9:28 - Canterlot - EUP Academy Campus
Cloudsdale had the sights and thrill of the wind, but it was a factory city at its heart. Manehatten was the center of Equestria’s arts and theater scene; a bustling trade port that sadly smelled too strongly of fish. But out of all of Equestria’s cities, Canterlot was the greatest. Canterlot was the capital city of Equestria and it was its jewel. It was extravagant in all aspects: dinning, social gatherings, accommodations, and events. It was a city crafted out of ivory marble and gilded with gold. Built into the side of a mountain as a temple to the sun, it was not just the seat of power in the nation, but the world itself.
The pride the of Canterlot’s upper districts was the Royal EUP Guardian Academy. It was here that young ponies would go to join the illustrious royal guard. The guard took in all kinds of ponies. The ponies that wanted to make a difference joined the guard hoping to show their devotion to the crown. The ponies that were yearning to be the next leaders joined the guard hoping to make their mark. The ponies that were down on their luck joined the guard to try and turn their life around. No matter how they found their way to the guard, they all found their way to Canterlot.
In the northwest corner of the EUP Academy campus, an orange pegasus stood staring at a large wooden board. His eyes scanned across the multitude of papers that were pinned to the corkboard, straining to read the tiny print as fast as possible. Around him a bustle of ponies, young cadets, hurried in an indecipherable pattern as the nine-thirty bell chimed, signifying the morning’s second round of drills was to begin shortly. The orange pegasus finally found what he was looking for, his name on one of the lists posted. A wave of anger crashed into him as he read the words posted next to his name. “Chariot duty?”
“Congratulations, Cadet Sentry.” A deep voice came from behind the pegasus, causing his mane to stand up and pinpricks to travel down his spine. “A very honorable role in the guard.”
The orange pegasus, Cadet Sentry, turned around to face the speaker. “Commander Trebuchet.” He said through clenched teeth. “Sir, with respect,” he began. “I applied for a spot in the officer’s program. I had top marks in my class, I scored exceptional on the aptitude test, I don’t understand how I could have been assigned to chariot duty.”
The larger pony smiled. After a moment he placed a hoof around the pegasus’s withers. “Cadet Sentry… Flash… May I call you Flash? The officers candidates for this year have already been chosen, and chariot duty is, as I have said, a very honorable position. Highly sought after. Why, you might one day be pulling the chariot of Princess Celestia herself. Or any number of dignitaries.”
“It is a glorified taxi position. It’s not what I joined the guard to do. It’s a gross misuse of my qualifications.” Flash turned to look the other pony square in the eyes. “Command Trebuchet, I urge you to reconsider.”
Trebuchet’s expression turned stern. “Are you saying I made a mistake, cadet? Because I don’t make mistakes.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “Certainly not ones about low-life cadets like you.”
Flash reared back. He put a pony’s length between the two of them. “You’re making this personal?”
Trebuchet smirked as he whispered. “Now why would you think that?” He raised his voice back to conversational level, so that those around him could plainly hear him speak. “If you have a complaint about your assignment, cadet, you can take it up with the headmistress.” He leaned down and smiled a grin that was full of manure. “But you honestly should be celebrating! It’s about a close to usefulness as you’re ever going to get, Sentry. Tell you what, why do you take this here bit and go and buy yourself a nice cider at Greenseed’s.” He leaned back and laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I suppose you can’t.”
"This isn't fair!"
"Fair? Cadet Sentry, welcome to Canterlot."
House of Crystal
Chapter One
11:59 - Canterlot - EUP Academy Campus
The noon bell chimed throughout Canterlot’s upper districts. The clock tower that housed the bell was an extravagant ivory structure with polished gold trim, much like every other building in the upper districts. The tower’s base was rooted firmly in the center square of the Royal EUP Guardian Academy. It was here Shining Armor found himself walking, right along the base of the clock tower. He stopped for a moment and admired the ponies scampering across the campus lawn startled by the bell much like cockroaches frittering about when a candle casts its light too close.
Shining watched several of the new cadets march by, their drill instructor barking orders at the top of his lungs. He leaned back against the clock tower, letting the sun’s warm rays tickle his muzzle. One of the groups of guardsponies gathered around the flag pole in the center of the campus quad. Their sergeant ordered them to fall to attention around the flagpole. Shining Armor’s eyes narrowed as he watched the ritual. They slowly began to lower the flag as a sorrowful trumpet played.
“Commander Shining.” A large pony next to him said, pulling him from his trance. The pony nodded with respect, his helmet clinking slightly as he did.
“Commander Buckler.” Shining replied, his tone even with a small smile on his face.
“It’s a shame isn’t it?” Buckler said as he sat down next to Shining Armor. Buckler’s back leaned against the clock tower and he let out a sigh of relief as his muscles relaxed.
“Is it now?” Shining Armor said slowly. His gazed fixed on the flag as it came to rest at the center point of the pole. Half-mast. “Why’s that?”
“Don’t give me that. What’s it going to be like in the ol’ EUP with old Captain Hoplite, may Celestia rest his soul, gone? It’s a sad day. So sudden.” Buckler groaned as he tried to adjust his position.
“Life in the Guard can be like that, though. Sudden. Hoplite was a good pony, but he was getting on in years. It honestly shouldn’t be such a surprise. Is your back getting any better?”
“It has its moments.” Buckler grumbled. “Still, I can’t wrap my head around ol’ Hopper. I served under him directly a few times when I was a corporal. Never seen a unicorn be so nimble. He truly was amazing.”
Shining Armor chuckled. “The only thing nimble about ol’ Hopper was his mouth. Darn thing never shut. The most talkative ‘Stone Wall’ Equestria has ever seen.”
“Heh! Sad, but true.”
“Speaking of never shutting up, are you giving the toast at tonight’s memorial?”
“Yes. Dusty asked me herself. Poor Dusty.”
“Ah, poor Dusty.” Shining Armor lamented. “I remember when Dusty and Hopper climbed that mountain over in the western ridge. You remember that? I think we had two platoons deployed? I had just made commander, I think.” Buckler nodded. “The whole group was dead tired from climbing, even the pegasi, and ol’ Hopper climbed up on that rock to inspire us….”
“Except it wasn’t a rock...!” Buckler laughed.
“Right! It was a cragodile! A cragodile up in the mountains. Dusty nearly had a heart attacked. Poor Dusty.”
“Poor Dusty.” Buckler sighed. “Not to mix business with nostalgic talk of the dead, but…”
“Ah yes.” Shining Armor nodded. “I will be applying. You are not, I’m guessing?”
“With my back? Captain of the Royal Guard? Shit. No.”
“Probably for the best.” Shining Armor nodded again.
“Probably.” Buckler chuckled. “Between the three commanders, that leaves the spot up to you…”
“Or Trebuchet…”
“Probably Trebuchet. I hear Dusty might be throwing her recommendation towards him.”
“Preposterous. I’ve known Dusty for years. She’ll make the right choice.” Shining Armor said with a scowl. “Besides, it’s not Dusty’s decision to make. It’s the Princess’s.”
“And Princess Celestia has gone against the headmistress’s recommendation how many times to date?” He waited for Shining’s scowl to deepen before continuing. “Not that you wouldn’t make a fine Captain of the Guard, Shining, but why would you even want it? Captain is a desk job mostly. You hardly make a difference.” He saw Shining Armor’s gaze trail to the solidly built pegasus, Commander Trebuchet, off in the distance. “You just want to rub it in Trebby’s muzzle?”
“That would be a bonus, but no. I’m not petty like that.” Shining Armor’s gaze didn’t falter from his rival, who appeared to be talking to a rather beautiful pink mare.
“It can’t be the money. Since the cutbacks, you’d barely be making more than you do as a commander.”
Shining Armor turned to face his friend. “Buckler, please. Money isn’t even part of the equation.” He stood up and dusted himself off. “I’ll see you at the memorial.”
Shining Armor walked away ignoring his friend’s nod of farewell. His eyes locked on the mare and stallion conversing near the flag pole. He hesitated for a moment, he eyes drifting to yours. “Commander Buckler is a fine solider.” He said, gesturing back to the stallion still sitting by the clock tower. “Some would say too good a solider. That’s why he won’t even try for the Captain’s office. You see, a good solider knows how to take orders. A bad one gives them. I am not a good solider. It’s a good thing he’s not planning on applying. I always hate putting friends in their place.”
The pink mare chuckled at her conversation partner’s comment.
Shining Armor pointed with his hoof to the pair of ponies he was slowly approaching. “Now those two there are much more interesting. The stallion is Commander Trebuchet. Five years older than me, strong, and crafty as Discord. He’s the kind of pony that could run around the city six times while he waits for you to move your rook, only to come back to the board slightly winded and slide a bishop in for the mate. A tough contender to be sure, made all the worse if there’s truth to this rumor of him being the academy headmistress’s favorite in the running for the seat. But he doesn’t worry me. You see he’s suffering from an overinflated sense of ego and symptoms of that often include many stupid drunken nights leading to a proverbial stable full of skeletons. He’ll be easy to knock out of the race once I find the means.” Shining Armor pointed over his should to the pink mare next Trebuchet.
The pink mare shook her head. “No, I only met him once. Well, twice if you count a quick stare down at the train station.”
“The pretty pink mare standing next to Trebby there is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” He smiled. “She smart, check. Beautiful, check. But most importantly she’s got more power than mountain full of gems has over the growling stomach of a full grown dragon. Check, check, check. She’s one of Equestria’s two living princesses. Princess Celestia hasn’t given her any real say in government yet, but she’s got potential to move upwards; the sun itself being the ceiling. She’s my elevator to the top. All I need to do is find the call button to bring her down to the lowly gaurdspony floor for a brief stay. Luckily, for a stallion like me, the call button is clearly marked. I already have an in.”
“Shining! Shining Armor! Over here!” Cadenza shouted, waving a hoof excitedly.
“Look at that, I think the elevator just arrived at my floor.” Shining smirked at you. “Princess Cadenza! How lovely to see you again. Commander Trebby, you as well.” Shining Armor nodded to both ponies, making sure to smile brightly when nodding at Cadenza.
“That’s Trebuchet, Armor.” The Commander corrected.
“Oh what’s a little fun between friends, Trebby?” Shining Armor laughed heartedly.
“Right, friends.” Trebuchet said bluntly. “You and Cadence have met before?”
Cadenza pursed her lips. “Commander Armor and I have… a mutual friend.”
“Who?” Trebuchet asked. His gaze shifted from Shining to the princess.
Shining Armor nodded. “Why, one of the nobles, of course.”
“Ah. Of course.” Trebuchet turned to face Shining. “Though I thought none of the nobles could stand the Arcanums?”
“Yes, well, they are just jealous.” Shining Armor said slowly.
“I hear it’s a bit more than that. But, while I’d love to debate the history of your family, I do actually have work to do. If you’ll excuse me, I have a class to teach. Cadets get stale if you don’t watch them constantly.” Trebuchet nodded to each pony in turn. “Cadence, Commander.” He bowed out and with a swift turn trotted down the path to the training grounds.
“Well, I must be going as well. A princess finds herself quite busy, even a lesser one such as myself.” Cadenza nodded. “I want to thank you for not telling Trebby about my little… uh… side project.”
“Ah, so you call him Trebby too. I approve. Make sure to use that little nickname exclusively. It drives him crazy. And as for your little side project, I wouldn’t have dreamed of it.” Shining Armor smiled coyly. “I figured if you wanted to share you would have done so yourself.”
“I just love foals, you know.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
14:25 - Canterlot - EUP Academy Campus
Horseshoe Hall was a low to the ground building on the EUP Academy campus that was ironically in the shape of a generic U rather than a horseshoe specifically. Shining Armor had many memories of Horseshoe Hall, most of which were involving him being called to the Headmistress’s office for reprimands. That he’d find himself once more inside its hallways, trotting down towards the headmistress’s door, was an action he took no delight in.
He found it easy to traverse the maze of hallways, his hooves moving on muscle memory, finding their way to the office on instinct. He walked past a series of portraits depicting each of the past captains of the guard. He noticed a pair of cadets who were hanging a new portrait of Captain Hoplite at the end of the row. The poor pony had only been dead a week and they were already kicking him to the curb. Shining paused form a moment to admire the portrait; he mumbled a few words of respect before tapping one of the cadets on the shoulder.
“Ah, Commander! I had heard you were on campus! It’s an honor, sir.” The cadet withered under her superior’s gaze. She seemed be hoping for a hoofshake, but when one wasn’t offered she was at a loss for what to do. “Ah… you and Captain Hoplite were close, correct? I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It’s a fine portrait. It captures the strength of his jaw quite well.” Shining said. “But it’s leaning a bit too far to the right for my tastes, much like the pony himself. Straighten it up a bit.”
“Yes, sir!” The cadet gave her best salute.
Shining Armor nodded and proceeded down the hallway, not bothering to glance back at the cadets as they scrambled to adjust the portrait, now second guessing themselves on the alignment. He entered the cylindrical waiting room outside the headmistress’s office. A heated conversation was coming from the other side of the office door. Behind the tinted glass he could see that there was a pony, probably a stallion, with an orange coat that was backed against the door. Shining Armor approached the door, contemplating on if he should interrupt. On one hoof his meeting was far more important than whatever circus the headmistress was currently entertaining. On the other hoof it would be rude and he wasn’t sure if he should be worried about the headmistress’s temper at the moment.
His deliberating was soon rendered moot by the door opening with a sudden jerk. The orange pony bust out and slammed directly into Shining Armor. The white stallion recoiled from the impact, but kept his balance. The orange pegasus, barely more than a colt, looked upwards at the pony with whom he collided. His face adorned with a terrified expression. “C-Commander Armor! Serendipity.” He muttered, the sarcastic tone was hardly masked by his low volume. “I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”
“It’s alright.” Shining replied. He helped the young pony to his feet and stepped out of the way, to allow him to pass. His eyes lingered on you for a moment. “Cadets. Hard to believe I was once as lowly as that one there. Except I never would have looked like a badger caught in the gaze of a cockatrice. Jaw agape and eyes wide with horror.” Shining Armor watched the cadet go and entered the headmistress’s office, closing the door behind him. “What was that all about, Dusty?”
The stern looking mare behind the desk waved a hoof. “Shining! You take all this time to stop by my office and I don’t even get a hello?”
“Hello, Dusty Trails. Or should I be calling you Headmistress?”
The burnt orange earth pony looked as though she was nearing the end of her life, but she still had a youthful vigor in her eyes. “Only if you want me calling you Commander.” Dusty smiled. “What has it been? Two years? Far too long. I haven’t really seen you since you went down the officer track.” Shining Armor sat down in the chair on the opposite side of Dusty’s marble desk.
“Well some brave pony has to school the new cadets. All of us officers are happy that it’s you taking the hit, rather than us.” Shining Armor leaned forward and took her hoof in his own. “But seriously, Dusty, how are you holding up?”
“Better than expected. It wasn’t such a surprise as you’d think. We had known for a long time. He was getting worse by the day.” Dusty’s expression was solemn.
Shining Armor shook his head and swore under his breath. “He hid it well, I didn’t know at the slightest. It seemed so sudden.”
“Horn Rot can be like that.” Dusty sobbed quietly. “He was in a lot of pain most of the time, but not anymore. At least that’s how I keep thinking of it. But… yes, it’s been… hard.”
“You should have told us, any of us officers. We could have done… something.”
Dusty pulled her hoof out from underneath Shining’s hoof. She gave it a dismissive wave. “No, he didn’t want the officers to think of him as weak. He loved being captain, and he didn’t want to give that up. Stubborn to the end. That’s ol’ Hopper. Anyway, let’s save the teary eyed stuff to the memorial this evening.” She wiped her eyes. “Wouldn’t want to run out of tears before then.” She gave a false chuckle.
“I think that wouldn’t be much of a problem. You’re a strong mare, Dusty. Had to be, you married Hopper.”
“But, you didn’t come all the way down here to watch me cry my eyes out.” Dusty frowned. “I know why you’re here, Shining. I must say, as a friend, it hurts slightly that it would take this for us to see each other again.”
“Considering the circumstances, both past and present, it can’t be helped.” Shining Armor said quietly. Dusty nodded. “Your recommendation, Dusty. I was wondering where your mind is leaning.”
“Yes, of course.” Dusty leaned back in her chair and inhaled deeply. “Shining, you know I respect you greatly. And you’d be perfect for the job…. You’ve got tenacity and pragmatism.”
Shining scowled. “Your tone isn’t matching your words. This is starting to sound like you’re not going to recommend me, Dusty.”
“I feel you’d be a better fit for field work, Armor.”
Shining Armor felt his heart stop. “Dusty, you know I’m the best candidate for captain of the guard. I have the experience, I had the best scores. Hopper himself recommended me. Your good word would seal it. Surely you don’t think that there’s any pony out there better than…”
Dusty “Celestia, Armor. It’s because you’re so good that you can’t be the captain. If we kick all our good soldiers upstairs then who’s left to be on the front lines?”
“Shit. Maybe the cadets you’re training? Or are they worthless fools because you can’t…?”
Dusty stood up abruptly, the chair spinning slowly behind her. “It’s been a tough week for me, Armor. Don’t say anything you’re going to regret.” Dusty sat back down. “I’m going to recommend Commander Trebuchet. He’s personable and has the support of the nobles. If the guard is going to continue to get funding from the noble families we’re going to need a face that can dine with them and woo them.”
“And what happens when a threat turns up and Trebby can’t handle the guard?”
“This isn’t the third age, Shining. We’ve been in a peaceful state for the last five hundred years. That’s part of the problem. The nobles think we’re…. superfluous. Like it or not, while the princess appoints the captain, she does so on the academy’s recommendation and after consulting with the nobles. The captain of the guard… it’s nothing more than a desk position.” She sighed.
“It’s my desk position.” Shining ran his hoofs down muzzle. “I can get their support. I can….”
“Your family name doesn’t carry weight in the noble circles, quite the opposite. Trebuchet is the better choice here. But he can’t do it alone. You can help with that. You know he gets to appoint an aide when he is granted the position. I can sway him into choosing you.”
“So I can fetch him coffee? Dusty, I can’t say I agree with you. You’re making a mistake. Trebuchet is a tool.”
“Shining.” She said curtly.
“At least think this over. You don’t have to make a public announcement for two weeks. Give me time I’ll rally support from the nobles. You’ll see. You know me, I can be persuasive.”
“You’re not going to be able to do it.”
“As a friend, I’m asking. Just keep your mind open.”
“I can’t recommend a candidate that the nobles are hesitant about, not when it’s well known we’re friends. Think of what that would look like. Even if Princess Celestia thought you were the best choice, her hooves would be tied.”
“Dusty! Don’t you trust me? When have I ever not delivered? Two weeks, Dusty. Two weeks is all I need.”
“If you really could get support….” She mumbled. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask. Two weeks.” Shining Armor placed his hoof on the door. “After the memorial we should head down to Greenseed’s and put away a few salt licks. Reminisce about old times.”
“I’d like that.” Dusty smiled. “I’ll see you tonight, Shining.”
19:37 - Canterlot - EUP Academy Campus
Shining Armor adjusted his uniform, a navy blue suit of heavy fabric that made his movements stiff and stale. Normally Shining Armor couldn’t stand wearing it or any clothes. Canterlot prided itself on its wealth, and rich clothes were aplenty in its streets. His family, the Arcanums, had money, more than his father knew what to do with. Though Shining had always found his father a comparatively uncreative pony. Still they certainly could afford clothes, but wearing an outfit said certain things about a pony. Wealth, certainly. But more importantly, allegiances. Shining Armor had always preferred to keep such things close to the chest. Tonight he was wearing a traditional formal EUP dinner suit. It pronounced loud and clear that his devotion was to the Guard. In a time where the Captain’s position was up for grabs, he needed to make this abundantly clear.
The memorial dinner was being held in the EUP Academy Firefly Ballroom. An extravagant structure, built back during the peace time between the first and second Griffin Wars. It had been named for a famous pegasus of some kind. Shining knew the story behind the building, but never found that particular branch of the EUP to be noteworthy. The high archways loomed over the crowd as they filed in to the building.
Shining Armor smiled as he watched Princess Cadenza pass underneath the archway. He gave a slight nod of acknowledgment and a flirty brow for good measure. Commander Trebuchet walked next to the Princess, his hip brushing up against the pink mare’s own. Shining Armor scowled as he threw you a passing glance. “How foolish of me. The conversation between Trebby and Cadenza this afternoon was a red flag, one I didn’t pay enough attention to.” He looked at you square in the eyes. “To see the Princess on the EUP campus for such an event is not surprising, but I should have seen this coming. The familiarity, not using her title. It looks like Commander Trebby has now not one, but two things I want. Dusty’s recommendation and the Princess’s heart. But the night has only just begun and there are nobles here, friends of the late Hopper. If Dusty thinks I can’t curry favor when the time calls for it, then she is sorely mistaken. Excuse me, duty calls…. Princess Cadenza, aren’t you just divine this evening!” Shining Armor smiled as he approached the pink mare. “Tell me, is that Hoity Toity you’re wearing?”
Cadenza blushed and smiled in return. “It is! How’d you know?”
“Why would somepony as lovely as you,” Shining began as his gaze turned to Trebuchet, “settle for anything less than the best?” Trebuchet scoffed quietly, but Shining Armor ignored him. “Shall we sit together for the toast?”
Trebuchet nodded. “Yes, I hear it’s going to be quite good. In fact I want to see your reaction to it.”
“Oh, did Buckler share it with you a head of time?”
“Spoilers, Armor. Spoilers.” Trebuchet chuckled. The heads in the room turned to face the center table as a ringing sound drew their attention.
“Shh. I think it’s starting.” Cadenza said, placing a hoof to her mouth.
Buckler cleared his throat and shouted. “Alright all you week knees, listen up!” Buckler chuckled uneasily as he cleared his throat. He nodded to Dusty, who had been ringing a glass to settle the mob of ponies into a silent stupor. “I know, that’s a bit crass. Where’s the ‘fillies and gentlecolts’ introduction you were expecting? Well I thought about how to start this toast for a very long time. After a good three nights of lying awake in bed, I figured the best way to start a toast for Captain Hoplite was the same way he started every officer’s meeting, So in the spirit ol’ Hopper, I’d like to thank all us ‘week knees’ for coming to this memorial.”
Buckler lifted up his glass and smiled, a tear in his eye. “I can’t really begin to describe what the captain meant to all of us. He was so many different things to each one of us.” He pointed to a mare in the crowd. “Like you, Lt. Honeybee, I remember one time when you came to ol’ Hopper and you said to him, ‘Captain I don’t know how I’m going to tell my ponies that tomorrow we’re marching into a dragon’s den.’ And he looked at you… and he said… he said, ‘Like you just did. If you can voice your complaints to me, then you sure as Discord can voice ‘em to a little old dragon. As if I would let a big ol’ lizard take down my troops.’ Ah, I can’t do it justice. I wish I could, but if you could see the fire in his eyes, you’d know he meant every word. The bastard had all that fire in him. He’d kept his word that day too.”
“But I’m rambling. I’m sorry.” Buckler inhaled deeply. “Where was I? Ah, yes, all the things Hopper meant to all of us. A fearsome leader. A cunning commander. A solid rock to lean on.” He tilted his drink at several groups of ponies as he spoke. “A father. A loving husband.” He gave a quick smile to Dusty. “A friend without parallel. And most importantly, an old windbag!” Buckler chuckled along with the crowd. “But you all know that he had to be all those things.” He pursed his lips and thought for a moment.
“You know, he told me once that all those things, a leader, a friend, a rock, they we’re in his job description. That’s what a captain is. He’s not just a pony that organizes the guard, or protects the princess with his life. That’s what a captain does. But what a captain is… is a dependable pony; an honest pony that will be everything the guard, and his friends, need.” Buckler lifted his glass upwards. “To the loudest captain the EUP has ever had! Rest in peace, you big mouth.”
The crowd erupted in applause; glasses rising up and cider spilling everywhere.
“My, Commander Buckler sure can get a crowd going.” Cadenza said.
Shining Armor smiled. “He sure….”
Dusty stood up and rang her spoon against her glass. “If I can have you attention please?” Dusty smiled nervously as she set her glass down. “As you all know, the EUP was very important to my late husband. As such, I can think of no better time than when honoring his memorial to announce my recommendation for the captain’s office.”
Shining Armor’s eyes went wide. “What is this?” He muttered, his jaw going slack.
“A pony you all know very well. One who both I and my husband knew from the get go that we would pass the position to, should the circumstance ever arise. I, Dusty Trails, Headmistress of the EUP Academy, do wholeheartedly recommend Commander Trebuchet for the position of Captain of the Royal Guard.”
Shining Armor’s teeth clenched so hard, he was sure one of them cracked. “Think about it my flank. This is a low blow, at you husband’s own memorial even.”
Trebuchet turned to face Shining Armor. “Better luck next time, Shining.” He stood up and with a flustered expression he attempted to thank the crowd around him that was applauding him.
Shining Armor stood up. “If you’ll excuse me. I think I need some air.”
21:12 - Canterlot – Greenseed’s Salt Bar and Stable
It was drizzling outside. In many ways it wasn’t a surprise to Shining Armor that Canterlot’s weather team had scheduled rain for the evening. In order to keep up with keeping the area hydrated in a city where outright storms were kept to a strict minimum, the weather team needed to periodically keep the city in an annoying state of dreariness during the spring evenings. For Shining Armor, however, it reflected his dour mood rather poetically. He turned his attention back from the window he had been gazing out of in order to wave the bartender over.
Greenseed’s wasn’t Shining’s normal place to drown his sorrows. It was a normally rowdy salt bar that many of the EUP cadets frequented after a long day of brutal training. He had often come here with Dusty and Buckler during his own days at the academy. Those days had long since passed though. Today the bar was mostly empty; the bulk of its usual patrons still attending the memorial. Even though most of the cadets there had never meet their captain face to face, they were still expected to attend. The bar had a haze of pretzel dust in the air, from a fresh batch of pretzel rods being brought up from the cellar. The bartender approached the forlorn commander and leaned in close to his ear. “Another? Same thing again or something else?”
“Dry cider with lots of crystal.”
“You got it.” The bartender slid the empty glass close to his chest and poured a rusty liquid into it. He swirled it around a few times, some sort of twig thrilling in the liquid as he did so. He lifted it up with his wing and examined the state of it briefly before splashing large chunks of rock salt into the drink. With a quick motion he slammed the drink down on the table, a few droplets landing on the counter top. “All set.” The bar tender slid the drink to Shining and gave him a weary smile. He took a cloth off his withers and mopped up the splashes on the counter before leaving the pony to his intoxicating beverage.
Shining Armor sighed as he looked around the bar. His eyes not really focusing on anything or anypony completely. Beside him sat an orange coated pegasus, collapsed with his muzzle on a salad. The pegasus was mumbling to himself, an act the Shining Armor found repulsive. Even in his current state of depression, he still felt that there should be some standards that a pony, particularly one that was in the EUP, should adhere. Shining quickly sized up the pony collapsed next to him. The young stallion was well built, his wings muscular enough that he might have been a Wonderbolt recruit, but his frame was far too heavy for that. Most of the bulkier pegasi that the EUP employed usually ended up as a chariot puller. Glorified taxies. A wasteful part of the guard, he had always thought. The pegasus groaned. “Bucking Trebuchet.”
Shining Armor, swirled the salt crystals in his glass, “You can say that again.” In a moment of sobriety, his eyes shot open. “Wait. What?” Shining Armor turned to face the pegasus, who now was staring him right in the eyes.
“Shit.” The pegasus said between his teeth. “Commander Armor. I…” He looked at the unicorn, his eyes tracing up and down his form rapidly. “I didn’t recognize you.”
Shining Armor’s drink levitated to his lips. He took a large swig and slammed the glass down. “I suppose I don’t look like the paragon of the guard you cadets have all learned to respect and fear, huh?”
“No sir. No offence.” He tilted his head slightly. It was obvious a question was pursed on his lips, but he was internally debating if he should ask it.
“Wait. I know you.” Shining Armor said as he gestured with his drinking glass.
“Oh, perfect.” The pegasus grumbled. “A functioning drunk.”
“You’re that cadet that bumped into me when I was entering the headmistress’s office.” He waited for the pegasus to nod slightly to confirm it, then he chuckled. “You have a name, clumsy?”
“Cadet Flash Sentry, sir.” The pegasus turned back to face the bar, a small sugar cookie, half eaten, still lay on his plate. Shining Armor noticed he hadn’t bought anything to drink. He eyed the pegasus for a moment. The pony had clearly decided he was done conversing and Shining hadn’t decided if he was going to do the same yet. In the distance the bartender was futzing with a rowdy patron, nearly causing the impaired Shining Armor to forget what he was doing. He stared back at the large chunk of salt in his glass.
“Why do you hate Commander Trebuchet?” Shining finally said.
Flash turned his head slightly and sighed. “I’m a cadet, it’s his job to make my life miserable.”
Shining looked into the stallion’s eyes and smirked. “It’s more than that isn’t it?” The pegasus nodded. Shining waved to the bartender. “Get us a couple of pretzel rods.”
The bartender placed a small clear glass plate on the bar and dropped to pretzel rods on it. Shining picked on up and placed it between his lips. His magic offered on to the pegasus. Flash’s hoof brushed the pretzel away. “No. I don’t like them.”
Shining Armor nodded. “I thought so.” He sucked on the salt on the pretzel for a moment before continuing. “What’s somepony who’s in the program doing down at a salt bar anyway? Must be something mighty bad to risk all this temptation. What did Trebby do to you?”
“What do you care?” Flash sneered.
Shining Armor bit off the tip of the pretzel rod, he removed it from his mouth and tapped the edge on the glass plate. A few crumbs dropped into the plate and he pressed the rod’s end into them, with a twist. Placing the pretzel back in his mouth he chuckled. “Cheer up kid, you’re not alone in hating Trebby. Wish I could knock him down a peg myself.” Shining Armor got up from his stool. His legs wobbled and his vision blurred. He adjusted the pretzel’s position in his mouth then tossed the other pretzel rod on the glass plate. “If temptation does get to you tonight go ahead and use that one. At least it’s paid for already.” Shining Armor stumbled out of the bar and onto the street. “Right now, I know what I have to do.”
23:46 - Canterlot – Shining Armor’s Townhouse
Shining Armor was sitting by his windowsill when the knock came at his door. He stood up and made his way to the hallway where the front door sat. He glanced up at the clock, taking note of the exceptionally late hour and then fixed his gaze back at the door. He waited for a moment and a second knock came. A subtle smirk on his face, Shining opened the door. Flash Sentry stood on the front steps. He pulled an object that was held by his wing out and held it up with his hoof. It was the pretzel rod from the bar. “Could you do it? Take Trebuchet down a peg, I mean.”
Shining Armor stayed still as a statue save for his eyes which greedily examined the pegasus. Minutes passed before he opened his mouth to speak. When he did, he spoke slowly. “How did you know where I lived?”
“Campus has a registry. The headmistress’s secretary leaves it on top of her desk often. She never cleans up her workspace before nighttime.” Flash said.
“Resourceful. And how did you know that the secretary doesn’t clean up at night?” Shining Armor nodded.
“I’m in the building a lot. And I notice things.”
“Good.” Shining Armor turned away from the door and walked inside. “Close the door and wipe your hooves. I don’t like mud on my floor.”
“My turn for a question. Could you knock Trebuchet down off his pedestal?”
“No.” Shining said flatly.
“So this was a waste of time.” Flash turned to face the nighttime street. “I see.”
Shining Armor took the pretzel from the pegasus’s hoof and smiled. He examined the treat for a moment and then placed it down on the windowsill. “Do you remember what you said when we first met? When you bumped into me? ‘Serendipity,’ I think it was. I think you meant it ironically, but I’m not so sure I agree. We both have a mutual desire. And that we should meet at this time? That really is serendipity.”
“You mean to say you can’t take him down alone.”
“Yes. See, you are something I could never be. A nopony. You’re a lowly cadet. You can go places and see things, do things, that I would never be able to get away with.”
“If I understand you correctly. You’re asking for things that we can’t discuss in public ever. There’s no going back once this starts.”
“You have to see the bigger picture, Flash. With Trebuchet out of the way, what happens then?”
Flash nodded. “You become the new captain.” Flash nodded again, a sudden understanding washing over him. “And you can elect a Pony Friday.”
“And I pick an aide.” Shining Armor leaned onto the windowsill. “We’ll have a lot of work to do. A lot of sleepless nights. A lot of planning and reacting.” Shining Armor looked out the window, his gaze focusing on you, a smile on his face. “Are you up to it?”
