//------------------------------// // Cadet Armour and the Little Red Ball // Story: The Paragon Guard // by Kaptein //------------------------------// Little Twilight had caused a lot of hassle in the weeks that followed the ‘Red Ball Incident,’ the worst of which was the mountains of paperwork involved in collecting testimonies, organising the emergency stock-take of the library and in general trying to get a full picture of the events that had occurred. And because yours-truly had originally ordered the stock-take it was up to yours-truly to file all the necessary paperwork. The Princess had the annual National Dessert Competition and half the Paragon were assigned to accompany her. Every year they come up with something more elaborate and more disgustingly tacky in comparison to the previous year. It was almost a relief to be stuck doing paperwork, considering that every damned time I had been there at least one drunken pony had tried to flirt with me. It was, quite frankly, demeaning and humiliating. I had no interest in finding a partner and I couldn’t see why everypony else deemed otherwise. Even a simple event like that required paperwork. Reports and requisition forms had to be filled out and background checks ran on all of the competitors competing, considering that Princess Celestia was the chief judge (and hence also a taster). You would be surprised in the number of botched assassination attempts that would occur through such events. Anyway I digress. I had nothing to do with that competition, but I was stuck here in the castle having a mountain of different forms to fill out. It provided just the right level of monotony to prove annoying without driving me suicidal. Nopony liked paperwork... I had to get statements from everypony - and I mean every single pony. It ranged from who had bore witness, to who was affected or who had even been in the general vicinity to notice what had happened. I learned a few interesting facts about that evening: Aegis Hammer had developed a…”condition”. I had to ask her twice to confirm, but it seems that the whole incident had really shaken up the poor girl. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry (I think I actually did a bit of both, in private of course) but I promised to keep it a secret. The second bit of information I learned however, was that a certain cadet: Shining Armour, was caught up in the whole affair. It was one thing to be a Royal Guard and allow yourself to be affected by such a simplistic trick, but it was an entirely different thing to be the older brother of the pony responsible. He was supposed to be the responsible one, the paragon example of the two siblings. The fact he failed in such a task did not speak well of his character. I already had a plan hatching in my head. Firstly, I needed to verify the state of his character. Secondly, and more importantly, doing so would alleviate the monumental boredom I was suffering through right now. Stamping a few more forms, I let the plot brew in my mind. I’m a meticulous thinker, and with the wealth of knowledge I had learned in the past few days I practically had a full arsenal of intellectual weaponry. I stamped a few more forms and allowed the storm in my head to slowly simmer into a gentle breeze. Nopony seemed to realise: I was livid. Twilight had almost caused serious injury with her errant spell and as far as I was made aware she had received nothing more than a slap on the hoof. I left my half-finished filing and stood up from my desk, the plan finally hatched. Cadet Armour would be somewhere within the castle grounds and the best place to find his schedule was the recruitment office. I levitated my helmet on, a slight shimmering changed my coat from a deep root-green to the placid white of the Royal Guard as the enchantments activated. I double-checked that my breastplate was fitting comfortably and that my rank-stripe was affixed properly to the front. It was less a ribbon and more a special emblem the Paragon received that superseded all others. Its design was modest: a sunburst with a simplistic shield icon behind it. To the average bystander I would look like just your normal Royal Guardspony, but among the rank and file, the emblem commanded instant respect. I didn’t even bother knocking as I entered the recruitment office. The room was as bland as it was as piled up with application forms. I almost felt sorry for the stallion busy working through the paperwork, he had a thoroughly bored look on his face. He jumped up in his seat as the door burst open. Upon realising it was me, he settled down, brushed off some unseen dust before he stared at me,  his eyes narrowing in suspicion for a moment. “Can I help you…?” “I require the schedule information for cadet Shining Armour, recruit ID. 541-8779.” My request was simple and said with authority. I hoped he was wise enough to ask questions else I’d have to grill his backside, too… His eyes narrowed further, focusing on my rank-stripe. After taking in the details he looked back up at me. “I will require you to verify your authority, Ma’am,” he replied formally. His posture stiffened a little. “Captain Leaf Brambles of the Paragon Guard, rank Tier One second only to the Crown,” I replied in a steady, even voice. “Guard ID: 100-0011.” “Verification code?” he asked. My brow furrowed into a scowl as I took a step towards him. A bead of sweat broke out on his forehead, but he still held a relentless look right back at me. “Verification: ‘Purple potted plants protect pink peonies.’” I cringed as I said the words. None of us liked that phrase; it was comical, a tongue-twister and I couldn’t wait until next week when the new verification phrase got circulated. Even Aegis said it was wearing her down. He nodded, before shuffling around some of the pages and pulling out a time-sheet and passing it over to me. “Here is the full schedule for cadet Armour for the next week, after which it will be reviewed and renewed.” My magic grasped the paper and I studied it for a few moments before giving it back. “Thank you.” I turned back towards the entrance. I swear I could hear his breath catch in his throat as I stopped at the door and turned around. “By the way, very good in verifying my identity. I’d have to report you to the necessary authorities had you just given out a schedule willy-nilly.” He breathed a visible sigh of relief and slumped back into his chair. He shook his head. “Permission to speak freely, Ma’am?” he asked. After I nodded he continued. “May I ask why a Paragon is interested in a cadet?” “Are you aware of the incident requiring an emergency re-filing and stock-take of the castle library?” I asked. He nodded. “Shining Armour is her brother.” The stallion blinked blankly for a few moments as I gave some time for the gears to turn. His mouth shaped into a comprehending ‘O’ before shaking his head. “Go easy on the guy.” I didn’t reply, instead leaving the recruitment office. Shining Armour was patrolling the inner courtyard - a relatively quiet area during this time of the day. Princess Celestia often enjoyed her morning tea in this area as the arrangement of trees had been trimmed to provide the perfect amount of shade. My target had his back turned, his eyes dutifully scanning out for any potential intruders. “Cadet Armour!” I barked out, the young unicorn jumping at the sudden intrusive sound of my voice. His whole body tensed as he turned around, ready to face whatever dared to trespass the Princess’ royal tea-grounds. Almost immediately he snapped to attention at the sight of a superior officer. Good. I liked it when they paid attention. His hoof quickly swung upwards in salute as I approached. “At ease, cadet.” He shuffled slightly and relaxed his posture, but still kept his gaze ramrod stiff and straight ahead. I circled clockwise around him and I could sense him tensing up again. I was a predator, and he was a prey animal that couldn’t go anywhere. At least, that’s what I figured was going through his mind considering I was studying every little detail about him. “I saw you were present during the incident almost two weeks ago,” I casually said, still continuing to pace around him. He swallowed, the noise almost painfully loud and very clearly showing his nervousness. His eyes worked left and right for a moment, trying to come up with a response. I knew the pain he was going through: trying to admit to a fault without actually admitting to the fault in question was damned-near the most difficult thing ever. I decided to end his suffering. “You were a part of the rabble that had been enchanted by the red ball.” “Sir, yes sir.” Cat’s out of the bag now, no point is trying to hide it. “Are you aware of who enchanted the ball, cadet?” He didn’t move a muscle, no longer at ease. “No sir.” I coughed, his body stiffening even more. “‘Sir, no sir,’” I corrected, my voice a low growl. “Sir, no sir!” he corrected himself, his voice now yelling like a fresh recruit going through boot-camp. I could see the cold sweat breaking over his brow, probably made even more uncomfortable by the standard-issue helmet he was wearing. They never fit right, and only the higher officers could get a custom-fitted one. “The pony responsible, as I have found out, is none other that Twilight Sparkle.” I allowed the words to sink in, stopping at his right side. When no response came I continued circling. “Your little sister is the Princess’ personal protege and I’m inclined to think she’s receiving special treatment because of it.” Shining Armour didn’t say anything, which was good because I hadn’t actually asked him a question. The sweat had crept over the rest of his body, the white fur underneath the armour starting to mat. My magic pulled out a small, red ball from under my armour and I presented it to Shining. His eyes fluttered wide for a moment as he recognised it. “Now, this here is the artifact in question, as I’m sure you know. It has since had its enchantment dispelled and it is harmless.” My magic threw the ball a few times against the nearby terrace, a satisfying ‘pong’ noise emanating from it each time. “On the third floor of the main barracks is a door hidden by a basic illusion charm. I wish for you to knock three times and deliver this ball to the pony that answers it. Understood?” I left my question clearly stated and waited. Shining didn’t make any movement save for his lips. “Sir, yes sir,” he respond but didn’t move. “I presume your lack of movement is because you’re currently under orders to guard this terrace?” “Sir, yes sir,” he replied. “You are temporarily relieved to carry out my orders. I will fulfil your role in the meantime.” I levitated the ball in front of him and allowed his own magic to grasp it before he set off on a rigid march. I gave it fifteen minutes before he returned. What I wasn’t expecting was a large pegasus with a white-speckled brown coat to be marching right beside him. Shining Armour sported a shiner on his left eye but he kept a professional and rigid expression and stance. Aegis Hammer, however, was absolutely steaming with rage. Her wings were half-drawn and the feathers still bristling with anger. I would never forget the expression of pure hate on her face. It was the last thing I remember seeing before a hoof connected with my jaw and I was laying sprawled on the grass, the furious and heavily breathing pegasus towering over me. “You jerk! I told you not to tell anypony! How am I supposed to explain to everypony that I decked a new recruit in the face because of an irrational fear of red balls?!” Aegis Hammer was usually happy-go-lucky. Even during the toughest and most infuriating operations she always kept a refreshing cheer about her. The fact that her face was pale and a cold sweat had broken over her entire hide meant I must have struck a very deep nerve. Pushing myself up, I resumed my stance. To be fair, I very much deserved that punch in the face. I strode right past Aegis and up to Shining Armour. The nervousness from earlier was completely gone, replaced by a stony look. I could tell he was probably fuming at me, but I was still a superior officer. “Cadet Armour,” I began. He acknowledged me with a simple glance of his eyes. “I will require a full report of what happened. Due to a superior officer willfully putting you into a dangerous situation I will require you to file a report to ensure all guilty parties are disciplined appropriately.” Surprise flashed behind his eyes. Aegis spluttered a little but she ultimately held her tongue. He didn’t say anything until I raised an eyebrow. “Your report, cadet?” “As per your orders, I found the door with a simple scrying spell,” he began in a deadpan tone, “Upon knocking three times the pegasus mare currently accompanying us answered the door. I clearly stated my orders and intent before presenting the rubber ball to her.” “You deliberately sent him with that - that - that THING!” Aegis yelled, beating her wings before folding them in. I silenced her with a wave of my hoof. “Continue, cadet.” “Upon seeing the ball, the mare screamed and assaulted me,” he continued. “I was able to throw up a defensive barrier, however she broke through it.” There was a faint scowl hidden in his voice but I chose to ignore it. “I was able to retain my composure and after a brief conversation, my orders complete, I returned here.” “Aegis Hammer punched you?” I asked. Shining Armour nodded firmly, his one eye still looking past me at a small spot in the distance, the other swollen shut. I turned to Aegis. “Can you confirm this?” The pegasus’ eyes narrowed. “I can confirm that I did punch a new recruit in the face.” “And he remained standing?” My question hung in the air for a few seconds. “Well, he didn’t fall down if that’s what you mean…” Aegis replied, her voice growing a little sheepish. I raised an eyebrow at her and realisation began to dawn on her face. “You mean...oh wow. Okay, yeah, I think I see your point.” I turned back to Shining Armour, his anger-filled discipline starting to fade into mild confusion. I offered him a smile. “Congratulations, Shining Armour. I don’t think you realise what you’ve just done.” “I’m sorry sir, I’m not sure I understand?” he asked. It was refreshing to see him refer to me as ‘sir’ again. “You threw up a defensive shield against a highly-trained Paragon Guard and were able to deflect the majority of the impact.” My smile grew slightly into a grin before I patted him on the back, the stallion flinched at the sudden contact. “Go to the medical quarters and have your eye sorted out. Afterwards, report to your commanding officer and file an incident report. I’ll fill in the rest of your shift.” “Sir?” he asked hesitantly. “You’ve got promise, kid. I look forward to the things you’ll achieve one day. Dismissed.” The young unicorn saluted before turning and marching off, leaving me alone with Aegis Hammer. “Leaf, what do you see in him?” Aegis asked, all of her previous rage now forgotten. “You obviously involved me for a reason considering you decided to exploit my fear of that bucking red ball.” I turned to the pegasus, shaking my head. “You’re the strongest, fastest martial artist out of all of us. The fact that he remained standing after you punched him confirmed something for me.” A hint of irritation returned to Aegis’ voice as she circled around and came face-to-face with me. “Yeah, well? What did you confirm considering I was having a very nice nap just now.” “His little sister was responsible for the ball in the first place. Magic runs strong in his family.” The grin faded into a knowing smile. “The Paragon start screening from as early on as possible, Aegis.” She didn’t respond, instead turning to face the exit Shining has gone through minutes before. I joined her, looking at the exit. That unicorn had a lot of potential - and when a run-of-the-mill unicorn guard could throw up a shield so quickly and deflect such a heavy blow...he had just made my shortlist of potential Paragon candidates.  “I’ll keep an eye on him. I was supposed to punish him and get him to keep his little sister in check, but I believe I got sidetracked.” A long drawn-out sigh escaped from Aegis Hammer as she fluffed out her wings a bit and spread them. “Leaf, you’re crazy, did you know that? I’m heading for an exercise lap around the castle before heading back to bed. I’m up for a double shift tonight, and a few extra winks would help.” I simply nodded absently as I heard the pegasus take off with powerful wing-beats, leaving me alone with the silence of my thoughts. I had an incident report to file added on top of my already heavy load of paperwork but at least there was something new to keep my mind off of things.