//------------------------------// // Meet The Guard // Story: Titanium // by Berry Punch //------------------------------// The night went by pretty slowly for Miles. After the excitement of meeting the ‘Human’, Cary, not much had happened. It was now 8 am, the time for the shift change. Miles was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to just crash in his bunk and sleep for a few hours As he walked back to the barracks,by following the main path he heard a lot of shouting coming from within the tent. The shouts were of fear and confusion ‘Looks like the other men have met Cary...’ Miles grimaced and sighed. He pulled back the tent flaps and ducked inside the tent. He saw all of the men surrounding his bunk where he had left Cary just a few hours ago. As he neared the group one of the guards turned to him. “Miles, what in the name of tartarus is this... thing!? And why is it in your bunk?” The Griffon guard demanded with a frown. Miles sighed and looked over to his bunk where Cary could be seen slightly cowering in the corner. Miles cleared his throat “Men, this is Cary. He arrived late last night and had and still has no idea where he is.” He let that sink in “Cary is obviously still fairly young, by his voice I’d say pre-teens or maybe slightly older...” He turned to look at Cary, who nodded in appreciation “ He is new to these lands, he’s young and he’s alone. So I ask of you all to accept his presence here for the time being and to please... at least try to make him feel welcome’” There were a few nods and grunts in agreement before they set off to work. One of the older guards looked somewhat unsatisfied with the information he was provided with and stayed back after the guards had left to ask some questions of his own. The guard spoke in a clear levelled voice “May I ask you a few questions?” Cary nodded with a look of determination adorning his face “What do you want to know?” he questioned and looked to the elder guard and raised an eyebrow slightly in question. “Firstly, you may call me Iron Beak. I would also like to know who and what you are.” Iron Beak crossed his arms, awaiting his answer. Cary scratched the back of his head and sat up in the bunk a bit, he looked to Miles, who nodded at him before he spoke up “My name is Cary Lee, I’m fourteen years old and I am a human.” he said in a clear, yet quiet voice. He looked up to Iron Beak with a neutral expression. “Okay, Cary. You’re only fourteen years of age? That’s awfully young to be going out in the world on your own...” Iron Beak trailed off a bit, his tone softened “I have two kids, both just a bit older than yourself and I would never let them wander the world on their own.” he spoke in an almost fatherly tone. Cary’s face showed a slightly surprised expression “Well as I said before, I’ve no idea where I am and I don’t know how I got here.” this was only partially true, though he truly didn’t know how he arrived, he knew it had something to do with his strange powers. Iron Beak tapped a talon to his chin in contemplation “Even though you are... alien to these lands, you are still far too young to be on your own. I believe as a parent it should be my duty to contact social services...” Cary’s eyes widened “N-No! I’m not even from here! You can’t do that I-I’m not a citizen here, you can’t!”Cary began to panic, he bit his lip nervously and looked as if he was ready to make a break for it. Iron Beak sighed and rubbed his temples “Okay, Cary, calm down, I’m not going to do that. But, I must ask you to stay here. You are not old enough to travel these lands. Especially during these... dark times.” he cleared his throat “We will set you up a tent for you to stay in for the time being, I’m sure you’ll not want to stay with us in the barracks. There is also one more thing I must ask of you Cary. I want you to steer clear from the gate.” Cary looked up, confused and grateful, he raised an eyebrow “Why? What’s behind the border? All I saw last night was a small town.” he shifted uncomfortably a bit. Miles spoke up before Iron Beak had the chance “Beyond the gate is Equestria, the Pony lands. They are currently locked in a long running civil war. The Solar army is holding up against the Lunar forces.” he said. “But why can’t I venture near the gate?” Cary questioned “Are the ponies evil, or something?” Iron Beak nodded slightly and beckoned him towards the exit of the tent, to which Cary willingly followed. “Have a good sleep, Miles!” Cary called into the tent and walked out, ducking under the entrance of the barracks, “So, why is it I can’t go to this town?” he looked to the elder Griffon. “The ponies that are currently occupying Hoovington are the Lunar forces, they are lead by the evil tyrant, Nightmare Moon; who wishes for nothing more than to bring forth eternal night.” Iron Beak coughed, cleared his throat and continued “I do not want them catching wind of your existence, there is no telling what they would do; they may take interest in you and take you away for... study.” Cary’s eyes widened at this “No... no, I can’t let that happen again.” Iron Beak raised an eyebrow and Cary shifted his eyes “I think I’ll just stay by the tents...” he said in a weak voice, trying to change the subject as he looked to the ground depressedly. ‘ What does he mean by...’again’?’ Iron Beak thought to himself, he contemplated on asking Cary what he had meant; but the boy was obviously shaken up and he didn’t want to push it “Yeah, that’s probably the best thing to do.” he said in a softer tone. “Look, I’m going to go for some breakfast. Do you wish to join me? Maybe tell me more about yourself, where you come from and all that malarkey.” Iron Beak said kindly to the shaken up boy. Cary nodded and began to walk towards the mess hall, beside the barracks “So, what do you like to eat, Cary?” he questioned and gave him a friendly pat on the back. “Bacon.” Cary said simply and Iron Beak burst out into a fit of laughter “What?” he asked with a slight chuckle. Iron Beak turned to him with a smile. “I didn’t think a creature like you would enjoy meat!” he said jovially and chuckled “Yes, we have bacon. I am sure that you must be starving!” he exclaimed and turned towards the kitchen. “Why wouldn’t I eat meat?” Cary asked. “Aah, you see, I thought you would be a herbivore like those ponies! You don’t look like much of a meat eater.” replied Iron Beak as he began to ready the meal. oOoOo “Sir! The creature is called a ‘human’.” The Lunar guard said as he came running into the war room where the captain was busy working around a map. The captain turned his attention towards the guard with a raised eyebrow; the guard saluted. “Where did you find this information from?” Did you by any chance catch his name?” the captain asked in a hard, demanding voice. The guard nodded slowly “Well, out with it then!” he ordered loudly, glaring at the stoic guard. “His name is ‘Cary Lee’, sir! I have found out he is only fourteen years of age, he is still a foal by pony standards, sir.” the guard spoke in his monotonous voice and stood perfectly still. “Fourteen you say? Well, he is rather young... I shall report this to the empress. You are dismissed” the captain said waving him off with a hoof as he turned to his desk and grabbed a scroll and quill “This colt is but a foal, surely it will be easy to ‘convince’ him to come with us; when the time is right, that is.” he eyed the parchment in front of him. ‘Perhaps I will contact the empress when I have a bit more... information.’ he thought to himself, as he placed the scroll and quill into a drawer “I will need to have somepony on the inside...” he scratched his chin with a hoof. The captain turned for the door and marched towards the border, he dismissed the guards by the gate until he was finished with his... business. He called over one of the Griffon guards “You there, Griffon! I request your presence here immediately.” The Griffon swallowed slowly and nervously turned towards the Lunar captain “What is it that you need of me, Captain Shadow?” he asked in a toneless voice, though his heart rate was beating rapidly. “I know of this ‘human’, that you hold in your custody.” the Griffon shifted uncomfortably “I am willing to pay you a hefty price in bits for any and all information on him as you can.” the Griffons mind began racing over all of the possibilities of what he could do with the money. The Griffon nodded “Yes, sir; I will do what I can to gain you any information as I can.” Captain Shadow nodded in acceptance. “That is all well, now state your name; I like to know the name of those working under me.” Captain Shadow said mysteriously, looking the nervous Griffon in the eye. “M-my name is Private Talon, sir!” Talon stuttered slightly, nervous of giving the Lunar captain his name. Captain Shadow nodded and with a grunt, he turned and marched back towards the war room, to work on a new letter to the empress. He marched into the room, closing the door behind him and pulled the scroll and quill back out from the drawer and began to write his letter. Dear Empress Nightmare Moon I have gained more information on the creature called a ‘human’, his name is ‘Cary Lee’ and he is but a foal of only fourteen years of age, much younger than I would have expected. I have now eyes and ears on the inside of the Griffon guard, I shall be expecting more information from this informant soon, when he is of no use I will terminate him to get rid of any loose ends. I will contact you with any and all important information soon. Yours Faithfully Captain Clouded Shadow oOoOo “You eat just as fast as any of the men here, HA! Who knew such a small creature could consume so much food, in so little time!” Iron Beak exclaimed happily. Iron Beak had grown closer to Cary, treating him as if he was his own son because a father is exactly what this boy needed. Cary laughed with the older Griffon; he was having a good time, given the circumstances. The two of them bonded more over breakfast, having eating competitions and swapping jokes “This has been possibly one of the most fun mornings I’ve ever had!” Cary said happily, smiling at the Griffon next to him. “Oh? Why is that?” Iron Beak asked curiously, with a raised eyebrow. Cary quietened down slightly and looked to the table, Iron Beak winced at the thought of hitting a sore spot with the young boy “It is okay, forget I asked.” he dismissed the question, in hopes to bring the boys mood back up. “No, it’s okay, Iron.” Cary sighed “It’s just, my Dad wasn’t great, he used to just drag me out of bed, tell me it was time for school and then leave for work. I had to walk three miles every morning to get to school.” he scratched the back of his head uncomfortably “Then when I got to school, the bullies made my life hell.” Iron Beak nodded solemnly “Well, lad; you will never have to see those... wretched bullies, or your rather uncaring father again.” he said and patted Cary on the back softly. This seemed to cheer Cary up a bit and the boy smiled at the Griffon “You’re one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, Iron.” he said and to Iron Beaks surprise, he hugged him. Iron Beak looked taken aback and did what came naturally to him, he patted his back softly and returned the hug. “I know a way to lift your mood!” exclaimed Iron Beak “How about I teach you some sword fighting? That is usually a good way to vent out anger and maybe let loose and have fun.” Cary’s eyes brightened. “Yeah, that sounds fun! I have never even touched a real sword before.” Iron Beak chuckled and got up from his seat and headed for the door, Cary remained seated, as he cleaned off his plate. “Well, come on!” the Griffon beckoned the boy over with a claw “Let’s go swing some swords!” he said happily and ducked under the tent flap, out into the hot open air of the desert. This was going to be fun, Cary thought as he followed Iron Beak out of the mess hall.