New Position
My fingers brush against the strings of my acoustic guitar, beginning my song. I took my friends advice to heart and have brushed up on my guitar skills greatly. It's weird. It didn't take as long as I thought it would to brush up on my skills with a musical instrument. It almost felt... natural to me.
My audience consists of the six Elements of Harmony bearers, one baby dragon, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and even Big Macintosh.
Scootaloo and Rainbow became giddy and pumped at the suddenness of the beginning of the song.
As I hit the final chords, my audience erupts into applause and cheers.
“Awesome!” *Whistles*
“Way to go pardner!”
“Very nice dear.”
“Whoo-hoo! Yeah! Alright!”
“… yaay…”
“Excellent work, Swift.”
I smile and slowly sit down and lay against the tree while carefully putting my guitar on the ground. I lean back a bit before something lands on my shoulder. I look up and smile, “Hello Ferus.”
The falcon nods before keeping her statue like stature on my shoulder.
“I still can’t believe you decided to take her as a pet.” Rainbow comments. I smile and continue to look up at my newest friend.
“I know right. She showed such amazing grace and resilience from your tests, Rainbow. Considering you decided to repay… Tank was it? Yeah, him, for him saving your sorry flank,” she looks away, embarrassed, “It didn’t seem right for her to be left empty clawed after everything she went through.”
It felt incredibly good being able to gain a pet, or a partner in this case I guess, as awesome as a falcon.
<<<>>>
“But I said whoever crosses the finish line with me gets to be my pet.” Rainbow says to everypony. I’m still a little pissed at myself that I wasn’t able to spot Rainbow while I was making my rounds along the side on my bike just in case something happened. Thankfully, the tortoise was able to get her out in time before anything bad really happened.
“You did! You did say that! She did say that, that was the rule!” Pinkie yells in Dashes face and proceeds to bounce around us all.
“And the only racer who crossed the finish line with me was the one who stopped to save me when I needed help.” The falcon looks away nervously. “The tortoise!” Dash proclaims as she lifts up her savior. The falcon looks like she’s about to cry and hops of off Rainbow as she places the tortoise down.
“But what about the–“ Before Twilight can finish, the falcon offers her wing to the tortoise. They both shake and she promptly turns away with her head hung low.
Hmm, looks like she really wanted to be Rainbow’s pet. I smile as an idea pops into my head. Maybe she still can.
I step in front of the falcon, making her look up at me, my figure being outlined by the sun. “You know, just because you can’t be Rainbow Dash’s pet… doesn’t mean you can’t be a pet at all.” She perks up at my words and I swear I can hear most of my friends gasping. I kneel down, “I know you don’t know me, but I have a very important job here in Ponyville. And that job is to protect the inhabitants of this town from cruel and very powerful creatures.” I sigh, “However I can’t do it alone all the time. Stick with me, and you have free reign just as any other citizen in Equestria.” I stand up and stretch my right arm forward, “What do you say? Wanna be my partner and become the co-guardian of Ponyville?” I ask.
All my friends suddenly lean in to take in on the choice that is just about to take place, except Pinkie falls forward onto her face. The falcon looks around for a second, seeing all the other pets and their owners before looking back at me.
My answer comes in the form of a massive flap of her wings and landing gracefully on my arm.
“A wise choice.” She smiles and holds her beak held high.
“Wow! This whole test was so Rainbow can get a pet, but I wasn’t expecting you to get a pet too, Swift!” Twilight shouts happily, followed by agreeable murmurs from the others. My falcon shifts onto my shoulder so I don’t have to keep my arm held up.
“Well, technically partner but I guess we’ll get used to it, right?” I ask my falcon. She nods in agreement with me.
“Now that you two have your pets, what will you two call them?” Fluttershy asks Rainbow and me. We share a look before beginning to think.
“This little guy, despite his slow movement, he went through the entire gorge like nothing. He didn’t stop to become scared and didn’t even stop from all of the rocks and eels and junk. You just can't stop that little guy. He's like a... like a…”
“Tank?” I finish her sentence.
“A what?”
“A tank is either a living creature or machine with a massive amount of strength and resilience that can usually plow through anything and overcome pretty much any obstacle.” I explain. Rainbows demeanor completely lightens into a smile at the info.
“That’s it!” she holds the tortoise high into the air, “Your name is now Tank!” she places Tank down. He looks back up and slowly, ever so slowly he smiles.
“Wouldja look at that? He even smiles slow.” Applejack states, making all of us smile and laugh. We soon calm down and I feel eyes on me.
“What about you Swift? What is your pet’s name?” Rarity asks me. I look at the falcon on my shoulder to get a better look. Almost instinctively, she flies forward and takes to the sky. She flies around in different circles and loops, along some aerial dive bombs and moving through the branches of trees that I’ve never seen before.
Fierce, bravery, elegance.
These are some of the words describing her, especially through her run of Ghastly Gorge.
Something to describe all of these, something that can mean what she is...
She lands on my shoulder with ease. “The falcon looks better on you actually.”
Rainbow comments, making me smile.
“Well, Swift… did you come up with something?” Twilight asks me.
From all the words I know, one stands out.
“Ferus…”
<<<>>>
“It’s Latin for different meanings; fierce, bravery, and elegance being the top of the list that made me think of the name,” I look back up at her. “It suits her.” She nods back and smiles.
“Very smart of you, Swift.” Twilight comments.
“Thanks.”
“Enough about that! What else you got for us?” Rainbow asks me. The others agree with her, no doubt a little more anxious at the thought of the other type of songs I can play.
“Well, if you all are so anxious, I think I can play another.” I say and stand up with my guitar in hand.
“Yaaaaaay!” Pinkie yells as she jumps.
“Alright, how about-“ I stop as I spot something.
“What’s wrong, Swift?”
I continue to stare at the object that’s far off and moving towards us. Everypony turns around and sees the approaching object as well. As it gets closer, its figure becomes more and more distinct. Soon enough, it’s clear that the flying object is none other than a chariot. A golden chariot to be exact. The sides where the passengers are supposed to be are in the shape of wings, and a star crest is placed on the front. Two white pegasi guards, dawned in their usual golden armor and mohawk centurion helmets, are pulling the carriage, but I see another figure riding along.
The carriage pulls up alongside us.
“Swift Wind?” A female pegasus pony, a coat of a slightly lighter shade of purple than of Twilight’s, eyes of a green color, and a mane and tail color of sky blue asks for me. She’s not wearing a helmet, and her mane is parted to the side to cover her left eye. Her armor is not the usual gold; instead, it is white gold.
“Yes?”
“Sergeant Major Violet Star.” She pronounces her position and name as she walks up to me before coming to a stop. “I have been ordered by Princess Celestia herself to bring you to Canterlot castle at once.”
My face becomes serious as I slowly place my guitar down against the tree. “What is it that she needs?”
“She did not say, other than the fact that it is extremely important for you to come at once.” She explains. I close my eyes for a second and think. What is that the princess wants for me that’s so important that she has to send such a high ranking officer to get me?
“She says it’s a job that only you can fulfill.” She says to me in a much quieter tone, enough for me to hear but not the others. I open my eyes and look at her. That can’t be good.
I sigh, “Alright then.” I reach to the side of the tree and grab my katana before strapping it to my back. I look at Ferus, “Why don’t you go catch yourself something to eat. You know where I’ll be.” She nods before flapping once and taking off. “We better get going.” Violet nods and we walk to the chariot.
“Wait!” Before we can take off, Twilight stops us.
“I didn’t hear anything from the Princess as to why he needs to go! He has a very important job here!”
“I’m sorry, Twilight Sparkle.” Violet says in still military tone, “But this is a military matter and is in no way to involve you whatsoever.”
Twilight looks taken back the sudden tone and subject of the lieutenant’s words. “But-“
“Twilight!” I interrupt her, “Listen, it’s going to be alright. If it’s something short and not much of a big deal, I’ll finish it up and head on home. If not, I’ll talk to the princess and ask for a small squad of the royal guards to be stationed here.” I propose. Still not sure exactly what it is that the princess wants with me but when it comes to me, it’s rarely good.
“Swift, are you sure?”
“Hm,” I nod, “I’m sure.”
The pegasi at the front of the chariot begin to flap their wings and slowly take off.
“Take care everyone! I’ll see you soon.” I say my goodbyes to them.
“Goodbye Swift!” Everyone waves goodbye and says them as well.
“I’ll throw you the biggest ‘welcome home party’ I can throw when you get back!” Pinkie happily shouts up to me.
I nod and give her a thumbs up, “I’ll be looking forward to it!”
“Be safe, Swift!” I hear Twilight yell up to me worriedly.
I give her a warm smile and wave back, “I will.”
With a nod from the sergeant, we take off towards Canterlot with me catching the last glimpse of Twilight’s worried face before she leaves my field of view.
<<<>>>
The ride to Canterlot was a little boring. Violet was silent the entire ride towards Canterlot, only answering my attempts to make small talk with short, simple answers. What was interesting about the ride was that we were in the air. I never did have a chance to ride in a chariot, especially in the air. The only instances when I went to Canterlot were when I went on a train or in my Hummer.
Either way, it doesn’t suck as much as one would think, especially since the sun is already just on the edge of the horizon. “We’re here.”
We slowly come down to the gates that reside in front of the castle itself. As we do, I’m greeted with two lines of royal guard ponies. Once I step out, they all salute us as we walk in front of them. What the heck?
“Wasn’t expecting this type of welcoming?” Violet whispers to me. I look at her.
“Not in a million years.”
“Hm, well get used to it.” We stop but I continue to stare at her.
Used to it?
She bows in front of us. Confused at first but I look away from her to the front, making me tense up.
“P-Princess Celestia?!” I immediately drop to one knee with my head hung low, “I’m terribly sorry! I-I did not see you there. I-“
“Please, Swift. You do not need to be so formal with me. Please stand.”
I slowly stand and try to relax a bit but the dozens of guards around me don’t make it easy. “Sorry. Um, Violet Star here mentioned you requested me?”
She nods, “You all are dismissed.” She says to the guards around us. One by one they all go back their original duties, leaving me, the sergeant and Princess Celestia alone. “Violet Star.”
“Yes your highness?”
“You may head to the briefing room with Captain Armor.”
She bows, “At once.” She trots away.
“Briefing room? And what’s with the more than standard welcoming committee?” I curiously ask her. When there is a briefing room, something is happening. If royal guard soldiers are suddenly saluting you even though you have no standpoint in the military whatsoever, it raises suspicions as well.
“It is best we talk where no pony will interrupt us.” She looks past me. I turn around to spot more than a few photographers getting ready to snap pictures of us. ‘Headline: Princess meets one and only violent species and rolls out the red carpet.’ Yeah, sounds like the tabloids.
“Yeah, that probably would be best.”
“Come. We shall talk in my chambers.”
“Right behind you, princess.”
We quickly make our way to the castle before anypony manages to snap pictures of us. With the different hallways we move around through, I’m glad I have her as my guide. Otherwise, I would easily get lost.
“Ah. Sister.” We cross paths with Princess Luna just outside of her chambers. “I’m glad to see you are awake. Preparing to raise the moon I see?” Celestia happily greets her sister.
“We shall not shirk our duties as the Princess of the night. We have been gone for over a thousand years. We must continue to make up for our absence.” She replies in the usual royal ‘we’.
“I can tell. A thousand years is definitely a long time to make up for.” I comment with a smirk.
“Ah! Swift Wind!” she moves past her sister and stands in front of me. “It is good to see you again! I must humbly thank you for your aid during Nightmare Night.” She bows to me, taking me by surprise. Whoa. Never had anyone bow to me.
“Oh, uh. Thank you. It was my pleasure to do so.” I smile and give a polite bow back.
“So, are you here for-“
“Sister!” Celestia cuts off Luna. From the look on Luna’s face, it seems she almost spilled the beans on something.
“Here fooorrrr?” I ask while leaning in, trying to look as intimidating as I can to break her.
“Uhhh, nothing! Nothing at all!” she nervously says, her face scrunching up like when Applejack tells a lie.
“Princess?” I egg her on.
“Uh. I- Well I-“
“Sister, don’t you have a moon to raise?” Celestia’s words immediately perk up her sister.
“You’re right! We must go!” she pushes right past me and turns back to me as she walks. “We will see you again Swift when-Oof!” she trips over her own hoof and lands on her face. She scrambles back up onto her hooves and blows a strand of hair out of her face. “Eh hehehe.” She laughs nervously before fumbling with the handle of a door right next her before finally going in.
“Uhhh, Luna? That’s the storage closet.” The sun princess says from behind me.
Silence follows, “WE ARE GETTING PARCHMENTS!” the Royal Canterlot voice follows after.
I slowly rotate my feet back towards Celestia to see an amusing smirk on her face. “Your skills in interrogation are increasing.”
I chuckle nervously and rub the back of my head.
“Come then. We have much to discuss.” She returns to being more serious and walks away. I look back towards the storage door one last time before walking away.
“Here we are.” We soon arrive at our destination. The guards in front of her door move to the side and allow us to enter. The second I close the door, the room becomes enveloped in a yellow light for a second before disappearing. “There. That should make sure no one will try to listen in on our conversation.”
I get a more detailed look of the room. The room is a shade of blue with a gray décor of clouds all over the room. It also contains a bed that is clearly big enough to hold the princess, a balcony staring out into the city, a fireplace, and a couple paintings, one focusing on the night and the other on the day. It also comes with its own bathroom.
“Dang, nice place you got here.”
“Thank you,” she says and walks over to the fireplace, “Now, onto more pressing matters.”
I walk over to her next to the fireplace and stare into the burning ashes. Something about it that gives me a sense of calmness and serenity. The way how the flames dance around and try to engulf almost anything it touches is pretty cool.
“A threat has been made against Canterlot.”
My sense of calmness and serenity is thrown out the window faster than old fashion styles for Rarity.
“What?!” I turn to her with a shocked expression.
“Yes, I’m afraid it’s true.” She says in a tone when she was talking to me and the others about Discord before he made himself known to us. “An anonymous letter was made to Canterlot just a few days ago, more specifically me. They made it clear about threatening the entire city of Canterlot of being overthrown.” She explains to me.
A threat against the Capital of Equestria? Daring, ballsy, hell.
“No one has claimed responsibility for sending the letter?” I ask her with a worried expression.
“No. I have no idea who would threaten the peacefulness of Canterlot or its inhabitants.”
“No one? No one at all?” I try to push the question.
“No, I do not.” I swear the expression on her face says things differently. She’s hiding something… but I better not antagonize her.
“Is this the reason why you called for me?”
“Yes it is. From what you’ve told me about your kind, you know war, threats, strategy, and plenty of other tools and techniques that would no doubt help us against this invisible threat.”
“But… princess I-I’ve never done anything like that. I’ve never been part of m-my kinds war whatsoever. I’ve never commanded others into doing anything.” I try to dissuade her. If she thinks of trying to make me some kind of commander-in-chief of the royal guards, I want no part of it.
“Be that as it may, you are as close as we can have at this point.”
“But-“ she holds her hoof up.
“You have learned about Equestria’s history, correct?” she asks me, still keeping that same look from the beginning.
“Y-yes.” I nervously ask her.
She looks at me, “Then you know the only time of conflict that has threatened Equestria was when this land first became known as Equestria.”
I look away to the side.
“We may have a large abundance of well-trained royal guard pony’s, but almost none of them have ever faced real fighting that requires the need to take the life of another.”
My face goes from being shocked to darkened, “But I have.”
“Yes.”
“So you want me to use the scars and skills I’ve picked up from my war-torn world to make yours the same?”
“I didn’t say-“
“But you were implying it?!” My voice heightens.
“That’s not what I-“
“You may be immortal princess, but out of all the wars, fighting, civil wars you’ve had to deal with are nothing compared to the blood, sweat, tears and heartaches that my kind have forced upon ourselves!” I yell.
She doesn’t move, she just… stares.
“I am still plagued by nightmares every single night because of what I had to do in my world. I continue to wake up screaming, covered in sweat and crying afterwards because of what I’ve done.” I say much quieter. Tears are threatening to force their way from the recesses of my eyes to make them known. I force them down and turn to the fire.
“When I was on the run from the police back in my world, it was the most grueling thing I have ever had to do. The constant scrounging of supplies everywhere I turn was something I never wanted to be forced upon myself! And I don’t even remember why I did it in the first place!” I turn around stop mid-way to the door. “I promised myself that when I was here… in your world princess,” I point to her, “I would never become what my kind became.”
I turn back, “Warmongering, greedy bastards bent on taking control of everyone and thing that we came in contact with.” I clench my fists tightly and place my right hand on the door, “I’m sorry your highness, but you’ll have to look elsewhere… However, ”I turn back to her, “I have some books depicting the strategies from some of the most renowned strategists from my world.” I place my head against the door, “I’ll send them your way. Use them as you see fit.”
I push open the door to see the guards standing in front. “Move.” I hiss.
They scramble a little before moving out of my way. I walk forward, my fists still clenched as I try to backtrack to the main gate.
<<<>>>
“So… that’s his decision then.” Princess Celestia says to herself sadly. She slowly walks over to the balcony and looks up at the moon her sister rose.
I can’t force him to go against a promise he made.
She looks down. She spots more than a few ponies casually strolling along the streets down below. She looks away sadly.
But it would have been appreciated to have him as a direct advisor.
She slowly makes her way to her place in front of the fireplace and slowly lies down.
“Tia?” She slightly smiles at the name that only one pony she knows that calls her that.
“Come in, Lulu.”
“I… passed by Swift on the way here.” Her smile fades as she hears the slow thumps of hoofsteps, “I… take it he…” Luna trails off.
“Yes, he declined.” Luna looks to the ground.
“We were afraid of that.”
“We asked a lot of him.” Luna looks up to her sister. “He has been through alot in his world as it is. He may be living here in Equestria, but that doesn’t mean we have the right to force him to go against his promise.” Princess Luna sits on her flank and stares at the fire like her sister.
“From what he’s said he’s been through, it may be a good idea to… leave him to any form of peace he can find here.”
“Maybe… but what shall we do? We don’t know what exactly it is that wishes to do harm upon us.” Luna asks Celestia.
Silence. Celestia looks away from the fire for a second to see the worried face of the sister she had ruled with for so long, and then had to banish before she was finally brought back to her. They both turn back to the fire.
Banishing a family member or somepony you truly care about above so many others is something that’ll tug at the heart for longer that any can comprehend.
“A disadvantage, of being immortal…” Luna looks to her, “Is that you live to see so many lives come and gone.”
“The friends you make…”
“The loved ones you have…”
“Eventually taken away.”
“Along with the discoveries that seemed so trivial now than when they were first discovered.”
The two sisters continue to lie silently next to each other.
For the first time in a long while, the act of an invisible threat against something they have worked so long and hard to build from the ground up, they are stumped.
<<<>>>
I can’t believe her. After everything I said, after everything I have been through, she wants me to bring tactics from my world to help? It’s that type of stuff that made them unruly conquerors of almost every single living thing back on earth!
I sigh, I’m sorry, princess. But I don’t know if I can handle the idea of turning this world into… I shudder and stop for a second to get my bearings. I hope she can forgive me.
“Did you see him?” I hear a voice around the corner just ahead of me.
“Yeah. Wonder what the princess wanted with him.” I slide along the wall quietly but carefully so I don’t become known to them.
“I heard that his species are really tough and smart when it comes to war.”
“Really? He doesn’t look so tough to me.” As I peer around the corner, I spot two more guard ponies. From the tone of their voices and features, they are the very same ones that were in front of the armory when I was trapped inside during the last Grand Galloping Gala.
“Well, regardless of what we think, I caught a glimpse of a note that the princess got. Said something about a threat.” The guard on the right looks at his friend.
“Is that why patrols have been doubled?” The right says. Left shrugs.
“From what I can guess, yeah.”
“And the princess is putting the protection of Canterlot in that things hooves?!”
“Keep your voice down.” He tries to calm his friend down, “Also, I think they are called hands from what he has.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Right lowers his voice a bit. “One of my friends went to that so called conference meeting that that thing held. By his kind’s standards, he’s only 16!”
“16!” Left says surprised. “What is she thinking? Can’t believe I’m questioning her, but putting the entire royal guard under his command?! He’d barely be considered grown-up.”
She wanted to give me command? THAT much command?
“A 16 year old taking command of the security of Canterlot? She does that and he screws up, a lot of ponies are going to be very mad.”
“Many would probably want to her to step down if she takes that much of a risk.”
Damnit! I can’t let that happen I- I think for a second.
But if I do, I go back on a promise I made. I bite my lip as I try to contemplate my decision.
“Don’t make yourself a promise, if you know you can’t keep.”
It seems no where can ever be truly filled with peace and happiness. I stand straight up and breathe in, “I promised my friends I would protect them. If Canterlot falls, the Elements of Harmony might well follow.”
Sometimes you have to break a promise to keep another.
“Eh-hem!” Both guards freeze as they slowly turn around to see me standing behind them with my arms crossed.
“Uhhh, how long have you…?” Right says.
“Long enough.” I sternly say. Both gulp loudly for me to hear. My eyes glide over the both of them, right being grey and a pegasus and left being white and a unicorn. “What are your names?”
“Star Caster… sir.” Left says. I nod and look at grey guard on the right.
“Lightningstrike, sir.” He answers.
I kneel down to their eye level give them a look, “You two know where the briefing room is?” I calmly ask them.
They are still slightly shaking at my presence and on the fact that I heard them talking about me and doubting my abilities.
“Y-yes, sir.” They say in unison.
I smile and stand up. I reach into my pocket and put on my sunglasses. “Well, lead the way then.”
<<<>>>
“Do not fret Luna. He has never actually been in any type of war or had to command whole squads of soldiers or security. Instead he has decided in sending us several copies of literature that involve using some of the best tactics and strategies that involve fighting in open conflicts or the defense of important structures from his world.” Princess Celestia tries to make her sister, Princess Luna, feel better about Swift Wind’s decision.
“You may be right dear sister. He is also somewhat young and I am sure he wouldn’t send us these strategy books unless he was sure they would help us out.”
“True. For now, let’s find him so we can have a chariot send him back to Ponyville so he doesn’t have to waste the bits for a train ticket.” Celestia says with a smile, glad that they now have an alternative to their situation.
“Let’s.” Luna finishes their conversation. The duo continues to walk down the various hallways until they come across a couple royal guards standing at attention in front of some double doors.
“Excuse me,” Princess Celestia asks the closest guard, “Do you know where the human, Swift Wind has gone to? The tall two-legged creature carrying a large curved sword on his back?”
“You have no authority here! Now get- Argh!”
“I can easily break your leg, snap your neck and turn you into a vegetable right now if I wanted to!” Two voices interrupt the guard just as he opens his mouth. Both princesses look at him.
“He’s in there, your highness.” The guard motions with his hoof.
“Thank you.” Both princesses peek inside at the sight. The entire room is in a circular shape, windows adorning nearly every single section of the circular room and there is a large round table in the middle big enough to seat 20 ponies. Right now, 7 in total are in the room, including the human, Swift Wind who is holding First Lieutenant Iron Hammer in a grip all are unfamiliar with.
He pushes the lieutenant off him. “I know what it is to be fighting. I’ve had to fight practically every single day of my life back in my world so I wouldn’t starve, be killed or thrown in jail. My uncle was military and I know what it is to take risks when need be. Plus, I have the knowledge of some of the best tactioners from my world at my disposal.” He tries to give them a reason for him to stay.
“Just because you know a few tricks here and there and picked up a few scars along the way doesn’t make you qualified to take command of the entire Royal Guard network!” Iron Hammer shouts to the human. He scoffs and walks along the table while dragging his fingers along the edge.
“Who says I’m going to take complete control?!” He shouts and clenches his fist on the table. “The Princess just wants an advisor. An outer party to recommend and implement his tactics that no one or pony has ever seen before!”
“I will not be overshadowed by an infant!” Iron Hammer slams his hoof onto the table.
Swift bares his teeth, “You want this infant to show you just what type of moves we use back in my world?!”
“I would welcome it!”
“Why don’t I-“
“ENOUGH!” Both rivals are silenced from between them by the loud authoritative tone of the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, also the highest rank attainable in Equestria's military, except one other that is only reserved for special cases. “Lieutenant Hammer, it was the princess’s judgment to give him this opportunity. Do you doubt Princess Celestia’s leadership?” he asks the lieutenant.
“N-no, I don’t.” he nervously replies.
“Then at least give him a shot and hear him out. The majority of the military body, depending on rank and positions, will supersede plans and actions that are deemed too cruel, crazy or just outright unorthodox for the situation at hand.” He looks toward the human, “Is that acceptable?”
Swift nods, “It is. I have no wish to take complete full control over the entire royal guard. Having a form of democratic military at this moment will suffice.”
Shining Armor nods before looking at the others, “Will that work with everypony?”
Violet Star along with the rest of the commanders in the room nod and murmur in agreement.
Iron Hammer remains unconvinced. “Just what type of military strategies do you bring with you?” he asks.
All eyes look towards the human as he smirks. He stands tall and crosses his arms. “I know of strategies, techniques, hand-to-hand combat moves, martial arts skills, and knowledge of the most renown tyrannical and the biggest scourges of humanity that have ever been born from my kind’s DNA. Not to mention plenty of heroes who were faced with overwhelming odds that would look like they would lose but achieved victory in the end.”
“Such as?” Shining Armor asks. The human clicks his tongue and proceeds to walk along the edge of the table.
“Ohhhhhhh where should I begin? The maniacal leader who earned the name “Vlad the Impaler” for having impaled over tens of thousands of his enemies during his reign; the dictator in World War II that executed and killed over 6 million of my kind based on the religion they were part of known as Jewish; the US of A working however they can to protect their own and others even though they were completely outmatched in numbers; or how about the influential leaders who were so well liked and feared that they turned their own soldiers and guards into suicide bombers. Where to start?” he finishes up his round and stops back at where he started. The look of fear, confusion, and interest plastered on all of the ranking officials faces.
“We might be here awhile.” Violet speaks up. Everyone and pony in the room nods in agreement.
“Lightningstrike! Star Caster!” The guards outside move past the princesses and stand at attention.
“Yes, sir?” Both shout in unison.
“We’re probably going to be here awhile. You think you can do us a favor and get us some coffee?” Swift asks the two guards.
“Of course, sir.” Star Caster replies.
“Good. Afterwards, you can join in on the session or be dismissed. Your choice.” Swift replies as he lies back in a chair and kicks his feet up onto the table.
Both guards are slightly shocked at the opportunity but regain their composure. “We’ll… think about it on the way, sir.” Lightningstrike answers before the two move out of the room.
“Great. Now, how about I start off by telling you the history of Joan of Arc, peasant girl turned commander of the entire French army in only a couple days.”
Just as the two guards go out of the room, the princesses peek back in to see all the commanders and leaders getting situated around the table.
“Well, it seems he has become comfortable.” Princess Luna says to her sister as the two begin casually walking away in the opposite direction that the two royal guards went in.
“It does. I’m glad to see that he has become involved in this situation directly. Learning everything from just a book is not always the best possible way to learn such information. Having somepony, or someone, audibly describe it for you has always proved best.” Princess Celestia explains about the situation with a smile.
“Very well put dear sister.”
“Thank you Luna.” Celestia’s smile fades, “I just hope this position and responsibility doesn’t put Swift in any difficult situations that will hurt him.” True she may be the ruler of this land and has been for years, but the discovery of this new species won’t bode well for her if she does anything to harm him. No doubt plenty of scientific minds or newsletters would like for him to remain alive.
“Do not fret Tia,” her sister rubs her sisters back to try and comfort her, “Swift Wind has done plenty enough as it is to prove himself a valuable friend, a fighter and warrior, and… adaptable when it comes to areas that don’t go according to plan.” Princess Luna thinks back to Nightmare Night and how grateful she is over the work he and Twilight Sparkle put into helping her.
“Yes… you are right, Lulu. He may seem somewhat young, but it is clear he has matured far along those lines.”
“I am glad. Now come,” Luna gestures forward with her hoof, “Let us get some cake before you retire for the night.”
*Pomf*
Almost immediately, Princess Celestia’s wings spread out from her body, making the younger sister giggle cutely at her older sister’s reaction. Celestia blushes before retracting her wings.
She lightly coughs, “Let us go then.” She says in royal manner with her head held high, her sister giggling cutely every now and then as they walk.
-------------------------------
Well, Swift seems to be doing nicely now isn’t he? Yeah he is.
I was able to overhaul a few nights so this came quite nicely and quick. Not to mention that it isn’t tailored to the actual episode themselves so my mind was able to freely wonder and come up with my own things.
You know the drill that comes with the end of every chapter: Rate, comment, yep.
Also just to clarify, any and all songs or art I show in these chapters do not belong to me whatsoever and belong to their respected creators and owners.
I’d like to thank Signia for being my proofreader for this chapter, as well as the last few that I was too bored or lazy to properly give credit for in the author’s notes section.
Sorry about that Sig.
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was that a reference to halo and did swift know about it. I assume he did because he has copies of it in equestria
still I liked the chapter
3158220 there was a reference to Halo?
3158870
yeah don't make a promise if you can't keep it cortana said it to master chief
3159124
how did I miss that 
3159124 3159574
Yeah I was sort of playing Halo at the time and it sort of just... sprung up for me to add it. I still think it was alright.
3160063 it actually fit rather perfectly
3160418
Thank you.
3160565 I got a few questions: So is Swift gonna be in the military now to help fight off this threat? Is this conflict gonna end up being a war eventually? I know he said he will be the adviser but... Something tells me he will have to take part in direct combat eventually, won't he? And by the way, what is that special class that is a higher rank than Shining Armor? And is this threat going to be a new villain? A OC perhaps? Or is it something in Equestria we already know about?
3272134 Many of those questions will be revealed in the next few chapters. Just know that I had gotten bored with being stuck with main storyline of the show. I mean, if I just stick to that, you kinda already expect what's gonna happen in the end, but of course the how is a different story.
Also I'm sorry that I haven't updated in awhile. I recently got GTA V and it is SOOO AWEESSSOOOOMMMEEE!!
3272328 OMG GTA V!!!! YOU LUCKY $#%%&%$^%!!!!!
I'M SO JELLY!!!!!
3272351 Yeah, so with college life, new massively online game, and in just a few days the online feature is gonna activate, I'll be a little backed up with chapter updates. Sorry
3273992 Your in college? What are you going for?
3293816 Law Enforcement. Not Military. Tried ROTC for a couple weeks, hated, sucked, couldn't stand still for the life of me. So got out and tried out the law enforcement class. Graduated at the top of my instructors roster.
Anyway, nearing a close for the next chapter. GTA online a little buggy and sometimes can't connect, but once you do... badass as hell. Hopefully I'll be able to tear myself away long enough to finish it by this weekend.
3294361 You graduated at the top of your instructors roster? What does that mean? Like your entry level exam? Sorry If I sound dumb but I really don't know. And what type of law enforcement? What do you plan on doing when your out of college? Are you gonna be a cop, lawyer, prosecutor, parole officer, correctional officer, border patrol, DEA, or something else I didn't list?
3294480 What I mean at the top isn't like groundbreaking for the news or anything, I just did really good is all. As for my job after college, something hands on like a patrol officer of sorts, but I wouldn't mind being a Texas Ranger someday.
3296980 So when you say patrol officer, you mean like a state cop or something? Like pulling people over for traffic stops and all? Or do you mean border patrol?
And also, don't you have to be a deputy for a while or something before you can be a sheriff, or do you have to be elected to be sheriff after so many years of being a deputy or something? I would imagine you could run for sheriff. Please clarify me If I'm wrong cause I don't know.
3298802 Basically start off as one of those police officers who patrols around in a city or town to be ready when someone calls a domestic disturbance or a robbery taking place. Once I get a few years or so of that I'll try and work through the requisites to become a Texas Ranger. That's gonna take a lot of work I know but the payout will be worth it in the end.