//------------------------------//
// These Concluding Days 
// Story: The Veins Run Deeper 
// by Thunderblast 
//------------------------------//

Far atop the rounded tower's balcony, one of the tallest the palace had to offer, the tall, cherry-maned, dark-brown pegasus in captain's armor of the Lunar Guard stood, overlooking the city beyond the castle grounds as it came to life once more at dusk. A gentle scowl that remained permanent to his appearance was what he had on his face as his pure silver eyes gradually scanned around.

Divulging a mellow sigh, Fallen Star lifted his hoof, gaze shifting down to the small black watch he wore between his knee and fetlock, grumbling as it ticked on. "Where is that stallion..."

With a single bound from the ground and a hard flap of his wings, Night Shadow flew up, stopping himself, then landing with light clops of his steel-clad hooves on stone, approaching the taller pony from behind. He paused a couple of feet from Fallen, clicking his hooves together and stiffening his body in an attention stance. "Captain."

"You're late, Night Shadow," Fallen said, still staring out toward the city. "At ease."

At the Captain's word, Night eased his posture. "Yes, sir. My apologies, sir. Dinner rush put me behind."

"I will put it off. You wished to speak with me?" The draft pegasus turned himself slightly to look at Night.

"Yes, Captain," Night walked up to the railing, facing Fallen. "I've been meaning to have a word with you about making a change in Zodiac training."

"A change? What kind of change are we discussing here?" Fallen's brow furrowed a bit.

"An addition, actually," Night cleared his throat. "My newest recruits have put the idea out there that we should implement archery into their training."

"Archery? The guard has not used archery since—"

"Yeah, I said that to them. But, they do have plausible reasoning behind wishing to bring it back."

"Hmm. Do explain."

"Well, sir, while it is old and not used nearly as much as before, the Lunar Guard, especially the Zodiac, do not have anything more than a sword as a weapon. What if we needed to take out an enemy at afar but didn't have a bow and arrow to pull it off?" Night paused.

"I suppose so, go on," Fallen nodded once.

"Even more so, in the event the newer weapons are eventually given to the Lunar Guard—"

"That won't happen."

"Okay. Well, say it did, the archery training would be an aid in advance, or steps per se. That way, recruits will be more accustomed to the aim-and-shoot environment as well as be able to use two different types of weapons. Lastly, as I've said before, the bows could be used to take down threats from above if necessary," Night further explained.

Fallen Star raised another eyebrow. "You're talking about snipers here?"

"Yes, but, with a bow and arrow, not a sniper rifle."

"I got that much, Captain," Fallen said blatantly. "Now, would you care to explain to me how you plan on paying for all of this?" He then asked, facing out toward the city again.

"I'm going to talk to Princess Luna about it, too. If that doesn't work out, I'll pay for it myself."

"With your own money? Impossible."

"Sir, I don't spend much of what I make. From when I made rank to now, I have at least a couple thousand saved up. Mainly for a rainy day, but protection is far more important to me, and I'm sure to you, too," Night said convincingly.

"So, you are actually willing to spend your life's savings for the future of the Zodiacs. That's not something the last captain would have ever done."

"Although, they aren't life savings, sir. But, yes. I am willing."

"Hmph. Well, seeing your defiance toward the matter, I will take your word for it. If you wish to spend a pretty bit on bows and arrows, fine, but I won't let you."

"Sir?" Night's brow raised.

"I will send it through the Council for their vote. If it goes through, the program will be paid for. If not, I will find another way to get you the money needed."

"Sir, I already said I will take care of the cost—"

"And I say, Captain, that you do not have to be concerned about that," Fallen turned, eying Night closely. "That is an order."

Night tensed slightly, raising his head a bit. "Yes, sir."

"Good," Fallen nodded once. "Now, if that is all, you are dismissed."

"One last thing," Night began. "Where can I find quality bows?"


***


"I am quite sure each and every one of you is questioning why you are here, including you five," Night glanced toward the thestral recruits on the opposing side of the glass table from the rest of the Zodiacs.

Clearing his throat, Night continued. "I have spoken with Captain Fallen Star about the matter, and he has agreed to the bow-and-arrow implementation to your training. It will take a week or two at the most to see if it goes through the Council. 

"Now, this is for the cost part. If they decline, I can pay for the program myself, and I will if it comes to that. Because of this, it will be that long before we know what will happen.

"As for your training," Night once more turned to the recruits. "The program will not be together until after your initial training is complete. Overall, the project should not be complete for at least a month to a month and a half while we search for somepony experienced with bows within the Guard."

Stellar Star raised his hoof, Night nodding once for him to speak. "You're telling me there's nopony who knows how to shoot one?"

"That is not true. What is true is bows have not been used in the Guard in recent years, which you already know that. However, there are still ponies here and there, though far and few in between, that have enough experience to where we can hire them as a trainer," Lodestar proceeded to explain.

"All that needs to be done on our part is to bring together the guards that have the training, see what they've got, then decide on who gets the position," Night continued. "It shouldn't be too tough."

"So, we're talking an archery competition here?" Scarlet Iris asked, her eyebrow raised.

"Sort of," Night nodded, "With the prize being the job of Archery Instructor for the Zodiacs and whoever else is interested in the training."

"And... will we be taking it as well?" She asked again.

Night then shook his head. "I'm not forcing you to. Although, it may prove to your advantage in the future."

"Well, I am for sure taking that class!" Zipline grinned, leaning forward on the table.

"I know you are, Corporal, and I couldn't be happier that you are. I'm quite surprised you don't know how to use one already," Lodestar said, relaxing back into his seat and crossing his hooves.

"I never once put it to mind, not after all of the guns I've shot."

"Well, now is your chance," Night nodded once to the white pegasus."

"Lastly, recruits, before graduation, your dress uniforms will be prepared at the Palace dry cleaner's. It's imperative you don't forget to pick them up the week before the ceremony and ensure they are the right fitting so any adjustments can be made during that time," Night explained further, then eyed the five thestrals. 

"Any other questions?"

"No, sir."

"Very good. Then you all are dismissed."


***


Day by day, training continued. Improvement within the recruits' scores followed, as did their agility, strength, and swordsmanship skills. A warm spell set across much of central Equestria, keeping it warm and toasty, even as October went on approaching November, and even proving to be a nuisance for Night Shadow and the rest of his trainees.

But after a long wait, a letter finally came in his personal quarters' mailbox, one anticipated for the last few weeks.

Dear Captain Night Shadow of the Lunar Zodiacs,

It pleases us at the Royal Council that a pony of your rank and dignity is willing to reinitialize the archery program within the Royal Guard, specifically for your squadron, the Lunar Zodiacs. With a vote of 4-1, we will supply the necessary funding to provide for the program's restart.

We have been in contact with a weapons shop in the city of Canterlot since our decision was made. The owner is more than willing to provide specialty weapons for your squadron to their specifications. His shop, Armor, Spears, & Swords, is located in the Old Canterlot district, in Dragon Alley. Check in with him as soon as you find necessary.

We do hope that your training goes well.

With best regards, the Council.


***


It was late at night, just a few short minutes before clocks around the city would chime for the midnight hour. Two armor-dressed stallions made their way through the now-empty Canterlot streets, one a pegasus who's very color faded with the darkness between street lamps, and the other, a dark cyan earth pony whom did not melt with the shadows.

A shady mist blanketed the mountainside city, creating an eerie atmosphere around the two as they walked but also provided necessary protection in case they were to be followed. Their intermittent chatter was the only real thing that gave themselves away, over top the gentle trickle of water down metal spouts from a light drizzle created in the midst of the fog.

"So, where did the Council say this place is?" Lodestar asked, turning to his side at Night Shadow.

"Dragon Alley, it's in the Old Canterlot district," Night answered, walking a steady pace down the cobble street and rounding a corner, past some brick homes.

"Is it not downtown?" Lodestar's brow raised as he looked ahead of them.

"Not entirely, no. I haven't been to the area all too much in the past, so you may have to take the reins at some point."

"Of course. I have a slight idea of where it may be. Only slight."

"That's good enough for me, Sergeant."

"We're off duty, we can call each other by our proper names," Lodestar protested.

"We're only off duty when the armor comes off for the day, but, fair enough."

Soon enough, it was Lodestar who took the lead. The much older buildings siding much narrower streets in the more compact section of the city were a sure sign of their proximity to their destination. Not long after, the stallions came across a sign beneath a flickering lamp, reading Dragon Alley in bold wording.

Down the two steps leading into the alley they went, only meant for the capacity of two ponies side-to-side, searching carefully for the armorer's shop. Drops of water trickled from rooftops and leaky gutters, pattering occasionally down onto their armor with soft clinks.

Halfway down the alley, Lodestar paused, blinking twice as he stared up toward a hanging wooden sign. He squinted his eyes, trying his hardest to read with very little light. Night Shadow approached from behind, too glancing up at the wooden sign hanging from a decorative metal strip, able to read it clearly in the darkness.

"Ah, good, you found it," Night continued past Lodestar, turning at the short steps leading downward halfway into the ground to the door of the shop.

Lodestar's one ear swiveled backwards, his eyebrow raising again. He proceeded to mutter to himself, "how does he do that?" before following into the shop.

A small bell rung as the door was opened, and the light creaks of wood beneath armor-clad hooves followed. The two stopped just beyond the door, it slamming shut and startling the two hoping to keep quiet in the late of night. Neither were even sure that the place was open.

The clearing of another pony's throat once again startled them. To their right sat a register atop an all-glass counter, down below storing numerous different types of knives and small blades, some of which Night, nor Lodestar, had ever seen before. It made sense, seeing just how pricey they were.

At the counter itself, beside a simple lantern with a tiny flame flickering inside, stood a lavender unicorn, mane short and neat, much like a buzzcut, but longer than one as well. He eyed the two sharply.

"Are ya here for weapons?" He spoke lowly.

Night nodded, taking a couple of steps around toward him. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.

"Not. A step. Closer. Ya hear?"

Immediately, Night froze in his tracks, one hoof held up. "Why? We're only here to talk."

"Ah need proof y'all are who ya say ya are," the stallion rested one hoof on the counter and leaned against it. "Ah have my suspicions about y'all."

Night's eyes briefly flicked to the pony's hoof on his hip, catching the faint reflection of light on steel, realizing it was a knife behind him. He shifted back up to the unicorn blankly. "What kind of proof are you looking for?"

"Name, rank, squadron, and serial number."

Night blinked twice, before repeating the pony's demands. "Night Shadow, Captain, Lunar Zodiacs, two-three-five-seven-eight-zero."

"You, too," the unicorn nodded once toward Lodestar.

"Lodestar, Sergeant, Lunar Zodiacs, four-seven-one-two-two-eight."

"Badges?"

"What for?" Night scowled slightly.

"To confirm yer numbers. Hand 'em over."

The pegasus and the earth pony exchanged looks, before reaching into their armor and pulling out their badges, the pony at the counter examining them closely, lips wording silently as he read their numbers. The pony then handed them back and stood up straight.

"Just makin' sure is all, fellas. Y'must be the ponies the letter mentioned."

"The Council?" Night asked, stepping up to the unicorn opposite of him.

"If that's who sent it, ah didn't pay much attention to that part. Ah heard yer lookin' for some bows for yer squad?"

"We are," Night bobbed his head in a nod.

The light purple pony smirked slightly. "Follow me."

He lifted a plank of wood attached to the counter and moving out from behind through it. The unicorn motioned his hoof, leading the two armored ponies between shelves and displays of many different sorts of melee and ranged weapons, through a curtained doorway and into a back room with numerous more shelves and a table in the center, as well as a desk off to the side with a pencil and pieces of paper scattered around.

"What's this room?" Lodestar asked out of curiosity.

"This is where ah craft mah specialty stuff, about half of what ah sell. The rest comes from other shops around the country 'n stuff like that. Anyway..." the unicorn paused, reaching up onto the shelf and pulling down a short but wide box, setting it down on the table. "This is what y'all came for."

Grasping the box in an emerald-green hue, the lid portion was lifted off carefully, inside revealing a sight that was much more than candy to Night Shadow and Lodestar's eyes.

Folded up neatly in the box was a brand new black bow, the scent fresh off of it. The unicorn lifted it out, focusing his magic to the center of the bow and pumping it forward, the wings of the bow extending out completely with the thick string behind in a straight line between the ends.

"Ah had a few ideas in mind fer a newer type of bow for this day and age. Black carbon 'n steel construction, harder than hell to bend or break with certain extents of magic, hasn't been shot yet, so the string might be a 'lil... tough for ya," the unicorn explained, proceeding to lay the bow down on the table atop some blueprint drawings.

"Now, fer the arrows..." He pulled a smaller, more narrow container from a lower shelf, opening and lifting out a single arrow, matching the exact color of the bow itself. He levitated it closer to the two. "Steel head, reinforced wood shaft, more aerodynamic than conventional arrows. Get this—" he then whispered, "—it picks up its own speed once it's been shot."

Both Night Shadow and Lodestar stood with their jaws half-dropped. Night was the first to say something afterward. "Very impressive, sir."

The unicorn chuckled softly, leaving the arrow on the table beside the bow. "Please, just call me Kas."

"Of course, Kas," Night nodded once, lifting a hoof to his side to close Lodestar's hanging jaw.

"Any questions?" the unicorn leaned against the table's edge, his blue eyes shifting between them.

"Just two. Can the arrows be enchanted?"

"You bet they can," Kas nodded once, smirk growing a bit more. "Ah can do a few different spells, but for any one, y'all will need t'find somebody who'll do anythin' ya ask for. Better yet, the spells won't wear off quickly. After a few months they'll need a refresher, or somethin' of that sort. Now, what's yer other question?"

"Could you paint a scheme on the current order?"

"Hmm, what do ya have in mind?"


***


After seemingly an eternity, the week had arrived. The final week of training, all in preparation for the grand graduation ceremony that Friday. As ordered to, the recruits picked up their dress uniforms, Duskbloom having to send his back for minor resizing adjustments. The Palace itself was making preparations as well, for the Fall Gala was once again right around the corner. This year, it would be different.

By Thursday, Night Shadow was well-prepared, having now picked up his own suit and keeping it packed up in the plastic wrapping to ensure its quality would not degrade over the next day.

Walking carefully back to his quarters, a new set of hoofsteps from behind caught his attention. Night briefly glanced to the side, noting a slightly taller, gold-armored guard now matching his pace.

"Hey, Night. Miss me?" grinned the grey pegasus.

"Thunder?" Night blinked with a bit of surprise. "Didn't you leave the guard?"

"For a little bit. Couldn't stay away forever, though," Thunderblast replied, adjusting the gold collar replacing the normal helmet around his neck. 

"I see. Hey, aren't you a lieutenant now?"

"First lieutenant, actually," Thunder smiled softly. "You ready for the Gala?"

"Ready as I'll ever be. This is going to be big this year," Night slowed a bit while they walked.

"So I've heard. Newest recruit class graduations, am I right?" Thunder faced forward.

"You bet. Not just mine, either. There's two new classes in both sides of the Guard."

The grey pegasus furrowed an eyebrow, glancing back to Night. "You have recruits making rank, too?"

"Do you?" Night returned the glance.

Thunder shook his head. "No, I meant, you have ponies graduating with the others?"

"Oh, yep! Get this, too. Three of them are from my colony."

"Really? Interesting. I guess you being a celebrity back home is expanding here now," Thunder chuckled softly.

"I wouldn't call myself a celebrity," Night flushed, turning his head slightly to hide it. "Besides, they joined just because I'm controlling my part of the Zodiacs, not because—"

"Wait, hold on, you're telling me you're getting ready to graduate not one, but three bat ponies who joined just because you're in the Guard?" Thunder cut him off, smile fading.

"Yeah. I was irked by it at first, but they're proving themselves well."

Thunder sighed softly and faced ahead again. "As long as they're doing well and following orders, I suppose there isn't anything I can say about it."

"Oh, come on, don't act like you weren't that way when you were assigned me during training," Night gently nudged the pegasus' shoulder, grinning with one fang.

"Hey, I wasn't!" Thunder returned the nudge, albeit a bit harder. "I was elated, actually."

"Sure you were," Night's grin turned to a smirk.

Thunderblast rolled his eyes, then glanced to Night. "On another note, I have a small favor to ask you."

"Oh yeah? Name it."

"I've been gone a while. Like, five or six months at the most—"

"Minus the war."

"Yes, minus the war," Thunder shuddered slightly. "So, I have been gone that long, and I'm sure I'm rusty as ever. So... how's about we get back to the good ol' days and spar later on?" He grinned slightly.

Night stopped just in front of his door and snapped back at Thunder with a bit of surprise. "Us? Spar?"

"Yeah! I'm sure you've gotten better over the months since I left," Thunderblast smirked again. "Come on, it'll be the perfect opportunity to catch up with each other."

Night's brow lifted. "When you catch up with somepony you've been away from, you catch up by hanging out or having lunch, not fighting each other."

Thunder poked Night's chest with his wing. "You get what I mean."

Night breathed in and out softly, easing his body a bit. "I don't know, Thunder. I'm pretty busy right now getting ready, and I'm sure you're busy catching up with patrols and what not."

"Come ooooon, just one round later, when we're off duty? Maybe this weekend?"

"Thunder..."

The grey pegasus proceeded to mimic a puppy's pleading eyes, though poorly, and stick his lip out, even going as far as putting his ears down and attempt to whimper.

With a sigh mixed with a grumble, Night rolled his eyes and looked at the armor-clad pony. "Fine, fine. Sunday, alright?"

Thunder's pleading look faded, and he grinned softly. "Perfect. See you later, mate."

"Likewise," Night nodded once, watching Thunderblast turn tail and head down the way they came, muttering to himself afterward.

That's one weird stallion.