Bekdontraz
~~~
“You must get word to the Princesses that Sombra has overwhelmed us!” The Lieutenant said looking to his Courier. The grey unicorn finished wrapping his hoof in bandages and nodded looking the the young private
The Private nodded and saluted. He looked to his comrades and sighed. It wasn't fair that he was going home and they weren't.
The Lieutenant turned taking up his crossbow again and sighting down. "We hold here to the last! Do not give in to fear!" He called out his voice strong and clear. The remaining Guard nodded, holding spear, and bow they watched the advancing crystal creations.
The orange pegasus took wing, the frigid northern air biting at him as he rose into the clouds. He glanced over his shoulder seeing the sparkling city and his dieing squad with that last look he closed his bright blue eyes and flew into the wind heading for the city on the mountain. As the Crystal City vanished into the distance a roar echoed along the icy wind
___
Twilight smiled and gently nuzzled into Cadence’s side, the young unicorn’s helmet was set aside as they two enjoyed a relaxing lunch together.
“I really do have paperwork I should get done while I’m still in Canterlot..” Twilight said sipping her drink and smiling at her wife. By Faust she had a wife! She was never going to get over that, or the fact her wife had saved her from some sort of love sucking bugs!
“Twilight, we’re leaving tomorrow, let the paperwork go for now. Ponyville will be fine without you for a few weeks.” Cadance smiled and nuzzled her wife back. Her pink coat still showed a few bare patches and scars from her battles at the wedding. The Alicorn stretched a bandaged wing over the smaller mare and gave a lascivious grin. “Besides, you simply must help me heal.”
“Of course, I didn’t buy that labcoat for nothing!” Twilight declared drawing a checklist from her saddlebag. She grined and showed it to Cadance. The Alicorn blushed slightly.
"That is thorough” She said her tail flicking slightly.
___
The Courier's wings ached as Canterlot came into view. His home, his wife, and foals were there. He swallowed and flew on to busy to notice that the buildings were not as he remembered. He came in for a hard landing in the Guard compound square. Stumbling into a trot he headed for the palace at a fast pace. A few of the Guard’s turned watching the oddly dressed pegasus. It was probably the Captain trying to test a new uniform or something they decided.
"Halt! State your business” The Throneguards looked down at the pegasus. Their eyes traced his battered armor. The insignia on his shoulder was unknown to them. The courier drew himself to full height and saluted.
“Private Flash Sentry, Long Pine Scout Regiment. I have an urgent report for the Princesses from the Crystal City.” He said noting that the two guards made no move to return his salute. The one who had spoken before nodded slowly.
“I’m sorry sir, but no such Regiment exists to my knowledge. Also if you are going to cosplay a Guard it would be nice to have the uniform within regulations. The final nail in your request is that there is no Crystal City. Aside from old foals tales atleast.” The guard’s voice was gentle. He reached out to put a hoof on the Pegasus’ shoulder. “I get off duty soon though son, if you want I can take you to someone that can talk without you about any issues you’re havin”
“I need to see the Princess now!” Flash pushed the hoof away glaring at the Guard. “I am invoking General Order 12. I have the right under the Guard regulations to speak with the Princesses. I will see them now!” He stamped his hoof. The Guard’s were about to respond when the young motioned to the ice formed on Flash’s wings.
“I’ll go inform the Princess. Wait here” The remaining Guard gave a weak smile to Flash.
“It’ll be okay buddy. Princess Celestia ‘ll help you out” He said calmly. Flash didn’t understand what was going on. His regiment was newly formed! They’d just been raised twenty years ago for Faust’s sake!
“The Princesses will see you now” The guard from before said walking up with a sad look in his eye. “You may go on ahead” He said saluting the Private briefly.
Flash nodded and marched into the Throne room his head held high.
___
“Cpt Twilight Sparkle reporting as ordered, Your Highness” Twilight said saluting the Princesses as she stepped up to their thrones. Luna nodded to her with a smile. The Lunar Princess was forever in Twilight’s dept and was fond of the Guardsmare.
“Twilight, I’ve already sent word to the other Guardians. We have an incident.” Celestia smiled and motioned for Twilight to sit “Also you may relax for a moment Twilight.” The unicorn sat and nodded giving a sheepish smile to the Solar Princess. “In the far northern wastes there used to be a fellow city state to Equestria. It fell under the sway of a King mad with power. He ruled it with fear and used golem, slaves, and constructs to expand this city state into an Empire. My sister and I took a small force with us to defeat him. Sadly in his defeat he cast a spell sealing the Empire away with himself. Luna, and I barely escaped, sadly some of our Guard did not.”
Celestia nodded to a Pegasus leaning against a pillar. His head in his hooves, he was rocking on his hindquarters slightly. Twilight saw his mouth moving but heard only a faint sound. She turned to look at Celestia. The Princess smiled sadly at her.
“This was over thirteen hundred years ago Twilight. This Guard returned to us this morning. The Empire has returned and it seems that King Sombra has returned with it.” Celestia continued. “We need the Guardian’s of Harmony, along with your new wife to go and remove him from power. I can discuss plans with you in a moment.” Celestia glanced at Cadance with a smile. Cadance in turn tried to appear upset over being designated Twilight's wife. She instead kept her slightly giddy smile.
“What about him?” Twilight asked her eyes lingering on the broken stallion. He looked up at her and then to the Princesses
“I’m good ma’am. I..I can go with you” He said to her. He didn't look it, his wings still frayed from icey flight, his eyes bloodshot, and a nervous tick of someone who'd just had his world destroyed. Twilight sighed faintly and nodded to him slightly. She could argue the point later.
“We have a lot to discuss, Your Highnesses. I'm sorry about the honeymoon Cadance” Twilight said glancing from Flash back to her wife. The Pink Alicorn smiled sadly and nodded.
"Duty calls." She said unhappily