The rhythmic sound of hit after hit of hooves against leather echoed around the building. Dimly lit as it was, the punching bag swayed clearly to anyone who would have happened to glance at the pony who was smashing it like his worst enemy.
It would also have been clear to anyone that the pony had been at this for quite some time, made evident from the beads of sweat running down his black coat and over his wings. His dual-tone mane of woodland and neon green was also dampened to a degree, clinging closer to his head instead of it’s usual spikey-ness. A small military vest, similar colour to that of the woodland in the pony’s mane, was laying on a nearby press bench, with a pair of gleaming aviators sat next to them.
With a loud grunt, the pony slammed his right hoof into the punching bag for a final time, sending it swinging madly. He turned away and went over to the press bench, retrieving his shades and vest, donning the former, but leaving the latter slung over his shoulder.
As the pony started to move for the exit, the lights in the gym turned on in unison, blinding the stallion.
“You look like you could do with a drink.”, came the call with the distinct giggle of a mare just after.
The dazed stallion blinked a few times, allowing his vision to readjust with a chuckle, recognising the voice.
“How long have you been there, mum?”
He caught the bottle of water that came hurtling toward him, just before it impacted his face. He unscrewed the top and took a hefty gulp with a relieved sigh.
“Long enough for other ponies to think that punching bag had committed treason.”
With another chuckle he replied, “Nah, it just insulted my mother," a smile appeared on his lips as he embraced the other pony.
The mare’s swampish-green coat and emerald mane would make most ponies confuse her with a florist or a nature-walking pony. However, the press badge and fedora would indicate her true profession of journalism.
The two ponies finally parted, giving the stallion a chance to breath after his mother’s asphyxiation inducing hug.
“So what are you doing in town mum? I thought you were off in the Griffon Kingdom.”
“I never arrived,” the mare gave a frustrated huff, “I got a telegram telling me the tip off was bull.”
The stallion chuckled, knowing how his mother responded to hoax tips. He felt a pang of sympathy for the crew of the ship that ferried her back.
False tips meant no story. No story meant no front page for...well, Front Page.
He wrapped a hoof around his mother, leading her to the exit and depositing the already empty water bottle in the bin on the way past, “I was just about to go get my gear for the ceremony, you know.” he glanced at her past the side of his shades, “You could always help me out. Keep your mind off the journalism for once, eh?”
She gave him the look only a mother could give a son as if to say, ‘Oh really?’ and he smiled cockily in response. “Atomic Vortex, are you insinuating I’m too attached to my own work to spend time with my family?”
“Of course not.” he replied with an evident tone of playful sarcasm.
In return he got a less-than-light cuff on the back of his head. “No pocket money for a week, mister.”
They exited the gymnasium together, laughing playfully as the sun, high in the sky, gleamed off of the white buildings of Equestria’s capital - Canterlot.
They passed through the city, chatting idly. On their way to the Canterlot Barracks to retrieve Atomic’s armour, they passed through the Main Square of Canterlot, otherwise known as The Celestial Plaza, where many early ponies had gathered for the Guard ceremony. At the North side of the plaza sat a large plinth, adorned with a podium and lots of open space for the Guards to stand. Either side of the plinth were flowerbeds, being tended to by gardener ponies making sure that the bluebells were blooming and the fire lilies were flourishing, in preparation for the ceremony.
After around 10 minutes more of trotting through the capital’s quiet, clean streets they arrived at the Barracks, where a number of military ponies were killing time in the yard while they waited for the call to form up and head to the plaza.
A few of the ponies stopped their talking or whatever it was they were doing to give Atomic a small salute, which he returned in kind.
The jet black stallion opened the door to the main building, holding it there and ushering his mother inside, quickly leading her to his locker. He did this to pass by some of the Guards who might have liked to spill some of Atomic’s more stupid drunken antics to his mother, which would have undoubtedly ended in a harsh scolding.
In his locker lay a few personal items, including a picture pinned up to the door of Atomic, his mother, his brother and their father. With a quick glance at the photo and a reminiscent smile, Atomic turned his attention to the Royal Guard armour hung perfectly in it’s brackets, taking each piece out and donning them all with ease, minus the helm which he held under his wing.
Conveniently, the moment Atomic had finished the checks that his armour was in good condition, a loud crackle rang out across the Barracks, followed by the sound of the Comms Officer’s voice, “All Royal Guards, form up in the yard. Again. All Royal Guards, form up in the yard.”
He turned to his mother with a proud smile, “Well, I guess I’ll see you in the crowd, eh?”
Her eyes softened, her demeanour turning to one of satisfaction, “Of course,” she pulled him into another vice-like hug, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
He chuckled with what air he could muster before disengaging himself from her embrace and trotting quickly down the hall into the yard where the other Guards were formed up. He took his place and assumed attention.
The small talk and general chatter died down as Shining Armour stepped out into the yard, standing in front of the ranks. He panned his gaze all across the ranks before clearing his throat and addressing them. “Ponies of the Guard, this day is for you. A well-earned appreciation for your work every day, and especially, a thank you for your efforts during the invasion of the changelings. Some stories may say that the saviors that day were my wife and myself, but I know that to be untrue. It was all of you that were the true heroes that day. If not for you, the changelings would have truly taken over, not simply been fighting for it. Every one of you that stood before the enemy and made them pay for every citizen and patch of city they hoped to gain control over, you are the ones to thank. Bear this in mind as we march out into the city, and rest easy knowing that the only reason I lead, is that because all of you were out doing the real work, mine remains the only face photogenic enough for most of the papers.”
A good-natured rumble of laughter followed the Captain’s joke.
Once the laughter had died, the Captain gave a proud salute. The Guards before him followed in suit, a loud “CLAK!” ringing out across the yard as their hoof armour connected with their helms. Shining armor did a sharp turn, mirrored by the other guards, and soon the entire Guard was marching towards the ceremony.
The scene that was the main square had changed dramatically since Atomic had passed through on his way to the Barracks. The flowers and other foliage surrounding the plinth had grown hugely!
Atomic thought to himself, “Do unicorns always cheat things like that?.”
He dismissed the the thought process quickly, returning his attention to the rest of the Guards as they formed up on the plinth, the black-coated stallion in the front row.
From this view, Atomic could now see some of the other changes since his last visit, less than an hour ago.
A medium-sized podium had been erected at the front-centre of the plinth in place of the smaller one from his earlier visit. Large yellow and white banners had been strung across the roads leading to the square, bearing the insignia of the Guards too.
However, the most noticeable change was the sizeable crowd that had gathered, and still continued to pour in. Judging purely by the attire the various races of ponies were wearing, or none at all, Atomic guessed it was much more of a national ceremony. There were ponies with full suits who held their chins high and strutted into the crowd proudly - The Canterlot ponies Atomic had spent his life in and around. Then there were the ponies wearing no clothes and simply chatting idly between each other - Most likely the ponies from Ponyville and the surrounding areas, judging from what Atomic had been told of that region.
The Guard stallion quickly snapped his gaze forward as the Captain passed by, inspecting each Guard to check their armour and such was in acceptable condition. After the invasion however, ‘acceptable’ was a loose term. A lot of the Guards’ armour had gained scratches, dents and nicks. Atomic’s was no exception, evident from a large score running across his chest plate, and a small dent in the right side of his helm.
Shining eyed Atomic’s armour closely, noticing the battlescars it had acquired. At first Atomic expected a scolding, but the Captain surprised him with a hearty smile and pat on the shoulder. The smaller Guard stallion blinked, surprised, behind his shades. Before he could reply however, the Captain moved on to the other Guards, leaving Atomic rather perplexed as to what he’d done to receive apparent praise.
Once Shining had finished his inspection, he gave a slight nod off to the side of the plinth. The last of the crowd began to trickle in as a loud fanfare blasted out from the higher balconies.
Having to keep a stern gaze forward into the outlying crowd meant that Atomic could only rely on his hearing to identify the pony he could now here walking between the two formations of Guards. Their target - the podium at the front of the plinth.
The second the crowd before him bowed, Atomic immediately knew who the pony was as their towering form passed him.
The sheet white alicorn took her place at the podium with a soft smile to the crowd as they rose. She began to speak, her words gracefully wafting over the crowd. It was a speech which many could have predicted, but none wanted to miss it. She spoke of bravery, duty, going above, and performing admirably in dire circumstances. She spoke of the guards protecting everypony, whether near or far, whether awake... or asleep. The smaller form of Princess Luna gains a small frown at this statement but quickly returns to her public addressing face. It echoes the sentiments of Shining Armor’s speech, but has that inevitable quality of pride as it is spoken by the benevolent ruler. As she wraps up her speech, all the guards chests have swelled with pride, and the eyes of the public shimmer with the same.
Throughout Celestia's speech Atomic's attention was divided. His ears listened, yet his eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of his mother. When he couldn't find her, his expression became that of a perplexed frown.
"Where is she...?", Atomic thought. He could think no further on the matter.
Just as Celestia and Luna inclined their head to the crowd and the Guards, a loud shout rang out across the courtyard.
"EVERYPONY STAY EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE!!!"
Each and every head turned to the source of the shout, the owner of the voice pushing through the crowd toward the plinth. A few of the Guards around Atomic tensed, unsure of what was happening.
The owner of the voice finally appeared, clambering up on to the plinth. It was a Guard. Presumably one patrolling the perimeter of the ceremony. He was flanked by two others.
The most startling factor of their unexpected arrival, was their weapons. They were drawn.
The lead Guard's eyes quickly scanned across the ranks of his fellow soldiers, finally setting them on Atomic.
"Atomic Vortex! You are under arrest for murder, treason and betrayal of the Guard!!"