and something else… something dark. His eyes were held no light to them, only staring forward, ignoring everyone in front of him as if he found something or someone more important. Shrunken slightly with brows furrowed, a look that made it seem like if something were to burst into the room from the other side… Ratimir would be the first to strike the attack first.
Twilight gulped.
“Ratimir, are you okay?”
In an instant, his eyes locked onto her own, staring at her for a moment before looking forward again as he moved past Twilight.
“It’s nothing.”
Twilight winced at the icy tone in his voice.
‘What happened to him?’
Twilight’s gaze followed him, she opened her mouth to say something. However, to the right, she saw Fallen Shine shaking his head at her. Twilight slowly closed her mouth and nodded in understanding.
“Cuffs.”
Northern Light quickly levitates the cuffs and tosses them over to Ratimir. Without even looking her way, he catches them and slips them onto his wrists. With the arrival of Ratimir the guards hurry with their armor, the group getting set up within a minute. Twilight quickly gathered her things and prepared herself to move.
“Let’s go. Formation.”
The guard quickly surrounded the man in the best circle they could make in the narrow passage. Twilight positioned herself next to Northern Light. The group stepped through the doors and entered the next train car, and then next. Eventually, making it to the train car that held their exit. There awaiting them from a safe distance away and peeking from behind the train doors leading to the next car was the conductor.
“H-have a safe t-trip!”
Great Star and Faded Light rolled their eyes.
Twilight let out a sigh as the conductor quickly took his leave, effectively running away. The group stepped down the steps and met the sights of the sleeping capital. Twilight smiled a bit as she saw the familiarity of her hometown. The towering white stone buildings donned with gold and purple, the light posts holding light magic, and the green stone pavement of the kingdom. Though, the silence of the kingdom, made a shiver run through her fur.
‘It’s so… quiet.’
Even as she scanned the streets from the station, she didn’t see anypony exit, or enter buildings or even walk around. The city was dead. Reminding Twilight that how much of her life was not only spent inside but the origins of Princess Luna’s jealousy. The memory of the times Princess Celestia had visited Ponyville and being greeted with respect, awe, and adoration.
‘Was Princess Luna ever granted that?’
Twilight internally flinched as she remembered Luna’s first appearance on Nightmare Night. Thought it got better as the people started to get to know the princess… Twilight couldn’t help but feel that the interaction itself probably landed a mark on the Princess of Night. It didn’t help that she was told that Princess Luna didn’t willingly turn into Nightmare Moon… but rather had her magic become unstable and consume her.
‘I think I’m to understand more about Princess Luna’s perspective now…’
Dusk Blade’s eyes sparkled as she looked around.
“Wow, so this is Canterlot! So fancy! You grew up here, right, Twilight!?”
Before Twilight could respond. A ‘Tsk’ from Northern Light came and together, Northern Light, and Moonfall spoke in synchronization.
“It’s not as great as you think.”
Northern Light, and Moonfall glanced at each with some surprise before silently nodding at each other, while Dusk Blade gave the two an annoyed but understanding look.
“What’s the plan now, Captain?”
Great Star looked over at Ratimir and Twilight.
“Princess Luna was supposed to greet us…”
Dusk Blade spun and faced Twilight.
“Do you think some happened to our–”
A blinding flash of light came in front of the group, causing the group to shut their eyes for a moment. Opening their eyes, the group found themselves met with Princess Luna… and Princess Celestia. Twilight immediately notice the mild annoyance Princess Luna wore on her face, while Princess Celestia seemed… happier than normal.
The guard quickly bowed before the Princesses, more specifically to Princess Luna. Princess Luna took the moment to close her eyes and inhale, exhaling and putting on a smile.
“We apologize, our guardians. An “issue”-”
Princess Luna’s shifted over to Princess Celestia for a moment.
”-came up that deterred us for a moment.”
The guards wordlessly stand back up and simply give a nod of understanding. Princess Luna looked over at Twilight and nodded a greeting before looking over at Ratimir, opening her mouth to address him.
“Ratimir! It’s been a while!”
Princess Luna’s eye twitched as her sister approached Ratimir.
“Let’s get those off you.”
“There no ne–”
Ratimir couldn’t even protest before the oversized cuffs around his wrist were enveloped in golden mana and disappearing in a flash of light. Ratimir stared at his wrists for a second before going back to Princess Celestia. Twilight’s eyes shrunk as she watched Ratimir’s expression shift to less stoic and more… angry. He opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off by the Princess.
“Oh! I almost forgot! I came here with a gift for you!”
Princess Celestia lit her horn and summoned a thermos, quickly twisting the top off and levitating it over to Ratimir. Ratimir glared at her and snatched the canteen from her magic grasp, bringing it up to his nose, sniffing. A brief moment of surprise on his face before being taken over by annoyance. In silence, the man brought the canteen down and started drinking. For a moment, silence stilled the air as Ratimir drank, and Princess Celestia watched with a warm smile on her face.
After finishing his drink, Ratimir sighed and, much to Twilight's surprise. His expression was more… relaxed. It was stoic, but something about it made Twilight feel like violence was now an optional choice for Ratimir. All the way, Princess Celestia smiled wider. Twilight couldn’t help but look back and forth between Ratimir and Princess Celestia, confusion rampant in this brief exchange.
“Sorry for summoning you, all this way, Ratimir. But I believed it was only right for the Captain of the Lunar Guard to come, regardless of whether you’re fighting or not.”
Ratimir clicked his tongue.
“Whatever, I’m here, so let’s get it over with.”
“Oh! This is a good chance to show you some of the new innovations we’ve made since Luna came in!”
Princess Celestia said that excitedly.
Excitedly.
Twilight look between Ratimir and Princess Celestia once again. The difference between the two were like fire and ice. It was almost like how Princess Celestia described at first, almost, being the key word. Twilight could clear see that there was a difference in how they saw each other. Then there was the drink! Ratimir was very clearly ready to start an argument, but with a simple drink, Ratimir just… stopped.
“Twilight.”
The first accusation Twilight thought of was a form of relaxation drug. It was logical and was used in medicine to calm worked up patients down, but this was Princess Celestia! There was no way Twilight could see her willingly drug a person she’s known for moons to stop an argument! But also what was with the unusual excitement Princess Celestia held!? Princess Celestia doesn’t get excited! She smiles and enjoys! She doesn’t beam upon seeing another!
“Twilight?”
Twilight ears peaked up, and she snapped her eyes over to Princess Celestia. Finding the princess staring at her with a warm smile. It was a smile she was familiar with… Yet it was different. Compared to Ratimir her smile was normal! She’s seen the smile ever since she was a foal. It was because her smile was normal and specifically directed at her that it made Twilight’s brain start to turn to mush.
Something was clearly up. There was different, more to their relationship than how Princess Celestia described it.
‘But that would imply Princess Celestia lied…’
Princess Celestia doesn’t lie. She can’t lie, but was what they had really friendship? Why was Princess Celestia happier when she saw Ratimir than her? Why did she have a prepared gift for him, yet nothing for Twilight? Was this nepotism? Not towards her, but towards the man who saw the Princess as more of an annoyance. It didn’t make sense. There had to be more to the two of them.
“Twilight, are you okay?”
Twilight’s eyes gained focus as she felt the wing of the Princess over her forehead, silently checking her temperature. Twilight’s eyes briefly glanced around her, and she found herself being stared at by everyone, with a look of concern or confusion on their face. It made Twilight blush of embarrassment.
“S-sorry! I’m okay. I was just… lost in my thoughts for a moment.”
Princess Celestia’s wing pulled back, and she stared at Twilight for a moment before focusing back to Ratimir.
“We should head to the Castle. Ratimir, do you remember the route through the crystal mines?”
“Are we using that escape route to get in?”
Princess Celestia nodded.
“What mines, and escape route, art thou speaking of?”
Princess Celestia blinked and looked over at an annoyed Lunar Princess.
“We have an escape route from the castle to outside the Canterlot through an abandoned crystal mine under the kingdom.”
“And thou thought this wasn’t an important topic to tell?”
Princess Celestia chuckled and bowed her head slightly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think it was an important thing to tell you.”
Princess Luna poked her sister's chest and glared up at her.
“Sister, while we forgive thou of thy foolishness. Doth thou really think the matter of a route for fleeing was not of great importance!?”
Princess Celestia looked away, her smile faded a bit.
“We can discuss this later, come, let’s head to the castle.”
Princess Luna scowled as Princess Celestia started to walk away. With a sigh, she followed her sister. The guards briefly glanced at each other before following behind, shifting their positions to let Ratimir take the lead. Twilight decided to move up from the guards, positioning herself next to Princess Celestia.
In silence, the group stuck to the shadows of the kingdom’s walls. Twilight raised a brow as they approached a one-way alleyway that was ended by the mountain wall with a small crack within it. With no hesitation, Princess Celestia lowered her head and tap her horn against the crack. Twilight’s eyes widened as the crack glow bright and widened silently. Behind her, Twilight could her the combined “Ooo.” and “Aaaah” of Dusk Blade and Northern Light.
“Ratimir, can you lead the way from here?”
Ratimir nodded and walked past Princess Celestia, heading into the dark depths, with Princess Celestia following behind with a golden light being emitted from her horn. Princess Luna took a moment to watch the duo, grimacing, before going after them with Twilight in tow. Twilight stepped in and ignited her own horn for light. Her eyes widening as she saw multiple refractions of herself on the walls and ceilings.
She took a step back and almost prepare a magic bolt until she realized that the cavern was made of crystal. Twilight looked around in awe as she saw reflections of herself and the group on the crystalline walls.
‘I heard of the Crystal Mines of Canterlot that lead to the Gem rush… But I thought it was the being extracted from the mines.’
“Ah, this reminds me of the stories of my homeland!”
Twilight heard a metallic smack from behind, she looked behind and found Great Star facehoofing as Northern Light’s eye’s sparkled from behind her helm.
“Northern Light, I swear to Luna if you start…”
“Come on, come on! Aren’t any of you the least bit curious about our crystals!?”
“They’re just roc—”
“Great Star, If you finish that sentence I will gladly show you the difference between a rock and crystal by shoving it up your-”
Twilight quickly sped up to catch up to the Princesses and Ratimir.
“We take a left here and go straight.”
“Tell us, captain. How does thou still remember—”
“Isn't this nostalgic, Ratimir? Remember when we used to walk around here to make sure everypony was doing okay?”
Ratimir scoffed.
“I remember the arguments.”
Princess Luna sent a glare to the chuckling Princess of the day, a vein nearly popped from the Lunar Princess’s face.
A bead of nervous sweat slowly traveled down the side of Twilight’s face.
This had been going on since they had started going through the cave. Twilight couldn’t tell if Princess Celestia was purposely cutting off her sister from talking to Ratimir or if she was truly ignorant of her sister's attempts. It made Twilight more bewildered at the current situation. This wasn’t the Princess Celestia she knew… Which brought her brain to question herself.
Did she really know Princess Celestia?
The Alicorn was one of the oldest beings in Equestria, one who according to the stories has been the ruler since her young adulthood. Was it possible that… Princess Celestia wore a mask? Even around her student? Twilight’s body shivered at that as her gaze lowered. It… made sense. They were in a mentor and student relationship, after all.
‘I shouldn’t be so hung up on this. It makes sense! It’s okay.’
“Did you approve of my match-up’s for the spars?”
Twilight’s ears twitched, and she looked up slightly at the trio.
“Of cou—”
“Ah, yes. We looked them over and hath deemed both sides have an equal chance of victory.”
Princess Luna stepped between Princess Celestia and Ratimir, looking at the human with a proud yet devious gaze. Princess Celestia blinked and stared at her sister.
“Tell us, Captain. Hath thou ever visited our tower, prior to our return?”
“Do you mean the northern tower, or the southwest tower, or the eastern tower?”
“Eastern!”
“Then no.”
“Then shall we show thou? It is currently our place of occupancy, and we would be willingly to show OUR captain-”
Princess Luna snapped her head and narrowed her eyes at her sister.
“-our establish chambers for future visits.”
Princess Celestia silently stared at her sister with an unreadable expression before giving a closed eye smile.
“Why are you Implying that I’ll visit again?”
“Because thou will.”
“I don’t wan—”
“Captain, thou will.”
Ratimir looked at Princess Luna with narrowed eyes. Princess Luna in returned simply smiled at the man.
After a minute of silence, Ratimir spoke up.
“Isn’t it quite scandalous for the lady of the night to invite a male to her chambers?”
Princess Luna immediately kicked Ratimir’s side.
“These will be thy chambers for now, my guardians.”
Princess Luna opened the wooden door to an old guard barrack’s room. The guards slowly walked into the room, looking around in some awe. It was obvious that the room was recently cleaned and refreshed, with the way the stone floors and walls gleamed under the magic light above. The beds denied any dust or webbing from their wooden frames, and every bed had their blankets neatly folded at the edge of the bed.
“We apologize, we were unable to completely renovate the room before thy arrival.”
The guards gave a simple nod of understanding.
“This is where we shall part ways. The spars shall take place before the sun rests and our moon awakens. Thy captain and we shall come to thee for preparation before then. Rest well, our guardians.”
The guards bow and Princess Luna smiles before closing the door. Letting out a small sigh and turning towards the remaining trio.
“Now then…”
Princess Luna looked over at Ratimir before snapping her attention to Princess Celestia.
“Sister, shouldn’t thou rest. The day and its duties belongs to thee after all.”
Princess Luna spoke with a smile on her face that betrayed the annoyed tone in her voice.
“Oh, I can stay up for a little bit longer.”
Princess Luna’s eye twitched.
“Sister, thy duties are very important, and it would truly be neglectful if we let you dismiss your health and duties.”
Princess Luna slowly moved her gaze over to Twilight and sent a closed eye smile to the young unicorn.
“Wouldn’t thou agree, Twilight Sparkle?”
Twilight jumped at the sudden inclusion.
“Oh um…”
Twilight glanced over at Princess Celestia and found her looking at Twilight with a small smile. Briefly she glanced over at Luna, finding the mare still smiling… though now her eyes slightly opened. Twilight shivered under the Lunar princess’s more… predatory gaze. She almost thought that Princess Luna’s pupils had turned slits, for a moment.
“Y-you're duties are important, Princess Celestia…”
Princess Celestia frowned and after a minute she released a sigh.
“I suppose the two of you are correct.”
Princess Celestia turns her head to Ratimir.
“Ratimir, you don't mind if I postpone our conversation.”
“Mn.”
Ratimir grunted.
“Mn, too. Goodnight then, I'll see you in the morning for breakfast!”
Princess Celestia lit her horn and vanished in a flash of light. Princess Luna let out a sigh of relief at her sister’s departure.
“Praise be! We are finally left to be!”
Ratimir sighed and crossed his arms.
“That was bothersome.”
Princess Luna quickly stepped forth towards Ratimir, beaming, Making Ratimir lean a bit back as his face shifted to clear uncomfort.
“Yes! Thou cannot believe how much of a test of patience this was! We were ready to depart, only for our sister to intercept and force her inclusion onto our greeting! We had it all planned, and she came and intercept it all!”
Princess Luna lightly stomped her hoof and snorted.
“She has always been like this, but we swear you our moon it seems she has become worse! Intercepting our attempts of communication! Hast she forgotten that you're our guard!? Even after we told her!?”
Princess Luna shook her, raising a hoof to press against the bridge of her snout as she released a sigh.
“’Tis matters not now. We have obtained freedom now, come Captain, let us depart towards our cham-” Princess Luna stopped her self and narrowed her eyes in thought. “-conference room to discuss and grant a showcase of things further.”
Ratimir simply gave her a nod and waited for her to lead. Princess Luna turns her attention to Twilight.
“Will thou join us or depart from here?”
“I… I think I’ll go to my room. I have… something to look into.”
Princess Luna nodded.
“Fair, though before thou departs, we do ponder a question.”
Princess Luna walked forward and leaned her head down to Twilight’s ear.
“Hath thou, noticed any abnormality from our captain?”
Twilight shivered slightly upon having the Princess Whisper in her ear before glancing at her with a confused look.
“Um… The only thing I can think of is that he seemed to be okay before we got on the train… But sometime during it… before we got off the train, his mood worsened.”
“We see…”
Princess Luna rose back up and smiled at Twilight.
“Farewell then, Twilight Sparkle. We hope thou hast a great rest.”
“Good… goodnight, Princess Luna. You too, Ratimir!”
“Mn.”
Ratimir grunted and turned away. Princess Luna gives Twilight one final nod before departing with Ratimir. Twilight stood back and watched the two disappear from her view, briefly she glanced over at the guard's door. She shakes her head and begins to follow a route towards her tower. Her mind swam of thoughts. What was with that question? Why was Princess Celestia so abnormal with Ratimir versus her? Why was Ratimir upset before? What did Princess Celestia give him to drink?
So many questions and yet no answers from any party. Twilight couldn’t help but feel like… a puppet. There were signs that there were things underneath the words, and faces of her higher ups. The root cause of all of this was Ratimir, yet the only information she had about his history was barely enough to fill in a page in her notebook. She had more information of his physiology and combat than she did of the being in control of it.
Princess Celestia was clearly interested in Ratimir, and now so does Princess Luna now too! Yet neither have spoken of their true connections to them! Twilight almost wanted to slap together am evidence board in her room, to place connections and have a visualization of her thoughts, just to see if she was just being paranoid or if there really was something amiss.
Twilight almost concluded that she would do that but paused. Her eyes wandered and looked around the castle walls.
A sparkle gleamed in her eyes.
‘Ratimir used to be part of the Solar Guard! He used to be in Canterlot! Why did I overlook that! If I want answer, then I’m in the place where the answers would be!’
Twilight quickly snapped open her saddlebags and roused through her notes, searching through her Ratimir section. Speed reading through until she found a key she was looking for. A quote she had written down from Princess Luna when she had first met Ratimir.
— “According to the document he was a member of my sister’s guard... rose through the ranks quite quickly and my sister decided to make him in charge of my guard and move them away. His name was Lord Loyal Blade,-”
Loyal Blade.
Twilight smiled as she stared at the name. Even if Princess Celestia was the ruler, she would find it difficult to completely cover up the past of someone who to be in the guard! After all the historic section has been on of Equestria's most protected pieces that shouldn't be changed nor manipulated as writtened by the leaders of the three tribes towards the end of the Grogar Era. But, it didm't mean that loop holes didn't exist.
‘That had to be why Prncess Celestia decided to tie Ratimir's acomplishments or feats, under fake idenity! After all there have been ponies who changed their names before! Making a loop hole in the rule, because there is no way for the ponies in the archiving department to know everytime somepony changed their name! It's possible that she used that excuse and with the lack of image and only her word! Of course!’
Which meant… that Ratimir / Loyal Blade would have military records. Twilight beamed truly for the first time tonight. If she could get a hold of those records, she not only could get a timeline of Ratimir’s history but also learn more about him. Twilight closed her notebook and launched it into her saddlebags. With no hesitation, Twilight booked it through the courtyard and headed to the Canterlot Archives.