Note: This chapter takes place during the events of chapter 1.
-- The Introduction of a Great Knight and an Alchemist--
-- The Canterlot Barracks --
Canterlot.
Home to those ponies born to be the rich and ‘successful’ of society, and to the castle that houses the royal sisters, Celestia and Luna. On the premises of the castle, there are the gardens and the maze, the castle itself, and the barracks for the guards. The barracks are composed of two small, but comfortable, living quarters, one each for the guards of both the day and night shift, each loyal to their respective princess. In between the housing of the guards, there is a tavern hidden away known as The Drunken Minotaur, and it serves only the guards of the castle. The tavern is run and operated by a Minotaur known as Blood Horn.
Blood Horn was chieftain of the tribe of Minos to the lands east of Equestria and borders on the Northern Griffon territory. The tension between the Griffons and Minotaurs has been ongoing for many generations, and due to ever increasing violence along the borders and trade routes, a pact was made. Representatives from both the Griffons and Minotaurs were to be relocated in each other’s lands with some representatives from Equestria as well, to maintain the role of mediator, and to make sure that the pact would be one to last.
It was a usual night in the tavern, Guards drinking cider and being loud. This was their way of unwinding on their off time, just letting everything go and harassing one another. When things got out of hoof, there was never a need for a bouncer since the only muscle needed is Blood Horn. The tavern is an aged but sturdy place, made from the trees deep in the Everfree, the wood is known to be strong and dependable. When one was to walk in the place, the first thing they notice is along the opposite side is the bar itself with tables scattered across the room and the smell of smoke from the fireplace to the left side of the room and the atmosphere held the aroma of aged cider and rum since the opening of the tavern.
On this night, a regular visitor of the tavern, a guard, whose name is Quartz, happened to bring a guest. Now, while it isn’t against the unspoken code to bring someone to the tavern who isn’t a guard, it still stands as a disregard to the code. Quartz is a large built unicorn with a charcoal grey coat and a short spiked silver mane. During his shift of guarding the castle and the princesses, he is donned with a very ornate golden armor, but during the nights where he is off he wears a simple white undershirt to cool off in the night. Quartz opened the door for his guest, who was donned in a simple ragged cloak, and both of them took a seat at a table that was in between the fireplace and bar.
“Blood Horn, we’ll take a round of cider over here!” exclaimed Quartz, who slammed his hoof onto the table for emphasis, which had also startled his guest. “So, this is where the guards are at night? Well, that explains why it’s easier to move around at night.” chuckled the hooded figure, who then proceeded to take off the cloak and rest it on the seat next to him. The visitor was a white stallion of medium built was in guess in his mid or late twenties; he had a black mane and tail with a single dark red streak in the middle of his tail and three bands of them in his mane. A few guards nearby, who had been there a while and already reek of cider and the ever usual loss of balance, had recognized the guest and proceeded to stumble in his direction.
“Hey, I know you, you’re that servant, the one who plays with the flowers.” Slurs the drunken guard, the few guards who were behind him started to chuckle at the statement coming from the stallion who was leading them.
“Yes, you would be half right, I am a servant but I do not ‘play’ with flowers, I tend to them because I’m the gardener.” retorted the gardener in a most calm and almost quiet tone as he took a few sips of the cider that his friend had ordered for him.
“Well then gardener, how about you get your flowery tended arse out of our tavern then?” said a guard from the back of the group who then inspired the rest of the group to laugh at his statement.
“I only have two things to say: One, my name is not gardener, its Black Roses, and Two, I bet 300 bits that I am more guard pony then anybody in this tavern.” Black Roses said with a smug grin as he pointed to the group to show he was very serious about this proposed wager.
“You think you can take on the best of the guards? I bet you wouldn’t last five minutes against the strongest guard here in this tavern!” shouted an enraged guard pony in the ever growing crowd of muscular stallions that were suddenly circling around Black Roses. All looked at him with anger.
"Alright then. Pick your best zealot. I mean royal guard." he said jokingly.
Quartz face hoofed at Black Roses' terrible save. One guard was ready to explode and decided to charge at Black roses with the intent of putting him in his place.
“How dare you address us in that manner in our own tavern!” the guard exclaimed in anger as he charged at Black Roses.
The guard attempted to swing a hoof at Black Roses but only swiped the air. Black roses had successfully avoided the guard's deathly swing.
"Darn you flower boy. Stand still and face my hoof like a stallion!" The infuriated guard bellowed as Black Roses continued to dodge his every blow.
"And risk breaking a bone? No chance." he took a quick dash back and was out of the guard's hooves range.
The stallion charged to Black Roses again, but Black Roses anticipated this and pulled out a vial of concentrated poison joke, which he tossed into the guard's face as he dodged his charge. The guard lost his balance and fell face first onto the floor.
"Silly guard. Don't run at an unpredictable opponent. It could end badly for you." He tsked as he waved a disapproving hoof towards him.
"Huh? What did you do?! Wait a minute... Where am I?! Why can’t I see?!” The guard said as he attempted to stand up but crashed back down to the floor.
"Hmmm... When you charged at me earlier, I tossed a vial of concentrated poison joke to your face. Looks like the substance hit your eyes. You will be blind for a day it seems." Roses replied nonchalantly.
"WHAT?!" The guard cried. His pupils had disappeared. He had no way of seeing anything.
The crowd had, at first, been ready to explode in Black Roses’ face because of what had just happened. But they refrained from doing that. Quite the opposite actually. They cheered him on for winning.
"I didn't hurt him. I just crippled him temporarily. He will be fine. Plus, he’s a guard for Celestia's sake. He will shake it off tomorrow." Black Roses said as he rolled his eyes and dusted off his coat.
"Oh when my pupils return I swear I'll-" The guard was interrupted by a smack across his head from another guard.
"You will do nothing of the sort. What happens here, stays here" the guard said.
The guard approached by Black Roses’ side and pat his shoulder heavily. "You're quite fast... For a flower boy." the guard said as he chuckled lightly by Black Roses' side.
“Thank you. If he had landed a hit on me, I’m sure I would've been destroyed in an instant, hence why I had to dodge. You see I ha-”
He was cut short by Quartz.
"Woah B.R! Hold up!" Quartz hollered towards his friend.
"You do realise you just made my job harder right?" He pointed to the blind guard.
"I have to cover his shift because of your little stunt" Quartz groaned.
Black Roses smiled sheepishly. He was Quartz' friend after all...
"Hey, it was either that or a dagger to the throat." He swiftly brought out his hoof dagger.
"Hmmm... Fair point. But anyway. You technically won.. Sooooo..."
Black Roses perked up. "So where's the bits?" He said slyly.
A guard handed him his winnings respectfully. "The fact you are able to disable a noble guard earns my respect easily." The guard said as he saluted Black Roses.
"Thanks. I hope you all learn to never underestimate anypony. For we are all unique in many ways." and with that. Quartz escorted Black Roses out of the tavern. But not without getting a few ciders to go.
"A few for the road buddy." Quartz said as the pair strolled on outside the tavern.
“Yeah. I could use a drink after that little tussle earlier.” He took a sip out of a mug.
“Wow. That went empty fast” Black Roses said. He took another drink to toss back.
Then another...
And Another...
And Another...
A few drinks later...
The pair were making their way to Black Roses’ home. Celestia’s sun was about to descend. Luna’s graceful moon will soon rise and glow amongst the darkness along with the stars. It was also beginning to rain unfortunately for Black Roses and Quartz because they were stuck in the town square.
"I luf you dude. Ur the best fwend I ever had." Black Roses slurred under the influence. Unfortunately for Quartz, it seems that Black Roses had a little too much to drink. This forced Quartz to keep an eagle eye on him so he didn’t hurt himself.
"Lightweight... You got a long way to go dude. But enough mumbling, we gotta get you home".
He said as he assisted Black Roses back on all fours as he slipped on a nearby puddle.
Then... Out of nowhere... A bolt of light passed them overhead. Both looked up in awe as the bolt had soared across the sky and eventually leaving their line of sight.
"Either I'm too lightning bolt or that was a drunk." Black Roses said as he belched in a hearty manner.
"Dude... Go home. You're drunk." Quartz started walking back to the barracks to cover the unlucky guard's shift. Fortunately Quartz is able to walk with ease, thanks to his ability to hide his drink.
"Kay bye." Black Roses departed to his home for a well earned rest.
Luna’s Shimmering moonlight was now rising into the night sky while being assisted by the light of a thousand stars. Rain had continued to pour down onto the streets of canterlot as both of the pair had reached their destinations. Quartz was forced to cover the crippled guard’s shift, and Black Roses finally made it home to rest till morning.
"300 bits for Bucking a stallions sorry arse? Ok then. But seriously What was up with that piece of light?” Black Roses wondered as he let another hearty belch leave his mouth.
“Did Celestia drop a piece of the sun? Eh I don’t know... Too tired to think.” He went into his bathroom to wash off all the hard work.
He had a quick shower, headed into his room and fell onto his bed for a refreshing sleep.
“Hmmm... I should probably consult the princess about that ball of light.” Quartz said as he contemplated the future.
“Damnit Roses. Why are you such a genius and be stupid at the same time? I’m stuck here on guard duty while a random ball of light flies past. It will probably hurt somepony. Hmmm then again, chances are the princesses had already seen it so, no worries for now.” He waved a hoof to the air.
“Or maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me thanks to the alcohol...”
Ironic because, little did they know, the bolt was not their minds playing tricks on them. The bolt was real... And it was heading towards the everfree forest.