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Chapter One: The hourglass that never tipped4,111 words
Chapter Two: Unbalanced Scales4,635 words
Chapter Three: Grounding4,323 words
Chapter Four: Crash, Hope, Remembrance4,799 words
Chapter Five: Accelerated Adjustments4,136 words
Chapter Six: Bumps In The Road3,643 words
Chapter Seven: Step By Step3,885 words
Chapter Eight: Flames3,568 words
Chapter Nine: Forward, March!4,189 words
Chapter Ten: Honesty, And A Perfectly Packaged Date5,426 words
Chapter Eleven: Lunar Dances and Moonlit Knights6,208 words
Chapter Twelve: Shadows6,022 words
Chapter Thirteen: Cold Winds/To Be Continued...1,711 words

Chapter Five: Accelerated Adjustments

“Your Highness?” a royal guard remarked, holding out a sheet of parchment for Luna as she waited for a few petitioners during the night court.

“Ah, excellent, thank…you…” Luna’s voice drifted off as she read the report. “WHAT?!”

The guard quailed slightly, Luna waving a hoof dismissively with a sigh. “I apologize. I was not expecting such…disturbing results. You are free to go, and thank you for the prompt news.”

The guard trotted out of the throne room, leaving Luna to sag on the throne, her two loyal guards, Dancing Iron and Spear Note looking to each other.

“That bad?” Dancing asked, prompting a sigh from the Alicorn.

“That bad. To use a certain Element of Harmony’s exclamation, however dramatic, this is, truly, the worst, possible, thing,” Luna replied, letting out a huff. “We were lucky that night, one week ago,” she said softly, prompting her guards to nod in agreement. “No, not just lucky. If not for Shifting we all may not be alive. Speaking of which…” Luna gestured to Iron briefly.

“Can you please summon him? It’s best he hears this report too. After all, he’s hopefully our solution to this issue…”

“Your presence has been requested, Sir,” the royal guard remarked to Shifting, the unicorn stallion setting aside a water bottle that was nearly empty; the result of running for an hour.

“Oh? Lead the way,” Shifting replied, a pleasant burn running through his limbs. A week of mediation and brutal combat exercises had done wonders for acclimatizing to his situation. While the mood swings were still there, they had finally begun to lessen. He had removed himself almost completely at first, not trusting his own words among others let alone Luna.

He didn’t want to lose a friend to a rash outburst, yet now he had finally begun to feel…normal, if there was such a thing for his condition.

The audience of thestrals each night had swelled to about thirty, many coming and going to watch his workout routines like a late-night theatre. He didn’t mind, for it was easy to lose himself in the workout, and any stage fright had long since been burned out hundreds of years ago.

What Shifting did find interesting, was that Luna always poked her head in to watch such training, even if it was briefly. I wonder if she’d like to spar sometime…

The stallion grinned as he was led to the throne room, not bothering to put on his armor. It was in the middle of Luna’s Night Court time, something Shifting had begun to realize was unusually open. I suppose ponies still fear her in a way. Understandable, but odd.

“Ah, Shifting. Good, now we can continue,” Luna remarked as the stallion sat down in front of the two familiar guards.

“Erm, continue what, your Highness?” Shifting asked, then noticing a parchment levitated by the Night Princess.

“A report concerning our guards; your new task has arrived. We thought it best for you to hear it. We have not read beyond the initial proclamation, which was rather dire.”

Shifting nodded as Luna then sighed, wings drooping slightly as she read and relayed the message, the Alicorn’s demeanor seeming to age a decade in but a moment.

“The top ranks of my guard have been completely removed. The two here are the highest-ranking Night Guards at the moment. It appears that Knife’s attempt was one of what should have been many,” Luna said, prompting Shifting’s eyes to narrow.

“If she failed, a separate, isolated group among the guard was to try again, and so on and so forth, until they succeeded. The ponies in question weren’t even Thestrals, merely disguised as such. A full two thirds of my guard have been completely purged. Furthermore, they clearly had connections outside the guard, meaning this is still an ongoing threat.”

A multi-cell terrorist group? Unusual, but not impossible…

The two guards looked at each other in shock, then back to Luna who could only stare at the parchment as Shifting stayed silent.

“Wait. So, the entire Night Guard, currently, is made up of….?” Dancing piped up.

“You two and a bunch of new recruits. The traitors saw to it that the only ones recruited for some time were loyal to them,” Luna hissed, massaging her temples.

“How could I have missed this? To have so many of my guards….”

“Princess, please don’t,” Iron rumbled, head shaking slowly. “You have a kingdom to run and a realm to patrol. It is logical for you to miss such things. We lived among these ponies for years and suspected nothing. If anything, we bear the brunt of this failure.”

Luna smiled, the loyal Thestral’s words easing the guilt that had begun to grow in her heart. “How about a deal? We will try to not focus on our guilt, if thou will do the same for yourselves?”

The two bat-ponies nodded, smiling slightly as they glanced to Shifting; the stallion having been easily forgotten as he had remained silent the entire time.

“Shifting? Do you have any remarks?” Luna asked, noticing the pony’s ears snap to attention.

“If you wish, I did not think it my place to offer such things,” Shifting said, appearing a bit confused. His words prompted a slight huff from Luna, who levitated the parchment over to him.

“You are, for all intents and purposes, a Drill Sergeant for my Night Guard. I believe there is plenty you have to offer, and we would hope you do so now and in the future. I did not expect such extensive traitorous actions let alone how insidious and deeply they ran.”

Shifting nodded slowly, eyes scanning over the parchment. His demeanor seemed to shift slightly, the unicorn almost sitting at attention as the pony let out a soft hiss.

This is a severe blow to security. I don’t like it.

“It is disturbing news but not surprising. Your guards are correct; you could not have foreseen this,” Shifting began, still looking over the report, “This was an extensive and well-thought out effort by a few dissidents, and the threat indeed does remain. I fear they will try for other, softer targets now that you are aware of the threat.”

Celestia? Maybe. But others…

“But what do they want? There is no ransom like in the days of old, no territory to be gained. I am aware that warfare has changed since my return, but this is different,” Luna muttered.

“They wish to spread chaos, it would seem. To sow discontent and anarchy. Killing one of the rulers of a nation would do such a thing. Perhaps it is at the whim of another nation, or one who could benefit from such strife and chaos,” the Ex-Knight remarked slowly, his tone then shifting. The room seemed to grow a bit colder as Shifting looked up to the guards, and then to Luna, his eyes radiating nothing but caution. I know these types of creatures, ponies…

“Some creatures just want to laugh as the world descends into madness. When enough of such individuals work together, you get this result. I would recommend….” his words trailed off, prompting Luna to gesture with a hoof.

“Continue? You are about as close to an expert on this sort of thing that I know.”

I suppose I am…

“I would recommend additional screening of the remaining guards, including deep magical scans for buried arcane triggers. I would not put it past such creatures to embed a mind control spell into even the most loyal of guards,” Shifting continued, nodding as he spoke. His tone bore the determination and assurance of one who was speaking from experience rather than mere book knowledge.

“Of course, I will gladly submit to such scans. Furthermore, I would recommend reinstating an organization comparable to Princess Celestia’s Legionaries. Until the Night Guard is back to full strength, it would be best to assemble a group of trusted and elite individuals for your own protection, and work out from there.”

Luna’s eyes seemed to sparkle with eagerness at his words, but the stallion continued unphased- not entirely sure why she seemed so pleased at his words.

“I am still adjusting to the emotional swings, but I believe I can start training the new recruits if nocreature else can. You do not have time to wait for me to fully recover. If two thirds of your guard were indeed compromised, I can assure you there are at least four times that number spread throughout the world with the same goal.”

His sobering words caused Dancing and Iron to look at each other, a pit of unease growing in their stomachs.

“Thank you, Shifting Sands, for your recommendations,” Luna said, taking a deep breath and nodding to herself. “As unsettling as they be, I fear you speak the truth. I will send the Night Guard manual to you tonight so that you may have some time to prepare for your training within the next few days if that is permissible.”

“It is. The first steps are evaluating their physical condition, which is easy enough to train and instruct,” Shifting replied, then pausing briefly. “Your Highness, if I may be so bold. How much authority are you giving me to ensure your Guards are up to par?”

“As much as you need,” was Luna’s immediate reply, prompting Shifting’s eyebrows to raise. “Assuming, of course, you pass the enhanced examination, and are comfortable with such.”

Shifting’s only reply was to bow, a rather eager grin sliding onto his features. “I am honored, Princess. Would it be too forward to request such an examination tomorrow so that I may begin training the recruits as soon as possible? I’ll begin reviewing the manual at once with your leave.”

Luna nodded, waving a hoof as the stallion turned to trot back to his quarters. Shifting could have sworn, however, an equally eager grin was twitching at the Alicorn’s mouth.

“Sweet burning moons this is embarrassing,” Shifting muttered, smacking his head onto the large tomb dictating the Night Guard requirements. He had spent most of the night yesterday, and half of this day pouring over the manual, which left him more than a bit confused. “Seriously? Minimal combat training, focus on immobilization…I suppose the Lunar Knights were true warriors. This is nothing more than training them to be-”

“To be what, Shifting Sands?” Luna asked, knocking on the slightly open door and prompting the stallion’s ears to perk up. He bowed his head in greeting and then winced.

“Sorry, Princ-erm, Luna. I am apparently more out of touch with the guard curriculum than I thought.”

“Aye. You are having the same reaction I had when learning of such things. The guards are not what they used to be; and it makes sense, in a way,” Luna mused, sitting down and then…blushing?

“Apologies, may we intrude on your studies?”

Shifting’s head tilted, not entirely sure what she meant by that, but nodding all the same. “I don’t see how you could ever be an intrusion, but of course. Please, if I may ask how it makes sense? I think I have an idea but it may help put my thoughts in order.”

Luna nodded, gesturing to the large manual with a shrug of her wings. “With the Elements of Harmony, villains previously defeated by spell or sword are turned to our side. This is a much more preferable victory than the alternative. Until they came about, my sister ruled with such alternative means for a millennium. Now that we are at peace, we’ve trained our guards for years to utilize less lethal methods. Were you saying that we were training them to be, say, glorified police-ponies?”

The Alicorn couldn’t help but smile in remembrance of the past warriors and standards. “In a sense, I suppose that is accurate, but only in terms of duties; they are of a much higher caliber than those in towns, but are for more formality more often than not. However, they are still soldiers and nonetheless must be ready for such eventualities. The rare threats that do require anything more…permanent in nature are usually delegated to my Sister’s Legionaries, as it is not the responsibility of Royal or Night guards to do so. I have mused over reinstating my Lunar Knights for some time, and this may be that moment. While combat is an integral part of guard training, it is rarely lethal in nature, as you have likely read.”

Shifting nodded as she spoke, hoof tapping in thought. I’ve got my work cut out for me; dozens of guards that need a bit of sandpaper and steel to get them into proper shape.

“Will that be an issue? Teaching largely less-than-lethal capacities to the guard? There are only a few techniques that dictate lethal force. Your previous position was comparable to that of a legionnaire. You….” Luna’s words drifted off, tone then becoming a bit more unsure.

“You are more hardened than the majority of ponies, Shifting Sands. These guards will likely never raise a spear against a threat yet must be prepared to do so. The brutality of war is something they must be exposed to, but only just. You are not training them to occupy your previous position, Shifting.”

The stallion’s eyes drifted to the floor, the unicorn nodding slowly. “I understand, Luna. It is going to be difficult because that is how I have lived for so long. I will do my utmost to temper my expectations and such to conform to these requirements. Of that I promise.”

His answer seemed to satisfy Luna, and the Alicorn beaconed to him with a wing. “I have no doubt you will, Shifting. Now, if you are prepared, follow me. We will complete your screening, and formally reinstate you,” her mouth then slid into a smile. “Well. Not to a Lunar Knight, yet. Come!”

“Of course…wait, Yet? What?” Shifting squawked as he scampered after the Alicorn- and was that a giggle he heard? Oh. That’s just evil. Is that what she is planning? I suppose my intentions in that respect would be remarkably easy to read. But that’s cruel Luna, teasing me along, oh so cruel…

As he trotted after the Princess, Shifting couldn’t help but smile. This felt normal in a strange sense. Seeing a bit of playfulness emerge from the reserved individual so many feared, and now able to be in her guard once again. A thousand years, and I’ve come full circle in a way.

The pair entered a familiar spell chamber, Dancing and Iron were there as well, looking to Shifting with a reserved gaze. I don’t blame them. I’m still an unknown factor to everypony. I’ll change that soon enough!

“Now then, Shifting, I assume you know how these scanning spells work? I ask a few questions, and will ensure your responses hold no hidden meaning? You must be completely truthful, otherwise it will indicate you are hiding something. I will also scan for hidden spells, as you suggested. Do you agree to undergo this test?” Luna remarked calmly, horn lighting up as a series of runes flashed into existence on the platform.

“I understand and completely agree,” Shifting replied immediately, hopping up to stand amid the runes. The unicorn took a few deep breaths, trying to clear his mind as best as he could.

Luna nodded, sending a flow of magic in to the runes as they ignited with power. A magical field intensified around Shifting; a river of blue color appearing above the brown stallion’s head. Lies and deception, conscious or not, would appear as colorful splashes as the questions progressed.

Now then, Shifting Sands; an official test of your intentions and resolve.

“Your name is Shifting Sands, correct?”

“Yes.”

Luna watched the colors, not sensing any tug on her magic in any way. “Have you committed any crimes other than the one you admitted to us prior that still must merit justice?”

“No- I don’t know.”

A flash of orange, and Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Explain, Shifting.”

Orange? Unsure emotions…

“The laws changed. I lived within the law of my time, worthy of my Lunar Knight title at all times. Yet now, I may be convicted of slander when centuries ago, it was a good-spirited jesting match. It is like that, to various degrees.”

The colors now flowed blue again, and Luna nodded. “That is acceptable. As long as you have lived within the law of your time, and worthy of that title, I will accept it.”

The Lunar Knights had such a high standard of living. I am stunned he has lived within that…

“Do you have any damaging intentions towards me, the crown, or ponies at large?”

“Only those that seek to do you, or others harm.”

Interesting answer.

“On accepting the position of Drill Sergeant, do you promise to uphold the tenants of the Night Guard? To guard Equestria, myself, and all of its inhabitants against those who would seek to do them harm in any way?”

“Yes.”

Luna smiled, a memory worming its way to the surface. I wonder if he will remember that joke I made…? “One final question, Shifting Sands. Do you intend to bump into us on occasion?”

“Y-I…wait, what?”

The colors in the test exploded, Shifting’s poor mind flatlining as Luna giggled, closing down the spell. “Apologies, Shifting. We couldn’t resist.”

A soft chuckle met her ears, even as her two guards looked at each other curiously.

Nay, they wouldn’t understand the humor…

Shifting’s gaze however, made the Lunar Princess’s heart skip a beat. His brown eyes flickered to hers briefly, a genuine and caring smile dawning on his features for the barest of moments.

“You remember?” his voice was a soft whisper as the stallion stepped off the platform, eliciting a single nod from Luna.

“Of course.”

Shifting opened his mouth, but then seemed to decide against whatever words lay dormant, the unicorn’s eyes seeming to dampen for a few brief moments. Without warning, warmth spread through Luna’s frame, the Alicorn seeing nothing but genuine care behind Shifting’s oaken gaze.

Perhaps I’ll ask him about that…

“So, did I pass?” he asked, causing a certain Alicorn to smile.

“Indeed, you did. Welcome back to the Night Guard, Drill Sergeant.”

The stallion took a deep breath, nodding to himself as a steely grin set itself onto his features. “I’d like to see the troops, Princess Luna.”

Shifting blinked as he surveyed the dozen thestrals set out before him, each clad in training armor as they stood at attention. Luna was sitting off to the side, no doubt still curious as to how he’d handle the new recruits. The entire training ground was built in a massive underground cavern on the edges of the Canterlot Mountain; no doubt designed to accommodate for the Thestral’s natural light sensitivity. A large blue crystal cast a soft light over the entire grounds which was dotted with simple wooden barracks, an armory, training track and arena, and a few other essential buildings such a mess hall.

Shifting nodded in approval as he scanned the recruits, his keen eyes flickering over their armor. Violet breastplates with the half-mood sigil gleamed in the dim light, the armor meant to provide realistic weight rather than full protection for training.

Well, they know how to polish their armor and have it look immaculate. That’s…actually really good.

“Let’s get a few things out of the way first, at ease everypony,” Shifting began, walking up and down the line as they relaxed. Luna had indicated that his own unique armor was an appropriate substitute until he could get fitted for some custom material. Hopefully I can just combine the two. I’d rather have my own armor than the bland metal stuff.

“My name is Shifting Sands and I will be your new Drill Sergeant. I am not a Thestral, no, but I am fully qualified to instruct you on how to perform flawlessly within the Night Guard.”

Hmm. Perhaps I’ll wait on the whole ‘I’m older than your ancestor’s great grandpa’ bit…

“Now then, I do not know how much you have heard, but these are the facts concerning the Night Guard at this time. The Ex-Captain of the Night Guard was the leader of an attempted assassination attempt on Princess Luna. Said attempt was unsuccessful. As a result, over two-thirds of the Night Guard have been purged for traitorous intentions; these individuals were not even Thestrals, merely disguised as such.”

Shifting watched the various reactions; impressed that only a few sharp hisses reached his ears. A few murmured, but there were no outbursts. Good so far. “Unfortunately, whether by design or happenstance, the traitorous ex-captain seems to have neglected your training. I will not hold it against you if you do not meet some of the requirements at this time, so do not worry. There will be a catch-up period, and that is what will be judged, both during and after. I would like a raise of hooves; has anyone run and passed the required physical exam and endurance tests in the past month?”

Half of the hooves went up, and now Shifting saw a few faces wince. “Let me rephrase. Can one of you tell me if you’ve been required to run those tests with feedback in the past month? That includes combat tests as well.”

A hoof raised- and Shifting nodded to the mare.

“Your name?”

“Silty Stone, S-sir.”

Hmm. A bit of a quaver…not that I blame them.

“Alright then, Silty. Can you answer the question for me?”

The mare stood up straight, her yellow eyes narrowing slightly. “Sir. We were left to our own devices to train, and have not received any feedback for weeks. Both for the physical training and for combat we were just left to figure it out after the first week a month or so ago. I will admit that such an order didn’t help in terms of improvement or motivation for myself at least.”

Weeks? No feedback? That means they may have reinforced improper technique…Ooooooook. Basics it is.

“Thank you, Silty,” Shifting remarked, noting how a small group of stallions seemed to glare at the mare briefly. Hmm. There’s always a few in a group who don’t like a change in regiment, and outing a relaxed schedule. I wonder if that’s these lovely stallions…

“Well then. Let’s start at the basics. I want everypony out of their armor in ten minutes. Meet me at the endurance course, and we’ll start there with physical training. Once you all can pass that, then we’ll move onto the combat session. Dismissed!”

As the recruits trotted off, Shifting made his way to the endurance section of the training grounds, seeing Luna nod in approval before teleporting away for her other duties. I’d like her input; perhaps I’ll ask for such the next time I see her.

It was a simple circular track, complete with obstacles such as sand pits, barbed-wire crawls, muddy sections, bamboo barricades, and a few other difficulties. What made Shifting’s heart sink was the state of the combat section.

The magical mannequins were rotted into pieces, and the obstacles meant to provide a simulated attacker or defender were in equal disrepair, metal and wood barely held together with rivets, wire, and magic. What used to be a course that tested one’s ability to both strike and defend, now only offered a hotel for termites. With a frown, Shifting took aim at a dummy, his punch shattering the wood into splinters.

Increased strength or not, that shouldn’t have happened. He mused. This didn’t happen in a month. I’d say more like six…Luna did say she hadn’t been overseeing them as much.

The recruits now started to arrive, a few of them staring at the shattered dummy on the ground. “Alright, we’ll start simple. A few miles jog, and then one circuit of this course.” Shifting called out, his keen ears picking up a whisper from a group of familiar stallions.

“Easy for you to say….”

The Drill Sergeant had to resist a chuckle, opting for a grin as he trotted towards the course. “Well? Let’s go recruits! Don’t expect me to be standing on the sidelines for these; that’s not my style!”

It was when they were about two-thirds through the mile that Shifting noted a few were beginning to lag behind, the unicorn’s brow then furrowing.

Well. Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Time to whip these guards into shape! Literally in this case, minus the whip.

“Keep it up recruits! Round might be an acceptable shape in a filly puzzle, but not in the Night Guard!” Shifting barked, making sure to be ahead, but not too far ahead of the pack.

Oh, I’ve missed this.

Author's Note:

Some ponies just want to watch the world burn...the sorry state of the Night Guard.

Still working on whittling down the number of stories, and my masters homework, and job...YAY LIFE! Apologies for the late chapter- should be fairly regular now, hopefully
In other news, thank you everyone who voted on Celestia's poll! IT HATH BEEN DECIDED! And I'm rather excited to write that tale, but first things first.