"What are you going to do with Discord?" I asked Celestia angrily.
"I believe that we can get Discord to change to good. I'm going to bring him to Ponyville with the Elements of Harmony and have Twilight and her friends try to reform him. I know it's a big risk, but if Discord can be persuaded to use his magic for good instead of evil it would be a great benefit to all of Equestria." explained Celestia.
"It's never gonna work, you can't reason with someone like him. He's called the Spirit of Chaos for a reason!" I argued.
"I understand your concern, but I have faith in my student and her friends. If he is unable to cooperate they can turn him back to stone," Celestia used her magic and levitated the statue onto a chariot. "I have to make a few more preparations for the royal summit before leaving, will you watch the statue for a moment?"
I nodded reluctantly. "Of course, Your Majesty."
Celestia walked back inside the castle, leaving me with Discord. I stared at the statue cautiously. I didn't trust the stone prison that held him. But as I looked at him I began to feel bad. The sheer expression of pain on his face was horrible. I couldn't imagine what it felt like to be turned to stone. I looked away in pity and waited for the Princess to return.
Within about five minutes she returned with her own chariot and a group of pegasus Royal Guards that pulled her.
"When the other rulers arrive for the royal summit send them to the council chamber and tell them I will be with them soon," instructed Celestia.
"Very well, Princess," I said with a bow.
"And don't worry, Sword Shield, I'm sure Twilight and her friends will succeed." With Celestia's final sentence the guards flapped their wings and took off into the sky towards Ponyville, pulling Celestia and Discord with them.
Shortly after they left a guard came rushing towards me. "Lieutenant Shield! We have a situation in the market district!"
I gave him my full attention. "What kind of situation?"
"We have multiple reports of citizen's merchandise disappearing. We've narrowed down the suspect to a pegasus named Sky Runner, but she is no where to be found," reported the guard.
"I see, and you are telling me this why?" I asked curiously. I wasn't even in command over the market district this week.
The guard hesitated. "I would like to ask for your help in tracking her down."
I shook my head. "You should talk to Lieutenant Arrow, he is a much better tracker than I am. I'll have my guards be on the lookout for her though, do you have a description?"
"Yes, she has a white coat and bright red mane and tail. We don't have much else than that." answered the guard.
"Good enough. Report to Lieutenant Arrow, I'm sure he will be able to help," I ordered.
The guard saluted and ran off. I returned to my commanding station (which was the upper class district of Canterlot where some of the nobility and richer ponies lived) and assigned my guards on patrol to look out for the pegasus Sky Runner. Afterwards I assigned a couple of guards to the castle to direct the arriving guests to the council chamber and inform them of Celestia's whereabouts.
I finished some paperwork dealing with recruit transfers and new equipment and resumed ordering guards around my station of Canterlot. A short while later Celestia returned and began the royal summit. I heard that Shining Armor had come for the summit speaking for the Crystal Empire, and anticipated getting a moment to talk with him.
A couple of hours passed and the summit had finished up. The royal guests started leaving and I managed to catch Shining Armor as he came out of the castle.
"Hey Cap', how'd the summit go?" I asked heartily.
"Lieutenant, I need to speak with you," replied Shining Armor sternly.
My smile faded. "Of course, what is it?"
"Follow me." Shining Armor walked me to the Royal Barracks and brought me to his office. The office was no longer truly his, but we all still referred to it that way.
Shining Armor sat down at his old chair and motioned me to do the same. Shining Armor sighed comfortably. "It's good to sit down in my old chair again, though I'm afraid it will have to be my last time."
"Sir?"
"Swordulan, I'm sad to say that I have to resign from the Royal Guard as its Captain. Since I married Cadance I've had to pull double time both as the Captain and as a Prince, and right now I've just got too much on my hooves to be able to keep up with the Guard," Shining Armor let out a regretful sigh. "I've promoted one of my Lieutenants as the new Captain, he'll be transferring here once he gets things sorted out in the Crystal Empire. I have to be honest with you though, I would have promoted you in a flash, but under the circumstances you're in that Celestia's told me about... I don't believe that you are fit for service as a Captain yet." Shining Armor paused and looked at me, waiting for my response.
I looked at the floor a moment and nodded. "I understand." In reality I felt like I had just been bucked in the face because of some facial deformity. I couldn't believe that Shining Armor didn't think I was fit to serve as a Captain, after working nearly all day and sometimes even during the night and I was still just a Lieutenant. But maybe I'm being too selfish, I should be glad I even made it to Lieutenant at all.
"I have full trust in the new Captain. His name is Justice Morningstar. I think you will grow to like him," Shining Armor stood up and walked towards the door. "I'm sorry if I let you down with the news. Have you been having any more disappearing stars lately?"
I nodded while still sitting in the chair. "One, I've uh, only got one." I couldn't remember the last time I checked the progress of my declining cutie mark.
"Hmm. Well, I hope you find a way to bring those stars back, because the Royal Guard could really use them right now." With that Shining Armor left, leaving me alone in the office.
I sighed defeatedly. I guess it was time to get back to work... again. As I stood up and turned around I was greeted by the presence of Princess Celestia.
"Oh, excuse me Your Highness, I did not hear you come in," I said with a quick bow.
"It's quite alright. Come with me, there is someone I'd like you to meet." Celestia motioned towards the door and walked outside. I followed outside and found Celestia to be standing next to Discord, who was anything but a stone statue.
"Sword Shield, I would like to introduce you to Discord."
"Yeah," I grunted, "We've met before."
"Spirit of Chaos, at your service!" said Discord with a bow. "From what I've heard I believe you have a magic crystal crisis on your hooves."
"I wouldn't call it a crisis."
"Nonetheless! I've promised to help or suffer the consequences." Discord glanced at Celestia.
"Very good. Discord will remain with you to help, Sword Shield. I must get back to my royal duties," said Celestia.
"Farewell, Celestia! I promise not to get into any trouble," said Discord.
Celestia flew off to the castle, leaving me and Discord in a staring contest. I blinked. I wasn't about to be reduced to a silly game.
"Hah! I won! Shall we play again?" asked Discord.
"It wasn't even a contest. Look Discord, you might be 'reformed', but I still don't trust you, even if the Princess does. I would like you to help me figure this thing out," I motioned towards my sword. "And that's it. I don't need anything else."
"Fine, right down to business then." Discord snapped his fingers and my sword teleported in front of him. He crumbled up the sword into a ball like it was a piece of paper and shaped it into a surfboard like I always used it.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Well it's not my fault your sword is so small I can hardly work with it. Feisty little piece of metal isn't it?" Discord stared at the crystals on the hilt and tapped them a few times. "Oh, what have we here?" Discord looked back at me. "I need you to stand on it and hover using your magic for a moment."
I walked over to the sword and jumped on, using my magic to keep it hovering in the air. "Anything happening?"
"Yes, I see..." Discord tapped the crystal again, but this time it let out a small shock into his paw. "Ah! Well that was quite rude of you! I never knew a sword that could have such a sour attitude."
"What? Who the hay are you talking to?" I asked confused.
"There is a magical entity inside the large crystal here. Not a very nice one either. It seems to have gotten itself trapped within your enchantment, and it resists most magical attempts at trying to identify or use it. Of course it was no match for me, though it did put up an amusing fight," explained Discord with a chuckle.
I shook my head in disbelief. "So you're telling me there's something alive inside of the crystal, and you're talking to it? What is it saying?"
"Don't be ridiculous, while it is alive it cannot actually talk. The only way it has to communicate is through emotion and feeling, and right now it is acting particularly hostile towards me," Discord poked the crystal a few more times with a grin. "You're so cute when you're angry."
"Alright, so I get that it's alive. How does it explain why it's so easy for me to use the sword, like being able to fly or teleport to it?" Thinking back I did some very amazing things with the sword. Stunts, chases, escapes, attacks and defenses. I fought some of Equestria's strongest foes with the thing. Of course I never actually beat them, but I still held my own.
"Well a normal enchantment reduces the amount of effort it takes to use magic on whichever item that is enchanted. Somehow the magical entity in your sword boosted the enchantment, making it foal's play for you to use magic on the sword. As for why it resists other's magic? I can only assume it recognized yours first and refuses to behave with anypony else's," explained Discord.
"Hmm. I have to say I'm impressed that you're figuring this all out so quickly," I complimented.
"Just because I'm the Spirit of Chaos doesn't mean I'm not good at figuring out a magical mystery every once in a while," retorted Discord.
"Right. So is there anything else I should know? Is the 'entity' dangerous or do I not need to worry?" I hoped that it wasn't going to somehow explode in my face one day or turn against me and develop a will of its own.
"Well I don't think it's too happy about being stuck in there, especially for so long. I would suggest setting it free, but that might have some serious consequences, or none at all. There's no way to possibly know," answered Discord with a shrug.
I hopped back onto the ground. "Okay, then it stays for now. What would happen to the enchantment if I did release it? And how could I release it?" I wasn't exactly a master of enchantment magic.
"It would lose a good portion of power. Your spells might not work on it as well as they used to, or not at all. And you'll have to figure out how to release it on your own." Discord shrunk the sword back to its normal size and handed it back to me.
I attached the sword back onto my armor. "I guess I'll figure it out one day," I shuffled my hooves for a second. "Thanks for the... uh... help, Discord." I could hardly believe I said that.
Discord sighed. "Yes, yes, fine. It was no problem at all. I can hear Celestia calling me back, so I must be off. Before I go I just want to say... I'm sorry."
"Sorry? Sorry for what?" I asked confused.
Discord pointed at my flank. "Your stars have left." He then disappeared in a bright flash of magic.
Well that was uncharacteristic. I glanced at my cutie mark. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, it was the same sword and shield as always, so I didn't understand what Discord was trying to point out. I shrugged it off and trotted back to my command post, ordering around guards for the rest of the day.
I thought about how there was something alive inside my sword. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, nor did I know how I'd ever figure out how to release it if it ever came necessary. I hoped I never had to do anything and just keep my sword the way it is.
A couple of days later our new Captain Justice Morningstar arrived. He called all of the Lieutenants together for a meeting as soon as he arrived. Myself and five others gathered outside of the Royal Barracks and stood in a line waiting to meet the new Captain.
Justice came out of the barracks. We all stood with a salute to our new Captain.
"Good afternoon, stallions! I am Justice Morningstar, you may address me as Captain or Sir. Is that clear?" His voice was very clear, but also commanding.
"Yes Sir!" we all answered.
Justice was a light grey coated pegasus with a golden mane and tail. His cutie mark was a shining golden hammer with two wings latched onto either side.
"Shining Armor has resigned his position as the Captain and promoted me in his place. I look forward to working with you all. He's briefed me on all of you and how things are currently working around here, but there will need to be a few changes. Do you have any questions?"
I stepped forward with a small grin. "Yes Sir, just one. Are you a morning pony?"
The Captain grunted. "Lieutenant Shield, I presume? Shining Armor warned me about you," He stepped closer to my face. "Yes, I am a morning pony. I will expect you to be up at dawn every morning to do twenty laps around the walls."
I smirked. "Good, the morning shifts tend to be a bit slow, we could use a Captain that's actually willing to wake up."
The other Lieutenants chuckled for a moment but quickly got back in line.
"Are there any other questions?" asked Justice.
Lieutenant Arrow stepped forward. "Yes Sir, what sort of changes are you planning on making?"
"Well the first one is no more command rotation. Each of you will be permanently assigned your own section of command over Canterlot," answered Justice, "I will have the Royal Barracks, Lieutenant Spotter will have the market district, Lieutenant Arrow will have the commercial district, Lieutenant Spar will have the nobility district, Lieutenant Frost will have the upper class district, Lieutenant Nails will have the lower class district and Lieutenant Shield will have the gates and wall patrols."
I stepped forward again. "The gates and wall patrols? Sir, I believe I can do a better job commanding one of the larger districts, why put me at the walls?"
"Because I know you tend to eat a lot of carrots. You have the best eyesight out of everyone besides Lieutenant Spotter. I have him commanding over the market district because they tend to be more crowded, and he is very good at finding needles in haystacks. I want your eyes overlooking Equestria and keeping the walls safe. It may be an easier task, but it is by far one of the most important," explained Justice.
I backed off. "Understood. I won't let you down, Sir."
"That's what I like to hear. Are there any other questions?"
"NO SIR!" we roared back.
"Good. Return to your command posts and prepare to move to your new ones. I will check with each of you within the hour. Dismissed."
The Captain returned to the barracks and the rest of us split up to our current command stations to pack up. I got to the upper class station and wrapped up some of my paperwork and tidied up the place using my magic.
As I was about to leave the Captain walked in. I stood at immediate salute. "Anything I can do for you, Sir?"
"At ease, I came to talk," answered Justice.
I lowered my hoof hesitantly. "Alright, I'm all ears."
"Shining Armor briefed me about your situation and why he promoted me over you. I have to be honest with you, it feels a little strange. I've heard about your performance in the Royal Guard and I still believe it should be you in my place instead, you have more experience in the field than I do," started Justice.
"Thanks, but... I'm no leader. I think Shining Armor chose well," I responded.
Justice called my bluff and shook his head in disagreement. "A commanding voice and knowing how to run a large security force doesn't make somepony a leader. The ability to make the hard decisions, the willingness to sacrifice yourself for others and the honor for one's self is what makes a leader. We as Royal Guards do not often need those abilities, but there are times that come when we do need them, and if the time comes again I don't believe I can live up to those abilities. From what I've heard about you, you can. I should be the one saluting you."
I hesitated, wondering how to respond. "Well... thanks. If the time comes I think you will know what to do, and if you don't then I'll have your back. I was upset, to say the least, when Shining Armor told me about you and his resignation, but I know he chose the new Captain correctly."
The Captain smiled and gave a salute. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I expect you to get on your way to the walls now."
I returned the salute. "Right away, Sir." I trotted off in the direction of the walls.
It was just like old times. I spent a lot of my hours patrolling the walls when I first joined the guard. Over time I moved into patrolling the castle, then back on the walls, and continued to switch between the two once I was a Lieutenant.
There was no command post for the walls or gates, instead it was one continuous patrol for the officer in command. Guards were assigned their patrols and shifts on the walls and gates from the Royal Barracks, and the officer in command made sure to keep the patrols flowing and keeping updated on every section of Canterlot. The job was also to spread news quickly. On slow days it wasn't so bad and was quite relaxing, on faster days it was a vigorous workout.
Even though I felt I could be doing better somewhere else, it would be good to get back to the old routine. My legs were hardly getting enough exercise lately.