In the cold fall sky of Equestria, en route to Ponyville, is a cadre of Luna’s Night Guard
In the cloaked transport pulled by equally camouflaged Night Watch pegasi, Captain Nightshade sat in the bumpy darkness. The Night Watch ponies checked and rechecked their heavy combat pastries, sticky candy apple bombs, and medical supplies.
A young trooper, about to take a bite from a small pie, was stopped by an old sergeant. "You think they're just pies? Don't underestimate these little darlings. The bottom is lined with lead pellets, and the filling is pretty vile. One shot to the face and you are overwhelmed by the smell of strong spices. You get any in your eye, and you’re looking at some major eye irritation, and, Luna help you, if you swallow any, you’ll be puking so fast you won’t have time to open your mouth. Still want a bite, junior?"
The turbulence was worse than usual. The sound of the air rushing past was loud, almost deafening. The long cylinder was being pulled at breakneck speeds by some of the fastest flyers in the Watch, blessed with a huge magical boost by Her Majesty herself. An enchanted rope, the only light source in their confines, painted the cabin a deep crimson light.
Broken Shield, her trusted lieutenant, yelled hoarsely above the noise. “So, Cap, what are these Paladins like? I heard the top guy is some kind of mutant Diamond Dog. Kinda weird to have one of those buggers trusted with anything.”
“Actually, the head Paladin is something called a human. They don’t look anything like Dogs. Here, take a look.” She pulled a black and white picture from her saddlebag. It was labelled, ‘Alex Roberts, human, Paladin Of Redemption, Your Friend’. “He’s ugly as Discord and makes a Dog look like that high society nag, Fleur de Lis. Pass it on when you’re done.”
The armoured lieutenant nodded in agreement. “You can say that again. Still, could be worse.”
Nightshade chuckled, “I don’t see how. But, he’s a Paladin, and that makes up for his looks.”
“Yeah, but what did he do? I mean, he hasn’t been here long enough to have a history, has he?”
“He made his history on his third day in Equestria. Turns out he gallops, he doesn’t trot, into burning buildings to save kids.”
Broken Shield’s muttered words were lost in the roar of the cabin, “Son of a nag.” He spoke a little louder, “You said he’s the head Paladin. How many more are there?”
“The Princess briefed me. Sorry to say there’s only one more right now, Beatrix Lulamoon, alias The Great And Powerful Trixie.” She pulled a second picture, this time of Beatrix. Broken Shield gave an appreciative whistle. “She’s a showmare, knows how to fight, and at her lowest point, she gave a pony a reason to live, even though she didn’t think she had one herself. She's also a level-three unicorn. And before you ask, yeah, it’s the same one who helped out those guys with ITS.”
“Beauty and the beast, eh Cap?”
The Captain’s eyes narrowed. She stood, and her horn glowed, amplifying her voice, “I don’t care how ugly his outside is or how much of a wet dream she is. The Princess trusts them both. That means they’re both Night Watch. We protect those who can’t and redeem those who need it. That’s all that matters.”
As one, the ponies lining the walls of the cabin shouted, “Oorah!”