Metroid Equis

by Flammenwerfer

22.5: Birth of Starlight

The city life of Canterlot, Equestria was filled with the traditional hustle and bustle of an expanding and slowly evolving nation. Buildings slowly but surely became larger and taller, population increased, and technology advanced at a steady pace. Still, even through all the advancements, the traditional royal palace looked at stunning as ever in its own, antiquated beauty. The sight was completely breathtaking for a lone unicorn mare, gray to the coat and with silver eyes. She was clearly not native of the city as she took in its grandeur.

My name is Starlight Noctus... but if you ever called me that to my face I'd kill you so hard you'd die to death.

She manually closed her mouth and hardened her gaze, working up the courage to finally approach her destination: the castle itself. All she heard was her own heartbeat and her hooves against the cobblestone as she approached the Guard checkpoint.

Starry. Starry Night will do just fine. Forgive me if I'm on edge... today is a big day for me.

"Halt!" the Royal Guard to the right said calmly as he met the new visitor. There, Starry stared at him in all his glory, clad in the traditional armor of the Guardians of the Princesses and Canterlot.

"You're either here for Basic, or you have no business here at all."

Starry handed him her identification and he ran it against some records he called to his side. He gazed at her face a couple of times, and Starry hoped her nervousness wasn't showing through. Fat chance.

I enlisted in the Equestrian Armed Forces when I finally came of age. Ever since my father retired, it's been my dream to become a Royal Guard.

"Alright everything checks out, so head on inside. There'll be directories telling you exactly where to go, so don't worry about getting lost. Welcome to Canterlot, recruit, try not to be late."

Starry nodded in thanks and proceeded over the moat and inside the enormous castle.

... and today was the day I reported. By pure luck, and some test scores, I was assigned to report to Canterlot's military base, which is within the castle itself. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what Basic Training entails, but in short, only the best of the best are allowed to apply for the few Guard Positions available. That's right, you bet your flank I'm gonna be one of them, too.

Starry navigated through the castle with relative ease thanks to the directories at every turn and corridor. Still, she had some time to spare where she could take in the beautiful sights as she trot, such as the murals, busts, and windows depicting important figureheads in Equestria's history. There were even a few enlistment posters, reminding them what recruits could potentially achieve. Her mouth constantly mimed the word "wow" at everything she saw. This was the first time she was ever in the castle, and, if things went well, it most certainly would not be the last.

I'm by no means a country mare. I grew up in Trottingham for most of my life. My father was away a decent amount of time, being a Guard and all. He was able to come home fairly often during rotation, so there really wasn't much need to make the trips to Canterlot in all honesty. Besides, it wasn't like we could necessarily afford it anyway.

Her guided search finally ended when the corridor she was following opened up to a large and expansive training ground in the rear of the castle. Hundreds, maybe even over a thousand recruits were standing around and socializing, waiting for the last ponies to show up before they would get herded away. This was the part that scared Starry the most... she had no friends here. She left them all behind in Trottingham. Her normally outgoing nature paled at this new experience. She had told herself many times that she was ready for this and every time, her mind always found some way to dismiss that claim.

I'll never forget the look of pride dad gave me when my MAT results came in. They were nearly top marks, and they deployed me to Canterlot. So, here I am... ready to make dad, and mom, proud.

"Alright, recruits listen UP!" one of many commanding officers shouted through a bullhorn. Everypony quieted down instantly. "It looks like everypony has checked in and we're going to move you to the next training area to find your assigned commanding officers. I want a single file line to prevent any problems. Line up and get moving! Go!"

Starry was able to find a particular place in line, between a mare and a stallion she obviously did not know, and slowly marched forward. She then noticed that there was another observer that appeared next to the first officer, a certain navy blue alicorn with a distinctive ethereal mane.

And there she was... Princess Luna of Equestria. This was the first time I had ever laid eyes on her personally. She's beautiful... and she just radiates power.

Starry, and others, could not help but stare at Princess Luna as they passed by her. Her stoic and commanding gaze held high above the others just observed the line in whole as they passed by... until Starry locked eyes with her. She expected her gaze to immediately turn back to the line but no... she kept looking at Starry... engaged in a passive staring contest as the line slowly crawled along. Starry felt absolute dread when those eyes pierced into her very being. Even as the line traveled, the alicorn's curious gaze never faltered from her and her only.

Even as the line moved forward, and I eventually moved out of sight, Princess Luna kept looking only at me. I'll never forget that look for as long as I live. I did not see her for a good while after that. Time marched on like my hooves would march through rainy, rocky and soppy ground during long marches. I was taught everything I would need to know: endurance, strength training, and as a unicorn, I learned many spells that would aid me in attacking and defending. As much as I don't like blowing smoke up my own ass, I was achieving top marks and commendations for offensive magic.

"Private Noctus!" the drill sergeant yelled out the mare's name after a particularly challenging exercise for unicorns ended. She responded and snapped to attention immediately, her uniform and coat matted completely due to rain and sweat.

"Sir, yes SIR!"

"Private do you know that you just broke a company record for magical target elimination?!" he pointed out, almost seeming like he was angry.

"Sir, no SIR!"

"Celestia DAMMIT, Noctus that is outstanding work, Private. You keep this shit up and every faction of the military will be begging for that flank of yours! If you didn't seem so goddamn happy all the goddamn time I'd think you'd be a captain or a general by now, Private!"

"Yes SIR! THANK YOU SIR!"

"NOW GET YOUR ASS BACK TO BARRACKS, YOU'VE EARNED YOUR REST TODAY, PRIVATE! MOVE OUT!"

"THANK YOU, SERGEANT!" Starry saluted and ended the shouting match that got louder and louder. She had to prevent herself from laughing at the end by how ridiculous it was.

I had eventually found my calling. When things got settled, I was able to be happy and "carefree" in a sense like normal. That confidence boost was all I needed, and I'd be a Guard in no time.

The rain pattered against her helmet relentlessly and as she was about to turn back to barracks, Starry noticed that she had another observer.

There she was again. Princess Luna was looking down on me from a high balcony, not caring that her hair and coat were getting completely matted by the rain. She narrowed her eyes at me before turning on her heels and moving inside. I thought I had done something wrong...

Starry felt a shiver move up her spine, finally forcing herself to go back to barracks for some much needed rest.

Time continued to pass. Graduation from Basic was merely a week away and we had already submitted our applications to our desired fields of work. Of course, I submitted to the Royal Guard. I was rudely awoken that night at about one in the morning.

The door to Starry's room slammed open, almost taking it off its hinges. She started awake with a yelp and her horn charging out of instinct.

"PRIVATE NOCTUS! GET YOUR ASS UP YOU'VE BEEN SUMMONED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT HERSELF!" her drill sergeant spouted off, tossing a paper to her groggy form.

"SIR YES SIR! I'LL REPORT TO HER IMMEDIATELY, SIR!"

"DAMN RIGHT YOU WILL, PRIVATE! NOW MAKE YOURSELF PRESENTABLE AND MOVE OUT!"

She did just that. Starry put on her cleaned uniform, helmet, et cetera and started off into the castle with her summons in her coat. She was ordered to report to Princess Luna's study. The note did not say too much else, but Starry was a nervous wreck as to what this might entail. She lost track of time and soon found herself at the double doors of her destination. Straightening her uniform, she gave a couple confident knocks.

"Thou may enter," a regal voice spoke a second afterwards. Starry opened the door and was greeted with the sight of Princess Luna sitting at her desk, papers in front of her, and writing something out. Obviously official business. She then looked up to her visitor.

"Ah, yes. Please close the door behind thee, and take a seat," she gestured.

I did as I was told and sat my flank down straight in front of her. She did not acknowledge me for what felt like an eternity as she finished writing something. However, that changed completely once those thoughts entered my mind.

"Private Starlight Noctus..."

Starry snapped to attention in her seat and saluted, but Luna raised her hoof gently and stopped her.

"At ease, Private, that shall not be necessary. I shan't consider this a formal audience and thou may feel free to do the same. Now, I am most certain thou art inquiring as to why I have summoned thee to my study chambers," she spoke in her hybrid archaic and modernized tongue.

"Y-Yes, Princess."

"Well..." she continued to sift through a few pages, as if looking for something. "It appears thou hast distinguished thyself in all areas of the magical arts, especially in offensive magic. Unicorns possessing such talent are quite rare. With that skillset, the Guard would most certainly enjoy what thou hast to offer. Thou hast applied to the Guard as is shown on thy record, correct?"

"Yes, Princess. It has been a dream of mine since my father."

"Orion Noctus is thy father, yes?" Luna inquired.

"Yes, Princess." Luna smiled.

"A wonderful Guard he was. Even though I did not get to see him much due to him being commissioned as a Solar Guard, from the instances I had the pleasure of conversing with him, he is of wonderful character."

"Indeed he is, thank you, Princess." Luna then set her papers down and looked straight at Starry.

"The Guard, Solar and Lunar, would love to have th- *ahem* you... if there were any spaces available." She corrected her archaic usage to more modern pronouns. She was trying her best to do that. "Unfortunately, that is not the case. With the recent Changeling incident, we have had to call back those who were recently retired to refill positions that would have normally been given to new recruits."

And at that moment... I felt that my life's work had just had its head cut off. I was pretty sure Princess Luna could sense it too.

Starry tried to prevent herself from looking down demoralized, but she could not.

"However, that was only partially the reason I have called thee here."

Her face perked back up as she faced the Princess once more.

"While the news of unavailability in the Guard is most unfortunate, I would like to extend another opportunity to you, based on the extraordinary skillset thou has to offer us."

"Princess?"

"Come with me," Luna stated as she got up from her chair and lead Starry to a secret passageway behind a bookcase. Starry could not help but express inwardly how cliché that was. Nevertheless, she followed, down a large, dark passage way that lead to an open room. In the room, stood a single pillar being covered by misty glass. Starry could not discern what was inside.

"As I had previously stated inside my study chambers, I did not call thee just to tell you of the unfortunate rejection circumstances you would have found out in a weeks time. As you know, I have watched thee... for the entirety of your training. I called you to... offer you a job."

"What kind of job, Princess?" Starry asked, turning her eyes away from the center panes to Luna.

"Your ability with magic reigns supreme amongst thy peers. If you would care for my honest opinion, you would have been over qualified for the Royal Guard. However, I am offering you an opportunity to place yourself amongst those who you may stand on an equal footing with. I have developed a new force of only unicorns who are just like yourself. You shall receive the greatest training, most modern equipment, and learn the most potent spells to which you may defend Equestria from all who would seek to harm her. I am offering you a distinct position in the ranks of the Magickakorps."

I could not believe what I was hearing. I thought this stuff only happened in movies, really. So, naturally, I did not know what to say at that moment.

"I... umm..."

"This force was raised in secret, and shall be capped out at a specific number, relatively small compared to the entirety of the armed forces. You are free to accept or reject this invitation by your own will. However, if you reject, I will be forced to wipe your memory of the last half an hour. You shall wake in your bed none wiser. If you chose that route, you may walk out the way you came," Luna explained, gesturing to the corridor in which they entered.

"But... become one with the Magickakorps... and thou shalt be frontline defense of all of Equestria under my direct command and with my blessing."

With those words, the misted-over glass panes fell gently to the floor, revealing an onyx black suit of armor surrounding the emblem of this Magickakorps. Starry could not peel her eyes away from this armor... it called to her. The full-faced black helmet stared into her eyes through its own tinted visor.

And at that moment... I knew.

Starry, without looking back to the corridor, gently walked over to the armor suspended in the air magically. She tentatively reached a hoof out and touched the perfect visor of the helmet. She also undid the strap of her own helmet, the chunk of metal falling to the ground audibly.

I wanted to be a Guard. But even more, I wanted to help Equestria.

Luna could not help but grin as she watched Starry stand on her hind legs and pull the helmet out of the gentle grasp of the suspending magic. Channeling some of her own magic, she helped right the orientation over her head and slipped it on. It was a perfect fit.

I enlisted into the military to become a Guard. There was the high chance I would not make it. And in the end, I didn't.

With the helmet secure on her head, she planted her hooves firmly on the ground and looked towards Luna.

"It suits you perfectly and beautifully," the Princess commented with genuine pride.

I got something better... beyond my wildest dreams.

"I accept your offer, Princess Luna, and am yours to command," Starry said with more confidence than she had ever mustered in her entire life, saluting. She had never been more sure of anything. Princess Luna only raised her head high and returned the salute with a large grin on her face.