“Wake up sister. Dawn has arrived.” Luna said quietly, shaking Celestia awake.
Groggily rising, Celestia stretched out her stiff legs, and yawned.
“Thank you dear sister,” she said, gazing at Luna, “but why is your mane in such disarray? You weren’t out with some handsome stallion were you?” Celestia said, winking at her younger sister.
Averting her eyes, Luna quickly matted down her mane as best she could.
"You should be careful. Ponies might get... suspicious." 'Tia said, raising her eyebrow.
“Oh please sister, who is awake to be suspicious? Besides, you would be hard pressed to find somepony who isn’t terrified of me.” Luna said with a twinge of pain in her voice.
Celestia sighed. “Luna please, you know it’s not like that. The denizens of Equestria love you. Ponies sometimes have strange ways of appreciating things. They bask in my sunlight and sleep in your night. Ponies need a serene, peaceful place to sleep. Your night gives them just that. So please, understand that the ponies love you and your night.”
“I suppose.” Luna said, raising her head.
“Alright, I had better get a start on some paperwork. Try and get some rest.” Celestia said, gently.
Luna exited her sister’s room as quietly as she had entered, made her way towards her own. Maybe she’s right. Maybe they really do appreciate me. I’ve never thought about it that way… Luna was lost in her thoughts as she rounded a corner and bumped into a courier.
“Oh I am so sorry Princess! I wasn’t watching where I was going!” the grey stallion exclaimed hurriedly.
Luna rubbed her head, “Oh that is quite alright. It was my mistake.”
“Say, you wouldn’t happen to know when the Summer Sun Celebration is would you? I’m a huge fan of Celestia and I can’t wait to meet her! I know it’s still a month away, but I am just dying to know.”
Anger welled up in the pit of Luna’s stomach. Her expression grew stern as she whirled around and stomped off to her room. Slamming the door behind her, she threw the lamp on her nightstand onto the floor.
AUGH! I can’t stand it! It’s all about her isn’t it?! Luna isn’t good enough for you or anyone! I never was! Luna ran over to her bed and grabbed a pillow. And she screamed.
In frustration.
In anger.
In sorrow…
A few weeks passed, and the physical training gave way into more advanced squadron tactics. Sunset and his squad learned skills such as besieging a castle, defending an escorted target, and using a variety of different weapons for various situations. It was into week four of training when the psychological tests began. At first, it began simply enough: stay awake through the night and endure the next without falling asleep. This was to prevent falling asleep while on a basic watch duty. However, a few exercises and tests turned into many a day. Recruits started to reach their breaking point. Sunset was no exception. The weight of it all bore down on him heavily.
One night, his resolve broke and he had had enough. He stormed out of the mess hall, and trudged off to a nearby boulder. Plopping down on the rock, he buried his head in his hooves as hot tears ran down his face. What were you doing coming here Sunset? I’m hardly cut out for all this Guard stuff! My legs feel like they're on fire, my arms are jelly, and for what? I miss home. A stallion can only take so much...something’s gotta give...what do I do? Someone! Someone come and rescue me! Save me from myself! It’s all falling apart and I’m not worthy of being a Guard anyway. I should just lea-
“I guess I am not ze only one who thinks I am not cut out for zis training.” A familiar voice came from behind him.
Sunset jumped up, wiping the tears from his face. He then whipped around to see who it was. “Oh. It’s just you. Do you need something?” He struggled to speak, as his voice was caught in his throat.
“Well zat depends on you. I need you to stay in zis training. We all do. As much as you don’t see it, our squad looks to you for leadership. You bring everyone together, and it makes working together zat much easier.” Lavender’s voice faltered for a moment. “And… I need you. I need you… to stay with me. You make me happy and you’ve made staying here worthwhile.” Lavender said, seemingly on the brink of tears as well.
It took a moment for Sunset to speak. He drunk in her words, thinking them over carefully. Lavender sat down beside him, and he fell back down into his spot. Then, he spoke.
“Lavender, when I first saw you here I thought you were a haughty and fancy pony. Now that we’ve been together for these past weeks, I see who you really are. I don’t know what to feel. When I’m around you, everything feels better. When I’m around you, I could conquer anything. I’m just-” Sunset was cut off by Lavender leaning in and kissing him. At first he resisted, but then he relented, kissing her back and closing his eyes. The entire world melted around him, and he knew that this was the place he needed to be; nowhere else but here.
With the encouragement from one another, the brotherhood of Squad One grew strong and they endured the challenges of week four successfully. However, week five was known as “The Cutting”. Each squad would be presented before their commanding officer and given a progress report. If you hadn’t met the high standards of the Guard, you were cut, and had to try again next year.
“I’m nervous.” Sparks said, anxiously.
“Don’ worry ‘bout it. Everything will be fine. We’re probably one of the best squads.” Scar said, trying to cheer the yellow mare up.
“Yeah Scar is right guys!” Sunset said, enthusiastically. I hope.
“I concur with zat statement. After all, we ‘ave no equal!” Lavender Blade said, putting her hoof over Sunset’s shoulder. The squad had grown close over the weeks they spent together training. Even Sparky and Scar seemed to get along now. Sunset couldn’t help but smile.
The squad arrived at the commander’s tent, and waited patiently outside the entrance.
“Squad One. You may enter.”
The squad threw open the flaps to reveal a spacious living quarters. They were only allowed a couple seconds to take inventory of their surroundings, as the officers in the room immediately addressed the squad. There were five stallions seated at a large wooden table at the center of the room. In the middle was their Drill Sergeant, who addressed them first.
“Thank you for coming. I’m sure you all know why you are here, so let’s get down to business. I’m sure you know me, but seated around me are several instructors you may not know. All the way to your left is Fang. He specializes in stealth and assassination, as well as having a very extensive knowledge in foreign politics. Next to him is Noximilien. He specializes in stealth and various special operations tactics. To your right is White Wing. Flight is his forte as well as aerial combat and reconnaissance. Finally to the far right is a personal friend of mine, Starswirl. He is the magic and arcane arts instructor here at the Guard Academy. Now that we all are acquainted, are you ready to begin Squad One?”
“Sir, yes sir.” they replied in unison
“Good. Well I’ve gotta hand it to you guys, despite your mistakes you always found a way to get through the challenges thrown at you. Let’s start with you Sparks. Your aptitude for trebuchet and catapult machinery and repairs is exemplary. Several of our own mechanics would have taken hours to fix what you can do in ten minutes.”
“Thank you sir.” the yellow mare replied happily.
“Scar, you have shown us great prowess while wielding two hoofed weapons as well as blunt weaponry. Not just anypony can use such heavy weapons, but you wield them as though they are your common dagger.”
“Thank you.” Scar said humbly.
“Arctic, we have witnessed your unconventional strategy in a number of the war games you and your squad have gone through. The noose maneuver is a difficult thing to pull off. However, you were able to describe it, and implement it to your team so that you could claim victory. You have great leadership potential.”
“I am honored, sir.” Arctic said, bowing his head slightly.
“Lavender, although you lost in the arena, the tactics you used were highly advanced for any recruit. We don’t commonly see ponies as prepared and headstrong as you are.”
“Zank you.” Lavender said, with a smile.
“That only leaves you, Sunset.” the Drill Sergeant said, sitting back in his chair. “Never in all my years has anybody used a shield spell to cross a lake.”
Sunset smiled sheepishly as the Sarge shifted position and spoke again.
“We have been watching you and your squadmates very carefully and have come to the decision that you will be graduating from this academy. You will begin specialization training effective immediately. The reason for our specialist training is to bring out the strengths you possess, to make you an elite fighting machine: The Defenders of Equestria. Now, what say you? Will you agree to put forth every ounce of effort in your being to become the greatest guardians of your homeland? Will you lay down your life for your brothers and sisters in arms? And will you, Squad One, uphold the the honor code of this guard, no matter what the cost?” Sarge said firmly, rising out of his seat.
“Sir, yes sir” the entire squad said in unison.
“You are dismissed. You will be put into your new specialist teams once all squads are finished with evaluation.”
With that, Squad One ducked out of the tent quickly. They quietly crept a few tents over and let out their elation.
“YEAH! WE DID IT!” Sparks said, jumping up and down. “I mean...uhhh….’o course we did it. Yeah.”
“WOO HOO!” Sunset said, giving Scar a high hoof. He was grinning from ear to ear.
This is what he had worked his butt off for five straight weeks for. This was the reward. He made it into the Royal Guard. All the homesickness and fatigue gave way to joy and relief. He knew in the back of his mind that it wasn’t over yet, however.
“I always knew we could do it. Zat is why we were put in a squad no? To succeed! And succeed we did!” Lavender Blade had a smile from ear to ear on, who, overwhelmed with happiness, took Sunset’s face in her hoofs and gave him a kiss. A unified, “Ooooooooh!” came from Sunset’s squadmates as his face turned red and he collapsed, out of breath. Lavender just winked at them, and smiled as they closed their gaping mouths.
The night watch that looked over the Canterlot halls was never eventful. In fact, some might say it was downright boring. On this night, however, the usual silence was broken by the muffled footsteps of a mysterious cloaked figure. It crept about, looking around every corner, and making sure there were absolutely no witnesses. Upon reaching the front gate and it spoke quietly to the guards standing by, waving a hoof, as if dismissing them. The guards’ low voices cut through the air in a soft reply, as to not wake the demons lurking in the shadows.
“Of course, my liege.” One guard said.
“Right away, my Queen.” The other replied.
“Good. Everything is going according to plan. Report back to me when you’ve finished immediately. Now, get going. Events have been set in motion, to where they cannot be stopped. Our time is almost upon us.” The mysterious figure said, gesturing to its saddle bags.
“Yes my liege,” both guards said in unison, upon which they saluted and trotted away.
This exchange did not go unnoticed, however. An unseen pair of eyes--of which belonging to a drunken insomniac from the local tavern who had inexplicably wandered into the castle unnoticed-- watched this conversation from behind a marble pillar. He couldn’t help but notice the all too familiar stature of the cloaked figure. It was very similar to that of Princess Luna, strangely enough. Although this suspicion tugged at his mind greatly, the stupor of mead was overwhelmingly present, and all the problems in the world faded from his mind.
Who would trust the word of a drunkard anyway?