//------------------------------//
// The Search 
// Story: Semper Pie 
// by deathtap 
//------------------------------//

Twilight walked across the stage and stood in front of an Equestrian flag fluttering in an artificial wind generated by her best friends Fluttershy and Rainbow, who were both using their wings just out of sight of the audience. Rainbow kept peering around the corner, she just couldn't grasp what she was seeing. Twilight had never, ever, ever summoned all her guards in one place before, and Rainbow doubted she would do so ever again, but now she just saw how many were under her direct command and she would have scarcely believed her eyes, that was if Twilight hadn't been wearing what she was.

Now, Rainbow was no stranger to eccentric dressing. Her taste and fashion sense was not the best and Rainbow realized that she relied quite heavily on Rarity to choose the most appropriate costume for the occasion. But Twilight in full Guard armor? Not only that, but traditional princess armor. Armor that was more flare than function. Not even Princess Celestia on the most formal military occasions wore armor like that. Still, as far as she was told, since Twilight liked to explain everything, this particular uniform was a unique style, designed to represent her namesake. That border between the sun and night. Deep purples and violets seemed to shimmer in a glossy cape which lay elegantly across her back. Along her hooves were white gold shoes that covered her up to her knees and a small symbol, an exact copy of her cutie mark were visible, was fixed on both sides of each ankle. Over her head she wore a helm with a huge plume that extended all the way till it nearly touched the floor. A bright silver hued metal stood out against the lavender plates, and covering the topside of her horn was a ornamental blade that seemed to glisten in the soft light. Perhaps the only thing that was really cool about the whole getup. 

But what took the cake were the huge sunglasses that she, for some reason, decided to put on at the last minute. That and, instead of a traditional blade or some sort of weapon, she carried a crop instead. It just clashed so drastically with the armor that Rainbow found it hard to stifle a giggle and she let out a quiet snort and grunt as she tried to keep her voice a silent as possible.

Twilight ignored her friend and turned towards the guards. Her guards. All of them.

"Be seated."

There was a stomp of hooves and in a second every posterior was sitting down where they had stood mere moments before. 

"Ponies, all this stuff you hear about Semper Pie coming to Ponyville, wanting to stay here for a few days, is true. We've all got a job to do. I know that you're all excited to meet this legend, but I ask you do listen. When you were kids, you all admired this champion of ponykind, his numerous feats, his acts of valor and the medals he's been awarded. The pony that has done so much for Equestria, a pony you all look up to, a pony that has spent most of his life in the Border Guard." 

No a word or movement was made. Some of Twilight's guards had only heard that Semper was coming. Others had whispered the rumor of it. Now that it was made true, every single one of them could barely contain themselves. Not like fans for some famous musical idol, but because they were going to see and perhaps even meet a, as Twilight stated, legend. None of the Guard could refrain from turning their heads and looking at one another to reinforce that what they were hearing was true. Semper Pie was coming. Here. To Ponyville.

"You are not all going meet him. Maybe only two percent of you right here today would be lucky enough to shake his hoof. Every pony is scared when meeting a pony they respect so much. If he says he's not, he's a liar. But what we need are heroes, heroes to forsake their idolization. Some ponies will get over their fanboyism in a minute, some take an hour, and for some it takes days. But a Guard never lets his love of something overpower his honor, his sense of duty to their princess."

There were a series of nods. They knew what their princess was saying and they wholeheartedly agreed.

"All through your career you, my Guards, have whined about 'not being used properly', and 'we weren't trained for guarding a library'."

There were more than a few uncomfortable faces in the crowd.

"But that is all unimportant right now. To ensure that we find Semper before he arrives, we have to fan out and search every village, town, tree, rock and valley for ten miles 'round. This must be done with every Guard here. You are a team. You've lived, eaten, slept, and even trained as a team. I know you're all excited about meeting this hero, but please understand that every single one of you plays a vital role in helping me protect my friend. So don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Each one of you must think not only of themselves, but think of Pinkie laying in her hospital bed. We don't want Semper to come and hurt the sister he cares so much about any more than he already has. Please help me."

The Guards all nodded. This was what they were for. They were there to help their princess, to do the things she couldn't alone. This was a job they would see through.

Twilight then turned to the flag behind her and, using her magic, levitated a huge map across it. She explained where her Guards needed to be, where to set up checkpoints, where her pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies had to go. Everything was done with the precision and skill of a true military leader. It was amazing that Twilight had that kind of skill but, then again, her friend's well-being was on the line and she had always had a knack for organizing things. 

"All right, everypony. You know what to do. Please find him, and if you think he could be elsewhere, please go. I grant you leave to do what you think is best, just let him know about Pinkie and tell him to come see me first. That's all. Dismissed."

At once the auditorium was alive with movement. Groups were formed with higher ranked Guards at their heads. Pegasi formations were already being formed outside the building with the intention of long range scans throughout the Equestrian countryside. They were going to spread out far to find Semper in time to inform him what their princess had declared.

"You think this will work, Twily?" Shining asked as he stood on the stage next to his sister.

Twilight let out a soft sigh. "It has to, BBBFF. It has to."