A jobless stallion, wandering around Canterlot hoping he could find a reason for his life, and when he thought his destiny was to rot, he found his reason to live on.
Lightning Blade, 2nd Commander of the Solar Stallions, now retired, he's not old, nor injured, he saw too much death. He wandered around Canterlot, hoping to find a reason for his life, and when he thought his destiny was to rot, his friend Emerald Spark got him back to the army, there, his adventure begins, to the path of the Lunar Stallions.
(I currently don't have a friend who draws fan-art for me, since it's holiday here in Malaysia, no one wants to draw, so I got a random image from google, hope you guys don't mind.)
On the streets of Canterlot, mares and gentlecolts fill the streets, minding their own business, interviews, shopping, whatever a city horse should do, I'm Lightning Blade, and I'm just about to get thrown out from this restaurant by this staff. He dragged me like a rag doll (it's not like I'm giving any resistance), to be honest, this guy should go be a wrestler or something, he's strong, he can push shipments that weight about a chariot and I can't blame him for doing this to me, he's just doing his job. The reason I'm being dragged out of the restaurant is because I'm fired, I 'so called' mistreated the customer, and I hate that mare for being such a asshole, I was trying to save the owner's money, (she kept sending back dishes and complained about them), but he fired me for mistreating, fuck him.
Finally, I was dragged out of that dark, well I guess I can say grand, restaurant, it was a nice place, but with the fucked up owner in that building ruined my perspective. One of the managers barked, "This restaurant doesn't accept rude waiters like you, don't ever come back again!" he shut the door hard. I stood up, feeling like tearing down that place, *expressing anger* sorry, I'm just pissed because it's been 9 times since I'm fired from worthless Canterlot attitudes, wait have I introduced myself? No, I'm a Pegasus, I guess I can say I'm quite tempered sometimes, and my cutie mark, obviously, like my name, a short blade with electric surrounding it. I used to serve the royal family as a Solar Stallion, but I decided to leave because I've seen enough bloodshed from the last few years, my best friend died from an attempted assassination on Princess Luna, he's reliable, jokey, and the only stallion I've called brother, I remember he smiled and said this sentence before he died, "Forgive Princess Luna for this. Promise me you protect both of them." His name was Arche Venture, Lieutenant and rising, but died with a dreadful spear in his chest. I hated Princess Luna for being a top target for the assassins. I hated her that she's been selfish when she became Nightmare Moon, but after I talked to her, which I did, and I finally knew how she felt of all these years, and I forgive her, I wandered in the streets of Canterlot, and now, I'm just a piece of junk waiting to rot.
"Got fired again?" standing right there was Staff Sergeant, Emerald Spark, my previous partner, we did a lot of things together but never got to a real conversation before. Hey, it's a royal family service and shit like that, plus, we don't talk unless we need to.
"That's none of your business Sparky, and why do you keep following me? Shouldn't you be patrolling or busy protecting the princesses?" Seriously, I'm annoyed. That's like the 5th time he's been waiting outside the door for me to get fired.
"You know your whole ancestor job-line is tied to being apart of the Solar Stallions right? There's no possibility that you can get a job outside here." said Emerald Spark, calmly giving me a hoof then I stumbled like an idiot. "See, you can't even..."
"Oh stallion, will you just get the fuck out of my life? I don't believe that there's no job for me to do, and for the last time, leave me alone." I pushed him away, and shuffled my way back to my house, which my parents left for me. I remember giving a cold, dead, warning stare to Sparky to not follow me.
Eventually, he rushed to my side, "Look, well don't hit me yet, there's some news." *Whack* "Ouch, come on!" *Whack*, "We are low on troops, the Jackal clan is getting more assassins to finish Princess Luna off, and we need your expertise Lightning, we need you back, your Majesty... needs you."
"Give me the details, and WHAT EXACTLY YOU MEAN YOUR MAJESTY NEEDS ME?" I gave an angry reply.
"We got attacked on a escort mission, all of our troops were dead, they want us all to die and finish Princess Luna. Okay, I can't really answer that question, ask Princess Luna yourself." He tried to jab me, but I dodged.
"I'll... I'll think about it." When I heard they want us all to die, it means they want even innocent troops and the ones related to them to parish, and I have a friendly relationship with Princess Luna, 'friendly'. I would not wish her to get harmed, my friend did told me to guard both of the princesses, I don't want to fail him.
"Send me a mail when you want to rejoin the Solar Stallions." He was beginning to lift off, and I quickly said.
"Wait! I'll go, since... I do owe Arche a promise." I mumbled a bit. Okay I mumbled. *sigh* when I make a promise I do it okay? Don't look at me like that!
"I knew you would change your mind, well what are you waiting for? A chariot to come and fetch you?" *Whack*
"I was beginning to like you Sparky, don't disappoint me, by the way, I really wanted to climb on a chariot and watch you fly 10 miles to the castle."
"Yes sir.' he grinned. Oh by the way, I was a Second Commander. Guess I'll have to earn it back after all these years.
This is great, just great, my room is now somepony else's storage room, I swear to Celestia, I will beat the crap out of him or her. My room is now a complete disaster, swords, spears, and armor, all the equipment was thrown here, I think somepony just had sex here too, and I wouldn't know unless I get a CCTV like in the human comics, and exactly, they don't fucking exist. They should pay some respect on the last Second Commander, and that's me. I'm beginning to regret coming back here.
"Hey recruit, get into your standing position, the commander is heading this way." a Solar Stallion ordered me. Obviously a fresh stallion.
"Yes, Sir." I gave a rude reply. Then, two stallions marched forward, their helmet with blue linings, or fur you could say, are high ranking stallions, and then the commander marched forward, his head lifted high, pussy, I bet he could hardly bear a punch. He's one of the youngest commanders I've seen in my whole life, maybe Your Majesties need my help after all. He's a good leader type, but not a commander that will sacrifice his own life for his troops, much less block a arrow for the princesses, I know it because I have a Lieutenant with that same face, Steel Scepter.
"Attention! Your Highness wants a group of five to escort her personnel, to Ponyville tomorrow morning, any volunteers?" said Steel Scepter, man why don't he just choose himself. Since we're low on troops, and the damn sad news about the last squad, no one will do it, especially these newbies.
"Sir, if I may speak?" I asked, I wanted to show who's the actual commander here, well before.
"Yes, and I assume you don't talk non-sense other than the escort mission?" he said, okay, you sir, are being too comfortable in this position.
"Why don't you just choose yourself? Surely you know that yourself that no one wants to risk their life for these personnel unless for good reason, because the only stallion with guts, is Arche Venture!" I barked out like a soldier answering his commander. ( Just imagine in the US Marines or something, I learned it from a comic ).
"And who do you think you are? I am your commander! I give the orders, you follow! Am I clear?" he barked at me, I AM SERIOUSLY PISSED.
"He's gonna get himself into trouble." whispers in the soldiers began.
"I am Lightning Blade, previous Second Commander. Ever heard of me?" he took a step back, the lowered his head, and apologized, the other stallions quickly stopped gossiping.
I think I've gone too far, he's just trying I guess. So I decided to turn this around a bit.
"Okay I don't mean to hurt your name Steel, but you're doing it wrong, try and make decisions a commander 'should' make, you don't ask for volunteers, unless you're escorting the princesses, and you sir, didn't even manage the bunkers cleanliness? Plus, this used to be my room, and I assume no one had done mating in it right?" two soldiers flinched. Mare and Stallion, my tactic worked *grin*.
"Sorry sir, I'll follow your words." he quickly ordered somepony to clean the bunker, and chose 4 stallions who are fit for the job, and me, of course he would want me to go out into the field right? After all I'm pretty much the most experienced stallion here.
"Excuse me commander, you should be calling me recruit, since I've left a long time ago, now rejoined, a veteran, but not a commander." I saluted. I give him my word, I could rest for a while, not shouting at newbies and shit like that.
*Clearing Throat* "Your advice is appreciated recruit, now back to your bunkers, you'll need your rest now, fall asleep in your escort, you'll get it! Dismissed." Now my stallion is acting like a true commander, guess that turned out well after all.
I stepped into my bunker, now cleaned and neat, I laid on the bed, it's not that comfortable as before, since all that junk sat on it for so long, the springs should already been damaged. *Sigh* Guess this will have to do tonight. I opened the roof-window, watched the moon rise, then the stars too, I remembered the first time I've been with Princess Luna on the balcony, she raised her moon, she hasn't done it for a long time, so she needs somepony to hold her, and I knew this would end up a friendship, *laugh* if I were her, I would do better. I'm boasting don't mind me. It was nice, and quiet, she sat beside me, well of course I had to stand, because you're the guard, what do you expect? She did offered me to sit, but I insisted to stand, that would be more formal, in a way. Guess I did go out of my position, laughing with the princess of the night, and talking about this and that, I still can't understand her royal ascent, thy and thou, I hope she learned to use the modern ascent. I glanced at the night sky, slowly I fall into my dreams.
The next day, I was woke up by Emerald Spark, he brought me to the new constructed cafeteria, it's totally better than the previous one, there's even a bar and snack bar, and oh my gosh, nachos with cheese, *shaking head* Sorry I was carried away, heheh, now the seats, they are better, softer than the last ones, hard wood, urgh. Emerald treated me this time, since I don't really have any bits now, so I had no choice. Cereals and hot chocolate, a normal day's starting meal, most ponies prefer milk, I prefer hot chocolate. Man, the hot chocolate really remind me of my dad's brewin.... I stared at the cup, when was the last time he made me one, well, when I was 7, he died, life's hard for a Solar Stallion, danger's in every corner of your life.
"You okay?" asked Emerald.
"Yeah, the chocolate just reminded me of my dad, don't worry, I moved on." I took the cup and drained it quickly. "We're gonna be late if we eat slowly." I reminded him of the escort mission.
After the breakfast, we headed to the main hall, Princess Celestia sat royally on her throne, with Princess Luna beside her, I tried hard not to lock eyes with her, it would be bad. There is also six ponies in front of them, I recognize one of them, Princess Twilight, man, it's just getting better and better, I don't hate her, but I just have a feeling Flash Sentry's always starring at her or something, or is it just me? Flash Sentry is a higher ranking pony, he's our squad leader for today's mission.
"These are the best you've got? Seriously? A group of assassins want to kill Twilight, and you send her a small group to protect her?" said the rainbow haired mare, well pony might fit her better.
"Rainbow Dash! Princess Celestia is doing her best, besides, as long as we're together, our magic will always protect us." said Twilight, I give a 4/5 for that, nicely said.
"Whatever." said Rainbow Dish? Okay never mind.
"I'm sorry, it's just Jackal's hiring more assassins to try to kill Princess Luna here, and I have to keep some to guard the palace and her." said Princess Celestia, you really need to recruit more Solar Stallions.
"It's okay Princess Celestia, I'm sure we'll be fine, that right sugar cube?" said the pony with 3 apples for her cutie mark, with some good country-side ascent.
"Yes! Of course, now lets go back to Ponyville, I miss Owlowiscious." said Twilight.
"Have a safe trip back, I think we'll be seeing each other soon." said Princess Celestia.
"I think Princess Luna is looking at you Lightning, lets just go." said Emerald Spark, since when did he knew my relationship with Princess Luna?
We formed a diamond formation so that if any assassins were to pop out, and attempt to assassinate them we have a 5 sided defense, or 360 degrees you could say. Basic military tactics do save your lives sometime. We took the train, trains, urgh, they always have this kind of smell, a type of scent I could smell, my nose is hyper sensitive at times, and it seems to activate now.... dammit. We secured the entrances of the hallway to prevent any passengers, to pass by, they might by chance be an assassin, and it would be ugly. Problem is, I don't know why is Twilight involved in this, Princess Luna is, well her own business, but Twilight's just a normal princess, okay, I have to admit they are strong, in magic, friendship, and I still don't understand, maybe because I'm really dumb. Shining Armor did tell us to take good care of her, and he even sent SilverShot with us, one of his finest troops, an unicorn, strong, disciplined, and well, higher rank than me. Suddenly, the train shook, SilverShot went out to take a look, but there was nothing, the roof of the train suddenly opened, daggers began to pour from that freaking hole, I quickly shouted "Assassins!"
From what I heard, assassins in the old days actually kill for peace, justice blah blah blah....... and doesn't give a fuck about minor princesses with their companions and shit like that, well I think it's actually a lie. This piece of garbage in front of me tries to charge at me with his curved blade but missed, this is so easy, I can dance with him the whole year! But my duty isn't dancing with tin can made ponies, it is to protect the princess, man, she really have a big bounty on her head or some shit. Princess Twilight and her friends was brought to the other side of the train for safety, I'm pretty sure Flash Sentry enjoys that, I mean it bro, he stares at her ass like a zombie, she is gonna fucking kill him when she finds out.
*Plank!* A huge knife flew by me ( which means missed ) and got stuck, this ass-assin isn't letting me go, the others too are trying hard to get to the princess, the stallion named Bronze Shield was fending off 2 of the assassins, his spear pointing at their chest, dashing forward randomly to scare them off, dude, come on you can do this! Forget about it, time for daddy to teach you how to kill some bitches. I draw my blades, ( yes draw, I have hooves, and I can fly ) and taunted, he's not moving, but he's ready for any strikes, but is he ready for this guy? I charged forward, my left blade pointing at him, right blade ready to stab his neck and decapitate him, but he was smart, instead of deflecting it, he crouched down, and disarmed my right blade, I was to confident, shit. He's better than I thought, well he could use some training in his throwing knifes. Now he has 2 blades, and I don't like people touching my babies, now it's a kill or be killed situation, but I have the disadvantage. He dashed forward, he thrown his blade at me, I grabbed it by the side, hurting myself, but i don't give a fuck about the pain, I spun and slashed his chest, he fell to the ground, I finished him off with a back stab, he muttered something I couldn't understand, like some sort of prayer, and tries to stab me, but he died after a few seconds. Sometimes I wished that the assassin would just surrender instead of fighting to the death, it's pointless unless it pays a lot, unlike bounty hunters, they were commanded to kill by the master assassins, so I guess, if he's force to do it, I just killed another innocent, young, stallion with a lot of potentials.
"Argh! Recru... I mean Commander! I need a hoof here." said ThunderHoof, desperately fending off attacks from the enemy.
I quickly jumped in one blade stabbed into one of the assassins neck and the other slashing his belly. The assassin I stabbed in the neck died in seconds, but the other had to suffer, he breathed quickly, trying to ease the pain, but it won't help, tears came out from his eyes, he muttered softly in Equestrian language, "I regret doing this, I accept the punishment god has to give me" Then he spoke in English, "I'm sorry, *heavy breathing*... forgive me......" he stopped breathing.
I closed his eyes, and I thought in my heart, "Rest in peace." But I can't give out any emotions, I'm a Solar Stallion, not a pussy.
"Commander, Is everything alright?" asked Bronze Shield in concern.
"I'm fine, and for the last time, I'm a private." I replied.
"Yes trooper."
"Wait a second, there were 4 assassins, where's..." I realized, that the 4th assassin was heading for Princess Twilight, with a big pie bomb "There he is, the corridor! He has a pie bomb! Don't let him get to the princess!" ( Okay I'm just following other fanfic's ideas, and that would be the pie bombs )
We chased the assassin, but he was fast, ThunderHoof couldn't catch up, so I went on without him. Damn why must trains be so damn long. Lucky I still work out every morning for my stamina, and agility. I reach his side before he could reach the room Princess Twilight was held in, I disarmed his pie bomb, and pushed him off the train. He crashed out from the window, and hit a tree, I'm pretty sure he broke his neck. I looked at the pie, the fuse still going, I quickly put in under my belly, and off it went. The amount of sugar was enough to kill 5 ponies, and I absorbed it all, I blacked out, for the first time in my life. I felt heavy, drunk, weak, but I felt warmth, like death was welcoming me with warmth, embracing me, surrounding me like water, like... like I was in a hot spring, and then I realized, i wasn't breathing for the last few minutes, am I really dead? Suddenly I felt somepony hugging me, quite tight, how can I know somepony's hugging me? Because I can still feel, dumbs. So by that, I might be unconscious, or half dead. Then I felt water in my check, drop by drop, like rain, like somepony's crying on my face, and then I saw light, my eyes slowly opened, I saw Princess Luna hugging me, I was like man, I didn't expect her to be here, or even hug me, I'm just a regular Solar Stallion with no other talents except killing.
I forgot to inform you guys, I became a Solar Stallion not because of my ancestors, but because I was able to kill, able to defend, I killed a thief when I was 6, I remember stabbing the thief multiple times in the skull, blood splattered all over the marble tiles. He killed my brother just to get money from his room, and that time, my brother was my last family member. My best buddy, my best listener, and everything. His name is Bolt Razor, skilled in both smelting and crafting. My dad was killed on the campaign, code name Night Raid. He was to lead his squad to eliminate the murderers in that area, but the murderers were ahead of them, they killed them all with a blink of an eye. His body was sent to us, I bared the pain. I found out, that the thief I killed, was one of them. I was suppose to feel the vengeance, but to be honest, I never liked to kill, I'd rather get killed too, but I couldn't stop it, it was like a drug, but controllable, it triggers me to kill whenever I'm threatened, and if they surrender, I could stop, but if they were faking, I will know, and eventually, I'll kill them the second they lie to me. All that cool talking just now, was...... was nothing...... I'm just trying to make you my friend, but turns out I have to tell you anyways. *Clear Throat* Back to topic.
I saw Princess Luna hugging me, obviously sad, but I was surprised, no princess would ever hug a dead soldier, unless... they're precious to them. So I guess I am, precious to her. I put my hoof on her head, and stroked her mane, and I said "Hey, you're choking me." I gotta tell you, Princess Luna's face that time was so fucking funny my mood just went back! She quickly backed off and wiped off her tears quickly, hiding her emotions, then she said "Don't get me wrong, I was just..." she blushed a bit. I can imagine what happens if I didn't wake up, a fucking kiss for the pretend to be dead stallion. I laughed at her, "Hahahaha, Princess Luna, you should see your face!" I couldn't resist it, guys, lemme just *BAHAHAHHA* lemme just cool down a... *SLAP* second.... ouch.
"I said don't get me wrong, I was only... sad." Princess Luna said in a serious tone. I think I over did it.
"Hey don't be mad, I was just joki.... I mean, Sorry, Your Highness." I forgot, I'm no longer a commander like before, I'm now a private, recruit, fresh stallion.
"Your apologies is accepted." She giggled a bit.
"Why are yo... I mean, Your Highness, may I ask why are you the only one here?" I'm still not used to talking formerly with Princess Luna, since... well you know.
"I'm the only one here because.... because...." She couldn't reply me, I guess she still treat me as her friend doesn't she?
"Are you okay Your Highness?"
"Your concern is appreciated, it's just, I'm not used to talking to you like that since, the last time we spent time together." she tries to ignore the question.
"Well if you allow me to speak as normally as I did, I ask permission now to."
"Permission granted *giggle*" I know I know! I know I can flirt, don't be jealous. ( You know I'm kidding right? )
"So...... can I know why you're the only one here now?"
"About that...... you've been lying on the bed for 4 days, unconscious, and I was here with others until your last breath."
"And my last breath was?"
"An hour ago." I quickly coughed, and breathed in as much air as I can. I think I have a lot on lactic acid in my body right now and might kill me. Princess Luna laughed with her too, but still I didn't get the right answer, but forget it. The atmosphere was awkward after a few minutes, I left the army so long and we didn't talked for a long time, I bet she don't even remember she taught me Equestrian language and the Lunar Stallions' quote. We stared at each other, for no reason, and it just went on for half an hour until she hugged me again. I was stunned again... okay, I ain't that type of stallion with obsessions about hot mares and getting laid, I'm just like a innocent foal, don't get me wrong.
"Um... urgh... are you alright?" I think that's how you ask when a mare is hugging you for no reason.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She nudged me. Crap, please don't go side ways.
"I don't think you are, this is not the princess I know."
"It's been a while, things have changed, I was really lonely when you left. No one talked to me besides my sister, but she's always busy. And no one... shared how much we loved the night." Tears start to roll down her cheeks again.
"Princess Luna, I'm alive now, there's no reason to... *gulp*" She leaned closer.
"The day I received news about you returning, I was so excited to see you, but you were sent to an escort mission on the day I decided to visit you. And I saw them lifting a wounded back, and it was you... I panicked and I... I ... I didn't know what to do... I..." She started crying like a foal. Aw man, at least its not going to the relationship part. I comforted her, but not hugging, no hugs.
"I'm alive now, stop crying, you're suppose to lead Canterlot... you're suppose to be strong." Geez, talk about total father like speech.
"Thank you, but please... " She leaned against me "Stay for just a moment." I was stunned, badly, like adrenaline overload. I'm not good at this shit. It went on for hours instead of moments, and eventually she fell asleep. Could this day get any worse?
