//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 - Put the day to end // Story: In the Royal Guard // by J8ck78 //------------------------------// "How many books does this guy have? I lost count!" said Charger as he stacked books up for Filly to put away, "How to clean telescope lenses, how to make sure you cleaned the telescope lens! Really?" "This might answer your question." said Flower tossing him a seemingly random book "How to have a book for every occasion. The studious Ponies guide to having a answer for everything by Twilight Sparkle." "Yeah. I think that answers your question." "Now answer mine, who are you and what are you doing in my observatory!" came a voice only Filly recognized They turned a brown and tan striped Earth Pony standing there wearing a distinct black lab coat and holding a bag with several papers over his shoulder. He walked in and looked around and saw that the place was cleaner then how he left it. he looked at the two Guards and then to Filly. "Did you three get in trouble and sent here for punishment?" he asked "They did!" said Filly jumping down, "They almost started a Wiot!" "A RIOT!?" said the alarmed Pony "Uh, it's not what you think." said Charger "It isn't now?" came a voice all of them recognized with only Filly excited David walked up as smug as ever and looked over the scene. "Troops, meet Wild Khan, our astrologer." "Doctor! Doctor Wild Khan." "I'm not on professional terms with you." said David "Then what are you on sir?" asked Flower "Friendly." said Khan with a little disgust "Friendly?" asked Charger "We've known each other since we were little Colts." said Khan in a deadpan tone, "He popped my ball." "On accident!" defended David "19 times." "Okay number 17 was on purpose but the rest were accident!" "Say that to my pop gun." said Khan flatly Even Filly was starring at David in amazement. "Doc," said David changing the subject fast, "meet Gold Charger, Royal Guard, and Lonely Flower, Lunar Guard. There should be a third one, but we, uh, I'll let him be." "Who?" asked Khan "Name's Charming Crescent. He's in the bathroom." Filly looked down and started to kick her forward right hoof back and forth at what she had caused. David walked up to her and placed her on his back. "It was a accident, just let me know next time you're planning on using Uncle Spirits stuff!" "So, are you here to get us sir?" asked Flower "Right you are! With him back, I don't feel guilty about leaving this place in a dump, so let's go! He'll have his cleaning crew come later." smiled David "Cleaning crew!" shouted Charger "Deal with it Private. You screwed up royally! All three of you, though I think Crescent is facing the worst of it." True enough, he was. Several nurse ponies were standing outside the bathroom door where Crescent was in with a gurney ready and several pain killers. Charger and Flower looked on with remorse for their friend as he grunted in pain while David at least tried to hold in a laugh, but gave up without much of a fight. "Those must of been some cookies." he chuckled Filly covered her eyes in shame, but was comforted by David. They made their way to the barracks where David opened the door for them. Inside, other Guards were already asleep, but a few were up playing cards. David walked off still carrying Filly heading towards the officers barracks. "Where you going to Sergeant?" asked Flower "It's Shadow's night for Filly! besides! I still got important things to do." he called back "You staying here?" asked Charger "Captain Shadow assigned me here. I have no choice." The two walked in and were noted by the other Guards. They tried to sit in the back and hide away, but the others would have none of that. Fortunately, they weren't like David and invited them to their card table. "We don't hold it against ya. Happened to all of us." said One Guard "Really?" asked Charger "No. Helps though." said the same Guard "I remember the time when my own Major sent me to watch over the market place. What I thought was a robbery was really some poor Mare trying to get food to her sick grandmother. Oh, I still haven't heard the end of it." said a Unicorn Guard "I once sent the city on high alert because a rat got in thinking it was a full scale assassination attempt!" said a Pegasus pony "It's the Gala that has the Officers on edge. It all runs down hill for us here. The stuck-ups and their high horse cash berate the Officers for not satisfying their "needs" and then the Officers go at us for not following orders." said a elder Earth Pony Guard "Amen to that." said a Pegasus Guard "What's worse you got under Captain Shadow's command." said the Unicorn "She was the first to respond at the Gala, for she was attending it! She restored order, and got the full frontal blast of everyponies ire. She's been in a temper ever since. Worse than before." "And Sergeant David? He may be the spawn of Discord, but once he's on your side, there's no chance of him leaving!" said the elder Pony "So, pull up some chairs, we'll deal you next hand." A low groan came from behind them. Everypony turned to see Crescent stumbling in, his rear end in bandages and armor removed. "I don't think your friend wants to be dealed in." said one Guard as Crescent crashed on a bed and didn't move.