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// Chapter 20: Honoring Those Who Serve 
// Story: The Elements of Honor 
// by Flanagan 
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Canterlot was bustling very early on this day, for this day the remaining members of the 1025th were to be awarded the highest honor anypony could receive and the fallen would be recognized as well. Battleaxe awoke especially early for the occasion, he looked out over the city as it woke. The rising sun revealed nearly two dozen different newspaper posts. He smiled to himself as he lost count due to the fact that he couldn’t tell weather the far off carts were in ones or twos.
“Today is going to be a BIG day…” Battleaxe said to himself. “All of us are about to finally be recognized for how awesome we are.” He looked to the clock on the wall, it said 0500, then he looked back out to the ever growing crowds of journalist outside. 
“Four more hours world,” he said to himself. “Just FOUR more hours and all of you will know about us, all of you will know about ME…” his smile faded as he began to think hard about the past, “I don’t want to be forgotten again… and because of this…” his smile returned, “I won’t be…”
The remaining members of the 1025th prepared themselves for the ceremony, all of them in their best dress uniforms, even Warhammer dawned his blues for the special event. They all looked over one another, insuring that their medals and ribbons were properly placed. They didn’t want to be seen by all Equestria as sloppy, gruff ponies with a lack of personal hygiene. Long Shot looked particularly nice, his eye patch gave his uniform a nice touch of that ‘tough stallion’ look.
“All of you look amazing…” a familiar feminine voice said as the door to the room the 1025th was in closed.
“Record Keeper…” Lug Nut said as he walked to her, “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, yes it has.” Record Keeper said she looked around the room and at everypony there. “Where’s Greatsword?”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know…” Lug Nut said, looking around at the other ponies present in the room, “I haven’t seen him since our debriefing two days ago. I wish I could tell you more, but that’s all I got.”
“Oh, that’s ok…” Record Keeper said, her voice growing slightly concerned, “I’m sure he’s fine…”
“Greatsword…” a gentle voice whispered in the pegasus’s ear, causing him to slowly open his eyes. “Greatsword, the ceremony will begin in thirty minutes.”
“Oh buck!” Greatsword’s eyes shot open as he sprang to his hooves. His eyes darted around the room, looking for his uniform, but he couldn’t see it anywhere. He began to panic a little until his eyes fell upon Princess Celestia, she was holding his perfectly arranged uniform with her magic. He let out a sigh of relief, “You had me worried, Celestia…”
Princess Celestia smiled as she magically gave Greatsword’s uniform to him. “You believe I would allow you to be late for something like this? What would make you think something like that?”
“I never said anything of the sort,” Greatsword said putting his uniform on, “I just said you had me worried.”
“We were up very late last night, Greatsword,” Princess Celestia voice growing concern. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? I can award you in private like I said I would if you wish.”
“I’m sure, Celestia,” Greatsword said adjusting the medals on his uniform while looking into the mirror. “That’s what they would want me to do, I won’t let them down.”
Princess Celestia shook her head as she walked toward Greatsword, “That’s not what I wanted to hear,” she said stopping behind him, “I don’t want you to do this for THEM, I want you to do it for YOU.”
“Fine…” Greatsword said looking at her through the mirror, “I don’t WANT to do this…” he turned to face her, “I NEED to do this… for ME.”
Princess Celestia smiled as she looked over Greatsword one last time, “If at any moment you feel the need to leave, I won’t stop you.” the two walked together to the door, “Now,” Princess Celestia said as she opened the door, “let’s get you back to your brothers and friends.”
The Royal Castle’s main hall was full of journalists and photographers, eagerly awaiting a chance to take a photo or have an interview with Equestria’s newest group of heroes. They were shoulder to shoulder, pushing and shoving one another alongside the walkway to the throne room where they were to receive their awards. On the other side of the hall’s doors, Battleaxe was sneaking a peek to see exactly how many ponies were there for the occasion.
“Damn,” Battleaxe said in awe, “there has to be at least two hundred ponies that I can see alone, and maybe even double that for the ones I can’t see…” he turned to the 1025th, “and I don’t even know how many ponies are outside the castle, this thing is bucking massive.”
“I’ve faced dragons, changelings, griffons, minotaurs, manticores, assassins, even a hydra or two…” Lug Nut said taking short quick breaths, “but put me in front of the press, I act like a lamb in a lion cage.” he grabbed a nearby curtain and began to wipe the excess amounts of sweat from his face.
“If Commander Garrison knew that you acted like this around news ponies, I doubt he would have let you join the 1025th.” The 1025th looked behind them to see Greatsword, dressed in the finest officer’s uniform that any of them have ever seen, it fit him perfectly, from the leather bound collar to the pure white belt, it seemed that he was born just to wear the uniform.
“You look absolutely amazing…” Record Keeper said making her way towards him, “this is the first time I think I’ve ever seen you in your blues…” she looked him up and down again. Her smile one of approval.
“There’s a reason for that Record Keeper,” Greatsword said taking his place in front of her, “I HATE wearing this thing, I can hardly move, let alone breathe.”
“Big bro cleans up nice…” Battleaxe said as he looked over Greatsword’s uniform as well, “Looks like you DO have a sense of style after all.”
“No, the military has a sense of style, I just wear it.” Greatsword joked back at his brother.
“Where have you been for the past two days anyway?” Long Shot asked 
“I’ve been handling some personal issues lately,” Greatsword replied, “that’s all you need to know.”
“You know Long Shot, come to think about it…” Lug Nut said rubbing his chin, “I don’t think I’ve seen Princess Celestia for the last two days either.” He thought back on the last two days, concentrating hard as he tried to remember every last detail. “Nope, never saw Princess Celestia.” The 1025th looked at Greatsword, Lug Nut was right, nether of the ponies in question were seen by any of them during that time.
“Well damn it,” Battleaxe said stomping his hoof on the floor, “First Warhammer gets the cute one, now Greatsword gets the one running the show…” he shook his head, “I’ve GOT to up my game, because the other one is already married, and I’m no home wrecker.”
Greatsword’s hoof slowly covered his face as he shook his head from side to side as the 1025th stared at him. “Battleaxe…” he began, “STOP shipping me with mares…” he slowly drug his hoof off his face as he walked towards his brother, “I was having PERSONAL issues, and Princess Celestia was kind enough to HELP me, now if you can be serious for the hour this is supposed to last, it would be MUCH appreciated.”
“Hey, hey, easy there bro,” Battleaxe said slowly backing away from his clearly not amused brother, “I was just playing around, no harm done, ok? I’ll serious up for this, just don’t hit me, blood stains bad.”
The trumpets sounded, signaling that the ceremony had begun, all the chatter form the news ponies all fell quiet as it all started to begin. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and a noticeably pregnant Princess Cadence entered the hall, the three Princess took their respective places. After a few photos from the press, Princess Celestia spoke.
“Mares and Gentlecolts,” she began. “Today we have gathered to honor those who gave all they could and more to keep this kingdom safe,” she looked around the room to everypony as she spoke. “To keep all of US safe.”
Two ponies carrying a large chest entered the hall form the side and with cameras flashing they placed it in front of the Princess. “Nearly two weeks ago, the ponies of the special forces unit 1025 were tasked with the destruction of a changeling sleeper cell, not far from Los Pegasus…” 
The crowd gasped, nopony had any idea that there was still a changeling threat in Equestria. The Princess raised her hoof to silence the press ponies, the questions would have to wait until after the ceremony. “However, there were no changelings, instead there was an elder dragon by the name Smog, he attacked the ponies of the 1025th, who were unable to fight such a foe with the equipment they had, but they fought Smog bravely. Ultimately resulting in the dragon’s death.” the crowd gasped again, nopony had killed a dragon in over seven hundred years, especially an elder dragon. 
“The victory was not without its losses though, of the nineteen ponies that went in, only six came out.” She hung her head low along with the other two Princesses, “All members of the 1025th showed us the meaning of will, duty and sacrifice on that day, and though it pains me to know that thirteen of my little ponies are gone, I am proud that they rose to stand against this threat to what we love, and for that I will award the surviving members and the families of the fallen with the Celestial Medal of Honor.”
“Why were the ponies of Equestria never told of the still evident changeling threat?” One press pony asked.
“How did the 1025th kill an elder dragon?” 
“Will the death of Smog lead to a dragon/pony war?” 
“How many other changeling sleeper cells are there?” 
“How many changeling cells have already been removed without the public knowing of their existence?” The press was silenced yet again by the risen hoof of Princess Celestia.
“Now,” she began again. “I will recognize the surviving members of the 1025th with this honor by rank,” she rose a small list in front or her to read off the names, “Sergeant Patches.” she called out.
“Guess that’s my queue…” Patches said to her counterparts before stepping into the hall to a blur of photo flashes.
“Sergeant Lug Nut.” the Princess said after she placed the medal around Patches.
“Celestia give me strength…” Lug Nut whimpered stumbling into the hall, he nearly tripped over himself twice while making his way to Princess Celestia and the others at her side.
“Gunnery Sergeant Long Shot.” she said with Lug Nut taking his place next to Patches.
“Let’s get this over with…” Long Shot said to himself taking one last long swig from his bottle. “Save me the rest of that wine.” he said pointing to the bottle as he walked into the hall.
“first Lieutenant Warhammer.” Princess Celestia said as Long Shot settled into his spot next to Lug Nut.
“Wait,” Battleaxe said. “We got commissioned?!” Warhammer walked to door, he responded with his trademark nod of the head and walked out. 
Unlike the others, Warhammer received his medal from Princess Luna, who looked deep into his eyes as she put it over him. “Congratulations…” she said softly placing the medal around his neck.
“First Lieutenant Battleaxe.” Princess Celestia said the moment Warhammer took his place next to Princess Luna.
“Oh Celestia, I had no idea that I got commissioned!” Battleaxe said pacing  back and forth, until Record Keeper stopped him.
“It’s already on your uniform…” Record Keeper said pointing to his collar. “How did you not notice that?”
“I’ll talk to you about it later,” Battleaxe said sprinting to the door. “But now…” he said as looking back two the two still in the room, “I need to be known.”
“Well,” Record Keeper said watching Battleaxe walk into the hall. “Looks like you’re next.”
“Guess I am…” Greatsword said looking to the door, “I guess I am.”
With little warning, Record Keeper wrapped her forelegs around Greatsword and pressed her lips against his. Greatsword’s wings sprang open, never expecting something like this to happen, but he didn’t try to stop her, he just let her kiss him. Several seconds passed before Record keeper finally released him from her embrace. The two stared into one another’s eyes passionately for a few seconds before Record Keeper finally came back to her senses.
“I-I’m sorry,” she quickly said backing away from him looking down, “I-I shouldn’t have done that… I’m sorry.” she remained looking away from Greatsword as he approached her.
“Record Keeper…” Greatsword said lifting her head to face him, “you don’t need to be sorry, we’ve been friends for near five years, but I’m not the one for you…” he took a deep breath and shook his head, “I doubt I’ll ever be that one for somepony.” He pulled her in and kissed her forehead, “You deserve better…”
“I-I understand…” Record Keeper said looking back to Greatsword, “I thought… you know that… you might be.”
“Captain Greatsword.” Princess Celestia’s voice drew the attention of both ponies in the back room.
“That’s my signal…” Greatsword said looking back to Record Keeper, “I’ll see you after all of this is over, ok?”
“Yeah…” Record Keeper said as Greatsword walked past her, “later…” 
Greatsword walked into the hall to see nothing but blinding lights, the flash of the cameras nearly made him walk into the crowd. He quickly regained his sight and continued to proceed down the long walkway to were the 1025th and the Princesses were standing. The looks on their faces were ones of pride for receiving such an honor, but also grief for the ones who would never hold their medal in their hooves. He continued down the path until he stood before Princess Celestia, she looked to him and smiled as she placed the medal around his neck.
“Congratulations.” she said as Greatsword looked up at her.
“Thank you.” he said taking his spot next to Battleaxe.
Now was the difficult part for the survivors of the 1025th. The fallen were to be awarded for their actions, the families of the lost were gathered in the back and waited their loved ones names to be called. One by one their names were called, and one by one their survivors followed the path that the six that remained took. the press ponies took far less pictures of them, they knew that this moment was one of the proudest yet saddest of their lives.
Patches looked over to large rows of families ready to accept the awards of their loved ones. When she saw one particular family she covered her mouth as a small tear ran down her face, Greatsword looked to her and asked “What’s wrong, Patches?” 
She pointed her hoof towards three ponies who started walking towards Princess Celestia as Comet’s name was called. “T-that’s Comet’s family…” Patches whimpered, “Lightning Blitz and Firefly, his parents and Rainbow Dash…” she took a deep breath, “his little sister…”