//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Upgrading the Railway Network 
// by The Stainmore Phoenix 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 1

In Canterlot Castle’s private dining room, Celestia was talking to a male Alicorn Guard who she and Luna employed. The Male Alicorn was the same height as Celestia, with bright red eyes, dark red fur and horn, no mane, fiery orange tale. He wore traditional Equestrian guard’s armor, with a dark red gem in the center of the chest piece. He had no cutie mark on his flanks, however and that often singled him out for ridicule amongst the others. Celestia decided to take action, which lead to the conference.

“You do a grand job acting as the second in command when Shining Armor is away, but I need you to find your specialized talent and go with it,” she told him.

“I understand,” he said, nodding. “But I do take my job here seriously.”

She nodded at his remark.

“However, I think you’d be happier to find your talents and pursue that course,” she replied.

“Yes,” he said. “I take it I’m to wander around Equestria?”

“Not at all,” she said. “Some time ago, when we were starting our railway network up, I made a friend with several humans who were descendants of a person named Stanier. You‘ll meet them at a closed railway station.”

That got the male’s attention.

“Sir William A. Stanier?” he quizzed. “Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London Midland Scottish Railway?”

“Yes,” she replied, a bit surprised. “How’d…”

“I’ve been reading up on railway stuff, because there were books left on my shelf, with a note saying that they were to be read by anyone.”

Celestia chuckled, then wished him well.

“You’ll leave tomorrow,” she said. 

“Thank you,” he said, bowing.

Once he arose, he strode away towards his quarters. There, he stripped out of his armor and sighed, glancing at a photograph of his mother and father.

“If only you two could see me and Dragonstorm,” he sighed quietly.

Luna was walking by the door when she heard that and peeped through the keyhole to see the photograph. That gave her a start and she made her way to see her sister while the male went off to bed.

“Uhm, dear sister, you know of the pain that our male Alicorn guard feels, after losing his parents to that ghastly landslide five years ago?” Luna asked.

“I do, indeed,” Celestia replied, then explained her plans.

“It’s both a good idea and bad idea at the same time,” Luna said. “Dragonstorm isn’t up to his level, in terms of strength. Also, both have an inseparable bond and to split them up is going to drive them crazy.”

“I know they’re going to have separation anxieties, but we can’t have a blank flank guard,” Celestia said.

Luna conceded that Celestia had a plan.

“I hope your right,” Luna said and went off to raise the moon.