//------------------------------// // Return to the Castle // Story: The Royal Guardian // by nxtl68 //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Return to the Castle In the Royal Canterlot Guard, there is a position of great importance. Established by the great Queen Faust herself, his task is to advise and protect the Princesses of the Day and Night. This solitary soldier, a unicorn, was the most trusted of Queen Faust’s inner circle. In his time of service, he helped overthrow Discord with the assistance of the Elements of Harmony; He defeated assassination attempts from the Griffon Kingdoms and the First incursion by the Changeling Empire. He also took up the most somber task of fighting the enraged Princess Luna, then Nightmare moon, weakening her for Celestia to banish her to the moon for a thousand years. But while he is a great warrior, he is also a great diplomatic mind. He brokered peace between Equestria and The Crystal Empire, and mediated the debate over the establishment of the cross roads town Ponyville, a major Equestrian trade and farming center residing in a nook directly in the center of the former Earth Pony, Pegasi, and Unicorn kingdoms. He is the Royal Guardian, branded with a seal of the Sun and Moon crossed with a quill at the right, and an assassin’s blade at its left. His uniform consisted of brown knee-high boots, with the leg of his loose fitted White pants, the leg tucked into his boot. His belt was two toned, with gold slowly changing into ebony, the strap hooked into the gold buckle to symbolize the unification of day and night. The majority of his clothing was hidden by the long navy blue oat, adorned with golden buttons, fastened to the 2nd from the top where the royal pendant, so that his personal emblem, or “cutie mark”, as it was called by citizens (he hated that term with a passion), were visible. Over his hands he wore leather gloves stamped with the cutie marks of Princess Luna on the right, and Celestia on his left. His gloves radiated with the aura of his magical energy, and his face was covered with a grey metallic mask with a stoic expression. The mask had two purposes: Conceal his face from attackers, and provide a binocular sight ability by the use of special lenses built into the eye sockets. Flanked by the captain of the guard himself, Shining Armor, and Celestia’s favorite student and keeper of the Element of Magic, Twilight Sparkle, the Royal Guardian was making his way to the royal chambers. The light purple hue of the evening skies pierced the stained glass windows of the great hall, bathing the three in the glory of Equestria’s evening skies. In a few hours night would fully captivate the skies over the empire. But the gravity of the Royal Guardian’s latest mission demanded that both sisters be present to hear his report. As they approached the door, the guards that stood before it saluted and pushed the large blue glass paned doors open. Shining Armor led them through the door then went no further, his sister and Guardian continuing on. They quickly crossed the large hall, bathed in the waning light from the large windows at either end, and exited onto the large balcony, where Celestia and Luna were waiting. “Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!” Twilight sparkle called, before hugging them both as they turned to face them. The Royal Guardian simply chuckled and removed his mask; revealing caramel eyes set in an equally brown face. He ran a hand over his short curly dark hair, which despite constant grooming was constantly curling up and looking unkept from the constantly wearing his mask, which was now clipped to his belt under his coat. As the princesses finished their greeting with Twilight Sparkle, the Guardian bowed, a friendly smile creasing his lips. “Good evening, Princesses.” He spoke calmly, Luna, the smaller of the two royals, squealed and ran to him, leaping into his arms and giving him a huge hug. The Guardian had to step back with his left foot to keep from falling onto the floor, but reciprocated the hug, holding her tight as Celestia and Twilight shared a laugh.” “She’s been counting the days you've been gone, Paladin.” Celestia said, her tan skin covered in a long white gown. Though she was countless centuries old, the princesses appeared to be no older than 28 and 13 respectively. “I…I’m honored” –he coughed, chuckling as he pecked Luna on the forehead and set her back upon her feet. Luna brushed off the bottom third of her knee-length gown with her hand then smiled up at Paladin with a toothy grin. “What do you have to report, Paladin?” Paladin’s voice became more serious. “We followed the recorded path of Queen Faust’s journey to the Crystal Empire and…” “And?...” Luna’s pale blue eyes were glistening as she smiled hopefully. “Did you find mother?!” Paladin shook his head and patted Luna’s head as Twilight took over. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna…” Twilight’s tone was somber as she spoke “We found….we found…” As her voice failed her, Twilight quickly flipped open the book she had been clutching to her chest. It was a collection of photos and notes from the expedition to find Queen Faust and the remains of her expedition. She quickly flipped open the page and showed the princesses. On it was the image of a fragmented gold crown encrusted with ice and snow. Luna gasped, covering her mouth, while Celestia closed her eyes, a solitary tear running down her bronze cheek. “That fragment was the only definitive piece of evidence showing that the Queen took that path. We tried to fan out and search the other sights…but the weather was getting worse, and we had to abandon the site before the snowstorm became too heavy for us to fly out.” Paladin said. His right hand was resting on Luna’s shoulder, who was clutching tight to him her quiet sobs muffled by his coat. “There was something else Princess….When we arrived, Changelings were searching the area too. We don’t know if they were looking for Queen Faust too or the remains of their fallen leader, but I incapacitated them before they could alert anyone we were there. Shining Armor had them locked up in the dungeon for questioning.” The news brought Celestia and Luna back to reality. It had only been a few years since the Changeling empire, lead by Chrysalis herself, had renewed tensions with Equestria with a bold infiltration effort during the wedding of Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Since then, “The Second changeling War”, as people were starting to call it, had seen sporadic incursions along the shared northern border to the now vanished Crystal Empire. “I’ll be heading back there in three days time to inspect the outposts and check a few more of the former base camps of her majesty’s expedition” Paladin’s announcement drew a soft whine from Luna. “Do you have to leave so soon? You just returned.” She looked up at him, her pale blue eyes staring back into his. Celestia added her own concern. “It’s admirable that you’re keeping up the search for mother, but surely you would spend a few days at home with us. It can be rather dull not having you here.” Celestia spoke a yawn escaped her lips. “I want to get back up there before the storm gets worse. Even with all our new technology, I don't trust it in a snow storm.” Paladin replied. “You need to get to bed as yourself little one, the sun won't rise without you” Celestia rolled her eyes as she headed Paladin’s words. As she walked towards the exit her sister crossed the distance between them and hugged her tight. They exchanged good nights before parting, Luna beginning her task of raising the moon, as Celestia approached the guardian, who was now leaning against one of the pillars, his arms crossed as he looked at her; His trademark smile back on his lips. “I’m not as little as I used to be, Paladin.” Celestia quipped as Paladin lifted her cheek so that they were looking eye to eye. “Princess, when you’ve lived as long as I have, everyone is a child in comparison.” He kisses her forehead, making the older princess smile. She hugged him softly. They stood there in the embrace for a little while before Celestia felt her eyes getting heavy. She parted from him and covered her mouth as another yawn escaped her lips. “Go to bed little one, I don’t want another repeat of the last time you woke up late to raise the sun.” “Please, don't remind me. Mother was furious, said I caused a mass panic that the world was coming to an end.” “I was the one that caught it the most. I believe her words to me were: “How could you let her sleep in so late, the sun should have been up three hours ago!” Paladin imitated the queen’s voice as he spoke, making Celestia chuckle. “If it wasn’t for you I'd of been grounded for the rest of my life. You’ve always been there for us Paladin, thank you.” Celestia gave one final hug and a peck on the cheek before she retired to her chambers, leaving the Royal guardian to watch as Twilight Sparkle marveled over Luna as she made the moon rise with her hands. In his countless years of service, this scene had repeated itself many times with many subjects. Soon Luna would be raising the moon with only a thought, just as her sister raised the sun in the eastern skies. While there was no doubt that Twilight would not be alive to see this momentous occasion, Paladin would be there to celebrate just as he did with her sister so long ago.