//------------------------------// // Champions, Wagers and A City of Night // Story: Trial of The Champion // by Laarsgaard //------------------------------// The Pit. Quite the ugly name for such a beautiful looking city. The Sun Guard formed up into serried ranks on the grassy outskirts of the town. Waller could hear cheers and calls coming from the streets from the citizens, seemingly excited by the appearance of the golden-armored guardians. “Is it always like this?” Waller leaned over and whispered to Chief. The old stallion chuckled. “You’ll see, lad,” Chief promised. “Quiet there!” the purple armored commander yelled. Waller straightened visibly, mulling over a mental checklist for a parade march. “On me!” the same officer yelled again. “One, two!” The whole guard stepped as one and began their march into the streets of the city. The road that the Sun Guard followed was well paved and maintained, showing the care its citizens held for the city. They began to pass farms and homesteads with a few ponies on each side of all ages. The older ponies waved and cheered while the young wore imitation armor made of cardboard or waved flags with the Sun Guard insignia on it. As they marched deeper into the city the crowds began to grow in size and diversity. As the guards came into the city proper the buildings turned from smaller residences and wooden shops into massive homes and complexes and elegant and impressive stores, taverns, and inns. Each building was a personality unto itself, most built of various colors of stone and showing off the unique flare and personality of its owner. The streets were paved with light gray cobblestones that resounded beautifully as the Sun Guard marched in time along the road. The streets were manic with all of the cheering and fanfare of the civilian ponies, every scream and every whoop in celebration of the coming of the Sun Guard and its counterparts. Some ponies were literally screaming their excitement to the heavens at the arrival of the armored stallions; the ponies could barely contain themselves. Ponies leaned out windows cheering and throwing homemade confetti. Young foals marched along the sidewalks in time with the guards, trying to be just like their heroes. Young mares called out bawdy comments and catcalls. Most flaunted their bodies trying to catch an eye of a strong young stallion that might make a good husband, or just provide a night of desperate passion. Overhead the Wonderbolts flew by leaving vapor trails in shapes and patterns. The best display was when they formed pictures of each regiment’s insignia at varying speeds, flipping from the Sun Guard’s sun to the Legion’s flaming heart to the crescent moon of the Moon Guard in a matter of seconds. From shops and storefronts ponies came out hawking their wares as the cheapest and best in the city. The tavern keepers cheered on their cider, claiming to have the best recipe, the lowest prices per mug and discounts to guardsponies even, all of them holding up brimming mugs as the guards marched by. Waller was astounded by the turnout and his heart filled with pride as they marched on to the center of the city where a massive stage had been erected in front of the true pit, which made up the city square where the final events of the week would take place. He could just make out the forms of the four princesses standing on top of it as the Sun Guard came down a series of streets. When Waller could see down an alley into the next street over he could make out midnight blue armor and leathery wings heading the same direction. The Sun Guard came to a halt in front of the massive stage. On the right side came the Moon Guard, resplendent and intimidating in their blue armor. Each thestral had menacing yellow eyes that stared straight ahead, focused and deadly in their intent. On the left came the Legion of the Heart wearing their gleaming, purple and gold armor with an air of pride and fearlessness, each crystal pony shining brightly beneath and only adding to the already impressive display. Beyond the legion in marched the smallest of the four regiments, the Witch Brigade. Each young unicorn mare was ensconced in a thick robe swirling with crimson and black patterns. All in all, the martial display was enough to burn any city, destroy any settlement, or annihilate any foe from the planet’s surface. On the stage stood the four princesses, each garbed in their most illustrious and elaborate dress. Celestia stood to the fore, a microphone before her, flanked immediately by her sister and her former protégé and further flanked by Cadence and her husband. Celestia and Luna were speaking to each other quietly as the general hubbub died down to a dull roar as the townsfolk filed in behind the guards, prepared to hear Celestia. The white alicorn tapped on the microphone to test it and then lifted it magically from the stand. “Welcome one and all to the Trial of the Champion!” Celestia said with a massive smile on her face. There came a cheer from the crowd and the guard regiments as well. “We have gathered here again to celebrate the creation of mine and my sister’s guardians!” Again another cheer sounded, this time from only the Sun and Moon Guard. “As always we welcome last tournament’s champion first: Princess Luna’s Moon Guard!” Celestia announced. There was a massive cheer from the moonies as Luna hoisted the massive trophy into the air, waving it about with pride. “And as always, my illustrious Sun Guard!” Celestia shouted excitedly. Waller whooped into the air as Chief whistled and Twitch insulted the other guard regiments loudly. The excited guards calmed down as Celestia went on. “And this year I’d like to welcome two new competitors to the competition. First Princess Cadence’s Legion of the Heart!” the purple armored legionnaires erupted into cheers and whoops, showing their pride. “And last but certainly not least, Princess Twilight’s Witch Brigade!” there was a moment of silence and then the air exploded as fireworks and light displays burst forth into the air from the horns of the unicorns in an impressive display of magical manipulation. The crowd of citizens shouted and yelled excitedly at the show. “Excellent, most excellent!” Celestia said as she began to move about the stage. “Now this year we’ve had to adjust the rules to allow for the addition of the new combatants,” the sun princess went on. “This year we’ll only have two champions from each group as opposed to five. Now all of you should have received your recommendations so now I’d like to invite the commanding officers from each regiment to announce the champions this year.” There was a small stir from each group as the officers in question moved to the stage. The purple-armored commander from the Sun Guard, Fire Starter, moved up the steps first to stand next to Celestia. The Moon Guard and the Witch Brigade sent up two each, both groups heading to flank their respective princess. The Legion was last onto the stage with three officers. The leading of which had a helmet with a massive and rather ridiculous plume on his helmet that nearly doubled his height. Commander Fire Starter stepped forward, his armor shined in the sunlight. “This year we have both a unicorn and pegasus champion. First is Brutus from squad Gratus,” the Sun Guard cheered once again, more from the unicorns than the pegasi. “The next is Cave Waller from squad Shrike,” this time the pegasi were heard as they cheered Waller on. “Champions come forth!” the commander ordered. Waller stepped forward as his comrades moved aside to let him pass. Pats on the back and words of support came from all sides as he passed until he came to the stage. His heart raced in his chest as he moved to stand next to the commander. On the other side of the officer stood Brutus, a hulking piece of fearsome unicorn prowess. The unicorn’s coat rippled and pulsed as he moved from the sheer amount of muscle he boasted. As the three stood at the back of the stage, Brutus leaned over to Waller. “Don’t fuck this up for me,” he growled through his teeth. Waller ignored the bigger pony and continued to watch as the thestrals stepped forward. The thestrals moved as one being, staying in step and even breathing in unison. Their wings flexed as the pair stepped up to the microphone. Both were identical in almost every way except for the bars on the side of their helmets, which denoted rank. Their armor was midnight blue and trimmed in silver and their helmet plumes mimicked the form and substance of their wings. One odd thing Waller noticed was the presence of two slits on either side of the thestrals’ necks. The officer with more bars spoke for the pair. “This year we are honored to announce Brothers Spark and Torch are to represent us and our Mistress of the Night in this year’s events,” the two bowed to the crowd as the Moon Guard cheered as one. "Hail Spark, hail Torch!” they cried out. As one the group parted to allow a pair to move up to the stage. The two came to join their officers and princess on stage. Waller could now tell the two pairs apart but as to distinguish whom from whom he still felt lost. The new pair’s coats were considerably darker with hints of graying around their temples, but other than that the new pair looked identical as well. The four guards bowed to Luna respectfully and then moved to stand behind her. The Legion officer stepped up next, his massive plume waving about and making him look out of place and foolish instead of regal. He seemed rather pompous and looked down his snout at all of the other groups present as if thinking he was above them all instead of their equal. “I call forth Trooper Brakus and Sergeant Fyrthing,” the officer called out, waving his sparkling hoof as if the troops stood before him. The two legionnaires came to the stage as their fellows cheered them on. Their coats sparkled underneath their purple and gold armor. Waller could see why somepony would underestimate the legion, as they were less than intimidating to look at. The three stepped back to Cadence’s side to make way as Princess Twilight stepped forward flanked by her two guardians with a big smile on her face. Even the other princesses looked confusedly at Twilight as she moved up to the microphone. “I would like to have Sister Nocturne and Sister Aurora to please come up to the stage,” the mares made their voices heard as the two of their number levitated into the air and hovered their way to the stage to stand next to their princess. The witches stood back from the microphone as Celestia stepped up again and spoke: “Guardians, these are your champions!” Another eruption of screaming and whooping came from all of the ponies present. The champions each stood, magnificent and proud in their colors as they represented their respective fellows. Waller looked out at the crowd and spotted Twitch going berserk where he stood, insulting all of the other ponies, even his own comrades around him loudly with some rather lewd and impressive gestures. He was quite unaware of the black-armored officer standing a few rows behind him, taking note of his actions. The raucous applause took several minutes to die down as Celestia beckoned the champions forward to the edge of the stage. She paced behind the eight of them as she spoke again: “Tomorrow the first of the events will begin. You will all be given a schedule when you report into your places of stay. Now I know that you are all excited to be out and about in the town. Just be safe and do not terrorize the townsfolk. You are guards, after all.” There was a burst of polite laughter from the gathered warriors at the princess’ joke. “Now go out and have fun!” she ordered setting the microphone back onto the stand. There was one last cheer from the guards as the four princesses and Shining Armor disappeared in a burst of brilliant radiance, teleported away to somewhere safe where they could watch the town and their guardians without intruding. Waller stepped from the stage and was about to head back to his squad when Brutus caught up to him and stopped him. “I’m serious Waller,” the massive unicorn stuck a hoof into Waller’s shoulder. “Do not fuck this up for me. I will not lose to a bunch of mares and moonies because of you,” Waller couldn’t focus on Brutus was saying because of the massive scar over the unicorn’s right eye. Waller was entranced by the huge pink divide in Brutus’ skull and wondered what exactly put it there. Before Brutus could go on Chief stepped up beside the unicorn. “Well isn’t that just a wonderful sight, the lads all getting along and helping each other out,” the old stallion set a hoof on Brutus’ shoulder. The unicorn shrugged off Chief’s touch and stalked away without another word. Waller shook himself from his daze. “Thanks,” he told the officer as he watched Brutus disappear into the crowd. “Don’t worry about it, lad,” Chief commented scanning the crowd as well. “Where are the other two?” Waller asked as the crowd around them began to flow into the city. “Well Twitch is being given quite the talking to at the moment, and Trench is sitting by his side like the good little minion he’s becoming,” Chief answered still scanning the crowd. “Who are you looking for?” Waller asked. “Well if it isn’t my favorite shiny?” a deep bass asked behind the two. Waller turned to see a pair of thestrals approaching through the still thinning crowd of armored stallions. The pair was young and heavily muscled, their wings shifted and flexed over their dark pelts as they moved and their yellow eyes scanned about ever alert for danger, almost identical in every way except for a scar across the chin of the one standing on the left. “Ho, ho, look at you two! Don’t even have the proper respect to address an officer, you uncultured moonies!” Chief said indignantly, as he stepped up to meet the two Moon Guards. After a moment of staring each other down the three of them burst into laughter. “How you doin’ you old bag of bones?” the thestral standing to the right embraced Chief. “Oh not too bad, slowing a bit with my age, but I’m still spry enough to tie you into a knot and don’t you forget it!” Chief pointed a hoof into the moony’s face. “And Rime, how are you faring these days, boy?” Chief turned to the other and embraced him as well. “I am well Chief. Frost and I were wondering if you would enjoy taking a drink with us, and your champion as well,” the thestral named Rime, his face having only the smallest hint of a smile looked to Waller. "Of course he’ll come! Waller is quite the amiable chap after all!” Chief said cheerily. “But first we need to sort out the troublemakers,” the two thestrals nodded in understanding as their neck slits opened up. Waller could make out the faintest whisper of a sound as Chief headed back to where they could now see Twitch with his head bowed and his ears flattened against his skull in shame as he was chastised. A few feet away Trench stood at attention, waiting for an order from somepony to tell him to move. “…and that’s the end of it!” the officer shouted down at Twitch. “Am I clear Lieutenant?” “Aye, sir,” Twitch answered. “Good, now be off, and if I hear of you causing anymore trouble you’re off to Section,” with that the disciplinary officer turned and moved off to follow his comrades to invade the nearest tavern and drink it dry. Chief chuckled aloud. “Well, considering what you said, I’d say you got off pretty light, lad,” Chief said as he moved up to Twitch. “Fuck that guy,” Twitch commented as he removed his helmet. The lieutenant turned around and froze as he saw the two members of the Moon Guard standing near him. “Greetings,” Rime offered as he extended a hoof. “Yeah, hi,” Twitch said replacing his helmet. “Come on rookie let’s go find a place to have a drink. “We were about to go find a place to sit ourselves, we would be honored if you joined us,” Rime said, setting his hoof back onto the cobbles. “No, that’s fine, thank you, the rookie and I were going to check in anyway and find our room,” Twitch stepped over to Trench. “Come on green hooves, move it,” Twitch ordered. “But I want to hang out with the moonies!” Trench cried indignantly. “Move!” Twitch shouted practically shoving the rookie down the street. “Before you bolt,” Chief said casually, “do not get yourselves in trouble.” Chief held up a hoof under Twitch’s nose. “I mean it lieutenant, I will not have you embarrass me again, got it?” “Yeah, yeah, old bones,” Twitch smirked. “Best behavior.” and with that he and Trench went off into the city. “You know he’s going to wind up in trouble, right?” Waller asked watching them go. “I didn’t get where I am today, lad, without knowing the minds and intents of my subordinates,” Chief turned his gaze. “Speaking of which…” He moved over to a lone legionnaire standing in the midst of the empty square looking lost. “Hail there!” Chief waved a hoof as they approached the lone guard. “You look lost, boy. Where’s your commanding officer?” the stallion looked to be rather young with a sparkling blue coat that shone brilliantly in the sunlight. “That’s just the thing, sir. I was separated from my unit during the press as everypony headed into town. I’m lost,” he confessed looking down in shame. Waller and the thestrals pair moved up behind Chief. “Come with us, lad. We’re headed for a drink. And don’t call me ‘sir,’” Chief smiled warmly. “Most ponies just call me Chief,” the young guard smiled. “The name’s Stone. It’s an honor to meet you, Chief,” Stone stuck out a hoof and Chief shook it vigorously. “This here’s Wall. He may have been named champion this year, but don’t worry. He’s a nice pony,” Chief pointed to Waller and then to the stallions next to them. “And these two moonies here, are Frost and his brother Rime,” both bowed to the legion trooper in respect. Waller took note that the scar belonged to Rime. “How about that drink, Chief?” Waller asked, turning to head into the city. “A good plan, lad,” Chief smiled and followed the champion with the thestrals and the legionnaire in tow. “Well this is exciting,” Twilight said as she merrily skipped to through the flat to the coffee table that was covered with tea and baked sweets. The other three princesses came behind her. “Oh the Trial is always the most exciting time of the century,” Celestia said happily as she lifted a teacup and saucer from the table and took a sip. Luna stepped up next to her sister and bit into a tiny coffee cake. “I’m excited too,” Cadence said as she picked through the food, trying to find some particular favorite. “That’s good to hear,” Celestia said as she took another bite of cake. “Now this week is going to be a fun one. Tomorrow we’re going to have the first events which will be jousting and dueling and the like.” “But this year, we’ve added some new rules. In some of the duels we’ve had to put certain limitations, like pegasi on thestral only, only magic users, and no magic, no flying. In the past these limitations were somewhat pointless, but now, they will make things very fun indeed,” Luna smiled. “The day after we slow down a bit with other events such as a relays, magical creation competitions such as growing and molding magic, my favorite of which is a competition to explode a series of large, colored glass bubbles and manipulate the shards to fall into various patterns. It’s such a beautiful event,” Celestia sighed as old memories came back. “Before we used to have the guards compete against themselves, now there’s enough that we can have quite the diverse competition,” Luna commented. “Well, I hope your boys are ready to get beaten by my girls,” Twilight said. It was rather unlike her to speak so callously. “Before we go on, Twilight Sparkle, I have a question,” Luna said setting down her cake. Twilight looked to Luna. “Why did you speak for your guardians?” the Moon Princess asked. “Oh,” Twilight said wiping her mouth free of crumbs. “Well.” Twilight looked at Celestia. “You said to have the commanding officers to come up and speak. Well I am the Witch Brigade’s commanding officer.” The other princesses looked at her with confusion. “Why?” Cadence asked. “Well,” Twilight said taking a sip of tea. “It has to deal with why they’re all mares and unicorns. I feel that, firstly, mares are better for this role than stallions. I want the girls to bond with each other, which will help them act as one and know each other’s minds. Secondly, I wish to bond with my guardians as well. If I can be part of them and help them do their job, it makes them stronger in the end.” "Hmm,” Celestia thought. “Interesting. I was wondering about the mares, but you seem so confident, care to make this more interesting?” Celestia smiled mischievously. “What did you have in mind, dear sister,” Luna smiled back at her sister. “Oh, just a friendly wager,” Celestia smiled slyly. “What did you have in mind?" Cadence asked, leaning over the table. “The loser, whoever has both of their champions knocked out of the final event first, has to present the award to the winner and,” Celestia paused, “they have to announce that the winner is the best princess from now until the end of time.” Celestia looked at the other three princesses. “I’m in,” Cadence said. “Me too!” Twilight declared. Luna smiled. “Easiest wager I’ve ever won,” she said. The four put their hooves in the center of the table and sealed the wager. “You’re a witness to this, dear husband,” Cadence said as she pointed to Shining Armor and turning her head. Shining smiled broadly, though no one was sure why. Wooden mugs hit the table, each filled to the brim with bright, golden cider that smelled deliciously of apples and a hint of alcohol. The bar they had chosen was a rather unique venue, three sides were open to the warm night air, the bar taking up one side with a set of stairs that led up to the inn above. The tables were filled with primarily Moon Guard with a sprinkling of older Sun Guard members and one squad from the Legion. Waller laughed aloud as Chief and the two moonies swapped stories. Chief raised his mug, “To our friends, no matter the colors they wear on their backs and to the Trial that brings us together.” “Here, here,” the stallions around the table chorused and drained their mugs. A new round was set down and Chief threw several bits onto the waitress’s tray. “So tell me, boys, what have the illustrious moonies been up to since you were last rotated through the caverns?” Chief asked the two Moon Guards. Frost took a sip. “We had to go up and clear out some gangs in the top of Noc’tren,” he said. Rime nodded in agreement, “Bloody work, but it helps purify the city for our Lady.” “Is it really getting that bad?” Chief asked the two. Frost stayed silent as he sipped from his mug again. “Our home has indeed become infested with scum, all of them outsiders,” Rime said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “It’s the price we pay for the sins of our brothers on the day of our Lady’s return.” “Do you mean the day the Moon Guard attacked Canterlot?” Waller asked leaning forward as his curiosity got the better of him. “Aye,” Frost said looking down at his mug. “It was a brutal day.” The pair looked at each other and Waller watched as the slits in their necks opened up and the two froze solid in their movement. Waller caught the very slightest hint of a sound. The slits closed up and they both leaned forward at the same moment in what Waller considered an eerie manner. “I hear it was a bloody day in Canterlot as well,” Frost said. “It was,” Chief answered. “What happened?” Stone asked. Frost and the two Sun Guard members looked at him while Rime took another swig of his mug. “Several years ago, the day that Nightmare Moon was returned to our beloved Mistress of the Night, we were all subjected to a strong mental attack. We are not magic beings, but the moon calls to us even during the day. The night of the Lady’s return, our Mistress, in the guise of Nightmare Moon, took hold of our minds and ordered us to attack and dominate all who were not our own. “The brothers in the city attacked the Sun Guard and Mistress’ sister. In Noc’tren, the whole city stopped as one and we turned on the outsiders, brutally killing and capturing all of them.” The table fell silent as the information at Rime’s words. “But we’ve all had our hardships these past few years,” Rime went on. “The changelings.” He looked at Chief. “I know you still live, obviously, but how did you fare in the battle?” Chief chuckled. “I fared well enough, we had a Wall after all,” Chief winked at his squad mate. “I’ve heard the prince speak of it,” Stone commented over the rim of his mug. Waller looked at the shining legionnaire. “What did you hear?” “Not much, he only remembers when he and the princess cast the changeling queen, Chrysalis, out through the window,” Stone told them. “Other than that I know nothing.” “It was a day alright,” Waller commented. “I never thought I’d see a day like it in my life. I know what I signed on for but that day…” Waller sighed. “It was brutal and it was bloody and I wish I had never seen it.” Chief set a hoof on Waller’s shoulder. “I’m sorry we could not be there,” Frost said looking at Waller. “Would’ve been a bit different if more of you lot had been there,” Chief said. “Another round please,” Frost asked a passing waitress. She nodded her blonde head and smiled amiably, turning to head to the bar. Frost watched her go, the invasion of Canterlot forgotten for a moment. “Leave it brother,” Rime told his partner, setting a hoof on his shoulder. “It’s not our territory.” Waller felt his ire rise at the moony’s comment. “Whose territory is it then?” he asked angrily. Rime didn’t answer as the waitress returned swiftly and placed the mugs on the tables and took the empty mugs. “Thanks, lass,” Chief threw another several bits onto her tray and winked at her. She blushed and quickly left to go back to the bar. Again, Frost watched her go, his eyes on her soft looking backside. Her hips swayed as if she was putting a little more into her stride to attract a bit of attention. Frost lifted his mug and was about to take a sip when a note fell off of the bottom of his mug. He picked up the note and unfolded it his eyes moved back and forth and a smirk came to his face. Rime glared at his partner. As Frost read the note, his and Rime’s wings began to extend. “Well?” Waller asked impatiently, expecting an answer to his previous question. “Looks like Rime here was wrong,” Frost folded the note back up and looked to the bar at the fawn colored waitress. “You didn’t answer my question,” Waller said leaning forward, his anger getting the better of him. Chief set a hoof on Waller’s shoulder. “Leave it, lad, it’s a moony thing.” Waller sat back and drank from his mug. Rime looked at him. “Life is different in Noc’tren,” Rime said taking a drink. “We do not treat mares as ponies. They are treasured above all else since there are so few. To see one in such a lowly position.” Rime shook his head. “One’s status is dictated by their occupation. We as guards of the Mistress are held in the highest esteem where servants such as her,” he nodded his head at the waitress, “would be considered a common slave.” Rime sipped from his mug again. Frost looked at Waller. “This is why I keep him around,” Frost took a sip. “He keeps the old ways and I keep the new.” Waller felt surprised. “You practice slavery in Noc’tren?” he asked Rime. Rime shook his head. “Not directly. Indentured servitude is common amongst debtors and the lower classes who live in the highest portions of the city. Only the strongest of our order is sent into the highest levels to deal with the criminals and gangs that are running rampant amidst the rebels and outsiders of our beloved city,” the Moon Guard tipped his mug back and drained it. “Why have I never seen you or any other Moon Guard in Canterlot?” Waller questioned. “We are reclusive,” Rime answered as the same waitress returned to bring them another round. Chief place another few bits on her tray as she picked up the empty mugs. The waitress walked away and Frost’s eyes were once again locked on her backside. The slits on the side of his neck opened for a moment. Rime’s head whipped about, staring daggers at his partner. “Leave me out of it Frost,” Rime growled through his teeth. The slits opened again and Waller once again felt the faintest whisper brush by his ears. Rime’s neck opened as well. Frost turned his gaze to his partner as both of their throats began to twitch about. Waller leaned over to Chief. “What’s happening?” he asked his superior. “They’re speaking to each other, boy. It’s another moony thing,” Chief took a sip from his mug as Rime’s face began to contort with rage. Frost, strangely, remained calm as he stared at his partner. “Just do it then!” Rime hissed closing his neck slits back up. Waller looked about the room and could see every thestral head looking at their table. His heart began to pound as he readied for a fight. Don’t worry, lad,” Chief set a hoof on Waller’s shoulder. “They aren’t looking at us.” The waitress walked by, her tray empty. Frost broke his partners gaze to turn and reach up, pulling the mare into his lap. She squeaked in surprise but smiled as Frost began to whisper in her ear. The waitress giggled and put a hoof to her mouth as she blushed in embarrassment. Frost released her smoothly. The waitress stood back up and briskly walked back to the bar where one of her serving friends came over to swap a quick word about the thestral’s actions. “You know the rules, brother,” Rime said staring into the distance over Waller’s head. There was a hint of danger in his voice. “It’s the Trial, Rime. We’re supposed to have a bit of fun,” Frost looked at Rime indignantly. Rime didn’t respond to Frost’s comment. “What rules?” Waller looked to Frost. Chief put a hoof up to his mouth as cider spat out in surprise. The other four shot away from the table. Two waitresses dashed forward with washrags held at the ready and began to wipe the tables down. Chief began coughing. Waller patted Chief on the back, helping his friend. Chief reached up and grabbed Waller by the collar. “Never ask about the rules, lad. They aren’t the most sensitive lot if you hadn’t noticed,” Chief coughed again as Waller sat back down in his seat. Chief scooted back up. “You okay, Chief?” Stone asked. “I’m fine, boy,” Chief waved the crystal pony off and coughed one last time to clear his chest. Another round of drinks was set on the table by a different waitress. Chief put another bunch of bits on the tray. “Why do you keep tipping?” Waller asked his officer. “I got tons of coin, Wall, it’s just sitting about in the bank gathering dust, might as well give it those who need it,” Chief explained. “I believe you asked about our rules, Waller?” Rime asked. Chief tensed up again. “Do not worry, Chief, I will not begrudge curiosity,” Rime pulled his seat closer to the table as Frost scooted out and got up to leave. Rime’s head shifted so fast Waller heard his vertebrae snap. “My brother is going to get himself killed,” Rime sighed. He took a long pull, draining the rest of his cider. A small droplet dripped from the mug and ran down his chin. Rime set the mug down and wiped the line from his face. They all watched as Frost went over to the waitress pulled her close and whispered something in her ear. She giggled and blushed again. Frost turned to leave and the waitress went to the bar and placed her tray on the top, giving some explanation Waller could not make out. She turned and quickly wove her way through the crowded bar and stepped out onto the street. “How do you mean?” Stone asked, moving his gaze back to Rime. “We have many rules and laws, especially for those of us who are guardians to the Lady,” Rime drank from his mug again and set it down. “We hold ourselves to a standard that, by most, is considered barbaric and harsh. “The city we live in is named Noc’tren, an ancient word our Mistress taught us when she came to find us, her dark children. The city has two halves,” Rime sliced through the air with a hoof. “The top half resides on the surface, we do not use it during the day, the sun is not kind to my brothers and me, but we as guardians have grown used to its touch in a manner of speaking. “But the real city, the one where my brothers and I stalk through the alleys, where night reigns eternal and my Lady lives, her home resides at the very bottom, down in the darkest reaches of my city. Only in the dark will you find our children and or merchants.” Rime looked down into his mug. The cider was dwindling and another round would be needed soon. “But recently, outsiders have come to my city. They have begged my Lady to live in my city and now they make trouble for us.” “I have said that mares are rare in Noc’tren that is an understatement as mares are almost non-existent. We are so overcrowded with stallions we leave our male infants out in the cold to die at times. And now these outsiders come and try to take our mares from us,” he leaned back and put his hooves together in his lap. “We are only allowed to mate with the mares of our city. Any other is considered an unnecessary spreading of seed. Those who do otherwise are put up for treason and are executed. We do this because our race is rare as it is, and our genes are recessive,” he extended his wings, displaying the dark leather for all. “Our forefathers were found in the beginnings of our city, before we carved it out and added the buildings above the earth. They were even more divergent than my brothers and I are now. Each was larger with a massive wingspan, eyes as pale as pearls and fangs, long and brutal,” he opened his jaws to show his teeth which were pointed and curved. “Frost was correct in saying that I keep the old ways. He and I are young for our position and part of a new generation that does not stay in the shadows. There are many like him and me. He does not care for the old ways and traditions, where I keep them alive,” Rime sighed again. “Soon enough, though, they might die and it weighs upon my heart. If the old ways die our rules go as well and then our race may go with it.” “And I thought my life was hard,” Stone commented. Rime raised an eyebrow. “I am curious as to the origins of the so colorfully called L.O.P. Have you seen your sovereign take on the form of a brutish and angry deity? Have you seen those you call brother die trying to root out those who do not belong in your city? Do you only step into the open air after the moon has come out because the sun burns against your coat?” Rime stared at Stone, uncaring of the crystal pony’s hardships. “I watched as my queen was slaughtered on the balcony above my head, her blood had dripped down onto my face.” Stone stared into his mug. “I had been part of the resistance that had only lasted a few months. The officer with the massive helmet, the one that makes him look like an ass? That’s my direct superior, his name’s Steel Fission. He was the face of the rebellion, not the brains,” Stone laughed. “Oh no, that guy is far too incompetent to even have the job he does now.” Stone drained his mug and slammed it down onto the table. “The king had these things… I don’t know what to call them. They were these black crystal beasts, some were the size of train cars and others were smaller than spiders and they would dig under your skin,” Stone shuddered at the thought of the creatures. “So we rebelled. We did whatever we could against him and his beasts. We poisoned water supplies, collapsed mine heads, we did everything imaginable and still we didn’t manage to do anything. Then he caught us. It was only a matter of time until he did. “Commander Fission, though," Stone laughed. “That guy couldn’t command his way out of a wet paper sack. Anyway, Sombra found us and when he did he had every officer except for Commander Fission executed, brutally. The Commander had to stand right next to the chopping block as the blade came down. By the time it was all over he was covered from head to hoof in blood and brains,” Stone shook his head in disgust. “Sombra locked him away in the dungeon and tortured him,” Stone smirked awkwardly and he scoffed. “I can… I can still hear his screams. After Sombra found us, those of us who weren’t officers he put in shackles alongside the rest of those who couldn’t escape. “We toiled for years under Sombra’s rule. Just working and dying, not from old age, but from malnutrition and dehydration. I watched some of my best friends die working for that king. “But one day there was this flash in the sky. There were explosions and bursts of light coming from the palace. Walls exploded outward and shards of crystal flew through the air. Then Sombra sailed through one of the windows followed by two ponies who flew out after him, each shining as brilliantly as the sun,” Stone was looking up as if seeing the sight again. “Then, as the king fell, he cast a spell. It encompassed all of us, the whole city, and we were whisked away, away to the north. “The Frozen North,” Stone put his hooves on the table and rested his chin on them. “It never stopped snowing, the wind never died down, and it never got any warmer. We were stuck in that snow for years. Then, suddenly, the king came back, now as he was but as this black mass.” Stone sat up and spread his hooves, trying to back up his exaggeration. “Then these two ponies showed up. One claimed she was a princess, she looked just like the old queen and it was like looking into the past, before Sombra, and it gave me hope. “She put a massive shield over the city. It banished the cold and kept the king out of the city. Then more ponies showed up. Princess Twilight and her friends, it was before she was made a princess though. “They put on a fair for us, just like the old days before the king. Then the shield fell and the Crystal Heart was missing. Then the king was coming, flooding his way into the city. We panicked, we didn’t know what to do and then he was there again, standing above us all and riding some black, crystal spire into the sky. I looked up and I could see the Crystal Heart, falling through the air, falling straight at the king, and then suddenly, the princess was flying through the sky and she had the Heart!” Stone sat up suddenly with his hooves outstretched. “She put the Heart in its place and we powered it up, just like we had before the king had come. The power shot through us all, and smashed into the king, and then he just, exploded,” Stone threw up his hooves dramatically. “Amazing,” Rime commented, honestly interested in Stone’s narration. Waller’s jaw was hanging open in shock. Chief’s eyebrows were nearly over the top of his forehead. "Quite the tale, lad, quite the tale,” the old officer said. “Born of rebellion and tempered in the ice of the Frozen North,” Rime drank from his mug. “You have earned my respect.” “Hey Chief!” a drunken outburst speared through the crowded bar. Chief and Waller whipped their heads around, each instantly recognized the voice. “Oh no,” Waller said as he watched Twitch and Trench stumble into the bar.