Ambition Undying

by Vivid Syntax


Initiation

"Atta boy, Noble! Get 'im, son!" Shining Armor, clad in his ceremonial purple garb, lowered his head and stomped the floor in a tight rhythm. Princess Cadence could only chuckle and shake her head.

Noble furrowed his brows and charged forward, hooves pounding on the marble floors of the Canterlot throne room. His deceptively light robes, white as his coat and trimmed with the same silver, blue and pink that colored his mane, flowed behind him, buzzing with the defensive enchantments they afforded. He flourished his rapier and conjured a magical shield in front of his body. "YAH!"

'You could have countered.' Onyx tried not to hear. 'You limit yourself. Do you wish to fail?'

"Ugh!" With a grunt, Onyx leapt from the ground to his hooves and shook off the daze that clouded his vision. Refocusing his eyes, he saw Noble draw rapidly closer. With a pulse from his horn, two phantasmal broadswords formed at Onyx's sides.

'Broadswords? Those won't do. Why not the pretty one over there, the one in the velvet box? He won't feel a thing.'

"RARGH!" Onyx charged the white stallion, his two conjured blades poised to strike.

'They say royal blood is like honey. Wouldn't you like a taste?'

In no time, the fighters were upon each other, and Onyx drew back one of his blades. "HYAH!" The clang of metal and the buzz of magic rang out throughout the throne room as the Noble and Onyx traded blows. A broadsword swung high, only to be blocked by a shield. A rapier thrust forward, quickly dodged by its intended target. On and on they struggled, neither able to gain an advantage, until…

'His neck is exposed.'

Onyx twitched, and one of his broadswords swung in a wide arc, closing rapidly in on Noble's neck. Time slowed, and Onyx could not breathe, and only too late did he notice the rapier's tip driving itself toward his unguarded chest. He tried to redirect his swinging broadsword to block, but the magic in his horn would not obey. He shouted at himself within his own head, 'I can't stop. Auntie, I can't stop!'

"Enough!" The rich voice of Princess Celestia filled the entirety of the massive space, and as she flared her wings, the two fighters froze, enveloped in a casing of golden light. The broadsword's blade stopped inches from making contact, and Onyx felt the slightest pressure on his chest. "I declare this match a draw. The exhibition is over." At her side sat Princess Luna, and nearby, two sets of parents beamed with pride.

On the opposite side of the room, one hundred unicorns in light armor stomped their thunderous approval. Half wore armor that was colored grey with red and black trim. On their armors' flanks were emblazoned a black sword with a red tip, a perfect facsimile of Onyx's cutie mark. The other half wore similar armor, though these were white and accented with blue and pink, and their insignia was of a silver shield adorned with a crown and radiating blue and pink light.

Panting, Noble and Onyx allowed their conjured armaments to disappear as the golden light surrounding them waned. Without words, they bowed to each other, then turned to face their recruits. They stood firm and motionless, one wearing a smile and bright eyes, the other seemingly staring into nothingness.

As the stomping died down, Princess Celestia descended the staircase that led to her throne. She walked along the spotless red carpet until she stood between the two stallions, where she spoke in loud, clear voice to the mass of unicorns before her. "Newest members of the guard, your commanders are honorable ponies and capable warriors. Do you swear loyalty to them and to Equestria?"

Rows and rows of warriors brought their hooves up in salute. "Yes, Princess."

"And will you pledge your life to justice and to each other?"

The response was louder still. "Yes, Princess!"

"Then by my order, let it be known that the sun shines brightly on the newest regiments of the Equestrian Military - Prince Noble Shield's Daybreak Guard, and Commander Onyx's Nightfall Guard!"

A thick silence hung in the air. Several of the recruits' eyes darted back and forth.

Shining Armor cleared his throat and announced, "Uh, you guys can start celebrating now."

Raucous cheering broke out from the crowd, and the unicorns of the guard broke formation to hug and converse and form bonds that would last a lifetime.

Satisfied, Princess Celestia turned and made her way back to her guests.

Noble maintained a straight back and marched over to Onyx with his head held high. "Pretty great, huh? You should cheer up, though." He playfully punched Onyx's shoulder. "You just got promoted, Commander."

Onyx gave a half-hearted grimace. "Yeah. It's… great."

"What's wrong?"

Onyx sighed and looked at the recruits, who were beside themselves with excitement. "Do they know what lies ahead? Do they know that this guard is not for ceremony, but for defense should the changelings break our truce? Do they comprehend that, even should they survive combat, they will return as different ponies than the ones that left?"

'Their worthless lives are not your concern.'

Noble shook his head and smirked. "I swear, Onyx, Luna's really screwing up your grammar."

Onyx snorted and bumped Noble with his shoulder. "Yeah, you're right. I should loosen up."

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Onyx slowly turned his head towards Noble and raised an eyebrow. "That we're not really breaking protocol if we hit on each other's subordinates?"

"Bingo!"